| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08484950B2 |
Exhaust gas purification configuration and method for exhaust gas purification using a reactant
A configuration for purification of an exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine includes at least one exhaust gas line having an element for exhaust gas purification with a first end face and a second end face. The exhaust gas flows through the element from the first end face to the second end face. An adding device is provided downstream of the element for adding a reactant to the exhaust gas flow. The adding device is positioned at a distance of no more than 30 mm from the second end face of the element in such a way that at least part of the added reactant strikes the second end face of the element. A method for adding a reactant into an exhaust line during the operation of an internal combustion engine is also provided. |
| US08484949B2 |
Method and arrangement for monitoring of an injector
A method is provided for monitoring of the functionality of an After Treatment Injector (ATI) for injection of a fluid in an engine exhaust gas system upstream of an exhaust gas treatment unit. The monitoring is performed by using a pressure sensor which detects the pressure of the fluid delivered to the ATI for a specific condition or injection cycle. The pressure sensor is located downstream of a flow regulator and upstream of the ATI in a conduit for supplying of a substance from a container to the ATI. An ECU is programmed to perform a predetermined sequence of opening and closing commands for the flow regulator and the ATI, furthermore perform a frequency analysis of the measured pressure value in order to monitor the functionality of the flow regulator, the ATI and the pressure sensor. The method is adapted to be used in connection with an On Board Diagnosis (OBD) system. |
| US08484948B2 |
Fixed auger assembly
A fixed auger assembly (10) comprises a pair of identical auger blades (12, 14) mounted within an auger casing (16). The auger casing (16) includes two end sections, (18, 20) which are substantially identical, with the exception that one end section (20) is formed with a flared edge (38) to partially receive the other end section. The auger blades (12, 14) include a peripheral annular lip (24) which is used to affix the auger blades within the auger casing. The auger blades (12, 14) and the end sections (18, 20) are preferably assembled using a welding process. |
| US08484939B1 |
Draper seal for crop harvesting header
A crop harvesting header with a cutter bar and a draper assembly has a draper driven by a drive roller at one end and an idler roller at the other end. The draper is carried on a plurality of support rollers parallel to the first and second rollers for supporting the upper run of the draper at spaced positions therealong. The draper includes a front edge of the upper run of the draper arranged at a position adjacent to but spaced from the cutter bar and there is provided an integral extruded sealing member extending along the cutter bar defining a first stiffer portion attached to the cutter bar and a second flexible blade portion which extends rearwardly from the first portion at the cutter bar to lie over and in contact with a bead along a front edge portion of the draper. |
| US08484938B2 |
Drive roller with ribs for the draper canvas of a crop header
A crop harvesting header with a cutter bar and a draper assembly has a draper canvas driven by a drive roller with a cylindrical roller body having an outer surface surrounding an axis of rotation of the roller for engaging an inner drive surface of a canvas wrapped therearound. The roller has a plurality of ribs arranged on the outer surface of the roller body extending along a part of the body in an axial direction and angularly spaced around the outer surface. The ribs have a height less than 6 mm and a width less than 6 mm arranged such that the ribs do not engage into any recesses in the drive surface of the canvas. |
| US08484937B1 |
Methods for sealing overlapped flexible packaging material using an electrical impulse through a conductive element
This disclosure relates to foiiuing food packages with a lap seal. A continuous, peelable hermetic seal is formed by activating a conductive element to emit an electrical impulse while contacting the overlap region of a pouch. The overlap is sealed by the heat generated from the activation of the conductive element, for example a wire. The conductive element is placed longitudinally along the overlap area of the pouch, which results in a sealed line. A second parallel sealed line may also be made to add redundancy, thereby better sealing the pouch. The disclosed method results in a package with an unsealed flap between first seal line and the film edge that allows for easy opening of the pouch. |
| US08484936B2 |
Spool for a waste storage device
A spool (10) for storing film for a waste storage device includes a core (12) and a flared funnel portion (14). Film is stored on the core (12) and can be retained in place by shrink-wrapping (34) as a result of which the core can be formed without an outer wall or base, reducing material and molding costs. |
| US08484934B2 |
Method for manufacturing high burst zipper assemblies
The present disclosure relates to a high burst slider zipper which allows for bottom filling of reclosable packages, such as large bags, and further provides increased resistance to damage from the dropping or shock loading of the filled package. This is achieved by providing a peel seal or other frangible or separable connection between the zipper profiles, and by sealing a portion of one of the flanges to itself by a hard seal above the peel seal. This causes the external forces on a bag from bottom filling or shock loading to be directed toward the hard seal and further directed so as to cause a shear force against the peel seal, thereby increasing the resistance of the package to external forces. |
| US08484932B2 |
Vacuum device and method for packaging same
A method for establishing a vacuum in a container includes the following steps. The container having an exhaust through hole defined therein is provided. A sealing cover including a connecting material located on the periphery of the sealing cover is provided. The sealing cover is spaced from the exhaust through hole for form at least gaps between the sealing cover and the exhaust through hole. A vacuum is established in the container. The connecting material is heated. The sealing cover covers the exhaust through hole and the connecting material is cooled. After that the container is packaged. |
| US08484930B2 |
Boxed frame member and method for manufacture
A box-type frame member assembly, and a method for assembling the box-type frame member. A first section, having a web, a pair of flanges and a number of holes with locators, is placed onto a fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto pilots. A spacer is placed over each of the pilots and engaged with the locator of the respective hole in the first section. A second section, having a web, a pair of flanges, and a number of holes with locators, is then placed onto the fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto the pilots, and second end of each spacer is engaged with the locator associated with the web of the second section. Finally, the flanges of the first and second sections are secured together. |
| US08484920B2 |
Floor panel and method for the manufacture thereof
Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel. |
| US08484918B2 |
Composite structural elements and method of making same
A composite structural element and a method for making same are provided. The element includes a polymer foam core and at least one fibrous layer adhered to the polymer foam core by epoxy. Nano-particles are suspended in the epoxy prior to curing; preferably they are mixed with the hardener before it is mixed with the resin. The polymer foam core is preferably an exothermic foam such as polyurethane, and heat generated by the exothermic foam cures the epoxy, thereby causing the fibrous layer to adhere to the foam core. The nano-particles may be made from at least one of carbon, a ceramic, tungsten, a carbide, titanium, zircon, aluminum, silver, or boron. When carbon nano-particles are used, the strength of the composite is greatly increased, and the curing time of the heat-curable epoxy is significantly reduced. Ceramic nano-particles can be used to increase penetration resistance and provide increased ballistic protection. |
| US08484909B2 |
Foundation screw with portions of variable diameter
A foundation screw with a tubular basic body having an encompassing helical screw thread for screwing into the ground. The foundation screw has a substantially cylindrical first longitudinal portion and a tapering second longitudinal portion. The first longitudinal portion merges tangentially with a convex jacket region of the second longitudinal portion having a radius of convexity R1, which has at least one value of the tube diameter D of the first longitudinal portion. |
| US08484904B2 |
Structure for connecting prefabricated architecture panels
An assembly of prefabricated panels is provided including a plurality of prefabricated panels and mounting brackets, each of the mounting brackets having a strip structure and a plurality of hooks arranged such that the hooks are uniformly spaced apart. Each of the prefabricated panels includes a panel body, a bent section extending from an upper end of the panel body to define at least a portion of a coupling recess, and an engagement protrusion downwardly protruded from a lower end of the bent section to engage an associated one of the hooks in each of the mounting brackets, thereby allowing the prefabricated panels to be supported by the mounting brackets. The panels are configured such that an upper one of the panels may be fitted in the coupling recess of a lower one of the prefabricated panels when the prefabricated panels are coupled together. |
| US08484903B2 |
Seating system
An example of the disclosed seating system includes a plurality of seating risers configured to telescope relative to one another. A roller guide assembly guides movement of the risers, and a lock assembly locks a lower level riser relative to a higher level riser when in a deployed position. |
| US08484901B2 |
Hinges
A hinge set (and associated methodology and resultant hung doors or windows) where the leaf of each hinge sleeved component is, or is to be, leafwise received in, and is, or to be, screwed into, a different cavity, yet allowing aligned sleeve meshing for pin insertion. Its use allows the leaf to be largely concealed even when the doors or windows are open. |
| US08484900B2 |
Control of an access opening in a body of a vehicle
A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes a device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened. The device is also configured to be protracted when the first and second doors are closed to thereby seal the first and second portions of the access opening. The system additionally includes a controller configured to selectively retract and protract the device. Furthermore, the system includes a sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect an impact exceeding a threshold intensity on the body and communicate a signal indicative of the impact to the controller. The controller retracts the device upon receipt of the signal from the sensor. |
| US08484899B2 |
Driving and driven sealing systems for single-hung door/window
A combination sealing system includes a driving sealing system, a driven sealing system, and a drive system. The driving sealing system includes a tongue attached to and extending away from a sash of a first panel, and a receiver attached to and within a frame. The driven sealing system includes a rotational member connected to a meeting rail of a second panel, and a first catch connected to a meeting rail of the first panel. The drive system is attached to the receiver and the rotational member. The first catch is configured to engage the rotational member. The receiver is configured to receive the tongue. The first panel is movable between an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, the drive system transfer motion within the drive sealing system to the driven sealing system. |
| US08484898B2 |
Natural ventilator apparatus
A natural ventilation apparatus 1 includes a window frame 2 which is installed in a building; a framed panel 4 disposed in an opening portion 3 defined by the window frame 2; and opening/closing means 5 for opening and closing the opening portion 3 on the basis of an air current. The opening portion 3 is adapted to be opened by the opening portion opening movement of the framed panel 4 moving toward a building exterior 7 side, and to be closed by the opening portion closing movement of the framed panel 4 moving toward a building interior 8 side. |
| US08484897B2 |
Door operator of fireproof door
A door operator of the fireproof door comprises a force applying end for releasing the reel of a door curtain, and a loading end for sustaining the weight of the door curtain. The rotary shaft comprises an internal (central) shaft and a plurality of external shaft coupled to each other via a clutch mechanism. The force applying end and the loading end act on the internal shaft and the external shaft respectively. A torsion spring brake mechanism is provided to resist the potential energy of the loading end by varying the inner diameter of the torsion spring so as to constantly restrain the rotary shaft from rotating, or to release the rotary shaft when the brake mechanism is subjected to an external force from the force applying end. |
| US08484896B1 |
Pet access door for mounting on screen doors
A pet access door assembly mounts on the screen member of an outer screen door in a residential dwelling structure. The pet access door assembly includes a pair of frame members positionable on opposing sides of the screen member to trap the screening material between the frame members. The frame members are provided with both snap pins and removable fasteners that interengage the opposing frame members to place a high clamping load on the screening material between the frame members. A solid pliable door flap is clamped between the frame members by both the snap pins and the fasteners to allow a hinged movement for ingress and egress of the pet. A security panel is selectively mounted in a grooved receptacle on the inner frame member to prevent passage through the pet door assembly. A magnet secures the bottom of the door flap against the security panel. |
| US08484895B2 |
Door configuration with a pivoting door and sliding door function which can be actuated by a single actuating element
A door configuration, which improves the operating and locking mechanism and facilitates construction and handling, comprising a door having a sliding door disposed on a casement such that it can be slidably displaced and the casement can he pivoted about an axis relative to a main frame. A lock is provided for locking and unlocking the casement with respect to the main frame, and an operating element is disposed on the sliding door, which can be moved with the sliding door and can be switched between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the operating element does not obstruct movement of the sliding door on the casement, and, in the second position, the operating element engages with the latch or a carrier, such that, when the casement is closed, the latch is operated when the sliding door is moved. |
| US08484893B2 |
Clutch, motor and vehicle door opening/closing device
A clutch includes a driving-side rotating body, a driven-side rotating body, a holding case, and a power transmitting member held by one of the driving-side rotating body and the holding case. The power transmitting member is moved between a non-engaging position and an engaging position where the driving-side rotating body engages with the driven-side rotating body. The clutch further includes a guiding member held by the other of the driving-side rotating body and the holding case. The guiding member has a cam portion engaged with the power transmitting member and guides movement of the power transmitting member between the engaging position and the non-engaging position. Relative rotation between the driving-side rotating body and the holding case occurs, resulting in that the power transmitting member is guided by the cam portion to move from the non-engaging position to the engaging position. |
| US08484892B2 |
Electric door operator
An electric door operator for opening and closing one or a spaced pair of transit vehicle passenger doors for being mounted over an opening for the doors. A rotatable input shaft has an electric motor secured to the input shaft for driving the input shaft, a worm centrally positioned on the motor shaft, and an electric brake mounted to the input shaft at an end opposite of the electric motor. A drum cam lifts a pinion from a worm gear disconnecting the worm gear from an output gear train in an emergency. |
| US08484890B2 |
Apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants
An aeroponic growing system is provided. The aeroponic growing system can include a distribution pipe, multiple, different sprayers, and a plurality of plant supports. Each plant support can include a body. Each body can include an upper panel, a lower panel, and at least one opening adapted to retain a seed container formed on the upper panel. Each plant support can further comprise a liquid nutrient solution guide in fluid communication with the interior of body and extending from the lower panel of the body. |
| US08484888B2 |
Landscape soil and water retention device
Disclosed is an exemplary landscape soil and moisture retaining device. The retaining device may include a wall having a first region and a second region adjacent the first region, the second region inclined relative to the first region, and a flange extending outward from the first region of the wall. The retaining device may further include a raised lip extending from the flange and defining an upper edge of the retaining device. The second region of the wall defining a bottom edge of the retaining device, such that the flange is arranged between the upper and bottom edges of the retaining device. |
| US08484887B2 |
Multi-species insect trap with separated plumes
An insect trap for targeting multiple species with an entrapment chamber having an entry structure attached to one end of the entrapment chamber and a lower lid closing a second end. The entry structure is configured to generate a first attractant plume, and includes an annular lid, a tapered guide, a plurality of members slidably engaging the lid, and an attachment fixture. The entry structure also has means for retaining a first attractant. The lower lid includes means for retaining a second attractant and a plurality of apertures, such that a second attractant plume may be generated that is spaced apart from the first attractant plume. The lower lid may include entry apertures to provide insect ingress to the entrapment chamber, and may further include a second tapered guide. The lower lid may alternatively comprise micropores that permit egress of the second attractant. |
| US08484884B2 |
Fishing lure and kit
A fishing lure is described, having a head with a release mechanism and a removable tail. Because the tail can be released, fish caught on hooks can be released quickly, and new tails with new hooks rapidly attached to the same head. Multiple tails may be equipped with different lure skirts, for different fish and/or different conditions, and rapidly changed out in the course of fishing. A tail including a drag chute released by a fish strike, attachable to the same head, is also disclosed. A dive wing, attachable to the removable tails, is also disclosed. Tails can include bait scent chambers and release holes and water jets to attract fish. A kit with combinations of heads, tails, dive wings, and other parts and accessories is also disclosed. |
| US08484883B2 |
Decoy motion technology
A decoy system for use in hunting. The system includes a central base with a motor which moves a rotating member of the base. Several arms of a predetermined length are connected to the rotating member of the base, and satellite decoy elements are connected to outer ends of the arms. A central decoy element is optionally connected to the center of the rotating member. The decoy members may be birds, for example doves. |
| US08484879B2 |
Light mount for scope
Mount assemblies for securing laser sights (designators) to a wide variety of guns through mounting of the designator directly to an existing conventional scope. The mount assembly includes a base adapted for attaching the mount assembly to a scope, a rail pivotally attached to the base, and a ring assembly on the rail for mounting the designator to the rail. A first adjustment mechanism is provided for pivoting the rail in a first plane toward and away from the base to effect elevation changes in the trajectory of a laser beam generated by the designator, and a second adjustment mechanism is provided for pivoting the rail relative to the base in a second plane to effect windage changes in the trajectory of the laser beam. |
| US08484878B2 |
Firearm stabilization apparatus
The present disclosure relates to firearms and more specifically an apparatus and method useful in positioning and stabilizing shoulder-fired firearms. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel and a stabilizing element. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is reversibly attached to a body armor. |
| US08484873B2 |
Front-loading display system
The subject matter of the current invention is directed to a front-loading display system adapted for safe, frequent, and rapid change of displayed objects. The display system includes a base and an object-holding assembly. The object-holding assembly can be releasably attached to the base through the use of a fastener, which allows the base to remain mounted to a mounting surface when changing display objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener employs magnetic force to connect the base and the object-holding assembly. The display object is retained between a resting plate and a cover plate, the two plates being releasably attached to each other by the use of at least one holding device, which may be selected from clips, clasps, hinges and elastic bands. |
| US08484863B2 |
Top lift assembly for a shoe heel
A dowelled top lift assembly for a shoe heel including an anchor member affixed or molded to a dowel pin member and a top lift member for contacting the walking surface affixed, molded to and encapsulating the anchor member. The anchor member is made of a harder material as compared to the top lift member, the anchor member being made of a hard thermoplastic material and the top lift member being made of a softer thermoplastic material such as a thermoset polyurethane elastomer or a softer thermoplastic polyurethane. The anchor member may include one or more ridges for cooperatively engaging grooves associated with the head portion of the dowel pin member. |
| US08484861B2 |
Clothes treating apparatus
A clothes treating apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet defining a accommodating space for receiving clothes, an air supplying device for drying air circulating into the accommodating space, and a guide unit for guiding dry air generated by the air supplying device to be uniformly dispersed into the accommodating space. |
| US08484859B2 |
Parallellism conservation mechanism for nanopositioner
A mechanical device for maintaining parallelism includes first, second, third and fourth bars. The first side surface of the first bar and the first side surface of the second bar are bridged by a first flexure, leaving a gap between the bottom surface of the first bar and the upper surface of the second bar; the second side surface of the second bar and the second side surface of the third bar are bridged by a second flexure, leaving a gap between the bottom surface of the second bar and the upper surface of the third bar; and the first side surface of the third bar and the first side surface of the fourth bar are bridged by a third flexure, leaving a gap between the bottom surface of the third bar and the upper surface of the fourth bar. |
| US08484856B1 |
Device and method for measuring and adjusting the slope of a surface
The invention is a method and device for measuring the slope of a surface. The device includes a frame, one or more clear tubes containing a liquid and a gas bubble, and an attachment facilitating attachment to a sloped surface. The attachment may be a removable strap or magnets. The tubes are fixed at angles greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees relative to the bottom surface of the frame and a visual indication of the angle of each tube is present on the device. The device is designed to be placed parallel to the slope of a sloped surface and the slope of the surface can then be increased or decreased such that the gas bubble will become centered within the tube when the angle of slope conforms to a desired standard. |
| US08484855B1 |
Flexible plastic utensil
A convenient and functional spoon-like utensil, easily transformed from the integrated composite of a thin piece of plastic adhered to a typical foil-type lid material used currently in the food industry. When the composite is rolled or folded, it forms a strong, ridged utensil with which to consume the food contents while “on-the-go.” |
| US08484853B1 |
Hair cutting device with vacuum hair collection system
The present invention may be used for vacuum hair collection for a hair clipper. A conduit may be positioned in the clipper and may have a nozzle positioned adjacent to a cutting blade a forward end of the clipper. The conduit may have a rear opening at a rear end of the clipper. There may be a constriction section formed in the conduit adjacent the nozzle. The conduit may have a nondecreasing cross sectional interior dimension from the constriction section to the rear opening. |
| US08484850B2 |
Hair remover
A hair remover including an outer blade and an inner blade accommodated in the outer blade. The outer blade includes a cylindrical side wall, an upper wall, and a bend connecting the side wall and the upper wall. Straight upper cutting edges and side cutting edges are formed by slits extending from the upper wall to an upper part of the side wall. The inner blade includes a straight upper cutting edge, which is formed at a location corresponding to the upper cutting edges of the upper blade, and a straight side cutting edge, which is formed at a location corresponding to the side cutting edges of the outer blade. The outer blade and the inner blade are formed so as to clip body hair through cooperation between the straight side cutting edges and cooperation between the straight upper cutting edges. |
| US08484845B2 |
Method of manufacturing a heat conducting structure having a coplanar heated portion
A heat conducting structure, a heat sink with the heat conducting structure, and a manufacturing method of the heat conducting structure are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first mold (20) and a second mold (30) having different concave cambers (211, 211a, 221, 221a), using the first mold (20) to progressively compress the heat pipes (10) and form a camber (112) at an evaporating section (11), using the second mold (30) to compress the camber (112) to form a contact plane (112′) and an attaching plane (113′) perpendicular to each other, coating an adhesive (50) on the contact planes (112′), connecting the contact planes to make the attaching planes co-planar. |
| US08484843B2 |
Method and device for producing a dispersion-hardened object that contains carbide nanoparticles
A method for producing a dispersion-hardened object which contains carbide nanoparticles comprises producing an object by means of a thermal spraying method, wherein downstream of the combustion chamber, the gas flow is supplied by means of a carrier gas with at least one precursor which reacts in the gas flow to form a carbide, or carbide nanoparticles are supplied via an external nanoparticle generator which is subject to a thermal load. It allows the production of a dispersion-hardened object such as, for example, a component for an internal combustion engine, for example a piston ring. The method is carried out by means of a thermal spraying device which, downstream of the combustion chamber, besides at least one line for supplying a thermal spray powder, further comprises at least one line for supplying a precursor by means of a carrier gas. |
| US08484842B2 |
Apparatus for separating engine crankcase portions and method for same
An apparatus includes a plate configured for connection to a first engine crankcase portion, such as the lower crankcase. A cam mechanism is secured to the plate and has a portion spaced from the plate to define a gap between the portion of the cam mechanism and the plate. Studs are configured for connection to the second engine crankcase portion and configured to span the gap when connected to the second engine crankcase portion so that the cam mechanism rests on the studs when the plate is connected to the first engine crankcase portion. The cam mechanism is configured to lift the plate when force is applied to the cam mechanism. A method of separating crankcase portions is carried out using the apparatus. |
| US08484841B1 |
Method of fabricating a stimulation lead for applying electrical pulses to tissue of a patient
A method of fabricating a stimulation lead comprises: providing a central insulator member; helically wrapping a plurality of conductors about the member, by arranging the plurality of conductor wires in groups with an inter-group spacing that is larger than an inter-conductor spacing within each group; providing an outer insulator layer to form an intermediate lead body assembly; forming a lead body by heating polymer material of the intermediate lead body assembly to cause insulative material of the lead body to form a solid, fused cylindrical body about the plurality of conductors, which comprise a first conductor, a last conductor, and inner conductors between the first and last conductor, wherein the first and last conductor comprise respective helix diameters that are smaller than the helix diameters of the inner conductors; and forming a plurality of electrodes and terminals on the lead body that are electrically connected through the plurality of conductors. |
| US08484833B2 |
Automated assembly device to tolerate blade variation
An automated device facilitates the assembly a surgical instrument that includes a knife with a high aspect ratio. The automated device includes a fixture for restraining a subassembly of the surgical instrument that includes the knife. A blade grip on the device is movable relative to the fixture, and is configured to urge the knife into a restrained position in the subassembly suitable for the subsequent assembly of an additional instrument component. A grip actuator is provided to move the blade grip. |
| US08484822B2 |
Method for cold loading an articles
A method of loading an article, such as a self-expanding stent, into a structure, such as a delivery catheter, including the steps of chilling the article to a predetermined temperature, reducing article size a predetermined amount, inserting fluid into the article, whereby the fluid forms a substantially solid plug with respect to the article, and moving the frozen article. Also provided is an apparatus for loading an article into a structure including: an article size reduction element, a chiller connected to the size reduction element, a cold source communicatively connected to the chiller, and a fluid supply communicatively connected to the size reduction element. |
| US08484821B2 |
Device for securing trim to a seat
A seat assembly machine includes a plurality of grippers useful for securing a piece of trim to a seat cushion. In a disclosed example, each gripper includes a plurality of prongs that are moved between neutral, closed and released positions that each facilitate a different portion of the assembly process. In one example, each gripper includes a sleeve within which the prongs are moveable so that the prongs are manipulated between the neutral, closed and released positions. A disclosed example sleeve includes an interior channel having a contour that manipulates the prongs between the different positions based on the location of the prongs within the sleeve. |
| US08484815B2 |
Method for manufacturing laminated electronic component
A method for manufacturing a laminated electronic component including an electronic component main body including laminated functional layers, internal conductors which are disposed inside the electronic component main body and a portion of which are exposed portions exposed at outer surfaces of the electronic component main body, and external terminal electrodes disposed on the outer surfaces of the electronic component main body so as to connect to the internal conductors and cover the exposed portions of the internal conductors includes the step of forming a substrate plating film having an average particle diameter of metal particles of at least about 1.0 μm on the outer surface of the electronic component main body through direct plating so as to cover the exposed portions of the internal conductors in the formation of the external terminal electrodes on the electronic component main body. |
| US08484808B2 |
Clip attachment structure for a writing instrument
A clip mounting structure for a writing implement has a shaft tube, a clip mounted at the rear part of the shaft tube, and an insertion member inserted into the rear part of the shaft tube. A clip mounting section to which the rear part of the clip is fitted and aligned is formed at the rear part of the shaft tube. Mounting sections curved in the direction along the inner peripheral surface of the shaft tube are formed at opposite sides of the rear part of the clip. Fitting recesses into which the mounting sections of the clip are fitted are formed in the outer wall of the insertion member. With the mounting sections of the clip fitted in and engaged with the fitting recesses in the insertion member, the insertion member is inserted into the rear part of the shaft body to fit the rear part of the clip into the clip mounting section of the shaft tube. Thus, the insertion member is engaged in position inside the shaft tube. |
| US08484804B2 |
Hood hinge assembly for vehicle
A hood hinge assembly is provided for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle. The assembly includes a base link configured to be coupled to the vehicle; a deploy link coupled to the base link; and a hood link coupled to the deploy link and configured to be coupled to the hood. In a first transition from a first position into a second position, the base link and the deploy link pivot with one another relative to the base link, and, in a second transition from the first position into a third position, the hood link pivots relative to the deploy link. |
| US08484803B2 |
Rotational hinge
A rotational hinge including a first casing linkage; a second casing linkage; a hinge linkage; and a synchronization linkage, wherein the synchronization linkage is coupled to the first casing linkage and the second casing linkage to synchronize a fixed rotational axis and a moving rotational axis that provides one or more degrees of rotation. |
| US08484802B1 |
Combination castor whose castor assemblies are braked and positioned simultaneously
A combination castor includes a linking device, and a plurality of castor assemblies connected with the linking device. Each of the castor assemblies includes an operation unit, a braking unit, and at least one roller. The operation unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a mounting seat, a slide, and a driven block. The braking unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a bushing, a housing, a control shaft, and a braking member. The roller of each of the castor assemblies has an inner periphery provided with a plurality of locking grooves. Thus, the linking device can drive and operate the castor assemblies to brake and position the castor assemblies simultaneously. |
| US08484801B2 |
Caster
A caster for being mounted to a bottom of a device includes a support, a connecting member, and a wheel mounted to the connecting member. The support defines a receiving space. The connecting member is threadedly connected to the support, and comprises a bracket accommodated in the receiving space. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the bracket. The support and the connecting member are operable to rotate relative to each other, with the wheel moving to expose out of or retract inside the receiving space. |
| US08484798B2 |
System comprising a vacuum cleaner and a dust bag
A system includes a vacuum cleaner with a dust chamber having ribs and a dust bag including a fleece disposed on a supporting structure. The fleece includes a plurality of fleece corrugations, with a distance between the fleece corrugations being matched to a distance between the dust chamber ribs. The resultant matching of the fleece corrugation spacing and the spacing of the dust chamber rib prevents partial or large-area contact of portions of the dust bag with an inner surface of the dust chamber. |
| US08484797B2 |
Cleaner having additional cleaning apparatus
A cleaner which removes dirt from an additional cleaning apparatus automatically is provided. The cleaner includes a cleaning apparatus which is removably mounted in the cleaner and is dismounted from the cleaner to perform an additional cleaning operation, and includes a housing to store dirt therein, an outlet through which the dirt stored in the housing is discharged, and a movable cover movable between a closing position to close the outlet and an opening position to open the outlet, a receiving unit for receiving the cleaning apparatus, a conversion unit for converting the movable cover of the cleaning apparatus from the closing position to the opening position, a suction unit for drawing in dirt from a cleaning surface along with air, and a dust-collector which is fluidly connected to the suction unit and the cleaning apparatus to separate dirt from air. |
| US08484794B2 |
Device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm of a windshield wiper
A device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes a connection element connected to a carrier element of the wiper blade. The connection element has a side wall on each longitudinal side angled toward the wiper arm. The adapter encompasses the side wall of the connection element on each side and includes a spring switch on the side of the adapter facing the wiper arm and guide and retaining means for the wiper arm. The adapter has at least one first adapter element and one second adapter element. The first adapter element comprises the inner and outer side walls. The inner side walls are connected to each other via a base and a contact part. The contact part has an outer contour to receive a hook-shaped end of the wiper arm and a second adapter element on which the spring switch is disposed. |
| US08484788B2 |
Brushhead for electric skin brush appliance
The brushhead is used in a power skin brush appliance which includes a drive system having a single drive member. The brushhead includes a base assembly mountable to the drive system with an optional outer annular fixed portion and an inner portion which in operation oscillates back and forth at a selected sonic frequency through a selected angle in response to action of the drive system. Mounted on the outer portion is a first group of filament tufts. Mounted on the oscillating portion are three concentric groups of filament tufts. Each oscillating group of filament tufts includes two annular rings of filament tufts. The filament tufts in the oscillating filament tuft groups have a selected physical characteristic which in one embodiment is diameter, which differs between the respective oscillating filament tuft groups sufficiently to produce a differential stiffness between the filaments thereof to in turn produce an out of phase motion of the tips of the filaments between the three oscillating filament tuft groups. |
| US08484787B2 |
Fenders for pier protection against vessel collision
A system is disclosed for protecting supporting structures, such as those of a bridge or other such marine supporting structure, from the force of an impact of a vehicle/vessel. Such a system includes a plurality of modular components arranged in series and configured to dissipate the energy of the force through the progressive buckling of one or more of the modular components. Each modular component contains an energy dissipation unit that includes a plurality of adjacent cells. The energy of the force is dissipated in the buckling of the walls of the cells of the energy dissipation units through the formation of one or more plastic hinges and/or volume reduction of the cells. |
| US08484786B2 |
Ramp for a movable passenger bridge for a ship
Ramp for a movable passenger bridge, which passenger bridge includes movable sections, arranged to be adapted to an opening in the hull of a ship, which sections are arranged so that passengers can walk from one section into an adjacent section and to a finishing section arranged to be connected to an opening in the hull of the ship, wherein the ramp is arranged at the finishing section and projects from the finishing section into the ship when docked with the ship. The ramp includes two or more parallel footpaths for passengers, in that each footpath includes a plate which is foldable so that it can be folded out and folded up, in that each plate is essentially horizontal in its folded out state and essentially vertical in its folded up state, whereby each plate in its folded up state forms a wall for blocking of the footpath in question. |
| US08484785B1 |
Combination handle locking and beverage container opener
A combination handle clamp, beverage bottle and can opener having a generally curved shaped body and integral attachment point to allow connection to other personal item such as a key ring. A secondary and tertiary integral curved section form a pair of loading points for fixing open a handle-trigger assembly and incorporate a gripping edge to facilitate opening a crimped or vacuum sealed bottle top. The tertiary curved section additionally functions as a second clamp position for the larger handles and also doubles as a pry mechanism to assist opening a pop-top can. The said gripping edge of the invention which contacts with said bottle top to be constructed of a durable material that won't abrade from its intended use. |
| US08484782B2 |
Infant bonding lap seat
A lap seat that allows for the comfortable and safe securement of an infant on its cover overlay in resting its inserted base support either forwardly along the upper thigh areas of a caregiver facing the infant, or across the upper thigh areas of the caregiver in facing the infant sideways, as a means of enhancing bonding with the infant while reducing the possibilities of colic and reflux development. |
| US08484781B2 |
Adjustable bed
The present invention relates to a type of adjustable bed having junctions with equipped back support board, calf board support, front part bridge piece, back board support, rear bridge piece, thigh board support, back board support end and underframe crosstie woggle joint. The back board support has another end and is connected to the bedboard's back board woggle joint. A calf board support end and underframe crosstie woggle joint, and calf board support a calf of a user. Electrical machinery connection actuates the board members. A roller raises the back support and a separate roller raises the thigh board support. This model utility bed headboard footboard and the bed frame use the KD type card to meet. |
| US08484777B2 |
Electric massage bed
An electric massage bed includes a bed frame having a plurality of support brackets, a plurality of mattress sets each having a retaining plate mounted on one of the support brackets of the bed frame and a mattress supported by the retaining plate, and a vibrating motor mounted on a bottom side of the retaining plate of one of the mattress sets. When the vibration generated from the vibrating motor is transmitted to the associated mattress of the mattress set that is equipped with the vibrating motor, the unexpected vibration won't occur in the other mattress sets because the mattress sets are spaced from each other, thereby enhancing the comfort of a user lying down on the mattresses. |
| US08484772B2 |
Automatic lavatory-cleaning system
Automatic lavatory-cleaning system, especially for public lavatories installed in a cubicle between two side walls, and with the floor converging to a drain, based on a structure that can be moved from a first, folded position into a second position in which it is deployed over the lavatory and between the side walls, comprising a supporting structure (4) concealed in a wall of the cubicle of the lavatory (1), the structure being movable, by means of a deformable parallelogram, defining a closed space for cleaning where the lavatory (1) is located. |
| US08484769B1 |
System for delivering chemicals to a toilet bowl
A chemical system is provided for adding a small amount of chemicals to a toilet bowl at the end of the flush cycle. The system has several chambers and a mechanism to add water to the system to force chemicals out and into the overflow tube of the toilet. |
| US08490209B2 |
Surface state measuring device, and surface state measuring method using the device
Provided are a surface state measuring device which can measure an alternating force of an arbitrary frequency and which is excellent in spatial resolution, and a surface state measuring method using the device. This surface state measuring device measures the surface state of a sample by detecting the modulation of the oscillation of a probe arranged above the sample. The measuring device comprises: a cantilever having a probe near a free end; an excitation mechanism for exciting the cantilever; a scanning mechanism for making the probe scan the sample by moving the probe and the sample relative to each other; and alternating force generator for generating an alternating force of an arbitrary frequency in a space; and a modulation measuring mechanism for measuring the degree of frequency modulation or amplitude modulation of the oscillations of the probe, which are generated by the alternating force. |
| US08490205B2 |
Method for protecting signatures stored in a database
A method of protecting the privacy of a signature that may be used in, for example, a vote by mail system, that includes creating a distorted version of the registration signature, storing the distorted version of the registration signature, and storing a mechanism for converting the distorted registration signature into an undistorted registration signature. The stored mechanism may later be used to reverse the distortion so that the undistorted signature can be used in a verification process. |
| US08490202B2 |
Method for masking data
A method for masking data in communications comprising: assigning a user identifier and a tag to private data associated with a user, wherein the user identifier and the tag is associated with the private data in a data structure associated with a second data processing node; receiving a request for a first list from a first data processing node; sending to a second request for a second list of user identifiers associated with a corresponding one or more users and sending a third request for one or more tags assigned to private data of the one or more users. The second list is merged with the one or more tags in order to generate the first list which is sent to the first data processing node. The first list can be used to initiate a communication request without requiring private data to be stored on the first data processing node. |
| US08490199B2 |
Moderation of cheating in on-line gaming sessions
Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for detecting and discouraging cheating in an online game session are described. Aspects include playing an online game. During play of the game one of the players detects suspected cheating behavior by another online game player. Game information is collected about the activity of all players in the online game, the game information includes a period of the game during which the suspected cheating behavior occurred. The game information is communicated to a game cheat monitoring entity that evaluates the game information to determine if there was cheating activity, and if there was cheating activity appropriate action is taken. |
| US08490197B2 |
SDI-SCAM
A distributed multi-agent system and method is implemented and employed across at least one intranet for purposes of real time collection, monitoring, aggregation, analysis and modeling of system and network operations, communications, internal and external accesses, code execution functions, network and network resource conditions as well as other assessable criteria within the implemented environment. Analytical models are constructed and dynamically updated from the data sources so as to be able to rapidly identify and characterize conditions within the environment (such as behaviors, events, and functions) that are typically characteristic with that of a normal state and those that are of an abnormal or potentially suspicious state. The model may further recommend (or alternatively implement autonomously or semi-autonomously) optimal remedial repair and recovery strategies as well as the most appropriate countermeasures to isolate or neutralize the threat and its effects. |
| US08490191B2 |
Method and system for intrusion detection
Method for protecting computer software by detecting an attack of an intruding program interfering with the execution of said protected software on a computer system with a processor and at least a processor memory, wherein the computer software to be protected communicates with a license container containing a license for using and executing the protected computer software and containing at least one cryptographic key, wherein the license container provides licenses and cryptographic keys for the protected software to protect its usage and its integrity, and wherein the protected computer software is at least partly encrypted and uses the associated cryptographic keys to decrypt said protected software for executing comprises the following steps: during execution of the protected software, analyzing the behavior of the protected software and/or the execution environment of the protected software on the computer system, and searching for patterns of an intrusion or an intruding program, detecting an intrusion into the protected software during the execution of the protected software, wherein the intruding program uses a monitoring component for gaining unauthorized access, and creating a signal on detection of an attack. |
| US08490190B1 |
Use of interactive messaging channels to verify endpoints
Monitoring activity in a network is disclosed, including monitoring a communication associated with a messaging service, observing suspicious activity associated with a host associated with the messaging service, and sending a challenge to the host using the messaging service. |
| US08490187B2 |
Controlling malicious activity detection using behavioral models
Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for controlling malicious activity detection with respect to information technology assets based on behavioral models associated with the respective information technology assets. Protection rules and corresponding sensitivities associated with the behavioral models are applied by protection services to detect malicious activity with respect to the information technology assets. |
| US08490182B2 |
Apparatus and approach for electronic data management, processing and implementation
Electronic processing and management of electronic project data is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, project data including incentives data is processed for a plurality of different projects, using authentication to control data communication and access. Incentive-related data fields are automatically updated upon the receipt of project data, and authenticated users are provided access to the data in real-time. |
| US08490180B2 |
Computer readable medium, method for controlling execution of processing, and information processing apparatus
A computer readable medium storing program causing a computer to execute a process for controlling execution of a processing, the process includes receiving, outputting, and executing. The receiving step receives a first request indicating an execution request of the processing from a user. The outputting step outputs processing correspondence information corresponding to the processing to recording medium when an execution result of the processing at the time of receiving the first request from user to which a first authority is given and a second authority is not given differs from an execution result of the processing at the time of receiving the first request from a user to which the second authority is given in case that the first request is sent from user to which both of the first authority and the second authority are given. |
| US08490179B2 |
Computing platform
The present application describes a computing platform incorporating a trusted entity and storing, in non-volatile memory, one or more indicators, which indicate a current update status of an executable program code, and one or more expected values associated with measurement of the program code, the trusted entity being programmed to update the one or more indicators, by reference to the expected values, in response to a measured change in a current update status of the program code. |
| US08490176B2 |
System and method for controlling a mobile device
A system includes a controlling module for controlling a mobile device remotely A system includes a controlling module for controlling a mobile device remotely, wherein the controlling module includes a parental control module for controlling a mobile device used by a child. A system includes a controlling module for controlling a mobile device remotely, wherein the controlling module includes a parental control module for controlling a mobile device used by a child, wherein the parental control module includes a monitoring module for monitoring a use of the mobile device, and a filtering module for filtering an inappropriate content. |
| US08490175B2 |
Security method for mobile ad hoc networks with efficient flooding mechanism using layer independent passive clustering (LIPC)
A security method and system for Layer Independent Passive Clustering (LIPC) is presented. The inventive method and system maintains the states in the LIPC cluster formation protocol while adding a ‘Trusworthy’ event to each state and provides a methodology that depends on the state of the transmitting node to quantify Trustworthy and derive a Trust Confidence Value (TCV) to represent the level of confidence in quantifying ‘Trustworthy’. The invention dynamically computes a degree of trustworthiness for each participating network node and eliminates nodes from participating in the PC cluster formation protocol and packet forwarding if they do not meet established trust metrics. The security solution can also apply to PC-based Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). The novel system and method applies a multidimensional set of security algorithms to protect the LIPC cluster formation protocol from malicious attacks that compromise cluster formation and secure routing. |
| US08490174B2 |
Transmitting keep-alive packets on behalf of a mobile communications device within a wireless communications system
In an embodiment, a mobile communications device (MCD) is positioned within an internal network that is separated from an external network by network address translation (NAT) and/or a firewall. The MCD establishes settings with the NAT and/or firewall by which the MCD can be contacted through from the external network. The settings are configured to be disabled by the NAT and/or firewall after a threshold period of traffic inactivity. An application server receives information associated with the settings, and instructs an assisting application server (AAS) within the internal network to transmit keep-alive packets on behalf of the MCD so as to maintain the settings for the MCD. The AAS receives the instructions from the application server, and instructs an assisting wireless communications device (WCD) within the internal network to transmit keep-alive packets on behalf of the MCD. The WCD then transmits the keep-alive packets in accordance with the instructions. |
| US08490172B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for adaptive assignment of an active security association instance in a redundant gateway configuration
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for communicating an encrypted data packet. The method includes steps occurring at a first gateway node. The method also includes receiving a data packet from a first host. The method further includes determining that a first security association (SA) instance associated with the data packet is in an inactive state. The method further includes identifying a second SA instance that is both associated with the data packet and in an active state. The method further includes forwarding the data packet to the second SA instance. |
| US08490168B1 |
Method for authenticating a user within a multiple website environment to provide secure access
A method and an apparatus with computer readable media for creation of a common token, with at least one associated usage limitation, for authenticating a user within a multiple website environment are disclosed. The methodology employs a secured user authentication mechanism, for example, as a common token representative of the user, to be used in the authentication of a user and for performing secure online network transactions by the authenticated user in a multiple website environment. The common token can be used at a first website to perform a business, financial, or personal transaction for example; and then, the common token can be used again at a second website, a third website, etc. to perform one or more tasks on behalf of the authenticated user and within the token's usage or associated limitations. |
| US08490166B2 |
Identifying a user account in a social networking system
Locating social networking system accounts for user of the social networking system permits the users to locate and access their accounts even if they cannot provide a user login ID or a login email address associated with their social networking system account. The social networking system locates a user account by receiving a user name associated with the user and a friend name of a friend connected to the user in the social networking system and identifying a user account wherein the identified user account has a user name matching the received user name and the identified user account is connected with another user in the social networking system who has a user name matching the received friend name. |
| US08490164B2 |
User authentication method, user authenticating device and program product
An authenticating device communicating with a server device includes: a dividing unit that divides secret information into plural secret fragments by a threshold secret sharing scheme; a first generating unit that generates plural cryptographic fragments by encrypting the secret fragments using first plural passwords; a first transmitting unit that transmits the cryptographic fragments to the server device; a first receiving unit that receives the cryptographic fragments from the server device, a second generating unit that generates plural secret fragment candidates by decrypting the cryptographic fragments using second plural passwords; a third generating unit that obtains a verifying information candidate by the threshold secret sharing scheme using a group of the secret fragment candidates; a second transmitting unit that transmits the verifying information candidate to the server device; and a second receiving unit that receives result information of comparing the verifying information candidate with verifying information in the server device. |
| US08490160B2 |
Open federation security techniques with rate limits
Open federation security techniques with rate limits are described. An apparatus may include a network interface operative to communicate messages, and a secure open federation (SOF) module operative to manage a message rate between multiple federated networks. The SOF module may comprise a peer authentication module operative to determine whether a peer making the message is an untrusted peer. The SOF module may comprise a peer rate tracking module operative to retrieve a message rate value and a message rate limit value associated with the untrusted peer, and compare the message rate value with the message rate limit value to form a threat status indicator value. The SOF module may comprise a peer authorization module operative to authorize communication of the message based on the threat status indicator value. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08490159B2 |
Method for increasing security in a passive optical network
A method for security in a passive optical network is disclosed. The method includes, at an optical line termination (OLT): detecting an optical termination device and establishing a connection with the device; generating a first authentication message including a first random number; and transmitting the first authentication message through the established connection. At the optical termination device, the method may include: receiving the first authentication message; calculating a first authentication code by using the first random number and a secret code stored at the device; and generating and transmitting to the OLT a second authentication message including the first authentication code. The method may further include, at the OLT: receiving the second authentication message; calculating a second authentication code by using the first random number and a secret code stored at the OLT; and authenticating the optical termination device if the first authentication code matches the second authentication code. |
| US08490149B1 |
Secure session handling in a device after a policy update
A device may update at least one old policy to a new policy, obtain data exchanged between endpoints of an ongoing communication session, apply the new policy to the data and not applying the at least one old policy to the data when a start of the communication session has occurred after the updating, and apply the new policy and the at least one old policy to the data when the start of the communication session has occurred before the updating. |
| US08490138B2 |
Channel searching by content type
Systems and method for receiving user channel search criteria, searching for channels based on representative content information, and presenting the channel results to the user. The interactive media guidance application prompts the user to enter channel search criteria by selecting categories or inputting keywords. The interactive media guidance application gathers information about channels in the form of channel attribute data. The channel attributed data identifies attributes of the typical programs provided by the channel over time. The application compares the channel attribute data for each channel with the user-entered channel search criteria. Matches or lack thereof are then displayed to the user by the interactive media guidance application. |
| US08490133B1 |
Social broadcasting platform
A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is generated indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. The metadata is provided and at least a subset of said items of content to a broadcast platform in one or more network communications sent to the broadcast platform via a network interface. A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is received via a server interface indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. At least a subset of said items of content is stored in a media cache. Said items of content are used to assemble in the manner indicated by said metadata, and to provide as output for broadcast to the station interface, a broadcast stream, including by responding dynamically to subsequently received metadata indicating a change in one or both of (1) said items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and (2) the manner in which one or more of said items of content is or are to be included in the broadcast. |
| US08490130B2 |
Television channel list system and method
Example systems and methods of generating a television channel list involve scanning virtual channels contained in a transport stream supplied to a television and determining, for each scanned virtual channel, whether that channel contains decodable video or audio content. A ring list used for tuning channels in channel up/down tuning operations is generated which contains only those scanned channels determined to have decodable video or audio content. |
| US08490129B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for selectively distributing urgent public information
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway. |
| US08490126B2 |
System and method of restricting access to video content
Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes sending a request for video content to a set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving location data at the remote user device via the video distribution network, the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. The method also includes indicating at the remote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within a region that includes the location. |
| US08490124B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving performance and user experience of a mobile broadcast receiver
Various techniques for receiving broadcast at a mobile broadcast receiver are described. In an aspect, the broadcast receiver provides user notification and/or automatically launches an application based on user preferences. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver improves channel switching time by predicting future channel selection based on real-time monitoring of user inputs. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver supports drag-and-drop user interface. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver provides additional information associated with a selected broadcast stream. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver processes a broadcast stream and sends output data to an external device for further processing and/or display. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver simultaneously displays live content and stored content. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver simultaneously receives multiple broadcast streams for displayed on one or more display units. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver collects user statistics and sends the statistics to a network entity. |
| US08490120B2 |
System and method for the service configuration of application server environments
A system and method for dynamic, application dependency implicit, service configuration of application server environments. A dynamic and implicit mechanism can be provided using technologies such as OSGi and the Java Module System, that then reduce the need for external application server configuration. An application server so implemented can be enabled to dynamically/lazily load the required services implementations on demand, at the time an application is deployed and/or initialized at runtime, and to subsequently release any such resources consumed when they are no longer required. |
| US08490119B2 |
Communication interface for non-communication applications
Software applications are enabled with multimodal communication capabilities and features associated with enhanced communication systems through a communication application programming interface (API). Applications for document processing, scheduling, audio/video data processing, and/or business operations can exchange communication system data and parameters bi-directionally with components of an enhanced communication system, initiate communication sessions through the application's user interface, and preserve post-communication updates. |
| US08490118B2 |
Wait on address synchronization interface
In a first thread of a process a determination is made that a current value at a target address is not a desired value. In response to this determination, a first application programming interface (API) is invoked to indicate that the first thread is to sleep and be woken up when a second thread modifies the value at the target address. When a second thread modifies the value at the target address, the second thread invokes a second API to indicate that the value at the target address has been modified. In response to the second API being invoked, the first thread is woken up. |
| US08490114B1 |
Method and apparatus for accessing rich internet content
A method and apparatus for accessing rich Internet content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method selects an event within a rich Internet application (RIA) and determines if execution of the event requires at least one non-deterministic parameter value. If execution of the event requires at least one non-deterministic parameter value, the method sets the at least one non-deterministic parameter value to a predetermined parameter value and executes the event using the predetermined parameter value to access rich Internet content associated with the event. |
| US08490113B2 |
Messaging in a parallel computer using remote direct memory access (‘RDMA’)
Messaging in a parallel computer using remote direct memory access (‘RDMA’), including: receiving a send work request; responsive to the send work request: translating a local virtual address on the first node from which data is to be transferred to a physical address on the first node from which data is to be transferred from; creating a local RDMA object that includes a counter set to the size of a messaging acknowledgment field; sending, from a messaging unit in the first node to a messaging unit in a second node, a message that includes a RDMA read operation request, the physical address of the local RDMA object, and the physical address on the first node from which data is to be transferred from; and receiving, by the first node responsive to the second node's execution of the RDMA read operation request, acknowledgment data in the local RDMA object. |
| US08490110B2 |
Network on chip with a low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnect
Data processing on a network on chip (‘NOC’) that includes integrated processor (‘IP’) blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controllers, with each IP block adapted to a router through a memory communications controller and a network interface controller, where each memory communications controller controlling communications between an IP block and memory, each network interface controller controlling inter-IP block communications through routers, with each IP block also adapted to the network by a low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnect comprising an inbox and an outbox. |
| US08490109B2 |
Printing control apparatus, printing control method, and computer-readable storage medium storing computer program
A printing control apparatus includes a first obtaining unit configured to obtain management information that manages use of document data, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain attribute information relating to an attribute of management information obtained by the obtaining unit, an embedding unit configured to embed the management information obtained by the first obtaining unit and the attribute information obtained by the second obtaining unit in the document data, and an output unit configured to output the document data in which the management information and the attribute information are embedded by the embedding unit, to a printing apparatus. |
| US08490108B2 |
Method of estimating a processing time of each of a plurality of jobs and apparatus thereof
A processing time estimation method for estimating a processing time of each of a plurality of jobs, the processing time estimation method including determining, executed by a computer, whether the each job has a preceding job thereof on the basis of previous execution data including previous information of a plurality of previous start times and previous finish times of respective jobs of the plurality of jobs, the preceding job of the each job being included in the plurality of jobs and at least having the previous finish time earlier than the previous finish time of the each job. |
| US08490104B2 |
Method and apparatus for reservation and reallocation of surplus resources to processes in an execution space by a local resource manager after the execution space is generated succeeding the initialization of an application for which the execution space is created and the resources are allocated to the execution space by a global resource manager prior to application execution
A certain process included in a first execution space requests a local resource manager to allocate a resource. The local resource manager obtains the authentication ID of the process issuing the request and determines whether or not the resource can be allocated. If the resource can be allocated and the resource previously secured in the execution space can suffice the request, the local resource manager allocates the resource to the process. If the resource is insufficient, the local resource manager requests a global resource manager to allocate the resource. The global resource manager obtains the authentication ID of the first execution space issuing the request and determines whether or not the resource can be allocated. If it is determined that the resource can be allocated, the resource is allocated to the first execution space. |
| US08490102B2 |
Resource allocation management using IOC token requestor logic
In a first aspect, a first method is provided for managing system resource allocation. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a first command that requires a system resource; (2) receiving a first request for the system resource for the first command; (3) receiving a second command that requires the system resource; (4) assigning the system resource to the second command; and (5) receiving a second request for the system resource for the second command. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08490101B1 |
Thread scheduling in chip multithreading processors
A computer system includes an integrated circuit that has a plurality of processing cores fabricated therein and configured to perform operations in parallel. Each processing core is configured to process multiple threads, where a thread is assigned to one of the plurality of processing cores dependent on a cache hit rate of the thread. |
| US08490093B2 |
Managed control of processes including privilege escalation
Determining execution rights for a process. A user selects a process for execution. A driver intercepts the execution and communicates with a service or its remote agent. Configuration data is accessed to determine an execution role specifying whether the process should be denied execution or should execute with particular rights to access or modify system resources. The execution role is provided to the driver, and the driver allows or denies execution of the process in accordance with the provided execution role. |
| US08490092B2 |
Combined live migration and storage migration using file shares and mirroring
Migration of a virtual machine and associated files to a destination host may be performed. A source host may initiate establishment of a temporary network file share at a destination location of the destination host to provide the source host and the destination host with access to the file share. While the virtual machine is running at the source host, a storage migration and a live migration may be initiated. Using the network file share, the source host may copy the associated files to the destination location. A runtime state of the virtual machine may be copied to the destination host. In a final phase of the migration, the virtual machine at the source host may be stopped, the storage migration may be completed, the copying of the runtime state may be completed, and the virtual machine may be started at the destination host. |
| US08490089B2 |
Guest timer facility to improve management in a virtualized processing system
A method includes, in a virtualized processing system, generating a local value of a first counter. The local value is accessible while executing in a first mode of the virtualized processing system. The local value is generated based on a value of a second counter and a ratio of a rate of the first counter to a rate of the second counter. The first counter is inaccessible while executing in the first mode of the virtualized processing system and accessible while executing in a second mode of the virtualized processing system. The first mode may be a guest mode and the second mode may be a host mode. The first counter may be an ACPI Power Management Timer. The second counter may be a Time Stamp Counter. |
| US08490088B2 |
On demand virtual machine image streaming
On demand image streaming (ODS), in one aspect, may perform both copy-on-write and copy-on-read to gradually bring data on remote storage server to a host's local disk. Prefetching may be performed during the time the resources are otherwise idle to bring in data from the remote storage server to the host's local disk. A new image format and the corresponding block device driver for a hypervisor or the like may be also provided. ODS' image format may include a header and a bitmap that indicates whether the data sectors are on local disk or remote storage server, and an image content, for instance, stored in raw format. |
| US08490086B1 |
Filtering I/O communication of guest OS by inserting filter layer between hypervisor and VM and between hypervisor and devices
A computer-implemented method for filtering input/output communications of guest operating systems may include: 1) identifying a guest operating system running in a virtual machine, 2) creating an input/output filtering layer that resides outside the guest operating system, 3) intercepting, at the input/output filtering layer, an input/output communication involving the guest operating system, and then 4) performing a filtering operation on the input/output communication. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08490084B1 |
Installation testing in automated application distribution
A system and method of deploying applications to networked computing environments is disclosed. Application packages and installation instructions are received by a deployment manager. The installation instructions include test instructions. Application packages are distributed in response to requests by developers and installation instructions executed on a target computing environment. Failure of an installation test provides an indication of issues with the application in the target environment. Records of failures received are stored for use by application developers. |
| US08490082B2 |
System and method for representing user processes as software packages in a software package management system
A system, method, and computer program product for representing at least one of a user process and a system process as a software package in a software package management system. The method includes creating at least one package comprising at least one of a user process and a system process. The at least one package comprises a structure consistent with a software package so that the at least one package is able to be managed by a software package management system. The at least one package is stored on an information system via the software package management system. |
| US08490080B2 |
Systems and methods of creating and accessing software simulated computers
The system and methods of the present application comprise one or more computers that generate and maintain a plurality of software-simulated computers. Each software-simulated computer is adapted to efficiently run an installed application program. Additional security layers provide access to the installed application through a remote user interface installed on a user's computing device. The system generates a new copy of the software-simulated computer for each user session, that prevents configuration problems from interfering with the proper operation of the application program, thereby consistently running the application in an optimized fashion, regardless of changes made to the software-simulated computer by the user or a virus. These software-simulated computers are unaffected by changes a user makes on their own client device. To this end, the system provides robust, web accessible capabilities to application software that may not have been adapted for use on the Internet. |
| US08490078B2 |
System and method for application management
A system includes at least one developer device to create and/or modify at least one computer application to be deployed to an end device, the computer application defined by a manifest, the manifest including (a) at least one file fingerprint unique to a computer file associated with the computer application, and (b) metadata of the computer file, and at least one dispatch server to manage deployment/undeployment of the computer application. |
| US08490073B2 |
Controlling tracing within compiled code
Tracing within a processing environment is controlled. Trace directives are automatically included within code being compiled in order to control where one or more traces begin and end within the code. The trace directives provide a framework for mapping traces to well understood boundaries of the code. |
| US08490072B2 |
Partitioning operator flow graphs
Techniques for partitioning an operator flow graph are provided. The techniques include receiving source code for a stream processing application, wherein the source code comprises an operator flow graph, wherein the operator flow graph comprises a plurality of operators, receiving profiling data associated with the plurality of operators and one or more processing requirements of the operators, defining a candidate partition as a coalescing of one or more of the operators into one or more sets of processing elements (PEs), using the profiling data to create one or more candidate partitions of the processing elements, using the one or more candidate partitions to choose a desired partitioning of the operator flow graph, and compiling the source code into an executable code based on the desired partitioning. |
| US08490064B2 |
Hierarchical debug
Metadata can be used for determining or selecting debug points to activate for server software. The metadata can be used for selecting or logically grouping the debug point without requiring the selecting of debug points based upon package boundaries. The metadata can be used by the system to produce a select set of the debug activation information. This debug activation information can be used by a management unit to activate debug points in the server software. |
| US08490060B2 |
Tracing memory updates and accesses for debugging computer programs
A system, method, and computer program product for expediting the identification of computer program code that is the source of errors in the execution of a computer program. A debugger monitors a specified memory address, or group of addresses for updates, during execution of the computer program. In response to determining that a running computer program has updated the memory address, the processor executes a watchpoint handler to identify the source of errors in a computer program executing in a data processing system. The watchpoint handler gathers trace information associated with the faulty processing thread, and records the trace information to a memory location. The watchpoint handler may also apply filters to the trace information to identify the source of the error, saving valuable debugging time. |
| US08490058B2 |
Time-based navigation within resource utilization data
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for time-based navigation within resource utilization data. A computer system is configured to present resource utilization data representing performance of computer resources. The resource utilization data is displayed on a diagnostic data trace during the execution of the application. The user can select a desired time range and the resource utilization data within the time range will be displayed at other traces. The diagnostic data trace is still presented so that the user can understand the relation between the selected time range and the overall time length. Further, the user can modify the selected time range by change the extents of the selected time range using resizing tool. The resource utilization data within the modified selected time range, similarly, is also displayed along with the diagnostic data trace. |
| US08490055B2 |
Generating dependency maps from dependency data
Disclosed herein are techniques for generating data that describes dependencies between software components as transactions are processed, as well as displaying dependency maps based on the data. The data may be collected by agents that monitor or trace transactions being processed by the software components. The collected data may be aggregated to form a directed graph that describes the dependencies between the software components. A dependency map may be displayed based on the directed graph. The dependency map may show dependencies between software components as the transactions are processed. The dependency map may also show dependencies between applications that include the software components. The dependency map(s) may allow a user to easily and quickly ascertain where a problem is occurring. For example, the user might be able to quickly determine that a problem is at a backend database, as opposed to an application server at a frontend. |
| US08490054B2 |
Software and related software tracking during software modification
A system and method for tracking and notifying related software, modules, and configuration files during software development and maintenance. A database, software build programming, a software module tracker, requirements management tools, and software source code that includes a comments area are implemented in connection with user interfacing to provide the method. |
| US08490051B2 |
Generic interface for numeric types
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a common generic interface for numeric types in statically typed languages. The common generic interface defines basic arithmetic operations, thereby allowing basic arithmetic operations to be performed on the numeric types. The common generic interface provides support for overflow detection when a result of an operation being performed on a particular numeric type will result in an overflow situation when the operation does not fit within a range supported by the particular numeric types. The common generic interface provides support for one or more mathematical properties to be retrieved for a particular one of the numeric types being used in a particular circumstance. |
| US08490050B2 |
Automatic generation of user interfaces
A communications schema is captured into a service-neutral interface schema created by inspecting metadata received from an object and creating from it an abstract user interface model. A transform is applied to the abstract user interface model to generate a user interface that targets a particular user interface technology. Any user interface technology can be targeted so that a user interface for any user interface technology can be auto-generated. |
| US08490043B2 |
Standard cells having transistors annotated for gate-length biasing
A standard cell library is disclosed. The standard cell library contains cells wherein at least one transistor in at least one cell is annotated for gate length biasing. Gate length biasing includes the modification of the gate length, so as to change the speed or power consumption of the modified gate length. The standard cell library is one used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices (e.g., that result as semiconductor chips), by way of fabricating features defined on one or more layouts of geometric shapes. The annotations serve to identify which ones of the transistor gate features are to be modified before using the geometric shapes for manufacturing the semiconductor device. |
| US08490037B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking uncertain signals
A method and an apparatus for tracking uncertain signals in the simulation of chip design are provided. The method comprises: generating a directed graph which contains sequential logic devices and IO devices from the netlist of chip design, wherein the directed graph illustrates the signal association among the sequential logic devices and IO devices; obtaining the signals related with the sequential logic devices and IO devices from the simulation results, wherein the signals contain a plurality of uncertain signals; and back tracing at least a part of the plurality of uncertain signals along the directed graph to determine the device which firstly generates an uncertain signal. The corresponding apparatus is also provided. With the above method and apparatus, uncertain signals can be traced and their source can be determined, which improves the debugging efficiency. |
| US08490035B2 |
Tensor transmission-line metamaterials
Tensor transmission-line metamaterial unit cells are formed that allow the creation of any number of optic/electromagnetic devices. A desired electromagnetic distribution of the device is determined, from which effective material parameters capable of creating that desired distribution are obtained, for example, through a transformation optics/electromagnetics process. These effective material parameters are then linked to lumped or distributed circuit networks that achieve the desired distribution. |
| US08490034B1 |
Techniques of optical proximity correction using GPU
Computationally intensive electronic design automation operations are accelerated with algorithms utilizing one or more graphics processing units. The optical proximity correction (OPC) process calculates, improves, and optimizes one or more features on an exposure mask (used in semiconductor or other processing) so that a resulting structure realized on an integrated circuit or chip meets desired design and performance requirements. When a chip has billions of transistors or more, each with many fine structures, the computational requirements for OPC can be very large. This processing can be accelerated using one or more graphics processing units. |
| US08490032B2 |
Flash-based anti-aliasing techniques for high-accuracy high-efficiency mask synthesis
Techniques and systems for converting a non-bandlimited pattern layout into a band-limited pattern image are described. During operation, the system receives the non-bandlimited pattern layout which comprises one or more polygons. The system further receives an anti-aliasing filter (AAF) kernel, wherein the AAF kernel is configured to convert a non-bandlimited pattern into a band-limited pattern. The system then constructs an AAF lookup table for the AAF kernel, wherein the AAF lookup table contains precomputed values for a set of convolution functions which are obtained by convolving a set of basis functions with the AAF kernel. Next, the system creates a sampled pattern layout by applying a grid map over the pattern layout. The system then obtains the band-limited pattern image by using the AAF lookup table to convolve the AAF kernel with each grid location in the sampled pattern layout. |
| US08490031B2 |
Method, apparatus and program for adjusting feature dimensions to compensate for planarizing effects in the generation of mask data and manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of reading physical layout data of a circuit to be manufactured and performing calculation to modify a pattern width in the physical layout data by a predetermined amount; reading a physical layout and analyzing a pattern that is predicted to remain as a step difference of a predetermined amount or more in a case where a planarization process is performed on a planarizing film on a pattern by a quantitative calculation by using at least one of a density of patterns, a pattern width, and a peripheral length of a range of interest and a range in the vicinity of the range of interest; and reading data of the pattern that is predicted to remain as a step difference, and making a correction to a layout in which a step difference of a predetermined amount or more does not remain. |
| US08490030B1 |
Distance metric for accurate lithographic hotspot classification using radial and angular functions
An dual function distance metric for pattern matching based hotspot clustering is described. The dual function distance metric can handle patterns containing multiple polygons, is easy to compute, and is tolerant of small variations or shifts of the shapes. Compared with an XOR distance metric pattern clustering, the dual function distance metric can achieve up to 37.5% accuracy improvement with 2X-4X computational cost in the context of cluster analysis. The dual function distance metric is reliable and accurate for characterizing clips (e.g. hotspots), thereby making it desirable for industry applications. |
| US08490029B2 |
Method of fabricating a device using low temperature anneal processes, a device and design structure
A method of fabricating a device using a sequence of annealing processes is provided. More particularly, a logic NFET device fabricated using a low temperature anneal to eliminate dislocation defects, method of fabricating the NFET device and design structure is shown and described. The method includes forming a stress liner over a gate structure and subjecting the gate structure and stress liner to a low temperature anneal process to form a stacking force in single crystalline silicon near the gate structure as a way to memorized the stress effort. The method further includes stripping the stress liner from the gate structure and performing an activation anneal at high temperature on device. |
| US08490027B2 |
User control
An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: resolve a user input trace into a first displacement in a first direction and a second displacement in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction; and control a position within a range in dependence upon both the first displacement and the second displacement. |
| US08490026B2 |
Painting user controls
The described implementations relate to dynamically painting user-controls. One method dynamically determines a highlight color of a user-control under a cursor on a graphical user-interface. The method also paints at least a portion of the user-control with the highlight color. |
| US08490023B2 |
Navigating UML diagrams
A solution for navigating UML diagrams (200) is proposed. For this purpose, a graphical interface is implemented for defining multiple navigation paths (NAVk) along corresponding sequences of diagrams (DIA11-DIA55). The definition of those navigation paths is stored into a dedicated file (without modifying the definition of the diagrams). A home bar for invoking the navigation paths is then added to the graphical representation of the diagrams. Once a reader has selected a specific navigation path, its first diagram (DIA11; DIA15) is retrieved and displayed. At the same time, a navigation bar for moving throughout the sequence is dynamically generated and added to the graphical representation of each diagram that is traversed. |
| US08490022B2 |
Menus for audiovisual content
Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual content authoring methods and systems and in particular to novel menu systems and the production thereof, for example implemented for DVD-Video discs. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of authoring an audiovisual product, for example a DVD-Video disc, comprising the steps of providing audiovisual content, generating at least a first menu (505) and a second menu (510), each menu comprising at least one menu option (506, 511), arranging the first menu (505) to be displayed during playback of the audiovisual content and arranging a menu option (506) of the first menu to cause display of the second menu during playback of the audiovisual content. Such a method facilitates hierarchical menu generation for DVD-Videos and the like. |
| US08490019B2 |
Displaying thumbnail copies of each running item from one or more applications
Methods, user interfaces, and computer-readable media for displaying thumbnail copies of running items for a particular running application on a display are provided. The displayed thumbnail copies are interactive, and provide the user with an easy and efficient way to identify and manage multiple items, such as windows, that are concurrently running. The thumbnail copies are either snapshots or real-time displays of the corresponding running items, depending on whether the running item is minimized or maximized at the time the thumbnail copies are displayed. The user interacts with the thumbnail copies by choosing to either close a particular running item by selecting the closing icon on the corresponding thumbnail copy, or view a particular running item on the display by selecting the corresponding thumbnail in any location other than the closing icon. |
| US08490016B2 |
Start menu operation for computer user interface
Described is distinguishing between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard. |
| US08490015B2 |
Task dialog and programming interface for same
A task dialog having a main instruction and a command region, and optionally a content and/or footer region, is automatically generated in response to a request from an application program. The task dialog main instruction is automatically sized and located so as to form a concise instruction or question located prominently in the dialog. A command region is below the instruction and includes UI controls for responding to the dialog. Optional content and footer regions can be used by a developer for inclusion of text that provides guidance to the user regarding the main instruction. If included, however, the content and/or footer regions are automatically sized and placed so that they do not obscure the main instruction or the command region controls. |
| US08490012B2 |
Collaborative media production
Methods, systems, and apparatus for collaborative media editing. In one aspect, a method includes presenting, to an originator, an originator interface including multiple media panes; establishing a connection with a collaborator; receiving from the originator a selection indicating an item of media content associated with at least one of the multiple media panes; transmitting to the collaborator the selected item of media content; and enabling inter-user communication relating to the selected item of media content in the originator interface with the collaborator. Further, a connection can be established with a second collaborator, the item of media content can be transmitted to the second collaborator, and communication can occur in the originator interface with the second collaborator. |
| US08490009B2 |
Information processing apparatus, terminal apparatus, content of interest determination method, content of interest determination program, terminal program , recording medium on which program is recorded, and information provision system
Content is displayed in an active display region of a terminal apparatus, and information relating to the display of said content when the content scrolls in accordance with a scrolling operation performed by a user and content identifying information for identifying the content are obtained from the terminal apparatus and it is determined whether or not the user of the terminal apparatus is interested in the content identified by the content identifying information that is extracted in accordance with the information relating to the display of the content. |
| US08490006B1 |
Scene creation for building automation systems
A home automation system logs use of automation equipment such as lights, appliances, door and window openings, motion, etc., and suggests home automation scenes based on an analysis of the logs. An inventory of system equipment can be compared to scenes used by other systems with a similar equipment inventory to develop suggested scenes. A server may analyze insurance claim data and police reports to suggest scenes, in view of a system inventory, that could help minimize particular losses. |
| US08490004B2 |
Evaluation of remote user attributes in a social networking environment
A computer host is configured to perform a method for defining user attributes with associated verification values for social networking accounts. The attributes concern the user's personal characteristics or attributes. The host publishes the attribute information to other clients together with interactive objects for soliciting corroboration of the attribute information. The host receives feedback information from other account holders, such as survey response data, concerning the veracity of the attribute information. The host processes the evaluation information and the feedback information to provide a veracity score of each attribute reported for each account holder, or for collections of attributes, by weighing the evaluation information and feedback information by a computed reliability factor for each source from which processed information is obtained. |
| US08490001B2 |
Electronic mail display program product, method, apparatus and system
To provide a technique for facilitating the management of an attachment file attached to an electronic mail. A client apparatus acquires attachment position information in a text of the electronic mail and stores it associated with an identifier of the electronic mail, in receiving the electronic mail with attachment file. Upon receiving an instruction for displaying the electronic mail from the user, the client apparatus arranges a graphic representing the attachment file of the electronic mail on a child screen that displays the reduced screen of a parent screen that displays the electronic mail based on the corresponding attachment position information, and displays the child screen together with the parent screen. |
| US08489996B2 |
Apparatus and method for remote controlling
A remote control apparatus and method. A client-side remote control method includes: receiving characteristic information for each of plural windows from a server; identifying each of the plural windows by referring to the received characteristic information; and transmitting a display update request for the each of the identified windows to the server. |
| US08489989B1 |
Methods and systems for preflighting using multiple preflight profiles
A method includes using rules included in two or more preflight profiles to apply to a document. The preflight profiles may be selected to reduce possibilities of conflicts. The preflight profiles may be selected based on global settings or local settings. The preflight profiles may also be selected based on priority. When there are conflicts, conflict resolution techniques may be applied. |
| US08489988B2 |
Image forming device, information processing device, and method for outputting a plurality of print preview images when detecting an event that makes production of a printed output difficult
An image forming device is capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network. The image forming device comprises: a print job acquiring part for acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; an image forming part for producing a printed output by executing the print job; an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the image forming part, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the at least one printing device, and for outputting the first and second print preview images. The print preview processing part acquires and outputs the first and second print preview images when the event detecting part detects occurrence of the event. |
| US08489987B2 |
Monitoring and analyzing creation and usage of visual content using image and hotspot interaction
An MMR system includes an analytics module for monitoring and analyzing the creation and usage of visual content search. The analytics module is part of a MMR gateway and provides a mechanism for administrators to determine the usage patterns and other information about users of the MMR system. This information is fed back to other components of the MMR system to improve its operation. The analytics module comprises a monitoring module, a usage database, an access analysis module and a presentation module. The monitoring module is coupled to other components of the MMR gateway and collects information about retrieval request, image queries, context information and recognition results. The usage database stores the information collected by the monitoring module. The access analysis module performs queries on the usage database and analyzes the results. The output of the access analysis module is provided to the presentation module for presentation or output to other systems and users. |
| US08489980B2 |
Translation management system
A translation management system in a computer environment. A preferred embodiment of the invention automatically detects when a document, data stream, or non-text file in the master language has been updated and notifies the user which corresponding documents, data streams, or non-text files in the other languages require translation which are then staged and dynamically routed and sequenced to individual translation resources where the actual translation is performed. Management status, reporting, scheduling, and accounting information is sent to the user as the translation process ensues. The user is notified of the completion of translation and the invention coordinates the delivery of the translated documents, data streams, or non-text files back to the user's site for installation and optional review. The invention makes a variety of translation resources instantly available to the user which include both automated translation tools as well as human translators. The translation resources are connected to the invention using a flexible architecture that can be deployed on intranets as well as the Internet. |
| US08489974B2 |
System, method and computer program product for resolving a data conflict
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for resolving a data conflict. These mechanisms and methods for resolving a data conflict can enable an improved user experience, increased efficiency, time savings, etc. |
| US08489967B2 |
Dynamic monitoring of ability to reassemble streaming data across multiple channels based on history
Mechanisms are provided for processing streaming data at high sustained data rates. These mechanisms receive a plurality of data elements over a plurality of non-sequential communication channels and write the plurality of data elements directly to the file system of the data processing system in an unassembled manner. The mechanisms determining whether to perform a data scrubbing operation or not based on history information indicative of whether data elements in the plurality of data elements are being received in a substantially sequential manner. The mechanisms perform a data scrubbing operation, in response to a determination to perform data scrubbing, to identify any missing data elements in the plurality of data elements written to the file system and assemble the plurality of data elements into a plurality of data streams in response to results of the data scrubbing indicating that there are no missing data elements. |
| US08489966B2 |
Solid-state mass storage device and method for failure anticipation
A solid-state mass storage device and method of operating the storage device to anticipate the failure of at least one memory device thereof before a write endurance limitation is reached. The method includes assigning at least a first memory block of the memory device as a wear indicator that is excluded from use as data storage, using pages of at least a set of memory blocks of the memory device for data storage, writing data to and erasing data from each memory block of the set in program/erase (P/E) cycles, performing wear leveling on the set of memory blocks, subjecting the wear indicator to more P/E cycles than the set of memory blocks, performing integrity checks of the wear indicator and monitoring its bit error rate, and taking corrective action if the bit error rate increases. |
| US08489964B2 |
Variable interleave data transmission
In cable modem termination systems (CMTS) and other information transmission systems, a method for changing the interleave depth associated with each data stream is provided. This may be done dynamically, and for any subset of downstream devices such as modems. The interleave depth may be set on an individual device level. Embodiments may decrease data receiving latency on devices that do not suffer from error rates, such as caused by burst noise, while maintaining throughput on devices with high error rates. |
| US08489963B2 |
Device for processing streams and method thereof
A device for processing streams is disclosed. The device includes a stream arranging unit which stacks and rearranges a stream, and a dummy inserting unit which inserts a dummy into the rearranged stream. The device may further include a convolutional interleaver which interleaves the stream with a dummy or an RS encoder and a CRC encoder. |
| US08489958B2 |
DOCSIS MAC-PHY downstream convergence layer
Techniques are provided herein for transmitting data across multiple carriers using Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Transport Stream (TS) packet multiplexing. At a processing device coupled to at least one subscriber device data associated with the at least one subscriber device are received. The data are encapsulated into MPEG-TS packets, where the MPEG-TS packet headers identify a single data channel for the at least one subscriber device. The MPEG-TS packets are multiplexed across a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) carriers for transmission, and the MPEG-TS packets are transmitted using the plurality of RF carriers. Each of the plurality of RF carriers have the same RF modulation, use the same symbol rate, and are driven by the same clock such that the carriers are synchronous. Techniques are also provided recover the data at the subscriber device. |
| US08489957B2 |
Lower-complexity layered belief propagation decoding LDPC codes
Low density parity check (LDPC) decoders are described utilizing a sequential schedule called Zigzag LBP (Z-LBP), for a layered belief propagation (LBP) architecture. Z-LBP has a lower computational complexity per iteration than variable-node-centric LBP (V-LBP), while being simpler than flooding and check-node-centric LBP (C-LBP). For QC-LDPC codes where the sub-matrices can have at most one “1” per column and one “1” per row, Z-LBP can perform partially-parallel decoding with the same performance as C-LBP. The decoder comprises a control circuit and memory coupled to a parity check matrix. Message passage is performed within Z-LBP in a first direction on odd iterations, and in a second direction on even iterations. As a result, a smaller parity check matrix can be utilized, while convergence can be more readily attained. The inventive method and apparatus can also be implemented for partially-parallel architectures. |
| US08489955B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method and program
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, a data processing method and a program which can improve the tolerance of code bits of an LDPC code to errors.Where two or more bits of an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code are set as one symbol and are mapped to 214 or 216 signal points, a column twist interleaver 24 carries out, as a re-arrangement process for re-arranging code bits of an LDPC code such that a plurality of code bits corresponding to the value 1 included in one arbitrary row of a parity check matrix are not included in one symbol, column twist interleave of changing the writing starting position when code bits are written in a column direction of a memory for each column of the memory. The present invention can be applied, for example, to a transmission apparatus for transmitting an LDPC code. |
| US08489954B2 |
Method and apparatus for reliable media transport
Methods and apparatuses to model the relation between the delay samples and congestion losses and to protect media flows against congestion losses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring congestion by delay samples, and performing a dynamic FEC algorithm that uses convex hull clustering for loss-event classification, including determining an FEC rate according to the loss-event classification. In another embodiment, the method comprises measuring congestion by delay samples, modeling loss events associated with the delay samples by grouping loss events as unions of convex hulls to identify a period of potentially increased congestion, dynamically changing the FEC rate based on the modeling, and applying FEC protection to the media flow during the period based on the FEC rate. In yet another embodiment, the method comprises forming clusters using past loss events and their {FTT, F{dot over (T)}T} or {RTT, R{dot over (T)}T} estimates, and estimating future loss events using most recent {FTT, F{dot over (T)}T} or {RTT, R{dot over (T)}T} estimates and their membership in convex hull clusters. |
| US08489951B2 |
HARQ synchronization method for LTE
A method and apparatus according to the present invention addresses and/or prevents lost protocol synchronization in HARQ systems caused by ACK/NACK errors. One embodiment detects lost synchronization errors for NDI-based retransmission protocols and restores synchronization by sending an explicit RESET message. In response to the RESET message, the transmitter aborts the transmission of a current PDU and transmits a new PDU and corresponding NDI. Another embodiment prevents protocol synchronization errors by sending scheduling grants on a packet by packet basis. The receiver sends a subsequent explicit scheduling grant to the transmitter based on an error evaluation of a received PDU. The transmitter will not send the next PDU unless it receives the subsequent explicit scheduling grant. |
| US08489948B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for facilitating error correction
Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating error correction. A method may include receiving a content item and first repair data over a content delivery network via a first network connection. The method may further include receiving second repair data via a second network connection from a remote device having received the content item over the content delivery network. The first and second repair data may be configured to enable error correction of the content item. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided. |
| US08489946B2 |
Managing logically bad blocks in storage devices
At least one standard size data block of a storage device is scanned for a logically bad pattern. If the logically pad pattern is detected, a block address that is associated with the standard size data block is added to a bad block table. If the logically pad pattern is not detected, it may be determined if the block address associated with the standard size data block is in the bad block table. If the logically pad pattern is not detected and if the block address associated with the standard size data block is in the bad block table, the block address may be removed from the bad block table. The logically bad pattern may have a first predefined data portion and a second predefined data portion and may be repeated the requisite number of instances to fill the standard size data block. |
| US08489942B1 |
Memory management method, and memory controller and memory storage device using the same
A memory management method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module including a plurality of physical unit groups is provided, and each physical unit group includes first physical units. The method includes: grouping the physical unit groups into a first and second areas, setting the physical unit groups of the first area in a first program mode indicating that all physical units are programmable, and setting the physical unit groups of the second area in a second program mode indicating that only the first physical units are programmable. The method also includes: when a physical unit group in the first area is damaged, transforming a physical unit group from the first program mode to the second program mode and the physical unit group is unable to be set back in the first program mode. Accordingly, the lifespan of the rewritable non-volatile memory module is increased. |
| US08489940B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing asynchronous dependent I/O for a virtual fibre channel target
Methods and apparatus for managing exchange IDs for multiple asynchronous dependent I/O operations generated for virtual Fibre Channel (FC) target volumes. Features and aspects hereof allocate a range of exchange identifier (X_ID) values used in issuing a plurality of physical I/O operations to a plurality of physical FC target devices that comprise the virtual FC target volume. The plurality of physical I/O operations are dependent upon one another for completion of the original request to the virtual FC target volume and allow substantially parallel operation of the plurality of physical FC target devices. A primary X_ID is selected from the range of allocated X_ID values for communications with the attached host system that generated the original request to the virtual FC target volume. |
| US08489938B2 |
Diagnostic data capture in a computing environment
A method in a multithreaded computing environment for capturing diagnostic data, the method comprising the steps of: in response to a determination that the computing environment is in a predetermined invalid state, a first thread recording diagnostic data for the computing environment, wherein the determination includes a verification that the invalid state corresponds to a state other than a transient state of the computing environment corresponding to a transition of the computing environment by a second thread from a first valid state to a second valid state. An apparatus and computer program element for providing such diagnostic data capture are also provided. |
| US08489936B2 |
High reliability memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus
A high reliability dual inline memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus for use in a server. The memory module is a card approximately 151.35 mm or 5.97 inches long provided with about a plurality of contacts of which some are redundant, a plurality of DRAMs, a phase lock loop, a 2 or 32K bit serial EE PROM and a 28 bit and a 1 to 2 register having error correction code (ECC), parity checking, a multi-byte fault reporting circuitry for reading via an independent bus, and real time error lines for determining and reporting both correctable errors and uncorrectable error conditions coupled to the server's memory interface chip and memory controller or processor such that the memory controller sends address and command information to the register via address/command lines together with check bits for error correction purposes to the ECC/ Parity register. By providing the module with a fault tolerant address and command bus fault-tolerance and self-healing aspects necessary for autonomic computing systems compatible with industry-standards is realized. The memory module corrects single bit errors on the command or address bus and permits continuous memory operation independent of the existence of these errors and can determine any double bit error condition. The redundant contacts on the module prevents what would otherwise be single points of failure. |
| US08489934B2 |
Messaging system
Input messages are received at respective ports (10, 11, 12) of a message controller 4 from a plurality of external devices (100, 110, 120) which use different protocols. When an incoming message arrives at an input port a message object is created, the message object including a label identifying the respective input port. The conversion and subsequent handling of the messages uses program data which is retrieved from a program data store (5) according to the label indicating the input port. The program data retrieved is thus specified by the input port and allows conversion of messages into a common protocol to allow subsequent processing of the messages. This architecture allows the same program data to be called for external devices using the same protocol. Other processes may also be called from the program data store, covering functions such as validation, data enrichment, and exception handling processes. |
| US08489933B2 |
Data processing device and method for memory dump collection
A data processing device for memory dump collection, the data processing device includes: a processor to issue a first interrupt upon instructions to collect a memory dump being entered, to issue a second interrupt for running a program put in an address indicated by a reset vector upon the first interrupt being issued, and to record the memory dump in a storage unit in a process of running the program upon the second interrupt being issued. |
| US08489918B2 |
Storage system and ownership control method for storage system
When a failure has occurred, the situation is dealt with promptly according to this invention. As triggered by detection of a failure in any specified processor package of a plurality of processor packages, a processor for the specified processor package is temporarily substituted with a processor for another processor package, as an assignment destination of ownership which is assigned to the processor for the specified processor package, instead of actually transferring the ownership, thereby making the transition to an ownership-substituted state; and as triggered by an event that the failure is no longer detected in the specified processor package, a processor for the other processor package cancels the ownership-substituted state. |
| US08489910B2 |
Timing controller, timing control method, and timing control system
A timing controller includes a controller that controls an operation timing of a controlled unit, and a setting unit that associates a timing obtained by dividing a setting of the operation timing into a plurality of timings, each timing having an identification number, and sets the control unit so that an offset period based on the associated timing is added to the operation timing of the controlled unit. |
| US08489909B2 |
Displaying the operating efficiency of a processor
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for displaying the operating efficiency of a processor. Embodiments include determining, by an efficiency monitor, a voltage level that a voltage regulator device provides to a processor; determining, by the efficiency monitor, whether the voltage level is within a predetermined minimum voltage range; and if the voltage level is within the predetermined minimum voltage range, displaying, by the efficiency monitor, a user notification indicating an efficiency of the processor. |
| US08489907B2 |
Method of selective power cycling of components in a memory device independently by reducing power to a memory array or memory controller
In a non-volatile memory system, physically separate power rails are provided from a host system to a NVM device for independently power cycling a controller and memory array in the NVM device. The controller of the NVM device can send a power cycle request signal to the host system over a host channel, or updates a status register in the NVM device. The host system receives and decodes the power cycle request signal, or reads the status register, and performs the power cycle request, which can include power cycling the controller or the memory array in the NVM device, or both. The power cycle request can be based on a power state of the non-volatile memory system, which can be managed by the controller or the host system, or both. |
| US08489903B2 |
System for maintaining power efficiency of power supply modules by selectively connecting and disconnecting power supply modules from a plurality of power supply modules based on the calculated power supply module output to input ratio of each module
A power supply system for supplying power to a number of loads includes a number of power supply modules, a bus, and a control module. The power supply modules each comprises an input terminal receiving an input power and an output terminal outputting an output power, the input terminals of power supply modules having the same input power. The bus is configured for connecting the loads to the power supply modules. The control module calculates the ratio of the total output power of the power supply modules to the input power of one power supply module and controls the connection and the disconnection of the power supply modules according to the ratio. |
| US08489899B2 |
System and method for encrypting and decrypting data
A system for encrypting and decrypting data being transmitted between a data processing device and a storage device is provided. The system includes a password storing unit, an input unit, an authentication unit, a read unit, a key generator, an encrypting unit, and a decrypting unit. The password storing unit stores an initial password. The input unit is for receiving a current password. The authentication unit is for determining if the current password matches with the initial password. The read unit is for reading the initial password and an identification number of the system. The key generator is for generating an encrypting key and a decrypting key using the initial password and the identification number. If the current password matches with the initial password, the encrypting unit and the decrypting unit are operable to encrypt and decrypt the data using the encrypting key and the decrypting key correspondingly. |
| US08489898B2 |
Method and apparatus for including architecture for protecting multi-user sensitive code and data
A secure execution environment for execution of sensitive code and data including a secure asset management unit (SAMU) is described. The SAMU provides a secure execution environment to run multiple instances of separate program code or data code associated with copy protection schemes established for content consumption. The SAMU architecture allows for hardware-based secure boot and memory protection and provides on-demand code execution for multiple instances of separate program code or data provided by a host processor. The SAMU may boot from an encrypted and signed kernel code, and execute encrypted, signed code. The hardware-based security configuration facilitates the prevention of vertical or horizontal privilege violations. |
| US08489896B2 |
Digital identity device
A digital identity device for uniquely identifying legal entities. The digital identity device is used for secure electronic communications. |
| US08489894B2 |
Reference token service
A reference token service (RTS) is disclosed. Generally, the RTS receives sensitive data items from trusted source applications associated with particular merchants. Upon receipt of a particular sensitive data item from a particular merchant, the RTS identifies one or more reference token pools corresponding to the merchant. Each reference token pool includes a plurality of reference tokens comprising formats and data structures corresponding to sensitive data items and compatible with the merchant. The RTS receives a crypto token associated with the sensitive data item which may not conform to the merchant's formatting or data requirements. The RTS associates the crypto token with a reference token corresponding to the merchant, which is provided to the merchant for sharing and retrieval of the sensitive data item amongst the merchant's various applications. |
| US08489889B1 |
Method and apparatus for restricting access to encrypted data
A computing device receives a command to restrict access to encrypted data. The computing device generates a new record that can access the encrypted data. The computing device encrypts the record information for the new record using a public key of a trusted entity. The computing device prevents access to the encrypted data for a previously generated record or records. |
| US08489885B2 |
Method and device for managing digital content
The invention provides a method and devices for managing digital content, the method comprising the steps of sending, by a first device (21), an encrypted content key (202) to a second device (22); sending, by said second device (22) to a third device (23), a license data describing the rights to use said digital content by said third device (23) in response to a request from said third device (23) to use said digital content, wherein said license data includes said encrypted content key (202); and receiving, by said third device (23) from said first device (21), data for decrypting said encrypted content key (202). |
| US08489884B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating signatures
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for media monitoring are disclosed. In particular, the example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture generate signatures. Initially, a first plurality of filtered values are identified by performing a wavelet transform on a first frame of media samples. A first energy value is determined based on a first portion of the first plurality of filtered values, and a second energy value is determined based on a second portion of the first plurality of filtered values. A first descriptor of the first frame of media samples is determined based on a comparison of the first energy value and the second energy value. A first signature is generated based on the first descriptor. |
| US08489881B2 |
Information terminal apparatus, information processing apparatus and information communication system
When transmitting position/time information calculated by means of a GPS function to a server apparatus, authentication is carried out with the server apparatus. The position/time information may be certified as legitimate measured by a portable apparatus with a GPS reception function employed by a user. When transmitting information related to the position and the time acquired from a portable phone terminal having the GPS function and a network function by means of the GPS function to the server apparatus, authentication is carried out between the portable phone terminal and the server apparatus. The position/time information is transmitted to the server apparatus, only if the server apparatus is authenticated as a legitimate counterpart for connection. A secret key holding section is provided for holding different secret keys for different apparatuses. The position/time information measured based on an electromagnetic wave received from a positioning satellite is digitally signed by means of the secret key. The identification information and the position/time information having the digital signature are then transmitted to a counterpart. |
| US08489876B2 |
Secure anonymity in a media exchange network
A method for communicating of information in a communication network is disclosed and includes receiving media containing a security code from a first communication device at a third communication device. The security code is acquired by the first communication device from a second communication device. The received media may be routed to the second communication device based on an IP address of the second communication device. The IP address of the second communication device may correspond to the security code. The security code may be translated to the IP address of the second communication device. The security code may be a pin code. A duration for which the security code is valid may be limited to at least one of time and a number of uses. |
| US08489869B2 |
Electronic device and related method for enhancing convenience of a computer system
An electronic device and related method for enhancing convenience of a computer system includes a memory unit for storing a plurality of boot-up configuration files and a plurality of human characteristic signals corresponding to the plurality of boot-up configuration files, a human characteristic reception unit for receiving a human characteristic, and a logic unit coupled to a power switch, the memory unit, and the human characteristic reception unit, for comparing the human characteristic received by the human characteristic reception unit and the plurality of human characteristic signals stored in the memory unit for generating a comparison result when the power switch is turned on, and performing a boot-up procedure to turn on the computer system according to the comparison result. |
| US08489868B2 |
Software code signing system and method
A code signing system and method is provided. The code signing system operates in conjunction with a signed software application having a digital signature and includes an application platform, an application programming interface (API), and a virtual machine. The API is configured to link the software application with the application platform. The virtual machine verifies the authenticity of the digital signature in order to control access to the API by the software application. |
| US08489866B2 |
Branch trace history compression
A method, data processing system, and computer program product for managing a branch trace environment. In response to a branch being taken for a first branch instruction that is conditional and direct in the branch instructions, a performance monitoring unit stores an effective address of the first branch instruction into a first entry in a set of entries in a memory. The performance monitoring unit counts each branch not taken in processing the branch instructions occurring after the first branch instruction to form a branch count. In response to a branch being taken during processing of subsequent branch instructions in the branch instructions after the first branch instruction, the performance monitoring unit determines whether to create a second entry in the set of entries in the memory using the branch count with a set of rules identifying when the second entry is to be made. |
| US08489864B2 |
Performing escape actions in transactions
Performing non-transactional escape actions within a hardware based transactional memory system. A method includes at a hardware thread on a processor beginning a hardware based transaction for the thread. Without committing or aborting the transaction, the method further includes suspending the hardware based transaction and performing one or more operations for the thread, non-transactionally and not affected by: transaction monitoring and buffering for the transaction, an abort for the transaction, or a commit for the transaction. After performing one or more operations for the thread, non-transactionally, the method further includes resuming the transaction and performing additional operations transactionally. After performing the additional operations, the method further includes either committing or aborting the transaction. |
| US08489861B2 |
Split embedded DRAM processor
A processing architecture includes a first CPU core portion coupled to a second embedded dynamic random access memory (DRAM) portion. These architectural components jointly implement a single processor and instruction set. Advantageously, the embedded logic on the DRAM chip implements the memory intensive processing tasks, thus reducing the amount of traffic that needs to be bussed back and forth between the CPU core and the embedded DRAM chips. The embedded DRAM logic monitors and manipulates the instruction stream into the CPU core. The architecture of the instruction set, data paths, addressing, control, caching, and interfaces are developed to allow the system to operate using a standard programming model. Specialized video and graphics processing systems are developed. Also, an extended very long instruction word (VLIW) architecture implemented as a primary VLIW processor coupled to an embedded DRAM VLIW extension processor efficiently deals with memory intensive tasks. In different embodiments, standard software can be accelerated either with or without the express knowledge of the processor. |
| US08489860B1 |
Mobile electronic device having a host processor system capable of dynamically canging tasks performed by a coprocessor in the device
A wireless data platform comprises a plurality of processors. Channels of communication are set up between processors such that they may communicate information as tasks are performed. A dynamic cross compiler executed on one processor compiles code into native processing code for another processor. A dynamic cross linker links the compiled code for other processor. Native code may also be downloaded to the platform through use of a JAVA Bean (or other language type) which encapsulates the native code. The JAVA Bean can be encrypted and digitally signed for security purposes. |
| US08489858B2 |
Methods and apparatus for scalable array processor interrupt detection and response
Hardware and software techniques for interrupt detection and response are provided in a scalable pipelined array processor environment. Utilizing these techniques, a sequential program execution model with interrupts can be maintained in a highly parallel scalable pipelined array processing containing multiple processing elements and distributed memories and register files. When an interrupt occurs, interface signals are provided to all PEs to support independent interrupt operations in each PE dependent upon the local PE instruction sequence prior to the interrupt. Processing/element exception interrupts are supported and low latency interrupt processing is also provided for embedded systems where real time signal processing is required. Further, a hierarchical interrupt structure is used allowing a generalized debug approach using debug interrupts and a dynamic debug monitor mechanism. |
| US08489857B2 |
Processor cluster architecture and associated parallel processing methods
A parallel processing architecture comprising a cluster of embedded processors that share a common code distribution bus. Pages or blocks of code are concurrently loaded into respective program memories of some or all of these processors (typically all processors assigned to a particular task) over the code distribution bus, and are executed in parallel by these processors. A task control processor determines when all of the processors assigned to a particular task have finished executing the current code page, and then loads a new code page (e.g., the next sequential code page within a task) into the program memories of these processors for execution. The processors within the cluster preferably share a common memory (1 per cluster) that is used to receive data inputs from, and to provide data outputs to, a higher level processor. Multiple interconnected clusters may be integrated within a common integrated circuit device. |
| US08489856B2 |
System and article of manufacture for providing an address format compatible with different addressing formats used for addressing different sized address spaces
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for providing an address format compatible with different addressing formats used for addressing different sized address spaces. An address format is used in an operating system to address storage space in a storage device comprising a first region and a second region of storage space. A first group of applications uses the address format to only address the storage space in the first region and is not coded to use the address format to access the second region and a second group of applications uses the address format to address the storage space in the first and second regions. |
| US08489855B2 |
NAND flash-based solid state drive and method of operation
A solid state drive that uses over-provisioning of NAND flash memory blocks as part of housekeeping functionality, including deduplication and coalescence of data for efficient usage of NAND flash memory devices and maintaining sufficient numbers of erased blocks to promote write performance. |
| US08489854B1 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory storing an inverse map for rebuilding a translation table
A non-volatile semiconductor memory comprising (1) a non-volatile memory array including a plurality of blocks with at least some of the plurality of blocks comprising a plurality of memory segments and with at least some of the plurality of memory segments each assigned a physical address and (2) a volatile memory. Upon a power-up of the non-volatile semiconductor memory, a translation table is generated in the volatile memory for mapping logical addresses to physical addresses in the non-volatile memory array. The generating includes reading at least one entry comprising a logical address from an inverse map stored in the non-volatile memory array. The logical address corresponds to a physical address of one of the memory segments. In response to determining that the memory segment corresponding to the logical address is valid, the translation table is updated using the logical address. |
| US08489853B2 |
Executing a perform frame management instruction
What is disclosed is a frame management function defined for a machine architecture of a computer system. In one embodiment, a frame management instruction is obtained which identifies a first and second general register. The first general register contains a frame management field having a key field with access-protection bits and a block-size indication. If the block-size indication indicates a large block then an operand address of a large block of data is obtained from the second general register. The large block of data has a plurality of small blocks each of which is associated with a corresponding storage key having a plurality of storage key access-protection bits. If the block size indication indicates a large block, the storage key access-protection bits of each corresponding storage key of each small block within the large block is set with the access-protection bits of the key field. |
| US08489848B2 |
Data communications between the computer memory of the logical partitions and the data storage devices through a host fibre channel adapter
Data communications through a host Fibre Channel adapter (‘HFCA’) implemented with a computer that includes two or more logical partitions, each logical partition including a separate instance of an operating system, each instance of an operating system including an instance of a low-level, switched fabric input/output (‘I/O’) library, including establishing, in the HFCA by instances of the I/O library in two or more logical partitions and by the hypervisor, separate logical Fibre Channel adapters (‘LFCAs’) for at least two of the logical partitions, each LFCA including an association of an LFCA identifier with at least one range of I/O memory addresses in the address space of a logical partition and transferring, at the behest of application programs in the two or more logical partitions, data between the RAM of the logical partitions and the data storage devices through the LFCAs, the HFCA, and the Fibre Channel fabric. |
| US08489846B1 |
Partition processing system and method for reducing computing problems
A computing system includes a processor and a partition management unit (PMU). The partition management unit allocates partitions of memory and processing time. The PMU can allocate a partition for at least one of the following: 1. a service attack monitor, 2. a virus monitor, 3. a spyware monitor, and 4. a deterministic routine, the deterministic routine being in a separate partition and from a non-deterministic routine. In an alternative, with transition of control between partitions, the computing system enforces 1. a power management mode change, and 2. a preload or change to at least, one of the cache data peripheral settings or FPGA content mode change. |
| US08489844B2 |
Storage system providing heterogeneous virtual volumes and storage area re-allocation
If an I/O load on a first virtual storage area falls below a first threshold, a controller copies data in a first storage area, which is allocated to the first virtual storage area, to a third storage area in a second tier storage area, and allocates the third storage area instead of the first storage area to the first virtual storage area. If an I/O load on a second virtual storage area exceeds a second threshold which is greater than said first threshold, the controller copies data in a second storage area, which is allocated to the second virtual storage area, to a fourth storage area in a first tier storage area, and allocates the fourth storage area instead of the second storage area to the second virtual storage area. |
| US08489843B2 |
Configurable memory device
A method includes forming a memory device through providing an array of non-volatile memory cells including one or more non-volatile memory cell(s) and an array of volatile memory cells including one or more volatile memory cell(s) on a substrate. The method also includes appropriately programming an address translation logic associated with the memory device through a set of registers associated therewith to enable configurable mapping of an address associated with a sector of the memory device to any memory address space location in a computing system associated with the memory device. The address translation logic is configured to enable translation of an external virtual address associated with the sector of the memory device to a physical address associated therewith. |
| US08489840B2 |
Discontiguous object addressing
Some embodiments of discontiguous object addressing have been presented. In one embodiment, a set of objects, each having one or more properties, are stored in a memory of a computer system. The memory is divided into chunks. The properties of at least one of the objects are stored in discontiguous chunks of the memory. Furthermore, a processor in the computer system may independently access the individual properties in the discontiguous chunks of memory. |
| US08489838B2 |
Method and terminal device for erasing data of terminal
A method for erasing data of a terminal includes: receiving a data erasing request from a management server; deleting data corresponding to an erasing range node according to a value of a flag bit of the erasing range node in an erasable list; and deleting the erasing range node from the erasable list. |
| US08489835B2 |
Data processing system having a plurality of storage systems
It is an object of the present invention to conduct data transfer or data copying between a plurality of storage systems, without affecting the host computer of the storage systems. Two or more auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C are connected to a primary storage system 100A connected to a host device 180. The auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read journals of data update from the primary storage system 100A at respective independent timings, save the journals in prescribed logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3, produce copying of the data present in the primary storage system 100A based on the journals present in the logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3 at the independent timings, and save the copies in auxiliary logical volumes COPY 1, COPY 3. The primary storage system 100A holds the journals till both auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read the journals and restore. The timing of journal read can be controlled according to the journal quantity, processing load, and the like. |
| US08489829B2 |
Reduction of communication and efficient failover processing in distributed shared memory-based application
Various embodiments for reducing communication between cluster nodes and optimizing failover processing in a distributed shared memory (DSM)-based application by at least one processor device are provided. In one embodiment, for a data structure operable on a DSM, a read-mostly portion is maintained in a single copy sharable between the cluster nodes while an updatable portion is maintained in multiple copies, each of the multiple copies dedicated to a single cluster node. |
| US08489828B2 |
Control apparatus having non-volatile RAM, protection apparatus and method applied thereto
A control apparatus including a non-volatile RAM divided into a plurality of memory regions including ROM region and RAM region, CPU capable of executing a plurality of types of access to the non-volatile RAM and a protecting portion intervening between the CPU and the non-volatile RAM. The protecting portion includes a register for storing address information capable of specifying address ranges corresponding to the ROM region and RAM region among the memory regions of the non-volatile RAM, access enabling module for enabling the CPU to write data to the ROM region while an enable signal inputted to the protecting portion externally is active, when the CPU performs a write-access to the ROM region, and initializing module for initializing the address information stored in the register to be predetermined address information as an initial value when the enable signal is deactivated after activating the enable signal. |
| US08489827B2 |
Method and system for storage-system management
One example of the present invention is directed to a data-storage system comprising a plurality of data-storage devices, one or more communications connections through which the data-storage system receives management and data-access commands and sends responses to received commands, and one or more processors. The one or more processors execute controller functionality that controls command and response exchanges through the communications connections, accesses the data-storage devices, and provides a data-storage-system interface that includes a management-interface portion that provides access to management functionality, a data-interface portion that provides access to data-access functionality, and a management-interface tunnel that provides alternative access to management functionality through the data-interface portion of the data-storage-system interface. |
| US08489825B2 |
Method of storing data, method of loading data and signal processor
A method for storing a vector of process data elements (D1, . . . , D8) that have a size of n bits from a register file (RF) into a memory (M) is described. The memory is arranged for storage of a vector of storage data elements in locations (M1, . . . , M5) having a size of m bits, wherein m>n. The method comprises the steps of: exchanging bits (S2) between process data elements in the vector stored in mutually subsequent register elements, the exchanging resulting in a vector of modified data elements (DmI, . . . , Dm8), shuffling (S3) groups of k subsequent bits in the resulting vector, —storing (S4) the resulting shuffled vector of modified data elements as a vector of storage data elements in the memory (M). |
| US08489823B2 |
Efficient data prefetching in the presence of load hits
A microprocessor configured to access an external memory includes a first-level cache, a second-level cache, and a bus interface unit (BIU) configured to interface the first-level and second-level caches to a bus used to access the external memory. The BIU is configured to prioritize requests from the first-level cache above requests from the second-level cache. The second-level cache is configured to generate a first request to the BIU to fetch a cache line from the external memory. The second-level cache is also configured to detect that the first-level cache has subsequently generated a second request to the second-level cache for the same cache line. The second-level cache is also configured to request the BIU to refrain from performing a transaction on the bus to fulfill the first request if the BIU has not yet been granted ownership of the bus to fulfill the first request. |
| US08489821B2 |
Managing concurrent accesses to a cache
Various embodiments of the present invention allow concurrent accesses to a cache. A request to update an object stored in a cache is received. A first data structure comprising a new value for the object is created in response to receiving the request. A cache pointer is atomically modified to point to the first data structure. A second data structure comprising an old value for the cached object is maintained until a process, which holds a pointer to the old value of the cached object, at least one of one of ends and indicates that the old value is no longer needed. |
| US08489819B2 |
Victim cache lateral castout targeting
A data processing system includes a plurality of processing units coupled by an interconnect fabric. In response to a data request, a victim cache line is selected for castout from a first lower level cache of a first processing unit, and a target lower level cache of one of the plurality of processing units is selected based upon architectural proximity of the target lower level cache to a home system memory to which the address of the victim cache line is assigned. The first processing unit issues on the interconnect fabric a lateral castout (LCO) command that identifies the victim cache line to be castout from the first lower level cache and indicates that the target lower level cache is an intended destination. In response to a coherence response indicating success of the LCO command, the victim cache line is removed from the first lower level cache and held in the second lower level cache. |
| US08489818B2 |
Core cluster, energy scalable vector processing apparatus and method of vector processing including the same
A core cluster includes a cache memory, a core, and a cluster cache controller. The cache memory stores and provides instructions and data. The core accesses the cache memory or a cache memory provided in an adjacent core cluster, and performs an operation. The cluster cache controller allows the core to access the cache memory when the core requests memory access. The cluster cache controller allows the core to access the cache memory provided in the adjacent core cluster when the core requests a clustering to the adjacent core cluster. The cluster cache controller allows a core provided in the adjacent core cluster to access the cache memory when the core receives a clustering request from the adjacent core cluster. |
| US08489817B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for caching data
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for caching data. A storage request module detects an input/output (“I/O”) request for a storage device cached by solid-state storage media of a cache. A direct mapping module references a single mapping structure to determine that the cache comprises data of the I/O request. The single mapping structure maps each logical block address of the storage device directly to a logical block address of the cache. The single mapping structure maintains a fully associative relationship between logical block addresses of the storage device and physical storage addresses on the solid-state storage media. A cache fulfillment module satisfies the I/O request using the cache in response to the direct mapping module determining that the cache comprises at least one data block of the I/O request. |
| US08489814B2 |
Cache controller, method for controlling the cache controller, and computing system comprising the same
A cache controller, a method for controlling the cache controller, and a computing system comprising the same are provided. The computer system comprises a processor and a cache controller. The cache controller is electrically connected to the processor and comprises a first port, a second port, and at least one cache. The first port is configured to receive an address of a content, wherein a type of the content is one of instruction and data. The second port is configured to receive an information bit corresponding to the content, wherein the information bit indicates the type of the content. The at least one cache comprises at least one cache lines. Each of the cache lines comprises a content field and corresponding to an information field. The content and the information bit is stored in the content field of one of the cache lines and the corresponding information field respectively according to the information bit and the address. Thereby, instruction and data are separated in a unified cache. |
| US08489809B2 |
Intelligent storage provisioning within a clustered computing environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for intelligent storage planning and planning within a clustered computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, embodiments of the present invention will first determine/identify a set of storage area network volume controllers (SVCs) that is accessible from a host that has submitted a request for access to storage. Thereafter, a set of managed disk (mdisk) groups (i.e., corresponding to the set of SVCs) that are candidates for satisfying the request will be determined. This set of mdisk groups will then be filtered based on available space therein, a set of user/requester preferences, and optionally, a set of performance characteristics. Then, a particular mdisk group will be selected from the set of mdisk groups based on the filtering. |
| US08489807B2 |
Techniques for performing refresh operations in high-density memories
Techniques for performing refresh operations is disclosed. In response to a completion of a memory operation, a determination is made whether or not a refresh backlog count is greater than a first predetermined value. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed as soon as possible. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is not greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed after a delay of an idle count value. |
| US08489805B2 |
Memory devices operated within a communication protocol standard timeout requirement
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for logical memory blocks. One method for operating a memory device includes receiving a command to operate X pages of the memory device, X being greater than Y, and executing the command by executing multiple subcommands, each subcommand operating on a logical memory block portion of the X pages, each logical memory block including at most Y pages. T is a timeout limit, N is a number of pages comprising a block of memory, and Y is number of pages that can be operated within time T. |
| US08489804B1 |
System for using dynamic random access memory to reduce the effect of write amplification in flash memory
A system includes a selection module, a control module, an erasing module, and a read/write module. The selection module is configured to select X of Y memory blocks (i) based on fullness of the X memory blocks and (ii) in response to a write command, where X and Y are integers greater than or equal to 1. The Y memory blocks are located in first memory. The control module is configured to store first data from the X memory blocks in second memory. The erasing module is configured to erase the first data from the X memory blocks. The read/write module is configured to write second data to the X memory blocks based on the write command. |
| US08489803B2 |
Efficient use of flash memory in flash drives
A data storage device having non-volatile solid state memory permits efficient access by permitting multiple pending commands from a host device. A controller in the data storage device stores information about each command from the host device, and determines which stored command, if any, is presently able to be performed based on the portion of the non-volatile memory and the type of access of the command. The data storage device provides reduced access delays, improves read/write throughput, and avoids the cost of additional memory in the data storage device, by allowing accesses to idle portions of memory to proceed, and by signaling the host device when the data storage device is able to accept data to be written to portions of the non-volatile memory already active due to a previous command. |
| US08489795B2 |
PCI-Express communication system and PCI-Express communication method
A PCI-Express communication system includes a first PCI-Express=PCI-Express bridge connected with an external route complex through a first PCI-Express switch, and configured to perform an address translation on a packet received from the first PCI-Express switch to assign a parameter indicating a first route to a target address of the packet; a second PCI-Express=PCI-Express bridge connected with the external route complex through a second PCI-Express switch, and configured to perform an address translation on a packet received from the second PCI-Express switch to assign a parameter indicating a second route to a target address of the packet; and an address filter configured to limit an address range for the packet received from one of the first PCI-Express=PCI-Express bridge and the second PCI-Express=PCI-Express bridge. A route complex is configured to receive the packet from the address filter. |
| US08489792B2 |
Transaction performance monitoring in a processor bus bridge
Described embodiments provide a system having a bridge for connecting two different processor buses. A process monitor within the bridge allows for measuring latency of commands issued on a first bus, passing through the bridge, and executed by clients coupled to the second bus. By using identification fields associated with the command, measuring the latency of each command begins with matching the identification field of the command to an integer. As the bridge passes acknowledgements back to the first bus, the monitoring of the command is stopped when an identification field associated with an acknowledgement matches the identification field of the command being monitored. Data collected include the minimum, maximum, total latency, and the number of commands monitored. From this data, the average latency can be easily calculated. |
| US08489790B2 |
Control method for extender
A control method for extender is proposed. A transmitting unit stops outputting image signal, voice signal or serial data to a receiving unit. A request signal is sent from the transmitting unit to the receiving unit by using the circuit through which the transmitting unit stops outputting image signal, voice signal or serial data to the receiving unit. Extended display identification data of a display device or peripheral data of a control device is sent from the receiving unit to the transmitting unit. |
| US08489785B2 |
Apparatus and method for writing data onto tape medium
In a controller of a tape drive, when a command processing unit receives a Write FM0 command, a channel input/output unit writes the data in the buffer and a speculative FM onto the tape, and a CM input/output unit records speculative FM presence information in a cartridge memory. When the command processing unit receives Write FM1 command next, the CM input/output unit erases the speculative FM presence information from the cartridge memory. When the command processing unit receives a command other than Write FM1 command next, the channel input/output unit overwrites a speculative FM. |
| US08489783B2 |
Multi buffer asynchronous scheme for processing incoming information
Disclosed is an electronic device featuring a multi buffer scheme for processing incoming signals. For example, two buffers can be used. A processor can read and process stored signals from a first buffer while an incoming data module can concurrently store signals in a second buffer. Once, the processor is done, it can move on to the second buffer and process signals stored therein while the incoming data module stores signals in the first buffer. Also provided is a flagging scheme for allowing the processor and the incoming data module to control their respective access to the various buffers, so that only one of them accesses a single buffer at any time. |
| US08489781B1 |
Detection system and methods
Various techniques are provided to facilitate a detection system to detect a presence of an externally coupled receiver device, such as a universal serial bus (USB) device. In one example, the system generates a reference current and passes the reference current via a conductor to a shared buffer circuit. The shared buffer circuit is adapted to selectively pass the reference current or a communication signal to the externally coupled receiver device. The system switches between a detect mode where the reference current is provided to the externally coupled receiver device and between a communicate mode where the reference current is blocked and the communication signal is provided to the externally coupled receiver device. The system monitors a voltage value of the conductor and the system monitors a time for the voltage value to reach a pre-determined threshold value in response to the reference current. The system detects a presence of the externally coupled receiver device based on the monitored time. |
| US08489779B2 |
Systems and methods for auto addressing in a control network
Described herein are systems and methods for device management, and more particularly systems and methods for auto addressing in a control network. For example, some embodiments relate to procedures and protocols implemented in the context of a building management system thereby to allow auto addressing of IO devices. In one embodiment, each IO device includes a respective engineering data key (EDK), which is indicative of device data such as the device type and function. This EDK is combined with a generated number thereby to define a device identification code that has significant chances of uniqueness. The device identification code is communicated to a controller to which the IO device connects in a bus-based topology. The controller uses the identification code to assign a network address to the IO device, using a stored repository of network addresses available for such assignment. |
| US08489776B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronizing wireless devices
An apparatus for synchronizing devices includes a central access point node configured to utilize a low latency protocol to transmit a series of synchronization messages to the devices, transmit and receive data acquisition commands and responses from the devices using a high reliability protocol different from the low latency protocol, and calculate and apply relative clock offsets for each device based on the series of synchronization messages. The apparatus may also account for failure in delivery of a portion of the series of synchronization messages by recording timestamp data at the devices to send to the central access point prior to the central access point calculating the relative clock offsets. |
| US08489774B2 |
Synchronized delivery of interactive content
Where multiple client devices are synchronized to multiple, asynchronous instances of a time-based media presentation such as live and time-shifted views of a television broadcast, interactive content can be delivered to each one of the various devices at a particular time (or “time offset”) within the presentation independent of when each instance of the time-based media presentation is viewed. |
| US08489773B1 |
System, method, and computer program for sending a response to a client based on a replication message received from a master server
A system, method, and computer program are provided for sending a response to a client based on a replication message received from a master server. In use, a replication message is received at a replication server from a master server. Further, a response is sent from the replication server to a client based on the replication message received from the master server. |
| US08489772B2 |
Method for mechanically generating content for messages
A method for inserting content through a service delivery hub includes the steps of designating a set of tags to be made available through an API, providing the API for use by third parties; intercepting a communication from the third party; interrogating the communication for a data tag, substituting content for the data tag and delivering the communication to an intended recipient. The method may further include that the content substituted for the data tag is dependent upon a parameter such as the MSISDN. |
| US08489769B2 |
Intelligent collaborative expression in support of socialization of devices
A method and apparatus for socialization of electronic devices is provided. Communications from a first person to a second person or to a group of persons may be enhanced, such as modified or supplemented, based on a user profile of the first person, the second person, and/or the group of persons. The user profile may comprise any one or any combination of the following: presence, expression, shared context, surrounding context, and device context. Moreover, enhancing the communication may comprise modifying or supplementing text, audio, video, image, scent, tactile and taste output. In addition, a communication is sent based on changes in a user profile. Changes in the user profile may comprise manual changes or automatic changes. Further, the content of the communication sent may depend on the aspect changed in the user profile. |
| US08489767B2 |
Communication device having VPN accommodation function
Disclosed herein is a VPN service with fully meshed virtual paths obtained with a smaller number of settings, thus facilitating expansion of the VPN service. This is attained by providing a communication device in a virtual private network (VPN) having a VPN accommodation function for connecting an intra-organization network or inter-organization network through the Internet. |
| US08489764B2 |
Restricting communication of selected processes to a set of specific network addresses
Selected processes are associated with sets of specific network addresses, and the associations are stored. When a selected process creates a child process, an association between the child process and the set of network addresses with which the parent process is associated is stored. When a selected process is deleted, the association between the selected process and its set of network addresses is deleted. Each selected process is restricted to network address-based communication via its associated set of network addresses. Certain communication protocol subroutines associated with network address-based communication are intercepted by an interception module. The interception module detects attempts by selected processes to communicate via network addresses. If a selected process attempts to communicate via an unassociated network addresses, the attempted communication is prohibited. |
| US08489740B2 |
Method and an apparatus to generate message authentication codes at a proxy server for validating a web session
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to validate a web session in a proxy server have been presented. In one embodiment, a first message authentication code is generated at a proxy server communicatively coupled between an application server and a client upon receiving a message from the application server. The message is generated by the application server in response to an authentication request from the client to initiate a web session. The proxy server then adds the first message authentication code and one or more timestamps to the message. Then the proxy server may send the message to the client, wherein the client may use the first message authentication code and the one or more timestamps to request access to predetermined content during the web session. |
| US08489739B2 |
Method, computer system and management computer for managing performance of a storage network
Provided is a method of controlling a computer system which includes a host computer and one or more storage systems coupled to the host computer via a network, wherein the first processor executes an application job which executes data I/O in a logical storage area; the second processor executes a management job which executes the data I/O in the logical storage area; the method comprising: judging whether at lest one of resources of the computer system used for the data I/O of the application job is also used for the data I/O of the executed management job when performance of the application job drops below a predetermined threshold; and displaying information indicating the executed management job when it is judged that at least one of the resources used for the data I/O of the application job is also used for the data I/O of the executed management job. |
| US08489731B2 |
Content delivery network with customized tracking of delivery data
A custom tracking system can provide functionality for operators of content sites to specify types of content delivery data to be tracked in a content delivery network. The custom tracking system can propagate operator tracking preferences to edge nodes in the content delivery network, such as delivery servers, which can track delivery data according to the preferences. The custom tracking system can use one or more tracking filters to reduce the storage burden of certain tracking requests while still providing relevant results. The custom tracking system can output results of the custom tracking for presentation to the content site operator. |
| US08489729B2 |
System and method for social service event processing and management
An event processing mechanism is provided as a system interface between software applications that contain events that need to be processed, a BRF program that executes event rules, and workflow processes that capture the processing of the events. A social service eventing program enables centralized and streamlined event processing by receiving event information from software applications, assigning appropriate event rules based on the received information and applicable business or regulatory rules, prioritizing event rules, setting and communicating applicable event rules to parameterized rules to be executed by a BRF program. |
| US08489728B2 |
Model-based system monitoring
Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and executing a monitoring policy to monitor performance of the system. A notification of a problem is received from a first component. A determination is made regarding the cause of the problem. The determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system. At least one component associated with the cause of the problem is then identified. |
| US08489722B2 |
System and method for providing quality of service in wide area messaging fabric
Techniques for transmitting data according to at least one quality of service requirement. A message path is calculated specifying a sequence of broker computers selected from a network of interconnected broker computers. The message path is statistically estimated to fulfill the at least one quality of service requirement. Quality of service metrics are received about the network of interconnected broker computers. If the message path is determined not to fulfill the quality of service requirement, a new message path is calculated specifying a new sequence of broker computers selected from the network of interconnected broker computers. The new message path is statistically estimated to fulfill the at least one quality of service requirement. |
| US08489715B2 |
Identifying and downloading an application associated with a service registered in a home network
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for interacting with one or more client devices coupled to a smart network host device within a smart home network. The method includes the steps of identifying a first application that is associated with at least one client device and stored in an first application store coupled to a smart home network, downloading the first application from the first application store for execution, associating a service that is exposed by the at least one client device with the first application, translating a high-level instruction generated by the first application via the service to a low-level instruction that is understood by the at least one client device, and transmitting the low-level instruction to the at least one client device for processing. |
| US08489713B2 |
Cable modem and multimedia terminal adapter parameter configuration file configuring method
A cable modem stores an original public Internet protocol (IP) address of the cable modem in an original country, and a mapping relationship among a plurality of country codes, a plurality of public IP address ranges, and a plurality of multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) parameter configuration files. The cable modem obtains a new public IP address of a current country in which the cable modem is located. The cable modem determines whether the new public IP address and the original public IP address belong to one of the plurality of public IP address ranges. The cable modem selects one of the plurality of MTA parameter configuration files to configure the cable modem according to the mapping relationship if the new public IP address and the original public IP address belong to different public IP address ranges. |
| US08489710B2 |
Network system, controller, recording device, service server, method of acquiring resource status of recording device, and computer program
A network system including: a terminal unit; one or more recording devices; a service server; and a controller is disclosed. The controller includes: a resource status acquiring unit that, upon receiving a resource status acquisition request to request acquisition of information on resource status of the one or more recording devices, the resource status acquisition request being transmitted from the service server that received the remote recording reservation request from the terminal unit, transmits a resource status acquisition instruction to the one or more recording devices via the local area network and receives a result of determination on remote recording reservation depending on the resource status, as the resource status information, from the one or more recording devices. |
| US08489708B2 |
Virtual application extension points
A virtual application may be configured with several extension points within a host operating system. The virtual application may be configured with a private namespace in which various components, such as registry settings, dynamic linked libraries, and other components may reside. During configuration, links may be placed in the host operating system that may point to objects in the virtual application's private namespace so that the operating system and other applications may launch, control, or otherwise interact with the virtual application. The links may be located in a file system, registry, or other locations and may be available to other applications, including other virtual applications. A configuration routine may place the links into the host operating system at the time the application may be configured. |
| US08489705B2 |
Report management system and computer readable medium
A report management system includes: a first receiving unit that receives input of report identification information assigned to each of one or more reports to be collectively delivered to a receiver from a sender; an assigning unit that assigns group identification information to a group of the one or more reports to be collectively delivered; a registration unit that register, in a storage unit, the group identification information and each piece of the report identification information; an attached document generation unit that generates an attached document that is a document including the group identification information; a second receiving unit that receives, upon reception of one or more reports by the receiver from the sender together with the attached document, input of the group identification information included in the attached document received by the receiver; and an output unit that outputs information indicative of a result of comparison. |
| US08489704B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing information on a remote viewing session
A Display generating data for transmission on a remote viewing session throttles the generation of updates so that updates are provided at a relatively constant rate during the remote viewing session. Remote viewing software executing on the Display estimates when a transport layer of the display will complete sending a current update. If there is data to be sent, the remote viewing software will start to process a next subsequent update prior to the time that the remote viewing software estimates that the transport layer will finish sending the current update, so that the remote viewing software is able to provide a pipeline of data just in time to the transport layer to keep the transport layer active in transmitting data on the remote viewing session. |
| US08489701B2 |
Private virtual LAN spanning a public network for connection of arbitrary hosts
Architecture for exposing a virtual private network of peer devices into the public domain via an overlay network. Computing devices, peripheral devices, as well as mobile devices can be physically distributed, but appear to belong to the same virtual private (or home) network, and be accessible from anywhere. Benefits include access to user media/documents from anywhere, searching of all connected devices from one location, multicast and broadcast connectivity, management of the private network and the associated policies, and device discovery on the private network from across public networks. P2P networks and ad-hoc networks can be exposed as a virtual interface, as well as the utilization of client operating systems to create the virtual network, grouping, graphing, the integration with relay services and other NAT/firewall traversal schemes, and the creation of a P2P overlay manager on a physical NIC (network interface card) address rather than a virtual address. |
| US08489700B2 |
Analysis of nodal affinity behavior
Method for measuring the performance of a multi-nodal computer system. In one embodiment, a number of system related events may be instrumented. When an instrumented event occurs, instrumentation routines may be invoked to record the state of system variables related to the event. In particular, events such as thread creation, dispatch, and nodal events such as events related to verifying or changing workload distribution in a multi-nodal system, among others, may be instrumented to record the state of variables as these events occur in a running multi-nodal computer system. |
| US08489699B2 |
Live migration of virtual machine during direct access to storage over SR IOV adapter
A method is provided to migrate a virtual machine from a source computing machine to a destination computing machine comprising: suspending transmission of requests from a request queue disposed in source computing machine memory associated with the VM from the request queue to a VF; while suspending the transmission of requests, determining when no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received; in response to a determination that no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received, transferring state information that is indicative of locations of requests inserted to the request queue from the VF to a PF and from the PF to a memory region associated with a virtualization intermediary of the source computing machine. After transferring the state information to source computing machine memory associated with a virtualization intermediary, resuming transmission of requests from locations of the request queue indicated by the state information to the PF; and transmitting the requests from the PF to the physical storage. |
| US08489696B2 |
Instant messaging exchange incorporating user-generated multimedia content
A method for displaying multimedia content created by a user of a first computerized messaging device to a user of a second computerized messaging device communicatively coupled to the first computerized messaging device by a network includes: displaying, with the second computerized messaging device, a textual instant messaging exchange between the user of the first computerized messaging device and the user of the second computerized messaging device; receiving the multimedia content at the second computerized messaging device over the network; and dynamically embedding a player for the multimedia content in-line in the display of the textual instant messaging exchange at the second messaging device. |
| US08489694B2 |
Peer-to-peer collaboration of publishers in a publish-subscription environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for an enhanced pub/sub environment whereby a peer group of publishers is defined and can collaborate to determine when to cache data being sent to a common broker or brokers. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, configuration data or the like will be read to define a peer group among the publisher systems in the pub/sub messaging environment. Once such a group has been identified, communication therebetween will be established. Once cacheable data has been identified, a unique identifier/set of cache keys will be generated corresponding thereto and associated with the set of data. A message comprising the set of data and corresponding unique identifier will then be sent to a broker system (e.g., from the publisher system(s)), which will store (or have stored) the set of data in a cache, and pass the underlying message along to applicable subscriber system(s). |
| US08489690B2 |
Providing cellular telephone subscription for e-mail threads
A method, system and computer-usable medium for providing a subscription to an e-mail message thread via a mobile device. A user may subscribe to an e-mail message thread utilizing a mobile device, based on a unique e-mail thread ID associated with the e-mail thread within the e-mail message itself. Updated data regarding the e-mail message thread can then be provided in response to activity associated with the e-mail message thread. The updated data can be provided in the form of, for example, a text message, a text-to-speech voicemail message, and so forth. Additionally, a telephone number associated with the mobile device can be added to a database stored in an e-mail server that manages the e-mail message and the e-mail message thread in order to subscribe to the e-mail message via a mobile device. SMS data associated with the user can also be added to the database. A user is permitted to subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-mail message/thread, in response to a selection of a particular option in the e-mail message itself. |
| US08489681B2 |
Digital plaque for displaying certificates, associated documents and current status
A digital plaque that can display one of several stored certificates that can also retrieve updates to a displayed certificate when needed. The digital plaque is used to display a certificate and associated information. Typically the certificate displayed is one of an award, a recognition, a score card, a picture, a transcript, a document, a sales deed, a ticket, a poster, a document cover, a book cover, a patent application, a granted patent and a graduation record. A collection of such certificates is stored in memory and displayed when selected by a user. Status information and supporting documents associated with the selected certificate can be retrieved from a remote server and portions of the retrieved information can be displayed. |
| US08489671B2 |
Dedicated shared byte cache
The present invention relates to methods, apparatus, and systems for providing peer-to-peer network acceleration. The system includes a content server configured to transfer content based on received requests for content. The system further includes a proxy server coupled with the content server. The proxy server is configured to receive content from the content server and to forward the received content. Furthermore, the system includes client systems coupled with the proxy server. The client systems each include a personal byte cache and are configured to receive content from the proxy server, to store content in the personal byte caches, to synchronize the personal byte caches with each of the plurality of client system's portions of a shared byte cache, and to retrieve content from the shared byte cache. |
| US08489668B2 |
Open platform for managing an agent network
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for managing software agents. This system enables a user to configure agents and to specify wiring relationships between the agents and other system components. This system also includes a hub component, which is configured to route communications to and from the agents in accordance with user-specified wiring relationships. |
| US08489667B2 |
Network power administration system
A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks. |
| US08489666B1 |
Method and apparatus for signal filtering and for improving properties of electronic devices
The present invention relates to nonlinear signal processing, and, in particular, to adaptive nonlinear filtering of real-, complex-, and vector-valued signals utilizing analog Nonlinear Differential Limiters (NDLs), and to adaptive real-time signal conditioning, processing, analysis, quantification, comparison, and control. More generally, this invention relates to methods, processes and apparatus for real-time measuring and analysis of variables, and to generic measurement systems and processes. This invention also relates to methods and corresponding apparatus for measuring which extend to different applications and provide results other than instantaneous values of variables. The invention further relates to post-processing analysis of measured variables and to statistical analysis. The NDL-based filtering method and apparatus enable improvements in the overall properties of electronic devices including, but not limited to, improvements in performance, reduction in size, weight, cost, and power consumption, and, in particular for wireless devices, NDLs enable improvements in spectrum usage efficiency. |
| US08489662B2 |
Systems and methods for sliding convolution interpolating filters
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for implementing a multirate digital interpolating filter. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the method includes sampling symbol data from one sample per symbol to N samples per symbol, wherein sampling includes: convolving the symbol data with a decimated finite impulse response (FIR) aperture impulse response coefficient set, convolving the symbol data with one or more shifted decimated FIR aperture impulse response coefficient sets, and summing the convolution results to produce interpolated bandlimited data. |
| US08489660B2 |
Digital random number generator using partially entropic data
A hardware-based digital random number generator is provided. The digital random number generator is a randomly behaving random number generator based on a set of nondeterministic behaviors. The nondeterministic behaviors include temporal asynchrony between subunits, entropy source “extra” bits, entropy measurement, autonomous deterministic random bit generator reseeding and consumption from a shared resource. |
| US08489659B2 |
Pseudorandom number generation
A system and method of for obtaining a pseudorandom number generator are disclosed. A set of state modules, each with a limit value, may be provided. In an embodiment, each of the limit values may be relatively prime to the other limit values. In response to one or more events, the values of the state modules are incremented. At some frequency that may be statistically independent from the occurrence of the one or more events, the values of the state modules are obtained and combined to form a random number. The values may be combined as desired and, if desired, may be combined modulo 2w, where 2w represents the number of possible random values. |
| US08489652B2 |
Tracking object fields using relocatable object watchpoints
A method for managing an object watchpoint during a garbage collection cycle, including identifying an object having a field, where the object is associated with an original object location, where the field is associated with an original field location, and where the object and the field are located in a memory heap of a virtual machine memory, setting, within a debugger, the object watchpoint on the original field location, where the object watchpoint is a memory trap associated with the object, determining, after a relocation of the object by a garbage collector (GC), a new object location associated with the object, determining a new field location of the field based on the new object location, and setting, within the debugger, the object watchpoint on the new field location. |
| US08489651B2 |
Reconstruction of garbage collection information
The reconstruction of garbage collection information corresponding to an application. Upon accessing a portion of compiler generated application code, a computing system generates computational results that identifies one or more program state storage locations that track live references or memory pointers that can be displaced during garbage collection. This may be performed for multiple application code portions (such as methods or functions of an application), and may be performed just before garbage collection. To generate the computational results, the application code portion may first be subjected to a liveness analysis to generate liveness analysis results in the form of one or more live program state storage locations in the application code portion. The computational results may then be generated using the liveness analysis results and type information from a type service to provide the set of storage locations referencing live memory objects. |
| US08489648B1 |
System of systems and method for software component system design and optimization through testing
In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer-implemented system for designing software-based components for systems of systems including multiple software-based components saved in a relational database where the functions of each software component are defined by one or more examples of its operation using a natural language. Each software component is assigned a searchable, unique free-text field such that each of the components have multiple indexed levels in a literal restriction path. The system further includes means for retrieval, synthesis, substitution, reuse and modification of the components at every level of the multiple levels, including means for defining a new software component. |
| US08489645B2 |
Techniques for estimating item frequencies in large data sets
Techniques for estimating items (e.g., data item or objects) frequencies in large data sets are disclosed. For example, a technique for determining items and their frequencies at multiple levels of interest in a collection of nested bags includes the following steps. A hierarchy of a plurality of levels of nested bags and the levels of interest are inputted. Among the plurality of levels, a subset of bags is sampled from at least one level. At each level of interest, the frequency is counted of each distinct item in the bags obtained in the sampling step. At each level of interest, the item frequencies obtained in the counting step are extrapolated based on sampling ratios associated with the sampling step. At each level of interest, the items are sorted according to their frequencies obtained from the extrapolating step and those items with highest frequencies are retained. A bag may refer to one or more subsets or groups of data items or objects. Also, a bag may, itself, contain one or more other bags. |
| US08489642B2 |
Item switching method, man-machine interface and cordless phone handset
An item switching method for a man-machine interface having a plurality of objects includes generating a stack list for recording selecting information related to the plurality of objects, receiving a command for selecting an object from the plurality of objects, and determining a procedure to select the object according to the command and the selecting information recorded in the stack list. |
| US08489640B2 |
Field extensibility using generic boxed components
A system may include reception of a definition of an extension field to be added to a business object node, generation of metadata for a data type enhancement object associated with the extension field, and generation of an ABAP dictionary proxy object based on the data type enhancement object, wherein the ABAP dictionary proxy object describes the extension field in a sub-structure of a first field of the ABAP dictionary proxy object. |
| US08489639B2 |
Information source alignment
An information source alignment system may include a tree generation module executed by a computer system to generate a source category hierarchy tree for a source class in a first information source and a target category hierarchy tree for a target class in a second information source. The source and target category hierarchy trees may be constructed from a class hierarchy of a knowledge source. A class-similarity determination module may compare the source and target category hierarchy trees. An alignment module may determine whether the source and target classes are aligned based on the comparison of the source and target category hierarchy trees. |
| US08489638B2 |
Disk-resident streaming dictionary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A dictionary data structure is defined and stored on the disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure, with full transactional semantics, at a rate that is faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk. The dictionary employs indirect logging for physical block logging. |
| US08489637B2 |
User-based DNS server access control
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing access to a Domain Name Service (DNS) database. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable authorization of DNS request messages, such as queries and update requests according to user and network address information. The authorization functionality may be incorporated into existing DNS systems. The invention includes a method including receiving a DNS request message originated from a client by a user, the DNS request message comprising a request and identification information specific to the user; determining if the client is authorized to access a DNS database in dependence upon client address information and the user specific identification information contained in the DNS request message; and executing the request in response to determining the user is authorized. The method may further include extracting user specific identification information from a portion of the ID field of DNS messages. |
| US08489628B2 |
Phrase-based detection of duplicate documents in an information retrieval system
An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are identified that predict the presence of other phrases in documents. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases. Related phrases and phrase extensions are also identified. Phrases in a query are identified and used to retrieve and rank documents. Phrases are also used to cluster documents in the search results, create document descriptions, and eliminate duplicate documents from the search results, and from the index. |
| US08489627B1 |
Combined semantic description and visual attribute search
An image search method includes receiving a first query, the first query providing a first image constraint. A first search of a plurality of images is performed, responsive to the first query, to identify a first set of images satisfying the first constraint. A first search result, which includes the first set of images identified as satisfying the first constraint, is presented. A second query is received, the second query providing a second image constraint with reference to a first image of the first set of images. A second search of the plurality of images is performed, responsive to the second query, to identify a second set of images that satisfy the second constraint. A second search result, which includes the second set of images identified as satisfying the second constraint, is presented. |
| US08489616B2 |
Identifying software
Software installed on a computer network is often inconsistently, or even incorrectly, identified. The same software may be identified in different ways. A catalogue of standardized identifiers is provided. The actual identifiers of software installed on the network are accessed and mapped to the standardized identifiers of the catalogue. The standardized identifiers are used to manage the installed software, monitor license compliance and/or, monitor maintenance agreements amongst other uses. Data relating to the use of the software is also be obtained and associated with the identification data. Identified software is uninstalled if it complies with a preset criterion. The usage data together with the standardized identifiers may be used to un-install un-used or under used software and licenses cancelled or reallocated. The standardized identifiers may be used to identify if forbidden software is being used and if so to compulsorily un-install the software. |
| US08489612B2 |
Identifying similar files in an environment having multiple client computers
To identify similar files in an environment having multiple client computers, a first client computer receives, from a coordinator computer, a request to find files located at the first client computer that are similar to at least one comparison file, wherein the request has also been sent to other client computers by the coordinator computer to request that the other client computers also find files that are similar to the at least one comparison file. In response to the request, the first client computer compares signatures of the files located at the first client computer with a signature of the at least one comparison file to identify at least a subset of the files located at the first client computer that are similar to the at least one comparison file according to a comparison metric. The first client computer sends, to the coordinator computer, a response relating to the comparing. |
| US08489611B2 |
Delta chunks and delta hashes
Example apparatus, methods, and computers control processing delta chunks with delta hashes. One example method includes computing a first hash for a chunk for which a duplicate determination is to be made. The first hash is suitable for making the duplicate chunk determination. The method also includes computing a delta hash for the chunk. The delta hash is suitable for making a delta chunk determination. The method controls a de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a duplicate upon determining that the first hash matches a stored first hash. The method controls the de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a delta chunk upon determining that the first hash does not match a stored first hash and that the delta hash matches a stored delta hash. Processing a chunk as a delta chunk may include storing a reference to a stored chunk and storing delta hash information. |
| US08489609B1 |
Indexing multimedia web content
A method of indexing multimedia content is disclosed. An element associated with a multimedia content is located in a display page. A potential multimedia content data file is identified through automated processing of data associated with the display page. An index data associated with one or more of the following: the display page, the multimedia content, and the potential multimedia content data file, is generated by processing the potential multimedia content data file. |
| US08489607B2 |
Methods and system for providing context sensitive information
A method and system are described for providing context sensitive data to a system user. The method includes the steps of identifying the user and querying databases to create a user context. Information is aggregated from the network databases and filtered using the user context. Providing the correct data needed by the user for that particular time, location and job function. |
| US08489604B1 |
Automated resource selection process evaluation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for evaluating resource selection processes. One method includes receiving test queries and generating a first group of resources corresponding to a first automated resource selection process and generating a second group of resources corresponding to a second automated resource selection process for each query. Another method includes generating a query results table for use in generating the groups of resources. The query results table maps queries to resources matched to the queries, and maps each resource to a respective score for the resource and the query, and one or more index selection signals for the resource. |
| US08489596B1 |
Apparatus and method for profiling users
Provided is a process of profiling a user of a mobile computing device, the process including: obtaining a location history of a user, the location history being based on signals from a mobile computing device of the user; obtaining a location-attribute score of a location identified in, or inferred from, the location history; determining, with a computer, a user-attribute score based on the location-attribute score; and storing the user-attribute score in a user-profile datastore. |
| US08489591B2 |
Presentation of local results
A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote device a search query, generating a local result set and one or more non-local result sets for the search query, determining a display location for the local result set relative to the non-local result set based on a position of the search query in a local relevance indicium. |
| US08489590B2 |
Cross-market model adaptation with pairwise preference data
Embodiments are directed towards generating market-specific ranking models by leveraging target market specific pairwise preference data. The pairwise preference data includes market-specific training examples, while a ranking model from another market captures the common characteristics of the resulting ranking model. In one embodiment, the ranking model is trained by applying a Tree Based Ranking Function Adaptation (TRADA) algorithm to multi-grade labeled training data, such as editorially generated training data. Then, contradictions between the TRADA generated ranking model and target-market specific pairwise preference data are identified. For each identified contradiction, new training data is generated to correct the contradiction. Then, in one embodiment, an algorithm such as TRADA is applied to the existing ranking model and the new training data to generate a new ranking model. |
| US08489588B2 |
Interactive visualization of sender and recipient information in electronic communications
An approach is provided that visually distinguishes between entity types in a communication system. A Data store with entities is queried, with entities connected to one another as senders and receivers, resulting in a query result. A node data structure corresponding to each of the entities is created and an edge data structure corresponding to each of the connections between the entities is also created. Nodes corresponding to the node data structures are displayed, along with edges (e.g., connection lines) corresponding to the edge data structures. A user selects one of the nodes that is displayed, and the selected node is visually highlighted. Different types of non-selected nodes are identified based on the selected node. Types of nodes may include sender type nodes, receiver type nodes, and sender/receiver type nodes. The types of identified nodes are highlighted in a manner that visually distinguishes each type from the other types. |
| US08489587B2 |
Citation index including citation context
A document, which may be referred to as a “citing document,” may include citations to one or more cited documents. An index of such documents may be referred to as a citation index or citator. Information used to present a citation index may be maintained in a computer-readable storage medium, and this information may include text in a citing document that immediately precedes a citation, immediately follows it, or both. Accordingly, one or more entries in a citation index may include display of one or more citations in the context in which the citations originally appeared. Computerized systems and methods for causing such display are also provided. |
| US08489586B2 |
Methods and systems for endorsing local search results
Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of local search results and/or advertisements through endorsements of such local search results and/or ads. Local search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of local search results by offering a way for users to re-rank the results for themselves and for those who trust them. |
| US08489585B2 |
Efficient document processing system and method
A document processing system and method are disclosed. In the method local scores are incrementally computed for document samples, based on local features extracted from the respective sample. A global score is estimated for the document based on the local scores currently computed, i.e., on fewer than all document samples. A confidence in a decision for the estimated global score is computed. The computed confidence is based on the local scores currently computed and, optionally, the number of samples used in computing the estimated global score. A classification decision, such as a categorization or retrieval decision for the document is output, based on the estimated score when the computed confidence in the decision reaches a threshold value. |
| US08489583B2 |
Techniques for retrieving documents using an image capture device
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for retrieving electronic documents based upon images captured using an image capture device. One or more images captured by a user using an image capture device are used to search a set of documents to retrieve one or more documents that match the search query. The one or more documents retrieved by the search may then be provided to the user or some other recipient. |
| US08489582B2 |
Interconnected, universal search experience across multiple verticals
One or more query terms that were submitted by a user in connection with a first vertical of a plurality of verticals and not in connection with any other vertical of the plurality of verticals are received. A first set of search results that are both (a) indexed in the first vertical and (b) relevant to the one or more query terms is determined. A second set of search results that are both (a) indexed in a second vertical, but not in the first vertical and (b) relevant to the one or more query terms is also determined. A search results page that contains search results both sets of search results, and that visually distinguishes the sets from each other, is generated. According to one aspect, the results from the second set are shown on the search results page in what appears to be a yellow sticky note. |
| US08489580B2 |
Query optimization
A first query is received including a logical expression as a set of predicates in Disjunctive Normal Form. Each predicate from is represented as a bitwise predicate pattern to generate a set of bitwise predicate patterns. A set of valid bitwise patterns from the set of bitwise predicate patterns is identified using the first query. The set of valid bitwise patterns is parsed using logical operators to generate a logical bitwise expression. The logical bitwise expression is factored and the factored logical bitwise expression is mapped to corresponding predicates to generate a logical predicate expression. A second query is generated, which includes modifying the first query using the logical predicate expression and at least one logical operator. A subset of data is retrieved from the data repository using the second query. |
| US08489579B2 |
SQL adapter business service
A Structured Query Language (SQL) adapter business service that converts data from a data set to a common representation format used for all data sets with which the SQL adapter business service interacts. Hence the SQL adapter business service can communicate with various internal and external systems independently of the native format in which those systems maintain and store data. The SQL adapter business service optimizes operations to update data in the data sets by combining operations when possible and by using result sets from executing previous SQL statements to construct subsequent SQL statements. SQL adapter business service takes advantage of parent/child relationships between tables to construct SQL statements in an order such that the SQL statements process only a minimum amount of data, thereby making retrieval of data as efficient as possible. |
| US08489577B2 |
System and method for defined searching and web crawling
A computerized search engine for use in association with one or more networked social sites is disclosed. The computerized search engine includes a widgetized avatar representative of a user of at least two of the networked social sites, a crawler that crawls each of the at least two networked social sites for modification of information related to one or more contacts of the user on at least one of the at least two networked social sites, and a display of search results. The display includes the modified information from the at least two networked social sites. |
| US08489575B2 |
Advanced directory services
Included are embodiments for providing advanced directory services. One embodiment of a method includes receiving categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address. Other embodiments include receiving sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category. Still other embodiments include sending a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data. |
| US08489562B1 |
Deferred data storage
A method for deferred storage of data is disclosed. A packet comprising instructions and literal data for rebuilding packet data from a network device is received. The packet data is rebuilt according to the instructions and the literal data. The rebuilt packet data is rewritten to a temporary page in memory. A page utilization metric is calculated based on the contents of the temporary page, the contents comprising the rebuilt data packet. Whether the contents of the temporary page sufficiently match data in data storage is determined. The contents of the temporary page are discarded or stored based on the determination. |
| US08489561B1 |
Learning enterprise portal content meta-model
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for updating enterprise portal content meta-models. One computer-implemented method includes receiving a content analysis request associated with a content repository, analyzing, using at least one computer, the content repository content objects for inconsistencies with a meta-model, receiving meta-model modification suggestion data, modifying the meta-model using the meta-model modification suggestion data, and receiving modification status data. |
| US08489559B2 |
Methods and apparatus for conversion of content
In one embodiment of the invention, a utility may be installed (e.g., by a system administrator) on a storage system. The utility may read content units on the storage system that are stored in one data format, and convert the content units to a second data format. In one embodiment, in response to a read request for a content unit, a data format in which to return the content unit may be selected and the content unit may be returned in that data format. In another embodiment, mapping information may be created that specifies in which data format a content unit should be returned in response to a request for the content unit. The mapping information may be stored either on the storage system that stores the content unit, the computer requesting access to the content unit, or any other computer or device in the computer system. |
| US08489553B2 |
Managing storage of individually accessible data units
Managing data by: receiving a group of individually accessible data units, each data unit identified by a key value, with key values determined such that the key value identifying a first data unit received before a second data unit occurs earlier in a sort order than the key value identifying the second data unit; and processing the data units for storage in a data storage system. The processing includes: storing blocks of data, the blocks being generated by combining a plurality of the data units; providing an index with entries that enable location, based on a provided key value, of a block that includes a data unit corresponding to the provided key value; and generating one or more screening data structures associated with the blocks for determining, based on a given key value, whether to search the stored blocks for a data unit corresponding to the given key value. |
| US08489551B2 |
Method for selecting a processor for query execution
A method of determining whether a query can be redirected to an alternate evaluator in a directory system. The method includes the step of determining in any order, any one or a combination of: Availability of an alternate evaluator, First parameters of the query, Second parameters of the alternate evaluator, Third parameters which are pre-determined criteria. |
| US08489543B2 |
Customer relationship management system and method
A software-based customer relationship management system and method. |
| US08489541B2 |
Flexible access to metamodels, metadata, and other program resources
A system and method for enabling a Meta Object Facility (MOF) and a Java Metadata Interface (JMI) compliant service to access program resources. A system includes a metamodel repository and an application server. The metamodel repository is configured to store the program resources including metadata and one or more metamodels. The application server includes at least one application providing a first portion of the program resources. A first portion of the program resources are stored in a database associated with the application server. A second portion of the program resources are provided in at least one application of the application server, and programming language instances of the program resources are received by one or more applications independent of where the program resources are stored or provided. |
| US08489534B2 |
Adaptive content inspection
Methods and apparatus are provided involving adaptive content inspection. In one embodiment, a content inspection processor may identify information with respect to input data and provide the information to a host controller. The host controller may adapt search criteria or other parameters and provide the adapted parameter to the content inspection processor. Other embodiments may include a content inspection processor having integrated feedback, such that results data is fed back to the content inspection processor. The results data may be processed before being provided to the content inspection processor. |
| US08489533B2 |
Inferring view sequence and relevance data
Technologies pertaining to inferring a view sequence of a user are described herein. A view sequence is an order that graphical objects on a graphical user interface are viewed by a user. A view sequence with respect to graphical objects presented on a graphical user interface is inferred based upon historically observed user actions, such as selection of a link or hovering over respective graphical objects. The view sequence is inferred without employment of sensor equipment that tracks eye movements of users. |
| US08489532B2 |
Similarity matching of a competitor's products
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a classification scheme associated with product attributes of a grouping of products of an entity, receiving a record of data relating to an item of a competitor to the entity, the classification of which is uncertain, receiving a dictionary of attributes associated with products, and assigning a product code to the item, based on probabilistic matching among the attributes in the classification scheme, the attributes in the dictionary of attributes and at least one known attribute of the item. |
| US08489530B2 |
System and method for root cause analysis of the failure of a manufactured product
A system, method and computer program product for the root cause analysis of the failure of a manufactured product is disclosed. The present invention includes the development of a knowledge model, based on information obtained from historical warranty claim forms and various manufacturing data sources. The invention also includes processing text information in a free-form text that is obtained from warranty claim forms by using text-tagging and annotation techniques. Thereafter, the knowledge model is converted to a Bayesian network. The present invention provides a user interface to select parameters and corresponding instances from current warranty claim forms. The selected parameters and corresponding instances are used as input evidence for the Bayesian network. The present invention facilitates the process of drawing inferences for root cause analysis of the failure of manufactured products and corresponding probabilities. |
| US08489528B2 |
Systems and methods for training neural networks based on concurrent use of current and recorded data
Various embodiments of the invention are neural network adaptive control systems and methods configured to concurrently consider both recorded and current data, so that persistent excitation is not required. A neural network adaptive control system of the present invention can specifically select and record data that has as many linearly independent elements as the dimension of the basis of the uncertainty. Using this recorded data along with current data, the neural network adaptive control system can guarantee global exponential parameter convergence in adaptive parameter estimation problems. Other embodiments of the neural network adaptive control system are also disclosed. |
| US08489527B2 |
Method and apparatus for neuropsychological modeling of human experience and purchasing behavior
A system for accurately modeling of buyer/purchaser psychology and ranking of content objects within a channel for user initiated browsing and presentation contains a neuropsychological modeling engine, a ranking application, and a behavior modeler which communicate with each other and a presentation system over communication networks. The neuropsychological modeling engine utilizes metafiles associated with content objects, a purchaser/viewer model and a channel model to derive a value ψ representing an individual's mood and a value m representing an individual's motivational strength to select a content object. If the value ψ is within an acceptable predetermined range, the value m is used to determine a ranking for the content object relative to other content objects associated with the channel model. Also disclosed are a system and technique for simultaneously presenting multiple, s content object data streams on the user interface in a manner which encourages multidimensional browsing using traditional navigation commands. |
| US08489524B2 |
Systems and methods for turbo on-line one-class learning
Methods for one-class learning using support vector machines from a plurality of data batches are provided. A first support vector machine is learned from the plurality of data batches by a processor. A new data batch is received by the processor and is classified by the first support vector machine. If a non-zero loss classification occurs a new support vector machine is trained using the first support vector machine and the new data batch only. Data batches can be discarded if they are represented by the current support vector machine or after being used for training an updated support vector machine. Weighing factors applied to update the first support vector machine depend upon a parameter which is optimized iteratively. Support vectors do not need to be recalculated. A classifier is learned in a number of stages equal to the number of data batches processed on-line. |
| US08489514B2 |
Method, system and program product for generating a demanufacturing price quote
A method, system, and program product for generating a price quote to demanufacture a lot of electronic equipment is disclosed. Representative equipment groups are defined which include default values, based upon knowledge and experience, and study values, based upon dismantle studies. When a quote is requested to demanufacture a given lot of equipment, the equipment in the lot is categorized into representative equipment groups. As profit/loss is calculated for each equipment group, if study values are available, these are used, otherwise default values are used. Pricing contingency and profit may further be calculated to generate the price quote. |
| US08489509B2 |
Method for processing rights object in digital rights management system and method and system for processing rights object using the same
A message, method and system for processing rights object (RO) in a DRM system are disclosed. A message for requesting submission or return of an unused/partially consumed rights object (RO) is newly defined. When an authenticated device generates such a request message and transmits it to a right issuer (RI), the RI checks whether there exists an ID of a receiving device in the request message. If an ID of a receiving device exists in the request message, the RI performs a procedure for submitting the RO to the ID of the receiving device. If, however, the ID of the receiving device does not exist, the RI performs a procedure of returning of the RO or issuing of a different RO. Accordingly, the unused RO or partially consumed RO can be returned or submitted to a different device by using the request message. |
| US08489508B2 |
Service system
Multiple service servers can store identification tags, which identify each user, after associating the identification tags with the identification tags of other users; and can also store identification data, which uniquely identifies users across multiple service servers, after associating the identification data with an encryption key for each identification datum. A management server device stores as identification data the user address data encrypted by means of an encryption key that has been generated for each identification datum. A gateway server device receives the identification tags from a first service server, receives the other identification tags associated with the first identification tags, receives the encryption keys associated with the other identification tags, and obtains the encrypted data from the management server. The gateway server device then decodes the encrypted information, and commands delivery that uses the obtained address data. |
| US08489507B1 |
Alternative payment method for online transactions using interactive voice response
A method for performing payments in remote transactions between buyer and vendor is provided. The method includes receiving buyer information from a vendor's network outlet when the buyer indicates a desire to purchase a selection at a later time through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) center; providing a token to the buyer; receiving information about the token from the buyer through the IVR center; verifying the information about the token; transferring funds from a buyer account to a vendor account. Also provided is a system for processing payments in remote transactions including an IVR center and a server to: receive a request for token from a buyer to purchase products from a vendor, and to receive information about the product; provide the token to the buyer; access a database, the database including information from vendor's and buyer's accounts; transfer funds from buyer's account to vendor's account upon buyer confirmation. |
| US08489506B2 |
Portable consumer device verification system
A method for verifying a portable consumer device. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction conducted using a portable consumer device. The portable consumer device includes a portable consumer device fingerprint. The authorization request message includes an altered portable consumer device fingerprint and an algorithm identifier. The method also includes selecting an algorithm from among a plurality of algorithms using the algorithm identifier, determining the portable consumer device fingerprint using selected algorithm and the altered portable consumer device fingerprint, determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches a stored portable consumer device fingerprint, and sending an authorization response message after determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches the stored portable consumer device fingerprint. |
| US08489502B2 |
Methods and systems for multi-credit reporting agency data modeling
Provided are methods and systems by which a data sample can be generated in order to create a true multi-Credit Reporting Agency model, eliminating the biases and variability in traditional multi-CRA models by allowing the creation of a single multi-CRA method which requires neither alignment nor translation to be applicable on all CRAs. |
| US08489493B2 |
Method and arrangement for changing market model in an automated exchange
In an automated exchange comprising a matching module and a dissemination module a market model state is controlled in the matching module and in the dissemination module, respectively. Hereby it is made possible to, during ongoing trading, change market model for the automated exchange. |
| US08489492B2 |
Automated encoding of increment operators
In one example a method includes: receiving a first input value associated with a first data field; responsive to determining that the first data field is associated with an increment operation, selecting a second input value associated with a corresponding second data field of a previously transmitted message; comparing the first input value and second input value to determine if the first input value includes a sum of the second input value and an increment value; when the first input value includes the sum of the second input value and increment value, generating a message that omits the first input value for the first data field, and providing an operator symbol indicating the increment operation to specify that the first data field of the message is to be associated with the sum of the increment value and second input value of the second data field in the previously transmitted message. |
| US08489490B2 |
Systems and methods for analysis of portfolio returns and trade cost measurement based on fiduciary roles
Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise, for example, a method for measuring trade costs, comprising (1) capturing trade data over a predetermined time period; (2) capturing time stamp data corresponding to said trade data, wherein said time stamp data comprises open events and close events, data regarding when an order is received by a buy-side trading desk from a portfolio manager; data regarding when execution of said order is completed, and data regarding when a manager decides to engage in trading regarding said order; and (3) performing an investment level analysis based on said trade data and said time stamp data. Further embodiments comprise systems and software for implementing the above method (and others) and utilizing information obtained therefrom. |
| US08489485B2 |
Method and system for equalizing debt balance and fixed asset value in reverse mortgages
A method and system for debt-to-asset-value balancing of a reverse mortgage benefiting both the lender and the borrower. Options and mechanisms are provided for equalizing borrower debt balance with appraised fixed assets of the reverse mortgage. |
| US08489479B2 |
Risk scoring system and method for risk-based data assessment
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining risk. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for determining risk. The method may include receiving historical information relating to tax return data of a taxpayer. The method may also include updating one or more profiles associated with the historical information. The method may also include receiving current information relating to tax return data of the taxpayer. The method may also include querying the updated historical information based on the received current information. The method may further include processing historical information, received in response to the querying, together with the current information to generate one or more risk scores. |
| US08489478B2 |
Virtual terminal for payment processing
In some embodiments, a process for performing transaction tasks using a virtual terminal comprises: presenting functions to a user, receiving a selected function, and performing the selected function. The presented functions may comprise: (a) activating at least one card; (b) deactivating a card; (c) generating a PIN; (d) inserting value; (e) generating an End of Day report; and (f) managing users. |
| US08489468B2 |
Online purchase of digital media bundles
Techniques for interacting with an online media store to obtain a media asset bundle, such as a digital boxset, are disclosed. These techniques involve, for instance, browsing for a media asset bundle that includes at least one non-playable media asset, purchasing the media asset bundle, obtaining the media assets contained in the media asset bundle, determining if a presentation request has been made for a media asset in the media asset bundle, and presenting the requested media asset. Further, these techniques involve playing the media assets in a media asset bundle by selecting a media asset in the media asset bundle, determining whether the media asset is playable or non-playable, presenting the media asset using an appropriate media asset viewer if it is playable, not playing (skipping) the media asset if it is non-playable, and selecting/playing other media assets in the media asset bundle until no more media assets are available to be played. |
| US08489467B2 |
Extended manufacturing environment
An extended manufacturing environment can receive, at a manufacturer's server, a communication from a customer of the manufacturer, automatically process the communication, and automatically transmit an order for supplies to a supplier of the supplies. The supplies, which are needed by the manufacturer to manufacture at least one product for the customer, can be directly ordered by the customer, without the customer having to wait for the manufacturer's approval. |
| US08489466B1 |
System and method for enhancing buyer and seller interaction during a group-buying sale
A method and system are provided that enable buyers and sellers to communicate with each other and to negotiate the purchase terms of featured merchandise in a group-buying opportunity. Sellers and buyers may use various forms of on-line group-buying mechanisms in conjunction with the negotiation features of the invention. Buyers may send various inquiries to sellers regarding merchandise offered for sale through the online group-buying sale. Sellers may respond to buyer questions and queries, and in some instances, sellers may communicate instructions to the on-line group-buying mechanism to alter the course of an on-line group-buying sale in progress, e.g., a further reduction in price. The method and system further provides a mechanism for calculating a demand curve based on received buyer offers and applying the demand curve to an on-line group-buying sale. |
| US08489463B2 |
Providing a marketplace for sensor data
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing first information identifying a sensor-data set that includes sensor-data from multiple sensor-data streams from multiple sensors over a period of time, with the sensor data from the sensor-data streams having been combined with each other based on a relationship of the sensor data to a sensor subject; accessing second information identifying one or more offers to purchase the sensor-data set; and matching one of the offers with the sensor-data set to facilitate a purchase of the sensor-data set based at least on the one of the offers matched to the sensor-data set. |
| US08489460B2 |
Method and apparatus for advertising bidding
Methods, articles, and systems for determining a bidding strategy for on-line query answer set or contextual advertisement positions for marketing options is described herein. |
| US08489458B2 |
Rebroadcasting of advertisements in a social network
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that receives at a server a first request to rebroadcast a first sponsored content item that was displayed on the social network to the first user to a second user. A second request to display at least one sponsored content item to the second user when the second user accesses an electronic document associated with the social network is received at the server. The first sponsored content item is retrieved for rebroadcast from one or more sponsored content items indicated for rebroadcast to the second user. The first sponsored content item is output to the second user of the social network in response to the second request to display and without requiring the second user to select the first sponsored content item for display. |
| US08489455B2 |
Enterprise data matching
A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. |
| US08489449B2 |
System and method for receiving and redeeming loyalty incentives
A system for managing loyalty incentives for a customer, including a personal loyalty account at a centralized server assigned to the customer for storing the balance of a first amount of loyalty incentives for the customer, a loyalty card carried with the customer for identifying and accessing the personal loyalty account and including a loyalty purse for storing a second amount of loyalty incentives, a first merchant terminal operable to interface with the loyalty card for awarding the customer an awarded amount of loyalty incentives by selecting whether to add the awarded amount to the loyalty purse or to add a first predefined amount of loyalty incentives to the loyalty account and receive the difference between the first predefined amount and the awarded amount from the loyalty purse. |
| US08489447B1 |
Adjusting price for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads
A computer enabled method adjusts a price to be offered to a buyer for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads based upon past performance of the buyer. The method determines a projected percent to cap value for the buyer based upon a rate at which the buyer is accepting sales leads in a current billing period, determines an opportunity performance value associated with the buyer based upon a ratio of received offers to accepted proposals for offers; determines a delta amount based upon the percent to cap value and the opportunity performance value; and adjusts the price to be offered for the sales lead by the delta amount. A maximum cost percentage value that limits the price to be offered is generated based upon the projected percentage to cap value and the number of sales leads the buyer is projected to purchase in a billing period. |
| US08489441B1 |
Quality of records containing service data
An embodiment of the invention, directed to assessing quality of recorded service data, comprises the step of receiving a record containing service data at a service record evaluator. The method further comprises selecting at least one information field of a plurality of information fields contained in the received record, and determining a numerical quality score for each selected information field. Each of the quality scores is used to compute a cumulative quality score for the record, and it is determined whether the cumulative quality score is no less than a minimum quality threshold. |
| US08489440B2 |
Earned value application
Obtaining an earned value includes storing a simulation version of a project baseline. The project baseline includes tasks that define a project associated with the project baseline. The simulation version is copied to create an operative version of the project baseline. The simulation version is augmented with an additional task such that the simulation version maintains separate baselines for the additional task and for pre-existing tasks. The additional task is mapped from the simulation version to the operative version such that the operative version incorporates the additional task and the pre-existing task into a single baseline. The earned value is obtained for the project using the operative version. |
| US08489438B1 |
Method and system for providing a voice review
A method for evaluating an entity that includes identifying an entity identifier for the entity, recording a voice review for the entity associated with the entity identifier, and submitting the voice review and the entity identifier to a review framework. |
| US08489436B1 |
System and method for an order handling data model with item-level granularity
Various embodiments of a system and method for an order handling data model with item-level granularity are described. Embodiments may include an order handling system configured to, for a given purchase order received from an ordering entity, generate within a data store a purchase order data object, item data objects for items of the purchase order, and message data objects for messages associated with item data objects. In various embodiments, the order handling system may also generate in the data store mapping information for mapping each of the different data objects for a given purchase order together. The order handling system may also provide to the ordering entity a notification for a particular item. The notification may be based on information accessed from the item data object corresponding to the particular item or information accessed from other data objects associated with that item data object according to the mapping information. |
| US08489434B1 |
System and method for establishing rates for an automobile insurance policy
Automobile insurance rates are established by performing calculations for defining a single tier placement dependent upon a combination of mutually exclusive factors based on applicant data. The factors include a household driving record gradient, a stability gradient and an operator driving record gradient. In the case of a new policy, the factors also include a named insured driving experience gradient and a prior insurance gradient. Alternately, in the case of a renewal policy, the factors also include a household claims record gradient, a member relationship gradient and an operator claims record gradient. No single factor is the sole determinant for placement in a tier. |
| US08489429B2 |
System and method for determining a person centric infection risk associated with encountering a healthcare provider
A system and method provide for determining a patient's infection risk associated with a specific healthcare provider encounter. The method incorporates the steps of assessing infection risk factors for a particular patient and comparing those factors to a set of benchmark infection risk factors derived from historical patient outcomes data. Based on the results of the comparison the infection risk assessment for the particular patient is determined and displayed. |
| US08489424B2 |
System for communication of health care data
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. |
| US08489422B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing phone-in prescriptions
An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form. |
| US08489415B1 |
Systems and methods for the coordination of benefits in healthcare claim transactions
Systems and methods for the coordination of benefits in healthcare claim transactions are provided. A healthcare claim request including information associated with a plurality of prescription claims for a single healthcare transaction may be received from a healthcare provider computer and identified as a bundled healthcare claim request. A primary claim request for the healthcare transaction may be generated and communicated to a first claims processor computer for adjudication, and a first adjudicated reply may be received from the first claims processor computer. Based at least in part on the received first adjudicated reply, a secondary claim request for the healthcare transaction may be generated and communicated to a second claims processor computer for adjudication. A second adjudicated reply may be received from the second claims processor, and information associated with the first adjudicated reply and the second adjudicated reply may be communicated to the healthcare provider computer. |
| US08489413B1 |
System and method for facilitating applications for disability benefits
A system and method which facilitates the reliable collection of data during a single appointment through a plurality of queries configured to obtain responses or present further queries as necessary to ultimately obtain all of the information required for generating a report in a format which satisfies the applicable standards. |
| US08489412B1 |
Apparatus and methods for determining and processing medical outcomes
A data processing system is provided for determining clinical outcomes of medical data gathered by the system. The system can allow a person (e.g. a doctor) to define a medical study and can then administer the medical study and can collect and analyze data in real-time from potentially geographically diverse doctors, patients and other people associated with a study. The system can analyze the medical data in real-time according to any number of clinical algorithms that may be custom defined and edited before and during the study. The clinical algorithms produce clinical outcome data that can be used for treatment of patients participating in the study immediately after the data is input and analyzed. The medical outcomes can indicate such things as performance comparisons, composite outcomes, and risk stratification and assessments for such things as treatments, drugs, illnesses, doctors, patients and physicians groups. |
| US08489409B2 |
Automated newborn screening results reporting
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating the electronic collection and dissemination of newborn screening results to identified and/or default recipients of the results. A newborn screening manager may be provided to receive and store newborn screening results in an associated database. The newborn screening results may then be communicated electronically to any number of recipients of the results. In some cases, a notification may be provided to the recipients, indicating that the newborn screening results are available to be reviewed. The recipients may then access and review the results. |
| US08489407B2 |
Method of evaluating business components in an enterprise
A method of evaluating architectural fit of business software applications employed in an enterprise. The method comprises providing a computer tool with a defined rating system for each one of a set of business technology factors and with a set of defined keys having respective key values, inputting into the computer tool data for a plurality of business components using the respective key values, ranking one or more of the set of business technology factors according to the defined rating system, and conducting an analysis to evaluate architectural fit of the business software applications based on the data inputted using the respective key values and the ranked set of business technology factors. The conducting step further comprises providing at least one business or technology objective and executing an algorithm corresponding to the one business or technology objective provided to conduct the analysis. |
| US08489405B2 |
Compression coding and decoding method, coder, decoder, and coding device
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a compression coding and decoding method, a coder, a decoder and a coding device. The compression coding method includes: extracting sign information of an input signal to obtain an absolute value signal of the input signal; obtaining a residual signal of the absolute value signal by using a prediction coefficient, where the prediction coefficient is obtained by prediction and analysis that are performed according to a signal characteristic of the absolute value signal of the input signal; and multiplexing the residual signal, the sign information and a coding parameter to output a coding code stream, after the residual signal, the sign information and the coding parameter are respectively coded, so as to improve compression efficiency of a voice and audio signal. |
| US08489403B1 |
Apparatuses, methods and systems for sparse sinusoidal audio processing and transmission
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SPARSE SINUSOIDAL AUDIO PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION (hereinafter “SS-Audio”) provides a platform for encoding and decoding audio signals based on a sparse sinusoidal structure. In one embodiment, the SS-Audio encoder may encode received audio inputs based on its sparse representation in the frequency domain and transmit the encoded and quantized bit streams. In one embodiment, the SS-Audio decoder may decode received quantized bit streams based on sparse reconstruction and recover the original audio input by reconstructing the sinusoidal parameters in the frequency domain. |
| US08489401B1 |
Script compliance using speech recognition
A system and method for evaluating the compliance of an agent reading a script to a client comprises conducting a voice interaction between the agent and the client wherein the agent follows a script, and dividing data representing a portion of the voice interaction into a plurality of panels after being spoken by the agent, wherein the panels correspond to respective sections of the script, wherein the dividing is based upon timestamps of the panels, and wherein the panels correspond to a single offer of a good or service. |
| US08489399B2 |
System and method for verifying origin of input through spoken language analysis
An audible based electronic challenge system is used to control access to a computing resource by using a test to identify an origin of a voice. The test is based on analyzing a spoken utterance to determine if it was articulated by an unauthorized human or a text to speech (TTS) system. |
| US08489398B1 |
Disambiguation of spoken proper names
A method is performed by a communication device that is configured to communicate with a server over a network. The method includes outputting, to the server, speech data for spoken words; receiving, from the server, speech recognition candidates for a spoken word in the speech data; checking the speech recognition candidates against a database on the communication device; and selecting one or more of the speech recognition candidates for use by the communication device based on the checking. |
| US08489397B2 |
Method and device for providing speech-to-text encoding and telephony service
A machine-readable medium and a network device are provided for speech-to-text translation. Speech packets are received at a broadband telephony interface and stored in a buffer. The speech packets are processed and textual representations thereof are displayed as words on a display device. Speech processing is activated and deactivated in response to a command from a subscriber. |
| US08489396B2 |
Noise reduction with integrated tonal noise reduction
The system provides a technique for suppressing or eliminating tonal noise in and input signal. The system operates on the input signal at a plurality of frequency bins and uses information generated at a prior bin to assist in calculating values at subsequent bins. The system first identifies peaks in a signal and then determines if the peaks are from tonal effects. This can be done by comparing the estimated background noise of a current bin to the smoothed background noise of the same bin. The smoothed background noise can be calculated using an asymmetric IIR filter. When the ratio of the current background noise estimate to the currently calculated smoothed background noise is far greater than 1, tonal noise is assumed. When tonal noise is found, a number of suppression techniques can be applied to reduce the tonal noise, including gain suppression with fixed floor factor, an adaptive floor factor gain suppression technique, and a random phase technique. |
| US08489394B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program for suppressing noise
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program, which can suppress a low frequency range component with a small amount of calculation, and can achieve a noise suppression of high quality, are provided. The noise superposed in a desired signal of an input signal is suppressed by converting the input signal to a frequency domain signal; correcting an amplitude of the frequency domain signal to obtain an amplitude corrected signal; obtaining an estimated noise by using the amplitude corrected signal; determining a suppression coefficient by using the estimated noise and the amplitude corrected signal; and weighting the amplitude corrected signal with the suppression coefficient. |
| US08489393B2 |
Speech intelligibility
The perceived quality of a narrowband speech signal truncated from a wideband speech signal is improved by generating in a third frequency band third speech components matching first speech components in a first frequency band of the narrowband signal, and generating in a fourth frequency band fourth speech components matching second speech components in a second frequency band of the narrowband signal. A first gain factor is applied to the third speech components to generate adjusted third speech components, and a second gain factor is applied to the fourth speech components to generate adjusted fourth speech components, the gain factors being selected such that the ratios of the average powers of the adjusted third and fourth speech components to the average power of the first speech components are predetermined values. |
| US08489391B2 |
Scalable hybrid auto coder for transient detection in advanced audio coding with spectral band replication
A system method of reusing information in a low power scalable hybrid audio encoder are disclosed. The includes determining a state of an advanced audio coding (AAC) transient flag, performing spectral band replication (SBR) transient detection on at least two possible locations upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a first value, performing SBR transient detection on a high frequency upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a second value, and determining whether a transient exists. The system includes a spectral band replication (SBR) coding module configured to determine a state of an advanced audio coding (AAC) transient flag and perform SBR transient detection on at least one location based upon an energy in a signal upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a first value. |
| US08489388B2 |
Data detection
A method for detecting data in a sequence of characters or text using both a statistical engine and a pattern engine. The statistical engine is trained to recognize certain types of data and the pattern engine is programmed to recognize the grammatical pattern of certain types of data. The statistical engine may scan the sequence of characters to output first data, and the pattern engine may break down the first data into subsets of data. Alternatively, the statistical engine may output items that have a predetermined probability or greater of being a certain type of data and the pattern engine may then detect the data from the output items and/or remove incorrect information from the output items. |
| US08489386B2 |
Method and system for directing media streams during a conference call
A system for directing media streams during a conference call, including an enterprise, at least one network provided within the enterprise and in communication with a plurality of communication devices, a platform provided within the enterprise and in communication with the network, the platform comprising a protocol layer, a services layer and an application layer, and a conference call server in communication with the platform, wherein the platform is configured for receiving media streams from each of the communication devices and instructing the conference call server on how to direct the media streams to and from each of the communication devices. |
| US08489383B2 |
Text disambiguation in a handheld electronic device with capital and lower case letters of prefix objects
A method of disambiguating an input into a handheld electronic device includes, for example, detecting an ambiguous input, generating a number of prefix objects corresponding to the ambiguous input, generating a result, for at least a portion of prefix objects of the result, generating an output set of prefix objects, determining if the quantity of the prefix objects in the result is fewer than a predetermined quantity, and if it is determined that the quantity of the prefix objects is fewer than the predetermined quantity adding as an orphan prefix object to the output set at a position corresponding with a relatively low frequency a prefix object for which a corresponding word object is not identified. |
| US08489381B1 |
Method and system for simulating test instruments and instrument functions
Method and system to configure a common set of electronic components using software in order to simulate different electronic, mechanical and/or electro-mechanical instruments or instrument functions. For each instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated, software models are created which when directed to the electronic components, cause the electronic components to respond to input in the same manner that the actual, traditional physical instrument would respond to satisfy the same test requirement input. The software models are preferably stored in a model repository which is searchable to enable a user to select the instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated with the corresponding model being provided to the electronic components. Once the model, i.e., a function for each synthetic element, is downloaded and the electronic components configured according to the model functions, testing of the assemblies or other UUTs can begin. |
| US08489380B2 |
Satisfiability (SAT) based bounded model checkers
Systems and methods that use a solver to find bugs in a target model of a computing system having one or more finite computation paths are provided. The bugs on computation paths of less than a predetermined length are detected by translating the target model to include a state variable AF for one or more states of the target model, wherein AF(S) represents value of the state variable AF at state S; and solving the translated version of the target model that satisfies predetermined constrains. |
| US08489377B2 |
Method of verifying the performance model of an integrated circuit
A method of verifying a performance model of an integrated circuit is provided. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining statistical request numbers and corresponding latency values of memory access requests; developing functions of latency value based on the statistical request numbers and the corresponding latency values; bringing a random value to one of the functions to retrieve a latency value; and verifying the logic of the performance model using the latency value retrieved in the step above. |
| US08489376B2 |
Controller and fabric performance testing
In an embodiment, a model may be created using a register-transfer level (RTL) representation (or other cycle-accurate representation) of the controller and the circuitry in the communication fabric to the controller. The request sources may be replaced by transactors, which may generate transactions to test the performance of the fabric and controller. Accordingly, only the designs of the controller and the fabric circuitry may be needed to model performance in this embodiment. In an embodiment, at least some of the transactors may be behavioral transactors that attempt to mimic the operation of corresponding request sources. Other transactors may be statistical distributions, in some embodiments. In an embodiment, the transactors may include a transaction generator (e.g. behavioral or statistical) and a protocol translator configured to convert generated transactions to the communication protocol in use at the point that the transactor is connected to the fabric. |
| US08489373B2 |
Method and tool for simulation of the aerodynamic behaviour of an aircraft in flight close to the ground
A method of computer simulation of an aerodynamic behavior of an aircraft in flight close to the ground includes generating a volume mesh of a three-dimensional geometric domain. The volume mesh is at least partly delimited by a three-dimensional geometric model of the aircraft and by a plane modelling the ground. The volume mesh defines a computational domain. The method also includes imposing a uniform boundary condition on the plane comprising a predetermined speed vector with a non-zero tangential component and a non-zero normal component, and solving a discrete numerical model of the Navier-Stokes equations by computer on the volume mesh with the uniform boundary condition imposed on the plane to obtain a numerical solution of a fluid flow inside said computational domain. |
| US08489372B2 |
FEM-BEM coupling methods and systems for sliding contact interface
Systems and methods of numerically simulating physical phenomena of firing an electromagnetic rail-gun using a coupled FEM-BEM procedure are disclosed. Electromagnetic rail-gun includes a pair of parallel rails and a projectile located therebetween. Rails and projectile are represented by a FEM model, while the ambient air surrounding the rail-gun is represented by a BEM mesh for simulating the electromagnetic fields. The BEM mesh is generated from the FEM model as a surface encasing the projectile and rails. A sliding contact interface between each of the rails and the projectile causes the BEM faces in contact to be removed and thus resulting into a hole/gap in the BEM mesh. The hole/gap is patched up with new triangular BEM faces without adding new nodes in accordance with a predefined set of rules, such that the resulting BEM mesh is suitable for carrying out the coupled FEM-BEM procedure. |
| US08489371B2 |
Method and device for determining transfer functions of the HRTF type
The invention relates to a method for determining transfer functions of the HRTF type for an individual, that includes: measuring, for a first number of directions, the transfer functions of the HRTF type specific to the individual; matching the directivity functions associated with the measured functions of the HRTF type, with reference directivity functions associated with reference transfer functions of the HRTF type, the reference functions of the HRTF type being determined for a second number of directions higher that the first number of directions and reconstructing the measured directivity functions from the reference directivity functions. |
| US08489369B2 |
Methods for calculating multimode fiber system bandwidth and manufacturing improved multimode fiber
An improved algorithm for calculating multimode fiber system bandwidth which addresses both modal dispersion and chromatic dispersion effects is provided. The radial dependence of a laser transmitter emission spectrum is taken into account to assist in designing more effective optical transmission systems. |
| US08489366B2 |
System and method for radiation dose control
A system and method for determining a desired portion of a subject to receive a radiation dose includes iteratively choosing weight vectors to run to gradually build up a Pareto surface (PS). BY examining the current points that have been found on the PS along with the weights used to produce those points, a new vector is produced and run. This process is repeated until a geometric stop tolerance is met. |
| US08489365B2 |
System and method for measuring greenness of an information technology environment
A computer-implemented method for measuring the “greenness” of an IT environment is provided. The method comprises extracting asset data from a plurality of IT assets located on a network and extracting one or more greenness attributes from each of the plurality of IT assets. Key performance indicators are calculated, using the one or more greenness attributes, for each of the plurality of IT assets, and the key performance indicators are presented to a user in a graphical user interface. According to more particular embodiments, the greenness attributes comprise numerical values representing one or more of power requirements, power consumption, and resource utilization. |
| US08489362B2 |
Method for determining failure rate of an electrochemical sensor
A method for determining a failure rate of an electrochemical sensor type for a process, wherein the process is defined by determined values, or value intervals, of a plurality of specified process parameters, and wherein a plurality of defect types is specified for the sensor type, comprising steps as follows: assigning, by means of expert knowledge, a defect rate to each combination of one of the values, or value intervals, of the specified process parameters and one of the specified defect types; and calculating the failure rate of the sensor type according to a calculational specification with application of the defect rates assigned to the combinations of a value, or value interval, of a process parameter and a defect type. |
| US08489360B2 |
Multivariate monitoring and diagnostics of process variable data
A system and method of monitoring and diagnosing on-line multivariate process variable. Multivariate process data includes multiple process variables each having a multiple observations. On-line process data is collected from a process control system when the process is on-line. The on-line process data includes multiple observations of multiple process variables. A multivariate statistical analysis represents the operation of the process based on a set of the on-line process data. The representation a result. The representation and the set of on-line process data are stored. An output is generated based on a parameter of the representation. The parameter includes a result generated by the representation of the operation of the process, a process variable used to generate the representation of the operation of the process and/or the set of collected on-line process data. |
| US08489354B2 |
Vehicle speed determination system and method
A method for verifying the speed of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle, using sensors separated by a distance. The presence of the vehicle is sensed and an image of the vehicle is recorded to enable the vehicle to be identified. The sensors are triggered to emit signals which are received by the system to enable the speed of the vehicle to be determined. The signals are also used to determine a wheel base measurement for the vehicle. The determined wheel base measurement is compared to an actual wheel base measurement of the vehicle being sensed and any discrepancy between them is taken to be indicative of potential errors in the speed of the vehicle determined by the method. In one embodiment, the a database is provided, the database containing data relating to various vehicle types associated with vehicle specifications including a validated wheel base measurement for each vehicle type. |
| US08489352B2 |
Information recording medium, and process management apparatus and process management system using the information recording medium
Apparatuses and method capable of reliably tracking processes through which products have passed without calling for expensive setup are necessary in production and distribution processes of the products. A process management apparatus including a data transmission/reception unit to and from an RFID tag of an information recording medium and a data generation unit comprises a process data generation unit for representing a process, a process pass certificate data generation unit for generating process data pass certificate data and a transmission/reception unit for the process data with the information recording medium and the process pass certificate data can track the processes through which the object products have passed. |
| US08489351B2 |
System and method for frequency measurement based on quadratic forms
A system and methods for determining points for an algorithm to calculate the frequency of a waveform measured from a monitoring device. Data points are measured from the waveform. A last point of interest from the previous cycle of the waveform is referenced. Four points of interest at equally spaced phase angles from the current cycle of the waveform are determined by calculating the average of the data points around each of the respective equally spaced phase angles of the current cycle of the waveform. The average value of the points of interest in the current cycle is subtracted from the four points of interest and the last point of interest from the previous cycle to compensate for DC bias. A frequency of the waveform is determined based on the determined four points of interest of the current cycle and the last point of interest from the previous cycle. The correction factor for determining sample frequency may be reduced for subsequent cycles in order to increase stability. |
| US08489350B2 |
Frequency domain bitmap triggering using color, density and correlation based triggers
An RF test and measurement device, including a front end for receiving a time-varying signal and a real-time engine for generating digital frequency domain spectrums based on the time-varying signal. The device also includes a memory subsystem containing a frequency domain bitmap which is updated through sequential receipt and storage of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The real time engine is further configured to monitor the frequency domain bitmap for occurrence of a signal characteristic, and in response to detection of the signal characteristic, cause a capture of the time-varying signal into a storage location of the RF test and measurement device. |
| US08489349B2 |
Identifying a current drawn by a load
A method includes, in at least one aspect, receiving a digital voltage signal representing a voltage supplied to a circuit having a load, identifying a first time stamp associated with a voltage value representing an extrema in the digital voltage signal, receiving a digital current signal representing a current drawn by the load in response to the supplied voltage, identifying a second time stamp associated with the digital current signal, the second time stamp being within a threshold time of the first time stamp, and identifying a current value associated with the second time stamp as the current drawn by the load. |
| US08489347B2 |
Battery pack monitoring apparatus
The battery pack monitoring apparatus is for monitoring a battery pack constituted of battery blocks connected in series and each including battery cells connected in series. The battery pack monitoring apparatus includes a cell monitoring circuits provided respectively for the battery blocks, and a control circuit. Each of the cell monitoring circuits includes a cell voltage detection circuit to detect cell voltages of the battery cells included in a corresponding one of the battery blocks, and a block voltage detection circuit to detect a block voltage of the corresponding one of the battery blocks. The control circuit is configured to detect states of the battery cells based on the cell voltages and the block voltages transmitted from the respective cell monitoring circuits. |
| US08489346B2 |
Parametric multi-cycle averaging in an intelligent electronic device
A method and apparatus measures electrical power usage and quality, while mitigating the effects of noise on measured signals or parameters. Specifically, a digital electrical power and energy meter employs a method in which a processor averages a parameter, such as voltage or current, over a plurality of cycles of a time-varying signal, such as an AC electrical signal. The method employed by the meter samples a parameter over the plurality of cycles and computes the average of the samples corresponding to the same phase angle of the signal to produce an average signal. |
| US08489337B2 |
Rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells
Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue. |
| US08489334B2 |
Drug discovery methods
Method for identifying disease-related pathways that can used to identify discovery targets, to identify new uses for known drugs, to identify markers for drug response, and related purposes. |
| US08489327B2 |
Navigation device and method for providing alternative network connections
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes connecting a navigation device to a server via a modem connection; receiving information from the server; determining whether or not criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection; and connecting the navigation device to the server via an alternative connection upon determining that criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a modem to connect the navigation device to a server a receiver to receive information from the server; a processor to determine whether or not criteria will be met for disconnecting the connection via the modem; and an alternative connection device (such as the Bluetooth device for paired mobile phone connection, for example) to connect the navigation device to the server, the alternative connection device being used upon the processor determining that criteria will be met for disconnecting the connection of the modem. |
| US08489326B1 |
Placemarked based navigation and ad auction based on placemarks
A system and method provides turn-by-turn directions including placemarks. Each placemark represents a geographically located object such as a business or landmark. A client device may transmit an initial and a final location. Upon receipt of the locations, a server may determine a route comprised of a plurality of route segments. For each route segment associated with one or more placemark, the server may conduct an auction to choose one of the placemarks. The server may receive a plurality of bids associated with a particular route segment. Each bid is associated with a particular placemark. The server selects the placemark by determining a highest bid or other auction criteria. The selected placemark is associated with the route segment and is used to generate a turn-by-turn direction for the route segment, where information associated with the placemark is displayed on a client device. |
| US08489325B2 |
Point of interest based directions in a mapping application
Systems and methods are provided for defining a route from a starting point to a destination. The route can include several steps, each including an instruction directing a user to move in a particular manner, and a reference around or near which to follow the instruction. To assist the user in following the directions, a step can include one or more points of interest serving as references. In particular, points of interest having high visibility (e.g., relative to street signs) can be selected to serve as references for the directions. The device can select which points of interest to use based on any suitable criteria, including for example based on the distance of a point of interest from a location where a step requires an instruction, as well as based on visibility attributes of the points of interest. |
| US08489317B2 |
System and method for stochastically predicting the future states of a vehicle
A method for predicting future states of a vehicle including the steps of selecting a model having n states reflecting dynamic features of the vehicle; inputting noisy sensor measurements representing a current state of the vehicle to generate (2n+1) sigma points Xi where i=0, . . . . 2n, each of the sigma points having n states; performing (2n+1) integrations, each integration includes propagating the n-states of the respective sigma points Xi through the non-linear function Yi=f(Xi); and combining the propagated sigma points to generate the predicted future states of the vehicle. |
| US08489316B1 |
Map matching method for vehicle safety warning system
A map matching method for a vehicle safety warning system (VSWS) is provided. The method includes the steps of a) determining if intelligent transportation system (ITS) map data is available, b) determining a vehicle location and a vehicle heading, c) determining an envelope area around a road feature defined by the ITS map data, d) determining a segment heading for a segment of the road feature, e) determining a separation distance between the vehicle location and the segment if the vehicle location is located within the envelope area, the segment heading is substantially similar to the vehicle heading, and optionally, the segment elevation is substantially similar to the vehicle elevation, and f) map matching the vehicle location to the segment if the separation distance is less than a threshold. |
| US08489309B2 |
Feedback control system
In a feedback control system in which a base gain having a constant value or a variable gain is set as a feedback gain in accordance with the state of the system and an input value is calculated based on a function having, as variables, a proportional term and an integral term, the integral term is recalculated when a discriminant value obtained by substituting a base proportional term calculated using the base gain for the proportional term and a normal integral term calculated using the feedback gain for the integral term in the function is larger than an upper limit value. The integral term is recalculated in such a way that a value obtained by substituting the base proportional term for the proportional term and the recalculated integral term for the integral term in the function becomes equal to or smaller than the upper limit value. |
| US08489305B2 |
Car-following controller and car-following control method
When a preceding vehicle (Vb) starts during deceleration of a vehicle (Va) which is trying to stop following the stopped preceding vehicle (Vb), if the vehicle (Va) accelerates following the preceding vehicle (Vb), the driver possibly mistakes that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic start function. A virtual preceding vehicle (Vb′) is set at the stop position of the preceding vehicle (Vb), so that the vehicle (Va) is temporarily stopped following the stopping virtual preceding vehicle (Vb′) even if the actual preceding vehicle (Vb) is started. As a result, the vehicle (Va) is not started until the driver indicates the intention to start by operating a start switch, and the driver can be prevented from mistaking that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic start function. |
| US08489304B2 |
Torque distribution control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle
A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a torque distribution controller configured to control a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to right and left sub-driving wheels via right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a target distribution torque. A driving-torque calculator is configured to calculate a driving torque output from a driving source. A target-distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate the target distribution torque to be distributed to the sub-driving wheels in accordance with the driving torque. A target-distribution-torque correction device is configured to correct the target distribution torque to increase when the target distribution torque is lower than or equal to a first threshold value and an increase rate of the target distribution torque is higher than or equal to a second threshold value. |
| US08489303B2 |
Powertrain control system and methods with ECM-to-TCM parameter transfer protocols for TCM based control
A control system includes an engine control module and a transmission control module. The transmission control module communicates with the engine control module via a network. The engine control module generates a mean engine speed signal and a minimum engine speed signal. The engine control module transmits the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal to the transmission control module via the network. The transmission control module controls operation of at least one of a torque converter and a transmission based on the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal. The torque converter is connected between an engine and the transmission. |
| US08489300B2 |
Vibration control apparatus for automotive vehicle
An object of the present invention is to execute an optimum control of vibrations due to a driver's operation of an accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal. The operation instructions are inputted into a vibration calculating means (kinetic model) comprising a vehicle body model, suspension model and tire model. Conventional kinetic model controlled the suspension in order to suppress the vehicle body vibration. However, in the kinetic model of the present invention, the tire vibration due to a change in the engine output is first absorbed by the suspension, whereby a residual vibration which was not be absorbed yet by the suspension is transferred to the vehicle body. The operation inputs are compensated by the three feed-back loops between the outputs of the above-mentioned three portions and input of the tire portion, giving the highest priority on the vehicle body model. |
| US08489295B2 |
Up-shift control in an automatic transmission with negative input torque
A transmission control module including a shift control module that generates an enable signal when an up-shift is requested and the engine torque is below a threshold torque value. A turbine speed profile determination module that selectively generates a desired turbine speed profile. The shift control module controls a clutch pressure of an off-going clutch based on a measured turbine speed and the desired turbine speed profile when the enable signal is generated. |
| US08489290B1 |
Farm sidehill compensation
An apparatus and method using GNSS for dynamically adjusting side-to-side positioning of a farm implement along a geographical path. |
| US08489289B2 |
Converter for signals between a safety device and a safety control device for a vehicle
Disclosed is a converter (200) for signals between a safety device (300) and a universal safety control device (100) for a vehicle. At the converter (200) the safety control device (100) can be connected at a control device interface (200.1) and at least one type of safety devices (300.2) can be connected at at least one safety device interface (200.2) and wherein the converter (200) converts a signal of the safety control device (100) into a signal, which is suitable for the respectively connected type of safety device (300.2), to the respective safety device interface (200.2). It is proposed to embody the converter (200) such that it detects a condition at the safety device interface (200.2), in particular a diagnostics condition signal and converts it into a condition accordingly predefined at the control device interface (200.1), preferably in a manner which does not require an adaptation of the control device or of its software. |
| US08489288B2 |
Method and control device for the activation of a passenger safety arrangement of a vehicle
A method of activating a passenger safety arrangement of a vehicle, the method including reading in a roll rate of the vehicle and triggering the passenger safety arrangement when, at a first time, at least one roll rate value is present, which exhibits a positive sign and is larger than a roll rate positive threshold value and when, at a second time after the first time, at least one roll rate value is present, which exhibits a negative sign and is smaller than a roll rate negative threshold value. |
| US08489286B2 |
Vehicle operation supporting device and vehicle operation supporting method
When an obstacle on either of the two sides of a vehicle is detected, the future position of the vehicle after a prescribed time is predicted. When the future predicted vehicle position reaches a prescribed lateral position in the width direction of the lane, control start is determined such that obstacle avoiding control is carried out to prevent the approach of the vehicle to the obstacle. When an intention of the driver to enter the lane of the obstacle is detected, the start timing for obstacle avoiding control is shortened. |
| US08489278B2 |
Bicycle user interface system and method of operation thereof
A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle. |
| US08489277B2 |
Electronic suspension control apparatus
An electronic suspension control apparatus is provided with a signal receiving section, a suspension lockout determination section and a signal output section. The signal receiving section selectively receives input signals. The suspension lockout determination section determines a suspension lockout state. The signal output section outputs a temporary lockout release signal in response to the signal receiving section receiving a suspension height adjustment signal as one of the input signals while the suspension lockout determination section determines that a suspension lockout state exists. |
| US08489275B2 |
Methods for selective activation of multimedia functions and vehicles incorporating the same
In one embodiment, a method for selective activation of vehicle multimedia functions may include receiving a passenger occupancy signal indicative of an occupancy of a passenger seat from a passenger detection sensor. A gear signal indicative of a gear ratio of a transmission may be received from a vehicle gear sensor. Access to a medium interaction level function of a vehicle multimedia system may be prevented, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is unoccupied and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to a motive gear. Access to the medium interaction level function of the vehicle multimedia system may be allowed, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is occupied with a passenger and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to the motive gear. |
| US08489273B2 |
Electric control unit
An electric control unit may include a behavior check unit, a drive information store unit, a classify unit, a count unit and a condition set unit. The behavior check unit determines whether a vehicle behavior is generated by comparing the vehicle behavior with a detection condition. The drive information store unit stores information of the vehicle behavior in a memory unit drive when the vehicle behavior is generated. The classify unit classifies the vehicle behavior into one of a plurality of behavior classes. The behavior classes are arranged to classify the vehicle behavior according to a magnitude of the vehicle behavior. The count unit controls a counter for each behavior class according to the classification of the vehicle behavior. Based on the counters of each of the behavior classes, the condition set unit sets the detection condition as a boundary condition of one of the behavior classes. |
| US08489267B1 |
Method and system for adapting engine coolant temperature (ECT) warm-up trajectory based on heater core loading to adjust cabin temperature
In a hybrid-electric vehicle that includes a cabin, methods and systems are provided for modifying a first curve for engine coolant temperature (ECT) warm-up trajectory. The system includes a processor configured to execute software instructions, and a memory configured to store software instructions accessible by the processor. In one embodiment, the software instructions comprise an offset lookup table that is configured to generate, based on a calculated thermal power loss across a heater core and an ambient air temperature, an offset value for modifying the first curve for ECT warm-up trajectory to produce a desired curve for ECT warm-up trajectory that is offset from the first curve. The desired curve for ECT warm up trajectory is used to adjust temperature in the cabin so that fuel consumption can be reduced. |
| US08489261B2 |
Method and device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a final approach phase
A device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a final approach phase includes a flight management system and an approach selecting device for automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of the aircraft. A method for aiding the piloting of an aircraft includes automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of an aircraft by selecting an approach with the smallest decision height that can also be technically implemented by the aircraft. |
| US08489259B2 |
Aircraft black box
Commercial aircraft (11) having a black box (41) comprising a flight data recorder (49) connected to suitable acquisition units (13, 14, 15) for recording information required for crash investigation purposes inside a container (43), wherein the aircraft (11) comprises a crash detection device (17); the black box (41) is installed in a suitable location for being ejected outside the aircraft in a crash event through a duct (21, 31) having its exit in a fuselage area where the ejected black box (41) would not impact on the aircraft; the aircraft (11) also comprises ejection means (23, 33), controlled by a black box ejection control unit (19) connected to said crash detection device (17), for ejecting the black box (41) through said duct (21, 31), when an impending crash is detected by said crash detection device (17). |
| US08489258B2 |
Propulsive guidance for atmospheric skip entry trajectories
The invention set forth herein describes propulsive guidance methods and apparatus for controlling and shaping an atmospheric skip reentry trajectory for a space vehicle. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a powered explicit guidance algorithm to provide a closed-loop control method for controlling a space vehicle during a skip reentry maneuver. |
| US08489257B2 |
Method and device for moveable tail trimming in an aircraft
The invention relates to a method for actuating an adjusting drive for adjusting an elevator (12) and an adjusting drive for adjusting a moveable tail (23) provided with the steps: Generation of an elevator command to actuate the elevator adjusting drive; Calculating a moveable tail command (IHC1) for actuating the moveable tail adjusting drive in such a manner that the moveable tail (23) is tracked to the elevator input signal (10); Depending on the adjusting states of the elevator (12) and/or the moveable tail (23) or flight states, retaining the adjusting state of the moveable tail adjusting drive or actuating the moveable tail adjusting drive with a moveable tail command (IHCMD) for changing the adjusting state of the moveable tail (23), during actuation of the elevator adjusting drive with an elevator command for changing the adjusting state of the elevator (23) and in the event of a deviation from the calculated moveable tail command (IHC1) and the commanded moveable tail command (IHCMD), acting upon the elevator command to compensate for retention of the adjusting state of the moveable tail adjusting drive and a control device for carrying out the method. |
| US08489256B2 |
Automatic parafoil turn calculation method and apparatus
A method is described that involves performing the following with a parafoil's control unit composed of electronic circuitry while the control unit is being transported with a parafoil: determining a desired exit of a turn; determining a desired time for the turn; determining the parafoil's actual entrance for the turn; determining an arc between the actual entrance and the desired exit; and, incorporating said arc as said parafoil's planned flight trajectory through said turn. |
| US08489255B2 |
Method and device for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure
A method and a device are described for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure. The method comprises the steps of producing signals that represent mechanical stresses occurring in the aircraft structure, and operating actuators, which absorb at least some of the mechanical stresses and are arranged in the aircraft structure, such that the mechanical stresses are compensated. |
| US08489254B2 |
Control system for equipment on a vehicle with a hybrid-electric powertrain
A vehicle equipped for power take off operation using direct application of power from a hybrid electric powertrain. A body computer connects to the controller area network to receive chassis input signals. A controller area network has an electronic control module, a transmission control module, and a hybrid control module. The electronic control module electrically connects to the transmission control module and the hybrid control module. A data link based remote power module is installed on the vehicle for generating body demand signals for initiating operation of the vehicle hybrid electric powertrain for a power take off operation. A plurality of PTO request switches are electrically connected to the controller area network. The body computer is programmable to accept a signal from at least one of the PTO request switches to change an operating state of the power take off operation. |
| US08489248B2 |
Portable backup power system
A portable power system for use with an electrical device. The system includes a portable power storage device, a motor, a controller, an alternator, an inverter, and a first monitor. The portable power storage device provides a DC voltage. The first monitor generates a first indication related to a characteristic of the portable power source. The controller monitors the primary power source delivering primary power to the electrical device, couples the portable power storage device to the inverter for generating an AC output, and selectively drives the motor in response to the first indication. The alternator is responsive to the motor for converting mechanical motion of the motor into an electrical signal for use to recharge the portable power storage device. |
| US08489244B2 |
Method, controller and system for controlling the slug flow of a multiphase fluid
A method of controlling the flow of a multiphase fluid through a pipeline that includes a riser pipe with a choke valve comprises receiving multiple signals dependent on fluid flow properties from a plurality of sensors in the topside area of the riser pipe, analysing the signals to establish a vector of measurement weights, the product of the vector of measurement weights and a corresponding vector of the signal values of a given time being dependent on the severity of a slug flow forming in the system. Further signals dependent on fluid flow properties are received from the plurality of sensors in the topside area of the riser pipe. A set position for the choke valve is then determined from the product of the vector of measurement weights and further values of signals to restrict characteristics of the flow in the topside from moving towards a severely slugging flow regime. |
| US08489243B2 |
Thermostat user interface
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component. |
| US08489236B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit
There is provided a control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit, which can improve robot arm operability upon performing tasks such as cooperative conveyance and direct teaching. The grip portion separated from the end effector attached to the robot arm is provided. When a person grips and shifts the grip portion, a tracking control unit controls so that the robot arm follows the shift. A fixing switch unit switches between a fixing state where, upon switching to “playback mode”, a fixing portion is located at a fixed position to fix the end effector and the grip portion to maintain a gap distance therebetween and a relatively shiftable state where, upon switching to “teaching mode”, the fixing portion is located at an accommodated position to relatively shift them from each other without maintaining the gap distance. |
| US08489229B2 |
Method and device for automated loading of packages on a load carrier
A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached. |
| US08489228B2 |
Path planning in a warehouse
A method of path planning for a working resource to access storage bins in a warehouse, the warehouse comprising a plurality of storage bins, the warehouse being divided into a set of activity areas, each activity area comprising a number of the bins of the warehouse; the method comprising the following steps: Selecting one out of a set of activities of a working resource in the warehouse; selecting a sort sequence which is associated with the selected activity, the sort sequence defining a path through the activity area the working resource has to follow when accessing the bins; determining, based on the selected activity area and the selected sort sequence, the path through the activity area to the bins. |
| US08489227B2 |
Transport method and transport apparatus
Provided is a transport method comprising judging whether there is a possibility that misalignment greater than or equal to a threshold value occurs between substrates to be layered that are held by a pair of substrate holders aligned and stacked by an aligning section, the misalignment occurring when the pair of substrate holders is transported from the aligning section to a pressure applying section; and if the judgment indicates that there is the possibility of misalignment, transporting the pair of substrate holders to a region other than the pressure applying section. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on at least one of an acceleration of the substrate holders, an acceleration of a transporting section that transports the substrate holders, relative positions of the substrate holders, or relative positions of the transporting section and one of the pair of substrate holders. |
| US08489221B2 |
Method and apparatus for reel building and roll runnability in moving web manufacturing
A method and apparatus are set forth for controlling and actuator in a moving web manufacturing process. The method includes: (1) measuring a plurality of actuator profiles and in response generating nominal response models thereof; (2) generating a multivariable profile prediction based on the nominal response models; (3) generating a multivariable control target based at least one of the actuator profile; and (4) adjusting control of the actuator by minimizing error between the multivariable control target and the multivariable profile prediction. |
| US08489214B2 |
Dock without a power source for digital devices
There is provided a dock without a power source for a portable digital device with at least one integrated speaker driver. The dock may include a platform for placement of the portable digital device; a protrusion located at the platform for connection of the portable digital device with the dock with the protrusion including a slot for egress of air from at least one hole in a casing of the portable digital device to the dock; and at least one primary chamber to receive air from the portable digital device with the at least one primary chamber having a vented port for the egress of air. Advantageously, sound from the at least one integrated speaker driver is amplified when the portable digital device is connected to the dock. The connection of the portable digital device with the dock may be securable. A horn may be included in an exterior facing opening of the vented port, as the horn advantageously improves aspects of sound such as, for example, sound directivity, radiation efficiency or both of the aforementioned. |
| US08489210B2 |
Electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads
The invention relates to systems and/or methodologies for electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads. More particularly, an electronic operator interface can determine if control logic or content used by an industrial controller has been updated, changed, or otherwise modified. If the content has been modified, then the electronic operator interface can automatically obtain the content and store a back-up copy in memory. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic operator interface can periodically update a backup copy of the content. Furthermore, the electronic operator interface can determine if the controller has lost its content, and restore the content from the most recent version saved in memory. |
| US08489203B2 |
Biostable neuroelectrode
A device for deriving electrical signals or for electrically simulating neuronal tissue. Neuroelectrodes form an interface between the biological tissue and technical systems. Existing neuroelectrodes for contacting low-lying neuronal layers diminish their properties by the interaction with biological tissue. In order to improve the long-time behavior, neuroelectrodes filled with bioactive substances are used. The neuroelectrode is formed on a flexible or rigid substrate with the aid of a line and of a microcapillary. The inside of the microcapillary serves as a container for the bioactive substance. The biostable neuroelectrode is used for deriving electrical signals or for electrically stimulating neuronal tissue in the fields of neurology and neurophysiology. |
| US08489202B2 |
Adherent metal oxide coating forming a high surface area electrode
An implantable electrode having a strong, adherent surface coating of iridium oxide or titanium nitride on a platinum surface, where the platinum surface has a surface area of at least five times that of a smooth shiny platinum surface of the same geometry. The iridium oxide coating may be formed on platinum by a physical deposition process, such as sputtering. A gradient coating of iridium oxide ranging in composition from pure platinum to pure iridium oxide is produced by sputtering. |
| US08489201B2 |
Shielded diathermy applicator with automatic tuning and low incidental radiation
An applicator supplying RF power for therapeutic diathermic treatment of a patient includes a radiation shielding device for shielding the applicator against misapplication of radiation to objects in the surroundings and unintended areas of the patient's body, and a coupling device for electrically coupling the radiation shielding device to at least one point of the body of a patient in a low impedance manner that reduces the potential drop from the grounded radiation shield to the body tissue. |
| US08489199B2 |
Bio-medical unit with power harvesting module and RF communication
A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module and an RF communication module. The power harvesting module generates a power supply voltage from the electromagnetic signal. The RF communication module interprets a predetermined pattern of the transmitting of the electromagnetic signal to determine null intervals; receives a downstream RF communication signal during at least one of the null intervals; converts the downstream RF communication signal into downstream information; converts upstream information into an upstream RF communication signal; and/or transmits the upstream RF communication signal during one or more of the null intervals. |
| US08489198B2 |
Antenna system with safety mode
An antenna system for an implantable device like a cardiac pacemaker or a cochlear implant. The antenna system includes at least two coil units coupled with their terminals to a control circuit which can selectively connect the coil units in series or in anti-series, corresponding to a “operational mode” and a “safety mode”, respectively. In the operational mode, magnetically induced voltages in the coil units add, while they subtract and therefore completely or partially compensate in the safety mode. Thus the implantable device can be protected from damage due to extraordinarily large changing rates of external magnetic fields as they exist for example during MRI examinations. |
| US08489195B2 |
Arrangement for the fixation of an implantable medical device
A medical implant, such as a cochlear implant, comprising a fixating point which is located remotely from the medical implant. This arrangement can reduce the risk of post operative infection in a patient in which the medical implant is implanted. |
| US08489194B2 |
Enhancing fine time structure transmission for hearing implant system
A system and method of signal processing for a hearing implant. The hearing implant includes at least one electrode, each electrode associated with a channel specific sampling sequence. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate for each electrode a band pass signal representing an associated band of audio frequency. For each electrode, a sequence signal is determined as a function of the electrode's associated band pass signal and channel specific sampling sequence. An envelope of each band pass signal is determined. The envelope of each band pass signal is filtered to reduce modulations resulting from unresolved harmonics, creating for each electrode an associated filtered envelope signal. Each electrode's sequence signal is weighted based, at least in part, on the electrode's associated filtered envelope signal. |
| US08489187B2 |
Defibrillation shock output circuit
This document discusses, among other things, techniques for generating and delivering a high voltage defibrillation shock using an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. An output energy delivery bridge can be programmed to provide desired shock vectors or polarities. A bootstrapped fully solid-state switch control voltage generation circuit is described. Automatic polarity or vector reconfiguration embodiments are described, such as in response to an unsuccessful attempt to convert the heart to a normal rhythm. |
| US08489185B2 |
Timing control for paired plasticity
Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. |
| US08489179B2 |
Fluoroscopy apparatus, fluoroscopy system and fluorescence-image processing method
Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus (1) including an illumination portion (4) provided with a light source (3) that radiates illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence imaging unit (18) that acquires a fluorescence image by imaging fluorescence generated at an subject (X); a return-light imaging unit (17) that acquires a reference image by imaging return light returning from the subject (X); and an image-correcting unit (6) that corrects the fluorescence image imaged by the fluorescence imaging unit (18) by using the reference image imaged by the return-light imaging unit (17), wherein the image-correcting unit (6) performs the following processing: FLrevised=A×FLbeforex/B×RLbeforey, where FLrevised is a luminance value of a corrected fluorescence image, FLbefore and RLbefore are luminance values of acquired fluorescence image and reference image, A and B are constants, and x and y are exponents for staying within a permissible error. |
| US08489176B1 |
Radioactive emission detector equipped with a position tracking system and utilization thereof with medical systems and in medical procedures
A system for calculating a position of a radioactivity emitting source in a system-of-coordinates, the system comprising (a) a radioactive emission detector; (b) a position tracking system being connected to and/or communicating with the radioactive emission detector; and (c) a data processor being designed and configured for receiving data inputs from the position tracking system and from the radioactive emission detector and for calculating the position of the radioactivity emitting source in the system-of-coordinates. |
| US08489175B2 |
Method and device for imaging an organ
The invention relates to a method and device for imaging a cyclically moving organ of a human or animal body, with a device supported such that it can be rotated at an angular velocity around the body recording images of the organ from different angle positions, with the angular velocity being modulated with a reference signal representing the movement phase of the organ. During the rest phase of the organ images of the organ are recorded at nominal angular speed. In the movement phase of the organ the device is slowed down, turned back and accelerated again such that on entry into the next rest phase the device records images for the next angle range at nominal angular velocity without major angle gaps in respect of the previous angle range, to generate the most complete data record possible. |
| US08489171B2 |
Cardiac navigation system including electrode array for use therewith
A cardiac navigation system including a mapping catheter, a control system coupled to the mapping catheter, an electrode array, and means for driving an electrical current across the electrode array. The mapping catheter includes means for sensing an electrical field. The control system includes means for receiving sensed signals from the mapping catheter. The cardiac navigation system includes at least one electrode array including means for providing an electrical field across three axes. The three axes are approximately orthogonal with respect to one another. The means for driving an electrical current across the three axes includes means for providing a plurality of individual current sources to the electrode array. As such, the cardiac navigation system presented provides a more uniform sheet of current across an area of interest, the mapping catheter senses the electrical field across the area of interest, and the control system determines a three-dimensional location of the mapping catheter based on the sensed electrical field. |
| US08489169B2 |
Assembly methods for medical electrical leads
A method for making a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes the steps of: forming an insulative carrier from an insulative material; coupling at least one conductive component to the carrier by inserting a pre-formed tab of the conductive component through the carrier, from a first side thereof to a second side thereof, so that the conductive component is secured to the carrier with the tab extending along a surface of the second side of the carrier and an inward facing surface of an electrode portion of the conductive component being disposed against a surface of the first side of the carrier; coupling an elongate flexible conductor to the tab of the component; and forming an insulative layer over the second side of the carrier, the tab and the conductor electrically coupled to the tab. |
| US08489162B1 |
Slot antenna within existing device component
A user device having a slot antenna formed in metallic material of a structural member is described. |
| US08489158B2 |
Techniques for marking translucent product housings
Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include a housing surface and the markings can be provided on the housing surface such that the marking are visible to users of the products. The products can be electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). |
| US08489154B2 |
Managing projected power outage at mobile radio base sites
Power management methods are provided for projecting the likelihood of forthcoming power outage at one or more mobile radio base sites and for mitigating the effects of such a projected power outage. |
| US08489149B2 |
Video communication terminal and method of displaying images
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication link. |
| US08489140B2 |
System and method for providing product or service with cellular telephone
The present disclosure provides for a mobile communication device identifier, constituted of: a shielding defining a coverage area, the shielding arranged to attenuate radio signals originating externally of the coverage area to be less than a pre-determined signal strength; an antenna associated within the defined coverage area; a transceiver coupled to the antenna, the transceiver operative to communicate with a mobile station inserted within the defined coverage area utilizing a signal strength greater than the pre-determined signal strength; and a service control unit responsive to the transceiver, the service control unit operative responsive to the communication to output a signal indicative of an authorization to provide a product or service. |
| US08489139B2 |
Power sharing method and base station
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power sharing method and a base station, wherein the method comprises: according to a power demand of the communication systems of at least one mode among communication systems of different modes sharing a power amplifier, determining whether to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes; if it is determined to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes, adjusting an available power of communication systems of one or more modes therein. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined to perform the power sharing according to the power demands, power sharing is performed among communication systems of different modes, thereby realizing dynamic and flexible power sharing among communication systems of at least two modes. |
| US08489138B2 |
Method and apparatus for uplink power control during soft handover
The present invention provides a solution for maintaining a reliable power control in a telecommunications network during soft handover between a serving and non serving base station when a dedicated physical control channel power is boosted due to an increased data rate. |
| US08489137B1 |
Interference mitigation
Data is transmitted from a first base station using a first sub-channel at a first power level. An indication that a first wireless device is in a potential interference location is received. The first wireless device is receiving data from a second base station. Data is transmitted from the first base station using the first sub-channel at a second power level when a second wireless device receiving data from the first base station on the first sub-channel is associated with an indicator of lower priority. The second power level is lower than the first power level. |
| US08489134B2 |
System and method for providing presence based trunking in a network environment
A method is provided in one example implementation and the method includes interacting, via a first communication resource manager located in a first domain, with a second communication resource manager located in a second domain. The method further includes determining whether to establish a link for multicasting between users in the first domain and users in the second domain, and the link between the domains is established based on presence data of at least one user in the first domain and at least one user in the second domain. |
| US08489130B2 |
System and method for messaging content delivery
An integrated system for messaging content delivery for use in a wireless network that incorporates a messaging application broker that interfaces with messaging applications; management applications, a plurality of user devices, and external networks. The interfaces use the appropriate protocols to interact with the messaging applications, management applications, user devices and external networks. |
| US08489129B2 |
Transmission of text/multimedia messages over bearer connections
Systems and methods are disclosed for transmitting a text/multimedia message over a bearer interface of a mobile network. A first network element of the mobile network, such as an MSC for a Mobile Terminated (MT) text/multimedia message or a BSS for a Mobile Originated (MO) text/multimedia message, receives a text/multimedia message. The first network element communicates with a second network element of the mobile network using a signaling interface (e.g., an IOS A1 interface) to select a bearer connection on a non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A5 interface), and routes the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected connection on the non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface. The first network element may also select a bearer connection on a voice bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A2 interface) and route the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected bearer connection. |
| US08489126B2 |
Mobile communication system and mobile terminal
A mobile communication system is disclosed. An area information management server sends area information indicating a communicable peripheral area of a location where a mobile terminal exists, and out-of-service information indicating outside of an accessible region, to the mobile terminal. In the mobile terminal, a generating part generates a moving route and moving projection information. A planning part makes a plan for communication execution indicating a communication term in which the mobile terminal communicates with a base station and an interruption term in which the mobile terminal is outside of the accessible region, based on the moving projection information, and the area information and the out-of-service information. A suspension indicating part indicates suspending or restarting the communication of the mobile terminal and a communication partner before and after the interruption term indicated by the plan. A communication part communicates with the base station in accordance with the plan. |
| US08489124B2 |
Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network. In an aspect, a method is provided that includes determining whether a symbol to be transmitted is an active symbol, wherein the symbol comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and encoding identification information on a first portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol is the active symbol. The method also includes encoding idle information on a second portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol in not the active symbol. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic configured to decode a plurality of symbols to determine identification information that identifies a plurality of transmitters, and to determine a plurality of channel estimate associated with the plurality of transmitters. The apparatus also includes position determination logic configured to calculate a device position based on the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of channel estimates. |
| US08489121B2 |
Information distribution method and device
The present invention provides an information distribution method based on geographical location information of a mobile terminal. The method includes obtaining current geographical location information of the mobile terminal; based on an acquiring mode used to obtain the current geographical location information, determining a positioning accuracy of the mobile terminal's current geographical location information; based on the determined positioning accuracy, determining a distribution mode used to distribute information to the mobile terminal, wherein the distribution mode includes a location-based distribution mode and the combination mode of location-based distribution and relation-based distribution; and distributing information to the mobile terminal using the determined distribution mode.This method may be used to accurately distribute to the mobile terminal user the information related to the nearby Points of Interest (POIs) within a predetermined distance range from the current geographical location of the mobile terminal or related to the similar POIs having the same type of the current POI of the mobile terminal user, such as coupons, advertisement information, and/or POI characteristic information. |
| US08489119B1 |
Method and apparatus for mediating among a plurality of profiles associated with users positioned in a shared location
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is presented for mediating among a plurality of datagrams containing data, settings or preferences to produce ambience settings applicable to a location area that is shared by a plurality of users wherein at least one of said users is associated to one datagram among said plurality of datagrams. |
| US08489117B2 |
Real-time location estimation of a mobile station in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method is provided for real-time location estimation of a mobile station (MS) on a map of roads using non-Global Positioning Satellite location data (300) of the MS and includes a step of determining (302) a mobility of the MS. A next step (306) includes identifying a region that covers all location data. A next step (310) includes dividing the region into smaller blocks, where each block constitutes a Hidden Markov Model state. A next step (312) includes determining a distance between blocks, to be used in a varied continuous probability distribution to determining a state transition probability of each block to represent a likelihood of the MS moving to any one block. A next step (314) includes using a univariate continuous distribution as a function of a distance between each block and a raw location data. A next step (316) includes finding a most likely state/block sequence of the MS motion using the HMM state transition probability and the univariate continuous distribution as the location of the MS. |
| US08489112B2 |
Method and system for location-triggered rewards
In some embodiments, techniques for rewarding presence include detecting a presence of a mobile phone within an enclosed space, transmitting information relating to the presence of the mobile phone within the enclosed space to a server computer, wherein the server computer processes an award for the presence of the mobile phone within the enclosed space, wherein the award is associated with a user account associated with the mobile phone; and receiving from the server computer information relating to the award. |
| US08489111B2 |
Real-time location and presence using a push-location client and server
A system for providing real-time always-on location is presented for maintaining the current location of a mobile device, while saving the battery by managing the GPS in a power-saving mode while the device is considered to be stationary. The system also provides a real-time location in an indoor environment where a GPS signal may not be available. Additionally, methods for driving detection are also presented. |
| US08489104B2 |
Combined base transceiver station and base station controller data call
A system, method, and computer readable medium for a data call setup comprises receiving an origination message by a radio call control (RCC) and by a main call control (MCC), receiving an assignment request message by the MCC and by the RCC, and receiving a traffic channel assignment message by a channel element control (CEC) and by the MCC. |
| US08489102B2 |
Methods of locating, paging and routing calls to wireless users in femto system
In a method for locating a mobile station, a first sub-paging zone for paging the mobile station is selected in response to an incoming call intended for the mobile station if a trigger code associated with a first femto cell matches a first trigger code associated with femto cells included in the first sub-paging zone. The first femto cell is a femto cell with which the mobile station has most recently registered. The first sub-paging zone is defined based on a location of ones of a subset of the plurality of femto cells. The mobile station within the first sub-paging zone is paged to locate the mobile station. |
| US08489099B2 |
User equipment and access method thereof
In the field of wireless network communications, in order to solve a problem in the prior art that a user equipment (UE) cannot be handed over in time between a mobile access point (AP) and a fixed access point, a UE and an access method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. A relative speed between a UE and each access point is calculated. The access point is selected to establish a communication connection if the relative speed between the UE and the access point is smaller than a threshold speed. Therefore, a beneficial effect that the UE can be handed over in time between the mobile access point and the fixed access point is achieved. |
| US08489098B2 |
Method and arrangement for real-time difference determination for mobile terminal positioning
In a method of providing real time difference determination for a mobile terminal in a telecommunication system, comprising a plurality of eNodeBs in communication with a core network, each eNodeB having a plurality of associated cells, each cell potentially servicing one or more mobile terminals, determining S1O a first timing advance value representative of a first geographical distance measure between the mobile terminal and a first serving eNodeB prior to a handover to a second serving eNode B, determining S20 a second timing advance value representative of a second geographical distance measure between the mobile terminal and the second eNodeB after the handover. Subsequently, determining S30 a time of arrival measure between the mobile terminal and at least two eNodeBs, and signaling S40 representations of the determined first and second geographical distance measures and the determined time of arrival measures for said mobile terminal to at least said second eNodeB, together with a respective unique identification parameter of the at least two eNodeBs, wherein determination of real time differences is enabled based on at least the signaled representations. |
| US08489097B2 |
Method for transmitting signals from a plurality of base stations to a mobile station
A method of transmitting signals from a plurality of first stations to the same second station, said method comprising the steps of transmitting first signals comprising a first communication and first associated information from one of said plurality of first stations to said second station; transmitting second signals comprising said first communication, a second communication and second associated information, said second associated information differing at least partially from said first associated information, from another of said plurality of first stations to said second station; and receiving at said second station said first and second signals, wherein said second station processes said first and second signals in accordance with the first and second associated information. |
| US08489088B2 |
Reliability of information exchanged among access nodes
Wireless channel interference information is determined (e.g., a background interference matrix BIM constructed from multiple user equipment measurements). Reliability of the interference information is classified and sent with the interference information to a neighbor network access node such as a HeNB. In various embodiments there are three layers of reliability, the above being the first. The second layer utilizes variability of a plurality of such reliability indications received from the same neighbor HeNB, which is updated as new interference information and reliability indications are received from that same neighbor HeNB. The third layer utilizes a peer review/update process on the neighbor HeNBs themselves, where each HeNB's performance is shared among all and updated by one another as different HeNBs utilize one another's BIM and assesses how reliably it reflected actual interference conditions. This addresses concerns for data/source reliability since communication interfaces among HeNB groups may not be controlled by a single network operator. |
| US08489087B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling small base station
An apparatus and a method for controlling a small base station using a macro base station may reduce interference between the small base station and the macro base station. The method includes determining whether a small base station is in a blank state; transmitting a deactivation request message to the macro base station if the small base station is in the blank state; and operating the small base station in an inactive mode if a deactivation response message is received from the macro base station. The inactive mode being a mode of the small base station in which a synchronization channel or a minimal channel is transmitted to enable a terminal in the cell area of the small base station to identify the small base station. |
| US08489085B2 |
Remote vehicle start system with advance dynamic scheduling system
A system and method is described for a vehicle remote starter with an advanced dynamic scheduling system. The system and method utilizes a cellular telephone, interfacing with standard scheduling software, and capable of communicating with the Internet to gather real time data and communicating through a wireless telecommunication network with a vehicle to send vehicle remote start and other commands; an electronic scheduling system utilized within or accessible by the cellular telephone; a cellular telephone based and/or vehicle based GPS location module for determining the location of the vehicle and the cellular telephone at any particular point in time; a set of coded instructions that actively queries the Internet for real time data and that queries the electronic scheduling system to determine the time and location of a scheduled meeting, evaluating various vehicle operational parameters, the distance of the cellular phone from a vehicle, various environmental parameters, the distance from a vehicle to meeting location, the travel time required to timely travel and attend the scheduled meeting, and either prompting the user to actively send a remote start command signal to the vehicle or automatically sending the remote start command signal. |
| US08489080B1 |
Concierge for portable electronic device
A system is provided. The system comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application activates a concierge function in response to a first trigger, and deactivates the concierge function in response to a second trigger. While the concierge function is active, the application analyzes a first digital signal encoding voice content from the portable electronic device to identify a context and, in response to identifying the context, transmits a second digital signal encoding a voice message to be presented by the portable electronic device based on the context keyword. |
| US08489079B2 |
Content identification and retrieval based on device component proximity
The invention provides proximity based content retrieval. A proximity element is provided for each of a plurality of components associated with a primary device. Identification information of each proximity element for an associated particular proximity space is communicated to a mobile wireless device. Upon the mobile wireless device being located within the associated particular proximity space of a particular proximity element, the mobile device receives associated identification information of the particular proximity element. The mobile device retrieves video content based on the associated identification information. |
| US08489077B2 |
System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively. |
| US08489063B2 |
Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for communicating emergency messages is provided comprising a mobile device comprising an emergency message application and a personal emergency message transceiver, an emergency message control center, wherein the emergency message application is enabled to receive a plurality of emergency messages generated by the emergency message control center. |
| US08489059B1 |
Wearable access point
An apparatus including a wireless local area network transceiver, a wireless wide area network transceiver, and a portable power source. The wireless local area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a client station using a wireless local area network protocol. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station. The portable power source has a state of charge and is configured to provide power to the wireless local area network transceiver and the wireless wide area network transceiver. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to suspend wireless communication with the base station in response to no packets of data having been received at the wireless wide area network transceiver from the base station for more than a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is adjusted based on the state of charge of the portable power source. |
| US08489056B2 |
Frequency agile filter using a digital filter and bandstop filtering
The present invention is a hybrid RF-digital signal processor-based filter for multiband radio architectures, systems capable of spectrum re-farming and software defined radios It performs low-loss frequency agile multiple notch filtering at RF where a large dynamic range exists at a filter input between signals in a stopband and passband It is a frequency dependent signal attenuation apparatus having two paths connected together by directional couplers The first path comprising a component such as a delay component or duplexer The second path comprising, in series, a down converter, a digital filter, an up converter, and a bandstop filter At the output of a power amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate spurs, or noise within bands with strict emission constraints At the input of a low noise amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate blockers and transmitter noise outside of the receiver passband. |
| US08489046B2 |
Signal decomposition methods and apparatus for multi-mode transmitters
A multi-mode communications transmitter includes a signal decomposer that converts rectangular-coordinate in-channel and quadrature channel signals into polar-coordinate amplitude and angle component signals and form therefrom first and second modulation signals. The signal decomposition process performed by the signal decomposer combines envelope-reduction and restoration (ERR) with filtering to reduce the bandwidths of the first and second modulation signals compared to the bandwidths of the unmodified amplitude and angle component signals. The reduction in signal bandwidths eases the design requirements of the electrical components needed to process and generate the signals applied to the power supply and radio frequency (RF) input ports of the multi-mode communications transmitter's power amplifier (PA). It also makes the multi-mode communications transmitter more forgiving to gain and delay mismatches between the signals applied to the power supply and RF input ports of the PA, compared to conventional polar modulation transmitters. |
| US08489045B2 |
Method and system for adjusting transmission power
A system and method for measuring transmission power distortion in a wireless communication device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises reading an operating temperature of the wireless communication device and enabling a loopback path between a transmission circuit and a receiver circuit of the wireless communication device. Using the loopback path, the wireless communication device can calibrate the transmission power output by storing data for compensating the distortion of the transmission power. The data can be stored in a calibration look up table for use by the wireless communication device. |
| US08489042B1 |
Polar feedback linearization
A system and method for providing a polarization feedback linearization to correct a non-linear amplitude error of an amplitude and phase detector or polar detector is disclosed. The method involves correcting a non-linear phase error of an amplitude detector via a look up table (LUT) that is driven by a radio frequency (RF) signal. The LUT provides values that are usable to correct an RF output that is a function of the RF output signal and is not a function of a device that incorporates the open loop modulation system of the present disclosure. Specifically, a detection of the corrected RF output amplitude is usable to drive a phase correction so that the RF output with corrected phase is a function of the RF output alone and not a function of a system or circuit that generates the RF output signal. |
| US08489040B2 |
Double clipped RF clock generation with spurious tone cancellation
A clock generator circuit generates a wanted RF clock signal by using an up-converter, a spurious tone cancellation circuit, a controller, and at least two clock driver/dividers. The spurious tone cancellation circuit includes a tone detection circuit and a tone generation circuit. The up-converter mixes modulation signals with local quadrature RF clock signals to create an up-converted signal having a frequency tone equal to a desired frequency of the wanted RF clock signal. The first clock driver/divider amplifies and clips the up-converted signal into a first-clipped clock signal. The tone detection circuit detects the amplitude and phase of unwanted tones of the first-clipped clock signal in the baseband domain and provides information to the controller, which controls the tone generation circuit to cancel the unwanted tones and create a compensated version of first-clipped clock signal. The second clock driver/divider further amplifies and clips the compensated version of first-clipped clock signal to generate the wanted RF clock signal. |
| US08489037B2 |
Power amplifying apparatus with bandwidth limitation processing on variable power supply
A power amplifying apparatus has a bandwidth limitation process circuit to which an envelope signal included in a transmission signal is inputted, and which performs a bandwidth limitation process on the envelope signal, a variable power supply circuit for generating a power amplifier supply voltage based on a voltage control signal generated by the bandwidth limitation process circuit, and a power amplifier which is fed an input signal, and which is driven in accordance with the supply voltage from the variable power supply circuit. |
| US08489036B2 |
Mobile phone for controlling diversity
A mobile phone to transmit and receive a radio frequency signal through a first antenna and a second antenna in a radio communication system includes a first radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the first antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to a controller, a second radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the second antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to the controller, and a radio frequency signal transmitting unit to convert a baseband signal transmitted from the controller into a radio frequency signal, to distribute the radio frequency signal, and to selectively output the distributed radio frequency signal to the first antenna and the second antenna. |
| US08489029B2 |
Reference signal interference management in heterogeneous network deployments
Methods and apparatus for enabling interference coordination in a communication network. A base station includes a plurality of antenna ports. Each antenna port is configured to transmit a reference signal, and each antenna port is associated with a respective cell. The base station determines a set of cells where transmissions of reference signals is to be performed from a reduced set of the plurality of antenna ports. The base station determines a subset of antenna ports in at least one cell of the determined set of cells to enable interference coordination in the network, and transmits the reference signal from the subset of antenna ports. |
| US08489024B1 |
Determining chain configuration for a wireless protocol in a wireless device supporting multiple wireless protocols
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth. |
| US08489023B1 |
Adaptive antenna configuration for multiple wireless protocols in a wireless device
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth. |
| US08489020B2 |
NFC communicators implementing coil voltage reduction circuitry
An NFC communicator has an antenna circuit to enable inductive coupling, via an RF H field, of the NFC communicator and another near field RF communicator in near field range. The antenna circuit has an antenna element coupled in parallel with a first capacitor to form a parallel LC circuit. The antenna element has an antenna coil in series with a second capacitor to reduce the voltage to which circuitry of the NFC communicator is subjected by a received RF H field. Alternatively or additionally, receive circuitry of the NFC communicator may be coupled to only a proportion of the antenna coil to reduce the voltage to which circuitry of the NFC communicator is subjected by a received RF H field. |
| US08489018B2 |
Transmit frequency precorrection for satellite terminals
A method for determining a frequency correction and a symbol rate correction for transmissions from a user terminal in a satellite communications system comprises determining a frequency of a signal received at the user terminal, and determining a symbol rate of the signal received at the user terminal. The method also comprises computing an error associated with an oscillator at an outdoor unit of the user terminal, and computing an error associated with an oscillator at an indoor unit of the user terminal. The method also comprises computing a transmit frequency correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the outdoor unit and the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit, and computing a transmit symbol rate correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit. |
| US08489017B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, relay device, and wireless terminal device
There is provided a wireless communication system which causes a wireless terminal to select a relay device among plural relay devices connected together via a communication line when the wireless terminal attempts to communicate with another wireless terminal. The relay device has an information acquiring unit, a calling determining unit, and an information adding unit. The wireless terminal has an information analyzing unit which analyzes whether or not the own device is included in a communication counterparty of calling information when the calling information is included in communication information, a priority comparing unit which determines whether or not a priority level of the calling information is higher than that of a current communication when the own device is included, and a channel changing unit which changes a channel to that of another relay device of the calling information when the priority level of the calling information is higher. |
| US08489014B2 |
Data processing terminal system and transmitting and receiving method using the same
An information processing terminal system includes an information processing terminal (6); and a transmitting and receiving unit (5) which is attached to the information processing terminal. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts a reception wave signal from a network into a reception analog baseband signal. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the reception analog baseband signal into a reception digital baseband signal in synchronization with a clock. The information processing terminal (6) converts the reception digital baseband signal into a reception data in synchronization with a clock, and a transmission data into a transmission digital baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the transmission digital baseband signal into a transmission analog baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the transmission analog baseband signal into a transmission modulation wave signal to output to the network. |
| US08489008B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an endless fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, a heater, a heater support, and a belt tensioner. The endless fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof. The contact member extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The heater support is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to hold the heater in position. The belt tensioner is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to tighten the fuser belt. |
| US08489007B2 |
Fixing device
In a fixing device, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion. First and second portions of the nip plate which are located in positions upstream and downstream, respectively, with respect to a recording sheet conveyance direction and to be supported by a stay are each configured to be a flat plate extending along the recording sheet conveyance direction. A central portion between the first and second portions of the nip plate is in a position shifted from those of the first and second portions in a direction perpendicular to flat surfaces of the first and second portions. |
| US08488999B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus having a developer conveying section with a spiral blade
A developing device that is capable of securing an amount of developer that can be stored in a developer tank while suppressing the bending of a developer conveying section, as well as an image forming apparatus are provided. In a developer tank of a developing device, there is provided a first developer conveying section that includes a first rotation shaft member having a columnar shape in which grooves extending in an axial line direction are formed, and a first spiral blade that is spirally wound around the first rotation shaft member and conveys the developer by rotation around the axial line of the first rotation shaft member. |
| US08488993B2 |
Image forming device having process unit that can be pulled out thereof
The process unit includes a casing, a developer unit, and a switching unit. The developer unit is movable between an image-forming position and a detached position. The developer unit includes a drive force input unit and a drive force transmitting unit. A drive force is inputted into the drive force input unit from outside of the developer unit. The drive force transmitting unit transmits the drive force. The switching member is for switching the drive force transmitting unit between a transmitting state and an interrupting state. The switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the transmitting state when the developer unit is at the image-forming position, and the switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the interrupting state when the developer unit is at the detached position. |
| US08488986B2 |
Controlling speed to reduce image quality artifacts
A method for reducing artifacts on a toned sheet caused by buckling during fusing includes providing two compliant rollers that form a fusing nip for fusing the toned sheet. A control drives at least one of the rollers at a nominal speed to cause the rollers to rotate and there after increasing the roller speed to high speed prior to the sheet arriving at the fusing nip and after the sheet is in the nip decreasing the drive speed back to the nominal speed. |
| US08488984B2 |
Toner concentration controller and image forming apparatus including the toner concentration controller
An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device; a toner supply device; and a toner supply detecting sensor; and a toner concentration controller that directs toner supply. The toner concentration controller includes: a memory that stores the difference between the outputs from toner supply detecting sensor before and after toner supply; a toner supply quantity determinater that determines that the amount of toner remaining in the toner supply device is low and the amount of toner supply is low when the output difference or output ratio of the sensor is lower than a supply reference value; and an image quality adjustment controller that shortens the interval of time between adjustment of electrical potential on toner concentration correction in the above case. |
| US08488983B2 |
Method and device for processing a measured signal for recording a property of a toner mark
In a method or system for processing a measurement signal to detect a property of a toner mark, the toner mark is generated with aid of an image generation device. The toner mark is detected with aid of a measurement unit in that sample values determined by the measurement unit at sample points in time are output as the measurement signal for detecting the property of the toner mark. A function is determined to describe at least one part of a signal curve of the measurement signal on a basis of at least one part of the output sample values. At least one extreme value of the function is determined. |
| US08488980B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of forming high quality toner image on uneven surface sheet
An image forming apparatus for forming a visual image on a recording medium includes a toner replacing device that replaces toner stored in a developing device with fresh toner, and a determiner that determines if a recording medium selected by a user necessitates replacement of the toner. The toner replacing device replaces the toner with fresh toner when the determiner determines that the recording medium necessitates replacement of the toner before the latent image is formed on a photoconductive member. |
| US08488978B2 |
Optical signal processor
A probe light source produces probe light having a second wavelength different from a first wavelength of signal light. To a light modulator, the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source are supplied. The light modulator multiplexes the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source, and supplies it to a nonlinear optical medium. Further, the light modulator modulates the probe light by an intensity change of the signal light in the nonlinear optical medium, and outputs modulated light having the second wavelength based on the data of the signal light. |
| US08488975B2 |
Optical transmitter, optical transmitter and receiver system, optical transmitting method and optical transmitting and receiving method
An optical transmitter includes: a pre-compensator calculating an electrical field of an optical signal subjected to an electronic pre-compensation with respect to an input digital signal; a parallelizer parallelizing the electrical field of the optical signal calculated by the pre-compensator; a plurality of optical modulators modulating an optical signal based on each of parallelized electrical fields of optical signals; and a time-division multiplexer time-division-multiplexing an optical signal output from the plurality of the optical modulators. |
| US08488973B2 |
Signal processing within an optical microphone
Method for performing signal processing for an optical microphone. First and second signals corresponding to at least two beams may be generated or received. The first and second signals may be complementary, and may be based on signals provided by one or more photo detectors that receive the at least two beams after the beams return from a sensing structure. The first signal and the second signal may be subtracted to produce a third signal. A position of the sensing structure may be adjusted to cause the third signal to reach a first value, where the adjusting may be performed based on the third signal, and an audio output signal may be provided based on the third signal. |
| US08488970B2 |
Microwave transmission apparatus, signal processing method and device in microwave transmission apparatus
In the field of signal processing technologies, a microwave transmission apparatus, a signal processing method and device in a microwave transmission apparatus are provided, which are capable of improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the service signal and the reliability of the communication signal, and increasing the distance between an indoor unit (IDU) and an outdoor unit (ODU). In the technical solutions, a signal processing method in a microwave transmission apparatus includes: directly multiplexing at least a service signal and a non-service signal, and converting the multiplexed electric signal into a multiplexed optical signal; and sending the multiplexed optical signal to an ODU. |
| US08488968B2 |
Programmable optical interconnect for multi-node computer systems
A device for connecting a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical transmitters to a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical receivers mounted on a selected side of an assemblage includes a planar frame configured to be coupled to the selected side of the assemblage. A plurality of first redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive a first optical signal from a different assemblage-mounted optical transmitter. Each first redirecting structure transmits a second optical signal, corresponding to the first optical signal, along a preselected path. A plurality of second redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive the second optical signal from a different one of the first redirecting structures. Each of the second redirecting structures transmits a third optical signal, corresponding to the second optical signal, to a different one of the assemblage-mounted optical receivers. |
| US08488966B2 |
Data transmission method of optical access network, and system and device thereof
An optical access network (OAN) system is provided. In the system, a remote radio unit (RRU) receives and sends a wireless signal and implement conversion between the wireless signal and a first frequency signal; an optical network device receives and sends the wireless signal, and implement conversion between the wireless signal and the first frequency signal and conversion between the first frequency signal and a fiber transmission signal; an optical distribution network (ODN) connected to the optical network device transmits the fiber transmission signal; an optical line terminal (OLT) device receives and sends the fiber transmission signal, and implements conversion between the fiber transmission signal and a second frequency signal, conversion between the second frequency signal and a base band signal, and conversion between the base band signal and a signal of another standard protocol. |
| US08488962B2 |
Bit error generation system for optical networks
A system may include an optical bit error generator comprising a high instantaneous power light source. An optical coupler may couple an output of the optical bit error generator to a traffic fiber. A device under test receives a traffic signal via the traffic fiber. A performance monitor is coupled to the device under test to determine responsiveness of the device under test to a bit error condition simulated by the optical bit error generator, wherein the high instantaneous power light source in the optical bit error generator is configured based on a protocol of a traffic signal in the traffic fiber and the bit error condition. |
| US08488959B2 |
Method and system for monitoring optical channels
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for optical signal dispersion and parameter monitoring comprises a tunable filter configured to filter a portion of one channel of an optical signal. The system comprises a polarization beam splitter configured to split the portion into first and second polarization beams and further comprises first and second photodetectors configured to respectively convert the first and second polarization beams into first and second electrical signals. Also, the system comprises a control unit configured to determine optical dispersion in the portion based on the first and second electrical signals when the portion includes a test signal. The control unit is configured to determine optical signal parameters of the portion such as channel power, channel wavelength, optical spectrum analysis (OSA) and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) based on the first and second electrical signals when the portion does not include the test signal. |
| US08488958B2 |
Scene adaptive auto exposure
Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for an improved automatic exposure algorithm attempt to classify an image into a particular “scene category,” and, based on the determined scene category, meter the scene according to a generated metering weighting matrix. In one embodiment, the average luminance is calculated for a central exposure metering region of the image and a plurality of peripheral exposure metering regions surrounding the central exposure metering region. Based on comparisons of the average luminance values of the peripheral exposure regions to the average luminance of the central exposure region, a target metering weighting matrix may be generated. In another embodiment, the scene category corresponds to a predetermined metering weighting matrix. In video applications, it may be desirable to reduce oscillations in metering parameter values to limit any visually jarring effects on the camera's preview screen by only adjusting metering parameter values when predetermined criteria are met. |
| US08488954B2 |
System and method for obtaining photographic and/or videographic images
A photographic system and integrated methods thereof that makes use of four frames and light heads on robotic brackets, which can be positioned automatically using a mechanical gantry device. The lights can be positioned, rotated and adjusted automatically in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface. |
| US08488950B2 |
Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method, data structure, recording medium, recording apparatus and recording method, and program
The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method, a data structure, a recording medium, a recording apparatus and a recording method, and a program that enable, in a case where offset information of a sub-image is arranged in a stream of a main image, easy realization of 3D display of the sub-image based on the offset information.A right-eye video stream includes offset metadata for generating offset information. In a data portion of each TS packet of the right-eye video stream, only any one of video data of an encoded right-eye main image and offset metadata is arranged. In a header of each TS packet of the right-eye video stream, transport priority, which indicates whether data arranged in the data portion of the TS packet is video data of an encoded right-eye main image or offset metadata, is described. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a reproducing apparatus that displays a sub-image in a 3D manner. |
| US08488940B2 |
Video information recording method and video information reproducing apparatus
The amount of data stored in a video buffer (3) that temporarily stores multi-angle streams (A, B) is controlled from information giving the distance between the angle blocks (A—1, B—1, A—2, B—2, . . . ) of the multi-angle streams and an audio stream (C) on a recording medium (10). In multi-angle playback, in which multiple files are read simultaneously, this can shorten the time from when the user switches the angle until the image reproduced by a video display apparatus changes to the intended angle. |
| US08488938B2 |
Braided fiber optic cross-connect switches
This invention discloses a highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch comprised of large numbers of densely packed fiber strands suspended within a common volume. In particular, apparatus and methods enabling programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100's-1000's) having structured and coherent braid representations are provided. |
| US08488936B2 |
Fiber retainer for cable trough member
Systems and methods for the management and routing of telecommunication cables include cable trough members. Generally, the trough members include a plurality of retainer members coupled to sidewalls of the trough members. The retainer members assist in maintaining cables within an interior of the trough members. |
| US08488932B2 |
Optical fiber with increased mechanical strength
An optical fiber having increased mechanical strength is provided. The optical fiber includes an over cladding layer that has a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa. |
| US08488931B2 |
Single mode optical fiber with depressed trench
An optical fiber having a core and an outer cladding, the core including from its center outward a central core having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, and a depressed inner cladding. The depressed inner cladding includes at least a first portion having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, the first portion preferably being adjacent to the central core, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion constituting a depressed trench having a radius, and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding. The first portion of the inner cladding has a refractive index below the refractive index of the outer cladding, and the depressed trench has a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the first portion of the depressed inner cladding. The outer radius of the depressed inner cladding of the optical fiber is between 28 μm and 40 μm, the LP01 mode leakage losses at a wavelength of 1550 nm are less than 0.01 dB/km and the cable cut-off wavelength is less than 1530 nm. |
| US08488928B2 |
Opto-electro hybrid harness and method of manufacturing the same
The An opto-electro hybrid harness includes, at locations away from first and second connectors, a first relay segment having an EO conversion device, and a second relay segment having an OE conversion device. First and second electric cables lie between the first connector and the first relay segment and between the second connector and the second relay segment. An opto-electric hybrid cable segment lies between the first and second relay segments. An optical fiber is connected at one end to the E0 conversion device and at the other end to the OE conversion device. A first electronic wire of the first electric cable is connected at one end to the first connector and at the other end to the E0 conversion device. A second electronic wire of the second electric cable is connected at one end to the OE conversion device and at the other end to the second connector. |
| US08488927B2 |
Optical component having a waveguide array heterostructure
The invention relates to an optical component including an array of coupled waveguides, wherein said waveguide array includes: a first area made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a first coupling coefficient; a second area adjacent to the first area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a second coupling coefficient lower than the first coupling coefficient; a third area adjacent to the second area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a third coupling coefficient higher than the second coupling coefficient; a fourth area adjacent to the third area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fourth coupling coefficient lower than the third coupling coefficient; and a fifth area adjacent to the fourth area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fifth coupling coefficient higher than the fourth coupling coefficient. |
| US08488925B2 |
Adiabatic coupler for coiled optical fiber devices
An optical fiber coupler is formed of a section of optical fiber that is positioned between a conventional input fiber (for example, a single mode fiber) or waveguide and a coiled optical fiber device. The adiabatic coupler is coiled (or, at least, curved) to assist in transforming a conventional fundamental mode optical signal propagating along the longitudinal axis of the input fiber to an optical signal that is shifted into a peripheral region of the coiled optical fiber. Moreover, the pitch of an inventive coiled optical fiber coupler can be controlled to assist in the adiabatic transformation process. |
| US08488924B2 |
Optical waveguide and bi-directional optical transceiver
An optical waveguide and a bi-directional transceiver are provided. A single mode optical fiber has one end coupled to one end of a hollow optical fiber and an opposite end having a slope plane, thereby separating optical signals travelling in opposite directions from each other. Manual alignment for an optical system is easily realized without the need for additional optical elements, so that the light transmission/reception performance of the optical waveguide is improved and the structure of the optical waveguide is smaller. |
| US08488917B2 |
Electro-optic modulator
A doping profile for a modulator facilitates rapidly changing the carrier density in a waveguide. The carrier density change causes rapid changes in the index of refraction of the waveguide. Example modulators include a ring modulator and a Mach Zender modulator. A charge reciprocating section may be provided to control the amount of injected charge. |
| US08488913B2 |
Method and system for example-based face hallucination
A method for example-based face hallucination uses manifold learning to project a plurality of training images in a training database and an input low resolution (LR) face image into a same manifold domain, then iteratively refines the reconstruction basis by selecting a training set having k projected training images which best match the parts of the projected LR face image, where k≦N and N is the number of projected training images. Through the best-match training set, a set of prototype faces are learned, and the set of prototype faces are used as the reconstruction basis to reconstruct a high resolution face image for the input LR face image. |
| US08488908B2 |
System and method for capturing adjacent images by utilizing a panorama mode
A system and method for capturing adjacent images includes an imaging device with a panorama manager that performs various procedures to manipulate one or more image parameters that correspond to adjacent frames of captured image data. An image-stitching software program may then produce a cohesive combined panorama image from the adjacent frames of image data by utilizing the manipulated image parameters. |
| US08488907B1 |
Hybrid images for maps combining low frequency map data and high frequency satellite image data
Hybrid images merge the benefits of map views and satellite images. A geographic information system includes a geographic information server and at least one database containing a plurality of map views and satellite images. A decomposition module of the geographic information server decomposes the map views and the satellite images into at least high frequency components and low frequency components. A map view and satellite image hybridization module blends the high frequency components from the map view and the high frequency components from the satellite image. Then, the hybridization module combines the low frequency components of the map view with the blended high frequency components from both the map view and the satellite image to form a hybrid image. The hybrid image can subsequently be stored in a database of the geographic information system and/or served to a client device via a network. |
| US08488906B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for pixel transformations
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and machine readable media for pixel transformations. One exemplary method includes: determining a state of a pixel format transformation, wherein a pixel format includes a predetermined number of pixel data components and a predetermined number of bits for each of the pixel data components and wherein the state includes a source pixel format and a destination pixel format and at least one intermediate pixel format; converting pixel data in the source pixel format to pixel data in the intermediate pixel format; and converting the pixel data in the intermediate pixel format to pixel data in the destination pixel format. In certain embodiments, a method includes building and compiling a function, at run-time, for the pixel format transformation based upon the state. |
| US08488897B2 |
Method and device for image filtering
The invention discloses a method and device for image filtering in the field of communication technologies, the method including: acquiring image data of a pixel dot of a current row to be filtered and a corresponding pixel dot of at least one adjacent row; obtaining contrast information containing a transparency value, of the pixel dot of the current row and the pixel dot of the adjacent row respectively by resolving the image data of the pixel dot of the current row and the pixel dot of the adjacent row; generating a filter coefficient according to the transparency value of the pixel dot of the current row and the transparency value of the corresponding pixel dot of the adjacent row; and performing filtering on the pixel dot of the current row with the filter coefficient. The embodiments of the invention effectively avoid image flickering due to a difference between contrasts by adopting the method of at-least-two-row vertical filtering, and by generating the filter coefficients according to the transparencies in filtering. |
| US08488893B2 |
Image compression apparatus and image compression method
An image compression apparatus performs image compression on high-resolution image data of various resolutions while reducing the circuit size. A generation unit generates complementary information based on an arrangement pattern of pixel values in each of the divided blocks each including 2 by 2 pixels. Further, image data of 1/(2^M) times the resolution is compressed using a first compression method, and image data of 1/(2^N) times the resolution is compressed using a second compression method. The apparatus determines whether to cause a combination of the complementary information and first compressed data to be output, or a combination of the complementary information and second compressed data to be output, based on the data size of each. |
| US08488889B2 |
Image encoder and image decoder, image encoding method and image decoding method, image encoding program and image decoding program, and computer readable recording medium recorded with image encoding program and computer readable recording medium recorded with image decoding program
An image encoder including: a predicted-image generating unit that generates a predicted image in accordance with a plurality of prediction modes indicating predicted-image generating methods; a prediction-mode judging unit that evaluates prediction efficiency of a predicted image outputted from the predicted-image generating unit to judge a predetermined prediction mode; and an encoding unit that subjects an output of the prediction-mode judging unit to variable-length encoding. The prediction-mode judging unit judges, on the basis of a predetermined control signal, which one of a common prediction mode and a separate prediction mode is used for respective color components forming the input image signal, and multiplexes information on the control signal on a bit stream, multiplexes, when the common prediction mode is used, common prediction mode information on the bit stream, and multiplexes, when the common prediction mode is not used, prediction mode information for each of the color components on the bit stream. |
| US08488883B2 |
Robust and efficient image identification
Apparatus for matching a query image against a catalog of images, comprises: a feature extraction unit operative for extracting principle features from said query image; a relationship unit operative for establishing relationships between a given principle feature and other features in the image, and adding said relationships as relationship information alongside said principle features; and a first comparison unit operative for comparing principle features and associated relationship information of said query image with principle features and associated relationship information of images of said catalog to find candidate matches. |
| US08488882B1 |
Non-linear transformation of images in web browsers
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an image file including image data corresponding to a digital image, the digital image being provided in a first space, and projecting the digital image using a non-linear invertible map projection to generate a projected image, the projected image being provided in a second space, projecting the digital image is achieved by: dividing the digital image into segments, scaling each segment to provide modified segments, and generating the projected image using the modified segments. |
| US08488880B2 |
Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. |
| US08488878B2 |
Sky detection system used in image extraction device and method using sky detection system
Disclosed is a sky detection system that detects sky in an image collection device. The system includes an image collection unit that collects information of a color image; a color-feature extraction unit that extracts a color feature of each pixel from the collected image; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between each pixel of the collected image and a lens; a first classification unit that classifies each pixel of the collected image as either a sky pixel or a non-sky pixel based on the color feature; and a second classification unit that further classifies each pixel of the collected image as either the sky pixel or the non-sky pixel based on the distance and a result of the first classification unit. |
| US08488877B1 |
System for object recognition in colorized point clouds
Described is a system for object recognition in colorized point clouds. The system includes an implicit geometry engine that is configured to receive three-dimensional (3D) colorized cloud point data regarding a 3D object of interest and to convert the cloud point data into implicit representations. The engine also generates geometric features. A geometric grammar block is included to generate object cues and recognize geometric objects using geometric tokens and grammars based on object taxonomy. A visual attention cueing block is included to generate object cues based on 3D geometric properties. Finally, an object recognition block is included to perform a local search for objects using cues from the cueing block and the geometric grammar block and to classify the 3D object of interest as a particular object upon a classifier reaching a predetermined threshold. |