| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08291429B2 |
Organization of heterogeneous entities into system resource groups for defining policy management framework in managed systems environment
A method, system, and computer program product for implementing policies in a managed systems environment is provided. A plurality of the heterogeneous entities is organized into a system resource group (SRG). Each of the plurality of heterogeneous entities is visible to an application operable on the managed systems environment. The system resource group is subject to at least one membership requirement, defines a relationship between at least two of the heterogeneous entities, contains at least one policy defining an operation as to be performed on the system resource group for a domain of the managed systems environment, and defines at least a portion of a policy framework between the system resource group and an additional system resource group organized from an additional plurality of the heterogeneous entities. The system resource group expands according to an action performed incorporating the relationship, policy, or policy framework. |
| US08291427B2 |
Scheduling applications for execution on a plurality of compute nodes of a parallel computer to manage temperature of the nodes during execution
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for scheduling applications for execution on a plurality of compute nodes of a parallel computer to manage temperature of the plurality of compute nodes during execution that include: identifying one or more applications for execution on the plurality of compute nodes; creating a plurality of physically discontiguous node partitions in dependence upon temperature characteristics for the compute nodes and a physical topology for the compute nodes, each discontiguous node partition specifying a collection of physically adjacent compute nodes; and assigning, for each application, that application to one or more of the discontiguous node partitions for execution on the compute nodes specified by the assigned discontiguous node partitions. |
| US08291421B2 |
Idle task monitor
A system and method are provided for determining processor usable idle time in a system employing a software instruction processor. The method establishes an idle task with a lowest processor priority for a processor executing application software instructions, and uses the processor to execute an idle task. The method ceases to execute the idle task in response to the processor executing application software instructions. The amount of periodic idle task execution is determined and stored in a tangible memory medium. For example, idle time amounts can be determined per a unit of time, i.e. a percentage per second. In one aspect, the method generates an idle task report. The report can be a periodic report expressing the duration of idle task execution per time period, or a course of execution report expressing idle task start times, idle task stop times, and durations between the corresponding start and stop times. |
| US08291418B2 |
Sub-dispatching application server
Multiple sub-dispatched application server threads are provided in a single local process, where the multiple sub-dispatched application server threads carry out their own task dispatching. The multiple sub-dispatched application server threads are linked in the single local process using a distributed programming model. Scope-aware access is managed by the multiple sub-dispatched application server threads to shared memory content. It is determined if an application request is eligible to execute at a local sub-dispatched application server thread. |
| US08291414B2 |
Shared resource service provisioning using a virtual machine manager
A virtual machine manager (VMM) enables provisioning of services to multiple clients via a single data processing system configured as multiple virtual machines. The VMM performs several management functions, including: configuring/assigning each virtual machine (VM) for/to a specific, single client; scheduling the time and order for completing client services via the assigned client VM; instantiating a client VM at a scheduled time and triggering the execution of services tasks required for completing the specific client services on the client VM; monitoring and recording historical information about the actual completion times of services on a client VM; and updating a scheduling order for sequential instantiating of the multiple client VMs and corresponding client services, based on one or more of (i) pre-established time preferences, (ii) priority considerations, and (iii) historical data related to actual completion times of client services at a client VM. |
| US08291413B2 |
Virtual computer system managing schedule for allocating CPU to guest OSes and guest OS scheduling method
According to one embodiment, a virtual machine manager (VMM) virtualizes hardware including a CPU to construct a plurality of virtual machines. A plurality of guest OSes are executed on the respective virtual machines. A detector included in VMM detects a change in the operating frequency of CPU. A scheduler is included in VMM. If a change in operating frequency is detected, and the operating frequency decreases below a prescribed frequency, the scheduler performs scheduling so as to increase a time for which the CPU is to be allocated to one or more predetermined particular guest OSes of the plurality of guest OSes. |
| US08291410B2 |
Controlling virtual machines based on activity state
Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for controlling virtual machines based on activity state are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes virtual machine entry logic and activity state evaluation logic. The virtual machine entry logic is to transfer control of the apparatus from a host to a guest. The activity state evaluation logic is to determine whether the activity state of the guest would be inactive upon receiving control. |
| US08291409B2 |
Updating virtual machine with patch on host that does not have network access
Each of a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) is stored in a halted form in a library for retrieval from the library and re-starting on a host. Each re-started VM includes a plurality of software constructs, each of which is at least potentially non-current and requires a software update. To update a non-current VM, such VM is retrieved and re-started on a maintenance host, and each non-current software construct is allowed to be updated by obtaining the required software update from a corresponding update source as a patch. Alternatively, the VM is mounted to a computing device, constituent components of the mounted VM are examined to determine whether each software construct thereof is current, and each non-current software construct is updated by obtaining the required software update from the corresponding update source as a patch and applying same to the mounted VM. |
| US08291408B1 |
Visual programming environment for mobile device applications
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for creating mobile device applications using a visual programming integrated development environment (IDE). In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a visual programming IDE, one or more user inputs entered by a user through a visual programming interface at a first client device, where the one or more user inputs collectively select and arrange components that define an application, and where at least one of the components accesses functionality that is specific to mobile devices, generating, by the visual programming IDE, executable code that implements the application defined by the one or more user inputs, and providing, by the visual programming IDE, the executable code to a second client device. |
| US08291403B2 |
Install-unit upgrade using dynamic configuration data manipulation and merging
A system and method for efficient upgrading of computing system software. A computing system includes clients and one or more servers coupled to a network. Cluster server software allows the clients and server(s) to work together as a cluster. This software is platform- and version-specific depending on the customer. Each customer has a customized configuration with customer-dependent edits performed on the original configuration. When a new-release configuration is made available, the three configurations are translated to abstract object trees. A series of predetermined abstract operations are preformed on the abstract object trees in order to generate a target abstract object tree. The target abstract object tree is translated to a target file, wherein the target file includes the common portions between the original and new-release configurations and the merged upgrades of the customized and new-release configurations. |
| US08291402B2 |
Using system fingerprints to accelerate package dependency resolution
A computer system can be updated and/or reconfigured quickly by preparing a list of attributes of the system and computing a fingerprint based on the list. The fingerprint serves as a key to a database of precomputed upgrade plans. If a matching plan is found, it can be executed to update the computer system without performing a time-consuming dependency resolution operation. If no applicable precomputed plan is found, a plan must then be computed, but the computed plan may be saved in the database to speed up future system updates. |
| US08291396B1 |
Scheduling optimization of aliased pointers for implementation on programmable chips
Various high-level languages are used to specify hardware designs on programmable chips. The high-level language programs include pointer operations that may have same iteration and future iteration dependencies. Single loop iteration pointer dependencies are considered when memory accesses are assigned to clock cycles. Multiple loop iteration pointer dependencies are considered when determining how often new data can be entered into the generated hardware pipeline without causing memory corruption. A buffer can be used to forward data from a memory write to a future read. |
| US08291392B2 |
Dynamic specialization of XML parsing
Methods and apparatuses for creating a dynamic profile for a plurality of structurally similar extensible markup language (XML) documents based at least in part on a document structure or data pattern of the XML documents. A specialized XML parser is generated based at least in part on the dynamic profile and then is specialized in parsing XML documents that substantially match the dynamic profile. |
| US08291387B2 |
Method and system for testing a software application interfacing with multiple external software applications in a simulated test environment
A method and system for testing a software application. A description of a test suite for testing the software application being tested (ABT) is inserted into a test database. The ABT is invokes multiple external software applications during execution of a test script of the test suite. Each external application invoked by the ABT is replaced by a corresponding simulator during execution of the test script. Output data to be returned to the ABT by each invoked simulator is inserted into the test database, after which each test script of the test suite is executed. The executing includes: sending a request, by the ABT to each simulator invoked in each test script, for requested data; and receiving, by the ABT, the requested data from each simulator invoked in each test script. The received requested data includes the output data that had been inserted into the test database. |
| US08291382B2 |
Maintenance assessment management
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for assessing environment specific maintenance actions are provided. The method includes identifying a maintenance update for a specific environment including one or more computer systems, where the maintenance update addresses one or more known problems. The method also includes applying factors to determine an assessment index for the one or more known problems as a function of the specific environment. The assessment index indicates a level of installation criticality relative to the specific environment. The method further includes outputting an installation recommendation for the identified maintenance update in response to determining the assessment index. |
| US08291380B2 |
Methods for configuring software package
A method for configuring a software package for an enterprise includes gathering desired To-be configuration requirements for a software package through at least one questionnaire; gathering current As-Is raw data for the enterprise; displaying the To-Be configuration requirements and As-Is raw data; comparing the To-Be configuration requirements and As-Is raw data; selecting final To-Be configuration requirements; and generating and executing configuration code for the software package to pre-configure the software package with the final To-Be configuration requirements. |
| US08291373B2 |
Generating LoadRunner scripts
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for generating LoadRunner scripts. In some implementations, a method for generating a LoadRunner script includes receiving a request to execute one or more transactions with a COBOL application of a mainframe to evaluate one or more mainframe services. In response to at least the service request, a script executable by a LoadRunner application is automatically generated. The LoadRunner script generates one or more MQSeries transactions that execute transactions with the COBOL application of the mainframe. |
| US08291370B2 |
Pad layout method for surface mount circuit board and surface mount circuit board thereof
A pad layout method for surface mount circuit board and a surface mount circuit board are described. The layout method includes the following steps. Firstly, coefficients of thermal expansion of a circuit board and a surface mounted component are obtained, and the circuit board is supplied with a plurality of predetermined layout positions in advance. Then, an operating temperature for combining the surface mounted component with the circuit board is determined, and a room temperature is measured. A plurality of actual layout positions on the circuit board is determined according to d=(CTEa−CTEb)×(Ts−Tr), where d is an offset distance between the actual layout position and the predetermined layout position. Finally, a plurality of pads is laid out on the actual layout positions, such that the pads are formed on the circuit board. |
| US08291365B2 |
Conditionally routing a portion of an integrated circuit design with a different pitch to overcome a design rule violation
An innovative routing method for an integrated circuit design layout. The layout can include design netlists and library cells. A multiple-level global routing can generate topological wire for each net. An area oriented graph-based detail routing on the design can be performed. A post route optimization after the detail routing can be performed to further improve the routing quality. Some methods can be single threaded all or some of the time, and/or multi-threaded some or all of the time. |
| US08291360B2 |
Data conversion apparatus, method, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for generating circuit configuration information from circuit description
A data conversion apparatus for converting circuit description related to a dynamically-reconfigurable circuit to circuit configuration information, the data conversion apparatus includes a first generation section that generates a data flow graph from the circuit description; a segment count determining section that determines a number of segments for segmenting the data flow graph generated by the first generation section; a virtual circuit creating section that creates a virtual circuit that has as many resources of the dynamically-reconfigurable circuit as the number of the resources multiplied by the number of segments determined by the segment count determining section; a second generation section that generates, from the circuit description, a data flow graph corresponding to the virtual circuit created by the virtual circuit creating section; and a conversion section that allocates and adjusts the resources of the virtual circuit in accordance with the data flow graph. |
| US08291359B2 |
Array concatenation in an integrated circuit design
Mechanisms are provided in a design environment for array concatenation. The design environment comprises one mechanism to concatenate arrays with enable- and address-compatible ports, thereby reducing the number of arrays in a netlist. The design environment comprises another mechanism to migrate read ports from one array to another based upon compatible enable-, address-, and data-compatible write ports, thereby reducing the number of arrays in a netlist. The design environment comprises yet another mechanism to eliminate unnecessary arrays. |
| US08291357B2 |
On-chip identification circuit incorporating pairs of conductors, each having an essentially random chance of being shorted together as a result of process variations
Disclosed are embodiments of on-chip identification circuitry. In one embodiment, pairs of conductors (e.g., metal pads, vias, lines) are formed within one or more metallization layers. The distance between the conductors in each pair is predetermined so that, given known across chip line variations, there is a random chance (i.e., an approximately 50/50 chance) of a short. In another embodiment different masks form first conductors (e.g., metal lines separated by varying distances and having different widths) and second conductors (e.g., metal vias separated by varying distances and having equal widths). The first and second conductors alternate across the chip. Due to the different separation distances and widths of the first conductors, the different separation distances of the second conductors and, random mask alignment variations, each first conductor can short to up to two second conductors. In each embodiment the resulting pattern of shorts and opens, can be used as an on-chip identifier or private key. |
| US08291356B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for automated circuit design
Methods and apparatuses to automatically synthesize circuits. In one aspect of an embodiment, a logic function feeding a carry chain is implemented through extending the carry chain and through using the extended portion of the carry chain. In one aspect of an embodiment, control/non-control loads are separated from each other through replicating the driver elements of the mixed control/non-control loads. In one aspect of an embodiment, a read only memory (ROM) is implemented using a random access memory (RAM). In one embodiment, a register at the input side of the ROM is generated through inserting a register that is clocked at an inverted clock signal or through retiming a register from the output side of the ROM. |
| US08291354B2 |
Merging sub-resolution assist features of a photolithographic mask
Merging sub-resolution assist features includes receiving a mask pattern that includes the sub-resolution assist features. A first sub-resolution assist feature is selected to merge with a second sub-resolution assist feature. A merge bar width of a merge bar is established. A distance between the first sub-resolution assist feature and the second sub-resolution assist feature is determined. A merging technique is determined in accordance with the distance and the merge bar width. The first sub-resolution assist feature and the second sub-resolution assist feature are merged according to the identified merging technique. |
| US08291342B2 |
Secure device sharing
A device and method for placing the device in a locked state having an associated set of permitted tasks so as to permit the device owner to share the device with others but maintain security over aspects of the device. A task change request is evaluated to determine whether the requested task is permitted and, if so, the requested task is allowed; if not, then an authorization process is invoked to prompt the user to input authorization data. Upon verification of the authorization data, the device may be unlocked and the requested change implemented. The permitted tasks may designate specific applications, specific operations or functions within applications or at the operating system level, one or more currently open windows, and other levels of granularity. |
| US08291338B2 |
Method of displaying and editing properties of artifacts in graphical editors
A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for improved management of object properties in an integrated development environment (IDE). A cursor mode allows the underlying properties of one or more predetermined objects in a graphical editor to be dynamically viewed and modified by a user. One or more object's properties are displayed in an object properties pop-up viewer/editor window adjacent to the cursor when a user “mouses-over” target objects in a graphical editor and are editable upon explicit user gesture. The properties pop-up viewer/editor window is implementable to move with the cursor, i.e., cursor-attached, and to remain open to dynamically display, without additional user gestures, the respective properties of each predetermined object a user mouses-over. |
| US08291337B2 |
Infusion management
Methods, computer systems and computer readable media for receiving data from infusion pumps in a healthcare setting and displaying the data on a user device are provided. Centralized clinician views are provided to manage individual and multiple patient infusions. Embodiments provide near real-time graphical displays of infusion data to clinicians on separate user devices. In addition, near real-time graphical displays of patient physiologic data is displayed simultaneously to a clinician along with the infusion data. |
| US08291336B2 |
Medical system architecture with an integrated RIS client on the console computer of a modality
In a medical system architecture having a modality for the acquisition of examination images, a device allocated to the modality for processing the examination images, a device for the transmission of data and the examination images and a device for storing the data and examination images, the device for processing the examination images is fashioned as an RIS client for the exchange of text messages as well as for the display of an RIS client window and for the creation of RIS interaction masks, and is connected via a network connection of the devices to an RIS server for communication with the RIS client on the devices. |
| US08291335B2 |
Electronic bulletin apparatus
The electronic bulletin apparatus includes a connection I/F for communicatively connecting the mobile terminal, a display portion for posting the data on a screen, a touch panel for receiving from the screen an operation input for the data posted on the screen, and a control portion for transferring the data on the screen to the mobile terminal based on the operation input received by the touch panel. When the data posted on the screen is moved to a vicinity of a screen outer edge by a drag operation to be subject to a drop operation in the vicinity of the screen outer edge, the control portion transfers the data to the mobile terminal. |
| US08291334B1 |
Method and apparatus for creating a digital dashboard
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for creating a digital dashboard. One embodiment provides a dashboard palette in an application. In addition, at least one object is provided for the dashboard palette, wherein at least one property of the at least one object is linked to a data source. The at least one object is then coupled with the dashboard palette to form a dashboard description. The dashboard description is then exported to a dashboard creator and publisher, wherein the dashboard creator and publisher provide a functional dashboard based on the dashboard description. |
| US08291330B2 |
Moving data between views
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment present a main view and at least one peek view of data. When the user selects to move the data from the main view to the peek view, a subset of data objects in the main view is selected based on an importance of the data objects and optionally based on the size of the peek view. The subset is copied to the peek view, and the peek view is dynamically updated when the data objects are updated. In this way, the user can monitor changes to the peek view while working on other data in the main view. |
| US08291327B2 |
Detecting avatar following in a virtual environment
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar. |
| US08291322B2 |
Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional media guidance application
Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer. |
| US08291317B2 |
Document retrieving apparatus, document retrieving method, program, and storage medium
A document retrieving apparatus includes a document retrieving unit adapted to retrieve document data which include images that match an input retrieval condition, a retrieval result list display unit adapted to display, on a display unit, a list display of document data that match the retrieval condition based on the retrieval results of the document retrieving unit, and a thumbnail display unit adapted to display, in the list display by the retrieval result list display unit, a first thumbnail image associated with a page or an image element which matches the retrieval condition, and a second thumbnail image associated with another page or another image element which forms the document data that includes the page or the image element which match the retrieval condition. |
| US08291316B2 |
Production environment CRM information gathering system for VI applications
A system and method for gathering CRM information in a variable imaging application utilize keywords which are associated with each image of a number of digital images. A variable imaging job stream is generated containing one or more of the digital images. Keyword metadata may also be inserted into the variable imaging job stream, and the variable imaging job stream is received by a VI production system. The variable imaging job stream is processed by the VI production system, thereby identifying the keywords previously associated with the contained images, and also extracting the inserted keyword metadata. A CRM output is generated containing the identified keywords and the extracted keyword metadata. |
| US08291315B2 |
Standardized network access to partial document imagery
A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for network access of partial document imagery is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a request for a region of a page of a document, the request being originated from a client, determining one or more objects in a source file that intersect the region of the page, the source file having two or more codestreams, and sending a response having a subset of the information in the file. |
| US08291314B2 |
Arranging graphic objects on a page
A method performed by a physical computing system for arranging a plurality of graphic objects on a page includes receiving the plurality of graphic objects in the physical computing system, the plurality of graphic objects including a number of variable graphic objects and a number of fixed graphic objects. The method further includes, for each of the fixed graphic objects, creating a number of discrete dimension sets, generating a number of binary trees, each of the binary trees representing a unique layout for the plurality of graphic objects in which each of the fixed graphic object exhibits one of the discrete dimension sets, assigning a score to each of the binary trees, and arranging the graphic objects according to the layout represented by a binary tree selected from the number of generated binary trees based on the score. |
| US08291311B2 |
Web display program conversion system, web display program conversion method and program for converting web display program
A system which converts a first Web display program designed for a first communication terminal apparatus to a second Web display program for a second communication terminal apparatus. The system of the present invention stores a segment list created by dividing the first Web display program into segments, assigning identification information to tags contained in the segments, and listing the identification information, stores a conversion condition created for the segments for changing a display setting described in the first Web display program to a display setting of the second Web display program, and stores a conversion program for causing a conversion process for converting the first Web display program to the second Web display program to be executed using he segment list and the conversion condition. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion process is executed by the second communication terminal apparatus. |
| US08291309B2 |
Systems and methods that utilize scalable vector graphics to provide web-based visualization of a device
The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ scalable vector graphics (SVG) to view and effectuate an industrial device from a remote Web interface. The systems and methods can be utilized to retrieve an SVG XML markup language-based file associated with the device and execute the SVG file via basic ASCII drawing commands. Thus, a faceplate of an industrial device and/or other device-related information can be represented via SVG syntax and stored with the device. A user can employ a Web browser from a remote location (e.g., via a Web client) to retrieve the SVG file, wherein the file can be loaded within the Web browser and/or an open source software package. The SVG file can be executed to render an interactive graphical faceplate that can depict LEDs, alphanumeric displays, inputs/output, etc., trending mechanisms (e.g., graphs, charts, etc.), and capabilities to load parameters. |
| US08291308B2 |
Annotating collaborative information structures
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to collaborative information object management and provide a method, system and computer program product for annotating collaborative information structures. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for annotating collaborative information structures can be provided. The method can include creating a collaborative information structure document (ISD) with each of an object section and an annotation section, adding a collaborative object in a collaborative computing environment to the object section of the collaborative ISD, adding an annotation for the collaborative ISD to the annotation section of the collaborative ISD, and storing the collaborative ISD for use as a collaborative object in the collaborative computing environment. |
| US08291304B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, and signal reproducing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a signal processing device comprises a first waveform equalizer, a second waveform equalizer, a first Viterbi decoder, a second Viterbi decoder. The first and the second waveform equalizers equalize a waveform of the input signal according to first and second partial response characteristics and output first and second partial response signals. The first and second Viterbi decoders decode the first and the second partial response signals by means of Viterbi decoding process. The input signal is reproduced based on an output of the first Viterbi decoder and an output of the second Viterbi decoder. |
| US08291303B2 |
Memory device with error correction system for detection and correction errors in read out data
There is disclosed a memory device with an error detection and correction system formed therein, the error detection and correction system being configured to detect and correct errors in read out data by use of a BCH code, wherein the error detection and correction system is 4-bit error correctable, and searches error locations in such a way as to: divide an error location searching biquadratic equation into two or more factor equations; convert the factor equations to have unknown parts and syndrome parts separated from each other for solving them; and compare indexes of the solution candidates with those of the syndromes, the corresponding relationships being previously obtained as a table, thereby obtaining error locations. |
| US08291299B2 |
Turbo-equalization methods for iterative decoders
Certain embodiments of the present invention are improved turbo-equalization methods for decoding encoded codewords. In one embodiment, in global decoding iteration i, the magnitude values of all decoder-input LLR values (Lch) are adjusted based on the number b of unsatisfied check nodes in the decoded codeword produced by global iteration i−1. The improved turbo-equalization methods can be used as the sole turbo-equalization method for a given global decoding session, or interleaved with other turbo-equalization methods. |
| US08291297B2 |
Data error recovery in non-volatile memory
When an error correction code (ECC) unit finds uncorrectable errors in a solid state non-volatile memory device, a process may be used in an attempt to locate and correct the errors. This process may first identify ‘low confidence’ memory cells that are likely to contain errors, and then determine what data is more likely to be correct in those cells, based on various criteria. The new data may then be checked with the ECC unit to verify that it is sufficiently correct for the ECC unit to correct any remaining errors. |
| US08291295B2 |
NAND flash memory controller exporting a NAND interface
A NAND controller for interfacing between a host device and a flash memory device (e.g., a NAND flash memory device) fabricated on a flash die is disclosed. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed NAND controller includes electronic circuitry fabricated on a controller die, the controller die being distinct from the flash die, a first interface (e.g. a host-type interface, for example, a NAND interface) for interfacing between the electronic circuitry and the flash memory device, and a second interface (e.g. a flash-type interface) for interfacing between the controller and the host device, wherein the second interface is a NAND interface. According to some embodiments, the first interface is an inter-die interface. According to some embodiments, the first interface is a NAND interface. Systems including the presently disclosed NAND controller are also disclosed. Methods for assembling the aforementioned systems, and for reading and writing data using NAND controllers are also disclosed. |
| US08291292B1 |
Optimizing error floor performance of finite-precision layered decoders of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes
Systems and methods are provided for selecting precisions during iterative decoding with a low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder in order to maximize LDPC code's performance in the error floor region. The selection of the precision of the messages may be done in such a way as to avoid catastrophic errors and to minimize the number of near-codeword errors during the decoding process. Another system and method to avoid catastrophic errors in the layered (serial) LDPC decoder is provided. Lastly, a system and method that select precisions and provide circuitry that optimizes the exchange of information between a soft-input, soft-output (SISO) channel detector and an error correction code (ECC) decoder for channels with memory is provided. |
| US08291289B2 |
Low density parity check (LDPC) code
Low density parity check code (LDPC) base parity check matrices and the method for use thereof in communication systems. The method of expanding the base check parity matrix is described. Examples of expanded LDPC codes with different code lengths and expansion factors are also shown. |
| US08291285B1 |
Circulant processing scheduler for layered LDPC decoder
Systems and methods for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes are provided. An input message, representing a codeword encoded using a parity check matrix, is processed and data associated with each of the layers of the parity check matrix is computed. A first layer of the parity check matrix includes a first circulant configured to be updated using the data associated with a second layer of the parity check matrix. A second circulant in the first layer of the parity check matrix, configured to be updated using the data associated with the second layer of the parity check matrix, is identified. The first and second circulants are updated using the data associated with the first and second layers of the parity check matrix. |
| US08291283B1 |
Layered quasi-cyclic LDPC decoder with reduced-complexity circular shifter
This disclosure relates generally to data decoding, and more particularly to iterative decoders for data encoded with a low-density parity check (LDPC) encoder. LDPC decoders are disclosed that use reduced-complexity circular shifters that may be used to decode predefined or designed QC-LDPC codes. In addition, methods to design codes which may have particular LDPC code performance capabilities and which may operate with such decoders using reduced-complexity circular shifters are provided. The generation of quasi-cyclic low density parity check codes and the use of circular shifters by LDPC decoders, may be done in such a way as to provide increased computational efficiency, decreased routing congestion, easier timing closure, and improved application performance. |
| US08291276B2 |
Interaction method between ARQ and HARQ for systems with long roundtrip delay
Disclosed is an interaction method between an automatic repeat request (ARQ) and a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a system having a long roundtrip delay. A transmission window for the ARQ is operated using inner feedback information from the HARQ, and a waiting window is operated using ARQ status information. |
| US08291265B2 |
Integrated acceptance testing
Contemplated validation systems provide access to a master validator, one or more remote validators, and an authorized party such that validation using a validation script can be performed in a flexible manner that allows modifications to the script in real time. Typically, modifications are requested by a remote validator in the field where the remote validator can not answer a validation request generated by the validation script in a proper or predetermined manner. A master validator will receive the request and modify the validation script accordingly to allow the validation to proceed. Most typically, modification of the script is authorized by an authorized party. |
| US08291261B2 |
Lightweight application-level runtime state save-and-restore utility
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to computer-management tools and utilities that allow computer users to save and restore current application-level runtime states of computational environments created by users on computer systems. Certain embodiments of the present invention are particularly directed to time-and-memory efficient state-saving and state-restoring tools and utilities that allow a user to save snapshots of the user's application-level runtime environment, to manage and review stored snapshots, and to subsequently restore the application-level runtime state of a computer system from a previously saved snapshot. |
| US08291258B2 |
High availability for network security devices
In one example, a backup intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) device includes one or more network interfaces to receive a state update message from a primary IDP device, wherein the state update message indicates a network session being inspected by the primary IDP device and an identified application-layer protocol for the device, to receive an indication that the primary device has switched over or failed over to the backup device, and to receive a plurality of packets of the network session after receiving the indication, each of the plurality of packets comprising a respective payload including application-layer data, a protocol decoder to detect a beginning of a new transaction from the application-layer data of one of the plurality of packets, and a control unit to statefully process only the application-layer data of the network session that include and follow the beginning of the new transaction. |
| US08291255B1 |
CDR control architecture for robust low-latency exit from the power-saving mode of an embedded CDR in a programmable integrated circuit device
Clock data recovery (CDR) circuitry of a high-speed serial interface on a programmable integrated circuit device toggles, during the electrical idle period of the receiver of the interface, between its “lock-to-reference” (“LTR”) state and its normal “lock-to-data” (“LTD”) state. Whenever during this toggling mode the CDR circuitry toggles to the LTD state, it remains in that state for a predetermined interval and then returns to the LTR state, unless, while it is in the LTD state, it receives a signal from elsewhere in the receiver that data have been received and byte synchronization has occurred. The predetermined toggling interval preferably is long enough to obtain an LTR lock to minimize frequency drift, but short enough to avoid unnecessary delay in detection of the synchronization signal. Preferably, this interval is programmable by the user within limits determined by the characterization of the programmable device. Unreliable analog signal detection is thereby avoided. |
| US08291250B2 |
Management of power states in a portable computing device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for managing power states in a personal computing device, while maintaining a perception by the user of “instant on” functionality. In various embodiments of the invention, the power states are presented to the user as a simple on/off option and the power management protocol is not visible within the user interface of the personal computing device thereby providing the user with the impression that the system is operating with a simple binary on/off protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the personal computing device is operable to transition between a set of power states that include: 1) an “on” power state wherein the display is on and the customer can use all input devices; 2) a “ready” state wherein the display is turned off, but some modules, such as a radio module, remain on; 3) an “off” state wherein the personal computing device turns off after a slight pause, but a “booted kernel” is held in SDRAM; and 4) a “dead” state wherein none of the modules of the personal computing device are powered and the device must be cold booted to restart. |
| US08291249B2 |
Method and apparatus for transitioning devices between power states based on activity request frequency
A method for transitioning power states in a device includes designating a first reduced power state as a target power state. A first expected residency for the target power state is determined based on a counting of activity requests associated with the device. The device is transitioned to the target power state responsive to the expected residency satisfying a first predetermined threshold. |
| US08291248B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device with power saving feature
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, comprising: an interface for receiving commands issued by a controller, the commands including an erase command; a functional entity with circuit components and having a terminal; a node; switchable circuitry capable of controllably switching between a first operational state in which the terminal is electrically connected to the node and a second operational state in which the terminal is electrically decoupled from the node, the node being configured to have a signal for the functional entity communicated through it when the switchable circuitry is in the first operational state; and a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands issued by the controller and, in response to recognizing the erase command, to cause the switchable circuitry to switch from the first operational state to the second operational state. |
| US08291243B2 |
Adaptive computing responsive to environmental conditions
Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for adapting the power consumption of a computational device in response to environmental conditions. Operating environmental condition data relevant to the generation of electric power is acquired from an operating environment feed and analyzed to determine a high electric power demand indication. If the analyzing determines a high electric power demand indication, then a computational device automatically reduces an amount of electric power consumption. |
| US08291239B2 |
Method and system for authenticating senders and recipients in a carrier system and providing receipt of specified content by a recipient
Methods and systems for authenticating senders and recipients in a carrier system and providing receipt of specified content by a recipient are provided. A one-time recipient identification code is generated that can be entered into the delivery agent's portable terminal. Data is protected against eavesdropping by encryption and by splitting cipher text and an encryption key into two parts that are not accessible to any single party except at the moment of the mail unit delivery. |
| US08291237B2 |
Method for private keyword search on streaming data
A method for private keyword searching on streaming data such that the searching does not reveal what keywords are being searched for and does not reveal whether any such keywords have been located nor which documents in the data stream are saved. |
| US08291234B2 |
Delivery point validation system
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention encode a list so users of the list may make inquiries to the coded list without the entire content of the list being revealed to the users. Once each item in the list has been encoded by an encoder, a bit array with high and low values may be used to represent the items in the list. The bit array may be embodied in a validation system for allowing users to query the list to determine whether an inquiry item is on the list. The validation system determines which bits to check by executing the same coding process executed by the encoder. If all the bits are high, then the inquiry item is determined to be part of the list, if at least one bit is low, then the inquiry item is determined not to be part of the original list. |
| US08291233B2 |
Method and system for maintaining login preference information of users in a network-based transaction facility
The present invention relates to various aspects for maintaining and utilizing login preference information of users of a network-based transaction facility. In one embodiment, user interface information is communicated to a client via a communications network. The user interface information includes information concerning a plurality of features within the network-based transaction facility. The user interface information also specifies a login interface that facilitates user input of login preference information pertaining to each of the plurality of features. Further, the login preference information is received from the client via the communications network and utilized to control user access to any of the plurality of features within the network-based transaction facility via the communications network. |
| US08291229B2 |
System and method for digital signatures and authentication
A system and method for authentication and digital signatures on memory-only supports, comprising a read-once memory unit storing secret arrays, whose contents are destroyed upon reading, a standard memory unit storing encrypted arrays, tree data authenticating the encrypted arrays to one single public key, and a certificate of the public key issued by a certificate authority. The memory support sends its public key and certificate to a verifier, receives a challenge which is signed by elements from secret arrays in the read-once memory. The verifier system checks the authenticity of the data revealed from the read-once memory by encrypting it and comparing the result to one of the encrypted arrays, and verifies that the encrypted array authenticates to the public key using tree data. Finally, the verifier checks the authenticity of the public key using the certificate. |
| US08291228B2 |
Method and system for modular authentication and session management
Modular authentication and session management involves the use of discrete modules to perform specific tasks in a networked computing environment. There may be a separate authentication server that verifies the identity of the user and an authorization client that grants various levels of access to users. There may also be an authentication client that receives an initial request from a requesting application and forwards the request to the authentication server to verify the identity of the use. The authorization client may then be invoked to provide the necessary level of access. The use of discrete modules allows multiple business applications to use the same modules to perform user authentication tasks, thus alleviating the unnecessary multiplication of code. |
| US08291226B2 |
Method and apparatus for securely booting from an external storage device
Techniques to securely boot up an electronics device (e.g., a cellular phone) from an external storage device are described. Secure data (e.g., a hash digest, a signature, a cryptographic key, and so on) is initially retrieved from a non-writable area of an external memory device (e.g., an one-time programmable (OTP) area of a NAND Flash device). A first program (e.g., a boot program) is retrieved from a writable or main area of the external memory device and authenticated based on the secure data. The first program is enabled for execution if authenticated. A second program may be retrieved from the main area of the external memory device and authenticated based on the secure data. The second program is enabled for execution if authenticated. Additional programs may be retrieved and authenticated. Each program may be authenticated using a secure hash function, a digital signature, and/or some other cryptographic technique. |
| US08291224B2 |
Distributed cryptographic management for computer systems
An administrator installs a key management agent on a previously approved client machine. The agent is started on the client machine, which posts requests for keys to a central key management service. The central key management service logs requests posted to it by clients, and checks for existing pre-approval records. If none are found, a message is typically sent to an approver for the requesting client machine. When a request is verified as approved, the request is flagged for further processing. The supported systems continuously or periodically look for records flagged for processing, use requests to generate keys and other appropriate elements for the requesting client machine, and post keys and other elements to the key management database. The key management agent polls the central key management service periodically until finding the expected key file, which it downloads and installs into a protected file location on the client machine. The key management agent periodically sends status messages to the central key management service, which tracks expected behavior of the client machine and/or key management agent. |
| US08291222B2 |
Method for agreeing between at least one first and one second communication subscriber to security key for securing communication link
The use of suitable measures in a method for agreeing on a security key between at least one first and one second communication station to secure a communication link is improved so that the security level for the communication is increased and the improved method can be combined with already available methods. A first parameter is determined from an authentication and key derivation protocol. In addition, an additional parameter is sent securely from the second to the first communications station. A security key is then determined from the first parameter and the additional parameter. |
| US08291220B2 |
Securing wireless body sensor networks using physiological values for nonces
A key establishment protocol for securing wireless body sensor networks using environmental data for nonce values. To establish a secure communication between sensors in a sensor network using environmental data, the protocol measures a first environmental value at a first sensor and a trusted third party. A second environmental value is measured at a second sensor and the trusted third party. The trusted third party then sends to the second sensor a first authentication construct comprising the second environmental value, wherein the second environmental value is used by the second sensor to prevent replay attacks of messages between the trusted third party and second sensor. The trusted third party also sends to the first sensor a second authentication construct comprising the first environmental value, wherein the first environmental value is used by the first sensor to prevent replay attacks of messages between the trusted third party and first sensor. |
| US08291211B2 |
System embedding plural controller sharing nonvolatile memory
An embedded memory card system includes a first CPU, a second CPU, a nonvolatile memory storing data, and a device busy state machine selecting one of the first CPU and the second CPU to access the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is accessed by the one of the first CPU and the second CPU selected by the device busy state machine. |
| US08291207B2 |
Frequency and symbol locking using signal generated clock frequency and symbol identification
Methods and systems are described for displaying video data after a hot plug event during a start-up dead period. In particular, approaches for receiving data, determining whether link training can be performed and, if not, self-configuring a receiver to display the information in a proper format even during the dead period. |
| US08291198B2 |
Apparatus and method for regulating bursty data in a signal processing pipeline
Apparatus and method for regulating data in a signal processing pipeline are disclosed. For example, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a first element operable to determine a time interval between a first plurality of data samples input to the signal processing pipeline, and calculate a sample spacing count value associated with the time interval, a second element coupled to the first element, the second element operable to hold the sample spacing count value until the time interval between the first plurality of data samples is changed, a third element coupled to the second element and the signal processing pipeline, the third element operable to output a control signal to the signal processing pipeline, and responsive to the control signal, the signal processing pipeline operable to output a second plurality of data samples. |
| US08291194B2 |
Methods of utilizing address mapping table to manage data access of storage medium without physically accessing storage medium and related storage controllers thereof
A method of managing data access of a storage medium includes establishing an address mapping table to record a physical address of a first data stored in the storage medium, where the physical address of the first data is mapped to a logical address of the first data; and when receiving a command for handling the first data stored in the storage medium internally, processing the address mapping table to serve the command without physically accessing the first data stored in the storage medium. |
| US08291188B2 |
Microcontroller and electronic control unit
A microcontroller in which respective CPUs execute different applications so as to improve processing performance, and the respective CPUs execute an application that requires safety and mutually compare the results thereof so as to enhance the reliability of write data is provided. The microcontroller has a plurality of processing systems made up of a first CPU, a second CPU, a first memory and a second memory, and for the instruction processing about specific processing set in advance, the write to peripheral modules which are not multiplexed is executed twice, and the write data of the first time and the second time are mutually collated. |
| US08291186B2 |
Volume record data set optimization apparatus and method
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for optimizing the organization of volume records stored in a volume record data set is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, a method may include monitoring a volume comprising multiple data sets. Each data set may have associated therewith a volume record stored in a volume record data set. The method may further include tracking read and write operations to each of the data sets over a period of time. A count value may be stored in the volume record of each data set. The count value may be increased each time a read operation is performed to the associated data set. The count value may be decreased each time a write operation is performed to the associated data set. The volume records in the volume record data set may then be reorganized according to the size of the count values. |
| US08291163B2 |
Storage apparatus and configuration setting method
This storage apparatus has a plurality of physical devices for storing data sent from a host system, and includes a physical device group setting unit for setting a physical device group from the plurality of physical devices based on a policy file which lists matters to be operated and set by an administrator as parameters in advance, and information on the physical devices, a first logical device setting unit for setting a first logical device from the physical device group based on information on the physical device group and the policy file set with the physical device group setting unit, and a second logical device setting unit for setting a second logical device from the first logical device based the information on the first logical device and the policy file set with the first logical device setting unit. |
| US08291162B2 |
Storage system
One code (a compressed redundant code) is created based on a plurality of first redundant codes, each created on the basis of a plurality of data units, and this compressed redundant code is written to a nonvolatile storage area. This compressed redundant code is used to restore either a data element constituting a multiple-failure data, or a first redundant code corresponding to the multiple-failure data, which is stored in an unreadable sub-storage area of a partially failed storage device, and to restore the data element constituting the multiple-failure data which is stored in a sub-storage area of a completely failed storage device, based on the restored either data element or first redundant code, and either another data element constituting the multiple-failure data or the first redundant code corresponding to the multiple-failure data. |
| US08291160B2 |
Tape library emulation with automatic configuration and data retention
Disk based emulation of tape libraries is provided with features that allow easier management and administration of a backup system and also allow increased flexibility to both archive data on tape at a remote location and also have fast restore access to archived data files. Features include automatic emulation of physical libraries, and the retention and write protection of virtual tapes that correspond to exported physical tapes. |
| US08291159B2 |
Monitoring and updating mapping of physical storage allocation of virtual machine without changing identifier of the storage volume assigned to virtual machine
Computer implemented methods and systems for providing storage virtualization of physical storage include receiving a request for storage from a virtual machine during provisioning of the virtual machine. The request includes a capability and quota requirement for storage as required by the virtual machine. A virtual datastore that satisfies the capability and quota requirements of the request is identified. If not found, one or more volumes, that satisfy the storage requirements, are discovered or created. A virtual datastore is created and maps to one or more volumes which have unique volume identifiers. A unique virtual datastore identifier is generated for the virtual datastore. The virtual datastore identifier is distinct from the volume identifiers of the underlying volumes. The volumes are mapped to the virtual datastore while retaining the virtual datastore identifier for the virtual datastore. The virtual datastore identifier for the virtual datastore is not changed when modifications are made to the physical storage entities mapped to the virtual datastore. |
| US08291157B2 |
Concurrent refresh in cache memory
Concurrent refresh in a cache memory includes calculating a refresh time interval at a centralized refresh controller, the centralized refresh controller being common to all cache memory banks of the cache memory, transmitting a starting time of the refresh time interval to a bank controller, the bank controller being local to, and associated with, only one cache memory bank of the cache memory, sampling a continuous refresh status indicative of a number of refreshes necessary to maintain data within the cache memory bank associated with the bank controller, requesting a gap in a processing pipeline of the cache memory to facilitate the number of refreshes necessary, receiving a refresh grant in response to the requesting, and transmitting an encoded refresh command to the bank controller, the encoded refresh command indicating a number of refresh operations granted to the cache memory bank associated with the bank controller. |
| US08291144B2 |
Dual interface card with backward and forward compatibility
Techniques are presented that allow a memory card operable according to two protocols (such as a legacy protocol and newer protocol), and having a corresponding dual interface, to be used with hosts that support the new protocol as well as having backward compatibility with legacy hosts, while preventing the use of legacy cards with hosts that support the new protocol but do not support the legacy protocol. The card that supports the new protocol has a similar form factor to the legacy card, includes an indentation. A host that supports the new, but not the legacy, type card includes a mechanical structure within the attachment slot that, based on the card indentation, can distinguish the card types and prevent the non-supported card from being attached. |
| US08291134B2 |
Communication system and its method and communication apparatus and its method
This invention relates to a communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus for transmitting data to the first apparatus, the second apparatus comprising: a second storage medium for storing management information of data to be transferred to the first storage medium; communication means for communicating data with the first apparatus; edit means capable of editing the management information; and control means for making a control to transfer data stored in the second storage medium to the first storage medium by way of the communication means on the basis of the management information edited by the edit means. |
| US08291133B2 |
Skip based control logic for first in first out buffer
Skip based control logic for first in first out buffer is disclosed. In one embodiment, an isochronous data packet placed in an isochronous receive first in first out (IRFIFO) buffer coupled to an isochronous receive direct memory access (IRDMA) is detected. Further, a header of the isochronous data packet is read. Furthermore, a validity of the isochronous data packet is determined. Also, a read operation of remaining data of the isochronous data packet is skipped if the isochronous data packet is determined as invalid. |
| US08291132B2 |
Method and system for improving the efficiency and ensuring the integrity of a data transfer
The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. Certain aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and providing a compiler for generating input/output actions. |
| US08291131B2 |
Data transfer management
Methods, controllers, and systems for managing data transfer, such as those in solid state drives (SSDs), are described. In some embodiments, the data transfer between a host and a memory is monitored and then assessed to provide an assessment result. A number of storage units of the memory allocated to service another data transfer is adjusted based on the assessment result. Additional methods and systems are also described. |
| US08291129B2 |
Data processing device
It is assumed that the image data inputted are subjected to run-length compression and compressed encoding based on Huffman encoding. The first step configuration configured on a reconfigurable circuit includes run-length compression circuits 102a and 102b of two ways for parallel processing and FIFOs 108a and 108b which hold the output data from the circuits, respectively. For example, the data of odd pages are supplied to the run-length compression circuit 102a and the data of even pages are supplied to the run-length compression circuit 102b. After the compression processing proceeds, when at least one of the FIFOs 108a and 108b becomes full, the reconfigurable circuit is reconfigured into the second step configuration. In this configuration, the FIFOs 108a and 108b holding the compression results are left and two Huffman encoding circuits for encoding the data supplied from these FIFOs are included. |
| US08291127B2 |
Circuit for controlling peripheral device interface
A circuit for controlling a peripheral device interface is to enable a central processing unit to detect a peripheral device. The circuit includes a control chip and first to sixth capacitors. The control chip includes a power supply input pin, first to second differential signal output pins, first to second differential signal input pins, and an expansion pin. The power supply input pin is connected to a power supply and grounded via the first and second capacitors in parallel. The first and second differential signal output pins are connected to the peripheral device interface via the third and fourth capacitors respectively. The first and second differential signal input pins are connected to the peripheral device interface via the fifth and sixth capacitors respectively. The expansion pin is grounded via a resistor. |
| US08291126B2 |
Variable read latency on a serial memory bus
One or more embodiments provide a method and system of reading data from a variable-latency memory, via a serial input/output memory data interface. The system includes a memory having a variable-latency access time, a memory controller, and a serial data bus coupling the memory controller to the memory. The memory controller communicates a Read command to the memory and forces the serial data bus low for a limited time. The memory then forces the bus low and the memory controller then releases the bus. When the memory is ready to provide data, the memory provides a high signal on the serial data bus. |
| US08291125B2 |
Speculative read-ahead for improving system throughput
Systems and methods for a mass storage device attached to a host device use speculation about the host command likely to be received next from the host device based on a previously received command to improve throughput of accesses to the mass storage device. Host commands are used to speculatively produce commands for data storage devices of the mass storage device, such that host commands speculated as being likely next can be started during idle time of the data storage devices, based upon the probability that the speculation will be correct some of the time, and otherwise wasted idle time will be more efficiently used. Time taken by the host device to produce successive commands to the mass storage system is monitored, and future speculatively produced commands are parameterized to complete within the observed host time to produce new commands, making more efficient use of the data storage devices. |
| US08291123B2 |
System for sharing human-computer interface of a legacy device with expansion units
A system for sharing a human-computer interface between a legacy device and an expansion unit for supplementing operation of the legacy device includes a logic device configured to selectively route input and output signals between the human-computer interface and the legacy device or the expansion unit. The expansion unit monitors input signals from the human-computer interface for control codes designating usage of the human-computer interface by either the expansion unit or the legacy device. The logic device includes a switching device that selectively decouples inputs from the human-computer interface from the legacy device during usage of the interface by the expansion unit to isolate the legacy device from input signals not intended for the legacy device. |
| US08291122B2 |
Methods and systems for uninterrupted media change
Uninterrupted Media Change (UMC) is a solution for changing between input channels such that complete segments of content are observed in the output channel. UMC provides for seamless switching between concurrent, multi-segment, media data streams. Media data streams are input channels composed of discrete segments of information, which may include audio, images or video content. Segments are defined by points that mark the beginning and end of content within the input data stream. When a UMC event is selected by a user, the next segment beginning for the target input channel is detected and that target segment is buffered until the end of the current active segment is reached, at which point the buffered target segment is made the new active segment and presented to the user from its buffered beginning. |
| US08291117B1 |
Scaled domain name service
A method or system for transferring information during the domain name service (DNS) lookup to more effectively utilizing the content delivery network (CDN) is disclosed. Information gathered from DNS request is used to identify information on how to serve the content with a chosen IP address returned from the DNS lookup. The DNS server selects from a number of possible IP addresses after analyzing information from the DNS request and popularity of associated content. The different IP addresses will result in different edge servers providing content. An IP address could be provided for popular content in a way that will tend to populate more content caches from the pool of edge servers in one embodiment. |
| US08291113B2 |
Communication transmitting apparatus and communication transmitting method
When opposed communication transmitting apparatuses A and C are connected in a physical configuration thorough a communication transmitting apparatus B, if an interface configuration changing command is input to the communication transmitting apparatus B, the interface configuration is changed in the communication transmitting apparatus B and virtual connection is achieved such that the opposed communication transmitting apparatuses A and C pass through the communication transmitting apparatus B to directly connect an interface A1 and an interface C1. In this situation, since the GMPLS operation target apparatuses are only the communication transmitting apparatus A and the communication transmitting apparatus C and the communication transmitting apparatus B is a non-target apparatus of the GMPLS operation, the GMPLS scalability problem is solved and optical signals may be transferred at higher speed. |
| US08291110B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for improving application performance across a communication network
An apparatus, method and system to enable dynamic replication of Web servers across a wide area in response to access patterns by Web clients as well as in response to customer requests. The method for dynamically replicating one or more parent nodes on a network in response to a user request by a policy manager. The policy manager transmits the user request to an event module. The event module transmits the user request to a data consistency module, wherein the data consistency module maintains integrity of the data on the parent node. The event system communicates with a resource management module to ensure proper utilization of network resources, and transmits the routing request to a request routing module for appropriately balancing the network load. The request routing module is capable of providing optimal routing based on the network resources. |
| US08291109B2 |
Distribution apparatus, communication system and communication method
In view of a communication system including communication apparatuses transmitting data and a distribution apparatus receiving data from each communication apparatus and distributing, it is provided with the distribution apparatus, the communication system and the communication method that implement reducing amounts of storage means utilized for temporally storing data received by the distribution apparatus from each communication apparatus.While the distribution apparatuses respectively include databases the databases are partitioned into common areas for storing data commonly shared with the distribution apparatuses and synchronized with each other, and non-common areas for storing data basically not transmitted between the ECUs connected to different communication lines. When receiving data from the ECU 4a, the distribution apparatus determines whether the received data should be stored on the common area or on the non-common area. |
| US08291106B2 |
Bandwidth monitoring method and its device
A bandwidth monitoring device for use in a network for transferring priority packets in preference to non priority packets as far as the amount of the priority packets is within a contract bandwidth established between a network user and a network operator, comprising a bandwidth check result decision unit for detecting whether the bandwidth of the priority packets is less than the contract bandwidth, and a DSCP decision unit for determining that a non priority packet may be transferred as a priority packet when the bandwidth of the priority packets is less than the contract bandwidth thereby to sufficiently use the contract bandwidth. |
| US08291101B1 |
Synchronization of mutually shared data stored on network devices
Techniques are described for resynchronizing mutually shared data stored on network devices of a computer network. Upon receiving change instruction and globally unique identifier (GUID) messages, each of the network devices records the change instructions and GUIDs in a journal of the network device. When communication is lost for a period of time between a first network device and a second network device, the mutually shared data of the first network device may need to be resynchronized with the mutually shared data of the second network device. The techniques described herein allow resynchronization of the mutually shared data of the first network device based on a common GUID recorded in the journals of both first and second network devices, the journal of the first network device, and the journal of the second network device. |
| US08291098B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing web service descriptions
An apparatus and method for processing a web service description such that the web service description is adapted for use with mobile devices. A web services accelerator is adapted to receive a web service description that defines an interface to a web service, create at least one accelerator output file from the web service description, and transmit the at least one accelerator output file to a mobile device. Accelerator output files are used by the mobile device to invoke web services. |
| US08291097B2 |
Dynamic transaction protocol upgrades
Including support for advanced protocols in propagation information transferred between applications. Transaction managers associated with the applications communicate with each other to complete a transaction. Rather than communicating using a standard protocol, embodiments of the invention enable a first transaction manager to identify advanced protocols supported by the first transaction manager to a second transaction manager using existing propagation tokens. The second transaction manager selects one of the supported protocols to communicate with the first transaction manager to complete the transaction. |
| US08291095B2 |
Methods and systems for content insertion
A method for content insertion is provided. In this method, a first media data is received from a server and a placement request is transmitted to a content provider service. As a result, a placement response is received from the content provider service. The placement response includes data identifying a second media data associated with the first media data. The second media data is retrieved and merged with the first media data. After the merge, the first and second media data are transmitted to the server. |
| US08291094B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing high-performance, scaleable data processing and storage systems
A data system architecture is described that allows multiple processing and storage resources to be connected to multiple clients so as 1) to distribute the clients' workload efficiently across the available resources; and 2) to enable scaleable expansion, both in terms of the number of clients and in the number of resources. The major features of the architecture are separate, modular, client and resource elements that can be added independently, a high-performance cross-bar data switch interconnecting these various elements, separate serial communication paths for controlling the cross-bar switch settings, separate communication paths for passing control information among the various elements and a resource utilization methodology that enables clients to distribute processing or storage tasks across all available resources, thereby eliminating “hot spots” resulting from uneven utilization of those resources. |
| US08291087B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method to facilitate administration of web e-mail
In a case where session management information is created from request information concerning a Web-based e-mail transmitted as HTTP data, if the request information coincides with a previously defined session start event for each Web-based e-mail service, a relay server adds a new entry to the session management information. On the other hand, if the request information coincides with a previously defined data operation event for each Web-based e-mail service, the relay server updates entry data of the session management information. Consequently, an administrator can execute higher accurate mail browsing by extracting, from the request information concerning the Web-based e-mail, not only the content of the Web-based e-mail but also a mail creation start method and a transmission state of the Web-based e-mail. |
| US08291086B2 |
Method and system for accessing data in an enterprise information system
Systems and methods for requesting and receiving data from an enterprise information system are described. In accordance with one embodiment, the connector system includes an application server managed connection factory for receiving a data request, and a load balancer for assigning an enterprise information system server connection to the request. |
| US08291084B2 |
Communication mediating device for mediating communication over network
A mediation server 200 mediates a print demand from a client device 100 to a printing device 300. In order to elude a firewall F/W set between the mediation server 200 and the printing device 300, the printing device 300 first sends an HTTP request to the mediation server 200. The mediation server 200 sends back an HTTP response including a print demand to the printing device 300. Encrypted communication may be established between the client device 100 and the printing device 300 according to the following procedure. The mediation server 200 decrypts cipher data, which is encrypted with a public key by the client device, with a private key, re-encrypts the decrypted data with another private key, and mediates the encrypted data to the printing device 300. The printing device 300 decrypts the encrypted data with the public key and carries out printing. This arrangement enables the printing device to carry out printing in response to a demand from the client device via respective secure network environments. |
| US08291076B2 |
Application and network-based long poll request detection and cacheability assessment therefor
Systems and methods for application and network-based long poll request detection and cacheability assessment therefore are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a distributed proxy and cache system, including, determining relative timings between a first request initiated by the application, a response received responsive to the first request, and a second request initiated subsequent to the first request also by the application, and/or using the relative timings to determine whether requests generated by the application are long poll requests. The relative timings can be used to determine whether the second request is immediately or near-immediately re-requested after the response to the first request is received. The relative timings can also be compared to request-response timing characteristics for other applications to determine whether the requests of the application are long poll requests. |
| US08291073B2 |
System and method for associating a geographical location with an internet protocol address
The present application is directed to systems and methods for associating a geographic location with an IP address. Generally, an IP address associated with each of a plurality of browser cookies is determined, where each of the plurality of browser cookies indicate a geographic location such as a home address or business address of a user. A geo tag is associated with each of the plurality of browser cookies and a subset of the plurality of browser cookies including browser cookies associated with a first IP address is identified. The subset of the plurality of browser cookies is clustered into a spatial cluster including browser cookies associated with geo tags located within a defined distance of a geo tag of at least one other browser cookie of the cluster. A geographic location associated with a geographic center of the cluster is then associated with the first IP address. |
| US08291071B2 |
Management server, monitoring apparatus, and method for managing image forming apparatus and controlling monitoring apparatus
A management server receives identification information including an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an image forming apparatus together with operation information thereof such as counter information via a network. Then, the management server determines whether the received identification information coincides with registration information. When the management server determines that the received identification information coincides with the registration information, the management server stores the operation information in association with a registered image forming apparatus. |
| US08291068B2 |
Automatic protocol detection
A method and corresponding device provides for automatically detecting a protocol for a load testing routine. The method includes the steps of, for an application to be load tested, executing the application and recording communications between a first tier and a second tier during the execution. The recording step includes recording modules loaded by the application, recording network traffic and Web traffic, comparing the recorded modules, network traffic and Web traffic to a rule set, and based on the comparing step, selecting one or more protocols appropriate for load testing the application. Finally, the method includes the step of generating a script based on the recorded communications and the protocols, where the script specifies the protocols. |
| US08291067B2 |
Providing access to presence information using multiple presence objects
An approach is described for maintaining multiple presence objects associated with a single entity. The different presence objects correspond to different respective aspects of the entity's presence. Each presence object includes subscriber information and permission information associated therewith. The subscriber information identifies the subscribers that subscribe to receive notifications for a particular presence object. The permission information identifies the users who are entitled to receive notifications for the particular presence object. By virtue of the use of multiple objects, the entity can control access to its presence information with a high degree of granularity. |
| US08291062B2 |
Managing access to digital content sources
Access to content may be enabled by receiving an instruction indicating a client request to access content, accessing a list of content sources capable of rendering the content for which access is requested by the client, determining a performance metric for at least two of the content sources, and selecting among the content sources based on the performance metric to identify a content source to be accessed by the client. |
| US08291045B2 |
Branded content
Configuration of an application module to utilize branded content is described. In an implementation, a method includes identifying one of a plurality of business relationships which correspond to a request sent by a client over a network. A configuration file is the formed for communication to the client and for configuration of an application module of the client to utilize branded content which corresponds to the identified business relationship. |
| US08291036B2 |
Datacenter synchronization
A datacenter infrastructure comprising a plurality of datacenters is configured to provide services to users. Data (e.g., application data) provided to respective datacenters from a user is synchronized between different datacenters comprised within “a cloud” according to a multilevel synchronization scheme. Respective levels of the multilevel synchronization operate to transfer different priority (user) data between the plurality of datacenters, wherein respective priorities are determined based upon the importance of the data in providing a service. For example, data used to perform a service is synchronized by a synchronization component facilitating a higher level of synchronization between datacenters, while data not routinely used to perform a service is synchronized by a lower priority synchronization component. Synchronization between datacenters allows a network address routing system to provide substantially uninterrupted routing of a user to an available or otherwise appropriate datacenter within the datacenter infrastructure, thereby providing increased service reliability and performance. |
| US08291035B2 |
System and method for using common communication channel by web page applets
Methods, apparatus, systems and computer-readable media are disclosed for facilitating multiple applets of a web page to communicate with a back end server through a common communication channel. According to one aspect, a method is disclosed for communicating data which includes identifying a common communication applet by a plurality of client applets. The method also includes submitting a set or data requests originating from the client applets to the common communication applet. The method further includes accumulating the data requests received from the plurality of client applets. The data requests are encoded and transmitted to a back-end handler. Results from the back end server are received, decoded and delivered to the appropriate client applet. |
| US08291034B1 |
Centralized adaptive network memory engine
There is a constant battle to break even between continuing improvements in DRAM capacities and the growing memory demands of large-memory high-performance applications. Performance of such applications degrades quickly once the system hits the physical memory limit and starts swapping to the local disk. We present the design, implementation and evaluation of Anemone—an Adaptive Network Memory Engine—that virtualizes the collective unused memory of multiple machines across a gigabit Ethernet LAN, without requiring any modifications to the either the large memory applications or the Linux kernel. We have implemented a working prototype of Anemone and evaluated it using real-world unmodified applications such as ray-tracing and large in-memory sorting. Our results with the Anemone prototype show that unmodified single-process applications execute 2 to 3 times faster and multiple concurrent processes execute 6 to 7.7 times faster, when compared to disk based paging. The Anemone prototype reduces page-fault latencies by a factor of 19.6—from an average of 9.8 ms with disk based paging to 500 μs with Anemone. Most importantly, Anemone provides a virtualized low-latency access to potentially “unlimited” network memory resources. |
| US08291033B2 |
Combining multiple hardware networks to achieve low-latency high-bandwidth point-to-point communication
Techniques are disclosed for performing a collective operation on a parallel computing system that includes multiple compute nodes and multiple networks connecting the compute nodes. Each of the networks may have different characteristics. A source node may broadcast a DMA descriptor over a first network to a target node, to initialize the collective operation. The target node may perform the collective operation over a second network and using the broadcast DMA descriptor. |
| US08291030B2 |
System and method for integrating electronic mail accounts
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for integrating a plurality of electronic mail (email) accounts. A plurality of email services may be used to send and receive electronic messages over a wide area network, one of the email services being a preferred email service and another of the email services being a secondary email service. An email integration service may be used that is coupled to the wide area network and that is independent of the plurality of email services. The email integration service may be operable to receive account information regarding the preferred email service and the secondary email service and use the account information to configure a means for forwarding electronic messages from the preferred email service to the secondary email service. |
| US08291029B2 |
System and method for remotely accessing a display device from a mobile communication device, the display device having a unique identifier transmitted to the mobile communication device
A system is for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device upon sensing a triggering event. A redirector program operating at the host system enables a user to continuously redirect user-selected data items from the host system to the user's mobile data communication device upon detecting that one or more user-defined triggering events has occurred. The redirector program operates in connection with event generating applications and repackaging systems at the host system to configure and detect particular user-defined events, and to repackage the user-selected data items in an electronic wrapper prior to pushing the data items to the mobile device. |
| US08291028B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating using voice messages
A communication system comprises a communication device configured to receive a data message, such as a text message, and to generate and send a voice reply to the data message using a simple transmit action. The data message comprises an identifier that can be used to determine a reply path related to the data message. Thus, when a user receives the data message, they can read the message initiate the simple transmit action, and reply to the data message by speaking an appropriate reply into the communication device. The spoken response is stored as a voice message and attached to a data message that is sent using the reply path identified by the identifier. |
| US08291027B2 |
Method and network node for uploading media content from a user device to at least one network entity
The invention relates to a method and network node for uploading media content from a user device to at least one network entity. The method comprises the step of associating a code with the at least one network entity, in a network node. The method further comprises the step of sending an address book object from the network node to the user device, said address book object comprising the code and said address book object being usable for sending a multimedia message to the network node from the user device. The method further comprise the step of receiving, in the network node, the multimedia message from the user device, said multimedia message containing the code and the media content. The method further comprise the step of updating, from the network node, the at least one network entity associated with the code with the media content. |
| US08291026B2 |
Reduced traceability electronic message system and method for sending header information before message content
An electronic messaging system and method with reduced traceability. An electronic message is separated into a message content and container (header) information. In one aspect, the message content and header information are entered by a user separately and transmitted from the user computer separately. In another implementation, the message content and header information are displayed separately. In yet another implementation, an electronic message is permanently automatically deleted from the system at a predetermined time. |
| US08291025B2 |
Controlling retention of publication
A method of controlling the retention of publications in a publish/subscribe system, the method comprising receiving, at a message broker, a first publication from a publisher on a topic; receiving, at the message broker, a second publication from the publisher on the topic; identifying, at the message broker, whether the first publication should be overwritten with the second publication and, if not, retaining at least payload data from both the first and second publications on the topic; and storing, for the second publication, if retained, data indicating when the second publication was published to the broker. Other methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are also provided. |
| US08291023B2 |
System and method for regulating electronic messages
A system for regulating e-mail comprises a database of information profiling legitimate e-mail usage. When an e-mail is received at the system, it is scrutinized relative to the information in the database. If the e-mail is found to be legitimate based upon this evaluation, it is delivered to the intended recipient. If, however, the e-mail appears on the basis of the evaluation to be the last in a series of illegitimate e-mails or otherwise has characteristics inconsistent with the profile of legitimate e-mail usage, the e-mail may not be delivered and the postmaster and administrator at the source of the e-mail is contacted. |
| US08291013B2 |
Communication apparatus and storage medium storing program
A communication apparatus including: a communicating portion communicable with a server device storing feed information including content informations; a feed-information obtaining portion which obtains the feed information; a display portion which displays informations; a storage portion which stores informations; an updated-date-and-time extracting portion which extracts, from the feed information, an updated date and time indicating a date and time at which information constituted by at least part of the feed information has been updated; an updated-date-and-time storing portion which stores, into the storage portion, the updated date and time and the information constituted by at least part of the feed information in association with each other; and a display controller which displays at least part of the content information(s) corresponding to the information constituted by at least part of the feed information associated by the updated-date-and-time storing portion in order of the updated date and time from the latest one. |
| US08291011B2 |
Alert broadcasting to a plurality of diverse communications devices
A system for the broadcast of alert messages to selected groups of recipients and their communications devices of a plurality of different types and communicating through a plurality of different communications means. Recipient profiles or characteristics are received variously from databases, directories, and communications nodes accessible by the system. These sources are queried for the identification of selectable groups which are then presented to a dispatcher for choosing the recipients. The alert message is then provided to delivery means which employ a plurality of included means each of which is particularly configured to communicate the alert message to a corresponding target device type. A response handler module then receives responses from the target devices for later reporting. |
| US08291009B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for applying different transport mechanisms for user interface and image portions of a remotely rendered image
A system and method for remote rendering of computer graphics wherein user transactions are reliable and the transmission of rendered graphics is relatively fast. The invention is implemented in a client server context, where a computer graphics application and rendering resources are located at a server. A user controls the graphics application through a client machine connected to the server through a computer network. The user's commands are sent from the client to the server, while rendered computer graphics are transmitted from the server to a display at the client. Different transport protocols are used, depending on the requirements of a particular transmission. Data related to user interactions is transmitted using a relatively reliable transport protocol, such as TCP. Rendered subject graphics data is transmitted from the server to the client using a less reliable but faster transport protocol, such as UDP. |
| US08291004B2 |
Remotely controlling playback of media content on a wireless communication device
A communications network comprises a computer having a control panel application with controls for remotely controlling playback on a web browser of a wireless communication device; a wireless communications device; and data connection means between the computer and the device, such as a wireless network, Bluetooth®, or USB. The device comprises a web browser; a content playback application program interface (API) communicative with the web browser; and a playback control application communicative with the control panel application to receive web browser playback instructions and with the content playback API to transmit the instructions thereto. |
| US08291003B2 |
Supporting multiple formats in a floating point processor
In a binary floating point processor, the exponents of each of the various types of operands are recoded into an internal format, by biasing the exponents with the minimum exponent value of the result precision (“Emin”), i.e., the recoded value of the exponent is the represented value of the exponent minus Emin. Emin depends only on the result precision of the instruction that is currently being executed in the binary floating point processor. The exponent computations are then performed in this new format. The underflow check for all result precisions is a check against zero and overflow checks are performed against a positive number that depends on the result precision. The exponent values are in a 2's complement representation, so the underflow check simply becomes a check of the sign bit. |
| US08291001B2 |
Signal processing for media type identification
A method for identifying a type of recording medium using a time-varying output signal from a photosensor includes amplifying the time-varying output signal of the photosensor; converting the amplified time-varying output signal of the photosensor to digitized data points using an analog to digital converter thereby creating a first set of digitized data; filtering the first set of digitized data to provide a low pass data set; filtering the first set of digitized data to provide a high pass data set; computing the standard deviation of the low pass data set; computing the standard deviation of the high pass data set; and identifying the recording medium type using values from both the standard deviation of the low pass data set and the standard deviation of the high pass data set. |
| US08290998B2 |
Systems and methods for generating cloud computing landscapes
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method comprising specifying a landscape definition, the landscape definition specifying a plurality of different servers to be instantiated on a cloud computing system, wherein the plurality of servers are operable to work together as a single logical entity, the landscape definition further specifying dependencies between the servers, and wherein each server in the landscape definition is stored as an image on the cloud computing system, each image including information for instantiating a corresponding server on the cloud computing system and instantiating the plurality of servers on the cloud computing system using the landscape definition. |
| US08290993B2 |
Data processing
Data is stored in data streams of varying size over a network so that a particular data stream may be considered as being stored locally or remotely. A request is received to modify a first data stream, and a frozen condition to the effect that said first data stream is not modifiable is identified. A second data stream that comprises a reference to the first data stream is created, and the information contained in said second data stream is modified according to said request. |
| US08290992B2 |
File management method, file management device, and program
A file management method includes creating a rotation group by grouping a file group in which the generations of the files are managed by changes in the file names, and storing information of the rotation group in a rotation group management unit; acquiring file identification information of the files belonging to the rotation group from the file group according to the information of the rotation group, and storing the file identification information in a file identification information management unit; and acquiring file identification information of the rotation group from the file identification information management unit, further acquiring file identification information of the files belonging to the rotation group from the file group according to the information of the rotation group, and comparing the acquired pieces of file identification information. |
| US08290988B2 |
Global information network architecture
The present invention provides a Global Information Architecture (GINA) to create an object oriented, software-based modeling environment for the modeling of various data sources and allowing queries and transactions across those sources. The modeling environment is described in itself. Introspection is achieved since the model is described in the model, and early validation that the infrastructure is correct is established in that the infrastructure must execute against itself. Object traversal is accomplished via vectors that describe how an object can be reached from other objects. Objects are linked by describing what type of object (data source) is to be reached and on the basis of what possible attribute values of that object. |
| US08290987B2 |
Processing of splits of control areas and control intervals
A data structure maintained in a computational device stores how many control areas splits have occurred to store a data set, wherein each control area split causes an addition of a single new control area. A command is received to add a new data record to the data set. A determination is made as to whether adding the new data record to the data set will result in a threshold for control area splits to be exceeded. In response to determining that adding the new data record to the data set will result in the threshold for control area splits to be exceeded, creating at least two new control areas in addition to continuing to use one existing control area for storing the data set. |
| US08290985B2 |
Analyzing profiling data based on a rational model
Techniques for reconstructing a target hierarchy tree structure from profiling data of a computer system according to a predefined relational model, so as to obtain profiling information of a certain selected node. The predefined relational model is defined in advance according to a hierarchy tree structure of the profiling data, and is stored in an external storage system. The hierarchy tree structures can be constructed dynamically as required, thus the occupied amount of a memory can be seduced and users can view the profiling data freely. |
| US08290982B2 |
Methods for managing content for brand related media
Computer-implemented methods for defining access to brand related assets are provided. One method includes generating a website that relates to a specific brand, where the specific brand is associated with a plurality of assets that are integrated with the website, and the plurality of assets are obtained from a number of disparate sources. The method also includes assigning each asset an identifier, where the identifier defines a relation of each asset to the specific brand and defining a dashboard access to the specific brand. The dashboard access is configured to identify a user privilege for accessing specific ones of the plurality of assets of the specific brand, the user privilege enabling one or more of viewing details of an existing asset, adding a new asset, and modifying an existing asset. The user privilege for accessing specific assets enables management of plurality of assets that are integrated with the website, and the management of the plurality of assets overriding control of the plurality of assets provided by the number of disparate sources. |
| US08290979B1 |
Software architecture for access control based on hierarchical characteristics
A Software Architecture for Access Control Based on Hierarchical Characteristics includes a computer implemented software architecture for determining object access of a resource by comparing an object profile to a resource profile. The comparison is made with reference to a plurality of object reference categories where each object reference category includes a plurality of hierarchically linked object reference values. The object reference values represent possible characteristics of the object such as, security clearance or job title. The resource profile represents the minimum object reference values necessary for access to the resource and the object profile represents no more than one object reference value for each of the object reference categories. |
| US08290977B2 |
Database system providing methodology for execution of functions in XML queries
A database system providing methodology for execution of functions in queries requesting data from markup language documents is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for executing a function in a query requesting data from a markup language document stored in a database, the markup language document organized hierarchically into nodes, the method comprises steps of: receiving the query requesting data from the markup language document, the query including a function to be executed during execution of the query; determining nodes of the markup language document satisfying the query; deriving values of the nodes of the markup language document; and executing the function with the derived values and the nodes of the markup language document. |
| US08290975B2 |
Graph-based keyword expansion
A keyword may be expanded into related words, such as for use in information retrieval. The terms comprising words and/or phrases of a large number of documents (e.g., web pages) are processed into a graph data structure, in which the terms are represented as nodes and edges represent the relationships between the nodes, with weights for each edge representing the relevance of the relationship. The graph may be built by selecting each term of a document and considering the terms within a certain number of words to be associated with the selected term; for each such association the weight indicative of the relevance is increased. When the graph is accessed with a keyword, the edges from that keyword's node and their respective weights indicate which other nodes are most relevant to the keyword, thereby providing the corresponding expanded terms. |
| US08290974B2 |
System for handling graphics
A primary user interface is configured to receive uploaded data sets stored in a primary memory means each describing a 3D graphics data structure in a respective source format. A secondary user interface receives request messages from user clients and in response, provides the clients access to specified data sets. Upon receipt of a request message, an examining entity identifies a graphics rendering capability of the client originating the message, and investigates whether or not the client is equipped with a viewer capable of visualizing the requested data set. A viewer database contains software modules adapted to implement at least two different viewers, where each viewer is configured to visualize the stored data sets on at least one type of client. If the examining entity finds that the client is incapable of visualizing the requested data set, a controller entity forwards an adequate software module to the user client that is adapted to implement a viewer configured to visualize the requested data set on this client. |
| US08290971B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely displaying a list by determining a quantity of data to send based on the list size and the display control size
A system and method for remotely displaying a plurality of data items is disclosed. The system determines a total quantity of displayable data items and optionally receives an indication of a display control size from a remote client. The server stores a threshold value indicating a relationship between a quantity of data items and a size of a display control. The server compares the quantity of data items and the received indication of the display control size. If the comparison exceeds the threshold value, the server sends a subset of the items to the remote client for display, and sends additional items as requested by the remote client. If the comparison is less than the threshold value, the server sends each of the items to the remote client for display. The server repeats this comparison for changes in the quantity of data items or the size of the display control. |
| US08290968B2 |
Hint services for feature/entity extraction and classification
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for extracting a feature of an entity. A data record that includes the feature may be received. The feature may be characterized. Data related to the feature may be retrieved from a data source. The feature may be recharacterized based on the retrieved data. The data source may be updated with an association between the recharacterized feature and the retrieved data. |
| US08290962B1 |
Determining the relationship between source code bases
An automated technique compares two sets of documents (such as two source codebases) to automatically determine documents within each set that are similar to one another. The technique constructs a matrix relating pairs of documents from the first and second sets of documents to lines that occur in both documents in each of the pairs of documents. A similarity score is calculated for each of the pairs of documents based on the lines from the matrix. |
| US08290961B2 |
Technique for information retrieval using enhanced latent semantic analysis generating rank approximation matrix by factorizing the weighted morpheme-by-document matrix
A technique for information retrieval includes parsing a corpus to identify a number of wordform instances within each document of the corpus. A weighted morpheme-by-document matrix is generated based at least in part on the number of wordform instances within each document of the corpus and based at least in part on a weighting function. The weighted morpheme-by-document matrix separately enumerates instances of stems and affixes. Additionally or alternatively, a term-by-term alignment matrix may be generated based at least in part on the number of wordform instances within each document of the corpus. At least one lower rank approximation matrix is generated by factorizing the weighted morpheme-by-document matrix and/or the term-by-term alignment matrix. |
| US08290960B2 |
Configurable trust context assignable to facts and associated trust metadata
An approach is provided for selecting a trust factor from trust factors that are included in a trust index repository. A trust metaphor is associated with the selected trust factor. The trust metaphor includes various context values. Range values are received and the trust metaphor, context values, and range values are associated with the selected trust factor. A request is received from a data consumer, the request corresponding to a trust factor metadata score that is associated with the selected trust factor. The trust factor metadata score is retrieved and matched with the range values. The matching results in one of the context values being selected based on the retrieved trust factor metadata score. The selected context value is then provided to the data consumer. |
| US08290958B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for data reuse
A system and method may be disclosed for facilitating the creation or modification of a document by providing a mechanism for locating relevant data from external sources and organizing and incorporating some or all of said data into the document. In the method for reusing data, there may be a set of documents that may be queried, where each document may be divided into a plurality of sections. A plurality of section text groups may be formed based on the set of documents, where each section text group may be associated with a respective section from the plurality of sections and each section group includes a plurality of items. Each item may be associated with a respective section from each document of the set of documents. A selected item within a selected section text group may be focused. The selected item may be extracted to a current document. The current document may be exported to a host application. |
| US08290957B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program therefor
Information processing in which a position metadata piece is acquired from a target data piece, the position metadata piece indicating a position. Position metadata pieces are acquired from a plurality of other data pieces different from the target data piece. Target metadata pieces other than the position metadata pieces from the other data pieces are acquired, a distribution of the target metadata pieces is analyzed based on positions indicated by the position metadata pieces acquired from the other data pieces, and a target metadata piece that has a value related to the target data piece is assigned to the target data piece, the target metadata piece being selected from among the analyzed target metadata pieces, based on the distribution and the position indicated by the position metadata piece acquired from the target data piece. |
| US08290954B2 |
Resource name reconciliation in a configuration database
A Configuration Management DataBase (CMDB) is utilized to reconcile names of enterprise computer resources in a Configuration Management Database (CMDB). Steps taken include creating a resource that belongs to a class that has multiple naming rules; in response to determining that more than one set of naming attributes is provided by the multiple naming rules, generating a set of valid names, in a priority order, for the resource; and correlating different names for the resource by, in accordance with the priority order, assigning one name for the resource to be a master name and assigning all other names for the resource to be alias names. |
| US08290950B2 |
Identifying locale-specific data based on a total ordering of supported locales
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to extract a first language from a first target locale in response to failing to match the target locale to a list of supplied locales, where the list of supplied locales includes all supported locales for which locale-specific data is available. The computer readable storage medium further includes executable instructions to identify a substitute locale within the list of supplied locales based on a total ordering of all supported locales, where the substitute locale includes the first language if the list of supplied locales includes at least one locale within the first language. |
| US08290948B2 |
Method and apparatus for content filtering
A method for filtering content makes use of local filtering agents for end users, and a portal to a network of human reviewing resources. Local filtering agents request content classification for unclassified content. The portal routes requests from local agents to available human reviewing resources. A content classification is provided by the reviewing resources, and may be saved in association with a content identifier for future use. The method permits human review of content within a short period after review is requested. In an embodiment of the invention, a centrally-located switch is provided for controlling filtering levels at one or more user terminals. |
| US08290947B2 |
Federated search
Federated search is disclosed. A result associated with a search of a content source not natively configured to provide content type data for content items is received. A content type is associated with a content item included in the result based at least in part on information associated with the result. |
| US08290944B2 |
Method for storing bookmarks for search results from previously submitted search queries by a user and storing links to selected documents by the user
In one embodiment, a search query is received. Information identifying a bookmark representing the search query is automatically stored in association with a set of bookmarks. Search results corresponding to the search query are automatically obtained and provided, where the search results identify one or more documents. When one of the documents is selected, a link to the selected one of the documents is automatically stored in association with the bookmark. |
| US08290942B2 |
Entity display priority in a distributed geographic information system
A system for ranking geospatial entities is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises an interface for receiving ranking data about a plurality of geospatial entities and an entity ranking module. The module uses a ranking mechanism to generate place ranks for the geospatial entities based on the ranking data. Ranked entity data generated by the entity ranking module is stored in a database. The entity ranking module may be configured to evaluate a plurality of diverse attributes to determine a total score for a geospatial entity. The entity ranking module may be configured to organize ranked entity data into placemark layers. |
| US08290941B2 |
System and method for detecting changes within search results
A user interface aids in creation of customized pre-defined queries that can be used for identifying particular search results relevant to a topic. Provision can be made to allow express inclusion or exclusion of certain results. Metrics relating to how much the pre-defined query focuses the search can be provided. A pre-defined query can be referenced by a URL, which can be distributed or referenced in content available in any number of locations. When results of the pre-defined search change, a contact associated with the search query can be notified. When a URL is activated, a redirect to the search engine with the customized query can occur, and the contact associated with the query can be notified of the usage of the pre-defined query. Metrics concerning sources of query usage can be produced, based on data gathered while serving the pre-defined query requests. |
| US08290938B2 |
Document management techniques to account for user-specific patterns in document metadata
Document management techniques to account for user-specific patterns in document metadata are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating document retrieval may comprise: assigning a first entitlement to a first user for accessing a first plurality of documents; identifying patterns in the first user's creation or modification of metadata related to the first plurality of documents; recording the identified patterns associated with the first user; receiving a document query from a second user who has been assigned a second entitlement to access a second plurality of documents; determining, based on the second entitlement, an access right of the second user with respect to the first plurality of documents; and modifying the document query based on the access right of the second user and the identified patterns, such that the document query returns relevant documents from the first plurality of documents despite the second user's ignorance of the identified patterns. |
| US08290936B2 |
Executing a query plan with display of intermediate results
In an embodiment, a FIRSTIO execution plan is selected that has a lowest estimated execution time for finding a number of records that satisfy the query and are simultaneously viewable. An ALLIO execution plan is selected that has a lowest estimated execution time for finding all records that satisfy the query. The FIRSTIO execution plan is executed for a first time period to create a FIRSTIO result set. The ALLIO execution plan is executed for a second time period to create an ALLIO result set. The FIRSTIO result set is displayed if the FIRSTIO result set comprises more records than the ALLIO result set. The ALLIO result set is displayed if the ALLIO result set comprises more records than the FIRSTIO result set. In an embodiment, the first and second time periods expire in response to the expiration of a maximum time specified by the query. |
| US08290934B2 |
Method and system for processing access control lists using a hashing scheme
A method for processing access control lists using a hashing scheme includes receiving a packet identifying data and determining a fixed number of a plurality of hash tables comprising a fixed number of two or more buckets comprising a fixed number of one or more entries, such that the two or more hash tables store data in memory associated with an access control list. The method also includes searching the one or more hash tables in parallel for the identifying data using a plurality of hashing functions and returning a search result. |
| US08290932B2 |
Information repository search system
A system for receiving a plurality of search criteria from a plurality of users is disclosed. The plurality of search criteria is for application to a common information repository. The plurality of search criteria includes a first search criterion that is received from at least two of the plurality of users. The system further associates the plurality of search criteria with source information. The source information includes a plurality of sources via which the plurality of search criteria are received and communicated. Further, the system maintains a count of instances of the first search criterion received from the at least two of the plurality of users for each of the plurality of sources including the first source. |
| US08290931B2 |
Database designer
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a database designer and a database storage designer. In one aspect, a method includes creating a set of candidate projections and progressively narrowing the set of candidate projections and a set of queries by eliminating candidate projections that do not satisfy a performance improvement criterion for remaining queries based on the properties associated with the candidate projections. |
| US08290926B2 |
Scalable topical aggregation of data feeds
Data items of various data feeds (such as articles posted to a website or entries in an RSS feed) may be associated with various topics, but a user may be unable to monitor a large number of data feeds, and to avoid previously reviewed data items while searching for new data items. An aggregation service may monitor many data feeds, perform an automated topical evaluation of the data items, and generate a set of topical data feeds. Additional services may also be applied, such as filtering the topical data feeds by various criteria, translating data items from a native language into another language, and removing equivalent data items, such as articles redundantly covering the same news story. A centralized or cooperatively distributed service may scale for improved efficiency and value, since each data feed may be monitored and each data item received and evaluated on behalf of many users. |
| US08290922B2 |
Data framework to enable rich processing of data from any arbitrary data source
Accessing data in a data store at a field granularity. A method includes receiving a query from a user. The query specifies one or more non-unique fields of a record. The method further includes sending the query to a data store to retrieve the fields of the record at a field granularity. The method further includes receiving data for the one or more non-unique fields of the record at a field granularity. |
| US08290919B1 |
System and method for distributing and accessing files in a distributed storage system
A system and method for distributing and accessing files in a distributed storage system uses an ordered list of the storage nodes in the system to determine the storage node on which a file is stored. The distributed storage system includes a cluster of storage nodes and may also include one or more client nodes that participate in the system as storage resources. Each node (client and storage) stores an ordered list of the storage nodes in the system, allowing any of the nodes to access the file. The list is updated whenever a new storage node is added to the system, an existing storage node is removed from the system, or a new storage node is swapped with an existing storage node. Each one of the nodes may independently compute a new mapping of files to the storage nodes when the ordered list is changed. |
| US08290918B1 |
Robust hashing of digital media data
A robust hashing method is applied to media data (e.g., video, image, and/or audio data), producing a hash output that is robust with respect to at least one attribute of the media data. A histogram is generated for the media data and the histogram is hashed using a weighted hashing procedure. The histogram can be derived from a plurality of randomized versions of the media file, each randomized version of the media file altered to a random extent with respect to the attribute. The histogram can also be derived from a plurality of feature descriptors computed for the media data that are coarsely encoded with respect to the attribute. The weighted hashing procedure includes assigning a weight to components of the histogram and applying a plurality of hash functions to a number of versions of each component, the number of versions based on the assigned weight. |
| US08290906B1 |
Intelligent resource synchronization
Synchronizing resources shared among a plurality of devices includes determining access information about each of the resources, determining activity for each of the resources on at least a subset of the devices based on the access information, estimating future use of the devices, providing an estimate of a desire to have particular resources on particular devices according to the activity and future use, and synchronizing resources according to the estimate of a desire to have particular resources on particular devices. The resources may be data files. Access information may include information about when the resources were read and/or may include information about when the resources were renamed, created, and modified. Estimating a desire to have particular resources on particular devices may take into account a user's desire to maintain backup files and/or maintain certain types of files on certain devices. |
| US08290905B1 |
Method and system for accessing interface design elements
A method and system for indexing design elements. The method, when performed by a special purpose computer executing a design repository application, comprises creating one or more metadata entries, linking the metadata entries to one or more design elements, and providing an interface to access the design elements. The metadata entries comprise data describing the design elements located within a design repository. The interface displays the design elements in accordance with their associated metadata. |
| US08290904B2 |
Preventing transfer and duplication of redundantly referenced objects across nodes of an application system
Unique identifiers referred to as “keys” are generated for objects stored on each node. When a container object including at least one embedded object is transferred from a sending node to a receiving node, the sending node sends the key uniquely identifying the embedded object to the receiving node to determine whether the embedded object is already stored on the receiving node. If the receiving node indicates that the embedded object is already stored at the receiving node, then the sending node determines that the embedded object does not need to be sent to the receiving node. In that case, if the embedded object has not been sent, the sending node does not send the embedded object. If the sending node has already started sending the embedded object, then the sending node terminates sending of the embedded object. |
| US08290902B1 |
Shared edit access of electronic content
In various embodiments, a computerized method includes presenting an electronic document to one user out of multiple users that have edit access to the electronic document as part of a collaborative editing of the electronic document. The computerized method may include receiving an input from the user to edit the electronic document, as well as invoking a lock to prevent edit access by the other users responsive to receiving the input from the user to edit the electronic document. |
| US08290901B2 |
Techniques for remote resource mounting
Techniques for remote resource mounting are provided. A login resource logs into a network. During the login, a mounting specification associated with the login resource is acquired. The mounting specification defines how a remote resource is to be locally mounted on a local device of the login resource. The mounting specification is communicated to a mounting service, which processes on the local device of the login resource and which locally mounts the remote resource on the local device. |
| US08290899B2 |
Group stamping style asynchronous replication utilizing a loosely-accurate global clock
A group stamping style asynchronous replication service utilizes a loosely-accurate global clock in a data backup and recovery storage environment. The storage environment includes a set of source storage systems illustratively embodied as source replication nodes that cooperate to maintain a consistency group that may span multiple geographical sites. The storage environment also includes one or more target storage systems illustratively embodied as target replication nodes configured to service the consistency group. The group stamping style service utilizes the loosely-accurate global clock to provide consistent replication of a storage space, e.g., a target storage space, of the consistency group. |
| US08290894B2 |
Web-based visualization mash-ups for industrial automation
A visualization system that generates visual mash-ups for industrial automation includes a mash-up component that combines output from a subset of disparate sources into a common interface. The disparate sources include at least one of equipment, computers, or devices within an industrial automation environment. A visualization component generates and displays a mash-up visualization that includes information associated with the common interface. |
| US08290893B2 |
Failure diagnosis system, a failure diagnosis device, an information update device, and a computer-readable medium
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a failure diagnosis system including: a causal relationship information storage unit configured to store causal relationship information representing a causal relationship between events regarding a diagnosis-target apparatus, the causal relationship information including: common causal relationship information that is commonly used in a plurality of types of failure diagnosis regarding the diagnosis-target apparatus; and specific causal relationship information that is used in each specific type of failure diagnosis among the plurality of types of failure diagnosis; and a diagnosis execution unit configured to selectively execute the plural types of failure diagnosis by using a combined causal relationship information that is a combination of the common causal relationship information and a piece of the specific causal relationship information corresponding to a diagnosis-target type of failure diagnosis. |
| US08290892B1 |
System and method for performing non-linear constrained optimization with an augmented lagrangian pattern search
An Augmented Lagrangian Pattern Search (ALPS) algorithm that attempts to solve a non-linear optimization problem subject to non-linear, linear, and, bound constraints is discussed. The present invention utilizes information from the linear and bound constraints, formulates sub-problems using Lagrange parameter estimates and appropriate penalty parameters (using a log barrier), and provides a robust update formulae for parameters which guides the algorithm towards a minimum. The present invention solves a general non-linear optimization problem without using any slack variables to convert the inequality constraints to equality constraints or equality constraints to inequality constraints. |
| US08290891B2 |
Method and apparatus of dynamic rules insertion by agents
An approach is provided for dynamic modification of inference rules and deduction engines in an information base. Authorized agents are allowed to insert, delete or modify inference rules and deduction engines dynamically by signing their input using an authorized signature. Additionally, the functionalities of dynamic modification of inference rules and deduction engines can be provided through a direct application programming interface (API). |
| US08290889B2 |
Identification of relevant metrics
A system and method for performing event analysis includes a plurality of logical components (102, 106, 110, 114, 118), each communicatively coupled to at least one other of the plurality of components. A transformer (114) receives from one or more of the logical components, one or more status messages describing a system state to form received status messages and transforms the received status messages into at least one transformed message such that the transformed message has at least one new substring which is not common with the received status messages. A processor (204) is coupled to the transformer (114) that receives one or more rules (104, 108, 112, 116, 120) and applies the one or more rules (104, 108, 112, 116, 120) to the one or more transformed status messages and an output (224) outputs at least one of a new rule and a new event. |
| US08290885B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes: model learning means for self-organizing, on the basis of a state transition model having a state and state transition to be learned by using time series data as data in time series, an internal state from an observation signal obtained by a sensor; and controller learning means for performing learning for allocating a controller, which outputs an action, to each of transitions of a state or each of transition destination states in the state transition model indicating the internal state self-organized by the model learning means. |
| US08290884B2 |
Method for approximating user task representations by document-usage clustering
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for automatically creating a task representation associated with a user task. The system calculates usage footprints of a document based on other applications, documents, and people that have been accessed by the user within a predetermined time frame before and after the user accesses the document. After obtaining usage footprints of a number of documents, the system applies a clustering technique, such as spectral clustering, to create task representations, each including a collection (cluster) of documents and/or applications that are used for accomplishing a particular task. The system also filters the documents based on their average dwell times, and uses user feedback to merge or split different task clusters in order to provide accurate task representations. |
| US08290878B2 |
Rental return method and apparatus
There is provided a rental item return apparatus including an opening to receive returned rental items, a store area for returned items and a chute arranged to connect the opening to the store area. The apparatus further includes a device arranged within the chute to uniquely identify and log each returned rental item. |
| US08290876B1 |
Method and system for securing a third party payment electronic transaction
A method and system are provided for securing a third-party payment electronic transaction, allowing a customer to seal a self-issued electronic voucher and thereby finalize a payment amount; such electronic voucher is then transmitted to a vendor and then forwarded to a payor for approval and payment or to a creditor in satisfaction of a debt. |
| US08290874B2 |
Rights management system for streamed multimedia content
A computing device segregates licenses for corresponding content according to relatively short lived licenses for relatively short lived content and relatively long lived licenses for relatively long lived content. The computing device stores the relatively short lived licenses in a more temporary and volatile license store, and the relatively long lived licenses in a more permanent and non-volatile license store. Thus, the relatively short lived licenses are deleted when the temporary license store is turned off and do not create disorder in the permanent license store. |
| US08290861B1 |
Systems and methods for providing enhanced account management services for multiple banks
A system, method and program product for managing funds, comprising: databases comprising: aggregated transaction account information for plurality of FDIC-insured and interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts, and client transaction account information; first computation engine for computing respective excess amount by which a balance of funds from that client transaction account exceeds specified amount; first allocation engine allocating respective excess amounts to one or more aggregated deposit accounts in one or more other financial institutions; second computation engine for determining first amount comprising a sum of a plurality excess amounts to one or more aggregated deposit accounts; second allocation engine for allocating to the one financial institution second amount based on a difference between a sum of funds deposited in the one or more aggregated deposit accounts and sum of current balances from the primary client transaction accounts associated with the one financial institution; update engine, and instruction generator. |
| US08290859B1 |
Systems and methods for providing enhanced account management services for multiple banks
This invention includes methods for delivering account management services to multiple financial institutions that provide for customer deposit accounts without transaction but than nevertheless offer interest and receive enhanced deposit insurance. The methods apply at least one customer transaction to that customer's deposit account, and then re-allocate customer-deposited funds among the plurality of financial institutions in order that, for each customer, the risk of loss is not substantially increased, and that, for each financial institution, the amount of customer-deposited funds is not substantially decreased. Preferably, risk of loss is reduced by increasing the fraction of each customer's deposited funds covered by FDIC deposit insurance, and interest and enhanced insurance are available by innovative management of customer transactions and accounts. This invention also includes computer systems for practicing the methods and program products for accordingly configuring such computer systems. |
| US08290858B1 |
Method for issuing and managing debit gift cards
A method for issuing and managing debit gift cards and facilitating the processing of gift card payments through a debit process. The method involves associating a gift card with a purchaser and transferring any unused residual balance to the purchaser following card expiration or other triggering event. |
| US08290857B1 |
Systems and methods for credit management risk rating and approval
A method for one of approving and denying a credit offering to a borrower is disclosed. The method includes calculating a probability of default rating of the borrower and calculating a loss given default rating for the borrower. The method also includes integrating the probability of default rating and the loss given default rating with other information relating to the credit offering to produce a credit memorandum and automatically outputting the credit memorandum to a user so that the user can recommend one of approval and denial of the credit offering. |
| US08290856B1 |
Method for determining insurance benefits and premiums from credit information
The invention is a method of obtaining credit life insurance for an individual by means of a service organization. In detail, the steps include: 1) registering the individual with the service organization via a computer system in a computer network; 2) accessing credit information on the individual by means of the computer system in the computer network and determining the total debt of the individual; 3) determining the amount of debt to be covered by credit life insurance benefits; 4) creating a data base including insurance companies that provide credit life insurance benefits, the data base further including the premiums that the insurance companies charge for issuing their credit life insurance; 5) selecting specific coverage with required specific premiums; 6) obtaining the individual's approval of the required specific premiums via the computer system in the computer network; and 7) obtaining credit life insurance benefits for the individual. |
| US08290849B2 |
Method and system for administering the hedging of an employee deferred compensation plan using swaps
A method and system for administering the hedging of an employee deferred compensation plan, e.g., which employs hedging of NQDC plan liabilities using total return swaps and/or put and call options and/or forwards, for tax purposes. A plan coordinator coordinates a transfer of information between an employer/plan sponsor, a plan administrator that communicates with the employees/plan participants, and a balance sheet provider. The plan coordinator receives and reconciles data and then calculates and modifies relevant information for tax purposes and use in reports that are provided to the plan sponsor and balance sheet provider. Calculations and modifications for tax purposes allow the plan sponsor to reap tax benefits from the NQDC plan swap hedge. The reports include an upcoming transactions report, which indicates new compensation deferrals, reallocations of previously deferred compensation among specified indices, and withdrawals. |
| US08290847B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for use in association with joint ventures and/or potential joint ventures
An apparatus, computer product, and a method for use in association with a joint venture are disclosed. The method including receiving information associated with a joint venture; determining an amount of a distribution based at least in part on an agreement; determining financial information for the joint venture based at least in part on the amount of the distribution; storing the financial information in a database; retrieving the financial information from the database using a processing system; providing a graphical user interface to allow a user to define a hurdle set; defining one or more hurdle sets in response to input to the graphical user interface; and determining, in the processing system, an amount of a distribution based at least in part on the financial information and one or more hurdle set. |
| US08290846B2 |
Method of providing catastrophic loss protection through a mortgage
A catastrophic hazard protection (CHP) mortgage may be provided on real property or structure(s) on the real property of a owner. The CHP mortgage may be structured to include financial protection in the event that one or more structures of the real property is damaged by a catastrophe such as a hurricane or earthquake. The owner may pay an increased interest rate on the CHP mortgage. If catastrophe damage occurs, the principal amount of the CHP mortgage may be reduced by the lesser of the value of the damage or the principal balance. Alternatively, the owner may receive a payment equivalent to the lesser of the value of the damage or the principal balance. A CHP mortgage may be implemented electronically. Additionally, catastrophic hazard protection may be added onto an existing mortgage. |
| US08290837B2 |
Systems and methods for financial instrument inspection
Systems and methods for user-configurable financial instrument inspection are provided. A user may select the type of financial performance information and presentation format of the financial performance information to be displayed when the user selects a particular financial instrument. The user may associate a set of financial performance information and presentation format with a particular financial market for financial instruments. The financial instrument inspector may also facilitate trading of financial instruments. |
| US08290836B2 |
Identification and risk evaluation
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for identification of an individual and evaluation of risk from doing business with that individual. In one embodiment a method of evaluating a risk from conducting business with an individual comprises receiving identity information related to the individual. The identity information includes information from an identity credential presented by the individual. The identity credential is validated based on the information from the identity credential and one or more positive databases. An identity of the individual is verified based on the identity information and the one or more positive databases. The identity information is screened against one or more negative databases indicating past losses to one or more entities. Results of the screening are reported based on one or more criteria of an entity considering doing business with the individual. |
| US08290835B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for establishing payees based on cleared items posted to a financial account
Systems, methods, and apparatus for establishing payees based on cleared items posted to a financial account are provided. Information associated with a cleared item posted to a financial account of a consumer may be obtained. Based at least in part on the obtained information, a payee associated with the cleared item may be identified. A form may be generated for activating, at a service provider, at least one of online payment functionality for payments made to the payee by the service provider on behalf of the consumer or electronic bill presentment of billing information of the payee to the consumer through the service provider. The form may be transmitted to a network entity for presentation to the consumer. |
| US08290833B2 |
Multi-stage supply chain management system with dynamic order placement
A global supply chain management system in an environment of multiple suppliers forming supply chains for one or more buyers connected over the Internet. The system includes a global processor with logic that maps “local” supply information for each buyer and each supplier, represented in one or more property tables having master information correlated to local information for each buyer and each supplier. The system manages processes from an input of lots to an output through supplier stages where clients each use fragmented different local information. A correlation means uses base lot indicators, one for each of the lots in common for all of said stages and executes supply chain management functions for tracking lots through the supplier stages and for dynamic creation of sets of purchase orders among groups of suppliers for processing the same lot through the supply chain. |
| US08290832B2 |
Method and system for handling returned prepaid payment cards
A method and system for handling returned prepaid device in a payment system. In one embodiment, upon receipt of a returned prepaid device corresponding to a consumer's account, a method indicates in the consumer's account that an address of the consumer is invalid; and determines whether the device should be stored in order to possibly re-send the device to the consumer if a new valid consumer address is received, or to destroy the device and refund the purchaser. |
| US08290831B2 |
Web-based demand chain management system and method
A system for forecasting demand includes a store client, an application for running a demand forecasting algorithm, a database providing store-level data to the application for the demand forecasting algorithm, wherein the store client communicates with the application, and an external interface providing future event information to the application, wherein the application manages ordering based on the demand forecasting algorithm using the future event information. |
| US08290830B2 |
System and method for visualization and comparison of physical assets using engineering design data
A PLM system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes receiving a persistence model of a physical assembly and transforming the persistence model to a bill of materials (BOM) window that includes a plurality of BOM lines each corresponding to a physical part. The method includes constructing an engineering design structure corresponding to the physical assembly and creating a hybrid BOM window by combining the engineering design structure with the BOM window. The hybrid BOM window includes a plurality of hybrid BOM lines. The method includes displaying a BOM window view based on the hybrid BOM window. |
| US08290824B1 |
Identifying incentives for a qualified buyer
A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product. |
| US08290823B1 |
Customers mention
Techniques described enable an entity, such as a company employing an e-commerce website, to leverage user-provided content, such as customer reviews of an item, to better customers' shopping experiences. To do so, customer reviews pertaining to an item may be examined to determine if the reviews contain links to other items. These links within the customer reviews may then be aggregated and sorted (e.g., ranked) according to certain criteria. The links may be sorted based on a number of times that the links are used in the reviews and/or on ratings of the items associated with the links. One or more of the links may then be displayed on the website. For instance, these links may appear on an item review page adjacent the customer reviews. Customers navigating to the item review page may then peruse the customer reviews as well as the displayed links that customers have used within the reviews. |
| US08290818B1 |
System for recommending item bundles
This disclosure describes systems and methods for recommending bundles of items to users. A bundle can include an item that is substitutable for an item selected by a user and one or more related items that complement the substitutable item. For example, if a user has selected a wireless device on a page of a network application, a bundle recommendation can be provided that includes a similar wireless device and related accessories, a compatible service plan, and the like. Recommending bundles of items can be beneficial for providing users with access to items that they might like to purchase together, without requiring users to separately find each item. |
| US08290817B2 |
Selectable options for downloading digital content to a mobile terminal
A user may select and purchase digital content for a mobile terminal over a wireless communication system. The user may select among two or more delivery options, each having a different price. Immediate delivery may be selected at a first price; and delayed delivery may be selected at a second price less than the first price. The immediate delivery may be via a high-speed wireless channel at the first price, or a low-speed wireless channel at a third price less than the first price. The delayed delivery may be during off-peak usage time of the wireless communication system at the second price, or via a wired communication system at a fourth price less than the second price. The mobile terminal may dock to a terminal connected to a wired communication system to download the purchased digital content, transmitting a unique identifier to the content provider for identification. |
| US08290816B2 |
Lottery sales systems and methodology for supporting cross-platform reporting
A lottery sales method and related system utilizes a computing device interfaced to a printer. The device is configured to track inventory of activated instant tickets and access sales reporting data, the sales reporting data indicating total sales of at least one lottery product of interest. For each lottery product of interest, a machine-readable indicator is generated corresponding to the total sales of the lottery product of interest. A report is printed that includes each generated machine-readable indicator. |
| US08290814B2 |
Self-checkout system having minimal footprint
A self-checkout system, particularly for retail areas of constrained floor space, has a small to zero footprint while being fully functional. In one form, the self-checkout comprises a unit mountable to a wall, pillar, or other support. In another form, the self-checkout has or is part of a columnar support. The self-checkout system has security in the form of video and weight verification. A visual and/or audio indicator provides indicia of modes of use of the self-checkout. The self-checkout further includes an interactive customer interface terminal, a scanner, and a scale. The self-checkout provides an open visual area that allows easy viewing by store personnel of transactions being performed on the self-checkout system. |
| US08290813B2 |
Method to ensure maintenance of individual government benefits in a retail environment
Aspects to ensure maintenance of individual government benefits in a retail environment include identifying of an individual shopper with an associated level of available benefits during a shopping session. Purchases relative to predetermined criteria, including the associated level of available benefits, are tracked. Scheduling a next appointment during the shopping session for the individual shopper with an agency providing the government benefits based on the tracking occurs, wherein a potential lapse in benefits is avoided. |
| US08290812B2 |
Providing a result with a requested accuracy using individuals previously acting with a consensus
A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level. |
| US08290811B1 |
Methods and systems for searching for and identifying data repository deficits
A computing system for searching for and identifying data repository deficits includes an interactive database of items, a data repository that stores a first type of information related to items, a search engine configured to identify items that do not have an amount of the first type of information that meets a first threshold, a candidate selection interface that provides functionality for the user to select an item from recommended candidate items needing the first type of information, a user interface via which the user can provide the first type of information for an item selected by the user, a game system configured to calculate for a game scores and rankings based at least in part on data stored in the data repository. |
| US08290804B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated time banking and workforce scheduling
A method for automated time banking is provided. The method includes creating a time bank for an employee within an organization in a memory, and assigning the time bank to the employee. The method also includes determining base hours, vacation hours, and hours worked for the employee, and processing the base hours, vacation hours, and hours worked in a computer to determine time bank hours for the employee. The method further includes storing the time bank hours in the time bank, processing the time bank in the computer to determine a work schedule for the employee, and storing the work schedule in the memory. |
| US08290801B1 |
System and method for providing building product specification and product recommendations
A system is disclosed that is designed to enable users to obtain a customized specification for a particular project, and to develop a final specification for the associated building project along with a variety of up to date supportive technical documentation relating to the selected building products and systems. The system may include a computer implemented work flow that presents the user with a plurality of screens to elicit user responses to various building product selection criteria. Based on the user responses, a list of qualifying building products/systems is presented to the user for final selection. The system is PC based for ease of use at a work site, and may periodically be connected to one or more manufacturers' web sites via the Internet to download the most recent information available about the manufacturer's products. The system contains a green feature that enables users to minimize the environmental impact of the building project. |
| US08290798B1 |
Determination of surety quote metric
Systems, apparatus, interfaces, methods, and articles of manufacture that provide for surety product underwriting. In some embodiments, for example, the process of underwriting (e.g., quoting and/or selling) surety products may be enhanced by calculating suggested magnitudes of credit to extend for any given customer and/or transaction. According to some embodiments, an interface for surety underwriting may be provided to facilitate and/or improve the underwriting process. |
| US08290791B2 |
Patient management system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system in which a medical device selects less than all of its stored information and provides the selected subset of information to a data mart for storage, processing, and/or communication to one or more interested parties. In many embodiments, customers, patients, or even components of the medical device or of the remote patient management system can access selected medical device information (e.g., customers can access medical device information tailored to the care they are providing to one or more patients). In many embodiments, customers can receive such medical device information according to a schedule that best suits their care (or whenever they desire such information, irrespective of a schedule). In many embodiments, providing less than full transmissions to the data mart reduces the strain on medical device batteries. |
| US08290789B2 |
Systems and methods for predicting healthcare risk related events
A system for predicting healthcare financial risk including the process of accessing patient data associated with one or more patents, accessing geographic and healthcare system data, filtering the patient data, geographic data, and healthcare system data into clean data, and applying a predictive risk model to the clean data to generate patient profile data and to identify a portion of the patients associated with a level of predicted financial risk. |
| US08290788B2 |
Treatment regimen compliance and efficacy with feedback
A method and system for interaction with a community of individuals, relating to compliance with and effectiveness of treatment regimens, including supply and use of pharmaceuticals, using a protocol or other intelligent message which acts in place of a service provider and which is capable of collecting or imparting information to patients in place thereof. Individuals interact with the protocol or intelligent message to provide assistance in all aspects of treatment regimen compliance, data collection, supply or delivery, review and modification. |
| US08290786B2 |
Prospective health care quality improvement
Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for improving the quality of health care in a health plan. The members of the health plan eligible for undergoing predetermined measures of health care are identified. The primary care physicians (PCPs) for the identified members are notified to ensure implementation of the predetermined measures. The health plan staff is notified to ensure coordination between the identified members and PCPs. The status of the identified members is updated based on the implemented predetermined measures. Quality indexes for the PCPs are calculated for the implemented predetermined measures. A performance score of the health plan is calculated to indicate the quality of health care. Identifying and notifying the members, the PCPs and the health plan staff reduces the level of clinical chart review by the health plan staff and improves the quality of health care in a health plan. |
| US08290783B2 |
Apparatus for mixing a plurality of input data streams
An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for mixing a first frame of a first input data stream and a second frame of a second input data stream has a processing unit adapted to generate an output frame, wherein the output frame has output spectral data describing a lower part of an output spectrum up to an output cross-over frequency, and wherein the output frame further has output SBR-data describing a higher part of the output spectrum above the output cross-over frequency by way of energy-related values in an output time/frequency grid resolution. The processing unit is further adapted such that the output spectral data corresponding to frequencies below a minimum value of cross-over frequencies of the first frame, the second frame and the output cross-over frequency is generated in a spectral domain and the output SBR-data corresponding to frequencies above a maximum value of cross-over frequencies of the first and second frames and the output cross-over frequency is processed in a SBR-domain. |
| US08290782B2 |
Compression of audio scale-factors by two-dimensional transformation
Digital audio samples are represented as a product of scale factors codes and corresponding quantity codes, sometimes referred to as exponent/mantissa format. To compress audio data, scale factors are organized by sample time and frequency either by filtering or frequency transformation, into a two-dimensional frame. The frame may be decomposed into “tiles” by partition. One or more such scale factor tiles are compressed by transformation by a two-dimensional, orthogonal transformation such as a two dimensional discrete cosine transform. Optional further encoding is applied to reduce redundancy. A decoding method and an encoded machine readable medium complement the method of encoding. |
| US08290776B2 |
Meeting visualization system
Voice of plural participants during a meeting is obtained and dialogue situations of the participants that change every second are displayed in real time, so that it is possible to provide a meeting visualization system for triggering more positive discussions. Voice data collected from plural voice collecting units associated with plural participants is processed by a voice processing server to extract speech information. The speech information is sequentially input to an aggregation server. A query process is performed for the speech information by a stream data processing unit of the aggregation server, so that activity data such as the accumulation value of speeches of the participants in the meeting is generated. A display processing unit visualizes and displays dialogue situations of the participants by using the sizes of circles and the thicknesses of lines on the basis of the activity data. |
| US08290774B1 |
System and method of epsilon removal of weighted automata and transducers
An improved -removal method is disclosed that computes for any input weighted automaton A with -transitions an equivalent weighted automaton B with no -transitions. The method comprises two main steps. The first step comprises computing for each state “p” of the automaton A its -closure. The second step in the method comprises modifying the outgoing transitions of each state “p” by removing those labeled with . The method next comprises adding to the set of transitions leaving the state “p” non--transitions leaving each state “q” in the set of states reachable from “p” via a path labeled with with their weights pre--multiplied by the -distance from state “p” to state “q” in the automaton A. State “p” is a final state if some state “q” within the set of states reachable from “p” via a path labeled with is final and the final weight ρ [ p ] = ⊕ q ε e [ p ] ⋒ F ( d [ p , q ] ρ [ q ] ) . |
| US08290773B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method and recording medium for generating acoustic model
An information processing apparatus for speech recognition includes a first speech dataset storing speech data uttered by low recognition rate speakers; a second speech dataset storing speech data uttered by a plurality of speakers; a third speech dataset storing speech data to be mixed with the speech data of the second speech dataset; a similarity calculating part obtaining, for each piece of the speech data in the second speech dataset, a degree of similarity to a given average voice in the first speech dataset; a speech data selecting part recording the speech data, the degree of similarity of which is within a given selection range, as selected speech data in the third speech dataset; and an acoustic model generating part generating a first acoustic model using the speech data recorded in the second speech dataset and the third speech dataset. |
| US08290772B1 |
Interactive text editing
A method for providing suggestions includes capturing audio that includes speech and receiving textual content from a speech recognition engine. The speech recognition engine performs speech recognition on the audio signal to obtain the textual content, which includes one or more passages. The method also includes receiving a selection of a portion of a first word in a passage in the textual content, wherein the passage includes multiple words, and retrieving a set of suggestions that can potentially replace the first word. At least one suggestion from the set of suggestions provides a multi-word suggestion for potentially replacing the first word. The method further includes displaying, on a display device, the set of suggestions, and highlighting a portion of the textual content, as displayed on the display device, for potentially changing to one of the suggestions from the set of suggestions. |
| US08290770B2 |
Method and apparatus for sinusoidal audio coding
Provided are a method and apparatus for sinusoidal audio coding, which employs a tracking method for further effective coding of sinusoids extracted in the process of a sinusoidal analysis of parametric coding. The sinusoidal audio coding method includes: extracting sinusoids of a current frame by performing a sinusoidal analysis on an input audio signal; with respect to each of the extracted sinusoids, setting a mode selected from a birth mode in which a sinusoid is newly generated irrespective of sinusoids of a previous frame, a continuation mode in which the sinusoid is only one sinusoid continued from one of the sinusoids of the previous frame, and a branch mode in which the sinusoid is one of a plurality of sinusoids continued from one of the sinusoids of the previous frame; and coding the extracted sinusoids according to the selected mode. Accordingly, a plurality of sinusoids that can be continued from one previous track component are set to the continuation mode or the branch mode. Therefore, the number of bits of coded data is significantly reduced, compared with the case of the birth mode. |
| US08290764B2 |
Virtualization program, simulation apparatus and virtualization method
A virtualization program for being able to execute a simulation at high speed, allows a native code simulator to have a stack specific to each task that is managed by a multitask OS. Processes of creation, save, restoration and erasure of a context that a target CPU executes by means of a special control register operation is executed by an API provided by the native code simulator. When porting the multitask OS, the source code is altered so as to call the API. A stack specific to a task is assigned at the API and the stack is switched for switching the task to make context switching possible. |
| US08290763B1 |
Emulation system, method, and computer program product for passing system calls to an operating system for direct execution
An emulation system, method, and computer program product are provided for passing system calls to an operating system for direct execution. In operation, a file is loaded into memory and instructions associated with the loaded file are emulated. Furthermore, system calls resulting from the emulation are identified. Still yet, at least a portion of the system calls are passed to an operating system for direct execution thereof. In addition, application programming interfaces are provided for external components to access, to monitor and to control the aforementioned system. |
| US08290754B1 |
Quadrilateral/hexahedral finite element mesh coarsening
A technique for coarsening a finite element mesh (“FEM”) is described. This technique includes identifying a coarsening region within the FEM to be coarsened. Perimeter chords running along perimeter boundaries of the coarsening region are identified. The perimeter chords are redirected to create an adaptive chord separating the coarsening region from a remainder of the FEM. The adaptive chord runs through mesh elements residing along the perimeter boundaries of the coarsening region. The adaptive chord is then extracted to coarsen the FEM. |
| US08290748B2 |
Sensor interface with integrated current measurement
The invention creates a control and evaluation apparatus for different sensor units, having: a stabilized supply unit for supplying the sensor unit with electrical energy; an amplifier device for amplifying a sensor signal generated by the sensor unit, which signal is delivered to the amplifier device as an input signal, and for outputting a measured signal dependent on the sensor signal; and an output unit for outputting the amplified sensor signal as an output signal. The amplifier device contains an integrated measuring resistor for measuring a voltage drop produced by the sensor signal, the voltage drop being delivered to the amplifier device as the input signal. In addition, in a comparator unit downstream from the amplifier device, the measured signal is compared with a definable threshold value, the threshold value being adjustable as a function of the sensor unit being used. |
| US08290744B2 |
Integrated rate isolation sensor
In one embodiment, a system for providing fault-tolerant inertial measurement data includes a sensor for measuring an inertial parameter and a processor. The sensor has less accuracy than a typical inertial measurement unit (IMU). The processor detects whether a difference exists between a first data stream received from a first inertial measurement unit and a second data stream received from a second inertial measurement unit. Upon detecting a difference, the processor determines whether at least one of the first or second inertial measurement units has failed by comparing each of the first and second data streams to the inertial parameter. |
| US08290743B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method for diagnosing DAC amplifier unit in charged particle beam writing apparatus
The charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a position deflection control circuit. First digital data that is to be used for circuit diagnosis is transmitted from the position deflection control circuit to the DAC amplifier unit at the same rate as a rate of writing on a product reticle and stored in a first maintenance memory. Second digital data is output from a digital section included in the DAC amplifier unit in response to the first digital data and stored in a second maintenance memory. A maintenance clock generator generates a clock signal and reads the first digital data stored in the first maintenance memory and the second digital data stored in the second maintenance memory. The first digital data thus read is compared with the second digital data thus read for each bit to diagnose the digital section. |
| US08290742B2 |
Methods and systems for determining dehumidifier performance
Methods, systems, and apparatuses directed to determining the performance of a dehumidifier are disclosed herein. A method of determining dehumidifier performance configured in accordance with one embodiment includes determining an inlet humidity value for airflow entering the dehumidifier, and determining an outlet humidity value for airflow exiting the dehumidifier. The outlet humidity value is determined based at least in part on an efficiency or correction factor for the dehumidifier. The method further includes comparing the inlet humidity value with the outlet humidity value to determine the amount of moisture that the dehumidifier is removing for the air. |
| US08290736B2 |
Calibration standards and methods of their fabrication and use
An embodiment of a calibration standard includes a substrate, a set of conductive structures fabricated on the substrate, and a conductive end structure fabricated on the substrate. The set of conductive structures include an inner conductive structure, a first outer conductive structure positioned to one side of the inner conductive structure, and a second outer conductive structure positioned to an opposite side of the inner conductive structure. The inner and outer conductive structures are aligned in parallel with each other along offset principal axes of the inner and outer conductive structures. The conductive end structure is electrically connected between an end of the first outer conductive structure and an end of the second outer conductive structure, and the conductive end structure is spatially separated from an end of the inner conductive structure at the surface of the substrate. |
| US08290728B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrated circuit temperature control
A method includes generating a first, second and third voltage output from a temperature sensing element of an integrated circuit using a respective, corresponding first, second and third, switched current source, for sequentially switching a respective first, second and third excitation current through the temperature sensing element. The third switched current source generates the corresponding third voltage output as a reference voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. An error corrected difference is calculated between the first voltage and the second voltage using the reference voltage. In the method, the second excitation current is proportional to the first excitation current by a value n, and the third excitation current is proportional to the first excitation current by the square root of n. |
| US08290727B2 |
System and method for providing power distribution system information
A system, method and computer program product for processing utility data of a power grid is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a datamart comprised of a plurality of physical databases storing utility data, a plurality of applications comprising an automated meter application configured to process power usage data from a plurality of automated meters, a power outage application configured to identify a location of a power outage, and a power restoration application configured to identify a location of a power restoration. The system may include an analysis engine comprising a plurality of analysis objects with each analysis object configured to process data to provide a specific analysis, wherein said analysis engine is accessible via one or more of the plurality of applications, and the system may include a report module configured to receive an output from the analysis engine and to output a report. The plurality of applications may also include a fault analysis application, a transformer analysis application, a theft detection application, a power flow application, a substation automation application, a load shed application and others. |
| US08290726B2 |
Photoconductive photodiode built-in test (BIT)
A Built-In Test (BIT) for a photoconductive photodiode is performed using the health or characteristics of the photodiode's parasitic capacitance as a “proxy” for the health or characteristics of the photodiode itself. A failure or degradation of the photodiode manifests as a similar failure or degradation of the parasitic capacitance. Under normal operating conditions, the photoconductive photodiode responds to incident photons from a target by generating a photocurrent signal at its cathode. A processor processes the signals from one or more photodiodes to evaluate characteristics of the target. To perform the BIT, a time-varying voltage signal is applied at the photodiode's anode. This signal is coupled through the parasitic capacitance to produce a test current signal at the photodiode's anode. The processor processes the signal to evaluate the health or characteristics of the parasitic capacitance and thus the photodiode. |
| US08290724B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling diaphragm displacement in synthetic jet actuators
A method for calibrating a synthetic jet ejector is provided. The method includes (a) taking a first measurement DCR0 of the DC resistance of the coil; (b) adjusting the actuator drive voltage Vd to achieve a desired maximum displacement dmax1 at a frequency f1; (c) measuring the input current Iin and input voltage Vin; (d) calculating the back electromagnetic frequency BEMF, wherein BEMF=Vin−Iin*DCR; and (e) storing the calculated value of BEMF in a memory device associated with the synthetic jet actuator. |
| US08290723B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring rotating components
The apparatus for monitoring appliances and machines having rotating components, particularly for monitoring compressors, vacuum pumps and other pumps, has a sensor, an evaluation electronics unit and an interface for the output of signals. The evaluation electronics unit has a microprocessor having three inputs for performing measurements in three different frequency ranges at different frequency resolutions, with the respective vibration intensities being averaged at a plurality of frequencies in line with the third-octave spectrum. The interface is a two-wire interface which is used to report different operating states using different DC values. |
| US08290719B2 |
Mode identification and decomposition for ultrasonic signals
A method is present for processing a signal. A response signal is received from a structure. The response signal is decomposed into a plurality of signals based on a number of characteristics. A mode in the plurality of signals is identified based on a number of known characteristics for the mode, wherein the mode has a velocity. |
| US08290715B2 |
System and method for multiple-factor selection
The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for multiple-factor selection. The factors can be features or elements that are jointly associated with one or more outcomes by their joint presence or absence. There may be a non-causative correlation between the factors, features, or elements and the outcomes. In some embodiments, Entropy Minimization and Boolean Parsimony (EMBP) is used to identify modules of genes jointly associated with disease from gene expression data, and a logic function is provided to connect the combined expression levels in each gene module with the presence of disease. The smallest module of genes whose joint expression levels can predict the presence of disease can be identified. |
| US08290713B2 |
Method for predicting protein aggregation and designing aggregation inhibitors
The present invention provides methods of predicting protein aggregation and designing aggregation inhibitors. One such method for predicting potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequences, includes the steps of: a) identifying a peptide sequence forming at least part of an aggregation region in a target protein; b) testing whether said peptide sequence forms part of a β-sheet; c) if a positive result is achieved in step b), extracting the adjacent strands of that sheet; d) identifying residues in the adjacent strands to said peptide sequence whose side chains interact with said peptide sequence, those residues forming a potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequence. The present invention also provides methods of designing compounds using the residues identified in the above method; compounds produced by the methods and computer programs for carrying out the above methods. |
| US08290710B2 |
Streetlight monitoring and control
Methods and apparatus associated with monitoring and controlling streetlights include monitoring light levels and voltage levels at corresponding streetlights and controlling the streetlights to set or maintain a particular light output at the respective streetlights or providing power consumption estimates for respective streetlights (streetlight specific metering) based on the voltage levels and light levels. A streetlight controller for a streetlight includes a microcontroller; a first sensor to sense a light level from a lamp within the streetlight; a second sensor operative to sense a voltage level on a power supply for the streetlight; and a switching network coupled with the microcontroller and operative to adjust the light level of the lamp. Methods includes monitoring a light level and voltage level and adjusting a light level, estimating power consumption, or facilitating maintenance in accordance with the light level and voltage level. The methods may be performed all or in part at a streetlight, a local gateway or a central controller and database. |
| US08290707B2 |
Mobile device with on-screen optical navigation
A mobile computing device, including a main body, a processor and associated memory housed within the main body, a display screen housed within the main body and responsive to signals from the processor, an optical sensor fixed to the main body for capturing successive images and providing image signals representative of the captured images to the processor, and a navigation module associated with the processor for determining, based on the image signals, a relative movement between the main body and a reference surface and moving a pointer on the display screen based on the determined relative movement. |
| US08290706B2 |
Map data display control apparatus, map data display control method, and program for the same
A map data display control apparatus includes: a position information acquiring section acquiring position information; a latitude determining section determining whether a latitude identified by the acquired position information is in the excess of a predetermined latitude threshold or not; a display range calculating section calculating a display range for displaying a map with reference to a position identified by the acquired position information based on the result of the determination made by the latitude determining section; and a rendering section rendering a map associated with the reference position based on the calculated display range. |
| US08290705B2 |
Mobile navigation system with graphic crime-risk display
A navigation system for mobile use includes street map data used for creating a dynamic map display tracking movement of the vehicle and includes crime data used to provide an overlay on the dynamic display indicating a risk of crime to the vehicle's occupants from the surrounding area. Crime data may be harvested from police websites and/or generated using statistical correlation techniques from other proxy information. Presented crime data indicate crime risk, type of crime, crime date or time of occurrence, and linkage to environmental conditions such as type of weather, temperature, and moonlight. |
| US08290703B2 |
Method and apparatus for access point recording using a position device
A method and apparatus for identifying access points using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the positioning device is near a first location; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a second location; and storing the second location as a first access point associated with the first location on the map. |
| US08290701B2 |
Vehicle route selection based on energy usage
Vehicle management systems and associated processes can consider energy consumption when selecting routes for fleet vehicles. Vehicle management systems and associated processes are described that, in certain embodiments, evaluate vehicle energy usage based on factors such as terrain or elevation, vehicle characteristics, driver characteristics, road conditions, traffic, speed limits, stop time, turn information, traffic information, and weather information, and the like. The features described herein may also be implemented for non-fleet vehicles, such as in personal vehicle navigation systems. |
| US08290700B2 |
Planning apparatus
A planning apparatus for use in a hybrid vehicle specifies a plan section for the purpose of creating a travel plan, and stores the plan section in a durable storage medium. The medium-stored plan section is then presented for an occupant of the vehicle, for the purpose of confirmation. The stored plan section may be modified according to an intention of the occupant, thereby enabling the occupant's intention to be reflected to the plan section. Then, the plan section reflecting the occupant's intention is used to create a travel plan of the hybrid vehicle. |
| US08290699B2 |
System and method for geographic interpolation of traffic data
A method for geographic interpolation of traffic data in a vehicle navigation system in which the navigation system includes a map database divided into geographic meshes. Each mesh includes a plurality of road links of different types. That data also includes a first set of meshes containing traffic flow data while a mutually exclusive second set of meshes contains no such traffic flow data. A border between the first and second set of meshes is first identified and thereafter a blend zone of blend meshes is created by selecting at least one mesh adjacent the border so that the blend mesh is interposed between the first and second set of meshes. Thereafter, the traffic data for each type of road link in the blend mesh is adjusted to a value intermediate the first and second set of adjacent meshes for each type of road link and the blend mesh data is then stored. |
| US08290698B2 |
Vehicle travel control apparatus
A vehicle travel control apparatus including an object detector, a yaw-rate detector, a vehicle speed detector, a movement path estimator, a preceding vehicle assignment device, a travel controller, a still object determination device, and a stable-movement-state determination device, wherein the preceding vehicle assignment device avoids assigning the object as the preceding vehicle, or assigns the object as the preceding vehicle after waiting for a predetermined time, when: the present vehicle performs the follow-travel control targeting the preceding vehicle; the object detected at a position between the preceding vehicle and the present vehicle is determined to be the still object by the still object determination device; and the present vehicle is determined to be in the stable-movement-state by the stable-movement-state determination device. |
| US08290697B2 |
Haptic apparatus and coaching method for improving vehicle fuel economy
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a haptic actuator operatively associated with a pedal assembly of the vehicle, a human-machine interface (HMI) for enabling the driver to select between a plurality of fuel savings settings, and a controller coupled to a data interface in the vehicle and the HMI interface for causing the haptic actuator to provide feedback to the driver when an aspect of vehicle operation crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds responsive to the HMI setting. Additionally, a coaching method provides haptic-based feedback that will not interfere with the operation of the vehicle. This method of closed-loop feedback provides a timely signal to the driver in a way that will encourage a change in driver style over time, such as backing off the accelerator pedal to accelerate at a lower rate and braking earlier with less intensity. As not all driver preferences are the same under all conditions, the HMI selector will help coach the driver by providing feedback that best fits their driving preference at the particular time. |
| US08290692B2 |
Engine starting device for idling-stop vehicle
An engine-starting device for stopping the engine after satisfaction of an idling-stop condition during idling of a vehicle, starting rotation of a starter-motor upon satisfaction of a starter-motor rotation start condition, and causing a pinion gear to mesh with a ring gear upon satisfaction of a pinion gear meshing condition, includes the ring gear to be connected to a crank shaft, the pinion gear for transmitting the starter-motor rotation, a plunger for causing the pinion gear to mesh with the ring gear, and a starter control section for instructing energization of the starter-motor, in which the starter-motor is energized to be rotated upon the satisfaction of the starter-motor rotation start condition prior to clearing of the idling-stop condition in response to a restart request, and the pinion gear is caused to mesh with the ring gear by the plunger upon the satisfaction of the pinion gear meshing condition. |
| US08290691B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing engine on/off cycling in a vehicle
A method is provided for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states in a vehicle having a controller and auto start/auto stop functionality. The method includes detecting an engine state cycling event, measuring a plurality of vehicle operating values, and using the controller to optimize the cycling frequency via at least one of: automatically adjusting an interval between an auto start event and an auto stop event when each of a first set of the vehicle operating values exceeds a corresponding threshold, and temporarily inhibiting the auto start/auto stop functionality when any value in a second set of the vehicle operating values falls outside of a hysteresis band created around the second set. A vehicle includes an engine and a controller having an algorithm for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states as set forth above. |
| US08290690B2 |
Method and system for reducing operating errors in a variable value actuation system
A method and control module for controlling an engine includes a lift command module that commands a first lift state after detecting an engine shut-down signal and a shut-down delay determination module that determines a shut-down delay period, that continues spark and fuel control before the shut-down delay period and that ends spark and fuel control to shut down the engine after the shut-down delay period. |
| US08290685B2 |
Control device for engine
A control device for an engine, capable of accurately estimating the quantity of exhaust heat from the engine and performing engine control which improves the exhaust quality and fuel consumption of the engine in various operating conditions thereof, by using the accurate estimated value of the quantity of exhaust heat. A control device for an engine is provided with an exhaust flow rate sensor for directly sensing the flow rate of exhaust gas discharged from the engine, an exhaust temperature estimating device for sensing or estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, and an exhaust heat quantity estimating device for estimating, based on an output of the exhaust flow rate sensor and an output of the exhaust temperature estimating device, the quantity of heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. |
| US08290684B2 |
Fuel stability methods and systems
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fuel stabilizer system is provided. The fuel stabilizer system includes a fuel additive storage unit that stores fuel stability fluid. A fuel stability fluid supply system supplies fuel stability fluid from the fuel additive storage unit to a fuel storage unit. A control module estimates an age of fuel in the fuel storage unit and selectively controls the fuel stability fluid supply system to supply fuel stability fluid to the fuel storage unit based on the age of the fuel. |
| US08290680B2 |
Onboard controller system
A system and method for safely slowing or controlling a vehicle's speed or engine speed by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal to slow or control the vehicle. The operator is allowed control of the vehicle (e.g. genuine engine control signal) if the speed is below a threshold speed and the operator is denied control of the vehicle (e.g. spoofed engine control signal) if the speed is above the threshold speed; similarly, a maximum idle engine speed and time to idle before shut-down is enforced by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal, responsive to a set threshold for each. The threshold is set over the air (OTA). |
| US08290677B2 |
Driving assisting apparatus
A driving assisting apparatus acquires a stoppable condition for allowing a vehicle to stop at a stop position and a driver characteristic concerning a driving operation for stopping the vehicle, and determines whether to determine the condition for starting assisting the driving operation according to the stoppable condition or driver characteristic depending on a running state of the vehicle. This sets the start condition for assisting the driving operation in view of the driver characteristic as well, thus making it possible to assist the driving operation in conformity to the driver's feelings. |
| US08290674B2 |
Brake control system and brake control method
A brake control system includes a first wheel cylinder that applies braking force to a first wheel according to hydraulic pressure; a second wheel cylinder that applies braking force to a second wheel according to hydraulic pressure; a brake actuator that receives current and individually controls the hydraulic pressure of the first wheel cylinder and the hydraulic pressure of the second wheel cylinder; a power supply that supplies the current to the brake actuator; and a control portion which sets a braking force distribution between the first wheel and the second wheel based on the state-of-charge of the power supply, and controls the brake actuator according to the braking force distribution. |
| US08290672B2 |
Method and a system for controlling a vehicle
A method is provided for controlling a vehicle, including receiving an operator input indicative of a desired power for at least one predetermined function, and variably controlling at least one pressure-actuated friction slip clutch in a vehicle powertrain in response to the received operator input in order to control a torque transmitted via the friction slip clutch. |
| US08290669B2 |
System and method for controlling an engine
A system for controlling an engine of a vehicle can include: an engine, a transmission, a coupling, and a controller. The controller can be configured to adjust a speed of the engine output shaft based on a comparison of a shaft speed of the input shaft with a shaft speed limit when an operator of the vehicle changes from a first one of the plurality of speed ratios to a second one of the plurality of speed ratios. This control can occur during a downshift, for example, when the second one of the plurality of speed ratios is numerically greater than the first one of the speed ratios. Thus, the controller can be configured to protect the engine and the vehicle from shift shock when a sensor in the control system for the transmission has failed. Also, a method for controlling an engine of a vehicle during a downshift in a transmission driven by the engine can include comparing a current speed of an input shaft of the transmission to a shaft speed limit when a change from a first one of a plurality of speed ratios of the transmission to a second one of a plurality of speed ratios of the transmission occurs, where the first one of the plurality of speed ratios is numerically less than the second one of the plurality of speed ratios. |
| US08290665B2 |
Method for driver support
A method for driver support in a vehicle in which a driver assistance system monitors a driving situation of the vehicle. Support takes place after a confirmation or after the absence of an abort instruction, a dialogue about the extent of support the driver wishes being conducted between the driver and the driver assistance system. |
| US08290660B2 |
Data access to electronic control units
To provide external access to a specification file stored in at least one memory unit, which is associated with at least one electronic control unit which may be in a vehicle, a computer is connected to a first communication bus in the vehicle. A first module in the computer is adapted to communicate with the at least one electronic control unit over the first communication bus. Provided that a user-unique key is connected to a port of the computer and a software component of this key is set to an active authorization state, the computer is enabled to communicate with the at least one electronic control unit. Thus, the computer may read out the specification file as well as update the specification file. |
| US08290652B2 |
Control apparatus and method for hybrid vehicle
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which outputs motive power to a drive shaft from an internal combustion engine and motor generators as motive power sources, including: a recirculating gas control portion that performs valve opening control on a recirculation valve so that an amount of recirculating exhaust reaches a control target valve, and that closes the recirculation valve completely when a deceleration request by a driver is detected; a throttle control portion that performs valve closing control on a throttle valve so that the amount of air circulating through an intake pipe decreases at a predetermined speed when the deceleration request issued by the driver is detected; and a braking control portion that controls regenerative braking forces of the motor generators so that at least one of the motor generators absorbs the motive power generated by the engine while valve closing control is executed on the throttle valve. |
| US08290651B2 |
Method for reducing vibration caused by gear backlash in drive system for hybrid vehicle
The present invention provides a method for reducing the vibration caused by gear backlash in a drive system for a hybrid vehicle, where the method can preferably reduce backlash vibration caused by gear elements between a motor and driving wheels when the hybrid vehicle is driven by the motor. |
| US08290649B2 |
Registration-based vehicle battery charging system
A charging system that facilitates tracking of a stolen charging subject. The charging subject includes a battery and has a unique identification code. A charging device is connected to the battery of the charging subject by an electric cable, and the battery is chargeable. A server is connected to either one of the charging device and the charging subject and manages charging of the charging subject with the charging device. The server is cable of registering an identification code of the charging subject. The server obtains the identification code from the charging subject, determined whether or not the obtained identification code is registered in the server, and transmits to the charging device a charging prohibition command for prohibiting charging of the charging subject with the charging device when the obtained identification code is not registered in the server. |
| US08290648B2 |
Charge-discharge management apparatus and computer readable medium comprising instructions for achieving the apparatus
After a final estimated route for a hybrid vehicle is specified, a navigation ECU determines a start point of a scheduled path, which a charging schedule is to be created for. The start point corresponds to a position at a travel distance, which is equivalent to a distance traveled from a present position of the hybrid vehicle along the estimated route for a time period required for creating a charging schedule. |
| US08290647B2 |
Apparatus for integrally managing ship device and method thereof
An apparatus for integrally managing a ship includes a device manager for integrally managing different types of local ship devices in the ship by using a standardized protocol message; a local device manager for managing local ship devices in a legacy environment on the basis of an independent local protocol; and an inter-working framework (IWF) for performing translation of a protocol for compatibility between the standardized protocol and the independent local protocol to manage the different types of local ship devices between the device manager and the local device manager. The device manager receives a remote control instruction for remotely maintaining and repairing the local ship device from a remote server connected through a wired/wireless communication network. |
| US08290646B2 |
Remote control system implementing haptic technology for controlling a railway vehicle
The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device provided with haptic technology for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist. |
| US08290644B2 |
Method for aircraft landing assistance using GPS and MLS in case of calculated axial approach
In a method for aiding aircraft landing using a GPS and an MLS within the context of a computed axial approach, the method uses coordinates of an azimuth antenna and/or of an elevation antenna as a reference point for the computation of a position of the aircraft in a reference frame centered on the landing runway. This position of the aircraft is thereafter used to determine an angle of azimuth between a longitudinal axis of the landing runway and the aircraft. |
| US08290643B2 |
Systems and methods for handling the display and receipt of aircraft control information
Methods and systems for handling aircraft control information are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a display medium coupleable to a flight manager, with the flight manager configured to receive and direct instructions for automatically controlling aircraft functions at a future time during flight of the aircraft. The system can further include a display controller coupled to the display medium to present at least one operator activatable element at the display medium and update information presented at the display medium when the operator activates the operator activatable element. For example, the operator activatable element can include an icon presented at a computer display screen, and can be activated by a keystroke. |
| US08290642B2 |
Electronic flight bag having filter system and method
A system and method for filtering information from an electronic flight bag system (EFB) used on a mobile platform, for example, on an aircraft. In one embodiment the system makes use of an EFB having a display with a selection to enable a filter. When the filter is enabled, the user is presented with a plurality of options for limiting retrieved information to only specific types of information or data. This allows one, two or more layers of filtering to be implemented on the information that is searched and obtained from the EFB, and enables a limited subset of information to be obtained that is available for viewing on a display associated with the EFB. The system and method eliminates or significantly reduces the amount of non-relevant information that the crew members are required to review when attempting to obtain specific types of information from the EFB. |
| US08290638B2 |
Apparatus, program product, and methods for updating data on embedded control systems
Embodiments of the present invention provide an augmentation apparatus, program product, and methods for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system of an aircraft or other vehicle. This augmentation can include a mission system interface unit, a user interface unit, and a display unit. The mission system interface unit can interface with the embedded control system and can exchange data and control signals with the embedded control system. The user interface unit can couple to the mission system interface unit and the display unit to provide a user a direct interface with embedded control system and to supplement the displays of the embedded control system. |
| US08290636B2 |
Powered riding apparatus with electronic controls and options
The present invention relates to a power riding apparatus with electronic options, a wireless user interface for control such apparatus, and a wave-information-system. One embodiment of the power riding apparatus is a surf board configured with a booster system. The booster system is electrically associated with an onboard controller. The onboard controller is in wireless communication with a user interface associated with a user. The user activates the user interface as desired to control the booster system and activate other board features such as: lighting system, repellant system, anti-theft system, entertainment system, recording system, and communication system. Embodiments of the invention include surf boards, water boards of all types, as wells as boards with wheels such as skate boards. |
| US08290633B2 |
Method for operating a fluidic pipeline system
A method for operating a fluidic pipeline system including an active component generating a volume flow of a medium in the system is provided. A plurality of flow channels are connected in parallel with each other and supplied jointly with the volume flow of the medium by the active component. Each flow channel has an individual volume flow requirement of the medium, the requirement is variable over time for at least part of the flow channels. The volume flow in each flow channel includes a time-variable volume flow requirement individually throttled as a function of a control variable associated with the flow channel. The volume flow generated by the active component is additionally regulated as a whole so that no individual throttling of the local volume flow is required in at least one of the flow channels. |
| US08290631B2 |
Methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy
Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values. |
| US08290625B2 |
Flow cytometer sorter
Disclosed are computer-implemented methods of sorting particles from a particle stream in a flow cytometer. The methods include: calculating sort decision making parameters using the raw event data values from a flow cytometer and a sort logic; performing sort logic computations using the sort logic definition and the sort decision making parameters to generate sort decisions; converting the sort decisions into sort commands; and sending the one or more sort commands to the flow cytometer. Sort logic computations may include algorithmically using conditional branching logic, and may include sort logic equations having mathematical functions characterizing one or more regions of interest in multidimensional data space. Such mathematical functions may be determined based on one or more parameters provided by a user. Also disclosed are corresponding systems having a flow cytometer and a computer. |
| US08290624B2 |
Uniform lighting and gripper positioning system for robotic picking operations
A gripper grasps irregular and deformable work pieces so as to lift and hold packaged, processed, or raw, and manipulate the work pieces for the purpose of material handling, assembly, packaging, and other robotic and automated manipulative functions. A vacuum is induced at multiple points through a flexible gripping hood to provide lifting force to, and facilitate rapid movement of, work pieces. An array of lighting devices and a double ring array of segmented mirrors provide uniform illumination to ensure accurate positioning of the gripping hood with respect to the work piece to be manipulated. |
| US08290622B2 |
Application of localization, positioning and navigation systems for robotic enabled mobile products
A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function. |
| US08290620B2 |
Route creation method and route creation device
Disclosed is a route creation method capable of creating a travel route which reduces the travel quantity of a robot and achieves the efficient travel of the robot. The route creation method and route creation device creates a plurality of candidate routes by using an intermediate point generated between the initial position and the final position set in advance, and thereafter evaluates the travel quantity of a traveling part of a robot with respect to each candidate route to select a candidate route, which achieves the most efficient travel, as a travel route. |
| US08290618B2 |
Determining positions
The position of a movable element such as the end of a robot arm (10) which has several degrees of freedom, being mounted on a base (11) and including a wrist mechanism, is determined by installing a multiplicity of base targets (32, 74) around the base of the robot, and a multiplicity of arm targets (42, 74) around the base (14) of the wrist mechanism (15), and an optical means (90) that moves with the movable element to determine the positions of at least some of the base targets and of at least some of the arm targets. The optical means may be a laser tracker or a camera system (90), and it may be mounted on the part (13) of the robot arm to which the base (14) of the wrist mechanism (15) is connected. This enables existing robots (10) to achieve absolute positional accuracy relative to a fixed external frame of reference. |
| US08290617B2 |
Robot system for loading equipment with general cargo units
In a robot system, and a method for operating a robot system, for loading general cargo units, a gripper unit of the robot is operated to stack the general cargo units in a stack, by movements controlled by a computerized control unit. In order to avoid unstable loading patterns, the computerized control unit automatically determines the loading pattern of the stack of general cargo units, and also automatically determines at least one characteristic that represents the stability of the loading pattern. |
| US08290611B2 |
Blending algorithm for trajectory planning
The present exemplary embodiment relates to motion control and planning algorithms to facilitate execution of a series of moves within a motion trajectory. In one example, a trajectory is specified as a sequence of one or more path segments. A velocity profile is calculated for each of the one or more path segments, wherein each velocity profile is divided into a blend-in region, a blend-out region and a remainder region. Each path segment is executed such that the blend-in region of its velocity profile overlaps only with the blend-out region of the previous profile. |
| US08290608B2 |
Manufacturing instruction equipment, program, manufacturing instruction system, and manufacturing instruction method
The present teaching is intended to observe the delivery date of a product and decrease the number of workpieces in a merger process. A treatment sequence calculator included in manufacturing instruction equipment identifies an in-process part being worked in each process, and calculates the delivery-date allowance of the in-process part. In-process parts whose delivery-date allowances fall below a predetermined threshold are inputted to each process in ascending order of delivery-date allowances. In-process parts whose delivery-date allowances are equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold are inputted to each process in ascending order by a minimum value of remaining treatment times which the in-process parts take to reach the merger process. |
| US08290606B2 |
Controlled cancellation for production flow and physical assets
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a cancellation of an order in the manufacturing environment, reading a list of work units associated with the order, obtaining at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, reading a space maximum value associated with at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, reading a stock maximum value associated with the at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, determining a current stock value associated with at least one identifying attribute of a first work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, and if the current stock value is less than the space maximum value and the stock maximum value, setting a valid cancel optimization status indicator of the first work unit. The method can further include retrieving a cancel optimization model record matching the at least one identifying attribute of the first work unit, and can include applying the retrieved optimization model record to the first work unit to modify a process routing map of the first work unit. |
| US08290599B2 |
Electrode arrangements for tissue stimulation and methods of use and manufacture
A lead has a paddle body with a non-conductive material and multiple electrodes disposed within the non-conductive material. At least one of the electrodes includes one or more anchoring arrangement, such as opening(s) through the electrode through which the non-conductive material can pass; anchors that extend away from the electrode and into the non-conductive material of the paddle body; or flow-through anchors attached to the electrode with an opening through which the non-conductive material may pass. |
| US08290596B2 |
Therapy program selection based on patient state
A therapy program is selected based on a patient state, where the patient state comprises at least one of a movement state, sleep state or speech state. In this way, therapy delivery is tailored to the patient state, which may include specific patient symptoms. The therapy program is selected from a plurality of stored therapy programs that comprise therapy programs associated with a respective one at least two of the movement, sleep, and speech states. Techniques for determining a patient state include receiving volitional patient input or detecting biosignals generated within the patient's brain. The biosignals are nonsymptomatic and may be incidental to the movement, sleep, and speech states or generated in response to volitional patient input. |
| US08290593B2 |
Implantable medical device including a plurality of lead connection assemblies
An implantable medical device (IMD) may include at least two separate lead connection assemblies, each with electrical connectors for connecting implantable leads to the IMD. In some examples, a IMD may include a first therapy module configured to generate a first electrical stimulation therapy and a second therapy module configured to generate a second electrical stimulation therapy for delivery to the patient. The IMD may include a first lead connection assembly including a first electrical connector electrically coupled to the first therapy module and a second lead connection assembly including a second electrical connector electrically coupled to the second therapy module. In some examples, the first and second lead connection assemblies are distributed around the outer perimeter of the IMD housing. |
| US08290591B2 |
Methods and systems for managing fusion and noise in cardiac pacing response classification
Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered. |
| US08290589B2 |
System and method for RF transceiver duty cycling in an implantable medical device
A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. |
| US08290587B2 |
Modulation of AV delay to control ventricular interval variability
System and methods provide pacing therapy that modulates the atrioventricular (AV) delay to control ventricular interval variability. A base AV delay is determined as a function of heart rate. For each cardiac cycle, the base AV delay is modulated to reduce beat-to-beat variability of successive ventricular beats. The modulated AV delay compensates for variability of successive atrial beats. For example, modulation of the base AV delay may involve varying the AV delay inversely with a change in atrial interval. |
| US08290579B2 |
Device, methods and sponges for iontophoretic drug delivery
Disclosed are devices and methods for administration of charged drugs to tissues of the oral cavity and for intra-tissue administration.The disclosed drug applicator for intra-tissue use includes an introducer such as a needle or catheter that is adapted to penetrate into a living tissue. The introducer has a drug-providing portion, and the applicator has current-generating element to pass through it an electrical current. Passing an electrical current through the drug-providing portion causes the drug to eject into treated tissue.Also disclosed are charged drugs suitable for iontophoretic administration, which include a bioactive agent encapsulated in charged nano-particles. |
| US08290578B2 |
Method and apparatus for complex impedance compensation
A compensation circuit has a predetermined, known complex impedance and is located in a handle of a catheter or in a distal end of a cable that connects to the catheter. The compensation circuit is probed with a pilot signal produced by a compensation control that is external to the catheter, by way of an electrical connection through the connecting cable. The compensation control measures the complex impedance, which is the combination of the circuit's known impedance as well as that of the cable. The compensation control then determines the difference between the measured and the known complex impedances. The difference represents that which is attributable to the cable, and is used to compensate or cancel out such cable-related contributions to complex impedance in measurements made over other electrical connections in the same cable. In another aspect, an unknown tissue is identified as one of a plurality of possible tissue types such as regular myocardium, scar and fat based on the measured phase angle of the complex impedance of the unknown tissue. |
| US08290577B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enhanced fiducial point determination and non-invasive hemodynamic parameter determination
Methods and apparatus for utilizing multiple sources of physiologic data to enhance measurement robustness and accuracy. In one embodiment, phonocardiography or “heart sounds” data is used in combination with one or more other techniques (for example, impedance cardiography or ICG waveforms, and/or electrocardiography or ECG waveforms) to provide more accurate and robust physiological and/or hemodynamic assessment of living subjects. In one variant, the aforementioned methods and apparatus are used to improve ICG fiducial point (e.g., B, C and X point) detection and identification accuracy. Moreover, the new ICG fiducial points that may be clinically important may be identified using the disclosed methods and apparatus. In a further aspect, the invention discloses methods and apparatus for utilization of ICG and/or ECG waveform information to improve the identification and characterization of heart sounds (such as e.g., S1, S2, S3, or S4 heart sounds), murmurs, and other such artifacts or phenomena. |
| US08290575B2 |
Biomedical signal morphology analysis method
A way of quantifying the shape of an ECG waveform is disclosed by detecting the JT segment using two Hidden Markov Models and calculating the analytic signal of the JT segment. Parameters calculated from the analytic signal are used as shape descriptors for the JT segment. The shape descriptors may be displayed in a dimensionality-reduced mapping. Templates representing characteristic shapes can be produced by finding cluster centers in the shape descriptor space, and the novelty of new waveforms can be quantified by comparing the position in shape descriptor space of new shape descriptors to a predefined normal training set or to previously encountered waveforms. Novel shape descriptors can be used to retrieve the corresponding waveforms, and templates of such novel shapes can be created by averaging such waveforms, using dynamic time warping to allow for variations in heart rate. The templates can be manually segmented and the manual segmentation propagated back into other waveforms having similar shape descriptors. |
| US08290574B2 |
ECG monitoring system with configurable alarm limits
An ECG monitoring system for ambulatory patients includes a small multi-electrode patch that adhesively attaches to the chest of a patient. A reusable battery-powered ECG monitor clips onto the patch and receives patient electrical signals from the electrodes of the patch. A processor continuously processes received ECG signals and analyzes the received ECG signals for pre-defined arrhythmia. If an arrhythmia is detected, a wireless transceiver in the ECG monitor transmits the event information and an ECG strip to a monitoring center. At the commencement of a monitoring procedure a message is sent to the monitoring center and configuration information for arrhythmia detection is down-loaded and installed in the monitor. The configuration file is determined by a screen of selectable standard and custom arrhythmias and alarm limits at the monitoring center. |
| US08290571B2 |
Auxiliary cavity localization
A method and system for maintaining calibration of a distributed localization system are presented. After a baseline calibration of sensors distributed on a working instrument and reference instrument, if movement of the reference instrument is detected, shape sensing data from a Bragg shape sensing fiber also coupled to the reference instrument may be utilized to recalibrate the localization system. The reference instrument preferably is located intraoperatively in a relatively constrained anatomical environment, such as in the coronary sinus of the heart, to prevent significant movement. |
| US08290569B2 |
Open architecture tabletop patient support and coil system
A patient support structure for positioning a selected anatomy of interest for imaging in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner is disclosed. The structure includes a receptacle for receiving a removable tray that includes connectors for connecting local RF coils housed in the array to the MRI scanner, and connectors for positioning the local RF coils adjacent an area of interest to be imaged. A structure for elevating the patient support is also disclosed. |
| US08290566B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and image generating method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a first navigator data processor that generates a first phase profile based on first navigator data acquired by executing a first navigator sequence, generates a position profile indicative of a relationship between a plurality of region positions and time at which the first navigator sequence is executed, and detects a specific position in the position profile. A second navigator data processor generates a second phase profile based on second navigator data acquired by executing a second navigator sequence, detects the position of each region with respect to each second phase profile within a reference range set so as to contain the specific position, based on each second phase profile, and acquires the same as its corresponding position data. |
| US08290565B2 |
System and method for cyclic motion encoding for enhanced visualization of slip interfaces with MRI
A system and method for producing an image of a functional tissue slip interface using MRI. The method includes applying an external stimulus to a subject to impart relative shearing motion at a tissue interface. NMR signals are then acquired from a ROI including the slip interface using a motion encoding gradient to sensitize the acquired NMR signals to the shearing motion. MR images indicative of the degree of mechanical shear connectivity at the tissue interface are reconstructed from the acquired NMR signals in which low-friction shearing motion at the tissue interface is characterized by a loss of magnitude signal due to intravoxel phase dispersion. |
| US08290564B2 |
Method for bone structure prognosis and simulated bone remodeling
Described herein are methods for analyzing bone structure and/or bone density, methods for estimating fracture risk in a subject as well as methods for monitoring the efficacy of an agent on bone structure and/or bone density. |
| US08290558B1 |
Tissue oximeter intraoperative sensor
An oximeter tool includes a base with one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and a spring connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the spring permits the handle to flex relative to the one or more sensor structures. |
| US08290556B2 |
Device, system and method for in-vivo analysis
A device, system and method of in-vivo analysis. An in-vivo device may include a chromatography unit to interact in-vivo with a body lumen substance, and a sensor to sense in-vivo a property of the chromatography unit. |
| US08290550B2 |
Electromagnetic field strength reducing device, electromagnetic field strength reducing method, and radio communication device
An electromagnetic field strength reducing device includes a high-frequency wave eliminator that eliminates a high frequency component from an electrical signal input from a signal source. An electrical signal line is disposed between the high-frequency wave eliminator and the electrical member so as to convey the electrical signal with the high frequency component eliminated to an electrical member. The device also includes a resonant-frequency regulator connected between the electrical signal line and ground to cause the electrical signal line to be resonant at a frequency used for radio communication. The electromagnetic field strength reducing device may be employed in a portable electronic device with a HAC standard radio frequency communication compliance requirement, and use a corresponding method to eliminate the high frequency component. |
| US08290549B2 |
Mobile communication device having rotatable member
A mobile communication device is provided which includes at least one hinge mechanism pivotably coupled to a top member and to a base member such that the top member can be moved between an opened and a closed position. In the closed position, display and/or interface elements may be inside the device and adjacent to the base member, thereby being inaccessible and protected. In the opened position, the display and/or interface elements may be accessible. A biasing mechanism may drive a portion of the movement between the opened and closed positions. The top member and the base member may be biased or restricted such that there is substantially no separation between the top member and the base member during movement between the opened and closed positions. |
| US08290547B2 |
Protective case having retractable earbuds
A case for holding an audio device having a female audio jack. The case has a removable cover including a male audio jack for electronically connecting the cover to the female audio jack of the audio device. The cartridge includes a spool and houses an ear bud cable. The ear bud cable has a first end with at least one ear bud, and a second end attached to the spool. The cartridge has a rotatable spool for selectively retracting and dispensing the ear bud cable. The spool electronically connects with the male audio jack to enable audio communication between the audio device and the ear bud. In one embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via a jumper wire. In another embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via an electrical contact pad integrated into the case. |
| US08290546B2 |
Audio jack with included microphone
A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming. |
| US08290544B2 |
Method and device for activating a media player based on type of coupled speaker
A method and device for activating a media player enables efficient and convenient access to media files. The method includes determining that a wireless communication device is not operatively coupled to a network. An operative coupling of a speaker system to the wireless communication device is detected. The media player is then activated automatically in response to detecting the operative coupling of the speaker system to the wireless communication device. |
| US08290542B2 |
Systems and methods for improved content delivery to mobile communication devices
Systems and methods for improving information delivery to mobile devices. In an exemplary method a trigger is generated at a mobile device based on an experienced event, the trigger is sent to a network server from the mobile device, a message including content being associated with the trigger is generated upon receipt of the trigger, the message is sent to the mobile device, the message is received at the mobile device from the server, and content included in the received message is displayed on a display of the mobile device. |
| US08290540B2 |
Display device managing method
The invention relates to a method for managing a display device (DSP) of a portable communications device (MFG) having the following characteristics: said display device is used for displaying graphical subject matter, it also comprises a processing device (LAE) for carrying out first and second applications, each of which has an output subject matter. A control device (IM) for managing the graphical display surface of the display device is also provided, wherein the control device of the first application allocates a first display area and the control device of the second application allocates a second display area in such a way that no overlap of said display areas is produced, thereby avoiding the harmful influence of the first performed application on the second later invoked application. |
| US08290538B2 |
Data entry systems
A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a display screen for displaying a user readable representation of the commands and/or stored information for a selected item, and a telecommunication interface for the telephonic transmission of information relating to a selected item or items from the storage to a remote processing center and for the telephonic information relating to selectable items from the remote processing center to the storage. Preferably a telecommunications interface is provided in the hand held unit for cellular or other wireless telephony systems. The hand held unit can be configured to combine the data entry functions with those of audio telephony. |
| US08290537B2 |
Sidetone adjustment based on headset or earphone type
A portable telephony device has a mobile phone housing. Integrated in the housing are memory to store a telephony module, an earphone type detect module, a headphone port, and a processor. The headphone port may be a wired headset jack to receive a mating wired headset plug, or it may be a communications subsystem that makes a wireless connection with a wireless headset. The earphone type detect module, when executed by the processor, is to determine what type of earphone or headset is connected to the headphone port. The telephony module when executed by the processor is to adjust a sidetone function of the device as a function of the determined type of earphone, and apply sidetone in accordance with said adjusted sidetone function. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08290536B2 |
Radio transceiver and method for reception of combined receive signals
A radio transceiver comprising at least two individual receive paths and at least two individual transmit paths is disclosed. The radio transceiver includes a first filter arrangement for separating individual ones of the at least two individual transmit paths from a combined one of the at least two individual receive paths, a splitter for splitting the combined one of the at least two receive paths into the individual receive paths; and a second filter arrangement for separating combined receive bands on the combined one of the at least two receive paths into individual receive bands on the individual receive paths. A method for the reception of combined receive signals in at least two receive frequency bands is also disclosed. |
| US08290535B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating pilot beacon of base station in mobile communication system
An apparatus for generating a pilot beacon of a Base Station (BS) supporting a first communication system and a second communication system is provided. The apparatus includes a first system unit for converting a first signal for the first communication system into a first high-frequency signal, a second system unit for converting a second signal for the second communication system into a second high-frequency signal, and a beacon system unit for alternately generating beacon signals for the first and second communication systems by using the first and second signals. |
| US08290529B2 |
Uplink radio resource allocation method, radio base station, and radio network controller
An uplink radio resource allocation method allocates, at a radio base station, an uplink radio resource used for uplink user data transmission to a mobile station. The method includes: allocating, at the radio base station, the uplink radio resource, so that total received power in an particular cell of the radio base station is equal to a first target value assigned by a radio network controller; and allocating, at the radio station, the uplink radio resource, so that a ratio of first received power from a serving mobile station to second received power from a non-serving mobile station is equal to a second target value assigned by the radio network controller, a serving cell of the serving mobile station being the particular cell, a non-serving cell of the non-serving mobile station being the particular cell. |
| US08290526B2 |
Wireless ground support systems
A wireless intercom has a releasably coupled wired interface to an external aircraft communications socket and the wireless intercom is coupled to the aircraft proximate the socket, preferably in a custom bag hung by a releasable mechanical coupling to the aircraft. The wireless intercom provides signal communication and management between a ground crew tug driver headset and the pilot via the socket and, in various embodiments, to a trainer headset and/or to one or more wing walker headsets. If the wireless intercom loses communications with the tug operator headset during ground operations, an alarm is sent to the pilot via the socket. The wireless intercom, in alternate embodiments, enforces a priority scheme for calls going to one or more of the headsets. The wireless intercom and headsets are powered by rechargeable batteries. Each embodiment includes a customized weather-resistant case for holding at least the other elements of that embodiment. |
| US08290525B2 |
Text alternative to established voice call session
Methods and systems are described wherein an initiating device sends a communication requesting a voice call session with a recipient device. In response, the initiating device receives a communication indicating that the initiating device can provide a text message instead of establishing the voice call session. In some cases, the communication may refuse the request voice call session, while in other cases the communication may simply indicate that the recipient device supports text messaging as an alternative to voice mail. As a result of the received communication, the initiating device outputs a text input prompt. After receiving text input in response to the prompt, the initiating device sends a text message containing the received text input. |
| US08290523B2 |
Method and system for accurate clock synchronization for communication networks
A high accuracy clock synchronization mechanism between a sender and a receiver in a communication network achieves time synchronization using broadcast beacons, directly at the PHY/MAC layer of the sender and the receiver, to minimize synchronization delay jitter. This provides a more efficient synchronization method than either NTP or SNTP, because multiple handshaking information exchange is avoided. Further, using beacons avoids the overhead of introducing additional synchronization packets in higher layer synchronization. |
| US08290522B2 |
Messaging via a coded business card and mobile telephone
A method of sending a message using a business card with data encoded on a surface, and a mobile phone. The data includes an identifier which uniquely identifies the surface and the mobile telephone senses the coded data to determine the identifier. Using the identifier, the phone retrieves a representation of the business card, which has a plurality of fields, one of which being a messaging field. The business card is displayed on the phone such that the messaging field can be user selected, a message generated and transmitted to a communications address retrieved from a database. |
| US08290517B2 |
Paging mechanism in a wireless communication system
A communication system is disclosed which includes a communication network having a paging controller and a plurality of base stations to communicate with at least one mobile client device within the system. Also included in the communication system is a base station, between the plurality of base stations, receiving location updates from the at least one mobile client device; and a processor within the paging controller to accumulate the number of location updates relayed by the base station for each mobile client device, wherein the processor determines whether the accumulated number of location updates received exceeds a predetermined threshold number of location updates. The plurality of base stations each broadcast paging messages to the at least one mobile client device when the predetermined threshold number of location updates is not exceeded. The base station, among the plurality of base stations, solely broadcasts paging messages to the at least one mobile client device when the predetermined threshold number of location updates is exceeded. |
| US08290516B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing location based services using connectivity graphs based on cell broadcast information
An approach is provided for providing location based services using connectivity graphs based on cell broadcast information. A plurality of cell broadcast message identifiers are caused to be received. Cell broadcast message identifiers are respectively associated with a plurality of cells. A connectivity graph specifying relationships among the cells is generated for providing a location based service. |
| US08290515B2 |
Method and system to monitor and control devices utilizing wireless media
A method and system of selectively communicating with one or more devices within pre-defined geographical zones is disclosed. A plurality of geographical zones is defined, each zone being defined by latitude and longitude attributes. A plurality of devices is associated with each geographical zone with which a portable device can communicate, the portable device having data representative of the plurality of geographical zones. The portable device also has a ground positioning unit receiver to obtain geographical coordinates of the portable device. If the portable device determines that its location is within one of the plurality of geographical zones, the portable device communicates with the devices in associated with the geographical zone. |
| US08290511B2 |
Venue application for mobile station position estimation
Disclosed is a method, and a system to perform the method, comprising receiving venue infrastructure information at an entity hosted on a mobile station, and selectively providing a portion of the venue infrastructure information to one or more other entities hosted on the mobile station based, at least in part, on a privilege level attributed to the mobile station or a user associated with the mobile station. |
| US08290510B2 |
System and method for SUPL held interworking
A system and method for enhancing a SUPL session where a SET with a HELD client discovers an LIS of an access network and provides information received from the LIS or plurality of LISs to the SLP. The SLP determines the trustworthiness of the location information and estimates a location. The degree to which the SLP uses the location information is a function of the trustworthiness of the LIS and restraints on the location request. The location information may include a URI or domain name or other indication of location. |
| US08290508B2 |
Estimating a subscriber location
A method and apparatus of estimating a location of a subscriber are disclosed. One method includes receiving a request for the location of the subscriber. The subscriber's serving base station, and a plurality of neighboring base stations sensed by the subscriber, are identified. The subscriber obtains a time delay from the serving base. The subscriber estimates a distance between the subscriber and the serving base station. The subscriber receives frames and estimates a delta time for each of the selected neighboring base stations for the subscriber to synchronize to each of the selected neighboring base stations. The subscriber estimates distances between the subscriber and each of the selected neighboring base. The subscriber location is estimated by trilateration of the distance between the subscriber and the serving base station, and the distances between the subscriber and each of the selected neighboring base stations. |
| US08290501B2 |
UL/DL scheduling for full bandwidth utilization
A method may include receiving, by a user equipment incapable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously, a schedule to transmit data on an uplink, detecting, by the user equipment, whether there is data to be transmitted on the uplink, and receiving, by the user equipment, during a time corresponding to the schedule, data associated with a downlink, when it is determined that there is no data to be transmitted. |
| US08290500B2 |
Method and arrangement for computing at a base station a delay time for data from a terminal buffer
Method and arrangement in a base station for computing a delay time parameter of data in a buffer of a terminal. The base station and the terminal are within a wireless communication system. The terminal buffer is arranged to comprise frames, which frames in turn are arranged to comprise data. The method comprises determining a service requested by the terminal, estimating the arrival time of the last frame comprising transmit data to be received from the terminal, estimating the number of frames comprised in the buffer of the terminal, establishing a frame interval according to the determined service and estimating the arrival time of the oldest frame in the terminal buffer by subtracting, from the estimated arrival time of the last received frame comprising transmit data, one established frame interval for each frame the terminal buffer is estimated to comprise, additional to the oldest frame. |
| US08290497B2 |
Mobile station apparatus and cell selecting method
A mobile station apparatus, which is used in a mobile communication system including plural base stations, includes a receiver that receives a first signal from any one of the base stations of a first cell group covering a relatively large area and of a second cell group covering a relatively small area; a determining unit that determines an intermittent receiving cycle based on the received first signal; and a setting unit that, based on the determined intermittent receiving cycle, selects a cell group from among the first cell group and the second cell group, and sets the receiver to perform intermittent reception of a second signal transmitted from a base station belonging to the selected cell group. |
| US08290495B2 |
Apparatus and method for velocity estimation in mobile communication system
A base station is capable of performing a method for velocity estimation in a mobile communication system. In the velocity estimation method, a received signal is delayed by a plurality of different sample intervals. A candidate maximum Doppler frequency for each of the delayed received signals is estimated. A maximum Doppler frequency in a reliable period is selected among the candidate maximum Doppler frequencies. |
| US08290492B2 |
Handover for DVB-H
A method of wireless handover in a broadcast network (FIGS. 5 and 8) is disclosed. A wireless receiver (FIG. 4) receives a first signal (N) from a first transmitter (f1). The receiver measures a signal strength (RSSI) of the first signal. The strength of the first signal is compared to a first threshold (T0). The receiver receives a second signal (N+3) from a second transmitter (f3) in response to the step of comparing. The first and the second signals are sent to an application processor (120). The wireless receiver continues to receive the first and second signals until the application processor terminates receiving one of the first and second signals. |
| US08290490B2 |
Paging success rate mechanism
A method for handling registration requests in a cellular wireless communication system. The method includes determining that a transmission-success rate of messages sent via the forward-link of an air interface is less than a threshold success rate. The method further includes, in response to the determination that the system has less than a threshold transmission success rate, increasing a frequency at which mobile stations register with the cellular wireless communication system via the air interface. |
| US08290481B2 |
Events notification and functions selection mechanisms in a wireless device
A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled. |
| US08290480B2 |
System and method for selectively restricting in-vehicle mobile device usage
Systems and methods are disclosed for computing various determinations at one or more mobile devices and/or central machines. In part, such determinations are computed based on analysis of one or more inputs originating at one or more sensors of one or more devices. Such determinations include determining an in-vehicle role, an in-vehicle location, a handheld state, and a vehicle class. Various transformations, modifications, and outputs can result from such determinations. Also disclosed are systems and methods for restricting operation of a mobile device, including restrictions that impede operation by a driver moreso than operation by a passenger. Also disclosed are systems and methods for orienting a coordinate system of a mobile device. |
| US08290479B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for schedule management based on locations of wireless devices
A method for managing appointments using a wireless device includes receiving scheduling data for a future appointment including a time associated with the future appointment. A current location of the wireless device is determined, and a reminder for the future appointment is provided at a time prior to the future appointment based on the current location of the wireless device. For example, the reminder may be provided at a time that varies based on the current location of the wireless device, a location associated with the future appointment, and an estimated travel time between the current location of the device and the location associated with the future appointment. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed. |
| US08290476B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling the transmission of messages from a mobile device
Methods and devices enable scheduling the transmission of messages based upon date, time and/or location transmission criteria. Text and multimedia messages may be drafted and scheduled for automatic transmission at a later time and date or when the mobile device is in a particular location. Alternatively, methods and systems enable the message to be sent automatically from a remote server. |
| US08290470B2 |
System and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point during an emergency 911 call from a WiFi handset
A system and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point may include receiving, at a network access point, an emergency 911 call signal including GPS location information and mobile directory number of a wireless device. The GPS location information and mobile directory information may be communicated to a selective router associated with a public safety access point servicing an area including the network access point. The network access point may be a WiFi access point. The access point address information may be communicated using a type II caller ID data packet after the public safety answering point goes off-hook. By communicating both the access point address information and GPS location information, both PSAPs that are configured as E911 Phase I and E911 Phase II may display address location information of an emergency 911 caller. |
| US08290469B2 |
System and method for associating communication terminals to users based on spatial correlation
Methods for associating multiple communication terminals with a given user, based on the geographical locations of the terminals. A target user may be known to own or operate a certain communication terminal (e.g., cellular phone). To identify additional terminals associated with this user, historical location indications are obtained for the known terminal. Each location indication indicates the geographical location of the terminal at a given time. The location indications of the known terminal are correlated with location indications of other terminals. When significant spatial correlation is found between the known terminal and another terminal, the other terminal is assumed likely to be associated with the same target user. |
| US08290468B2 |
Method for controlling a handover that switches connection from a source base station apparatus to a destination base station apparatus, and control apparatus and terminal apparatus utilizing the same
An interface unit receives a scheduled timing with which to execute a handover and a transmission delay time present in a communication with a terminal apparatus, from the terminal apparatus via a source base station apparatus. A switching control unit sorts out original data, to be transmitted to the terminal apparatus, into first data to be transmitted via the source base station apparatus and second data to be transmitted via a destination base station apparatus, based on the scheduled timing and the transmission delay time received. The interface unit outputs the sorted-out first data to the source base station apparatus and outputs the sorted-out second data to the destination base station apparatus. |
| US08290464B2 |
Co-channel interference remover
A receiver (a) translates a frequency spectrum of a received wideband signal such that a narrowband region of the wideband signal is applied to a filter for use in removing narrowband interference; and (b) tracks the narrowband interference by adjusting the frequency translation as a function of signal levels in narrowband regions adjacent to the narrowband interference region. |
| US08290462B2 |
Receiver and method for estimating a plurality of estimated transfer functions corresponding to wireless channels in a multiple-input system
In one embodiment, a receiver is provided for use in a multiple-input system that includes a receiving antenna receiving a time-domain signal corresponding to a plurality of signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitting antennas. The receiver includes: (a) a transform unit adapted to transform the time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal; (b) a channel estimation unit adapted to estimate, based on the frequency-domain signal and a frequency-domain pilot signal, a combined transfer function corresponding to a plurality of transfer functions of respective channels between the plurality of transmitting antennas and the receiving antenna; and (c) a channel separation unit including a plurality of frequency-domain convolution units that separate the combined transfer function into a plurality of estimated channel transfer functions. |
| US08290459B2 |
Signal processing device and method for detecting and locating spectral shapes
Method and device for detecting a target spectrum and its frequency location in a scenario contaminated with strong jammers on other interferers. The detection is based on the geodesic distance between the correlation matrix (RD) of the received signal and the correlation matrix (RT) of the target spectrum (TS) which is assumed known in shape and bandwidth. The detection happens when the threshold (Formula (I)) is overcome. The frequency location is based on the minimization of the mean square error between RD and RT. |
| US08290458B2 |
System and method for IQ imbalance estimation using loopback with frequency offset
Systems and methods for estimating IQ imbalance in a communication system are provided. In various embodiments, a device is configured to perform a self-characterization. The self-characterization is performed over an RF loopback circuit. In some embodiments, a probe is transmitted over the RF loopback circuit. The probe uses a frequency offset such that an image related to one IQ imbalance is separated from an image related to another IQ imbalance. An imbalance estimate is calculated based on processing of the probe. |
| US08290456B2 |
Digital antenna
A radio system for a motor vehicle includes a digital antenna coupled by a digital link to a base unit. The digital antenna includes an antenna and a programmable radio tuner coupled to the antenna located exterior of the vehicle, and a first network interface coupled to the radio tuner. The radio tuner selectively tunes to a radio frequency (RF) and convert a RF signal to a baseband signal. The first network interface transmits the baseband signal over the digital link to the base unit. |
| US08290450B2 |
Methods and systems for calibrating for gain and phase imbalance and local oscillator feed-through
Methods and systems for calibrating a transmitter with I/Q imbalance and local oscillator feed-through include generating a test tone, frequency up-converting the test tone, monitoring one or more features of the up-converted test tone, and adjusting one or more features of the transmitter in response to the monitoring. The monitoring optionally includes monitoring a beating of the envelope of the up-converted test tone. In an embodiment, a first harmonic of the up-converted test tone is monitored for local oscillator feed-through (LOFT). Alternatively, baseband data inputs to the transmitter are disabled, and LOFT is measured by measuring power at the transmitter output. A second harmonic of the up-converted test tone is monitored for gain and phase imbalances. The adjusting optionally includes adjusting a gain imbalance, adjusting a phase imbalance, and/or adjusting a DC offset. The adjusting optionally includes an iterative refinement process. |
| US08290448B2 |
Apparatus and methods for minimizing performance loss in multiple tuner solutions
Embodiments of systems and methods for implementing multi-channel tuners are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08290445B2 |
Electronic device, and information apparatus, communications apparatus, AV apparatus, and mobile apparatus using the same
An electronic device includes a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a first conductor, and a second conductor of a return path being a grounded line. The first conductor is surrounded by a dielectric. A plurality of resistive elements are connected in parallel between the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor transfers therethrough a transmission signal from the transmitter circuit. The length of the line of the first conductor is set to be greater than or equal to one half of the product between the inverse of the signal transfer rate of the first conductor and the velocity of light traveling through the dielectric. The resistive elements are provided along the line of the first conductor for every unit distance being equal to one half of the product between the signal transfer rate of the first conductor and the velocity of light traveling through the dielectric. Thus, it is possible to reduce the signal waveform distortion along the transmission line. |
| US08290442B2 |
Testing media content for wireless communication devices
A communications network comprises a wireless communication device, a mobile data service and an apparatus for testing media content developed for a wireless communication device. This apparatus comprises a media content composer module, a web server, and a dispatcher module. The dispatcher module is programmed to: receive a media content simulation request from the composer module; publish media content developed on the composer module onto the web server, the published content having a uniform resource locator (URL) associated thereto; and transmit to the mobile data service the URL and instructions to the wireless communication device or a wireless communication device simulator to open a web browser and access the URL thereby downloading the media content from the web server. |
| US08290441B2 |
Signaling bit detection with adaptive threshold
For signaling detection using an adaptive threshold, the channel condition observed by a signaling bit (e.g., a paging indicator bit) is estimated (e.g., by a pilot strength estimate). A metric for the signaling bit is computed based on recovered symbols for the signaling bit and the estimated channel condition. An adaptive threshold is selected based on the estimated channel condition. A decision is derived for the signaling bit based on the metric, the adaptive threshold, and the estimated channel condition. Multiple threshold values may be derived for the adaptive threshold for multiple ranges of estimated channel condition, one threshold value for each range. A look-up table stores the threshold values and provides the proper adaptive threshold value for any given estimated channel condition. |
| US08290438B2 |
Control of radio process
An apparatus comprising a scheduler configured to schedule at least two radio communication processes for simultaneous operation, a controller configured to control a communication parameter of a radio communication process in the set of at least two radio communication processes, the controller being configured to control the communication parameter before the simultaneous operation of the at least two radio communication processes takes place. |
| US08290437B2 |
Locating reference nodes for positioning devices in a wireless network
A method for matching an actual device in a wireless network to a corresponding device indicated in a plan of such devices is provided. The method is suitable for initiating the commissioning process for a lighting control network or an automated home network and it enables the program controlling the system to establish a number of reference nodes, with respect to which the coordinates of the rest of the nodes in the network are established, without the engineer having to manually enter the identification details of the reference nodes in the computer system. The method includes identifying a device in the plan having unique characteristics compared to the other devices in the plan, receiving data comprising the characteristics of the actual device from the wireless network, and in response to the characteristics of the actual device including the unique characteristics, matching the physical device with the identified device. |
| US08290436B2 |
Wireless self-service terminal audio lead through
A system for the audio lead through of a visually impaired user of a self-service terminal employs near field communication techniques to transfer connection data required for the establishment of a Bluetooth connection between the self-service terminal and a remote audio output device. Once a Bluetooth connection is established audio files containing instructions on how to execute a transaction on the self-service terminal are transferred from the self-service terminal to the audio output device such that the user can hear audio files when played. |
| US08290430B2 |
Wireless repeater with arbitary programmable selectivity
The invention relates to wireless repeater systems and methods. In embodiments, such systems and methods involve receiving a wireless transmission signal; and processing the wireless transmission signal using a digital signal processing facility (DSP); wherein the DSP is adapted to filter at least one sub-band of the wireless transmission signal using a digital bandpass filter. |
| US08290426B2 |
Mobile radio communication system and radio communication method
In a mobile radio communication system of the cognitive radio method, a database device has a use state table indicating a probability that each frequency band is used for each period of time and for each location. An on-vehicle terminal acquires a frequency band having the highest probability that the band is empty at the current time and the current location according to the use state table and performs a radio communication by using the frequency band. The use state table is preferably created by a statistical process using the database device which acquires the use states of frequency bands of various locations and times by using respective vehicles as probe cars. Thus, it is possible to detect the frequency of the empty state in a short time. |
| US08290424B2 |
Antenna system for satellite lock-on and method for operating the same
An antenna system and a corresponding method for satellite lock-on applied to vehicles automatically lock on at least one satellite in the space by means of a lock-on signal. The technique features on a scan driving signal that initiates a space scan of the antenna system so as to obtain a scan data. According to peak values of the scan data, coordinates of a plurality of satellites in the space are realized and individually recorded. Then, after receiving a lock-on signal, the satellite coordinate of the satellite to be locked is retrieved so as to drive the antenna to point at the satellite to be locked. |
| US08290419B2 |
Image forming system and humidification device
An image forming system including: an image forming apparatus to perform fixing processing on a sheet based on setting information on a job, and outputs the sheet on which the fixing processing is performed; a humidification device to moisten the sheet outputted from the image forming apparatus, wherein the humidification device including: a pair of humidification rollers to contact with each other so as to form a nip part, and to moisten the sheet which passes through the nip part; a water-supply roller to contact with the humidification rollers so as to supply moisture to the humidification rollers; and a control section to perform dry control of the humidification rollers at a timing when the sheet does not pass through the nip part after the water-supply roller supplies the moisture to the humidification rollers. |
| US08290417B2 |
Belt device and image forming apparatus
A belt device includes a belt member and a pressurizing member. The belt member is rotated with rotation of a rotation member, and the pressurizing member includes a pressing portion pressing an inner circumferential surface of the belt member. The pressing portion includes a surface layer having a solid lubricating agent and a fine particle. |
| US08290414B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a pair of regulating members, for regulating movement of a recording material conveyed from a secondary transfer portion toward an intermediary transfer belt side, configured to be contactable to the recording material at both end portions with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording material; a moving mechanism capable of moving a position of the pair of regulating members with respect to the width direction; a recording material size detecting portion for obtaining width information of the recording material with respect to the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction; and a width control portion for controlling the moving mechanism so that the pair of regulating members to a position correspondingly to the width information obtained by the recording material size detecting portion. |
| US08290410B2 |
Developing unit of image forming apparatus
A developing unit provided in an image forming apparatus includes a regulating member that improves developer layer regulation performance. The developing unit is configured to feed developer to a photoconductor, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, to form an image. The regulating member of the developing unit includes a bending portion contacting an outer peripheral surface of a developing device provided in a frame of the developing unit. The width of the regulating member is variable to increase rearward from the bending portion. The regulating member may further include an extension portion extending from the bending portion. Sealing members may be attached to both ends of the frame of the developing unit so as to contact the respective ends of the bending portion. |
| US08290409B2 |
Developer station for an electrographic printer having reduced developer agitation
A developer station and method for an electrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A tangent line tangent to the cylindrical toning shell at the nip is oriented substantially vertically, and the magnetic developer is applied to the toning shell at an angular distance of no more than about 120° from the nip. The toning shell may be eccentrically mounted with respect to the magnetic core and is substantially closest to the rotatable magnetic core within about +30° and −30° from the nip. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the residence time of the developer on the toning shell. |
| US08290405B2 |
Image forming agent storage container having a stirring part and a conveying member
An image forming agent storage container includes a container body formed with a discharge hole, a rotary shaft, a stirring part, and a conveying member. The conveying member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a slit. The first end portion comes into contact with a lower inner face of the container body. The second end portion comes into contact with an inner face of the container body which intersects the lower inner face. The slit is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. A corner of the conveying member located between the first and second end portions is removed. The slit extends from a portion from which the corner is removed toward an inside of the conveying member. |
| US08290403B2 |
Rotary driving device and image forming apparatus
A rotary driving device includes a rotary shaft supported rotatably about an axis thereof on a predetermined supporting member, a rotary load body mounted on the rotary shaft to project radially outward from the rotary shaft in such a manner that the rotary load body can rotate integrally with the rotary shaft about the axis thereof, a driver for rotating the rotary shaft about the axis thereof, a disk mounted on the rotary shaft coaxially therewith for integral rotation with the rotary shaft, the disk having a mounting hole formed therein, a pendulum loosely fitted in the mounting hole, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a relative position relationship between a central axis position of the mounting hole and a center of gravity position of the pendulum under conditions where the disk is rotating. |
| US08290402B2 |
Image forming device employing charger for charging photosensitive member
An image forming device includes a photosensitive member and a charger. The charger includes a wire electrode, a grid electrode and a shield electrode. The shield electrode including first and second ends facing the photosensitive member, the first end being disposed upstream of the second end in a moving direction of the photosensitive member, a shortest distance defined between a plurality of sections of the shield electrode and the wire electrode and being a length of a straight line that connects the wire electrode and an imaginary plane, the shortest distances between the sections of the shield electrode and the wire electrode being equal to one another, a first distance between the first end and a reference plane being smaller than a second distance between the second end and the reference plane, the reference plane including the wire electrode and extending perpendicularly to the photosensitive member. |
| US08290400B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a holding member having a plurality of photosensitive drums and configured to hold a plurality of toner cartridges in a detachable manner. The holding member is coupled to an apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a first position where the holding member is disposed in the apparatus body and a second position where the holding member is raised from the apparatus body. A top cover is coupled to the apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a closed position and an open position. The top cover tilts in a different direction from a direction that the holding member tilts. |
| US08290393B2 |
Image forming apparatus having waste toner box
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; and a cleaning unit including a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member. The cleaning member is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt and upstream from the image forming unit as viewed in a sheet conveyance direction along which the recording sheet is conveyed on the conveyor belt, and the image forming unit and the cleaning unit are pulled out together from a main body of the image forming apparatus toward an upstream side of the sheet conveyance direction. |
| US08290392B2 |
Image forming apparatus with cleaning member to remove toner from transfer roller
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a rotatable transfer roller; a contact separation unit; a driving force transmission portion; a cleaning member; and a control portion. The cleaning member is for removing toner adhering to the transfer roller by contacting with the transfer roller when the transfer roller is in contact with and separated from the image bearing member. The cleaning member cleans the transfer roller in: (i) a first mode in which the cleaning member cleans the transfer roller while the transfer roller in contact with the image bearing member rotates at a first peripheral velocity, and (ii) a second mode in which the cleaning member cleans the transfer roller while the transfer roller separated from the image bearing member rotates at a second peripheral velocity. The control portion controls a voltage applied to the cleaning member according to the peripheral velocity of the transfer roller. |
| US08290391B2 |
Cleaning member, cleaning device, assembly, and image forming device
A cleaning member has a core member that is freely rotatable, a cleaning material that is spirally wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core member, and holding members. The holding members hold end portions of the cleaning material by the end portions being nipped between the holding members and the outer peripheral surface of the core member. An opening is provided in each of the holding members. Each of the openings is continuously open in line with an axial direction of the core member, and the cleaning material is exposed from the openings. |
| US08290385B2 |
Image forming apparatus for transferring transfer residual toner onto image bearing member
A charge member charges secondary transfer remaining toner on an intermediate transfer member to a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity. The remaining toner is moved by a transfer bias, from the intermediate transfer member onto an image bearing member. A BK station is arranged on the downstream of other stations. In a continuous BK monochromatic mode, by applying a reverse bias to transfer portions of the other stations and applying the transfer bias only to the BK station, remaining toner can be collected into the BK station (simultaneously with the transfer). In a full-color mode, remaining toner is collected into the station on the uppermost stream. Thus, the image bearing member for collecting remaining toner on the intermediate transfer member differs according to the mode, thereby suppressing the collection of remaining toner being concentrated on one image bearing member. |
| US08290381B2 |
Image forming apparatus having stabilizing device
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a heating device that heats the image formed at the image forming unit, on the recording medium while recording medium is conveyed; a detecting device that is provided on a downstream side of the heating device in a recording medium conveying direction and detects image density and an image defect of the recording medium; and a stabilizing device that is provided between the detecting device and the heating device and stabilizes physical changes in the recording medium. |
| US08290378B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a magnetic field generating unit at the toner carrying section
An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supplying device, a toner container, and a developing device. The toner supplying device supplies toners stored in the toner container to the developing device. The toner supplying device includes a toner tank which stores toners discharged from the toner container, a toner carrying section which carries the toners stored in the toner tank in an obliquely upward direction, and a toner dropping route which causes the toners carried by the toner carrying section to drop into the developing device by toner own weight. The toner carrying section controls an amount of the toners to flow into the toner dropping route. |
| US08290376B2 |
Optical receiver for the WDM system and the method for controlling the same
An optical receiver with a simplified arrangement able to compensate the optical loss of the transmission medium is disclosed. The optical receiver of the invention includes an SOA in the front end thereof, an optical de-multiplexer, and a plurality of receiver modules that receives de-multiplexed light. The optical gain of the SOA is adjusted based on the electrical signals output from respective optical modules. When the receiver modules show the output thereof in a preset range, the bias current is kept unchanged, while, one receiver module shows the output out of the range, the bias current is incremented or decremented. When one receiver module shows the output out of the absolute maximum/minimum, the bias current is forced to the initial value. |
| US08290374B2 |
Dispersion compensation method and device in optical communication system
A dispersion compensation method and a dispersion compensation device in an optical communication system are provided. The method mainly includes the following steps. A dispersion compensation value transmitted through a working path at a second wavelength is received through a non-working path at a first wavelength in an optical communication system. The non-working path at the first wavelength and the working path at the second wavelength use the same service channel. Dispersion in the non-working path at the first wavelength is compensated according to the dispersion compensation value. Therefore, no matter the working path is a main path or a backup path, the dispersion compensation value on the non-working path can be accurately regulated in time, such that the dispersion of the working path reaches an optimal status each time after the protection switching occurs to the service, thereby ensuring the fast switching of the service. |
| US08290367B2 |
OSS support for control plane technology
The OSS provides unique and automated provisioning, activation, fallout management and monitoring of SONET and WDM networks comprising control plane mesh and traditional SONET/WDM Rings/Chains. Resource discovery and dynamic provisioning provides for increased use of network bandwidth. It is possible both all control plane networks and mixed control plane and traditional networks. Network connections or the network topology may be accomplished in a hop-by-hop manner. |
| US08290365B2 |
Simulation of optical characteristics of an optical fiber
An optical communication apparatus that includes multiple optically communicative components positioned optically in series. Some of the optically communicative components may be optical fiber segments of perhaps different types. The optical channel represented by the series of optically communicative components and approximates a transfer function of an optical channel of a longer optical fiber. Accordingly, rather than deal with a lengthy optical fiber, an apparatus having a shorter optical channel may be used instead. The construction of the optical communicative components may be calculating an input transfer function. The construction would include an ordering of discrete optically communicative components that, when placed optically in series, simulates an estimation of a particular transfer function. Testing may then occur by actually passing an optical signal through the series construction of optically communicative components, rather than through the longer optical fiber. |
| US08290361B2 |
Transmission line monitoring system
In a transmission path monitoring system, a first add section adds a first add signal to a first wavelength division multiplexing signal. A first drop section separates a first drop signal from the first wavelength division multiplexing signal. A first loopback section transfers a monitor signal on a first drop optical transmission path onto a second add optical transmission path. A second add section adds a second add signal to a second wavelength division multiple signal. A second drop section separates a second drop signal from the second wavelength division multiplexing signal. A first communication section transmits the first add signal and the monitor signal and receive the second drop signal and the monitor signal. |
| US08290351B2 |
Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement. |
| US08290347B2 |
Information recording medium, and apparatus and method for recording information to information recording medium
Provided is an information recording medium which achieves high speed conversion of a signal input externally from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS complying with DVD standard. An apparatus and a method for recording information to the information recording medium are also provided. A constrained format which enables conversion from a first stream (for example, MPEG transport stream) to a second stream (for example, MPEG program stream) is provided. The constrained format defines that a presentation order of the video information including continuous complete data block starts at a top field (Pf) and ends at a bottom field (Pl). The continuous complete data block is included in a reference time (STC) of continuous presentation of video information and audio information with the reference time including at least one data block. |
| US08290339B2 |
Video processing apparatus
Color difference signals of demodulated video are vertically filtered to be converted into 4:2:2 signals before subjected to OSD synthesis, after which those signals are once again vertically filtered as a sort of scaling to obtain the output resolution. As filtering is carried out in two stages, the frequency characteristic deteriorates. A video processor superimposes an OSD video signal on a 4:2:0 format video signal, and includes: a converting section for converting the OSD video signal into YUV signals; an OSD luminance signal scaling section for performing scaling on an OSD luminance signal included in the YUV signals; a luminance signal synthesizing section for synthesizing the scaled OSD luminance signal and the luminance signal of the 4:2:0 format video signal; an OSD color difference signal scaling section for performing scaling on OSD color difference signals included in the YUV signals; and a color difference signal synthesizing section for synthesizing the scaled OSD color difference signals and the color difference components of the 4:2:0 format video signal. |
| US08290336B2 |
Keyboard having video and audio recording function
A keyboard for recording a video and an audio is disclosed. The keyboard having a video and an audio recording function includes a universal serial bus hub coupling with a computer system, a keyboard controller, coupled with the universal serial bus hub, for controlling a keypad matrix, and a video and audio processing module coupling with the universal serial bus hub. The video and audio processing module comprises an analog to digital converter for receiving an analog video signal and an analog audio signal and converting the analog video signal and the analog audio signal to a digital video signal and a digital audio signal, and an encoding controller for encoding the digital video signal and the digital audio signal into a formatted file according to a recording signal from the computer system and transmitting the formatted file to the computer system via the universal serial bus hub. |
| US08290334B2 |
Apparatus and method for automated video editing
A system and method for automated editing of content is disclosed. The system includes a biasable editing engine. A user is provided with content. The user rates the content according to user preferences. The system receives the ratings implements the editor engine, which edits the content and which is biased in its decision making by user ratings. |
| US08290333B2 |
Fiber optic cable assemblies with furcation bodies having features for manufacturing and methods of making the same
Fiber optic cable assemblies having furcation bodies with features that are advantageous for manufacturing are disclosed along with methods of making the same. The furcation body include at least one anti-rotation feature for mounting the furcation body and a viewing portion and/or weep hole. The viewing portion is advantageous since it allows the observation during filling of the cavity with an epoxy, adhesive, or the like to strain relieve components of the fiber optic cable assembly within the furcation body. Simply stated, the viewing portion is translucent or clear for observing the filling of the furcation body and detecting if an air bubbles/air pockets are formed so that they can be reduced and/or eliminated. The furcation body may also have a weep hole for allowing air bubbles/air pockets to escape. Additionally, the furcation body of the fiber optic cable assembly may be secured within a clip or other suitable structure for mounting the same. |
| US08290330B2 |
Patch panel assembly
A patch panel assembly including a cable manager, a front panel, and a cable grip holder having adjustable holding elements for securing a cable. The front panel is pivotable between a normal position and a pivoted position. |
| US08290329B2 |
Fiber access terminal including moisture barrier plate
A fiber access terminal includes a drop cable side and a distribution cable side. The sides are separated by a frame to which a variety of cable management and cable connections components may be mounted. Optical fibers are routed from drop and distribution cables through a plurality of routing paths to splice trays for connection to other optical fibers. The terminal includes a base and a dome cover mounted to the base defining an enclosed interior. Passageways between the base and the dome cover are closed by removable covers to limit moisture and animals from accessing an interior of the dome cover. A tether connects the removable covers to the frame. |
| US08290328B2 |
Cutter tool and a method of making a branch connection with at least one optical fiber of a telecommunications cable
A cutter tool for cutting at least one optical fiber arranged freely in a cavity of a telecommunications cable, the tool including a cutting element and a tube, the cutting element being adapted to form a snare around at least one optical fiber to be cut, the snare providing two strands of filament adapted to be introduced in the tube, and the tool enabling an optical fiber branch connection to be made over a long distance through an existing tapping window. |
| US08290320B2 |
Flat drop cable
An example fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile defining a major axis and a minor axis. The transverse cross-sectional profile has a maximum width that extends along the major axis and a maximum thickness that extends along the minor axis. The maximum width of the transverse cross-sectional profile is longer than the maximum thickness of the transverse cross-sectional profile. The outer jacket also defines first and second separate passages that extend through the outer jacket along a lengthwise axis of the outer jacket. The second passage has a transverse cross-sectional profile that is elongated in an orientation extending along the major axis of the outer jacket. The fiber optic cable also includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the first passage a tensile strength member positioned within the second passage. |
| US08290315B2 |
Temperature sensing
A temperature sensor array comprises an optical fiber (16) on which are a plurality of Bragg gratings (18) on respective spaced apart portions of the fiber. Each portion is in a housing (14) which freely houses the said portion substantially without axial strain on the fiber within the housing and which also isolates the grating from strain imposed on the fiber outside the housing. Thus substantially only changes in temperature affect the Bragg grating of that portion. The array may be used to detect and control the temperature of a tool (12) for forming a composite component amongst other uses. |
| US08290314B2 |
Optical waveguide mode sensor having pores
A chip is constituted from a transparent substrate, a reflector film formed on the transparent substrate and an optical waveguide layer formed on the reflector film, and a plurality of pores is formed in the optical waveguide layer. A light-introducing mechanism that introduces light from the transparent substrate of the chip onto the reflector film, and a light-detecting mechanism that detects the light reflected on the reflector film are provided. A specimen under investigation is detected by sensing a change in the incidence angle or in the intensity of reflected light that occurs when the specimen is adsorbed or deposits on the surface of the optical waveguide layer, by using a range of incidence angles of the light in which the intensity of reflected light changes when a part or all of the incident light couples with the optical waveguide mode that propagates in the optical waveguide layer. |
| US08290313B2 |
Electronic acquisition of a hand formed expression and a context of the expression
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, method, and computer program product. In an embodiment, a device includes a handheld writing device that includes a writing element, and a writing detector module operable to generate information indicative of a handwriting movement of the writing element. The device also includes a context detector module operable to generate information indicative of a content portion of a document proximate to the handwriting movement of the writing element. |
| US08290312B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of processing information, control program, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus for processing image data including character information, the processing of image data including a process of inserting interpretation information corresponding to the character information. The information processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition unit, an interpretation information retrieval unit, an area information definition unit, and an insertion style determination unit. The image data acquisition unit acquires the image data including the character information composed of a plurality of characters having a first string of characters. The interpretation information retrieval unit retrieves first interpretation information to be attached to the first string of characters. The area information definition unit computes insertable area information on a first insertable area, usable for inserting the first interpretation information, based on coordinate data of characters in the acquired image data. The insertion style determination unit determines an insertion style of the first interpretation information based on the insertable area information. |
| US08290311B1 |
Apparatus and method for detecting images within spam
A method is described that includes converting the present image of resolution N to resolution M, M being less than N. The method also includes generating a signature of the present converted image. The method further includes comparing the signature of the present converted image to stored signatures of converted spam images, the converted spam images being of resolution M. The method also includes determining spam features corresponding to the stored signatures of converted spam images that match the signature of the present converted image. |
| US08290307B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording medium
The maximum number of scaled images formed for one document and the scaling ratio set for each of scaled images are accepted by an operation panel, the basic scaling ratio is read from a table defining the scaled image arrangement information and the like, the scaling ratio of the original image data obtained by an image reading section is changed, and scaled images laid out on one sheet are generated. The generated plurality of scaled images are arranged according to the arrangement information defined by the table, and image formation is performed by an image forming section, thereby obtaining a multi-shot copy in which a plurality of images of different scaling ratio are laid out on one sheet. |
| US08290303B2 |
Enhanced system and method for volume based registration
A method for volume based registration of images is presented. The method includes receiving a first image data set and at least one other image data set. Further the method includes identifying a first image slice in the at least one other image data set corresponding to the first image data set. The method also includes selecting a first point of interest on at least one of the first image data set or the first image slice in the at least one other image data set. In addition, the method includes selecting a second point of interest on the other of the first image data set or the first image slice in the at least one other image data set, wherein the second point of interest corresponds to the first point of interest. Moreover, the method includes translating one of the first image data set, the first image slice, or both, in a first direction, a second direction and a third direction to align the first point of interest with the second point of interest. Also, the method includes registering the first image data set and the at least one other image data set. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method is also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique. |
| US08290298B2 |
Method for temporally editing videos
A method edits an input video to produce an output video. Pixels of the input video are partitioned into sets of pixels, wherein the pixels in the sets are adjacent, and for each set of pixels performing the following steps. A trellis having nodes connected by directed links is constructed. Each node corresponds to one of the pixels in the set of pixels, and each node is associated with an action and location of the pixel in the output image. Costs are assigned to the nodes and the links, wherein the costs are on apparent motion in the input video. A least cost path is determined through the trellis. Then, for each node on the path, apply the action associated the node to the corresponding pixel in the input video to edit the corresponding pixel at the location in the output video associated with the node. |
| US08290296B2 |
System and method for detecting blemishes in an image captured by an electronic device
A method for detecting blemishes in a RGB image captured by an electronic device includes following steps. The image is read from the electronic device. A center point of the image is defined. Pixels of radials radiating from the center point of the image are detected for detecting blemishes in the image. Blemishes in the image are counted. A total blemish number is compared with a maximum tolerable blemish number. If the total blemish number in the image exceeds the maximum tolerable blemish number, displaying test failure; and if the total blemish number in the image does not exceeds the maximum tolerable number, displaying test pass. A blemish detection system associated with the method is also disclosed. |
| US08290293B2 |
Image compensation in regions of low image contrast
To compensate an image, a profile thereof is obtained from pixel values in a marginal area of the image. A background value of the image determined from the profile and correction to the image is performed in accordance with the background value and the profile. |
| US08290292B2 |
Method of generating a multiscale contrast enhanced image
At least one approximation image is created of the image at one or multiple scales. Translation difference images are created by pixel-wise subtracting the values of an approximation image at scale s and the values of a translated version of the approximation image. A non-linear modification is applied to the values of the translation difference image (s) and at least one enhanced center difference image at a specific scale is computed by combining the modified translation difference images at that scale or a smaller scale with weights wi,,j. An enhanced image is computed by applying a reconstruction algorithm to the enhanced center difference images. The non-linear modification of the values of the translation difference images is steered by (a) characteristic (s) computed out of the approximation image (s) at least one scale. |
| US08290290B2 |
Control IC for color sequential liquid crystal display
A control IC (integrated circuit) for color sequential liquid crystal displays (LCD) is revealed. The control IC includes an interface for receiving a command and at least one display data and a timing generator to generate a scan timing signal, a data timing signal, and a driving timing signal. According to the scan timing signal, a scan driving circuit generates a scan signal that is sent to the color sequential LCD. In accordance with the data timing signal, a data driving circuit receives the display data for generating a data signal sent to the color sequential LCD. According to the driving timing signal, a light-source driving circuit generates a plurality of driving signals sent to the color sequential LCD so as to generate a plurality of color backlights. In accordance with the scan signal, the data signal and the plurality of backlights, the color sequential LCD displays a frame. |
| US08290288B2 |
Encoding macroblock type and coded block pattern information
The coded block parameters used to code blocks of image samples into structures called macroblocks are compressed more efficiently by exploiting the correlation between chrominance and luminance blocks in each macroblock. In particular, the coded block pattern for chrominance and luminance are combined into a single parameter for the macroblock and jointly coded with a single variable length code. To further enhance coding efficiency, the spatial coherence of coded block patterns can be exploited by using spatial prediction to compute predicted values for coded block pattern parameters. |
| US08290287B2 |
Method for displaying encoded image data
A method for displaying encoded image data includes providing data in an encoded form, the data when displayed forming a two-dimensional image. Using a decoding cellular automaton rule and a predetermined secret key, the data is processed through a plurality of iterations to obtain the data in a non-encoded form. A series of images resulting from the processing, and ending in the two-dimensional image, is displayed in time-sequence. The series of images contains information that is insufficient for determining the secret key, given knowledge of each one of the decoding cellular automaton rule, the data in the encoded form and the data in the non-encoded form. |
| US08290286B2 |
Picture coding method and picture decoding method
The method includes the following units: a coefficient number detecting unit (109) for detecting the number of coefficients which has a value other than 0 for each block according to the generated coefficient, a coefficient number storing unit (110) for storing the number of coefficients detected, a coefficient number coding unit (111) for selecting a table for variable length coding based on the numbers of coefficients in the coded blocks located on the periphery of a current block to be coded with reference to the selected table for variable length coding so as to perform variable length coding for the number of coefficients. |
| US08290284B2 |
Error determination device and error determination method
A processing-coefficient decision unit decides a processing coefficient based on a format of the stream. A target-PTS decision unit multiplies an input PTS value by the processing coefficient, to set this as a target PTS used to determine the continuity of the pictures. A reference-PTS calculation unit sets the target PTS as an initial value of a reference PTS, sequentially adds an increment corresponding to the PTS value per picture, and calculates the reference PTS which is compared with the target PTS. A difference calculation unit calculates a difference between the target PTS and the reference PTS. A threshold determination unit compares an absolute value of the difference with the processing coefficient being a threshold and determines whether the absolute value of the difference is less than the processing coefficient. |
| US08290281B2 |
Selective presentation of images
A method for the selective presentation of a plurality of images from a set of digital images provided for upload to a computing apparatus, the method comprising providing image data representing the set of digital images for upload, processing said image data in order to determine for respective ones of the images in the set a measure for: i) image quality ranking, ii) duplicate image detection, and iii) face detection; and, on the basis of the determination generating data representing a slideshow for the plurality of images. |
| US08290280B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and computer readable storage medium storing image processing program
An image processing device includes a region-of-interest detecting unit that detects a region of interest from each of sequence images acquired in chronological order; a region dividing unit that divides a plurality of images temporally neighboring to each other into regions based on region-of-interest detection results obtained from the plurality of images; an inter-image variation calculating unit that calculates an inter-image variation between the plurality of images based on a variation in each region obtained by the division by the region dividing unit; and a display-condition setting unit that sets a display condition for each image based on the inter-image variation. |
| US08290279B2 |
Method, a system, and a computer program product for processing images
A method for processing an image of a person, the method including: (i) defining a first search area in response to a value of a metric parameter and to a location of an element of interest within the image; (ii) generating an edge detection data structure, wherein some of the elements of the edge detection data structure are indicative of edges of the image which are located within an edge detection search area that is contained within the first search area; (iii) determining a contour path in the edge detection data structure in response to multiple edges of the edge detection data structure, wherein the contour path includes a single data structure element from each column of the data structure; and (iv) retrieving a face portion of the image, wherein the face portion is included within a mask that is responsive to the contour path. |
| US08290274B2 |
Method for handwritten character recognition, system for handwritten character recognition, program for handwritten character recognition and storing medium
A method is provided that includes capturing an input handwritten character with parameter representation for each stroke and applying a polygonal approximation thereto; assuming each polygonal line segment approximated to be vector that reaches an end point from a start point, and obtaining an angle between an axis that becomes a reference and each line segment as a polygonal line segment angle sequence; obtaining an exterior angle sequence of vertices of the line segments; making a sum of exterior angles of the same sign, where the same sign of plus or minus in the exterior angle sequence continues, to be a winding angle sequence; extracting a global feature according to each obtained sequence and a localized or quasi-localized feature in each curved portion divided corresponding to the winding angle sequence, hierarchically and divisionally; and performing character recognition by comparing the extracted result with a template of an object character. |
| US08290273B2 |
Multi-frame videotext recognition
Multi-frame persistence of videotext is exploited to mitigate challenges posed by varying characteristics of videotext across frame instances to improve OCR techniques. In some examples, each frame of video is processed to form multiple binary images, and one or more text hypotheses is formed from each binary image. In some examples, one or more combined images are formed from multiple frames processed to form a binary image and a corresponding text hypothesis. The text hypotheses are combined to yield an overall text recognition output. |
| US08290272B2 |
Creating a document template for capturing data from a document image and capturing data from a document image
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method capturing data from a document image. The method 300 comprises processing the document image to identify at least one repetitive structure and performing a capturing operation including creating a plurality of instances of the repetitive structure based on once-described structure properties of the repetitive structure in a document template, and populating each instance with corresponding data from the document image. The method may also include creating a document template for capturing data from a document image. |
| US08290269B2 |
Image document processing device, image document processing method, program, and storage medium
A headline-region initial processing section clips a headline-region image in an image document, divides the image into individual character images, and extracts features of the individual character images. Based on the features, a candidate-character-sequence generating section selects N (N is an integer more than 1) character images as candidate characters in the order of degree of matching from a font-feature dictionary for storing features of individual character images, and generates M×N index matrix where M is the number of characters in an extracted character sequence. Based on the index matrix, a document-name generating section generates a meaningful document name according to the image document. An image-document-DB management section manages accumulated image documents using the document name. This provides an image document processing device and an image document processing method each allowing automatically generating and managing the meaningful document name that represents the contents of the image document, without user's operation. |
| US08290262B2 |
Color processing apparatus and method thereof
A first processor calculates a white point of a pixel of interest of image data from surrounding pixels of the pixel of interest, and executes adaptation processing using the calculated white point. A second processor executes adaptation processing using a fixed white point of image data. A selector selects an area of input image data. A color converter executes color conversion of the input image data using the first or second processor corresponding to the selected area. |
| US08290258B1 |
Method, device and computer program product for performing a color based white balance of a digital image
A method for performing a color based white balance of a digital image, the method includes: generating or receiving multiple chromaticity value pairs of multiple pixel areas of the digital image; finding selected candidates; wherein a selected candidate represents a pixel area and has a chromaticity value pair that falls within at least one color gamut out of a group of color gamut of different colors; wherein the different colors comprise at least one color that differs from gray; calculating at least one white balance compensation parameter in response to pixel information of pixels areas that have selected chromaticity values; and providing a compensated digital image by applying at least one white balance compensated image. |
| US08290248B2 |
Determining disparity search range in stereo videos
Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method for determining a disparity search range for a current stereo image of a scene based on a set of stereo images of the scene, comprising steps of: selecting a subset of stereo images from the set of stereo images, the subset includes the current stereo image and at least one neighboring stereo image, wherein the neighboring stereo image is temporally-neighboring to the current stereo image; determining a disparity histogram for each stereo image in the subset of stereo images to form a set of disparity histograms; determining a weighted disparity histogram as a weighted sum of the disparity histograms in the set of disparity histograms; and determining the disparity search range from the weighted disparity histogram. |
| US08290245B2 |
Measuring apparatus and method for range inspection
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and method for measuring the three-dimensional characteristics of an object using range data acquisition and analysis. The imaging apparatus comprises: means for configuring the range data acquisition and analysis before starting the measuring; means for creating an image of the object by detecting reflected light from the object using at least one sensor comprising pixels; means for acquiring range data of the object from the created image measured in sensor pixel units; means for calibrating the acquired range data from sensor pixel values to world-coordinates; means for rectifying the calibrated range data by re-sampling the range data onto a uniformly spaced grid; and, means for analyzing the calibrated and rectified range data in order to obtain the three-dimensional characteristics of the object. |
| US08290238B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating objects
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. |
| US08290237B1 |
Systems and methods to use a digital camera to remotely deposit a negotiable instrument
To deposit a negotiable instrument electronically, a digital image may be used. Systems and methods are described herein that facilitate the use of a digital camera to provide the digital image. A user may capture an image of a negotiable instrument to create a digital image. The digital image may be compressed and saved as a digital image file. The user may then transmit the digital image file to a financial institution, such as a bank, to deposit funds drawn from the account of the negotiable instrument into the user's account. A financial institution may receive digital image files created by a digital camera from account holders and process a deposit request using the digital image file. |
| US08290234B2 |
System for removing static background detail from medical image sequences
A system determines static background medical image data by receiving pixel luminance data comprising multiple sequential medical images of a patient anatomical portion and luminance data of an individual image that comprises multiple pixel luminance representative values of multiple individual pixels of the individual image. A filter includes a first filter function having a first response time for filtering received luminance representative values of a particular individual pixel varying in response to a first motion disturbance in the multiple sequential medical images for use in identifying a substantially minimum luminance value of the particular individual pixel in the multiple sequential medical images. The filter filters luminance representative values of individual pixels of the multiple sequential medical images to identify substantially minimum luminance values of individual pixels in the multiple sequential medical images as background image data of the multiple sequential medical images. |
| US08290232B2 |
System and method for quantitative imaging of chemical composition to decompose more than two materials
A system and method for decomposing more than two materials in an imaging object includes performing a CT imaging acquisition of a portion of an imaging object using at least two energy levels to acquire imaging data associated with each of the at least two energy levels. A total mass attenuation of the imaging data is expressed as a weighted sum of constituent element mass attenuation coefficients and an effective atomic number and density of the constituent elements in the portion of the imaging object is determined by one of a number of methods. Accordingly, concentration of the constituent elements in imaged object is determined by solve the expression using known material attenuation coefficients and the measured CT data. |
| US08290231B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing measurement data of an anomaly in a medical image
Many image processing problems are concerned with determining measurements of an anomalous area in an image. Most automated systems suffer from low specificity, which may reduce their acceptance. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for providing measurement data of a region of interest in an image in a graphical user interface environment. The example embodiment locates a pair of edges in multiple dimensions of a region of interest selected by a user, calculates a center position between respective edges, and iterates until a convergence or divergence is determined. Linear calculation may be employed for rapid results, allowing an advance in speed of image processing over current techniques. In a case of convergence, the measurement data is reported. In a case of divergence, a failure state is reported. By reporting divergence, the example embodiment achieves high specificity, thereby reducing the number of false positive reports. |
| US08290223B2 |
Method for segmenting digital medical image
A Markov Random Field (MRF)-based technique is described for performing clustering of images characterized by poor or limited data. The proposed method is a statistical classification model that labels the image pixels based on the description of their statistical and contextual information. Apart from evaluating the pixel statistics that originate from the definition of the K-means clustering scheme, the model expands the analysis by the description of the spatial dependence between pixels and their labels (context), hence leading to the reduction of the inhomogeneity of the segmentation output with respect to the result of pure K-means clustering. |
| US08290222B2 |
Systems and methods of image processing utilizing resizing of data
An image processing system and method to resize image data from two sources of image data. The method includes receiving a first matrix of image data from a first detector and a second matrix of image data from a second detector. Detector-specific image correction is performed on the first matrix data and the second matrix data independently. The first matrix and the second matrix are re-mapped into virtual matrices of a common size, which are processed through a common image pipeline. The virtual matrices are remapped into different matrix sizes for further processing or display. |
| US08290220B2 |
Face authenticating apparatus, face authenticating method, and program
The present invention provides a technique for preventing an unauthorized user from using a terminal and ensuring secure use of the terminal.A presentation pattern display unit 5 that is provided at a different position from a key input unit displays an instruction for a user to input a key pattern during face authentication, and a built-in camera 1 captures a face of the user and/or a movement of a portion of the face of the user during a portion of or the entire time from when the presentation pattern display unit 5 displays the instruction to when the key input through the key input unit 10 is completed, so that it is determined whether the captured face image is of a living body. |
| US08290216B1 |
Determining document fitness using illumination
According to an illustrative embodiment, a method for detecting a document includes capturing a first plurality of images of a document at a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, capturing a second plurality of images of the document at a second wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, and assembling the first and second pluralities of images to form one or more images of the document. |
| US08290215B2 |
Virtual white lines for delimiting planned excavation sites
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Data representing an aerial image of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received, the data including geo-coding or geographical identification metadata associated with the aerial image. At least a portion of the aerial image is displayed on a display device, including at least one map symbol, street name, region, and/or landmark description superimposed upon or displayed separately from the geographic area. The dig area is delimited on the displayed image, via a user input device associated with the display device, so as to generate a marked-up digital image including a delimited dig area. Information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area. |
| US08290213B2 |
Method of locating license plate of moving vehicle
While locating a license plate of a moving vehicle on consecutive images, motion detection is first performed on the consecutive images to detect a moving vehicle image, which is segmented using edge detection, and the segmented moving vehicle image is analyzed to retrieve characteristics for locating a license plate image and determining characters on the located license plate image. As a result, a precise location of the license plate is thus precisely located for further recognition no matter what weathers in which the consecutive images are recorded. The above-mentioned technique requires merely few calculations, is easily implemented, and may be applied on an intelligent digital video recording (DVR) system including many computer-vision functions. |
| US08290212B2 |
Super-resolving moving vehicles in an unregistered set of video frames
A method is provided for accurately determining the registration for a moving vehicle over a number of frames so that the vehicle can be super-resolved. Instead of causing artifacts in a super-resolved image, the moving vehicle can be specifically registered and super-resolved individually. This method is very accurate, as it uses a mathematical model that captures motion with a minimal number of parameters and uses all available image information to solve for those parameters. Methods are provided that implement the vehicle registration algorithm and super-resolve moving vehicles using the resulting vehicle registration. One advantage of this system is that better images of moving vehicles can be created without requiring costly new aerial surveillance equipment. |
| US08290202B2 |
Methods utilizing steganography
The present invention relates generally to steganography, digital watermarking and data hiding. In one embodiment a method is provided including: processing data representing content; analyzing the data to determine whether a plural-bit identifier is steganographically encoded therein, the plural-bit identifier encoded in the data through modifications to the data, the modifications steganographically hiding the presence of the plural-bit identifier; and upon detection of the plural-bit identifier, redundantly carrying out an action while attempting to conceal the action from one or more users of the content. Of course, other embodiments are described and claimed as well. |
| US08290201B2 |
Speaker
The invention provides a speaker in which a damper is effectively added without impairing the thinness of the speaker, and which, although the speaker is thin and small, exhibits high withstand input and high output power performances. A damper (14) is disposed between the lower end of a voice coil bobbin (12) and a magnet (3) of a magnetic circuit (5), and supports a vibration system (13) in a manner that the system is vibratable with respect to the magnet (3). |
| US08290199B2 |
Loudspeaker suspension
A loudspeaker comprising a frame, a voice coil assembly disposed within the frame, a magnet assembly disposed within the frame and a first suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein the outer edge is coupled to the voice coil assembly and the inner edge is coupled to the magnet assembly. |
| US08290194B2 |
Wireless headphone integrated with an adjustment control device
A wireless headphone integrated with an adjustment control device includes a headphone, a tuning unit having a base disposed on a side of the headphone containing an ear muff, a rotatable tuning shaft protruded from the base and coupled to a knob, a direction changing unit having a through hole at the middle of the direction changing unit and rotably coupled to the base, such that the tuning shaft is passed through the through hole, a microphone unit movably coupled to the direction changing unit, such that the microphone unit can be rotated, extended, contracted or adjusted by the direction changing unit. Therefore, the wireless headphone integrated with an adjustment control device achieves the effects of simplifying the assembly structure, lowering the manufacturing cost, and beautifying the appearance of the headphone. |
| US08290193B2 |
Headphones with reduced tangling and methods
A headphone having reduced tendency to tangle comprises an input portion for receiving electrical signals from an output device, an output portion for providing audio signals to a user in response to the electrical signals, a plurality of wires coupled to the input portion and the output portion for providing the electrical signals to the output portion, and a restraint mechanism coupled to the plurality of wires and cable of being repositioned along the plurality of wire, wherein the restraint mechanism is for physically receiving insertion of at least a portion of the input portion and for physically restraining movement of the portion of input portion with respect to output portion when the portion of the input portion is physically inserted into the restraint mechanism, wherein a temporary and removable closed loop of wire is formed from the plurality of wires, until a sufficient separation force is applied. |
| US08290191B2 |
Adapter shoe and a combination of adapter shoe and hearing aid
A combination of a hearing aid (1) and an adapter shoe (13), wherein the hearing aid has a pivotable battery compartment (6), and wherein the adapter shoe has engagement means (14, 15) for engaging the exterior of the hearing aid housing, blocking means (21) for blocking pivoting of the pivotable wall, and engagement means (23) for engaging the pivotable wall. The invention also provides an adapter shoe and a method of attaching an adapter shoe. |
| US08290190B2 |
Method for sound processing in a hearing aid and a hearing aid
A method for processing and controlling sound signals in a hearing aid is provided. The method comprises estimating a first (102) and a second (104) signal level of an electric input signal (101) based on a first (103) and a second (105) signal level estimator adapted for responding according to a first and a second speed respectively, where the second speed is lower than the first speed and where the estimated second signal level is subtracted from the estimated first signal level, thereby forming a third signal level (106). Subsequently a first and a second compressor gain control output are determined in a first (107) and second (109) compressor based on said third and second signal level respectively. Then the first and second compressor gain control outputs are summed and hereby a net gain control signal (111) is created. Finally the electric input signal is amplified in accordance with the net gain control signal and thereby creating an electric output signal (112). The invention also relates to a hearing aid operating according to said method. |
| US08290189B2 |
Blind source separation method and acoustic signal processing system for improving interference estimation in binaural wiener filtering
A method and an acoustic signal processing system for noise reduction of a binaural microphone signal (x1, x2) with one target point source and M interfering point sources (n1, n2, . . . , nM) as input sources to a left and a right microphone of a binaural microphone system, include: filtering a left and a right microphone signal by a Wiener filter to obtain binaural output signals of a target point source, where the Wiener filter is calculated as: H W = 1 - Φ ( x 1 , n + x 2 , n ) ( x 1 , n + x 2 , n ) Φ ( x 1 + x 2 ) ( x 1 + x 2 ) , where HW is the Wiener filter, Φ(x1,n+x2,n)(x1,n+x2,n) is the auto power spectral density of the sum of all of the M interfering point sources components (x1,n, x2,n) contained in the left and right microphone signals and Φ(x1+x2)(x1+x2) is the auto power spectral density of the sum of the left and right microphone signals. Due to the linear-phase property of the calculated Wiener filter, original binaural cues are perfectly preserved not only for the target source but also for the residual interfering sources. |
| US08290188B2 |
Hearing aid and a method of operating a hearing aid
A hearing aid (1) has means for entering or leaving a stand-by mode initiated by a remote control (14). During use, a dedicated stand-by command issued by the remote control is received and decoded in the hearing aid. When a stand-by command is recognized, a clock signal to the signal-processing parts (3) of the hearing aid (1) is disabled, effectively halting the signal processing. In the stand-by mode, the hearing aid circuitry draws very little power from the battery. Reception of a similar command in the hearing aid during the stand-by mode enables the clock signal to the signal-processing parts of the hearing aid, enabling signal processing. A method to manage the stand-by mode involves the step of calling a soft-boot routine when the hearing aid leaves stand-by mode and resumes normal operation. |
| US08290187B2 |
Hearing device and earpiece therefore
This invention relates to a hearing device and earpiece therefore. The hearing device comprises a BTE unit for converting and processing sound to an electrical signal and a tubular element communicating the electrical signal to an earpiece. The earpiece comprises a canal element providing a tight fit of the earpiece in an ear canal, and a speaker element rotate-ably mounted in the canal element. |
| US08290186B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling portable audio device
A method to control a portable audio device in a power-saving mode using a wireless headset includes transmitting a host wake-up signal (HOST_WAKEUP) according to a signal requesting reproduction of music transmitted from the wireless headset, transmitting a control signal corresponding to the host wake-up signal, and controlling the portable audio device according to the control signal to switch the portable audio device out of the power-saving mode and to supply power to at least one component in the portable audio device used to reproduce music. |
| US08290184B2 |
MEMS microphone
A MEMS microphone has a cover, a base and a MEMS chip. The cover has a contact voice receiving unit which is disposed on the base, and a space is formed between the cover and the base. The MEMS chip is disposed in the space and electrically connected to the base and the contact voice receiving unit. The MEMS microphone enhances the quality of voice transmission by reducing interferences from ambient noises. |
| US08290183B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device includes a holding element, a light source, and an acoustic member. The acoustic member includes a carbon nanotube structure. |
| US08290180B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, and program therefor
A signal processing device includes a bass signal extractor, a harmonic wave generator, a level detector, and an adjustment controller. The bass signal extractor first extracts a bass signal from an input audio signal. Natural-sounding bass enhancement is achieved as a result of the adjustment controller boosting the bass signal level until the level detector detects the bass signal level at a set level. For input bass signal levels higher than the set level, bass is enhanced virtually using a harmonic signal generated from the bass signal by the harmonic wave generator. As a result, the disadvantages of the boost method and the virtual signal enhancement method are mutually compensated for, and synergistic advantages for bass enhancement are obtained. |
| US08290176B1 |
Sports team novelty system for vehicles
A novelty system for attaching to a vehicle featuring a first housing designed to resemble a front or a head of a mascot and a second housing designed to resemble a back portion or a tail of the mascot; means of attaching the housings to the front and rear of the vehicle, respectively; a speaker disposed in the first housing for emitting sounds such as animal sounds or fight songs; a motor disposed in the second housing for moving or rotating the second housing; and a remote control for controlling the first and second housings. |
| US08290174B1 |
Apparatus and method for authorizing reproduction and controlling of program transmissions at locations distant from the program source
A wireless device and method may comprise a receiver and method for receiving wireless transmissions including locating data, authorization data and program data, and for determining its location from the locating data and a stored representation of a venue. Authorization data and locating data are used to authorize reproduction and/or controlling of received program data. The device and method may determine a delay time to its location for delaying the received program data to be substantially in time alignment with natural sound, and to be so reproduced and/or recorded. Optionally, a binaural microphone may pick up ambient sound which is mixed or combined with the delayed program data for producing a combined stereo audio signal. |
| US08290172B2 |
Multi-source distributed audio amplification and control system for structured wiring systems
Various embodiments of the invention are directed toward a multi-zone audio distribution, amplification, and control system for use with structured wiring systems. Various embodiments of the invention allow audio signals received from multiple input sources to be selectively distributed to multiple zones in a home or building over a structured wiring system. |
| US08290164B2 |
Automatic recovery of TPM keys
A trusted platform module (TPM) is a silicon chip that constitutes a secure encryption key-pair generator and key management device. A TPM provides a hardware-based root-of-trust contingent on the generation of the first key-pair that the device creates: the SRK (storage root key). Each SRK is unique, making each TPM unique, and an SRK is never exported from a TPM. Broadly contemplated herein is an arrangement for determining automatically whether a TPM has been replaced or cleared via loading a TPM blob into the TPM prior to the first time it is to be used (e.g. when a security-related software application runs). If the TPM blob loads successfully, then it can be concluded that the TPM is the same TPM that was used previously. If the TPM blob cannot be loaded, then corrective action will preferably take place automatically to configure the new TPM. |
| US08290163B2 |
Automatic wireless network password update
An approach is provided that allows an administrator to set a new password at a wireless access point, such as a traditional WAP or a wireless router. The wireless access point creates a message that includes the new password. The message is encrypted using the old password that was previously set for the wireless network. The encrypted message is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless access point to the active client devices (those clients currently accessing the wireless network). The clients decrypt the message using the old password that was previously provided to the clients. The clients retrieve the new password from the message. The clients construct a new message that is encrypted using the new password. The new message is wirelessly transmitted from the clients to the wireless access device and serves as an acknowledgement. |
| US08290156B2 |
Communicating media content from a DVR to a portable device
In a method for communicating media content stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) protected by a first DRM system to a portable multimedia device (PMD) using a second DRM system, in which the first DRM system differs from the second DRM system, a request for communication of a media content item stored on the DVR to the PMD is received. In addition, a portable content key is employed to encrypt the media content item to a PMD format suitable content version and the encrypted PMD format suitable content version is communicated to the PMD along with a portable content identifier (ID). |
| US08290152B2 |
Management system for web service developer keys
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for managing web service developer keys. A generic key identifier can be generated based on an original web service key. The generic key identifier is used within source code of an application being developed. Upon receiving a request to run the application, the generic key identifier is transformed back into the original web service key prior to calling an associated web service. Multiple users can securely share the same application that uses the web service. When one user who does not have his own original web service key accesses the application, that user can be prompted to obtain and enter the original web service key once the key has been obtained from a provider of the web service. |
| US08290151B2 |
Device and method for determining an inverse of a value related to a modulus
A device for determining an inverse of an initial value related to a modulus, comprising a unit configured to process an iterative algorithm in a plurality of iterations, wherein an iteration includes two modular reductions and has, as an iteration loop result, values obtained by an iteration loop of an extended Euclidean algorithm. |
| US08290147B2 |
Systems and methods for efficiently creating digests of digital data
Systems and methods efficiently process digests, hashes or other results by performing multiplicative functions in parallel with each other. In various embodiments, successive processing stages are provided, with each stage performing parallel multiplicative functions and also combining input terms to reduce the total number of terms that remain to be processed. By progressively combining the active terms into a smaller number of terms for subsequent processing, the time needed to process a result can be significantly reduced. |
| US08290142B1 |
Echo cancellation in a portable conferencing device with externally-produced audio
Disclosed herein are conferencing systems that include a conferencing device and a head-processing system, both including selectively enabled speakers, the conferencing device including an acoustic echo canceler that remains operable in the system regardless of whether its internal speaker is selected to be enabled. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims. |
| US08290139B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining dynamic queues in call centers using social network information
In one embodiment, a method includes connecting on a call with a caller and determining if social network information associated with the caller is available. If it is determined that social network information associated with the caller is available, the social network information is obtained and utilized to identify at least a first agent suitable for participating on the call with the caller. The first agent is associated with a call center. The method also includes providing the caller with information that identifies the first agent as being suitable for participating on the call with the caller. |
| US08290138B2 |
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products for sharing resources between turret systems and PBXS using SIP
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for sharing one or more resources across a turret system and a telephone exchange including an agent. The agent is configured to register into the telephone exchange as a predetermined device and to receive a state change notification of a resource from at least one of the telephone exchange and the turret system. Receipt of the state change notification causes the agent to change a state of a corresponding resource. |
| US08290135B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating conference calls using security keys
Systems and methods are described that facilitate a conference call between a plurality of communication devices. The method may comprise: providing a first primary communication device; providing a second primary communication device; providing a conference call controller; establishing a first control link between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller; communicating first identification data between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link; establishing a media link between the first and second primary communication devices via the conference call controller. In certain embodiments, the first identification data corresponds to at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link. The method may further comprise establishing a second control link between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller; communicating second identification data between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller via the second control link; wherein the second identification data establishes a participation level of the second primary communication device with respect to the media link. |
| US08290134B2 |
Managing conference calls via a talk queue
A method of and system for managing a conference call among participants and a moderator provides a control mode in which only one participant can speak at time. All participants other than the speaker are muted. The system maintains a talk queue. When a participant requests to speak, the system places the participant in the talk queue. The system may announce to the moderator that the participant has registered to speak. The system may also announce to the moderator the participant's position in the talk queue. When a speaking participant relinquishes, or is preempted from, the speaking position, the system mutes the speaking participant. The system informs the participant at the top of the talk queue that it is his or her turn to speak and unmutes that participant, whereby that participant becomes the new speaking participant. The system removes the new speaking participant from the talk queue. The system may announce their respective positions to the other participants in the talk queue. The system may include priority codes. If a participant enters a priority code when he or she requests to speak, the system places the participant at the top of the talk queue. If the participant does not enter a priority code, the system places the participant at the bottom of the talk queue. |
| US08290128B2 |
Unified communication based multi-screen video system
A multiple screen telepresence style video conferencing experience is provided employing generic hardware and intelligent software, which may be based on existing enhanced communication systems such as unified communication systems. Through a component based approach, the system can be deployed in any conference room, assembled on the spot by an untrained user, flexible to accommodate any number of screens. |
| US08290123B2 |
Gateway and method for detecting a communication link between a called telephone and a telephone switch
A method run in a gateway for detecting a communication link between a called telephone and a telephone switch is provided. The method firstly detects if a ringer equivalency number (REN) is equal to zero. If the REN equals to 0, the method further determines if each discharge curve of a positive wire and a negative wire of the called telephone complies with a corresponding standard discharge curve, so as to determine if the communication link between the called telephone and the telephone switch has been established. |
| US08290122B2 |
Method and device for estimating properties of a telecommunication transmission line
A method and device for estimating one or more transmission properties of a telecommunication transmission line. At least one signal is sent on the line, the at least one signal including at least two frequencies for which the absolute value of the line propagation constant times the line length is less than π, and a resulting signal is received. An estimate of at least one transmission line property is then determined by examining the relationship between the sent and resulting signal or signals. The process may be repeated, if necessary. The estimate determination may also be repeated one or more times, with each successive estimate preferably using for the determination only those frequencies for which, as previously estimated, the absolute value of the line propagation constant times the line length is less than π. |
| US08290119B2 |
Adjustable scanner
For dental and facial imaging, a source of x-rays (14) or other penetrating radiation and a detector (20) are mounted opposite one another on a rotatable gantry (28), so that the head of the patient can be positioned between the source (14) and the detector (20), with the axis of rotation (36) of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector is longer in one direction than in the perpendicular direction, generally rectangular, and is rotatable between a position in which the long axis is transverse to the axis of rotation of the gantry and a position in which the long axis is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gantry. The length of the detector along the long axis is sufficient for fully detailed computed CT when the long axis is transverse, and for full-face CT when the long axis is parallel. |
| US08290117B2 |
CT image recording of a moving examination object
A method is disclosed for scanning a moving examination object using a CT-System, with which data is captured during a circular movement of a transmitter/receiver pair through 360 degrees about the examination object, the data being assigned to the respective angular position. The 360 degrees are divided into n subsegments of equal size, where n is greater than 2, an even number and not divisible by 4. In at least one embodiment, the data assigned to the odd number subsegments forms a first data record and the data assigned to the even number subsegments forms a second data record. Differential information is determined between the first data record and the second data record. Motion information relating to the movement of the examination object is determined using the differential information. |
| US08290115B2 |
Driver and organic light emitting diode display using the same
A driver comprises odd-numbered stages configured to be driven by first and second clock signals and even-numbered stages configured to be driven by the second and third clock signals. Each stage is coupled to a corresponding emission control line, and includes a first driver, a second driver, and a third driver. In a first stage, the first and second drivers receive first and second start pulses and output first and second output signals, respectively. In each stage except the first stage, the first and second driver receives first and second output signals of a previous stage and outputs first and second output signals of each stage, respectively. In each stage, a third driver receives the first and second output signals of each stage and outputs an emission control signal to be transmitted to an emission control line coupled to each stage. |
| US08290109B2 |
Circuit, system and method for multiplexing signals with reduced jitter
An apparatus having a plurality of power supply domains and a plurality of logic components. Each of the plurality of logic components residing within a different one of the plurality of power supply domains. Each of the plurality of logic components is configured to operate with a corresponding clock signal within a respective one of the plurality of power supply domains. |
| US08290101B2 |
Wireless receiver
A wireless receiver including receiving antennas, frequency-space transformers, noise wave removers, a back-end signal processor, a pattern detector, a broadcast interruption detector, and a back-end controller. The frequency-space transformers convert signals received by the antennas into frequency-space signals. The noise wave removers each at least perform the calculation of a transmission line coefficient matrix and the calculation of an inter-antenna covariance matrix on the frequency-space signals. A controller controls the back-end signal processor to operate when the multicarrier transmission waves have been detected to be interrupted. The noise wave removers each perform the calculation of the inter-antenna covariance matrix when a broadcast interruption detector has detected the interruption of the multicarrier airwaves. Thus, the wireless receiver removes noise generated within it, thereby having high reception sensitivity. |
| US08290100B2 |
Interference detection and mitigation
Techniques for detecting and mitigating interference are described. A device (e.g., a cellular phone) senses interference levels and digitally reconstructs the expected interference in the received signal. The device may correlate the reconstructed interference with the received signal and determine interference in the received signal based on correlation results. The device may adjust the operation of one or more circuit blocks (e.g., a mixer, an LNA, etc.) in a receiver based on the detected interference in the received signal. Alternatively or additionally, the device may condition the digital interference to obtain conditioned reconstructed interference matching the interference in the received signal and may then subtract the conditioned interference from the received signal. |
| US08290096B2 |
Radius adaptive sphere decoding with probabilistic noise constraint
Method and apparatus for decoding code words received over a communication channel are disclosed. A radius-adaptive sphere decoding methodology reduces the number of operations in sphere-constrained search. Imposing probabilistic noise constraint on top of sphere constraint, particularly at an early stage, provides a more stringent necessary condition. Hence, many branches that are unlikely to be selected are removed in the early stage of sphere search. The trade-off between computational complexity and performance can be controlled by adjusting the pruning probability. |
| US08290082B2 |
Method for signal transmission-reception in a multi-user multiple transmit and multiple receive antenna radio communication system
An apparatus and method for signal transmission-reception in a multi-user multiple transmit and multiple receive antenna radio communication system are provided. An aspect of the present invention is to enhance reception performance and increase the communication channel throughput. This is achieved by applying a new sequence of operations including a vector perturbation procedure along with an efficient perturbation vector searching technique based on single-dimensional optimization of a decision function. In addition, the method ensures simple implementation of a subscriber station receiver. The SS receiver is implemented as independent channels for processing signals of different receive antennas. The receiver can be implemented even if each subscriber station has only one receive antenna. Accordingly, the method proves highly efficient in virtually any propagation environment. |
| US08290077B1 |
Communication with multiple users over a single time slot using high-order modulation
A method for communication includes defining a signal constellation including multiple constellation points in a signal space, such that each constellation point corresponds to a signal representing a respective combination of values of at least three bits, wherein three or more subsets of the bits in each of the constellation points are respectively allocated to three or more data streams. A sequence of signals is received, each signal selected from the signal constellation. The received sequence of the signals is demodulated, and one of the three or more data streams is reconstructed based on the demodulated signals. |
| US08290075B2 |
Apparatus and method for tracking symbol timing of OFDM modulation in a multi-path channel
Methods and Systems for tracking symbol timing of an OFDM signal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless receiver includes signal tracking and timing logic to facilitate the timing of a demodulation operation such that the demodulation operation occurs on the proper symbol boundary, particularly when the OFDM signal has multipath components and the second component has greater power than the first. |
| US08290072B2 |
Transmission apparatus, reception apparatus, communication apparatus, and communication system
A transmission apparatus divides transmission data according to spatial streams and transmits divided transmission data in parallel in an MIMO communication system. A control unit selects a modulation scheme for each of the spatial streams and determines a data allocation method for each of the spatial streams based on a selected modulation scheme. An allocating unit allocates the transmission data to each of the spatial streams based on the data allocation method determined by the control unit. A modulating unit modulates allocation data for each of the spatial streams by using the selected modulation scheme for each of the spatial streams. |
| US08290070B2 |
Method for the transmission on multiple-carrier communications systems, and corresponding transmitter and computer-program product
A method for loading bits over a set of subcarriers of a multiple-carrier communications system comprises the operation of associating with the subcarriers respective numbers of bits chosen from among a plurality of available constellations. The method envisages definition of a performance target for the system and execution of bit loading, guaranteeing the aforesaid target on a plurality of subcarriers. The performance target can be a target error rate, such as a bit-error rate (BER), or else be transferred into a constraint, such as, for example, a threshold, in a metric of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs). In this case, there is preferably envisaged application to the signals received within the multiple-carrier system a function that estimates a signal to noise ratio on each sub-carrier. The aforesaid metric of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) is hence defined as a function of said signal to noise ratios. |
| US08290067B2 |
Spectrum sharing in a wireless communication network
A system and method for synchronous spectrum sharing for use in a wireless communication system based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signaling is disclosed. The system includes a frame detector configured to detect a frame of a broadcast waveform and extract sub-carrier information from the frame. Sub-carrier information may include information on usable sub-carrier and pilot sub-carriers for secondary users. The system allows transmitting data from the secondary user node in unused sub-carriers thereby making efficient use of unused or idle spectrum. Accordingly, secondary users of wireless communication systems can dynamically form ad-hoc mesh network communications in fixed or mobile scenarios. |
| US08290056B2 |
Video decoder system and method with video enhancement using direct contrast enhancement in the spatial domain
Video decoding with video enhancement using direct contrast enhancement in the spatial domain including transforming the decoded intramacroblock output to a matrix of spatial domain coefficients; multiplying the spatial domain coefficients with the corresponding intramacroblock enhancement matrix elements of an intramacroblock enhancement matrix to provide enhanced spatial coefficients; transforming said enhanced spatial coefficients to the temporal domain to generate an enhanced decoded intramacroblock; multiplying the spatial domain intermacroblock coefficients from the entropy decoder of the video decoder with the corresponding intermacroblock enhancement matrix elements of an intermacroblock enhancement matrix to provide enhanced spatial coefficients, and transforming the enhanced spatial coefficients to generate enhanced decoded residual coefficients. |
| US08290054B2 |
Video compression and encoding method
A method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block and each block having an array of pixels is provided. The method transforms the pixels of each block into coefficients and creates an optimal transmission order of the coefficients. The method also optimizes the speed of processing compressed video data by partitioning the data bitstream and coding each partition independently. The method also predicts fractional pixel motion by selecting an interpolation method for each given plurality or block of pixels depending upon at least one metric related to each given block and varies the method from block to block. The method also enhances error recovery for a current frame using a frame prior to the frame immediately before the current frame as the only reference frame for lessening quality loss during data transmission. Enhanced motion vector coding is also provided. |
| US08290053B2 |
Adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video encoding
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture. |
| US08290047B2 |
Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method
A motion vector decoding apparatus decodes a coded motion vector of a current block in a moving picture. The motion vector decoding apparatus includes a neighboring block specification unit specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of the current block and has already been decoded; a judgment unit judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction unit deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block, when it is judged that the neighboring block has been coded using the motion vector of the other block; and a decoding unit decoding the coded motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector. |
| US08290045B2 |
Motion refinement engine for use in video encoding in accordance with a plurality of compression standards and methods for use therewith
A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. A motion refinement module generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. The motion search module and the motion refinement module can operate in a plurality of selected modes including a first mode corresponding to a first compression standard, a second mode corresponding to a second compression standard and a third mode corresponding to a third compression standard, and wherein the plurality of partitionings are based on the selected mode. |
| US08290043B2 |
Interpolation of video compression frames
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation. |
| US08290036B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for concurrent processing of multiple video streams
A system apparatus and method for concurrent delivery of a plurality of video streams comprising one or more transcoders for bitrate reduction and a cache memory to save copies of transcoded segments. When the total outgoing bitrate of the system exceeds a predefined threshold, the system decides which of the video segments to transcode and the magnitude of bitrate reduction. Before assigning a transcoder for the bitrate reduction, the system first checks the cache for saved transcoded segments. If appropriate transcoded segments are not found in cache, the system may assign a transcoder for the video segments designated for bitrate reduction. |
| US08290031B1 |
Arrangements and methods for providing compensation for non-idealities of components in communications systems
For use in or as part of a communications system benefiting from compensation for one or more non-idealities of components in the communications system, aspects of the invention are directed to providing compensation for such non-idealities. An example method which is applicable in a system that receives a pilot signal having an expected amplitude, includes determining a received amplitude for the received pilot signal using at least one of the components of the communications system, and using feedback indicative of a comparison of the determined received amplitude and the expected amplitude, compensating for a non-ideality of the component. |
| US08290028B2 |
Input/output circuit
Disclosed is a SERDES circuit including a clock and data recovery circuit that allows operational margin in temporal and voltage directions to be measured, using a phase offset signal and a threshold voltage control signal, a pre-emphasis driver circuit and an equalizer circuit in order to reduce ISI on a transmission line, and an optimization control circuit for controlling the overall circuit. The optimization control circuit controls an equalizer control signal that is for adjusting characteristics of the equalizer circuit and a driver control signal that is for adjusting characteristics of the pre-emphasis driver circuit and sets the equalizer control signal and driver control signal so that the operational margin of the clock and data recovery circuit is maximized. |
| US08290022B2 |
Spread transmission method with power allocation per user and per symbol
The present invention relates to a transmission method for a transmitter having Nt transmit antennas. The method (1) spreads symbols in two dimensions by means of a spreading code, the symbols coming from a signal for transmission over Nfft sub-carriers via the Nt transmit antennas. The signal is transmitted with a power pem(k) that is determined per symbol m, per user k=1, . . . , Nu, and per transmit antenna. The principle of the method (1) is to determine (2) a set of powers pem(k) that is constant over a symbol frame, with the distribution of power amongst the users minimizing an overall error criterion under the constraint that the sum of the powers pem(k) in the set is equal to the product of the number of users multiplied by the average power emitted per symbol over the users. |
| US08290010B2 |
Surface plasmon generating apparatus and method for making the same
A surface plasmon-generating apparatus includes an active layer including an n-type region formed on one side and a p-type region formed on the other side, the n-type region and the p-type region being in contact with each other to form a pn junction therebetween; a first barrier layer in contact with a first surface of the active layer; a second barrier layer in contact with a second surface of the active layer, the second surface being opposite the first surface; and a metal body disposed above the pn junction of the active layer with the second barrier layer and an insulating layer therebetween. |
| US08290008B2 |
Silicon carrier optoelectronic packaging
An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with wiring. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. A plurality of OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A carrier is interposed between electrical interconnect elements. The carrier is positioned between the wiring of the silicon layer and a circuit board and the carrier is electrically connecting first interconnect elements connected to the wiring of the silicon layer and second interconnect elements connected to the circuit board. |
| US08290007B2 |
Apparatus and method for stabilizing frequency of laser
A frequency-stabilized laser apparatus and a method for stabilizing the frequency of a laser are disclosed. A semiconductor laser emits a beam. An external reflector has a resonance frequency and feeds back the emitted beam to the semiconductor laser if the frequency of the emitted beam is equal to the resonance frequency. An interference signal generator generates an interference signal for detecting the wavelength of the emitted beam and a controller detects the wavelength of the beam from the generated interference signal. According to the frequency-stabilized laser apparatus and the method for stabilizing the frequency of the laser, it is possible to stabilize the frequency of the beam emitted from the semiconductor laser and output the beam having the stable frequency for a long period of time. |
| US08290005B2 |
Method of driving a laser diode
An ultrashort pulse/ultra-high power laser diode with a simple structure and configuration is provided. In a method of driving a laser diode, the laser diode is driven by a pulse current which is 10 or more times higher than a threshold current value. The width of the pulse current is preferably 10 nanoseconds or less, and the value of the pulse current is specifically 0.4 amperes or over. |
| US08290004B2 |
Laser light source
The present invention relates to a laser light source having a structure for effectively suppressing generation of an optical surge upon a restart after suspension of output of pulsed light. The laser light source comprises a first light source outputting light with a first wavelength as pulsed light, a second light source outputting light with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, an optical amplification fiber as an optical amplifier amplifying the pulsed light outputted from the first light source and the light outputted from the second light source, and a control unit controlling the output of the light from the second light source in accordance with the light output from the first light source. The first light source has an ON state in which repetitive output of the pulsed light on a fixed cycle starts and continues, and an OFF state in which the output of the pulsed light is suspended during a duration of not less than the fixed cycle. The control unit controls the second light source to output the light to the optical amplification fiber during the duration of the first light source being in the OFF state, so as to suppress a rise of population inversion of a rare earth element added in the optical amplification fiber. |
| US08289998B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating three (3)-dimensional image data stream, and method and apparatus for receiving three (3)-dimensional image data stream
Provided is a method of generating a three-dimensional (3D) image data stream, the method including: generating an elementary stream (ES) including an encoded bit string of a 3D image; generating at least one packetized elementary stream (PES) by packetizing the elementary stream; generating at least one section by multiplexing program related information of the 3D image; generating at least one transport stream (TS) packet for the at least one section and the at least one PES; and generating a TS by multiplexing the generated TS packet, wherein 3D image reproduction information that is required to reproduce the 3D image is inserted into at least one of the at least one PES, the at least one TS packet, and the at least one section. |
| US08289997B2 |
Bandwidth sharing in a distributed wireless client application using inverse multiplexing termination
A system and method for bandwidth sharing in a distributed wireless client application using inverse multiplexing termination. The system includes: a group of collocated client playback devices having wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) connectivity, and a centralized inverse multiplexing (IMUX) server which optimizes shared bandwidth of both the WAN via inverse multiplexing and the LAN using either broadcast or multicast of all virtual multiplexing paths to all other client playback devices of the group of collocated client playback devices. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08289990B2 |
Low-power reconfigurable hearing instrument
A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument includes an IS processor module, a plurality of processing units and a crosspoint switch matrix. The IS processor module receives a hearing instrument configuration. Each of the processing modules are configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument. The crosspoint switch matrix is coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, and includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules and to combine at least two audio signals. In addition, the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes and combines audio signals. |
| US08289988B2 |
Wireless communication methods utilizing a single antenna with multiple channels and the devices thereof
The present invention provides wireless communication methods utilizing a single antenna with multiple channels and the devices thereof. The method includes providing a plurality of communication channels within the single antenna. The plurality of communication channels may include a probe channel and a data channel. The single antenna may selectively switch between the probe channel and the data channel based on a probe signal transmitted in the probe channel so as to facilitate data transmission. |
| US08289986B2 |
Self-organizing resource access apparatus and method in local area network communication environment
A self-organizing resource access method is provided for transmitting data by self-organizing resource access by each individual node in a Local Area Network (LAN) communication environment where at least two nodes exchange data with each other. A first node listens to at least one data transmission of at least one other node connected to the LAN, and adjusts a data transmission start time of the first node in accordance with a data transmission start time of the at least one other node so that the data transmission start time of the first node does not overlap the data transmission start time of the at least one other node. The first node transmits data to the at least one other node at the adjusted data transmission start time. |
| US08289984B2 |
Allocation-unit-based virtual formatting methods and devices employing allocation-unit-based virtual formatting methods
In various embodiments, the present invention provides virtual disk formatting by intermediate devices including: (1) a storage shelf router and the storage shelf in which the storage-shelf is included, to external computing entities, such as disk-array controllers and host computers; (2) an I/O controller; and (3) a storage-bridge device. The virtual-formatting methods of the present invention are based on allocation units, each allocation unit comprising a consecutive sequence of logical blocks and an additional pad region that together map to, and exactly align with, a corresponding consecutive sequence of device blocks. |
| US08289982B2 |
Efficient discovery and verification of paths through a meshed overlay network
The present invention provides an efficient system and method for routing information through a dynamic network. The system includes at least one ingress point and one egress point. The ingress and egress point cooperate to form a virtual circuit for routing packets to destination subnets directly reachable by the egress point. The egress point automatically discovers which subnets are directly accessible via its local ports and summarizes this information for the ingress point. The ingress point receives this information, compiles it into a routing table, and verifies that those subnets are best accessed by the egress point. Verification is accomplished by sending probe packets to select addresses on the subnet. Additionally, the egress point may continue to monitor the local topology and incrementally update the information to the ingress to allow the ingress to adjust its compiled routing table. |
| US08289979B2 |
Optimising communications
A method, system and program for routing a data stream amongst a plurality of network nodes including at least a plurality of end-user nodes. The method comprises: establishing a plurality of routes for the stream to a plurality of consuming end-user nodes, including at least one route via one or more relaying nodes; at each of a plurality of optimizing nodes, executing an optimization algorithm to determine a respective routing modification by evaluating a routing criterion with respect to a collection of end-user nodes which share information with the respective optimizing node and determining a change in the routing criterion that would result from one or more potential routing modifications. The different optimizing nodes' collections of end-user nodes are at least partially coincident such that each optimizing node can determine a different routing modification with respect to at least some of the same end-user nodes. |
| US08289973B2 |
System and method for indicating classification of a communications flow
System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic. Handling classification values may also be processed by the layer 2 switch to affect prioritization of handling of encapsulated traffic. |
| US08289971B2 |
Data transmission method
A method of transmitting data between a plurality of inter-connected elements. The method comprises receiving a message from a first element, said message comprising a routing key plus optionally a data payload. The routing key is processed to identify a plurality of said inter-connected elements, and data is transmitted to said identified plurality of inter-connected elements. |
| US08289970B2 |
IPSec encapsulation mode
Described are embodiments directed to negotiating an encapsulation mode between an initiator and a responder. As part of the negotiation of the security association, an encapsulation mode is negotiated that allows packets to be sent between the initiator and responder without encapsulation. The ability to send packets without encapsulation allows intermediaries, such as a firewall, at the responder to easily inspect the packets and implement additional features such as security filtering. |
| US08289966B1 |
Packet ingress/egress block and system and method for receiving, transmitting, and managing packetized data
Packet ingress/egress block and logic and system and method for receiving, transmitting, and managing packetized data. System including a line port; a computing resource output port; a host interface; a memory, and a block that: receives information on the line port, creates a context including information for managing computation derived from the received information, and sends context out on computing resource output port. Device comprising first circuit component including line port that receives information, second circuit component that generates context information including an information for managing computation derived from the received unit of information; and third circuit component that communicates the generated context out to a computing resource output port. Method comprising receiving information, generating context information including an information for managing computation derived from the received unit of information; and communicating the generated context information out to an external receiver via a computing resource output port. |
| US08289961B2 |
Link state identifier collision handling
Methods and apparatus for a network element to handle LSID collisions to prevent different LSAs associated with different routes from sharing the same LSID. According to one embodiment, responsive to determining that a tentative LSID that is generated for a first route that is being added collides with an LSID that is assigned to an LSA for a second route, and that one of the first and second routes is a host route, the host route is suppressed. If the first route is the host route, suppressing includes not originating an LSA for the first route. If the second route is the host route, suppressing includes purging the LSA for the second route and not originating an LSA for the second route. Although the host route is suppressed, network reachability of the range subsuming the host route is provided through the route that is not the host route. |
| US08289959B2 |
Method and system for processing data
In a system and a method for real time transmission between modules that are serially connected to one another, each module embeds its useful data in a data packet received by a preconnected module, which has a data packet number, if a comparison value formed as a function of the data packet number agrees with an identification number (frameID) that is provided in the module. |
| US08289956B2 |
Communicating tone information in a network
A method and apparatus to communicate tones is described. |
| US08289954B2 |
Split and sequential paging for voice call continuity
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate paging for establishing a Voice Call Continuity (VCC)-supported voice call in a network containing access point(s) that can support packet switched (PS) voice communication, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and access point(s) that can support only circuit switched (CS) voice communication. Paging signals as described herein are selectively delivered, such that a desired terminal receives a single PS paging signal if located at a VoIP-capable access point and a single CS paging signal otherwise. A split paging technique is described herein, wherein PS paging signals are delivered to VoIP-capable access points and CS paging signals are delivered to non-VoIP-capable access points substantially simultaneously. Additionally, a sequential paging technique is described herein, wherein PS paging signals are delivered to VoIP-capable access points and, if no response is received from a desired terminal, CS-domain paging is conducted. |
| US08289953B2 |
System and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point during an emergency 911 call from a softphone
A system and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point from a softphone may include receiving, at a network access point, an emergency 911 call from the softphone. The emergency 911 call may be communicated to a public safety answering point. In response to a call connection message being received, an address location of the network access point to which the softphone is in communication in placing the emergency 911 call to the public safety answering point may be communicated in a type II caller ID data packet. The softphone may generate the type II caller ID data packet with the address location in a data field, such as a data field typically used for name information of a caller. |
| US08289949B2 |
Optimising communications
A method of transmitting a data stream to end-user nodes of a network, and a corresponding communication system, program, and distribution system for distributing the program. The method comprises: for each of a plurality of possible combinations of routes of the stream to a plurality of consuming end-user nodes, evaluating a utility function for each of the consuming end-user nodes, the utility function being dependent on route and defining a quantitative measure of end-user benefit that would be experienced at the respective end-user node by consumption of the stream; for each of the plurality of possible combinations of routes, determining an overall utility value based on the respective evaluation of the utility functions of each of the plurality of consuming end-user nodes; and selecting a preferred combination of routes for the stream based on the overall utility values of the different possible combinations. |
| US08289948B2 |
Method and system for bridging and routing offload in a multiport wireless system
Aspects of a method and system for bridging and routing offload in a multiport wireless system are presented. Various aspects of the system may include a wireless network interface subsystem that enables transcoding of at least a portion of a data packet received by the wireless network interface subsystem. The wireless network interface subsystem may enable transfer of the transcoded portion of the data packet from the wireless network interface subsystem to a wired network interface subsystem that is communicatively coupled thereto. The transcoded portion of the data packet may be compliant with a format utilized by the wired network interface subsystem. |
| US08289947B2 |
Method for synchronizing a data stream transmitted on a communications network, corresponding computer-readable storage medium and receiver device
A method is proposed for synchronizing a data stream transmitted on a communications network, the data stream being transmitted from an emitter device to a receiver device in the form of data packets of predefined size, a data packet being filled up with a padding synchronization symbol if an amount of applications data to be transmitted in the data packet is below the predefined size of the data packet. The receiver device performs the following steps: obtaining an indication of a recurrence of filling of the data packets with padding synchronization symbols; upon detection, at a position in the data stream, of a data loss symbol representative of a lost data in a given data packet, predicting whether the lost data corresponds to an applications data or a padding synchronization symbol, as a function of a position of the given data packets in the recurrence; and marking that the data stream contains, at the data loss symbol position, an erroneous applications data, if the result of the predicting step is that the lost data corresponds to an applications data; or replacing the data loss symbol by a padding synchronization symbol, if the result of the predicting step is that the lost data corresponds to a padding synchronization symbol. |
| US08289945B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting reference frequency
The invention discloses a method for adjusting a reference frequency. First, a training signal is received based on the reference frequency. Then, a target region of the training signal is divided by an original training sequence so that a quotient polynomial is generated. Afterward, the quotient polynomial is divided by a predetermined polynomial so that a remainder polynomial is generated. Finally, the reference frequency is adjusted based on the remainder polynomial. |
| US08289942B2 |
Distributed resource reservation in a wireless ADHOC network
The invention relates to a method of communication in a wireless communication system comprising a first station and at least a second station wherein each of the station for at least a part of the time controls the communication within the system. The first station encodes and transmits messages having a first format in a first mode using at least one communication channel or having a second format in a second mode using one communication channel. The first and second formats have a common part. The second station receives and decodes at least the common part of messages transmitted either the first mode or the second mode. The common part comprises information on one or more upcoming transmissions of the first station. |
| US08289941B2 |
Voice synchronization during call handoff
A method, mobile electronic device and system for synchronizing hand-off of a voice media session between a WAN/cellular network and a WLAN network. When a hand-off occurs, the connection with both networks is temporarily maintained and the voice data on both connections compared to determine differences in the delays experienced over both connections. The timing of one or both voice streams is adjusted to synchronize the voice streams, and then the handoff is completed. |
| US08289934B2 |
OFDM signal transmission method, transmission apparatus, and reception apparatus
A transmission method of a digital broadcast, which is compatible with a DVB-T terrestrial digital broadcast system in Europe, saves a battery in a mobile terminal. Superframes in DVB-T are divided into units each including plural symbols so that an integer number of TS packets can be carried in each slot. At least one slot is used to transmit one service. Energy dispersion, Reed-Solomon coding, byte interleaving, convolutional coding, and time interleaving are applied to each service. When services for mobile terminal reception and services for fixed terminals are transmitted as the provided services, null packets may be transmitted before and after the slot carrying the mobile receiver service so that the fixed reception service and the mobile reception services are not mixed. |
| US08289929B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling mobility in mobile IP based wireless communication systems
A method is provided for providing secured mobile IP services to a mobile terminal which is currently associated with an access network different from its own home access network. The method is characterized by creating a virtual mobile node at an access network server of the current access network, which communicates with a Home Agent associated with the terminal's home mobile network and with one or more access points associated with the current access network, at which the mobile terminal is currently located. |
| US08289926B2 |
Method of setting radio access capability in a wireless communications system and related communication device
A method of setting radio access capability for a mobile device capable of a plurality of radio access technologies includes utilizing a first one of the radio access technologies to send subscribing information of the mobile device to a network, receiving a reject message corresponding to the subscribing information from the network, selecting a second radio access technology from the plurality of radio access technologies, and sending the subscribing information according to the second radio access technology. |
| US08289924B2 |
Communication system, communication method, radio terminal, radio relay device, and control device
A technique is disclosed, according to which it is possible to efficiently use network resources, to reduce the burden on a control device, and to control the communication between radio terminals by the control device when a transmitting side radio terminal and a receiving side radio terminal are connected to the same radio relay device. According to this technique, when a transmitting side UE1 and a receiving side UE2 are connected to the same E-Node B 103, the transmitting side UE1 divides a transmission packet addressed to UE2 into a first packet to be transmitted via a route not passing through ACGW 105 and a second packet to be transmitted via a route passing through ACGW 105, and the packets are transmitted to E-Node B 103. E-Node B 103 transmits the first packet to UE2 and also transmits the second packet to ACGW 105. |
| US08289923B2 |
Apparatus and method for reduction of handover interruption time using estimated handover time negotiation in a broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for reduction of a handover interruption time using an estimated handover time negotiation in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. A method for supporting a handover of a mobile station in a serving base station includes receiving a handover pre-notification response message including a residual estimated handover time from a target base station, determining a current residual estimated handover time using the residual estimated handover time, and exchanging the determined residual estimated handover time with the target base station. |