| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08429758B2 |
System and method for privacy protection using identifiability risk assessment
A risk assessment system and method includes an information system configured to disclose information to a third party. A risk determination model is configured to compute identifiability risk for on one or more records in storage. The identifiability risk is compared to a threshold prior to being disclosed wherein the information system is informed of the identifiability risk exceeding the threshold prior to disclosure to the third party. |
| US08429756B2 |
Security restrictions on binary behaviors
A security model restricts binary behaviors on a machine based on identified security zones. Binary behaviors can be attached to an element of a document, web-page, or email message. The binary behavior potentially threatens security on the local machine. A security manager intercepts download requests and/or execution requests, identifies a security zone for the requested binary behavior, and restricts access based on the security zone. The binary behavior can identify a security zone according to the related URL. In one example, all binary behaviors associated with a security zone are handled identically. In another example, a list of permissible binary behaviors is associated with a security zone such that only specified binary behaviors are granted access. In still another example, a list of impermissible binary behaviors is associated with a security zone such that binary behaviors that are found in the list cannot initiate access. |
| US08429754B2 |
Control technique for object production rights
Methods for a control technique for object production rights include but are not limited to receiving at the duplication control system a digital rights management code, the digital rights management code associated with one or more object data files; generating an authorization status based on the digital rights management code; and configuring one or more manufacturing machines to operate as a function of the authorization status. |
| US08429751B2 |
Method and apparatus for phishing and leeching vulnerability detection
A system and method for protection of Web based applications are described. Anomalous traffic can be identified by comparing the traffic to a profile of acceptable user traffic when interacting with the application. Phishing and leeching are one type of anomalous traffic that is detected. The anomalous traffic, or security events, identified at the individual computer networks are communicated to a central security manager. Various responsive actions may be taken in response to detection of phishing or leeching. |
| US08429749B2 |
Packet data comparator as well as virus filter, virus checker and network system using the same
A network system by the present invention can quickly detect viruses and does not easily become a new cause of vulnerability. A packet data comparator branches inputted packet data into three branches, and includes an additional pattern matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and performs matching with collation patterns stored in a rewritable storage area, a fixed pattern matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and performs the matching with a logical operation configured with known collation patterns, a notification packet matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and finds a notification packet, and an identity detection aggregation unit which aggregates results from the respective matching units. Moreover, a virus filter, a virus checker, and a secure network system are realized by using the present invention. |
| US08429746B2 |
Decoy network technology with automatic signature generation for intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems
Improved methods and systems for decoy networks with automatic signature generation for intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems. A modular decoy network with front-end monitor/intercept module(s) with a processing back-end that is separate from the protected network. The front-end presents a standard fully functional operating system that is a decoy so that the instigator of an attack is lead to believe a connection has been made to the protected network. The front-end includes a hidden sentinel kernal driver that monitors connections to the system and captures attack-identifying information. The captured information is sent to the processing module for report generation, data analysis and generation of an attack signature. The generated attack signature can then be applied to the library of signatures of the intrusion detection system or intrusion prevention system of the protected network to defend against network based attacks including zero-day attacks. |
| US08429745B1 |
Systems and methods for data loss prevention on mobile computing systems
A computer-implemented method for data loss prevention on mobile computing systems may include (1) identifying a mobile computing system configured to execute only one application at a time as a foreground application, (2) determining that the mobile computing system has begun executing a sensitive application as the foreground application, (3) identifying a first enumeration of screenshots stored on the mobile computing system when the mobile computing system began executing the sensitive application as the foreground application, (4) identifying a second enumeration of screenshots stored on the mobile computing system, (5) determining that at least one new screenshot was taken on the mobile computing system while the sensitive application was the foreground application by detecting a difference between the first enumeration and the second enumeration, and (6) performing a security action upon detecting the difference. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08429743B2 |
Online risk mitigation
Online risk mitigation techniques are described. In an implementation, a service is queried for a reputation associated with an object from an online source in response to selection of the object. A backup of a client that is to receive the object is stored prior to obtaining the object when the reputation does not meet a threshold reputation level. |
| US08429736B2 |
Named sockets in a firewall
A proxy device such as a firewall uses an internal socket namespace such as a text string such that connection requests must be explicitly redirected to a listening socket in the alternate namespace in order to connect to a service. Because external connections cannot directly address the listening socket or service, greater security is provided than with traditional firewall or proxy devices. To receive a redirected proxy connection, a service process creates a listening socket and binds a name in an alternate namespace to the socket before listening for connections. |
| US08429735B2 |
Method of using one or more secure private networks to actively configure the hardware of a computer or microchip
A method for a computer or microchip with one or more inner hardware-based access barriers or firewalls that establish one or more private units disconnected from a public unit or units having connection to the public Internet and one or more of the private units have a connection to one or more non-Internet-connected private networks for private network control of the configuration of the computer or microchip using active hardware configuration, including field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). The hardware-based access barriers include a single out-only bus and/or another in-only bus with a single on/off switch. |
| US08429731B2 |
Authentication bypass method
A method for reactivating a telematics device configured to make a data call via a roaming partner of a service provider is disclosed. The service provider has an authentication bypass feature which uses an authentication bypass key common to the telematics device and the service provider to allow the telematics device to make a data call without authentication. The method comprises setting the authentication bypass key on a server of the service provider equal to a previous authentication bypass key, wherein the previous authentication bypass key was used by the authentication bypass feature prior to deactivation of the telematics device. The method includes setting the authentication bypass key on the telematics device equal to the previous authentication bypass key. The method further comprises commencing the data call through the roaming partner by sending the authentication bypass key to the service provider from the telematics device via the roaming partner. |
| US08429729B1 |
Secure wireless network setup using multicast packets
An apparatus includes a receiver circuit, a key module, and a decryption module. The receiver circuit is configured to receive a first wireless packet from a wireless access point. The first wireless packet includes (i) a destination address and (ii) a payload. The destination address is a multicast media access control (MAC) address. The multicast MAC address includes at least a portion of an encrypted wireless network security string. The key module is configured to (i) decrypt the encrypted wireless network security string using a device key of the apparatus and (ii) produce a wireless network security key in response to the decrypted wireless network security string. The decryption module is configured to decrypt payloads of packets from the wireless access point using the wireless network security key. |
| US08429727B2 |
Authentication control apparatus and authentication control method
An authentication control apparatus is disclosed that includes plural authentication units that perform authentication for an operator with different authentication methods; a corresponding information management unit that manages corresponding information between the mode of an authentication request and the authentication unit to be used; and an authentication control unit that determines the authentication unit corresponding to the mode of the authentication request based on the corresponding information in response to the authentication request from the operator and causes the determined authentication unit to execute the authentication for the operator. |
| US08429724B2 |
Versatile access control system
An access control system and method are provided, which include a plurality of authorities, a plurality of access control elements and an access control list. Each authority associates at least one of a plurality of proof of knowledge operations with at least one of a plurality of proof of knowledge credentials. Each access control element identifies a Boolean combination of at least one of the authorities. The access control list identifies one or more of the access control elements by which a method to be executed can be authenticated. |
| US08429721B1 |
Method and system for performing a security check
An access request is transmitted from a first device to a second device causing one or more security functions to be executed on the first device. Whether to grant the access request is based on a result of the executed one or more security functions. |
| US08429720B2 |
Method and apparatus for camouflaging of data, information and functional transformations
A computer-representable object (including, without limitation, a cryptographic key, or a graph or a Boolean description of a system) is secured using a generalized camouflaging technique. The secured object need not be stored in the system, not even in encrypted form. Instead, the technique employs a composition function that regenerates the secured object when one inputs a valid password (which may be any computer-representable information held by a user). By regenerating the secured object each time a valid password is entered, there is no need to store the secured object. If one inputs an invalid password, the technique may generate an incorrect object, such that the user is unable to distinguish this incorrect object from the secured object. If the user tries to use the incorrect object, the user can be exposed as unauthorized, without the user's knowledge that he has been exposed. |
| US08429715B2 |
Secure resource name resolution using a cache
Techniques for securing name resolution technologies and for ensuring that name resolution technologies can function in modern networks that have a plurality of overlay networks accessible via a single network interface. In accordance with some of the principles described herein, a set of resolution parameters may be implemented by a user to be used during a name resolution process. In some implementations, when an identifier is obtained for a network resource, the identifier may be stored in a cache with resolution parameters that were used in obtaining the identifier. When a new name resolution request is received, the cache may be examined to determine whether a corresponding second identifier is in the cache, and whether resolution parameters used to retrieve the second identifier in the cache match the resolution parameters for the new resolution request. If so, the second identifier may be returned from the cache. |
| US08429714B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for introducing devices with simple user interfaces into a secure network community
A method for introducing devices with simple user interfaces into a network community. A user pushes a button on a first device that listens for messages from central points for two seconds and, if no such message is received, becomes a central point and starts sending broadcast ID messages. The user the pushes a button on a second device to be insert, which after interaction with the central point enters a selected state. Noticing this on the user interface of the second device, the user pushes the button on the first device again, and after further communication between the devices, they enter an associated state, which can be verified on the user interface of the first device. Also provided is a first device. |
| US08429713B2 |
Method and apparatus to speed transmission of CEC commands
A method and structure for establishing faster transmission of Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) commands between first and second HDMI-compatible devices. The first and second devices may transmit CEC commands via a shared alternate interface, a signaling path distinct from a standard HDMI CEC interface between the first and second devices. Authentication may furthermore be performed prior to use of the alternate interface to confirm that the communication is authorized. |
| US08429710B1 |
Preventing exposure of private information
A client communicates with private websites and/or public websites via a network. The client includes a security engine that prevents a user from unknowingly exposing private information. The security engine monitors web browsing for user submittal of information to a website. The security engine determines a category for the website and analyzes the information submitted to the website. The security engine determines if there is a risk of exposing information from the submittal and performs enforcement if it is determined that there is a risk. |
| US08429697B2 |
Modifying the behavior of a multimedia transport system in response to detected capabilities of a client system
Modifying the behavior of a multimedia transport system in response to a detected capability of a client system. A client system may include the capability to perform portions of a multimedia manipulation function, such as a VCR-like function, by using components solely included in the client system. A client system may also include the capability to simultaneously receive multimedia content in excess of what the client system my essentially simultaneously output. This capability may be used to improve the bandwidth utilization of the multimedia server. This may be a result of components, such as a mass storage device or multiple signal input interfaces, being included in the client system. If a client system includes such capabilities, the underlying executable instructions associated with an input device, such as a remote control or keyboard, may be modified to utilize the detected capability. |
| US08429695B2 |
CATV entry adapter and method utilizing directional couplers for MoCA signal communication
A cable television (CATV) entry adapter connects to a CATV network and serves as a hub in a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network. MoCA signals are communicated between passive and active ports of the entry adapter through a pair of directional couplers which allow a MoCA-enabled embedded multimedia device (eMTA) at the passive port to communicate with multimedia devices of the MoCA network connected to the active ports. |
| US08429694B2 |
Mobile video system
A mobile video system includes a first video source, a second video source, a first video monitor, a second video monitor, an audio signal receiver, and a wireless transmitter. One of the first video source and the second video source generates a first audiovisual signal. One of the first video monitor and the second video monitor receives a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The wireless transmitter transmits an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the audio signal receiver. A video portion of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal is displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor. |
| US08429693B2 |
Remote control video modulator
A video modulator is presented. The modulator includes a video input interface, a video modulation circuit, a video output interface, a communication interface, and control circuitry. The video input interface is configured to receive a video signal to be modulated, the video modulation circuit is configured to modulate the video signal, and the video output interface is configured to transmit the modulated video signal. The communication interface is configured to receive a command via a communication link to control the video modulator. The control circuitry is configured to receive the command from the communication interface and to control at least one of the video input interface, the video modulation circuit, and the video output interface based on the command. |
| US08429692B2 |
Method and system to search viewable content
A system to search to search viewable content in the context of television entertainment is provided. In one example embodiment, the system comprises a communications module to receive a request associated with one or more directional keys on a control device, a search term detector to determine a search term associated with the request, a search module to locate a content item associated with the search term; and a presentation module to present the content item associated with the search term. |
| US08429687B2 |
System and method for an active video electronic programming guide
Techniques for transmission and preparation for display of real-time audio-visual content of a plurality of TV programs over electronic communications network channels and display of the audio-visual signals as a part of a TV Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) are disclosed herein. In particular, the use of video coded using a layered codec, and stored in a layered format, allows a properly configured system to present to an end user a live preview of multiple TV channels, along with EPG information (e.g., the channel, time, title and genre of video content, a list of programs scheduled in the future, as well as the ability to, for example, set parental controls, order pay-per-view programs, to search for programs based on theme or category, and to set recordings for the future when combined with a recording system), on his/her TV screen, without taking significantly more resources (e.g., in terms of bandwidth, system complexity) than the traditional digital TV transmission. |
| US08429679B2 |
Method and system for handling framework shutdown in a network
Method and central server for handling of a framework shutdown in a network is disclosed. The method includes generating an event related to a framework shutdown. The method also includes converting the event as a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) event. The method further includes delivering the converted event to one or more controllers present in the network. The central server includes a processor configured a processor configured to generate an event related to a framework shutdown and to convert the event as a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) event. The central serve also includes a transmitter configured to deliver the converted event to one or more controllers present in the network. |
| US08429667B2 |
Storage system and method for controlling the same
Optimum load distribution processing is selected and executed based on settings made by a user in consideration of load changes caused by load distribution in a plurality of asymmetric cores, by using: a controller having a plurality of cores, and configured to extract, for each LU, a pattern showing the relationship between a core having an LU ownership and a candidate core as an LU ownership change destination based on LU ownership management information; to measure, for each LU, the usage of a plurality of resources; to predicate, for each LU based on the measurement results, a change in the usage of the plurality of resources and overhead to be generated by transfer processing itself; to select, based on the respective prediction results, a pattern that matches the user's setting information; and to transfer the LU ownership to the core belonging to the selected pattern. |
| US08429662B2 |
Passing initiative in a multitasking multiprocessor environment
A computer program product for passing initiative in a multitasking multiprocessor environment includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes writing a request to process a resource of the environment to an associated resource control block, setting a resource flag in a central bit vector, the resource flag indicating that a request for processing has been received for the resource, and setting a target processor initiative flag in the environment, the target processor initiative flag indicating a pass of initiative to a target processor responsible for the resource. |
| US08429660B2 |
Systems and methods to allocate application tasks to a pool of processing machines
Systems and methods are provided to allocate application tasks to a pool of processing machines. According to some embodiments, a requestor generates a scope request including an indication of a number of compute units to be reserved. The requestor also provides an application request associated with the scope. A subset of available processing machines may then be allocated to the scope, and the application request is divided into a number of different tasks. Each task may then be assigned to a processing machine that has been allocated to the application request. According to some embodiments, each task is associated with a deadline. Moreover, according to some embodiments an overall cost is determined and then allocated to the requestor based on the number of compute units that were reserved for the scope. |
| US08429659B2 |
Scheduling jobs within a cloud computing environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to prioritize jobs (e.g., within a cloud computing environment) so as to maximize positive financial impacts (or to minimize negative financial impacts) for cloud service providers, while not exceeding processing capacity or failing to meet terms of applicable Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Specifically, under the present invention a respective income (i.e., a cost to the customer), a processing need, and set of SLA terms (e.g., predetermined priorities, time constraints, etc.) will be determined for each of a plurality of jobs to be performed. The jobs will then be prioritized in a way that: maximizes cumulative/collective income; stays within the total processing capacity of the cloud computing environment; and meets the SLA terms. |
| US08429658B2 |
Lock deferral for real-time garbage collection
Techniques are disclosed for schedule management. By way of example, a method for managing performance of tasks of a thread associated with a processor comprises the following steps. A request to execute a task of a first task type within the thread is received. A determination is made whether the processor is currently executing a critical section of a task of a second task type within the thread. When it is determined that the processor is not executing a critical section of the second task type within the thread, the task of the first task type is executed within the thread. When it is determined that the processor is executing a critical section of the first task type within the thread, a determination is made whether the request for execution of the task of the first task type within the thread is deferrable based on a prior execution of one or more units of the first task type. The first task type may be an overhead task type such as a garbage collection task type, and the second task type may be an application task type. |
| US08429654B2 |
Apparatus and method for guaranteed batch event delivery in a process control system
A controller controls one or more process elements in a process control system. The controller also generates and buffers multiple events associated with operation of the controller. Each event is associated with a unique identifier, such as a numerical identifier. A supervisory device receives at least some of the events from the controller. The supervisory device determines if any of the events have not been received from the controller based on the unique identifiers. The supervisory device also initiates an event recovery if at least one of the events has not been received from the controller. During the event recovery, the controller recovers at least one event, such as any event having a numerical identifier greater than a numerical identifier identified by the supervisory device. The controller communicates the at least one recovered event to the supervisory device during the event recovery. |
| US08429652B2 |
Systems and methods for spillover in a multi-core system
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for spillover threshold management in a multi-core system. A pool manager divides the spillover threshold limit of connections for vServers into an exclusive quota pool and a shared quota pool. Each vServer operating on a core is allocated an exclusive number of connections from the exclusive quota pool. If a vServer wishes to create connections beyond its exclusive number, the vServer can borrow from the shared quota pool. When the vServers are using at least a first predetermined threshold of their exclusive number of connections and the number of available connections in the shared quota pool has reached a second predetermined threshold, the multi-core system establishes a backup vServer. |
| US08429650B2 |
System and method of security management for a virtual environment
A system and method can deploy and manage software services in virtualized and non-virtualized environments. The system provides an enterprise application virtualization solution that allows for centralized governance and control over software and Java applications. The system uses a plurality of agents to manage the software processes and resources running in the computing environment. The system also uses a controller to collect data from the agents about the current operating performance of the computing environment and to deploy the services in a way that best honors the service level agreements of all deployed services. The communication between each of the plurality of agents and the controller is secured with a mutual authentication method. |
| US08429646B2 |
Data output apparatus, data processing apparatus and data output system including these apparatuses
The multi function peripheral 20 stores the common codes 40 which have been commonly assigned to plural types of message data having the same meaning in different languages, and sends the common codes and the language designation information to the data processing apparatus 60. The data processing apparatus 60 has the vernacular message group 70 in which the correspondence between the message and the common code has been established for plural languages. The data processing apparatus 60 extracts, from the vernacular message group 70, message data which are identified by combination between the common code and the language designation information received from the multiple function processing apparatuses 20, and sends the message data to the multiple function processing apparatuses 20. The multiple function processing apparatuses 20 switches display languages on the operation panel or the like by using message data received from the data processing apparatus 60. |
| US08429641B2 |
System and method for migration of digital assets
A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for automatically migrating entitled digital assets from a source system to the target system. A first personalization agent is installed on a target system. A first set of digital assets entitlement data is provided along with an associated first set of digital assets data, which is then installed on the target system by the first personalization agent. A second set of digital assets entitlement data associated with a second set of digital assets data installed on a source system is determined by a second personalization agent. The second set of digital assets entitlement data is disassociated from the second set of system identifier data and then associated with the first set of system identifier data. The second set of digital assets is then installed the target system by the first personalization agent. |
| US08429636B2 |
Handling dependency conditions between machine instructions
Techniques for handling dependency conditions, including evil twin conditions, are disclosed herein. An instruction may designate a source register comprising two portions. The source register may be a double-precision register and its two portions may be single-precision portions, each specified as destinations by two other single-precision instructions. Execution of these two single-precision instructions, especially on a register renaming machine, may result in the appropriate values for the two portions of the source register being stored in different physical locations, which can complicate execution of an instruction stream. In response to detecting a potential dependency, one or more instructions may be inserted in an instruction stream to enable the appropriate values to be stored within one physical double precision register, eliminating an actual or potential evil twin dependency. Embodiments including a compiler that inserts instructions in a generated instruction stream to eliminate dependency conditions are also contemplated. |
| US08429631B2 |
System and method for data transformation using dataflow graphs
A system and method for managing data, such as in a data warehousing, analysis, or similar applications, where dataflow graphs are expressed as reusable map components, at least some of which are selected from a library of components, and map components are assembled to create an integrated dataflow application. Composite map components encapsulate a dataflow pattern using other maps as subcomponents. Ports are used as link points to assemble map components and are hierarchical and composite allowing ports to contain other ports. The dataflow application may be executed in a parallel processing environment by recognizing the linked data processes within the map components and assigning threads to the linked data processes. |
| US08429630B2 |
Globally distributed utility computing cloud
In at least one embodiment, the computing network may include multiple different data centers and/or server grids which are deployed different geographic locations. In at least one embodiment, at least some of the 20 server grids may be operable to provide on-demand, grid and/or utility computing resources for hosting various types of distributed applications. In at least one embodiment, a distributed application may be characterized as an application made up of distinct components (e.g., virtual appliances, virtual machines, virtual interfaces, virtual volumes, virtual network connections, etc.) in separate runtime environments. In at least one embodiment, different 25 ones of the distinct components of the distributed application may be hosted or deployed on different platforms (e.g., different servers) connected via a network. In some embodiments, a distributed application may be characterized as an application that runs on two or more networked computers. |
| US08429625B2 |
Digital data processing method and system
A method and system for processing generic formatted data, including first data describing a sequence of generic operations without any loops, in view of providing specific formatted data, for a determined platform including Q processor(s) and at least one memory, the platform configured to process, according, directly or indirectly, to specific formatted data, an object made up of elementary information of same type, each elementary information being represented by at least one numerical value. |
| US08429624B2 |
Application programming interface (API) router implementation and method
An application programming interface (API) implementation that can interface between an application and a programming library. The implementation includes a Function Router Wrapper that receives a formatted string from the application. The formatted string includes a function name element filled with a function name, an input element filled with function input parameters, and an unfilled output element. The Function Router Wrapper converts the formatted string and passes it to a Function Router, which parses the converted formatted string to access the function name and the function input parameters. The Function Router calls a library function based on the accessed information. When the called library function is completed, the Function Router collects generated function outputs and embeds them into the formatted string output element. The Function Router passes the formatted string back up to the Function Router Wrapper, which converts the formatted string and passes it back up to the application. |
| US08429622B2 |
Business process debugger with parallel-step debug operation
A system for enabling a developer to concurrently debug parallel activities in a business process or workflow, or other software process. A production server includes a business process, which includes a parallel activity. The production server is operable to receive a request to debug the business process, present a graphical representation of the business process, receive input which indicates where a breakpoint is to be added to the business process, and insert the breakpoint. When a request to debug the business process is received, the production server instantiates the business process and executes the instance, and pauses execution of the instance when a breakpoint is reached and enters debug mode. It can then receive an instruction to perform a parallel-step operation on the parallel activity, execute a plurality of current activities in the parallel activity concurrently, and pause execution before executing a next activity and waits for further input. |
| US08429620B2 |
Memory leak diagnosis
A method and an apparatus for diagnosing memory leak. The method includes: tracing the allocation of objects; recording allocation paths and allocation time of each object; giving to each object one unique identifier (ID) corresponding to an allocation path; determining the allocation path to which each object belongs; organizing the objects which are allocated but still not collected, and counting the age generations of the objects of the similar type according to the allocation time of each object; ranking the allocation paths according to the age generations of the surviving objects; and analyzing the ranking of the allocation paths, in which the allocation path with higher rank is more probable to introduce memory leaks. Thus, the suspicious allocation path possibly incurring memory leaks is selected and reported to the user for analysis. |
| US08429615B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
An object of the present invention is to solve a problem that, if the state of a macro that is a debug target changes by a factor other than a debugger while the debugger debugs the macro as a target, the debugger becomes unable to continue debugging and the debugging terminates abnormally. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit including a first register that stores a value indicating that the macro is in a reset state in response to a reset signal received during debugging of the macro, and a second register that stores a value indicating whether or not the macro has been in the reset state in the past by receiving a reset signal. |
| US08429614B2 |
Method and apparatus of effective functional test data generation for web service testing
A method, system and apparatus for generating test data for web services testing load a selected file describing one or more web services operations into memory, select an operation specified in said loaded file, and identify one or more fields used in said operation. The one or more fields are customized and the customization is validated. Generation rules are configured and one or more variations of the fields are generated. |
| US08429612B2 |
Graphical user interface (GUI) noise reduction in a cognitive control framework
Reducing graphical user interface (GUI) noise maybe achieved by recording a first execution scenario for control of operation of an application program having a GUI during a recording phase of operation of a cognitive control framework system, setting soft conditions for a search for the application program for the first execution scenario, playing back the application program according to the first execution scenario during a playback phase of operation of the cognitive control framework system, updating the first execution scenario to form a second execution scenario to reduce GUI noise conditions observed during playback, including updating recorded images originally generated by the GUI during the recording phase and updating coordinates for user input data, setting stronger conditions for the search for use in subsequent playbacks; and playing back the application program according to the second execution scenario with the stronger conditions for search. |
| US08429610B2 |
Computer method and apparatus for providing version-aware impact analysis
A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing dependency traceability in software configuration management. Per configuration of a subject software program formed of one or more artifacts, a version history of each artifact is maintained. For each artifact, coupled to the respective version history of the artifact is an indication of status of traceability relationship for each indicated version. One implementation employs a traceability object to maintain and provide such status indications. The status indications are view independent and enable dependency traceability relationship of each artifact to be determinable in each configuration employing the artifact. |
| US08429609B2 |
Method and system for web-based enterprise change and configuration management reports
A method and system for presenting an enterprise change and configuration report are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, a method for presenting an enterprise change and configuration report includes identifying at least one datasource that stored change management information, collecting change management information from the datasource and integrating the change management information into a change management report that is accessible via a web browser. A plurality of datasources that include change management data may be identified and change management data from each datasource of the plurality of datasources may be collected and integrated to provide the change management report. |
| US08429598B2 |
Method and system to automatically generate software code
According to a first aspect there is provided a system to automatically generate software for an object to relational mapping system. The system reads class information respectively associated with a plurality of classes. The system reads meta-data based on the class information. In addition the system automatically generates the plurality of classes based on the meta-data. The plurality of classes to be used in the object to relational mapping system to enable an application program to access data that is persistently stored in a database and accessed by the application program from an instance of a data object class that is included in the plurality of classes. The plurality of classes further includes a first class that is utilized to create the instance of the data object class. |
| US08429597B2 |
Software for integrated modeling of user interfaces with applications
This disclosure provides various embodiments of software for providing a user interface (UI) model. In one aspect, the software identifies one or more components associated with a particular work center. The software then collects modeling information from the one or more components identified as being associated with the particular work center, and integrates the collected modeling information into a UI model associated with the particular work center. In some instances, the particular work center may be associated with or defined by a corresponding work center model illustrating the particular work center's UI layout, including at least a portion of components associated with the particular work center. |
| US08429593B1 |
Method and apparatus to use physical design information to detect IR drop prone test patterns
A method is provided to evaluate whether one or more test patterns is power safe for use during manufacturing testing of an integrated circuit that includes a nonuniform power grid and that includes a scan chain, the method comprising: assigning respective toggle count thresholds for respective power grid regions of the non-uniform power grid; and determining whether respective numbers of toggles by scan elements of the scan chain within one or more respective power grid regions meet respective toggle count thresholds for the one or more respective regions during at least one scan-shift cycle in the course of scan-in of a test pattern to the scan chain. |
| US08429591B2 |
Methods and apparatus for single testing stimulus
Methods and apparatus useful for improving the performance of testing and diagnostic operations on user circuit designs potentially across multiple phases of the development lifecycle and across multiple implementation technologies are described. As one example, a single testing and diagnostic stimulus source can variously provide test pattern data to different potential instantiations of the user circuit design by supporting and selectively utilizing a number of DUT-facing communication channels. |
| US08429584B2 |
Method, electronic design automation tool, computer program product, and data processing program for creating a layout for design representation of an electronic circuit and corresponding port for an electronic circuit
A method for creating a layout for design representation of an electronic circuit with at least one port. The method includes segmenting the at least one port in the design representation into different regions, classifying the different regions of the at least one port according to timing and/or electronic and/or layout characteristics, assigning a priority for each classified region of the at least one port according to rules based on the timing and/or electronic and/or layout characteristics, and routing the design representation by accessing at least one of the classified regions of the port according to an order of the assigned priorities. |
| US08429581B2 |
Method for verifying functional equivalence between a reference IC design and a modified version of the reference IC design
A method for verifying functional equivalence between a reference integrated circuit (IC) design and a modified version of the reference IC design includes simulating a reference IC design using a simulation stimulus on a test bench and saving the simulation output. The reference IC design corresponds to an IC design model having visibility to comprehensive internal device state. The method may also include simulating a modified version of the reference IC design using the same simulation stimulus on the same test bench, and saving the modified version simulation output. In addition, the simulation outputs of the reference IC design and the modified version are compared to create a comparison result. Lastly, the method may include determining whether the modified version of the reference IC design is functionally equivalent to the reference IC design based upon the comparison result. |
| US08429578B2 |
Method of verifying logic circuit including decoders and apparatus for the same
A logic verification apparatus for verifying a logic circuit includes a line recognition unit that recognizes signal lines in the circuit based on design information regarding the circuit as a starting point; a decoder recognition unit that recognizes an area including an AND gate that outputs a certain logical value and an inverter as a decoder circuit area based on the design information, and determines a logical value of an input signal inputted to the recognized decoder circuit area when a logical value of the starting point has a specific logical value; and a determination unit that determines whether a logical configuration of the recognized decoder circuit area is correct based on the number of input signals and a combination of logical values of input signals between the recognized decoder circuit areas. |
| US08429577B2 |
Predictive modeling of interconnect modules for advanced on-chip interconnect technology
A computer program product estimates performance of an interconnect structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC). The program product includes code executing on a computer to calculate at least one electrical characteristic of the interconnect structure based on input data accounting for multiple layers of the interconnect structure. The electrical characteristics can be capacitance, resistance, and/or inductance. The capacitance may be based upon multiple components, including a fringe capacitance component, a terminal capacitance component, and a coupling capacitance component. |
| US08429575B2 |
Method for resizing pattern to be written by lithography technique, and charged particle beam writing method
A method for resizing a pattern to be written by using lithography technique includes calculating a first dimension correction amount of a pattern for correcting a dimension error caused by a loading effect, for each small region made by virtually dividing a writing region of a target workpiece into meshes of a predetermined size, based on an area density of the each small region, calculating a second dimension correction amount in accordance with a line width dimension of the pattern to be written in the each small region, correcting the first dimension correction amount by using the second dimension correction amount, and resizing the line width dimension of the pattern by using a corrected first dimension correction amount, and outputting a result of the resizing. |
| US08429573B2 |
Data generation method for semiconductor device, and electron beam exposure system
A method includes: generating electron beam exposure data, used for electron beam exposure, from design data of a semiconductor device; extracting differential information indicating a difference in shape between an electron beam exposure pattern formed on a substrate through electron beam exposure on the basis of the electron beam exposure data and a photoexposure pattern formed on the substrate through photoexposure on the basis of the design data of the semiconductor device; determining whether the size of the difference in shape between the electron beam exposure pattern and the photoexposure pattern falls within a predetermined reference value; acquiring shape changed exposure data by changing the shape of the pattern of the electron beam exposure data in accordance with the differential information and updating the electron beam exposure data; and repeating the differential extraction, the determination and the updating when the size of the difference falls outside the predetermined reference value. |
| US08429566B2 |
Programmable HVAC controller with cross column selection on a touch screen interface
A programmable HVAC controller that include a controller and a touch screen user interface is configured to control one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with a programmable schedule. In some instances, the controller of the programmable HVAC controller is programmed to define a number of columns on the touch screen display, such that a selected day of the programmable schedule may be visually represented across two or more adjacent columns of the touch screen display, with the selected day of the programmable schedule beginning in a first column and extending across and into a second adjacent column of the touch screen display. The controller may be programmed to monitor the touch screen display and allow a user to set a start time and/or an end time of a time period of the selected day of the programmable schedule by touching the first column and/or the second column of the touch screen display. |
| US08429563B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, storage medium, and program
It is difficult appropriately to select only a favorite image in a list display screen of small images such as a thumbnail image. An image processing apparatus is provided that has, in various embodiments, one or more of the features of an indicator for indicating a reduced image to be subjected to a specific image processing among displayed reduced images; a display controller for displaying an image in a size larger than the size of the reduced image indicated by the indicator; and an executor for executing the specific image processing on the stored image after the mentioned display controller displays the image in the size larger than the size of the reduced image. |
| US08429559B2 |
Elicitation method for custom image preferences using keywords
A method and user interface for eliciting and processing user feedback includes displaying on a computing device display a digital asset, wherein the digital asset has an associated list having at least one keyword; displaying on the computing device display a user feedback interface, the user feedback interface comprising at least one input component configured to receive user generated input; receiving a keyword replacement pair via the at least one input component; storing the keyword replacement pair; analyzing the stored keyword replacement pair; and producing results indicting potential changes to the digital asset based upon the analyzing. Based upon the results of the analysis, an updated version of the digital asset may be produced including any user suggested changes. |
| US08429558B2 |
Displaying content for various aspect ratios
A resource manager can vary content for various display aspect ratios used to display information in a computing environment. This allows providing content that is more suitable and/or especially designed for display on a particular aspect ratio. It will be appreciated that resource manager can facilitate execution of the same computer program code for various aspect ratio as content displayed can be effectively adjusted by the resource manager. In order to support multiple aspect ratios, the resource manager can use an Aspect Ratio Adaptable Data Set (ARADS) that effectively supports displaying graphical content for various aspect ratios. The (ARADS) can include “base data” and “aspect-ratio-specific data” that can complement and/or replace the base data. The base data can be used as an initial basis for displaying graphics on any one of a plurality of different aspect ratios while the aspect-ratio-specific data can be specifically designed for and/or accommodate a particular aspect ratio. |
| US08429552B2 |
Function specific property nodes for graphical programs
System and method for accessing properties of a pre-defined object in a graphical program (GP) operable to perform first functionality. A node icon is displayed in the GP and coupled to the pre-defined object in response to user input, and is associated with program instructions executable to only provide access to a plurality of properties corresponding to the object, and specifying configuration of the object, where the object is associated with a subset of the first functionality. Available properties of the object are displayed, and user input indicating the plurality of properties received. The GP is executed, including executing the property node to: receive input specifying modification of a property, and modify the property to configure the object to perform the subset of the first functionality; and/or to read the property from the pre-defined object, and provide the property to a graphical program element of the GP, e.g., for display. |
| US08429551B2 |
Application-based copy and paste operations
Various embodiments provide application- or browser-based, copy and paste operations. In one or more embodiments, a web browser supports copy and paste functionality thus enabling the user to easily move data from one location to another. The browser-based solution can thus relieve websites from having to include code that implements the copy and paste functionality. |
| US08429548B2 |
Automatically suggesting graphical program elements for inclusion in a graphical program
System and method for editing a graphical program. One or more nodes are included in a graphical program in response to user input selecting the one or more nodes, where each node has a respective one or more terminals for receiving input to or providing output from the node. User input is received indicating a terminal on a first node of the one or more nodes to which a node is to be connected. One or more suggested graphical program elements to include in the graphical program are automatically presented based on the indicated terminal, where the one or more suggested graphical program elements are selectable by the user for inclusion in the graphical program. |
| US08429545B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for presenting an indicia of risk reflecting an analysis associated with search results within a graphical user interface
A system, method, and computer program product comprise presenting a plurality of search results within a graphical user interface. Further, an indicia of risk is presented that reflects an analysis in association with at least one of the plurality of search results within the graphical user interface. |
| US08429543B2 |
E-mail interface having an informational tool tip
An interface enables perception of information regarding e-mail communications. The interface includes an e-mail application user interface that enables perception of e-mail message information for one or more e-mails received by an e-mail participant and that enables active display of one or more of the received e-mails selected by the e-mail participant, The interface also includes a mechanism that determines a request for e-mail message information for one of the e-mails from within a desired e-mail message that is not actively displayed. The interface further includes an informational tool tip that provides a temporary perceivable indication to the e-mail participant of at least a portion of the requested information for the desired e-mail message while maintaining active display of the one or more selected e-mails. |
| US08429539B1 |
Managing items in a networked environment
A system, methods and interfaces are provided for managing items in a networked environment. A set of items, such as publications or other works, can be embodied in tangible media that are mutually exclusive. In response to a selection of an item, a prioritized order of the tangible media corresponding to the selected item is provided. Each tangible media can be further subdivided into a prioritized order of physical attributes of the respective tangible media. |
| US08429538B2 |
System and method for generating graphical user interface
An automated method for generating Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's) is illustrated in the context of a system for processing financial applications. In one embodiment, the GUI generator converts domain data representing over one thousand application types into an equal number of corresponding user screens. The interface may also be bi-directional, operating on user inputs to validate data or check for double keying. |
| US08429536B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a tiled map and display object layer over a network
A method and corresponding apparatus provide a tiled map and display object layer over a network. The method includes receiving at an application server a request for a map and a request for display objects from at least one data stream available over the network, the display objects to be displayed on the map on a user computerized device, sending a request for the requested map from the application server over the network to a mapping server, receiving at the application server the requested map as a tiled map layer, sending over the network a request to the one or more data streams for the requested display objects, receiving at the application server locations of the requested display objects, combining the tiled map layer and the requested display objects into a tiled map and display object layer, and sending the tiled map and display object layer to the user computerized device. |
| US08429534B2 |
Graphical user interface, display control device, display method, and program
There is provided a graphical user interface that displays information on a plurality of different types of content on a single screen. The graphical user interface includes an overview display area and a detail display area. The overview display area displays an overview of the information on the content in chronological order, based on time information for the plurality of the different types of content. The detail display area displays, in greater detail, the information on the content that corresponds to the time information that is selected in the overview display area. Scrolling the information that is displayed in the overview display area causes the information on the content that is displayed in the detail display area to be scrolled. |
| US08429533B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media for providing virtual media environments
Virtual media environments are provided. A first set of media components is received and modified to create a first virtual media instance. The first virtual media instance is provided to a user via at least one media output device. Media parameters corresponding to the user are updated based on the first virtual media instance. A second set of media components is also received. The second set is modified based on the updated media parameters to create a second virtual media instance. |
| US08429528B2 |
Label data procurement and management system
A label data procurement and management system comprising a server with accessibility over a network having a label input function for inputting new labels, a function for searching for a label, a function for an editor to inspect a label and propose changes, a function for at least one member of a team to review and apply the label changes, a function for at least one member of a proofing team to proof the label, and an administration function for performing administrative features of the system. |
| US08429526B2 |
Efficient evaluation for diff of XML documents
A technique for differencing XML documents is provided. An edit graph is generated for computing the cost of possible edits that may be applied to a first XML document in order to generate a second XML document. A hash value is assigned to nodes included in the axes of the edit graph, where one axis includes nodes in the first XML document and the other axis includes nodes in the second XML document. The hash value may be generated based on a particular node's name and attributes, and the hash value of the name and attributes of each child node of the particular node. A technique for patching an XML document is also provided. Events are generated for each node in the input document and for at least one operation specified in the edit script. The edit script is applied to the input document by performing one or more operations specified in the operation events on one or more node events. |
| US08429524B2 |
Document generation and repurposing based on visual hierarchical scores of properties in documents
A method executed by a computer of generating a repurposed document includes: providing a representation of a first document with no explicitly defined structure, extracting structural information for the first document using a set of predefined rules, determining a first content item formatted using a first style of the first document using the structural information, applying a second style to the first content item in order to generate a second content item, and generating the repurposed document using the second content item, wherein a visual significance hierarchical score is maintained between the first and second content items. |
| US08429523B2 |
Comic creation apparatus, comic creation method, and comic creation program
A comic creation apparatus includes a frame candidate setting unit configured to set, as frame candidates, candidates of a frame to be arranged adjacent to a frame arranged on a page of a comic, a frame candidate display unit configured to display the set frame candidates in a desired location on the page, and a frame determination unit configured to arrange a frame candidate selected from among the frame candidates displayed on the page in the desired location on the page as a frame. |
| US08429519B2 |
Presentation generator
A presentation generator may access one or more data sources structured into data fields. The user may create or modify a template by inserting one or more tags corresponding to data fields in the template. The template may also have one or more processing instructions for indicating the data sources and how the data sources should be queried. The processing instructions may also indicate how the data is to be grouped across various slides, pages, sections, etc. The generator may build the presentation based on the template, its tags, and its processing instructions. The resulting presentation may be accessed by a user-friendly application, such as a word processor, slide program, spreadsheet, report viewer, or other application. The user may update part or all of the presentation using information on the queries and data sources embedded in the presentation itself. |
| US08429515B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving control information in multiple input multiple output system
An apparatus and a method for transmitting and receiving control information in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system are provided. A method of a base station for transmitting control information to a terminal in the MIMO system includes transmitting first control information for every transmission mode except for a Multiple-User (MU)-MIMO mode, to the terminal over a control channel of a subframe, and transmitting second control information for the MU-MIMO mode to the terminal over a data channel of the subframe. |
| US08429513B2 |
Loading secure code into a memory
A method of verifying the integrity of code in a programmable memory, the method including: receiving the code from an insecure memory; generating error detection bits for the code as it is received from the insecure memory; storing the code and the error detection bits in the programmable memory; and verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory by performing an authentication check on the code and the error detection bits stored in the programmable memory. |
| US08429507B1 |
Device and method for detecting and correcting errors in a data stream
A device for detecting and correcting errors in a data stream. For example, a device for detecting and correcting errors in a data stream including identifiers for a track address or identifiers for encoded words in a wireless transmission. The devices employ a class of error correction codes to, for instance, encode track addresses on a surface of a data storage medium. The encoding modifies natural track addresses so that the difference between bit sequences in adjacent track addresses is constant while simultaneously enabling both error detection and error correction, thereby enabling more accurate head positioning in a data storage device, in one embodiment. |
| US08429506B2 |
Channel quality index feedback reduction for broadband systems
Systems and methodology for exploiting channel correlation in time and/or frequency to reduce CQI feedback in wireless communications systems. By compressing CQI feedback at the receiver to reduce redundancy in CQI feedback information that results from the channel correlation, the average feedback rate is reduced. In various embodiments, redundancy in time may be removed from the CQI feedback by monitoring variations of the CQI information in time at the receiver so that CQI information for a given CQI reporting instance is communicated to the transmitter only if it differs from the CQI information for the previous CQI reporting instance. Otherwise, no feedback is performed. In other embodiments, CQI feedback is compressed by performing a discrete cosine transform (DCT) on the CQI data. |
| US08429505B2 |
Error-correction data generation apparatus and generation method
An error-correction data generation apparatus for correcting data to be protected in which an error has occurred, the apparatus includes an input unit configured to input data to be protected and a generation unit configured to generate first correction data to be used in correcting first data to be protected. |
| US08429501B2 |
Memory storage device, memory controller thereof, and method thereof for generating log likelihood ratio
A memory storage device, a memory controller, and a log likelihood ratio (LLR) generation method are provided. A read data corresponding to a first storage state is obtained from memory cells of a flash memory chip in the memory storage device by using bit data read voltages. An error checking and correcting procedure is performed on the read data to obtain a second storage state corresponding to the read data when the read data is written. An amount of storage error is obtained in storage states satisfying a statistic number, and a storage error means that data is in the second storage state when being written and is in the first storage state when being read. A logarithmic operation is executed according to the statistic number, an amount of the storage states, and the amount of storage error to generate a first LLR of the read data. |
| US08429500B2 |
Methods and apparatus for computing a probability value of a received value in communication or storage systems
Methods and apparatus are provided for computing a probability value of a received value in communication or storage systems. A probability value for a received value in a communication system or a memory device is computed by obtaining at least one received value; identifying a segment of a function corresponding to the received value, wherein the function is defined over a plurality of segments, wherein each of the segments has an associated set of parameters; and calculating the probability value using the set of parameters associated with the identified segment. A probability value for a received value in a communication system or a memory device can also be computed by calculating the probability value for the received value using a first distribution, wherein the first distribution is predefined and wherein a mapped version of the first distribution approximates a distribution of the received values and wherein the calculating step is implemented by a processor, a controller, a read channel, a signal processing unit or a decoder. |
| US08429496B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and error correcting method
A decoding unit is arranged between a reading unit that reads data with an error correction code added from memory cells on a specific one of the first data lines and an output unit that selectively outputs certain data of the read out data. The decoding unit corrects any errors in the data read out by the reading unit in accordance with the error correction code. The data in which the errors are corrected by the decoding unit is written back in the memory cells on the specific first data line. |
| US08429495B2 |
Error detection and correction codes for channels and memories with incomplete error characteristics
A channel has a first and a second end. The first end of the channel is coupled to a transmitter. The channel is capable of transmitting symbols selected from a symbol set from the first end to the second end. The channel exhibits incomplete error introduction properties. A code comprises a set of code words. The elements of the set of code words are one or more code symbols long. The code symbols are members of the symbol set. The minimum modified Hamming separation between the elements of the set of code words in light of the error introduction properties of the channel is greater than the minimum Hamming distance between the elements of the set of code words. A memory device, a method of using the channel, and a method of generating the code are also described. |
| US08429494B2 |
Nonvolatile random access memory and nonvolatile memory system
A nonvolatile random access memory includes: a nonvolatile storage area that is randomly accessible and includes a data area to store data and an error-correcting-code area to store an error correcting code, the data area including at least one data area to which a data area unit size is assigned, the error-correcting-code area including at least one error-correcting-code area to which an error-correcting-code-area unit size is assigned; and a nonvolatile storage area controller to set a data size used when the at least one data area is accessed, as the data area unit size. The nonvolatile storage area controller manages the data area and the error-correcting-code area based on the set data area unit size and assigns the at least one error-correcting-code area with the error-correcting-code-area unit size to the at least one data area with the data area unit size based on the data area unit size. |
| US08429493B2 |
Memory device with internal signap processing unit
A method for operating a memory (36) includes storing data in a plurality of analog memory cells (40) that are fabricated on a first semiconductor die by writing input storage values to a group of the analog memory cells. After storing the data, multiple output storage values are read from each of the analog memory cells in the group using respective, different threshold sets of read thresholds, thus providing multiple output sets of the output storage values corresponding respectively to the threshold sets. The multiple output sets of the output storage values are preprocessed by circuitry (48) that is fabricated on the first semiconductor die, to produce preprocessed data. The preprocessed data is provided to a memory controller (28), which is fabricated on a second semiconductor die that is different from the first semiconductor die, so as to enable the memory controller to reconstruct the data responsively to the preprocessed data. |
| US08429489B2 |
Data retrieval from a storage device using a combined error correction and detection approach
One or more methods and systems of effectively retrieving data stored in a media of a storage device are presented. The one or more methods and systems are implemented by way of correcting and detecting errors using a multi-stage decoding process. In one embodiment, the storage device comprises a magnetic hard drive. In one embodiment, the system and method applies an encoding/decoding technique that allows error correction and detection to be performed over a number of successive decode stages or processing stages. Use of the system and method increases the maximum number of symbol errors that may be corrected in an encoded codeword, providing an improvement in data recovery. |
| US08429487B2 |
Error protection method, TDC module, CTDC module, all-digital phase-locked loop, and calibration method thereof
An error protection method for a time-to-digital converter (TDC) decoder of an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) includes: retrieving a digital code received by the TDC decoder; retrieving a cycle code received by the TDC decoder; performing an exclusive-or operation on a first predetermined bit of the digital code and a second predetermined bit of the cycle code for generating an error protection code; and using the error protection code to fix errors within the cycle code by adding the error protection code into the cycle code and shifting the cycle code by a third predetermined number of bits. |
| US08429485B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting free page and a method and apparatus for decoding error correction code using the method and apparatus for detecting free page
A method and apparatus for detecting a free page of a memory device, and a method and apparatus for decoding an error correction code by using the method and apparatus for detecting a free page are provided. Free page data read from the memory is converted into a converted codeword for inclusion as an element of an error correction code field. The converted codeword is compared to an initially set target codeword to detect an amount of non-identical bits. A page read from the memory is determined to be a free page when the amount of non-identical bits is equal to or less than an initially set threshold value. |
| US08429483B1 |
Edge-based decoders for low-density parity-check codes
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for increasing decoding throughput in an LDPC decoder, such as in a wireless communications receiver or in a data retrieval unit. A checker-board parity check matrix and edge-based LDPC decoder structure are provided in which both vertical and horizontal processors are used simultaneously. Horizontal processors may be grouped into type-A and type-B horizontal processors, and similarly, vertical processors may be grouped into type-A and type-B vertical processors. Type-A processors may be used in different clock cycles than type-B processors to update memory locations in a decoding matrix without causing memory access conflicts. |
| US08429481B2 |
Synchronous hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol employing a first information element indicating whether to perform retransmission of an uplink data packet and a second information element indicates modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the retransmission
A base station receives an uplink data packet from a user equipment based on a synchronous hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol, and transmits a first information element and a second information element in parallel to the user equipment. The first information element indicates whether to perform a retransmission of the uplink data packet, and the second information element indicates modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the retransmission. The base station receives the retransmission from the user equipment according to the modulation and coding scheme. The first information element is for example an ACK/NACK feedback message. |
| US08429480B2 |
User specific load balancing
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention there is a method and apparatus to detect with a hybrid automatic repeat request function a collision between an uplink packet re-transmission and a new uplink packet transmission within a hybrid automatic repeat request process, and in response, to dynamically allocating resources for transmitting the new uplink packet transmission in a different hybrid automatic repeat request process that does not collide with the uplink packet re-transmission. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is a method and apparatus to transmit a packet re-transmission in a hybrid automatic repeat request process using a semi-persistently scheduled uplink resource, and responsive to receiving a dynamic allocation of a different hybrid automatic repeat request process, to transmit a new packet using the dynamically allocated different hybrid automatic repeat request process. |
| US08429479B2 |
Method and system to increase the throughput of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol
A method and system to increase the throughput of a HARQ protocol in a wireless network. When a station receives a downlink HARQ sub-burst that has an incorrect cyclic redundancy check, it determines if there is an overflow event of its buffer. If so, the station reduces the size of the HARQ sub-burst to be stored in the buffer and stores the resized HARQ sub-burst in the buffer. When the station transmits an uplink HARQ sub-burst, the station can reduce the size of the transmitted HARQ sub-burst if it exceeds the size of the buffer. The amount of buffer required in the station can also be reduced by representing each log likelihood ratio (LLR) value of each of one or more bits of each symbol of a HARQ burst with a number of quantization bits based on a metric sensitivity to noise of each bit of each symbol. |
| US08429470B2 |
Memory devices, testing systems and methods
Testing systems and methods, as well as memory devices using such testing systems and methods, may facilitate testing of memory devices using a read-modify-write test procedure. One such testing system receives a signal indicative of at least some of a plurality of bits of data read from an address differing from each other, and then masks subsequent write operations at the same address. Therefore, any address at which the bits of read data do not all have the same value may be considered to be faulty. Failure data from the test can therefore be stored in the same array of memory cells that is being tested. |
| US08429468B2 |
System and method to correct data errors using a stored count of bit values
In a particular embodiment, at a controller coupled to a memory array, a method includes receiving an indication that a first group of data bits read from the memory array includes errors that are uncorrectable by an error correction coding (ECC) engine. A count of the first group of data bits having a particular bit value may be compared to a prior count of data bits having the particular bit value. In response to determining that the count exceeds the prior count, a bit of the first group of data bits that has the particular bit value and that corresponds to a same memory cell as a corrected data bit of a second group of data bits is identified. A value of the identified bit of the first group may be changed to generate an adjusted group of data bits. The adjusted group of data bits may be provided to the ECC engine. |
| US08429461B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosing cablecard-related status and performing proper processing according to diagnosis result in opencable system, opencable host, and opencable reception apparatus
Provided are a method and apparatus for diagnosing a CableCARD-related status and performing proper processing according to the diagnosis result in an OpenCable system; an OpenCable host; and an OpenCable reception apparatus. The CableCARD-related status diagnosis and processing apparatus includes: a diagnosis unit diagnosing the CableCARD-related status or a network-related status; and a processor performing processing according to the status determined from the diagnosis result. Therefore, by installing a software-processing logic against critical errors or definite faults in a television or a set-top box in an OpenCable system, it is possible to diagnose a CableCARD-related status and quickly handle the CableCARD when an error is generated in the CableCARD, thereby reducing costs to service providers and providing an improvement in service quality to users. |
| US08429454B2 |
Coordination of error reporting among multiple managed runtimes in the same process
Systems and methods are described for coordinating error reporting among a plurality of managed runtimes that are concurrently executing in the same process. In accordance with various embodiments, an error reporting manager that executes concurrently in the same process as the managed runtimes coordinates error reporting among the managed runtimes in a manner that does not require the managed runtimes to be aware of each other or to communicate directly with each other. |
| US08429448B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamic transaction migration in an event-driven, multi-silo architecture
Systems and methods may include providing a first silo configured to operate a first set of event-driven processing stages, and a second silo configured to operate a second set of event-driven processing stages; arranging at least one shared transaction cache between the first set of processing stages and the second set of processing stages of the respective first and second silos, where each processing stage of the first and second sets of processing stages can obtain or receive one or more transactions from the at least one shared transaction cache for processing, and where when a distressed processing stage in the first silo fails to process a first transaction designated for the distressed processing stage in a predefined amount of time, a non-distressed processing stage in the second silo obtains or receives the first transaction from the at least one shared transaction cache to process the first transaction on behalf of the distressed processing stage. |
| US08429443B2 |
Computer system and boot control method
When a primary computer is taken over to a secondary computer in a redundancy configuration computer system where booting is performed via a storage area network (SAN), a management server delivers an information collecting/setting program to the secondary computer before the user's operating system of the secondary computer is started. This program assigns a unique ID (World Wide Name), assigned to the fiber channel port of the primary computer, to the fiber channel port of the secondary computer to allow a software image to be taken over from the primary computer to the secondary computer. |
| US08429440B2 |
Flat panel display driver method and system
Methods and systems are described for enabling display system data transmission during use. An integrated circuit package includes input interface circuitry configured to receive an audio-video data stream having a video signal and timing information and timing extraction circuitry that can identify blanking patterns for the video signal. The package includes input processing circuitry for receiving audio-video signal and converting the audio-video data stream input into a low voltage differential signal (LVDS). The package includes a timing controller having timing extraction circuitry, a set of symbol buffers, a scheduler, and timing control circuitry. All configured to implement LVDS data transfer and in some implementation enable point to point data transfer from data buffers to associated column drivers. |
| US08429439B2 |
Inter-pair skew adjustment
A skew adjustor that can reduce inter-pair skew between differential signals received via a cable is disclosed. In one embodiment, a skew adjustor includes: a skew detector that receives signals from a cable, and provides a detected skew amount when skew is detected between two of the signals; an offset controller for receiving the detected skew amount, and for providing a delay control signal in response thereto; and a skew delay circuit that receives the signals and the delay control signal, and enables one or more delay stages in a path of a first arriving of the two skewed signals based on the delay control signal, such that an adjusted skew between the two skewed signals at an output of the skew delay circuit is less than the detected skew amount by an amount corresponding to the enabled one or more delay stages. |
| US08429437B2 |
System including plurality of storage devices and data transmission method for the same
A system includes a plurality of storage devices and a controller. The plurality of storage devices are bus-connected to one clock signal line and one data signal line connected to the controller. Each of the plurality of storage devices stores identification information in advance to distinguish the storage devices from each other. The controller transmits data using an identification information transmission period in which one storage device is selected from the plurality of storage devices by transmitting the identification information of the one storage device to the plurality of storage devices via the data signal line and a data transmission period in which the data is transmitted to the one selected storage device. A frequency of a clock signal during the identification information transmission period is set to be lower than a frequency of the clock signal during the data transmission period. |
| US08429434B2 |
Control method with management server apparatus for storage device and air conditioner and storage system
Arrangements reducing power consumption of an air conditioner and a storage device. A control method with a management server apparatus for a plurality of storage devices and an air conditioner includes calculating plural combinations of allocating the work amount to the plurality of storage devices, calculating the heating value of each storage device included in the plurality of storage devices for each of the plural combinations, calculating the quantity of heat conducted to the air conditioner, based on the heating value and positional information of the plurality of storage devices and the air conditioner, calculating the power consumption to cool the quantity of heat conducted to the air conditioner, selecting a combination included in the plural combinations based on the power consumption of the air conditioner, and issuing a move of the data stored in a first storage device to a second storage device, based on the selected combination. |
| US08429432B2 |
Stand-by power system for information handling systems
A power supply system includes a power supply coupled to a load via a main power rail, and a switch coupled between the power supply and the load on an auxiliary power rail. A controller controls the switch to couple the auxiliary power rail to the load in response to a startup command, and the controller controls the switch to uncouple the load from the auxiliary power rail in response to a shut down command and a low power mode being enabled. |
| US08429429B1 |
Computer security system and method
A method is provided for protecting a computer system, comprising: attaching a security descriptor to a process running on a processor of the computer system; associating with the security descriptor an isolation indicator that indicates the process runs in an isolation mode; calling a system routine by the isolated process that is also callable by a process that is not running in isolation mode; attempting to write to an object of a disk or a registry by the system routine called by the isolated process; determining whether the system routine is requesting the write on behalf of the isolated process or not; if the write is requested on behalf of the isolated process, then performing the write in a pseudo storage area; and if the write is requested on behalf of the non-isolated process, then performing the write in an actual storage area in which the disk or registry resides. |
| US08429418B2 |
Technique for providing secure firmware
A technique to verify firmware. One embodiment of the invention uses a processor's micro-code to verify a system's firmware, such that the firmware can be included in a trusted chain of code along with the operating system. |
| US08429416B2 |
Method and apparatus of storage anti-piracy key encryption (SAKE) device to control data access for networks
A method comprises performing an authentication of a user of a portable device, performing an authentication handshake between the portable device and a content server, wherein the portable device includes a USB plug that plugs directly into a USB port of a host computer and the host computer is communicatively coupled to the content server, and sending a first key sent from the portable device to the content server, wherein access to restricted content on the content server by the user is enabled if the user authentication, the authentication handshake, and an authentication using the first key are all successful. The process may also include encrypting restricted content received from the content server using a private key before storing the restricted content in a non-volatile memory of the portable device. |
| US08429414B2 |
Apparatus and method of generating and detecting prevention and control data for verifying validity of data
A method of generating prevention and control data to verify validity of data to be transmitted, and an apparatus to perform the method, the method including generating the prevention and control data according to composing information of the data to be transmitted, and transmitting the prevention and control data along with the data to be transmitted to verify the validity of the data to be transmitted. |
| US08429413B2 |
Systems and methods for server aided processing of a signed receipt
A method for processing security communication protocol compliant signed receipts at a mobile communication device linked to a host system is provided. The host system receives an email message linked to a digital signature, and a signed receipt. The host system redirects the signed receipt to the mobile communication device. The host system determines if the email message is available at the mobile communication device, and if not, the host system retrieves the email message and redirects the email message to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device can then verify the signed receipt based on the email message. Optionally, rather than the email message, the host system retrieves and/or recalculates data elements associated with the email message and required to verify the signed receipt, and redirects these data elements to the mobile communication device. A related system is provided, as well as server computer program for the host system, and device computer program for the mobile communication device. |
| US08429412B2 |
Method to control access between network endpoints based on trust scores calculated from information system component analysis
Signatures are generated for modules in a computer system. The signatures can be assembled into an integrity log. The signatures are compared with signatures in a database in an integrity validator. Once signatures are either validated or invalidated, a trust score can be generated. The trust score can then be used to determine whether the computer system should be granted access to a resource using a policy. |
| US08429406B2 |
Authorizing customer premise equipment into a network
Systems and methods for authorizing customer premise equipment into a network. A publicly available network membership key can be provided to enable initial connection to the network. Unique network membership keys associated with various customer premise equipment can be provided to enable service level access to the network and/or authorization into a sub-cell associated with the network. |
| US08429405B2 |
System and method for human assisted secure information exchange
A system that assures a user that two specific devices have exchanged information correctly over an insecure communication channel. In a typical application, the channel would be a wireless network connection and the information would consist of the public keys of the two devices. The exchanged public keys would subsequently be used to secure any further communication between the two devices. The system requires that both devices have an output modality interpretable by a human. One of the devices must have an input modality that can be operated by the user. The input and output modalities can be very simple e.g., they can consist of a button and LEDs. The users would press the button multiple times. On each press, the LEDs on both devices display a color and the user compares the colors and that they are synchronous. A noticeable delay or color difference signifies a security threat. |
| US08429404B2 |
Method and system for secure communications on a managed network
A system and method for discovery and/or authentication of clients to a network, particularly a managed network, substantially without requiring the client and/or access device to transmit an unencrypted address or identification. |
| US08429402B2 |
Method and arrangement for authenticating a control unit and transmitting authentication information messages to the control unit
In a method and arrangement for authenticating a data processing system, first information is generated by a first data processing system and delivered to a second data processing system for a control unit. First data are transmitted from the second data processing system to the first data processing system over a data line, the first data being generated by the second data processing system with aid of the first information and additional information contained in the second data processing system. Second data are generated by the first data processing system depending on the first data and transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Authentication information for authenticating the second data processing system is generated by the second data processing system with aid of the second data. |
| US08429399B2 |
Method and arrangement for security activation detection in a telecommunication system
A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the start of a secure mode by a user terminal (12) without explicit signaling. After the network (30) commands the user terminal to switch to secure mode and receives a data packet from the user terminal, the receiving network node (22) determines the security mode of the user terminal by determining whether valid security has been applied to the received data packet by the user terminal. |
| US08429397B2 |
Generating an encryption font by converting character codes and recording the encryption font in a unique tag
A character string not to be referred to which is included in structured document data is extracted, and an XML generation unit generates a random code table. Then, the XML generation unit generates a conversion font by converting character codes of a font using the table. The character codes of a document are converted in accordance with the table. The XML generation unit embeds the font and the conversion font. |
| US08429396B1 |
Peer discovery and secure communication in failover schemes
A system discovers peer nodes in a failover system, establishes a secure channel between at least two of the peer nodes, and exchanges state information over the secure channel. |
| US08429395B2 |
Controlling access to software component state
A request is received from a software component of a software product to access a value of a public setting of the software component. A check is made as to whether the request conforms to an appropriate format for the public setting. If the request conforms to the appropriate format, then the requested access is performed. However, if the request does not conform to the appropriate format, then the requested access is denied. Multiple values for the public setting can be received and maintained concurrently. |
| US08429393B1 |
Method for obscuring a control device's network presence by dynamically changing the device's network addresses using a cryptography-based pattern
A network security system comprises a first component that generates an address for identifying a communicating device on a network. A second component receives the address generated by the first component and facilitates transitioning from an existent address to the generated address. Such transitioning is effectuated in order to protect the network against attack while providing seamless communications with respect to the communicating device. |
| US08429390B2 |
Method for performing quick boot and general boot at bios stage
A method for performing a quick boot and a general boot at a basic input output system (BIOS) stage is described. A computer is powered on. An embedded controller firmware or a BIOS determines whether a quick boot key is pressed. If the quick boot key is not pressed, a boot flag is changed from Quick Boot to General Boot. If the quick boot key is pressed, the BIOS determines whether the boot flag is set to Quick Boot. If it is determined that the boot flag is set to Quick Boot, an initialization of drivers preset by the quick boot is performed, and uninitialized drivers are initialized at a stage when an operating system is started. If it is determined that the boot flag is set to General Boot, an initialization of all drivers is performed. |
| US08429388B2 |
System and method for express execution of internet service accessing
A method for express execution of internet service accessing with a touch-control interface for a computer system is provided. A computer system is installed with a first operating system in a data storage therein. The method includes the following steps: the computer system executing the BIOS of the computer system; before loading and executing the first operating system, the computer system detecting and activating a touch-control display device; the touch-control display device displaying executive item icons representing internet service accessing programs; detecting the executive item icon selection by the user; based on the selection, loading and executing the first operating system; and executing the internet service accessing program corresponding to the selected executive item icon. |
| US08429386B2 |
Dynamic tag allocation in a multithreaded out-of-order processor
Various techniques for dynamically allocating instruction tags and using those tags are disclosed. These techniques may apply to processors supporting out-of-order execution and to architectures that supports multiple threads. A group of instructions may be assigned a tag value from a pool of available tag values. A tag value may be usable to determine the program order of a group of instructions relative to other instructions in a thread. After the group of instructions has been (or is about to be) committed, the tag value may be freed so that it can be re-used on a second group of instructions. Tag values are dynamically allocated between threads; accordingly, a particular tag value or range of tag values is not dedicated to a particular thread. |
| US08429384B2 |
Interleaved hardware multithreading processor architecture
An architecture for a digital signal processor alleviates the difficulties and complexities normally associated with writing and optimizing programs to avoid stalls during which one instruction awaits the result of a prior instruction. The architecture coordinates the processing of data for multiple instructions through a multiple stage data pipeline. As a result, the architecture not only supports simultaneous execution of multiple programs, but also permits each program to execute without delays caused by inter-relationships between instructions within the program. |
| US08429381B1 |
Micro grid computing system in tiered structure of bridge coupled processing hub with sensor and actuator docking bay
A micro grid apparatus and associated method of formation. Multiple tiers are formed. The tiers are distributed and sequenced in a vertical direction such that each tier is at a different vertical level in the vertical direction. Each tier includes a multiplicity of complex shapes interconnected by bridge modules. Each complex shape is a physical structure having an exterior boundary. Each complex shape includes multiple docking bays such that each docking bay is configured to have a module latched therein. Each complex shape is either a power hub including rechargeable batteries or a processor hub including processors. A sensor module is latched in a sensor docking bay and an actuator module is latched in an actuator docking bay of each complex shape in one or more tiers of the multiple tiers. |
| US08429379B2 |
Reconfigurable microprocessor configured with multiple caches and configured with persistent finite state machines from pre-compiled machine code instruction sequences
A processor, integrated with re-configurable logic and memory elements, is disclosed which is to be used as part of a shared memory, multiprocessor computer system. The invention utilizes the re-configurable elements to construct persistent finite state machines based on information decoded by the invention from sequences of CISC or RISC type processor machine instructions residing in memory. The invention implements the same algorithm represented by the sequence of encoded instructions, but executes the algorithm consuming significantly fewer clock cycles than would be consumed by the processor originally targeted to execute the sequence of encoded instructions. |
| US08429378B2 |
System and method to manage a translation lookaside buffer
A system and method to manage a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of managing a first TLB includes in response to starting execution of a memory instruction, setting a first field associated with an entry of the first TLB to indicate use of the entry. The method also includes setting a second field to indicate that the entry in the first TLB matches a corresponding entry in a second TLB. |
| US08429377B2 |
Optimizing TLB entries for mixed page size storage in contiguous memory
A system and method for accessing memory are provided. The system comprises a lookup buffer for storing one or more page table entries, wherein each of the one or more page table entries comprises at least a virtual page number and a physical page number; a logic circuit for receiving a virtual address from said processor, said logic circuit for matching the virtual address to the virtual page number in one of the page table entries to select the physical page number in the same page table entry, said page table entry having one or more bits set to exclude a memory range from a page. |
| US08429376B2 |
Translation look-aside buffer
A translation look-aside buffer (TLB) is described. The TLB may include a memory populated with pointers to collections (e.g., tables) of virtual-to-physical address translations. The memory may be populated by, for example, a page fault logic in response to resolving a page fault. The TLB may also include a signal logic to receive a virtual address and to selectively provide either a miss signal or a pointer to a collection of virtual-to-physical translations. The signal may provide the miss signal upon determining that the virtual address is not associated with a stored pointer and may provide a pointer upon determining that the virtual address is associated with the pointer. |
| US08429375B1 |
Memory management unit (MMU) to make only one time programmable (OTP) memory appear multiple times programmable (MTP)
Memory management units (MMUs) are disclosed. In one aspect, an MMU may have a first interface to a component. The first interface may receive one of a read of updated data from, and a write of updated data to, a virtual memory address. The virtual memory address may initially correspond to a first physical memory location in an only one time programmable (OTP) non-volatile memory (NVM). The MMU may have a remapping unit to remap a correspondence of the virtual memory address from the first physical memory location to a spare physical memory location. The MMU may also have a second interface to the OTP NVM. The second interface may allow the updated data to be read from or written to the spare physical memory location of the OTP NVM. Methods performed by the MMUs, and methods and articles useful for manufacturing MMUs, are also disclosed. |
| US08429372B2 |
Allocating substitute area capacity in a storage system using flash memory packages
For a storage apparatus where flash memory disks and hard disks coexist, high-density mounting of flash memory modules is achieved. The storage apparatus includes flash memories and a storage controller. A second storage apparatus including magnetic disks is connected to the storage apparatus. The storage controller can form a storage area using a flash memory or a magnetic disk to create a logical volume. When an input/output request is issued from a host computer, if a storage area is formed with a flash memory, the storage controller directly accesses the flash memory to handle the request. When the storage apparatus defines a storage area formed with a flash memory, the storage apparatus defines the storage area by adding up the capacity of a storage area to be provided for the host computer and a substitute area capacity determined in consideration of restrictions on the number deletions of the flash memory. |
| US08429370B2 |
Semiconductor memory, memory system, and method of controlling the same
Various embodiments of a semiconductor system, a semiconductor memory, and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor memory may include a first circuit area configured to perform an operation corresponding to a general operation command and a second circuit area configured to provide the general operation command to the first circuit area. The second circuit area may be configured to determine whether the semiconductor memory is selected to perform the operation based on unique identification information and target identification information allocated to the semiconductor memory. |
| US08429369B2 |
Storage management program, storage management method, and storage management apparatus
In a computer executing processes based on a storage management program, an attribute collection unit collects attributes of storage nodes. A group creation unit creates at least two groups that include the storage nodes, in accordance with the attributes of the storage nodes collected by the attribute collection unit. A data allocation unit allocates distributed data and redundant distributed data to the groups created by the group creation unit in such a manner that the distributed data and the redundant distributed data having the same content as the distributed data are placed in different groups. |
| US08429362B1 |
Journal based replication with a virtual service layer
A system, program product, and computer implemented method for data replication, comprising enabling a virtual service layer to consume a storage medium of a site and map the storage medium of the site as one or more virtual storage volumes, enabling the virtual service layer to present the one or more virtual storage volumes for consumption by a host, enabling a splitter of the site to intercept I/O written to the one or more virtual storage volumes, splitting intercepted I/O to a journal based replication appliance, and enabling the journal based replication appliance to create a continuous data protection image of the data written to one or more virtual storage volumes. |
| US08429360B1 |
Method and system for efficient migration of a storage object between storage servers based on an ancestry of the storage object in a network storage system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system, in a network storage system, for efficiently migrating a storage object (vdisk) from a first storage server (source) to a second storage server (destination) using data of a related vdisk at the destination. A related vdisk includes an earlier created vdisk (parent) from which the vdisk to be migrated (child) is generated (cloned). By virtue of the cloned relationship, the parent and child have a portion of data blocks in common. When a parent is available at the destination, only the changed data blocks between the parent and child need to be migrated for efficiently constructing the child at the destination. |
| US08429359B1 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically backing up database files
A method and apparatus for backing up a storage system, e.g., one or more disk drives. In one embodiment, an apparatus utilizes a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of a computer's storage system and then subsequently reads the data blocks contained in the snapshot image file. A determination of the number of modified data blocks, i.e., the data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation, is made. The apparatus estimates a backup size from the number of modified data blocks and subsequently determines if the estimated backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the event the predetermined threshold is exceeded, a backup operation is conducted. |
| US08429355B2 |
Information processor system
In an information processor system including a memory device (MEM0), a memory control device (SL0) capable of controlling an operation of the memory device, and a plurality of bus masters (MS0 to MS3) capable of giving access to the memory device through the memory control device, the memory control device includes a control circuit (SDCON) capable of giving a notice of information about a time that a data transfer from the memory device can be started to the bus master related to an access request. The bus master can cause the time information thus given to be a judgment factor as to whether an access request is given to the memory device or not. Consequently, each of the bus masters can avoid the generation of a useless access request and a data transfer to the masters to be accessed can be carried out smoothly. |
| US08429348B2 |
Method and mechanism for delaying writing updates to a data cache
A novel and useful mechanism and method for writing data updates to a data cache subsystem of a storage controller. Updates received by the storage controller requiring storage allocation on a repository volume are delayed prior to being written to the data cache subsystem. The delay is based on the storage utilization of the repository volume. As the utilization of the repository volume increases, the cache write delay increases, thereby limiting the possibility that there will still be any updates in the data cache subsystem waiting to be destaged to the repository volume when the repository volume is fully utilized. When the repository volume is fully utilized all writes to the data cache of updates that will cause destage of tracks in the repository volume are stopped, thereby causing an infinite delay. |
| US08429347B2 |
Emulating a removable mass storage device
A wireless communication device transfers instructions to a host device over a USB connection responsive to being connected to the host device over the USB connection. The instructions direct the host device to enumerate the wireless communication device as a USB MSC device. The wireless communication device wirelessly transfers a device identifier for the wireless communication device to a wireless communication network responsive to being connected to the host device over the USB connection. The wireless communication network processes the device identifier to limit communication service for the wireless communication device to communications with a particular data storage system. |
| US08429345B2 |
Method, control logic and system for detecting a virtual storage volume and data carrier
A method, corresponding control logic, and a correspond system for detecting a virtual storage volume. The method includes: determining a first access pattern for a read operation of a target storage volume; monitoring a second access pattern of at least one other storage volume of a computer system during the read operation; determining a correlation between the first access pattern and the second access pattern; and deriving that the target storage volume is a virtual storage volume if the determined correlation is above a predefined threshold. |
| US08429342B2 |
Drive apparatus and method for controlling the same
An apparatus includes a controller and a plurality of disk drives. The controller has a communication control unit for accepting a data input/output request, a disk controller unit for controlling a disk drive, and a cache memory for temporarily storing data transferred between the communication control unit and the disk controller unit. The plurality of disk drives has different communication interfaces and connected to the disk controller unit to communicate with the disk controller unit. |
| US08429333B2 |
Memory system with efficient data search processing
A controller includes an identification information management table that manages identification information indicating, for each of addresses in second-management unit, whether one or more data in first management unit belonging to the addresses is stored in the second or the third storing area. When the controller executes a process of flushing data from the first storing area to the second storing area or the third storing area, the controller updates the identification information in the identification information management table. The controller executes a process of reading data from the second storing area or the third storing area by referring to the identification information. As a result, the speed of searches conducted in the management table is increased. |
| US08429330B2 |
Method for scrambling data in which scrambling data and scrambled data are stored in corresponding non-volatile memory locations
A method in which data is randomized before being stored in a non-volatile memory to minimize data pattern-related read failures. Predetermined randomized non-user data is stored in a block or other location of a memory array, and accessed as needed by a memory device controller to randomize user data before it is stored in other blocks of the array. Each portion of the user data which is stored in a block is randomized using a portion of the non-user data which is stored in the same relative location in another block. |
| US08429325B1 |
PCI express switch and method for multi-port non-transparent switching
A peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) switch includes non-transparent endpoints, each of which is associated with a bus hierarchy domain. A source non-transparent endpoint in a source bus hierarchy domain receives a packet including a destination address and identifies a destination bus hierarchy domain including a destination non-transparent endpoint based on the destination address. Further, the source non-transparent endpoint translates a requester identifier in the packet to a translated requester identifier and generates a translated request packet including the translated requester identifier. The PCIe switch routes the translated request packet to the destination non-transparent endpoint through a non-transparent interconnect in the PCIe switch. In this way, the PCIe switch interconnects multiple bus hierarchy domains and is non-transparent in the multiple bus hierarchy domains. In further embodiments, the PCIe switch routes multicast packets to multiple destination non-transparent endpoints in multiple destination bus hierarchy domains. |
| US08429322B2 |
Hotplug removal of a device in a virtual machine system
A method and system for hotplug removing a device in a virtual machine system. A computer system hosts a virtual machine that runs a guest. A hotplug manager in the computer system sends a request to the guest for hotplug removal of a device associated with the guest. The hotplug manager detects an indication of reboot of the guest, and completes the hotplug removal in response to detection of the reboot. |
| US08429319B2 |
Multi-port memory device with serial input/output interface
A multi-port memory device includes a plurality of serial I/O data pads for providing a serial input/output (I/O) data communication; a plurality of ports for performing the serial I/O data communication with external devices through the serial I/O data pads; a plurality of banks for performing a parallel I/O data communication with the ports; a plurality of first data buses for transferring first signals from the ports to the banks; a plurality of second data buses for transferring second signals from the banks to the ports; and a switching unit for connecting the first data buses with the second data buses in response to a control signal. |
| US08429318B1 |
Methods for early write termination into non-volatile memory with metadata write operations
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus for improved write performance is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a base printed circuit board (PCB) having an edge connector for plugging into a host server system; a card level power source to provide card level power during a power failure; a memory controller coupled to the card level power source and having one or more memory channels; and one or more non-volatile memory devices (NVMDs) coupled to the card level power source and organized to respectively couple to the memory channels controlled by the memory controller. Each memory controller provides queuing and scheduling of memory operations on a channel for each NVMD in the memory channels. Responsive to power failure, the memory controller receives card level power and changes the scheduling of memory operations to the NVMDs in each memory channel. |
| US08429316B1 |
Switch low power state in a blade server system
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising categorizing each data packet of a plurality of data packets into one of at least two priority groups of data packets; and controlling transmission of data packets of a first priority group of data packets during a first off-time period such that during the first off-time period, data packets of the first priority group of data packets are prevented from being transmitted to a switching module from one or more server blades. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08429315B1 |
Stashing system and method for the prevention of cache thrashing
In a system-on-chip (SoC) including a processor, a method is provided for stashing packet information that prevents cache thrashing. In operation, an Ethernet subsystem accepts a plurality of packets and sends the packets to an external memory for storage. A packet descriptor is derived for each accepted packet and is added to an ingress queue. Packet descriptors are transferred from the ingress queue to an egress queue supplying the packet descriptors to a processor. A context manager monitors the fill level of packet descriptors in the egress queue. In response to monitoring the fill level, the context manager stashes packets from the external memory into a cache, where each stashed packet is associated with a packet descriptor in the egress queue. Packet descriptors are transferred from the ingress queue to the egress queue in response to a number of packet descriptors in the egress queue falling below the fill level. |
| US08429314B2 |
FIFO system and operating method thereof
FIFO systems and operating method thereof are provided to transfer data between a first device and a second device. In the FIFO system, a memory controller serves as an interface to access a memory device for storage of the data, and a CPU processes instructions to control the data transfer. Two data FIFOs serve as data buffers for data transactions to and from the first and second devices, and two status FIFOs serve as an instruction buffers for status transactions between the first, second devices and the CPU. A data controller connects the memory controller and the two data FIFOs for direct data delivery therebetween. |
| US08429310B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image processing device, control device, and connection device
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image processing device including plural image processing units; a control device configured to control the plural image processing units; and a connection unit configured to connect the image processing device to the control device. Each of the plural image processing units is connected to the control device by one of plural channels; the image processing device is connected to the control device by a first bus including the channels; and the connection unit is provided on the first bus so that the image processing device is connected to the control device by a single connection unit. |
| US08429309B2 |
Method and system for providing input in home network using UPnP
A method is provided for providing input in a home network using Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). A control point sends a request for information about input capabilities to an electronic device existing in the home network, and receives the information about the input capabilities in response to the request. The control point sets an input client and an input server based on the received information about the input capabilities. The control point transmits input data received through the set input client to the set input server. |
| US08429307B1 |
Application aware intelligent storage system
This invention is a system and a method for operating a storage server that provides read or write access to a data in a data network using a new architecture. The method of processing I/Os in response to a request by a client of the storage server executes one or more services communicated by a policy engine. The I/Os received from the application are tagged and catalogued to create co-related I/O patterns. The policy engine is then updated with the results of processing the I/Os after executing services on those I/Os. |
| US08429305B2 |
Method for efficiently generating privacy addresses
A method for generating privacy IP address includes pregenerating a first privacy address and generating a second privacy address when the first privacy address is allocated to an application. Addresses may be shared by applications or unique to a single application. A deprecation timer is started when an application binds to an allocated privacy address, now when the privacy address is generated. To minimize traffic flow disruptions a deprecated address is not deleted while the address remains in use. By pregenerating privacy addresses, an address can be promptly allocated to an application with out delays incurred by confirming that a new address is not a duplicate on the system. The method can be implicated on any device using privacy addresses, including mobile handset devices. |
| US08429302B2 |
Aggregate control for application-level compression
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can actively regulate associated gateways in connection with lossless application-level compression. In particular, the architecture can monitor a flow of messages that enter and/or traverse a gateway in order to determine a bandwidth utilization of an associated network due to the messages. The architecture can also monitor the aggregate messages load for the associated network due to all gateways. In particular, the architecture can regulate lossless application-level compression at that gateway or all of the gateways in the set as a function of the bandwidth utilization and/or the aggregate message load. Accordingly, compression features can be activated or deactivated based upon a utilization threshold parameter, and gateways can be regulated uniformly or independently from one another. |
| US08429297B1 |
Web service invocation framework with integrated directory-based distributor
In one embodiment, an apparatus for directory-based web service distribution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a directory and a request client to initiate a request for a web service, the request client including an application middleware having invocation framework with embedded distribution logic to distribute the request to a destination pod, the destination pod to compute a subset of a state associated with the web service, wherein the distribution logic to distribute the request based on a lookup value extracted from the request and submitted to the directory to determine the destination pod. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08429295B2 |
Method and system of providing IP-based packet communications in a utility network
One example embodiment provides a method and system where a node in a utility network registers with one or more access point devices associated with one or more local area utility networks. The utility node generates a unique network address using a network address prefix of a network address associated with the access point device. The utility node registers with a DNS server. Messages sent to the utility node are routed through the access point corresponding to the received prefix used to generate the unique network address for the utility node. The network address for the utility node and access point may be IPv6 addresses and the network address prefix may be an IPv6 prefix, or may be an IPv4 address. |
| US08429291B2 |
Protection of network flows during congestion in a communications network
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor for mapping packets associated with network flows to policy profiles independent of congestion level at the apparatus, and enforcing the policy profiles for the packets based on a congestion state. Packets associated with the same network flow are mapped to the same policy profile and at least some of the network flows are protected during network congestion. The apparatus further includes memory for storing the policy profiles. A method for protecting network flows during network congestion is also disclosed. |
| US08429289B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, program, and information processing system and method
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including: a setting section configured to set as a first parameter at least a tolerable maximum latency time representative of a network profile for use within an end point in a network environment; a control section configured to control the transmission of target data by performing real-time control based on the first parameter set by the setting section; a conversion section configured to convert the first parameter into a second parameter for controlling the quality of service on paths of the network; and a transmission section configured to transmit onto the network the target data furnished with the second parameter derived from the conversion by the conversion section. |
| US08429281B2 |
Method for operating an industrial automation system comprising a plurality of networked computer units, and industrial automation system
An automation system comprising a plurality of networked computer units, functions of the automation system are provided by services of the computer units in which the services are configured and activated using system configuration data and service configuration data. The system configuration data comprise information for assigning services to providing computer units and for assigning dependencies between services. The system configuration data are accepted and checked by a first service of a control and monitoring unit of the automation system and are forwarded to target computer units. The system configuration data are checked by second services provided by the target computer units and are used to provide resources needed to activate local services. The service configuration data are transmitted to the target computer units following system configuration. A local service is activated by a target computer unit assigned to the service using the service configuration data. |
| US08429280B2 |
Systems and methods for maintaining a measure of session time on a networked device
Systems and methods for maintaining a measure of session time of a networked device. A session between the networked device and a first network is monitored to determine a first session time. The first session time is indicative of a first time increment the networked device is continuously connected to the first network. A next session between the networked device and a second network is monitored to determine a second session time. The second session time is indicative of a second time increment the networked device is continuously connected to the second network. A time interval between termination of the session and commencement of the next session is determined. A rule is applied to determine whether the time interval is less than or equal to a pre-determined value. A session time equal to the sum of the first session time and the second session time is displayed when the time interval is less than or equal to the pre-determined value. A session time equal to the second session time is displayed when the time interval is greater than the pre-determined value. |
| US08429278B2 |
Broadcasting receiver and method of interfacing resource information between a host device and a pod, sending host device resource information and obtaining host device resource information
A broadcasting receiver and method of interfacing resource information between a host device and a POD, sending host device resource information and obtaining host device resource information are disclosed. A POD sends a resource information requesting message. And a host device receives the resource information requesting message and responds with a resource information message including a resource identifier defined in a resource information table which includes information indicating whether the host device supports A-mode. Using a “conditional access” feature provided by a conventional cable security card, content received through any type of transport protocol (including an IP protocol) including a wired/wireless network can be protected and A-mode resource information can be systematically defined together with other-mode IP communication resource and the resource information of different modes can be integrated and transmitted to the host device. |
| US08429275B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a social network map of non-voice communications
A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for creating a social network map using non-voice communications are disclosed. For example, the method registers employment data of an employee, monitors non-voice communications of the employee, generates a social network map of the non-voice communications of the employee and analyzes the social network map to provide at least one correlation. |
| US08429274B2 |
Storage resource scan
Various information about storage resources in a UNIX or UNIX derivative operating system computing environment is gathered from various sources in response to scan requests. Where a given type of information for a given storage resource is gathered from multiple sources, the information is verified for consistency, and placed in a single file in an industry standard hierarchical format. Scan threads are timed to provide reliable performance. |
| US08429269B2 |
Server-side rendering
A solution for server-side rendering includes, at a server configured to store a video images representing states of users in a computer application, identifying future user actions based at least in part on a state of a user in the computer application. The solution also includes, responsive to the identifying, rendering video images for sending to a user device associated with the user. At the user device, a state of the user in a computer application is sent to the server. Responsive to the sending, video images are stored, each of the video images representing a future state of the user after the user performs a future action. Responsive to a user action, one of the video images is selected for display on a user display of the user device. According to one aspect, the future user actions identified by the server are limited to less than a possible number of user actions for users having the state. |
| US08429261B2 |
Methods and systems for managing a device in a web based enterprise management environment
Methods and systems for managing a device in a Web Based Enterprise Management (“WBEM”) environment. At least a management software component and a device management adapter are reused through receiving a network command from the management software component, and forwarding the network command to the device management adapter for conversion to a device message. The WBEM environment is supported by packaging the device message in a WBEM envelope, and transmitting the device message in the WBEM envelope to a computer system. The computer system comprises the device. Subsequently, a native command based on the device message is issued to the device. |
| US08429255B1 |
Determining reorder commands for remote reordering of policy rules
Techniques are described for determining reorder commands for updating policy rules in a managed network device based on a longest common subsequence between two lists of policy rules. For example, as described herein, a network management device determines a longest common subsequence of a source list comprising a plurality of policy rules in a first ordering that corresponds to a current policy configuration of a managed network device and of a destination list comprising the plurality of policy rules in a second ordering that corresponds to an updated ordering for the policy configuration. The network management device then iterates through the destination list to generate commands that, when executed by the managed network device, move policy rules in the destination list that are not members of the longest common subsequence to positions in the policy configuration relative to policy rules that are members of the longest common subsequence. |
| US08429253B1 |
Method and system for detecting changes in computer files and settings and automating the migration of settings and files to computers
A system and method for managing and performing migration of individual settings and files from a user's computer to a second computer which provides complete migration by establishing a base set and at the appropriate times stores a scan of the current status of the settings and files. In one embodiment the current status is determined upon demand of the user, while in another embodiment the current status is performed automatically as any changes in settings or files are detected. |
| US08429249B2 |
System and method for configuring servlet-based components as dynamic content components
In certain embodiments, a system for configuring a servlet-based component as a dynamic content component includes a first server system comprising a dynamic component operable to gather configuration information in response to a request to access a servlet-based component associated with a second server system. The system further includes a connection servlet invoked by the dynamic component and operable to establish a connection with the servlet-based component associated with the second server system based at least in part on the gathered configuration information, and to handle communication with the servlet-based component on the second server system based at least in part on the gathered configuration information. |
| US08429233B2 |
Method and system for journaling electronic messages
A method and system is provided for efficient journaling and management of electronic messages, wherein a copy of a first message sent from or received on a mail server is received, the copy of the first message is then recorded by a journal service, wherein the journal service comprises determining whether the first message contains an identification for which a second message has already been recorded and adding only metadata of the first message to the metadata of the second message when for the identical identification the second message has already been recorded. |
| US08429231B2 |
Voice instant messaging
Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data include enabling instant messaging communication between a sender an at least one recipient through an instant messaging host. In addition, voice communication is enabled between the sender and the recipient through the instant messaging host. |
| US08429229B2 |
Multipurpose EGM/player tracking device and system
A system and method provides gaming related and player/gaming attendant related services to a plurality EGM. Each EGM has an associated multipurpose EGM/player tracking device. Each multipurpose EMG/player tracking device has first and second ports. The first port couples the respective multipurpose EGM/player tracking device to the respective EGM using a communications link. The first port of one of the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices may utilize a different communications protocol than another one of the advance player tracking device. A server computer is coupled the multipurpose EGM/player tracking devices using a system communications protocol through system communications links. The server computer provides gaming and player/gaming attendant services to users of the EGMs. |
| US08429226B2 |
Facilitating network communications with control server, hosting server, and devices utilizing virtual network connections
A method includes communicating network connection information from a control server to each of a first subset of devices for enabling an open network connection between each of the devices of the first subset; spawning, by each of a plurality of devices, a plurality of virtual machines for network connections that virtualize network capabilities of the device; establishing, by each of the devices, a respective open network connection with each of the other devices using a respective spawned virtual machine and network connection information received from a control server; receiving, by each device, data from a hosting server and data from one or more of the open network connections that are established with that device; processing, by each device, the received data; and providing a user experience, by each device, based on the processed data. |
| US08429225B2 |
Acquisition and presentation of data indicative of an extent of congruence between inferred mental states of authoring users
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring a first inference data indicative of an inferred mental state of a first authoring user in connection with a particular item of an electronic document, acquiring a second inference data indicative of an inferred mental state of a second authoring user in connection with the particular item of the electronic document; comparing the first inference data with the second inference data; and presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the inferred mental state of the first authoring user and the inferred mental state of the second authoring user based, at least in part, on said comparing. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08429220B2 |
Data exchange among data sources
Systems and methods for joining results in loosely collaborative data exchanges which include a plurality of nodes in communication with each other wherein a node is constrained from sharing payload data regarding a first subject, is allowed to share matching data regarding the first subject, and is further constrained to be separate from the other nodes. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a set of virtual results from the constrained node including the matching data and excluding the payload data. The method also includes receiving results from the other nodes and determining whether any of the results correspond to the same subject. The method also includes, when any of the results correspond to the same subject, joining the corresponding portions in a hub separate from the constrained node. The joined results can be output. |
| US08429218B2 |
Process restart on a compute node
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for reducing load time of a program in a highly-parallelized or distributed computer. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by selectively reusing entries in a page table generated during a previous invocation of the program at a particular compute node of the highly-parallelized or distributed computer system. |
| US08429216B2 |
Generating a hash value from a vector representing a data object
To generate at least one hash value for a feature vector that represents a data object, a discrete orthogonal transform is applied on a second vector produced from the feature vector. Applying the discrete orthogonal transform on the second vector produces a third vector. At least one value is selected from the third vector to produce the hash value. The at least one hash value is used to perform an action. |
| US08429203B2 |
UI driven service composition tool with UI designer feedback
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for automatically selecting at least one service for use with a modeled user interface (UI). One process includes operations for identifying a modeled UI at design time in an integrated development environment (IDE) and collecting a set of information associated with the modeled UI. At least one service repository storing a set of services is searched based at least in part on the collected set of information associated with the modeled UI. At least a portion of the set of services is presented via a graphical user interface associated with the IDE. A selection of at least one of the presented set of services is received, and an augmented version of the modeled UI is generated based on the received selection. |
| US08429202B2 |
Methods and apparatus for propagating functional dependencies with conditions
Methods and apparatus are provided for propagating functional dependencies with conditions. Propagation covers are computed using an SPC view of a dataset, wherein the SPC view comprises selection, projection and Cartesian product operations. Selection operations are processed to extract equivalence classes. Cartesian product operations are processed to obtain a renamed set of the plurality of conditional functional dependencies, that have attributes appearing in the SPC view. Domain constraints from the equivalence classes are applied to the renamed set to remove attributes not in the SPC view. Projection operations are processed using a reduction by resolution procedure to identify inferences that can be propagated to the SPC view from the conditional functional dependencies having attributes that do not appear in the SPC view. Domain constraints of the equivalence classes are converted to conditional functional dependencies; and a minimal cover of the SPC view is determined. |
| US08429195B2 |
Managing large datasets obtained through a survey-data-acquisition process
The invention generally relates to enabling the management of survey data. One embodiment includes providing an upload description that describes characteristics of survey data to be uploaded, assigning a thread to process a group of files that store aspects of the survey data, dividing the file into data chunks, deriving from a given data chunk a corresponding data-integrity value and respectively associating the same with the given data chunk, communicating the data chunks to a remote storage device, utilizing the corresponding data-integrity values to ensure successful communication of the data chunk, and spatially storing the survey data such that it is retrievable upon a request that describes a geographic area of interest. |
| US08429194B2 |
Document-based workflows
A workflow application allows users to store, manage, and perform tasks related to workflows comprised of ordered sets of documents. The application provides an interface for creating and managing a workflow. Each document added to the workflow is assigned to a particular position in the workflow. Via the interface, the user saves data defining the workflow. In this manner, the workflow may be shared or preserved for subsequent re-use. The application allows a user to perform various tasks with respect to the workflow. Via an interface control presented by the application, the user instigates such tasks. In response, the application causes the task to be performed for each document in the workflow in an order corresponding to the arrangement of the documents within the workflow. For example, the application may render and print each document in the workflow. Or, the application may generate a combined workflow report. |
| US08429193B2 |
Security control of analysis results
A system and a method are provided. The method includes assigning an entity to a ticket group associated with an ID thereof, displaying to the entity reports, which are each organized with an associated security access control, in accordance with the ticket group, determining whether the entity is authorized to access any selected one or more of the reports in accordance with a result of a comparison between an access level associated with the entity ID and the security access control associated with each of the one or more of the stored reports, and granting or denying the access in accordance with the determination. |
| US08429191B2 |
Domain based isolation of objects
Functionality can be implemented in an operating system to increase the granularity of isolation for objects. A domain can be defined to represent each of different entities (e.g., different departments or work groups). User identifiers and/or user credentials can be associated with the appropriate domain or domains. An administrator can then define a set of rules that govern operation(s) that can be performed on the objects based on the domains. Processes running on a system will inherit the domains of a user account logged into the system. When a process running on the system attempts to perform an operation on an object, an operating system process evaluates the domain isolation rules with an identifier of the object and a domain identifier to determine whether the operation is permitted to proceed. |
| US08429190B2 |
Method and system for generating and distributing electronic communications
Content is provided to electronic mail, commonly known as e-mail, over a network, such as the Internet. This content is provided in accordance with keywords, typically organized in a hierarchy. The presently highest ranked keyword, that is active, is passed to various content servers, along the network, in response to a request, returned from the e-mail client of a recipient user. The keywords are managed, such that after a certain number of responses from the recipients of the electronic mails, to content in each e-mail generated from a particular keyword, use of that particular keyword is terminated, as the keyword is inactivated. Content is then delivered in accordance with another keyword, typically the next highest ranked keyword. |
| US08429188B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on context sensitive user preferences
A method of selecting and presenting content based on context-sensitive learned user preferences is provided. The method includes providing a set of content items having descriptive terms. The method includes receiving user input for identifying items and, in response thereto, presenting a subset of items. The method includes receiving user selections of said items and analyzing the descriptive terms of those items to learn the user's content preferences. The method includes determining the context in which the user performed the selections and associating those contexts with the user content preferences learned from the corresponding user selections. The method includes, in response to subsequent user input, determining a context of said subsequent input and selecting and ordering a collection of items based on comparing those items' descriptive terms with the user's learned content preferences associated with the determined context in which the user entered the subsequent input. |
| US08429187B2 |
Method and system for dynamically tagging metrics data
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for dynamically tagging metrics data by a provider of computing resources. In some implementations, a requesting user or application can request the provider of computing resources to tag the metrics based on configurations and/or settings specified by the requesting user or application. The tagged metrics data can then be processed by a processing user or application at a later time. |
| US08429180B1 |
Cooperative identification of malicious remote objects
A computer, computer program product, and method identify potentially malicious remote objects using client cooperation. A remote object access module detects client device access of a remote object instance, and an object analysis system identifies an associated location, creates a content identification value for the instance, compares it to stored content identification values for previous instances, and if anomalous, analyzes the stored content identification values to determine whether malicious. The remote object access module monitors actual traffic received by the client, and stores the information across multiple clients for comparison, allowing more accurate detection of malicious remote objects than traditional web crawling. |
| US08429177B2 |
Using exceptional changes in webgraph snapshots over time for internet entity marking
Techniques are provided through which “suspicious” web pages may be identified automatically. A “suspicious” web page possesses characteristics that indicate some manipulation to artificially inflate the position of the web page within ranked search results. Web pages may be represented as nodes within a graph. Links between web pages may be represented as directed edges between the nodes. “Snapshots” of the current state of a network of interlinked web pages may be automatically generated at different times. In the time interval between snapshots, the state of the network may change. By comparing an earlier snapshot to a later snapshot, such changes can be identified. Extreme changes, which are deemed to vary significantly from the normal range of expected changes, can be detected automatically. Web pages relative to which these extreme changes have occurred may be marked as suspicious web pages which may merit further investigation or action. |
| US08429175B2 |
Method and apparatus for default rating estimation
A method of estimating a default rating of a rated dataset is provided, where the dataset comprises at least one series of ratings associated with at least one user and each series comprise ratings associated with at least two items. For a reference user and an item for which a rated value is missing the item's average rating, ir, the reference users average rating, Ru, and the datasets average rating, dr, is collected. A Poisson distribution of the reference users rating is then generated on the basis of the reference users average rating. A random Poisson rating, ur, is calculated on the basis of the Poisson distribution, and a default rating, r, is estimated by weighting the random Poisson rating on the basis of the items average rating, the users average rating and the datasets average rating. |
| US08429174B2 |
Methods, systems, and data structures for performing searches on three dimensional objects
Techniques are provided for searching on three dimensional (3D) objects across large, distributed repositories of 3D models. 3D shapes are created for input to a search system; optionally user-defined similarity criterion is used, and search results are interactively navigated and feedback received for modifying the accuracy of the search results. Search input can also be given by picking 3D models from a cluster map or by providing the orthographic views for the 3D model. Feedback can be given by a searcher as to which models are similar and which are not. Various techniques adjust the search results according to the feedback given by the searcher and present the new search results to the searcher. |
| US08429171B2 |
Consistent user experience in information retrieval systems
An information retrieval system for search a corpus is configured to, for each of a plurality of searches of at least a subset of the corpus, generate a confidence score for each of a plurality of putative occurrences of a search query in the at least a subset of the corpus. The system is further configured to adjust a threshold to maintain a consistent user experience across the plurality of searches according to a consistency criterion. The system is further configured to display putative occurrences of the search query having a confidence score greater than the threshold. |
| US08429170B2 |
System and method for discovering story trends in real time from user generated content
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for discovering story trends. The method and system according to one embodiment includes receiving a fixed size data stream, identifying a first set of words within the data stream and electronically determining which words in the first set of words are present in a word cache. The method and system then identifies a second set of words within the data stream for each word present within the word cache and electronically determines which words in the second set of words are present in a subword cache, updating the subword cache based on the determination and identifying a third set of words based on the determination. The method and system then electronically determines at least one story trend associated with the third set of words and electronically generating a story hash associated with the third set of words. Finally, the method and system stores the third set of words in a story lookup table and stores the story hash in a story trend cache. |
| US08429169B2 |
Systems and methods for video cache indexing
Methods and systems for indexing content in a cache data structure within a content cache are disclosed. The methods and systems identify at least one characterization data associated with a received content request and input the at least one characterization data into a hash function to generate an index that is used for identifying an entry associated with the requested content in the cache data structure. The at least one characterization data may include a portion of content associated with the received content request, a portion of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with the received content request, an IP address associated with the received content request, the length of the content associated with the received content request, and one or more parameters parsed from the URL associated with the received content request. |
| US08429167B2 |
User-context-based search engine
A method and apparatus for determining contexts of information analyzed. Contexts may be determined for words, expressions, and other combinations of words in bodies of knowledge such as encyclopedias. Analysis of use provides a division of the universe of communication or information into domains, and selects words or expressions unique to those domains of subject matter as an aid in classifying information. A vocabulary list is created with a macro-context (context vector) for each, dependent upon the number of occurrences of unique terms from a domain, over each of the domains. This system may be used to find information or classify information by subsequent inputs of text, in calculation of macro-contexts, with ultimate determination of lists of micro-contests including terms closely aligned with the subject matter. |
| US08429162B1 |
Facilitating data redistribution in database sharding
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating data redistribution in database sharding. A database is maintained that is horizontally partitioned into a set of first buckets using modulo-based assignments. A fixed number of the first buckets are stored in each of multiple physical data stores. The database is repartitioned into a set of second buckets using modulo-based assignments. The number of second buckets in the set is a multiple of the sum of a positive integer and the quantity of the physical data stores. The data in the database is unmoved between the physical data stores by repartitioning. |
| US08429161B2 |
Search filtering
Apparatus, systems and methods for search filtering are disclosed. A search instance associated with a user device is identified, and a determination is made as to whether the search instance includes a filtering term. If the search instance is determined to include a filtering term, then filtered content items in the search instance are identified, and the filtered content items and access to a verification service that provides access approval or access denial for unfiltered content items in the search instance are provided to the user device. Conversely, if the search instance is determine not to include a filtering term, then the unfiltered content items are provided to the user device. |
| US08429160B2 |
User preference correlation for web-based selection
A database of user preference information is extracted and compiled from multiple websites by web-crawling robots without cooperation or specific participation by users. Users who interact with a website are frequently required to register and create a login or userID name that uniquely identifies them. Thereafter, when an individual rates an item, it is often recorded and published under their userID name such that other users can see how a specific individual rated the item. Although there is no requirement that a specific user register on different websites utilizing the identical userID, it is extremely common that this practice occurs and the use of identical userIDs on multiple sites is used herein to expand preference analysis beyond a single site. Once the database exists, users can request or be passively offered suggestions that result from preference associations across multiple websites as performed by a preference analysis and suggestion function. |
| US08429159B1 |
System and method for providing information navigation and filtration
A system and method for information navigation and filtration is provided. One or more query terms are received from a user. A preliminary relevance of one or more objects associated with an enterprise system is determined based on the query terms. The preliminary relevance may be propagated between objects. At least one rating is assigned to the one or more objects based on the preliminary relevance. An overall relevance of the one or more objects is established based on the at least one rating. The one or more objects are ranked according to the overall relevance. Data is provided as search results comprised of the one or more objects according to the ranking to the user. The search results may then be filtered based on at least one selected, dynamically generated filter. The filtered search results may be dynamically generated and provided to the user. |
| US08429155B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on activity level spikes associated with the content
A method of selecting and presenting content based on detecting an increased level of activity associated with the content is presented. The method includes providing a set of content items with associated descriptive terms. The method includes receiving user search input for identifying desired content items and, in response to the incremental input entered by the user, presenting a subset of content items to the user. The method further includes receiving actions from the user selecting content items from the subset and analyzing the descriptive terms associated with the selected content items to detect an increased level of activity for descriptive terms associated with the content items selected by the users. The method includes, in response to receiving subsequent user search input, selecting and ordering a collection of content items based on promoting the ranking of content items associated with descriptive terms that have an increased level of recent activity. |
| US08429152B2 |
Terminal device, content displaying method, and content displaying program
A terminal device capable of displaying content is provided. The terminal device analyzes content data, which includes a plurality of display elements, and extracts one or more display elements satisfying a predetermined condition from the plurality of display elements. The terminal device associates each extracted display element with a corresponding display location information. The terminal device renders the extracted display elements in a predetermined display mode. The terminal device accepts a user selection of one of the extracted display elements, and displays the plurality of display elements, including display elements which are not displayed in the predetermined display mode, based on the display location information associated with the selected display element. |
| US08429150B2 |
Distributed query compilation and evaluation system and method
A system and method for distributed query compilation and evaluation involving a first table having a first number of partitions and a second table having a second number of partitions. A query operation, such as a join, is performed for each combination of partitions from the first and second tables. The result of each query operation on each combination of partitions is organized into a third number of partitions. A number of tables equal to the third number are generated with each table including one of the partition results from each of the query operation combinations. |
| US08429136B2 |
Information processing method and information processing apparatus
A first node apparatus included in a distributed data store acquires first operation information and a first timestamp corresponding to target data. The first operation information specifies a first operation to be executed on the target data. The first timestamp indicates a first receipt time of the first operation information. The first node apparatus determines whether the first receipt time is earlier than some of second receipt times on the basis of second timestamps and the acquired first timestamp. The second timestamp indicates the second receipt time of second operation information. The second operation information specifies a second operation executed on the target data. The first node apparatus re-executes the second operations together with the first operation on the target data in the order of the receipt time when it is determined that the first receipt time is earlier than some of the second receipt times. |
| US08429134B2 |
Distributed database recovery
A method and apparatus for recovery a cluster database is provided. Database recovery is divided among a plurality of surviving database server instances in the cluster. A surviving instance is responsible for recovering data blocks to which the surviving instance is assigned. One form of block-to-instance assignment may be based on mastership of the blocks. If a data block is locked by a surviving instance at the time of failure, then no recovery of that data block may be necessary. Else, if a copy of a data block that is to be recovered is stored on a surviving node in the cluster, then one or more redo records are applied to that copy (if necessary). A redo record that corresponds to that data block might not need to be applied to the copy if the redo record reflects changes (to the data block) that are already reflected in the copy. |
| US08429129B2 |
Database restructuring apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium recording database restructuring program
A database restructuring apparatus which is capable of migrating a database without depending on a method of managing the database and without interrupting practical online services. Copying section copies data from a current database to a switching destination database. When data update access to the current database by current database access section occurs during copy processing by the copying section, data updating section determines whether or not data to be accessed has been copied. If the data has not been copied yet, the data updating section performs data update processing on the current database, whereas if the data has already been copied, the data updating section performs data update processing on both the current database and the switching destination database. After completion of the copy processing, switching section switches the distribution destination of an online electronic message to switching destination database access section. |
| US08429127B2 |
Circumventing queue downtime in a queue damage scenario
An approach is provided where a put request is received to put a data entry into a queue. A detection is made that a primary queue data structure corresponding to the queue is damaged. If an alternate queue data structure corresponding to the queue has not yet been created, then the alternate queue data structure is dynamically created. The data entry is then stored in the alternate queue data structure. |
| US08429116B2 |
Efficient update methods for large volume data updates in data warehouses
A system and method for ensuring large and frequent updates to a data warehouse. The process leverages a set of temporary staging tables to track the updates. A set of intermediate steps are performed to accomplish bulk deletions of the outdated changed records, and perform modifications to the map tables for models such as snowflake. Finally, bulk load operations load the updates and insert them into the final dimension tables. The process ensures performance comparable to insertion-only schemes with at most only slight performance degradation. Furthermore, a modified process is applied on the newfact data warehouse dimension model. The process can be readily adapted to handle star schema and other hierarchical data warehouse models. |
| US08429112B2 |
Goal based system utilizing a table based architecture
A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system. |
| US08429109B2 |
Segmented graphical representations for recommending elements
Systems, methods and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing segmented graphical representations of elements, such as songs, videos, pictures, graphics, or address book contacts. In some embodiments, an electronic device may identify remote and/or local elements based on a seed element and may display a segmented graphical representation of the seed element (e.g., a tiled album cover). At least one of the segments may be associated with one or more of the identified elements. In response to receiving a user selection of a segment, the electronic device may perform any of a number of suitable actions based on the associated elements. For example, for remotely stored media elements, the electronic device can retrieve and play a preview of the media elements from a server. |
| US08429107B2 |
System for address-event-representation network simulation
A system, method, and design structure for address-event-representation network simulation are provided. The system includes a hardware structure with a plurality of interconnected processing modules configured to simulate a plurality of interconnected nodes. To simulate each node, the hardware structure includes a source table configured to receive an input message and identify a weight associated with a source of the input message. The hardware structure also includes state management logic configured to update a node state as a function of the identified weight, and generate an output signal responsive to the updated node state. The hardware structure further includes a target table configured to generate an output message in response to the output signal, identify a target to receive the output message, and transmit the output message. The hardware structure may further include learning logic configured to combine information about input messages and generated output signals, and to update weights. |
| US08429104B2 |
Concurrent two-phase completion genetic algorithm system and methods
A genetic algorithm architecture implements a two-stage completion genetic algorithm with respect to an evolving current population data set. The two-stage completion genetic algorithm that includes genotype and phenotype completion loops. The genotype completion loop operates to compete the current population data set based on genotype field fitness scores. The genotype completion loop also implements a phenogenesis operator used to generate a current phenotype set. The phenotype completion loop operates, concurrently with the genotype completion loop, to evaluate the current phenotype set, constrained relative to the current population data set, against a fitness function to produce phenotype fitness scores. The phenotype completion loop implements a genotype reduction operator that then determines corresponding genotype fitness scores for use as the basis for competition in the genotype completion loop. |
| US08429103B1 |
Native machine learning service for user adaptation on a mobile platform
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing machine-learning services. A machine-learning service executing on a mobile platform can receive data related to a plurality of features. In some cases, the received data can include data related to features received from an application and data related to features received from the mobile platform. The machine-learning service can determine at least one feature based on the received data. The machine-learning service can generate an output by performing a machine-learning operation on the at least one feature. The machine-learning operation can be selected from among an operation of ranking the at least one feature, an operation of classifying the at least one feature, an operation of predicting the at least one feature, and an operation of clustering the at least one feature. The machine-learning service can send the output. |
| US08429101B2 |
Method for selecting features used in continuous-valued regression analysis
A method selects features used in continuous-valued regression analysis. Training data input to the method includes features and corresponding target values, wherein the target values are continuous, and there is one target value for each feature. Each threshold value is thresholded and discretized with respect to a threshold value to produce a discretized target value. Then, categorical feature selection is applied to the features, using the discrete target values, to produces selected features. The selected values can be used in any regression analysis. |
| US08429099B1 |
Dynamic gazetteers for entity recognition and fact association
An entity recognition model is trained to use gazetteers to recognize entities referenced in documents. When a document associated with a user is received for recognizing entities referenced therein, a gazetteer is selected based on user contexts associated with the user. The document is analyzed using the gazetteer according to the entity recognition model to recognize an entity referenced therein. Additional facts associated with the recognized entities and actions applicable to the recognized entities are provided to enable the user to perform the applicable actions against the recognized entity. |
| US08429086B2 |
System for location based transaction security
A system for improving transaction security based on location information. The system includes a transaction processing center in communication with a first transaction device and a second transaction device. The transaction processing center includes a receiver that receives respective identification and location from at least one of the first and second transaction devices. The transaction processing center also includes a transaction processor that validates the identifications, validates the locations, and executes a transaction between the first and second transaction devices when the identifications and locations are validated. |
| US08429085B2 |
Financial transaction token with onboard power source
There is provided a card or token for use in financial transactions. The financial transaction token or card has an onboard energy storage device that enables onboard electronics to operate when the card is not in the proximity of a merchant Point-Of-Service (POS) terminal. In one implementation, the onboard energy storage device includes a capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power onboard electronics without the need for an onboard battery. The card may be incorporated within various conventional apparatus such as a see-through and/or protective substrate, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a credit card, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a personal organizer, a keychain payment tag, and like personality. |
| US08429082B1 |
License tracking and management
Example embodiments herein include a license manager process that receives a license query from a server device. The license query requests usage data associated with a permanent license on a client device. In response to receiving the license query, the license manager procures the usage data associated with the permanent license on the client device. The license manager then transmits the usage data associated with the permanent license to the server device. Furthermore, the license manager receives a revocation request from the server device. In this manner, the revocation request is received in response to transmitting the usage data associated with the permanent license to the server device. In turn, the license manager revokes the permanent license that was indicated in the revocation request to disable use of the respective application on the client device. |
| US08429080B1 |
System and method for reordering checks
Systems and methods for reordering checks for a plurality of accounts of a financial institution. For each of the plurality of accounts, an order for a first quantity of checks for the account may be generated. The order may comprise an account number and contact information. For each of the plurality of accounts, a portion of the first quantity of checks for the account that has been processed may be monitored. Also, an indication of a threshold quantity of checks may be received. Further, it may be determined when the portion of the first quantity of checks that has been processed exceeds the threshold quantity of the first quantity of checks. For each of the plurality of accounts, when the portion of the first quantity of checks that has been processed exceeds the threshold quantity, an order for a second quantity of checks for the account may be generated. |
| US08429074B2 |
Private label promotion card system, program product, and associated computer-implemented methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank. |
| US08429070B2 |
Real time adaptive control of transaction review rate score curve
Modern technologies of signal processing and real-time feedback adaptive control are applied to a fraud screen model to enable the fraud screen model to adapt to changes in shopping behavior to effectively maintain the model's performance on a review rate score curve continuously. Multiple techniques disclosed herein integrate control technologies with modeling technology to control the review rate score curve in real time. |
| US08429066B2 |
Aggregated trading system
A trading system is described herein for hosting a collection of one or more electronic exchanges. The collection of electronic exchanges may be made up of separately designated exchanges under one or more authorizing and regulating bodies. The trading system receives from traders bids to purchase and offers to sell a tradeable object listed at one of the electronic exchanges. Then, the trading system directs the bids and offers to the appropriate exchange where the bids and offers may be automatically matched in the corresponding market. The trading system may also be used to take actions in one or more markets that are internal and external to the trading system on behalf of a trader using preprogrammed trading instructions. |
| US08429065B2 |
System and method for determining the market risk margin requirements associated with a credit default swap
Determination of a margin requirement associated with a plurality of financial instruments within a portfolio is disclosed for analyzing the portfolio including determining a first and second time-series of returns for the financial instruments, where the second time-series occurs after the first, and calculating the correlation between the first and second time-series of returns. The system and method further implement calculating residuals and volatilities for the financial instruments within the portfolio as a function of the first time-series of returns, calculating a correlation matrix and degrees-of-freedom utilized to simulate standardized residuals for each of the financial instruments within the portfolio, generating simulated returns as a function of the simulated standardized residuals and the returns, generating a spread distribution for the portfolio, wherein the portfolio is repriced as a function of the simulated returns, and calculating a margin risk based on a risk percentile associated with the spread distribution. |
| US08429060B2 |
Hedging risk in an investment vehicle
A method for managing an investment vehicle. An option is purchased for protection of cash flows to be paid by the investment vehicle to designated investors. An option is sold offsetting the purchased option at least in part. The cash flows and security priorities of the investment vehicle are structured so that the purchased option protects the protected investors, and the proceeds of the sale of the sold option offsets the cost of the purchased option for benefit of non-protected investors. |
| US08429055B1 |
Method for internet bidding
A method of Internet bidding wherein a plurality of bidders bid on the item in a first episode of bidding until a deadline occurs. Within a time frame at the deadline, actual bidders from the plurality of bidders are identified and are displayed in a second continued episode of bidding. The time frame is such to identify serious bidders near the deadline and to compensate for Internet communication delays. The second episode of continued bidding is a bidding war among the identified bidders. In a first embodiment, bidding rounds, TBID, occur wherein the current high bidder's bid is displayed and the other identified bidders bid against it. In a second embodiment, bidding continues among the identified bidders with the current high bid being displayed. If a predetermined wait time elapses after the last bid, then an enticement multimedia announcement is made to entice further bidding such as: GOING, GOING, GONE! |
| US08429054B2 |
Managing security holdings risk during portfolio trading
The present invention provides methods and systems for managing short-term risk to a portfolio of securities holdings while executing an outstanding trade list. The methods and systems may include steps of determining covariances between securities in the outstanding trade list and securities in the portfolio of holdings; receiving a risk variable, at least one constraint on the execution of a trade, and a proposed quantity representing a portion of said outstanding trade list desired to be executed at a particular time; and determining an immediately executable trade list based at least in part on the covariances and risk variable. The executable trade list must satisfy all of the trade constraints and also must be substantially equal to or less then the proposed quantity. |
| US08429052B2 |
Method and system for providing employer-sponsored retirement plan
A computer-implemented method of administering income distributions from an employer-sponsored retirement plan having a participant account value provides an option to a plan participant to elect a lifetime payout funded by at least a portion of the participant's account value. The lifetime payout may be funded by a Plan Distributed Annuity (“PDA”) or through the plan. An access period may be provided in the latter case, during which a participant maintains access to, and control over, the account. |
| US08429049B2 |
Method and system for allocating computing resources
A method for operating a commissioned e-commerce service provider provides services to businesses on a computerized network such as the Internet in exchange for a small commission on the commercial transactions generated using those services. Unlike most ISPs that provide services to individuals and businesses, the commissioned e-commerce service provider preferably provides Internet services for businesses operating web sites or other application that generate e-commerce transactions for the business. Instead of paying a monthly fee for the Internet services required to host a web site or operate and e-commerce site, the business contracts with the commissioned e-commerce service provider to provide these services based on receiving a percentage commission of the commercial transactions generated using these services. Preferably, the commission percentage is tiered in accordance with the amount of traffic at the site to provide a nominal level of service at a lower commission rate, yet allow for an exceptional volume of traffic to be accommodated by the site at a higher commission rate without having the site fail or the service become overwhelmed. |
| US08429048B2 |
System and method for processing payment transaction receipts
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for processing payment transaction receipts. When an authorization request message for a transaction of a consumer is received, it is determined whether an account associated with the consumer's portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program. If the account is enrolled, an electronic receipt for the transaction is sent to the consumer. |
| US08429047B2 |
System and method for merging mobile gift cards
A method and system for merging mobile gift cards is described. One embodiment transmits to a mobile device associated with a user a list of a plurality of mobile gift cards associated with a particular merchant that belong to the user, receives from the user via the mobile device a selection of a particular mobile gift card, receives from the user via the mobile device a selection of one or more other mobile gift cards associated with the particular merchant to be merged with the particular mobile gift card, and moves to the particular mobile gift card the remaining monetary balance of each of the other mobile gift cards selected by the user. In some embodiments, the merging operation is automated in the mobile-commerce platform. |
| US08429041B2 |
Systems and methods for managing account information lifecycles
Systems and methods are configured to manage data sets associated with a financial transaction instrument. For example, a method is provided for facilitating the management of data sets on a financial transaction instrument that is issued by an issuer. The method includes the steps of: adding, by a first owner, a first data set to the financial transaction instrument, wherein the first data set is owned by a first owner; adding, by a second owner, a second data set to the financial transaction instrument, wherein the second data set is owned by a second owner; and storing the first data set and the second data set on the financial transaction instrument. The first and second data sets may each be stored as a Block of Binary. Furthermore, the first data set may be updated and/or deleted from the financial transaction instrument. In another example, a financial transaction instrument comprises a data set management system for facilitating the management of more than one data set, the financial transaction instrument comprising at least one data storage area configured to store a first data set and a second data set. The first and second data sets are associated with first and second owners, respectively, and are configured to be stored by their owners independent of each other. |
| US08429033B2 |
Automatically adjusting inventory based on loaner parts and order demands
A system for performing a part inventory analysis is provided. In response to determining a current part inventory, current order demands on the current part inventory are determined. The current part inventory is segmented. An order demand coverage is determined for each segment of the segmented inventory based on the current order demands. A conditioned part inventory is determined based on a loaner part inventory analysis of the segmented inventory. A part purchase recommendation is calculated based on the conditioned part inventory. Then, data for the segmented inventory, the order demand coverage, the conditioned part inventory, and the part purchase recommendation are stored in a storage device. |
| US08429032B2 |
Method and system for managing inventory for a migration using forecast/inventory displays
The invention provides one or more displays to assist a user in managing inventory for one or more migration components in a migration. In particular, forecast data for each migration component is generated based on migration data for one or more targets and a plurality of time frames. One or more displays are generated that include the forecast data, migration data, and/or inventory data for the migration components. |
| US08429031B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing supplementary product sales to a customer at a customer terminal
A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product. |
| US08429026B1 |
System and method for creating and submitting electronic shopping lists
A system and method for creating and submitting for a user an electronic shopping list. The system presents to the user a meal list and a shopping list of ingredients contained in the meal list. The meals are preferably selected based on the food preferences of the user. The user accepts the meal list and the shopping list, causing an order request with the ingredients to be automatically created and submitted to a retailer. The user may alternatively decide to manually exclude certain ingredients in the list that the user has already purchased prior to accepting the shopping list. The exclusion may also be automatic based on past purchase information contained in the user's home inventory database. The retailer fulfills the order and delivers the ingredients to the user based on a pre-determined delivery time. |
| US08429025B2 |
Method, medium, and system of ascertaining garment size of a particular garment type for a consumer
The present invention is a garment sizing system that that identifies the correct garment size for a particular garment type for a plurality of brands. In an embodiment, the garment sizing system is a client-server system that uses at least one server to host a website, garment sizing software, and at least one database. The consumers access the website over a communication network using networked devices. The database is populated with garment data such as garment type, brand name, brand line, retailers that sell that sell the brand, garment size, and dimensional garment measurements. Using the website, the consumer inputs the consumer's body measurement or the size of a specific garment that is known to fit the consumer, and the system retrieves and displays from the database the correct sizes for a specific garment type from a variety of brands based on the inputted data. |
| US08429024B1 |
System and method for tracking charitable deductions
A system and method for recording and tracking charitable donations over a period of one or more years, and for determining the tax consequence associated with such donations based upon taxing authority guidelines applicable to the time period in which such donations were made. Additionally, a method implemented by software for tracking charitable donations over a period of years whereby a user is prompted to select a donation and a year in which the donation was made for a memory. The software retrieves a tax deduction valuation associated with that donation and stores the donation and value in the memory in association with each other. Another aspect is directed to a system for determining the tax deduction value of charitable donations whereby a partner server electronically captures sales data of items and sends the sales data to a system server that stores such data in memory. |
| US08429019B1 |
System and method for scheduled delivery of shipments with multiple shipment carriers
Various embodiments of a system and method for scheduled delivery of shipments with multiple shipment carriers are described. Various embodiments may include a scheduled delivery component configured to receive delivery availability information for multiple shipment carriers. In various embodiments, for each shipment carrier, delivery availability information may specify one or more delivery periods during which that shipment carrier is available to deliver shipments of one or more items to designated locations. This delivery availability information may be utilized to generate a scheduled delivery tool that enables users to select a particular delivery period during which an item is to be delivered. The scheduled delivery tool may provide multiple selectable delivery periods based on the delivery availability information of multiple shipment carriers. The scheduled delivery component may determine that a particular delivery period has been selected and generate a delivery instruction based on such selection. |
| US08429013B2 |
Dynamic geo-location parameter for determining an impact of online behavior on offline sales
Online behavior of users related to a product is captured. Also, offline sales for the product is also captured. Geo-location parameters are also determined for the captured online and offline data. Using the geo-location parameters and captured data for the product, a smallest geo-location parameter of statistical significance for estimating an impact of the online behavior on offline sales is determined. |
| US08429011B2 |
Method and system for targeted advertising based on topical memes
A targeted advertising system and method based on memes contained in content sources are disclosed. Content matching keywords-defining topics are identified from content sources and are further processed to extract the memes. Ad networks servicing the content are also identified and their reach for each meme determined. The system and method extract also viral dynamics of the content associated to a meme and use the aggregation of the viral dynamics as a measure of engagement level for the meme. The system and method allow a Marketer to select a meme based on the engagement level and to run an ad campaign against the meme. The advertisements are delivered through an Ad network and inserted at the meme page level when the content hosting the meme is accessed, the Ad network being selected based on its reach. |
| US08429010B2 |
CM data management apparatus/method, pay-program reception terminal/method, pay-program transmission/reception system, and computer-readable storage medium storing computer program to realize these methods
A pay-program transmission/reception system provides a pay program at low viewing fee by inserting CMs. A viewer who wants a program without CMs does not newly receive a CM-deleted program. A CM data management apparatus transmits, to a pay-program reception terminal, (a) a CM-inserted program constituted from video/audio and CM data, and (b) a CM-inserted program schedule showing reproduction orders thereof, when receiving a program request by a program name designated in the pay-program reception terminal. The pay-program reception terminal, when its input reception unit receives the CM deletion request from the viewer after its video/audio processing unit reproduces the CM-inserted program, passes the request to the CM data management apparatus, obtains a CM-deleted program schedule, and reproduces the pay program without CMs. |
| US08429008B2 |
Calculation method of sales commission using transformation coefficient in on-line, calculation system and recording medium thereof
Disclosed are a method and a system of calculating a sales commission using a transformation coefficient in on-line by reflecting sales of members receiving sales commissions and new sales of sub-members, and a record medium thereof. Members receive sales commissions based on members' own sales, so that old sub-members as well as new members actively sell commodities. The property of the tree to which the members belong is more increased, so that the members have reliability and affection for a company. The revenue of the members is more increased, and a company attempts to increase sales and members. A company determines sales commissions paid to members at a constant commission payment rate for the sales of the members without being affected by the enlargement of an organization due to the increase of the members and the amount of sales. |
| US08429005B2 |
Method for determining effectiveness of display of objects in advertising images
Interactive electronic representations of advertising images published in visual media sources enable data about interest in an object or objects appearing in the advertising images to be collected. From comparing against aggregated data from interactions with interactive electronic representations, the effectiveness of displaying an object, such as representing a product or service, in a particular advertising image can be relatively measured. |
| US08428999B1 |
Method and system for counting households within a geographic area
A method and system for providing an accurate count of total households and seasonal households within a defined geographic area is disclosed. The invention has application in, for example, the identification of potential sites for retail business locations. The invention utilizes additional data sources beyond census data in order to provide more accurate household counts, particularly in high-growth areas when census data has become stale. Seasonal households may be counted by the use of household data containing spatially inconsistent records (SIRs), that is, records for which the best address does not match the location where the telephone service is provided. Households for which an exact address is not known are allocated within the geographic area of interest according to various spreading models. |
| US08428998B2 |
Estimating business targets
A method for generating business targets includes accessing data (300) corresponding to a number of customers. The data includes variables (310-330) associated with each of the customers and an observed value for each of the customers. The observed value for a customer may represent revenue associated with that particular customer. The method also includes identifying a neighborhood that includes a first customer and a number of the other customers. The method further includes calculating a target for each of the customers in the neighborhood, where the target may represent the potential revenue from each of the customers. |
| US08428993B2 |
Method and apparatus for risk identification and mitigation in shift work fatigue
Method and apparatus for shift work scheduling based upon an optimization of analyzing and managing fatigue primarily in but not limited to aviation occupations. The invention matches workers to shifts in a manner that minimizes fatigue while on shift and maximizes shift worker effectiveness. The invention is adaptable to other occupations where assuring shift work crew rest is critical. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) allow for the insertion of sleep into crew shift work schedules. Alternative sleep models are used for different modes of sleep. The invention produces as an output an optimized shift work/sleep schedules with an associated effectiveness determination. |
| US08428989B2 |
Cross functional area service identification
A cross-functional area service identification method and system. The method includes reading by a computing system, processes. The computing system processes process elements associated with the processes. The computing system identifies a first functional area associated with a first current process element of the process elements and a second functional area associated with a first parent process element of the first current process element. The computing system compares the first functional area to the second functional area and determines if the first functional area comprises a same functional area as the second functional area. The computing system generates and stores results indicating if the first functional area comprises a same functional area as the second functional area. |
| US08428988B1 |
Generating current order fulfillment plans to influence expected future conditions
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for dynamically generating actual fulfillment plans for a current order or a potential order so as to enhance the future fulfillment process for expected future orders is described. In some situations, actual delivery information based on one or more such actual fulfillment plans will then be provided to a customer, such as by displaying actual delivery date and/or time before or during the ordering process based on one or more actual fulfillment plans that can be or will be used to fulfill the order. A variety of types of criteria can be used to evaluate the effects of using a fulfillment plan to fulfill a current order, including criteria that consider the modeled future cost of fulfilling expected future orders, such as an overall cost of fulfilling all orders during a specified time period that is at least partially in the future. |
| US08428986B2 |
Return on investment analysis tool for storage systems
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for modeling and projecting future storage requirements and analyzing the associated storage system costs including storage system costs associated with multi-tier storage systems. Storage environment data corresponding to a first storage environment is received, where the first storage environment data includes one or more variables associated with a cost of the first storage environment. Target storage environment data corresponding to a target storage environment is also received. Target storage environment data includes one or more variables associated with a cost of the target storage environment. A cost associated with the first storage environment based on the received first storage environment data and a cost associated with the target storage environment is determined based on the received target storage environment data. The determined cost of the first storage environment is compared to the determined cost of the target storage environment. The results are displayed. |
| US08428985B1 |
Multi-feature product inventory management and allocation system and method
A data store includes, for a dealer of interest, a target inventory mix rate for an item having a feature. A computing device is configured to perform an optimization to obtain a recommended feature allocation of the item including the feature by minimizing a difference between a projected inventory mix rate for the feature and the target inventory mix rate for the feature. |
| US08428984B2 |
Transforming service oriented architecture models to service oriented infrastructure models
Described herein are methods and systems for SOA to SOI transformation. The transformation is performed by a transformation engine, driven by a transformation algorithm. A “used case database”, to provide the current know-how information for such transformations, and a “performance database”, to describe new hardware parts with more powerful metrics are incorporated into the transformation algorithm. In addition, a business engine supports the transformation engine with business analyzing features using a “business value database”. |
| US08428983B2 |
Facilitating availability of information technology resources based on pattern system environments
A Pattern System Environment is formed. The Pattern System Environment is a representation of information technology (IT) resources of a customer's business environment. The Pattern System Environment is based on information associated with the IT resources of the customer, and that information indicates how the IT resources are utilized during a business cycle of the customer. Pattern System Environments are usable in many environments, including those that support business resiliency. |
| US08428981B2 |
Method and system for automatically maintaining the consistency of an information system
An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system maintains a plurality of business elements. Each of the business elements represents a business function that may or may not be needed depending on a customer's business requirement. A scoping process is a process which determines what business elements are required according to the customer's business requirement and the relationships exist among some of the business elements. The ERP system provides an automatic business configuration subsystem. The automatic business configuration subsystem maintains a set of rules. Each of the rules representing a relationship between two business elements maintained at the ERP system. The automatic business configuration subsystem automatically determines which business elements are required and need to be implemented based on the set of rules. The automatic business configuration subsystem may also automatically determine whether statuses of the business elements are consistent with each other in view of the rules. |
| US08428974B2 |
Retirement consumption strategy with drawdown account and option annuity
In a drawdown strategy for an investor's retirement fund, assets from the fund are allocated between a drawdown account and an option annuity. The drawdown account contains assets that are invested in the markets, and the option annuity contains annuities that begin to pay at the end of a deferral period. In a first phase of investor's retirement, funds are drawn down from the drawdown account and paid to the investor, and the value of the option annuity grows as proceeds from the option annuity are accumulated by the option annuity. At some point the drawdown account is depleted, which corresponds to the end of the deferral period for the option annuity. At this time, a second phase of the retirement begins wherein the investor receives payments from the option annuity, and this continues for the remainder of the investor's life. |
| US08428971B2 |
Insurance coverage analysis
An improved insurance coverage analysis method, system, and computer program. All insurance policies owned by a particular business and its alternate entities are processed. Key data from the policies is input into specialized templates. The insurance policy data can be input manually or automatically. The specialized templates are interconnected to automatically generate an overall summary of the business' insurance current coverage. Policy recommendations can also be input and become visible in the summary as well. An overall USA summary graphic is generated to make the obscure data more easily comprehended by a layperson. All insurance coverage information, both detailed and summarized, is presented in a final packet to the business owner. Alternate embodiments include a Web site for automatically conducting the analysis upon upload of the insured's coverage documents. |
| US08428970B1 |
Information record management system
A information record management system for providing record owner controlled access to medical records by authorized users and owners through secure communications channels. The information record management system includes a database having a plurality of user records from a plurality of record owners, an authentication channel to limit access to authorized users utilizing multiple authentication techniques including physical and biometric aspects, and providing streaming video representations of each user record for added security. |
| US08428969B2 |
System and method for tracking medical imaging quality
The mammography management system can provide for quality control of devices associated with the system. A method is provided for monitoring the quality standards of a mammography facility. The method can comprise generating a report that analyzes information collected in preselected data fields on the performance of a resource after automatically executing a quality control test plan configured for the resource at a preselected time. The quality control test plan is configured based on resource type.A method can provide for monitoring the quality of exams performed on a plurality of patients. The method comprises generating a report automatically analyzing and organizing information collected on the accuracy of exams preformed on the plurality of the patients into statistics. These statistics can compare the information based on a radiologist or a facility with other radiologists other facilities or overall statistics for a plurality of radiologists or a plurality of facilities. |
| US08428968B2 |
Interactive system for patient access to electronic medical records
A programmable rules-based interface between a patient and an electronic medical record EMR allows controlled patient access to the EMR allowing increased patient participation in the healthcare process. |
| US08428966B2 |
System and method for analyzing, collecting, and tracking quality data across a vast healthcare provider network
A system and method for gathering quality data for a plurality of healthcare providers over an extended computer network is disclosed. The system and method comprise an enhanced services server in electronic data communication with a plurality of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems via a network connection, the plurality of EHR systems being configured to capture patient data for a plurality of patients at the plurality of healthcare providers' sites during a plurality of encounters with each of the plurality of patients, and the enhanced services server being built on the same architecture as the plurality of EHR systems. Electronic quality of care forms are retrieved from one or more form managers via the network connection and a plurality of fields in each of the electronic quality of care forms are automatically populated using the patient data captured by the plurality of EHR systems. The completed electronic quality of care forms are then automatically transmitted to one or more form receivers via the network connection, the one or more form receivers being one or more organizations that process quality of care data to qualify healthcare providers for at least one of certifications, accreditations, and monetary incentives. |
| US08428965B2 |
System for clinical research and clinical management of cardiovascular risk using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and actigraphy
Disclosed embodiments include a web-enabled system especially adapted for clinical research and clinical management of cardiovascular risk using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data, actigraphy data, and clinical data. According to a disclosed embodiment the web-enabled system comprises (a) a web-enabled graphical user interface to enable a user to securely authenticate, securely upload clinical data, and navigate through a plurality of software modules; (b) a database to store user profiles, protocols, clinical data, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recordings, actigraphy recordings, research data, and study results; and (c) a plurality of statistical methods and analysis techniques especially designed to automatically analyze the clinical cardiovascular risk data, and create customized reports of the results designed to assess cardiovascular risk based on ABPM and actigraphy. |
| US08428963B2 |
System and method for administering health care cost reduction
A system and method for the efficient administration of health care plans, particularly as to the reduction and/or elimination of avoidable medical costs for select individuals who participate in the plan, is disclosed. Existing health care data is processed to determine an indication as to the relative desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen. The data is also processed to determine the status of one or more flags, each of which potentially indicates the relative desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen. A predictive model is used to determine the status of a flag relating to the likelihood of an insurance plan participant making a disability claim within a certain period of time. The information relating to desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen, as well as a plan participant's medical information and claim history, is presented to case managers and/or health care providers in a user-friendly format. |
| US08428962B1 |
Systems and methods for determining return on community investment in healthcare access programs
A system includes a healthcare server for determining a return on investment (ROI) for a healthcare program of an organization that provides healthcare services to patients. The healthcare server includes an expense determination module, a benefit determination module and a ROI module. The expense determination module determines operating expenses for the healthcare program. The benefit determination module determines benefits of the healthcare program to beneficiaries of the healthcare program. The beneficiaries include the organization, the patients, employers of the patients and a community that is served by the healthcare program. The ROI module determines the ROI for the healthcare program based on the operating expenses and the benefits. |
| US08428960B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for processing claims
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for processing of an original batch of documents in which any document of the original batch that fails to comply with the predefined specification is identified to be a non-compliant document. At least one non-compliant batch is then formed that contains the non-compliant documents. The non-compliant batch is distinct from at least one compliant batch that contains any documents that do comply with the predefined specification. At least one of the non-compliant and compliant batches advantageously includes a plurality of documents. The complaint batch(es) may then be forwarded for further processing without awaiting rework of the non-complaint documents included in the non-compliant batch(es). |
| US08428959B2 |
Audio packet loss concealment by transform interpolation
In audio processing for an audio or video conference, a terminal receives audio packets having transform coefficients for reconstructing an audio signal that has undergone transform coding. When receiving the packets, the terminal determines whether there are any missing packets and interpolates transform coefficients from the preceding and following good frames. To interpolate the missing coefficients, the terminal weights first coefficients from the preceding good frame with a first weighting, weights second coefficients from the following good frame with a second weighting, and sums these weighted coefficients together for insertion into the missing packets. The weightings can be based on the audio frequency and/or the number of missing packets involved. From this interpolation, the terminal produces an output audio signal by inverse transforming the coefficients. |
| US08428958B2 |
Apparatus and method of encoding and decoding signals
A method of encoding an audio signal, where signals including two or more channel signals are downmixed to a mono signal, the mono signal is divided into a low-frequency signal and a high-frequency signal, the low-frequency signal is encoded through algebraic code excited linear prediction (ACELP) or transform coded excitation (TCX), and the high-frequency signal is encoded using the low-frequency signal. A method of decoding of an audio signal, a low-frequency signal encoded through ACELP or TCX is decoded, a high-frequency signal is decoded using the low-frequency signal, the low-frequency signal and the high-frequency signal are combined to generate a mono signal, and the mono signal is upmixed by decoding spatial parameters regarding signals including two or more channel signals. |
| US08428955B2 |
Adjusting recorder timing
A portion of audio content of a multimedia program, such as a television program, is captured from a network. An audio fingerprint is generated based on the portion of audio content, and the audio fingerprint is matched to one of multiple theme song fingerprints stored in a database. An expected theme song time offset associated with the matched theme song fingerprint is retrieved from the database. It is determined whether the program is running on-schedule, based on the time the portion of audio content occurred, a scheduled start time of the program, and/or the expected theme song time offset. If it is determined that the program is running off-schedule, an adjusted start time and/or an adjusted end time of the program are calculated. The program is recorded by a recorder based on the adjusted start time and/or the adjusted end time. |
| US08428952B2 |
Text-to-speech user's voice cooperative server for instant messaging clients
A system and method to allow an author of an instant message to enable and control the production of audible speech to the recipient of the message. The voice of the author of the message is characterized into parameters compatible with a formative or articulative text-to-speech engine such that upon receipt, the receiving client device can generate audible speech signals from the message text according to the characterization of the author's voice. Alternatively, the author can store samples of his or her actual voice in a server so that, upon transmission of a message by the author to a recipient, the server extracts the samples needed only to synthesize the words in the text message, and delivers those to the receiving client device so that they are used by a client-side concatenative text-to-speech engine to generate audible speech signals having a close likeness to the actual voice of the author. |
| US08428951B2 |
Speech recognition apparatus, navigation apparatus including a speech recognition apparatus, and a control screen aided speech recognition method
A speech recognition apparatus includes a speech recognition dictionary and a speech recognition unit. The speech recognition dictionary includes comparison data used to recognize a voice input. The speech recognition unit is adapted to calculate the score for each comparison data by comparing voice input data generated based on the voice input with each comparison data, recognize the voice input based on the score, and produce the recognition result of the voice input. The speech recognition apparatus further includes data indicating score weights associated with particular comparison data, used to weight the scores calculated for the particular comparison data. After the score is calculated for each comparison data, the score weights are added to the scores of the particular comparison data, and the voice input is recognized based on total scores including the added score weights. |
| US08428945B2 |
Acoustic signal classification system
A system classifies the source of an input signal. The system determines whether a sound source belongs to classes that may include human speech, musical instruments, machine noise, or other classes of sound sources. The system is robust, performing classification despite variation in sound level and noise masking. Additionally, the system consumes relatively few computational resources and adapts over time to provide consistently accurate classification. |
| US08428943B2 |
Quantization matrices for digital audio
Quantization matrices facilitate digital audio encoding and decoding. An audio encoder generates and compresses quantization matrices; an audio decoder decompresses and applies the quantization matrices. The invention includes several techniques and tools, which can be used in combination or separately. For example, the audio encoder can generate quantization matrices from critical band patterns for blocks of audio data. The encoder can compute the quantization matrices directly from the critical band patterns, which can be computed from the same audio data that is being compressed. The audio encoder/decoder can use different modes for generating/applying quantization matrices depending on the coding channel mode of multi-channel audio data. The audio encoder/decoder can use different compression/decompression modes for the quantization matrices, including a parametric compression/decompression mode. |
| US08428940B2 |
Metadata-based weighting of geotagged environmental audio for enhanced speech recognition accuracy
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhancing speech recognition accuracy. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an audio signal that corresponds to an utterance recorded by a mobile device, determining a geographic location associated with the mobile device, identifying a set of geotagged audio signals that correspond to environmental audio associated with the geographic location, weighting each geotagged audio signal of the set of geotagged audio signals based on metadata associated with the respective geotagged audio signal, and using the set of weighted geotagged audio signals to perform noise compensation on the audio signal that corresponds to the utterance. |
| US08428938B2 |
Systems and methods for reconstructing an erased speech frame
A method for reconstructing an erased speech frame is described. A second speech frame is received from a buffer. The index position of the second speech frame is greater than the index position of the erased speech frame. The type of packet loss concealment (PLC) method to use is determined based on one or both of the second speech frame and a third speech frame. The index position of the third speech frame is less than the index position of the erased speech frame. The erased speech frame is reconstructed from one or both of the second speech frame and the third speech frame. |
| US08428932B2 |
Connected text data stream comprising coordinate logic to identify and validate segmented words in the connected text
A connected text data system for efficiently and accurately translating connected text. The connected text data system includes inputting or receiving connected text, transmitting the connected text to a text iterator, scanning the connected text, identifying a plurality of words in the connected text comprising a coordinate logic to help parse connected text matches into separated text by invalidating words with overlapping coordinates, and translating the connected text to separated text by adding a space between each of the plurality of words. |
| US08428930B2 |
Page mapped spatially aware emulation of a computer instruction set
Dynamic creation of a spatially aware emulation environment comprising Host cells of Host pages corresponding to Guest cells of Guest pages of Guest instructions. Each Host cell comprises a semantic routine for emulating a corresponding Guest instruction located at the corresponding Guest cell of the guest page. |
| US08428929B2 |
Demand based USB proxy for data stores in service processor complex
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for secure server system management. A payload containing system software and/or firmware updates is distributed in an on-demand, secure I/O operation. The I/O operation is performed via a secured communication channel inaccessible by the server operating system to an emulated USB drive. The secure communication channel can be established for the I/O operation only after authenticating the recipient of the payload, and the payload can be protected from access by a potentially-infected server operating system. Furthermore, the payload can be delivered on demand rather than relying on a BIOS update schedule, and the payload can be delivered at speeds of a write operation to a USB drive. |
| US08428925B2 |
Iterative inversion of data from simultaneous geophysical sources
Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations. |
| US08428924B2 |
System and method for evaluating dynamic heterogeneity in earth models
A method is disclosed having application notably towards ranking earth models responsive to dynamic heterogeneity. A plurality of earth models representing a subsurface reservoir are provided. Streamline analysis for each of the plurality of earth models is conducted. Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (Φ) curves are constructed for each of the plurality of earth models based on the streamline analysis. Dynamic heterogeneity for each of the plurality of earth models is computed from the Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (Φ) curves constructed for each of the plurality of earth models. The plurality of earth models are ranked responsive to dynamic heterogeneity. |
| US08428922B2 |
Finite difference level set projection method on multi-staged quadrilateral grids
A finite difference level set projection algorithm on multi-staged quadrilateral grids for simulation of a split liquid film between two rollers. From one stage to the next, the number of meshes in the vertical direction changes by a select factor to provide a good balance between resolution and number of meshes. Having fewer meshes at the nip (the smallest gap between the rollers), the multi-staged quadrilateral grid allows a much bigger time step and requires much less CPU time to reach the steady state. |
| US08428921B2 |
Dynamically adjusting simulation fidelity based on checkpointed fidelity state
Mechanisms are provided for controlling a fidelity of a simulation of a system. A model of the system is received, the model of the system having a plurality of individual components of the system. Fidelity values are assigned to models of the individual components of the system. A simulation of the system is executed using the model of the system and the models of the individual components of the system. The fidelity values of one or more of the models of the individual components of the system are dynamically adjusted during the execution of the simulation by creating a checkpoint of a state of the simulation and modifying one or more fidelity values of one or more of the models of the individual components after generating the checkpoint, thereby generating a modified fidelity value state. |
| US08428919B2 |
Computing a consistent velocity vector field from a set of fluxes
A method for constructing a velocity vector field from a grid and a set of fluxes for each face of the grid cells. The cells are first subdivided and internal fluxes are calculated for each cell subject to the constraints of the flux for each cell and to achieve the minimum energy state for the each cell. The minimum energy state is computed efficiently using a divergence-free correction method without introducing a pressure variable. Then, the velocity vector field is constructed from the subcell fluxes using mixed finite element interpolation. |
| US08428916B2 |
Modeling of the radiation belt megnetosphere in decisional timeframes
Systems and methods for calculating L* in the magnetosphere with essentially the same accuracy as with a physics based model at many times the speed by developing a surrogate trained to be a surrogate for the physics-based model. The trained model can then beneficially process input data falling within the training range of the surrogate model. The surrogate model can be a feedforward neural network and the physics-based model can be the TSK03 model. Operatively, the surrogate model can use parameters on which the physics-based model was based, and/or spatial data for the location where L* is to be calculated. Surrogate models should be provided for each of a plurality of pitch angles. Accordingly, a surrogate model having a closed drift shell can be used from the plurality of models. The feedforward neural network can have a plurality of input-layer units, there being at least one input-layer unit for each physics-based model parameter, a plurality of hidden layer units and at least one output unit for the value of L*. |
| US08428912B2 |
Sensor device for a test stand and test stands, prefereably for engines
A test stand sensor apparatus includes a sensor for acquiring data from the item under test and/or the environment, a power supply unit for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, and a unit for the wire-free transmission of sensor data and of a code which is characteristic of the sensor. |
| US08428910B2 |
Autonomous fitness for service assessment
The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation. |
| US08428908B2 |
Cognitive agent
Aspects relate to a cognitive agent that performs functions associated with a desired result. The functions performed by cognitive agent supplement other activities performed at a same time. In such a manner, the cognitive agent can function as a surrogate for a user. A performed activity can trigger implementation of another activity that is an extension of the performed activity. Cognitive agent can perform functions that can be represented as an avatar. Further, cognitive agent can be associated with a diagnostics component that evaluates an operating condition. Based on the operating condition cognitive agent can implement automatic actions associated with mitigating failures and/or prolonging the life of machinery. |
| US08428907B2 |
Jitter calculating device, jitter calculating method and jitter calculating program
A path of a signal extends from an initial point through first and second cells to an end point. The signal is supplied as a first signal to the first cell and outputted therefrom as a second signal. The signal is supplied as a third signal to the second cell and outputted therefrom as a fourth signal. First delay amounts of the signal in the first cell and a transition time of the second signal are calculated based on a transition time of the first signal and a voltage supplied to the first cell. Second delay amounts of the signal in the second cell and a transition time of the fourth signal are calculated similarly. Here, the transition time of the second signal is set to be a transition time of the third signal. Jitter values in the end point are calculated based on the first and second amounts. |
| US08428906B2 |
Method and device for diagnosing a position encoder
A method for determining a mixup in the terminals of a position encoder having a position encoder motor, which is bidirectionally drivable via a plurality of terminals, so that a mixup of at least two of the terminals of the position encoder motor leads to a reversal in the actuation direction of the position encoder, having the following steps of setting an actuating element of the position encoder to a zero setting, from which a motion of the actuating element is possible in one or two directions; driving the position encoder motor according to a diagnostic variable, which is selected so that, based on the actuation using the diagnostic variable, in the case of a non-mixup of the terminals and in the case of a mixup of the terminals, different absolute values of the changes are to be expected in the changes of the actuation position of the actuating element; recording a current change in the actuation position of the actuating element that comes about by the driving of the position encoder motor; establishing a mixup of at least two of the terminals, if the absolute value of the current change of the actuation position of the actuating element deviates from the absolute value of the change in the actuation position that is to be expected. |
| US08428904B2 |
Product integrity tracking system, shipping label, and associated method
A product integrity tracking shipping label includes a label body for attaching to a product to be shipped or to packaging containing the product. One or more movement monitoring configured with the label body detects a movement metric of the product. A microprocessor configured with the label body and in communication with the one or more movement monitoring devices time-tags the movement metric when the movement metric exceeds a pre-selected threshold. A product integrity tracking system includes a movement monitoring device with one or more sensors for attachment to a product or packaging containing the product. The movement monitoring device senses at least one movement event during handling of the product. A processor compares the movement event with a pre-selected event threshold, and time-tags and stores above-threshold movement events in a memory. Information in the memory is readable via an interrogation device during shipment or at product delivery. |
| US08428903B2 |
Method and device for determining a speed of an object
A device for determining a speed of an object, having a receiver for receiving a pulse, having a characteristic signal sequence, which is emitted or reflected from an object; a signal processing device for providing transformed signal sequences for various speeds, the signal sequences being determined from the characteristic signal sequence by transforming the time axis of the signal sequence according to a Doppler shift for the speed; and a data processing device for determining the speed of the object based on a correlation of the received pulse with the transformed signal sequences. |
| US08428901B2 |
Mobile communication device and method for using the same
A mobile communication device includes a communication unit for communicating with other communication devices, a processor unit connected to the communication unit, and a sensor unit connected to the processor unit. The sensor unit includes at least one of a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor. The humidity sensor senses ambient moisture and generates an electronic signal corresponding to the ambient moisture, and the temperature sensor measures ambient temperature and generates an electric signal corresponding to the ambient temperature. The processor unit calculates at least one of the ambient humidity and ambient temperature according to the electric signals and transmits associated data of the sensor unit to the communication unit. The communication unit sends the data to other communication devices capable of communicating with the mobile communication device. |
| US08428900B2 |
Universal quality assurance automation framework
The present invention provides a method and a system for a universal software quality assurance automation framework. The three reusable components of this framework are composed of a test resource comprising of a test module-entity driver-entity communication. The test module provides an opportunity to create several case scenarios and test logics. The entity driver enables the test environment software entities to be accessible to the test module, without prior knowledge of where those entities are located. The entity communication enables the drivers to communicate with various entities inside the test environment. The combination of the three reusable components enable the framework to be product agnostic. Multiple tests may be performed in parallel. Test cases are presented in the integrated graphical user interface as a hierarchical managing structure. The framework is collaborative and multiple users may use it simultaneously. |
| US08428898B1 |
Method and system for correcting frequency response of a signal sampler
A method of filtering a signal sampled by a sampler, for example, in an equivalent time oscilloscope includes applying a correction to an actual frequency response of the sampler, with respect to a reference frequency response, to a first frequency range of the sampled signal, and transitioning across a second frequency range of the sampled signal from the correction applied to the first frequency range to no correction of the actual frequency response of the sampler, the second frequency range being higher than the first frequency range. The method further includes compensating in a third frequency range of the sampled signal for excess gain incurred while applying the correction and transitioning from the correction to no correction in the first and second frequency ranges, respectively, so that statistics of asynchronous components of the sampled signal are preserved, the third frequency range being higher than the second frequency range. |
| US08428895B2 |
System and method for power system parameter measurement
A system and method of testing a power system component is disclosed. The system and method comprises coupling a test set to the power system component and stimulating the power system component with a frequency sweep signal. The method also comprises capturing a response of the power system component to the frequency sweep signal, wherein the response relates to frequency and mapping the response to an estimated response, wherein the estimated response relates to temperature. The method also comprises evaluating the power system component based on the estimated response. |
| US08428893B2 |
Event recognition
A device detects a sequence of sub-events as part of a touch event associated with a view, determines that the sequence does not correspond to one or more predefined sequences of sub-events for the view associated with the touch event, and, in accordance with a determination that the sequence does not correspond to the one or more predefined sequences, sends a touch cancel event to the view associated with the touch event. Also disclosed is a device configured to detect a sequence of sub-events as part of a touch event associated with a view, determine that the sequence does not correspond to one or more predefined sequences of sub-events for the view associated with the touch event, and, in accordance with a determination that the sequence does not correspond to the one or more predefined sequences, cancel the touch event. |
| US08428888B2 |
Signal processing algorithms for impedance biosensor
A method for determining impedance includes receiving a time varying voltage signal from a biosensor and receiving a time varying current signal from the biosensor. The time varying voltage signal and the time varying current signal are transformed to a domain that represents complex values. The impedance representative of the biosensor based upon the transformed time varying voltage signal and the time varying current signal is calculated. |
| US08428887B2 |
Method for automated processing of digital images of tissue micro-arrays (TMA)
A method and system for automated quantitation of tissue micro-array image (TMA) digital analysis. The method and system automatically analyze a digital image of a TMA with plural TMA cores created using a needle to biopsy or other techniques to create standard histologic sections and placing the resulting needle cores into TMA. The automated analysis allows a medical conclusion such as a medical diagnosis or medical prognosis (e.g., for a human cancer) to be automatically determined. The method and system provides reliable automatic TMA core gridding and automated TMA core boundary detection including detection of overlapping or touching TMA cores on a grid. |
| US08428886B2 |
Genotype calling
Determining a genetic sequence for a particular site on an individual's genome is disclosed, including: receiving a measurement associated with a particular sequence for the particular site on the individual's genome, receiving contextual information associated with a context of the individual within a larger collection of genetic information, and using the measurement associated with the particular sequence and the contextual information to compute an improved determination of the genetic sequence at the particular site on the individual's genome. |
| US08428881B2 |
System and methods for non-targeted processing of chromatographic data
Methods for processing hyphenated chromatographic data to delineate components of a sample are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes obtaining hyphenated chromatographic data points for a sample, each data point comprising at least three dimensions, one of the dimensions being a continuous dimension, and subjecting at least a portion of the data points to an algorithm that organizes the data points into discrete clusters according to the data points' continuous dimension values by starting at either a smallest or largest value and delineating at a largest gap between adjacent values within a predetermined resolution window, wherein the resulting clusters are of varying width of less than or equal to the width of the resolution window and wherein at least some of the clusters are indicative of components of the sample. |
| US08428876B2 |
Navigation system for updating partly map layers, and method for the same
The present invention features a navigation system for partly updating a map layer, and a method for the same, in which, by dividing a map into locally small data areas considering connectivity with adjacent areas, and updating only areas updated among the divided areas, the navigation system is able to minimize a size of the updated data, and delete unnecessary procedures for post-processing in a user terminal. |
| US08428868B2 |
Method and system for updating card data of a navigation system
A method and system for updating map data of a navigation system in a vehicle is provided. A first version of map data is stored in a memory device of the navigation system, and a first version of map data and a second more recent version of map data are stored in a memory device of a map server. A first route to a driving destination is determined by the map server on the basis of the first version of the map data. A second route to the driving destination is determined by the map server on the basis of the second more recent version of the map data, and the second version of map data and/or route data, which describe the second route, are transmitted at least partially to the navigation system as a function of the degree of agreement between the first route and the second route. |
| US08428866B1 |
System and method of providing turn-by-turn directions to non-specific destinations
Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for providing turn by turn directions based on imprecise destination information. In one embodiment, a user may request turn by turn directions based on a first location, such as an address, and a destination area, defined by the name of a geographic area, such as a city or state. A plurality of access locations may be identified based on the geographic area. These access locations may be displayed to the user so that the user may select a particular destination. The selected location may then be used, along with the first location, to provide a set of turn by turn directions to the user. |
| US08428863B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for testing crash avoidance technologies
A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing radar and other sensor signatures substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network operating on a plurality of complimentary communication networks. Specific DME geometries are provided to minimize ride disturbance and observability by radar and other sensors. Computer controlled DME braking systems are disclosed as well as break-away and retractable antenna systems. |
| US08428861B1 |
Wrong way detection system
The Wrong Way Detection System includes detection stations deployed at each egress point along a tollway in addition to various locations along the tollway's mainline. The detection hardware communicates preferably via fiber optic network to a customized software platform housed at a centrally located Incident Management Center (IMC) of the system, where each site is monitored 24/7 in real time for wrong way vehicles. Once a vehicle is detected, operators at the IMC are able to immediately dispatch law enforcement officers and monitor the vehicle's whereabouts via CCTV cameras. |
| US08428859B2 |
Federated route production
A route can be generated through utilization of a conventional manner, such as a portable electronic device accessing a database with roads, traffic information, weather data, and the like. As a user approaches a private area, the route can be augmented with travel information concerning the private area. Artificial intelligence techniques can be used to determine if a route should be augmented, to infer what augmentations to make, etc. |
| US08428856B2 |
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device. |
| US08428855B2 |
System for controlling starter for starting internal combustion engine
In a system for controlling a starter, the starter includes a pinion shiftable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The starter includes an actuator configured to shift the pinion from the disengagement position to the engagement position when energized, and a motor configured to rotate the pinion when energized. The system includes a control circuit, a first switch unit configured to switch between energization and deenergization of the actuator under control of the control circuit, and a second switch unit configured to switch between energization and deenergization of the motor under control of the control circuit. The first switch unit and the second switch unit are individually arranged. The second switch unit includes a first relay configured to switch between energization and deenergization of the motor under control of the control circuit, and a second relay configured to control activation of the first relay. |
| US08428846B2 |
Electronic oil pump
An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed. |
| US08428843B2 |
Method to adaptively control vehicle operation using an autonomic vehicle control system
A vehicle includes a vehicle monitoring system for estimating vehicle motion states, a spatial monitoring system, an adaptive cruise control system for vehicle speed and acceleration control, a steering controller for vehicle lateral motion control, a roadway estimator, and an autonomic control system. Commanded vehicle operation is adjusted to achieve a preferred travel path based upon a predicted travel path and an estimated roadway. The preferred travel path is adapted responsive to the estimated roadway. |
| US08428841B2 |
Vehicle motion control device
A vehicle motion control device is provided. The vehicle motion control device includes a steering angle deviation calculating unit which calculates a steering angle deviation of the vehicle, a frictional coefficient calculating unit which calculates each of road surface frictional coefficients for a traveling road surface of four wheels; and a pressure increasing and reducing controlling unit which performs a split control including applying a pressure increasing limitation of a pressure increasing control in an anti-skid control to a front wheel at a side of the traveling road surface having higher road surface frictional coefficient between the right and left wheels based on an absolute value of the steering angle deviation such that a pressure increasing gradient in the pressure increasing control is smaller as the absolute value is larger. |
| US08428839B2 |
Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles
A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle. |
| US08428837B2 |
Clutch control system
When a predetermined time has passed without detection of engine stall and without detection of the neutral state and without detection of a vehicle starting operation, in a first control state in which a clutch is in a disengaged state, a clutch control system effects transition to a second control state in which transition to a third control state is permitted. When a vehicle starting operation is detected in the second control state B in which the clutch is in the disengaged state, a liquid pressure modulator is driven to effect transition to the third control state in which the clutch is put in the engaged state or a partially engaged state. When an engine stall or the neutral state is detected in the second control state, transition to the first control state A is effected. |
| US08428831B2 |
Automatic steering system for an agricultural implement
An assembly for facilitating steering of an agricultural implement linkable to a work vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises at least a first ground-engaging wheel to engage a ground surface below a frame of the agricultural implement to support the frame above the ground surface. The assembly further comprises a positioning system for receiving a positioning signal from a positioning source. The positioning system determines a current position of the agricultural implement from at least the positioning signal, and the positioning system generates a control signal derived from the current position of the agricultural implement. The assembly further comprises a steering cylinder connected to the first ground-engaging wheel. The steering cylinder operatively connects to the positioning system to steer the first ground-engaging wheel based on the control signal. |
| US08428830B2 |
Agricultural working vehicle
An agricultural working vehicle has a plurality of working assemblies, at least one control unit for influencing the setting parameters of the working assemblies, a memory unit, and at least one display unit, and it is configured such that even an untrained operator may optimize the setting parameters of the working assemblies in a rapid, reliable manner. An expected change in the function and/or the working result of individual working assemblies or a plurality of working assemblies is depicted in the display unit in a manner that depends on how an operator influences individual setting parameters of the working assemblies. |
| US08428829B2 |
Self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine with controllable transfer device
Vehicles, in particular self-propelled agricultural harvesting machines such as forage harvesters or combine harvesters designed to pick up and process crops, include transfer devices that transfer all of the harvested crop material to a hauling vehicle or an attached hauling container. The discharge device is equipped with a control device for performing automatic or manual adjustments, and the self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine is equipped with a navigation system for determining the positions of the vehicles involved. To transfer the crop material to the hauling vehicle without loss, the crop discharge flow is directed only to a defined permissible tolerance region on the hauling container. The tolerance region is located within the hauling container contour and is bounded by edge zones, which are “keep-out” zones for the transfer. |
| US08428823B2 |
Steering control device and steering control method for working vehicle
A stationary steering operation determination means determines whether or not stationary steering operation is being performed repeatedly at a determination cycle period that is set to be longer than a cycle period at which a certain signal is detected. And a stationary steering operation determination means makes a decision as to whether or not stationary steering operation is being performed, on the basis of vehicle speed as detected by a vehicle speed detection means and steering angle as detected by a steering angle detection means. If it has been determined that stationary steering operation is being performed, a steering sensitivity alteration means decreases the steering sensitivity by reducing a pilot pressure or the like. And a notification means notifies the operator that stationary steering operation is being performed. |
| US08428820B2 |
Path planning
The present invention relates to a method of determining the path of a vehicle along a two-dimensional plane intended to control the movement of the vehicle by means of a driver-assisting system, where the path interconnects an initial state and a terminal state and each of the states Zi=[xi, yi, ψi, ci] along the path is characterized by four state coordinates with xi and yi being the Cartesian coordinates of a point Pi, ψi being the direction angle of the tangent line, and ci being the curvature of the path at point Pi, and where the path is made up of a number of elementary paths meeting at junction points JPi such that the four state coordinates of state Zi are characterized by a continuous transition at the junction points JPi. |
| US08428815B2 |
Method and system for the managing vehicle data
A method for managing vehicle data of a motor vehicle includes storing the vehicle data in an on-board memory. The stored vehicle data is associated with the vehicle using a vehicle identifier. The stored data is transmitted via a telecommunications connection to a data processing center of a telecommunications network. The transmitted data is made available at the data processing center for retrieval by third parties. |
| US08428813B2 |
Dynamic decision sequencing method and apparatus for optimizing a diagnostic test plan
A diagnostic tool and a computer-implemented method for generating testing and diagnosis procedures for vehicle diagnosis include determining if a first procedure remains to be performed, if a first procedure remains to be performed, then determining whether: there is a second procedure dependent on the first procedure, or the first procedure can run in parallel to the second procedure, if there is a second procedure dependent on the first procedure, then performing the first procedure, if the first procedure can run in parallel to the second procedure, then performing the first procedure, and determining if the second procedure remains to be performed. |
| US08428811B2 |
Vehicle diagnostic equipment providing hands free operation
A voice activated vehicle diagnostic system provides for hands free operation of the system. Using such a system it is possible for the diagnostic system to be used safely in a test drive of the vehicle with the operator of the system not required to physically touch the system to implement one or more tests as required. |
| US08428810B2 |
Data management systems for collision repair coaching
A system for on-site collection of evaluation data at a vehicle repair installation site is disclosed. Generally the system includes a computing tool connected to a database, a workflow operations guiding module that runs on the computing tool, an evaluation module, a comparison module, a data-mining module, a certification module, a legal compliance module, and a repair procedure compliance module. As a vehicle is repaired, the workflow operations guiding module prompts a coach with questions. The evaluation module performs a quantitative analysis of the answers provided by the coach and the comparison module compares the result of the quantitative analysis against aggregated or averaged information. The certification module compares information from the comparison module against predetermined certification criteria and the data mining module identifies correlations, trends or patterns in collected data by the system. |
| US08428806B2 |
Dual mode range extended electric vehicle
A dual mode battery charging system and method of use are provided for use in an electric vehicle. The system utilizes at least two user selectable, charging operational modes. In a first operational mode, a state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a first level and until the battery state of charge reaches a second level, where the second level is higher than the first level. In a second operational mode, the state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a third level and until the battery state of charge reaches a fourth level, where the fourth level is higher than the third level, and where both the third and fourth levels are lower than both the first and second levels. |
| US08428805B2 |
Engine load management for traction vehicles
An electric drive system includes a fuel-driven engine (202) driving an electrical power generator (204) that provides power to one or more electric drive motors (210). A method of load management in the electric drive system includes receiving an actual fuel signal, an engine speed (920) signal, a throttle position signal, a motor speed (712) signal, an intake air pressure, a barometric pressure signal, and an intake air temperature signal. These values are used to determine a torque limit. The torque limit is used to limit a torque command to the electric drive motors (210) such that the torque command is consistent with the operating capabilities of the engine (202). |
| US08428804B2 |
In-vehicle charge and discharge control apparatus and partial control apparatus
A temperature increase of a battery of a vehicle in a schedule effect road range is estimated based on an estimate of energy acquirable by regeneration in the schedule effect road range of the vehicle. A special value of the battery upper limit temperature is designated which is obtained by subtracting the temperature increase from a default value of the battery upper limit temperature. A battery upper limit temperature reduction road range is designated which is located just prior to the schedule effect road range. While the vehicle runs the battery upper limit temperature reduction road range, the battery upper limit temperature is set at the special value by being switched from the default value. When the vehicle completes running the battery upper limit temperature reduction road range and starts running the schedule effect road range, the battery upper limit temperature is returned to the default value from the special value. |
| US08428802B2 |
Vehicle assistance system
There is disclosed a vehicle assistance system including an assistance vehicle provided with a power source; an assisted vehicle driven by power; and an electric cable which electrically connects the assistance vehicle to the assisted vehicle, wherein the power of the power source is supplied from the assistance vehicle to the assisted vehicle via the electric cable. |
| US08428795B2 |
Method and system for predicting the possibility of complete stoppage of an aircraft on a landing runway
Method and system for predicting the possibility of complete stoppage of an aircraft on a landing runway. According to the invention: a) the altitude (H) of the aircraft (2) is measured and the horizontal distance (D) separating said aircraft (2) from the proximal end threshold (4) of the landing runway (1) is calculated; b) an estimated finishing position (21) of said aircraft on said landing runway (1) is calculated on the basis of the altitude (H) and of the horizontal distance (D) determined in a), as well as on the basis of the angle of approach (α); and c) said estimated finishing position (21) calculated in b) is utilized to determine said possibility. |
| US08428793B2 |
Automatic downlink messaging during emergency flight situations
According to an example embodiment, a method includes receiving an emergency status signal indicating that an aircraft is in an emergency condition, formatting a downlink message in response to receiving the emergency status signal, the downlink message describing the emergency condition and an autopilot response to the emergency condition, and transmitting the downlink message to a controller of the aircraft. |
| US08428789B2 |
Enhanced reflash using modular discrimination
An improved system, method, and mechanism for executing and reconfiguring a reflash procedure maintains a vehicle state of charge while avoiding defective reflash operations. In an aspect of the invention, the technique includes receiving a reflash request, i.e., at a controller associated with the vehicle, the reflash request identifying one or more target modules and specifying replacement information. A reflash procedure in accordance with the received request is then begun. However, when and if the charge state of the vehicle drops below a predetermined threshold, the controller modifies the reflash procedure by first categorizing individual ongoing reflash operations and stopping any reflash operations belonging to the second class, while continuing any reflash operations belonging to the first class. |
| US08428788B2 |
Inverted pendulum type moving body
An inverted pendulum type moving body moving over a floor surface in a self standing manner, the inverted pendulum type moving body comprising: an information acquisition unit obtaining a state information indicating a current state of an another moving body; and a movement control unit controlling a movement of a self moving body, based on the state information, so that a state of the self moving body with respect to the current state of the another moving body satisfies a predetermined condition established so that the self moving body and the another moving body moves in alignment. |
| US08428787B2 |
Electronic device and power management method thereof
The present invention discloses an electronic device having a power management module and a power management method thereof. Within the power management method is used for an electronic device, which has a first power module, a second power module and the loads. The power management method comprises the following step: (1) monitoring the first power module and the second power module; (2) if the first power module and the second power module are activated at the same time, sequentially stopping a supply of electric power to at least one of the loads until the electronic device has total load current smaller than a reference value. |
| US08428782B2 |
Energy management system and method
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system and method includes a location reporting device identified with a site and a proximity detection module configured to alter an operating condition of the site in response to a location of the location reporting device. The proximity detection module is further configured to detect the location of the location reporting device at a modifiable detection interval. |
| US08428779B2 |
Robot controlling device
A robot controlling device includes: a position error calculator calculating a position error between an endpoint position of a robot and a position commanded value for the endpoint position; an external force calculator calculating an external force applied to the endpoint position; a force commanded value generator generating a force commanded value for the endpoint position; a force error calculator calculating a force error between the external force and the force commanded value; a storage storing the compliance model for the endpoint position; a first correction amount calculator calculating a first correction amount for the position commanded value, according to the force error, using the compliance model; and a second correction amount calculator calculating a second correction amount for the position commanded value, on the basis of the first order lag compensation for the first correction amount. The position error calculator calculates the position error, using the second correction amount. |
| US08428776B2 |
Method for establishing a desired area of confinement for an autonomous robot and autonomous robot implementing a control system for executing the same
A method of establishing an area of confinement and an autonomous robot for performing a task within the area of confinement. In one aspect, the invention can be a method of defining an area of confinement comprising: positioning the autonomous robot at a starting point P0 and recording the starting point P0 as a reference point within a memory device; moving the autonomous robot from the starting point P0 about a perimeter of the area of confinement, wherein said movement of the autonomous robot is controlled by a user; continuously tracking location of the autonomous robot relative to the reference point P0 during said movement using a distance-traveled measuring mechanism and a directional indicating instrument; recording the tracked location as a map in the memory device; and upon detecting that the map includes a closed-geometry, defining the closed-geometry as the perimeter of the area of confinement within the memory device. |
| US08428775B2 |
Apparatus, system and methods for dispensing products
Products are dispensed from a dispensing apparatus in which products marked with transaction information are received in a two-dimensional array of moveable bins. In response to control information synthesized from transaction information on the products in the bins and a dispense request, the array is operated to place a bin at a dispensing station on the dispensing apparatus. At the dispensing station, a mechanism is operated in response to the control information to provide access to the bin. A product in the bin may then be retrieved. |
| US08428772B2 |
Method of processing mailpieces using customer codes associated with digital fingerprints
In a method of processing mailpieces, Customer Applied Identifier (CAI) codes are assigned to the mailpieces by a sender of the mailpieces, and are used by the postal operator while the mailpieces are passing through a postal sorting system. Said CAI codes are recorded in memory in the sorting system in correspondence with first digital fingerprints or image signatures prior to the first pass of the mailpieces through the postal sorting system. While a current mailpiece is passing through the sorting system in a first sorting pass, an image is formed of the surface of the mailpiece that bears a postal address block, and a current fingerprint and location information for locating said mailpiece in the sorting process is derived from the image of said mailpiece. A search is made for a match between said current fingerprint and a first fingerprint recorded in memory in order to retrieve a current CAI code with which said location information is. |
| US08428766B2 |
Method of manufacturing standard ear shells for in-the-ear type general-purpose hearing aids
Provided is a method of manufacturing the standard ear shell for use in the ITE type general-purpose hearing aid considering the shape and size of the external auditory meatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, that quantitatively measures shape and size of an external auditory meatus to calculate an average of the measured shape and size of the external auditory meatus, and minimizes an acoustic feedback of the hearing aid or a receiver to save a manufacturing cost, to thereby quickly provide the hearing aid for a patient, mass-produce an average model ear shell, and simultaneously maintain quality of the ear shell consistently. |
| US08428765B2 |
Process integration determining system and method
An optimal process determining system executes a step of calculating a temporary process that includes information of a plurality of individual processes. According to an example, each process includes a tooling including of a tool, a holder, a tool projection length, and a sequence of the plurality of individual processes. A similarity between the toolings of two individual processes is calculated. In addition, a calculation is performed relating to a plurality of integrated processes for which the tooling of one of the individual processes having a high similarity is integrated into the tooling of the other one of the individual processes. In addition, an optimal process is determined from the plurality of integrated processes on the basis of an actual machining time in each of the integrated processes, a unit integration reduction time reduced as one of the toolings of the individual processes is integrated, and the number of the individual processes integrated. |
| US08428761B2 |
Production system and production method
A production system and a production method, which can change a period to delivery of products flexibly depending on a change of demand, in the case of producing a plurality of products having different specifications by mixing. A production system of plural kinds of products has a plurality of lower processes, which is capable of diverging, with respect to an upper process that can be applied common in a plurality of products. These upper process and lower process are organized by including one or a plurality of processes. A production line is constructed by a plurality of manufacturing facilities having different functions through the upper process and the lower process. Such a production system is provided with an order and delivery management system, a design management system, and a process management system. |
| US08428760B2 |
Method for scheduling a production process by supporting the visualization of material shortages
A method for scheduling a production process is disclosed, wherein a production order requiring components is placed on a production schedule, the availabilities of the components, which are required for the production order, are detected by a computing unit, production orders requesting one or more of the components are classified depending on the availabilities of the corresponding components, and the production order is displayed with a first optically observable marker if the order requests a missing component and/or produces a missing component. |
| US08428758B2 |
Dynamic audio ducking
Various dynamic audio ducking techniques are provided that may be applied where multiple audio streams, such as a primary audio stream and a secondary audio stream, are being played back simultaneously. For example, a secondary audio stream may include a voice announcement of one or more pieces of information pertaining to the primary audio stream, such as the name of the track or the name of the artist. In one embodiment, the primary audio data and the voice feedback data are initially analyzed to determine a loudness value. Based on their respective loudness values, the primary audio stream may be ducked during the period of simultaneous playback such that a relative loudness difference is generally maintained with respect to the loudness of the primary and secondary audio streams. Accordingly, the amount of ducking applied may be customized for each piece of audio data depending on its loudness characteristics. |
| US08428754B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for controlling an electrical device
A system, method and apparatus for controlling an electrical device are provided. At least one image of at least one moving entity is processed to determine when the moving entity (or entities) is at least one of entering and exiting a monitored area, and to determine when the moving entity (or entities) comprises at least one triggering shape. When the moving entity (or entities), comprising at least one triggering shape, is at least one of entering and exiting the monitored area, control of the electrical device is triggered and a counter for counting triggering shapes present in the monitored area is triggered. When the moving entity (or entities), comprising at least one triggering shape, exits the monitored area, the counter decrements by the number of triggering shapes and the electrical device is triggered to a state different from a present state when the counter falls below a threshold number. |
| US08428753B2 |
System and method for planning the operation of, monitoring processes in, simulating, and optimizing a combined power generation and water desalination plant
The disclosure relates to a system and a method for planning the operation of, monitoring processes in, simulating, and/or optimizing a technical installation comprising several units that can be combined with each other. Said system comprises at least one process planning module, at least one process simulation module, and at least one process optimization module. Components for modeling, simulating, and optimizing the technical installation are stored in said modules. The interrelated modules cooperate with a data management layer via at least one interface, said data management layer making available actual measured and/or historical process data for determining parameters and/or operational data for the modules in order to plan operations as well as simulate and optimize processes. The parameters and/or operational data determined in the modules can be fed to the data management layer for further processing by taking into account the stored components. |
| US08428752B2 |
Network infrastructure supporting a multi-seller promotion and transaction environment
An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity. |
| US08428745B2 |
Telemetry protocol for ultra low error rates useable in implantable medical devices
A telemetry protocol for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The sending device forms a block of information to be telemetered to the receiving device, including a header, a message, and an error detection data (CRC1). The entirety of the block is divided into smaller packets of a predetermined size. Each packet has a CRC computed for it (CRC2), and is sent to the receiving device, which deduces a CRC2 and compares it with the appended CRC2. If not valid, that packet is again requested to be resent. If valid, the next packet is requested to be sent, its CRC2 checked, etc., until all packets are received and verified. The receiving device then discards the CRC2s to reconstitute the original block. The receiving device then deduces CRC1 and compares it with the CRC1 appended to the block. If valid, the block is accepted, and if not, the procedure is repeated. |
| US08428740B2 |
Retinal prosthesis techniques
Apparatus is provided including an external device including, a mount, which is placed in front of an eye of a subject. A power source is coupled to the mount and emits energy toward the eye. An intraocular device is implanted entirely in the subject's eye, and includes a control unit, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, and an energy receiver, which receives the energy from the power source and generates a voltage drop in response. A plurality of photosensors detect photons and generate a signal in response. Driving circuitry is coupled to the energy receiver and to the photosensors, and drives the electrodes to apply electrical charges to a retina in response to the signals from the photosensors. The external device modulates the emitted energy, and the control unit demodulates the modulated energy to regulate an operation parameter of the intraocular device. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08428733B2 |
Stimulation electrode selection
Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination. |
| US08428732B2 |
Neural interface systems and methods
In one embodiment, a neural interface system includes an implantable neural probe having a flexible substrate, electrodes that extend from the substrate that are adapted to contact neural tissue of the brain, a signal processing circuit configured to process neural signals collected with the electrodes, and a wireless transmission circuit configured to wirelessly transmit the processed neural signals, and a backend computing device configured to wirelessly receive the processed neural signals, to process the received signals to reconstruct the collected neural signals, and to analyze the collected neural signals. |
| US08428728B2 |
Muscle stimulator
An implantable medical device for treating the back of a patient. Stimulation energy is delivered to muscles or joint capsules or ligaments or nerve fibers to improve the heath of the back. |
| US08428719B2 |
Systems and methods for respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation
Neurostimulation is provided to afferent nerve fibers of an auricular vagal nerve of a patient. The neurostimulation is harmonized with the pulmonary activity of the patient. In one implementation, a neurostimulation is gated to a portion of the respiratory cycle. For example, the auricular vagal nerve may be stimulated at the end of exhalation. In another implementation, a stimulation regiment to multiple electrodes are harmonized with pre-selected triggers within the respiratory cycle to achieve selective stimulation and/or bilateral stimulation. |
| US08428718B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting change in intrathoracic electrical impedance
A method and apparatus for detection of changes in impedance a patient that includes generating measured impedances, generating an adaptive baseline trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a first time period, generating a short term trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a second time period less than the first time period, determining changes in relative position of the short term trend and the baseline trend, the determined changes in relative position corresponding to determining intersecting of the baseline trend by the short term trend, determining differences between the baseline trend and calculated period average impedances, and accumulating, in response to determining no intersecting of the baseline trend by the short term trend, the determined differences between the baseline trend and the calculated period average impedances. |
| US08428717B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring tissue fluid content for use in an implantable cardiac device
A fluid status monitoring system for use in implantable cardiac stimulation or monitoring devices is provided for monitoring changes in thoracic fluid content. A fluid status monitor includes excitation pulse generating and control circuitry, and voltage and current measurement and control circuitry for performing a series of cardiac-gated, intra-thoracic impedance measurements. The cardiac-gated measurements are filtered or time-averaged to provide a fluid status impedance value, with respiratory noise removed. Based on comparative analysis of the fluid status impedance value, a clinically relevant trend in fluid status may be tentatively diagnosed and a fluid status response provided. Cross-check intra-thoracic impedance measurements performed using the same or a different excitation pathway and a different measurement pathway than the primary intra-thoracic impedance measurement configuration may be used to verify a tentative diagnosis. |
| US08428714B2 |
Active implantable medical device with atrial pacing for the treatment of diastolic heart failure
An active implantable medical device with atrial pacing for the treatment of diastolic heart failure. This device comprises circuits and leads for collecting right and left atrial events (16,18) and pacing the left atrium (18) and a sensor detecting myocardium contractions, preferably an endocardial acceleration sensor (20), delivering a signal representative of the myocardium contractions. Analysis of the signal allows a determination of the presence or absence of a detectable left atrial contraction distinguishable from the ventricular contraction. An interatrial delay is applied between the collection of a right atrial depolarization and the delivery of a left atrial pacing pulse. In the absence of left atrial contraction, the interatrial delay is iteratively reduced in successive cardiac cycles from an initial value to an adjustment value ensuring that a left atrial contraction appears, and then so maintained while the presence of a left atrial contraction continues. |
| US08428713B2 |
Implantable defibrillation output circuit
An implantable defibrillation circuit can include an output circuit. The output circuit can include a first switch configured to controllably connect a first supply node to a first output node, a second switch configured to controllably connect a second supply node to the first output node through a first rectifier, and the second switch can be configured to inhibit the first switch from connecting the first supply node to the first output node when the second supply node is connected to the first output node through the second switch. In an example, the first and second switches can include insulated gate bipolar transistors. |
| US08428709B1 |
Current control for electrotransport drug delivery
Devices, systems and methods for controlling the application of current and/or voltage to deliver drug from patient contacts of an electrotransport drug delivery device by indirectly controlling and/or monitoring the applied current without directly measuring from the cathode of the patient terminal. In particular, described herein are electrotransport drug delivery systems including constant current delivery systems having a feedback current and/or voltage control module that is isolated from the patient contacts (e.g., anodes and cathodes). The feedback module may be isolated by a transistor from the patient contacts; feedback current and/or voltage control measurements may be performed at the transistor rather than at the patient contact (e.g., cathode). |
| US08428706B2 |
Sheet conductance/resistance measurement system
An apparatus for testing of electrical or physical properties of a material include a single coil sensor mounted adjacent to a sample of the material. Sheet conductance of a wide variety of materials may be measured using the single coil to determine if the material conforms to generally accepted standards for the use to which the material will be put. In some examples, the material is a semiconductor wafer or flat panel. In other examples, the material is the body tissue of a patient. A non-invasive technique using the apparatus is also disclosed for monitoring the health of patient tissue such as musculature, and/or to determine whether healthy circulation is present, by measuring the conductance of the patient tissue in response to a magnetic field applied by the single coil. The single coil may be hand held, or it may be movable using an automated positioning system under computer control. |
| US08428704B2 |
Threshold adjustment schemes for acute ischemia detection
A heart monitor is disclosed. The monitor computes ST segment deviations and stores the results in heart rate based histograms. Periodically, the monitor analyzes the histogram data to determine heart rate dependent acute ischemia detection thresholds. If the statistical distribution associated with a heart rate range is insufficient, the threshold for that heart rate range is set as a function of the threshold for a neighboring heart rate range. Thresholds are also increased for heart rate ranges associated with statistical distributions that are sufficient but that have a relatively small number of entries. |
| US08428702B2 |
Methods and devices for relieving stress
Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress. |
| US08428700B2 |
Electroanatomical mapping
This invention relates to the determination and/or representation of physiological information relating to a heart surface. |
| US08428698B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring DP, IVRT, DiFT, diastolic function and/or HF
Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring a patient's diastolic function and/or heart failure (HF) condition. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume and a signal indicative of electrical activity of the patient's heart are obtained. Beginnings of diastolic periods can be detected based on a feature of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Ends of the diastolic periods can be detected based on a feature of the signal indicative of electrical activity of the patient's heart, or on the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Diastolic periods (DPs), isovolumic relaxation times (IVRTs) and/or diastolic filling times (DiFTs) can be estimated based on the detected beginnings of the diastolic periods and detected ends of the diastolic periods. The patient's diastolic function and/or HF condition (and/or changes therein) can be monitored based on the estimates of DP, IVRT and/or DiFT. |
| US08428697B2 |
“Blurred template” approach for arrhythmia detection
An implantable medical device and associated method sense cardiac signals for deriving a template representing a known EGM waveform morphology and for classifying an unknown waveform morphology. A boundary of the template, offset from the template, is computed and compared to an unknown waveform morphology for classifying the unknown waveform morphology. |
| US08428695B2 |
Diagnostic systems and methods utilizing probe-ions exhibiting photon avalanche effect
The present disclosure provides advantageous systems and methods for significantly increasing the sensitivity and selectivity for diagnostic procedures, e.g., optical biopsy. The disclosed systems and methods use a highly non-linear effect, the so-called photon avalanche. In the regime close to the avalanche threshold, small differences in density of the probe-ion under investigation or the excitation power can result in very large changes in up-conversion emission intensity. Through this effect, it becomes possible to accurately measure the signal of an optical biopsy probe-ion only in the location(s) where its concentration is highest, while at the same time significantly reducing or eliminating measurement of background signal from probe-ions distributed with a somewhat lower concentration throughout the measurement volume. Also background auto-fluorescence of the surrounding healthy tissue is essentially absent with this technique. |
| US08428693B2 |
System for selecting modular implant components
A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used. |
| US08428691B2 |
Method and apparatus for localizing an ultrasound catheter
An imaging system is provided with an ultrasound catheter and a controller coupled to the ultrasound catheter. The catheter includes a localizer sensor configured to generate positional information for the ultrasound catheter, and an imaging ultrasound sensor having a restricted field of view. The controller co-registers images from the imaging ultrasound sensor with positional information from the localizer sensor. |
| US08428689B2 |
Image guided therapy
A therapeutic system includes a therapy module to direct a therapeutic action, e.g. focused ultrasound or RF energy to a target. An imaging module, such as a magnetic resonance examination system, generates image information of a therapy region that includes the target. By way of a motion analysis module, a motion vector field is derived from the image information of the therapy region. A control module controls the therapy module based on the motion vector field. For example, based on t the motion vector field, an accurate temperature distribution is derived from magnetic resonance signals and the motion vector field. Also magnetic resonance elastography data may be employed to improve the accuracy of the temperature distribution. |
| US08428682B1 |
Wet or dry electrode, other sensors, actuators, or markers with a novel adhesive collar
The present invention is directed to a device, which can be attached to a subject's skin with an adhesive collar. The device can be a sensor, an actuator or a marker. Preferably, the device is a sensor, and more preferably in the form of a wet or dry electrode sensor, and most preferably, a dry electrode sensor. The invention is used to attach the device to a subject's prepared or unprepared skin so that the device can remain attached to the subject for an extended period of time with minimal skin irritation, breakdown, or re-application, and preferably with no skin irritation, breakdown, or re-application. |
| US08428679B2 |
System and methods for processing analyte sensor data
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor. |
| US08428678B2 |
Calibration techniques for a continuous analyte sensor
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for calibrating a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes one or more electrodes to measure an additional analyte. Such measurements may provide a baseline or sensitivity measurement for use in calibrating the sensor. Furthermore, baseline and/or sensitivity measurements may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data. |
| US08428676B2 |
Thermoelectric energy harvesting with wireless sensors
A system and method for generating power from temperature differences across a thermoelectric energy harvester. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by energy generated via the thermoelectric energy harvester. |
| US08428675B2 |
Nanofiber adhesives used in medical devices
Nanofiber adhesives and their uses with device, such as medical devices, are described. In one embodiment, a nanofiber adhesive layer may be disposed on a surface of a medical device, such as a backing layer of a sensor, for adhesion to a substrate. The nanofiber adhesive layer may allow durable adhesion to the substrate. Other described features may include materials and methods to determine the attachment of the medical device to a patient by determining the adhesive state of the adhesive layer. |
| US08428669B2 |
Portable terminal device
[Object]To provide a portable terminal device accepting an input operation in accordance with acceleration, which is less prone to cause incorrect input and allows a user to perform easily an input operation.[Constitution]A mobile phone includes an acceleration sensor 13 for detecting acceleration produced on a mobile phone main body; a cumulative value calculating section 100a for calculating a cumulative value of detected acceleration; a comparing section 100b for comparing the cumulative value with a threshold value; and a CPU 100 for controlling a security lock mode in accordance with a result of comparison by the comparing section 100b. When the cumulative value has exceeded the threshold value by a user shaking the mobile phone, the CPU 100 cancels the security lock mode. |
| US08428666B2 |
Wireless headset and multipoint pairing method for the same
A wireless headset and multi-point pairing method for the same are disclosed. The wireless headset can be easily paired with multiple wireless-enabled devices. The method includes establishing a wireless connection to a first wireless device during a wireless connection mode, requesting a mode transition to a pairing mode during the wireless connection mode, making a mode transition from the wireless connection mode to the pairing mode without turning off the headset, performing a pairing procedure with a second wireless device during the pairing mode, and establishing a wireless connection to the second wireless device in addition to the first wireless device after the pairing procedure is completed. |
| US08428664B1 |
Case assembly for handheld electronic devices and method of use therefor
A protective case assembly including a shell defining an open front and having sides as well as a base which adjoins the shell's sides is disclosed. The shell attaches to the handheld device by being sized and configured to fit over the backside and sides of the device. In addition, the case assembly includes an elongated elastic strap of predetermined length and width which is attached at its ends to the back of the shell. The strap is positioned against the base and is sufficiently taut to enable the handheld device to be held in one hand and operated with the thumb of the same hand when up to two of the three middle fingers also of the same hand are placed under the taut strap. |
| US08428663B2 |
Slide rotation device, slide rotation method, and portable terminal device
A slide rotation device includes a rail portion that is provided along a sliding direction of an upper case, a slide mechanism that has a slide assistance plate sliding the upper case along the rail portion of the upper case, and a rotation mechanism that is provided to be fixed in the vicinity of one end portion of a lower case and rotatably supports the slide assistance plate using a rotation shaft positioned in an extending direction of the slide assistance plate. |
| US08428659B1 |
Intelligent resonant vibration amplifier
A computer-implemented method includes generating a first signal; generating vibrations in a mobile device based on the first signal; and sensing, using a microphone associated with the mobile device, sound generated by the vibrations. The method further includes generating an output based on the sound sensed by the microphone, measuring a level of the sound based on the output, and detecting a resonant frequency of the mobile device based on the level of the sound. |
| US08428654B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for displaying menu thereof
Disclosed is a method for automatically displaying a menu relating to a specific function by recognizing a user's voice command in a call mode, and for directly executing the menu, and a mobile terminal having the same. A mobile terminal may include a microphone configured to receive a user's voice in a video call mode, a display for displaying information, and a controller configured to recognize the voice, detect a voice command included in the voice, and automatically display a menu corresponding to the detected voice command on the display. |
| US08428650B2 |
Reconfigurable base station using mobile station RF ASIC
A reconfigurable RF transceiver for use in either a base station or a mobile station Of a wireless network. The reconfigurable RF transceiver comprises a first receive path that down-converts an incoming RF signal to analog and digital baseband signals. The first receive path in a first mode down-converts the incoming RF signal in a receive frequency band for the base station and in a second mode down-converts the incoming RF signal in a receive frequency band for the mobile station. The reconfigurable RF transceiver further comprises a transmit path for up-converting an outgoing baseband signal to an outgoing RF signal. The transmit path in the first mode up-converts the outgoing baseband signal in a transmit frequency band for the base station and in the second mode up-converts the outgoing baseband signal in a transmit frequency band for the mobile station. |
| US08428647B2 |
Verifying and identifying incoming PBX calls on mobile devices
Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based on different behaviors of the mobile devices and the network or networks used by the device(s). |
| US08428646B2 |
Method and system for software defined power amplifier for multi-band, multi-standard applications
Methods and systems for a software defined power amplifier for multi-band, multi-standard applications are disclosed and may comprise configuring a single programmable output stage of a multi-band, multi-standard transmitter to handle transmission of a signal according to multiple wireless communication protocols and frequency ranges. The output stage may be configured by coupling a power amplifier (PA) within the programmable output stage to a switch or a duplexer, which may be coupled to one or more of multiple antennas, each of which may handle signals in a different frequency range. Each antenna may be impedance matched with the power amplifier using transformers, and may be coupled by activating at least one integrated transistor. The PA may be biased to operate in one of a plurality of classes of operation comprising Class A, AB, C and F associated with the wireless communication protocols, which may comprise EDGE, GSM, WCDMA and wireless LAN. |
| US08428634B2 |
Method for automatically setting up and/or controlling a telecommunication conference
A conference condition file is used to check whether at least one stored conference condition is met, which indicates a condition regarding a participant's setup of and/or participation in the telecommunication conference. If at least one condition is met then the conference is set up or the participant is added to the conference. |
| US08428633B2 |
Combined channel state information and combined channel quality indicator in wireless communication systems
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for estimating a channel state information (CSI) and a channel quality indicator (CQI) of a frame; determining a combined CSI and a combined CQI of the frame; and transmitting the CSI and the combined CQI are disclosed. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08428632B2 |
Dynamic allocation of spectrum sensing resources in cognitive radio networks
A method, wireless controller, and information processing system are provided to dynamically allocate spectrum sensing resources. A first input (804) including available sensing session time for performing spectrum sensing with respect to one or more primary systems (102) is received. A second input (806) including a set of communication channels to be monitored in the spectrum sensing session is received. A third input (808) including detection constraints associated with a plurality of available sensing nodes (114) in a secondary network (104) for performing the spectrum sensing is received. Spectrum sensing resources are dynamically allocated (814) among a set of the plurality of available sensing nodes (114) based on the first (804), second (806), and third inputs (808). |
| US08428631B2 |
Method for determining a subsequent time interval relationship, for service request messages, from a user equipment
The invention relates to a method in a base station for handling a request from a user equipment for accessing a service in a radio communications network, the method comprising the steps of receiving a first wide time interval (305) of an incoming signal (300) comprising a first signal sent from the user equipment, the first signal extending along a first narrow time interval (310) being a part of the first wide time interval, the first narrow time interval of the first signal being a possible service access request message; searching the first wide time interval (305) and detecting that the first signal is a possible service access request message; and identifying how the first narrow time interval (310) of the first signal relates to the first wide time interval (305). The relationship will be the same for subsequent time intervals of the incoming signal (300). |
| US08428629B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining a communications mode and/or using a determined communications mode
Methods and apparatus for determining a mode of wireless communications to be used by a wireless terminal, e.g., a direct communications mode or an infrastructure communications mode are described. In some embodiments, the mode to be used is determined by a control node based on interference which will be caused to the system taking into consideration at least an area, e.g., cell, in which the wireless terminal seeking to communicate is not located. System interference cost estimates for each mode under consideration are generated and compared. Interference cost estimates may, and do, correspond to different frequency bands when the direct mode uses a different frequency band than the infrastructure communications mode. Separate interference cost estimates and mode determinations are made for different communications directions in some embodiments. The determined mode to be used is communicated to the devices seeking to communicate, e.g., via one or more base stations. |
| US08428628B2 |
Communication method, mobile terminal, switching device, and radio control device
A communication method according to the present invention includes: transmitting, at a radio base station device (b), broadcast information for notifying a first area and a second area; transmitting, from a first mobile terminal to a radio control device (c), a first location registration request signal for the first area included in the broadcast information, when the first area is not identical to a first area stored as a current location registration area; and transmitting, from a second mobile terminal to the radio control device (c), a second location registration request signal for the second area included in the broadcast information, when the second area is not included in a second area group stored as a current location registration area. |
| US08428625B2 |
Paging heuristics in packet based networks
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for paging devices in a communication network. A network device providing mobility management through control messaging can be assigned a number of cell sites in a tracking area. The network device such as a mobility management entity (MME) can use a criteria or heuristic based implementation to provide a hierarchy for contacting a mobile device with a page. The criteria or heuristic based implementation can page a subset of the total number of cell sites in a tracking area and expand the subset after unsuccessful attempts to page the mobile device. The implementation can also be tailored to offer a range of options for page requests received by a network device, which can be based on such things as the application sending the page request. |
| US08428624B2 |
Method and system for network support for optimized paging of communication devices
A method in one application of maintaining a paging status associated with a communication device. The method also comprises paging the communication device based on the paging status.A system in one application comprising a communications controller configured to store a paging status that is associated with a communication device. The system further comprising a communications manager communicatively coupled to the communications controller. Also, at least one data store is communicatively coupled to the communications controller. The communications controller pages a communication device based on a paging status. The paging status is stored in one of the at least one data store. |
| US08428622B1 |
Location based recommendation method for mobile station content
A location based method of offering a recommendation of content to a user of a mobile station includes receiving information identifying a current location of the mobile station. Then, in a content usage database, records of other mobile stations that have recently been near that location are identified. For each identified record of another mobile station, content resident on an used by the other mobile station in the content usage database is identified. Then, responsive to at least one inquiry received from the mobile station, a recommendation is transmitted through a wireless communications network to the mobile station of the user. The recommendation includes information about the identified content resident on and used by one or more of the other mobile stations. |
| US08428617B2 |
Method and apparatus to select an optimum site and/or sector to provide geo-location data
A system and method selects secondary base stations to task that provide geo-location information used to geo-locate a mobile station. A network overlay location system may be co-located at base station sites of a wireless communications network. The location measurement units of the network overlay system provide location information of the mobile station, which may be determined via one or more geo-location techniques, for example: time of arrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), uplink time difference of arrival (UTDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), signal power, radio fingerprinting etc. Selecting secondary base stations to task using various selection criteria may provide optimum results when geo-locating a mobile station. |
| US08428607B2 |
Relays in telecommunications networks
In a telecommunications network including a plurality of mobile terminals in communication with a network base station, and a plurality of relay nodes configured to assist the base station with data transmissions between the base station and one or more of said plurality of mobile terminals, a method of enabling communication resource reuse amongst the plurality of said relay nodes, the method comprising: predefining a plurality of communication resource sets, each resource set comprising one or more communication resource elements, the communication resource sets arranged so that each relay node can receive data in a predefined receiving resource set and transmit data in a predefined transmission resource set; determining which of two or more relay nodes are spatially separated from one another; and configuring at least two of the two or more spatially separated relay nodes to use the same communication resource sets. |
| US08428595B2 |
Methods and arrangments for dynamically adjusting the rate of sub cell searching in coordinated multiple point transmission/reception, comp, cells
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements that enable a User Equipment UE to limit the number of sub cell searches needed in a wireless communication system with Coordinated Multiple Point transmission/reception (CoMP) cells, while keeping an acceptable system performance at handovers. This is achieved by a solution where the UE does sub cell search in a candidate target CoMP cell only when the candidate target CoMP cell quality performance is within a reasonable range or when the serving CoMP cell quality performance is low. |
| US08428594B2 |
Methods and apparatus of improving inter-sector and/or inter cell handoffs in a multi-carrier wireless communications system
A wireless communications system, e.g., an OFDM system, uses a plurality of carrier frequencies each with an associated frequency band. A base station sector transmitter in the system transmits ordinary signaling, e.g., user data, in its own assigned band. In addition the sector base station transmitter periodically transmits beacon signals into its own frequency band and the frequency bands used by adjacent sector transmitters for their ordinary signaling. Beacon signals, being short duration high power signals with sector transmission power concentrated on one or a few tones, are easily detectable. Each beacon signal may be identified as to the source base station sector transmitter, e.g., based on tone. A mobile node, tuned to a single carrier band, receives a plurality of beacon signals, identifies the sources of the received beacons, compares the received strength of the beacons, and makes handoff decisions, without having to switch carrier band. |
| US08428591B2 |
Method of translating cellular carriers
A plurality of carrier signals in a wide band signal is converted into a plurality of digital carrier signals. Each of the plurality of carrier signals is at a respective frequency in the wide band signal. At least one of the plurality of digital carrier signals is translated to a different frequency. |
| US08428589B2 |
Method for reducing signalling
The present invention relates to a method for UE context setup in an eNodeB for a UE subscriber in an infrastructure network. The network comprises at least one eNodeB providing radio access for the UE and an MME connected to the eNodeB. The eNodeB/-s comprises an inactivity timer releasing the UE context being setup in the eNodeB after a defined time period. The network for each UE context setup performs the steps of: the UE sending a setup request to the eNodeB, wherein the eNodeB in response to said request sends an initial UE message to the MME to initiate the UE context setup, the UE message identifying the UE sending the setup request; the MME in response to said UE message sending an initial UE context setup request to the eNodeB, wherein the eNodeB responds to the MME with an initial context response complete to finalize the UE context setup; and the MME in the setup request sending timer setup information for said UE, on which basis the eNodeB configures the time period of the inactivity timer for the UE context being setup. The present invention also relates to a MME and an eNodeB adapted for the same purpose. |
| US08428583B2 |
Managing subscriber information
A method includes storing subscriber data at one or more locations, and storing, at least one of the one or more locations, one or more rules for managing the subscriber data at least one of the one or more locations. The subscriber data regarding at least one of the one or more locations is managed on the basis of the rules. |
| US08428582B2 |
Method and apparatus for VoIP roaming
A method and apparatus for transferring a user data profile from a user's home terminal to a visiting terminal is disclosed. User or network configuration settings are transferred from a home telephony adapter to a visiting telephony adapter. In accordance with one embodiment, a computer readable medium, such as a flash drive is inserted into the home telephony adapter and, either with or without authentication, user or network configuration settings are transferred from the home telephony adapter to the medium. In another embodiment, the medium is then inserted into the visiting telephony adapter. |
| US08428575B2 |
Dial testing system and method
A dial testing system and a dial testing method using the dial testing system are provided. The dial testing system includes a dial testing agent device adapted to perform an automatic dial testing through a network element and control an automatic dial testing result reported by the network element; and a dial testing server adapted to collect the automatic dial testing result reported by the dial testing agent device. The dial testing system and the dial testing method provided by the present invention may assure allsidedness of a dial testing, enhance the speed and quality of the dial testing operation, and save a large amount of manpower and material resources. |
| US08428568B1 |
Apparatus and method for providing additional caller ID information
A portable device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which additional data of caller ID are displayed. The method for controlling a portable device comprises the steps of receiving an incoming call, detecting a user's face on the portable device, displaying additional data on the incoming call if the user's face is detected, the additional data being some of a plurality of additional data collected from a plurality of data sources to correspond to caller ID of the incoming call, displaying other additional data included in the collected additional data per predetermined time interval if the user's face is continuously detected, and detecting a user input for answering or rejecting the incoming call. |
| US08428566B2 |
Network entity, method and system for invocation of supplementary services across different networks
A network entity, method and system for providing supplementary services to a mobile device while roaming. The network entity comprises a receiver, a converter and an output. The receiver is for receiving a first message from a mobile device being provided roaming service by a first network, the first message being in a transport protocol supported by the first network and having embedded therein an invocation message based on for invocation of at least one supplementary service offered by a second network. The converter is for extracting the invocation message from the first message. The output is for sending the invocation message to the second network using a protocol used by the second network to invoke supplementary services. |
| US08428563B2 |
Visual voicemail provisioning and notification
A device receives, from a user device, a request to use a visual voicemail (VVM) application, directs the user device to a self provisioning server based on the request, and receives, from the self provisioning server, a selected VVM subscription plan and information associated with a user of the user device. The device also provides, to a billing system, a feature code associated with the selected VVM subscription plan, receives, from one or more voicemail servers, pre-existing voicemail messages associated with the user, and provides, to the user device, the pre-existing voicemail messages. |
| US08428560B2 |
Mobile telephone having broadcast reception function
A mobile phone includes: a television broadcast receiving unit 111 operable to receive a broadcast program; a video processing unit 104 operable to output the received broadcast program; a wireless unit 102 operable to receive incoming-mail information; and a control unit 115 operable to monitor, during the output of the broadcast program, whether a predetermined condition for providing notification of the incoming-mail information is satisfied, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied when the incoming-mail information is detected, to provide the notification of the incoming-mail information, and if the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the incoming-mail information is detected, to postpone the notification of the incoming-mail information until the predetermined condition has been satisfied. |
| US08428559B2 |
Method for recording mobile phone calls
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for recording mobile phone calls for record keeping. The present invention utilizes a software call-recording application installed on the mobile phone to make a direct connection to a centralized recording server utilizing a conference or three-way calling feature on the mobile phone. The centralized recording server can answer the incoming call from the mobile phone. The incoming call can be tagged with an identification. The recording server can then capture the audio and any data and store the audio and data for future use. In one embodiment, a recording can be made at the mobile phone and forwarded to the recording server. The recording can be initiated remotely. |
| US08428557B2 |
Electronic device, and electronic device operational lock deactivation method
In one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device. The device includes: a lock controller configured to lock control of the electronic device so that a specific operation cannot be performed on the electronic device; a lock deactivation region registration module configured to register a region where the operation lock should be deactivated if the electronic device has been locked; a location detector configured to detect a location of the electronic device; and an operational lock deactivation module configured to compare the detected location of the device against the registered region where the operation lock should be deactivated, and configured to deactivate the operational lock of the electronic device when the electronic device is located within the registered region where the operation lock should be deactivated. |
| US08428554B2 |
Method for authenticating a mobile unit attached to a femtocell that operates according to code division multiple access
The present invention provides a method involving a femtocell in communication with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. In one embodiment, the femtocell operates according to code division multiple access (CDMA) standards. The method includes receiving, from the femtocell and at a first secure entity in the IMS network, first authentication information generated by the mobile unit using a first random number broadcast by the femtocell in a global challenge. The method also includes receiving, from a second secure entity in the secure network, at least one security key formed based on the global challenge and second authentication information for uniquely challenging the mobile unit. In one embodiment, the second secure entity is a CDMA-based authentication server. The method further includes providing the security key(s) to the femtocell in response to authenticating the mobile unit based upon the second authentication information. |
| US08428553B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting a core network
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting a core network (102) by receiving (202) a message (302, 402) containing a mobile identity of a MS (104) and dropping (210) the message (302, 402) whenever the received mobile identity does not match a stored mobile identity associated with the MS (104). The message (302, 402) is processed (208) whenever the received mobile identity matches the stored mobile identity associated with the MS (104). The mobile identity can be an IMSI, a TMSI or a P-TMSI. The message (302, 402) can be an uplink message (302) or a downlink message (402), such as a Mobility Management (MM) message, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Mobility Management (GMM) message, or a UMA or Unlicensed Radio Resources (URR) message. The present invention can be implemented as a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium wherein the various method steps are implemented by one or more code segments. |
| US08428550B2 |
Real-time location determination for in-building distributed antenna systems
A system for determining the location of a wireless mobile device with respect to an interconnected network of wireless transmission waveguides is disclosed. The interconnected network could be interconnected ducts of an HVAC system in a building. Multiple wireless probes are placed at multiple locations within the HVAC duct system (or similar interconnected network of waveguides). Each probe may detect a common signal from a wireless mobile device and independently preserve arrival time information of the detected signal, wherein the signal propagates to probes by way of a free-space path to an opening in one or another duct, and thereafter to the probes via one or another path through the interconnected ducts, which act as wireless transmission waveguides. By correlating timing information of a signal received at three or more probes, a location of the mobile wireless device may be determined by one or another form of triangulation. |
| US08428548B2 |
Emergency message menu
A wireless communications device and method for generating and communicating an emergency text message, includes in response to receiving a request to communicate an emergency text message, accessing stored personal data for use in generating content of the emergency text message. A determination may be made as to whether current location coordinates are available. The emergency text message may be populated with the accessed stored personal data and current location coordinates, if available. The populated emergency text message may be communicated over a communications network to a public safety answering point. |
| US08428547B2 |
Signaling in wireless communication systems
A communication device includes an RF receiver that receives a combined signal including a first signal transmitted from a first node and a second signal transmitted from a second node, a channel estimator that estimates first channel information of the first signal and second channel information of the second signal, respectively, a multiuser detector that detects original signal values of the combined signal using the estimated first and second channel information and an RF transmitter that transmits a signal generated based on the values detected by the multiuser detector to the first node and the second node during a predetermined period. |
| US08428544B2 |
Heterodyne commutating mixer apparatus
Heterodyne commutating apparatuses and methods for creating the heterodyne commutating apparatuses are disclosed. The heterodyne commutating mixer includes a plurality of switches for transferring a radio frequency input signal sequentially during a plurality of local oscillator period timeslots to a plurality of output capacitors. The heterodyne commutating mixer also includes a plurality of inductors added across differential in-phase output terminals and quadrature output terminals. Values of inductance and capacitance are set to achieve resonance at an output intermediate frequency. |
| US08428543B2 |
Receiver arrangement with AC coupling
A receiver arrangement with AC coupling is specified in which a filter arrangement (3) is provided in a baseband signal processing chain in a homodyne receiver and can be switched between at least two high-pass filter cut-off frequencies. In this case, a brief changeover is made to a higher cut-off frequency when varying the gain of a low-noise baseband amplifier (2), for example when the received field strength changes, during the reception mode. The described arrangement allows changes to be carried out to the gain in baseband during the normal reception mode. The present receiver is accordingly suitable for code division multiple access methods, such as those which are provided in the UMTS Standard. |
| US08428539B2 |
Spread spectrum isolator
An apparatus comprising a functional circuitry on a first die. Said function circuitry configured to drive an RF voltage isolation link with an RF signal responsive to receipt of a logic signal at a first logic state. Control circuitry modifies the frequency of the RF signal to spread harmonics to other than a fundamental frequency. |
| US08428538B2 |
Channel estimator
A radio receiver comprises a processing unit configured to subject a received radio signal to signal switching. A control unit is configured to output a control signal indicative of information related to the signal switching. A channel estimator is coupled to an output of the processing unit and configured to provide channel parameters based on the control signal received from the control unit. |
| US08428536B2 |
Low-cost receiver using automatic gain control
A receiver (100) includes a first element (110) with a signal input, a control input, a signal output, and gain steps of a first magnitude, a signal processing circuit (120-168) with a signal input coupled to the first element, and a signal output, a second element (180) that has a signal input coupled to signal processing circuit, a control input, a signal output, and gain steps of a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude, and a controller (180) that has a control output coupled to the first element (110), a control output coupled to the second element (180), and that adjusts receiver (100) gain by changing the first element (110) gain by a first magnitude, changing the second element (180) gain by substantially an inverse first magnitude, and subsequently changing the gain of the second element (180) by steps of the second magnitude to achieve a desired gain. |
| US08428531B2 |
Radio wave receiver
A radio wave receiver including an antenna for receiving a radio wave; a tuning unit that can discretely changing a frequency characteristic of the antenna; an oscillation generator that can oscillate the antenna and a circuit portion of the tuning unit; a reception processing section for extracting a signal of a desired wave out of a reception signal received from the antenna; a controller for generating an oscillation signal at the circuit portion by the oscillation generator, and switching a setting of the tuning unit to search a setting state of the tuning unit under which the oscillation signal is extracted by the reception processing section; and a compensator for applying a variation to a frequency characteristic of the oscillation signal or a frequency characteristic associated with signal extraction of the reception processing section when the controller searches the setting state. |
| US08428529B2 |
Method and system for uplink beamforming calibration in a multi-antenna wireless communication system
A wireless transceiver, comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a plurality of antennas, determines transmit phase relationship between at least two of antennas based on radio frequency (RF) signals received via the at least two antennas from one or more antennas of a base station. RF signals are transmitted via the at least two antennas utilizing the determined transmit phase relationship. The receiver is calibrated based on receiver performance determined from the received RF signals for subsequent reception of RF signals. The transmit phase relationship is dynamically adjusted based on the transmit RF measurements and the determined receiver performance. Transmit channel qualities are determined for each transmit antenna based on the transmit RF measurements and the dynamically adjusted transmit phase relationship. Transmit antennas are dynamically selected based on the adjusted transmit phase relationship, the characterized transmit channel qualities and the determined receiver performance for subsequent transmission to the base station. |
| US08428525B2 |
Predistorter for a multi-antenna transmitter
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for predistorting input data signals to a MIMO transmitter to compensate for distortions introduced by the MIMO transmitter. Distortions introduced to data signals by a MIMO transmitter include crosstalk between multiple transmit paths and non-linearities introduced by power amplifiers. In an exemplary predistorter, post-amplifier crosstalk is compensated for by a first matrix operation before distortions introduced by power amplifiers are predistorted by power amplifier predistorters. After the power amplifier predistorters, pre-amplifier crosstalk is compensated for by a second matrix operation. |
| US08428523B2 |
Tuning matching circuits for transmitter and receiver bands as a function of transmitter metrics
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions to determine a translation function based on a transmit frequency of a transmit mode and a receive frequency of a receive mode of a transceiver for a communication device, and adjust a variable reactance component of an impedance matching circuit for the receive mode based on the translation function, where the impedance matching circuit is operably coupled with an antenna of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08428520B2 |
Margin design apparatus, margin design system, margin design method, and program
Provided is a technique of calculating a proper margin according to the area or a radio propagation estimation method in the area design of wireless communication using a radio propagation simulator. From a storage part wherein information relating to positions where deterioration of a communication quality or a radio quality is confirmed and information relating to the radio conditions at the positions are associated with each other, a margin design system extracts positions where the radio conditions are equal, estimates the radio quality at the positions by the radio propagation simulator, and calculates the margin of a radio quality estimated value on the basis of the estimated radio quality. |
| US08428518B2 |
Traffic constraints in a mmWAVE wireless network
A network controller may schedule directional communications between two devices in its own network in such a way as to avoid potential interference from anticipated transmissions from another device. In some instances, the network controller may be one of the two devices using the directional communications. The timing of the anticipated transmissions may be determined by the network controller based on its own observations, or it may be informed of that timing in a transmission from a device in its own network. A possible format is given for transmitting that information to the network controller. |
| US08428516B2 |
Wireless ad hoc network security
Providing network security includes detecting network traffic associated with an ad hoc network that includes a first station and a second station, and preventing data sent by the first station from reaching the second station. |
| US08428513B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for selecting an application in power-off mode
An embodiment relates generally to a method of selecting applications. The method includes positioning a powered-down mobile device into a close proximity of a near field communication device and selecting an application from a plurality of applications stored on the powered-down mobile device. The method also includes executing the application in the powered-down mobile device to interact with the near field communication device. |
| US08428512B2 |
Method and system for sharing a Bluetooth processor for FM functions
A method and system sharing a Bluetooth processor for FM functions are provided. The single chip may comprise an integrated Bluetooth radio, an integrated FM radio, and processor system. A processor in the processor system may be utilized for Bluetooth and FM data processing and may time multiplex between the Bluetooth and FM data processing based on interrupt signals. The processor may operate in a low power mode based on a clock signal generated from a low power oscillator. When a Bluetooth interrupt signal is received, the processor may enable Bluetooth data processing that may be based on a Bluetooth clock signal. When an FM interrupt signal is received, the processor may enable FM data processing that may be based on an FM clock signal. When data processing is complete, the processor may return to the low power mode operation. |
| US08428503B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A disclosed fixing device for fixing resin particles softened by applying a foam fixer thereon to a recording medium includes a foam fixer generator unit to introduce air bubbles into a liquid fixer containing a softener for softening the resin particles by dissolving or swelling a part of the resin particles to generate the foam fixer, a fixer application member to be brought into contact with a facing member facing the fixer application member to form an application nip and transfer the generated foam fixer to the application nip by moving its surface while carrying the foam fixer to apply the foam fixer to a surface of the recording medium carrying the resin particles at the application nip, and a foam accumulation detector unit to detect a foam accumulation formed of the foam fixer accumulated at an entrance side of the application nip. |
| US08428500B2 |
Belt pressurizing device and image forming apparatus
A belt pressurizing device includes: an endless belt that is circularly driven; a pressing member that presses the endless belt against a facing member with the endless belt interposed between the pressing member and the facing member; and a lubricant supplying member that supplies lubricant to reduce sliding resistance of the endless belt pressed by the pressing member, so as not to be in contact with the endless belt. |
| US08428499B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and fixing apparatus having a heating member to heat a fixing member
A fixing apparatus includes a flexible endless fixing member that moves in a predetermined direction for heating and melting a toner image, a heating member that is fixed to the fixing member in a position facing at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member for heating the fixing member, and a pressing member that provides a nipping part by pressing into contact with the fixing member for conveying a recording medium. The heating member includes a metal plate subjected to a bending process. |
| US08428497B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes a developer storing portion, a developer carrying body, a first regulating member having a first regulating surface regulating a layer thickness of the developer on the developer carrying body, a second regulating member having a second regulating surface that is set so as to gradually become apart from the developer carrying body toward the upstream side with respect to the rotation direction of the developer carrying body to regulate an amount of the developer conveyed to the first regulating surface, the second regulating surface being arranged with a step formed between the second regulating surface and the first regulating surface, and a sheet member so attached to the second regulating surface as to cover at least a portion of the step between the first regulating surface and the second regulating surface. |
| US08428495B2 |
Coatings for LEP printers, LEP printer structures, LEP printers, and methods of inhibiting sludge formation
Liquid electro-photographic (LEP) printers having a coating disposed thereon, LEP printers having a compound such as fluorosurfactant in the resin to make one or more parts of the LEP printer, and the like, are disclosed. |
| US08428494B2 |
Driving device and image forming apparatus
A driving device to be used in an image forming apparatus includes an input gear; a partly non-toothed gear having a toothed portion engageable with the input gear and having a non-toothed portion; a holding member capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a holding state in which the non-toothed portion opposes the input gear and the partly non-toothed gear is not engaged with the input gear and capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a released state in which the holding state is released; a cylindrical member rotatable by receiving a rotational force; and an entering portion which is rotatable together with the partly non-toothed gear and which is capable of entering an inside of the cylindrical member and capable of receiving the rotational force from the cylindrical member by a frictional force between the entering portion and the cylindrical member. |
| US08428493B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a development roller; a transfer roller; a drum driving unit that includes a forwardly and reversely rotatable motor; a forward transport unit; a reverse transport unit; and a transfer potential control unit that is configured to control a surface potential of the transfer roller to have a reverse polarity to that of the developer on the photosensitive drum during the forward rotation of the motor and control the surface potential of the transfer roller to be a potential that has the same polarity as the developer on the photosensitive drum and is equal to or higher than a surface potential of the photosensitive drum during the reverse rotation of the motor. |
| US08428492B2 |
Connection assembly of photo-conductor drum
A connection assembly of the photo-conductor drum is applied for linking a driving shaft. The connection assembly of the photo-conductor drum includes a drum gear and a connector. A first connection part arranged at an end of the drum gear. An end of the connector forms a second connection part corresponding to the first connection part. Another end of the connector forms a joint end. The joint end includes a central pillar, and a plurality of protrusions extending from a periphery of the central pillar. The second connection part could detachably connect to the first connection part. The joint end is detachably connected to the driving shaft. Therefore, by replacing the damaged drum gear or damaged connector only, the costs, quantity of the waste and the maintenance expend would be reduced. |
| US08428491B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device for forming a toner image on the image bearing member while carrying a developer on a developer carrying member, wherein the developing device is mountable and demountable relative to a main assembly of the apparatus in a direction substantially parallel with a radial direction of the image bearing member; an urging mechanism for urging the developing device toward the surface of the image bearing member; and a moving mechanism, movable in a movement path of the developing device, for moving the developing device between a developing position in which development can be effected and a retracted position retracted from the developing position in a state in which the developing device is urged by the urging mechanism. The moving mechanism is temporarily retracted from an inside of the movement path of the developing device to an outside of the movement path of the developing device by a mounting and demounting operation of the developing device. |
| US08428477B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a toner carrying member for supplying toner to an image bearing member to visualize the latent image; a rotatable toner supply member, contacted to the toner carrying member, for supplying toner to the image bearing member; a voltage applying device for applying voltages to the toner carrying member and the toner supply member; and a controller for controlling the voltage applying device to control voltages applied to the toner carrying member and the toner supplying member. |
| US08428476B2 |
Image forming apparatus for detecting speed fluctuation
An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an image carrier, a driving source, a rotation detection unit, and a control unit that performs fluctuation pattern recognition processing, control pattern construction processing, speed fine-adjustment processing, and remaining pattern recognition processing. The control unit is configured to perform control pattern correction processing for setting a frequency band of a remaining speed fluctuation to be detected by the remaining pattern recognition processing narrower than a frequency band of a speed fluctuation to be detected by the fluctuation pattern recognition processing and correcting the speed control pattern so as to be a pattern capable of reducing even the remaining speed fluctuation based on a remaining speed fluctuation pattern recognized by the remaining pattern recognition processing. |
| US08428475B2 |
Waste toner container and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A waste toner container that collects waste toner that is not used to form an image in an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus, and includes a waste toner collection opening to receive the waste toner output from the image forming unit, a toner amount detector to detect toner amount in the waste toner container, and a waste toner conveyance member disposed inside the waste toner container to convey the waste toner in the waste toner container. The waste toner conveyance member defines a waste toner conveyance direction exchange point, which is a boundary between two different toner conveyance direction regions in which the waste toner is conveyed in opposite directions, and the waste toner conveyance direction exchange point is disposed closer to the toner amount detector than is the waste toner collection opening. |
| US08428474B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developing device for developing with developer an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member includes a developer carrying member; a developing chamber in which the developer carrying member is provided; a developer accommodating chamber, for accommodating developer to be fed to the developing chamber; a shaft rotatably supported in the accommodating chamber; a developer feeding member, mounted on the shaft; a light transmitting member for permitting light to pass into the accommodating chamber to detect an amount of the developer in the accommodating chamber; and a developer scattering preventing member provided on an inner wall of the accommodating chamber so as to overlap with the light transmitting member with respect to an axial direction of the shaft as seen in a direction perpendicular to the developer scattering preventing member, an upper end of the developer scattering preventing member being located below the light transmitting member. |
| US08428468B2 |
Polarization multiplexing optical transmission system, polarization multiplexing optical receiver and polarization multiplexing optical transmission method
A polarization multiplexing optical receiver according to the invention includes a polarization splitting unit receiving polarization multiplexed lights which are modulated according to a first input signal and a second input signal including respective identifier, and splitting the polarization multiplexed light into a first polarized received light and a second polarized received light, a pair of photoelectric conversion units, a demodulation unit performing symbol recognition about the first received signal and the second received signal, and outputting a first demodulated signal and a second demodulated signal, an identifier detecting unit detecting the identifiers from the first demodulated signal and the second demodulated signal, and a delay compensation unit calculating a delay difference between the first demodulated signal and the second demodulated signal based on the identifiers, and inserting delay time corresponding to the delay difference into the first demodulated signal or the second demodulated signal. |
| US08428466B2 |
Carrier current communication system with infrared receiver
Embodiments of a method and apparatus are described to transmit a data signal from a power supply unit, over existing direct current (DC) power transmission lines, to a residential gateway which includes an infrared (IR) receiver designed to receive optical signals. In one embodiment, the IR receiver is configured to receive a carrier current communication signal from the power supply unit over a pair of copper wires coupled to the IR receiver. The carrier current communication signals may be encoded by a transmission encoding logic circuit using pulse position modulation techniques. The received carrier current communication signals may be demodulated and decoded to reproduce an input data stream. |
| US08428465B2 |
Return path for uspstream communications originating from optical node
This disclosure describes techniques for providing a communication path for upstream communications originating from a node of an optical network. In particular, methods and devices are described for combining upstream communications originating from the node of the optical network with upstream communications originating from subscriber devices coupled to the node. The upstream communication originating from the node may, for example, include status information about the node. The upstream communication, which may include status information about the node, essentially piggy-backs onto upstream communication originating from the subscriber devices coupled to the node. |
| US08428464B2 |
Methods and devices for detection of a first signal superimposed on a second signal
Methods and devices for detecting at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal. The method comprises the steps of providing said at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal to at least one half-wave rectifier; transforming, in said at least one half-wave rectifier, said at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal into a half-wave rectified signal; providing said half-wave rectified signal to an envelope detector; and transforming, in said envelope detector, said half-wave rectified signal into an envelope signal and wherein the at least one half-wave rectifier comprises at least one optoelectronic device. In this way, a simpler and cheaper method and/or device are provided for e.g. detecting a transmitted information signal superimposed on a high frequency carrier signal. |
| US08428463B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a dynamic gain equalizer
Consistent with the present disclosure, a method and apparatus for providing a uniform spectral gain of an optical amplifier is provided. Namely, a “balancing” step is carried out in which an optical channel having the lowest power level input to an optical circuit, such as an dynamic gain equalizer (DGE), is assigned a zero “attenuation error” and is substantially un-attenuated by the DGE. The lowest power level optical signal does not require further attenuation and effectively serves as a reference power level, which the power levels of the remaining optical signals are set to. For example, remaining optical signals are assigned either positive or negative attenuation errors relative to the zero attenuation error based on optical signal input powers to the DGE and accumulated DGE attenuations over time. Those optical signals having a negative attenuation error are substantially unattenuated by the DGE, because such optical signals are adequately attenuated and do not require further attenuation. On the other hand, the DGE is controlled to attenuate those optical signals having positive attenuation errors to thereby flatten the output spectrum of the amplifier. In one example, interpolation techniques may be employed to control those portions of the DGE (e.g., attenuators or pixels) that do not receive a channel, such that adjacent pixels that receive channels may impart a desired amount of attenuation. In addition, further interpolation may be provided to appropriately control the DGE pixels, if the number of channels supplied to the DGE is different than the number of pixels of the DGE. |
| US08428461B2 |
Apparatus for managing an optical signal
An apparatus for managing an optical signal includes a system optics card including an add filter, a drop filter, electrical backplane connector, and a mechanical front panel including express input and output ports providing channels to other system optics cards. The card transports information over a first optical transport link and receives information over a second optical transport link. The card identifies at least one network channel on the second optical transport link destined for a client device. The drop filter delivers the identified network channel to the optical converter card for delivery to the client device. The add filter receives client channels from the optical converter card generated by the client device. The card also transports the client channels of the client device over the first optical transport link. The electrical backplane connector is connectable to a chassis for housing the system optics cards and other system optics cards and/or other optics cards. |
| US08428460B2 |
Wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network having multiple branches of optical distribution
Various methods and apparatuses are described for a wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) that performs bi-directional communication. The WDM-PON may include two or more remote distribution nodes in between a central office and the most distant optical network unit. Each remote distribution node is located in a physically separate location. A first remote distribution node has two or more optical network units connected to the first remote distribution node. Each remote node separates one or more wavelength channels from a composite optical signal distributed through that remote distribution node. |
| US08428459B2 |
Optical I/O bus system
An optical input/output (I/O) bus system for connecting a plurality of external devices with a central processing unit (CPU) or memory in a specific system using an optical signal is provided. The optical I/O bus system includes a serializer and deserializer (SerDes) connected with the CPU or memory, and configured to divide a serial electrical signal into parallel electrical signals or combine parallel electrical signals into a serial electrical signal, a photoelectric converter prepared between the SerDes and the external devices, and configured to convert the serial/parallel electrical signals into an optical signal or an optical signal into an electrical signal, a plurality of optical transmission means disposed in parallel to transfer the optical signal converted by the photoelectric converter, an optical switch prepared between the photoelectric converter and the optical transmission means, and configured to switch to one of the optical transmission means to transfer the optical signal converted by the photoelectric converter to the optical transmission means according to an address of the optical signal, and a plurality of optical slots connected to the respective optical transmission means to connect the external devices so that the optical signal is input/output. In the optical I/O bus system, a high-capacity signal can be transferred without distortion, interference, and bottleneck using optical connection technology. |
| US08428456B2 |
Passive optical network protection method, switchover control device, and passive optical network protection system
The present invention discloses a passive optical network (PON) protection method, a switchover control device, and a PON protection system. In embodiments of the present invention, a protection optical line terminal (OLT) is connected to optical links of at least two working OLTs through the switchover control device; when a working OLT or working optical link fails, the switchover control device replaces the working OLT through the protection optical link, thus ensuring smooth communication. In addition, by using the networking mode of multiple working OLTs and one protection OLT, the embodiments of the present invention greatly saves the networking cost and facilitates the application of the PON technology. |
| US08428452B2 |
Driving mechanism, lens barrel, and camera
A driving mechanism includes plural driving members arranged in a circumferential shape around a reference shaft, a base member holding the plural driving members with each interposed in the circumferential direction, first piezoelectric elements vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode in a first direction, and second piezoelectric elements vibrating in the thickness-shear vibration mode in a second direction. Each driving member includes a first member and a second member. The base member supports one driving member of two driving members adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on a first support face and supports the other driving member on a second support face. The base member is formed so that the angle formed by the first support face and the second support face is equal to or greater than 60°. |
| US08428451B2 |
Interchangeable zoom lens actuator
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes interchangeable lenses to adjust a zoom level of the optical module. |
| US08428450B2 |
Integrated optical module
The instant disclosure relates to an integrated optic module for adapting in a finger sensing apparatus. The integrated optic module comprises an illumination portion including a light guiding array arranged to direct incident light from the electronic module toward the window module at a predetermined angle of incidence and an imaging portion having an imaging lens array arranged thereon to direct reflected light from the window module toward the electronic module for photo imaging. The micro-lens array includes an elongated recognition unit having a row axis substantially normal toward the light guiding array and a navigation unit adjoining the recognition unit and offsetting the row axis thereof. The optic module mediates a window module and an electronic module to provide both finger navigation and fingerprint recognition capabilities. |
| US08428449B2 |
Method of operating a flow-through heating
A flow-through heating system (1) is described, comprising: a flow tube (11); a plurality of at least two heating elements (12A, 12B, 12C), each heating element being connected in series with a corresponding controllable switch (23 A, 23B, 23C); a control unit (30) having control outputs (33A, 33B, 33C) coupled to said controllable switches; the control unit (30) being designed to generate control signals (Sa, Sb, Sc) for opening and closing the controllable switches such that said heating system is operated at a required power (Pr) less than the power capacity (Ptot) of said heating system by operating precisely one of said heating elements at reduced power while the remaining heating elements are either operated at full power or at zero power. |
| US08428445B2 |
Gas heating apparatus and methods
A thermally sprayed gas heater comprises a gas flow apparatus that propels a gas through a housing; and a thermally sprayed heater bonded to a surface of the apparatus, the heater positioned to heat the gas flow in the housing. In other aspects, a heater system for a turbulent flow gas duct comprises a duct having a gas flow channel, the channel having a shaped surface providing turbulent gas flow in the channel, and a thermally sprayed heater positioned to heat the gas flow in the channel. |
| US08428444B2 |
Video server and seamless playback method
According to one embodiment, a video server includes a storage unit, an output processing unit, and a decoding processing unit. The storage unit stores first video data items and second video data items. The output processing unit generates first and second data blocks based on the first video data items and the second video data item read from the storage unit, respectively. The output processing unit outputs the first data blocks in fewer frames than usual, and outputs the second data block in vacant frame. The decoding processing unit decodes the first data blocks to generate a first playback signals, and outputs the first playback signals. The decoding processing unit stores the second data blocks. |
| US08428443B2 |
Systems and methods of providing modified media content
A method of providing modified media content is disclosed that includes providing media content to a destination device via a network, where the media content comprises video data and audio data have a first viewing rate. The method further includes receiving data indicating a selection of a second viewing rate via the network and modifying the media content to produce modified media content having approximately the second viewing rate. The modified media content includes modified video data and modified audio data synchronized at approximately the second viewing rate. |
| US08428438B2 |
Apparatus for viewing television with pause capability
A television has an encoder, a random access memory buffer, and a decoder in addition to components of a conventional television receiver. The encoder encodes television signals to a digital format and the random access memory buffer stores the encoded television signal in response to activation of a pause function. The random access memory buffer outputs the stored digital television signal and the decoder decodes the digital television signal output from the random access memory buffer in response to deactivation of the pause function. |
| US08428435B2 |
Content use device and recording medium
To provide a content playback device that can use content appropriately by avoiding output of content not permitted to be used according to contract information. A playback control unit 102 extracts a content name from playback control information in a playback path information table 210, and inquires of a rights management unit 108 whether content identified by the extracted content name is playable or not. If the content is judged as being unplayable, the playback control unit 102 extracts an alternative playback number from the playback control information, and extracts a content name from playback control information whose playback number matches the alternative playback number. The playback control unit 102 then instructs a decryption unit 103 and a playback unit 107 to decrypt and play back encrypted content identified by the extracted content name. |
| US08428432B2 |
Information storage medium storing text-based subtitle, and apparatus and method for processing text-based subtitle
An information storage medium storing subtitle text-based information, and a method and apparatus utilizing same, process a subtitle. The information storage medium includes: dialog information which contains script text information of the subtitle and information specifying an output type of the script text; and presentation information which contains style information used to convert the script text into a bitmap format through rendering. With this structure, the amount of data required for a subtitle and the amount of data that should be processed when a subtitle is output may be greatly reduced. |
| US08428428B2 |
Reproduction device and program
A playback apparatus plays back video data recorded on a recording medium such as a BD-ROM. The playback apparatus includes (i) an interface in which a removable medium such as an SDRAM is inserted, (ii) a detection module detecting that the removable medium is inserted, and (iii) a virtual file system. The virtual file system is used if the removable medium is detected to be inserted, if additional content such as subtitles is recorded on the removable medium, and furthermore if the additional content is associated with the video data recorded on the BD-ROM, etc. The virtual file system dynamically combines the video data recorded on the BD-ROM, etc. and the additional content of the removable medium so as to play back a virtual package. |
| US08428425B2 |
Optical disk for high resolution and general video recording, optical disk reproduction apparatus, optical disk recording apparatus, and reproduction control information generation apparatus
A high resolution video signal is divided by video division means into a main signal and a sub signal, and the main signal and the sub signal are MPEG-encoded. The stream of the main signal and the stream of the sub signal are divided into 1 GPO or more of frames. First interleave blocks each including 1 GOP or more of the stream of the main signal and second interleave blocks each including 1 GOP or more of the stream of the sub signal are recorded on an optical disk. A high resolution reproduction apparatus reproduces both the first and second interleave blocks to obtain a high resolution video output. A non-high quality picture reproduction apparatus reproduces only the first or second interleave blocks to obtain a standard resolution video output. |
| US08428424B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing signal channels of digital video recorder
A channel test unit of a digital video recorder (DVR) includes a command generation module generating a selection signal to a controller. The controller outputs control signals to a multiplexer to select an output terminal of the multiplexer to switch to a signal channel. A signal generation module obtains a format voice data and converts to an analog voice signal and sends to the multiplexer. The multiplexer sends the analog voice signal to the selected signal channel after the signal channel is selected. A voice detection module defines an identification (ID) number for each of the signal channels in sequence and detects whether the DVR receives an analog voice signal, and determines whether all of the signal channels have been tested. A display module displays an ID number of the selected signal channel on a display device when the DVR does not receive the analog voice signal. |
| US08428419B2 |
Fiber distribution hub with internal cable spool
A fiber distribution hub (FDH) includes an internal spool for wrapping a fiber optic cable. The internal spool is adapted to rotate within the FDH and thereby pay out or retrieve the fiber optic cable from/to the FDH. A first end of the fiber optic cable can be extended through an entrance location of the FDH and can be further extended beyond the FDH to a connection point. The second end of the fiber optic cable can be connected to a fiber optic adapter within the FDH and can be disconnected from the fiber optic adapter when the internal spool is rotated. The fiber optic cable can be a fiber optic feeder cable. |
| US08428418B2 |
Fiber optic adapter plate and cassette
An adapter cassette including a housing and an adapter plate that mounts to a front opening of the housing by a snap-fit connection. The adapter cassette also including a cover that mounts to the housing by a snap-fit connection to enclose cable terminations within an interior of the housing. The adapter plate of the adapter cassette can further be mounted directly to a telecommunications panel without the housing for use in applications having non-enclosed cable terminations. |
| US08428414B2 |
Single-mode optical fiber having reduced bending losses
A single-mode optical fiber includes a central core, an intermediate cladding, a depressed trench, and an external optical cladding. The central core has a radius r1 and a positive refractive index difference Δn1 with the optical cladding. The intermediate cladding has a radius r2 and a refractive index difference Δn2 with the optical cladding, wherein Δn2 is less than Δn1. The depressed trench has a radius r3 and a negative index difference Δn3 with the optical cladding. At a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber has a mode field diameter (MFD) between 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns and, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has bending losses less than about 0.25×10−3 dB/turn for a radius of curvature of 15 millimeters. At a wavelength of 1260 nanometers, attenuation of the LP11 mode to 19.3 dB is achieved over less than 90 meters of fiber. |
| US08428410B2 |
High-bandwidth multimode optical fiber having reduced bending losses
The present invention embraces a multimode optical fiber that includes a central core having an alpha-index profile, an inner cladding, a depressed trench, and an outer cladding (e.g., an outer optical cladding). Typically, the central core's alpha-index profile has a minimum refractive index at the central core's radius that corresponds to a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding. The optical fiber achieves reduced bending losses and a high bandwidth with a reduced cladding effect for high-data-rate applications. |
| US08428405B2 |
Electrically traceable and identifiable fiber optic cables and connectors
Composite fiber optic cables having exposed, conductive traces external to the cable jacket enable non-invasive, wireless electrical tone tracing of fiber optic cables. The cross sectional geometry of the fiber optic cable prevents conductive traces from short circuiting when abutting other cables or grounded conductive elements. Moreover, the structure allows convenient electrical contact to the conductive traces at any location along the longitudinal extent of the cable without requiring penetration of the cable jacket or removal of fiber optic connectors. Traceable fiber optic cables of various types are disclosed, including simplex, duplex and ribbon cables. Systems of traceable cables utilizing connectors with integrated electrical antenna elements attached to the conductive elements of cable and RFID tags for remote connector port identification are further disclosed. |
| US08428399B2 |
Optical module, manufacturing method thereof, and optical transmitter
An optical module including a first optical coupler; a second optical coupler; a first optical waveguide; a second optical waveguide; a first electrode provided on the first optical waveguide; a second electrode provided on the second optical waveguide; a short electrode shorter than the first and second electrodes and provided on the second optical waveguide; and a first high-frequency connector and a second high-frequency connector; wherein, the short electrode provided on the second optical waveguide is coupled to the second high-frequency connector; and the first electrode provided on the first optical waveguide is coupled to the first high-frequency connector. |
| US08428398B2 |
Hand-held portable microarray reader for biodetection
A hand-held portable microarray reader for biodetection includes a microarray reader engineered to be small enough for portable applications. The invention includes a high-powered light-emitting diode that emits excitation light, an excitation filter positioned to receive the excitation light, a slide, a slide holder assembly for positioning the slide to receive the excitation light from the excitation filter, an emission filter positioned to receive the excitation light from the slide, a lens positioned to receive the excitation light from the emission filter, and a CCD camera positioned to receive the excitation light from the lens. |
| US08428397B1 |
Systems and methods for large scale, high-dimensional searches
Methods and systems for fast, large scale, high-dimensional searches are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises transforming components of a high-dimensional image descriptor into transformed components in a transform domain, allocating one or more bits available within a bit budget to a given transformed component within a first subset of transformed components as a function of a variance of the given transformed component, independently quantizing each transformed component within the first subset of transformed components, generating a compact representation of the high-dimensional image descriptor based, at least in part, on the independently quantized components, and evaluating a nearest neighbor search operation based, at least in part, on the compact representation of the high-dimensional image descriptor. |
| US08428392B1 |
Systems and methods for measuring geometry parameters with a reference object whose thickness can not be ignored in images
An improvement of measuring geometry parameters of a geometry object from an image with a reference object whose thickness can not be ignored. A hidden point on the plane with which geometry object contacts is computed from visible points. The computed hidden point combined with other points in the same plane is used to compute a homography matrix between a known size shape and its projection in the image. With the computed homography matrix and enough valid points in the image, the geometry parameters of the geometry object are determined. With the geometry parameters of the geometry objects, useful information can be calculated from. |
| US08428390B2 |
Generating sharp images, panoramas, and videos from motion-blurred videos
A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications. |
| US08428389B2 |
Multi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method for image texture analysis
A multi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition method is provided. The method can be applied in image texture analysis, such as medical image analysis. The method can adaptively decompose a three-dimensional image into a number of characteristic image layers and extract characteristic images showing more noticeable textures from the layers. The method uses the physical concept of field to perform the data mode decomposition to obtain envelope and tendency estimation of multi-dimensional data. The method can also be applied in time and frequency analysis of two-dimensional data or multi-channel data. |
| US08428386B2 |
Using separate coefficients to weight and add separate images together from a spatial filter process
A local density calculation section calculates a density of a pixel region with a predetermined size including a current point of an input image disposed at the center on the basis of a pixel value of the pixel region. A mixing ratio calculation section generates a coefficient set of coefficients α and β in accordance with a local density value calculated by the local density calculation section, and outputs the generated coefficients α and β to a weight process section. The weight process section multiplies an operation result obtained from the input image by a first filter operation section by the coefficient α, multiplies an operation result obtained from the input image by a second filter operation section by the coefficient β, adds the multiplied results to each other and outputs the result of addition as a process result of a spatial filter process section. |
| US08428381B2 |
Image compression method with variable quantization parameter
An image compression method s used for processing a plurality of pixels of an image. The image compression method includes the steps of receiving N successive pixels; obtaining N pixel differences and N map differences corresponding to the N pixels according to values of the N pixels through differential pulse code modulation; calculating to obtain a quantization reference value corresponding to the N pixels according to the N pixel differences; obtaining a quantization parameter corresponding to the N pixels according to the quantization reference value; and encoding the N map differences according to the quantization parameter. |
| US08428380B2 |
Apparatus and method of embedded quantization for the improved SNR scalbility
Provided are a method and apparatus for enhancing coding efficiency by performing encoding and decoding by optimally calculating quantization intervals and reconstruction values through a distribution of DCT coefficients of each frame, when DCT coefficients of each SNR enhancement layer are quantized in scalable video coding. The encoding apparatus includes: an R-D optimization unit performing Rate-Distortion (R-D) optimization based on a distribution of Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients each slice and calculating a first reference value and a second reference value respectively indicating a start point and an end point of DCT coefficients quantized to “0”; a quantization interval setting unit setting adaptive quantization intervals on the basis of a minimum value and a maximum value of the DCT coefficients, the first reference value, and the second reference value; and a mapping unit mapping the DCT coefficients to the adaptive quantization intervals. |
| US08428373B2 |
Apparatus for determining motion vectors and a reference picture index for a current block in a picture to be decoded
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder. The decoder is configured to obtain first and second motion vectors of a block other than the current block. The other block neighbors the current block at one of a left, top and top right position. The decoder is configured to obtain a direction of the first and second motion vectors of the neighboring block. The decoder is configured to determine first and second prediction motion vectors of the current block using the first and second motion vectors of the neighboring block such that the first prediction motion vector of the current block has the obtained direction of the first motion vector of the neighboring block and the second prediction motion vector of the current block has the obtained direction of the second motion vector of the neighboring block. |
| US08428372B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for compressing data
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for compressing data in a manner that decorrelates a plurality of components of multicomponent data and then encodes data relating to decorrelation of the components. The components may be decorrelated by organizing samples of a component into classes based upon values of samples having corresponding spatial locations in at least one preceding component. In this regard, the organization of samples of a component into classes may include defining classes based upon values of the samples in at least one preceding component. In addition, the method may also define classes based upon the slope of the samples in at least two preceding component. |
| US08428370B2 |
Apparatus for providing digital contents and method thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing digital contents that acquires image data by photographing a user terminal intending to receive digital contents and discriminates a type of user terminal through the acquired image data. The present invention can simply and conveniently perform the process of discriminating a user terminal that is cumbersomely and complexly performed in the apparatus for providing contents according to the related art by the user that is not familiar with the use of the IT devices. |
| US08428361B2 |
Image processing apparatus for detecting a face
An electronic image is received by a system to process the image for the presence of a face. The image is repeatedly electronically scanned using a plurality of windows for the presence of facial poses. A plurality of directional poses is detected during the scanning process. Reliabilities for each type of detected poses are calculated. The reliabilities are based on the amount of times the directional poses are detected during the scanning process and directions of the directional poses. |
| US08428356B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method for generating electronic document with a table line determination portion
There are provided an image processing device, an image processing method and a program that generate an electronic document in a format specification that is optimal for many purposes of electronic documents. A table region is discriminated from an input image, and a table structure in the table region is analyzed. A table line determination is made on the analyzed table structure as to whether or not each ruled line is representable in the format, and ruled line information and a vector line object are created according to the determination result. The created ruled line information and vector line object are used to generate the electronic document. |
| US08428353B2 |
Calculation apparatus for amount of characteristic and discrimination apparatus
A calculation apparatus for amount of characteristic that calculates an amount of characteristic based on a histogram of an amount of characteristic of input data includes: a buffer for holding a portion of the input data; a memory, having a plurality of banks, for holding calculation results of the histogram; a generation unit for generating a table in which a position of a target data on the buffer of which the amount of characteristic is to be calculated corresponds to a position on the memory to which a category of the calculated amount of characteristic is voted; and a vote unit that determines a category of the amount of characteristic of the target data and that performs a vote to the position on the memory shown on the table. |
| US08428348B2 |
Image analysis through neural network using image average color
Architecture for comparing images by building an initial map from the average color and an inserted blackened area. Accordingly, a map can be built that is more information-rich and smaller, thereby making the system more efficient. The architecture employs a Kohonen neural network (or self-organizing map (SOM)) by guiding the learning of the SOM using characteristics of the images such as average color and a central area. A strong component of the average color of the image and the central area at the approximate center of the image are added to the uninitialized SOM, which allows related colors to converge toward the central area of the image. When input, the SOM organizes the color content of the image on a map, which can be used to compare the image with other images. |
| US08428347B2 |
Color processing apparatus, color processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A color processing apparatus includes a first calculation unit, a determination unit, and a second calculation unit. The first calculation unit calculates a second color signal from a first color signal by using successive approximation. The first color signal is given by repeatedly calculating a first successive solution using an inverse matrix of a sensitivity matrix of an input/output characteristic function of an output device. The determination unit determines whether or not the first successive solution calculated by the first calculation unit is divergent. The second calculation unit calculates a second successive solution using a method different from a method used by the first calculation unit when the determination unit determines that the first successive solution is divergent. |
| US08428341B2 |
Apparatus for calculating 3D spatial coordinates of digital images and method thereof
Provided is a digital photographing apparatus including: an image acquiring unit that acquires images by photographing a subject; a sensor information acquiring unit that acquires positional information, directional information, and posture information of the digital photographing apparatus at the time of photographing a subject; a device information acquiring unit that acquires device information of the digital photographing apparatus at the time of photographing a subject; and a spatial coordinates calculator that calculates 3D spatial coordinates for photographed images using the acquired positional information, directional information, posture information, and device information. |
| US08428339B2 |
System and method for alignment and inspection of ball grid array devices
A system and method for high-speed alignment and inspection of components, such as BGA devices, having non-uniform features is provided. During training time of a machine vision system, a small subset of alignment significant blobs along with a quantum of geometric analysis for picking granularity is determined. Also, during training time, balls may be associated with groups, each of which may have its own set of parameters for inspection. |
| US08428332B1 |
Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same
A batch of bills is received, transported, and imaged to produce image data. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of currency bills. Each currency bill includes a respective serial number. The serial numbers are extracted from the image data for each of the currency bills. Each extracted serial number is compared with a plurality of serial numbers in a currency bill database to determine if a currency bill associated with an extracted serial number is a suspect currency bill. One of the plurality of currency bills is determined to be a suspect currency bill based on the comparing. In response to determining the suspect currency bill, at least a portion of the produced image data is displayed as a visually readable image of the suspect currency bill on a display unit of the document processing system. |
| US08428331B2 |
Phase subtraction cell counting method
A method and device are provided for counting cells in a sample of living tissue, such as an embryo. The method involves obtaining a microscopic image of the unstained tissue that reveals cell boundaries, such as a differential interference contrast (DIC) image, and an optical quadrature microscopy (OQM) image which is used to prepare an image of optical path length deviation (OPD) across the cell cluster. The boundaries of individual cells in the cell cluster are modeled as ellipses and used, together with the maximum optical path length deviation of a cell, to calculate ellipsoidal model cells that are subtracted from the OPD image. The process is repeated until the OPD image is depleted of phase signal attributable to cells of the cell cluster, and the cell count is obtained from the number of cells subtracted. The method is capable of accurately and non-invasively counting the number of cells in a living embryo at the 2-30 cell stage, and can be employed to assess the developmental stage and health of human embryos for fertility treatments. |
| US08428330B2 |
Method for deriving amount of dense tissue from mammographic image
A region of interest in the image is determined and for each pixel in each location (x,y) in that region of interest a value hint(x,y) is computed representing the amount of dense tissue below said pixel as h int ( x , y ) = 2 μ fat ( E ) - μ int ( E ) ( Log ( p ( x , y ) ) - Log ( p fat ) ) wherein p(x,y) represents the pixel value of a pixel at location (x,y) in said digital mammographic image, pfat is a reference fat pixel value, μfat,μint are the linear attenuation coefficients of fat tissue and dense tissue and E is the mono-energetic energy value of the x-ray source at image recording, whereby E and pfat are derived from said digital mammographic image representation. |
| US08428328B2 |
Region-growing algorithm
A technique for automatically generating a virtual model of a branched structure using as an input a plurality of images taken of the branched structure. The technique employs an algorithm that avoids inaccuracies associated with sub-optimal threshold settings by “patching” holes or leaks created due to the inherent inconsistencies with imaging technology. By “patching” the holes, the algorithm may continue to run using a more sensitive threshold value than was previously possible. |
| US08428327B2 |
Vessel segmentation in DCE MR imaging
The invention relates to segmenting blood vessels in perfusion MR images, more particularly, the invention relates to automated vessel removal in identified tumor regions prior to tumor grading. Pixels from a perfusion related map from dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) MR images are clustered into arterial pixels and venous pixels by e.g. a k-means class cluster analysis. The analysis applies parameters representing the degree to which the tissue entirely consists of blood (such as relative blood volume (rBV), peak enhancement (ΔR2max) and/or post first-pass enhancement level (ΔR2p)) and parameters representing contrast arrival time at the tissue (such as first moment of the area (fmAUC) and/or contrast arrival time (T0)). The artery and venous pixels are used to form a vessel mask. The invention also relates to a computer aided diagnostic (CAD) system for tumor grading, comprising automated tumor segmentation, vessel segmentation, and tumor grading. |
| US08428317B2 |
Binned micro-vessel density methods and apparatus
In one aspect, a method of obtaining micro-vessel density (MVD) measurements from an image of biological vasculature containing a plurality of vessels is provided. The method comprises acts of analyzing a region of interest of the image for each of a plurality of bins, each of the plurality of bins associated with a predetermined range of vessel sizes, the act of analyzing the region of interest including determining which of the plurality of bins that portions of any vessel subject matter identified in the region of interest belong based on a size associated with the respective portions of the vessel subject matter, and associating each portion of the vessel subject matter with the corresponding one of the plurality of bins to which the portion belongs, and computing at least one measurement for each of the plurality of bins, the at least one measurement related to the MVD of the portions of vessel subject matter associated with the respective bin. |
| US08428313B2 |
Object image correction apparatus and method for object identification
An object image correction apparatus and method for object identification are disclosed. The object image correction method is firstly used for correcting a face or an object under a right position. For example, in order to reduce time consumption for facial identification, the method corrects the deviations such as a rotation, direction, and scaling before an identification process. Preferably, an image is retrieved in a first step. One or more object positions are then detected. Next, some positions of the features are found, and the positions of plural feature points thereon are computed. The method then goes to determine the degree of deviations for the object based on the positions of feature points. Moreover, one or in combination of a rotation correction, a scaling correction, a direction correction, and a shift correction is introduced to process the correction on each deviation. The positions of the feature points are consequently obtained. |
| US08428312B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a sequence creating section configured to create a plurality of sequences in such a manner that one sequence includes consecutive face images of a same person in video image data; a similarity calculating section configured to calculate a first similarity of each pair in a plurality of face image dictionaries created for each sequence and a second similarity of each pair of each face image dictionary and a predetermined plurality of dictionaries; a similarity correcting section configured to correct the calculated and obtained plurality of first similarities by the second similarities; and a face clustering section configured to compare the plurality of first similarities corrected by the similarity correcting section with a predetermined threshold to cluster the plurality of face image dictionaries. |
| US08428310B2 |
Pattern classification system and method for collective learning
A method for configuring a pattern recognition system begins by receiving object recognition data from at least one first local image processing system. The object recognition data is stored in at least one global database. Configuration data is determined for a second local image processing system based at least in part upon the received object recognition data from the at least one first image processing system, and then transmitted to the second local image processing system. |
| US08428309B2 |
Image processing device, and recording medium storing image processing program
An image processing device connected with an image formation device configured to output image on a recording medium, includes a data obtaining unit configured to obtain map image data representing a basic map image showing a user-designated geographic area at a user-designated scale, an area identifying unit configured to identify a basic image formation area and a surplus area, the basic map image being formed on the basic image formation area, the surplus area being an area within the image forming area but the basic map image is not formed. The image processing device further includes an additional data obtaining unit configured to obtain map image data necessary for covering an enlarged image formation area including the basic image formation area and at least part of the surplus area, from the map image data provider. The map image can be formed based on the updated map image data. |
| US08428308B2 |
Estimating subject motion for capture setting determination
A method for determining image capture settings for an electronic image capture device, comprising: capturing at least two preview images of a scene; analyzing the preview images to determine a combined motion velocity; determining one or more image capture settings responsive to the combined motion velocity; and capturing an archival image according to the determined image capture settings. The determination of the combined motion velocity includes: defining a plurality image regions; determining local motion velocities for each of the image regions; and combining the local motion velocities to determine the combined motion velocity. |
| US08428306B2 |
Information processor and information processing method for performing process adapted to user motion
A positional data acquisition unit of an action detector acquires positional data indicating the position of an image of a light-emitting part of a light-emitting device held by a user in an image frame at each time step, and also acquires curve data for the head contour at each time step estimated as a result of visual tracking by a tracking processor. A history storage unit stores a history of the positional data for an image of a light-emitting part and the curved data for the head contour. A determination criteria storage unit stores the criteria for determining that a predefined action is performed by referring to the time-dependent change in the relative position of the image of the light-emitting part in relation to the curve representing the head contour. An action determination unit determines whether the action is performed based on the actual data. |
| US08428305B2 |
Method for detecting a clear path through topographical variation analysis
A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle wherein the detecting includes a fusion of a plurality of analyses including monitoring an image from a camera device includes analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, analyzing an area in front of the vehicle utilizing a topographical variation analysis to determine a flat surface upon which the vehicle can travel, combining the clear path of travel and the determined flat surface to describe an enhanced clear path of travel, and utilizing the enhanced clear path of travel to navigate the vehicle. |
| US08428303B2 |
Postal indicium detection method and postal indicium detection apparatus
According to one embodiment, a postal indicium detection method includes detecting whether or not one of a first face and a second face of a sheet corresponds to a picture card specific face, detecting a postal indicium candidate from the second face based on a first detection result indicating that the first face corresponds to the picture card specific face, and detecting the postal indicium candidate from the first face based on a second detection result indicating that the second face corresponds to the picture card specific face. |
| US08428301B2 |
Content identification and quality monitoring
Content identification and quality monitoring are provided. The method involves obtaining a first fingerprint derived from a first media content, processing the first media content to generate a second media content, obtaining a second fingerprint derived from the second media content, and comparing the first fingerprint and the second fingerprint to determine one or more of: a similarity between the first fingerprint and the second fingerprint that indicates that the second media content is generated from the first media content or a difference between the first fingerprint and the second fingerprint to identify a quality degradation between the first media content and the second media content. |
| US08428294B2 |
Slim speaker
A slim speaker includes a casing having an enlarged front opening and a rear end with a magnetic circuit mounted thereto; a voice coil located over a central area of the magnetic circuit; a diaphragm located between the enlarged front opening of the casing and the voice coil; and a damper located behind the diaphragm to space from the latter. The diaphragm has at least one V-shaped bent section provided at a middle portion for bearing on a corresponding position on the damper. With these arrangements, the diaphragm not only has an effectively reduced overall height to largely reduce the assembled volume of the slim speaker and allow the slim speaker to be easily mounted in the limited inner space of an electric product, but also stabilizes the vibration of the voice coil to enable good resonance of sound. |
| US08428291B2 |
Speaker system with subwoofer
A speaker system includes an enclosure defining a resonance chamber, a loudspeaker received in the resonance chamber, and a sound wave reflecting member. The enclosure includes a front panel and a base. The loudspeaker is exposed at the front panel. The base includes a back panel facing the front panel, an inner tube, and an outer tube. The back panel defines a back bass port. The inner tube and the outer tube extend from the back panel and are received in the resonance chamber. The inner tube surrounds the back bass port. The outer tube surrounds the inner tube. The sound wave reflecting member is coupled with the outer tube and the inner tube. The sound wave reflecting member, the outer tube, and the inner tube cooperatively form a resonator. The resonator communicates with the resonance chamber and the back bass port. |
| US08428289B2 |
Headphone adaptation and positioning device
An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides improved security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear yet positions the speaker in substantially the same distance relative to the concha and/or ear canal of a wearer as a wearer would ordinarily wear an earbud. |
| US08428288B2 |
Ear jack for detecting earphone plug
An ear jack for detecting an earphone plug is provided. The ear jack includes a housing, a plurality of pins, a first detection part, a second detection part, and a controller. The housing includes a cavity for inserting terminals of the earphone plug. The plurality of pins are installed on an inner circumference surface of the housing and are in selective contact with a corresponding terminal of the earphone plug. The first detection part detects insertion of a first terminal of the earphone plug. The second detection part detects the insertion of the first terminal. The controller detects the insertion of the earphone plug when the first detection part and the second detection part both detect the insertion of the first terminal. |
| US08428281B2 |
Small hearing aid
A hearing aid comprises a microelectromechanical systems microphone which receives inputs of external sound signals, converting the sound signals to analog signals, and outputting the analog signals; a hearing aid processor chip which converts the analog signals to digital signals, performs gain correction and digital signal processing to the digital signals, and converts the processed digital signals to analog signals; and a microelectromechanical system receiver which outputs the analog signals converted from the processed digital signals as sound signals, wherein the microelectromechanical system microphone is attached to a first surface of the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver is attached to a second surface of the hearing aid processor chip, so that the microelectromechanical system microphone, the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver are integrated as a single body. |
| US08428280B2 |
Hearing aid with an interchangeable earpiece
A hearing aid has an interchangeable earpiece, which, on its own and separately from further components, can be replaced in a simple fashion and without great complexity, and without specialist tools. The hearing aid has a housing of a multi-part design and a receiver and a signal processing device within the housing. The receiver is arranged detachably in a first housing part and the signal processing device is disposed in a further housing part and the two housing parts are detachably interconnected. A detachable locking mechanism connects the housing parts. The receiver is connected to the signal processing device by way of a detachable electrical connector with a receiver-side and a signal-processing-device-side electrical contact. At least one of the electrical contacts is elastic. Due to the fact that the housing parts, the electrical connection and the receiver are detachably assembled, this results in the possibility of, when necessary, interchanging the receiver on its own, separately from further components. It is not necessary to use specific components or even an adhesive. In the process, the elastic electrical contact for electrically connecting the receiver and signal processing device makes it easier to close the electrical connection when assembling the housing parts. |
| US08428279B2 |
Condenser microphone and output connector therefor
The output connector for a condenser microphone has a circuit board mounted with a capacitor element and a shield cover having a first through hole, a second through hole, and a third through hole and covering the whole surface of the circuit board arranged in a state in which a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin are inserted through the first through hole, the second through hole, and the third through hole respectively, and the shield cover has a non-conducting magnetic sheet having a first insertion hole, a second insertion hole, and a third insertion hole through which the first pin, the second pin, and the third pin are also inserted respectively, on at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the shield cover. |