| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08397311B2 |
Metrology probe and method of configuring a metrology probe
A metrology probe capable of measurements of a broad range of physical properties of individual samples of nano- or sub-nanometer dimensions is provided. The probe comprises a probe body, a substrate connected to the probe body, and a tip proximate the substrate. The probe further comprises a coarse piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input. The coarse piezo is configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a first electrical signal is provided to the electrical input. The probe further comprises a low-pass filter in electrical communication with the electrical input of the coarse piezo. The probe further comprises a fine piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a second electrical signal is provided to the electrical input. |
| US08397304B2 |
Privacy management of data
The invention relates to receiving data originating from multiple users, identifying data item combinations occurring within said data, determining privacy sensitivity measures to said data item combinations, and communicating privacy sensitivity measure(s) to user(s) concerned. The privacy sensitivity measures can be used to protect user privacy. |
| US08397301B2 |
System and method for identifying and assessing vulnerabilities on a mobile communication device
The invention is a system and method for identifying, assessing, and responding to vulnerabilities on a mobile communication device. Information about the mobile communication device, such as its operating system, firmware version, or software configuration, is transmitted to a server for assessment. The server accesses a data storage storing information about vulnerabilities. Based on the received information, the server may identify those vulnerabilities affecting the mobile communication device, and may transmit a notification to remediate those vulnerabilities. The server may also transmit result information about the vulnerabilities affecting the mobile communication device. The server may also store the received information about the device, so that in the event the server learns of new vulnerabilities, it may continue to assess whether the device is affected, and may accordingly notify or remediate the device. The server may provide an interface for an administrator to manage the system and respond to security issues. |
| US08397300B2 |
Detecting security vulnerabilities relating to cryptographically-sensitive information carriers when testing computer software
A system for detecting security vulnerabilities in computer software, including a cryptographic API identifier configured to identify a cryptographic API among the instructions of a computer software application, a path-to-source tracer configured to trace an information flow path among the instructions between the cryptographic API and a source that directly or indirectly provides data that are input to the cryptographic API, where a cryptographically-sensitive information carrier lies along the information flow path, a path-to-sink tracer configured to trace an information flow path among the instructions from the cryptographically-sensitive information carrier to a sink, and a security vulnerability identifier configured to provide a notification that the information flow path between the cryptographically-sensitive information carrier and the sink represents security vulnerability if the information flow path between the cryptographically-sensitive information carrier and the sink does not pass through a cryptographic API. |
| US08397298B2 |
Method and system for content distribution network security
A content delivery system includes an upload module, a content delivery module, and a monitoring module. The upload module is configured to receive content from a content provider, detect content containing malicious software or proprietary information, and provide information about the content to a monitoring module. The content delivery module is configured to detect content containing malicious software or unauthorized changes, detect operational changes to the content delivery module, provide information about the content and the operational changes to the monitoring module, receive a request for the content from a client system, and provide the content to the client system. The monitoring module is configured to monitor a network for potentially malicious traffic, receive information from the content delivery module and the upload module, correlate the information and the potentially malicious traffic to identify a security event, and trigger a response to the security event. |
| US08397297B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing harmful software
Systems and methods for protecting from harmful software on a computer are disclosed. The systems and methods may include observing potentially harmful software on the computer at runtime, determining that at least part of the potentially harmful software is harmful software and removing effects of the harmful software from the computer based on at least the observing and the determining, despite attempts by the harmful software to resist the removing. |
| US08397290B2 |
Granting least privilege access for computing processes
Embodiments provide a security infrastructure that may be configured to run on top of an existing operating system to control what resources can be accessed by an applications and what APIs an application can call. Security decisions are made by taking into account both the current thread's identity and the current thread's call chain context to enable minimal privilege by default. The current thread context is captured and a copy of it is created to be used to perform security checks asynchronously. Every thread in the system has an associated identity. To obtain access to a particular resource, all the callers on the current thread are analyzed to make sure that each caller and thread has access to that resource. Only when each caller and thread has access to that resource is the caller given access to that resource. |
| US08397285B2 |
Multi-pattern packet content inspection mechanisms employing tagged values
Methods and apparatus for performing content inspection using multi-pattern packet content inspection mechanisms employing tagged values. Pattern data structures are employed to facilitate multi-pattern searches via corresponding string-search algorithm machines. The pattern data structures include tagged values defining search offsets and depths for corresponding search patterns. Incoming packets are classified to flows, and stored in corresponding flow queues. Flow table entries are used to identify the pattern data structure for a given flow. During content inspection, the algorithm machine employs the tagged values to effectively skip portions of a data stream up to the offset for each search pattern and to cease searching for a pattern upon reaching the depth for the pattern. |
| US08397280B1 |
Static packet address assignment for a wireless communication device by an authorization system
An authorization system in a home wireless network comprises a communication interface and a processing system, wherein a wireless communication device associated with the home wireless network transfers a network service request to a service node to acquire a static packet address for the wireless communication device. The communication interface is configured to receive an authorization request for the wireless communication device, transfer a query for delivery to a user profile system, receive a packet address of a home agent associated with the wireless communication device, transfer an authorization response, and receive an authentication request transferred from the home agent. The processing system is configured to process the authentication request to determine the static packet address for the wireless communication device. The communication interface is configured to transfer an authentication response for delivery to the home agent, wherein the authentication response includes the static packet address for the wireless communication device. |
| US08397277B2 |
Multi-functional peripheral, authentication server and system
In a multi-functional peripheral capable of performing user authentication processing in cooperation with an authentication server and processing in cooperation with an external application, a user is able to easily access a screen of a previously used function immediately after logging in without necessity of switching a screen of the function of the multi-functional peripheral itself and a screen of the external application function. |
| US08397276B2 |
Protecting a network from unauthorized access
A system to dynamically protect access to a first network receives a data unit containing a source address indicating a source of the data unit. The source address is matched with information stored in the system, and entry of the data unit to the first network is enabled or denied based on the matching. It is determined whether the data unit contains an identifier of a codec type that matches a stored codec type, and occurrence of an attack of the first network is indicated in response to determining that the identifier is of a codec type that does not match the stored codec type. |
| US08397275B1 |
Time-varying sequenced image overlays for CAPTCHA
Time-varying CAPTCHA tests are provided to distinguish a human user from a computer software agent in an online application. A test generator generates an original image and a set of (X,Y) positions. The (X,Y) positions can be a random or repeating sequence. The test generator then separates the original image to form a plurality of secondary images. The secondary images are configured to the (X,Y) positions and the original image so that when the secondary images are displaced over time responsive to the (X,Y) positions at least one of the (X,Y) position reveals the original image, or a portion thereof. A test program generator generates an executable program adapted for execution on a client device. The executable program is encoded with the (X,Y) positions and the secondary images, and configured to displace the secondary images over time responsive to the set of positions. |
| US08397273B2 |
Policy based provisioning in a computing environment
A system and method for policy based provisioning in a computing environment. In an example embodiment, the system is adapted to selectively allocate usage rights and access privileges to computing resources of a computing environment. The system includes a provisioning policy; a centralized resource provisioning module; one or more applications in communication with the centralized resource provisioning module; and software running on the resource provisioning module, wherein the software is adapted to initiate selective provisioning of computing resources offered by the one or more applications to a user in accordance with the provisioning policy. |
| US08397270B2 |
Electronic apparatus generating video signals and process for generating video signals
An electronic apparatus stores in a graphics memory a first and a second graphics object. An OSD processor generates a first digital stream which represents the first graphics object. The second graphics object is converted into picture data, for example by a main controller, and these data are written to a picture memory, from which a second digital stream is generated. A mixer combines the first and the second digital stream into a video signal to be displayed. |
| US08397264B2 |
Display inserts, overlays, and graphical user interfaces for multimedia systems
A disclosed digital media device at user premises receives a media signal from a media source for presentation via a television display. The exemplary device also supports bi-directional communications with an application service provider device via user premises data communications network. The provider device, which is independent from the media source, offers an application service from a wide area network via the digital media device and user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services. |
| US08397260B2 |
Display and method of controlling display
This display includes a control portion controlling a selected screen portion to display a program other than a program displayed on a nonselected screen portion if a program subsequently displayed on the selected screen portion and the program displayed on the nonselected screen portion are identical to each other. |
| US08397259B2 |
Program guide system with advertisements
An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings. |
| US08397252B2 |
Automatic detection of a cable trap
Firmware is installed in a cable modem, enabling detection of the presence or absence of a cable trap in the feed of a customer location. Such a cable modem includes a trap-detection module and a trap-detection object. The trap-detection module is configured to determine whether a video signal is present at a cable-television frequency. The trap-detection object is configured to store data as to whether the video signal is present. For example, a first piece of data is stored if the video signal is present, indicating absence of a properly functioning cable trap between a cable head-end and the cable modem. A second piece of data is stored if the video signal is absent, indicating presence of a properly functioning cable trap between the cable head-end and the cable modem. |
| US08397251B2 |
Sticker media disk
A sticker media disk may be easily stuck on an old CD, DVD, or other optical disk as a base. The combination then becomes a media disk completely playable with content in audio players, computers drives, DVD, and/or high definition (HD) disk players. |
| US08397249B2 |
Electronic apparatus including disk drive unit and method of manufacturing the same
An electronic apparatus includes a disk drive unit, a first casing and a second casing. The disk drive unit is provided inside the electronic apparatus and has an insertion slot into which a disk medium is to be slid or placed. The first casing covers an upper side of the disk drive unit and includes a cover portion covering an upper edge of the insertion slot. The second casing joins to the first casing and provides a housing portion housing the disk drive unit. |
| US08397248B2 |
Compact disc handling apparatus used with a printing mechanism for surface printing
A compact disc handling apparatus comprises a frame body, a fixed board including a through hole and being fixed on the frame body, a sliding board including an inserting hole, a fixed plate being fixed in the inserting hole of the sliding board and having an area smaller than half of the area of the inserting hole, a movable plate movably installed in the inserting hole of the sliding board, a movable unit located between the fixed plate and the movable plate to enable the movement of the movable plate, a drive unit driving the sliding board to move transversely on the fixed board, and a control unit controlling the movement of the movable plate. The sliding board is movably assembled on an upper end surface of the fixed board in such a manner that the inserting hole is in alignment or staggered with the through hole. |
| US08397246B2 |
Browsing or searching user interfaces and other aspects
This description relates to systems, methods and software architectures for providing previews of files, such as previews of content of the files without launching the applications which created those files. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first call, through a first API to obtain a preview of content of a file, the first call being made by a first application program and being received by a preview generator daemon, and generating a request to obtain a first plug-in from a set of plug-ins, the first plug-in being configured to process a file type of the file to produce content in a format which can be displayed by the first application program. Other methods, systems, computer readable media and software architectures are disclosed. |
| US08397236B2 |
Credit based performance managment of computer systems
A system and method to control the allocation of processor (or state machine) execution resources to individual tasks executing in computer systems is described. By controlling the allocation of execution resources, to all tasks, each task may be provided with throughput and response time guarantees. This control is accomplished through workload metering shaping which delays the execution of tasks that have used their workload allocation until sufficient time has passed to accumulate credit for execution (accumulate credit over time to perform their allocated work) and workload prioritization which gives preference to tasks based on configured priorities. |
| US08397233B2 |
Systems and methods for preserving the order of data
A device includes an input processing unit and an output processing unit. The input processing unit dispatches first data to one of a group of processing engines, records an identity of the one processing engine in a location in a first memory, reserves one or more corresponding locations in a second memory, causes the first data to be processed by the one processing engine, and stores the processed first data in one of the locations in the second memory. The output processing unit receives second data, assigns an entry address corresponding to a location in an output memory to the second data, transfers the second data and the entry address to one of a group of second processing engines, causes the second data to be processed by the second processing engine, and stores the processed second data to the location in the output memory. |
| US08397230B2 |
Software updates using delta patching
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for software updates using delta patching are described. A first computer may compare a first image representative of a plurality of software stacks, and a second image representative of at least one and less than all of the plurality of software stacks to determine a difference between the second image and the first image. The first computer may generate a file representative of the difference between the second image and the first image. The file may include data of instructions for removing each software stack of the plurality of software stacks represented in the first image and not represented in the second image from a second computer. Data representative of the file representative of the difference between the second image and the first image may be recorded to a computer-readable storage medium. |
| US08397227B2 |
Automatic deployment of Java classes using byte code instrumentation
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for Java class automatic deployment using byte code instrumentation technology. One or more classloaders are instrumented with byte code instrumentation code such that a class loading event is received when a class is loaded. If a determination is made that new byte code instrumentation code needs to be loaded with the loaded class, candidate classloaders that load import classes of the new byte code instrumentation code are determined. A correct classloader from the candidate classloaders to load the new byte code instrumentation code is calculated. The correct classloader is instrumented to have an extended classpath, wherein the new byte code instrumentation code is inserted into the extended classpath of the correct classloader. The class is loaded from the extended classpath and original classpath of the correct classloader. |
| US08397225B2 |
Optimizing just-in-time compiling for a java application executing on a compute node
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for optimizing just-in-time (‘JIT’) compiling for a application executing on a compute node, the compute node having installed upon it a Virtual Machine (‘VM’) capable of supporting the application, that include: identifying, by an application manager, a particular portion of the application; assigning, by the application manager, a JIT level to the particular portion of the application; and jitting, by the VM installed on the compute node, the particular portion of the application in dependence upon the JIT level assigned to that particular portion of the ava application. |
| US08397220B1 |
Simulation control techniques
Simulation control techniques include shutting down peer processes and user code modules, storing an image of a simulation as a checkpoint after the peer processes and user code modules are shutdown, and re-starting user code modules and peer processes after storing an image of the simulation. The resulting checkpoint and processes can be used for restoring from a checkpoint or restarting a new simulation environments having peer processes such as debuggers coupled to the simulation. |
| US08397216B2 |
Compiler for a declarative event-driven programming model
A compiler generates code providing an execution sequence, from a declarative event-driven model, for execution by a computer. To assist in debugging the declarative event-driven model, the compiler also generates cross-references that relate steps in the generated code to elements of the declarative source code. The cross-references may be used as input to a debugger, along with the declarative source and the generated code, to assist a user who is stepping through the generated code (for example) in understanding which portion of the declarative source gave rise to the current step in the generated execution sequence. |
| US08397210B2 |
Evolving the architecture of a software application
The logical architecture of an existing or target application or software system is modeled in the form of one or more architecture diagrams. The existing and target diagrams may be compared. A diagram may be modified by associating physical artifacts from an architecture discovery system or by selecting artifacts identified via a query statement. Rules are associated with the diagrams and validation performed based on the rules and the physical artifacts associated with the diagrams. A report may be produced facilitating further modifications to evolve the architecture represented by the diagrams to the target architecture. |
| US08397205B2 |
Graphically representing timing in a graphical program
A system and method for specifying timing relationships among nodes in a graphical program. User input specifying desired timing of a first node with respect to timing of a second node may be received. In various embodiments, any kind of timing relationship or timing constraint between the first node and the second node may be specified. Timing information may be displayed on the display to visually indicate the timing of the first node with respect to timing of the second node. In one embodiment, displaying the timing information may comprise displaying a timing wire between the first node and the second node. The graphical program may be executed in such a way that the visually indicated timing of the first node with respect to timing of the second node is satisfied. |
| US08397204B2 |
System and methodology for development of a system architecture using optimization parameters
Described embodiments relate to methods, systems and computer readable medium for developing a system architecture. Resources constraints are defined, where each resource constraint corresponds to a maximum number of a each kind of resources available to construct the system architecture. Constraint values for each of at least three optimization parameters are defined, which includes a final optimization parameter. A design space is defined as a plurality of vectors representing different combinations of a number of each kind of resource available to construct the system architecture. For each of the plurality of optimization parameters, a priority factor function is defined. A plurality of satisfying sets of vectors is determined for each of the optimization parameters except for the final optimization parameter. A set of vectors is determined based on an intersection of the plurality of satisfying sets of vectors for the optimization parameters. A vector is selected from the set of vectors based on the ordered list of vectors and the final optimization parameter, where the selected vector is for use in developing the system architecture. |
| US08397201B2 |
Method of simulating an ESD circuit layout
A method of simulating an electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit layout is disclosed. A netlist of an electronic circuit is pre-simulated. A circuit layout, including an ESD circuit layout, is accordingly generated. Parasitic is extracted according to the generated circuit layout. The ESD circuit layout is post-simulated according to an ESD waveform and a result of the parasitic extraction. |
| US08397198B1 |
Field configured electronic circuits and methods of making the same
Semiconductor devices and/or structures, and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow for production of customized products, while also minimizing production steps, avoiding some or all photolithography steps, and reducing overall production costs. Using selective deposition and patterning methods such as printing, to form metal and/or dielectric layer(s) on substrates where one or more device circuit components are pre-made in a factory, but which require further processing to obtain an electrically functional circuit, results in the ability for a user/consumer to make custom, specific and/or unique electrically functional circuits without incurring the cost and complexity of a full fabrication to form and pattern all of the layers. |
| US08397196B2 |
Intelligent dummy metal fill process for integrated circuits
A computer-executed method for designing dummy metal object locations in an integrated circuit design. The method comprises the steps of: a) receiving an integrated circuit design as input; b) finding areas of the integrated circuit design that do not meet a minimum metal density requirement; c) finding areas of the integrated circuit design having a critical timing path; d) blocking empty routing tracks that are adjacent to critical nets of the critical timing paths located in step (c), for prospective dummy metal object placement for the areas commonly located in both of steps (b) and (c); and e) placing a minimum number of dummy metal objects in empty tracks such that the minimum metal density requirement is met for the areas that were found in step (b), but were not blocked in step (d). |
| US08397195B2 |
Method and system for packet switch based logic replication
A method and system for compiling a representation of a source circuit including one or more source subchannels associated with portions of source logic driven by a plurality of clock domains are described. Each source subchannel may generate packets carrying signal data from one of the portions of the source logic. A representation of a destination circuit may be compiled to include one or more destination subchannels associated with portions of destination logic replicating the source logic. Each destination subchannel may forward the signal data via the packets to one of the portions of the destination logic. A switching logic may be configured to map the source subchannels to the destination subchannels as virtual channels to forward the packets from the source subchannels to the destination subchannels. A single queue may be configured to couple with the switching logic to record packets from the source subchannels into a packet stream for a delay period to distribute to the destination subchannels. The destination logic may emulate the source logic synchronized with the plurality of clock domains delayed by the delay period. |
| US08397189B2 |
Model checking in state transition machine verification
A method, system, and computer program product for improved model checking for verification of a state transition machine (STM) are provided. A hardware design under test and a property to be verified are received. A level (k) of induction proof needed for the verification is determined. A circuit representation of the property using the hardware design under test for k base cases is configured for checking that the circuit representation holds true for the property for each of the k base cases, and for testing an induction without hypothesis by testing whether the property holds true after k clock cycles starting from a randomized state, where induction without hypothesis is performed by omitting a test whether the property holds true for the next cycle after the property holds for k successive cycles. The induction proof of the property using the hardware design under test by induction without hypothesis is produced. |
| US08397188B1 |
Systems and methods for testing a component by using encapsulation
Systems and methods for testing a component by using encapsulation are described. The systems and methods facilitate communication between two components that use two different languages in a test environment. Such communication is allowed by encapsulating an identifier of a function to create a call message, encapsulating an identifier of an event to create an event message, or encapsulating an identifier of the function to create a return message. |
| US08397187B2 |
Verifying the error bound of numerical computation implemented in computer systems
A verification tool receives a finite precision definition for an approximation of an infinite precision numerical function implemented in a processor in the form of a polynomial of bounded functions. The verification tool receives a domain for verifying outputs of segments associated with the infinite precision numerical function. The verification tool splits the domain into at least two segments, wherein each segment is non-overlapping with any other segment and converts, for each segment, a polynomial of bounded functions for the segment to a simplified formula comprising a polynomial, an inequality, and a constant for a selected segment. The verification tool calculates upper bounds of the polynomial for the at least two segments, beginning with the selected segment and reports the segments that violate a bounding condition. |
| US08397182B2 |
Pattern verifying method, pattern verifying device, program, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
An overlapping margin of a second pattern for a first pattern is corrected for at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern (S50). Next, a relative distance between the first pattern and the second pattern after the overlapping margin is corrected is calculated (S60). Next, it is determined whether or not the relative distance satisfies a criterion (S70). Thus, the pattern can be verified under the consideration of the overlapping margin. |
| US08397178B2 |
Order receiving apparatus and order receiving method
An order receiving apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display an order input screen including an order list in which order information indicating ordered menu items is list-displayed; a receiving unit configured to receive the order information indicating a menu item, an order of which is to be cancelled, among the pieces of order information list-displayed in the order list; a canceling unit configured to cancel the order of the menu item indicated by the received order information; and a changing unit configured to change display of the order information indicating the menu item, the order of which is cancelled, among the pieces of order information list-displayed in the order list to special display. |
| US08397177B2 |
Graphic-information flow method and system for visually analyzing patterns and relationships
A novel display control and information management system seamlessly integrates layered and slotted formatted data from local and remote sources to provide a highly versatile information display. The system permits selective control of display and display features so that complex data and data flows can be seamlessly accessed with enhanced cognition of salient information by a user. |
| US08397176B2 |
Dockable drop-down dialogs
A user interface dialog is provided. The user interface dialog comprises tear-off functionality for being torn-off from a drop-down selection, and docking functionality for docking onto a docker. |
| US08397173B2 |
Methods and apparatus using a service to launch and/or monitor data formatting processes
In one embodiment, a method of operating a number of data formatters 1) blocks execution of a tester's test processes that generate test results, the test results pertaining to test of at least one device under test (DUT); 2) launches a number of data formatters, operable to format the test results, while execution of the test processes is blocked; and 3) upon determining that the number of data formatters has successfully launched, removing the block. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08397171B2 |
User interface methods and apparatus for controlling the visual display of maps having selectable map elements in mobile communication devices
A method for use in controlling user interface operation of a communication device when visually displaying a map involves the steps of causing a viewable map region of the map to be visually displayed in a display, the viewable map region having a plurality of selectable map elements; maintaining a list of element identifiers which includes element identifiers corresponding to the selectable map elements in the viewable map region, each element identifier being associated with a pair of x, y coordinates for visual display; controlling end user selection of the selectable map elements via a positioning mechanism in left and right directions in accordance with a numeric order of the x-coordinates; and controlling end user selection of the selectable map elements via the positioning mechanism in up and down directions in accordance with a numeric order of the y-coordinates. |
| US08397161B1 |
Content compilation and publishing system
A method and system for facilitating dynamic document creation and publication is provided. A document having a first format may be constructed from a number of content elements maintained in a first database. The document may be transformed into a second format different from the first format. The transformed document may be published and provided to a user. |
| US08397152B2 |
Method of detecting an attack by fault injection on a memory device, and corresponding memory device
A memory device may include a memory plane including a group of memory cells configured to store a block of bits including data bits and parity bits, and a detector for detecting a fault injection including a reader to read each bit, and a first checker to perform, when reading a block, a parity check based on the read value of each data and parity bit. The memory plane may include reference memory cells arranged between some of the memory cells to create packets of m memory cells. Each reference memory cell may store a reference bit and each packet of m memory cells may store m bits of the associated block, when m is greater than 1, with different parities. The detector may further include a second checker to perform, when reading the block, a check on the value of each reference bit. |
| US08397148B2 |
Low complexity decoding algorithm for tail-biting convolutional codes
A method for decoding tail-biting convolutional codes. The method includes initializing a correction depth, selecting a first starting state from a set of encoding states, and initializing a metric value for the selected starting state as zero and the other states as infinity. The input bit stream is read and a Search Depth Viterbi algorithm (SDVA) is performed to determine path metrics and identify a minimum-metric path. The ending state for the minimum-metric path is determined and the output for this ending state is identified as “previous output.” A second starting state is set to the ending state of the minimum-metric path, and symbols equal to the correction depth from the previous output are read. The SDVA is performed on the second set of read symbols to generate a corrected output. A decoded output is generated by replacing symbols at the beginning of the previous output with the corrected output. |
| US08397147B2 |
Optimum distance spectrum feedforward low rate tail-biting convolutional codes
Method and apparatus for generating a set of generator polynomials for use as a tail biting convolutional code to operate on data transmitted over a channel comprises: (0) specifying a constraint and a low code rate for a tail biting convolutional code, where the low rate code is lower than 1/n (n being an integer greater than 4); (1) selecting valid combinations of generator polynomials to include in a pool of potential codes, each valid combination being a potential code of the low rate code; (2) determining first lines of a weight spectrum for each potential code in the pool and including potential codes of the pool having best first lines in a candidate set; (3) determining best codes of the candidate set based on the first L number of lines in the weight spectrum; (4) selecting an optimum code(s) from the best codes; and (5) configuring a circuit(s) of a data transceiver to implement the optimum code(s). |
| US08397144B1 |
BCH data correction system and method
In various embodiments, a data correction system has a data path including search modules. Each of the search modules has a respective bit error capacity for locating a number of data bit errors in a data unit based on a locator polynomial. The data correction system generates a syndrome based on an input data unit, generates a locator polynomial based on the syndrome, and determines a number of data bit errors in the input data unit based on the locator polynomial. Additionally, the data correction system selects one of the search modules having a bit error capacity of at least the number of data bit errors in the input data unit. The selected search module generates an error indicator based on the locator polynomial. The data correction system corrects each data bit error in the input data unit based on the error indicator. |
| US08397135B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
A recording apparatus includes a first operation unit that calculates an EDC intermediate value from first data in a first region at least including data to be read after an EDC when reading data in a second sequence in a first sector from a data buffer that stores a block, a data memory that stores at least part of the first data used for operation by the first operation unit, a second operation unit that reads data excluding the first data from the block as second data from the data buffer and calculates the EDC based on the second data and the EDC intermediate value, and an integration unit that integrates the first data, the second data and the EDC, wherein the integration unit receives the EDC and the second data from the second operation unit, receives the first data from the data memory, and integrates and outputs them. |
| US08397132B2 |
Memory device
An exemplary memory device has at least one memory chip that stores data and error correcting information. An error detecting circuit in the memory chip performs a calculation on the data and error correcting information to obtain error detection information indicating the locations of bit errors in the data. The uncorrected data and the error detection information are output from the memory chip. The uncorrected data and error detection information may also be output from the memory device, or the memory device may include a memory controller chip with an error correcting circuit that uses the error detection information to correct the bit errors and outputs corrected data from the memory device. |
| US08397131B1 |
Efficient readout schemes for analog memory cell devices
A method for data readout includes sending to a memory device, which includes a plurality of analog memory cells, a request to read a requested memory page that is stored in a first group of the memory cells. A programming status of a second group of the memory cells is reported to the memory device, so as to cause the memory device to select a reading configuration responsively to the reported programming status and to read the requested memory page from the first group of the memory cells using the selected reading configuration. The requested memory page is received from the memory device. |
| US08397129B2 |
Memory array error correction apparatus, systems, and methods
Various embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems that operate to extend the processes of reading, modifying, and writing data stored in or being provided to a memory array without interrupting a continual stream of data to be written into the memory array. Embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a memory array, and an error code module coupled to the memory array with a data buffer having a plurality of data burst registers operable to receive a plurality of data bursts to be written to the memory array on a corresponding plurality of consecutive clock cycles. The error code module is operable to perform a read/modify/write process on each of the plurality of data bursts within a time period no longer than a period of two consecutive cycles of the plurality of consecutive clock cycles. |
| US08397128B1 |
Data load into an asset management system
Asset data is loaded or entered into an asset management system using a Web service or a manual load, or both. The asset data may be discovered using a third-party asset discovery application. As a first loading option, an inbound asynchronous Web service is used to process the discovered data. As a second loading option, exposed tables are used for loading discovered data and processing through a run control. These entry points provide for additional data validation and error handling of invalid data. They provide ways for data to enter the asset management system and can also streamline the data integration, the reconciliation processes, and additionally automatically address or fix specific exceptions. |
| US08397120B2 |
Method of error correction for a multicast message
A method of error correction for a multicast message sent over a wireless network includes encoding a message into N data packets using a forward error correction code and multicasting at least L data packets of the N data packets over a wireless network to recipients. Recipients not receiving the at least L data packets send a reply to the sender. The sender then selects a second subset of X data packets from the N data packets, and multicasts the X data packets over the wireless network to the recipients. |
| US08397119B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback message in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for generating an Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) feedback message in a wireless communication system are provided. A method for generating an ARQ feedback message at a receiving end in a wireless communication system includes, generating first ARQ feedback information of a first scheme, the first ARQ feedback information comprising information of a first erroneous ARQ block of one or more ARQ blocks for which the ARQ feedback is not performed, generating second ARQ feedback information of a second scheme indicative of error of at least one ARQ block not represented in the first ARQ feedback information, generating an ARQ feedback message comprising the first ARQ feedback information and the second ARQ feedback information, and transmitting the ARQ feedback message to a transmitting end. |
| US08397117B2 |
Method and apparatus for error concealment of encoded audio data
A method of frame error concealment in encoded audio data comprises receiving encoded audio data in a plurality of frames; and using saved one or more parameter values from one or more previous frames to reconstruct a frame with frame error. Using the saved one or more parameter values comprises deriving parameter values based at least part on the saved one or more parameter values and applying the derived values to the frame with frame error. |
| US08397114B2 |
Automated regression testing intermediary
An automated regression testing intermediary configured to accept a first set of automated test instructions from an application testing tool. A data structure comprising predefined fields is configured so when a test instruction is received from the application testing tool, a command will be used to identify at least one field of the data structure that will be populated with a parameter test instruction. A library of generic target automated test instructions is provided. Each generic test instruction has a form and format different from the received test instruction. The intermediary is configured to select generic target automated test instructions from the library and populate selected generic target automated test instructions with parameters obtained from the data structure such that the resulting created target-specific automated test instructions can be used to regression test the application under test. |
| US08397113B2 |
Method and system for identifying power defects using test pattern switching activity
A method and system for identifying power defects using test pattern switching activity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of test patterns is applied to a circuit under test, and failure test patterns are identified from the plurality of test patterns by comparing the test result with the predicted test result. A switching activity count is obtained for each of the plurality of test patterns. Based on the switching activity count, ranks for each of the plurality of test patterns are provided. A correlation analysis is performed between the failure test patterns and the ranks of the switching activities. When there is a high correlation between the failure test pattern and the ranks of the switching activities, it is determined that the circuit likely contains a power defect. A power defect analysis is performed under the presence of the high correlation. |
| US08397111B2 |
Software memory leak analysis using memory isolation
Detecting leaky memory during the execution of an application in a data processing system. A memory controller identifies a leaky section of memory and delegates to an allocation component to allocate more memory. An isolator component isolates the memory section and further divides the memory section into subsections. Each section and each subsection are tested to determine if memory resources are strained to identify an application or its component causing the strain. Each section and subsection are further divided and isolated until the leaky portion of memory is identified, and as a result, the software component causing the leak can also be identified. |
| US08397107B1 |
Data storage device employing data path protection using both LBA and PBA
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory segments. A write command is received comprising a logical block address (LBA) and user data. The LBA is mapped to a physical block address (PBA) for addressing one of the memory segments. First error code redundancy is generated in response to the LBA, and second error code redundancy in response to the PBA. User data and the first and second error code redundancy are written to the memory segment addressed by the PBA. |
| US08397105B2 |
Computer system or performance management method of computer system
This invention provides a system including a computer and a storage-subsystem comprising at least either a first storage area for storing data sent from the computer or a second storage area to be associated with the first storage area, for storing replicated data of data stored in the first storage area. This system includes a replication processing status referral unit for referring to a replication processing status of data of the first storage area and the second storage area to be associated, and an output unit for outputting first performance information concerning data I/O stored in the first storage area, and outputting second performance information concerning data I/O stored in the second storage area together with the first performance information when the replicated data is being subject to replication processing from the first storage area to the second storage area as a result of referring to the replication processing status. |
| US08397104B2 |
Creation of test plans
Test plan to be utilized in a testing phase may be generated based on an initial test plan. A functional coverage model may be derived from the initial test plan. Modifications to the test plan may be automatically determined based on predetermined rules and parameters. Restrictions over possible combinations of values may be determined based on analysis of uncovered test activities in the initial test plan. Restrictions may be determined based on values of test activities in the initial test plan. Restrictions and modifications determined according to the disclosed subject matter may be indicated to a user for confirmation thereof. |
| US08397103B2 |
Method for detecting the improper removal of electronic equipment
A method for detecting an improper removal of the electronic equipment. In the method, having received a command from a higher-level device, the electronic equipment (card reader) executes processing operations in accordance with the command. The electronic equipment includes a first RAM for saving electronic information including the confidential data, a detection means (such as a switching circuit) for detecting the improper removal of the electronic equipment, a power supply control IC for shutting off a power supply to the RAM in accordance with a signal coming from the detection means, and a second RAM being separate from and independent of the first RAM. Data saved in the RAM is not deleted even if the power supply is shut off by the power supply control IC. Then, the detection means is activated after the confidential data saved in the first RAM is copied to the second RAM. |
| US08397102B2 |
Volume and failure management method on a network having a storage device
A SAN manager acquires configuration information from devices constituting a SAN and produces a corresponding relationship between a host computer and a virtual volume (virtual volume mapping) and a corresponding relationship between the host computer and a real volume (real volume mapping). Based on those pieces of mapping information, the SAN manager outputs a corresponding relationship between virtual and real volumes. Meanwhile, the failure notification messages received from the in-SAN devices are construed to detect and output an influence of the failure upon the access to a real or virtual volume. Furthermore, when receiving a plurality of failure notifications from the devices connected to the SAN, the plurality of failure notifications are outputted with an association based on the corresponding relationship between real and virtual volumes. |
| US08397100B2 |
Managing memory refreshes
Systems and methods to manage memory refreshes at a memory controller are disclosed. A method includes determining, at a memory controller device, that a number of transmission errors between a memory controller port and a memory redrive device exceeds an error threshold. The method may include initiating a first link retraining process between the memory controller port and the memory redrive device. The method may further include placing one or more dynamic random access memory modules associated with the memory redrive device in a self-refresh mode. The method may also include removing the one or more dynamic random access memory modules from the self-refresh mode after the link retraining process has completed. The method may further include enabling overlapping refreshes of the one or more dynamic random access memory modules. |
| US08397099B2 |
Using pulses to control work ingress
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using pulses to control work ingress. Generally, embodiments of the invention use a variable-speed clock for accepting work for lower-priority services. A clock rate is controlled by a load monitor. The load monitor periodically collects sensor measurements of resources available after allocations by higher-priority services. Based on the sensor measurements, the load monitor adjusts the clock speed up or down (i.e., depending on the amount of resources available after allocations by higher-priority services). At the boundary of the lower-priority service (e.g., where work enters the system), work requests are enqueued to be associated with a future pulse of the clock. Work is accepted or rejected based on a determination of whether the work request can be allocated a clock pulse within a defined period of time. |
| US08397096B2 |
Heterogeneous physical media attachment circuitry for integrated circuit devices
An integrated circuit includes physical media attachment (“PMA”) circuitry that includes two different kinds of transceiver channels for serial data signals. One kind of transceiver channel is adapted for transceiving relatively low-speed serial data signals. The other kind of transceiver channel is adapted for transceiving relatively high-speed serial data signals. A high-speed channel is alternatively usable as phase-locked loop (“PLL”) circuitry for providing a clock signal for use by other high- and/or low-speed channels. A low-speed channel can alternatively get a clock signal from separate low-speed PLL circuitry. |
| US08397092B2 |
Power management for input/output devices by creating a virtual port for redirecting traffic
A method for managing power consumption by a network device is disclosed. The network device includes first and second ports, each of the first and second ports identified by a unique identifier and adapted to handle separate network traffic. The method includes verifying that the first and the second ports are connected to a common network end node; shutting off a link between the first port and the network end node; obtaining the unique identifier of the first port; creating, on the second port, a virtual port in response to the unique identifier of the first port; discovering the virtual port on the network device; and redirecting traffic formerly routed through the link through the virtual port. |
| US08397085B2 |
Master controller containing a control processor configured to receive power cell control information and a host processor configured to receive command and status information
A power supply includes multiple power cells and a master control system in communication with each of the power cells. The master controller includes a control processor configured to receive power cell control information and a host in communication with the control processor wherein the host is configured to receive command and status information. |
| US08397083B1 |
System and method for efficiently deleting a file from secure storage served by a storage system
A system and method efficiently deletes a file from secure storage, i.e., a cryptainer, served by a storage system. The cryptainer is configured to store a plurality of files, each of which stores an associated file key within a special metadata portion of the file. Notably, special metadata is created by a security appliance coupled to the storage system and attached to each file to thereby create two portions of the file: the special metadata portion and the main, “file data” portion. The security appliance then stores the file key within the specially-created metadata portion of the file. A cryptainer key is associated with the cryptainer. Each file key is used to encrypt the file data portion within its associated file and the cryptainer key is used to encrypt the part of the special metadata portion of each file. To delete the file from the cryptainer, the file key of the file is deleted and the special metadata portions of all other files stored in the cryptainer are re-keyed using a new cryptainer key. Thereafter, the “old” cryptainer key is deleted. |
| US08397082B2 |
System and method for thwarting buffer overflow attacks using encrypted process pointers
A method (200) and program (100) for inhibiting attack upon a computer (120) is provided. The address (104) of a process (106) is produced (612), and encrypted (616) to produce an encrypted address (518), which is then stored in memory (128). When needed, the encrypted address (518) is retrieved (702) from memory (128) and decrypted (704) to reproduce the original process address (104). The reproduced process address (104) is then verified (708). If the process address (104) is determined (708) to be valid, i.e., there was no attack, then the process address (104) is placed (712) in the program counter (318), and a valid process (106) is executed. If the process address (104) is determined (708) to be invalid, i.e., there was an attack, then the address (108) of a crash and terminate process (110) is placed (716) in the program counter (318) and the computer (120) crashes. A nonce value (512) may be generated (602) and encrypted (616) and decrypted (704) in conjunction with the process address (104). The nonce value (512) may then be verified (710) independently, thereby increasing security. |
| US08397070B2 |
Systems and methods for governing content rendering, protection, and management applications
System and methods are disclosed for governing digital rights management systems and other applications through the use of supervisory governance applications and keying mechanisms. Governance is provided by enabling the supervisory applications to revoke access keys and/or to block certain file system calls, thus preventing governed applications from accessing protected electronic content. |
| US08397069B2 |
Methods and systems for protecting media content
Various embodiments provide methods and systems that utilize a protocol which enables media content protection by establishing a secure communication channel and, in some embodiments, a secure data channel, between a device such as a computing device running a protected content playback application, and a downstream component such as an associated driver, such as a graphics driver, of an associated display device such as a monitor, flat panel LCD, television and the like. |
| US08397068B2 |
Generic file protection format
A file may contain an unencrypted and an encrypted portion. The unencrypted portion may contain a layout section that may point to a published license, metadata, and a contents section, where the contents section is in the encrypted portion. The encrypted portion may contain the contents section which may act as a directory for one or more included files that may be compressed and stored in the encrypted portion. When the file is opened by a receiver, the receiver may read the published license and communicate with a security server to establish access rights and receive at least one key for decrypting at least a portion of the encrypted portion of the file. The receiver may then gain access to the included files. |
| US08397066B2 |
Entitled data cache management
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an entitled data cache. A data server may generate and send entitled data to a data cache server. The data cache server, a server that may be located nearer to the user within a data provider's computer network, may receive and cache the entitled data. A permission server may store user's permissions and transmit the user's permissions to the data server and the data cache server. Upon receiving a request for data, the data cache server may retrieve the requested data from the cache and send a subset of the cached data which matches the user's permissions to the user, without the need to request the data from the data server. |
| US08397059B1 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing authentication
A proxy (e.g., a switch) resides in a respective network environment between one or more clients and multiple servers. One purpose of the proxy is to provide the clients a unified view of a distributed file system having respective data stored amongst multiple remote and disparate storage locations over a network. Another purpose of the proxy is to enable the clients to retrieve data stored at the multiple servers. To establish a first connection between the proxy and a respective client, the proxy communicates with an authentication agent (residing at a location other than at the client) to verify a challenge response received from the client. When establishing a set of second connections with the multiple servers, the proxy communicates with the authentication agent to generate challenge responses on behalf of the client. The proxy facilitates a flow of data on the first connection and the set of second connections. |
| US08397055B2 |
Method and system for post-build modification of firmware binaries to support different hardware configurations
A firmware data processing system may be operable to allocate a configuration area in the firmware binary image file for customizable settings. During the firmware build process for the firmware binary image file, default configuration information may be inserted into this configuration area. This default configuration information may be either actual default setting values or indicator to use the default setting values. During post-build modification process, a separately created utility application may be operable to read in the original firmware binary image file, select new settings, and insert new configuration information into the configuration area. The utility application may also be operable to create a new firmware binary image file with reproduced checksums or other error detection mechanisms required for the original firmware binary image file, based on the new configuration information in the configuration area. |
| US08397054B2 |
Multi-phased computational reconfiguration
Problem solution speed may be increased by dynamically changing processing device computational hardware configuration in concert with respective mathematical phases of an algorithm to match accuracy demands at various phases of computation. Smaller but faster hardware structures may be increased in size using real-time partial or full reconfiguration of a processing device to apply the smallest and fastest possible computational structure for the needed accuracy during each of multiple computational phases. |
| US08397052B2 |
Version pressure feedback mechanisms for speculative versioning caches
Mechanisms are provided for controlling version pressure on a speculative versioning cache. Raw version pressure data is collected based on one or more threads accessing cache lines of the speculative versioning cache. One or more statistical measures of version pressure are generated based on the collected raw version pressure data. A determination is made as to whether one or more modifications to an operation of a data processing system are to be performed based on the one or more statistical measures of version pressure, the one or more modifications affecting version pressure exerted on the speculative versioning cache. An operation of the data processing system is modified based on the one or more determined modifications, in response to a determination that one or more modifications to the operation of the data processing system are to be performed, to affect the version pressure exerted on the speculative versioning cache. |
| US08397043B2 |
Memory mapping system, request controller, multi-processing arrangement, central interrupt request controller, apparatus, method for controlling memory access and computer program product
A memory mapping system is connectable to a multi-processing arrangement. The multi-processing arrangement includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The memory mapping system includes a main memory to which the second processing unit does not have write access, the main memory including a first memory section and a second memory section. An associated memory is associated with the second memory section. The associated memory includes a memory section to which the second processing unit has write access. A consistency control unit can maintaining consistency between data stored in the associated memory and data stored in the second memory section. |
| US08397032B2 |
Recovery in shared memory environment
A method for recovery in a shared memory environment is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A core in a multi-core processor is designated as a user level core (ULC), which executes an instruction to modify a memory while executing an application. A second core is designated as a operating system core (OSC), which manages checkpointing of several segments of the shared memory. A set of flags is accessible to a memory controller to manage a shared memory. A flag in the set of flags corresponds to one segment in the segments of the shared memory. A message or instruction for modification of a segment is received. A cache line tracking determination is made whether a cache line used for the modification has already been used for a similar modification. If not, a part of the segment is checkpointed. The modification proceeds after checkpointing. |
| US08397031B2 |
Apparatus, processor and method of cache coherency control
An apparatus includes a plurality of processors each of which includes a cache memory, and a controller which suspends a request of at least one of the processors during a predetermined period when a processor fetches a data from a main memory to the cache memory, wherein the controller suspends the request of at least one of the processors except the processor which fetches the data from the main memory to the cache memory. |
| US08397030B2 |
Efficient region coherence protocol for clustered shared-memory multiprocessor systems
A system and method of a region coherence protocol for use in Region Coherence Arrays (RCAs) deployed in clustered shared-memory multiprocessor systems which optimize cache-to-cache transfers by allowing broadcast memory requests to be provided to only a portion of a clustered shared-memory multiprocessor system. Interconnect hierarchy levels can be devised for logical groups of processors, processors on the same chip, processors on chips aggregated into a multichip module, multichip modules on the same printed circuit board, and for processors on other printed circuit boards or in other cabinets. The present region coherence protocol includes, for example, one bit per level of interconnect hierarchy, such that the one bit has a value of “1” to indicate that there may be processors caching copies of lines from the region at that level of the interconnect hierarchy, and the one bit has a value of “0” to indicate that there are no cached copies of any lines from the region at that respective level of the interconnect hierarchy. |
| US08397029B2 |
System and method for cache coherency in a multiprocessor system
A method for maintaining cache coherency operates in a data processing system with a system memory and a plurality of processing units (PUs), each PU having a cache, and each PU coupled to at least another one of the plurality of PUs. A first PU receives a first data block for storage in a first cache of the first PU. The first PU stores the first data block in the first cache. The first PU assigns a first coherency state and a first tag to the first data block, wherein the first coherency state is one of a plurality of coherency states that indicate whether the first PU has accessed the first data block. The plurality of coherency states further indicate whether, in the event the first PU has not accessed the first data block, the first PU received the first data block from a neighboring PU. |
| US08397019B2 |
Memory for accessing multiple sectors of information substantially concurrently
A memory storage system of an embodiment includes a non-volatile memory unit and memory control circuitry coupled to the memory unit. The memory control circuitry is configured to access multiple sectors of information substantially concurrently. |
| US08397018B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing a programming sequence to enhance die interleave
Systems and methods for sequentially writing data to a memory device such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory device are disclosed. A system controller of a memory device including a first die and a second die, each of the first die and the second die including a plurality of pages, writes a first portion of a set of data to a lower page of a second die. The system controller then writes a second portion of the set of data to an upper page of the second die after writing the first portion of the set of data to the lower page of the second die. |
| US08397009B2 |
Interconnection network with dynamic sub-networks
An interconnection network with m first electronic circuits and n second electronic circuits, comprising m interconnection sub-networks, each interconnection sub-network including: at least one addressing bus and one information transfer bus connecting one of the m first circuits to all the n second circuits, the information transfer bus comprising a plurality of portions of signal transmission lines connected to each other through signal repeater devices, and a controller device that controls the signal repeater devices, at least one of the signal repeater devices is controlled to be active depending on a value of an addressing signal to be sent to the addressing bus by said one of the m first circuits to the controller device, where m and n are integer numbers greater than 1. |
| US08397002B2 |
Disk array apparatus
A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel. |
| US08396998B2 |
Memory-module extender card for visually decoding addresses from diagnostic programs and ignoring operating system accesses
A diagnostic extender card is plugged into a memory module socket on a personal computer (PC) motherboard. The extender card has a test socket that receives a memory module and an intercepting decoder chip that receives the chip-select (CS) from the motherboard that selects the memory module for access. When CS is activated, the intercepting decoder chip illuminates a visual indicator on the extender card, allowing a user to locate a memory module being accessed. The exact translation or mapping from logical addresses of test programs to physical addresses of the memory modules is not needed, since the visual indicator shows which memory module is really being accessed, regardless of proprietary address mapping by north bridge chips. Operating system memory accesses are filtered out by a counter that counts accesses during a period set by a timer. When the number of accesses exceeds a threshold, the visual indicator is lit. |
| US08396997B2 |
System and method for surveillance
A plug-and-play surveillance system that can be set up by even computer-illiterates is disclosed herein. The system comprises an external storage device connected to a computing device and a monitoring device. A registration and matching service receives at least one unique identification code from the external storage device and the monitoring device and uses it to establish a unique pairing between the external storage device and the monitoring device. Subsequent communication between them can be directly established without the need of re-registration. The present invention provides a convenient surveillance system without complex setting and configuration. The present invention also provides higher privacy level and flexibility that additional features can be added to the system based on the user's need. |
| US08396996B2 |
Querying a device for information
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving in a processor complex a first write request from a peripheral device, obtaining information of the processor complex responsive to the first write request, and transmitting a second write request from the processor complex to the peripheral device including the information. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08396995B2 |
Memory controllers, memory systems, solid state drives and methods for processing a number of commands
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for a memory controller. In one or more embodiments, a memory controller includes a plurality of back end channels, and a command queue communicatively coupled to the plurality of back end channels. The command queue is configured to hold host commands received from a host. Circuitry is configured to generate a number of back end commands at least in response to a number of the host commands in the command queue, and distribute the number of back end commands to a number of the plurality of back end channels. |
| US08396993B2 |
Data packer for packing and aligning write data
A data packer of an input/output hub of a computer system packs and formats write data that is supplied to it before the write data is written into a memory unit of the computer system. More particularly, the data packer accumulates write data received from lower bandwidth clients for delivery to a high bandwidth memory interface. Also, the data packer aligns the write data, so that when the write data is read out from the write data packer, no further alignment is needed. |
| US08396990B2 |
Transcoding web resources
A transcoding system comprises a mobile communication device that retrieves a web resource using a mobile communication network and the internet via a transcoder. The web resource may comprise a web page intended for use by personal computers (PCs) stored at a web server. The mobile communication device sends a request to the transcoder for the web page, the request including a first URL. In one embodiment, the transcoder recognizes the first URL as relating to a web page on a transcode list. Accordingly, the transcoder retrieves a web page using a second URL based on the first URL according to a mapping record. The transcoder then transcodes the retrieved web page and sends the transcoded web page to the mobile communication device. In another embodiment, the transcoder does not recognize the first URL and instead removes the top level domain of the first URL to generate a truncated URL. The transcoder then retrieves web resources using the truncated URL and variations thereof and, based on an analysis of the web resources retrieved, sends the web resource most likely to be appropriate for the mobile communication device to the device. |
| US08396987B2 |
Method and system for providing network and routing protocols for utility services
A method and system of operating a utility node to communicate in a wireless utility network are provided. A utility node in the wireless utility network discovers at least two access points each respectively constituting an interface between a wide area network and the wireless utility network. The node discovers at least two access points constituting an interface between the two networks, registers with the discovered access points, and obtains at least two unique network addresses each respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node has registered. The node provides the at least two addresses to a back office server which is communication with the wide area network to provide the back office server with at least two routes to reach the node. The at least two routes are respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node registered. |
| US08396986B2 |
Method and system of virtual machine migration
In cooperation between each data center and a WAN, virtual machine migration is carried out without interruption in processing so as to enable effective power-saving implementation, load distribution, or fault countermeasure processing. Each node located at a boundary point between the WAN and another network is provided with a network address translation (NAT) function that can be set dynamically to avoid address duplication due to virtual machine migration. Alternatively, each node included in the WAN is provided with a network virtualization function; and there are implemented a virtual network connected to a data center for including a virtual machine before migration, and a virtual network connected to a data center for including the virtual machine after migration, thereby allowing coexistent provision of identical addresses. Thus, the need for changing network routing information at the time of virtual machine migration can be eliminated, and a setting change for migration accomplished quickly. |
| US08396981B1 |
Gateway for connecting storage clients and storage servers
The invention provides a networking system, network system gateway, and method for managing the transfer of data between networks interconnected through the gateway. The gateway manages the communication paths and commands used in transferring data, as well as the logins associated with each network. The gateway further provides the ability to buffer data in order to accommodate latencies within the networks. Additionally, the gateway provides the ability to pipeline data across the networks. |
| US08396979B2 |
Communication apparatus, image sensing apparatus, and control method therefor
A communication apparatus such as a digital video camcoder acquires an IP address from a DHCP server on a UPnP network. During the communication apparatus is transmitting an image stream, which is a sensed image, to the DTV, the communication apparatus issues an IP address update request to the DHCP server. In this case, when the DHCP server leaves the UPnP network, the communication apparatus keeps transmitting the stream while holding an already set IP address. Upon completely transmitting the series of the stream, the communication apparatus generates its own IP address using an AutoIP function. |
| US08396977B2 |
Method for making phone calls with a portable USB device
Methods using a portable USB communication device that is plug connectable to an external USB port of a first computing device for enabling phone calling. Upon plug connecting the portable communication device to the first computing device, a phone calling application running at the first computing device is enabled by employing at least in part a phone calling software component stored in the portable communication device. The portable communication device includes a controller unit to facilitate installation of at least part of phone calling software for running at the computing device. Subsequent to disconnecting from the first computing device, the user may also alternatively connect the portable communication device to an Ethernet port of a second computing device for enabling Internet access and phone calling without the first computing device. |
| US08396976B2 |
Admitting calls based on endpoint locations
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for admitting calls based on endpoint locations. Embodiments of the invention can be used to map (e.g., IP) subnets of an enterprise to the location where the subnets are managed in the network. A call admission control decision is then based on the subnets where endpoints (e.g., IP nodes) are currently located (as opposed to where users that use the endpoints are homed at). Embodiments of the invention can use just in time location detection. That is, endpoint locations can be detected just before a bandwidth policy decision is made. Detecting locations just before a bandwidth policy decision increases the likelihood of making an appropriate bandwidth policy decision. |
| US08396975B2 |
Managing requests for connection to a server
A connection accepting system, an accepting server, and a connection-acceptance managing method, for reducing the processing load of a server and allowing connection to the server in the order of arrival of connection requests. An accepting server accepts a connection request to an application server made from a client terminal through a network. The accepting server issues a reference number to the client terminal at the time of receiving a first connection request, and manages a connection priority for connection to the application server, based on the reference number. The accepting server transmits a program for automatically executing a connection request again after a predetermined time period, at the time of issuing the reference number to the client terminal. |
| US08396972B2 |
Session control apparatus, software applied to session control apparatus, communication control method, and network system
A network system includes a session control server and a presence server. The session control server includes a presence information update unit that is started when the status changes and notifies the presence server of the changed status. The presence server includes a presence information control unit that controls the consistency of the notified update information. |
| US08396971B2 |
Method for optimizing NSIS signaling in MOBIKE-based mobile applications
A method reduces signaling overhead of a mobile node that maintains at least one active Next Steps in Signaling session. The mobile node has a MOBIKE connection to a virtual private network gateway, and changes its link to the Internet. At least the IP address of the VPN gateway and/or an address space corresponding to the subnetwork of the VPN gateway is/are inserted into the message routing information object contained in the NSIS message. A value is defined for a security parameter index. The SPI value is inserted into the MRI object. The S flag is set in the MRI object. An address space that refers to the IP address of the mobile node is inserted into the MRI object. |
| US08396970B2 |
Content processing between locations workflow in content delivery networks
A method for processing content objects within a content delivery network (CDN) having a plurality of points of presence (POPs) in different defined geographies is disclosed. A content object is gathered from one of the plurality of POPs in a first defined geography. It is determined that a processing function is to be performed on the content object. Geographical restrictions on the processing function are analyzed. A second defined geography for performing the processing function is determined. The content object is sent to a resource that performs the processing function in the second defined geography. The processing function is performed with the resource at the second defined geography to produce a processed content object. From a plurality of content stores in the plurality of POPs, a content store is found to hold the processed content object. The processed content object is stored on the content store. |
| US08396969B1 |
Domain name buckets in a hosted storage system
In one general aspect, this document describes a computer-implemented method for creating buckets in a hosted storage platform. The method may include receiving, at a hosted storage computer system that utilizes a single namespace across data stores of the hosted storage computer system, a request from a user of the hosted storage computer system to create a bucket having a name that includes a domain name. The method may also include verifying that the user is an authorized manager of a domain that corresponds to the domain name. The method may also include creating the bucket on the hosted storage computer system upon verification that the user is an authorized manager of the domain. |
| US08396963B2 |
Networked devices for monitoring utility usage and methods of using the same
Systems, methods, and devices are presented herein for monitoring usage of at least one utility by a utility consuming system. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of managing information in a utility monitoring system that includes a host computer and an array of monitoring devices operatively coupled together on a peer-to-peer network. The array of monitoring devices includes first and second monitoring devices each with a respective memory. The first and second monitoring devices are configured to receive and transmit data. The method includes: storing data received by the first monitoring device in the first memory; storing data received by the second monitoring device in the second memory; responsive to the first memory being below a threshold storage capacity, transferring data received by the second monitoring device to the first monitoring device; and storing the transferred data in the first memory. |
| US08396960B2 |
Efficient network utilization using multiple physical interfaces
An architecture for streaming data from a sending endpoint to a receiving endpoint which are connected to each other by multiple networks is provided. Each of the sending endpoint and the receiving endpoint has multiple physical interfaces each for interfacing to a respective one of the multiple networks. The architecture is implemented on both of the endpoints. The architecture includes a traffic monitor for gathering performance characteristics of each of the multiple physical interfaces, and a software library for controlling sending and receiving of the data stream between the endpoints. The traffic monitor and the software library communicate information to each other. The software library instantiates a plurality of bondable virtual interfaces for splitting the data stream into multiple data sub-streams and for combining the multiple data sub-streams into the data stream, and a data organizer for designating one of the plurality of bondable virtual interfaces. |
| US08396956B2 |
Mobility service clustering using network service segments
Described in an example embodiment herein is a Mobility Service Engine (MSE) cluster comprising an MSE Cluster Master and at least one MSE Cluster Slave. The MSE Master is configured to define Network Service Segments. The MSE Master of the cluster distributes the Network Service Segments to slaves within the cluster. The network is configured to forward data to the correct Network Service Segment. |
| US08396953B2 |
Processing packets using a virtualized descriptor queue
In a method for processing packets among at least a first computing device and a second computing device, in which the first computing device is configured to transmit and receive packets through a Network Interface Card (NIC), in the second computing device, descriptors of packets to be one of transmitted and received by the first computing device through a device descriptor queue are received and placed in a virtualized descriptor queue accessible by the second computing device. In addition, the packets associated with the descriptors placed in the virtualized descriptor queue are processed prior to one of transmission and receipt of the packets by the first computing device. |
| US08396952B2 |
Provisioning and commissioning a communications network with a virtual network operations center and interface
An interface coupled to a virtual network operations center and coupled to a data communications network having at least one optical channel. Equipment on the data communications network is identified by the interface wherein the interface coordinates and correlates communications between the I/O interfaces of a server coupled to the network so that data rates and data protocols are managed properly. The interface receives commands from and transmits commands to the data communications network and translates the commands to be further transmitted and used in the virtual network operations center coupled to the server. The data communications network is represented in a three dimensions virtual world in the virtual network operations center so that events on the network can be represented in real-time in the virtual network operations center. |
| US08396949B2 |
Metadata driven automatic deployment of distributed server systems
Automatic and reliable deployment of system topology to computing devices within an enhanced communication system is provided. Specific roles and features associated with individual devices such as servers are defined in a centrally managed topology document, which is replicated to devices to be configured along with one or more modules for performing local configuration. Upon deployment, the module(s) determine a local device configuration, a desired configuration for the device, and update the device's configuration installing and activating roles and features assigned to the device by the topology document. Feedback regarding the results of the configuration is provided to a central management store such that administration can monitor status of devices within the system. Modifications to the assigned roles and prerequisites for supporting those roles are made dynamically through the same mechanism as system topology changes. |
| US08396948B2 |
Remotely configured media device
Improved techniques for controlling operation of a portable electronic device are disclosed. Portable electronic devices which interact with a host electronic device can have their operational settings (e.g., configurations or preferences) remotely controlled. As a result, a host electronic device can offer a more sophisticated user interface and portable electronic devices need less local user interface features because these operational settings can be remotely controlled. The remotely-controlled (i.e., host controlled) operational settings are transferred to the portable electronic devices, whereby the portable electronic devices can thereafter operate in accordance with such settings. |
| US08396939B2 |
Content distribution management device, terminal, program, and content distribution system
A content distribution system includes a content distribution management device and a communication terminal. A storage unit stores one or a plurality of addresses. A receiving unit receives content data addressed to a communication terminal. A determination unit determines whether or not the address of the origin of the received content data is an address that is stored in the storage unit. A sending unit where the determination unit has determined that the address of the origin of the received content data is stored in the storage unit, sends the content data and parameters specifying the format in which content is to be displayed to a communication terminal. The communication terminal includes a receiving unit that receives parameters and content data from the content distribution management device; and a content display control that controls the display format in accordance with received parameters. |
| US08396933B2 |
Delivering electronic content
Delivering electronic content includes providing instructions that might cause a computer to collect information including a network address and transmitting the collected information to a receiving computer. The computer that receives the transmitted information selects electronic content based on the received information and sends the selected electronic content to the network address included in the received information. Access to the electronic content might be selectively granted based on criteria. |
| US08396929B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributed application context aware transaction processing
A method and apparatus for applying a uniform processing policy within a distributed computer network. A message is received at a termination point from an application used by a user. At the termination point tagging information is attached to the message, the tagging information indicating which processes the message should undergo, and with which parameters or configurations. The message is then processed in the distributed network according to the tagging information so that uniform processing is assured. If required, a response message is generated, and is assigned substantially the same tagging information as the original message. |
| US08396924B2 |
Content management using a website
Content management using a website is described. In an implementation, one or more computer readable media include instructions that are executable to provide an option, via a website, that is selectable by a first user though interaction with a website to specify that a second user is permitted, through interaction with the website, to cause content to be recorded locally at a client of the first user. |
| US08396923B2 |
Presenting information in a conference
One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times. Conference participants are either “presenters” who can modify the display or “attendees” who cannot modify the display. A pointer icon, which can be labeled to identify the conferee, is displayed on the shared image area. Each conferee can modify the position of his or her own pointer, even when not presenting, so that every participant can see what each conferee is pointing to, should a conferee choose to point to an element of the display. These and other features apply to other data streams shared in the conference or in meetings where there is no shared-image data stream. |
| US08396919B2 |
Hypertext displaying apparatus and hypertext displaying program
A hypertext displaying apparatus in which when a link destination indicated in stored data is designated, a processing section instructs a transmission/reception section to download hypertext data at the link destination. Additionally, the processing section instructs a history storage section to register an identifier of the currently-displayed stored data. If a user indicates a “previous content” instruction, the processing section reads from a stored information storage section the stored data corresponding to the identifier registered in the history information storage section, so that the stored data is displayed on a screen. |
| US08396918B2 |
Service framework for a home network
A service framework which can control devices to be controlled according to a device/service profile by creating the device/service profile to control a plurality of the controlled devices. Accordingly without using a middleware with a complicated structure, it is possible to control home devices. |
| US08396917B2 |
Storage management system, storage hierarchy management method, and management server capable of rearranging storage units at appropriate time
According to the present invention, it is possible to rearrange an arrangement unit on an appropriate storage device at a more appropriate timing in a complex computer system. A computer system according to the present invention includes a plurality of storage devices of different performance, and provides a virtual volume, the storage devices allocating a segment of the plurality of storage areas to an arrangement unit, which constitutes the target of a virtual volume, in accordance with the arrival of a write request from the business server, and managing, on the business server, an execution time and a predicted execution time of a job to be executed, and a time at which the storage area segment was allocated to the arrangement unit, inferring the relationship of the arrangement unit and the job from the job execution time and the time at which the storage area segment was allocated, and changing the storage area segment allocated to this arrangement unit to another storage area segment at a time decided based on the specified relationship and the predicted execution time. |
| US08396914B1 |
Matrix decomposition in an integrated circuit device
Circuitry speeds up the Cholesky decomposition of a matrix. The circuitry can be provided in a fixed logic device, or can be configured into a programmable integrated circuit device such as a programmable logic device. The circuitry implements the following equation: l ij = a ij - 〈 L i , L j 〉 a jj - 〈 L j , L j 〉 When any lij term is calculated this way, the latency in calculating the ljj term in the denominator has little or no effect on the lij term calculation. And if the calculations are properly pipelined, once the pipeline is filled, a new term can be output on each clock cycle or every few clock cycles. |
| US08396908B2 |
Multi-class heterogeneous clients in a clustered filesystem
A cluster of computer system nodes connected by a storage area network include two classes of nodes. The first class of nodes can act as clients or servers, while the other nodes can only be clients. The client-only nodes require much less functionality and can be more easily supported by different operating systems. To minimize the amount of data transmitted during normal operation, the server responsible for maintaining a cluster configuration database repeatedly multicasts the IP address, its incarnation number and the most recent database generation number. Each node stores this information and when a change is detected, each node can request an update of the data needed by that node. A client-only node uses the IP address of the server to connect to the server, to download the information from the cluster database required by the client-only node and to upload local disk connectivity information. |
| US08396905B2 |
System and method for improved garbage collection operations in a deduplicated store by tracking temporal relationships among copies
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing garbage collection to identify content segments no longer referenced in a deduplicating storage system in which redundant mark operations in a mark-and-sweep technique are avoided. An organized arrangement of hash structures is created for each data object, wherein each structure includes a hash signature for a corresponding content segment and is associated with a reference to the corresponding content segment, and the logical organization of the arrangement represents the logical organization of the content segments as they are represented within the data object. Additionally, for each data object, temporal states are maintained over time. Garbage collection iterates over the temporal structures and, for each temporal structure, marks the garbage collection state for the associated content segments for only the content segments that have changed relative to an immediately prior temporal state of the data object. |
| US08396904B2 |
Utilizing information from garbage collector in serialization of large cyclic data structures
A method for serializing cyclic or shared data structures using information from the garbage collector to determine that some objects in the data structure being serialized cannot have more than one reference. |
| US08396902B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying a scheduling database
A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database can be modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, when the mobile electronic communications device is engaging in an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data associated with the available time slot is transmitted, via the mobile electronic communications device, to the proximate electronic device to cause the proximate electronic device to display the time slot data associated with the available time slot at the display device. Input data is received at the mobile electronic communications device. If the input data is representative of a command to update the scheduling database, updating, via the mobile electronic communications device, an entry of the scheduling database based on the time slot data associated with the available time slot displayed at the display device. |
| US08396892B2 |
Method and system to transform unstructured information
There is provided methods and systems to transform unstructured information into structured information. First, the system accesses a rule specifying a condition for assigning data to the data item, the condition based on the content of the data item, the assigned data to provide structure to the data item. Second, based on a detecting that the condition has been met, the system applies the rule to assign the assigned data to the data item. Third, the system stores, in a database, the data item and the assigned data as the data item structured information. |
| US08396891B2 |
Method and apparatus of dynamic updating web portals
The web portal's contents management becomes complex and sometime tedious job. There are needs for an efficient and cost effective way to manage large volumes of the web contents for web portals. The posting and withdrawing operation of the present invention has provided a means for making the tasks of updating and managing web portal's contents become much easy and efficient due to the principle of the parallelism can be deployed. |
| US08396889B2 |
Methods for semantics-based citation-pairing information
A computer-implemented method of semantically linking, by a computing device, a citing document to a cited document in a corpus of documents includes locating at least one citation present in the citing document, determining a reason-for-citing for at least one citation, and determining a cited-text-area present in the cited document, wherein the cited-text-area corresponds with the reason-for-citing. The method further includes populating a citation entry of a citation-pairing metadata file with a citing-document identifier, a reason-for-citing identifier, a cited-document identifier, and a cited-text-area identifier. The citation-pairing metadata file includes a plurality of citation entries and is stored separately from the citing document and the cited document. |
| US08396887B2 |
Method and system for facilities management
A facility management system providing method includes the operations of storing an object file in a first database (DB) if an object is inserted into drawing information according to an application, wherein the object file includes object information about the inserted object, attribute information about the inserted object, and object space information based on a location on the drawing information into which the object is inserted, and updating object text information corresponding to the object file on the basis of the object space information in a second DB, wherein the second DB stores text information corresponding to the first DB. |
| US08396885B2 |
Systems and methods for improved web searching
Systems and methods are provided for improved web searching. In one implementation, suggested search queries are provided based on previous search queries and click data. A weighted bi-partite graph or index may be used to identify related search queries based on overlapping clicked URLs. According to a method, query-click log data of a search engine is processed to generate sets of suggested search queries, data corresponding to each suggested search query, and a set of clicked URLs related to each suggested search query. Additionally, or independently, methods may be provided for contextually correcting spelling errors within sets of suggested search queries using a contextual algorithm, and/or identifying and discarding sets of suggested search queries and URLs that lead to restricted material, such as restricted content and related URLs. |
| US08396878B2 |
Methods and systems for generating automated tags for video files
Techniques for generating automated tags for a video file are described. The method includes receiving one or more manually generated tags associated with a video file, based at least in part on the one or more manually entered tags, determining a preliminary category for the video file, and based on the preliminary category, generating a targeted transcript of the video file, wherein the targeted transcript includes a plurality of words. The method further includes generating an ontology of the plurality of words based on the targeted transcript, ranking the plurality of words in the ontology based on a plurality of scoring factors, and based on the ranking of the plurality of words, generating one or more automated tags associated with the video file. |
| US08396875B2 |
Online stratified sampling for classifier evaluation
To determine if a set of items belongs to a class of interest, the set of items is binned into sub-populations based on a score, ranking, or trait associated with each item. The sub-populations may be created based on the score associated with each item, such as an equal score interval, or with the distribution of the items within the overall population, such as a proportion interval. A determination is made of how may samples are needed from each sub-population in order to make an estimation regarding the entire set of items. Then a calculation of the precision and variance for each sub-population is completed and are combined to provide an overall precision and variance value for the overall population. |
| US08396872B2 |
Order-preserving clustering data analysis system and method
Clustering data analysis that is robust to noise and is able to extract the most reliable information from sequential data comprises the ranking all of the measurement values across a third dimension of a 3D dataset in a selected one of an increasing order or a decreasing order and producing a three dimensional array of ranked values therefrom. It further comprises identifying coherent 3D patterns from the 3D array of ranked values, and counting the number of identified coherent 3D patterns. Each coherent 3D pattern parameters with a similar ranking and across subsets of the set of elements to a same group defines a cluster. |
| US08396869B2 |
Method and system for analyzing capabilities of an entity
A method and system for analyzing capabilities of an entity includes inputting data regarding an entity's capabilities, and using a capability model to detect a capability pattern among the capabilities and generate an action plan based on the capability pattern. |
| US08396864B1 |
Categorizing documents
Categorizing documents is disclosed. A hierarchy of topics is received. A seed for each topic is determined. One or more documents is received. The seed is used to evaluate the relevance of each document to one or more of the received topics. One or more topics is associated with each document. |
| US08396863B2 |
Temporal class loader
A temporal relational database includes a relational database framework that allows for all the capabilities of a standard relational database with the addition of the concept of time. Transactions, which can be modifications of attribute values or changes to the database schema, can be stored with temporal histories. Through the use of these temporal histories, the temporal database is able to seamlessly respond to queries for times that are in the past, present, or future. Furthermore, transactions can be entered into the temporal relational database that are not effective until some point in the future, thus allowing for seamless migration of the data and schema of a database. Applications that access data in a temporal database may retrieve a time appropriate schema from the temporal database. An exemplary use of a temporal database to manage roles and responsibilities within an organization is described. |
| US08396860B1 |
Eliminating sequenced inner and outer joins using temporal sequenced referential integrity and temporal uniqueness
A computer receives a query for optimization. The query includes a SEQUENCED join between a temporal parent table and a temporal child table. The parent table has one or more rows. The child table has one or more rows. The parent table has a Primary Key (“PK”) column having a value for each row. The parent table has a temporal dimension having a value for each row. The child table has a Foreign Key (“FK”) column having a value for each row. The child table has a temporal dimension. The child table's temporal dimension has a value for each row. The computer determines that the query, the parent table, the child table, and the join satisfy a set of CURRENT temporal join elimination criteria. The computer determines that the query, the parent table, the child table, and the join satisfy a set of SEQUENCED temporal join elimination criteria. In response, the computer eliminates the join from the query to produce an optimized form of the query. In further response, the computer executes the optimized form of the query to produce a result. The result has one or more rows. The result has one or more projected columns. The projected columns have values. The result has a temporal dimension. The result's temporal dimension has a value. In further response, the computer stores the result in a memory. |
| US08396849B2 |
Automatic browser search provider detection and usage
Various embodiments enable a web site to expose various search providers that it promotes to browsers that navigate to that site. In at least some embodiments, the search providers are exposed using the HTML of a web page. When a browser navigates to that site, it processes the HTML of the associated web page and exposes the promoted search providers to the user. In at least some embodiments, the browser can permit use of one or more search providers without requiring the user to install the search provider. Alternately or additionally, in at least some other embodiments, the browser can enable the user to quickly and efficiently install the search provider so that the search provider can be available whenever the user uses their browser application. |
| US08396847B2 |
System and method to retrieve and analyze data for decision making
A system to retrieve and analyze data may include at least one data collection engine to operate on a processor and to retrieve selected data related to an inquiry from at least one data source. The system may also include at least one rules engine to operate on the processor or another processor to apply predetermined functions to the selected data to respond to the inquiry. |
| US08396841B1 |
Method and system of multi-level and multi-mode cloud-based deduplication
A system, method, and medium for performing multi-level and multi-mode deduplication in a cloud based backup storage system. Fingerprints are generated for data segments from individual clients at a first level, with a separate fingerprint index for each individual client. The fingerprints are compared to their respective fingerprint indexes, and if the fingerprints are unique, then their associated data segments may be deduplicated across data segments from a plurality of clients at a second level. The fingerprints are compared to a common fingerprint index and deduplicated at a second level. The common fingerprint index contains fingerprints generated from data segments from a plurality of clients connected to the backup storage system. |
| US08396838B2 |
Legal compliance, electronic discovery and electronic document handling of online and offline copies of data
Systems and methods of electronic document handling permit organizations to comply with legal or regulatory requirements, electronic discovery and legal hold requirements, and/or other business requirements. The systems described provide a unified approach to data management that enables compliance, legal and IT personnel to focus efforts on, e.g., a single data repository. The systems permit users to define and utilize information governance policies that help automate and systematize different compliance tasks. In some examples, organizations may push data in any third-party data format to the systems described herein. The systems may permit compliance or IT personnel to detect when a legally sensitive production file has been changed or deleted. The systems may also provide a unified dashboard user interface. From a dashboard interface, users may perform searches, participate in collaborative data management workflows, obtain data management reports, and adjust policies. Other elements and features are disclosed herein. |
| US08396834B2 |
Real time web usage reporter using RAM
A system that improves the real time presentation of web analytics data to clients. Real time data is improved in one embodiment by using a messaging system that directs the data stream to RAM memory, before it is sent to the database. A separate path is provided for presenting the real time data, which does not require going through the main database. The data is serialized and streamed in batches at an interval which can be set from the order of seconds to minutes. Additionally, the data is aggregated in RAM according to the desired groupings of data, so that the aggregation is pre-computed. |
| US08396833B2 |
Inode management in redirect-on-write file system
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter allow a redirect-on-write file system to continue processing file transactions while writing a snapshot to persistent storage. Thus, embodiments do not block file transactions while flushing snapshots to persistent storage. To avoid blocking, some embodiments the file system can maintain two snapshot generations. The first snapshot generation is the snapshot being written to persistent storage. The second snapshot generation may reside in main memory, and store data for file transactions occurring after the file system began writing the first snapshot generation. |
| US08396829B2 |
Document management system, document management method, and computer readable medium storing program therefor
A document management system includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores access privilege information configured to define, for each display style of a document element displayed in an electronic document, privileges of users or user groups regarding access to a document element having a display style. In response to a request from a user to perform an operation on a document element in an electronic document, the controller controls whether the operation is executed or not on the document element, using the access privilege information stored in the memory, in accordance with a privilege among privileges of the users or user groups for a display style of the document element, the privilege being a privilege of the user or a user group to which the user belongs. |
| US08396825B2 |
Method and system to recognize temporal events using enhanced temporal decision trees
An enhanced temporal decision tree is described that allows a temporal feature to be tested at a node not merely at a given time instant but, rather, over a time window. Further, the recorded temporal data can be multi-source, with features recorded from multiple sources; multi-resolution, through subsampling; multi-scale, based on varying time windows; and multi-domain, through sampling in the frequency domain, for example. By allowing features to be tested over a time window, enhanced temporal decision trees can be used to classify any temporal data or time series. |
| US08396824B2 |
Automatic data categorization with optimally spaced semantic seed terms
A method and system for automatic data categorization in response to a user query. A document set is retrieved in response to the user query. A semantic parser parses the document set and produces semantic term-groups by parsing a semantic network of nodes. A seed ranker produces a plurality of advantageously spaced semantic seeds based on the semantic term-groups. A category accumulator stores the advantageously spaced semantic seeds. The semantic network of nodes is augmented with the advantageously spaced semantic seeds. |
| US08396820B1 |
Framework for generating sentiment data for electronic content
Methods, systems, and techniques for generating sentiment data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Sentiment Thesaurus Framework (STF), which provides a sentiment vocabulary meeting a set of criteria and a sentiment thesaurus according to certain connectedness rules. In one embodiment, the STF provides the sentiment thesaurus by relating connected adjective word-senses to valid sentiment adjective word-senses. The degree of connectedness is limited to one shift in meaning from one adjective to another, which implies at most two non-satellite or axle adjectives between a valid sentiment and a related adjective word-sense. |
| US08396814B1 |
Systems and methods for index-based pricing in a price management system
The present invention provides a flexible pricing method for providing pricing adjustments for a product in a deal in response to price variations in selected indexes. The method comprises: designating an index for the product wherein said index has a published index value; and computing a price for said product based on said published index value. The invention also provides for periodically re-pricing deals with index-based pricing terms. |
| US08396811B1 |
Validation approach for auditing a vendor-based transaction
A computer processing system for auditing transaction information between vendors and service providers servicing a third party's needs. The system also includes those transactions involving shippers and carriers. The system is particularly suited to efficiently and automatically audit and effect payment of a transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant transaction and subscription information. According to one example embodiment, the system includes a processor arrangement that helps vendors validate transactions between service providers and third party customers. In some cases the system is able to monitor transactions initiated by the service provider, for the benefit of the customer, committing the vendor to certain actions not readily known by vendor. However, this is acceptable if the service provider uses a service quotation generating system, provided by the vendor, that has pre-determined parameters that vendor is willing to be committed to in order to immediately secure the new subscriber. |
| US08396809B1 |
Method for reducing purchase time
For delayed purchases, a purchase token is used to store purchase details on a user device until a user is ready to make a purchase. The purchase token has an expiration date. The purchase token sets a maximum price for a selected item and reserves the selected item until the expiration date. For routine purchases, the user device is preauthorized to complete the purchase. For obvious purchases, a tracking system is used to track the user device and bill the user. |
| US08396807B1 |
Managing resources in virtualization systems
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing resources in virtualization systems, including multi-cloud systems. The use of supply chain economics alone and in combination with other techniques offers a unified platform to integrate, optimize or improve, and automate resource management in a virtualization system. These techniques may be used to monitor and control the delivery of service level agreements and software licenses. They may also be used to monitor and control contention of computing resources in a virtualization system, and to suspend or terminate computing resources. |
| US08396800B1 |
Adaptive personalized music and entertainment
A method and system for providing a personalized entertainment experience that is customized for each user. User actions and user control actions may be associated with each played composition and captured as user feedback about each composition. A targeted time between playbacks of a composition may be determined by using said control actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user by utilizing a history of the user actions and/or control actions. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user preferences and feedback over time. The user's collection of compositions may be automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence. Additional compositions and samples, that are new to a user, may be automatically chosen based on the prior user feedback/history and may be added to the user's collection when indicated by user action(s). |
| US08396798B2 |
Method and system for facilitating network transaction processing
According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating settlement processing within a network of financial institutions may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity. |
| US08396796B1 |
Method and system for establishing a healthcare network across small businesses
A system and method for establishing a healthcare network across small businesses whereby two or more small businesses and one or more healthcare insurance providers are enrolled in a small business employee healthcare network. The one or more healthcare insurance providers then offer one or more healthcare insurance plans through the small business employee healthcare network at initial bid prices. Employees of the enrolled small businesses are then provided an opportunity to view the one or more healthcare insurance plan offers. Interested employees of the enrolled small businesses then opt into one or more of the one or more healthcare insurance plan offers through the small business employee healthcare network. As the number, and/or the profile, of the employees that opt into a given one of the one or more healthcare insurance plan offers increases and/or changes, and/or in response to bids from enrolled competitor healthcare insurance providers, the one or more healthcare insurance providers can change the bid prices for the one or more healthcare insurance plan offers. After a specified time period, the healthcare insurance provider having offered the lowest bid is contracted to provide the one or more healthcare insurance plans, at the lowest bid price, to the employees that opted in. |
| US08396793B2 |
Payment card based remittance methods and system
A payment system receives, from a first financial institution, a request for a funds transfer. The request originates from a sender who has an account with the first financial institution. The payment system routes the funds transfer to a second financial institution for the benefit of a recipient. The payment system receives, from the second financial institution, the recipient's name and residential address. |
| US08396790B2 |
System and method for financing commercial transactions
A method for financing a commercial transaction between a supplier and a buyer, including engaging a buyer receiving goods or services under terms of trade credit from a supplier of goods or services, the trade credit permitting payment for the goods or services at a future date, the buyer neutralizing a trade risk associated with paying for the goods and services; engaging a financial institution to provide capital against a commitment of the buyer to effect the payment at a future date; transferring a portion of the capital to the supplier in advance of the future date, the portion satisfying consideration for the supply of the goods or services; and distributing to the buyer a fee lower than the difference between the capital and the portion. |
| US08396789B1 |
Credit-approval decision models
Embodiments of the present invention evaluate consumer spending and borrowing patterns and, based thereon, forecast changes in consumer failure to repay rates. Embodiments of the present invention then develop macroeconomic variables that reflect the forecasted changes in consumer failure to repay rates and implement those macroeconomic variables into credit-approval decision models. The implemented macroeconomic variables adjust the decision models' credit-approval thresholds to account for the forecasted changes in consumer failure to repay rates. For example, if forecasts indicate decreasing credit failure to repay rates, then macroeconomic variables are developed and implemented in decision models to reduce credit-approval thresholds, thereby reducing qualifying creditworthiness scores and making it easier to get credit. On the other hand, for example, if forecasts indicate increasing credit failure to repay rates, then macroeconomic variables are developed and implemented in decision models to increase credit-approval thresholds, thereby restricting access to credit and reducing future losses from consumer failures to repay. |
| US08396785B2 |
Method for creating and delivering customized compliance information
A method and system to create personalized investor information packages, based on investor information, to be delivered to the investor to satisfy both compliance regulations and investor preferences. The method and system may deliver information in a paper or electronic format. |
| US08396776B2 |
Dynamic calculations in an employee compensation system
Systems and methods for setting up dynamic calculations within compensation software are described in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment among many, a compensation module for managing compensation for a number of employees includes a dynamic calculation set-up module allowing a user to set up a dynamic calculation. The dynamic calculation includes a calculation for one column of a worksheet based in part on a value in another column. The compensation module also includes a condition builder allowing a user to enter a condition and a result as part of a dynamic calculation. In particular, a column associated with the result receives a calculated value when the condition is met. |
| US08396772B2 |
Integration of gift card services for mobile devices and social networking services
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for social networking services integrated with gift card services. In general, a profile of a member of a social networking service may be presented with one or more merchant credit services for prepaid merchant account credit, data characterizing a request to provide a credit service from the merchant credit services and a mobile phone number associated with an intended recipient of the first credit service may be received, and a message may be caused to be sent to the mobile phone number, where the message characterizes provision of the first credit service to the intended recipient. Interest in the credit service may be tracked and associated with a loyalty indicator associated with the member. |
| US08396771B2 |
Using cloud brokering services for an opportunistic cloud offering
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method comprises publishing descriptions available from a plurality of publishing parties. The descriptions describe a plurality of published services available for a requesting party to request. The method receives requests to broker a transaction from the requesting party, associates a requested service to one of the published services, and facilitates a transaction for the one of the published services. |
| US08396762B2 |
Systems and methods for validating subsititution chains of an order
Systems and methods are provided for automatically determining substitution chains that are valid during a rules-based ATP check for an order item. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes an interface for interfacing with a plurality of data storage devices in at least one of which a plurality of stock items are stored as data. The system also includes an execution memory storing software and a buffer for temporarily storing data. A processor coupled to the interface and the execution memory may carry out an availability check in which a replacement chain describing replacements is stored in the buffer. The replacement chain may be determined by one or more of rules defining substitutions. |
| US08396759B2 |
Context-influenced application recommendations
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recommending content based on context such as location. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data that references a location of a mobile device, selecting, from among multiple, different applications that are available in an online application marketplace, one or more of the applications that are relevant to the location, and providing, by a recommendation server, a recommendation to the mobile device, where the recommendation identifies the one or more applications as applications that the user is likely to be interested in purchasing or downloading. |
| US08396755B2 |
Method of reclaiming products from a retail store
A method of reclaiming products from a retail store includes passing a plurality of products through an object identification system, capturing images of the plurality of products with object sensors as the products pass through the object identification system, processing the images to identify an indicium for each product, transmitting the indicium for each product through a wireless communication network to a logic engine, sorting the plurality of products based on the indicia to produce a bundled lot of products, producing a unique identifier for the bundled lot, the unique identifier having a machine readable code, and communicating the unique identifier of the bundled lot and the indicia of the products in the bundled lot to an auctioneer for initiation of a direct-to-consumer auction for auctioning of the bundled lot directly to a group of bidders. |
| US08396754B2 |
System and method for an electronic gift key
A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to non-physical content is presented. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The gift key includes a decorative cover, an integrated circuit, and an antenna or physical connector. The local system is a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV. A gift key could be disposed along a box, a bag, a ribbon, an envelope, or a gift wrapping or configured as a sticker with an adhesive backing. |
| US08396753B2 |
Simplified orders using words or phrases
A user communicates, such as through text, a phrase or word to quickly place and pay for an order. The phrase corresponds to details of the order and one phrase can contain orders with multiple merchants. Once the phrase is communicated, a service provider or merchant determines the order from the phrase and processes the order, which may include transmitting order details to the merchant(s) and processing the payment(s) to the merchant(s) on behalf of the user. |
| US08396745B2 |
Expanding computer display advertising method and system
A method and system is disclosed for creating additional advertising space by sensing the position of an element on a web page or other client viewer, and upon interaction of a user with that element positioning the appearance of additional web page elements not limited by the boundary of the initial element. Marketing methods enabled thereby are disclosed where among other possibilities this created advertising space can be sold to pay for placement of instances of the invention, where licensees are motivated to themselves place instances of the invention in exchange for usage rights, or further be compensated with a share of income from built-in links, where instances of the invention can carry value added content so that hosting sites will pay for the placement or carry it at no charge, and where a content provider might pay for having its content programmed or provide it for free for promotional value, where instances of the invention maintain links back to a generator site for its own propagation, where a web presence can be created across multiple sites for any commercial or social purpose as a conglomerate world wide billboard, where any instance of the invention can be reconfigured on any site where it resides in real time protected by optional password, and other alternatives more fully described in the specification. |
| US08396744B2 |
Effective virtual reality environments for presentation of marketing materials
Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations. |
| US08396743B2 |
Sending targeted product offerings based on personal information
Targeted products are offered over a communications network. Product data for a plurality of products from a plurality of distributors for the products is received. Customer data from a plurality of customers comprising personal information about customers is received. Using the data, at least one user-specific product offering from the plurality of products is generated. Automated messages comprising the at least one user-specific product offering to the one or more customers are then sent. |
| US08396742B1 |
System and method for optimizing paid search advertising campaigns based on natural search traffic
The invention is a computer-implementable methodology for quantitatively assessing the impact of paid search advertising on the total visits (paid and organic search-based visits) from search engines and utilizing this assessment to improve search engine marketing performance. The methodology relies on the computation of a synergy score for each search engine keyword of interest or coefficients in a synergy equation. Once computed, the score can be used to repeatedly compute the total return on advertising spend (ROAS) and other performance metrics on a go-forward basis without the time lag inherent in computing the synergy score itself. The invention includes specific computer-implementable methods for improving search engine marketing performance based on the total (paid plus organic) performance metrics. |
| US08396733B2 |
Decisioning framework
A system and method of determining a recommended location for performing a work function is provided. In some examples, the system and method may include receiving a plurality of process criteria, such as hours of operation associated with the work function, type of work performed, skill set desired, language skills desired, and the like. The system and method may further include receiving a plurality of provider attributes, such as languages spoken, knowledge base/skill set, flexibility of staffing, and the like. One or more recommended locations for performing the work function may be determined based on the business and provider attributes. |
| US08396731B2 |
Architectural design for service procurement application software
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing service procurement. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service interface operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Project Processing process component; a Purchase Request Processing process component; a Purchase Order Processing process component; a Purchasing Contract process component; a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component; a Supplier Invoice Processing process component; an RFQ Processing process component that; and a Time and Labor Management process component. |
| US08396730B2 |
System and method for resource allocation and management
To improve the scheduling and tasking of resources, the present disclosure describes an improved planning system and method for the allocation and management of resources. The planning system uses a branch and bound approach of tasking resources using a heuristic to expedite arrival at a deterministic solution. For each possible functional mode of the resources, an upper bound is determined. The upper bounds are employed in an objective function for the branch and bound process to determine the functional mode in which to place the resources and to determine movement paths for the resources, all in an environment where a hostile force may attempt to destroy the resources. |
| US08396729B2 |
Kaizen newspaper
Systems, computer program products, and methods are disclosed for tracking an improvement event. An embodiment includes an event interface configured to receive a plurality of entries related to each of a plurality of improvement events. The plurality of entries includes a project identifier for the improvement event, a creation date, an objective, an action related to reaching the objective, and a first deadline related to the improvement event. A database interface is configured to store the plurality of entries in an event database. |
| US08396728B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved customer direct on-line reservation of rental vehicles
Disclosed herein is a reservation booking website wherein customers who plan to travel via general aviation (GA) are provided with a GA reservation creation path that is responsive to their GA travel needs. |
| US08396725B2 |
Method and system configured for facilitating management of international trade receivables transactions
A receivables transaction management platform is configured for facilitating management of international trade receivables transactions. The platform includes a task manager layer and a platform functionality layer. The task manager layer is configured for facilitating management of transaction information workflow tasks and export receivables tasks. The platform functionality layer is accessible by at least a portion of the managers and is configured for enabling facilitation of the transaction information workflow tasks and the export receivables tasks. Managing the transaction information workflow tasks and export receivables tasks includes facilitating preparation of a document and data portfolio required for settlement of an international trade receivables transaction, facilitating electronic submission of the document and data portfolio to a designated recipient and facilitating acceptance of the document and data portfolio. The platform functional components are configured for enabling user workflow functionality, data mapping functionality, data analysis functionality, data storage functionality and third party access functionality. |
| US08396723B1 |
Reflexive underwriting application responses
Systems and methods for gathering information for insurance underwriting may present a question from a sequence of questions. Questions in the sequence of questions may relate to an insurance underwriting function. A response to the question may be collected and analyzed. An investigative function may be selected based upon the analysis of the response to the question. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08396722B2 |
Medicine examination support system
A medicine inspection support system, which provides a reliable inspection of medicine preparation, includes a person authentication unit, a preliminary inspection unit, an inspection unit, and an inspector check unit. The person authentication unit identifies a preliminary inspector who performs a preliminary inspection of medicine preparation, and an inspector who performs an inspection of the medicine preparation. The preliminary inspection unit certifies that the preliminary inspector has performed the preliminary inspection of the medicine preparation. The inspection unit certifies that the inspector has performed the inspection of the medicine preparation. The inspector check unit permits the inspection unit to certify completion of the inspection when determined that the inspector is a different person from the preliminary inspector. |
| US08396712B2 |
Method and system to generate finite state grammars using sample phrases
A method and system for generating a finite state grammar is provided. The method comprises receiving user input of at least two sample phrases; analyzing the sample phrases to determine common words that occur in each of the sample phrases and optional words that occur in only some of the sample phrases; creating a mathematical expression representing the sample phrases, the expression including each word found in the sample phrases and an indication of whether a word is a common word or an optional word; displaying the mathematical expression to a user; allowing the user to alter the mathematical expression; generating a finite state grammar corresponding to the altered mathematical expression; and displaying the finite state grammar to the user. |
| US08396711B2 |
Voice authentication system and method
A user's voice is authenticated by prompting a user to say a challenge phrase from a list of predetermined phrases and comparing the user's response with a prerecorded version of the same response. The user's stored recordings are associated with an electronic identification or serial number for a specific device, so that when communication is established using the device, only the specific user may authenticate the session. When several phrases and recordings are used, one may be selected at random for authentication so that fraudulent authentication using a recording of the user's voice may be thwarted. The system and method may be used for authenticating a device when it is first activated, such as a telephony device, or may be used when authenticating a specific communications session. |
| US08396710B2 |
Distributed voice user interface
A distributed voice user interface system includes a local device which receives speech input issued from a user. Such speech input may specify a command or a request by the user. The local device performs preliminary processing of the speech input and also provides the speech input to a remote system. The local device is able to update its recognition capabilities based on analysis of the speech, input by the remote system. |
| US08396708B2 |
Facial expression representation apparatus
An avatar facial expression representation technology is provided. The avatar facial expression representation technology estimates changes in emotion and emphasis in a user's voice from vocal information, and changes in mouth shape of the user from pronunciation information of the voice. The avatar facial expression technology tracks a user's facial movements and changes in facial expression from image information and may represent avatar facial expressions based on the result of the these operations. Accordingly, the avatar facial expressions can be obtained which are similar to actual facial expressions of the user. |
| US08396705B2 |
Extraction and matching of characteristic fingerprints from audio signals
A method, database, and article of manufacture comprising a plurality of audio fingerprints. Each audio fingerprint contains characteristic information about a corresponding audio frame and is produced by filtering the corresponding audio frame into frequency bands, resampling the filtered audio signals at a nonlinear timescale, transforming the resampled audio signals for each frequency band to produce a feature vector for the frequency band, and computing the audio fingerprint based on the set of feature vectors, and one or more index values for one or more of the audio fingerprints, where the audio fingerprints are organized according to their index values. |
| US08396704B2 |
Producing time uniform feature vectors
Generally speaking, embodiments of the present invention relate to speech processing such as, for example, speech recognition. Speech processing according to one embodiment of the present invention can be performed based on the occurrence of events within the electrical signals representing speech. Such events need not comprise instantaneous occurrences but rather, an occurrence within the electrical signal spanning some period of time. Furthermore, the electrical signal can be analyzed based on the occurrence and location of these events so that less than all of the signal is analyzed. That is, the spoken sounds can be processed based on regions of the signal around and including the events but excluding other portions of the signal. For example, transition periods before the occurrence of the events may be excluded to eliminate noise or transients introduced at that part of the signal. |
| US08396703B2 |
Voice band expander and expansion method, and voice communication apparatus
A band-limited voice signal is processed to reduce its spectral envelope or harmonic structure, or both. The resulting reduced signal is moved into a frequency band above the upper limit frequency of the band-limited voice signal, and then combined with the band-limited voice signal to form a band expanded signal with improved quality and comprehensibility, free of unnatural high-frequency resonances and unnaturally strong high-frequency harmonics. |
| US08396699B2 |
Modeling subsurface processes on unstructured grid
Embodiments of the invention involve forming a prismatic grid and solving a convection-diffusion problem using the prismatic grid and mixed finite element analysis. The prismatic grid may be formed by providing a triangular mesh on a plane of a model. The mesh is then coarsened to make cells that are less desirable larger. The coarsened grid is then projected to form the prismatic grid. Each cell of the grid is then assigned a plurality of degrees of freedom. Mixed finite element analysis of the grid produces a matrix, which is then solved to yield a solution to the convention-diffusion problem. |
| US08396698B2 |
Method for the simulation of the haptic of an interaction of a guided object with a virtual three-dimensional object
The object of the instant invention is a method for simulating the haptics of an interaction of an object guided by a user, hereinafter referred to as tool, with a virtual three-dimensional object, in particular the scanning of the surface of the simulated object and/or the penetration of the guided object into the simulated object, under material removal, if applicable. |
| US08396693B2 |
Multiphase physical transport modeling method and modeling system
A general, computational-mathematical modeling method for the solution of large, boundary-coupled transport problems involving the flow of mass, momentum, energy or subatomic particles is disclosed. The method employs a modeling processor that extracts a matrix operator equation (or set of equations) from a numerical transport code (NTC). The outputs of software codes, available for modeling physical problems governed by conservation laws in the form of differential equations, can be processed into closed-form operator equations with the method. Included is a numerical transport code functionalization (NTCF) model which can be determined numerically, based on a system of solutions of an NTC, evaluating outputs for a given set of inputs. The NTCF model is a linear or nonlinear, multi-variable operator equation or set of such equations. The NTCF model defines relationships between general, time-variable inputs and outputs, some known and some unknown, considered as boundary values. The user of an NTCF model can directly work with the processed model output, instead of running the original numerical code in general applications of a boundary-value problem. The numerical transport code functionalization model can be employed as a surrogate for representing the numerical transport code to provide a solution to the transport problem. The invention enables modeling efficiency and availability to be increased, while computational complexity and cost decreased. Computational times for complex modeling problems can, in some cases, be dramatically reduced, for example by several orders of magnitude. |
| US08396690B2 |
Liquid-crystal electro-optical apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device including the steps of: disposing a mixture including a liquid crystal material and a curable resin containing a reaction initiating agent between a pair of substrates wherein at least one of the pair of substrates has an orientation film in contact with the mixture; orienting the liquid crystal material; and curing the resin in the mixture so that the resin is formed on a surface of the orientation film. The resin may be in the form of a film or grains. Also, the resin may be cured by ultraviolet light. |
| US08396686B2 |
Measure energy consumption and determine energy-consumption patterns for electricity-consuming devices
In one embodiment, one or more electronic devices access energy-consumption data at each of a plurality of electricity-consuming devices, the energy-consumption data at each of the electricity-consuming devices indicating for each of a plurality of past pre-determined time periods an aggregate energy usage by the electricity-consuming device over the past pre-determined time period, an energy-measurement unit at the electricity-consuming device having measured and recorded the aggregate energy usage by the electricity-consuming device for each of the past pre-determined time periods for later access, each of the energy-measurement units having a substantially unique identifier (ID), each of the electricity-consuming devices having its own one of the energy-measurement units; and based on the energy-consumption data, determine one or more energy-consumption patterns across the electricity-consuming devices over at least the past pre-determined time periods. |
| US08396684B2 |
Method and system for motion tracking
A method and a system for motion tracking, capable of tracking a trajectory of a movable object by an architecture having at least three accelerometers arranged in a predefined structure. The trajectory, displacement and rotational angle of the movable object are determined by ways of extrapolation, numerical calibration and vector transformation according to the acceleration signals detected by the at least three accelerometers. |
| US08396682B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device applies data applied through a bump pad on which a bump is mounted through a test pad to a test apparatus such that the reliability of the test can be improved. The amount of test pads is significantly reduced by allowing data output through bump pads to be selectively applied to a test pad. Data and signals applied from test pads are synchronized with each other and applied to bump pads during a test operation such that the reliability of the test can be improved without the need of an additional test chip. |
| US08396681B2 |
Prediction algorithm for scanning an object
A distance measuring measurement instrument and a method for such a station for scanning a surface or volume of an object are disclosed. The measurement instrument includes a position calculating circuit adapted to calculate position data including at least horizontal and vertical angle and distance between the measurement instrument and the object. A plurality of points in each of a number of subsets of a scanning area of the object during a measurement session and, at detection of a new point in the new subset, information related to at least one point having a corresponding location in at least one preceding subset is used, wherein the preceding subset being adjacent to the new subset. |
| US08396675B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining discharge flow rate and use of the apparatus
The object is to facilitate determination of a flow rate of fluid discharged from a discharge opening.Intensity of a supersonic wave generated at and propagated from a discharge opening in association with discharge of the fluid from the discharge opening is determined at a determinate site distant from the discharge opening. And, a propagation distance from the discharge opening to the determination site is determined or investigated. Then, based upon a correlation existent among the intensity of the propagated supersonic wave, the propagation distance and the fluid discharge flow rate from the discharge opening, the fluid discharge rate is obtained from the determined or investigated supersonic wave intensity and the propagation distance. |
| US08396674B2 |
Vibration-type measuring device
A vibration-type measuring device includes an exciter arrangement which exerts a time-dependent force with at least one sinusoidal component at an adjustable excitation frequency on a measuring tube, through which a medium can flow, and causes the measuring tube to oscillate. The measuring device includes first and second sensors which are fitted to the measuring tube at different locations. The first and second sensors output first and second measurement signals, respectively. The measuring device includes an evaluation unit which determines a first phase shift between the first and second measurement signals and uses the determined phase shift to determine a measurement variable of the medium. The measuring device includes a phase comparator, which determines a second phase shift between the force and the average value of the first and second measurement signals, and a frequency generator which sets the excitation frequency on the basis of the second phase shift. |
| US08396671B2 |
Cluster modeling, and learning cluster specific parameters of an adaptive double threading model
Cluster models are described herein. By way of example, a system for predicting binding information relating to a binding of a protein and a ligand can include a trained binding model and a prediction component. The trained binding model can include a probability distribution and a hidden variable that represents a cluster of protein sequences, and/or a set of hidden variables representing learned supertypes. The prediction component can be configured to predict the binding information by employing information about the protein's sequence, the ligand's sequence and the trained binding model. |
| US08396670B2 |
Process, system and method for improving the determination of digestive effects upon an ingestable substance
The present invention generally relates to processes, computer programs and systems, methods of making such and methods of using such for improving the determination of one or more digestive effects upon an ingestable substance. The underlying data used in this determination may originate from either an in vitro or in vivo analysis. The processes may be either partially or fully manual or automated, and combinations thereof. |
| US08396669B2 |
Analysis system and procedures
A system and apparatus for automation of microscope slide sample staining is disclosed. The slides are labelled with a unique identification, preferably a machine readable code printed onto a label, where the label is affixed to the slide. The label is a pointer to information in a database containing patient data on the sample, including staining protocol and reagents to be applied. Also disclosed is a reagent identification system where reagent containers used in the above staining system having a unique package identifier, preferably in the form of a label having a machine readable code. Data relating to the contents of the reagent containers, such as volume, batch number, reagent type and expiry date, is stored in a database in association with the unique package identifier. Using the reagent container unique package identifier it is possible to associate the type of protocol, and precise reagent used in the test with the patient data, allowing tracking of the test applied to the sample. |
| US08396667B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing swellable materials
The invention provides a method and apparatus for use in testing the swell characteristics of swellable components used in downhole exploration or production equipment, such as swellable packers. A method of measuring a test piece using a testing apparatus with a fluid chamber and a transducer is described. Measured data can be compared with data measured from a sample section of a tool to determine a relationship between swell characteristics. The determined relationships can then be used to calculate or predict swelling characteristics of swellable components, for example particular packer designs, in specific fluid samples. |
| US08396666B2 |
Navigation systems and route planning methods thereof
Route planning methods for navigating an electronic device having a navigation system from a starting point to a destination are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. First, current position of the electronic device is acquired. Next, a decision point corresponding to the current position is obtained in a planned route in which the decision point has a dedicated moving direction which is planned by the planned route and a plurality of possible moving directions. Accordingly, pluralities of candidate routes, destined to the destination, corresponding to the possible moving directions are generated. Next, the electronic device is navigated to the destination using the planned route or one of the candidate routes. |
| US08396663B2 |
Speed profile dictionary
A speed profile dictionary and associated lookup tables are disclosed. A set of distinct speed profiles is defined using a statistical analysis routine. Preferably, the statistical analysis routine uses clustering. The speed profiles are then matched to location codes identifying physical locations on a road network and days of the week. Applications using historic traffic data may use the speed profile dictionary and one or more lookup tables instead of a complete historic traffic database, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to store historic traffic data. |
| US08396662B1 |
Ghost trip elucidation system and method
Unauthorized use of fleet vehicles is detected by matching drivers' logged out times with vehicle movements for which there is no logged in driver. Allowance is made for vehicles that may be moved within permitted areas without a logged in driver. A likelihood value is assigned to each candidate driver whose logged out time corresponds to the duration of unauthorized movement of the vehicle. The likelihood value is increased if the candidate driver is the next driver to log into the vehicle after its unauthorized usage. |
| US08396661B2 |
Using relative position data in a mobile computing device
A mobile computing device comprises a relative position determination circuit, a position determination circuit, and a processing circuit. The relative position determination circuit is configured to provide relative position data from a first position of the mobile computing device to a second position of the mobile computing device. The position determination circuit is configured to provide position data representing the second geographic position of the mobile computing device. The processing circuit is configured to generate position data for the first position based on the relative position data and the position data. |
| US08396660B2 |
Road map data structure, road map data storage medium, navigation device, and method of generating road map data
A road map data structure includes road network data Rn, representing roads by a connection relation of a plurality of links L, in a hierarchical structure of a plurality of levels, in which, as a link ID for each link L at a lowest level, consecutive serial IDs, according to a connection order of the links within a link line ML formed of a plurality of the consecutive links having a common attribute, are assigned to first links L1 which have a corresponding link existing at a higher level, and a permanent ID, irrelevant with the connection order of the links, is assigned to a second link L2 which does not have a corresponding link existing at a higher level. |
| US08396659B2 |
Navigation device, method, and program
Devices, methods, and programs provide vehicle navigation. A speculative heading error is acquired that corresponds to the reliability of the vehicle heading, which corresponds to an estimated vehicle position that was calculated using a previous vehicle position as a reference. A best candidate position or the estimated vehicle position is set as the vehicle position depending on whether a heading difference between the vehicle heading and a heading when the estimated point is corrected to the best candidate position falls within the speculative heading error. Therefore, false matching can be further reduced and prompt recovery is possible even if a false match occurs. |
| US08396658B2 |
Probabilistic reverse geocoding
The accuracy of a reverse geocode for a GPS fix in a mobile phone navigation device is improved significantly by considering together the user's last known location on an original route, the elapsed time between the last known location on the original route and the latest GPS fix, and the likelihood that the user could have traveled from the last known location on the original route to one of numerous candidate locations (generated from the reverse geocode) in the elapsed time. The navigation server relies only on a GPS fix, timestamps, and a back-end routing database to provide improved or superior accuracy of reverse geocoding a GPS fix (selection of a point on a road) when a relevant user has deviated from the intended route. The reverse geocoding allows for accurate and functional re-routing capabilities. |
| US08396657B2 |
Techniques to improve location accuracy for a map
Techniques to improve location accuracy for a map are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a map management module to move a location identifier representing a location from a first position to a second position on an electronic map in accordance with digital map correction information as defined by a user. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08396656B1 |
Method and system for latent tracking of vessels via a mesh network
A device, system and method for latent tracking of vessels via a mesh network is disclosed herein. The device includes a microcontroller, a mesh radio, a memory, a GPS receiver and a power supply. The microcontroller is configured to determine when the device is within range and out of range of a mesh network. The memory is configured for storing latent information about the vessel. The GPS receiver receives GPS signals and provides the GPS signals to determine GPS data for the vessel which is transmitted over the mesh radio when the device is within range of the mesh network and stored as latent GPS data in the memory when the device is out of range of the mesh network. |
| US08396655B2 |
Motor vehicle control system
A control system for a motor vehicle includes: (a) at least one driving data sensor for acquiring driving data characterizing a driving state of the motor vehicle; (b) at least one camera for capturing images of the surroundings; (c) an accident recorder that can record the images of the surroundings in a buffer; and (d) an electronic controller for controlling the driving data sensor, the camera, and the accident recorder. The electronic controller is programmed to trigger an autonomous braking action of the motor vehicle based on driving data and/or images of the surroundings. |
| US08396653B2 |
Dynamic range display for automotive rear-view and parking systems
A dynamic range display system for a vehicle. The system includes a camera, a distance sensor, a display, and a controller. The camera is configured to capture an image and to generate a signal representative of the image. The distance sensor is configured to detect an object of interest within a path of the vehicle and to generate a signal that identifies a distance between the vehicle and the object of interest. The display is configured to provide a visual image, and the controller is configured to receive the signal from the camera and the signal from the distance sensor. The controller generates an image on the display representing the image detected by the camera and a dynamic vehicle path line overlaid over the camera image. The dynamic vehicle path line provides an indication of a distance between the vehicle and the object of interest. |
| US08396647B2 |
Control apparatus and method of controlling internal combustion engine mounted on vehicle
When an engine shifts to idle operation in a process of stopping an automobile, a target engine speed of an engine idle speed control is reduced and a threshold engine speed of an engine speed reduction prevention control is also reduced accordingly, provided that the automobile is traveling on a road surface with low friction coefficient. |
| US08396646B2 |
Internal EGR control device for internal combustion engine
There is provided an internal EGR control device for an internal combustion engine, which, even when a change in the actual valve timing of exhaust valves is caused by aging, is capable of properly controlling an internal EGR amount while compensating for an adverse influence caused by the change, and thereby properly controlling the temperature within the cylinder. The internal EGR control device 1 sets a target internal EGR amount EGRINCMD which serves a target of the internal EGR amount, according to detected operating conditions, NE and PMCMD, of the engine 3, and calculates internal energy QACT possessed by burned gases, which is determined according to the amount and temperature of the burned gases. Further, the target internal EGR amount EGRINCMD is corrected according to the calculated internal energy, and the valve-closing timing of the exhaust valve 9 is calculated according to the corrected internal EGR amount EGRIN. Further, the variable valve mechanism 60 is controlled based on the calculated valve-closing timing of the exhaust valve 9. |
| US08396644B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for an internal combustion engine employing PCCI combustion, capable of realizing high-stability operation of the engine throughout a large operation area, is provided. The engine control device comprises a fuel supply system which supplies light oil or mixed fuel containing light oil to the engine, a gas supply system which supplies hydrogen to the engine, and a required premixed gas calculating unit which previously stores and uses multiple combustion waveforms (changing depending on hydrogen addition concentration) as data. The required premixed gas calculating unit selects one of the combustion waveforms so as to achieve high thermal efficiency depending on the status of the engine and determines the hydrogen addition concentration (addition concentration of the hydrogen to be supplied to the engine) corresponding to the selected combustion waveform, by which the generation of PM and NOx can be reduced while also improving the thermal efficiency of the engine. |
| US08396643B2 |
Gas turbine control device and gas turbine system
An object of the present invention is to provide a gas turbine control device which is capable of performing correction on the basis of a fuel composition of fuel gas to be supplied to a gas turbine, and is capable of changing an amount of correction in response to variation with time of the gas turbine. To attain this, a frequency analyzing unit 25 performs a frequency analysis of combustion oscillation of a combustor and splits a result of the analysis into respective frequency bands. Then, a state grasping unit 22 checks an operating state of the gas turbine on the basis of the result of the analysis of the combustion oscillation and process value of the gas turbine, and corrects the checked operating state on the basis of a fuel composition or a heat capacity of fuel gas measured by a fuel characteristic measuring unit 200. A countermeasure determining unit 23 conducts a countermeasure for controlling an operating action of the gas turbine on the basis of the operating state thus checked. |
| US08396640B2 |
Vehicle speed limit control device and method for controlling vehicle speed limit
A vehicle speed limit control device includes a vehicle speed limit setting portion that sets a vehicle speed limit according to a vehicle speed limit command value, a vehicle speed detecting portion, a driving force control portion, a vehicle speed limit command difference calculating portion that calculates a difference between an initial value of the vehicle speed limit command value immediately before an initial operation of the vehicle speed limit command processing and a changed value of the vehicle speed limit command value at a current operation, and a vehicle speed limit change rate regulating portion that regulates a rate of change of the vehicle speed limit by the vehicle speed limit setting portion in such a manner that the rate of change of the vehicle speed limit decreases with the vehicle speed limit command difference. |
| US08396639B2 |
Vehicle deceleration controller that inhibits warning braking during pre-initiated vehicle deceleration
Warning braking is carried out in a situation where the warning braking is needed and a crew can recognize the warning braking. If an obstacle is present ahead of the vehicle, and the driver does not carry out brake operation, and the vehicle may collide with the obstacle, the maximum target deceleration Gbt2max for the warning braking is computed. If automatic travel control is not carried out or if automatic travel control is being carried out and its target deceleration Gbt4 is less than a reference value Gbt4s smaller than the maximum target deceleration Gbt2max, the warning braking is carried out. When the target deceleration Gbt4 for the automatic travel control is larger than the allowable reference value Gbt4s for warning braking, the warning braking is not carried out. |
| US08396638B2 |
Vehicle drive control device
A vehicle drive control device includes a wheel speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, a vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed on the basis of the rotational speed of the plurality of wheels detected by the wheel speed detecting means, and an automatic drive controlling means for performing an automatic drive control for controlling the vehicle speed to be a predetermined target speed by controlling a driving force generating means and a vehicle speed reducing means for the vehicle. The automatic drive controlling means further performs a driving force reducing control for reducing a driving force of the vehicle to be generated by the driving force generating means when the rotational speed of at least one of the plurality of wheels detected by the wheel speed detecting means exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08396636B2 |
Clutch controller, method of controlling clutch, and straddle-type vehicle
A clutch controller that transmits appropriate torque during engaging operation of a clutch. An actual torque obtaining section obtains torque transmitted from a drive-side member of the clutch to a downstream mechanism in a torque transmission path as actual transmission torque, the downstream mechanism including a driven-side member of the clutch. A target torque obtaining section obtains torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the downstream mechanism in the torque transmission path as target transmission torque. A clutch actuator control section actuates an actuator by an actuation amount according to a difference between the actual transmission torque and the target transmission torque. |
| US08396635B2 |
Control apparatus for multi-speed automatic transmission
A control apparatus for a multi-speed automatic transmission which is equipped with a manual shift mode that allows a speed step to be shifted up or down manually by an operation of a driver of the vehicle is provided. The control apparatus permits a downshift to be manually performed, provided that during the manual mode, one of vehicle speed, engine rotation speed, and turbine rotation speed of the multi-speed automatic transmission is less than or equal to a downshift permission criterion value that is set according to the speed step achieved by the downshift. The control apparatus corrects the downshift permission criterion value by a speed-value-increasing correction amount that is computed according to the situation of travel of the vehicle. The control apparatus includes a speed-value-increasing correction amount computation portion that computes the speed-value-increasing correction amount separately for each of numbers of steps over which downshifts occur. |
| US08396632B2 |
Multiple harvester unloading system
A grain moving system providing for single point unloading of harvesters to a grain cart. There are a plurality of harvesting machines including a first harvesting machine and a second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured to deliver grain to the grain cart. The first harvesting machine receiving grain from the second harvesting machine. The first harvesting machine being configured for the coordination of grain transfer. |
| US08396631B2 |
Control device for a motor vehicle
A controller for a motor vehicle with a carrier plate for receiving a component carrier with a component carrier foot. The carrier plate has a recess through which the component carrier can be passed and which is suitable for receiving the foot, wherein the dimensions of the recess in the region of the component carrier and in the region of the foot in the X/Y-direction correspond to maximum admissible dimensions of the component carrier and of the foot (5) in the X/Y-direction. In the Z-direction, a pressing geometry is arranged on the recess or on the foot such that after establishing a positive-fit or non-positive connection between the carrier plate and a system interface, the pressing geometry or a part that is arranged opposite the pressing geometry is in such a deformed state that the foot is in the recess in a fixed state and without play. |
| US08396629B1 |
Device and method for detecting tire position
Disclosed herein is a device for detecting a tire position. The device for detecting a tire position includes a plurality of transmitters provided on each of a plurality of vehicle wheels having a tire and detecting and transmitting a rotation direction and a rotation period of each vehicle wheel; and a receiver mounted on a vehicle body and identifying the left and right of the corresponding vehicle wheel according to the rotation direction of each vehicle wheel and identifying the front and rear of the corresponding vehicle wheel according to the rotation period of each vehicle wheel. By the above configuration, the present invention can identify the tire position without performing the ID information and the ID information update and thus, improve a freedom of change of the tire position and can digitize and process signals from a acceleration sensor to be strong against noise and reduce load. |
| US08396626B2 |
Vehicular manipulation input apparatus
A vehicular manipulation input apparatus includes, as a pair arranged at different positions, a first manipulation section to execute a first control and a second manipulation section to execute a second control, the second control including a denial of the first control such as suspension, release, nullification, regress, or replacement of the first control with a previous control prior to the first control. A second manipulation direction of second manipulation section is orthogonal to a first manipulation direction of the first manipulation section; alternatively, the second manipulation direction has a directional component opposite the first manipulation direction of the first manipulation section. |
| US08396623B2 |
Driver recorder and method for setting up the driver recorder
An object of the invention is to provide a drive recorder that can detect acceleration so that the acceleration exerted on a vehicle traveling around a curve will not be erroneously detected as excessive acceleration, as long as the steering wheel is operated in a usual manner. More particularly, the invention provides a drive recorder that includes an acceleration sensor for detecting a first acceleration along a traveling direction of a vehicle and a second acceleration along a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a control unit which obtains a combined acceleration based on the first acceleration and on a value obtained by subtracting a correction value from the absolute value of the second acceleration, and when the combined acceleration exceeds a threshold value, records video information received from an image capturing unit onto a recording device. |
| US08396621B2 |
Method for determining the service intervals for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for determining service intervals for a motor vehicle fitted with an exhaust gas treatment system, the treatment consisting in selective catalytic reduction, in a catalytic converter, of the exhaust gases, using a reducing agent injected into the exhaust line, the method comprising the following steps, performed upon vehicle start-up: —the step of determining an initial value for the distance still to be covered before the next service, —the step of determining an actual distance covered since the last start, —the step of determining a quantity of reducing agent consumed since the last start, —the step of determining, as a function of this consumed quantity of reducing agent, a vehicle driving harshness factor, —the step of correcting the actual distance covered on the basis of the harshness factor, in order to obtain a weighted distance covered, and —the step of updating, on the basis of this weighted distance covered, an updated value of the distance still to be covered before the next service. |
| US08396618B2 |
System and method for controlling drivetrain torque and hill holding of a hybrid vehicle
A system and method for controlling torque in a hybrid electric vehicle. The system provides a regenerative braking torque with an electrical machine when a level of braking torque indicated by actuation of a brake control device exceeds a level of traction torque indicated by actuation of an acceleration control device. The regenerative braking torque is supplemented by a friction braking system when the braking torque requested by a vehicle operator exceeds a maximum regenerative braking capacity of the electrical machine. |
| US08396617B2 |
Method and device for aiding the lateral control of an aircraft during an approach phase
An assistance method and device for lateral control of an aircraft upon an approach phase is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (25) to predict in flight a risk of runway lateral excursion and means (20) to advise the pilot of the aircraft about the existence of such a risk. |
| US08396615B2 |
Method for changing the path followed by an aircraft, the aircraft initially following a predefined path, the method allowing a possible return of the aircraft to the predefined path
The present invention relates to a method for changing the path followed by an aircraft, the aircraft initially following a predefined path on the basis of a sequence of waypoints, the method allowing a subsequent return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction or in the reverse direction. The method allows a possible return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction such that the waypoints of the predefined path are projected onto a new path according to a projection function ensuring that the order of the sequence of the projected image points complies with the order of the sequence of the original waypoints. The projection of a waypoint already reached by the aircraft also is considered as having been reached. The projections of the waypoints on the new path are considered reached by the aircraft progressively as the latter progresses along the new path. The aircraft eventually rejoins the predefined path at the first waypoint in the order of the sequence of points whose projection is not yet considered as reached on the new path. |
| US08396613B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing power in an aircraft to one or more aircraft systems
A method and apparatus is disclosed in which an aircraft system such as the landing gear system or braking system is operated at least partially under power provided by a generator driven by the wheels of the landing gear. |
| US08396612B2 |
Avionic system and architecture with integrated power management
An avionic system includes computers (11a, . . . , 1n, 12a, . . . 12n, 13a . . . 13n) of the generic computer type that can be adapted by software programming to avionic functions for which at least some of these computers have means that combine electronic resources for data processing, computation and communication by analog or digital bus with electric power management resources so as to create modular avionics with integrated power. |
| US08396607B2 |
Grid responsive control device
A control device for controlling an energy consumption of a load on an electricity grid includes a sensor for sensing over a period of time values of a physical variable of the grid, where the physical variable varies in dependence on a relationship between electricity generation and load on the grid. The control device also includes apparatus for varying the energy consumption of said load. |
| US08396596B2 |
Robot with load sensor
A robot includes an arm including a plurality of joints, arm members that form the arm, each arm member supporting a load, actuators that drive the joints and that are supported by the arm members, a load sensor embedded in at least one of the arm members to measure the load applied to the at least one of the arm members, a controller that controls movements of the actuators on the basis of a result of the measurement performed by the load sensor, and a wire hole through which a sensor line extend from a space inside the at least one of the arm members to a space inside the arm, the sensor line connecting the load sensor to the controller. |
| US08396591B2 |
System and method for data collection and analysis using robotic devices
A system, method and computer program product for data collection and analysis using robotic devices. The system comprises creating a map of a facility, loading at least one position and at least one task onto a robotic device, autonomously navigating the robotic device to the at least one position to collect data, sending the data to a database for storage, processing and analyzing the data by a server, and presenting analysis of the data to a user. |
| US08396590B1 |
Automated paper consumption tracking and auditing
A method for managing paper consumption. Responsive to dispensing a first amount of paper from a set of paper dispensers in which the first amount of paper is dispensed for an account, the set of paper dispensers updates the account based on the first amount of paper dispensed. Responsive to receiving a second amount of paper at a set of paper disposers in which the second amount of paper is received for the account, the set of disposers updates the account based on the second amount of paper received. |
| US08396584B2 |
Library apparatus
A library apparatus includes a robot in operation that performs transfer between the record medium storage shelf and the input-output device, a robot on standby that stands by at a predetermined position as a reserve of the robot in operation; and a control device that controls operations of two of the robot in operation and the robot on standby. The information record medium has a bar code for identification. The robot in operation and the robot on standby individually include a read unit which has an imaging device to optically read the bar code of the information record medium. The robot on standby further includes an air spray unit which blows air to the imaging device of the robot in operation which moves relatively to a predetermined position and attitude. |
| US08396576B2 |
System for adaptively streaming audio objects
Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described. |
| US08396575B2 |
Object-oriented audio streaming system
Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described. |
| US08396572B2 |
System and method for energy plant optimization using mixed integer-linear programming
A method for optimizing operational settings for a plurality of energy devices includes representing each of the plurality of energy devices in terms of a set of decision variables and operational parameters. The decision variables and operational parameters are constrained based on operational conditions and interrelationship within the plurality of energy devices. A two-tiered model of the plurality of energy devices is generated wherein a top tier of the model represents interaction of various sub-models and a bottom tier of the model includes a set of the sub-models that form the top tier, each sub-model representing detailed operation of the plurality of energy devices. The two-tiered model is optimized to provide either a schedule of operation for the plurality of energy devices or real-time control for the plurality of energy devices. |
| US08396569B2 |
Lead assembly and methods including a push tube
A lead assembly includes an elongate body having a conductor electrically coupled with an electrode coupled to the elongate body. The lead assembly includes a push tube extending along at least a portion of the elongate body. A distal tip is coupled to the elongate body substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body. The distal tip is sized and shaped to couple with a push tube distal end. In one option, the distal tip includes a seat to receive the push tube distal end. In another option, the seat is a side rail seat and a guide wire extends along the elongate body and is slidably coupled with the side rail seat. The lead assembly includes, optionally, an active fixation device slidably coupled with a portion of the elongate body, and the active fixation device is sized and shaped to couple with the push tube. |
| US08396568B2 |
Medical electrical lead body designs incorporating energy dissipating shunt
An elongate body of a medical electrical lead includes at least one conductor formed into a coil that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends within an outer insulation sheath and the second portion extends outside the outer insulation sheath to be exposed to an environment external to the lead body as an energy dissipating shunt. |
| US08396561B2 |
Visual prosthesis and methods of creating visual perceptions
A visual prosthesis and methods of allowing a subject to view visual information from an artificial source are provided. The visual prosthesis has one or more electrodes operative to deliver electrical signals to a lateral geniculate nucleus of a mammal, a power supply operative to provide power to the electrodes, a visual information translator operatively connected to the electrode array, and a visual sensor operatively connected to the visual information translator. The visual prosthesis is operative to translate visual information into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to electrodes to stimulate brain activity to recognize visual information. |
| US08396560B2 |
System and method for closed-loop neural stimulation
Various aspects of the present subject matter provide a device. In various embodiments, the device comprises a port adapted to connect a lead, a pulse generator connected to the port and adapted to provide a neural stimulation signal to the lead, and a signal processing module connected to the port and adapted to receive and process a nerve traffic signal from the lead into a signal indicative of the nerve traffic. The device includes a controller connected to the pulse generator and the signal processing module. The controller is adapted to implement a stimulation protocol to provide the neural stimulation signal with desired neural stimulation parameters based on the signal indicative of the nerve traffic. Other aspects are provided herein. |
| US08396554B2 |
Collecting posture information to evaluate therapy
A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. Posture events are identified, e.g., a posture of the patient is periodically determined and/or posture transitions by the patient are identified, and each determined posture event is associated with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one posture metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the posture events associated with that therapy parameter set. A list of the therapy parameter sets is presented to a user, such as a clinician, for evaluation of the relative efficacy of the therapy parameter sets. The list may be ordered according to the one or more posture metric values to aid in evaluation of the therapy parameter sets. Where values are determined for a plurality of posture metrics, the list may be ordered according to the one of the posture metrics selected by the user. |
| US08396541B2 |
Signal analysis of cardiac and other patient medical signals
A system and method provide detecting and monitoring cardiac electrophysiological changes by determining differences between a reference signal representing a heartbeat signal and an analysis signal representing another heartbeat signal. A set of signal data consisting of a number of heartbeat signals is acquired as a function of time. Individual heartbeat signals within the set of acquired signals are identified, an individual signal comprising data values representing a plurality of sample points during a single heartbeat. One of the identified individual signals or a derived signal representing an average of a subset of the identified individual signals is selected as an analysis signal. A reference signal is identified. The sample points of the reference signal are aligned with the sample points of the analysis signal. A single value representative of mutual correspondence between the sample points of the reference signal and the corresponding sample points of the analysis signal is calculated. Data indicating a calculated value is communicated to a destination for viewing by a user. |
| US08396540B2 |
Electronic fetal monitoring assessment system and method
Electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools and methods of use thereof. The electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools are useable in connection with Electronic Fetal Monitoring (“EFM”) systems, such as those EFM systems currently used by and available to medical professionals. Electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools may include an electronic measurement tool for one or more of assessing the baseline FHR, assessing variability of the baseline FHR, assessing decelerations in the FHR and/or assessing acceleration in the FHR. Electronic measurement tools may be used as electronically generated visual tools to assess one or more fetal heart rate patterns. |
| US08396537B2 |
Method and system to measure ECG and respiration
A method for monitoring the respiration rate of a patient includes attaching a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and a pressure sensor to a patient, producing a first respiration signal based on variations detected in signals provided by the ECG electrodes attached to the patient, and producing a second respiration signal based on pressure variations detected in the pressure sensor secured to the patient. The method also includes selecting at least one of the first respiration signal and the second respiration signal based on respective signal qualities and producing a respiration rate from the selected signal. The method also includes providing indicia of the respiration rate. The method may also include displaying ECG signals with the indicia of the respiration rate. |
| US08396525B2 |
Real-time simultaneous measurement system, real-time simultaneous measurement apparatus, real-time simultaneous measurement method, and storage medium in which program is stored
A real-time simultaneous measurement apparatus includes: a hemoglobin information-receiving portion that sequentially receives hemoglobin information, which is information relating to the amount of hemoglobin in a head portion of a test subject, from a NIRS brain-measuring apparatus that receives a synchronization signal output by a synchronization signal output apparatus and acquires the hemoglobin information when the synchronization signal has been received; a brain wave information-receiving portion that sequentially receives the brain wave information of the test subject, from an EEG brain wave-measuring apparatus that receives a synchronization signal output by the synchronization signal output apparatus and acquires the brain wave information when the synchronization signal has been received; a synchronization processing portion that performs processing that synchronizes the hemoglobin information and the brain wave information; and an output portion that outputs the synchronized hemoglobin information and brain wave information. |
| US08396521B2 |
Antenna cover and operating section for portable terminal device
Disclosed herein is a portable terminal device including an antenna, a casing, and an operation unit. The casing at least part of which is formed from a metallic material is disposed so that the antenna is exposed. The operation unit is formed from a resin material and mounted to the casing so as to cover the exposed antenna. |
| US08396519B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device comprising a first housing (110) and a second housing (112), the first and second housings arranged to provide a device open configuration (FIG. 1), a first device closed configuration (FIG. 5) and a second device closed configuration (FIG. 6), wherein in the device closed configurations a first face of the first housing and a first face of the second housing are arranged to overlie one another (112, 110), and in the open configuration the first face of the first and second housings are arranged to be spaced apart compared to the closed configurations to reveal the respective first faces (118)/and wherein a first portion of the first face of the second housing is covered by the first face of the first housing in the first device closed configuration (FIG. 5), and the first portion of the first face of the second housing is revealed in the second device closed configuration (FIG. 6). |
| US08396513B2 |
Communication system for mobile users using adaptive antenna
A communication system has a base station having an adaptive antenna with a plurality of main array antenna elements for generating a plurality of communication beams. The system further includes a gateway station coupled to the base station. The gateway station forms a plurality of beams commands by communicating plurality of a control signals to the base station to form the communication beams. |
| US08396500B2 |
Connection destination base station determination device
A connection destination base station determination device is disclosed that includes: a storage part configured to store information indicating a radio base station that has transmitted a signal received with intensity at or above a certain level in a mobile terminal, and information indicating the amount of available resources in the radio base station; a selection part configured to select, of radio base stations having the amount of available resources greater than or equal to the amount of resources requested by the mobile terminal, a radio base station different from a radio base station having the largest amount of available resources as a connection destination radio base station; and a notification part configured to notify the selected radio base station that the mobile terminal is to be connected thereto. |
| US08396498B2 |
Radio station, transmitting station, and frequency band sharing method
The invention has a step where a transmitting station in a second radio communication system determines whether transmission of a second radio communication system signal using a shared frequency band is possible or not based on load information of a first radio communication system broadcast from a base station in the first radio communication system, a step where the transmitting station in the second radio communication system calculates predicted interference power caused in a receiving station in the first radio communication system by the second radio communication system signal transmitted using the shared frequency band, and a step where the base station in the first radio communication system increases an allowable interference level of a first radio communication system signal transmitted using the shared frequency band based on the predicted interference power broadcast from the transmitting station in the second radio communication system. |
| US08396496B2 |
System and method for thermal management of a transceiver
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a transceiver, a sensor and a controller is provided. The sensor is coupled to an electrical component in the transceiver and is configured to measure a thermal load on the electrical component. The controller is configured with a predetermined threshold, and is configured to reduce the voltage and current bias point, in the power amplifier, in response to the thermal load measurement being greater than the predetermined threshold. The system provides an inexpensive solution to the problem of shedding thermal load in transceiver systems and can be incorporated into new systems or adapted to legacy systems. |
| US08396494B2 |
Mobile communication terminal apparatus
A mobile communication terminal apparatus of the present invention has a mail transmitting function, and stores therein a first mail text that includes particular data, and at least one destination. Also, the mobile communication terminal apparatus stores therein, for each of parties including the destination, replacement information that shows whether a party corresponding thereto requires mail text replacement. If the replacement information corresponding to the destination shows that mail text replacement is not required, the mobile communication terminal apparatus transmits the first mail text to the destination. If the replacement information corresponding to the destination shows that mail text replacement is required, the mobile communication terminal apparatus composes a second mail text from the first mail text by editing at least the particular data, and transmits the second mail text to the destination. |
| US08396493B2 |
Network-based archiving for threaded mobile text messages
A network device, method, and mobile device are directed towards enabling a mobile device user to archive a text message threaded conversation with another conversation participant. text messages sent from the mobile device may be replicated by a server component, whether the text message is a reply message or an incoming message. The replicated text message may then be sent to an identified personal computing device's network-based messaging archive. In one embodiment, the messaging archive may be an outbox archive for text messages. As described, a text message being sent to the mobile device from the other conversation participant may also be replicated and archived in a network-based inbox archive for text messages on the identified personal computing device. In one embodiment, the archived text messages may be displayed to the user on the personal computing devices as threaded conversations. |
| US08396491B2 |
Location information management method and network device
Provided is a location information management method including: step in which a mobile station acquires information on a second radio base station transmitted via a common control channel from the second radio base station while communication is performed with a first radio base station; step for transmitting the information to a radio control device; step in which the radio control device transmits a measurement instruction to the mobile station and the first radio base station if the information on the second radio base station is received; and step for deciding and managing the location information on the mobile station in accordance with the measurement result. |
| US08396486B2 |
Method of initial access in a wireless communication system
A method of initial access in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of initial access of a mobile station in a wireless communication system with femtocells comprises selecting a base station to which the mobile station requests information of femto cell base stations which can serve the mobile station and exist around the mobile station through scanning downlink channel; and requesting the selected base station the information of the femto cell base stations. |
| US08396483B2 |
Mobile station, system and method for use in wireless communications
A mobile station (101) for use in a wireless communication system includes a steerable antenna, means for obtaining location information relating to a current location of the mobile station and a steering controller for controlling a pointing direction of the steerable antenna using the location information and characterized in that the mobile station includes a memory holding a database of optimal pointing directions of the steerable antenna for given locations and the steering controller is operable to steer the antenna to the optimal pointing direction indicated in the database for the current location. Also described is a system and a method in which the mobile station operates. |
| US08396481B2 |
Method of determining an access mode of cell in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and UE providing wireless communication services, and a method of determining the operation mode of a base station, that is, the connection mode (access mode) of a cell, based on which UE's connection is allowed by a base station in an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that has evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and it may be an object of the present invention to provide a process of determining the connection mode of a cell by checking the existence of a subscriber group identity if it is determined that the connection mode of a cell is not allowed for one or more UEs belonging to a particular subscriber group. |
| US08396477B2 |
Radio communication base station device and radio communication method to shorten a suspension time of an MBMS service when a user equipment moves from a single frequency network area to a non-single frequency network area
Disclosed are a radio communication base station device and a radio communication method which can reduce the interruption time of a service being received by UE while suppressing a resource consumption amount in an SFN area when the UE performs a handover from the SFN area to a non-SNF area. An MBMS reception request identification unit (127) judges an RRC message inputted from the UE (100). If an MBMS reception request is contained, an MBMS reception request is transmitted to an MBMS reception request storage unit (124). Moreover, when the RRC message from the UE (100) contains an adjacent cell reception quality measurement result, a handover decision unit (126) judges whether to perform a handover to the adjacent cell. The MBMS reception request storage unit (124) stores the MBMS reception request outputted from the MBMS reception request identification unit (127). When the handover decision unit (126) which has decided the handover requests for transmission of an MBMS reception request, the MBMS reception request storage unit (124) transmits the MBMS reception request to an MME (140). |
| US08396473B2 |
Intelligent scanning system and method for walkie-talkie devices
A method and system for scanning channels in a network for incoming audio transmissions. A device enters an intelligent scanning mode, which initiates an automatic scanning of predefined channels for incoming audio transmissions. Upon detection, the device tunes to the channel of the incoming audio transmission while continually searching channels of a higher priority for incoming audio transmissions of a higher priority. A device enters a single channel mode to send an outgoing transmission, which automatically reverts the device to the channel of the last incoming audio transmission. |
| US08396471B2 |
Mobile switching centre handover
Retaining contact data for a subscriber to a mobile communication network may be provided by a method and apparatus components therefor that allow for storing contact data for subscribers to a mobile network located within an area served by a mobile switching center, receiving confirmation at the mobile switching center (MSC) that a subscriber has left the area, updating the contact data to identify that the subscriber has left the area, and retaining at least part of the contact data, the retained part of the contact data containing call forwarding details for the subscriber. |
| US08396468B1 |
Assessing performance and quality of a mobile communication service
A call quality monitoring system allows a user of a mobile device to report on call quality or otherwise provide information relating to the quality of a wireless communication experience. The call quality monitoring system may allow the mobile device user to establish or accept a call placed on the wireless communication network. The call quality monitoring system may provide at least partially-automated user-feedback process for the user to specify information about the quality of the call from a device from which the call was placed or from a device located at or near a location of the call. The call quality monitoring system may collect information provided by the user in association with specifying information about the quality of the call. |
| US08396458B2 |
Automated device provisioning and activation
Devices and methods are disclosed for determining that a traffic flow of a wireless end-user device is associated with a first service activity that includes a data communication associated with a particular application of a plurality of applications on the wireless end-user device; assigning, to the traffic flow, a flow tag configured to assist in preserving the association of the traffic flow with the first service activity when the traffic flow is processed by one or more device functions that operate on the traffic flow; monitoring an attempted or successful wireless access network service usage associated with the flow tag, the determining, assigning, and monitoring occurring in any order; and, after determining that the traffic flow is associated with the first service activity, applying a first service policy to the attempted or successful wireless access network service usage. |
| US08396456B2 |
Visual voicemail management
A voicemail message management system and method are provided. A list of voicemail messages is displayed on a screen such as a cellular telephone screen. Indicators specify whether messages are new, urgent, saved, not yet heard, and the like. Other attributes can also be displayed, including for example indications as to source of a message, message duration, date/time, caller, urgent or private, and the like. These indicators provide guidance to the user for selecting which messages he or she would like to hear at a given time. The user can listen to messages, delete them, move them, categorize them, and perform other operations in any order the user chooses. |
| US08396452B1 |
Proximity login and logoff
A computer-implemented method for providing secure access to a computer is disclosed according to one aspect of the subject technology. The method comprises detecting a presence of a mobile device at the computer, and logging a user into the computer upon detecting the presence of the mobile device. The method also comprises detecting when the mobile device has moved away from the computer, and logging the user off of the computer upon detecting that the mobile device has moved away from the computer. |
| US08396449B2 |
Method and system for emergency call placement
An emergency response system includes a restraint control module (RCM), a global positioning system module (GPSM), at least one output, at least one input, an SPDJB, and a vehicle associated computing system (VACS) in communication with the RCM, the GPSM, the at least one output, the at least one input and the SPDJB. Upon detection of an emergency event, the RCM requests that the VACS place an emergency call. Upon receiving a request from the RCM, the VACS queries the GPSM to obtain vehicle coordinates, informs the occupant of the onset of the call, and instructs a wireless device in communication with the VACS to place an emergency call. The VACS is operable to determine when an emergency call is connected. Once the emergency call is connected, the VACS relays a message indicating connection to the RCM, and contacts the SPDJB to contacts the Smart Power Distribution Junction Box (SPDJB). |
| US08396447B2 |
Emergency call notification system and method
A system and method for automatically notifying others when a 9-1-1 emergency call has been placed from a cellular phone. The user selects the people who she would like to be contacted in the case of an emergency. The contact information (e.g., phone numbers and email address) for these notification contacts are entered into an application resident on the phone. In the event of an emergency, the application connects the user to the 9-1-1 system and automatically notifies the user's predetermined list of contacts via email and/or text notification. These notifications preferably contain the user's name, telephone number, current location, and the date/time of the 9-1-1 call. |
| US08396446B2 |
Two way voice communication through GSM with alarm communication
An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications. |
| US08396442B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus capable of rapidly changing directional patterns of multiple steerable antenna apparatuses
A directional pattern table memory stores combined directional pattern groups in each of which combined directional patterns are ordered by different predetermined priority according to a different radio propagation environment. A controller computes a communication performance expected value based on RSSIs for when an initial combined directional pattern is set on steerable antenna apparatuses; selects one combined directional pattern group based on relative strengths of RSSIs; and according to the priority, sequentially sets combined directional patterns of the selected one combined directional pattern group, on the steerable antenna apparatuses, computes a communication performance value based on a PHY rate and a PER at each of sequential settings, and performs communication using a combined directional pattern with a communication performance value that first exceeds the communication performance expected value. |
| US08396439B2 |
Interference cancellation circuit for a receiver
The invention discloses an interference cancellation circuit for a receiver to process an input signal which is carried on a first carrier frequency and includes a transmitted signal and at least one interference signals. The interference cancellation circuit comprises a down-converter for converting the input signal to dc location to generate a down-converted signal; a first path circuit for processing the down-converted signal to generate a first processed signal which includes the transmitted signal and the interference signals; a second path circuit for processing the down-converted signal to generate a second processed signal which includes only the interference signals; and a combiner for generating an output signal by combining the first processed signal and the second processed signal. |
| US08396438B2 |
Enhanced interference nulling equalization
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate combining received signals from multiple receive antennas in a wireless communication environment. The received signals from the multiple receive antennas can be weighted utilizing an adaptive combination of maximal ratio combining (MRC) and interference nulling. The combination of MRC and interference nulling can be controlled based upon one or more configurable parameters. For instance, a covariance matrix can be modified to include the one or more configurable parameters, and the modified covariance matrix can be utilized in connection with interference nulling. Further, respective values for the one or more configurable parameters can be selected as a function of at least one input (e.g., measured interference-over-thermal (IoT) value, received loading level indicator, eigenvalue distribution of a covariance matrix, . . . ) related to noise correlation. |
| US08396437B2 |
Detection of false modulated signals in wireless communications
There is provided a method for use in a wireless communication to avoid detection of a false modulated signal in a paged device. In one embodiment, a modulated signal is received by the paged device. Then, the modulated signal is identified by the paged device as a preliminary false modulated signal. Thereafter, the gain of at least one paged device amplifier and/or a matching threshold of the paged device is reduced by the paged device to decrease a sensitivity of the paged device to avoid detection of a future false modulated signal. In one embodiment, the wireless communication is a Bluetooth wireless communication and the paged device is a Bluetooth enabled device. An exemplary system for implementing one embodiment of the disclosed method is described. |
| US08396436B2 |
System and method for closed loop power control calibration
A system for calibrating a closed power control loop includes an adder configured to inject a test signal into an adjustable element, a first peak detector configured to determine an amplitude of the injected test signal, a second peak detector configured to determine an amplitude of a return test signal, a comparator configured to determine the difference between the injected test signal and the return test signal, and a calibration engine configured to adjust the adjustable element so that the return test signal is offset from the injected test signal by a predetermined amount. |
| US08396434B2 |
Signal processing device and method and reception system
Disclosed herein is a signal processing device including an adjustment section configured to adjust the power of each of subinterval signals by multiplying the subinterval signals by a gain adapted to bring the power to a given level, the subinterval signals being input signals each having a frequency component of one of a plurality of subintervals into which the frequency band over which the power spectrum is to be measured is divided, and a correction section configured to correct the power of each of the subinterval signals, whose power has been adjusted by the adjustment section, by multiplying the power spectrum by the reciprocal of the gain used for adjustment of the power by the adjustment section. |
| US08396427B2 |
System and method for adaptive radio frequency filtering
A system and method provide adaptive filtering of radio frequency (RF) signals. Multiple signals are received in a predetermined RF spectrum, the signals including a desired signal and multiple potentially interfering signals. A first signal of the potentially interfering signals is down-converted to a baseband signal, and a power of the baseband signal is determined. When the power exceeds a predetermined threshold power, a first notch filter, corresponding to a frequency of the first signal, is activated. |
| US08396420B2 |
Active antenna system for a mobile communications network as well as a method for relaying a plurality of radio signals through the active antenna system
An active antenna system and a method for relaying radio signal in the mobile communications network is disclosed. The active antenna system comprises a plurality of antenna elements for relaying radio signals at a first frequency band. The antenna elements are connected to a plurality of signal paths. A plurality of signal inputs for inputting radio signals at a second frequency band is connected to the signal paths. A plurality of first mixers in the signal paths converts the frequency of the radio signals between the first frequency band and the second frequency band. A single first local oscillator is connected to the first mixers through a first oscillator signal path and supplies first oscillator signals to the first mixers and at least one dispersion element is connected to at least one of the signal paths. |
| US08396419B2 |
Device for flexible wideband frequency transposition, and associated satellite remote control receiver
A device for double frequency transposition includes means for controlling the frequencies FOL1, FOL2 of a first and a second synthesizer, which are adapted to carry out the steps of (a) initializing the frequency FOL2 at a first given value FOL2,A; and (b) for a given pair of frequencies FRF, FFI2, determining the frequency FOL1 with the aid of the following relations: if FRF>FOL1 and FFI1 |
| US08396418B2 |
Microwave relay receiving method and apparatus, microwave relay transmitting method and apparatus, and microwave relay node
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a microwave relay receiving method and apparatus, a microwave relay transmitting method and apparatus, and a microwave relay node. The embodiment of the present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and is invented to enable free scheduling of microwave signals at low costs. The microwave relay receiving method includes: receiving a microwave signal; separating the microwave signal to obtain service information at an intermediate frequency band and control information at a low frequency band and sending the separated service information to a switch matrix; and sending the control information to the switch matrix so that a corresponding switch in the switch matrix is turned on and the service information is transmitted by the turned on switch. |
| US08396417B2 |
Frequency shifting repeater
Aspects of a method and system for frequency control in a frequency shifting repeater are provided. In this regard, a reference frequency may be divided to generate a first pair of local oscillator (LO) signals, the first pair of LO signals may be divided to generate a second pair of LO signals. The two pairs of LO signals may be utilized to frequency shift a received signal for repeating the signal on a different frequency. The frequency shifted signal may be generated by down-converting the received signal utilizing the first pair of LO signals, up-converting the down-converted signal utilizing the second pair of LO signals, and combining the resulting up-converted signals. The reference frequency may be divided by a first scaling factor to generate the first pair of LO signal which, in turn, may be divided by a second scaling factor to generate the second pair of LO signals. |
| US08396412B2 |
Mobile terminal and broadcast controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal is provided having a memory, a display, a wireless communication unit having a first module to receive a first broadcast signal and a second module to receive a second broadcast signal, and a controller to control the wireless communication unit, wherein when a signal strength of the first broadcast signal received by the first module is less than a first signal strength, the controller to control the second module to receive the second broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal is buffered in the memory while the display displays content corresponding to the first broadcast signal received by the first module. |
| US08396411B2 |
Communication method in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a communication method in a mobile communication system. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile satellite communication system having a complementary terrestrial component among various mobile communication systems. The mobile satellite communication system can simultaneously provide a communication service and a broadcasting service to a terminal according to integration between communication and broadcasting. Different signal transmission methods are used between the complementary terrestrial component and a satellite. Specifically, a time division duplex method and a frequency division duplex method are used together and resources are allocated. As a result, system throughput can be increased, and local broadcasting contents can be effectively transmitted to the terminal. |
| US08396409B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus including one or more feeding units includes: a sheet size determining unit which determines a sheet size of a sheet, on which print data are printed, in predetermined order; a print control unit which stores a designated size, which is the sheet size determined by the sheet size determining unit, in a storage unit; a feeding unit selector which selects the feeding unit on the basis of the designated size; and a process selection information storing unit which stores process selection information used to designate a process executed by the print control unit. |
| US08396408B2 |
Cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade configured to clean a surface of a rotating subject, a solid lubricant configured to reduce the friction coefficient of the surface of the subject, and a lubricant coating device that includes a coating roller to shave the solid lubricant during normal rotation and a reverse rotation to coat the surface of the subject with the lubricant. The amount of lubricant supplied to the subject during normal rotation of the coating roller is different from a supply amount of the lubricant during reverse rotation of the coating roller, with more lubricant supplied during reverse rotation than during normal rotation. |
| US08396404B2 |
Image transfer nip method and apparatus using constant current controls
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for marking an image on a media substrate using an intermediate transfer printing arrangement. Specifically disclosed is an image transfer nip arrangement associated with a secondary transfer of an image which utilizes a constant current source to generate an electric field across the nip and transfer toner from an intermediate transfer surface to a media substrate. |
| US08396401B2 |
Developing device with an anti-accumulation section and image forming apparatus including the same
An anti-accumulation section is provided at a section where an inner surface of a developer container abuts a surface of a doctor blade on an upstream side of a rotation direction of a developing roller. An angle between a surface of the anti-accumulation section facing the developing roller and the surface of the doctor blade on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developing roller is set to be larger than an angle between a circle concentric with a cross section of the developing roller perpendicular to an extending direction of the developing roller and the surface of the doctor blade on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developing roller at the section where the surface of the anti-accumulation section facing the developing roller and the surface of the doctor blade on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developing roller abut. This realizes, with a simple configuration, a developing device capable of forming images of high quality without nonuniform development. |
| US08396397B2 |
Method and printing apparatus to print a continuous printing substrate with controlled liquid film quantity given changing print speed
In a method and printing apparatus to print a continuous printing substrate, a liquid film with toner and courier fluid is transported to a charge image carrier to develop charge images into toner images. Transport pairs are used comprising rotating transport members in the transport of the liquid film to the charge image carrier and from the charge image carrier to the printing substrate. Given a changing print speed of the printing apparatus at least one of the respective transport pairs is adjusted to provide a respective separation of the transport members from one another so that a substantially same quantity of the liquid film is always conveyed by the respective transport pair. |
| US08396393B2 |
Developing cartridge and image forming device with pressing member
A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained. |
| US08396390B2 |
Intermediate transfer body and image forming apparatus
An intermediate transfer body is provided. An intermediate transfer body includes an intermediate transfer belt and a belt cleaning section including a cleaning blade. A plurality of projecting portions extending in parallel with a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt are provided on a surface of an elastic layer of the intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning blade is formed such that a width W1 of one end in a lateral direction thereof is longer than a width W2 of the elastic layer in a width direction of the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US08396388B2 |
System and method for controlling operation of a printer by using an external memory
Provided is printer operation control system and method for a printer having diverse print functions by using an external memory. The external memory is used to store information on the availability of each print function. A reader is provided for reading the information on the availability of each print function stored in the external memory. Further, a function setting unit is provided for setting up the operability of software for each print function based on the information read in the reader. Even further, a controller is provided for controlling the operation of the printer based on the operability of each software set up in the function setting unit. |
| US08396387B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, and program
This invention provides an image forming apparatus which performs sleep control for a shift to the sleep mode for each function and provides a user-friendly operation system, and a method of controlling the same. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus sets a shift time until a power state of the image forming apparatus shifts to the low-power state after execution of image formation; and performs control to shift the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, when the shift time is not more than the predetermined time, before an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the printing function, while shifting the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, in response to an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the copying function. |
| US08396385B2 |
Toner-density calculating method, reflective optical sensor, and image forming apparatus
In a reflective optical sensor in an image forming apparatus, an output from each N number of light-receiving elements (N≧3), obtained when M number of light-emitting elements (M≧3) included in a light-emitting unit emit detecting light, is separated into an amount of specularly reflected light and an amount of diffusely reflected light. The toner density of a pattern, which is formed on a supporting member in the image forming apparatus, is calculated based on a sum of the amounts of specularly reflected light and a sum of the amounts of diffusely reflected light. |
| US08396384B2 |
Apparatus and method of determining the type of paper sheet, and image formation apparatus
According to one embodiment, a sheet type determination apparatus includes a tray, light source, detection unit, database, and operation unit. The tray is configured to hold a sheet bundle formed by stacked sheets. The light source emits illumination light to a first region. The detection unit detects a light intensity distribution of transmitted light emerging from a second region. The transmitted light is generated as the illumination light passes through the sheet bundle, and the second region is different from the first region. The database stores a table describing a relation between reference attenuation rates and types. The operation unit is configured to calculate an attenuation rate of the transmitted light based on the light intensity distribution, and determine a type of the sheets by comparing the attenuation rate with the reference attenuation rates. |
| US08396379B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling unlocking of a toner cartridge replacing door
A toner cartridge inserting and removing door is provided at a removal port of each of a plurality of toner cartridges. Normally, the toner cartridge inserting and removing door is locked and cannot be opened. For a case where the remaining amount of a toner in the toner cartridge is decreased and a change is needed, a display unit for notifying thereof is provided, thereby selectively opening the toner cartridge inserting and removing door corresponding to a toner cartridge for which a change is necessary. |
| US08396365B2 |
Customer premises optical network unit
There is provided a customer premises optical network unit (ONU) capable of reading management signals and of outputting data through an external node by using I2C serial interfaces. In the ONU, an ONU functioning section has another serial signal terminal and is connected with a first management processing section through a sub-serial transmission path. The first management processing section is also connected with a MSA interface module through an additional monitoring signal transmission path and a monitoring signal transmission path. The monitoring signal transmission path on the side of the MSA interface module is connected with a sub-I/F section. A part of management signals set in an OAM layer of a signal transmitted between an OLT and the ONU may be outputted to an external node by using the first management processing section, the additional monitoring signal transmission path and the monitoring signal transmission path. |
| US08396361B2 |
Method for the protection of a passive optical transmission network as well as a passive optical transmission network with a corresponding protection mechanism
A method for protecting a passive optical transmission network comprising an optical line terminal (OLT) at least one remote node (RN), and a plurality of network termination nodes (ONU) A bidirectional optical signal transmission can be established between each ONU and the OLT via a first bidirectional optical transmission route by means of which an optical wavelength-multiplexed signal is transmitted in the downstream direction from the OLT to the one or more RNs and in the upstream direction from the one or more RNs to the OLT. A second bidirectional optical transmission route is provided between the OLT and the RNs where the wavelength-multiplexed signal is fed in the upstream direction both to the first and second optical transmission routes. On the detection of a fault state on the first or second optical transmission route, the OLT is switched to the other corresponding optical transmission route. |
| US08396360B2 |
Communicating information
The present invention relates to the communication of information where the information is introduced at a plurality of spaced apart locations onto an optical waveguide. The following steps are performed: (i) transmitting test signals onto the waveguide, components of the test signals being returned in a distributed manner along the waveguide; (ii) receiving first component signals returned from beyond a first location at which information is introduced; (iii) receiving second component signals returned from beyond a second location at which information is introduced, the second component signals being returned through the first location; and, (iv) processing the second component signals using the first component signals to distinguish information introduced at the second location from information introduced at the first location. |
| US08396355B2 |
Heater
A heater comprising a radiative heating element disposed beneath a housing, in a recess formed therein; the recess having a heat reflective surface for reflecting heat radiation from the radiative heating element in a downwards direction. A heat deflecting member is located between the heating element and the reflective surface of the housing to prevent heat emitted from heating element from directly reaching the reflective surface. |
| US08396349B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US08396344B2 |
Method of reproducing from storage medium storing interactive graphics stream activated in response to user's command
A method of reproducing from a storage medium video data and graphics data for displaying a menu screen. The method includes: decoding graphics data; and outputting, on the basis of the decoded graphics data, the decoded graphics data when an activation command is generated by a user or displaying the decoded graphics data at a designated time. |
| US08396339B2 |
Optical device, and virtual image display device
A virtual image display device with an optical waveguide to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide. |
| US08396333B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, solid-state imaging device, and image generating method
In an image pickup apparatus of the present invention, a CCD 11 in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional array, thereof the number of effective horizontal pixels is H and the number of effective vertical pixels is V; a aspect switching operator 18 that sets one of a plurality of aspect modes including a first aspect mode and a second aspect mode; an image processor 141 that generates first image data for recording in the first aspect mode, and generates second image data for recording in the second aspect mode, wherein the first image data for recording is generated using image data that is generated with pixels being H1 horizontal pixels by V1 vertical pixels included in the pixels on the CCD 11 or image data that is obtained by subjecting said image data to predetermined processing, the second image data for recording is generated using image data that is generated with pixels being H2 horizontal pixels by V2 vertical pixels included in the pixels on the solid-state imaging device or image data that is obtained by subjecting said image data to predetermined processing, and the first image data for recording and the second image data for recording satisfy the following relationships: H2 |
| US08396332B2 |
Electronic apparatus and face image display method
According to one embodiment, a face image list display process module classifies face images, which are extracted from video content data, into a first face image group belonging to a predetermined attribute section and a second face image group belonging to sections other than the predetermined attribute section. The face image list display process module displays, on a face thumbnail display area, the face images belonging to one group of the first face image group and the second face image group in such a manner that the face images belonging to the one group are distinguished from the face images belonging to the other group of the first face image group and the second face image group. |
| US08396330B2 |
Image upscaling based upon directional interpolation
A method for interpolation includes receiving an input image having a plurality of pixels. The edge direction proximate a first pixel of the input image is estimated using a first technique from a plurality of discrete potential directions. An edge direction is selected based upon the estimating the edge direction proximate the first pixel of the input image using a second technique. The pixels proximate the first pixel are interpolated based upon the selected edge direction. The pixels proximate the first pixel are interpolated based upon another technique. An output image is determined. |
| US08396323B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring blockiness in video images
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing images, in particular for determining the degree of blockiness in coded images. The invention comprises apparatus and methods for determining a degree of blockiness by performing the steps of: for each of a plurality of pixels determining a vertical gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and neighbouring pixels; comparing said vertical gradient measure with a vertical gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential horizontal boundary in dependence thereon determining a horizontal gradient measure in dependence upon the values of said pixel and neighbouring pixels; comparing said horizontal gradient measure with a horizontal gradient threshold and defining said pixel as a potential vertical boundary in dependence thereon; and determining said blocking artefact measure in dependence upon the vertical gradient measure of pixels defined as a potential horizontal boundary and upon the horizontal gradient measure of pixels defined as a potential vertical boundary. Method and apparatus for generating a quality measure in dependence upon the measure of blockiness are also provided. |
| US08396322B1 |
Optical distortion correction in digital video processing applications
Methods for reducing optical distortion such as keystone distortion can include receiving an input image and modifying the input image by applying two separate 1D operations to the input image and applying a polyphase filter to the input image, where the first 1D operation is performed after application of the second 1D operation has begun. The modified image can then be projected. |
| US08396317B1 |
Algorithm modification method and system
An analysis module accesses an input image, identifies an algorithm to be used to generate an output image from the input image, analyzes the algorithm, and determines a pixel offset of the algorithm. A generation module identifies a region of the output image in which output pixels are to be generated without an edge-checking operation. The generation module generates a modified version of the algorithm that omits the edge-checking operation and generates the output image by using the modified version to generate output pixels in the identified region. |
| US08396315B2 |
Method for improving digital images and an image sensor for sensing the same
A method for sensing an optical image and producing an improved image signal, includes the steps of: supplying a first signal to a first plurality of nodes, the nodes residing in an integrated circuit substrate; producing a second signal at a second plurality of nodes residing in the integrated circuit substrate, the first plurality of nodes substantially corresponding to the second plurality of nodes, wherein the step of producing the second signal includes: imposing a smoothness constraint on the second signal restricting a signal difference between the nodes of the second signal, the smoothness constraint imposed with a plurality of horizontal electronic element; imposing a closeness constraint on the second signal, thereby restricting a signal difference between the corresponding nodes in the first signal and the second signal, the closeness constraint imposed with a plurality of vertical electronic element; and balancing the smoothness constraint and the closeness constraint with a balancing means controlling the vertical electronic elements, the horizontal electronic elements, or both the vertical and the horizontal elements, the balancing means controlled by at least a portion of the first signal. |
| US08396312B2 |
Vision-based compression
Systems and methods provide vision-based image compression. In one implementation, inpainting is the vision-based technique selected to augment a conventional signal-processing-based technique. For some regions of a source image, an exemplary system efficiently extracts and organizes structural edge information instead of compressing the regions. In one implementation, the system applies binary curve fitting to capture the edge information. A structure-aware inpainter in the decoder can then restore the regions via the edge information, which occupies very little data space or minimal bandwidth in a bitstream that is transmitted from encoder to decoder. Key visual components of the image can still be conventionally compressed. Extracting edge information for some regions instead of compressing them considerably increases overall image compression. |
| US08396309B2 |
Index-based pixel block processing
A pixel block is compressed by determining a reference set of multiple reference property values. A value index associated with a reference property value of the reference set is assigned to each pixel in the pixel block based on the original property value of the pixel. A prediction of the value index is provided based on the value index assigned to at least one neighboring pixel in the pixel block. A prediction error is calculated based on the value index assigned to a pixel and its value index prediction. The compressed pixel block includes encoded representations of the prediction errors and an encoded representation of the reference set. |
| US08396308B2 |
Image coding based on interpolation information
Resolution interpolation data is generated by relatively simple processing. This enables image encoding by simple and quick processing to attain high image quality and high compression performance. To do this, a tile divider extracts tile data of 32×32 pixels from encoding target original image data. A resolution converter samples one pixel of a block of 2×2 pixels in the tile data, thereby generating reduced tile data of a reduced image. An interpolation data generator generates interpolation data to be used to generate tile data having the original resolution from the reduced tile data. Based on the interpolation data of a tile of interest, an encoding method selector outputs a control signal indicating which one of lossless encoding and lossy encoding should be executed for the reduced tile data. A code stream generator outputs the generated encoded data and interpolation data as encoded image data. |
| US08396306B2 |
Method for processing a digital image
An image representation format for representing a digital image comprises: image information stored as a bitstream representing sequential image blocks, each block comprising one or more components, each component comprising one or more data units and each data unit being represented as a Huffman-coded stream of coefficients of basis functions, wherein a zeroth order coefficient is represented as a difference to the previous zeroth order coefficient of the corresponding component, and a block information table, which comprises: indicators to the first coefficient of a specified order of each image block in said bitstream, information indicating the number of bits in the bitstream between adjacent coefficients of said specified order of the image block, and the zeroth order coefficient of at least the first data unit of each component, said zeroth order coefficient being represented in a non-differential form. |
| US08396304B2 |
Using handwritten notations in digital video presentations
A method for producing a slide show video from a collection of hardcopy media, the method includes digitizing the media and detecting handwritten information and estimating the age of the media; determining an order of presentation for the slide show video based on the detected handwritten information and estimated ages; and producing a slide show video from the hardcopy media using the determined order of presentation. |
| US08396302B2 |
Method of detecting logos, titles, or sub-titles in video frames
Detecting a static graphic object (such as a logo, title, or sub-title) in a sequence of video frames may be accomplished by analyzing each selected one of a plurality of pixels in a video frame of the sequence of video frames. Basic conditions for the selected pixel may be tested to determine whether the selected pixel is a static pixel. When the selected pixel is a static pixel, a static similarity measure and a forward motion similarity measure may be determined for the selected pixel. A temporal score for the selected pixel may be determined based at least in part on the similarity measures. Finally, a static graphic object decision for the selected pixel may be made based at least in part on the temporal score. |
| US08396301B2 |
System and method for document location and recognition
Templates of known forms are stored in computer system. The templates are digitized pixels on which connected component analyses are performed resulting in a first list of components. Five to ten of those components are selected to create an ordered feature list for each form. The computer system then captures an optical image of a form positioned on the top of a stack of forms. The optical image is digitized and stored in the computer (or processor) system as a captured digital image of pixels. A connected component analysis is performed on the captured digital image that results in a second list of image components. Image components on the second list are compared to those on the first list and then each succeeding feature in one of the ordered feature lists. If the comparison is successful, the form is known and other marks on the form may then be processed. If the comparison is unsuccessful, a new feature list is tried. |
| US08396300B2 |
Object-end positioning method and system
An object-end positioning method is provided for positioning lower ends of two limbs of an object. In the method, a foreground processing is performed on an original image to obtain a foreground image. A number of turning points are obtained according to the foreground image, wherein connection of the turning points forms a polygonal curve. Each turning point is classified to be a convex or concave point according to an included angle between lines connecting the turning point to two adjacent turning points. A number of selected convex points and selected concave points are selected. Two of the selected convex points are selected as two temporary ends. Connection of the two temporary ends and a selected concave point located between the two temporary ends forms a triangle. Two positioning ends for positioning the lower ends of the two limbs of the object are determined according to the two temporary ends. |
| US08396293B1 |
Recognizing geometrically salient objects from segmented point clouds using strip grid histograms
A method of recognizing geometrically salient objects from sensed data points collected in a 3D environment includes using a sensor that collects a plurality of sensed data points each having spatial coordinate information in three dimensions x, y and z, populating a strip histogram grid having a plurality of strips, each strip having a z, dx and dy dimensions, wherein dx is a portion of an x dimension and dy is a portion of a y dimension of the strip histogram grid, by assigning each sensed data point to a strip that has x, y and z dimensions that encompass the spatial coordinate information of the respective assigned sensed data point, and segmenting the strip histogram grid into a plurality of segmented regions, each segmented region comprising one strip or a group of neighboring strips having similar attributes. |
| US08396290B1 |
Saturation varying color space
A first color component of a pixel or scene entity is modified using a color correction curve defined at least partly by a second color component of this pixel or entity. Each pixel or entity has its own separate color correction curve, independent of the color correction curves of other pixels or entities. The saturation value of a pixel or scene entity may be modified based on its luminance value. The luminance value determines a saturation gamma function curve, mapping the original saturation value of a pixel or entity to a new saturation value. The unilluminated color of a pixel in a scene being rendered may also be taken into account. This output color may be stored in the appropriate pixel of an image or combined with colors from other portions of the scene being rendered. |
| US08396289B2 |
Discrimination apparatus, discrimination method and program recording medium
A discrimination apparatus includes a separating unit configured to separate kinds (N being a natural number of 2 or greater) of color signals forming an image signal obtained by image acquisition of a subject with a color imaging system into kinds (M being a natural number of 1 or greater, M≦N) of wavelength ranges, based on known spectral characteristics of a subject to be discriminated, at least one of the separated wavelength ranges including a plurality of color signals. The discrimination apparatus further includes a noise estimating unit configured to estimate a noise amount in each predetermined unit area in each of the wavelength ranges separated by the separating unit, and a noise reducing unit configured to perform a noise reducing processing on each of the wavelength ranges separated by the separating unit, based on the noise amount estimated by the noise estimating unit. The discrimination apparatus further includes a discriminating unit configured to perform a discriminating processing on the subject to be discriminated, based on the color signals in the wavelength ranges noise-reduced by the noise reducing unit. |
| US08396284B2 |
Smart picking in 3D point clouds
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for identifying a point representing a feature in a 3D dataset. The method includes performing a pick, which includes filtering the dataset to extract a subset of points based on certain criteria including a seed point and evaluating a metric for each point in the subset of points. The metric is a non-normalized probability that the point being evaluated represents the feature. The point or points with the highest metric is identified as representing the feature. Another embodiment of the invention includes a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for identifying a point representing a feature in a 3D dataset. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method for displaying a view of a feature in a 3D dataset. |
| US08396282B1 |
Method and system for computing fused saliency maps from multi-modal sensory inputs
The present disclosure describes a fused saliency map from visual and auditory saliency maps. The saliency maps are in azimuth and elevation coordinates. The auditory saliency map is based on intensity, frequency and temporal conspicuity maps. Once the auditory saliency map is determined, the map is converted into azimuth and elevation coordinates by processing selected snippets of sound from each of four microphones arranged on a robot head to detect the location of the sound source generating the saliencies. |
| US08396280B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting assets in a processing or other environment
A portable asset inspection device can be used during the inspection of one or more assets, such as assets in a processing or other environment. A camera in the portable asset inspection device can be used to take digital photographs of assets being inspected. A sound recorder in the portable asset inspection device can be used to record oral notes of a user or other sounds associated with the inspection of the assets. Other data could be collected from the user using the portable asset inspection device. The collected data can be transmitted in either real-time or non-real-time to an external system. The external system could associate photographs, sound recordings, and other data with specific assets, such as by automatically storing the data in records associated with the correct assets. The external system could also use the data in any suitable manner, such as to schedule asset maintenance. |
| US08396275B2 |
X-ray CT system and method for creating tomographic recordings with two x-ray energy spectra
An x-ray CT system and a method are disclosed for creating tomographic recordings with the aid of an x-ray CT system, with two emitter/detector arrangements operating with an angular offset on a gantry with at least two different x-ray energy spectra. In at least one embodiment, at least one first recording is reconstructed from detector data from two quarter rotations with different x-ray energy spectra and at least one second recording is created from detector data of a scan of at least one of the emitter/detector arrangements over a half rotation. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the recordings are subjected to high-pass filtering or low-pass filtering in respect of their spatial frequencies and then the filtered recordings are combined to give a resulting recording. |
| US08396273B2 |
Noise reduction method for dual-energy imaging
A method is provided that includes acquiring a first set of image data from X-rays produced at a first energy level and a second set of image data from X-rays produced at a second energy level. The method includes generating a first noise mask for a first basis material and a second noise mask for a second basis material and removing pixels corresponding to cross contaminating structural information from the first noise mask and the second noise mask. The method includes processing a first materially decomposed image generated from the first set of image data and the second set of digital data using the second noise mask after removal of the cross contaminating structural information and processing a second MD image generated from the first set of image data and the second set of digital data using the first noise mask after removal of the cross contaminating structural information. |
| US08396272B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of caries
A method for obtaining an image of tooth tissue directs incident light toward a tooth, wherein the incident light excites a fluorescent emission from the tooth tissue. Specular reflection of incident light from the tooth tissue is reduced. Fluorescence image data is obtained from the fluorescent emission. Back-scattered reflectance image data is obtained from back-scattered light from the tooth tissue. The fluorescence and back-scattered reflectance image data are combined to form an enhanced image of the tooth tissue for caries detection. |
| US08396268B2 |
System and method for image sequence processing
A method for processing a sequence of images. In an embodiment, one or more training datasets are analyzed having a sequence of images showing a first condition and a sequence of images showing a second condition. A multivariate regression model is used to determine a relationship between relative positions of one or more features in the sequence of images showing the first condition and relative positions of the one or more features in the sequence of images showing the second condition. In an embodiment, the determined relationship is used to predict positions of the one or more features in an inquire sequence of images showing the second condition given an inquire sequence of images showing the first condition. The predicted positions can then be refined using various methods. In an embodiment, sequences of images are aligned to a common time scale. |
| US08396265B1 |
Facial recognition
An example method includes capturing, by an image capture device of a computing device, an image of a face of a user. The method further includes detecting, by the computing device, whether a distance between the computing device and an object represented by at least a portion of the image is less than a threshold distance, and, when the detected distance is less than a threshold distance, denying authentication to the user with respect to accessing one or more functionalities controlled by the computing device, where the authentication is denied independent of performing facial recognition based at least in part on the captured image. |
| US08396263B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing face pose estimation
A method for providing face pose estimation for face detection may include utilizing a selected portion of classifiers in detectors to determine coarse pose information for a candidate face in an image, determining fine pose information for the candidate face based at least in part on the determined coarse pose information, and employing another portion of the classifiers in the detectors to perform face detection based at least in part on the fine pose information to determine whether the candidate face corresponds to a face. An apparatus and computer program product corresponding to the method are also provided. |
| US08396262B2 |
Apparatus and method for face recognition and computer program
Disclosed is a face recognition apparatus for previously registering a face image of a person, receiving a moving image in which face identification is intended to be performed, and performing face recognition in the received moving image. The apparatus includes the following elements. A face registration unit registers the face of a person as an image. A face detection unit detects a face in a frame of an input moving image. A face tracking unit tracks the detected face in frames of the input moving image. A face identification unit compares the detected face, which is being tracked by the face tracking unit, with the registered face registered in the face registration unit to identify the face. A stabilization unit stabilizes the result of face identification by the face identification unit. |
| US08396252B2 |
Systems and related methods for three dimensional gesture recognition in vehicles
A method and system for performing gesture recognition of a vehicle occupant employing a time of flight (TOF) sensor and a computing system in a vehicle. An embodiment of the method of the invention includes the steps of receiving one or more raw frames from the TOF sensor, performing clustering to locate one or more body part clusters of the vehicle occupant, locating the palm cluster of the vehicle occupant, calculating the location of the tip of the hand of the vehicle occupant, determining whether the hand has performed a dynamic or a static gesture, retrieving a command corresponding to one of the determined static or dynamic gestures, and executing the command. |
| US08396251B2 |
Method for determining the position of an object from a digital image
Method for determining the position of an object point in a scene from a digital image thereof acquired through an optical system is presented. The image comprises a set of image points corresponding to object points and the position of the object points are determined by means of predetermined vectors associated with the image points. The predetermined vector represents the inverted direction of a light ray in the object space that will produce this image point through the optical system comprising all distortion effects of the optical system. |
| US08396248B2 |
Sequential stereo imaging for estimating trajectory and monitoring target position
A method for determining a position of a target includes obtaining a first image of the target, obtaining a second image of the target, wherein the first and the second images have different image planes and are generated at different times, processing the first and second images to determine whether the target in the first image corresponds spatially with the target in the second image, and determining the position of the target based on a result of the act of processing. Systems and computer products for performing the method are also described. |
| US08396245B2 |
Device and method for visualizing positions on a surface
A device and a method are disclosed for visualizing positions on a surface by means of a marking which is produced by an optically detectable radiation. In order to permit a residue-free marking which can be observed with a camera from partly extremely oblique observation directions, the device has an optical waveguide, which is coupled to a radiation source and whose light output region can be located at a desired position of the surface in order to emit optically detectable radiation at the desired position of the surface through the optical waveguide. As a result, the radiation is emitted at the desired position of the surface in various spatial directions. |
| US08396243B2 |
Earphone
An earphone has a casing that consists of a base housing (12) and a rear housing (10). The base housing and the rear housing enclose the speaker of the earphone and the base housing has an orifice (19) in it so that a wire carrying an audio signal could be provided to the speaker. The base housing is attached to the rear housing using a catch locking mechanism (22, 24). The earphone further includes a ring which fits on the position where the catch lock engages and provides added strength to catch locking mechanism. The earphone is able to withstand a drop from a height of up to 1.8 m with the ring locking mechanism in engaged position on the earphone casing. Furthermore the ring could be easily removed when the earphone requires servicing or repair and reattached for reuse without causing damage to the earphone casing. |
| US08396241B2 |
Reflector structure, sound field adjusting method, columnar reflector structure, room, program, and various acoustic room designing system
There is provided a sound field adjusting method that can provide an acoustic improvement effect tailored to the characteristics of various acoustic rooms, with small differences in reflection properties between sound receiving points. The diameters of a plurality of columnar reflectors are calculated so as to diffuse sound waves of respective different frequency ranges. An arrangement condition is calculated so that the columnar reflectors having the calculated diameters form a plurality of reflecting surfaces that reflect the sound waves of different frequency ranges in random reflection directions, with random reflection time delays, or in random phases. The plurality of columnar reflectors having respective different diameters are then arranged under the arrangement condition. The arrangement condition is calculated to form a reflecting surface for a sound wave of a higher frequency range near a sound source, and form a reflecting surface for a sound wave of a lower frequency range far from the sound source. A sound absorbing structure by using the internal space of the arranged columnar reflectors provides effective countermeasures against low-range standing waves. |
| US08396239B2 |
Optical electro-mechanical hearing devices with combined power and signal architectures
An audio signal transmission device includes a first light source and a second light source configured to emit a first wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light, respectively. The first detector and the second detector are configured to receive the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light, respectively. A transducer electrically coupled to the detectors is configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum or ossicle in response to the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light. The first detector and second detector can be coupled to the transducer with opposite polarity, such that the transducer is configured to move with a first movement in response to the first wavelength and move with a second movement in response to the second wavelength, in which the second movement opposes the first movement. |
| US08396238B2 |
Cable length adjustment in auditory devices
An In-The-Ear (ITE) device is disclosed. This ITE is adapted for connection to a cable from a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) device, the ITE device including a releasable mechanical retention device for the cable, such that the cable may be customized in length and may be attached to the retention device. |
| US08396236B2 |
Method for compensating for a feedback signal, and hearing device
Feedback in a hearing device and, more particularly, in a hearing aid should be compensated for before it becomes audible. To this end, a method is proposed for compensating for a feedback signal in a hearing device with an input-transducer apparatus, a signal-processing apparatus and an output-transducer apparatus, in which method a feedback signal is compensated for, which feedback signal is fed back to the input-transducer apparatus from the output-transducer apparatus or the signal-processing apparatus. More particularly, a probability of having a plurality of notches, equally spaced apart from one another, in the spectrum of an input signal is established, which input signal originates directly from the input-transducer apparatus or which is a difference signal between the signal directly from the input-transducer apparatus and a compensation signal serving for compensation. The compensation is modified or the signal-processing apparatus is amplified as a function of this established probability. |
| US08396235B2 |
Hearing aid with interference compensation and method for configurating the hearing aid
For reducing the influence of interference fields on hearing aids, a hearing aid is provided with an electronic component into which a first and a second electromagnetic disturbance component can be injected by providing a predetermined electromagnetic interference field. The electrical component is formed asymmetric and/or a compensation component is arranged on the electrical component such that the first and the second interference components largely compensate for one another. A compensation plate or an element which is provided in any case, such as a microphone, may be used as the compensation component. If the electrical component is a coil, then its core may, for example, be conical or configured such that its winding density varies. |
| US08396230B2 |
Speech enhancement device and method for the same
A speech enhancement device and a method for the same are included. The device includes a down-converter, a speech enhancement processor, and an up-converter. The method includes steps of down-converting audio signals to generate down-converted audio signals; performing speech enhancement on the down-converted audio signals to generate speech-enhanced audio signals; and up-converting the speech enhancement audio signals to generate up-converted audio signals. |
| US08396222B2 |
Key distribution system
A key distribution system for controlling access to content by rendering devices, comprising an epoch module to provide epochs, each epoch including service key periods, a service key module to provide a batch of service keys, a group module to provide group keys for each epoch such that each rendering device is assigned a group key grouping together the devices having the same group key, thereby defining groups, in different epochs the devices are grouped differently, an encryption module to encrypt, for each epoch, each service key in the batch of service keys, individually with each group key yielding a plurality of group-key-encrypted service keys from each service key, and a delivery module to distribute to the devices, for each one of the epochs, the group-key-encrypted service keys for the batch of service keys and the group keys of the one epoch. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08396220B2 |
System and method of mobile content sharing and delivery in an integrated network environment
A system and method of mobile content sharing and delivery in an integrated network environment, comprising; a first mobile terminal serving as information provider, a home server, and a second mobile terminal serving as information receiver. The information of said first mobile terminal is transmitted to said second mobile terminal through said home server, and that information can be stored in said home server for direct downloading of file by said second mobile terminal in an asynchronous transmission manner; when said first mobile terminal moves and switches to another network environment, said second mobile terminal still can request and download said information through said home server. A double key protection scheme is further provided in safeguarding secure transaction of information. |
| US08396214B2 |
Method and apparatus for centrally managed encrypted partition
A method and apparatus for protecting a remote computer connected through a network to a main computer, by creating a cryptokey on the main computer, supplying the cryptokey to the remote computer and mounting a partition on the remote computer using the cryptokey. The cryptokey is not persistently stored on the remote computer but rather saved in its memory, and the connection of the remote computer to the main computer is periodically tested. Once the remote computer is disconnected, the encrypted partition is unmounted and the cryptokey is erased form the memory, thus disabling access of an attacker to data stored in the encrypted partition. The method incorporates swap partition encryption using a cryptokey created each time during the boot of the remote computer. |
| US08396212B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a key stream
A method of generating a key stream for a precomputed state information table. The method comprises initializing a counter and an accumulator with non-zero values; combining state information identified by the counter with the accumulator; swapping state information identified by the counter with state information identified by the accumulator; combining the two pieces of state information; outputting the state information identified by the combination as a byte of the key stream; adding a predetermined number odd number to the counter; and repeating the above steps to produce each byte of the key stream. |
| US08396210B2 |
Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method, and computer program
A configuration that efficiently executes cryptographic processing to which a plurality of different F-functions are applied is provided. In a configuration that executes cryptographic processing by performing round operations to which different F-functions are selectively applied, a plurality of F-function correspondence tables, each corresponding to one of the F-functions, in which input values and output values or intermediate values are associated with each other are stored in a memory; in accordance with a prescribed cryptographic processing sequence, addresses corresponding to F-functions for the respective rounds are applied to read F-function correspondence tables from the memory; and output values or intermediate values for input values are acquired on the basis of reference to the tables to obtain data transformation results in accordance with the respective F-functions. |
| US08396209B2 |
Mechanism for chained output feedback encryption
In one embodiment, a mechanism for chained output feedback encryption is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a keystream at a block cipher encryption module with inputs of a key and the result of an exclusive-or (XOR) operation on two or more previous keystream outputs, and producing ciphertext by combining the generated keystream with plaintext. |
| US08396207B2 |
Sliding mechanism
The present invention discloses a sliding mechanism including a first board, a second board, a first fixed piece, a frame, a first elastic element and a first sliding element. The second board includes a first slot. The first fixed piece passes through the first slot to be disposed on the first board. The first elastic element is disposed in the frame. When the second board slides a first distance relative to the first board, the first sliding element slides along a first direction to press the first elastic element, so as to make the first elastic element generate a first elastic force. When the second board slides a second distance relative to the first board, the first sliding element slides along a second direction and makes the first elastic element release the first elastic force. It makes the second board slide automatically relative to the first board. |
| US08396206B2 |
Multi-channel communication device and methods for reducing echoes by inserting a training sequence under a spectral mask
Embodiments of a multi-channel audio communication device and methods for reducing echoes are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, echo-reduction circuitry may insert training signals into digital audio signals at or below a noise floor and in a non-audible portion of the frequency spectrum based on a spectral mask. Training signals may be generated from spectrum estimates and training sequences. An adaptive filter may generate echo-cancellation signals using filter coefficients generated fawn the training sequences and return-path signals. The echo cancellation signals may remove echo signals from the return-path signals. |
| US08396203B2 |
Automatic integrated escalation in a unified messaging system
A user is identified based at least in part on a user identification designation associated with an incoming communication. A message recipient is then determined based at least in part on the identified user and one or more address books associated with message recipients by comparing the user identification designation to one or more entries in the one or more recipient databases. The incoming communication is routed to the determined message recipient. Escalation procedures are implemented up to a configured level in the recipient organization based on various criteria. As messages are escalated and deposited in mailboxes associated with the determined message recipients, the determined message recipients are notified of the deposited messages. |
| US08396201B1 |
Asynchronous calls using intermittent callback for delay sensitive applications
A call handling system receives an asynchronous call request, from a call requester, requesting performance of an operation, where the call request includes a delay parameter specified by the call requester. The call handling system performs the requested operation, and sends a callback to the call requester, which includes partial results from performance of the requested operation, at selected intervals determined by the delay parameter. |
| US08396194B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide a telephone system configuration interface
Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box. |
| US08396192B2 |
Desktop recording architecture for recording call sessions over a telephony network
Systems and methods for recording call sessions over a telephony network using a desktop recording architecture are disclosed. An illustrative system for recording call sessions over a telephony network includes one or more user telephone stations equipped with a telephone and computer desktop, and one or more additional record services or record servers. A desktop recording service associated with the computer desktop is configured to operate as either a primary or secondary recording service for recording inbound or outbound calls conducted over the user telephone station. |
| US08396189B2 |
Photoneutron conversion target and photoneutron—X ray source
A photoneutron-x ray source includes a photoneutron conversion target, which outputs both photoneutrons and x-rays simultaneously. The photoneutron-x ray source includes an x-ray generator for generating an x-ray main beam that is applied to the photoneutron conversion target. The photoneutron conversion target generates photoneutrons upon the application of the x-ray main beam to the photoneutron conversion target. The photoneutron conversion target has a body that defines a passageway extending through the body and that is structured such that a first x-ray beam of the x-ray main beam can pass through the passageway without any reaction with the body, while a second x-ray beam of the x-ray main beam can enter the body and react with the body to emit the photoneutrons. |
| US08396188B2 |
X-ray system and method for producing X-ray image data
An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image. |
| US08396185B2 |
Method of fast current modulation in an X-ray tube and apparatus for implementing same
An X-ray tube includes a target and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes a first filament configured to emit a first beam of electrons toward the target, a first gridding electrode coupled to the first filament, a second filament configured to emit a second beam of electrons toward the target, and a second gridding electrode coupled to the second filament. |
| US08396183B2 |
Shift register circuit
A shift register circuit includes plural shift register stages for providing plural gate signals. Each shift register stage includes an input unit, a pull-up unit, a pull-down unit, a control unit and an auxiliary pull-down unit. The input unit is put in use for outputting a driving control voltage according to at least one first input signal. The pull-up unit pulls up a corresponding gate signal according to the driving control voltage and a system clock. The pull-down unit pulls down the corresponding gate signal to a first power voltage according to a control signal. The control unit is utilized for generating the control signal according to the corresponding gate signal. The auxiliary pull-down unit pulls down the driving control voltage to a second power voltage according to a second input signal. |
| US08396174B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method
A receiver for recovering data from Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols. The receiver includes a signalling and guard detector, which includes a correlator comprising a first branch having a first moving averaging filter, which is arranged to form pre-amble average correlated samples by averaging a value of a plurality of pre-amble correlated samples within a moving window, the plurality of samples averaged within the moving window corresponding to a temporal length of the post-amble (Tb), a second branch having a second moving averaging filter, which forms post-amble average correlated samples by averaging a value of a plurality of post-amble correlated samples within a moving window, the plurality of samples averaged within the moving window corresponding to a temporal length of the pre-amble (Tc), a combiner, which combines the averaged pre-amble correlated samples and the averaged post-amble correlated samples to form output correlation samples. |
| US08396173B2 |
I/Q calibration techniques
A receiver includes a static I/Q calibration block and a correlation/integration block. The static I/Q calibration block is configured to substantially eliminate mismatches between in-phase and quadrature components of a portion of the spectrum having associated I/Q mismatches that are relatively frequency-independent. The correlation/integration block is configured to substantially eliminate mismatches between the in-phase and quadrature components of portions of the spectrum having associated I/Q mismatches that are relatively frequency-dependent in accordance with a pair of signals generated by the static I/C calibration block. |
| US08396172B2 |
Method and device for correlating a signal, in particular an ultra wideband signal
The waveform of the signal varies according to the distance at which the signal was emitted, and several correlation signals are defined and correspond respectively to at least part of several sampled waveforms of the signal respectively emitted at several distances of different values so that the sum of the maxima of intercorrelations performed respectively between the various correlation signals and the various sampled waveforms is substantially constant over an interval including all the values of the distances. The correlation processing includes several elementary correlation processings respectively performed with the correlation signals and each delivering initial correlation values, as well as a summation of the homologous initial correlation values respectively delivered by the elementary correlation processings so as to obtain the correlation values. |
| US08396171B2 |
Data receiver circuit
A data receiver circuit includes: a clock/data recovery circuit to recover a clock and data from a received signal; a fixed pattern generation circuit to generate fixed pattern data; a first selection circuit to select and output one of the fixed pattern data generated by the fixed pattern generation circuit and recovered data recovered by the clock/data recovery circuit; a second selection circuit to select and output one of a reference clock and recovered clock recovered by the clock/data recovery circuit; and a switching circuit to make the first selection circuit output the fixed pattern data and to make the second selection circuit output the reference clock, when an input signal is lost or the clock/data recovery circuit is in a loss-of-lock state. |
| US08396166B2 |
Detection of signals containing sine-wave components through measurement of the power spectral density (PSD) and cyclic spectrum
A Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) receiver comprises a transceiver for communicating with a wireless network over one of a number of channels, and a signal detector for use in forming a supported channel list comprising those ones of the number of channels upon which an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) DTV (digital television) broadcast signal was not detected. The signal detector performs spectrum sensing as a function of power spectral density (PSD) and cyclic spectrum. |
| US08396164B2 |
Receiving device including impedance control circuit and semiconductor device including impedance control circuit
A receiving device includes a receiving circuit and an impedance control circuit. The receiving circuit receives a signal transmitted through a communication line. The impedance control circuit is coupled with the receiving circuit and has a detecting part. The detecting part detects a physical value of the signal and the physical value includes at least one of a voltage, an electric current, and an electric power. The impedance control circuit changes an input impedance based on the detected value so that a ringing of the signal is reduced. |
| US08396160B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting signals
Disclosed herein is a method for transmitting signals in a wireless communication system, including joint coding one or more signals, separating the joint coded signal by a number of a plurality of channel aggregation used for transmission, respectively allocating the separated signals to the plurality of the channel aggregation, and transmitting the signals, such that a receiver smoothly performs decoding. |
| US08396157B2 |
Probability based MIMO mode selection and switching system and method for wireless systems
In an embodiment, a method for determining a MIMO mode for a wireless communication system includes providing input parameters, an electronic device determining a probability of each MIMO mode being a dominant MIMO mode; and selecting the MIMO mode based on the determining. |
| US08396154B2 |
Minimum mean squared error approach to interference cancellation and maximum likelihood decoding of space-time block codes
Block-encoded transmissions of a multi-antenna terminal unit are effectively detected in the presence of co-channel interfering transmissions when the base station has a plurality of antennas, and interference cancellation is combined with maximum likelihood decoding. More specifically, the signals received at the base station antennas are combined in a linear combination that relates to the channel coefficients between the various transmitting terminal units and the base antennas. By selecting proper coefficients for the linear combination and choosing probable transmitted signals that minimize a minimum mean squared error function, the signals of the various terminal units are canceled when detecting the signal of a particular unit. In another embodiment of the invention, the basic approach is used to obtain an initial estimate of the signals transmitted by one terminal unit, and the contribution of those signals is removed from the received signals prior to detecting the signals of other terminal units. In still another embodiment, the decoding process is repeated at least twice by detecting the signals of the terminal units in a different order, and selecting the detections that produce the lowest uncertainty measure. The disclosed techniques are viable for any number K of terminal units transmitting concurrently over a given channel, where each terminal unit is using a space-time block code with N transmit antennas, and a base station has at least K receive antennas. |
| US08396152B2 |
Feedback channel design for multiple-input multiple-output communication systems
A data-optimized communication system provides support for legacy access terminals, such as access terminals operating under the 1xEV-DO standard. The system also supports multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications with access terminals configured to support MIMO. A number of MIMO spatial signatures are predefined or negotiated. MIMO rank and an identifier of the spatial signature determined at the MIMO access terminal are sent on the I-Branch and Q-Branch of the existing 1xEV-DO structure. In one embodiment, 1-bit rank and 3-bit spatial signature are transmitted through the I-Branch as a 4-bit symbol, replacing the data rate control (DRC) channel. In another embodiment, a 4-bit spatial signature is transmitted through the I-Branch, also replacing the DRC channel. A 2-bit rank is transmitted together with a 4-bit DRC channel through the Q-Branch. The 2-bit rank and the DRC channel can be distinguished because they are sent using different orthogonal codeword Walsh covers. |
| US08396150B2 |
Tone count selection
A tone selection module selects tones suitable for use in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) data transmission device based on several constraints. These constraints include number of available tones, modulation type, and code rate. The OFDM device may use either wired or wireless transmission. |
| US08396149B1 |
Adaptive signal decompression
The adverse effects of RF and baseband circuits are mitigated using a post-compensation method wherein a transfer function that would un-distort or complement a distorted waveform is parameterized to a relatively small number of degrees of freedom; and the parameters are estimated in a feedback loop. The error function of the feedback loop is generated by comparing some relatively low-order statistics that are known a priori or can be computed with relative certainty from the decided output waveform—to the statistics of the corrected signal. |
| US08396147B2 |
MIMO transmitter for transmitting a group of sequential OFDM symbols using a plurality of antennas
A MIMO transmitter and method for transmitting a group of sequential OFDM symbols on a downlink channel using a plurality of antennas is disclosed herein. Groups of OFDM subcarriers are individually modulated in accordance with spatial-frequency subcarrier modulation assignments to generate groups of symbol-modulated subcarriers, corresponding symbol-modulated subcarriers are combined for transmission on each of a plurality of spatial channels, and beamforming is performed on the combined symbol-modulated subcarriers for transmission over the spatial channels. The channel comprises a plurality of the groups of the OFDM subcarriers and the OFDM subcarriers within each group of subcarriers and within each group of sequential OFDM symbols have the same spatial-frequency subcarrier modulation assignments. The spatial-frequency subcarrier modulation assignments for each group are determined based on feedback by a receiver, which is determined from spatial channel characteristics of the spatial channels. |
| US08396143B2 |
Apparatus and method for pilot transmission in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for pilot transmission in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes generating a precode and a postcode for coordinated beamforming using channel information of one or more streams for transmitting signals to one or more receive ends, selecting one or more streams to be allocated pilots, updating the precode according to a reference point for representing an effective channel of non-selected streams orthogonal to an effective channel of the selected streams, and precoding signals transmitted through the streams. |
| US08396140B2 |
Method, system, and device for power optimization based on digital subscriber line
A method, system, and device for power optimization based on Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) are provided. The method includes the following steps. Service information of a subscriber is collected, and physical layer target parameters are obtained according to Quality of Experience (QoE) parameters corresponding to the service information. Line running information of the subscriber is received. The physical layer target parameters and the line running information are used as input parameters of a power optimization algorithm, and an optimized power spectrum is obtained through the power optimization algorithm. Therefore, a DSL network is optimized according to the QoE, and subscriber's experience is improved. Moreover, a least power method is adopted to optimize a transmit power spectrum, and the total power consumption and crosstalk between different DSL signals are reduced while meeting the QoE, so that the signal transmission of the system is stable, and the service transmission quality is improved. |
| US08396135B2 |
Video coding method and device
A video coding method, comprising the following steps: a) successive images (F) of a video sequence are coded to generate coding parameters, b) the coding parameters are included in an output stream (Φ) to be transmitted to a station (B) including a decoder (2), c) back channel information on reconstruction of the images of the video sequence by the decoder is received from said station, d) the back channel information is analyzed in order: d1) to identify a reconstructed image that includes a portion that has been lost in the decoder, d2) to identify in the subsequent coded images between said reconstructed image and a current image to be coded an image portion that refers to said lost portion identified in the step d1), e) said current image of the video sequence is coded in a coding mode that is a function of the identification or non-identification of a lost portion in the step d). |
| US08396133B2 |
Synchronizing video frames without hardware timestamps
A system and method for decoding multimedia video is described. Particularly, a system and method for determining the time of arrival of packets, without a hardware interface, is disclosed. As described herein, the time of arrival for each packet may be derived by extrapolating information from the arrival of a frame boundary and the specifications of the transmission standard. This permits the calculation of drift between the encoder and decoder clocks and consequently the more accurate decoding of the transmission. |
| US08396128B2 |
Method of deriving a motion vector of a bi-predictive block based on a motion vector of a co-located block in a reference picture
In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a list 0 motion vector of the co-located block in a first reference picture as the motion vector if the co-located block has the list 0 motion vector and a list 1 motion vector. The first reference picture is a type of reference picture permitted to be located temporally before or after the current picture. The method further includes selecting the list 1 motion vector of the co-located block in the first reference picture if the co-located block only has the list 1 motion vector, and deriving at least one motion vector of the bi-predictive block by applying a bit operation to the selected motion vector. The bit operation includes 8 bits right shift. |
| US08396124B2 |
Method of predicting motion and texture data
A method for generating for at least one block of pixels of a picture of a sequence of interlaced pictures at least one motion predictor and at least one texture predictor from motion data, respectively texture data, associated with the pictures of a sequence of low resolution progressive pictures is disclosed. |
| US08396119B1 |
Data sample compression and decompression using randomized quantization bins
A method for compressing data samples using randomized quantization bins is disclosed. The method generally comprises steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may generate a size signal having a quantization step size corresponding to the data samples in an input signal using a compression circuit. The data samples generally reside in a range of numbers. Step (B) may generate the randomized quantization bins in the range based on a pseudorandom process. Step (C) may generate a plurality of quantized samples in a compressed signal by quantizing the data samples based on the randomized quantization bins. |
| US08396115B2 |
Video encoding method, video decoding method, video encoding apparatus, video decoding apparatus, video encoding program, and video decoding program
A video processing system is provided with video encoding apparatus 1 and video decoding apparatus 2. The encoding apparatus 1 outputs a maximum delay time that is incurred by backward prediction, in addition to encoded data D1 resulting from encoding of video data D0. The decoding apparatus 2 effects input of the maximum delay time that is incurred by backward prediction, in addition to encoded data D1 from the encoding apparatus 1. Then the decoding apparatus 2 decodes the encoded data D1 with reference to the input maximum delay time to generate motion video data D2. |
| US08396098B2 |
Digital protective relay device and data transmission device for the same
Provided is a high-precision and highly functional digital protective relay device and a data transmission device for a digital protective relay device, by enabling transmission of large amounts of system electrical quantity data. The data transmission device for a digital protective relay device, the transmission device comprising: an analog/digital conversion portion 6, which, after sampling a system electrical quantity signal acquired from an electric power system at m times the fundamental frequency f0 (m>12) thereof, performs conversion into n-bit digital data (n>12); a data processing portion 7, which converts m sampling data of n bits with frequency m·f0, obtained by the analog/digital conversion portion, into k sampling data with frequency k·f0 (k≦m) at or below the former frequency; and a transmitting portion 8, which transmits k sampling data obtained by the data processing portion to another protective relay device in a prescribed transmission format. |
| US08396097B1 |
IIR sliding window integrator and search engine delay component for reducing the preamble size of a discovery burst
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device includes: a first frequency search engine configured to receive input values and determine a frequency of a signal to be within a first frequency band; a second delay component configured to store at least a portion of the plurality of input values; and a second frequency search engine configured to determine the frequency of the signal to be within a second band that is a subset of the first band. The first frequency search engine includes: a shift register configured to store bits of the input values; a combining circuit configured to combine bits of the plurality of input values; a first delay component configured to serially store a plurality of accumulator values; and a feedback circuit configured to add a function of the first delay component output to a next accumulator value to obtain a modified next accumulator value. |
| US08396096B2 |
Communication receiver with multiplexing of received signal, for receive space diversity
A communication receiver implements receive space diversity to combine or select signals received from a same source on at least two spatially separated antennas in which the signals may vary in their fading characteristics at a given time. The receiver includes a RF processing module for down-converting and multiplexing the signals and a baseband processing module for converting the signals into digital signals, generating code sequences, producing despreaded and demultiplexed in-phase signals, and retrieving data initially contained within the received signals. |
| US08396089B2 |
Device and method for improved settling time in multiplexed input systems
An acquisition device and corresponding method for operating the acquisition system are provided. Generally, during operation a plurality of input signals are filtered and multiplexed. The multiplexed input signals are then applied to an amplifier stage; however, when a clamping condition for the amplifier stage occurs, a buffer is switched into a signal path between a multiplexer and an amplifier stage so as to generally reduce the current draw on the input filters. |
| US08396088B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed. The method of processing data of a transmitting system includes generating signaling information including service-related transmission parameters of mobile service data, packetizing the generated signaling information to a predetermined data packet format, primarily multiplexing the packetized signaling information and a mobile service data packet including the mobile service data, and secondarily multiplexing the primarily multiplexed data packets and a main service data packet including main service data, thereby transmitting the secondarily multiplexed data packets to at least one transmitter located in a remote site. |
| US08396085B2 |
Feedforward synchronization in asynchronous packet networks
To perform timing synchronization in an asynchronous packet network, remote timestamps representative of a transmitter clock at a transmitter are received over a packet network. These are compared with local timestamps representative of the timing of a local oscillator at the receiver to produce an estimate of the offset between the transmitter clock and the local oscillator at the receiver. This estimate is then used to generate update values for a digital controlled oscillator producing the output clock at the receiver. The system operates in a feedforward configuration wherein the local oscillator at the receiver serves as one input to the offset estimator. |
| US08396084B2 |
Point-to-multipoint data communications with channel associated signaling
Systems and methods for point-to-multipoint communications with CAS are provided. In one embodiment, a line unit comprises: an interface to communicate with a node using a first frame structure comprising timeslots, the frame structure transporting signaling bits in an x'th timeslot; the unit coupled another line unit via a communication link, wherein the other unit communicates with another network node using a second frame structure comprising timeslots, the second frame structure transporting signaling bits via its x'th timeslot. Payload timeslots for a first frame received from the other line unit are mapped from the second frame structure to payload timeslots of a second frame using the first frame structure and transmitted via the interface. The x'th timeslot for each of the first and second frame structures are formatted in a multiframe structure comprising a schedule of signaling bit locations allocated to signaling bits corresponding to a designated payload timeslot. |
| US08396083B2 |
Determinative segmentation resegmentation and padding in radio link control (RLC) service data units (SDU)
A transmission entity (e.g., user equipment (UE)) is expected to reduce the segmentation of Radio Link Control (RLC) Service Data Units (SDUs) while also minimizing padding. Signaling or provisioning of a constraint value such as a maximum padding amount or minimum segmentation size is employed in a determinative way in the UE to balance these objectives. A receiving entity (e.g., evolved base node (eNB)) benefits from being able to signal these parameters, whose application to RLC instances can discriminate between data and signaling radio bearers. Compliance can also be voluntary, such as the network entity employing at least a portion of the same approach on the downlink. |
| US08396082B2 |
Time-interleaved simulcast for tune-in reduction
A system and method for providing faster tuning into a chosen program in a time-sliced multicast and/or broadcast transmission environment. Multimedia data of the same source material but of different transmission and presentation characteristics are coded and compressed. According to various embodiments, simulcast streams of a program are time-sliced, placed maximally apart from each other in terms of transmission time, and sent over the channel. |
| US08396079B2 |
Communication units operating with various bandwidths
A communication unit and wireless network operating at various bandwidths is disclosed. A signal having a first signal portion at a first bandwidth containing an indication of an operating bandwidth selected from a plurality of bandwidths used for a further signal portion is provided. |
| US08396065B1 |
Packet reflection identification in CPE devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus can be used to filter packet reflections. In various implementations, packets received on a subscriber side of a device having a source address identifying a service provider device can be dropped. In other implementations, portions of packets forwarded to a subscriber side of a device can be cached and compared to portions of packets received on a subscriber side of the device. |
| US08396061B2 |
Apparatus and system for coupling and decoupling initiator devices to a network without disrupting the network
The present invention enables the coupling and decoupling of multiple processing devices to a network without disrupting the network. In an embodiment, the invention provides a switch having a network port and several initiator ports each configured for coupling to a processing device. The switch is configured to route data from the network port to the initiator ports and from the initiator ports to the network port. A management agent facilitates operation of the switch by processing port initializations, replying to device registration requests, and processing predetermined unsolicited discovery commands. During operation, the management agent enables configuration changes caused, for example, by the coupling and/or decoupling of processing device to initiator ports. Each processing device coupled to one of the initiator ports operates without knowledge of the management agent, as if coupled directly to the network. |
| US08396054B2 |
Systems and methods to facilitate searches of communication references
Methods and apparatuses to facilitate searches of communication references for real time communication connections. One embodiment includes: one or more web servers to assign a communication reference to an advisor for distribution by the advisor in one or more documents, to associate at least one keyword with the communication reference, to receive from the advisor a bid price on the keyword associated with the communication reference, and to present the communication reference selected based at least in part on the bid price in response to a search related to the keyword; a session border controller to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers to determine contact information of the advisor based on the communication reference used by a customer to request a communication connection to the advisor, and to connect the customer to the advisor for real time communications using the determined contact information. |
| US08396052B1 |
Apparatus and method for synchronous and asynchronous switching of internet protocol traffic
A hybrid telecommunications switch includes circuit and packet switch fabrics, and a controller. The controller is configured to map IP traffic into ATM service categories, to separate incoming IP from circuit switched traffic and to provide access, through a connection admission control (CAC) protocol to a circuit switched fabric for IP traffic. Real-time traffic, such as voice traffic, may be separated from non-real-time traffic, such as Internet email traffic. Once separated, the real time traffic may be switched through a circuit switch fabric and the non-real-time traffic maybe switched through a packet switch fabric. IP traffic, such as that mapped into CBR and rt-VBR ATM service categories may aggregated “on-the-fly”, that is, without pre-provisioning, and switched through the hybrid switch's circuit switch fabric. IP traffic mapped into other ATM service categories is routed through a packet switch fabric. |
| US08396051B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data are disclosed. The digital broadcasting system includes a transmitting system and a receiving system. The transmitting system comprises a distributed transmission adapter and a plurality of transmitters each being operated as a slave of the distributed transmission adapter, and each sharing the same frequency and transmitting the same signals. |
| US08396050B2 |
Techniques for femto cell synchronization in wireless networks
Techniques are disclosed that provide for femto base stations to become synchronized with other base stations in a wireless network. For instance, a macro base station may instruct a mobile station to engage in a synchronization operation that synchronizes one or more timings (e.g., OFDM timings) of a femto base station with one or more corresponding timings of the macro base station. This may involve the mobile station having timing references of the macro base station. Further, this may involve the mobile station performing scanning operations and/or handover ranging operations with the femto base station. The mobile device may determine timing offsets between the femto BS and the macro BS. These offsets may be sent to the macro base station or to the femto base station. Also, the femto base station may adopt timings employed by the mobile station. The macro base station or a femto base station may direct a femto base station to achieve synchronization either directly with timing adjustment offset, or with a list of already synchronized femto base station as synchronization reference. |
| US08396037B2 |
Method for synchronizing PDCP operations after RRC connection re-establishment in a wireless communication system and related apparatus thereof
A method used in an E-UTRAN for synchronizing PDCP operations after a RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes: initiating an RRC reconfiguration procedure to resume all radio bearers other than a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) when an RRC connection is re-established; re-transmitting a designated group of PDCP Service Data Units (SDUs) to the UE when a data radio bearer (DRB) mapped on Radio Link Control (RLC) Acknowledged Mode (AM) is resumed. |
| US08396035B2 |
System and method for communications using time-frequency space enabled coordinated beam switching
A system and method for communications using time-frequency space enabled coordinated beam switching are provided. A method for transmitting information includes selecting a beam from a set of beams, determining a set of users out of a plurality of users, the set of users preferring the selected beam and for each user in the set of users, selecting a first available subframe-subband pair that maximizes the user's channel quality. The method also includes scheduling the selected subframe-subband pairs, and transmitting information related to the scheduled subframe-subband pairs to the users in the set of users. |
| US08396033B2 |
Method and apparatus for forward link rate scheduling
In a communication system capable of variable rate transmission, scheduling of high speed data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay in data communication. Each remote station is assigned one primary code channel for the duration of the communication with a cell. Secondary code channels of various types and transmission capabilities can be assigned by a channel scheduler for scheduled transmission of data traffic at high rates. Secondary code channels are assigned in accordance with a set of system goals, a list of parameters, and collected information on the status of the communication network. Secondary code channels can be grouped into sets of secondary code channels. Data is partitioned in data frames and transmitted over the primary and secondary code channels which have been assigned to the scheduled user. |
| US08396025B2 |
Method of operating active scanning to configure mesh network
A method of operating active scanning to configure a mesh network includes receiving a probe request frame from a mesh point (MP), the probe request frame comprising a Mesh Identifier (ID) information element, and transmitting a probe response frame to the MP when a Mesh ID in the Mesh ID information element is a wildcard Mesh ID or a specific Mesh ID. |
| US08396024B2 |
Cooperative communications using multiple access points to improve data integrity
A method (300, 400, 500, 600) of communicating with a subscriber station (102). Responsive to determining that a supplemental communication link with the subscriber station is desirable, at least a second access point (106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116) can be identified to establish the supplemental communication link with the subscriber station. Information can be communicated to the second access point. The information can identify the subscriber station and a pilot zone in which downlink supplemental data is to be transmitted from the second access point to the subscriber station. Downlink supplemental data (150) also can be communicated to the second access point. The downlink supplemental data can improve integrity of data transmitted from a first access point (104) to the subscriber station when the downlink supplemental data is transmitted to the subscriber station from the second access point. |
| US08396020B2 |
Point-to-multipoint service communication
Among a plurality of point-to-multipoint control channels provided by a cell, a particular point-to-multipoint control channel is selected according to a preferred way of receiving the point-to-multipoint service. Control information related to the point-to-multipoint service is received through the selected point-to-multipoint control channel, and then the point-to-multipoint service is received according to the control information. |
| US08396018B2 |
System and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video having beacon design
A system and method for efficiently communicating messages over a low-rate channel between multiple devices in a system for wireless communication of uncompressed video is disclosed. The method includes various control bits in a beacon control field of a beacon frame to improve the efficiency of the beacon processing, thereby reducing beacon processing time and size of the beacon frame itself. The transmitting device can use one or more of the various control bits to indicate whether there are changes in various MAC payload information fields. The receiving station can use one or more of the control bits to eliminate the need to parse one or more MAC payload information fields whose values have not changed from the previous beacon frame. |
| US08396017B2 |
Apparatus and method for filtering broadcast message
An apparatus and a method for filtering a broadcast message in a wireless network access equipment is discussed. The method includes searching for a registered communication terminal that should respond to a received broadcast message; checking whether the received broadcast message forwarding to the searched communication terminal requires a response; and transmitting a response instead to the communication terminal when the received broadcast message requires a response. |
| US08396013B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting half-duplex terminals in an asynchronous mode
Systems and methodologies are described that provide support for signal acquisition in wireless communication systems that utilize half-duplex communication in the presence of asynchronous sectors. Forward link and reverse link superframes can be structured such that a given frame position in a superframe alternates between forward link communication and reverse link communication for a particular half-duplex interlace. More particularly, an odd number of frames can be grouped into respective forward link and reverse link superframes, from which frames can be assigned to a first half-duplex interlace and a second half-duplex interlace in an alternating fashion. By varying the communication link used by a half-duplex interlace at a given frame location, terminals operating on a single half-duplex interlace can detect asynchronously operating sectors irrespective of the transmission timeline of such sectors. |
| US08396004B2 |
Video share model-based video fixing
Systems and methods for model-based video fixing are disclosed. A video can be retrieved and analyzed to determine if any portion of the video can be represented by a model. If a portion that can be modeled is identified, a model that approximates the portion can be specified, the portion can be removed from the video, and instructions for modeling the video can be formatted. The video and the instructions can be transmitted to a receiving device, which can synthesize the model and the received video to generate a model-based video. Systems for providing the model-based video fixing are also disclosed. |
| US08396002B2 |
Apparatus and methods for communicating with a call group
The disclosed embodiments provide apparatus and methods for establishing a group communications session with selected ones of a plurality of communications devices that define a call group. The apparatus includes a dispatch module operable to receive event information and communication device information associated with each of the plurality of communications devices. The dispatch module is further operable to define the members of the call group based on a predetermined relationship between their respective device information and the event information. Additional embodiments include apparatus and methods for dispatching event information to such an ad hoc call group. |
| US08396000B2 |
Revenue assurances proactive testing method and system
A computer readable storage medium stores a set of instructions executable by a processor. The set of instructions is operable to receive an image of a switch in a communications network, the image being a representation of an internal logic of the switch; simulate a plurality of communication sessions using the image; generate a plurality of simulated communication session records corresponding to the plurality of simulated communication sessions; and evaluate a performance of the switch by comparing the plurality of simulated communication session records to a set of expected communication session records, the expected set of communication set of records corresponding to the set of simulated communication sessions. |
| US08395999B2 |
Real-time detection of failed inter-node link in network
A method is disclosed of detecting a failed link in a network over which nodes are interconnected via links. The nodes include an observer node and a managed node. This method, implemented for the observer node, includes: determining, for each of prefixes in receive route-update messages, a single normal-state path; determining, for each of the links (i.e., monitored links) on the normal-state path for the managed node, at least one prefix advertised from one of the nodes which is located adjacent to the each link on an upstream side, as at least one monitored prefix; determining whether the path contained in each route-update message, and the normal-state path for the monitored prefix contained in the each route-update message are unmatched with each other; counting, for each monitored link, an unmatched-prefix count which refers to a count of at least one unmatched prefix of the at least one monitored prefix for each monitored link; and extracting at least one link from the monitored links, as at least one failed link, based on the unmatched-prefix count. |
| US08395997B2 |
Multi-channel wireless communications
Systems and techniques relating to wireless communications are described. A described technique includes monitoring wireless communication channels, including a first channel and a second channel, to produce a monitoring output, determining a first transmission period for the first channel, determining a second transmission period for the second channel, transmitting, based on the first transmission period, a first packet on the first channel to cause one or more wireless communication devices to set a transmission protection period for the first channel and the second channel based on a reception of the first packet, transmitting, based on the second transmission period, a second packet on the second channel, and monitoring, after the end of the first transmission period, for one or more acknowledgements. An end of the second transmission period can be aligned with an end of the first transmission period. |
| US08395995B2 |
Signal pattern generation apparatus, signal pattern generation method, program for making computer system execute the signal pattern generation method, computer-readable storage medium on which the program is stored, network endurance testing system, and network endurance testing method
[Object]To generate a signal pattern generation apparatus capable of performing suitable processing even when an abrupt increase in the number of accesses occurs while the number of accesses is large, having an adequate long-tail characteristic, and capable of providing adequate fractality with respect to a plurality of ranges with respect to time and providing a suitable short-range distribution characteristic.[Solution]A signal pattern generation apparatus of the present invention is constituted by a root signal generation section 12 which generates a root signal of a long-tail distribution having positivity, a statistical self-similarity signal generation section SSSSG which generates a statistical self-similarity signal based on wavelet analysis from the root signal, a general-filter section 20 which decomposes the statistical self-similarity signal into at least two intermediate patterns, a coefficient acquisition section 22 which obtains coefficients for the two intermediate patterns, and a resynthesis section 24 which generates a resynthesized pattern from the two intermediate patterns and the obtained coefficients. |
| US08395994B2 |
System and method for adaptive call management
A system for adaptive call management, comprising a network-connected call manager server and a call switching means coupled to the call manager server and adapted to deliver calls to a selected target via a plurality of media channels, wherein upon receipt of a call quality indicium from a call quality monitoring means associated a media channel, the call manager server selects a specific media channel, is disclosed. |
| US08395991B2 |
Non-scalable to scalable video converter
Systems and methods are for implementing a NSV2SV converter that converts a non-scalable video signal to a scalable video signal. In an implementation, a non-scalable video signal encoded in H.264/AVC standard is decoded and segmented into spatial data and motion data. The spatial data is resized into a desired resolution by down-sampling the spatial data. The motion data is also resized in every layer, except in the top layer, of a scalable video coding (SVC) encoder by using an appropriate measure. Further, the motion data is refined based on the resized spatial data in every layer of the SVC encoder. The refined motion data and the down-sampled spatial data are then transformed and entropy encoded in the SVC standard in every layer. The SVC encoded output from every layer is multiplexed to produce a scalable video signal. |
| US08395989B2 |
Method and system for network backbone analysis
A method and system of an embodiment may include receiving network path information identifying one or more network paths, receiving network traffic information specifying a network ingress and a network egress for the network traffic on a first network path of the one or more identified network paths and the network traffic information specifying one or more attributes of the network traffic, emulating failure of one or more components of the first network path, determining a second network path between the specified network ingress and the specified network egress to accommodate the network traffic from the first network path, and providing information associated with the second network path. |
| US08395984B2 |
Multilevel data structure
A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis. |
| US08395979B2 |
Recording device and APC correction method
A recording device includes a light irradiation portion which irradiates an optical recording medium with laser light emitted from a light source via a field lens, a light emission drive portion which drives and causes the light source to emit light, a front monitor which receives the laser light emitted from the light source, a light receiving portion which receives reflected light which is obtained from the optical recording medium in response to the laser light irradiation, a focus servo control portion which controls a focus servo of the field lens on the basis of a light receiving signal by the light receiving portion, a surface jump controller which controls the focus servo control portion so as to perform a focus jump operation to a surface of the optical recording medium, and a surface APC corrector which performs a process as an auto power control (APC) correction process. |
| US08395977B1 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating write strategy
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for power calibration. The method includes writing, using a power configuration, a second pattern over a first pattern on a rewritable storage medium. The first pattern includes at least a first symbol and a second symbol while the second pattern does not include the second symbol. Thus, the second symbol in the first pattern is erased according to the power configuration. Then, the method includes reading the rewritable storage medium to measure remaining amplitude of the second symbol in the first pattern. |
| US08395976B2 |
Optical disc apparatus, position control method and optical pickup
An optical disc apparatus can make the focus of an information light beam converged by an objective lens agree with a target track of a target mark layer of an optical disc by appropriately predefining the distance between the focus of a servo light beam and that of the information light beam with regard to the direction of the thickness and a radial direction of the optical disc by means of the optical pickup of the apparatus and then operating for focus control and tracking control of the objective lens so as to make focus of the servo light beam converged by the objective lens agree with a reference track of a reference mark layer. |
| US08395974B1 |
Thermally assisted magnetic recording head
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head of the present invention includes waveguide 2 that includes core 3 through which light from a laser beam source propagates and cladding 4 that surrounds the periphery of the core 3, magnetic pole 10 that generates magnetic flux toward magnetic recording medium 25, plasmon generator 16 that faces a part of the core 3 and extends to the ABS, that couples to propagation light that propagates through the core 3 in a surface plasmon mode, and that generates surface plasmon, near-field light generating part 16a that is an end part of the plasmon generator on the ABS side and that generates near-field light from the surface plasmon, heat generation element 20 that thermally expands the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, and dielectric body 40 that covers at least a part of the plasmon generator positioned on the ABS. |
| US08395964B2 |
Row address decoder and semiconductor memory device having the same
A row address decoder includes a first main word line decoding unit decoding first and second row addresses to generate first to fourth main decoding signals. When a data storage test is performed, the first to fourth main decoding signals are enabled at first to fourth timings, respectively. The row address decoder also includes a second main word line decoding unit decoding third and fourth row addresses to generate fifth to eighth main decoding signals. When a data storage test is performed, the fifth to eight to main decoding signals are enabled at first to fourth timings, respectively. A main word line enable signal generating unit decodes the first to fourth main decoding signals and the fifth to eighth main decoding signals to generate first to sixteenth main word line enable signals that are enabled at different times. |
| US08395963B2 |
Data security for dynamic random access memory at power-up
A circuit and method erase at power-up all data stored in a DRAM chip for increased data security. All the DRAM memory cells are erased by turning on the transistors for the DRAM storage cells simultaneously by driving the wordlines of all the cells to an activated state. With all the devices turned on, the data stored in the memory cells is erased as the voltage of all the cells connected to a common bitline coalesce to a single value. In a preferred embodiment, the wordlines are all turned on simultaneously during a power on reset period. Preferably a power on reset signal is used to drive each logic gate of the pre-decoder portion of the address decoder in order to assert all the wordlines. |
| US08395955B2 |
Semiconductor memory interface device with a noise cancellation circuit having a phase and gain adjustment circuitry
A memory interface circuit is provided, comprising: a first signal output circuit configured to output a first signal via a first signal line to a first I/O terminal; a second signal output circuit configured to output a second signal via a second signal line to a second I/O terminal; and a noise cancellation circuit having at least one phase adjusting element and at least one gain adjusting element to reduce a noise signal induced on the second signal line due to the presence of the first signal on the first signal line, wherein the second signal line is disposed adjacent to the first signal line. |
| US08395954B2 |
Leakage and NBTI reduction technique for memory
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a logic circuit and a memory circuit that includes multiple bit lines and bit line precharge circuits. The memory circuit may include level shifters for control signals generated from logic circuit inputs, including one or more level shifters that generate precharge enable signals to control the bit line precharge circuits. The level shifters for the bit line precharge circuits may also be controlled, during periods of time that the memory circuit is idle, by a control signal (FloatBL herein). If the FloatBL signal is asserted, the bit line precharge circuits may be disabled. In some embodiments, the FloatBL signal may also disable bit line bit line hold circuits on the bit lines. In some embodiments, when the memory circuit is exiting an idle state, the bit line precharge circuits may be enabled in a staggered fashion. |
| US08395953B2 |
Bit-line sense amplifier, semiconductor memory device having the same, and method of testing bit-line micro-bridge defect
The bit-line sense amplifier includes a driving-voltage control circuit and an amplifier. The driving-voltage control circuit generates a first test driving voltage having a voltage level of a pre-charge voltage, a second test driving voltage having a voltage level of a pre-charge voltage added by a voltage difference between a bit-line and a complementary bit-line, and a third test driving voltage having a voltage level of a pre-charge voltage subtracted by the voltage difference in a test mode. The amplifier senses and amplifies a voltage difference between the bit-line and the complementary bit-line. |
| US08395951B2 |
Memory controller
A memory component having a first and second interface. The first interface is provided to sample address information in response to a first clock signal. The first interface includes inputs to sample at least two bits of the address information in succession during a clock cycle of the first clock signal. The second interface is provided to sample data in response to a second clock signal, having a frequency that is at least twice the frequency of the first clock signal. The second interface includes inputs to sample at least two bits of data in succession during a clock cycle of the second clock signal. |
| US08395949B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method for controlling the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a current difference sense type of a sense amplifier including: an input line connected to memory cells as a target to be read, a reference line connected to reference cells, and a first pre-charge circuit configured to pre-charge the input line and the reference line; a second pre-charge circuit configured to perform pre-charging of the input line and pre-charging of the reference line; and a control circuit configured to control the second pre-charge circuit so that the second pre-charge circuit may perform both the pre-charging of the input line and the pre-charging of the reference line independently of each other, and start both the pre-charging of the input line and the pre-charging of the reference line earlier than pre-charging by the first pre-charge circuit. |
| US08395947B2 |
Increased DRAM-array throughput using inactive bitlines
A memory device with increased communication bandwidth is described. In this memory device, control logic routes data signals from a memory array using inactive bitlines in response to a read command. These data signals are then placed on an adjacent unused input/output (I/O) line or routing channel, as opposed to a proximate I/O line that is in use. For example, unused bitlines located on the top and bottom of the memory array may be used to route data signals to adjacent local I/O lines. In particular, the data signals can be placed on unused local I/O lines which are associated with adjacent bitline sense amplifiers. The resulting increased communication bandwidth can overcome the constraints imposed by the limited number of local I/O lines in the memory device without appreciably increasing the chip size, power consumption, or cost. |
| US08395946B2 |
Data access apparatus and associated method for accessing data using internally generated clocks
The data access apparatus comprises a phase locked loop (PLL) and a data receiving circuit. The PLL provides a plurality of internal clocks and selecting a strobe clock from the plurality of internal clocks according to a phase selection signal. The data receiving circuit comprises a latching module, for latching of the data signal according to trigger of the strobe clock and a calibrating circuit, for generating the phase selection signal for matching the data with a predetermined data according to the plurality of internal clocks in a training mode and finally determining the phase selection signal corresponding to a preferred clock used in a normal mode. |
| US08395942B2 |
Junctionless TFT NAND flash memory
A method of making a NAND string includes forming a semiconductor layer over a major surface of a substrate, patterning the semiconductor layer into an elongated nanowire shaped channel extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate, forming a tunneling dielectric layer over the channel, forming a plurality of charge storage regions over the tunneling dielectric layer and undercutting the channel using the plurality of charge storage regions as mask. The channel has a narrower width than each charge storage region width, and an overhanging portion of each of the plurality of charge storage regions overhangs the channel. The method also includes forming a blocking dielectric layer over the plurality of charge storage regions, such that the blocking dielectric layer fills a space below the overhanging portion of each of the plurality of charge storage regions and forming a plurality of control gates over the blocking dielectric layer. |
| US08395941B2 |
Multi-semiconductor material vertical memory strings, strings of memory cells having individually biasable channel regions, memory arrays incorporating such strings, and methods of accessing and forming the same
Multi-semiconductor vertical memory strings, strings of memory cells having individually biasable channel regions, arrays incorporating such strings and methods for forming and accessing such strings are provided. For example non-volatile memory devices are disclosed that utilize NAND strings of serially-connected non-volatile memory cells. One such string can include two or more serially connected non-volatile memory cells each having a channel region. Each memory cell of the two or more serially connected non-volatile memory cells shares a common control gate and each memory cell of the two or more serially connected non-volatile memory cells is configured to receive an individual bias to its channel region. |
| US08395936B2 |
Using channel-to-channel coupling to compensate floating gate-to-floating gate coupling in programming of non-volatile memory
In a non-volatile storage system, during a verify operation, a verify voltage of a currently-sensed target data state is applied to a selected word line. A higher, nominal bit line voltage is used for the storage elements which have the currently-sensed target data state and a verify status of pass or no pass, a target data state lower than the currently-sensed target data state and a verify status of pass or no pass, or a target data state higher than the currently-sensed target data state and a verify status of pass. A lower bit line voltage is used for the storage elements which have the target data state higher than the currently-sensed target data state and a verify status of no pass, to enhance channel-to-channel coupling, as an offset to floating gate-to-floating gate coupling which is later caused by these storage elements. |
| US08395935B2 |
Cross-point self-aligned reduced cell size phase change memory
A programmable memory array is disclosed in which the phase change memory cells are self-aligned at the access devices and at the cross-points of the bit lines and the word lines. A method for making the array employs one line mask to define the bit lines and another line mask to define the word lines. The front end of line (FEOL) memory cell elements are in the same layer as the polysilicon gates. The bit lines and the word lines intersect over the devices, and the memory cell elements are formed at the intersections of the bit lines and the word line. |
| US08395933B2 |
Resistance-change semiconductor memory
According to one embodiment, a memory includes first to fourth memory cells aligned in a first direction. Each of the first to fourth memory cells comprises a cell transistor having a gate connected to a word line extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and a resistive memory element having one end connected to a first source/drain region of the cell transistor. A second source/drain region of the cell transistor is connected to one of a first bit line extending in the first direction and a second bit line extending in the second direction. The other end of the resistive memory element is connected to one of the first and second bit lines which is apart from the second source/drain region. The second source/drain regions in the first and second memory cells are shared, and the second source/drain regions in the third and fourth memory cells are shared. |
| US08395932B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array, a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a first gate wiring element 3a, 3b, a second gate wiring element 3c, 3d, a first connector 5a, 5b, and a second connector 5c, 5d. Each memory cell 10 has first and second sets having a driver transistor 11, a load transistor 12, and an access transistor 13. The word lines are arranged in parallel to each other along a first direction. The bit lines are arranged in parallel to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first gate wiring element comprises a gate electrode of the first driver transistor and the first load transistor, and has a rectangular shape having straight line on opposite sides. The second gate wiring element comprises a gate electrode of the access transistor and has a rectangular shape having straight line on opposite sides. |
| US08395919B2 |
Photovoltaic inverter system and method of starting same at high open-circuit voltage
A power inverter system includes a DC to AC inverter configured to convert DC voltage from a DC power source to AC voltage. A DC link couples the DC power source and the inverter. An inverter pre-charger operates to pre-charge the inverter to achieve a desired DC link voltage prior to connecting the power inverter system to an AC power grid. A phased lock loop synchronizes the pre-charged inverter to the AC power grid prior to connecting the power inverter system to the AC power grid. The pre-charged inverter regulates the DC link voltage to about the minimum voltage level that allows control of AC grid currents via the inverter subsequent to connecting the power inverter system to the AC grid. The inverter operates in a maximum power point tracking control mode only subsequent to a first voltage transient caused by connecting the DC power source to energize the power inverter system. |
| US08395914B2 |
DC-to-DC converter comprising a reconfigurable capacitor unit
The present invention relates to a configurable trench multi-capacitor device comprising a trench in a semiconductor substrate. The trench has a lateral extension exceeding 10 micrometer and a trench filling includes a number of at least four electrically conductive capacitor-electrode layers. A switching unit is provided that comprises a plurality of switching elements electrically interconnected between different capacitor-electrode layers of the trench filling. A control unit is connected with the switching unit and configured to generate and provide to the switching unit respective control signals for forming a respective one of a plurality of multi-capacitor configurations using the capacitor-electrode layers of the trench filling. |
| US08395911B2 |
Circuit configuration for operating a household appliance
A circuit for operating a household appliance includes a controller that controls processes of a household appliance, a switching power supply that supplies current to the controller, a pushbutton that couples the switching power supply to a supply grid, an electronic controller connected parallel to the pushbutton that is actuable by the switching power supply by a control connection, and a voltage storage connected between the control connection of the electronic controller and a reference potential. |
| US08395909B2 |
Display module
A display module includes a display panel, an external frame, and a pad structure. The external frame is disposed at a side of the display panel. The pad structure is disposed between the display panel and the external frame. A panel-absorbing portion is formed on a surface of the pad structure facing the display panel. The panel-absorbing portion is used for absorbing the display panel so as to fix the pad structure on the display panel. |
| US08395908B2 |
Semiconductor package and plasma display device including the same
Provided are a semiconductor package and a plasma display device including the same. The semiconductor package includes a film substrate that relays a signal between a circuit board and a display panel; a semiconductor chip that is electrically connected to the film substrate; a reinforcement plate to which the film substrate and the semiconductor chip are connected to via adhesive layers, and that provides a floating ground; and a connecting member that electrically connects the reinforcement plate and a ground of the semiconductor chip, and that electrically connects the reinforcement plate and a ground of the film substrate. Accordingly, the semiconductor package has excellent heat dissipation performance and ground stability. |
| US08395901B2 |
Vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films
Vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films are disclosed. The vertically-stacked devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. The vertically-stacked devices may be assembled into arrays where the vertically-stacked devices may be electrically addressed independently of one another. Uses of the vertically-stacked electronic devices and arrays as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Crossbar arrays of vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films and nanowire electrodes are disclosed. |
| US08395894B2 |
Protective enclosure for electronic device
Disclosed is a three-layer protective enclosure that provides resistance to water, dust, dirt, and bump protection for sensitive computers. In one embodiment, an inner membrane layer is provided, which is a thin, flexible layer that protects portions of a computer and allows the user to interact with keyboards, push buttons and other interactive features of the computer. A protective hard shell fits tightly over the membrane and provides additional sealing and rigidity to the protective enclosure. A stretchable cushion layer is placed over the hard shell which conforms to the hard shell and seals moisture, dust and dirt from entering the hard shell. The stretchable cushion layer provides cushioning and also allows access to certain controls on the computer. In another embodiment, a touch screen cover may be used with, or without, a membrane over other portions of the computer. |
| US08395891B2 |
Cold row encapsulation for server farm cooling system
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks. |
| US08395889B2 |
Cooling unit and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a cooling unit includes a heat dissipating mechanism, a fan, and a movable cover. The heat dissipating mechanism is housed in a housing of an electronic device. The fan is housed in the housing, and generates an air flow that collides against the heat dissipating mechanism. The movable cover includes a sheet and a knob. The sheet serves as an openable and closable cover to cover an opening on a chamber formed between the fan and the heat dissipating mechanism from the outside. The knob is located on the sheet and protrudes outward. |
| US08395886B2 |
Range top support with integral positioning clips
An assembly for aligning a top frame with respect to a top portion of a chassis in a home appliance is provided. The assembly includes a top frame and a support plate. The support plate is configured to be secured to a chassis and includes a first set and a second set of protrusions. The first set of protrusions is configured to engage the top frame to align the top frame in fore and aft directions. The second set of protrusions is configured to engage the top frame to align the top frame in transverse directions. A method for aligning a top frame with respect to a top portion of a chassis in a home appliance is also provided. |
| US08395885B2 |
Power distribution system, and electrical bus assembly and electrical conductor mechanism therefor
An electrical conductor mechanism is provided for an electrical bus assembly of a power distribution system, such as a residential load center, which includes a number of electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers. The electric conductor mechanism includes at least one planar member having first and second opposing sides. The first side is attached to a corresponding stab of the electrical bus assembly. The second side is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the circuit breakers, thereby electrically connecting it to the stab of the electrical bus assembly. An electrical bus assembly and a power distribution system employing the aforementioned electrical conductor mechanism are also disclosed. |
| US08395879B1 |
Bundled capacitor composed of a plurality of capacitors
A bundled capacitor with a plurality of individual capacitors is described herein. Each bundled capacitor provides an individual capacitance value. The bundled capacitor can include a housing, a cap connected to the housing, a central common terminal, a plurality of auxiliary terminals, an interrupter, an insulating spider, an insulated collective connection, a thermal fuse, a frangible electrical connection, an insulating layer, a resin disposed around the capacitors, and an expansion chamber formed between the resin and the interrupter, enabling the cap to deform when one of the capacitors overheats in the bundled capacitor. |
| US08395876B2 |
Surge arrester with thermal overload protection
A surge arrester is described which includes at least two electrodes. At least one of the electrodes includes a ventilation channel. The internal area of the surge arrester is connected to an external area of the surge arrester via the ventilation channel, wherein the ventilation channel is closed by means of a fusible element. The fusible element is preferably arranged at that end of the ventilation channel which faces the external area of the surge element. |
| US08395873B2 |
SSPC with dual fault detectors
A solid state power controller (SSPC) for a direct current (DC) electrical system includes a high bandwidth fault detector, the high bandwidth fault detector configured to detect a possible fault and place a power switch of the SSPC in saturation at a predetermined current limit; and a low bandwidth fault detector, the low bandwidth fault detector configured to determine whether the possible fault is a confirmed fault, and in the event the possible fault is determined to be the confirmed fault, turning off the power switch, or in the event the possible fault is determined not to be the confirmed fault, turning on the power switch at a minimum on-resistance. |
| US08395872B2 |
Current driver circuit and method of operation therefor
A current driver circuit comprises circuitry having a current adjustment function and operably coupled to a current driver for providing a current to a current consuming device. The circuitry comprises or is operably coupled to a function arranged to determine a current level being drawn by the current consuming device. The current adjustment function varies an over-load limit applied to the current driver in response to a variation in the determined current level.In this manner, the current level being drawn by a current consuming device, such as a light bulb, is used to continuously or intermittently adjusting the current limit of a current driver circuit, such as a lamp driver, to minimize the energy dissipated in case of an overload condition. |
| US08395870B2 |
Input/output circuit
An output transistor bias generation circuit which applies a bias voltage to one of two NMOS transistors constituting an output circuit having a stack structure, includes diode-connected NMOS transistors provided between an external connection pad connected to an external signal line having a voltage higher than a power supply voltage of an LSI circuit, and the gate of an NMOS transistor, diode-connected NMOS transistors provided between the gate of the NMOS transistor and a ground line, a diode-connected NMOS transistor provided between the power supply line and the gate of the NMOS transistor, and a capacitor-connected NMOS transistor provided between the gate of the NMOS transistor and the ground line. |
| US08395869B2 |
ESD protection circuit with EOS immunity
ESD protection circuit with EOS immunity is provided, which includes a first connection circuit, a first EOS control circuit formed by at least a diode, and an ESD clamp respectively coupled between a pad, a first clamp node, an I/O clamp node and a second source node. When the ESD clamp detects ESD through the I/O clamp node, it is triggered to conduct from the I/O clamp node to the second source node. When the pad receives EOS, the first EOS control circuit provides a cross voltage between the first clamp node and the I/O clamp node, such that a voltage of the I/O clamp node becomes less than a characteristic voltage of the ESD clamp to prevent the ESD clamp from reverse conducting. |
| US08395867B2 |
Magnetic sensor with a recessed reference layer assembly and a front shield
A magnetic sensor has at least a free sub-stack, a reference sub-stack and a front shield. The free sub-stack has a magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the planar orientation of the layer and extends to an air bearing surface. The reference sub-stack has a magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the free sub-stack. The reference sub-stack is recessed from the air bearing surface and a front shield is positioned between the reference sub-stack and the air bearing surface. |
| US08395865B2 |
Thermally insulated suspension load beam
A suspension load beam for use in supporting a transducer head in a data storage system includes a front beam section, a rear beam section, and a middle beam section. The front beam section is configured to connect to a slider assembly carrying a transducer head. The rear beam section is configured to connect to an actuator arm. The middle beam section is located between the front beam section and the rear beam section. The middle beam section comprises a top thermal insulation layer, a bottom thermal insulation layer and a rigid layer between the top and bottom thermal insulation layers. |
| US08395864B2 |
Planar slider test socket
The present application is directed to a slider supporting apparatus for flying a slider of a hard disk drive in the manufacturing process to provide electrical performance characteristics. The present invention discloses an integrated design including the electrical interconnect, the gimballing mechanism, the preload mechanism and the slider supporting mechanism integrated into a single supporting structure. |
| US08395861B2 |
Disk drive device having fluid dynamic bearing with porous member at position in which lubricant is charged
A disk drive device includes a fixed body section, a rotating body section, a bearing unit and a drive unit. The bearing unit includes a shaft that is a rotation center, a sleeve that has an accommodating portion in which the shaft is accommodated and that permits relative rotation around the shaft, a radial space defined by an inner wall surface of the sleeve-accommodating portion and an outer wall surface of the shaft, first and second radial dynamic pressure grooves that generate a radial dynamic pressure in at least one of the inner wall surface of the sleeve and the outer wall surface of the shaft that define the radial space, a lubricant charged into the radial space, and a porous filter that is disposed in at least a portion of the charging space in which the lubricant is charged, for capturing foreign matter contained in the lubricant. |
| US08395860B2 |
Method and apparatus to position a head module comprising servo elements and plurality of data elements
A method to position a head module, where the head module comprises at least one servo element and a plurality of data elements, where the servo element and each of the plurality of data elements can detect a servo signal, wherein the method includes moving a sequential information storage medium having a servo band encoded therein across the head module and detecting the servo band using the at least one servo element or any one of the plurality of data elements. |
| US08395857B2 |
Simulating discrete track media with continuous media for head evaluation
Approaches for a testing device for selecting a discrete track media (DTM) format for use with a particular head of a hard-disk drive (HDD). The testing device comprises a continuous magnetic-recording disk, rotatably mounted on a spindle, which stores data using a continuous media format. The testing device also comprises a testing module configured to simulate reading data, stored using a discrete track media (DTM) format, from the continuous magnetic-recording medium. Advantageously, testing time and cost is reduced as both discrete track media (DTM) disks and expensive discrete track media (DTM) recording testing hardware are not required to select the optimal a discrete track media (DTM) format for use with a particular head of a hard-disk drive (HDD). In addition, embodiments may be used to optimize features of the tracks of the DTM disk, such as the land to groove ratio. |
| US08395855B2 |
Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a camera lens element supported on the support structure by a plurality of resilient flexures that guide movement of the movable element along the optical axis. A shape memory alloy actuator biassed by the resilient flexures and an additional resilient biassing element is arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element. An end-stop limits movement of the camera lens element at a position where the shape memory alloy actuator has a predetermined length that is above the length corresponding on the local maximum resistance by an amount not greater than 15% of the difference between (i) the length corresponding to the local maximum resistance and (ii) the length corresponding to the local minimum resistance. |
| US08395850B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens comprises a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power in order from object to image sides, an interval between the first and second lens groups changes in a zoom operation, the first lens group is constituted by negative and positive lenses in order from the object to image sides, the negative and positive lenses of the first lens group are arranged at intervals, the second lens group is constituted by three lenses including positive and negative lenses in order from the object to image sides, and a radius of curvature of a lens surface at the object side of the negative lens constituting the first lens group, a shape of a negative lens having the maximum refractive power constituting the second lens group, and a refractive power of the second lens group are appropriately set. |
| US08395847B2 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens includes sequentially from an object side a first lens group having a negative refractive power; a diaphragm; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power. Zoom from a wide angle edge to a telephoto edge is performed by displacement of the second lens group along an optical axis, toward the object side. Correction of imaging plane variation accompanying the zoom, is performed by displacement of the first lens group along the optical axis. The second lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens having at least on aspheric surface and a positive second lens. Furthermore, a first condition υd21>63 and a second condition υd22>70 are satisfied, υd21 being the Abbe number for a d-line in the first lens of the second lens group and υd22 being the Abbe number for a d-line in the second lens of the second lens group. |
| US08395844B2 |
Apparatus for homogenizing light and laser apparatus for producing a linear intensity distribution in a work plane
An apparatus for homogenizing light, including a lens array (5, 7, 8) with a plurality of lenses (6, 9, 10) through which the light to be homogenized can pass. The apparatus has at least two different center-to-center distances of the lenses (6, 9, 10) of the lens array (5, 7, 8), wherein the center-to-center distances of the lenses (6, 9, 10) decrease or increase from the inside to the outside. |
| US08395841B2 |
Reflective projection screen having multi-incedent angle
A reflective projection screen for receiving images, for a projector having short focal length of short projection distance, and particularly a reflective projection screen applicable to 2D and 3D imaging. The reflective projection screen has multi-incident angles where every reflection surface is prepared from a projection angle of the projected image and where incident angles are formed differently from each reflection surfaces so that the projection images from different angles are reflected into one direction. |
| US08395840B2 |
Apparatus for positioning optical components in an optical device
An apparatus for positioning optical components in an optical device and a microscope with such an apparatus are described, comprising a holding device having a plurality of receptacles on which the optical components can be fixed. A stepper motor comprises a motor shaft for rotating the holding device via a toothed belt and therefore positions the optical components. This allows to position optical components in the optical beam path with low noise and in a vibration-free manner. |
| US08395837B2 |
Releasing and post-releasing processes in fabrications for micromirror array devices
A releasing and post-releasing method for making a micromirror device and a micromirror array device are disclosed herein. The releasing method removes the sacrificial materials in the micromirror and micromirror array so as to enabling movements of the movable elements in the micromirror and micromirror array device. The post-releasing method is applied to improve the performance and quality of the released micromirrors and micromirror array devices. |
| US08395835B2 |
Barrier and image display device with the same
A 3D image display device with a 2D or 3D image mode switching barrier is provided. The image display device includes an image panel, color change regions spaced apart from each other in a repetitive pattern and selectively change into light transmission regions or light blockage regions, and a barrier having the color change regions. |
| US08395834B2 |
Deflecting mirror for deflecting and scanning light beam
The deflecting mirror includes a fixed base member; a mirror having a reflection surface; a support member swingablly supporting the mirror; a pair of driving beam members, each having a first end connected with the fixed base member and a second end connected with the support member to support the support member from both sides; and a piezoelectric member fixed to each driving beam member and extending from the first or second end of each driving beam member while having length not longer than about half the length of the driving beam member. The piezoelectric member and the driving beam members constitute piezoelectric unimorph or bimorph structure. By applying voltage to the piezoelectric member, the driving beam members are driven at the same time in the same direction, thereby vibrating the support member in a direction perpendicular to the reflection surface of the mirror, resulting in swinging of the mirror. |
| US08395833B2 |
Holographic projection system with optical wave tracking and with means for correcting the holographic reconstruction
A holographic projection system with a display screen and an optical wave tracking element for controlling the direction of propagation of a modulated wave uses a position controller and an eye finder. An extremely wide tracking range is realized in the projection system for simultaneous viewing of the reconstruction by multiple observers, which are situated beside one another. The reconstruction of the scene is reconstructed for each eye position of an observer such that the entire scene is visible in the visibility region in a large tracking range with minimal errors. The projection system reconstructs the scene with the help of modulated partial waves. Projection element(s) direct these partial waves with separately holographically reconstructed segments of the scene at the desired eye position through a structure of screen segments which are at least horizontally staggered on the display screen. |
| US08395828B2 |
Stacking device and image forming apparatus comprising the stacking device
A stacking device includes a contact section with which top ends of the recording media in a conveying direction, conveyed into the storage space, make contact so stop the recording media at a storage position, a media move section which comprises a plurality of partition members, forms a plurality of spaces capable of storing the recording media between the partition members, stores the recording media stopped at the storage position into arbitrary one of the plurality of spaces, and moves the partition members thereby to move at least a part of the top ends of the recording media to a pushup position different from the storage position, and a lift section which pushes up, to the carry-out section, the recording media moved to the pushup position by the media move section. |
| US08395827B2 |
Automatic sheet-feeding scanner having non-linear paper path
A scanner includes a platen assembly, a sheet feeder and a scanning module. The platen assembly and the sheet feeder are combined together to form a non-linear paper path. The paper path has a scan region. The sheet feeder includes a feeding mechanism, a transporting mechanism and a discharging mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds a document into the paper path. The transporting mechanism transports the document from the feeding mechanism to the scan region. The document is transported past the scan region in a direction substantially parallel to a scan plane in the scan region. The discharging mechanism transports the document out of the paper path from the scan region. The scanning module movably disposed in the platen assembly acquires an image of the document transported past the scan region. |
| US08395826B2 |
Scanning device
A scanning device comprising a first image sensor, a second image sensor module and a housing. The first image sensor module has a first image array sensor for scanning information from a first side of media. The second image sensor module is mounted opposite the first image sensor module so that the media can move to a scanning region between the first image sensor module and the second image sensor module. The second image sensor module has a second image array sensor for scanning information from a second side of the media. A housing is attached to the second image sensor module. When the media moves to the scanning region between the first image sensor module and the second image sensor module and exits the scanning region, when the media reenters the scanning region, the media impacts a convex region of the housing that causes the second image sensor module to move with respect to the first image sensor module and to thus provide sufficient separation distance between the second image sensor module and the first image sensor module to allow the media to re-enter the scanning region. |
| US08395824B2 |
Method for determining ground line
A method of determining a ground line from an input image. The method includes determining a plurality of ground line candidates from the image, determining a certain band a central-line of which is a boundary between a G region and other regions in a Ground Building Sky (GBS) map of the image, and determining the ground line of the image by selecting a ground line candidate, among the plurality of ground line candidates, having the greatest extent crossing the certain band. |
| US08395821B2 |
Image reading apparatus
When a light source is in off state, a gray level of image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis is generated as a first black level and an average of gray levels of a portion of the image data corresponding to optical black image portions of sensor chips is generated as a second black level. After that, when an image of an original is read, an average of gray levels of the black image data on a line-by-line basis is generated as a third black level. The first black level is subtracted from a gray level of the image data on a line-by-line basis (an offset correction), and a difference between the third black level and the second black level is added to a gray level of the image data after being subjected to the subtraction on a line-by-line basis. |
| US08395816B2 |
System and method for gradually adjusting a look-up table for a print engine in order to improve the regulation of color quality of printed images
Disclosed is a system and method for gradually adjusting a look-up table (LUT) for a print engine in order to improve the regulation of color quality of printed images. The LUT is updated so that a target value for a particular color is achieved. This corrects for a measured or predicted change in a tone reproduction curve. Depending upon the severity of the required adjustment, a series of incremental adjustments rather than a single adjustment can be made to the LUT table over a period of time. Each adjustment in the series can be limited to a predetermined maximum delta so that any corrections made to the LUT following the generation and evaluation of one test image and before the generation and evaluation of the next test image for the same target color are gradually and imperceptibly implemented (i.e., unnoticeable). |
| US08395815B2 |
System and method for modeling higher dimension color response
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for implementing a color model function for a printer that uses a relatively large number of colorants. The model is based upon several four color printer color models that contain more complete color models by storing output data for a higher number of input color value combinations and a small number of additional measurements that characterize the response of the printer to outputs using more than four colorants. Results from more complete printer models are determined and combined with a CMYKOV printer model that stores output values for only a coarse resolution of inputs. Transitions between various regions of color space defined by the colorant model definitions are then smoothed. A higher dimension printer color model output is produced. The present method effectively determines a higher dimension color printer model output corresponding to values of an N+2 dimension color model input. |
| US08395812B2 |
Apparatus and method of concealing information of image data
When image data of an original document is detected to include specific information indicating outputting of the original document is prohibited, a selected color component of the image data is applied with concealing processing to make image data of the selected color component to be solid image data. The selected color component is determined based on whether outputting of the original document as a monochrome image is allowed or prohibited. |
| US08395804B2 |
RFID registration system and method thereof
A RFID registration system is provided with a reader for reading an ID of an object to be identified by an RFID, an RFID existence position indicating the position of the RFID, and the RFID; an associating apparatus for associating the read RFID with the ID of the object to be identified by the RFID, a position information generation apparatus for obtaining the read position at the same time the position has been read, and a collation apparatus for obtaining an ID of the object to be identified by the RFID based on the read position and the RFID existence position. The RFID registration system can be avoid making the mistaken association between the RFID and the object to which the identification ID is attached. |
| US08395801B2 |
Methods and systems for handling files for MFPs utilizing external services
An exemplary embodiment of a system and method provides a determination of when a file/document format native to a device such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) device should be handled natively by the MFP (default behavior) or preprocessed by an external service. |
| US08395797B2 |
Data processing device and data storage device for performing time certification of digital data
A data storage device for storing changeable data includes a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction from an information processing apparatus, a time certification request unit configured to request time certification of selected changeable data in order to acquire time information to be acquired as a result of time certification, in accordance with the instruction received by the receiving unit, a generating unit configured to generate unchangeable data by adding the selected changeable data with the time information acquired by the time certification request unit, and a storing unit configured to store the unchangeable data generated by the generating unit. |
| US08395796B2 |
Information processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program which outputs information in the form of a report
A disclosed information processing apparatus enables the output of various information managed by the apparatus in the form of a report adapted to user requirements in terms of format and output method, by generating report data based on data that is not dependent on any particular report output format or method. The information processing apparatus includes a data input unit, a data processing unit, a data output unit, and a user interface (UI). The data input unit generates data that is not dependent on any particular output format or output method, in accordance with report identifying information received via the UI. The data is processed by the data processing unit in accordance with an output format entered via the UI. The processed data is output by the data output unit in accordance with an output method entered via the UI. |
| US08395795B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating documents
A system includes telephone and packet-switched network interfaces and a translator. The translator receives messages. Outgoing messages originate from a multiple-function peripheral (MFP) and are received via a transfer agent (TA). Outgoing e-mail messages include an attached file in an image file format. The translator removes and delivers the attachment in facsimile format. Incoming fax messages are attached to an e-mail message. The TA receives and relays the e-mail message to an identified MFP, which discards the e-mail message and prints the attachment. A method for processing fax messages includes associating an identifier with a MFP, receiving a fax intended for the MFP, generating an e-mail message with an attachment representing the fax and communicating the e-mail message to a transfer agent that relays the e-mail to the MFP, which discards the e-mail body and prints the attachment. |
| US08395793B2 |
Apparatuses and methods that use a stamp function to register and edit a stamp
In an information processing apparatus that uses a stamp function to register and edit a stamp, the stamp function is used to set a variable character string or image as variable stamp information. When a document is printed in a printer, print data is generated by affixing the preset variable stamp information to the document. |
| US08395788B2 |
Print control device, print control method and program
A print control device for controlling a printing device is provided with a print control unit which controls the printing device to print an image corresponding to print target data on a sheet when the print target data is specified; and a time information acquiring unit which acquires information on a time to be printed on the sheet as an expiration date/time of the printed document. The print control unit is configured to be capable of making the printing device print an image representing the expiration date/time of the printed document on the sheet printed with the image corresponding to the specified print target data based on the information acquired by the time information acquiring unit when the print control unit makes the printing device execute the printing of the image corresponding to the specified print target data. |
| US08395784B2 |
Method of lead edge detection in an inkjet printer
A method of detecting an edge of a piece of media in a printer, the method includes providing a carriage for moving a printhead and a photosensor along a carriage scan path; providing a light source; providing a light guiding element having a first end that is aimed at a first predetermined position along a media advance path between a media input region and a printing region and a second end that is aimed at a second predetermined position along the carriage scan path, moving the carriage to an edge-detection position such that the second end of the light guiding element is aimed at the field of view of the photosensor; directing light from the light source toward the first predetermined position; obtaining a signal generated in response to light received in the photosensor; and analyzing the signal to detect the edge of the piece of media. |
| US08395780B2 |
Optical assembly, apparatus and method for coherent two-or-more-dimensional optical spectroscopy
An optical assembly for use in coherent two- or more-dimensional optical spectroscopy includes a beam splitter that splits a base light pulse into first, second, third and fourth light pulse and a delay element that varies the arrival times of the first to fourth light pulses at a sample location with respect to each other. The beam splitter includes a cross-grating a first reflector arranged to receive the first to fourth light pulses emerging from the cross-grating and to reflect the same in parallel to each other, a second reflector arranged to receive the first to fourth light pulses from the delay element and to focus the same at the sample location, wherein the delay element is arranged between first and second reflectors. Also shown is an apparatus including such optical assembly and a method for carrying out two- or more-dimensional optical spectroscopy using the assembly. |
| US08395769B2 |
Method for analysis of pathogenic microorganisms using raman spectroscopic techniques
A method for assessing the presence of a pathogenic microorganism in a sample. A sample is illuminated to thereby produce a first plurality of interacted photons which may be scattered, emitted, reflected and/or absorbed by the sample. The first plurality of interacted photons are assessed to thereby generate a Raman data set representative of the sample. This Raman data set is analyzed to thereby determine at least one of: the presence of a pathogenic microorganism in said sample and the absence of a pathogenic microorganism in said sample. The Raman data set may comprise at least one of a Raman spectrum and/or a Raman chemical image representative of the sample. The analysis may comprise comparing said Raman data set to at least one reference Raman data set representative of a known sample. This may be achieved using a chemometric technique. |
| US08395767B2 |
Apparatus for inspection of concave elements including containers or caps
The present invention relates to an Apparatus for inspection of concave elements, for detection of contaminations and/or defects, comprising means for lighting a concave element to be subjected to inspection, an image detection unit, such as a camera or like, an optic group and means for processing images acquired by said image detection unit, in order to individuate said contaminations and/or said defects of said concave element, characterized in that said lighting means comprise a first light source, suitable to generate a diffused lighting direct on the concave surface, and a second light source, suitable to generate a grazing lighting directed on the outer lateral surface of said concave element, and in that said optic group is placed so as to detect light emitted by concave surface and transmitting the same to said image detection unit. |
| US08395761B2 |
Thermal flow meter
A flow meter for use in dialysis is described, that uses a thermal wave to generate a signal in the fluid for which the flow rate is to be measured. The phase angle of the thermal wave signal changes when traversing downstream. The phase difference between the signals received downstream, compared with a reference excitation source signal is measured, and used to determine the flow rate of the fluid. |
| US08395759B2 |
Device for optical distance measurement
The invention relates to a device for optical distance measurement, particularly to a handheld device, comprising a transmission unit (12) with a light source (17, 18) for emitting optical measurement radiation (13, 20, 22) onto a target object (15), and comprising a receiving unit (14) arranged at a distance from the optical axis (38) of the transmission unit (12) and equipped with at least one optical detector (54) for receiving optical radiation (16, 49, 50) reflected from the target object (15). According to the invention, the detector (54) of the receiving unit (14) comprises a detection surface (66), the optical surface of which has varying optical sensitivity. |
| US08395758B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
While one ends of ropes are respectively tied to a −Y side leg section and a +Y side leg section of a frame caster, the other ends of the ropes hang down in a −Z direction via a plurality of pulleys fixed to the upper sections of frames that are each separated from an apparatus main body, and a weight having a weight corresponding to a half the weight to be reduced is tied to each of the other ends. In this case, even if the apparatus main body oscillates in vertical or lateral directions (normal directions of the pulleys) owing to the action of a vibration isolation table, the position of the weight only vertically moves by rotation of the pulleys, and the reduced amount of the apparatus weight does not vary. Further, since any coil springs are not used, sympathetic vibration with the apparatus main body and the vibration isolation table does not occur, which allows the attenuation characteristics of the vibration isolation table to be improved. Therefore, the exposure apparatus can be increased in size without inducing the cost rise. |
| US08395757B2 |
Optimized polarization illumination
Disclosed concepts include a method of optimizing polarization of an illumination of a pattern to be formed in a surface of a substrate. Polarized illumination is optimized by determining an illumination intensity for at least one point on an illuminator for at least two polarization states, determining image log slope for the at least one point on the illuminator for the at least two polarization states, determining a maximum image log slope (ILS) where the ILS is near zero for the at least one point on the illuminator, and selecting an optimal polarization state corresponding to the at least two polarization states that minimizes an ILS for the at least one point on the illuminator. This may be repeated for a plurality of points on the illuminator. |
| US08395755B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithography apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a radiation beam onto a substrate, a detector configured to inspect the substrate, and a substrate table configured to support the substrate and move the substrate relative to the projection system and the detector. The detector is arranged to inspect a portion of the substrate while the substrate is moved and before the portion is exposed to the radiation beam. |
| US08395754B2 |
Illumination optical unit for EUV microlithography
An illumination optical unit for EUV microlithography includes a first optical element having a plurality of first reflective facet elements and a second optical element having a plurality of second reflective facet elements. Each first reflective facet element from the plurality of the first reflective facet elements has a respective maximum number of different positions which defines a set—associated with the first facet element—consisting of second reflective facet elements in that the set consists of all second facet elements onto which the first facet element directs radiation in its different positions during the operation of the illumination optical unit. The plurality of second reflective facet element forms a plurality of disjoint groups, wherein each of the groups and each of the sets contain at least two second facet elements, and there are no two second facet elements of a set which belong to the same group. This construction makes it possible to provide an illumination optical unit which can be used to provide a large number of different angle-dependent intensity distributions at the location of the object field. |
| US08395752B2 |
Optical imaging writer system
System and method for applying mask data patterns to substrate in a lithography manufacturing process are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a parallel imaging writer system which has a plurality of spatial light modulator (SLM) imaging units arranged in one or more parallel arrays, receiving a mask data pattern to be written to a substrate, processing the mask data pattern to form a plurality of partitioned mask data patterns corresponding to different areas of the substrate, identifying one or more objects in an area of the substrate to be imaged by corresponding SLMs, and controlling the plurality of SLMs to write the plurality of partitioned mask data patterns in parallel by performing multiple exposures to image the one or more objects in the area of the substrate. |
| US08395750B2 |
Liquid crystal devices
There is provided a liquid crystal device that exhibits excellent response properties over a wide temperature range even when the weight percentage of the polymerizable monomer used for generating polymers is decreased. The liquid crystal device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal device which includes a first substrate and a second substrate, at least one of which has an electrode group formed thereon for driving liquid crystals; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, in which the liquid crystal layer contains a polymer which is eccentrically distributed on at least one substrate side among the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08395749B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal display device includes: a component substrate including a transistor device; an opposing substrate disposed so as to face the component substrate through a liquid crystal layer; a back light disposed on a side of the component substrate located opposite to the opposing substrate; first and second measurement portions formed on a surface of the component substrate and the opposing substrate, respectively, located on the liquid crystal layer side and used for measuring a difference between bonding positions of the component substrate and the opposing substrate; a measurement opening portion disposed on the second measurement portion side; and a light shielding layer disposed between the component substrate and the second measurement portion and preventing transmission of light from the back light through the measurement opening portion. |
| US08395748B2 |
Electro-optical display device and projector
An electro-optical display device includes: a reflection-type liquid crystal panel that has a driving substrate, on which a reflective layer is disposed, and an opposing substrate facing each other with a liquid crystal interposed therebetween; and an light-transmissive substrate that is disposed on an outer side of the opposing substrate, wherein any one or more values of thermal expansion coefficients of a plurality of element substrates including at least the opposing substrate and the light-transmissive substrate are negative, and any one or more values of the thermal expansion coefficients of the plurality of element substrates are positive. |
| US08395747B2 |
Method for repairing glass substrate, process for producing glass substrate, glass substrate, and flat panel display
A method for repairing a glass substrate is a method for repairing a glass substrate (10) having a depression (60) formed in a display region (5). Into the depression (60), plural types of starting material from which a cross-linked epoxy resin or a cross-linked (meth)acrylic resin is made are put together with a photoinitiator, and the starting materials thus put are copolymerized by light irradiation and heat treatment. In the result, the depression (60) in a surface of the glass substrate (10) is repaired by a transparent resin (65) obtained through the copolymerization of the plural types of starting material. Therefore, the glass substrate (10) can be repaired at a low temperature without performing a sintering process. Further, the transparent resin (65) has a reticular structure obtained through random copolymerization of the plural types of starting material and, as such, has its optical anisotropy suppressed, thus preventing the emergence of an unintended luminescent spot or the like on a liquid crystal display panel. |
| US08395743B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the substrate, a common electrode facing the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode. The pixel electrode includes at least one oblique edge including a plurality of protruded and depressed portions. |
| US08395742B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display having an improved pixel aperture ratio includes vertical scan lines disposed between adjacent pixels, video signal lines disposed between adjacent pixels, and sub-capacitor lines disposed between adjacent pixels while regularly and repeatedly crossing the vertical scan lines. |
| US08395737B2 |
Array substrate and display device having the same
An array substrate includes a lower substrate, a switching element and a pixel electrode. In the lower substrate, unit pixel areas are each divided into a plurality of domains. The switching element is disposed on the lower substrate and transmits a pixel signal. The pixel electrode is disposed on the unit pixel area and is electrically connected to the switching element. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of slit portions disposed thereon. A portion of the slit portions is longitudinally extended in a zigzag shape along different directions in correspondence with the domains. |
| US08395736B2 |
Alignment substrate for aligning liquid crystal molecules, liquid crystal display panel having the same, and method of manufacturing the alignment substrate
The present invention discloses an alignment substrate that includes a base substrate and an alignment layer arranged on the base substrate. A plurality of unit pixels is defined in the base substrate. The alignment layer includes at least two sub-alignment portions dividing the unit pixel into at least two domains. Each sub-alignment portion is arranged in a different domain of the at least two domains and is aligned to have a different pretilt direction from the other sub-alignment portions. |