| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08429282B1 |
System and method for avoiding system overload by maintaining an ideal request rate
A computer system that provides services to clients may adaptively throttle incoming service requests in order to reach and then maintain operation at an ideal request rate. An ideal request rate may be a maximum rate at which incoming service requests can be serviced such that client-specified quality of service (QoS) expectations are met for most or all incoming service requests, or a rate within a range of rates defined by that maximum rate. Determining whether the system is operating at an ideal request rate may include determining the minimum difference between the expected and actual QoS for a group of recently serviced requests. The system may gradually modify a throttle multiplier value in order to reach or maintain an ideal request rate. Maintaining operation at an ideal request rate may allow the system to avoid entering an overloaded state, and/or oscillating between an overloaded state and a non-overloaded state. |
| US08429271B2 |
Method and system for remote diagnostic, control and information collection based on various communication modes for sending messages to users
A method, system, and program product for communicating with machines and end users connected to a network. Information sent to or from the machines is transmitted using electronic mail or a via a direct connection. The electronic mail may be transmitted over the Internet to a service center or from a service center to a resource administrator, but also may remain within a local or wide area network for transmission between a machine and an end user or a resource administrator. E-mail messages may be transmitted from a computer which is attached to a device which is being monitored or controlled and include information regarding the status, usage or capabilities of the attached device. The device may send status messages and usage information of the device by an end user to either a resource administrator or to a service center on the Internet through a firewall. |
| US08429268B2 |
Mechanism for detecting and reporting traffic/service to a PCRF
A method implemented by a policy server operating on a network to which is connected a device that performs a data packet inspection function, the method involving: sending a first message over the network from the policy server to the device, the first message instructing the device to detect an occurrence of a particular network traffic or service taking place over a connection on the network and to send a notification to the policy server upon detecting the occurrence of that particular network traffic or service; at the policy server receiving a notification from the device that the device has detected the occurrence of that particular network traffic or service; and in response to receiving the notification, sending a second message over the network from the policy server to a network component, the second message containing information associated with the notification. |
| US08429265B2 |
Managing resource consolidation configurations
Systems and methods for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance information associated with processing a request corresponding to two or more embedded resources. The processing device uses the processed performance information to determine a consolidation configuration to be associated with a subsequent request for the content associated with the two or more embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance information collected and associated with subsequent requests corresponding to the content associated with the two or more embedded resources and using each of a variety of alternative consolidation configurations. Aspects of systems and methods for generating recommendations to use a particular consolidation configuration to process a subsequent request corresponding to the content associated with the two or more embedded resources are also provided. |
| US08429264B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for managing computer processes
Methods, systems and apparatuses for managing computer processes in a computing environment may be described. An exemplary method may include the defining of a plurality of computer processes; the defining of a sequence that dictates the starting and stopping of the plurality of computer processes; the Defining of any process dependencies for the plurality of computer processes; the defining of a first networked environment where the plurality of computer processes run; the determining of an action to take following a system event; and the executing of the action. |
| US08429254B2 |
Method for networkable device communication
A networkable device-to-networkable device communication method in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Embodiments include auto-configuration of IPv6 address and automatic commencement of communication among Fire Panels and other types of wired or wireless networkable devices. Each networkable device obtains its IPv6 address in a number of ways including from the first or any particular networkable device in a network. A designated networkable device instills IPv6 address to its neighboring networkable device, and subsequently the neighboring networkable device instills IPv6 address to its neighboring networkable device dynamically. Embedded Gateways are created dynamically in the network. Each networkable device uses its and its neighboring networkable devices' Embedded Gateways in order to transmit and receive IPv6 multicast, anycast or unicast packets. Embodiments obviate the need to use conventional Ethernet network backbone, networking and routing devices like switch or router, or manual configuration. |
| US08429251B2 |
Method for the consistent provision of configuration data in an industrial automation system comprising a plurality of networked control units, and industrial automation system
For the consistent provision of configuration data in an industrial automation system comprising a plurality of networked control units, components of a service are combined by a local service configuration unit using a standard configuration interface to form a service. Services are configured by configuration data and activated, where the configuration data comprise information relating to the attribution of services to control units and dependencies between services. The configuration data are accepted from a control and monitoring unit in the industrial automation system by a system configuration service, checked and transmitted to destination control units. The transmitted configuration data are checked by local service configuration units associated with the destination control units for changes in comparison with previously used configuration data. The local service configuration units use detected changes in the configuration data to ascertain lists of operations for performing configuration changes, where the lists are optimized to minimize service downtimes. |
| US08429250B2 |
Transcodeless on-the-fly ad insertion
Systems and methods for enabling dynamic advertisement insertion into media files without transcoding are disclosed. The techniques disclosed involve retrieving files of the media and advertisement(s) and converting the files to an MPEG-2 transport stream (MPEG-2 TS) format. The MPEG-2 TS streams are then joined to insert the advertisement at a desired point in the media file. The resulting MPEG-2 TS stream is then converted back to a media file, which can be provided for downloading, or optionally reindexed. Because it does not require transcoding, this process can be performed on-the-fly to provide dynamic insertion of advertisements into media files. Other media file manipulation, including the insertion of non-advertisement media, is contemplated. |
| US08429248B1 |
Distributed file system including multicast retrieval
A distributed file system intelligently allocates portions of a file system from a server to one or more clients on a network. File system data used during power-on of a client may be stored on the client. A retrieval of the file system may subsequently be made to the extent the client has capacity to store the file system. A multicast operation, performed as a background operation on the client, may be used to retrieve the file system. For portions of the file system not allocated to the client, the client may still access the file system from the server. Network bandwidth may thus be reduced and client access to the file system may generally be more efficient. |
| US08429247B1 |
Method and apparatus for fulfilling browser requests from a local cache
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates intercepting browser communication protocol requests at a client. In addition, the system optionally fulfills the requests with content which is locally cached on the client rather than with content from a web server, which is located externally from the client. During operation, the system receives a communication protocol request at a browser's communication protocol stack. In response to the request, the system identifies a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the request. The system also determines if an item of content identified by the URL can be retrieved from a local cache. If so, the system fulfills the request from the local cache. |
| US08429246B2 |
Computer program and method for biometrically secured, transparent encryption and decryption
A computer program for secure encryption and decryption provides a user interface that allows a user to drag and drop files into and out of a secure repository, wherein the program automatically encrypts files transferred into the repository and automatically decrypts files transferred out of the repository. The user can transfer file folders into the repository, wherein the program encrypts all of the files within the folder and retains the original file/folder structure, such that individual files can be moved within the repository, moved out of the repository, and opened or executed directly from the repository. The program requires the user to submit biometric data and grants access to the secure repository only if the biometric data is authenticated. The program generates an encryption key based at least in part on biometric data received from the user. Additionally, the program destroys the key after termination of each encryption/decryption session. |
| US08429244B2 |
Alerting users to items of current interest
Disseminating to a participant an indication that an item accessible by the participant via a network is of current interest is disclosed. An indication that the item is of current interest is received in real time. The indication is processed. The participant is informed that the item is of current interest. |
| US08429240B2 |
Data transfer device and data transfer system
According to one embodiment, a data transfer device is provided. The data transfer device is configured to transfer data between a plurality of data transceivers and at least one memory having a first memory area. When one of the data transceivers has acquired an exclusive access right to the first memory area of the memory, the data transfer device stores address information corresponding to the first memory area. |
| US08429238B2 |
Method for providing feedback to a publisher
A computer implemented method for providing feedback to a publisher, comprising: responsive to receiving a published message from the publisher comprising an option requesting feedback, comparing the message with subscriber data; and responsive to the publish operation and responsive to determining a matching subscriber associated with the published message, selecting a notification for transmission to the publisher. |
| US08429237B2 |
Managing an electronic mail in a communication network
A method, a system and a computer program product for managing an electronic mail in a communication network is disclosed. A plurality of recursive parameters in a command list of a communication protocol associated with the electronic mail is provided. At least one of the recursive parameters is a DATA parameter specifying information of the electronic mail. The command list is partitioned into a plurality of command sub-lists using the plurality of recursive parameters. At least one property corresponding to each of the command sub-lists is preserved. An interface for selecting each of the command sub-lists is provided and at least one of the command sub-lists is selected. At least one property corresponding to each of the command sub-lists is identified. |
| US08429234B2 |
Methods and systems for providing an electronic account to a customer
An electronic account is provided to a customer to enable the customer to access electronic services, such as e-mail and electronic transactions. The electronic account links an electronic address of the customer to a physical address of the customer. Using the electronic account, electronic services can be provided to the customer at either the electronic or physical address, or both. The services can be both secure and non-secure and can be provided by any service provider, such as an online merchant, a government agency, or a bank. |
| US08429232B1 |
Message authentication using signatures
Systems and methods are provided for using digital signatures to help distinguish legitimate email from known or trusted organizations from unsolicited email or forged email. Digital signatures may be used in an email body, mail header, or embedded links. The signatures may be verified by a recipient or internet service provider and may be used in conjunction with spam filtering applications. |
| US08429224B2 |
Gaming browser manager client system and method
A browser manager server is able to initialize and configure one or more browser windows on a gaming device display screen. The browser manager has the ability to configure specific URLs for each browser window, configure and Z-order depth for each window, set window size and position, and call functions on the browser pages. A browser client side application on a gaming device is capable of creating multiple windows on an electronic gaming device and responding to said server configuration or browser message commands. |
| US08429223B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating group activities
Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user's performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user's goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities. |
| US08429221B2 |
Content request routing method
A method of redirecting content requests among content distribution network peers. In operation, a client sends a request for content to a content distribution network (CDN). When this CDN does not currently have the capacity to deliver the content, the CDN refers to one or more content distribution tables to see if the neighbor peers are able to provide this content. The content distribution table is populated at the time of distribution of the content. When the neighbor peer has this content, the request is redirected to the neighbor peer. In redirecting request, an address of the neighbor peer is appending to the previous address such that each peer receiving the request knows where the request came from and where it has been previously. |
| US08429215B2 |
Adaptive filter for channel estimation with adaptive step-size
A receiving apparatus for a digital mobile communication system comprises an adaptive filter for filtering an input signal. A step-size parameter chosen for the adaption of filter coefficients of the adaptive filter is computed from a variation of the filter coefficients used by the adaptive filter. This facilitates an indirect measure for the channel variation so that a good reception quality over a wide range of user velocities may be enabled in contrast to a system design based on a compromise step-size parameter being optimum for one velocity only. |
| US08429213B2 |
Method of forcing 1's and inverting sum in an adder without incurring timing delay
A summing circuit for an adder decodes control signals to determine that the result should be manipulated, and generates a half-sum output which is used to produce a manipulated result based on the control signals. The half-sum output is combined with a previous carry bit to complete the sum operation. The control signals can invert the adder result, or force the result to be all 1's. These functions can be effectuated in a 3-way multiplexer that combines the operand inputs and control signals. For inversion, two separate logic circuits produce true and complement half-sums in parallel, and the appropriate half-sum is selected for the half-sum output. For a result of all 1's, a force_1 control signal pulls the half-sum output node to electrical ground and the final output is manipulated by gating the carry signals with the force_1 signal. The two functions are implemented without introducing additional delay. |
| US08429212B1 |
Training scoring models optimized for highly-ranked results
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training scoring models. One method includes storing data identifying a plurality of positive and a plurality of negative training images for a query. The method further includes selecting a first image from either the positive group of images or the negative group of images, and applying a scoring model to the first image. The method further includes selecting a plurality of candidate images from the other group of images, applying the scoring model to each of the candidate images, and then selecting a second image from the candidate images according to scores for the images. The method further includes determining that the scores for the first image and the second image fail to satisfy a criterion, updating the scoring model, and storing the updated scoring model. |
| US08429206B2 |
Method and apparatus for rule-based transformation of policies
A logical expression of a policy is generated from another logical expression of a policy, for example, via a set of transformations, each of which comprises an input sub-expression and an output sub-expression. Any sub-expression of the input expression which matches an input sub-expression of a transformation rule is replaced with the output sub-expression of that transformation rule to form a sub-expression of the output expression. |
| US08429205B2 |
Associating data with media signals in media signal systems through auxiliary data steganographically embedded in the media signals
A reference to auxiliary data is steganographically encoded within a media signal. The auxiliary data is stored in a metadata database that maps the reference encoded in the media signal to its corresponding metadata. Various application programs and devices can access the metadata by extracting the reference from the media signal, and querying the database for metadata corresponding to the reference. The metadata database may be implemented in a network server to make metadata readily available to devices and applications distributed throughout a network. This steganographic link to metadata may be used to retrieve metadata across media management systems. In one configuration, for example, media management systems have metadata servers that maintain metadata for a collection of media signals. The metadata server is responsible for responding to requests for metadata associated with media titles in its collection. In the event that a metadata server does not have metadata associated with a particular media title, it forwards the reference extracted from the media signal to a metadata router, which in turn, re-directs the request to the appropriate metadata server. |
| US08429204B2 |
Short point-of-interest title generation
Short POI titles are generated by removing unnecessary administrative area prefixes from existing POI titles and replacing necessary administrative area prefixes with shorter aliases. Administrative area prefixes are identified and analyzed to determine whether they are necessary. The analysis includes determining (1) whether the remainders with the prefixes excluded include a common suffix as a prefix, and (2) whether the remainders are unique in an applicable metropolis area. If a remainder does not include as a prefix a common suffix and is unique in the applicable metropolis area, the corresponding prefix is determined unnecessary and removed from the existing POI title to generate a short POI title. Otherwise, the corresponding prefix is determined necessary and replaced with a shorter alias to generate a short POI title. |
| US08429200B2 |
Using a separate process in an interactive computer programming environment as a database
Some embodiments of a system and a method to use a separate process in an interactive computer programming environment as a database have been presented. For instance, both server and client may run in an interactive computer programming environment, such as Read-Eval-Print Loop (REPL) environment. The server may receive data manipulating instructions written in a generic programming language and data from the client. The server can execute the instructions to manipulate the data. The server may further act as a database for the client by maintaining persistence of the data. |
| US08429197B1 |
Systems and methods for maintaining group membership records
A method for maintaining group membership records includes 1) maintaining a record of group memberships for a membership hierarchy, the membership record identifying a direct relationship between a first object and a second object in the membership hierarchy, 2) receiving a membership update indicating that, as of a first point in time, a direct relationship between the second object and a third object changed, 3) updating the record of group memberships to reflect the change in the relationship between the second object and the third object, 4) deducing, based on the membership update and the record of group memberships, a change in an indirect relationship between the first object and the third object as of the first point in time, and 5) providing a view of object relationships within the membership hierarchy as the object relationships exist at the first point in time and a historical record of object relationships. |
| US08429196B2 |
Fast extraction of scalar values from binary encoded XML
Techniques are provided for efficiently extracting scalar values from binary-encoded XML data. Node information is stored in association with binary-encoded XML data to indicate whether one or more nodes of an XML document are simple or complex. A node is simple if the node has no child elements and no attributes. The node information of a particular node is used to determine whether a particular node, identified in a query, is simple or complex. If the particular node is simple, then the scalar value of the particular node is identified without performing any operations other than possibly converting the scalar value to a non-binary-encoded format or converting the scalar value to a value of a different data type. |
| US08429189B1 |
Computer method for in-memory (CO-PA) clients and corresponding computer system
A method includes generating at a client, operating on a user computer, a URL request having URL parameters according to a representational state transfer (REST) protocol, transmitting the URL request from the client to a gateway, which is operating on a server computer, and extracting via the gateway the URL parameters according to the REST protocol. The method further includes generating via the gateway a query for hosted content identified by the URL parameters, transmitting the query to the database, generating a search report for the query, and transmitting the search report from the database to the gateway. The method further includes encoding via the gateway the search report in an XML representation according to the REST protocol, and transmitting the search report in the XML representation from the gateway to the client where the client decodes the search report in the XML representation via the REST protocol for display. |
| US08429184B2 |
Generation of refinement terms for search queries
A computer-implemented method includes receiving from a user a first search query consisting of one or more first query terms, and receiving from the user an indication of a desired level of personalization of refinement options for the first search query. Responsively to the first search query, a set of one or more refinement terms is generated at least in part responsively to the indication, and is presented to the user. Responsively to a selection of at least one of the refinement terms by the user, the selected at least one refinement term is added to the first search query to generate a second search query. Search results are presented to the user responsively to the second search query. |
| US08429179B1 |
Method and system for ontology driven data collection and processing
Systems and method to aid in the collection, representation and mining of data are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments as disclosed may utilize a unifying format to represent data obtained or utilized by a system to facilitate linking between data from different sources and the commensurate ability to mine such data. Specifically, embodiments may represent data as graphs that comprise the concepts and relationships between those concepts. In this manner, concepts in graphs that represent distinct groupings of data may be mapped and knowledge mining with respect to these graphs facilitated. |
| US08429178B2 |
Reliability of duplicate document detection algorithms
In a single-signature duplicate document system, a secondary set of attributes is used in addition to a primary set of attributes so as to improve the precision of the system. When the projection of a document onto the primary set of attributes is below a threshold, then a secondary set of attributes is used to supplement the primary lexicon so that the projection is above the threshold. |
| US08429176B2 |
Extending media annotations using collective knowledge
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for extending media annotations using collective knowledge. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a plurality of content items and associated annotations. The method further normalizes the plurality of associated annotations and calculates pair frequencies for the plurality of associated annotations. The method then retrieves a plurality of alternative annotations and provides the plurality of alternative annotations. |
| US08429173B1 |
Method, system, and computer readable medium for identifying result images based on an image query
Methods, systems and apparatus for identifying result images for a query image. One or more labels that are associated with the query image are obtained. Candidate images matching the query labels are identified. Visual similarity scores are generated for the candidate images. Each visual similarity score represents the visual similarity of a respective candidate image to the query image. Relevance scores are generated for each of the candidate images based on the visual similarity scores. Each relevance score represents a measure of relevance of the respective candidate images to the query image. The candidate images are ranked based on the relevance scores, a highest ranking subset of the candidate images being identified as result images and referenced by image search results. The result images can be candidate images that satisfy a similarity condition relative to the query image and other result images. |
| US08429172B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for recommending content item
According to one embodiment, a mobile communication terminal comprises a storage device which stores rule information including at least one pair of condition information and content information, wherein the condition information is composed of a plurality of condition labels, a condition estimator which generates condition estimation data indicating accuracy data regarding a condition of the terminal for each of a plurality of condition labels based on sensed data, wherein the each condition label is fallen into one of a plurality of condition items, a priority decision section which estimates the rule information and determines priority data for the pair, an estimator which generates an estimation value indicating a summation the accuracy data from the condition estimator and the priority data, and a selection section which provides a shortcut button to run a program with a display device based. |
| US08429168B1 |
Learning semantic image similarity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying similar images. In some implementations, a method is provided that includes receiving a collection of images and data associated with each image in the collection of images; generating a sparse feature representation for each image in the collection of images; and training an image similarity function using image triplets sampled from the collection of images and corresponding sparse feature representations. |
| US08429166B2 |
Density-based data clustering method
A density-based data clustering method executed by a computer system is disclosed. The method includes a setup step, a clustering step, an expansion step and a termination step. The setup step sets a radius and a threshold value. The clustering step defines a single cluster on a plurality of data points of a data set, and provides and adds a plurality of first boundary marks to a seed list as seeds. The expansion step expands the cluster from each seed of the seed list, and provides and adds at least one second boundary mark to the seed list as seeds. The termination step determines whether each of the data points is clustered, wherein the clustering step is re-performed if the determination is negative. |
| US08429165B1 |
Systems and methods of partitioning data for synchronous parallel processing
Methods and systems for partitioning data for processing in a plurality of data centers are disclosed. For each of a plurality of data centers, a time period required for the data center to process an amount of information may be estimated. The plurality of data centers may be ordered based on the time period for each data center. Data may be received from one or more sources. A data center having a smallest time period from the ordered plurality of data centers may be selected to be added to a set of data centers. An overall execution time for the set of data centers to process the data may be determined. The selecting and determining operations may be repeated until the overall execution time satisfies one or more threshold criteria. The data may be transmitted to the set of data centers. |
| US08429164B1 |
Automatically creating lists from existing lists
A system automatically creates a list from items in existing lists. The system receives one or more example items corresponding to the list and assigns weights to the items in the existing lists based on the one or more example items. The system then forms the list based on the items and the weights assigned to the items. |
| US08429163B1 |
Content similarity pyramid
A method of presenting a plurality of content includes receiving measurements of similarity distances between content of the plurality of content; mapping the content to a two-dimensional surface based on the similarity distances; and partitioning the content of the two-dimensional surface into k levels of a similarity pyramid, wherein each of the k levels includes 4^k−1 cells, and wherein each content of the plurality of content is separately mapped to one of the cells on one of the k levels of the similarity pyramid. |
| US08429158B2 |
Method and system for unified searching and incremental searching across and within multiple documents
A user-interface system and method for searching among multiple documents and searching for subsections within individual documents using a single search interface on an input-constrained user device having a screen and a keypad. |
| US08429157B2 |
Sponsored search results re-ranking based on linking associations
A computer-implemented system and methods of re-ranking sponsored search results by a search engine in response to a search query include: retrieving one or more organic search results and a plurality of sponsored search results (“search results”), along with their respective rankings, associated with a search query; determining a degree of association between each sponsored search result and the other search results through analyzing web links between the plurality of sponsored search results, the one or more organic search results, and other web documents to or from which the search results are at least indirectly linked; re-ranking the plurality of sponsored search results based on the degree of association between each respective sponsored search result and the other search results; and storing in memory the plurality of re-ranked sponsored search results in relation to the search query. |
| US08429154B2 |
Document search device, imaging forming apparatus, and document search system
A search device is provided that extracts and stores field data from document data and displays a search result in a two-dimensional coordinate system whose axes are freely chosen by a user. The search device has a data input unit for inputting input data to the search device, a field extraction unit for extracting field data from the input data, a data storage unit for storing the field data and the input data associated with the field data, a search word input unit for inputting a search word, a search processing unit for searching the field data in the data storage unit based on the inputted search word and for retrieving the input data associated with the found field data, and a display unit for displaying an icon, representing the input data found by the search processing unit, at a position in a coordinate system. |
| US08429148B1 |
Method and apparatus for automatically generating headlines based on data retrieved from a network and for answering questions related to a headline
Disclosed is a web server that includes a headlines module for automatically generating headlines based on data retrieved from a network (e.g., World Wide Web). The web server also includes an interactive agent for generating responses to inquiries relating to the headlines based on the data. |
| US08429145B2 |
Syndicating humor
A method and apparatus for altering a page presenting search results is provided. The query dispatcher receives one or more query terms. Based on the query terms, the search engine generates a set of search results and advertisements. A parallel search dispatched by entertainment rating and selection engine generates a set of content items based on the one or more query terms and an additional one or more constraint terms. The entertainment item rating and selection engine selects a content item from the set of content items. The selection may be random, based on past user responses, or responses of users belonging to particular clusters. The entertainment item injector then replaces one of the search results or advertisements with the content item. The content item is presented to the user on a search results page. The content item contains a feedback mechanism to collect user responses. The entertainment item rating and selection engine then derives the quality of the entertainment item from the collected user responses. |
| US08429144B2 |
Interprocess communication using a single semaphore
A method to enable communication between software processes includes initiating a plurality of processes, the processes including both attachment processes and target processes. A single semaphore is created and initialized for use by the plurality of processes such that each of the target processes wait on the semaphore. An attachment process writes a message file, identifying a specific target process, to a location accessible by the target processes. The attachment process then increments the semaphore by the number of target processes, thereby unblocking the target processes and allowing them to check the message file. When the specific target process determines that the message file is intended for that target, a connection is established between the attachment process and the specific target process. The attachment process then decrements the semaphore to zero to block the target processes. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein. |
| US08429142B2 |
Mechanisms to support object-oriented version control operations
Mechanisms to support object-oriented version control operations are provided. A user manipulates and views a project from an object viewpoint and within an object module. The user performs version control operations using object handles. The object handles are resolved to specific file references and the specific file references are used to process legacy version control commands utilizing a legacy version control system in a manner that is transparent to the user. |
| US08429140B1 |
System and method for representing application objects in standardized form for policy management
Described herein are systems and methods for providing data policy management over application objects in a storage system environment. An application object may comprise non-virtual or virtual objects (e.g., non-virtual-based applications, virtual-based applications, or virtual storage components). An application object manager may represent application objects by producing mapping graphs and/or application object data that represent application objects in a standardized manner. A mapping graph for an application object may describe a mapping between the application object and its underlying storage objects on a storage system. Application object data may describe a mapping graph in a standardized format. Application object data representing application objects may be received by an application policy manager that manages data policies on the application objects (including virtual applications and virtual storage components) based on the received application object data. Data policies may include policies for backup, service level objectives, recovery, monitoring and/or reporting. |
| US08429139B2 |
Method for processing a digital file notably of the image, video and/or audio type
A method for processing a digital file of the images, video and/or audio type which comprises a phase for putting into line per color layer and/or per audio channel, digital data of any audio, image and video file, a compression phase using algorithm in which each compressed value VCn of position N is obtained by subtracting from the value Vn of same position N of the original file, a predetermined number of successive compressed values (VCn-1, VCn-2, . . . ) calculated previously, and a restoration phase using an algorithm in which each restored value VDn of position N is obtained by adding to the value VCn, of the same position of the compressed file, a predetermined number of successive compressed values (VCn-1, VCn-2, . . . ). |
| US08429137B2 |
Enterprise data duplication identification
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for identifying duplicate data. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying duplicate data. The method may include identifying one or more reference fields that include one or more data values. The method may include retrieving the one or more reference fields and one or more data values. The method may also include transforming the one or more reference fields into one or more reference fingerprint patterns. The method may also include identifying one or more target fields that include one or more target field values. The method may also include retrieving the one or more target fields. The method may also include transforming the one or more target field values into one or more target fingerprint patterns. The method may also include comparing the one or more reference fingerprint patterns with the one or more target fingerprint patterns. The method may further include determining an overlap between the one or more reference fingerprint patterns and the one or more target fingerprint patterns. |
| US08429135B1 |
Processor fault tolerance through translation lookaside buffer refresh
Techniques are provided herein to provide a processor device that has tolerance for faults associated with operations of a translation lookaside buffer. In a processor device, contents of a translation lookaside buffer are stored in a memory that is protected by an error correction code (ECC) to provide an ECC-protected backup copy of the contents of the translation lookaside buffer. When a miss exception of the translation lookaside buffer is triggered during execution of a processor function, the contents of the translation lookaside buffer is refreshed with the ECC-protected backup copy. Future operations of the processor are made using the refreshed contents of the translation lookaside buffer. |
| US08429131B2 |
Systems and methods for preventing digital asset restoration
Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system. |
| US08429128B2 |
System and method of data security in synchronizing data with a wireless device
A system is disclosed. The system includes a server, a client application, and a first database. The first database is associated with the client application. The system further includes a second database to store data in an encrypted format, and a replicator to synchronize the data stored in the first and second databases. The system also includes a synchronizer to synchronize the data stored in the second database and the server based on a current security level. |
| US08429124B2 |
On demand multi-location large database synchronization system
Systems and method for distributing updates on demand to synchronize a remote client database with a source database are provided. A client can request an online update from the database content provider and the database provider can stream database updates to the client over a network connection in real time, or the database content provider can stream database updates to the client at scheduled times based on a licensing agreement with the client. This allows the client database to be kept in synch with the source database without requiring that the database provider generate a set of database updates on physical media and ship the physical media to the client for processing. |
| US08429123B2 |
Synchronization improvements
Synchronization architectures, methods, systems, and computer readable media are described. In one embodiment, a synchronization session is initiated between a first data processing system and a second data processing system. First data, representing changes to a first data class, is transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Second data, representing changes to a second data class, is transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Transmission of the second data begins before transmission of the first data is complete. The first data may comprise structured data such as contacts information, to do information, calendar information, or web browsing bookmarks. |
| US08429121B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating a real time database replica
A method of processing data includes identifying a capture redo byte address, initiating a capture process at the capture redo byte address, creating a clone of a source database to a logical change number, and initiating an apply process at a target database. |
| US08429111B1 |
Encoding and compression of statistical data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating or using augmentation queries. In one aspect, statistical model of statistical data is used to support lossless predictive compression. Data instances are identified in statistical data and classified into one of a plurality of data types. Each data type is associated with a corresponding compression process that is used to compress data instances of that type. |
| US08429110B2 |
Pattern tree-based rule learning
A pattern tree is constructed based on a plurality of key-value pairs representing portions of a data set. In some implementations, the pattern tree may be used for learning one or more rules for interacting with a source of the data set. |
| US08429108B2 |
Fast computation of compact poset isomorphism certificates using position weights
Two methods and systems for fast construction of poset isomorphism certificates are provided. Posets (partially-ordered sets) generalize graphs. The invented certificates are number sequences such that two posets are isomorphic if and only if their corresponding certificates coincide. The first method yields the (Omicron,Iota) poset isomorphism certificate. The minimal Phi-isomorphism certificate can be constructed by partitioning vertices of the graphs into Phi-ranked symmetry clusters and constructing a topological Phi-vertex ranking. Thus, symmetries in posets are detectable at low cost. In addition, the Phi-vertex ranking and a poset isomorphism certificate provide a pair of separate one-dimensional keys for poset encoding. Data objects representable as posets, which are commonly used in automated design, safety and security applications, biocomputing, management of semi-structured data, and other fields, can be stored, analyzed, indexed, and accessed using the isomorphism certificates requiring much less storage and computation time. |
| US08429105B2 |
Concurrent two-phase completion genetic algorithm multi-processor instance system
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. |
| US08429102B2 |
Data driven frequency mapping for kernels used in support vector machines
Frequency features to be used for binary classification of data using a linear classifier are selected by determining a set of hypotheses in a d-dimensional space using d-dimensional labeled training data. A mapping function is constructed for each hypothesis. The mapping functions are applied to the training data to generate frequency features, and a subset of the frequency are selecting iteratively. The linear function is then trained using the subset of frequency features and labels of the training data. |
| US08429097B1 |
Resource isolation using reinforcement learning and domain-specific constraints
Systems and methods for providing resource isolation in a shared computing environment using reinforcement learning (RL) techniques are disclosed. A resource isolation mechanism may be applied in a shared storage system, or database service, that limits the resource utilization of each namespace to its specified allocation. For example, the mechanism may be used to limit the I/O utilization of database applications in a shared computing system to a specified limit, and may apply RL techniques, along with domain-specific constraints, to the system to automatically control the rate of queries made by an application. RL techniques, such as those based on the State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method, may be effective in controlling resource utilization for different workloads, and may be enhanced by their application in conjunction with domain-specific business rules. RL techniques may be applied globally by the service, or may be applied to particular subscribers, applications, shared resources, namespaces, or query types. |
| US08429096B1 |
Resource isolation through reinforcement learning
Systems and methods for providing resource isolation in a shared computing environment using reinforcement learning (RL) techniques are disclosed. A resource isolation mechanism may be applied in a shared storage system, or database service, that limits the resource utilization of each namespace to its specified allocation. For example, the resource isolation mechanism may be used to limit the I/O utilization of database applications in a shared computing system (e.g., a system supporting a database service) to a specified limit. In such embodiments, RL techniques may be applied to the system to automatically control the rate of queries made by an application. RL techniques, such as those based on the State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method may be effective in controlling the I/O utilization of database applications for different workloads. RL techniques may be applied globally by the service, or may be applied to particular subscribers, applications, shared resources, namespaces, or query types. |
| US08429090B1 |
Methods and systems for controlling access to relationship information in a social network
Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied. |
| US08429089B2 |
Technology valuation and transaction system and related method capable of conducting on-line technology valuation and transaction
A technology valuation and transaction system and related method are proposed for connecting to at least one terminal device via a network unit. The method allows members to login to the system and provides related technology for conducting technology valuation and transaction online. The system at least includes a web server having installed therein a technology valuation and transaction interface for users to store technology related data and conduct technology valuation and transaction online, an expert database for storing related data of experts providing services of technology valuation in all fields, a technology supply database for allowing a supplier to store technology supply data, a technology demand database for a demander to store related data of a required technology, and at least one terminal device having installed therein a browser for allowing users to execute the technology valuation and transaction interface for technology valuation, matches and transaction. |
| US08429087B2 |
System and method of optimal time for product launch an withdraw in e-commerce
The present disclosure introduces a technique for achieving the optimal time to launch or withdraw products on a webpage. In one aspect, a method includes: storing information to be collected from a webpage for one or more items corresponding to a first product; collecting data related to the one or more items in each time section of a plurality of time sections; calculating a respective value score for each time section of the plurality of time sections based on a respective number of occurrences of the one or more items in each time section; determining the optimal time to launch or withdraw the first product based on value scores of the first product for the plurality of time sections; and rendering launch or withdrawal of the first product on the webpage in the optimal time. Implementation of the technique will conveniently allow a merchant's product website to automatically complete a product launch or withdrawal in the optimal time. |
| US08429084B1 |
Confirming local marketplace transaction consummation for online payment consummation
Exemplary embodiment of the present invention would provide systems, including Internet-based systems, and computer-implemented methods, for providing online Buyers and Sellers who physically transact an exchange of an item at a local meeting place, indicia of confirmation of the exchange on which to base a background online payment. In particular, exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a way for Buyers and/or Sellers to input an identifier for online authentication to confirm that a physical exchange of an item sold had been transacted and that would accordingly provide an online system with a basis to charge the relevant Buyer's account for a sale amount and pay the Seller for the item sold. |
| US08429081B1 |
Techniques for securely delivering media data
Techniques are provided for securely delivering media data. A requestor is directed to a secure streaming portal after being authenticated. A requesting application contacts the secure streaming portal and requests media data. A configuration header having a key for decrypting the media data is sent to the requesting application using secure communications. The media data is dynamically encrypted using the key and streamed to the requesting application. The requesting application uses the key and decrypts the encrypted media data for consumption. |
| US08429076B1 |
System and method for funding a collective account
A system and method for funding a collective account such as a charitable account includes issuing a plurality of financial instruments, linking the financial instruments to the collective account, aggregating individual financial instrument usage, calculating a bonus or other reward based on the aggregate financial instrument usage and funding or distributing the reward to the collective account. According to the invention, members of a civic, charitable, political or other entity may generate collective rewards or other benefits which may be attributed to the designated organization. |
| US08429075B2 |
System and method for instant issue of personalized financial transaction cards
In a method for instantly issuing a personalized financial transaction card to a customer a bank employee receives customer information and card information from the customer at a branch location. The card information may include a card personal identification number (PIN) selected by the customer. The operator inputs the customer information and at least some the card information into a data processing terminal at the branch. The customer information and the card information are communicated from the branch across a network to a card services provider. At the card services provider, the PIN is entered into a PIN database and a reference number associated with the customer and a PIN offset is generated. The reference number and at least some of the customer data and card data may be stored in a card file associated with the customer. The reference number is used to retrieve the PIN from the PIN database. The retrieved PIN is then used to apply calculations to the card file. The card file is securely sent from the card services provider across the network to the branch location. Using information from the card file, the financial transaction card is printed for the customer at the branch location. In a preferred embodiment, the personalized card is instantly issued while the customer is present at the branch location. |
| US08429071B2 |
Mobile device credit account
Providing for a mobile communication device (MCD) credit account and credit transactions by way of such an MCD is described herein. As an example, a credit account sponsored by a financial or commercial entity can be associated with a unique ID of an MCD. The MCD can interface with another electronic device and initiate credit transactions, such as commercial purchases, credit transfers, currency conversions, and the like, via the interface. Further, rules provided by the sponsoring entity can guide such transactions, enforcing credit limits, for instance. A management component can then synchronize transactions conducted by the device with a server of a financial institution over a remote communication interface, such as the Internet or a cellular/mobile communication network. Accordingly, a mobile device can replace a traditional credit card in transacting credit business. |
| US08429063B2 |
Management of business processes
A method and apparatus for managing business processes. First business process data obtained from a first trading participant includes a set of transaction messages having a first data format in accordance with a first protocol for conducting business transactions used by the first trading participant. A virtual trading participant receives fictitious business process data from the first trading participant and acknowledging the fictitious business process data and replying to the first trading participant that the fictitious business process data has been acknowledged. Operational characteristics and a connectivity of a currently trading participant connected to a process management platform accessible via an interconnection fabric are tested, by utilizing the virtual trading participant to determine if the data defining individual business processes is in a uniform format understood by a process management platform. The virtual trading participant is utilized to ensure compatibility with an identified version of the uniform format. |
| US08429062B2 |
Method and interface for consolidating price levels on a trading screen
A trading screen may display price and quantity information for price levels in a static axis of prices. The static axis of prices may be divided into two or more different regions. The price and quantity information for one or more of the regions may be consolidated from price and quantity information from plurality of un-consolidated price levels. |
| US08429061B2 |
Bicycle suspension control apparatus
A bicycle suspension control apparatus is provided with a power supply sensor and a controller. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply being supplied from the power supply to an electrically adjustable suspension. The controller selectively changes a setting state of the suspension between at least a lockout state and a non-lockout state. The controller is operatively coupled to the power supply sensor to receive a power level signal from the power supply sensor. The controller prohibits changing of the suspension from the non-lockout state to the lockout state upon the power supply sensor detecting the power level of the power supply being below a first prescribed power level. The controller permits changing of the suspension from the lockout state to the non-lockout suspension state while the power level of the power supply is below the first prescribed power level. |
| US08429059B2 |
Method and system for providing electronic option trading bandwidth reduction and electronic option risk management and assessment for multi-market electronic trading
A method and system for providing electronic option trading bandwidth reduction and risk management and assessment for multi-market electronic trading. Data streams including electronic option trading information are split into plural individual data streams by a server network device and/or one or more network interface cards (NICs). The individual data streams are made available to target network devices using less network bandwidth and fewer processing cycles that would be required to process the whole data including the electronic option trading information. The option trading risk assessment and management information includes an “integrated viewpoint” that aggregates an option trader's activities across all their electronic option trading accounts, their current and historical option trades and option trade locations on all option trading exchanges. |
| US08429058B2 |
Paired basis swap risk and credit mitigation system and collateral minimization system
A paired basis swap risk and credit mitigation system and collateral minimization system. In swaps used to hedge forward contracts a system authority interposes itself and forms paired basis swaps with each of the paired swap participants and itself together with a Swaption to allow it to maintain a level book in the event of a default by any counterparty. In the event of a default the system authority has the ability to either terminate a swap and pay the non-defaulting counterparty an agreed upon termination payment, terminate the non-defaulting counterparty's swap and exercise the swaption to substitute a correlated swap with appropriate correlated termination payment; or substitute a new counterparty with an identical swap as the paired swap participant. Paired basis swap control through delivery can be enabled to continue the risk and credit mitigation benefits of the system. |
| US08429051B1 |
Investment guidance system which enables individuals to rate and select assets based on personal investment preferences
An investment guidance system which enables individuals to rate and select assets based on personal investment preferences. The system comprises a method for receiving a request to rate a plurality of assets, providing two or more criteria associated with the assets for a user to evaluate, receiving a relative weight of importance for the two or more criteria, and determining a rating for each asset based on the relative weights assigned to the two or more criteria. The system then ranks the plurality of assets based on the rated value for each asset, provides a list of the ranked assets and receives requests to execute trades for the ranked assets. The assets can comprise mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and/or other investment vehicles. |
| US08429050B2 |
Method for detecting ineligibility of a beneficiary and system
A method and system are presented for identifying improper benefit payments to an ineligible beneficiary. Record data may be accessed from a financial institution and may be analyzed to identify patterns within the banking transactions. Deviations may be identified between a pre-benefit pattern and a post-benefit pattern by applying one or more rules, which may be ranked. The deviations that are identified may be determined to be either in compliance, in noncompliance, or within some acceptable level of compliance. A level of noncompliance outside of a range of acceptable noncompliance may result in generating a request for an action to be taken, such as an audit of the beneficiary. The aforementioned methods may be carried out using a computerized device. |
| US08429043B2 |
Financial data processor system and method for implementing equity-credit linked investment vehicles
A novel investment vehicle comprises a synthetic corporate exchangeable note linked to the equity return and credit of select third parties. A computer system creates, tracks and implements the investment vehicle in accord with program-controlled processing. A highly flexible, cost-efficient security is created having enhanced risk/return characteristics. |
| US08429042B2 |
Methods for performing data processing operations associated with securities and security structures
The present disclosure relates to methods for performing data processing operations associated with securities and security structures. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer implementable method for performing data processing operations associated with a security, comprising: structuring the security to include a convertible note, which convertible note is convertible into a fixed number of shares of common stock of the issuer, which convertible note has associated therewith a maturity and which convertible note pays interest; and calculating whether a price of a share of common stock of the issuer is less than a predetermined threshold percentage of a conversion price associated with the note so that the note is not convertible if the price of the share of common stock of the issuer is less than the predetermined threshold percentage of the conversion price associated with the note. |
| US08429039B1 |
Method and apparatus for tax refund allocation
Method and apparatus for tax refund allocation in tax programs. A tax program may include a tax refund allocation component and user interface that allows a taxable entity to allocate portions of a refund from one tax authority to pay taxes due to another tax authority. The component and user interface may also be used to allocate portions of tax refunds to other institutions than tax authorities. Once the tax refund allocation process is completed, a message or messages indicating the allocation instructions may be sent to a financial institution that acts as an intermediary between the taxable entity, the tax authority(s), and the other institutions. The financial institution may receive the tax refund from the tax authority and distribute the portions of the refund to the other tax authorities and/or institutions as directed by the received allocation instructions. |
| US08429038B1 |
Receipt visualization and receipt data applications
Visually presenting spending behavior, spending patterns, and spending activity to a consumer across of their all receipt based purchase transactions. Receipt data is received at a first or host computer from respective transaction processing devices or host systems of respective merchants, or received from self-service action of the consumer, and identifies respective goods or services purchased by the consumer. A user interface is displayed to the consumer and comprises a thumbnail arrangement of discrete objects, each of which represents respective receipts generated by respective transaction or transaction processing devices. A discrete object may comprise data of one or multiple goods or services and includes category indicators that visually inform the consumer about the type of good or service. Embodiments may also involve requesting receipt data utilizing a mobile communication device, searching receipt data collected by the computer and responding to the request with requested receipt data. |
| US08429037B2 |
Accounts payable process
Techniques for performing an accounts payable process may include receiving transaction data including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verifying a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional criteria to the transaction data. An accounts payable system may include a host system in communication with one or more client systems. The host system may include a matching database configured to receive an accounts payable file including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verify a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional records to attributes of the accounts payable file. |
| US08429036B2 |
Digital media usage in response to impact data
Aspects provide digital media content as a function of embedded environmental impact data. When a digital multimedia item is received, an embedded environmental impact value is decoded and the item is utilized as a function of the decoded embedded environmental impact value. Some aspects account for amounts and types of energy used in creating the item to calculate an environmental impact value for the item, and the calculated environmental impact value is embedded within digital data of the item. |
| US08429035B1 |
System and method of solving large scale supply chain planning problems with integer constraints
A system and method is disclosed for solving supply chain planning problems. The system includes a database that stores data representing a planning problem of a supply chain network and a computer configured to access the planning problem of the supply chain network stored in the database and model the planning problem as a network of nodes and edges. The computer is further configured to generate a hierarchical linear programming solution of the planning problem and apply advanced heuristics to the generated hierarchical linear programming solution. The computer is still further configured to formulate a mixed integer program to generate an optimized global hierarchical solution and store the generated optimized global hierarchical solution in the database. |
| US08429030B2 |
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. |
| US08429029B2 |
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. |
| US08429027B2 |
Mobile-based real-time food-and-beverage recommendation system
Particular embodiments extract a plurality of users, a plurality of establishments, and a plurality of items from dining information provided by at least one of the plurality of users, each of the plurality of establishments sells food or beverage; construct a user-establishment matrix, a user-item matrix, and an establishment-item matrix using the plurality of users, the plurality of establishments, and the plurality of items; generate a user latent representation for the plurality of users, an establishment latent representation for the plurality of establishments, and an item latent representation for the plurality of items; and compute one or more correlations using the user latent representation, the establishment latent representation, or the item latent representation, wherein each of the one or more correlations is between two users, two establishments, two items, one user and one establishment, one of user and one item, or one establishment and one item. |
| US08429023B2 |
Revenue raising auction processes for public goods
A computer system for a pricing and auction process allows private enterprise firms to establish an individual price for each consumer paying in to support delivery of the same units of a public good. The process solicits bids from individuals who value a public good, while reducing each individual's incentives to free ride, thereby increasing their incentives to bid or offer a payment that approaches their full value for each, successive unit of the good. Examples include farmers selling the services of land for wildlife habitat, farmers altering production processes to reduce pesticides and nutrients and increase local water quality, particularly during transition from technologically intensive farming to organic farming, or businesses established to help neighborhoods and communities become carbon neutral in a global economy. The process benefits profit or non-profit organizations supporting conservation such as wetland and salt marsh restoration or restoration of endangered species habitat. |
| US08429021B2 |
Method and system for receiving an item during a precious stone and metal appraisal
A method for appraising at a retail location an item having one of a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a precious metal, or a semi-precious metal includes the step of providing a variety of food products at the retail location. Then, by a transaction point computer at the retail location, the item to be appraised is received, along with the consumer's selection of a food product. The item's composition is determined using an evaluating device, and an exchange value is associated with the item using data obtained by the evaluating device and market data obtained over a network. The exchange value of the item is relayed to the consumer after the food product selected by the consumer has been delivered. |
| US08429020B2 |
Currency weighted cross border listing exposure
A method and a system for currency weighted cross border listing exposure utilize a favorability factor that may be determined between a first and a second currency. A search may be executed that returns listings in both currencies. A subset of those listings in the second currency may then be presented in accordance with the favorability factor. |
| US08429017B2 |
Sales apparatus, sales method and program
A sales apparatus for selling content to a purchaser wearing a communication terminal is provided. The apparatus includes a content selection section allowing selection of content for sale; a communication section built in the content selection section for communicating with the communication terminal; a detection section detecting a selection operation of the purchaser pressing the content selection section; an identifying section identifying content selected by the purchaser based on a detection result; a settlement section executing a settlement process for the content identified by the identifying section, with the communication terminal via the communication section and the human body of the purchaser who is depressing the content selection section; and a supply section adapted to supply the communication terminal with data of the content identified by the identifying section, via the communication section and the human body of the purchaser who is depressing the content selection section. |
| US08429016B2 |
Generating an alert based on absence of a given person in a transaction
Techniques for generating an alert based on absence of a given person in a transaction are provided. The techniques include monitoring, via video, a transaction, wherein the transaction includes presence of a given person in the transaction, relating the video of the transaction to a corresponding portion of a transaction log (TLOG), using the video and corresponding portion of the TLOG to detect if the given person in the transaction is present, and generating an alert if the given person is not present at the transaction. |
| US08429012B2 |
Using estimated ad qualities for ad filtering, ranking and promotion
A system obtains a first parameter (QP1) associated with a quality of an advertisement among multiple advertisements, where the first quality parameter (QP1) does not include a click through rate (CTR). The system functionally combines the first quality parameter (QP1) with at least one other parameter and uses the functional combination to filter, rank or promote the advertisement among the multiple advertisements. |
| US08429009B2 |
Universal affinity system
An improved universal affinity system and method is uniquely configured to be implemented and operated with a reduced impact on existing merchant point of sale and affinity systems. The improved system and method also enables merchants to provide highly targeted incentives and advertising to users of the universal affinity system. |
| US08429006B1 |
System and method for offer targeting
A system and method for offer targeting is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for offer targeting may comprise: providing a plurality of offers and a plurality of groups, wherein each group comprises one or more accounts; maintaining an offer counter for each of the plurality of groups; and assigning the plurality of offers, in a predetermined order, to the plurality of groups by repeating the following steps: (1) assigning an offer to one or more groups, wherein the one or more groups are selected from groups that are pre-qualified for the offer based on a plurality of business rules, and the selection of the one or more groups is based at least in part on the offer counters of the one or more groups; (2) incrementing offer counters associated with the one or more groups; and (3) sorting the plurality of groups based on the incremented offer counters. |
| US08429003B2 |
Methods, technology, and systems for quickly enhancing the operating and financial performance of energy systems at large facilities; interpreting usual and unusual patterns in energy consumption; identifying, quantifying, and monetizing hidden operating and financial waste; and accurately measuring the results of implemented energy management solutions-in the shortest amount of time with minimal cost and effort
Certain examples relate to computer implemented methods and systems including at least three modules whose combined functionality provides for interpretation and optimization of usual and unusual patterns in energy consumption; the identification, quantification, and monetization of hidden operating and financial waste and the accurate measurement of the results of implemented energy management solutions. The first, “Expert Module”, provides information that assists with the accurate interpretation of the information provided in the Operations module. The second, “Costs Module”, allows users to modify consumption and price components and derive the resulting operating costs based on the facility's applied or available rate structures. The third, “Operations Module”, charts and evaluates the current operating performance of a facility down to 15-minute intervals in comparison to the operating performance of a pre-selected “base year”. Comparisons are synchronized over intervals in a manner that allows users to compare and comment on individual graphs interactively. |
| US08429002B2 |
Approaches for enforcing best practices and policies through computerized processes
Approaches for employing computerized processes to conform the behavior of users to a set of best practices and policies is provided. In an approach, a tool for use in performing a desired task may be identified. A plurality of characteristic values is stored, on a machine-readable medium, for each of a plurality of tools. Each of the plurality of characteristic values identifies a number that reflects how much the tool associated with the characteristic value supports a particular characteristic. A score for each of the plurality of tools is computed. The score for each tool is the sum of the characteristic values that are associated with each tool. Thereafter, display data that describes how to render a pictorial representation, which uses the scores in depicting a relative measure of how appropriate each of the plurality of tools is for the desired task, may be transmitted to a client. |
| US08428994B2 |
System and method for managing facilities
A system allowing a user to answer a series of questions to generate survey data, associating system data with the survey data to generate a highly accurate report. The report allows, for example, for targeted assessment of select facilities systems including a time frame within which work to be performed on select facilities systems and/or a cost associated with work to be performed. |
| US08428990B2 |
Method for allocating resources to jobs using network flow algorithms
A resource allocation system is described in which resources and jobs are arranged as a network flow graph. In the system, resources are allocated to jobs using a network flow algorithm applied to the graph. The algorithm is applied from a graph source to a graph sink by finding a solution progressively for each time interval. |
| US08428976B1 |
Infrastructure method and system for managing deductibles for insurance policies
A method of determining a renewal deductible for an insurance policy includes providing a computer having a processor, determining that a default deductible is less than a current deductible, and determining that a new deductible indicator is negative. The method includes retrieving, using the processor and an available deductible key reference, a plurality of available deductibles from a third table and determining, using the processor, that the plurality of available deductibles does not include the current deductible. The method further includes setting the renewal deductible equal to the available deductible of the plurality of available deductibles higher than and closest to the current deductible if the next higher deductible indicator is in a positive state and setting the renewal deductible equal to the available deductible of the plurality of available deductibles less than and closest to the current deductible if the next higher deductible indicator is in a negative state. |
| US08428975B2 |
Insurance product model-based apparatus and method
An insurance product model comprising insurance policy metadata is provided (101) in a computer memory. The insurance policy metadata may comprise, at least in part, data that describes information that comprises a given corresponding insurance policy. A computer then serves to substantively interpret (102) this insurance product model to facilitate obtaining supplemental policy-specific data. The supplemental policy-specific data and the insurance policy metadata comprise separate and discrete data models and may, if desired, be stored (103) separately from one another. So configured, these teachings further support using (104) the insurance product model and the supplemental policy-specific data to facilitate an insurance-related action. |
| US08428973B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically disabling mobile device usage while driving
A system implemented on one or more processors for automatically disabling mobile device usage while driving may comprise at least one subsystem configured for determining whether a mobile device is traveling at a speed greater than a predetermined threshold and at least one subsystem configured for disabling a functionality of the mobile device if it is determined that the mobile device is traveling at a speed greater than the predetermined threshold. The at least one subsystem configured for determining whether a mobile device is traveling at a speed greater than a predetermined threshold may comprise at least one subsystem configured for receiving output data from an accelerometer on the mobile device and at least one subsystem configured for using said data to determine a current speed of the mobile device. |
| US08428964B2 |
System and method for matching healthcare providers with consumers
A system and method for providing both healthcare service providers and healthcare product providers a forum for marketing their services directly to healthcare consumers with the system facilitating the payments from the consumers to the providers. |
| US08428961B2 |
Method and system for data aggregation for real-time emergency resource management
A system and method for providing information about resource availability, especially during an emergency such as a natural disaster, is herein proposed. The system stores resource information about multiple facilities, across cities, counties, states and even countries. Such information can be provided to designated users based on specified access levels for the user and the resource information. Further, the system is able to exchange the resource availability information with external systems and databases. The resource information is also automatically updated to reflect the most current information. The system is useful in directing resources to participate in an emergency. Further the system aggregates resource information based on one or more attributes, such as region, hospital, city, state, etcetera, that is associated with the resource information. |
| US08428956B2 |
Audio encoding device and audio encoding method
There is provided an audio encoding device capable of effectively encoding a stereo audio even when a correlation between channels of the stereo audio is small. In the device, a monaural signal generation unit (110) generates a monaural signal by using a first channel signal and a second channel signal contained in the stereo signal. An encoding channel selection unit (120) selects one of the first channel signal and the second channel signal. An encoding unit including a monaural signal encoding unit (112), a first channel encoding unit (122), a second channel encoding unit (124), and a switching unit (126) encodes the generated monaural signal to obtain core-layer encoded data and encodes the selected channel signal to obtain extended layer encoded data corresponding to the core-layer encoded data. |
| US08428954B2 |
Environmental condition detector with validated personalized verbal messages
An environmental condition detector emits only safe, validated verbal messages recorded in a user's voice to help occupants of a building respond safely to sensed environmental conditions. The message emitted in the user's voice is generally a familiar voice to other building occupants to better capture their attention, and only certain, safe, user messages are validated for use thereby eliminating the chance that the user may unknowingly record an unsafe message to be emitted during a sensed environmental condition. The verbal message is recorded by a user and is analyzed through speech recognition to determine if the user-recorded message can be validated as containing safe content. A user-recorded message found to match manufacturer preprogrammed message content is validated and selected to be audibly emitted in the user's voice when an environmental condition is sensed. Various embodiments include single station units, interconnected units, or centrally controlled security systems. |
| US08428953B2 |
Audio decoding device, audio decoding method, program, and integrated circuit
An audio decoding device of the present invention includes: a decoding unit decoding a stream to a spectrum coefficient, and outputting stream information when a frame included in the stream cannot be decoded; an orthogonal transformation unit transforming the spectrum coefficient to a time signal; a correction unit generating a correction time signal based on an output waveform within a reference section that is in a section that overlaps between an error frame section to which the stream information is outputted and an adjacent frame section and that is a section in the middle of the adjacent frame section, when the decoding unit outputs the stream information: and an output unit generating the output waveform by synthesizing the correction time signal and the time signal. |
| US08428949B2 |
Apparatus and method for classification and segmentation of audio content, based on the audio signal
An apparatus for classifying an input audio signal into audio contents of a first and second class, comprising an audio segmentation module adapted to segment said input audio signal into segments of a predetermined length; a feature computation module adapted to calculate for the segments features characterizing said audio input signal; a threshold comparison module adapted to generate a feature vector for each of said one or more segments based on a plurality of predetermined thresholds, the thresholds including for each of the audio contents of the first class and of the second class a substantially near certainty threshold, a substantially high certainty threshold, and a substantially low certainty threshold; and a classification module adapted to analyze the feature vector and classify each one of said one or more segments as audio contents of the first class, of the second class, or as non-decisive audio contents. |
| US08428947B2 |
Automatic sound level control
In one or more embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described can perform determining two or more words of a written language from first data, determining at least one of a noise level external to a mobile device and a location of the mobile device, determining a sound output level based on the at least one of the noise level external to the mobile device and the location of the mobile device, and generating sound data based on the two or more words of the written language and the sound output level. The first data can include, for example, portable document format data that can include first text and/or an image that can include second text. In one or more embodiments, the location can be determined by using at least one of a global positioning system receiver and a location of an access point communicating with the mobile device. |
| US08428946B1 |
System and method for multi-channel multi-feature speech/noise classification for noise suppression
An architecture and framework for speech/noise classification of an audio signal using multiple features with multiple input channels (e.g., microphones) are provided. The architecture may be implemented with noise suppression in a multi-channel environment where noise suppression is based on an estimation of the noise spectrum. The noise spectrum is estimated using a model that classifies each time/frame and frequency component of a signal as speech or noise by applying a speech/noise probability function. The speech/noise probability function estimates a speech/noise probability for each frequency and time bin. A speech/noise classification estimate is obtained by fusing (e.g., combining) data across different input channels using a layered network model. Individual feature data acquired at each channel and/or from a beam-formed signal is mapped to a speech probability, which is combined through layers of the model into a final speech/noise classification for use in noise estimation and filtering processes for noise suppression. |
| US08428939B2 |
Voice mixing device, noise suppression method and program therefor
A voice mixing device for mixing a plurality of voice signals, comprises: a speaker selection unit selecting at least one voice signal among said plurality of voice signals; a full signal adder unit adding all of at least one voice signal selected by said speaker selection unit; respective subtractor unit subtracting only one of said selected voice signals from an addition result of said full signal adder unit; a common noise suppression unit suppressing noise of a common voice signal, being an addition result of said full signal adder unit; individual noise suppression unit suppressing noise of respective individual voice signals, being subtraction results of said subtractor unit; and memory switching unit copying information of noise suppression obtained in said common noise suppression unit based on a selection result of said speaker selection unit, to information of noise suppression in said individual noise suppression unit. |
| US08428937B2 |
Beamforming codebook generation system and associated methods
A codebook generation system and associated methods are generally described herein. For instance, a codebook generation agent (CGA) may implement techniques for generating one or more matrix codebooks from vector codebooks. The CGA may be implemented in mobile devices (e.g., stations, subscriber units, handsets, laptops, etc.). In this regard, the dynamic generation of matrix codebooks rather than having them stored on the mobile device enables the mobile device to utilize the memory normally consumed by the matrix codebooks in support of other features and/or services. |
| US08428933B1 |
Usage based query response
It is possible to provide meaningful responses to queries using systems which consider usage of words in the queries when analyzing those queries and determining what information is possibly relevant. This approach can be applied in online shopping systems by identification of nouns or noun phrases reflecting products available through the system. |
| US08428923B2 |
Method system and program storage device for simulating a multilayer reservoir and partially active elements in a hydraulic fracturing simulator
A method is disclosed including simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a multilayered reservoir, wherein a mesh overlays the hydraulic fracture thereby defining a plurality of fracture elements. The method further includes calculating and determining an influence coefficient matrix having spatially related indices, wherein the spatially related indices relate influence coefficient matrix elements to corresponding fracture elements. The mesh overlays the hydraulic fracture in more than one layer of the multilayered reservoir. In one embodiment, the method is executed on a program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable to perform the method. |
| US08428915B1 |
Multiple sources of data in a bayesian system
Data for a transaction is modeled by receiving a source set of data. The source set of data comprises data representing a plurality of transactions stored in a source transaction database. An estimation model for modeling data for a transaction is received. A mapping between the source set of data and a model parameter database is received. The model parameter database comprises a plurality of model parameters for the estimation model. The parameters extracted from the model parameter database and the source set of data in a Bayesian framework are combined using a parameter estimation engine to obtain an updated set of model parameters. The updated set of model parameters is stored in the model parameter database. |
| US08428913B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for locating and tracking objects
A system for locating and tracking an object is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured to determine a property of a paving-related material, a locating device configured to determine a location of the measuring device, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the measuring device and one or more properties determined by the measuring device, and a communications system configured to transfer, to a remote device, the location of the measuring device and the tracking information associated with the measuring device. |
| US08428911B2 |
Testing method and computer device and computer testing system using thereof
A testing method for carrying out an accuracy testing operation on a system time signal of a computer device under test includes the following steps. First, first and second clock cycle parameters of an operation clock signal (CPU clock) are respectively recorded in response to first and second triggering edges triggered by an external reference time signal. Next, a reference clock cycle parameter is determined according to the first and second clock cycle parameters. Then, third and fourth clock cycle parameters of the operation clock signal are respectively recorded in response to third and fourth triggering edges triggered by the system time signal. Next, a to-be-measured clock cycle parameter is obtained according to the third and fourth clock cycle parameters. Thereafter, error information of the system time signal is obtained according to the to-be-measured clock cycle parameter and the reference clock cycle parameter. |
| US08428909B2 |
Use of statistics to determine calibration of instruments
The present invention relates generally to statistics and calibration of instruments. More particularly, the invention encompasses the use of statistics to determine calibration of instruments. The present invention is also directed to a remote system for determination of re-calibration of instruments. The present invention also teaches the use of multiple statistical tests to determine need for calibration. The invention also includes a novel use of tests, such as, the F-Test, the Z-Test, to determine need for calibration. Furthermore, this invention relates to an alternate instrument scheme consisting of the use of redundant sensors and statistical analysis to avoid unnecessary calibrations and to detect sensors that are starting to drift before they go out of calibration. With this invention reduced calibration cost, increased data integrity, and reduced off-spec uncertainty is achieved. |
| US08428899B2 |
Apparatus for testing a conducted energy weapon
Apparatus for testing a conducted energy weapon includes analyzer to produce characteristic signals representative of characteristics of electrical current pulses delivered by the weapon into a resistive load when the weapon is discharged. Risk estimation device responsive to the characteristic signals produces a risk estimate representative of a risk of injury to a targeted subject due to electrical stimulation, or alternatively representative of a risk of failure to incapacitate the targeted subject. Indicator device responsive to the risk estimate indicates the risk of injury, or alternatively the risk of failure to incapacitate, and warns the user of the apparatus when the risk exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08428897B2 |
Method and apparatus for spectral cross coherence
The present invention relates to a machine implemented method for spectral analysis that determines a measure of cross coherence between application of two spectral estimation filters to data; and identifies a spectral feature of the measure of cross coherence. One example embodiment of the present invention provides a complete statistical summary of the joint dependence of the Bartlett and Capon power spectral statistics, showing that the coupling is expressible via a 2×2 complex Wishart matrix, where the degree coupling is determined by a single measure of cross coherence defined herein. This measure of coherence leads to a new two-dimensional algorithm capable of yielding significantly better resolution than the Capon algorithm, often commensurate with but at times exceeding finite sample based MUSIC. |
| US08428890B2 |
Device for measuring load and deflection of materials
A system for measuring normal load and deflection of a material that includes a portable load deflection device and a method of using the same is disclosed. The system includes a support arm having a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end can be attached to a base surface. The support arm can provides at least three degrees of freedom of movement and includes at least one sensor for determining a position of the second end. A uniaxial load cell can be operably attached to the second end. The system can also include a processing system operable to receive position data and corresponding force data when the support arm is used to apply a non-normal compression force to the test surface. The data can be used to calculate normal force versus deflection data for the test surface. |
| US08428889B2 |
Methods of automated spectral peak detection and quantification having learning mode
There is provided a method of automatically identifying and characterizing spectral peaks of a spectrum generated by an analytical apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving the spectrum generated by the analytical apparatus; automatically subtracting a baseline from the spectrum so as to generate a baseline-corrected spectrum; automatically detecting and characterizing the spectral peaks in the baseline-corrected spectrum; reporting the detected and characterized spectral peaks to a user; receiving a list of adjustments to be made to the detecting and characterizing step from the user; and adjusting exit values used in the detecting and characterizing step, based on the list of adjustments. |
| US08428885B2 |
Virtual screening of chemical spaces
The present invention relates to the screening of molecules, for example for candidates for the development of new drugs. In more detail, the invention relates to a method for searching molecules among a number of molecules to be screened that are similar to a given set of query molecules. |
| US08428884B1 |
Protein synthesis modulators
The invention provides a high resolution three-dimensional structure of a deacylated transfer RNA protein synthesis modulator in association with a large ribosomal subunit. The protein synthesis modulator binds at least a portion of the E-site of a large ribosomal subunit. The invention provides methods for designing and/or identifying analogs of candidate molecules, for example, analogs or derivatives of the protein synthesis modulator, that bind and/or modulate the protein biosynthetic activity of the ribosome. |
| US08428882B2 |
Method of processing and/or genome mapping of diTag sequences
There is provided a method and system for processing and/or mapping ditag nucleotide sequence(s) to a genome, the ditag sequence comprising the 5′ terminal tag and the 3′ terminal tag of a nucleic acid molecule or fragment thereof or genomic fragment. The method of processing comprises preparing a database or file comprising at least one ditag sequence. The method of mapping comprises preparing a database or file of ditag(s), and mapping the ditag sequence(s) to the genome, comprising matching the 5′ and the 3′ terminal tags of the ditag sequence to at least a portion of the genome. |
| US08428879B2 |
Downhole drilling utilizing measurements from multiple sensors
A system and method for controlling a downhole portion of a drill string is provided. The method includes receiving signals from a first sensor package mounted at a first position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the first sensor package. The method also includes receiving signals from a second sensor package mounted at a second position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the second sensor package. The method further includes calculating a first amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages in response to the signals and transmitting control signals to an actuator which responds by adjusting the downhole portion to have a second amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages. |
| US08428877B2 |
Navigation system with vehicle retrieval reservation mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a retrieval reservation having an exit time; generating an alert with the exit time for retrieving a vehicle from a parked location; and identifying a pick-up location based on the alert for parking the vehicle at the pick-up location. |
| US08428874B2 |
Method for searching destination of tree structure and system thereof
A destination retrieving method including: analyzing map data to define a relation between points of interest (POIs) as a POI relation; and providing a search result in the tree structure based on the POI relation when retrieving a destination name is provided. |
| US08428871B1 |
Using routing symbols to describe a driving maneuver
Driving directions are presented where a maneuver in the driving directions includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions. |
| US08428870B2 |
Module supply chain
A system and method of fabricating and assembling of large-sized modules remote from a heavy industrial hydrocarbon processing plant site, and overland transportation thereof to the plant site. The method may rely on a computer-based heavy-haul transportation logistics system. |
| US08428869B2 |
Context enabled address selection
A system allows a user to select an individual address from the multiple addresses for additional information on that particular address. Multiple addresses can be viewed together on a map for selection purposes. Selection of a particular address can trigger new GUIs for presentation of context information for a particular location to a user. Context information can include differing map views, e.g., map view, satellite view, terrain view, etc., landmarks, photos taken from that particular address, local businesses, telephone numbers for that particular address, etc. Presentation of context information can assist a user in making a more informed decision as to which addresses from multiple presented possible addresses to select. Context information provide criteria to select and/or rule out a particular address. |
| US08428867B2 |
Configuring and using multi-dimensional zones
A method to define a three-dimensional geographical zone that is utilized with a movable entity having at least one attached transponder is disclosed. The method comprises allowing a user to enter at least one waypoint, and loading at least one waypoint on at least one transponder. In one or more embodiments, a waypoint is defined by a geographical coordinate and a radius. The geographical coordinate is represented by a latitude value, a longitude value, and an elevation value. And, the radius is represented by a distance magnitude. In some embodiments, the method further comprises regulating the movable entity by monitoring, controlling, and/or visualizing the movement, non-movement, or position of the movable entity. The transponder determines whether the transponder is located inside the three-dimensional geographical zone by obtaining global positioning coordinates, and calculating whether or not the global positioning coordinates are located inside at least one waypoint. |
| US08428854B2 |
Internal EGR control system for internal combustion engine
There is provided an internal EGR control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of ensuring an excellent combustion state by properly controlling an internal EGR amount. The internal EGR control system is comprised of a variable valve operating mechanism 60 for controlling an internal EGR amount of combustion gases caused to remain in cylinders 3a by changing valve-closing timing CAEXVC of exhaust valves 9, target internal EGR amount-setting means 2 for setting a target internal EGR amount of the internal EGR amount EGRINC according to detected operating conditions NE, PMCMD of the engine 3, valve-closing timing-calculating means 2 for calculating valve-closing timing of the exhaust valves 9 based on the set target internal EGR amount EGRINC, valve-closing timing-correcting means 2 for correcting the calculated valve-closing timing of the exhaust valves according to the acquired wall surface temperature parameter TW indicative of wall surface temperature of the cylinder 3a, and control means 2 for controlling the variable valve operating mechanism based on the corrected valve-closing timing of the exhaust valves 9. |
| US08428852B2 |
Implementing a computational fluid dynamics model using a plurality of computation units
An apparatus includes a parallel computation unit including an input port and an output port and a one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. The input port is configured to sample at a time t1 a boundary condition signal for the one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model and the output port is configured to provide an output signal before the boundary condition signal is sampled at a time t2. |
| US08428851B2 |
Control device for a vehicle
There are provided an accelerator grip, a biasing unit connected to the accelerator grip, the biasing unit biasing the accelerator grip to rotate in one circumferential direction, and a restricting unit restricting rotation of the accelerator grip against the biasing unit for placing the accelerator grip to a predetermined opening degree, wherein the restricting unit releases restriction of the accelerator grip when a predetermined operational force or more in one circumferential direction is applied to the accelerator grip so as to excessively rotate the accelerator grip in one circumferential direction beyond the predetermined opening degree. |
| US08428849B2 |
Engine control program, method and apparatus
Setting values of a fuel injection quantity for an engine having an exhaust gas recirculator (EGR) and variable nozzle turbo (VNT), and an engine speed, and measurement values of a manifold air pressure (MAP) and a mass air flow (MAF) are obtained. According to a combination of the reference values of an EGR valve opening degree and a VNT nozzle opening degree, which correspond to the setting values, or a combination of a control value of the EGR valve opening degree by a MAF controller and a control value of the VNT nozzle opening degree by a MAP controller, which correspond to the measurement values, a mode that the MAF and MAP controllers, a first interference compensator from the MAF controller to the MAP controller and a second interference compensator for the reverse direction are enabled and a mode that the MAF or MAP controller is enable are dynamically switched. |
| US08428848B2 |
Combustion control systems and methods
A combustion control system for a direct injection engine includes a mean effective pressure (MEP) determination module, a coefficient of variation (COV) determination module, a spark timing module, and a fuel control module. The MEP determination module determines a MEP for a first combustion event of a cylinder based on cylinder pressure measured by a cylinder pressure sensor during the first combustion event. The COV determination module determines a COV for the cylinder based on the MEP. The spark timing module selectively sets a spark timing for a second combustion event of the cylinder based on the COV. The second combustion event is after the first combustion event. The fuel control module that selectively provides fuel for the second combustion event based on the COV. |
| US08428847B2 |
Ignition module having a bus line
The invention relates to a portable hand-guided work apparatus having an internal combustion engine (10) for driving a work tool (5). A combustion chamber (12) is formed in a cylinder (11) of the engine (10) and is delimited by a piston (13) which drives a crankshaft (14) in rotation. A spark plug (16) is held in the cylinder (11) and is driven by an ignition module (20) to ignite a compressed air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber (12) to drive the piston (13). A short circuit line (21) is provided on the ignition module (20) for switching off the ignition. The short circuit line (21) is configured as a bus line (30) in order to make available, in a simple manner, a plurality of further operating parameters to the ignition module. An external control apparatus (23, 24) and/or sensors (25, 26) are connected to the bus line (30). The ignition module (20), as master, controls data traffic on the bus line (30) and permits a data communication on the bus line (30) only when a minimum crankshaft angular distance (A, B) is present at an ignition time point (Z1, Z2) of the ignition module (20). |
| US08428845B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
Provided is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent drivability from being deteriorated. The vehicle control apparatus comprises an ECU adapted to determine whether or not a brake is “off” or the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time during the execution of an engine torque reduction control process. When the ECU determines that the brake is “off” or that the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time, the ECU performs an engine torque restoration process of the engine. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus can allow the continued execution and non-execution of the reduction control to be switched therebetween in accordance with the driver's travel intention, thereby making it possible to prevent the drivability from being deteriorated. |
| US08428842B2 |
Speed control device for vehicle
A speed control device for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed obtaining means obtaining a vehicle speed, a shape obtaining means obtaining a curve shape, a position obtaining means obtaining a positional relationship between a curve and the vehicle, a target vehicle speed determining means determining a target vehicle speed based on the curve shape and the positional relationship, a vehicle speed controlling means controlling the vehicle speed based on the target vehicle speed and the vehicle speed, and an acceleration operation quantity obtaining means obtaining an operation quantity of an acceleration operating member operated by a driver, wherein the target vehicle speed determining means includes a modification means modifying the target vehicle speed based on the operation quantity so that the target vehicle speed obtained when the operation variable is greater than zero becomes a greater value than the target vehicle speed obtained when the operation quantity is zero. |
| US08428838B2 |
Driving-force transmitting apparatus for four-wheel-drive vehicle
A transmitting apparatus includes a disengaging device that disengages a driving force from a front-wheel differential device to a first driving-force transmitting direction converting unit and a multi-plate clutch mechanism provided between an output of a rear-wheel differential device and a right-rear wheel and capable of successively adjusting a fastening force. Drag torque when the fastening of the multi-plate clutch mechanism is released is set smaller than friction torque of a rear-wheel drive system between the first driving-force transmitting direction converting unit and a second driving-force transmitting direction converting unit. A controller unconnects the disengaging device and releases the fastening of multi-plate clutch mechanism when switching to a two-wheel drive mode, thereby stopping the rotation of the rear-wheel drive system. |
| US08428835B2 |
Method for controlling the operation of a power unit group
A method for controlling operation of a power unit group of a vehicle including at least one driving engine, a manual gearbox with plural gears and a clutch, in which a control system with a computer determines the target power to be supplied by the power unit group depending on information corresponding to an intention of the driver and displayed on an input of the computer. During a gear change, the information on the driver's intention is frozen during the clutch opening time so that the control system does not take into account a potential disturbing information, such as a quick foot release, displayed on the input between the clutch opening moment and the clutch closing moment to determine the target power to be supplied. The method can be applied particular to a manual gearbox having a system for displaying the recommended gear ratio on the dashboard. |
| US08428828B2 |
Adaptive control system for automated vehicle applications
An apparatus is provided for controlling an automated closure panel in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a command module configured to generate a control signal. A motor is configured to actuate the automated closure panel based upon the control signal. A motor sensor is configured to measure an output characteristic of the motor, with the motor sensor having a motor sensor output signal. An adaptive logic module is coupled to the command module and to the motor sensor. The adaptive logic module is configured to provide an output to the command module to thereby adjust the control signal, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to determine when the automated closure panel is obstructed by an obstacle based upon the motor sensor output signal. |
| US08428826B1 |
Method of actuating external active safety system for vehicle
A method of actuating an external active safety system for a vehicle is used for cushioning the impact on the vehicle generated in an accident to effectively reduce injury and death as well as vehicle damage rates after an accident. The present invention mainly installs multiple sets of shock absorption devices (for example, airbags) outside the vehicle, for example, on front and rear bumpers, respectively, and the sets of shock absorption devices is able to function in advance in a segmental manner, so that the shock absorption devices installed outside the vehicle function before and during a collision in a segmental manner, so as to cushion an impact on the vehicle body when impacting or being impacted, and the shock absorption devices have an automatic release function, which, when activated, automatically releases an inflated condition of airbags in a very short time. |
| US08428824B2 |
Angle control method and apparatus, and automatic parking system using the same
The present invention relates to a technology related to angle control and automatic parking, and more particularly to an angle control method and apparatus for improving angle control quality so as to make the movement of a steering handle smooth, and an automatic parking system using the same. |
| US08428821B2 |
Operating method and system for supporting lane keeping of a vehicle
A system and an operating method are provided for supporting lane keeping of a vehicle equipped with a steering device. The system and operating method include providing vehicle related information; providing environment related information; combining vehicle and environment related information; predicting a future trajectory of the vehicle based on vehicle and environment related information; estimating a desired lateral lane position of the vehicle and/or a guiding force; comparing the future trajectory and the desired lateral lane position; deciding if a guiding force is to be provided to the steering device; and, if guiding force is to be provided, defining an amount of said guiding force depending on a hierarchically ordered set describing a predetermined driving behavior of the vehicle, adapting the amount of guiding force depending on the direction in which the vehicle is intended to move and activating one or more actuators for supplying the adapted amount of guiding force to the steering device. |
| US08428816B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring software and signal integrity in a distributed control module system for a powertrain system
A method to monitor integrity of a signal generated and communicated in a distributed control module system for a hybrid powertrain system includes generating and verifying signal within an originating control module. A message is generated based upon the signal. The message is transmitted and received at a receiving control module. The signal is extracted from the message and its integrity is verified. |
| US08428814B2 |
Method of verifying regulatory compliance of a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system
A method of verifying regulatory compliance of a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system includes providing a vehicle unit having an adapter that is configured to connect with a vehicle diagnostic port of the vehicle diagnostic system. The vehicle unit further includes a vehicle wireless transceiver and a memory. The adapter is connected with the vehicle diagnostic port and receives vehicle data including exhaust emission parameters. The vehicle data is stored in the memory. A communication network is provided for two-way wireless communication with the vehicle unit. The communication network is made up of a plurality of geographically dispersed wireless communication transceivers. The vehicle wireless communication transceiver is activated with one of the geographically dispersed wireless communication transceivers when the vehicle wireless communication transceiver is in a vicinity of that geographically dispersed wireless communication transceiver to communicate the stored vehicle data to that one of the geographically dispersed wireless communication transceivers. A host computer system with access to the communication network receives vehicle data from the geographically dispersed wireless communication transceivers. A database accessed by the host computer system collects environmental regulatory compliance data. Environmental authority is provided access to the database to verify regulatory compliance. |
| US08428803B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and method for controlling hybrid vehicle
An EV priority switch is configured to allow a user to request a change between an EV priority mode and an HV mode. If an SOC of a power storage device is less than a first threshold value when the change to the HV mode is requested from the EV priority switch during the EV priority mode, an ECU changes the running mode to attain the HV mode and controls the SOC to be close to the SOC at the moment of a request for the change to the HV mode. If the SOC is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the ECU maintains the EV priority mode. If the SOC reaches a second threshold value less than the first threshold value, the ECU forcefully changes the running mode to attain the HV mode. |
| US08428791B2 |
Control system for a remote control work machine
Control system for a remote-controlled working machine provided with tracks, the control system including a remote control, the remote control being connected wirelessly or by a cable to at least one electronic unit in the machine, and having at least one control stick or joystick and a number of buttons, levers and/or knobs for operating the different travel and working functions of the machine. The machine furthermore has one or more different setting modes or positions, wherein its control sticks and/or certain buttons have different functions in different modes. |
| US08428783B2 |
Method and system for distributed energy generator message aggregation
A method and system for aggregating messages. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of distributed generators (DGs) and a controller, communicatively coupled to the plurality of distributed generators, for (i) receiving a plurality of messages from the plurality of DGs, (ii) correlating at least two messages in the plurality of messages based on at least one time parameter, and (iii) generating a summary message based on the at least two messages. |
| US08428781B2 |
Systems and methods of coordination control for robot manipulation
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling robotic apparatus having several movable elements or segments coupled by joints. At least one of the movable elements can include one or more mobile bases, while the others can form one or more manipulators. One of the movable elements can be treated as an end effector for which a certain motion is desired. The end effector may include a tool, for example, or represent a robotic hand (or a point thereon), or one or more of the one or more mobile bases. In accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein, movement of the manipulator and the mobile base can be controlled and coordinated to effect a desired motion for the end effector. In many cases, the motion can include simultaneously moving the manipulator and the mobile base. |
| US08428768B2 |
Method and device for composite machining based on tool-path pattern types with tool axis orientation rules
Computer-enabled methods and devices allow for the ready set-up for machine instruction generation by addressing various combinations of machining patterns and tool axis orientations via the selection or designation of a machining pattern and the selection or designation of a tool axis orientation via exemplary separate menus of a user interface. |
| US08428763B2 |
Management apparatus, exposure method, and method of manufacturing device
A management apparatus obtains a list of a plurality of lots for which exposure processes are reserved, an initial value of an aberration of a projection optical system before start of the exposure processes of the plurality of lots, and an allowable value of the aberration of the projection optical system for each of the plurality of lots, generates candidates for an order of the plurality of lots based on the obtained list, calculates a time from start of an exposure process of the first lot until end of an exposure process of the last lot while adjusting time intervals between the lots so that the aberration of the projection optical system in the exposure process of each of the plurality of lots falls below the allowable value, and determines a processing order of the plurality of lots based on the calculated time. |
| US08428759B2 |
Predictive pre-recording of audio for voice input
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing predictive pre-recording of audio for voice input. In one aspect, a method includes establishing, as input data, state data that references a state of a mobile device and sensor data that is sensed by one or more sensors of the mobile device, applying a rule or a probabilistic model to the input data, inferring, based on applying the rule or the probabilistic model to the input data, that a user of the mobile device is likely to initiate voice input, and invoking one or more functionalities of the mobile device in response to inferring that the user is likely to initiate voice input. |
| US08428757B2 |
Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method
Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus including: an interface section configured to have a plurality of ports each connectable with a portable player including a storage medium; an integrated content management data creation section configured to identify the portable players; a reproduction content designation section configured to designate the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; a content access section configured to gain access through the interface section; and a reproduction section configured to reproduce the accessed content. |
| US08428755B2 |
Systems and methods for increasing feedback controller response times
A device for adjusting a signal normally provided by a proportional plus integral (PI) control module to a process system includes a processing circuit configured to modify the signal of the PI control module by exaggerating the rate of change of the signal and an output for providing the modified signal to the process system. |
| US08428751B2 |
Electrode delivery system
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an automatic external defibrillator configured to deliver electrical pulses and/or shocks to a heart of a patient during a cardiac emergency is provided and includes a housing supporting an electrical connector; a defibrillator electrode delivery system supported on the housing; and a pair of defibrillation electrode pads supported by the defibrillator electrode delivery system. Each of the pair of defibrillation electrode pads is pre-connected to the electrical connector of the housing. A hydrogel layer of each defibrillation electrode pad is retained by the defibrillator electrode delivery system in such a manner so as to reduce a moisture vapor transmission rate thereof. |
| US08428750B2 |
Implantable medical electrode device
A medical, implantable electrode device, in particular a cardiological electrode device, comprises an elongate electrode body (2) having a proximal and a distal end (1) for insertion into the body of the patient and multiple strut-like anchoring elements (4), which are attached laterally to the electrode body (2) before the distal end (1) for fixing the electrode device in the patient and are distributed around the circumference, which each project having their longitudinal axis (SL) at an acute angle (W1) opening in the direction of the proximal end in relation to the electrode body axis (KL). The anchoring elements have a preferred direction around the circumference in such a way that upon engagement of the anchoring elements (4) in a body part of the patient, a rotation of the electrode body (2) is opposed by a greater resistance in one rotational direction than in the opposite direction. |
| US08428749B2 |
Nerve cuff, method and apparatus for manufacturing same
A nerve cuff comprising a wall band member having an inner surface defining a lumen when the wall band member is in a closed configuration for receiving a nerve therethrough. At least one longitudinal and contiguous conductor extends within the lumen. The conductor is insulated and has at least one exposed portion thereby providing an electrode. When mounting the nerve cuff to a nerve, each electrode is in electrical communication with the nerve. A multi-channel nerve cuff further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges formed on the inner surface with each adjacent pair of ridges defining a longitudinal chamber. Each chamber comprises a respective conductor extending therein. When mounting the multi-channel nerve cuff to the nerve, the ridges abut the nerve providing for each chamber to isolate respective longitudinal portions of the nerve. A method and an apparatus for manufacturing such nerve cuffs are also disclosed. |
| US08428731B2 |
Sequenced therapy protocols for an implantable medical device
In one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises (a) implementing a first therapy in an implantable medical device (IMD) from a programmed sequence of therapies for a first time period, (b) implementing a second therapy from the sequence in the IMD for a second time period following the first time period, and repeating (a) and (b). |
| US08428730B2 |
Transvascular electrode system and method
A transvascular electrode system includes an expandable electrode-carrying anchor. The anchor is intravascularly advanced in a compressed position to a first site in a blood vessel. A first portion of the anchor expands to position an electrode against the vessel wall, while a second portion remains is compressed. Mapping is performed by delivering stimulation energy from the electrode and measuring the response (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, and/or related parameters). The first portion is at least partially collapsed and the electrode system is moved to a second site. The first portion is expanded to position the electrode into against the vessel wall, while the second portion remains compressed. Additional mapping is performed. The process is repeated until the anchor electrode position is optimized, at which point the second portion of the anchor is expanded to chronically retain the electrode in the vessel. |
| US08428729B2 |
Cardiac stimulation apparatus and method for the control of hypertension
A method that electrically stimulates a heart muscle to alter the ejection profile of the heart, to control the mechanical function of the heart and reduce the observed blood pressure of the patient. The therapy may be invoked by an implantable blood pressure sensor associated with a pacemaker like device. In some cases, where a measured pretreatment blood pressure exceeds a treatment threshold, a patient's heart may be stimulated with an electrical stimulus timed relative to the patient's cardiac ejection cycle. This is done to cause dyssynchrony between at least two cardiac chambers or within a cardiac chamber, which alters the patient's cardiac ejection profile from a pretreatment cardiac ejection profile. This has the effect of reducing the patient's blood pressure from the measured pretreatment blood pressure. |
| US08428726B2 |
Device and method of neuromodulation to effect a functionally restorative adaption of the neuromuscular system
Described herein are methods and systems for improving or adapting a breathing pattern of a patient with disordered breathing toward a more helpful state, as well as systems and devices for adapting breathing. These methods and systems may be used for improving sleep in patients with sleep disordered breathing and a system by which to implement devices for performing these methods. |
| US08428721B2 |
Adapter, adapter retail unit and system of the adapter, an implantable medical electronic device and an electrode line
An adapter for temporary sterile electric connection of an implantable medical electronic device to an electrode line that is to be connected to the implantable medical electronic device during implantation for undistorted transmission of measured values detectable on the electrode line to the device. |
| US08428720B2 |
Posture-induced changes to physiological parameters
Methods and devices for analyzing posture-induced changes to physiological parameters of a patient (e.g., ejection time, heart rate, etc.) to provide an assessment of one or more conditions of the patient. |
| US08428715B2 |
Methods for treating the physiological electric conduction of the heart
Treating the physiological electric conduction of the heart includes methods that involve guiding an electrode to a location, near the His bundle of the heart, that is determined by pacing the heart and sensing signals in response thereto, and electrically bypassing a conduction abnormality of the heart by presenting extrinsic pacing signals to the location near the His bundle of the heart. The pacing electrode may then be fixed at the location, near the His bundle, to provide subsequent pacing of the heart such that the subsequent pacing exhibits electrical bypassing of the conduction abnormality. |
| US08428708B1 |
Self-test for analgesic product
Electrotransport drug delivery devices, system and methods of using configured to determine if a current is present between the anode and cathode when drug is not intended to be delivered by the device. These devices/systems may include an off-current module to determine that any current (e.g., which may be inferred by measuring potential difference between the anode and cathode of the device) flowing between the anode and cathode is below a threshold value when the device is not supposed to be delivering drug, thereby preventing unintended delivery of drug and/or alerting a user that unintended delivery of drug may occur. |
| US08428699B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for measuring properties of an object
An apparatus measures properties of an object such as a heart in a patient (2). The apparatus includes an antenna (3, 4) for sending and/or receiving electromagnetic waves to and/or from the object (2) for measuring a property of the object. The antenna (3, 4) includes an electrically conductive element for functioning as an electrode for measuring a further property of the object. The electromagnetic waves are reflected by the object, causing a Doppler shift. The apparatus uses this shift to provide mechanical information about the object and uses the electrode to provide electrical information about the object, such as an electrocardiogram. |
| US08428696B2 |
Ultra wideband monitoring systems and antennas
Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of one or more living subjects comprises a monitoring station and at least one sensor in communication with the monitoring station. The sensor comprises an antenna system, an ultra wideband radar system coupled to the antenna system, a signal processor and a communication system. The signal processor is connected to receive a signal from the ultra wideband radar system and configured to extract from the signal information about one or more vital signs of a person or animal in a sensing volume corresponding to the antenna system. The communication system is configured to transmit the information to the monitoring station. |
| US08428694B2 |
Methods for determination of parameters for a procedure, for estimation of cardiopulmonary function and for fluid delivery
Methods of determining at least one parameter for an injection procedure to be performed in combination with an imaging procedure may include injecting a test bolus of a contrast enhancement fluid having a contrast enhancing agent, scanning regions of interest with an imaging system as the test bolus flows therethrough to obtain therefrom a contrast time enhancement curve for each region of interest, extracting at least one discrete data point from each of the contrast time enhancement curves such that each of the discrete data points constitutes a pair of measurements on the contrast time enhancement curve corresponding thereto, substituting into a model the discrete data points extracted from the contrast time enhancement curves to obtain an estimate of values of physiological variables, and using the estimate to determine via the model the at least one parameter for the injection procedure to be performed in combination with the imaging procedure. |
| US08428688B2 |
Automatic femur segmentation and condyle line detection in 3D MR scans for alignment of high resolution MR
A method for automatic femur segmentation and condyle line detection. The method includes: scanning a knee of a patient with medical imaging equipment to obtain 3D imaging data with such equipment; processing the obtained 3D imaging data in a digital processor to determine two lines tangent to the bottom of the knee condyles in an axial and a coronal plane; and automatically scanning the patient in the defined plane. The processing includes: determining an approximate location of the knee; using the determined the location to define a volume of interest; segmenting the femur in the defined volume of interest; and determining a bottom point on the femur portion on a right side and a left side of the segmented femur in an axial and a coronal slice to determine the two lines. |
| US08428687B2 |
Systems and methods for matching and imaging tissue characteristics
Systems and methods for matching a characteristic of multiple sectors of a moving tissue to verify an overlap thereof are disclosed herein. In an exemplary method, tissue data for at least a first sector and a second sector of a moving tissue is acquired. A characteristic of at least a portion of the first and second sectors is estimated from the acquired tissue data, and the estimated characteristics are matched to verify whether a portion of the first sector overlaps with a portion of the second sector. Estimating can include estimating a displacement such as an axial displacement and/or lateral displacements. Estimating can further include estimating a strain, a velocity, a strain rate and/or a stiffness or equivalent. |
| US08428683B2 |
Wearable monitoring apparatus and driving method thereof
Disclosed are a wearable monitoring apparatus and a driving method thereof. The wearable monitoring apparatus comprises: a sensor unit for measuring a biological signal from a human body, wherein the sensor unit is adhered to a skin; and a control unit for searching a location of the sensor unit, supplying power to the sensor unit, and receiving and processing the biological signal from the sensor unit, wherein the control unit is formed to be wearable. |
| US08428680B2 |
Hybrid multichannel printed circuit board microdrive
A miniature microdrive system may be affixed to the skull and used to advance recording electrode bundles or injection cannula through the brain of freely moving test subjects, e.g., rodents. The microdrive may be constructed using a hybrid fabrication technique utilizing a printed circuit board and a small number of mechanical parts. The printed circuit board provides the base for both the electrical components and the mechanical components. The movement of a screw advances a shuttle that in turn moves an electrode bundle through the brain. Independently moving screws advance independent electrode bundles. The electrode wires are connected through the printed circuit board to a connector on the back of the board. Stainless steel cannulae are soldered to a grounding trace on the printed circuit board to guide the electrode bundle and provide a ground connection. With this system, multiple brain structures may be targeted simultaneously. The microdrive system or device is simple to mass produce, making fabrication simple with parts that can be recycled or discarded as needed. |
| US08428677B2 |
Retinopathy of prematurity determination and alarm system
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining a likelihood of possible retinopathy of prematurity and alerting a caregiver of such likelihood. According to certain embodiments, an apparatus for displaying an indication of a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient may include a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity. The apparatus may also include a display unit configured to present an indication of a risk of prematurity in the patient when the processing unit determines that the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, the indication comprising at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm. |
| US08428674B2 |
Apparatus for spectrometric based oximetry
A spectrophotometric sensor assembly for non-invasive monitoring of a blood metabolite within a subject's body tissue is provided that includes a pad, a light source, and a light detector The light source is operative to emit light signals of a plurality of different wavelengths. The light detector is operative to detect light emitted by the light source and passed through the subject's body tissue. The light detector is at least partially enclosed in EMI shielding. In some embodiments, the light detector and EMI shielding are disposed in a detector housing that encloses the light detector and shielding. The housing is aligned with a detector aperture disposed in the pad. |
| US08428672B2 |
Medical ventilator with autonomous control of oxygenation
A portable critical care medical ventilator with autonomous control of oxygenation is provided. The system and method provide for significantly reducing the O2 required to maintain an adequate O2 concentration and as a result delivery of O2 to the body's tissues and does not require the clinician to enter initial values. |
| US08428670B2 |
Reception device, antenna, and junction cable
A reception device including a transmission part having transmission cables transmitting a signal and/or power of a main-body device, an antenna part provided along the transmission cables from main-body-device-side ends of the transmission cables to a point between the main-body-device-side ends and the other ends of the transmission cables so that a high-frequency-signal-transmission path is formed, a high-frequency-elimination circuit provided at the main-body-device-side ends, which eliminates entry of the high-frequency signal to the main-body device, and a tuner that connects one of ends of the antenna part, the end being provided on the main-body-device side, to an antenna-input terminal and that receives a broadcast wave falling within the first frequency band corresponding to the antenna part's length is provided. The other end of the antenna part is an open end. |
| US08428667B2 |
Portable terminal device
A potable terminal device comprises an upper housing including a display unit on the surface thereof and a lower housing including a hard key on the surface thereof and relatively slidably coupled to the upper housing. Bothe of the housings are movable between a closed position in which all hard keys of the lower housing is covered with the upper housing, at least one intermediate position in which part of the hard keys are uncovered with the upper housing, and a full open position in which all of the hard keys are uncovered with the upper housing. In the intermediate position, in response to pressing any of part of the hard keys which are uncovered, a soft key for complementing part of the hard keys which are uncovered is displayed in a position starting from the edge of the display unit adjacent to the hard keys. |
| US08428661B2 |
Speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones
The present invention is directed to improved speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones. Such a telephone includes a first microphone, a second microphone, a voice activity detector (VAD), a receiver module, and a signal processor. The first microphone outputs a first audio signal, which comprises a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component. The second microphone outputs a second audio signal. The VAD generates a voice activity signal responsive to a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal. The voice activity signal identifies time intervals in which the voice component of the near-end user is present in the first audio signal. The receiver module receives a third audio signal, which comprises a voice component of a far-end user. The signal processor modifies the third audio signal responsive to the voice activity signal. |
| US08428660B2 |
Sharing at least one functional block in a communication system
A communication system has an audio receiver path, and a digital transceiver path, wherein both paths are integrated on a single integrated circuit. The audio receiver path has a concealment device, and the communication system also has at least one functional block connected to and shared by the both paths. The communication system has a digital controller connected to both paths, the at least one functional block, and the concealment device. The digital controller is operable to schedule the operation of the digital transceiver path, and to inform the concealment device of start and end points of the activity of the digital transceiver path. The concealment device is operable to mask interruptions in the audio stream from the audio receiver path caused during periods of activity of the digital transceiver path. |
| US08428658B2 |
Method for displaying items in mobile terminal and mobile terminal using the same
A method for displaying items in mobile terminal and a mobile terminal using the same, the method comprising: storing a plurality of items in a memory of the mobile terminal; receiving a grouping command by a proximity touch on the plurality of items through a proximity sensor of the mobile terminal; and generating and displaying a classification menu including classified items with classifying the plurality of items by the grouping command and storing the classified items in the classification menu. |
| US08428656B2 |
Multi-mode terminal device
A mobile terminal device of the invention is a mobile terminal device capable of placing and receiving calls by first identification information, and of placing and receiving calls by second identification information, and is characterized by having a mode changing section that changes a mode among a first mode, a second mode and a common mode, and an outgoing call control section which places a call by the first identification information in the first mode, places a call by the second identification information in the second mode, and places a call by either the first identification information or the second identification information in the common mode. |
| US08428653B2 |
Hot-spot wireless access exploiting shadowing diversity of distributed antennas
The embodiments of the invention describe method and system for maximizing capacity of a distributed antenna system. A relaying antenna is selected to maximize a signal-to-leakage ratio (SLR) ratio of the distributed antenna system. Further, the capacity of the system is improved by allocating a signal power based on a pseudo-capacity criterion such that an average pseudo capacity of the distributed antenna system is maximized. |
| US08428652B2 |
User apparatus, base station, and method in mobile communication system
A disclosed user apparatus includes a random access channel generating unit configured to generate a random access channel; a control channel generating unit configured to generate a control channel in accordance with scheduling information received from a base station; and an uplink transmission signal generating unit configure to generate an uplink transmission signal including the random access channel or the control channel. Further, the purpose ID indicating at least whether there is a user ID uniquely allocated by the base station is included in the random access channel or the control channel. |
| US08428651B2 |
Radio base station apparatus
A shared transmission/reception apparatus (OF-TRX) includes: a transmission/reception processor section (TRX-B) for a mobile communication system B configured to perform frequency conversion processing on a transmission baseband signal for the mobile communication system B outputted from a signal converter section (E/O), and to output a transmission radio frequency signal for the mobile communication system B; a power level adjuster section (VA) configured to adjust a power level of a transmission radio frequency signal for a mobile communication system A inputted from a transmission/reception processor section (TRX-A) for the mobile communication system A; a combiner section (COM) configured to generate a transmission radio frequency signal by combining the transmission radio frequency signal for the mobile communication system A outputted from the power level adjuster section (VA) and the transmission radio frequency signal for the mobile communication system B outputted from the transmission/reception processor section (TRX-B) for the mobile communication system B; and a common amplifier section (PA) configured to amplify a power level of the transmission radio frequency signal outputted from the combiner section (COM) at a predetermined amplification rate, and to output the resultant signal. |
| US08428648B2 |
Compact removable voice handset for an integrated portable computer system/mobile phone
A compact removable voice handset for an integrated palmtop computer system/mobile phone is presented. The present invention is used in conjunction with a personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA comprises electronics for wireless communications and a contact information database and a means for coupling the handset to the PDA. The present invention is compact such that when coupled to the PDA, there is minimal increase to the overall size and weight of the PDA. The present invention comprises a microphone and a speaker, and is communicatively coupled, via either a wireless connection or a wired connection, to the PDA. The handset comprises control elements such that the handset can be operated independent of the PDA. In one embodiment, the handset comprises a display and control elements configured for accessing the contact information database of the PDA, adjusting the volume of the handset, and for initiating or ending wireless communications. |
| US08428644B1 |
Integrated lighting accessory and case for a mobile phone device
This invention describes a protective mobile phone device case that provides a LED lighting solution integrated with the case. The LED lighting solution can be utilized with the functions of the mobile phone device to provide additional illumination for photography and videography purposes as well as to provide ornamental or decorative enhancements to the device. |
| US08428641B2 |
Transmission power control method, mobile communication system and radio base station
A transmission power control is disclosed, where the transmission power control includes transferring, from a second radio base station to a first radio base station, a second uplink signal received from a mobile station in a second cell, synthesizing, at the first radio base station, a first uplink signal received from the mobile station in a first cell with the second uplink signal transferred from the second radio base station, and generating and transmitting a transmission power control signal for controlling a transmission power of an uplink signal at the mobile station based on a reception quality of an uplink signal obtained by synthesizing the first uplink signal with the second uplink signal. |
| US08428639B2 |
Method for controlling an uplink power in a wireless communication system and an apparatus in the system
In a wireless communication system including a wireless terminal, a first wireless base station, a second wireless base station which supports a wireless channel which is not supported by the first wireless base station and an upper level apparatus which accommodates the wireless base stations, the upper level apparatus monitors interference power in the wireless base station and carries out, where a result of the monitoring exceeds a predetermined threshold value, suppression control of transmission power of the wireless terminal which communicates with the second wireless base station using the wireless channel which is not supported by the first wireless base station. |
| US08428638B2 |
Base station control
A method of controlling a base station, a network controller, a base station, a telecommunications network and a computer program product are disclosed. A method of controlling a base station (140; 150; 160) in a mobile telecommunications network (220) comprises the steps of: (i) determining whether a base station within the mobile telecommunications network is not supporting user equipment (110; 120; 130) and, if so, then (ii) signalling the base station to reduce its transmission power. An assessment is made as to whether a base station is currently supporting user equipment. If a base station is currently supporting user equipment, then that base station is unlikely to be a candidate to have its power reduced since support to that user equipment needs to be maintained. However, if a base station is not supporting user equipment, then that base station would appear to be a likely candidate for transmission power reduction, thereby saving power in the network at those locations where it is possible to do so. |
| US08428637B2 |
Extending access terminal battery life through search rate control
The method and apparatus as described are directed toward techniques and mechanisms to improve access terminal battery life through search rate control. Controlling the rate at which access terminals search for alternate networks in a cell, and more particularly reducing unnecessary attempts, significantly increases the battery life of the access terminal. |
| US08428630B2 |
Wireless communication system and related methods
A method of operating a wireless mesh network comprises generating a pseudorandom sequence element in a transmitting device and a receiving device of the network using information shared by the transmitting and receiving devices. The pseudorandom sequence element is then used to calculate a communication channel/timeslot assignment for communication between the transmitting wireless device and the receiving wireless device. |
| US08428621B2 |
Location-based audio service
Embodiments of the present invention provide a location-based audio service. According to one embodiment, a request for a desired audio stream having an inactive segment is received from a user operating a mobile device. Furthermore, geographic data may be monitored while the audio stream is being rendered on the mobile device. The location-based audio service is configured to determine relevant location-based information based on the geographic data, and then transmit the relevant information to the mobile device during the inactive segment of the desired audio stream. |
| US08428620B2 |
Mass transportation service delivery platform
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing location information for a mobile device associated with a passenger of a mass transportation vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, the location information of a mobile device of a passenger may be utilized to provide location-based services, such as, but not limited to, providing the passenger with updated information regarding a travel arrangement, enabling an airline crew to determine the whereabouts of a passenger, and enabling automatic check-in. In addition, certain ones of the disclosed embodiments provide a method for maintaining location-based services associated with a mobile device while the device is in transit on a mass transportation vehicle, such as, but not limited to, an airplane. |
| US08428619B2 |
Personal location code
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for receiving a request from a requestor to locate a user. The request identifies a personal location code (PLC) for the user. It is determined if the request is allowed based on the PLC. If the request is allowed, the current location of the user is obtained based on the location of one or more devices associated with the user. The current location of the device is then provided to the requestor. |
| US08428615B2 |
Method and device for determining a position of a communication apparatus
A method and a device for determining a position of a communication apparatus is provided. To determine a position of a first apparatus a first signal is transmitted from a second apparatus to the first apparatus. A second signal is then transmitted from the first apparatus to the second apparatus as a response to the first signal, the first signal and the second signal being transmitted by way of at least two different mediums. Signal strength of the second signal received by the second apparatus and a transfer time from a first time of transmission of the first signal to a second time of receipt of the second signal are measured. The position of the first apparatus is finally calculated as a function of the measured signal strength of the received second signal and the measured transfer time. |
| US08428614B2 |
Mobile phone mediated treasure hunt game
A system for providing a mobile phone based treasure hunt game including a system server including puzzle data pertaining to a plurality of geographic sites, at least one mobile phone, a plurality of geographically diverse mobile phone location identifiers, software executing on the system server for receiving location data pertaining to the at least one mobile phone, the location data indicative of a location of the at least one mobile phone relative to at least one of the location identifiers, software executing on the system server for determining at least one of the geographic sites within a predetermined distance of the location, and software executing on the system server for providing at least a portion of the puzzle data pertaining to the at least one geographic site to the at least one mobile phone. |
| US08428613B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station device and mobile station device
A wireless communication system comprises a mobile station and a base station, which use a plurality of communication channels and a pilot channel corresponding to at least one of the communication channels. The base station has a transmitting unit that employs at least one of the communication channels as a priority channel and transmits channel information of this priority channel and the other channels by use of a communication channel other than the pilot channel. The mobile station has a determining unit that determines a reception level of the pilot channel; an acquiring unit that acquires the channel information transmitted via the communication channel other than the pilot channel; and a deciding unit that decides, as an available communication channel, at least one of the communication channels based on both the channel information acquired by the acquiring unit and the reception level determined by the determining unit. |
| US08428610B2 |
Dynamic load balancing in a communication network
Methods and systems for providing a dynamic and real time load factor that can be shared with other network elements is disclosed. The load factor can be used in determining the relative load among a set of network elements and in distributing new sessions requests as well as existing session on the set of network elements. The load factor can also be used for determining to which network element a user equipment is handed off. The dynamic load factor can also be shared amongst network elements to determine how the load is balanced among the network elements, such as a mobility management entity (MME). |
| US08428609B2 |
System and method for managing communications in cells within a cellular communication system
A system and method for managing communication in a cellular communication system are provided. The method includes measuring communication conditions within at least one communication cell of the communication system and estimating congestion within the at least one communication cell of the communication system based on the measured communication conditions. The method further includes adjusting communication links within the at least one communication cell based on the estimated congestion. |
| US08428608B2 |
Method and system for resource allocation in relay enhanced cellular systems
A method and system for allocating resources for a relay enhanced cellular communication system including a base station, one or more mobile stations and one or more relay stations, is provided. Resource allocation involves allocating subcarriers to one or more access communication links between mobile stations and their serving stations, to meet proportional data rate constraints for the access communication links while improving subcarrier spectrum utilization, and allocating subcarriers to one or more relay communication links between the base station and relay stations to meet proportional data rate constraints for the relay communication links while improving subcarrier spectrum utilization. Further, communication periods are scheduled for access links in access zones and relay links in relay zones. Balancing of communication resources allocated to the access links and relay links may be performed by balancing both subcarrier allocation and scheduling periods. |
| US08428605B2 |
Adaptive broadband platforms and methods of operation
A subscriber platform for broadband communication, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an antenna, a plurality of transceivers, and a processor. The antenna supports communication via a plurality of directional beams. The plurality of frequency agile transceivers operate simultaneously, each transceiver being coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam. The processor is coupled to the plurality of transceivers. And, the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor, communication including directional diversity and frequency diversity. |
| US08428604B2 |
Content-based notification and user-transparent pull operation for simulated push transmission of wireless email
Exemplary system, method, software and apparatus embodiments provide for creating a content-based notification for a mobile device, as a simulated push operation, for devices which do not have push capability. The system comprises a database, a server, and may also include a second web server for user account configuration. The database is adapted to store user account configuration and preference information. The server is adapted to receive a first message having a first protocol, such as SMTP, and to determine whether the content-based notification for the first message should be provided. When the content-based notification is to be provided, the server is adapted to extract a subset of information from the first message, and using the subset of information, to create a second message having a second, different protocol, such as SMS. The second message is transferred to a wireless network for transmission to the mobile device, with the second message providing the content-based notification of the first message. The information extracted from the first message enables a user to determine whether they want to download the complete message, as a user-transparent pull operation, and typically includes the from, to, size, date, subject fields, and a portion of the body of the first message, up to the remaining capacity of the second message. |
| US08428603B2 |
Paging method in area where macro ASN and femto ASN are linked in mobile network, and system therefor
A system and method for performing paging in an area where a macro Base Station (BS) and a femto Access Services Network (ASN) are linked in a mobile network are provided. The method includes, during handover of a Mobile Station (MS) between a macro ASN and a femto ASN, a first gateway of a current ASN acquires paging group information of a previous ASN. Upon request for paging from the MS in the current ASN, the first gateway requests a BS of the previous ASN to transmit paging information to the MS based on the paging group information of the previous ASN. By doing so, paging success rate may be improved for an MS in coverage of a macro ASN linked to a femto BS, and the high paging success rate may be guaranteed regardless of whether the handover scheme is a controlled handover scheme or an uncontrolled handover scheme. |
| US08428602B2 |
Methods for enhancing performance of open-access and closed-access femtocells
In a system including one or more femtocells within a service area of a macrocell, a method includes: (a) receiving from a base station of each femtocell information regarding available resources at the femtocell; (b) measuring an signal-interference-to-noise ratio (SINR) at a mobile station relative to the macrocell and each femtocell; and (c) selecting for the mobile station one of the femtocells for a hand-off, wherein the femtostation is selected based on the combined capacity of the macrocell and the femtocells after the hand-off. When a hand-off to a femtocell is not allowed, a method for determining whether or not a spectral resource of the macrocell is reused includes (a) receiving from a base station of the macrocell a first set of spectrum-sensing data, the first set of spectrum-sensing data comprising spectrum-sensing data of mobile station of the macrocell; (b) receiving from one or more mobile stations associated with the femtocells a second said of spectrum-sensing data; and (c) based on the first set of the spectrum-sensing data and the second set of spectrum-sensing data, determining whether or not to reuse in a femtocell a portion of a spectrum used by the macrocell. The determining step may be carried out at a base station of a femtocell, and the method further requires sensing a spectrum at the base station of the femtocell to obtain a third set of spectrum-sensing data, which is also used in determining whether or not to reuse the portion of the spectrum used by the macrocell. |
| US08428593B2 |
Method and apparatus for soft handoff between base stations using different frame formats
A method of enabling soft handoff between base stations using different signaling frame formats allows soft handoff from an origination base station supporting a lower Protocol Data Unit revision format to an alternative base station supporting a higher Protocol Data Unit revision format, as well as soft handoff between an origination base station supporting a higher Protocol Data Unit revision format to an alternative base station supporting a lower Protocol Data Unit revision format. The base station using the higher Protocol Data Unit revision format downgrades to the lower Protocol Data Unit revision format for the duration of soft handoff. As all base stations use the same Protocol Data Unit revision format during soft handoff, the signals from all of the receive paths can be combined by a mobile station. |
| US08428587B2 |
Mobile communication system, position registration method, terminal, and home agent
A mobile communication system provided with a home address holding function unit storing one home address, as a representative home address, from among a plurality of home addresses and the rest as subordinate home addresses, a position registration request function unit creating a representative address set and subordinate address sets with the representative home address and subordinate home addresses, acquired from the holding function unit, and a corresponding representative care-of address and subordinate care-of addresses and further sending a position registration request by only the representative address set, and a position registration function unit receiving the representative home address and subordinate home addresses acquired from the holding function unit, creating subordinate address sets from the representative address set relating to the position registration request, and registering the position of the representative address set simultaneously with the registration of the positions of the subordinate address sets. |
| US08428580B1 |
Aviation cellular communications system and method
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node. Power is controlled by taking into consideration the position of the mobile node, the ground position of a plurality of fixed nodes, and the RF pattern of an antenna. Preferably, a power level is selected that will excite the fewest number of the plurality of fixed nodes while still maintaining a stable connection with at least one of the fixed nodes. The system may also utilize a repeater to receive communication signals from one or more mobile phones. This repeater then pre-amplifies the signal with a gain control signal received from one of the plurality of fixed nodes. The repeater would then pass the pre-amplified signal to the power amplifier for further amplification as controlled by the power controller. |
| US08428578B2 |
System and method for enabling call originations using SMS and hotline capabilities
A method for handling call originations is provided. The method includes sending origination information from a mobile device to an application server in an enterprise network using Short Message Service (SMS) and determining whether a hotline feature is present in a subscriber profile associated with the mobile device. Data is then routed from the mobile device to a predetermined destination based on the hotline feature. |
| US08428572B2 |
Information processing apparatus
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of multimedia functions are installed and which is capable of wireless communication a counterpart apparatus, including: a setting unit configured to start up a multimedia function from the plurality of multimedia functions in accordance with a remote-control command sent from the counterpart apparatus; and a control unit configured to control a startup of the multimedia function in accordance with a startup made by the setting unit if the control unit receives the remote-control command. |
| US08428571B2 |
Uninterrupted usage and access of physically unreachable handheld device
Techniques for uninterrupted usage and access to physically unreachable handheld devices are provided. A physically unreachable handheld device includes an automated agent that is configured to authenticate a message received without manual intervention and to forward information from the handheld device to another remote and different handheld device. |
| US08428570B2 |
Service provider activation
Systems and methods for activating a mobile device for use with a service provider are described. In one exemplary method, a mobile device having a currently inserted SIM card may be prepared for activation using a signing process in which an activation server generates a signed activation ticket that uniquely corresponds to the combination of the device and SIM card, and that is securely stored on the mobile device. In another exemplary method the mobile device may be activated in an activation process in which the device verifies an activation ticket against information specific to the device and SIM card, and initiates activation when the verification of the activation ticket is successful. |
| US08428565B2 |
Managing web services data and presence data
Interfacing a wireless device with web services is described, including social networking web services. For example, a system for interfacing a wireless device with a plurality of web services comprises a web service proxy having an API to allow other modules to interface with the web service proxy; a plurality of web services adapters interfaced with the web services proxy through the API, each one of the web services adapters to communicate with a particular web service using the specific communication formats for the web service; where the web services adapters and the web services proxy convert between the communication formats employed to communicate with each of the web services and a wireless communication format, the wireless communication format being a different format than the communication formats for each of the web services, thereby enabling bi-directional communication between the wireless device and the plurality of web services. |
| US08428562B2 |
Systems and methods for retrieving voicemail account information
A provisioning system configured to retrieve a voicemail password and/or a pilot number for a voicemail account, create a first service request directed to an over-the-air system, and send the first service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has been initialized. The first service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a first message including the voicemail password and/or the pilot number for delivery to a mobile device. The provisioning system is further configured to create a second service request directed to the over-the-air system and send the second service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has not been initialized. The second service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a second message including a default voicemail password and/or a default pilot number for delivery to the mobile device. |
| US08428558B2 |
System and method for routing in a wireless mesh network
A system and method for routing in a wireless mesh network providing a first device, which includes a first device transceiver, a first device memory unit that includes a first device first queue, a first device second queue and a first device table of neighboring devices, and a first device central processing unit. Such a system also includes a second device that includes a second device transceiver, a second device memory unit that includes a second device first queue, a second device second queue and a second device table of neighboring devices, and a second device central processing unit. |
| US08428552B1 |
System and method of wireless communication device provisioning for prepaid service
A system is provided comprising processor, memory, and a provisioning application that receives a first message from a rating engine, the first message providing a first rating of a prepaid subscription account associated with a portable electronic device. The system also configures a first setting to a first index wherein the first setting is based on the first rating and wherein the first setting is associated with the device receiving access to services without further contact with the rating engine. The system also receives a second message from the rating engine, the second message providing a second rating of the account. The system also configures a second setting to the first index based on the second rating wherein the second setting replaces the first setting and the second setting is associated with contacting the rating engine before receiving access to services. |
| US08428546B2 |
Baseband signal processing technique
A baseband processing technique is described that permits to process in an analog signal domain a complex-valued baseband signal to laterally remove interference components resulting, for example, from in-band blocking signals. In an exemplary device implementation, the baseband processing device is configured to receive a baseband signal having a designated signal bandwidth defined by two opposite band edges, wherein a first frequency shift in a first direction toward a first band edge is impressed on the baseband signal. The device comprises a first filter stage adapted to filter the baseband signal exhibiting the first frequency shift to remove interference components behind the first band edge, a frequency shifter stage adapted to shift the filtered baseband signal by a second frequency shift in a second direction opposite the first direction towards a second band edge, and a second filter stage adapted to filter the baseband signal exhibiting the second frequency shift to remove interference components behind the second band edge. |
| US08428535B1 |
Receiver dynamic power management
A controller in a receiver monitors RSSI and AGC gain levels to determine signal conditions and adjust filter performance accordingly to optimize power consumption while providing acceptable signal quality. When RSSI level is high and AGC gain is low, a strong signal-of-interest is present. In this case, adaptive filter bias currents may be reduced raise the noise floor and degrade intermodulation to reduce power consumption because the strong signal-of-interest can tolerate the higher noise and distortion. When the RSSI level is low and AGC gain is high, a weak signal is present a low noise mode may be effected by increasing bias current to filters used to lower the noise floor, but intermodulation effects may still be tolerated so those filters may be cut back. Other cases are supported. RSSI and AGC gain level thresholds may be dynamically altered based on relative RSSI and AGC levels. |
| US08428534B1 |
Accuracy power detection unit
Techniques are disclosed relating to radio frequency (RF) power detection. In one embodiment, a power detection unit is disclosed that includes a multiplier circuit configured to receive a first voltage of a voltage differential signal at gates of a first transistor pair and a second voltage of the voltage differential signal at gates of a second transistor pair. The first multiplier is configured to output a current that varies proportionally to a square of a voltage difference between the first and second voltages. In some embodiments, sources of the first transistor pair are coupled to sources of the second transistor pair, and the sources of the second transistor pair are coupled together. In some embodiments, the power detection unit is configured to compensate for mismatched transistors by applying offset voltages to bodies of transistors in the first and second transistor pairs. |
| US08428533B2 |
Techniques for optimizing gain or noise figure of an RF receiver
Techniques for optimizing gain or noise figure of an RF receiver are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment a controller controls a capacitor bank between an LNA and a mixer of the RF front end of the receiver. For a given center frequency a first set of capacitors is switched to the mixer and a second set of capacitors is switched to ground. The ratio of capacitance of the second set to the first set of capacitors affects either gain of the RF FE or noise figure of the receiver. Therefore, the RF FE of the receiver may be controlled in such a way as to optimize for either RF FE gain or for receiver noise figure. |
| US08428530B1 |
Increasing the robustness of channel estimates derived through sounding for WLAN
A plurality of training signal sets are transmitted. Each training signal set includes information sufficient to determine a channel estimate corresponding to a communication channel from a first station to a second station. A refined channel estimate is determined based on reception of the plurality of training signal sets. |
| US08428527B2 |
RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including direct cartesian 2-branch embodiments
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion. |
| US08428524B2 |
Adaptive transmission and receiving method and device in wireless communication system with multiple antennas
Disclosed is an adaptive transmit and receive method and device in a multiple-antenna wireless communication system. A transmit mode comprises different main transmit modes each of which includes one or both of a sub-transmit mode based on STBC and a sub-transmit mode based on SM. A receiver calculates an STBC performance parameter and a SM performance parameter, and a transmitter uses the parameters to determine a main transmit mode with maximum data rates and select a sub-transmit mode for minimizing power consumption. The transmitter channel-encodes, modulates and antenna-maps input data according to the selected transmit mode, and outputs results to the receiver. The receiver antenna/symbol-demodulates and channel-decodes the received data. |
| US08428521B2 |
Control for uplink in MIMO communication system
In a wireless communication network that performs Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication, uplink power control signals are provided to a user equipment (UE) via a base station signaled power allocation scheme responsive to a determination of whether or not the uplink transmission is in a interference limited condition relative to a neighboring cell. |
| US08428519B2 |
Inter-carrier interference management in dedicated channel femtocell networks
In one embodiment, a method of mitigating uplink inter-carrier interference (ICI) from macrocell mobile stations at a dedicated channel femtocell base station is provided that includes: determining a timing offset for a femtocell uplink symbol timing that reduces the ICI based upon an expected spatial distribution for the macrocell mobile stations with respect to the femtocell base station; communicating the timing offset to at least one femtocell mobile station; and at the femtocell base station, receiving an uplink symbol transmission from the at least one femtocell mobile station according to the timing offset. |
| US08428515B1 |
RFID tags having a rectifier circuit including a dual-terminal rectifier device
Apparatus and method for generating a rectified output signal in a RFID tag from first and second alternating signals. A dual-terminal rectifier device has first and second input terminals to which the first and second alternating signals are applied, and further has a gate configured to form a conductive channel to electrically couple the first and second input terminals to the output terminal in response to a gate voltage. The dual-terminal rectifier device is configured to rectify a combination of the alternating input signals applied to the input terminals of the semiconductor device to generate a rectified output signal at an output terminal. |
| US08428511B1 |
System and method for a high available and survivable communication system
A network architecture for underground communication using redundant interconnected communication systems utilizes an aboveground master control station to send a status request message to a belowground gateway. The gateway may then, in turn, broadcast a status request message to a plurality of communication hubs located throughout an underground region using each of a plurality of potentially available communication systems. In the event that one of the communication hubs fails to respond over the then-current communication system, the master control station may switch the current communication system being used to a truly available system. |
| US08428508B2 |
Sweeping mode of jamming system
A system includes a generator and at least one device. The generator includes a waveform oscillator and a blanking pulse generator. Each device includes a transmit antenna, a receive antenna, an antenna unit, a mixer and a detector. The antenna unit includes a receiver coupled to the receive antenna, an amplifier coupled to the receiver and a transmitter coupled to the transmit antenna and the blanking pulse generator. The mixer has inputs coupled to the amplifier and the waveform oscillator. The detector is coupled to the mixer. |
| US08428506B2 |
Assist mechanism and image forming apparatus
An assist mechanism aids movement of a retractable unit reciprocally moving between an open and a closed position and includes a pressing device, a stopper mechanism, an engagement member, a catch portion, and a release member. The pressing device presses the retractable unit toward the open position in which the unit is extended. The stopper mechanism controls and releases retraction of the retractable unit to the closed position in which the unit is retracted, and includes a stopper and a blocking member. The engagement member is provided in the retractable unit. The catch portion engages the engagement member. The release member releases a force pulling the retractable unit when the retractable unit is moved to the closed position. |
| US08428505B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A controller controls transportation of the recording medium such that a first distance between a trailing edge of an image area of a preceding page of the two successive pages and a leading edge of an image area of a following page is equal to or longer than a second distance between the nip at a most upstream one of the image forming sections and the nip at a most downstream one of the image forming sections. Control may also be performed such that a first distance between a trailing edge of a preceding page of the two successive pages and a leading edge of a following page is equal to or longer than a second distance between the nip at a most upstream one of the plurality of image forming sections and the nip at a most downstream one of the plurality of image forming sections. |
| US08428504B2 |
Medium clamping device and image forming device
A medium clamping device includes: a first circularly-moving body having a circumferential surface harder than a recording medium, a longer length in a direction orthogonal to a circularly-moving direction than the recording medium in a first direction; a second circularly-moving body where the recording medium passes between the surfaces of the two circularly-moving bodies in a second direction crossing the first direction; a load applying section applying a load to at least one of the two circularly-moving bodies to clamp the recording medium; a belt member surrounding the surface of at least one of the two circularly-moving bodies, at a place outside an area touching the recording medium when the recording medium passes; and a belt-member-protecting member which is aligned with the belt member in a recording-medium-passing direction, includes a portion closer to a recording-medium-passing path than the belt member to protect the belt member from contacting the recording medium. |
| US08428501B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
In a fixing device, a nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by a fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. A pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The heat conduction member faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to guide the fixing member sliding over the heat conduction member and to transmit heat to the fixing member. The heat conduction member includes a plurality of convex portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the heat conduction member and contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member. |
| US08428498B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member, a contact member, and a heater. The fixing member is provided in a width direction of a recording medium and to heat and fuse a toner image on the recording medium. The pressure member is to press against the fixing member. The contact member is provided inside the fixing member and to contact the pressure member through the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressure member and the fixing member. The heater includes a heating element and is to heat the contact member. The heating element of the heater is a mold member of a relatively thin plate extending in a width direction of the fixing member and includes a flat surface that faces the contact member. An image forming apparatus for forming an image includes the fixing device. |
| US08428496B2 |
Wet type developing apparatus
A wet type developing apparatus in which liquid developer is fed onto a developing roller from a liquid developer supply roller immersed in the developing liquid within a liquid developer tank and an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor drum and developed into a toner image by the developing roller is improved to enable the liquid developer to be fed an appropriate amount of feed from the liquid developer supply roller onto the developing roller without residual air in the surface region of the liquid developer supply roller, where a partition plate is disposed generally under the liquid developer supply roller within the liquid developer tank for partitioning the liquid developer tank in the rotational direction of the liquid developer supply roller, the partition plate having its upper end juxtaposed with a peripheral surface of the liquid developer supply roller over its total axial length across a gap spacing. |
| US08428489B2 |
Image forming apparatus component positioning mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a latent-image forming device; a developing device; a latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism; and a developing device contacting/separating mechanism, and the latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism allows the latent-image forming device to be movable to the latent-image forming device contacting position in a state where the developing device is moved to the developing device contacting position. |
| US08428481B2 |
Long life cleaning system with reduced stress for start of cleaning blade operation
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to manage the contact of a cleaning blade and a moving surface to increase the useful life of the blade. For example, a cleaning apparatus for a photoreceptor surface comprises a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, a cleaning blade that is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from the photoreceptor surface, and which cleans excess toner from the photoreceptor surface. The apparatus further comprises a sensor that senses the start and the end of an operational procedure, and an actuator that rotates the blade holder about the pivot point to selectively advance or retract the blade during the start-up procedure and the shut-down procedure. After the cleaning surface has begun to move or reached operating speed, blade contact is increased to bring the blade load up to operational level. By making this change to the conventional static cleaning blade, the peak stress at start-up and shut-down is much reduced and cleaning blade life and reliability are much improved. |
| US08428480B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus incorporating same, and method of dimensioning fixing device
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a temperature detector, and a heater. The pressing member contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The heater heats the fixing member to a predetermined temperature based on a detection result provided by the temperature detector. A circumferential distance A between the temperature detector and the heater along a circumference of the fixing member is defined by the following formula: A≧v×(T1+T2) where v is a circumferential velocity of the fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation, T1 is a response time of the temperature detector, and T2 is a response time of the heater. |
| US08428479B2 |
Imaging device and image forming apparatus
An imaging device includes an image carrying member; a developing unit for forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image that has been formed on the image carrying member in a charged state; a cleaning unit for cleaning a toner that remains on the image carrying member after the toner image has been transferred from the image carrying member onto a transfer material; a lubricant applying unit for applying a lubricant on the image carrying member; and a control unit for performing drive control of the image carrying member, the developing unit, the cleaning unit, and the lubricant applying unit. Before the imaging device starts an imaging operation, the control unit controls the image carrying member, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit to perform respective operations; while controls the lubricant applying unit to repeat performing and suspending the operation in an intermittent manner. |
| US08428473B2 |
Stable millimeter wave source for broadband wireless signal transmission using optical fibre
An apparatus and method for generating a millimeter-wave carrier signal for optical data transmission is disclosed. The apparatus includes stimulated Brillouin scattering source (101) that generates a variable stoke line multi-wavelength optical signal, optical amplifiers (102, 108), an optical splitter (103) that splits the amplified output of the SBS source (101) into two identical optical signals of the same magnitude, frequency, phase and electromagnetic mode, identical optical tuneable band-pass filters (104, 105) with the same band-pass, an optical coupler (107) that combines the optical signals emitted from the output of the optical filters (104, 105) such that the output of the coupler (107) is a dual wavelength optical signal with a wavelength separation equivalent to the desired millimeter wave frequency, a photo-detector (109) that converts the optical signal to an electrical signal by heterodyning process, and a controller circuit (106) that controls the gain of the optical amplifiers (102, 108), the tuning of the optical band-pass filters (104, 105) independently and the number of stoke lines produced by the stimulated Brillouin scattering source (101) depending on the electrical millimeter wave output. |
| US08428471B2 |
Optical access system for dual service network
The present invention relates to an optical access system for dual service network, which mainly comprises an optical modulation device which is used to receive on-off keying (OOK) signal from cable network and radio frequency (RF) signal from wireless network, the optical modulation device then modulates the OOK signal and the RF signal to an optical signal and send out an output optical signal. Lastly, the output optical signal is being delivered to an optical receiving device through an optical fiber transmission channel, and the optical receiving device can access the OOK signal and RF signal from the output optical signal. In addition, the present invention does not require remote nodes (receiver side) to use any optical filter to discern on-off keying signal from cable network and RF signal from wireless network. The present invention can also apply to the field of wavelength-division multiplexing system. |
| US08428470B2 |
Waveform shaping apparatus, optical transmission system, and waveform shaping method
A waveform shaping apparatus includes a quantum dot optical amplifier in which an amplification factor of input signal beams saturates if the optical power of the signal beams is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; and a quantum dot saturable absorber in which an absorption factor of the input signal beams saturates if the optical power of the signal beams is under a predetermined value. The quantum dot optical amplifier and the quantum dot saturable absorber are connected in series with a transmission path of the signal beams, and shape the waveform of the signal beams. Voltages applied to the quantum dot optical amplifier and the quantum dot saturable absorber, respectively, are adjusted based on the optical power of the signal beams. |
| US08428469B2 |
Visible light communication method and apparatus
A method and an apparatus are provided for guaranteeing terminal mobility in a time division visible light communication system. In resource assignment in a position where the visible light communication terminal changes a cell, the terminal is assigned a resource to be used in a next cell in a cell boundary area from a communication coordinator, thereby guaranteeing the continuous mobility. The visible light communication system informs the terminal of cell boundary notice information for easily informing the terminal of the cell definition so that the terminal can recognize that the terminal is currently located in the cell boundary and is necessary to change the resource. |
| US08428462B2 |
Self-healing repeater node
A device may include a component, a first switch, a repeater, and a second switch. The component may configure optical paths between ports. The component may comprise a first pair of optical ports connected to a first pair of optical fibers, and a second pair of optical ports connected to a second pair of optical fibers. The first switch may be configured to output one of two optical signals received by the first pair of optical ports from the first pair of optical fibers. The repeater may reshape or amplify the outputted optical signal. The second switch may be configured to direct the reshaped or amplified signal to one of the second pair of optical ports. |
| US08428458B2 |
Multi-chassis router with multiplexed optical interconnects
A multi-chassis network device includes a plurality of nodes that operate as a single device within the network and a switch fabric that forwards data plane packets between the plurality of nodes. The switch fabric includes a set of multiplexed optical interconnects coupling the nodes. For example, a multi-chassis router includes a plurality of routing nodes that operate as a single router within a network and a switch fabric that forwards packets between the plurality of routing nodes. The switch fabric includes at least one multiplexed optical interconnect coupling the routing nodes. The nodes of the multi-chassis router may direct portions of the optical signal over the multiplexed optical interconnect to different each other using wave-division multiplexing. |
| US08428448B2 |
Walking beam type heat treatment apparatus
A walking beam type heat treatment apparatus including a heating furnace having a heating body to heat a substrate by radiation, a pair of first beams that are rod-like and provided in the heating furnace and a second beam disposed between the pair of the first beams, one of the pair of the first beams and the second beam relatively moving alternately in longitudinal and vertical directions repeatedly to the other of the pair of the first beams and the second beam, to cause to deliver and receive the substrate between the pair of the first beams and the second beam, and accordingly, to convey the substrate through the heating furnace, includes a side edge support protrusion that protrudes from each of the pair of the first beams such that the side edge support protrusion can horizontally support the substrate in abutting contact with a side edge of the substrate; and a front edge support protrusion and a rear edge support protrusion that protrude from the second beam such that the front edge support protrusion and the rear edge support protrusion can horizontally support the substrate in abutting contact with a front edge and a rear edge of the substrate. |
| US08428447B2 |
Flash vapor generator and assembly comprising a flash vapor generator
A device is disclosed for generating a decontamination agent vapor, in particular hydrogen peroxide vapor. The device includes an evaporator body, a heating unit for heating the evaporator body, and a plurality of feed channels for feeding decontamination liquid to the evaporator body. The decontamination liquid is evaporated by the evaporator body. In one embodiment, the liquid contains hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, a plurality of blind holes are provided in a single- or multi-part evaporator body, and at least one of the feed channels is assigned to the blind holes. |
| US08428446B1 |
Snow and ice melting device
The snow and ice melting device consists of a power generator contained within a housing, which includes wheels and a handle to make mobile. A heater deck is suspended above the ground in front of the housing, and includes a heating element and a blower, which directs heated air towards the ground in order to melt snow or ice. The heater deck is connected to the housing by a pivoting arm and a winch cable that enables the heater deck to hover above the ground or to fold vertically next to the housing when not in use. |
| US08428440B2 |
Information recording apparatus and method for the same
Entry points are managed so they are easy for users to understand. The data recording apparatus has a receiver unit that receives a stream of encoded digital data; an analyzer that detects change in an attribute of the received stream and that outputs the detection information; a controller that generates management information containing the detection information output by the analyzer and time information indicating detection time of the change as a first entry point; a drive that records the management information and the received stream to a data storage medium; and an input unit that defines a second entry point. This second entry point is set relative to the playback path of the stream and is used to access and read from a particular point in the stream. The controller further generates the management information containing the first entry point and the second entry point separately identified. |
| US08428439B2 |
Broadcast program recording/reproducing device and broadcast program recording/reproducing method
A broadcast program recording/reproducing device is provided that is capable of continuously reproducing a program recorded so as to be distributed between a plurality of devices. A reception level detection unit (105) detects the reception level of the received broadcast electric wave. When the reception level is equal to or lower than a predetermined reception level, a recording request transmission unit (106) generates a recording start request packet, and transmits it to a server (20). A management information write unit (107) writes management information into a terminal storage unit (104). A continuous reproduction control unit (108) determines whether the program is recorded so as to be distributed between storing means and an external device based on the management information. When the program is recorded so as to be distributed, the continuous reproduction control unit (108) obtains an appropriate part of the program from the terminal storage unit (104) and a server (20) based on the management information and continuously reproduces it, and when the program is not recorded so as to be distributed, the continuous reproduction control unit (108) obtains the program from the terminal storage unit (104) and reproduces it. |
| US08428434B2 |
Video reproducing apparatus, video display system and record medium
Provided herein are: a data acquiring unit which acquires a plurality of angle video data equal or less than the angle video data and relative display position information from a recording unit which records the plurality of angle video data corresponding to the plurality of angle videos taken at a plurality of taking angles different from one another in which a taken object is taken and records the relative display position information indicating a relative display position of each angle video in consideration of each taking angle; a video signal output unit which outputs a plurality of angle video signals corresponding to the plurality of angle videos to display units based on the plurality of angle video data; and an arrangement determining unit which determines a display position arrangement of the plurality of angle videos based on the relative display position information. |
| US08428433B2 |
Storage medium storing multimedia data for reproduction of AV data and programming function, and reproducing apparatus and method thereof
A storage medium storing multimedia data for the reproduction of audio-visual (AV) data and a programming function, and a reproducing apparatus and method thereof. The storage medium includes: reproduction mode data for reproducing audio-visual (AV) data; program data including a plurality of program applications for providing interactive functions with a user and/or additional functions using the AV data; system data for controlling the execution of the reproduction mode data and the program data; and application objects for managing the execution of the program data and information on the reproduction mode data to be reproduced along with the execution of the program data. Accordingly, various user interfaces and/or various additional functions can be provided, as well as simple reproduction of AV data. Also the program application can be prevented from using malicious intent, and program applications having the same function can be reused without modification or recompilation. |
| US08428430B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and program
An image processing system for simultaneously displaying one or more images includes an obtaining unit, a playback unit, and a display control unit. The obtaining unit obtains an information presentation level specified by a viewer. The playback unit plays, at a predetermined playback speed, the one or more images recorded on a predetermined recording medium. The display control unit changes, in according with the information presentation level, an amount of information of the one or more images to be displayed on a predetermined display unit. |
| US08428417B1 |
Modular solar collector system and method
A modular solar collector system (MSCS) and modular solar collector method (MSCM) utilizing one or more solar/optical radiation waveguides (SOWs) having radiation input, radiation output, and radiation injection ports is disclosed. The MSCS permits individual SOWs to be cascaded in a modular fashion to permit collection and transmission of incident solar radiation in combination with radiation received from adjacent SOWs. The collection/summation nature of the SOWs may be utilized in vector and/or array configurations to permit collection and transmission of arbitrary areas of incident solar radiation to a focal point, vector, and/or area for the purposes of utilizing the collected radiation for a variety of purposes. The SOWs may optimally incorporate optically reflective areas on surfaces not comprising the radiation input, radiation output, and radiation injection ports to maximize the overall collection and transmission of radiation from the radiation input and radiation injection ports to the radiation output port. |
| US08428416B2 |
Device and method for transmitting light signals
A device for transmitting light signals includes two electrode plates, a spacing structure, a cladding fluid, and a core fluid. The spacing structure, the cladding and core fluids are disposed between the electrode plates. The refractive index of the core fluid is higher than that of the cladding fluid. The core fluid is located on an electrode of one of the electrode plates, and its shape corresponds to the shape of that electrode. The shape and position is changeable and programmable by the electrodes of one of the electrode plates. The core fluid is further surrounded by the cladding fluid, forming an optical waveguide. Via these arrangements, the interface between the core and cladding fluids is much smoother than that between a fluid and a solid, so that the light signals are less likely to scatter while transmitted, in the core fluid. Therefore, the attenuation and reduction of the intensity of the light signals can be decreased. A method for transmitting light signals is also provided. |
| US08428415B2 |
Bend insensitive optical fibers with low refractive index glass rings
An optical fiber includes a silica-based glass portion having an outer diameter of less than about 120 μm. The glass portion comprises a core, an inner cladding and a low index ring. The core comprises an index of refraction n1, and a relative refractive index percent Δ1% relative to pure silica glass. The inner cladding surrounds the core and comprises an index of refraction n2, a radial thickness of less than about 40 μm and a relative refractive index percent Δ2% relative to pure silica glass, wherein Δ1%>Δ2% and the difference between Δ1% and Δ2% is greater than 0.1%. The low index ring surrounds the inner cladding and comprises boron and fluorine, a radial thickness of less than about 20 μm, an index of refraction n3 and a third relative refractive index percent Δ3% relative to pure silica glass, wherein Δ2%>Δ3% and Δ3% is less than −0.5%. |
| US08428413B2 |
Stretcher fiber and module
A stretcher fiber has a core region, inner trench region, ring region, outer trench region, and outer cladding region. The fiber regions are structured to provide the stretcher fiber with a relationship between dispersion and wavelength, such that the second and third derivatives of the stretcher fiber's propagation constant with respect to angular frequency have a shape and wavelength range matching those of a selected compressor module. |
| US08428412B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber includes a cladding with a material having a first refractive index and a pattern of regions formed therein. Each of the regions has a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index. The optical fiber further includes a core region and a core ring having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and a thickness between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter. The thickness is sized to reduce the number of ring surface modes supported by the core ring. |
| US08428408B2 |
Optical pulse reshaping device, optical pulse light source, super-continuum light generator and method for super-continuum light generation
Regarding an optical pulse reshaping device of CPF type, there are subjects to reduce the number of stages by enhancing a compression efficiency as extremely higher for one stage of the CPF with maintaining a quality of an output pulse as high, and to be able to improve a degree of multiplexing by obtaining an output pulse having a Gaussian function for both of a time waveform therefor and a frequency waveform therefor. By using a normal dispersion HNLF in place of a zero dispersion HNLF, which configures the conventional CPF, it becomes able to overcome the above mentioned subjects. Moreover, it becomes able to reduce the number of fusion splice for a fiber, and to reduce a propagation loss of the CPF, by enhancing the compression efficiency as higher. |
| US08428406B2 |
Armor for a fiber optic assembly
Armor, configured for use with a fiber optic assembly, includes a dielectric tube having an armor profile and a length, where the dielectric tube has at least one layer formed from a rigid material. The armor profile is undulating along the length, and the armor profile has a band thickness and a web thickness. The band thickness is between about 0.5 millimeters and about five millimeters. The web thickness is less than the band thickness, and the web thickness is greater than or equal to 0.1 times the band thickness. |
| US08428403B2 |
Optical sensor module
An optical sensor module is provided which reduces variations in optical coupling loss between a core in an optical waveguide unit and an optical element in a substrate unit and which reduces the optical coupling loss. The optical waveguide unit including vertical groove portions for fitting engagement with the substrate unit and the substrate unit including fitting plate portions for fitting engagement with the vertical groove portions are produced individually. The fitting plate portions in the substrate unit are brought into fitting engagement with the vertical groove portions in the optical waveguide unit, so that the substrate unit and the optical waveguide unit are integrated together. The vertical groove portions in the optical waveguide unit are in an appropriate position relative to a light-transmissive surface of the core. The fitting plate portions in the substrate unit are in an appropriate position relative to the optical element. |
| US08428402B2 |
Optical transmission module, electronic device, and method for manufacturing optical transmission module
This invention provides an optical transmission module that is of low cost and that can be mounted even in a narrow space. An optical transmission module of the present invention includes a light reception processing section for converting an optical signal transmitted by an optical wiring to an electric signal, a reception side substrate part including an electric wiring for transmitting the electric signal, and a reception side connector section for providing the electric signal to the light reception processing section and the reception side substrate part. The light reception processing section and the reception side connector section are mounted on a same substrate surface of the reception side substrate part, and the reception side substrate part includes a bending portion bent so that the substrate surfaces oppose each other at the back in the normal direction. |
| US08428396B2 |
Image interpolation method and apparatus, and method for obtaining interpolation coefficients
An image interpolation method includes: obtaining pixel values of integer pixel points and/or sub-pixel points in the row, column or any other directions of pixel points; obtaining pre-calculated interpolation coefficients, and interpolating the pixel points. A method for obtaining image interpolation coefficients includes: solving a one-dimensional Wiener-Hopf equation to obtain needed interpolation coefficients in different directions. An image interpolation apparatus performs interpolation filter processing on pixel points by using a first obtaining module, a second obtaining module, and a first calculating module. With the image interpolation method and apparatus, and the method for obtaining interpolation coefficients, the interpolation filter accuracy of the pixel points may be improved, the search accuracy of pixel points may be improved, and thus a more accurate matching block may be obtained in a reference image. |
| US08428395B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image display apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method and storage medium
With the use of a vector quantization technique, an index image, which is obtained by replacing an image on a block-by-block basis, each block consisting of a predetermined number of pixels, with any of a plurality of different pixel patterns and representing the pixel patterns by index values of the respective pixel patterns, is decoded by referring to a code book containing the pixel patterns and the index values of the pixel patterns in association with each other. When decoding an index image on the block-by-block basis into pixel patterns corresponding to the index values, the pixel pattern of each block is scaled, and additionally pixels near a contour in the pixel pattern after scaling are redrawn based on contour vector information corresponding to the pixel pattern. |
| US08428394B2 |
System and method for resolving spatial orientation using intelligent optical selectivity
The present invention provides a method and system for resolving complete free space orientation of an active receiving device at high speed using simple optics, trigonometry, simple circuitry, and using minimal processing power. The rapid triangulation of distance from the emitters, as well as resolution of rotational orientation, are determined by changing the contrast level in an infrared spectrum and by using wide angle lenses with greater than 180 degree hemispherical viewing angles. Furthermore, the system consists of an optional accelerometer, resident on the receiver, to dynamically adjust the image sensor frame rate. |
| US08428388B2 |
Image generating apparatus and method for emphasizing edge based on image characteristics
An image generating apparatus and method for emphasizing an edge, based on image characteristics by extracting an edge region from an input original image, and an edge gain indicating a degree for emphasizing the edge region and an edge threshold indicating a degree of complexity between pixels are calculated for each of a plurality of image regions of the original image. The extracted edge region is combined with the calculated edge gain. Thresholding is performed by adjusting the calculated edge threshold for the edge region combined with the edge gain, and the thresholding-applied edge region is combined with the original image to output a final image. By adaptively adjusting an edge gain and an edge threshold for a portion where an edge needs to be emphasized and the other portions in an image having multiple image characteristics, both edge emphasis and noise cancellation can be achieved together. |
| US08428387B2 |
Edge evaluation method, edge detection method, image correction method, and image processing system
An image processing system of this invention includes a variation calculator for calculating a variation in pixel value of each pixel relative to adjacent pixels, and an edge degree calculating device for calculating, for one arbitrary pixel, an edge degree which expresses numerically a probability of the one pixel being an edge, based on variations of a peripheral pixel group consisting of the one pixel and surrounding pixels. According to the image processing system constructed in this way, whether edges or not can be evaluated with high accuracy even when the pixels undergoing noise. |
| US08428385B2 |
Non-uniformity error correction with a bilateral filter
Correction of spatial nonuniformities among detectors in a focal plane array. Incoming image data is incident on the array, and the resulting image signals are corrected with a bilateral filter. The bilateral filter accounts for edge effects by filtering based both on spatial separation between image points and photometric separation between image points. |
| US08428384B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing an in-painting process on an image
A method and apparatus of in-painting an image using prioritized graph cut optimization is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes examining an image comprising a plurality of pixels that form a source region and a target region, wherein the source region comprises pixel information partitioning the source region into blocks, defining boundary areas comprising a portion of the source region and a portion of the target region, computing a plurality of energy values for the source region and the boundary areas, wherein energy values represent intensity comparisons between the boundary areas and neighboring blocks of the source region and assigning labels to the boundary areas using on a graph-cut technique, wherein each label is associated with a neighboring block and an minimal energy value for each boundary area and storing pixel information based on the pixel information of the neighboring blocks associated with the minimal energy values. |
| US08428382B2 |
Hair image display method and display apparatus
A hair image display method comprises the steps of: selecting a hair area from a hair image; performing an edge detection on the hair area to calculate an edge image; performing representation processing on the edge image to calculate a representative value image; calculating direction differences between the edge image and the representative value image; and rendering the direction differences of respective pixels in color or grayscale to display a direction difference image, or rendering the correlation lengths of respective pixels in an edge direction image in color or grayscale to display a bundle width image, or determining the curvatures of the respective pixels in the edge direction image to form a curvature image. This makes it possible to display directions straying from a flow, bundles of hairs in the same flow, and the state of curls in hair styling clearly, and to facilitate evaluations of the hair styling. |
| US08428379B2 |
Method for distributed source coding of wavelet coefficients in zerotrees
A method for encoding a source image, wherein the source image includes a set of bitplanes of pixels, is disclosed. For each bitplane in a most to least significant order, the method include obtaining a list of significant pixels (LSP), a list of insignificant pixels (LIP), and a list of insignificant sets (LIS) according to a hierarchical ordering of the source image pixels; synchronizing the LSP, LIP and LIS of the source image with the LSP, LIP and LIS of a key image; constructing a temporary list of insignificant sets (TLIS) for the source image; and applying syndrome encoding to the LSP, LIP, and TLIS of the source image to obtain syndromes corresponding to magnitudes and signs of pixels in the source image, wherein the steps are performed in a processor. |
| US08428377B2 |
Device and method of processing image data to be displayed on a display device
In an image data processing device, a selection unit receives a block of original image data of a current image, a block of compressed and reconstructed image data of the current image, and a block of compressed and reconstructed data of a previous image that precedes the current image. A comparison unit compares the block of compressed and reconstructed image data of the current image with the block of compressed and reconstructed data of the previous image. An output unit, in the event that the comparison of the comparison unit results in a match, outputs the block of original image data of the current image as first output data, and, in the event that the comparison of the comparison unit does not result in a match, outputs the block of compressed and reconstructed data of the previous image as the first output data. |
| US08428376B2 |
Predictive-transform source coding with subbands
A method, system, and apparatus are directed towards computing minimum mean squared error (MMSE) predictive-transform (PT) source coding integrated with subband compression to further improve the performance of low bit rate MMSE PT source coders. A desirable byproduct of the advanced scheme is that the incorporation of joint optimum prediction and transformation from subband to subband is ideally suited to its integration with JPEG2000 to yield even higher compression levels while producing an outstanding objective as well as subjective visual performance. |
| US08428375B2 |
System and method for data compression and decompression in a graphics processing system
Methods and systems for data compression and decompression in a graphics processing system are provided. For example, in at least one embodiment, a method comprises distributing the graphics data values of a pixel block about zero to minimize redundancy, and the pixel block includes a plurality of quadrants. The method further comprises determining whether to encode the distributed graphics data values, and responsive to a determination to encode the distributed graphics data values, encoding at least one graphics data value of one of the quadrants depending on an encoding indicator. The encoding includes determining an entropy parameter and dividing each positive data value by the entropy parameter yielding an entropy part and a noise part. |
| US08428374B2 |
Skip macroblock coding
Various techniques and tools for encoding and decoding (e.g., in a video encoder/decoder) binary information (e.g., skipped macroblock information) are described. In some embodiments, the binary information is arranged in a bit plane, and the bit plane is coded at the picture/frame layer. The encoder and decoder process the binary information and, in some embodiments, switch coding modes. For example, the encoder and decoder use normal, row-skip, column-skip, or differential modes, or other and/or additional modes. In some embodiments, the encoder and decoder define a skipped macroblock as a predicted macroblock whose motion is equal to its causally predicted motion and which has zero residual error. In some embodiments, the encoder and decoder use a raw coding mode to allow for low-latency applications. |
| US08428367B2 |
System and method for electronic document classification
A system and method for electronic document classification are provided. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: converting a candidate electronic document comprising character data to a candidate image; obtaining a representation of a degree of visual similarity of the candidate image to a reference image, the reference image having been obtained by identifying a reference electronic document containing character data representative of a specified classification; and converting the reference electronic document to a reference image. |
| US08428365B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes: an image transformation parameter calculation device which calculates an image transformation parameter for matching an acquired first image and a second image with each other among detected plurality of corresponding points; an image transformation device which transforms the second image using the calculated image transformation parameter and acquires the transformed image as a third image; and a feature point existing region determination device which determines whether or not the feature point extracted from the first image is positioned in an invalid image region at an edge of the image, the invalid image region being generated by execution of a predetermined filtering process on the first image, wherein the corresponding point detection device tracks the feature point determined that the feature point extracted from the first image is positioned in the invalid image region, using the first image and the third image. |
| US08428362B2 |
Scene matching reference data generation system and position measurement system
A scene matching reference data generation system inputs a set of probe data. The set of the probe data includes captured images sequentially obtained by a plurality of probe cars and the vehicle positions of the probe cars. The system temporarily stores the captured images, evaluates image similarity degrees of the captured images, and assigns the similarity degrees to the captured images. The system selects, as a plurality of processing target captured images, a plurality of the captured images having similarity degrees equal to or higher than a first predetermined degree, determines a representative image-capturing position that is a representative of the image-capturing positions of the plurality of the processing target captured images, generates image feature point data based on the plurality of the processing target captured images, and generates the reference data for scene matching by associating the image feature point data with the representative image-capturing position. |
| US08428357B2 |
Systems and methods for performance training
Systems and methods for movement and position training of a human body are provided. An image capture device such as a still camera or video camera captures an image or video of a human body in a selected position or sequence of positions relating to a movement. The position or movement may relate to a physical activity, such as running, jumping, throwing or swinging. The image is then presented to a user on a display, where the user may select one or more positions of the human body for analysis. Upon selecting a position, an angle of the position is determined and then compared to a desired angle determined through known biomechanical measurements. The difference between the two angles is calculated, and the user is then presented with feedback, such as a corrective action, to aid the user in reducing the difference between the measured angle and the desired angle. |
| US08428352B1 |
Post processing for improved generation of intrinsic images
An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, generating a material intrinsic image corresponding to the image and modifying the material intrinsic image by identifying artifacts by comparing derivatives for the material intrinsic image with derivatives for the image, modifying the derivatives for the material intrinsic image to conform the derivatives for the material intrinsic to the derivatives of the image and integrating the modified derivatives for the material intrinsic image to calculate a modified material intrinsic image. |
| US08428350B2 |
Color correction apparatus, method and computer program
The present invention relates to color correction of video signals from a plurality of cameras. The apparatus has a correction order that defines a plurality of camera pairs and an order of the camera pairs, where each camera pair specifies a reference camera and a target camera. In the correction order, each camera is treated as a target camera at least one time, and the reference camera is treated as the target camera in a previous camera pair except for the first camera pair. The apparatus corrects a value of each pixel in a target image captured by the target camera based on a reference image captured by the reference camera, and replaces the target image by the corrected target image, for each camera pair in accordance with the order of the camera pairs. |
| US08428345B2 |
Meta-classifier system for video analytics
A system for meta-classification having a training phase mechanism and an operational phase mechanism. The training phase mechanism may have a detection and tracking module, a classifier section connected to the detection and tracking module, a feature synthesis module connected to the classifier section, a labeling module connected to the feature synthesis module and a training data module connected to the labeling module. The operational phase mechanism may have a detection and tracking module, a classifier section connected to the detection and tracking module, a feature synthesis module connected to the classifier section and a meta-classification module connected to the feature synthesis module and the training module. The training phase mechanism may provide parameters and settings to the operational phase mechanism. |
| US08428342B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing three dimensional media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, means for generating a disparity map based on a depth map, means for determining accuracy of pixels in the depth map where the determining means identifies the pixels as either accurate or inaccurate based on a confidence map and the disparity map, and means for providing an adjusted depth map where the providing means adjusts inaccurate pixels of the depth map using a cost function associated with the inaccurate pixels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08428340B2 |
Screen space plane identification
A method of finding and defining a plane includes screen-space scanning a plurality of rows of a depth image and interpolating a straight depth line through at least two depth values for each row. A pair of straight boundary lines are then fit to the endpoints of the straight depth lines, and a plane is defined to include these straight boundary lines. |
| US08428337B2 |
Apparatus for detecting micro-cracks in wafers and method therefor
A method and apparatus for wafer inspection is disclosed. The method and apparatus involve directing light substantially along a first axis towards a first surface of a wafer to thereby obtain light emanating along the first axis from a second surface of the wafer, wherein the first and second surfaces of the wafer are substantially outwardly opposing and substantially extending parallel to a plane. The method and apparatus further involve directing light substantially along a second axis towards the first surface of the wafer to thereby obtain light emanating along the second axis from the second surface of the wafer, the first axis being angled away from the second axis about a reference axis extending along the plane. More specifically, the orthographic projection of the first axis on the plane is substantially parallel to the orthographic projection of the second axis on the plane, and each the orthographic projections of the first and second axes on the plane is substantially orthogonal to the reference axis. |
| US08428335B2 |
Combining feature boundaries
A method of forming a combined feature boundary based on boundaries of first and second overlapping features includes dividing the boundaries of the first and second overlapping features into line segments of known shape, identifying crossing points formed by the line segments, calculating parametric coordinates of the crossing points, and determining a sequence of crossing point evaluation based on the parametric coordinates. The method also includes calculating first and second cross products based on the line segments forming first and second crossing points in the determined sequence, and choosing first and second paths of the combined feature boundary according to mathematical signs of the cross products, wherein the combined feature boundary includes the first and second crossing points and portions of at least one of the first and second feature boundaries defining the first and second paths. |
| US08428333B2 |
Apparatus for performing repetitive operations
The invention pertains to a apparatus for performing operations, in particular cutting, embossing, creasing, folding and/or sealing, on a moving web provided with a series of identical images, which apparatus comprises a sensor for at least partially detecting the images on the web, and a processing unit which, dependent on a comparison of the data obtained with the sensor and a reference, generates an output signal to be used for one or more of the said operations. The processing unit comprises a memory and is arranged to select at least part of the detected data, store the selected data in the memory, and utilize the selected data as the reference. The invention further pertains to module for performing operations on a moving web and method of generating an output signal. |
| US08428329B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable medium
A target region extracting unit configured to extract a target region used in acquiring feature information from each frame of a moving image includes a plurality of image analyzing units (first and second image analyzing units) configured to execute image analyzing processes in parallel for extraction of the target regions on each frame of the moving image in different manners, and an information transmission processing unit configured to execute a process of transmitting result information of the image analyzing processes among the plurality of image analyzing units. |
| US08428324B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing digital mammographic images with parallel multi-scale decomposition and recombining in an optimized multi-scale reconstruction
A method and apparatus for processing digital mammographic images. The method and apparatus providing comparable mammographic images regardless of the imaging device generating the raw mammographic images. The processed mammographic images may be displayed with optimal global and local contrast, enhanced sharpness, and without the need to apply window level settings or data from lookup tables. A second mammographic image is generated out of a processed first mammographic image in such a way that the projected object, the breast, is more perceptible and obvious for a physician or other medical professional reviewing the mammographic image. |
| US08428321B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus and method, as well as program
An analysis purpose of first and second medical images, which are obtained by carrying out dual energy imaging using two types of radiations having different energies, is determined. A composition ratio of the first and second medical images depending on the determined analysis purpose is determined with referencing a composition ratio table, which indicates different composition ratios of the first and second medical images associated with different analysis purposes. Then, the first and second medical images are combined at the determined composition ratio to generate a composite image. |
| US08428320B2 |
Method of reconstituting cellular spectra useful for detecting cellular disorders
Embodiments of the present disclosure provides improved methods for determining the presence of abnormalities in exfoliated cells. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides methods for reconstructing cellular spectrum of a cell sample by creating a spectral map of the cellular sample, generating a binary mask of the spectral map, removing edge artifacts from each cell, and co-adding spectral data of each pixel corresponding to the cell to reconstruct the spectrum of each cell. |
| US08428319B2 |
Automatic measurement of morphometric and motion parameters of the coronary tree from a rotational X-ray sequence
Automatic measurement of morphometric and motion parameters of a coronary target includes extracting reference frames from input data of a coronary target at different phases of a cardiac cycle, extracting a three-dimensional centerline model for each phase of the cardiac cycle based on the references frames and projection matrices of the coronary target, tracking a motion of the coronary target through the phases based on the three-dimensional centerline models, and determining a measurement of morphologic and motion parameters of the coronary target based on the motion. |
| US08428318B2 |
Motion compensated image averaging
A method is provided for averaging a sequence of image frames. A noise-reducing filter is applied to the image frames to generate filtered frames. A deconvolution filter is applied to the filtered frames to generate corresponding deconvolved frames. The filtered frames are transformed by an affine transformation to align them, generating aligned frames. The aligned frames are motion corrected by non-linear transformation based on intensity rank matching, generating a sequence of motion-corrected frames. The motion-corrected frames are averaged to generate a resultant frame. |
| US08428316B2 |
Coronary reconstruction from rotational X-ray projection sequence
A method for three-dimensional reconstruction of a branched object from a rotational sequence of images of the branched object includes segmenting the branched object from each image of the sequence, extracting centerlines of the branched object, performing symbolic reconstruction via a stereo correspondence matching between the centerlines from different views of the sequence of images using a graph cut-based optimization, and creating a three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the branched object compensated for motion of the branched object between the images of the sequence. |
| US08428315B2 |
Method and system for pre-operative prediction
A system and method for pre-operatively obtaining a prediction of a post-operative image of at least part of a body is disclosed. A 3D pre-operative description is determined of at least part of a body, and a pre-operative 2D photograph is acquired of the at least part of the body from any viewing position. The 3D pre-operative description is matched with the pre-operative 2D photograph, and a deformation field is determined for deforming the 3D pre-operative description. A predicted post-operative image of a 3D post-operative description of the at least part of the body is derived by means of the deformation field and the pre-operative 2D photograph. |
| US08428314B2 |
Fingerprint-initiated navigating method, method for linking a fingerprint and a navigation destination, and navigating device
A fingerprint-initiated navigating method is to be implemented using a navigating device, and includes the steps of: associating a kth set of fingerprint data with corresponding destination information, where k is an integer ranging from 1 to n, and n is not less than 1; receiving a fingerprint signal conforming with the kth set of fingerprint data; and showing a destination indicated by the destination information corresponding to the kth set of fingerprint data. |
| US08428307B2 |
Process for the automatic determination of speed limitations on a road and an associated system
An automatic process is provided for automatically determining a current speed limitation on a road being used by a motor vehicle, in which by means of a first system, making use in particular of a GPS aerial and cartographical details, a first set of information is established, in which at least one likely speed limitation is associated with a confidence index; by means of a second system, involving the use of a camera and image processing applications capable of identifying roadside speed limitation panels, a second set of information is established comprising at least one probable speed limitation, wherein the basis of the first and second sets of information, the current speed limitation is determined along the road in question. |
| US08428304B2 |
Retrieving scenes from moving image data
A computer system, method and computer program that retrieves, from at least one piece of moving image data, at least one scene that includes moving image content to be retrieved. The computer system includes a storage unit that stores a locus of a model of the moving image to be retrieved and velocity variation of the model; a first calculation unit that calculates a first vector including the locus and the velocity variation of the model; a second calculation unit that calculates a second vector regarding the moving image content to be retrieved included in the at least one piece of moving image data; a third calculation unit that calculates a degree of similarity between the first and second vectors; and a selection unit that selects, at least one scene which includes the moving image content to be retrieved, on the basis of the degree of similarity. |
| US08428302B2 |
Automatic spine creation for book cover images that do not have spines
A method for automatically creating spine image areas for book covers that were originally created for books without spines includes adding image areas between the front and back cover images to make a single image with the spine being a user-specified solid color or bitmap image. |
| US08428299B2 |
Method of processing images to combat copying
The invention relates to a method of processing source images which is intended to combat their copying by a camcorder or a camera during their display, for example in a cinema hall. The source image sequence represents a scene. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: detection, in the said scene, of at least one zone corresponding to an object of the scene, selection of the entirety of the pixels of the said at least one zone in at least one source image of the sequence; and processing of the said at least one source image to modify the color of the selected pixels or the spectral composition of the light emitted by the selected pixels so that the perceived color of the selected pixels is unchanged in the processed source image with respect to the source image. |
| US08428292B2 |
Vehicle audio system having portable powered speaker for connecting a portable entertainment device
A vehicle audio system includes an interior trim panel having an opening with a speaker module removably secured therein and having a speaker electrically connected to the vehicle audio system when the speaker module is positioned within the opening. The speaker module includes an interface for receiving an audio signal from a linked portable electronic device for playing the audio signal through the speaker when the speaker module is removed from the interior trim panel opening and electrically disconnected from the vehicle audio system, and for playing the audio signal through the vehicle audio system when the speaker module is positioned within the interior trim panel. The speaker module may include an energy storage device and/or generator, such as a dynamo or solar cell, to power the speaker and play audio from a linked digital media player and/or recharge an electronic device, such as a media player or cell phone. |
| US08428287B2 |
Earbuds with electrostatic discharge protection
To avoid undesirable electrostatic discharge events while maintaining low leakage currents, earbuds may be provided with controlled electrostatic discharge paths. The discharge paths may include discrete components such as resistors or more distributed resistive components such as resistive elastomers. A resistive elastomer may be incorporated into an interior portion of an earbud between an earbud housing structure and a ground path. A resistive elastomer may also be used in forming an ear bud tip. |
| US08428285B2 |
Microphone screen with common mode interference reduction
A microphone assembly includes a microphone composed of a case having an open end and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is disposed in the open case end. The microphone assembly further includes a metal screen coupled to the case over the printed circuit board for shielding the microphone from electromagnetic interference. The metal screen includes several apertures. |
| US08428283B2 |
Manufacturing method of paper making part for loudspeaker, paper making part for loudspeaker, diaphragm for loudspeaker, sub cone for loudspeaker, dust cap for loudspeaker and loudspeaker
A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material. |
| US08428282B2 |
Method and apparatus for modular hearing aid
A method and apparatus for a modular hearing aid for a user having a hearing canal, including a microphone connected to signal processing electronics and a power supply, a housing shaped for use in at least a portion of the hearing canal and including at least one opening and a microphone hood detachably connected to the opening in the housing, wherein the microphone hood includes one or more external ports linked to an internal port such that air may flow between the one or more external ports and the internal port. In various examples, a microphone housing is adapted to mount to the housing and to fit within the at least one access port, and to connect to the microphone, the signal processing electronics and the power supply. In one variant, the apparatus includes a receiver connected to the signal processing electronics, and a fastener as a unitary connector of the cover and microphone housing to the housing. Other variations are presented herein. |
| US08428275B2 |
Wind noise reduction device
In a wind noise reduction device that reduces wind noise contained in an input sound signal to generate a corrected sound signal, when a predetermined band including the band of the wind noise is a first band and a predetermined band higher in frequency than the first band is a second band, the wind noise reduction device includes: a first corrector that has a signal generator generating, based on a sound signal (i) contained in the input sound signal and lying in a band higher in frequency than the first band, a sound signal (ii) lying in the first band and different from a sound signal (iii) contained in the input sound signal and lying in the first band, and that generates a first corrected sound signal based on the sound signal (ii) generated by the signal generator; a second corrector that reduces the signal level of a sound signal (iv) contained in the input sound signal and lying in the second band to thereby generate a second corrected sound signal as a sound signal (v) having the wind noise reduced and lying in the second band; and a corrected sound signal outputter that outputs the corrected sound signal based on the first and second corrected sound signals. |
| US08428274B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting acoustic feedback
An acoustic-feedback detection apparatus includes: a first level detecting section configured to detect a signal level of sound signals obtained from a position in a sound-signal system in which a microphone and speaker are connected; a first extracting section configured to extract, from the sound signals of which the signal level is detected, signals in a band having a bandwidth predetermined for each of at least one predetermined center frequency; a second level detecting section configured to detect a signal level of the signals in each band, the signals being extracted by the first extracting section; and a determining section configured to determine whether or not acoustic feedback is occurring, on the basis of a threshold determined according to the signal level detected by the first level detecting section and a waveform of each signal level detected by the second level detecting section. |
| US08428266B2 |
Method and terminal for implementing hot-plug of smart card
A method and terminal for implementing hot-plug of a smart card are disclosed. The method includes: during the process of playing mobile multimedia, a descrambling library sending request information for obtaining a program key to a smart card driving module, which judges whether a smart card is in a plug-in state or a pull-out state after receiving the request information: if in the plug-in state, the smart card driving module forwarding the request information to the smart card, receiving response information returned by the smart card, forwarding the response information to the descrambling library, and meanwhile forwarding the response information to a virtual smart card module to save; if in the pull-out state, the smart card driving module forwarding the request information to the virtual smart card module, which returns the saved response information to the smart card driving module, which forwards the response information to the descrambling library. |
| US08428263B2 |
Wireless LAN device, wireless LAN system, and communication method for relaying packet
A wireless LAN device which performs wireless communication in a wireless network comprises: a communication section for performing the wireless communication such that a packet can be relayed in the wireless network; and a setting section for obtaining first identification information from another wireless LAN device present in a communicable state within a radio wave arrival range of the wireless LAN device, which first identification information can identify the other wireless LAN device, and setting a role for executing an asymmetric protocol asymmetric between the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device, the role being set based on the first identification information, and second identification information, stored in the wireless LAN device, that can identify the wireless LAN device. The wireless LAN device shares an encryption key, based on the set role, and relays a packet by encrypting the packet by using the encryption key. |
| US08428259B2 |
Apparatus and method for all-optical encryption and decryption of an optical signal
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the encryption and decryption of optically transmitted data, and more particularly to the encryption and decryption of optical data transmitted and received using only optical components. Because only optical components are used, the encryption and decryption is independent of the data rate of the optical signal. The apparatus may include an encryption device that operates by receiving and combining both an unencrypted optical signal as well as a delayed optical signal that is based on the unencrypted optical signal. An optical delay may be configured in a number of different ways and may be used for delaying the unencrypted optical signal. The apparatus may further include a decryption device that receives and combines an encrypted optical signal as well as a delayed optical signal that is based on the encrypted optical signal. An optical delay may be configured in a number of different ways and may be used for delaying the encrypted optical signal. To properly work together, the apparatus and method require that the optical delay on the encryption side perfectly match the optical delay on the decryption side in both the length of delay and arrangement. |
| US08428258B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing content control via detection of modifications to a signal
A method and apparatus is provided for generating or providing any of various types of modifications purposely made to generally known signals, waveforms, conditions, functions, etc. The modifications are sensed, read, detected or interpreted to provide a content control command indicative of the difference between the original signal, waveform, condition, functions, etc., and the modified signal, waveform, condition, function, etc. The content control command may be used to provide content control for a content control system, which in turn may provide control of a selected compliant device. |
| US08428257B2 |
Display window control system and method
An embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content includes obtaining a media presentation having a media-content portion and a display-window-configuration component. The display-window-configuration component is recovered from the media presentation and causes a defined display window to be presented contemporaneously with rendering the media content of the media-content portion. And an embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content having an action-indicator associated with an action includes analyzing the media content to detect the action-indicator and executing the associated action. For example, the action-indicator may be a watermark, which may be visible while an image portion of the media content is displayed. |
| US08428255B2 |
Selective switching between data sources
A sink may be to used to process multimedia digital data. The sink may include a plurality of input ports, an output port, a switchably-enabled selector to select an input port from a plurality of HDMI input ports to couple to an output port, a control circuit to detect encrypted data in a channel of the input ports; and a plurality of decryption engines. Each of the decryption engines may be coupled to respective input ports to synchronize with a corresponding encryption engine of a data source after the control circuit detects encrypted data in the channel of the respective input port. Additional circuitry may be included to operate the sink in a power saving mode. Also, methods for processing the data in both power saving and non-power saving modes. |
| US08428251B2 |
System and method for stream/block cipher with internal random states
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for performing data encryption and decryption using a stream or block cipher with internal random states. The method includes splitting the input data into a predetermined number of blocks and processing each block. The processing includes creating sub-blocks, permuting the sub-blocks, replacing bytes using a lookup table, rotating bits, performing expansion and combining sets of bits. The element of randomness employed in this process allows for the same input to yield the same output, with differing internal states. |
| US08428250B2 |
Pivot braking structure of relative sliding device
A pivot braking structure includes a sliding-guided frame, a sliding seat, a pivot-shaft assembly and a movable cover. The sliding seat slides along a sliding rail of the sliding-guided frame and connected to a shaft hole of the sliding seat. The pivot-shaft assembly is provided with a pivot shaft passing through the shaft hole of the sliding seat. The movable cover is pivotally jacketed to the pivot shaft. Recesses are provided on a positioning member and protrusions are provided on the movable cover, so that the movable cover is positioned at a predetermined opening angle relative to the sliding seat by pivoting the protrusions of the movable cover to embed in the recesses of the positioning member. The movable cover is provided with a clip portion having an accommodation portion jacketed to the edge of the sliding-guided frame when the movable cover is attachably received to the sliding seat. |
| US08428246B2 |
Unified customer service interactions
A server device configured to receive first-information associated with a call that was received by a first server device; receive second-information associated with the call, where the second-information is associated with processing of the call by the first server device and at least one second server device; generate a unified record associated with the call, where the unified record includes at least some of the first-information and at least some of the second-information; determine, based on the unified record, that a condition exists with respect to the call; and send an instruction to perform a customer operation with respect to the call when the condition is determined to exist, where the customer operation includes increasing a priority for handling of the call by a customer service agent. |
| US08428245B2 |
Customer service agent assisted social networks
The present invention comprises a method for: (i) receiving information from a caller C1 and indexing the caller C1 into a first group based, at least in part, on the received information, (ii) transmitting to a participant P1, a first message requesting that the participant P1 assist the caller C1 indexed in the first group, (iii) establishing a conference call between the participant P1 and the caller C1 in response to the participant P1 responding to the first message, (iv) transmitting the first message to a participant P2 when the participant P1 does not respond to the first message, (v) establishing a conference call between the participant P2 and the caller C1 in response to the participant P2 responding to the first message, and (vi) connecting the caller C1 with an agent A1 when a response to the first message is not received from the participant P1 and the participant P2. |
| US08428244B2 |
Cross-call agent extension mobility with call admission control and emergency calling
A system for cross-registration of a phone device is provided. The system includes a local call processing system that stores phone device information for a local phone that is operable to be used by a user; and a remote call processing system that stores a user phone profile for the user, the remote call processing system being operable to generate a visitor registration for the local phone device. The phone device is operable to use the visitor registration to register with the remote call processing system. |
| US08428241B2 |
Semi-supervised training of destination map for call handling applications
A method of semi-supervised synonym inference for a call handling application, such as automated directory assistance or call routing, is described. In one embodiment the method comprises examining a database of caller interaction results from a directory assistance system that includes an automated directory assistance engine, detecting a specified characteristic in the caller interaction results, and using the detected characteristic to automatically train a destination map, where the destination map is for use by the automated directory assistance engine in automatically mapping human speech to a destination. The detecting of the specified characteristic in the caller interaction results may include a statistical analysis of the caller interaction results for each of one or more speech recognition strings. |
| US08428234B2 |
Method and system for managing conferencing resources in a premises
A conferencing system for an enterprise is disclosed. The conferencing system includes a management apparatus for managing conferencing resources in a premises. The management apparatus includes a communications link for communicating with a proximity announcing system, which indicates whether a portable communications device is near a conferencing device within the premises. The management apparatus can transmit a message to a proximate portable communication device indicating that a conferencing device is nearby. The proximity announcing system can include wireless transmitters and receivers associated with the premises and with portable communication devices used within the premises for tracking the location of the portable communication devices throughout the premises. |
| US08428233B2 |
Internet protocol for IP private branch exchanges
An Internet protocol query for Internet protocol private branch exchanges including a private branch exchange that is connected to the public switched telephone network for receiving a call setup request, the private branch exchange not being enabled for receiving calling name delivery information from a telecommunications circuit; at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch in communication with the private branch exchange, the at least one of the incumbent local exchange carrier switch and the competitive local exchange carrier switch having the telecommunications circuit not enabled for calling name delivery information retrieval; a network in communication with the private branch exchange; and a calling name delivery database in communication with the network for receiving calling name delivery queries from the private branch exchange based on the call setup request. Methods for routing calls based on ENUM information is also included. |
| US08428230B2 |
Communication apparatus performing communication via network using phone number, control method for the same, and storage medium
A communication apparatus that enables to appropriately perform IP filtering even when communication via a network is performed by a user inputting a destination phone number. An IP filter permits or rejects communication on the basis of a set IP address. An input unit inputs a phone number. An acquisition unit acquires an IP address corresponding to the phone number inputted by the input unit from a server connected to the network. A setting unit sets the IP filter so that communication using the IP address acquired by the acquisition unit is permitted. |
| US08428229B2 |
Flagged messages in an automatic integrated unified messaging escalation system
An automatic message escalation system includes attaching an acknowledgement flag to a message after it is received in the message mailbox of an identified message recipient. The status of the acknowledgement flag indicates whether or not the message has been retrieved. After a given or specified period of time, the acknowledgement flag is checked to see if the message was retrieved. If the message was retrieved, the message will not be escalated. If the message was not retrieved, the message will be sent to the next message recipient on an escalation list. |
| US08428227B2 |
Certified communications system and method
The certification system and method acquires, records and then authenticates a voice communication between communicating parties by a service provider in a telecommunication system. The system acquires, maintains custody over, controls access to, and permits modification, supplementation and deletion of recorded communications session, and distributes a reproduction of an authenticated recording. The authenticated record includes the authenticated identity AU-ID of the parties which is ascertained and documented at the time of acquisition, upon any access, modification or supplementation to the recording and at the time of authentication. AU-ID is adjunct data to the recording. The supplemented recording may include a translation, a transcription and an emotional characteristic. |
| US08428226B2 |
Method of call trace on media gateway of next generation network
The present invention discloses a method of call trace on a next generation network (NGN) media gateway (MG). According to the present invention, a softswitch device adds an extended trace indication to an H.248 message related to the call to be traced; the MG determines whether the received H.248 message needs to be traced according to the extended trace indication; and if the H.248 message needs to be traced, trace the call to which the transaction in the H.248 message belongs. By the method, the MG can trace the entire calling process of a call. |
| US08428224B2 |
Method for transmission line analysis
The present invention concerns methods for estimating one or more transmission properties of a telecommunications transmission line. Estimates of the line input impedance, Zin at a frequency ƒ, and the line capacitance Ĉ are made. An estimate is then made in dependence of Ĉ, the frequency ƒ and a value Γ, where Γ satisfies the relationship Γ coth (Γ)=Zin·jωĈ, and ω=2πƒ. Accuracy may be improved by least squares fitting a curve to a set of intermediate values and then generating an estimate from the coefficients of the curve. |
| US08428223B2 |
High availability architecture for computer telephony interface driver
A method of providing communication services includes configuring a primary computer telephony interface driver to interface a computer telephony interface server with an application for transmitting client information between the application and the computer telephony interface server and configuring a secondary computer telephony interface driver to redundantly interface the same computer telephony interface server with the same application for transmitting the same client information between the same application and the same computer telephony interface server. |
| US08428216B2 |
Method for reconstruction of a three-dimensional image data set and x-ray device
A method for reconstruction of a three-dimensional image data set from projection images of an object captured with an X-ray device from different projection angles is proposed. At least one sub-area of the object is outside the coverage of the X-ray device, or as a result of strong attenuation by a metal so that no projection data is present in the sub-area. Filter lines are determined n the projection images. A first local transformation is performed along the filter lines on the projection images. The missing projection data on the transformed projection data is augmented. A non-local transformation is performed on the transformed projection data for determining of filtered, augmented projection data. The non-local transformation is different from a ramp filter which is created by the first local transformation and the non-local transformation. The three-dimensional image data set is determined by back-projection of the filtered, augmented projection data. |
| US08428212B2 |
Frequency synthesis using upconversion PLL processes
Techniques for frequency synthesis using upconversion PLL processes are described herein. |
| US08428210B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a master/slave system via master device synchronization
A method of operating a master/slave system includes the step of identifying a master receive data phase value to coordinate the transfer of data from a slave device without phase alignment circuitry to a master device with a universal phase aligner. Data is transferred from the slave device to the master device in accordance with the master receive data phase value. The master device characterizes a master transmit data phase value to coordinate the transfer of data from the master device to the slave device. Subsequently, the master device routes data to the slave device in accordance with the master transmit data phase value. |
| US08428209B2 |
System, apparatus, and method of frequency offset estimation and correction for mobile remotes in a communication network
A frequency offset estimation and correction apparatus including a frame averaging unit to average a plurality of frequency offset values to obtain a frame offset average for each of a plurality of frames, a re-sampling unit to produce a plurality of interpolated frequency offset values uniformly distributed over a time period of a frame of the plurality of frames based on the frame offset average of the frame and a frame offset average of at least one frame that precedes the frame, and an exponential averaging unit to calculate the estimated frequency offset based on the plurality of interpolated frequency offset values weighted by an exponential averaging coefficient. |
| US08428204B2 |
Recovering distorted digital data
In one aspect, a method to recover digital data includes receiving a distorted digital data stream and processing the distorted digital data stream to remove distortions. The processing includes detecting state changes, removing noise and identifying valid pulses. The processing also includes forming an undistorted data stream based on the processing. |
| US08428203B1 |
Integrated tunable RF notch filter
Large interfering signals (interferers) with spectra near a desired signal can cause distortion in a wireless receiver due to a non-linear signal path. It is typically a performance advantage to attenuate these interferers earlier in the signal path, rather than later in the signal path, because these interferers can cause saturation of amplifying stages. In certain situations, the frequency offset of an interfering signal, with respect to the desired signal, can be on the order of 10 megahertz (MHz), whereas the center frequencies can be on the order of several gigahertz (GHz). Thus, a filter with “baseband” precision would be needed at radio frequency to notch out the interferer, which is relatively difficult to do. Disclosed is a technique to estimate the relative strength and center frequency of the interferer and to place the center frequency of a notch filter adaptively and precisely at the interferer location. |
| US08428198B2 |
Frequency tracking which adapts to timing synchronization
A frequency tracking method and apparatus is provided. A receiver receives OFDM symbols and determines associated frequency offset. A frequency error estimator selects a cross correlation window for determining frequency offset based on timing offset. A symbol timing estimator is used to determine the timing offset. |
| US08428192B2 |
Adaptive interference canceling system and method
A communication system adaptively cancels noise and/or interference from signals communicated through a communication channel, such as signals communicated by a telecommunication network. The system, based on a common mode signal of a received signal, generates an estimate of noise or interference within a differential mode signal of the received signal. The system then subtracts the estimate from the differential mode signal in an effort to remove noise from the differential mode signal thereby providing a differential mode signal that is substantially free of the estimated noise or interference. |
| US08428191B2 |
DC offset suppression circuit for a complex filter
The present invention relates to a direct current (DC) offset suppression circuit to suppress DC offsets occurring when a communication circuit where a complex filter is adopted performs self-mixing. The DC offset is suppressed by a DC feedback circuit adopted by a filter which is substituted for a complex filter in the communication circuit. But, the DC offset cannot be suppressed when a complex filter is used in the communication circuit. It is because phase changes of the complex filter cause output signal fed back to the input of the complex filter to generate phase differences. The present invention includes a phase compensation unit and a DC feedback unit. The phase compensation unit compensates a change in frequency between input and output of the complex filter for phase compensation. The DC feedback unit inverses and feeds back the compensated phase to an input of the complex filter. |
| US08428190B2 |
Radio receiving apparatus and radio receiving method
In-phase channels and quadrature-phase channels of carrier waves are calculated from a reception signal obtained by receiving the multi-carrier signal. Transmission channel characteristics of the carrier waves are calculated from a known signal section of the reception signal. Transmission channel equalization processing for compensating for an amplitude change and phase rotation in the in-phase channels and the quadrature-phase channels caused by a transmission channel is performed. A region on a complex plane in which output data after transmission channel equalization is present is determined. An estimation value of a phase rotation angle used in performing the transmission channel equalization processing is corrected based on information concerning the determined region. |
| US08428184B2 |
Transmitter, receiver, data transmission method and data reception method
A method is provided which improves reliability of channel estimation in a digital communication system by reducing the ambiguity in the recognition of received symbols evaluated for the channel estimation. A data word transmitted according to a first mapping of data word values to modulation states is re-transmitted at least once with a second, re-arranged mapping of data word values to modulation states. The second mapping and possible further mappings are generated from the first mapping in a way that the number of different results which can be obtained from combining the transmitted original data symbol and the re-transmitted counterpart data symbol(s) is lower than the number of original modulation states in the first mapping. |
| US08428182B2 |
Communication method and radio communication apparatus
A multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) transmission apparatus includes a modulation signal generating section and a MIMO transmitting section. The modulation signal generating section generates: (i) a first OFDM modulation signal, in which a plurality of subcarriers include a subcarrier carrying a pilot symbol and a subcarrier carrying a data symbol, in both a first time period and a second time period; and (ii) a second OFDM modulation signal, in which the plurality of subcarriers include a subcarrier carrying a pilot symbol and a subcarrier carrying a data symbol in the first time period, while in the second time period an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component of every subcarrier included in the plurality of subcarriers are zero. The MIMO transmitting section transmits the first OFDM modulation signal from a first antenna and transmits the second OFDM modulation signal from a second antenna. |
| US08428177B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmit beamforming
A wireless communications network is provided. The wireless communications network comprises a plurality of base stations. Each one of said base stations is capable of wireless communications with a plurality of subscriber stations. At least one of said plurality of base stations comprises a processor configured to select a codeword from a codebook and precode data with the selected codeword, and a transmitter configured to transmit the precoded data. Rank 1 of the codebook is selected from the following algorithm: Codebook Matrix Index (CMI)Base MatrixRank 1 1V8(:, :, 3)V8(:, 1, 3) 2 V8(:, 2, 3) 3 V8(:, 3, 3) 4 V8(:, 4, 3) 5 V8(:, 5, 3) 6 V8(:, 6, 3) 7 V8(:, 7, 3) 8 V8(:, 8, 3) 9 V8(:, 9, 3) 10 V8(:, 10, 3) 11 V8(:, 11, 3) 12 V8(:, 12, 3) 13 V8(:, 13, 3) 14 V8(:, 14, 3) 15 V8(:, 15, 3) 16 V8(:, 16, 3). |
| US08428172B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving a midamble for channel estimation of multiple antennas
A method of transmitting a midamble for channel estimation of multiple antennas performed by a base station in a system having segregated uplink and downlink frequency bands is provided. The method includes transmitting midamble information indicating presence of the midamble within a downlink frame to a user equipment (UE), and transmitting the midamble on a single downlink subframe among at least one downlink subframe included in the downlink frame or on a common zone to the UE by using the multiple antennas. A scheduling overhead of a base station and other overheads can be reduced by decreasing the number of transmissions of a midamble on one downlink frame, and thus limited radio resources can be effectively used. |
| US08428166B2 |
Method for transmitting sounding reference signal in multiple antenna wireless communication system and apparatus therefor
A method for transmitting a sounding reference signal from a user equipment in a MIMO antenna wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving sounding reference signal setup information from a base station, the sounding reference signal setup information including an initial cyclic shift value nSRScs and an initial transmissionComb parameter value kTC; setting an interval between cyclic shift values corresponding to each antenna port based on the initial cyclic shift value, to reach a maximum interval; setting a transmissionComb parameter value corresponding to a specific one of the antenna ports to a value different from the initial transmissionComb parameter value if the initial cyclic shift value is a previously set value and the number of antenna ports is 4; and transmitting the sounding reference signal to the base station through each antenna port by using the set cyclic shift value and transmissionComb parameter value. |
| US08428165B2 |
Method and system for decoding OFDM signals subject to narrowband interference
A method estimates a wireless channel at a receiver. The signal is transmitted using narrowband orthogonal frequency division demultiplexing (OFDM) and frequency subcarriers, and the signal includes a set of data tones and a set of pilot tones. The channel and pilot tone interference are estimated based on all the pilot tones extracted from the signal and a channel model. The set of data are equalized based on the channel estimate. Data interference is detected according to the pilot interference and the equalized data tones. Subcarrier interference-to-noise ratios are determined based on the data interference. Signal strengths of the data tones are determined based on the equalized data tones, log-likelihood ratios of bits represented by the data tones are determined based on the subcarrier interference-to-noise ratios and the signal strength of the data tones. |
| US08428162B2 |
System and method for distributed input distributed output wireless communications
A system for compensating for in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) imbalances for multiple antenna systems (MAS) with multi-user (MU) transmissions (defined with the acronym MU-MAS), such as distributed-input distributed-output (DIDO) communication systems, comprising multicarrier modulation, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). For example, one embodiment of the system comprises one or more coding modulation units to encode and modulate information bits for each of a plurality of wireless client devices to produce encoded and modulated information bits; one or more mapping units to map the encoded and modulated information bits to complex symbols; and a MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware precoding unit to exploit channel state information obtained through feedback from the wireless client devices to compute MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware precoding weights, the MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware precoding unit precoding the complex symbols obtained from the mapping units using the weights to pre-cancel interference due to I/Q gain and phase imbalances and/or inter-user interference. |
| US08428158B2 |
Method for channel estimation using recursive filtering and multicarrier receiver with interference-aware demodulation
Embodiments of a multicarrier receiver with interference-aware demodulation and methods for channel estimation using recursive filtering in wireless networks are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, orders of a recursive filter are allocated to track a main channel and one or more interfering channels to generate channel estimates. |
| US08428152B2 |
Device, method and system of uplink communication between wireless video modules
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless video communication. Some embodiments include an apparatus including a downlink receiver to receive a wireless downlink video transmission from a video source module, and an uplink transmitter to transmit to the wireless video source module a wireless uplink transmission. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08428151B2 |
DTV transmitting system and method of processing broadcast data therein
A digital television transmitting system includes a frame encoder, a block processor, a group formatter, and a multiplexer. The frame encoder forms an enhanced data frame and encodes the data frame for error correction and for error detection. The block processor further encodes the encoded data frame at a rate of 1/2 or 1/4, and the group formatter divides the encoded data frame into a plurality of enhanced data blocks and maps the divided data blocks into a plurality of enhanced data groups, respectively. The multiplexer multiplexes the enhanced data groups with main data. |
| US08428150B2 |
Digital television system
Disclosed is a digital television system carrying out modulation/demodulation by VSB (vestigial side band). A VSB transmitter includes an additional error correction encoder designed in a manner that a signal mapping of a TCM encoder is considered, a multiplexer (MUX), a TCM encoder operating in a manner corresponding to state transition processes of the additional error correction encoder, and a signal transmission part including an RF converter. And, A VSB receiver includes a signal receiver part receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter, a TCM decoder, a signal processing part including a derandomizer, and an additional error correction decoder part. |
| US08428148B2 |
System and method for controlling bit rate of video signal and audio signal
A video and audio bit rate control system which controls a bit rate of a video signal and an audio signal input from a plurality of information sources is provided. The system includes a plurality of encoders for encoding the video signal and the audio signal, an encoder controller for controlling an audio bit rate used in each of encoders, and a statistical multiplex controller for controlling a video bit rate used in each of encoders. The encoder outputs a degree of difficulty in encoding the video signal based on an amount of the video signals. The encoder controller outputs a differential bit rate between a reserved audio bit rate and a total audio bit rate currently used when the total audio bit rate currently used is lower than the reserved audio bit rate. The statistical multiplex controller calculates the video bit rate for assigning to each of encoder based on the differential bit rate, an originally assigned video bit rate and the degree of difficulty in encoding. |
| US08428144B2 |
Method and apparatus for decoding/encoding of a video signal
A method of decoding a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes determining whether to store a first partial picture when the first partial picture and a first full picture are corresponding to a first temporal point and storing the first partial picture for decoding a second full picture referring to the first partial picture, the second full picture being corresponding to a second temporal point, the second temporal point being located after the first temporal point, wherein a level of the first partial picture on a scalable domain is lower than a level of the second full picture on the scalable domain. |
| US08428142B2 |
System and method for transcoding data from one video standard to another video standard
A system and method transcodes an input video bit stream having a first encoding profile into an output video bit stream having a second encoding profile. The system includes a first module and a second module. The system further includes a memory module. The first module decodes the input video bit stream for generating pixel data and macroblock specifications. The second module encodes the pixel data and the macroblock specifications for constructing the output video bit stream. The memory module includes a first buffer module and a second buffer module. The first buffer module stores the pixel data and the second buffer module stores the macroblock specifications. |
| US08428141B2 |
Block error compensating apparatus of image frame and method thereof
An apparatus and method are provided for compensating a block error in an image frame. This may include a video codec decoder for decoding an inputted image frame, and outputting a decoded image frame. An error concealment block may detect an error-generated block in the decoded image frame and compensate the detected error block through a median filter, and output the compensated image frame. |
| US08428138B2 |
Motion vector encoding device and decoding device
A prediction error generating unit generates a predictive vector from the motion vectors of a plurality of adjacent blocks, and obtains a difference from a target vector. A plurality of variable-length coding units respectively encode the output of the prediction error generating unit with different encoding methods. A determining unit estimates the accuracy of the predictive vector generated by the prediction error generating unit based on the degrees of non-uniformity of the motion vectors of the plurality of adjacent blocks. A selecting unit selects one of the encoding results obtained by the plurality of variable-length coding units. |
| US08428135B2 |
Device and method for fast sub sample block-matching motion estimation in video encoders
Methods of using motion estimation techniques with video encoders to provide significant data compression with respect to video signals so that the video signals may subsequently be reconstructed with minimal observable information loss. Methods include a fast fractional motion estimation scheme. |
| US08428131B2 |
Video encoder and decoder using region based coding and decoding techniques with sequential refresh
A video encoder that encodes each of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing an input image, includes: a definition unit configured to define a valid area which is allowed to be used as reference in a reference image in interframe coding; a detection unit configured to detect a reference area in the reference image for a target block; a predicted image generation unit configured to generate a predicted image by outputting an image of the reference area for the reference area belonging to the valid area and outputting a complementary image for the reference area not belonging to the valid area; and a coding unit configured to encode the input image using the predicted image, wherein valid area information indicating the valid area is transmitted to a video decoder, for each group of a plurality of blocks. |
| US08428130B2 |
Method and apparatus for decoding/encoding a video signal
The method includes obtaining initialization information of a reference picture list for a random access slice, the initialization information representing a reference relation between a plurality of views, initializing the reference picture list for inter-view prediction by appending an inter-view reference index to an initialized reference picture list for temporal prediction based on the view number information and the view identification information, obtaining modification information for the initialized reference picture list, determining an assignment modification value for modifying the inter-view reference index in the initialized reference picture list according to the modification information, and modifying the initialized reference picture list for inter-view prediction using the determined assignment modification value. |
| US08428128B2 |
Method for prediction coding using scalable video codec
Provided is a method for prediction coding using scalable video codec, which can support various chrominance spaces. A method for prediction coding includes setting a target layer based on corresponding device information on a specific image service request, performing a chrominance space conversion on an image signal of a base layer using a chrominance space conversion equation preset in a scalable video codec selectively according to whether a chrominance space conversion is necessary in prediction coding between the base layer and the target layer, and performing inter-layer prediction coding through an additional signal conversion based on necessary any one of spatial scalability, chroma-format scalability and bit-depth scalability. |
| US08428125B2 |
Techniques for content adaptive video frame slicing and non-uniform access unit coding
Techniques for content adaptive video frame slicing and non-uniform access unit coding for improved coding efficiency are provided. An encoder and decoder are disclosed to process (encode or decode) a single non-uniform video access unit (VAU) employing flexible macroblock ordering (FMO) in conjunction with different slice coding types in response to global motion detection of a camera pan or a scroll within the single VAU. |
| US08428120B2 |
Method and apparatus of Bayer pattern direct video compression
Applying a mechanism of image signal processing and color-space-conversion to convert the captured Green components to be Y, luminance components for only those pixels having raw Green data without interpolation, and to convert the Blue components to be U, chrominance components for only those pixels having raw Blue data, and Red components to be V, chrominance components for only those pixels having raw Red data. These converted YUV components are input to a predetermined video compression codec for reducing the intra- and inter-frame redundant information. |
| US08428119B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-hypothesis decoder side-information coding
A computer-implemented method for decompression in data compression systems with decoder side-information including a plurality of signals each of which is correlated to a source, includes determining a conditional probability function of the source conditioned upon a subset of decoder side-information signals, wherein the decoder side-information signals include pre-stored and received statistical information, estimating an a-posteriori probability function based on the conditional probability function and extrinsic information, evaluating a stopping criterion for decompression, generating the extrinsic information based on the a-posteriori probability function, and determining a likelihood threshold for determining a most probable value of a quantized source signal based on the a-posteriori probability function and outputting the quantized source upon determining to stop decompression. |
| US08428118B2 |
Technique for transcoding MPEG-2/MPEG-4 bitstream to H.264 bitstream
A method/system of transcoding an MPEG 2/4 bit stream into an H.264 format, handles an input MPEG 2/4 bit stream in a decoder, and identifies certain data in the input bit stream for reuse in the H.264 format; and, reuses the identified data in a re-encoder with assistance from a mapping module in transcoding by converting the input bit stream into an output H.264 format. The identified data includes information at a macrolevel and information at a picture level. The information at the macrolevel might comprise additional stages incorporated in the re-encoder module including a Mapping Process stage, a Sub Pixel Refinement stage, a Mode Selection stage to choose from Intra, Inter or Skip modes, followed by the standard H.264 encoding loop and the Entropy Coding Block. The information at the picture level might include; a) average quantizer of frame, and, b) total bits per frame. |
| US08428114B2 |
Transmit equalizer compensation for probe receivers
Transmit equalization over high speed digital communication paths may be compensated in a receiver for a probe on that path. In one example, a probe input provides a signal from an electronic communications path, the signal having been processed by a transmit equalizer. A filter circuit processes the signal to compensate for the transmit equalizer, and a decoder decodes the processed signal and produces an output for use by test equipment. |
| US08428110B2 |
Pipelining and sub-rate operation for memory links
A system includes a memory hub chip including a Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) equalizer portion operative to perform transmitter equalization at the memory hub chip and send data from to a memory chip. |
| US08428108B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, signal processing method, data display method, and program
In a signal processing apparatus a synchronizer acquires synchronization with the spreading code of an intermediate frequency signal converted from a signal received from a satellite in a global positioning system. A demodulator then demodulates a message contained in the intermediate frequency signal. A measuring unit outputs a primary signal to a predetermined signal line, the primary signal expressing positioning results for the apparatus as measured on the basis of the demodulated message. A secondary signal output unit attaches a predetermined header to a secondary signal and outputs the result to the predetermined signal line, the secondary signal containing at least the intermediate frequency signal, or a signal generated from the intermediate frequency signal. |
| US08428104B2 |
Permission-based multiple access communications systems
Systems (100) and methods (400) for selectively controlling access to multiple data streams which are communicated using a shared frequency spectrum and shared spreading codes. The methods involve generating a first product signal (FPS) by spreading first symbols of a first amplitude modulated (AM) signal using a first spreading code (SC). The methods also involve generating a second product signal (SPS) by spreading second symbols of a complimentary AM signal using a second SC. The FPS (124) and SPS 126 are combined to form a protected data communication signal (PDCS) including first data recoverable by a receiver (106). A global data communication signal (GDCS) is combined with PDCS (128) to form an output signal (140) having a spread spectrum format. The GDCS is generated using a digital modulation process and includes second data recoverable by a plurality of receivers (106, 108). |
| US08428098B2 |
Geo-locating end-user devices on a communication network
A scheme is provided for determining the geographical location of an active IP device coupled to an IP network. A network path to the user device is obtained to identify a last hop device having a known first geographical location. A last leg distance between the last hop device and the user device is calculated. The last leg bandwidth, propagation time, and propagation speed are also characterized to more accurately determine the last leg distance. By combining the known first geographical location and the distance of the last hop device and user device, a geographical location for the user device is obtained. To improve the accuracy of the geographical location of the user device, multiple last hop devices with known geographical locations are employed to obtain multiple geographical areas for the user device. The intersection or overlap of these geographical areas indicates a refined geographical location of the user device. |
| US08428097B2 |
Power efficient software receiver for spread spectrum signals
The present invention relates to reception and processing of spread spectrum signals to produce position/time related data. A proposed receiver includes a radio signal processing unit, which is at least partly implemented in software running on a microprocessor. The processor is also adapted to effect at least one separate software-controlled function. The receiver is adapted to operate the radio signal processing unit on at least two processing intensity levels each with different processing times. Thereby, when the radio signal processing unit operates on a low processing intensity level, a first amount of processing capacity is available for the at least one separate software-controlled function; and when the radio processing unit operates on a high processing intensity level, a second amount of processing capacity is available for the at least one separate software-controlled function. When the processor's over-all processing capacity is constant, the second amount is smaller than the first amount. |
| US08428096B2 |
Removable filler module
This invention relates to an industrial furnace roof filler element to allow replacement of a failed heat source during operation. The filler element can include a lower portion, a module, an aperture, a protuberance, a bore and/or a heat source. This invention also relates to a method of operation for an industrial furnace wherein a failed heat source is replaced during operation of the industrial furnace. |
| US08428094B2 |
Surface-emitting semiconductor laser
A surface-emitting semiconductor laser is described, with a semiconductor chip (1), which has a substrate (2), a DBR-mirror (3) applied to the substrate (2) and an epitaxial layer sequence (4) applied to the DBR mirror (3), said layer sequence comprising a radiation-emitting active layer (5), and with an external resonator mirror (9) arranged outside the semiconductor chip (1). The DBR mirror (3) and the substrate (2) are partially transmissive for the radiation (6) emitted by the active layer (5) and the back (14) of the substrate (2) remote from the active layer (5) is reflective to the emitted radiation (6). |
| US08428092B2 |
High-power laser unit wherein laser output can be accurately corrected
A high-power laser unit capable of accurately correcting laser output from low to rated outputs, even when the laser unit has a laser power monitor which may be affected by environmental factors inside or outside the laser unit, by effectively reducing environmental factors. The laser unit has a laser power monitor for measuring laser output, and a laser controller for correcting the laser output by correcting an amount of excitation energy to a laser power supply so that a measurement value coincides with a laser output command value. The laser unit has a laser output commanding part for generating a laser output command. When it is not necessary to correct the laser output command, the laser output command is converted into an excitation energy command value and sent to the power supply. Otherwise, an output correcting part of the laser controller corrects the laser output command. |
| US08428091B2 |
Tunable laser module
Provided is a tunable laser module emitting an optical signal having high speed, high power and wideband wavelength tuning. The tunable laser module includes a laser array configured to emit an optical signal having a plurality of different lasing wavelengths, a temperature controller configured to change a temperature of the laser array, and an optical integration device configured to modulate or amplify the optical signal at a side of the laser array opposing the temperature controller. |
| US08428090B2 |
Transmitting timing information for content in a data stream
The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution. |
| US08428089B2 |
Location-based sharing of multimedia control resources
In one embodiment, a multimedia resource is shared among a plurality of devices based upon a physical location of an active wireless endpoint unit within a structure. Devices are associated with corresponding zones within the structure. Each device provides functionality within the device's corresponding zone. Using one of a number of techniques, the physical location of the active wireless endpoint unit is determined to be within a particular zone. In response, one or more devices associated with the particular zone are provided with access to the multimedia control resources. Access is withheld to one or more other devices associated with another zone that is remote from the physical location of the active wireless endpoint unit. |
| US08428086B2 |
Transmitting data in a mobile communication system
The present invention is related to transmitting data in a mobile communication system. Preferably, the present invention comprises transmitting first data to a receiving side and receiving acknowledgment information for indicating whether the first data was successfully transmitted to the receiving side. If the first data was not successfully transmitted to the receiving side, the method further comprises determining whether an amount of available radio resources is sufficient for retransmitting the first data to the receiving side, retransmitting the first data to the receiving side if the amount of available radio resources is sufficient to retransmit the first data, reconfiguring the first data into at least one second data if the amount of available radio resources is insufficient to retransmit the first data, wherein the at least one second data can be transmitted to the receiving side using the amount of available radio resources, and transmitting the at least one second data to the receiving side. |
| US08428084B2 |
Cellular communication system and method for broadcast communication
A cellular communication system (100) is arranged to support a single cell identifier reuse pattern using a first communication. Management logic (146) comprises broadcast mode logic (150) arranged to support a common cell identifier reuse pattern for broadcast transmissions amongst a cluster of communication cells using a second communication. A plurality of wireless serving communication units are operably coupled to the management logic. At least one wireless communication unit comprises logic arranged to support a unicast communication using a first communication cell identifier and logic arranged to support broadcast communication using a common cell identifier (215) to be used by the wireless communication unit in receiving broadcast communication across the cluster of communication cells. |
| US08428083B2 |
Cellular communication system and method for broadcast communication
A time division duplex (TDD) cellular communication system (100) is arranged to support both uplink and downlink communication allocated for unicast time division duplex (TDD) communication that uses a single cell identifier reuse pattern. The TDD cellular communication system (100) comprises a plurality of wireless serving communication units operably coupled to management logic. The TDD cellular communication system (100) further comprises management logic (146) arranged to partition time domain physical resources such that unicast communication using the single cell identifier reuse pattern is supported in a first portion of the time domain physical resource and a broadcast communication using a common cell identifier (215) reuse pattern for broadcast communications is supported in a second portion of the time domain physical resource. |
| US08428073B1 |
Learning and unlearning in a network switch
A modified Ethernet packet includes a MAC address unlearn flag. A port receiving the packet unlearns the specified MAC address, i.e., removes the corresponding entry from its forwarding table. Unlearn packets may be generated by a switch CPU in response to detection of a port failure in order to remove entries associated with the failed port. The modified Ethernet packet may alternatively, or also, include an attribute learn field. An Ethernet switch is operable to learn the specified attribute in response to receipt of the packet. Attributes that may be specified include: copy-to-CPU; static; class-of-service; source-discard; destination-discard; and L3. The copy-to-CPU attribute is operable to prompt copying of subsequent packets observed with the same SA to the CPU. The static attribute is operable to prompt prevention of a specified MAC address from being removed from a forwarding table due to aging. The class-of-service attribute is operable to prompt override of a packet class-of-service value with a specified value for subsequent packets of a specified MAC address. The source-discard attribute is operable to prompt discard of subsequent packets having a specified SA. The destination-discard attribute is operable to prompt discard of subsequent packets having a specified DA. The L3 attribute is operable to prompt packets destined for a specified MAC address to be routed rather than switched. |
| US08428072B2 |
Methods and apparatus for advertising a route for transmitting data packets
Method and apparatus for advertising a route for transmitting data packets in a network. A first network element obtains a metric indicative of a cost for routing packets from the first network element to a second network element. The first network element compares the obtained metric with a metric received in a route advertisement message advertising a second route towards the second network element. The first network element sends route advertisement messages, advertising a first route towards the second network element through said first network element, only if the obtained metric indicates a lower cost than a received metric. When two or more network elements are advertising routes towards the same destination, the invention provides a solution allowing an optimized usage of transmission resources between these network elements and said destination. |
| US08428069B2 |
Stealth packet switching
Systems, methods, devices, and network architectures are disclosed for creating and implementing secure wireless, wired, and/or optical stealth-enabled networks using specially modified packets, cells, frames, and/or other “stealth” information structures. This enables stealth packets to have a low probability of detection, a low probability of interception, and a low probability of interpretation. Stealth packets are only detected, intercepted, and correctly interpreted by stealth-enabled network equipment. In its simplest form, stealth packet switching modifies the packet structure, protocols, timing, synchronization, and other elements through various rule-violations. This creates stealth packets, which normal equipment cannot receive correctly, and hence normal equipment discards the stealth packets.Stealth packets may be further enhanced with encryption techniques which focus on encrypting the packet structure itself, as opposed to merely encrypting the data. Using encryption to modify the packet structure itself adds an entirely new level of encryption complexity, thus making the stealth communications orders of magnitude more difficult to decrypt than standard decryption techniques.Combining stealth packets with time-based reservation packet switching enables total encryption of the packet (including header and preamble encryption) capable of routing through multiple hops without decryption of headers and preamble at each hop. Time-based reservation packet switching can also guarantee real-time stealth packet delivery through a network that is totally congested from data storms, virus caused congestion, and/or denial of service attacks. |
| US08428065B2 |
Group communication system achieving efficient total order and state synchronization in a multi-tier environment
A group communication service maintains synchronization limiting the group to the processing entities that receive a plurality of source message streams from sources outside the group and transmit delivery message streams to destinations that are outside the group. Synchronization of message ordering and other state synchronization directives are communicated from a leader exclusively to other group members. Once having declared themselves to be synchronized and active by a reply protocol message, which is an opaque object and is interpreted by an application layer, the processing entities independently process the source message streams in accordance with the order specified in the directives, without requiring additional sequencing information from another processing entity. |
| US08428064B2 |
Wireless communication device, mac address management system, wireless communication method, and program
A MAC address management system acquires code data obtained by encoding a temporary MAC address that can be temporarily used and decodes the acquired code data to perform wireless communication. The MAC address management system includes a MAC distributing server device in which a temporary MAC address which can be temporarily used is stored and a wireless communication device that acquires the temporary MAC address from the MAC distributing server device and performs wireless communication by using the acquired temporary MAC address, the wireless communication device acquires code data obtained by encoding the temporary MAC address from the MAC distributing server device, decodes the acquired code data, and performs wireless communication by using the decoded temporary MAC address. |
| US08428063B2 |
Access network architecture having dissimilar access sub-networks
A subscriber network architecture includes a packet processing node that communicates with a network backbone and with a plurality of access nodes. The access nodes communicate with a plurality of user devices. The packet processing node controls Quality of Service (QoS) levels for the subscriber devices, routes user data to devices via the access nodes and receives data from devices via the access nodes for forwarding across the network backbone. |
| US08428059B2 |
Network apparatus, edge router, and packet communication system
A network apparatus includes: a slot table storing a record including an identifier of a time slot which is assigned to packet transmission from a specific transmission source to a specific transmission destination, and identifiers of an input interface and output interface which are used for the packet transmission; and a unit, upon receiving a first control packet which includes an identifier of the specific time slot and represents a start of the specific time slot, to identify the input interface and output interface corresponding to the specific time slot from the slot table, and to send packets from the identified input interface to the identified output interface during a period until receiving a second control packet which includes the identifier of the specific time slot and represents an end of the specific time slot. |
| US08428054B2 |
Daisy chaining device servers via ethernet
A device server intended for attaching serial devices to a network includes Ethernet communications, an Ethernet switch, and serial communication capability so that multiple device servers are connected in a “daisy chain” or series pattern. Galvanic isolation of the power supply from the housing and communication ports, screw terminal and modular connections, DIN rail mounting, broad power supply voltage ranges or “Power-over-Ethernet” and operator visible indicator lamps with a pulse stretching feature greatly simplify installation and use. |
| US08428053B2 |
Presence based telephony call signaling
Methods and systems for presence based telephony call signaling are presented. An incoming call is received at a computer, where the computer includes a computer loudspeaker and computer display. A headset donned state or a headset doffed state is identified for a wireless headset, where the wireless headset includes a headset speaker and headset output user interface. A proximity between the wireless headset and the computer is determined. An incoming call notification is output to the headset speaker, the headset output user interface, the computer loudspeaker, or the computer display responsive to identifying the headset donned state or headset doffed state and determining the headset proximity. |
| US08428050B2 |
Radio communication system, radio access method, access point and gateway
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a radio communication system and a radio access method. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, an AP with a PDP forward function unit forwards service traffic accessing an AS to a Packet Radio Service Gateway Support Node, and sends Internet service traffic to the Packet Radio Service Gateway Support Node or directly sends the Internet service data to the Internet via a configured forwarding interface according to the service property of the service traffic. Embodiments of the present invention further disclose an Access Point and a gateway. Therefore, the load of network elements of a mobile network is reduced; meanwhile, the control and the management of the high increment value services by operators can be guaranteed. The investment of the CS network can be protected by the gateway as a concentrator of Access Points and a forwarding node of CS services in the embodiments of the present invention. |
| US08428046B2 |
Wireless network access device with positioning function and method thereof
A wireless network access device for positioning a mobile device includes a distance acquiring module, an information receiving module and a position determining module. The distance acquiring module acquires an initial distance between the wireless network access device and the mobile device in an initial position and an intermediate distance between the wireless network access device and the mobile device in an intermediate position. The information receiving module receives a distance, angle and orientation of movement of the mobile device from the initial position to the intermediate position. The position determining module determines a current position of the mobile device according to the received distance, angle and orientation of the mobile device, the initial distance and the intermediate distance. |
| US08428044B2 |
Mobile apparatus
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile apparatus including: a first communication module configured to communicate with a first base station of a first mobile communications network through a first radio access method; a second communication module configured to communicate with a second base station of a second mobile communications network through a second radio access method, the second communication module configured to provide a circuit switching service; a memory; and a control module configured to control the memory to store information about the second mobile communications network when the first communication module carries out a waiting processing and the second communication module carries out a synchronization processing. |
| US08428043B2 |
Base station, mobile station, signal transmission method, and signal reception method
A base station for communicating within a system band including plural basic frequency blocks includes a signal generating unit configured to generate data and control signals; an intermediate signal generating unit configured to generate intermediate signals; a multiplexing unit configured to add one or more subcarriers such that center frequencies of signal bands for the respective basic frequency blocks are placed at predetermined frequency intervals, and multiplex the intermediate signals and data and control signals; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the multiplexed signals. |
| US08428041B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device and wireless communication method, and computer program
Access control based on CSMA is favorably carried out with the RTS/CTS method used together.If the RTS/CTS procedure is used together, CTS information is transmitted in response to the reception of RTS information, and data is transmitted in response to the reception of CTS. The CTS transmitting station measures the quality of RTS receive signal, and thereby determines a transmission rate at which it can receive and notifies a station as the destination of CTS. The station as the destination of CTS transmits data in response to CTS information. As the transmission rate for this data, the transmission rate indicated in the RATE field in CTS is applied. |
| US08428032B1 |
System and method for providing selective voice call continuity
A method for selectively establishing a voice call continuity link between a mobile device and a voice call continuity application server includes the steps of receiving a request to establish a voice over IP call connection at the voice call continuity application server from the mobile device, the request including mobile device location information for the mobile device. The method determines at the voice call continuity application server whether the voice call continuity link is needed between the voice call continuity server and the mobile device responsive to the mobile device location information within the request and network location information stored within a database associated with the voice call continuity application server. The method establishes the voice call continuity link between the mobile device and the voice call continuity application responsive to a determination that the voice call continuity link is needed. |
| US08428030B2 |
Addressing scheme for a relay network system
According to one general aspect, a method may include collecting at least one Mobile Station (MS) Medium Access Control (MAC) Packet Data Units (PDUs), associated with at least one Mobile Station. In various embodiments, the method may also include generating at least one MS station identifier (STID) sub-header (MSID-SH), indicating for each MS MAC PDU (MPDU) a MS STID that is associated the respective MPDU. In some embodiments, the method may include packing the MSID-SH and the at least one of MPDU into a single Relay MAC PDU (RPDU). In various embodiments, the method may also include wirelessly transmitting the RPDU. |
| US08428026B2 |
Scheduling data transmissions in a wireless network
An apparatus and method for scheduling data transmissions in a wireless network is disclosed. A first value related to a buffer is transmitted to a user equipment (UE) by a network. The network also transmits an allocation message for an uplink transmission and receives data in response. The data is selected from the plurality of buffers of the UE in response to the transmitted first value and based on a second value. |
| US08428024B2 |
System and method for mobility with a split home agent architecture using MPTCP
A method implemented in a network element functioning as a home agent (HA) for a mobile node (MN) communicating with a corresponding node (CN) using Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (MIPv6), the method including selecting by the HA a virtual home agent (VHA) to provide home agent services to the MN with a better quality of service than the HA based on pre-defined policies, sending a flow switch request (FSR) message to the selected VHA, the FSR message including transmission control protocol (TCP) parameters and the FSR message including a care-of address for the MN and an address of the CN, the FSR message to initiate a flow redirection at the VHA using multi-path TCP exchange, and receiving a flow switch acknowledgement (FSA) message from the VHA indicating that the VHA is receiving data packets from the CN and tunneling the data packets to the MN at the care-of address. |
| US08428022B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting positioning reference signals in a wireless communication network
A method (300, 500) and apparatus (200) that transmits and/or receives positioning reference signals in a wireless communication network using a mixture of cyclic prefix types. The method may include configuring (320) subframes in the wireless communication network as multicast broadcast single frequency network subframes. The method may include configuring (330) subframes in the wireless communication network as positioning subframes including positioning reference signals. The method may include determining (340) whether all of the positioning subframes are multicast broadcast single frequency network subframes. The method may include generating (350) extended cyclic prefix positioning reference signals for all of the positioning subframes if all of the positioning subframes are multicast broadcast single frequency network subframes. |
| US08428021B2 |
Architecture using inexpensive, managed wireless switching points to deliver large scale WLAN
Methods, apparatus and a computer program product provide for a network architecture implemented between a Wireless Switching Point and a remote Wireless Controller. The Wireless Switching Point contains only a first data plane portion. At least one incoming data packet is received at a respective port of the Wireless Switching Point. Based on data included within the at least one incoming data packet, the Wireless Switching Point determines a first current network interface utilized by at least one port of the Wireless Switching Point. The Wireless Switching Point uploads the first current network interface to a remote Wireless Controller—which implements a first control plane capability on behalf of the Wireless Switching Point. After uploading the first current network interface, the Wireless Switching Point receives an update, provided by the remote Wireless Controller, to the first current network interface. |
| US08428017B2 |
Channel quality reporting method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
When a high SIR can be achieved for downlink data transmission, for example in a MIMO system, or when higher order modulation, such as 64 QAM, can be used, it is desired to measure the instantaneous downlink channel quality indicator (CQI), and report the measured CQI to the network using the same number of bits as when a lower SIR can be achieved. In order to do this, a true CQI is derived based upon at least one network controlled parameter and a measured channel quality parameter; and the true CQI value is scaled to a new CQI value such that the new CQI will fall within a specified range of CQI values; so that the new CQI achieved by scaling the derived CQI value can be reported with every CQI value over the entire reporting range requiring the same number of bits. |
| US08428016B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating in a dominant interference scenario
Techniques for supporting communication in a dominant interference scenario are described. A user equipment (UE) may communicate with a first base station and may observe high interference from and/or may cause high interference to a second base station. In one design, the first base station may use a first frequency band, which may overlap at least partially with a second frequency band for the second base station and may further extend beyond the second frequency band. The first base station may send at least one synchronization signal and a broadcast channel in a center portion of the first frequency band for use by UEs to detect the first base station. The second frequency band may be non-overlapping with the center portion of the first frequency band. The first base station may also communicate with at least one UE on the first frequency band. |
| US08428013B2 |
Method of performing random access in a wireless communcation system
A method of performing random access in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method of performing random access in a user equipment of a wireless communication system which uses multiple carriers includes transmitting a preamble for random access to a network, receiving a random access response message from the network in response to the preamble, transmitting a connection setup request message to the network, the connection setup request message requesting connection establishment with the network, and receiving a first message from the network, the first message including connection setup information and contention resolution information in a random access procedure. If a user equipment identifier of the user equipment is included in the message, the user equipment determines that it has successfully performed random access and performs a next procedure in accordance with the connection setup information. If the user equipment identifier of the user equipment is not included in the message, the user equipment determines that it has failed in random access and transmits a random access preamble to the network again after the lapse of a predetermined time period. |
| US08428011B2 |
Resource allocation control method and device in mobile radio communications system
For radio communications between a base station and a mobile station, resource allocation within a resource block including control resources used for control signals (CQI, ACK/NACK) and reference resources used for a reference signal is performed. The base station measures the quality of a channel between the mobile station and the base station itself. Based on the measured channel quality, the base station sets a ratio between resources for the control signals CQI and ACK/NACK in the control resources, and notifies the mobile station of the set resource ratio. |
| US08428007B2 |
Resource allocation size dependent transport block size signaling
The invention relates to a method for providing control signalling associated to a transport block in a mobile communication system. Furthermore, the invention also provides a receiving apparatus and a transmitting apparatus that performs the methods proposed herein. In order to obtain a control signaling mechanism that is increasing the number of available transport block sizes that can be used for transmissions of a transport block, without increasing the control signaling overhead, the invention suggests to apply a partitioning to the transport block size indices defined over the entire range of applicable resource allocation sizes and modulation and coding scheme levels, wherein the transport blocks size indicator is selecting the transport block size index from a respective partition depending on the resource allocation size. |
| US08428006B2 |
Hierarchical control signaling for mobile clients in distributed wireless controller system
A system and method for a hierarchical distributed control architecture to support roaming wireless client devices. Access switches serve one or more Internet Protocol (IP) subnets that include plural IP addresses. The access switches are arranged in switch peer groups and store information about other access switches in that switch peer group and about locations of wireless client devices that are associated with any access switch in the switch peer group. The access switches are further grouped into a corresponding mobility sub-domain each including plural switch peer groups. Plural controller devices control access switches in a corresponding mobility sub-domain. Each controller device stores information about the access switches and about locations of wireless client devices within its mobility sub-domain. A central controller device communicates with the controller devices for the respective mobility sub-domains. The central controller device stores information about locations of wireless client devices in the mobility sub-domains. |
| US08428004B2 |
Wireless network facilitator and monitor
Techniques are presented for facilitating and monitoring wireless network connections. Clients and intermediate nodes are configured to interact with one another via network connections. Initially, the clients wirelessly connect to a select one of the intermediate nodes. Tests may be periodically issued to the clients and to the intermediate nodes to measure and track performance and quality of the network connections. Billing records may also be recorded and billing policies verified for client activities occurring during the network connections. |
| US08428003B1 |
Method and system for WiMAX R4 auto-discovery and configuration
A method is provided for the automatic discovery and updating of gateway peers within a WiMAX Access Service Network in order to control R4 intra-ASN mobility. In a preferred embodiment, When a WiMAX Access Service Network Gateway is added to the network, it propagates an AUTO-DISCOVER message using the Open Shortest Path First protocol's opaque Link State Advertisement. The received messages are used to establish connections to the sending peer based on data packaged in the Link State Advertisement. Once a connection has been established, UPDATE and CONFIRM messages are used by Access Service Network Gateways to exchange WiMAX R4 routing information. The message sequence number is used to correspond UPDATE and CONFIRM messages. The OSPF-based keep-alive mechanism is used to determine whether internal peers are reachable. |
| US08428001B2 |
Timing corrections in a multi carrier system and propagation to a channel estimation time filter
Systems and methods are provided for determining and applying timing corrections in a digital communications system. In an aspect, a timing correction method is provided for a multi-carrier system. This includes aligning two or more symbols with respect to each other from a symbol subset in order to account for timing differences between the symbols. The symbol alignment is first carried out to generate channel estimates for data demodulation. The channel estimates, thus generated, along with the timing alignment information are in turn used for determining timing corrections-to be applied to future symbols. |
| US08427998B2 |
Method of designing a multiplexing structure for resource allocation to support legacy system
New multiplexing UL structures for supporting legacy system are provided. A 16m system of diversity mode can be multiplexed with 16e system in PUSC mode in FDM manner with the same tiles/permutation rules. A 16m system can be multiplexed with 16e system in AMC mode in FDM and/or TDM manner. The time length of multiplexed 16e PUSC packets and/or 16m packets can be extended to more than two sub-frames for UL coverage. A PRU for 16m system may consists of 16 sub-carriers by 6 OFDMA symbols, 18 sub-carriers by 6 OFDMA symbols, or 20 sub-carriers by 6 OFDMA symbols when FDM is used. |
| US08427997B2 |
Access method and apparatus of multimedia broadcast multicast service on dedicated carrier
An access method of MBMS on dedicated carrier relates to MBMS access technology on dedicated carrier, including: synchronize a user equipment to a MBMS dedicated carrier; the user equipment detects a start-frame of system message on the MBMS dedicated carrier; and the terminal monitors the system message from the start-frame of system message. An apparatus of realizing the method is also provided. |
| US08427996B2 |
Method for selecting a channel in a multi-channel communication system
A method for selecting a channel for group communications in a conventional multi-channel communication system comprises receiving, for a plurality of channels in the multi-channel communication system, a talkgroup assignment list for the channels that identifies a set of talkgroups assigned to use the corresponding channels. A subscriber unit receives talkgroup assignment lists for multiple different channels, determines a desired talkgroup, and selects a channel assigned to the desired talkgroup using the received talkgroup assignment. The talkgroup assignment list is developed for at least one channel in the multi-channel communication system and identifies a set of talkgroups assigned to use the corresponding channel. The list is transmitted for the channel to a subscriber unit and is used by the subscriber unit to register with the system and affiliate with a talkgroup supported by the channel in the conventional multi-channel communication system. |
| US08427992B2 |
Power-efficient backbone-oriented wireless sensor network, method for constructing the same and method for repairing the same
The present invention discloses a power-efficient backbone-oriented wireless sensor network, a method for constructing the same and a method for repairing the same, wherein energy-rich nodes are used to form backbones linking to a server, and wherein regular nodes having limited energy storage link to the backbones. When one energy-rich node malfunctions, the energy-rich node, which is posterior to the malfunctioning energy-rich node, searches for and links to a linkable neighboring energy-rich node on the backbone. If there is none linkable neighboring energy-rich node, the regular nodes are used to form a temporary tunnel until the malfunctioning energy-rich node has been repaired. The present invention can relieve the influence of hot spots, increase the robustness of the wireless sensor network, and prolong the service life of the wireless sensor network. |
| US08427989B2 |
Method for improving discontinuous reception for a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method for improving discontinuous reception for a user equipment of a wireless communication system includes separately managing retransmission detecting timings of a plurality of downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (DL HARQ) processes when the discontinuous reception is used in the plurality of DL HARQ processes. |
| US08427981B2 |
System and method for recording and monitoring communications using a media server
A communication system including a media server through which communication packets are exchanged for recording and monitoring purposes is disclosed. A tap is associated with each communication endpoint allowing for cradle to grave recording of communications despite their subsequent routing or branching. An incoming communication is routed to a first tap and upon selection of a receiving party; the first tap is routed to a second tap which forwards communication packets on to the receiving party. The taps may be used to forward communication packets to any number of other taps or destinations, such as a recording device, monitoring user, or other user in the form of a conference. |
| US08427980B2 |
Methods and apparatus to determine and implement multidimensional network topologies
Methods and apparatus to determine and implement multidimensional network topologies are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises receiving an input parameter for determining a multidimensional network topology for a network interconnecting a plurality of devices, and determining a set of multidimensional network topologies, each multidimensional network topology of the set comprising a respective plurality of nodes to interconnect the plurality of devices, each node in each multidimensional network topology of the set being fully connected with all neighbor nodes in each dimension of the multidimensional network topology, and each multidimensional network topology of the set satisfying a first constraint based on the input parameter. |
| US08427978B2 |
System and method for information feedback in a wireless communications system with coordinated multiple point transmission
A system and method for information feedback in a wireless communications system with coordinated multiple point (CoMP) transmission are provided. A method for operating in a communications system, the communications system having a first communications controller and a second communications controller participating in a CoMP cooperation set, the method includes selecting a CoMP processing technique, and reporting channel information to the first communications controller. The channel information is based on the preferred CoMP processing technique. |
| US08427975B2 |
Out-of band radio for supporting compressed mode in a femto deployment
Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for using communications over an out-of-band (OOB) link to support compressed mode communications by user equipment (UE) in a femto deployment. Typically, UEs must tune away from an active communications channel to make inter-frequency and/or inter-RAT measurements. When making these measurements, data communications may be compressed to allow time to tune away for those measurements. Embodiments integrate an OOB proxy with the femtocell to provide OOB link capability to supplement WWAN link resources. According to various techniques, the OOB link is used to compensate for reductions in data rate and/or quality resulting from compressed mode operation. For example, the OOB link is used to communicate compressed mode signaling data, retransmissions, and/or other compensatory data. |
| US08427968B2 |
Communication data statistical apparatus, communication data statistical method, and computer program product
An apparatus has a receiver module configured to receive packets including multiple different identifiers, an aggregation module configured to classify each packet, which is received by the receiver module into a certain aggregate flow and generate aggregate statistical information including number of packets belonging to the certain aggregate flow, and a statistical processing module configured to perform an updating process arranged to classify the certain aggregate flow into a specific statistical flow and to update statistical information including number of packets belonging to the specific statistical flow based on corresponding aggregate statistical information, the statistical processing module repeating the updating process for multiple aggregate flows, into which packets are classified by the aggregation module, so as to update the statistical information in each of the multiple different statistical conditions. |
| US08427967B2 |
Method and apparatus for carrier identity determination in multi-carrier communication systems
Systems and methods are described that facilitate the determination and request of resources a node may wish to reserve. The resources include a plurality of carriers that are shared with other nodes. In an approach, the node determines a condition related to the plurality of carriers; creates an ordering of the plurality of resources; and transmits a resource utilization message (RUM) for one or more of the plurality of resources based on the ordering and the condition. |
| US08427965B2 |
Method to optimize the data stream between a router and a multimedia unit
Even if high speed are available between the router and the multimedia unit through the IP line (up to 24 Mbits/sec), this is still the bottleneck in term of data transfer. Indeed in practice the vast majority of IP users have access speed between 2 to 5 Mbits/sec and the development of other services (telephony, videoconference, push VOD, game) are bandwidth consuming. It is now an object of the invention to propose a solution to reduce the data flow between the router and the multimedia unit over IP line.This is achieved by a method to optimize the data stream between a router and a multimedia unit, the router receiving at least one data stream forming a service and comprising several sub-streams from which part of them are alternatively used by the multimedia unit, the method comprising the steps of: defining a set of data representing the multimedia unit's profile, transmitting this set of data to the router, filtering by the router the unnecessary sub-stream according the given profile, sending the remaining sub-streams to the multimedia unit. |
| US08427964B2 |
Method and apparatus for documenting network paths
Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device. In this manner, as each device along a network path regains connectivity the network path information stored within the NMS/RMS is updated until a complete view of the network path is documented. |
| US08427963B2 |
Method and system for analyzing and qualifying routes in packet networks
Routes of a packet network are analyzed according to various transit delay metrics. Preferred packet network routes are selected between source and destination based on these metrics. In packet networks employing boundary clocks and transparent clocks, faulty boundary clocks and faulty transparent clocks are identified using the metrics. |
| US08427962B1 |
Control of inter-zone/intra-zone recovery using in-band communications
A method of communicating information regarding a failure is disclosed. The method includes generating failure information. The failure affects a virtual path, which is between a first node and a second node. A first zone includes the first node, and a second zone includes the second node. The failure information can include, for example, a zone identifier and/or an action code. |
| US08427960B2 |
Method and device for analyzing data
The present invention discloses a method for analyzing data, which comprises: judging whether the read of each multiplexing block in a media unit has been completed according to the total length of the media unit and the length of the multiplexing block when reading the multiplexing blocks in the media unit; the media unit is a video unit, an audio unit or a data unit. The present invention imposes the structural features of multiplexing blocks, when the receiving quality of the mobile media broadcasting terminal is well, which dispenses with judging whether the multiplexing block is the beginning multiplexing block or the ending multiplexing block according to the beginning ID code and the ending ID code, analyzing with type and data unit type field, and CRC. Therefore, the multiplexing block analyzer steps and the procedure of data process of the receiver are predigested. It performs quick analyzing. |
| US08427958B2 |
Dynamic latency-based rerouting
A switch creates and dynamically updates a latency map of a network to adjust routing of flows. Further, the network is monitored to detect latency issues and trigger a dynamic adjustment of routing based on the latency map. In this manner, a flow can be routed along a route (i.e., a faster route) that provides less latency than other available routes. The latency map can be generated based on latency probe packets that are issued from and returned to the source switch. By evaluating many such latent probe packets that have traveled along many available routes (e.g., corresponding to various ports of the switch), the switch or associated administrative logic can dynamically adjust the latency map to updated latency information of available routes. Therefore, responsive to a trigger, the source switch can dynamically adjust the routing of a flow based on latency issues discerned from the network. |
| US08427957B2 |
Communication terminal and communication method
Provided is a communication terminal that is capable of securing a route having the finest state while suppressing a bandwidth that is consume by a transmission of a control packet at a low level, when applied in an ad-hoc network which uses an electrical power line. The communication terminal included in the ad-hoc network acquires a plurality of route candidates at the beginning of a data transmission by conducting a broadcast transmission of a route creation packet, and acquires a route having the finest state by conducting an unicast transmission of a route estimation packet to each of the route candidates in each predetermined period. |
| US08427954B2 |
Automatic reverse channel assignment in a two-way TDM communication system
A method and apparatus for communication is disclosed. Information is received on a downlink channel in a time interval. On a condition that an explicit allocation of a first uplink channel is received, feedback information regarding the received information is transmitted on the first uplink channel, wherein the feedback information is transmitted with user data on the first uplink channel. On a condition that an explicit allocation of the first uplink channel is not received, feedback information regarding the received information is transmitted in a time interval on a second uplink channel, wherein an explicit allocation of the second uplink channel is not received, wherein the time interval on the second uplink channel is a pre-determined time period away from the time interval on the downlink channel. |
| US08427953B2 |
Tunnel provisioning with link aggregation and hashing
A method for processing data packets in a communication network includes establishing a path for a flow of the data packets through the communication network. At a node along the path having a plurality of aggregated ports, a port is selected from among the plurality to serve as part of the path. A label is chosen responsively to the selected port. The label is attached to the data packets in the flow at a point on the path upstream from the node. Upon receiving the data packets at the node, the data packets are switched through the selected port responsively to the label. |
| US08427949B2 |
System and method for adapting a source rate
A system and method for adapting a source rate are provided. A method for operations at a communications device, where the communications device is a sender of information packets over a packet stream, includes determining a source rate of the packet stream, and marking information packets of the packet stream, where the information packets are marked with a first marking pattern if the source rate is equal to a minimum source rate, or the information packets are marked with a second marking pattern if the source rate is greater than the minimum source rate. The first marking pattern has a period of M information packets, where M is a positive integer value greater than or equal to two, and the second marking pattern has a period of M information packets. The method also includes transmitting the marked information packets over the packet stream to a receiver. |
| US08427941B2 |
Redundant storage virtualization subsystem having data path branching functionality
Disclosed is a redundant storage virtualization subsystem (SVS) having branching functionality. The SVS comprises a first and a second storage virtualization controller (SVC) and a physical storage device (PSD) array. A first and a second data path are provided between the first SVC and the PSD array passing through a first and a second signal integrity enhancing device (SIED), respectively, and configured as a first pair of redundant data paths. A third and a fourth data path are provided between the second SVC and the PSD array passing through the second and the first SIED, respectively, and configured as a second pair of redundant data paths. In view of the PSD array, the first and fourth data paths form a third redundant data path pair for a PSD, and the third and second data paths form a fourth redundant data path pair for a PSD. |
| US08427939B2 |
MPLS tunnel identification method and device
According to an aspect of the invention, an MPLS tunnel identification method includes: establishing MPLS tunnels with an opposing node by distributing an MPLS tunnel label; and determining an MPLS tunnel to be associated with a pseudo wire corresponding to a pseudo wire label among the MPLS tunnels when the pseudo wire label is assigned from the opposing node thereby to notify identification information of the MPLS tunnel together with identification information of the pseudo wire to the opposing node. |
| US08427937B1 |
Bridging for SONET/SDH automatic protection switching
Bridging for Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET)/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) Automatic Protection Switching is disclosed. First and second apparatus in a redundant pair handle communication traffic that includes content for transmission on respective first and second SONET/SDH connections. Content received by each apparatus for transmission on a SONET/SDH connection is transmitted on the first and second SONET/SDH connections. Such content is also transmitted by each apparatus to the other apparatus in the redundant pair unless that content was received from the other apparatus. The content is thereby transmitted on both the first and second SONET/SDH connections even though the content is received directly by only one apparatus of the redundant pair. This avoids duplication of communication traffic that carries the content. Where the traffic is Ethernet traffic, the traffic may be bridged between the first apparatus and the second apparatus at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. |
| US08427935B2 |
Reduction of out-of-band emitted power
OFDM signal transmission of reduced power emission outside a designated transmission bandwidth is disclosed. At least one subcarrier is allocated for an OFDM symbol for non-data. A weighting signal representation is determined based on an initial error signal representation, which is determined from at least part of a first OFDM symbol and part of a second OFDM symbol, the first and second OFDM symbols being consecutive in time. |
| US08427931B2 |
Recording/reproducing medium and method
A recording apparatus for use with a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, including: a recording unit which records data on the reproduction-only optical information storage medium; and a controller which controls the recording unit to form, on the reproduction-only optical storage medium, a plurality of areas and at least one transition area. Each transition area is located between two adjacent areas. The transition area allows data to be smoothly reproduced from the reproduction-only optical information storage medium at a low error generation rate. Also, since the optical information storage medium provides standards for the transition area, it is compatible with existing optical information storage media. |
| US08427927B1 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, head gimbals assembly, head arm assembly, and magnetic disk unit
The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a magnetic pole; a waveguide allowing a transverse-electric (TE) wave oscillating in a cross-track direction to propagate toward an air bearing surface; and a plasmon generator having a tip portion near the air bearing surface, the tip portion being provided to overlap, in a down-track direction, with both the magnetic pole and the waveguide, and having a quadrangular cross-section substantially parallel to the air bearing surface. |
| US08427926B2 |
Optical pickup lens
An optical pickup lens for focusing a light beam from a laser light source on an optical information recording medium is a single lens. The optical pickup lens has two surfaces, and a surface R2 opposite to a surface R1 closer to the laser light source has a continuous shape. When the surface R2 has radii h1, h2 and h3 (h1 |
| US08427925B2 |
HAMR NFT materials with improved thermal stability
A near field transducer includes gold and at least one dopant. The dopant can include at least one of: Cu, Rh, Ru, Ag, Ta, Cr, Al, Zr, V, Pd, Ir, Co, W, Ti, Mg, Fe, or Mo. The dopant concentration may be in a range from 0.5% and 30%. The dopant can be a nanoparticle oxide of V, Zr, Mg, Ca, Al, Ti, Si, Ce, Y, Ta, W, or Th, or a nitride of Ta, Al, Ti, Si, In, Fe, Zr, Cu, W or B. |
| US08427923B2 |
Optical pickup device, optical disc device and focus adjusting method
An optical pickup device includes an astigmatism element which imparts astigmatism to laser light reflected on a disc, a spectral element which changes propagating directions of four light fluxes obtained by dividing a light flux of the laser light reflected on the disc to disperse the four light fluxes from each other, and a photodetector having a sensor group which receives the four light fluxes. The optical pickup device is further provided with a memory which holds a correction value for suppressing a DC component in a tracking error signal resulting from a positional displacement of the spectral element. The tracking error signal is corrected by the correction value to thereby suppress the DC component. |
| US08427922B2 |
Optical pickup device and optical disc device
An optical pickup device is so configured as to change the propagating directions of light fluxes in four light flux areas defined in the periphery of an optical axis of laser light, out of the laser light reflected on a disc, to separate the four light fluxes one from the other. A signal light area where only signal light exists is defined on a detecting surface of a photodetector. Sensors for signal light is disposed at a position in the signal light area to be irradiated by the signal light, and a tracking error signal is generated based on a signal from the sensors. A direct-current component of the tracking error signal resulting from positional displacements of the sensors is cancelled by adjusting a gain of the signal from the sensor. |
| US08427921B2 |
Light emitting device, optical pickup apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
In the present invention, to improve CD read/write characteristics having poor image height characteristics, a third light emitting source emitting a third laser beam for CD is disposed on an optical axis of an objective lens. Thereby, the third laser beam emitted from the third light emitting source travels along the optical axis of the objective lens, thus generating no coma aberration in the third laser beam. Furthermore, in the present invention, a second light emitting source emitting a second laser beam for DVD and a first light emitting source emitting a first laser beam for BD are disposed across the third light emitting source. Thereby the phase propagation directions of coma aberrations in the first and second laser beams coincide with each other. Adjustment of the coma aberration in one of the laser beams enables the coma aberration in the other laser beam to be adjusted. |
| US08427917B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus, integrated circuit, and method for controlling laser output of optical pickup apparatus
An optical-pickup apparatus includes: a first laser light source including a first laser diode to emit a laser beam having a first wavelength, and a back-monitor photodetector to receive the laser beam emitted in a backward direction, not being an optical-disc direction, and output a first monitor signal; a second laser-light source including a second laser diode to emit a laser beam having a second wavelength; a light-receiving circuit including a front-monitor photodetector to receive the laser beam emitted in a forward direction, being the optical-disc direction, and output a second monitor signal, and a switch circuit to be inputted with the first and second monitor signals, and output the first or second monitor signal according to a switch signal; and first and second drive circuits to drive the first and second laser diodes according to the first and second monitor signals outputted from the light-receiving circuit, respectively. |
| US08427915B2 |
Method and apparatus for recording information in optical storage medium, and multi-layer optical storage medium
To record information as an array of optically changed portions arranged along a track in an optical storage medium, a pulsed laser beam is emitted toward the optical storage medium while causing at least one of the optical storage medium and the pulsed laser beam to be moved relative to each other. A plurality of pulses of the pulsed laser beam are emitted during a time span in which one segment of the track having a length corresponding to a length of one optically changed portion is scanned with the pulsed laser beam. An intensity of light with which a segment of the track is to be illuminated to form each individual optically changed portion is adjusted by causing a shutter to selectively reduce the number of pulses of the pulsed laser beam with which the segment of the track is to be illuminated. |
| US08427914B2 |
Lens pull-in method for near-field optical accessing system
A lens pull-in method is used in a near-field optical accessing system. When a lens is in a far-field range, the lens is driven to approach a surface of an optical disc in an open loop control state. If the lens enters a near-field range, a first GES level is inputted as a set value and the lens is driven in a close loop control state. When the gap error signal decreases to the first GES level, the set value is changed to a second GES level, which is higher than the first GES level. When the gap error signal increases to the first GES level, the set value is changed to a target GES level, so that the gap error signal is maintained at the target gap error signal. |
| US08427913B2 |
Servo control signal generation device and an optical disk device using the same
A servo control signal generation device for discriminating a kind of an optical disk, changing over between top and bottom envelope signals of an RF signal, and generating a defect signal and a mirror signal includes an RF generator for generating the RF signal from reflected light of an optical disk, a disk discriminator for discriminating a kind of the optical disk from the RF signal, and a top envelope generator and a bottom envelope generator respectively for generating the top and bottom envelope signals of the RF signal. If the disk has reflectance after recording which is lower than that before recording, the defect and mirror signals are generated respectively from the top and bottom envelope signals. If the disk has reflectance after recording which is higher than that before recording, the defect and mirror signals are generated respectively from the bottom and top envelope signals. |
| US08427909B2 |
Timepiece dial, method of manufacturing a timepiece dial, and a timepiece
A timepiece dial has excellent transparency to electromagnetic waves (radio and light), and an excellent appearance, a timepiece dial manufacturing method enables manufacturing the timepiece dial, and a timepiece has the timepiece dial. The timepiece dial 1 has a substrate 2 that is electromagnetically transparent, and a dispersion film 3 containing a dispersion of metal powder 31 with an average particle diameter of 5 μm≦20 μm and an average particle thickness of 30 nm≦50 nm. The average thickness of the dispersion film 3 is 0.5 μm≦3.0 μm. The metal powder 31 is disposed with a specific gap therebetween in the through-thickness direction of the dispersion film 3. |
| US08427905B2 |
Optimum pseudo random sequence determining method, position detection system, position detection method, transmission device and reception device
To enable precise calculation of a propagation time of a direct wave which arrives fastest from an ultrasonic generation source without being affected by a reflected wave of an ultrasonic signal.A plurality of ultrasonic signals generated based on a plurality of M sequences different from each other are propagated from a transmission side to a reception side, whereby the reception side generates model waveforms of the plurality of M sequences, executes correlation processing between each model waveform and a waveform of each ultrasonic signal and detects a secondary peak of a correlation value which appears when both waveforms partly coincide with each other to determine an M sequence which generates a smallest secondary peak among secondary peaks detected by all the correlation processing as an optimum M sequence. The transmission side sends out an electromagnetic signal and an ultrasonic signal modulated by an optimum M sequence generated based on an initial condition of the optimum M sequence to the reception side. The reception side calculates a correlation value between the ultrasonic signal and a model waveform of the ultrasonic modulated by the optimum M sequence, detects a first primary peak of the calculated correlation value and calculates an ultrasonic propagation time from a time point of the reception of the electromagnetic signal and a time point of the detection of the primary peak. |
| US08427903B2 |
Method for monitoring a subsoil zone using a plurality of correlated traces, particularly during simulated fracturing operations
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a subsoil zone, wherein a plurality of receivers are arranged on a surface of the soil or near said surface, straight above a geological zone to be monitored, comprising the following steps: generating a set of reference seismic data recording seismic data by means of said receivers; correlating the seismic data recorded (52) with the reference seismic data; comparing each trace of the correlated data, with correlated traces located in a vicinity of said trace, in order to evaluate a similarity of each correlated trace with the adjacent correlated traces, detecting a microseismic event occurring in the subsoil zone by analysing said similarity. This method enables real-time monitoring. |
| US08427893B2 |
Redundancy memory cell access circuit and semiconductor memory device including the same
A redundancy memory cell access circuit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and an accessing unit. The first control unit compares an unprogrammed fuse signal with an address signal to generate a first redundancy enable signal from the comparison. The accessing unit allows access to a redundancy memory cell corresponding to the unprogrammed signal when the first redundancy enable signal from the first control unit or a second redundancy enable signal from the second control unit is activated. Thus, the redundancy memory cell access circuit is tested simultaneously with testing of the redundancy memory cell for minimized testing and programming times. |
| US08427888B2 |
Word-line driver using level shifter at local control circuit
A representative circuit device includes a local control circuit having a level shifter, wherein in response to receipt of a first address signal the level shifter shifts the first address signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, providing a level shifted first address signal; and a word-line driver having at least one input for receiving a plurality of address signals, wherein the at least one input includes a first input that is coupled to the local control circuit to receive the level shifted first address signal, and an output that is electrically coupled to a word line of a memory cell array. |
| US08427883B2 |
Setting circuit and integrated circuit including the same
A setting circuit includes a selection unit configured to select one of a predefined code and an external code in response to a test signal, and a setting information generation unit configured to generate setting information in response to the code selected by the selection unit. |
| US08427877B2 |
Digital method to obtain the I-V curves of NVM bitcells
A calibration table (160) of reference current (Iref) values and associated digital register settings is used during user test/diagnostics mode by varying the Iref values by changing the digital register settings and searching the transitioning gate voltage (Vg) of each bitcell at each Iref value to obtain the bitcell I-V curve using a digitally tunable gate voltage control (117) and reference current circuit (123) under control of a test module or circuit (110). |
| US08427875B2 |
Method and memory controller for reading data stored in flash memory by referring to binary digit distribution characteristics of bit sequences read from flash memory
An exemplary method for reading data stored in a flash memory includes: controlling the flash memory to perform a plurality of read operations upon each of a plurality of memory cells included in the flash memory; obtaining a plurality of bit sequences read from the memory cells, respectively, wherein the read operations read bits of a predetermined bit order from each of the memory cells as one of the bit sequences by utilizing different control gate voltage settings; and determining readout information of the memory cells according to binary digit distribution characteristics of the bit sequences. |
| US08427874B2 |
Non-volatile memory and method with even/odd combined block decoding
A nonvolatile memory array is organized into a plurality of interleaving even and odd blocks. When a block is selected for operation, a set of word line voltages are delivered to the block of word lines by space-efficient decoding circuits and scheme. The plurality of blocks is organized into an array of pairs of adjacent odd and even blocks. A first voltage bus allows all even blocks access to the set of word line voltages. A second voltage bus allows all odd blocks access to the set of word line voltages. A decoder for selection is provided for each pair of adjacent even and odd blocks. Selecting a block is effected by selecting the pair of adjacent even and odd blocks containing the selected block, and supplying the set of word line voltages only to the selected block, which is one of the even or odd block in the selected pair. |
| US08427873B2 |
Read operation for non-volatile storage with compensation for coupling
Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate (or other charge storing element) of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of the coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates (or other adjacent charge storing elements). The problem occurs most pronouncedly between sets of adjacent memory cells that have been programmed at different times. To account for this coupling, the read process for a particular memory cell will provide compensation to an adjacent memory cell in order to reduce the coupling effect that the adjacent memory cell has on the particular memory cell. |
| US08427866B2 |
Magnetic storage element and magnetic storage device
There are provided magnetic storage elements capable of performing a high-reliability write operation by inhibiting erroneous reversal of data of the magnetic storage element put in a semi-selected state, and a magnetic storage device using this. A recording layer having an easy axis and a hard axis overlaps at least one of a first or second conductive layer at the entire region thereof in plan view. First endpoints of a first line segment along the easy axis and maximum in dimension overlapping the recording layer in plan view don't overlap the second conductive layer in plan view. At least one of second endpoints of a pair of endpoints of a second line segment passing through the middle point of the first line segment, orthogonal to the first line segment in plan view, and overlapping the recording layer in plan view doesn't overlap the first conductive layer in plan view. |
| US08427865B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
There is provided a semiconductor storage device which is capable of further reducing a size of a memory cell, and increasing a storage capacity. Plural memory cells each including a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a variable resistive device having a resistance value changed by voltage supply and connected between source and drain terminals of the transistor are arranged longitudinally and in an array to configure a three-dimensional memory cell array. A memory cell structure has a double channel structure in which an inside of a switching transistor is filled with a variable resistance element, particularly, a phase change material. The switching transistor is turned off by application of a voltage to increase a channel resistance so that a current flows in the internal phase change material to operate the memory. |
| US08427864B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
To write information on a memory cell of SPRAM formed of an MOS transistor and a tunnel magnetoresistive element, the memory cell is supplied with a current in a direction opposite to a direction of a current required for writing the information on the memory cell, and then, the memory cell is supplied with a current required for writing. In this manner, even when the same information is sequentially written on the memory cell, since the currents in the two directions are caused to flow in pairs in the tunnel magnetoresistive element of the memory cell each time information is rewritten, deterioration of a film that forms the tunnel magnetoresistive element can be suppressed. Therefore, reliability of the SPRAM can be improved. |
| US08427860B2 |
Memory component, memory device, and method of operating memory device
A memory component includes: a first electrode; a memory layer; and a second electrode which are provided in that order, wherein the memory layer includes an ion source layer containing aluminum (Al) together with at least one chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se), and a resistance variable layer provided between the ion source layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminum oxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide. |
| US08427859B2 |
Arrays of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells, methods of forming arrays of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells, and methods of reading a data value stored by an array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells
An array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented word lines within individual tiers of memory cells. A plurality of horizontally oriented global bit lines having local vertical bit line extensions extend through multiple of the tiers. Individual of the memory cells comprise multi-resistive state material received between one of the horizontally oriented word lines and one of the local vertical bit line extensions where such cross, with such ones comprising opposing conductive electrodes of individual memory cells where such cross. A plurality of bit line select circuits individually electrically and physically connects to individual of the local vertical bit line extensions and are configured to supply a voltage potential to an individual of the global horizontal bit lines. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed. |
| US08427858B2 |
Large array of upward pointinig p-i-n diodes having large and uniform current
A circuit is provided that includes a plurality of vertically oriented p-i-n diodes. Each p-i-n diode is coupled to a resistivity-switching element and includes a bottom heavily doped p-type region. When a voltage between about 1.5 volts and about 3.0 volts is applied across each p-i-n diode, a current of at least 1.5 microamps flows through 99 percent of the p-i-n diodes. Numerous other aspects are also provided. |
| US08427857B2 |
Electrical fuse programming time control scheme
A circuit includes a fuse and a sensing and control circuit. The fuse is coupled between a MOS transistor and a current source node. The sensing and control circuit is configured to receive a programming pulse and output a modified programming signal to the gate of the MOS transistor for programming the fuse. The modified programming signal has a pulse width based on a magnitude of a current through the first fuse. |
| US08427847B2 |
Resonant converter
A resonant converter (10) comprising a voltage compensation circuit (72, 73) configured to generate a periodic compensation voltage signal (Vslopecompens) at a switching frequency of the converter such that conduction intervals (31, 32) are ended according to first and second voltage levels in combination with the periodic compensation signal. |
| US08427845B2 |
Electrical connectors for optoelectronic device packaging
Packaged optoelectronic device include a first barrier layer having a plurality of feedthrough apertures communicating with at least one electrode layer of the device, and a plurality of conductive patches disposed on at least one of the plurality of feedthrough apertures for electrically connecting the device to a power supply. Each conductive patch includes a conductive metal surface layer and a non-conducting surface layer having an opening exposing the metal surface layer. |
| US08427843B2 |
Mounting apparatus for expansion cards
A mounting apparatus is adjusted to selectively mount a first expansion card or a second expansion card. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket, a retaining member fixed to the bracket, and a pivoting member pivotably attached to the retaining member. The pivoting member defines a first locking slot and a second locking slot. The pivoting member is pivotable along a first direction to limit the first expansion card. The pivoting member is pivotable along a direction opposing to the first direction to limit the second expansion card. |
| US08427842B2 |
Communication module
An electromagnetic wave suppression material is fixed to a case of a communication module. The electromagnetic wave suppression material suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves by coming into contact with a cage that is a module insertion portion of a chassis when the communication module is inserted into the cage. A piezoelectric element is provided on the case, and located between the case and the electromagnetic wave suppression material. When the communication module is inserted into the cage, the controller applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element to stretch it by the applied voltage, thereby increasing contact pressure between the cage and the electromagnetic wave suppression material. |
| US08427838B2 |
Electronic device with key mechanism thereof
An electronic device includes a main body defining an opening, and a key mechanism secured in the opening. The key mechanism includes a fixing mechanism, a circuit board and a key. The fixing mechanism includes a tab and a support. The tab protrudes from a sidewall of the opening. The support includes an elastic supporting rib connected to the tab. The circuit board is fixed on the support and includes a switch. The key is rotatably connected to the fixing mechanism actuates the switch to generate an input signal. The supporting rib applies a restoring force to the key. |
| US08427837B2 |
Thumbscrew for pluggable modules
In one example, a pluggable module comprises a shell, a module connector, and one or more thumbscrews. The shell defines a cavity within which a PCB and one or more components are disposed and includes a front, back, first side, and second side. The module connector is operatively connected to the PCB near the back of the shell and extends from within the cavity to outside the shell through an opening defined in the back of the shell. The module connector is configured to operatively couple the pluggable module to a host device. The thumbscrews are housed within one or more portions of the shell and are configured to threadably secure the pluggable module to the host device. Each of the thumbscrews comprises a torque limiter. The pluggable module can further comprise protecting means for protecting a portion of the module connector extending outside the cavity from damage. |
| US08427834B2 |
Rotatable latch for compressing thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component
Apparatuses are provided for compressing a thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component. Embodiments include a draw rod coupled at one end to the cooling electrical component, the draw rod passing through the heat generating electrical component; wherein the draw rod includes a pin on the end opposite the end coupled to the cooling electrical component; and a rotatable latch coupled to the heat generating electrical component, the rotatable latch including a hook at one end; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an engaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch engages the pin of the draw rod such that the thermal interface material adhered to the heat generating component is coupled to the cooling electrical component; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an unengaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch is not engaged with the pin of the draw rod. |
| US08427833B2 |
Thermal power plane for integrated circuits
A mechanism is provided for a thermal power plane that delivers power and constitutes minimal thermal resistance. The mechanism comprises a processor layer coupled, via a first set of coupling devices, to a signaling and input/output (I/O) layer and a power delivery layer coupled, via a second set of coupling devices, to the processor layer. In the mechanism, the power delivery layer is dedicated to only delivering power and does not provide data communication signals to the elements of the mechanism. In the mechanism, the power delivery layer comprises a plurality of conductors, a plurality of insulating materials, one or more ground planes, and a plurality of through laminate vias. In the mechanism, the signaling and input/output (I/O) layer is dedicated to only transmitting the data communication signals to and receiving the data communications signals from the processor layer and does not provide power to the elements of the processor layer. |
| US08427831B2 |
Server system with heat dissipation apparatus
An exemplary server system includes a server cabinet defining a space therein; a number of racks arranged in the space, a number of servers mounted in the racks, and a heat dissipation apparatus arranged under the racks. A channel is defined between the racks. Each of the servers includes a drawing fan. The heat dissipation apparatus includes a fan module and two heat exchangers respectively arranged at opposite sides of the fan module. The fan module is aligned with the channel for generating upward a flow of cooling air upward to the channel. During operation of the server system, the cooling air is drawn across the servers by the drawing fans to evacuate heat from the servers and becomes heated air, and the heated air flows down to the heat exchangers where the heat is dissipated from the heated air such that the heated air become the cooling air again. |
| US08427828B2 |
Printed circuit board module enclosure and apparatus using same
A modular electronic component includes a circuit board having disposed thereon one or more electronic components and an enclosure for housing the circuit board. The enclosure comprises a thermally conductive shell having front and back surfaces being substantially parallel to the plane of the circuit board and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other, left and right surfaces being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other, and top and bottom surfaces being substantially perpendicular to the left and right surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other. A thermal shunt comprised of a thermally conductive material is disposed between the circuit board and the front surface of the enclosure and provides a thermally conductive path between at least some of the electronic components and the front surface of the enclosure, where the front surface of the enclosure conducts heat to at least one of the top, left, and right surfaces of the enclosure. |
| US08427826B2 |
Computer docking station assembly
A computer docking station includes a wall having a first surface, a second surface, and an aperture extending through the wall. A securing member has a body portion configured to be positioned adjacent the first surface of the wall, and a securing projection coupled to the body portion. The securing projection is sized and configured to selectively extend through the aperture in the wall, beyond the second surface, and into a securement recess of a computer to secure the computer to the docking station. An adjustment mechanism is coupled with the body portion of the securing member and is operable to move the securing member relative to the wall between a first position, in which the securing projection is positioned to extend into a securement recess of the computer, and a second position, in which the securing projection is positioned to not extend into the securement recess. |
| US08427824B2 |
Card mounting apparatus
An exemplary card mounting apparatus is for selectively mounting either of two different types of peripheral component interconnect (PCI) cards. The card mounting apparatus includes a bracket member, a receiving member, and a latch body. The bracket member defines an opening. The receiving member engages with the bracket member. The latch body hinges the bracket member and the receiving member. The receiving member is slidable relative to the bracket member, changing a length of the opening of the bracket member to allow the bracket member to receive different types of PCI card. |
| US08427823B2 |
Mounting device for storage device
In a mounting device for disk drive, two HDDs are retained in an outer case that forms the mounting device, and an inner case with guiding grooves each including an oblique groove and a parallel groove formed thereon is provided. When the inner case is extracted, the HDD on the front side is caused to ascend in the vertical direction to a position where the HDD on the front side does not obstruct the extraction of the HDD on the back side. |
| US08427817B2 |
Handheld diabetes manager with touch screen display
A handheld diabetes manager having a blood glucose measurement engine comprises a housing having a blood glucose measuring engine and a printed circuit board disposed in the housing. A touch screen can be coupled to the housing. The touch screen can have a transparent portion surrounded by a non-transparent portion. The non-transparent portion can have adhesive thereon that seals the touch screen to the housing. A flexible connector can electrically connect at least two independent electrical leads between the touch screen and the printed circuit board. An antenna assembly can be disposed in the housing and comprise a molded carrier, a conductive portion on the molded carrier and a speaker. The conductive portion can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board and be configured to receive a radio signal. The carrier can include a recess that receives the speaker and is configured to project sound from the speaker. |
| US08427816B2 |
Low-voltage and high-voltage integrated junction box
A low-voltage and high-voltage integrated junction box includes a high-voltage distribution part, a low-voltage control board, and a control box. The high voltage distribution part includes a high-voltage relay for applying/cutting high voltage to an output terminal by distributing high voltage applied from a high-voltage battery and a bus bar for transmitting the high voltage applied through the high-voltage relay to the output terminal. The low-voltage control board controls low-voltage load and controls a breakdown of the high-voltage distribution part and operation of electric components of a vehicle. The control box accommodates therein the high-voltage distribution part and the low-voltage control board. With this integrated injunction box, manufacturing costs can be reduced. |
| US08427814B1 |
Mobile power distribution system
A mobile power distribution system for use in field operations requiring primary and secondary power sources wherein at least one of the power sources is a generator. The system includes primary and secondary power connections, an automatic transfer switch, a transformer, and a plurality of high and low voltage outlets. The entire system is mounted on a trailer or skid platform and fits within a standard 20-foot ISO container. |
| US08427811B2 |
Electrode for electric double layer capacitor and method for producing the same
An electrical double-layer capacitor electrode with excellent capacitance characteristics is obtained together with a manufacturing method therefor. Paper-molded sheet 2 of carbon nanotubes is integrated with etched foil 1 constituting a collector, by means of bumps and indentations 1a formed on the surface of etched foil 1 to prepare an electrical double-layer capacitor electrode. Alternatively, carbon nanotubes 4 grown around core catalyst particles on substrate 3 are integrated with etched foil 1 by means of bumps and indentations 1a formed on the surface of etched foil 1 to prepare an electrical double-layer capacitor electrode. To manufacture these electrodes, this carbon nanotube sheet 2 or substrate 3 with carbon nanotubes grown thereon is laid over bumps and indentations 1a on the surface of etched foil 1, and the sheet or substrate and the foil are pressed under 0.01 to 100 t/cm2 of pressure to integrate the carbon nanotubes with the etched foil. |
| US08427806B2 |
Control system and method for transmission solenoids
A current control output (CCO) system for transmission solenoids includes a current determination module, a current compensation module, and a current control module. The current determination module determines a desired current for the solenoids based on a desired pressure. The current compensation module generates a compensated current by adjusting the desired current based on a system pressure and a temperature of oil in the transmission. The current control module performs current-based control of and applies hysteresis to the solenoids based on the compensated current. |
| US08427803B2 |
Current transformer with integrated actuator
A system comprising a magnetic actuator, a current transformer and operational electronics in a dual-coil circuit breaker. The system includes an inline implementation of the primary and secondary coils to maintain a narrow width suitable for retrofitting in currently designed industrial rack mounted enclosures. The system further comprises network connectivity allowing interrogation of the components for operational data associated with the component. |
| US08427801B2 |
Rectifier circuit
Rectifier circuits which are usable, instead of diodes, for rectifying alternating voltages, and which, like diodes, form two-terminal networks having a cathode terminal and an anode terminal. The power loss of these rectifier circuits is clearly less that the power loss of silicon p-n diodes. These rectifier circuits also include voltage clamping functions. |
| US08427793B2 |
Switching power supply, control circuit for controlling switching power supply, control method of switching power supply and module substrate
A switching power supply includes: a first switch provided between a positive terminal of a DC power supply and a positive terminal of a load; a second switch connected in parallel with the first switch; a first capacitor provided between the second switch and a node of the first switch on a DC power supply side; a first inductor provided between the first capacitor and the positive terminal of the DC power supply; and a control circuit that turns off the second switch after the first switch is turned off and when or before a voltage across the first capacitor becomes zero. |
| US08427790B2 |
Thin film magnetic head having similarly structured resistive film pattern and magnetic bias layer
A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive element having a recording-medium-facing-surface which is to be faced with a magnetic recording medium; a magnetic bias layer located on a side opposite to the recording-medium-facing-surface of the magnetoresistive element, and applying a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistive element in a direction orthogonal to the recording-medium-facing-surface; and a resistive film pattern having the recording-medium-facing-surface, the resistive film pattern being located side by side with the magnetoresistive element in a track-width direction. |
| US08427789B2 |
Magnetic head suspensions having a load bending portion, a load beam portion, and a balance mass member
The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion. |
| US08427785B2 |
Head-slider including a low-surface-energy film that prevents lubricant accumulation, head-arm assembly including the head-slider, and hard-disk drive including the head-arm assembly
The head-slider is configured to receive an air-stream produced by rotation of a magnetic-recording disk and is configured to fly in proximity with a recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. The head-slider includes a trailing edge on an outflow side of the air-stream, and a disk-facing surface that is configured to face the recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. A low-surface-energy film is disposed on a portion of a trailing-edge side of the head-slider that is in contact with a boundary between the trailing edge and the disk-facing surface. The low-surface-energy film has a lower surface energy than other portions of the trailing-edge side where the low-surface-energy film is not disposed. |
| US08427782B2 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A magnetic layer for writing incorporates: a pole layer having an end face located in a medium facing surface and a lower yoke layer. A first magnetic layer for flux concentration is connected to the lower yoke layer at a location away from the medium facing surface, and passes a magnetic flux corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a first coil. A second magnetic layer for flux concentration is connected to the pole layer at a location away from the medium facing surface, and passes a magnetic flux corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a second coil. A nonmagnetic layer is disposed between the pole layer and the lower yoke layer. The lower yoke layer is connected to the pole layer at a location closer to the medium facing surface than the nonmagnetic layer. |
| US08427781B1 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a main pole and a shield
A magnetic head with a main pole is provided. The main pole has a bottom end including an inclined portion. A write shield has a first inclined surface opposed to the inclined portion and a second inclined surface that is located farther from a medium facing surface than is the first inclined surface. The first inclined surface has a first end located in the medium facing surface and a second end opposite thereto. The second inclined surface has a third end connected to the second end and a fourth end opposite thereto. The second inclined surface forms a greater angle than does the first inclined surface relative to a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface. The distance between the main pole and an arbitrary point on the second inclined surface increases with decreasing distance between the arbitrary point and the fourth end. |
| US08427777B2 |
Disk drive device provided with lubricant-filled fluid dynamic bearing
In a disk drive device, a hub has an outer circumferential wall portion configured to hold a recording disk. A base member has a cylindrical portion, whose central axis is the rotation axis of the hub, on a surface on the side of the hub. A fluid dynamic bearing holds a lubricant and rotatably supports the hub relative to the base member. A ring-shaped attraction plate including a magnetic material is fixed to the base member and faces a magnet in the axial direction. The outer circumferential wall portion is configured such that the outer circumferential wall portion surrounds the attraction plate and that the range of the outer circumferential wall portion in the axial direction overlaps with the range of the attraction plate in the axial direction. |
| US08427771B1 |
Hybrid drive storing copy of data in non-volatile semiconductor memory for suspect disk data sectors
A hybrid drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) comprising a plurality of memory segments. A read command is received from a host to read data from a first data sector. Data is read from the first data sector during a first read operation and a determination is made as to whether the first data sector is suspect. When the first data sector is suspect, the data is written to a first memory segment of the NVSM. |
| US08427769B1 |
Multi-stage Lyot filter and method
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a multi-stage Lyot filter comprises a plurality of prisms, a polarizing block, and a non-rotating, single-adjustment birefringent element. Each of the prisms is configured to receive light and to reflect the light. The polarizing block is configured to provide polarization discrimination of the light. The birefringent element is configured to tune the Lyot filter. The prisms are further configured to pass the light through the birefringent element multiple times. |
| US08427764B1 |
Lens system
A lens system with positive refraction power, in order from the object-side to the image-side, includes a first lens group with negative refraction power and a second lens group with positive refraction power. The first lens group includes a first lens with negative refraction power, a second lens with positive refraction power, and a third lens with positive refraction power. The second lens group includes a fourth lens with negative refraction power, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens. The lens system satisfies the following condition: 5 |
| US08427762B2 |
Optical system and optical apparatus including the optical system
An optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. In the optical system, the rear lens group includes a second lens unit configured to move during focusing. The first lens unit includes n positive lenses (n is an integer greater than 1) and one or more negative lenses. With an order of an optical member counted from the object side towards the image side being indicated by i (i is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a refractive index and an Abbe number of a material of an i-th positive lens of the first lens unit with respect to d-line light (Ndi, νdi), maximum and minimum values of the Abbe number νdi (max(νdi), min(νdi)), a minimum value of the refractive index Ndi (min(Ndi)), a focal length of the first lens unit (fp), and a focal length of the entire optical system (f) are appropriately set. |
| US08427761B2 |
Image pickup optical system, image pickup optical device, and digital equipment
An image pickup optical system OP includes first and second prisms P1, P2 for bending incident light at an almost right angle. Optical axis AX at the incident surface of first prism P1 and optical axis AX at the outgoing surface of second prism P2 are almost parallel with each other. There is a lens element forming at least one power group on the optical path between first and second prisms P1, P2, wherein a power group closest to the incident surface of second prism P2 is a positive power group. The incident surface of second prism P2 has a concaved surface shape facing the object side, and the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −4.2 |
| US08427758B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens comprises in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power. The second lens unit comprises in order from the object side, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens unit moves toward the object side, and the fourth lens unit moves, and a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases monotonically, a distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases monotonically, and a distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit increases monotonically. |
| US08427752B2 |
Illumination apparatus and microscope having the same
An illumination apparatus includes a light source and a collimator optical system converting light emitted from the light source to approximately-parallel light. The collimator optical system includes, in an order of proximity to the light source, a first lens having a positive power and including an approximately-flat surface and an aspheric surface, and a second lens having a positive power. |
| US08427749B2 |
Beam combining light source
The invention relates to sources of optical radiation wherein polarized radiation from first and second rows of light emitters is first collimated and combined into two combined beam using first and second rows of collimating and beam re-directing elements, respectively, and then polarization multiplexed to form a polarization-multiplexed output beam. In order to reduce the footprint, emitters of the first and second emitter rows are disposed in an interleaved, staggered arrangement, and the second row of collimating and beam re-directing elements is disposed in a space between the first emitter row and the first row of collimating and beam re-directing elements. |
| US08427744B2 |
All-reflective relayed focal telescope derived from the first two mirrors of an afocal three-mirror anastigmat
An optical system includes a primary mirror of a positive-powered concave substantially paraboloidal configuration configured to reflect light incident thereupon; a secondary mirror of a negative-powered convex hyperboloidal configuration facing the primary mirror configured to receive the light reflected from the primary mirror and redirect the light reflected from the primary mirror; a positive-powered tertiary mirror configured to substantially reimage and reflect divergent light rays incident from the secondary mirror; and a powered quaternary mirror configured to receive the reimaged light rays from the tertiary mirror, and to relay the received reimaged light rays to a focal point. |
| US08427736B2 |
Illumination device, display device, and method of manufacturing light modulator
An illumination device is provided and has a light guide plate, a light source and a light modulator, wherein the light modulator has a pair of transparent substrates a pair of electrodes and a light modulator layer. The light modulator layer includes a first region being changed between a transparent state and a scatterable state depending on intensity of an electric field, and a second region being more transparent than the first region in a scatterable state at an electric field having a certain intensity, the electric field being applied when the first region is changed between the transparent state and the scatterable state, and an occupancy rate of the first region in the light modulator layer is increased with increase in distance from the light source. |
| US08427735B2 |
Electrophoretic display sheet, electrophoretic display, method for producing electrophoretic display, and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic display sheet includes: a substrate; at least one kind of electrophoretic particles; an electrophoretic dispersion liquid containing the at least one kind of electrophoretic particles; a microcapsule having a shell for enclosing the electrophoretic dispersion liquid therein; a microcapsule-containing layer provided on a surface side of the substrate to contain the microcapsule; and a binder having a function of retaining the microcapsule and having viscosity under room temperature, the microcapsule-containing layer including the microcapsule and the binder; and the electrophoretic particles being contained in the electrophoretic dispersion liquid in a ratio of 30% to 60% wt. with respect to a weight of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid. |
| US08427734B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device and electrochromic module thereof
A 3D image display device includes a display module, an electrochromic module, a control element and a sensing element. The display module is provided for generating a left-eye image and a right-eye image. The electrochromic module is comprised of a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive element, a plurality of first electrochromic elements, an electrolyte layer, a plurality of second electrochromic elements, a second transparent conductive element and a second transparent substrate. The second electrochromic elements are arranged orthogonally with the first electrochromic elements. The control element is provided for switching the voltage of the first and second transparent conductive elements. The sensing element is provided for sensing a rotating direction of the 3D image display device and transmitting a sensing signal to the control element to change the color of the first or second electrochromic element, so as to produce a parallax barrier. |