| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08359658B2 |
Secure authoring and execution of user-entered database programming
A secure framework for authoring and execution of user-entered database scripts, rules, procedures and other forms of programming is provided. A performance management application is used as an interface between a client data modeling, manipulation or analysis application and one or more data sources or analysis services to prevent malicious or inadvertent implementation of harmful, damaging and/or unauthorized new or modified scripts, rules, procedures or other forms of programming to one or more data sources or data analysis/manipulation services that may be used for retrieving, storing, modifying or using data contained in or affected by the one or more data sources or data analysis/manipulation services. |
| US08359657B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling secure distribution of digital content
A digital content management system includes a host machine and a delivery machine remote from the host machine. The host machine sends validation agent software to the delivery machine, which executes the validation agent. The validation agent performs one or more tests or observations to determine whether the delivery machine has been compromised, and communicates the results of the tests or observations to the host machine. If the host machine determines that the delivery machine has not been compromised, the host machine sends digital content to the delivery machine, and a player module at the delivery machine delivers the content to the user according to an appropriate set of access rights. After delivering the content, the delivery machine deletes the content to prevent unwanted access to the content. The content can contain signals indicative that the content is legitimate, such as watermarks or bad code segments or sectors. |
| US08359654B2 |
Digital content distribution and consumption
Digital content distribution and consumption that provides the advantages of digital content being locally stored under user control while concurrently having the widest acceptance by legacy players/platforms (i.e., no need to perform complex software integration) while still remaining compatible with state of the art security in order to satisfy content provider requirements. |
| US08359653B2 |
Portable program for generating attacks on communication protocols and channels
A security analyzer is capable of generating attacks to test the security of a device under analysis. The security analyzer further has the capability to generate a portable, executable program to generate specified attacks. In this way, others can recreate the attacks without requiring access to the security analyzer. |
| US08359649B1 |
Use of geo-location data for spam detection
Computer implemented methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for detecting suspected spam in e-mail (24) originating from a sending computer (21). A method embodiment comprises the steps of determining (11) the actual IP address (23) of the sending computer (21); converting (12) the actual IP address (23) into geo-location data; and, using the geo-location data, ascertaining (13) whether the e-mail (24) contains suspected spam. |
| US08359644B2 |
Seamless data networking
A roaming client in communication with an enterprise site through a virtual private network (VPN) gateway maintains an address for a virtual network interface upon becoming a resident client at the enterprise site. A physical interface for the resident includes two valid addresses. Seamless data networking is achieved while promoting routing efficiency by reducing the amount of local traffic addressed to and from the virtual address that is unnecessarily routed through VPN gateways. |
| US08359642B1 |
Restricting mature content
Methods, devices, and products provide for restricting access to mature content by individuals for whom access to the mature content is designated as inappropriate. A content filter receives a communication, determines that the communication includes an image, and extracts the image. The image is scanned for mature content. A content restrictor component restricts access by various classes of users to the mature content. |
| US08359641B2 |
Multi-level secure information retrieval system
According to one embodiment, a multi-level secure information retrieval system includes an enterprise access service tool coupled to one or more client applications and at least one gateway managed by an enterprise. The enterprise access service tool executes services operating in a service oriented architecture. The enterprise access service tool receives requests from the client applications, associates each of the requests with one of a plurality of differing security levels, and transmits the requests to the gateway. The gateway transmits the requested information back to the client applications in which the information is filtered by the gateway according to their associated security levels. |
| US08359638B2 |
Application of dynamic profiles to the allocation and configuration of network resources
A service request is received and associated with a subscriber id. Profile information is accessed for the source of the service request. A copy of the profile information is stored in a network element employed by the source of the service request to access the network. |
| US08359633B2 |
Access control system and access control method
A system including a providing unit that provides a virtual-desktop-service selected on the basis of an identification information acquired from the terminal apparatus, and sends a message that includes an address of the providing unit and an address of an application program booted by a process of the virtual-desktop-service, a storage unit that stores the identification information associated with the address of the providing unit and an access control information associated with a set of a identification information and an address of an application program, and a relay unit that receives a message sent by the providing unit, acquires an identification information associated with a source address included in the received message, acquires an access control information associated with a set of the acquired identification information and a destination address included in the received message, and controls relaying the message depending on the acquired access control information. |
| US08359629B2 |
Method and device for controlling use of context information of a user
A method and device for controlling use of context information of a user includes establishing a context policy enforcement engine on a mobile computing device. The context policy enforcement engine may be embodied as software and/or hardware components. The context policy enforcement engine retrieves context policy data in response to receiving a request for context information related to a user. The context policy data defines a set of context rules for responding to context requests. The context policy enforcement engine responds to the request based on the set of context rules. |
| US08359624B2 |
Protocol for control of network or bus attached cable TV set-top box front-end functionality
A processor for a cable television set-top box has an interface for coupling the processor to a second processor. The processor also has a port that is coupleable to control a tuner, a demodulator and a DOCSIS module with or without DSG support. The tuner has an output coupled to the demodulator input, and the demodulator has an output to the DOCSIS module input. The demodulator's output is also coupled to a conditional access module controlled by the second processor. The processor issues commands via the port to control at least one of the tuner and the demodulator based on instructions received via the interface from the second processor. |
| US08359623B2 |
Broadcast signal receiving apparatus and control method thereof
A broadcast signal receiving apparatus including a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal; a communicating unit that performs communication with a mobile apparatus; a signal converting unit that converts the received broadcast signal; and a controller that controls the signal converting unit to convert the broadcast signal into a format corresponding to the mobile apparatus, and controls the communicating unit to transmit the converted broadcast signal to the mobile apparatus. |
| US08359621B2 |
System and method for monitoring delivery of media content by a media communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may operate according to, for example, a method involving recording audio feedback from a plurality of subscribers commenting on media content supplied by a media communication system on at least one of a plurality of media channels, detecting one or more trigger words in the recorded audio feedback having an association with a disruption of one or more media services supplied by the media communication system, selecting one or more network elements of the media communication system in at least one transmission path that supplies media services to one or more of the plurality of subscribers that supplied audio feedback matching the one or more trigger words, and directing the selected one or more network elements to record media content on one or more media channels selected from the plurality of media channels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08359618B2 |
Communication apparatus
According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a video signal receiver, a video signal output module, a power control signal receiver, and a socket. The video signal receiver is configured to receive a video signal from a first external apparatus. The video signal output module is configured to output, to a second external apparatus, the video signal received from the first external apparatus. The power control signal receiver is configured to receive a power control from the first external apparatus. The power control signal receiver is lower in power consumption than the video signal receiver. A power cable configured to supply power to the second external apparatus is connected to the socket. When the power control signal receiver receives a power control signal for activation, power is supplied to the video signal receiver and the socket. |
| US08359617B2 |
Apparatus for processing electronic program guide information, system for receiving digital broadcasts, and method for processing program information
A apparatus for processing EPG information that EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information can be read prior to display independently of an operation by an input device. The EPG information processing apparatus controls the amount of EPG information stored in a database prior to display so that the speed of acquiring EPG information and the speed of supplying EPG information indicating the frequency of using an acquired electronic program guide are kept in a predetermined relation. In response to a direction for updating an on-display electronic program guide, the EPG processing apparatus supplies new EPG information, and stores another piece of EPG information associated with the EPG information in the database prior to next display. The amount of information stored in the database in advance is decided so that the acquiring speed and supplying speed can be kept in a predetermined relation. Therefore, the amount of information stored in advance is raised with increase in the frequency of using an electronic program guide in correlation with the acquired supplying speed, and the amount of information stored in advance is decreased with decrease in the using frequency. |
| US08359614B2 |
Channel hopping scheme for update of data for multiple services across multiple digital broadcast channels
Data broadcast over different channels may be updated in a digital broadcast receiving device. The device may include a receiver unit, a processor, memory instructions embodied in the memory for execution on the processor. The instructions may be configured to implement the method for updating data broadcast over different channels. A first digital broadcast signal may be received over a first channel. The receiving device may be tuned to a second channel at a predetermined time to receive a second digital broadcast signal. Selected data may be extracted from the second digital broadcast signal and stored or utilized with the receiving device. An update schedule may be generated for data transmitted with a digital broadcast signal. A broadcast time for an update packet may be determined from a packet header. A schedule packet may be generated containing the broadcast time and broadcast before the update packet. |
| US08359609B2 |
Detecting distribution of multimedia content
A system and method is disclosed for detecting distribution of multimedia content. The volume level of data traffic is monitored for a plurality of users to select any users with high-bandwidth usage. The time of day and the day of the week may be considered when determining whether a user is a high-bandwidth user. Upon selecting a user as one with high-bandwidth usage, such user may be subject to packet inspections of data traffic streams. In some embodiments, content identification parameters or watermarks are added to one or more packets in a data traffic stream carrying multimedia content. |
| US08359608B2 |
Motor having improved sleeve holder and base plate coupling structure and optical disc drive using the same
There is provided a motor formed to have a simple coupling structure between a base plate and a sleeve holder, thereby implementing a simple structure and reducing costs and processes taken for manufacturing the motor, and an optical disc drive using the same. To this end, the motor includes a base plate having at least one protrusion formed therein, and a sleeve holder having a body part, of which the shape is cylindrical and in which a sleeve is fitted, and a flange protrudingly formed from a lower end of the body part in such a manner as to make surface-to-surface contact with an upper surface of the base plate, wherein the flange is formed to have at least one insertion hole, through which the protrusion is inserted so that the sleeve holder is coupled to the base plate. |
| US08359607B2 |
Optical disc drive
From an optical disc drive, internal static electricity has to be discharged to the outside to prevent breakage of electric components such as laser diodes. A grounding spring has been used to discharge static electricity from a unit mechanism to the enclosure of the optical disc drive but it is necessary to improve the reliability of the drive in consideration of the dimensional accuracy and workability of the spring. Thus the free end of a grounding spring having a cantilever structure is shaped like an arc and an end of the grounding spring has a curved structure. This configuration improves the dimensional accuracy and workability of the spring, so that the performance of the optical disc drive can be more reliable. |
| US08359601B2 |
Data processing method, cluster system, and data processing program
Provided is a data processing system which includes: a first computer for receiving a processing request for a task processing, executing the processing, and holding data used therein; and a second computer for holding a duplicate of the data held in the first computer, halting the first computer if the first computer is determined to be halted, and receiving and processing the processing request. The first computer receives at least an update request as the processing request including request identification information to which unique numbers assigned to the individual processing requests in an ascending order are allocated, updates the held data, and transmits the update request including the request identification information to the second computer. The second computer stores a transmitted reference request and the update request as the processing requests, and processes the processing requests in an ascending order of the unique numbers included in the individual processing requests. |
| US08359590B2 |
Computer system and a method of deploying an application in a computer system
A computer system has a runtime environment (e.g. Java) and a deployment unit (e.g. in a Spring framework layer) arranged to deploy the application into the runtime environment. The application comprises bundles (e.g. OSGi bundles) with manifest metadata having export statements defining exported packages. The deployment unit comprises a receiver unit to receive the bundles, an extractor unit to examine the metadata and extract the export statements, a converter unit to convert each of the export statements into a corresponding import statement, and a creator unit to add a synthetic bundle having the import statements inserted in its metadata. The deployment unit sets a thread context class loader to delegate class loading to a class loader of the synthetic bundle. Thus, at runtime, classes of the application are only loaded when they are explicitly exported packages as defined by the synthetic bundle. |
| US08359589B2 |
Helper thread for pre-fetching data
A set of helper thread binaries is created to retrieve data used by a set of main thread binaries. If executing a portion of the set of helper thread binaries results in the retrieval of data needed by the set of main thread binaries, then that retrieved data is utilized by the set of main thread binaries. |
| US08359588B2 |
Reducing inter-task latency in a multiprocessor system
A method of reducing inter-task latency for software comprising a sequence of instructions including a synchronous remote procedure call to be executed on a multiprocessor system comprising a calling processor and at least one remote engine. The method comprises the steps of: inputting the software; inputting a runtime resource description describing a runtime environment of the multiprocessor system; identifying the synchronous remote procedure call in the sequence of instructions; replacing the synchronous remote procedure call in the sequence of instructions with an initiation instruction and a wait instruction to generate a substitute sequence of instructions; reordering the substitute sequence of instructions with reference to the runtime resource description and the dependencies to generate a reordered sequence of instructions; and outputting the reordered sequence of instructions. |
| US08359586B1 |
Code generation
In an embodiment, a code generator receives input code having a plurality of functional elements, such as blocks, nodes, statements, commands, etc. The input code processes a data set, such as an image file. The code generator further receives one or more criteria for the generated code. The functional elements of the input code are provided with one or more parameters regarding the block sizes that the respective functional elements can process, such as an available block size and a preferred block size. The code generator queries the functional elements of the input code to obtain their available and preferred block sizes, and builds an intermediate representation (IR) of the input code. The code generator re-organizes and modifies the IR so that it achieves the one or more criteria. Output code that meets the one or more criteria is generated from the reorganized and modified IR. |
| US08359584B2 |
Debugging from a call graph
A system and method for debugging a computer program by using a call graph. A call graph that represents trace events during execution of a debuggee program may be used as input to a system that enables a user to debug the debuggee program. Mechanisms facilitate conditionally forming clusters of event nodes, a cluster indicative of multiple event nodes corresponding to an execution of a source language statement. During a debugging session, in response to a command to perform a step operation, the nodes of a cluster are processed together so that a step corresponds to multiple events if the multiple events correspond to a single source language statement. A mechanism for inspecting variables is provided. Variable values may be selectively propagated and provided based on the call graph and a static control flow analysis of the debuggee program. |
| US08359582B2 |
Compiling and inserting code snippets at runtime
Method, computer readable medium, and system for specifying before-compiled code, compiling the before-compiled code into a compiled code snippet, specifying an insertion point in a compiled code block of a computer program, and inserting the compiled code snippet into the compiled code block at the specified insertion point while the computer program is running. |
| US08359581B2 |
Automatic collection of diagnostic traces in an automation framework
A method for software test automation includes receiving system software in a test server; receiving test software and in a test server; configuring test environment resources for the test software; executing an automated test of the test software comprising: performing unit test of the test software; comparing anticipated performance results of the test software with actual results of the test software; determining whether there are differences in the anticipated performance and the actual performance; wherein in the event there are differences in the anticipated performance and the actual performance: applying trace settings; deleting runtime logs associated with the unit test; re-executing the unit test; storing trace data associated with the re-executed unit test; notifying a user of the re-executed unit test; providing the user with the stored trace data; and cleaning up the test environment resources. |
| US08359578B2 |
Symbolic reduction of dynamic executions of concurrent programs
A computer implemented method for the verification of concurrent software programs wherein the concurrent software program is partitioned into subsets named concurrent trace programs (CTPs) and each of the CTPs is evaluated using a satisfiability-based (SAT) symbolic analysis. By applying the SAT analysis to individual CTPs in isolation the symbolic analysis is advantageously more scalable and efficient. |
| US08359573B2 |
Application builder for industrial automation
A control system development platform is provided. The platform includes a shell component adapted to support development of a control systems application. An abstract model is associated with the shell component to facilitate development of the control systems applications. |
| US08359566B2 |
Software factory
A method, system and computer-readable medium for creating software in a standardized manner are presented. The method includes the steps of: receiving, at a software factory, a description of software needs from a customer; creating, in the software factory, a project proposal that meets performance criteria found in the description of software needs; inducting the project proposal into the software factory, where inducting the project proposal initially evaluates the project proposal's compatibility with a capacity of the software factory; parsing the project proposal into major functional areas; retrieving work packets that are appropriate for the project proposal, where the work packets are pre-stored, reusable, self-contained, discrete units of software code; assembling the work packets into a deliverable software; testing the deliverable software; and delivering the deliverable software to the customer. |
| US08359563B2 |
Moment-based characterization waveform for static timing analysis
In one embodiment, the invention is a moment-based characterization waveform for static timing analysis. One embodiment of a method for mapping a timing waveform associated with a gate of an integrated circuit to a characterization waveform includes using a processor to perform steps including: computing one or more moments of the timing waveform and defining the characterization waveform in accordance with the moments. |
| US08359560B2 |
Methods and systems for debugging equivalent designs described at different design levels
Methods for debugging designs are provided. First, signal correlation information for signals of a design at least two design level is obtained. Then, design descriptions corresponding to the design at the at least two design levels are loaded and presented in at least two sets of windows or at least two debugging processes which controls the respective set of windows. A selection of a first signal in a first set of windows or a first debugging process is received. In response to the selection, a second signal corresponding to the first signal is queried according to the signal correlation information, and the second signal in a second set of windows or a second debugging process is automatically selected. |
| US08359559B2 |
Methods and systems for evaluating checker quality of a verification environment
Methods and systems for evaluating checker quality of a verification environment are provided. In some embodiments, an overall sensitivity for the verification environment and an individual sensitivity for a respective checker are calculated. The overall sensitivity is a probability that a plurality of problematic design behaviors, which are propagated to a checker system including at least one checker, can be detected by the verification environment. The individual sensitivity is a probability that a plurality of problematic design behaviors, which are propagated to at least one specific probe among a plurality of probes of a design, can be detected by the checker corresponding to the specific probe. The overall checker sensitivity numbers can show the robustness of the check system. The individual checker sensitivity can guide the user which individual checker or checkers to improve. |
| US08359558B2 |
Modeling of cell delay change for electronic design automation
An integrated circuit design optimization procedure to modify a cell feature, such as gate length, models changes in delay as a result of the modification. In the delay change calculation, a characteristic of an event in cell switching behavior, such as the output short-circuit voltage VSC, is determined for the modified cell, where changes in the determined characteristic correlate with changes in delay of the cell due to the modification. Next, a value for delay of the modified cell is determined as a function of the determined characteristic of the event. The procedure can be applied after placement and routing. A timing-constrained, leakage power reduction is described using the delay change model. |
| US08359555B2 |
Arranging virtual patterns in semiconductor layout
A computer readable medium comprising multiple instructions stored in a computer readable device, upon executing these instructions, a computer performing the following steps: providing a first semiconductor layout and a second semiconductor layout predetermined to be fabricated on different material layers of a semiconductor device, the second semiconductor layout comprising a circuit pattern; setting a forbidden area of the circuit pattern on the first semiconductor layout according to a restriction condition; defining at least a virtual pattern arrangement area on a portion of the first semiconductor layout which does not correspond to the forbidden area; and selecting a positioning point at a boundary of the virtual pattern arrangement area and providing a virtual pattern array in the virtual pattern arrangement by taking the positioning point as an origin of a coordinate system of the virtual pattern array. |
| US08359554B2 |
Verification of 3D integrated circuits
A method of designing and verifying 3D integrated circuits (3D IC) including providing a first layout corresponding to a first device of a 3D IC. The first layout includes a first interface layer. A second layout corresponding to a second device of the 3D IC is also provided. The second layout includes a second interface layer. A verification of the 3D is performed by verifying the first and second interface layers. The verification includes performing at least one of a design rule check (DRC) or a layout-versus-schematic (LVS) on the first and/or second interface layers. |
| US08359550B2 |
Method for dynamically generating a “table of contents” view of the HTML-based information system
Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying information topics that are available via an online help system. The methods and systems store information for given topics in a respective folder associated with a given topic, detect the selection of one of the folders associated with a topic of interest, search files at a hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type, locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information, merge data associated with the HTML metatags into a HTML template file to generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags, and provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder using the generated HTML file. |
| US08359548B2 |
Managing subset of user contacts
Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device then causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the subset of contacts in an arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. Aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for further arranging the graphical identifiers are also provided. Even further, aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for providing functionality associated with the graphical identifiers are provided. |
| US08359547B2 |
Movable user interface indicator of at least one parameter that is adjustable with different operations for increasing and decreasing the parameter and/or methods of providing the same
A volume setting icon is provided with a slider for indicating a volume increasing from left toward right. A region in a direction of lower volume relative to a position corresponding to a current value, at which the slider is displayed, is identified as a volume low region, and a region in a direction of higher volume is identified as a volume high region. When the slider is selected, the slider can continuously be operated to move in any direction toward the volume low region and the volume high region. When the volume low region other than the slider is touched, the slider is instantaneously operated to move to a position corresponding to a touch position. When the volume high region other than the slider is touched, the slider is not instantaneously operated to move to a position corresponding to a touch position. |
| US08359546B2 |
System, method and computer-readable medium for online marketing and visual presentations of software programs
A graphical user interface (GUI) presents a primary icon in a minimal visual area of a video display screen of a computer. Selecting the primary icon directs the computer to display a line of segments, where each segment associated with one or more software programs or electronic documents. The GUI allows a user to directly access items of visual and/or audio media by selecting one or more documents or software programs associated with a selected segment. The GUI optionally allows selected a line or segment for transmission from the computer to another computer, wherein copies one or more documents or software applications are transmitted to the second computer. |
| US08359543B2 |
Multiple touchpoints for efficient text input
Methods and systems for using multiple simultaneous touchpoints of a touch-sensitive keyboard, such as an on-screen keyboard, for more efficient text input are provided. A method for generating text using a touch-sensitive keyboard may include receiving touch input from multiple simultaneous touchpoints. The method may also include determining a text character for each respective simultaneous touchpoint based on the touch input. The method may further include generating a text word based on the text characters determined from the multiple simultaneous touchpoints. A system for generating text using a touch-sensitive keyboard may include a touch input receiver, a slide detector and a text word generator. |
| US08359539B2 |
Image processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable memory medium storing program therein
In an information processing apparatus for forming print data which can be interpreted by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data formed by an application in order to enable the user to easily set the switching between a printer and a mail box as destinations, a user interface which can set either a mail box mode to accumulate the print data into the printing apparatus without printing it or a printer output mode to sequentially print the print data received by the printing apparatus is provided. |
| US08359538B2 |
Method for sharing calendar content in communications system, communications system and terminal
The invention describes a method for sharing calendar content in a communications system, a communications system, and a terminal. The communications system comprises a terminal and at least one remote device, and the terminal is configured to generate calendar content from one or more calendar notes. The communications system is configured to associate calendar notes with calendar profiles of the terminal, which define a unique view to the calendar content on the basis of the calendar notes associated with the calendar profile; to select in the terminal at least one calendar profile for generating calendar content to be shared; to generate the calendar content to be shared on the basis of at least one selected calendar profile and the calendar notes associated with it; and to share the generated calendar content between the terminal and the remote device. |
| US08359526B2 |
Apparatus for processing streams and method thereof
An apparatus for processing streams includes a trellis encoding unit which changes a part of streams with parities, an RS re-encoding unit which corrects at least one of parity part and data part of the streams, and generates new codewords to match the changed part of the streams, and a multiplexer which re-constructs the streams with the generated codewords. |
| US08359525B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data in optical transport network
A method of transmitting data in an optical transport network is provided. The method comprises generating an optical transmission unit frame including an in-band area including a first area to which information data is allocated and a second area to which the information data is not allocated and an out-band area including parity information and transmitting the data through the optical transmission unit frame. |
| US08359522B2 |
Low density parity check decoder for regular LDPC codes
A method and system for decoding low density parity check (“LDPC”) codes. An LDPC decoder includes an R select unit, a Q message first-in first-out (“FIFO”) memory, and a cyclic shifter. The R select unit provides an R message by selecting from a plurality of possible R message values. The Q message memory stores a Q message until an R message is generated by a CNU, the Q message and the R message are combined to provide a P message. The cyclic shifter shifts the P message. |
| US08359520B2 |
Detection, avoidance and/or correction of problematic puncturing patterns in parity bit streams used when implementing turbo codes
Detecting, avoiding and/or correcting problematic puncturing patterns in parity bit streams used when implementing punctured Turbo codes is achieved without having to avoid desirable code rates. This enables identification/avoidance of regions of relatively poor Turbo code performance. Forward error correction comprising Turbo coding and puncturing achieves a smooth functional relationship between any measure of performance and the effective coding rate resulting from combining the lower rate code generated by the Turbo encoder with puncturing of the parity bits. In one embodiment, methods to correct/avoid degradations due to Turbo coding are implemented by puncturing interactions when two or more stages of rate matching are employed. |
| US08359519B2 |
Cooperative transmission method and communication system using the same
A cooperative transmission method includes: a first operation of coding, by a source node, a message desired to be transmitted according to a first encoding scheme to generate a first codeword and transmitting the first codeword to a relay node and a destination node; a second operation of decoding, by the relay node, the first codeword which has been received from the source node, coding the decoded message according to a second coding scheme to generate a second codeword, coding a part corresponding to parity of the second codeword according to the first coding scheme to generate a third codeword, and transmitting the third codeword to the destination node; and a third operation of decoding, by the destination node, the first codeword which has been received from the source node and the third codeword which has been received from the relay node, combining the message generated by decoding the first codeword and the parity part of the second codeword generated by decoding the third codeword to generate a fourth codeword according to the second coding scheme, and decoding the fourth codeword to estimate the message desired to be transmitted. |
| US08359514B2 |
Data and error correction code mixing device and method
Memory devices and methods are described such as those that mix data and associated error correction code blocks between multiple memory device locations. Examples include mixing between multiple memory blocks, mixing between memory pages, mixing between memory chips and mixing between memory modules. In selected examples, memory blocks and associated error correction code are mixed between multiple levels of memory device hierarchy. |
| US08359511B2 |
Method and system for constructing and decoding rateless codes with partial information
A method for data transmission to a receiving host, the transmitted data being coded for forward error correction, includes providing a pre-defined set Xk of symbols, having k symbols, at the transmitting host. An individual subset Xnh of the pre-defined set Xk, comprising nh symbols, is provided at each receiving host. An encoded symbol is calculated by the transmitting host based on a pre-defined rateless code. The calculated encoded symbol and the information with which symbols of set Xk is associated is transmitted to each of the receiving hosts. The encoded symbol is decoded by each receiving host using a decoding algorithm based on a pre-defined rateless code. Repeating the steps until each receiving host has retrieved from the received encoded symbols the respective difference set of symbols. |
| US08359510B2 |
Repetitive transmissions in multi-carrier based wireless access techniques
According to one embodiment, a method for repetitive transmission using a plurality of sub-carriers includes: preparing a symbol to be transmitted using the plurality of sub-carriers within a single time domain unit; repeating the symbol a predetermined number (N) of times; applying a corresponding one of N different cyclic shift values to each of the N repeated symbols to be transmitted using the plurality of sub-carriers within the single time domain unit; performing an IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) on each of the N repeated symbols to which the corresponding one of the N different cyclic shift values is applied; and transmitting the N repeated symbols on which the IFFT is performed using the plurality of sub-carriers. |
| US08359502B2 |
TDI multiplexer gating controlled by override selection logic
A system comprises a plurality of components, scan chain selection logic coupled to the components, and override selection logic coupled to the scan chain selection logic. The scan chain selection logic selects various of the components to be members of a scan chain under the direction of a host computer. The override selection logic detects a change in the scan chain and, as a result, blocks the entire scan chain from progressing. |
| US08359501B1 |
Memory board with self-testing capability
A self-testing memory module includes a printed circuit board configured to be operatively coupled to a memory controller of a computer system and includes a plurality of memory devices on the printed circuit board, each memory device of the plurality of memory devices comprising data, address, and control ports. The memory module also includes a control module configured to generate address and control signals for testing the memory devices. The memory module includes a data module comprising a plurality of data handlers. Each data handler is operable independently from each of the other data handlers of the plurality of data handlers. Each data handler is operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of the data ports of one or more of the memory devices and is configured to generate data for writing to the corresponding plurality of data ports. |
| US08359500B2 |
Method and system for control of communication equipment based on a bit error rate derived from a frame alignment signal
Consistent with the present disclosure, circuitry may be provided in an optical receiver that can determine a bit error rate (BER) associated with an incoming signal by dividing the number of errored bits in a frame alignment signals (FAS) by the number of bits in the FAS. Accordingly, although an optical signal may be severely degraded and forward error correction (FEC) cannot be performed, a BER may be obtained if the FAS can be identified. The BER can then be used in a feedback loop to control various optical or electrical components in the receiver to improve or reduce the BER to a level, for example, at which FEC can be performed. |
| US08359494B2 |
Parallel fault detection
A method and an apparatus are provided for parallel fault detection. The method comprises receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a first processing tool, receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a second processing tool and comparing at least a portion of the received data to a common fault model to determine if a fault associated with at least one of the processing of the workpiece by the first processing tool and processing of the workpiece by the second processing tool occurred. |
| US08359492B2 |
Method and apparatus for restoring system using virtualization
A method and apparatus to restore a system using virtualization, the method including: if a system restoration at a target restoration time point from among at least one restoration time points is requested, generating a virtualization layer; if a use of a system is requested by an application layer, accessing the target restoration time point using the virtualization layer; and performing a system restoration at the accessed target restoration time point. |
| US08359486B2 |
High speed input/output system and power saving control method thereof
A high speed input/output (HSIO) system and a power saving control method for the HSIO system are provided. The HSIO system has a plurality of transmission speed modes. When an external device is connected to the HSIO system and an auto-configuration link is completed, the power saving control method forcibly sets an interface controller to any desired transmission speed specification in accordance with an actual transmission speed of to-be-transmitted data. Therefore, transmission speed mode of a single physical layer can be changed to achieve a low power transmission. |
| US08359484B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating a computing platform without a battery pack
An application control engine computing platform having a shut-down mechanism that permits the platform to adequately start up and operate upon return of power after a power interruption, without a need of a battery pack. The mechanism may target the saving of control object runtime values and operational settings of those objects, rather than the saving of the complete set of objects, and all unsaved alarm and history records upon a power interruption. |
| US08359482B2 |
Power supply circuit for audio codec chip and method for providing power supply to audio codec chip
A power supply circuit is provided. The power supply circuit includes an audio codec chip and a voltage absorbing circuit. The audio codec chip has a power input terminal. The power input terminal is connected to a power source terminal. The voltage absorbing circuit is connected between the power source terminal and the power input terminal of the audio codec chip so as to decrease a divided voltage accomplished with a voltage from the power source terminal to low level. A method configured for starting up an audio codec chip on a computer motherboard in a normal manner is also provided. |
| US08359481B2 |
Secured coprocessor comprising an event detection circuit
A coprocessor includes a calculation unit for executing at least one command, and a securization device. The securization device includes an error detection circuit for monitoring the execution of the command so as to detect any execution error, putting the coprocessor into an error mode by default as soon as the execution of the command begins, and lifting the error mode at the end of the execution of the command if no error has been detected, an event detection circuit for monitoring the appearance of at least one event to be detected, and a masking circuit for masking the error mode while the event to be detected does not happen, and declaring the error mode to the outside of the coprocessor if the event to be detected happens while the coprocessor is in the error mode. Application in particular but not exclusively to coprocessors embedded in integrated circuits for smart cards. |
| US08359480B2 |
Scalable RFID systems: a privacy preserving protocol with constant-time identification
A protocol with constant-time complexity solves the problem of private identification of tags in low-cost, large-scale radio frequency identification (RFID) systems—assuming that an adversary has complete control over the communication channel. Each RFID tag has an internal counter, c, and is preloaded with a unique pseudonym, ψ, and a secret key, k. A RFID reader attempting to identify and authenticate a tag within its range generates and transmits a random nonce to the RFID tag, which returns a first hash of its current pseudonym and counter, and a second hash that is a function of the secret key. The reader uses the returned data to identify the RFID tag and its secret key by reference to a database and returns other hash values that authenticate the reader to the RFID tag. The most expensive operation that RFID tags are required to perform is a hash function. |
| US08359478B2 |
Protection of a static datum in an integrated circuit
A method and a system for protecting a static digital datum contained in a first element of an electronic circuit, intended to be exploited by a second element of this circuit, in which: on the side of the first element, the static datum is converted into a dynamic data flow by at least one first linear shift feedback register representing a different polynomial according to the value of the static datum; the dynamic flow is transmitted to the second element; and on the side of the second element, the received dynamic flow is decoded by at least one second shift register representing at least one of the polynomials that has been used by the first element. |
| US08359477B2 |
Dynamic configuration of a gaming system
A method to enable dynamic configuration of gaming terminals installed in one or a plurality of gaming premises whereby certified games, certified data files and certified support software components are activated in accordance with a predetermined schedule or automatically in response to the observed gaming activity. The method may include allocating an individual PKI certificate to each executable software component and each of its versions, binding the PKI certificate to the executable software, associating a distinctive policy for each certificate and then enforcing the software execution policies in accordance with the desired authorized game configuration and schedule. The PKI certificate's “Subject Name” (or “Issued to” field or “CommonName” field) may be a concatenation of the software component identification, its version number and optionally other identification characters. The method applies equally to other network connected gaming subsystems. The method enables a fine-grained and secure control of the authorized software components and thus the flexibility to securely configure the gaming system in accordance with a schedule or in a close-loop fashion in order to meet business objectives. In addition, a method to enable the certification authority to bind the certificates to the tested code is described. |
| US08359473B1 |
System and method for digital rights management using digital signatures
Various embodiments of a system and method for digital rights management using digital signatures are described. Various embodiments may include a digital rights management component configured to receive license data including user information and an encrypted decryption key. The digital rights management component may also receive a digital signature and encrypted content data. The digital rights management component may, in response to determining that the digital signature is a valid digital signature of the license data, generate on a device, a message including the user information. The digital rights management component may also perform a key derivation function on the user information to generate a result, generate a decryption key by decrypting the encrypted decryption key with the result of the key derivation function, and decrypt the encrypted content data with the generated decryption key to generate unencrypted content data. |
| US08359472B1 |
Document fingerprinting with asymmetric selection of anchor points
One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented process for generating document fingerprints. A document is normalized to create a normalized text string. A first hash function with a sliding hash window is applied to the normalized text string to generate an array of hash values. Candidate anchoring points are selected by applying a first filter to the array of hash values. The anchoring points are chosen by applying a second filter to the candidate anchoring points. Finally, a second hash function is applied to substrings located at the chosen anchoring points to generate hash values for use as fingerprints for the document. Other embodiments and aspects are also disclosed. |
| US08359465B2 |
Enterprise security system
A platform of Trust Management software which is a single, customizable, complete distributed computing security solution designed to be integrated into an enterprise computing environment. Digital Network Authentication (DNA) is the centerpiece of the system of the present invention. It is a unique means to authenticate the identity of a communicating party and authorize its activity. The whole mechanism can be thought of as a trusted third party providing assurances to both clients and servers that each communicating entity is a discrete, authenticated entity with clearly defined privileges and supporting data. Furthermore, the level of trust to be placed in the authorization of every entity communicating within the system is communicated to every entity within a distributed computing environment. |
| US08359463B2 |
Selecting a configuration for an application
There is provided a computer-implemented method for selecting from a plurality of full configurations of a storage system an operational configuration for executing an application. An exemplary method comprises obtaining application performance data for the application on each of a plurality of test configurations. The exemplary method also comprises obtaining benchmark performance data with respect to execution of a benchmark on the plurality of full configurations, one or more degraded configurations of the full configurations and the plurality of test configurations. The exemplary method additionally comprises estimating a metric for executing the application on each of the plurality of full configurations based on the application performance data and the benchmark performance data. The operational configuration may be selected from among the plurality full configurations based on the metric. |
| US08359460B2 |
Running-sum instructions for processing vectors using a base value from a key element of an input vector
The described embodiments provide a processor for generating a result vector with summed values from a first input vector. During operation, the processor receives the first input vector, a second input vector, and a control vector. When generating the result vector, the processor first captures a base value from a key element in the second input vector. The processor then writes the sum of the base value and values from relevant elements in the first input vector into selected elements in the result vector. In addition, a predicate vector can be used to control the values that are written to the result vector. |
| US08359458B2 |
Methods and apparatus for matrix decompositions in programmable logic devices
A processor is adapted for performing a QR-decomposition. The processor has a program memory, a program controller, connected to the program memory to receive program instructions, and at least one processing unit. The processing unit includes a CORDIC calculation block, and has a distributed memory structure, with separate memory blocks for storing respective parameter values. |
| US08359457B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing method performed by semiconductor device to perform a repeat operation within a reconfigurable pipeline
The semiconductor device includes a controller and a plurality of dynamically reconfigurable circuits connected to one another in series below the controller to perform operations in the manner of a pipeline. The controller inputs data and reconfiguration information to the first one of the dynamically reconfigurable circuits. Each of the dynamically reconfigurable circuits includes a processing unit that performs a data computation, an updating unit that updates the reconfiguration information, and a repetition controlling unit that determines whether to repeat the computation and controls the data and the reconfiguration information. |
| US08359456B2 |
Generating random addresses for verification of distributed computerized devices
Testing a circuit in a post-silicon stage is performed by enabling the different processing entities of the circuit to determine a consistent access permissions schema in a random manner. Based upon the consistent access permissions schema, addresses to be accessed during the testing of the circuit may be determined. The addresses may be determined in a random manner. The consistent permissions schema may be determined based on a template representative of repetitive portions of access permissions schema. The disclosed subject matter may utilize biasing modules to bias the test generation to provide a test having a predetermined characteristic. The disclosed subject matter may utilize a joint random seed or other techniques to provide for consistent random decisions by the different processing entities. |
| US08359455B2 |
System and method for generating real addresses using a connection ID designating a buffer and an access pattern
A system and method for generating a real address in data memory in response to a read/write request may include generating an access request to at least one of read and write data to the data memory. A connection identifier (ID), received in association with the access request; may include a buffer ID designating a buffer in the data memory in which to access the data, and a port ID designating a pattern in which to access the data in the buffer. The method may further include translating the connection ID into the real address of the data memory, and accessing the data memory at a location corresponding to the real address. Different types of buffers, such as point-to-point, scatter, and gather buffers may be used, and different patterns, such as first-in-first out (FIFO), nested loop, matrix transforms may be used. |
| US08359452B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of overwriting for storage unit in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus and a method of overwriting for a storage unit in an image forming apparatus. The method of overwriting data in a storage unit of an image forming apparatus includes configuring a plurality of overwriting options corresponding to data stored in the storage unit; deleting the data stored in the storage unit according to a delete instruction; and overwriting data according to the configuration of the plurality of overwriting options corresponding to the data stored in the storage unit. |
| US08359449B2 |
Prioritizing virtual real memory paging based on disk capabilities
A method manages memory paging operations. Responsive to a request to page out a memory page from a shared memory pool, the method identifies whether a physical space within one of a number of paging space devices has been allocated for the memory page. If physical space within the paging space device has not been allocated for the memory page, a page priority indicator for the memory page is identified. The memory page is then allocated to one of a number of memory pools within one of the number of paging space devices. The memory page is allocated one of the memory pools according to the page priority indicator of the memory page. The memory page is then written to the allocated memory pools. |
| US08359447B1 |
System and method of detecting and reversing data imprinting in memory
A method and system of detecting data imprinting in a memory is described. Data having known bit values is stored in a location in the memory and the data is read to determine the amount of the known bit values that can be successfully read after an attempt to erase the data. The amount of data that can be successfully read is compare to a threshold. Data bit values of a payload data are inverted to reverse the effects of data imprinting in response to the determined amount exceeding the threshold. |
| US08359443B2 |
Secure memory access system and method
A secure memory access system and method for providing secure access to Hyper Management Mode memory ranges is presented. |
| US08359442B2 |
Computer system with controlled data access
A computer system comprises: a central processing unit (CPU); an input/output control hub (IOCH) connected to the CPU; a storage device; the input/output control hub (IOCH) comprising a direct data access control (DDAC) being connected to the storage device; the DDAC providing protected regions and unprotected regions on the storage device (HDD). The IOCH comprises in addition to the DDAC an interface for semantic control of data access (SCDA), the SCDA storing custom configuration data which can be loaded only by a dedicated service which controls protected code running on the CPU. Via the SCDA, files in protected regions can be accessed on a record or even field level, whereby each record or field can have different access rights. |
| US08359440B2 |
Management server device for managing virtual storage device, and method for managing virtual storage device
The computer system has a plurality of physical server devices, a plurality of physical storage devices, and a management server device, and when migrating at least one of a plurality of first virtual server devices to another physical server device, the management server device compares at least one physical server device in which the plurality of first virtual server devices are disposed after the migration, with at least one physical server device in which a plurality of second virtual server devices are disposed, to calculate a first evaluation value, and also compares at least one physical server device in which the plurality of first virtual server devices are disposed after the migration, with at least one physical server device in which a plurality of third virtual server devices are disposed, to calculate a second evaluation value. Based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value, the management server device issues an instruction to migrate the first virtual storage device to the other physical storage device. |
| US08359435B2 |
Optimization of software instruction cache by line re-ordering
A method for computing includes executing a program, including multiple cacheable lines of executable code, on a processor having a software-managed cache. A run-time cache management routine running on the processor is used to assemble a profile of inter-line jumps occurring in the software-managed cache while executing the program. Based on the profile, an optimized layout of the lines in the code is computed, and the lines of the program are re-ordered in accordance with the optimized layout while continuing to execute the program. |
| US08359432B2 |
System and method for transferring data between removable storage media units
Disclosed herein is a removable storage media unit that facilitates the easy and quick transfer of data from one unit into another. By addressing the need to transfer data between two instances of removable storage media units, such as flash based removable memory, (and between removable mobile storage devices in general) without the use of a PC or PDA, the present invention makes it possible to disseminate or share data more easily and efficiently. |
| US08359428B1 |
Associative list processing unit
An associative list processing unit and method comprising employing a plurality of prioritized cell blocks and permitting inserts to occur in a single clock cycle if all of the cell blocks are not full. Also, an associative list processing unit and method comprising employing a plurality of prioritized cell blocks and using a tree of prioritized multiplexers descending from the plurality of cell blocks. |
| US08359427B2 |
Semiconductor device
In executing an EEPROM emulation by a flash memory incorporated in a semiconductor device, there is a problem that the data holding period of the flash memory is shorter than the EEPROM. The flash memory manages data by block unit. Therefore, it is required to securely perform a block change before the specification of the data holding period of the flash memory passes. For satisfying this problem, for an EEPROM substitution area in a flash memory, a data level check voltage is set between an internal verification voltage and a read-out voltage. When data level becomes below the data level check voltage, the block change is performed. |
| US08359425B2 |
Memory control device, memory device, and shutdown control method
According to one embodiment, a memory control device includes a controller, a command queue module, a plurality of stage processors, and a skip module. The controller controls a data access command to a nonvolatile memory from a host. The command queue module queues a transfer request command corresponding to the data access command. The stage processors each perform stage processing related to the transfer request command queued by the command queue module. The skip module skips the stage processing by the stage processors in response to a shutdown command from the controller. |
| US08359423B2 |
Using LPDDR1 bus as transport layer to communicate to flash
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for communicating NOR-type flash specific memory commands from a DRAM memory controller to a NOR-type flash memory array without disrupting DRAM operation. In this embodiment flash specific commands are channeled from the DRAM controller to the flash device by using the DRAM protocol as a transport layer. Data to be written to the NOR-type flash memory array are loaded into a data register and a sequence of programming commands are loaded into a mode register as a series of mode register write operations. Once the entire sequence of programming commands is loaded the NOR-type flash memory array the data in the data register is loaded into the NOR-type flash memory array. Other methods and circuits are also disclosed. |
| US08359422B2 |
System and method to reduce trace faults in software MMU virtualization
A system for identifying an exiting process and removing traces and shadow page table pages corresponding to the process' page table pages. An accessed minimum virtual address is maintained corresponding to an address space. In one embodiment, whenever a page table entry corresponding to the accessed minimum virtual address changes from present to not present, the process is determined to be exiting and removal of corresponding trace and shadow page table pages is begun. In a second embodiment, consecutive present to not-present PTE transitions are tracked for guest page tables on a per address space basis. When at least two guest page tables each has at least four consecutive present to not-present PTE transitions, a next present to not-present PTE transition event in the address space leads to the corresponding guest page table trace being dropped and the shadow page table page being removed. |
| US08359418B2 |
Host device with USB interface
An apparatus includes a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a card holder associated with the first USB connector. A controller including a USB host interface is coupled to the first USB connector. A housing enclosing the controller and at least partially enclosing the card holder has an opening that is dimensioned to enable insertion of a memory card into the card holder. The first USB connector is configured to connect to a second USB connector of the memory card when the memory card is inserted into the card holder. |
| US08359416B1 |
Multi-mode USB-satellite digital transceiver port
An interface includes a port and a port control module. The port control module detects whether a remote device communicating with the port is one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device and a satellite digital transceiver (DT) device. The port control module selectively generates one of a USB configure signal and a satellite DT configure signal. A USB control module selectively configures the interface to communicate with the USB device when the USB configure signal is received. A satellite control module selectively configures the interface to communicate with the satellite DT device when the satellite DT configure signal is received. |
| US08359410B2 |
Audio data processing in a low power mode
A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state while the audio data is being processed. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor. |
| US08359409B2 |
Aligning protocol data units
An apparatus for receiving one or more protocol data units (PDUs) from a word aligned queue including a media access control (MAC) physical-layer (PHY) coprocessor (MPC) logically residing between a physical-layer controller and a media access controller (MAC) processor. The MPC is configured to access a reception physical-layer queue storing a burst, such that the reception physical-layer queue includes a plurality of word lines. The burst includes one or more PDUs that each occupy one or more word lines of the reception physical-layer queue, such that a particular word line stores a portion of a first PDU and a portion of second PDU. The MPC is also configured to receive from the reception physical-layer queue the first PDU including the portion of the first PDU stored in the selected word line. |
| US08359405B1 |
Performance enhancing proxy and method for enhancing performance
Method and apparatus for enhancing the performance of a network. The performance enhancing functions described are applicable to a wide variety of communication links, including both slow and fast links, high latency links, and links with low and high error rates. The performance enhancing functions, which may be implemented either singly or in combination, include selective spoofing which allows flexible configuration of which connections should be spoofed, spoofing of the conventional TCP three-way handshake, local data acknowledgement, which allows data windows to increase at local speeds, multiplexing multiple connections across a single connection, data compression/encryption, prioritization, and path selection. The performance enhancing features described are particularly useful for links with high latency and/or high bit error rates. |
| US08359400B2 |
System and method for user-definable document exchange
A document exchange based on user-definable validation rules provided by the exchanging parties. In one embodiment, an uploader uploads a document from a first computer, the upload being associated with a first member account registered with a network site. A user interface receives a delivery destination for the document from the first computer, the delivery destination being associated with a second member account registered with the network site. A content validator validates content of the document based on rules registered at the network site in connection with the second member account. An output adaptor determines a document delivery format registered at the network site in connection with the second member account. A delivery component delivers the document in the determined format to a second computer associated with the second member account. |
| US08359399B2 |
Method and device for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user
A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content. |
| US08359398B1 |
Efficient proxying of messages
Efficiently processing messages at a proxy without intermediary copying increases a proxy's capabilities since fewer resources are expended on operations, such as intermediary copying. A proxy determines which data of a message received into memory will be maintained. The proxy indicates, in an ordered encoding, locations of the determined data and of update data. The update data may be a new message segment, session identifier, etc. The ordered encoding, which indicates the data in order as they will occur in the forwarded message, is used to forward the message with the maintained data and the update data. |
| US08359390B2 |
Method and system for provisioning services on a communication network
A method for provisioning a service on a communication network includes receiving a service order comprising a service request. The service request relates to a service provided on a communication network. The method includes analyzing the service order to determine a plurality of network elements to provision to complete the service request and one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method includes retrieving a configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements and reserving the one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method also includes preparing a service template for each of the plurality of network elements using the configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements. The service templates are capable of being delivered to respective network elements for execution. The method also includes delivering each service template to a respective network element for execution to fulfill the service order. |
| US08359389B1 |
Monitoring application program resource consumption
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for monitoring application program resource consumption. Information that identifies consumption, by multiple computing devices and at requests of a particular application program, of resources that correspond to the computing devices is accessed. Each of the multiple computing devices provided a portion of the information. The accessed information is analyzed by a computing system to determine one or more values that identify consumption of the resources by at least a subset of the computing devices. An indicium that illustrates the one or more values is provided for display on a particular computing device and in cooperation with a display of a network-accessible application program software marketplace. The application program software marketplace provides application program software for execution by the particular computing device and other computing devices. |
| US08359388B2 |
RACF system and equipment having dynamic discovering function in next generation network
A resource admission control function system having dynamic discovering function in a next generation network is provided. The resource admission control function system comprises a transport resource control function entity and a policy decision function entity that intercommunicate with each other; the system also comprises a dynamic discovering function unit for dynamically collecting and saving information of connection relationship between various function entities in the network, receiving an inquiry request, and feeding back the information of connection relation meeting the inquiry conditions to an inquiry request submitting entity. |
| US08359385B2 |
System and method for managing registration of services for an electronic device
The present disclosure described herein relates to a wireless electronic device and method for managing access to a server. The method comprises: identifying a first capability of the wireless electronic device; analyzing the first capability with operating parameters of a plurality of servers in the network to identify a first server that is compatible with the first capability; analyzing operating parameters of a plurality of services available in the network to identify a service of the plurality of services that the wireless electronic device cannot access in view of a second capability not currently provided by the wireless electronic device; identifying a second server in the plurality of servers that provides the second capability; and generating and sending an access request to the second server for the wireless electronic device. |
| US08359383B2 |
Ubiquitous service framework system for supporting service in multiple domain and method thereof
The present invention relates to a server for supporting one service in multiple domains, including: a service management unit that receives service and service execution engine from a service providing server and registers them in a service DB; a profiling server unit that requests device profile to user terminals according to a request from the service management unit and parses device profile received from the user terminals and stores it in a device DB; a service ensembler that generates a list of services usable in the user terminal based on the device profile stored in the device DB and provides the list of services to the user terminals and extracts a service execution engines suitable for the user terminals from the service DB according to user selection and transmits them to the user terminals. |
| US08359382B1 |
Personalized integrated audio services
A processor implemented method of providing personalized integrated audio is provided comprising a computer creating an audio stream to transmit to an audio play device and inserting a music from a source into the audio stream. The computer interrupts the insertion of the music and inserts a first audio message into the audio stream, wherein the first audio message is selected by the computer from subscribed information services based on at least one of a time and a place of the audio play device. The computer also inserts a second audio message into the audio stream, wherein the second message comprises information converted from a text format of a message addressed to a communication system of the audio play device to an audio format. After the completion of one of the first audio message and the second audio message, the computer resumes insertion of the music into the audio stream. |
| US08359377B2 |
Interface for automated deployment and management of network devices
An automated provisioning and management system for network devices includes a library of commands that are generic to all devices of interest, and device-specific plug-ins for implementing those commands in each of the different devices. A user can select any one of the standard commands and have it applied to a particular device of interest in a manner which is capable of being handled by that device. An interface between the library and a source of configuration information, such as a database, enables the various tasks associated with the provisioning and management of network devices to be automatically carried out on multiple devices, thereby minimizing, or even eliminating, the need to manually configure each such device. Various tools are provided to facilitate the ability of support personnel to identify and monitor functions performed by various devices, as well as detect and correct errors in the operation of those devices. |
| US08359370B2 |
System and method for managing digital media content
There is presented a system for managing digital media content, the system comprising a media server accessible over a communications network, the media server including a server processor. The server processor is configured to identify a first container data structure, the first container data structure including the digital media content encoded in a first encoding format. The server processor is also configured to use a digital media profile, and to extract a media file including the digital media content encoded in the first encoding format, from the first container data structure, according to the digital media profile. The server processor is further configured to assemble the media file in a second container data structure. |
| US08359368B1 |
Multi-homed web server with animation player
A multi-homed web server is disclosed including a plurality of virtual hosts operable in a web server. The multi-web server is configured to serve animations to clients over the web. The multi-web server may determine whether the specified time to send a subsequent graphic in a series of graphics has passed, and if the specified time has passed, then send a next graphic the next appropriate time. |
| US08359366B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a desktop image to an information handling system
An information handling system (IHS) is provided in the context of providing a desktop image. The IHS may include a storage device and a client device. The IHS may also include a management server configured to establish communication between the storage device and the client device. In addition, the client device may be configured to boot directly from the storage device and wherein the data communication occurs only between the storage device and the client device. |
| US08359364B2 |
System and method for optimizing response handling time and customer satisfaction scores
A system and method disclosed for using and updating a database of template responses for a live agent in response to user communications. The method includes computing an average string distance between each response from a live agent and a template, use to generate the response, modifying the computed average string distance based on a customer satisfaction score associated with each response and selecting a response that minimizes the computed average string distance and maximizes customer satisfaction. Upon receiving a further communication on a certain issue, the system presents a prototype response that has been added to the template database to the live agent for use in generating a response to the further communication that reduces handling time and increases customer satisfaction. |
| US08359362B2 |
Analyzing news content information
In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a first electronic data from a first news source, wherein the first electronic data is associated with a particular news event and receiving a second electronic data from a second news source, wherein the second electronic data is associated with the particular news event. The method also includes comparing the first and second electronic data and based on the comparison, assigning a numerical value to at least one of the first and second electronic data. The method further includes based on the numerical value assigned to at least one of the first and second electronic data, generating a third electronic data and transmitting the third electronic data to a user. |
| US08359361B2 |
Techniques to share media files through messaging
Techniques to share media files through messaging are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory may store a message application that when executed by the processor is operative to communicate a message and a message attachment comprising a media file at different time intervals using different transports. The message may have a link comprising a reference to a discoverable storage location for the media file. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08359350B2 |
Communication apparatus for displaying content and storage medium storing program
A communication apparatus including: a content-information extracting section which obtains feed information and extracts content information from the feed information; a display-priority setting section which sets a display priority; a display-priority changing section which lowers, on the basis of display of at least part of the content information, the display priority of the displayed content information by a first degree; a display-number setting section which sets the display number of times such that the display number of times of the content information during displaying of the at least part of each of all content informations to be displayed among the content informations is larger in a situation where the content information has a high display priority than in a situation in where the content information has a low display priority; and a display controller which displays the at least part on the basis of the display number of times. |
| US08359348B2 |
Techniques and systems for electronic submission of media for network-based distribution
Methods and systems for submitting media to a media distribution site are disclosed. The submission of media to the media distribution site is able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The submitted media can then be encoded in a largely automated manner at the media distribution site into a suitable digital form and then made available for online purchase and distribution. |
| US08359347B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooperative data stream processing
A cooperative data stream processing system is provided that utilizes a plurality of independent, autonomous and possibly heterogeneous sites in a cooperative arrangement to process user-defined job requests over dynamic, continuous streams of data. The sites negotiate peering relationships to share data and processing resources to handle the submitted job requests. These peering relationships can be cooperative or federated and can be expressed using common interest policies. Each site within the system runs an instance of a system architecture for processing job requests and is therefore a self-contained, fully functional instance of the cooperative data stream processing system. |
| US08359345B2 |
Iterative algorithms for variance reduction on compressed sinogram random coincidences in PET
The use of the ordinary Poisson iterative reconstruction algorithm in PET requires the estimation of expected random coincidences. In a clinical environment, random coincidences are often acquired with a delayed coincidence technique, and expected randoms are estimated through variance reduction (VR) of measured delayed coincidences. In this paper we present iterative VR algorithms for random compressed sonograms, when previously known methods are not applicable. Iterative methods have the advantage of easy adaptation to any acquisition geometry and of allowing the estimation of singles rates at the crystal level when the number of crystals is relatively small. Two types of sonogram compression are considered: axial (span) rebinning and transaxial mashing. A monotonic sequential coordinate descent algorithm, which optimizes the Least Squares objective function, is investigated. A simultaneous update algorithm, which possesses the advantage of easy parallelization, is also derived for both cases of the Least Squares and Poisson Likelihood objective function. |
| US08359344B2 |
Automatic linking of points of interest for indoor location based searching
A database of the location based relationships of points of interest within an environment is automatically generated using a digital representation of the environment that includes the points of interest at different locations within the environment. The locations of the points of interest in the environment are identified and the location based relationships between the points of interest are determined. The points of interest are labeled with the determined relationships and the points of interest and labeled relationships are stored. For example, a graph structure may be produced where each node is a point of interest and the edges between nodes is labeled with the determined relationships. |
| US08359341B2 |
Importing content into a content management system using an e-mail application
An e-mail based content import system imports content into a content management system using an e-mail application. A user selects values for address fields of an e-mail, enters a content item in a body of the e-mail, enters content metadata in a body text of the e-mail, and selects files as an attachment to the e-mail. The user sends the e-mail to the content management system. An e-mail processing engine processes the e-mail body to extract the content item and content metadata and maps the values of the address fields to content metadata to generate content comprising the content item, content metadata, and associated files. The mapping of the system comprises a predetermined customizable mapping of the address fields to the content metadata. |
| US08359337B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for member matching
An apparatus, system, and method for member matching. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an input adapter, a processor, and an output adapter. The input adapter may receive a first data record from a plurality of data records stored in one or more databases. The processor may generate a first data key from one or more field values in the first data record, compare a second data key associated with a second data record with the first data key associated with the first data record, and identify a match between the first data key and the second data key. In one embodiment, the output adapter may produce an output configured to identify the first data record and the second data record in response to identification of the match. |
| US08359324B2 |
Geographic information system
Provided is a geographic information system using map data including configuration data provided with time information and attribute data corresponding to an attribute of an object contained in the map data, including an information import module for receiving an input of a geographic area of an object to be retrieved and a search key; a map retrieval module for extracting configuration data, for which the input geographic area of the object to be retrieved and an area represented by the configuration data at least partially overlap each other, from the map data; a correlation module for correlating the configuration data with the attribute data identical with the input search key, for which the area represented by the extracted configuration data overlaps the positional information, according to each of the time information provided to the configuration data and to the attribute data; and an output module for outputting the correlated data. |
| US08359320B2 |
Metadata repository and methods thereof
A repository receives metadata from databases associated with different service providers. The repository converts the received metadata to a common format, such as MPEG7, and stores the converted metadata in a central database. The repository can also receive a query from a client device. The repository retrieves metadata associated with the query from the central database and provides it to the requesting client device. The repository can also convert the provided metadata to an appropriate format for the requesting device. Because the metadata is stored at a common location in a common format, content from different providers can be efficiently identified. |
| US08359310B1 |
Group swarm metrics and content
Methods for providing group swarm metrics and content are described herein. In different aspects, the methods may include compiling a content access metric. The methods may also include determining a threshold metric for a user. Further, the methods may include generating a notification message for the user when the compiled content access metric reaches the threshold metric. The methods may additionally include delivering the notification message to the user. The techniques described herein may enable the user to retrieve the content. |
| US08359304B1 |
Collaborative modeling environment
A system may receive a model, extract information from the model, form a group of tags using the extracted information, and associate the group of tags with the model. The system may further receive a search query including one or more sequences of characters and determine whether to provide the model in a list of models created for the search query, based on the one or more sequences of characters and the group of tags. |
| US08359298B2 |
Method, system, and program product for managing adapter association for a data graph of data objects
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing adapter association for a data graph of data objects. Specifically, under the present invention, a data graph of data objects is generated (e.g., on a server), and then serialized. In performing the serialization, the data graph is translated into bits. In one embodiment, the bits are communicated to a client over a network, and then translated back into the data graph (i.e., deserialized). An adapter is associated with each of the data objects after the data graph is deserialized. This avoids the “overhead” involved with associating and having active adapters during deserialization. |
| US08359296B2 |
Byte-code representations of actual data to reduce network traffic in database transactions
Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for reducing network traffic for database transactions between a requesting client and a database server are provided. For some embodiments, the client may access statistical information regarding the data, such as that commonly contained in indexes (e.g., encoded vector indexes), conventionally generated for use by a query optimizer. For some embodiments, based on the statistical information regarding the data, the client may request that the server send small byte-code representations of data from the database, rather than the actual data. The small byte-code representations may be significantly smaller than the actual represented data, thus reducing network traffic between the client and server. The client may then retrieve the actual represented data from a corresponding data representation record. |
| US08359295B2 |
User interface for navigating a keyword space
The present invention relates to systems, methods, and user interfaces for browsing a collection of content items saved by a user or by one or more buddies associated with a given user. The method of the present invention comprises saving one or more content items and one or more associated keywords as specified by a user. An interface is generated that displays the one or more saved content items and the one or more associated keywords, as well as the one or more buddies associated with a given user. A user indication of the selection of a given keyword or the selection of a given buddy by the user is received. The one or more displayed content items are filtered according to the selected keyword, buddy, or combination of selected keyword and buddy. |
| US08359293B2 |
Processing procedure management device, processing procedure management method, processing procedure management system, and processing procedure management program
The present invention provides a processing procedure management device which can determine a process procedure by adapting to a performance change of a function engine used for information processing at a high speed.The present invention includes a procedure database 31 which stores a processing procedure and its performance information, a performance history database 32 which stores a performance observed when information processing is carried out according to a processing procedure and a performance observed for each function engine which carries out a processing module that constitutes a processing procedure, a performance observation unit 33 which acquires the observed performance hereof, a future performance calculation unit 34 that calculates a performance at some point in the future for each function engine, a procedure generation unit 35 which reconstructs a processing module based on a performance in the future and generates a new processing procedure, a procedure updating unit 36 which adds a generated processing procedure and its performance information to the procedure database 31, and the procedure solving unit 37 that determines a processing procedure for carrying out designated information processing from the procedure database 31. |
| US08359287B2 |
Method for training a system to specifically react on a specific input
A method for training a system to specifically react on a specific input. The method can include defining a set of binary data structures, each representing a real-world component, item, or virtual object; storing each data structure as a binary pattern; creating uniquely identifiable copies of the data structures to represent individual instances of the components, items, or virtual objects; creating a virtual state space of the components, items, or virtual objects by grouping them as relevant for a specific situation; receiving an input to change a status or an attribute value of at least one of the components, items, or virtual objects; storing the received changes in a new version of the applicable data structure instance; analyzing similarities of the stored binary patterns related to a particular action performed; and if a matched binary pattern is identified, proposing at least one possible action related to the matched binary pattern. |
| US08359285B1 |
Generating item recommendations
Disclosed are various embodiments of generating item recommendations. A user submitted query associated with a category of items in an electronic repository is received, each of the items being associated with reviews. Reviews relevant to the user submitted query are identified. Reviews relevant to the user submitted query are displayed with a user voting element. The user voting element allows a user to vote whether the review is relevant to the user query. Further relevance to the user submitted query is determined based at least upon the vote. |
| US08359284B2 |
Organization-segment-based risk analysis model
Apparatus and methods for reducing infrastructure failure rates. The apparatus and methods may compile and store data related to the organizational segments associated with the approval and implementation of an infrastructure change. Variables may be derived from the data using a range of methods, and multiple variable values may be consolidated. A model may be developed based on the values and relationships of the derived variables. The model may be applied to assess the risk involved in a prospective infrastructure change. |
| US08359282B2 |
Supervised semantic indexing and its extensions
A system and method for determining a similarity between a document and a query includes providing a frequently used dictionary and an infrequently used dictionary in storage memory. For each word or gram in the infrequently used dictionary, n words or grams are correlated from the frequently used dictionary based on a first score. Features for a vector of the infrequently used words or grams are replaced with features from a vector of the correlated words or grams from the frequently used dictionary when the features from a vector of the correlated words or grams meet a threshold value. A similarity score is determined between weight vectors of a query and one or more documents in a corpus by employing the features from the vector of the correlated words or grams that met the threshold value. |
| US08359278B2 |
Identity protection
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system for providing identity protection that, in one embodiment, includes a fraud model for specifying patterns of events indicative of identity fraud and a business rules subsystem used to identify fraud that is specified by the fraud models. The system aggregates data from a variety of sources, and has an analytical engine that operates on the aggregated data and determines, using the business rules, whether there are events that are correlative with the fraud models that are indicative of fraud. |
| US08359276B2 |
Identifying influential persons in a social network
An influential persons identification system and method for identifying a set of influential persons (or influencers) in a social network (such as an online social network). The influential persons set is generated such that by sending a message to the set the message will be propagated through the network at the greatest speed and coverage. A ranking of users is generated, and a pruning process is performed starting with the top-ranked user and working down the list. For each user on the list, the user is identified as an influencer and then the user and each of his friends are deleted from the social network users list. Next, the same process is performed for the second-ranked user, the third-ranked user, and so forth. The process terminates when the list of users of the social network is exhausted or the desired number of influencers on the influential person set is reached. |
| US08359275B2 |
System for knowledge creation
In order to establish a system that maximizes the creation and benefits of human knowledge for the most people, including the wealth knowledge generates, the nature of the knowledge creation process itself must be understood and embedded in the system. The invention is the system for enabling knowledge creation and the wealth knowledge generates in which participants retain ownership to his or her knowledge and most of the wealth the knowledge generates. |
| US08359273B2 |
Secured authentication method for providing services on a data transmisson Network
A method for accessing a service on a network, via a user terminal (30), includes a subscription phase wherein: a container is generated, including a first set of authentication data for accessing the service and a second set of useful data relating to access rights to the service the first and second sets of data being encrypted, the container is transmitted securely from the user terminal, and an access phase wherein: the container is transmitted securely from the terminal to a management server connected to the network, during a request for access, after decryption of the constituent data of the container, the server verifies the validity of the first set of data and, in the event that verification is successful, authorizes access to the service for its execution, based on the access rights. |
| US08359269B2 |
Internet billing method
Equipment of a provider performs operations including facilitating establishment of first communications between the equipment of the provider and equipment of a purchasing customer to establish a billing arrangement, facilitating establishment of second communications with equipment of a selling vendor to establish a remitting arrangement, enabling the equipment of the purchasing customer to communicate with the equipment of the selling vendor by way of the equipment of the provider, obtaining transactional information relating to a purchase transaction initiated by the equipment purchasing customer, where the purchase transaction results in a billing account of the purchasing customer being charged a first fee, and initiating a remittance of a second fee with the equipment of the selling vendor Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08359263B1 |
Loan product with convertible payment terms
Apparatus and methods for converting a scheduled loan payment between a composite amount and an interest-only amount. A scheduled loan payment may be converted between a composite amount and an interest-only amount. The composite amount may have a first component that includes outstanding principle and a second component that includes interest based on the outstanding principle. Loan payments in the composite amount may be received for a period of time. Upon request by the customer for activation of a payment schedule conversion feature, subsequent scheduled loan payments may be converted from composite payments to interest-only payments. After the payment schedule conversion feature is deactivated, the apparatus and methods may convert subsequent loan payments from interest-only back to a composite amount. Conversion to interest-only payments may be subject to satisfaction of lending risk attenuation criteria. |
| US08359260B2 |
Trade execution methods and systems
One embodiment of the present invention relates to securities trading using electronic systems. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer implemented trade execution method, comprising: sending from an execution venue to each of a plurality of smart order routers a notification message; receiving at each of the smart order routers the notification message sent thereto, wherein the notification message notifies each of the smart order routers about the presence of a non-displayed priced order at the execution venue; sending from at least one of the smart order routers to the execution venue at least one order to execute against the non-displayed priced order; receiving at the execution venue each order sent from each of the smart order routers; and executing at least one order received from at least one of the smart order routers against the non-displayed priced order. |
| US08359257B2 |
Method and system for processing data related to a deferred annuity with available benefit payments and a deferral bonus
A computer implemented data processing system and method administers a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity contract has a payment base value, a contract value, and benefit payments. A maximum annual benefit payment withdrawal amount available without reducing the payment base value is calculated by multiplying the payment base value by a factor including a deferral bonus percent, which is a function of a number of years deferred by the relevant life until taking a first lifetime benefit payment. |
| US08359256B1 |
Short sale information
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for short sale information. Short sale information, including short interest in a security, from at least one source is stored in a database. Short sale volumes of shares are calculated for the security by summing a volume of shares associated with each short sale for each time unit during a time period. A graph is generated by plotting each short sale volume of shares associated with a time unit on a horizontal axis, plotting volume of shares on one vertical axis, and plotting a closing price for the security for each time unit on another vertical axis. A report that includes the graph is output via a user interface to an investor, prompting the investor to purchase security shares based on the graph depicting an increase in the short sale volume of shares and a corresponding decrease in the closing price. |
| US08359252B2 |
Method and apparatus for pricing securities
The invention provides computer-implemented techniques and systems for parsimoniously modelling the price or value, expected rate of return or other relevant characteristics of securities issued by, or referenced to, firms (or other assets) by incorporating risk premia such that a range of different securities can be evaluated within a single, unified and coherent framework, thereby leading to significant reduction in the computing resources otherwise required. |
| US08359249B2 |
Storage locker
In an embodiment, articles are left in storage areas, such as lockers or other receptacles that may be associated with a household services company. A divided storage receptacle is discussed. The receptacle is divided by an angled plane such that the top portion may be used to hang clothes of various lengths thereby utilizing the space efficiently. |
| US08359241B2 |
System and method for bidding on contingency-based matters
A system comprises a web server for posting matters of clients for bidding by contingency professionals, e.g., contingency lawyers and/or judgment collectors; a client matter engine for enabling a particular client to post a particular matter and to select a particular contingency professional bidding on the particular matter to handle the particular matter; a professional bidding engine for enabling the particular contingency professional to review at least a portion of the posted matters and to bid on the particular matter; and a bidding exchange engine for enabling the particular client and the particular contingency professional to communicate without exchanging direct contact information. |
| US08359240B2 |
Automating inventory management of consumer items
A method and system for automating the management of an inventory of consumer items at a consumer location uses a programmed device that accepts input data and executes control logic for automating inventory management. At least one shopping list is received, a shopping list trend is established, and a smart list is generated with the control logic, in accordance with the shopping list trend, such that the smart list predictive of a next shopping list. |
| US08359238B1 |
Grouping user features based on performance measures
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing metric values for one or more online advertising spaces for placing one or more online advertisements; generating a first user variable subgroup and a second user variable subgroup from a user variable group; deriving first metric values for the first user variable subgroup; deriving second metric values for the second user variable subgroup; for each of the online advertising metrics, using a particular statistical model to calculate a statistical score based on the first and second metric values with respect to the online advertising metric and the first and second user variable subgroups; performing a split test on the first user variable subgroup and the second user variable subgroup; and splitting the user variable group into two separate user variable groups if the first and second variable subgroups pass the split test. |
| US08359236B1 |
Privacy-sensitive cookies
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client. |
| US08359228B2 |
Agent feedback tool
An agent feedback tool includes an agent feedback database and an agent feedback module. The agent feedback module may include a vendor identification program, an agent feedback settings program, an agent feedback program, an agent reporting program, an agent summary program, and an agent profile program. The agent feedback module communicates with the agent feedback database to store mapping records and details relating to agents, vendors, vendor-specific locations, and feedback for the agents. The agent feedback program is operative to autopopulate one or more fields shown in an agent feedback graphical user interface by referring to mapping records stored in the agent feedback database. |
| US08359224B2 |
Systems and/or methods for identifying service candidates based on service identification indicators and associated algorithms
Certain example embodiments relate to algorithmic and/or programmatic approaches to identifying service candidates from among business process functions. In certain example embodiments, a method of analyzing functions of a business process model for possible exposure as service capabilities in a service-oriented business process system (SO-BPS) is provided. A business process model defined by a plurality of objects is received, with each said object having metadata attributes associated therewith. Business process analysis intelligence is obtained at design time for each said object. Process performance intelligence at run time is obtained for each said object. Indicators corresponding to the design time and run time gathered intelligence are stored together with the metadata attributes for the corresponding object. Via at least one processor of the SO-BPS, an overall service candidate algorithm is applied to the stored indicators to arrive at a total service eligibility value for each process function in the model. |
| US08359223B2 |
Intelligent management of virtualized resources for cloud database systems
Systems and methods are disclosed to manage resources in a cloud-based computing system by generating a model of a relationship between cloud database resources and an expected profit based on cloud-server system parameters and service level agreements (SLAs) that indicates profits for different system performances, wherein the model comprises a two level optimization/control problem, wherein model receives system metrics, number of replicas, and arrival rate as the multiple input; and dynamically adjusting resource allocation among different customers based on current customer workload and the expected profit to maximize the expected profit for a cloud computing service provider. |
| US08359221B2 |
Systems and methods for personnel monitoring and management
The systems and methods for providing an integrated means for monitoring, managing and auditing employees performance at a workplace or job site, such as monitoring the time worked by the employees, ensuring employee compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and coordinating and assigning duties to be performed by the employees. Each employee may be provided with a mobile wireless device in communication with the system to provide alerts of potential or actual violations, notifications of any change in duties or position, and notification of time clock status (i.e., time to take a break, time to clock in, etc.). |
| US08359219B2 |
Systems and methods for routing callers to an agent in a contact center
Methods are disclosed for routing callers to agents in a contact center, along with an intelligent routing system. One or more agents are graded on achieving an optimal interaction, such as increasing revenue, decreasing cost, or increasing customer satisfaction. Callers are then preferentially routed to a graded agent to obtain an increased chance at obtaining a chosen optimal interaction. In a more advanced embodiment, caller and agent demographic and psychographic characteristics can also be determined and used in a pattern matching algorithm to preferentially route a caller with certain characteristics to an agent with certain characteristics to increase the chance of an optimal interaction. |
| US08359216B2 |
System and method for finding business transformation opportunities by using a multi-dimensional shortfall analysis of an enterprise
A method and system for determining one or more shortfalls of one or more business components by multiple dimensions for business transformation, in one aspect define a plurality of shortfall types associated with a plurality of business components, define a plurality of dimensions of the plurality of business components, construct a shortfall assessment model for the plurality of dimensions, load a business model associated with the plurality of business components, compute shortfall assessment by performing a daisy chain analysis using the shortfall assessment model and the business model for said plurality of shortfalls and associated shortfall types, and presenting the shortfall assessment using visualization. |
| US08359213B2 |
System and method for administering telematics based reinsurance pools
A data processing system includes a processor that is configured for determining a percentage share to assign a share of relative risk in an insurance pool between an insurer, a first safety vendor and at least one other safety vendor. The processor is further configured to allocate portions of the insurance pool among the insurer and the safety vendors according to the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors, to aggregate by the insurer loss information related to the insurance pool, and transmit the loss information to the safety vendors. Also, the processor is configured to allocate portions of a claim liability or a received premium associated with the insurance pool among the insurer and the safety vendors according to the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors. The data processing system also includes a memory for storing the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors. |
| US08359212B2 |
System and method for processing data related to longevity insurance
The present invention provides a life insurance product known as longevity insurance. Longevity insurance mitigates longevity risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of longevity insurance guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a later date, which may be utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated assets. |
| US08359211B2 |
System and method for active insurance underwriting using intelligent IP-addressable devices
A system and method are disclosed herein for maintaining an inventory of assets located at an insured property covered under an insurance policy based on data received from IP-addressable devices located at the property. The system includes an inventory database for storing inventory information about assets located at an insured property, a communication interface for receiving registration and operational data associated with an IP-addressable device, and a business logic computer. The business logic computer creates a data structure for storing inventory information about assets located at the insured property in the inventory database for each insured property. The business logic computer determines, for the insured property, the inventory information about the insured property's assets based on registration and operational data received from its IP-addressable devices located at the property. The business logic computer stores the insured property's inventory information in its associated data structure in the inventory database. |
| US08359210B1 |
Method and system for providing healthcare expense payment recommendations
A method and system for providing healthcare expense payment recommendations whereby a computing system implemented data management system, such as a computing system implemented healthcare expense management system is provided and the computing system implemented data management system obtains data indicating that a given healthcare consumer utilizing the computing system implemented data management system has access to a healthcare expense account. The given healthcare consumer incurs a healthcare expense that is potentially eligible for payment using the healthcare expense account. The potentially eligible healthcare expense is then identified by the computing system implemented data management system and the healthcare consumer is prompted to consider using the healthcare expense account to pay the potentially eligible healthcare expense. |
| US08359205B2 |
Methods and apparatus to perform audio watermarking and watermark detection and extraction
Methods and apparatus to audio watermarking and watermark detection and extracted are described herein. An example method includes receiving a media content signal, sampling the media content signal to generate samples, storing the samples in a buffer, determining a first sequence of samples in the buffer, determining a second sequence of samples in the buffer, wherein the second sequence of samples is of substantially equal length as the first sequence of samples, calculating an average of the first sequence of samples and the second sequence of samples to generate an average sequence of samples, extracting an identifier from the average sequence of samples, and storing the identifier in a tangible memory. |
| US08359201B1 |
Randomized language models
Systems, methods, and apparatuses including computer program products are provided for encoding and using a language model. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes generating a compact language model, including receiving a collection of n-grams, each n-gram having one or more associated parameter values, determining a fingerprint for each n-gram of the collection of n-grams, identifying locations in an array for each n-gram using a plurality of hash functions, and encoding the one or more parameter values associated with each n-gram in the identified array locations as a function of corresponding array values and the fingerprint for the n-gram. |
| US08359200B2 |
Generating profiles of words
Generating a profile of a word, including: receiving the word including at least one phoneme; determining the at least one phoneme in the word; selecting at least one characteristic for each of the determined at least one phoneme in the word using a dictionary of sound symbolism rules; and generating the profile of the word by combining all of the selected at least one characteristic for the at least one phoneme. |
| US08359197B2 |
Half-rate vocoder
Encoding a sequence of digital speech samples into a bit stream includes dividing the digital speech samples into one or more frames, computing model parameters for a frame, and quantizing the model parameters to produce pitch bits conveying pitch information, voicing bits conveying voicing information, and gain bits conveying signal level information. One or more of the pitch bits are combined with one or more of the voicing bits and one or more of the gain bits to create a first parameter codeword that is encoded with an error control code to produce a first FEC codeword that is included in a bit stream for the frame. The process may be reversed to decode the bit stream. |
| US08359193B2 |
Pre-highlighting text in a semantic highlighting system
A method, computer system and/or computer program product pre-highlight text that is located in a search. A text highlight and a triple statement semantic annotation based on the text highlight of a first document are received. The triple statement semantic annotation comprises a subject, a relationship and an object. A natural language processing (NLP) pattern based on the triple statement semantic annotation is generated. The NLP pattern is representative of a linguistic pattern between the text highlight and the triple statement semantic annotation. A multi-dimensional linguistic profile is generated based on the text highlight, the triple statement semantic annotation and the NLP pattern, wherein the multi-dimensional linguistic profile defines entities, relationships and attributes associated with document text. Text in a second document is compared with the multi-dimensional linguistic profile, and text in the second document is highlighted based on the comparison. |
| US08359188B2 |
Network-based systems and methods for providing access to remote language services assets
Systems and methods for providing access to remote language services assets. Deployed first responders access an electronic communications hub using a portable communication device. The communication hub provides the first responder with an interface through which language services assistance may be requested. A data processing facility communicatively coupled to the communications hub may receive the request and, using one or more data analysis routines, select an appropriate language services asset from a pool of available assets. The electronic communications hub may then connect the responder's communication device to the selected language services asset. The pool of available language services assets may be distributed across a wide area network (WAN). |
| US08359186B2 |
Method for delay immune and accelerated evaluation of digital circuits by compiling asynchronous completion handshaking means
An RTL hardware description language simulation accelerator and circuit emulator which operates on data driven asynchronous completion handshaking principles. Deploying Muller C elements to control latches, the system does not depend on externally provided clocks or internal timing circuits with delay logic or clock generators. Each levelized domain of logic signals a successor level to begin execution of instructions with a level complete message produced when all its input operands have produced a completion message. Each predecessor stage holds back data production until the successor stage is ready. Each levelized data-driven asynchronous domain evaluation processor is self-timed receiving completion messages from its predecessors, and sending completion messages to its successors. |
| US08359185B2 |
Reservoir simulation of giant subsurface reservoirs with accelerated phase equilibrium determination
A computer system analyzes data from giant subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs which are organized into a number of component cells and simulates the conditions in the reservoirs based on determination of thermodynamic phase equilibrium using equation of state (EOS) modeling. The computer system takes the form of a heterogeneous (hybrid) computer environment which includes computer processor units (or CPU's) and graphical processing units (or GPU's). The system takes advantage of computational acceleration capabilities of the graphical processing units while utilizing the computer processing units for execution control, input/output of data and memory. Processing time requirements are reduced by more than an order of magnitude speed improvement over existing methods. |
| US08359183B1 |
System and method for identifying and reducing model complexities affecting model verification
An embodiment includes a computer-readable media storing instructions that when executed on processing logic execute a process for reducing complexity. The media stores instructions for identifying data dependencies in a model having executable semantics, the data dependencies affecting verification of the model and for selecting a location in the model, the location having data dependencies with other locations in the model, the location to be verified when the model is verified. The media also stores instructions for detecting complexities in the model, the complexities related to the selected location and presenting information about a source for at least one of the complexities. The media further stores instructions for eliminating the source for the at least one of the complexities and for transforming the model into an updated model based on the eliminating, the updated model not including the source for the at least one of the complexities. |
| US08359181B2 |
Fast clustering of position data for user profiling
A method of position clustering includes maintaining a set of clusters by storing a rectangular boundary of each cluster in the set of clusters, a centroid within each cluster, and a number of the points within each cluster. The method further includes adding a point to a cluster in the set of clusters when the cluster bounds the point by adjusting the rectangular boundary of the cluster, the centroid within the cluster, and the number of the points within the cluster. |
| US08359180B2 |
Thermal analysis apparatus
To avoid an influence on measurement accuracy in a case where an observation window for a measurement sample is provided to a thermal analysis apparatus, the influence being imposed by thermal conduction through the observation window, the observation window is formed of layers of transparent members, and a gap layer is provided between the layers, to thereby reduce the thermal conduction. Gas or solid having a high heat insulation property is employed for the gap layer to further enhance a heat insulation property of the observation window. Accordingly, a change due to heating of the measurement sample is visually observed in the thermal analysis apparatus, to thereby obtain a thermal change or a physical change with higher accuracy. |
| US08359177B2 |
Multicarrier reflectometry device and method for on-line diagnosis of at least one transmission line
A multi-carrier reflectometry device and method for on-line diagnosis of at least one transmission line. The device includes: a transmission part that includes successively: a module for parameterizing a test signal SF, such that: sF=[0,c1ejθ1,c2ejθ2, . . . ,CN/2-1ejθN/2-1,CN/2,CN/2-1ejθN/2-1,cN/2-2ejθN/2-2, . . . ,c1ejθ1]T, a module for synthesizing the test signal by inverse discrete Fourier transform, and a digital to analog converter, connected to the line; and a detection part that includes successively: an analog to digital converter connected to this transmission line, a discrete Fourier transform module, and an analysis module containing a deconvolution module, which also receives the test signal sF. |
| US08359173B2 |
System and methods for dynamic power estimation for a digital circuit
A method for dynamic timing-dependent power estimation for a digital circuit having coupled interconnects and at least two gates. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of capturing information on relative switching activities and timing dependence for the coupled interconnects in the digital circuit, estimating the probabilities associated with switching activities and timing dependence for each gate in the digital circuit from the captured information, and obtaining dynamic power estimation of the digital circuit from the estimations of the probabilities. |
| US08359163B2 |
Estimating fluid flow in a reservoir
The present disclosure relates to a method to improve the performance of reservoir simulators, and to widen the range of systems that can efficiently be modeled. The present disclosure relates to determining fluid flow in a subsurface reservoir. One embodiment divides the reservoir into discrete volume elements. Fluid within the volume elements is represented, for example, by it pressure, saturation, and/or composition. For one or more fluid phases comprising the fluid, the potential for each volume element is determined. The volume elements are ordered according to their potentials for each phase comprising the fluid. A local, fully coupled time-step sequence is determined using a local conservation solution based on the potential ordering of and for each fluid phase. The fluid flow is determined using a global conservation solution based on the local, fully coupled time-step sequence. |
| US08359160B2 |
Method for the operation of a navigation device
The present invention relates to a method for operating a navigation device comprising an input device into which operating commands and/or location data, especially start data and/or destination data, can be entered, a road network database, a route calculation unit for calculating and storing a planned route taking into account the location data and the road network database, a signal receiving unit for receiving position signals, particularly GPS signals, a position determining unit for determining the current position of a vehicle, and a display device. In embodiments, the method comprises the following steps: a) the current vehicle position is determined taking into account the received position signals; b) a route preview is calculated which represents at least one section of the planned route as a film sequence, starting from the current vehicle position; c) the route preview is displayed. |
| US08359155B2 |
Vehicle driving operation support apparatus/method and vehicle
A motor vehicle includes a vehicle driving operation support system. The vehicle driving operation support system senses an environment surrounding the motor vehicle; senses a traveling condition of the motor vehicle; calculates a risk potential of the motor vehicle on a basis of the sensed environment and the sensed traveling condition; controls the motor vehicle on a basis of a control setpoint. The vehicle driving operation support system sets on a basis of the calculated risk potential the control setpoint to a provisional setpoint effective for reducing the risk potential; senses driver's operation in reaction to the controlling operation with the control setpoint set to the provisional setpoint; and sets the control setpoint to a normal setpoint on a basis of the sensed driver's operation. |
| US08359154B2 |
Systems and method for determining propellant mass and center of gravity for a space-based asset
A system for determining a propellant content and a center of gravity in a three-axis stabilized spacecraft includes a ranging device that is coupled to an interior of a propellant tank of the spacecraft. The ranging device is configured to receive a ranging echo to facilitate determining a location of a membrane within the propellant tank. |
| US08359149B2 |
Method for integrating multiple feature adaptive cruise control
The velocity of a vehicle is controlled according a cruise control system that has a plurality of cruise control features. Each of the cruise control features has a current desired velocity requirement which can be used to determine a single current desired velocity for controlling the vehicle. A future desired velocity requirement can be predicted for each of the cruise control features over a time period. Vehicle acceleration can be determined from the difference of the current desired velocity and the predicted future velocity for controlling the velocity and acceleration of the vehicle to the predicted future velocity. |
| US08359141B1 |
Calibrated farming system
An apparatus, method and tangible medium using row sensing for calibrating geographical positions for guiding a farm implement and calibrated geographical positions for steering a vehicle along a row. |
| US08359140B2 |
Pedal lock control device for work vehicle
A pedal lock control device for work vehicle includes: a motor driving device that drives a travel hydraulic motor in response to an operation amount of a travel pedal; a locking device that locks the travel pedal in a state of being operated; an instruction device that instructs lock and unlock of the travel pedal by the locking device upon an operation by an operator; a first detection device that detects a first signal change according to an unlock operation which is an operation that reflects an intention of an operator to release the locking device and is other than an unlock operation by the instruction device; a second detection device that detects a second signal change according to an unlock operation which is an operation that reflects an intention of an operator to release the locking device and is other than the unlock operation by the instruction device, with the second signal change being different from the first signal change; and a lock control device that unlocks the locking device when an unlock operation is detected by at least one of the first detection device and the second detection device in a state where the travel pedal is locked by the locking device. |
| US08359137B2 |
Method and device for operating a motor vehicle
For the operation of a motor vehicle (2), when a critical (CRIT) operation state (STATE) of the motor vehicle (2) and/or a drive system (4) of the motor vehicle (2) is detected in which an operation error (ERROR) can occur, a driver of the motor vehicle (2) is signaled (SIG) that there is a critical (CRIT) operation state (STATE). When the operation error (ERROR) occurs, the system is switched into a limited operation (LIMIT) of the drive system (4). |
| US08359133B2 |
Engine power elevation and active battery charge energy management strategies for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery configured to respectively deliver engine power and battery power to provide a total output power for powering the vehicle includes the following. An elevated engine power which falls within a total output power range where only engine power without battery power may be delivered to power the vehicle in response to a driver demand power and which is greater than the combination of the driver demand power and vehicle powering losses is determined. The engine delivers the elevated engine power in response to the driver demand power. The extra engine power is transferred to the battery for the battery to buffer. |
| US08359132B2 |
System and method for optimizing use of a battery
A battery optimization system and method for regulating and discharging a battery so as to optimize the use of the battery in accordance with the user's preference is provided. The battery optimization system includes a power source, a charging/discharging station connecting the battery with the power source, and a controller in communication with the charging/discharging station. The battery optimization system further includes an input operable to provide the user's preferences. The controller is also in communication with the battery and is operable to process battery and power source information along with user input to calculate an optimal charging/discharging cycle. The charging/discharging cycle is configured to charge or discharge the battery so as to optimize the use of the battery based upon the end user's preference. For instance, the calculated optimal charging/discharging cycle may be based upon the user's desire to maximize the life of the battery, or to charge the battery as inexpensively as possible. |
| US08359130B2 |
Method and device for attenuating on an aircraft the effects of a vertical turbulence
Disclosed are a method and device for attenuating vertical turbulence encountered by an aircraft during flight. Incorporated into the method and device is a wind determination device, which is used to determine a vertical wind component existing outside the aircraft. A severity level determination unit is used to determine a severity level of the vertical wind component determined by the wind determination device. A control unit calculates at least one control order based on the vertical wind component determined by the wind determination device. In addition, the control unit determines the actual existence of activation conditions determined according to the severity level determined by the severity level determination unit. Upon verifying the activation conditions, the control unit transmits the control order to at least one actuator of the at least one controllable movable member. |
| US08359127B2 |
Server and method of controlling automated guided vehicles
A server communicates with one or more work machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) via a wireless network. When receiving a request signal for desired material, the server analyzes the request signal to determine a location of the work machine, and searches for an AGV according to basic information of a production scene stored a storage device. The server further generates a control command according to the location of the work machine, a starting location of the searched AGV, and arrangement information of AGV tracks obtained from the basic information, and controls the searched AGV to move to the location of the work machine according to the control command, to delivered the desired material carried by the searched AGV to the work machine. |
| US08359125B2 |
Energy management system to reduce the loss of excess energy generation
Systems and devices for, and methods of, adaptive local energy storage capacity by changing operating set points of regulated energy load devices based on the presence, or absence, of an excess of available, generated energy. |
| US08359117B2 |
Substrate processing system
Provided is a substrate processing system configured to provide proper data. The substrate processing system comprises a substrate processing apparatus comprising a plurality of components, a controller configured to control the substrate processing apparatus by setting a sequence prescribing time and components, and a collection unit configured to collect data from the components. The collection unit is configured to match data collected from the components via the controller with data collected directly from the components. |
| US08359115B2 |
Method for manipulating a dental virtual model, method for creating physical entities based on a dental virtual model thus manipulated, and dental models thus created
A 3D virtual model of an intra oral cavity in which at least a part of a finish line of a preparation is obscured is manipulated in virtual space by means of a computer or the like to create, recreate or reconstruct finish line data and other geometrical corresponding to the obscured part. Trimmed virtual models, and trimmed physical models, can then be created utilizing data thus created. The virtual models and/or the physical models may be used in the design and manufacture of copings or of prostheses. |
| US08359114B2 |
Haptically enabled dental modeling system
The invention provides a digital dentistry system that utilizes a haptic interface and features a computer-based design application configured to allow the intuitive construction of irregular, amorphous three-dimensional structures typically seen in dental restorations, utilizing, where appropriate, the design skills of a user. In certain embodiments, the system provides a comprehensive digital solution for dental labs in the business of creating dental restorations such as partial frameworks, crowns, copings, bridge frameworks, implants and the like, with a sense of touch provided by a haptic interface device. |
| US08359112B2 |
Method for redundant controller synchronization for bump-less failover during normal and program mismatch conditions
The present invention relates generally to process control systems and devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus for and a method of implementing redundant controller synchronization for bump-less failover during normal and mismatch conditions at the redundant controllers. The redundant controllers are configured to transmit state information of the process control areas of the primary controller to the backup controller that is necessary for synchronizing the redundant controllers but is not typically transmitted to other devices during the performance of process control functions. Synchronization messages are transmitted from the primary controller to the backup controller each time one of the control areas executes to perform process control functions. In other aspects, the redundant controllers are configured to determine state information at the backup controller from other process control network information during a failover of the primary controller where a mismatch condition exists between the control areas of the two controllers during the downloading of reconfigurations, and to initialize the backup controller at startup when the mismatch condition exists. |
| US08359111B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a distributed automation system
A method and an apparatus for controlling a distributed automation system, wherein the method comprises determining global constraint rules according to the cooperative relationships between function blocks in the distributed automation system, and establishing a mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus, performing the instantiation of the established mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus according to an executor corresponding to each of the function blocks in the distributed automation system, so as to produce control logics for output to the distributed automation system. If disturbance information is received from the distributed automation system, altering the parameters of the instantiation of the mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus are altered using the disturbance information, so as to produce control logics for outputting to said distributed automation system. The present invention is capable of effectively dealing with all types of unpredictable disturbances, thus improving the adaptability thereof. |
| US08359110B2 |
Methods and systems for fault diagnosis in observation rich systems
Diagnostic systems and methods are presented for determining the current condition of a production plant and the resources thereof, in which successively more complex diagnostic abstractions are used to determine the plant condition, with a more complex abstraction being selected when the most recently selected diagnostic abstraction is logically inconsistent with the current fault status indications. |
| US08359108B2 |
Apparatus and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea
The present invention describes an apparatus, a system and a method for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment involves monitoring the position of the tongue and/or the force exerted by the tongue and electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue into an anterior position or to maintain the tongue in an anterior position. |
| US08359107B2 |
Electrode design for leads of implantable electric stimulation systems and methods of making and using
A lead includes a lead body with a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of terminals are disposed at the proximal end of the lead body. A plurality of electrodes are disposed at the distal end of the lead body. Each electrode includes an electrode body and at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member couples to the electrode body and extends into the lead body and beneath the electrode body to anchor the electrode to the lead body. A plurality of conductive wires electrically couple the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals. |
| US08359106B2 |
Cold plasma bonding of polymeric tubing in implantable medical devices
Adhesiveless direct bonding between polymeric tubular members assembled with an interference fit using an oxidative cold gas plasma treatment, and implantable medical leads manufactured in part using a cold gas plasma bonding process are disclosed. An illustrative method includes subjecting a number of polymeric tubular members to an oxidative cold gas plasma, creating an oxygen rich layer on each of the tubular members. The treated surfaces of the tubular members are assembled together, forming a direct bond along an overlapping region between the tubular members when in conformal contact with each other. |
| US08359104B2 |
RF cosmetic rejuvenation device and procedure
An electrode especially useful for RF skin tightening procedures is characterized by an active front that is conical in part with the conical surface having a cone angle that is shallower than the corresponding angle in known electrodes. Preferably, the electrode of the invention has a conical section whose surface forms an angle greater than 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the electrode, and the outside diameter of the conical section is greater than 50% of the overall outside diameter of the electrode. |
| US08359103B2 |
Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. |
| US08359099B2 |
Torque wrench actuated open passage septum
A septum for use in an implantable pulse generator. The septum includes a soft sealing material and a hard inner portion or core having a set of lips. The lips are exposed outside the soft sealing material and act to displace the sealing material when a force is applied, for example from a tool used to tighten or loosen a set screw, enlarging a slit, seam or slot into a passageway through the septum. |
| US08359098B2 |
Implantable medical device with exposed generator
An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material. |
| US08359092B2 |
Determining locations of ganglia and plexi in the heart using complex fractionated atrial electrogram
Software and apparatus are provided to automatically detect and map ganglionated plexi that are found within areas of complex fractionated electrograms in cardiac chambers. Electrogram signal are analyzed to count the number of complexes whose amplitude and peak-to-peak intervals meet certain criteria. Functional maps indicating a spatial distribution of the ganglionated plexi and the relative numbers of complex fractionated electrograms are produced for display. |
| US08359089B2 |
Reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram from far field signals extracted of an endocardial electrogram
Reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram from far field signals extracted from an endocardial electrogram in an active medical device is disclosed. The device collects a ventricular EGM signal (EGMV) and an atrial EGM signal (EGMA), and extracts a ventricular far field signal component (FFV) and an atrial far field signal component (FFA). The ventricular and atrial far field signal components are combined to deliver as an output a reconstructed surface electrogram ECG signal (ECGj*). The ventricular and atrial far field signals are respectively extracted from the collected ventricular and atrial EGM signals (FFV, FFA). The reconstruction of the ECG is operated by ventricular (18) and atrial (16) far field signal estimator filters. According to one embodiment, the far field signal estimator filters are linear or nonlinear filters, receiving as input the far field signal components. An adder (20) adds the filtered signals and delivers as output the reconstructed ECG signal (ECGj*). |
| US08359087B2 |
Liquid injector with appropriate operating conditions set by selecting displayed image
A liquid injector stores data of operating conditions of a liquid injection mechanism for regions to be imaged, and also stores data of schematic images of a plurality of body sections and schematic images of regions to be imaged in association with each other. The liquid injector displays the schematic images in the shape of a human body. When one of the schematic images of the corresponding regions is selected, the liquid injector reads the data of corresponding operating conditions, and controls operation of the liquid injection mechanism according to the read operating conditions. When the operator manually selects one of the schematic images of the body sections and then manually selects one of the schematic images of the corresponding regions, the liquid injector automatically injects a contrast medium into the subject under operating conditions corresponding to the selected region to be imaged. |
| US08359083B2 |
Microelectrode array system with integrated reference microelectrodes to reduce detected electrical noise and improve selectivity of activation
A microelectrode array system used to sense physiological signals and stimulate physiological tissue to form signals is disclosed. The array includes a dielectric substrate and a two dimensional array of signal microelectrodes substantially perpendicular to and integrated on the dielectric substrate. At least one reference microelectrode is located adjacent to and integrated with the signal microelectrodes on the dielectric substrate. The reference microelectrodes are positioned on the dielectric substrate relative to the signal microelectrodes to enable a reduced level of electrical noise to be detected between the reference microelectrodes and the recording microelectrodes. |
| US08359076B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device having improved antenna impedance match and antenna gain from RF energy
A mobile wireless communications device and associated method of making same includes a housing and circuit board having a ground plane. Radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor are carried by the circuit board and operative with each other. An antenna is carried by the housing and operative with the RF circuitry. Audio circuitry is carried by the circuit board and operative with the RF circuitry and processor. An audio transducer assembly such as a receiver is carried by the circuit board and engages audio circuitry for carrying audio signals between the audio circuitry and speaker. A filter is mounted at the speaker for blocking RF energy from the antenna through the speaker to the ground plane and decoupling the antenna from the speaker and any other components on the circuit board to minimize any detuning of antenna impedance match and degradation in antenna gain. |
| US08359067B2 |
Radio frequency device and mobile communication terminal using the same
There is provided a radio frequency circuit device for multi-band and multi-mode which is low in a circuit loss, and a mobile communication terminal using the radio frequency circuit device. The radio frequency circuit device has a first path 110 that includes an amplifier 10a that amplifies signals of at least two modulation techniques in power, a matching network 20 that is connected to the amplifier and a duplexer 50 and allows the matching network to be coupled with an antenna, and a second path 111 that does not include the duplexer and allows the matching network to be coupled with the antenna. The first path is selected when the amplifier amplifies one of the signals of at least two modulation techniques, and the second path is selected when the amplifier amplifies another signal. An output impedance of the amplifier is matched with an impedance when viewing the antenna side from the amplifier in the first path and the second path. |
| US08359065B2 |
Methods and systems for providing efficient operation of multiple modes in a WLAN system
A method and apparatus that applies medium access control (MAC) transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection for multiple mode operation in a WLAN system. In particular, MAC mechanisms are defined to support multiple mode CTS frames, and multiple mode CF-End frames sent by the AP, each in a format appropriate for the corresponding mode which may also apply to a single mode. MAC mechanisms permit truncation of TXOP duration for releasing the unused portion of the TXOP when no further data for transmission is available. Release of unused protected TXOP is possible for both protected AP transmissions and STA transmissions. |
| US08359061B2 |
Radio communication system, radio terminal, base station, and base station search method
A wireless communication system includes a wireless terminal and a plurality of base stations that can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication path that is different from the wireless communication path to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal transmits a request signal to one of the base stations to request a response signal from another base station. The one base station transfers the received request signal to the other base station via the predetermined communication path. Upon reception of the request signal transferred from the one base station, the second base station transmits a response signal to the wireless terminal via the predetermined channel. The wireless terminal receives the response signal transmitted from the second base station via the predetermined channel. |
| US08359060B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for managing transmission power in a wireless communication system
An apparatus, system, and method efficiently manage transmission power in a user equipment (UE) device by maintaining and applying an authorized power level to determine a transmission power level after a power limited transmission and before a new power control command has been received. The UE device maintains the authorized power level by monitoring and adjusting the authorized power level based on received power control commands. After a power limited transmission where the maximum power level is less than the authorized power level, the UE device determines the transmission power level for the next transmission based on the authorized power level. Accordingly, after the power limiting situation has ceased, the UE device transmits at the optimum power level eliminating the inefficiencies of transmitting at a lower than authorized power before the next power control command is received. |
| US08359059B2 |
Method of controlling uplink power in wireless communication system
A method of controlling uplink power in a wireless communication system includes receiving a power control message including parameters for uplink power control from a base station, and controlling uplink power based on the power control message, wherein the uplink power is determined according to a target SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio), the target SINR is determined by a minimum rate SINR required at the base station and a control factor for noise and interference. Transmission power of signal can be more accurately controlled and an influence of an inter-cell interference or a path loss can be reduced to thus improve quality of service of the wireless communication system. |
| US08359056B2 |
Efficiently controlling enhanced dedicated physical data channel transmission rate to reduce rate setup time during active set update
A user data transmission method for transmitting uplink user data via an E-DPDCH, including: determining, at a radio network controller, that the mobile station transmitting the E-DPDCH to only a first cell transmits the E-DPDCH to the first cell and a second cell; notifying, at the radio network controller, E-RGCH decoding information for decoding a E-RGCH for the uplink user data to be transmitted by the second cell, to the mobile station based on the determination; transmitting, at the mobile station, the E-DPDCH to the first cell and the second cell, after the E-RGCH decoding information is received; and decoding, at the mobile station, the E-RGCH from the second cell based on the relative transmission rate control channel decoding information, and controlling the transmission rate of the uplink user data based on a relative transmission rate for the uplink user data which is notified by the decoded E-RGCH. |
| US08359055B2 |
Transmission power control method, and radio network controller
A transmission power control method for controlling a transmission power of an E-DPCCH, includes: determining, at a radio network controller, that a mobile station transmitting the E-DPCCH to only a first cell transmits the E-DPCCH to the first cell and a second cell; determining, at the radio network controller, an E-DPCCH Transmission Power Offset which is an offset from a transmission power of a DPCCH based on the determination; notifying, at the radio network controller, the E-DPCCH Transmission Power Offset to the mobile station; determining, at the mobile station, the transmission power of the E-DPCCH to be transmitted to the first cell and the second cell, based on the notified E-DPCCH Transmission Power Offset; and transmitting, at the mobile station, the E-DPCCH to the first cell and the second cell using the determined transmission power. |
| US08359052B1 |
Transmit power adaptation algorithm using 802.11H
A first wireless device including a control module and a transmitter. The control module is configured to estimate a first path loss between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, estimate a second path loss between the first wireless device and the second wireless device, generate an absolute value of a difference between the first path loss and the second path loss, and compare the absolute value of the difference between the first path loss and the second path loss to a predetermined threshold. The transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal at the first minimum transmit power in response to the absolute value of the difference being less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and transmit the radio frequency signal at a second minimum transmit power in response to the absolute value being greater than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08359050B2 |
Mobile phone
A mobile phone which allows a user to continuously watch a television broadcast even if there is a call from the other party phone is provided. If a call comes from the other party phone in a state of displaying television image on a main display, the television audio output part 36 stops outputting television audio corresponding to the television image while the television image display part maintains display of the television image on the main display, wherein the character information display part 38 causes the main display to display caption corresponding to the television image. Therefore, the user is allowed to continuously watch the television broadcast on the basis of the television image and caption while communicating with the other party phone. |
| US08359047B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for paging an access terminal in a radio communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method, for paging an access terminal in a radio communication system. A message generator generates a quick paging message formed of page indication locations. Page indication values are populated in selected page indication locations of the message. A hash generator generates hash values that are determinative of the page indication locations that are populated with the page indication values. |
| US08359033B2 |
System and method of supporting packet-switched handover
A system and method of supporting packet-switched handover of a mobile station (MS) from a GERAN/UTRAN cell to a Generic Access Network (GAN) cell within a GAN. If the MS is within coverage of the GAN cell, the MS registers within the GAN triggering initiation of the packet-switched handover from the GERAN/UTRAN cell to the GAN cell. A preparation phase is then conducted for executing the packet-switched handover. The preparation phase includes identifying the MS context as part of the preparation phase and activating the GA-PSR TC towards the MS. Next, the packet-switched handover is executed, resulting in the MS switching to GAN mode. The MS then begins transferring packets via the GAN cell. The system and method also supports a packet-switched handover from the GAN cell to the GERAN/UTRAN cell. |
| US08359024B1 |
Notification and protection for wireless communication session drops
A communication system provides a wireless communication session to a user device over a forward link and a reverse link. A wireless network determines that drop notification and protection is effective for the session and detects session loss on the reverse link. The network transfers a session loss indication to the user device to over the forward link and transfers a protection notice to the other communication end-point. The user device receives the session loss indication over the forward link and notifies the user. The user device transfers recovery probes over the reverse link. The network detects session recovery on the reverse link and transfers a session recovery indication to the user device over the forward link. The network transfers a recovery notice to the communication end-point. The user device receives the session recovery indication over the forward link and notifies the user of the session recovery. |
| US08359022B2 |
Coordination of transmissions in wireless communications devices
Techniques for coordinating transmissions in wireless communications are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus includes a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and a control module. The first transceiver communicates across a wireless link of a first type, and the second transceiver communicates across a wireless link of a second type. Examples of such first and second types include cellular links and data networking links. The control module authorizes the second transceiver to send wireless transmission upon the occurrence of a compressed mode transmission gap allocated to the first transceiver. Moreover, during this transmission gap, the first transceiver refrains from sending wireless transmissions. |
| US08359019B2 |
Interaction analysis and prioritization of mobile content
A computer system having one or more non-transitory computer readable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the computer system, causes the one or more processors to prioritize a target mobile content by (a) receiving interaction information relating to the target mobile content accessed by a user of a first mobile communication facility; (b) receiving a datum associated with the first mobile communication facility, wherein the datum corresponds to geographic information relating to the mobile communication facility; (c) weighting the mobile content based at least in part on the interaction information and the geographic information relating to the mobile communication facility; and (d) providing the weight as a parameter for use in the prioritization of the target mobile content for presentation on a second mobile communication facility. |
| US08359018B2 |
System and method for operating intravendor and intervendor messaging systems
A system and method for enabling the operation of intervendor and intravendor messaging service systems within an operator network includes correctly routing data messages and handshaking messages between the various system components. In one aspect, the present invention uses the uniform resource identifier of a particular messaging system to route one or more handshaking messages from a target terminal to the particular messaging system. In another aspect, the present invention uses a message transaction identification embedded in the handshaking message to direct the handshaking message to the correct messaging service system. In one embodiment, the transaction identification is analyzed by a load balancing switch to determine the location of the particular messaging service system. In another embodiment, one or more of the several messaging service systems in the operator network are used to analyze the transaction identification to determine the location of the particular messaging service system. |
| US08359017B2 |
Mobile device caller ID extension
An extended display is provided for information based on caller ID during call notification for an incoming phone call on a mobile device. A system enables accessing scheduling information based on caller ID information for the incoming phone call. A contact is identified based on the caller ID information, and scheduling information related to the contact is displayed on the mobile device before the call is answered. |
| US08359015B2 |
Method of providing a call completion service to a not registered or not available user in a telecommunication network
A method is disclosed of providing a call completion service to a not registered or not available user (CCNReg):—sending (9-10) a SUBSCRIBE message, from the originating application server (AS1) to the terminating I-CSCF, —then sending (11) a Location Information Request (LIR), from the terminating I-CSCF towards the HSS, requesting information about the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then sending (12) a Location Info Answer (LIA) containing S-CSCF capabilities or/and name, from the HSS to the terminating I-CSCF,—then assigning (13) a S-CSCF, referred to as the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2), and forwarding the SUBSCRIBE message to said the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then sending (14) a Server Assignment Request (SAR) from the terminating (S-CSCF2) to the HSS,—then sending (15) a Server Assignment Answer (SAA) containing second user's profile info, from the HSS to the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then, forwarding (16) the SUBSCRIBE message to the terminating application server (AS2), for requiring to handle the CCNReg service),—and then sending (21-23) a NOTIFY with the indication that the CCNReg subscription to the CCNReg service is active, and that the CCNReg request for the first user (User A) to communicate with the second user (User B) has been queued. |
| US08359010B2 |
Interactive control of access to services and capabilities of a mobile device
A system device and method are provided which determine authorization for access to one or more services grouped together as a package of services without direct intervention of a wireless network provider or wired network access provider. This offers business proprietors, contractors for telecommunication services, service resellers, OEMs and service providers the ability to authorize users, particularly users of mobile communication terminals, hereafter referred to as the “Owner,” access to package services. In this way a large package of features and applications can be available to a mobile device, but access to those features and applications can be controlled by the Owner thus providing the Owner with control over expenses related to accessing those features and applications. It also provides the Owner the ability to secure and prevent unauthorized access to features and applications which could allow an unauthorized user access to sensitive data and equipment. |
| US08359007B2 |
System and method for communicating media center
A method for communicating media content is disclosed. The method includes receiving in a server a request for a listing of network addresses associated with a playlist for available content, and sending a message having network addresses for different portions of the content. The network addresses allow a requesting device to use one transmission rate for a first part of the content and a different transmission rate for a second part of the content. |
| US08359005B2 |
Systems and methods to process transaction requests
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page. |
| US08359002B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling data transmission based on power cost
Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling data transmission based on power cost. A power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a wireless mobile device to a remote endpoint in a communications network is determined. The determined power cost per unit data is compared to a first threshold. Transmission of data from the wireless mobile device to the remote endpoint is delayed based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold. |
| US08359001B2 |
Identifying the location of mobile stations
A user of a first mobile station, which is lost either in silent mode or switch-off mode may send a ‘Find-Me’ message to the first mobile station from a second mobile station. The first mobile station, after receiving the ‘Find-Me’ message, may power-on the first mobile station enabling the first mobile station to receive voice call and messages. Also, if the first mobile station is in silent mode, the first mobile station may change the profile of the first mobile station from a silent to a regular-noisy mode. The user of first mobile station may call-up the first mobile station and identifies the location of the first mobile station by tracking the ringing sound. The first mobile station may send a location message to the second mobile station in response to receiving the ‘Find-Me’ message that may be used to identify the location of the first mobile station. |
| US08358997B2 |
Method and system for measuring receiver mixer IQ mismatch
A system for correcting a mismatch between an in-phase path and a quadrature path in a receiver, the system including one or more processors operable to correlate a received signal with a complex training sequence having periodic, uncorrelated real and imaginary components, thereby generating a complex correlation. The one or more processors estimate a gain mismatch and a phase mismatch based on the complex correlation over a unit period. The one or more processors control a first receive filter in the in-phase path via a first digital-to-analog controller, and control a second receive filter in the quadrature path via a second digital-to-analog controller. The cutoff frequency and bandwidth of the first receive filter is controlled independently of the second receive filter to enable the output of the first receive filter and the output of the second receive filter to be tightly matched. |
| US08358995B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing radio interference from a noise source via active filtering
Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold. |
| US08358993B2 |
Image rejection calibration system
Image rejection calibration includes initializing the calibration mode by applying to quadrature mixers, in place of the wanted RF input, an RF source in the frequency range of the wanted RF input, sensing the power output from the poly-phase filter, developing gain adjust and phase adjust correction values in response to the power output and adjusting in accordance with the correction values the gain of the quadrature signals from the quadrature mixers to the poly-phase filter and the phase of local oscillator quadrature signals from the local oscillator to the quadrature mixers to reduce the power output. |
| US08358991B2 |
Transconductance enhanced RF front-end
Embodiments of an RF receiver front-end are presented herein. In an embodiment, the RF receiver front-end comprises a transconductance LNA, a passive mixer, and a gm-enhanced common-gate buffer. The transconductance LNA is configured to convert an RF voltage signal to an RF current signal and provide the RF current signal at an output. The passive mixer is coupled to the output of the transconductance LNA and is configured to mix the RF current signal with a local oscillator signal to produce a frequency translated current signal. The gm-enhanced common-gate buffer is configured to receive the frequency translated current signal at an input and convert the frequency translated current signal to a frequency translated voltage signal. In an embodiment, the input of the gm-enhanced common-gate buffer is configured to provide a low input impedance to limit a voltage swing of the frequency translated current signal. |
| US08358987B2 |
Re-quantization in downlink receiver bit rate processor
A bit rate processor in a wireless system includes a front end processor to process physical channel data and to generate encoded transport channel data, a transport channel buffer to hold the encoded transport channel data, and a back end processor to process the encoded transport channel data from the transport channel buffer and to generate decoded transport channel bits. The front end process may include a frame buffer that receives the physical channel data, a first stage to de-map the physical channel data, an intermediate frame buffer that receives the de-mapped physical channel data, and a second stage to process the de-mapped physical channel data and to provide the encoded transport channel data. The back end processor may include a third stage, including a scaling circuit to scale the encoded transport channel data, a decoder to decode the scaled transport channel data, a CRC checker and an output buffer. |
| US08358986B2 |
Methods and apparatus for RF channel selection in a multi-frequency network
Methods and apparatus for RF channel selection in a multi-frequency network. A method includes identifying selected local operations infrastructures (LOIs) and their neighboring LOIs, generating a neighbor description message (NDM) that identifies the selected LOIs and their neighboring LOIs and associates a descrambling sequence identifier with each RF channel of the selected LOIs and their neighboring LOIs, and distributing the NDM over the selected LOIs. An apparatus includes a message decoder to receive an NDM that identifies RF channels of a first LOI and neighboring LOIs, and wherein each RF channel is associated with a descrambling sequence identifier, and processing logic to detect content acquisition failures, determine a list of RF channels and their associated LOIs that carry desired content, and select a selected RF channel that is associated with a selected LOI that carries the most additional content among the associated LOIs. |
| US08358984B2 |
Updating channel estimates
MIMO OFDM receiver which periodically forms a channel estimate and compares: a: an estimate of the capacity of the channel if the transmitter were to make use of the receiver's channel estimate (closed loop) with b: an estimate of the capacity of the channel if the transmitter were to make no use of channel estimate (open loop), and send data on the channel estimate to the transmitter only when (b−a)>k, where k is a pre-set threshold. |
| US08358982B2 |
User equipment for triggering measurement report and method of its operation
A User Equipment (UE) apparatus for use in a cellular wireless communications network, and method for its operation, are provided. The apparatus includes a measuring unit for measuring signals received from at least one of a serving cell of the network and from neighboring cells, a memory for storing information defining a plurality of conditions for triggering the UE to send a measurement report to the network, the measurement report comprising a result of at least one measurement performed by the UE, a determining unit for determining when one of the plurality of conditions is met, and a sending unit for sending, in response to one of the plurality of conditions being met, a measurement report for reception by the network, wherein each of the plurality of conditions is defined by a respective plurality of at least one of parameters and variables. |
| US08358980B2 |
Wireless audio transfer system, wireless microphone, audio transmitting apparatus, audio receiving apparatus, image pickup apparatus, recording apparatus and audio mixer
Disclosed is a wireless audio transfer system that includes an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone, an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves and demodulating the audio signal, and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit. The system further includes an image pickup apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal. In the system, the audio transmitting apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting status data, the audio receiving apparatus includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the status data from the received radio waves and outputting the status data from the first communication terminal, and the image pickup apparatus includes a second communication terminal for inputting the status data outputted from the first communication terminal, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus. |
| US08358977B2 |
Use of mobile computing device sensors to initiate a telephone call or modify telephone operation
A system and a method are disclosed for initiating a voice communication, such as a telephone call, or modifying an output device used to present audio data. After receiving a destination identifier, such as a telephone number, data from one or more sensors included in the mobile computing device is analyzed. Responsive to the sensor data describing movement in a first direction of a first axis, such as upward motion along a vertical axis, a voice communication is established using the destination identifier. While audio data from the voice communication, or from another source, is presented, data from the sensors is also analyzed. Responsive to the sensor data indicating one or more types of movement or interactions with a surrounding environment, the output device used to present the audio data is modified. |
| US08358975B2 |
Signaling over cellular networks to reduce the Wi-Fi energy consumption of mobile devices
Techniques for increasing the battery life on a mobile device by decreasing the energy consumption of the mobile device's wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interface are described. In one embodiment, the mobile device's Wi-Fi interface is automatically disabled when the device is not engaged. When the device receives a wake up call from a server via its Cellular interface, the Wi-Fi interface is enabled if the device answers the wake up call and the Wi-Fi interface is available. Using its Wi-Fi interface, the mobile device then connects to an IP-based network via a Wi-Fi access point. |
| US08358971B2 |
Satellite-based programmable allocation of bandwidth for forward and return links
A satellite includes a programmable facility including circuitry responsive to programmable control information. One or more filter parameters, or other forms of instructions for allocating channel capacity (i.e. bits/second/Hz), are received at the satellite in orbit to direct the programmable facility to separate particular sub-signals from an input signal. In one embodiment, the programmable facility can be programmed to change the allocation of channel capacity dedicated to the forward and return links based on the ratio forward and return traffic through a satellite. Changing the allocation of channel capacity may be achieved by changing the portions of the total allocated frequency bandwidth that are used for forward and return links. Alternatively, the changes may be made to the forward and/or return data rates, either alone or in combination with frequency bandwidth allocations. |
| US08358970B2 |
Repeaters for wireless communication systems
A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal. |
| US08358967B1 |
Towed network communications subsystem for in flight use by towing aircraft
The present invention relates to a towed wireless network communications subsystem for use in flight by a towing aircraft. The towed wireless network communications subsystem includes an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft. A directional antenna is disposed on the aerodynamic enclosure and is capable of forming one or more directional communications beams within a wireless network. A communications device is disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure and is coupled to the directional antenna(s). The communications device is configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network. |
| US08358964B2 |
Methods and systems for collecting responses
Implementations feature scannable form techniques and systems. Some aspects feature an apparatus that includes a pen-camera device, an electronic clipboard to store the pen-camera device, and a docking station for the clipboard. The clipboard includes a retention clip to hold a form on a substantially planar surface, and a pen-camera storage compartment to store the pen-camera device. The clipboard includes a power supply interface for charging the pen-camera device, a communication interface to transmit image and location data from the pen-camera device, and electrical interfaces for the clipboard docking station. The pen-camera device can mark response data on the form, optically scan response data and location data on the form, and associate time-stamped information for the marked responses on the form for error checking and fraud detection. The scannable form can include an area for encoded information that identifies a location and arrangement of a position-coding pattern on the form. |
| US08358963B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for interactive presentation of educational content and related devices
A method of presenting educational content to a plurality of students in a classroom includes displaying the educational content on an instructor terminal in the classroom. A synchronization command is wirelessly transmitted to a plurality of portable student terminals in the classroom according to a localized wireless connection protocol. The synchronization command is configured to display, on the plurality of portable student terminals, the educational content that is displayed on the instructor terminal. The plurality of portable student terminals may be respectively associated with ones of the plurality of students who are registered for an academic course associated with the educational content. An ad hoc wireless data connection may also be selectively established with at least one of the plurality of portable student terminals in the classroom. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed. |
| US08358962B2 |
Image recording apparatus including swingable path changeover unit
In an image recording apparatus according to an aspect of the invention, a recording medium is allowed to be conveyed on a conveying path. An inversion guide portion connects a first portion of the conveying path positioned downstream of a recording unit to a second portion of the conveying path positioned upstream of the recording unit. A path changeover unit is disposed at the first portion of the conveying path and swingable between a recording medium discharge position and a recording medium inversion position. When the path changeover unit is positioned at the recording medium discharge position, the forward rotation of the roller pair allows the recording medium to be sent to a discharge portion. When the path changeover unit is positioned at the recording medium inversion position, the rearward rotation of the roller pair allows the recording medium to be sent to the inversion guide portion. |
| US08358959B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a first driving system connected to a fixing roller and a separation roller and a second driving system connected to a pressing roller pressed against the fixing roller and the separation roller via a fixing belt. In the first driving system, a first transmission transmits a first driving force generated by a first motor to the fixing roller and the separation roller, and includes a first one-way clutch via which the first driving force is transmitted to the fixing roller. In the second driving system, a second transmission transmits a second driving force generated by a second motor to the pressing roller. When a circumferential velocity of the pressing roller is greater than a circumferential velocity of the fixing roller, the first one-way clutch idles to rotate the fixing roller in accordance with rotation of the pressing roller. |
| US08358958B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of image carriers
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that forms a plurality of images using a plurality of image carriers respectively corresponding to the images and stacks those images, the apparatus having a first group to which at least one image carrier among the plurality of image carriers belongs, a second group to which at least one image carrier among the remaining image carriers belongs, and a single detection sensor that detects a first detection information for identifying a rotation timing of the first group image carrier and also detects a second detection information for identifying a rotation timing of the second group image carrier. |
| US08358957B2 |
Selective printing of raised information by electrography
Electrographic printing wherein raised information, with a distinct tactile feel, can be printed by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in an area of the formed print image, where desired tactile feel, raised information is to be formed, selectively forming such tactile feel, raised information utilizing marking particles of a substantially larger size than the standard size marking particles of the desired print image. |
| US08358955B2 |
Transfer device and image forming apparatus
A transfer device for use in an image forming apparatus includes at least two belt members constituting a secondary nip portion therebetween. The transfer device electrostatically transfers a toner image from one of the belt members onto a recording medium when the recording medium passes through the secondary nip portion. The transfer device includes a mechanism that supports the belt members such that the secondary nip portion is substantially linear; and a bias applying member that applies a secondary transfer bias at a substantially center portion of the secondary nip portion. |
| US08358953B2 |
Image-forming device having holder unit for toner box
An image forming device includes: a main casing; a holder unit; a plurality of image bearing members; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner boxes; a first acting portion; a second acting portion; and an abutment member. The holder unit is configured to be movable in a moving direction between an accommodated position and a pull-out position. The plurality of image bearing members are held by the holder unit and are juxtaposedly arrayed in the moving direction with intervals between neighboring image bearing members. The plurality of developing units are held by the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of image bearing members. The plurality of toner boxes are detachably attachable to the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of developing units. Each toner box is detachably attachable to the holder unit at the pull-out position. |
| US08358952B2 |
Tandem-type process unit removably loaded in image forming device
A process unit has process cartridges, a pair of lower supporting plates, and a pair of upper supporting plates. Each process cartridge has a photosensitive drum rotatably about an axis extending in a first direction. Each of the process cartridges has two side faces facing each other in the first direction and a cartridge electrode provided on the side face. The process cartridges are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each lower supporting plate supports a lower part of the side face of each process cartridge. Each upper supporting plate supports an upper part of the side face of each process cartridge. The pair of upper support plates and the pair of lower support plates provide a side opening facing the side face of each process cartridge to expose the electrode of each process cartridge toward outside through the side opening. |
| US08358950B2 |
Image forming system and method to temporarily stop an image forming process when reaching the number of units specified by a user, improving working efficiency
Disclosed an image forming system including: an image forming section to perform an image forming processing to form an image on a sheet to eject the image-formed sheet to an sheet ejection section; a control section to control the image forming processing by the image forming section; a specify section to specify the number of units for stop in a temporary stop mode in which the image forming processing by the image forming section is temporarily stopped, wherein the control section allows the image forming section to stop the image forming processing when the image forming processing by the image forming section reaches the number of units for stop specified with the specify section. |
| US08358949B2 |
Image heating apparatus generating heat by magnetic flux having a member reducing the amount of heat generation by the magnetic flux by movement thereof
An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating a magnetic flux by a current flowing therethrough; an image heating member having an electroconductive layer in which an eddy current is produced by the magnetic flux by which heat is generated, to heat an image on a recording material; an electroconductive magnetic flux adjusting member movable from a first position and a second position to decrease the eddy current produced in the image heating member by the magnetic flux; a sensor for sensing the temperature of the image heating member; and a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the coil on the basis of an output of the sensor. The controller changes an electric power condition to be supplied to the coil before start of the movement from the first position to the second position of magnetic flux adjusting member. |
| US08358944B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for print control
Provided are an image forming apparatus and a method for print control which can carry out printing using appropriate toners without selecting an apparatus to be used from apparatuses loaded with different toner groups depending on a print object. In an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section including photoreceptor drums, writing units to form electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptor drums, and development devices to carry out development by feeding toners to the latent image, there are loaded, as the toners, a first toner group (for example, normal toners) containing three colors of CMY; a second toner group (for example, Vivid toners) containing three colors of CMY with a wider color reproduction area than the first toner group; and a K (black) toner. |
| US08358943B2 |
Electric power relaying unit and image forming apparatus having the same
An electric power relaying unit of an image forming apparatus which includes an electric power blocking unit which selectively blocks the alternating current electric power output from the electric power input unit to be input to the electric power output unit, the electric power blocking unit including: a switching unit which switches an input of the alternating current electric power with respect to the electric power output unit; an electric power detecting unit which detects an electric power property; a memory unit in which a predetermined electric power property information is stored; and a control unit which controls a switching operation of the switching unit if determining that the detected electric power property corresponds to a predetermined electric power property in a failure of the image forming apparatus main body from a comparison result. |
| US08358942B2 |
Electrophotographic developer toner concentration measurement
Developer toner concentration in an electrophotographic system is measured. Two sensors, one before and one after the toning zone in the direction of rotation of the development member, each include respective electrodes that form a respective capacitance between the respective electrode and the development member. A voltage source selectively applies respective AC biases across the sensors and the respective currents across the sensors are measured. A controller causes an electrostatic latent image to be produced on the photoreceptor and causes the development member to rotate and the photoreceptor to move. While the development member is rotating, the processor receives the measured currents and computes toner concentration using the respective received currents and the pixel data. The developer flow rate can be adjusted, or toner added to the developer, in response to the determined toner concentration. |
| US08358941B2 |
Management device of an image forming apparatus
A management device for an image forming apparatus including a status data collection unit where multiple types of status data are received from the image forming apparatus and stored in a status database, a target data creation unit where multiple types of target data are created based upon the multiple types of status data, a first stage determination unit where the multiple types of target data are identified as being above or below reference values set for each type, and a second stage determination unit where a weight value set for each status data type is attached to the determination results of the multiple types of status data of the first stage determination unit and as a whole of the multiple types of status data determined with majority logic for abnormal occurrence prediction. |
| US08358939B2 |
Optical communication device
An optical communication device using a digital coherent reception system includes a phase detector configured to generate, based on a signal obtained in a course of digital signal processing, a phase signal indicating a displacement of a sampling of a reception signal, a clock switch-determiner configured to switch from an reference clock to a clock of transferred data when a value of an amplitude of the phase signal exceeds a given threshold value, and a selector configured to synchronize the sampling of the reception signal and an internal clock of the digital signal processing with the reference clock at start time or signal loss time, and synchronize the sampling of the reception signal and the internal clock with the line clock of the reception signal except for the start time and the signal loss time. |
| US08358936B2 |
Method and apparatus for an optical duty cycle for an optical digital coherent system
An optical apparatus includes a quadrature phase shift keying modulator for generating a non-return-to-zero quadrature phase shift keyed NRZ-QPSK signal from a received lightwave, the modulator being driven by a radio frequency RF signal, an intensity modulator for carving the NRZ-QPSK signal to return-to-zero RZ pulses with a different duty cycle than that of the NRZ-QPSK, the intensity modulator being driven by a radio frequency RF clock signal to change the NRZ-QPSK to an RZ-QPSK signal, and an optical filter with a narrow band for filtering the signal from the intensity modulator to increase optical power that is useable by an optical digital coherent detection system. |
| US08358935B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating visible signal for data transmission frame in visible-light communication system
A method for generating a visible signal for a data transmission frame in a visible-light communication system includes: receiving specific data constituted by a plurality of frames from a sender; checking and converting a received signal strength indication (RSSI) signal measured from the sender; whenever each frame of the specific data is consecutively received, checking the converted RSSI, determining a level of a visible signal for distinctively displaying a state of a corresponding communication channel, and transmitting the level of the visible signal to the sender; and when reception of the specific data has finished, transmitting a corresponding response message to the sender, according to whether the specific data has been successfully received. |
| US08358932B2 |
All-optical data center network
A data center network comprising with an all-optical core network which includes a number of separate all-optical networks to connect clusters of computer network equipment at network nodes. Circuit modules in the data center network each includes a memory bank to provide queues to store information scheduled to be transmitted optically through the all-optical core network. Each circuit module also includes a lambda port module which includes a number of optical mux-demux units and an equal number of lambda ports designed to provide communication between the mux-demux units and the memory bank via a number of optical transceivers. In preferred embodiments all logic communication circuits through the core network are all optical fibers. The present invention creates non-interfering circuits by means of their spectral, spatial and temporal separation from each other. |
| US08358925B2 |
Lens barrel with MEMS actuators
A lens barrel for, e.g., a miniature camera or another device, includes an annular barrel, a plurality of first optical elements disposed coaxially within the barrel, an actuator device disposed coaxially within the barrel in front of the first optical elements, a front cover attached coaxially to a front surface of the actuator device, and a second optical element mounted coaxially in a central opening of a moving platform of the actuator device such that rotational movement of actuators in the actuator device causes the moving platform and second optical element to move conjointly with a purely translation movement along the optical axis of the second optical element and relative to the first optical elements. |
| US08358922B2 |
Fluid heating device, continuous flow heater, and method for the production thereof
A fluid heating device is provided that is to be mounted in a continuous flow heater and includes at least one heating element embodied as an electric resistance heater, and at least one heat exchanging element that is connected in a heat-conducting manner to the heating element and the fluid so as to transfer the heat generated by the heating element to the fluid. The heat exchanging element forms an integral housing component of a pressure-resistant and temperature-resistant continuous flow heater and is provided with an essentially planar central area on which the heating element is mounted. In order to produce a continuous flow heater, the heating device is joined in a positive, pressure-resistant, and thermally stable manner to a molded part encompassing at least one inlet and at least one outlet so as to form a fluid chamber. |
| US08358918B2 |
Video processing apparatus and video processing method
According to one embodiment, a video processing apparatus includes a decoding module, a detection module, a frame rate calculation module, and a display timing determining module. The decoding module decodes encoded moving image data including processing units each of which includes pictures for a predetermined reproduction time. The detection module detects picture group information of a reproduction target processing unit, the information indicative of the number of pictures and the ratio of progressive frame pictures to interlaced field pictures. The frame rate calculation module calculates a frame rate corresponding to a reproduced processing unit preceding the target unit based on picture group information detected when the preceding unit is decoded, if the target unit includes no timing information indicating display timing of pictures. The display timing determining module determines display timings for the pictures in the target unit based on the frame rate. |
| US08358917B2 |
Device and method for time-shifted playback of multimedia data
The invention relates to a method and a device for time-shifted playback of audio/video data. The device comprises: means of storing audio/video data received, means of recording said audio/video data received on said storage means, means of displaying said audio/video data received as it is recorded, means of pausing at a given time the display of said audio/video data while continuing to record it. According to the invention, on switching back to playback mode, said display means display a summary of the audio/video data received during the pause before resuming the playback of said audio/video data received in real time. |
| US08358910B2 |
Video signal recording apparatus, video signal reproducing apparatus and video signal recording and reproducing apparatus
An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium. At least the information mode discriminating signal is retrieved from the storage medium or the temporary storage medium. Locations of the recorded CM portion signal in the storage medium is detected based on information mode corresponding to the CM portion signal among a plurality of information modes discriminated by means of the information mode discriminating signal. The main information content signal is reproduced from the storage medium while skipping the CM portion signal based on recorded positions of the video signal encoded per plurality of video frames corresponding to the detected locations of the recorded CM portion signal. |
| US08358908B2 |
Recording and playback apparatus
A recording and playback apparatus includes a recording unit configured to download a content stored in a server and to record the content in a recording medium, an instruction receiver configured to receive a stop instruction for stopping download of the content done by the recording unit, and a controller configured to control the recording unit. The controller controls the recording unit so as to stop the download of the content when the instruction receiver receives the stop instruction for stopping download of the content, and to restart the download of the content when a predetermined time elapses in which the recording unit is in a stop state of the download. |
| US08358907B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and program
A display control apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a television broadcast signal containing at least remote broadcast image information, a display unit that displays image information, a recording and reproducing unit that records and reproduces the image information, a player information acquiring unit that acquires, from the remote broadcast image information, player information regarding players in a sports game included in a broadcast image signal, and a recording and reproducing control function unit that receives an audio signal contained in the broadcast signal, generates an excitation graph representing the level of excitation of the sports game along a time line, and records the excitation graph, the image of the game, time information, and the player information in the recording and reproducing unit. Upon receiving information indicating a break in the sports game, the recording and reproducing control function unit displays the excitation graph together with the recorded image. |
| US08358901B2 |
Optic having a cladding
Various embodiments of wedge-shaped light guide optics are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and includes a material having a first refractive index. The first face of the wedge-shaped light guide supports a cladding layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index. The optic further comprises a turning film bonded to the cladding layer via an interface layer. The interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index. |
| US08358899B2 |
Apparatus for mechanically splicing optic fibers
Apparatus for mechanically splicing two optic fibers, including an inner section including scoring apparatus, cleaving channels and a splicing channel; and two optic fiber restraining members, each being in operative communication with, and movable with respect to, the inner section; wherein restraining members locate end sections of optic fiber cores of said optic fibers in respective cleaving channels for scoring by said scoring apparatus; and wherein relative movement of the restraining members away from the inner section cleaves said end sections of optic fiber cores; and further relative movement between the restraining members and the inner section located cleaved end sections of said optic fiber cores into respective openings of the splicing channel to effect mechanical splicing therebetween. |
| US08358897B1 |
High index bonding layer for hybrid photonic devices
Embodiments of the invention are hybrid photonic devices including a first semiconductor slab (i.e. region) comprising a silicon material and a second semiconductor slab, comprising a III-V material, above and partially overlapping the first semiconductor slab to create a lateral overlap region. A bonding layer may be formed on the second semiconductor slab to enable the bonding of the first and second semiconductor slabs at the lateral overlap region. An optical waveguide is formed to be included in the lateral overlap region and comprising the silicon semiconductor material, the III-V semiconductor material and the bonding layer. Thus, in embodiments of the invention the bonding layer comprises a material with a refractive index of at least 2.0 so as to not affect the optical mode shape or propagation loss of the hybrid electro-optical device. |
| US08358892B2 |
Connection structure of two-dimensional array optical element and optical circuit
Optical elements (light sources 16 or photodetectors 18) are arranged in a two-dimensional array, and the relative positional relationship between the optical elements and optical waveguides 12 is defined such that optical waveguides 12 extend between the optical elements in the two-dimensional array substantially parallel to substrate 19 for increased parallelism. Micromirrors 15 are disposed in respective optical waveguides 12 to bend light beams through 90 degrees to realize a highly efficient optical coupling between the optical elements and optical waveguides 12. The optical waveguides are stacked in multiple stages, and light beams are lead to the optical waveguides in the multiple stacks through micromirrors 15 across the stacked plane of the optical waveguides, thereby realizing parallel connection between the two-dimensional array of optical elements and a two-dimensional array of optical waveguides. There is thus provided a connection structure between the optical elements and optical waveguides 12, which is small in size and high in efficiency, and is of high parallelism. |
| US08358890B2 |
Method and apparatus related to a side-fire member having a doped silica component
In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap. |
| US08358887B2 |
Optical waveguide with light emitting device and optical touch panel
In an optical waveguide 10 with a light emitting device to be used in the present invention, branched points 16 are sequentially provided in a guiding light direction 17 of a main path 14 and the width of the main path 14 becomes narrower as the main path 14 moves away from a light emitting device 11. The optical waveguide 10 having this structure can reduce a width W1 because there are no portions that correspond spaces (cladding layers) among adjacent branched paths 15. Moreover, the optical waveguide 10 has an excellent optical transmission efficiency, resulting in high intensity of light emitted. Uniformity of the light emitted is equal or more than a conventional optical waveguide 60 with a light emitting device. |
| US08358886B2 |
Waveguide for propagating radiation
A low-loss waveguide that can be curved aggressively, that is, curved with a radius of curvature that is substantially zero, in the plane of propagation, without radiating, is formed by a slab of dielectric material having four metal plates, two on each opposite surface of the slab and mutually spaced to define in the dielectric slab between the four metal plates a confinement zone. In use, electromagnetic radiation injected in one end of the zone by suitable input means will propagate throughout the zone to an extraction means. Lower loss and better confinement of the radiation may be obtained by providing plugs of dielectric material adjacent the inwardly-facing edge of each of the metal plates. Embodiments of the invention can be used to implement integrated optical devices and circuits for routing or processing light signals. |
| US08358881B2 |
High-Q resonators assembly
An electromagnetically responsive element includes sets of arrangements of self-resonant bodies, such as atoms or quantum dots that form an effective dielectric constant, typically at or near a resonance. |
| US08358879B2 |
Remote user interface raster segment motion detection and encoding
Raster segment commands are generated by a delta encoder and are encoded for raster segments detected to have moved in the current frame with respect to a location of the raster segment in a previous frame. Raster segment motion commands are stored in a queue and, when written, copy a raster segment into the current frame from a previous payload or cache. When written from the queue to a payload, raster segment motion commands are applied to a copy of the current frame maintained at the server using a copy of the previous payload sent. When copying a raster segment from a raster segment cache, a raster segment cache command retrieves identified raster segment data from the raster segment cache and copies the raster segment into a particular location in the current frame at the client. The raster segment commands are sent to a client via a payload to copy a raster segment from a previous payload into the current frame at the client or from a raster segment cache to the current frame. |
| US08358878B2 |
Method and apparatus for interpolating an image
This invention concerns the interpolation of new intermediate images within an existing set of related images, for example views of a scene captured at different times, such as a sequence of film frames or video fields, or views of a scene captured from different camera positions, either simultaneously or in a time sequence. Motion vectors established for pixels or regions in at least one existing image are used to shift those pixels or regions to the output position of the new image. The shifted pixels or regions are combined in dependence on a probability of accuracy measure for the respective motion vector. The probability of accuracy measure may be formed from displaced-field difference measurements. The occlusion of objects is determined and used in forming the probability of accuracy measure. |
| US08358865B2 |
Device and method for gradient domain image deconvolution
An image processing device according to an example of the invention comprises a differentiating section which differentiates input image data to generate gradient image data, a gradient domain deconvolution processing section which applies a deconvolution to the gradient image data, the deconvolution performing deblurring corresponding to a prior distribution of an image gradient of an image to generate deconvolved data, and an integrating section which integrates the deconvolved data to generate deblurred image data. |
| US08358863B2 |
Systems and methods for image handling and presentation
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for adaptive compression, transmission, and display of clinical images. Certain embodiments provide a method for adaptive compression of image data for transmission and display at a client workstation. The method includes identifying one or more images for display, the one or more images including a plurality of image slices. The method also includes determining a compression scheme for the one or more images based on at least one of bandwidth, processing power, and diagnostic modality. The method further includes transferring the one or more images for display at the client workstation. The method additionally includes adapting the compression scheme based on resource availability. |
| US08358857B2 |
Dynamic clustering for adaptive prediction filters
An initial value is assigned to a center point for each cluster in a plurality of clusters. Each point in a point space is assigned to a closest cluster based on the distance between the each point and the center of nearest cluster. A first-assignment value is determined for each center point using the clusters the points are assigned to. A first-assignment dynamic validity index of a current cluster configuration is evaluated. Each point in the point space is reassigned to the closest cluster based on the first-assignment value of each center. A second-assignment value is determined for the center of each cluster according to the reassigning. A second-assignment dynamic validity index is evaluated using the second-assignment values. The current cluster configuration is selected if the difference between the dynamic validity indices is less than a threshold. |
| US08358853B2 |
Automatic forms identification systems and methods
Systems and methods automatically generate a model of a form or other document and identify the form or other document. In one aspect, a system and method normalize an image of a document and identify the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines in the normalized image. The relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of the normalized image are the model of the document image. The model may be stored in a record, such as an array. The system and method compare the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of the model to the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of other models to identify a matching model. |
| US08358849B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a face detection processing unit that reduces an image of a frame to be processed to a first level among several reduction levels to generate a reduced image of the frame to be processed, with one of frames included in a moving image as the frame to be processed, and compares the reduced image generated by the reducing unit and the learning data to extract a face image from the reduced image. When the extraction of the face image from the frame to be processed is ended, the face detection processing unit updates the frame to be processed to a next frame subsequent to the frame to be processed and generates a reduced image that is reduced to another level other than reduction levels adjoining the first level. |
| US08358846B2 |
Scanning images for pornography
Heuristic analysis of image is performed to detect pornographic content. Pixels of an image representing a flesh-tone are identified. A heuristic analysis of the image is performed to classify the image as being pornographic or not. The analysis uses measures of a set of predetermined characteristics of the identified pixels as a heuristic to indicate a likelihood that the identified pixels contain pornographic content or not. Particular characteristics used are: the thickness of a region of identified pixels; the area of regions of adjacent identified pixels; the flatness of regions of adjacent identified pixels; the distance of pixels from the center of the image; the degree of texture of regions adjacent identified pixels; the likelihood of the identified pixels being flesh-tone, and the area of the identified pixels. The heuristic analysis is layered, comprising a plurality of tests, each test using the set of predetermined characteristics with differing degrees of significance attributed to each characteristic. |
| US08358844B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for determining whether text within an image includes unwanted data, utilizing a matrix
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining whether text within an image includes unwanted data, utilizing a matrix. In operation, a matrix corresponding to an image is generated. Additionally, text within the image is identified utilizing the matrix. Furthermore, it is determined whether the text includes unwanted data. |
| US08358839B2 |
Local regression methods and systems for image processing systems
This disclosure provides methods, apparatus and systems for performing image processing regression for approximating multidimensional color transformation. According to an exemplary method, a shaping matrix is selected to minimize a cost function associated with a local linear regression representation of the color transformation. In addition, an alternating least squares algorithm is utilized to jointly optimize regression and shaping parameters. |
| US08358838B2 |
Red eye detecting apparatus, red eye detecting method and red eye detecting program stored on a computer readable medium
There is provided a red eye detecting apparatus including a red eye region designating section that causes a user to designate a red eye region in an image so as to obtain a designated red eye region, a red eye searching region determining section that determines a red eye searching region including therein the designated red eye region which is obtained by the red eye region designating section, a red eye candidate detecting section that searches for red eye within the red eye searching region which is determined by the red eye searching region determining section, to detect one or more red eye candidates, a face position detecting section that detects one of a position of a face and a position of an area of the face other than eyes within the red eye searching region which is determined by the red eye searching region determining section, and a red eye position judging section that selects, from the red eye candidates detected by the red eye candidate detecting section, a red eye candidate that is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the position detected by the face position detecting section, as a red eye candidate to be subjected to a red eye correcting process. |
| US08358835B2 |
Method for detecting and correcting chromatic aberration, and apparatus and method for processing image using the same
A method for detecting and correcting a chromatic aberration, and an apparatus and method for processing an image using the same are provided. A chromatic aberration is detected by dividing an edge portion of the image into static areas where a color varies below a reference value and a dynamic area where a color varies above the reference value, calculating a intensity difference value between at least one reference color and a comparative color for each of the static areas and the dynamic area, and determining at least one pixel having a intensity difference value exceeding a range of intensity difference values in the static areas among pixels in the dynamic area, as a chromatic aberration region. The chromatic aberration is corrected by correcting the intensity difference value for the pixels in the chromatic aberration region using a correction value in the intensity difference value range in the static area. |
| US08358833B2 |
Recovering 3D structure using blur and parallax
A system and method for generating a focused image of an object is provided. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of images of an object, estimating an initial depth profile of the object, estimating a parallax parameter and a blur parameter for each pixel in of the plurality of images and generating a focused image and a corrected depth profile of the object using a posterior energy function. The posterior energy function is based on the estimated parallax parameter and the blur parameter of each pixel in the plurality of images. |
| US08358831B2 |
Probe mark inspection
Probe mark inspection involves a recipe based on unique image characteristics or combinations of unique image characteristics. Result images are correlated with a reference created to determine which image characteristic or combination of image characteristics provides an improved contrast. |
| US08358830B2 |
Method for detecting optical defects in transparencies
A method of detecting optical defects in a transparency may comprise the steps of providing a digital image of the transparency having a plurality of image pixels and detecting at least one candidate defect. The candidate defect may be detected by determining a grayscale intensity of each one of the image pixels and calculating an intensity gradient across adjacent pairs of the image pixels. Each image pixel may be assigned a gradient value comprising a maximum of the absolute value of the intensity gradients associated with the image pixel. A gradient image may be constructed comprising the gradient values assigned to corresponding ones of the image pixels. Image pixels may be identified as candidate pixels if such image pixels have a gradient value exceeding a gradient threshold. The candidate pixels may comprise the optical defect. |
| US08358828B2 |
Interpolation of irregular data in a finite-dimensional metric space in lithographic simulation
A method, system, and computer program product for preprocessing a pattern in a library of patterns and querying a preprocessed library of patterns are disclosed. Embodiments for querying a preprocessed library of patterns are disclosed for determining a distance between the representation for the first pattern and the representation for the second pattern, determining whether the distance between the representation for the first pattern and the representation for the second pattern is within the range for the first pattern, and transforming the second pattern with the transformation matrix to provide information about the second pattern. Embodiments for preprocessing a pattern in a library of patterns are disclosed for determining a transformation matrix for the first pattern, determining a range for the first pattern, wherein a distance between a representation for a first pattern and a representation for a second pattern is within the range and the second pattern can be transformed with the transformation matrix to provide information about the second pattern, and associating the range and the transformation matrix with the first pattern. |
| US08358825B2 |
Money handling system
In order to intuitively inform a reject reason, a money handling system 100 includes: a reception unit configured to take banknotes one by one thereinto; a recognition unit configured to recognize the banknotes taken by the reception unit; a stacking unit configured to stack banknotes; a reject unit configured to stack rejected banknotes; a reject light-emitting unit configured to emit light in a plurality of manners; a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes taken by the reception unit to the stacking unit or the reject unit; and a control unit configured to control the reject light-emitting unit to emit light in a manner that differs from one reject reason to another reject reason of a rejected banknote, when the rejected banknote is recognized by the recognition unit. |
| US08358824B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus reconstructs a CT image (extended CT image) at each slice position lying outside a relative linear movement range at a helical scan or the like at low exposure and with high image quality. Scans each provided with a residence time are executed at relative linear movement start and end points (Zs and Zf). Projection data in a view range (F) corresponding to a predetermined view angle centering on a view (CVp1,zs) corresponding to a relative linear movement start time or a view shifted previously therefrom by the number of views (M), or a view (CVp1,zf) corresponding to a relative linear movement end time or a view shifted backward therefrom by the number of views (N) are used as image reconstruction projection data for extended CT images in image extension regions (Rs and Rf). |
| US08358821B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and computer readable medium
There is provided an image processing system configured to correct an image of an object inside a physical body. The image processing system includes an object image obtaining section that obtains an object image formed by light from the object, a depth identifying section that identifies a depth from a surface of the physical body to the object, a distance information identifying section that identifies distance information indicating a distance from an image capturing section capturing the object image to the surface of the physical body, and an image correcting section that corrects the object image according to the distance information and the depth. |
| US08358816B2 |
Thinned finger sensor and associated methods
An electronic device may include a housing with a connector member opening therein, electronic circuitry within the housing, and a finger sensor assembly carried by the housing. The finger assembly may include a thinned finger sensing integrated circuit (IC) secured to the housing that has a thickness less than 200 microns. The finger sensor assembly may also include a connector member extending through the connector member opening in the housing and coupling together the thinned finger sensing IC and the electronic circuitry. The thinned finger sensing IC may be adhesively secured to the housing, such as using a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the thinned finger sensing IC may conform to a non-planar surface. |
| US08358813B2 |
Image preprocessing
A method, performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes accessing a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method also includes determining whether one or more pixels bounding a first rectangular sub-region of a predetermined size within the digital image satisfy a specified criterion. If a predetermined percentage of bounding pixels satisfy the specified criterion, the method assumes that all pixels within the first rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion. The method further includes selectively executing an image analysis algorithm on the digital image using the assumption that all pixels within the rectangular sub-region also satisfy the specified criterion. |
| US08358811B2 |
Method and apparatus to incorporate automatic face recognition in digital image collections
A method and apparatus for creating and updating a facial image database from a collection of digital images is disclosed. A set of detected faces from a digital image collection is stored in a facial image database, along with data pertaining to them. At least one facial recognition template for each face in the first set is computed, and the images in the set are grouped according to the facial recognition template into similarity groups. Another embodiment is a naming tool for assigning names to a plurality of faces detected in a digital image collection. A facial image database stores data pertaining to facial images detected in images of a digital image collection. In addition, the naming tool may include a graphical user interface, a face detection module that detects faces in images of the digital image collection and stores data pertaining to the detected faces in the facial image database, a face recognition module that computes at least one facial recognition template for each facial image in the facial image database, and a similarity grouping module that groups facial images in the facial image database according to the respective templates such that similar facial images belong to one similarity group. |
| US08358809B2 |
Syntactic signal recognizer and pattern recognizer
A pattern recognizer includes a sequential data extractor, a data pairer, and a recognition engine. The sequential data extractor extracts a region of measured data obtained from a measuring device. The measuring device is preferably capable of detecting changes in impedance. The measured data should contain position information of the changes in impedance. The data pairer associates the region of measured data with a priori pattern data that contains expected positions of the changes in impedance. The recognition engine decides whether the associated region of measured data and the a priori pattern data differ within predetermined criteria, the predetermined criteria including: non-expected impedance changes; excessive dither; and missing impedance changes. |
| US08358807B2 |
Image-data-distribution-model updating apparatus, image processing apparatus, image-data-distribution-model updating method, and computer program
An image-data-distribution-model updating apparatus includes: a determining unit that determines, concerning image data continuous in time series, to which of plural distribution models indicating an average of signal levels for each of plural color components, variance of a signal level distribution of all the plural color components, and reliability of all the plural color components the target image data belongs; and an updating unit that updates the average, the variance, and the reliability of a distribution model having the highest reliability among the distribution models to which it is determined that the target image data belongs and updates the reliability of the other distribution models. |
| US08358803B2 |
Navigation using fourier phase technique
Provided is a method for analyzing image slices. The method includes extracting first and second sub-slices from first and second image slices, respectively, and computing a shift between the first and second image slices based on the first and second sub-slices. The first and second sub-slices overlap.Also provided is a method for controlling a cursor on a screen. The method includes determining a shift between a first image slice and a second image slice and determining a displacement of the cursor on the screen based on the determined shift. |
| US08358801B2 |
Magnetic circuit for electrodynamic moving voice coil actuators
The invention is a novel circuit wherein maximum shove is achieved yet the transducer's height profile is minimized. The profile is minimized by using mated beveled surfaces on an annular magnet and the top plate which prevents the top plate from reaching saturation and reduces the reluctance f the magnetic flux path. A novel anti-fringe geometry to reduce flux leakage and net saturation in the center post improves the magnetic reluctance of the circuit. An external housing assembly is provided with integral suspension elements for radial stiffness and axial compliance and for aligning the circuit within the housing to prevent cocking and resulting distortion. |
| US08358798B2 |
Passive directional acoustic radiating
An acoustic apparatus, including an acoustic driver, acoustically coupled to a pipe to radiate acoustic energy into the pipe. The pipe includes an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe through which acoustic energy is radiated to the environment. The radiating is characterized by a volume velocity. The pipe and the opening are configured so that the volume velocity is substantially constant along the length of the pipe. |
| US08358797B2 |
Switch for a hearing aid
A method of changing at least two parameter settings of a device includes detecting an abnormal change in an external feedback path and an input signal generated by an abnormal pressure wave, and activating a pressure wave detection switch and an abnormal feedback path detection switch for changing the at least one parameter setting in the device. A device includes a digital signal processor configured to implement a detection algorithm to detect an abnormal change in an external feedback path, an adaptive internal feedback cancellation system for continually monitoring and responsively adapting to changes occurring in an external feedback path, a pattern recognition algorithm for detecting input signals generated when an abnormal pressure wave is generated, at least two parameter settings for adjusting the characteristics of the device, and an abnormal feedback path detection switch for switching the device to a next available parameter setting. |
| US08358794B2 |
Method for side definition during adjustment of hearing aids
The data records to be stored in the two hearing devices of a binaural hearing system during the adjustment are generally different. With “side definition”, the correct assignment of the two hearing devices to the ears or of the wearer is ensured. To this end, an acoustic signal is transmitted to the wearer by way of the receiver of at least one of these hearing devices. The wearer informs the adjusting facility by way of an input device connected hereto, as to the ear with which the wearer heard this acoustic signal or which spatial characteristic or asymmetry is attributed to this acoustic signal. |
| US08358793B2 |
Microphone with irregular diaphragm
A microphone is formed to have a diaphragm that is configured to improve signal to noise ratio. To that end, the microphone has a backplate having a hole therethrough, and a diaphragm movably coupled with the backplate. The diaphragm has a bottom surface (facing the backplate) with a convex portion aligned with the hole in the backplate. |
| US08358791B2 |
Distributed audio signal processing system having logical channel groups
A distributed audio signal processing system having a plurality of linked audio signal processing units is disclosed. Each audio signal processing unit has physical channels for receiving and sending local audio signals and a high bandwidth interface for exchanging audio signals with other linked audio signal processing units. Each of the physical channels of each of the audio signal processing units is mapped to a corresponding global channel. Global channels can be combined to form virtual channels that can be processed as a signal channel. Combinations of virtual channels can be grouped into logical channel groups that can be controlled as a group. |
| US08358787B2 |
Method and apparatus for acoustics testing of a personal mobile device
A portable handheld test fixture has an acoustic port, e.g. a speaker port, a microphone, and/or an earpiece/receiver port. Once the media device has been installed onto the test fixture, the port becomes acoustically coupled to a respective acoustic aperture of the media device that is associated with a speaker, a microphone, or an earpiece/receiver as the case may be. A sound test tool, e.g. a reference sound source and/or a sound pressure level, SPL, meter, has an input or output sound port that can be removably coupled to the acoustic port of the test fixture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08358778B2 |
Computationally asymmetric cryptographic systems
This invention is generally concerned with methods, apparatus and computer program code for a computationally asymmetric hash function, in particular for use with symmetric cryptographic algorithms. We describe a method of determining a computationally asymmetric hash function value, the method including: receiving input data to be hashed; computing an asymmetric value from said input data, said asymmetric value being computable by two methods, a first method employing at least one first parameter and a second method employing at least one second parameter, computation of said asymmetric value by said second method being faster than by said first method; and determining a computationally asymmetric hash function value using said asymmetric value. We also describe methods of providing a computationally asymmetric electronic signature from a symmetric cryptographic signature. |
| US08358777B2 |
Wireless telephone having support with built-in antenna
A wireless telephone includes a support and a base unit supported by the support. The support includes an antenna and defines a number of through holes. The antenna includes a number of electrically conductive pins that are aligned with the through holes. The base unit includes a number of protruding, conductive terminals that respectively pass through the through holes and contact the electrically conductive pins to allow signals to be transmitted through the antenna. |
| US08358776B1 |
Telephone microphone
A telephone comprising one or more speaker apertures, a microphone indicator disposed on a user-facing surface of the telephone, and one or more microphone apertures disposed proximate to the microphone indicator on a surface of the telephone other than the user-facing surface, where at least one of the microphone apertures is operable to allow audio to pass from the user to a microphone disposed in the telephone, and where the microphone indicator is arranged to direct the user to speak in a direction toward at least one of the microphone apertures. |
| US08358770B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending alerts to internet protocol phones
The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member. |
| US08358768B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a country code identifier in an international ENUM system
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a country code identifier in an international ENUM system are disclosed. According to one method, a message is received that includes a telephone number and information associated with a country of origin of the telephone number. A country code identifier may be determined for the telephone number based on the information associated with the country of origin of the telephone number. Further, the country code identifier may be appended to the telephone number of the received message. |
| US08358756B2 |
Techniques for marking and manipulating voice message segments through a telephone user interface
In one embodiment, techniques for manipulating a voice message using a telephone user interface are provided. The telephone user interface receives a mark begin segment command from a telephonic device through a voice modality. The mark begin segment command indicates a beginning point for a voice message segment in the voice message. The telephone user interface then receives a mark end segment command from the telephonic device through the voice modality. The mark segment command indicates an ending point for the voice message segment in the voice message. An action command from the telephonic device is received and an action based on the action command for the voice message segment is performed. The voice message segment is a portion of the voice message determined based on the indicated beginning point of the voice message segment and the indicated ending point of the voice message segment in the voice message. |
| US08358754B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for providing a network-based call park feature
A method, which comprises receiving an indication of an intent to communicate using a first communication client registered to a user account. A memory is then consulted in an attempt to identify a communication session previously established with a party that is a communication client registered to the user account, the communication session having been placed in a held state. If the attempt is successful, the first communication client is then engaged in the communication session. |
| US08358753B2 |
Interactive voice response (IVR) cloud user interface
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for tag cloud prompting in an interactive voice response (IVR) system. In an embodiment of the invention, an IVR prompting method can include loading a set of options in an option set for a caller to an IVR application from over a network, identifying commonly selected options in the options set in a data store of historically selected options, generating a tag cloud for the option set with options in the option set that are more commonly selected being more emphasized than options in the option set that are less commonly selected, and directing a display of the tag cloud in a telephonic device of the caller. |
| US08358751B2 |
Method for establishing sua sponte large-scale person-to-person emergency electronic messaging communications based in part on subscriber telephone numbers
Lessons of the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attack (9/11) and Hurricane Katrina are incorporated. Methods are disclosed for rapidly establishing alternate electronic messaging for person-to-person communications in a large-scale emergency. Details for constructing electronic access addresses comprised in part by subscriber telephone numbers and an event identifier, allows the provider to establish a default system with no specific information from the user while allowing the user to access the messages in a systematic way. No registration or passwords are required, which allows free access to all interested parties. Expedited contact of lost pet owners and parents, as well as identification of the dead, is provided. |
| US08358744B2 |
Teletypewriter (TTY) for communicating pre-stored emergency messages to public safety answering points (PSAPS)
A system and method for communicating a pre-stored emergency message from a TTY to a PSAP may include, in response to receiving an emergency call signal, accessing a pre-stored emergency message stored in a memory. A PSAP may be dialed. In one embodiment, the PSAP may be dialed by the user dialing 911 or the TTY may automatically dial 911 in response to the user selecting a hard or soft-button associated with communicating an emergency message to a PSAP. The pre-stored emergency message may be communicated to a PSAP using a TTY communications protocol. A TTY compatible device utilized by a PSAP operator may be configured to provide the PSAP operator with pre-stored messages available for selection and communication to the emergency caller. By providing pre-stored messages on TTY devices, emergency communications between users of the TTY devices may be expedited, thereby potentially saving lives. |
| US08358742B2 |
System and method for managing a network
A system and method that may include placing a first telephone call from a data network to a target phone number using a trusted carrier; recording the first telephone call in a reference audio data file; placing a second telephone call from the data network to the target phone number using a suspect carrier; recording the second telephone call in a test audio data file; and comparing the test audio data file to the reference audio data file. |
| US08358738B2 |
Respiration-correlated radiotherapy
An approach to radiotherapy is disclosed which allows the therapeutic beam to be more accurately directed towards a target region. Instead of stopping acquiring images during treatment, the system continues to acquire images as treatment is ongoing. This ongoing pipeline of images is used to update the previously created 3D reconstructions of each breathing phase. Thus the position of the target region can also be updated. The surrogate is recorded simultaneously with the image acquisition although it is not used to determine the breathing phase. As new images are used to update the 3D reconstructions of each breathing phase the values of the surrogate associated with that phase are also updated. This means that the correlation with the surrogate can also continue to be evaluated, and the correlation refined, thus improving the ability of the system to track the motion of the target. |
| US08358735B2 |
Test method and test device
To provide a method and device for testing the size and conductivity of a foreign material adhered to a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, there is provided a method of testing whether a foreign material including a metal element is adhered to a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, the method including a first test step of detecting the size and position of the foreign material adhered to the substrate and a next step of testing whether the foreign material includes the metal element at the position detected in the first test step. |
| US08358730B2 |
Non-intrusive method to identify presence of nuclear materials using energetic prompt neutrons from neutron-induced fission
Methods and systems for non-intrusively detecting the existence of fissile materials in a container via the measurement of energetic prompt neutrons are disclosed. The methods and systems use the unique nature of the prompt neutron energy spectrum from neutron-induced fission arising from the emission of neutrons from almost fully accelerated fragments to unambiguously identify fissile material. These signals from neutron-induced fission are unique and allow the detection of any material in the actinide region of the nuclear periodic table. |
| US08358725B2 |
Synchronous sequential processing of multi-sampled phase
The synchronous sequential processing of multi-sampled phase (SSP MSP) includes a method, a system and an apparatus for implementing programmable algorithms for analyzing and recovering data from a very wide range of low and high frequency wave-forms, by using a synchronous sequential processor (SSP) for real time capturing and processing of in-coming wave-form and a programmable computing unit (PCU) for controlling SSP operations and supporting adaptive signal analysis algorithms. |
| US08358724B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and control method
A radio base station according to the present invention is equipped with a determination unit that compares a first signal quality of a first output signal which is output by an adaptive array antenna and a second signal quality of a second output signal which is output by an adaptive equalizer and determines whether the improvement effect of the second signal quality with respect to the first signal quality is below expectation. When the determination unit determines that the improvement effect is below expectation, a controller stops power supply to the adaptive equalizer and the calculation of an equalization weight by a weight calculator, and outputs the first output signal as the output signal of a receiver. |
| US08358723B1 |
Self-configurable radio receiver system and method for use with signals without prior knowledge of signal defining characteristics
A method, radio receiver, and system to autonomously receive and decode a plurality of signals having a variety of signal types without a priori knowledge of the defining characteristics of the signals is disclosed. The radio receiver is capable of receiving a signal of an unknown signal type and, by estimating one or more defining characteristics of the signal, determine the type of signal. The estimated defining characteristic(s) is/are utilized to enable the receiver to determine other defining characteristics. This in turn, enables the receiver, through multiple iterations, to make a maximum-likelihood (ML) estimate for each of the defining characteristics. After the type of signal is determined by its defining characteristics, the receiver selects an appropriate decoder from a plurality of decoders to decode the signal. |
| US08358722B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and reception system
Disclosed herein is a signal processing apparatus including a processing block configured to perform a carrier shift amount detection process for detecting a carrier shift amount constituting a carrier error used for demodulating an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal known as the OFDM signal; and a correction block configured to correct the OFDM signal in accordance with the carrier shift amount. The OFDM signal includes a first preamble signal including subcarriers, and a second preamble signal including subcarriers of which the spacing is narrower than the spacing of the subcarriers included in the first preamble signal. The second preamble signal includes pilot signals which are known signals located at intervals of a predetermined number of subcarriers. The processing block detects the carrier shift amount using a correlation of the subcarriers included in one such second preamble signal. |
| US08358720B2 |
Communication device and transmission calibration weight calculation method
A communication device according to the present invention includes a controller 10 configured to send a PN code (A) to a transmission and reception unit 20-1 and send a PN code (B) to a transmission and reception unit 20-n (n≠1), a transmission system characteristic data acquiring unit 40 configured to acquire reference transmission system characteristic data indicating the characteristic of the PN code (A) sent to the transmission and reception unit 20-1 and acquire transmission system characteristic data indicating the characteristic of the PN code (B) sent to the transmission and reception unit 20-n (n≠1), a transmission characteristic difference data calculator 41 configured to acquire a transmission characteristic difference data indicating a difference in transmission characteristic between the transmission and reception unit 20-1 and the transmission and reception unit 20-n (n≠1) on the basis of the reference transmission system characteristic data and the transmission system characteristic data, and a transmission calibration weight calculator 44 configured to calculate transmission calibration weight on the basis of the transmission characteristic difference data. |
| US08358708B2 |
Low offset input circuit and transmission system with the input circuit
A low offset input circuit and a signal transmission system which can accommodate a high-speed interface and achieve reduction of an offset voltage are provided. An offset voltage compensating circuit block 103 having an input circuit block 108 including an input circuit 104 and an adder-subtractor circuit block 105, switches 108, 109, a detecting circuit block 106, and an adjusting and holding circuit block 107 is provided. To compensate for an offset voltage of the input circuit block 102, an offset voltage of the input circuit block 102 is detected at the detecting circuit block 106 by turning on the switches 108, 109, and the detected offset voltage is held in the adjusting and holding circuit block 107, and negative feedback of the held offset voltage to the adder-subtractor circuit block 105 is performed. Thereby, signals Vop, Von having compensated offset voltages are outputted from the input circuit block 102. |
| US08358702B2 |
Information processing system and information processing method, and program
An image processing system includes a division unit adapted to divide encoding target data into divided data, a distributed encoding unit adapted to encode the divided data into distributed encode data and generate decode information file including time information, a generation unit adapted to generate decode image information on the basis of specification information including time information and the decode information file, and a decoding unit adapted to decode the distributed encode data on the basis of the decode image information and output decode data corresponding to the specification information. |
| US08358696B2 |
Motion estimation techniques
Techniques for motion estimation are disclosed. For example, embodiments may determine error metric lower bound values for a block in a current image, where each of the error metric lower bound values corresponds to a search position in a reference image. Based on a separation threshold, a plurality of candidate positions may be identified from the search positions. A matching position is then identified from the candidate positions. Based on the matching position, a motion vector is determined. |
| US08358693B2 |
Encoding visual data with computation scheduling and allocation
Computation scheduling and allocation for visual communication is described. In one aspect, multiple frames of video data are encoded by allocating for at least a subset of inter-coded frames, on frame-by-frame basis, computational resources to encode the inter-coded frame. To this end, a computational budget to encode a current inter-coded frame is estimated. The estimate is based on the actual computational costs to encode a previous inter-coded frame of video data. Next, sets of operations associated with encoding the current inter-coded frame are analyzed to determine computational resources to implement the operations. If the computational resources exceed the computational budget, complexity of the operations is reduced until the associated computational resources are less than or equal to the computational budget. At this point, the current inter-coded frame is encoded using the operations and the computational budget. This process is repeated for the remaining inter-coded frames of video data. |
| US08358685B2 |
Iterative detection and decoding in multiple antenna communication systems
One or more embodiments to iteratively detect and decode data transmitted in a wireless communication system, featuring a MIMO detector and a soft input soft-output error-correction-code decoder. More specifically, a method suitable for iterative detection and decoding schemes is proposed, which is able to output near optimal bit soft information processing efficiently given input bit soft information. First, a transmitting source is selected as a reference layer, wherein the associated symbol represents a reference transmit symbol. Subsequently, a set of candidate values are identified for the reference transmit symbol. For each candidate value a candidate transmit sequence is estimated through a novel spatial decision feedback equalization process based on both Euclidean distance metrics and the a-priori soft information provided by the SISO ECC decoder. The novel DFE technique uses a novel bit metric. Techniques are provided to identify a reduced size transmit symbol candidate set and generate from it near-optimal LLRs, also processing input a-priori LLRs in an iterative fashion. |
| US08358684B2 |
Demodulation circuit, demodulation method, program, and reception apparatus
A demodulation circuit including: a first error calculation section configured to calculate a first error in accordance with a blind method; a second error calculation section configured to calculate a second error in accordance with a DD method; an update section configured to update filter coefficients for first and second filters based on the first or second error, the first filter filtering an input signal to generate a first signal, the second filter filtering a signal representing a hard decision value for a post-equalization signal to generate a second signal; a control section configured to, in the case where the update section is updating the filter coefficients based on the second error, controlling the filter coefficients to be updated based on the first error, when the degree of the second error has exceeded a first threshold; and a generation section configured to generate the post-equalization signal based on the first and second signals. |
| US08358682B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, test system, distortion detecting apparatus, signal compensation apparatus, analytic signal generating apparatus, recording medium and analytic signal generating method
Provided is a reference data converting section that rearranges each of a plurality of frequency components along the frequency axis such that (i) a fundamental wave component and harmonic wave components of a reference digital signal are within a first Nyquist region of a spectrum of the reference digital signal and (ii) image components of the fundamental wave component and the harmonic wave components are within a second Nyquist region of the spectrum; and a distortion detecting section that detects the non-linear distortion of the reference digital signal caused by each harmonic wave component, based on each harmonic wave component having a prescribed order number in the spectrum in which each frequency component has been rearranged by the reference data converting section. |
| US08358681B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication calibration method
There is provided a communication apparatus, including a transmission unit that transmits information by a plurality of systems and a reception unit that receives information by a plurality of systems, wherein the transmission unit includes a calibration information generation unit that generates calibration information transmitted for each the system and a calibration information generation notification generation unit that generates a calibration information generation notification indicating that the calibration information has been generated by the calibration information generation unit for each system, and the reception unit includes a calibration information detection unit that starts measurement of time based on reception of the calibration information generation notification and detecting calibration information turned back by the transmission unit for each system after a fixed time passes after starting measurement of time. |
| US08358679B2 |
Relay station for a mobile communication system
A relay station for being operative in a mobile communication system, comprising a receiver for receiving a radio signal from a source, the radio signal comprising symbols representing an encoded information, the encoded information being based on an encoding rule and comprising payload information and redundancy information. The relay station comprising a soft detector for detecting a symbol from the radio signal to obtain soft information, the soft information comprising information on the symbol and reliability information on the information on the symbol. The relay station further comprising a quantizer for quantizing the soft information to obtain quantized soft information and a transmitter for transmitting an information on the quantized soft information to a destination. |
| US08358677B2 |
Virtual or remote transponder
A system and method for transmitting UAV position data to a central flight control center transmits UAV position data using a virtual transponder. A ground control station for controlling the UAV receives data from the UAV, including UAV position data. The UAV may provide GPS data, or corrected position data based on readings from an inertial navigation system. The ground control station transmits the UAV position data to a flight control center. |
| US08358671B2 |
Photonic clock stabilized laser comb processing
Processing a workpiece with a laser includes generating laser pulses at a first pulse repetition frequency. The first pulse repetition frequency provides reference timing for coordination of a beam positioning system and one or more cooperating beam position compensation elements to align beam delivery coordinates relative to the workpiece. The method also includes, at a second pulse repetition frequency that is lower than the first pulse repetition frequency, selectively amplifying a subset of the laser pulses. The selection of the laser pulses included in the subset is based on the first pulse repetition frequency and position data received from the beam positioning system. The method further includes adjusting the beam delivery coordinates using the one or more cooperating beam position compensation elements so as to direct the amplified laser pulses to selected targets on the workpiece. |
| US08358670B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing packet
Provided is a packet processing apparatus and method for audio/video (AV) data transmission, in which a simple protocol optimized for AV data transmission is used. Information distinguishing a data packet from a control packet may be included in a data link layer packet header, so that a data packet and a control packet may be distinguished from each other and thereby may be processed according to different procedures. |
| US08358665B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the presentation of multimedia data from a multiplex signal between devices in a local area network
Described herein are various techniques for remotely controlling the presentation of multimedia data contained within a multiplex signal by various devices on a local area network. According to one aspect, a method is provided that allows for controlling the presentation of multimedia data being delivered to one or more devices on a local area network. Control is provided through the steps of receiving at least a portion of a multiplex signal at a control device, determining at the control device the one or more logical channels contained within the multiplex signal, detecting the presence of a controllable device on the local area network, receiving at least a portion of the multiplex signal at the controllable device, and transmitting instructions from the control device to the controllable device that instructs the controllable device to present to a user at least one type of multimedia data associated with one or more of the logical channels of the multiplex signal. According to another aspect, a mobile device is provided that communicates wirelessly over a local area network and includes at least one interface for displaying information and accepting input from a user. Furthermore, the mobile device receives a wireless multiplex signal that comprises one or more logical channels of multimedia data, and issue instructions to at least one multimedia device on the network indicating what multimedia data to consume by instructing the multimedia device to tune into one or more logical channels of the multiplex signal. |
| US08358657B2 |
Adaptive coding and modulation for broadband data transmission
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions. |
| US08358648B1 |
Allocating socket ranges to increase address space
Computer systems and computerized methods for assigning network identifiers in a wireless or wired network are provided. A dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server is employed to allocate a set of socket IP addresses that include a common IPv4 address paired with a selected group of ports, where none of the ports in the selected groups overlap. When assigned to a client device, a socket IP address that includes the IPv4 address together with a particular group of ports uniquely identifies the client device within the network. The particular group of ports is selected as a function of network traffic, a set of functional capabilities exhibited by the client device, or both. The network traffic is measured dynamically, periodically, or at some earlier time. The functional capabilities are conveyed from the client device or accessed at a user profile that is readable by the DHCP server. |
| US08358647B2 |
System and method for provision of IMS based services for legacy CS UE with home node B access
A system and method for allowing legacy circuit switched user equipment (CS UE) to operate via a packet-switch system, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) system, is provided. The mobility and session control aspects of communications with a legacy CS UE is separated. A user agent is placed in the receiving node (e.g., a home node B) that acts as the SIP agent for the CS UE for session control. An interworking function is provided to allow mobility between the macro CS network and the PS (e.g., IMS) network. |
| US08358646B2 |
Temporary connection number management system, terminal, temporary connection number management method, and temporary connection number management program
The present invention makes it possible to connect to and communicate with a connect destination by using a temporary number. In the present invention, a temporary number user terminal (100) registers a temporary number acquired from a SIP account server (300) in a SIP proxy server (400), and connects to and communicates with a connected user terminal (200) by using the temporary number. After the communication is finished, the temporary number is unregistered from the SIP proxy server (400), thereby disabling a connection from the connected user terminal (200). Also, connection conditions are provided by specifying the validity period of connection using a temporary number, the number of times connection can be made, the connect destination to which connection can be made, and the like, and only those calls which meet the connection conditions are accepted, thereby making it possible to restrict the uses of the temporary number. |
| US08358645B2 |
Determining a physical location of a VoIP endpoint device utilized to originate an emergency call
In one embodiment, a method and system for enabling determination of a physical location of a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) endpoint device utilized to originate an emergency call are described. A network location associated with the VoIP endpoint device is automatically detected. The VoIP endpoint device is coupled with a VoIP network via a port of a network device (e.g., a wireline or a wireless network device). The network location includes an identity of the network device and an identity of the port. The network location is saved and upon initiation of an emergency call, the VoIP endpoint device forwards the network location to a device capable of converting the network location to a physical location. |
| US08358644B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating synchronization/pilot sequences for embedding in wireless signals
An embodiment includes a method for generating a set of synchronization/pilot sequences (SPS) by generating a plurality of candidate SPS using different initial conditions. Correlations are performed among the candidate SPS to generate a plurality of correlation values, and a plurality of permutations of the candidate SPS are determined, where each permutation includes a different set of candidate SPS, and wherein each permutation includes a number, D, of candidate SPS. In addition a selected permutation is identified from the plurality of permutations, where the selected permutation corresponds to the set of SPS being generated. A system includes a transmitter adapted to generate a wireless signal in which an SPS is embedded by combining each SPS of the set with phase shifted input data, determining peak-to-average power ratios (PARs) for at least some of the combined signals, and identifying a selected combined signal based on the PARs. |
| US08358643B2 |
Modified connection setup for E-UTRA radio resource control
A communication method for reducing Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection setup time in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) includes the step of using an inclusive Signalling Radio Bearer (iSRB) in place of a plurality of individual Signalling Radio Bearers (indSRBs) for transferring signals from Radio Resource Control (RRC) to Medium Access Control (MAC). A Protocol Discriminator (PD) is added to the tail (right side) of each indSRB at the RRC for allowing the MAC to identify each indSRB as received in the iSRB. The PD is needed because the MAC would otherwise be unable to place each indSRB into the appropriate prioritizing queue for trans-mission to the physical layer. The PD is stripped off at the MAC. A preferred embodiment uses the iSRB in place of four individual indSRBs (SRB1, SRB2, SRB3 and SRB4), but in an alternative form the Unacknowledged Mode SRB (SRBI) would not be present in the system and therefore not included in the iSRB. |
| US08358640B1 |
Femtocell bridging in media local area networks
A femtocell is provided. The femtocell comprises a processor, a memory, and a radio transceiver to communicate with a mobile communication device using a wireless cellular communication protocol and to communicate with the mobile communication device in a data session using one of evolution-data optimized (EV-DO), one times radio transmission technology (1x-RTT), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long-term evolution (LTE). The femtocell also comprises an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives simple service discovery protocol messages from a media local area network identifying content stored in the media local area network and provides information about the content to the mobile communication device. |
| US08358630B2 |
Method of transmitting at least one sub-packet based on feedback information in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting subsequent sub-packets in a wireless communication system using a hybrid automatic request (HARQ) technique is disclosed. The method includes receiving feedback information from at least one receiving end, transmitting a transmit packet via at least one overhead channel, wherein the transmit packet includes information on carrier and antenna combination selected for subsequent transmission, and transmitting at least one sub-packet according to the selected carrier and antenna combination. |
| US08358628B2 |
Wireless handoffs based upon activity correlation
A femtocell node exchanges user data with a wireless communication device. Subsequently, a macrocell node exchanges other user data with the wireless communication device. A handoff controller selects the femtocell node for a handoff from the macrocell node based on a correlation with the prior communications between the wireless communication device and the femtocell node. For example, the prior communications between the wireless communication device and the femtocell node may correlate in time, geography, and/or destination address with prior interrupted communications between the wireless communication device and the macrocell node. |
| US08358627B2 |
Radio communication system, radio communication method, and mobile station
A mobile station transmits mobile station capability information to a first radio communication system via a first radio connection set between the mobile station and the first radio communication system, before a disconnection of the first radio connection. The first radio communication system transmits the mobile station capability information to a second radio communication system, before the disconnection of the first radio connection. The second radio communication system transmits a parameter to the first radio communication system, before the disconnection of the first radio connection. The parameter is used in a second radio connection to be set between the mobile station and the second radio communication system. The first radio communication system transmits the parameter to the mobile station via the first radio connection, before the disconnection of the first radio connection. |
| US08358621B2 |
Method and apparatus for feeding back and receiving acknowledgement information of semi-persistent scheduling data packets
A method and apparatus for feeding back and receiving acknowledgment (ACK) information of semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) data packets are disclosed. The method for feeding back ACK information of SPS data packets includes receiving an uplink downlink assignment index (UL DAI) from a base station (BS), wherein the UL DAI indicates a number (N) of downlink data packets, mapping acknowledgements/negative acknowledgements (ACKs/NAKs) of k SPS data packets of the downlink data packets to positions from the (N−k+1)th ACK/NAK to the Nth ACK/NAK, and feeding back N ACKs/NAKs to the BS. |
| US08358620B2 |
Voice session and data session coordination in a communication device
A communication device has a data application and a voice application. The device establishes a data session between the data application and a data system. During the data session, the device receives a voice session request from a voice communication system, and in response, alerts the user of the request. The device receives a user acceptance of the voice session request, and in response, transfers a voice session acceptance indication from the voice application to the data application and tracks elapsed time since the user acceptance. The communication device transfers a voice session acceptance from the voice application to the voice communication system if the voice application receives a data application ready indication from the data application or if the elapsed time since the user acceptance reaches a set time period, whichever occurs first. |
| US08358616B2 |
Peer-to-peer communication charging method, communication system and charging device
A peer-to-peer communication charging method for charging instant messaging services in a peer-to-peer network, includes the steps of: a) sending, by a service application server to a charging system, an application layer charging message including application layer charging information, a subsystem layer charging correlation identifier and/or a bearer layer charging correlation identifier; b) sending, by a subsystem layer to the charging system, a subsystem layer charging message including subsystem layer charging information, the subsystem layer charging correlation identifier and the bearer layer charging correlation identifier; c) sending, by a bearer layer to the charging system, a bearer layer charging message including bearer layer charging information, the subsystem layer charging correlation identifier and the bearer layer charging correlation identifier; and e) associating, by the charging system, the received charging messages with one another and performing charging. |
| US08358615B2 |
Modulation and coding scheme selection method for a specific absorption rate compliant communication device
Transmission of data from a portable communication device to a base station via a radio frequency signal uses a plurality of modulation and coding schemes and a protocol that has recurring frames. Each frame has a plurality of transmission slots, different numbers of which can be used to transmit data. When it is desired to transmit data a higher rate than was used previously, an attempt is made to increase the number transmission slots being used. If doing so, produces a transmission results in a specific absorption rate limit being exceeded, then the modulation and coding scheme is changed to one having a greater data coding rate. The power level and the number transmission slots then are set so that the data transmission does not exceed the specific absorption rate limit. The data is then transmitted by the portable communication device. |
| US08358613B1 |
Transmitter-directed security for wireless-communications
Transmitter-directed transmission security is provided between a transmit node and a receive node. The transmit node selects transmission format for each data frame based on a transmission security scenario. Information related to the transmission format is communicated between the transmit node and the receive node, and the data frames are transmitted over a wireless communication link using the selected transmission formats. |
| US08358612B2 |
Power save improvement during a network allocation vector period
Included are embodiments for operating in a wireless environment. At least one embodiment of a method includes setting a first data frame for transmission from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is configured to operate in a normal power mode that includes utilization of a plurality of active components, wherein setting the first data frame includes determining a time period of communicative inactivity. |
| US08358609B1 |
Location based services in a situational network
A method of providing location based service information in a situational network includes establishing the situational network linking a plurality of individuals in response to an indication of an occurrence of a situation. Information related to availability of a service at a plurality of service locations affected by the situation is received, where the service is provided by one or more of a plurality of service providers An individual location associated with each of the plurality of individuals is determined. The available service locations that are in closest proximity to the individual location of the respective individuals is transmitting to each of the individuals based on the availability of the service. |
| US08358607B2 |
Multiple entry terrestrial repeater for a content broadcasting system
A terrestrial repeater, comprising i) an interface means configured to receive a first data stream originating from a first satellite transmission network, a second data stream originating from a second transmission network, and a third data stream originating from a third terrestrial transmission network, and to transform the received streams into data packets; ii) a first processing means configured to select at least one part of the data packets of at least one of the first, second, and third streams received, and to process each selected stream portion to place the data packets it comprises into a selected broadcast format; and iii) a second processing means configured to combine the selected and processed stream portions to constitute a set of packets to be broadcast, convert the set of packets into at least one radio frequency signal, and amplify the at least one radio frequency signal in order to broadcast wirelessly towards at least one radio communication terminal. |
| US08358603B2 |
Method, base station, and user terminal for implementing uplink resource indication
A method, a base station (BS), and a user terminal for implementing uplink resource indication are provided. The method includes: carrying an uplink resource index in an uplink resource grant indication (ul grant), in which the uplink resource index is corresponding to at least one uplink resource in terms of indication; and sending the ul grant. The BS includes an index carrying module and an instruction sending module. The user terminal includes an instruction receiving module, an instruction resolving module, and an execution module. |
| US08358596B2 |
Communications system providing mobile wireless communications device application module associations for respective wireless communications formats and related methods
A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices having respective different device types and each configured to wirelessly communicate via a plurality of different wireless communications formats. The system may also include a mobile wireless communications device including a plurality of application modules associated with respective electronic device types and configured to communicate via a first one of the wireless communications formats. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a control module configured to establish an initial wireless communications link with a given electronic device using a second one of the wireless communications formats, determine a respective device type for the given electronic device based upon the established initial wireless communications link, and cause a respective application module to establish a subsequent wireless communications link with the given electronic device using the second wireless communications format based upon the determined respective device type. |
| US08358594B2 |
Method of configuring carrier in multi-carrier system
A method of configuring a carrier in a multi-carrier system by a User Equipment (UE) includes receiving, from the first cell, barred-cell information instructing a first cell to be designated as a barred-cell, receiving, from a second cell corresponding to a second carrier, carrier configuration information, instructing a configuration of a first carrier corresponding to the first cell, and configuring a selected carrier based on either the designation of the barred-cell or the carrier configuration information. |
| US08358592B2 |
Network controller and control method with flow analysis and control function
A network controller, capable of high-speed extraction of malicious traffic from networks and determining characteristics of such traffic, includes a unit for accumulating a number of packets for each arbitrary itemset included in the header portions of packets to be transferred, and a unit for determining whether the accumulated value obtained by the accumulating unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, and determines the types of packets to be transferred from accumulated values of the itemset and an itemset different from the itemset when the number of packets exceed a threshold. |
| US08358591B2 |
Network traffic monitoring in a server network environment
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with monitoring a server port in a server network environment are described. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) allows server port(s) to be selected for monitoring. The GUI also allows for an uplink port to be selected, where the uplink port is a port that may be connected to a network analyzer. In response to the selections, a virtual local area network (VLAN) is created to establish communication between the selected server port(s) and the selected uplink port. Network traffic that passes through the selected server port(s) can then be duplicated and transmitted through the VLAN to the selected uplink port to be monitored and analyzed by a network analyzer connected to the uplink port. |
| US08358587B2 |
Local wireless communication system and method employing frequency-variable signal detection
A system for performing a local wireless communication using a predetermined frequency band divided into a plurality of channels. The system includes a hub for scanning each channel to identify available one of the plurality of channels and transmitting data over the available channel. The system further includes a sensor set to start to operate when the sensor detects a signal within the predetermined frequency band. The sensor spectrum-senses the signal of the frequency band for each channel, and analyzes a header of packet data for each channel, and receives and processes the packet data if the signal is identified to have a designated code. |
| US08358584B2 |
Port failure communication in cross-connect applications
Systems and methods for communicating faults across a communications network cross-connect are provided. In one embodiment, a method for communicating an alarm condition in a cross-connected network is provided. The method comprises providing a cross-connect having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a plurality of interface ports and the second side includes an interface port; detecting a fault on a first interface port of the first side; and when a fault is detected on the first interface port of the first side, transmitting a signal on the interface port of the second side, the signal having a pre-defined alarm data pattern inserted into one or more time slots associated with the first interface port of the first side. |
| US08358583B2 |
Controlling QoS in a wireless apparatus
Controlling packet sessions and QoS in a wireless network is disclosed. An apparatus provides application-specific packet sessions in the wireless network, with application-specific QoS parameters, without requiring the explicit cooperation of an application. |
| US08358579B1 |
Controlling quality of service and content quality based on user relationships
A system and method are provided for controlling Quality of Service (QoS), content quality, or both QoS and content quality in a content sharing network based on user relationships. More specifically, QoS, content quality, or both QoS and content quality may be controlled based on a relationship of a user of a network node requesting content and either a user of a network node hosting the requested content or an owner of the requested content, a relationship between the user of the network node requesting the content and the content, or any combination thereof. |
| US08358570B2 |
Method of drawing a pattern for magnetic transfer
A method of drawing a pattern for magnetic transfer on a substrate, including the steps of rotating the substrate and scanning the substrate, by an electron beam, in a circumferential direction thereof, deflecting, using a deflection signal, the electron beam in a radial direction thereof, and switching irradiation of the electron beam on and off, so as to create the pattern of a plurality of dots. |
| US08358568B2 |
Optical disc reproduction power setting method, optical disc reproduction method, and optical disc device
According to a method for setting the laser beam power applied to reproduce information recorded on an optical disc, information recorded in a region on the optical disc is reproduced using three or more test reproduction powers (S22B), the number of reproductions until the degradation of the quality of the reproduced signal reaches a prescribed value is determined as the degradation number of reproductions (S22F), the relation between the test reproduction power and the degradation number of reproductions is approximated by a curve, and a reproduction power restricting the degradation of the reproduced signal quality to a predetermined amount or less over a certain guaranteed number of reproductions is determined (S25F). In optical reproduction from an optical disc on which information is recorded, the optimum power of irradiation for reproduction can be set, and degradation of the information due to the reproducing light can be prevented. |
| US08358567B2 |
Information reproduction device and information reproduction method
According to the present invention, an information reproduction device and an information reproduction method are provided, which are capable of reproducing data using temporary management information that is identified by a simple way of specification. In the present invention, the control receives temporary management information identifying information, searches for and reproduces the most suitable one of a plurality of temporary management information, and reproduces data using the temporary management information. Thus, it is possible to obtain contents of an overwritten file as of before the file was overwritten. |
| US08358564B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of setting alarm therein
A mobile terminal and a method of setting an alarm therein are provided. The mobile terminal includes a controller, a display unit, and a memory unit. The controller controls the display unit to display an alarm setting screen on which alarm dates are arranged in a first direction and alarm time points are arranged in a second direction, the alarm screen being displayed in an alarm setting mode and sets an alarm at a selected time point of each alarm date in response to selection of the alarm time point. The controller also controls the memory unit to store a set alarm on an alarm date and alarm time point. The display unit displays an alarm image at an intersection of an alarm date and an alarm time point of each set alarm. |
| US08358563B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program
A signal processing apparatus includes: a learning processing unit that finds a separating matrix for separating mixed signals in which outputs from a plurality of sound sources are mixed, by a learning process that applies ICA (Independent Component Analysis) to observed signals including the mixed signals; a separation processing unit that applies the separating matrix to the observed signals to separate the mixed signals and generate separated signals corresponding to each of the sound sources; and a sound source direction estimating unit that computes a sound source direction of each of the generated separated signals. The sound source direction estimating unit calculates cross-covariance matrices between the observed signals and the separated signals in corresponding time segments in time-frequency domain, computes phase differences between elements of the cross-covariance matrices, and computes a sound source direction corresponding to each of the separated signals by applying the computed phase differences. |
| US08358559B2 |
System and method for imaging
An imaging device is provided, comprising: a decorrelation circuit configured to receive K initial imaging signals and to perform a decorrelation operation on K initial imaging signals, respectively, to generate K decorrelated imaging signals; Kh wavelet decomposition circuits configured to perform K wavelet decomposition operations on the K decorrelated imaging signals, respectively, to generate K decomposed imaging signals; K quantization circuits configured to perform K quantization operations on the K decomposed imaging signals, respectively, to generate K quantized imaging signals; and a bit multiplexer configured to generate a compressed bit stream based on the K quantized imaging signals; a data line configured to pass the compressed bit stream; and a decompressor module configured to convert the compressed bit stream into K recovered imaging signals corresponding to the K initial imaging signals, wherein K is an integer greater than 1. |
| US08358558B2 |
Address control circuit and semiconductor memory device
An address control circuit is presented for use in reducing a skew in a write operation mode. The address control circuit includes a read column address control circuit and a write column address control circuit. The read column address control circuit is configured to generate a read column address from an address during a first burst period for a read operation mode. The write column address control circuit is configured to generate a write column address from the address during a second burst period for a write operation mode. |
| US08358557B2 |
Memory device and method
A method of accessing a memory device multiple times in a same time period can include, in a first sequence of accesses, starting an access operation to one of a plurality of banks in synchronism with a first part of a first clock cycle and starting an access operation to another of the plurality of banks in synchronism with a second part of the first clock cycle, each bank having separate access circuits; and the time between consecutive accesses is faster than an access speed for back-to-back accesses to a same one of the banks; wherein during the access operations, storage locations of each bank are accessed in a same time period. |
| US08358556B2 |
Internal power supply circuit, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide an internal power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to an internal circuit of a semiconductor device via an internal power supply wiring, the internal power supply circuit includes a plurality of power supply units connected in common to the internal power supply wiring and an internal-power-supply control circuit that selects either activation or deactivation with regard to at least a part of the power supply units. |
| US08358553B2 |
Input/output bank architecture for an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit can include an input/output (I/O) bank. The I/O bank can include a plurality of byte clock groups. Each byte clock group can include at least one phaser configured to clock circuit elements of the byte clock group at a frequency at which a source synchronous device coupled to the byte clock group communicates data. |
| US08358552B2 |
Nano-sense amplifier
A sense amplifier for a series of cells of a memory, including a writing stage comprising a CMOS inverter, the input of which is directly or indirectly connected to an input terminal of the sense amplifier, and the output of which is connected to an output terminal of the sense amplifier intended to be connected to a local bitline addressing the cells of the series, and a reading stage that includes a sense transistor, the gate of which is connected to the output of the inverter and the drain of which is connected to the input of the inverter. |
| US08358551B2 |
Reducing peak currents required for precharging data lines in memory devices
A semiconductor memory storage device is disclosed. The semiconductor memory storage devices comprises: a plurality of data storage cells arranged in an array. The array comprises a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows, each column comprising at least one output line for outputting a data value from a data storage cell in a selected row of the column. Precharge circuitry for precharging the output lines to a predetermined voltage, the precharge circuitry comprising a plurality of switching devices corresponding to the plurality of columns each switching device controlled by a data output request signal and a power mode signal. The plurality of switching devices each comprising at least two switches, the at least two switches comprising a data output switch controlled by the data output request signal and a power switch controlled by the power mode signal, the plurality of switching devices connecting the output lines to the predetermined voltage in response to both the power mode signal indicating an operational mode and the data output request signal indicating data is to be output; wherein the power mode switch is configured to have a higher capacitance than the data output switch. |
| US08358549B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, memory test method and computer program for designing program of semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of RAM macros; and a test control circuit configured to correlate the plurality of RAM macros with a plurality of memory test execution periods. The test control circuit outputs control signals to the plurality of RAM macros such that one RAM macro of the plurality of RAM macros is tested during one memory test execution period of the plurality of memory test execution periods, the one RAM macro being correlated with the one memory test execution period. |
| US08358547B2 |
Delay-locked-loop circuit, semiconductor device and memory system having the delay-locked-loop circuit
A delay-locked-loop (DLL) circuit having a DLL that operates when an external clock signal has a low frequency and a DLL that operates when an external clock signal has a high frequency is disclosed. The DLL circuit includes a first DLL and second DLL. The first DLL adjusts a delay time of an external clock signal to generate a first internal clock signal synchronized with the external clock signal when the external clock signal has a low frequency. The second DLL adjusts the delay time of the external clock signal to generate a second internal clock signal synchronized with the external clock signal when the external clock signal has a high frequency. |
| US08358544B2 |
Flash memory device having dummy cell
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a string selection transistor coupled to a bit line. The device also includes a plurality of memory cells coupled in series to the string selection transistor, wherein at least one of the memory cells is configured to be in a programmed state during an erase procedure of the plurality of memory cells. |
| US08358534B2 |
Spin torque transfer memory cell structures and methods
Spin Torque Transfer (STT) memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more STT memory cell structures include a tunneling barrier material positioned between a ferromagnetic storage material and a pinned ferromagnetic material in contact with an antiferromagnetic material and a multiferroic material in contact with the ferromagnetic storage material, wherein the antiferromagnetic material, the ferromagnetic storage material, and the pinned ferromagnetic material are located between a first electrode and a second electrode. |
| US08358533B2 |
Phase-change memory device
A phase-change memory device includes: a unit cell including a phase-change resistor; a sense amplifier applying a sensing current to the phase-change resistor; and a switching unit operating in a standby mode or a read mode according to a global line signal and controlling passing presence of the sensing current passing through the phase-change resistor according to an active signal in the standby mode. |
| US08358529B2 |
Conductive metal oxide structures in non-volatile re-writable memory devices
A memory cell including a memory element comprising an electrolytic insulator in contact with a conductive metal oxide (CMO) is disclosed. The CMO includes a crystalline structure and can comprise a pyrochlore oxide, a conductive binary oxide, a multiple B-site perovskite, and a Ruddlesden-Popper structure. The CMO includes mobile ions that can be transported to/from the electrolytic insulator in response to an electric field of appropriate magnitude and direction generated by a write voltage applied across the electrolytic insulator and CMO. The memory cell can include a non-ohmic device (NOD) that is electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned between a cross-point of conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array in a single layer of memory or multiple vertically stacked layers of memory that are fabricated over a substrate that includes active circuitry for data operations on the array layer(s). |
| US08358528B2 |
Memory system with sectional data lines
A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. The blocks are grouped into bays. The storage system includes array lines of a first type in communication with storage elements, array lines of a second type in communication with storage elements, and sense amplifiers. Each block is geographically associated with two sense amplifiers and all blocks of a particular bay share a group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the particular bay. The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay. |
| US08358524B1 |
Methods and circuits for limiting bit line leakage current in a content addressable memory (CAM) device
A content addressable memory (CAM) device can include a number of bit line. One or more of the bit lines can be connected to storage circuits of CAM cells in a corresponding column. Each CAM cell can include compare circuits that compare a stored value one or more compare data values. An isolation circuit can have a controllable impedance path connected between the bit line and a precharge voltage node and can be controlled by application of a potential at a control node. A control circuit can be coupled to the control node and can switch the isolation circuit from a high impedance state to a low impedance state in response to, and no later than the start of, an access operation. |
| US08358523B2 |
Method of operating an inverter by turning off the switching at a zero transition of the alternating output current
A method of operating an inverter for converting direct voltage into alternating voltage. The inverter has direct-voltage terminals and alternating-voltage terminals and a plurality of power switching elements that are clocked at high-frequency connected between the d.c. and a.c. terminals. The high-frequency clocking of the power switching elements of the inverter is switched off around a zero transition of the alternating current or the alternating voltage for a period which depends on the direct voltage present at the direct-voltage terminals of the inverter and/or the output power of the inverter. No current is generated during time intervals with a poor efficiency. |
| US08358520B2 |
High efficiency charge-and-add adjustable DC-DC converter
A charge-and-add DC-DC voltage converter design using a switch network that toggles between two states, either simultaneously charging a flying capacitor (one or any number) or creating a DC voltage on the output capacitor by connecting all flaying capacitors in series thus adding the input voltage to remaining voltages on flying capacitors after they were charged. A pulse generator delivers a train of pulses to toggle the switch network. Depending on the applications, the train of pulses can be continuous when a fixed unregulated voltage must be delivered, or a defined number of pulses when voltage (power) surge is to be produced. The charge-and-add converters should be capable of delivering a regulated output voltage, and in this case, pulse-width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) can be used. |
| US08358519B2 |
Switch control circuit limiting the maximum switching frequency of a bridge circuit with a timer
A switch control circuit for controlling a bridge circuit comprising: an upper and a lower transistor, connected to a positive and a negative voltage, respectively, and comprising a flywheel diode connected in parallel with each transistor. An LC-circuit filters the voltage from the junction of the transistors. A drive circuit controls each transistor in order to switch off the corresponding switch element when a reference current has been obtained in the inductor and for switching on the corresponding switch element when the current in the inductor is essentially zero. A first timer circuit is arranged for preventing the on-switch of the switch element until a minimum time period has passed. |
| US08358517B2 |
Switching power conversion circuit and power supply using same
A switching power conversion circuit receives an input voltage and generates an output voltage to a system circuit. The switching power conversion circuit includes a power circuit, a feedback circuit, a control circuit, and an initiation circuit. The power circuit includes a first switch circuit. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal according to a power-status signal and the output voltage. The first switching circuit is conducted or shut off according to the feedback signal under control of the control circuit, so that the input voltage is converted into the output voltage and the first auxiliary voltage by the power circuit. If the power-status signal is in an off status, a ratio of the feedback signal to the output voltage is equal to a first feedback ratio and the magnitude of the first auxiliary voltage is lower than a normal operating voltage value, so that the control circuit is disabled. |
| US08358512B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing which has a shielding layer on its inner surface and is provided with an opening, a housed component which is contained inside the housing, and a module which is provided at the exterior of the housing, and has a first conducting section that is electrically connected to the housed component and a second conducting section that is different from the first conducting section. The electronic device includes a connection portion, and the connection portion has a contact portion and an elastic support portion which is extended to a part near the opening and supports the contact portion. The contact portion equalizes the potential of the shielding layer with the potential of the second conducting section by electrically connecting to the shielding layer by the opening, and contacting the second conducting section. |
| US08358508B2 |
Active patch panel
An active patch panel uses small form factor plus (SFP+) connectivity with a plurality of channels extending between first and second faces of the panel. The channels connect ports on the opposing faces of the panel and are provided with additional electronic elements, such as an equalizer, a clock data recovery element, and a pre-emphasis element. A controller can be connected to the plurality of channels to provide instructions for simultaneous equalization and pre-emphasis of a plurality of cable assemblies in the same channel. |
| US08358499B2 |
Data storage module comprising multiple storage medium components
Disclosed herein is a data storage module for use with and insertion into a bay of a computer. The module may comprise a casing that has a first end and a second end. The module also includes two or more storage medium components contained within said casing, wherein said two or more storage medium components are physically isolated from each other. This enables the provision of two separate storage medium components with different operating systems or user information and/or data to be provided on a single hardware module. |
| US08358497B2 |
Electrode foil for capacitor, electrolytic capacitor using the same, and method for manufacturing electrode foil for capacitor
An electrode foil includes a base made of foil of valve metal, and a rough surface layer made of valve metal provided on a surface of the base. The rough surface layer includes plural tree structures extending d from the base. Each of the tree structures includes plural particles of valve metal linked together, and is branched into plural twigs. This electrode foil provides an electrolytic capacitor with a small size and a large capacitance. |
| US08358495B2 |
Laminated ceramic electronic component
It is harder to realize structural defects when the thickness of an internal electrode is reduced in a laminated ceramic electronic component, such as a laminated ceramic capacitor, when the internal electrodes contain a base metal as their conductive constituent, and the dielectric ceramic layers are formed from a dielectric barium titanate ceramic, and as an accessory constituent, at least one alkali metal element selected from Li, K, and Na, each of the internal electrodes has a thickness of 0.5 μm or less, and the content of the alkali metal element in the dielectric ceramic is 0.2 parts by mol or more with respect to 100 parts by mol of the main constituent. |
| US08358494B2 |
Dielectric ceramic and manufacturing method therefor and laminated ceramic capacitor
A laminated ceramic capacitor is provided which is excellent in reliability even when its dielectric ceramic layers thinned. For a dielectric ceramic in a laminated ceramic capacitor, a ceramic is used which includes a main component containing a barium titanate based composite oxide represented by the general formula: (Ba1-h-m-xCahSrmRex)k(Ti1-n-yZrnMy)O3, where Re is La or the like, M is Mg or the like, and the respective relationships of 0.05≦x≦0.50, 0.02≦y≦0.3, 0.85≦k≦1.05, 0≦h≦0.25, 0≦m≦0.50, and 0≦n≦0.40 are satisfied; and an accessory component as a sintering aid, wherein the average grain diameter of crystal grains in a sintered body is 0.6 μm or less. |
| US08358493B2 |
Electrostatic chuck, production method of electrostatic chuck and electrostatic chuck device
The present invention relates to an electrostatic chuck comprising a specific composite oxide sintered body, wherein in the sintered body, an L* value of a reflected color tone measured by a C light source on a 2° angle visual field condition is 10 or more and 50 or less in a CIEL*a*b* color system prescribed in JIS Z 8729-1994 and an electrostatic chuck device comprising an electrostatic chuck member (A) having a tabular body provided with a clamping surface for clamping a sample by the electrostatic force, an internal electrode layer for clamping a sample by electrostatic force which is provided on the back face of the tabular body and an insulation layer, wherein at least the sample clamping surface of the tabular body in the electrostatic chuck member (A) comprises the composite oxide sintered body constituting the electrostatic chuck described above. |
| US08358491B2 |
Over-voltage protection device
An exemplary over-voltage protection device used in an electronic device includes a housing capable of being grounded, a circuit board, a connecting member detachably attached to the circuit board and the housing to electrically connect the circuit board with the housing, and a protection member connected to the circuit board and circuitry of the electronic device. When an over-voltage is generated in the electronic device, the over-voltage is transmitted to the ground through the protection member, the circuit board, the connecting member, and the housing. |
| US08358487B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head having coil of varying thinknesses in spaces adjacent the main magnetic pole
A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a write shield layer, a gap layer, and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. The thin-film coil has a coil-layer. The coil-layer has a turn part arranged closer to an ABS than is a rear end part of the main magnetic pole layer farthest from the ABS. Regarding a substrate side coil-layer, arranged between the main magnetic pole layer and the substrate, of the coil-layer, a thickness of a non-corresponding magnetic pole part other than a magnetic pole corresponding part corresponding to an arrangement space of the main magnetic pole layer is larger than a thickness of the magnetic pole corresponding part. |
| US08358486B2 |
Magnetically shielded write transducers
A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes at least two write transducers for writing to a magnetic medium; and a shield structure having at least two magnetically connected shields which at least partially cover two opposite sides of the writer. A magnetic head according to another embodiment includes at least two write transducers for writing to a magnetic medium, the at least two write transducers being positioned adjacent each other and aligned along a line; and a shield structure having shields adjacent at least three sides of each of the at least two write transducers, the shields being formed of a magnetically permeable material. Additional devices, systems, and methods are also presented. |
| US08358485B2 |
Housing member for use in disk drive apparatus, motor unit, disk drive apparatus, and method of manufacturing housing member
A housing member for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a rectangular bottom portion and a side wall portion arranged to extend upward from an outer circumferential portion of the bottom portion. The side wall portion includes four outside surfaces including a first outside surface and a second outside surface perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first outside surface. The first outside surface includes a first cutting base region. The second outside surface includes a second cutting base region. The bottom portion includes a bearing fixing portion arranged to fix a bearing mechanism of a motor arranged to rotate a disk. |
| US08358483B2 |
Spindle motor including annular magnetic member and disk drive apparatus including such a spindle motor
A stationary portion of a spindle motor includes a base member and a magnetic member. The magnetic member is arranged below a magnet and fixed to the base member. The magnetic member includes an annular plate portion arranged on an upper surface of the base member, and a projecting portion arranged to extend from the plate portion in an axial direction. At least a portion of the projecting portion is press fitted to a wall surface of the base member. |
| US08358482B2 |
Hard disc drive counter-vibration system
One implementation of the present invention may take the form of a system for a hard disc drive counter-vibration device that may absorb rotational vibration or gyration of the hard disc drive module. This mounting device may incorporate at least one soft, plastic sphere and a pair of concave dished surfaces, configured to face each other and maintain the sphere between them. The sphere of the counter-vibration assembly may support the hard disc drive (HDD) while the weight of the HDD may align the dishes with each other and over the sphere. In this manner, the sphere may act as a spring and allow the HDD to vibrate or gyrate without transmitting the mechanical movement to the rest of the HDD assembly or electronic device. |
| US08358478B1 |
Method and apparatus for write precompensation in a magnetic recording system
A device is provided that, in one implementation, includes interpolators to generate interpolated phase shifted signals, and a precompensation circuit to provide precompensated versions of data bits in accordance with the interpolated phase shifted signals. Each of the interpolators is assigned a bit pattern different from that assigned to remaining ones of the interpolators. |
| US08358474B2 |
Imaging lens and camera module
Provided is an imaging lens and a camera module, the device including in an orderly way from an object side, a first lens with positive (+) refractive power; a second lens with negative (−) refractive power; a third lens with negative (−) refractive power; a fourth lens with negative (−) refractive power; and a fifth lens with negative (−) refractive power, wherein the lens is concavely formed at an object side surface. |
| US08358473B2 |
Optical lens for image pickup
An optical lens for image pickup, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprising: the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, the plastic third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface with both being aspheric, the plastic fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface with both being aspheric. By such arrangements, the optical lens for image pickup satisfies conditions related to reduce the sensitivity and to shorten the total length for use in compact cameras and mobile phones with camera functionalities. |
| US08358472B2 |
Lens barrel and optical apparatus including the same
A lens barrel includes: a frame for holding an optical lens, the frame having a bottomed circular recess formed in its outer peripheral surface; a cam follower fixed to an outer diameter portion of the frame with screws, the cam follower including a core and a collar provided on an outer periphery of the core; and a barrel member having a guide groove into which the cam follower is fitted, the guide groove determining a position of the frame, in which under a state in which the cam follower is mounted to the outer diameter portion of the frame, an outer diameter portion of the collar is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the circular recess, and one end surface of the core abuts on a bottom surface of the circular recess and another end surface of the core abuts on a head of the screw. |
| US08358471B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup device including the same
A zoom lens and an image pickup device. The zoom lens includes sequentially from an object side a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, which are arranged in order from an object side to an image side, wherein, when the zoom lens is zoomed from a wide angle position to a telephoto position, all of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group move relative to one another so that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group reduces, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group increases. |
| US08358470B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens, including: a front lens group; an aperture stop; and a rear lens group, in which the rear lens group includes: a front lens unit and a rear lens unit, a maximum air interval of the rear lens group being interposed between the front lens unit and the rear lens unit, in which the rear lens unit includes: a first lens which is located on the most object side; a second lens which is located on the most image side, and the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −6.0≦fs1/frr≦−1.0; and −9.0≦fs3/frr≦−2.0, where frr indicates a focal length of the rear lens unit, and fs1 and fs3 indicate a focal length of the first lens and a focal length of the second lens, respectively. |
| US08358469B2 |
Immersion microscope objective and microscope with it
An immersion microscope objective comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power comprising a cemented lens composed of a plano-convex lens whose plane surface faces the object side and a meniscus lens whose concave surface faces the object side, and at least one single lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a positive refractive power comprising a three-piece cemented lens; and a third lens group having a negative refractive power including a Gaussian type lens structure, wherein the objective satisfies the following conditions when n1, NAob, d0 and β are a refractive index at a d-line of the single lens having the highest refractive index included in the first lens group, a numerical aperture on the object side of the objective, a working distance of the objective, and a magnification of the objective, respectively. 1.7≦n1 0.75≦NAob≦1.45 0.4≦NAob*d0≦3 0.03≦NAob/β≦0.1. |
| US08358468B2 |
Reflecting sheet
A reflecting sheet of the invention includes at least a surface layer portion and an inner layer portion, where the surface layer portion contains at least 0.3 g/m2 to 20 g/m2 of an inorganic powder and a polyolefin resin (C), the inner layer portion contains a polyolefin resin (A) and at least one kind of resins (B) incompatible with the polyolefin resin (A) at temperatures enabling stretching of the polyolefin resin(A), the surface layer portion meets (n1−n2)/n2≧0.20 (n1: refractive index of the inorganic powder, n2: refractive index of the polyolefin resin (C)), and the inner layer portion has voids. |
| US08358467B2 |
Durable anti-reflection coatings
An article comprising a substrate and an anti-reflection coating, and methods for depositing the coating, are disclosed. The coating comprises (a) a first coating layer having a high refractive index deposited on the substrate; (b) an epoxide-silica coating layer deposited onto the high refractive index coating layer, comprising an inorganic silica component and an organic organo-silicate component, and (c) a silica coating layer consisting essentially of silica, deposited directly onto the epoxide-silica coating layer. The anti-reflection coating optionally comprises a stack of coating layers, between the first high refractive index coating layer and the epoxide-silica coating layer, having alternating a low refractive index and a high refractive index. Individual coating layer compositions, refractive indexes, and thicknesses are carefully controlled such that reflectance is minimized through destructive interference in the visible light wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm. The resulting deposited coating provides excellent mechanical, chemical, and environmental durability. |
| US08358466B2 |
Optical delay line interferometers with silicon dual mirror for DPSK
Delay line interferometer designs using combinations of basic optical components that are expected to simplify manufacture and reduce costs while still providing precision optical performance. The main operative components of these designs are polarization beam splitters, birefringent crystals, optical delay components, and waveplates. Temperature controllers may be provided for adjusting the delay of the optical delay components. |
| US08358465B2 |
System and method for displaying three-dimensional image
A three-dimensional (3D) display system and a method for use in the same are disclosed. The 3D display system includes: a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels, applies several-direction parallax image signals to the pixels according to regulations of a specific mode, and displays the several-direction parallax image signals; and a filter which is located at at least one of a front part and a rear part of the display panel, forms a predetermined barrier pattern according to regulations of the specific mode to implement a three-dimensional image, and separates the several-direction parallax image signals from each other. |
| US08358454B2 |
Holographic display having improved reconstruction quality
Disclosed is a display for the holographic reconstruction of a three-dimensional scene using means which allow a reduction of speckle patterns. Speckle patterns result in the graining of a holographic reconstruction and worsen the quality thereof. The 3D scene is incoherently superimposed with itself chronologically or spatially in the eye of the observer. The modulated wave fronts of each reconstructed object point of the scene are shifted relative to themselves in the reconstruction beam path and superimposed in the eye of the observer. The shifting may occur one-dimensionally and two-dimensionally. Each object point is multiplied with itself in the eye of the observer in accordance with the number of the shifted wave fronts. The various speckle patterns over which the eye of the observer averages are also multiplied. Speckle patterns are reduced and the reconstruction quality is thus increased in holographic displays. |
| US08358452B2 |
Imaging system and method
An imaging system comprises a calibration system adapted to perform a calibration scan of a charged luminescent calibration strip disposed in a scan window of an automatic document feeder. The calibration system is adapted to determine whether an opaque object is disposed within a visible area defined by the scan window from the calibration scan. |
| US08358449B2 |
Device and method for detecting document size
A device for, and a method of, detecting a document size are disclosed. The disclosed device and method can detect the speed at which the document plate cover is being closed, and can adjusting the timing of the document size detection based in part on the detected speed of the cover closure. When the cover is being closed at a relatively low speed, the document size detection can be delayed. When the cover is being closed at a relatively high speed, the document size detection can be performed sooner. The document size detection can thus be performed with the cover being in a suitable position. |
| US08358448B2 |
Scanning member with flexible pressing member
A scanning device includes a transparent platen, a scanning module, a document transporting mechanism and a flexible pressing member. The scanning module is located in a scan zone and acquires through the transparent platen an image of a document. The document transporting mechanism transports the document along a passageway and across the scan zone. The flexible pressing member is disposed in the passageway, upstream of the scan zone or within the scan zone and located apart from the transparent platen by a gap. The flexible pressing member is deformed in a direction away from the transparent platen due to a force applied by the document transported across the scan zone. |
| US08358445B2 |
Image reading apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image reading apparatus that reads an image. Image data generated by a scanner reading an original is stored in a RAM. The size of the image data and the size of a region for storing the image data in the RAM are compared with each other. The image data is divided when the size of the image data is larger than the size of the region for storing the image data in the RAM. One of a plurality of pieces of image data divided from the image data is stored in the RAM, and the format of the image data stored in the RAM is converted. One image file including image data obtained by converting each piece of the plurality of pieces of image data is generated. |
| US08358444B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of printing a copy-forgery pattern
An image forming apparatus includes: an image data forming unit that forms an image data which includes a first dot image to be visible by copying, a second dot image to be invisible by copying, a hidden text portion and the background portion; and an image forming unit that carries out image formation by using the image data formed by the image data forming unit, the first dot image has a first color and includes dots having a dot size increased by decreasing the number of lines of dots, the second dot image has a second color and includes dots having a dot size decreased by increasing the number of lines of dots, and the second dot image is stacked on the first dot image in at least one of a hidden text portion or a background portion. |
| US08358443B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program
The image forming apparatus includes a halftone processing section that executes halftone processing having a halftone processing period, a signal add-on section that adds the add-on signals on the input image signals subjected to the halftone processing, a position information acquisition section that acquires position information to determine a relative position of halftone dots by the halftone processing and the add-on signals in a first image area, the first image area is based on a common multiple of the halftone processing period and a minimum interval of the add-on dots, and the position information preventing the add-on signals added by the signal add-on section from crossing over the halftone dots, and an add-on control section that continues or repeats add-on control processing of the add-on signals, executed based on the acquired position information, in a second image area based on the common multiple and consecutive from the first image area. |
| US08358442B2 |
Image processing device and image processing program
An image processing device includes a multiplier 1 for multiplying a pixel signal P(x) by a weighting factor α0 (0≦α0≦1), a delay element 2 for delaying the pixel signal P(x) which has not been multiplied yet by the weighting factor α0 by the multiplier 1 by one pixel, and a multiplier 3 for multiplying the pixel signal P(x−1) delayed by the delay element 2 by a weighting factor α1 (0≦α1≦1), the total sum of the weighting factors α0 and α1 being larger than 1 and smaller than an upper limit αmax. An adder 4 adds the multiplication result α0·P(x) of the multiplier 1 and the multiplication result α1·P(x−1) of the multiplier 3, and a limiter 5 limits the addition result P′(x) of the adder 4 in such a way that P′(x) falls within a maximum density value Pmax. |
| US08358439B2 |
Color gamut surface generating apparatus and computer-readable medium
A color gamut surface generating apparatus includes a vertex generating unit and a gamut surface generating unit. A device-dependent color space has axes of (i) four basic colors including black and (ii) at least one extra color which are used in color output by an output device. The vertex generating unit generates, in the device-dependent color space, vertices of each of sub-surfaces constituting a surface of a color gamut by selecting (a) at least one color gamut each of which is output by the output device using a combination of three of the basic colors and one, corresponding to each color gamut, of the at least one extra color, and (b) a color gamut which is output by the output device using the four basic colors. The gamut surface generating unit generates surface points existing on the surface of the color gamut constituted by the vertices. |
| US08358435B2 |
Image processing device and recording medium containing program therefor
An image processing device has a first print data receiving unit that receives first print data containing at least one image formation command, and a judging unit that judges whether each image formation command included in the first print data is a pixel number dependent command. An image processing device is configured such that a print image formation unit forms the print image on the printer-equivalent image formation area with increasing the number of pixels of the print image in accordance with the resolutions of the display-equivalent image formation area and the printer-equivalent image formation area if a judging unit judges that the image formation command is the pixel number dependent command, and the print image formation unit forms the print image on the printer-equivalent image formation area without modifying the print image if the judging unit judges that the image formation command is not the pixel number dependent command. |
| US08358430B2 |
Method of displaying hyperlinked information via handheld display device
A method of displaying hyperlinked information using a handheld display device. The method includes the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an image sensor; determining interaction data using the image data; retrieving display data using an identified page description, the display data including a hyperlink associated with the printed content; displaying, on an opaque touch-sensitive display screen of the handheld display device, display information based on the display data and including the hyperlink; interacting with the displayed hyperlink; retrieving hyperlinked information; and displaying the hyperlinked information. The opaque touch-sensitive display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content. |
| US08358429B2 |
Method of interacting with printed content via handheld display device
A method of interacting with printed content using a handheld display device. The method includes the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an image sensor; determining interaction data using the image data, retrieving display data using an identified page description, the display data corresponding to the printed content; displaying, on an opaque touch-sensitive display screen of the handheld display device, display information based on the display data; and interacting with the display information via the opaque touch-sensitive display screen. The opaque touch-sensitive display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content. |
| US08358426B2 |
Image forming apparatus determining a print restart time after maintenance
In an image forming apparatus, a setting part sets a first waiting time, which lasts from a completion of an ejecting operation of one sheet of recording paper to a start of supply of a subsequent sheet in a one-side printing or a second waiting time, or a second waiting time, which lasts from a completion of ejecting operation of one sheet of recording paper to a start of resupply of the one sheet of recording paper in both-side printing. A determining part detects a difference in time length between the first or second waiting time, a maintenance time required by a head maintenance operation and a cap timer time, which is a time during which a nozzle of the recording head is allowed to be maintained in an uncapped state, and determines a time of restarting a printing operation after execution of the maintenance operation based on the detected difference. |
| US08358423B2 |
Contactless measurement of an offset of the functional components of a travel path of a magnetic levitation railway
Disclosed is a method for the contactless measurement of an offset of the functional components of a travel path of a magnetic levitation railway driven by a linear motor with the help of at least one optical triangulation system (10) that can be moved along the travel path. Said method is characterized in that at least two triangulation sensors (12, 14) per measuring instrument for the functional components are moved along the travel path at a determined speed and alternately operate as a measurement sensor and as a reference sensor, i.e. using a radiation source in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared spectral range, said triangulation sensors (12, 14) being fixedly mounted on a movable support (16) and being geometrically offset. In said method, the diffusely reflected light is absorbed at a specific angle of observation, and the position of the light incident on the measurement sensor is used for determining the offset, said process being carried out at a scanning rate that detects measurement points within a screen of <1.5 mm. |
| US08358421B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging apparatus that changes reference beam path lengths
In an optical tomographic imaging apparatus in which a tomographic image is acquired using an interference light between a return beam of a first measuring beam and a first reference beam traveling on a beam path having first beam path length changing unit thereon, an optical interferometer detects movement of the inspection object by using an interference light between a return beam of a second measuring beam from a movement detection position and a second reference beam traveling on a beam path having second beam path length changing unit thereon; and positional misplacement correcting unit changes the beam path length of the first reference beam based on the moving amount detected by the optical interferometer, wherein the beam path lengths of the two reference beams can be changed by a mechanism, thus further reducing deformation of an acquired image in an eye ball depth direction caused by a back and forth motion. |
| US08358419B2 |
Integrated plasmonic sensing device and apparatus
An integrated plasmonic sensing device is monolithically integrated and provides marker-free detection (eliminating the need to use fluorescent or absorbing markers) and in-situ monitoring of conditions at each detection region. The integrated plasmonic sensing device includes a plasmonic backplane disposed on a monolithically integrated image sensor. One or more plasmonic scattering regions and one or more plasmonic via regions laterally offset from the plasmonic scattering regions are provided in the plasmonic sensing device. Guided plasmonic modes mediate power transfer through the plasmonic backplane to one or more underlying image sensor pixels. |
| US08358414B2 |
Downhole sensors using manufactured anisotropic permittivity
A apparatus for use in a borehole in an earth formation. The apparatus may include: an electromagnetic source; an anisotropic permittivity material, either natural or manufactured, receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic source; and a detector for estimating the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the anisotropic permittivity material as an indication of a parameter of interest. Also, a method of estimating a parameter of interest using the aforementioned apparatus. |
| US08358411B2 |
Integrated microbial collector
A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested. |
| US08358410B2 |
Large field of view, high numerical aperture compound objective lens with two pairs of identical elements and near IR spectrometer containing two such compound lenses
An apparatus consisting of two pairs of identical lenses which is suitable as a compound objective lens for high numerical aperture imaging is disclosed. The compound lens also has a wide field of view as a fraction of the compound lens focal length. By suitable choice of lens materials, well corrected near infrared imaging can be achieved. When two such compound lenses together with a diffraction grating are assembled into a spectrometer, excellent wavelength resolution in the near infrared can also be obtained. |
| US08358409B2 |
Atomic absorption mercury analyzer
The invention relates to analytical chemistry. In the analyser, mercury placed in a spectral lamp is enriched with a mercury isotope having an even neutron number, wherein said isotope constitutes not less than 50% of the total mercury content in the spectral lamp. Moreover, the discharge cavity of the spectral lamp is connected to a ballast cavity, the volume of which is greater than the discharge cavity volume, and electrical discharge generating means, the discharge cavity and the ballast cavity are designed in such a way that the discharge generated in the discharge cavity does not penetrates into the ballast cavity. A buffer gas in the spectral lamp contains a noble gas in a quantity equal to or greater than 50%, the charge of the atomic core of said gas being not less than 36. Said invention makes it possible to lower the detection level of mercury in a carrier gas and to reduce a drift. |
| US08358405B2 |
Measuring apparatus, and liquid collecting and measuring system having the same
A blood collecting apparatus includes a main flow path and a pressure generator. The pressure generator is provided in an intermediate position of the main flow path to insert a gas as separators at designated predetermined intervals, thereby to take out blood to be measured, as separated in a time series. The blood can be taken out in minute volumes by inserting the separators consisting of the gas while feeding the blood continuously into the main flow path in this way. And consumption of the blood can be held down, and the amount of collected blood can be minimized. Since the operation to insert the separators is excellent in speed, repeated collection in a short time, i.e. frequency of blood collection, can be secured. |
| US08358402B2 |
Method of structuring a photosensitive material
A method of structuring a photosensitive material is disclosed. The method includes illuminating a first object structure and projecting a pattern of the first object structure onto a photosensitive material such that the projected pattern of the first object structure is focussed at a first focus position with respect to the photosensitive material. The method also includes illuminating a second object structure and projecting a pattern of the second object structure onto the photosensitive material such that the projected pattern of the second object structure is focussed at a second focus position with respect to the photosensitive material. The respective patterns are projected in the same projection direction. |
| US08358401B2 |
Stage apparatus, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus comprises a stage main body having a mounting surface, and a correcting mechanism that corrects a shape of the mounting surface. |
| US08358394B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween, pixel regions formed by gate signal lines and image signal lines formed over the first substrate, a first insulating layer formed over the gate signal lines, thin film transistors connected to the gate signal lines with in a second insulating layer formed thereover, pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors, a counter electrode formed of a first transparent conductive layer over the second insulating layer, and a second transparent conductive layer and an external connection terminal disposed outside of the pixel regions. The second transparent conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and is electrically connected to the counter electrode and the external connection terminal, and a part of each of the gate signal lines is disposed outside of the pixel regions and is covered by the second transparent conductive layer. |
| US08358389B2 |
Active matrix type liquid crystal display device and manufacturing process for the same
An active matrix liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a liquid crystal display panel operating in a normally black mode having a first substrate provided with a color filter and a second substrate provided with an active matrix array, wherein the first substrate is provided with a laminated colored layer with three colors, a laminated colored layer with two colors and a colored layer with one color in a frame part surrounding a display area without being provided with a black matrix, and the second substrate is provided with a conductive film formed in a region which is opposed to the laminated colored layer with two colors and the colored layer with one color, between the display area and the laminated colored layer with three colors. |
| US08358387B2 |
Liquid crystal display and LED module thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a cover assembly; a liquid crystal panel; a light guide plate configured to guide light to the liquid crystal panel; a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the light guide plate is mounted; and a light emitting diode (LED) package which is mounted on the PCB and emits light to a lateral side of the light guide plate. The PCB includes a base substrate; a connecting hole which is formed in the base substrate to couple the base substrate to the cover assembly with a connecting member; an insulating layer which is coated on the base substrate while avoiding a head part of the connecting member; and a spacer tape which is provided on an upper side of the insulating layer so that the light guide plate is evenly mounted on the PCB. |
| US08358385B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus which performs display by using electric field in direction substantially parallel with substrate surfaces to control alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal layer which is disposed in a gap between first and second substrates with long axes of liquid crystal molecules being aligned in one direction, in substantially parallel to substrate surfaces. A plurality of thin film transistors are arranged in row and column directions on an upper side of the first substrate. Pixel electrodes are provided on the upper side of the first substrate to be electrically connected with the thin film transistors. A common electrode is formed on the upper side of the first substrate between the substrate and the liquid crystal layer to correspond to the pixel electrode through an insulating film, and generates an electric filed which controls an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in a plane substantially parallel with the substrate surfaces between itself and the pixel electrode. |
| US08358382B2 |
System and method for automatic cable-only tuning
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that initializes a display device. An exemplary embodiment comprises scanning an input signal to determine the presence of a cable television signal, proceeding to normal operation of the display device if the cable television signal is present in the input signal, scanning the input signal for an over-the-air television signal if the cable television signal is not present in the input signal, and providing a message indicating potential inappropriate reception of over-the-air signals if the over-the-air television signal is present in the input signal. |
| US08358379B1 |
Post processing displays with on-screen displays
A method of processing on screen display data with an image post processor includes receiving a data stream from a video processor at a post processing device having at least one port, the data stream including on screen display data overlaid on a white background and the on screen display data overlaid on a black background, finding a difference between the on screen display data overlaid on white and the on screen display data overlaid on black, using the difference to determine a complement of an alpha blend value, performing image processing on the image data with the post processor by applying the complement of an alpha blend value to the image data to produce processed image data, and transmitting the processed image data and the on screen display data through a display port. |
| US08358376B2 |
Method and device for generating and detecting fingerprints for synchronizing audio and video
This invention relates to a device and a method of generating a first and a second fingerprint (102,104) usable for synchronization of at least two signals (101,103) and corresponding method and device for synchronizing two or more signals. A fingerprint pair is generated on the basis of a segment of a first signal e.g. an audio signal and of a segment of a second signal e.g. a video signal at each synchronization time point. The generated fingerprint pair(s) are stored in a database (203) and communicated or distributed to a synchronization device (303). During synchronization, fingerprint(s) of the audio signal and fingerprint(s) of the video signal to be synchronized are generated and matched against fingerprints in the database. When a match is found, the fingerprints also determine the synchronization time point, which is used to synchronize the two signals. In this way, a simple, reliable and efficient way of synchronizing at least two signals is obtained. Further, this is enabled without modifying either the first and second signal (or subsequent signals). The signals may even be distorted or changed to some extent while still enabling synchronization. |
| US08358375B2 |
Method and device for accurately and easily measuring a time difference between video and audio
To solve the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a method for measuring a time difference between digital video signals and digital audio signals, wherein said method comprises the steps of extracting respective time series data from respective frequency domains of said digital video signals and said digital audio signals; statistically identifying the cross-correlation of said time series data in said frequency domains, thereby measuring the time difference between said digital video signals and said digital audio signals. |
| US08358370B2 |
Flash light compensation system for digital camera system
The invention refers to a flash light compensation system and corresponding method for digital camera systems, wherein a luminance compensation is carried out on an image of a scene (3) picked-up by an image sensor (1), on the basis of a respective intensity field measured by a plurality of sensors (4, 5), when the scene is illuminated by flash light emitted by a flash device (2). Depending upon the output signals of the plurality of sensors a depth field of the scene is estimated, and this estimation provides a basis for the luminance adjustment on the scene picked up as an image while illuminated by the flash device. The system and method is suitable for effectively reducing the problem of unevenly distributed lighting on a picked-up image of the scene. |
| US08358369B2 |
Imaging device with plural rotating shutters for varying a frame cycle
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including an imaging element, an imaging controller, first and second shutter members, and a shutter controller. The imaging element carries out photoelectric conversion of subject image light incident through a lens and produces an imaging signal. The imaging controller controls readout of the imaging signal and carries out control of change setting of a frame cycle of imaging. The shutter members are disposed on an optical path of image light incident and can set a state in which incident light on the imaging element is blocked and a state in which incident light on the imaging element is not blocked. The shutter controller sets a timing at which the optical path is blocked by the first shutter member and a timing at which the optical path is blocked by the second shutter member. |
| US08358368B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method thereof for picking up images of scene of high luminance difference
An image processing device and an image processing method determine whether the photographic scene has a high luminance difference. If the photographic scene has a high luminance difference, the image processing device and method switch the image pickup unit to a high luminance difference exposure mode. If the photographic scene does not have a high luminance difference, the image processing device and method switch the image pickup unit to a normal exposure mode. |
| US08358367B2 |
Imaging arrangements and methods therefor
Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected. |
| US08358366B1 |
Methods and apparatus for high-speed digital imaging
Methods and apparatus for high-speed digital imaging. Temporal modulation technology, for example digital micromirror device (DMD) technology, may be integrated with focused plenoptic camera technology to produce a compact and relatively inexpensive high-speed digital video camera capable of capturing video clips at frame rates up to and including 32,000 (32K) frames per second, or higher. In embodiments, the temporal modulation technology is used to temporally modulate image data captured in a single exposure; the temporally modulated image data is captured in a single raw image using focused plenoptic camera technology. A rendering method may be applied to the raw image data to extract multiple frames captured at the frame rate, the frames each showing an image of a scene at a different time in a sequence, the duration of which is the exposure time. |
| US08358364B2 |
Electronic apparatus and communication system
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes one or more first receivers, a transmitter and a change module. The first receivers are configured to receive a command signal which instructs change of a power control state from another electronic apparatus. The transmitter is configured to transmit, to the another electronic apparatus, standby-capability information that includes a communication method adopted by the first receivers and a signal form specifying the command signal. The change module is configured to change the power control state when the first receivers receive the command signal. |
| US08358362B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus, and method of driving the solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; plural photoelectric conversion units formed side by side on the semiconductor substrate to form a light receiving unit; a peripheral circuit formed in a portion on an outside of the light receiving unit on the semiconductor substrate; a wiring section formed on the light receiving unit and formed for connecting the plural photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit; and a dummy wiring section formed on an opposite side of the wiring section for at least one photoelectric conversion unit among the plural photoelectric conversion units on the light receiving unit and formed for functioning as a non-connected wiring section not connected to the photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit, wherein the dummy wiring section has a predetermined potential. |
| US08358361B2 |
A/D converter unit for image sensor
A high-speed, high-resolution column A/D converter having a noise reduction function to eliminate a fixed pattern noise etc. is provided with a small circuit scale. Each column A/D converter includes a dual-output D/A converter for selecting two reference voltages from among a reference voltage group supplied in common to each column A/D converter, so as to output the two reference voltages to sandwich each sensor signal voltage input to each column A/D converter, along with a charge-redistribution D/A converter having a full scale determined by the above two reference voltages. Thus, the high-speed, high-resolution column A/D converter is achieved with a small circuit scale. Further, by the utilization of high-speed conversion capability, noise reduction is performed through digital calculation after the A/D conversion. |
| US08358356B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and method for limiting image blurring
Provided is an image capturing apparatus and method, in which the limit of the application of blurring to an input image is determined with the use of a database of recognizable blur levels, and the input image is processed by applying filtering properties corresponding to variations in digital gain and an exposure time. The image capturing apparatus includes a light reception module which receives an optical signal; and an image processing module which adjusts an exposure time-to-digital gain ratio with reference to the amount of light included in the optical signal. |
| US08358351B2 |
Automatic tone mapping for cameras
A device, method, computer useable medium, and processor programmed to automatically generate tone mapping curves in a digital camera based on image metadata are described. By examining image metadata from a digital camera's sensor, such as the light-product, one can detect sun-lit, high-light, and low-light scenes. Once the light-product value has been calculated for a given image, a tone mapping curve can automatically be generated within the sensor and adjusted appropriately for the scene based on predetermined parameters. Further, it has been determined that independently varying the slopes of the tone mapping curve at the low end (S0) and high end (S1) of the curve results in more visually appealing images. By dynamically and independently selecting S0 and S1 values based on image metadata, more visually pleasing images can be generated. |
| US08358345B1 |
System and method of video capture for sports applications
A system for monitoring a sporting event includes devices for monitoring characteristics of the event and collecting monitored data. Devices address different aspects of the event and monitor and collect real-time data. The devices process the data into digitized frames, and a digital storage device receives and stores the frames in a random access storage buffer as time-stamped digitized data frames with unique addresses. The storage device is capable of both time-shifting and relational association. The system includes a controller and devices for monitoring and extracting a digitized data frame according to a predetermined criterion. A viewer communicates with the storage device and controller and selects, manipulates, and extracts the digitized data frame. The system records and plays back the monitored data using a circular storage buffer with a memory mapped file and allows playback of stored data without interrupting simultaneous recording of new input data. |
| US08358339B2 |
Testing method, testing and processing system, processing device, testing device, manufacturing/testing device, and manufacturing/testing method
An inspecting method for grasping the inspection result on an intermediate (or an n-th) treatment without long extension of time, in case predetermined treatments of a predetermined number (N times) are exerted on a plurality of sheets running on a conveyor line, before all the treatments of N-times are ended. The inspecting method for inspecting an object subjected to the predetermined treatment includes performing the predetermined treatment repeatedly by the N-times (N: a natural number of 2 or more) sequentially on the individual objects being conveyed on the conveyor line, and an inspecting step of testing such a leading one of the objects as has been subjected to the n-th (n: a natural number of 1 or more but N or less) treatment, and returning the tested object to after such one of the targets as was subjected to the n-th treatment. |
| US08358336B2 |
Frontal hand capture of fingerprints, palm prints and hand geometry using contactless photography
The present invention is a system and method that captures hand geometry, full-length fingerprints, and/or palm prints from a frontal view of a freely posed hand using contactless photography. A system and method for capturing biometric data of a hand includes the steps of and means for (a) digitally photographing a designated contactless capture area not having any predefined hand-positioning structures or platen for receiving a hand, to obtain a captured image of the capture area that includes a naturally-posed hand; (b) extracting a frontal hand image of the naturally-posed hand by applying an Active Appearance Model (AAM) to the captured image; (c) computing a plurality of hand geometry measurements of the frontal hand image; and (d) comparing the plurality of hand geometry measurements from the frontal hand image to corresponding existing hand geometry measurements, wherein the comparison results in a best match. |
| US08358333B2 |
Photogrammetry measurement system
A method and apparatus for making measurements. Images of an object are generated. A plurality of coordinates for a plurality of points on a surface of the object is identified from the images using a number of reference points in the images. A first portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on the object in the images. A second portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on a number of mirror units in the images. |
| US08358326B2 |
Two-dimensional light scanning apparatus
A two-dimensional light scanning apparatus includes: a deflector to drive at a resonance frequency in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction different from the main scanning direction; a position sensor to detect a scanning position of the deflector; a resonance frequency predicting part to predict the resonance frequency of the deflector; and a deflector drive control part to: for drawing a Lissajous figure in which scanning trajectories of the deflector do not overlap with each other for one frame, store a plurality of pairs of respective frequency ratios of driving signals in the sub-scanning direction to driving signals in the main scanning direction, and respective phases of the driving signals in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the driving signals in the main scanning direction; select one pair of a frequency ratio and a phase; and control the deflector with a driving signal. |
| US08358323B2 |
Write heating architecture for dual mode imaging systems
A dual mode imaging system includes an ink jet device for imaging non-erasable media and a write device for imaging erasable media. A media transport subsystem is provided for supplying non-erasable and erasable media to one of the ink jet device and the write device. A heat source is incorporated into the media transport subsystem, and particularly in connection with a guide baffle of the ink jet device, the heat source heating erasable media to a temperature suitable for imaging at the write device. |
| US08358322B2 |
Display
A display includes a plurality of display elements. Each display element includes two opposed electrodes, a first dielectric layer, a fluid including a plurality of colorants, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the electrodes and has at least one reservoir defined therein. The second dielectric layer exhibits non-linear resistance, and is disposed on at least one of the electrodes and adjacent to the fluid. The fluid is disposed in a space defined between the electrodes, and the plurality of colorants is configured to move in response to an applied electric field. |
| US08358316B2 |
Procedure and device for the texturizing of an object of a virtual three-dimensional geometric model
A procedure for texturing an object of a virtual three-dimensional geometric model represented by three-dimensional geometric model data comprised of a three-dimensional object data associated with the object. Facet data is created out of three-dimensional geometric model data representing object surfaces of an object and which will be assigned 3D object data. Texture data is created representing a surface texture of the object surfaces of each object and which is assigned facet data. The three-dimensional object data, facet data and texture data are used to create a textured, three-dimensional representation of the object. |
| US08358315B2 |
Method and apparatus for mirroring frame
A method and an apparatus for mirroring a frame are provided. The method is suitable for a display device having a first storage unit and a second storage unit. In the present method, pixel values of a pixel row of the frame are read from the first storage unit and written into the second storage unit. Then, the pixel values of the pixel row of the frame are read from the second storage unit and written back to the first storage unit. When performing one of foregoing reading and writing steps, the pixel values of the pixel row are read or written in a reverse direction to mirror the pixel row. Finally, foregoing steps are repeated to mirror each pixel row of the frame, so as to mirror the entire frame. |
| US08358312B2 |
Multi-pass system and method supporting multiple streams of video
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing multiple processing of data in a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a first display pipeline that is formed in real time from a plurality of possible display pipelines and that performs at least a first processing step on received data. A buffer stores the processed data and a second display pipeline that is formed in real time from a plurality of possible display pipelines performs at least a second processing step on stored data. |
| US08358306B2 |
Re-coloring a color image
Technology for re-coloring a region of a color image including determining an original base color in a region of a color image; establishing at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image; and combining a new base color with the at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image thereby producing a re-colored region of the color image. |
| US08358304B2 |
Method and apparatus for representing 3D image records in 2D images
The invention relates to method and an apparatus for depth cueing, i.e. improving the sense of depth in two-dimensional images of three-dimensional volume data, said 2D images being generated using volume rendering. The invention is characterized in that a second depth color chart generated from the original color chart by permuting at least two color channels is used in the depth dimension. Alternatively, all three color channels can be permuted. |
| US08358302B2 |
Dynamic creation of virtual regions
In various embodiments, virtual universe regions are dynamically generated within a virtual universe based on user requests. Dynamic generation allows virtual universe users or “residents” to create virtual universe regions that are tailored to their desired specifications. Additionally, in some implementations, virtual universe users may have the option to instantly discard or retain a created region after evaluation based on whether the region meets the user's expectations. Furthermore, dynamic generation of regions may increase user satisfaction and provide additional means for revenue generation for the virtual universe administrator and for virtual universe businesses and entrepreneurs. |
| US08358301B2 |
Video depth map alignment
A system (1) for producing a depth map of a video sequence comprises a client (C) and a server (S) connected by a network (N). A secondary video sequence (M*) available at the client (C) is derived from a primary video sequence (M) available at the server (S), the primary video sequence (M) having a primary depth map (D). The server comprises a transmission unit for transmitting the primary depth map (D) to the client. The client comprises an alignment unit for aligning the primary depth map (D) with the secondary video sequence (M*) so as to produce alignment information (AI), and a derivation unit for deriving the secondary depth map (D*) from the primary depth map (D) using the alignment information (AI). |
| US08358300B2 |
Display card and display card operating method
The display card determines whether the first power voltage and the second power voltage supplied by the power supply are within inconsistent input timings, and ensure the third power voltage can be generated accurately to the graphics processing unit to work normally. Therefore, even when the display card cooperates with power supplies having different standards, the graphics processing unit is avoided from malfunctioning or being operated imprecisely by inconsistent timings of input power sources in reaching the display card. |
| US08358298B2 |
Automatic brightness control
In an example embodiment disclosed herein is an apparatus, comprising a battery, a display, and logic coupled to the battery and display. The logic is configured to determine an amount of remaining energy in the battery, and a current power consumption rate of the apparatus. The logic determines whether the amount of remaining energy is sufficient to operate the apparatus for the duration of the predetermined time period based on the current power consumption rate of the apparatus. The logic is configured to adjust the brightness of the display to enable the device to operate for the duration of the predetermined time period responsive to determining the amount of remaining energy in the battery is insufficient to operate the apparatus for the duration of the predetermined time period based on the current power consumption of the apparatus. |
| US08358295B2 |
Vertical alignment display device with enhanced contrast
A vertical alignment liquid crystal display includes two sub-pixels each with a variable capacitor. A pixel is bisected into a high gray sub-pixel and a low gray sub-pixel through forming a variable capacitor at each sub-pixel. With this structure, the sub-pixels express different grays so that lateral visibility is enhanced. It is not required in bisecting a pixel into two sub-pixels to form separate wires for applying different signals thereto, and the amount of data to be processed at the driver for driving the display device is reduced. Furthermore, a pixel is bisected into two sub-pixels with variable capacitors in a simplified manner, and it is not required to form additional wires and elements, so the aperture ratio is enhanced. |
| US08358293B2 |
Method for driving light source blocks, driving unit for performing the method and display apparatus having the driving unit
A display apparatus includes light source blocks driven as follows in displaying at least one frame (possibly every frame). An image to be displayed includes image pixels. Each light source block corresponds to an image pixels block which is a block of image pixels to be displayed directly opposite to the light source block. For each image pixels block, a block mean value and a block maximum value are determined. A parameter is determined which corresponds to a total luminance of the frame. For each image pixels block, a block representative value is determined which corresponds to the parameter, the block representative value being within a range between the block mean value and the block maximum value inclusive. During the frame, each light source block is driven to provide a luminance which is an increasing function of the corresponding block representative value. |
| US08358292B2 |
Display device, its drive circuit, and drive method
It is possible to implement impulse display in a hold type display device while suppressing an increase in complexity of a drive circuit and an increase in operation frequency. In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device of a dot-inversion drive scheme which is configured such that adjacent source lines are short-circuited during a predetermined period Tsh every horizontal scanning period, a gate driver applies a pulse for turning on a TFT in a pixel forming section, as a scanning signal G(j) (j=1 to m) to be provided to each scanning signal line as follows. In each, frame period, a pixel data write pulse Pw is sequentially applied to gate lines GL1 to GLm and a black voltage application pulse Pb is applied during the above-described predetermined period Tsh which is after the lapse of a period (Thd) of the order of a ⅔ frame from the application of the pixel data write pulse Pw to each gate line GLj. The present invention is suitable for use in an active matrix type liquid crystal display device. |
| US08358288B2 |
Touch-sensor-provided liquid crystal display device
The present invention relates to a touch-sensor-provided liquid crystal display device (10), the touch-sensor-provided liquid crystal display device (10) including a liquid crystal display panel (20) which includes a plurality of photo sensors (40) for detecting a touched position, and a backlight unit (90) provided on a backside of the liquid crystal display panel (20). The backlight unit (90) emits light at least part of which serves as light (L10) dedicated to sensing which is used for position detection by the plurality of photo sensors (40), and the light (L10) dedicated to sensing travels in a direction (D2) which is different from a direction (D1) toward a main viewer (V) of the liquid crystal display panel (20). |
| US08358286B2 |
Electronic device and the input and output of data
The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular, to the input and output of data from the electronic device. The present invention also relates to an object that is identifiable by an electronic device having a touch screen. The object includes contact members that can engage or be positioned proximate to the touch screen. The contact members create contact points that are sensed or detected by the touch screen. The object is at least partly conductive and includes at least a first contact member and a second contact member spaced from the first contact member. The first and second contact members define the pattern of contact points. An output is generated and displayed by the touch screen when the object engages or is proximate to the touch screen and is identified. |
| US08358281B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for management and manipulation of user interface elements
Context-sensitive, automated use of a magnification loupe is disclosed to facilitate management and manipulation of user interface content and small user interface elements via gestures on a touch-sensitive surface. In one embodiment, a magnifying loupe is displayed based on the context associated with a finger-based gesture on a touch-sensitive surface. For example, a magnification loupe is displayed when one or more user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface is smaller than a predefined size threshold, but the loupe is not displayed when the user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface are larger than the predefined size threshold. In another embodiment, the magnification power of the loupe varies based on the size of the one or more user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. |
| US08358275B2 |
Partially flexible displays device
The present invention provides a partially flexible display device (30) including at least one relatively flexible display region (54) and at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56); whereby the at least one relatively flexible display region (54) and the at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56) share a common base structure comprised of a plurality of layers (60-66) and the at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56) further comprises at least one additional layer (70). The at least one additional layer (70) is added to provide additional display features in the partially flexible display device (30). The additional display features may include, without limitation, a color feature, a front lighting feature, a back lighting feature and a touch sensitivity feature. In this construction, the at least one flexible region (54) and at least one non-flexible region (56) are mechanically interconnected and preferably aligned in the same dimension. |
| US08358274B2 |
Control method for generating varying colored lights in keyboard and self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method
The present invention discloses a control method for generating varying colored lights in a keyboard and a self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method. The control method comprises steps: establishing a driving signal table storing a plurality of backlight driving signals; setting the conditions for outputting the backlight driving signals respectively; detecting a keying signal generated by pressing a key; outputting the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit, or sequentially outputting the backlight driving signals according to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit. The self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method comprises a memory unit storing the driving signal table and a microcontroller unit detecting the keying signals. The microcontroller unit sequentially outputs the backlight driving signals to drive the backlight unit, or outputs the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive the backlight unit. |
| US08358270B2 |
Mouse with wire arrangement structure
A mouse with a wire arrangement structure is provided. The mouse includes a housing, a base, a connection unit and a wire. The housing includes an opening and an opening edge. The base corresponds to the housing, wherein the base is moved between a first position and a second position, and when the base is in the first position, the base abuts the opening edge to cover the opening, and when the base is in the second position, the base is separated from the opening edge. The connection unit is connected to the housing and the base, allowing the base to move relative to the housing. The wire includes a joint, wherein when the wire is in a receiving state, the wire is wound up around the connection unit. |
| US08358268B2 |
Multi-touch detection
A multi-touch system is provided. The multi-touch system includes a multi-touch detection area generated by a mobile device and a first communication device, the mobile device and first or second communication device being movable relative to each other. The mobile device is operable to determine a first set of coordinates for a first detectable object within the multi-touch detection area as a function of: a distance between the mobile device and the first communication device, a distance between the mobile device and first detectable object, and a distance between the first communication device and first detectable object. |
| US08358264B2 |
Backlight brightness control for panel display device including controlling a brightness of the backlight to have a variable brightness in a portion of a period
A display device is provided with a display panel, a backlight which illuminates the display panel, and a backlight brightness controller controlling a brightness of the backlight so that the brightness of the backlight is variable in the middle of each frame period. |
| US08358262B2 |
Method and apparatus to synchronize backlight intensity changes with image luminance changes
An approach for coordinating backlight intensity and image luminance changes. For one aspect, in response to determining that a display-related event has occurred during a vertical frame period indicating a subsequent change associated with at least one of a backlight intensity and a frame buffer palette is to be undertaken, an interrupt is enabled. During subsequent interrupt processing, associated changes to the backlight intensity and the frame buffer palette are applied in a coordinated manner. For a specific implementation, an approach is provided for a graphics controller driver to synchronize response to changes in display backlight, color-space controls, and in the luminance of images, wherein said changes can come from different sources, occur at a different rates, and have different latencies, for the purpose of applying graphics settings responses such that those effects occur at a visually co-incident interval so as to substantially minimize discordant visual artifacts. |
| US08358261B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD device includes a LCD panel, which further includes a plurality of scan lines, a gate driving circuit, a clock circuit. The clock circuit includes a clock generator and an adjusting circuit. The clock generator generates a clock signal having a first high voltage level and a first low voltage level. The adjusting circuit, coupled to the clock generator, receives the clock signal and generates an adjusted clock signal having the same period as the clock signal. The adjusted clock signal has a second high voltage level and a second low voltage level. The gate driving circuit, coupled to the clock circuit, receives the adjusted clock signal as a gate driving signal in order to drive the scan lines. |
| US08358259B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can obviate the generation of leaking of light and display irregularities in the vicinities of so-called dummy pixels. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner with liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween, a plurality of gate signal lines and a plurality of drain signal lines which are formed on one substrate in a matrix array, a plurality of pixel regions defined by the gate signal lines and the drain signal lines, and a reference electrode and a pixel electrode which are formed in the inside of each pixel region. In such a constitution, the plurality of pixel regions are formed in both a display region and a non-display region, and a voltage applied to the reference electrodes is applied to the pixel electrodes in the inside of the pixel regions in the non-display region. |
| US08358258B1 |
Active matrix display having pixel element with light-emitting element
An active matrix display includes a matrix of pixel elements. The pixel element having multiple operation modes includes a first capacitive element, a first transistor having a semiconductor channel, and a light-emitting element. The first terminal of the semiconductor channel of the first transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the first capacitive element. The light-emitting element is operationally coupled to the first transistor such that light emitted from the light-emitting element depends upon a voltage difference between the gate of the first transistor and a first terminal of the semiconductor channel of the first transistor at least during one operation mode. |
| US08358244B2 |
Multipath signal evaluation method, position calculation method, and multipath signal evaluation device
A multipath signal evaluation method includes, carrying out a correlation calculation on a received signal from a positioning satellite to obtain a peak correlation value, and determining reliability for a received multipath signal by using the peak correlation value and a correlation value at a phase delayed from a peak phase in which the peak correlation is obtained. |
| US08358243B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for requesting/providing sensitivity assistance information associated with various satellite positioning systems in wireless communication networks
Methods and apparatuses are provided for use by devices within a wireless communication network to request and/or provide sensitivity assistance information signals associated with one or more Satellite Positioning Systems (SPSs). |
| US08358241B2 |
Position calculating method and position calculating device
A position calculating method includes: estimating a reception frequency and a code phase related to reception of a positioning signal from a positioning satellite as an estimated measurement; acquiring a reception frequency and a code phase on the basis of the positioning signal received from the positioning satellite; setting a value of an error parameter as an observed measurement, which is used in position calculation using a Kalman filter, on the basis of a difference between the observed measurement and the estimated measurement; and calculating a position by performing the position calculation using the error parameter value. |
| US08358239B2 |
Iterative clutter calibration with phased array antennas
An iterative clutter calibration method comprises measuring an average of a sidelobe power in a range-Doppler image for a plurality of ranges. A determined value of an objective function is responsive to an average of the sidelobe clutter power. A plurality of beamformer weights is modified and the step of determining the value of the objective function is repeated until a maximum value of the objective function is determined. Each beamformer weight determines a gain and phase of a respective antenna element in an antenna system. |
| US08358231B2 |
Tracking analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a self-controlled variable clock
A tracking analog-to-digital converter “ADC” with a self-controlled variable clock comprises: a digital register; a digital-to-analog converter “DAC” coupled to said digital register providing an analog feedback signal; a comparator coupled to an analog input signal and said analog feedback signal and providing a comparison signal based on a comparison between said analog input signal and said analog feedback signal, said comparison signal being coupled to the digital register; a means for determining comparator readiness to determine if said comparator is ready, indicating that said comparison signal can be reliably read, said means for determining comparator readiness further comprising a determination of a comparison ready indicator; a means for clocking to generate a clock signal to drive said digital register in response to said means for determining comparator readiness determining that said comparator is ready; and said digital register being configured to count in response to said clock signal based on said comparison signal of the comparator. |
| US08358229B2 |
Method for use in a sigma-delta analog to digital converter, sigma-delta analog to digital converters and systems comprising a sigma-delta analog to digital converter
Some embodiments relate to a method for use in a sigma-delta analog to digital converter, sigma-delta analog to digital converters and systems comprising sigma-delta analog to digital converters. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use in a sigma-delta analog to digital converter (SD-ADC) comprising a modulator, a decimation filter, a decimation counter, and a decimator data output, wherein the method comprises receiving an external trigger signal and capturing a value of the decimation counter and a value of the decimator data output upon receiving the external trigger signal. |
| US08358224B2 |
Point of interest location marking on full windshield head-up display
A substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting vision through the windscreen. A method to display a graphic identifying a point-of-interest upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring the point-of-interest, monitoring a GPS digital map device, determining a graphic describing the location of the point-of-interest based upon data from the GPS digital map device for display upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display, and displaying the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display. |
| US08358223B2 |
Man overboard self rescue device
The vessel control device disclosed herein comprises a channel-mounted, spring-loaded eyebolt that trails a floating line. It also embodies a latch mechanism, a cable release device and an electrical switch.By the action of grabbing the line the man overboard victim (MOB) can stop the vessel by himself; then use the line to reboard. |
| US08358221B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device, output propriety judgment method, communication system and program
An utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) is mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road and provided with a communication processing unit for receiving information from a roadside apparatus (100) set on a road side and an information reproduction unit (information output unit) for outputting the information received by the communication processing unit. The utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) further includes a user input unit that inputs the following effect of information in the case where the information received from the roadside apparatus (100) and outputted by the information reproduction unit (information output unit) is specific information to be provided to the same direction as the vehicle travels or a different direction. Thus, vehicle-mounted device, an output propriety method, a road communication system, and a program that are not made to output traffic information or the like which is not directed to its own vehicle. |
| US08358220B2 |
Wellbore communication, downhole module, and method for communicating
A wellbore communications system comprising a surface computing unit. The surface computing unit comprises a processing module and a communications module, one or more downhole modules arranged within the wellbore, and a wireless communications channel communicatively coupling one or more the downhole modules and the surface computing unit. The surface computer unit and one or more of the downhole modules are configured to encode data with an iterative code prior to transmission on the wireless communications channel. |
| US08358213B2 |
Systems and methods for evaluating a physiological condition using a wavelet transform and identifying a band within a generated scalogram
A method and system are provided for evaluating in patient monitoring whether a signal is sensed optimally by receiving a signal, transforming the signal using a wavelet transform, generating a scalogram based at least in part on the transformed signal, identifying a pulse band in the scalogram, identifying a characteristic of the pulse band, determining, based on the characteristic of the pulse band, whether the signal is sensed optimally; and triggering an event. The characteristics of the pulse band and scalogram may be used to provide an indication of monitoring conditions. |
| US08358211B2 |
Integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system
An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes. |
| US08358210B2 |
RF tag on test strips, test strip vials and boxes
A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. An RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip. |
| US08358209B2 |
Techniques for detecting RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing
Disclosed are a system and method to detect RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing. The system includes an RFID module that includes an energy coupler to receive transmitted energy that includes a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, and a mixing element to mix the first and second signals, to generate a third signal at a third frequency, and the energy coupler to transmit the third signal to an EAS detection system. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08358208B2 |
Method and device for sensing a body
In an embodiment, a method for sensing a body includes measuring an impedance of a body occupying a seat over a plurality of frequencies and comparing the measured impedance of the body with a predefined body model. The method also includes determining whether the predefined body model corresponds to the measured impedance of the body. |
| US08358201B1 |
Storage and recall of buried asset data over communications networks for damage avoidance and mapping
A method for facilitating collection and recall of buried asset data on a mobile device on a network is provided. The mobile device transmits current position data of the mobile device to a server via the network, and receives from the server, a) buried asset data including depth data and electrical signal data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the current position data, and b) a stored image of a physical area corresponding to the current position data, wherein the stored image comprises markings indicating a position of the buried assets. The mobile device further displays the buried asset data from the server, and reads a current image of the physical area of the mobile device. The mobile computing device further displays the stored image overlaid onto the current image, and determines that the stored image is aligned with the current image. |
| US08358200B2 |
Method and system for controlling computer applications
A method and system for controlling computer applications on a computer system(s). The method comprising: detecting at least one finger of a user's hand on an input device; capturing and transmitting the user's fingerprint data to a computer system; identifying the user from the captured fingerprint data; and controlling at least one computer function associated with the fingerprint data of the identified user. |
| US08358191B2 |
Inductor and method for production of an inductor core unit for an inductor
An inductor may include an electrical conductor for generating a magnetic field; and at least one inductor core unit which is arranged in the region of the conductor and includes an inductor core composed of a magnetizable material and also at least one air gap, a filling material being introduced at least into part of the air gap for the purpose of mechanical stabilization, wherein the filling material is configured in such a way that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion, the value of which lies in a range of ±70% of the value of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetizable material of which the inductor core is composed. |
| US08358187B2 |
Thermally independent overcurrent tripping device
Exemplary embodiments are directed to an electrical overcurrent tripping device for a circuit breaker. The tripping device includes an actuating member which in case of an overcurrent is driven to interact directly or indirectly with a movable contact piece of the circuit breaker to open a contact point in the circuit breaker if the overcurrent is exceeding a preset tripping threshold for a predetermined tripping delay time. The actuating member is coupled to a magnetic circuit such that the driving force acting on the actuating member is created by the magnetic field of the magnetic circuit, said magnetic field being induced by the overcurrent. The actuating member is coupled to an electromagnetic damping arrangement to set the tripping delay time, and is connected to a coupling spring configured to adjust the overcurrent tripping threshold. |
| US08358186B1 |
Impedance tuners with resonant probes
Slide screw impedance tuners use resonant probes in order to avoid uncontrollable reflection factors at harmonic frequencies in high power load pull transistor testing. The tuners use either coaxial slotted airlines or slablines. The probes are coupled capacitively with the central conductor of the airline and are either slotted with associated spring loaded effect for better galvanic ground contact, or solid dielectrically coated or anodized and carefully machined for slide fitting into the slabline opening or the coaxial line slot, for capacitive contact with the ground plane. The probes allow for selective reflection behavior over a given frequency range, which does not include unwanted frequencies, such as harmonic or sub-harmonic frequencies. |
| US08358185B2 |
Waveguide connection between a dielectric substrate and a waveguide substrate having a choke structure in the dielectric substrate
A choke structure including: an inside surface conductive pattern formed in the surrounding of a through hole on the surface of a dielectric substrate opposing a waveguide substrate; an outside surface conductive pattern formed in the surrounding of the inside surface conductive pattern positioned apart therefrom; a conductor opening provided between the inside surface conductive pattern and the outside surface conductive pattern and in which a dielectric member is exposed; a dielectric transmission path short-circuited at an end that is formed by an inner layer conductor, which is provided away from the conductor opening by a predetermined distance in the layer-stacking direction of the dielectric substrate; and a plurality of penetrating conductors, which connect the inner layer conductor to the inside surface conductive pattern. |
| US08358179B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming directional RF coupler with IPD for additional RF signal processing
A semiconductor device has a substrate and RF coupler formed over the substrate. The RF coupler has a first conductive trace with a first end coupled to a first terminal of the semiconductor device, and a second conductive trace with a first end coupled to a second terminal of the semiconductor device. The first conductive trace is placed in proximity to a first portion of the second conductive trace. An integrated passive device is formed over the substrate. A second portion of the second conductive trace operates as a circuit component of the integrated passive device. The integrated passive device can be a balun or low-pass filter. The RF coupler also has a first capacitor coupled to the first terminal of the semiconductor device, and second capacitor coupled to a third terminal of the semiconductor device for higher directivity. The second conductive trace is wound to exhibit an inductive property. |
| US08358178B2 |
Phase modulation apparatus and method
A phase modulation apparatus and method are provided. The phase modulation apparatus includes a storage to store phase modulation setting values corresponding to various communication modes; a phase modulation setting value selector to select, when a communication mode is changed, phase modulation setting values corresponding to the changed communication mode among the phase modulation setting values stored in the storage; and a phase modulator to modulate a phase of a transmission signal using the phase modulation setting values selected by the phase modulation setting value selector. According to the phase modulation apparatus, since a frequency characteristic of a loop filter in a PLL circuit is changed depending on a transmission mode of a communication apparatus and phase modulation is performed using appropriate bandwidths according to various transmission modes, it is possible to prevent noise characteristics from degrading when a PLL bandwidth changes. |