| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08726744B2 |
Portable concentrator
The present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for concentrating a fluid sample. A portable or hand-held concentrator is used to draw the fluid sample through a filter into an internal chamber, capturing target particles on the filter. An elution cartridge containing an elution fluid is used to recover the captured particles into a reduced fluid volume. The hand-held concentrator includes a tip, which, when opened, allows the hand-held concentrator to draw the fluid sample into the tip and through the filter wall into the internal chamber. The drawing occurs due to a vacuum or wicking source in the internal chamber of the hand-held concentrator. The target particles are captured on the filter. The elution fluid contains a foaming agent and is held under a head pressure of gas soluble in the elution fluid. The target particles are eluted from the filter into the reduced fluid volume using an elution foam that is formed when the elution fluid is released from the elution cartridge. Embodiments of the hand-held concentrator are entirely self-contained and can operate without electrical power. |
| US08726740B1 |
Multi-axis dynamometer
The multi-axis dynamometer provides detailed information regarding the forces developed between the machine tool or bit and the workpiece during machining operations. Force sensing is provided along three mutually orthogonal axes, sensing being provided in opposite directions along two of the axes. A housing is split along its diagonal to form two portions that connect together at one corner, a clamp bolt adjustably securing the two opposite corners together. A workpiece holder receptacle is provided between the two portions, and a workpiece fits closely within the receptacle. Four sensors are installed on the four walls of the receptacle, and a fifth sensor is installed on the floor of the receptacle. Preload is applied to the sensors by adjusting the clamping force of the clamp bolt. Motion of the workpiece during machining operations produces forces upon the sensors, the sensor output being received by a microcontroller and transmitted for further use. |
| US08726736B2 |
Method for determining the local stress induced in a semiconductor material wafer by through vias
A method for determining, in a first semiconductor material wafer having at least one through via, mechanical stress induced by the at least one through via, this method including the steps of: manufacturing a test structure from a second wafer of the same nature as the first wafer, in which the at least one through via is formed by a substantially identical method, a rear surface layer being further arranged on this second wafer so that the via emerges on the layer; measuring the mechanical stress in the rear surface layer; and deducing therefrom the mechanical stress induced in the first semiconductor material wafer. |
| US08726734B1 |
Shear wave generation system and methods for ultrasound imaging
In one aspect the invention relates to a shear wave generator. The shear wave generator includes a first piezoelectric element having a first polarity in electrical communication with a first electrode; a second piezoelectric element having a second polarity in electrical communication with a second electrode, wherein the second polarity is an inverse of the first polarity; a boundary layer disposed behind both the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element; and an excitation signal generator in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first piezoelectric element vibrates in a first direction and the second piezoelectric element vibrates in a second direction in response to an excitation signal. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric elements are disposed within an ultrasound imaging probe. |
| US08726727B2 |
Probe tips for airborne instruments used to measure cloud microphysical parameters
An instrument for obtaining airborne measurements of cloud microphysical parameters. The instrument comprises supporting arms mounted thereon, optics and a detector for measuring the cloud microphysical parameters The supporting arms define an optical path of the instrument and comprise probe tips affixed thereto. The probe tips comprise an outer portion and an inner portion opposite the outer portion. The inner portion of the tips may comprise an angled section having at least one angled surface shaped to deflect particles away from the optical path of the instrument. |
| US08726725B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for determining at least one downhole parameter of a wellsite
Techniques for determining at least one downhole parameter of a wellsite are provided. A sensor apparatus is operatively connectable to a downhole tool deployable into a borehole of the wellsite, the downhole tool having a conduit system for receiving downhole fluid. The sensor apparatus has a housing, at least one gauge, a gauge carrying body positionable in the housing for receiving the gauge, and a flowline extending through the gauge carrying body for operatively connecting the conduit system to the gauge whereby parameters of the downhole fluid are measured. The gauge has at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor. The gauge carrying body has a pressure resistant block and a thermal absorber positionable about the gauge. |
| US08726724B2 |
System, method, and program for detecting deflated tires
A system detects deflated tires based on a resonance frequency of tires with a vehicle and a relative comparison value of rotation speeds of the tires. The system includes: a rotation information detection means for detecting rotation information of the tires; a rotation speed calculation means for calculating rotation speeds of the tires; a resonance frequency assumption means for assuming a resonance frequency of the tires; and a determination means for detection of deflated tires using a decreased pressure determination index calculated by a relative comparison of the rotation speeds of the tires and the resonance frequency. The determination means is so configured as to reduce the second threshold to be compared with the decreased pressure determination index to a value equal to or higher than 1% and equal to or lower than 90% and to detect deflated tires when the decreased pressure determination index exceeds the reduced threshold. |
| US08726723B2 |
Detection of aftertreatment catalyst degradation
An exemplary embodiment is a system, including an internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust gas flowpath, an aftertreatment system disposed in the exhaust gas flowpath, where the aftertreatment system includes a NOx reduction catalyst. The exemplary system includes a processing subsystem having a controller, where the controller includes modules structured to functionally execute operations for determining a catalyst degradation. The modules include a test conditions module, a testing module, a monitoring module, and a catalyst aging module. The test conditions module interprets a test conditions event occurrence for the NOx reduction catalyst, the testing module commands a catalyst efficiency test in response to the test conditions event occurrence, the monitoring module interprets operating condition(s) indicative of a NOx conversion efficiency during the catalyst efficiency test, and the catalyst aging module determines a catalyst aging value in response to the at least one operating condition. |
| US08726720B2 |
Particulate matter monitor
A particulate monitoring system includes a conduit in which to a pass a fluid sample from an input port to an output port. The particulate monitoring system receives a fluid sample inputted to the conduit through the input port. The fluid sample can include different sizes of particulate matter. The particulate monitoring system controls a flow of the fluid sample through the conduit to age the particulate matter. Gravitational forces cause a portion of the particulate matter in the fluid sample to fall into a basin as opposed to being exhausted through the output port, which is disposed at a vertically higher level of the conduit than the input port. Thus, the particulate monitoring system outputs a portion of the original particulate matter in the fluid sample (e.g., particulate matter that does not drop into the basin out due to gravity) for analysis. |
| US08726719B2 |
Light-weight analyzer for odor recognition
The invention provides a light weight analyzer, e.g., detector, capable of locating clandestine graves. The detector utilizes the very specific and unique chemicals identified in the database of human decompositional odor. This detector, based on specific chemical compounds found relevant to human decomposition, is the next step forward in clandestine grave detection and will take the guess-work out of current methods using canines and ground-penetrating radar, which have historically been unreliable. The detector is self contained, portable and built for field use. Both visual and auditory cues are provided to the operator. |
| US08726718B2 |
Payout-glide-flakeoff apparatus for characterizing deodorant and antiperspirant sticks
An apparatus and system for characterizing and quantifying certain attributes of antiperspirants and deodorants is provided, such as payout, friction, and flakeoff. The apparatus is capable of reproducibly applying antiperspirants and deodorant to a substrate. |
| US08726703B1 |
Low profile lock interface system and method
A system for securing an item to an anchor is disclosed. The system may include a first extension extending from an item, an interface mechanism connected to the first extension, and a lock. The interface mechanism may include a cylindrical base, a sleeve, and a second extension. The cylindrical base may comprise an extension aperture receiving the first extension therewithin. The slide may surround at least a portion of the cylindrical base and occupy a blocking position locking the first extension within the extension aperture. The second extension may extend from the slide and comprise a traveler occupying a locking position locking the slide in the blocking position. The lock may engage the second extension and lock the traveler in the locking position. |
| US08726698B2 |
Manufacturing process for chalcogenide glasses
The present invention is generally directed to a method of making chalcogenide glasses including holding the melt in a vertical furnace to promote homogenization and mixing; slow cooling the melt at less than 10° C. per minute; and sequentially quenching the melt from the top down in a controlled manner. Additionally, the present invention provides for the materials produced by such method. The present invention is also directed to a process for removing oxygen and hydrogen impurities from chalcogenide glass components using dynamic distillation. |
| US08726695B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus for a thin glass sheet
A manufacturing apparatus for a thin glass sheet includes a forming member main body configured to form the thin glass sheet by fusing together, at a lower end portion of the forming member main body, streams of molten glass, which have overflown from an overflow trough to both sides of the forming member main body, under a state in which the streams of the molten glass are caused to flow down along outer surface portions having a substantially wedge shape. The manufacturing apparatus also includes a pair of covering members fitted onto both widthwise end portions of the forming member main body, respectively, the pair of covering members forming restricting wall portions for restricting widthwise spread of the streams of the molten glass flowing down along the outer surface portions of the forming member main body. |
| US08726694B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing glass tubes having a predetermined inner profile, preferably for continuously manufacturing such glass tubes
The method produces glass tubes having a predetermined inner profile according to a Vello-method or Down-Draw method, wherein molten glass emerges from an outlet orifice of a melt feed and is drawn over a shaping body to form a hollow drawing bulb, and the drawing bulb is drawn over a profile forming body downstream of the shaping body to form the predetermined inner profile. To enable a reliable, risk-free positioning of the profile forming body within the drawing bulb, the profile forming body is axially moved either from below the shaping body via an inner space of the glass tube or via an inner bore of a shaft supporting the shaping body until reaching an operational position in the inner space of the glass tube. An apparatus for performing the method is also described. |
| US08726688B2 |
Refrigerator for fresh products with temperature leveling means
A refrigerator for fresh and frozen products with passive elements for temperature leveling without ventilation and for maintaining the relative humidity above 90% even in the absence of a connection to the electrical mains, by using the energy supplied by the melting enthalpy of the thermal mass, frozen beforehand by circulating refrigeration fluid at low temperature within a heat accumulator, which allows to absorb the heat that passes through the walls and the heat dissipated by the products, the refrigerator comprising a body which defines internally at least one compartment which is delimited by thermally insulating walls, at least 50% of the inner surface of the compartment being constituted by the surface of a heat accumulator containing a eutectic liquid, with a phase change temperature which is proximate to the temperature to be maintained within the compartment, an evaporation circuit associated with a compressor being connected to the heat accumulator. |
| US08726687B2 |
Method for operating an air conditioning unit for a car
In an air conditioning unit for a car, which air conditioning unit has a refrigerant circuit with a primary consumer branch having a compressor, condenser, and an evaporator, which air conditioning unit also has at least one auxiliary consumer branch that is connected parallel to the primary consumer branch and has a cold accumulator and its own evaporator, a stop valve is arranged in front of each evaporator. After operational phases charging the cold accumulator, the stop valve of the primary consumer branch is regularly opened for only a predetermined opening time that depends on particular operating parameters. The substantial operating parameters are the air inlet temperature and the air mass flow at the evaporator of the primary consumer branch. |
| US08726686B2 |
Ice making device and refrigerator
An ice-making device and a refrigerator having the ice-making device are provided. The ice-making device includes an ice-making housing defining a predetermined ice-making space therein, an ice tray rotatably installed in the ice-making space and provided with a plurality of ice-making grooves, and a protruding rib that is formed on the ice tray to prevent water from being splashed out of the ice-making grooves. |
| US08726685B2 |
Water tank for refrigerator, manufacturing method of water tank for refrigerator, and refrigerator having water tank for refrigerator
A water tank for a refrigerator that withstands high pressure and prevents leakage of water and a refrigerator having the same. The water tank includes a plurality of water storage containers to store water and at least one communication member through which the water storage containers communicate with each other. The water storage containers and the at least one communication member are integrally formed by injection molding. Joints are considerably reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, simplifying a manufacturing process, and improving productivity. |
| US08726679B2 |
Dedicated pulsing valve for compressor cylinder
A reciprocating piston compressor for use in a refrigerant compression circuit comprises first and second intake manifolds, first and second reciprocating piston compression units, an outlet manifold and a first pulsing valve. The intake manifolds segregate inlet flow into the compressor. The first and second reciprocating piston compression units receive flow from the first and second intake manifolds, respectively. The outlet manifold collects and distributes compressed refrigerant from the compression units. The first pulsing valve is mounted externally of the first intake manifold to regulate refrigerant flow into the first intake manifold. In another embodiment, a second valve is mounted externally of the second intake manifold to regulate flow into the second intake manifold, and the first and second valves are operated by a controller. The controller activates the first valve with variable width pulses having intervals less than an operating inertia of the refrigerant compression circuit. |
| US08726678B2 |
Controllers and methods for providing computerized generation and use of a three dimensional surge map for control of chillers
A controller for a chiller includes processing electronics configured to detect a plurality of surge events. The processing electronics calculate a point for each detected surge event in at least a three dimensional coordinate system. The three dimensional coordinate system describes at least three conditions of the chiller when the surge event was detected. The processing electronics are configured to calculate a surface map for the at least three dimensional coordinate system using the calculated points. The processing electronics are further configured to control at least one setpoint for the chiller using the calculated surface map. |
| US08726669B2 |
Combustor dome with combined deflector/mixer retainer
A combustor dome assembly includes a dome plate with upstream and downstream faces and an aperture therein; a deflector with body and a tube section, the deflector fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the downstream face with the tube section in the aperture; a retainer having an annular body with a central opening therein, an annular flange, and at least one hook defining a slot, the retainer being fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the upstream face of the dome plate with the flange received in the aperture; and an annular mixer with a radial array of swirl vanes and an annular mounting flange, with a retention tab extending radially outward from the mounting flange. The mixer is disposed adjacent the upstream face with the mounting flange against the retainer. The retention tab is engaged in the slot to prevent axial withdrawal of the mixer from the retainer. |
| US08726661B2 |
Hybrid powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and a stirling engine
An exhaust aftertreatment system for treating an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine includes a catalytic converter, a fluidic circuit and a Stirling engine. The Stirling engine is configured to transform thermal energy from a working fluid heat exchanger to mechanical power that is transferable to an electric motor/generator to generate electric power. The Stirling engine is configured to transform mechanical power from the electric motor/generator to thermal energy transferable to the working fluid heat exchanger. |
| US08726660B2 |
Dual-inlet supercharger for EGR flow control
A supercharger compressor includes a plurality of rotors rotatably mounted in a housing, a first inlet for air, a second inlet for recirculated exhaust gas, and a flow separator. The flow separator is arranged interior the housing and configured to form a slideable seal with at least one rotor of the plurality of rotors, the slideable seal fluidically isolating the first inlet from the second inlet, at least in part, and retarding pressure equalization therebetween. |
| US08726659B2 |
Intake system of engine
An intake system of an engine may include an intake line supplying an engine with air, an exhaust line that exhaust gas combusted in the cylinder is exhausted, a housing disposed on the intake line and a compressor is disposed therein, the compressor is operated by a turbine disposed on an exhaust line, a recirculation line that recirculates the air from the intake line of a downstream side of the compressor to the intake line of an upstream side of the compressor, and an anti surge valve disposed on the recirculation line to open/close the recirculation line, wherein a length of a first section (l) that is straight from the anti surge valve is longer than two times the outlet diameter (d) of the anti surge valve in the recirculation line that is formed from the anti surge valve to an upstream side of the compressor. |
| US08726658B2 |
Method and system for exhaust gas recirculation
Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a first turbocharger having a first compressor and a second turbocharger having a second compressor. An EGR differential between the first compressor and the second compressor may be increased under a condensation condition, and decreased under a surge condition. The EGR differential may also be decreased when a compressor outlet temperature exceeds an outlet temperature threshold. |
| US08726655B2 |
Modular exhaust gas assembly
A modular exhaust gas assembly includes a turbocharger housing having an exhaust flange and a bearing flange receptacle, and a plurality of turbine scrolls of different sizes for selective installation into the turbocharger housing in dependence on a power of an engine. Each turbine scroll has an inlet zone and is connected to the bearing flange receptacle via a selected one of a plurality of different bearing flanges and to the exhaust flange via a selected one of a plurality of different exhaust links. The inlet zone of each turbine scroll is configured to complement a contour of an outlet zone of a standard manifold so that the turbine scrolls are selectively connectable via their inlet zone to the manifold to suit the engine power at hand. |
| US08726654B2 |
Master cylinder comprising means for injecting brake fluid into said master cylinder, and braking system comprising such a master cylinder
The present invention relates mainly to a braking system comprising a master cylinder comprising means of connection to a hydraulic braking circuit and means of connecting at least one chamber of the master cylinder to means of injecting brake fluid into said chamber. The main subject of the invention is a master cylinder (48) comprising at least one variable-volume chamber and one moving piston (207), the movement of which causes the volume of said chamber to vary, and means of connecting said chamber to a hydraulic braking circuit, characterized in that it further comprises means (217) of connection to a source (116) of pressurized brake fluid. The invention applies notably to the motor industry. The invention applies mainly to the braking industry. |
| US08726652B1 |
Torque controlled antagonistic shape memory alloy actuator
A rotational actuator assembly employs a drive torque actuator having a shape memory alloy (SMA) tube with a first trained twist direction and a return actuator having a SMA tube with an opposite trained twist direction collinear with the drive torque actuator with abutting proximal ends. A central fitting joins the proximal ends. A control system employs a position sensor for the drive torque actuator and the torque sensor for the return actuator for combined antagonistic rotation of the central fitting. |
| US08726646B2 |
Hydraulic system having multiple actuators and an associated control method
A hydraulic system, and associated method of control, includes an operator input device, a source of hydraulic fluid flow, and a plurality of actuators. At least one valve associated with each actuator for controlling a flow of fluid to and from the actuator. A controller is responsive to a signal from the operator input device to calculate a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to each of the actuators. The controller controls the source of hydraulic fluid flow and the valves for powering the actuators with the calculated hydraulic pressure. The controller also monitors a sensed parameter to determine whether the actuators can be powered with the calculated hydraulic pressure, and in response to a determination that the actuators cannot be powered with the calculated hydraulic pressure, calculates a discrepancy ratio and modifies actuation of the actuators with the discrepancy ratio. |
| US08726641B2 |
Method for controlling injection of diesel exhaust fluid into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine
A method is provided for controlling injection of Diesel Exhaust Fluid into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine equipped with a Selective Reduction Catalyst. The method includes, but is not limited to monitoring a value of a control parameter influencing an operation of the Selective Reduction Catalyst, injecting a quantity of Diesel Exhaust Fluid, controlling the quantity of Diesel Exhaust Fluid to be injected employing a closed loop procedure or an open loop procedure, switching between the closed loop procedure and the open loop procedure, when value of the control parameter crosses a first threshold value of the control parameter. |
| US08726638B2 |
Reduction of NOx trap at engine shutoff
The reduction of a NOx trap upon engine shutdown is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises adjusting a timing of creating a reductive environment in the exhaust conduit upstream of the lean NOx trap based upon the determined engine stop position. The creation of a reductive environment in the exhaust conduit upstream of the lean NOx trap may help to at least partially reactivate the lean NOx trap during engine shutoff. |
| US08726632B2 |
Gas turbine engine having slim-line nacelle
A method of providing a slim-line nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes the steps of detecting a windmilling condition and increasing a discharge airflow area of a variable area fan nozzle in response to the detection of the windmilling condition. |
| US08726630B2 |
System and method for passive valving for pulse detonation combustors
A pulse detonation device contains a pulse detonation combustor which detonates a mixture of oxidizer and fuel. The fuel is supplied through fuel ducts and the fuel flow is controlled by fuel flow control devices. Oxidizer flow is provided through a main inlet portion and a flow control device directs the oxidizer flow to either the combustor or to a bypass duct, or both. The combustor further contains an ignition source. Each of the flow control devices, fuel flow control devices and ignition source are controlled by a control system to optimize performance at different thrust/power settings for the device. |
| US08726628B2 |
Combined cycle power plant including a carbon dioxide collection system
A combined cycle power plant includes a compressor section including a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, and a turbine section operatively connected to the compressor section. The turbine section includes a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet. A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is fluidly connected to the turbine outlet. A combustor includes a head end and a combustor discharge. The head end is fluidly connected to the compressor outlet and the combustor discharge is fluidly connected to the turbine inlet. A carbon dioxide collection system is fluidly connected to one of the compressor outlet and the head end of the combustor. The carbon dioxide collection system is configured and disposed to extract a first fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a second fluid from a substantially oxygen free fluid flow passed from the one of the compressor outlet and the head end of the combustor. |
| US08726627B2 |
Gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity
A gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, for preventing generation of white smoke throughout a year, and for restraining radiation of extra heat so as to restrain lowering of heat efficiency, the equipment comprising a humidifying device for humidifying compressed gas for combustion, a heat recovery device for recovering exhaust heat from a gas turbine or the compressed air so as to heat humidifying water in the humidifying device, a recuperator for recovering exhaust heat from the gas turbine and heating the compressed gas for combustion, a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying and recovering moisture in the exhaust gas having passed through the recuperator, and an exhaust gas reheater for heating the exhaust gas after dehumidification, and further comprising a temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas reheater, and a heating temperature adjusting device for increasing the heating temperature of the exhaust gas reheater if a temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the temperature measuring device is not higher than a predetermined value. |
| US08726622B2 |
Feeder arm safety stand
A safety stand is provided for minimizing the effect of hydraulic failure in an agricultural harvester. The safety stand has a series of notches along a longitudinal edge of the safety stand which are designed to accept and received a protrusion affixed to a cylinder of a hydraulic cylinder which raises and lowers a feeder arm. When the feeder arm is raised, the hydraulic cylinder is in the full upright position, the safety stand can be lowered such that the protrusion enters and is held within a notch to prevent accidental downward movement of the feeder arm. If the notch fails, or the safety stand is not properly engaged, the longitudinal edge of the safety arm is allowed to follow the protrusion, until a subsequent notch is reached, which then engages the protrusion, safely stopping the downward path of the feeder arm. |
| US08726618B1 |
Method of making and using a foldable and stackable box
An apparatus including a box portion which may include a left side, a right side, a front side, a rear side, and a bottom. Each of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides is connected to the bottom to be foldable with respect to the bottom, from an orientation parallel to the bottom to an orientation substantially perpendicular to the bottom. A device may be connected to the bottom, including an inner peripheral wall which extends, substantially perpendicularly from the bottom. The inner peripheral wall may be substantially in the shape of a loop and may have a width and a length, substantially perpendicular to the height of the device, slightly less than a width and a length, respectively, of an inner chamber defined by top edges of the left, the right, the front, and the rear sides, of the box portion in an upright state. |
| US08726617B2 |
Method and device for filling of containers of collapsible type
A method for filling containers of a collapsible type, including providing a web which includes the containers in an interconnected state, feeding the web for transporting the containers in a first direction, removing, during transport in the first direction, an end seal provided on each container for opening a filling duct, disengaging, during transport in the first direction, the containers from one another, and subsequently transporting the containers in a second direction transverse to first direction and filling, during the transport in the second direction, each container with a liquid product. The disclosure further relates to a device for filling containers of a collapsible type. |
| US08726614B2 |
Composite material structure and method for making same
The invention provides a composite material structure comprising a plate having an upper side, an under side and at least first and second beams, each beam having a plurality of faces comprising at least an upper face and a base face and a pair of spaced apart side faces intermediate to and adjoining the upper and base faces, each beam being attached to the underside of the plate at the upper face wherein the first beam has an open ended passage extending between the side faces and the second beam extends through the open ended passage. |
| US08726613B2 |
Composite honeycomb sandwich panel equipped with composite-rail aluminum I-shape side insert
The present invention relates to a composite honeycomb sandwich panel equipped with a composite rail aluminum I-shaped side insert, and more specifically, to an improved structure of a hybrid composite sandwich panel having a laminated composite skin and an aluminum honeycomb core which is mechanically improved in terms of assembly, strength and weight. The composite honeycomb sandwich panel includes: a planar honeycomb core; a composite rail which is wrapped around the periphery of the honeycomb core and has therein a hollow space that is open on opposite sides thereof; an I-shaped center rail insert which is fitted into the hollow space of the composite rail so that the sandwich panel is connected to an adjacent sandwich panel by bolting through the I-shaped center rail insert; and laminated composite skins which cover upper and lower surfaces of the honeycomb core having the composite rail wrapped around. |
| US08726607B1 |
Sway brace assembly and method of restraining pipe relative to a building structure
A building structure includes a web joist having a beam element with a laterally extending flange and a depending flange. A sway brace is attached to the laterally extending flange using a plate clamp with fixed and opposed screw jaws to grip the flange. A pipe clamp having a circumferential body which can tighten to retain a pipe is arranged so that the axis of the pipe extends beneath the depending flange of the beam element. A link, pivotally mounted at each end, extends between an upper portion of the plate clamp and the pipe clamp. The plate clamp is locked in place, the pipe is moved to the proximity of the depending flange and the pipe clamp is locked as far from the plate clamp as possible. |
| US08726606B2 |
Light steel trusses and truss systems
A truss chord for use in a light steel truss includes a flange portion, a pair of web portions and at least one wing. The flange portion has an end and an end portion. The end portion has a double thickness. The pair of web portions extend substantially orthogonally from the flange portion and are spaced inwardly from the ends of the flange portion. The at least one wing extends outwardly substantially orthogonally from at least one of the pair of web portions. There is provided an alternate embodiment wherein the wing having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therein. There is also provided a truss web. As well there is a truss which uses the truss chords and truss webs and a truss system which uses a plurality of trusses. In addition there is a mass customization system for the trusses. |
| US08726605B2 |
End wall panel
An end wall panel for an arch-style steel building is disclosed. The end wall panel is fabricated from metal sheet and consists of a plurality of upper flanges spaced apart from one another. The upper flanges are connected to lower flanges by a web section extending at an angle from the upper flange. Flange stiffeners also extend at an angle from the outermost upper flanges. The end wall panel provides increased strength in an arch-style steel building and can withstand critical wind loads without additional stiffeners. The end wall panel is also inexpensive to manufacture and install into an arch-style steel building. |
| US08726602B2 |
Interlocking floor tile
A flexible interlocking floor tile having a dual construction with an interlocking mechanism allows for easy installation of multiple tiles. The dual construction can include recycled material and new material. The tile also includes an adequate support at the corner of the tile when assembling multiple tiles. The tile has a single interlocking structure or groove to keep the entire tile joint tight with other tile joints, instead of interrupted interlocking structure which can lead to functional and aesthetic flaws in the entire floor. The single continuous interlocking structure allows for a one-step easy removal of any excess material or flashing from the tile after the molding process. |
| US08726601B2 |
Building facade surface for seasonal selectiveness of solar irradiation absorption and reflection
Disclosed are various building facade surface configurations and related methods. An exemplary facade includes grooved cavities that are configured in a manner that reflects summer (cooling season) insolation and absorbs winter (heating season) insolation. The effective absorptivities of the exemplary facade for various cavity reflectance characteristics, i.e., a wide range of diffuse and specular reflectance characteristics, are evaluated using a Monte Carlo model. The calculations in an illustrated embodiment are performed for the latitude of 41° N where both heating and cooling loads are significant. Embodiments of facades and other structures are similarly within the scope of the disclosure for locations of different latitudes and longitudes. |
| US08726600B1 |
Concrete crack inhibiting device
A concrete re-entrant corner crack inhibiting device for implantation into a re-entrant corner of a casted concrete structure serves to inhibit stress fractures from developing at the cured concrete re-entrant corners. The device includes a re-entrant corning brace for cornering and embedding onto the re-entrant corner, a radial arm radiating outwardly from the brace so to extend into the cement structure and a fracture interrupting unit transversely connected to the radial arm so as to intercept, interrupt and inhibit the development and spread of stress fractures emanating from a cured cement re-entrant corner. |
| US08726599B2 |
Fatigue load resistant structures and welding processes
A fatigue load resistant structure includes a fatigue loaded portion and a weldable fatigue loading resistant feature. The fatigue loaded portion includes a first elongation material. The weldable fatigue loading resistant feature includes a second elongation material secured to the fatigue loaded portion of the fatigue loaded structure. The first elongation material is less ductile than the second elongation material, and the weldable fatigue loading resistant feature can reduce, retard, or eliminate formation of cracks due to tensile and compressive forces. |
| US08726597B2 |
High-strength veneer tie and thermally isolated anchoring systems utilizing the same
An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a wall anchor and a high-strength veneer tie. The anchor includes nonconductive thermally-isolating components that maintain the insulation R-values. The anchor features seals located at insertion points in the layers of the interior wythe that stabilize the wall anchor and protect against the entry of liquids and vapor. The veneer tie utilizes a ribbon connector that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The veneer tie, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with the wall anchor and is dimensioned to preclude significant veneer tie movement and to preclude pullout. |
| US08726596B2 |
High-strength partially compressed veneer ties and anchoring systems utilizing the same
A high-strength pintle anchoring system for a cavity wall is disclosed. The high-strength pintle anchoring system employs a partially compressively reduced veneer tie that is cold-worked with the resultant body partially having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The partially compressively reduced veneer tie, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with the receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe. |
| US08726595B2 |
Irregular building units having mating sides
An irregularly-shaped building unit includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite of the front surface, and an outer contour surface that extends generally perpendicularly from the front surface to the rear surface. The outer contour surface is irregularly shaped. A plurality of mating sides are disposed on the outer contour surface, where at least two mating sides intersect with a major axis, and at least two mating sides intersect with a minor axis. The major axis and the minor axis are generally perpendicular to each other. Each mating side is a centered rotation about the respective axis that the mating side intersects with. |
| US08726594B2 |
Composite pre-formed building panels
A composite building panel including a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, comprised of an expanded polymer matrix, having opposite faces, a first surface and an opposing second surface; and one or more reinforcing members longitudinally extending across the central body between said opposite faces, having a first side portion embedded in the expanded polymer matrix, and a second side portion extending away from the first surface of the central body and one or more expansion holes located in the reinforcing member between the first side portion of the reinforcing member and the first surface of the central body. The central body includes a polymer matrix that expands through the expansion holes; and a space defined by the first surface of the central body and the second side portion of the reinforcing members is adapted for accommodating utilities through the space. |
| US08726593B2 |
Ventilation strip, in particular for high-pitched roofs
The invention relates to a venting band with at least two side strips extending parallel to one another and a center strip. Parallel to the side strips extend venting bands formed by continuously connected walls or webs. The venting bands can therein have diverse forms. At least one venting channel is provided; however, it is also possible to provide several venting channels. Through the use of certain materials with restoring forces for the venting band, the at least one venting channel can open automatically during the rolling out of the venting band. However, it is also possible, to bring about an opening of the at least one venting channel by pulling on the side strips. |
| US08726592B2 |
Drywall corner or a transition corner
A transition corner or drywall corner which transitions from a rounded exterior corner to a right angle corner at the trim. The transition corner has an exterior side with depressions which receive mud, an elevated longitudinal bead along an apex of an acute angle of the exterior side which facilitates the receipt of mud. The interior side is shaped to be received by the shape of an exterior corner, which is generally rounded, and is coated with an adhesive means to allow fixing and adjustment of the transition corner at the trim to be in vertical alignment with the exterior corner. |
| US08726589B2 |
Wind turbine installation comprising an apparatus for protection of anchor bolts and method of installation
A wind turbine installation comprises anchor bolts having a sheath or sleeve which extends above the cement foundation and the overlying grout layer. If desired, the sleeve may partially extend inside the base flange of the wind turbine tower. The sleeve may be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or other materials having satisfactory mechanical properties, primarily that the material be capable of withstanding sufficient plastic deformation to cause the material to conform to the shape of the threads of the anchor bolts without the material failing. This swaging operation results in a crimped end which forms an interference fit with the threads of the anchor bolt thereby preventing or limiting the intrusion of water or other liquids into the bolt-sleeve annulus during the installation of the turbine foundation. |
| US08726588B2 |
Reinforced composite material explosion vent
A non-metallic explosion vent is provided for protecting a confined space from a high overpressure condition. Reinforcing material having greater tensile strength than the resin, such as glass fiber roving, mesh or fabric, is embedded in the panel. An elongated, overall U-shaped groove extends inwardly from one of the surfaces of the panel through only a portion of the thickness of the panel. The groove interrupts the reinforcing material and defines a line of weakness that presents a relief area of the panel that opens under a predetermined overpressure condition. A plurality of spaced reinforcing components preferably overlie the groove, and optionally may extend across the relief area of the panel, transversely thereof and at an angle to one another. The reinforcing components contribute to control of the burst pressure of the vent and assist in preventing separation of the vent area from the body of the panel and/or fragmentation of the vent area during opening thereof. |
| US08726585B2 |
Three-piece frame assembly for window of enclosure
Frames for mounting windows within the walls of enclosures for isolating or sealing substances such as radioactive or other hazardous substances from the surrounding environment. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a two-piece frame that is welded into the wall of an enclosure. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a three-piece frame that is clamped to the wall of an enclosure. The frame assemblies may also be used to mount structures other than windows to enclosure walls, such as ducts or pipes intended for passing power, gas, vacuum, or other utilities into the interior of an enclosure. |
| US08726582B2 |
Breakaway couplings for transportation structures
A breakaway coupling for joining a generally vertical pole structure to a supporting foundation is provided. The breakaway coupling is provided with a multi-sided, elongated body, which may be square-shaped, hexagonal, or generally polygonal in shape. The multi-sided, elongated body is provided with an upper end and a lower end, an outer surface, and is machined to have an internally threaded bore that extends between the upper end and the lower end of the multi-sided, elongated body. The outer surface of the multi-sided, elongated body of the breakaway coupling is provided with at least one horizontally disposed, circumferential groove extending partially into the multi-sided, elongated body toward the internally threaded bore and also extending to a critical notch depth. |
| US08726581B2 |
Construction system providing structural integrity with integral seal
A system for constructing a residential or commercial structure and/or retrofitting an existing structure provides a series of construction components employed that cooperate with standard construction materials to enhance the building structural integrity when subjected to destructive wind forces such as those commonly associated with hurricanes and tornados. The resultant strength of the structure is increased beyond what the standard construction materials were capable of on their own. The enhanced components further cooperate with standard construction materials to provide a secondary water sealing ability such that the typical veneer coverings of siding and/or shingles, which are typically required to provide a primary sealing system from water influent to the structure, are relegated to the role of cosmetics for the structure. The primary sealing ability of the shingles and/or the siding can be compromised in response to storm winds, yet the structure will remain watertight via the secondary sealing system. |
| US08726572B2 |
Window restrictor
A window restrictor that may be used to limit the opening of a window. The restrictor comprises a restrictor member and a latch mechanism. Typically, the restrictor member is attached to a stile or rail of the moving window pane and the latch mechanism is attached to a part of the casing or frame surrounding the window opening. In use, the restrictor member is engaged with the latch mechanism so that as the window is opened, the extent of opening is restricted by the restrictor member length. To fully open the window, the restrictor member is disengaged from the latch mechanism. When the restrictor member and latch mechanism are disengaged, they remain in such a configuration that, when the window is closed, the restrictor member and latch mechanism automatically re-engage to prevent the window being fully opened again. The restrictor member can comprise a hinged member which includes bias means. |
| US08726571B2 |
Preformed decorative wrapper and methods of use thereof
A preformed decorative wrapper for covering a flower pot has an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween. At least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapper extends beyond an upper end of the pot and at least a portion of a lower end of the flower pot extends through the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper. |
| US08726570B1 |
Flowerpot doily-supporting accessory
The flowerpot doily-supporting accessory includes a cross brace and a plurality of leg supports that extend downwardly therefrom. The cross brace is a curved bar that enables a doily to be draped thereon in order to form an assembly. The leg supports include at least one leg located on opposing sides of the cross brace which extend downwardly and include a pointed in for insertion into potting soil or a pumpkin. The assembly is adorned along a front surface of the flowerpot in order to provide a decoration thereon, and may alternatively be employed along a front surface of a pumpkin. |
| US08726569B2 |
Method of covering a pot with a floral sleeve
A floral sleeve having a body and an insert or extension attached thereto is used to cover a pot. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion for enclosing a floral grouping disposed within the pot. |
| US08726565B2 |
Sheet mulch assembly for an agricultural drip irrigation system
A sheet mulch assembly includes a sheet mulch; an irrigation conduit attached to and carried by the sheet mulch; and at least one carrier substrate coupled with the conduit. Each carrier substrate carries at least one seed. |
| US08726562B1 |
Optics mount for a firearm
An optics mount for a firearm is disclosed. The optics mount includes a laterally adjustable member and a base member. The laterally adjustable member comprises a first engaging member and a scope bracket. The base member may comprises a side rail receptor shaped to engage a side rail mount of a firearm (or another type of engaging mechanism) and a second engaging member shaped to slidably engage the first engaging member in a lateral direction of the optics mount. In one configuration, the optics mount may also be repositioned in a longitudinal direction along the optics mount. |
| US08726555B2 |
Magazine safety assembly
A magazine safety assembly configured for use in a firearm includes a pivot point assembly. A lever assembly, including a first portion and a second portion, is configured to pivot about the pivot point assembly from an engaged position to a disengaged position. When positioned in the engaged position, the first portion of the lever assembly releasably engages a trigger assembly of the firearm. When positioned in the disengaged position, the second portion of the lever assembly releasably engages an ammunition magazine assembly positioned within a magazine well of the firearm. A spring assembly is configured to bias the lever assembly into the engaged position when the ammunition magazine assembly is not positioned within the magazine well the firearm. |
| US08726554B2 |
Magazine well adapter and kit
The magazine well adapter of the present invention, and associated kits and devices, improves the firing rate and accuracy of AK-type firearms by converting the traditional magazine well into a push-button drop ejection device. |
| US08726552B2 |
Adapter for hitch mounted sign
A sign mounting adapter system includes a hitch extension tube. A sign orientation post connected and oriented perpendicular to the hitch extension tube has a longitudinal axis. A sign support post is axially and rotatably received on the sign orientation post. The sign support post has a longitudinal axis co-axially aligned with the sign orientation post longitudinal axis, and a receiving bore perpendicular to the sign support post longitudinal axis. Multiple orientation bores extend through the sign orientation post, each oriented at a first angle to proximate orientation bores and perpendicular to the orientation post longitudinal axis. A retention assembly is releasably and co-axially received in the receiving bore and one of the orientation bores. The retention assembly releasably connects the sign support post to the sign orientation post to permit selection of a sign support post axial angle of rotation to the sign orientation post. |
| US08726551B2 |
Retroreflective film
A retroreflective film (30) comprising a cover layer (40), a prismatic layer (42), a reflective layer (44), an adhesive layer (46), and a protective liner (48). The prismatic layer (42) has retroreflective prism elements (60) formed on its rear surface and the reflective layer (44) covers the rear surfaces of the prism elements. The film (30) has an elongation of at least 20% and can be constructed for use with a substrate subjected to a cold-work deformation process, such as stamping, embossing, or pressing. |
| US08726548B2 |
Interactive greeting card
An integral greeting card/game is disclosed wherein a multi-panel greeting card also serves as a game board and is combined with a game piece and launch mechanism to create a novel, interactive greeting card. The multi-panel greeting card contains a sound module therein and a magnetic trigger is contained and concealed below one or more of the multiple greeting card panels. The game piece contains a magnet therein so that when the game piece comes into contact with the area of the greeting card above or proximate to the magnetic trigger, playback of an audio file is initiated. |
| US08726547B2 |
Greeting card with spring loaded slide track audio trigger
An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card. |
| US08726546B2 |
Medal mounting apparatus
A medal mounting apparatus comprises a mounting plate and a backing plate. The mounting plate has at least one hole through the plate. The hole is adapted to allow a medal to be secured to the plate by a tie or stitch through the plate. The backing plate is adapted to be secured to a garment and to be releasably secured to the mounting plate such that when secured, the backing plate is spaced from the mounting plate to create a cavity between the mounting plate and the backing plate. |
| US08726545B2 |
Fold-away ironing device with steam generator
Fold-away ironing device comprising a frame (12) attached to the wall and in which there is an ironing board surrounded by a mobile frame (18). In a first position, the ornamental front part is visible in the frame fixed to the wall and the ironing board is folded away, and in the second position, the front part is folded away and the ironing board becomes visible. First pivot means comprising a top hinge and a bottom hinge at the right-hand end or at the left-hand end of the frame fixed to the wall forming a vertical axis allowing the ironing board to be pivoted through an angle of around 90° and, on the other hand, two hinges situated at the middle of the horizontal parts of the mobile frame forming the vertical axis (20) allowing the ironing board to pivot so that it becomes visible. Second pivot means allow the ironing board in the second position to be moved from the vertical position into the horizontal position. |
| US08726543B2 |
Automated blade with load management control
There is here disclosed an excavation machine having an automatic controlled excavation implement that adjusts the excavation implement to maximize the earth moved in accordance with vehicle operating parameters, and finished terrain parameters. |
| US08726541B2 |
Impact-attenuation members with lateral and shear force stability and products containing such members
Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear. |
| US08726528B2 |
Electric head shaver
An electric shaver includes a housing and a cutter head extending down from the housing. The housing contains the motor and is shaped to provide a grip that includes a pair of concave surfaces on the sides. An additional pair of concave surfaces is formed in the undersurface of the housing that accommodates the backs of the user's fingers when the cutter head is held for shaving. |
| US08726523B2 |
Labor-saving horticultural scissors
A labor-saving horticultural scissors has a first blade and a second blade. Both blades are respectively disposed with a cutting section and a transmission section. Both blades are mutually pivoted to pivotally rotate to perform cutting motion, wherein a rotatable component leans against the transmission section of at least one of the blades. When both blades mutually pivot, the rotatable component rolls and displaces along the transmission section. |
| US08726521B2 |
Apple wedger
An apple wedger for cutting fruits or vegetables into wedges or other desired shapes includes a slicer and a pusher, in which the slicer has a peripheral frame and internal cutting blades. The pusher is configured to be used to push at least partially sliced food items through the gaps between cutting blades. In some versions, the pusher is pivotally attached to the slicer. |
| US08726518B2 |
Shaving razors and cartridges
A shaving system has a cap, a skin-engaging member, at least one blade between the skin engaging member and the cap, and a guard bar between the skin engaging member and the blade. The guard bar has a first set of spaced apart projections offset from a second set of spaced apart projections in a first direction parallel to the blade and in a second direction transverse to the blade. The first set of projections and the second set of projections define a plurality of open channels extending transverse to the blade. The open channels have a width of about 0.20 mm to about 0.50 mm. |
| US08726515B2 |
Oil-impregnated sintered bearing and method of producing the same
An oil-impregnated sintered which does not damage rotating shaft and itself and has a high durability even in the case that the rotating shaft is inclined in the bearing by a large shear load applied thereto, and a method of manufacturing an oil-impregnated sintered bearing which exhibits center deviation-suppressing action of the bearing satisfactorily by accurately forming a bearing hole in an intermediate completely sintered are disclosed. |
| US08726514B2 |
Panel manufacturing method
An object of the present invention is to provide a panel manufacturing method capable of easily adapting to manufacture of panels, such as door panels, of different sizes. The present invention provides a panel manufacturing method for a panel made of an outer plate integrated with an inner plate. The method includes a step of applying an adhesive to a predetermined place on the outer plate; a step of mating the outer plate and the inner plate with each other and providing preliminary bonding by laser welding; a step of hemming by bending an outer edge portion of the pre-bonded outer plate to wrap over a circumferential edge portions of the inner plate and then pressing flat; and a step of sealing the panel, after the outer plate has undergone the hemming step on its circumferential edge portions, by applying an adhesive. |
| US08726507B2 |
Method for manufacturing a heat exchanger and exchanger obtained by the method
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an air/fluid heat exchanger (1), said method comprising at least the following steps: a) on a first sheet metal plate (2), a plurality of tight folds are formed, said folds acting as fins (3), or, alternatively, the first sheet metal plate (2) comprising a first portion (2a) and a second portion (2b), tight folds (3) are formed only on the first portion (2a); said first sheet metal plate (2) or said first portion (2a) forming a sheet metal plate in the upper position; b) the tight folds (3) are opened on a portion across their height; c) the first sheet metal plate (2) obtained in step b) is placed on a second sheet metal plate (6), said second sheet metal plate (6) forming a sheet metal plate in the lower position, or, alternatively, the first portion (2a) obtained in step b) is folded on the second portion (2b), said second portion (2b) forming a sheet metal plate in the lower position, d) the tight portion of the folds (3) is brazed and the first sheet metal plate (2) is brazed onto the second sheet metal plate (6), or, alternatively, the tight portion of the folds (3) is brazed and the first portion (2a) is brazed onto the second portion (2b); e) optionally, a third sheet metal plate (7) is placed and brazed underneath the sheet metal plate in the lower position; said third sheet metal plate forming then, the sheet metal plate in the lower position. |
| US08726504B2 |
Method of producing turbine blade
The present invention relates to a method of producing turbine blade, which comprises, (a) forging a plurality of turbine blades in a state where the plurality of turbine blades are integrally connected in a longitudinal direction, (b) heat treating the plurality of turbine blades in the integrally connected state, (c) machining the plurality of turbine blades in the integrally connected state, and (d) separating the plurality of turbine blades into individual turbine blades. According to the method, the number of processes for the forging work can be decreased, and forging efficiency can be enhanced. Moreover, an amount of burr which occurs during the forging work can be reduced, and hence, a yield of material can be improved, as compared with a case where the turbine blade is forged as a single body. |
| US08726500B2 |
Method for manufacturing electric wire with terminal
A method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal, includes crimping a barrel portion of the terminal onto a core wire constructed of metal wires and creating a crack in a metal oxide layer immediately before the crimping. The metal oxide layer is formed on a metal surface of the core wire. The creating of crack is accomplished by applying a mechanical force to the metal oxide layer. |
| US08726494B2 |
Holding jig for electronic parts
An elastic material, in which at least the surface thereof is adhesive and conductive, is provided on a plate, and while a substrate constituting a component of an electronic part is held on the surface of the elastic material by the adhesiveness of the elastic material, an element such as a semiconductor chip is mounted at a fixed location on the substrate. |
| US08726493B2 |
Clamping system of special conductors for a stator or rotor bar winding for an electric machine
It is described a clamping system (30) of special conductors (S1, S2, S3) for a stator or rotor bar winding (U1, S1, S2, S3) for an electric machine, such as connection terminals (S1), jumpers (S2), neutrals or star points (S3), etc. The system (30) allows the special conductors (S1, S2, S3) to be clamped during a twisting step and/or a step of picking up such conductors from a twisting device (250). The system comprises a system axis (T-T), a plurality of grippers (10) aligned or able to be aligned along a circumference lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the system axis (T-T) and actuation elements (50, 60, 70, 80, 90) of the grippers (10). Each gripper includes a pair of jaws (32, 33) mounted so as to be mobile in a plane transversal to said system axis (T-T). |
| US08726489B2 |
Adjustment method of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
An adjustment method of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a cooling and excitation step in which work of transporting a superconducting magnet to a facility different from a facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed, cooling a superconducting coil of the superconducting magnet with a refrigerant, and supplying a current from an external power supply for excitation is repeated until a predetermined rated current flows; a demagnetization and transportation step of demagnetizing the superconducting coil and transporting the superconducting magnet to the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed in a state where the superconducting coil is cooled by the refrigerant; and an installation step of installing the superconducting magnet in the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed and supplying a predetermined rated current from an external power supply to the superconducting coil in order to excite the superconducting coil. |
| US08726488B2 |
Method of manufacturing a handheld computing device
A handheld computing device and handheld music player are disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless enclosure formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless enclosure, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use. The handheld music player includes an elongated extruded tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated extruded tube has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, and defines an internal lumen which is sized and dimensioned for slidable receipt of operational components of the handheld music player. The lumen includes rails for guiding the operational components to their desired position within the lumen. |
| US08726487B2 |
Efficient assembly of double or triple pane windows
This invention describes a process flow, method and apparatus to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having, dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled. |
| US08726485B2 |
Housing for electronic device and method for making the same
A housing for an electronic device includes a base and a pattern layer formed on the base. The pattern layer includes a blasting area and peripheral area, the blasting area has rough surface formed by sandblasting, the blasting area is a pattern section and has a width of at least 70 micrometer; the peripheral area has a slippery surface a peripheral section of the pattern section. The disclosure also described a method to make the housing. |
| US08726482B2 |
Method for joining together aircraft parts
In the method of fastening aircraft parts together, the following steps are performed: crimping an element onto at least two parts so as to fasten them together; and screwing a screw into the element through at least one other part so as to fasten all the parts together and so as to place a head of the screw in a flush position relative to the other part. |
| US08726478B2 |
Method of changing a power source for an electronic assembly
An all weather housing assembly for protection of electrical components includes a first housing having an open end and defining a first compartment for receipt therein of electronic components; a cover attached to the first housing for enclosing the first compartment, the cover further including a mounting structure for receiving and retaining a power source which structure is mounted on a side of the cover that is exterior to the enclosed first compartment; and a second housing having an open end and defining a second compartment that is dimensioned to cover and protect a power source when received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover, the second housing being connected to the first housing independent of the attachment of the cover to the first housing. |
| US08726474B2 |
Texturing device and method for texturing continuous yarns
The invention relates to a texturing device (1) for texturing at least one continuous yarn consisting of a plurality of filaments. This texturing device (1) has at least one housing (10) and at least one nozzle core (20), which can be charged with a fluid. The nozzle core (20) includes a yarn channel (21) and at least one fluid feed channel (22), opening into the yarn channel with a radial component. Furthermore, the nozzle core (20) includes an outlet region (23) of the yarn channel (21) and an inlet region (24) with an inlet opening (25) of the yarn channel (21). The distance between the inlet opening (25) of the inlet region (24) and the fluid feed channel (22) of the nozzle core (20) opening into the yarn channel (21) is at most 12.5 mm. The region (11), which is located ahead of the inlet region (24) of the nozzle core (20) in the direction of filament movement, has a radial outer delimiting area (12). This lies outside a cone of 20° narrowing in the direction of filament movement. The outer delimiting area (12) preferably lies outside a cone of 30°. |
| US08726469B1 |
Article of button jewelry
An article for covering a button of apparel is provided. The article includes a body portion and a coupling member secured to the body portion. The coupling member includes a pair of opposed resiliently deflectable portions structured to deflect responsive to insertion of a neck of a button therebetween. |
| US08726464B1 |
Luggage handle structure
A luggage handle structure includes two pull rods having linkage rods therein, a handle unit connected between the two pull rods and having an accommodation hole leading to two ends thereof, and a press unit. The press unit includes a press rod assembly which is movably disposed in the accommodation hole. The press rod assembly has two ends as press portions which are exposed out of the accommodation hole and push portion corresponding in position to the two pull rods. Each push portion has two first inclined planes to form a V shape against the upper end of the corresponding linkage rod. No matter either press portion is pressed, the push portions of the two ends will push the two pull rods simultaneously to release a locking mechanism. |
| US08726463B2 |
Wrap around furniture glide
A furniture glide configured to wrap around a base portion of a chair frame is disclosed. The furniture glide is of multi-layer construction. A first layer is flexible and configured to engage the chair frame. A second layer, bonded to the first layer, is cushioned. A third layer is configured too engage the floor and is made of a durable material to handle the wear associated with engaging the floor. Side portions of the first layer wrap around the base portion of the chair to easily attach the furniture glide to the chair. |
| US08726458B1 |
Solar collector washing device
Methods and systems for cleaning a plurality of solar collectors by a cleaning device that may traverse the gap between a current solar collector and a proximate solar collector by controlling the interaction between the cleaning device and the plurality of solar collectors. |
| US08726456B2 |
Vacuum assisted containment cleaning
An apparatus for cleaning a chandelier includes a hand-held cleaning head formed by a first and second section joined to one another at a common base and transversely spaced apart from one another as they extend from the base to define a cleaning chamber between them. The cleaning chamber has an open top, an open bottom, and an open end so that a string of chandelier crystals may be positioned within the cleaning chamber. A hot water-spraying nozzle is formed in the cleaning head. The cleaning chamber is in fluid communication with a remote vacuum source and a remote source of hot water and hot air under positive pressure. Crystals disposed within the cleaning chamber are cleaned by hot water from the water-spaying nozzle and the vacuum pulls ambient air and dirt to the source of negative pressure. The crystals are dried by ambient air and the hot air. |
| US08726454B2 |
Autonomous coverage robot
A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface. |
| US08726453B2 |
Medical suction clearing apparatus
A suction cleaning apparatus or suction cleaning horn is a generally cylindrical barrel or sleeve with an insertion cone to control and direct the distal tip of a suction tool into the bore of the barrel. A stylet is secured within the suction cleaning barrel and aligned on the longitudinal axis of the bore such that insertion of the suction tool into the cleaning barrel inserts the stylet into the channel of the suction tool to mechanically clear any obstructions of the suction tool. The distal end of the suction cleaning horn may also include one or more holes or vents to permit cleaning liquid to be drawn into the bore of the cleaning horn and into the suction tool channel to help clear obstructions in the suction tool. |
| US08726451B2 |
Surface cleaning tools having end caps
An end cap having a longitudinal axis is provided. The end cap includes a stationary portion, a movable portion, and a clamping member. The movable portion has a cam surface and the clamping member has a free end. The movable and stationary portions are interconnected so that the movable portion moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cam surface influences the clamping member when the movable portion is in the locked position such that the cam surface resiliently flexes the clamping member to move the free end at least perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08726449B2 |
Adjustable length paint roller
An adjustable length paint roller frame with a handle and a roller arm. The frame includes a rotatable roller cover lock slidably mounted on the roller arm and a rotatable end cap. A roller cover is also mounted on the roller arm in between the roller cover lock and the end cap. The roller cover lock and end cap allow for roller covers of different lengths and diameters to be used with the adjustable length paint roller frame. The end cap can also include adjustable roller guides to space the roller cover a desired distance away from a given object. Additionally, the roller frame handle may be configured as a split handle that accommodates a second roller arm. |
| US08726448B2 |
Core/sheath composite filament for toothbrushes, and toothbrush using same
Provided is a core/sheath composite filament for toothbrushes which exhibits excellent hardness, durability and feeling of use when used in toothbrushes, is less prone to falling out when tufted into the tufting plate, and makes it possible to improve stain-removal properties. Also provided is a toothbrush using said core/sheath composite filament. A toothbrush is configured using bundles of bristles configured from core/sheath composite filaments that have a quadrangular cross section in the plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction and comprise a core (2), which is formed from a synthetic resin fiber, and a sheath (3), which integrally covers the core (2) and is formed from an elastomer that is compatible with the synthetic resin constituting the core (2). Tufts configured from a plurality of the core/sheath composite filaments (1) are tufted in the center portion of a tufting plate. |
| US08726447B2 |
Toothbrush having improved tuft retention and anchor wire
An ansate implement, especially a toothbrush, having improved tuft retention and a staple for use therewith. The staple has a specially designed topography that provides reliable anchoring and creation from cost effective materials. In one embodiment, the invention is an ansate implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to said handle and having at least one hole extending into the head from a surface; at least one cleaning element positioned in the hole; and a staple located in the hole anchoring the cleaning element in the tuft hole, the staple having a longitudinal axis and a first major surface, wherein a plurality of spaced apart grooves are formed into the first major surface, each of the grooves extending along a linear axis from a bottom edge of the staple toward a top edge of the staple, the linear axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at an acute angle of 40 to 70 degrees. |
| US08726446B2 |
Disposable toothbrush
A disposable toothbrush 1 includes a handle portion 2; a head portion 10 connected with the handle portion 2 and provided with a plurality of elastomeric bristles 10a at least at the central area of the front surface part; and a fabric medium 20 attached to the front surface part of the head portion 10 while exposing the upper end of the elastomeric bristles 10a, and made of a microfiber material provided with at least one kind of a rapidly releasable agent 21. In the toothbrush, the rapidly releasable agent can be stably attached to the fabric medium, and in use, the rapidly releasable agent can be easily separated from the fabric medium, so that the rapidly releasable agent separated from the fabric medium can be easily dissolved to increase the tooth brushing effects. |
| US08726442B2 |
Device for supporting a side washing brush, and vehicle washing system having such a device
A device for supporting a side washing brush of a vehicle washing system is provided, which brush is rotatable about a rotational axis, the device including a bearing apparatus for rotatably supporting a drive shaft, and a holding apparatus which is fixedly connected to the bearing apparatus and which is held on a frame by means of elastic cushioning elements arranged above and below the holding apparatus. To improve the device in such a way that the risk of damage to the cushioning elements is reduced, it is proposed that the holding apparatus can be acted on by the cushioning elements only by compressive forces aligned in the direction of the holding apparatus. A vehicle washing system is also proposed which has at least one device of this type, on which a side washing brush is mounted. |
| US08726438B2 |
Corrugated foam mattress and method of making same
The invention provides a corrugated mattress and method for making. The mattress comprises an corrugated foam core, a middle cushioning layer and outer cover layer. The corrugated foam core includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a fluted middle substrate the flutes fixed to the upper and lower substrates providing three-dimensional support for the user. The middle cushioning layer may comprise a second corrugated foam product, a cotton batting layer, densified polyester or foam including polyurethane, polyester, polypropylene or polylactic acid and the like. The outer cover layer may comprise cotton or laminated foam comprising, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, polylactic acid and the like, the laminate comprising a film independently selected from polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene or polylactic acid and the like. In various embodiments the polymers are food grade polymers such that the mattress is non-toxic. |
| US08726434B2 |
Support apparatus and patient support table as well as medical device
The invention relates to a support apparatus on which a patient can be supported in a comfortable and secure manner for the preparation for an examination and for the examination, in particular an endorectal biopsy. The support apparatus comprises a sliding apparatus connected to a bearing substructure and is supported in a displaceable manner on the sliding apparatus so that it can be moved partially beyond the substructure connected to the sliding apparatus. The support apparatus also comprises a cutout. The invention also relates to a patient support table comprising a connecting apparatus to connect the patient support table to the support apparatus and serving as a bearing substructure for the support apparatus. A medical device, in particular an MR device, is also disclosed comprising a patient tunnel and the patient support table that can be introduced into the patient tunnel. |
| US08726433B1 |
Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame
A bed rail having a guard frame that prevents a child from rolling off a bed and a pair of legs that extend between the mattress and box spring. The guard frame swings between up and down positions and is pivotally connected to the legs via a first junction. A second junction locks the guard frame to the legs. The second junction includes a rotatable seat that engages a pin extending from the guard frame. The bed rail further includes a strap that engages a proximal end of a leg, a distal end of the leg, and an anchor, which engages the side of the bed opposite of the bed rail. |
| US08726428B2 |
Swimming pool skimmer cover
A skimmer cover assembly includes a cover that is adapted to fit over the face flange of the skimmer or pool wall to prevent water from entering the skimmer assembly. The cover is secured to the skimmer by use of a draw bolt that is threaded at one end and includes a thumb screw or wing nut at a second end. The threaded end is adapted to be threaded into a support brace that is braced against an inside surface of the skimmer housing or to the skimmer housing itself. Tightening the draw bolt with the thumb screw draws the cover tightly against the face flange of the skimmer. The cover includes a gasket seal about its perimeter to form a watertight seal with the face flange of the skimmer. The draw bolt also has an o-ring that is positioned between the thumb screw and the cover to prevent water from leaking past the cover. |
| US08726422B1 |
Legging which enhances the appearance of a user's leg
A leg covering enhances aesthetic appearance of disproportionate musculature, provides a natural look for medical prosthetics, and insulates body heat. The leg covering comprises a padding fixed to the leg covering, where the padding further comprises a contoured shape, such that the padding can be affixed on a centroid of a user's leg. The padding further comprises three layers and a contoured shape in order to model curvature of a natural calf muscle and to provide the lifelike and appealing appearance. |
| US08726420B1 |
Cushioning cap visor
A visor configuration for inside the brim of a baseball cap, that solves the problem of discomfort due to pressure against a baseball cap wearer's forehead, by providing a mechanism that enables a single, continuous piece of visor material with a T-shaped cut out space in the visor's middle section and two arched shaped cut out spaces in the visor's sides to have a cushioning effect as a result of newly allowed motion. |
| US08726419B2 |
Head and neck stabilizer for travel
A head and neck support device includes first and second head support members that may be positioned in complimentary opposing locations to a rear area of the head. Each head support member comprises a substantially rectangular shaped pillow that may be affixed to headwear (e.g., hat) or a headband. The first and second head support members are configured to complimentarily support and distribute a weight of the head to substantially bypass a neck or the wearer and effectuate translation of the forces of gravity (somewhat equally) to the sides of the head of the wearer. |
| US08726416B2 |
Lab coat article and method
An article in the form of a lab coat having body comprising left and right lapels having outside edges which are stitched to the body of the lab coat and can be used by a medical professional while wearing a stethoscope so that the stethoscope does not interfere with the lapels. Articles which exclude a fold down collar and which include lapels of color and/or design different from the body of the lab coat are also disclosed. |
| US08726413B2 |
Wrist guard
A band is described for providing support and/or protection to the wearer. In one embodiment, the band is a wrist band having pockets for several longitudinal reinforcement elements. Thus, for example, a wrist band may be formed from an elastic material had be stitched to form pockets. In one embodiment, the pockets are closed, and the band is provided with a given amount of protection or support. In yet another embodiment, one or more pockets have an opening, which allows a user to adjust the amount of protection and/or support in each pocket. |
| US08726412B2 |
Face protector lens assembly and method of use
A lens assembly for securing in an opening in a face plate of a face protector has a first, retainer lens of shape and dimensions configured to be secured in the front opening of a face plate and having a curvature substantially matching the curvature of the face plate. A second lens of smaller dimensions is secured behind the first lens to provide a lens-in-a-lens configuration. The lens assembly may be releasably secured in the face plate opening and the second lens is interchangeable with sets of lenses having different properties such as lens shade. The retainer assembly has a back cover and a gasket or spacer between the back cover and second lens to allow second lenses of different depths to be secured in the assembly. |
| US08732861B2 |
Control system for a scanning probe microscope
A control system 32, 75 is for use with a scanning probe microscope of a type in which measurement data is collected at positions within a scan pattern described as a probe and sample are moved relative to each other. The control system is used in conjunction with a position detection system 34 that measures the position of at least one of the probe and sample such that their relative spatial location (x, y) is determined. Measurement data may then be correlated with empirically-determined spatial locations in constructing an image. The use of empirical location data means that image quality is not limited by the ability of a microscope scanning system to control mechanically the relative location of probe and sample. |
| US08732860B2 |
System and method for securing data to be protected of a piece of equipment
A system and method for securing data to be protected of a piece of equipment are provided. The equipment comprises: a space; at least one device for processing the data; a safety module comprising at least one controller connected to at least one memory for sensitive data, the sensitive data giving access to the data; and at least one supervision sensor. The method comprises: transmitting at least one signature through the sensor(s), to the safety module, the signature being based on a signal received by the respective sensor and giving information on the physical condition of the space; comparing in the safety module at least one of the signatures and/or a value inferred from at least one of the signatures with at least one reference value and/or at least one reference signature; limiting access to the data being based on the comparison of at least one of the signatures. |
| US08732859B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring network equipment
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a monitoring signal from a network plug-in device where the monitoring signal includes location and identification information associated with the network plug-in device and where the server is remote from the network plug-in device, and determine whether the network plug-in device is in an unauthorized location based at least in part on the monitoring signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08732858B2 |
System for identifying content of digital data
A computing system selects a portion of data of an unknown work and detects each event in the portion of data of the unknown work. An event is a perceptual occurrence in a work successively positioned in time. The system determines an event metric between each successive event in the portion of data in the unknown work and generates a list of event metrics between the events for the unknown work. The system compares the list of event metrics for the unknown work to a list of event metrics for a known work and determines the unknown work is a copy of the known work responsive to a match between the list of event metrics of the unknown work and the list of event metrics for the known work. |
| US08732855B2 |
Launching a cached web application based on authentication status
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for receiving a request to retrieve electronic resources that correspond to a first network address. The resources are retrieved from a cache. The retrieved resources are responsive to the received request, correspond to the first network address, and are configured to activate a first web application. Activation of the first web application requires that the computing device be authenticated. Instructions that are in the retrieved resources and are for activating the first web application are executed. The execution includes determining that the computing device is not authenticated to activate the first web application, and requesting to retrieve electronic resources that correspond to a second network address and that are configured to activate a second web application. Activation of the second web application does not require that the computing device be currently authenticated. |
| US08732851B2 |
Image forming apparatus and information processing method
This invention achieves to prevent information leakage as much as possible when a material printed by an image forming apparatus is left unrecovered. This invention relates to an information processing method in an image forming apparatus capable of printing a Web page displayed by a browser, including a step of, when an instruction to display a Web page is input, searching a storage unit which stores information representing the confidentiality of the Web page and its URL in advance in correspondence with each other, a step of reading out, from the storage unit based on the search result, information which corresponds to the URL of the display instruction-input Web page and represents the confidentiality of the Web page, and a step of printing, together with the Web page displayed based on the display instruction, the readout information representing the confidentiality of the Web page. |
| US08732850B2 |
Method for protecting data contents
A method for protecting data contents, in particular video data, is provided. The data contents are provided by a distribution application available in a communications network and may be loaded onto an output unit to be played back on this output unit. A current system utilization of the output unit is monitored or measured during playback of the loaded data contents on the output unit. This current system utilization is compared to an estimated standard system utilization of the output unit for the playback of data contents. If the current system utilization of the output unit exceeds the estimated standard system utilization during a predefined period, appropriate protective measures, such as interrupting playback of the data contents, a corresponding message to the distribution application, etc., are taken and carried out to protect the data contents. |
| US08732844B2 |
Secure serial number
A serial number for a software product is secured with an authenticator value. The authenticator value and the serial number are evaluated entirely by a remote authentication server such that no cryptographic authentication occurs on a local computer on which the software product is being installed. An abbreviated portion of the authenticator value is used for offline authentication. |
| US08732843B2 |
Software validity period changing apparatus, method, and installation package
A software validity period changing apparatus includes a password information storage unit, an input device, an authentication unit, and a validity period changing unit. The authentication unit calculates a first hash value of the password stored in the password information storage unit, calculates a second hash value of a password input via the input device, and determines whether the first hash value matches the second hash value. The validity period changing unit decompresses an installation package into components, the installation package including a validity period and version information on each of the components, detects a position of the validity period if it is determined that the first hash value matches the second hash value, changes the validity period identified by the position to a validity period input through the input device, changes the version information, and combines the components to reproduce the installation package. |
| US08732837B1 |
System and method for monitoring the security of computing resources
System and method for monitoring the security of computing resources. A server agent and client agents can be deployed to provide a method and a means for monitoring security-related settings for a plurality of computing systems deployed throughout an enterprise. The status of each setting can be recorded, and these results can be used to produce a compliance report for the computing system, as well as reports for groups of computing system or the entire enterprise. The reports or portions of a report or reports can be provide to users of the system via a Web site, Email alerts, or any other suitable mechanism. A compliance score for a system or collection of systems can be calculated and used and/or displayed as part of the reports that are generated. |
| US08732836B2 |
System and method for correcting antivirus records to minimize false malware detections
Disclose are system, method and computer program product for correcting antivirus records. In an example method, during analysis of a software object for malware, an antivirus application retrieves from an antivirus database an antivirus record associated with the analyzed object, which identifies the object as malicious or clean. The application also checks if there is a correction for the antivirus record in an antivirus cache and use the correction for analysis of the software object. If no correction is found in the cache, the application checks correctness of the antivirus record with an antivirus server. The antivirus server uses statistical information about software objects collected from antivirus applications deployed on different computers to validate correctness of antivirus records. If the antivirus server provides a correction for the antivirus record, the application uses the provided correction for analysis of the software object for malware. |
| US08732833B2 |
Two-stage intrusion detection system for high-speed packet processing using network processor and method thereof
A system and method for detecting network intrusion by using a network processor are provided. The intrusion detection system includes: a first intrusion detector, configured to use a first network processor to perform intrusion detection on layer 3 and layer 4 of a protocol field among information included in a packet header of a packet transmitted to the intrusion detection system, and when no intrusion is detected, classify the packets according to stream and transmit the classified packets to a second intrusion detector; and a second intrusion detector, configured to use a second network processor to perform intrusion detection through deep packet inspection (DPI) for the packet payload of the packets transmitted from the first intrusion detector. Thereby, intrusion detection for high-speed packets can be performed in a network environment. |
| US08732828B1 |
Referrer-specific network management
Methods and systems for providing destination-specific network management are described. One example method includes receiving from a client within a network, a request to access a resource associated with a destination address outside the network, the received request including referrer information; determining that the destination address corresponds to an unclassified destination; determining whether the received request's referrer information corresponds to a referrer entity that is included in a set of approved referrers; and selectively blocking the network request to access the resource at the destination address based upon a result of the determining. |
| US08732826B2 |
Render engine, and method of using the same, to verify data for access and/or publication via a computer system
A method and system to verify active content at a server system include receiving, at the server system a communication (e.g., an e-mail message or e-commerce listing) that includes active content that is to be made accessible via the server system. At the server system, the active content is rendered to generate rendered active content. The rendered active content presents a representation of information and processes to which an end user will be subject. At the server system, the rendered active content is verified as not being malicious. |
| US08732822B2 |
Device locking with hierarchical activity preservation
Techniques are described for device locking with activity preservation at a specified level within a multi-level hierarchy of device states. Such locking enables a user to share a device with another user while specifying a particular level of access to the device, such as access to a particular class of applications, a specific application, or a specific task within an application. Determination of the authorized activity may be based on a currently active application, or on the particular user gesture. The level of functionality made available may be based on the number of times a user gesture is repeated. Gestures may include a selection of a hardware or software control on the device, issuance of a voice command, and the like. |
| US08732821B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing accidential disclosure of confidential information via visual representation objects
A method and apparatus for preventing accidental disclosure of confidential information via visual representation objects is described. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing pattern information with respect to confidential information, wherein the confidential information is used to authenticate users, monitoring a visual representation object having an input focus associated with a user interface, wherein the visual representation object receives input data, comparing the input data with the pattern information to identify at least one unobscured portion of the confidential information and producing indicia of detection of the at least one unobscured portion of the confidential information on the visual representation object. |
| US08732817B2 |
Switching hub, a system, a method of the switching hub and a program thereof
A switching hub, system and method for restricting a communication between terminals within a second network isolated form a first network. The terminals are connected to the first network or the second network, wherein a terminal with sufficient security level is connected to the first network and a terminal with insufficient security level is connected to the second network. And a communication between the terminals within the second network is restricted. |
| US08732806B2 |
Method and system for hardware enforced virtualization in an integrated circuit
Aspects of a method and system for hardware enforced virtualization in an integrated circuit are provided. In this regard, a mode of operation of an integrated circuit may be controlled such that the integrated circuit alternates between a secure mode of operation and an open mode of operation. Various resources of the integrated circuit may be designated as open or secure, and secure resources may be made inaccessible while the integrated circuit operates in the open mode. Access to the secure resources may be controlled based on a configuration of one or more registers and/or switching elements. Resources designated as secure may comprise, for example, a one-time-programmable memory. The integrated circuit may comprise ROM and/or one-time-programmable memory that stores one or more instructions, wherein execution of the one or more instructions may control transitions between the secure mode and the open mode. |
| US08732805B2 |
Re-authentication in secure web service conversations
Techniques are disclosed for sharing communication session information, such as encryption keys for data protection, among multiple communication operations and/or multiple users. Multiple users can share the same communication session concurrently, with each message being individually authenticated. The provided techniques include receiving, at a client application, a first request to send a first web service message to a web service application or group of web services, retrieving existing communication session information having the same sharing characteristics as the first request, where the sharing characteristics include web service environment information and/or request information, including the user credentials associated with the user in the message and in each subsequent message communicated using the existing communication session information, and communicating the web service message to the web service application or group of web services using the existing communication session information. |
| US08732803B2 |
Automated entity verification
Some embodiments provide a verification system for automated verification of entities. The verification system automatedly verifies entities using a two part verification campaign. One part verifies that the entity is the true owner of the entity account to be verified. This verification step involves (1) the entity receiving a verification code at the entity account and returning the verification code to the verification system, (2) the entity associating an account that it has registered at a service provider to an account that the verification system has registered at the service provider, (3) both. Another part verifies the entity can respond to communications that are sent to methods of contact that have been previously verified as belonging to the entity. The verification system submits a first communication with a code using a verified method of contact. The verification system then monitors for a second communication to be returned with the code. |
| US08732801B2 |
Wireless connection method and device
A method, a device, and an access point are provided for obtaining network access. A method, comprising: receiving, by an access point device and from wireless device, a request for authorization to access a network through the access point; determining, by the access point, a distance between the access point and the wireless device; determining, by the access point, that the distance is less than a first threshold distance; using, by the access point, a first process to grant access to the network through the access point when the distance is less than the first threshold distance; and using, by the access point, a second process to grant access to the network through the access point when the distance is not less than the first threshold distance, where the first process is a different and less complex for granting access to the network than the second process. |
| US08732799B2 |
Method and system for processing authenticator relocation request
The disclosure provides a method and a system for processing an authenticator relocation request. When detecting that initial authentication, re-authentication or authenticator relocation is being performed for a terminal, a network side refuses a new authenticator relocation request from the terminal. When detecting that no initial authentication, re-authentication or authenticator relocation is being performed for the terminal, the network side accepts the new authenticator relocation request from the terminal. Further, when detecting that the initial authentication, the re-authentication or the authenticator relocation is being performed for the terminal, the network side refuses a new re-authentication request from the terminal. According to the technical solution of the disclosure, the complexity of network element processing is reduced and potential safety hazard is avoided. |
| US08732795B2 |
System and method for user authentication
A computer-implemented authentication method is described. The method includes the steps of (a) receiving an authentication request at an authentication computing system, the request including a resource identifier, (b) identifying one or more authentication pools associated with the resource identifier, each authentication pool including at least one authentication method implementation, (c) executing a pool authentication process for the one or more identified authentication pools, and (d) transmitting a response to the identification authentication request based on the execution of the pool authentication process for the one or more identified authentication pools. |
| US08732793B2 |
Method and system for improving security of the key device
The present invention provides a method and a system for improving security of a key device in the information security filed. In order to solve the problem that the security performance of the key device is lower due to the possible tamper of the data needed for encryption and signature in prior art, the present invention provides the method, including steps in which the key device is connected to a computer, then is used to receive the data input by the user through a computer and display the same after a user makes a successful authentication; and to make digital signature or encryption of the data input after the user confirms the content displayed. The above-mentioned system comprises an authentication module, a data receiving module, a display module, a confirmation information receiving module, and a key module. The present invention makes relative display on the key device according to the data input by the user, and provides an input device or generates a random authentication code for confirmation and therefore prevents invalid digital signature or encryption, and improves the security of the key device greatly. |
| US08732792B2 |
Approach for managing access to data on client devices
A device management system is configured to manage access to electronic documents on client devices using policies. The policies specify one or more download and processing restrictions to be enforced with respect to the particular electronic document at client devices for example, particular hardware and software configurations that are required at client devices before data is permitted to be downloaded to those client devices. The policies may also specify other requirements that must be satisfied before data is permitted to be downloaded to those client devices, for example, user authentication. |
| US08732791B2 |
Multi-part internal-external process system for providing virtualization security protection
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a host machine that manages a plurality of virtual machines associated with an enterprise through a supervisory process, the host machine including a threat management facility coupled in a communicating relationship with the plurality of virtual machines and enforcing a security policy of the enterprise for the plurality of virtual machines; and a first virtual machine from among the plurality of virtual machines, the first virtual machine capable of operating in a first state on the host machine wherein the security policy is enforced by the threat management facility, and the first virtual machine capable of operating in a second state wherein a local security facility executable on the first virtual machine autonomously enforces the security policy in the absence of the threat management facility. |
| US08732787B2 |
Method and system for establishing digital media streams
Methods in an access node for establishing digital media streams between a media server and terminals in a customer premises network are provided. The method includes receiving, from the terminal, a request for establishing a first digital media stream by joining an already established digital media stream; determining transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; comparing a sum of transmission resources required for the first digital media stream and the already established digital media streams between the media server and the customer premises network with the transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; and establishing a digital substitution media stream replacing the first digital media stream. The digital substitution media stream is adapted to provide the same content as the first media stream but further adapted to require less transmission resources, so that the sum of transmission resources required for the digital substitution media stream and the already established digital media streams does not exceed the transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network. The substitution media stream is established by joining an already established digital media stream that requires less transmission resources. |
| US08732784B2 |
Hierarchical storage management for data
A particular computing system includes a processor and a network interface to receive media content from one or more media recorder devices. The media content is transcoded into a portable media format. The computing system also includes a storage module executable by the processor to store the received media content to a data storage device. The computing system further includes a sideloading module executable by the processor to sideload stored media content from the data storage device to one or more first endpoint devices. The computing system also includes a streaming module executable by the processor to stream the stored media content from the data storage device to one or more second endpoint devices. The computing system further includes a backup module executable by the processor to transmit the stored media content from the data storage device to a second data storage device. |
| US08732781B2 |
Video/audio system and method enabling a user to select different views and sounds associated with an event
A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user. |
| US08732777B2 |
System and method for content communication
A system such as a multicast VOD system communicates content, e.g., delivers content or receives content, responsive to a user request for content and according to a schedule adapted to a user-specified acceptable latency for content delivery. The schedule may be modified to minimize initiation of delivery of content in response to the user's request. The schedule may also be modified to delay delivery of subsequent portions of the content as late as possible to allow subsequent requests to share a content stream while not exceeding the acceptable latency parameter specified by the user. |
| US08732775B2 |
Systems and methods of processing closed captioning for video on demand content
A method includes receiving closed captioning data at a computing device. The closed captioning data is associated with a video on demand asset and is represented in a first format. The method also includes, during a single video on demand streaming session, converting the closed captioning data from the first format to a platform-independent format and converting the closed captioning data from the platform-independent format to a second format. The method further includes transmitting, during the single video on demand streaming session, the closed captioning data in the second format to a destination device. |
| US08732773B1 |
Dynamic schedule creation
In one aspect, the invention provides an interactive, multi-platform video network. In another aspect, the invention provides a dynamic scheduling method. |
| US08732772B2 |
Image display apparatus and image displaying method thereof
An image display apparatus and an image displaying method thereof are disclosed, which can solve a problem of disturbance in watching TV through a detachable image display apparatus. Since the problem of disturbance in watching TV through a detachable image display apparatus, which may occur due to discharge of the mobile display device, can be solved, a user can conveniently and quickly use contents watched by himself(herself) immediately before the mobile display device is discharged. |
| US08732764B2 |
Automatic recording
A program recording device including an input port, a processor memory, a processor, a selector, and a storage element is configured to receive command data and program data through the input port. The selector receives command data and program data from the input port and outputs the command data to the processor memory and the program data to the storage element. The processor uses this command data to control the selector and storage element to automatically record a program influenced by user preferences onto the storage element without requiring any user input. |
| US08732760B2 |
IPTV access control, personalized advertisement, personalized electronic program guide providing method and system using fingerprint scanner equipped set-top box
Provided is a personalized program providing method and system. The personalized program providing system may provide a view restriction, a personalized advertisement, or a personalized program guide using a set-top box including a fingerprint scanner. The personalized program providing system includes a set-top box to scan a fingerprint using a fingerprint scanner to identify identification information associated with a user and to transmit the identified identification information to an Internet TV service providing server, an Internet TV service providing server to transmit a personalized program guide corresponding to the transmitted identification information to the set-top box, and an Internet TV set to provide the transmitted personalized program guide. |
| US08732756B2 |
Interactive media guide with media guidance interface
Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides. |
| US08732748B2 |
Dynamically configurable video input list for TV
A video input list is presented on a TV with the viewer's most recent or most selected source moved at or near the top of the list. Also, specific and thus informative labels such as “DVD player” and “PVR” can be used in place of generic “HDMI 1”, “video 2”, etc. labels. |
| US08732747B2 |
System and method for providing time-based content
System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is. |
| US08732739B2 |
System and method for tracking and rewarding media and entertainment usage including substantially real time rewards
The present invention relates to systems and methods for rewarding entertainment consumers, and more specifically to a system and method for rewarding people for watching or otherwise engaging in various forms of media and entertainment (e.g. broadcast TV, on-demand TV, games, live entertainment, movies, and radio) to promote loyalty to or improve recognition of all entertainment, while collecting useful data about the media consumption habits as well as the rewards consumption patterns associated with those consumers. |
| US08732736B2 |
Billing electronic advertisement system
An electronic advertisement system is provided by which, when an advertisement effect that corresponds to billing conditions is not obtained, an advertiser is free from an obligation to pay advertisement fee so that the advertiser can run an advertisement without having an economic risk. An electronic advertisement sending side computer has a billing tag addition means for adding, to electronic advertisement data, a tag composed of information describing billing conditions. A receiving side computer includes: a display unit that outputs, as output data, video and audio of received electronic advertisement data; and an electronic device that acquires the circumstance around the display unit as input data. A program of the receiving side computer has an input video analysis means that determines whether billing conditions for outputted electronic advertisement data are achieved or not by analyzing input data from the electronic device. When the billing conditions are achieved, the program generates billing charge data. |
| US08732729B2 |
Unified driving method and unified driver apparatus
The present invention provides a technical solution for a unified driver used in a handheld device. An embodiment of the technical solution may comprise a unified driving method used in a handheld device, which method may comprise: determining driver types of currently installed hardware; setting a current dispatch table on the basis of the driver type and a unified dispatch table suitable for multiple hardware and driving corresponding hardware or software by calling the current dispatch table. |
| US08732725B2 |
Managing internode data communications for an uninitialized process in a parallel computer
A parallel computer includes nodes, each having main memory and a messaging unit (MU). Each MU includes computer memory, which in turn includes, MU message buffers. Each MU message buffer is associated with an uninitialized process on the compute node. In the parallel computer, managing internode data communications for an uninitialized process includes: receiving, by an MU of a compute node, one or more data communications messages in an MU message buffer associated with an uninitialized process on the compute node; determining, by an application agent, that the MU message buffer associated with the uninitialized process is full prior to initialization of the uninitialized process; establishing, by the application agent, a temporary message buffer for the uninitialized process in main computer memory; and moving, by the application agent, data communications messages from the MU message buffer associated with the uninitialized process to the temporary message buffer in main computer memory. |
| US08732722B2 |
Method and system for testing interactions between web clients and networked servers
A system and method providing a testing, monitoring and debugging framework that supports testing web clients with complex and advanced feature sets. The system and method allows multiple web clients to be simultaneously tested on the same physical machine without conflict and records a full range of performance and debugging information by providing detailed measurements at a combination of application and networking layers. |
| US08732719B2 |
Method and system for managing resource connections
Methods and system for managing resource connections are described. In one embodiment, an initial user request to access data stored at a resource is received. The initial user request is generated by an application of a plurality of applications having access to the resource. An existing connection from the application is utilized to provide the data to the application. A current user request to access data stored at the resource is received. Based on a determination that the existing connection is unavailable, the current user request is assigned to a waiter queue. A number of requests assigned to the waiter queue during a pre-defined time period is determined to exceed a threshold. A new connection from the application to the resource is created based on the availability of a further connection to the resource and the exceeding of the threshold. |
| US08732714B2 |
Method for reorganizing tasks for optimization of resources
A method of reorganizing a plurality of task for optimization of resources and execution time in an environment is described. In one embodiment, the method includes mapping of each task to obtain qualitative and quantitative assessment of each functional elements and variables within the time frame for execution of each tasks, representation of data obtained from the mapping in terms of a matrix of dimensions N×N, wherein N represents total number of tasks and reorganizing the tasks in accordance with the represented data in the matrix for the execution, wherein reorganizing the tasks provides for both static and dynamic methodologies. It is advantageous that the present invention determines optimal number of resources required to achieve a practical overall task completion time and can be adaptable to non computer applications. |
| US08732711B2 |
Two-level scheduler for multi-threaded processing
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for scheduling thread execution in a multi-threaded processing environment. A two-level scheduler maintains a small set of active threads called strands to hide function unit pipeline latency and local memory access latency. The strands are a sub-set of a larger set of pending threads that is also maintained by the two-leveler scheduler. Pending threads are promoted to strands and strands are demoted to pending threads based on latency characteristics. The two-level scheduler selects strands for execution based on strand state. The longer latency of the pending threads is hidden by selecting strands for execution. When the latency for a pending thread is expired, the pending thread may be promoted to a strand and begin (or resume) execution. When a strand encounters a latency event, the strand may be demoted to a pending thread while the latency is incurred. |
| US08732709B2 |
Transaction management in a web service messaging environment
A method and apparatus for managing database transactions in a web service messaging environment. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a web service call indicating a beginning of a database transaction from a client, and creating a database transaction in response to this web service call. The method further includes receiving subsequent web service calls from the client, and for each subsequent web service call, associating a corresponding web service call with the database transaction, and performing the corresponding web service call. Afterwards, the database transaction is terminated upon committing or rolling back data resulting from the subsequent web service calls. |
| US08732708B2 |
Dynamic generation of scenarios for managing computer system entities using management descriptors
Systems and methods for dynamic generation of scenarios for managing computer system entities are described herein. A number of management programs are deployed in an administrator framework as embedded plug-ins. One or more management descriptors are provided for the plug-ins. The management descriptors include a number of relationships between the deployed programs and a number of computer system entities. The relationships indicate that the management applications can administer one or more aspects of the corresponding entities. A first management program is selected from the number of deployed management programs to administer a related computer system entity. One or more other management programs are dynamically identified and presented to the user as possible management scenarios. The identification of the other management programs is based on correspondence defined in the management descriptors to the aspects or the types of the computer system entity. |
| US08732706B2 |
Generating governing metrics for resource provisioning
In a method of generating governing metrics, a high-level goal to be met in a provisioned system is identified. In addition, a low-level governing policy designed to facilitate achievement of the high-level goal is selected and properties relating to the selected low-level governing policy are identified. The identified properties are formulated to define governing metrics relevant to the selected low-level governing policy and the formulated governing metrics are outputted. The formulated governing metrics are configured to be used in at least one of evaluating and controlling resource provisioning in the provisioned system. |
| US08732705B2 |
Method and system for virtual machine migration
Virtual machine (VM) technology allows multiple operating systems each deploying multiple applications to run on a single host. This invention presents an effective method and system for virtual machine migration from a source host to a target host. The method and system concern the migration of both the service VM and the element managing it. State of the migrating VM is preserved so that it can resume its execution on the target host. |
| US08732703B2 |
Verifying virtual machines
According to one embodiment, virtual machine attributes are verified. Information (142) about attributes for a virtual machine (152) is obtained (320) from a host machine (120) that the virtual machine (152) executes on. Actual virtual machine attributes (162) are obtained 330 from the virtual machine (152). Discrepancies between the information (142) about the attributes and the actual virtual machine attributes (162) are determined (340) by comparing the information (142) about the attributes to the actual virtual machine attributes (162). |
| US08732702B2 |
File system for storage area network
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for managing access to data in a data storage system. For example, an apparatus comprises at least one processing platform associated with a distributed virtual infrastructure. The processing platform comprises at least one processing device having a processor coupled to a memory. The processing platform is operative to instantiate a meta data management process that is configured to provide at least one client process with information to allow the client process to perform one or more operations in accordance with one or more data storage devices through a storage area network. The information provided to the client process may comprise one or more data block descriptors. Each of the one or more data block descriptors may comprise path information for at least one of the data storage devices and an offset address in the at least one data storage device. The one or more data block descriptors may correspond to one or more data blocks of a given data file that is stored or storable across the one or more data storage devices. |
| US08732701B2 |
Managing protected and unprotected data simultaneously
A first virtual device is created including every logically addressable unit of a data storage server that utilizes data protection. A second virtual device is created including no logically addressable unit of the data storage server that utilizes data protection. Data transfers are disabled within all command phases of the first virtual device. |
| US08732694B2 |
Method and system for performing services in server and client of client/server architecture
A method and system for performing services in a server and a client of a client/server architecture are provided, and the method includes: when performing to a preset user decision point during the service performing process, the server interrupting the service performing and initiating a user decision request to a client, wherein the user decision request includes information requesting the user to decide a service performing action after the user decision point; after a user decision information made by the client responding to the user decision request is received, determining the service performing action corresponding to the received user decision information according to the corresponding relationship between the user decision information and a service performing rule, and performing the service according to the determined service performing action. The service performing action or flow can be intervened or influenced by the client through the present invention. |
| US08732689B2 |
Apparatus and method for upgrading lighting controllers
A lighting system controller is provided that is adapted to upgrade a lighting controller with a software component having multiple upgrade dependencies. According to one example, the lighting system controller is configured to generate an upgrade plan based on the current configuration of the lighting controller and the upgrade dependencies associated with the software component. Further, according to this example, the lightings system controller executes the upgrade plan to install the software upon with the software component is dependent prior to installing the software component. |
| US08732688B1 |
Updating system status
A method is used in updating system status. Updated information is received for a managed object in a data storage system. From the updated information and an existing software object having other information about the managed object, a new software object is derived representing the managed object. Merge logic is applied to update the existing software object based on the new software object. The merge logic being capable of updating an existing full model of the data storage system from a new full model of the data storage system. |
| US08732687B2 |
Arrangement method of programs to memory space, apparatus, and recording medium
For a program that is made up of functions in units, each function is divided into instruction code blocks having a size CS where CS is the instruction cache line size of a target processor and an instruction code block that is Xth counting from the top of each function F is expressed as (F, X). Flow information of nodes that take (F, X) as identification names is extracted from an executable file of the function program. For each identification name, as neighborhood weight of each identification name that differs from that identification name, information for which that the frequency of appearance of each identification name is taken into consideration that belongs to a function that differs from that function in the neighborhood of each appearing node in the flow information is found. Based on said neighborhood weight information, the functions are arranged in the memory space such that the number of conflicts of said instruction cache is reduced. |
| US08732681B2 |
Stack analysis for post mortem analysis
A debug tool that generates a call stack listing by analyzing the crash memory dump data without relying on register data values. The tool uses information gathered by the compiler and linker when the program was compiled and linked, including the stack's size and location in memory. By examining the stack location in the crash memory dump image in conjunction with the debugging data generated by the compiler and the linker and any existing trace data, the last valid frame may be reconstructed indicating the location of the crash. |
| US08732675B2 |
Operational analysis system for a communication device
A system and method for analyzing the real-time performance of a communication device. An aspect of the present invention records information input to the communication device during real-time operation of the communication device. A playback device or module may execute a model of the communication device in a non-real-time environment according to the recorded real-time input information. System execution in the non-real-time playback environment may, therefore, be equivalent to the original operation of the communication device that occurred in real-time. Accordingly, situations that occur in real-time may be efficiently recreated in non-real-time playback. An operator may analyze the past real-time performance of the communication device using the playback device or module, the recorded real-time input information, and a debugger utility if desired, without conducting additional trials to reproduce the desired operational situation. |
| US08732671B2 |
Generating stack traces of call stacks that lack frame pointers
A processing device executing an application analyzer analyzes a call stack having a plurality of stack frames to identify potential return addresses for the plurality of stack frames. The processing device records a value of each of the potential return addresses and records a location on the call stack for each of the potential return addresses. The processing device then determines which of the potential return addresses are actual return addresses based on debugging information and the recorded locations of the potential return addresses. The processing device generates a stack trace based on the actual return addresses. |
| US08732663B2 |
System, method and computer program product for providing automated testing by utilizing a preconfigured point of entry in a test or by converting a test to a predefined format
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for automated testing which utilizes a preconfigured point of entry in a test or which includes a test converted to a predetermined format. These mechanisms and methods for automated testing which utilizes a preconfigured point of entry in a test or which includes a test converted to a predetermined format can provide testing in an automated manner where the testing is otherwise typically performed manually. The ability to provide this automated testing can increase the efficiency of testing code. |
| US08732659B2 |
Method, apparatus and storage medium for customizing application
An application registers a first component used by the application with a customizing mechanism, and a component setting unit notifies the customizing mechanism of a second component corresponding to the first component. In accordance with changeover of the second component corresponding to the first component by the component setting unit, the first component executes process using the second unit after the second unit has been changed over. |
| US08732654B2 |
Dependency-based impact analysis using multidimensional models of software offerings
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the maintenance and execution of a software offering. During operation, the system obtains model data associated with a multidimensional model of the software offering. Next, the system uses the model data to calculate a set of dependency scores representing levels of dependency among a set of service components and a set of resources used by the software offering. Finally, the system uses the dependency scores to facilitate management of the software offering. |
| US08732650B2 |
Method and apparatus for versatile controllability and observability in prototype system
A method for emulating a circuit design includes receiving, at an emulation interface, signal values associated with probed signals from a verification module of a custom prototype board which can be described by at least one board description file and can comprise at least one field programmable gate array for emulating the circuit design. The method can also include processing, the probed signal values associated with a portion of the circuit design being emulated, the emulation interface being capable of being configured to provide timing and control information to at least the verification module, and can comprise a controller and a memory device, with the controller being capable of being configured to receive the probed signal values. The method can further include storing the processed information and transmitting it to the host workstation. |
| US08732644B1 |
Micro electro mechanical switch system and method for testing and configuring semiconductor functional circuits
The present invention systems and methods enable configuration of functional components in integrated circuits. A present invention system and method utilizes micro electro-mechanical switches included in pathways of an integrated circuit to flexibly change the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die based upon a variety of factors including power conservation, manufacturing defects, compatibility characteristics, performance requirements, and system health (e.g., the number of components operating properly). The micro electro-mechanical switches are selectively opened and closed to permit and prevent electrical current flow to and from functional components. Opening the micro electro-mechanical switches also enables power conservation by facilitating isolation of a component and minimization of impacts associated with leakage currents. |
| US08732643B2 |
Support method, design support apparatus, computer product using combination pattern is prepared in advance
A design support apparatus includes a detecting unit, a determining unit, and an inserting unit. The detecting unit detects a via that connects wirings in a circuit to be designed that is expressed by layout information. The determining unit determines the connection position of a dummy via that does not connect wirings, to be on at least one of wirings connected to the via detected by the detecting unit. The inserting unit inserts the dummy via at the connection position determined by the determining unit. |
| US08732641B1 |
Pattern matching based parasitic extraction with pattern reuse
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for accurate RC extraction. A pattern database is configured to store layout patterns and their associated 3D extraction parameters. A pattern-matching tool is configured to partition a design into a plurality of patterns, and to search the pattern database for a respective pattern and associated 3D extraction parameters. If the respective pattern is already stored in the pattern database, then the associated 3D extraction parameters stored in the database are assigned to the respective pattern without the need to extract the respective pattern. If the respective pattern is not stored in the pattern database, then the extraction tool extracts the pattern and stores its associated 3D extraction parameters in the pattern database for future use. In this manner a respective pattern is extracted only once for a given design or plurality of designs. Moreover, the extraction result may be applied multiple times for a given design simultaneously, speeding up computation time. The extraction result may also be applied to a plurality of designs simultaneously. |
| US08732633B1 |
Tunable design of an ethernet region of an integrated circuit
Disclosed are a method, non-transitory medium, and system of a tunable design of an Ethernet region of an integrated circuit (IC). In one embodiment, a method comprises modeling a design abstraction of an Ethernet sub-circuit of an integrated circuit as a register transfer level (RTL) code within a data processing device, wherein a first stage of sequential logic in the RTL code is associated with a first stage of combinational logic in the RTL code. The method further comprises implementing, through a processor and based on a timing parameter input into a synthesis tool associated with the RTL code, a selective bypass or a selective enablement of the first stage of sequential logic. Still further, the method comprises synthesizing, through the processor, a netlist from the RTL code, wherein the first stage of sequential logic is sequentially bypassed or sequentially enabled. |
| US08732631B2 |
System and methods for handling verification errors
Systems, apparatus and methods for handling verification violations are disclosed. In one aspect, a method stores a list of fix information in addition to geometric shapes for each layer during verification, such as design rule checking For each primitive operation step performed during verification, two tasks are performed. First, if the primitive operation is a dimensional checking operation (i.e., width, spacing or enclosure), then for each violation, the first task creates fix information containing violation edge pairs and adds the created fix information to the fix information list on the output layer. Second, for all operations and after the output shapes on the output layer are generated, a second task passes the fix information on input layers which overlap any output shape of the output layer to the output layer's fix information list. Finally, fix guides for the final violation results are generated and drawn based on the final fix information list. |
| US08732626B2 |
System and method of circuit layout for multiple cells
A method and system check a double patterning layout in abutting cells and switch the pattern in one of the cells if the edge patterns in each cell are in the same mask. The method includes receiving layout data having patterns in abutting cells, changing a designated mask in one cell if the edge patterns are in the same mask, adjusting cell edge spacings at a shared edge according to a minimum spacing rule and a G1-rule, and outputting a presentation of the layout data. |
| US08732625B2 |
Methods for performing model-based lithography guided layout design
Methods are disclosed to create efficient model-based Sub-Resolution Assist Features (MB-SRAF). An SRAF guidance map is created, where each design target edge location votes for a given field point on whether a single-pixel SRAF placed on this field point would improve or degrade the aerial image over the process window. In one embodiment, the SRAF guidance map is used to determine SRAF placement rules and/or to fine-tune already-placed SRAFs. The SRAF guidance map can be used directly to place SRAFs in a mask layout. Mask layout data including SRAFs may be generated, wherein the SRAFs are placed according to the SRAF guidance map. The SRAF guidance map can comprise an image in which each pixel value indicates whether the pixel would contribute positively to edge behavior of features in the mask layout if the pixel is included as part of a sub-resolution assist feature. |
| US08732624B2 |
Protection for unintentional inputs
A computing device is described that outputs for display at a presence-sensitive screen a lock screen graphical user interface. The lock screen graphical user interface includes an unlock region and a widget region including a first widget. The computing device receives an indication of a user input received at a location of the presence-sensitive screen within the widget region. The computing device determines a characteristic of the user input including at least one of a shape, a length, a velocity, and an acceleration. Responsive to determining that the determined characteristic exceeds a threshold, the computing device outputs for display an updated widget region of the lock screen graphical user interface that includes a second widget. |
| US08732617B1 |
Systems and methods for enhanced function access in mobile applications
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for enhanced function access in mobile applications. According to an example implementation, a method is provided. The method includes outputting an application selection screen including one or more icons. The method includes receiving an indication of a first gesture input entered at a first location of a presence-sensitive display, the first location being associated with a first icon from the one or more icons. The method also includes outputting an indication of the one or more predefined functions of the application associated with the first icon, and responsive to a selection, executing the selected at least one of the one or more predefined functions without outputting the respective primary application user interface for the application associated with the first icon. |
| US08732616B2 |
Mark-based electronic containment system and method
A mark-based containment system, in one aspect, may include a graphical user interface operable to receive an indication of a mark as a container marking, attribute one or more container attributes to the container marking, and store the container mark and the container attributes associated with the container mark. |
| US08732613B2 |
Dynamic user interface for navigating among GUI elements
In one example, a computing device executes a plurality of application processes, each of which has an associated graphical user interface element. The computing device renders a common graphical user interface on a presence-sensitive screen. The common graphical user interface includes a currently rendered graphical user interface element associated with a currently selected application process from among the plurality of application processes; a tab row comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein each of the graphical user interface elements corresponds to one of the plurality of tabs; and a slide bar positioned proximate to the tab row. The computing device renders a first tab in the tab row with a larger size than other graphical tabs in the plurality of tabs responsive to receipt by the presence-sensitive screen of a gesture input associated with a region of the slide bar that is closest to the first tab. |
| US08732611B2 |
Graphical user interface for mobile electronic device
Improved approaches to display information on a portable computing device having a display with limited display area are disclosed. The information displayed can, for example, assist a user in navigating a hierarchical menu system operable on the portable computing device to browse, search or play media items. The information displayed can include a menu of the hierarchical menu system along with other information. The menu can include selectable media items. The other information can be related to the menu being displayed. In one embodiment, the invention can use a display screen having at least first and second portions, with the first portion displaying selectable media items (e.g., menu) and with the second portion displaying media information (e.g., graphical image) that is dependent on media items in the first portion or resident on the portable electronic device. |
| US08732610B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced browsing, using icons to indicate status of content and/or content retrieval
A method and apparatus for enhanced browsing. The apparatus includes a user interface for presenting an enhanced browsing window of content identified by a link in a page displayed by a browser. The apparatus may include a prefetcher for fetching or prefetching the content and a cache for storing the window. The apparatus may also include an ad interface for retrieving advertisements for display with the content. When a first page is displayed in the browser, content identified by a link to a second page is automatically fetched and an enhanced browsing window, which may initially be invisible, is built. When a user mouses-over a status indicator associated with the link, the window is automatically displayed and the user can navigate the displayed content. The status indicator may change appearance to indicate a status of the prefetching (e.g., initiated, completed, success, failure, communication error). |
| US08732609B1 |
Method and system for providing a visual scrollbar position indicator
A system and method for providing a visual scrollbar position indicator whereby data included in a defined data field, or other data, associated with each entry in a list of entries is selected for display and as the list of entries is being scrolled through, the data included in the defined data field, or other data, associated with each entry in the list of entries selected for display is displayed to the user as each entry is passed, i.e., scrolled through, and as the scrolling is in progress, i.e., while the scrolling function is still activated. |
| US08732604B2 |
Interactive test device and a method of testing of a cable network
A test device is disclosed having a display and a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides guidance to a user by displaying first and second icons for representing first and second actions to be taken by the test device upon selecting the first and the second icons, respectively, by the user. To provide the guidance to the user, the second icon has graphical features indicative of the current status of the first action. For cases where the first action is a test that failed, the second action is highlighted thereby guiding the user to take the second action in response to the failed test. At least one of the graphical features of the second icon is indicative of whether the second icon is currently selectable by the user. |
| US08732600B2 |
Browsing or searching user interfaces and other aspects
User interfaces for browsing and/or searching are described. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a first display area for display representations of documents matching a search query, the first display area configured to display content of the documents which can have a plurality of different types of content including at least one of text-based content and a folder, and displaying a second display area for selecting a selected document to be displayed in the first display area. Other embodiments are also described, and computer readable media and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08732599B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for handling a conflict in a CAD drawing
Methods, apparatuses/systems, and software for identifying and resolving conflicts within a drawing by highlighting each conflict in a unique way and generating various reflections of conflicted graphic objects to test different conflict resolution proposals. |
| US08732597B2 |
Folded scrolling
A system that displays content on a computer display. During operation, the system displays the content items within a display area on the computer display, wherein content items surrounding a current point of interest are displayed within a visible region of the display area. If the visible region has insufficient space to display some of the content items, the system selects a portion of the content items to be collapsed. Next, the system collapses the selected content items into one or more folds within the display area, wherein a fold is a compact representation of a contiguous group of adjacent content items and is located in place of the contiguous group of adjacent content items. For each fold, the system then displays a summary of the collapsed content items in the fold. |
| US08732595B2 |
Condition editor for business process management and business activity monitoring
A system for monitoring processes of a distributed business application an integration builder tool. The integration builder tool includes a condition editor having a user interface providing an editing area on a display in which to receive a text-based expression of one or more conditions of a business application process. The editing area further includes an operator palette providing a plurality of operators for use in the text based expression of each of the one or more conditions, and a toolbar providing one or more editing tools for editing the text-based expressions. |
| US08732594B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device includes: an information acquisition process control unit for selecting an information piece to be selected and sending an instruction to a communication unit; the communication unit for transmitting an information acquisition request to other information processing device connected via a network, and acquiring information from the other information processing device according to the instruction; and a storage unit storing a display amount information indicating the amount of display information which can be displayed on a display unit at once. The information acquisition process control unit instructs the communication unit to acquire more information than the amount indicated by the display amount information. This realizes an effective information acquisition and appropriate user-friendliness. |
| US08732592B2 |
Methods and systems relating to an augmented virtuality environment
Systems and methods relating to an augmented virtuality system are disclosed. A method of operating an augmented virtuality system may comprise displaying imagery of a real-world environment in an operating picture. The method may further include displaying a plurality of virtual icons in the operating picture representing at least some assets of a plurality of assets positioned in the real-world environment. Additionally, the method may include displaying at least one virtual item in the operating picture representing data sensed by one or more of the assets of the plurality of assets and remotely controlling at least one asset of the plurality of assets by interacting with a virtual icon associated with the at least one asset. |
| US08732591B1 |
Annotations of objects in multi-dimensional virtual environments
A computer-implemented method of enabling participation by a first client and a second client in a communication session in a multi-dimensional virtual environment, the multi-dimensional virtual environment having first and second avatars respectively associated with the first and second clients and a plurality of objects distinct from the avatars. The method includes receiving from the first client a first annotation associated with a first object of the plurality of objects, transmitting the first annotation to the second client for display at the second client in association with the first object, receiving from the second client a second annotation associated with a second object of the plurality of objects, and transmitting the second annotation to the first client for display at the first client in association with the second object. |
| US08732588B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely displaying screen files and efficiently handling remote operator input
A system and method for remotely displaying screen files and for trapping a customized set of operator input is disclosed. A server generates and deploys a plurality of screen files to a remote client. The screen files each include a plurality of display control elements and a list of events to be trapped and forwarded to the server. The list of events may be optimized for each particular screen file. The remote client displays the plurality of display control elements and stores the list of events. For any event that occurs which is included in the list of events, such as a submit data event, the remote client sends data indicative of the event to the server. The server interprets the data indicative of the occurrence of the event, processes the event, and, if appropriate, generates and sends a command to update the displayed representation of the screen file. |
| US08732585B2 |
Community information updates in a sidebar
Members of Internet community websites, such as for example, social networking sites, photo sharing sites, review site, and other community sites, regularly make updates to the websites. Therefore a member of those sites is constantly checking those sites for new updates. In one embodiment, an application module of a sidebar provides an indicator, such as, for example, a new item in the application module, to the sidebar user when an update is made to a community website by another member of the site. |
| US08732584B2 |
System and method for generating an information stream summary using a display metric
A system and method for generating an information stream summary using a display metric is provided. An information stream including a plurality of information stream items is received. A display metric is calculated for each of the plurality of information stream items. The information stream items are grouped into one or more summary objects. A size is assigned to each of the one or more summary objects and the one or more summary objects are displayed based on the assigned size. |
| US08732583B2 |
Method of remotely controlling a presentation in loop mode using a portable electronic device
A system and method are set forth for remotely controlling a presentation in a loop mode to allow the presentation to continue in the absence of a communication channel between the portable electronic device and remote presentation device. In particular, the portable electronic device can issue a command to the remote presentation device to present the presentation in loop mode so that a user of the portable electronic device can leave the vicinity of the remote presentation device (e.g. out of communication range) while the presentation plays in loop mode. |
| US08732579B2 |
Rapid preview of remote video content
An internet client-server method to rapidly preview video files. Source video files are compressed into lower resolution preview video files, thumbnail image files, and stored on a preview internet server. Typically only a small fraction of the source video frames, such as 1 frame in 60, is used for the preview. A user using a touch sensitive computerized device such as a smartphone can view the thumbnail video images while the compressed video files load in the background. When the user touches or swipes an image of interest, or shakes the device, device video preview application software detects the action and directs the device to start playing the preview video file(s). The application software detects when the user swipes the preview video, and changes the rate and direction of playback of the preview video file, and trickplay functionality, often according to the speed and/or direction of the swipe. |
| US08732576B2 |
Operating system providing multi-touch support for applications in a mobile device
An operating system providing multi-touch support for (user) applications in a mobile device. In one embodiment, a check of whether the touch screen (in the mobile device) has multi-touch capability is performed. A first interface with multi-touch capability is provided to the (user) applications if the touch screen has multi-touch capability and a second interface with single touch capability being provided if the touch screen does not have multi-touch capability. The first and second interfaces may be provided by corresponding device drivers loaded when the mobile device is initialized with the operating system. A device driver (providing the second interface) is also designed to perform the check and execute another device driver (providing the first interface) if the touch screen has multi-touch capability. |
| US08732575B2 |
Word processing system and method with automatic undo operation monitoring and analysis
A word processing system includes an undo function monitor that monitors the history of a user's use of the undo operation. Depending upon the pattern detected, the system disables the particular auto-formatting feature that triggered the undesired automatic operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the system tracks whether a number of undo operations exceeds a programmable threshold. In one illustrative implementation, the system also tracks the number of times a user has undone, i.e., reversed, an automatic formatting operation compared with the number of instances where the user has permitted the subject automatic formatting operation to take place. |
| US08732572B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for selecting a media enhancement
The present invention is and includes a device, system and method for providing an image enhancement widget. The device, system and method include a javascript component that, upon execution, obtains at least one subject of primary content on a networked page, and at least one permission for enhancement of the primary content, ones of a plurality of content produced remotely from the javascript component and according to the javascript component, and an enhancement widget. The enhancement widget may be a flash widget. |
| US08732571B2 |
Methods and systems for generating and displaying a preview image of a content area
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for generating and displaying a preview image of a content area are described herein. An embodiment includes rendering an image representing the content area requested by a browser, providing the rendered image to the browser for display, and enabling the browser to display the requested content area in place of the rendered image when the content area is received by the browser. The method further includes updating language defining the requested content area to reference the rendered image and to enable transition from a display of the rendered image to a display of the requested content area, and providing the updated language to the browser to enable the browser to display the rendered image while the requested content area is being provided to the browser. |
| US08732570B2 |
Non-symbolic data system for the automated completion of forms
A system and method for paper-based, automated completion of forms allows a user charged with filling out multiple forms containing some common information to write each unique piece of information one time, and the system generates a set of completed forms with the required information on each form with no change to the use or structure of the current forms. The control module is operable on a processor to determine a mapping between common fields on multiple forms or multiple pages of the same form, copy information written in a field on one form to equivalent fields on other forms, and produce a set of completed forms. The system is computationally simple and independent of language because these operations can be performed without having to understand, translate or convert the writing. Furthermore, there is no loss of security or privacy beyond the use of paper forms because these operations can be performed without access to a centralized database and without connectivity to other systems. The system is advantageous because it does not change paper based workflows since the inputs and outputs of this system are paper. |
| US08732563B2 |
Method for mapping and de-mapping of non-binary symbols in data communication systems
A method of de-mapping non-binary Galois field symbols from physical layer code-words in a data communication system, in which at least one physical layer code-word includes portions mapped from more than one non-binary Galois field symbol is provided. The method includes calculating at least a provisional likelihood estimate for values of a first non-binary Galois field symbol having at least portions within a first physical layer code-word, the calculating including selecting a first number of values of a second non-binary Galois field symbol having at least portions within the first physical layer code-word, the first number forming a subset of the possible values of the second non-binary Galois field symbol. |
| US08732561B2 |
System and method for forward error correction decoding using soft information
A system and method for soft decision forward error correction (FEC) decoding may be used to determine a possible error in a differential detection signal, for example, in a DPSK system. The system and method uses the constructive and destructive signals from a demodulator to provide an error locating signal. Using the error locating signal, the system and method converts the differential detection signal into a soft decision signal including multi-level soft values. |
| US08732559B2 |
Recovery from burst packet loss in internet protocol based wireless networks using staggercasting and cross-packet forward error correction
A method and system for transmitting data are described including packetizing the data, performing forward error correction (FEC) encoding on the packetized data in order to generate a parity packet, appending FEC information as padding to the end of payload data of the packetized data and transmitting the packetized data and the at least one parity packet. Also described are a method and system for recovering from loss of a packet including receiving a data packet, receiving a parity packet, buffering the received data packet, detecting packet loss, forward error correction decoding the parity packet to recover from packet loss using forward error correction information extracted from the data packet and from the parity packet and forwarding the recovered packet via an internal socket. Also described is a method for staggercasting. |
| US08732556B2 |
System and method for fault tolerant computing using generic hardware
A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a first processor, memory, and instance of a process control application stored in the first memory. The controller further comprises a second processor, memory, and instance of the process control application stored in the second memory. When executed by the first processor, the first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second memory, reads a second synchronization information from the first memory, and, when the second synchronization information disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a predetermined time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second processor, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first memory, reads the first synchronization information from the second memory, and, when the first synchronization information disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the predetermined time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function. |
| US08732555B2 |
Addressing variations in bit error rates amongst data storage segments
The disclosure is related to an apparatus and methods for addressing variations in bit error rates amongst data storage segments. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a controller that detects variations in bit error rates amongst different segments of a plurality of segments in a storage medium. The controller also adjusts a read/write operation parameter according to the detected variations amongst the bit error rates in the plurality of segments. |
| US08732554B2 |
Data storage device and method for checking and correcting errors
According to one embodiment, a data storage device includes a read module, an ECC module, and a controller. The read module is configured to read data to be accessed and designation data designating the data, from nonvolatile memories. The ECC module is configured to perform an error check and correction process on the data and designation data read by the read module. The controller is configured to correct the designation data if the ECC module cannot correct the designation data and to perform an error detection process based on the designation data corrected. |
| US08732552B2 |
Block management method, memory controller and memory storage device thereof
A block management method for managing physical blocks of a rewritable non-volatile memory module, and a memory controller and a memory storage device using the same are provided. The method includes maintaining an error information table for recording one or more error correctable physical blocks among the physical blocks and an error bit number corresponding to the one or more error correctable physical blocks. The method further includes selecting a physical block for writing data according to the one or more error correctable physical blocks and the error bit number thereof recorded in the error information table. Accordingly, the data stability of the memory storage device can be improved. |
| US08732551B2 |
Memory controller with automatic error detection and correction
A memory validation manager reserves a block of time for exclusive accesses to a memory bank having lines of memory for which validation codes provide a degree of error detection and correction for each memory line. The memory validation manager reads, processes, and corrects at least some of the contents of each memory line based on indications of validity encountered for each memory line. New data is written in response to a validation code. Likewise, a valid field for each line can be updated and a new validation code written for a memory when the valid field indicates that a validation code has not yet been written for a memory line. The memory validation manager processes data read from a first memory line while either reading or writing to another memory line to minimize the latency of the process of scrubbing memory lines. |
| US08732550B2 |
Processor and error correcting method
A processor for processing data and correcting an error occurring in the data, the processor includes: a register that stores data with error check data and error correction data; an error detector that detects an error in the data stored in the register by using the error check data; and an error corrector that corrects the detected error by using the error correction data and that stores the corrected data back into the register. |
| US08732547B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
In a multi-antenna communication system using LDPC codes, a simple method is used to effectively improve the received quality by performing a retransmittal of less data without restricting applicable LDPC codes. In a case of a non-retransmittal, a multi-antenna transmitting apparatus transmits, from two antennas, LDPC encoded data formed by LDPC encoding blocks. In a case of a retransmittal, the multi-antenna transmitting apparatus uses a transmission method, in which the diversity gain is higher than in the previous transmission, to transmit only a part of the LDPC encoded data as previously transmitted. For example, the only the part of the LDPC encoded data to be re-transmitted is transmitted from the single antenna. |
| US08732543B1 |
Tensor product codes for flash
In embodiments, data may be encoded based on a tensor product code by encoding incoming data to produce first codewords, and encoding the first codewords to produce second codewords. The incoming data may be combined with the second codewords to produce messages, which can then be transmitted and/or stored. Decoding a received message may include encoding a data portion to produce an intermediate code, and decoding the intermediate code using a codeword portion of the message to produce a corrected codeword. The data portion may then be decoded using the corrected codeword to recover data from the message. |
| US08732536B2 |
Communication system and communication apparatus state determining method
A slave station 30 includes a cyclic-memory managing unit 36 that generates data expansion state information indicating whether received cyclic data is expanded into a cyclic memory 33 and data processing state information indicating whether the slave station 30 is in a state in which the slave station 30 can receive data frame at the time of receiving the data frame, and a frame transmitting unit 38 that transmits a state notification frame including the data expansion state information and the data processing state information to a master station. The master station includes a system-abnormal-state determining unit that determines, when a token frame is received, an error state of the slave station 30 using the data expansion state information and the data processing state information of the state notification frame received by a frame receiving unit. |
| US08732531B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling information processing apparatus, and control program
An information processing apparatus includes a processing device and a management device managing the processing device, wherein the processing device includes a first storage device for storing a first program, a first processor that executes the first program, detects an error occurring in the processing device, and extracts partial information which is part of information stored in the first storage device when the error is detected in the processing device through the execution of the first program, and a first control device that transmits the extracted partial information to the management device, and wherein the management device includes a second control device connected to the first control device and that receives the transmitted partial information from the processing device; and a second storage device that stores the received partial information. |
| US08732529B2 |
Mobile communication terminal capable of testing application and method thereof
Disclosed is a method for testing an application in a testing agent which resides on an application layer of a mobile communication terminal mounted with a platform designed so that applications of the application layer operate independently from each other and a command is not directly transferred between the applications. The method includes: receiving a command for testing a test target application from a testing apparatus; generating an event corresponding to the transferred command; and registering the generated event in a window manager positioned on a framework layer in order to transfer the generated event to the test target application. |
| US08732528B1 |
Measuring test effects using adjusted outlier data
This disclosure is directed to measuring test effects using adjusted outlier data. Test data and control data may include some outlier data (i.e., right-side tails of distribution curves), which may bias the resultant data. The outlier data may be adjusted to reduce bias. A cutoff point is selected along the distribution of data. Data below the cutoff is maintained and used to determine an effect of the data below the cutoff point. The effect of the data above the cutoff may be processed as follows. Predictor data is identified from the data below, but near, the cutoff point. The predictor data may then be used determine the effect of the outlier data that is above the cutoff point. In some embodiments, the predictor data may be weighted and combined with a weighted portion of the outlier data to determine an effect of the data above the cutoff point. |
| US08732527B2 |
Secure recovery apparatus and method
A system and method is disclosed for recovering a boot image from a secure location. Hardware instructions initiate a sequence of boot cycles to launch a computer operating system on a computer-enabled device. During the boot cycles, multiple levels of boot code are verified and a determination is made whether each level is usable by the device. If a level of boot code is determined to be unusable, a secure copy of the boot code is loaded from a secure read-only location to repair the unusable code to launch the computer operating system. |
| US08732525B2 |
User-coordinated resource recovery
A computing system includes a processor configured to identify a resource manager associated with a computing transaction, classify the computing transaction to determine a predetermined metric, measure an actual metric of the computing transaction, compare the predetermined metric to the actual metric to detect abnormal behavior in the transaction and model the abnormal behavior to determine how the resource manager is affected by the abnormal behavior. |
| US08732524B2 |
Systems and methods for using a corrective action as diagnostic evidence
Methods, systems and computing devices are provided for using a completed corrective action as evidence of a fault. The methods, systems and computing devices receive equipment status evidence and determine an equipment fault based on the equipment status evidence. The methods, systems and computing devices also create and rank a list of potential failure modes based at least in part on the determined equipment fault, recommend a corrective action to correct the equipment fault based at least in part on the ranking of the potential failure modes and receiving additional equipment status evidence indicating that the recommended corrective action failed to correct the equipment fault. The methods, systems and computing devices then associate a detection probability and a false negative rate with the failed corrective action to create additional status evidence, and re-rank the list of potential failure modes for subsequent performance based on the additional status evidence. |
| US08732522B2 |
System on chip fault detection
The invention relates to a method for fault identification in a System-on-Chip (SoC) consisting of a number of IP cores, wherein each IP core is a fault containment unit, and where the IP cores communicate with one another by means of messages via a Network-on-Chip, and wherein an excellent IP core provides a TRM (Trusted Resource Monitor), wherein a faulty control message which is sent from one non-privileged IP core to another non-privileged IP core is identified and projected by an (independent) fault container unit, as a result of which this faulty control message cannot cause any failure of the message receiver. |
| US08732519B2 |
Method for using bad blocks of flash memory
A method is provided for using bad blocks in flash memory. The method includes placing in a replacement area of the flash memory a special bad block that meets a “still usable” condition from the bad blocks of the flash memory. The method also includes receiving a use request for using the special bad block in the replacement area to store user data, writing the user data into the special bad block, and determining whether the user data is successfully written into the special bad block. Further, the method includes placing the special bad block back into the replacement area for a next use request when it is determined that the user data is not successfully written into the special bad block. |
| US08732518B2 |
Reliability based data allocation and recovery in a storage system
A storage system provides highly flexible data layouts that can be tailored based on reliability considerations. The system allocates reliability values to logical containers at an upper logical level of the system based, for example, on objectives established by reliability SLOs. Based on the reliability value, the system identifies a specific parity group from a lower physical storage level of the system for storing data corresponding to the logical container. After selecting a parity group, the system allocates the data to physical storage blocks within the parity group. In embodiments, the system attaches the reliability value information to the parity group and the physical storage units storing the data. In this manner, the underlying physical layer has a semantic understanding of reliability considerations related to the data stored at the logical level. Based on this semantic understanding, the system has the capability to prioritize data operations on the physical storage units according to the reliability values attached to the parity groups. |
| US08732513B2 |
Method and system for a message processor switch for performing incremental redundancy in edge compliant terminals
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for processing messages. Aspects of the method may comprise receiving at least one signal on a chip that controls switching from a core processor to a DSP. At least a first bus that couples the core processor to a message processor and at least a first clock signal that clocks the core processor may be switched. At least a second bus that couples the DSP to the message processor and at least a second clock signal that clocks the DSP may be switched. When a loss of clock signal from the core processor or the DSP to the message processor is detected, a third clock signal for clocking the message processor may be generated. The message processor switch significantly reduces the amount of bandwidth utilized for transfer of data between the core processor and the DSP and provides incremental redundancy (IR) without high hardware cost and software MIPS, thereby providing significant improvement in system performance. |
| US08732510B2 |
Digital forced oscilation by direct digital synthesis to generate pulse stream having frequency relative to a reference clock signal and to eliminate an off-chip filter
An opportunity is apparent to develop alternative circuitry. Simplified circuitry without artifacts tied to the clock that drives a digital frequency generator (DFG) is useful in a variety of tunable electronic devices. The present invention relates to digital frequency generation. In particular, it relates to a method and apparatus for the digital generation of a pulse stream having a desired frequency relative to a reference clock signal and the ratio of two integers. The method applies generally to integers whose ratio is not an integer. The DFG as a device can be integrated onto a simple chip, without need for an off-chip filter. |
| US08732506B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing power to a server platforms by using a capacitor to provide power during a second power supply transitioning on
In one embodiment, a method includes determining if a power load requirement associated with a server arrangement is below a threshold. The server arrangement includes at least a first power supply and a second power supply, as well as a capacitor arrangement. The method also includes providing power to the server arrangement using the first power supply and not the second power supply when it is determined that the power load requirement is below the threshold, and providing the power to the server arrangement using the first power supply and the second power supply when it is determined that the power load requirement is not below the threshold. |
| US08732502B2 |
Electronic device with serial ATA interface and power saving method for serial ATA buses
In an electronic device with a serial ATA interface, upon detection of the issue or reception of a preset command, a confirmation device, such as a CPU, confirms the completion of execution of the command. Upon confirming the completion of execution of the command, a controller, which may also be the CPU, controls shifting of the serial ATA interface to a power saving mode. |
| US08732501B1 |
System and method for intelligent energy management in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a message to be communicated over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain. The message includes data relating to energy use. The message can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In more specific embodiments, a formatting of the message is done at an application level. The formatting of the message is independent of a transport protocol of the message. |
| US08732497B2 |
Data processing apparatus, method for controlling data processing apparatus, and storage medium storing program
An apparatus operates in at least a first mode and a second mode consuming less power than the first mode, and stores information indicating specific data to be responded without shifting from the second mode to the first mode, the data being received from a network during an operation in the second mode. Data received from the network during an operation in the first mode is determined whether to be the specific data indicated by the information stored by a storage unit. When the data is the specific data, a shift from the first mode to the second mode after responding to the received data is faster than when the data is not the specific data. |
| US08732496B2 |
Method and apparatus to support a self-refreshing display device coupled to a graphics controller
A method and apparatus for supporting a self-refreshing display device coupled to a graphics controller are disclosed. A self-refreshing display device has a capability to drive the display based on video signals generated from a local frame buffer. A graphics controller coupled to the display device may optimally be placed in one or more power saving states when the display device is operating in a panel self-refresh mode. Data objects stored in a memory associated with the graphics controller may be aliased in another memory subsystem accessible to the operating system, graphical user interface, or applications executing in the system while the graphics controller is in a deep sleep state. The disclosed technique utilizes a virtual memory pointer, that may be updated in one or more virtual memory page tables to point to either the memory associated with the graphics controller or an alternate memory alias. |
| US08732490B1 |
Methods and apparatus to selectively power functional units
A processing engine fetches one or more lines of software instructions into an instruction cache. Based on the contents of the cache, potentially needed functional units are identified as functional units that are operable to execute at least one software instruction stored within the instruction cache. Unneeded functional units are identified as functional units that are not operable to execute a software instruction stored within the instruction cache. A power increase is initiated for selected ones of the potentially needed functional units that are determined to be in a low power state. A power decrease is initiated for selected ones of the unneeded functional units that are determined to be in an operable power state. |
| US08732488B1 |
Millions of instruction per second (MIPS) based idle profiler in a power management framework
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that comprises, within a sample window, determining an active time of a central processing unit (CPU) at an operating frequency. If there are any different operating frequencies within the sample window, the method further comprises determining active times of the CPU at the different operating frequencies within the sample window and, based upon the active times for the operating frequencies within the sample window, calculating a millions of instructions per second (MIPS) value for the sample window. The method further comprises performing a comparison of the MIPS value to a threshold value and, based upon the comparison of the MIPS value to the threshold value, setting an operating frequency of the CPU for a next sample window. |
| US08732484B2 |
Information processing apparatus, software updating method, and image processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus which updates a basic software package is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes an encryption and decryption unit which stores values calculated uniquely from software and encrypts information based on the calculated values and decrypts encrypted information based on the calculated values. The basic software package includes a firmware authenticating module for authenticating a firmware updating file which includes new software for updating the basic software package, a value uniquely calculated from the new software, and a public key signature. The information processing apparatus further includes a software updating module which updates the basic software package by using the authenticated firmware updating file, and an encryption key managing module for encrypting again the information encrypted by the values based on a value changed by updating the basic software package. |
| US08732480B2 |
Memory management device and memory management method
According to an embodiment, a memory management device increments a lower value of a first counter, updates the counter by incrementing an upper value and resetting the lower value when the lower value overflows, increments to update the lower counter value when the upper value is incremented as a result of writing a second data piece having the upper value in common to a memory, recalculates a first secret value calculated using the first counter values and a root secret value in response to the first counter update, writes a first data piece and the first secret value to the memory, and at reading of the first data piece and the first secret value, calculates a second secret value using the updated first counter values and the root secret value, and compares the first secret value with the second secret value to verify the first data piece. |
| US08732478B2 |
Uniform modular framework for a host computer system
A security framework for a host computer system which allows a host to control access to a compliant security token by ensuring enforcement of established security policies administered by a middleware application. Processing between the host computer system and the security token is performed using one or more modular security application agents. The modular security application agents are counterpart applications to security applications installed in the security token and may be retrieved and installed upon to ensure compatibility between counterpart token and host security applications. The security policies are a composite of host security policies and token security policies which are logically combined by the middleware application at the beginning of a session. |
| US08732477B2 |
Graphical image authentication and security system
A method and system for protection of and secure access to a computer system or computer network from a portable device. The method includes the steps of receiving a first login account identifier, such as a user name from a user in communication with the computer system or network. A determination is made if the user is recognized and enrolled from the first login account identifier. If the user is recognized, a series of randomly generated visual images is displayed including one visual image from an image category which has been pre-selected by the user upon enrollment. An image category identifier is randomly assigned to each visual image in the series. An image category identifier is entered and received. If the login account identifier and the image category are validated, access is permitted to the computer system or network from the portable device. |
| US08732476B1 |
Automatic intervention
Securing a network is disclosed. A monitored session between a client and a network resource is provided. It is determined whether the client is attempting an authorized command. If the command is determined to be unauthorized, the command is intercepted. Optionally, remedial action is taken if it is determined that the client is attempting an unauthorized command. |
| US08732475B2 |
Authentication and binding of multiple devices
Systems and methods are described that relate to authentication and/or binding of multiple devices with varying security profiles. In one aspect, a first device with a higher security profile may vouch for the authenticity of a second device with a lower security profile when the second device requests access for content from a content provider. The vouching process may be implemented by allowing the first device to overlay its digital signature on a registration request that has been signed and transmitted by the second device. The second device with the lower security profile may access content from the content provider or source for a predetermined time period, even when the second device does not access content through the first device. |
| US08732471B2 |
Data communication method, computer and information storing medium
A computer including at least two processors is used to preferably perform a secure data communication. Data containing a processor ID identifying one of the at least two processors provided for a first computer (computer 31) is transmitted from the first computer to a second computer (a node at the other party) (S91, S92). The second computer returns data containing the processor ID contained in the data transmitted in S91 and S92 and a public key certificate relating to the second computer. The first computer receives the data returned from the second computer, acquires, from the received data, the processor ID contained therein, and causes a processor (SPE1), which is identified by the processor ID, to process the received data. At this moment, the processing of the data is restricted according to a content of the public key certificate contained in the received data. |
| US08732465B2 |
Method and apparatus for source identification for key handling following a handover failure
A method of enabling key handling for a handover between different domains may include determining whether an indication of a potential key mismatch is present responsive to an attempt to conduct a handover between a first domain and a second domain, and defining validity of a most recent key set used for ciphering communication between a mobile terminal and a network device based on a result of the determining. |
| US08732461B2 |
Client apparatus, server apparatus, and program using entity authentication and biometric authentication
A client apparatus receives a message including a random number from a server apparatus during the handshake of agreement process, creates a biometric negotiation message including the biometric authentication method information and sends the biometric negotiation message to the server apparatus. Then, the client apparatus executes a biometric authentication based on biometric authentication method information notified from the server apparatus and encrypts the random number based on the private key. In addition, the client apparatus generates an authenticator from a result of the biometric authentication, the biometric authentication method information, the encrypted random number, and the client certificate, and sends to the server apparatus an authentication context including these. The server apparatus verifies the authentication context and establishes a secure session in one handshake. |
| US08732457B2 |
Scalable certificate validation and simplified PKI management
Managing a digital certificate includes a landlord providing a digital certificate, a secure hardware device generating a series of n hash values, the secure hardware device providing an nth hash value to the landlord, wherein other hash values are not readily available to the landlord, the landlord placing the nth hash value in the certificate, the landlord digitally verifying the certificate containing the nth hash value to obtain a digitally signed certificate, a tenant obtaining the digitally signed certificate, the tenant obtaining the n hash values and the tenant managing the certificate by periodically issuing a previous hash value in the series of n hash values in response to the certificate being valid when the previous hash value is issued. |
| US08732455B2 |
Method and system for securing against leakage of source code
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and a system of detecting source code in a message being sent over a digital communication network to secure against unauthorized leakage of source code. The message is intercepted on a network device, placed into a memory on the network device, and divided into one or more segments, wherein each segment includes a predetermined number of lines of text from the message. For each segment, one or more syntax rules of a programming language is applied to the segment and a predetermined number of context lines of text before the segment and/or after the segment, to determine which of the syntax rules of the programming language are matched in the segment. A determination of whether the text message includes source code is provided based on the syntax rules that were matched. |
| US08732448B2 |
System and method of delaying power-up of an information handling system
A system and method of delaying power-up of an information handling system is disclosed. According to an aspect, a method of powering an information handling system can include detecting a delay power-up setting within a basic input output system (BIOS) of a particular information handling system using a management controller. The management controller can be configured to delay power-up of the particular information handling system. The method can further include enabling a power-up of the particular information handling system in response to the delay power-up setting using the management controller. |
| US08732447B2 |
Contextual history of computing objects
Various features for a computer operating system include mechanisms for operating where a single native application, in the form of a Web browser, exists for an operating system, and all other applications run as Web apps of the browser application. A computer-implemented object tracking method includes instantiating, a first time, an operating system object on a computing device; automatically identifying contextual meta data that defines a state of objects that are open on the computing device, other than the instantiated operating system object, when the operating system object is instantiated; and storing the identifying contextual meta data in correlation with the operating system object, wherein the contextual meta data identifies one or more objects that are active in the operating system when the operating system object is instantiated. |
| US08732441B2 |
Multiprocessing system
A multiprocessing system includes a storage part that stores to a memory, a first operating system (OS) task set that is constituted by a combination of a first task and a first OS corresponding to the first task, the first task being designated by an execution instruction; and a task executing part that refers to the first OS task set stored to the memory, loads the OS constituting the first OS task set, and executes the first task designated by the execution instruction. |
| US08732440B2 |
Data pattern generator with selectable programmable outputs
A method for generating a digital signal pattern at M outputs involves retrieving an instruction from memory comprising a first set of bits identifying a first group of N outputs that includes fewer than all of the M outputs, and a second set of N bits each corresponding to a respective output included in the identified first group of N outputs. For each of the M outputs that is included in the identified first group of N outputs, the signal at the output is toggled if the one of the N bits corresponding to that output is in a first state and is kept in the same state if the one of the N bits corresponding to that output is in a second state. For each of the M outputs that is not included in the identified first group of N outputs, the signal at that output is kept in the same state. |
| US08732438B2 |
Anti-prefetch instruction
Embodiments of the present invention execute an anti-prefetch instruction. These embodiments start by decoding instructions in a decode unit in a processor to prepare the instructions for execution. Upon decoding an anti-prefetch instruction, these embodiments stall the decode unit to prevent decoding subsequent instructions. These embodiments then execute the anti-prefetch instruction, wherein executing the anti-prefetch instruction involves: (1) sending a prefetch request for a cache line in an L1 cache; (2) determining if the prefetch request hits in the L1 cache; (3) if the prefetch request hits in the L1 cache, determining if the cache line contains a predetermined value; and (4) conditionally performing subsequent operations based on whether the prefetch request hits in the L1 cache or the value of the data in the cache line. |
| US08732435B1 |
Single buffer multi-channel de-interleaver/interleaver
An input data stream is received for processing at an integrated circuit (IC) through multiple channels. The input data stream is interleaved and the interleaved input data stream is stored in a memory buffer associated with the IC. An addressing scheme is defined for reading and writing data samples from and to the memory buffer within the IC. The addressing scheme includes determining a current increment by analyzing a pattern associated with data samples within the memory buffer and determining the memory address for each data sample within the memory buffer using the current increment. A data sample for a frame is read from a corresponding address within the memory buffer using the addressing scheme and a subsequent data sample from the interleaved input data stream is written into the corresponding address of the memory buffer. The current increment and the addressing scheme are stored in the memory buffer. The current increment is dynamically determined by analyzing data samples in the memory buffer after processing of each frame of data and is used in redefining the addressing scheme for subsequent data processing. |
| US08732434B2 |
Memory device, computer system including the same, and operating methods thereof
A memory device includes a hash table storing a hash value, a bit value, and a page address for each of a plurality of pages, a memory cell unit configured to store the pages and output contents corresponding to the page addresses of the pages having a same hash value, and a controller including a comparator configured to compare the contents output from the memory cell unit and change at least one bit value associated with a respective one of the pages upon determining that the contents of the pages are the same. |
| US08732433B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for providing data from multiple memories
Apparatuses and methods for providing data are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a plurality of memories coupled to a data bus. The memories are configured to provide data to the data bus responsive, at least in part, to a first address. The plurality of memories are further configured to provide at least a portion of the data corresponding to the first address to the data bus during a sense operation for a second address provided to the plurality of memories after the first address. Each of the plurality of memories provides data to the data bus corresponding to the first address at different times. Moreover, a plurality of memories may be configured to provide at least 2N bits of data to the data bus responsive, at least in part, to an address, each of the plurality of memories configured to provide N bits of data to the data bus at different times. |
| US08732423B1 |
Data encryption in a network memory architecture for providing data based on local accessibility
A network memory system is disclosed. The network memory system comprises a first appliance configured to encrypt first data, store the encrypted first data in a first memory device. The first appliance also determines whether the encrypted first data exists in a second appliance and transmits a store instruction comprising the encrypted first data based on the determination that the encrypted first data does not exist in the second appliance. The second appliance is configured to receive the store instruction from the first appliance and store the encrypted first data in a second memory device. The second appliance is further configured to receive a retrieve instruction comprising a location indicator indicating where the encrypted first data is stored, process the retrieve instruction to obtain encrypted response data, and decrypt the encrypted response data. |
| US08732422B2 |
Storage apparatus and its control method
A storage apparatus obtains a snapshot(s) of a first logical volume when needed and saves old data to a second logical volume when data is written to the first logical volume after obtaining the snapshot. A storage area of the second logical volume is allocated in chunk units to the first logical volume and a tendency of order to delete snapshots is judged when the chunks have been completely used up. If there is a tendency to delete the snapshots in their acquisition order, a new chunk is allocated to the first logical volume and a storage area in that chunk is determined to be a save location of the old data. If there is a tendency to delete the snapshots randomly, an unused storage area in a chunk already allocated to the first logical volume is determined to be the save location of the old data. |
| US08732413B2 |
Method and system for preloading page using control flow
A method and system for page preloading using a control flow are provided. The method includes extracting preload page information from one or more pages in a first program code, and generating a second program code including the first program code and the extracted preload page information. The second program code is stored in non-volatile memory. When loading a page from the second program code stored in the non-volatile memory into main memory, preloading one or more pages from the non-volatile memory based on the preload page information stored in the loaded page. |
| US08732410B2 |
Method and apparatus for accelerated shared data migration
A method and apparatus for accelerated shared data migration between cores. Using an Always Migrate protocol, when a migratory probe hits a directory entry in either modified or owned state, the entry is transitioned to an owned state, and a source done command is sent without sending cache block ownership or state information to the directory. |
| US08732409B2 |
Cache management policy and corresponding device
A cache management policy is provided, comprising a method for writing back to a memory (104) a data element set (122) stored in a cache (110). The method reduces the time some items stay in the cache, and thereby improves the utilization of the cache for some applications, especially for video applications. The method comprises determining that each one of the multiple data elements has been updated through at least one write request; marking the data element set as a write-back candidate, in dependency on said determination; and writing the write-back candidate to the memory. |
| US08732408B2 |
Circuit and method with cache coherence stress control
A circuit contains a shared memory (12), that is used by a plurality of processing elements (10) that contain cache circuits (102) for caching data from the shared memory (12). The processing elements perform a plurality of cooperating tasks, each task involving caching data from the shared memory (12) and sending cache message traffic. Consistency between cached data for different tasks is maintained by transmission of cache coherence requests via a communication network. Information from cache coherence requests generated for all of said tasks is buffered. One of the processing elements provides an indication signal indicating a current task stage of at least one of the processing elements. Additional cache message traffic is generated adapted dependent on the indication signal and the buffered information from the cache coherence requests. Thus conditions of cache traffic stress may be created to verify operability of the circuit, or cache message traffic may be delayed to avoid stress. |
| US08732407B2 |
Deadlock avoidance during store-mark acquisition
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that avoids deadlock while attempting to acquire store-marks on cache lines. During operation, the system keeps track of store-mark requests that arise during execution of a thread, wherein a store-mark on a cache line indicates that one or more associated store buffer entries are waiting to be committed to the cache line. In this system, store-mark requests are processed in a pipelined manner, which allows a store-mark request to be initiated before preceding store-mark requests for the same thread complete. Next, if a store-mark request fails, within a bounded amount of time, the system removes or prevents store-marks associated with younger store-mark requests for the same thread, thereby avoiding a potential deadlock that can arise when one or more other threads attempt to store-mark the same cache lines. |
| US08732404B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing buffer cache to perform page replacement by using reference time information regarding time at which page is referred to
A method and apparatus manages a buffer cache. An extended buffer is used to perform a page replacement algorithm using reference time information regarding a time at which a page is referred. Pages replaced through the page replacement algorithm, when re-referred to, may be retrieved from the extended buffer, instead of a hard disk. As a result, write/read operations with respect to the disk are made efficient and the page input/output speed is increased. |
| US08732403B1 |
Deduplication of data blocks on storage devices
A storage system comprises a cache for caching data blocks and storage devices for storing blocks. A storage operating system may deduplicate sets of redundant blocks on the storage devices based on a deduplication requirement. Blocks in cache are typically deduplicated based on the deduplication on the storage devices. Sets of redundant blocks that have not met the deduplication requirement for storage devices and have not been deduplicated on the storage devices and cache are targeted for further deduplication processing. Sets of redundant blocks may be further deduplicated based on their popularity (number of accesses) in cache. If a set of redundant blocks in cache is determined to have a combined number of accesses being greater than a predetermined threshold number of accesses, the set of redundant blocks is determined to be “popular.” Popular sets of redundant blocks are selected for deduplication in cache and the storage devices. |
| US08732397B2 |
Memory system including first and second caches and controlling readout of data therefrom
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a chip including a cell array and first and second caches configured to hold data read out from the cell array; an interface configured to manage a first and a second addresses; a controller configured to issue a readout request to the interface; and a buffer configured to hold the data from the chip. The interface transfers the data in the first cache to the buffer without reading out the data from the cell array if the readout address matches the first address, transfers the data in the second cache to the buffer without reading out the data from the cell array if the readout address matches the second address, and reads out the data from the cell array and transfers the data to the buffer if the readout address does not match either one of the first or second address. |
| US08732396B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting the integrity of cached data in a direct-attached storage (DAS) system
A DAS system that implements RAID technology is provided in which an array of solid state disks (SSDs) that is external to the DAS controllers of the DAS system is used by the DAS controllers as WB cache memory for performing WB caching operations. Using the external SSD array as WB cache memory allows the DAS system to be fully cache coherent without significantly increasing the complexity of the DAS system and without increasing the amount of bandwidth that is utilized for performing caching operations. In addition, using the external SSD array as WB cache memory obviates the need to mirror DAS controllers. |
| US08732395B2 |
Write-once information recording medium, information recording method, information recording device, information reproduction method, information reproduction device and method for manufacturing information recording medium
In an information recording medium in which storage capacity per recording layer has increased so much that the size of an SBM varies with those of spare areas, there is mutual dependence between a DDS and an SBM and it is difficult to retrieve disc management information as intended. In an information recording medium according to the present invention, if the largest space is allocated to an user data area, the number of blocks to store a space bitmap is Ni (where Ni≧2). But if the smallest space is allocated to the user data area, the number of blocks to use is smaller than Ni. In such an information recording medium, if the number of blocks to store the space bitmap of a recording layer is Mi (where 1≦Mi≦Ni) and if Mi is equal to or greater than two, the space bitmap is divided into the 1st through Mith space bitmaps, each of which has a size that is still equal to or smaller than one block even when combined with a DDS, and each space bitmap is stored in an associated one of Mi blocks in a disc management area. |
| US08732394B2 |
Advanced disk drive power management based on maximum system throughput
The disclosed technology identifies bottlenecks in a hierarchical storage subsystem and, based upon the rate at which data may be transmitted through a particular bottleneck, determines the smallest number of disk drives required to match that transmission rate. If the required number of disks is less than the total number of disks, only a subset of the total number are maintained in an active state with the remainder places in either a “standby” or “off” mode. In this manner, overall system power consumption is reduced. In one embodiment, the disclosed techniques are implemented by active disk management at high level of storage infrastructure. |
| US08732388B2 |
Embedded mapping information for memory devices
Memory modules and methods of operating memory modules embed mapping information within blocks of memory cells to which the mapping information pertains. In particular, when a page is written for a logical data block, that page includes a snapshot of the current mapping information for that logical data block. In this manner, the last valid physical page of a logical data block will contain a physical/logical mapping of that block. Thus, instead of scanning every valid page of the memory device to rebuild the mapping information, the memory module may scan only for the last valid physical page of each logical data block. Once the last valid physical page is discovered for a logical data block, the latest mapping information for that logical data block may be read from that page. |
| US08732386B2 |
Sharing data fabric for coherent-distributed caching of multi-node shared-distributed flash memory
A Sharing Data Fabric (SDF) causes flash memory attached to multiple compute nodes to appear to be a single large memory space that is global yet shared by many applications running on the many compute nodes. Flash objects stored in flash memory of a home node are copied to an object cache in DRAM at an action node by SDF threads executing on the nodes. The home node has a flash object map locating flash objects in the home node's flash memory, and a global cache directory that locates copies of the object in other sharing nodes. Application programs use an applications-programming interface (API) into the SDF to transparently get and put objects without regard to the object's location on any of the many compute nodes. SDF threads and tables control coherency of objects in flash and DRAM. |
| US08732383B2 |
Reconfigurable memory module and method
A computer system includes a controller coupled to a plurality of memory modules each of which includes a memory hub and a plurality of memory devices divided into a plurality of ranks. The memory hub is operable to configure the memory module to simultaneously address any number of ranks to operate in a high bandwidth mode, a high memory depth mode, or any combination of such modes. |
| US08732382B2 |
Haltable and restartable DMA engine
A method is described for operation of a DMA engine. Copying is initiated for transfer of a first number of bytes from first source memory locations to first destination memory locations. Then, a halt instruction is issued before the first number of bytes are copied. After copying is stopped, a second number of bytes is established, encompassing those bytes remaining to be copied. After the transfer is halted, a quantity of the second number of bytes is identified. Quantity information is then generated and stored. Second source memory locations are identified to indicate where the second number of bytes are stored. Second source memory location information is then generated and stored. Second destination memory locations are then identified to indicate where the second number of bytes are to be transferred. Second destination memory location information is then generated and stored. |
| US08732373B2 |
Systems and methods relating to user interfaces for docking portable electronic
Systems and methods related to the user interface of docking portable electronic devices. A master device may be docked with a slave device to control operation of the slave device. The master device may be operable to display a user interface. The user interface of the master device may be adapted to be used with the slave device that may include different display and/or input devices than that of the master device. In one embodiment, the master device may be a handheld device such as a smart phone and the slave device may be a tablet device. |
| US08732372B2 |
Operation of video source and sink with hot plug detection not asserted
Methods and systems are described for displaying enabling the transmission, formatting, and display of multimedia data after a hot plug event during a start-up dead period. In particular, approaches for transmission, formatting, and display of multimedia data in the absence or non-operation of a hot plug detect system or signal, so that multimedia information can be displayed in a proper format even during the dead period when no hot plug detect signal is received. |
| US08732371B2 |
Managing overhead associated with service requests via software generated interrupts
An application process operates at a privilege level lower than that of the kernel code of the operating system in which the process executes. When the application process requires performance of an operating system service for which the process lacks sufficient privileges to perform directly, rather than repeatedly requesting the service by issuing separate software interrupts, the process instead accumulates the data corresponding to the different service requests in a data container block and defers performance of the service. Whenever the process needs to complete the service, rather than deferring its performance, the process issues a single software interrupt that causes the kernel to use the accumulated data in the data container block to perform each of the N accumulated service requests. This reduces the number of interrupts that must be handled from N to one, thereby greatly reducing the overhead imposed by interrupt handling. |
| US08732369B1 |
Minimal-cost pseudo-round-robin arbiter
An apparatus including a first register, a second register, and a control logic. The first register may be configured to store requests from a plurality of clients for a current cycle. The second register may be configured to store an indicator value indicating which of the plurality of clients received a grant in a previous cycle. The control logic may be configured to determine which of the plurality of clients having a request in the current cycle receives a grant based upon (i) a pointer value and (ii) the indicator value. |
| US08732362B2 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
Provided is a receiving apparatus including: a first receiving unit which receives a content signal including a first signal and a second signal corresponding to a predetermined transmission standard, recovers the first signal and the second signal included in the content signal, and outputs the recovered first signal and the recovered second signal; a transmitting unit which receives the second signal output from the first receiving unit, converts the second signal to the content signal corresponding to the predetermined transmission standard, and transmits the content signal; and a second receiving unit which receives the content signal transmitted from the transmitting unit, recovers the second signal included in the content signal, and outputs the recovered second signal. |
| US08732357B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamically enabling and disabling write XFR—RDY
A method for dynamically enabling and disabling use of XFR_RDY is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, such a method includes receiving a write command at a target and determining whether XFR_RDY is enabled or disabled for the write command. In the event XFR_RDY is disabled, the method determines whether one or more buffers are available at the target. If at least one buffer is available, the method processes the write command by writing data associated with the write command to the one or more buffers. The method then returns information indicating the number of buffers that are still available at the target after completing the write command. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08732355B1 |
Dynamic data prefetching
Technology is disclosed for data prefetching on a computing device utilizing a cloud based file system. The technology can receive a current execution state and a data access pattern associated with an instance of an application executing on a computing device. The technology can further receive a data access pattern associated with another instance of the application executing on another computing device. The technology can utilize the received data access patterns to determine one or more future access requests for a subset of data associated with the application, where the one or more future access requests is a function of the current execution state of the application executing on the computing device. The technology can generate a prefetching profile utilizing the determined subset of data. |
| US08732352B1 |
Dynamic allocation of buffers for direct memory access
A device includes a processor, unified DMA (‘Direct Memory Access’) storage, and a number of DMA engines. The processor may be operatively coupled to the unified DMA storage and a main memory. The DMA engines may be configured to access the unified DMA storage and provide DMA transmissions between the main memory and a corresponding component. The processor may be configured to: determine a size of a corresponding DMA buffer to be allocated for each DMA engine; allocate, for each DMA engine, the corresponding DMA buffer of the determined size in the unified DMA storage; and execute DMA transmission using the DMA engines and the corresponding DMA buffers. |
| US08732348B2 |
Electronic device performance level indicator and method
An electronic device comprises a performance level indicator configured to determine an operational performance level for the electronic device based on a power capability of a power adapter coupled to the electronic device at least while the electronic device is non-operational. |
| US08732342B1 |
I/O scheduling system and method
A method, computer program product, and computing system for associating a first I/O scheduling queue with a first process accessing a storage network. The first I/O scheduling queue is configured to receive a plurality of first process I/O requests. A second I/O scheduling queue is associated with a second process accessing the storage network. The second I/O scheduling queue is configured to receive a plurality of second process I/O requests. |
| US08732333B2 |
Facsimile communication system, facsimile apparatus, facsimile communication method, transmission processing method, and reception processing method
A facsimile communication system which is capable of selectively performing encrypted communication or non-encrypt communication according to the intention of a user. A transmitting-side digital multifunction machine inputs the port address of a receiving-side digital multifunction machine according to a user operation, and designates encrypted communication for transmitting IFP packets of image information, via an IP network, after encrypting the IFP packets, or non-encrypt communication for transmitting IFP packets of image information, via the IP network, without encrypting the IFP packets. The receiving-side digital multifunction machine determines whether the input port address is for an encrypted communication port or a non-encrypt communication port, and sends a response containing an associated port number to the transmitting-side digital multifunction machine. The transmitting-side digital facsimile apparatus establishes connection to the port with the port number, and performs the designated communication. |
| US08732332B2 |
Content switching with user-defined policies
A frame work to build and use a generic content switch is provided. The applications and the routing policy for the content switch are provided by the application provider. The content switch, however, is managed by a network provider so that there is a clear separation of the switching action and the switching policy. The basic framework consists of two key elements; a content switch and a user-defined application that also contains the switching policy. |
| US08732327B2 |
Methods and arrangements for system providing media via multicast distribution
The present invention relates to a server and a method for achieving a fast channel change in e.g. an IPTV system. This is achieved by selecting a source for retrieving the requested channel based on the current load of the FCC server. The source may be the streaming server providing the regular multicast stream or a buffer providing a buffered version of the requested channel. According to one embodiment requests for fast channel change (relating to the same channel) are grouped and served and served as a bundle over multicast. By doing that one can alleviate the load on the FCC server and the network since multiple clients can share the same stream. |
| US08732325B2 |
System and method for transmitting data
A device for transmitting data to a further device is arranged for transmitting a first class of data as a guaranteed stream of data-units, and for transmitting a second class of data-units on a best effort basis. The device starts the transmission of a burst of data-units which belong to the second class at a point in time where the remaining time interval until the start of the next burst of first-class data minus the required time for transmitting the burst of second-class of data is less than a predetermined time. |
| US08732323B2 |
Recording medium storing transaction model generation support program, transaction model generation support computer, and transaction model generation support method
A computer supports generating a model of transactions in which services are processed in multiple layers. The computer refers to start times and end times of processings, which are invoked and generated from another processing in the services, of the same server to calculate time intervals between the processings. The computer generates possible thresholds indicating thresholds that are possible criteria for grouping the processings according to the time intervals between the processings. The computer puts together, for each of the generated possible thresholds, consecutive processings, in which the time intervals between the processings are equal to or smaller than the possible threshold, into the same group to generate a group that the processings belong to. The computer divides a group, among the generated groups, without a processing serving as an invoker into processing-by-processing groups. The computer determines the possible threshold with the least number of groups as the threshold. |
| US08732321B2 |
Control entity and method for setting up a session in a communications network, subscriber database and communications network
Control entity and method for setting up a session in a communications network, subscriber database, and communications network. The control entity advantageously has or has access to memory for storing information, and typically includes an input device for receiving a request to set up a session in the communications network, a processor unit for processing the request, and an output device for sending messages. The processor unit is arranged to determine if the request comprises a valid Communication Service Identifier (CSI) the CSI identifying the type of communication service of the session that is to be established over the communications network. And if the request does not comprise a valid Communication Service Identifier, to execute a default CSI procedure using default CSI information stored in the memory. |
| US08732320B2 |
Fast content-based routing
Systems and methods for fast, efficient content-based routing that allow a router to perform true content-based routing without having to de-serialize the data and apply a full content-based filter by determining the exact set of consumers to forward the data onto based on packet headers. A system for fast content-based routing may receive a subscription from a receiver machine and may assign a unique ID associated with the subscription in a router table. The system may then place a ID associated with a particular subscription in a message header if the message corresponds to the subscription. The system may then analyze the router table to determine one or more receiver machines associated with the ID in the header of the message. The system may then send, from a sender machine to one or more receiver machines, one or more messages containing the ID in the header of the message. |
| US08732317B2 |
System and method for connecting a mobile device to a global network using a virtual private network connection
A virtual private network connection is established from a mobile device to a virtual private network server of a service provider associated with a mobile device responsive to a request for access to the remotely located content provider. A second connection is established, under control of the virtual private network server, from the virtual private network server of the service provider to the remotely located content provider server. A third connection is established, under control of the virtual private network server, from the virtual private network server of the service provider to an advertising server. The virtual private network connection, the second connection and the third connection are maintained under the control of the virtual private network server to enable transport of content data between the mobile device and the remotely located content provider server and to enable transport of advertising data between the mobile device and the advertising server. |
| US08732316B2 |
Communication system
One of objects is to reduce a load in a session management and relay process on an SOAP-SIP adaptor for providing a 3PCC service. The SOAP-SIP adaptor (hereinafter the adaptor) receives a connection request message between a first terminal and a second terminal from a Web server, and establishes the sessions with each of the first terminal and the second terminal. After establishing the sessions with each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the adaptor sends a transfer request (REFER) of session to a call control device. Thereafter, the call control device manages session between the first terminal and the second terminal each having established the session with the adaptor. |
| US08732315B2 |
Automatic ad-hoc network creation and coalescing using WiFi protected setup
A device previously configured as a registrar and that has established an independent ad-hoc network is automatically discovered by another device also previously configured as a registrar. To form an ad-hoc wireless network between these two devices, each device periodically enters a scanning mode to scan for and intercept beacons transmitted by the other device. Upon such interception, one of the devices becomes an enrollee in accordance with a predefined condition and in response to a user selected option. Subsequently, the enrollee modifies its beacons to include an attribute, such as the MAC address, associated with the other device. After intercepting the modified beacon, the remaining registrar prompts it user to decide whether to allow the enrollee to join the registrar's network. If the user responds affirmatively, a handshake is performed between the two devices and a subsequent attempt is made by the enrollee to join the registrar's network. |
| US08732314B2 |
Generation of contact information based on associating browsed content to user actions
A customer premises router identifies contacts based on web sites visited and searches conducted by a user device. The customer premises router also detects phone calls initiated by a user device (e.g., a Voice over IP telephony device), and identifies an association between a phone call to an identified called destination (e.g., a destination telephone number) and an identified contact, based on a prescribed association attribute. The identified associations are stored in nonvolatile memory. Any subsequent web request by a user device and related to the contact causes the customer premises router to supply to the user device the identified association specifying the contact and the identified called destination, enabling a user of the user device to determine the identified called destination for the contact, even if the visited web sites do not provide the identified called destination. |
| US08732313B2 |
Quality of service management
In one embodiment, a method receives current latency values from a plurality of host computers where a current latency value is calculated by a respective host computer based on an amount of time spent in the respective host computer's issue queue by an IO request most recently removed from the issue queue of the respective host computer. The issue queue of the respective host computer is used to transmit IO requests from the respective host computer to a storage system. The method then calculates a combined average latency value based on the current latency values and sends the combined average latency value to the plurality of host computers. Each respective host computer adjusts a size of the respective host computer's issue queue based on the combined average latency value, and the size controls a number of IO requests that are added to the respective host computer's issue queue. |
| US08732312B2 |
Computing system and computing system management method
A computing system includes: a plurality of computing machines and a load balancer configured to allocate computing processing to the plurality of computing machines. In the computing system, the plurality of computing machines executes the computing processing, each of the plurality of computing machines includes an execution instruction unit that instructs to execute one of garbage collection (GC) and restart of the computing machine. The computing machine, in an active state in which the computing processing is allowed to be executed, switches a state of another standby computing machine to an active state when the active computing machine is instructed to execute one of the GC and the restart of the computing machine, and starts one of the GC and the restart of the computing machine after the switching is completed. |
| US08732311B1 |
Network object delivery system for personal computing device
A networked object delivery system for a personal computing device includes a network, a personal computing device at least part time coupled to the network, and a service agent server at least part time coupled to the network. The personal computing device is preferably a PDA or the like, but can also include personal computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, etc. The personal computing device locally operates on a requested document with at least one downloaded application module from the network. The service agent server will download a requested document and at least one application module to the personal computing device over the network in response to a request for the document and in response to a desired action to be performed on that document. |
| US08732309B1 |
Request routing utilizing cost information
A system, method and computer-readable medium for request routing based on cost information are provided. A client request processing a resource identifier for requested content transmits a first DNS query to a content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider transmits an alternative resource identifier in response to the client computing device DNS query. The alternative resource identifier is selected as a function of cost information. The client computing device then issues a second DNS query to the same content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider can then either resolve the second DNS query with an IP address of a cache component or transmit another alternative resource identifier that will resolve to the content delivery network service provider. The process can repeat with the content delivery network service provider's network until a DNS nameserver resolves a DNS query from the client computing device. |
| US08732308B1 |
Coordinated management in virtualized systems using management brokers and management channels
A system for coordinating information between management entities includes management channels, management brokers and management agents. The management channels provide bidirectional communication between management entities. The management brokers implement coordination policies, and the management agents facilitate communication on the management channels. |
| US08732307B1 |
Predictive control for resource entitlement
A resource consumption of a resource compartment for a time interval is predicted. A resource entitlement for the resource compartment for the time interval is determined based on the predicted resource consumption. |
| US08732306B2 |
High speed parallel data exchange with transfer recovery
Systems and methods for transfer of data including establishing two separate connections, the two separate connections including a high speed connection and a high integrity connection. Blocks of data are exchanged over the high speed connection while the high integrity connection facilitates communication of descriptor data regarding data received over the high speed connection. As such, the data transfer speed of the high speed connection is utilized while communication via the high integrity connection allows for data reliability features not provided by the high speed connection. |
| US08732305B2 |
Management server, client terminal, terminal management system, terminal management method, program, and recording medium
A management server which is connected to a plurality of client terminals via a network, includes a storage unit adapted to store a management policy including usage-permitted time periods of the plurality of client terminals, and an application unit adapted to read out from the storage unit the management policy including the usage-permitted time period of the client terminal to be managed, output the readout management policy to the client terminal, and apply the usage-permitted time period to the client terminal, and extends the usage-permitted time period of the client terminal in accordance with a state of the client terminal. |
| US08732304B2 |
Method and system for ensuring authenticity of IP data served by a service provider
A computer-implemented method and system identifies whether web content stored in a repository deviates from authentic web content being web content that is approved by authorized personnel of the web content prior to serving to a client requesting the web content. Web communications to the repository are monitored and web content is intercepted and analyzed in a safe environment for establishing that the web content conforms to a predetermined standard. If not, a web host serving the web content is alerted. In one embodiment, the web content is intercepted and analyzed prior to serving to the client and is served to the client only if either authenticated or after suitable modification to render it acceptable. |
| US08732303B2 |
Usage-sensitive policy and charging control method, servers, systems and computer programs
In a policy and charging control method carried out by a server including a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF), identification information for identifying a particular service instance of a particular service type is obtained. When a packet is received, the PCEF determines whether the packet belongs to the particular service instance by using the identification information and by inspection of at least one of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) layer n control information of the packet, wherein n is an integer equal to or larger than 3, and the packet's payload. If it is determined that the packet belongs to the particular service instance, the PCEF updates a usage parameter representing an accumulated usage associated with the particular service instance. The PCEF then makes available to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), the usage parameter or information derived therefrom. |
| US08732299B2 |
Scalability breakpoint calculator for a software product
During a technique for estimating a scalability breakpoint of a software product, performance load tests of the software product are performed with different numbers of simulated concurrent users. For a given number of simulated concurrent users, a performance load test may include an associated set of transactions that are executed by the software product. Furthermore, during the performance load tests performance metrics for the transactions in the associated sets of transactions are measured. Then estimated total performance metrics for the transactions in the associated sets of transactions for the different numbers of simulated concurrent users are determined based on the measured performance metrics and the associated sets of transactions. Next, using the determined estimated total performance metrics, the estimated scalability breakpoint is calculated. |
| US08732296B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for redirecting IRC traffic identified utilizing a port-independent algorithm and controlling IRC based malware
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for redirecting internet relay chat (IRC) traffic identified utilizing a port-independent algorithm and controlling IRC based malware. In use, IRC traffic communicated via a network is identified utilizing a port-independent algorithm. Furthermore, the IRC traffic is redirected to a honeypot. |
| US08732292B2 |
Network system
A network system suitable for remote monitoring or remote control of equipments is provided. When an execution of a server-side object is requested from a client terminal device to a server, the server requests an execution of an equipment-side object to the equipment(s). The execution request of the server-side object from the client terminal device is performed by use of a first identifier assigned to the server-side object, and the execution request of the equipment-side object is performed by use of a second identifier assigned to the equipment-side object. Since the server has an identifier setting function of setting a correspondence relation between the first identifier and the second identifier, it is possible to reduce burden on the client terminal device, and flexibly cope with cases of exchanging and increasing the equipment(s) in the network system without considering specific identification information of the equipments such as IP address. |
| US08732291B2 |
Performance interference model for managing consolidated workloads in QOS-aware clouds
The workload profiler and performance interference (WPPI) system uses a test suite of recognized workloads, a resource estimation profiler and influence matrix to characterize un-profiled workloads, and affiliation rules to identify optimal and sub-optimal workload assignments to achieve consumer Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees and/or provider revenue goals. The WPPI system uses a performance interference model to forecast the performance impact to workloads of various consolidation schemes usable to achieve cloud provider and/or cloud consumer goals, and uses the test suite of recognized workloads, the resource estimation profiler and influence matrix, affiliation rules, and performance interference model to perform off-line modeling to determine the initial assignment selections and consolidation strategy to use to deploy the workloads. The WPPI system uses an online consolidation algorithm, offline models, and online monitoring to determine virtual machine to physical host assignments responsive to real-time conditions to meet cloud provider and/or cloud consumer goals. |
| US08732288B2 |
Apparatus and method for controling network using identification information of object
Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling a network using identification information of an object. The network controlling apparatus may include an extractor to extract identification information of a receiving object from received data, and a controller to verify, from a database, forwarding information that is stored in correspondence to the identification information, and to transfer the data to a gateway associated with a second domain designated by the forwarding information, when the receiving object is not included in a first domain. |
| US08732286B2 |
Health management systems with shadow modules
A shadowing platforms and systems in a network with a remote platform are provided. The shadowing platform includes a shadow health management module and platform storage coupled to the shadow health management module. The shadow health management module is configured to receive health information from the remote platform; store the health information in the platform storage; receive status information from the remote platform; and provide the health information to the remote platform when the status information is unacceptable. |
| US08732282B1 |
Model framework to facilitate robust programming of distributed workflows
A method is disclosed. A finite state machine model for a single system workflow is replicated across a plurality of distributed nodes associated with a leader election protocol. A leader is determined amongst the plurality of distributed nodes to perform a next action of the finite state machine model based at least in part on the leader election protocol. One or more nodes amongst the plurality of distributed nodes are configured to submit a timeout ticket if the next action of the finite state machine model does not appear to have been performed by the leader within a prescribed time. |
| US08732279B2 |
Secure network deployment
In one embodiment, a Manufacturer Installed Certificate (MIC) and a personal identification number are sent to a call controller to request a configuration profile. When the configuration file is received, the IP phone is provisioned according to the configuration profile. |
| US08732278B2 |
Fantasy open platform environment
A fantasy server application may comprise a platform generator component to generate a resource document with a host segment arranged to present a host resource document and a guest segment arranged to present a guest resource document, a host manager component to send a request to generate the host resource document with fantasy content from a fantasy content database to a host server program, receive a response with the host resource document, and add the host resource document to the host segment, and a guest manager component to generate a guest reference for use by a client device, the guest reference arranged to refer the client device to a guest server program arranged to generate the guest resource document with fantasy content from the fantasy content database, and add the guest reference to the guest server program to the guest segment. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08732276B2 |
Data gathering using a mobile computing device
Systems and methods for field data gathering and which provide flexible configuration options for a central office. The system, run from, mobile computing devices, provides a free-flowing data gathering experience while only requiring what the central office needs from the field. The central office can configure the system to accept different types of data by way of different data input means available to the mobile computing device. Only the data needed by the central office need be collected by the mobile device operator. The data format is defined by the central office and is uploaded to each of the relevant mobile computing devices for use by the operators. Once each data set has been collected by an operator, the data package with the data set is scheduled for transmission to the central office once a connection with the central office can be made. |
| US08732275B2 |
Methods and systems for delivering a personalized version of an executable application to a secondary access device associated with a user
An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system 1) delivering a primary media content stream to a primary access device, the primary media content stream comprising data representative of a media content instance that is presented by the primary access device as the primary media content stream is delivered to the primary access device and data representative of an executable application related to the media content instance, 2) determining that a secondary access device associated with a user is located within a detection zone associated with the primary access device during a time period associated with the presentation of the media content instance by the primary access device, and 3) directing the primary access device to generate and deliver a version of the executable application that is personalized for the user to the secondary access device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08732267B2 |
Placement of a cloud service using network topology and infrastructure performance
Techniques are described for selecting an optimal data center for instantiating a first cloud service. Embodiments of the invention receive a request specifying a topology of a first cloud service to be hosted by one of a plurality of data centers which provide computing resources to host a plurality of cloud services. A suitability value is then determined for each of the data centers which measures a fitness of the data center for instantiating the first cloud service. In one embodiment, the suitability value is determined by calculating a plurality of metric values for the data center, normalizing the metric values and calculating a weighted average of the normalized values. One of the data centers is then selected for instantiating the first cloud service, based at least in part on the determined suitability values. |
| US08732264B2 |
HiperSockets SIGA light-sending without outbound queue
Performing logical partition (LPAR)-to-LPAR communication in a network computing environment. Read or write requests to different memory areas of a single computer memory are controlled by a storage control element, where the requests are issued by different multiple operating systems using a general network transfer format. A request is sent by a first operating system to said storage control element, where the request is executed with a processor instruction. A result of the request is received by the same or a second operating system. A modified processor instruction is sent to the storage control element, which implements an execution of the instruction synchronously performed to the sending of the instruction, without buffering the request of the instruction in a dedicated queue. |
| US08732261B2 |
Apparatus and methods of a zero single point of failure load balancer
Apparatus and methods in a load balancer computing apparatus include, in aspects, determining if a master is functioning, and if the master is not functioning, then attempting to become the master by setting a master network identification in a master database table to a self network identification before at least one other slave sets a corresponding other slave network identification as the master network identification in the master database table. In other aspects, the apparatus and methods include assigning each of a group of commands to one of a plurality of slaves, storing the commands and a corresponding assignment in a database table, checking a command status in the database table for each of the group of commands, wherein the command status indicates whether or not the respective command has been executed; and executing a callback function when all the commands are executed. |
| US08732260B2 |
Interactive maintenance management alarm handling
An Interactive Maintenance Management System (“IMMS”) (10) is an alarm handling system (FIG. 2) for handling alarms (102) that indicate present or imminent equipment failure. The IMMS (10) may be utilized in industrial situations, such as strip-mines (14), to reduce equipment (12) downtime and reduce or prevent equipment failure. The IMMS (10) utilizes a flexible response system to track, analyze, and improve performance of the alarm handling system. |
| US08732259B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing notification of network alarms using a plurality of distributed layers
A method is disclosed for providing notification of network alarms using a plurality of distributed layers. A message is received that indicates an event occurred at a primary entity. The event is bound to a managed object, which represents the primary entity, to create a bound event. An overall condition is determined for the primary entity, based at least in part on the bound event, to create one or more condition notifications. The impact of a particular condition notification on one or more entities, which are related to the primary entity, is analyzed to create one or more impact notifications. One or more first alarms, which indicate the one or more related entities are impacted by a particular impact notification, are created. One or more second alarms are created based on the one or more first alarms. |
| US08732258B2 |
Method and system for transporting telemetry data across a network
A method for transporting telemetry data involves receiving a request from a client in a first network. The client is registered with a data transport service executing in a second network. The request includes an authentication credential for the client, a message including telemetry data, and a message priority. The method further involves authenticating the request using the authentication credential. The method further involves parsing the request to obtain and subsequently execute a command for storing the message in a physical queue of the second network. The physical queue is associated with a back-end service executing in the second network. A virtual queue maintains entries for messages stored in the physical queue that were sent from the first network to the second network. Another virtual queue maintains entries for messages stored in the physical queue that were sent from the second network to the first network. |
| US08732257B2 |
Server apparatus, terminal apparatus, and communication control method
A server apparatus for establishing communication with a plurality of input/output devices via a network. The apparatus includes: a management unit configured to manage a communication session with the input/output devices; a storage unit configured to store information of the input/output devices in association with group information thereof; an execution unit configured to execute an application program; a communication unit configured to receive an operation instruction for the application program and to transmit to the input/output devices a processing result of the application program; a determination unit configured to determine whether the processing result requires connection of the input/output devices to an external server; and a message transmission unit configured to generate a message including an instruction to connect to the external server, when the determination unit determines that the processing results requires such a connection. The message includes the group information. |
| US08732255B2 |
Dynamically created shared spaces
In one embodiment, a social networking system automatically create a shared space for posting requests to the social networking system from multiple users based on social, spatial and temporal proximity, and create a news feed corresponding to the shared space. |
| US08732252B2 |
Cooperating system, chat server, program, and cooperating method
A cooperating system includes a chat server and a blog server, the chat server includes an extracting part for, when detecting a URL related to a blog in a message received from outside, extracting the received message, an acquiring part for acquiring a trackback URL from a blog server based on the detected URL, and a storage part for storing a message and the trackback URL extracted by the extracting part in association with a newly created URL; and the blog server including a receiving part for receiving the created URL transmitted based on storage of trackback URL to the storage part with the storage part. |
| US08732251B2 |
Interactive web collaboration systems and methods
A topic room is provided in which one or more individuals or other entities may collaborate on topics of mutual interest. Multiple individuals or participants may use the topic room to communicate in real or non-real time and may work together to create, browse, modify, comment on, and perform any other suitable action on content. A chat room within the topic room receives, records, and transmits the communications and all activity in the topic room to all participants as messages. Client processes at a participant's user equipment may listen to the messages and take particular actions. For example, one participant can follow another participant as that participant browses through material by using the messages received from that participant. |
| US08732241B2 |
Following content providers in a social context
In general, a method for providing content to a user includes providing a content item to a user responsive to a received request. The content item is displayed to the user in a slot associated with a third party content site. The content item includes a first annotation providing information for or about re-publishing the content item. A request is received from the user to follow a content provider associated with the content item. The user is designated as being interested in updated content from the content provider. Designating the user includes presenting information about the user to one or more of the content provider or a social application that includes a content provider presence so as to allow for updates associated with the content provider to be followed by the user. |
| US08732240B1 |
Scoring stream items with models based on user interests
A system and method for generating a stream of content includes a content stream module that generates a model based on user input and/or prior activities using heterogeneous data sources. The heterogeneous data sources include search, entertainment, social activity and activity on third-party sites. The content stream module retrieves candidate content items that have interests that are similar to the user. The candidate content items are compared to the model and scored based upon interestingness of the content item to the user. The content stream module generates the stream of content from the candidate content items. |
| US08732234B2 |
Providing relevant non-requested content to a mobile device
A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal. |
| US08732233B2 |
Integrating portable electronic devices with electronic flight bag systems installed in aircraft
An electronic flight bag apparatus includes an electronic flight bag (EFB) system installed in an aircraft and which interfaces with a ground network, and a portable EFB device connectible with the EFB system via a trusted secure connection. This apparatus makes it possible for a flight crew member to remove the portable device from the aircraft, enter flight information into the device in a convenient manner, and transfer the information to the installed EFB system. Auxiliary crew members may use the portable device during flight to assist the flight crew. |
| US08732229B2 |
Completion processing for data communications instructions
Completion processing of data communications instructions in a distributed computing environment, including receiving, in an active messaging interface (‘AMI’) data communications instructions, at least one instruction specifying a callback function; injecting into an injection FIFO buffer of a data communication adapter, an injection descriptor, each slot in the injection FIFO buffer having a corresponding slot in a pending callback list; listing in the pending callback list any callback function specified by an instruction, incrementing a pending callback counter for each listed callback function; transferring payload data as per each injection descriptor, incrementing a transfer counter upon completion of each transfer; determining from counter values whether the pending callback list presently includes callback functions whose data transfers have been completed; calling by the AMI any such callback functions from the pending callback list, decrementing the pending callback counter for each callback function called. |
| US08732226B2 |
Integer rounding operation
Systems, methods, processors, media, and other embodiments associated with integer rounding a floating point number in one micro-operation (uop) are described. One system embodiment includes a memory to store an integer rounding floating point instruction and a processor to perform the integer rounding floating point instruction. The processor may include a floating point unit that includes circuits and/or logics that integer round the floating point number. |
| US08732218B2 |
File access system
A disclosed file access system is capable of receiving each of code data from a server apparatus and updating a local file without increasing the processing time upon receiving the code data as the number of received code data is increased. The file access system includes a header data receiving unit receiving header data; a header data writing unit writing the header data into the local file; a code data receiving unit receiving designated code data from among the code data; a storage area allocating unit allocating a storage area with respect to the local file so that the code data received by the code data receiving unit can be written from the same starting position of the local file as that of the original file; and a code data writing unit writing the code data from the position of the local file. |
| US08732217B2 |
Using a per file activity ratio to optimally relocate data between volumes
A method for identifying data for relocation in a multivolume file system. The method includes generating a file location map, the file location map containing a list of the locations of files that occupy space on each of a plurality of volumes of the file system, wherein The file system comprising least a first volume and a second volume. The method further includes updating the file location map in accordance with changes in a file change log for the file system, and identifying data residing on the first volume of the file system by scanning the file location map. Using the identified data, a ratio of per-file activity during a first time period relative to overall file system activity over a second time period is calculated to derive a file activity ratio for each of the files of the identified data. Files are then selected for relocation based on the file activity ratio. |
| US08732216B2 |
Docbase management system and method for extending docbase management system and functions
The present invention discloses a docbase management system and a method for extending docbase management system functions. The method includes: determining an extended function module which matches extended data, wherein, the extended function module is compatible with a system extension interface in a docbase management system; invoking, through the system extension interface of the docbase management system, the determined extended function module to process the extended data. The method provided by the present invention enables the docbase management system functions to be extended without recompiling the docbase management system. |
| US08732212B2 |
System for simplifying an XML-based schema
A method for simplifying an extensible markup language (XML) schema, including: identifying data in an instance specification as variable or fixed, wherein the instance specification corresponds to a complex XML schema; determining a set of types including the variable data, wherein the set of types conforms to a structure of the complex XML schema; capturing the set of types as metadata annotations associated with the instance specification; and generating a simplified XML schema from the instance specification, wherein the simplified XML schema is stored on a memory device. |
| US08732206B2 |
Distributed storage timestamped revisions
Various revisions of encoded data slices stored in a distributed storage system can be time stamped to assist in retrieving desired data revisions. Each of the multiple revisions of the encoded data slices may have the same name, but different revision numbers. An encoded data slice, which is received at a distributed storage unit along with a write command, slice name, and the revision number, is time stamped. The timestamp and revision number are stored in conjunction with the data slice. A desired encoded data slice can be retrieved by sending a read command, slice name, and timeframe to the distributed storage unit. The appropriate encoded data slice can be retrieved by determining which revision number has a timestamp most closely matching the requested timeframe. |
| US08732202B2 |
Access requests with cache intentions
A lease system is described herein that allows clients to request a lease to a remote file, wherein the lease permits access to the file across multiple applications using multiple handles without extra round trips to a server. When multiple applications on the same client (or multiple components of the same application) request access to the same file, the client specifies the same lease identifier to the server for each open request or may handle the request from the cache based on the existing lease. Because the server identifies the client's cache at the client level rather than the individual file request level, the client receives fewer break notifications and is able to cache remote files in more circumstances. Thus, by providing the ability to cache data in more circumstances common with modern applications, the lease system reduces bandwidth, improves server scalability, and provides faster access to data. |
| US08732200B2 |
System and method for controlling access to a database object
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes receiving a query from a user, the query requesting access to a database object in a first database table, the database object comprising a first column and a second column. The method also includes determining whether the user is authorized to access the database object based on the first column, and determining whether the user is authorized to access the database object based on the second column. The method further includes allowing the user to access to database object in response to determining the user is authorized to access the database object based on the first column or the second column. |
| US08732187B1 |
Link-based ranking of objects that do not include explicitly defined links
A system determines ranking scores for objects based on “virtual” links defined for the objects. A link-based ranking score may then be calculated for the objects based on the virtual links. In one implementation, the virtual links are determined based on a metric of content-based similarity between the objects. |
| US08732184B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely displaying a list by determining a quantity of data to send based on the list size and the display control size
A system and method for remotely displaying a plurality of data items is disclosed. The system determines a total quantity of displayable data items and optionally receives an indication of a display control size from a remote client. The server stores a threshold value indicating a relationship between a quantity of data items and a size of a display control. The server compares the quantity of data items and the received indication of the display control size. If the comparison exceeds the threshold value, the server sends a subset of the items to the remote client for display, and sends additional items as requested by the remote client. If the comparison is less than the threshold value, the server sends each of the items to the remote client for display. The server repeats this comparison for changes in the quantity of data items or the size of the display control. |
| US08732183B2 |
Comparing strings of characters
Techniques for comparing character strings include identifying a first character string having a first string length, and a second character string having a second string length greater than the first string length; parsing the first character string into one or more first sub-groups of characters; parsing the second character string into one or more second sub-groups of characters; comparing each of the one or more first sub-groups of characters against the one or more second sub-groups of characters; determining a ratio of a number of characters in the one or more first sub-groups of characters that match the one or more second sub-groups of characters and the second string length; and based on the ratio being greater or equal to a threshold, preparing at least one of the first or second character strings for display, the threshold including a variable value based on the first string length. |
| US08732182B2 |
System and method for launching a resource in a network
The disclosure provides a system and method for a client connected to a server to a resource in a network. For the system a virtual machine module is provided to access a library and to create virtual machine templates and to create virtual machines from the virtual machine templates. The virtual machine module provides to a host machine in the network access to machines, user profile settings and instances of an application in the network and to multiple operating systems. The client has: access to an instance of the resource; an access module to provide the client with communication to access to the server using load balancing algorithms to access the file using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) commands; and an authentication module providing access to a directory structure accessed by the server using Microsoft Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and Active Directory (AD) services to authenticate the client with the server. |
| US08732173B2 |
Classification hierarchy regeneration system, classification hierarchy regeneration method, and classification hierarchy regeneration program
A classification hierarchy regeneration system is provided, wherein when a new classification hierarchy is generated by restructuring an existing classification hierarchy, a classification hierarchy in view of hierarchical relationship of classifications and a classification hierarchy integrating classifications of the same meaning can be efficiently generated. The clustering means clusters a data group associated with a hierarchical classification, and generating a classification group, i.e., a group obtained by extracting a classification satisfying a condition defined in advance from classifications corresponding to respective data in a cluster. The cooccurrence degree calculation means calculates a degree of cooccurrence of two classifications selected from the classification group. The classification hierarchy regeneration means regenerates the hierarchy of classification based on the classification group and the degree of cooccurrence. |
| US08732172B2 |
Shape classification method based on the topological perceptual organization theory
A shape classification method based on the topological perceptual organization (TPO) theory, comprising steps of: extracting boundary points of shapes (S1); constructing topological space and computing the representation of extracted boundary points (S2); extracting global features of shapes from the representation of boundary points in topological space (S3); extracting local features of shapes from the representation of boundary points in Euclidean space (S4); combining global features and local features through adjusting the weight of local features according to the performance of global features (S5); classifying shapes using the combination of global features and local features (S6). The invention is applicable for intelligent video surveillance, e.g., objects classification and scene understanding. The invention can also be used for the automatic driving system wherein robust recognition of traffic signs plays an important role in enhancing the intelligence of the system. |
| US08732166B1 |
Providing dynamically-generated bookmarks or other objects which encourage users to interact with a service
A strategy is described for delivering requested books to users along with customized bookmarks or other functional objects. An exemplary bookmark can include various informational items, including an informational item that describes the delivered book, an informational item that rates the desired book, an informational item that recommends one or more other books based on various factors, and an informational item that provides a call-to-action. The call-to-action encourages the user to access an electronic service to review the delivered book, purchase one or more additional books, or take some other action. The electronic service can provide accounting which identifies and registers user actions that are motivationally linked to the information imparted by the bookmarks. |
| US08732165B1 |
Automatic determination of whether a document includes an image gallery
Image galleries are automatically located within documents, such as web pages. Documents that are determined to contain image galleries may be treated differently when storing the document for later retrieval by an image search engine. In one implementation, the image galleries are automatically located within a document by calculating position information indicating relative positions of images in the document. The document may be determined to contain an image gallery when the position information indicates that the images in the document are generally evenly distributed. |
| US08732162B2 |
Systems and methods for server management
Exemplary systems and methods for server management are provided. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of servers, with each server having the ability to access a database or, in some embodiments, be configured to perform a calculation, computation or make a determination of a particular value, values or other information. A communications network delivers queries to each server whereby a look-up table directs query processing by the servers. Further embodiments of the system feature a program logic controller for rebalancing the workload of the network servers. Exemplary methods of processing queries on the system comprise submitting a query to the network, communicating the query to each server in the network and each server looking-up on a look-up table the processing responsibilities of the servers in the network. The query is processed by the server having primary responsibility for processing the query while other the servers monitor query processing. Transmission of a query result to a user typically completes the process. |
| US08732160B2 |
Exploring large textual data sets via interactive aggregation
A method and a system are provided for exploring a large textual data set via interactive aggregation. In one example, the method includes receiving the large textual data set and an original query template, building an index for the query template, wherein the building the index comprises ordering the index a particular way to optimize query time, receiving one or more bindings for the original query template, computing an answer to the original query template using the index and the one or more bindings, and anticipating one or more future queries that a user may submit and that are related to the original query template. |
| US08732156B2 |
Online service for program lookup
An integrated program lookup browser provides an integrated system with an online program lookup web service that assists the user in finding these unrecognized files, protocols and web page objects by allowing the user to perform a program lookup on a web service that can search one or more databases and return the URL to download the appropriate application or protocol or return the actual program or protocol. |
| US08732155B2 |
Categorization in a system and method for conducting a search
The invention provides a system to categorize user queries including an identification component that receives an original user query and identifies a what-component and a where-component using the original user query, a first classification component that analyzes and classifies the what-component of the original user query, a second classification component that analyzes and processes the where-component of the original user query, and a transmission component that sends the results of the first and second classification components and a processed user query to a backend search engine. |
| US08732153B1 |
Identifying related queries
A method includes receiving search queries. Images are generated that represent the volume of each search query relative to all search queries over a period of time. The images are processed to generate wavelets for each image. Related queries having similar increases or decreases in volume are identified by comparing at least some of the wavelets corresponding to a first query to wavelets corresponding to other queries. |
| US08732152B2 |
Search engine for a video recorder
The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner. |
| US08732151B2 |
Enhanced query rewriting through statistical machine translation
Systems, methods, and computer media for identifying query rewriting replacement terms are provided. A list of related string pairs each comprising a first string and second string is received. The first string of each related string pair is a user search query extracted from user click log data. For one or more of the related string pairs, the string pair is provided as inputs to a statistical machine translation model. The model identifies one or more pairs of corresponding terms, each pair of corresponding terms including a first term from the first string and a second term from the second string. The model also calculates a probability of relatedness for each of the one or more pairs of corresponding terms. Term pairs whose calculated probability of relatedness exceeds a threshold are characterized as query term replacements and incorporated, along with the probability of relatedness, into a query rewriting candidate database. |
| US08732150B2 |
Methods and apparatus for suppressing network feed activities using an information feed in an on-demand database service environment
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for suppressing network feed activities using an information feed in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, a message is received, including data indicative of a user action. An entity associated with the user action is identified, where the entity is a type of record stored in a database. A type of the entity is identified. It is determined whether the entity type is a prohibited entity type. When the entity type is not a prohibited entity type, the message data is saved to one or more tables in the database. The tables are configured to store feed items of an information feed capable of being displayed on a device. When the entity type is a prohibited entity type, the saving of the message data, to the one or more tables in the database configured to store the feed items, is prohibited. |
| US08732148B2 |
Assigning data for storage based on a frequency with which the data is accessed
A method, system, and apparatus for improving performance when retrieving data from one or more storage media. Files to be stored on the one or more storage media are classified into a ranking of different sets. Differences in retrieval value of different regions of the one or more storage media are exploited by selecting which files to store in which regions. For example, files that have a higher classification are stored in regions with faster retrieval values. The files can be classified based on frequency of access. Thus, files that are more frequently accessed are stored in regions that have a faster retrieval value. The files can be classified by another measure such as priority. For example, the classification for some or all of the files can be based on user-assigned priority. The classification may be based on events or data grouping. |
| US08732145B1 |
Virtual environment for data-described applications
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for use with the computer system are described. These embodiments may be used to generate an application description of one or more data-described applications that provides one or more functions in a virtual environment on a portable electronic communication device, such as a cellular telephone. This application description may be based at least in part on a schema that defines one or more fields, one or more formats and/or one or more sequences of data. Using the application description, a given data-described application may interpret data in the virtual environment. Moreover, by compiling the schema with the appropriate data to describe an application, the application running on a virtual environment can support multiple models and configurations of the portable electronic communication device. |
| US08732141B2 |
Passing information between server and client using a data package
Processing for a data package is disclosed. An operation is received including a data package. The operation is performed with respect to each of one or more data objects included in the data package, in a manner determined at least in part by a context data applicable to the operation. |
| US08732132B2 |
Life moment tagging and storage
A secure memory device and method for obtaining and securely storing information relating to a life moment is disclosed. In the method, a parameter is received and inputted in a search heuristic. A search is made for the information according to the search heuristic and, upon finding the information, metadata is appended to the information. The information and metadata is then stored in a secure memory location. The secure memory location has a housing fabricated to withstand a predetermined stress, a detachable connection to a computer and a memory that stores the information and protects it from unauthorized deletion. In some embodiments, the stored information may be selectively deleted in a safe and controlled manner. |
| US08732129B2 |
Storage system for managing a log of access
Provided is a storage system including: a first interface connected to a host computer; a second interface connected to a manager terminal; a control unit connected to the first interface and the second interface and equipping a processor and a memory; and one or more disk drives in which data that is requested to read by the host computer is stored, in which the control unit detects an access from the host computer to the first interface and an access from the manager terminal to the second interface, and generates log data of operations according to the accesses. Accordingly, log data concerning every action and every operation of the storage system is maintained and stored. |
| US08732122B2 |
Bonding contents on separate storage media
Local storage on player instruments provides the ability for adding further amendments and most recent supplements to the optical disc content. A problem arising with this technically applicable possibility is the protection of copyrights bound to disc and supplement data. The present invention describes a technique to ensure a security framework that is able to handle this, by creating a virtual file system (VFS) by merging optical disc data and local storage data based upon a common identifier. |
| US08732121B1 |
Method and system for backup to a hidden backup storage
A system for data backup and recovery. A backup storage in a form of a file or a directory is created on a storage media. The backup storage is “hidden” from the file system, form user processes, form an operating system and from a data storage driver. The backup file is visible to only backup/restore application. The data is backed up into the “hidden” backup storage. The files system, the user processes, the operating system and the data storage driver do not know about the backup file and the areas of the storage media occupied by the backup file. When a write request for writing a data block to the space within the storage media occupied by the files of the “hidden” backup is received the write request is redirected to a free space on the storage media. |
| US08732118B1 |
Distributed performance of data aggregation operations
Techniques are described for managing aggregation of data in a distributed manner, such as for a particular client based on specified configuration information. The described techniques may include receiving information about multi-stage data manipulation operations that are to be performed as part of the data aggregation, with each stage able to be performed in a distributed manner using multiple computing nodes—for example, a map-reduce architecture may be used, with a first stage involving the use of one or more specified map functions to be performed, and with at least a second stage involving the use of one or more specified reduce functions to be performed. In some situations, a particular set of input data may be used to generate the data for a multi-dimensional OLAP (“online analytical processing”) cube, such as for input data corresponding to a large quantity of transactions of one or more types. |
| US08732116B1 |
Harvesting relational tables from lists on the web
List information can be extracted into database tables. A number of fields are independently determined for items in list. A number of database table columns are determined from most common number of list item fields. New fields are determined for items with more fields than database columns. Null fields are inserted into items with fewer fields than database columns. Information from items having the same number of fields as database columns is written to database table rows. Information from each field is written to a corresponding database table column. Streaks of poorly matching cells in a database table row are determined. Streak cells are merged and new cells are determined. Null cells are inserted if number of new cells is less than number of cells in the streak. Information from the new cells is written to the table row and columns that define the streak. |
| US08732112B2 |
Method and system for root cause analysis and quality monitoring of system-level faults
System fault codes, component fault codes, and failure modes may be received at a system. A first level model comprising first level causal relationships and first level causal weights between the system fault codes and the component fault codes may be generated. A second level model comprising second level causal relationships and second level causal weights between the component fault codes and the failure modes may be generated. The first level model and the second level model may be combined to generate a model such as graphical model. One or more causal probabilities may be determined using the graphical model. |
| US08732107B2 |
Method and system for capturing business rules for automated decision procession
A rule packaging system and method to define and/or package parameters, attributes, enumerations of a prime rule in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using, for example, zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams. The reduced form of the prime rule is subsequently used by applying a series of user inputs to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide an end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible configuration parameters. The apparatus automates determination of a complex rule having a combinatorial exploded number of rule components, or a combinatorial number of possible outcomes, exceeding computational capacity of present day computing systems. |
| US08732106B1 |
Computer instructions to build, analyze and manage a real world model in software of a safety instrumented system architecture for safety instrumented systems in a facility
Non-transitory computer instructions to computer generate, manage, and analyze a safety instrumented model in software of safety instrumented system architecture for a safety instrumented system in a facility, with test plans. The safety instrumented system architecture comprises at least one instrumented protective function and the non-transitory computer instructions that use a software model in support of process safety lifecycle management. |
| US08732103B2 |
Process controller having a laboratory data validation model and methods for using the same
The present invention provides novel techniques for validating laboratory data values for properties of interest of products produced by a process system. In particular, samples of the product may be sent to a laboratory testing facility, where laboratory testing procedures may be used to obtain the laboratory data values for the property of interest. The laboratory data values may be sent to a control system which includes a laboratory data validation module. The laboratory data validation module may be capable of validating the laboratory data values of the property of interest by comparing the laboratory data values of the property of interest with predicted values generated by a model. The model may be created using inputs such as laboratory and measured data values of the property of interest as well as laboratory and measured data values of other properties of the product. In particular, the laboratory data validation module may, in certain embodiments, include a laboratory data validation model, which may aid the validation of the laboratory data values of the property of interest. |
| US08732099B2 |
Optimization control system
Provided is an optimization control system in an attempt to improve searching accuracy of an optimal solution defining a behavior mode for a control subject. A plan storing element 120 is configured to obtain a current update result of a joint probability distribution p(u, x) on the basis of a current update result of a probability distribution p(x) from a state estimating element 110 and a current update result of the conditional probability distribution p(u|x) from a behavior searching element 200. The behavior searching element 200 is configured to determine the conditional probability distribution p(u|x) as a current basis for obtaining the current update result of the conditional probability distribution p(u|x) on the basis of the current update result of the probability distribution p(x) from the state estimating element 110 and a previous update result of the joint probability distribution p(u, x) from the plan storing element 120. |
| US08732098B2 |
Hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) system deployed as web service
A web-based hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) system in which one or more client devices communicate with a remote server via a communication network. The remote server includes at least a HTM server for implementing a hierarchical temporal memory (HTM). The client devices generate input data including patterns and sequences, and send the input data to the remote server for processing. The remote server (specifically, the HTM server) performs processing in order to determine the causes of the input data, and sends the results of this processing to the client devices. The client devices need not have processing and/or storage capability for running the HTM but may nevertheless take advantage of the HTM by submitting a request to the HTM server. |
| US08732097B2 |
Automatically triggering predictions in recommendation systems based on an activity-probability threshold
A recommender system determines a probability threshold for an activity-prediction model, and uses the probability threshold to predict whether a user is performing a target activity. To determine the probability threshold, the system computes a set of activity probabilities based on contextual information for a set of historical activities, and based on an activity-prediction model for a target activity. The system then compares a set of probability thresholds with the set of activity probabilities to determine a prediction success rate for each probability threshold. The system computes a utility score for each probability threshold based on the prediction success rates and a utility function, and selects a probability threshold whose utility score is optimal amongst the utility scores of the set of thresholds and greater than or equal to a baseline utility score. The system then assigns the probability threshold to the activity-prediction model. |
| US08732094B2 |
Enforcement of security requirements for a business model
A functional model of a business process which is annotated with security requirements is provided. Platform-specific executable code and at least one configuration file for a given security enforcement component to enforce the security requirements of the model are then generated automatically. |
| US08732092B2 |
Fundraising method and system
The present disclosure describes a fund raising method and system wherein a provider produces discount cards containing information such as the manufacturer ID, the family code, and the value code. The information may appear on the card in the form of a bar code, a magnetic strip or by any other commonly recognized means. Representatives of an organization sell the discount cards to interested parties. When those parties present the discount cards at an enrolled retailer at the time of check-out, the card is read by the reader which is in communication with the retailer's payment system. The holder is then credited a pre-specified percentage of the sale at the time of sale and a percentage of the sale is set aside by the retailer. On a periodic basis, the amount set aside by the retailer is paid to the provider whereupon the provider pays a pre-specified portion of that amount to the organization. |
| US08732091B1 |
Security in a geo-spatial environment
A method, apparatus, and system of security in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment a privacy server verifies that each user of the community network lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of the community network formed through a social community module of a privacy server using a processor and a memory, to obtain from each user of the community network, using the processor of a computing device, member data associated with each user, the member data including an address, to associate the address with a profile of each user, to determine a location of each user based on the member data, to store the member data in a database, and to obtain a personal address privacy preference from each user, the personal address privacy preference specifying if the address should be displayed to other users. |
| US08732088B2 |
Method and system for integrating a PBX-equipped client and an on-demand database service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for integrating a private branch exchange (PBX)-equipped client and an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for integrating a PBX-equipped client and an on-demand database service can enable embodiments with additional infrastructure at the client that is better equipped to leverage the on-demand database service. The ability of embodiments to provide such client side infrastructure can enable additional enhanced services in conjunction with telephone calls, etc. |
| US08732083B2 |
Managing consistent interfaces for number range, number range profile, payment card payment authorisation, and product template template business objects across heterogeneous systems
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a number range, a number range profile, a payment card payment authorization, and/or a product template template business object. |
| US08732082B2 |
System and method for executing an electronic payment
A computer-implemented system and method for processing an electronic payment. The system and method provides for storage of at least one customizable business rule, which is set by a user, a merchant, a business and/or a third party entity. Upon receipt of electronic digital information relating to a financial transaction between a first entity and a second entity, the system and method initiate execution of an electronic payment from the second entity to a third entity that is controlled by the at least one customizable business rule. |
| US08732080B2 |
System and method for executing a financial transaction
A computer-implemented system and method for processing one or more second transactions. The system and method provides for storage of customizable business rules, which are set by a user. Upon receipt of electronic digital information relating to a first transaction, the system and method initiate execution of one or more second transactions, which are controlled by the customizable business rules. As such, the second transactions are processed independently of the first transaction. |
| US08732079B1 |
Cloud-based data augmentation
Apparatus for coordinating a rule-based relationship between a bank, a vendor and a merchant is provided. The apparatus may include a vendor data platform, a vendor payment platform and a vendor clearing platform. The vendor data platform may receive a vendor name, a vendor identification number and vendor banking information and may this information into a third party database maintained by a third party. The vendor payment platform may receive the vendor identification number and a payment amount electronically associated with the vendor identification number without the banking information and transmit, to the third party, the vendor identification number and the payment amount. The vendor clearing platform may receive, from the third party, the payment amount and the banking information, and may transmit information to a clearing house. The information may initiate a transfer of funds into a vendor bank account. |
| US08732078B1 |
Providing a payment
Systems and methods to provide a payment include techniques to receive, from a customer, an electronic request for the payment, associate the request with an account designated by the customer, electronically send the request for the payment to a payer designated by the customer, receive the payment from the payer, and deposit the payment into the account designated by the customer. |
| US08732068B2 |
Creation and trading of multi-obligor credit default swap-backed securities
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for the creation of enhanced securities. Enhanced bonds are backed by the security of a credit default swap contract without the need for separate purchase thereof. Building on this approach, multi-obligor securities can also be credit enhanced to provide a single security reflecting the position of the multi-obligor securities and a backing credit default swap contract. |
| US08732067B2 |
Slicer order quantity reduction tool
The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a slicer order quantity reduction tool. An example method for reducing a quantity of a slicer order includes calculating a collective quantity associated with available ones of a plurality of child orders; comparing the collective quantity and a reduction amount received in connection with a quantity reduction request for the slicer order; and determining, when the comparison indicates that the available ones of the child orders have insufficient quantity to meet the reduction amount, whether inflight ones of the plurality of child orders collectively have sufficient quantity to make up a shortfall of the available ones of the child orders. |
| US08732065B1 |
Electronic trading system and method
An electronic system and method to enable a market participant to identify potential trading counterparties while avoiding disadvantages associated with disclosure of the participant's trading intentions. In one embodiment, the system provides camouflage items that disguise the intent of a participant to trade an initial item. Camouflage items differ from the initial item but share with the initial item one or more attributes, e.g. a market, risk profile, price range, or other characteristic of the original item. Camouflage items are combined with the original item in a unified notification to prospective counterparties, so as to reduce the ability of the prospective counterparties to determine the trading intentions of the original participant. |
| US08732056B1 |
Methods and systems for providing guaranteed lifetime benefits
Methods and systems provide a financial account. In one implementation, one or more funding payments for a financial account are received from an investor. The financial account includes a mutual fund. The investor takes withdrawals from the financial account. A balance of the financial account is calculated by a processor. Benefit payments are paid to the investor after the balance of the financial account has reached zero. |
| US08732054B1 |
Systems and methods for validating a model
Systems and methods are described for validating a model that generates cash flow distributions. The systems and methods receive a first set of data and generate a second set of data, associated with the first set of data, based on a set of rules. The system may further request a first set of reports from the first processor and generate a second set of reports based on the first and second sets of data. The reports are compared. |
| US08732052B2 |
Generating financial reports
In some embodiments, a method for generating financial reports, includes selecting a first request from a plurality of pending requests. The first request requests a report on information regarding one or more accounts with a financial institution. The first request is separated into a plurality of content requests. The plurality of content requests represent requests for information to be incorporated into the requested report. A plurality of subreports are received in response to each of the plurality of content requests. The requested report is generated in response to the first request by binding each of the plurality of subreports. |
| US08732049B2 |
Object oriented system for managing complex financial instruments
Object oriented design strategies and patterns are applied to financial data processing systems for processing and modeling of financial products (also referred to as financial instruments) with an emphasis being on derivative products. The system employs valuation independent, well-defined financial components (also referred to as financial events) that can be combined to build new financial structures. A general purpose software model is provided for representing the structure and characteristics of these products. A declarative specification language is provided to describe financial instruments in a consistent manner that lends itself to processing in such an object oriented system. A general traversal process is provided that can be applied to the macro structure of a financial instrument to implement various functions that produce results based on such information, such as the stream of financial events associated with the instrument, or the pricing or valuation of the instrument. |
| US08732045B2 |
Instant credit card marketing system
According to some embodiments described in the disclosure, methods and systems are provided for offering a line of credit to a customer. In one example, information is generated about a customer arriving at a predetermined location of a sponsoring organization. An indication is obtained from a credit provider of a line of credit that has been established for the customer arriving at the predetermined location of the sponsoring organization, in which the customer has not solicited the line of credit. The sponsoring organization offers to the customer to activate the line of credit while the customer is at the predetermined location, and the line of credit is activated as part of a chargeable event at the predetermined location. |
| US08732041B2 |
Replicating data in financial systems
Systems and methods for deciding whether to void a payment are provided. The method includes sending a signal to a web service provider to request information as to whether a payment has been reconciled, and receiving a first response from the web service provider. If the first response from the web service provider indicates that the payment has not been reconciled: performing a void process to void the payment, committing data related to the void process to an interface table, and receiving a second response from the web service provider. The second response includes status information of the payment replicated from a second interface table associated with the web service provider to the interface table. If the first response from the web service provider indicates that the payment has already been reconciled, deciding not to perform the void process. |
| US08732038B2 |
Service management method, product-in-circulation to which the same is applied, service management device, service management network system, service management program, and computer readable program product with the program stored thereon
According to a service management method to supply products-in-circulation to service receivers, a service management system is built that enables the service provider to manage whether the service receivers are using those products-in-circulation delivered from the service provider in an authorized manner. This provides a reasonable service whereby the service receiver is charged only for those products-in-circulation the service receiver has actually used. To this end, the service management device in accordance with the present invention includes: a memory section for registering data of products-in-circulation to be delivered to the service receivers; an input section for entering current status of the products-in-circulation; and an arithmetic processing section for calculating charges on the basis of the number of products-in-circulation that are regarded as having been actually used, not the total number of the delivered product-in-circulations. |
| US08732035B2 |
Competitive sales environment in a virtual world
The invention provides a method, system, and program product for providing a competitive sales environment in a virtual world. In one embodiment, the invention comprises receiving a request for product or service information from a consumer avatar, querying a database of vendors based on the request for product or service information, identifying at least one vendor relevant to the request for product or service information, notifying the at least one vendor of the request, and making available to the consumer avatar a sales environment based on the request for product or service information. |
| US08732034B1 |
Method, medium, and system for providing leads to an agent in exchange for credits
A system, method, and computer readable medium for authorization of independent agents for processing calls and distribution of calls to authorized agents are provided. An independent agent may purchase or otherwise acquire credits for leads related to commerce transactions. The credits may be maintained by a call center and accessed by a device responsible for routing calls to agents. Calls or other transactions leads may then be directed to the independent agent, and the independent agents credits may be deducted accordingly. |
| US08732027B2 |
Method and system of facilitating a transaction
A method and system facilitate a transaction via a network-based transaction facility. For example, a pre-order relating to an item is recorded in a database; a plurality of offers to sell the item is received; and a matching operation to detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the plurality of offers is automatically performed using processor-implemented logic. The pre-order is set to a reserve state in the database based on at least one offer of the plurality of offers matching the preorder, in which the reserve state reserves the at least one offer pending establishment of a transaction for the at least one offer. |
| US08732022B2 |
Secure mobile-based financial transactions
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to securing payments from a mobile communications device. In exemplary embodiments, a mobile communications device communicates with a payment server via a point-of-sale device to conduct a transaction. The mobile communications device uses a client payment logic to send payment information to the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device uses a vendor payment logic to forward the payment information to the payment server. The payment server verifies the payment information and sends confirmation to the point-of-sale device. |
| US08732020B2 |
Method and apparatus for fulfilling purchases
A method and apparatus for fulfilling purchases is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure can include, for example, a portable communication device having a controller element that receives from an online system a barcode image as an object of acknowledgment of a product purchased from said online system, and presents on a display of the portable communication device said barcode image to complete a purchase fulfillment process by way of at least one among a visual inspection of the barcode image by a merchant employee and processing of said barcode image by a point of sale (POS) device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08732019B2 |
Non-expanding interactive advertisement
An embodiment is directed to a non-expanding advertisement that displays a video loop or a portion of a video within the advertisement. If the user interacts with the advertisement, the entire video is played within the advertisement without expanding. The user is not given the option to stop or pause the video. In addition, since the advertisement does not expand, the user is not given the option to close the video, ensuring that a complete view of the video is delivered to the user. |
| US08732018B2 |
Real-time offers and dynamic price adjustments presented to mobile devices
The demand aggregation system includes deal room sponsored by a third party host. The third party host facilitates commercial transactions between a plurality of buyers and at least one seller. In exchange for sponsorship of such a deal room, the third party host can receive an incentive such as a percentage of sales, seller discount or the like. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to aid discovery of sellers and/or offers that can be included in a group buying event for a buying group. The buying group receives a greater discount as the total purchase amount in the group buying event increases. |
| US08732017B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for applying scores and ratings to web pages, web sites, and content for safe and effective online advertising
Systems, methods, and media for rating websites for safe advertising are provided. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the method comprises: extracting one or more features from a piece of web content; applying a plurality of statistical models to the extracted features to generate a plurality of ordinomial estimates, wherein each ordinomial estimate represents a probability that the web content is a member of one of a plurality of severity groups; determining a posterior ordinomial estimate for the web content by combining the plurality of ordinomial estimates; generating a risk rating that encodes severity and confidence based on the determined posterior ordinomial estimate, wherein the risk rating identifies whether the web content is likely to contain objectionable content of a given category; and providing the risk rating for determining whether an advertisement should be associated with the web content. |
| US08732011B2 |
System for implementing a performance-based customer referral program
A system for implementing a performance-based customer referral program includes a referral tracking system capable of tracking referrals of users from participant sites to a retail site, and capable of determining whether such referrals result in purchases on the retail site. The tracked referral activity may, for example, be used to determine performance-based commissions to pay to the participants. The system may also include an enrollment system that partially or fully automates the task of enrolling new participants and their sites in the referral program. In addition, the system may include a report generation system that provides the participants with activity reports regarding the referral and purchase activity attributable to their sites. |
| US08732009B1 |
Dynamically changing phone numbers based on user browsing behavior
Various methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for determining phone numbers based on user interests. The method may include receiving an indication of one or more user actions. The method may include determining an interest of the user based on the one or more user actions. The method may include determining a product or service in which the user may be interested based on the determined interest of the user. The method may include selecting a first phone number of a vendor of the product or service and a second phone number of a call center. The method may include providing the second phone number to be communicated, wherein the second phone number when called connects a call to the first phone number. |
| US08732006B2 |
Tracking response to advertisements
Custom ad content and ad contact information are identified, for example, received from an advertiser. Input is received selecting to include at least a portion of the ad contact information as unified ad contact information within a print ad including the custom ad content. Further input is received selecting to activate one or more tracking mechanisms associated with the portion of ad contact information. The print ad including the custom ad content and the portion of ad contact information is provided to a publisher. An effectiveness of the ad contact information included in the portion is tracked. The effectiveness of the print ad is reported. |
| US08732005B2 |
System and method for providing consumer rewards
An automated consumer rewards/incentive program that accepts a registration of a consumer. The registration entitles the consumer to receive the benefits of the incentive program. To track the fulfillment of reward earning criteria established by member businesses, the registration includes information indicative of a credit card of the consumer. The system uses the credit card information to determine when member customers perform a transaction at a member business. When a member customer performs a transaction at a member business using the registered credit card, the system and method examines the credit card transactional information to determine if the consumer fulfilled the requirements of the incentive program for the member business. If the transactional information indicates that the consumer fulfilled the criteria of the rewards program of the member business, the consumer is rewarded in accordance with the benefits of the incentive program. |
| US08732003B2 |
Product pricing system and method
The invention provides methods for managing print jobs. One such method includes (a) accumulating discrete print jobs electronically from respective customers, (b) aggregating the discrete print jobs into aggregate print jobs, each of the aggregate print jobs being printable at one time on units of an integral print medium, and (c) electronically distributing the aggregate print jobs to respective printers for printing. |
| US08731999B2 |
Management system, and associated methods and apparatus, for providing improved visibility, quality control and audit capability for underground facility locate and/or marking operations
A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes. Relevant information is communicated to one or more parties associated with the operations; in particular, requesting parties are apprised of the status of ongoing operations, and given confirmation that operations have been performed and are completed. Requesting parties and/or other interested parties (e.g., excavators, facility owners, locate contractors, municipalities, regulators, auditors, damage investigators, insurance companies, etc.) also may be provided with detailed information regarding the performance of operations and quality assessment of same. |
| US08731997B2 |
Capacity planning for user wait time
Systems and methods are disclosed for determining when installation of additional self-service financial transaction devices (SSFTDs) may be desired at a site to improve end-to-end user experience. The system may collect and store transaction-level data, session-level data, user wait time data, and/or other data, and use an enhanced SSFTD user wait time model to identify recommendations and other statistical outputs. The SSFTD may include hardware and software to assist in measuring and collecting various useful readings. |
| US08731994B2 |
Technology event detection, analysis, and reporting system
A technology analysis system automatically monitors information available from both publicly and privately distributed networks of information for details that are relevant to a technology hypothesis. The technology analysis system provides a technology radar that assists with determining how the technology hypothesis stands up against ongoing developments in technology. The technology analysis system also visualizes the technology hypothesis and its underlying precursor predictions using a web portal, dynamic document, or other visualization technique. |
| US08731993B2 |
Compiling images within a respondent interface using layers and highlight features
An apparatus for compiling images within a respondent interface includes a survey datastore recording surveys including one or more test images. A rendering engine accesses the survey datastore and displays the one or more test images with controls for at least one respondent to provide feedback about the one or more test images during at least two modes of operation. A respondent feedback object instantiation engine detects respondent interaction with a touch screen displaying the one or more test images during first and second modes of operation, and records results of the respondent interaction in a feedback datastore by feedback types according to the first and second modes of operation. |
| US08731987B2 |
Method and apparatus to automatically recover well geometry from low frequency electromagnetic signal measurements
A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a model so predict measurements that are received by receivers due to transmissions by sources based on estimated positions of the receivers relative to the sources. The estimated positions each have at least two dimensions. At least some of the receivers and the sources are located in the well. On a computer, the estimated positions are automatically refined based on a comparison of the predicted measurements and actual measurements that are obtained by the receivers. |
| US08731985B1 |
System and method for transforming and managing a financial services office and business
A system and method allows an operator to operate a financial services business under license by a company, with the company or business retaining, at the end of the relationship, the confidential information of the business and some or all of the clients, and the operator agreeing not to solicit those clients or not to solicit those clients using, or otherwise use, the confidential information of the business or the company. The company transforms the office used by the business into one suitable for the business at the company's expense, and optionally using the company logo and décor to provide the appearance that the business is at least related to the company. |
| US08731984B2 |
Global concierge
A method for receiving, processing and managing service requests from a user is disclosed. The method includes receiving the service request from a user at a concierge service, generating an itinerary from the service request, sending the itinerary to a server in a consumer relation management system and automatically coordinating the service items of the service request among one or more concierge services. A method for automatically notifying a credit or debit card issuer about the future travel plan of a user is also disclosed. The method includes using the generated itinerary to automatically populate a security profile, and transfer the data from the security profile to an issuer, where the issuer uses these data to authorize future transactions in different locations that would normally be declined. |
| US08731982B2 |
System and methodology for sequential navigation and monitoring in a business process or complex task
A method and system to monitor steps in a business process or complex tasks are described. The method may include displaying a graphical step monitor in a graphical user interface of an application, using a plurality of graphical elements indicating statuses of a plurality of steps in a sequence of steps in a process. The method may include receiving update information related to one or more steps of the plurality of steps. The method may also include updating the statuses of the steps for which the update information was received and as indicated by the plurality of graphical elements. Furthermore, the method may include displaying a description region including a further plurality of graphical elements and texts, the texts describing the steps, the statuses of which are indicated by the graphical elements. |
| US08731980B2 |
Low fare search for ticket changes
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing new pricing solutions to satisfy changes to a purchased ticket are described. A query for new travel includes information needed to determine a set of pricing solutions for issuing a new ticket that satisfies the new travel requirements using some value associated with an original, issued ticket. Valid fares corresponding to replacement itineraries are determined according to a determined reissue method that is valid for the replacement itineraries. |
| US08731979B2 |
System and method for selecting healthcare management
The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a prospective insured to make an informed decision on healthcare insurance or a specific health care management decision by using a current medical profile to assist in their selection. Based on past medical care, as obtained from payor data, a number of different plans, each having different providers, different deductibles, different maximums, different reimbursement policies, etc., a person can make an informed decision. When a family has different payors for different family members, a proper blend of payors can be more easily selected since the payors (or a single payor) has a medical profile of each family member and also has information on providers in the network, prescription policies, deductibles, maximums, etc. |
| US08731974B2 |
Systems and methods associated with insurance for electric vehicles
Pursuant to some embodiments, insurance systems, methods and devices are provided in which electric vehicle information, including electric vehicle charging information, may be received over a communications network. The electric vehicle charging information may be automatically associated with automobile insurance premium information. An integrated presentation of the electric vehicle charging information and the automobile insurance premium information may then be transmitted, over the communications network, for presentation to an owner of the electric vehicle. |
| US08731973B2 |
Overlaying images in automated insurance policy form generation
Overlaying images in automated insurance policy form generation includes electronically converting a first form in a first format to a second format to and in response to receiving a Web page request, electronically communicating the second form to be displayed within the Web browser instead of electronically communicating the first form in the first format to be displayed within the Web browser. In the case where the first format is Adobe® portable document format (PDF) and the second format is Joint Picture Expert Group (JPEG) format, this enables the user of the browser to overlay images on the forms within the Web page interface of the browser, while it appears to the user they are overlaying images on the original PDF versions of the forms. The final integrated PDF form is then generated from the data indicating the location of the overlay image on the underlying JPEG form. This process may also apply to insurance policy forms wherein the overlay image is a state specific stamp to be placed on the underlying form. |
| US08731971B1 |
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems for master data management leveraging a non-relational databases for dynamically aggregating data of distinct formats and/or content
In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer-implemented method that includes steps of: receiving data feeds associated with healthcare-related entities, where a data schema of each data feed is unknown prior to the receipt; automatically determining, in real-time, for each entity, at least: a first type data fragment identifying an identifier associated with the entity and ii) second type data fragments containing items of information about the entity; automatically storing the entity information across distributed non-relational computer databases, by: creating, each time, records, where each record includes a row with columns, where the row is associated with the first identifier and where each column of the row has: 1) a name composed of a hierarchical path to a content of each column and 2) the item of information of the second type data fragment; and determining a verified record of the entity at a particular time. |
| US08731970B2 |
Method and system for developing and delivering a therapeutic meal plan program
A system and method develops a customized meal plan for a patient based on a chemotherapy treatment regimen for the patient and delivers the corresponding food items of the meal plan to the patient. The customized meal plan is designed to mitigate the physical effects and nutritional losses associated with chemotherapy and other cancer related treatments, such as radiation therapy. As the medical condition of the patient changes, the meal plan can be revised to provide updated customization. The meal plan may be developed using information provided by the patient, a caregiver, such as a nurse or physician, or a combination thereof. |
| US08731967B2 |
Method for consolidating medical records through the world wide web
Medical records, clinical observations, and medical imagery are organized and aggregated into a common database, enabling the data to be viewed and/or updated by medical practitioners world-wide. The information may also be viewed and monitored by patients or their relatives for accuracy, also regardless of their location. The invention further allows the records to be updated by manually controlled or automated instrumentation which measures medical parameters whether located in a doctors office, in a hospital setting, in the patient's home, or worn by the patient. Common access and point-to-point data transmission is via the global grid, or over public access common data networks supporting TCP/IP, most often referred to as the Internet. The same approach can be using insider an organization over an internal network or Intranet. |
| US08731962B2 |
Process for linked healthcare and financial transaction initiation
Methods and systems for acquiring a pre-approval from a responsible party and receiving funds from a financial account related to the pre-approval in the healthcare field are described herein. A method for collecting payment from an individual for services rendered by a provider is disclosed. The method includes verifying an individual's eligibility for benefits, estimating an individual responsibility amount, acquiring authority from the individual for up to the individual responsibility amount on at least one financial account held by the individual, submitting one or more claims to one or more payer entities requesting compensation for the services rendered by the provider, deducting an amount from the at least one financial account held by the individual, and transferring the deducted amount to the provider. |
| US08731951B2 |
Variable order short-term predictor
The present invention provides a new recursive FIR filter scheme which supports a variable order short-term predictor, and uses a pipeline stall based on the radix-2 algorithm and an autocorrelation processing time for reducing the complexity of MPEG-4 ALS hardware implementation. |
| US08731950B2 |
Apparatus for providing one or more adjusted parameters for a provision of an upmix signal representation on the basis of a downmix signal representation, audio signal decoder, audio signal transcoder, audio signal encoder, audio bitstream, method and computer program using an object-related parametric information
An apparatus for providing one or more adjusted parameters for a provision of an upmix signal representation on the basis of a downmix signal representation and an object-related parametric information includes a parameter adjuster. The parameter adjuster is configured to receive one or more input parameters and to provide, on the basis thereof, one or more adjusted parameters. The parameter adjuster is configured to provide the one or more adjusted parameters in dependence on the one or more input parameters and the object-related parametric information, such that a distortion of the upmix signal representation caused by the use of non-optimal parameters is reduced at least for input parameters deviating from optimal parameters by more than a predetermined deviation. |
| US08731946B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating or cutting or changing a frame based bit stream format file including at least one header section, and a corresponding data structure
In frame-based bit stream formats the data required for decoding a current frame are usually stored within the data section for that frame. One exception is the mp3 bit stream where data for a current frame is stored in previous frames. If the decoder did not receive the required previous frame, decoding of the current mp3 frame is skipped. The invention can be applied for such bit streams, in an archival mode, a streaming mode and a sample-exact cutting of an archival mode. In the streaming and cutting modes, new headers are established. The number of frames required for initializing the decoder status is signalized in the header, as well as a consistency check value in the streaming mode. These frames are used for decoder initialization but not for decoding samples or coefficients. For a sample-exact cutting, for the frame at which the cut shall occur, the number of samples or coefficients to be muted is also indicated in the header. The invention can be applied for the hd3 audio file format for lossless extension of an mp3 bit stream. |
| US08731944B2 |
Method and apparatus for cross-lingual communication
A system and method for a highly interactive style of speech-to-speech translation is provided. The interactive procedures enable a user to recognize, and if necessary correct, errors in both speech recognition and translation, thus providing robust translation output than would otherwise be possible. The interactive techniques for monitoring and correcting word ambiguity errors during automatic translation, search, or other natural language processing tasks depend upon the correlation of Meaning Cues and their alignment with, or mapping into, the word senses of third party lexical resources, such as those of a machine translation or search lexicon. This correlation and mapping can be carried out through the creation and use of a database of Meaning Cues, i.e., SELECT. Embodiments described above permit the intelligent building and application of this database, which can be viewed as an interlingua, or language-neutral set of meaning symbols, applicable for many purposes. Innovative techniques for interactive correction of server-based speech recognition are also described. |
| US08731943B2 |
Systems, methods and automated technologies for translating words into music and creating music pieces
Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for translating a natural language into music. Through systematic parsing, music compositions can be created. These compositions can be created by one or more persons who do not speak the same natural language. |
| US08731942B2 |
Maintaining context information between user interactions with a voice assistant
Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. A first task is performed using a first parameter. A text string is obtained from a speech input received from a user. Based at least partially on the text string, a second task different from the first task or a second parameter different from the first parameter is identified. The first task is performed using the second parameter or the second task is performed using the first parameter. |
| US08731938B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for identifying and masking special information within recorded speech
A computer-implemented system and method for identifying and masking special information within recorded speech is provided. A field for entry of special information is identified. Movement of a pointer device along a trajectory towards the field is also identified. A correlation of the pointer device movement and entry of the special information is determined based on a location of the trajectory in relation to the field. A threshold is applied to the correlation. The special information is received as verbal speech. A recording of the special information is rendered unintelligible when the threshold is satisfied. |
| US08731933B2 |
Speech synthesis apparatus and method utilizing acquisition of at least two speech unit waveforms acquired from a continuous memory region by one access
A speech synthesizing apparatus includes a selector configured to select a plurality of speech units for synthesizing a speech of a phoneme sequence by referring to speech unit information stored in an information memory. Speech unit waveforms corresponding to the speech units are acquired from a plurality of speech unit waveforms stored in a waveform memory, and the speech is synthesized by utilizing the speech unit waveforms acquired. When acquiring the speech unit waveforms, at least two speech unit waveforms from a continuous region of the waveform memory are copied onto a buffer by one access, wherein a data quantity of the at least two speech unit waveforms is less than or equal to a size of the buffer. |
| US08731929B2 |
Agent architecture for determining meanings of natural language utterances
Systems and methods for receiving natural language queries and/or commands and execute the queries and/or commands. The systems and methods overcomes the deficiencies of prior art speech query and response systems through the application of a complete speech-based information query, retrieval, presentation and command environment. This environment makes significant use of context, prior information, domain knowledge, and user specific profile data to achieve a natural environment for one or more users making queries or commands in multiple domains. Through this integrated approach, a complete speech-based natural language query and response environment can be created. The systems and methods creates, stores and uses extensive personal profile information for each user, thereby improving the reliability of determining the context and presenting the expected results for a particular question or command. |
| US08731928B2 |
Speaker adaptation of vocabulary for speech recognition
A phonetic vocabulary for a speech recognition system is adapted to a particular speaker's pronunciation. A speaker can be attributed specific pronunciation styles, which can be identified from specific pronunciation examples. Consequently, a phonetic vocabulary can be reduced in size, which can improve recognition accuracy and recognition speed. |
| US08731927B2 |
Speech recognition on large lists using fragments
A system and method is provided for recognizing a speech input and selecting an entry from a list of entries. The method includes recognizing a speech input. A fragment list of fragmented entries is provided and compared to the recognized speech input to generate a candidate list of best matching entries based on the comparison result. The system includes a speech recognition module, and a data base for storing the list of entries and the fragmented list. The speech recognition module may obtain the fragmented list from the data base and store a candidate list of best matching entries in memory. A display may also be provided to allow a user to select from a list of best matching entries. |
| US08731926B2 |
Spoken term detection apparatus, method, program, and storage medium
A spoken term detection apparatus includes: processing performed by a processor includes a feature extraction process extracting an acoustic feature from speech data accumulated in an accumulation part and storing an extracted acoustic feature in an acoustic feature storage, a first calculation process calculating a standard score from a similarity between an acoustic feature stored in the acoustic feature storage and an acoustic model stored in the acoustic model storage part, a second calculation process for comparing an acoustic model corresponding to an input keyword with the acoustic feature stored in the acoustic feature storage part to calculate a score of the keyword, and a retrieval process retrieving speech data including the keyword from speech data accumulated in the accumulation part based on the score of the keyword calculated by the second calculation process and the standard score stored in the standard score storage part. |
| US08731925B2 |
Solution that integrates voice enrollment with other types of recognition operations performed by a speech recognition engine using a layered grammar stack
The present invention can include a speech enrollment system including an ordered stack of grammars and a recognition engine. The ordered stack of grammars can include an application grammars layer, a confusable grammar layer, a personal grammar layer, a phrase enrolled grammar layer, and an enrollment grammar layer. The recognition engine can return recognition results for speech input by processing the input using the ordered stack of grammars. The processing can occur from the topmost layer in the stack to the bottommost layer in the stack. Each layer in the stack can includes exit criteria based upon a defined condition. When the exit criteria is satisfied, a result can be returned based upon that layer and lower layers of the ordered stack can be ignored. |
| US08731924B2 |
Apparatus and method for model adaptation for spoken language understanding
An apparatus and a method are provided for building a spoken language understanding model. Labeled data may be obtained for a target application. A new classification model may be formed for use with the target application by using the labeled data for adaptation of an existing classification model. In some implementations, the existing classification model may be used to determine the most informative examples to label. |
| US08731919B2 |
Methods and system for capturing voice files and rendering them searchable by keyword or phrase
A system for capturing voice files and rendering them searchable, comprising one or more devices capable of capturing audio speech electronically, a recorder coupled to the devices for retrieving audio speech, a controller coupled to the recorder, a recognition engine adapted to transcribe audio speech into text, and a database system is disclosed. In the system, the controller causes the recorder to capture audio speech from at least one of the devices, the recorder stores the audio speech as data in the database system, and the recognition engine subsequently retrieves the audio speech data, transcribes the audio speech data into text, and stores the text and data associating the text data with at least the audio speech data in the database system for subsequent retrieval by a search application. |
| US08731917B2 |
Methods and arrangements in a telecommunications network
The present invention relates to a postfilter and a postfilter control to be associated with a postfilter for improving perceived quality of speech reconstructed at a speech decoder. The postfilter control comprises means for measuring stationarity of a speech signal reconstructed at a decoder, means for determining a coefficient to a postfilter control parameter based on the measured stationarity, and means for transmitting the determined coefficient to a postfilter, such that the postfilter can process the reconstructed speech signal by applying the determined coefficient to the postfilter control parameter to obtain an enhanced speech signal. |
| US08731914B2 |
System and method for winding audio content using a voice activity detection algorithm
A system and method for locating a preferable playback start location after a winding or rewinding action in an audio playing device. In response to an adjustment of the playing location for audio content to a desired playing position, the system determines whether at least one non-speech or silent period of at least a predetermined duration exists within the vicinity of the desired playing position. If at least one such non-speech or silent period exists within the vicinity of the desired playing position, the system adjusts the playing position to fall within one of the at least one non-speech period or silent period. |
| US08731912B1 |
Delaying audio notifications
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for audible alert tones are disclosed. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of determining whether audio input data received after ceasing output of a first instance of an audible alert tone includes voice activity and determining whether to delay a successive instance of the audible alert tone based on determining whether the audio input data includes voice activity. |
| US08731905B1 |
System and method for enhancing comprehension and readability of text
The present invention is a text display system with speech output that uses a method of text segmentation in which segments of text are presented one after another for reading text sequentially. To indicate the location of text a user is currently reading, the current sentence is emphasized by presenting the surrounding text in faded colors. The current sentence is segmented into phrases where the points of segmentation are chosen by a series of grammatical rules and the desired number of words in each segment. When the text is presented sequentially, each segment is highlighted within the current sentence. With the use of a text-to-speech output system, each segment is spoken out with a pause before the next segment is presented. In a non-linear/selective reading scenario, a user can select a text segment, for which the span of the segment can be automatically generated or manually selected by the user. |
| US08731898B2 |
Creation and use of virtual device drivers on a serial bus
A node on a serial bus, preferably a device such as a personal computer (PC), can emulate other devices using virtual device drivers. A PC connected to a 1394 bus exposes its CROM on the bus which presents an image to other nodes on the 1394 bus and describes the functional units supported by the node. The CROM can be changed dynamically by adding unit directories to the CROM detailing peripherals connected to the PC. The PC can then be enumerated as the connected device by other PCs on the bus. The PC can emulate or morph itself into any desired device or even multiple devices at the same time. The invention also allows a PC to create devices that don't yet exist on the bus. The invention allows a user to create virtual device objects with device properties to have just in case a user plugs the particular device in to the PC. |
| US08731896B2 |
Virtual testbed for system verification test
A virtual testbed for system verification test is provided in which emulated responses are associated with certain steps of a system verification test. The emulated responses can be manually entered or populated with previous test results obtained from execution of the emulation-enabled steps on a real testbed. When the emulation-enabled steps are executed, the system verification test uses the emulated responses as the responses corresponding to the actions of the emulation-enabled steps as if the steps were executed on the real testbed, without actually executing the emulation-enabled steps on the real testbed. Therefore, the virtual testbed of the present invention allows development of test scripts for system verification test without constant, actual access to the real testbed. |
| US08731891B2 |
Cluster 3D petrophysical uncertainty modeling
Reservoir properties or attributes such as water saturation, porosity and permeability are determined directly at each cell of a three dimensional grid of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir. Input parameters based on original data from petrophysical measurements and other attributes of the reservoir and its subsurface features are generated over a range of uncertainties for the individual cells. The predicted input parameters for the individual cells are provided as processing inputs for petrophysical algorithms. The input parameters at different measures of possible uncertainties for the cells of the reservoir are processed using cluster computers to determine on a cell-by-cell basis a number of possible scenarios or results for the reservoir attributes of interest. The determinations made for the different scenarios can then be assembled as postulated models for sections of interest of the reservoir grid, and the postulated models evaluated to more accurately obtain reservoir attributes over the reservoir, even for areas where no well intersects the reservoir. |
| US08731889B2 |
Modeling hydraulic fracturing induced fracture networks as a dual porosity system
A method for calibrating fracture networks. The method includes estimating an average fracture width of a fracture network using one or more of net fracturing pressure, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and fracture height; determining microseismic event envelope and base intensity data using a three-dimensional geomodel including microseismic event data; and determining hydraulic fracturing treatment (HFT) fracture intensity of post-hydraulic fracturing treatment (post-HFT) based on the average fracture width and HFT volume data. The method further includes calibrating the base intensity data to the HFT fracture intensity to obtain calibrated HFT fracture intensity, determining a proppant transportation and distribution scenario, and generating a dual porosity reservoir model based on the calibrated HFT fracture intensity and the proppant transportation and distribution scenario. |
| US08731885B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure
A method of preparing for a surgical procedure includes creating a three-dimensional bone model of a subject bone of a patient. At least a portion of the bone model is compared to at least one three-dimensional reference anatomic model. At least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model is identified. At least one desired subject bone structural change is specified to produce a modified bone model responsive to the step of identifying at least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model. An apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure is also provided. |
| US08731884B2 |
Scintillation generator for simulation of aero-optical and atmospheric turbulence
In one aspect, a scintillation generator for simulation of aero-optical and atmospheric turbulence is described. A first deformable mirror is illuminated using collimated light from a source laser beam. In one aspect, movement of a first deformable mirror is controlled to modulate a reflected laser beam to induce wave-front phase errors onto the reflected laser beam to simulate propagation of the reflected laser beam through near-field aero-optical disturbance. In one aspect, the reflected laser beam is focused onto a second deformable mirror to form a near-field beam. In one aspect, movement of the second deformable mirror is controlled to modulate a reflection of the near-field laser beam to induce amplitude fluctuations onto the reflected near-field laser beam to simulate propagation of the reflected near-field laser beam through far-field atmospheric turbulence. The second deformable mirror is in a Fourier plane of the first deformable mirror. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US08731882B2 |
Methods and apparatus for modeling electromagnetic scattering properties of microscopic structures and methods and apparatus for reconstruction of microscopic structures
Improved convergence in the volume-integral method (VIM) of calculating electromagnetic scattering properties of a structure is achieved by numerically solving a volume integral equation for a vector field, F, rather than the electric field, E. The electric field, E, is determined from the vector field, F, after solving of the volume integral equation. The vector field, F, may be related to the electric field, E, by a change of basis, and may be continuous at material boundaries where the electric field, E, has discontinuities. Convolutions of the vector field, F, are performed using convolution operators according to the finite Laurent rule, which allows for efficient matrix-vector products using Fast Fourier Transforms. An invertible convolution-and-change-of-basis operator, C, is configured to transform the vector field, F, to the electric field, E, by performing a change of basis according to material and geometric properties of the periodic structure. |
| US08731881B2 |
Multivariate data mixture model estimation device, mixture model estimation method, and mixture model estimation program
With respect to the model selection issue of a mixture model, the present invention performs high-speed model selection under an appropriate standard regarding the number of model candidates which exponentially increases as the number and the types to be mixed increase. A mixture model estimation device comprises: a data input unit to which data of a mixture model to be estimated, candidate values of the number of mixtures which are required for estimating the mixture model of the data, and types of components configuring the mixture model and parameters thereof, are input; a processing unit which sets the number of mixtures from the candidate values, calculates, with respect to the set number of mixtures, a variation probability of a hidden variable for a random variable which becomes a target for mixture model estimation of the data, and estimates the optimal mixture model by optimizing the types of the components and the parameters therefor using the calculated variation probability of the hidden variable so that the lower bound of the posterior probabilities of the model separated for each component of the mixture model can be maximized; and a model estimation result output unit which outputs the model estimation result obtained by the processing unit. |
| US08731878B2 |
Method for predicting the noise/comfort performance of a vehicle travelling on uneven ground
A method is presented for predicting a noise/comfort performance in a cabin of a vehicle with a body-shell and a suspension system linked to the body-shell by at least one point of attachment, with the vehicle rolling at a given speed on a rolling device with a macrorough rolling surface. The method includes: determining a global transfer function of the body-shell, determining a global admittance of the body-shell, determining an impedance of the suspension system, determining, while rolling on the macrorough rolling surface, lockup loads of the suspension system, and combining together the global transfer function of the body-shell, the global admittance of the body-shell, the impedance of the suspension system, and the lockup loads of the suspension system to obtain a prediction of noise/comfort performance (P) inside the cabin. |
| US08731871B2 |
Tire mold design method to minimize unique annular mold parts
A tire mold design method includes determining the values and parameters of various mold components used in a mold and utilizing these mold components in a mold. The parameters of the mold components may vary in length and edge geometry, amongst other things. Additionally, the number of mold components utilized in a mold may vary. Optionally, various mold components may be rotated 180 degrees. |
| US08731869B2 |
Advancing layer surface grid generation
A method of generating a surface grid may include forming a layer curve along the surface, forming a plurality of points along the layer curve, and extending a tangent vector from each one of the most recently formed points. Additional points may be formed on the surface at a step distance from the most recently formed points. The additional points may be interconnected to form an additional layer curve. The additional points may be connected with the most recently formed points to form a layer of quadrilateral faces wherein each one of the faces is a column. The growth of a column may be terminated when an aspect ratio of the face in the column exceeds a predetermined value. The steps of extending tangent vectors, forming the additional points, and forming an additional layer curve may be repeated until each one of the columns is terminated. |
| US08731868B2 |
Transfer path analysis
A method (200) for the characterization of vibrational and/or acoustic transfer path related data of a physical system (100) where vibration or acoustics may play a role. The method (200) has a step of receiving (210) input data for at least one input point of the physical system and/or response data for at least one response point of the physical system (100). The method (200) further has a step of receiving (220) at least one system response function between the at least one input point and the at least one response point indicative of the transfer of vibration and/or acoustic signals. The method (200) also has a step of applying (230) at least one parametric model characterising at least one load on the physical system as a function of the input data, where the parametric models are identified from the input data and/or response data and the physical system response functions. |
| US08731853B2 |
Method for fault location on series compensated power transmission lines with two-end unsynchronized measurement
A method for fault location in series compensated power transmission lines using two-end unsynchronized voltage and current measurements in stations A and B. The method includes performing a subroutine I for determining whether the fault occurred in a line section LA between the station A and a SC&MOV and the distance dA to the fault from station A. Subroutine II determines whether the fault occurred in a line section LB between the station B and the SC&MOV and the distance dB to the fault from station B. The synchronization angle ejδA is determined in subroutine I, and the synchronization angle ejδB is determined in subroutine II. Then, the distance to fault dA or dB is determined. Finally, an equivalent impedance of compensating banks at fault stage ZSC1—phSUB—A and ZSC1—phSUB—B, and pre-fault stage ZSC1—pre is calculated in order to determine whether distance dA or dB is the final result. |
| US08731849B2 |
Hydrostatic pressure testing system and method
A hydrostatic pressure testing system for hydrostatic pressure testing of pipe or other vessels. A control center may include a computer program that monitors, records, and controls the system during testing. A test fluid assembly may include a fill conduit capable of providing a test fluid to an inlet section of a vessel to be tested in response to a command from the computer program. A pressure-release safety assembly may have a vent conduit in fluid communication between an outlet section of the vessel and a safety valve. The safety valve may be in fluid communication with a bleed tank for storing an outlet flow of test fluid from the vessel. The safety valve is actuated to relieve fluid pressure in the vessel in response to a selective condition. A method of using the system to conduct hydrostatic pressure testing is also described. |
| US08731848B2 |
Monitoring flow of single or multiple phase fluids
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to monitor flow of single and multiple phase fluids. Sensors of a tool can be dispersed along the tool to collect measurements to be processed using an autocorrelation operation on the collected measurements to provide information relative to the phases of the fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08731847B2 |
Array configuration and readout scheme
The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit that may comprise a plurality of first output circuits at a first side and a plurality of second output circuits at a second side of the chemical detection circuit. The chemical detection circuit may further comprise a plurality of tiles of pixels each placed between respective pairs of first and second output circuits. Each tile may include four quadrants of pixels. Each quadrant may have columns with designated first columns interleaved with second columns. Each first column may be coupled to a respective first output circuit in first and second quadrants, and to a respective second output circuit in third and fourth quadrants. Each second column may be coupled to a respective second output circuit in first and second quadrants, and to a respective first output circuit in third and fourth quadrants. |
| US08731846B2 |
Measuring arrangement for registering chemical and/or physical, measured variables, as well as measuring device therefor
A measuring arrangement of the invention includes: At least one measuring device, which generates, repeatedly during operation, measured values, especially digital, measured values, representing the at least one measured variable to be registered; as well as an electronic data processing system superordinated to the at least one measuring device, especially a data processing system which is spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. Measuring device and data processing system are connected together by means of at least two line-pairs, through each of which an electrical current flows, at least at times, during operation. According to the invention, the measuring device transmits the internally generated, measured values to the data processing system via both line-pairs. In this way, it is then possible to transmit a plurality of measured values simultaneously, when each of the two line-pairs is embodied as part of a two-conductor current-loop. |
| US08731844B2 |
System and method for selecting a multiparameter reagent combination and for automated fluorescence compensation
The invention provides a system and method for selecting an optimal multimarker reagent combination for the identification and/or quantification of molecules in or on cells with or without reference to fluorescence or other properties of at least one fluorescent dye or other instrument-measurable atom or molecule associated directly or indirectly with the reagent combination. The method includes specifying, using a computer, a plurality of markers to be detected by a plurality of reagents, generating, using a computer, a plurality of reagent combinations comprising the plurality of reagents to detect the plurality of markers, wherein the reagent combinations are ranked according to at least one user-defined or system-defined criterion, and selecting the optimal reagent combination or providing a rank-ordered list of combinations. |
| US08731841B2 |
Compositions and methods for therapeutic delivery with frozen particles
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue. |
| US08731839B2 |
Method and system for robust classification strategy for cancer detection from mass spectrometry data
A robust classification method for cancer detection from mass spectrometry data includes inputting the mass spectrometry data, preprocessing the spectrometry data, conducting robust feature selection, generating predictions for the test data sets using multiple data classifiers, the multiple data classifiers including artificial neural networks, support vector machines, weighted voting on data patterns, classification and regression trees, k-nearest neighbor classification, and logistic regression, and constructing and validating a meta-classifier by combining individual predictions of the multiple data classifiers to generate a robust prediction of a phenotype. The test data sets are used exclusively for validation of the meta-classifier. |
| US08731837B2 |
System and method for associating time stamped measurement data with a corresponding wellbore depth
A system and a method for associating measurements from a wellbore with times and depths is provided. Tools located in a wellbore obtain the measurements and provide time data used to determine the times. The tools and a surface clock may be synchronized. The times may be used to associate the measurements with corresponding depths of the wellbore. |
| US08731836B2 |
Wide-area agricultural monitoring and prediction
Ground-based measurements of agricultural metrics such as NDVI are used to calibrate wide-area aerial measurements of the same metrics. Calibrated wide-area data may then be used as an input to a field prescription processor. |
| US08731835B2 |
System and method for trip plan crowdsourcing using automatic fare collection data
A method and system are disclosed for trip planning using crowdsourcing. Validation information from automatic ticketing validation systems is collected and used to generate validation sequences, which include an origin, destination, and boarding and alighting timestamps. A path is defined from the validation sequence as a sequence of origins and destinations on a transportation network. The frequency of the path occurring for all travelers on the network is determined, along with the duration of travel time on the path. An expected transfer time between pairs of stations on the network is calculated from the duration, the pairs of stations corresponding to an origin and a destination in the sequence. One or more paths between a pair of stations corresponding to a selected origin and destination are identified and a trip plan is generated using the identified paths which have the least determined transfer time and the highest frequency of occurrences. |
| US08731833B2 |
Computing paths between geographical localities
Technology is generally described for computing paths between geographical localities. In some examples, the technology can receive a request for a path between two or more geographical localities, and compute a path based at least on a popularity rating of intermediate geographical localities. |
| US08731826B2 |
Automatic determination of tire height for improving guidance performance
A system and method improve guidance system performance. An accuracy improvement module (AIM) can be configured to compare observed and expected inclination compensation factors (ICFs) at a plurality of inclination angles to detect an inaccuracy in antenna height. In response to detecting an inaccuracy, an AIM can determine a revised antenna height that more accurately represents the height of an antenna above ground. A proposed antenna height can be determined using an observed ICF. A fixed vehicle body height can be subtracted from the proposed antenna height to provide a proposed tire radius. The proposed tire radius can be compared to a table of standard tire radii to determine a tire radius value, which can then be added to the fixed vehicle body height to provide a revised antenna height. The revised antenna height can improve the accuracy or calculated ground positions, thereby improving guidance system performance. |
| US08731825B2 |
Trajectory display device
A trajectory display device includes: a display element; a current position detector; a memory for storing the current position successively; and a position determination unit for determining a plurality of certain actual distance trajectory points and a plurality of direction change points based on position data stored in the memory. The certain actual distance trajectory points are arranged at every actual distance defined by a scale of a map. The moving body changes a moving direction at each direction change point. The display element displays the trajectory including the certain actual distance trajectory points and the direction change points, which is overlapped over the map. |
| US08731815B2 |
Holistic cybernetic vehicle control
Holistic cybernetic vehicle control enables the results of machine sensing and decision making to be communicated to a vehicle operator through the various senses of the operator. By providing machine advice to the operator through various vehicle functions and by integrating the machine advice with what the operator senses and perceives, holistic cybernetic control can result in much better and safer vehicle operation. The invention integrates human and machine vehicle control action to improve vehicle operation and, particularly, to avoid collision events. |
| US08731809B2 |
Traffic congestion prediction method
A traffic congestion prediction method including the steps of: detecting an acceleration of a vehicle; calculating a power spectrum corresponding to a frequency from a frequency analysis of the detected acceleration; calculating a simple linear regression line of the power spectrum and calculating a maximum value of an amount of change in a gradient of the simple linear regression line in a predetermined frequency range as a maximum gradient value; detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead; estimating an inter-vehicle distance distribution from the detected inter-vehicle distance by using a distribution estimation method; calculating a minimum value of covariance value from the estimated inter-vehicle distance distribution; estimating a distribution of a group of vehicles ahead from a correlation between the minimum value of covariance value and the maximum gradient value; and performing a real-time traffic congestion prediction based on the distribution of the group of vehicles. |
| US08731808B2 |
Road network analysis system
A road network analysis system detects major changes in a road network based on probe information from a plurality of vehicles. The probe information is tabulated and the change in the amount of traffic is calculated for each road with a predetermined time interval. If a remarkable change in the amount of traffic is detected for a road before and after a specific baseline day, it is determined that a major change in the road network affecting the traffic has occurred in the vicinity of the road, and the road is specified as a change-related road. A path search may be performed between the endpoints of a plurality of change-related roads, and the searched paths that have the most overlap with the searched paths are selected so as to identify the change-related roads which are commonly affected by the same cause and the endpoints thereof. |
| US08731805B2 |
Ignition control apparatus for general-purpose engine
In an apparatus for controlling ignition of a general-purpose internal combustion engine in which an ignition signal is produced both in a compression stroke and in an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle, one of the ignitions to be conducted based on the produced two ignition signals is cut and an after-ignition-cut engine speed is detected. Then it is discriminated whether each of the two ignition signals was produced in the compression stroke or in the exhaust stroke based on a difference between an average engine speed and the after-ignition-cut engine speed, and the ignition is controlled based on the ignition signal discriminated to be produced in the compression stroke in the two ignition signals, thereby enabling to improve the duration life of an ignition plug, with simple and compact structure. |
| US08731804B2 |
Hydrogen detecting device and method, and internal combustion engine abnormality deciding device
A device, which detects information about a hydrogen concentration level, includes an air-fuel ratio sensor, an air-fuel ratio controller, and a detecting portion. The detecting portion calculates either a ratio of response periods or a difference between the response periods to detect the hydrogen concentration level. One of the response periods is a period from the time the air-fuel ratio controller switches the target air-fuel ratio from rich to lean to the time the air-fuel ratio sensor detects this. The other of the response periods is a period from the time the air-fuel ratio controller switches the target air-fuel ratio from lean to rich to the time the air-fuel ratio sensor detects this. This allows the decisions of a variation between cylinders and an exhaust purifying catalyst degradation. |
| US08731800B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling motor
An apparatus for controlling a motor determines whether or not to control the motor in order to control the variable valve lift device by using a measurement value of a valve lift and a target value of the valve lift, compares a predetermined base voltage range with a battery voltage in order to control the motor, determines a voltage factor corresponding to the battery voltage when the battery voltage is included in the base voltage range; and determines a driving signal value for the motor by applying the voltage factor to a predetermined base signal value. |
| US08731799B2 |
Pre-ignition estimation/control device for an internal combustion engine
A pre-ignition estimation/control device includes: an octane number estimation module for estimating an octane number of a fuel based on detection signals received from an intake air temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, etc; a pre-ignition-occurrence-index calculation module for calculating a pre-ignition occurrence index based on the estimated octane number and the like; a pre-ignition-occurrence-index correction module for correcting the pre-ignition occurrence index so as to cause the pre-ignition more likely to occur; an effective-compression-ratio-boundary calculation module for calculating a boundary of an effective compression ratio based on the pre-ignition occurrence index; an intake-cam-phase-advance calculation module for calculating a phase advance of an intake cam based on the boundary of the effective compression ratio and the like; and an intake-cam-phase control module for controlling an intake-cam variable phasing system based on the phase advance of the intake cam, to thereby restrict a change in phase advance. |
| US08731794B2 |
Control system for four-wheel drive vehicle
In a control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle, when the four-wheel drive vehicle is four-wheel driven full time (that is, at all times), the difference in rotation of each wheel occurring due to the difference in air pressure within each tire, is differentiated from the difference in rotation of each wheel occurring due to cornering or the state of the road surface, and is correspondingly corrected so as to distribute the driving force to the four wheels. Thus, even if the difference in rotation of each wheel occurs due to the air pressure within each tire, the malfunction in which four-wheel driving is controlled based on the erroneous determination that the difference in rotation of each wheel is due to cornering or the state of the road surface can be prevented from occurring. |
| US08731791B2 |
Controller of internal combustion engine
When an internal combustion engine is cranked up from a stopped position of a piston in a restart-time first ignition cylinder which is scheduled to start a combustion at the time of an automatic restart of the engine under an automatic stop of the engine during an idling-stop control, a restart-time ignition time interval between a time point when the cranking of the engine is started and a time point when the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited is calculated. A drive-start timing of a starter motor is delayed according to this restart-time ignition time interval. Thereby, the cranking of the engine is carried out by the starter motor under a state where the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump has increased. Thus, the slip in the clutch of the CVT can be suppressed when the gas mixture in the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited. |
| US08731789B2 |
Transmission fluid heating via heat exchange with engine cylinder walls
Various systems and method are provided for heating transmission fluid by directing the transmission fluid through a cylinder block of an engine. In one example, the transmission fluid is directed to flow through the cylinder block of the engine while engine coolant is directed to flow through the cylinder head of the engine. Further, the transmission fluid may be directed through one or more heat exchangers to cool the transmission fluid. |
| US08731788B2 |
System and method of speed-based downspeed coasting management
A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability. |
| US08731787B2 |
Transporter vehicle
A control valve device comprises two direction control valves. The direction control valve includes an expansion side variable throttle portion and a contraction side variable throttle portion. The direction control valve includes an expansion side variable throttle portion and a contraction side variable throttle portion. When a hoist cylinder is telescopically operated to raise or lower a vessel, as the hoist cylinder approaches a stop position, a controller determines that the hoist cylinder gets close to the stop position. Based upon this determination, the controller variably adjusts a flow passage area of the direction control valve using the variable throttle portions or variably adjusts a flow passage area of the direction control valve using the variable throttle portions in such a manner as to slow down or speed up the telescopic speed of the hoist cylinder corresponding to the weight in the side of vessel. |
| US08731786B2 |
Industrial truck control system
The present invention relates to an industrial truck control system (10) for influencing the driving operation of an industrial truck (A, B) according to irregularities along the route to be traveled by the industrial truck (A, B), the system comprising a sensor device (14) for recording irregularities along the route in assignment to the position of irregularities concerned, a memory device (16) for storing the data recorded by the sensor device, and means (16) for influencing the driving operation of the industrial truck (A, B) in dependence on the respective position of the industrial truck (A, B) and according to the data of the sensor device (14) stored in the memory device (16). |
| US08731784B2 |
Blade control system and construction machine
A blade control system of the present invention includes an angle obtaining part, an open ratio setting part and a lift cylinder controlling part. The angle obtaining part is configured to obtain an angle of a lift frame with respect to a designed surface. The open ratio setting part is configured to set an open ratio based on the angle. The lift cylinder controlling part is configured to open a proportional control valve at the open ratio for elevating the blade when a distance between the designed surface and an edge of a blade is determined to be less than or equal to a threshold. |
| US08731783B2 |
Open/close actuating mechanism control device and open/close actuating mechanism control method for vehicle
An open/close actuating mechanism control device for a vehicle includes: an actuating mechanism (24, 30) that is exposed to outside air and that opens or closes on the basis of whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; an open/close failure determining unit (32) that determines whether an open/close failure of the actuating mechanism (24, 30), in which the actuating mechanism (24, 30) fails to open or close, has occurred; an outside air temperature detecting unit (26, 32) that detects an outside air temperature; and a determination timing changing unit (32) that changes timing, at which the open/close failure determining unit (32) determines that the open/close failure of the actuating mechanism (24, 30) has occurred, on the basis of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting unit (26, 32). |
| US08731780B2 |
Method for operating a mechatronic chassis device of a motor vehicle
A method for operating a mechatronic chassis device of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechatronic chassis device has an arrangement with two servomotors which, when activated, individually change both a toe angle (δ) of a wheel and a camber angle (ε) of the wheel. The servomotors are controlled on the basis of target values in a predetermined manner, wherein if a first servomotor cannot be placed into operation, an emergency program is started and the second servomotor is controlled in a manner different from the predetermined manner such that a lateral force on the wheel is adjusted to a predetermined desired value. |
| US08731779B2 |
Method and device for aligning a determined steer angle with a measured steer angle
A method for aligning a steer angle, which is determined continuously in a processor for controlling a steering system, with a second steer angle which is measured continuously by a sensor of the steering system, the steer angles varying over time in such a way as to deviate negatively and positively from a neutral value. A first time profile of the varying first steer angle is monitored continuously, and a second time profile of the varying second steer angle is monitored continuously. If no alignment of the first steer angle with the second steer angle has yet been carried out, the first steer angle is set to the present value of the second steer angle. If at least one alignment of the first steer angle with the second steer angle has already been carried out previously, and if a change of sign occurs in the first profile, the first steer angle is varied by a corrective value which is determined as a function of a hysteresis occurring in the second profile. The disclosure is particularly suitable for use in a control unit of an electric power steering system. |
| US08731775B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
[Object] An electric power steering apparatus capable of returning the steering wheel to a steering wheel neutral position even in case of failure of a steering angle sensor.[Solution] In performing a control action whereby the steering wheel is returned to a neutral position according to the steering angle and yaw rate, the gain of the yaw rate sensor (13) is amplified if a failure in the steering angle sensor (12) is detected, and the damping gain of a damping compensation unit (23) is reduced if failure in at least one of the sensors is detected. Thereby, the steering wheel (1) can return to the neutral position by producing a stronger returning force based on an amplified detection value even if the real yaw rate is small, and the damping component acting on the returning force can be reduced so that the self-aligning torque is enabled to return the steering wheel to the neutral position. |
| US08731771B2 |
Tire inflation pressure monitoring apparatus
A tire inflation pressure obtaining unit obtains tire inflation pressure. An inflation pressure storing unit stores a tire inflation pressure after start of travel of a vehicle as an after-travel inflation pressure. A pressure reduction determining unit determines reduction in the tire inflation pressure based on the tire inflation pressure obtained. A reference pressure setting unit sets larger one of the after-travel inflation pressure and a predetermined lowest reference pressure as a reference pressure of tire inflation pressure determination when reduction in the tire inflation pressure is determined, and sets the lowest reference pressure as a reference pressure of tire inflation pressure determination when reduction in the tire inflation pressure is not determined. An alarm unit generates an alarm when the tire inflation pressure becomes below an alarm pressure threshold which is determined from the reference pressure. |
| US08731770B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining and storing excessive vehicle speed
The present invention is a data logger for collecting information about operation of vehicle for monitoring by a parent or supervisor. The data logger includes speed limits for highway and local streets. The data logger includes an algorithm estimating whether the vehicle is being operated on a highway or local street. An alert status is determined when the corresponding speed limit is exceeded. Alert information is recorded for later display and review by the parent or supervisor. |
| US08731766B2 |
Process for updating the scheduling of a service stop for a machine
A process for updating the scheduling of a service stop for a machine includes determining, for at least one service operation, a service occurrence specification, monitoring the machine's usage severity, and setting an earliest occurrence point and a latest occurrence point for the service occurrence specification which are determined according to the machine usage severity monitored during a monitoring interval. |
| US08731765B2 |
Method and apparatus for fault detection in a torque machine of a powertrain system
A method for operating a powertrain system including a torque machine mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine includes, upon detecting a pending fault associated with a power switch configured to control power flow to the torque machine, disabling torque output from the torque machine and executing retry events. The retry events are iteratively executed with a debounce time period preceding each retry event. Presence of a fault associated with the power switch is detected when a quantity of the retry events during a time window exceeds a threshold. |
| US08731762B1 |
Method and system of controlling a powertrain system to reduce turbo lag in a hybrid vehicle
A method of controlling a powertrain system includes determining a torque request; selecting feasible input torque and input speed operating points; calculating aggregate system power losses; determining turbo efficiency as a function of a difference between a feasible input torque rate of change and a desired input torque rate of change required to reach the desired output torque; summing the turbo efficiency to the aggregate system power losses to determine total system losses corresponding to feasible input torques and input speed capable of producing the desired output torque; determining a feasible input torque and input speed corresponding to a substantially minimum total system power loss; and selecting as a desired input speed and input torque that corresponds to the substantially minimum total system power loss. |
| US08731760B2 |
Vehicle driving system control apparatus
A vehicle driving system control apparatus includes a regeneration control section that performs a regeneration control when a vehicle is decelerated. In the regeneration control, the regeneration control section drives at least one of a first motor generator and a second motor generator with a power of an axle so as to charge a battery with an electric power generated with the at least one of the first motor generator and the second motor generator. The regeneration control section selects a mode of the regeneration control by controlling engagement and disengagement statuses of first to third clutches in correspondence with at least one of a target energy regeneration amount, a required brake torque and a vehicle speed. |
| US08731755B2 |
Drive method and drive device for a hybrid vehicle
A drive device for a hybrid vehicle, which has a first driven axle and a second driven axle, including: a first motor/generator unit, which is connected to the first driven axle; an internal combustion engine unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a differential/transmission unit which is connected to the rear axle; a second motor/generator unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the differential/transmission unit, parallel to the internal combustion engine unit; a clutch unit, which is designed to disconnect and connect a force flux between the differential/transmission unit and the second driven axle; and a control unit, which actuates the clutch unit, the internal combustion engine unit, the first motor/generator unit and the second motor/generator unit as a function of predefined operating states. |
| US08731747B2 |
Communication systems and method for a rail vehicle or other powered system
A communication system for a vehicle includes an input module, a selection module, and a publisher module. The input module is configured to receive data parameters associated with one or more conditions (e.g., states, current operational aspects or modes, operational environmental conditions) of the vehicle. The selection module is configured to select a subset of the data parameters. The publisher module is configured to communicate the data parameters in the subset to one or more applications of the vehicle that use the data parameters to perform one or more operations. |
| US08731746B2 |
Integrated data system for railroad freight traffic
A system for modifying CLM-based statistical data using received GPS data. |
| US08731743B2 |
Self tuning vibration isolation system
A system and method to isolate vibrations from a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration isolator that creates a reacting force matching the vibratory force of the vibrating structure. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and vibratory force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration isolator is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration isolator. |
| US08731740B2 |
Automatic warehouse and warehousing method into automatic warehouse
An automatic warehouse includes multiple guided vehicles disposed at different heights along a rack and a storage shelf with a hoist in line with the rack. The storage shelf includes an intra-shelf conveyor that stores articles, and multiple shelf frames configured to vertically pass the transportation surface of the intra-shelf conveyor. The interval between the plurality of shelf frames may be varied. In parallel with the storage of articles using the intra-shelf conveyor, the shelf frames are caused to pass the transportation surface of the intra-shelf conveyor upward from below, and the articles are sequentially transferred from the intra-shelf conveyor onto the shelf frames. After the articles have been transferred to all the corresponding shelf frames, the guided vehicles store the articles on the shelf frames into the rack simultaneously. |
| US08731739B2 |
Drive supporting device
A drive supporting device includes a GPS, a front camera, and a communication device that acquire traffic signal information related to the time-series on/off state of a traffic signal and an ECU that supports the driving of a vehicle on the basis of the traffic signal information acquired by, for example, the communication device. The ECU changes a driver support aspect on the basis of the level of proficiency of the driver of the vehicle in a region in which the vehicle is currently located. In this way, even when the driver is in a strange place, it is possible to appropriately support the driving of the vehicle. |
| US08731735B2 |
Method for selecting elements in a driver information system or in a navigation system or in a mobile terminal
A method for destination selection in a navigation system in which each destination from a totality of all destinations is defined by destination parameters and a set of possible destinations from the totality of all destinations is limited step-wise due to the input of individual characters for one parameter. When inputting the characters, a switch may be made from one destination parameter to an input of a character for another parameter. |
| US08731732B2 |
Methods and system to manage variability in production of renewable energy
Methods and systems to control loads coupled to an electric energy or power grid within corresponding ranges of load values in response to one or more factors, such as to manage variability in production of renewable energy. Loads may be controlled in response to an indication of balance between available power and loads and/or in response to new loads and/or grid disconnections, and may be controlled repeatedly over time to adjust a sum load in response to changes in one or more of balance between available power and loads, new loads, and grid disconnections. A load may be repeatedly adjusted over time to provide an electrical power requirement within a time frame while accommodating at least a portion of variations in the balance between available electric power and load. |