| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08667610B2 |
Portable computer and charging method thereof
A portable computer and a charging method thereof are provided. The portable computer includes a charge integrated circuit (IC), a basic input/output system (BIOS) and embedded controller (EC), a south bridge chip, a north bridge chip and a central processing unit (CPU). After the portable computer is connected to a battery, the BIOS and EC controls the south bridge chip to read a sealed security bit of the battery and checks whether the sealed security bit equals a default value. The BIOS and EC controls the south bridge chip to read a battery data of the battery if the sealed security bit equals default value. The BIOS and EC controls the charge IC via the south bridge chip to charge the battery according to the battery data. The CPU controls the south bridge chip and the north bridge chip. |
| US08667602B2 |
System for managing risk in employee travel
A system for managing risk in employee travel may control access by users to the travel risk management system. The travel risk management system may receive and store company information for a client company subscribing to the travel risk management system, and allow activation code packages to be defined for allowing a specified number of activation codes to be generated for the subscribing client company. Once the activation code packages are defined, the specified number of activation codes may be generated and assigned to employee's of the subscribing client company. The system may provide for defining super admin users authorized to input client company information and define activation code packages, and client admin users authorized to select activation code packages, and generate and assign the activation codes to users. |
| US08667597B2 |
Systems, methods, and products for secure code execution
Methods, program product, and systems for providing tamper-resistant executable software code are provided to enable software code transport, storage, and execution security by formatting all instructions to use operand indirect addressing, resulting in an indirect table for each operand position, or field, in the instruction set. That is, rather than each instruction including an operand, each instruction includes an index to the location of the value of the operand in an indirect table. The methods, program product, and systems can also implement a non-typical instruction fetch associated with a program counter and a sequentially stored vector table, or jump table, to retrieve the next sequential instruction (“NSI”). Following rearranging or scrambling or encoding of the executable code, the code can be loaded and executed directly in scrambled form using the jump table, but cannot be meaningfully disassembled, nor executed properly, without the jump table to resolve the NSI. |
| US08667596B2 |
Systems and methods for network curation
Systems and methods for network curation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises scanning, by a mobile device, an area to identify a network device for accessing a network, receiving, by the mobile device, a network identifier associated with the network device, providing a curation indicator request to a curation server, the curation indicator request comprising the network identifier, receiving a curation indicator from the curation server, the curation indicator being retrieved, based on the network identifier, from a database of a plurality of curation indicators, the curation indicator associated with a likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, comparing the curation indicator to an access setting, the access setting indicating acceptability of network access based on the likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, and accessing the network via the network device based on the comparison. |
| US08667595B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for containing and localizing malware propagation
A method, apparatus and system contain and localize malware propagation. In one embodiment, a security scheme may identify worm traffic that attempts to probe an unused network location. The security scheme may then in conjunction with a routing component, reroute the worm traffic to a contained and localized location. In one embodiment, the contained and localized location is a virtual machine (VM) within a virtualized platform. In other embodiments, the contained and localized location is a computer system on a network. |
| US08667592B2 |
Systems and methods for looking up anti-malware metadata
A computer-implemented method for looking up anti-malware metadata may include identifying a plurality of executable objects to be scanned for malware before execution. The computer-implemented method may also include, for each executable object within the plurality of executable objects, assessing an imminence of execution of the executable object. The computer-implemented method may further include prioritizing, based on the assessments, a retrieval order for anti-malware metadata corresponding to the plurality of executable objects. The computer-implemented method may additionally include retrieving anti-malware metadata corresponding to an executable object within the plurality of executable objects based on the retrieval order. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08667591B1 |
Commonality factoring remediation
The disclosure relates to a method and system for processing objects stored as blocks on a storage system. The blocks are in deduplicated form. The blocks are scanned for a pattern, and if a pattern is found in a block, objects associated with the block are identified. The pattern may be a malware signature. The block is remediated, and the associated objects may be remediated as well, in the storage system and on host systems where copies of the objects reside. Partial matching may be used to identify the pattern. If a first block contains a partial match to the pattern, logically adjacent blocks are scanned to determine whether the partial match of the first block is completed in logically adjacent blocks. Logically adjacent blocks can be associated with different objects. |
| US08667581B2 |
Resource indicator trap doors for detecting and stopping malware propagation
A method and system for detecting and stopping malware propagation using false resource entries is provided. A detection system uses trap door entries that are intentionally inserted into resource location stores to detect resource misuse. A “trap door” is a false resource that can be monitored by the detection system. The detection system monitors trapdoor entries that have been intentionally inserted into resource location stores, and looks for signs of use. The detection system can then determine whether a detected use of a trap door entry is a misuse of the trap door entry, and upon declaring a misuse of the trap door entry, the detection system can appropriately respond to the misuse. |
| US08667577B2 |
Remote registration of biometric data into a computer
Systems and arrangements for permitting the transmission of fingerprint authentication data to a system remotely, while also permitting the system to employ such data as well as passwords in order to operate a computer system, while ensuring a reliable level of security for any group or organization using such systems and arrangements. |
| US08667574B2 |
Assigning a network address for a virtual device to virtually extend the functionality of a network device
Virtually extending the functionality of a network device to a server is provided. A virtual device which virtually represents functionality of the network device is created. An association is stored between the network device and a user or a group for the network device. A determination is made as to whether the network device and the user or the group for the network device correspond to a local network or to a disparate network, based on the stored association. A network address for the virtual device is assigned based on the determination. Functionality of the network device is accessed via the virtual device, using the assigned network address for the virtual device. |
| US08667565B2 |
Security restructuring for web media
User input to a web service including content from one or more media providers is subjected to a security analysis based on extracting whitelisted attributes and/or properties, the extracted attributes/properties validated, a template selected based on a source of the content, and a secure embedded code generated based on the whitelisted attributes/properties if the source is also a whitelisted source. The generated secure embedded code may then be provided as content by the web service. |
| US08667563B1 |
Systems and methods for displaying personalized content
When a user successfully authenticates into a website associated with an institution system, a cookie may be created and set on the web browser, and cookie information and additional information such as the associated internet protocol (IP) address or network interface card (NIC) identifier may be stored at the institution system. Later, when the user accesses the website again, the website may use the cookie, the cookie information, and additional information such as the stored IP address or NIC identifier to identify the user. After the user is identified, one or more pages of content may be personalized to the user, and provided to the user via the user's computing device. |
| US08667561B2 |
Method, apparatus and server for user verification
The present disclosure discloses a method, apparatus, and server for user verification to store a plurality of pictures in a database and define a plurality of rotational directions. The method includes: when receiving from a client a request for a checkcode, rotating a picture retrieved from a database according to a defined rotational direction; after storing a correlation between an identification of the client and the rotational direction of the retrieved picture, outputting the rotated picture to the client; receiving a rotational direction of the picture from the client; finding the stored correlation between the identification of the client and the stored rotational direction of the retrieved picture according to the identification of the client; determining whether or not the rotational direction of the picture returned from the client matches the stored rotational direction. If they match, user verification is passed; otherwise, the user verification is failed. The large number of pictures in the database makes it difficult for enumeration. In addition, by using the rotational direction as identification information to verify user, the safety and accuracy of user verification can be enhanced. |
| US08667558B2 |
Application identity design
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing user credentials over a network to a remote computer application. User credentials for the remote computer application are stored in a central repository that is accessible through the network. A request is sent to a service to perform, on behalf of a user, a particular task involving the remote computer application. It is determined whether the service has been granted permission to act on behalf of the user with respect to the remote computer application. When the service has permission to act on behalf of the user, the service is used to retrieve the user's credentials for the remote computer application from the central repository and to supply the retrieved user credentials to the remote computer application. |
| US08667557B2 |
Independent role based authorization in boundary interface elements
Boundary interfaces for communications networks are disclosed. An example method includes configuring, with a processor, a first policy for a first network interface of a computing device in response to an input from a first network administrator of a first network; configuring, with the processor, a second policy for a second network interface of the computing device in response to an input from a second network administrator of a second network, the second network administrator being different than the first network administrator; displaying the second policy to the first network administrator; and displaying the first policy to the second network administrator. |
| US08667556B2 |
Method and apparatus for building and managing policies
Techniques for building and managing network policies for accessing resources of a datacenter are described herein. In one embodiment, events are captured within a network element pertaining to certain activities of accessing certain resources of a datacenter, wherein the network element operates as an application service gateway to the datacenter. A new rule/policy is provisioned based on attributes extracted from the captured events, where the attributes includes at least one of user attribute, environment attribute, and a resource attribute. A simulation is performed on the new rule/policy under a real time network traffic condition, generating a simulation result. The new rule/policy is committed if the simulation result satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein the new rule/policy is enforced within the network element to determine whether a particular client is eligible to access a particular resource of the datacenter. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08667552B2 |
Stream conditioning for seamless switching of addressable content across transport multiplex, using local stored content as pre-roll and post-roll buffers; in digital television receivers
A system, method and apparatus to enable a form of addressable advertising content delivery in which multiple addressable content streams are sent in a transport multiplex, Addressable Content Channel Multiplex, different from the Primary Channel Multiplex on which the Primary Channel is delivered describe the present invention. The Primary Channel is network stream onto which the addressable content is to be inserted. Seamless switch between the Primary Channel and the addressable content streams on the Addressable Content Channel Multiplex is accomplished by using Receiver stored content as interim buffers to which the switching happens prior to switching to a different transport multiplex. These buffers in effect feed the audio and video decoders with content, during the time it takes for the tuner to switch to a different transport multiplex. Two content buffers, Pre-roll and Post-roll are used during switching, one from Primary Channel Multiplex to Addressable Content Channel Multiplex and another when switching from the Addressable Content Channel Multiplex to the Primary Channel Multiplex. |
| US08667551B2 |
System for configuring a media processor
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor communicatively coupled to a remote controller by way of a wireless interface. The media processor can have a controller to wirelessly transmit to the remote controller provisioning information stored in the media processor for restoring at least a portion of the provisioning information stored in the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08667550B2 |
House amplifier with return path gating
A house amplifier provides automatic gating to selectively block the return path signal in a cable network. The house amplifier includes ports connected to the cable network and to at least one home coaxial outlet. A forward signal path is coupled to pass a forward signal from the cable network. A reverse signal path is coupled to selectively pass a reverse signal from the home to the cable network. The reverse signal path includes a gate configured to block the reverse signal in response to a control signal. A detector circuit detects when the reverse signal is received and activates or deactivates the gate based on the detection. The detector circuit may include a timing circuit configured to provide a delay before deactivating the gate when the reverse signal is no longer detected. |
| US08667548B2 |
Audio/video channel bonding architecture
Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames. |
| US08667547B2 |
Method and system for editing text messages conveyed via a CATV infrastructure at a TV set-top box
A method and system for replacing at least one item in a source string compiled at a TV set-top box for conveying via a TV communication infrastructure. A TV communication gateway receives the source string from the TV set-top box, parses the source string and identifies at least one item that requires replacing. Such item may be incorrectly spelled or the TV communication gateway may run an application that translates the source string to a foreign language. For each item that requires replacing, the TV communication gateway determines at least one replacement item, compiles data which it forwards to the TV set-top box. In the case of a spell-check program, the data may be an XML list including for each incorrectly spelled item a list of alternatives. The list of replacement items relating to the selected item is displayed, allowing a user to select a desired replacement item. |
| US08667543B2 |
Method and system for improving playing quality of mobile TV
The present invention provides a method and system for improving playing quality of a mobile TV to address the technical problem that the playing quality of a mobile TV is influenced by network coverage discrepancies of a mobile TV. In the present invention, a terminal detects the network signal intensity of a mobile TV, performs a match determination between the network signal intensity and the data rate of the mobile TV, and requests a mobile TV service platform to dynamically adjust the program data rate of the mobile TV according to the result of the match determination. In this way, the present invention improves the playing quality of the programs of the mobile TV, and enables the user to enjoy programs of the mobile TV satisfactorily in different mobile TV network environments. |
| US08667531B2 |
Method for advertising decision resolution acceleration based on lookahead opportunity triggering
A server receives a source signal stream having a channel identifier and an indication that an advertisement placement opportunity is located in the signal stream a time period prior to an advertisement signal point. The server transmits the channel identifier to a session manager. The server receives from the session manager a list of sessions corresponding to a number of recipients currently viewing a channel corresponding to the channel identifier. The server transmits to an ad decision service an ad call for each session in the list. The server receives from the ad decision service a plurality of advertisements targeted to the list. The server stores the plurality of advertisements in at least one cache prior to expiration of the time period, where the advertisement signal point is detected by the programmed computer. |
| US08667528B2 |
Broadcast augmented reality advertisement service system and method based on media ID matching
Disclosed is a broadcast advertisement service system based on media ID matching, including: a broadcast-contents receiving terminal for receiving broadcast contents from a broadcasting system for a TV broadcaster and displaying the broadcast contents; a server for an AR advertisement broadcaster for receiving the broadcast contents from the broadcasting system for the TV broadcaster, generating a first media ID lookup table from the broadcast contents, and searching for AR advertisement data linked with on-air broadcast contents by referring to the first media ID lookup table; and a user terminal for acquiring the on-air broadcast contents in real time from the broadcast-contents receiving terminal, generating a second media ID lookup table from the acquired on-air broadcast contents, receiving the AR advertisement data linked with the on-air broadcast contents from the server for the AR advertisement broadcaster, and mixing and displaying the acquired on-air broadcast contents and the received AR advertisement data in real time. |
| US08667524B2 |
Digital television signal for receiving PSIP data, method of processing digital television signal, and digital television receiver
A digital television signal for receiving program and system information protocol (PSIP) data, a method for processing the digital television signal, and a digital television receiver are disclosed. The digital television signal used in the digital television receiver in order to receive a program system information protocol (PSIP) data from a broadcast transmitter includes a rating region table containing the PSIP data. Herein, the rating region table includes a global rating value field defining a global rating value which is valid for all graphical rating regions, a rating region field defining a specific graphical rating region to be associated with the rating region table, and at least one local rating value field identifying a local rating value which is valid for the specific graphical rating region only. |
| US08667521B2 |
Identifying events of interest within video content
Instant messages sent by a viewer of a video while the video is perceivable to the viewer may be monitored. An event of interest occurring in the video may be identified based on the monitored instant messages. Metadata that describes the event of interest may be generated and assigned to the video. A request for video content associated with the video may be received from a user. An indexed collection of videos that includes the video may be searched for the requested video content. Based on the search, it may be determined that the video satisfies the user's request. The event of interest occurring in the video may be identified based on the metadata assigned to the video. User perception of a scene from the video that includes the event of interest may be enabled. |
| US08667519B2 |
Automatic passive and anonymous feedback system
A system for generating passive and anonymous feedback of multimedia content viewed by users is disclosed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more of the users in a field of view of a capture device connected to the computing device are identified. An engagement level of the users to multimedia content being viewed by the users is determined by tracking movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. A report of the response to viewed multimedia content is generated based on the movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. The report is provided to rating agencies, content providers and advertisers. In one embodiment, preview content and personalized content related to the viewed multimedia content is received from the content providers and advertisers based on the report. The preview content and personalized content are displayed to the users. |
| US08667512B2 |
Flexible hierarchical settings registry for operating systems
Various embodiments include methods and systems provide a distributed settings registry with access protection definable by application developers. Distributed settings registry may be implemented across different technologies with customizable privileges and the dynamic ability to plug different nodes into the registry tree. The settings registry may exist under a registry interface so the applications invoking the registry need not be concerned with where or how the settings data is stored. Each node in the tree of the registry may define its own privilege requirements and storage technology. Nodes may be “native” (i.e., fully supported within the setting registry system software) or “non-native” (i.e., defined by developers for specific applications). |
| US08667509B1 |
Providing context information for events to an event handling component
Event management techniques for use in a computer system comprising an event generating component generating at least one event and an event handling component to apply one or more business process rules in response to the event. In one embodiment of the invention, an event generation component provides to an event handling component not only notification of an event but also context information about the event, in the same communication. The context information may provide all the information necessary for the event handling component to apply one or more business policy rules to determine how to handle the event. In some implementations having multiple event handling components of different types, the event generating component may be configured to provide notification of events to the event handling components in a specified order. In some implementations, multiple event handling components may be joined in a logical pool, sharing responsibility for handling events. |
| US08667506B2 |
Object oriented management device for ASN.1 message
An object-oriented management device for ASN.1 message is provided, which includes: an ASN.1 bottom supporting module for compiling the ASN.1 message into programming language example code; a common manipulation module for processing the message to support the message applications; a message plug-in for creating the message corpus plug-in from the code generated by the common manipulation module, with the class description table being the plug-in interface. The present invention solves the problem that the message structure example should be re-established after the message is persistently saved, overcomes the disadvantage that the data type of the bit stream must be known in advance for decoding, decreases the difficulty of message construction, and significantly lessens the workload of the message development and maintenance. |
| US08667504B2 |
System and method for achieving high performance data flow among user space processes in storage system
Fault isolation capabilities made available by user space can be provided for a embedded network storage system without sacrificing efficiency. By giving user space processes direct access to specific devices (e.g., network interface cards and storage adapters), processes in a user space can initiate Input/Output requests without issuing system calls (and entering kernel mode). The multiple user spaces processes can initiate requests serviced by a user space device driver by sharing a read-only address space that maps the entire physical memory one-to-one. In addition, a user space process can initiate communication with another user space process by use of transmit and receive queues similar to transmit and receiver queues used by hardware devices. And, a mechanism of ensuring that virtual addresses that work in one address space reference the same physical page in another address space is used. |
| US08667502B2 |
Performing a local barrier operation
Performing a local barrier operation with parallel tasks executing on a compute node including, for each task: retrieving a present value of a counter; calculating, in dependence upon the present value of the counter and a total number of tasks performing the local barrier operation, a base value, the base value representing the counter's value prior to any task joining the local barrier; calculating, in dependence upon the base value and the total number of tasks performing the local barrier operation, a target value of the counter, the target value representing the counter's value when all tasks have joined the local barrier; joining the local barrier, including atomically incrementing the value of the counter; and repetitively, until the present value of the counter is no less than the target value of the counter: retrieving the present value of the counter and determining whether the present value equals the target value. |
| US08667499B2 |
Managing allocation of computing capacity
Systems and methods are described for managing requests for computing capacity from a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. In some implementations, user requests are probabilistically denied or granted while some computing resources are still available. By denying some requests or granting only some, the rate of computing resource usage can be reduced, thus preserving some capacity for a longer period of time. In one embodiment, the capacity can be provided to clients based on client priority, provided to clients with reserved resources, provided to clients probabilistically, sold on a spot market, or allocated in some other fashion. |
| US08667496B2 |
Methods and systems of managing resources allocated to guest virtual machines
A method of managing one or more resources allocated to a plurality of guest virtual machines. The method comprises executing a plurality of guest virtual machines in a host platform managing at least one resource, allocating the at least one resource among the plurality of guest virtual machines, separately collecting, from each the guest virtual machine, resource usage data by locally monitoring at least one of an operating system operation, an executed procedure, and an executed tread in each the guest virtual machine, gathering the resource usage data from each the guest virtual machine, and reallocating the at least one resource among the plurality of guest virtual machines according to an analysis of the gathered resource usage data from the plurality of guest virtual machines. |
| US08667493B2 |
Memory-controller-parallelism-aware scheduling for multiple memory controllers
Some embodiments of a processing system implement a memory-controller-parallelism-aware scheduling technique. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a processing system includes scheduling a memory request requested by a thread of a plurality of threads executing on at least one processor according to thread priority information associated with the plurality of threads. The thread priority information is based on a maximum of a plurality of local memory bandwidth usage indicators for each thread of the plurality of threads. Each of the plurality of local memory bandwidth usage indicators for each thread corresponds to a respective memory controller of a plurality of memory controllers. |
| US08667490B1 |
Active/active storage and virtual machine mobility over asynchronous distances
A system for providing mobility of a virtual machine between a first site and a second site of an active/active system is disclosed. For a virtual machine operating on the first site, it may be determined that the second site is a destination site between the first site and the second site. While the virtual machine is operating on the first site, storage data may be transferred from the first site to the second site. Operation of the virtual machine may be suspended on the first site. Operation of the virtual machine may be resumed on the second site. In the event of link failure between the first site and the second site, operation of the virtual machine may be maintained on the second site. |
| US08667488B2 |
Hierarchical system, and its management method and program
A lower system structure reports performance information to an upper system structure. When detecting performance deterioration of the system structure on the basis of the reported performance information, the upper system structure optimizes resource redistribution of the system structure that the upper system structure manages. If the performance is improved by the optimization in the managed system structure, the optimization results is applied to the resource control of the lower system structure, and the lower system structure redistributes the resources according to the resource control. If the performance is not improved by the optimization, the lower system structure reports the performance information to the upper system structure, which optimizes the resource redistribution. |
| US08667487B1 |
Web browser extensions
According to one general aspect, a method of managing a web browser extension by an apparatus may include executing, by a processor included by the apparatus, a web browser. The method may include installing on the apparatus, via the web browser, a web browser extension. In one embodiment, the web browser extension may include at least one web page configured to alter the functionality of the web browser, and a substantially unique identifier (UID) based upon a public encryption key. The method may further include launching, via the web browser, the web browser extension based upon the substantially unique identifier. |
| US08667485B2 |
Method and system for executing a file stored in a hidden storage area of a storage device
A file executing method for executing a computer executable code set stored in a hidden storage area of a storage device in an operating system of a computer host is provided. The method includes connecting the storage device to the computer host and providing a loader for managing the computer executable code set. The method also includes running the loader in a main memory of the computer host, requesting the operating system to allocate a first address segment in the main memory for running the loader, loading the computer executable code set from the hidden storage area into the first address segment by using the loader, transforming the computer executable code set into an executable content of the operation system by using the loader and storing the executable content into the first address segment; and establishing a derivative execution procedure by using the loader to execute the executable content. |
| US08667482B2 |
Automated application modeling for application virtualization
Automated application modeling for application virtualization (auto-modeling) may be incorporated into an application installer and/or other suitable component of a computer operating system. Auto-modeling may be performed by an auto-modeling agent. The auto-modeling agent may employ one or more of multiple auto-modeling strategies. The auto-modeling agent may assess one or more of a particular application, application installation package and/or application environment in order to determine a suitable auto-modeling strategy. Auto-modeling strategies may include active auto-modeling and passive auto-modeling. Active auto-modeling strategies may require at least partial installation and/or execution of the application to be modeled, whereas passive auto-modeling may generate corresponding auto-modeling data independent of application installation and/or execution, for example, by obtaining suitable data from a corresponding application installation package. |
| US08667473B2 |
Analyzing video game performance using non-intrusive capture and storage of run-time game data
The performance of a video game is analyzed using non-intrusive capture and storage of game data. A non-linear capture format is used for capturing run-time game data. The run-time game data includes run-time parameters associated with execution of an application code as well as run-time parameters associated with hardware of a game platform upon which the application code is being executed. The captured data is stored in a storage medium using a non-contiguous storage format. |
| US08667463B2 |
Traceability in a modeling environment
Exemplary embodiments employ a mapping among entities that are related to each other. The entities may include a graphical model, generated code, a generated report, a requirements document and/or an intermediate representation. The mapping may facilitate graphical identifications between parts of one entity that maps to part of another entity. The graphical identification may occur based on a selection of a part in one of the entities. |
| US08667461B2 |
Workflows or processes with dynamic reference activity
A placeholder activity is employed in a workflow or process definition, which may be loaded in a workflow design application even if the type of activity referred by the placeholder activity cannot be loaded. The “reference activity” enables a workflow or a process to bind to an actual activity type at runtime such that the workflow or process can dynamically use a latest version of the activity without a need to modify the workflow/process definition. |
| US08667459B2 |
Application specific runtime environments
Systems and methods of executing an application in an application specific runtime environment are disclosed. The application specific runtime environment is defined by an application environment specification to include a minimal or reduced set of software resources required for execution of the application. The application environment is generated by determining software resource dependencies and is used to provision the application specific runtime environment in real-time in response to a request to execute the application. Use of the application specific runtime environment allows the application to be executed using fewer computing resources, e.g., memory. |
| US08667458B2 |
System and method to produce business case metrics based on code inspection service results
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to receive data including code inspection services defect analysis data of a software development project and process the data. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to determine one or more business metrics based on the data and generate at least one report based on the one or more business metrics. |
| US08667456B1 |
Cloud-based indexing for integrated development environments
Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for providing cloud-based indexing services to cloud-based and client-based software development environments. For example, integrated development environment (IDE) services may be provided at a client device via a cloud-based indexing service, and an indexing request related to source code at least partially loaded at the client device transmitted to the cloud-based indexing service with respect to a type of indexing request selected from a code completion request, a usages request, an annotations listing request, and a refactoring request. The cloud-based indexing service may then access one or more indexes maintained at the cloud-based indexing service, and provide responsive index information to the client device, the index information included in the responsive index information being less than all index information from the one or more indexes corresponding to the source code at least partially loaded at the client device. The responsive index information can then be displayed at the client device. |
| US08667453B2 |
Power-supply design system, power-supply design method, and program for power-supply design
A power-supply design system for designing a power supply of electronic equipment apparatuses. The system includes an input device for inputting circuit information about the power supply of the electronic equipment apparatus; a current deviation computation unit that computes an electric current deviation which indicates electric current variation of the electronic equipment apparatus, based on the circuit information input using the input device, and dispersion information that indicates a dispersion of an electric current variation, which corresponds to the circuit information; a target impedance computation unit that computes a target impedance as a target for the power supply indicated by the circuit information, based on the electric current deviation computed by the current deviation computation unit and a permissible range of a voltage variation, where the permissible range is indicated by the circuit information; and an output device that outputs the target impedance computed by the target impedance computation unit. |
| US08667451B2 |
Method and apparatus for broadcasting scan patterns in a scan-based integrated circuit
A broadcaster, system, and method for reducing test data volume and test application time in an ATE (automatic test equipment) in a scan-based integrated circuit. The scan-based integrated circuit contains multiple scan chains, each scan chain comprising multiple scan cells coupled in series. The broadcaster is a combinational logic network coupled to an optional virtual scan controller and an optional scan connector. The virtual scan controller controls the operation of the broadcaster. The system transmits virtual scan patterns stored in the ATE and generates broadcast scan patterns through the broadcaster for testing manufacturing faults in the scan-based integrated circuit. The number of scan chains that can be supported by the ATE is significantly increased. Methods are further proposed to reorder scan cells in selected scan chains, to generate the broadcast scan patterns and virtual scan patterns, and to synthesize the broadcaster and a compactor in the scan-based integrated circuit. |
| US08667450B2 |
Validation of integrated circuit designs built with encrypted silicon IP blocks
A method and system for validating integrated circuit designs that are built with encrypted silicon IP blocks decrypts the encrypted silicon IP blocks in the integrated circuit designs with the keys from IP providers. After decryption, various validation checks on the integrated circuit designs are done, such as design rule check (DRC), layout versus schematic (LVS) check, parasitic resistor capacitor (RC) extraction, circuit simulation, signal electro migration (EM) and voltage drop check, signal integrity (SI) check and static timing check, etc. After validation, any confidential data from the checking results related to the encrypted silicon IP blocks are themselves encrypted to protect the proprietary silicon IP blocks. The method and system work with silicon IP encryption technology to establish a low cost silicon IP usage and verification platform, and to enable a more cost efficient silicon IP business model. |
| US08667447B2 |
Wiring design apparatus and method
A wiring design apparatus for designing a plurality of wiring lines of a printed circuit board including a plurality of connection posts arranged in a matrix, includes a processor, the processor providing an orthogonal grid including a plurality of rows and columns running over and between the connection posts, providing a plurality of diagonal paths each connecting at least one of the rows with at least one of the columns each running between each of adjacent pairs of the connection posts, and determining a route for each of the wiring lines by exclusively allocating to each of the wiring lines a selected part of the rows, the columns and the paths so that the selected part connects both ends of each of the wiring lines. |
| US08667445B2 |
Power mesh management method
The invention discloses a power mesh management method utilized in an integrated IC. The integrated circuit includes a macro block including at least a macro block power supplying line growing along a first direction. The management method includes: defining a plurality of first power supplying lines located in a metal layer above the macro block, wherein each of the first supplying lines grows along the first direction; defining a plurality of second power supplying lines located in another metal layer above the macro block, wherein each of the second supplying lines grows along a second direction; defining a partial power supplying line from the plurality of first power supplying lines where the partial power supplying line overlaps the macro block power supplying line; and removing the partial power supplying line from the plurality of first power supplying lines. |
| US08667444B2 |
Concurrent placement and routing using hierarchical constraints
An automated layout method allows designing advanced integrated circuits with design rules of high complexity. In particular, a hierarchical constrained layout process is applicable and useful for analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit designs and may be based on an incremental concurrent placement and routing. Use of constraints from multiple levels of a circuit description hierarchy allows computationally efficient processing of logical circuit increments and produces high-quality outcomes. Users such as circuit designers can exercise a high degree of predictability and control over the resulting physical layout construction by either user-specified or computer-generated constraints. |
| US08667443B2 |
Integrated circuit cell library for multiple patterning
A method is disclosed for defining a multiple patterned cell layout for use in an integrated circuit design. A layout is defined for a level of a cell in accordance with a dynamic array architecture so as to include a number of layout features. The number of layout features are linear-shaped and commonly oriented. The layout is split into a number of sub-layouts for the level of the cell. Each of the number of layout features in the layout is allocated to any one of the number of sub-layouts. Also, the layout is split such that each sub-layout is independently fabricatable. The sub-layouts for the level of the cell are stored on a computer readable medium. |
| US08667441B2 |
Clock optimization with local clock buffer control optimization
A physical synthesis tool for dock optimization with local clock buffer control optimization is provided. The physical synthesis flow consists of delaying the exposure of clock routes until after the clock optimization placement stage. The physical synthesis tool clones first local clock buffers. Then, the physical synthesis tool runs timing analysis on the whole design to compute the impact of this necessarily disruptive step. After cloning local clock buffers, the physical synthesis tool adds an extra optimization step to target the control signals that drive the local clock buffers. This optimization step may includes latch cloning, timing-driven placement, buffer insertion, and repowering. The flow alleviates high-fanout nets and produces significantly better timing going into clock optimization placement. After placement, the physical synthesis tool fixes latches and local clock buffers in place, inserts clock routes, and repowers local clock buffers. |
| US08667436B1 |
Object identification in an electronic circuit design
The disclosure describes approaches for processing a circuit design. For each object of a plurality of objects of the circuit design, a respective key is generated as a function of a plurality of configuration parameter values of the object. Each object is renamed with a unique name that includes the key. A netlist of the circuit design is generated using the unique names and keys of the objects. |
| US08667433B2 |
Polishing estimation/evaluation device, overpolishing condition calculation device, and computer-readable non-transitory medium thereof
A polishing estimation/evaluation device includes a dividing unit, an overpolished area extracting unit, and a dummy modifying unit. The dividing unit divides a layout of an integrated circuit into a plurality of partial areas. The overpolished area extracting unit refers to an overpolishing condition indicating whether overpolishing occurs in a vicinity of a partial area based on a wiring density in the partial area and a wiring density in surrounding areas of the partial area, and extracts a partial area where the overpolishing occurs from the plurality of partial areas obtained by the division by the dividing unit. The dummy modifying unit modifies dummy wiring in the partial area where the overpolishing occurs extracted by the overpolished area extracting unit and/or dummy wiring in surrounding areas of the partial area to reduce the number of partial areas where the overpolishing occurs. |
| US08667432B2 |
Gate CD control using local design on both sides of neighboring dummy gate level features
A method of forming an IC including MOS transistors includes using a gate mask to form a first active gate feature having a line width W1 over an active area and a neighboring dummy feature having a line width 0.8 W1 to 1.3 W1. The neighboring dummy feature has a first side adjacent to the first active gate feature, and a nearest gate level feature on a second side opposite the first side. The neighboring dummy feature defines a gate pitch based on a distance to the first active gate feature or the neighboring dummy feature maintains a gate pitch in a gate array including the first active gate feature. The spacing between the neighboring dummy feature and the nearest gate level feature (i) maintains the gate pitch or (ii) provides a SRAF enabling distance that is ≧2 times the gate pitch and the gate mask includes a SRAF over the SRAF distance. |
| US08667429B2 |
Incremental concurrent processing for efficient computation of high-volume layout data
Some embodiments of the present invention overcome I/O bottlenecks of an EDA work flow by keeping layout data distributed during handoffs among different processing stages. Specifically, some embodiments leverage a concurrent computation paradigm where data is propagated incrementally between stages, and where data processing among consecutive stages and the I/O between stages are executed concurrently. Specifically, some embodiments can generate a template database which contains the unique templates in a set of templates. During operation, an embodiment can determine a set of templates for a layout. Next, the system can determine a processing schedule based on a spatially coherent ordering of the set of templates. Next, the system can process the templates according to the spatially coherent processing schedule. Processing templates in a spatially coherent order can ensure that the downstream processes in the concurrent work flow will be able to maximize concurrency, thereby improving overall performance of the system. |
| US08667428B1 |
Methods for directed self-assembly process/proximity correction
In an exemplary embodiment, a method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes designing an optical photomask for forming a pre-pattern opening in a photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the photoresist layer and the pre-pattern opening are coated with a self-assembly material that undergoes directed self-assembly (DSA) to form a DSA pattern. The step of designing the optical photomask includes using a computing system, inputting a DSA target pattern, and using the computing system, applying a DSA model to the DSA target pattern to generate a first DSA directing pattern. Further, the step of designing the optical photomask includes using the computing system, calculating a residual between the DSA target pattern and the DSA directing pattern, and using the computing system, applying the DSA model to the first DSA directing pattern and the residual to generate a second, updated DSA directing pattern. |
| US08667426B2 |
Input apparatus
An input apparatus includes an input unit that receives a predetermined motion image signal, a motion detecting unit that detects a motion from the motion image signal received by the input unit, a video signal processing unit that outputs a predetermined video signal when a motion detected by the motion detecting unit is a predetermined motion, and a control unit that controls the video signal processing unit, in which the control unit controls the motion detecting unit not so as to detect a motion when the predetermined video signal is being outputted by the video signal processing unit, thereby providing a useful input apparatus for a user. |
| US08667422B2 |
Graphical user interface with location-specific interface elements
Improved approaches to allow a portable electronic device to dynamically present location-specific information while the portable electronic device is at a predetermined location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device has a display that can display the location-specific information and has wireless capabilities for use in receiving the location-specific information from the server. The location-specific information can, for example, augment other information that is to be presented on the display. In one embodiment, the location-specific information can be information pertaining to a media item being played in an establishment, such as a store, where the portable electronic device is located. |
| US08667421B2 |
Method and system for revisiting prior navigated pages and prior edits
A system and method for navigating or editing may include storing multiple forward or redo stacks and a single back or undo stack. The forward or undo stacks may include separate stacks for each page from which navigation occurs to a page of lower hierarchical level or for each operation for which another operation is subsequently performed. Positions of references in the forward or redo stacks may be modified in response to navigations or edits to place a last navigated page or operation at the top of the stack. The timing of such movement of references may be optimized. |
| US08667417B1 |
Methods and systems for pop-up suppression
Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for pop-up suppression. A method for pop-up suppression in a display of a web page to a user is provided. The method includes detecting a web page request for a pop-up. The method also includes automatically running the pop-up based on the web page request in a minimized pop-up window when the web page request for the pop-up is detected. A system for pop-up suppression is also provided. The system includes a pop-up manager configured to place a pop-up based on a web page request in a minimized pop-up window when the web page request for the pop-up is detected. The system also includes an execution module configured to run the pop-up in the minimized pop-up window. The system further includes a window module configured to open a minimized pop-up window for display when a user selects the minimized pop-up window. |
| US08667413B2 |
Apparatus and method for information input in an electronic device with display
A method, and apparatus is disclosed for input of information in an electronic device having a display, the apparatus comprising a graphic processor for displaying a plurality of objects on the display representative of the information to be input, each object of the plurality of objects arranged around the perimeter of a portion of the screen area of the display; a control interface for a user to control movement of a cursor generated in the display by the graphic processor and responsive to the control interface for scrolling through the plurality of objects and selection of an object for input of information. |
| US08667412B2 |
Dynamic virtual input device configuration
In one aspect, a virtual input device can be configured by detecting a language identifier associated with a selected data entry field, determining a key mapping corresponding to the detected language identifier, configuring a virtual input device in accordance with the key mapping, wherein the virtual input device includes one or more controls and the key mapping specifies a character corresponding to at least one of the plurality of controls, and presenting the virtual input device to a user. The language identifier can comprise one of an Extensible Markup Language tag and a Hypertext Markup Language tag. Further, user input selecting a second data entry field can be received, wherein a second language identifier is associated with the second data entry field, a second key mapping corresponding to the second language identifier can be determined, and the virtual input device can be configured in accordance with the second key mapping. |
| US08667410B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for transmitting data from a document application to a data application
In a method for computer-aided transfer of data from a document application into a data application having a set of data fields, a document is displayed in the document application opened on a computer with a display device, and wherein from the document data are to be transferred into the data application also opened on the computer. A name of a data field into which data are to be transferred is displayed on the display device. Via identification of a corresponding data value in the document on the display device, a character string representing the data value is automatically read out from the document and entered into the data field corresponding to the data field name in the data application via actuation of a predetermined button. |
| US08667409B2 |
Systems and methods for handling focus of application user interface elements
Systems and methods for setting the focus of an application page after that page is reloaded are provided. Systems for setting focus may comprise a processor coupled to a memory. The processor may be operative to load an application page having two or more elements. The processor may be operative to track which of the one of the two or more elements is in focus. The processor may be operative to reload the application page in response to a server call. The processor may be operative to restore focus of the application page on the element of the application page most recently in focus prior to reloading. |
| US08667408B2 |
Do-it-yourself badge and method of making same
A system for generating customized badges. The system includes a computer, a printer coupled to the computer, a display coupled to the computer, and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions for opening a badge profile, providing a data entry screen based on the profile, receiving data in the data entry screen, and printing customized badges on the printer based on the received data. The badge profile defines a size, type, and location of data to be printed on the customized badges. |
| US08667404B2 |
Predictive material editor
A method for generating a user interface within a graphics application for a set of materials, such that each material includes a material definition and is capable of being applied to a geometry in a graphics scene when performing a rendering operation. A GUI generation engine obtains configuration information associated with an environment for a computer system and determines that a first set of materials is associated with the configuration information. The GUI generation selects the first set of materials to be displayed in a graphical user interface, and the graphical user interface is displaying to an end-user. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide for a technique for exposing only those materials, user interface objects, editable material parameters, user interface elements, vocabulary, rendering engines, and/or rendering engine implementations that are relevant to the user of a particular rendering application. |
| US08667401B1 |
System and method for archiving collaborative electronic meetings
An electronic meeting application is disclosed which allows electronic meetings to be recorded and archived. The electronic meeting is driven by a plurality of input sources synchronized according to each one's order of play in the meeting. This synchronization is maintained by a main meeting timeline. The disclosed electronic meeting application records each of the input sources into separately accessible data files. The data files may be converted into metadata files that can used for searching purposes. Metadata description files are also generated that describe the appearance of each of the objects displaying the information from the input sources. On replay of the recorded meeting, the meeting application uses the metadata files to re-render the meeting interface and display the recordings of the selected input sources. Therefore, a user may select the specific content from the meeting to replay. |
| US08667400B2 |
System and method for real-time observation assessment
Techniques for real-time observation assessment are provided. The techniques, which are designed for educators, take advantage of handheld computers, desktop/laptop computers and Internet access in order to reduce the paperwork associated with conventional educational assessments. An array of instructional assessment applications are designed to run on handheld computers. The instructional assessment applications may be based on existing and widely used paper methodologies. A common Web-based platform for assessment application distribution, selection, download, data management and reporting is also provided. Users can then periodically synchronize instructional data (assessments, diagnostic results, notes and/or schedules) to the Web site. At the Web site, browser-based reports and analysis can be viewed, administered and shared via electronic mail. |
| US08667399B1 |
Cost tracking for virtual control planes
Control planes of virtual resource providers may be customized in a secure, stable and efficient manner with virtual control planes. Control planes may be modularized. Control plane modules may be supplied with data from standardized sensors, and required to generate standardized resource configuration requests responsive to solicitations with specified response latencies. Custom control plane modules may be selected to replace or complement default control plane modules. Financial and computational costs associated with control plane modules may be tracked. Competing resource configurations may be mediated by a control plane supervisor. Such mediation may be based on control plane module reputation scores. Reputation scores may be based on customer feedback ratings and/or measured performance with respect to module goals. Mediated configuration parameter values may be based on a combination of competing configuration parameter values weighted according to reputation. Contribution of individual modules to goal achievement may be tracked and rewarded accordingly. |
| US08667398B2 |
Managing user definable co-user lists
A real time notification system that tracks, for each user, the logon status of selected co-users of an on-line or network system and displays that information in real time to the tracking user in a unique graphical interface. The invention provides user definable on-line co-user lists, or “buddy lists”, that track specific co-users in real-time automatically. A user can create many separate buddy lists of co-users, either with intersecting or disjoint lists of users, and label these buddy lists according to the user's preference. The user can update a buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever necessary. When a user logs on to a system, the user's set of buddy lists is presented to the buddy list system. The buddy list system attempts to match co-users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user's buddy list. Any matches are displayed to the user. As co-users logon and logoff, a user's buddy list is updated to reflect these changes. An indication can also be added to show that a co-user just logged on or just left the system. |
| US08667387B2 |
Method and system for transforming content for execution on multiple platforms
A method and system are disclosed for acquiring and transforming existing content (e.g., Hyper Text Markup Language HTML content) for display and execution on multiple platforms and architectures. In one embodiment, capture templates are created to harvest content from disparate content sources on multiple platforms. Data is extracted from the content from the disparate content sources using the created capture templates that drives extracting process. A standardized data stream is generated from the extracted data. The standardized data stream is provided for display on one or more different type of platforms. |
| US08667379B2 |
Apparatus and method to generate, store, and read, a plurality of error correction coded data sets
An apparatus and method are disclosed to receive information and to generate, store, and read, a plurality of error correction coded data sets using that information. Applicants' storage controller receives information and generates (N) sets of error correction coded data, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 2. The method writes, for each value of (i), the (i)th set of error correction coded data to the (i)th data storage medium, wherein (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N). If Applicants' storage controller receives a request to read the information, then Applicants' method reads each of the (N) error correction coded data sets, generates the information using the (N) error correction coded data sets, and returns the information to the requestor. |
| US08667378B2 |
Decoding method and device for concatenated code
Disclosed are a decoding method and device for concatenated code, for the decoding of concatenated code composed of low density parity code (LDPC) and Reed-Solomon (RS) code. The method includes carrying out LDPC soft decision iterative decoding on bit de-interleaved data flow, and carrying out check decision on LDPC codeword obtained from decoding by using a check matrix; carrying out de-byte-interleave on an information bit of the LDPC codeword obtained from decoding and converting check information of the LDPC codeword into puncturing information of RS codeword; selecting a decoding mode according to the puncturing information of the RS codeword to carry out RS decoding. By way of the solution of the present invention, the RS decoding performance can be improved without increasing the computation complexity, thus greatly improving the receiving performance of the CMMB terminal as compared to the conventional method. |
| US08667377B1 |
Circuit and method for parallel decoding
In one embodiment, a block code decoder is provided. The block code decoder includes a first decoder configured to decode Bose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem (“BCH”) coded data packets and a second decoder configured to receive and decode Reed-Solomon (“RS”) encoded data from the first decoder. The first decoder includes a first buffer configured to receive BCH encoded data and one or more BCH decoder circuits coupled to the first buffer. Each BCH decoder circuit decodes a plurality of BCH encoded bits in parallel. A second buffer is arranged to store the decoded BCH data. The second decoder includes a third buffer, arranged to receive the RS encoded data from the first decoder, one or more RS decoder circuits configured to decode a plurality of RS encoded bits in parallel, and a fourth buffer arranged to store RS payload data decoded by the RS decoder circuits. |
| US08667376B2 |
Decoding device, data communication apparatus having the decoder device, and data memory
A decoding device comprises two check node processing devices of feedback shift register type, each of which node processing includes a plurality of registers and a plurality of comparator circuits. A multiplexer and a demultiplexer switch between the two check node processing devices, and a memory holds the two sorts of data. The comparator circuits are interposed between registers of the check node processing device. |
| US08667373B2 |
Frame boundary detection and synchronization system for data stream received by ethernet forward error correction layer
The present invention discloses a frame boundary detection system and a synchronization system for a data stream received by an Ethernet Forward Error Correction layer. The frame boundary detection system includes a shifter, two descramblers, a syndrome generator and trapper. The error trapper includes a big-little endian mode controller for controlling the big-little endian conversion of the error trapper. If the error trapper operates in the big endian mode, the error trapper implements the function of the syndrome generator, operates at the same time with the syndrome generator, and performs a second FEC check, wherein when the shifter performs the FEC check by intercepting data with a length of one frame plus A bits, two start positions of the frame can be verified, where A is a positive integer less than a length of one frame. The invention can improve the frame boundary detection speed and the frame synchronization speed, and increase only a few hardware overheads. |
| US08667365B2 |
Flash memory system that uses an interleaving scheme for increasing data transfer performance between a memory device and a controller and a method therof
A memory system includes a plurality of memory devices, a controller configured to control the plurality of memory devices, and at least one channel connected between the plurality of memory devices and the controller. The at least one channel includes input/output data lines and control signal lines, which are connected with the plurality of memory devices, and chip enable signal lines respectively connected to each of the plurality of memory devices, wherein the chip enable signal lines enable the plurality of memory devices independently. The controller sends a read command or a program command to one of the plurality of memory devices, and while the one of the plurality of memory devices is performing an internal read operation in response to the read command, the controller reads data from another one of the plurality of memory devices, or while the one of the plurality of memory devices is performing an internal program operation in response to the program command, the controller programs data to another one of the plurality of memory devices. |
| US08667356B2 |
Method for triggering retransmission in a multicast system and apparatus implementing the method
Disclosed is a method for triggering retransmission in a multicast system, including a base station eNB setting a retransmission condition based on a channel state indication and transmitting the set retransmission condition to a user equipment UE; and the UE comparing the current channel state indication of the UE with the received retransmission condition when receiving an error block, and feeding back a NACK signaling to the eNB trigger a retransmission when the retransmission condition is satisfied. The method according to the present invention is to restrict the trigger of the NACK signaling, by setting the condition of the UE feeding back the NACK signaling when the UE received the error block. Then the feedback signaling on the uplink channel would be restricted, and the retransmission probability would be limited in an appropriate region as in Rel 6 HSDPA, therefore the optimal ratio of efficiency over power would be achieved. Consequently, the number of NACK signaling is restricted so as to avoid the uplink overload. Meanwhile, the retransmission probability is limited so that the optimal ratio of efficiency over power may be achieved. |
| US08667349B2 |
Scan flip-flop circuit having fast setup time
A scan-flip flop circuit includes an input stage for providing a data signal to a data node, wherein the input stage includes first and second stacks of transistors devices coupled to the data node. The first stack receives a data input signal during a normal operation mode for input to the data node, and the second stack receiving a scan input signal during a scan test mode for input to the data node. The scan flip-flop circuit also includes a master latch coupled directly to the data node for latching the data signal from the input stage and outputting the data signal; a slave latch coupled to an output of the master latch for latching the output from the master latch and outputting the output; and a scan and clock control logic module. The scan and clock control logic module controls the first stack to input the data input signal to the data node during normal operation mode. |
| US08667347B2 |
Active calibration for high-speed memory devices
A system for calibrating timing for write operations between a memory controller and a memory device. During operation, the system identifies a time gap required to transition from writing data from the memory controller to the memory device to reading data from the memory device to the memory controller. The system then transmits a test data pattern to the memory device within the time gap. The system subsequently uses the received test data pattern to calibrate a phase relationship between a received timing signal and data transmitted from the memory controller to the memory device during write operations. |
| US08667343B2 |
High speed error detector for fading propagation channels
A customized bit error rate tester that characterizes data transmission through a free space optical channel that overcomes the limitations of commercial based bit error rate testers by providing visibility into packet based channel capacity by measuring bit-level statistics not dominated by fades. In this manner, fade characteristics can be measured and a relationship between fade time and data packet lengths can be developed. Further, analog outputs provide visual real-time data link statistics. |
| US08667338B2 |
Software-hardware read/write integrity verification system
A system and method for a software override capability for enforcing a predetermined state for an otherwise hardware-programmable device. Software that may think it knows what it is doing may try to control a hardware device, but may not know about a hardware issue, such as another feature or defect requiring that the device stay in a certain state. The technique programmatically maintains a persistent hardware state independent of any other control software. To other software, the software layer of the invention is indistinguishable and inseparable from hardware. Nothing can slip in between. Any insertion attempt will be detected and disallowed. Features of the processor or system chips actually weld the software to the hardware, which feature disallows any software intervention between the welded software layer and the hardware. |
| US08667336B2 |
Flash memory-hosted local and remote out-of-service platform manageability
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method determines whether one or more manageability conditions are present in a computer system, and then invokes an out-of-service manageability remediation environment stored within a portion of a flash device in the computer system when one or more manageability conditions are present. |
| US08667335B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for acquiring information for hung-up cause investigation
According to an aspect of the embodiment, a switch for information acquisition, which is included in an information processing apparatus, inputs an acquisition instruction of information for a hung-up cause investigation. A trace information acquiring unit, which is included in the information processing apparatus, acquires trace information of a first target process, which is set in a trace information setting file. A core file generating unit, which is included in the information processing apparatus, generates a core file of a second target process, which is set in a core setting file. |
| US08667332B2 |
Methods for optimizing diagnostics reasoner models
A method for optimizing a diagnostic reasoner model, for use in connection with a diagnostic system for testing a system under test of an aircraft, includes the steps of querying for a plurality of primary indicators, further querying for a plurality of supplemental indicators, and updating the diagnostic reasoner model based at least in part on the supplemental indicators. The primary indicators identify one or more potential faults in the system under test. Each supplemental indicator provides information either validating or invalidating a particular primary indicator or association of primary indicators. |
| US08667330B1 |
Information lifecycle management assisted synchronous replication
Technologies are described herein for providing information lifecycle management (ILM)-assisted synchronous replication between a first storage server having a first current state and a second storage server having a second current state. For example, a notification is received at the first storage server that indicates the second storage server has resumed operations following a failure that occurred at a failure time. At this time, the first storage server is in the first current state and the second storage server is in the second current state that is different than the first current state. Then, ILM data for the first storage server is retrieved, and at least one block of data on the first storage server that was accessed after the failure time is identified. After identifying the at least one block of data, the identified block of data is re-synchronized between the first storage server and the second storage server. |
| US08667329B2 |
Processing transactions in graph-based applications
A graph-based computation has a plurality of nodes representing graph components connected by one or more links representing data flows between the components. Preparing the computation includes: identifying at least a first set of components to process a plurality of transactions in the computation; and associating with a first transaction a first group of one or more data records and data operations corresponding to the data records, and associating with a second transaction a second group of one or more data records and data operations corresponding to the data records. Executing the computation to process at least the first and second transactions includes delaying execution by the first set of components of a data operation corresponding to an initial data record of the second group until after execution by the first set of components of a data operation corresponding to a final data record of the first group. |
| US08667327B2 |
Failover information management device, storage processing device, and failover control method
A failover information management device manages information on a failover system including two storage processing devices to each of which a storage medium is connectable. The failover information management device stores unsuitability information from which a combination of two storage processing devices determined to be unsuitable for constituting the failover system is identifiable. |
| US08667317B1 |
Circuitry including an RF front end circuit
The present disclosure relates to RF front-end (RFFE) circuitry that includes multiple RFFE circuits, each of which may be provided by a separate integrated circuit (IC), front-end module, or both. As such, the RFFE circuits may be connected to one another using an RFFE serial communications bus. Further, one or more of the RFFE circuits may need an accurate clock source for analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), calibration, sensor measurements, or the like. Instead of including an integral clock source circuit or receiving a separate external clock signal, an RFFE circuit may extract clock information from the RFFE serial communications bus to provide one or more clock signal. The clock information may be associated with one or more serial communications command via the RFFE serial communications bus. |
| US08667313B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in system on chip
An apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in a System on Chip (SoC) are provided. The SoC includes a clock unit for providing clocks to all elements included in the SoC, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for controlling the SoC to perform designated functions, a main regulator for supplying power provided from an external battery to remaining elements included in the SoC other than a PMU, and a restoration processor for storing, in the PMU, registration information on the CPU and all peripherals included in the SoC when a transition from an active state to a sleep state is made. The PMU stops provision of a clock from the CPU by controlling the clock unit for stopping provision of all clocks by controlling the clock unit and for controlling the main regulator to be powered off when the restoration processor, wherein the PMU requests the restoration processor to store the registration information, completes the register information storing, when the transition from the sleep state to the active state is made. |
| US08667309B2 |
Methods and systems for power supply management
System and methods for controlling power delivery to system components are disclosed. A controller is communicatively coupled to a point-of-load converter through a first communication path and a shared memory is communicatively coupled to the point-of-load converter through a second communication path. A third communication path communicatively couples the controller and the shared memory. Control data is communicated from the controller to the point-of-load converter through the first communication path and measurement data is written from the point-of-load converter to the shared memory through the second communication path. The controller is operable to read the measurement data from the shared memory through the third communication path. |
| US08667305B2 |
Securing a password database
An apparatus and a method for encrypting a username is described. In one embodiment, a hashed username is encrypted with an encryption function. An input size of the encryption function matches an output size of the encryption function. The password associated with the hashed username is replaced with a function of the encrypted username. The function includes a linear combination operator of the password and the encrypted username. The encrypted username is then swapped with the replaced password. The encryption, replacement, and the swapping are iterated for at least two rounds using a different key with each iteration. |
| US08667301B2 |
Obfuscating transformations on data array content and addresses
In a first computer (digital) data obfuscation process, data which is conventionally arranged in a data structure called an array (e.g., a table) and conventionally stored in computer or computer device memory is obfuscated (masked) by logically or mathematically combining the data, entry-by-entry, with a masking value which is computed as a logical or mathematical function of the entry itself or its index in the array, modulo a security value. The complementary unmasking value is a pointer to the entry's address in the table modulo the security value. In a second computer (digital) data obfuscation process, the addresses (location designations) in memory of a data array are themselves obfuscated (masked) by partitioning the array into blocks of entries and shuffling the order of the data entries in each block by a predetermined algorithm, resulting in a shuffled array also differing from the original array in terms of its size (the total number of entries). |
| US08667293B2 |
Cryptographic data distribution and revocation for handheld medical devices
A method includes: receiving a revocation list from a remote data server at a configuration device. The revocation list includes N cryptographic certificates associated with N computer software entities, respectively, that are not to be executed by any of a group of medical devices including a handheld medical device. N is an integer greater than or equal to zero The method further includes receiving data from the handheld medical device at the configuration device. The data includes a cryptographic certificate that is associated with a given computer software entity that is presently installed in memory of the handheld medical device for execution by the handheld medical device. The method further includes comparing the cryptographic certificate with the revocation list; and selectively executing a protective function by the configuration device when the cryptographic certificate is the same as one of the N cryptographic certificates of the revocation list. |
| US08667288B2 |
System and method for message verification in broadcast and multicast networks
In a network device, a method for verified communication includes generating a network communication message using a selection of predetermined message elements having digital signatures generated with a private key. The network device generates a signature for the message by applying a homomorphic operation to the digital signatures of the selected predetermined message elements and to a one-time signature corresponding to a random number. The network device transmits the message in association with the signature for the message and the random number to at least one other network device. |
| US08667283B2 |
Soft message signing
A message is signed using a PUF without having to exactly regenerate a cryptographic key. Another party that shares information about the PUF is able to verify the signature to a high degree of accuracy (i.e., high probability of rejection of a forged signature and a low probably of false rejection of a true signature). In some examples, the information shared by a recipient of a message signature includes a parametric model of operational characteristics of the PUF used to form the signature. |
| US08667279B2 |
Systems and methods for securely place shifting media content
Systems and methods are provided for securely providing a place-shifted media stream from a place shifting device to a remote player via a communications network. A request for a connection is received from the remote player at the place shifting device via the communications network. In response to the request for the connection, an authorization credential is requested from a central server via the communications network. Further, in response to the authorization credential received from the central server, the place-shifted media stream between the place shifting device and the remote player can be established over the communications network. At least a portion of the place-shifted media stream may be encrypted based upon the authorization credential. |
| US08667272B2 |
System and method for content distribution with broadcast encryption
A content distribution method with broadcast encryption, comprising an encryption process that includes the computation of a ciphertext using a differential ciphertext generation method. The ciphertext needs to be recomputed whenever the subscriber set changes. The differential ciphertext generation method computes the new ciphertext by reusing previously preserved computational results of a previous ciphertext, thereby improving the efficiency of the system. A content distribution method with broadcast encryption also comprises a decryption process that includes the reconstruction of the encryption secret that is used for decrypting the encrypted content. A wide window point addition method is used in the encryption secret reconstruction. The wide window point addition method reuses previously preserved computational results of group-divided point additions of public parameters, thereby improving the efficiency of the system. A clustering solution with multiple instances of key server and entitlement server allows the expansion of user population in the content distribution network. |
| US08667271B2 |
Methods and systems to resolve message group
A method and system for resolving addresses of a message including looking up, from a source directory, a group name associated with a message address of the message, looking up through a cache of user names mapped to user addresses, a user address for each of the looked up user names and returning an associated user address, and addressing the message to each looked up user addresses. Expanding group address by looking up user name in for group from source directory, looking up user address for each user name from user cache, addressing message to looked up user, address, and transmitting message to looked up user address. |
| US08667263B2 |
System and method for measuring staleness of attestation during booting between a first and second device by generating a first and second time and calculating a difference between the first and second time to measure the staleness
A method is provided for determining with a first device, staleness of attestation measurements at a second device. The method includes booting up the second device at a first time, the second device having a communication portion, a security portion, a basic input/output system and a trusted protection module. Further, the method includes generating an initial counter based on the booting up of the second device at the first time. A current counter is then generated based on a second time after the first time. The method additionally includes providing a request to the second device from the first device, the request requesting booting information and current information, the booting information being based on the initial counter, the current information being based on the current counter. Still further, the method includes providing a response to the first device from the second device, the response including the booting information and the current information. Finally, the method includes determining, via the first device, the generated initial counter and the current counter based on the response. |
| US08667258B2 |
High performance cache translation look-aside buffer (TLB) lookups using multiple page size prediction
A computer processing system method and apparatus having a processor employing an operating system (O/S) multi-task control between multiple user programs and which ensures that the programs do not interfere with each other, said computing processing system having a branch multiple page size prediction mechanism which predicts a page size along with a branch direction and a branch target of a branch for instructions of a processing pipeline, having a branch target buffer (BTB) predicting the branch target, said branch prediction mechanism storing recently used instructions close to the processor in a local cache, and having a translation look-aside buffer TLB mechanism which tracks the translation of the most recent pages and supports multiple page sizes. |
| US08667255B2 |
Measuring runtime coverage of architectural events of a microprocessor
A post-silicon testing apparatus, method, and computer program product provide for runtime coverage measurement methodology to measure the architectural events in hardware. Measurement of all architectural events discernable from the instructions and architectural state changes are tracked and recorded. A mechanism to ensure capturing of maskable events is also provided. A feedback driven test-generation approach is enabled by the runtime coverage measurement. The runtime coverage measurement system presents a live view of the comprehensive architectural event coverage to the user/tester. The methodology can be implemented on an operating system environment and also as a standalone/bare-metal tool. |
| US08667253B2 |
Initiating assist thread upon asynchronous event for processing simultaneously with controlling thread and updating its running status in status register
A processor of a data processing system executes a controlling thread of a program and detects occurrence of a particular asynchronous event during execution of the controlling thread of the program. In response to occurrence of the particular asynchronous event during execution of the controlling thread of the program, the processor initiates execution of an assist thread of the program such that the processor simultaneously executes the assist thread and controlling thread of the program. |
| US08667251B2 |
Electronic chip and integrated circuit including a split routing unit having first-level routers for intra-layer transmissions and second-level routers for inter-layer transmissions and transmissions to the processing units
This electronic chip includes functional modules each including a single processing unit and a single routing unit (110E) connected to one another, and connections, called routing connections, each of which has at least one end connected to the routing unit of a functional module, where the routing connections connect between themselves the routing units of the functional modules so as to allow routing of data between the processing units of the functional modules.The routing unit (110E) of at least one functional module, called a split routing unit, includes two routers (112E, 114E), called respectively a first-level router and a second-level router, which are connected to one another, where the first-level router is moreover connected to at least two routing connections, and where the second-level router is moreover connected to the processing unit of this functional module and connected to at least one other routing connection. |
| US08667250B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and instructions for converting vector data
A computer processor includes a decoder for decoding machine instructions and an execution unit for executing those instructions. The decoder and the execution unit are capable of decoding and executing vector instructions that include one or more format conversion indicators. For instance, the processor may be capable of executing a vector-load-convert-and-write (VLoadConWr) instruction that provides for loading data from memory to a vector register. The VLoadConWr instruction may include a format conversion indicator to indicate that the data from memory should be converted from a first format to a second format before the data is loaded into the vector register. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08667247B2 |
Volume record data set optimization apparatus and method
A method for optimizing a plurality of volume records stored in cache may include monitoring a volume including multiple data sets, wherein each data set is associated with a volume record, and each volume record is stored in a volume record data set. The method may include tracking read and write operations to each of the data sets over a period of time. The method may further include reorganizing the volume records in the volume record data set such that volume records for data sets with a larger number of read operations relative to write operations are grouped together, and volume records for data sets with a smaller number of read operations relative to write operation are grouped together. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US08667245B2 |
Spatial extent migration for tiered storage architecture
Provided are techniques for migrating a first extent, determining a spatial distance between the first extent and a second extent, determining a ratio of a profiling score of the second extent to the spatial distance, and, in response to determining that the ratio exceeds a threshold, migrating the second extent. |
| US08667243B2 |
Storage apparatus, controller, and method of controlling controller
Provided are a processor generates second notification information by copying first notification information including target information about all communication adaptors in a storage apparatus; updates the first notification information, upon configuration information on the communication adaptors being modified; updates, when receiving a target information obtainment request, the second notification information with second notification information; blocks, when a predetermined copy prevention condition is met, copy of the first notification information to the second notification information; and sends, when receiving the target information obtainment request, the second notification information to the host apparatus, thereby, the load for notifying notification information to the host apparatus can be reduced, as well as preventing any inconsistency in notifying the notification information. |
| US08667238B2 |
Selecting an input/output tape volume cache
For selecting an input/output tape volume cache (TVC), a history module maintains access history instances for a plurality of clusters, each cluster comprising a TVC. A request module receives an access request for a logical volume wherein an instance of the logical volume is stored on each of the plurality of clusters and each instance of the logical volume is synchronized with each other instance of the logical volume. An adjustment module weights the access history instances in favor of recent access history instances. A calculation module calculates an affinity of the logical volume instance stored on each cluster of the plurality of clusters. A selection module selects a cluster TVC with a highest logical volume affinity as the TVC for the logical volume. |
| US08667237B2 |
Deleting relations in multi-target, point-in-time-copy architectures with data deduplication
A method for deleting a relation between a source and a target in a multi-target architecture is described. The multi-target architecture includes a source and multiple targets mapped thereto. In one embodiment, such a method includes initially identifying a relation for deletion from the multi-target architecture. A target associated with the relation is then identified. The method then identifies a sibling target that inherits data from the target. Once the target and the sibling target are identified, the method copies the data from the target to the sibling target. The relation between the source and the target is then deleted. A corresponding computer program product is also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08667236B2 |
Host based write ordering for asynchronous replication
A host write based write ordering mechanism is used so the write ordering on the secondary system is derived from the write ordering applied by the host to the primary system. In this scheme any set of writes that was issued in parallel on the primary system may also be issued in parallel on the secondary system. The parallel writes provide better performance compared to absolute or strict write ordering allowing only one outstanding write per volume group. |
| US08667235B2 |
Data de-duplication for serial-access storage media
Data storage and retrieval methods and apparatus are provided for facilitating data de-duplication for serial-access storage media such as tape. During data storage, input data is divided into a succession of chunks and, for each chunk, a corresponding data item is written to the storage media. The data item comprises the chunk data itself where it is the first occurrence of that data, and otherwise comprises a chunk-data identifier identifying that chunk of subject data. To facilitate reconstruction of the original data on read-back from the storage media a cache (50) is used together with a database (35R), stored on the media, that includes for each duplicated chunk, the location of the corresponding chunk of subject data. |
| US08667227B2 |
Domain based cache coherence protocol
Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for accessing a data block in a cache with a domain based cache coherence protocol. A first processor in a first tile and first domain can be configured to evaluate a request to access the data block. A cache in a second tile in the first domain can be configured to send the data block to the first tile when the data block is cached in the second tile. The first processor can be configured to send the request to a third tile in another domain when the cached location is outside the first processor's domain. The third processor can be configured to determine and send the request to a data domain associated with the cached location of the data block. A fourth tile can be configured to receive the request and send the data block to the first tile. |
| US08667225B2 |
Store aware prefetching for a datastream
A system and method for efficient data prefetching. A data stream stored in lower-level memory comprises a contiguous block of data used in a computer program. A prefetch unit in a processor detects a data stream by identifying a sequence of storage accesses referencing a contiguous blocks of data in a monotonically increasing or decreasing manner. After a predetermined training period for a given data stream, the prefetch unit prefetches a portion of the given data stream from memory without write permission, in response to an access that does not request write permission. Also, after the training period, the prefetch unit prefetches a portion of the given data stream from lower-level memory with write permission, in response to determining there has been a prior access to the given data stream that requests write permission subsequent to a number of cache misses reaching a predetermined threshold. |
| US08667224B1 |
Techniques for data prefetching
Described are techniques for processing a data operation in a data storage system. A front-end component of the data storage system receives the data operation. In response to receiving the data operation, the front-end component performs first processing. The first processing includes determining whether the data operation is a read operation requesting to read a data portion which results in a cache miss; and if said determining determines that the data operation is a read operation resulting in a cache miss, performing read miss processing. Read miss processing includes sequential stream recognition processing performed by the front-end component to determine whether the data portion is included in a sequential stream. |
| US08667223B2 |
Shadow registers for least recently used data in cache
A cache for use in a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer includes a data array; a tag array configured to hold a list of addresses corresponding to each data entry held in the data array; a least recently used (LRU) array configured to hold data indicating least recently used data entries in the data array; a line fill buffer configured to receive data from an address in main memory that is located external to the cache in the event of a cache miss; and a shadow register associated with the line fill buffer, wherein the shadow register is configured to hold LRU data indicating a current state of the LRU array. |
| US08667218B2 |
Storage apparatus comprising RAID groups of RAID 1 series and control method of writing to RAID group of RAID 1 series
A RAID group of RAID 1 series comprises one or more pairs of first storage devices and second storage devices. A storage apparatus reads data from the entire area of a first storage block group including the write destination of write target data in the first storage device. The storage apparatus, in accordance with the write target data and staging data which is the read data, generates one or more data units each of which is the data configured of the write target data or the copy of the same and the staging data part or the copy of the same and of the same size as the first storage block group. The controller writes any of the one or more data units to the first storage block group in the first storage device and, at the same time, writes any of the one or more data units to the second storage block group corresponding to the first storage block group and of the same size as the same in the second storage device. |
| US08667217B1 |
System for writing to memory
A selection module selects memory blocks of a flash memory in response to (i) the memory blocks being partially written with first data and (ii) receiving a write command to write second data to the memory blocks. A control module, prior to erasing the first data from the memory blocks, collects the first data and writes the collected data in a portion of a dynamic random access memory instead of writing the collected data in the flash memory. A location description module generates a description table indicating whether data in memory locations in the portion of the dynamic random access memory are valid or invalid. A rate of adding data to the portion becomes equal to a rate at which data in memory locations in the portion becomes invalid so that the collected data is written in the portion without first merging the collected data. |
| US08667216B2 |
Information processing device, external storage device, host device, relay device, control program, and control method of information processing device
According to the embodiments, an external storage device switches to an interface controller for supporting only a read operation of nonvolatile memory when a shift condition for shifting to a read only mode is met. A host device switches to an interface driver for supporting only the read operation of the nonvolatile memory when determining to recognize as read only memory based on information acquired from the external storage device. |
| US08667214B2 |
Techniques to store configuration information in an option read-only memory
Method and apparatus to store configuration information in an option read-only memory are described. |
| US08667212B2 |
System including a fine-grained memory and a less-fine-grained memory
A data processing system includes one or more nodes, each node including a memory sub-system. The sub-system includes a fine-grained, memory, and a less-fine-grained (e.g., page-based) memory. The fine-grained memory optionally serves as a cache and/or as a write buffer for the page-based memory. Software executing on the system uses a node address space which enables access to the page-based memories of all nodes. Each node optionally provides ACID memory properties for at least a portion of the space. In at least a portion of the space, memory elements are mapped to locations in the page-based memory. In various embodiments, some of the elements are compressed, the compressed elements are packed into pages, the pages are written into available locations in the page-based memory, and a map maintains an association between the some of the elements and the locations. |
| US08667211B2 |
System and method for managing a non-volatile memory
A method, computer readable medium storing instructions and system for managing flash memory. Data sector are received and each is written into a data block of a buffer of a non-volatile memory device. Pointers in a data management structure are created for each data sector corresponding to an associated logical block and a storage location of the data sector in the buffer. When a predefined criterion is fulfilled before the buffer becomes full, a number of logical blocks to be merged is determined and data sectors corresponding to the number of logical blocks to be merged are written from the buffer to a primary non-volatile data storage memory of the non-volatile memory device. |
| US08667207B2 |
Dynamic reallocation of physical memory responsive to virtual machine events
Described are methods and systems for dynamically reallocating memory amongst virtual machines executing within a virtualization environment. A computer can execute a virtualization environment that can include one or more virtual machines and that can include a memory manager. The memory manager can dynamically reallocate memory by identifying a maximum and minimum memory value for each virtual machine, determining a target memory value for each virtual machine using the maximum and minimum memory value, and identifying one or more virtual machines that have an actual memory usage value that is less than the target memory value calculated for those virtual machines. To re-allocate the memory, the memory manager can allocate additional memory to the identified virtual machines by inflating a balloon driver, then de-allocate the additional memory, and reallocate the de-allocated, additional memory to other virtual machines within the virtualization environment. |
| US08667206B2 |
Interface device for coordinating control of an output device by multiple control consoles
A system and method for interfacing multiple inputs and outputs in a control system is provided. A digital input/output system provides a localized interface between multiple operator consoles and at least one output device to coordinate and monitor the operation of the at least one output device. The digital input/output system includes an interface device which re-routes discrete lines to and from the operator consoles and output devices and eliminates conflicting signals sent from the operator consoles to the output devices. |
| US08667202B2 |
Method of powering on HDD modules via connectors in server
A method of powering on a server is provided, wherein the server includes power consumption modules with the same functions, connectors, and a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The power consumption modules are connected to the server via the connectors respectively. This method includes the steps as follows. At first, the BIOS detects a delay power-up setting. When the delay power-up setting is detected, the BIOS staggers initialization times of the connectors, so that the connectors can be initialized respectively. When one of the connectors has been initialized, the connector is electrically connected to the corresponding power consumption module, so that the power consumption module can be delayed to be powered on. |
| US08667200B1 |
Fast and highly scalable quota-based weighted arbitration
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for arbitrating between a set of requesters that transmit data transmission requests to the weighted LRU arbiter. Each data transmission request is associated with a specific amount of data to be transmitted over the crossbar unit. Based on the priority state associated with each requester, the weighted LRU arbiter then selects the requester in the set of requesters with the highest priority. The weighted LRU arbiter then decrements the weight associated with the selected requester stored in a corresponding weight store based on the size of the data to be transmitted. If the decremented weight is equal to or less than zero, then the priority associated with the selected requester is set to a lowest priority. If, however, the decremented weight is greater than zero, then the priority associated with the selected requester is not changed. |
| US08667191B2 |
Managing and indentifying multiple memory storage devices
A management hub is disclosed. The management hub comprises an interface; a master hub controller coupled to the interface; a plurality of ports coupled to the master hub controller; a microcontroller coupled to the master hub controller; and hub setting switch and a slave hub controller coupled to the microcontroller and the plurality of ports. The management hub also includes a memory device coupled to the microcontroller, the memory device including a hidden drive information partition and a hidden drive organizer partition for managing and identifying information in various drives coupled to the plurality of ports, wherein when the management hub is first connected to a host system the drives are displayed in an inactive state. |
| US08667190B2 |
Signal processing system, integrated circuit comprising buffer control logic and method therefor
A signal processing system comprising buffer control logic arranged to allocate a plurality of buffers for the storage of information fetched from at least one memory element. Upon receipt of fetched information to be buffered, the buffer control logic is arranged to categorize the information to be buffered according to at least one of: a first category associated with sequential flow and a second category associated with change of flow, and to prioritize respective buffers from the plurality of buffers storing information relating to the first category associated with sequential flow ahead of buffers storing information relating to the second category associated with change of flow when allocating a buffer for the storage of the fetched information to be buffered. |
| US08667184B2 |
Distributed kernel operating system
An improved distributed operating system over a network of computer systems is described. Existing distributed operating systems have transmission performance limitations dictated by their inability to (1) reliably handle transient communication failures and rapid node reboots, (2) provide a transmission protocol that adapts to link reliability, and (3) allow transmissions to occur over an arbitrary combination of communication links. The systems and methods described herein solve these problems by providing a reliable node-to-node session protocol that offers high performance message delivery and multi-interface management and support. This is done by transmitting all data between two nodes of the operating system over a single connection that may dynamically exploit multiple interfaces between the nodes. |
| US08667183B1 |
Server-side HTTP translator
A network communications system and method are disclosed. In at least one implementation, the network communications system includes a network appliance configured to receive from a client device via a client-side wide area network, an HTTP non-compliant request stream including one or more HTTP non-compliant requests formatted according to an HTTP non-compliant application level protocol. The network appliance is further configured to translate the one or more HTTP non-compliant requests of the HTTP non-compliant request stream from the HTTP non-compliant application level protocol into one or more HTTP compliant requests of an HTTP compliant request stream. The network appliance is further configured to forward the HTTP compliant request stream including the one or more HTTP compliant requests to one or more server devices via a server-side local area network. |
| US08667175B2 |
Server selection for routing content to a client using application layer redirection
In one embodiment, a first request is received for a probe link from a client that has downloaded a page. The request is received from an application. A test may be performed to determine a server that could optimally service a content request from the client. After receiving the request, the content router sends a re-direct to the client where the re-direct causes the client to follow the re-direct to the server. The server then sends a re-direct back to the client, which the client follows by sending a second request to the content router. The second request is associated with the client and the round-trip time is calculated for the server. It is then determined if the location for the server should be designated as the content deliverer to the client based on the calculated round-trip time. |
| US08667167B2 |
Method and network device for controlling transmission rate of communication interface
A method for controlling a transmission rate of a communication interface includes detecting, for a plurality of times, data traffic that passes through a first communication interface of a first device within a preset period; when the traffic rates at which the data traffic passes through the first communication interface within the preset period are lower than a first threshold, sending a rate reduction request message to a second device that includes a second communication interface, so that the second device configures a rate of the second communication interface as a first transmission rate that is lower than a current transmission rate of the second communication interface and that is supported by both communication interfaces after receiving the rate reduction request message. In this way, power consumption of the communication interface may be reduced. |
| US08667166B2 |
Method and system for resource-aware dynamic bandwidth control
Resource-aware dynamic bandwidth control uses information about current network state and receiver performance to avoid, minimize and/or recover from the effects of network spikes and data processing spikes. Linear models may be used to estimate a time required to process data packets in a data processing queue, and are thus useful to determine whether a data processing spike is occurring. When a data processing spike occurs, an alarm may be sent from a client to a server notifying the server that the client must drop packets. In response, the server can encode and transmit an independent packet suitable for replacing the queued data packets which can then be dropped by the client and the independent packet present to the processor instead. |
| US08667165B2 |
Dynamic modification of application behavior in response to changing environmental conditions
Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically modifying an application program's behavior in response to changing environmental conditions (such as network changes, system changes, and so forth). The application may solicit such information, and/or may receive unsolicited environmental change notifications. In response to a change notification, the application may take one or more of the following approaches to adapt to the changing conditions: (1) alter its execution; (2) modify its use of, or control of, other cooperating application; and (3) modify the selection of application execution threads. (An application might also decide to make no changes in its behavior.) |
| US08667164B2 |
Method and apparatus for playing live content
A method for providing a client with a playlist of content segments accessible in a live streaming service provided in a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) adaptive streaming format is provided. A live content processing method for a broadcast system includes transmitting and updating content-related information sent from a server to a client, checking, at the client, content segments accessible in real time and saving a previous content-related information, retrieving the content segments playable by referencing the previous content-related information, determining, at the client, whether the content requested for playback can be playable using a playlist, and notifying the user of the playback result. |
| US08667159B2 |
Communication device, communication method, and computer product
A data transceiver of a user terminal receives image data and sound data that are transmitted from a destination by streaming. A video chat processor of the user terminal reproduces the received data, thereby providing a communication device, a communication method, and a communication program that enable a user to easily and efficiently confirm, based on returned data, a reproduction quality of the image data and the sound data that are transmitted by streaming. |
| US08667157B2 |
Hardware bus redirection switching
Example embodiments relate to hardware bus redirection switching. In example embodiments, a computing device receives a selection of a new remote desktop protocol to be used for communication with a remote server. The computing device may then selectively enable hardware bus redirection for the new remote desktop protocol based on whether the new protocol supports hardware bus redirection. |
| US08667156B2 |
Application-independent service delivery
A service delivery platform that can support a number of different services is provided. A context regarding an application device is received by the service delivery platform. Applications executed on the service delivery platform use the context to optimize the delivery of information to application devices. |
| US08667155B2 |
System and method for line rate frame processing engine using a generic instruction set
A system comprises a frame parser and lookup engine operable to receive an incoming data frame, extract control data from payload data in the data frame, and using the control data to access a memory to fetch a plurality of instructions, a destination and tag management module operable to receive the fetched instructions and execute the instructions to transform the data frame control data, and an assemble module operable to assemble the transformed control data and the payload data. |
| US08667152B2 |
Enhanced content sharing framework
An enhanced content sharing framework, in which a presence table indexing content globally stored on a respective home network, and policy information identifying users who are authorized to access the respective home network are received from first and second home network manager devices that respectively manage first and second home networks that each comprises one or more content rendering devices and content storing devices. A message is received from a user requesting that particular content be provided from the first home network to a particular content rendering device or content storing device of the second home network. Based on the presence table of the first home network, it is determined that the particular content is stored on the first home network, and, based on the policy information of the first home network, it is determined that the user is authorized to access the particular content on the first home network. |
| US08667149B2 |
Communication device, communication method, and computer-readable storage medium storing communication program
A communication device performs P2P communication with the other communication device by establishing a session through a server, and includes a first transmitting portion, if the communication device operates as a called device requested to establish the session, upon the receiving a session start message from the other communication device, transmits to the other communication device a response message including information on a port for directly receiving data from the other communication device; a session establishing portion establishes the session by transmitting a control message to a port specified by information in the session start message or a response message received from the other communication device; a command accepting portion accepts a user's command permitting to receive from the other communication device; and a starting portion starts transmitting and receiving of data to and from the other communication device, upon the accepting of the command. |
| US08667145B2 |
System and method for transferring data in high latency firewalled networks
A system and method are provided for establishing multiple parallel connections between a client and a server on a single server port. Data may be transferred on the multiple parallel connections between the server and the client through an opening in a network firewall that corresponds to the single server port. A control process may accept N connection requests from a client then transfer each accepted connection to a relay process that manages that connection. Each relay process may relay data between the server and the client via the single server port. A single collective data transfer may be executed on the N parallel connections, thereby increasing throughput and data transfer rates. If the data transfer rate is primarily limited by network latency, using N parallel connections provides the advantage of increasing the data transfer rate by approximately a factor of N. |
| US08667144B2 |
Wireless architecture for traditional wire based protocol
Aspects describe service discovery of wireless MDDI client-capable devices though interaction with an underlying bearer protocol. Service discovery can be performed when the underlying layer supports multicasting, when the underlying layer is wiMedia UWB MAC and/or UDP/IP. Service discovery can be initiated by a w-MDDI sender and/or a w-MDDI receiver. An optional mutual security association procedure can be conducted if both devices support security and security is necessary. |
| US08667141B2 |
Method and system for handling load on a service component in a network
A method, a system and a computer program product for handling requests in a network are disclosed. A load pattern at a first service component is extracted. A capacity and pending requests at the first service component are calculated based on the load pattern. Thereafter, an insertion delay is calculated based on the capacity, pending requests, and a time period required to increase the capacity by applying various alternative adaptation techniques. The insertion delay is then distributed among a plurality of upstream service components. |
| US08667134B2 |
Methods and systems for transaction record delivery using thresholds and multi-stage protocol
The present invention provides systems and methods for conducting electronic transactions in a distributed computing environment. A communications protocol is provided that enables reliable transactional state synchronization for peers participating in a distributed transaction. A transaction processing application is deployed on a local computer system to manage transactions thereon. The local computer system contacts a remote computer system to obtain authorization to execute a transaction. The local computer system initiates a failure-recovery job that is operable to automatically resend status signals and other information to the remote system if the communication with the remote system exhibits certain predefined fault conditions. The remote system is able to dynamically adjust the definition of the predefined fault conditions. If the transaction concludes without triggering the predefined fault conditions, the failure-recovery job is cancelled. The transaction processing application may also allow deferred transactions between remote parties. The transaction processing application maintains a record of the transactions performed by the consumer on the consumer's local system. Upon the occurrence of predefined conditions, transactional records are sent to a remote vendor or clearinghouse. The vendor or clearinghouse can manage the risk it bears by setting the predefined conditions appropriately. |
| US08667132B2 |
Arrangement for communication about and management of a resource using a mobile device
An arrangement for communications about, and management of a resource, such as energy, using a mobile device. A utility provides a resource for a facility. The facility can provide a resource in another sense. The utility has an information system that sends messages and data relative to the utility and the facility, to the mobile device. The mobile device provides commands and data, based on messages from the utility to an energy management system of the facility. The energy management system sends messages and data to the mobile device. The mobile device sends commands and data to the utility information system. A facility manager uses the mobile device and makes decisions relative to communications at the device. The communications are wireless and the device is portable and operated at various locations. The communications can involve other energy management systems and facilities. |
| US08667124B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for notifying real-time streaming protocol events
A method for notifying a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) event includes: monitoring an event state; and sending a notification indicative of a change of the event state to an event state receiving entity if detecting the change of the event state. A computer program and a computer-readable storage medium are provided to enable a computer to perform the steps of the method for notifying an RTSP event. An apparatus for notifying an RTSP event includes: an event state monitoring unit, adapted to monitor an event state; and a message sending unit, adapted to send a notification indicative of a change of the event state when the event state monitoring unit detects the change of the event state. A system for notifying an RTSP event includes the RTSP event notifying apparatus. Through the technical solution herein, the event state is notified to the corresponding network entity when the event state changes. |
| US08667123B2 |
Microcontroller network diagnostic system
A network diagnostic device is provided, which comprises a passive real-time measurement tool that is useful for, among other things, expediting fault identification, isolation, and repair of a communication network or bus. The device also facilitates prediction of failures by identifying marginal operating conditions. The device analyzes data flowing through the communication network, including through an analysis of variations in bit waveform shape carried by the network physical interconnect media. In one embodiment, an implementation of the network diagnostic device is particularly useful in a DeviceNet-compatible network or, more generally, a Controller Area Network (CAN). The device identifies faults by comparing measurements made on the actual DeviceNet bus with worst-case acceptable criteria. The device interfaces with a remote monitoring computer via an Ethernet compatible medium to display parsed bit-level waveforms, network warnings and errors, as well as an overall network health index. |
| US08667120B2 |
Load control device and method thereof for controlling requests sent to a server
The number of response-waiting requests which are already sent to a server (4) but to which a response is not yet returned from the server (4) is limited. To limit this number, received requests are temporarily accumulated in a buffer if the number of response-waiting requests has reached a threshold and, until the number of response-waiting requests falls below the threshold, requests are not sent from the buffer. The execution status of the server (4) is monitored, and the threshold is increased when the response time from the server (4) to a request is within an allowable range, and the threshold is decreased when the response time exceeds the allowable range. In addition, TCP connections between a load control device (3) and clients (1-1, . . . , 1-n) are aggregated so that the number of simultaneous connections of TCP connections between the server (4) and the load control device (3) becomes equal to or smaller than the threshold of the number of response-waiting requests. |
| US08667115B2 |
Method and apparatus for persistent connections to a device through the use of multiple physical network connections and connection hand-offs between multiple bands, modes and networks
Embodiments communicate messages between mobile devices and destination devices. An exemplary embodiment includes a first border server operable to establish a first communication connection to the mobile device over a first network operating under a first protocol, a second border server operable to establish a second communication connection to the mobile device over a second network operating under a second protocol, and a transport management server communicatively coupled to the first border server and the second border server, and operable to establish a third communication connection to the destination device over a third network operating under a third protocol. The first protocol is configured to communicate a first encapsulated portion of the message. The second protocol is configured to communicate a second encapsulated portion of the message. The third protocol is configured to communicate the first encapsulated portion of the message and the second encapsulated portion of the message. |
| US08667114B2 |
Program update management server and program update management method
A program update management server includes a storage unit configured to store an update program for updating a program to be managed, a setting unit configured to set an update timing in accordance with each client in which the program to be managed is installed, an update recommending unit configured to transmit information regarding recommendation of an update so that the client acquires the update program at the update timing, and a program transmitting unit configured to transmit the update program, at the update timing, to the client that receives the information regarding recommendation of an update. |
| US08667113B2 |
Bitmap network management object change detection approach
Techniques for detecting device changes using SNMP polling are described. In response to determining that an MIB of a managed device has changed, the device's SNMP agent identifies the altered objects in the device's MIB. In response to detecting such a change, the SNMP agent generates a bitmap. This bitmap identifies all the MIB's objects that have changed. The NMS may access and use this bitmap to take further action. For example, the NMS may use the bitmap to poll only the changed objects in the MIB, rather than all of the objects in the MIB (including the unchanged objects). Because fewer than all of the MIB's objects need to be polled in order to identify changes to the managed device, both the burden on the device and the bandwidth required for the polling is significantly reduced. |
| US08667108B2 |
Domain managing method, domain extending method and reference point controller electing method
A method of managing a domain, a method of extending a domain, and a method of selecting a reference point controller are provided. The method of operating the domain includes: receiving a request for authenticating a reference point controller from a reference point controller candidate; invalidating a membership of the stored reference point controller; generating a unique reference point controller membership for verifying that the reference point controller candidate is a new reference point controller; and transmitting the generated reference point controller membership to the reference point controller candidate. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in the reference point controller, the function of the reference point controller can be rapidly replaced by using the reference point controller candidate. |
| US08667107B2 |
Domain managing method, domain extending method and reference point controller electing method
A method of managing a domain, a method of extending a domain, and a method of selecting a reference point controller are provided. The method of operating the domain includes: receiving a request for authenticating a reference point controller from a reference point controller candidate; invalidating a membership of the stored reference point controller; generating a unique reference point controller membership for verifying that the reference point controller candidate is a new reference point controller; and transmitting the generated reference point controller membership to the reference point controller candidate. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in the reference point controller, the function of the reference point controller can be rapidly replaced by using the reference point controller candidate. |
| US08667106B2 |
Apparatus for blocking malware originating inside and outside an operating system
A management system for a guard chip. The guard chip is adapted to prevent malware communications between a user operating system and an external network without user interaction. The management system comprises an authentication function to authenticate interactions between the guard chip and the management system with each communication, an update function to provide updates to the guard chip without user interaction, and a control function to prevent users control of the guard chip. The management system can comprise an administrator to create the updates. |
| US08667100B2 |
Device communication, monitoring and control architecture and method
A communication interface and a device control, management and monitoring system are provided to enable the networking of and communication between a multiple devices operating under different protocols. The communication interface may act as a translator or protocol converter that reformats transmissions from one protocol to another based on protocol compatibility between the recipient and transmitting devices. The device control and monitoring system may store predefined rules that are triggered when specified conditions associated with the networked devices are detected. The rules may specify an action to take such as transmitting a discount offer to a user or turning off a light. According to one or more arrangements, the communication interface may act as an intermediary between the networked devices and the device control system so that the device control system is not required to understand or be compatible with the various other protocols used by the networked devices. |
| US08667096B2 |
Automatically generating system restoration order for network recovery
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for automatically generating a system restoration order for network recovery. A set of managed machines, such as personal computers or servers, can be managed by a network management platform communicating with the machines via a secure channel. The network management platform can access a dependency map indicating a required order for restoration of machines or nodes on a network. The network management platform likewise access a reverse kickstart file for each machine to be automatically restored in order to ensure proper functioning of the network, and extract a current configuration of that machine for purposes of restoring the overall network. |
| US08667095B2 |
Local auto-configuration of network devices connected to multipoint virtual connections
Various systems and methods for automatically configuring network devices coupled to a network that provides (or is capable of providing) multipoint virtual connections are disclosed. One such method involves receiving information identifying a plurality of virtual connections (VCs) available within a network. The method identifies a set of one or more nodes that are configured with one of several Internet Protocol (IP) subnets and that have access to one of the VCs, and then assigns each of the IP subnets to a unique one of the VCs. |
| US08667093B2 |
Image display system with visual server
An image display system with one or more client computers in selective communication with a visual server having image processing capabilities. The client computer generates image modifying data corresponding to a generated image, and transmits the data to the visual server. The visual server receives the image-modifying data, generates a modified image based upon the image-modifying data, and transmits the modified image as compressed data to the client. The client decompresses the modified image data and displays the modified image. In the system, the visual server and client can provide a sequential display of modified frames on client to support animation with complex 3-dimensional graphics. |
| US08667092B1 |
System and method for providing online file management services
A first message comprising first information specifying a file is received from a first server. Respective second messages comprising second information specifying the file are transmitted to a plurality of lock services. Assignment information identifying a file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file is received from each of the plurality of lock services. One or more conflict resolution rules are applied to reconcile conflicts among the assignment information received from the plurality of lock services and to determine an assigned file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file. A third message identifying the file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file is transmitted to the first server. |
| US08667091B2 |
Machines, computer program products, and computer-implemented methods providing an integrated node for data acquisition and control
Embodiments of an integrated node, such as a programmable logic controller, are provided for process automation and seamless, flexible subsystem communications, allowing a remote host to interface with a plurality of remote and in-plant subsystems and services using a wired or wireless network interface and having a database server and a protocol translator or translation server to convert and manipulate various industrial interfaces and protocols. Embodiments of the integrated node time-synchronize the plurality of remote subsystems, acquire and archive time-stamped process data, report exceptions therein to the remote host, and extract and transmit time-stamped process data to the remote host. Embodiments of computer program products and computer implemented methods also are provided to detect a time of communication failure and a time of a corresponding recovery between a node and either a remote subsystem or a remote host. |
| US08667086B2 |
Method, device, and system for downloading games
The present disclosure applies to the field of software, and provides a method, a device and a system for downloading games. The method includes that: after a user logs in, a client device sends a version number of a local game hall and personal information of the user to a server, which generates and returns a silent configuration file for downloading according to the version number of the local game hall and personal information of the user, wherein the silent configuration file for downloading includes a list of games that needs to be updated and/or downloaded and a silent download speed-limiting mode; the client device receives the silent configuration file for downloading returned by the server, and silently downloads and/or updates corresponding games of the local game hall according to the silent configuration file for downloading. An embodiment of the present disclosure can set the most appropriate silent download mode according to network conditions and user requirements. |
| US08667083B2 |
Simplifying provisioning of asynchronous interaction with enterprise suites having synchronous integration points
An aspect of the present invention simplifies provisioning of asynchronous interaction with enterprise suites having synchronous integration points. In one embodiment, a digital processing system receives, from a user, data indicating that asynchronous interaction is required for a synchronous integration point of an enterprise suite, and in response, auto-generates a set of service oriented architecture (SOA) artifacts designed to synchronously invoke the synchronous integration point and provide asynchronous interaction with external systems. The auto-generated SOA artifacts are then deployed in SOA server, whereby external systems can interact asynchronously to access a functionality provided by the synchronous integration point. According to another aspect, the system, also receives from the user, a second data indicating a set of policies to be applied, and in response, auto-generates the set of SOA artifacts to implement the set of policies during asynchronous interaction with external systems. |
| US08667080B2 |
Computer-implemented method, a computer program product and an embedded system for increasing the speed of data retrieval by a client on the embedded system
The present description refers in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and an embedded system for increasing the speed of data retrieval by a client on the embedded system. The embedded system executes a client and an intermediary, wherein the client and the intermediary are executed separately, and wherein the intermediary manages the storing component. A request may be received from the client at the intermediary, for a first content element of a document. The intermediary determines whether the first content element is stored in a storing component and when the first content element is stored in the storing component: retrieves the first content element from the storing component; and sends the first content element from the intermediary to the client. |
| US08667076B2 |
Mapping universal plug and play discovered items to an SMB location
An arrangement is provided in which a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device exposes a service for mapping a UPnP discovered content item to a server message block (SMB) location. The service is arranged to expose an SMB share path to a user at a remote client using a UPnP protocol. The user is then enabled with access to the share via SMB to gain file access, write changes or exercise file level control of the discovered content item. Authentication is optionally utilized to verify that the user is authorized to receive the SMB share location from the service or to verify that the user is authorized to access the SMB share. |
| US08667067B2 |
System and method for subscribing to a web logging service via a dispatch communication system
A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server. |
| US08667066B1 |
System and method for event-driven live migration of multi-process applications
A system and method for event-driven live migration of applications between two or more servers. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. Event driven live migration is provided through a combination of process replication, logging, barrier synchronization, reliable messaging and message playback. The event driven live migration is transparent to the application and requires no modification to the application, operating system, networking stack or libraries. |
| US08667065B1 |
Distributed multiple-tier task allocation
Described is a system and methods for multiple tier distribution of task portions for distributed processing. Essentially, a task is divided into portions by a first computer and a task portion transferred to second participatory computer on the network, whereupon an allocated task portion is again portioned by the second computer into subtask portions, and a subtask portion transferred by the second computer to a third participatory computer on the network, whereby distributed processing transpires, and results collated as required. |
| US08667064B2 |
Personalizing a web page outside of a social networking system with content from the social networking system
A user device requests a web page from a web server of a third-party website, which is separate from a social networking system. The web server from the third-party website sends a markup language document for the requested web page to the user device which includes an instruction for a browser application running on the user device to incorporate information obtained from the social networking system within the web page. Based on the instruction in the received markup language document, the user device requests personalized content from the social networking system, which generates the requested personalized content based on social information about the user. The user device then renders the web page with the personalized content contained in a frame and displays the rendered web page and the frame to the user. |
| US08667062B2 |
Method and apparatus for preserving privacy for appointment scheduling
An approach is provided for preserving privacy for appointment scheduling. A scheduling platform receives a request to schedule an appointment among one or more users. The scheduling platform determines availability information for the one or more users from one or more respective devices, wherein the availability information is encrypted using homomorphic encryption. The scheduling platform then processes and/or facilitates a processing of the availability information using, at least in part, one or more homomorphic functions to determine one or more recommended time slots for the appointment. |
| US08667060B2 |
Data collection from utility meters over advanced metering infrastructure
Communicating data via an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). An infrastructure is disclosed that includes: a plurality of communication modules incorporated into a plurality of associated utility meters; a data aggregator configured for communicating with each of the plurality of communication modules, wherein the data aggregator includes a system for translating meter specific data formats into an aggregated format that includes data quality attributes and a timestamp, and includes a system for synchronizing aggregated data over a back haul; and a head end system having a communication management system that receives and processes synchronization messages from the data aggregator received over the back haul, wherein the head end system includes a metering system for requesting and obtaining meter data from the associated utility meters via the data aggregator, and issuing signals to individual meters and groups of meters. |
| US08667057B1 |
Method and system for delivering object update messages including payloads
A distributed network system includes at least one server and one client device, each having memory and one or more processors. The server performs the following operations: selecting a first client-object registration record including a first client identifier and a first object identifier; retrieving a pair of server-side object version and client-side object version from the first client-object registration record; determining a first set of incremental payloads to be delivered to the client device associated with the first client identifier in accordance with the pair of server-side object version and client-side object version; retrieving the first set of incremental payloads from a first object update record including the first object identifier; and sending a first object update message to the first client device, wherein the first object update message includes the first object identifier, the server-side object version and the retrieved first set of incremental payloads. |
| US08667055B2 |
Method for achieving an on-line mutual interlocution operation
A method for implementing an online mutual aid question-answer service comprises: a questioning user uploading an edited question to an extensible markup language document management (XDM) server; an answering user subscribing for a question from the XDM server, the XDM server sending the question subscribed for to the answering user; and after the answering user receives the question, the answering user answering the question, and informing the questioning user of the question about an answer of the question. |
| US08667053B2 |
System and method of sharing images
A system and method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between at least two parties over a communication network. The system comprises a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing digital data transmitted over the communication network from a first party, the digital data facilitator having the ability to review a request transmitted from a second party, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with the second party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party. |
| US08667051B2 |
Real-time communication processing method, product, and apparatus
The present invention detects indicia, identifiers, or partial URLs to mark up in real time from input sources such as that of radio, television, cable, and other sources that have a digital, analog or digital/analog signal where text can be decoded from. A device receives a broadcast and decodes text data from the broadcast signal. The data is stored and words are parsed from the stored data. The words may be matched against a table of identifiers or rules to determine whether indicia have been detected. If not and it is determined that there is more data, then the next word may be parsed from the stored data. If an identifier or the like has been detected then it may be determined whether the word is a phone number. When the word is a phone number, the number is stored in a phone cache to speed-dial, auto-dial, generate a hyperdial link, or update a phone book. If the word is not a phone number, then it may be determined whether the word is a lottery number, stock symbol and price, zip code, e-mail, domain name, weather and any other indicia types that may be detected to perform an operative function. |
| US08667050B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying, on a first machine, data associated with a drive of a second machine, without mapping the drive
Methods and systems for displaying data associated with a client drive of a client computing device in a virtualized desktop executing on a remote computing device without explicitly mapping the client drive onto the remote computing device are described. A first client agent executing on a client computing device establishes a user session with a remote computing device. The first client agent transmits data identifying the client drive of the client computing device to a second client agent executing on the remote computing device. The second client agent receives data associated with the client drive and generates a shell link using the received data associated with the client drive in the context of the user session. The second client agent displays the data associated with the client drive of the client computing device in a virtualized desktop executing on the remote computing device. |
| US08667049B2 |
Massively parallel supercomputer
A novel massively parallel supercomputer of hundreds of teraOPS-scale includes node architectures based upon System-On-a-Chip technology, i.e., each processing node comprises a single Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Within each ASIC node is a plurality of processing elements each of which consists of a central processing unit (CPU) and plurality of floating point processors to enable optimal balance of computational performance, packaging density, low cost, and power and cooling requirements. The plurality of processors within a single node individually or simultaneously work on any combination of computation or communication as required by the particular algorithm being solved. The system-on-a-chip ASIC nodes are interconnected by multiple independent networks that optimally maximizes packet communications throughput and minimizes latency. The multiple networks include three high-speed networks for parallel algorithm message passing including a Torus, Global Tree, and a Global Asynchronous network that provides global barrier and notification functions. |
| US08667047B2 |
System and method for managing computer networks
A system and method are provided for monitoring traffic in an enterprise network. Similar hosts may be grouped using flow information. Network policy may then be created at the group level based on the signatures of the hosts and groups of hosts in the enterprise. Hosts may be arranged in hierarchical clusters. Some of these clusters may be selected as groups based on a desired degree of similarity between hosts in a group. The similarity between hosts may be determined based on similarity of network behavior of the hosts. |
| US08667046B2 |
Generalized programmable counter arrays
A Generalized Programmable Counter Array (GPCA) is a reconfigurable multi-operand adder, which can be reprogrammed to sum a plurality of operands of arbitrary size. The GPCA is configured to compress the input words down to two operands using parallel counters. Resulting operands are then summed using a standard Ripple Carry Adder to produce the final result. The GPCA consists of a linear arrangement of identical compressor slices (CSlice). |
| US08667042B2 |
Functional unit for vector integer multiply add instruction
A vector functional unit implemented on a semiconductor chip to perform vector operations of dimension N is described. The vector functional unit includes N functional units. Each of the N functional units have logic circuitry to perform: a first integer multiply add instruction that presents highest ordered bits but not lowest ordered bits of a first integer multiply add calculation, and, a second integer multiply add instruction that presents lowest ordered bits but not highest ordered bits of a second integer multiply add calculation. |
| US08667041B2 |
Detection of potential need to use a larger data format in performing floating point operations
Detection of whether a result of a floating point operation is safe. Characteristics of the result are examined to determine whether the result is safe or potentially unsafe, as defined by the user. An instruction is provided to facilitate detection of safe or potentially unsafe results. |
| US08667040B2 |
Mechanism for carryless multiplication that employs booth encoding
An apparatus having operand registers, an opcode detector, a carryless preformat unit, a compressor, a left shifter, and exclusive-OR logic. The operand registers receive operands for a carryless multiplication. The opcode detector receives a carryless multiplication instruction, and asserts a carryless signal. The carryless preformat unit partitions a first operand into a plurality of parts that are such that a Booth encoder is precluded from selection of second partial products of a second operand, where the second partial products reflect implicit carry operations. The compressor sums first partial products of the second operand via carry save adders arranged in a Wallace tree configuration, where generation of carry bits is disabled. The left shifter shifts one or more outputs of the compressor. The exclusive-OR logic executes an exclusive-OR function to yield a carryless multiplication result. |
| US08667038B1 |
Methods and apparatus to increase the resolution of a clock synthesis circuit that uses feedback interpolation
A frequency synthesis circuit includes a phase locked loop and an interpolator circuit. The phase locked loop circuit receives a reference clock and a feedback clock and generates an output clock with a frequency based on the reference clock and the feedback clock. An interpolator circuit is coupled in the feedback path of the phase locked loop circuit. An interpolator control circuit generates an interpolator control word that specifies a variable time delay for the interpolator circuit. The interpolator circuit receives the output clock, and generates the feedback clock by introducing a variable time delay in the output clock in accordance with the interpolator control word. The time variable delay varies the frequency of the output circuit. Embodiments for frequency synthesis circuits that include a spread spectrum frequency clock generator, frequency modulators, and a fixed frequency clock generator circuit are disclosed. |
| US08667037B1 |
Identification and ranking of news stories of interest
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking news articles. A plurality of news articles referenced in one or more hub pages are identified, where each of the hub pages include respective references to one or more of the news articles. A score component is derived for a news article from a measure of a prominence of the news article in the hub pages that includes a reference to the news article. |
| US08667036B2 |
Bonding contents on separate storage media
Local storage on player instruments provides the ability for adding further amendments and most recent supplements to the optical disc content. A problem arising with this technically applicable possibility is the protection of copyrights bound to disc and supplement data. The present invention describes a technique to ensure a security framework that is able to handle this, by creating a virtual file system (VFS) by merging optical disc data and local storage data based upon a common identifier. |
| US08667035B2 |
Method of converting a filesystem while the filesystem remains in an active state
A filesystem conversion process converts a filesystem from one implementation type to another type while the filesystem remains active and fully accessible. The conversion process builds a list of directories in the filesystem that are of the old filesystem type and then converts each directory until the entire filesystem is converted. Instead of the filesystem being shutdown to perform the conversion, the conversion process may run as a background thread that does not interfere with normal filesystem operations. |
| US08667034B1 |
System and method for preserving symbolic links by a storage virtualization system
The present invention enables a storage virtualization system to identify and preserve symlinks stored in a mixed protocol NFS+CIFS NAS system. Using the results of a multi-protocol scan, a storage virtualization system may identify which data objects are symlinks. The storage virtualization system may also determine the symlinks' target path information either by monitoring access or by referring to metadata discovered during the scan. After recording this target path information, the storage virtualization system may provide symlink expansion capabilities separate from the client computer or the NAS system. In addition, this target path information may be preserved upon symlink migration to a second NAS system. |
| US08667028B2 |
System and method to determine database schema impact
Database management systems associate a user identifier with an application and monitor access by the application to a database replication. Any changes to a schema associated with the database replication or different instances of the database are identified based on the monitoring. Identified changes are verified and a usage parameter of the database or database replication is analyzed to determine usage data, which can be stored in a database usage repository. A determination regarding the expected impact of an identified change is determined from the usage data. |
| US08667026B1 |
Method and system for ranking multiple data sources
A method of ranking a plurality of regulated data sources and a plurality of non-regulated data sources for a data field is provided. The method evaluates consistency and assigns a ranking for a regulated data source based upon records having identical values and records having non-identical values for the data field in the regulated data source compared to other regulated data sources under analysis. The method further evaluates consistency and assigns a ranking for a non-regulated data source based upon records having identical values compared to other non-regulated data sources under analysis. |
| US08667025B2 |
Variable substitution data processing method
In an embodiment the present invention relates to a method comprising: inputting data in binary form; arranging the input data in segments; determining a plurality of values based on respective ones of said segments; using said values to determine locations where a predetermined transformation is to be applied to a sequence of bits; performing said predetermined transformation on said sequence of bits at each of said locations; outputting the sequence of bits as first output data. The present invention can be applied to encryption and decryption of data, data comparison and verification, and random data generation. |
| US08667020B2 |
Placement goal-based database instance dynamic consolidation
Models and tools for facilitating database instance consolidation are described. One approach obtains standardized database instance performance data, receives instance isolation criteria which are applied to divide instances into sets, determines resource usage for each set, and assigns instance sets to target machines based on resource usage and capacity. Each instance set is associated with a virtual machine in some cases. A security isolation criterion indicates that specified instances shall not co-reside on a target machine; an organizational criterion indicates that specified instances shall be located together in a single data center; a compatibility criterion indicates that instances shall not reside in the same virtual machine, the same physical server, or the same server pool. Users iteratively reach an acceptable consolidation of instances at one or more data centers, such as an enhanced assignment of instances that is more efficient than a linear additive solution. |
| US08667017B1 |
Method for portal-based collaborative process management and information access
A method for collaborative management of a process is disclosed herein. The method includes electronically creating a declaration document containing information relating to one or more characteristics of an equipment unit involved in effecting the process. The method further includes electronically creating, at least partially based upon the information contained within the declaration document, an instruction document prescribing changes in one or more operational parameters of the equipment unit. The declaration document may be created by an operator of the equipment unit and the instruction document may be created by a user entity having electronic access to the declaration document. |
| US08667011B2 |
Web service discovery via data abstraction model and condition creation
A method includes receiving a selection of a logical field of a data abstraction model. The method includes determining model entries (e.g., concepts) associated with the selected logical field and examining the data abstraction model to determine other model entries that are equal to the model entries associated with the selected logical field. For each equal model entry, the method includes determining web services to be used in performing a search, where the web services are determined by querying a discovery registry associated with the data abstraction model to discover one or more web services that are resolvable based on the selected logical field. A first discovered web service is executed with user supplied criteria provided via a user interface to obtain a list of values. A condition is created that limits acceptable values associated with the selected logical field based on the user supplied criteria. |
| US08667010B2 |
Database table partitioning allowing overlaps used in full text query
Various embodiments provide a set of algorithms and scripts, e.g., SQL scripts, to perform automatic horizontal table and index partitioning that allows overlapping of data records, used in full-text search queries. In at least some embodiments, table creation and populating script is utilized to create a set of smaller tables partitioned by one column. In at least some embodiments, SELECT query modification script is provided to generate a query that works on the partitioned tables to achieve better performance. In at least some other embodiments, other query creation script is provided to modify the INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE queries for the original large table to automatically keep these queries synchronized with partitioned tables. |
| US08667006B2 |
Rapid peer navigation in faceted search systems
A facet peer category navigation system enables enhanced navigation of a faceted search system by a facet peer agent enabled enhanced navigation of a faceted search system by identifying a plurality of targets in a database searchable by a faceted search system. A web page configured to run the faceted search system is displayed, and responsive to a display of a target anywhere on the web page and to an activation of a control associated with the target, a list of all peer targets of the target is displayed in a window on the web page. |
| US08667001B2 |
Scalable database management software on a cluster of nodes using a shared-distributed flash memory
A distributed database system has multiple compute nodes each running an instance of a database management system (DBMS) program that accesses database records in a local buffer cache. Records are persistently stored in distributed flash memory on multiple storage nodes. A Sharing Data Fabric (SDF) is a middleware layer between the DBMS programs and the storage nodes and has API functions called by the DBMS programs when a requested record is not present in the local buffer cache. The SDF fetches the requested record from flash memory and loads a copy into the local buffer cache. The SDF has threads on a home storage node that locate database records using a node map. A global cache directory locks and pins records to local buffer caches for updating by a node's DBMS program. DBMS operations are grouped into transactions that are committed or aborted together as a unit. |
| US08666999B2 |
Search utility program for software developers
A search utility for industrial control programs accepts as a query an example program fragment which is abstracted into a graph-form capturing, for example, instruction control-flow and data-flow. This graph-form may be compared to a graph-form transformation of other portions of the program to provide a more sophisticated matching process that considers underlying logical hierarchy of the program elements rather than their superficial expression in the source code embodiment. |
| US08666998B2 |
Handling data sets
A method, system and computer program product provides a first characteristic associated with a first data set and a single data value, and a second characteristic associated with a second data set; and calculates at least one of: 1) the similarity of the first data set with the second data set based on the first and second characteristics, 2) the similarity of the first data set with the single data value based on the first characteristic and the single data value, 3) confidence indicating how well the first characteristic reflects properties of the first data set based on the first characteristic, and 4) confidence indicating how well the similarity of the first data set with the single data value reflects properties of the single data value based on the first characteristic and the single data value. |
| US08666997B2 |
Placeholders returned for data representation items
One or more requests from a client for data representation items can be received by an items manager. The data representation items can represent data items in a data source. In response, the items manager can perform the following: generating placeholders corresponding to the data representation items; returning the placeholders to the client; fetching the data items from the data source; providing the data representation items to the client; and informing the client that the placeholders are to be replaced with the data representation items. The items manager may determine whether each data representation item can be synchronously returned to the client. If so, the items manager may return that data representation item synchronously, and may forego providing the client with a placeholder for that data representation item. This may allow a client to interact with a single interface for both synchronous and asynchronous data sources. |
| US08666996B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting broken links within a file
A method for detecting broken links using a computer coupled to a database is described. A plurality of links including valid links and broken links are embedded within data files stored in the database. The method includes receiving, at the computer, a selection of at least one directory that includes a plurality of data files to be analyzed. The method also includes analyzing all links embedded within the data files stored in the at least one selected directory to detect broken links. The method also includes determining that no other links are embedded within the data files stored in the at least one selected directory and generating a broken link report that includes broken link data for each broken link detected. |
| US08666988B2 |
Configuring classifier trees and classifying data
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method to configure a network of classifiers includes configuring a plurality of classifiers in a network of classifiers, such that the configuring associates a plurality of operating points with each output branch, associating a different quality profile with each output point for each output branch in the plurality of classifiers, and storing the configured network of classifiers and quality profile associations in the computer system to be used for classifying future input data according to the network configuration and quality profile association. Each classifier comprises executable code that classifies the data. Each of said classifiers has a plurality of the output branches that each output the data to another classifier. Each operating point comprises a probability of determining that a data item input to the classifier has a particular characteristic and a probability that said determination falsely detected the characteristic. |
| US08666985B2 |
Hardware accelerated application-based pattern matching for real time classification and recording of network traffic
An indexing database utilizes a non-transitory storage medium. A pattern matching processing unit generates preclassification data for the network data packets utilizing pattern matching analysis. At least one processing unit implements a storage process that receives the network data packets, stores the network data packets in at least one of the slots, and transfers the network data packets to a packet capture repository when slots in a shared memory are full. A preclassification process requests from the pattern matching processing unit the preclassification data. An indexing process determines, based upon the preclassification data, whether to invoke or omit additional analysis of the network data packets, and performs at least one of aggregation, classification, or annotation of the network data packets in the shared memory to maintain one or more indices in the indexing database. |
| US08666982B2 |
Method and system to augment vehicle domain ontologies for vehicle diagnosis
A document may be received at a processing module. One or more tags may be applied to the document, each tag applied to a term, each tag representing a part of speech. One or more terms may be extracted from the document based on the tag. A weighting assignment parameter may be determined for each of the one or more extracted terms. Based on the weighting assignment parameter associated with each of the extracted terms, it may be determined whether the domain ontology includes the one or more extracted terms. If the domain ontology does not include the one or more extracted terms, the domain ontology may be augmented such that the domain ontology comprises the one or more extracted terms. |
| US08666980B1 |
Virtual clickstream recommendations
This disclosure describes various processes for collecting information about users from sources other than catalog activity data. This information can be used to generate recommendations for users with activity data deficiencies. Some example sources for this supplemental data include collaborative content sites, such as social networking sites. Social networking sites typically allow users to engage in conversations with other users through text, audio, and/or video. Conversation data collected from these sites or from other sources can be analyzed to infer user interests. A recommendation process (or other application) can use the inferred interests to supplement or take the place of catalog activity data. |
| US08666978B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing content tagging and tagged content
A content tagging and management capability is provided for enabling automatic tagging of content and management of tagged content. A registration capability is provided for enabling creation of a user account and association of information with the user account where the information is adapted for supporting automatic content tagging and management of tagged content. An object information management capability is provided for enabling access to object information which may be used when automatically tagging content. A tagged content access capability is provided for enabling access to an information structure by an end user viewing tagged content. A tagged content ownership management and remuneration capability is provided for enabling management of content ownership for tagged content of end users and for managing associated remuneration which may be provided to end user when tagged content is accessed. |
| US08666971B2 |
Intelligent adaptive index density in a database management system
Adaptive index density in a database management system is provided, which includes receiving a number of partitions for an index for a database table, the index subject to creation. The adaptive index density also includes selecting a column from the database table, the column selected based upon an estimated frequency of execution of database queries for the column. The adaptive index density further includes calculating an estimated cost of executing each of the database queries for the column, and determining data to reside in each of the partitions of the index responsive to the estimated cost. |
| US08666968B2 |
Executing runtime callback functions
In an embodiment, a runtime callback function is a part of a code that is invoked upon execution of an associated function. To execute the runtime callback function associated with an in-memory computing engine, multidimensional analytical metadata associated with an application server is received and transformed into an in-memory executable metadata, to generate an instance of an in-memory executable calculation scenario. The instance of the in-memory executable calculation scenario is analyzed to determine process callbacks associated with nodes of the in-memory executable calculation scenario. Based upon the determined process callbacks, the runtime callback function is executed by executing a selection callback at the nodes and a transformation callback at part providers associated with the in-memory executable calculation scenario. |
| US08666960B2 |
Schema-based data transfer between a data-based application and a document application
Systems and methods are described for performing a schema-based data transfer between a database associated with a data-based application and a document associated with a document application. In one implementation, connection information established during an initial schema-based data transfer between the database and the document is maintained in association with the document. This connection information is then used to facilitate subsequent updating of the document based on information currently residing in the database as well as subsequent updating of the database based on information currently residing in the document in a manner that is highly automated and easy to use. |
| US08666950B2 |
Systems and methods to select media content
Systems and methods to select media content are provided. A particular method includes selecting one of a plurality of media mixes based on a location of a user. The method also includes dynamically selecting a plurality of media content items based on media settings of the selected media mix. The media settings specify proportions of a first set and a second set of media content items. The first set is selected based on a first property including at least one of a tempo, a beat, a rhythm, a type of instrument, a duration, an artist, a title, a genre, an album, a release date, and a type of media. The second set is selected based on a second property including a storage location. The method further includes generating an output including a media content item of the plurality of media content items. |
| US08666949B1 |
Random order digital file format
A system for creating a random order file format, wherein randomization occurs at the sub-file level, the system having a data storage unit that stores a plurality of data pieces and at least one RODFF file that is created from said data pieces, where the RODFF files and data pieces are stored according to commands received by a software application; a microprocessor configured by the software application and operatively connected to the data storage unit whereby the microprocessor is configured to execute the software application and enable the RODFF files to be created, according to a set of predetermined methods from the plurality of digital data pieces, and also enables the RODFF files to be stored on and retrieved from the data storage unit. |
| US08666941B2 |
System and method for persistent storage of common user information for interactive television using a centrally located repository
For interactive television subscribers, a system (10) and method for persistent storage of common information relating to a user (25) required by multiple disparate iTV applications to be shared among said applications to ease the burden of data entry off the user. Subscribers do not have to repeatedly enter the same common user information required by multiple applications. The registration information inputted by a user (25) is logged, temporarily stored in the STB (35), and its contents transmitted to a remote central repository (100) at predetermined intervals. |
| US08666940B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating data between computer devices
A client server system uses a client subsystem, a server subsystem and an interconnecting data network. The client subsystem client application initiates a secure connection over the network with the server subsystem which includes a server application cooperating with the client application to complete a secure connection with the client application and which transmits output data over such a connection in response to requests for service by the client application. The server subsystem additionally generates a notification, in response to detecting an event in the absence of a secure connection between the server and the client, and transmits the notification to the notification server which forwards the notification over the interconnecting network to the client application. |
| US08666937B2 |
System, method and computer program product for versioning content in a database system using content type specific objects
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for versioning content in a database system using content type specific objects. These mechanisms and methods for versioning content in a database system using content type specific objects can enable embodiments to provide a database system which stores information associated with multiple versions of content. The ability of embodiments to provide a database system which supports content versioning can enable an efficient and comprehensive storage of content types having different features by the database system. |
| US08666932B2 |
System and method for providing vector terms related to instant messaging conversations
The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises retrieving one or more terms or phrases comprising an instant messaging conversation in which one or more users are participating. One or more term vectors comprising one or more vector terms associated with the one or more retrieved terms or phrases comprising the instant messaging conversation are generated and one or more vector terms are selected from said term vectors. The one or more selected vector terms are displayed to the one or more users participating in the instant messaging conversation. An indication of a user selection of a given displayed vector term is received and one or more content items responsive to the selected vector term are identified. |
| US08666927B2 |
System and method for mining tags using social endorsement networks
Descriptive data relating to at least a subset of a plurality of entities on a website is retrieved over a network. Endorsement data relating to the plurality of entities is retrieved from the website. A first set of probabilities is determined reflecting a probability that endorsements can be attributed to specific aspects. A second set of probabilities is determined reflecting a probability that terms can be attributed to aspects. Using the first set of probabilities and the second set of probabilities, a subset of the terms that are most probably associated with each entity are selected. Tags are then generated for each entity using the selected terms. |
| US08666926B1 |
Methods and systems for improving therapy adherence
A system and method for improving adherence to therapy programs, in particular to adherence to medication therapy and/or to healthcare therapy, that includes medication therapy. Methods of the present invention may also be used to improve compliance with and/or adherence to other wellness and/or health care programs. Methods and systems of the invention may include methods of identifying patients who are at risk of non-adherence, non-compliance, or likelihood of cessation with a therapy program, predicting a basis for such noncompliance, and targeting interventions directed to patients who have been identified as likely to be non-compliant, wherein interventions take into consideration the predicted basis for noncompliance. |
| US08666924B2 |
Message conduit systems with algorithmic data stream control and methods for processing thereof
A method for processing messages is provided where at least one algorithmic conduit is defined, and at least one conduit rule for controlling at least one algorithmic conduit is defined. An algorithmic conduit is a persistent connection, controlled by explicit, independent, dynamic rules, and capable of processing messages among data communicators such as devices, systems, or programs. Messages can be monitored, filtered, transformed, correlated, or processed in other ways without modifying the data communicators. A message conduit hub system allows creation and management of algorithmic conduits to serve as active, virtualized links carrying rules-based data streams among configurable endpoints. These “smart” connections are managed using parameters, logic, and other control interfaces for tailoring behavior to a particular application, site, or user. A message conduit hub system may be implemented as a stand-alone device, as part of a larger system, or as an “encapsulation layer” for an existing application. |
| US08666919B2 |
Data quality management for profiling, linking, cleansing and migrating data
A data quality management system includes a rules repository configured to store profiling data quality rules, cleansing data quality rules, and linking data that links profiling data quality rules to cleansing data quality rules. The data quality management system also includes a rules management module configured to manage the rules repository. The data quality management system further includes a data quality job management module configured to migrate data quality rules from the rules repository to a data quality processing system and manage a data quality process performed by the data quality processing system using the migrated data quality rules. |
| US08666915B2 |
Method and device for information retrieval
A method of information retrieval that includes determining Q generative models (λ) in accordance with Probabilistic Latent Semantic Indexing (PLSI). The Q generative models are determined in offline training. The method also includes receiving a user query (q), choosing N generative models out of the Q generative models, and determining a content item (d) based on the query and a combination of the N generative models. |
| US08666914B1 |
Ranking non-product documents
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for determining relevance of documents to queries. An optimized relevance function is configured to determine a relevance value of documents of a first type that are linked to documents of a second type. The relevance function is optimized to satisfy certain criteria. According to one criterion, a relevance value produced by the optimized relevance function, when invoked for documents of the first type, should have a locally maximal degree of fit to the results of the existing relevance function for the sample training documents of the second type. An assessed degree of fit of a document can be increased or decreased to arrive at an optimized relevance function that ranks the documents of the first type in a desired position relative to documents of the second type in search results. The degree of fit can be assessed by a user-provided objective function. |
| US08666912B2 |
Mechanical shock feature extraction for overstress event registration
An electronic system includes an accelerometer. A method for excessive mechanical shock feature extraction for overstress event registration and cumulative tracking includes obtaining a sample from the accelerometer. Feature extraction is performed on the sample using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to produce a plurality of modes. A pattern classifier is utilized for processing the plurality of modes to determine if the sample classifies as a shock event. If the sample classifies as a shock event, a shock event counter is incremented. If the shock event counter reaches a specified count, an indication to a user is generated. |
| US08666909B2 |
Interestingness recommendations in a computing advice facility
The present disclosure provides a recommendation to a user through a computer-based advice facility, comprising collecting topical information, wherein the collected topical information includes an interestingness aspect; filtering the collected topical information based on the interestingness aspect; determining an interestingness rating from the collected topical information, wherein the determining is through the computer-based advice facility; and providing a user with the recommendation related to the topical information based on the interestingness rating. |
| US08666907B1 |
Rule-based automated return authorization
A return request processing engine automatically approves or denies requests for authorization to return a purchased item to the seller of the item. The return request processing engine utilizes return request rules to determine whether a particular return request can be approved or denied without input from the seller. When a request is received from a buyer to return an item, the return request processing engine utilizes the return request rules to determine if the request to return the item can be automatically approved or denied without input from the seller. If the return request processing engine cannot automatically approve or deny a return request, the return request processing engine causes a message to be transmitted to the seller of the item that provides a user interface through which the seller can indicate whether the return request is approved or denied by way of a single user input. |
| US08666905B2 |
Anonymous online payment systems and methods
In various embodiments, a central server grants access to a plurality of anonymous one-time-usable, time-sensitive encrypted tokens that identify consumer purchase orders. A plurality of certified merchant servers are certified by being provided with an application to securely connect the certified merchant servers to the central server for, among other things, transmitting purchase order data to the central server for use in generating the tokens. A plurality of financial institution servers can also be certified by being configured for use with an application that enables secure connection to the central server for, among other things, requesting the tokens. |
| US08666902B2 |
System and method for accessing read only ANSI tables in an electricity meter
A utility meter implementing the ANSI C12.19 standard is able to bypass security processing using Decade4 security tables for a single data access operation. The meter includes a procedure that is executed by a processor in the meter to process requests for security keys. Data internal to the meter is used to generate a security key. The security key is used by the requesting external device and the procedure to generate an access key. The external device sends its access key to the procedure so it may be compared to the internally generated access key. If both access keys are the same, a data access operation performed by the external device is allowed without reference to the Decade4 security tables. Once a timeout or data access operation is performed, subsequent data access operations are subject to processing in accordance with the Decade4 security tables unless another security key is requested for repetition of the process. |
| US08666900B1 |
Secure product enablement over channels with narrow bandwidth
A system and method provide an enablement scheme that accommodates small bandwidth channels and does not rely on shared secrets between parties. This is accomplished by storing a table of messages on a vendor server and a table of hashes of the message on client machines. A process is used by the vendor to select a message from the table to use for a validation code for enablement, and an identical process is used by the client to find a corresponding hash in the hash table. By comparing the hash in the hash table to a hash of the validation code received, the client can verify the validation code. The system includes software portions for enabling the method. |
| US08666895B2 |
Single action mobile transaction device
Embodiments of the invention allow a user to wirelessly transmit payment information from a mobile device to a point-of-sale terminal by the user performing only a minimum number of inputs, such as a single input. Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus comprising an input device configured to receive input from a user, a communication device configured to transmit wireless signals to a transaction device, a memory comprising predetermined payment information stored therein and a processor communicably coupled to the input device, the communication device and the memory and configured to: receive transaction information from the transaction device related to a transaction; receive a first input from the user; determine if the first input matches a user defined action stored in memory, and use the communication device to wirelessly transmit the predetermined payment information and authorize payment if the first input matches the user defined action stored in memory. |
| US08666894B1 |
Systems and methods for remotely authenticating credit card transactions
A system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer comprises at least one subsystem that alerts the consumer via a communication device of the consumer when a credit card transaction that meets certain criteria is being attempted on the consumer's credit card account. Also, a system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer may comprise at least one subsystem that receives an authorization request from a merchant for completing the credit card transaction and at least one subsystem that disallows the transaction to complete if a response is received from the consumer rejecting the transaction. The communication device may be a cell phone, computer, PDA, land line telephone, or any other communication device. |
| US08666892B2 |
Electronic payment processing system
In general, in one aspect, an electronic payment transaction can be processed at a merchant location without the need for configuring the equipment used to include parameters related to a merchant account (merchant profile). The electronic payment transactions processed from the merchant location simply include a unique identification for the equipment. A processing switch upstream maintains a correlation between the unique identifiers and the merchant profiles and retrieves the appropriate merchant profile for the unique identification and utilizes the merchant profile to process the electronic payment transactions. |
| US08666889B2 |
Methods and apparatus for funding transactions using debit cards issued by one institution and funds from accounts at other institutions
Methods, apparatus, and systems for funding transactions disclosed herein may operate to configure a plurality of backup funding sources for a primary funding source, and enable a consumer associated with the primary funding source to select at least one backup funding source among the plurality of backup funding sources. A request to fund a transaction associated with the primary funding source may be received, and the transaction may be funded using funds from at least one of the primary funding source and the at least one selected backup funding source. |
| US08666881B2 |
Loan management system and method
A loan management system and method includes an alternative repayment amortization method. Each installment on repayment of the loan includes an equal fixed principal repayment amount and an interest amount. The equal fixed principal repayment amount is based on the amount of the loan and the number of installments to be paid over the life of the loan. The interest due for each installment is based on the interest rate and the amount of outstanding principal at the time a given installment is due. |
| US08666877B2 |
Stock ranking predictions based on neighborhood model
A system and method of aggregating and predicting stock ranking stocks. The novel system and method uses a neighborhood model to aggregate a plurality of “neighboring” or related stocks having similar pricing trends. The system and method then uses a ranking optimization method to predict the ranking of each stock based on percentage change in price. The current invention facilitates investors trading by using a novel methodology to predict stock rankings and providing a neighborhood of related stocks, while having an easy-to-use interface. |
| US08666871B1 |
System and method for handling trades by advisers turning independent
A system and method allows an adviser/registered representative to act as an adviser to clients at a fee-only broker/custodian, and as a broker to the same clients at an independent broker-dealer. Non-commission-based trades are cleared and settled by the fee-only broker/custodian and commission-based trades are made by the independent broker-dealer using a clearing firm. The clearing firm settles the commissioned trades at the fee-only broker/custodian, where all the assets can be custodied. |
| US08666870B2 |
Configurable state model for supply chain management
Methods and systems for supply chain management in accordance with a state model. A supply chain management system includes a transaction state module within an inter-enterprise server assessable by trading partners. The transaction state module can define a state model which allows a trading partner to view a transaction and perform an action in accordance with a state of the transaction. The state model describes, in association with each state, which of the trading partners have visibility to the transaction and ability to perform an action. The trading partners can include consumers, retailers, distributors, etc. The transactions can include a forecast order, a purchase order, a billing, a product shipment, a payment, an invoice, a credit memo, a request for quote (RFQ), and a return material authorization (RMA). States of the transaction can include, for example, create, open, public view, private view, publish, commit, cancel, supersede, and the like. |
| US08666869B2 |
Systems for electronic trading
Systems are provided to manage option information. According to some embodiments, a user interface is provided including at least one option quote area presenting a plurality of option quotes, and an order entry area comprising input areas for inputting two or more option orders. A selection of one of the presented plurality of option quotes may be received and details of an option order corresponding to the selected option quote may be presented in appropriate input areas of the order entry area. In some aspects, a number of option quotes to present in at least one of the at least one option quote area is received, and the number of option quotes is presented in the at least one of the at least one option quote area. |
| US08666867B2 |
Systems and methods for valuating financial contracts and assessing associated risk
Systems and methods valuate financial contracts and assess associated risk. Particular embodiments comprise: calibrating parameters of models based on market data; determining a metric for the risk of the models to changes in the parameters; determining a metric for the risk of the parameters to changes in the market data; generating a set of valuation functions corresponding to the contract and depending on the calibrated parameters of the models; generating a corresponding set of derivatives of the valuation functions, the derivatives depending on the metric for the risk of the parameters to changes in the market data; determining a value for the contract to comprise an expected value of one of the valuation functions; and assessing a risk of the value of the contract to one or more variables by determining an expected value of one or more of the set of derivatives of the valuation functions. |
| US08666864B2 |
Computerized method for automated foreign exchange market transactions
The present invention is an automated proprietary application that provides a user with trade parameters to allow new trades to be opened and closed, and also provides an operating schedule that such new trades are to be initiated. Both the trade parameters and the operating schedule are entirely user defined. The present invention acquires data from a market information database in order to calculate market derived trending signals. These market derived trending signals determine if the user's defined trade parameters have been fulfilled. The user creates the operating schedule to designate the times and dates at which a new trade could be opened. These trades are unable to be opened if every trade parameter has not been fulfilled. The present invention can execute direct trades, reverse trades, or perform no trades in which these trade actions are determined by the trend of a selected currency pair. |
| US08666863B2 |
Processing monitor system and method
Systems and methods for monitoring transaction data and providing an indication regarding a performance parameter to a payment processing entity. Transaction data associated with a plurality of transactions conducted during a time interval is received. A server computer determines that the received transaction data meets a threshold. It is further determined whether a previous indication that the threshold has been met was provided to a payment processing entity, the previous indication being associated with a plurality of previous transactions conducted during a previous time interval. If the previous indication was not provided, an indication that the threshold has been met is provided to the payment processing entity, the indication including information regarding a performance parameter of the payment processing entity. |
| US08666859B2 |
Electronic financial management and analysis system and related methods
A computing system facilitating electronic bill presentment and payment features for authorized users via a user interface is introduced including an analysis engine. The analysis engine, in response to user interaction with the user interface, selectively performs user-defined analysis on at least a subset of retrieved billing information associated with one or more billers. The analysis engine further generates one or more user-defined report(s) based, at least in part, on the user-defined analysis. |
| US08666858B2 |
Click based trading with intuitive grid display of market depth
A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. The “Mercury” display and trading method of the present invention ensure fast and accurate execution of trades by displaying market depth on a vertical or horizontal plane, which fluctuates logically up or down, left or right across the plane as the market prices fluctuates. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently. |
| US08666856B2 |
Simple tranche leverage, see through leverage and enhanced see through leverage
STL(0), STL(X) and ESTL(X) are processes for determining unique measures of risk for fixed income derivatives and securities. The processes are based on determining this unique concept of risk for a given outer capital structure layer and then combining that risk measure with the average of a similar risk measure of securities referenced by that capital structure repetitively until a base reference level is reached. In particular, a storage device comprises computer-executable instructions for determining risk of a financial instrument which is affected by or offered as a plurality of tranches. The computer-executable instructions, when executed on a programmable computer: identify a width, W, of a given tranche of the instrument; identify an attachment ratio, A, of the given tranche; and determine a liability ratio of the tranche by subtracting the attachment ratio from unity; and determine a simple tranche leverage value, STL(0), of the tranche by dividing the liability ratio by the width. |
| US08666855B2 |
System and method for a payment system directory
Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction. |
| US08666852B1 |
Mass reversal of documents based on reversal tasks and reversal triggers
In an example embodiment, a mass reversal of documents in a convergent invoicing system may be accomplished by first receiving a first set of one or more reversal triggers, wherein each of the one or more task triggers corresponds to a document in the convergent invoicing system. Then a reversal task is received, wherein the reversal task corresponds to the first set of one or more reversal triggers. A second set of reversal triggers may then be automatically corresponded to the reversal task, based upon documents corresponding to the one or more task triggers in the first set of one or more reversal triggers. Once an indication that the reversal task has been released is received, for each reversal trigger corresponding to the reversal task, the reversal trigger is processed, causing a corresponding document to be reversed. |
| US08666851B2 |
Engine, system and method of providing cloud-based business valuation and associated services
A computer-implemented engine, system and method for generating business valuations, scoring, and/or flagging over a network, responsively to information input by a user remote from the engine, system and method. The invention may include a graphical user interface capable of locally querying a user to input the company information, at least one network port capable of remotely receiving the company information from the graphical user interface, and at least one engine communicatively connected to the at least one network port, which engine preferably includes a plurality of rules to generate, responsively to the input company information, at least one of a business valuation, a business score, and/or one or more business flags to be used as indicators in a network marketplace, for the company associated with the inputted company information. |
| US08666849B2 |
Computer implemented method for bill analysis over the internet
A computer software method implemented on a computer for real-time analysis of a company's bill, such as a cell phone bill, by submitting a bill, generated by the billing company in electronic format, over the Internet, using computer loaded published public and current market information for selected billing companies. The computer advises the bill submitter, in real-time, by providing a report for submission to said billing company for correction and adds report to a blind summary in memory of generated reports by type of errors for billing companies from previous analysis for each billing company's collective errors and uses the collective summary for each billing company to enhance and improve future bill analysis on the computer and to provide a summary for each billing company. |
| US08666845B2 |
Managing consistent interfaces for a customer requirement business object across heterogeneous systems
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, computer readable mediums, and distributed systems for providing a message-based interface for exchanging customer requirement information. One method includes receiving, via a message-based interface derived from a common business object model that includes business objects having relationships enabling derivation of message-based interfaces and message packages, a first message for providing a notification of an update of product availability including a first message package hierarchically organized as a product available to promise update notification and fulfillment confirmation message entity and an accompanying set of specific, ordered packages, each including specifically ordered elements. The first message is processed according to the first message package's specific hierarchical organization, and a second message responsive to the first message is sent, the second message including a second message package derived from the common business object model to provide consistent semantics with the first message package. |
| US08666844B2 |
Intelligent performance-based product recommendation system
Systems and methods of utilizing communications networks and multivariate analysis to predict or recommend optimal products from a predefined population of commercially available products are disclosed. The recommendations are based on intelligence contained in processing elements and subjective and/or objective product information received from consumers or input to the systems as part of their initial setup. The output of the systems comprise sets of products that they predict the consumer will prefer and/or perform well for the problem or concern identified by the consumer. The performance and preference predictions are a function of consumer problems and product responsiveness patterns. Objective product information is generally obtained with diagnostic instruments. Data measured with the diagnostic instruments may be communicated to the data processing portions of the invention via the Internet. The outputs of the data processing portion of the system may be presented to consumers via the Internet as well. |
| US08666841B1 |
Fraud detection engine and method of using the same
A fraud detection system and method uses unique indicators for detecting fraud that extend beyond traditional transaction-based indicators. These unique indicators may include environmental information about a customer or a transaction. Such indicators may be used to identify fraud events based on computer-executable instructions that evaluate fraud risk. Further, an improved fraud detection system may include a learning component with a feedback loop. Also, authenticating and other information may be directed to the system for updating indicating data, fraud models, and risk assessments. |
| US08666839B2 |
Providing travel destination information
Embodiments generally relate to providing travel destinations. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining first travel destination information associated with a first travel destination. The method also includes determining one or more alternative travel destinations based on similarities between each alternative travel destination and the first travel destination and based on pricing. The method also includes providing the one or more alternative travel destinations and pricing. |
| US08666837B2 |
Method and medium for dynamic property re-pricing using partial broker services
A computer program product having code that when executed implements steps in a method for displaying to the user a recalculated sales price of realty. The recalculated sales price reflects user-selected brokerage services and not a fixed-commission percentage, typical with the sale of realty. Steps include establishing a database of itemized broker services; accessing a sales price of the realty; providing user access to the database; recording user-selected broker services; producing a recalculated sales price of the real estate property factoring the user-selected broker services into the sales price; and then displaying to the user the recalculated sales price. A system using the computer program product gets smarter with use because the method may include steps of automatically recalculating average factors used to produce a recalculated sales price of the real estate property. |
| US08666834B2 |
Item recommendation system, item recommendation method and program
Methods and systems include receiving feedback from one of a plurality of users for one of a plurality of items, storing the received feedback and past feedback received from the plurality of users, wherein the received feedback and past feedback are stored as combinations of users and items having feedback given by the users, calculating relevance between the one of the plurality of items and another one of the plurality of items, based on first information indicating a degree of feedback given by the one of the plurality of users for the plurality of items, and second information indicating a degree of stored past feedback given by the plurality of users to the plurality of items, and immediately recommending items to the one of the plurality of users, the recommended items having the highest relevance to the one of the plurality of items, based on the calculated relevance. |
| US08666825B2 |
Embeddable distributed e-commerce and community building system
The present innovation provides a method and a system for embedding e-commerce and community building capability into a seller website, comprising maintaining on an e-commerce server a product database of products sold by a seller, providing a seller script that runs in a web browser for incorporation into at least one web page on the seller website, downloading upon execution of the seller script a dynamic page analyzer from the e-commerce server that, upon execution by the web browser, adds at least one toolbar to the web page, requesting by the web browser, a dynamic cart script, displaying a dynamic cart that enables the buyer to interactively specify an order for the product corresponding to the e-commerce control, and sending the specification of the order to the e-commerce server for fulfillment of the order. |
| US08666817B2 |
Automatic personalization of two dimensional codes in one-to-one marketing campaigns using target user information
A method and system for the automated generation of a unique code such as a two dimensional (2D) code such as a quick response (QR) code for each of a plurality of target users. An appearance of the code for each target user can be personalized based on information from a database which includes personalized information for each target user. The appearance of the code is personalized for each user so that, for example, the code is more likely to draw the target user's attention than a code which is not personalized for the target user. |
| US08666815B1 |
Navigation-based ad units in street view
Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for directing a user to an image of an advertiser's geolocation are provided. An exemplary method includes retrieving a first image associated with a geolocation, where the geolocation is based on a user action. At least one advertising unit is also selected based on at least the geolocation associated with the first image. Each advertising unit includes at least one geolocation associated with an advertiser. At least one advertising unit is then placed on the first image. Finally, a second image is retrieved when a placed advertising unit is selected by the user. The second image is retrieved based on the geolocation associated with the placed advertising unit. |
| US08666810B1 |
System and method for online unique users and frequency estimation for advertisements on a video sharing website based on auction history results
Methods, systems, user interfaces, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing performance estimates for a content campaign. A method includes identifying a campaign including one or more targeting criteria for targeting content items to users; identifying historical auction results; storing the historical auction results as a plurality of documents; evaluating the plurality of documents to determine an estimated number of impressions that would occur in the plurality of documents based on the targeting criteria; determining an estimated total number of impressions for the targeting criteria in the time period based at least in part on the estimated number of impressions in the plurality of documents; and determining a total number of unique targeted users including determining a frequency of impression and determining the total number of unique targeted users as the total number of impressions divided by the frequency of impression. |
| US08666806B2 |
Systems and methods for customizing direct marketing mail pieces
Systems and methods for customizing direct marketing mail pieces are described. In one configuration, information relating to an advertiser is customized using demographic, psychographic, addressee, and/or individual profile data. In another configuration, environmental data is utilized to customize direct mail pieces using a two part printing process. |
| US08666802B2 |
Classifying locations for ad presentation
This specification describes technologies relating to content presentation. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving data from a plurality of users within a geographic region associated with a location; analyzing the received data to derive a category for the location; annotating the location with the category; and using the category to boost candidate content items for delivery to users in the location in response to future content item requests. |
| US08666801B2 |
Long-range location-specific menu-driven mobile payment platform mounted on vehicle dashtop
A method, computer system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing software for performing wireless payment of road tolls from a vehicle. An in-vehicle device includes a way for a vehicle occupant to communicate input to the device, as well as a screen for outputting data to the vehicle occupant. The device communicates with a base station, exchanging various codes and data, including a method of payment for the toll selected by the vehicle occupant. Eventually, the device acquires a Gate ID code from the base station, which is then transmitted to the tollroad gate prior to the vehicle passing that tollroad gate. Codes are created using a particular described approach. |
| US08666793B2 |
Distributing reauthorization time in the event of tariff time change
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for distributing the timing of reauthorization requests. In one embodiment, a request to authorize a subscriber of a service to consume a quantity of the service is received and a delay time period is calculated. The delay time period is based on the resources available to the subscriber (e.g., remaining balance in a subscriber account, credit limit, etc.), and/or other configurable thresholds. The subscriber is then authorized to consume the quantity of service over a period of time extending to the time of a service pricing change, plus the delay time period. In this manner, network spikes resulting from the receipt of multiple, simultaneous reauthorization requests at the times of service pricing changes are avoided, without increasing the credit risk to the service operator/provider. |
| US08666792B1 |
System and method for prioritizing real estate opportunities in a lead handling system based on weighted lead quality scores
Systems and methods for facilitating identification and prioritization of opportunities for marketers of goods and services. According to one aspect of the disclosed system, upon identification of one or more opportunities for a marketer, the system verifies whether or not the one or more opportunities satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria. Those opportunities that satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria are then scored, prioritized and presented to marketers. The disclosed system generates opportunity scores by analyzing various kinds of lead- and non-lead-based information and data. Aspects of the disclosed system are communicably coupled to marketers, leads, and third party information services to extract such information and data. |
| US08666791B1 |
Method and apparatus for procurement aggregation
A method, computer program and single enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for procuring a product or service. The single ERP system includes an input for receiving information relating to product demand for a plurality of end users via a cooperative buying group, a predictive engine for accumulating the received product demand into a single demand schedule and an output for transmitting the single demand schedule to a manufacturer/original source of the product. An optimization engine is provided for receiving product availability information from the manufacturer/original source of the product by the cooperative buying group, and for determining one or more options for ordering the products. A procurement system is also included for providing the product availability information to the one or more options for ordering the products, for receiving one or more product orders, for ordering product from the manufacturer/original source of the product, and for managing shipping the product. |
| US08666788B1 |
Systems and methods for facilitating an insurance marketplace for negotiations among brokers and insurance carriers
Methods are disclosed for providing leads for insurance market participants. A method may include a broker providing for consideration, their clients' insurance risk to be considered by multiple insurance capital providers. The broker can be provided with potential carrier matches based on analysis of broker and carrier insurance preferences, and previous transactions. Similarly, methods may include carriers disclosing their risk appetites, in the form of insurance products and services for consideration. The carrier may also be provided with potential broker and/or client matches based on analysis of the broker and carrier insurance preferences and previous transactions. Systems and apparatuses are also disclosed to implement the disclosed methods. |
| US08666782B2 |
System and method for form record processing
A method and system for providing a form record and for processing the same. For example, a medical record form in a clinical or hospital environment is provided based on user input and is processed upon the user's filling in of the form. In some aspects, a user indicates by way of a user interface a type of patient complaint and selects a type of medical record form that is to be used in conjunction with examining the patient. The system guides the user and accepts the user's inputs and provides a suitable medical record form from a plurality of form types. The selected form is printed, and used by the medical staff in the examination of the patient. The filled form is then returned to a processing station for scanning, where information in the filled form may be extracted and where the filled form may be added to a patient medical record or archive, or shared with another person or organization. |
| US08666781B2 |
Method and apparatus for management of clinical trials
A system and method of a clinical trial is provided. The system comprises a summary page providing an overview of each clinical trial participant in a graphical format, each clinical trial participant being represented by a unique clinical trial participant identifier and one or more clinical trial participant identifier modifiers applicable to modify one or more of the clinical trial participant identifiers, each modifier indicative of a different status of the particular participant identifier to which it is applied. A zoom selector is provided for zooming in on a subset of the clinical trial participant identifiers included with the summary page. Upon selection of a particular level of zoom, a corresponding amount of detailed information related to the subset of the clinical trial identifiers is provided; the detailed information including at least an indication of the level of compliance of a clinical trial participant to a prescribed clinical trial protocol represented by a corresponding clinical trial participant identifier, and further information related to any particular clinical trial participant identifier modifiers applied to any one of the clinical trial participant identifiers included within the subset. |
| US08666780B2 |
System for separating and distributing pharmacy order processing
An information system and method that provides the ability to reroute portions of prescription order work between a plurality of organizational units in order to leverage capacity, expertise, or other resources to increase network efficiency. |
| US08666779B2 |
Computer system and method for generating healthcare risk indices using medical claims information
A healthcare risk index is generated using a patient or individual's medical claims. The index may be used to explain and predict variation in pharmacy-related costs and variation in total healthcare costs or utilization. In particular, one example of such a method involves first generating a medical condition score using the individual's medical information for each medical condition possessed by the individual. From there, each medical condition score is modified according to a regression coefficient, to result in one or more modified medical condition scores. Finally, the risk index may be generated by summing the medical condition scores. This risk index is indicative of at least one of the individual's medical costs, chronic medical conditions, and variation in medical costs. |
| US08666778B2 |
Systems and methods for processing requests for pharmaceuticals that require insurer preapproval
Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing patients in need of a predetermined pharmaceutical that requires preauthorization based upon patient clinical data are provided. Prescription information is obtained for each respective patient. Such information includes an identity of the patients and amounts of the pharmaceutical that has been prescribed to the patients. Further, clinical information associated with each patient is received. The clinical information one or more determinants that each contributes to providing a basis for authorizing or denying patient coverage for the pharmaceutical. At least one determinant in the one or more determinants is not a standardized code. Coverage for a patient for the predetermined pharmaceutical is requested by transmitting the prescription and clinical information to a specialty pharmaceutical distributor at a remote location. A grant or denial of coverage for the patient is then received from the remote location and stored in an electronic record associated with the patient. |
| US08666775B2 |
Business method and system for providing a health security organization for procuring and financing healthcare products and services
A Health Security Organization (HSO) service method and system provides healthcare service vouchers which allow an individual or an entity to purchase and store shares which correlate to CPT (Common Procedural Terminology) codes and are exchangeable for healthcare purposes. The shares can be purchased individually or in bulk packages and are transferable through a provider or provisionary of healthcare needs including pharmaceuticals. The shares are transferable, non-expiring, and usable at any health care provider willing to exchange the shares for currency in a similar fashion to an exchange of services with an insurance or credit card holder. The share transfer provides immediate payment for services rendered. Additionally, the cards can be utilized in such a fashion that if repetitive services are needed they can be acquired in a more economical method via bulk purchasing. Share transfers are redeemed by a member and provider via internet accessible computer system. |
| US08666768B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for measuring health
Methods, systems, and products measure health data related to a user. A time-stamped device identifier is received that uniquely identifies a communications device. A time-stamped sensor measurement is separately-received. A difference in time between the time-stamped device identifier and the time-stamped sensor measurement is determined. When the difference in time is within a window of time, then the sensor measurement is associated with the device identifier. |
| US08666766B2 |
System and methods for simulating future medical episodes
A computer-implemented method of generating future medical episodic simulations is provided. The method includes generating a personal wellness lifestyle signature for an individual based upon pre-selected data pertinent to wellness of the individual. Additionally, the method includes comparing the personal wellness lifestyle signature of the individual with at least one personal wellness lifestyle signature of at least one other individual determined to have at least one wellness characteristic similar to a corresponding wellness characteristic of the individual. The method further includes predicting at least one future medical episode corresponding to the individual based upon the comparison.A computer-based system for generating future medical episodic simulations is also provided. The system includes one or more one processors having logic circuitry for processing data. The system also includes a signature-generating module configured to execute on the at least one processor for generating a personal wellness lifestyle signature for an individual based upon pre-selected data pertinent to wellness of the individual. Additionally, the system includes a comparing module configured to execute on the at least one processor for comparing the personal wellness lifestyle signature of the individual with at least one personal wellness lifestyle signature of at least one other individual determined to have at least one wellness characteristic similar to a corresponding wellness characteristic of the individual. The system further includes an episode-predicting module configured to execute on the at least one processor for predicting at least one future medical episode corresponding to the individual based upon the comparison. |
| US08666765B2 |
Online health care consumer portal
An online health care consumer portal for accessing one or more health-related services by a health care consumer. The consumer portal includes an authentication module for identifying the health care consumer upon receiving an online identification token, and a database for maintaining health care information comprising a plurality of health records. The consumer portal also includes a rules engine module for applying a set of rules to the one or more health records corresponding to the consumer to determine an impairment profile of the health care consumer based on the health records corresponding to the health care consumer and an online user interface for providing access to the health-related services. The online user interface is configurable from a default configuration to a second configuration upon identification by the authentication module, the second configuration adapted to facilitate use of the online user interface according to the impairment profile. |
| US08666757B2 |
Detection of upcoding and code gaming fraud and abuse in prospective payment healthcare systems
Fraud and abuse detection in an entity's payment coding practices includes the ability to search for fraud at all levels of the hierarchical coded payment system within the context of an unsupervised model. The model uses variables derived and profiles created at any level or at all levels of the hierarchical coded payment system to create a comprehensive description of the payment coding activities submitted by the entity. That description is compared with other peer entities to determine unusual and potentially inappropriate activity. The profiles created may themselves be utilized for purposes other than the detection of fraud and abuse. |
| US08666753B2 |
Apparatus and method for audio encoding
A method and apparatus provides for encoding an audio signal. A bit rate value is received. A set of energy thresholds based on the bit rate value is selected. The set of energy thresholds is one of a plurality of sets of energy thresholds. The energy thresholds of each set of energy thresholds correspond on a one-to-one basis with a set of sub-bands of the audio signal. The audio signal is received. The energy of each sub-band of the set of sub-bands is determined. A highest frequency sub-band that has an energy exceeding the corresponding threshold is determined. A selected bandwidth of the audio signal is encoded. The selected bandwidth includes only those frequencies of the audio signal that are in the highest frequency sub-band that has an energy exceeding the corresponding threshold, as well as the lower frequencies of the audio signal that are above a high-pass cut-off frequency. |
| US08666747B2 |
Providing information regarding interactive voice response sessions
A user, using, for example, a web browser and application server technology, is able to consolidate and present session information, for example, from a multi-model session on a voice recognition system. For example, a web browser can be used to display consolidated session information comprising network information, call logs, location database information, recorded user utterances, voice portal prompts, or any other information associated with an interactive voice response system. |
| US08666742B2 |
Automatic detection and application of editing patterns in draft documents
An error detection and correction system extracts editing patterns and derives correction rules from them by observing differences between draft documents and corresponding edited documents, and/or by observing editing operations performed on the draft documents to produce the edited documents. The system develops classifiers that partition the space of all possible contexts into equivalence classes and assigns one or more correction rules to each such class). Once the system has been trained, it may be used to detect and (optionally) correct errors in new draft documents. When presented with a draft document, the system identifies first content (e.g., text) in the draft document and identifies a context of the first content. The system identifies a correction rule based on the first content and the first context. The system may use a classifier to identify the correction rule. The system applies the correction rule to the first content to produce second content. |
| US08666737B2 |
Noise power estimation system, noise power estimating method, speech recognition system and speech recognizing method
A noise power estimation system for estimating noise power of each frequency spectral component includes a cumulative histogram generating section for generating a cumulative histogram for each frequency spectral component of a time series signal, in which the horizontal axis indicates index of power level and the vertical axis indicates cumulative frequency and which is weighted by exponential moving average; and a noise power estimation section for determining an estimated value of noise power for each frequency spectral component of the time series signal based on the cumulative histogram. |
| US08666735B2 |
IC coding speech into primary and secondary stages of packets
An IC processor circuit has an interface for a microphone and a packet switched network. A memory holds bits for converting audible speech from the microphone into digital data in each of successive frames. For each frame the converting includes forming LPC data, LTP lag data, parity check data, adaptive and fixed codebook gain data, and fixed codebook pulse data. The digital data representing the audible speech for the frames is placed into sequential packets, with each packet having a primary stage and a secondary stage. The placing includes arranging data from a first frame of speech in the primary stage of a first packet and arranging data from the first frame of speech in the secondary stage of a second packet, which follows the first packet. The data in the secondary stage includes only LPC data, LTP lag data, parity check data, and adaptive and fixed codebook gain data. |
| US08666733B2 |
Audio signal compression and decoding using band division and polynomial approximation
When encoding an audio signal, it is possible to efficiently encode the audio signal while maintaining high register signal components, and prevent deterioration of sound quality of decoded signal. A digital audio signal is divided into a plurality of frequency bands. The digital audio signal having been divided into each band is function-approximated for each divided band. Further, parameters of function having been function-approximated are encoded. When performing decoding process, parameters of the function of each band are used to perform function interpolation, synthesize the function-interpolated signal of each band interpolated, and decode the signal. Thus, when function-approximating each band, by suitably setting the function equation, it is possible to perform an encoding process while maintaining the high register components and perform a compression-coding process which enables reproduction with very good sound quality. |
| US08666732B2 |
High frequency signal interpolating apparatus
A high frequency signal interpolation apparatus provides, with a simple structure, a high-quality digital audio signal through interpolation of high frequency signals missing due to compression. The high frequency signal interpolation apparatus includes a peak value detection and holding circuit configured to detect a peak value of a digital audio signal provided to an input terminal by sampling the digital audio signal and generate a square wave signal by holding the detected peak value; a high-pass filter configured to extract a higher harmonic component from the generated square wave signal; and an adder configured to add the extracted higher harmonic component to the digital audio signal provided to the input terminal. |
| US08666729B1 |
Processing natural language grammar
Creating and processing a natural language grammar set of data based on an input text string are disclosed. The method may include tagging the input text string, and examining, via a processor, the input text string for at least one first set of substitutions based on content of the input text string. The method may also include determining whether the input text string is a substring of a previously tagged input text string by comparing the input text string to a previously tagged input text string, such that the substring determination operation determines whether the input text string is wholly included in the previously tagged input text string. |
| US08666723B2 |
System and methods for generating and managing a virtual device
Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to permit development and validation of a device driver or a device application program by using improved virtual devices. Such improved virtual devices facilitate driver development without use of real devices or hardware prototypes. The present invention also may be configured to permit advanced validation of a device-driver combination that would be difficult to achieve even with a real device. Certain embodiments also may detect inconsistencies between virtual and real devices, which may be used to improve drivers and device application programs and increase compatibility of such drivers and device application programs with real devices. |
| US08666722B2 |
Efficient data compression for vector-based static timing analysis
In a STA method, after accessing data sets regarding the IC, vectors of the data sets for STA can be generated. Each vector can include a base value and a plurality of tokens, wherein each token is quantized. For each vector, the data of the vector can be adjusted. Adjusting can include shifting a predetermined token to zero and adjusting the base value and remaining token values based on the shifting. Incremental compression can be applied within the vector by storing each token value as a difference versus its previous token value. Differential compression can then be applied by storing each token value as a difference versus a corresponding token value in a predetermined reference vector. A resulting vector can be stored. At this point, an operation for STA can be performed using multiple resulting vectors without de-quantizing or decompressing. |
| US08666721B2 |
Resource remapping in a hardware emulation environment
A system and method is disclosed in an emulation environment that dynamically remaps user designs. In one embodiment, a request is received to load an integrated circuit design to be emulated in a desired partition within the emulator. The emulator automatically determines the availability of the partition requested. If the partition is not available, the design is dynamically remapped to a different partition that is available. In another embodiment, clocks associated with the integrated circuit design are also dynamically remapped. In yet another embodiment, the user can control the size of the partitions (e.g., the number of printed circuit boards in a partition). |
| US08666719B2 |
Methods and systems for numerically simulating muscle movements along bones and around joints
Systems and methods for numerically simulating muscle's movements along bones and around joints are disclosed. A computerized model containing a plurality of truss elements along with one or more rollers is used. The truss elements are configured for modeling a muscle strand while each roller is configured for a joint. Each truss element includes two end nodes and is configured or associated with a muscle bio-mechanical property model. Each roller is fixed at the location of a corresponding joint. To simulate the muscle strand movements around the joint, each pair of truss elements straddling a roller is adjusted dynamically in a time-marching simulation (e.g., computer simulation of an impact event of an automobile and one or more occupants). Adjustments are performed at each solution cycle of the time-marching simulation. Adjustments include two types—“slipping” and “swapping”. |
| US08666716B2 |
Traffic simulator
The present invention provides a traffic simulator which can simulate traffic conditions with high accuracy. Cautionary object searching portion searches for cautionary objects which a driver should heed when driving a vehicle model; recognized cautionary object selection portion and driver-recognized cautionary object selection portion, based on driver ability information set by data creation portion, select cautionary objects recognized by a driver from the found cautionary objects; and movement determination portion determines the movement of a vehicle model based on the selected cautionary objects. |
| US08666715B2 |
Method and system for a quick calculation of aerodynamic forces on an aircraft in transonic conditions
A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing relevant dimensioning values corresponding to an aircraft component in transonic conditions inside a predefined parameter space by means of a reconstruction of the CFD computations for an initial group of points in the parameter space using a POD reduced-order model, comprising the following steps: a) Decomposing for each flow variable the complete flow field into a smooth field and a shock wave field in each of said computations; b) Obtaining the POD modes associated with the smooth field and the shock wave field considering all said computations; c) Obtaining the POD coefficients using a genetic algorithm (GA) that minimizes a fitness function; d) Calculating said dimensioning values for whatever combination of values of said parameters using the reduced-order model. The invention also refers to a system able to perform the method. |
| US08666711B2 |
Radiation analysis system and method
A radiation analysis system/method that automatically optimizes the efficiency calibration of a counting system based on benchmark data and variable parameters associated with radiation source/sensor/environment (RSSE) combinations is disclosed. The system/method bifurcates RSSE context (SSEC) model parameters into WELL-KNOWN (fixed) parameters (WNP) and NOT-WELL-KNOWN (variable) parameters (NWP). The NWP have associated lower/upper limit values (LULV) and a shape distribution (LUSD) describing NWP characteristics. SSEC models are evaluated using randomized statistical NWP variations or by using smart routines that perform a focused search within the LULV/LUSD to generate model calibration values (MCV) and calibration uncertainty values (UCV) describing the overall SSEC efficiencies. Sensor measurements using the MCV/UCV generate a measurement value and uncertainty estimation value. An exemplary embodiment optimizes geometry models of radiation sources by benchmarking with respect to measurement data from spectroscopy detectors and/or dose rate detectors. |
| US08666708B2 |
PID adjustment support device and method
A PID adjustment support device has: a recognition tolerance interval storing portion for storing, in advance, a recognition tolerance interval understood by a user regarding target quantity data of a model to be controlled; and a display processing portion for graphing and displaying, on a displaying portion, the target quantity data and, as a modeling result, a model-response waveform that is a control-response waveform calculated based on the model to be controlled, and for overlaying with the modeling result and displaying the recognition tolerance interval stored in the recognition tolerance interval storing means. |
| US08666705B2 |
Methods and apparatus for predicting glass properties
Methods and apparatus for predicting viscosities of glass materials as a function of temperature and composition are provided. Two fitting parameters (fitting coefficients) are used for each of the viscosity-affecting components contained in the material. The parameters can accurately cover a wide range of temperatures (i.e., a wide range of viscosities) and a wide range of compositions. The viscosity predictions can be used as a guide for glass research as well as in feedback control systems for glass manufacturing processes. Methods and apparatus for predicting glass resistivity are also disclosed. |
| US08666701B2 |
Accurate and cost efficient linear hall sensor with digital output
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic sensor circuit having a magnetic field sensor device configured to generate a digital signal proportional to an applied magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal that is provided to a digital signal processing unit, which is configured to digitally track the analog output signal. The digital tracking unit comprises a delay removal circuitry configured to generate a plurality of digital signal component corresponding to a chopping phase. A non-delayed offset compensated digital output signal may be generated within the chopping phase by mathematically operating upon (e.g., adding or subtracting) the plurality of digital signal components, generated by the delay removal circuitry. |
| US08666696B2 |
Reed testing device for single-reed instrument
Objective index is indicated with respect to the characteristic comparison between the front and the back sides of the reed, the right and left balance, and the hardness characteristic compared to the reference reed. A holder guiding member 11 is disposed on a rotating table 2, and a holder 10 is detachably mounted on the holder guiding member 11. The holder 10 holds the test object reed R. Testing of the front and the back surfaces of the reed R is performed by turning the holder 10 upside down. A probe 20 is made contact with the surface of the reed R with the constant pressure force, and the deformation degree of the probe 20 is detected by a displacement sensor 30 with rotating the rotating table 2. The rigidity distribution of reed R in the width direction is obtained by the displacement sensor 30. The rigidity distribution characteristics of the front and the back sides are tested by displaying the front-side characteristic graph and the reversed back-side characteristic graph on one screen. The balance index is calculated from the areas resultantly generated by superimposing the front-and-back-side characteristic graphs with the reversed graphs thereof. The hardness index is obtained based on the integrating value of the front-and-back-side characteristics and the integrating value of the front-and-back-side characteristics of the reference reed. |
| US08666695B2 |
Real-time motion recognition system and method
A system and method that may sense and recognize a motion of a user is provided. The system and method may recognize a variety of motions of the user based on sensing data received from a remote controller. |
| US08666689B1 |
Phase noise analysis of oscillator circuit designs
In one embodiment of the invention, a method and a system for phase noise analysis of oscillators is provided using frequency aware perturbation projection vector techniques. The method and system includes performing steady state analysis on the oscillator by generating an augmented Jacobian matrix. A transfer function for frequency deviation is extracted for the augmented Jacobian matrix for a predetermined frequency range including the oscillation frequency of the oscillator. The phase noise is predicted based on the extracted transfer function. |
| US08666688B2 |
High speed digital transient waveform detection system and method for use in an intelligent electronic device
A system and a method is provided for the detection and capture, and in particular for an ultra high speed detection and capture, of transients in input voltages by an intelligent electronic device. The system and method detects transients for input voltages in either phase to phase or phase to neutral measurements and permits a user to set threshold levels for detecting transients in input voltages. In an embodiment, the system and method further provides a field programmable gate array as a controller for managing transient detection. The field programmable gate array includes a state machine for determining the state of the sampled signal with respect to a threshold level at a specified waveform sample period. |
| US08666684B2 |
Air conditioning system and method for calculating amount of filling refrigerants of the same
An air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units and one or more outdoor units to drive the indoor units. The one or more outdoor units are coupled to the indoor units through refrigerant pipes that include one or more branch points. A calculator calculates an amount of filling refrigerant based on capacities of the indoor units and the one or more outdoor units and lengths of the refrigerant pipes. |
| US08666681B2 |
Mass analysis data analyzing method and mass analysis data analyzing apparatus
The present invention aims at providing a method and apparatus for analyzing a mass spectrum on which multivalent ion peaks originating from a target compound appear, and calculating the mass of the target compound. First, each peak on the mass spectrum is analyzed to detect isotopic clusters, and the valence and the representative point (m/z value) of each isotopic cluster are obtained (S1 through S3). Since the range of the m/z value of the component which is added to or desorbed from the compound is limited, by using this factor, the isotopic clusters originating from the same compound are deduced. By combining the deduced isotopic clusters, the candidates for the m/z value of the added/desorbed component are deduced (S5). Among the plurality of selected candidates, clearly abnormal candidates are eliminated by using a plurality of conditions such as the degree of distribution of the m/z values and the similarity of the relative intensities of the representative points of the isotopic clusters (S6 through S9). The candidate having the smallest distribution of m/z values or the candidate having the highest similarity of the relative intensities of the representative points is finally selected. After the m/z value of the added/desorbed component is determined, the mass of the compound is calculated (S10 through S16). |
| US08666680B2 |
Recombinant soluble FC receptors
Recombinant soluble Fc receptors according to the present invention are characterized by the absence of transmembrane domains, signal peptides and glycoslyation. Such Fc receptors can easily be obtained by expressing respective nucleic acids in prokaryotic host ells and renaturation of the obtained inclusion bodies, which procedure leads to a very homogenous and pure product. The products can be used for diagnostic as well as pharmaceutical applications and also for the generation of crystal structure data. Such crystal structure data can be used for the modeling of artificial molecules. A further embodiment comprises coupling the Fc receptors according to the invention to solid materials like chromatography materials that an be used to separate and/or enrich antibodies. |
| US08666679B2 |
Micro-fabricated double condenser method and apparatus for the measurement of number-size distribution of airborne nano-particles
A micro-fabricated double condenser method and apparatus for the measurement of number-size distribution of airborne nanoparticles is provided. The invention is an instrument which can measure particle size under 100 nanometers in-situ. The present invention includes features such as a small nanoparticle airborne particulate analyzer, with a voltage-stable and feedback-controlled instrument package. The invention features also include a micro-fabricated nanoparticle charging and sorting device (NCaS). The present invention provides a portable, lightweight, and efficacious particle-sizing instrument that is able to effectively count and size nanoparticles over a wide range of operating conditions. |
| US08666676B2 |
Method and system for analyzing calcium transients in coupled cells
A system and method are provided for measuring dynamic phenomena in a biological, chemical or physical sample, including the measurement of Ca2+ transients in a living system. The system and method include measuring dynamic phenomena in an in vitro cardiac cell culture system. Computing system environments and computing systems for implementing the method are provided. |
| US08666672B2 |
System and method for interpreting a user's psychological state from sensed biometric information and communicating that state to a social networking site
The present invention is a mood sensing and communicating system and method that includes a biometric sensor configured to sense biometric information from a person. A mood interpretive system is supported on a computing device or on a remote server. The mood interpretive system is in communication with the biometric sensor and is configured to assign a psychological or emotional mood state with the sensed biometric information. A communication system is supported on the computing device and is configured to communicate the assigned psychological mood state across an Internet to a web-site for positing on a web page. The method includes sensing biometric information from a user with a biometric sensor, associating a psychological mood state with the sensed biometric information with a mood interpretive module, and communicating the assigned psychological mood state to a web-site supported on a server across an Internet. |
| US08666671B2 |
Method for determining drug-molecular combinations that modulate and enhance the therapeutic safety and efficacy of biological or pharmaceutical drugs
A method that creates a new class of pharmaceutical combinations (specific ratio combinations) that offer an improved therapeutic profile with reduced side effects is provided. Safer, more cost-effective drugs for treating various diseases or medical conditions are created by combining receptor activating, inhibiting or modulating drugs in specific ratio combinations that optimize the therapeutic profiles for various pharmaceutical compositions. The method demonstrates how to combine biological or pharmaceutical molecules or drugs in order to create specific ratio combinations that are optimized to improve the overall safety and therapeutic efficacy of the individual molecules or drugs alone. These techniques create novel receptor-activating drugs that are anticipated to prove useful for future therapeutic treatments. |
| US08666665B2 |
Automatic initiation of reference spectra library generation for optical monitoring
A method of generating reference spectra includes polishing a first substrate in a polishing apparatus, measuring a sequence of spectra from the first substrate during polishing with an in-situ optical monitoring system, for each spectrum in the sequence of spectra, determining a best matching reference spectrum from a first plurality of first reference spectra to generate a sequence of reference spectra, calculating a value of a metric of fit of the sequence of spectra to the sequence of reference spectra, comparing the value of the metric of fit to a threshold value and determining whether to generate a second library based on the comparison, and if the second library is determined to be generated, storing the sequence of spectra as a second plurality of reference spectra. |
| US08666662B2 |
Navigation device
A navigation device includes an HOV lane entrance/exit section determining unit for, when HOV lane position information defining the position of an HOV lane and lane information defining lanes are included in link data included in map data acquired by a map data processing unit, determining whether or not the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either a right-hand side lane to the right of the HOV lane or a left-hand side lane to the left of the HOV lane on the basis of the lane information, and determining that there is an HOV lane entrance/exit section when the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either the right-hand side lane or the left-hand side lane, and an HOV lane entrance/exit section storage unit for storing HOV lane entrance/exit section information showing the HOV lane entrance/exit section. |
| US08666657B2 |
Methods for and apparatus for generating a continuum of three-dimensional image data
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for generating a continuum of image data sprayed over three-dimensional models. The three-dimensional models can be representative of features captured by the image data and based upon multiple image data sets capturing the features. The image data can be captured at multiple disparate points along another continuum. |
| US08666649B2 |
Systems and methods for use in identifying at least one alternate airport
Systems and methods for use in identifying at least one alternate airport for an aircraft. One example method includes identifying a plurality of alternate airports based on static data associated with the plurality of alternate airports, identifying, at a processing device, at least one preferred alternate airport from the plurality of alternate airports based on dynamic data associated with the plurality of alternate airports, and storing the at least one preferred alternate airport. The dynamic data includes at least one of visibility information and traffic density information. |
| US08666647B2 |
Convoy travel apparatus
A convoy travel apparatus transmits convoy travel information including a whole convoy ID and a sub-convoy ID when a subject vehicle is in a convoy travel state, and performs a convoy travel control by utilizing the sub-convoy ID. Further, a second vehicle of the whole convoy is a leader vehicle of a sub-convoy and is also a follower vehicle in a forward sub-convoy, thereby (i) determining the convoy travel control of itself by receiving the convoy travel information of the sub-convoy in which the subject vehicle is traveling as the follower vehicle and (ii) transmitting the convoy travel information including the content of the determined convoy travel control. Thus, the follower vehicle in the sub-convoy lead by the subject vehicle performs the convoy travel control based on the convoy travel information from the leader vehicle of the sub-convoy in which the subject vehicle is traveling as the follower vehicle. |
| US08666644B2 |
Drive assistance apparatus
Disclosed is a drive assistance apparatus capable of assisting safer driving of a vehicle. The drive assistance apparatus that includes a position detection unit detecting a positional relationship between a preceding vehicle present in front of a subject vehicle and the subject vehicle and executes a drive assistance control assisting the driving of the subject vehicle according to the detected results, wherein the drive assistance apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires signal device information regarding a signal device on a traveling path of the subject vehicle and a setting unit that sets execution conditions for executing the drive assistance control based on the signal device information acquired by the acquisition unit. |
| US08666643B2 |
System and method for modeling and optimizing the performance of transportation networks
A method and system are provided for modeling and optimizing the performance of transportation networks, e.g. for traffic signal retiming. The modeling and optimization may be implemented by obtaining a video signal from a camera at a first intersection; processing data from the video signal to determine at least one value indicative of a corresponding traffic flow through the first intersection; sending the at least one value to a remote processing entity via a wireless network to enable the remote processing entity to update a model of the transportation network, the transportation network comprising the first intersection and at least a second intersection; receiving from the remote processing entity, an instruction for a controller at the first intersection, the instruction having been determined from an update of the model based on data from at least the second intersection; and having the instruction implemented by the controller at the first intersection to optimize at least a portion of the transportation network. |
| US08666642B2 |
Memory corruption detection in engine control systems
A system for detecting memory corruption in an engine control module includes a variable selection module, an output module, an input module, and a response comparing module. The variable selection module selects a variable of a control system for testing. The output module outputs a predetermined value of said variable to a memory location where said variable is stored in said engine control module. The input module receives a response of said control system to said predetermined value when said predetermined value is written in said memory location. The response comparing module compares said response to a predetermined range and determines that said memory location is defective when said response is not within said predetermined range. |
| US08666641B2 |
Engine control with valve operation monitoring using camshaft position sensing
A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern. |
| US08666640B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes phase change means (60) for advancing or retarding phases of an opening timing and a closing timing of an intake valve (62); duration change means (60) for increasing or decreasing a duration of the intake valve (62); and EGR gas amount increase means (50) for increasing an amount of EGR gas, based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus further includes intake-valve closing timing advancing means (50) for advancing the intake-valve closing timing when the amount of EGR gas is increased. The intake-valve closing timing advancing means (50) advances the intake-valve closing timing by performing a first operation that advances the phases using the phase change means (60), and performing a second operation that decreases the duration using the duration change means (60), and makes a timing at which the second operation is started later than a timing at which the first operation is started. |
| US08666639B2 |
Fuel supply control apparatus for engine, and fuel supply control method therefor
The present invention relates to a fuel supply control apparatus and to a fuel supply control method, provided with an engine control unit and a fuel pump control unit. The engine control unit outputs an actuating signal for a fuel pump to the fuel pump control unit. The fuel pump control unit outputs a diagnostic signal indicating whether or not abnormality occurs in input of the actuating signal to the engine control unit. Furthermore, the engine control unit diagnoses whether or not abnormality occurs in input of the diagnostic signal and diagnoses based on the output signal from a fuel pressure sensor whether or not abnormality occurs in a control of fuel pressure. Then, the engine control unit performs a fail-safe function, based on whether or not the abnormality occurs in the input of the diagnostic signal, whether or not the abnormality occurs in the control of the fuel pressure, and whether or not the abnormality occurs in the input of the actuating signal in the fuel pump control unit. |
| US08666637B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions. |
| US08666636B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine with supercharger
A control apparatus for a supercharged internal combustion engine, which can achieve a target torque accurately even if the target torque contains a high-frequency vibration component. The control apparatus determines a target air quantity and a target boost pressure from a target torque, operates an actuator for air quantity control according to the target air quantity, and operates an actuator for boost pressure control according to the target boost pressure. The target torque is formed to contain a low-frequency torque component that is set at all times based on a torque requirement from a driver and a high-frequency torque component that is set as necessary for a specific type of vehicle control. When the target torque contains only the low-frequency torque component, the target boost pressure is formed using a pressure component corresponding to the low-frequency torque. |
| US08666634B2 |
Method of operating a vehicle equipped with a pneumatic booster system
An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits. |
| US08666632B2 |
Distributed aircraft engine fuel system
A gas turbine engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors grouped operatively by stages in a multistage combustor. A fuel system for the gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel metering module per stage of the multistage combustor. Each fuel metering module includes a pump, a flow meter, a pressure sensor, a controller, and a motor, which work together to control fuel output. |
| US08666631B2 |
Vehicle travel control device
The vehicle travel control device according to the invention is a vehicle travel control device that controls the travel of a host vehicle based on any of inter-vehicle distance setting and vehicle speed setting that are setting information set in advance, in which the inter-vehicle distance setting and the vehicle speed setting can be updated individually in accordance with the operation of an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal in the host vehicle, and setting information to be updated are selected based on the changes in the travelling conditions of the host vehicle or a leading vehicle. |
| US08666626B2 |
Turning control device for vehicle
A turning control device for a vehicle which generates a yaw moment in the body of a vehicle includes: a steering wheel turning amount detection device which detects a steering wheel turning amount of the vehicle; a vehicle speed detection device which detects a vehicle speed of the vehicle; a feedforward control amount calculation unit which calculates a feedforward control amount based on at least the steering wheel turning amount; a braking force control amount calculation unit which determines a braking force control amount based on the feedforward control amount; a braking control device which controls the braking force based on the braking force control amount; and a steering direction determination device which determines whether a steering direction is an incremental steering direction or a returning-steering direction. The feedforward control amount calculation unit includes a feedforward control amount correction unit which corrects the feedforward control amount. |
| US08666621B2 |
PTO control system
A PTO control system for allowing selection between an independent PTO mode and an interlock PTO mode, comprising a mode-switch command input device 11 for giving an instruction on selection between the independent PTO mode and the interlock PTO mode, a PTO setting device 12 having an engaging position for producing an engaging command and a disengaging position for producing a disengaging command of the PTO clutch, and a PTO control unit for controlling a PTO clutch in response to a pedal operational position of a brake pedal, a mode selected by the mode-switch command input device, and a position selected by the PTO setting device. PTO mode switch implementation processing is suspended when the PTO transmission system is in a power transmittable state, while the PTO mode switch implementation processing is permitted when the PTO transmission system is in the power non-transmittable state. |
| US08666618B2 |
Machine control system implementing application-based clutch modulation
A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission is disclosed. The machine control system may have a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission. The machine control system may also have a sensors configured to generate signals indicative of machine operations, and a controller in communication with the clutch and the sensors. The controller may be configured to determine the current machine application based on the signals, and vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the type of machine application. |
| US08666614B2 |
Twin-clutch type hybrid transmission
A twin-clutch type hybrid transmission is configured to include an input shaft 10, an odd-numbered stage shift mechanism 30, an even-numbered stage shift mechanism 60, a motor power mechanism 20, and an output mechanism 90. The shift mechanisms 30 and 60 include transmission gear trains 32 and 62, and main clutches 34 and 64, respectively, the main clutches 34 and 64 for selectively transmitting the power of the transmission gear train 32 and the power of the transmission gear train 62 to transmission shafts 40 and 70, respectively. The shift mechanisms 30 and 60 also include shift gear trains 41, 43, 45, 47, 72, 74, 76, and 78 provided to the transmission shafts 40 and 70 to transmit rotation to the output mechanism 90, respectively, and mechanical clutches 50, 52, 80, and 82 for selectively engaging the corresponding shift gear trains and the transmission shafts 40 and 70, respectively. As a result, a compact twin-clutch type hybrid transmission having high transmission efficiency can be obtained. |
| US08666613B2 |
Swing control system for hybrid construction machine
A swing control system for a hybrid construction machine has a swing operating lever, an electric swing motor, a speed detection sensor which detects the rotary speed of a swing motor, a controller that calculates the driving speed of the swing motor by a swing operating signal created by the operation of the swing operating lever and by a detecting signal of the rotary speed, an inverter which drives the swing motor by a control signal from the controller, a swing inertia detector that detects the swing inertia of equipment and an inertia torque compensator which compares the torque compensation value in accordance with the equipment inertia, and outputs a calculated torque value for controlling the swing motor to the inverter. |
| US08666610B2 |
Work vehicle and method for controlling work vehicle
A work vehicle includes an engine, a throttle opening degree setting unit, first and second hydraulic pumps driven by the engine, a travel hydraulic motor driven by hydraulic fluid discharged from the first hydraulic pump, a work implement driven by hydraulic fluid discharged from the second hydraulic pump. A first control unit is configured to determine a work phase of the work implement and to set an upper limit for the throttle opening degree in accordance with the work phase. A second control unit is configured to control output of the engine based on the smaller of the throttle opening degree set by the throttle opening degree setting unit and the throttle opening degree set by the first control unit. |
| US08666609B2 |
Work vehicle
A tractor includes booms, lift cylinders, a hitch, dump cylinders, a magnetic valve, a speed-up circuit, and a speed-up restricting arm. The lift cylinders swing the booms upward and downward by an operating oil being supplied thereto. The hitch is provided to the booms to allow an implement to be attached thereto. The dump cylinders swing the implement upward and downward by the operating oil being supplied thereto. The magnetic valve switches between supplying the operating oil to the dump cylinders and supplying the operating oil to a grab cylinder provided in the implement. The speed-up circuit is able to perform a speed-up operation for increasing the flow rate of the operating oil supplied to the magnetic valve. The speed-up restricting arm is arranged near the speed-up circuit. The speedup restricting arm is brought into contact with a contact member attached to an input member for switching an operation of the speed-up circuit, to thereby restrict the speed-up operation, so that a speed-up of the grab cylinder is prevented. |
| US08666603B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing steering-control feedback to an operator of an automotive vehicle
Methods and systems are described for providing steering-control feedback to an operator of an automotive vehicle. First attribute information is received that identifies a first attribute of a first operator coupling of an operator, of an automotive vehicle, to a steering-control mechanism of the automotive vehicle. A specified steering-control criterion is detected as met based on the first attribute. Feedback information is identified based on the steering-control criterion. In response to the detecting, the feedback information is sent to present, via an output device, a feedback indicator to the operator. |
| US08666594B2 |
Method for actuating the stop and start function in a moving vehicle, especially an industrial or commercial or special vehicle
The present invention relates to a method for actuating the stop & start function in a moving vehicle, especially an industrial or commercial or special vehicle, said vehicle being equipped with hybrid drive of the parallel type, comprising a thermal engine (1), an electric motor-generator (2), a single clutch unit (3) placed between the two engines, a transmission system (6) comprising an automated manual transmission, a hybrid power steering both hydraulic and electric, the method comprising the steps of enabling of the stop phase, activation of the stop phase, maintaining of the stop phase, activation of the start phase. |
| US08666593B2 |
Travel information collection apparatus
Travel information is categorized into plural time slot categories according to information characteristics of traffic flow information that represents a traffic flow of each of road sections in a database of an information center, and a learn database is built for each of the categories derived from above categorization. The travel information collected by a travel of a self vehicle along the road sections is learned according to the categories of the learn database for accurately managing the travel information according to the characteristics of the traffic flow. |
| US08666592B2 |
In-vehicle audio/visual apparatus
In an in-vehicle audio/visual apparatus which displays an external device screen of an external media player on a display unit, a communication unit is configured to communicate with an external media player. An external device screen displaying unit is configured to select one of a plurality of external device screens in accordance with the external media player and display the selected external device screen on the display unit. |
| US08666590B2 |
System and method for naming, filtering, and recall of remotely monitored event data
System and method for capturing video data, comprising buffering video data captured from a video recording device in a vehicle, detecting a triggering event, saving a portion of the video data occurring within a specified period of time near the event, and naming a saved portion of video data with a label associated with the triggering event. |
| US08666589B2 |
Device and method for determining the driving state of a vehicle
A method for determining the driving state of a vehicle in three-dimensional space comprising the steps: sensing of first signals over a specific time period, these signals being based on the first sensor signals which correspond to the three-dimensional acceleration of the vehicle; sensing of seconds signals over the specific time period, these signals being based on the second sensor signals which correspond to the three-dimensional angular rates of the vehicle; calculating the driving state variables of the three-dimensional velocity and/or three-dimensional orientation of the vehicle by integrating the first signals and or the second signals over the specific time period according to the system of equations of motion for the corresponding driving state variables; sensing of one or more third signals which are based on one or more additional third sensor signals with which one or more components of the calculated driving state variables can be determined; and correcting the first and second signals of the specific time period or the calculated driving state variables in such a way that the calculated driving state variables correspond as precisely as possible to the driving state variables determined from the third signals. |
| US08666585B2 |
System and method to automatic assist mobile image acquisition
A system and method to perforin image acquisition of a subject is provided. The system includes a mobile device to move an imaging system across a floor, and a brake system that restrains movement of the mobile device. A controller includes a memory having program instructions to instruct a processor to perform the steps of: instructing movement of the mobile device in support of the imaging system to a first position for image acquisition of the subject; receiving feedback that the mobile device is located at the first position; and applying a brake force to restrain movement of the mobile device, wherein the step of applying the brake force includes generating an electromagnetic force from the mobile device in restraint of movement with respect to a plate attached at the floor. |
| US08666583B2 |
Control device for hybrid vehicle
A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes setting unit and supplied heat amount control unit. The setting unit sets the amount of heat for heating supplied by an electric heating system and a heater core such that a battery SOC and coolant temperature are arranged at a predetermined operating point after a predetermined time. The control unit controls this amount of heat based on the setting by the setting unit. The predetermined point is an operating point, which is the closest to a line passing through a predetermined value in a battery SOC target range and a predetermined value in a coolant temperature target range and having a preset change rate, and which is settable within the predetermined time. The change rate is the same as a gradient of an approximate line in case of selection of any one engine operating point on an optimum fuel economy line. |
| US08666582B2 |
Apparatus for improving steering sensitivity of vehicle
A vehicle steering feel improving apparatus is provided for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is capable of running with a road wheel driven by a driving force from a power source. The vehicle steering feel improving apparatus includes a steering operation detecting means that detects a condition that steering operation is being performed to steer a steerable wheel of the vehicle. A driving force fluctuating means repeatedly fluctuates the driving force to the road wheel, while the steering operation detecting means is detecting the condition that steering operation is being performed. |
| US08666577B2 |
Economic cruise control
Economic cruise control where a response of a cruise control system used to control a powertrain is determined based at least in part on whether a driver of a vehicle system has selected to manage cruise control according to performance or efficient cruise control strategies. The performance strategy corresponding with fulfilling a request to accelerate or otherwise increase energy demands less efficiently, and in some cases more quickly, than if the request were to be fulfilled with the efficient cruise control strategy. |
| US08666575B2 |
Inverted two-wheel apparatus, and control method and control program thereof
An inverted two-wheel apparatus includes drive means that drives wheels; control means that generates a torque command value to control drive torque of the drive means; and posture detection means that detects posture information of a vehicle. The inverted two-wheel apparatus is able to travel while keeping an inverted state. Furthermore, the control means performs control to dismount an occupant upon judgment that the torque command value that is generated is equal to or more than a predetermined value, which means in a saturation state, and inverted control is in a failure state based on the posture information detected by the posture detection means. |
| US08666562B2 |
Friction estimation method
A method and apparatus for the estimation of maximum friction between a vehicular tire and a road surface via driving dynamics measurements and at least one sensor measuring the road surface, comprising measuring road surface properties via a sensor; measuring the state of motion of a vehicle and a tire and concluding therefrom a momentary maximum friction coefficient when the tire is subjected to a sufficient friction force; storing a maximum friction estimate concluded from the above-mentioned measurements, along with measuring results regarding road surface properties measured at the moment of measurement; when the tire is not subjected to a friction force sufficient for measuring maximum friction, using, as a maximum friction estimate, the previously measured maximum friction estimate, such that an applied selection criterion for the maximum friction estimate is the newness as up-to-date as possible of the measuring result and a consistency of the road surface measuring result. |
| US08666561B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a corrected monitoring voltage
A method and apparatus for determining a corrected monitoring voltage, at least a portion of the method being performed by a computing system comprising at least one processor. The method comprises generating power at a first location; monitoring the generated power by measuring a first voltage proximate the first location; measuring a second voltage proximate a second location, the first and the second locations electrically coupled; and determining, based on the measured second voltage, a corrected monitoring voltage to compensate the measured first voltage for a distance between the first and the second locations. |
| US08666557B2 |
Method and system for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in a charging process of a shaft furnace
In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. According to the invention, a respective set of plural valve settings is stored for each batch, each valve setting of a set being associated to a different stage in the discharge of the batch. The method and system are configured to discharge a given batch so that, at each stage in the discharge of the given batch, the flow control valve operates at a constant valve opening according to the valve setting associated to that stage and so that an actual average flow rate at which charge material is discharged is determined for that stage. Further according to the invention, the method and system are configured to correct the plural valve settings offline and in function of the actual average flow rate determined for the associated stage. |
| US08666556B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic feedforward
In some embodiments, a method of using feedforward to control a system component may include determining if a feedforward term exists in a feedforward table for a received operating set point. If a feedforward term does not exist, the system component may be incremented until the system is within a first acceptable tolerance of the desired set point. In some embodiments, a measure of steady state error may be determined and compared to a second acceptable tolerance. If within the acceptable tolerance, the corresponding feedforward term may be recorded in the feedforward table. In some embodiments, if the feedforward term exists for the operating set point, the system component may be controlled using controller output that corresponds to the feedforward term. When a change to the system is detected that is associated with possible changes to the feedforward values, new feedforward values may be generated for the feedforward table. |
| US08666553B2 |
Line inspection robot and system
The present invention relates to an overhead transmission line inspection robot and system for inspecting transmission line components and right of way conditions. The overhead transmission line inspection robot includes a communications and control system adapted to control the robot and transmit information and a drive system for propelling the robot along a shield wire to enable inspection over a large area. The robot further includes a camera adapted to inspect right of way and component conditions; a light detection and ranging (LiDar) sensor adapted to measure conductor position, vegetation, and nearby structures; and a global positioning system adapted to identify the robot's position and speed. |
| US08666551B2 |
Semiconductor-processing apparatus equipped with robot diagnostic module
A semiconductor wafer manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a diagnostic module for diagnosing integrity of a transfer robot. The diagnostic module is attached to one side of a semiconductor wafer transfer chamber provided with the transfer robot, which side is also used for the purpose of maintenance, for example. One or more sensors are installed in the diagnostic module so that when the transfer robot is inserted into the diagnostic module, the position or shape of each end effector of the transfer robot is detected and compared against a pre-registered normal condition, thereby diagnosing the integrity of the end effector of the transfer robot, while performing wafer processing. |
| US08666550B2 |
Autonomous cutting element for sculpting grass
An apparatus comprises a vehicle, a sensing unit, and a control unit. The vehicle is movable in a path and has a first number of cutting elements. The sensing unit detects an obstacle in the path. The control unit is connected to the first number of cutting elements and is configured to autonomously adjust a height of a second number of cutting elements of the first number of cutting elements in response to the sensing unit detecting the obstacle in the path. |
| US08666541B1 |
System and method for checking the accuracy of a prescription fill
A method of checking the accuracy of a prescription fill including activating an electronic scale operatively coupled to a network, accessing a prescription to fill; selecting an appropriate stock container corresponding to the prescription from a plurality of available stock containers, entering data that is associated with a stock container selected by the user; determining if the stock container selected by the user is the correct stock container to fill the prescription by determining if the drug corresponding to the selected stock container is the appropriate drug for the accessed prescription; retrieving a piece weight of the drug from the selected stock container; measuring a weight of a plurality of pills to be dispensed; comparing the measured weight of the pills to be dispensed to a standard weight; determining if the comparison is within an acceptable range; and generating an automated authorization for the prescription fill. |
| US08666534B2 |
Method and apparatus for a displacement correction for a machine tool
A machine for machining a work piece with at least one revolving or rotating tool, having a ball screw, which is pivoted by a fix and a floating bearing whereas the machine has a device for measuring the length of the extension of the ball screw. Furthermore, a method is provided for measuring and compensation a thermal displacement comprising the steps of: detecting the length U of the axis of the ball screw, detecting the length I2 of the axis of the ball screw, calculating the difference Δl of the length I1 extended axis and the reference length I2 of the axis and compensating the difference value to the correct value. |
| US08666531B2 |
Slicing method for rapid prototyping apparatus
A slicing method for a rapid prototyping apparatus with a printing module is provided, which comprises the following steps: (a) accessing data of plural cut points generated from a slicing plane of an object intersecting with plural grids; (b) determining whether a printing module performs an achromatic color printing or not; (c) if yes, connecting two cut points to form a first slicing outline based on the data of the plural cut points, wherein the cut points are generated from the slicing plane intersecting with each grid; (d) checking whether a discontinuous plane exists in the first slicing outline or not, wherein if yes, cut points are paired with a polar coordinate, a connecting path with a smaller included angle is selected, and the first slicing outline connects with the connecting path to form a closed slicing outline to perform an achromatic inkjet printing in the closed slicing outline. |
| US08666528B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide secondary content in association with primary broadcast media content
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide media content are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving audio output by a first media presentation device, obtaining at least one of a Nielsen code or an Arbitron® code from the audio, the obtained code being representative of at least one of the first media content or a broadcaster of the first media content, obtaining second media content based on the extracted code, and presenting the second media content on a second media presentation device different from the first media presentation device. |
| US08666523B2 |
Device, method and timeline user interface for controlling home devices
A device, method and timeline user interface for controlling home devices are provided. The method for controlling home devices includes displaying a virtual track on a display unit of a control device, displaying an indicator indicating operation information of a home device connected to the control device through the network along the virtual track, moving the indicator along the virtual track based on a user input; and controlling an operation time of the home device based on the location of the indicator along the virtual track. |
| US08666519B1 |
Systems and methods for indirect control of processor enabled devices
Individuals can operate processor enabled devices at a high level of performance, even if they have little or no familiarity with those devices, by indirectly operating them through a first processor enabled device. The direct interactions of individuals with a familiar device can be communicated to one or more processors that perform signal processing functions in order to generate control signals that direct the operation of a second, unfamiliar processor-enabled device. In this closed-loop system, individuals can receive real-time feedback on the performance of the second device in a form associated with the operation of the first device. |
| US08666516B2 |
Advanced planning system
A production planning system for allocating production capacity to meet a demand includes an operational module and a simulating module. The operational module is for receiving demand inputs, calculating a consolidated demand based on the demand inputs, calculating and storing a production capacity, and creating a production plan. The simulating module includes a data retriever, a simulated data handler, and a simulating planner. The data retriever is for retrieving and storing consolidated demand and capacity data from the at least one operational processor. The simulated data handler is for receiving a simulated demand input and creating a simulated consolidated demand by adding the simulated demand input to the retrieved consolidated demand. The simulating planner is for creating a simulated production plan based on the simulated consolidated demand. |
| US08666512B2 |
Implantable medical device lead including inner coil reverse-wound relative to shocking coil
A medical device lead includes a proximal connector configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator and an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector. The lead also includes an inner conductor and one or more cable conductors coupled to the proximal connector at a proximal end and extending through the lead body. The lead further includes one or more defibrillation coil electrodes coupled to a distal end of the one or more cable conductors. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes are disposed around and electrically isolated from the inner conductor. The one or more defibrillation coil electrodes have a first winding direction and the inner conductor has a second winding direction opposite the first winding direction. |
| US08666505B2 |
Wafer-scale package including power source
A medical device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a control module, and an energy storage device. The first substrate includes at least one of a first semiconductor material and a first insulating material. The second substrate includes at least one of a second semiconductor material and a second insulating material. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate such that the first and second substrates define an enclosed cavity between the first and second substrates. The control module is disposed within the enclosed cavity. The control module is configured to at least one of determine a physiological parameter of a patient and deliver electrical stimulation to the patient. The energy storage device is disposed within the cavity and is configured to supply power to the control module. |
| US08666502B2 |
Electrode arrangement
The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for applying of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus onto the surface of the human ear. A holding element is attached to the ear. At least one electrode is arranged on an electrode carrier and the electrode carrier is arranged on a supporting rod. The holding element has a linear guide in which the supporting rod is arranged linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element. A latching mean is arranged between the linear guide and the supporting rod, so that the supporting rod can be latched relatively to the linear guide along the longitudinal axis (L) in predetermined relative positions. The latching means has a rack shaped contour on the supporting rod which extends into the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element. |
| US08666499B2 |
Artificial nerve networking system and method for functional recovery of damaged nerve
Disclosed are a system and a method for artificial nerve networking capable of restoring a damaged nerve and allowing selective detection, analysis, transmission and stimulation of a signal from the damaged nerve. The artificial nerve networking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first nerve conduit connected at one end of a damaged nerve; a second nerve conduit connected at the other end of the damaged nerve; and an artificial nerve networking unit electrically connected to the first nerve conduit and the second nerve conduit and recovering the function of the damaged nerve by transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the damaged nerve. |
| US08666498B2 |
Treatment of headache
Headache treatment methods are described and include providing an energy delivery device; locating a secondary or higher-order branch of a postganglionic nerve that provides innervation for a patient's head, by identifying a target region of the patient's head that includes the nerve branch; positioning, within the target region, a portion of the energy delivery device; and applying, from the positioned portion of the energy delivery device to the target region, an amount of energy effective to result in a stimulation activity of the nerve branch; and, after observing the stimulated nerve branch activity, delivering, from the energy delivery device to the nerve branch, energy in an amount effective to reduce a headache severity in the patient. |
| US08666496B2 |
Methods and apparatus for electrical treatment using balloon and electrode
The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue. A device is provided with an electrode positioned within the interior of an enclosure and a fluid passage coupled to the enclosure for delivery of an electrically conductive fluid such that the electrically conductive fluid. The conductive fluid allows for the passage of electrical energy from the electrode through the fluid and the outer wall of the enclosure for treatment of tissue on or in a patient. The electrode does not directly contact the tissue of the patient, which reduces the potential for collateral tissue damage or necrosis and/or excessive electric fields in the tissue. |
| US08666491B2 |
Medical telemetry system with printed circuit board communication coil
Disclosed is an improved external controller useable in an implantable medical device system. The communication coil in the external controller is formed in a printed circuit board (PCB), i.e., by using the various tracing layers and vias of the PCB. As illustrated, the PCB coil is formed at a plurality of trace layers in the PCB, and comprises a plurality of turns at some or all of the layers. The communication coil may wrap around the other circuitry used in the external controller, which circuitry may be mounted to the front and/or back of the PCB. The geometry of the coil is specially tailored to maximize its inductance, and hence maximize its ability to communicate in the sub-4 MHz range which is not significantly attenuated by the human body. |
| US08666490B1 |
Capture confirmation for multi-site pacing
A medical device includes pacing circuitry configured to deliver during a cardiac cycle a first pacing pulse to a first site using a first electrode as a cathode electrode for the first pacing pulse and to deliver a second pacing pulse to a second site using a second electrode as a cathode electrode for the second pacing pulse. Sensing circuitry is configured to generate a differential signal between cardiac electrical activity sensed at the first electrode and cardiac electrical activity sensed at the second electrode. Capture circuitry discriminates between single site capture and multi-site capture based on the differential signal. |
| US08666489B2 |
Devices for tachyarrhythmia sensing and high-pass filter bypass
The present invention, in illustrative embodiments, includes devices for analyzing cardiac signals in an implantable cardiac stimulus system. Within the analysis, a threshold may be defined related to a cardiac event rate. If the cardiac event rate does not exceed the threshold, filtering of captured cardiac signals occurs, including attenuating T-waves. If the cardiac event rate does exceed the threshold, circuitry for analog filtering or programming for digital filtering is bypassed to avoid attenuating low frequency components of the captured cardiac signals. |
| US08666487B2 |
Device for skin treatment
A device for skin treatment, which precisely transmits high-frequency energy to a target portion of skin tissue without causing a burn on the outer layer of the skin, thus artificially damaging the portion and inducing a wound curing reaction, therefore leading to the regeneration of skin and the propagation of collagen. The device prevents the surface of skin from suffering an injury during insertion, alleviates pain, and keeps the depth to which the needle is inserted into the skin uniform. The device includes a plurality of needles coated with an insulator except for sharp ends. A needle holding unit holds the needles. A drive unit directly or indirectly transmits a force to the needle holding unit, thus allowing the needles to be inserted into the skin. An electromagnetic wave transmitting unit is electrically connected to the needles and transmits electromagnetic waves to the needles. |
| US08666486B2 |
Safe device for iontophoretic delivery of drugs
The present invention provides a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to on into a tissue, comprising an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. The present invention also provides a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, comprising determination of a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level. |
| US08666485B2 |
Body composition monitor capable of accurately measuring whole-body composition and achieving facilitated manipulation
A detection portion for detecting a first potential difference between hand and foot by applying a current across the hand and the foot of a subject through both of a hand electrode and a foot electrode and detecting a second potential difference between both hands or between both feet by applying a current across both hands or across both feet of the subject through any one of the hand electrodes and the foot electrodes, a first body composition calculation portion for calculating a first whole-body composition by using whole-body impedance based on a result of detection of the first potential difference, a correction portion for correcting two-limb impedance based on a result of detection of the second potential difference, and a second body composition calculation portion for calculating a second whole-body composition by using the corrected two-limb impedance are included. |
| US08666482B2 |
Method, system and software product for the measurement of heart rate variability
The invention relates to a method, system, and software product for measuring heart rate variability. The method comprises displaying an animation that indicates to the user when to breathe in and breathe out, receiving a signal from a sensor responsive to the heart beat of the user, processing the received signal to determine heart beat intervals of the user and calculating a measure of heart rate variability of the user from the processed heart beat intervals. |
| US08666480B2 |
ECG Artifact Reduction System
An ECG signal processing system which removes the CPR-induced artifact from measured ECG signals obtained during the administration of CPR. |
| US08666474B2 |
Magnetic-field measurement jig, magnetic-field measurement program, and inspection device provided with magnetic position detector
To provide a highly reliable inspection device that prevents a loss in reliability of inspection that uses information from a position detector as a result of the influence of magnetic bodies or the like that are present in the environment, the inspection device includes biological information measurement units that measure biological information of an inspected target and form an image containing the biological information, a magnetic position detector that detects the position of at least one of the biological information measurement units and the inspection target, and a control unit that controls the biological information measurement units and the magnetic position detector; and further includes the control unit being provided with an environmental magnetic field measurement unit that uses the output of the magnetic position detector to measure distortion of the magnetic field in the measured space in which the biological information measurement units are placed. |
| US08666473B2 |
Arrangement and method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles and for magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic particle imaging allows the imaging of fast tracer dynamics, but there is no native tissue contrast. A combination with MRI solves this issue. However, coil geometries in MPI and MRI differ significantly, making direct use impractical. According to one aspect of the present invention it is proposed to use pre-polarized MRI to overcome these difficulties. Further, methods and arrangements are proposed to achieve MRI imaging with minimal additional hardware. |
| US08666472B2 |
Arterial endothelial function measurement method and apparatus
A “relaxoscope” (100) detects the degree of arterial endothelial function. Impairment of arterial endothelial function is an early event in atherosclerosis and correlates with the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. An artery (115), such as the brachial artery (BA) is measured for diameter before and after several minutes of either vasoconstriction or vasorelaxation. The change in arterial diameter is a measure of flow-mediated vasomodification (FMVM). The relaxoscope induces an artificial pulse (128) at a superficial radial artery (115) via a linear actuator (120). An ultrasonic Doppler stethoscope (130) detects this pulse 10-20 cm proximal to the point of pulse induction (125). The delay between pulse application and detection provides the pulse transit time (PTT). By measuring PTT before (160) and after arterial diameter change (170), FMVM may be measured based on the changes in PTT caused by changes in vessel caliber, smooth muscle tone and wall thickness. |
| US08666470B2 |
Lyotropic liquid crystal coated analyte monitoring device and methods of use
The present invention is directed to membranes composed liquid crystals having continuous aqueous channels, such as a lyotropic liquid crystal, including a cubic phase lyotropic liquid crystal, and to electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes. The membranes are useful in limiting the diffusion of an analyte to a working electrode in an electrochemical sensor so that the sensor does not saturate and/or remains linearly responsive over a large range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with membranes of the present invention demonstrate considerable sensitivity and stability, and a large signal-to-noise ratio, in a variety of conditions. |
| US08666468B1 |
Patient monitor for determining microcirculation state
As placement of a physiological monitoring sensor is typically at a sensor site located at an extremity of the body, the state of microcirculation, such as whether vessels are blocked or open, can have a significant effect on the readings at the sensor site. It is therefore desirable to provide a patient monitor and/or physiological monitoring sensor capable of distinguishing the microcirculation state of blood vessels. In some embodiments, the patient monitor and/or sensor provide a warning and/or compensates a measurement based on the microcirculation state. In some embodiments, a microcirculation determination process implementable by the patient monitor and/or sensor is used to determine the state of microcirculation of the patient. |
| US08666462B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device having frequency selective grounding and related method
A mobile wireless communications device includes a portable housing having a metallic front housing forming a peripheral sidewall as a metallic ring. A circuit board is carried by the portable housing and forms a chassis ground plane. A wireless communications circuit is carried by a circuit board. An antenna circuit is carried by a circuit board and connected to the wireless communications circuit. A frequency selective grounding circuit is positioned at a selected grounding location at the chassis ground plane and metallic front housing and forms a harmonic trap that responds to a specific range of frequencies. |
| US08666461B2 |
Wireless audio device call device selection
A wireless two-way communications headset is able to enter into a partial power mode in which a latching or non-momentary power switch has been operated to an “on” state, but in which there has been a lack of user operation of the headset for more than a predetermined period of time, and in this partial power mode, a processing device of the headset monitors manually-operable controls for an indication of their being operated by a user in a manner indicating a user's intent to engage in audio communications. In response to this indication, the headset enters a higher power mode in which a wireless link with another wireless device is formed and then performs the function intended by the user. In being operated by a user to initiate audio communications with another wireless device (e.g., making a telephone call), the wireless headset first attempts to do so with the wireless device with which the wireless headset most recently engaged in audio communications, and failing that, the wireless headset then attempts to do so with second-most recent wireless device with which the wireless headset engaged in audio communications. |
| US08666460B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a portable device
An apparatus and method of managing power in a communication device determines if the communication device is moving in one of a plurality of predefined movement modes, which may be one of a first mode and a second mode. The method causes the communication device 1) to consume power at a first rate if in the first mode, and 2) consume power at a second rate, relative to the first rate, if in the second mode. The first rate is different than the second rate. |
| US08666455B2 |
Apparatus having a flexible display and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a flexible display; at least one sensor arranged in a prescribed form on the flexible display and configured to convert a flex state of the flexible display into an electric signal; and a controller configured to determine the flex state of the flexible display using the electric signal input from the at least one sensor, and control a visual effect corresponding to the determined flex state and output the visual effect on the flexible display. |
| US08666448B2 |
Headless external sensor discovery and data access using mobile device
A device, system, and machine readable medium for headless sensor measurements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device is exclusive of a display. The device includes a sensor head to retrieve an amount of measurement data from an environment. The device also includes an I/O interface, a memory, a non-volatile storage, processing logic, and sensor data access protocol (SDAP) manageability code. The SDAP manageability code may cause the processing logic to provide a sensor type and a measurement data payload type to a mobile communication device. The SDAP manageability code additionally may cause the sensor head to take a measurement, receive measurement data from the sensor head, packetize the measurement data, and transfer the measurement data payload to the mobile communication device. |
| US08666447B2 |
Portable phone having electro optic image projection system and orientation sensing device
An apparatus may include a device and an image projection system configured to form an image on a surface viewable by a user. The image projection circuit may be configured to receive signals from the device, generate a pattern representative of data, process the pattern into a mirror image of the image, and project the mirror image from the device. The image projection system may include an electro optic system for generating the pattern, and an optics system for projecting the mirror image onto the surface. A method for projecting data may include providing the device with the image, and providing the image to the surface with the image projection system. The method may also include manipulating the device and/or a body part to locate and focus the image, sensing an orientation of the device, and orienting the image based, at least in part, on the sensing step. |
| US08666446B2 |
Mobile communication terminal with power-saving motion sensor and method for the same
A mobile communication terminal and power saving method thereof are disclosed, by which display information can be outputted to an external projection plane using a projector module. Accordingly, if an event by a system or user occurs, power saving can be performed by controlling an operation of the projector module. A mobile terminal may include a terminal body, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion of the terminal body, a projector module configured to project an image onto an external surface, a power supply configured to supply power to the projector module, and a controller configured to control an operation of the projector module and to discontinue the supply of power to the projector module in response to detecting the motion by the motion sensor. |
| US08666445B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for transmission antenna switching in a portable communication device
An apparatus, system, and method manage a transmission antenna system by measuring an antenna performance indicator of an alternate antenna configuration during a reduced data rate transmission. After an antenna performance indicator is measured in a current (first) antenna system configuration, the antenna system is configured to an alternate (second) configuration during a reduced data rate transmission and the antenna performance indicator of the alternate (second) configuration is measured. The antenna performance indicators for both configurations are evaluated to determine the optimum antenna system configuration for transmission. If the alternate (second) configuration will result in decreased performance, the antenna system is changed back to the first antenna system configuration. Otherwise, the alternate (second) configuration is defined as the current configuration and the first antenna configuration is evaluated during reduced rate transmissions. |
| US08666444B2 |
Multiple-mode input keypad
A communication device has an input keypad having physical input keys arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a mode input mechanism to select a specific mode, and software or firmware responsive to mode selected through the mode input mechanism, comprising a specific mapping of input keys and process of input to output characters, depending on mode selected. In any specific mode, inputs by the physical input keys are mapped to output characters according to the specific mapping and process associated with the selected mode. |
| US08666442B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling uplink power in wireless communication system
A method is provided for controlling an uplink (UL) power by a Mobile Station (MS) in a wireless communication system including an upper-layer Base Station (BS) and a lower-layer BS whose cell coverage is narrower than that of the upper-layer BS. The method also includes measuring a first received signal strength indicating a received signal strength of a first reference signal received from the upper-layer BS, and a second received signal strength indicating a received signal strength of a second reference signal received from the lower-layer BS, acquiring a transmission (TX) power ratio representative of a ratio of a first TX power indicating a TX power of the upper-layer BS to a second TX power indicating a TX power of the lower-layer BS, selecting a first serving BS indicating a UL serving BS to which the MS will transmit a UL signal, from among the upper-layer BS and the lower-layer BS, and determining a UL TX power, based on the first received signal strength, the second received signal strength, and the TX power ratio, and transmitting the UL signal to the first serving BS using the UL TX power. |
| US08666441B2 |
System and method for uplink power control in a wireless communications system
A system and method for uplink power control in a wireless communications system are provided. A method for power control of uplink transmissions by a communications device includes computing a power offset based on a signal target and a measured received signal power strength, generating a power control command from the power offset, and transmitting the power control command to the communications device. The signal target is based on control information provided by the communications device. |
| US08666438B1 |
Managing communications with a content provider
The invention is directed to methods and systems for managing communications between a user of a mobile device and a content provider. Registration information is received from a mobile device indicating that a communications manager is authorized to communicate with the content provider and act on behalf of the mobile device with respect to blocking and unblocking certain messages received from the content provider. The content provider registers with the communications manager so that the communications manager knows specific codes and methods for communicating with the content provider. Modified user preferences are received from the mobile device, and these are communicated to the content provider by the communications manager. |
| US08666437B2 |
Mobile communications resource management system
A mobile communications resource manager including a smart card configured to accept and store a user's personal information suitable for use in commercial transactions (physical tap or electronically) and communications operations, a cellular radio modem, at least one non-cellular radio modem and a controller. The controller is configured for establishing a short-range wireless connection via said non-cellular modem to at least one user accessible electronic device with human interface functionality and accepting a service request from the at least one user accessible electronic device and making a modem selection by selecting either a cellular or a non-cellular connection via a modem resident in the mobile communications resource manager to provide the communications link for the service request, based on a rule resident in the mobile communications resource manager. |
| US08666435B2 |
Communication controller, communication control method and radio communication system
A communication controller includes a processor. The processor performs a process of estimating a moving route of a mobile station connected through a network and a process of determining a timing to start transmission of data to be transmitted between the network and the mobile station based on a prediction result of a communication quality of the mobile station according to the estimated moving route and a size of the data. |
| US08666430B2 |
Method of improved positioning
In a method of improved clustering for providing position determination assisting data in a cellular communication system, providing (S10) a plurality of clusters of points, said points being results of high-precision reference measurements, said points of each of said cluster having the same unique radio fingerprinting tag, identifying (S20) a target cluster, said target cluster having a number of points less than a predetermined threshold. Finally, merging (S30) said target cluster with at least one adjacent cluster of said provided plurality of clusters to provide a merged cluster with an increased number of high-precision reference measurements. |
| US08666428B2 |
Method to support user location in in-structure coverage systems
In an example embodiment of the present invention, the method includes creating a plurality of data packets. Each data packet in the plurality of data packets includes a plurality of coded cellular signals. The plurality of data packets are sent over a data network associated with at least one sector served by a plurality of transceivers, and at least one of the plurality of transceivers broadcasts the data packets. A location of a mobile station is determined based on received multi-paths associated with response from the mobile station to broadcast of at least one of the plurality of data packets. |
| US08666426B2 |
Adaptive transmission device using limited feedback information in a mobile communication system, and a method thereof
The present invention relates to an adaptive transmitting device using limited feedback information in a mobile communication system, and a method thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the base station transmits a pilot signal to the terminal, the terminal generates channel information by using the pilot signal, generates additional channel information from the channel information, and transmits the channel information and the additional channel information to the base station. The base station determines band allocation, power allocation, and modulation methods for each use by using received feedback information, and transmits modulated traffic data to the terminal according to the determined methods. |
| US08666423B2 |
Method and device for determining routings and for allocating radio resources for the determined routings in a radio communications system
A method for radio communication between a device and radio stations of a radio communications system having a plurality of radio stations involves transmitting messages from the transmitting radio station to the receiving radio station either directly, or via a routing the passes through one or more radio stations that forward said messages. The device transmits information, which related to one or more routings between a respective transmitting radio station and a receiving radio station and to radio resources that are to be used for at least one message transmission via the routing or routings, to radio stations. |
| US08666421B2 |
Method for spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks with open wireless architecture
This invention relates to a method for controlling location distribution of sensing nodes, selection of sensing nodes, control of sensing implementation and process of performing spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks of open wireless architecture (OWA) systems. Specifically, the invention relates to an efficient and reliable method minimizing time overhead consumed during spectrum sensing with open wireless architecture (OWA). |
| US08666419B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing a handover between a non 3GPP access and a 3GPP access using Gn/Gp SGSNs
A method and apparatus for performing a handover of a communication session from a non-3GPP access network to a 3GPP access network in which only a Gn/Gp-based Serving GPRS Support Node has been deployed in the 3GPP access network. The method includes establishing the communication session between a user equipment and an Evolved Packet Core through the non-3GPP access network, and performing a handover of the communication session from the non-3GPP access network to the 3GPP access network. Performing the handover includes providing information to the UE of a selected packet data network gateway prior to performing the handover, and providing the information of the selected packet data network gateway from the user equipment to the 3GPP access network during the handover to maintain continuity of the communication session between the user equipment and the Evolved Packet Core. |
| US08666417B2 |
Method and apparatus for distinguishing cells with the same physical cell identifier
A method (700, 800) and apparatus (500, 600) for distinguishing cells with the same physical cell identifier is disclosed. The method can include receiving (820) a handover request message including target cell timing offset information at a potential target cell base station, where the potential target cell base station can have a physical cell identifier. The method can include comparing (830) the received target cell timing offset information with stored timing offset information at the potential target cell base station. The method can include sending (840) a handover request accept message if the received target cell timing offset information is substantially equal to the stored timing offset information. The method can also include receiving (720), at a wireless terminal, a target cell physical cell identifier and determining (730) a target cell timing offset of a radio frame of the target cell with respect to reference timing of a serving cell. The method can include sending (740) a measurement report including the target cell physical cell identifier and the target cell timing offset. |
| US08666416B2 |
Mobile communication system and base station apparatus
A mobile communication system includes a plurality of base station apparatuses and a mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus measures at predetermined intervals of time the quality of a signal received from each base station apparatus and transmits signal reception quality information indicating the quality of the signal to a first base station apparatus that is currently connected via radio to the mobile station apparatus. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the time that the signal reception quality for the first base station apparatus dropped to or below a first handover threshold, if the quality of the signal received from a second base station apparatus becomes equal to or higher than a second handover threshold, the first base station apparatus executes a handover to switch the radio connection of the mobile station apparatus from the first base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus. |
| US08666414B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and communication device
Disclosed is a technique for reducing delay when a mobile communication terminal starts communication and reducing consumption of a power resource of the mobile communication terminal. An MN (mobile node) (1012) has plural interfaces (IF-1 (1030) and IF-2 (1028)). One interface IF-1 is connected to a connection point (serving PoA (1008)). When switching over from communication using the IF-1 to communication using the IF-2, the MN transmits a paging request message via the IF-1 and the serving PoA to a connection point (target PoA (1010)) attempted to connect using the IF-2. The target PoA that has received the paging request message reduces a beacon transmission cycle and sets transmission slots for the MN so that the connection of the MN can be established efficiently. |
| US08666411B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless communication
Systems and methods for performing a handoff of an access terminal from a macro node to a femto node are disclosed. In one embodiment, a femto convergence server may select a target femto node based on, at least in part, signal strengths of the reverse links between femto nodes with a specific identifier and an access terminal, and the transmit pilot powers of the femto nodes. |
| US08666407B2 |
Femtocell base station, method, computer program and computer program product
It is presented a method for a femtocell base station, for facilitating communication between a communication terminal and a core network. The method comprises the steps, performed in the femtocell base station, of: sending a first femtocell base station message to the communication terminal; receiving a first terminal message from the communication terminal, the first terminal message comprising a first sequence number; and repeatedly sending further femtocell base station messages to the communication terminal and receiving corresponding terminal messages, comprising incremented sequence numbers, from the communication terminal, such that an expected next terminal message from the communication terminal comprises a sequence number being equal to the first sequence number. A corresponding femtocell base station, computer program and computer program product are also presented. |
| US08666400B2 |
System and method for wireless network selection by multi-mode devices
Systems and methods are provided for wireless network selection by multi-mode devices. A mobile device maintains an indication of any wireless network services currently provided to the mobile device. According to an embodiment of the application, the mobile device automatically scans for both GSM wireless networks and CDMA wireless networks in order to acquire a wireless network that can provide a service that is not currently provided to the mobile device. Therefore, the mobile device avoids partial service or limited service when better service is available. |
| US08666398B2 |
Random access procedure enhancements for heterogeneous networks
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide various mechanisms that allow a user equipment to convey information regarding one or more attributes to a base station during a random access (RA) procedure. The attributes may include, for example a capability of the UE (e.g., to support a particular feature or version of a standard) or a condition of the UE (e.g., if it is currently experiencing an interference condition). |
| US08666394B1 |
Methods and apparatus for use in negotiating a group owner for a P2P network having external network connectivity
Techniques in a wireless device for use in negotiating a group owner with another wireless device for establishing a wireless peer-to-peer (P2P) network having a connection to an external network are described. The wireless device identifies whether it is operating for communications via a home network or a non-home network. The wireless device sets its group owner intent value to an increased value when it is identified to be operating for communications via the home network, or to a decreased value when it is identified to be operating for communications via the non-home network. The wireless device then sends to the other wireless device a message which includes the group owner intent value for the wireless device. Once the group owner is selected, the wireless device will connect with the other wireless device for establishing the wireless P2P network having the connection to the external network. |
| US08666393B2 |
Notifying user equipment of an upcoming change of system information in a radio communication network
A basic idea is to introduce an additional paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode that differs from the paging schedule used for user equipment in idle mode. Consequently, the inventive mechanism relies on distributing (S1) a notification of an upcoming change of system information in paging messages according to a first paging schedule for user equipment in idle mode, and distributing (S2) a notification of an upcoming change of system information in paging messages according to a second paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode. The second paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode is different from the first paging schedule for user equipment in idle mode. In this way, a satisfactory load distribution is achieved, at the same time as UEs in both connected and idle mode are able to receive important system information notifications. |
| US08666392B2 |
Method for testing appliances for a mobile-radio system, signal generator, appliance for a mobile-radio system, and a measurement system
A method, a signal generator, an appliance for a mobile radio system, and a measurement system are provided. First of all, a signal generator generates signal data. The signal data are used to generate a signal which is sent to the appliance which is to be tested. The appliance which is to be tested receives the signal and evaluates it. The evaluation of the received signal is taken as a basis for generating a response signal, wherein the response signal has an envelope which is characteristic of the information which is to be returned. This characteristic envelope is measured and a measurement signal which is representative thereof is generated. The measurement signal is supplied to a correlator in the signal generator and is compared with a comparison signal stored in the signal generator. |
| US08666390B2 |
Ticketing mobile call failures based on geolocated event data
Providing for identifying and ticketing mobile network communication errors according to geographic position of the errors is described herein. By way of example, communication errors, such as dropped calls, can be tracked and recorded as a function of position of a mobile terminal affected by a dropped call. A number of these errors within a given location is compared with historic error data to determine statistically anomalous instances of communication errors. Upon identifying such an anomaly, an error ticket can be generated that identifies a geographic region associated with the error. Particularly, the geographic region can be independent of radio access network infrastructure, which is conventionally used as a means of locating events within a mobile network. A geographic error ticket can, in some aspects of the subject disclosure, facilitate discovery and troubleshooting of errors that originate at least in part from unknown or unanticipated sources. |
| US08666383B1 |
Automated branding of generic applications
A mobile phone comprising a processor, a memory comprising a system partition and a data partition, and an application stored in the system partition of the memory. When executed by the processor, the application determines a brand identity associated with the mobile phone, accesses branding assets associated with the application based on the brand identity, and adapts the function of the application based on the accessed branding assets. |
| US08666376B2 |
Location based mobile shopping affinity program
In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for presenting an affinity program enrollment opportunity to a mobile communication facility based at least in part on a navigation request made on the mobile communication facility and a location of the mobile communication facility, providing a sponsored affinity program content to an affinity program enrollee, and providing an incentive to the enrollee for an interaction with the sponsored affinity program content. |
| US08666375B2 |
Customizable media auto-reply systems and methods
An auto-reply service provides to callers event-specific audiovisual media messages that were custom recorded on the callee's mobile-telephony device. The auto-reply service selects the media messages at least in part based on an event schedule associated with the callee. |
| US08666374B2 |
Method and system comprising means to transmit an image of a message
A method and system applied on a mobile device comprising internal processing means to create an image of message wherein a screen capture means in the mobile device provides a single processing step in the mobile device comprising means to convert the entire contents of a displayed message and including a background to a single MMS compliant image in creating a multimedia picture message for transmission to a destination mobile device, wherein transmitting an image of a displayed message comprises executing a single instruction on the mobile device wherein executing the single instruction both activates the screen capture means in the mobile device in creating a single MMS compliant image of a displayed message and transmits the created image thereof as a multimedia picture message to a destination mobile device. |
| US08666368B2 |
Wireless network authentication apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods for authenticating and granting a client device (e.g., cellular telephone) access to a network. In one embodiment, a network service provider such as a cellular telephone company may distribute user access (e.g., Universal Subscriber Identity Module or “USIM”) credentials to a services manager via a USIM vendor. The services manager may maintain a list of authorized users. A user at a client may authenticate to the services manager. Once authenticated, the services manager may provide the user with a set of USIM credentials. When the user desires to use wireless network services, the user equipment may establish a wireless link between the user equipment and the network service provider. During authentication operations, the user equipment may use the USIM credentials to authenticate to the network service provider. Following successful authentication, the network service provider may provide the user equipment with wireless services. |
| US08666358B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering and receiving enhanced emergency broadcast alert messages
Techniques for delivering and receiving emergency broadcast alert messages using Short Message Service (SMS) are described, In one design, a broadcast alert message for an emergency alert may be sent in an SMS broadcast message, e.g., by mapping at least one field of the broadcast alert message to corresponding Held(s) of the SMS broadcast message and mapping remaining Fields of the broadcast alert message to a data Field of the SMS broadcast message. The SMS broadcast message may include a website URI link, broadcast reception information, location information for an emergency event, etc. The SMS broadcast message may be carried in a system broadcast message sent to wireless devices. A wireless device may receive the system broadcast message, extract the SMS broadcast message, and obtain the broadcast alert message. The wireless device may detect for duplicate broadcast messages based on a hash digest generated for each broadcast message. |
| US08666355B2 |
Network event detection
Various aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel is computed and it is determined that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, data received over the communications channel is stored as valid data. |
| US08666354B2 |
Distributed, diode mixer circuit
A distributed, diode mixer circuit includes a plurality of passive diode mixer cores including at least first and second passive diode mixer cores including doubly-balanced diodes in symmetrical balanced configuration forms, each mixer core having a pair of differential reference nodes driven by the reference signal and a pair of differential nodes driven by the data signal and a reactive impedance network including one or multiple reactive elements or transmission lines connected between the like nodes of each the first and second mixer cores. |
| US08666352B2 |
Harmonic cancellation for frequency conversion harmonic cancellation
A radio frequency (RF) receiver, such as a television tuner, includes a harmonic cancellation circuit. The harmonic cancellation circuit includes a primary signal path to generate a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal by mixing an RF signal with a reference signal and a harmonic feedforward signal path to generate a second IF signal representing signal content of the RF signal near an nth-order harmonic of a frequency fLO of the first reference signal, n comprising a positive integer. The harmonic cancellation circuit further includes a summation stage to generate a third IF signal based on a difference between the first IF signal and the second IF signal. |
| US08666348B2 |
Noise canceling control apparatus, recording medium, and noise canceling control method
A noise canceling control apparatus obtains information about current communication quality of a terminal, obtains a terminal state, obtains canceling parameters and data indicating the degree of a canceling effect from a holding unit configured to make an association among a terminal state, canceling parameters used when a canceling process is executed for a noise, and data indicating the degree of a canceling effect, and to record the terminal state, the canceling parameters, and the data, calculates communication quality when the canceling process is assumed to be executed for the terminal by using the obtained canceling parameters using the information about the current communication quality, and the data indicating the degree of the canceling effect, outputs canceling parameters with which the communication quality is predicted to be obtained, and executes the canceling process for the noise that occurs within the terminal by using the output canceling parameters. |
| US08666347B2 |
Methods and devices for reducing radio frequency interference
Devices and methods for selectively reducing interference in wireless signals through field nulling and signal cancelling by signal agnostic, intrinsically stable, analytic means. |
| US08666344B2 |
Satellite signal reception device and control method for a satellite signal reception device
A satellite signal reception device has a reception unit that receives a satellite signal transmitted from a positioning information satellite, a reception state display device for displaying the satellite signal reception state, a reception state evaluation unit that determines the reception condition of the satellite signal received by the reception unit, and a display controller that controls the reception state display device to display the reception condition determined by the reception state evaluation unit. The reception state evaluation unit determines the level of the reception condition based on the number of positioning information satellites from which satellite signals are received and the signal level of each received signal, and the display controller controls the mechanical drive unit based on the reception level determining by the reception state evaluation unit to display the reception level using the time display device that displays the time. |
| US08666343B2 |
DC-offset-correction system and method for communication receivers
Static and dynamic DC offsets in receivers may be cancelled in two stages using a digitally implemented offset-correction loop. |
| US08666342B1 |
Reflection-type variable attenuators
A circuit for a reflection-type variable attenuator may include a hybrid module including an input port, an output port, a first reflection port, and a second reflection port. The hybrid module may be configured to split an incident signal received at the input port into a first and a second input signal. A first and a second reflection circuit may be coupled to the first and the second reflection ports, respectively. The first and the second reflection circuits each may include one or more transistors, and may be configured to, respectively, reflect the first and the second input signals to generate a first and a second reflected signal, which are directed to the output port to be constructively combined to form an output signal that is an attenuated replica of the incident signal. A variable attenuation may be achieved by controlling amount of reflection through the reflection circuits. |
| US08666340B2 |
Method and system for on-chip impedance control to impedance match a configurable front end
Methods and systems for on-chip impedance control to impedance match a configurable front end are disclosed and may include selectively enabling one or more amplifiers coupled to taps on a multi-tap transformer in a chip including the amplifiers. The impedances of the amplifiers may be matched to impedances of the taps on the transformer. The amplifiers may include low noise amplifiers wherein the input impedance of each of the low noise amplifiers may be different. The amplifiers may include power amplifiers wherein an output impedance of each of the power amplifiers may be different. The transformer may be coupled to an on-chip antenna, or to an antenna integrated on a package coupled to the chip. The multi-tap transformer may be integrated on the package. RF signals may be communicated via the selectively enabled amplifiers and the multi-tap transformer. The multi-tap transformer may include ferromagnetic materials integrated in the chip. |
| US08666337B2 |
System and method for power amplifier control saturation detection and correction
A system for power amplifier control saturation detection and correction includes a comparator configured to receive a power control signal and a detected power signal and generate a regulated voltage, a power amplifier configured to receive the regulated voltage and develop an output power, a power detector configured to sense the output power and develop the detected power signal, a saturation detector configured to receive the regulated voltage and a system voltage and determine whether the power amplifier is operating in a saturation mode during a transmit burst, and a current generator configured to reduce the power control signal when the power control signal exceeds a predetermined value and after expiration of a predetermined period of time, preventing the power control signal from exceeding the detected power signal. |
| US08666334B2 |
Apparatus and method for virtual antenna mapping in multi-antenna system
An apparatus and a method for mapping virtual antennas and physical antennas in a wireless communication system. The method for mapping the virtual antennas and the physical antennas includes generating at least two virtual antenna signals for at least two virtual antennas. The method also includes generating at least two physical antenna signals by applying a corresponding matrix, which maps the at least two virtual antennas and the at least two physical antennas in many-to-many relation, to the at least two virtual antenna signals. The method further includes transmitting the at least two physical antenna signals over respective physical antennas. |
| US08666331B2 |
Cascading baseband processors
Cellular processors are cascaded to provide different configurations, which result in higher-capacity base stations, increased numbers of simultaneous users over one frequency band, and/or aggregation of several carriers while still using only one radio frequency (RF) chipset. The processors are aligned in both time and frequency, with each processor having a data port that allows data exchange with the other processors. The data alignment and exchange allow the processors, in the aggregate, to act as a single unit, resulting in a scalable architecture that can accommodate different system configurations. |
| US08666330B2 |
Antenna switch with ESD isolation
A triple winding balun is combined with multiple switch assemblies to implement an antenna switch that provides good isolation, low loss, and good linearity with only a minor increase to the overall chip footprint. The antenna switch also isolates the receiver from power surges, where the power surges may be due to electrostatic discharge, undesirable WiMAX/LTE signals, etc. An exemplary antenna switch comprises a triple winding balun, a first switch subassembly, and an optional second switch subassembly. During stand-by and transmit modes, the first and second switch subassemblies respectively isolate the receiver from transmitter output current and connect a positive voltage bias to the third winding to prevent negative voltage swings at the receiver. During the receive mode, the configuration of the first and second switch subassemblies flips to connect the receiver to the third winding of the balun and to isolate the receiver from power surges. |
| US08666327B2 |
Method and device for frequency deviation pre-correction
A method and device for frequency deviation pre-correction are provided. The method includes: estimating an uplink frequency deviation value of a terminal, and obtaining a historic value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction that has been used for the frequency deviation pre-correction of the terminal; according to the historic value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction, determining a current value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction of the terminal, the current value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction being closer to the uplink frequency deviation value than the historic value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction; by using the current value of the uplink frequency deviation pre-correction, pre-correcting the frequency deviation of the terminal, thereby the signal detection performance of the terminal can be effectively improved. |
| US08666325B2 |
Polar feedback receiver for modulator
This disclosure relates to linearization in polar modulators of wireless communication devices, to attain linear amplification and high power efficiency during transmission. |
| US08666324B2 |
Signal generating device and signal generating method
To provide a signal generating device and a signal generating method capable of correcting the frequency characteristics of the level of a broadband radio-frequency signal. A signal generating device 10 includes a waveform data storage unit 11 that stores waveform data of a baseband signal, a quadrature modulator 20 that generates a modulation signal from the baseband signal, a local oscillator 31 that generates a local oscillation signal, a multiplier 32 that multiplies the modulation signal and the local oscillation signal to generate a radio-frequency signal in a predetermined frequency band, a frequency characteristic correction value determining unit 50 that acquires the frequency characteristics of the signal level of the frequency band on the basis of the center frequency of the radio-frequency signal, and a DF 12 that corrects the frequency characteristics of the level of the baseband signal. |
| US08666322B1 |
System and method for measuring and locating passive intermodulation (PIM) sources in a network and/or device
An embodiment of a system for determining a distance and magnitude to one or more unknown passive intermodulation (PIM) sources associated with a network under test comprises a scalar PIM measuring instrument and a reference PIM source. The scalar PIM measuring instrument has an output frequency that is systematically changeable to produce a series of response signals of varying frequency and the reference PIM source is configured to introduce a reflected signal to the scalar PIM measuring instrument in response to the output frequency. The scalar PIM measuring instrument can perform data processing algorithms allowing the extraction of distance and magnitude information about the unknown PIM sources located along the network under test from scalar data received by the scalar PIM measuring instrument. The scalar data received by the scalar PIM measuring instrument represents a combination of signals from the unknown PIM sources and the reference PIM source. |
| US08666319B2 |
Mitigating effects of identified interference with adaptive CCA threshold
Techniques are provided to adaptively adjust a clear channel assessment threshold for use when a wireless device is to transmit in a wireless network that operates on a channel in a radio frequency band. A first wireless device, configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more second wireless device in the wireless network, receives energy on the channel in the frequency band, analyzes the received energy to detect interference on the channel and determines a type of interference detected in the received energy. The clear channel assessment threshold is adjusted by an amount depending on the type of interference detected. |
| US08666318B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing cellular uplink transmissions
A method and apparatus used in an interfering cell of a cellular radio communication system for managing uplink transmissions. Information is received at the interfering cell, including a magnitude of an interference measured in a neighboring cell. The interfering cell has one or more active communication links to respective communication devices. A determination is made that a communication device will transmit pending data using a data repetition mode. The determination is based on the magnitude of the interference. In some embodiments, a specific data repetition mode is determined, based at least on the magnitude of the interference. A command is sent to the communication device to transmit the pending data using the specific data repetition mode. |
| US08666317B2 |
Frequency band selection
There is provided a method including obtaining, by a database entity, a-priori channel occupancy rate information of at least one channel from at least one of an entity of a primary system and an entity of a secondary system, wherein a database of the database entity includes information on white space channels, and availing the channel occupancy rate information to the secondary users in order to assist the secondary user to select a channel from the database. |
| US08666316B2 |
Container communication module
Systems and method for safely distributing software for electronic controllers in the refrigeration container industry, and also communication systems primarily for electronic controllers related to refrigeration containers in which fast software distribution in container controllers is achieved by introducing a buffer memory in the communication system, which buffer memory includes a new container controller software version. The communication system distributes the new container controller software version by a communication device, to receiving communication systems where the new software version is placed in the buffer memory. As a result, it can be achieved that software distribution starts automatically as soon as only one communication system includes the new software version, this software version will in a very short period be spread into all container controllers, e.g., on board a ship or in a container yard. |
| US08666315B2 |
Managing anonymous communications between users based on short-range wireless connection identifiers
A method for managing in network equipment of a communication network anonymous communications between a first and a second mobile user apparatus includes: a) receiving from the first mobile user apparatus, through a first network connection, data indicating that a short-range wireless connection between the first mobile user apparatus and the second mobile user apparatus has been established, the data including a second unique short-range wireless connection identifier associated with the second mobile user apparatus and a message for the second mobile user apparatus; b) by using the second unique short-range wireless connection identifier, obtaining a network address associated with the second mobile user apparatus; and c) by using the network address obtained in b), sending data to the second mobile user apparatus through a second network connection, the data including the message received in a) from the first mobile user apparatus and a first anonymous identifying code univocally associated with the first mobile user apparatus. |
| US08666313B2 |
Pairing devices using data exchanged in an out-of-band channel
Two devices (110, 120) can be determined to be within near field communication (NFC) range of each other. Pairing information for a service can be conveyed over an out-of-band channel (114, 124). The out-of-band channel can be a near field communication (NFC) channel. The service can be a Bluetooth service provided via an in-band (e.g., BLUETOOTH) channel (112, 122). The conveying of the pairing information can require the first device (110) to request at least one desired service, to provide a device ID, and to provide an authorization code in a single message (150). In response to the single message (150), the second device (120) can either deny the request (160, 162) or can convey resource use parameters for the desired service and an ID for the second device within a second single message (164). Pairing the two devices (110, 120) can require use of the authorization code and the resource use parameters. |
| US08666311B2 |
Satellite on-board RFI detection
In one embodiment there are provided systems and methods for detecting radio frequency interference (RFI) on a satellite that implements on-board processing. The system leverages an on-board programmable modem complex, and in some cases reprograms portions thereof, to function as an RF spectrum analyzer sensor element that captures and relays received RF information as meta-data to a ground-based system where that information can then be used, on the ground, to generate a spectral display of a received signal at the satellite. |
| US08666310B2 |
Relay and hierarchical transmission scheme
In some examples, a method of transmitting data in a radio communication system is described. The method can include dividing data intended for a communication receive node into a high priority code stream and a low priority code stream. The method can also include transmitting the high priority code stream to the communication receive node and a relay node. The method can also include transmitting the low priority code stream to the communication receive node. The relay node may be configured to receive, amplify and forward the high priority code stream to the communication receive node. The communication receive node may be configured to receive the high priority code stream substantially during first time intervals and may be further configured to receive both the low priority code stream and the amplified high priority code stream substantially during second time intervals interleaved with the first time intervals. |
| US08666307B2 |
Satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system
The present invention provides a satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system that will permit for the transmission of vertical and horizontal or left-hand circular and right-hand circular polarization signals simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. The system of the present invention will accommodate two different polarity commands from two or more different sources at the same time. This satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system of the present invention will provide for the signals received from the satellite to be converted to standard frequencies so as to permit for signals to travel via existing wiring which the present day amplifiers can transport in buildings, high-rises, hospitals, and the like so that satellite broadcasting can be viewed by numerous individuals by way of a single satellite antenna. |
| US08666306B2 |
Exchange of media by device discovery
A media distribution device determines that a user device is within proximity-based communication range of the media distribution device. The media distribution device receives profile information from the user device and provides a list of media to the user device, the media identified by the list determined in response to the profile information. The media distribution device receives identification information and a media acquisition request from the user device, the request identifying media not presently stored at the user device. The media distribution device provides acquisition information to the user device in response to receiving the identification information and the media acquisition request. |
| US08666304B2 |
Methods and apparatus for downloading one or more radio data system (RDS) group type processing routines for RDS data
A host system for downloading one or more Radio Data System (RDS) group type processing routines for RDS data includes a data processor and a host processor. The host processor is configured to download one or more RDS group type processing routines for the data processor, each of the one or more RDS group type processing routines configured to process RDS data for a respective RDS group type. The host processor is further configured to assign a reference in the data processor to a corresponding one of the one or more RDS group type processing routines, so that the corresponding RDS group type processing routine is to be invoked by RDS data having the respective RDS group type. A method is also provided for downloading one or more RDS group type processing routines for RDS data. |
| US08666300B2 |
Educational program assessment using curriculum progression pathway analysis
A curriculum progression pathway analysis assesses an educational program having multiple activities defining multiple learner tracks by organizing the learners into groups based on the learner tracks and, for each learner group, calculating a baseline average score, a post-activity average score, and statistical differences between the baseline average score and the post-activity average scores. Any significant statistical differences are identified, and a report may be generated describing statistical conclusions and inferences. The invention can further provide a domain-based learner analysis for curriculum, a domain-based learner analysis for activities, and a learner retention analysis. In an application for continuing medical education the performance index test includes a clinical vignette, a set of statements which are moved to either a best practices column or a not best practices column, and an indicator for an allowable number of moves to achieve a perfect score. |
| US08666290B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes a discharge execution section for forcedly discharging toner from a developing device and forming a toner image on a photosensitive drum, in which a primary transfer roller transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum by the discharge execution section by applying, to a predetermined area part of the toner image, a first transfer bias having a predetermined transfer efficiency with respect to an intermediate transfer belt and applying, to a part excluding the predetermined area part of the toner image, a second transfer bias whose transfer efficiency is at least smaller than the predetermined transfer efficiency of the first transfer bias. |
| US08666283B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a pressing member that presses a belt unit for positioning in a main body
An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit, and a pressing member configured to press the belt unit in a pressing direction crossing both a belt extending direction and an axial direction of a belt roller. A first positioning portion is disposed in the main body and a second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit. A second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit and configured to contact the first positioning portion to allow the belt unit to be positioned in the main body, and the pressing member is configured to press the belt unit such that the second positioning portion maintains contact with the first positioning portion. |
| US08666281B2 |
Process cartridge and developing device
A developing device detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, with the developing roller including an elastic roller portion and a core metal portion for supporting the roller portion, a developing device frame for rotatably supporting the developing roller, and a developer layer thickness regulating member, contacting the roller portion of the developing roller, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developing roller. In addition, a movement preventing portion prevents movement of the developing roller in an axial direction, wherein the movement preventing portion is detachably mounted in the developing device and is inserted into a spacing between an end portion of the core metal portion and an opposing portion of the developing device frame opposing the end portion of the core metal portion with respect to the axial direction of the developing roller. The movement preventing portion is removed from the developing device when the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image. |
| US08666274B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cooling duct
An image forming apparatus is provided that can achieve a reduction in size while ensuring the necessary cooling performance. The image forming apparatus includes in an apparatus main body thereof: an image carrier; a developing device disposed to oppose the image carrier; a cooling fan; and a cooling duct flowing cool air from the cooling fan to at least the image carrier and the developing device, in which the cooling duct includes an image-carrier cooling duct that flows cool air to the image carrier; and a developing-device cooling duct that flows cool air to the developing device, and the image-carrier cooling duct and the developing-device cooling duct are disposed abreast front to back inside of the apparatus main body. |
| US08666273B2 |
Image heating device
An image heating device includes a rotatable member, an opposing member for forming a nip, between itself and the rotatable member, in which recording paper on which an image is carried is to be nip conveyed and heated, and a heater contacting the rotatable member's outer surface and including a belt, a first roller stretching the belt at an upstream side of the rotatable member with respect to a rotational direction of the rotatable member, a second roller downstream of the first roller, and first and second heating portions for heating the first and second rollers to first and second target temperatures, respectively. The device also includes a heating control portion for controlling the heater, and a portion for executing an operation in a control mode in which the second target temperature is set so as to be lower than the first target temperature. |
| US08666272B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating member, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The fixing member fixes a toner image onto a recording material. The pressing member is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a fixing pressure part between the pressing member and the fixing member. The heating member heats the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The movement mechanism moves the heating member to contact with and be apart from the fixing member. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to move the heating member relatively apart from the fixing member after a predetermined time elapses after a trailing end of a recording material in a transport direction thereof passes through the fixing pressure part each time when a recording material passes through the fixing pressure part. |
| US08666265B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method of electrophotography
An image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing a sequential variation of graininess and keeping imaging quality. An exposure unit exposes the photoconductor to a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image. A development unit develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner. A change unit changes a height of toner image by changing an exposure spot area of the light beam on the photoconductor. A formation unit forms test patterns corresponding to different exposure spot areas on a recording sheet. A read unit reads the test patterns. A control unit detects graininess of each test pattern based on information about the test patterns read by the read unit, determines an exposure spot area where the graininess becomes good relatively, and controls the height of toner image on the photoconductor by setting the exposure spot area determined so as to be an exposure spot area for image formation. |
| US08666264B2 |
Image forming apparatus and toner refilling method therefor
In a new printer, a toner cartridge is mounted in the state where there is no toner in a reserve tank, and toner of the amount of filling toner D therein is supplied with the amount of full accommodation toner E for filling up the reserve tank by a toner supply mechanism. The toner of the amount of remaining surplus toner F remains in the toner cartridge. The amount of toner consumption G is measured by a dot counter during a printing execution. In the case where a toner density sensor detects a toner decreasing, the toner is supplied to a developing unit from the reserve tank. When it becomes G>F, it display-informs a user of “toner cartridge exchange is allowed”. Hereby, it enables to exchange the toner cartridge without stopping operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus using a two-component developer. |
| US08666263B2 |
Information input method, apparatus and system for associated apparatus of imaging device
An information input method, apparatus and system for an associated apparatus of an imaging device are provided. The system includes a chip and an information input apparatus; the chip is adapted to store universal information, and alternative information sent by the information input apparatus; the information input apparatus is adapted to store and send to the chip the alternative information. |
| US08666259B2 |
Data transmitting and receiving apparatus and method for visible light communication
An apparatus for transmitting data for visible light communication sets up the pulse width control step of pulse width modulation (PWM) in a unit time interval, modulates each symbol of VLC source data input into a PWM signal in accordance with the pulse width control step, generates a visible light modulation signal by controlling the turn-on time or turn-off time of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in response to the PWM signal, and transmits the visible light modulation signal. |
| US08666256B2 |
Optical transceiving system with frame synchronization and optical receiving apparatus
An optical receiving apparatus with frame synchronization technology which makes it easy to activate a frame synchronization established state even if bit errors are produced over a transmission link. The apparatus includes: an optoelectrical converting circuit; a pre-stage synchronizing word detecting circuit; a decoder; a post-stage frame synchronization detecting circuit; and a receiver frame synchronization display output circuit. |
| US08666254B2 |
System and method of wireless optical communication
Systems, methods, and a vehicle are disclosed to enable wireless optical communications. A wireless optical transceiver includes transmitter light source configured to transmit a first optical signal at a first wavelength via a first ball lens to generate a distributed first optical signal. The distributed first optical signal is configured to be received by a remote receiver via a first line-of-sight transmission. A detector is configured to receive a focused second optical signal at a second wavelength via a second ball lens. A controller is operably coupled to the light source and to the detector. The controller is configured to receive outgoing data and to generate a first electrical signal configured to modulate the first optical signal to transmit the outgoing data. The controller also is configured to receive a second electrical signal from the detector and to demodulate the second electrical signal to generate incoming data. |
| US08666253B2 |
Radio frequency photonic transceiver
In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a fourth aspect, the invention includes a method, comprising: generating a first optical signal; electro-optically generating a first radio frequency signal from the first optical signal; transmitting the first radio frequency signal; receiving a second radio frequency signal; and electro-optically modulating a second optical signal with the frequency of the second radio frequency signal. In a fifth aspect, the invention includes a zero-intermediate frequency radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit. In a sixth aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit including a direct conversion receiver with receiver output. |
| US08666252B2 |
Optical network system
There is provided an optical network system in which optical signals modulated by each of at least two modulation methods are wavelength-division-multiplexed and transferred, including: an optical transmitter configured to transmit first optical signals modulated by each of at least two modulation methods; an add-drop multiplexer configured to drop second optical signals from wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals transferred in the optical network system, and add the first optical signals to the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals; an optical receiver configured to demodulate the second optical signals corresponding to each of at least two modulation methods; and a controller configured to control wavelengths of the first optical signals, the second optical signals and the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals so as to rearrange wavelengths of the first optical signals, the second optical signals and the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals so that optical signals modulated by a same modulation method are placed on an adjacent wavelength. |
| US08666247B2 |
Bandwidth defragmentation systems and methods in optical networks
The present disclosure provides bandwidth defragmentation systems and methods in optical networks such as Optical Transport Network (OTN), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Ethernet, and the like. In particular, the present invention includes bandwidth defragmentation algorithms that may be used within the context of a signaling and routing protocol to avoid bandwidth defragmentation. As such, the present invention defines a mechanism for computing an end to end path for a connection in a manner that avoids bandwidth fragmentation and provides for better network utilization. For example, the present invention may include a path computation based upon administrative weight and upon fragmentation costs. This may be implemented in existing signaling and routing protocols without changes to existing protocol messages used in topology discovery. Further, the present invention optimizes available bandwidth allowing a higher probability of higher bandwidth request being admitted. |
| US08666244B2 |
Monitoring optical parameters of a modulated optical signal
A method of monitoring optical parameters of a modulated optical signal comprises receiving a first optical power, Xi, of said optical signal for a first bandwidth, Bi, across the said optical signal and receiving a second optical power, Xj, of said optical signal for a second bandwidth, Bj, across the said optical signal. The method comprises obtaining a power spectral density description of said optical signal. The method comprises determining an optical signal to noise ratio of said optical signal. The optical signal to noise ratio depends on said first optical power, Xi, said second optical power, Xj, and said power spectral density description. The method also comprises generating a data signal indicative of said optical signal to noise ratio. |
| US08666242B2 |
Response to OTUk-BDI for OTN interfaces to restore bidirectional communications
In an OTN (Optical Transport Network), an OTN interface of a network element may receive a BDI (Backwards Defect Indicator) signal from a far end network element to which OTN frames are being transmitted. A BDI signal indicates the occurrence of a unidirectional failure in the transmission of OTN frames to which the far end network element responds by switching its routing to the network element. The OTN interface generates an AIS (Alarm Indication Signal) for its network element so that the network element switches network communication channels to the far end network element to ensure bidirectional switching upon a unidirectional failure. |
| US08666241B2 |
Stereo camera with automatic control of interocular distance based on lens settings
A stereographic camera system and method of operating a stereographic camera system are disclosed. The stereographic camera system may include a left camera and a right camera including respective lenses having a focal length and a focus distance, an interocular distance mechanism to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras, and a controller. The controller may receive inputs indicating the focal length and the focus distance of the lenses. The controller may control the intraocular distance mechanism, based on the focal length and focus distance of the lenses and one or both of a distance to a nearest foreground object and a distance to a furthest background object, to automatically set the interocular distance such that a maximum disparity of a stereographic image captured by the left and right cameras does not exceed a predetermined maximum disparity. |
| US08666238B2 |
Fluid preheater
A fluid preheater (10) includes a body (12) having an interior wall (28) defining a chamber (42) and having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52). One or more heaters (18) are disposed in the wall (28), but not exposed to the chamber (42). The chamber (42) has one or more baffles that cause turbulence in the flow of fluid through the chamber (42) from the inlet (50) to the outlet (52) in order to increase the exposure of the fluid to heat from the heaters (18, 64). |
| US08666237B2 |
Cooker and controlling method for the same
A cooker and a controlling method for the same are provided. A carbon heater has a wavelength bandwidth of 1.5˜2.5 μm where a radiant energy is maximum, and the carbon heater provides the radiant energy into a cavity in order to heat food disposed therein. |
| US08666228B2 |
Operating method of a broadcasting receiver storing a broadcasting program and providing thumbnail images of a channel-switched broadcasting program while storing the broadcasting program, and a corresponding broadcasting receiver
An operating method of a broadcasting receiver storing a broadcasting program and providing thumbnail images of a channel-switched broadcasting program during storing the broadcasting program and a broadcasting receiver enabling of the method, thus providing a representative thumbnail image of a channel-switched broadcasting program during storing of the broadcasting program, making it possible to improve a user's convenience by providing information on what the channel-switched broadcasting program is as well as by extracting and outputting thumbnail images from the broadcasting program. |
| US08666226B1 |
System and method for generating personal videos
The present invention provides a method for converting an original script code of video having relative dynamic descriptors of objects' orientation into video with absolute descriptors orientation for objects in the video. The method includes the steps of: identifying exchangeable dynamic objects in the video, parsing each frame script code for analyzing relative dynamic descriptors of objects for determining absolute descriptors values for each object, creating new script code for the video, determining the absolute descriptors values for each object in each frame and generating a video template which supports the creation of customized videos by altering or exchanging dynamic objects. |
| US08666225B2 |
Digital cinema management device and digital cinema management method
A digital cinema management device includes a control unit that manages schedules of contents exhibited by playback devices and controls a representation of a management window for performing the schedule management, in which the control unit determines an urgent level in accordance with the number of days left until an exhibition day when the requirements for exhibiting contents with the playback devices in accordance with an exhibition schedule are not satisfied and switches the properties of the representation on the management window in accordance with the determined urgent level. |
| US08666224B2 |
Information storage medium including meta data for multi-angle title, and apparatus and method for reproducing the same
A storage medium including meta data for providing an enhanced search function on AV data supporting multi-angle, and a reproducing apparatus and method for reproducing AV data from the storage medium are provided. The storage medium comprises moving picture data for supporting multi-angle; and meta data for providing an enhanced search function on the moving picture data, wherein the meta data is defined according to scene, and comprises information regarding at least one search keyword to be applied to a corresponding scene and information regarding an angle supported by the corresponding scene. Such meta data further includes information regarding a start location and a reproduction duration time of the corresponding scene. As a result, an enhanced search function can be realized according to scene, character, actor, or search criterion which a producer arbitrary defines, with respect to moving picture data supporting multi-angle. |
| US08666218B2 |
Compact thermal actuated variable optical attenuator
A MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) chip includes a frame having a planar surface, a micro-electric actuator with a movable optical shutter arranged with respect to the planar surface of the frame, where the VOA is actuated by thermal expansion. The micro-electric actuator comprises semiconductor conductors (“wires”) that can be moved, upon applying an electrical current, by thermal expansion. In one embodiment, the MEMS VOA chip is configured in a multiple wire arrangement that restricts the shutter movement in a plane. |
| US08666215B2 |
Grounding device for fiber storage trays
A cable management panel having a grounding arrangement. The grounding arrangement including a rolling ground strap interconnected to each of a drawer and a chassis of the cable management panel. The rolling ground strap being arranged to include a loop that rolls along the length of the ground strap. |
| US08666214B2 |
Low bend loss optical fiber
One embodiment of a single mode optical fiber includes: a graded index central core region having outer radius r1 and relative refractive index Δ1; a cladding region comprising (i) a first inner cladding region having an outer radius r2<10 microns and relative refractive index Δ2 and 0.65≦r1/r2≦1; (ii) and a second inner cladding region (i.e., trench) having an outer radius r3>10 microns and comprising a minimum relative refractive index Δ3, wherein said second inner cladding region has at least one region with a relative refractive index delta that becomes more negative with increasing radius; and (iii) an outer cladding region surrounding the second inner cladding region and comprising relative refractive index Δ4, wherein Δ1>Δ2>Δ3, Δ3<Δ4. |
| US08666213B2 |
Method of making multimode optical fibers
A multimode optical fiber is drawn form an optical fiber preform, and during said drawing step, a series of perturbations are imparted to the fiber along the length of the optical fiber, said perturbations exhibiting a non-constant amplitude or repeat period. |
| US08666212B1 |
Head mounted display using a fused fiber bundle
An optical apparatus of a head mounted display includes a fused fiber bundle, an image source, and an image lens. The fused fiber bundle includes an array of fused optical fibers having an in-coupling surface located at a first end and an out-coupling surface physically facing an eye-ward direction and located at a second end. The fused fiber bundle is tapered such that the in-coupling surface has a larger surface area than the out-coupling surface to compress the light image. The image source is disposed at the first end of the fused fiber bundle and optically aligned with the in-coupling surface to launch the light image into the fused fiber bundle. The image lens is disposed at the second end and optically aligned with the out-coupling surface to focus the light image emitted from the second end towards an eye when the head mounted display is worn. |
| US08666211B2 |
Structure and method for aligning an optical fiber on an optical waveguide
An optical device including at least one first optical waveguide coupled to a second optical waveguide of smaller cross-section which penetrates into it on the side of a first end. The first optical waveguide is capable of being coupled with an optical fiber on the side of a second end. A surface of the first optical waveguide includes a diffraction grating capable of introducing-extracting-sending back light into and from the first optical waveguide. |
| US08666206B2 |
Asymmetric slotted waveguide and method for fabricating the same
An asymmetric slotted waveguide and method for fabricating the same. The slotted waveguide is constructed in silicon-on-insulator using a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. One or more wafers can be coated with a photo resist material using a photolithographic process in order to thereby bake the wafers via a post apply bake (PAB) process. An anti-reflective coating (TARC) can be further applied on the wafers and the wafers can be exposed on a scanner for the illumination conditions. After a post exposure bake (PEB), the wafers can be developed in a developer using a puddle develop process. Finally, the printed wafers can be processed using a shrink process to reduce the critical dimension (CD) of the slot and thereby achieve an enhanced asymmetric slotted waveguide that is capable of guiding the optical radiation in a wide range of optical modulation applications using an electro-optic polymer cladding. |
| US08666201B2 |
Photonic crystal sensor
This invention relates to an optical sensor element comprising a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, the membrane being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength or range of wavelengths, wherein said openings are provided with a reactive material acting as a receptor for a chosen type of molecules, e.g. proteins, the presence of which alters the resonance and/or scattering conditions in the sensor element thus altering the amount of light propagating out of the membrane plane. |
| US08666200B2 |
Optical modulation device, driving method of optical modulation device, and manufacturing method of optical modulation device
When phases of lights passing through arms are adjusted, a first DC bias and a first modulation signal are applied to one arm from one modulating electrode, and a second DC bias and a second modulation signal are applied to the other arm from the other modulating electrode. The first and second DC biases are applied to the modulating electrodes such that a rate of a product of a length of one modulating electrode and the first DC bias and a product of a length of the other modulating electrode and the second DC bias is kept at a constant value. According to this constitution, it is possible to enable an optimum control of a phase difference between the arms and a precise control of wavelength chirp characteristics with a simple element constitution, and an optical modulation of which device size is small and having fine characteristics is enabled. |
| US08666194B2 |
System and method for editing frequency content of images
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for editing the frequency content of an image may provide an intuitive interface for examining and/or modifying the frequency content. The methods may include accessing image data, performing a wavelet transform of the image data (or another MRA technique) to produce a time-frequency representation (TFR) of the image representing frequency content in multiple frequency bands, and displaying an indication of the frequency content of the image by displaying a sub-image of the TFR or numerical data representing the frequency content at selected pixels. In response to receiving input specifying a desired frequency content modification, the methods may include performing a Fourier transform of the image data to produce frequency content data, modifying the frequency content data, and performing an inverse transformation of the modified data to produce modified image data. The modification may be applied globally or to a selected portion of the image. |
| US08666192B2 |
Apparatus and method for ultra-high resolution video processing
A video processing apparatus and method is provided. The video processing apparatus divides video data and then processes a current divided area of the divided video data by referring to pixels in an adjacent divided area while processing the current divided area, thereby minimizing artifacts generation along a boundary between divided areas when the processed divided areas are subsequently merged. |
| US08666190B1 |
Local black points in aerial imagery
The system and method of use are provided for correcting digital images based on the notions of local black points. The system and method are based on determining local black points in a digital image and correcting the intensities of nearby pixels so as to remove bias in the image introduced by atmospheric conditions. By sampling only localized land imagery the claimed method computes black points that are more robust against the localized effects of atmospheric and land reflection effects than black points computed from wider areas. The result of the method is that images corrected by this method are robust to atmospheric conditions that vary with time and viewing angle. |
| US08666188B2 |
Identifying edges of web media using textural contrast between web media and backer roll
A computer-implemented method for identifying the edges of web media transported on a movable transport surface includes sensing, using a linear array sensor positioned along a process path of a web, the web media and the movable transport surface to obtain image data representative of variations in optical textural properties of the web media and variations in optical textural properties of the movable transport surface, wherein the variations in the optical textural properties of the movable transport surface are different from the variations in the optical textural properties of the web media; and processing the image data to determine differences between the variations in the optical textural properties of the web media and the variations in the optical textural properties of the movable transport surface to identify an edge of the web media. |
| US08666187B2 |
Image reproduction apparatus and image reproduction method
An image reproduction apparatus decompresses and outputs compressed data, and includes: a reproduction unit which reads, per predetermined unit of processing, the compressed data as unit compressed data from a recording medium; a decompression unit which decompresses the unit compressed data, so as to generate unit decompressed data; a display processing unit which outputs decompressed data including the unit decompressed data; an error management unit which detects, per unit compressed data, an error caused in either the reproduction unit or the decompression unit; and a control unit which determines whether or not to output the decompressed data when the error is detected, and when it is determined to output the decompressed data, the control unit complements, with implement image data, unit decompressed data corresponding to the unit compressed data in which the error has been detected, and the display processing unit outputs decompressed data including the complement image data. |
| US08666177B2 |
Texture-pattern-adaptive partitioned block transform
The invention is related to encoding an image block of an image using a partitioned block transform. The inventors recognized that applying a texture-pattern associated invertible mapping to the pixels of a first partition, said first partition resulting from partitioning said image block according to a current texture pattern with which said texture-pattern associated invertible mapping is associated, allows for limiting the maximum number of required first 1-D transforms to not exceeding a number of columns in the image block as well as limiting the maximum number of required second 1-D transforms to not exceeding a number of rows in the image block, also. Achieving limitation of maximum required 1-D transforms enables more efficient implementation on hardware and improves encoding performance but also allows for further partitions according to texture patterns which comprise at least one of multiple strips, texture patterns with highly unsymmetrical pixel distribution and non-directional texture patterns. |
| US08666174B2 |
Techniques for shape clustering and assignment of character codes in post optical character recognition processing
Systems, methods and computer program products on storage devices for shape clustering and applications in processing various documents, including an output of an optical character recognition (OCR) process. The output of an OCR process is classified into a plurality of clusters of clip images and a representative image for each cluster is generated to identify clusters whose clip images were incorrectly assigned character codes by the OCR process. |
| US08666173B2 |
Matching interest points
Interest points are markers anchored to a specific position in a digital image of an object. They are mathematically extracted in such a way that, in another image of the object, they will appear in the same position on the object, even though the object may be presented at a different position in the image, a different orientation, a different distance or under different lighting conditions. The goal is to match interest points in one image with corresponding interest points in another image. Typically, this involves the construction of a descriptor, which is both computationally expensive and resource-intensive. Methods and devices are described that match interest points without the construction of conventional descriptors and that permit the use of spatial coherency information to increase the accuracy of the match. |
| US08666169B2 |
Feature descriptors
Methods, devices, and systems for determining feature descriptors are provided. An example includes defining a plurality of anchor points within a patch of pixels in a particular area that includes a detected feature in an image, defining a first set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the first set of subpatches, defining a second set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the second set of subpatches, comparing the intensity of each of the second set of subpatches to the intensity of each of the first set of subpatches and if the intensity of a second set subpatch is higher than the intensity of a first set subpatch assign a binary value, otherwise assign an alternative binary value, and concatenating all the assigned binary values into a binary feature descriptor. |
| US08666168B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing a scalable identification of digital video sequences
Scaleable video sequence processing with various filtering rules is applied to extract dominant features, and generate unique set of signatures based on video content. Video sequence structuring and subsequent video sequence characterization is performed by tracking statistical changes in the content of a succession of video frames and selecting suitable frames for further treatment by region based intra-frame segmentation and contour tracing and description. Compact representative signatures are generated on the video sequence structural level as well as on the selected video frame level, resulting in an efficient video database formation and search. |
| US08666167B2 |
Policy-based image management
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing an image. A determination is made whether an object is present in a subset of a plurality of images using an identification of the object. A determination is made whether the object is permitted to be present in the subset of the plurality of images using the policy for the user associated with the object responsive to a determination that the object is present in the subset of the plurality of images using a policy for a user associated with the object. A removal action of the object is performed on the subset of the plurality of images responsive to an absence of a determination that the object is permitted to be present in the subset of the plurality of images using the policy. |
| US08666165B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning electron microscope for reducing a process concerning inspection positioning or an input operation, thereby functioning with high precision at high speed. To accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a scanning electron microscope having a function for identifying a desired position on the basis of a pattern registered beforehand, which includes a means for setting information concerning the pattern kind, the interval between a plurality of parts constituting the pattern, and the size of parts constituting the pattern and a means for forming a pattern image composed of a plurality of parts on the basis of the information obtained by the concerned means. |
| US08666164B2 |
System and method for modeling a region segmented image
A system and method for modeling a region segmented image is described. Aspects of the present invention may include the generation of a computer model that models the region segmented image, the computer model comprising one or more nodes, wherein each node in the one or more nodes represents an arbitrarily shaped region present in the region segmented image, and each of the arbitrarily shaped regions comprises an image segment wherein the image segment is an indivisible partition in the region segmented image. The model may additionally comprise one or more logical nodes, wherein each logical node represents an image region formed by the union of two or more arbitrarily shaped image regions in the region segmented image that exhibit at least one type of spatial relationship and a hierarchical graph representation of the region segmented image. Types of spatial relationships may include hierarchical, adjacent and cohesive spatial relationships. |
| US08666160B2 |
Method and apparatus for DRAM 2D video word formatting
Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for DRAM 2D video word formatting. In one aspect of the invention, words of data in a DRAM may be arranged for optimal DRAM operating efficiency. The data organization may utilize a 2-dimensional array of samples, for example. In one embodiment of the invention, a 128-bit or 16-byte word or GWord of DRAM may include an 8×2 array of luma samples, comprising 8 horizontal samples and 2 vertical samples from one field, for example. In this regard, either both may be even lines or both may be odd lines. Various other 2-dimensional arrangements may be chosen according to the demands of the video format being processed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. |
| US08666158B2 |
System for floor number determination in buildings
A system may determine a number of floors of a building based on image data of the building. The system may determine a background color of a façade of the building shown in the image data. Using this background color, predefined deviations may then be detected that form the background color in the façade of the building. A mean number of predefined deviations in the vertical direction of the façade of the building may be determined, and the number of floors of the building based on the determined mean number of predefined deviations can be then be deduced. |
| US08666157B2 |
Color segmenting a raster image
An apparatus for processing a raster image comprising a plurality of pixels is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing steps of a computer program, and a computer processor connected to the non-transitory computer readable medium for executing the steps of the computer program. A plurality of horizontal axial blobs are identified in the raster image, a plurality of vertical axial blobs are identified in the raster image, and the horizontal and vertical axial blobs are linked into a feature blob. |
| US08666152B1 |
Digital video content fingerprinting using image pixel intensity and color information
Techniques are described for improving accuracy and speed of video fingerprinting and identification by using video frame color and intensity information. Multiple approaches for generating a novel signature based on video frame color information are described. One is based on spatial distribution of pixel intensities with reference to derived color groups, while another is based on thresholding a joint histogram of pixel intensity, color, and spatial coordinates. These color based signatures can be deployed either as primary video content signatures, or as hash traversal signatures used to improve speed of an initial stage of video data base search procedures. They can also be used as secondary signatures during a video signature data base search with primary video content signatures, to help disambiguate possible false positive matches, and to improve marginal matches which might not be identified otherwise. |
| US08666147B2 |
Multi-view image generating method and apparatus
According to an embodiment, a multi-view image generating method includes synthesizing images having a same depth value into a single image from among a plurality of images, based on depth values each being associated with one of the plurality of images and indicating image position in the depth direction of the image; shifting, with respect to each of a plurality of viewpoints each giving a different disparity, a synthesized image obtained at the synthesizing, according to a shift vector corresponding to the viewpoint and the depth value of the synthesized image in a direction and with an amount indicated in the shift vector, so as to generate an image having disparity given thereto; and generating a multi-view image in which the images that are shifted and that are given disparity at the shifting are arranged in a predetermined format. |
| US08666146B1 |
Discontinuous warping for 2D-to-3D conversions
Systems and methods for generating a stereoscopic pair of images from a monoscopic image input are described. At least one brushstroke input corresponding to a location in the monoscopic image is received. A saliency map and edge map of the monoscopic image are computed. A first image warp and a second image warp are computed using the at least one brushstroke, the saliency map, and the edge map. A stereoscopic pair of images are generated from the first image warp and the second image warp. |
| US08666143B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus that configures a single frame by determining a central image of a certain viewpoint as an original resolution, and frame another single frame by combining a left image of a left viewpoint and a right image of a right viewpoint. The image processing apparatus may generate three-dimensional (3D) image data configured using the frames, and may encode, decode, and render an image based on the 3D image data. |
| US08666141B2 |
Robot system, robot control device and method for controlling robot
A robot system includes a robot having a movable section, an image capture unit provided on the movable section, an output unit that allows the image capture unit to capture a target object and a reference mark and outputs a captured image in which the reference mark is imaged as a locus image, an extraction unit that extracts the locus image from the captured image, an image acquisition unit that performs image transformation on the basis of the extracted locus image by using the point spread function so as to acquire an image after the transformation from the captured image, a computation unit that computes a position of the target object on the basis of the acquired image, and a control unit that controls the robot so as to move the movable section toward the target object in accordance with the computed position. |
| US08666139B2 |
Method and apparatus for pulmonary ventilation imaging using local volume changes
The invention provides a novel method of high-resolution quantifiable pulmonary regional ventilation imaging using a package of computer programs, including deformable image registration and local volume change calculation on 4-D or breath-hold CT images. High resolution 3D ventilation images have been generated using this technique with superior quality. The deformation matrices between different respiration phases are calculated using deformable image registration and applied to calculate local volume change ΔV between respiration phases. The invention provides less image-noise and mismatch sensitivity than other techniques based on CT images, and is less expensive than nuclear medicine imaging. Implemented clinically, the method can derive a patient's pulmonary ventilation information from the same set of 4-D CT images, providing a cheaper but more accurate method to generate clinical lung ventilation image. Such information can be utilized in treatment planning sparing functional lung volumes without additional procedure and cost for lung functional imaging. |
| US08666138B2 |
Methods and systems for functional imaging of cardiac tissue
One embodiment of these teachings includes an imaging modality that is based on the ability of imaging technologies to detect wave-induced tissue deformation at depth, that allows viewing the propagation of action potentials deep within myocardial tissue, thereby helping to clarify clinical and physiological dynamical issues. |
| US08666136B2 |
Optimal energy windowing of scattered events in radionuclide imaging
An imaging system includes storage (12) for storing radionuclide imaging data including quantitative radiation detection event energy values, the radionuclide imaging data having been acquired of a subject by a radionuclide imaging device (10); an energy window selection module (20) selecting an energy window and a data filtering module (14) configured to filter the stored radionuclide imaging data respective to the stored quantitative radiation detection event energy values using the selected energy window to generate a filtered radionuclide imaging data set; and a reconstruction module (30) configured to reconstruct the filtered radionuclide imaging data set to generate a reconstructed image of the subject. |
| US08666128B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mapping regions in a model of an object comprising an anatomical structure from one image data set to images used in a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mapping a model of an object comprising an anatomical structure in a planning image and an intervention target region within it to intervention-guiding image data are disclosed. According to one method, an initial medial representation object model (m-rep) of an object comprising an anatomical structure is created based on image data of at least a first instance of the object. A patient-specific m-rep is created by deforming the initial m-rep based on planning image data of at least a second instance of the object, wherein the at least second instance of the object is associated with the patient. An intervention target region within the m-rep is identified in an image registered with the planning image. The patient-specific m-rep is correlated to the intervention-guiding image data of the at least second instance of the object, deformed from the planning image. The intervention target region is transferred to the intervention-guiding image according to the transformation between the m-rep in the planning image and the m-rep in the intervention-guiding image. |
| US08666126B2 |
Fingerprint detection sensor and method of detecting fingerprint
There is provided a fingerprint detection sensor and a method of detecting a fingerprint. The fingerprint detection sensor according to embodiments of the present invention includes a plurality of piezoelectric sensors arranged on a two-dimensional plane; and a fingerprint detection unit detecting a fingerprint by using ultrasonic signals discharged from the plurality of respective piezoelectric sensors, wherein the fingerprint detection unit determines whether the fingerprint is a forged fingerprint by detecting bloodstreams within a first region on the two-dimensional plane in which the ultrasonic signals discharged from the plurality of respective piezoelectric sensors overlap one another. |
| US08666125B2 |
Real-time face tracking in a digital image acquisition device
An image processing apparatus for tracking faces in an image stream iteratively receives an acquired image from the image stream including one or more face regions. The acquired image is sub-sampled at a specified resolution to provide a sub-sampled image. An integral image is then calculated for a least a portion of the sub-sampled image. Fixed size face detection is applied to at least a portion of the integral image to provide a set of candidate face regions. Responsive to the set of candidate face regions produced and any previously detected candidate face regions, the resolution is adjusted for sub-sampling a subsequent acquired image. |
| US08666122B2 |
Assessing biometric sample quality using wavelets and a boosted classifier
A biometric sample training device, a biometric sample quality assessment device, a biometric fusion recognition device, an integrated biometric fusion recognition system and example processes in which each may be used are described. Wavelets and a boosted classifier are used to assess the quality of biometric samples, such as facial images. The described biometric sample quality assessment approach provides accurate and reliable quality assessment values that are robust to various degradation factors, e.g., such as pose, illumination, and lighting in facial image biometric samples. The quality assessment values allow biometric samples of different sample types to be combined to support complex recognition techniques used by, for example, biometric fusion devices, resulting in improved accuracy and robustness in both biometric authentication and biometric recognition. |
| US08666119B1 |
Geometry tracking
A first frame includes a first 2D image of a motion capture subject in the real 3D space. A 3D model is deformed into a first deformation and placing the deformed 3D model in a virtual 3D space in a first location so that the deformed 3D model corresponds to the first 2D image. A second frame includes a second 2D image of the motion capture subject in the real 3D space. 2D changes in the second 2D image relative to the first 2D image are tracked. The 2D changes are projected on the virtual 3D space as 3D constraints. Based on the second 2D image, the 3D model is again deformed into a second deformation and placing the 3D model in the virtual 3D space in a second location in conformance with the 3D constraints. |
| US08666118B2 |
Controlling an image element in a reflected energy measurement system
Controlling an image element associated with a distance from an energy measuring device, in a reflected energy measurement system involves producing at least one signal for controlling a common visible characteristic of the image element, in response to a plurality of signals representing respective intensities of reflected energy at respective different frequencies, measured at the energy measuring device at a time corresponding to the distance. |