Document Document Title
US08694936B1 Terminal metal connection inspection
Various embodiments include computer-implemented methods, computer program products and systems for terminal metal connector inspection. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for identifying a set of critical terminal metal connectors (TMCs) in an integrated circuit (IC) layout includes: identifying a group of necessary terminal metal connectors (TMCs) in the IC layout to form a first portion of the set of critical TMCs; forming a rule including a limit on a number of redundant connections that can be noncompliant between each terminal metal connector (TMC) and a connecting surface in the IC layout without impacting a circuit parameter; and inspecting at least one of the IC layout or the connecting surface to identify each TMC that violates the rule, wherein each identified TMC that violates the rule forms a second portion of the set of critical TMCs.
US08694934B2 Method and apparatus for multi-die thermal analysis
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for performing thermal analysis of a multi-die integrated circuit (IC) design layout. The thermal analysis produces a temperature distribution for analyzing internal properties of each die within the multi-die design and for analyzing thermal interactions between two or more dies of the design based on an internal configuration of the two or more dies. Therefore, in some embodiments, the temperature distribution shows a temperature distribution for each die and the individual temperature distributions show varying temperature across each of the dies. Some embodiments reduce the number of iteration required to perform the thermal analysis by constructing a high quality preconditioner based on thermal conducting segments introduced to model thermal effects at the boundaries between two dies.
US08694930B2 Method and apparatus for providing a layout defining a structure to be patterned onto a substrate
A method provides a layout defining a structure to be patterned onto a substrate. The structure is registered with a predefined grid of the layout. The method includes locally stretching the grid in a first portion of a layout causing a problematic spot on the substrate.
US08694924B2 Mobile terminal having function of managing file and folder
A mobile terminal having a function of managing files and folders is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mobile terminal displays folder items representing one or more memory elements installed in or joined to the mobile terminal on a display unit when a request to perform a search function is inputted, and displays selection items corresponding to at least one of files included in the folder item and subfolders on the display unit when a select command for a folder item is inputted. At least one embodiment of the invention allows easy management of data (e.g., files, folders, etc.) stored in one or more memory devices installed in or joined to the mobile terminal.
US08694923B2 Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image
A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture.
US08694919B2 Menu display device, method for displaying menu, and imaging apparatus
The menu display device of the present invention includes: a display section 182 configured to display selectable menu items in a plurality of lines; a menu item selector 184 configured to select one of the menu items; and a control section 170 configured to execute a control so that when the menu item is selected by the menu item selector 184, the plurality of lines are displayed overlapped with each other and the line including the selected menu item is displayed at a forefront, and a selection item corresponding to the selected menu item is displayed under the selected menu item.
US08694918B2 Conveying hierarchical elements of a user interface
Techniques are disclosed for generating a view of a data flow model. One or more groupings of data flow objects in the data flow model is determined, based on an ontology. At least a first one of the groupings is collapsed in the view. The view is output for display in a user interface configured to selectively expand and collapse the first group based on user input.
US08694912B2 Home and area pages
A method of generating a user interface for an application includes storing a profile for a user of the application, where the profile contains information that relates to a function of the user in an organization and personal information for the user, selecting elements to include in the user interface based on the profile, and building the user interface using the elements.
US08694904B2 Cross-browser rich text editing via a hybrid client-side model
A full-featured cross-browser hybrid rich text editor for editing webpage content. The hybrid editor is integrated with a user interface (e.g., toolbar, menu bar), and provides the appropriate context-sensitive behavior when users interact with the user interface and the interface contents. The hybrid editor responds immediately to basic commands (e.g., cursor movements, inserts, selections, repeated key presses, etc.), and employs behaviors and effects that are more aligned with familiar editor experiences, such as in a word processor. The editor architecture leverages the strengths of both the current browser content editability and JavaScript, limits the browser-based content editing to the insertion pointer, paste, processes content as the content is entered or when cursor is moved around, and implements an abstraction layer that maps browser-specific functions independent of the browser to the underlying support of the hybrid editor.
US08694903B2 Methods and systems for managing an e-reader interface
Exemplary methods and systems for managing an e-reader interface are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes an e-reader interface management system directing an e-reader device to display a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of segments of an e-publication, detecting a user interaction with a graphical object within the plurality of graphical objects and representative of a segment within the plurality of segments, and directing the e-reader device to remove at least one other graphical object within the graphical objects from the display of the graphical objects, wherein the at least one other graphical object is representative of at least one other segment within the plurality of segments that is unrelated to the segment. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08694901B2 Method and system for mashing up and presenting contextual suggestions to mobile users
An inventive system and method for determining and presenting contextual suggestions on a mobile device is presented. The invention comprises a server having an incoming context handler, and a context presentation manager, a notifier, and a goal resolution component all on the mobile device, and user context, wherein the incoming context handler emits an event toward the mobile device, the goal resolution component determines the event causes a change in the user context and forwards notification to the context presentation manager, the notifier receives notification, renders notification on the mobile device, and presents the contextual suggestions based on the change in the user context on the mobile device. The system may further comprise a goal inferral component operable to determine detailed user context based on the event. In one embodiment, the notifier renders notification by causing the mobile device to vibrate, display multiple colors and/or emit sounds.
US08694898B2 Electronic device with widgets and method for configuring widgets
An electronic device which includes a widget management module, a processor, a source acquiring module, and a display. The widget management module adds a new window and new viewable symbols or representations (views) inside the new window. The processor counts a number of existing windows and a number of existing views in each of the existing windows, calculates a new window identification code for the new window according to the number of existing window and the number of existing views in each of the existing windows, and calculates a new view identification code for each of the new views according to the new window identification code. The source acquiring module acquires sources and data from the sources based on each of the new view identification code and associates the source information with new view corresponding to the new view identification code, leading to the display of the new views.
US08694897B2 Layout converter, layout conversion program, and layout conversion method
A layout converter for converting a layout of a display screen on which display areas for a plurality of software components are arranged can include a detection unit for detecting a plurality of target display areas having a predetermined arrangement relationship from the plurality of display areas. The layout converter further can include a generation unit for generating a container, in which display contents of the plurality of target display areas are unified and displayed within one unified display area, and adding the container to the layout of the display screen.
US08694893B2 Interactive product configurator with persistent component association
A constraint based product configurator determines a structure that is adapted to be associated with one or more components and determines if an arbitrary association is possible for the structure. If an arbitrary association is possible, the configurator associates a component with the structure and generates a component association choice for the association. The component association choice is an identity of the structure and the corresponding first component.
US08694884B2 Screen capture
A method and system for screen capture are provided. The method includes: selecting a screen area; determining properties of an open window displayed in the screen area, including determining the position of the window and the application and current application data; using image processing to detect scroll bars within the application data of the open window, including detecting the position of the slider in the scroll bar; and saving metadata of the screen area including the open window and the scroll bars as a file. The metadata file re-creates the screen area including the open window with the application data in the correct position within the application.
US08694883B2 Document management system, image processing apparatus, and control methods and computer programs therefor
The document management system assigns property information of a scanned document when transmitting the scanned document from an MFP to a document management server PC, and stores history information related to the transmission job in a memory. Further, the MFP, on receipt of incorrectness information related to property information from the document management server PC, adds the incorrectness information to the history information. Thereafter, when a user logs into the MFP, the MFP determines whether incorrectness information is included in history information having the same user ID as a user ID of the user, and if incorrectness information is included, displays a modification screen for modifying incorrect property information. Further, once the property information has been modified via the modification screen, the MFP transmits the modified information to the document management server PC, and causes information managed by the document management server PC to be updated.
US08694875B2 Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
A method is provided for receiving a signal. The method includes receiving a signal transmitted in a radio frequency (RF) band including at least one RF channel, demodulating the received signal, parsing a preamble of a signal frame including layer-1 information from the demodulated signal, deinterleaving bits of the layer-1 information, decoding the deinterleaved bits using an error correction decoding scheme including a shortening scheme and a puncturing scheme and obtaining physical layer pipes (PLPs) from the signal frame using the error-correction-decoded layer-1 information.
US08694873B2 Memory system and error correction method
Disclosed is an error correcting method which includes detecting an error of meta data having a seed used to randomize user data; correcting the error of the meta data when the error is detected from the meta data; receiving the user data based upon seed confirmation information associated with an error existence of the seed or an error correction result of the seed; detecting an error of the user data; and correcting the error of the user data when the error is detected from the user data.
US08694872B2 Extended bidirectional hamming code for double-error correction and triple-error detection
An embodiment of the invention provides a method of correcting 2 bits and detecting three bit using an extended bidirectional Hamming code. A data word with length K=2m−1 is received. A code word with length N=2m−1+2m+1 is generated from the data word in accordance with the extended bidirectional Hamming code defined by the following parity check matrix: H = [ 1 1 … 1 1 α … α N - 1 1 α - 1 … α - N + 1 ] . The number of parity bit is given by (2m+1).
US08694870B2 Unequal error protection for embedded coding of borehole images and variable-quality telemetry channels
An unequal error protection scheme for borehole telemetry. The scheme, when applied to imaging applications, assigns more protection for the more significant bits and less protection for less significant bits. When applied to communication using channels of different quality, more protection is provided for channels of poor quality.
US08694863B2 High-speed memory system
The disclosed embodiments relate to a Flash-based memory module having high-speed serial communication. The Flash-based memory module comprises, among other things, a plurality of I/O modules, each configured to communicate with an external device over one or more external communication links, a plurality of Flash-based memory cards, each comprising a plurality of Flash memory devices, and a plurality of crossbar switching elements, each being connected to a respective one of the Flash-based memory cards and configured to allow each one of the I/O modules to communicate with the respective one of the Flash-based memory cards. Each I/O module is connected to each crossbar switching element by a high-speed serial communication link, and each crossbar switching element is connected to the respective one of the Flash-based memory cards by a plurality of parallel communication links.
US08694862B2 Data processing apparatus using implicit data storage data storage and method of implicit data storage
A data processing apparatus is provided having error code generation circuitry configured to generate an error code associated with a received data value, such that a bit change in the received data value can be known about by reference to the error code. Stored data values are stored in a data store and associated error codes are stored in an error code store. Error checking circuitry performs a verification operation on a stored data value and an associated error code to determine if an error has occurred in at least one of the stored data value and the associated error code during storage. The received data value comprises at least one additional bit with respect to the stored data value and the error checking circuitry is configured to reconstruct the at least one additional bit by reference to the stored data value and the associated error code.
US08694858B2 Memory controller and operating method of memory controller
A controller to control a memory system including a memory device. The controlling the memory system may include calculating an error location polynomial in a received read vector with a key equation solving unit of the memory system to read data from the memory device, estimating the number of errors in the received read vector with a control unit of the memory system according to at least one of the calculated error location polynomial and information on the error location polynomial, searching error locations of the received read vector according to the calculated error location polynomial with a chien search unit of the memory system with the control unit. A cycle-per power consumption of the chien search unit may be adjusted with the control unit. A maximum correction time may be adjusted according to the number of errors of the read vector.
US08694855B1 Error correction code technique for improving read stress endurance
A data storage device reads a data unit from a memory page, detects a number of data bit errors in the data unit, and generates a bit error indicator identifying bit indexes of the data bit errors in the data unit. The data storage device reads the data unit from the memory page once again and generates a corrected data unit by correcting data bit errors in the data unit based on the error correction code if the number of data bit errors in the data unit does not exceed an error correction capacity of the error correction code. Otherwise, the data storage device generates a modified data unit based on the data unit by negating at least one erroneous data bit the data unit based on the bit error indicator and corrects any remaining data bit errors in the modified data unit based on the error correction code.
US08694849B1 Shuffler error correction code system and method
A data storage device stores a data unit in a memory page of a storage block along with an error correction code unit for the data unit. Additionally, the data storage device stores an error correction code unit for the data unit in a memory page of another storage block. In various embodiments, one or both of the error correction code units form an error correction code for correcting data bit errors in the data unit. Because the memory page containing the data unit does not have a storage capacity for simultaneously storing the error correction code and the data unit, the data storage device is capable of correcting a greater number of data bit errors in the data unit by using the error correction code in comparison to using an error correction code that would fit in the memory page.
US08694848B2 Image processing apparatus and control method for processing an image signal
An image processing apparatus and a method for controlling an image processing apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: primarily processing a first thread from among a plurality of threads for a preset process; generating and storing a first error correction code for data recorded in a stack area of a random access memory (RAM) corresponding to the first thread when a primary process terminates; processing a second thread which is different from the first thread from among the plurality of threads; determining whether the data of the stack area is valid on the basis of the stored first error correction code at a point of time when the process for the second thread terminates and a secondary process for the first thread begins; and secondarily processing the first thread by restoring the data having an error in the stack area in response to a determination that the data of the stack area is invalid.
US08694847B2 Systems and methods for sector quality determination in a data processing system
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for data set quality determination.
US08694844B2 AT speed TAP with dual port router and command circuit
A 1149.1 TAP performs at-speed Update & Capture, Shift & Capture and Back to Back Capture & Shift operations. In a first embodiment the at-speed operations are achieved by time division multiplexing CMD signals onto the TMS input to the TAP. In a second embodiment the at-speed operations are achieved by detecting the TAP's Exit1DR state as a CMD signal. In a third embodiment the at-speed operations are achieved by detecting the TAP's Exit1DR and PauseDR states. In a fourth embodiment the at-speed operations are achieved by detecting the TAP's Exit1DR and PauseDR states and inputting these states to a Dual Port Router to control the at-speed operations of a circuit. The improvements are achieved without requiring any additional IC pins beyond the 4 required TAP pins. Devices including the TAP improvements can be operated compliantly in a daisy-chain arrangement with devices that don't include the TAP improvements.
US08694836B2 Fault diagnosis employing probabilistic models and statistical learning
A computer implemented fault diagnosis method employing both probabilistic models and statistical learning that diagnoses faults using probabilities and time windows learned during the actual operation of a system being monitored. In a preferred embodiment, the method maintains for each possible root cause fault an a-priori probability that the fault will appear in a time window of specified length as well as maintaining—for each possible resulting symptom(s)—probabilities that the symptom(s) will appear in a time window containing the fault and probabilities that the alarm will not appear in a time window containing the fault. Consequently, the method according to the present invention may advantageously determine—at any time—the probability that a fault has occurred, and report faults which are sufficiently likely to have occurred. These probabilities are updated based upon past time windows in which we have determined fault(s) and their cause(s). Advantageously, each root cause fault may be assigned its own time window length. By maintaining these probability parameters for several different window lengths, a window length that is particularly well-suited to a particular set of conditions may be chosen.
US08694826B2 SAS host cache control
A SAS method to control host controller failure that includes, in response to receipt of a failure signal indicating that a host controller has failed, sending a wakeup signal to a host cache module of the failed host controller to cause the host cache module to determine whether there is trapped data in the host cache module that has not been transferred to a storage system. In response to receipt of a cache state signal indicating that there is trapped data in the host cache module that has not been transferred to the storage system, initiating transfer of the trapped data from the host cache module of the failed host controller to a host cache module of another host controller.
US08694821B2 Generation of standby images of applications
Embodiments that generate checkpoint images of an application for use as warm standby are contemplated. The embodiments may monitor accesses of external references by threads. An external reference may comprise a connection or use of services of an entity that is external to the set of processes that constitute the application, to which a process of the application attempts to connect by means of a socket or inter-process communication (IPC). Various embodiments comprise two or more computing devices, such as two or more servers. One of the computing devices may generate a checkpoint image of an application at a suitable point in time during initialization, when the state of the application is not yet dependent on interactions with external references. The second computing device may preload checkpoint image for the application and activate the checkpoint images when needed, following the specific resource management rules of the distributed subsystem.
US08694817B2 System bus with variable output power supply
A power supply according to various embodiments of the disclosure is configured to detect an event and, in response to the event, alternately supply power to a plurality of provided devices via a provided bus at a first current level or at a second current level, the second current level less than the first current level. Among other things, embodiments in this disclosure help allow additional devices to be used on a bus, even where the total power consumption of the devices would normally exceed a maximum defined by a bus architecture. Furthermore, various embodiments help allow a single gauge of wire to be used throughout a bus network (even where long lengths of wire are required) while still providing sufficient power to the devices connected to the bus.
US08694816B2 Power delivery system in which VRM and CPU exchange power consumption measurements
A system is disclosed. The system includes a load, a voltage regulator circuit coupled to the load a power supply, a load coupled to the power supply to receive one or more voltages from the power supply, and a digital bus, coupled between the power supply and the load. The digital bus transmits power consumption measurements from the load to the power supply and transmits power consumption measurements from the power supply to the load.
US08694815B2 Power supply control apparatus, image processing apparatus, storage medium storing power supply control program
A power supply control apparatus that includes an instruction component, an execution component and a power supply control component is provided. The power supply control component is equipped with at least two measurement functions that have different measurement durations for cases in which the duration until interrupting the power supply to device(s) is measured, wherein measurement is activated with a first measurement function of relatively long measurement duration at a completion time of prior image processing, and measurement is activated with a second measurement function of relatively short measurement duration for device(s) to which power is being supplied at the time of completion of the prior image processing but which are not required in later image processing.
US08694814B1 Reuse of host hibernation storage space by memory controller
A method for data storage includes, in a host system that operates alternately in a normal state and a hibernation state, reserving a hibernation storage space in a non-volatile storage device for storage of hibernation-related information in preparation for entering the hibernation state. While the host system is operating in the normal state, a storage task other than storage of the hibernation-related information is performed using at least a portion of the reserved hibernation storage space.
US08694813B2 Efficient storage power management
Devices and methods for storage power management that depend at least partly on the operational component requesting access to the storage. For example, an electronic device may include storage and data processing circuitry. The storage may be capable of being activated and deactivated. The data processing circuitry may be configured to include several operational components and to obtain data from the storage upon request by the operational components. Additionally, the data processing circuitry may manage when the storage is activated and deactivated. In particular, the data processing circuitry may manage when the storage is activated and deactivated according to a first storage power management scheme when a first of the operational components (e.g., an operating system component) requests the data and according to a second storage power management scheme when a second of the operational components (e.g., an application program component) requests the data.
US08694812B2 Memory calibration method and apparatus for power reduction during flash operation
A method for providing reduced power consumption in a computer memory system is provided. The method includes calibrating, by a processor, a volatile memory of the computer memory system at a first and a second operating speed, where the second operating speed is higher than the first operating speed. The method also includes operating, by a memory controller coupled to the processor and the volatile memory, the volatile memory at the second operating speed if a main power source provides power to the computer memory system. The method further includes operating, by the memory controller, the volatile memory at the first operating speed if a backup power source provides power to the memory controller and the volatile memory. The backup power source provides power to the memory controller and the volatile memory when there is a loss of main power to the computer memory system.
US08694809B2 Dedicated power supply apparatus, terminal, power supply system, and power supply method
Disclosed is a physical processor. The processor is connected to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a connector, and operation unit. The processor is configured to: determine whether an external device is a predetermined power supply apparatus; control communication with the external device so that the rechargeable battery is charged by a first current from the external device when the external device is the predetermined power supply apparatus; and control communication with the external device so that the rechargeable battery is charged by a second current from the external device when the external device is not the predetermined power supply apparatus. The second current is greater than the first current. The processor is further configured to control to playback content data stored in the electronic device based on a command from the operation unit by using power of the rechargeable battery.
US08694800B2 Apparatus and method for securing data on a portable storage device
A portable storage device including a microprocessor and a secure user data area, the microprocessor operable to perform on-the-fly encryption/decryption of secure data stored on the storage device under a user password, the microprocessor also operable to exclude access to the secure user data area unless the user password is provided.
US08694797B2 Method for preventing malicious software from execution within a computer system
A method for preventing malicious software from execution within a computer system is disclosed. Before any actual execution of an application program on a computer system, the application program needs to be cross-compiled to yield a set of cross-compiled code of the application program. The set of cross-compiled code of the application program can then be executed in an execution module that is capable of recognizing and translating the set of cross-compiled code of the application program to the actual machine code of the processor.
US08694794B2 Method for protecting a privilege level of system management mode of a computer system
A method for protecting a privilege level of a system management mode (SMM) of a computer system is disclosed. A SMM program is loaded into a special memory (SMRAM) area within a system memory of a computer. A first program, a second program, and a vector table are loaded into a general area of the system memory. Before the booting process of the computer has been completed, a reference hash value of the first program is determined by the SMM program, and the reference hash value is stored in the SMRAM area. A hash value of the first program is the computed by the SMM program. After the computer has been operating under an operating environment of an operating system, the computed hash value is compared to the reference hash value. When the computed hash value matches the reference hash value, the first program is called by the SMM program.
US08694791B1 Transitioning between access states of a computing device
Aspects of this disclosure are directed to outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a first set of two or more selectable objects in a first arrangement of locations, the computing device operating in a first instance of a limited access state. At least one of the selectable objects includes an element of a predetermined passcode. The computing device may receive an indication of a first gesture to select one of the selectable objects and an indication of a second gesture to designate the selected object as an element of a candidate passcode. The computing device may transition to an access state based at least in part on a comparison between the candidate passcode and the predetermined passcode. The computing device may transition to a second instance of the limited access state, and may output a second set of two or more selectable objects in a second, different arrangement.
US08694788B1 Security system
A security system includes an interface, a main computer, and an application server. The interface enables a user to access a remote document related to a product. The main computer stores documents related to the product and generates a pair of localized encryption keys. The encryption keys include a first key that encrypts data and second key that decrypts the data. An application server that is remote from the interface transmits and receives the document from the interface. The main computer authenticates the integrity of the document in a local operation by signing the document with the first key before it is transmitted to the interface and by signing the document with the second key after it is received from the interface. A method of authenticating the integrity of information related to a selected product stored on a main computer includes generating the localized pair of encryption keys; signing the document with the first key at the main computer; transmitting the signed document to an interface or a Web browser; and signing the document with the second key at the main computer when the document is received from the interface or the Web browser.
US08694786B2 Virtual machine images encryption using trusted computing group sealing
A host machine provisions a virtual machine from a catalog of stock virtual machines. The host machine instantiates the virtual machine. The host machine configures the virtual machine, based on customer inputs, to form a customer's configured virtual machine. The host machine creates an image from the customer's configured virtual machine. The host machine unwraps a sealed customer's symmetric key to form a customer's symmetric key. The host machine encrypts the customer's configured virtual machine with the customer's symmetric key to form an encrypted configured virtual machine. The host machine stores the encrypted configured virtual machine to non-volatile storage.
US08694785B2 Broadband certified mail
The present invention provides a system and method for providing certified voice and/or multimedia mail messages in a broadband signed communication system which uses packetized digital information. Cryptography is used to authenticate a message that has been compiled from streaming voice or multimedia packets. A certificate of the originator's identity and electronic signature authenticates the message. A broadband communication system user may be provisioned for certified voice and/or multimedia mail by registering with a certified mail service provider and thereby receiving certification. The called system user's CPE electronically signs the bits in received communication packets and returns the message with an electronic signature of the called system user to the calling party, along with the system user's certificate obtained from the service provider/certifying authority during registration. The electronic signature is a cryptographic key of the called party.
US08694783B2 Lightweight secure authentication channel
A secure authentication channel (SAC) between two nodes in a communication network is created by the nodes themselves using mutual authentication. The network has two nodes, a coordinating entity, two PKI-based SACs, and one non-PKI SAC which is created by the two nodes and is for use by the nodes. The coordinating entity generates a master key which is transmitted to two nodes via a PKI-based SAC established between the coordinating entity and each of the two nodes. One node uses the master key to generate a first random number and the second node uses the key to generate a second random number. The second node also has an encrypted third random number. The network also has a third SAC, which is not solely based on PKI, between the first node and the second node and is created when the two nodes have authenticated each other. The mutual authentication process occurs without the intervention of the coordinating entity.
US08694778B2 Enrollment of physically unclonable functions
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a method that includes a physically-unclonable function (PUF) device that receives a communication that includes a first challenge value, a second challenge value and a remote message authenticity value. The method includes the generation of additional challenge-response pairs in a secure manner. The additional challenge-response pairs are securely communicated between the PUF device and an authenticating server or other device for subsequent use in authentication.
US08694775B2 Method enabling real-time data service, realization, real-time data service system and mobile terminal
The present invention discloses a method for implementing a real-time data service, a real-time data service system and a mobile terminal. Said method for implementing a real-time data service includes the following steps: before encapsulating a Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU), a Wireless Local Area Network Privacy Infrastructure (WPI) module in an Access Point (AP) needs to determine the type of the data to be encapsulated in the MPDU; if the data is a control signalling message of a real-time data service, the WPI module encrypts said data, then encapsulates the encrypted data in a data (e.g. PDU) field of the MPDU, and transmits the encapsulated data to the mobile terminal; if the data is an audio/video data message of a real-time data service, the data is not to be encrypted, but is encapsulated directly into the data (e.g. PDU) field of the MPDU in plaintext, and then transmitted to the mobile terminal. The present invention can reduce the processing load and the software and hardware costs of the AP and the mobile terminal.
US08694772B2 Method and system for managing network identity
A method and a system for managing network identity are provided. The method and the system realize a management mechanism of temporary identification (ID) and real ID, which simultaneously achieves functionalities such as anonymity, accounting, and authorization. A short-term certificate and a corresponding public/private key pair are used to protect a temporary ID usable for accounting. This protection prevents the temporary ID from theft. The user generates a digital signature in the reply to a charge schedule statement from the visited network. This procedure is incorporated into an existing authentication framework based on Transport Layer Security (TLS) in order to provide an undeniable payment mechanism. The payment mechanism is applicable in an environment of multiple network operators and reduces the difficulty of integrating network operators. The method and the system do not have to consult a certificate revocation list (CRL) for authentication and thus are able to shorten authentication time.
US08694765B2 Selectively compressing blocks of a bootable snapshot image during booting
Provided are a booting apparatus and method using a snapshot image. A snapshot image may be divided into a plurality of blocks. Each of the blocks may be stored in a nonvolatile memory in a compressed or non-compressed format. The snapshot image may be incrementally loaded in units of the blocks during booting. The loading and decompression of the blocks may be performed in parallel.
US08694756B2 Starting other processing elements (OPEs) responsive to a determination that currently-running OPEs are inadequate to invoke a library for a multi-library application
A mechanism is provided for invoking multi-library application on a multiple processor system, wherein the multiple processor system comprises a Power Processing Element (PPE) and a plurality of Synergistic Processing Element (SPE). Applications including multi-libraries run in the memory of the PPEs. The mechanism comprises maintaining the status of each SPE in the applications running on the PPE, where there are SPE agents for capturing the instructions from the PPE in the SPEs that have been started. In response to a request for invoking a library, the PPE determines whether the number of available SPEs for invoking the library is adequate based on the current status of SPEs. If the number of available SPEs is adequate, the PPE sends a run instruction to selected SPEs. After finishing the invocation of all libraries, the PPE sends termination instructions to all started SPEs.
US08694755B1 Virtual memory management for real-time embedded devices
An apparatus comprising an arbiter circuit, a translation circuit and a controller circuit. The arbiter circuit may be configured to generate one or more first control signals and a data write signal in response to an input signal and a read data signal. The translation circuit may be configured to generate a one or more second control signals in response to the one or more first control signals and the write address signal. The controller circuit may be configured to generate an address signal in response to the one or more second control signals.
US08694752B2 Transferring data in response to detection of a memory system imbalance
A method begins by a processing module determining an imbalance between inode utilization and data storage utilization. When the imbalance compares unfavorably to an imbalance threshold, the method continues with the processing module determining whether utilization of another inode memory and utilization of another corresponding data storage memory are not imbalanced. When the utilization of the other inode memory and the utilization of the other corresponding data storage memory are not imbalanced, determining whether the inode utilization is out of balance with respect to the data storage utilization. When the inode utilization is out of balance, the method continues with the processing module transferring data objects from a data storage memory to the other corresponding data storage memory and transferring mapping information of data objects from a inode memory to the other inode memory.
US08694751B2 Defer separating children in parallel copying garbage collection
Automatic memory management with a generational copy collector garbage collection algorithm running on parallel threads to perform simultaneous and independent copying and scanning. An object is scanned. It is determined whether an object referenced within the slot of the object being scanned may be copied to the same generation as the scanned object. A mark may be made to indicate that the referenced object may be copied to a different generation than the scanned object. The mark defers the copying of the referenced object.
US08694750B2 Method and system for data structure management
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for allowing data structures to be moved between storage locations of varying performance and cost without changing the application firmware. In one embodiment, rather than application firmware directly accessing memory, the application firmware requests a data structure by parameters, to which the implementation returns a pointer. The parameters can be, for example, the logical block address of a data sector, and the data structure can be mapping and associated information of that logical block address (LBA) to a location in the flash device.
US08694749B2 Control method of device in storage system for virtualization
In a system where a first storage system and a second storage system are connected to a third storage system, when the first storage system virtualizes and provides a device in the third storage system as a device in its own storage system, update data stored in a cache in the first storage system is written into the device of the third storage system to be reflected, attributes of the device are transferred to the second storage system, and the second storage system virtualizes the device of the third storage system as a device of its own storage system.
US08694748B2 Data merging method for non-volatile memory module, and memory controller and memory storage device using the same
A data merging method for merging valid data of one logical block in a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes assigning a plurality of log physical blocks for the logical block. The method also includes performing a data arrangement operation and a data move operation with a partial synchronization manner to copy the valid data of the logical block into the lower physical pages of the log physical blocks from a first data physical block and at least one spare physical block while programming the valid data of the logical block into a second data physical block from the lower physical pages of the log physical blocks in units of each physical page group. The method further includes remapping the logical block to the second physical block. Accordingly, the method can effectively shorten the time of merging valid data and improving the reliability of data writing.
US08694747B2 Method and device for loading and executing instructions with deterministic cycles in a multicore avionic system having a bus of which the access time is not predictable
A method and device for loading and executing a plurality of instructions in an avionics system including a processor including at least two cores and a memory controller, each of the cores including a private memory. The plurality of instructions is loaded and executed by execution slots such that, during a first execution slot, a first core has access to the memory controller for transmitting at least one piece of data stored in the private memory thereof and for receiving and storing at least one datum and an instruction from the plurality of instructions in the private memory thereof, while the second core does not have access to the memory controller and executes at least one instruction previously stored in the private memory thereof and such that, during a second execution slot, the roles of the two cores are reversed.
US08694745B2 Physical to virtual disks creation (P2V) method, by harvesting data from critical sectors
A virtual disk can be created by using data from critical sectors of a primary physical disk. The creation of a virtual disk involves receiving sector numbers and corresponding data for critical sectors of a primary physical disk on a primary computing system, creating a virtual disk that comprises sectors, and writing data from the critical sectors of the primary physical disk into respective sectors of the virtual disk.
US08694735B2 Apparatus and method for data bypass for a bi-directional data bus in a hub-based memory sub-system
A memory hub includes first and second link interfaces for coupling to respective data busses, a data path coupled to the first and second link interfaces and through which data is transferred between the first and second link interfaces, and further includes a write bypass circuit coupled to the data path to couple write data on the data path and temporarily store the write data to allow read data to be transferred through the data path while the write data is temporarily stored. A method for writing data to a memory location in a memory system is provided which includes accessing read data in the memory system, providing write data to the memory system, and coupling the write data to a register for temporary storage. The write data is recoupled to the memory bus and written to the memory location following provision of the read data.
US08694731B2 Hybrid automatic repeat request combiner and method for storing hybrid automatic repeat request data
The invention provides a method for storing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) data, the method including: when receiving new data of a coded block, a HARQ processor writing the new data into a high rate buffer memory (Cache) and a channel decoder; the Cache writing the new data into a data memory of the Cache or an external memory; and when receiving retransmitted data of the coded block, the HARQ processor obtaining a previous data corresponding to the retransmitted data from the data memory of the Cache or the external memory through the Cache, combining the retransmitted data and the previous data, and writing the combined data to the Cache and the channel decoder; the Cache writing the combined data into the data memory of the Cache or the external memory. The invention also provides a HARQ combiner.
US08694725B2 Storage system and control method thereof as well as program
In a storage system in which computers are connected via a network, in order to avoid a state where communication quality is degraded due to poor performance of an apparatus constituting the network, for a transfer data amount, an amount of data sent out from a storage apparatus is suppressed. Moreover, the storage apparatus inhibits a read-ahead process, in accordance with the suppression of the sending out of the data. Furthermore, proper load allocation is realized by migrating a logical storage unit provided by the storage, to another network interface or a second storage apparatus, without changing a configuration of the network.
US08694724B1 Managing data storage by provisioning cache as a virtual device
There is disclosed a technique for use in managing data storage. In one embodiment, the technique comprises managing data storage in a data storage system comprising a cache and data storage devices arranged in a RAID configuration. The technique also comprises detecting the state of the data storage devices and provisioning at least a portion of the cache as a virtual hot spare device in response to detecting a failure state in connection with a data storage device.
US08694723B2 Method and system for coupling serial attached SCSI (SAS) devices and internet small computer system internet (iSCSI) devices through single host bus adapter
An apparatus comprising an interface, a first port, and a second port. The interface may be configured to connect to a host computer. The first port may be configured to connect to a first set of storage devices using a first protocol. The second port may be configured to connect to a second set of storage devices using a second protocol. The apparatus may provide support for the first protocol and the second protocol to allow communication using both the first protocol and the second protocol through the interface.
US08694722B2 Memory systems
Memory systems having a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory arranged in blocks, and a controller coupled to the volatile memory and to the non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to maintain, in the volatile memory, a list of addresses of erased blocks of the non-volatile memory. The list of addresses of erased blocks of the non-volatile memory is limited to a maximum number of list entries. The controller is further configured to transfer the list of addresses of erased blocks of the non-volatile memory from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory in response to the list containing its maximum number of list entries and/or in response to an operation that would increase the number of list entries to a number equal to or greater than the maximum number of list entries.
US08694721B2 Memory buffer with one or more auxiliary interfaces
The present memory system includes a memory buffer having an interface arranged to buffer data and/or command bytes being written to or read from the RAM chips residing on a DIMM by a host controller. The memory buffer further includes at least one additional interface arranged to buffer data and/or command bytes between the host controller or RAM chips and one or more external devices coupled to the at least one additional interface. For example, the memory buffer may include a SATA interface and be arranged to convey data between the host controller or RAM chips and FLASH memory devices coupled to the SATA interface. The additional interfaces may include, for example, a SATA interface, an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, and/or a radio interface.
US08694718B2 Wear leveling for erasable memories
In accordance with some embodiments, wear leveling may be done based on the difference in age of discarded blocks and engaged blocks. Data is moved to an older discarded block from a younger engaged block. Two wear leveling bits may be used for each logical block, such that the wear leveling bits are used in alternating cycles.
US08694715B2 Methods for adaptively programming flash memory devices and flash memory systems incorporating same
A method for programming a plurality of data sequences into a corresponding plurality of flash memory functional units using a programming process having at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, the method comprising providing at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic and determining a value for said at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic; and, for each individual flash memory functional unit from among said plurality of flash memory functional units, programming a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter, said at least one selectable parameter being set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit.
US08694714B2 Retargeting of a write operation retry in the event of a write operation failure
Methods and systems are herein disclosed for write operation retry using the data stored and retained in an internal buffer within the non-volatile memory device. By using the data stored in the internal buffer, the systems and method of the present invention eliminate the need to include a dedicated retry buffer at the system level. Thereby, reducing the system cost, minimizing space consumption on a board within the system and, in some instance, limiting the latency attributed to a retry that relies on retrying the write based on re-transferring of the data contents to the internal non-volatile memory buffer.
US08694713B2 Adjusting available persistent storage during execution in a virtual computer system
The amount of virtual disk space available for use by software executing within a virtual machine (VM) may be dynamically adjusted while the VM is running in a virtual computer system. A method for reservation of disk space from a virtual machine is provided. A request is received at a first VM relating to reserving a portion of a virtual disk used by the first VM. In response, the first VM allocates additional storage in the virtual disk to a guest file stored in the virtual disk, wherein the guest file is not used to store meaningful data and then communicates sectors of the virtual disk corresponding to the additional storage to the virtualization layer. The virtualization layer provides to a second VM access to sectors of the physical storage space that correspond to the sectors of the virtual disk that were allocated as additional storage to the guest file.
US08694709B2 Systems and methods for improving connections to an information handling system
System and methods for improving connections to an information handling system are disclosed. An enhanced serial attached small computer system interface for an information handling system includes a receptacle which is connectable to an information handling system and a connector which is connectable to the receptacle. The connector comprises a first set of signal pins positioned on a first planar surface of the connector and a second set of signal pins positioned on a second planar surface of the connector. The second planar surface is not co-planar with the first planar surface. The connector further includes a third set of signal pins positioned on a third planar surface of the connector and the third planar surface is not co-planar with the first planar surface and the second planar surface.
US08694708B2 Expander to control multipaths in a storage network
A SAS expander forms a first path coupling the SAS initiator and a first port of a SAS target together. The first SAS expander notifies the SAS initiator of a virtual expander address instead of a SAS address of the first SAS expander. The first SAS expander notifies the SAS initiator of a virtual target port address, at least instead of a SAS address of the first port of the SAS target. A second SAS expander forms a second path coupling the SAS initiator and a second port of the SAS target together. The second SAS expander notifies the SAS initiator of the virtual expander address instead of a SAS address of the second SAS expander. The second SAS expander notifies the SAS initiator of the virtual target port address, at least instead of a SAS address of the second port of the SAS target.
US08694707B2 Memory data transfer method and system
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a DMA process. Accordingly, a DMA process is initiated for moving data from contiguous first locations to contiguous second locations and to a third location or third locations. Within the DMA process the data from each of the contiguous first locations is retrieved and stored in a corresponding one of the contiguous second locations and in the third location or corresponding one of the third locations. The DMA process is performed absent retrieving the same data a second other time prior to storing of same within the corresponding one of the contiguous second locations and in the third location or corresponding one of the third locations.
US08694706B2 System and method for NUMA-aware locking using lock cohorts
The system and methods described herein may be used to implement NUMA-aware locks that employ lock cohorting. These lock cohorting techniques may reduce the rate of lock migration by relaxing the order in which the lock schedules the execution of critical code sections by various threads, allowing lock ownership to remain resident on a single NUMA node longer than under strict FIFO ordering, thus reducing coherence traffic and improving aggregate performance. A NUMA-aware cohort lock may include a global shared lock that is thread-oblivious, and multiple node-level locks that provide cohort detection. The lock may be constructed from non-NUMA-aware components (e.g., spin-locks or queue locks) that are modified to provide thread-obliviousness and/or cohort detection. Lock ownership may be passed from one thread that holds the lock to another thread executing on the same NUMA node without releasing the global shared lock.
US08694702B2 Input command
A method for detecting an input command including configuring a sensor to determine whether a user is within a proximity of a computing machine, configuring an input device to detect an input command entered by the user when the user is within the proximity of the computing machine, and transmitting the input command for the computing machine to process.
US08694701B2 Recovering dropped instructions in a network interface controller
A method for operating a peripheral device includes receiving at the peripheral device service orders, which are identified with respective service instances and are submitted to the peripheral device over the bus by software applications running on a host processor, which write copies of the service orders to a memory. The received service orders are queued for execution by the peripheral device. When one or more of the service orders have been dropped from the queue prior to execution, a recovery of a selected service instance is initiated by submitting a read request from the peripheral device to the memory over the bus to receive a copy of any unexecuted service order associated with the service instance.
US08694695B2 System and method for remotely operating a wireless device using a server and client architecture
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for remotely operating one or more peripheral devices of a wireless device using a server and client architecture. In one aspect, the system may comprise a wireless device that includes a processor, a memory, a peripheral device, and a server adapted to communicate with the peripheral device; and a removable media device that includes a memory, a processor, and a client adapted to communicate with the server of the wireless device. In another aspect, the method may comprise the steps of emulating a hardware interface on a removable media device; mapping a peripheral device of a wireless device to the interface; mapping a processor of the media device to the peripheral device; wrapping and sending hardware commands from a client of the media device to a server of the wireless device; and executing the commands on the peripheral device.
US08694689B2 Storage system having plural microprocessors, and processing allotment method for storage system having plural microprocessors
In a storage system which includes a plurality of microprocessors, it is desired to prevent delay in I/O responses due to synchronous processing waiting for asynchronous processing, while still ensuring the throughput of asynchronous processing. In a plurality of microprocessors possessed by a controller, synchronous processors and asynchronous processors are mixed together. The synchronous processors are microprocessors whose duty is to perform synchronous processing and not to perform asynchronous processing. And the asynchronous processors are microprocessors whose duty is to perform asynchronous processing and not to perform synchronous processing.
US08694686B2 User profile based configuration of user experience environment
A user profile based configuration of user experience environment is disclosed. One embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a method for generating a user experience environment for a device. The method comprises accessing a user profile associated with a device in a computing network in response to a request by the device for initializing or refreshing a user experience environment of the device. In one example embodiment, the user profile comprises data and metadata defining a communal user experience environment shared by the device and one or more other devices through the computing network. The method further comprises determining a type of the device, and generating the user experience environment of the device based on the user profile and the type of the device.
US08694684B2 Systems and methods of symmetric transport control protocol compression
A method for compressing a stream of application layer network traffic communicated over a transport layer connection of a virtual private network connection between a client and a server using an appliance. The appliance intercepts one or more transport layer packets of a stream of application network traffic communicated via a transport layer connection of a virtual private network connection between a client and a server. The appliance accumulates data from a payload of the intercepted transport layer packets, determines data accumulated for transmission should be compressed based on one or more compression trigger, and compresses the accumulated data into a self-contained compression block for transmission.
US08694683B2 Method and system for data demultiplexing
A method and system for demultiplexing packets of a message is provided. The demultiplexing system receives packets of a message, identifies a sequence of message handlers for processing the message, identifies state information associated with the message for each message handler, and invokes the message handlers passing the message and the associated state information. The system identifies the message handlers based on the initial data type of the message and a target data type. The identified message handlers effect the conversion of the data to the target data type through various intermediate data types.
US08694682B2 Virtual execution system for resource-constrained devices
A virtual execution system that is configured to be used in a resource-constrained device. The resource-constrained device includes an operating system and an application program that includes instructions. The virtual execution system includes an execution engine that is configured to execute the application program, and to facilitate the compatibility of the application program with the operating system. Non-functional aspects characterize the instructions and the operating system. The execution engine has access to the non-functional aspects, and implements improvements during the execution of the application program based on the non-functional aspects.
US08694677B2 Retry communication control method and system
A terminal apparatus firstly transfers packets of a trial class. When the communication quality is insufficient, the terminal apparatus determines after a predetermined period of time whether or not to transfer the trail-class packets again according to a traffic rate of priority-class packets. There are provided a trial-class band capacity not to discard packets of the trial class and a priority-class band capacity not to discard packets of the priority class. Trial-class packets exceeding the former are discarded but the packets that has once become a priority class will not be discarded unless the latter is exceeded.
US08694676B2 Proximity detection for media proxies
A method of detecting proximity between a media proxy and a client uses a proximity probe to query a plurality of media proxies, forcing the media proxies to respond to a proximity server. The proximity server uses an algorithm to determine which media proxy is closest to the client based on the responses. In an alternate embodiment, the same sorts of proximity probes may be used to determine if two media endpoints have a direct connection such that they may bypass a media proxy.
US08694670B2 Time synchronization of multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks
Techniques are described for synchronizing multiple time-based data streams with independent clocks wherein relationships between clock rates of timing devices associated with the time-based data streams are determined, and based on these relationships, times in at least one of the time-based data streams may be translated to times in any of the other time-based data streams despite the data streams having independent clocks.
US08694665B2 System and method for embedding supplementary data into digital media files
A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre-prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.
US08694664B2 Active-active multi-homing support for overlay transport protocol
Techniques are provided for two peer edge switches in an edge switch cluster of a first data center site to actively provide traffic flow redundancy in an active-active configuration and provide multi-homing support over an overlay transport virtualization (OTV) protocol. Information is stored indicating a media access control (MAC) address of at least one endpoint device at the first site. An edge switch in the edge switch cluster at the first site sends via an OTV protocol a Layer-3 message that is configured to advertise the MAC address of the at least one endpoint at the first site to enable at least one edge switch at a second site to perform multipath routing to the endpoint device at the first site based on each of the edge switches in the edge switch cluster at the first site.
US08694663B2 System for transferring digital data at a high rate between a host and a client over a communication path for presentation to a user
A data Interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices.
US08694662B2 Method and apparatus for communicating transmission requests to members of a group and/or making group related transmission decisions
Methods and apparatus supporting group communications in a peer to peer wireless network are described. Methods and apparatus are directed to implementations with closed groups, e.g., where the number of group members are fixed at a given time and known to one or more members of the group. Various embodiments are well suited to decentralized peer to peer wireless networks including a plurality of individual traffic resources, e.g., traffic slots and/or traffic segments, which may be independently scheduled. Approaches for implementing distributed scheduling for traffic air link resources which may carry group traffic signals and/or peer to peer traffic signals are described. Various aspects are directed to the transmitter side including: group traffic transmission request transmissions, reception of request response signaling, transmitter yielding decisions, group rate determination and/or group traffic data signaling. Other aspects are directed to the receiver side including: reception of group traffic transmission request signals, receiver yielding decisions, transmitting group request responses signals, and/or receiving group traffic signaling.
US08694660B2 System and method for determining trust for SIP messages
A method in a user agent (UA) is provided. The method includes sending a SIP REGISTER request, and receiving a SIP REGISTER response message. The SIP REGISTER response message has a first header field that includes an identifier associated with a trusted network node. The method also includes receiving a SIP message having a second header field for indicating a URI, and sending a SIP communication if the URI matches the identifier associated with the trusted network node.
US08694659B1 Systems and methods for enhancing domain-name-server responses
A computer-implemented method for enhancing domain-name-server responses may include: 1) receiving a domain-name-system request, 2) identifying a domain of the domain-name-system request, 3) retrieving classification information relating to the domain from a third-party system, and 4) including the classification information in a response to the domain-name-system request. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08694654B1 Host side protocols for use with distributed control plane of a switch
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first network control entity associated with at least a portion of multiple physical ports at a first access switch that are operatively coupled to a peripheral processing device and a switch fabric. The first network control entity can receive a host protocol request from the peripheral processing device, the first network control entity to transmit the host protocol request to a second network control entity associated with at least a portion of multiple physical ports at a second access switch, such that the host protocol request causes the second network control entity to obtain a response to the host protocol request. The first network control entity can receive the response to the host protocol request from the second network control entity and transmit the response to the host protocol request to the peripheral processing device.
US08694652B2 Method, system and computer program for adding a field to a client capability packet sent from a client to a host
A data Interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices.
US08694647B2 Read-only operations processing in a paxos replication system
Embodiments are directed to processing read-only operations without storing the operations persistently, determining a processing order for read-only requests, and to directing read-only requests to nodes best able to handle the requests. In an embodiment, a quorum leader receives various read-only requests. The quorum leader controls process ordering for replicas in the leader's quorum. The quorum leader determines an appropriate order for processing the read-only operations, without clock-based synchronization. The quorum leader sends the read-only request to an appropriate replica in the quorum and executes the read-only request at the appropriate replica without storing the operation persistently.
US08694644B2 Network-aware coordination of virtual machine migrations in enterprise data centers and clouds
Systems and methods are disclosed to schedule virtual machine (VM) migrations by analyzing VM migration behavior; building a simulation tool to predict time for multiple migrations under different links conditions and VM characteristics; determining a predetermined bandwidth sharing policy for each network link; applying a bin-packing technique to organize bandwidth resources from all network links, and allocating the links to different migration tasks.
US08694643B2 Contents delivery system, a contents delivery method, and a program for contents delivery
[Issues] Without using a load balancer or a media director, and without inquiring a load status from a user terminal to a delivery server, to strive for balancing and smoothing of a load of a delivery server, and to prevent degradation of viewing quality.[Solution method] A contents delivery server comprising: a load information exchanging and memorizing unit which receives and memorizes load information (other server information) from other contents delivery servers in a network, and memorizes load information (own server information) of own contents delivery server; a determination unit which determines presence of free resources of own contents delivery server based on the own server information; a selection unit which, in case the determination unit determined that there exit no free resources, selects one or more other contents delivery servers with a lower load than own contents delivery server from among other contents delivery servers based on the own server information and the other server information; and a redirection unit which requests to the selected other contents delivery servers delivery of contents which are targets of a contents delivery request to a user terminal which transmitted the contents delivery request.
US08694642B2 Selective proxying in domain name systems
Systems and methods for processing requests for domain name information in accordance with subscriber information are provided. A request for domain name information can be correlated with subscriber preferences to resolve the domain name information. Domain names may be flagged for blocking or proxying by one or more subscriber preferences. In response to a flagged domain name, a client device can be redirected to a web server that can function as proxy on behalf of the user for accessing the flagged domain. In one example, user preferences and/or network preferences can be used to determine whether a particular user can bypass a blocking preference and access the flagged domain using the proxy.
US08694640B2 Low level storage protocols, systems and methods
Communication protocols, systems, and methods that facilitate communication between disaggregated elements, and also to devices adapted to function as such disaggregated elements, particularly across peer-to-peer (masterless) and include one or more unique features such as packet atomicity, blind ACKs, NAT bridging, locking, multicast spanning and mirroring, and authentication.
US08694634B2 System and method for performing capacity planning for enterprise applications
A system and method for capacity planning for enterprise networks, such as identifying bottlenecks and removing or replacing the bottleneck device are provided. The device utilization for one or more network devices are measured or read from measured data. A relative load is calculated from the device utilization data and device utilization is compared to a device threshold to determine the bottleneck device. A method is also provided for determining network utilizations, network populations and a relative response times based on only limited measurable device usage data.
US08694632B1 Determining content item expansion prediction accuracy
Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for determining accuracy measures for predicted expansion directions for content item environments. The method includes, identifying a predicted expansion direction for the content item environment; generating a serving data log entry for the request specifying the predicted expansion direction and a unique identifier for the request; providing an expandable content item having the predicted expansion direction and response data specifying the unique identifier; receiving reporting messages specifying the display configurations of the resources and content item environments; determining pairs of serving data log entries and reporting messages based on the unique identifiers, each pair having a matching unique identifier; and determining an accuracy measure for the respective predicted expansion direction based on a comparison of the respective predicted expansion direction and the display configurations of the respective resource and content item environment.
US08694630B1 Self-learning classifier for internet traffic
A method for classifying network traffic, including (1) processing a first working set portion of a flow batch for a first iteration by dividing the first working set portion into clusters and filtering a cluster by (i) identifying a first server port as most frequently occurring comparing to all other server ports in the cluster, (ii) in response to determining that a first frequency of occurrence of the first server port in the cluster exceeds a pre-determined threshold: (a) identifying the cluster as a dominatedPort cluster, (b) removing the cluster from the first working set portion to generate a remainder as a second working set portion, and (c) removing, from the cluster to be added to the second working set portion, one or more flows having different server port than the first server port, and (2) processing the second working set portion for a second iteration.
US08694629B2 Hierarchical metering policy attributes
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node for managing usage of a subscriber. The method may include: defining a primary metering policy having a first applicability condition and a first quota; defining a secondary metering policy having attributes including a second applicability condition and at least one inherited attribute that references an attribute of the primary metering policy; determining that the second metering policy is applicable when the first applicability condition and the second applicability condition are true; selecting the secondary metering policy as an active metering policy; and managing subscriber usage according to the attributes of the secondary metering policy. In various alternative embodiments, the step of managing subscriber usage includes: measuring subscriber usage according to a rating factor of the secondary metering policy; and charging the measured subscriber usage to both the primary metering policy and the secondary metering policy.
US08694624B2 Systems and methods for concurrent wireless local area network access and sensing
This invention describes systems and methods for combining the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure and Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) by leveraging a common radio platform equipped with more than one WLAN radio and a unified management system. The invention provides all the benefits of the WLAN, without sacrificing the 24×7 dedicated security monitoring and performance troubleshooting available from an overlay WIPS system, while reducing the deployment cost and management complexity, by sharing a common hardware platform for the WLAN Access Point (AP) and WIPS sensor and leveraging an integrated management system.
US08694622B2 Monitoring and controlling network communications
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to monitoring and controlling network communications. In aspects, communication components receive a communication from a node. The communication components determine a potential use of the communication that may be used for reporting and enforcement purposes. The communication components monitor subsequent communications and store usage information including duration in a store. In addition, the communication components may enforce a policy that depends on the potential use of a communication and the usage information.
US08694621B2 Capture, analysis, and visualization of concurrent system and network behavior of an application
A first capture system that captures network communication events related to an application, and a second capture system that captures internal processing events related to the application. A visualization system analyzes the data captured by each of the capture systems, synchronizes and correlates the data, and presents an integrated display of these communication and processing events. In a preferred embodiment, the communicated messages include an identifier of the application, and the processing components also associate an identifier of the application to each recorded processing event. To facilitate the integrated display of the events, the visualization system synchronizes the recorded communication and processing events to a common time base.
US08694620B2 System and method for an OMA DM extension to manage mobile device configuration settings
A method and system extends the functionality of the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Device Management (DM) standard to manage vendor specific configuration parameters and settings. An OMA DM structure is provided as an extension to the tree structure of the OMA DM standard. The OMA DM extension allows selected vendor specific parameters and settings to be managed under the OMA DM protocol.
US08694617B2 System and method for orders and troubles metric attribution identification and aggregation
A system and method for identifying, marking, retaining and aggregating attribute metrics for service order and trouble tickets (ticket data) may be performed as the service order and trouble tickets are loaded into a central data repository to allow user summary reports to be created. Ticket data may be received from remote data repositories by a central repository. The ticket data by then be stored in data records at the central location, then attributes of the ticket data may be calculated. A summary table of the ticket data may then be stored at the central repository, which the metric data in the summary table being updated as records are processed. A report of the attributes may then be generated directly from the summary table.
US08694610B2 Apparatus and method for domain name resolution
An apparatus and method for enhancing the infrastructure of a network such as the Internet. Multiple edge servers and edge caches may be provided at the edge of the network so as to cover and monitor all points of presence. There may be downstream clients coupled to the points of presence. The edge servers may selectively intercept domain name translation requests generated by the downstream clients for subscribing Web servers. The edge servers may provide translations which either enhance content delivery services, or redirect the requesting client to the edge cache to make its content requests. Further, network traffic monitoring may be provided in order to detect malicious or otherwise unauthorized data transmissions.
US08694609B2 Method and apparatus for improving wireless data networks performance
A method and apparatus for data communications over a wireless network. A user contacts an Internet gateway over the wireless network. When the user requests an Internet resource it sends an improved HTTP command to the gateway. The improved HTTP command causes the internet gateway to access a resource file and obtain not only the requested resource, but also all of the resources embedded in the requested resource. The requested resource and embedded resources are bundled into a file and sent to the user. By eliminating parsing of the requested resource by the user and subsequent requests for embedded information, the wireless network does not have to make multiple supplemental communication channel assignments, which improves overall performance.
US08694607B2 Recursive subscriptions to content feeds
At a client device, a user subscribes to a specified stream, where the specified stream includes one or more other streams. A respective stream of the one or more other streams includes two or more content feeds, and each content feed includes a set of content items published by a respective publication source. The client devices presents to the user (e.g., on a display of the client device) content items associated with the specified stream. In some embodiments, streams can be recursively defined to include combinations of other streams, and users who subscribe to a recursively defined stream receive content items from the content feeds associated with that stream.
US08694604B2 Accurate search results while honoring content limitations
Accurate search results are provided while still honoring content limitations. Content responsive to search, whose presentation is prevented by content limitations is presented in an obscured manner, notifying the user of the existence of the content, while not enabling discerning of details, thereby honoring the content limitations. Attempted user interaction with obscured content acts as an entry point to changing the content limitations, including presenting user notifications of the content limitations and presenting an option to change the content limitations to allow for the unobscured presentation of the obscured content. Graphical content can be obscured by applying graphical modifications to generate new, obscured content that provides only a vague resemblance to the original, including jittering pixels, or other subcomponents, the applying of Gaussian blurs, and pixelization.
US08694602B2 Storage apparatus and its data processing method
Data conversion processing for converting access target data into data of a different block size is executed without degradation of data input/output processing performance.A first controller manages its own load by associating it with LUs, which are access targets of an access requester; and if the first controller receives an access request from the access requester, it judges whether its load exceeds a threshold or not; and if its load exceeds the threshold, the first controller executes first data conversion processing for converting data relating to an access target LU(s) of the access requester from a first block size into a second block size or second data conversion processing for converting the data from the second block size into the first block size; and if its load is equal to or less than the threshold, the first controller gives a command to a second controller to execute the first data conversion processing or the second data conversion processing and the second controller executes the first data conversion processing or the second data conversion processing based on the command from the first controller.
US08694591B2 Method and system for distribution of presence information
A method and system for distributing data between a first user and a second user by detecting direct or indirect communication between the first user and the second user, creating an entry for the second user in a roster for the first user, populating the entry for the second user in the roster of the first user with data elements and attributes of the data elements, the data elements and attributes of the data elements indicating what data can be shared with the second user and how the data is to be shared and utilizing the roster of the first user to distribute data reflecting the first user to the second user.
US08694589B2 Methods and systems for saving draft electronic communications
Methods and systems for saving draft electronic communications, such as web e-mails, are described herein. One such described method comprises automatically saving a draft web-email in the e-mail web page. A second such described method comprises saving a draft web e-mail in a cookie residing on the client machine. A third such described method comprises automatically saving a draft web e-mail at the host that provides the Web e-mail service. A fourth such described method comprises interacting with a central installed client component to save a draft web e-mail one the user's machine at the client side.
US08694584B2 Speculative and coordinated data access in a hybrid memory server
A method, accelerator system, and computer program product, for prefetching data from a server system in an out-of-order processing environment. A plurality of prefetch requests associated with one or more given data sets residing on the server system are received from an application on the server system. Each prefetch request is stored in a prefetch request queue. A score is assigned to each prefetch request. A set of the prefetch requests are selected from the prefetch queue that comprise a score above a given threshold. A set of data, for each prefetch request in the set of prefetch requests, is prefetched from the server system that satisfies each prefetch request, respectively.
US08694583B2 Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
In order to enable more of the contents managed by a content server to be provided, an information processing apparatus connected to a communication network includes: a managing unit that manages a content and attribute information; a detecting unit that detects an external processing apparatus connected to the communication network; an acquiring unit that acquires capability information, which indicates a capability that can be provided by the external processing apparatus; a generating unit that generates content list information containing a first list containing a content that is managed by the managing unit and that can be directly provided by the information processing apparatus, and a second list containing a content that can be provided by giving a processing request to the external processing apparatus; and a providing unit that provides the content list information to a client terminal.
US08694582B2 Providing a web page to a client
To display pieces of data provided by different servers in one page, a providing apparatus provides a page to a client terminal, the page including data retrieved from a server. The providing apparatus includes a) a page return unit for, upon receipt of a page retrieval request from the client terminal, returning a page including code to the client terminal, the code to be executed on the client terminal, the code causing the client terminal to transmit a data transmission instruction to the server, the data transmission instruction instructing the server to transmit the data to the providing apparatus, b) a data reception unit for receiving the data transmitted by the server, the server having received the data transmission instruction from the client terminal, and c) a transfer unit for transferring the data received from the server, to the client terminal.
US08694581B2 Modifying browser requests to track browsing activities
Processing a browser request that specifies a destination network resource generally includes intercepting a browser request that specifies a selected destination network resource and redirecting the browser request to a network server that differs from the destination resource specified by the browser request. Processing a browser request also may include intercepting a browser request received from a client computer at a proxy server when the browser request specifies a selected destination network resource and performing instructions associated with and in addition to instructions performed to download the selected destination network resource.
US08694578B2 Swarm-based synchronization over a network of object stores
An object set may be redundantly stored by a set of computers, each configured to store a local representation of corresponding objects. When a computer changes the object set (e.g., by adding or altering an object), the updated object may be synchronized across the computers by iteratively forming and using an ad hoc swarm network from the neighbors of a node storing the updated object. This swarm network may operate cooperatively, where each node distributes object chunks to other nodes as quickly as possible, and may disregard concepts of competitive swarm networks such as fairness and cheating avoidance, which may not apply to cooperative swarming and might otherwise slow the propagation of the object. An alternative “ask” technique may be included to identify and recover missed object updates, and a computing environment host may be included as an authoritative object source and/or as an object store of last resort.
US08694574B2 Optimized settings in a configuration database with boundaries
A set of optimizations may be defined in a configuration database. The configuration database may be defined with a set of boundaries that may define conditions under which the optimizations may be valid. When the conditions are not met, a new configuration database may be requested from an optimization server. The system may be used to distribute and manage optimizations for an application, which may be deployed in interpreted or runtime scenarios or in pre-execution or compiled scenarios.
US08694571B2 Floating point encoding systems and methods
Systems and methods for encoding floating point numbers. A system can include encoding logic which encodes invalid floating point representations as valid data. Decoding logic can be used to recognize the invalid floating point representations and map can provide the invalid floating point representations to valid data values. The decoding logic then can provide the valid data values so that operations on the valid data values can be performed in accordance with instructions received from an associated program.
US08694568B2 Method for calculating causal impulse response from a band-limited spectrum
A computer-implemented method for calculating a time-domain impulse response with improved causality based on a first spectrum in a frequency domain is disclosed. The first spectrum may be band-limited. The method may calculate a first time-domain impulse response from the first spectrum. The method may remove a non-causal portion of the first system time-domain impulse response to obtain a second time-domain impulse response, and calculate a second spectrum of the second time-domain impulse response. The method may further modify the second spectrum by adding a causal signal such that a difference between the second spectrum and the first spectrum is reduced. The method may also calculate the time-domain impulse response with improved causality from the modified second spectrum.
US08694566B2 Method for decomposing an anharmonic periodic signal and corresponding computer program
This method for decomposing an anharmonic periodic signal, the general form of which may be expressed as x(t)=x0+x1 cos(Φ(t)), wherein Φ(t) is the phase of the signal, is characterized in that it consists of: determining an expression of the phase equation F ⁡ ( Φ ) = ⅆ Φ ⅆ t , determining an expression of the phase Φ(t) as a function of de parameters (r, rk, Φ1, pk) measuring the anharmonicity of the signal and its morphology, from p cosn and p sinn functions defined by: p ⁢ ⁢ cos n ⁡ ( t , r ) = ∑ k = 1 ∞ ⁢ cos ⁡ ( kt ) ⁢ r k k n ⁢ ⁢ and ⁢ ⁢ p ⁢ ⁢ sin n ⁡ ( t , r ) = ∑ k = 1 ∞ ⁢ sin ⁡ ( kt ) ⁢ r k k n .
US08694565B2 Language integrated query over vector spaces
Language-integrated query (LINQ) operators can be extended to a set of vectors associated with a digital signal processing (DSP) environment. A language-integrated query (LINQ) operator can be created to execute a change of basis for a set of vectors. LINQ operators can be further be utilized with specifically generated parameters to perform a change of basis for the set of vectors. Additionally, the standard LINQ operators can be extended to enable querying with LINQ against the set of vectors.
US08694560B2 Systems and methods for table definition language generation
A non-transitory computer readable medium is provided that includes instructions to interpret a table definition language fragment, that includes modifications of attributes and functionalities defined in a first table definition language. The non-transitory computer readable medium also includes instructions to generate a second table definition language with the subsequent modifications based at least upon applying the modifications in the table definition language fragment to the first table definition language.
US08694557B2 Extensibility of metaobjects
A system may include acquisition of metadata defining a first object model including extensible entities, the first object model comprising an instance of a metaobject, acquisition of metadata defining an extension object model, the extension object model to extend at least one of the extensible entities of the first object model, and merging of the object model and the extension object to create metadata defining an extended object model, the extended object model comprising an instance of the metaobject.
US08694556B2 Compliance manager
An estimate compliance tool specifying estimate compliance criteria is presented. The estimate compliance can be accessed via hardware, software or a combination thereof. The tool can be configured to include functions facilitating creation of rules that outline criteria for estimate creation or invoicing. A user can enter vehicle and parts identification via a user interface to which a rule will apply. The user can also enter a rule requirement or suggestion. The compliance tool can include multiple modules configured to accept user input regarding vehicle or parts criteria or configured to create an estimate compliance rule based on the vehicle or parts criteria. The compliance tool can further include a storage medium configured to store multiple estimate compliance rules and a profile module. The profile module creates a rules profile comprising multiple estimate compliance rules. Additionally, the tool provides a compatibility module that checks compliance rules for conflicting rule criteria.
US08694553B2 Creation and use of virtual places
An apparatus, method and system facilitate efficient creation of virtual places and provide tools for using the virtual places. The virtual places include a virtual real estate listing, newsworthy place and a virtual box seat. Tools are provided including an automatic declutter tool and a staging tool.
US08694550B2 Merging file directories
A merge method includes determining whether a source item in a source file directory is a file or a subdirectory. If the source item is a file, any conflicting items in a destination file directory are deleted and the file is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the file. If the source item is a subdirectory that has no corresponding destination subdirectory in the destination file directory, the subdirectory is moved from the source file directory to the destination file directory without copying the subdirectory. If the source item is a subdirectory that does have a corresponding destination subdirectory, the merge method is repeated for each item of the source subdirectory.
US08694540B1 Predictive analytical model selection
A computer-implemented method includes obtaining a database table, the database table including data arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each column of data being associated with a different tag that specifies a category for data in the column, using one or more processors to identify a first predictive model, from a collection of predictive models, that can be applied to the database table to generate a predictive output, in which identifying the first predictive model is based on one or more of the different tags, adding a name associated with the first predictive model to a set of names of predictive models that are compatible with the database table, and providing the set of names of predictive models to a client device.
US08694537B2 Systems and methods for enabling natural language processing
Systems and methods for searching databases by sound data input are provided herein. A service provider may have a need to make their database(s) searchable through search technology. However, the service provider may not have the resources to implement such search technology. The search technology may allow for search queries using sound data input. The technology described herein provides a solution addressing the service provider's need, by giving a search technology that furnishes search results in a fast, accurate manner. In further embodiments, systems and methods to monetize those search results are also described herein.
US08694534B2 Systems and methods for searching databases by sound input
Systems and methods for searching databases by sound data input are provided herein. A service provider may have a need to make their database(s) searchable through search technology. However, the service provider may not have the resources to implement such search technology. The search technology may allow for search queries using sound data input. The technology described herein provides a solution addressing the service provider's need, by giving a search technology that furnishes search results in a fast, accurate manner. In further embodiments, systems and methods to monetize those search results are also described herein.
US08694533B2 Presenting mobile content based on programming context
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating search queries in response to obtaining audio samples on a client device. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of i) receiving audio data from a client device, ii) identifying specific content from captured media based on the received audio data, wherein the identified specific content is associated with the received audio data and the captured media includes at least one of audio media or audio-video media, iii) obtaining additional metadata associated with the identified content, iv) generating a search query based at least in part on the obtained additional metadata, and v) returning one or more search results to the client device, the one or more search results responsive to the search query and associated with the received audio data.
US08694532B2 Method and system for query transformation for managing information from multiple datasets
A method and system for users to connect, extract, query and transform data from multiple databases, independent of their format, type, and location. The system comprises a setup portion, a meta database, and a user portion. The setup portion establishes datasets for use by the system with the user portion. The meta database stores the datasets. The user portion allows a user to input a query and processes the query to gather information from at least one data source and generate a response.
US08694531B1 System and method for analyzing and matching digital media libraries
A system and method matches individuals based on the content of their media libraries. The system has a media content processor that extracts information from a media file, and creates one or more media records. The system further includes a matching engine that compares the media records associated with different people, and determines the similarities between the media libraries of the different people. The matching engine may generate a match score for each pair of media records. The system also includes a presentation engine that provides an indication of the degree of match between the media file of one person and the media files of others.
US08694529B1 Refinement surfacing for search hierarchies
A collection of items may be categorized according to a category hierarchy. A search of the items may be explicitly associated with a particular category in the hierarchy or else unassociated. A set of refinements may be available, for example, to help narrow the search. Refinements may be applicable to items in linked categories. Refinements may be surfaced based at least in part on linked categories associated with the search. Refinements may be surfaced when the search is unassociated with a particular category. For example, a possibly relevant set of categories may be determined. Refinements may be surfaced according to a variety of ordering criteria.
US08694528B2 Dynamic determination of location-identifying search phrases
A computer-implemented method includes providing location factors for first phrases in a collection of phrases, where each location factor for a first phrase is associated with a likelihood that a second phrase of a search query is associated with a location when the first phrase and the second phrase are used in the search query. A search query is received, where the received search query includes a first phrase from the collection of phrases and a second phrase. Whether the second phrase of the received search query refers to a location is determined based, at least in part, on the location factor for the first phrase of the search query.
US08694526B2 Apparatus and method for displaying search results using tabs
A graphical user interface includes tabs representative of different classes of search results. The tabs are derived in response to the processing of a query. The different classes of search results group content by meaning, such that a query term with different meanings produces different classes of search results with different meanings.
US08694525B2 Systems and methods for performing index joins using auto generative queries
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for performing index joins. A database management application may receive an instruction to perform an index join operation between columns in a first table and a second table, wherein the database management application does not have direct access to an index of the first table or the second table for performing the index join operation. A query may be automatically generated by the database management application, wherein the query includes a where clause equality expression that equates an indexed column of the second table with a parameter or updatable constant. The database management application may substitute a value from a row of the first table may for the parameter or updatable constant, and cause the query to be executed on the index of the second table to fetch any one or more rows of the second table that satisfy the where clause by having an index value that matches the substituted value. The database management application may then repeat the substituting and executing operations for each row of the first table, and perform the index join operation using the fetched one or more rows.
US08694521B2 Modeling and searching patterns in a data sequence
The invention allows modeling and searching patterns in a data sequence. A data sequence is analyzed to determine at least two data elements that, when replaced with one replacement data element, will cause a metric of irregularity of the data sequence being analyzed to be maximized. The replacement data element is not included in the data sequence being analyzed. The determined at least two data elements are replaced with the replacement data element thereby generating a residual data sequence. The steps of analyzing and replacing are iterated until reaching a predetermined value of an iteration threshold, wherein with each iteration the analyzing and replacing are applied to the residual data sequence generated in the preceding iteration.
US08694516B2 Generating a hierarchy-based trace log
A computer-implemented method for generating a hierarchy-based trace log includes: receiving a log generated by a trace program performed in a computer system, the log having entries organized by sequence number, each entry including an object key for an object involved in the traced event and a log message about the traced event; identifying all object keys that occur in the log; assigning different separation values to each of the entries; generating respective adjusted sequence numbers for all of the entries by combining each entry's sequence number with the separation value for that entry; and storing an adjusted log having entries organized by the adjusted sequence numbers.
US08694514B2 Collaborative filtering engine
Various systems and methods for collaborative filtering of enterprise objects are described. A first object and a second object, which may be enterprise objects, may be compared. Vectors associated with each object may be created. These vectors may contain elements that indicate one or more actions performed involving other objects. Using these vectors, a similarity comparison may be performed to determine the amount of similarity between the objects. Based on a similarity value determined from the similarity comparison between the vectors, the second object may be recommended to a user.
US08694510B2 Indexing XML documents efficiently
Information hierarchies are efficiently stored and accessed in a relational or object-relational database system. A path signature, similar to a pathname, is stored in a database system in association with data for the node identified by the pathname. For example, a path signature identifying an element is stored in a row that holds data for the element. To retrieve data for a hierarchical query that identifies the data requested using, for example, an XPATH string, a string pattern is generated that is matched by path signatures identified by the XPATH string. Pattern matching is then used to select rows associated with matching path signatures, and data from the selected rows is used to compute the XPATH query. Furthermore, hash values representing path signatures are generated in a way that preserves the ordering of data in an information hierarchy. The hash values can be indexed to provide quick access.
US08694507B2 Tenantization of search result ranking
This disclosure describes methods and systems for searching documents in a multi-tenant hosting environment. According to embodiments, to conserve hardware resources, a plurality of documents associated with a plurality of tenants may be mapped to the same search index in the multi-tenant hosting environment. In order to search documents associated only with a single tenant in the multi-tenant hosting environment, a tenant identifier is prepended to every key stored in the search index that is associated with the plurality of documents of the single tenant. Moreover, where one document links to another document within the multi-tenant hosting environment, the link is stored in a web graph when a source tenant identifier matches a target tenant identifier for the link. According to embodiments, when conducting a search, the link is resolved only if the link is stored in the web graph.
US08694506B2 System for displaying graphical narrations
An online network collects a dataset of an individual's information through a computer-implemented method. An individual enters a dataset of the information and a plurality of an individual's life events into a computer system. The dataset is arranged and converted into a graphical representation for display. The online database receives and stores the dataset. The database associates the dataset with the plurality of the member's life events and then the dataset and the life events are outputted into the graphical representation for display for a witness.
US08694505B2 Table of contents for search query refinement
Computer-implemented methods and a computing system are provided for presenting a new user interface paradigm which allows users to explore facets related to a search query term while maintaining the original state of the search query term or staying within the confines of the user defined topic. The methods and system present facets or categories of relevant topics of a user generated search query term. The user may then explore these facets in a number of embodiments while maintaining the state of the search.
US08694501B1 Methods and systems for inventory management
The present invention relates to inventory management solutions, and in particular, to methods and systems for inventorying items and property over wireless and data networks, using digital imaging, positioning, RFID, and data terminals. The user experience in performing inventory management is simplified and enhanced over existing methods.
US08694498B2 Data management apparatus and data processing method
In a data management apparatus that performs data management by assigning metadata to a plurality of data, the plurality of data are displayed according to a display mode chosen from a plurality of display modes for displaying the plurality of data as a set of attribute information of the data, and a candidate for metadata to be assigned to the displayed data is determined based on the display mode.
US08694494B2 Selecting images using associated keywords
An automated method for identifying images in an image database based on scores assigned to a plurality of input keywords. Each input keyword is assigned a keyword score based on the number of images in the database that are associated with that keyword. Each image in the database is then assigned an image similarity score based on the keyword scores of the input keywords associated with that image. If a user selects an image in the image database and requests to see similar images, the keywords associated with the selected image are used as input keywords. Images in the database with image similarity scores indicating greatest similarity are provided to the user.
US08694493B2 Computer-implemented search using result matching
A computer search system compares search results received for searches falling within a defined parameter envelope used for grouping search requests. The parameter envelope may be defined by various parameters, for example, time of search, origin or search request, language, or other non-keyword data associated with each search request, excluding keywords used to define the search. Each new search result (comprising a list of search hits) for incoming search requests is compared to stored search results for search requests within the same parameter envelope. Search results that are found to be similar based on a pre-defined similarity measure are provided as related search results responsive to the incoming search requests. A client-side pseudo-browsing application may control interactions with the search engine, collecting true browsing input from the client and providing pseudo-browsing information to the search engine or other information provider.
US08694491B2 Method, system, and graphical user interface for alerting a computer user to new results for a prior search
A method, system, and graphical user interface for alerting a computer user to new results for a prior search are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface on a computer that includes a plurality of links recommended by a search engine for a computer user. The plurality of links are determined by the search engine by: producing search results by rerunning a plurality of search queries that have been performed previously for the computer user; and evaluating the produced search results to select search results that meet predefined search result selection criteria. At least one of the criteria is based on Internet usage data for the user.
US08694490B2 Method and apparatus for collection, display and analysis of disparate data
The system provides a method and apparatus for sorting and displaying collections of communications. These communications can be a single type or multiple types of data and may come from email systems, bulletin boards, text messages, Facebook and Twitter postings and comments, financial transactions, travel itineraries or any other type of communications. The communications represented by the system can be electronic or physical as desired. The system can also present forwarded, copied, replied, or other types of communications. In one embodiment, the system provides a Universe View of a set of communications. The Universe View, in one embodiment, is a three dimensional representation of a plurality of cubes. Each cube represents a subset of a collection of communications. Each cube can be color coded or shaded to represent a dominant theme of the contents of the communications represented by the cube.
US08694489B1 Map spam detection
A determination of whether a mapped business listing that is produced as a search result corresponds to an actual location of operation is based on different factors. One factor identifies whether the business listing is associated with a business category that appears as search results for a particular geographic area in numbers that exceed average proportions for the same business category density in similarly situated geographic areas. Another factor determines whether different business listings in the same geographic area include the same identifying data. Specific characteristics of a neighborhood where the business listing is mapped provide an additional factor for identifying whether a search result for a business listing is map spam. The different factors may be considered together to determine the likelihood that a mapped search result is spam.
US08694487B2 Project management system
A project management system includes a database formed of one or more tables and a computing device having one or more modules configured to: receive data and an identifier of the data, store the data in one or more tables of the database based upon the data identifier, in which the one or more tables in the database are accessible by a database management tool, and produce one or more records corresponding to the data stored in the one or more tables, in which the one or more records are accessible by a project management tool.
US08694485B2 Interactive media card
A method is disclosed wherein a capsule is searchable, the capsule of data having data stored in multiple data stores. In use, a portion of the capsule is displayed and the searched data includes data that is not displayed but is retrievable via the search operation.
US08694483B2 Real-time query suggestion in a troubleshooting context
A method for assisting a user to develop a query in a natural language includes receiving a user's query in a natural language and, while the user's query is being entered, presenting a subset of ranked query suggestions from a collection of ranked query suggestions to the user as candidates for user queries. The subset is based on that portion of the user's query already entered. The query suggestions in the subset of query suggestions are presented according to their respective rankings in the collection. Each of the query suggestions in the collection is formulated to retrieve at least one responsive instance in the knowledge base. The rankings of the query suggestions in the collection are based at least in part on stored logs of prior user sessions in which user queries were input to a search engine for retrieving responsive instances from the knowledge base.
US08694482B2 Method and system for monitoring domain name registrations
Improved approaches to domain name monitoring. The monitoring of domain names, e.g., registrations therefor, is beneficial to holders of similar domain names, trademark owners, and competitors. Such monitoring can be automatically performed.
US08694479B1 Placing digital content in a personalized data store
An electronic marketplace for used digital objects is disclosed. Digital objects including e-books, audio, video, computer applications, etc., may be placed in a personalized data store upon purchase from a merchant. Placement may be manual or occur automatically. A server prompt or downloader application may be used to set preferences for manual or automatic placement. Placement may be direct or indirect. Direct placement occurs upon placement of the digital object in the personalized data store directly by the merchant. Indirect placement occurs upon transfer of the digital object to an intermediate storage location, such as the user's electronic device, then placing the digital object in the personalized data store. The user, via streaming, download, or other transfer, may then access content placed in the personalized data store.
US08694478B1 Detection and correction of corrupted or dangling data object handles
Exemplary embodiments provide various techniques for detecting and correcting corrupted or dangling data object handles. In one example, a method is provided for correcting corrupted data object handles. In this method, a redirector file stored on a first logical data container is accessed. This redirector file includes a forward object handle pointing to a first data object stored on a second logical data container and includes a first checksum of the forward object handle. A second checksum of the forward object handle is determined and a comparison is made between the first and second checksums. If a mismatch is detected, the data objects stored on the second logical data container are scanned to extract backward object handles. A backward object handle can be identified to point back to the redirector file. The forward object handle can then be restored to point to the second data object based on the identification.
US08694477B2 Method for optimizing the storage of calibration data in an automobile electronic control unit
A method for storing, in the rewritable memory of an automobile electronic control unit, calibration data functionally equivalent to a set of various models (M1-M5) of complete calibration data, this method including operations consisting in recording a single copy (CALIBAS) of common calibration data (COM1-COM4), and specific calibration data (SP1-SP5) relieved of these common data. The method uses the relations existing between the various versions (SP1-SP5) of specific data to further reduce the memory space dedicated to storage by defining, from among these versions, standard versions (T1; T2) and variants (V11; V21, V22), the variants being relieved of data already contained in the standard versions (T1; T2).
US08694474B2 Block entropy encoding for word compression
A computer-implemented method, computer-readable media, and a computerized system to compress words are provided. The computerized system includes a compression engine that compresses a list of words. The compression engine generates a symbol list from the list of words, decomposes the words using the symbol list and a cost function, and encodes the decomposed words. The words may be from a search index. The compression engine may be utilized to reduce the size of the search index and improve efficiency.
US08694473B2 Date-provable registration system for published documents
A system and method are disclosed for rendering published documents tamper evident. Embodiments render classes of documents tamper evident with cryptographic level security or detect tampering, where such security was previously unavailable, for example, documents printed using common printers without special paper or ink. Embodiments enable proving the date of document content without the need for expensive third party archival, including documents held, since their creation, entirely in secrecy or in untrustworthy environments, such as on easily-altered, publicly-accessible internet sites. Embodiments can extend, by many years, the useful life of currently-trusted integrity verification algorithms, such as hash functions, even when applied to binary executable files. Embodiments can efficiently identify whether multiple document versions are substantially similar, even if they are not identical, thus potentially reducing storage space requirements.
US08694472B2 System and method for rebuilding indices for partitioned databases
A method comprises storing a partitioned database comprising a plurality of partitions, wherein each of the plurality of partitions comprises a respective set of data records. The method continues by storing at least one secondary index associated with each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by taking offline each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by unloading data records from each of the plurality of partitions. The method continues by loading the data records into the partitioned database. The method continues by, in conjunction with loading the data records, modifying the at least one secondary index. The modification of the at least one secondary index comprises determining a partition identifier and a memory address associated with a particular data record loaded into the partitioned database. The modification of the at least one secondary index further comprises storing the determined partition identifier and the determined memory address in the at least one secondary index.
US08694471B2 System and method for updating a cache using a gating mechanism and events
A client caches objects from a data set on a server. The client registers to receive notification of events that occur to cached objects. As events occur to cached objects, the client determines if a specified time interval has elapsed since the cached objects were last updated. If a specified time interval has elapsed, then the client updates the cached objects. If a specified time interval has not elapsed, then the client waits for the specified time to elapse, during which time additional updates to the objects on the server can occur.
US08694470B2 Mobile terminal environment snapshot management and backup recovery
A method and mobile terminal for mobile terminal environment snapshot management and backup recovery to define different working environment snapshots, and to back up and recover the environment snapshots according to the user's selection, so as to provide more flexible ways of using the mobile terminal.
US08694468B1 Systems and methods for performing backups
A computer-implemented method for performing backups may include identifying a volume of data targeted for backup. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying at least one data object within the volume of data. The computer-implemented method may further include locating a copy of the data object within an archival data store. The computer-implemented method may additionally include backing up a reference to the copy of the data object within the archival data store instead of backing up the data object. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08694467B2 Random number based data integrity verification method and system for distributed cloud storage
A data integrity verification method and system based on a root random number to ensure secure distributed data storage on a public cloud. A new root random number can be generated in response to receiving a file for storage to the public cloud. A unique random number tag for each data chunk associated with the file can be calculated via a shift operation and the tag can be added to the data chunk. A hash function (message digests) can be then generated and concatenated with the data chunk and the random number tag. The data chunk in conjunction with the hash and the random number tag can be encrypted by an encryption module and stored to the public cloud in order to provide multiple levels of security with respect to the distributed public cloud storage. Upon file retrieval, the encryption module decrypts all data chunks and recalculates the hash in order to verify the data integrity of the file.
US08694466B2 Object deduplication and application aware snapshots
Embodiments deploy delayering techniques, and the relationships between successive versions of a rich-media file become apparent. With this, modified rich-media files suddenly present far smaller storage overhead as compared to traditional application-unaware snapshot and versioning implementations. Optimized file data is stored in suitcases. As a file is versioned, each new version of the file is placed in the same suitcase as the previous version, allowing embodiments to employ correlation techniques to enhance optimization savings.
US08694462B2 Scale-out system to acquire event data
Events can be emitted by a method that includes acquiring data from a plurality of different sources by communicating to the different sources using a plurality of different protocols specific to the different sources and, based on the acquired data, determining that an event should occur. The method can further include causing an event that is normalized for a consistent event evaluation by consumers irrespective of the specific shape of the data from the data source resulting in the event.
US08694458B2 Making estimations or predictions about databases based on data trends
Data trends that are based on historical data of a database can be used to make estimations and/or predications about the database. In other words, historical trends of a database can be used to make estimation about the data of the database. By way of example, a prediction can be made regarding the data change in the data since the Statistics has been collected. An estimation about data in a database can be used instead of actual data that would have to be collected as Statistics for the database. As a result, Statistics can be collected less frequently but estimation and/or predictions about the database can be used to optimize the execution of queries of the database. Also, collection of Statistics for database can be altered by using estimation about the Statistics of the database by collecting Statistics less frequently or for longer periods of time.
US08694456B2 Predicting future travel based on a user's historical financial institution transaction data and providing offers based on the predicted future travel
Methods, apparatus and computer-program products are described for providing travel-location merchant offers to users who are determined to be travelling based on Point-Of-Sale (POS) transaction data. Embodiments of the invention compare the location of the POS transaction to the user's domicile location and if the transaction occurs a predetermined distance or greater from the domicile location, the user is determined to be travelling. Once the travelling determination is made, travel-location merchant offers are identified and communicated to the user.
US08694455B2 Automated risk transfer system
An automated method, computer program product and system for using artificial intelligence based cognitive learning methods to identify, measure and manage risks for a commercial enterprise on a continual basis. The elements of value, external factors, components of value and categories of value of the enterprise are analyzed and modeled using predictive models that are developed by learning from the data associated with said enterprise. Scenarios of both normal and extreme situations are also developed by learning from the data. The scenarios are then used to drive simulations of the predictive models. The output from these simulations are then used to measure a plurality of risks and complete optimization analyzes that identify the optimal mix of risk reduction activities for the enterprise. The optimal mix of risk reduction activities is then presented to the user for optional editing, rejection or acceptance.
US08694454B2 Methods, apparatus and systems for generating, updating and executing a vegetation control plan
Vegetation control plans may be automatically generated using vegetation control information received from a variety of sources. Such vegetation control plans may aid farmers, other vegetation control personnel, and professionals when determining a vegetation control strategy, including treatment, and then guide the implementation of that strategy. Vegetation control plans may include a variety of recommended vegetation control practices and projected outcomes for the implementation of recommended vegetation control management practices.
US08694452B2 Methods and systems for CMOS implementation of neuron synapse
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure support techniques for power efficient implementation of neuron synapses with positive and/or negative synaptic weights.
US08694446B2 Contingency planning system and method
A contingency planning system apparatus including a world description subsystem responsive to data representing a description of the world related to a planning problem and configured to instantiate a plurality of world codelets in a codelet workspace. A coderack subsystem is responsive to a slipnet network and is configured to instantiate a plurality of codelets in the codelet workspace each having one or more slots for binding with binding sites of lower level codelets and configured to monitor constraint changes thereto and propagate those changes to any related codelets. A temperature subsystem is configured to detect when temperature in the codelet workspace has reached a predetermined level indicating a satisfactory solution to the planning problem has been achieved. A plan extractor is responsive to the temperature subsystem and is configured to extract one or more contingency plans from the codelet workspace when the predetermined temperature is reached and configured to cause the temperature subsystem change the temperature in the codelet workspace such that the plurality of codelets will develop new bindings representing new solutions to the planning problem.
US08694444B2 Learning multiple tasks with boosted decision trees
A multi-task machine learning method is performed to generate a multi-task (MT) predictor for a set of tasks including at least two tasks. The machine learning method includes: learning a multi-task decision tree (MT-DT) including learning decision rules for nodes of the MT-DT that optimize an aggregate information gain (IG) that aggregates single-task IG values for tasks of the set of tasks; and constructing the MT predictor based on the learned MT-DT. In some embodiments the aggregate IG is the largest single-task IG value of the single-task IG values. In some embodiments the machine learning method includes repeating the MT-DT learning operation for different subsets of a training set to generate a set of learned MT-DT's, and the constructing comprises constructing the MT predictor as a weighted combination of outputs of the set of MT-DT's.
US08694438B1 Distributed authenticity verification for consumer payment transactions
Payment tokens designed for display on a consumer's mobile device include dynamic trust data (e.g., transaction history and/or token generation date) along with financial account information, enabling merchants to make an informed decision about whether to accept payment without communication with the central processing system, and also protecting the consumer's account information from theft. In particular embodiments, a displayed token is used for payment via one communication channel (i.e., the merchant's network) but tokens are flagged for expiration via a different network (i.e., a public wireless telephone network).
US08694437B2 Smartcard-based value transfer
In a value transfer scheme, users are provided with programmable devices, for example, smart cards, capable of carrying data representing at least one available commodity value. Data representing user accounts is held at a remote processing station. Transactions between users are effected by the off-line exchange of data between users'respective smartcards, the exchanged data containing a record of each transaction entered into. The user account data for each user's account held at the remote processing station is updated only subsequently when the user's smartcard is on-line to the remote processing station and data therefrom is uploaded to the remote processing station. The scheme of the invention can, conveniently, be based around the ITSO scheme which is used to govern the secure transfer of data. The scheme is capable of providing a secure multi-commodity value transfer system.
US08694435B1 System and method for linking point of sale devices within a virtual network
A system and method for interconnecting multiple point of sale devices creating a mesh-like network structure which reduces connectivity costs while providing greater reliability due to multiple network paths is disclosed. By linking point of sale devices within a virtual network, the need for individual connections to a point of sale controller is eliminated and alternative network paths are provided, thereby ensuring maximum up-time and optimal connection speeds.
US08694431B1 Dynamic bin allocation for payment card transactions
Preauthorized payments may be made to service providers, repair shops and even vendors serving employees on business trips through credit card processing. The approved payment amount is authorized on a virtually created payment card which is then sent to the payee. These transactions incur interchange fees for the card processing. Therefore, unlike a check or EFT payment, the payee receives the approved payment less interchange fees. Interchange rates vary based on the payment card product offered by an issuing bank in addition to factors relating to how the payment card is processed. The current invention is a method of automatically generating a virtual payment card and/or processing the card in a manner to achieve a target interchange fee.
US08694430B2 Information processing device, information processing method, program and storage medium
Provided is an information processing device which enables a user to always and easily recognize an amount to be paid by the user, which results in a reduction of the burden imposed on the user. A debit requesting module (72) requests that a bank debit a bill amount of each transaction of a credit card from a payment account of the credit card. A balance determination module (81) determines whether or not a balance of the payment account is insufficient for the bill amount of the each transaction based on a notification of a result of the debit from the bank. A change module (74) changes, when it is determined that the balance of the payment account is insufficient, a payment method for a bill amount of an item of transactions which uses a variable payment method to a fixed payment method, the fixed payment method being a method of paying a predetermined fixed amount of money as a unit, the variable payment method being a method of making a payment with a payment unit that varies for each transaction depending on an amount of the transaction of the credit card. The present invention is applicable to a server.
US08694429B1 Identifying and resolving discrepancies between purchase documents and invoices
In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method operating at a server system is disclosed. The server hosts and electronic procurement system. In response to receiving an invoice, a purchase document corresponding to the invoice is identified. Contents of the purchase document are compared to contents of the invoice. A discrepancy is identified between the purchase document and the invoice. A notification is generated based upon the identified discrepancy. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08694428B2 Consumer oriented services system and method
A method and computer program product for maintaining, on a first computing device, consumer identification and billing information concerning a user. A directory of ecommerce merchants is maintained on a second computing device. The first computing device and the second computing device are interfaced via a distributed computing network. The user is enabled to select an ecommerce merchant defined within the directory of ecommerce merchants. The order of goods/services from the selected ecommerce merchant to the user using the consumer identification and billing information maintained on the first computing device is facilitated.
US08694427B2 Time-efficient and deterministic adaptive score calibration techniques for maintaining a predefined score distribution
A number of memory spaces are defined for a memory structure. Transaction data is received, and financial transactions are scored based on the transaction data to generate a batch of scores for the financial transactions. A score range is divided into k bins, each of the k bins representing one memory space of the memory spaces of the memory structure. The batch of scores are aggregated by storing a count of each score in a memory space, and a percentile is computed for each score in the batch of scores based on a set of values associated with each score. Each new financial transaction is scored to generate a new score, and a new percentile is assigned to the new score according to the set of values. The new percentile is then translated to a calibration score with fixed percentile characteristics according to a fixed reference curve.
US08694426B2 Method and system for processing transfer requests
Methods and system for processing transfer requests are described. In one embodiment, a value transfer request may be received from a value provider through a network. The value transfer request may include a value amount to be provided from a source user to a target user. A settlement account of the value provider may be reduced by the value amount. A target account of the target user may be increased by the value amount.
US08694421B1 Method for structuring a supplemental interest mortgage
A system and method of structuring a supplemental interest mortgage is disclosed. A principal debt obligation and a supplemental debt obligation based on the principal debt loan are secured by a single security instrument. The principal debt obligation includes the principal loan and principal interest to compensate a lender for use of the lender's funds. The supplemental debt obligation includes supplemental interest to compensate a lender for the risk of borrower nonpayment.
US08694420B1 System and method for outputting a credit risk report based on debit data
An apparatus and method for utilizing debit data to report credit risk, the apparatus having an inquiry server, a credit database, a debit database and a scorecard database. The inquiry server generating a credit risk score and report based solely on credit data when sufficient, based on a combination of credit and data when credit data is present but insufficient, and based solely on debit data when no credit data is present.
US08694418B2 Integrated trading information processing and transmission system for exempt securities
The present invention provides a system for processing and transmitting trading information incorporating (a) a risk analytic module using the latest market prices and data provided by the other two modules, (b) an auction module comprising a private asset auction functionality and a two way trader workstation capability, with bid-offer and unique asset price sourcing capabilities, (c) an asset or portfolio tracking module to provide browser based, real-time consolidated reporting of multi-firm asset positions (public or private), and (d) an out-of-band communications module which alerts users/subscribers who may or may not be logged on the system via fax, e-mail, or text messages of a pending transaction being consummated or achieved.
US08694416B2 Integrated order matching system combining visible and hidden parameters
A system and method for providing back-end functionality for order processing in electronic order book trading. A sell/buy order is received comprising a lower/upper limit and a conditional lower/upper limit defining a conditional selling/buying price range for executing the sell/buy order under certain selling/buying conditions. It is determined whether the selling/buying conditions are fulfilled, including determining whether the sum of the first and second part of the buy/sell order is superior or equal to a threshold volume. The sell/buy order and the buy/sell order are executed against each other if at least the selling/buying conditions are fulfilled. Embodiments allow rapidly executing large trading interests with minimized market impact and opportunity costs.
US08694415B2 Out of band credit control
Systems and method for mediating risks associated with orders in an electronic trading system are provided. A front end component includes a plurality of trading engines that receive orders from traders. A back-end component includes a match system. The system includes a credit control module, which is located at the back-end (e.g., clearinghouse), front end, a combination thereof, or other location that communicates with the plurality of trading engines. The credit control monitors aggregate risk parameters for the trading engines and requests credits from trading engines.
US08694414B2 System and method for simulating an electronic trading environment
Market data is recorded from a real live exchange. The recording data can be played back in real time or delayed, in any manner, to simulate the recorded market. Moreover, one or more users can participate in the simulated market just as if they were participating in a real-live market. The system provides a realistic trading environment without the associated risks of trading in a live-market such as losing money and the cost of making trades. The system may be used for training purposes and for purposes of testing and analyzing various trading strategies. Software developers and testers may also utilize the realistic environment to develop trading products or applications. Additionally, the system provides a means for demonstrating trading application products.
US08694412B2 Hybrid auctions and methods and systems for conducting same over a computer network
A two phase auction for an item includes a first phase in which an asking price for the item decreases at predetermined intervals when the auction is a seller's auction and increases at predetermined intervals when the auction is a buyer's auction, and a second phase after the first phase wherein the asking price starts at a level equal to a first bid placed by a first bidder during the first phase and periodically increases when the auction is a seller's auction and decreases at predetermined intervals when the auction is a buyer's auction until no additional bids are received from the first bidder and/or additional bidders, the auctioned item being awarded to a last bidder in the second phase.
US08694407B2 Method and system for creating a volatility benchmark index
A method and system for creating a volatility benchmark index is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a value of a Treasury bill account less a mark-to-market value of at least one of a volatility-based future or option and calculating a value reflecting a volatility benchmark. The value may be displayed at a trading facility and volatility benchmark quotes may be transmitted by the trading facility to a market participant.
US08694404B2 System and method for optimizing fixed rate whole loan trading
Optimizing fixed rate whole loan trading. Specifically, the invention provides computer-based systems and methods for optimally packaging a population of whole loans into bonds in either a senior/subordinate bond structure or into pools of pass through securities guaranteed by a government agency. Models for each type of bond structure are processed on the population of loans until either an optimal bond package is found or a user determines that a solution of sufficient high quality is found. Additionally, the models can account for bids for whole loans by allocating whole loans that meet requirements of the bid but are least favorable to be securitized.
US08694402B2 Using accounting data based indexing to create a low volatility portfolio of financial objects
A system, method and computer program product creates an index based on accounting data, or a portfolio of financial objects based on the index where the portfolio is weighted according to accounting data. Indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. Financial and non-financial metrics may be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. A combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once built, the index may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio. Specifically excluded are widely-used capitalization-weighted and price-weighted indexes, in which price of a security contributes in a substantial way to calculation of weight of that security in the index or the portfolio, and equal weighting weighted indexes. The indexes may be constructed to minimize volatility.
US08694395B2 Method, system, and computer program for predicting tax liabilities and benefits
A method, a system, and a computer program for suggesting to the user a tax event to reduce the user's tax liability. Embodiments comprise accessing known user information related to the user and the user's taxes, wherein the known user information includes at least some information for a current tax year to date; comparing the known user information with requirements for at least one of tax deductions and tax credits offered by a taxing authority for the current tax year; identifying deductions or credits having requirements related to the known user information; and suggesting to the user a tax event for reducing the user's tax liability, wherein the suggested tax event is based at least partially on the known user information and the identified deductions or credits having requirements related to the known user information.
US08694388B2 Delivery management system and method using smart communicator
Disclosed is a delivery management system and method using a smart communicator that include a selling server for selling articles online; a delivery server for managing delivery of articles sold by the selling server; a mailbox which reads information from an information storage attached to an arrived article at a destination under the control of the delivery server; and a home network server, which stores ordered article information, determines whether the arrived article is correctly delivered based on a comparison between the ordered article information and the arrived article information read from the information storage, transmits the result of the comparison to a smart communicator, controls follow-up management of the delivery according to a remote control of the smart communicator, to verify article arrival, and controls follow-up management using the smart communicator.
US08694384B2 Search engine system and method using directories of products and services for facilitating supply chain integration and communication
The method and system manages supply chain purchases of goods and services (G-S) using a distributed computer system coordinating interested customers with vendors who offer G-S. The system uses a database or accesses a vendor's database having default offer records which include G-S descriptions, price, payment terms, delivery data, and set-aside parameters. A sophisticated system includes customer specific offer records for approved customers with specific price, payment, delivery and set-aside parameters. Customers search the database, and if previously registered and accepted by the vendor, the customer can reserve a defined quantity of G-S in accordance with set-aside parameters, request a quote, and/or purchase G-S from the vendor. Further, the system rates the vendor and the customer based upon timely performance of, for the customer reservation followed by purchase of G-S within the defined quantity, and for the vendor, timely delivery of G-S and timely notice of customer acceptance.
US08694379B2 One-click posting
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates automatically generating an advertisement. An interface component can receive a portion of image data related to at least one of a good or a service associated with a transaction. An automatic posting component can automatically generate an advertisement with a portion of descriptive data related to at least one of the good or the service based at least in part upon the image data, wherein the created advertisement is published to an environment for exposure.
US08694378B1 Publisher side file support for expandable content items
This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for precluding the serving of expandable content items from vendors for publisher hosts that do not support the particular vendors.
US08694373B2 Methods and systems for processing and displaying advertisements of variable lengths
A cost-per-second (CPS) based technology for Internet advertising is introduced. In one embodiment, the systems and methods described herein improve efficiency and efficacy of Internet based advertisements. Efficiency is improved by making advertisements relevant to the user; decreasing loss or waste in advertisement space and opportunity for the publisher; and displaying advertisements only for an appropriate duration and being charged according to actual duration for the advertiser. In embodiments, the cost for a certain branding effect can be measured and used with higher accuracy. In embodiments where multiple advertisements are shown simultaneously or at various timings, the technology introduced here provides unique bidding models to allow an advertiser to bid for advertising space, of an advertisement display. The bidding models incorporate bidding based on CPS, a function of CPS and cost-plus-click, effective CPS, etc. Conversion models for comparing advertising schema using traditional and newly introduced models are also disclosed.
US08694371B2 System and method for validating metrics associated with interactive events related to advertising
A method is provided for validating advertising metrics which relate to tracking of interactive events performed by electronic devices. A metric report with an event code that indicative of at least one interactive event performed by an electronic device associated with the network is received. The format of the event code is analyzed to determine whether the event code is consistent with predetermined format rules and the substance of information conveyed by the event code is analyzed to determine whether the event code is consistent with predetermined substance rules. If the event code is determined to be consistent with the predetermined format rules and the predetermined substance rules, the event code is accepted as valid. Otherwise, the event code is identified as being invalid.
US08694365B2 Generating targeted group based offers to increase sales
A method, system and computer program product for increasing the sales of a retailer. A unit, referred to herein as the “retailer promotions device,” generates a group offer for a set of users/customers to purchase a product based on intelligent analytics (e.g., real-time attributes/dynamics such as the strategy in selling the remaining inventory). A group offer refers to an offer to sell a product at a promotional price if a number of users (e.g., users of mobile devices and/or customers online and/or customers in a physical store) agree to purchase the product at the promotional price within a time period. The group offer is sent to targeted users/customers via online and mobile devices as well as via electronic displays and kiosks in the physical store. By using real-time attributes/dynamics to generate group offers that can be sent to targeted users/customers, the sales of the retailer are likely to be increased.
US08694355B2 Method and apparatus for automated assistance with task management
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting with automated task management. In one embodiment, an apparatus for assisting a user in the execution of a task, where the task includes one or more workflows required to accomplish a goal defined by the user, includes a task learner for creating new workflows from user demonstrations, a workflow tracker for identifying and tracking the progress of a current workflow executing on a machine used by the user, a task assistance processor coupled to the workflow tracker, for generating a suggestion based on the progress of the current workflow, and a task executor coupled to the task assistance processor, for manipulating an application on the machine used by the user to carry out the suggestion.
US08694348B2 Systems and methods for task-based decreasing price markets
Embodiments of task-based, decreasing-price markets enable dynamic discounting of items for sale. In one example, users shop for products (e.g., clothing, electronics, or cars) or services (e.g., hotel rooms, plane tickets, or car rentals) using a computing device or mobile device. As the users shop, they view advertisements or perform other tasks, like answering questions, and the system discounts an item's price based on the number or complexity of the performed tasks. Each user who performs a task gets a chance to buy the item at its discounted price. The other users also get a chance to buy the item at the discounted price. If someone buys the item, the item's price returns to its starting value. If nobody buys the item, the system discounts the item's price further as the users perform more tasks until someone buys the item or the item's price reaches a minimum value.
US08694346B2 Travel-related prediction system
A method and system is provided for making price-related predictions of items based on training a classifier using historical information including pricing information for the items and labels relating to the price-related information that are generated automatically from the historical information. A prediction system provides price-related predictions for airline tickets. The prediction system collects flight information for flights on a daily basis. The prediction system generates training data to train a classifier to make the price-related predictions using the flight information. After training the classifier, the prediction system then can make the price-related predictions for a trip.
US08694343B2 Method and system for managing appeals
A system and method for managing insurance claim denials. The system and method reviews a denial of claim from an insurer and a patient medical record received from a healthcare provider to determine if an appeal should be filed for the denial. It prepares an appeal to the denial comprising an appeals overturn letter and supporting document and submits the appeal to the insurer if it determines that an appeal should be filed. The system then tracks and monitors the progress of the appeal and process the appeal determination received from the insurer. The system utilizes these tracking and monitoring information to streamline and improve the insurance claim process of the healthcare provider, such as developing and implementing claim denial reduction program.
US08694339B1 System and method for determining loss data based on industry indices
Systems and methods for evaluating basis risk associated with index based security instruments. The systems and methods calculating an element factor for each of a plurality of elements based on a modeled company loss for a plurality of events and an industry loss for the plurality of events, calculating a company loss for each element based on the element factor and an industry loss for each of the corresponding elements for each of a plurality of events, comparing the company loss for each element to the modeled company loss for each element for each of the events, wherein the comparing occurs within a layer of interest to determine a basis risk for each of the events and outputting a monetary value of the basis risk for each of the events based on each of the elements.
US08694338B1 System for establishing health care reimbursements
A third party scoring entity establishes a market-based scoring system which can be used to generate a supply efficiency score to be assigned to a service provider seeking to begin providing a service in a territory. The supply efficiency score is indicative of the need for additional capacity to supply the service. The supply efficiency score is supplied to payers designated by the service provider and the payers will use the score to determine a reimbursement rate for the professional services provided based upon existing market saturation.
US08694335B2 Methods and apparatus for applying user corrections to medical fact extraction
Techniques for applying user corrections to medical fact extraction may include extracting a first set of one or more medical facts from a first portion of text documenting a patient encounter. A correction to the first set of medical facts may be received from a user. The correction may identify a fact that should be associated with the first portion of the text. A second set of one or more medical facts may be extracted from a second portion of the text based at least in part on the user's correction to the first set of medical facts. Extracting the second set of facts may include extracting one or more facts similar to the identified fact from the second portion of the text.
US08694329B1 Systems and methods for wireless prescription advertising
A medical information system informs prescribers of medically related drug information when preparing a prescription. The point of prescribing messaging system can assist physicians in selecting alternative medications when prescribing medication for patients. The system may include a point of prescription application configured to access and display messages concerning alternative suggested medications of different sponsors in response to an associated selected medication to inform prescribers of the alternative suggested medication for presenting the prescriber with the option of generating an electronic prescription with the alternative suggested medication. A data structure maintained by the system containing associations between a selected trigger medication and a target alternative suggested medication may optionally include additional conditions that control the display of messages such as the gender, age, and/or diagnosis of the patient, the date of the prescription, and/or the region in which the prescription is being made.
US08694326B2 Communication terminal and communication method
A communication terminal includes a decoder which decodes an input bitstream received from another communication terminal, to generate an output audio signal and outputs the generated output audio signal to a speaker; and an echo canceller which obtains an input audio signal representing sound captured by a microphone placed in a space to which the speaker outputs the sound, and removes, for respective subbands, an echo component included in the obtained input audio signal and corresponding to the output audio signal, to generate an audio signal for transmission. An encoder codes the audio signal for transmission to generate an output bitstream and transmits the generated output bitstream to another communication terminal; and a control unit controls, for the respective subbands, echo cancellation processing according to a reproduction band of at least one of the output audio signal and the audio signal for transmission.
US08694314B2 Voice authentication apparatus
In a voice authentication apparatus, a characteristics analyzer analyzes characteristics of a sample noise which is generated around a subject while the subject generates a sample voice for authentication of the subject. A setting part sets a correction value according to the characteristics of the sample noise analyzed by the characteristics analyzer. A correction part corrects an index value, which indicates a degree of similarity between a feature quantity of a reference voice which has been previously registered and a feature quantity of the sample voice obtained from the subject, based on the set correction value. A determinator determines authenticity of the subject by comparing the corrected index value with a predetermined threshold value.
US08694313B2 Disambiguation of contact information using historical data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for disambiguating contact information. A method includes receiving an audio signal, generating an affinity score based on a frequency with which a user has previously communicated with a contact associated with an item of contact information, and further based on a recency of one or more past interactions between the user and the contact associated with the item of contact information, inferring a probability that the user intends to initiate a communication using the item of contact information based on the affinity score generated for the item of contact information, and generating a communication initiation grammar.
US08694311B2 Method for processing noisy speech signal, apparatus for same and computer-readable recording medium
A sound quality improvement method for a noisy speech signal according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of estimating a noise signal of an input noisy speech signal by performing a predetermined noise estimation procedure for the noisy speech signal; measuring a relative magnitude difference to represent a relative difference between the noisy speech signal and the estimated noise signal; calculating a modified overweighting gain function with a non-linear structure in which a relatively high gain is allocated to a low-frequency band than a high-frequency band by using the relative magnitude difference; and obtaining an enhanced speech signal by multiplying the noisy speech signal and a time-varying gain function obtained by using the overweighting gain function. Accordingly, the amount of calculation for noise estimation is small, and large-capacity memory is not required. Furthermore, the present invention can be easily implemented in hardware or software, and the accuracy of noise estimation can be increase because an adaptive procedure can be performed on each frequency sub-band.
US08694306B1 Systems and methods for source signal separation
A method of processing a signal, including taking a signal formed from a plurality of source signal emitters and expressed in an original domain, decomposing the signal into a mathematical representation of a plurality of constituent elements in an alternate domain, analyzing the plurality of constituent elements to associate at least a subset of the constituent elements with at least one of the plurality of source signal emitters, separating at least a subset of the constituent elements based on the association and reconstituting at least a subset of constituent elements to produce an output signal in at least one of the original domain, the alternate domain and another domain.
US08694305B1 Natural language processing (NLP) portal for third party applications
A method for generating an natural language processing (NLP) model including obtaining tags, obtaining actions to be implemented by a third party application, obtaining a training corpus including sentences, where at least one word in each of the sentences is associated with one of the tags, and wherein each of the sentences is associated with one of the actions. The method further includes generating features for the NLP model for the third party application using the tags, the actions, and the training corpus, training the NLP model using the features and the training corpus to obtain a trained NLP model, and generating an APIKey for use by the third party application, where the API provides the third party application access to the trained NLP model.
US08694301B1 Test environment for accumulating cumulative metric data
Generating cumulative metric data for a test in a test environment includes: generating in the test environment a test for a simulation model of a system under test; generating in the test environment at least one test condition for the test, the at least one test condition determining a plurality of iterations of the simulation model; generating in the test environment at least one temporary test variable for the test; generating in the test environment at least one mapping between a metric setting for the simulation model and one of the temporary test variables; running in the test environment the test for the plurality of iterations, wherein metric data for the simulation model is generated for each mapping and for each iteration of the test; and accumulating in the test environment the generated metric data for each mapping and for each iteration of the test to obtain cumulative metric data for the simulation model.
US08694297B2 Porous medium exploitation method using fluid flow modelling
A porous medium exploitation method having application to petroleum exploitation is disclosed using coupling between a reservoir model and a near-wellbore model for modelling fluid flows. Fluid flows within the medium are simulated using a reservoir simulator and a near-wellbore simulator. At each time step, the boundary conditions used by the second simulator are calculated by means of with the reservoir simulator. Numerical productivity indices used by the reservoir simulator are calculated by means of using the near-wellbore simulator. The fluid flows within the porous medium during a given period of time are modelled by repeating the previous stages for several time steps. An optimum medium exploitation scenario is deduced determined from this modelling by taking into accounting for, for example, a well damage due to a drilling fluid, an injection of a polymer solution or of an acid solution in the well.
US08694296B2 Method and apparatus for integrated simulation
In an automated system which includes a robot manipulator, a workcell, and a control system implemented on a hardware platform based on a programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a method and apparatus for performing integrated simulation that does not require the presence of both the robot manipulator and the workcell. If one component is real, the other component is simulated so as to be sufficiently responsive to responses from the real component such that the real component is unable to discern that the other component is not also real. A computing device simultaneously displays simulacra of both the components, real and simulated, and visualizations of the responses provided by each.
US08694293B2 Simulation support method, computer-readable storage medium storing simulation support program, and simulation support apparatus
A simulation support method includes generating an operation interface used to convert a subject model to a model for parallel computation, in which a plurality of subsystem models are connected to each other, wherein the plurality of subsystem models correspond to a plurality of processes in one step, and the processes repeatedly run in parallel in a cluster computer; inserting dummy blocks in the subject model, when an instruction for converting the subject model to the model for parallel computation is provided through the operation interface, wherein the dummy blocks are used to synchronize the data in the processes, which are transmitted between the processes that run in parallel; and editing a simulation program for parallel computation, based on the model for parallel computation, wherein the simulation program for parallel computation is used to generate the processes that run in parallel in the cluster computer.
US08694292B2 Method and system for estimating building performance
There is provided a system of estimating a building performance, the system comprising a memory configured to store instructions comprising a method of estimating the building performance and a processor interactively linked to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the method by designating a plurality of building performance variables for estimating the building performance, identifying an interaction network correlating a model building performance representative of the building performance with the designated plurality of building performance variables, selecting a known performance of at least one model structure as a proxy for the building performance, determining learned values for a plurality of initially unknown parameter values from the interaction network and the at least one model structure having the known performance, and utilizing the learned values in the interaction network to estimate the building performance.
US08694291B2 System and method of waveform analysis to identify and characterize power-consuming devices on electrical circuits
Waveform analysis is performed to identify and characterize power-consuming devices operating on a building electrical circuit. Current waveforms are measured from the building circuit with electrical devices operating thereon. The waveforms are separated into wavelets and analyzed to identify a representative wavelet model which is transmitted to a server for analysis. The server compares the representative wavelet model to a predictive model built from waveform signatures of known electrical devices operating on a circuit. When the predictive model matches the representative wavelet model, the electrical devices contributing to the representative wavelet, their operating mode(s) (e.g., “on”, “off”, “paused”, “hibernating”) and/or their performance state(s) (e.g., normal operation, deterioration, or failure modes) can be identified. This information can be communicated as feedback to the consumer to facilitate more efficient and more cost-effective energy usage.
US08694289B2 Bayesian model generating computer product, apparatus, and method
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a model generating program that causes a computer capable of accessing a memory device storing, among coefficients and input variables making up a model formula expressing an object to be modeled, statistical values associated with the coefficients to execute: inputting a data group as a combination of an input value and an output value with respect to the object; determining, based on a joint probability joining a first probability of occurrence of the model formula as defined by the statistical values and the coefficients and a second probability of occurrence of the model formula as defined by the input variables and output variables, values of the coefficients to maximize the joint probability by giving the data group to the input variables and the output variables of the joint probability; and outputting the values of the coefficients determined in relation to the model formula.
US08694288B2 CAD pipe arrangement and pipe relationship database validation
An arrangement possible/impossible determination part of a piping order edit device: refers a pipe constituting a pipe list as a pipe subjected to determination; searches a main-branched pipe relationship database for a given pipe using identification information on the pipe subjected to determination as a search key; acquires a main pipe and a branched pipe corresponding to the searched given pipe; and, if there is a branched pipe positioned before the pipe subjected to determination in the pipe list or if there is a main pipe positioned after the pipe subjected to determination in the pipe list, the “arrangement possible/impossible” of the pipe subjected to determination is set at “impossible”.
US08694285B2 Turbine blade base load balancing
An example method of designing blade lobes of a turbomachine blade and corresponding disk lobes includes determining contact areas between the blade lobes on a blade model and the disk loads on a disk model when the turbomachine blade is in a loaded position. The method adjusts the blade lobes, the disk lobes, or both, so that gaps are established between the blade lobes and the disk lobes at the contact areas when the turbomachine blade is in an unloaded position. The size of the gaps varies.
US08694276B2 Built-in self-test methods, circuits and apparatus for concurrent test of RF modules with a dynamically configurable test structure
A testable integrated circuit chip (80, 100) includes a functional circuit (80) having modules (IP.i), a storage circuit (110) operable to hold a table representing sets of compatible tests that are compatible for concurrence, and an on-chip test controller (140, 150) coupled with said storage circuit (110) and with said functional circuit modules (IP.i), said test controller (140, 150) operable to dynamically schedule and trigger the tests in those sets, whereby promoting concurrent execution of tests in said functional circuit modules (IP.i). Other circuits, wireless chips, systems, and processes of operation and processes of manufacture are disclosed.
US08694274B2 Distributed spectrum sensing
In summary, the invention relates to a device, a system, a method and a computer program for spectrum sensing. A detection procedure for detecting a signal of interest or an event by using a plurality of sensing devices capable of communicating with a central unit is proposed. The sensing devices can compute soft detection metrics and communicate this information to a central unit, where the information may be used to make a final detection decision using a certain specified rule. The signaling overhead of the proposed approach can be of the same order as that of a hard signaling approach. However, the proposed approach may achieve a better detection performance.
US08694267B2 Autonomous monitoring method and system using sensors of different sensitivities
A method and system of monitoring for chemical or other toxic agents includes operating a plurality of first type sensors having a first level of sensitivity to an agent in a monitored area. Concurrently a second type sensor is operated having a second level of sensitivity to the agent in the monitored area, where the second level of sensitivity is at least ten times more sensitive than the first level of sensitivity. Input from the plurality of first type sensors and the second type sensor is received and analyzed, at a central location, in order to determine the presence of the agent in the monitored area.
US08694261B1 3D-well log invention
In an embodiment, creation of a continuous three dimensional array of data from digital information obtained from a wellbore, and representation in a seismic data formatted dataset. In an embodiment, providing the capability to export stratigraphic interpretations made while working within the 3D-log data volume back to any wellbore that is encompassed within the areal extent of the 3D-log data volume. In one embodiment, a 2D well grid creation process comprises the steps of (a) selecting an initial grid spacing, (b) assigning wells from a dataset of well data to closest nodes in the grid, (c) if a plurality of wells are assigned to a single node after completing step (b), narrowing the grid spacing and repeating step (b) until no more than one well is assigned to any node. In an embodiment the non-well nodes are populated by extrapolating from adjacent single well nodes.
US08694260B1 System and method for quality control of seismic projects
A web enabled system for quantitative quality control of seismic projects may comprise at least one server remotely located from the seismic acquisition operation. At least two databases are operated by the server wherein at least one database comprises an electronic map database comprising electronically scalable maps. The server is programmed for receiving data over an Internet connection comprising seismic instrument operation data, contractor data, HSE management system data, and GPS stamped inspection data. A programmable GPS unit is programmed to produce the GPS stamped inspection data and comprises a digital camera operable for recording and storing GPS stamped digital images. The data can be merged into electronically scalable terrain maps to uniquely display tables, graphs, quality indicators, which can be selected at the desired locations for greater depth of information.
US08694259B2 Simultaneous inversion of induction data for dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity
A method of inverting induction logging data for evaluating the properties of underground formations surrounding a borehole, the data including induction voltage measurements obtained from a tool placed close to the formations of interest, the method includes: (a) defining a relationship relating the induction voltage to wave number, dielectric permittivity and conductivity; defining a cubic polynomial expansion of the relationship; and solving the cubic polynomial relationship using the voltage measurements to obtain values for conductivity that includes skin-effect correction, and apparent dielectric permittivity; and (b) using the obtained values for conductivity and apparent dielectric permittivity to derive a simulated value of induction voltage; determining the difference between the simulated value of the induction voltage and the measured induction voltage; and iteratively updating the values of conductivity and dielectric permittivity used for the derivation of the simulated value of induction voltage to minimize its difference with respect to the measured value.
US08694249B2 Microfabricated flexible ground reaction sensor cluster for navigation in GPS-denied environments
Embodiments are directed to a ground reaction sensor cluster (GRSC) and to methods for precisely determining zero velocity points and bearing changes using a GRSC and for navigating using a GRSC and an inertial motion unit (IMU) in a global positioning satellite (GPS)-denied environment. The GRSC device itself includes an array of capacitive pressure and shear sensors. The array includes multiple flexible capacitive sensor cells that detect changes in capacitance in response to a footstep. Each cell of the array includes multiple overlapping, fingered capacitors that detect pressure and shear force by determining the change in capacitance in each fingered capacitor. The GRSC device also includes a multiplexing receiver that receives the capacitance inputs from each of the capacitive sensor cells. The multiplexing receiver and other electronic elements further process the received capacitance inputs to determine, based on the pressure and shear forces, the direction and bearing of the footstep.
US08694246B2 Methods and systems for displaying enhanced turn-by-turn guidance on a personal navigation device
Embodiment methods and systems enable personal navigation devices to warn drivers during turn-by-turn navigation directions when they are approaching a difficult turn. Personal navigation devices may report to a server when a turn is missed during turn-by-turn directions, including identifying the turn and situation information. The server may aggregate missed turn reports from many personal navigation devices to generate a difficult turn database. Personal navigation devices may access the difficult turn database when generating turn-by-turn directions to identify turns requiring enhanced directions. The difficult turn database may be stored on personal navigation devices, and/or may be maintained on the server. Personal navigation devices may be configured to recognize when turns are intentionally missed, and only report missed turns when they determined that the turn was missed unintentionally. Indications of turn difficulty may be correlated to situation information received in missed turn reports to more accurately reflect when turns are difficult.
US08694244B2 Systems and methods for off-board voice-automated vehicle navigation
A method of providing navigational information includes the step of processing destination information spoken by a user of a mobile processing system and transmitting the processed voice information via a wireless link to a remote data center. The processed voice information is analyzed with a voice recognition system at the remote data center to recognize components of the destination information spoken by the user. The remote data center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels as calculated for each component of the destination information analyzed by the voice recognition system. The remote data center determines if a confidence score is below a recognition confidence value and, if the confidence score is below the recognition confidence value, transmits an automated request to have the user speak the destination information again.
US08694243B2 Optimization method and device for navigation device
An optimization method for a navigation device includes recording a plurality of coordinate variation data, analyzing the plurality of coordinate variation data to generate an analysis result, generating at least one behavior rule according to the analysis result, and adjusting a navigation result of the navigation device according to the at least one behavior rule.
US08694239B2 Navigation system with intelligent trie and segmentation mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a destination index based on a search indicator for distinguishing a candidate destination from another; receiving an entry for a point of interest; generating an entry update based on segmenting the entry for comparing the entry update to the destination index; and identifying a target destination based on resolving the destination index with the search indicator for matching the entry update to the candidate destination for displaying on a device.
US08694235B2 Aircraft load management system for interior loads
An aircraft load management system determines a cargo through a wireless communication system to rapidly position the cargo. RFID emitter tags on each piece of cargo are triangulated relative to an aircraft internal cargo bay. Real time cargo position information is displayed to facilitate direction of drivers, loadmasters and aircrew. Cargo data is also relayed to onboard systems for mission planning, and for communication to a global information network to prioritize cargo delivery and dynamic mission re-planning. Even prior to onloading, cargo data is wirelessly communicated to the load management system to automatically plan the cargo load sequence. The load management system also autonomously loads remote controlled ground vehicles and equipment through communication therewith.
US08694233B2 Method for managing fuel consumption of a hybrid vehicle and vehicle adapted to such a method
This method is for managing fuel consumption of a hybrid vehicle on a given trip, the vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electric energy storage arrangement and at least an electric machine adapted to work as a generator or as a motor. This method includes: a) determination, for the given trip, of a target value of a parameter representative of fuel economy resulting from the use of the electric machine, b) determination of an actual value of the parameter when the vehicle is running on the trip, c) comparison of said target value and the actual value, and d) information of a user of the result of the comparison, at least at the end of the trip. The vehicle is provided with a computation arrangement and display for allowing steps c) and d) to take place onboard.
US08694232B2 Method of predicting energy consumption, apparatus for predicting energy consumption, and terminal apparatus
An object of the invention is to predict energy consumptions of a vehicle, using geographic characteristic values which are independent from particular driving patterns and vehicle parameters and unique to respective links. A navigation server predicts energies which are consumed when a vehicle runs on links. The navigation server calculates geographic characteristic values of respective links, the geography of the each link affecting the consumption energy with the geographic characteristic values, the calculation being based on energy consumptions collected from probe vehicles, and calculates predicted energy consumption of each link selected as a processing target, based on the geographic characteristic values. A navigation terminal obtains these predicted energy consumptions and performs route search with the obtained predicted energy consumptions as costs.
US08694227B2 Air-fuel ratio control apparatus and air-fuel ratio control method for internal-combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal-combustion engine includes an air-fuel-ratio sensor, a control-input calculator, an air-fuel-ratio controller, and a gain calculator. The air-fuel-ratio sensor is disposed in an exhaust channel in the internal-combustion engine and is configured to detect an air-fuel ratio in exhaust gas. The control-input calculator is configured to calculate a control input in accordance with an output value of the air-fuel-ratio sensor. The air-fuel-ratio controller is configured to perform a feedback control using the control input such that the output value of the air-fuel-ratio sensor reaches a target value. The gain calculator is configured to calculate a gain in accordance with the output value when the output value is leaner than the target value. The gain is to be used in calculating the control input.
US08694226B2 Control apparatus for internal combustion engine, control method for internal combustion engine and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A control apparatus for an internal-combustion engine includes a diagnosis device. The diagnosis device includes a determination section and an exhaust flow rate calculator configured to calculate an exhaust flow rate that reflects a volume flow amount of exhaust gas. A filter is configured to filter a signal representing an air-fuel ratio so that a 0.5th-order frequency component of engine speed is extracted from the signal. An integrator is configured to accumulate a filtered signal for a predetermined period of time to compute an integration value. A corrector is configured to correct the integration value to compute a corrected integration value each time the integration value is computed by the integrator. The determination section is configured to determine that cylinder-to-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance occurs in cylinders if the corrected integration value is greater than a predetermined threshold value after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
US08694225B2 Utilization of vehicle presence systems for powertrain response readiness and conserving energy
A method and system relates to improving powertrain responsiveness in a vehicle while maintaining fuel economy by inhibiting entry into, or exiting, energy-saving modes when oncoming traffic is detected. In one example, the energy-saving mode is inhibited in response to an indication of an oncoming vehicle of concern. In a second example, the energy-saving mode is selectively maintained in response to an indication of an absence of oncoming traffic.
US08694222B2 Collision avoidance system and method of operating the same
A collision avoidance system and method that may be used to prevent, avoid and/or mitigate a collision between a host vehicle and a target vehicle by engaging in autonomous braking once an imminent crash is detected. Unlike other methods that are only capable of autonomous braking according to predetermined and static brake commands, the present method may use dynamic brake commands throughout an autonomous braking event so that the deceleration of the host vehicle can be continuously adjusted such that it concludes at a reasonable distance away from the target vehicle. According to one example, the collision avoidance system maintains a relative distance (Δd) and/or a relative velocity (Δv) between the host and target vehicles during the autonomous braking event.
US08694220B2 Left-right wheel drive force distribution control apparatus for a vehicle
In a transient control computing section, a left-right drive force difference transient control gain computing section finds a left-right drive force difference transient control gain α that is smaller than 1 in a region where a target yaw rate change rate is small, i.e., a low speed steering region, and a left-right drive force difference transient control computation value calculating section finds a left-right rear wheel drive force difference transient control computation value. The transient control computing section then multiplies the left-right rear wheel drive force difference transient control computation value by the left-right drive force difference transient control gain α to calculate the left-right rear wheel drive force difference transient control amount and contributes the same to a drive force distribution control for left and right wheels (left and right rear wheels).
US08694219B2 Process of ending a clutch protection function
The invention relates to a process of ending a clutch protection function against overload of an automated clutch. The clutch protection function is ended when, by actuating the gas- and brake pedals, an absolute value of a brake pedal signal falls below a default threshold value and the time derivative of the brake pedal signal is negative.
US08694217B2 Method and system for adjusting a gear map
The present invention is directed to a method and system for adjusting a gear map. The present invention can be an automobile including a continuously variable transmission system, an ignition detecting ignition data, and/or a display unit. The continuously variable transmission system can include a continuously variable transmission, a memory storing a gear map including virtual gears, a gear adjustment mode input unit detecting gear adjustment mode data, and/or a processor. The processor can control the continuously variable transmission to operate at a desired engine speed for a specific automobile speed using the gear map. The processor can adjust the gear map using the gear adjustment mode data, and/or the ignition data. The processor can control the display unit to display information to prompt the user to supply the gear adjustment mode data.
US08694216B2 Method for control of a gearbox
A method for control of a gearbox, installed in a motor vehicle (1): The method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration α of the vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration α is positive or substantially equal to nil. The downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2), using an engine speed ωG1 in the first gear (G1) as an input parameter when effecting the downshift. Also a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.
US08694214B2 Automatic transmission for a motor vehicle
An automatic transmission of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine with a transmission oil circuit, a main oil pump, mechanically driven by a combustion engine, and an auxiliary oil pump (1) that can be electrically driven and is located inside an oil sump (4). It is proposed that the auxiliary oil pump (1) is arranged transversely with respect to the travel direction (x) of the motor vehicle.
US08694212B2 Vehicle speed estimator and traction control device
A vehicle speed estimator includes a unit that selects a minimum rotation speed among rotation speeds of wheels detected by a rotation speed detector and calculates a reference wheel speed of a construction vehicle at every predetermined time. The unit includes: a variable filter processor that performs a low-pass filter processing to the minimum rotation speed, the variable filter processor having a variable time constant; and a time constant changer that changes the time constant of the variable filter processor in accordance with travel conditions of the construction vehicle.
US08694209B2 Apparatus for controlling motion of vehicle
A vehicle motion controlling apparatus has an allocating unit for selecting steering or braking control mainly performed in cooperative control, receiving a desired value of vehicle turning motion, allocating steering and braking controls for the motion, determining main yaw rate from vehicle conditions, and determining a non-main yaw rate from difference between the desired value and the main yaw rate. Setting units set assist torque corresponding to the main yaw rate and braking torque corresponding to the non-main yaw rate when the steering control is selected and set braking torque corresponding to the main yaw rate and assist torque corresponding to the non-main yaw rate when the braking control is selected. The assist torque is generated for assisting a change of steering angle of vehicle in steering control. The braking torque is generated for applying braking force to wheel of vehicle in braking control.
US08694208B2 Vehicle behavior control apparatus
A vehicle behavior control apparatus including a deceleration control mechanism decelerating the vehicle to reduce a deviation between a target turning index value, which is determined based on a steering angle of the vehicle, and an actual turning index value. The deceleration control mechanism reduces the decrease gradient of the deceleration when a roll motion index value of the vehicle exceeds a threshold roll motion index value.
US08694201B2 Vehicle multimedia system
A vehicle multimedia system includes a display that displays a hierarchically structured menu. The hierarchically structured menu may have a main menu, a plurality of submenus, and menu items. The multimedia system provides a memory for storing information identifying a menu or menu item, and a memory control unit for writing information related to a menu item upon a user's selection of the menu by an operating element or by automatic return to a main menu, and displaying the information as selectable menu items identified by the information.
US08694199B2 Vehicle state monitoring server and vehicle state monitoring system
Disclosed is a vehicle state monitoring system in which, when a vehicle (2) has been in a driving stopped state for a reference duration or more, a message is sent to a contact address associated with a vehicular identifier of the vehicle (2). The timing for sending the message may be determined on the basis of an SOC level of a battery (23) identified from vehicle information or estimated on the basis of a length of a last driving duration identified from the vehicle information.
US08694196B1 Methods and systems for centrally managed maintenance program for aircraft fleets
Methods and systems for managing maintenance of a fleet of aircraft are provided. The method includes collecting data from at least one aircraft in each of the fleets related to the operation of the aircraft, determining a range of acceptable values of performance parameters associated with the collected data and based on the collected data, analyzing the collected data having values outside the range of acceptable values, and modifying at least one of a maintenance requirement and an interval between maintenance actions to facilitate reducing the number of performance parameters values that are outside the range of acceptable values during future operation of the aircraft.
US08694195B2 Motor vehicle having a wheel-view camera and method for controlling a wheel-view camera system
A motor vehicle has a wheel-view camera with a wide-angle lens and an image sensor. The wheel-view camera is mounted in the housing of a side view mirror and points in a downward direction such that the wheel-view camera captures a front wheel. An image processing unit is operatively connected to the wheel-view camera unit for receiving image data from the wheel-view camera. The image processing unit is configured to process the image data such that the image processing unit performs a wide-angle lens correction, an image rotation and a viewpoint conversion. A display unit is operatively connected to the image processing unit. The display unit receives processed image data from the image processing unit and displays an image of the front wheel.
US08694192B2 Control of vehicles based on auditory signals
Methods and systems for control of vehicles based on auditory signals are described. In an example, a computing device may be configured to control a vehicle or may be in communication with the vehicle. The computing device may be configured to receive audio information relating to an audible crosswalk signal for an intersection. The computing device also may be configured to determine a likelihood associated with a presence of a pedestrian in a crosswalk at the intersection based on the audio information. The computing device further may be configured to determine a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle from among multiple control strategies, based on the likelihood, and may be configured to provide instructions to control the vehicle based on the determined control strategy.
US08694191B2 Unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed
An unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed lying on a floor is provided with two wheels that are separately drivable, a distance determining device for determining the distance from the vehicle to a wall portion, an orientation determining device for determining the orientation of the center line of the vehicle relative to the wall portion, a torque difference determining device for determining the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel, and a feed displacing arrangement for displacing feed substantially sidewardly. The control unit may be programmed in such a way that during operation the vehicle will maintain a distance determined by the distance determining device to the wall portion, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the wall portion. During operation the center line of the vehicle may be maintained with an orientation determined by the orientation determining device relative to the wall portion, which orientation is at least almost equal to a pre-adjusted orientation. During operation the drivable wheels of the vehicle may show a torque difference determined by the torque difference determining device, which difference can then be maintained at a value smaller than or equal to a pre-adjusted maximum torque.
US08694190B2 Regeneration control device, hybrid vehicle, regeneration control method, and computer program
A regeneration control device of a hybrid vehicle detects brake fluid pressure for detecting the amount of engagement of the brakes of the hybrid vehicle, and performs a first regeneration control in a closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal not being depressed, a second regeneration control in the closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal being depressed, and a third regeneration control when the accelerator pedal is in the closed state and the brake fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, wherein X(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the first regeneration control, Y(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the second regeneration control, and Z(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the third regeneration control, then X
US08694182B2 Altitude and acceleration command altitude hold algorithm for rotorcraft with large center of gravity range
A flight control system includes an Acceleration and Attitude Command/Velocity Hold mode (AACVH) algorithm which blends attitude commands with acceleration commands. This blending determines a trim attitude for a given rotorcraft flight condition.
US08694181B2 Cabin pressure control system with multiple outflow valves and method of calibrating the outflow valve position feedback during flight
A method of calibrating an outflow valve on an aircraft may include determining if the aircraft has reached a predetermined cruise condition. The outflow valve may be moved until a closed position is reached, if the aircraft has reached the predetermined cruise condition. An actual position feedback value of the outflow valve may be determined while the aircraft is in the predetermined cruise condition. An offset calibration factor may be determined from the actual position feedback value of the outflow valve relative to a theoretical value.
US08694180B2 Method and system for an optimized utilization of energy resources of an electrical system
A method for optimized utilization of available energy resources/sources (3) of an electrical system such as for a vehicle generator system. The steps include: determining performance parameters LIst (e.g. current I, voltage U, temperature T, power PD (Pverlust), PE (Pwirk), efficiency, etc.) of a preferred energy resource (3); entering performance parameters LIst (current I, voltage U, temperature T, altitude of the vehicle, etc.) of the energy resource (3) into a thermal model (7); comparing a performance parameter LIst of the energy resource (3) with a specified performance limit parameter LSoll at a specified threshold level; determining a value for an energy reservoir ERest of a preferred energy resource (3); and to calculate a remaining time TMax depending on the energy reservoir ERest of a preferred energy resource (3) and using the one or more identified performance parameters LIst to maintain an operational state of the vehicle.
US08694177B2 Flexible vehicle display
A method and system for displaying graphical content on a vehicle display includes a client module and a plurality of control modules. The client module is in communication with the vehicle display and the plurality of control modules. Each of the plurality of control modules include software for generating a graphical text data intended to be shown on the vehicle display. The graphical text data is formatted with a predetermined layout determined by the corresponding one of the plurality of control modules. The client module includes a control logic for showing the graphical generated by the at least one of the plurality of control modules on the vehicle display. The graphical text data shown on the vehicle display is formatted with the predetermined layout determined by the corresponding one of the plurality of control modules.
US08694176B2 Power control method, and power control apparatus
A power control method for a power supplying unit for supplying power from a commercial power supply and a battery to a load. The method includes (a) calculating a deviation amount between an actual power demand and a predicted power demand in a predetermined unit period on the basis of power demand transition data and power demand prediction data, (b) correcting, by a computer, a leveling target value on the basis of the calculated deviation amount, and (c) controlling the power supplying unit so that the power supplying unit supplies power corresponding to the corrected leveling target value from the commercial power supply. The power demand transition data is stored in a power database, and the power demand prediction data is stored in a prediction data storing unit. The leveling target value is a target value of power to be supplied from the commercial power supply.
US08694174B2 Energy saving support device
An energy saving support device supports energy saving of an air conditioner and includes an acquiring unit, a first energy calculating unit, a second energy calculating unit, an information generating unit and a reporting unit. The acquiring unit acquires operating data regarding the air conditioner. The first energy calculating unit determines a total consumed energy or a standard consumed energy of the air conditioner as a comparison target energy based on the operating data acquired by the acquiring unit. The second energy calculating unit determines a low-COP consumed energy based on the operating data acquired by the acquiring unit. The information generating unit generates room-for-energy-saving information in order to determine a potential for energy saving based on the comparison target energy and the low-COP consumed energy. The reporting unit reports the room-for-energy-saving information.
US08694172B2 Systems and devices for controlling power generation
Systems and devices for controlling power generation are provided. One system may include an electrical generator controller. The controller may include a filter component, a frequency response schedule component, and a rate limiter component. The filter component may receive a power grid frequency signal and output the frequency signal when the frequency signal is outside a frequency band. The frequency response schedule component may determine an ultimate target power contribution using the filtered frequency signal, the ultimate target power contribution representing an ultimate amount of power contribution that the electrical generator should provide in a primary frequency response. The rate limiter component may determine an immediate target power contribution signal that varies over time and approaches the ultimate target power contribution. Thus, the controller may control the approach rate and/or arrival time, and so forth, of the primary frequency response to a power grid frequency disturbance.
US08694167B2 Method for controlling vacuum pumps in an industrial furnace complex
Energy-efficient control of a vacuum pump having a pump controller integrated in a control and regulation device used in an industrial furnace complex is disclosed. A method and an industrial furnace complex provide incremental deactivation or activation of the vacuum pump depending on whether a vacuum is needed by using a program having one or more program steps, including a first query about whether a heat treatment process is active in the industrial furnace, a second query about whether the vacuum pump is required in a current phase of the heat treatment process, a third query about whether the vacuum pump will be required in a future phase of the heat treatment process, and/or a fourth query about whether a time until the next operation is greater than a required lead time for the vacuum pump to warm up.
US08694165B2 System and method for providing environmental controls for a meeting session in a network environment
An example method is provided and includes establishing a communication pathway to a building element configured to control at least one environmental setting within a room. The method also includes communicating an ability to control the environmental setting within the room to an endpoint configured to participate in a meeting session. The method further includes receiving a command from the endpoint to adjust the environmental setting during the meeting session. The command can be communicated to the building element. In more specific examples, the method can include registering with one or more application program interfaces (APIs) associated with the building element, and communicating a credential to the building element in order to provide an authentication for controlling the environmental setting. In yet other embodiments, the command to adjust the environmental setting is received via a menu of a user interface provided by a video conferencing platform.
US08694162B2 Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for utilizing near field communication to guide robots
An apparatus is provided for determining a path or route in which a robot may be guided to perform a task(s) and avoiding one or more obstacles or obstructions. The apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor configured to receive origin location information via a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag associated with a key in an instance in which the key is positioned in an origin location. The processor is also configured to receive target location information via the NFC tag associated with the key in an instance in which the key is positioned in a target location, at which a task is performed by a robot and may generate a route for the robot to traverse in order to complete the task based in part on the origin location information and the target location information. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
US08694161B2 Collaborative automated mobile platform
A collaborative robotized system comprises: a mobile platform furnished with running device, with an electric motor propulsion assembly, and with a longitudinal mechanical linkage assembly comprising an articulation; an electrical power source; manual control device of the system; remote control device of the system; a computer assembly of at least one computer; hardware-incorporating device suitable for integrating sensors and effectors, and software-incorporating device suitable for integrating software elements; and management device for managing integrated sensorimotor behaviors, suitable for arbitrating implementations of several sensorimotor behaviors in parallel.
US08694158B2 Off-line programming system
An off-line programming system (10) which includes a three-dimensional shape arranging unit (27) which fills in a curved surface or consecutive plurality of flat surfaces of a selected three-dimensional shape by selected operation patterns and arranges a three-dimensional shape in a virtual space so that the operation patterns will be projected on surfaces of the workpiece model, a working path preparing unit (28) which projects operation patterns on the surfaces of the workpiece model so as to prepare a working path of the tool, and a tool position/posture determining unit (29) which uses the prepared working path and normal direction of the surface of the workpiece model as the basis to automatically determined the position or position/posture of the tool model.
US08694157B2 Catheter control system and graphical user interface
A remote workstation for the control of percutaneous intervention devices is provided. The remote workstation includes a control system for remotely and independently controlling at least two percutaneous intervention devices. The control system includes at least one input device to control the percutaneous intervention devices. The control system controls movement of at least one of the percutaneous intervention devices along at least two degrees of freedom. The remote workstation also includes a graphical user interface for displaying icons representative of the operational status of each of the percutaneous intervention devices.
US08694156B2 Automated paper consumption tracking and auditing
An apparatus and computer program product for managing paper consumption. Responsive to dispensing a first amount of paper from a set of paper dispensers in which the first amount of paper is dispensed for an account, the set of paper dispensers updates the account based on the first amount of paper dispensed. Responsive to receiving a second amount of paper at a set of paper disposers in which the second amount of paper is received for the account, the set of disposers updates the account based on the second amount of paper received.
US08694150B2 Machining installation for workpieces
A machining installation for workpieces comprises a workpiece positioning device comprising a workpiece holder pivot unit as well as a tool positioning device comprising a tool holder pivot unit. The workpiece holder pivot unit is designed such that a workpiece holder is pivotable about at least three and no more than four workpiece holder pivot axes. Moreover, the tool holder pivot unit is designed such that a tool holder is pivotable about no more than two tool holder pivot axes. The machining installation has a simple design and ensures flexible and accurate machining of workpieces.
US08694147B2 Embroidery data generating device, computer-readable storage medium storing embroidery data processing program and sewing machine
An embroidery data generating device includes an embroidery data storage unit storing data of a plurality of embroidery data, an embroidery data selection unit selecting a desired one of the embroidery data stored on the embroidery data storage unit, a color data storage unit storing data of a plurality of defined colors, and an assignment unit randomly extracting colors from the color data storage unit, the extracted colors being used as thread color data for specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions respectively, the assignment unit assigning the extracted colors to the respective color-based pattern portions composing the selected embroidery pattern. When the embroidery data selected by the embroidery data selection unit includes thread color data of two or more color-based pattern portions having a same color, a randomly extracted color is assigned to the color-based pattern portions so that the color-based pattern portions have the same color.
US08694143B2 Apparatus and method for managing successive jobs in devices in a network
In a management apparatus for managing a flow of linked jobs to be executed by a plurality of devices connected to a network, a storage device stores one or more flows. When a change of function in the devices is detected, one of the one or more flows stored in the storage device and affected by the change of function detected by the detector is corrected. Then the corrected flow is stored in the storage device. Alternatively, the corrected flow is presented to a user who owns the one of the one or more flows.
US08694142B2 Direct manufacturing method of selective laser melting of customized tongue-side orthodontic support grooves
This invention has provided a direct manufacturing methodology of customized lingual orthodontic brackets by selective laser melting. The procedure is as follows. First of all, measure the dentition data and construct the 3D CAD model of the teeth through reverse engineering. Then a single soleplate of the lingual bracket contacting the tooth surface, as well as the ideal slot position is designed based on the teeth features. The designed models are later imported into the SLM machine and used to produce the brackets with desired materials directly. This method can actualize customized manufacture with highly accuracy, producing highly matched brackets all at once. The invention not only saves time and cost, but also has wide adaptation range and is able to adopt various raw materials. Different raw materials can be utilized in one step to accommodate specific capacity requirement of different parts of the brackets.
US08694141B2 Data-driven media management within an electronic device
A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.
US08694137B2 Systems, devices, and methods for remote access
A first computer is remotely accessed by a second computer. Sound output is generated at the first computer, but is selectively muted at the first computer and transmitted to, and output at, the second computer.
US08694132B2 Extremum seeking control with actuator saturation control
An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method improves the performance of an extremum seeking control strategy by limiting, removing or preventing the effects of an actuator saturation condition, particularly as the extremum seeking control strategy relates to HVAC applications.
US08694131B2 System and method for controlling operations of vapor compression system
A system and a method for controlling an operation of a vapor compression system are disclosed, such that a performance of the system measured in accordance with a metric of the performance is optimized. A control signal is modified with a modification signal including a perturbation signal having a first frequency, wherein the control signal controls at least one component of the vapor compression system. A metric signal representing a perturbation in the performance of the system caused by the modification signal is determined, wherein the metric signal has a second frequency substantially equal to the first frequency. The control signal is adjusted based on a function of a phase between the perturbation signal and the metric signal, such that the performance is optimized.
US08694127B2 Systems and methods for making and using radially-aligned segmented electrodes for leads of electrical stimulation systems
An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body insertable into a patient. Electrodes are disposed along the lead body. The electrodes include at least two sets of segmented electrodes. Each set of segmented electrodes includes a first segmented electrode and a second segmented electrode radially spaced apart from one another around a circumference of the lead body. A tab is disposed on the first segmented electrode of each set of segmented electrodes. The tabs extend into the lead body. A guide feature is disposed on the tabs. The guide features are each radially aligned with one another along the length of the lead body. Conductors extend along the length of the lead body from a proximal end to the electrodes. Each of the conductors is electrically coupled to at least one of the electrodes. At least one of the conductors extends through the radially-aligned guide features of the tabs.
US08694123B2 Helical electrode arrangements for medical leads
A medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end for electrical connection to an implantable electric signal generator and a distal end portion having a plurality of electrodes extending in a helical manner longitudinally along the distal end portion. Adjacent helical electrodes may be offset, for example, 90 degrees or 180 degrees. The helical electrodes may extend less than, greater than, or 360 degrees. The electrode arrangement provides increased surface area, improving the capability of positioning the lead against the nerve as desired.
US08694120B2 Systems and methods for making and using electrical stimulation systems with improved RF compatibility
An implantable control module for an electrical stimulation system includes an electronic subassembly disposed in a sealed conductive housing. A plurality of feedthrough pins extend through the sealed housing and couple connector contact of an external connector to the electronic subassembly. Each of the plurality of conductive pathways electrically couples a different one of the plurality of feedthrough pins to the electronic subassembly. A ground line electrically couples the electronic subassembly to the housing. A capacitive flex circuit is disposed in the housing and couples to each of the feed through pins. For each of the plurality of feedthrough pins the capacitive flex circuit includes a first conductive path electrically coupling the feedthrough pin to a corresponding conductive pathway of the plurality of conductive pathways, and a second conductive path electrically coupling the feedthrough pin to the ground pin.
US08694113B2 Parametric fitting of a cochlear implant
A method of fitting an auditory stimulation system to a recipient the system having a plurality of channels, and the method including the steps of establishing an initial current level profile representative of a current level setting spanning across at least some of the plurality of channels and adjusting parameters of the initial current level profile in the presence of a stimulation signal. There is further included a programming apparatus adapted to be interfaced with the auditory stimulation system to allow manipulation of threshold (T) and comfort (C) levels of the system. The apparatus includes a graphical display means adapted to display a graphical representation of the current profile of the channel array and means for adjusting a current level setting of the current profile of the array.
US08694111B2 Video configuration file editor for visual prosthesis fitting
A method of editing a video configuration file downloadable to or from a video processing unit of a fitting system for a visual prosthesis is shown. The visual prosthesis has a plurality of electrodes and the video configuration file defines mapping of a video signal captured from a camera of the visual prosthesis to an electrical signal for the electrodes. The editing controls a brightness map for an individual electrode or electrode groups, together with a temporal stimulation pattern to which an individual electrode or electrode groups are assigned. A related computer-operated system is also disclosed.
US08694105B2 Neurostimulation system having a controller for controlling the supply of electrical pulses
The invention relates to a neurostimulation system, particularly for deep brain stimulation (DBS), comprising a spatial array (130) of stimulation electrodes (132) and an associated controller (110). The controller (110) is adapted to sequentially supply electrical pulses to different subsets of the stimulation electrodes (132). Preferably, the controller (110) comprises a single pulse-generator (112) and a multiplexing unit (111) for distributing the pulses to different stimulation electrodes. The stimulation electrodes (132) may preferably be arranged on probes (131).
US08694101B2 Coupling element
An element (1) for mechanical and electrical coupling of a passive and/or active electrical unit (2) to an electrical circuit unit (3). The element (1) comprises at least one electrical contact element (10, 11) for electrical contacting of the passive and/or active electrical unit (2) with electrical circuit unit (3), a first side, which faces toward passive and/or active electrical unit (2), which comprises a second side (13), which faces toward electrical circuit unit (3), and at least one first means (14) for secure mechanical connection to the electrical circuit unit is attached fixed to second side (13). Also discloses an electromedical implant for stimulating human/animal organism and/or sensing human/animal physiological signals. Comprises at least one electrical circuit unit (3), at least one passive and/or active electrical unit (2), and at least one coupling element, to electrically and mechanically couple unit (2) and unit (3) together.
US08694100B2 Medical device including setup option reporting
A medical device for use with a patient is described. The medical device includes a component for administering a treatment to the patient or receiving data of the patient. The component is configured to operate according to an internal setting. The medical device also includes a user interface through which a user can modify the internal setting, as well as a settings signature generator for generating a settings signature that represents a present state of the internal setting. A gateway is also provided for communicating a version of the settings signature out of the medical device.
US08694096B2 System for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device with biventricular sensing
A method and system for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device configured for biventricular or biatrial sensing. Refractory periods for each channel of the pacemaker are provided by interval timers that are triggered by sensed or paced events in order to prevent misinterpretation of sensing signals.
US08694092B2 Lumen-traveling biological interface device and method of use
Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
US08694090B1 Device for determining tooth status underneath a crown
An apparatus for the detection of dental caries on the surface of a remaining tooth present underneath a crown are provided. Such an inventive concept involves the utilization of a proper electrically conductive pathway from the crown exterior to the tooth itself, allowing for impedance measurements to be undertaken to determine the degree of potential demineralization within the tooth and/or adhesive loss at the tooth/crown interface, all due to decay attributable to dental caries or like problems. A measuring electrode may be applied to a specific point on the target crown as well as on the adjacent gum, to measure impedance levels for any appreciable decreases which would indicate underlying tooth decay has been initiated. From that point, the dental professional may undertake proper therapeutic measures to treat such tooth locations in order to avoid far more expensive repairs, such as the implementation of bridges or implants.
US08694089B2 Apparatus and method for estimating stroke volume of the heart using bio-impedance techniques
A method of estimating stroke volume of the heart is described. In this method, the volume of the heart is estimated from electrical impedance data of the chest, at two different phases of the cardiac cycle. The stroke volume is estimated from the difference between the volumes estimated at the two phases.
US08694088B2 Hand-held electric field imager for measuring the electric field in mammalian skin and other epithelial structures
The present invention provides a hand-held, noninvasive diagnostic device for measuring the electric fields in mammalian skin and other epithelial structures. The device includes an outer housing that contacts the skin, providing stability and allowing the device to move along with minor movement of the skin. Recessed within the outer housing is a probe that acts as a sensor to measure the electric field in the skin through an aperture in the bottom surface of the outer housing. By applying a series of known voltages while the probe is vibrating, the skin's local surface potential can be measured and the lateral electric field can be calculated from the spatial distribution of surface potential measurements. Active feedback is used to maintain a constant distance between the probe and the skin surface.
US08694085B2 Collection and analysis of vital signs
A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display.
US08694084B2 Non-contact biopotential sensor
A capacitive sensor system including a sensing plate, an amplifier, and a switching circuit is described. The sensing plate is capacitively coupled to a body surface. A change in the electric potential on the body surface generates an electric field that induces change in the electric potential of the sensing plate. The sensing plate includes a sensing node positioned in the electric field for generating an input signal from the electric field. The sensing plate is not in contact with the body surface. The amplifier receives the input signal at the input port, amplifies the input signal and generates an output signal at the output port. The switching circuit is connected to the input port and a reference voltage. The switching circuit non-continuously closes a shunting path from the sensing node to the reference voltage to reset the voltage at the sensing node.
US08694080B2 ECG lead system
An ECG lead system for use with a plurality of unique diverse ECG floor monitors for when a patient is substantially immobile and/or a plurality of unique diverse ECG telemetry monitors, is provided. The ECG lead system includes a plurality of unique adapters, wherein each adapter includes an input receptacle configured for selective electrical connection with a device connector of an ECG lead set assembly; and at least one unique monitor plug electrically connected to the input receptacle. Each monitor plug is configured to selectively electrically connect to a corresponding receptacle of a respective unique diverse ECG floor monitor or unique diverse ECG telemetry monitor.
US08694078B2 Method and device for inserting electrical leads
Medical devices, systems and methods for providing visualization as well as support and/or stability for blood vessels during procedures for inserting electrical leads are disclosed. One aspect of the device may include a longitudinal member having a distal end and a proximal end, an expandable element near the distal end of the longitudinal member for providing support to the blood vessel, and a contrast release port near the distal end of the longitudinal member for releasing a contrast medium into the blood vessel to visualize the blood vessel.
US08694077B2 Apparatus and method for targeting a body tissue
An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue that separates a first body cavity from a second body cavity of a patient includes a catheter having a longitudinally extending catheter lumen and adapted to provide access to the first body cavity. A framing member has a collapsed condition in which the framing member is adapted for insertion into the first body cavity through the catheter lumen and an expanded condition in which the framing member is adapted for placement within the first body cavity. The framing member has a framing member body. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway extends through the catheter lumen. The target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body. A method of using the apparatus is also described.
US08694074B2 Electrode displacement determination
Methods and systems for determining whether a location of multiple current injecting electrodes has changed are disclosed herein.
US08694067B2 Sensor, apparatus and method for non-invasively monitoring blood characteristics of a subject
A sensor, apparatus and method for non-invasively monitoring blood characteristics of a subject are disclosed. The sensor comprises an emitter unit configured to emit radiation through the tissue of the subject at a plurality of measurement wavelengths and a detector unit that comprises photo detectors. To achieve a simple sensor assembly, the photo detectors are together adapted to receive the radiation at the plurality of wavelengths and to produce in-vivo measurement signals corresponding to the plurality of measurement wavelengths, the in-vivo measurement signals being indicative of absorption caused by blood of the subject. Furthermore, the photo detectors are mounted so that optical paths from the emitter unit to the photo detectors are different, and the plurality of wavelengths are divided between the photo detectors so that two spectrally adjacent photo detectors have at least one common wavelength. The apparatus comprises a path normalization unit configured to normalize the in-vivo measurement signals to an optical path specific to one of the photo detectors.
US08694065B2 Cryogenic cooling system with wicking structure
A cryogenic cooling system includes a chamber defined by an outer wall and an inner wall, the chamber housing at least one component to be cooled; a wicking structure in thermal contact with one of the outer wall and the inner wall of the chamber; and a delivery system in a spaced apart relationship with the chamber and fluidly connected to the wicking structure for transporting a working fluid to and from the wicking structure. Also provided is a magnetic resonance imaging system including the cryogenic cooling system.
US08694061B2 Method and arrangement for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface. Inactive time instants and listening time instants are defined according to provided rules. The receiver is arranged to listen for information from the sender during the listening time instants and to sleep during the inactive time instants. Thus, less power will be consumed during the inactive time instants.
US08694059B2 Mobile communication device and echo cancellation method
According to an aspect, a mobile communication device includes a housing, a speaker, a microphone, a detecting unit, and a processing unit. The speaker is provided in the housing, and outputs an incoming voice according to an incoming voice signal. The microphone is provided in the housing. The microphone receives an outgoing voice and outputs an outgoing voice signal in response to reception of the outgoing voice. The detecting unit detects vibration of the housing and outputs a housing-vibration signal indicating the vibration of the housing. The processing unit performs echo cancellation to the outgoing voice signal based on the incoming voice signal and the housing-vibration signal.
US08694058B2 Automatic in-vehicle mobile device detection
A system and method for automatically configuring a communications system between a local mode in which a local communications device (such as an in-vehicle device or “land-line phone”) is active and a remote mode in which a mobile communications device is active and coupled to the communications system. One example of the method includes searching for a Bluetooth™ enabled device, selecting the remote mode of operation responsive to detection of the Bluetooth™ enabled device, and selecting the local mode of operation responsive to failure to detect the Bluetooth™ enabled device. In one example, selecting the local mode of operation includes activating the local communications device, and selecting the remote mode of operation includes activating local Bluetooth™ systems to connect the Bluetooth™ enabled device to the communications system.
US08694056B2 Scalable digital base band processor for cellular base stations
An array of base band processors cooperating for sharing processing power in managing and controlling user equipment traffic in a small cellular communication base station (Femtocell). The base band processors array comprises: a master base band processor; and a plurality of slave base band processors, wherein each base band processor comprise a processing unit, a first layer engine, and communication, control and interface modules providing scalability support functionality, and wherein the processing unit and the first layer engine are arranged in cooperation to manage and control user equipment traffic in the cellular communication base station, and wherein the scalability support functionality is arranged to enable coherent and aligned cooperation between the master base band processor and the plurality of slave base band processors connected thereto. Advantageously the array of base band processors may achieve tight control over base station power consumption, increased range and adjustable number of supported users.
US08694054B2 Wireless cell phone headset relay
In example embodiment, a BLUETOOTH application on a cell phone acts as an audio proxy and enables shared use of the cell phone's BLUETOOTH headset between the cell phone and a BLUETOOTH enabled desk phone. When a telephone communication is established via the desk phone, audio data is sent from the desk phone to the cell phone, and the cell phone relays the audio data to the headset. Audio data from the headset is relayed by the cell phone to the desk phone.
US08694053B2 Method for realizing user interface using camera and mobile communication terminal for the same
A method for realizing a user interface using a camera module and a mobile communication terminal for the same. If a user makes a predetermined motion in a state in which the camera module of the mobile communication terminal is activated, the mobile communication terminal performs a predetermined action according to the motion pattern by recognizing the user motion and patterning the motion. In this case, the action performed according to the motion pattern corresponds to mouse control in a mouse mode, game control in a game mode, and character input in a character input mode.
US08694051B2 Orientation sensor calibration
A mobile device configured to be used in a wireless communication network includes: an image capture device; at least one sensor configured to measure a first orientation of the mobile device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the image capture device and the at least one sensor and configured to: identify an object in an image captured by the image capture device; use a position of the mobile device to determine an actual location of the object relative to the mobile device; and use the actual location of the object relative to the mobile device and the image to determine a correction for the sensor.
US08694044B2 Dynamic power control of user equipment
A first communication device and a method in a node serving a first cell of a first frequency for controlling transmission power of a user equipment in the first cell, comprising receiving data relating to a second cell of the first frequency from the user equipment and determining to power regulate the user equipment. Determining to power regulate the user equipment is based on determining that the second cell is a cell to which a soft handover cannot be performed and determining that the user equipment is within a range of a cell border of the first cell. That being the case, the method further comprises transmitting a control message to the user equipment to control the transmission power of the user equipment.
US08694038B2 Mobile station and antenna verification controlling method for mobile station
Antenna verification is controlled in the ON state at least until transmission to a wireless base station is started, and particularly, a result of estimation of the signal phase individually from two antennas of the wireless base station is reflected on a reception signal process, to decrease the failure rate in synchronism establishment arising from that antenna verification of transmission diversity to be carried out for reception characteristic enhancement of the downlink is controlled in the OFF state in order to enhance the throughput characteristic as in a case wherein the HSDPA is applied.
US08694034B2 System and method for the distribution of radio-frequency signals
A system for the distribution of radio-frequency signals includes a main unit associated with at least a first radio communication set, at least a remote unit associated with at least a second radio communication set installed in a preset area, for the radio coverage of the area, and a communication channel associated with the main unit and with the remote unit, wherein the main unit (2) and the remote unit have analogue modulation elements of the signals to be sent on the communication channel. The remote unit includes at least a selective amplification unit associated with the second radio communication set and having analogue/digital conversion elements of the signals coming from the main unit, through the communication channel, and/or of the signals coming from the second radio communication set, digital filtering elements of the digital signals coming out of the analogue/digital conversion elements and amplification elements of the signals coming from the main unit, through the communication channel, and/or of the signals coming from the second radio communication set.
US08694033B2 Dynamic interactive skin
A system and method is described for providing a dynamic interactive skin to at least one communications device. The dynamic interactive skin can be used to select one or more items. The items may be selected to send a message to at least one contact, send a vote for at least one contestant in a media program, send a vote for at least one ending of a media program, purchase an item in a store, preorder a product such as a meal or preorder a service such as a movie ticket, and perform various other wireless commerce functions.
US08694032B1 System and method for identifying SMS messages from multiple originators using a shared shortcode
To enable multiple message originators to share an SMS shortcode, originator identifying codes can be added to outbound SMS messages that prompt recipients to respond with response messages that include the originator identifying codes. The originator identifying codes can be added by a service provider that administers the SMS shortcode. When a response message is received on the SMS shortcode number, the service provider processes the response message content to extract the originator identifying code. The code and, optionally, a recipient ID can be used as a lookup to determine the intended originator that the response message is for. The response message can then be associated by the service provider with the correct originator for subsequent processing.
US08694023B2 Location management of static/low speed mobile devices
In some examples, a method of tracking device location in a communication network is described. The method may include, detecting at a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, location indicia from one or more access points (APs) in a vicinity of the MTC device. The method may also include determining, based on the detected location indicia, that a current location of the MTC device is different than a preceding location of the MTC device. The method may also include reporting the detected location indicia to a network end in the communication network. The network end may be configured to update location information of the MTC device in response to receiving the detected location indicia.
US08694021B2 Appending advertisements to short messaging service messages
A system and method to append an advertisement to a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message. The system, which is implemented in a communication network with an SMS, includes two units, a first unit to identify a message recipient's subscription status to determine whether the recipient is subscribed to receive advertisement based SMS, and a second unit that appends an advertisement to the identified message before delivery to the message's recipient. First, the first unit identifies whether the intended recipient of an SMS message is subscribed to receive advertisement based SMS. Second, the first unit routes a request to the second unit to insert an advertisement into the identified SMS message. Third, the second unit appends an advertisement to the SMS message. Lastly, the second unit routes the modified message to the SMS in the network for delivery to the recipient's device.
US08694016B2 Methods and apparatus for use of data object popularity measurements for improved quality of service perception in wireless broadcast systems
Systems, methods, device and apparatus are provided that allocate broadcast delivery capacity based oil popularity measurements associated with broadcasted data objects. By allocating broadcast delivery capacity based on popularity measurements, Quality of Service (QoS) perception can be improved by decreasing the number of reception failures, decreasing the data object access delay and/or decreasing the consumption of wireless device resources, such as battery power and processing capabilities.
US08694014B1 Overriding a channel list message hashing process
A method and corresponding system is provided for managing registrations and reducing registration failure. According to at least one embodiment of the method, a wireless communication device (WCD) receives a channel list message (CLM) in a given coverage area. The WCD may determine that it is not within coverage of a first channel specified in the CLM. The WCD may make this determination before attempting to register for service on the first channel. In response to making this determination, the WCD may register for service on another channel specified in the received CLM.
US08694012B2 Method and apparatuses for two or more neighboring wireless network devices accessing a plurality of radio resources
Methods and apparatuses for two or more neighboring base stations to access a plurality of radio resources are described. The method includes defining a channel quality requirement by one or more access conditions and assigning the plurality of radio resources to the channel quality requirement, wherein a neighboring base station has access to the plurality of radio resources and the neighboring base station neighbors a target base station. The method also includes allowing the target base station access to the plurality of radio resources if the target base station satisfies the channel quality requirement.
US08694011B2 Method and system for spectrum reuse in the uplink in a wireless communication network
A method of managing communication in the wireless communication network having a plurality of Base Stations (BSs) is provided. Each BS provides communication to one or more Mobile Stations (MSs) in an associated cell. The method includes re-using at a BS, channel allocated to collocated BSs to communicate with MSs located in a first predetermined region in a cell of the BS. The method further includes scheduling MSs located in the first predetermined region based on the position of each MS relative to the BS. The MSs are scheduled using one or more of channels allocated to the collocated BSs and a native channel of the BS. Further, the method includes scheduling MSs located in a second predetermined region based on the position of each MS relative to the BS. The MSs in the second predetermined region are scheduled using the native channel of the BS.
US08694010B2 Wireless array device and system for managing wireless arrays having magnetometers
A wireless array for providing access to a network is provided. The wireless array includes at least two transceivers in signal communication with a client. A magnetometer of the wireless array provides orientation information relating to an orientation of the wireless array relative to a magnetic field. A controller of the wireless array is in signal communication with the transceivers and the magnetometer. The controller manages the communications exchanged via the transceivers and receives the orientation information provided by the magnetometer.
US08694006B2 Base station, mobile station, handover method, and download method
A base station includes a first receiver that receives a signal from the base station, the signal indicating a first wireless quality that is a wireless quality of signals received by a mobile station which uses software-defined radio and communicates with the base station using a first communication protocol, and a processor that executes processing to download communication software that causes the mobile station to execute communication processing according to a second communication protocol based on a first condition of the first wireless quality, and executes processing to transmit a handover instruction signal to cause a handover of the mobile station to a second base station that communicates with the mobile station using the second communication protocol based on a second condition of the first wireless quality, wherein the first condition is a condition set to be satisfied before the second condition when the first wireless quality decreases.
US08694005B2 De-registration method, home NodeB (HNB), and home NodeB gateway (HNB GW)
The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and a de-registration method, a Home NodeB (HNB) and a Home NodeB Gateway (HNB GW) are disclosed. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a de-registration method, comprising: initiating, by an HNB GW, release of pre-registration resources corresponding to user equipment (UE) after the HNB GW receives indication information indicating that the UE moves to another cell from a source HNB. Applying the embodiment of the present invention can release pre-registration resources in time and reduce waste of resources.
US08694004B2 Base station, mobile station, communication system, and reordereing method thereof
A mobile station in a communication system for sending packets, to which numbers indicating sequence are attached, from a base station to a mobile station and performing delivery of the packets in order of the sequence number in the mobile station, includes a buffer which stores packets received from both a source base station and a target base station; and a control unit which performs the delivery of the stored packets in order of the sequence number at the handover procedure based on information indicating whether packets which are not sent from the source base station to the mobile station, are forwarded from a source base station to a target base station is set, the information being received from the source base station.
US08693996B2 Wireless router system and method
A wireless router employing a technique to couple a plurality a host services or host systems and a plurality of wireless networks. A method to route data items between a plurality of mobile devices and a plurality of host systems through a common wireless router. A point-to-point communication connection is preferably established between a first host system and a common wireless router, a mobile network message at a mobile device is generated, the mobile network message is transmitted via a wireless network to the common wireless router which in turn routes a data item component of the mobile network message to the appropriate host service.
US08693993B2 Personalized cloud of mobile tasks
A dynamically created and automatically updated personalized cloud of mobile tasks may be displayed on an interactive visual display via a personalized cloud generator application. The personalized cloud generator application may receive and/or capture information representing a mobile task performed by a mobile computing device user. The personalized cloud generator application may then store the information and determine a relevance of a given performed mobile task. If the relevance of the performed mobile task meets a prescribed threshold, the personal cloud generator application may display a selectable visual representation (e.g., selectable icon) of the performed mobile task. Given a user's activity, the visual representation may be automatically updated (displayed, removed, moved, resized, etc.) based on the information received and/or captured. Subsequent selection of the displayed visual representation allows quick and easy access or performance of the associated mobile task.
US08693989B2 Method of making phone calls from a locked out handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device incorporating the same
Outgoing phone calls can be made on a handheld electronic device that has been locked to prevent unauthorized use through an override that permits the making of outgoing phone calls while applications additional to the phone application remain locked. In some embodiments, the override can not be selected unless first enabled by a remotely generated enable override authorization signal.
US08693988B2 System, method, and apparatus for proximity-based authentication for managing personal data
A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for proximity-based authentication for managing personal data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include receiving a request for personal data from a data access device, determining a first location corresponding to a location of the data access device, and determining a second location corresponding to a location of an authentication device. The operations also include transmitting the personal data to the data access device if the first location is within a threshold distance of the second location.
US08693987B2 Femto personal policy server
An access point detects a presence of a first device having a device identifier in a femtozone associated with the access point. The access point matches the device identifier with a first personal policy server identifier associated with a corresponding first personal policy profile comprising a first set of rules and retrieves the first personal policy profile corresponding to the first personal policy server identifier. The access point applies the first set of rules in the first personal policy profile.
US08693986B2 Secure provisioning methods and apparatus for mobile communication devices operating in wireless local area networks (WLANs)
A method for use in enabling a mobile communication device for communication involves establishing communication with an IEEE 801.11 device which is configured to operate as an access point; while communicating with the IEEE 801.11 device: participating in an authentication procedure with the IEEE 802.11 device; after positive authentication from the authentication procedure, participating in a provisioning procedure with the IEEE 802.11 device for receiving information for programming in the mobile communication device; and communicating with use of the programmed information in the mobile communication device.
US08693984B1 Cellular vending apparatus, systems, and methods of vending
A dispenser having a unique cellular telephone calling number (or multiple unique calling numbers) operable in response to receiving a cellular message. The dispenser includes a cellular phone component and may include a SIM card slot and SIM card. A number of dispensers may each be equipped with a cellular phone component each having a unique calling number and a cellular phone system provider configured to authorize sending of information representing a pre-authorized amount of items to be dispensed as a wireless cellular signal to one or any of the dispensers. A cell pod is configured to enable a cellular telephone to communicate and control a vending machine. A method of selling items includes sending a cellular telephone signal to a unique telephone number associated with the dispenser and assessing a charge to the cellular telephone of a user prior to authorizing the sending of the signal.
US08693983B2 Method for operating a mobile network for charging traffic and corresponding mobile network
A method for operating a mobile network, especially for charging traffic within the mobile network, wherein monitoring of chargeable events regarding traffic from and/or to a mobile node will be performed by a Charging Function for collecting charging data. The method is characterized in that a Charging Function's sub-function for monitoring of chargeable events on a data flow level or IP (Internet Protocol) flow level will be additionally located—as an additional sub-function D-CEMF (Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function)—on at least one further network element, which is different from the Charging Function and which allows to traverse breakout and/or localized traffic of the mobile node, so that the Charging Function and the further network element each are including such a sub-function, and that the additional sub-function D-CEMF will report information regarding monitored chargeable events to the Charging Function. A mobile network for carrying out the method is described.
US08693982B2 Method and system for managing mobile telephone numbers and mobile telephone subscribers' data without geography-based restriction
A system manages subscribers' data of mobile telephones in a wireless network. Data servers are located according to geographic service areas, and each of the data servers may store subscribers' data of mobile telephones based on the respective geographic area. Location of subscribers' data is determined depending upon subscribers' ID, to which two or more Mobile telephone Numbers (MTNs) are assigned. Two or more MTNs may have different area codes for which subscribers' data are stored in at least two or more of the data servers. A terminal, for example, receives a user request calling for subscriber's data of a first MTN, retrieves a subscriber's ID corresponding to the first MTN from an Electronic Telephone Number Inventory (eTNI) database and sends a request containing the subscriber's ID. A router determines a first data server corresponding to the retrieved subscriber's ID and routes the request to the first data server.
US08693976B2 Preferential treatment for emergency callback
Disclosed herein are techniques for allowing callbacks from emergency call centers to a subscriber, including when restrictions in place would have otherwise prevented the call. The technique may employ Camel, thereby triggering Camel when a subscriber dials an emergency or public safety call center. Camel's Mobile Switching Center (MSC) will set up a call to the emergency call center, and the Service Control Point (SCP) will suspend or disable the restrictions in place, such as parental control features. The restrictions may be suspended indefinitely, for a specific time period, until another triggering event, or the like. The subscriber, in this manner, can receive a callback from the emergency call center.
US08693975B2 Docking unit and vehicle power adapter with frequency modulated audio signal injection for connecting portable media player and/or communications device to vehicle FM radio and audio system for playback of digital audio broadcast stream
A cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) is provided with a main body configured to be connected at one end thereof to a vehicle cigarette lighter socket or auxiliary power socket. The main body of the cigarette lighter adapter is also connected to one end of a coaxial cable. The other end of the coaxial cable is preferably terminated with a standard low cost DC connector for connection to a portable media player (e.g., with integrated or separate satellite radio receiver) or other content source that provides a frequency modulated (FM) radio frequency signal with audio content onto the coaxial cable 60. The FM signal is amplified by an amplifier in the main body of the CLA and then injected into the vehicle power system through the contacts in the mechanical housing of the main body and the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.
US08693964B2 Power amplifier adjustment for transmit beamforming in multi-antenna wireless systems
One or more beamsteering matrices are applied to one or more signals to be transmitted via multiple antennas. After the one or more beamsteering matrices are applied to the one or more signals, the plurality of signals is provided to a plurality of power amplifiers coupled to the multiple antennas. Signal energies are determined for the plurality of signals provided to the plurality of power amplifiers, and relative signal energies are determined based on the determined signal energies. Output power levels of the plurality of power amplifiers are adjusted based on the determined relative signal energies.
US08693962B2 Analog power amplifier predistortion methods and apparatus
An embodiment of the invention is a predistortion approach to linearize a power amplifier by using one or more analog multiplier(s) and a DSP-based processor. For the analog embodiment, the inherent nature of the analog circuitries allows digital predistortion processing structured directly at the RF band, and enables a single power amplifier to support multi-modulation schemes, multi-carriers and multi-channels. As a result, the predistortion architecture is particularly suitable for wireless transmission systems, such as base-stations, repeaters, and indoor signal coverage systems. The wireless system performance can be improved and upgraded just by using the new PA module rather than change or rebuild new subsystem in existing base station. The analog embodiment can also mix and match its analog multipliers with other analog components such as phase splitters, phase shifters, attenuators, filters, couplers, mixers, low-noise amplifiers, buffers, envelope detectors, and etc., to provide additional features.
US08693958B2 Monitoring media services in telecommunications networks
A method of monitoring Quality of Experience or other indicators of quality of service delivering media data to user equipment in a telecommunications network. The method comprises determining a first value of the metric, determining a second value of the metric after a defined period of time, adjusting the value of said defined period of time, wherein the second determined value of the metric is used in determination of magnitude and direction of the adjustment and recording the determined values of the metric.
US08693957B2 Signal transceiving module
A signal transceiving module includes: a first antenna; a first signal port; and a first processing circuit coupled to the first signal port and arranged to detect a first signal quality of a first received signal received from the first signal port and determine if the first antenna is coupled to the first signal port correctly according to at least the first signal quality.
US08693955B2 Method and apparatus for determining the location of a node in a wireless system
A method and apparatus for determining the location of a node within a wireless communication system is provided herein. In order to determine the location of a node, a series of GSM network measurement reports (NMRs) received at multiple base stations are analyzed by location-finding equipment. Multiple reports from the same mobile unit are analyzed for their received signal strength and multiple location estimates are then determined for the node. The location estimates are then averaged and weighted to determine an accurate location estimate for the node.
US08693948B2 Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service. According to embodiments, a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service is provided. According to the method a first mobile cellular device is selected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellular device instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causes the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. The first mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.
US08693947B2 Extensible high bandwidth global space communication network
Various embodiments provide a satellite communication system including a first transceiver and a second transceiver geographically fixed on the earth, and a first satellite configured to communicate with the first transceiver through a first link. The system further includes a second satellite configured to communicate with the second transceiver through a second link and communicate with the first satellite through a laser communication crosslink. The first satellite and the second satellite are at a low earth orbit or medium earth orbit below the geostationary earth orbit of approximately 36000 km.
US08693946B2 Method and apparatus for compensation for weather-based attenuation in a satellite link
A satellite broadcasting system for communication between a satellite hub and a range of ground stations in which a set having a predetermined number of modulation-codings (MODCODs) is available for data transmission from the satellite hub to the ground stations. Each MODCOD in use in the hub requires additional hub resources, and the system uses a MODCOD limiter for limiting the number of MODCODs in operation at a given time to a subset smaller than said predetermined number of MODCODS, thereby reducing overall resource usage.
US08693945B2 System and method for detecting and measuring uplink traffic in signal repeating systems
A signal repeating system for a wireless network includes an antenna configured for transceiving signals between a base station and a user equipment device. Repeating circuitry is coupled to the antenna and defines an uplink path for signals from the user equipment device to the base station and a downlink path for signals from the base station to the user equipment device. The repeating circuitry includes gain circuitry and gain control circuitry that is coupled to the gain circuitry. The gain control circuitry is operable for varying the gain of the repeating circuitry according to a waveform. Measurement circuitry measures the receive power in the uplink path over time from the user equipment device. Processing circuitry cross-correlates the inverted gain variation waveform with the measured receive power for determining the existence of traffic from user equipment devices in the uplink path.
US08693934B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an induction heater disposed opposite a heating rotary body and including a first side core disposed at one end of the induction heater, a second side core disposed at another end of the induction heater in a direction of rotation of the heating rotary body, and a plurality of arch cores arranged in an axial direction of the heating rotary body. Each arch core includes a first vault edge face disposed at one end of the arch core in the direction of rotation of the heating rotary body and contacting a planar face of the first side core and a second vault edge face disposed at another end of the arch core in the direction of rotation of the heating rotary body and contacting a planar face of the second side core.
US08693933B2 Endless belt assembly, fixing device, and image forming apparatus including a belt tracking mechanism
An endless belt assembly includes one or more rollers, an endless belt, and a belt tracking mechanism. The one or more rollers are disposed parallel to each other, each being rotatable around a rotational axis thereof. The endless belt is looped for rotation around the rollers. The belt tracking mechanism is disposed on at least one side of the endless belt assembly to prevent lateral displacement of the endless belt during rotation. The belt tracking mechanism includes an annular recess, an annular flange, and a circumferential rib. The annular recess is perimetrically formed on a longitudinal end face of the roller. The annular flange is disposed in the annular recess to rotate freely with respect to the roller. The circumferential rib extends along a side edge of an interior circumferential surface of the endless belt to contact the annular flange upon lateral movement of the endless belt.
US08693932B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device that fixes a toner image on a recording medium while the recording medium is conveyed by passing through a nip formed by a heating member and a pressing member including: a cleaning unit that is provided in at least any one of the heating member and the pressing member for removing toner adhered thereto. The cleaning unit is in contact with a member to be cleaned and a rotating cleaning member is in contact with the member to be cleaned in a downstream side of the cleaning unit in a rotation direction.
US08693920B2 Image forming apparatus that performs image formation using different types of driving forces in combination
An image forming apparatus capable of achieving improved image quality even when image formation is performed using a plurality of types of drive sources different in characteristics. Image forming units for colors form toner images of the respective colors on respective photosensitive drums each of which is driven by a DC motor for rotation. Encoder sensors detect information on the rotational speed of the photosensitive drums. An image forming unit for black forms a black toner image on a photosensitive drum having an outer diameter larger than that of the photosensitive drums for colors, which is driven by a stepper motor for rotation. An intermediate transfer belt transfers toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums to a sheet. A motor controller controls a drive frequency of the stepper motor based on information on the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum for black.
US08693919B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive drum having a circumferential surface, on which a developer image is formed; a transfer member configured to transfer the developer image from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording medium conveyed along the conveying path in a conveying direction; a collecting member; and a motor capable of performing a forward rotation and a reverse rotation; wherein, based on a timing when a portion of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum faces an upstream side edge of the developer image on the recording medium in the conveying direction, a time elapsed until the motor is stopped to change from performing the forward rotation to the reverse rotation is longer than a time elapsed until the portion of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum that faced the upstream side edge of the developer image faces the collecting member.
US08693917B2 Image forming apparatus having interlocking mechanism configured to interlock developing-section displacement mechanism and photosensitive-member displacement mechanism with cover
A developing-section displacement mechanism supports a developing-section supporting member and displaces the developing-section supporting member between: a first adjacent position where the developing-section supporting member is adjacent to photosensitive members; and a first separated position where the developing-section supporting member is separated from the photosensitive members. A photosensitive-member displacement mechanism supports the photosensitive-member supporting member and displaces the photosensitive-member supporting member between: a second adjacent position where the photosensitive-member supporting member is adjacent to a belt; and a second separated position where the photosensitive-member supporting member is separated from the belt. An interlocking mechanism interlocks the both displacement mechanisms with the cover, and displaces the both supporting members from the respective adjacent positions to the respective separated positions when the cover moves from a closed position to an open position.
US08693913B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a control board, a first connection terminal provided on an outer surface of the control board, an installation section disposed at the outer surface side of the control board, a substrate capable of being installed into the installation section, a second connection terminal provided on a first surface of the substrate and connected to the first connection terminal, a grip portion provided on a second surface of the substrate at a first end thereof in an in-plane direction, and an external connection terminal provided on the substrate so as to project from the substrate at a second end thereof in the in-plane direction. The external connection terminal is externally exposed to allow an external device to be connected thereto when the substrate is installed into the installation section after the external connection terminal is inserted through an opening in the apparatus body.
US08693912B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device of an embodiment is configured to fix an unfixed toner image formed of a decolorable toner on a sheet of paper. The fixing device includes: a fixing unit including a fixing member heated by a first heat source and a pressure member heated by a second heat source; a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor; and a temperature controller configured to control the first heat source and the second heat source separately for temperature control based on detected temperature information acquired by the temperature sensors, wherein the temperature controller controls the surface temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member to set equal or above the temperature at which fixing is started fixing starting temperature and to set below the temperature at which decolorization is started, and such that the surface temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member become substantially the same temperature.
US08693909B2 Image forming method and image forming device for detecting transferred image transferred to transfer belt
An image forming method includes rotating a transfer roller which forms a transfer nip by coming in contact with a transfer belt and has a concaved portion wider than the transfer nip in a rotation direction, such that the concaved portion comes to a position of facing the transfer belt, stopping rotation of the transfer roller at a position where the transfer belt faces the concaved portion of the transfer roller and the transfer belt and the transfer roller are spaced apart from each other, moving the transfer belt while the transfer roller is stopped and transferring an image formed on an image carrier to the transfer belt, and detecting the transferred image by a detection portion.
US08693907B2 Dual toner printing with discharge area development
Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect a primary imaging member having a pattern of engine pixel locations with image modulated differences of potential and with first toner having a first toner difference of potential is moved to a second development station. A second development difference of potential of the first polarity at the second development station forms a second net development difference of the second development difference of potential less any image modulated difference of potential at the individual engine pixel location and less any difference of potential relative to ground of any first toner at the individual engine pixel location. The second development difference of potential is greater than the first development difference of potential so that second toner that is different from the first toner, is developed onto the first toner using the second net development difference of potential.
US08693902B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a charging unit that uniformly charges a surface of a latent image carrier; a latent-image forming unit; a developing unit that performs development by causing toner to electrostatically adhere on the surface of the carrier; a transfer unit that transfers a toner image onto a recording medium; and an image-density adjusting unit that causes to form a multi-gradation patch pattern on the surface of the carrier, that causes to detect potentials of latent image patches in the multi-gradation patch pattern, that causes to detect a toner adhesion amount on each toner patch, and that performs control of an image density. One of part and all of the low-density latent image patches is a dot-dispersed latent image patch in which the arrangement of unit dot latent images in the basic dot matrix is determined so that a minimum center-to-center distance having a smallest value is maximized.
US08693901B2 Transfer device and image forming apparatus
A transfer device includes a transfer device, a facing member, and a prepressing member. The transfer member transfers a toner image, which is carried on an intermediate transfer member, to a recording medium. The facing member is disposed so as to be in pressed contact with the transfer member with the intermediate transfer member therebetween. The prepressing member is disposed so as to be in pressed contact with the transfer member with the intermediate transfer member therebetween at a position that is upstream of a contact section in which the facing member is in pressed contact with the transfer member and that is immediately behind a position at which the toner image starts to come into contact with the recording medium. A pressure applied by the prepressing member is lower than a pressure with which the facing member is in pressed contact with the transfer member.
US08693897B2 Digital demodulator architecture
Methods, systems, and devices are described for a digital demodulator device for processing received optical signals. The device may include a quadrature error filter that receives a digitized version of an optical signal, and removes quadrature errors to generate a filtered series of data samples. The device may also include a frequency offset removal module for performing frequency rotation on the filtered series of data samples. The device may include a chromatic dispersion compensation module which removes chromatic dispersion from horizontal and vertical polarization channels. The device may include a polarization mode dispersion (PMD)/polarization dependent loss (PDL) compensation module which compensates for interference caused by PMD and PDL. The device may also include a phase recovery module configured to track and correct phase.
US08693893B2 Picosecond optical switching using RF non-linear transmission lines
Optical phase modulators are disposed in separate arms of an optical interferometer for forming short optical pulses. The optical phase modulators are driven by signals from an electrical nonlinear transmission line (NLTL). A time delay (typically on the order of the NLTL fall time) is introduced between the NLTL signals in the two arms of the interferometer. With this arrangement, the interferometer provides short optical pulses at its output. In one experiment, 70 ps switching was demonstrated using discrete LiNbO3 traveling wave electro-optic modulators and commercially available NLTLs capable of delivering a 35 ps falling edge. A preferable approach is to integrate the NLTLs with the phase modulators, to further improve bandwidth. This fast switch can be used for various applications, such as implementing an Optical Time Division Multiplexing (OTDM) network architecture, and providing arbitrary waveform generation (AWG) capability.
US08693888B2 Noise-resilient constellations for an optical transport system
Various embodiments of a 16-QAM (quadrature-amplitude-modulation) constellation having one or more subsets of its sixteen constellation points arranged within respective one or more relatively narrow circular bands. Each of the subsets includes constellation points of at least two different amplitudes and may have between about six and about ten constellation points. Each of the circular bands may have a width that is between about 3% and about 20% of the maximum amplitude in the constellation.
US08693883B2 Optoelectronic transmission system and method
An optoelectronic transmission system has a photoemitter semiconductor component and a photodetector semiconductor component. The photoemitter semiconductor component has a radiation source for converting a first electrical signal into a first electromagnetic radiation and a first polarization filter having a first polarization direction for filtering the first electromagnetic radiation. The photodetector semiconductor component has a second polarization filter having a second polarization direction for filtering a second electromagnetic radiation and a sensor element for converting a second electromagnetic radiation which has been polarized by the polarization filter into a second electrical signal. In this case, the first polarization direction of the first polarization filter is identical to the second polarization direction of the second polarization filter.
US08693882B2 Electronic dispersion compensation systems and methods
An electronic dispersion compensation module may perform one or more electronic dispersion compensation solutions. The electronic dispersion compensation module may include a solution control module. The solution control module may configure the electronic dispersion compensation module to perform an electronic dispersion compensation solution using data indicating a bit error rate. A bit error rate module may create the data indicating a bit error rate. The bit error rate module may form part of a clock and data recovery module. The electronic dispersion compensation module may be configured to receive a signal from a backplane and may also be configured to apply any of a plurality of electronic dispersion compensation solutions to the signal received from the backplane.
US08693879B2 Discrete bootstrapping in an optical receiver to prevent signal feedback
An optical receiver assembly that is configured to avoid the introduction of feedback in an electrical signal converted by the assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical receiver assembly is disclosed, comprising a capacitor, an optical detector provided with a power supply being mounted on a top electrode of the capacitor, and an amplifier mounted on the reference surface. The assembly further includes an isolator interposed between the reference surface and the capacitor, wherein the isolator includes a bottom layer of dielectric material that is affixed to a portion of the reference surface, and a metallic top plate that is electrically coupled both to a ground of the amplifier and to the capacitor. This configuration bootstraps the amplifier ground to the amplifier input via the photodiode top electrode of the capacitor to cancel out feedback signals present at the amplifier ground.
US08693877B2 Integrated infrared receiver and emitter for multiple functionalities
Apparatuses and methods to detect and emit various infrared (IR) and ambient light signals using an integrated sensor and emitter device. Embodiments include a sensor to sense proximity, to sense IR data signals, and to sense ambient light; and an emitter of an IR proximity signal. The sensor detects the IR proximity signal from the emitter when the apparatus is sensing proximity, detects IR data signals when the apparatus is detecting IR data, and detects ambient light when the apparatus sensing light. The IR data signals may include IR remote control (IR RC) and/or IR data association (IRDA) signals. The signals may be detected simultaneously and may be in different frequency bands. According to embodiments, such an emitter may also emit an IR data signals, such as IR RC and/or IRDA signals. These signals may be emitted simultaneously and may be in different frequency bands.
US08693875B2 Method and apparatus for optimized analog RF optical links
A system and method for optimizing an optical RF photonic link system is presented. The system comprises a modulator subsystem in which nonlinear response is compensated by an envelope precompensation method and employs an optical filter to suppress optical carriers and extract modulated sidebands, an optical amplifier, and an array of photodetectors, each having a plurality of pairs of diodes. The modulator subsystem performs optical filtering on the signal, the signal is amplified by the optical amplifier and sent to the array of photodetectors. The optical amplifier can be an erbium doped fiber amplifier, or a phase sensitive amplifier. The optical power can be delivered to each diode of the array of photodetectors via a photonic integrated circuit.
US08693868B2 Versatile optical network interface methods and systems
Methods and systems for implementing versatile optical terminals that detect optical transmission protocols and subsequently adapt to the correct protocol are disclosed. In an embodiment, an interface device for providing an interface for a first network with a passive optical network (PON) is disclosed. The interface device includes a protocol detection circuit for determining whether optical communication signals received from the PON conform to a first optical communication protocol, and a switchover control circuit that reconfigures the interface device to work with a second optical communication protocol when the received optical communication signals do not conform to the first optical communication protocol.
US08693866B1 Fiber diagnosis system for WDM optical access networks
A technique for detecting a fiber fault in a WDM optical access network includes launching a test signal into a fiber trunk line linking a central office (“CO”) to a remote node (“RN”) of the WDM optical access network. The test signal is generated by an optical time domain reflectometry unit to simultaneously fault test fiber access lines linking the RN to customer premises. The test signal is separated from downstream WDM signals at the RN. The test signal is power split at the RN into a plurality of access line test signals. The access line test signals are each recombined with a corresponding one of the downstream WDM signals onto a corresponding one of the fiber access lines. Test signal reflections are received at the CO from the fiber access lines as a reflection signature and analyzed to identify a location of the fiber fault.
US08693865B2 Network security using optical attenuation data
A data processing device is connectable to a communication network and operable to receive data associated with an attenuation characteristic of a transmission line of a cable in a cable communication subsystem, the subsystem comprising a transmitter and/or receiver coupled to the cable. The data processing device is responsive to the received data to initiate a security procedure.
US08693861B2 Lens barrel
The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame, a drive actuator, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force of the drive actuator. The second frame includes a substantially cylindrical main body, a gear portion, and cam grooves that include an inflection point in the range in which the zoom ratio of the optical system is varied. The transmission mechanism includes a first transmission gear portion that engages with a gear, a second transmission gear portion that is provided coaxially with the first transmission gear portion, and a clutch between the first transmission gear portion and the second transmission gear portion. The clutch temporarily disengages the drive force of the drive actuator transmitted to the first transmission gear portion, only with respect to rotation in one direction.
US08693860B2 Image taking system and operating apparatus
An image taking system including: a lens apparatus; a first and a second operating apparatus, the first and the second operating apparatus configured to output a command information for an optical member movable in the lens apparatus, and the lens apparatus includes: a driving unit for the optical member; and a lens controller for driving the optical member based on a command from the first and the second operating apparatus, wherein the first operating apparatus includes: an operating unit; and a demand controller for outputting, to the lens controller, an information for driving the optical member, and wherein the demand controller outputs a position command information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit being operated, and outputs other information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit not being operated.
US08693856B2 Apparatus and methods for vacuum-compatible substrate thermal management
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for vacuum-compatible substrate thermal management. The apparatus includes a load-lock chamber coupled to a vacuum chamber, a light-emitting diode array, and a substrate stage. The load-lock chamber is configured to hold a substrate prior to the substrate being transferred into the vacuum chamber, and a substrate stage is configured to hold the substrate in the vacuum chamber. The light-emitting diode array is configured to warm the substrate while the substrate is in the load-lock chamber. Other features, aspects and embodiments are also disclosed.
US08693855B2 Infra-red heater assembly
An infra-red heater assembly takes on the conditions that afflict buildings: bed bugs, termites, other insects, molds, bacteria, and the like, and their resulting odors, and other contaminants. The assembly includes a portable electric infra-red emitting panel system with vertically stacked panels that distribute heat energy to the entire height of a wall. Removable panel covers over the infra-red heating elements protect them from damage during transport and when opened, act as deflectors, to direct, the radiant energy, widthwise, to restrict the line of site energy transferred to a wall. The heating panels are regulated by room air and wall temperature sensors to prevent structural damage and fire during usage of the invention. The infra-red heater may be pivotally mounted within its supporting structure so as to direct heat in various angular directions within the building being treated.
US08693853B2 Radiant tube
A radiant tube assembly (12) has at least one tubular structure (14, 16, 22, or 24), and a heat source (30), with a thermal protective layer (18) is on at least one side, interior or exterior (17 or 15), thereof. An outer tubular structure (16) may be present. A protective layer (18) may be disposed on the outer tubular structure's (16) interior and/or exterior sides (17 and/or 15). A shield (26), having two sides (25 and 27) and a thermal protective layer (18) may be disposed along an exterior or interior side (27 or 25).
US08693849B2 Source optimized dynamic trickplay
At least one trickplay source file is generated from original media content. Trickplay view files for rendering particular trickplay view rates are then generated from the trickplay source file.
US08693842B2 Systems and methods for enriching audio/video recordings
Systems and methods are presented for enriching audio/video recordings using annotation data provided by attendees of a presentation, in which annotations from attendees are received by a server which merges and synchronizes the annotation data, performs text data mining to identify key messages and temporal segments of the audio/video data, and constructs an enriched audio/video recording including audio and/or video data as well as segment data and key message data for ease of user navigation.
US08693840B2 Method and terminal for video processing
The disclosure discloses a method and a terminal for video processing. The method includes: when a real-time video image receiving terminal plays a real-time image picture, a shortcut for image pre-capture is set; if a user is interested in the picture, the user can click the shortcut for image pre-capture; when receiving an image pre-capture instruction, the terminal suspends the playing of the real-time picture but plays the pictures of a period before the moment of playing the real-time picture, then the user can perform image capture on the pictures played back. With the disclosure, when a user captures an image, the video pictures being played in the terminal are pre-stored, and the video pictures of a period before current time point are presented to the user by slow playback, thus the user can capture the image in easiness, so as not to miss the image that the user wants to capture due to a slow response.
US08693839B2 Image recording apparatus and image recording control method
An image recording apparatus includes: a recording process section recording an image on a recording medium; an output process section outputting the image; and a control section multiplexing information on timing for starting the recording of the image with the image output from the output process section before the recording process section starts recording the image on the recording medium.
US08693836B2 High conductor count packaging capsule
A packaging apparatus for packaging a bundle of conductors, such as optical fibers, includes a housing having two U-shaped halves that attach to one another wherein at least one of the halves includes connecting portions that each retain a connector of the conductors. The method includes attaching the connectors of the conductors to the connecting portions of one half, gathering the conductors at a location beyond an end of the first half, and attaching the second half to the first half. The conductors extend through a conductor insertion hole formed in the housing when the two halves are attached to one another. A plurality of packaging apparatuses can be flexibly attached to one another in series.
US08693835B2 Method for transferring a thin layer by proton exchange
A method for transferring a thin layer from a lithium-based first substrate includes proton exchange between the first substrate and a first electrolyte, which is an acid, through a free face of the first substrate so as to replace lithium ions of the first substrate by protons, in a proportion between 10% and 80%, over a first depth e1. A reverse proton exchange between the first substrate and a second electrolyte, through the free face is carried out so as to replace substantially all the protons with lithium ions over a second depth e2 smaller than the first depth e1, and so as to leave an intermediate layer between the depths e1 and e2, in which intermediate layer protons incorporated during the proton exchange step remain. The depth e2 defines a thin layer between the free face and the intermediate layer. A heat treatment is carried out under conditions suitable for embrittling the intermediate layer and the thin film is separated from the first substrate at the intermediate layer.
US08693834B2 Few mode optical fibers for mode division multiplexing
A few mode optical fiber suitable for use in a mode division multiplexing (MDM) optical transmission system is disclosed. The optical fiber has a graded-index core with a radius R1 in the range from 8 μm to 14 μm, an alpha value greater than or equal to about 2.3 and less than about 2.7 at a wavelength of 1550 nm, and a maximum relative refractive index Δ1MAX from about 0.3% to about 0.6% relative to the cladding. The optical fiber also has an effective area greater than about 90 μm2 and less than about 160 μm2. The core and cladding support only the LP01 and LP11 modes at wavelengths greater than 1500 nm. The cladding has a maximum relative refractive index Δ4MAX such that Δ1MAX>Δ4MAX, and the differential group delay between the LP01 and LP11 modes is less than about 0.5 ns/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm.
US08693831B2 Fiber optic cables allowing fiber translation to reduce bend attenuation
A cable includes a channel with an aspect ratio that houses optical fibers therein. The cable includes first and second stranded conductors on opposing sides of the channel. The channel is arranged with respect to the stranded conductors so that the fibers assume low strain positions in the channel when the cable is bent.
US08693827B2 Three-wavelength optical multiplexer
Disclosed is a three-wavelength optical multiplexer which is compact, and which multiplexes light having different wavelength incident to three single-mode optical fibers, particularly light of red, green, and blue at transmittance above a certain reference. Specifically disclosed is a three-wavelength optical multiplexer (100) which comprises three single mode optical fibers (1, 2, 3), wherein the three single-mode optical fibers (1, 2, 3) having incidence/emission ports are arranged in parallel to one another in this order as observed from the cross sectional direction orthogonal to the fiber axis direction, and are fused and drawn, and wherein the relationship of a secondary-mode cutoff wavelength (C1) which is one of the parameters of the single mode optical fiber (1) and the single-mode cutoff wavelength (2), a secondary-mode cutoff wavelength (C2) which is one of the parameters of the single-mode optical fiber (3), and the wavelength (λ3) of light incident from the single-mode optical fiber (3) is sin C1
US08693825B2 Ferrule structure and assembly for lens terminated fiber
A ferrule structure including a ferrule having an end face shape configured to incorporate at least a portion of a lens attached to an end of an optical fiber. The end face includes a cavity in which a circumference of the cavity is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ferrule and larger than in inner diameter of an opening in the ferrule housing an optical fiber.
US08693822B2 Limited rotation fiber optic rotary joint
The present invention is a limited rotation Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) of one or more optical channels. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface for a fixed number of rotations. For many applications, such as a winch or certain robotic joints, an unlimited number of rotations in either direction is unnecessary. For these types of applications a limited rotation FORJ is an attractive option because they typically have lower loss, are less complex, and have higher reliability.
US08693819B2 Method and system for switching optical channels
An optical switching system is disclosed. The system comprises: input optics, for receiving light from at least one input optical port and separating the light into a plurality of optical channels to assign a separate optical path to each channel of each input optical port. The system further comprises an input steering array and an output steering array arranged such that the input steering array is imaged onto the output steering array, wherein the input steering array is configured to receive the separated light and steer each optical channel to an individual element of the output steering array. The system further comprises output optics, for receiving the optical channels from the output steering array and coupling the optical channels into at least one output optical port.
US08693816B2 Nanophotonic optical duplexer
An optical duplexer intended to receive light at a first optical wavelength and to transmit back light at a second optical wavelength, including, on a substrate, successive layers forming a photoreceptor of the first optical wavelength, a selective filter letting through the first optical wavelength, and a waveguide having a surface including a grating which is transparent for the first optical wavelength and diffracting for the second optical wavelength.
US08693815B2 Optoelectronic composite substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an optoelectronic composite substrate, includes forming a first cladding layer in an area except the connection pad on a wiring substrate including a connection pad on an upper surface, forming a belt-like core layer on the first cladding layer, and obtaining an optical waveguide having a structure in which the core layer is surrounded by the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, by forming a second cladding layer which covers the core layer. A thickness of the first cladding layer is set identically to a thickness of the connection pad, and thus a level difference caused by the connection pad is eliminated.
US08693811B2 High data-rate SOI optical modulator including a modified structure for reducing the capacitive effect between doped areas and a substrate
An electro-optic modulation component is provided, in particular on an SOI (semiconductor-on-insulator) substrate, improved for better performance at data rates above 10 Gb/s. This improvement is obtained by reducing the influence of the capacitive effects of the structure and of its environment, and more particularly in which the influence of the capacitance of the structure itself is limited by reducing the access resistance in the doped regions or the influence of the capacitive effect of the environment is reduced by modifying the structure of the substrate vertically beneath the active region, for example by thinning the silicon substrate or the insulator, or a combination of these features. The invention furthermore relates to a process for fabricating such a component and to a device or system that includes such a component. These improvements are applicable in 3D integration assembly processes and to electronic and optical hybrid circuits.
US08693809B2 Video processing method and circuit using thereof
A video processing method enlarging and enhancing sharpness of input video data includes following steps. First, N sets of pixel row data of the input video data are respectively buffered in N linear buffers, N is a natural number. Next, I sets of enlarged pixel row data are generated by interpolation according to the buffered N sets of pixel row data in the N linear buffers and a currently inputted set of pixel row data, I is a natural number greater than N. Then, I sets of smoothed and enlarged pixel row data are generated according to the buffered N sets of pixel row data in the N linear buffers and the (N+1)th set of pixel row data. Thereafter, I sets of sharpness-enhanced pixel row data are obtained according to the I sets of enlarged pixel row data and the I sets of smoothed and enlarged pixel row data.
US08693805B2 Determination of the relative position of two structures
A method is provided for determining the position of a first structure (8a) relative to a second structure (8b) or a part thereof, said method having the steps of: a) providing a first picture (F1) having a multiplicity of pixels and which contains the first structure, b) providing a second picture (F2) having a multiplicity of pixels and which contains the second structure, c) forming an optimization function with the displacement of the two pictures relative to one another as parameter, the optimization function overlying the two pictures and masking the overlay such that in a determination of an extreme value of the optimization function a contribution is made only by the region of the overlay that corresponds to the second structure or the part thereof, d) ascertaining the extreme value of the optimization function and determining the optimal value of the displacement based on the extreme value of the optimization function, and e) determining the position of the first structure relative to the second structure or a part thereof with the optimal displacement value ascertained in step d).
US08693804B2 Image processing apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes first and second computation portions, a selection portion, a projection portion, and a weighted averaging portion. The first computation portion is configured to obtain magnitudes of correlations between a first vector and plural basis vectors. The selection portion is configured to select basis vectors from the plural basis vectors. The projection portion is configured to select a second region, obtain a first projection vector by projecting the first vector onto a subspace formed by the selected basis vectors and obtain a second projection vector for each second region by projecting a second vector onto the subspace. The second computation portion is configured to compute a distance between the first and second projection vectors. The weighted averaging portion is configured to weighted average a pixel value of the second pixel to obtain an output pixel value of a first pixel.
US08693800B2 Image processing device, processing method thereof, and image processing system having the same
An image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a weighted low-pass filter which performs weighted low-pass filtering on illumination of sub-sampled pixel signals, and an illumination interpolation circuit which compares illumination of the weighted low-pass filtered pixel signals with illumination of current pixel signals and performs interpolation while applying a weight to illumination of the weighted low-pass filtered pixel signals according to the comparison result.
US08693799B2 Image processing apparatus for emphasizing details of an image and related apparatus and methods
There is provided an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a first image processing unit configured to perform image processing affecting a high frequency component used to generate a detail component of an image. The image processing apparatus includes a detail component generating unit configured to generate the detail component, which is emphasized, using an output of the first image processing unit. The image processing apparatus includes an emphasis unit configured to emphasize detail of the image by combining the emphasized detail component generated by the detail component generating unit with the image.
US08693798B2 Image sharpness processing apparatus and image sharpness processing method
The present invention discloses an image sharpness processing apparatus and an image sharpness processing method thereof. The apparatus comprises an image capturing module and a processing module. The image capturing module captures an image having a plurality of pixels. The processing module gains a characteristic value corresponding to each pixel by analyzing each pixel in the image. The processing module calculates a first sharpening compensation value and a second sharpening compensation value of each pixel by using a first sharpening algorithm and a second sharpening algorithm respectively, and determines a weight value of the first sharpening algorithm and the second sharpening algorithm by the characteristic value. The processing module calculates a third sharpening compensation value according to the first sharpening compensation value and the second sharpening compensation value, so as to adjust the sharpness of the image.
US08693795B2 Low complexity secondary transform for image and video compression
A method for encoding video or images includes receiving input data associated with a block within a video or image frame and performing a transform of the input data to produce a first set of output coefficients. The method also includes receiving the first set of output coefficients and performing a second transform to produce a second set of output coefficients. The method further includes quantizing the second set of output coefficients. The second transform is performed using a rotational transform matrix that is selected to maximize a degree of orthogonality of the rotational transform matrix.
US08693792B2 Method, apparatus, and program for compressing images, and method, apparatus, and program for decompressing images
Costs are reduced, by decreasing the number of encoders used to compress images when compressing two or more images at different compression rates. A region of interest is detected within a processing target image, and a region of interest image is generated. A reduced image is generated by reducing the size of the processing target image. The reduced image and the region of interest image are multiplexed in an image space to generate a multiplex image. The multiplex image is compressed to generate compressed image data.
US08693787B2 Method and system for generating data using a mobile device with a projection function
A method and system for generating data in a mobile device is provided. The method includes, outputting an image, stored in the mobile device, to an external screen, capturing the external screen on which the image is being displayed and creating a captured image, comparing the output image with the captured image and extracting an added image from the captured image, and creating data from the extracted image. When the mobile device user writes or draws on an external screen on which the mobile device outputs an image, the mobile device can capture the external screen, create data from the user's input content and store them in the storage unit.
US08693786B2 Marker determination device, marker determination detection system, marker determination detection device, marker, marker determination method, and program therefor
Provided is a marker judgment device which has a feature storage means and a feature comparison means. The feature storage means disposes feature points extracted from an image in a predetermined space, sets parts in which the number of feature points in the predetermined space is equal to or less than a predetermined number as singular features, and stores the singular features and feature points extracted from an existing mark. The feature comparison means disposes the feature points extracted from the existing mark in the predetermined space, and judges that the existing mark is capable of being used as a marker which is detectable from the image, when the number of feature points that coincide with the singular features is equal to or more than a predetermined number.
US08693783B2 Processing method for image interpolation
A processing method for image interpolation is provided. In the method, a contour containing a destination pixel and a plurality of contour pixels is produced and detected by using an edge detection method for a selected area in an original image. Next, two extreme points are identified from the contour pixels by judging the changing trend of brightness value of the contour pixels on the contour. Then using the changing trend and two extreme points determines whether the destination pixel is located at a transition area or a non-transition area. If the destination pixel is located at the non-transition area, an interpolation adjust value is calculated according to the brightness values of the two extreme points and the brightness value of the destination pixel. An interpolation result of the destination pixel is obtained by performing the interpolation on the selected area according to the interpolation adjust value.
US08693778B1 Method and system for identifying plant life parameters in color-digital image information
A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.
US08693777B2 Apparatus and method for estimating edge areas of digital image
There are provided an apparatus and a method for estimating edge areas of pixels in a digital image to thereby prevent an edge sharpening algorithm from being applied to non-edge area of the digital image. Therefore, the apparatus can accurately determine whether each pixel is in an edge area or in a non-edge area, by generating a binary mask obtained by using a luminance difference average between each pixel and each of neighboring pixels in the digital image. Moreover, the determination of an edge-area or a non-edge area may be applied to various digital images, by adjusting a level of edge-area determination.
US08693776B2 Continuously adjustable bleed for selected region blurring
Methods and apparatus for controlling bleeding at the edges of a blur region or selection. A technique for aesthetically controlling the bleeding of blur introduced by blurring selections, referred to herein as a selection bleed technique, may enable continuous adjustment of the amount of bleeding of image blurs between a selected image region and its complement (the unselected region, e.g. the background). The selection bleed technique may allow selections to go from no-bleed to full-bleed and in between via a percentage indicated by one or more user interface elements, for example a slider.
US08693773B2 Color image processing method, color image processing device, and recording medium
To provide a color image processing method and device capable of improving the texture of a specific object in a color image taken by a color imaging device by controlling the quantity of a specular component in the specific object. A color image processing device (100) includes an image information acquisition unit (110) that detects an object area based on an input image, and obtains color information and 3D information of the object area, a reflection information restoration unit (120) that restores a specular component and a body reflection component containing shade of the object area based on the color information and the 3D information, a specular component correction unit (130) that corrects the specular component, and a reproduced-color calculation unit (140) that calculates a reproduced color of the object area by using the shade in the body reflection component and the corrected specular component and generates an output image.
US08693771B2 Method for pan-sharpening panchromatic and multispectral images using dictionaries
A single panchromatic (Pan) image and a single multispectral (MS) image are Pan-sharpened by extracting features from the Pan image and the MS image. The features are decomposed into features without missing values and features with missing values. A dictionary is learned from the features without missing values. The values for the features with the missing values are learned using the dictionary. The MS image is merged with the Pan image including the predicted values into a merged image, and the merged image is then Pan sharpened.
US08693769B2 Image classification methods and systems
Image classification methods and systems are provided. First, an image is obtained using a computer. The image is then processed using the computer to obtain image information. The image information includes one or any combination of an average color difference between at least one average channel value of pixels in at least one boundary region of the image and a predefined standard value, a gradient variation magnitude difference between at least two regions of the image, and a percentage of the edges of the image to the image. The image is classified using the computer according to the image information.
US08693768B1 Cosmetic base matching system
A system for matching a cosmetic base to a user's skin tone using a mobile device application. The system analyzes the user's skin tone from a captured image and determines a shade that matches the skin tone and that inconspicuously conceals a flaw or a blemish. The system instructs the user in lighting and dress so that a captured image is useful for analyzing skin tone. The system uses an app allowing the user to capture the image at home or in another convenient, discreet private location. The system allows the user to procure a commercially available matching shade, selectively providing a coupon, or order a custom manufactured matching shade. The system tracks orders and coupon redemption for a plurality of providers of cosmetic bases associated with the app.
US08693766B2 Rapid discrimination apparatus, method of speeding up the same, and program of the same
When obtaining a final result from a discriminator group arranged in a predetermined order, an evaluation value obtaining unit successively evaluates each discriminator from a first discriminator and if it is determined that a discrimination result represented by an overall evaluation value obtained by evaluating the first to Ith discriminators remains unchanged even if evaluation values of I+1th and subsequent discriminators are added to the overall evaluation value, a discrimination result determination unit instructs the evaluation value obtaining unit to terminate the evaluation of the I+1th and subsequent discriminators, and determines the discrimination result according to the overall evaluation value obtained by evaluating the first to Ith discriminators as a final result.
US08693765B2 Method for recognizing shapes and system implementing said method
The invention includes a method for recognizing shapes using a preprocessing mechanism that decomposes a source signal into basic components called atoms and a recognition mechanism that is based on the result of the decomposition performed by the preprocessing mechanism. In the method, the preprocessing mechanism includes at least one learning phase culminating in a set of signals called kernels, the kernels being adapted to minimize a cost function representing the capacity of the kernels to correctly reconstruct the signals from the database while guaranteeing a sparse decomposition of the source signal while using a database of signals representative of the source to be processed and a coding phase for decomposing the source signal into atoms, the atoms being generated by shifting of the kernels according to their index, each of the atoms being associated with a decomposition coefficient. The invention also includes a shape recognition system for implementing the method.
US08693764B2 Image file processing apparatus which generates an image file to include stereo image data and collateral data related to the stereo image data, and information related to an image size of the stereo image data, and corresponding image file processing method
Stereo image data is generated based on a plurality of monocular images of a same subject with a predetermined parallax, a collateral data generating section generates collateral data related to the stereo image data, and a stereo image size information generating unit generates information related to an image size of the stereo image data. An image file generating unit generates an image file in conversion to a predetermined file format upon synthesizing the stereo image data and the collateral data, and further adds the information related to the image size to the collateral data at inner and outer areas thereof.
US08693761B2 Method of generating nuclear magnetic resonance images using susceptibility weighted imaging and susceptibility mapping (SWIM)
A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM).
US08693758B2 Imaging method for enhanced visualization of vessels in an examination region of a patient and medical system for performing the method
An imaging method for enhanced visualization of vessels in an examination region of a patient, in particular during an intervention, is proposed. A 3D reconstruction image of the examination region is generated using a preoperatively recorded 3D image dataset of the examination region. At least one current 2D fluorescence image of the examination region is recorded by a fluorescence angiography. The vessels are identified. The 3D image dataset with the image dataset of the 2D fluorescence or ultrasound image is registered based on the result of the identification. The 3D reconstruction image and the 2D image are overplayed. The overlaid images are 3D played back.
US08693757B2 Method and device for the automatic contrast medium phase classification of image data
A method is disclosed for the automatic contrast medium phase classification of at least one image data record, of the interior of an examination object, generated by way of an imaging system. In at least one embodiment of the method, firstly at least one image data record of the examination object is acquired and metadata associated with the image data record are determined, the metadata including at least one of body region data containing information about a body region of the examination object that is covered by the image data record, and/or measurement time data containing information about a measurement time of the image data record and/or high contrast data containing information about highly contrasty image areas in the image data record. The assignment of the image data record to a contrast medium phase is effected, in at least one embodiment, in a manner dependent on the metadata. Furthermore, a description is given of a corresponding image data record classification device and an imaging system including such an image data record classification device.
US08693751B2 Artificial intelligence system for genetic analysis
The present invention provides a complete artificial intelligence system for the acquisition and analysis of nucleic acid array hybridization information. The system includes a central data processing facility and one or more user facilities, linked by encrypted connections. Each user facility may include an optical scanning system to collect hybridization signals from a nucleic acid array, an image processing system to convert the optical data into a set of hybridization parameters, a connection to a data network, and a user interface to display, manipulate, search, and analyze hybridization information. This system reads data from a nucleic acid microarray, analyzes test results, evaluates patient risk for various ailments, and recommends methods of treatment. The automated artificial intelligence system is a real time, dynamic decision making tool that can be used in conjunction with a clinical analysis system, and with the information obtained in a research and development environment.
US08693749B2 Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus processes a plurality of tomograms obtained by acquiring, along a direction crossing at a right angle a section along the thickness direction of a retina, a plurality of tomograms each including the section. The apparatus detects a layer structure in the retina from image information of respective lines of the tomograms along the thickness direction, and appends structure information to the respective lines based on the layer structures detected for the respective lines. The image processing apparatus maps the structure information of the respective lines of the plurality of tomograms onto a plane crossing the thickness direction at a right angle, thereby generating a two-dimensional image based on the structure information.
US08693746B2 Technique for detecting neurodegenerative disorders
In one embodiment of the present invention, a significance test of pixel values is performed between a region where functions could be deteriorated in a disease-specific manner and a region where functions could be preserved even in cases of diseases using brain functional images. Then, the mean pixel value of the functionally preserved site is significantly greater than the mean pixel value of the functionally deteriorated site according to the significance test is determined as an a image including a neurodegenerative disorder. According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to objectively detect images of neurodegenerative disorders without using a database for healthy subjects.
US08693735B2 System and method for precision measurement of position, motion and resonances
A non-contact sensing system for measuring and analyzing an object's position, motion, and/or resonance utilizes optical capturing of image features, data extraction, and signal processing to determine changes in the object's motion or position according to changes in signals, which are associated with the excitation of photons due to the object's motion.
US08693734B2 Detecting poorly conditioned points in bundle adjustment
Methods and apparatus for detecting and removing poorly conditioned points in bundle adjustment. A detection technique may be used to detect poorly conditioned points during the bundle adjustment process or portion of a feature-based 3D reconstruction pipeline. Once the poorly conditioned points are detected, the technique removes the points from the bundle adjustment process. The technique detects and removes the poorly conditioned points before the optimization is performed, and therefore ensures that the optimization will be successful.
US08693724B2 Method and system implementing user-centric gesture control
A user-centric method and system to identify user-made gestures to control a remote device images the user using a three-dimensional image system, and defines at least one user-centric three-dimensional detection zone dynamically sized appropriately for the user, who is free to move about. Images made within the detection zone are compared to a library of stored gestures, and the thus identified gesture is mapped to an appropriate control command signal coupleable to the remote device. The method and system also provides of a first user to hand off control of the remote device to a second user.
US08693721B2 Earphone integrated with a microphone
An earphone integrated with a microphone includes a housing, a speaker, a microphone (audio-recording device), and a supporting member. The housing has an audio-output hole formed thereon a receiving space formed therein. The speaker and the microphone are arranged in the receiving space. The supporting member is arranged in the housing. One end of the microphone is mounted on the supporting member for suspending the microphone in the receiving space. A buffering space is formed around the microphone. Thus, the earphone can achieve anti-noise effect in providing improved communication quality.
US08693714B2 System and method for controlling an audio feature of a hearing assistance device
A method of using a remote control application for controlling a hearing assistance device may include displaying a user interface layout on a display of a mobile device, the user interface layout including at least one user input element associated with controlling an audio feature of a hearing assistance device; receiving a selection of the at least one user input element; translating the selection of the at least one user input element into a remote signal for controlling the feature of the hearing assistance device; and transmitting the remote signal to the hearing assistance device via a transmitter attachment coupled to the mobile device.
US08693712B2 Condenser microphone
The present invention provides a condenser microphone. In one embodiment, the condenser microphone comprises: a frame of the microphone formed of a circuit board substrate and a casing, and an amplifier device, an elastic holding component and capacitance components provided inside the microphone. One or more sound holes are provided on the circuit board substrate or the casing. The capacitance components are provided on the side with the sound holes. The amplifier device is provided on the side opposite to the side with the sound holes. The elastic holding component is provided on the side with the amplifier device or on the side with the capacitance components. The amplifier device and the capacitance components are both electrically connected to the circuit board substrate; and one or more auxiliary supporting parts are provided on the elastic holding component with the vertical height thereof being greater than that of the amplifier device and less than the distance between the capacitance components and the opposite inner wall of the microphone. When the microphone according to the present invention is sharply accelerated or under an impact, a collision between the amplifier device and the backplate caused by excessive deformation of the elastic holding component and a reduction in the resilience of the elastic holding component can be prevented with the help of the auxiliary supporting parts.
US08693710B2 Apparatus for preventing leakage of a weak signal from a speaker
An apparatus for preventing leakage of a weak signal from a speaker is provided. The apparatus passes a normal speaker drive signal coming through speaker signal lines and blocks a weak signal generated by the sounds around the speaker, thereby preventing wiretapping the speaker.
US08693704B2 Method and apparatus for canceling noise from mixed sound
A method, medium, and apparatus canceling noise from a mixed sound. The method includes receiving sound source signals including a target sound and noise, extracting at least one feature vector indicating an attribute difference between the sound source signals from the sound source signals, calculating a suppression coefficient considering ratios of noise to the sound source signals based on the at least one extracted feature vector, and canceling the sound source signals corresponding to noise by controlling an intensity of an output signal generated from the sound source signals according to the calculated suppression coefficient. Accordingly, a clear target sound source signal can be obtained.
US08693703B2 Method of combining at least two audio signals and a microphone system comprising at least two microphones
A method of combining at least two audio signals for generating an enhanced system output signal is described. The method comprises the steps of: a) measuring a sound signal at a first spatial position using a first transducer, such as a first microphone, in order to generate a first audio signal comprising a first target signal portion and a first noise signal portion, b) measuring the sound signal at a second spatial position using a second transducer, such as a second microphone, in order to generate a second audio signal comprising a second target signal portion and a second noise signal portion, c) processing the first audio signal in order to phase match and amplitude match the first target signal with the second target signal within a predetermined frequency range and generating a first processed output, d) calculating the difference between the second audio signal and the first processed output in order to generate a subtraction output, e) calculating the sum of the second audio signal and the first processed output in order to generate a summation output, f) processing the subtraction output in order to minimise a contribution from the noise signal portions to the system output signal and generating a second processed output, and g) calculating the difference between the summation output and the second processed output in order to generate the system output signal.
US08693700B2 Adaptive feed-forward noise reduction
In an aspect, the invention features an active noise reduction device including an electronic signal processing circuit. The electronic signal processing circuit includes a first input for accepting a first signal, a second input for accepting a second signal, an output for providing a third signal, a feed-forward path from the first input to the output, and a feed-forward controller for determining the control parameter by calculating a control signal using the first signal and the second signal and then using the control signal to determine the control parameter. The feed-forward path includes a fixed compensation linear filter and a variable compensation filter having an input for receiving a control parameter that applies a selected linear filter from a family of linear filters that vary in both gain and spectral shape and are selectable by the control parameter.
US08693699B2 Method for adaptive control and equalization of electroacoustic channels
An electroacoustic channel soundfield is altered. An audio signal is applied by an electromechanical transducer to an acoustic space, causing air pressure changes therein. Another audio signal is obtained by a second electromechanical transducer, responsive to air pressure changes in the acoustic space. A transfer function estimate of the electroacoustic channel is established, responsive to the second audio signal and part of the first audio signal. The transfer function estimate is derived to be adaptive to temporal variations in the electroacoustic channel transfer function. Filters are obtained with transfer functions based on the transfer function estimate. Part of the first audio signal is filtered therewith.
US08693698B2 Method and apparatus to reduce non-linear distortion in mobile computing devices
Techniques to reduce distortion in acoustic signals in mobile computing devices are described. For example, a mobile computing device may comprise a speaker operative to receive a first signal and output a second signal. The mobile computing device may further comprise a first microphone operative to receive the second signal and a second microphone operative to receive a third signal. An echo canceller may be coupled to the first microphone and the second microphone and may be operative to compare the second signal and the third signal and reduce distortion in the third signal based on the comparison. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08693691B2 Embedded authentication protocol for quantum key distribution systems
In methods and systems to authenticate systems in a quantum key distribution environment based on limited disclosures and identical, re-usable, pre-provisioned authentication keys, each system constructs an encryption key based on a corresponding one of transmitted events and detected events. Basis-sifting, error detection, error correction, and/or privacy amplification (PA) may be performed on the encryption keys based on limited disclosures (e.g., detection interval information, basis-sifting information, associated detection basis information, and/or parity measures). The authenticated keys may be modified based on disclosed detection information. Error detection and/or PA may be performed with identical pre-provisioned algorithms and pseudo-random values generated from the authenticated keys or modified authenticated keys. Final authenticated encryption keys are selectively constructed depending upon an extent of detected errors. Construction of authenticated encryption keys indicates authentication of the systems. None of the pre-provisioned authentication keys or modified authentication keys is disclosed and may thus be reused.
US08693688B2 Adaptive packet ciphering
A method and apparatus for adaptive packet ciphering is disclosed. The apparatus can include a transceiver capable of communicating in a wireless network and specifying a packet number (PN) and an integrity check value (ICV) as separate packet data units (PDUs) in a stream of a PDUs. The data between a PN-PDU and an ICV-PDU can be enciphered as a single payload of concentrated PDUs.
US08693686B2 Secure telephone devices, systems and methods
Secure telephone devices, systems and methods are provided for carrying out secure communications utilizing a telephone device that includes cryptographic storage and processing components, the cryptographic processing components including intercepting and injecting capabilities for intercepting an incoming signal, cryptographically processing the signal and injecting the system for delivery to the output of the telephone device, wherein the system and method may utilize the telephone operating system, and wherein embodiments are provided where an exchange component regulates the cryptographic information so that users engaging in secure cryptographic communications do not need to provide encryption key information to each other.
US08693685B2 Quantum cryptography apparatus
A timing and synchronization apparatus and method for a quantum cryptography system is disclosed. A gating pulse is generated by a clock and synchronized to the receipt of transmitted photons at the detector. The apparatus is arranged to only accept photon detection events occurring during the gating period.
US08693684B2 Method and apparatus for computing a shared secret key
A method of generating a key by a first correspondent. The key is computable by a second correspondent. The method comprises the steps of: a) making available to the second correspondent a first short term public key; b) obtaining a second short term public key from the second correspondent; c) computing a first exponent derived from the first short term private key, the first short term public key, and the first long term private key; d) computing a second exponent derived from the first short term private key, the first short term public key, the second short term public key and the first long term private key; e) computing a simultaneous exponentiation of the first exponent with the second short term public key and the second exponent with the second long term public key.
US08693679B1 Communications system and associated method for reducing power consumption of a telecommunications device
A communications system includes a communications device having a plurality of access modules each having a port and connected to a communications line and a plurality of transmitters with the respective transmitter associated in one-to-one correspondence with the communications line of an access module. Each transmitter has a line driver and is configured to couple communications signals to a respective communications line. A voltage source is connected to the line drivers and configured to provide a bias voltage to the line drivers that varies depending on a selected minimum power level. A controller is connected to the voltage source and has logic configured to change the bias voltage to the line drivers. The controller is responsive to a minimum data rate for each bias voltage.
US08693677B2 Techniques for updating filter coefficients of an adaptive filter
A technique for updating filter coefficients of an adaptive filter includes filtering a signal with an adaptive filter, whose filter coefficients are grouped into filter blocks. In this case a number of the filter blocks is less than or equal to a number of the filter coefficients. During each update period, the filter coefficients for less than all of the filter blocks are updated based on a network echo path impulse response.
US08693676B2 Power efficiency of a line driver
An apparatus comprising a first line driver, a second line driver, a charge pump, and a control logic circuit coupled to the first line driver and the second line driver and configured to disable the charge pump when both a first control signal associated with the first line driver and a second control signal associated with the second line driver indicate a charge pump disable state. A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a first control signal and a second control signal, disabling a charge pump when both the first control signal and the second control signal indicate a charge pump disable state, and operating the charge pump to boost a voltage when the first control signal, the second control signal, or both indicate a charge pump active state.
US08693670B2 Synchronization of data within an ACD system
A method and apparatus are provided for synchronizing changes from a plurality of dissimilar automatic contact distributors to an electronic workforce management server. The method includes the steps of determining a type of data received from each of the dissimilar automatic contact distributors and identifying a data criteria for the determined type of data. The method further includes the steps of detecting a difference between the data criteria and data, identifying a correction for the detected difference, reformatting the data based upon the identified correction and saving the reformatted data in a database of the electronic workforce management server.
US08693669B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a custom, interactive call flow
A custom call flow is implemented by receiving a sequence of user inputs provided as part of an interactive call between a caller requesting a service and a service provider that provides the service. The sequence of user inputs includes data path inputs, security inputs, and a termination input. The custom call flow is further implemented by identifying placement of the security inputs in the sequence, removing the security inputs from the sequence, and creating a custom sequence that includes the data path inputs, a placeholder representing the placement of the security inputs, and the termination input. The custom sequence utilizes the placeholder to prompt the caller to enter the security inputs at a location specified in the placeholder of the custom sequence. The custom call flow is invoked from the custom sequence received from the caller each time the caller initiates a request for the service.
US08693668B2 Method and apparatus for implementing call processing in packet telephony networks
Various method and apparatus are provided to perform call routing, queuing and other call processing in packet telephony networks.
US08693666B2 Intelligent call platform for an intelligent distributed network
A network management system communicates with a plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. The network management system dynamically distributes managed objects across the plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. Examples of managed objects distributed by the network management system include a service control managed object, a call control managed object, a bearer control managed object, and a resource proxy managed object.
US08693664B2 Method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous telephone calls
A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using current caller data and to one or more alternative numbers for the callers.
US08693654B2 Location sensitive caller and callee based call prioritization
A system and method of call prioritization and, in particular, a system and method of location sensitive caller and callee based voice call prioritization are disclosed. A method includes: determining that an incoming call is designated as priority by a caller; determining that the caller is contained in a whitelist; and handling the incoming call as a priority call at a callee telephone when the incoming call is designated as priority by the caller and the caller is contained in the whitelist.
US08693653B1 Advanced dating websites
Social websites, such as dating websites, are provided with advanced features. For example, a dynamic telephone number generator is provided that may be associated to a destination telephone number. Someone calling that dynamic telephone number may be routed to the destination number. The dynamic number may be generated as a result of receiving user input to a dating website. Additionally, a dynamic number may call a user's web browser directly such that users can utilize traditional telephone lines to talk over the internet to a website.
US08693652B2 Method and system for processing calls in an architecture allowing a telephony identifier to be associated with a group of identities
A system and a method for processing calls. The system comprises a database including: a plurality of telephony identifiers; and for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of persons that is associated with the telephony identifier, each person of the group of persons being reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier, the information comprising, for each person of the group of persons, information related to processing of calls involving the person. The system also comprises a processing element having access to the database and being operative for: determining that a given call involves a particular person of the group of persons that is associated with a given one of the telephony identifiers; and processing the given call based on the information related to processing of calls involving the particular person. Also provided is a method for associating an additional telephony identifier wish one or more identities of a group of identities that is associated with a telephony identifier, and a method for associating an additional identity with a telephony identifier that is associated with a group of identifies.
US08693651B2 Methods and apparatus for authorization and/or routing of outdial communication services
Example methods disclosed herein include parsing a request to obtain input criteria associated with the request, the request for authorizing an outdial communication service call initiated by a message center. Such example methods also include retrieving authorization rules correlating the input criteria to an authorization result for the outdial communication service call, the input criteria comprising a first input criterion having one of at least two values, a first value indicating that the outdial communication service call is for a real-time outdial service initiated in response to an indial communication service received at the message center, a second value indicating that the outdial communication service call is for a non-real-time outdial service initiated by an application server associated with the message center. Such example methods further include evaluating the authorization rules using the input criteria to determine whether the outdial communication service call is authorized.
US08693644B1 Management system for using speech analytics to enhance agent compliance for debt collection calls
A call center compliance system is used to ensure that agents adhere to call center policies and applicable regulations when handling calls. A call handler processing a call between an agent and a remote party bridges on a speech analytics component. A keyword set is used by the speech analytics component to analyze the remote party's or the agent's speech. If a keyword is detected, an event notification is provided from the speech analytics component to the call handler. A logic script executing in the call handler defines what actions are to occur in response to receiving the event notification. The call handler can provide information to the agent, record a violation, or await further event notifications. In one embodiment, detection of a first keyword in a first keyword set spoken by a remote party causes the agent's speech to be monitored using a second keyword set.
US08693643B2 Integrating visual voicemail within a threaded communication environment
Apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media for integrating visual voicemail within a threaded communication environment are presented herein. A method can include: displaying, via an interface, a thread of messaging content; receiving a visual voicemail; and integrating a display of the visual voicemail within the thread of messaging content. The method can further include generating sound based on a communication included in the visual voicemail, in response to receiving an input via the interface. Further, the method can include integrating the display of the visual voicemail within a multi-modal conversation thread. Furthermore, the thread of messaging can be included in an instant messaging window including SMS and/or MMS messages. Moreover, the display of the visual voicemail can be embedded within a social media based interface. The method can further include receiving a transcription of the visual voicemail; and displaying the transcription within the thread of messaging content.
US08693642B2 Emergency call handling in accordance with authentication procedure in communication network
Techniques are provided for handling of an emergency call as it affects an authentication procedure in a communication network. For example, it is assumed that, in a communication network, a first computing device comprises user equipment and a second computing device comprises an authentication function. Thus, a method comprises the following steps. A first type call indicator message is received at the second computing device from the first computing device. A decision is made to proceed with or drop an authentication procedure for the first computing device at the second computing device based on the first type call indicator message. The second computing device may enable a first type call to be placed for the first computing device. The first type call may be an emergency call.
US08693641B2 Fire alarm with integrated firefighter communications system
A fire control system may include a fire alarm control panel situated at a first location, the fire alarm control panel coupled to a first hardwire circuit. The fire control system may also include one or more telephone stations, wherein each telephone station of the one or more telephone stations is disposed at a different location than each other telephone stations and coupled through the first hardwire circuit to the fire alarm control panel, and one or more radio repeaters are each disposed at one or more respective locations, and wherein each radio repeater is operative to receive audio information as a radio signal and to transmit the audio information as an electrical signal through a second hardwire circuit to the central telephone.
US08693634B2 System and method for generating enhanced density distribution in a three dimensional model of a structure for use in skeletal assessment using a limited number of two-dimensional views
A method of generating a density enhanced model of an object is described. The method includes generating a customized a model of an object using a pre-defined set of models in combination with at least one projection image of the object, where the customized model is formed of a plurality of volume elements including density information. A density map is generated by relating a synthesized projection image of the customized model to an actual projection image of the object. Gains from the density map are back-projected into the customized model to provide a density enhanced customized model of the object. Because the density map is calculated using information from the synthesized projection image in combination with actual projection images of the structure, it has been shown to provide spatial geometry and volumetric density results comparable to those of QCT but with reduced patient exposure, equipment cost and examination time.
US08693624B2 Extra-oral digital panoramic dental X-ray imaging system
An extra-oral digital panoramic dental x-ray imaging system for multi-layer panoramic and transverse X-ray imaging providing with an X-ray source and a digital imaging device providing real time frame mode output and autofocusing. The X-ray source and imaging device are mounted in a mechanical manipulator defining the trajectory of a predetermined image layer. The imaging device communicates with a processor that generates a frames memory from which an image reconstruction mechanism composes the final images.
US08693622B2 X-ray method and X-ray system for merging X-ray images and determining three-dimensional volume data
Three-dimensional image information is generated of a body part that is larger than the visual field of an X-ray machine. An X-ray source and an X-ray detector are disposed at a first position such that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can record a first projection image of at least a first section of a body part. Then the first projection image is recorded. The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are next disposed at a second position such that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can record a second projection image of at least a second section of the body part. The second section partially overlaps the first section. The first and second projection images are merged to form a projected image. A three-dimensional volume of the body part is reconstructed from the plurality of projection images.
US08693619B2 Medical computed tomography imaging apparatus
The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure (2) supporting x-ray imaging means (21, 22), which x-ray imaging means (21, 22) are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) and movable within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2), which ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means (21, 22) includes an examination opening (4), whereto the object to be imaged can be positioned for imaging. According to the invention, at least one display (11) is arranged to the apparatus. The display is arranged in functional connection with at least one video camera (12), which at least one video camera (12) is arranged in connection with said ring-shaped structure (2) and as aimed, or so that it can be aimed inside said examination opening (4).
US08693616B1 IC and a method for flexible integer and fractional divisions
An IC that performs integer and fractional divisions is disclosed. The IC comprises a plurality of shift registers that forms a shift register ring. Consecutive shift registers are coupled to each other through a multiplexer. The IC also includes a multiplexer controller that determines the shift registers to be activated within the shift register ring. The multiplexer controller determines the activation based upon a divisional factor. The IC also includes a pattern controller that generates the control signal to program the shift register.
US08693613B2 Nuclear fuel pellet inspection
A system for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets is provided. The inspection system is configured to use X-ray radiation at one or more energies to probe nuclear fuel pellets disposed within a nuclear fuel rod for nuclear fuel pellet defects. In some implementations of the inspection system, a nuclear fuel rod manufacturing facility may be able to integrate the inspection system for fully or partially automated inspection of all fuel rods produced within the facility.
US08693605B2 Coordinating power distribution line communications
Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed towards a method that includes maintaining a transmission period which has a start time and an end time synchronized to metrological time. Further, this method, in response to the start time, begins transmission of a frame, which includes a plurality of symbols. This transmission occurs over power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC). This method also includes synchronizing a transmission time for each symbol of the plurality of symbols according to a time-based parameter of the AC. In response to reaching an end of the frame, a synchronization symbol period is determined for a synchronization symbol, as a function of the transmission times, for the plurality of symbols and time from the end of the frame to the end time. The synchronization symbol is then transmitted on the power distribution lines.
US08693604B2 Receiving apparatus and receiving method
A receiving apparatus that can be connected to a transmitting apparatus through a plurality of transmission lines includes: a first clock generation section that generates a first clock based on a signal from a first transmission line which is one of the plurality of transmission lines; a first demodulation section that demodulates the signal from the first transmission line based on the timing of the first clock; a second clock generation section that controls the phase of the first clock based on the phase of a signal from a second transmission line which is one of the plurality of transmission lines and is different from the first transmission line to generate a second clock; and a second demodulation section that demodulates a signal from the second transmission line based on the timing of the second clock.
US08693598B2 Radio receiver with mitigation modules and mixers with phase compensation
Example embodiments of the systems and methods of dynamic spur mitigation for wireless receivers disclosed herein comprise one or more of a detection module for detecting the presence of a spur and a determination of its frequency, a complex notch filter chain, and a frequency locked loop which ensures that the input spur is notch filtered even if it drifts after detection. When a spur is detected, the frequency of the tone is determined. The spur is then filtered, for example using a phase rotator and a DC separator. The phase rotation is removed in a subsequent stage. The non-DC component from the DC separator is used to track the spur to compensate for any shifting or drifting in the spur.
US08693593B2 Methods and apparatus for automatic gain control using samples taken at desired sampling phase and target voltage level
Methods and apparatus are provided for automatic gain control in a receiver using samples taken at a desired sampling phase and target voltage level. The gain of a received signal is adjusted by obtaining a plurality of samples of the received signal substantially at a desired sampling phase (such as a center of a given unit interval), wherein at least one of the samples is taken substantially at a target voltage level; comparing the plurality of samples to determine whether the received signal has an amplitude that is substantially equal to the target voltage level; and adjusting a receiver gain based on whether the received signal amplitude is substantially equal to the target voltage level. The comparison can comprise the evaluation of a logic function, such as an exclusive OR function. The comparison can be performed over a plurality of samples to obtain an average gain update decision. The receiver gain can be adjusted based on a histogram of the average gain update decision, relative to a predefined threshold.
US08693590B2 Joint special burst and transport format combination index (TFCI) detection
To detect a special burst sequence, a cross correlation (C) is compared to a square root of an estimated noise variance (σ) in conjunction with a threshold value (Th). In one aspect of the disclosure, the threshold value may include multiple threshold values. The multiple threshold values may be compared to an intensity or level of a special burst metric (C/σ) to facilitate determination of the special burst sequence. For example, when a special burst metric C/σ is greater than a second threshold value (Th2) it may be determined that a special burst sequence exists. However, when the special burst metric C/σ is greater than a first threshold value (Th1), but less than the second threshold metric (Th2), it may be determined that detection of a special burst is unclear. In this case, a TFCI value may be used to confirm whether a special burst is detected.
US08693588B2 Two-step joint demapping algorithm for LLR computation of MIMO signal based on sphere decoding
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for two-step joint demapping based on sphere decoding for log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computation related to a received multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signal. The first step of the proposed algorithm comprises a linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) based detection to form soft symbol estimates of symbols being transmitted. Then, the LMMSE-based soft symbol estimates can be utilized to form a set of constellation points of a stream interfering to a stream of interest. These candidate constellation points can be then subtracted (canceled) from the received signal to improve the LLR computations of the stream of interest. After the cancellation, the maximum ratio combining (MRC) can be applied to each individual stream to form more refined soft symbol estimates as well as an effective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimate. The refined outputs of the MRC can be utilized to compute LLRs of transmitted bits based on the effective SNR and the refined soft symbol estimates associated with all the candidate constellation points from the set. The LLRs of transmitted bits may be employed by a channel decoder.
US08693587B2 Method for demodulating signals from a multi-access system able to collide and equipment for implementing same
A method for demodulating time-multiplexed signals able to mutually collide, in particular in the case of an AIS (Automatic Identification System), being a communications system between ships allows collisions between these ships to be limited and allows the maritime traffic in view from the coasts to be monitored thanks to coastal stations that listen to the communications. When these colliding signals are sufficiently “distinct” (in frequency, in power or in time), algorithms exist for discriminating between them. The demodulator offers the possibility of demodulating two colliding signals, whose collision parameters (difference in frequency, in power or their non-synchronization) are sufficiently small to make them virtually inaccessible otherwise. The method and equipment allow the satellite AIS system to utilize cases of signal collisions that were hitherto detrimental in order to improve the overall performance.
US08693585B2 Communication apparatus and communication method
A wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication method wherein even when the permissible delay amount of data is small, the permissible delay thereof can be satisfied. A data type determining part (101) determines whether the delay of transport data or control information should be allowed or not. A pilot signal insertion control part (102) decides, based on pilot insertion interval information and allowable delay information, that a pilot signal is placed adjacently to data that is not allowed to delay. A multiplexing part (106) multiplexes encoded and modulated transport data with the pilot signal generated by a pilot signal generating part (105) in such a manner that realizes the placement decided by the pilot signal insertion control part (102).
US08693582B2 Multi-antenna receiver in a radio controlled clock
A novel and useful multi-antenna receiver that receives, demodulates and decodes a broadcast signal, whose modulation and encoding of time and timing information allow for reliable and power-efficient operation. The multi-antenna receiver of the present invention is adapted to eliminate or substantially reduce the reception nulls that occur in receivers having a single antenna that is placed in a fixed position. Two or more antennas are employed whereby the receiver generates a combined signal based on a combination of the individual antenna signals or selects one of the antenna signals for input to the receiver based on desired criteria such as signal-to-noise-and-interference-ratio (SNIR). This results in greater robustness of the communication link by reducing or eliminating reception nulls and by rejecting interference through the selection of the antenna for which the signal-to-interference ratio is higher. The invention includes various antenna configurations that are adapted to reuse a single core for multiple antennas or to otherwise reduce size and/or cost.
US08693579B2 Switchable DVB-H receiver
One embodiment provides a method of providing low power operations in a switchable Digital Video Broadcasting—Handheld (DVB-H) receiver operable as a single receiver and as a diversity receiver includes operating the switchable DVB-H receiver in a single receiver mode in a first coverage region, the first coverage region corresponding to conditions in which both the single receiver as well as the diversity receiver satisfy a predetermined performance criteria, and switching the switchable DVB-H receiver to a diversity receiver mode in a second coverage region, the second coverage region corresponding to conditions in which the diversity receiver satisfies the predetermined performance criteria and the single receiver does not satisfy the predetermined performance criteria.
US08693577B2 Multi-antenna communication systems utilizing RF-based and baseband signal weighting and combining
A receiver operatively coupled to an antenna structure capable of receiving a first plurality of RF signals is disclosed herein. The receiver includes an RF processing network operative to perform weighting and combining operations within the RF domain using the first plurality of RF signals so as to produce a second plurality of RF signals. Also provided is a downconverter configured to downconvert the second plurality of RF signals into a second plurality of down-converted signals. In alternate implementations certain of the weighting and combining operations are performed at baseband and the remainder effected within the RF domain. A transmitter of corresponding architecture is also disclosed.
US08693574B2 Method and apparatus for determining a precoding matrix for precoding symbols to be transmitted to a plurality of wireless devices
In a method for determining a precoding matrix for precoding symbols to be transmitted to a plurality of wireless devices by a node of a wireless communication system the precoding matrix comprises a precoding vector for each wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices, each precoding vector having a precoding element for each transmit antenna of the node. Each precoding element represents a phase shifter for phase shifting a phase of a symbol to be transmitted. A plurality of interference strength indicators for different phase angles is calculated based on the precoding matrix. Further, for the precoding element of the precoding vector a phase angle is selected which corresponds to a calculated interference strength indicator fulfilling a predefined interference strength criterion.
US08693572B2 Method for transmitting signal of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing type, and apparatus applied to the same
The method for transmitting a signal of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing type according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a configuration allowing a radio unit (RU) to perform a component adding a compression component and a decompression component before/after a serial interface interlocking between a digital unit (DU) and the radio unit (RU) and a component inserting a cyclic prefix (CP) into a signal so as to secure orthogonality of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, in a structure in which a base station is physically divided into the DU and the RU.
US08693569B2 Methods and apparatus for dynamic wireless device coexistence
Methods and apparatus for dynamically compensating for the effects of interference between multiple wireless communications apparatus. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a first wireless communication apparatus operating in a first band and a second wireless communication apparatus operating in the same first band (or proximate to the first band and with a comparatively high transmitter power), where the second wireless communication apparatus operates according to a different communication protocol than the first wireless communication apparatus and further change in physical configuration with respect to one another. Based on the physical configuration, interference is compensated for between the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus “on the fly” by selecting and operating according to one of a plurality of operational protocols.
US08693566B2 Methods and systems for combined cyclic delay diversity and precoding of radio signals
In a transmitter or transceiver, signals can be precoded by multiplying symbol vectors with various matrices. For example, symbol vectors can be multiplied with a first column subset of unitary matrix which spreads symbols in the symbol vectors across virtual transmit antennas, a second diagonal matrix which changes a phase of the virtual transmit antennas, and a third precoding matrix which distributes the transmission across the transmit antennas.
US08693561B2 Receive signal detection of multi-carrier signals
Apparatuses, methods and systems of receive signal detection of a multi-carrier signal are disclosed. One method includes receiving a multi-carrier signal, determining a characteristic of each sub-carrier of the multi-carrier signal, and selecting a one of a plurality of receive signal detection techniques for each sub-carrier of the multi-carrier signal based on the determined characteristic of the sub-carrier.
US08693560B2 Transmission apparatus, transmission method, communication system, and communication method
In a transmission apparatus which multicarrier-modulates and transmits symbols, which are basic units of digital signals, a subcarrier in which a symbol is arranged in a first multicarrier symbol having a first guard interval and a subcarrier in which a symbol is arranged in a second multicarrier symbol having a second guard interval longer than the first guard interval are scattered among a plurality of subcarriers constituting a multicarrier at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resistance to inter-symbol interference without substantially degrading transmission efficiency.
US08693559B2 Method and system for communication
A method and a system for communication are presented. In one example embodiment, the method includes the step of receiving a first frame of a communication signal. The first frame includes a first plurality of constituents. One or more constituents of the first plurality of constituents of the first frame form a symbol of the first frame. The method includes the step obtaining a second frame. The second frame includes the first plurality of constituents. One or more constituents of the first plurality of constituents of the second frame form a symbol of the second frame. The symbols of the second frame are obtained by creating redundancies of the constituents of the first plurality of one or more symbols of the first frame. The first frame includes a second plurality of constituents. One or more constituents of the second plurality of the first frame form a preamble field of the first frame. The step of obtaining includes the step of creating redundancies of one or more constituents of the second plurality of constituents at the beginning and/or at boundary(ies) of one or more symbols of the second frame.
US08693557B1 AC coupled clock receiver with common-mode noise rejection
A clock receiver includes a capacitive coupling circuit for filtering out direct-current voltages from a differential clock signal. In this way, the capacitive coupling circuit rejects common-mode noise in the differential clock signal. The clock receiver also includes a bias circuit for establishing a bias voltage in the differential clock signal and a differential amplifier for amplifying the differential clock signal. Further, the differential amplifier generate a feedback differential clock signal and provides the feedback differential clock signal to the bias circuit for further rejecting common-mode noise in the differential clock signal. The feedback differential clock signal functions as a negative feedback signal for rejecting common-mode noise in the differential clock signal and as a positive feedback signal for amplifying the differential clock signal. In some embodiments, the clock receiver includes a capacitive coupling circuit with a cut-off frequency above the frequency of the differential clock signal.
US08693555B2 Communication system
A communication terminal is provided with: first and second transmission units transmitting signals on a communication line, first and second receiving units receiving signals from another communication terminal; and a communication method switching unit switching the signal communication method. The first transmission unit transmits an electrical current signal to the communication line. The first receiving unit receives a voltage signal obtained by converting, by means of a current/voltage conversion unit, the electrical current signal transmitted from the first transmission unit. The second transmission unit transmits a communication signal to the communication line as a voltage signal. The second receiving unit receives the voltage signal transmitted from the second transmission unit. The communication method switching unit switches between an electrical current transmission method in which transmission is performed by the first transmission unit, and a voltage transmission method in which transmission is performed by the second transmission unit.
US08693554B2 Capacitive communication circuit and method therefor
Data is communicated. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, a communications circuit communicates a digital data signal using a carrier signal having a frequency that is different than the frequency of the data signal. The communications circuit includes first and second sets of capacitors, a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit generates mixed data signals respectively mixed with the carrier signal and an inverse of the carrier signal, generates mixed inverted data signals respectively mixed with the carrier signal and an inverse of the carrier signal, provides the mixed data signals to the first set of capacitors, and provides the mixed inverted data signals to the second set of capacitors. The second circuit recovers the data signal from the mixed signals.
US08693553B2 Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for adaptive synchronized decoding of digital video
An apparatus for adaptive synchronized decoding of digital video may include a processor. The processor may be configured to maintain a next key frame timestamp, decode a plurality of key frames of a video clip, decode a plurality of non-key frames of a video clip which arrive on time, and drop one or more non-key frames until the next key frame if a video frame arrives late and the next key frame is within a calculated drop time window based at least in part on the next key frame timestamp. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.
US08693549B2 Method and apparatus for selective inter-layer prediction on macroblock basis
Provided are an enhanced inter-layer reference picture designating method and apparatus and an enhanced inter-layer reference picture recovering method and apparatus capable of increasing coding efficiency by allowing different blocks in an upper spatial layer picture of a current to-be-decoded or to-be-encoded picture to refer to blocks in different lower spatial layer pictures.
US08693548B2 Methods and apparatus for motion search refinement in a SIMD array processor
Various approaches for motion search refinement in a processing element are discussed. A k/2+L+k/2 register stores an expanded row of an L×L macro block. A k-tap filter horizontally interpolates over the expanded row generating horizontal interpolation results. A transpose storage unit stores the interpolated results generated by the k-tap filter for k/2+L+k/2 entries, wherein rows or columns of data may be read out of the transpose storage unit in pipelined register stages. A k-tap filter vertically interpolates over the pipelined register stages generating vertical interpolation results.
US08693547B2 Apparatus and method for coding using motion vector segmentation
Disclosed herein is a method for encoding a video signal having at least one frame with a plurality of blocks having pixels. The method includes determining motion vectors for a first block in the at least one frame and at least some of the blocks that are neighbors to the first block, identifying neighboring blocks having motion vectors that are similar to the motion vector of the first block, assigning the first block and the identified neighboring blocks to a segment using a processor, applying a segment parameter to at least one block in the segment and encoding the at least one block using the segment parameter.
US08693546B2 Video encoding method and video decoding method
Provided is a video encoding/decoding technique for improving the compression efficiency by reducing the motion vector code amount. In a video decoding process, the prediction vector calculation method is switched from one to another in accordance with a difference between predetermined motion vectors among a plurality of motion vectors of a peripheral block of a block to be decoded and already decoded. The calculated prediction vector is added to a difference vector decoded from an encoded stream so as to calculate a motion vector. By using the calculated motion vector, the inter-image prediction process is executed.
US08693545B2 Display device and image processing method thereof
A display device and driving method are disclosed. The display device is configured to determine local areas in which motion blur is expected. Black data is inserted into the image data in the areas to compensate and reduce the motion blur.
US08693542B2 Method and device for estimating video noise
A method for estimating noise in a series of video frames includes selecting a region of a first frame, calculating high frequency quantities for the selected region, calculating temporal-domain high frequency quantities for the selected region of the frame and a mapping region of a second frame, and generating a noise estimate of the noise according to a relationship between the high frequency quantities and the temporal-domain high frequency quantities.
US08693540B2 Method and apparatus of temporal error concealment for P-frame
A method and apparatus of processing a multimedia frame comprising a first section received in error are disclosed. The method comprises obtaining temporal prediction data corresponding to a first reference frame. The method further comprises determining whether the first reference frame is reliable for estimating the first section. The method further comprises estimating the first section received in error based on one or more sections other than the first section of the multimedia frame and the first reference frame, if it is determined that the first reference frame is reliable.
US08693539B2 Coding method, error detecting method, decoding method, coding apparatus, error detecting apparatus, and decoding apparatus
Provided is a coding method that allows reduction of a code amount necessary for coding reference indexes and improvement in the coding efficiency. The coding method according to the present invention is a method of coding a random accessible picture using inter-view reference, and includes: writing, into a slice header of the random accessible picture, a reference list modification syntax for modifying a reference picture list so that an inter-view reference picture is placed at the beginning of the reference picture list (S103); placing the inter-view reference picture at the beginning of the reference picture list (S104); and coding a current slice included in the random accessible picture, using the reference picture list (S105).
US08693538B2 System and method for providing error resilience, random access and rate control in scalable video communications
Systems and methods for error resilient transmission, rate control, and random access in video communication systems that use scalable video coding are provided. Error resilience is obtained by using information from low resolution layers to conceal or compensate loss of high resolution layer information. The same mechanism is used for rate control by selectively eliminating high resolution layer information from transmitted signals, which elimination can be compensated at the receiver using information from low resolution layers. Further, random access or switching between low and high resolutions is also achieved by using information from low resolution layers to compensate for high resolution spatial layer packets that may have not been received prior to the switching time.
US08693536B2 Server apparatus, communication method and program
Disclosed is a server apparatus including a conversion unit which, in case another terminal takes part anew in a group of terminals, during a time of transmitting the copied stream or packet, converts a video frame to a non-predictive frame and transmits the non-predictive frame and transmits a video signal following the non-predictive frame, as it is.
US08693530B2 Modulation analysis and distortion identification
An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.
US08693525B2 Multi-carrier transmitter for wireless communication
A multi-carrier transmitter capable of transmitting on one or multiple frequency channels simultaneously is described. In one design, the multi-carrier transmitter includes at least one processor and a single radio frequency (RF) transmit chain. The processor(s) may generate output chips for each of multiple frequency channels, digitally filter and upsample the output chips for each frequency channel to obtain filtered samples, and digitally upconvert the filtered samples for each frequency channel to a different frequency to obtain upconverted samples. The processor(s) may then combine the upconverted samples for the multiple frequency channels to obtain composite samples, perform pre-distortion on the composite samples for I/Q mismatch compensation, and upsample the pre-distorted samples to obtain output samples. The output samples may be converted to an analog signal with a wideband DAC. The RF transmit chain may process the analog signal to generate an RF output signal.
US08693522B2 Pilot sending method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pilot sending method and an apparatus, which relate to the communication field and can save network resources. The solution is: performing spreading on at least two signature sequences by using a spreading code, where each signature sequence of the at least two signature sequences corresponds to at least one user equipment (UE), and is used as a dedicated pilot of at least one data stream of the at least one UE, and the dedicated pilot is used by the UE to perform precoding matrix estimation; and performing precoding on the spread signature sequences, and sending the precoded spread signature sequences to the UE. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to the sending of pilots in MU-MIMO.
US08693521B2 Method and apparatus for packet acquisition
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for acquisition of a received spread spectrum signal transmitted over a wired or wireless medium.
US08693516B2 Semiconductor surface light-emitting element and method of manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor surface light-emitting element of this invention is provided with a photonic crystal layer 6 obtained by periodically forming a plurality of holes H in a basic layer 6A comprised of a first compound semiconductor of the zinc blend structure and growing embedded regions 6B comprised of a second compound semiconductor of the zinc blend structure, in the holes H, and an active layer 4 to supply light to the photonic crystal layer 6, in which a principal surface of the basic layer 6A is a (001) plane and in which side faces of each hole H have at least three different {100} facets.
US08693515B2 Group-III nitride semiconductor laser device, and method for fabricating group-III nitride semiconductor laser device
Provided is a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device with a laser cavity allowing for a low threshold current, on a semipolar surface of a support base in which the c-axis of a hexagonal group-III nitride is tilted toward the m-axis. First and second fractured faces 27, 29 to form the laser cavity intersect with an m-n plane. The group-III nitride semiconductor laser device 11 has a laser waveguide extending in a direction of an intersecting line between the m-n plane and the semipolar surface 17a. For this reason, it is feasible to make use of emission by a band transition enabling the low threshold current. In a laser structure 13, a first surface 13a is opposite to a second surface 13b. The first and second fractured faces 27, 29 extend from an edge 13c of the first surface 13a to an edge 13d of the second surface 13b. The fractured faces are not formed by dry etching and are different from conventionally-employed cleaved facets such as c-planes, m-planes, or a-planes.
US08693512B2 Frequency referencing for tunable lasers
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for referencing an optical frequency of a tunable laser. Light from a reference laser and the tunable laser is injected into a length of an optical waveguide from opposite ends thereof. When the optical frequency of the tunable laser is swept, SBS induced positive and negative peaks in the optical power of light transmitted through the waveguide are used to provide an accurate frequency change reference.
US08693511B2 Laser device and method
A laser beam combining and power scaling device and method. A first highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the first optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the first laser head. A first Q-switch in alignment with the first optical axis interposed between the first highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A second highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the second optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the second laser head. The second Q-switch in alignment with the second optical axis is interposed between the second highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A third optical axis is coincident with the first optical axis. A third highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the third optical axis in alignment therewith. The third optical axis may include a third diode pumped laser head and Q-switch. A beam splitter resides at the intersection of the axes.
US08693510B2 Optical transmitter and optical transmission apparatus
An optical transmitter includes a laser configured to emit light, a power of the light increasing with temperature decreasing, a Faraday rotator configured to rotate a polarization direction of the light in accordance with the temperature, and a first polarizer that has a principal axis inclined at a given angle and inputs the light output from the Faraday rotator.
US08693506B2 Transparent clock adaptor for a network device
A transparent clock adaptor is provided for use with a router, switch or other network device that does not otherwise support transparent clock functionality. The transparent clock adaptor comprises a network port for coupling to a link of a network, a local port for coupling to a port of the network device, transparent clock processing circuitry operative to perform one or more transparent clock timing adjustment operations for each of a plurality of packets including at least one packet arriving in the adaptor via the network port and at least one packet arriving in the adaptor via the local port, and a synchronization interface for communicating with a corresponding synchronization interface of at least one other transparent clock adaptor. The adaptor can operate both as an ingress adaptor for packets arriving over the network link for delivery to the network device and as an egress adaptor for packets arriving from the network device for delivery over the network link.
US08693503B2 Method and device for operating and managing memory
A method for operating and managing memory is disclosed in present invention, during the whole transmission process of uplink data in transmission plane protocol layer of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), only the 1520-bytes global array of Subnet Dependent Convergence Protocol (SNDCP) layer and the 1560-bytes global array of Logic Link Control (LLC) layer are used, so the memory space can be saved effectively; also, because the SNDCP global array is used to store SNDCP data packets and the LLC global array is used to store the LLC data packets, so a dynamic process of memory application releasing on the transmission plane is avoided; moreover, only the data that need to be sent by the LLC are assembled with LLC frame format, thus avoiding useless work of LLC. Moreover, according to the present invention, the memory is operated and managed by way of global array without tedious memory pool operations.
US08693498B2 WiFi apparatus for wireless internet and wireless internet system using the same
The WiFi apparatus for wireless Internet includes: a signal inputting unit including a plurality of input ports for inputting a plurality of mobile communication signals, respectively, and an input port for inputting an Ethernet signal; a signal converting unit for converting the inputted Ethernet signal into a plurality of WiFi signals; a signal coupling unit for coupling the plurality of inputted mobile communication signals to the plurality of WiFi signals converted by the signal converting unit, respectively; a signal outputting unit for outputting a plurality of coupled signals coupled by the signal coupling unit through a plurality of output ports, respectively; and a coupler for allowing each of signals outputted from the signal outputting unit to be split with different phase differences and to be outputted.
US08693497B2 Long-reach ethernet system and relay
The present invention discloses a long-reach Ethernet system. The system includes a first Ethernet device and a second Ethernet device which communicate with each other, and a relay; wherein one of the first Ethernet device and the second Ethernet device is a conventional Ethernet device, and the other one of the first Ethernet device and the second Ethernet device is a conventional Ethernet device or a long-reach Ethernet device; the first Ethernet device and the second Ethernet device communicate with each other via the relay; and the relay is adapted to transform conventional Ethernet data into long-reach Ethernet data and transform long-reach Ethernet data into Ethernet data. The present invention can realize the communication of two Ethernet devices when at least one of the two Ethernet devices is a conventional Ethernet device and a working distance between them is longer than 100 meters.
US08693495B2 Wireless network medium access control protocol
A method for a device to communicate in one operational mode over a wireless network uses any suitable media access control mechanism for periodically communicating scheduled data transmission information between nodes. Scheduled data is then periodically transmitted according to the scheduled data transmission information and neighbor scheduled data is periodically listened for according to the neighbor scheduled data transmission information. Finally, the device is otherwise allowed to enter in a different operational mode.
US08693490B1 Parallel processing using multi-core processor
Disclosed are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for processing data packets in a communication network by a multi-core network processor. The network processor includes a plurality of multi-threaded core processors and special purpose processors for processing the data packets atomically, and in parallel. An ingress module of the network processor stores the incoming data packets in the memory and adds them to an input queue. The network processor processes a data packet by performing a set of network operations on the data packet in a single thread of a core processor. The special purpose processors perform a subset of the set of network operations on the data packet atomically. An egress module retrieves the processed data packets from a plurality of output queues based on a quality of service (QoS) associated with the output queues, and forwards the data packets towards their destination addresses.