| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07681268B2 |
Featherbed with hourglass construction
The featherbed includes upper and lower outer fabric sections, which are substantially identical in configuration, secured together along their respective longitudinal and end edges. A plurality of baffle members extend between and are secured to the upper and lower layers substantially from end to end of the featherbed. The baffle members are arranged in pair forms a substantially hourglass configuration. |
| US07681265B2 |
Cellular cushion
A cellular cushion includes a base and a plurality of hollow cells coupled to the base. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a substantially planar lower surface and an opposite upper surface. The second layer includes a substantially planar lower surface and an opposite substantially planar upper surface. The hollow cells extend outwardly from the first layer upper surface within at least one region. Each of the cells within the first region are coupled together in flow communication. Each of the cells includes a hollow body portion and an outer surface. The cells are spaced across the base such that the cell outer surfaces cooperate to define a contoured seat configured to cradle a portion of a user. An outer surface of at least some of the cells is at least one of oriented obliquely with respect to the base. |
| US07681263B1 |
Modular pillow systems
Modular pillow systems include one or two individual bolster component(s) and a traditional pillow component. When two bolster components are employed, the traditional pillow component is positioned between the two bolster components, and when one bolster component is employed, the traditional pillow component is positioned to one side of the bolster component. The density and diameter and/or size of the individual modular components may be selected based on the anatomical characteristics and/or comfort and support characteristics of the user. The bolster component(s) and the traditional pillow component may be contained in a shell or cover or conventional pillowcase sized and dimensioned to snugly fit around the bolster component(s) and traditional pillow component and hold the components together. |
| US07681261B1 |
Swaddling blanket
The swaddling blanket is preferably fabricated from a soft material. The blanket includes a double-layered back portion having a reinforced head area. A pocket member is attached to the front layer of the back portion to accommodate the infant's legs. Double-layered, tapered tie members are attached to the back portion. The tie members are utilized to secure the infant in the blanket. |
| US07681254B2 |
Sock having Achilles tendon protection
This invention relates to a sock, in particular to be used of sporting activities, comprising cushioning in the vicinity of the Achilles tendon. Said cushioning is formed by at least two spacer cushion pads (24,25), placed on either side of the Achilles tendon and running alongside the latter. |
| US07681251B2 |
Hat with scarf
A hat member has a lower rim with a scarf attached thereto which extends between the temple areas around the back of the head. The scarf has an eye edge proximate the lower part of the eye sockets and extends from there to an area proximate the juncture of the neck with the torso or trunk. The scarf is loose and has folds under the chin so that a coat or other outer garment can be positioned and closed there over without restricting movement of the user. The scarf extends from the rim down proximate the nape of the neck to protect the back of the head and the rear of the neck. The hat member has a crown into which the scarf member can be positioned and stored while the hat is being worn. In turn the scarf may be moved between a stored position in the crown of the hat member and a deployed position removed from the crown and deployed over and about the head of the user. |
| US07681249B2 |
Conditioning garments
A conditioning garment has front and rear panels (11, 12) with a neck opening (13) between them. A manifold (17) extends along the lower edge of the front (11) panel and a manifold (24) extends along the lower edge of the rear panel (12). Tubes (27) extend between the manifolds (17, 24) and carry conditioned liquid over the torso of a wearer to heat/cool the torso. The tubes (27) are equally spaced and generally the same length to provide even heating/cooling. The garment (10) is easy to don and remove. The garment (10) can be modified by the addition of various chest compression devices, a neck support and a harness tensioning device. All these are designed to encounter increased +G-forces on the body of a wearer. |
| US07681248B2 |
Rolling knee support with detachable knee pad
A rolling knee support comprises a base with a detachable knee pad. The base includes a knee pad receiving portion and roller attachment portions. Each of the roller attachment portions has a caster mounted thereto. The knee pad is detachably mounted to the knee pad receiving portion. A strap extends from the rolling knee support for attachment of the rolling knee support to a wearer's knee area. An outer cover may be placed on the knee pad when the knee pad is detached from the rolling knee support. |
| US07685641B1 |
Copy-protected digital audio compact disc, and method and system for producing same
A method for producing a copy-protected audio compact disc containing a plurality of symbols within error-correction codewords, representing audio data samples of an audio signal is provided. The method includes the steps of selecting at least one audio data sample of the audio signal (1415); locating the data symbols representing audio data sample (1420); overwriting symbols with erroneous symbols (1440); locating the error-correction codewords associated with the data symbols and disabling the error-correction of said error-correction codewords (1455). |
| US07685640B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interface adapter integrated virus protection
A virus detection mechanism is described in which virus detection is provided by a network integrated protection (NIP) adapter. The NIP adapter checks incoming media data prior to it being activated by a computing device. The NIP adapter operates independently of a host processor to receive information packets from a network. This attribute of independence allows NIP anti-virus (AV) techniques to be “always on” scanning incoming messages and data transfers. By being independent of but closely coupled to the host processor, complex detection techniques, such as using check summing or pattern matching, can be efficiently implemented on the NIP adapter without involving central processor resources and time consuming mass storage accesses. The NIP adapter may be further enhanced with a unique fading memory (FM) facility to allow for a flexible and economical implementation of polymorphic virus detection. |
| US07685637B2 |
System security approaches using sub-expression automata
A method and system for ensuring system security is disclosed. The method and system split a regular expression that corresponds to a number of patterns into sub-expressions. The dependency relationships among the finite automata that correspond to the sub-expressions are maintained. Then, as data units are put through these finite automata in a sequence that is based on the dependency relationships, suspected data units are identified. The suspected data units are the ones containing content that collectively matches one or more of the aforementioned patterns. Identification of the suspected data units is based on the merged results of the finite automata. Depending on the result of identifying the suspected data units, different actions are performed. |
| US07685636B2 |
System, service, and method for enabling authorized use of distributed content on a protected media
A protected content distribution system utilizes media-based copy protection to support online distribution of protected content in a secure and legitimate fashion. Using a media-based copy protection scheme based on broadcast encryption, the protected content distribution system realizes online distribution of protected content such as, for example audio files, movies, etc, authorizing consumption of unlicensed content by transfer of a unique encrypted key to the protected media. This transaction is fast, involving the transfer of an encrypted binding key rather than the protected content. Content is enabled through a unique encrypted key on protected media accessed through a device separate from the media driver. |
| US07685634B2 |
System and method for managing access to a storage drive in a computer system
A system and method for unlocking storage drives during the transition from a low power state to an operational state in a computer system is disclosed. During initiation of the computer system, a password for each password-protected storage drive is saved to a memory location in the computer system. During the transition from a low power state to an operational power state, the password associated with each password-protected device is retrieved from the memory location on the basis of the unique identifier associated with each storage drive and applied to the storage drive for the purpose of unlocking or making the storage drive accessible. |
| US07685631B1 |
Authentication of a server by a client to prevent fraudulent user interfaces
Protecting a user against web spoofing in which the user confirms the authenticity of a web page prior to submitting sensitive information such as user credentials (e.g., a login name and password) via the web page. The web page provides the user with an identifiable piece of information representing a shared secret between the user and the server. The user confirms the correctness of the shared secret to ensure the legitimacy of the web page prior to disclosing any sensitive information via the web page. |
| US07685628B2 |
License-based path management method for a computer system
An access path management method for a storage network system where a plurality of paths are formed between a data storage system and a host computer which uses the data storage system, an integrated management server monitors port resources constantly. When a port overloads or when a failure occurs in a port, a previously unavailable port is made available and then an access path passing through this port is created to thereby secure a necessary bandwidth. When the load on a port is reduced, an access path that passes through this port is deleted to free a part of the bandwidth, and then the port that is currently in use is invalidated. A license management server for managing how the ports are used, charges by counting in only the length of time during which the port is in use. |
| US07685620B2 |
Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content
The present invention is an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms, or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program. The logical unit also evaluates each returned item for its relevancy to the keywords. When not in use, the logical unit maintains a quiescent but monitoring state permitting continuous creation of lexical buffers. This permits the user who turns the television on to immediately have such search terms available. Alternatively, the logic is implemented at the cable provider and enabled through interactive links to the home. In that case, the home logical unit is unnecessary. |
| US07685614B2 |
Optical disk drive
An optical disk drive is adapted for reading data from an optical disk. The optical disk drive includes a housing, a tray, and a read module. The tray is disposed in the housing and is adapted for ejecting from the housing. The read module is adapted for reading data from an optical disk. The read module includes a turntable and an optical read head. The turntable includes a number of engaging springs, in which at least one of the engaging springs include added material for superposing the center of the optical disk and the center of the turntable. Furthermore, the optical read head is adapted to move along a tracking path for reading data from the optical disk. |
| US07685611B2 |
Disk device, disk-transporting device, and disk-loading device
The present invention provides a disk drive of a compact size that can effectively utilize internal space within a disk drive and permit a straightforward arrangement of parts. The disk drive includes a disk holder that has a plurality of holder plates that individually hold disks, a drive unit that plays back disks, disk selectors that form a space above and below a desired disk by raising and lowering the holder plates; and a drive base that moves the drive unit into the space that is formed by raising and lowering the holder plates. The opening amount of the disk holder by the rise and fall of the holder plates, is fixed. The height of insertion of a disk into the disk holder is on an upper side between the highest holder plate and the lowest holder plate when the disk holder is open. |
| US07685607B2 |
General purpose embedded processor
The invention provides an embedded processor architecture comprising a plurality of virtual processing units that each execute processes or threads (collectively, “threads”). One or more execution units, which are shared by the processing units, execute instructions from the threads. An event delivery mechanism delivers events—such as, by way of non-limiting example, hardware interrupts, software-initiated signaling events (“software events”) and memory events—to respective threads without execution of instructions. Each event can, per aspects of the invention, be processed by the respective thread without execution of instructions outside that thread. The threads need not be constrained to execute on the same respective processing units during the lives of those threads—though, in some embodiments, they can be so constrained. The execution units execute instructions from the threads without needing to know what threads those instructions are from. A pipeline control unit which launches instructions from plural threads for concurrent execution on plural execution units. |
| US07685606B2 |
Power saving mobility aware system and method
A system and method reduces the power consumption by putting the system in sleep and use mobility context receiving device continue to monitor the context and wake up the system when discover the trigger state. After the system waked up, the application executes the job that is triggered by said trigger state. Said job might include reminder, TODO-List warning, e-mail retrieval, computer system or network login, control other appliances, etc. Said mobility context receiving device may also automatically interrupt the said application while the system is powered on. Said mobility context receiving device includes wireless communication interface or positioning device. Said application might be a person sensitive reminder, a TO-DO list warning system, automatic login and e-mail retriever, and automatic appliance controller, proximity sensitive file manager, etc. |
| US07685604B2 |
Business process execution language (BPEL) application generator for legacy interfaces
A method for capturing and converting legacy applications into a Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) model supporting a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), the method comprising: starting a recorder for recording the legacy applications; mapping the plurality of variables of the legacy applications to a plurality of fields and to a plurality of sub-fields of the BPEL model; highlighting and identifying the plurality of fields and the plurality of sub-fields; identifying and generating partner links; identifying additional input variables of the legacy applications; mapping the additional input variables of the legacy applications to arbitrary variables; repeating the previous steps until an end result is generated; and ending the recorder. |
| US07685601B2 |
Methods and apparatus for segmented stack management in a processor system
Methods and apparatus provide for allocating a first stack module in response to a first function call of a software program running on a processing system; and allocating a second stack module in response to a second function call of the software program, wherein the second stack module is non-contiguous with respect to the first stack module. |
| US07685599B2 |
Method and system for performing real-time operation
An information processing system performs a plurality of tasks within a specific time interval. The system includes a bus, a plurality of processors which transfer data via the bus, and a unit for performing a scheduling operation of determining execution start timing of each of the tasks and at least one the processors which executes the tasks, based on cost information concerning a time required to perform each of the tasks and bandwidth information concerning a data transfer bandwidth required by each of the tasks, to perform the tasks within the specific time interval without overlapping execution terms of at least two tasks of the tasks, the two tasks requiring data transfer bandwidths not less than those of the others of the tasks. |
| US07685597B1 |
System and method for management of characterized resources
Providing a resource domain structure allows flexible management of resources. With flexible management, computations, such as threads and processes, do not have to be related to be bound to the same resource domain. Since resource domains do not require the parent-child relationship, unrelated computations can bind each other to their resource domains. A data structure identifies a resource domain, the resource of the domain, and implementation of a resource management policy. The implementation of the resource management policy includes policy action, which when executed invoke policy imposing isolates. The resource domain data structure also indicates availability of usage of the resource. |
| US07685592B2 |
Method and device for updating program functions corresponding to a version flag
In an electronic device for implementing various functions using a DSP, the functionality can be updated as required. The electronic device is provided with a DSP and a flash memory for storing a program executed by the DSP. A program for implementing a new function implements both an old function and the new function, and for implementing a function corresponding to a version flag that has been set in version flags. When the program in the flash memory is updated to a program for implementing the new function, the program for implementing a new function is loaded into the flash memory, and a version flag corresponding to the new function is set in the version flags. |
| US07685590B2 |
Minimum delta generator for program binaries
Implementations provide a technology for generating a minimum delta between at least two program binaries. An implementation is given a source program (S) in a binary format and a target program (T) in a binary form. It constructs control flow graphs (CFGs) of each. It matches common blocks of the S's CFGs and T's CFGs. The blocks are matched based upon their content and their local neighborhoods. In addition, the register renaming problems is solved so that blocks can be fairly compared. This implementation produces an intermediate output, which is the content of unmatched blocks. It generates a set of edge edit operations for merging the unmatched blocks into S. The combination of the unmatched blocks and the edit operations is the delta. To patch S to produce a reconstructed copy of T, the delta is merged with S. |
| US07685586B1 |
Global escape analysis using instantiated type analysis
Global escape analysis using instantiated type analysis (ITA) is applied to a method of an object-oriented application to analyze control flow beginning with an invocation of the method. The instantiated type analysis methodology (inter-procedural control flow analysis) tracks instantiated objects, following both the flow of execution and the flow of these objects throughout the method invocations and field instances of the software, ultimately determining which instantiated objects do not escape. Not all method invocations must be followed and therefore a closed system is not required. This ITA algorithm has been enhanced for the purposes of escape analysis, so that is well-suited for runtime environments in which classes are loosely specified, or in circumstances in which a subset of a program is unavailable. |
| US07685580B1 |
Method and apparatus for selectively eliminating write barriers in snapshot-at-the beginning concurrent-marking garbage collectors
In a computer system that uses a “snapshot-at-the-beginning” garbage collector and in which write barrier code is generated for pointer write instructions in order to support the operation of the garbage collector, a static analysis of the computer program source code is performed prior to generating compiled code for the application and garbage collector in order to identify source code instructions that, at runtime, will perform initializing pointer writes as indicated by the fact that they overwrite memory locations that contain a predetermined pre-write value, such as NULL. The identified instructions are then compiled in a conventional manner, but no write barrier code is generated for them. Thus, at runtime, those instructions that perform initializing writes will incur no write barrier cost penalty. |
| US07685573B2 |
Flexible error trace mechanism
For a flexible error trace mechanism, embodiments may be implemented for C/C++ interface libraries, or in programs written in C/C++ or other programming languages. In one embodiment, when an error occurs in a function call, a trace element may be recorded that may include the source file name, function name, line number and other information that may be used to identify the error. In one embodiment, the library function may call a plurality of library functions in a function call stack. For each of the plurality of library functions, if the library function generates an error, an error trace element may be added to the error trace. After completion of the library function, the program may obtain the error trace for the library function. The error(s), if any, may be debugged using the information in the obtained error trace. |
| US07685571B2 |
Interactive domain configuration
Described herein are methods and systems for interactively configuring and producing a data domain for various data structure elements of a computer program. A domain configuration manager is described which interactively receives domain configuration information corresponding to a data structure element, reads a reflection of the program and produces a data domain according to domain configuration information. The domain configuration manager is capable of producing a data domain for a data structure element according to such domain configuration information such as an explicit expression, inheritance or domain generation technique. The reflection of the computer program exposes the methods and functions of the program to be used in the explicit expression regardless of the visibility rules. Also, predicates and conditions can be used with domain generation techniques to further narrowly configure the data domains. |
| US07685570B2 |
Error/exception helper
An error/exception helper may provide tailored help when an error such as an exception is generated. A source program editor interface may be displayed and/or focus given to the program editor interface. An error/exception bubble or tool tip may be displayed, which, in one embodiment of the invention, points to the line of code that generated the exception. The error/exception bubble may include a link to a help topic or the actual help text may be displayed within the bubble. The bubble may also include one or more actions that may be taken to correct the error or a link to a procedure to perform the action(s). The source code may be edited, actions initiated and execution re-initiated at which time the bubble and editor interface display may be dismissed. |
| US07685569B2 |
Navigation in computer software applications developed in a procedural language
A method for providing a maintenance environment for computer program code is disclosed. According to the method, portions of the computer program code are selectively stored and one or more lists of the stored portions are created. Links are created between the lists and the stored portions of the computer program code for navigational purposes. A system for providing a maintenance environment for computer program code and a computer program product for the same purpose are also disclosed. |
| US07685566B2 |
Structured message process calculus
Trees are a common semantic denominator of XML data types and process calculi. This indicates a potential tight intertwining of the syntax and semantics of data and processes. The invention provides this intertwining via a process calculus wherein the data language syntax is a fragment of the programming language syntax. |
| US07685559B2 |
Step-walk relaxation method for global optimization of masks
A set of candidate global optima is identified, one of which is a global solution for making a mask for printing a lithographic pattern. A solution space is formed from dominant joint eigenvectors that is constrained for bright and dark areas of the printed pattern. The solution space is mapped to identify regions each containing at most one local minimum intensity. For each selected region, stepped intensity contours are generated for intensity of the dark areas and stepped constraint surfaces are generated for a target exposure dose at an individual test point. An individual test point is stepped toward a lowest intensity contour along the stepped constraint surfaces of each selected region. Further lowering of the intensities of these points is also detailed, where possible in adjacent regions, to yield final test points. The set of candidate global optima is the final test points at their respective lowest intensity contour of the respective selected regions. |
| US07685558B2 |
Method for detection and scoring of hot spots in a design layout
A method for detection and scoring of hotspots in a design layout is provided. A plurality of indices is derived for a plurality of positions in the design layout. The plurality of indices comprises a first index sensitive to energy exposure of the design layout, a second index sensitive to process image formation, and a third index sensitive to mask manufacturing error. The plurality of indices is then analyzed to identify at least one hotspot in the design layout. The at least one hotspot is then prioritized using an integrated hotspot scoring system. The integrated hotspot scoring system prioritizes hotspots based on a look-up table approach or an interpolation approach. |
| US07685557B2 |
Radiation mask with spatially variable transmissivity
A mask, a method for creating a mask, and a method for irradiating a substrate through use of the mask. Creating the mask establishes the mask by designing the mask, forming the mask, or both designing and forming the mask. Creating the mask includes receiving a specified target transmittance (TS) of the substrate with respect to radiation propagated from a radiation source and transmitted through the mask with spatial selectivity in accordance with a spatially varying transmissivity (TM) of the mask with respect to the radiation. The mask is disposed between the radiation source and the substrate. The mask includes transparent portions and reflective portions distributed within the transparent portions. The first radiation after having passed through the mask is transmitted into the substrate in accordance with a spatially varying reflectance (R) of the substrate such that TM*(1−R) is about equal to TS. |
| US07685554B1 |
Determination of data rate and data type in a high-level electronic design
Determining data rates and data types in a an electronic design. In one embodiment, an electronic design is created in a memory arrangement in response to user input. The electronic design includes a plurality of functional blocks and a plurality of nets connecting the functional blocks. In response to user input, an output data rate and an output data type of data output from at least one of the functional blocks are determined. The input data rate and input data type to each functional block coupled via a net to the at least one functional block are equal to the output data rate and output data type, respectively, from the at least one functional block. For each functional block, an output data rate and output data type are determined as a function of the input data rate and the input data type of the functional block. |
| US07685553B2 |
System and method for global circuit routing incorporating estimation of critical area estimate metrics
An electronic circuit layout refinement method and system. A grid of equally sized tiles is defined on a circuit layout area. Each tile of the grid has a respective critical area estimate metric associated with critical area estimates for a circuit to be placed on the circuit layout area. A global circuit routing for a circuit to be placed within a plurality of tiles of the grid is performed. An estimation of critical area estimate metrics that are assigned to respective tiles of the grid is performed prior to performing a detailed circuit routing for the circuit. The global circuit routing is adjusted, after estimating the critical area estimate metrics, in order to improve a respective critical area estimate metric assigned to at least one tile of the grid. The adjusted global circuit routing is then produced. |
| US07685552B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having clock buffers and method for arranging the clock buffers on the device
This invention concerns a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of circuit elements arranged in a chip and operating in response to a same clock signal; clock buffers arranged at intersecting points decided based on positions of the plurality of circuit elements, the intersecting points being included in intersecting points of a pseudo mesh virtually assumed to cover up a region in the chip including the plurality of circuit elements; and a main wiring transmitting the clock signal to the clock buffers. |
| US07685550B2 |
Method for designing integrated circuits comprising replacement logic gates
In a method for designing integrated circuits comprising replacement logic components, a plurality of logic cells and a plurality of filler cells which fill interspaces between the logic cells are positioned on a chip area. In this case, some or all of the filler cells represent replacement logic components for the integrated circuit and have been or are interconnected or wired in such a way that they form capacitances in the integrated circuit. |
| US07685546B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting verification, and computer product
A verification supporting apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires a first verification-item list for a verification target, a functional specification of the verification target, and a sequential specification of the verification target; a keyword extracting unit that extracts a keyword about the verification target from the first verification-item list; a creating unit that creates a second verification-item list in which each of the verification items is formed with the functional description and the sequential description about an output action of the verification target; and a converting unit that converts the first verification-item list into a third verification-item list having a same format as the second verification-item list, based on the second verification-item list and the keyword. |
| US07685542B2 |
Method and apparatus for shutting off data capture across asynchronous clock domains during at-speed testing
A method for testing logic devices configured across asynchronous clock domains includes deactivating, during at-speed fault testing, a local clock signal for each of a first plurality of latches having at least one data input thereto originating from a source located within an asynchronous clock domain with respect thereto. The deactivation of a local clock signal for each of the plurality of latches is implemented in a manner so as to permit data capture within the first plurality of latches, and wherein the deactivation of a local clock signal for each of the plurality of latches is further implemented in a manner so as to permit at-speed data launch therefrom to downstream latches with respect thereto during at-speed testing. |
| US07685540B1 |
Standard block design: an effective approach for large scale floorplanning
As circuit sizes have increased, designs have become increasingly hierarchical. It is common for designs to have large numbers of macro blocks; many of these blocks are “soft,” and may have variable width and height. The present invention provides an alternate method to handle designs with large numbers of blocks. Rather than approaching them as expanded floorplanning, the problems are re-cast as traditional mixed size placement, and many macro blocks are treated as standard cells. Using existing mixed size placement tools, the superior reported are obtained. First, an effective “standard block design” methodology is provided. Second, new mixed size placement legalization algorithms that are more robust than the widely-used mixed-size Tetris algorithm is presented. |
| US07685538B2 |
Method of triggering functions in a computer application using a digitizer having a stylus and a digitizer system
A method of triggering functions in a computer application comprises the steps of: providing a digitizer having a pointing device, wherein the digitizer and pointing device are operably associated with a computer having an operating system and an application; applying pressure to the digitizer with the pointing device; sensing the applied pressure; triggering in the application a first function if the sensed applied pressure exceeds a first pressure threshold; and triggering in the application a second function if the sensed applied pressure exceeds a second pressure threshold. The second pressure threshold is greater than the first pressure threshold. |
| US07685534B2 |
Method and apparatus for a three-dimensional web-navigator
A three-dimensional browser wherein in an exemplary embodiment, information from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in a virtual three-dimensional space in order to provide a three-dimensional navigation mechanism. In an alternate arrangement an event associated with an image is intercepted and the location of the event in the corresponding geometric surface of the virtual three-dimensional space is computed. This location is converted to a two-dimensional coordinate and thereafter information pertaining to the event is placed on the surface on the three-dimensional object in the virtual three-dimensional space. |
| US07685533B2 |
Method and apparatus for navigating a menu in a display unit of an electronic device
A method and apparatus for navigating a menu shown on a display unit of an electronic device is provided. By measuring a time for moving a cursor on the menu and determining whether the measured cursor input time exceeds a pre-set threshold, one or more cursor moving methods may be applied in order to increase user convenience. |
| US07685529B2 |
Visual guides for word processing application styles
A graphical user interface is disclosed for providing a visual and/or numeric aid facilitating the use formatting styles in word processing application programs and others. Visual and numeric indicators are assigned to all styles defined within the word processing application program. The visual indicator may be a unique color assigned and applied to each defined style. Upon launching the visual aids functionality, each style name in a styles pallet is displayed with its assigned visual and numeric indicators. The visual and numeric indicators are also displayed along side the text, with text of a given style being displayed with the visual and numeric indicator assigned to the style name. Thus, the visual aids allow a user to quickly ascertain which styles are applied to what text. |
| US07685524B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system, and providing medium
The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data. |
| US07685519B1 |
Process and apparatus for providing a customizable content tooltip
A method and apparatus for providing a customizable content tooltip provides a customizable content tooltip including a customization control that, when activated, allows a user to choose and/or edit the content displayed by the customizable content tooltip. |
| US07685515B2 |
Facilitating data manipulation in a browser-based user interface of an enterprise business application
Optimal presentation and editing of business data in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-based business information system is described, including a browser at a user computer in dynamic communication with a web server allowing database editing and updating without browser page refreshes. For optimizing the data input/editing experience of the user, an array of features in various combinations is provided including: single-click instantiation of cell editing in a table displayed by the browser; single off-click or keyboard commits instantiating cell-wise data transfers; bulk editing allowing group modification of data elements across a plurality of adjacently-displayed or non-adjacently displayed records; client-side, location-based caching of old cell values allowing selective go-back for any edited or bulk-edited cell, in any order desired by the user, prior to a page-refreshing input event; and easy establishment/modification of sub-records associated with any of a displayed list of records using sub-record access icons, rollover menus, and auxiliary browser windows. |
| US07685511B2 |
Framework for providing and using schema data for markup languages
Techniques for providing and using schema data for markup languages are disclosed. A schema model can be used to generate signed (or verifiable) schema data (e.g., XML schema data). The model can be used as a standard model that provides enhanced security and better performance. As a result, schema data can be verified more efficiently. A base class for XML schema data is provided. The base class can be instantiated to generate an XML schema file (or document). A digital signature can then be applied to the XML schema file to generate a signed XML schema file (or document). Furthermore, the resolution of data can be achieved more efficiently for markup languages because the resolution of data can be achieved systematically. In addition, techniques for storing and using signed schema data for markup languages are disclosed. An XML library can be used to store XML schema data that has been verified (or authenticated). |
| US07685510B2 |
System and method for grouping data
In a system and method for grouping data, a processor may, with reference to metadata identifying relationships between sets of data to be displayed in columns of a table, generate a display template from the identified relationships, the template defining that related columns of data are presented adjacent to each other in groups and defining which types of graphical demarcations to display, may search among records corresponding to rows of the table to be displayed for records that satisfy a search criterion, and may display a table according to the display template, rows of the table arranged to display the records that satisfy the search criteria in a group separate from the other records. |
| US07685497B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient computation of check equations in periodical low density parity check (LDPC) codes
A periodic Low Density Parity Check (LPDC) coding apparatus and method allows reference to an LDPC code parity check matrix, where such reference is accomplished row by row. A specially configured memory and cyclical shift operation are used by the apparatus to efficiently compute check equations of the periodic LDPC code. |
| US07685492B2 |
Method, arrangement, node and mobile unit for improved transmission between two units of a telecommunication system
A mechanism for improved data transmission between units in a telecommunication network, where at least one of the units utilizes multiple transport channels for transmitting data. An acknowledgeable data transmission is started over a first transport channel if no other on-going acknowledgeable data transmission on a second transport channel starts or ends within a pre-defined or assigned transmission period for the first channel. Thereby, unique identification of acknowledgements messages is enabled. |
| US07685491B2 |
Test generation methods for reducing power dissipation and supply currents
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used for generating test patterns as may be used as part of a test pattern generation process (for example, for use with an automatic test pattern generator (ATPG) software tool). In one exemplary embodiment, hold probabilities are determined for state elements (for example, scan cells) of a circuit design. A test cube is generated targeting one or more faults in the circuit design. In one particular implementation, the test cube initially comprises specified values that target the one or more faults and further comprises unspecified values. The test cube is modified by specifying at least a portion of the unspecified values with values determined at least in part from the hold probabilities and stored. |
| US07685483B1 |
Design features for testing integrated circuits
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide test features for integrated circuits. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit includes an input signal path adapted to route an address signal for a configurable memory. An input multiplexer, coupled to the input signal path, is controllable to route a first test signal provided via the input signal path for at least one memory configuration that does not use the input signal path for the address signal. |
| US07685482B2 |
Tap sampling at double rate
An integrated circuit comprising: at least one test input for receiving test data; test control circuitry between the at least one test input and circuitry to be tested; wherein the test data is clocked in on a rising clock edge and a falling clock edge. |
| US07685478B2 |
Method of testing memory card operation
A system and method are disclosed for testing operation of a memory card within an electronic host device. The system includes a flat flexible cable, or strip, for electrically coupling between the memory card slot in a host device and a test assembly. The test assembly may have a card slot for accepting an external memory card, and a debug header for receiving a cable connected to a debug apparatus such as a logic analyzer and/or an oscilloscope. |
| US07685477B2 |
System and method for auxiliary channel error messaging
Information handling system errors are presented at a display with the information handling system graphics subsystem inoperative by communicating an identified error to the display through an auxiliary channel and generating a presentation of the error information with a microcontroller of the display. For example, errors determined by BIOS firmware running on a chipset are communicated through a DDC or I2C channel from the chipset to the display so that textual error messages are generated at the display without the use of the information handling system's graphic processor to generate an error message image. |
| US07685475B2 |
System and method for providing performance statistics for application components
An application monitoring method and system. The method may comprise the steps of capturing raw performance data from one or more components of the application, converting the raw performance data of the one or more components to data records having a standard event data format, determining summary data for the one or more components based on the data records, and presenting the summary data to an end user. |
| US07685470B2 |
Method and device for debugging a program executed by a multitask processor
A method for debugging a multitask program executed by a processor includes interrupting the processor during the execution of a task of the program, and activating a debugging mode of the processor, wherein the instructions executed by the processor are supplied by an external emulator. The method comprises steps during which: the processor sends an activation message to the external emulator every time the debugging mode is activated, and upon receiving the activation message, the external emulator sends an acknowledgement message to the processor containing at least one portion of the activation message received. |
| US07685464B2 |
Alternating fault tolerant reconfigurable computing architecture
A method for reducing radiation effects in an electronic circuit is disclosed. The method involves periodically transferring operation of the electronic circuit to at least one alternate processing element of a plurality of processing elements. With the at least one alternate processing element in control, the method reconfigures one or more processing elements of the plurality of processing elements. Once the one or more processing elements are reconfigured, the method synchronizes the one or more processing elements with the at least one alternate processing element. |
| US07685457B2 |
Interlocked synchronous pipeline clock gating
An integrated circuit including a pipeline and a method of operating the pipeline. Each stage of the pipeline is triggered by one or more triggering events and are individually, and selectively, stalled by a stall signal. For each stage a stall signal, delayed with respect to the stall signal of a downstream stage, is generated and used to select whether the pipeline stage in question is triggered. A data valid signal propagating with valid data adds further selection, such that only stages with valid data are stalled. |
| US07685455B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit which generates internal clock signal for fetching input data synchronously with the internal clock signal without decrease of timing margin
A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided in which the timing margin for fetching data is prevented from being reduced even in the case where the duty ratio of a clock signal is different from 50%. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a clock input terminal for receiving a clock signal; a data input terminal for receiving a data signal; internal clock generating circuits for generating an internal clock signal which is switched at an intermediate timing between the i-th (i: an integer of 1 or larger) switch timing and the (i+1)th switch timing of the clock signal; and a latch circuit for latching the data signal synchronously with the internal clock signal. An internal clock signal which is switched at an intermediate timing between the i-th switch timing and the (i+1)th switch timing of the clock signal is generated, and the data signal is fetched synchronously with the internal clock signal. |
| US07685452B2 |
Method for high voltage power feed on differential cable pairs from a network attached power sourcing device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a power feed circuit operable to supply an Ethernet power signal to a coupled Ethernet network. This power feed circuit includes a number of input nodes, differential transistor pairs, active control circuits and output nodes. The input nodes receive a first power signal such as that provided by an isolated 48 volt power supply. Each transistor of the differential transistor pairs couples to one input node. These differential transistor pairs produce a second power signal which may be supplied to the Ethernet network. The active control circuits sense the second power signal passed by each transistor and are operable to apply a feedback signal to the differential transistor pairs based on the sensed power signal. At least one twisted pair couples to each differential transistor pair's output node and is operable to pass the Ethernet power signal. |
| US07685451B2 |
Method and apparatus to limit current-change induced voltage changes in a microcircuit
A method and apparatus for compensating for current-change induced voltage changes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital throttle unit coupled to an instruction pipeline may generate a compensating current signal, which may then cause a dummy load to consume a compensating current. In another embodiment, a counter responsive to changes in clock frequency may generate a ramp current signal, which may then cause a dummy load to consume a current corresponding to the ramp current signal. |
| US07685446B2 |
Dynamic voltage scaling method of CPU using workload estimator and computer readable medium storing the method
A method for scaling a dynamic voltage of a CPU is achieved by setting a voltage setting point for each of a plurality of code segments of a program, and profiling workload by measuring a workload variation of each of the code segments based on data that changes whenever measured, selecting a plurality of combinations, each having a plurality of voltage setting points, and calculating workload estimators corresponding to the voltage setting points of each of the selected combinations based on the workload variation measured in the workload profiling operation, selecting an optimal combination that consumes a least energy of the CPU based on the workload estimators, and determining whether a real time constraint is satisfied when an operating voltage is set based on the workload estimator corresponding to each of the voltage setting points of the optimal combination during runtime, and setting the operating voltage based on a result of the determination. |
| US07685441B2 |
Power control unit with digitally supplied system parameters
Methods and apparatuses provide voltage regulation for a processor. Control or configuration parameters for a voltage regulator (VR) are provided digitally over a configuration bus to a VR controller. The parameters may be provided directly from a storage element, or via a processing element or processor core. Based in whole or in part on the parameters, the VR controller provides an output control signal to affect a power output from a power converter to the processing element. In one embodiment, the VR controller is integrated onto the same IC as the processing element. |
| US07685439B2 |
Method for effecting the controlled shutdown of data processing units
Methods are provided for effecting functional control of program flow and/or data flow in digital signal processors and in processors which have closed and separated modules for effecting the program and data flow control or which operate in parallel arithmetic-logic units. The methods enhance the functionality of the signal processor to such an extent that the units of the processor, without time delays, are adapted, with regard to their energy consumption, to the latest demands of signal processing. The methods provide additional possibilities for saving energy which are enabled by algorithm-related shutdown of functional units. An external hardware-related signal input into the processor or a software-related state output from the program flow in the processor may be used to trigger an interruption in the clock pulse supply for the respective functional units for the period of time during which these functional units are not used. |
| US07685438B2 |
Tamper-resistant packaging and approach using magnetically-set data
A tamper-resistant packaging approach protects an integrated circuit (100) from undesirable access. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, data is encrypted as a function of the state of a plurality of magnetically-responsive circuit elements (130-135) and then decrypted as a function of the state (130-135). A package (106) is arranged to prevent access to the integrated circuit and having magnetic particles (120-125) therein. The magnetic particles (120-125) are arranged to cause the magnetically-responsive circuit elements (130-135) to take on a state that is used to encrypt the data. The state of these elements is again accordingly used to decrypt the data (e.g., as a key). When the magnetic particles are altered, for example, by removing a portion of the package, the state of one or more of the magnetically-responsive circuit elements is changed, thus rendering the state incapable of being used for decrypting the data. |
| US07685435B2 |
Program development method, program development supporting system, and program installation method
An development environment of a high security level is provided for a key-installed system. Development of a program for a system having an LSI device which includes a secure memory is performed by providing another LSI device having the same structure and setting the provided LSI device to a development mode which is different from a product operation mode. Alternatively, the provided LSI device is set to an administrator mode to perform development and encryption of a key-generation program. The LSI device is set to a key-generation mode to execute the encrypted key-generation program, thereby generating various keys. |
| US07685432B2 |
Authentication method based on biological characteristic information
The present invention provides authentication equipment having functions for prevention of erroneous authentication using biometrics data, and which can reduce the burden of registration placed on users. The authentication equipment is characterized in comprising an input portion, which generates primitive-format information of biological characteristics based on biological characteristics specific to individuals; a primary information extraction portion, which extracts primary information identifying the biological characteristics from the primitive-format information; a secondary information extraction portion, which extracts, as secondary information, a part of the primitive-format information using the primary information; a registration portion, which stores in a storage portion the secondary information extracted by the secondary information extraction portion; and a verification portion, which compares the secondary information extracted by the secondary information extraction portion with secondary information stored in the storage portion, and judges whether authentication has been successful. |
| US07685431B1 |
System and method for determining relative strength and crackability of a user's security password in real time
System and method for determining crackability of a password in real time. The system and method include and involve a server system that serves a software package, and a client system that is coupled to the server system. The client system is configured to receive the software package. The software package includes a password entry facility permitting a user to enter a password candidate string one character at a time, and a strength determination facility configured to communicate with the password entry facility and to determine the crackability of the password candidate in real time repeatedly as each character of the password candidate string is entered into the password entry facility. |
| US07685426B2 |
Managing and indexing content on a network with image bookmarks and digital watermarks
A method of managing content, and in particular, managing content on the Internet retrieves a web page that includes an image and detects whether the image included within the web page is embedded with a digital watermark. It generates an indicia associated with an image included in the web page that is embedded with a digital watermark. The indicia indicate to the user which images include watermarks. The watermarks may be used to convey links to related web pages or specific information about the images, such as usage rights and licensing information. Variations of this method create image bookmarks to web pages including images using thumbnails of those images. A content management system comprises a first program for retrieving web pages including images. It also includes a second program for extracting an image from a web page, creating a thumbnail of the image, and forming an image bookmark linking the thumbnail to the web page that the image has been extracted from. The thumbnails are used to create a visual index to corresponding web pages from which the images originated on the Internet. A method of visual indexing of content on a network, such as the Internet, retrieves a web page, extracts an image included on the web page, generates a thumbnail of the image, and creates a link between the thumbnail and a location of the web page from which the image has been extracted. |
| US07685425B1 |
Server computer for guaranteeing files integrity
A server computer storing computer files, each computer file having an associated unique digital signature, receiving requests for access to one or more such computer files, only allows access to the or each computer file if their associated digital signatures are valid. Thus, if a computer file has been tampered with by an unauthorized third party, the digital signature associated with that computer file will prove to be invalid when checked and the server computer will not serve the computer file at all. In this way, a computer file that has been tampered with can never leave the server computer, much improving the security of the stored computer files. |
| US07685424B2 |
Validating untrusted objects and entities
This invention is a validation method for determining whether an untrusted chip is valid, or not. In another aspect it concerns a validation system for the method. The method may be used to determine the physical presence of a valid chip. A trusted chip generates a random number and a digital signature for it, encrypts them with a first key and then calls a prove function in the untrusted chip. The prove function decrypts the random number and signature, and calculates another signature from the decrypted random number, for comparison with the decrypted one. If the comparison is successful the random number is encrypted with another key and sent back as a second number. Finally, a test function is called in the trusted chip to generate its own encrypted version of the random number using the second key and then compare it with the received version to validate the untrusted chip. The untrusted chip may be associated with a consumable so that validation of the untrusted chip authenticates the consumable. |
| US07685423B1 |
Validation protocol and system
This invention is a validation protocol for determining whether an untrusted authentication chip is valid, or not. In another aspect it concerns a validation system for the protocol. The protocol may be used to determine the physical presence of a valid authentication chip. In this case a system may call the trusted chip to generate a random number and a digital signature for it, encrypt them with a first key and then call a prove function in the untrusted chip. The prove function decrypts the random number and signature, and calculates another signature from the decrypted random number, for comparison with the decrypted one. If the comparison is successful the random number is encrypted with another key and sent back. Finally, a test function is called in the trusted chip to generate its own encrypted version of the random number using the second key and then compare it with the received version to validate the untrusted chip. The untrusted chip may be associated with a consumable so that validation of the untrusted chip authenticates the consumable. |
| US07685421B2 |
System and method for initializing operation for an information security operation
A method and apparatus for initializing operation for information security operation for an entity utilizes shared information, such as shared secret information, that may be shared between the entity and other applications or operations within a system to initialize an entity. Prestored shared information that can be used as entity identification data (RV) and authentication data (IAK) that is associated with the entity identification data is encrypted and sent in clear text fashion to an initialization authentication unit, such as a server or other processing unit. The initialization authentication unit requests stored shared data from another processing unit that maintains a database. The other processing system then responds to the request by providing prestored shared data that can be used to, for example, decrypt the encrypted information sent in a clear text fashion to determine whether an entity is a proper user of the information security operation. Accordingly, no secure session is required, and no new generation of identification data or authentication data is required. |
| US07685418B1 |
Mechanisms and techniques for protecting intellectual property
Methods and apparatus for providing protection of pre-designed electronic components or modules (“intellectual property”) provided on target hardware devices are described herein. According to various embodiments, the component and the target hardware device include mechanisms for providing a first sequence and a second sequence respectively. While the component is running on the target hardware device, a comparator accesses and compares the first sequence with the second sequence. The comparator may either be included with the component or the target hardware device. If the first and second sequences match, a function of the component is allowed to operate with the target hardware device; otherwise, the function is prevented from operating with the target hardware device. As such, unauthorized use of intellectual property can be controlled. |
| US07685413B2 |
Use driven configurator and system optimization
A configurator is provided with the ability to present a customer with information regarding desirable configuration bundles that are based upon specific intended use and to enable a customer to configure a system based upon the specific intended use. Additionally, based upon an indicated specific intended use, an information handling system manufacturer can optimize the configuration of the information handling system. |
| US07685408B2 |
Methods and apparatus for extracting bits of a source register based on a mask and right justifying the bits into a target register
Techniques for performing a bit rake instruction in a programmable processor. The bit rake instruction extracts an arbitrary pattern of bits from a source register, based on a mask provided in another register, and packs and right justifies the bits into a target register. The bit rake instruction allows any set of bits from the source register to be packed together. |
| US07685407B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing system selectively operating as one of a big endian or little endian system
The present invention is to provide a semiconductor device that can correctly switch endians on the outside even if the endian of a parallel interface is not recognized on the outside. The semiconductor device includes a switching circuit and a first register. The switching circuit switches between whether a parallel interface with the outside is to be used as a big endian or a little endian. A first register holds control data of the switching circuit. The switching circuit regards the parallel interface as the little endian when first predetermined control information, that is unchanged in the values of specific bit positions even if its high-order and low-order bit positions are transposed, is supplied to the first register, and regards the parallel interface as the big endian when second predetermined control information, that is unchanged in the values of specific bit positions even if its high-order and low-order bit positions are transposed, is supplied to the first register. Whatever the endian setting status, the control information can be correctly inputted without being influenced by the endian setting status. |
| US07685405B1 |
Programmable architecture for digital communication systems that support vector processing and the associated methodology
The invention includes an apparatus and the associated method to digitally process data communicated through a communication channel between a transceiver pair. A global control element and programmable algorithm control elements are used to implement an algorithm using a datapath. The control signal outputs of at least one programmable algorithm control element are coupled to the datapath. The datapath may use the control signals to drive transmission data down a computation path that implements the desired algorithm. The datapath may be duplicated to meet the requirements of a particular device and operate on a larger subset of data using the same control signals that are provided by the programmable algorithm control elements. |
| US07685402B2 |
RISC microprocessor architecture implementing multiple typed register sets
A register system for a data processor which operates in a plurality of modes. The register system provides multiple, identical banks of register sets, the data processor controlling access such that instructions and processes need not specify any given bank. An integer register set includes first (RA[23:0]) and second (RA[31:24]) subsets, and a shadow subset (RT[31:24]). While the data processor is in a first mode, instructions access the first and second subsets. While the data processor is in a second mode, instructions may access the first subset, but any attempts to access the second subset are re-routed to the shadow subset instead, transparently to the instructions, allowing system routines to seemingly use the second subset without having to save and restore data which user routines have written to the second subset. A re-typable register set provides integer width data and floating point width data in response to integer instructions and floating point instructions, respectively. Boolean comparison instructions specify particular integer or floating point registers for source data to be compared, and specify a particular Boolean register for the result, so there are no dedicated, fixed-location status flags. Boolean combinational instructions combine specified Boolean registers, for performing complex Boolean comparisons without intervening conditional branch instructions, to minimize pipeline disruption. |
| US07685398B2 |
Intelligent system for determination of optimal partition size in a build to order environment
An intelligent system for determining an optimal partition size on an information handling system. The system provides customers with an improved customer experience by offering a partition that is sized only as large as needed according to optional/locked/trial data downloaded for that system. |
| US07685397B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing stacks in virtual machine
An apparatus and method for managing stacks in a virtual machine are provided. The apparatus includes a first memory which checks the space of a stack chunk and allocates a frame pointer if at least one of a push and a pop are performed in a virtual machine; and a second memory which is connected with an external bus, and stores frame pointers copied from the first memory via the external bus. |
| US07685393B2 |
Synchronous memory read data capture
A method of snap-shot data training to determine the optimum timing of the DQS enable signal in a single read operation is provided. This is accomplished by first writing a Gray code count sequence into the memory and then reading it back in a single burst. The controller samples the read burst at a fixed interval from the time the command was issued to determine the loop-around delay. A simple truth table lookup determines the optimum DQS enable timing for normal reads. Advantageously, during normal read operations, the first positive edge of the enabled DQS signal is used to sample a counter that is enabled every time a command is issued. If the counter sample changes, indicating timing drift has occurred, the DQS enable signal can be adjusted to compensate for the drift and maintain a position centered in the DQS preamble. This technique can also be applied to a system that uses the iterative approach to determining DQS enable timing on power up. Another embodiment of the invention is a simple, low latency clock domain crossing circuit based on the DQS latched sample of the counter. |
| US07685391B1 |
Kernel/user stack relocation during system uptime
Kernel and user stack data is stored in relocatable memory. A kernel thread or a user thread can move its own stack data by creating a relocation request and adding the relocation request to a queue of a dedicated thread. The dedicated thread performs the relocation on behalf of the requesting kernel or user thread. |
| US07685390B2 |
Storage system
A storage system where storage devices themselves have WORM functionality that can be set at any time. The storage system includes storage devices, and a controller for controlling data transmission between the storage devices and an information processor. Each storage device has a storage cell and a fuse at a midpoint on a write control line, and the controller applies a voltage to the fuse to blow it to set WORM for the storage cell. |
| US07685382B2 |
Dynamic media format conversion of physical volumes
A media server (e.g., a virtual tape server) implements a method for a dynamic media format conversion of physical volumes stored within a media library (e.g., a tape library). The method involves a recall of volume data in a media format f as stored in one or more source physical volumes of a source media, and an automatic premigration of the recalled volume data in a media format f to one or more target physical volumes of a target media. The media format f is different in one or more aspects from the media format f. |
| US07685380B1 |
Method for using configuration memory for data storage and read operations
Individual storage locations in a PROM that stores a configuration file for a PLD may be directly addressed so that selected portions of the data stored therein may be replaced or updated with new data without having to erase all the contents of the PROM, reprogram the PROM with a new configuration file, and/or reconfigure the FPGA with the new configuration file. For some embodiments, a PROM includes a JTAG-compatible interface that is coupled to a JTAG-compatible test circuit provided within the PLD, and circuit within the PLD is configured to directly address individual storage locations in the PROM via the PROM's JTAG interface using well-known JTAG commands. |
| US07685374B2 |
Multi-interface and multi-bus structured solid-state storage subsystem
A solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory card or drive, includes multiple interfaces and a memory area storing information used by a data arbiter to prioritize data commands received through the interfaces. As one example, the information may store a priority ranking of multiple host systems that are connected to the solid-state storage subsystem, such that the data arbiter may process concurrently received data transfer commands serially according to their priority ranking. A host software component may be configured to store and modify the priority control information in solid-state storage subsystem's memory area. |
| US07685365B2 |
Transactional memory execution utilizing virtual memory
Embodiments of the invention relate to transactional memory execution utilizing virtual memory. A processor includes a local transactional cache and a resource manager. The resource manager responsive to a transactional memory transaction request from a requesting thread determines whether the local transactional cache is capable of accommodating the transactional memory transaction request and, if so, the local transactional caches performs the transactional memory transaction. However, if the local transactional cache is not capable of accommodating the transactional memory transaction request, data for the transactional memory transaction request is overflowed into an application's virtual address space associated with the requesting thread. |
| US07685364B2 |
Memory system topologies including a buffer device and an integrated circuit memory device
Systems, among other embodiments, include topologies (data and/or control/address information) between an integrated circuit buffer device (that may be coupled to a master, such as a memory controller) and a plurality of integrated circuit memory devices. For example, data may be provided between the plurality of integrated circuit memory devices and the integrated circuit buffer device using separate segmented (or point-to-point link) signal paths in response to control/address information provided from the integrated circuit buffer device to the plurality of integrated circuit buffer devices using a single fly-by (or bus) signal path. An integrated circuit buffer device enables configurable effective memory organization of the plurality of integrated circuit memory devices. The memory organization represented by the integrated circuit buffer device to a memory controller may be different than the actual memory organization behind or coupled to the integrated circuit buffer device. The buffer device segments and merges the data transferred between the memory controller that expects a particular memory organization and actual memory organization. |
| US07685361B2 |
Virtualization method and storage apparatus for a storage system having external connectivity
A virtualization method for a storage system recognizes one or more logical devices located in a first and second storage apparatus and defined in a host apparatus as being connected to a channel, based on an inquiry command sent from the host apparatus when the channel comes on-line; detects one or more logical devices among the one or more logical devices defined in the host apparatus as being connected to the channel and located in the first and second storage apparatus, based on the recognition result; sets, based on the detection result, one or more virtual volumes in the first storage apparatus, respectively corresponding to the one or more logical devices in the second storage apparatus; and sets a first logical path between each of the set one or more virtual volumes and each of the corresponding one or more logical devices in the second storage apparatus. |
| US07685359B2 |
Method of setting a storage device
A method of setting a storage device that a storage management program is built in an application system is used to set a disk label of the storage device and without specially developed application program is set between the application system and the storage device. Some command codes are set as default in the storage device to detect whether the disk label of the storage device is set by the application system includes command codes or not to execute operations are set by the command codes so as to operate the storage device. |
| US07685357B2 |
Multilevel storage nonvolatile semiconductor memory device enabling high-speed data reading and high-speed data writing
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device transmits/receives data to/from a data input/output terminal every j bits (e.g., eight bits). Each of memory cells in a memory cell array can hold data of n bits in correspondence to 2n threshold levels. A write data conversion circuit generates write data from bit data input from the same data input/output terminal in a set of a plurality of data of j bits input at different timings. |
| US07685355B2 |
Hardware memory management unit simulation using concurrent lookups for address translation data
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for concurrently performing address translation data lookups for use by an emulator. On a first thread, a first lookup is performed for address translation data for use by an emulator. On a second thread, a second lookup for the address translation data is concurrently and speculatively performed. The address translation data from a successful lookup from either the first lookup or the second lookup is used to map a simulated physical address to a virtual address of the emulator. For example, the first thread can perform a translation lookaside buffer lookup while the second thread concurrently and speculatively performs a page table entry lookup for the address translation data. |
| US07685352B2 |
System and method for loose ordering write completion for PCI express
A method for managing the protocol of read/write messages in a PCI Express communication link is disclosed. The method comprises maintaining queues of write requests and read requests associated with each of a plurality of request identifications that are contained in a message header, wherein the read requests associated with a request identification are held in abeyance until such time that write requests associated with the request identification are completed. |
| US07685351B2 |
External device access apparatus
In response to a write request from a master to write to an external device, a control unit holds a write address and write data from the master in a write address holding unit and in a write data holding unit, respectively, outputs a reception signal to the master, and writes the write data to the external device specified by the write address. When the master holds the read address in the read address holding unit, the control unit reads data from the external device specified by the read address, and holds the read data in the read data holding unit. |
| US07685349B2 |
Modules and backplanes
Embodiments of a module and backplane are presented herein. |
| US07685346B2 |
Demotion-based arbitration
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for arbitrating requests from multiple agents based on an arbitration list to select an agent to receive an arbitration grant, determining whether the selected agent is associated with a grant counter that is at a value of zero, and if so dynamically reordering the arbitration list so that the selected agent is demoted to the lowest portion of the arbitration list. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07685345B2 |
Apparatus and method for fairness arbitration for a shared pipeline in a large SMP computer system
A modification of rank priority arbitration for access to computer system resources through a shared pipeline that provides more equitable arbitration by allowing a higher ranked request access to the shared resource ahead of a lower ranked requester only one time. If multiple requests are active at the same time, the rank priority will first select the highest priority active request and grant it access to the resource. It will also set a ‘blocking latch’ to prevent that higher priority request from re-gaining access to the resource until the rest of the outstanding lower priority active requesters have had a chance to access the resource. |
| US07685344B2 |
Method of setting priority of devices connected to bus, and apparatus having a plurality of devices and arbiter
The remaining time period until the deadline of transfer by a device connected to a bus is measured, the remaining data size to be transferred by the device is detected, and the priority level of the device is set based on the remaining time period and the remaining data size. |
| US07685343B2 |
Data access method for serial bus
A data access method for serial bus is provided. During a write/read cycle, the write/read cycle is divided into a plurality of transmitting intervals and a plurality of suspending intervals. In each of the transmitting intervals, a clock signal is transmitted on a clock pin and a data signal is transmitted on a data pin. In each of the suspending intervals, the clock signal stop being transmitted on the clock pin. In other words, the present invention uses an interrupted clock signal, such that an embedded controller can directly write a received data in a flash memory or directly output the data read from the flash memory, so as to avoid using a plurality of registers. Therefore, the present invention can decrease the cost of the embedded controller and reduce the area of the integrated circuit. |
| US07685342B2 |
Storage control apparatus and method for controlling number of commands executed in storage control apparatus
A storage control apparatus of the present invention controls the number of multiple commands issued from a host machine without shutting down the host machine. A communication port of the storage control apparatus carries out communications with the hosts in accordance with the iSCSI protocol. Command processing resources are managed for each communication port. A resource allocation control part calculates the number of commands capable of being received on the basis of the remaining amount of command processing resources inside shared port resources, a change in the number of commands received from a host, communication delay time, and the state of execution of a command issued from a host or the like. A MaxCmdSN is calculated by adding the results of command processing by a command execution part and the receivable number calculated by the resource allocation control part to the value of the latest CmdSN received from a host. The storage control apparatus adds the MaxCmdSN to a transmission frame and transmits it to the host. |
| US07685340B1 |
Method and system for programmable input/output transceiver wherein transceiver in configurable to support a plurality of interface standards
A method and system for a programmable input/output transceiver is disclosed. A circuit in accordance with the invention includes a programmable transceiver. The programmable transceiver is configured and/or controlled to support an interface standard. A system according to the present invention includes a programmable transceiver and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) core coupled to program the programmable transceiver. |
| US07685339B2 |
Remote control system and method thereof
A remote control system and a method thereof are provided. The remote control system includes a first host, an adapter, and a peripheral device. The first host converts a first serial signal into a first network packet, and then outputs the first network packet through a network. The adapter is connected to the network to receive the first network packet, and then converts the first network packet into a second serial signal complying with a universal serial bus (USB) format. The peripheral device is coupled to the adapter through the USB, and receives the second serial signal, so that the user can control the peripheral device at a remote site through the network. |
| US07685334B2 |
Method for efficient communication between a host library controller and a medium changer library
A host library controller employs a plurality of ports for establishing a plurality of communication paths from the host library controller to a medium changer library. The host library controller further employs a processor and a memory storing instructions for the processor to issue a command from a medium changer command set, and to select one or more of the ports for communicating the medium changer command to the medium changer library depending on a command processing status of each port. |
| US07685332B2 |
Datapipe CPU register array and methods of use
A system for data processing comprises a host circuit (104) and an integrated circuit (102), the host circuit (104) being external to the integrated circuit (102). The integrated circuit (102) includes a plurality of programming elements (300), each element (300) including a host interface (606) for receiving data and a first control signal from the host circuit (104), a control interface (604) for receiving a second control signal. Each element (300) includes a crosspoint switch (318), and a register array (628) for receiving and storing data from the crosspoint switch (318) according to the first and second control signals, for receiving and storing data from the host interface (606) according to the first and second control signals, and for communicating stored data to the crosspoint switch (318) according to the first and second control signals. |
| US07685331B2 |
Direct memory access controller
A direct memory access controller (DMAC) is disclosed. In one case, the DMAC is configured to manage a DMA transmission of mass data with non-continuous addresses with a nonvolatile memory. The DMAC has to transmit them in batches according to their respective continuous addresses but, different from the prior art systems, does not interrupt a CPU for each batch of the DMA transmissions. In a DMA transmission between a functional device and the nonvolatile memory, a central processor configures a link-list of cluster addresses, which is obtained from a FAT (i.e., a file allocated table) in the nonvolatile memory and may be non-continuous, in a logic address buffer. Then, a divide unit provided in the DMAC divides a non-continuous link-list of cluster addresses from the logic address buffer into a plurality of continuous sub-link-list of cluster addresses, thus the DMAC can configure each batch of DMA transmission according to the continuous sub-link-list of cluster addresses without causing impact on the CPU. |
| US07685325B2 |
Synchronous bus controller system
A system for generating bus signals for a plurality of remote stations. Bus data packets are comprised of a plurality of data blocks. Each data block is directed to a remote station. The position of each data block in the data packet identifies the remote station to which the data block is directed. Each of the remote stations receives each data packet substantially synchronously. The remote stations decode the data packets to determine the type of data packet and identify the content of the data packet directed to it. Each remote station loads the corresponding content from the data packet. Each of the remote stations can then generate output signals based on the data packet content substantially synchronously with the other remote stations. |
| US07685321B2 |
Native virtualization on a partially trusted adapter using PCI host bus, device, and function number for identification
A mechanism that allows a single physical I/O adapter, such as a PCI, PCI-X, or PCI-E adapter, to perform I/O transactions using the PCI host bus, device, and function numbers to validate that an I/O transaction originated from the proper host is provided. Additionally, a method for facilitating identification of a transaction source partition is provided. An input/output transaction that is directed to a physical adapter is originated from a system image of a plurality of system images. The host data processing system adds an identifier of the system image to the input/output transaction. The input/output transaction is then conveyed to the physical adapter for processing of the input/output transaction. |
| US07685319B2 |
Low latency communication via memory windows
A high performance computer system has compute nodes interconnected by an inter-node communication network. The compute nodes include local packetized interconnects. Shared memory between compute nodes is emulated by tunneling packetized interconnect packets between the compute nodes. A memory region on one of the compute nodes is used as a window into a memory region in another compute node. Special registers may be provided to expedite remote operations on small amounts of data. |
| US07685310B2 |
Computer system and dynamic port allocation method
Either a controller in a storage system, or a management computer monitors a bandwidth used in each I/O port in the storage system, and a bandwidth used by each host computer connected to each I/O port, and redirects a host computer using a bandwidth close to a difference in bandwidth used in the I/O ports, from the I/O port where a maximum bandwidth is used to the I/O port where a minimum bandwidth is used. |
| US07685305B2 |
Media coding for loss recovery with remotely predicted data units
An improved loss recovery method for coding streaming media classifies each data unit in the media stream as an independent data unit (I unit), a remotely predicted unit (R unit) or a predicted data unit (P unit). Each of these units is organized into independent segments having an I unit, multiple P units and R units interspersed among the P units. The beginning of each segment is the start of a random access point, while each R unit provides a loss recovery point that can be placed independently of the I unit. This approach separates the random access point from the loss recovery points provided by the R units, and makes the stream more impervious to data losses without substantially impacting coding efficiency. The most important data units are transmitted with the most reliability to ensure that the majority of the data received by the client is usable. The I units are the least sensitive to transmission losses because they are coded using only their own data. While they provide the best coding efficiency, the P units are the most sensitive to data loss because the loss of one P unit renders useless all of the P units that depend on it. The remotely predicted units are dependent on the I unit, or in an alternative implementation, on another R unit. |
| US07685299B2 |
Method for minimizing denial of service attacks on network servers
A method for providing communications network security can include receiving a round-trip network latency for a client specifying an open port duration. A port can be opened to receive a request from the client. The port can be closed when an amount of time at least as great as the open port duration has passed since the opening of the port. |
| US07685295B2 |
Wireless local area communication network system and method
A wireless network for supporting mobile unit traffic segmentation for a plurality of mobile units to associate each mobile unit with virtual networking services (VNS). The wireless network includes a plurality of radio units and access controllers. Each radio unit is adapted to initiate the connection of a mobile unit to the network by transmitting and receiving communication data to and from the mobile unit. Each access controller is adapted to receive communication data from each radio unit during the connection of a mobile unit. Based on the communication data transmitted to the radio unit during connection of the mobile unit, access controller is able to discover VNS factors for the mobile unit communication session and to establish a communication session based on the VNS factors discovered during the connection process such that the mobile unit is connected to the network on the basis of the characteristics defined by the virtual networking services. |
| US07685292B1 |
Techniques for establishment and use of a point-to-point tunnel between source and target devices
Described are techniques to establish an on-demand, secure, point-to-point tunnel between a source device of a source network to a target device of a target network. The target network may not be visible to the source network. The target network includes a tunnel client and a tunnel server may be a perimeter device of the source network. The tunnel client may send a first message to the tunnel server. Data may be transmitted from the source to target device by including the data in a return message in response to the first message. The first message and the return message may be sent over one or more “heartbeat” connections which are continually established and torn down to transmit data between the two networks, and the source and target devices therein. |
| US07685283B2 |
Method for modeling on-demand free pool of resources
The invention comprises a computer-implemented process for managing computing resources provided to customers in an on-demand data center. The process comprises: providing a shared computing environment; providing to each customer one or more logical partitions of computing resources within the shared computing environment; allocating at least one processing engine to each logical partition; modeling a selected customer's resource utilization as a beta distribution; iteratively selecting a random resource utilization value from the beta distribution and, for each logical partition, calculating a processing engine differential; for each iteration, calculating a collective processing engine differential until the collective processing engine differential converges on an optimal processing engine differential; and adjusting the number of processing engines by the optimal processing engine differential to achieve an optimal free pool size. |
| US07685282B2 |
Data processing method, data processing apparatus, and recording medium
The present invention has enabled computing resources existing in domestic network systems to be utilized with a maximum efficiency. Actual condition of the connection of client apparatuses to a domestic network and overall computing resources of the domestic network are integrally controlled by a personal computer functioning itself as a private server. When a PDA outputs a request to a personal computer for downloading image data on a server, the image data is downloaded and stored in a hard disk area owned by the personal computer and offered to the PDA. A connected condition of the client apparatuses to the domestic network is constantly monitored. Even when any of the client apparatuses is provisionally disconnected from the network, proper service is continuously rendered by applying the computing resources offered to the client apparatus. |
| US07685280B2 |
Populating requests to multiple destinations using a mass request
A method, system and computer program product for communicating requests to multiple destinations in a business transaction are disclosed. A mass request is communicated to a processing center, the mass request including an identification portion and a content portion. The identification portion is used to obtain a parent attribute common to requests to all destinations. The content portion is parsed to generate multiple content strings corresponding to the multiple destinations. The parent attribute and each content string is combined to generate an individual request to a respective destination. |
| US07685277B2 |
Automatically identifying an optimal set of attributes to facilitate generating best practices for configuring a networked system
A method and system for automatically identifying an optimal set of attributes of entities included in a networked system. Entity types are ranked based on information gain. A first classification accuracy relative to a first entity type is determined. The first entity type is the top-ranked entity type or a first aggregate entity type. A second entity type is selected based on the ranking. A database join of a first set of attributes associated with the first entity type and a second set of attributes associated with the second entity type is performed. A second classification accuracy relative to a second aggregate entity type generated by the join is determined. In response to determining that the second classification accuracy is not greater than the first classification accuracy, an optimal set of attributes contributing to a problem in the networked system is identified as the first set of attributes. |
| US07685275B2 |
Network interaction analysis
Network interaction analysis is disclosed. Traffic is monitored including a network interaction. Monitoring includes monitoring at least one of TCP, HTTP, or IP layer information. The network interaction is analyzed based at least in part on a source of a transaction determined from the layer information. |
| US07685267B2 |
Method and system for connecting to a field device
A communication module for a measuring instrument may include a first interface, a second interface, and an integrated web client. To the first interface a measuring instrument can be connected, whereas to the second interface a database can be connected. The communication module is configured to receive at the first interface a measurement value and to forward it to the second interface by the web client. |
| US07685266B2 |
Management of tools that process data to describe a physical layout of a circuit
Presented herein are embodiments of techniques to manage a plurality of tape-out tools each executing on a plurality of computing devices. The tape-out tools designed to process circuit design data to physical mask data which describes the physical layout of a circuit. The techniques including management of resources used by a tape-out tool and real-time feedback from a tape-out tool. |
| US07685263B2 |
Method and system for configuring a device with a wireless mobile configurator
Consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a wireless mobile device is configured to receive a configuration file from a configuration server. After receiving the configuration file, the wireless mobile device establishes a wireless communication session with a computing device within proximity of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to send the configuration file to the computing device so as to enable a configuration application executing on the computing device to configure the computing device in accordance with configuration information included in the configuration file. |
| US07685258B2 |
Disconnectible applications
Embodiments provide mechanisms and methods for providing disconnectible applications capable of executing at least semi-autonomously, i.e., without needing constant contact with a server, on a client substantially independent of server connectivity. The ability of a disconnectible application to execute on a client substantially independent of server connectivity can enable enhanced flexibility in organizing applications to build data processing systems. |
| US07685255B2 |
System and method for prefetching uncacheable embedded objects
A system and method for prefetching one or more embedded objects marked uncacheable using a buffer on a prefetch cache to temporarily store the uncacheable object. The buffer is allocated to a socket that is established between the prefetch cache and a server subsequent to the establishment of an initial connection. A prefetch caching process retrieves one or more embedded objects from the server using the socket based on the preconfigured set of rules. The prefetch caching process determines whether the embedded object is uncacheable, and if so loads the object into the buffer. The prefetch caching process waits a predetermined time period for client request for the object. If the request is received prior to expiration of the time period, the prefetch caching process sends the object to the client. Otherwise, the process “flushes” the buffer, thereby discarding the object, and then closes the socket. |
| US07685252B1 |
Methods and systems for multi-modal browsing and implementation of a conversational markup language
A new application programming language is provided which is based on user interaction with any device which a user is employing to access any type of information. The new language is referred to herein as a “Conversational Markup Language (CML). In a preferred embodiment, CML is a high level XML based language for representing “dialogs” or “conversations” the user will have with any given computing device. For example, interaction may comprise, but is not limited to, visual based (text and graphical) user interaction and speech based user interaction. Such a language allows application authors to program applications using interaction-based elements referred to herein as “conversational gestures.” The present invention also provides for various embodiments of a multimodal browser capable of supporting the features of CML in accordance with various modality specific representations, e.g., HTML based graphical user interface (GUI) browser, VoiceXML based speech browser, etc. |
| US07685247B2 |
System for publishing and converting messages from identified, authorized senders
A message publishing system operative to process a message from a sender in a first format has a central processor; at least one sender account, at least one storage area configured to store at least a first portion of the message, and software executing in the central processor. The processor is configured to identify the sender of the message as an authorized sender based on information associated with the message in comparison to data in the sender account, wherein the identification is dependent upon the first format. The processor is configured to convert at least a second portion of the message from the first format to a second format. The processor is also configured to publish the converted second portion of the message so as to be viewable in the second format only if the sender has been identified as an authorized sender. |
| US07685245B1 |
Digital notification and response system
A digital notification and response system utilizing an administrator interface to transmit a message from an administrator to a user contact device. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes user contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard gateways simultaneously to groups of user contact devices based upon priority information. Once the message is received by the user contact device, the user contact device transmits a response through the industry standard gateways back to the dynamic information database. |
| US07685244B2 |
System and method for redirecting message attachments between a host system and a mobile data communication device
A mobile communication device (MCD) receives at least a portion of a message redirected from a messaging system over a wireless network, with the message containing a notification of an attachment. The MCD queries local attachment displayers regarding their location, electronic address and the types of attachment files that can be processed. The MCD then generates a request for the attachment, with the request containing information regarding at least one local attachment displayer. |
| US07685241B2 |
Mapping online service user ID to portal user ID
A system and method are directed towards mapping a first user ID, such as an alias game ID, which may be used by multiple users, to a second user ID, such as a portal messenger ID. A user registers with an intermediary service, such as a game data aggregation service, and provides both the first user ID and the second user ID. The aggregation service detects when the first user ID is being used by one or more users in a first service, such as an online game service. The aggregation service also detects when a client probe reports to a second service, such as a portal messenger service, that the second user ID is participating in the same service. The aggregation service determines whether one instance of the first user ID from the first service corresponds to the second user ID from the second service. |
| US07685240B2 |
E-mail communication apparatus, e-mail communication method and program
To provide an e-mail communication apparatus, an e-mail communication method and a program capable of, in the case of receiving e-mail which is split e-mails including request-to-send (RTS) information for transmitting the e-mail to a predetermined destination, suitably performing transmittal confirmation without transmitting to a source the e-mail of the transmittal confirmation as to each of multiple pieces of the split e-mails. First, an MFP 100 having received the e-mail determines whether or not the e-mail is one of multiple divided data pieces generated by dividing image data by a data amount so as to store it. In the case where the received data is the divided data, the MFP 100 determines whether or not all the divided data pieces of the image data are stored, and transmits transmittal confirmation mail based on an MDN request if all are stored. |
| US07685237B1 |
Multiple personalities in chat communications
The same user is able to project different personalities while visiting different chat rooms. The personalities are tailored to the chat room being visited. Different personalization items (e.g., an icon or avatar, wallpaper, sounds, a smiley set, and text style) are provided based upon the chat room that the user is visiting. The personalization items may be customized based upon the identity of the chat room (such as a particular chat room, the type of chat room, or the content of the chat room). The personalization items may be host based and may leverage instant messaging (“IM”) personalization items. The personalization items may be user selected or user provided. |
| US07685234B2 |
Multimedia system allowing consumers using multimedia interface to modify and share product information
An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browser-based interface called the GraffitiWall™. Consumers can use the GraffitiWall™ to modify and display a sponsor's brand information in any way desired. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWall™, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWall™. An archive of GraffitiWalls™ is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand. Interaction with consumers through focus groups, one-to-one interviews, discussions, games and promotions allows the hosting company to reinforce brand equities; speak directly to their target audience; test new and updated products and services; and encourage participation to a brand via purchases and signups by rewarding the participant with coupons, samples, gift certificates, and the like. An ongoing dialogue between business and consumer, as well as consumer-to-consumer, nurtures customer participation, loyalty and satisfaction, and builds a community housed within the company's brand. |
| US07685232B2 |
Method for anonymous collaborative filtering using matrix factorization
System and method for performing Collaborative Filtering while preserving complete user anonymity are provided. Each of a group of client devices sends a rating vector anonymously to a server. The cells in each rating vector correspond to a set of items, and selected cells have ratings provided by the user associated with the corresponding client device for the corresponding items. The server aggregates all the rating vectors into a rating matrix, and factorizes the rating matrix into a user feature matrix and an item feature matrix through approximation, such that the rating matrix equals the product of the user feature matrix and the item feature matrix. The item feature matrix is sent to the client devices. Each of the client devices calculates its own user feature vector based on its rating vector and the item feature matrix, and provides personalized recommendations on selected items based on the client's user feature vector and the item feature matrix. |
| US07685227B2 |
Message forwarding backup manager in a distributed server system
A distributed server system may include a primary manager, one or more backup managers communicatively coupled to the primary manager, and one or more workers communicatively coupled to the one or more backup managers. The one or more backup managers may receive a command to backup the state of the distributed server system. The backup managers may forward work tasks to the one or more communicatively coupled workers. The backup managers may further aggregate responses received from the one or more communicatively coupled workers and send the aggregated response to the primary manager. |
| US07685226B1 |
Mechanism for data migration across networks
In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for a mechanism for data migration across networks is disclosed. The method includes: randomly selecting a template from a local cache at an agent, the template indicating one or more characteristics of event data entities the agent is searching for; querying, via random connections from the agent, one or more other connected agents for the event data entities matching the template; if a matching event data entity for the template is found, returning the matching event data entity to the local cache of the agent; and if a matching event data entity for the template is not found, diffusing the template to the one or more other connected agents via a data diffusion process. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07685224B2 |
Method for providing an attribute bounded network of computers
An attribute bounded network of computers is created. Computers in the distributed computer network are identified by specific attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region) and a server is used to distribute processing assignments (e.g., addresses of electronic documents to be indexed) based upon the identified attributes. A peer-to-peer computer network is also provided based upon geographically bounded regions, the peer-to-peer computer network can be used to share electronic documents. A virtual community can be created within a peer-to-peer computer network by identifying peer computer connections based upon associated attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region). The attribute bounded network of computers provides indexes having fresher data by allowing spidering of electronic documents more often than can be done by a central server indexing site. |
| US07685223B1 |
Network-wide service discovery
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for network wide discovery of service ports of a gateway device in a storage area network (SAN) that are available for use by hosts on a first particular network segment, for example, for accessing storage devices in the SAN. The hosts of the first Internet Protocol (IP) network segment implement an IP and not a fiber channel protocol, while devices in the SAN (and possibly other hosts on other network segments) implement a fiber channel protocol. The particular network segment may also be isolated from other network segments that are each in communication with a different gateway device or set of service ports than the first network segment. In general, available ports are discovered with respect to a particular network segment, such as the first network segment. That is, only the service ports that are capable of communication with the first network segment are discovered to be available for the hosts of such first network segment. Other service ports are not capable of communication with the first network segment. For example, these service ports are configured to communicate with another network segment that is isolated from the first network segment. These other service ports are not discovered to be available to hosts on the first network segment. |
| US07685221B1 |
Efficient remainder calculation for even divisors
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a circuit, method, and computer-readable media for calculating xmody, wherein x and y are binary numbers, and wherein y is an even number. The circuit comprises a power of two calculator adapted to receive signals representing binary number y and to provide signals representing binary numbers r and m, wherein y=r2m; a vector splitter adapted to receive signals representing binary number x and signals representing the binary number m, and to provide signals representing binary numbers x[w:m] and x[m−1:0], wherein the binary number x[m−1:0] comprises the m least-significant bits of the binary number x and the binary number x[w:m] comprises the w−m+1 most-significant bits of the binary number x; and a remainder calculator adapted to receive the signals representing the binary numbers x[w:m] and r, and to provide a binary number x[w:m]modr, wherein the binary number x[w:m]modr is a remainder of a quotient of the binary number x[w:m] divided by the binary number r; wherein the binary number x[w:m]modr comprises the most-significant bits of a binary number representing xmody and the binary number x[m−1:0] comprises the least-significant bits of the binary number representing xmody. |
| US07685220B2 |
Circular fast fourier transform
A Decimation In Frequency (DIF) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) stage is used in an N bin FFT, wherein N is an even integer. The DIF FFT stage includes swap logic that receives a first input sample, x(v), and a second input sample, x(v+N/2), and selectively supplies either the first and second input samples at respective first and second swap logic output ports or alternatively the second and first input samples at the respective first and second swap logic output ports, wherein 0≦v |
| US07685218B2 |
High frequency signal construction method and apparatus
A method of adding high frequency content to an input signal to form an augmented signal, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an initial signal having a first predetermined lower spectral range; (b) utilizing the initial signal to form synthesized high frequency components of the initial signal; (c) filtering the initial signal with a low pass filter and filtering the synthesized high frequency components with a high pass filter (d) combining the filtered signals to form the augmented signal. |
| US07685217B2 |
Channel-select decimation filter with programmable bandwidth
A channel-select decimation filter capable of operating in multiple bandwidth modes includes a first low pass filter stage, a variable gain stage, a subtraction module a second low pass filter stage and a down-sampling module. The first low pass filter stage includes a first programmable delay module for filtering input signals to produce first low pass filtered signals. The variable gain stage applies a programmable gain to the input signals to produce gained input signals. The subtraction module subtracts the first low pass filtered signals from the gain input signals to produce first stage signals. The second low pass filter stage includes a second programmable delay module for filtering the first stage signals to produce channel-selected signals. The first programmable delay module, second programmable delay module and programmable gain are programmed to implement one of the multiple bandwidth modes. |
| US07685215B1 |
Fast-carry arithmetic circuit using a multi-input look-up table
In one embodiment of the invention, programmable circuits, such as FPGAs, may be used to implement different types of functions, such as a multi-bit adder, using look-up table (LUT) circuits as their building blocks. Efficient generation of carry-out signals and fast-carry generation signals using available SRAM cells in the various embodiments of the LUT circuit can reduce and/or eliminate area-inefficient look-ahead carry logic without a significant delay in signal generation. |
| US07685208B2 |
XML payload specification for modeling EDI schemas
Modeling an electronic data interchange (EDI) document using extensible Markup Language (XML) at runtime. A plurality of structural elements is identified in the EDI document. A plurality of corresponding data values is identified from the identified plurality of structural elements in the EDI document. A plurality of annotations is generated for a plurality of rules included in the EDI document. The plurality of rules defines operations associated with the plurality of corresponding data values. The determined data values and the generated annotated is transformed into an XML schema corresponding to the EDI document. The XML schema is processed at runtime. |
| US07685205B2 |
Application management system and method for managing an application
An application management system includes an application manager for managing an application and associated with a database resource storing a plurality of entities. The application manager includes an input for receiving an input defining an event in which a user is involved in the application or an input defining an event involving a manipulation of at least one entity in the database resource. A context is associated with the event and is represented by a set of references to the entities stored in the database resource. The application manager includes a situation representation manager for determining a situation representation that defines a subcontext. The situation representation manager identifies a subset of references to a plurality of entities that are relevant to the event. The application manager adapts the behavior of the application to a situation or a future situation on the basis of the situation representation. |
| US07685203B2 |
Mechanism for multi-domain indexes on XML documents
An XML document can contain domain-specific information, which typically has its own semantics and operations independent of the XML domain. Specialized indexes and operations are used to manage information within different types of domains, for example, text, spatial, life sciences, time series, image, and multimedia domains. Entries in domain-specific indexes are augmented to include data that indicates the position of domain information within the underlying hierarchy, referred to as order keys. The domain-specific index is used to locate instances of the requested information within the domain and to determine whether any of the instances satisfy the request. Determining whether the request is satisfied includes determining whether any of the instances of the domain information are positioned within the hierarchy at a location that satisfies the path specified in the request, i.e., an instance of the information has an appropriate relationship with the particular node specified in the request. |
| US07685202B2 |
Event importance adjustment method and device for carrying out the method
An event importance adjustment device which extracts events which reflect a course of video contents, and extracts scenes which reflect the course of the video contents. The event importance adjustment device comprises a digest scenario information storing unit that manages a digest scenario information indicative of an extraction condition and an extraction order of an event. The event importance adjustment device further comprises a scenario importance adjusting unit that inputs event information with importance containing the events and situation information to extract an appropriate event. |
| US07685201B2 |
Person disambiguation using name entity extraction-based clustering
Described is a technology for disambiguating data corresponding to persons that are located from search results, so that different persons having the same name can be clearly distinguished. Name entity extraction locates words (terms) that are within a certain distance of persons' names in the search results. The terms are used in disambiguating search results that correspond to different persons having the same name, such as location information, organization information, career information, and/or partner information. In one example, each person is represented as a vector, and similarity among vectors is calculated based on weighting that corresponds to nearness of the terms to a person, and/or the types of terms. Based on the similarity data, the person vectors that represent the same person are then merged into one cluster, so that each cluster represents (to a high probability) only one distinct person. |
| US07685196B2 |
Methods and systems for task-based search model
Methods and systems for a computer-implemented method for managing service requests from a customer by a business entity are provided. The method includes generating a project folder relating to a first service request received from the customer by a first user, searching a plurality of information sources using keywords relating to the customer request, storing working documents responsive to the search request in the project folder that is accessible by at least one of the first user and a second user, and organizing the project folder in a database with meta data to describe the task content such that at least one of the first user and the second user can later locate the working documents during a subsequent search for a second service request similar to the first service request using the project folder such that an amount of time to answer the similar service request is facilitated being reduced. |
| US07685195B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing web site search terms
Systems and methods are provided for identifying candidates for new search terms that may be purchased from a search engine company. Candidate search terms are identified from a session log, such as by analyzing the presence of the candidate search terms in relation to data stored in the session log. |
| US07685188B2 |
Automated generation of computer-executable compensation procedures for previously executed methods
Mechanisms for executing a transaction such that it may be undone after being committed. The mechanism maintains a mapping between each of a number of groups of one or more direct methods with a corresponding group of one or more inversion methods, that, when executed, causes the computing system to at least partially undo the effects of the execution of the corresponding group of direct methods. Upon beginning a transaction, the computing system runs a one or more groups of one or more direct methods that are part of the transaction. The mapping is then used to identify the corresponding group(s) of inversion methods. The identities of each corresponding group of inversion methods are then saved to a compensation record. The transaction is then committed, and the compensation record is saved to a persistent media along with a transaction identifier. |
| US07685183B2 |
System and method for synchronizing assets on multi-tiered networks
An exemplary method and/or exemplary embodiment of the present invention synchronizes an asset over a multi-tiered network. An asset may represent network and/or application components (e.g., data, objects, applications, program modules, etc.) that may be distributed among the various resources of the network. Synchronization addresses the restoration of asset coherency in a distributed system, i.e. bringing changes made to assets on one distributed node into harmonization with changes made to assets on another distributed node. In an embodiment, a synchronization call having a data argument and an asset type is received, an adapter associated with the asset type is selected, and the data argument is passed to the adapter. The asset type is determined, as well as a table associated with the asset type. A synchronization information object is retrieved from a target environment on a target node, and a synchronization asset is created based on the synchronization information. A connection is established between the target node and the asset's original source node, and the synchronization asset is sent from the target node to the source node. |
| US07685178B2 |
System and method for examining client generated content stored on a data container exported by a storage system
A system and method for examining the content of a client file system stored on an exported lun is provided. A client agent interfaces with a client file system to determine block layout information of data containers within the client file system. This block layout information is then transmitted to the storage system exporting the lun. The storage system utilizes the block layout information to generate a shadow volume utilizing the storage system's file system. |
| US07685173B2 |
Security and authorization development tools
A computer system executing a method for tracking custom computer application development profiles in a data processing system comprising a first, second and third database tool connected to each other; a data bank connected to each database tool; and a security and authorization interface connected to the data processing system. The first database tool, or security and authorization profile change request database, comprises a first set of protocols which create and edit the profiles, and allows requestors an ability to view the documented progress of queries of the profiles. The second database tool, or profile requirement worksheet, comprises a second set of protocols which gather requirements of the profiles and identify the data. The third database tool, or Profile Matrix, comprises a third set of protocols which track modifications of the profiles and allows tracking capability of the tasks required to gather and implement changes to the profiles. |
| US07685168B2 |
Removing web application flicker using AJAX and page templates
A web page is rendered under the control of a client. A content server divides a webpage in multiple empty partitions. Each of the partitions has an associated pointer to data that can populate the partition. When data changes, the content server transmits pointers for all data for all of the partitions, including new pointers to new changed data. If an old pointer to old data is the same as a new pointer to the new data, the client ignores the new pointer. If the new pointer and the old pointer are different, then the client uses the new pointer to obtain the new data for that particular partition. |
| US07685167B2 |
Configuration management database reference instance
A reference instance for use in a configuration management system is a configuration item that may be associated with a number of assets, all of which share a common set of attributes. The use of reference instances permits a single configuration item to identify a potentially large number of assets. This may be particularly useful for identifying and tracking low-priority assets where the detail or amount of information needed to effectively track and manage the asset is relatively small. Use of reference instance configuration items allows an organization to identify and manage virtually all of their assets without the cost and effort of creating large numbers of substantially identical configuration items. |
| US07685163B2 |
Automated creation of media asset illustrations
The invention pertains to techniques for creating media asset illustrations for media assets are disclosed. The created media asset illustrations are useful for media assets that lack associated media asset illustrations. The techniques can analyze media asset data or media asset metadata when creating the create media asset illustrations. The created media asset illustrations can, for example, be used while playing, browsing or displaying associated media assets. |
| US07685158B2 |
System and method for managing an on-board entertainment system
A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle. |
| US07685155B2 |
System and method of providing and utilizing an object schema to facilitate mapping between disparate domains
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitated data object persistence. An object schema is utilized to provide metadata for types in addition to what is provided by the type system for an underlying programming language. This metadata is then utilized by the system to translate data to and from user objects during a materialization or persistence process. The object schema provides information external to programming logic and type definitions. Consequently, the object schema can be deployed independent of an application thereby allowing the persistence storage of user objects to change without force the user to recompile and deploy application code. |
| US07685150B2 |
Optimization of queries over XML views that are based on union all operators
Optimization is provided for database statements involving XML data, e.g., XPath and XQuery, which operate over views that use aggregate set operators, e.g., UNION ALL. As part of a “view merge” stage of query transformation, the query that operates over the view is merged with a query that defines the view. One or more expressions (e.g., operators, predicates, virtual table constructs) from the query that operates over the view are then “pushed down” to operate on the individual underlying XML data constructs. “Branch elimination” is performed based on the structure of the view and the query acting over the view, based on which it is possible to determine whether any of the sub-queries, if executed, would result in the return of zero rows. If so, then such branches are eliminated from the transformed query, leaving a reduced set of data containers on which to execute the query. |
| US07685148B2 |
Automatically configuring a distributed computing system according to a hierarchical model
A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. The model includes four distinct levels: fabric, domains, tiers and nodes that provide for the logical abstraction and containment of the physical components as well as system and service application software of the enterprise. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control nodes are responsible for all levels of management in accordance with the model, including fabric management, domain creation, tier creation and node allocation and deployment. |
| US07685147B2 |
Automatic management method and system with category-based correlations
In an autonomic management method for self-configuring a subject entity in a data processing system, the subject entity retrieves, from a set of rules published by an authority entity, one or more rules corresponding at least one category of the subject entity. Each rule defines a desired state for a category, and at least one retrieved rule includes at least one formal parameter defining a correlation with at least one further category. For each retrieved rule, the subject entity resolves each formal parameter included in the retrieved rule by associating each further category specified in the formal parameter with at least one further subject entity belonging to the further category. The subject entity also applies the retrieved rule to configure the subject entity according to the desired state specified in the retrieved rule. |
| US07685141B2 |
Connection sub-graphs in entity relationship graphs
Techniques are described herein for a connection sub-graph generator that identifies important relationships between entities in entity relationship graphs. The generator first identifies two entities in an entity relationship graphs. A plurality of candidate path relationships between the two entities may be determined. For each such candidate path relationship, the generator determines a path type based on types of edge relationships that make up the candidate path relationship and generates a score value for the candidate path. This score value is based in part on the path type of the candidate path relationship. One or more candidate path relationships that have score values that indicate a high likelihood of interest to a user is selected to be included in a connection sub-graph. |
| US07685140B2 |
Dynamic information systems
This invention discloses the concept of a dynamic metasystem managing a dynamic system, achieved through the use of, and an environment (i.e., tools and ontologies) supporting dynamic artifacts. A system for generating a dynamic information system comprises a persistent dynamic repository of data and an integration metasystem. The repository forms an asymmetric navigational database, and the database includes an ontology model. The ontology model has an abstract model framework that supports creation and use of multi-dimensional and asymmetric abstract models of data, and views which define the content and form of presentation of that data using a computer. The integration metasystem includes components that describe components of shared infrastructure and services of an enterprise architecture, and a dynamic information system software tool generating artifacts representing information and views that define the presentation of data. The artifacts are provided to the ontology model, and have interfaces to the abstract model framework that permit creation, reading and modification of the contents of the asymmetric navigational database. |
| US07685139B2 |
Translating an order's stock keeping unit hierarchy to an order fulfillment structure
A method for translating a stock keeping unit (SKU) hierarchy in a customer order to a type-model-feature (TMF) structure in a vendor's order fulfillment system. A translation table relating the SKU hierarchy and TMF structure is defined. The SKU hierarchy includes SKU numbers that identify a configurable part and configurable options that specify a product. An initial order for the product includes the SKU hierarchy. Using the translation table, the SKU numbers are translated into an instance of the TMF structure. A multi-value characteristic is populated with values that include the SKU numbers and subline identifiers. A second order for the product is created that includes the instance of the TMF structure and subline values associated with the SKU number that identifies the configurable part. |
| US07685138B2 |
Virtual cursors for XML joins
A system, method, and computer program product to improve XML query processing efficiency with virtual cursors. Structural joins are a fundamental operation in XML query processing, and substantial work exists on index-based algorithms for executing them. Two well-known index features—path indices and ancestor information—are combined in a novel way to replace at least some of the physical index cursors in a structural join with virtual cursors. The position of a virtual cursor is derived from the path and ancestor information of a physical cursor. Virtual cursors can be easily incorporated into existing structural join algorithms. By eliminating index I/O and the processing cost of handling physical inverted lists, virtual cursors can improve the performance of holistic path queries by an order of magnitude or more. |
| US07685129B1 |
Dynamic data set migration
Determining when to migrate a data set includes providing performance criteria for the data set, measuring performance of the data set to provide a measured performance of the data set, and, if the measured performance indicates that the data set is not performing according to the performance criteria, choosing a new location for migrating the data set and migrating the data set to the new location. Migrating the data set may include moving the data set to a new location irrespective of whether other applications are accessing the data set. Choosing a new location may include analyzing each of a plurality of locations to determine if a projected performance thereof is according to the performance criteria. Determining when to migrate a data set may include adjusting the performance criteria after the data set has been made operational. |
| US07685128B2 |
Remote access agent for caching in a SAN file system
Addressed is a system and method for remote data caching and replication by local copy maintenance of remote data within a SAN file system. Distributed Storage Tank (DST), an extension to a SAN file system, provides for transparent SAN client access of local copies by importing, exporting, and storing data using network file access protocols as well as by providing assurance of metadata and file content validity. A Remote Access Agent (RAA) handles protocol implementation and conversion necessary for communication with remote data sources. Controlled by a consistency policy, consistency is maintained by RAA fetching and updating local copies if modifications have occurred to a file since it was first stored as a local copy in local storage. Additionally, RAA returns metadata pertaining to the requested data. A SAN client obtains metadata corresponding to the requested data and utilizes it to directly access locally stored copies of remote data. |
| US07685127B2 |
Database access system, method of accessing a database, and method of designing a database access system
A method for accessing a database is provided. The method includes creating in a design environment a file that defines a metadata. The metadata relates at least one business object and at least one query. The method also includes communicating the file to a mobile device, storing the file on the mobile device, and transforming the file into a binary structure at an initial run of a computer application running on the mobile device. The binary structure is adapted to be read by the computer application. The method also includes recording the binary structure in a memory of the mobile device. A method for providing database access for a plurality of files with a limited number of database access channels is provided. A method for is provided for accessing a database in a computing environment for a plurality of recordsets. Each of the plurality of recordsets is associated with a database access channel for fetching records of the plurality of recordsets from the database upon occurrence of a preselected event. A method of fetching data for a plurality of active file from a database having a limited number of database connections is provided. A computer readable medium is provided which stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions include a method for providing database access for a plurality of files with a limited number of database access channels. A device for accessing a database is provided. A system for updating a database access program is provided. |
| US07685124B2 |
Systems and methods for performing authorization
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for performing an authorization check for a user. In one implementation, a data processing system is provided that includes means for storing first data descriptive of at least one directed acyclic graph and for storing second data descriptive of an assignment of a user to a first node of the graph. The data processing system also includes means for receiving an access request of the user, the access request specifying a second node of the graph. Furthermore, the data processing system includes means for determining a least common ancestor of the first and second nodes of the graph and means for performing an authorization check adapted to grant authorization for the access request if the least common ancestor of the first and second nodes is the first node. |
| US07685122B1 |
Facilitating suspension of batch application program access to shared IMS resources
The present invention includes aspects pertaining to enabling an IMS batch application program to temporarily release its access to IMS resources that it shares with an IMS database management system or other non-IMS system agent, without terminating the application program. The present invention identifies when the batch application program issues a call that generate a sync point, and disconnects the program's connection to the IMS resources. The batch application program retains access to any independently obtained non-IMS resources when the program is disconnected from the IMS resources. The IMS database management system or other non-IMS system agent has temporary exclusive access to the IMS resources after the batch application program connection is disconnected. After such temporary exclusive access is complete, the batch application program's connection to the IMS resources is reestablished, and the batch application receives a response to its original call that generated a sync point. In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of IMS batch application programs temporarily release their access to IMS resources. In this embodiment, the IMS database management system or other non-IMS system agent obtains temporary exclusive access to the IMS resources after all of said plurality of batch application program connections to IMS resources are disconnected. |
| US07685121B2 |
Structure and method for maintaining ordered linked lists
A hierarchically-organized linked list structure have a first level comprised of sections of sequentially-ordered segments, and a second level comprised of representatives of each of said sections at the first level. A method for maintaining the hierarchically-organized linked list structure to facilitate segment insertion, retrieval and removal. |
| US07685119B2 |
System and method for query expansion
A system is disclosed for expanding a user query based on user learned popularity rankings. User queries often have no exact match, resulting in a user having to refine or abandon the search. The disclosed system obtains popularity rankings based on the content of a user query. The system expands the user query based on the popularity rankings. Thereafter, query results based on the expanded user query may be provided to the user. The system also regularly learns from user behavior and adapts the popularity rankings according to the learned information. |
| US07685118B2 |
Method using ontology and user query processing to solve inventor problems and user problems
A system, method and computer program product for solving a problem based on ontology methods for data/knowledge presentation and processing, may be implemented in a linguistic processing module. The basic components of the linguistic processing module may be a linguistic knowledge base (KB), an ontology KB, and/or an expert KB. The problem solved may include a user or an inventor problem. The method may include storing a user query which may include a structured, or a non-structured description, parsing a non-structured query to create a structured query including a formal semantic representation of the query, semantically expanding the formal semantic representation, searching the expert KB using the formal semantic representations to local solutions for the problem, and semantically sorting the solutions to produce a list of solutions of the problem. |
| US07685109B1 |
Method and apparatus for data partitioning and replication in a searchable data service
Method and apparatus for repartitioning and replication of a searchable index in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store. The searchable index may be repartitioned, and a partition may be moved to another storage node, to allow the searchable index to grow beyond the limits of a single storage device. Repartitioning may also be performed to provide load-balancing of write requests. Partitions may be replicated across two or more storage nodes to provide redundancy, data durability, data availability and load balancing of read requests among the storage nodes and/or across data centers. In one embodiment, a lazy replication mechanism may be used in the replication of partitions. In one embodiment, replication may be performed using an anti-entropy protocol to replicate a partition, and a gossip protocol to update the replicated partition. |
| US07685104B2 |
Dynamic bitmap processing, identification and reusability
A method, system and article of manufacture for query execution management in a data processing system and, more particularly, for managing execution of queries having one or more related query conditions. One embodiment provides a method for managing execution of a query against data of a database. The method comprises receiving a current query against the data of the database, the current query including a plurality of query conditions, for each query condition of the plurality of query conditions, determining whether a previously generated dynamic bitmap index can be re-used for the query condition of the current query, the dynamic bitmap index having been previously generated for a previous query condition associated with a previous query executed against the data of the database; and if the dynamic bitmap index has been generated for the previous query condition, retrieving the dynamic bitmap index, and determining a query result for the current query using all retrieved dynamic bitmap indexes. |
| US07685098B2 |
Estimating the size of a join by generating and combining partial join estimates
A program product, an apparatus, and a method of estimating a join size by generating partial join estimates and combining the partial join estimates. In particular, robust formulas are provided that may result in more consistent estimates and fewer inaccuracies. Inconsistencies and inaccuracies are generally present in conventional join size estimation techniques, however, consistent with the invention, consistent join size estimates may be generated resulting in improved access plan selection during optimization. |
| US07685097B2 |
Method and system for aggregating and disseminating time-sensitive information
A method of aggregating and disseminating time sensitive information. A data source is searched to identify recently-posted information items matching predetermined selection criteria. A respective relevance score is calculated for each identified information item. A respective urgency rating is determined for each identified information item. Each information item is triaged using the urgency rating, and disseminated to at least one client based on the triage result. |
| US07685093B1 |
Method and system for comparing attributes such as business names
Embodiments of systems and methods for comparing attributes of a data record are presented herein. Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present invention generate a weight based on a comparison of the name (or other) attributes of data records. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention generate a weight based on a comparison of name attributes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention may calculate an information score for each of two name attributes to be compared to get an average information score for the two name attributes. The two name attributes may then be compared against one another to generate a weight between the two attributes. This weight can then be normalized to generate a final weight between the two business name attributes. |
| US07685089B2 |
Method for fast decision-making in highly distributed systems
An embodiment includes a prediction system for initiating a data transfer to a decision system. The prediction system is configured to identify a decision, the decision being a result of a computation of the decision system according to a set of predefined rules and input data. The prediction system is further configured to identify predicted input data representing a portion of the input data and to initiate a transfer of the predicted input data to the decision system prior to the computation of the decision. |
| US07685080B2 |
Regularized least squares classification or regression with leave-one-out (LOO) error
Techniques are disclosed that implement algorithms for rapidly finding the leave-one-out (LOO) error for regularized least squares (RLS) problems over a large number of values of the regularization parameter λ. Algorithms implementing the techniques use approximately the same time and space as training a single regularized least squares classifier/regression algorithm. The techniques include a classification/regression process suitable for moderate sized datasets, based on an eigendecomposition of the unregularized kernel matrix. This process is applied to a number of benchmark datasets, to show empirically that accurate classification/regression can be performed using a Gaussian kernel with surprisingly large values of the bandwidth parameter σ. It is further demonstrated how to exploit this large σ regime to obtain a linear-time algorithm, suitable for large datasets, that computes LOO values and sweeps over λ. |
| US07685077B2 |
Recursive feature eliminating method based on a support vector machine
Method, apparatus and system are described to perform a feature eliminating method based on a support vector machine. In some embodiments, a value for each feature in a group of features provided by a training data is determined. At least one feature is eliminated from the group by utilizing the value for each feature in the group. The value for each feature in the group is updated based upon a part of the training data that corresponds to the eliminated feature. |
| US07685075B2 |
Costing system and method
A costing system. The costing system includes a costing model and a costing engine. The costing model records parent-child relationships between a plurality of stages of a production line, and at least one valuation type for each stage. The costing engine retrieves a group of valuation type combinations corresponding to the parent stages of the target stage from the costing model, and combines the target valuation type corresponding to the target stage with valuation type combinations corresponding to the parent stages, thereby generating a cost identification, and costing results accordingly. |
| US07685073B2 |
Methods for negotiating agreement over concealed terms through a blind agent
The present invention relates to methods, processes, apparatus, algorithms, etc., for secure identification of secret answers that satisfy secret questions. The methods, etc., can be used for the negotiated exchange of information, goods, or services when the Seeker and the Provider conceal their negotiating positions. |
| US07685070B2 |
Method and system for using entertainment files as ring tones
A method and system, suitable for using an original entertainment file for playing as a ring tone on a communication device (104), is provided. The method includes decrypting (304) a part of the original entertainment file using an authorization key upon receiving an incoming call signal. The part of the original entertainment file is played (306) until the incoming call signal is acknowledged. The method further includes decrypting (308) a remaining part of the original entertainment file using the authorization key after the incoming call signal is acknowledged. The remaining part of the original entertainment file is then encrypted (310) using a local authorization key to form a second entertainment file. The second entertainment file is then stored (312) in the communication device. |
| US07685066B1 |
Providing a customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit
A method for providing a customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit includes communicating to a customer one or more solicitations offering the customer a credit account and providing the customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit associated with the credit account. The method also includes receiving a response to the one or more solicitations from the customer requesting the credit account and selecting at least one of the one or more options. The method also includes storing data associated with the credit account to book the credit account according to the response from the customer. At least some of the data reflects the one or more options selected by the customer and an increase of the line of credit provided as a result of the selection of the at least one option by the customer. |
| US07685060B2 |
System and method for managing financial account information
A system is provided that includes a party file having a plurality of party records with each of the plurality of party records having party information relating to one of a plurality of parties. Also included is an account file having a plurality of account records with each of the plurality of account records having account information relating to one of a plurality of accounts. Each of the plurality of account records also includes a link to at least one of the plurality of party records. Finally, a transaction file is included having a plurality of transaction records with each of the plurality of transaction records having transaction information relating to one of a plurality of transactions. Each of the plurality of transaction records includes a link to one of the plurality of account records. |
| US07685055B2 |
System and method for automatic repositioning of market information in a graphical user interface
A method for automatically positioning information related to a commodity on a graphical user interface. Market information is displayed on the graphical user interface. The market information may be presented as a number of indicators, corresponding to particular items of interest, that are associated with a static scale. The scale may, for example, represent price. Upon detecting a predetermined condition, the location of the market information is automatically repositioned. |
| US07685052B2 |
Confidential block trading system and method
A method for facilitating trading of securities over a computer system comprises electronically receiving a buy or sell order for a security from a first user; determining that the order is reasonably priced; transmitting to a second user an electronic notification that a reasonably priced order for the security is present, but without notifying the second user of the side of the first user's order; receiving an order from the second user, wherein the second user's order is a contra to the first user's order and sufficiently aggressive in price to cross the first user's order; and executing a trade comprising the first user's order and the second user's order at the limit price of the first user's order. Also described is an electronic system for facilitating securities trading that comprises a facilitator module, a financial information exchange server, a transactional database, and an analytics server. |
| US07685051B2 |
System for settling over the counter trades
A system for automatically determining a trade settlement pathway comprising: receiving trade pathway preferences from a first and second party with respect to each other; wherein the trade is settled through clearing if both parties have available accounts with a clearing firm and the trade satisfies each party's clearing account credit limitations; and wherein the trade is settled bilaterally if at least one party does not have an available clearing account or both parties prefer to settle the trade bilaterally, and the trade satisfies each party's bilateral credit limitations. |
| US07685049B1 |
System and method for coalescing market data at a client device
A client device coalesces data received from an exchange, and provides a client application such as a graphical user interface with the opportunity to process fewer, but up-to-date, data updates from an exchange when a large volume of prices becomes available. Accordingly, the trader can be assured of receiving updated information that are fed to the client applications at a rate that is cohesive with that client device's processing speed. |
| US07685048B1 |
Electronic trading system for forwards spread trades
A trading system and method for trading forwards among a plurality of parties is presented. Among the features that the system implements are the following: counterparty enablement by forward term and/or region; a user selectable area on the monitor for executing again a trade that was just executed; a sweep trading feature for permitting a trader to sequentially aggress on a series of orders in the same forward; a spread-trading feature for allowing traders to directly trade on the difference between bid prices and offer prices for corresponding orders on a primary and secondary leg/link; providing a feature for joining orders wherein a trader may add a new bid or offer that has the same terms (e.g., price and quantity) of a perceived market best bid or offer; and enabling a party to make multiple bids and offers for the same forward within the same term at varying pricing. |
| US07685032B2 |
Employment-tax information aggregator
A system for paying and filing employment tax operates by updating a set of electronic templates such that the electronic templates are compatible with current formats of associated governmental agencies, receiving financial information associated with a user, selecting an electronic template from the set of electronic templates, and merging the financial information with the electronic template to produce a document. This financial information includes employment-tax information that has a format that is compatible with payroll-accounting software, and the electronic template is compatible with a submission format of a governmental agency. Next, the system submits the document to the governmental agency. |
| US07685028B2 |
Method of testing inventory management/shipping systems
An inventory management, and a shipping/returns management system can be analyzed to determine various performance characteristics of an e-commerce operator, such as whether the latter maintains sufficient items to meet demand, whether distribution is occurring in a timely fashion, etc. The systems are analyzed using one or more anonymous proxy accounts. |
| US07685027B2 |
Method and system for enterprise-wide migration
Disclosed are a method of and system for enterprise-wide migration. The method comprises the steps of creating instances of databases for a migration, for billing and reporting, and repositing reports; gathering information on the organization, location, hardware, and software affected by said migration into a database for planning said migration; and building an inventory of the affected hardware and software using an inventory tracking tool or an inventory mailer. Migration hardware and software is ordered based on said planning and said inventory, using an inventory tool; and labor, hardware, and software as installed are tracked and billed, using said billing and reporting database. Agents for said creating, gathering, building and tracking are enabled using an agent control facility. |
| US07685022B1 |
System and method of offering media content
A system and method of offering media content is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of a disaggregated media content item from a user computer at a server via an online site that offers a catalog of items. The method also includes identifying a catalog item related to the selected disaggregated media content item. Further, the method includes displaying a detail interface via the online site, the detail interface including details related to the disaggregated media content item and a recommendation of the identified catalog item. A graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed that includes a song-level detail page including a plurality of details related to an individual song available for download via an online site. The GUI includes at least one recommendation of at least one other item associated with a performer of the individual song, where the other item(s) are offered via the online site. |
| US07685021B2 |
Method and apparatus for initiating a transaction based on a bundle-lattice space of feasible product bundles
The invention, referred to herein as PeaCoCk, uses a unique blend of technologies from statistics, information theory, and graph theory to quantify and discover patterns in relationships between entities, such as products and customers, as evidenced by purchase behavior. In contrast to traditional purchase-frequency based market basket analysis techniques, such as association rules which mostly generate obvious and spurious associations, PeaCoCk employs information-theoretic notions of consistency and similarity, which allows robust statistical analysis of the true, statistically significant, and logical associations between products. Therefore, PeaCoCk lends itself to reliable, robust predictive analytics based on purchase-behavior. |
| US07685019B2 |
System and method for optimizing the delivery of advertisements
The present invention relates to systems and methods for the optimized delivery of one or more advertisements from a group of advertisements. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a request for one or more advertisements and retrieving advertisements responsive to the request received. Click through data associated with the one or more advertisements is retrieved and is normalized using a normalization algorithm. The normalized click through data is used to assign weights to the one or more advertisements. Tracking codes are generated for the one or more advertisements to track user interactions with a given advertisement. Advertisements are distributed according to the one or more advertisements' associated weights with associated tracking codes in one or more formats to one or more locations through which advertising may be conducted. |
| US07685016B2 |
Method and system for analyzing relationships between persons
A software method for analyzing relationships between individuals can include the step of establishing a recordation framework for recording relationships between individuals. At least one relationship based on organization structure can be recorded using the established framework. Additionally, at least one relationship based upon project-specific collaborations can be recorded using the framework. At least one relationship based upon social interactions can also be recorded using the framework. The recorded relationships can be queried to determine a set of organizational, project-specific, and social relationships for a defined group of individuals. |
| US07685015B2 |
Optimized deployment of parts in a supply chain network
Locations that include supply, manufacturing, demand locations, and channels are defined. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location and for each part at each channel. A total landed cost is calculated for each part at each location and each channel. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A demand over lead-time is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function is generated for the parts at the locations and the channels from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand. |
| US07685014B2 |
Bank queue monitoring systems and methods
A system for monitoring a queue including an entry sensor subsystem for sensing the entrance of customers into the queue, an exit sensor subsystem for sensing the exit of customers from the queue, and a processing system in communication with the entry and exit sensor subsystems. The processing system is operable to log a customer sensed by the entry sensor as entering the queue, determine from the exit sensor subsystem if the logged customer has exited the queue within a predetermined time period, and if the logged customer has exited the queue within the predetermined time period, log the customer as having received service or, if the logged customer has not exited the queue within the predetermined time period, provide an indication to management personnel. |
| US07685011B2 |
Method and system for optimizing resource allocation based on cohort times
The present invention is a method for improving resource allocation comprising the steps of identifying at least one criteria; Identifying sets of information wherein each set of information includes a unique unit of analysis (UOA-ID), a calendar/clock time (CCT), a CATVAR and a VAR Value; grouping each UOA-ID into an appropriate specific population (Type); identifying a Start Time wherein each UOA-ID has met said at least one criteria; forming at least one prospective or retrospective Cohort time segment for each UOA-ID based on their Start Time; placing the UOA-ID into the appropriate time segment; calculating an eligibility score for each UOA-ID for each time segment; calculating an Eligible Adjusted Variable Value; and generating at least one Output Expression that can be subdivided by each CATVA. |
| US07685009B2 |
Individual location selection and reservation system
The present invention relates to a system and method for interactively selecting one or more physical locations at a venue by an end user over a wide area network. The system or method transmits information relating to a set of available individual physical locations at a venue to an application running on a general purpose computer on the wide area network for display to the end user. The system or method also provides a graphical user interface on the computer that comprises an interactive map representing information relating to the set of available individual physical locations from which the end user can select one or more available individual physical locations, the graphical user interface providing additional current available physical location information on the set of available individual physical locations in response to a user interaction with the graphical user interface, the interaction being triggered when placing a mouse over the graphical user interface, wherein the mouse over causes the computer to display the additional current available physical location information indicating physical locations that have not been previously taken. In addition, the system or method receives from the end user a selection of one or more available individual physical locations, wherein the selection is based on a mouse click and accepts over the wide area network from the end user payment information for the one or more available individual physical locations. |
| US07685008B2 |
Account level participation for underwriting components
An account management system has been developed that enables customer or client-related information to be stored, viewed and manipulated in a manner that reflects the relationship among different customers. The account management system includes an account data structure that defines accounts and relates customers to accounts so that the accounts include a group of related customers. In addition, a method of managing an underwriting account for an insurance policy has been developed. In particular, a method comprises the steps of establishing a plurality of participants; assigning each participant of the plurality of participants to an account; establishing business rules at an account level; and providing an underwriting decision for an account based upon the business rules. |
| US07685007B1 |
Method for linking insurance policies
An insurance program that provides improved health care and longevity by emphasizing health improvement and maintenance. After a predetermined waiting period from the time health insurance is purchased, during which the health status of the insured is maintained or improved, the insured may link the health insurance policy with one or more other types of insurance policies, such as; life, disability, nursing home, etc. Throughout the life of the policy, portions of the premiums may be deposited in an escrow account, provided that the health of the insured is maintained or improved, which may be utilized to pay or help pay for the linked insurance and may also be utilized for retirement benefits. |
| US07685006B2 |
Pharmacy automated accounts receivable system and methods
A Pharmacy Automated Accounts Receivable (PAR) System and Methods allows a pharmacy drug store chain to manage, track, and reconcile third party payor receivables associated with prescription transactions. The PAR system obtains and uses data types including, but not limited to, prescription claim data, third party deposit data, third party payor data, and remittance advice data. The data obtained is configured into a PAR database to form PAR data that is used for automatically reconciling third party payor receivables associated with prescription transactions. |
| US07685005B2 |
Medical device systems implemented network scheme for remote patient management
A system and method for computer enabled network patient management of medical devices used in chronic disease management. Utilizing web site and push alert notification of alert level physiologic data derived via analysis of continuous stream wireless data transmissions from a patient, a full cycle improvement over existing modalities is achieved. Proxy and medical device user integration and access is enabled to achieve further contribution to the technical advantages of the system. |
| US07685002B2 |
Method and system for processing medical billing records
A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product are provided for processing professional and technical billing records relating to medical care provided to patients at a medical facility. The method includes (a) providing at a computer system a mapping of a set of professional billing codes and corresponding technical billing codes; (b) receiving at the computer system a professional billing record provided by a professional medical provider relating to medical services provided by the professional medical provider to a patient, the professional billing record comprising one or more professional billing codes; (c) identifying one or more technical billing codes corresponding to the one or more professional billing codes received in step (b) using the mapping, and providing the one or more technical billing codes to a user entering technical charges to a technical billing record to facilitate entry of technical charges relating to the medical care provided to the patient; (d) receiving at the computer system the technical billing record provided by the user, the technical charges comprising one or more technical billing codes; and (e) automatically reconciling the professional billing record and the technical billing record at the computer system to facilitate identification of errors or omissions in the one or more technical billing codes or the one or more professional billing codes. |
| US07684997B2 |
Machine readable colored envelopes
Systems and methods for providing a machine readable colored envelope and systems and methods for processing such envelopes are described. In certain examples, the machine readable colored envelopes are colored using a reversible negative photochromic colorant that bleaches when exposed to an activation energy such as ultraviolet radiation and returns to its original color after the activation energy is removed. In another example, the colorant has more than one stable color state. |
| US07684995B2 |
Method of permitting group access to electronically stored images and transaction card used in the method
A method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images includes the steps of: providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice provider; providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate password to the unique user ID; at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate passwords; and viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the separate password. |
| US07684994B2 |
Next generation visibility package tracking
The present invention involves systems and methods for tracking one or more shipped items that are shipped via a carrier. A set of expected occurrences are established for each item shipped. The items are then shipped and the shipment of the one or more shipped items is monitored for an occurrence of the set of expected occurrences, the occurrence of any non-expected event, and a non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences. If there is the occurrence of any non-expected event or the non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences, then such an event is made available to at least the shipper. |
| US07684993B2 |
Value diagnostic tool
User-specified information pertaining to business challenges of an organization is received, and one or more predefined business processes that address the business challenges of the organization are identified. Further, the one or more predefined business processes are recommended to a user. In one embodiment, the user is provided with recommendations on best practices addressing the business challenges of the organization. |
| US07684988B2 |
Testing and tuning of automatic speech recognition systems using synthetic inputs generated from its acoustic models
A system and method of testing and tuning a speech recognition system by providing pronunciations to the speech recognizer. First a text document is provided to the system and converted into a sequence of phonemes representative of the words in the text. The phonemes are then converted to model units, such as Hidden Markov Models. From the models a probability is obtained for each model or state, and feature vectors are determined. The feature vector matching the most probable vector for each state is selected for each model. These ideal feature vectors are provided to the speech recognizer, and processed. The end result is compared with the original text, and modifications to the system can be made based on the output text. |
| US07684982B2 |
Noise reduction and audio-visual speech activity detection
A noise reduction system including an audio-visual user interface combines visual features extracted from a digital video sequence with audio features extracted from an analog audio sequence. The digital video sequence may show the face of a speaker, and the analog audio sequence may include background noise in an environment of said speaker. Audio sequence detection means are used to detect said analog audio sequence, and audio feature extraction and analysis means are used to analyze said analog audio sequence and extract said audio features therefrom. Video sequence detection means are used to detect said video sequence, and visual feature extraction and analysis means are used to analyze the detected video sequence and extract said visual features therefrom. A noise reduction circuit is configured to separate the speaker's voice from said background noise based on a combination of derived speech characteristics and output a speech activity indication signal. The speech activity indication signal includes a combination of speech activity estimates supplied by said audio feature extraction and analysis means and said visual feature extraction and analysis means. A multi-channel acoustic echo cancellation unit is configured to perform a near-end speaker detection and double-talk detection algorithm based on the speech characteristics derived by said audio feature extraction and analysis means and said visual feature extraction and analysis means. |
| US07684980B2 |
Information flow transmission method whereby said flow is inserted into a speech data flow, and parametric codec used to implement same
For the transmission of a secondary information flow between a transmitter and a receiver, the secondary information flow is inserted at a parametric vocoder of the transmitter which generates a main information flow. The main information flow is a speech data flow encoding a speech signal and is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver. Bits from the secondary information flow are inserted into only some of the frames of the main information flow, these frames being selected by a frame mask which is known to the transmitter and the receiver, and/or into a determined frame of the main information flow, by imposing a constraint on only some of the bits of the frame, these bits being selected by a bit mask known to the emitter and the receiver. |
| US07684979B2 |
Band extending apparatus and method
A band extending apparatus includes a spectral parameter calculating circuit for calculating spectral parameters of a narrow-band input signal, a coefficient calculating circuit supplied with the spectral parameters to convert the spectral parameters into coefficients of a band extended signal, and a gain circuit supplied with a gain from a gain adjustment circuit and multiplying an output signal of a noise generating circuit with the gain to output the resulting signal to a synthesis filter circuit. The synthesis filter circuit forms a filter by receiving coefficients from the coefficient calculating circuit. The signal from the gain circuit is passed through the filter. The synthesis filter circuit outputs a high band signal for band extension. The band extending apparatus also includes a sampling frequency converting circuit, supplied with the narrow-band input signal to output a signal up-sampled to a preset sampling frequency, and an adder for summing the high band signal to the up sampled signal to output a band extended signal. |
| US07684977B2 |
User adaptive system and control method thereof
In an interface unit, an input section obtains an input signal of user's speech or the like and an input processing section processes the input signal and detects information relating to the user. On the basis of the detection result, a response contents determination section determines response contents to the user. While, a response manner adjusting section adjusts a response manner to the user, such as speech speed and the like, on the basis of the processing state of the input signal, the information relating to the user detected from the input signal, and the like. |
| US07684973B2 |
Performance improvement for software emulation of central processor unit utilizing signal handler
As fast and powerful commodity processors have been developed, it has become practical to emulate on platforms built using commodity processors the proprietary hardware systems of powerful older computers. High performance is typically a key requirement for a system even when built using emulation software. In a hardware design many special cases and conditions which may cause exceptions are detected by logic operating in parallel with the instruction execution. In software these checks can cost extra cycles of processor time during emulation of each instruction and be a significant detriment to performance. Avoiding some of these checks by relying upon the underlying hardware checks of the host system and then using a signal handler and special software to recover from these signals is a way to improve the performance and simplify the coding of the software emulation system. |
| US07684971B1 |
Method and system for improving simulation performance
The invention is a technique that allows very efficient execution of an instruction set simulator (ISS) when certain code fragments are simulated. They occur frequently in operating systems, when a processor waits for something to occur. These loops perform very little, if any, computation. An automatic analysis of the code fragments is performed to determine whether they can be transformed to “fast forward” when execution loops through the code fragment. This is done by the creation of a function g, that takes a number of state changes as an input and can compute the state at a time T by a single application of the function, rather than applying the next state function repeatedly until time T is reached. An important aspect of the resulting optimization is that it produces exactly the same simulated result as compared to when it is not applied, i.e. the optimization is non-intrusive. |
| US07684968B1 |
Generation of a high-level simulation model of an electronic system by combining an HDL control function translated to a high-level language and a separate high-level data path function
Generating a high-level, bit-accurate and cycle-accurate simulation model. The various embodiments generate the simulation model from a functional description of a module and an HDL description of the module. The functional description may be un-timed and specified in a high-level language. The HDL description is realizable in hardware. The simulation model is created by obtaining the control specification from the HDL description and combining the control specification with the data path description from functional description. |
| US07684964B2 |
Model and system state synchronization
Embodiments of model and system state synchronization are presented herein. An exemplary model of a distributed system includes a plurality of instances where an instance includes an instantiation of a type that includes property values and relationships in the model of the distributed system and includes an associated version history to link each version of an instance to a change request for the distributed system. Other exemplary methods, systems, devices, etc. are also disclosed. |
| US07684963B2 |
Systems and methods of data traffic generation via density estimation using SVD
Systems and methods for providing density-based traffic generation. Data are clustered to create partitions, and transforms of clustered data are constructed in a transformed space. Data points are generated via employing grid discretization in the transformed space, and density estimates of the generated data points are employed to generate synthetic pseudo-points. |
| US07684952B2 |
Determining density contrast at subsurface interface
Method for subsurface exploration. In one implementation, the method may include receiving a gamma value at a subsurface interface, wherein the gamma value is a ratio of Vp/Vs at the subsurface interface. Vp is the average P wave velocity and Vs is the average S wave velocity. The method may further include receiving a converted wave reflection coefficient at the subsurface interface. The converted wave reflection coefficient is a function of a density contrast at the subsurface interface and a shear velocity contrast at the subsurface interface. The method may further include determining a P wave incident angle such that the converted wave reflection coefficient is a function of substantially only the density contrast at the P wave incident angle. The P wave incident angle is referred to herein as θ. The method may further include calculating the density contrast based on the converted wave reflection coefficient at θ. |
| US07684951B2 |
Method and device for detecting a pulse-type mechanical effect on a system part
A method and a device for detecting a pulse-type mechanical effect at a system component, include continuously recording an operating noise in the system component with a sensor disposed at the system component and converting the operating noise with the sensor into a measured signal subjected to a mathematical transformation. A sliding mean is calculated by determining quantiles from determined transformations and an evaluation function, which displays an application of the pulse-type mechanical effect on the system component, is derived from the sliding mean. |
| US07684948B2 |
Electrical connection for testing head gimbal assemblies
A method for forming an electrical connection with head gimbal assembly. At least a portion of an unmounted head gimbal assembly is placed on a surface. The unmounted head gimbal assembly includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion includes contact pads, and the surface includes electrical contacts and slots. A section of the flexible portion is pushed against the surface, and the contact pads are interconnected with the electrical contacts using a clamp assembly controlled by a computer. The clamp assembly includes a clamp with pins, and the interconnecting includes engaging the pins with the slots, rotating the clamp towards the surface, and clamping the contact pads against the electrical contacts. |
| US07684946B2 |
Weigh-in-motion system with auto-calibration
Weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems for weighing moving vehicles, the systems having the ability to automatically determine and periodically apply calibration factors to WIM scale readings. Auto-calibration may include transferring both WIM and static weight readings for the same vehicle to a database, associating the weight readings, collecting a number of such weight readings, and analyzing the differences between the WIM and static weight readings to calculate WIM scale calibration factors. The calibration factors may be based on vehicle characteristics such as vehicle weight, vehicle class and/or vehicle speed at the WIM scale. |
| US07684945B2 |
Method for the calibration of a yaw rate measurement
In a method for the calibration of a yaw rate measurement in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle features at least one device for determining the yaw rate, a camera system which is oriented in the forward direction, and, if applicable, a steering angle sensor or a lateral acceleration sensor. At least one initial calibration is carried out at a standstill and at least one second calibration is carried out when the motor vehicle is moving. The second calibration uses image data of the camera system, which detects the environment in front of the motor vehicle, to predict the course of the roadway lane on which the vehicle is driving, from which the yaw rate is estimated. |
| US07684940B2 |
Method and system to identify grounding concerns in an electric power system
A method and system to detect and evaluate improper grounding/grounded bonds in an electrical power system is disclosed. An example method is detecting improper grounding in an electrical power system having a plurality of monitoring devices coupled to a grounded conductor and a grounding conductor. Data of the voltage between the grounded conductor and the grounding conductor is received from the plurality of monitoring devices. The spatial orientation of the data from the plurality of monitoring devices is determined within a hierarchy of the electrical power system. The voltage data received from the plurality of monitoring devices is compared to determine a bond (or lack of a bond) between the grounded conductor and the grounding conductor. |
| US07684939B2 |
Method for designing an absorbent article
A method for designing an absorbent article. The steps of the method are generating a physical spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a physical test environment, generating a virtual spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a virtual test environment, identifying absorbent-fluid interaction properties for the absorbent such that the virtual spatial map of saturation approximates the physical spatial map of saturation, inputting the absorbent-fluid interaction properties into a virtual model of the absorbent article to produce a representation of at least one feature of the absorbent article, evaluating the virtual model of the absorbent article to determine the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article, modifying the design of the absorbent article in response to the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article determined from the virtual model of the absorbent article. |
| US07684938B1 |
Self-cleaning ultrasonic flow sensor
Acoustic windows that are portions of an ultrasonic sensor used to measure a rate of flow of a fluid are wetted whenever the fluid is present. These windows may become coated with a contaminant film during operation. The contaminant may be removed by applying an acoustic cleaning signal to the same ultrasonic transducers used in the flow measurement. The cleaning signal frequency is commonly on the order of one to a few tens of kilohertz, which is substantially less than the measurement signal frequency, which is commonly on the order of a few megahertz. Several approaches are described that isolate the cleaning and measurement functions and that provide protection to signal amplifiers that are used in the measurement process and that could be damaged by high cleaning voltages. |
| US07684937B2 |
Evaluation method of fine pattern feature, its equipment, and method of semiconductor device fabrication
Equipment extracts components of spatial frequency that need to be evaluated in manufacturing a device or in analyzing a material or process out of edge roughness on fine line patterns and displays them as indexes. The equipment acquires data of edge roughness over a sufficiently long area, integrates components corresponding to a spatial frequency region being set on a power spectrum by the operator, and displays them on a length measuring SEM. Alternatively, the equipment divides the edge roughness data of the sufficiently long area, computes long-period roughness and short-period roughness that correspond to an arbitrary inspection area by performing statistical processing and fitting based on theoretical calculation, and displays them on the length measuring SEM. |
| US07684936B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for determining a future time of a component
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for determining a future time associated with a component, where the future time can be indicative that some action can be taken with respect to the component. In some embodiments, the future time can be indicative of a component's remaining useful life or time until maintenance is required. The future time can be determined as a function of a health indicator and a material constant. In some embodiments, the functional relationship between the future time, the health indicator and the material constant can be based on the functional relationship of Paris' law for fatigue crack growth. |
| US07684925B2 |
Engine warm-up of a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine
Cold start and warm-up operations of an HCCI engine are improved through coordinated control of engine valves, fuel injection and spark timing. |
| US07684918B2 |
PTO brake control system
The invention relates to a PTO brake control system. There is a need for an improved and safe PTO brake control system. A PTO may be put into a driven and a non-driven condition an is braked by a PTO brake. A PTO brake control system includes a vehicle speed sensor and an ECU for controlling the PTO brake. The ECU deactivates the PTO brake when the vehicle is stationary and the PTO is not driven. This allows the PTO to be manually rotated to facilitate coupling of the PTO to an implement. |
| US07684914B2 |
Collision determining apparatus for a vehicle
A collision determining apparatus for a vehicle includes: a first acceleration measuring device; a second acceleration measuring device; a movement amount calculating device; a change in movement speed calculating device; a first collision determining threshold value setting device which sets a collision determining threshold value for a correlation between the amount of movement of the occupant and the change in movement speed of the occupant based on the acceleration which is measured by the first acceleration measuring device; a first collision determining device which determines whether or not the correlation exceeds the collision determining threshold value; and a control signal generating device which generates a control signal which controls operations of an occupant protection apparatus, in accordance with a result of a determination by the first collision determining device. |
| US07684909B2 |
Data transmission method and device
The invention concerns a data transmission method, and its implementing device, in an integrated closed system of computers, such as, for example, in an aerial or land vehicle, comprising a step which consists in transmitting point-to-point data between two transmission nodes, for example via a wire system, each node having one or more channels enabling each transmission with a single node, a step which consists in converting data for transmission thereof, for example, in series. The invention is characterized in that it does not comprise any step of physical or logical control for authorizing and/or validating the transmitted data so that any data reception at a node is unconditionally followed by a retransmission, that is the control of the dataflows is implicitly determined by the cabled topology used. |
| US07684905B2 |
System and method for verifying the integrity of a train
A system for verifying the integrity of a train having a predetermined length including: a device for communicating and synchronising with a detector of a circuit, detecting the presence/absence of a train, an odometer providing an odometric reference at the start of occupation of the circuit and when the circuit is left by the train, a first processor calculating the distance travelled by the train on the basis of the difference between the two odometric references, a second processor calculating a minimum estimate of the length of the train that is equal to the calculated distance travelled less the algebraic length of the detection circuit, information mechanism indicating that the train is integral when the calculated length of the train is greater than the predetermined length of the train less the length of a wagon. |
| US07684901B2 |
Automatic utility usage rate analysis methodology
An automatic method of which days/hours represent good candidates for reducing demand to achieve potential savings and the amount of demand reduction that can be achieved with a tolerable level of disruption to status quo operations. Demand interval data including utility usage rate (UUR) values is received from one or more utility monitoring devices, and are sorted in descending order. A percent difference is calculated for each UUR value relative to the previous one, and a cumulative percent difference accumulates the percent differences from the preceding rows. The average cumulative percent difference is divided by the total number of UUR values in the measured period to produce a ratio. The standard deviation of time is determined, and from those demand data associated with ratios greater than a ratio threshold and standard deviations less than a standard deviation threshold the demand reduction amount and the number of control hours are determined. |
| US07684899B2 |
Process controller having improved surge capacity control and related methodology
A method and related non-linear level controller (NLLC) for controlling surge capacity in a processing system including at least one vessel receiving an inlet flow of a fluid including a liquid subject to variation and supplying an outlet flow to at least one downstream unit includes the step of computing a first parameter relating to a difference between a current inventory in the vessel and a prevailing inventory limit for the vessel and a second parameter relating to a difference between the current inventory and an inventory set point. An unforced time to reduce the first parameter by a first percentage (T*) is compared to a first time T1. The inlet flow or outlet flow is then controlled based on the first parameter if T*≦T1 and based on the second parameter if T*>T1. |
| US07684898B2 |
Method for calibrating a tool center point of tools for industrial robots
A method for calibration of a working point (TCP) for tools on industrial robots with a calibration device includes the use of at least two light barriers with an azimuth angle (α) greater than zero at an angle to each other and intersecting at an intersection point. The method includes fixing set TCP positional coordinates for a set working point for the tool, relative to a tool reference point and a TCP coordinate system relative to the working point, moving the tool to the set working point with relation to the TCP coordinate system through the light barriers, such that the tool tip interrupts the light barriers, recording actual TCP positional coordinates determining the difference between the set TCP positional coordinates for the interruption of the light barriers for a set working point and the corresponding recorded actual TCP positional coordinates for the actual working point, calculating the actual working point from the set working point for the number of levels of light barriers from the differences and the known position and azimuth angles (a) of the light barriers. |
| US07684894B2 |
Autonomously moving robot
An autonomously moving robot that drives while evading an obstacle by an environment information acquisitioner. The information acquisitioner includes an imager that takes an image of a circumference on a driving route, an image recognition processor that extracts an area having a property relating to a region of a human body, a ranger that measures a range and an orientation to an object existing in the circumference on the driving route, a range information analyzer that obtains a shape of the object, and an environment recognizer that recognizes the environment information on the driving route. The environment recognizer compares the area extracted in the image recognition processor with the object recognized in the range information analyzer, and recognizes the object as a person when both of them agree with each other. |
| US07684893B2 |
Product support and dispensing system for a vending machine
A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes. |
| US07684886B2 |
Method and system for managing and validating product development
A method is provided for managing and validating product development. The method may include obtaining a product specification for a product and identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications. The method may also include developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products. Further, the method may include obtaining approval for the performance specification, developing the product according to the performance specification, and validating that the product meets the performance specification. |
| US07684885B2 |
Wireless digital audio system
A wireless digital audio system includes a portable audio source with a digital audio transmitter operatively coupled thereto and an audio receiver operatively coupled to a headphone set. The audio receiver is configured for digital wireless communication with the audio transmitter. The digital audio receiver utilizes fuzzy logic to optimize digital signal processing. Each of the digital audio transmitter and receiver is configured for code division multiple access (CDMA) communication. The wireless digital audio system allows private audio enjoyment without interference from other users of independent wireless digital transmitters and receivers sharing the same space. |
| US07684880B2 |
Fuel cells service method and apparatus
Embodiments for servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor is implemented for generating information indicative of operation of the system. The information is communicated to a tool operatively connected with the system. The information is evaluated to determine if the system is operating as intended. Based on the information, a recommendation for returning the system to intended operation is determined. The recommendation is performed. The first three steps are repeated until the system is operating as intended. |
| US07684879B2 |
Automating tuning of a closed loop controller
The present invention is a novel device, system, and method for simultaneous selection of filters and loop proportional gain for a closed loop system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method provides an automated selection of the portion of the controller known as the speed loop compensator. The method may operate on a frequency response function that represents the dynamic response from an actuation force (e.g. motor torque) to the sensor used for feedback of speed control (e.g. motor encoder angle). The frequency response function may be represented as a series of complex numbers each with a corresponding frequency value. The tuning method determines the combination of filter parameters that allows the loop proportional loop gain (Kp) to be maximized while meeting a specified set of criteria for stability margins. Methods for selecting integral gain and reference model are also presented. |
| US07684877B2 |
State propagation for modules
A system facilitates state processing in an industrial control environment is provided. The system includes a module component to facilitate control operations in an industrial control environment. A propagation component is embedded within the module component to communicate state information to at least one other module component. The state information is communicated in an upward or downward direction according to a hierarchical module configuration. |
| US07684873B2 |
Implantable medical lead including a directional electrode and fixation elements along an interior surface
An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A longitudinally-extending section of the second outer surface portion proximate to a distal end of the elongated member is substantially devoid of any fixation elements that extend the distance from second outer surface portion. In some embodiments, the longitudinally-extending section of the second outer surface portion is substantially devoid of any exposed electrodes. |
| US07684868B2 |
Microfabricated devices for wireless data and power transfer
This invention relates to the design and fabrication of micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) for applications in such varied fields as the biomedical, micro-fluidics and chemical analysis fields. |
| US07684865B2 |
Methods and apparatus for treatment of obesity
Method and apparatus for treating obesity by use of transesophageal delivery of energy to interrupt the function of vagal nerves. The energy, which may be highly focused ultrasound energy or other types of energy is delivered through the wall of the esophagus by a device placed in the esophagus. The energy delivered is sufficient to ablate a vagal nerve on the outer wall of the esophagus. |
| US07684861B2 |
Implantable cardiac monitor upgradeable to pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization device
An implantable cardiac monitor upgradeable to an implantable pacemaker or an implantable cardiac resynchronization device allows the use of a single implantable medical device for monitoring cardiac conditions and later, if needed, for cardiac pacing. The implantable medical device includes a circuit that can be configured, by programming through an external programmer, to either the implantable cardiac monitor or the implantable pacemaker. The implantable medical device is first configured to and used as the implantable cardiac monitor for acquisition of physiological data indicative of a need for a pacing therapy. If the pacing therapy is to follow, the implantable medical device is reconfigured from the implantable cardiac monitor to the implantable pacemaker, thus eliminating the need of using two implantable medical devices. |
| US07684860B2 |
Components for reducing image distortion
An implantable medical device includes a housing and a circuit board provided within the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of electronic components electrically coupled thereto. At least one non-functional component is provided on the circuit board and formed from a material that has an electromagnetic permeability configured to reduce the amount of image distortion caused by at least one of the plurality of electronic components when the device is subject to a magnetic field during an MRI scan. |
| US07684859B2 |
Stimulation of the OTIC ganglion for treating medical conditions
Apparatus is provided including one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to an otic-ganglion site of a patient selected from the group consisting of: an otic ganglion, an associated neural tract of the otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, and an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion. The apparatus further includes a stimulator, configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the otic-ganglion site, and to configure the current to activate the otic-ganglion site sufficiently to induce at least one effect selected from the group consisting of: a change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the patient, and a change in permeability of a blood-brain-barrier (BBB) of the patient. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07684857B2 |
Device for medicine delivery by intraocular iontophoresis or electroporation
The invention concerns a device for ocular delivery of an active principle by peroperative intraocular iontophoresis or electroporation comprising a reservoir (7) for receiving a solution comprising the active principle, means for diffusing (8, 6) the active principle connected to the reservoir, means for injecting (4) the solution into the reservoir, and means (5) for exerting suction of the content of the reservoir during an injection of the solution therein by the injection means. |
| US07684854B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring electric non-contact electrocardiogram in everyday life
The present invention relates generally to an electric non-contact apparatus and method for taking electrocardiograms and, more particularly, to an electric non-contact apparatus and method for taking electrocardiograms, in which an examinee can have an electrocardiogram taken in a comfortable position because the apparatus and method are applied to a chair, a bed or a vehicle seat, which are widely used in daily life, and in which the examinee can unnoticeably have an electrocardiogram taken without being conscious of the taking of the electrocardiogram because the taking of the electrocardiogram is performed on the body of a human wearing clothes without directly contacting the body. |
| US07684853B2 |
Method and apparatus for suppressing power frequency common mode interference
A method for suppressing power frequency common mode interference comprises the following steps of: receiving a bioelectrical signal from a living body on examination by phase compensating and processing circuitry; analyzing the characteristics of the bioelectrical signal and determining a phase compensation amount by the phase compensating and processing circuitry; performing a corresponding time delay processing on an amplified signal outputted by the driving circuit; and providing the delay signal to the living body on examination. |
| US07684851B2 |
Body cavity interior observing apparatus
According to a body cavity interior observing apparatus of the present invention, a non-tracked region to be displayed can be switched between a first non-tracked region and a second non-tracked region which is larger than the first non-tracked region, and in a search for an affected area in which it is preferable to track a treating instrument in order to consistently align the position of treating instrument to the central part of the screen, the first non-tracked region having a smaller non-tracked region is selected, while in a treatment of an affected area in which a treating instrument is moved in a wide range of area, the second non-tracked region having a larger non-tracked region is selected, thereby an appropriate monitor screen can be provided in searching for an affected area and in treating an affected area. |
| US07684846B2 |
Apparatus and method for imaging objects with wavefields
A transmission wave field imaging method, comprising the transmission of an incident wave field into an object, the incident wave field propagating into the object and, at least, partially scattering. Also includes the measuring of a wave field transmitted, at least in part, through an object to obtain a measured wave field, the measured wave field based, in part, on the incident wave field and the object. Additionally, the processing of the measured wave field utilizing a recursive reconstruction algorithm to generate an image data set representing at least one image of the object. |
| US07684845B2 |
Physiological measurement display
A physiological measurement display comprises: a strip having: at least one conductive portion at an inner side thereof; an electronic device connected to the conductive portion; the electronic device having at least one physiological measure unit; and a display panel at an outer side of the electronic device for displaying physiological data from the physiological measure unit. The electronic device is installed with a level meter, or alarm lights or a speaker. The display panel is pivotally installed to the electronic device and is turnable for viewing. Two ends of the electronic device have buckling grooves and two ends of the strip have buckles engageable to the buckling grooves. The buckles and buckling grooves are conductive. The electronic device is installed with an auxiliary conductive portion or a conductive rubber. |
| US07684843B2 |
Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having two or more structural supports. A coating is provided over the frame. The coating has at least one deformable region disposed between the two or more structural supports. As least one optical component is disposed within the at least one deformable region such that the at least one optical component can move relative to the two or more structural supports. A biasing component is attached to an end of the frame such that at least two different portions of the coated frame are biased closed in the absence of a sufficient opening force. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. A skeletal frame and a method for manufacturing a skeletal framework are also provided. |
| US07684840B2 |
System and method for in-vivo sampling and analysis
A system for in vivo analysis which includes agglutinative particles capable of interacting with at least one analyte so as to cause an optical change; and at least one in vivo imaging system (220, 230, 240) configured for detecting the optical change in vivo. The system may be incorporated within an ingestible capsule (100). |
| US07684838B2 |
Mobile device cradle having an integrated antenna or amplifier
The present invention relates to a mobile device cradle, having one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals, a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network, and a means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile device cradle is mounted inside a vehicle and is used to improve the signal between the mobile device and the communication network. |
| US07684836B2 |
Portable terminal device of the foldable type
The invention provides a portable terminal device of the foldable type wherein a manipulation-side cabinet and a display-side cabinet each comprises a front cabinet segment and a rear cabinet segment joined thereto. The manipulation-side cabinet has its front cabinet segment connected at an end portion thereof to a hinge mechanism and has its rear cabinet segment engaged with the front cabinet segment thereof. The display-side cabinet has its rear cabinet segment connected at an end portion thereof to the hinge mechanism and has its front cabinet segment engaged with the rear cabinet segment thereof. |
| US07684835B1 |
Wake on wireless LAN schemes
A power-management system for wireless network devices includes a media access control module (MAC) that receives a first enable signal and based thereon selectively transmits and receives data packets. A clock generator module receives a second enable signal and based thereon selectively generates a clock signal that is communicated to the MAC. A power management module receives configuration information associated with a plurality of power savings modes. The power management module generates the first and second enable signals based on a selected one of the power savings modes and the configuration information. |
| US07684834B2 |
Method of monitoring battery characteristics and radio terminal equipment
The invention relates to a method of monitoring battery characteristics in a radio terminal equipment arrangement. The method comprises measuring battery characteristics of a battery of one or more secondary units communicating with radio terminal equipment; establishing a low-power radio frequency (LPRF) connection between radio terminal equipment and a secondary unit of the radio terminal equipment arrangement. The method also comprises receiving, in the radio terminal equipment, the measured battery characteristics of the one or more secondary units via the established LPRF connection; and giving an indication, by the radio terminal equipment, relating to the battery characteristics of the one or more secondary units. |
| US07684831B2 |
Signal processing device and hands-free call device
A signal processing device includes: a speaker amplifier for amplifying a reception voice; a reception voice attenuator for attenuating the reception voice inputted to the speaker amplifier during a voice transmission mode; a reception voice detection circuit for detecting the reception voice outputted from the speaker amplifier; a microphone amplifier for amplifying a transmission voice inputted to a microphone; a transmission voice attenuator for attenuating the transmission voice outputted by the microphone amplifier during a voice reception mode; a transmission voice detection circuit for detecting the transmission voice outputted by the microphone amplifier; and a discriminator for discriminating the mode to be operated among the voice transmission mode and the voice reception mode on the basis of detection outputs from the reception voice detection circuit and the transmission voice detection circuit. |
| US07684829B2 |
Input apparatus of a mobile terminal and a display method thereof
An input apparatus of a mobile terminal and its display method are disclosed. The input apparatus of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment includes a keypad having a plurality of keys and generating key signals corresponding to a selection of the keys; a plurality of light emitting elements positioned at the plurality of keys, respectively, for illuminating the keys; a key sensor for sensing the key signals from the keypad; a storage unit for storing the key signals; and a controller for displaying, on the keypad, information corresponding to the key signals by selectively controlling the plurality of light emitting elements based on the key signals. |
| US07684828B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for outputting image
A method for, and a mobile terminal configured for, outputting an image together with a background sound are provided. The method for outputting an image in a mobile terminal comprises the steps of setting at least one image and a corresponding background sound, and detecting when a user selects an image for which the background sound was set and outputting the selected image and the corresponding background sound simultaneously. Since the background sound is played simultaneously with the display of the wallpaper, it can satisfy the user's demand for distinctiveness and expression of individuality. |
| US07684826B2 |
Method and system for processing wireless digital multimedia
A transmit digital processing system for wireless transmission of HDMI and/or DVI data using an FPGA. The FPGA converts the data into two data streams and includes a front end component multiplexing video data with control data. A complementary receive FPGA is also disclosed. |
| US07684824B2 |
Method for transmitting message of mobile terminal
A method for transmitting a message from a mobile terminal includes determining whether a specific event that occurs during the transmission may be disregarded. The specific event may be an event such as a closing/opening of a folder, a flip, or a sliding cover of the mobile terminal or a receipt of a call from another party. Normally, the specific event causes the mobile terminal to terminate the transmission of the message. However, the user may specify that the specific event may be disregarded, and the transmission may continue without disruption. As an example, an event disregard mode may be set via a menu for one or more specific events to indicate that the specific events may be disregarded. Thus, user's convenience is enhanced and a fast communication service is provided to users. |
| US07684822B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for changing mode thereof
A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body covering at least a portion of the first body, and a hinge module disposed to be eccentric to one of upper left and right sides between the first and second bodies and configured to the allow the second body to be horizontally rotatable with respect to the first body. |
| US07684819B2 |
Uplink transmission power control in a CDMA base station
A CDMA base station is disclosed that prevents significant increase in the amount of interference within an entire cell even when there exist in the cell mobile stations that perform high-speed packet communication. The CDMA base station comprises a noise estimation circuit, a noise comparator and a TPC bit generating circuit. The noise comparator receives noise power N1 estimated by the noise estimation circuit, compares the noise power N1 with a threshold N2 for interference supplied from packet communication circuit 1 and outputs the result of comparison N3 to the TPC bit generating circuit. The TPC bit generating circuit sets TPC2=0, outputting TPC command TPC2 to direct a TPC multiplex circuit to reduce the transmission power, without using TPC command TPC1 from a SIR estimation circuit when the increase in the transmission power of a mobile station that is performing high-speed packet transmission within a fixed period of time has exceeded the threshold for the increase or when the amount of interference in the entire cell has exceeded the threshold for the amount of interference. |
| US07684818B1 |
System and method for facilitating communications between distinct dispatch communication systems
A dispatch translation server (DTS) translates messages between a first dispatch communication network that uses a first protocol and a second dispatch communication network that uses a second protocol. The messages relate to the setting up of a dispatch communication session, controlling the channel floor of the dispatch communication session, and terminating the dispatch communication session. With regard to controlling the channel floor, dispatch translation server (DTS) translates messages when both the first and second dispatch communication networks use explicit floor control; when the first dispatch communication network uses implicit floor control and the sending party resides therein and the second dispatch communication network uses explicit floor control; when the first dispatch communication network uses explicit floor control and the sending party resides therein and the second dispatch communication network uses implicit floor control; and when both the first and second dispatch communication network use implicit floor control. |
| US07684815B2 |
Implicit group formation around feed content for mobile devices
A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group. |
| US07684812B2 |
Method of updating channel information by a mobile station that is in power saving mode
A method of updating channel information by a mobile station (MS) that is in power saving mode is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes the MS which receives status information of a first channel descriptor and transmission frame information which includes when the first channel descriptor is to be transmitted. Furthermore, the MS compares status information of the first channel descriptor with status information of a second channel descriptor. Here, the second channel descriptor is stored in the MS. Lastly, if the compared status information are different, the MS receives the first channel descriptor according to the transmission frame information. |
| US07684810B2 |
Trunking system control method
The present invention relates to a radio communication trunking system control method. According to the control method, a channel (f1), which is normally used as a control channel, is used as a telephone communication channel when a plurality of channels (f2-fn), used as telephone communication channels, are being used. For example, the channel (fn) has been adapted to be able to operate not only as a telephone communication channel but also as a control channel. When the telephone communication using the channel (fn) is completed, the channel (fn) is established as a control channel in place of the channel (f1). In this way, the currents consumed by wireless units accommodated in a trunking system can be reduced, and the time period for which the trunk operation is inoperative can be significantly reduced. |
| US07684808B1 |
Limiting channel element usage based on communication type
A method and apparatus for assigning channel elements in a radio access network (RAN) based on the type of the communication requiring a channel element. When the RAN receives a request to set up a communication of a particular type with an endpoint in a given wireless coverage area, the RAN responsively determines a proportion of the channel elements that are presently assigned to communications of the particular type. If the proportion does not exceed a predetermined threshold for communications of the particular type, the RAN may assign a channel element to the communication by transmitting the necessary signaling messages to the endpoint, one of which may include an identifier of the assigned channel element. The RAN may then determine and store an indication of the type of the communication being assigned the channel element by correlating signaling messages. |
| US07684807B2 |
Cellular channel bonding for improved data transmission bandwidth
Systems and methods wirelessly communicate data over a plurality of cellular channels by requesting an allocation of cellular frequency channels from a mobile station to a base station; allocating available frequency channels in response to the request from the mobile station; and bonding the available frequency channels to communicate data. |
| US07684803B2 |
Network controller messaging for ciphering in an unlicensed wireless communication system
An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service. |
| US07684800B2 |
Method of triggering a handover
A method of triggering a decision of a wireless communication system on a handover and/or of triggering a handover by means of at least one trigger signal. Using a generic algorithm for triggering handover trigger signals. The algorithm uses generic parameters representing at least an aspect of the quality of service of a radio link. The method facilitates handovers in multi-RAT networks and decreases the signalling as part of the handover decision making is transferred to the terminal device. |
| US07684798B2 |
Method of pre-authorizing handovers among access routers in communication networks
An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating the handoff of a mobile terminal from a first access device in a first network to a second access device in a second network. Prior to performing a handoff operation, the first access device inquires as to whether the mobile terminal is authorized to be handed off to the second access device and, in response thereto, completes the handoff. If the mobile terminal is not authorized to be handed off to the second access device, the handoff operation is inhibited, preferably without using any radio frequency resources of the second access device. |
| US07684794B1 |
Managing endpoint addresses separately from managing endpoint mobility
Performing management operations for a mobile node present in a foreign network includes performing an address management operation and a mobility management operation. The address management operation includes receiving an address request message at a home address server of a home network of the mobile node, assigning a fixed home address to the mobile node, and sending an address acknowledgment message communicating the fixed home address. The mobility management operation includes receiving a registration request message requesting registration for the mobile node, and registering the mobile node in response to the registration request message. |
| US07684793B2 |
Anti-traffic redirection system
A system for controlling traffic between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN) of a roaming mobile station is provided. The system includes a TR probe for detecting a traffic redirection (TR) attempt for the roaming mobile station, by observing exchange of at least one registration message between the VPMN and the HPMN. The system further includes an anti-TR unit for thwarting the TR attempt by sending one or more registration response messages in response to the at least one registration message received from a switch. |
| US07684792B2 |
Safe application distribution and execution in a wireless environment
The present invention provides safe and secure application distribution and execution by providing systems and methods that test an application to ensure that it satisfies predetermined criteria associated with the environment in which it will execute. Furthermore, by using rules and permission lists, application removal, and a modification detection technique, such as digital signatures, the present invention provides mechanisms to safely distribute and execute tested, or untested, applications by determining whether the application has been modified, determining if it has permission to execute in a given wireless device environment, and removing the application should it be desirable to do so. |
| US07684791B2 |
Multiple keyboard context sensitivity for application usage
A method and improved mobile device for providing context sensitivity for application usage in a mobile device having multiple keyboards, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a keystroke at the mobile device; checking a state the mobile device is in; comparing the state the mobile device is in with a state an application expects; if the comparing step determines the state the mobile device is in differs from the state an application expects, and mapping the keystroke from the state the mobile device is in to a keystroke in the state the application expects. |
| US07684790B2 |
Advertising technique
An advertising technique includes communicating messages to a mobile device that are rendered on the mobile device for the purpose of advertisement. The advertisement is rendered based on the occurrence of an advertisement event, such as an inbound telephone call, the elapse of time, entering a pre-defined geographic area, or the like. |
| US07684789B2 |
Transceiver with message notification
A transceiver, comprising an interface for receiving at least one message, a display unit provided to assume at least one switched-on operating state and at least one switched-off operating state, a message indicator indicating a receipt of a message by a unit of a signal, independent of the operating state of the display unit, wherein the message is associated with at least one message parameter, and a unit for evaluating the message parameter with the signal provided as a function of evaluation of the message parameter. |
| US07684786B2 |
Method and system for establishing a connection between network elements
A method and system for establishing or handling a connection between a first and a second network element connected to different networks such as GPRS/UMTS and IP-based networks is provided. The connection is established by means of at least one third network element such as a SGSN or GGSN arranged in one of the networks. The third network element is adapted to send, when receiving information on an establishment of a connection, a request to a fourth network element which may be a Call State Control Function (CSCF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), or a Call Processing Server (CPS). The request requests permission for establishing a requested type of connection, or requests a check of a connection parameter, and specifies the first and/or second network element and/or the connection or connection type to be established. The fourth network element returns a response specifying a permission for establishing a connection or connection type, or specifying a connection parameter. |
| US07684785B2 |
Method of communication in a network
In a wireless communication network comprising at least one mobile terminal and an access point, the access point detects a beacon signal transmitted by a mobile terminal, and transmits a beacon signal in place of a given mobile terminal if it detects that the given mobile terminal transmits a beacon signal. The mobile terminal, on the other hand, stops transmitting the beacon signal and receives the beacon signal transmitted by the access point. |
| US07684783B1 |
System and method for authenticating devices in a wireless network
A system and method for securing communications in a wireless network includes the steps of authenticating members of the wireless network, generating a member private key to be used by the members of the wireless network, and distributing the member private key to each of the members of the wireless network. A member is authenticated based on the ability of the member to be physically proximate to at least one other member of the wireless network at a given instant. The member private key is generated by one of the members, hereinafter referred to as a master member, in response to a changing value stored at the one of the members. The member private key is then securely distributed to each of the members in the WLAN network. |
| US07684782B2 |
Method and system for initiating and handling an emergency call utilizing geographical zones
A method and system of making an emergency voice call is disclosed. Location data is received from a positioning device. A location area identifier is determined. The location area identifier corresponds to a geographical area encompassing a geographical location being represented by the location data. A voice call destination number is identified. The voice call destination number is associated with the location area identifier. The voice call destination number is utilized in order to communicate with a public safety answering point. |
| US07684781B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to reduce troubles during pressure bonding of an antenna in a wireless chip including a thin film. A wireless chip made from a thin film is formed, in particular a wireless chip including a memory area including an organic compound layer, and a distance between the memory area and a pad is a prescribed value or longer. As a result, data writing can be carried out without being affected by stress or heat during pressure bonding of the antenna. For a substrate over which the wireless chip is provided, a glass substrate or a silicon wafer can be used. |
| US07684780B2 |
Semiconductor device, radio terminal device, and radio communication equipment
A semiconductor device includes a first analog circuit (53) adapted to a first performance, and a second analog circuit (55) realizing a second performance higher than the first performance by cooperating with the first analog circuit. It becomes possible to switch circuit characteristics appropriately in accordance with a requested performance while suppressing an increase of a circuit scale, by operating the first analog circuit and interrupting a power supply to the second analog circuit when the first performance is requested, and by operating the first analog circuit and the second analog circuit together when the second performance is requested to thereby share the first analog circuit. |
| US07684778B1 |
Image cancellation in receivers
Systems and techniques relating to image cancellation in received communications signals are described. In one aspect, a received communications signal can include a desired signal and an image signal. A leakage tracing signal can be generated, and the image signal can be removed from the communications signal using the leakage tracing signal mixed with the communications signal. Implementations can include generating a first channel signal and a second channel signal, generating a first filter using the first channel signal and the leakage tracing signal, and generating a second filter using the second channel signal and the leakage tracing signal. Removing the image signal from the communications signal can include filtering the first channel signal using the second filter to obtain a first filtered signal, filtering the second channel signal using the first filter to obtain a second filtered signal, and subtracting the second filtered signal from the first filtered signal. |
| US07684777B2 |
Adjacent channel rejection device, receiving apparatus and method of operating a receiving apparatus
In a receiving apparatus comprising a quadrature mixer (5) for mixing a radio-frequency signal with a local oscillator signal to in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal components at an intermediate frequency, a polyphase filter (9) for band pass filtering the IQ signal components, and an analog-to-digital converter (13) for converting the IQ signal components into digital form, and in which receiving apparatus adjacent channel interference may occur due to IQ signal component mismatching in the quadrature mixer (5), there is provided an adjacent channel rejection device connected between the quadrature mixer (5) and the polyphase filter (9). The device comprises an analog compensation circuit (33a; 33b; 33a-b) for compensating for the IQ signal component mismatching. |
| US07684774B1 |
Systems and methods for recovery of a sub-carrier signal from a stereophonic multiplexed signal
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a sub-carrier signal from a multiplexed signal having an embedded pilot tone signal. The recovery system includes circuitry for recovering a pilot signal from the received multiplexed signal, for generating a frequency-doubled signal from the recovered pilot signal, and for phase-shifting the frequency-doubled signal by a pre-determined phase difference from the embedded pilot tone signal. Another recovery system includes circuitry for recovering a pilot signal from the received multiplexed signal, for phase-shifting the pilot signal by a pre-determined phase difference from the embedded pilot tone signal, and for generating a frequency-doubled signal from the phase-shifted signal. |
| US07684773B2 |
Mobile communication terminal with equalizer function
Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal which is provided with an equalizer function of audio equipment to adjust a timbre of transmitting/received speech sounds so as to satisfy a great number of users having various individualities and tastes simultaneously. The mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes an equalizer connected to a CODEC, a speaker and a microphone for adjusting a timbre of an analog speech signal inputted thereto from the CODEC and/or a speech signal inputted thereto through the microphone, and an equalizer control circuit for controlling a timbre control operation of the equalizer according to a control signal of a CPU. |
| US07684768B1 |
Loop powered current-loop wireless transmitter
A self-powered current loop transmitter transmits a process variable over a wireless link, deriving operating power from the current which drives the loop. A storage capacitor is connected across the system input terminals through a switch to provide the operating power for the system components. |
| US07684767B2 |
Voice, data and RF integrated circuit with multiple modulation modes and methods for use therewith
A voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) includes a driver that generates an RF signal to a power amplifier module from an up-converted signal. A modulation controller provides a first modulation signal to the driver for modulating the up-converted signal when a modulation control signal has a first value and provides a second modulation signal to the power amplifier module for modulating the RF signal when the modulation control signal has a second value. |
| US07684765B2 |
Transmit antenna switching apparatus and method in MIMO system
A transmit antenna switching apparatus and method in a MIMO system are provided. The transmit antenna switching method includes determining modulation orders of users by using reception strengths of user signals with respect to each antenna; summing the determined modulation orders for each antenna; and determining an antenna having the greatest sum of the modulation orders as a transmit antenna. Accordingly, downlink performance can be remarkably improved by transmitting downlink frames through an optimal transmit antenna in accordance with channel environment. |
| US07684764B2 |
Duplexer using surface acoustic wave filters and electronic device equipped with the same
A duplexer includes two surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters having different center frequencies; a phase matching circuit that matches phases of the two SAW filters; a package in which the SAW filters and the phase matching circuit are housed, the package being composed of multiple layers; and a line pattern provided between at least one of the SAW filters and at least one of a transmit terminal and a receive terminal of the duplexer. The line pattern runs on at least two of the multiple layers within a range defined by peripheral ground patterns provided in the package. |
| US07684751B2 |
Radio frequency identification apparatus, system and method adapted for self-jammer cancellation
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a radio frequency identification transceiver adapted for self jammer suppression. The transceiver may further comprise a phase shifter and variable attenuator/variable amplifier adjusted to minimize the power injected into a receive chain by the self jammer. In an embodiment of the present invention the present transceiver may further comprise at least one RF peak power detector to determine the power injected into the receive chain. |
| US07684750B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus in which an original reading portion is disposed in an upper portion of the apparatus main body, a feed portion is disposed in a lower portion of the apparatus main body, and a printing portion is disposed between the original reading portion and the feed portion as an image forming system, is configured as follows. A paper post-processing portion that can perform a plurality of types of paper post-processing for recording paper transported from the apparatus main body after printing by the printing portion is finished, and a discharge portion to which recording paper is discharged after paper post-processing by the paper post-processing portion is finished, are disposed in a space of the apparatus main body formed by the original reading portion, the printing portion, and the feed portion. The paper post-processing portion is provided such that it can slide relative to the apparatus main body. In a front face of the paper post-processing portion, a cover is provided that covers this front face. The discharge portion is provided such that it can be raised or lowered according to the quantity of stacked recording paper. |
| US07684747B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus including a toner image forming section, a transfer section, a recording medium supplying section, and a control unit, an image forming unit that forms, for example, a yellow toner image causes liquid-repellent particles to be adhered onto a part of a photoreceptor drum other than an electrostatic latent image, causes fixing fluid to be adhered onto a part of the electrostatic latent image such that only the fixing fluid is transferred onto an image forming roller, and causes the fixing fluid to be supplied on the image forming roller. |
| US07684745B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus including an endless belt for heating an image on a recording material; a supporting member for supporting the belt; a coil for induction heat generation in the belt; control means for controlling a position of the belt in a widthwise direction by inclining the supporting member so as to maintain the position of the belt in the widthwise direction within a predetermined target range; and suppressing means for suppressing a variation of a distance between the belt and the coil with a variation of inclination of the supporting member. |
| US07684743B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes a magnetic flux generating section having a coil which generates a magnetic flux when applying current, a fixing roller having a heat generating layer having a thickness of 100 μm or less formed along an outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller for generating heat through electromagnetic induction by the magnetic flux, a capacitor connected in series to the coil to constitute a series resonant circuit, and high frequency power supply circuits for applying voltage having a certain drive frequency to the series resonant circuit so as to make the fixing roller generate heat through the magnetic flux generating section. An image is fixed onto a sheet, which is transported in a state of being in pressure-contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller, by heat from the heat generating layer of the fixing roller. |
| US07684741B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An endless belt is extended over extending rollers, and carries a toner image transferred from an image carrier or a transfer sheet. The endless belt includes a front-side reinforcing member and a rear-side reinforcing member, and a guide member for preventing meandering fixed over an approximately entire circumference on the rear-side reinforcing member. The extending rollers include a step portion provided in an end area in an axial direction facing to the rear-side reinforcing member, which has a diameter smaller than a center area in the axial direction. The front-side reinforcing member has a width wider than a width of the rear-side reinforcing member. |
| US07684740B2 |
Belt driving controller, belt rotating device, and image forming apparatus
A belt driving controller is disclosed. The belt driving controller executes driving control of a belt that is wound around plural sustaining rollers by controlling a driving sustaining roller that transmits driving force to the belt. The belt driving controller executes the driving control of the belt by controlling the driving sustaining roller so that a moving velocity fluctuation of the belt caused by a PLD (pitch line distance) fluctuation in the belt circumference direction becomes small, based on rotation information of rotation angle displacement or rotation angle velocities of two sustaining rollers in the plural sustaining rollers, in which two sustaining rollers, the diameters thereof are different from each other and/or the degrees to which the PLDs of parts of the belt which wind around the two sustaining rollers influence the belt moving velocity and the rotation angle velocities of the two sustaining rollers are different from each other. |
| US07684739B2 |
Toner transport apparatus and image forming apparatus
A toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles and includes a lateral transport device and a longitudinal transport device. The lateral transport device includes a lateral tube extending in a lateral direction and a lateral transport member provided inside the lateral tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles. The longitudinal transport device includes a longitudinal tube coupled to an end of the lateral tube and extending in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal transport member provided inside the longitudinal tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles downward, and thereby transports the toner particles transported from the lateral transport device downward. An end portion of the lateral transport member on a downstream side in a toner transport direction extends to an inside of the longitudinal tube. |
| US07684732B2 |
Process unit and image forming apparatus including the same
An image forming apparatus includes at least a latent image carrier, a latent image forming mechanism, a developing mechanism and a charger. The latent image carrier bears a latent image. The latent image forming mechanism forms the latent image on the latent image carrier. The developing mechanism develops the latent image on the latent image carrier with toner. The charger includes a conductive member supplied with a bias voltage while contacting a surface of the latent image carrier, and charges at least one of the surface of the latent image carrier and a toner adhering to the surface thereof through the conductive member. A tensile strength of the conductive member at break is no less than 10 MPa and no more than 40 MPa, and a contact pressure between the conductive member and the latent image carrier is no less than 4 kN/m2 and no more than 15 kN/m2. |
| US07684729B2 |
Image-forming machine
An image-forming machine includes a photosensitive material drum, a developer mounted on a machine body so as to move in a direction to approach, and separate away from, the photosensitive material drum along guide means arranged in the machine body, and a protection cover that opens and closes a portion of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive material drum. The protection cover is supported by the machine body so as to rotate between a closed position and an opened position. An arm member is rotatably arranged in the machine body being drive-coupled to the protection cover so as to open and close the protection cover. An end of the arm member is so positioned as to be present on a locus of motion of the developer. |
| US07684723B2 |
Image forming apparatus having storage battery
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a fixing device; a main power circuit configured to supply electric power; an auxiliary power circuit configured to store and supply the electric power; a switching device configured to switch between a charge and discharge mode for the auxiliary power circuit; and a control device configured to, when the image is formed by a facsimile function, control the switching device so as to operate the auxiliary power circuit not in the discharge mode so that the electric power of the main power circuit is supplied to the fixing device, and when the image is formed on the basis of other functions, control the switching device so as to operate the auxiliary power circuit in the discharge mode so electric power of the main power circuit and that of the auxiliary power circuit are supplied to the fixing device. |
| US07684717B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a developing contrast voltage controller to control a developing contrast voltage so as to obtain a desired image density, a transfer condition controller to control transfer conditions for transferring a toner image, an environment sensor to detect an environment, and a correcting coefficient setting unit to refer to a database for pre-registering correcting coefficients to correct the transfer conditions corresponding to the developing contrast voltage and environment and set the correcting coefficients on the basis of the developing contrast voltage controlled by the developing contrast voltage controller and the environment detected by the environment sensor. |
| US07684715B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of stably maintaining an image density
An image forming apparatus 100 includes detection means 116 which detects an image characteristic of an image formed on an image bearing member 103; a first control means which controls a toner concentration in the developer, based on a detection result by the detection means, of an image characteristic of a first reference image for a first control for controlling the toner concentration in the developer; second control means which controls an image parameter, different from the toner concentration in the developer, thereby controlling an image density, based on a detection result by the detection means, of an image characteristic of a second reference image for a second control, different from the reference image for the first control; and correction means 231 which receives detection results of both image characteristics of the first and second reference images, and which, based on the detection result of the image characteristic of either of the reference images for the first and second controls, corrects the other control. |
| US07684710B2 |
Dynamically adaptive optical transceiver
Adaptive transmission of optical signals. A dynamically adaptive optical receiver can include a receive optical subassembly (ROSA). The ROSA can include an opto-electronic transducer configured to receive an incoming optical signal from an incoming optical transmission link, circuitry for evaluating one or more properties related to the incoming optical signal, logic for comparing the one or more properties of the incoming optical signal to stored information representing threshold values, and circuitry for controlling a transmission characteristic of an outgoing optical signal based on a result of the comparison. |
| US07684699B2 |
Optical transceiver module for monitoring an optical fiber and method for making available measuring data from monitoring an optical fiber
The invention concerns a transceiver module for an optical data network, comprising an optical interface for connection with an optical transmission line and an electrical interface for connection with a host board, wherein the electrical interface is suitable for providing the transceiver module with payload data to be sent on the optical transmission line and for providing the host board with payload data read from the optical transmission line, and further comprising monitoring means for monitoring the optical transmission line, which the transceiver module comprises an analyzing means for processing measuring data provided by the monitoring means in a statistical manner, and where the analyzing means is connected to the electrical interface for providing processed measuring data to the electrical interface. The inventive transceiver module is easy to install, and only a small amount of monitoring data needs to be transferred. |
| US07684696B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining signal viability in optical networks
It is desirable to provide an improved system for describing the impact of a change in routing on the performance of wavelengths traversing the links in a optical communication network. It is also desirable that such a system be computationally simple. The present invention accomplishes these aims by providing a mechanism for the development of a set of metrics that describe the impact of different fiber types and lengths bearing a number of wavelengths, on one of the wavelengths propagated by a given input power. These metrics permit the prediction of a wavelength's behaviour by simple calculations. Accordingly, the need for full non-linear simulation is obviated, thereby improving the speed, efficiency and flexibility of optical layer routing algorithms. |
| US07684695B1 |
Optical diagnostic indicator
One apparatus embodiment includes a first light source, a second light source, and a receiver having a photodetector. The first light source emits a first signal at a nonvisible wavelength for data transmission. The second light source emits a second signal at a visible wavelength for fault detection when combined with the first signal for transmission over a fiber optic path. The receiver converts the first signal from the nonvisible wavelength to an electrical signal. |
| US07684693B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging system
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system into an electrical signal, a power supply unit capable of being supplied with power from first and second power supply systems, and a control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to operate in different control modes according to whether power is supplied from the first power supply system or the second power supply system. |
| US07684689B2 |
External adjustment mechanism for a camera lens and electronic imager
A digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit, a housing for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a focus mechanism disposed on the outside of the housing and operative to move the lens unit along an axis when the lens unit is rotated about the axis. In one embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a ramp formed on the housing and a complementary ramp formed on the lens unit. In another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a thread set formed on the outside of the housing for engaging a complementary thread set on a sleeve of the lens unit. In still another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes an inclined groove and a groove follower. The external adjustment mechanism prevents the image capture device from being contaminated by particulates generated during focusing. |
| US07684688B2 |
Adjustable depth of field
A camera having a depth of field which can be modified to produce desired photographic effects. The camera determines the depth of field for a subject when the subject is focused upon. A modification to the depth of field is determined based upon the distance to the subject, and the depth of field is modified to produce the desired photographic effect. In one embodiment, the depth of field is reduced, while, in another embodiment, the depth of field is shifted to place the subject slightly out of focus and to alter the focus of the background. |
| US07684684B2 |
Image sensing apparatus having autofocus function, and method of controlling same
An image sensing apparatus performs focus control based upon image data of a region corresponding to a focus control region, the image data being a part of one screen of image data. The apparatus includes a camera-shake detector for detecting camera shake, and a focus detection zone designating unit for changing the focus control region with respect to the screen. |
| US07684683B2 |
Welding apparatus and welding method
A welding apparatus is provided with a lamp unit having a light source such as a halogen lamp and a multiple reflection surface. The light source applies incoherent electromagnetic waves that belong to a visible region and a near-infrared region in which a wavelength is 500 nm (nanometer) or more. The multiple reflection surface reflects and collects the light from the light source in the shape of a desired dot or line. The housing and the transparent cover are superimposed, and the light from the light source is collected by the multiple-reflection surface on the portion where the housing is superimposed on the transparent cover. |
| US07684681B1 |
Receivers for television signals
A Hard Disk Recorder (HDR) (3) is arranged to receive signals signals defining television programmes and television programme schedule data. The HDR receives updated programme schedule data substantially constantly in a dedicated programme schedule data channel. The HDR is arranged to output the programme schedule data for display on a television screen (2). The HDR comprises a hard disk (16) for recording received television programmes. A remote control (28) is provided to select television programmes to be recorded from the displayed programme schedule. Furthermore, the HDR is arranged to receive additional programme schedule information included in each of the received television channels which information is used to control the hard disk to record pre-programmed television programmes according to schedule. The hard disk is operable to record simultaneously two different television programmes received in different channels. Also, the HDR is operable to replay a currently broadcast programme offset in time. The time offset can be overcome by playing back the part of the programme inside the time offset at an increased frame rate. Furthermore, the HDR is arranged to receive transition signals indicating transitions between parts of programmes, such as transitions between advertisements and the “actual” programmes. The HDR is operable to use these transition signals, for example, to skip between transitions in previously recorded programmes replayed from the hard disk. |
| US07684678B2 |
Disc reproducing apparatus having screen display control unit
A disc reproducing apparatus connected to a monitor of an image output system controls image display on the monitor. According to information about an instruction given by a user through operation of a remote controller or a front panel key, an MPU sets one of a screen display mode and a screen blanking mode. If the screen display mode is set while audio information is reproduced, a control unit permits a video driver to output a display signal to the monitor. If the screen blanking mode is set while audio information is reproduced, the control unit outputs a inhibit signal to the video driver so as to inhibit output of the display signal to the monitor. When a CD is played, a display image on the monitor is thus erased by output of the inhibit signal as requested according to an externally provided instruction. |
| US07684676B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US07684675B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of still pictures recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The recording medium includes a data structure with at least one playlist stored in a playlist area of the recording medium. The playlist includes at least one playitem and at least one sub-playitem. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file, and the sub-playitem provides navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file. |
| US07684674B2 |
Optical reproducing apparatus having protection flags and code number
An apparatus and a method for reproducing a recording medium which requires input of a code number only once when the code number is required to be input to both a directory and a PlayList for reproduction. A plurality of directories, such as DVR, DVR1, DVRn and the like, are formed on a disk. One directory DVR has a flag DVR_protect_flag (first control information) set therein for controlling reproduction of information belonging in the directory. Also, a file associated with the PlayList, which is one piece of information in the directory DVR, has a playback_control_flag (second control information) set therein for controlling reproduction thereof. In a case where the DVR_protect_flag is 1, reproduction is allowed only when a correct code number is input. In a case where the DVR_protect_flag and the playback_control_flag are both 1, input of the code number for the playback_control_flag is omitted when the correct code number has already been input for the DVR_protect_flag. |
| US07684671B2 |
Control of information processing apparatus through a network
A DTV operating screen is displayed on the CRT display screen of a DTV which is the controlling apparatus of a network. In the event that the user selects the DVHS from the buttons displayed on the DTV operating screen, data corresponding to the DVHS operation screen is input to the DTV, and a DVHS operation screen is displayed on the CRT display screen 61. The user operation executed regarding the DVHS operation screen are notified from the DTV to the DVHS, so the DTV can execute control corresponding to the operations of the user, without transmitting commands for directly controlling the DVHS. |
| US07684667B2 |
Hybrid integrated structure of one or more optical active devices and PLC device using optical fiber array
A hybrid integrated structure of an optical active device and a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) device using an optical fiber array is provided, in which one or more photodiodes are integrated on an upper cladding layer above one or more planar optical waveguides. A section located on a boundary surface between output optical waveguides, that is, an end of the PLC device in the direction of propagation of light, and the input end of an output optical fiber array is ground to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis. Further, one or more optical fibers and one or more reflection mirrors are alternately arranged, inserted, and disposed in a plurality of V-shaped trenches formed in the output optical fiber array. |
| US07684665B2 |
Methods and systems relating to solid state light sources for use in industrial processes
Methods and systems relating to solid state light sources for use in industrial processes. |
| US07684663B2 |
Coupling of optical interconnect with electrical device
One embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible interconnect assembly that can convert between optical and electrical signals and that is configured to be easily secured to an electrical device, such as a printed circuit board or integrated circuit chip. The flexible interconnect assembly includes a flexible substrate and one or more optical waveguides that are mounted on the flexible interconnect and suitable for transmitting optical signals. One or more conversion devices for converting between electrical and optical signals are arranged on the flexible substrate. The flexible interconnect assembly optionally includes an attachment fixture that enables the flexible substrate to be reversibly coupled to an attachment apparatus. Particular embodiments of the present invention involve methods, devices and systems for using a flexible interconnect assembly with one or more electronic substrates configured with an attachment apparatus. |
| US07684662B2 |
AD converter using photonic crystal
An AD converter is provided. The AD converter includes a light source unit which provides an optical signal, at least one waveguide unit which consists of a photonic crystal and transmits the optical signal, a modulation unit which applies a RF signal to the at least one waveguide unit, thereby modulating an optical signal output from the at least one waveguide unit, and a digital conversion unit which converts the modulated optical signal to a digital signal. Accordingly, a compact-sized AD convert can be realized. |
| US07684659B1 |
Bifilar optical fiber stowage for fiber-optic gyroscope
A method of constructing a fiber-optic gyroscope includes optically coupling first and second optical fibers to an optical path of an interferometer having an outer surface, coupling at least a portion of the first and second fibers to the outer surface, and optically coupling the first and second fibers to an optical path of an integrated optics chip (IOC). |
| US07684657B2 |
Single piece Fabry-Perot optical sensor and method of manufacturing the same
An optical sensor and a method of manufacturing such as sensor are provided. The sensor includes a lead optical fiber with a single piece optical element joined permanently joined to its forward end. The optical element defines a spacer with a cavity therein at one end, and a diaphragm at the opposite end. The diaphragm is flexible in response to a parameter and the sensor defines a sensing Fabry-Perot resonator. |
| US07684656B2 |
Fiber optic temperature and pressure sensor and system incorporating same
A sensing system including a sensor having an enclosure that defines a chamber, a fiber optic segment extending from outside the enclosure into the chamber, and a sequence of optical processing elements within the chamber. The elements include a fiber Bragg grating, a polarizer, a side hole fiber, and a mirror. A light source is arranged to direct light to the sensor(s). A spectral analyzer is arranged to detect light reflected back from the sensor(s). The fiber Bragg grating substantially reflects a first spectral envelope while transmitting the remainder of the optical spectrum to the polarizer and side hole fiber. The polarizer, side hole fiber, and mirror cooperate to return an optical signal within a second spectra! envelope. The characteristic wavelength of a peak in the first spectral envelope is highly sensitive to temperature and relatively weakly sensitive to pressure. The period of the optical signal within the second spectral envelope is highly sensitive to pressure and relatively weakly sensitive to temperature. The spectral analyzer measures these spectral components to simultaneously derive a measure of temperature and pressure that effectively compensates for temperature-pressure cross-sensitivity of the sensor(s). |
| US07684649B2 |
Brightness signal processing apparatus
To improve accuracy of determining the average brightness level and maximum and minimum levels of the brightness signals for the entire screen.There are included a differential operation circuit that detects and differentiates rise or breaking edges in horizontal and vertical synchronous signals of an input image signal, thereby outputting horizontal and vertical differential signals synchronized with the horizontal and vertical synchronous signals, respectively; a sample window circuit that detects the beginning and ending positions of horizontal and vertical intervals to produce sample window signals established in any desired vertical and horizontal positions on the screen in accordance with the horizontal and vertical differential signals; and a brightness signal output circuit that outputs sampled brightness signals when the sample window circuit is operative. |
| US07684648B2 |
Reducing the size of a document image
An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, capable of reducing the size of an original image. The method segments the original image into a first image and a second image, generates a first reduced size image from the first image, which includes a first target pixel having a value obtained using a first method, and generates a second reduced size image from the second image, which includes a second target pixel having a value obtained using a second method. |
| US07684646B2 |
System and method of determining image skew using connected components
A system and method for determining skew of a document image. An image processing system is provided, comprising: an image segmentation system that identifies and segments a line of printed characters; and a skew processing system that determines the skew by calculating slope values for pairs of characters in the line. |
| US07684645B2 |
Enhanced wide dynamic range in imaging
A method for enhancing wide dynamic range in images is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring at least two images of a scene to be imaged, the images acquired using different exposure times. For a first image an illumination mask is constructed corresponding to the illumination in the scene, comprising a set of continuous weight values distinctively identifying respective areas of pixels of high or low illumination, over-exposed or underexposed with respect to a predetermined threshold illumination value, assigning one of the weight values to each pixels, whereas other weight value is assigned to other pixels of the other images. A spatial low-pass filter is used to smooth border zones on the illumination mask, thus assigning pixels in the border zones new continuous weight values in a range between the weight values. A combined image is constructed using combined weight values with image data of pixels assigned with one weight value of the first image and image data of pixels assigned with other weight value of the other images and in pixels corresponding to the border zones using image data from the images proportional to the new weight values. |
| US07684643B2 |
Mutual information regularized Bayesian framework for multiple image restoration
A method for multiple image restoration includes receiving a plurality of images corrupted by noise, and initializing a reduced noise estimate of the plurality of images. The method further includes estimating a probability of distributions of noise around each pixel and the probability of the signal, estimating mutual information between noise on the plurality of images based on the probabilities of distributions of noise around each pixel and the joint distribution of noise, and updating each pixel within a search range to determine a restored image by reducing the mutual information between the noise on the plurality of images. |
| US07684636B2 |
Edge correction apparatus, edge correction method, program, and storage medium
This invention has as its object to provide an edge correction apparatus which can execute base clip processes optimal to different noise levels depending on the level of an input signal. To this end, an apparatus has a high-frequency extraction circuit for extracting a high-frequency signal equal to or more than a predetermined frequency from an input signal, a suppression circuit for suppressing signal components equal to or less than a suppression level from the extracted high-frequency signal, a setting circuit for setting the suppression level in correspondence with the signal level of the input signal, and a high-frequency emphasis circuit for emphasizing the high-frequency signal suppressed by the suppression circuit. |
| US07684627B2 |
Techniques for image decompression
Techniques are provided for image decompression. Compressed pixels are pipelined through various decompression processes. As contexts for some pixels are resolved, the resolved contexts are fed back into selective portions of the decompression processes in order to resolve contexts for other pixels currently being processed. |
| US07684622B2 |
Method, system and program product for representing a perceptual organization of an image
Under the present invention, an image is progressively blurred to yield a set of (progressive) scaling levels. Once blurred, the edges of the image are detected so that each image segment can be identified on each scaling level. Once the segments are identified, like segments (i.e., segments having a like edge/Gaussian operator) on successive scaling levels are linked to yield a lattice structure that represents the perceptual organization of the image. |
| US07684621B2 |
Method and system for identifying multiple questionnaire pages
A method and system for identifying multiple questionnaire pages. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a set of coordinates from a capture device, the set of coordinates indicating shapes made on multiple pages of a questionnaire without the use of a graphical user interface, and mapping each shape to a questionnaire answer on a different page. The method enables a processor to accurately and quickly determine which answers were entered on each questionnaire page attached to the capture device, without relying on the user to do so. Exemplary applications include a field survey and inventory. |
| US07684614B2 |
Method for modeling three dimensional shape of objects using level set solutions on partial differential equation derived from helmholtz reciprocity condition
A method for modeling a three dimensional shape of object using a level set solution on a partial differential equation derived from a Helmholtz reciprocity condition is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) inputting an image pair satisfying a Helmholtz reciprocity condition; b) performing an optical correction and simultaneously performing a geometric correction; c) performing a camera selection to select cameras capable of seeing a point (X, Y, Z), and defining and calculating a cost function by the Helmholtz reciprocity condition; d) calculating a speed function of a PDE that minimizes the cost function obtained in the step c); and e) generating a three dimension mesh model from a set of points configuring the object surface provided from the step d), and deciding a final three dimension mesh model by comparing cost function values. |
| US07684613B2 |
Method and system for aligning three-dimensional shape data from photogrammetry data and three-dimensional measurement data using target locations and surface vectors
In a method for aligning three-dimensional shape data obtained by performing a three-dimensional measurement of an object, photogrammetry of the object with a target mark is performed to obtain a three-dimensional position and a normal vector of the target mark by a calculation, and the three-dimensional measurement of the object is performed to obtain a three-dimensional position and a normal vector of the target mark. Then, determined is a correspondence between the three-dimensional position of the target mark obtained by the photogrammetry and the three-dimensional position of the target mark obtained by the three-dimensional measurement, by using the three-dimensional position and the normal vector of the target mark obtained by the photogrammetry and those of the target mark obtained by the three-dimensional measurement, and three-dimensional shape data obtained by the three-dimensional measurement is aligned based on the correspondence between the three-dimensional-positions of the target marks. |
| US07684607B2 |
Fake currency detector using visual and reflective spectral response
A system for automatic detection of authenticity of security documents by measuring reflected components of incident energy in three or more optical wave bands. The system involves the use of UV-visible light source, an optional near infra red light source, photodetectors and associated sensing circuitry. Photoelectric signals generated by photodetectors from the reflected energy received from a security document are used to verify its authenticity under UV-visible along with optional near infra red illumination. The process involves measurement of energy reflected as photoelectric signals from a security document in at least three optical wavebands by suitably located photodetectors with appropriate wave band filters and the electronic signal processing to distinguish between a genuine document from a fake one for ultimate LED indicator display and audio-visual alarms, hence the detection of fake security document. |
| US07684604B2 |
Apparatus and method for planning magnetic resonance imaging
A diagnostic imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10) for imaging an organ of interest, a reformatting processor (70) for constructing reformatted images corresponding to a scout image in different coordinate systems, and a graphical user interface (62) for displaying acquired images and reformatted images to an associated user. An imaging processor (60) causes the scanner (10) to acquire a base sparse scout image of an organ of interest in a standard coordinate system, causes the reformatting processor (70) to generate one or more reformatted images from the sparse scout image in coordinate systems other than the standard coordinate system, determines a diagnostic imaging coordinate system aligned with the organ of interest using the base sparse scout image and the one or more reformatted images, and causes the scanner (10) to acquire one or more diagnostic images of the organ of interest in the diagnostic imaging coordinate system. |
| US07684602B2 |
Method and system for local visualization for tubular structures
A method of visualizing an object in an image includes presenting an image, selecting a point in an object of interest in said image, estimating a gradient of the image in a region about the selected point, calculating a structure tensor from the image gradient, analyzing said structure tensor to determine a main orientation of said object of interest, and presenting a visualization of said object of interest based on the main orientation of the object. Various techniques can be used to increase the robustness of the gradient estimation with respect to noise, and to enhance the visualization of the object-of-interest presented to a user. |
| US07684601B2 |
Method and apparatus for imaging tissues
Method and apparatus for imaging tissue by upstream illumination and downstream dual filtering of the exiting light for separation of ballistic photons rays from stray rays. Dual filtering includes spatial filtering via a pinhole and spatial filtering operated by a fast gate. A processor synchronizes flashes of illumination with the fast gate to command opening for passage of the ballistic photons rays and closure to exclude the stray rays. An image detector downstream of the fast gate collects the ballistic photons rays for processing by the processor and display on a monitor as a shadowgram. Illumination flashes have one or more wavelengths and the image detector is adapted to match the selected wavelengths of the illuminating flashes. |
| US07684598B2 |
Method and apparatus for the loading and postprocessing of digital three-dimensional data
A method and an apparatus are for the loading and postprocessing of three-dimensional digital volume data, in particular from the medical field. Layer images are usually acquired by CT or MR devices and combined to form a volume data record. These combined data are fed to one or more postprocessing methods, such as e.g. the VRT, MIP and/or MPR technique. These postprocessing methods can already be used for a portion of the loaded data directly after the beginning of the loading operation. |
| US07684597B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus and image processing program
An image processing method of obtaining a image proper for diagnosis from a radiation image having signals corresponding to an irradiation dose of radiation having passed through a radiographed object, comprising: an image processing step of conducting an image processing on an image processing condition including at least one or more parameters having a preliminarily-set default value; an image processing condition adjusting step of adjusting the image processing condition; an adjustment result recording step of recording the adjustment result of the parameters in the image processing condition adjusted in the image processing condition adjusting step; a parameter changing step of renewing the default value of at least one of the parameters in the image processing condition based on adjustment results of plural time adjustments recorded in the adjustment result recording step. |
| US07684596B2 |
Image analysis
A method for the automated analysis of digital images, particularly for the purpose of assessing nuclear pleomorphism from images of histological slides for prognostication of breast cancer. The method includes the steps of identifying the locations of objects within the image which have intensity and size characteristics consistent with epithelial cell nuclei and deriving boundaries for those objects. Statistics concerning at least the shapes of the derived boundaries are calculated and clutter is rejected on the basis of those statistics and/or they are used to assign probabilities that the respective objects are epithelial cell nuclei, and a measure of the variability of at least the areas enclosed by such boundaries is then calculated. |
| US07684589B2 |
Method and apparatus for image reconstruction using data decomposition for all or portions of the processing flow
A method and apparatus for processing raw image data to create processed images. Raw image data is acquired. The raw image data is decomposed by a data decomposer into N subsets of raw image data. The number N is based on a number of available image generation processors. The N subsets of raw image data are processed by at least one image generation processor to create processed image data. If more than one image generation processor is available, the image generation processors perform image processing on the raw image data in parallel with respect to each other. |
| US07684587B2 |
Reduced-reference visual communication quality assessment using data hiding
A method and system of communicating visual communication quality information, includes extracting reduced-reference (RR) feature data from visual content, embedding the RR feature data in the visual content; and transmitting the visual content with the embedded RR feature data. Visual communication quality is assessed by receiving visual content which includes visual content data and a first set of embedded RR feature data, retrieving the first set of RR feature data from the visual content data, and generating a second set of RR feature data from the visual content data. The second set of RR feature data corresponds to substantially identical features of the visual content data as that used to generate the first set of RR feature data. The first set of RR feature data is compared to the second first set of RR feature data to determine a quality of the visual content based upon the comparison. |
| US07684583B2 |
In-ear type and ear-plug type earphone with adjustable volume of front chamber between speaker and housing
An earphone with adjustable volume of a front chamber between a speaker and a housing is provided, which includes a speaker unit, a housing and a movable element. The speaker unit is disposed within the housing, and the housing includes an earplug formation formed in front of the speaker unit. A chamber within the earplug formation has a volume, and the movable element is disposed on the housing and moves correspondingly with the chamber, so as to adjust the volume of the chamber. Therefore, the frequency response of the sound sent by the speaker unit varies depending upon the variation of the volume of the chamber. |
| US07684581B2 |
Behind the ear hearing device housing with self-adhering properties
A micro electrical and/or electronical device, as in particular a hearing aid being worn e.g. behind the ear, is characterized by a housing shell (1), which at least partially comprises a skid-proof surface (11). This skid-proof surface can be made out of an elastomeric polymer or an elastic polymer. Preferably such part (11) of the surface of the housing or shell (1) is being made skid-proof, which is in contact with the skin, while wearing the hearing aid. |
| US07684580B2 |
Hearing device to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal
The hearing device comprises an insertable part, which is to be inserted into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The insertable part may be identical with the hearing device itself, and the insertable part comprises a casing, which casing comprises a deformable part. The hearing device can include at least one deformable volume containing a fixed amount of a filler for changing a cross-sectional area of the deformable part. The cross-sectional area of the deformable part can be changed through changing the axial extension of the deformable part. The hearing device can include a variable volume arranged within the hearing device, the deformable part being arranged on the outside of the variable volume. |
| US07684578B2 |
Wave field synthesis apparatus and method of driving an array of loudspeakers
In a wave field synthesis apparatus for driving an array of loudspeakers with drive signals, the loudspeakers being arranged at different defined positions, a drive signal for a loudspeaker being based on an audio signal associated with a virtual source having a virtual position with reference to the loudspeaker array and on the defined position of the loudspeaker, at first relevant loudspeakers of the loudspeaker array are determined on the basis of the position of the virtual source, a predefined listener position, and the defined positions of the loudspeakers, so that artifacts due to loudspeaker signals moving opposite to a direction from the virtual source to the predefined listener position are reduced. Downstream to means for calculating the drive signal components for the relevant loudspeakers and for a virtual source, there is means for providing the drive signal components for the relevant loudspeakers for the virtual source to the relevant loudspeakers, wherein no drive signals for the virtual source are provided to loudspeakers of the loudspeaker array not belonging to the relevant loudspeakers. With this, artifacts in an area of the audience room due to a generation wave field are suppressed, so that in this area only the useful wave field is heard in artifact-free manner. |
| US07684577B2 |
Vehicle-mounted stereophonic sound field reproducer
In correspondence with the left and right external ears of a listener occupying a seat, a three dimensional sound field reproducing unit includes at least more than two speakers disposed on a headrest on the top of a backrest of the seat, and three dimensional signal processing means which converts an output signal from a sound source into a three dimensional sound field signal for supplying it to each of the speakers. Three dimensional sound field with high accuracy and fidelity is reproduced near the external ears of the listener. |
| US07684575B2 |
Electret assembly for a microphone having a backplate with improved charge stability
The present invention relates to a microphone that includes a housing and a diaphragm and backplate located with the housing. The housing has a sound port for receiving the sound. The diaphragm undergoes movement relative to the backplate, which it opposes, in response to the incoming sound. The backplate has a charged layer with a first surface that is exposed to the diaphragm and a second surface opposite the first surface. The backplate further includes a conductor for transmitting a signal from the backplate to electronics in the housing. The conductor faces the second surface of the charged layer. To minimize the charge degradation created by contact with or infiltration of foreign materials, the first surface, the second surface, or both surfaces of the charged layer includes a protective layer thereon. |
| US07684574B2 |
Reflective loudspeaker array
A reflective loudspeaker array is cooperatively operable with an acoustically reflective planar surface to provide a constructive combination of direct and reflected sound waves that produces a uniform sound field. The uniform sound field provides a controlled sound field in the vertical and horizontal direction, and also provides uniformity from distances close to the reflective loudspeaker array to far way. The direct and reflected sound waves are advantageously and constructively combinable to generate a focused beamwidth of soundwaves. The reflective loudspeaker array includes a plurality of loudspeakers coupled to a surface of the reflective loudspeaker array. The surface may be formed to include at least one curve with a radius of curvature. The reflective loudspeaker array may be placed adjacent an acoustically reflective planar surface such that a frontal plane of a loudspeaker adjacently located closest to the acoustically reflective planar surface is aligned perpendicularly, and a frontal plane of a loudspeaker spaced away from the acoustically reflective planar surface is not aligned perpendicularly. |
| US07684570B2 |
Vehicle remote control interface for controlling multiple electronic devices
An interface device for interconnecting fixed controls of a vehicle to electronic devices. The interface device is capable of receiving control signals from fixed controls, such as steering wheel controls, backseat controls, handlebar controls, and the like, and then transmitting corresponding control signals to the electronic devices. In one aspect, the device is programmable such that the interface device emits signals corresponding to the same signals that would be emitted from a handheld remote control sold in conjunction with the different electronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and a replacement stereo receiver. In another embodiment, the device is capable of recognizing spoken voice commands and generating corresponding IR signals in order to control the electronic devices. In still another embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and multiple electronic devices, such as an audio and video component. |
| US07684566B2 |
Encryption scheme for streamed multimedia content protected by rights management system
A stream of content has multiple sub-streams, where each sub-stream comprises a part of the content and is divisible into logical blocks bounded by intrinsic partitions. For each sub-stream, a specification of the logical blocks bounded by the intrinsic partitions is defined and the sub-stream is divided into the logical blocks bounded by the intrinsic partitions. Each divided logical block is encrypted and then divided into one or more portions to produce corresponding pieces of data, and each piece of data is placed into a data packet as a payload thereof. Each data packet is transmitted to a recipient thereof, and the recipient can retrieve the pieces of data from the payloads of the packets, reconstruct the encrypted logical blocks, and manipulate the sub-stream on a per-logical block basis without necessarily decrypting each encrypted logical block. |
| US07684562B1 |
Telephone sanitizing glove
A telephone sanitizing glove that is formed by a glove body of a sound permeable cloth material impregnated with a disinfectant or a sanitizing solution which includes two covers each having a circular cup shape for covering the mouthpiece and the earpiece of a telephone. |
| US07684558B2 |
Method for establishing a direct coordination link between a first and second control centre for carrying out services
The method for establishing a coordination link (40) between a first and second control center (10, 12) for carrying out services, including a stage in which one of the centers (10) transmits its address to the other center (12) by inserting the address in a call control signal transmitted to the other center (12), and a stage in which the center (12) which has received the address inserted into a call control signal establishes the coordination link (40) in order to transport the call control signal used in order to transmit the address of one of the centers to the other center. |
| US07684557B2 |
System and method of delivering DSL services
A system and method for delivering digital subscriber line (DSL) service to a subscriber from a remote terminal of a telephone network. Included is a first route for delivering a telephone signal to the subscriber, and a second route for passing the telephone signal through a DSL system before delivering the signal to the subscriber. A disrupter is then used to selectively activate either the first or second route. |
| US07684556B1 |
Conversational biometric coupled with speech recognition in passive mode during call hold to affect call routing
Conversational biometrics and speech recognition are used by an IVR contact/call center during call hold to affect call handling/routing. A caller's (user's) behavioral response, such as an utterance or other spoken reaction to being put on hold by the IVR contact/call center, etc., can be recognized, captured and analyzed. Business rules analyze the caller's behavior in real time during a caller hold period. Such business rules can be fed back into the call center system and this information can be used to provide opportunities to affect routing priorities for a particular caller based upon information learned by the data that is captured and analyzed. |
| US07684554B1 |
Virtual telephone extension
The present invention is directed to a method and system for routing communications. A plurality of communication devices are coupled to a communications network. Each communication device has a device identifier. A user-programmable database associates each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier. A call-routing switch arrangement is coupled to the communication network through a portal communication device having a portal identifier. A user designates a destination user identifier when making a communication. The call-routing switches the call, directing the call to a destination device identifier responsive to the user-programmable database association between the destination user identifier and a device identifier. According to the present invention, communications are directed to users and are routed to associated equipment, a user identifier serving as a virtual extension number. Users remotely program the database to direct their calls to communication devices at various geographic, voice mail and e-mail destinations. |
| US07684549B2 |
System and method for managing messages in a packetized voice environment
A system and method are disclosed for managing messages in a packetized voice environment. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. The VoIP telephone may include an interface for communicatively coupling with a broadband network access device. The VoIP telephone may also include an answering machine module that is capable of initiating the answering of an incoming VoIP call, the playing of a recorded announcement to a calling party, and the saving of a message from the calling party. In some embodiments, the answering machine module may be integral with the VoIP telephone and the saved message may be stored on a local memory. |
| US07684546B2 |
DSL system estimation and control
Methods, apparatus, computer program products and other embodiments model a system's channel and noise characteristics using one or more Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) by modeling the state dynamics for one or more lines and associated profiles and by learning from the line history. Besides channel and noise characteristics, user data activity also can be modeled using an HMM, where all channel, noise and user data activity can be modeled jointly using HMMs as long as the joint states are properly defined. In multi-line systems, multiple lines (for example, a set of lines in a DSL system binder) may be modeled jointly. After learning channel, noise, user data activity and/or other dynamics using HMM techniques and methods, system operation and/or configuration parameters can be controlled based on the estimated HMM, providing flexible solutions for virtually any channel, noise, user data activity and/or other dynamics. |
| US07684543B2 |
X-ray beam conditioning device and X-ray analysis apparatus
An X-ray beam conditioning device that has a crystal holder and a motor is provided. The crystal holder supports a first crystal block and a second crystal block, each of which diffracts X-ray by a specific diffraction angle. The motor can rotate the crystal holder around an axis extending at right angles to a plane including an optical axis of X-ray and can fixedly support the crystal holder at the rotated position. The crystal holder holds the first and second crystal blocks at such angles to each other such that both crystal blocks diffract X-ray. The optical axes of the two crystal blocks can be adjusted by rotating the crystal holder about the axis, that is, the only one axis. |
| US07684538B2 |
X-ray scanning system
An X-ray scanner comprises an array (12) of X-ray detectors (16) arranged in cylindrical configuration around an imaging volume (28), and a multi-focus X-ray source (20) which extends in a helical configuration around the outside of the detector array (12). A helical gap (24) in the detector array (12) allows X-rays from the source (20) to pass through the patient (26) in the imaging volume (28), and onto the detectors (16) on the opposite side of the scanner. The source (20) is controlled so that the X-rays are produced from a number of source points along the helical locus (23) to produce a tomographic image. As the patient is stationary and the source point varied electrically, the scanning rate is sufficient to produce a series of images which can be displayed as a real time three-dimensional video image. |
| US07684537B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
In X-ray CT imaging for scanning a subject in the same anatomical region with two kinds of X-rays having different energy distributions, for the purpose of reducing a subject's positional offset between two kinds of tomographic images representing the same slice by a simple control scheme while reducing stress on the subject, a cardiac cycle identifying section 30b identifies a cardiac cycle of a subject 6 by an electrocardiograph 5 or the like, and a scan start time interval setting section 30c sets a time interval from the start of a first scan with first X-rays to the start of a second scan with second X-rays to a time approximately the same as the aforementioned cardiac cycle. A scan control section 30a controls several sections to keep a constant rotation speed of a rotating section 27 and start the scans at the aforementioned time interval. In each scan, projection data over a given view angle sufficient for reconstruction processing for a tomographic image are collected at once. |
| US07684534B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling of clock information in serial link ports
A receiver for a serial link port that is enhanced by a clock-data-recovery loop connected to the forwarded clock signal lane. The receiver includes a phase interpolation means controlled by a phase position logic which gets its update signal from local phase update signals of the clock-data-recovery loop via a digital low pass filter. The receiver also provides a global phase update source selection logic to control which clock-data-recovery loop is distributing phase update information, and which clock-data-recovery loop is receiving phase update information based on the clock analysis block. |
| US07684533B2 |
Phase lock loop jitter measurement
A jitter measurement circuit and method having an input for receiving a reference signal whose jitter is to be measured, an input for receiving a clock signal having a series of cycles, and a measurement circuit for measuring the delay between the reference signal and the clock signal on a cycle by cycle bases, giving a cycle to cycle jitter measurement. The measurement circuit includes a plurality of n stages, each stage having a delay element including an input. The second and later delay elements have their inputs connected to the output of the previous stage and the first delay element has an input for receiving the reference signal. One of n latches is connected to the input of a corresponding one of the delay elements. Each latch has a clock input for receiving the clock signal, and an output for latching the value on the latches input when the clock input is clocked by an edge of the clock signal. An analysis logic circuit is provided having a plurality of n inputs connected to the outputs of the latches. The analysis logic circuit analyzes the values on the latches to give a measure of jitter. |
| US07684531B2 |
Data recovery method and data recovery circuit
A data recovery method includes the steps of: (a) oversampling data that have been transmitted serially in sync with a first clock of frequency f1, using a multiphase clock generated by shifting a phase of a second clock of frequency f2 at a prescribed interval, the second frequency f2 of the multiphase clock being at or below the first frequency f1; (b) extracting f1/f2 bits on average from the oversampled data; and (c) recovering the extracted bits to restore the received data. |
| US07684525B2 |
Method and receiver for reception of a composite signal
A receiver is configured to receive a plurality of signals. The receiver includes receiving elements each of which is configured to receive a composite signal including at least some of the signals. The receiver receives the signals at the same time. The receiver also includes a processor configured to receive the receiving elements composite signal and providing an estimate of at least two of the signals. The processor is also configured to provide an estimate of a first one of the signals and to provide an estimate of a second one of the signals. The processor is configured, for each already determined estimate, to extend the estimate with a plurality of potential values. The estimate of the second one of the signals takes into account the estimate of the first signal and the estimate of the first signal is modified in dependence on the estimate of the second signal. |
| US07684523B2 |
Method and apparatus for channel estimation
A method of determining at least one channel for channel response in a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises receiving a plurality of signals from a transmitting end, wherein the signals comprise a plurality of pilot symbols and a plurality of data symbols, determining weight value of each pilot symbol, assigning the determined each weight value to each pilot symbol, and demodulating each data symbol by using respective information of the weight value corresponding to each pilot symbol. |
| US07684520B2 |
Method and apparatus for bus repeater tapering
A method and apparatus for bus repeater tapering. The sizing of repeaters on a portion of one transmission line is chosen to propagate a signal transition at a particular rate. The sizing of repeaters on a substantially parallel portion of another transmission line, is chosen to propagate a second signal transition at a different rate. Thus, the worst-case capacitance coupling factor between the two transmission lines may be reduced. |
| US07684519B2 |
Method and system for adjusting DC offset slice point in an RF receiver
A method for adjusting a DC offset slice point in an RF receiver is provided and may comprise estimating DC offset using a combination of fast tracking of an input signal and slow tracking of an input signal. If both are used, the fast tracking may be executed prior to executing the slow tracking. The fast tracking may acquire synchronizing signals transmitted before a payload. Additionally, noise tolerance may be increased in the fast tracking and the slow tracking by using tracking envelopes. The fast tracking may average acquisition envelopes and tracking envelopes using a fast tracking weighting factor to a sum of the acquisition envelopes and a slow tracking weighting factor to a sum of the tracking envelopes. Additionally, the slow tracking may average the tracking envelopes. |
| US07684517B2 |
Reducing power consumption in signal detection
Embodiments include a time-sharing detector that is designed to enable comparison of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage against the serial data transmission in a specified pattern. In many embodiments, the pattern is pre-defined and, in some embodiments, the pattern includes an overlap period. During the overlap period both the first and the second reference voltages are compared with the data transmission to determine if valid data can be detected. Upon detecting a valid bit based upon one of the reference voltages, an output signal is generated to indicate that the data transmission includes a valid data signal. Advantageously, alternating between the comparisons can reduce power consumption. In many embodiments, the power reduction can be, for example, 50%, depending upon the specified pattern. |
| US07684510B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmission which encoding a message with space-time tubo code using feedback bit in mobile communication system
An apparatus and a method for transmission encoding a message with space-time turbo code using feedback information of the channel gain or the phase in digital mobile communication system having a plurality of transmit antennas are disclosed. |
| US07684509B2 |
Method and system for utilizing space-time overlays for convolutionally coded systems
A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word has a construction that is based upon a single dimensional binary code and that specifies a space-time overlay having a predetermined constraint. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes multiple transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which may include multiple receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the multiple receive antennas. |
| US07684506B2 |
Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, and wireless communication method
A space-time block encoder changes the patterns of space-time block code signals according to transmission data. The space-time block encoder makes the space-time block code signals by making first and second transmission symbols from transmission data and changing the order to output these first and second transmission symbols and signals representing the complex conjugates of the first and second transmission symbols according to transmission data. |
| US07684502B2 |
Communication network system, and transmission/reception apparatus, method and integrated circuit for use therein
A communication network system sets communication parameters which enable an operation under a maximum possible communication rate in a situation where a transmission path has cyclic noise/impedance fluctuations. A transmission/reception apparatus transmits training packets for checking the state of the power line at two distinct points in time. A transmission/reception apparatus analyzes SNR at each carrier frequency, and stores an SNR evaluation result. The transmission/reception apparatus compares two SNR evaluations results which are obtained through two instances of a channel estimation algorithm, selects an SNR evaluation result which dictates a faster PHY rate, and transmits it to the transmission/reception apparatus. The transmission/reception apparatus changes modulation/demodulation rules based on the received SNR analytical result. |
| US07684490B2 |
Signal compressing system
A multi-scanner scans a signal according to several different patterns. A scanning pattern selector determines which scanning pattern produced the most efficient coding result, for example, for runlength coding, and outputs a coded signal, coded most efficiently, and a selection signal which identifies the scanning pattern found to be most efficient. |
| US07684489B2 |
Method and apparatus for video compression
A unified solution to coding/decoding of different video formats such as 4:2:0, 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 is provided. A method of video coding includes transforming a first m×n macro block of residual chrominance pixel values of moving pictures by a first integer-transform function generating a corresponding second m×n macro block of integer-transform coefficients, further transforming DC values of the integer-transform coefficients by a second integer-transform function to generate a third block of integer-transformed DC coefficients. The method further includes generating the second m×n macro block of integer-transform coefficients by utilizing a k×k integer-transform function on each k×k sub-block of the first m×n macro block, wherein n and m are each a multiple of k, and generating the third block of coefficients by utilizing a second i×j integer-transform function on the DC values resulting in a (m/k)×(n/k) third block of integer-transformed DC coefficients. |
| US07684486B2 |
Method for motion compensated interpolation using overlapped block motion estimation and frame-rate converter using the method
A method for motion compensated interpolation using overlapped block motion estimation and a frame-rate converter using the method, wherein the method includes storing an input image in frame units, dividing the stored image into N1×N2 blocks and M1×M2 blocks that are larger than the N1×N2 blocks based on the same center axis as that of the N1×N2 blocks and overlapped with adjacent blocks and sampling pixels in the M1×M2 blocks, estimating a motion vector by matching the sampled M1×M2 blocks between adjacent frames, and creating a median pixel value between the adjacent frames using the estimated motion vector and pixel values of the matched N1×N2 blocks between the adjacent frames. |
| US07684484B2 |
Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded. |
| US07684483B2 |
Method and apparatus for digitizing and compressing remote video signals
A method and apparatus for digitizing and compressing video signals for transmitting the signals between a remotely located computer and a host or local computer. The digitization and compression method and apparatus is capable of dividing frame buffers into cells and comparing image data from previously captured frame buffers to create synchronized video signals and transmit the video signals over an extended range by limiting the portions of the transmission bandwidth of pixel data transferred between the remote computer and the local computer. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard video mouse switch is disposed between the remotely located computer and the local computer. |
| US07684478B2 |
Generating an eye diagram of integrated circuit transmitted signals
A sequence of K voltage samples of a transmitted data signal is generated by sampling, digitizing, and storing voltage samples of the data signal with an imbedded sample clock on an IC having an unknown period TS. The K voltage samples are plotted against a time base of K sequential times TB[K] normalized so all samples fall within one cycle of the data clock used to generate the data signal or a unit time of 1. The time base is generated by estimating the sample clock period TSE to be some multiple of 1/P where P is greater than K. Eye diagrams are analyzed for time jitter wherein only the minimum value of jitter is saved. TSE is incremented by 1/P until TS is greater than one half the data clock period. The eye diagram at the TSE with the minimum time jitter is used to analyze the data channels. |
| US07684476B2 |
Wireless communication system and method with feedback signals containing channel estimate values
A wireless communication system is disclosed that transmits a feedback signal containing a channel estimate value between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device that transmits the feedback signals includes: a channel estimation unit that receives signals containing pilot signals, and determines the channel estimate value of a wireless link; a multiplier that multiplies a pilot signal by the channel estimate value; and a multiplexer that multiplexes an output signal from the multiplier with another pilot signal, to generate the feedback signal. The second wireless communication device that receives the feedback signal includes: a separator that separates the signals that are multiplexed in the feedback signal; and channel estimation units that determine the channel estimate value of the wireless link, based on the separated signals. |
| US07684468B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device executes digital processing for a received UWB signal with use of an A/D converter having an adequate sample rate and resolution, and thus can obtain precise reception timing information. Since the sample rate of an A/D converted output is high, a timing detection circuit is formed of two-stage matched filters. The former-stage chip matched filter calculates the correlation between an input signal and a template signal. When a correct transmission pulse signal has arrived, the chip matched filter outputs to a frame matched filter an indication as to the presence of a pulse and reception timing. The latter-stage frame matched filter calculates the correlation value between a received frame signal and a spreading code to thereby determine whether the received frame is correct or incorrect, and adequately changes a threshold value of the chip matched filter. |
| US07684466B2 |
Wired spread spectrum communication device, a method for communication thereof, and a wired spread spectrum communication system
A wired spread spectrum communication device, a method for communication thereof and a wired spread spectrum communication system capable of enabling easy establishment of synchronism are disclosed. In a transmitter unit of the wired spread spectrum communication device, a spreading code generator generates spread spectrum signals that are based on specified spreading codes, a strobe signal generator and a timing gate output the spread spectrum signals as sync signals at specified timings, and an adder superposes the sync signals to the spread information signals, while the adder further sends the information signals that have been superposed with the sync signals as transmitting signals to transmission paths. |
| US07684463B2 |
Frequency-division multiplexing transceiver apparatus, wave-number-division multiplexing transceiver apparatus and method
A frequency-division multiplexing transmission apparatus for transmitting data in a frequency spectrum specific to both symbol and mobile station, is disclosed. The apparatus encodes transmission data, modulates the encoded data, compresses the time domains of each symbol of the modulated transmission-symbol sequence, repeats the symbols a specified number of times, rearranges each of the symbols of the obtained repetitive-symbol sequence so that they have the same arrangement as the transmission-symbol sequence, generates each phase that changes at a speed specific to each symbol of the transmission-symbol sequence, performs phase rotation specific to the symbols for each symbol of the rearranged repetitive-symbol sequence, generates phase that changes at a speed specific to a mobile station, performs phase rotation specific to the mobile station for the symbol sequence for which the phase rotation was performed, and transmits the phase-rotated symbol sequence. |
| US07684460B2 |
Surface emitting laser device
A surface emitting laser device can further improve the light emission efficiency thereof to enlarge the degree of freedom of the device. The surface emitting laser device includes an active layer 103, a photonic crystal layer disposed to be adjacent to the active layer, an electrode 108 disposed on the photonic crystal layer, and a plurality of light emitting regions regulated by the electrode. The photonic crystal layer is configured to include a first photonic crystal region 104 disposed just under the electrode, and having a periodic refractive index structure for resonance of light within a plane, and a second photonic crystal region 105 disposed just under the light emitting region, and having a periodic refractive index structure for emitting light in a direction perpendicular to the plane. |
| US07684459B2 |
Semiconductor laser apparatus and fabrication method of the same
There is provided a semiconductor laser apparatus. An electrode of a semiconductor laser diode is bonded via a die attach and the electrode of the semiconductor laser diode includes Au and at least one of materials that compose the die attach except Au, in advance. |
| US07684456B2 |
Laser diode and semiconductor light-emitting device producing visible-wavelength radiation
A laser diode includes a substrate having a lattice constant of GaAs or between GaAs and GaP, a first cladding layer of AlGaInP formed on the substrate, an active layer of GaInAsP formed on the first cladding layer, an etching stopper layer of GaInP formed on the active layer, a pair of current-blocking regions of AlGaInP formed on the etching stopper layer so as to define a strip region therebetween, an optical waveguide layer of AlGaInP formed on the pair of current-blocking regions so as to cover the etching stopper layer in the stripe region, and a second cladding layer of AlGaInP formed on the optical waveguide layer, wherein the current-blocking regions having an Al content substantially identical with an Al content of the second cladding layer. |
| US07684454B2 |
High power vertical cavity surface emitting laser
An improved VECSEL device is provided in which the gain of each of the quantum well layers can be increased in a periodic gain structure. A vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL) device comprising: a substrate; a bottom DBR mirror formed on the substrate; a multiple quantum well layer formed on the bottom DBR mirror and comprising: a plurality of quantum well layers; first and second strain compensation layers sequentially formed above and below each of the quantum well layers to gradually relieve the strain of the quantum well layers; a capping layer formed on the multiple quantum well layer; an optical pump radiating a pump beam to the surface of the capping layer; and an external cavity mirror separated from and facing the bottom DBR mirror. |
| US07684453B2 |
Surface light emitting semiconductor laser element
A surface light emitting semiconductor laser element, comprises a substrate, a lower reflector including a semiconductor multi-layer disposed on the substrate, an active layer disposed on the lower reflector, an upper reflector including a semiconductor multi-layer disposed on the active layer, a compound semiconductor layer having a first opening for exposing the upper reflector and extending over the upper reflector, and a metal film having a second opening for exposing the upper reflector disposed inside of the first opening and extending over the compound semiconductor layer, wherein the metal film and the compound semiconductor layer constitute a complex refractive index distribution structure where a complex refractive index is changed from the center of the second opening towards the outside. A method of emitting laser light in a single-peak transverse mode is also provided. |
| US07684450B2 |
Pulsed laser source with adjustable grating compressor
Various embodiments described herein relate to a laser source for producing a pulsed laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrashort optical pulses having a variable repetition rate. In one embodiment, the laser source comprises a fiber oscillator, which outputs optical pulses and a pulse stretcher disposed to receive the optical pulses. The optical pulses have an optical pulse width. The pulse stretcher has dispersion that increases the optical pulse width yielding stretched optical pulses. The laser source further comprises a fiber amplifier disposed to receive the stretched optical pulses. The fiber optical amplifier has gain so as to amplify the stretched optical pulses. The laser source includes an automatically adjustable grating compressor having dispersion that reduces the optical pulse width. The grating compressor automatically adjusts this dispersion for different repetition rates. |
| US07684447B2 |
Sequencer and method for sequencing
A method and apparatus for sequencing determines possible next states for respective possible previous states based upon resources, selects one of the possible next states as an actual next state based upon an actual previous state, and communicates the actual next state as the actual previous state. |
| US07684444B2 |
Communication system and method for minimum burst duration
A system and method for providing a minimum burst duration in accordance with a regional standard and/or requirement. One embodiment comprises a first interface (204) configured to receive data to be communicated, a memory (208) configured to store a value corresponding to a regional minimum duration, a processor (202) configured to generate a frame, configured to compare a duration of the generated frame with the regional minimum duration, configured to add at least one padding symbol to the generated frame to generate a second frame, the second frame having a duration at least equal to the regional minimum duration, and a second interface (206) configured to communicate the second frame onto a communication channel. |
| US07684442B2 |
Method and circuit for processing data in communication networks
A method and circuitry for detecting a pattern in received data such as the A1A2 boundary in a SONET frame after deserialization. Two consecutive pluralities of bytes of incoming data are stored and compared with the A1 and A2 values (or bit shifted versions of the A1 and A2 values) until the boundary is detected. The data are then bit shifted so that every byte on the bus is either A2 or A1. A new aligned data bus is then formed such that the last A1 bit occurs on the data bus for a given clock cycle and the first A2 bit occurs on the data bus during the next clock cycle. |
| US07684440B1 |
Method and apparatus for maximizing peer-to-peer frame sizes within a network supporting a plurality of frame sizes
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus to facilitate the use of larger-than-Ethernet-standard frames having different sizes in a network, such as an extended local area network, where the network can include at least one network element that cannot transfer data as larger-than-Ethernet-standard frames. In one embodiment, a method for formatting data for transportation over a network comprises identifying a network element capable of using data formatted as a non-standard frame, such as a jumbo frame. Then, the method provides for determining a non-standard frame size that is useable by the network element. More generally, the technique is applicable to any LAN infrastructure comprised of devices supporting a variety of frame sizes, so that any device may discover the largest frame size that is supported to any other device within the same network. |
| US07684439B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting data in a communication system
An apparatus and method transmits data in a communication system. A buffer descriptor (BD) generator generates a BD making reference to constituent elements constituting a MAC protocol data unit (PDU), if there is a medium access control (MAC) service data unit (SDU) to be transmitted. A direct memory access (DMA) controller generates the MAC PDU from the MAC SDU according to the BD. |
| US07684436B2 |
Gateway apparatus, and method for processing signals in the gateway apparatus
Various services for a mobile communication network or an IP network are implemented by processing necessary information suitably in accordance with a service type so as to exchange the information to a service control device and transmitting the results of the service process by the service control device to the mobile communication network or the IP network, for a service request from the mobile communication network or the IP network. A gateway device of the present invention retains a signal defining various rules or policies received from the service control device, judges a service type and a destination requested from the service request signal by the various rules or policies for the service request signal transmitted from a communication terminal of the mobile communication network or the communication terminal of the IP network, performs protocol conversion on the service request signal in accordance with the service type, and transmits the service request signal to the corresponding destination. |
| US07684430B2 |
Frame-based aggregation and prioritized channel access for traffic over wireless local area networks
A method comprises receiving by a MAC layer of a content server a transmission frame from an upper layer of the content server, the transmission frame being associated with a given access class of multiple access classes, the given access class being associated with a primary priority level, the transmission frame including content being associated with a secondary priority level; setting MAC layer parameter values based on the primary priority level, a given one of the MAC layer parameter values being based on the primary and secondary priority levels; and contending for access to a wireless medium using the MAC layer parameter values. The given one of the MAC layer parameter values may include AIFS, CWmax, CWmin, or TXOP. The method may further comprise generating the transmission frame by a hierarchically divided encryption protocol, e.g., MPEG, being resident in at least one of the upper layers of the content server. |
| US07684429B1 |
Quality of service half-duplex media access controller
A method includes transmitting a first frame having a first class of service and determining whether the first frame was successfully transmitted. An attempt count is incremented for the first class of service. When the first frame is not successfully transmitted, a second frame is transmitted having a second class of service before retransmitting the first frame when the second class of service is higher than the first class of service. Pending frames for the first class of service are discarded when at least one of the attempt count exceeds a predetermined attempt threshold and the first class of service falls below a predetermined discard threshold. |
| US07684426B2 |
System and method for performing concatentation of diversely routed channels
A system and method are provided for performing Local Center Authorization Service (LCAS) in a network system, the system having a data aligner configured to align bytes of input data according to groups of members. The system also including an LCAS control manager configured to generate de-sequencing control commands in response to data input from the data aligner. The system further including a de-sequencer configured to de-sequence the input data input from the data aligner according to de-sequencing control commands received from the LCAS control manager. |
| US07684425B2 |
Adaptive coding and modulation queuing methods and devices
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions. |
| US07684422B1 |
Systems and methods for congestion control using random early drop at head of buffer
A system selectively drops data from a queue. The system includes queues that temporarily store data, a dequeue engine that dequeues data from the queues, and a drop engine that operates independently from the dequeue engine. The drop engine selects one of the queues to examine, determines whether to drop data from a head of the examined queue, and marks the data based on a result of the determination. |
| US07684418B2 |
Service access gateway
A gateway (1) interfaces between application providers (APs, (4)) and at least one aggregate AP (3) which in turn is linked to multiple APs (4). The gateway (1) manages cascading of access control rights by the APs (4) to reflect links via aggregate APs (3). On the other side the gateway (1) is linked with mobile network enablers (10-15) for communication with users. The gateway (1) performs convergence by conditionally processing or rendering content with multiple content and/or bearer formats. Internally, the gateway (1) comprises a CORBA middleware mechanism (20), and multiple services (21-23) communicating with each other via the middleware mechanism. |
| US07684413B2 |
System and method for rate agile adaptive clocking in a packet-based network
A system for transmitting a clock signal through a packet-based network is disclosed. The system comprises a first node configured to measure a clock frequency of the clock signal and calculate an accuracy indicator of the measured clock frequency; a second node configured to receive the clock frequency measurement and the accuracy indicator of the clock frequency measurement, and synthesize the clock signal therefrom; and a packet-based network for transmitting the measured clock frequency and accuracy indicator from the first node to the second node. A method of deriving a clock frequency by identifying packets with the shortest total transmission time is also disclosed. |
| US07684412B2 |
Device for communication and program used for such device
There is provided a device connected to a network to which nodes are connected. The device is provided with a first storage unit in which information is registered, a request unit configured to transmit a request for device information concerning a name and an address of a node to the nodes, a reception unit configured to receive device information transmitted from the nodes as responses to the request, and a registration unit configured to register the device information received by the reception unit into the first storage unit. |
| US07684407B2 |
Status report method in a wireless communication system
A method for reporting missing data of a re-segmented data transmission in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method comprises determining that a last re-segmented protocol data unit (PDU) segment of a re-segmented PDU has not been received. In response to determining that the last PDU segment has not been received, the method further comprises generating a status report, at a receiving wireless communication device. The status report comprises a beginning segment offset value identifying the byte position from an original PDU that begins the sequence of bytes that are carried in at least the re-segmented last PDU segment and an end segment unknown indicator. |
| US07684403B2 |
EPON bridge apparatus and method for forwarding thereof
The invention relates to an EPON bridge apparatus and a forwarding method thereof. In a case of receiving a frame from the network port or the PON port, the apparatus associates the port having the received frame inputted with a source MAC address of the received frame to learn the information in an FDB table, which manages port information for the learned MAC address. Then the apparatus refers to the FDB table to remove an LLID from upstream frame, and then forwards the upstream frame to the network port, while attaching an LLID corresponding to a destination MAC address to the downstream frame to transmit to the PON port. Bridging between ONUs is possible with flooding capability using an anti-LLID. VLAN-LLID translation mode is provided with support for VLAN tag addition/removal at the ONU side. A multicast pruning function is provided for the downstream. |
| US07684398B2 |
Hardware-enforced loop-level hard zoning for fibre channel switch fabric
Hardware-enforced zoning is provided in Fibre Channel switches to protect against breaching of assigned zones in a switch network which can occur with software-based zoning techniques. The invention provides logic for performing a hardware-based validation of the Source ID S_ID of frames both at the point where the frame enters the Fibre Channel fabric, and at the point where the frame leaves the fabric. The S_ID is verified against an inclusion list or table of allowable S_IDs, which can be unique for each fabric port. The invention provides a way to increase the range of sources an inclusion table can express, by implementing wild cards, on an entry-by entry basis. If the S_ID is valid, it will enter the fabric and route normally. If invalid, the frame will not be routed but will be disposed of by the fabric according to FC rules. This prevents incorrect S_IDs from breaching the table-driven zoning at the point where frames exit the fabric, to prevent unauthorized access to devices connected to the switch network. |
| US07684397B2 |
Symmetric network address translation system using STUN technique and method for implementing the same
In a symmetric network address translation system using a Simple Traversal of UDP over NAT (STUN) technique and a method for implementing the same, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network includes a STUN server for transmitting, to a private network terminal, a public Internet Protocol (IP) address and first port information of a router which is used for a VoIP call. The private network terminal transmits a session setup request message, including the public IP address and the first port information of the router, through its private IP address and a second port, and the router maps and stores the public IP address and the first port information of the router, and the private IP address and the second port of the private network terminal, and routes a packet received through the public IP address and the first port to the private IP address and the second port. Thus, a VoIP call is performed using the symmetric network address translation system to which the STUN technique is applied. |
| US07684395B2 |
Communication device and communication method therefor
Encrypted communications are performed between private networks over a wide-area network (e.g., the Internet) by way of routers, each of which includes a management table for storing entries including identifiers and control parameters. Uplink control connections are established between routers so as to mutually communicate and update stored contents of management tables therebetween. Updated stored contents of management tables are subjected to publication to other routers. Alternatively, stored contents of management tables are periodically subjected to publication to other routers. Thus, it is possible for operations managers to reduce manual operations for setting up control parameters in management tables of routers. |
| US07684387B2 |
Method for routing combinational services to a single endpoint
A method for routing a plurality of calls to a single endpoint of a plurality of endpoints at a common destination is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: initiating (202) a call over a first network (118) having a first network type, the call being directed to a destination (106) that has a plurality of endpoints 108, 110, 112, 114. Establishing (204) the call over the first network with a first final endpoint (108) of the plurality of endpoints. Receiving (206) a temporary endpoint identifier. Initiating (208) a second call to the destination by sending a request message for a second call of a second network (120), having a second network type, the request message including the temporary endpoint identifier. Establishing (210) the second call, simultaneously with the first call, over the second network with the same final endpoint. |
| US07684386B2 |
Apparatus and method for communications control
An apparatus and method for controlling telecommunications is provided. The apparatus, which in one embodiment is a switch, may be connected between a computer-telephony integrated (CTI) workstation and multiple communication lines to elements such as Central Offices. The switch may be manipulated either manually or by the CTI workstation to connect to one of the multiple communication lines. |
| US07684385B2 |
Inter-enterprise telephony using a central brokerage device
A system for inter-enterprise telephony communications includes a central brokerage device that can receive a packet encoding a dialed telephone identifier generated by a first telephony device located in the first enterprise network, where the dialed telephone identifier is associated with a second telephony device located in a second enterprise network. The central brokerage device can also identify a network address of the second enterprise network using connectivity information if the dialed telephone identifier matches resolution information. The system also includes the first enterprise network, which can establish an encrypted communication link with the second enterprise network through a packet-based network using the identified network address if the dialed telephone identifier matches the resolution information. The first enterprise network can also establish a second communication link between the first enterprise network and the second enterprise network through a circuit-switched network using the dialed telephone identifier if the dialed telephone identifier does not match the resolution information. |
| US07684379B2 |
OFDMA system and method for controlling frequency offsets of subscribers in uplink communication
Provided are an orthogonal frequency division multiple assess (OFDMA) system and a method for controlling frequency offsets of subscribers in uplink communication. The OFDMA system solves a problem that the system performance is deteriorated in uplink communications because subscriber stations have different carrier frequency offsets. Each subscriber station compensates for a frequency offset thereof in response to a frequency offset control signal provided by a base station and then transmits an uplink frame to the base station. The base station compensates for an average frequency offset using the uplink frame, which has a small frequency offset shift because each subscriber station compensates for the frequency offset thereof previously, and thus the frequency offset of each subscriber station can be correctly compensated to prevent inter-carrier interference. |
| US07684378B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating channelization codes in a wireless transmit/receive unit
A method and apparatus for estimating channelization codes in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) using blind code detection (BCD). A WTRU receives communication bursts and detects a midamble in the received burst. A candidate code list is generated in accordance with the detected midamble. The candidate code list includes channelization codes intended for both the intended WTRU and other WTRUs. Active channelization codes among the codes in the candidate list are identified, and the identified codes are forwarded to a multi-user detector (MUD). The present invention resolves SF ambiguity in the downlink of TSM. Since the orthogonal variable spreading factor code maintains the orthogonality between codes of different SF, SFs of other WTRUs follow the SF of the intended WTRU. Moreover, since the data for other WTRUs is not used in symbol processing after MUD, the performance of MUD for the intended WTRU is preserved with the SF ambiguity of other WTRUs. |
| US07684375B2 |
Dynamic communication and method of use
A communication system and method for enhancing the effectiveness of wireless and wired systems. The communication system is comprised of a communication management system and at least one wireless communication device to initiate the communication of marketing messages for marketing to the wireless communication device. |
| US07684374B2 |
Handling of multimedia call sessions and attachments using multi-network simulcasting
A method and apparatus supporting the handling of multimedia information using simulcasting using a broadband access gateway are disclosed. A broadband access gateway supporting both a personal area network and a broadband network may receive multimedia information during exchanges between access devices over a wireless wide area network. The wireless wide area network may intercept multimedia information, and may, for example, determine that the access device of the recipient is incompatible with the multimedia information. The wide area network may then redirect the multimedia information to a broadband access gateway that may cause the storage of the received multimedia information. In another representative embodiment of the present invention, the wide area network may adapt intercepted multimedia information to be compatible with the access device of the recipient, and may also redirect the original intercepted multimedia information to a broadband access gateway. The broadband access gateway may then cause the original intercepted multimedia information to be stored for later access. A recipient of the multimedia attachment or information may be notified of the redirection of the multimedia attachment or information, and may retrieve the stored multimedia information using a wired or wireless access device. |
| US07684373B2 |
Coverage determination and switching between overlay communication systems
For coverage determination and system switching, a terminal obtains pilot strength estimates for base stations in first and second wireless communication systems (e.g., packet data system and voice/data system) and received signal quality estimates for at least one serving base station in the first system. The terminal derives various metrics based on the received signal quality estimates and pilot strength estimates. The terminal may perform handoff to the second system if weak coverage is detected for the first system, a received signal quality metric (Q) for the first system is below a Qth—dn threshold, and a pilot strength metric (V) for the second system exceeds a Vth—dn threshold. The terminal may perform handoff to the first system if good coverage is detected for this system, metric Q exceeds a Qth—up threshold, or a maximum pilot strength metric (M) for the first system exceeds a Mth—up threshold. |
| US07684371B2 |
Method and apparatus for blind code detection
The present invention is a receiver which includes a blind code detection device for determining the identity of a plurality of channels over which information is to be transmitted when the identity of all channels is not known by the receiver. The blind code detection device generates a candidate channel list filled with the identify of selected channels out of the plurality of channels. A multi-user detection device, responsive to the blind code detection device, processes those channels in the candidate code list. |
| US07684370B2 |
Adaptive beamforming configuration methods and apparatus for wireless access points serving as handoff indication mechanisms in wireless local area networks
Methods and apparatus for use in configuring a wireless access point (AP) which serves as a handoff indication mechanism (“AP tripwire”) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) for mobile device handoffs between the WLAN and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) are described. During a configuration procedure or training mode of operation of the wireless AP, radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from a plurality of communication devices are received at the wireless AP. The plurality of communication devices include a first group of communication devices positioned at locations of undesired RF coverage of the wireless AP, outside of an RF coverage boundary of a WLAN coverage region of one or more other wireless APs of the WLAN. The plurality of communication devices also include a second group of communication devices positioned at locations of desired RF coverage of the wireless AP, around the RF coverage boundary of the WLAN coverage region and within the WWAN coverage region. Wireless transceiver parameters of the wireless AP are automatically determined and set to adjust boundaries of an RF coverage region, such that RF signal coverage of the first group of communication devices is minimized but RF signal coverage of the second group of communication devices is maximized. Preferably, the parameters of the wireless transceiver are determined through use of an adaptive beamforming technique (e.g. a minimax optimization) which is performed automatically by the wireless AP without user intervention. After the configuration procedure, the wireless AP operates with use of the configured wireless transceiver parameters in a normal, steady-state mode of operation as the AP tripwire of the WLAN. |
| US07684369B2 |
Radio based station apparatus and base station controller
The invention provides a radio base station apparatus forming a wireless zone in a mobile communication system and to a base station controller performing channel control over a terminal visiting a wireless zone. The radio base station apparatus has an identifying section identifying a particular radio base station that is to maintain a radio channel between the radio base station apparatus and a terminal during a process of diversity handover, a network interface section delivering a signal to a network if a local station is not the particular radio base station, and an inter-office interface section delivering to the network a composite wave of the signal and a signal having arrived and forwarded from the terminal via the radio channel at a radio base station forming a wireless zone adjacent to a wireless zone formed by the local station if the local station is the particular radio base station. |
| US07684363B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling unsolicited traffic destined to a wireless communication device
An apparatus and method of controlling unsolicited traffic are disclosed herein. The apparatus and method can be applied to wireless communication networks such as CDMA2000, UMTS, GPRS and the like so that traffic which is not solicited by wireless communication devices operating on those networks is not sent over the air needlessly. The present application provides techniques to block unsolicited traffic based on the identity of a user (for example based on International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI), Network Access Identifier (NAI), Mobile Station Internet Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Universal Resource Locator (url)) as opposed to techniques that are based on a session or IP address, such as a traditional firewall. In accordance to this application, user identity based techniques are applied to block unsolicited traffic whenever a user has established a data session. Further in accordance with this application, user identity based techniques are persisted across changes in IP address and/or session. |
| US07684362B2 |
MIMO multiple transmission device and method
A MIMO multiple transmission device, comprising a packet data block generator (111) for generating a packet data block as a resent unit for hybrid ARQ; a CRC adder (112) for adding an error detection code; a channel encoder (113) for performing channel encoding, the packet data block generator, the CRC adder and the channel encoder being coupled in series in one or more data streams; a parallel-to-serial converter (114) for converting output of the channel encoder to serial form; an interleaver between transmission streams (115) for performing interleaving between transmission streams on outputs from the parallel-to-serial converter; a serial-to-parallel converter (116) for converting outputs from the interleaver between transmission streams to parallel form; a coding rate changer (117) for changing a coding rate; and a data modulator (119) for modulating data, the coding rate changer and the data modulator being connected in series in plural data streams divided by the serial-to-parallel converter. |
| US07684357B2 |
Enhanced pre-notification procedure for GERAN MBMS
A system and method for reducing idle mode power consumption for mobile stations (MS) that have joined a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) session and are waiting for the session to start. The invention is also directed to reducing the power consumption of an MS for which an MBMS session is inactive. In alternative aspects of the invention, the power consumption of mobile stations is reduced in the absence of ongoing MBMS session activity. Reduced power consumption is achieved by eliminating the need to read notification messages from an MBMS specific notification paging group when the notification message is for a different MBMS session than the paging group that the MS has currently joined. |
| US07684356B2 |
System and method for providing hotline and preemption features in real-time communications using presence and preference information
A communications system for providing hotline and preemption features in real-time communication sessions includes a presence server for collecting presence and preference information for a presentity and a communications manager for handling requests for communication sessions with the presentity. The presence information includes availability of devices of the presentity, and the preference information includes a priority level granted to one or more watchers of the presentity. Upon receipt of a request from a watcher for a new communication session in a select media type, and in response to unavailability of the presentity due to a concurrent communication session in that media type, the communications manager determines the priority levels of the watchers for the new and concurrent communication sessions and preempts the concurrent communication session when the priority level of the watcher for the new communication session is greater than that of the watcher for the concurrent communication session. |
| US07684350B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing labels in a label distribution protocol multicast network
A method of distributing labels in a label distribution protocol multicast network having a root node and at least one leaf node comprises the steps, performed at a receiving node, of receiving a label and path vector from a distributing node, carrying out loop or convergence detection from the received path vector and, if convergence or no loop is detected, sending a receiving node label and path vector to its nexthop node in the network. |
| US07684349B2 |
Method and system for transparently controlling the behavior of service methods in a service oriented architecture
A method and system for transparently controlling infrastructure service methods in a service oriented architecture by enabling a higher level application component that is a consumer of infrastructure services to be alerted both before and after an infrastructure service is executed, by either that component or from an external source, such as another higher level application component. The pre-execution event enables a higher level application component to run additional business logic, change arguments passed to the infrastructure service before the call to the infrastructure service, or completely cancel execution of the infrastructure service method and route execution flow to other business logic. Since higher level application components can also be alerted after infrastructure service execution, they can also introduce additional business logic at that point, and/or change the return value passed from the service call. The system advantageously provides transparent control over behavior of infrastructure services without requiring large amounts of code to be added to providers and consumers of such services. |
| US07684346B2 |
Communications control for extending the period over which a terminal is able to have an open connection with a host accessible via a packet data network
A client and a host communicate in a packet data network including a plurality of routing nodes such as routers and firewalls. The host is configured to provide the client with a session and to detect the accessibility of the client by repeatedly sending keep-alive messages to the client. In order to reduce the traffic actually arriving at the client, at least some of the keep-alive message are adjusted such that their routing towards the client will be stopped before the client by storing in a Time-To-Live field specified in the Internet Protocol a value of maximum routing hops defined to correspond with the last routing node before the client on a route from the host to the client. The adaptation of the keep-alive message can also be configured to allow some keep-alive message to reach the client to occasionally test the communication path between the client and server. |
| US07684335B2 |
Method and apparatus for diagnosing faults in a hybrid internet protocol network
An Ethernet switch (112) has a communications interface (122), and a controller (124). The controller is programmed to receive (202) an IP query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate (206) the IP query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect (208) in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch, and submit (218) the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. Additional embodiment are disclosed. |
| US07684330B2 |
Flow based congestion control
A method for selectively controlling the flow of data through a network device is discussed. The network device has a plurality of ports, with each port of the plurality of ports having a plurality of priority queues. Congestion at one priority queue of the plurality of priority queues is detected and a virtual channel message is sent to other network devices connected to the network device causing data destined for the one priority queue to be halted. After the congestion at the one priority queue has abated, a virtual channel resume message is sent to the other network devices. |
| US07684326B2 |
Methods and structures for improved buffer management and dynamic adaptation of flow control status in high-speed communication networks
Methods and structure for standardized, high-speed serial communication to reduce memory capacity requirements within receiving elements of a high-speed serial communication channel. In an exemplary SPI compliant embodiment of the invention, the semantic meaning of the STARVING, HUNGRY and SATISFIED flow control states is modified to allow the transmitting and receiving elements to manage buffer storage in a more efficient manner to thereby reduce memory capacity requirements while maintaining the integrity of flow control contracts and commitments. The methods and structure further provide for generation of storage metric information to dynamically update the flow control status information asynchronously with respect to data packet transmissions. |
| US07684322B2 |
Flow admission control in an IP network
A flow admission control module for IP traffic types monitors network topology and usage. A new flow is not admitted if it is determined that the flow would push the utilization of available bandwidth reserved for the traffic type on a link in the associated path beyond a predetermined threshold. The admission control module may, as a result of dynamic changes to network topology capacity, re-compute the link utilization for effected active flows. The admission control module may also account for protection regimes in flow admission calculations. |
| US07684320B1 |
Method for real time network traffic classification
A method is provided to classify network traffic flows in real-time using spectral analysis techniques to extract regularities inside the network traffic flows. In one embodiment of the invention, subspace decomposition on power spectral density feature vectors and minimum coding length criterion are utilized for training traffic flows of different classifications. Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the invention. |
| US07684312B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast FFT processing of paging information
A method and corresponding apparatus for fast FFT processing of paging information includes receiving an analog signal that is converted to a first digital signal and digitally filtered through a first filter having a first bandwidth (BWA) to obtain a second digital signal. The second digital signal is stored in a buffer. The first digital signal is further digitally filtered through a second filter having a second bandwidth (BWB) to obtain a third digital signal. An FFTM processing of the third digital signal is initiated and simultaneously, an FFTN processing of the second digital signal is initiated. The FFTM processed third digital signal is then decoded and, based on the decoding of the FFTM processed third digital signal, a determination is made of whether to complete the FFTN processing of the second digital signal from the buffer. |
| US07684299B2 |
Control apparatus, a control method and an information access apparatus
A control apparatus is provided for controlling a drive apparatus to access a rewritable information recording medium using a first file system. The control apparatus includes a first determination means for determining whether or not a matter which is not permitted in a second file system exists on the information recording medium; and a second determination means for determining that there is a possibility that the valid data in the first file system is recorded in a first file system space when it is determined that a matter which is not permitted in the second file system exists on the information recording medium. |
| US07684296B2 |
Information recording/reproducing apparatus having control circuit of spindle motor
There is provided an information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing an information to or from an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers stacked on a substrate which can always perform stable spindle rotation control irrespective of an error of a desired frequency value or the like, and which includes an optical head for recording or reproducing an information to or from the recording layers by use of an optical beam; a spindle motor for rotating the recording medium; and a drive voltage holding circuit for holding a drive voltage of the spindle motor when the optical head performs switching between the recording layers for recording/reproducing. |
| US07684293B2 |
Write once optical disc, and method and apparatus for recovering disc management information from the write once optical disc
A write once optical recording medium and a method and apparatus for storing and recovering defect management information to and from the write once optical recording medium are provided. The recording medium includes at least one recording layer, and a data area on the recording layer. The data area includes at least one spare area and a user data area. The spare area contains at least one replacement cluster, each of the replacement clusters storing therein address information of a corresponding defective cluster. |
| US07684292B2 |
Recording medium, method of configuring control information thereof, recording and reproducing method using the same, and apparatus thereof
A method of recording data and an apparatus for recording data having a writing/reading unit to read control information and record a main data to a recording medium. The control information including at least one information unit for a specific writing speed and recording layer, wherein the information unit includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and recording layer, the first write strategy type being one of an n−1 write strategy type and an n/2 write strategy type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a corresponding mark. A controller, operatively coupled to the writing/reading unit, controls the writing/reading unit to record the main data on the recording layer using write strategy parameters for the first write strategy type included in the information unit, at the specific writing speed. |
| US07684289B2 |
Actuator for optical pickup, optical pickup, and apparatus for reading or recording information
A high reading performance is secured in an optical pickup even if magnets are miniaturized. In an optical pickup, around a lens holder which holds a lens, track coils are wound from a range of a flange of the lens to the outside in a diameter direction. The track coils become close to an optical axis of the lens and close to the center of a magnetic field formed in a unipolar face-to-face type of magnetic circuit, with the result that it is possible to displace so that the optical axis is hard to be tilted and secure a high reading accuracy. By forming a wound line shape of a focus coil and the track coils into a hexagon or the like, it is possible to make curving magnetic fluxes generated around magnetic pole surfaces hard have an affect in the unipolar face-to-face type of magnetic circuit. |
| US07684287B2 |
Disc changer
A disc changer is provided which can perform a disc check in a short time which involves checking whether or not each disc loaded in the disc changer is reproducible in loading CDs on the changer. File system data is selected from management data of a selected disc and reproduced by a file system data selector. The selected file system data is analyzed by a file system data analyzer, and a condition of the analysis is monitored by a reproducible file detector. When a reproducible file is detected, the analysis is suspended, a result of a disc check is generated, and a next disc may be checked. |
| US07684286B2 |
Track-jump control device and method thereof
The invention relates to a track-jump control device, and in particular, to a track-jump control device for determining track-jump timing in an optical disc drive. A track-jump control device of a PUH comprises an L/G position indicator, a header alignment controller, and a jump controller. The L/G position indicator calculates an amount of sectors between the current position and an upcoming L/G switch point to generate a distance value. The header alignment controller controls the destination position locating in a safe area between two headers, and then generating a jump enabling signal. The jump controller coupled to the L/G position indicator and the header alignment controller determines track-jump timing according to the distance value and the jump enabling signal. |
| US07684282B2 |
Localization of a non-destructive testing probe
A standard non-destructive testing probe (4) may be coupled with a localization system (10) according to the invention so as to determine the position of the apparatus (4) on the surface to be analyzed (1) at any moment.The localization system (10) comprises an ultrasonic emitter (12) and two ultrasonic receivers (14, 16) coupled with means for determining the distance between the emitter (12) and the receivers (14, 16), each of the components being able to be moved freely relative to each other. The coupling between the emitter (12) and the probe (4) allows the position of the latter to be determined by triangulation.A localization and mapping method is also described. |
| US07684281B2 |
System for combining signals of pressure sensors and particle motion sensors in marine seismic streamers
Signals of pressure sensors and particle motion sensors located in marine seismic streamers are combined to generate a seismic wavefield. At least a part of the particle motion sensor signal is calculated from a recorded pressure signal and the calculated at least a part of the particle motion sensor signal is used to generate a particle motion sensor signal in which noise is substantially attenuated in at least a lower frequency range thereof. The pressure sensor data and the noise attenuated particle motion sensor signal can then be combined to calculate up- and down-going wavefields. |
| US07684279B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including distributed data input/output lines
A semiconductor memory device having a hierarchical input/output (I/O) line structure may include a plurality of core blocks, with each core block including a plurality of memory banks sharing an input/output sense amplifier. Data input/output lines may be arranged on each of the plurality of core blocks. |
| US07684278B1 |
Method and apparatus for implementing FIFOs using time-multiplexed memory in an integrated circuit
Method and apparatus for implementing first-in-first-out (FIFO) memories using time-multiplexed memory in an integrated circuit are described. A block random access memory (BRAM) circuit embedded in the integrated circuit is provided. The BRAM includes at least one port responsive to a respective at least one BRAM clock signal. FIFO logic is configured to implement a plurality of FIFOs in the BRAM having a plurality of interfaces. Multiplexer logic is configured to selectively couple the plurality of output interfaces of the FIFO logic to the at least one port of the BRAM circuit responsive to at least one FIFO clock signal. Each of the at least one BRAM clock signal has at least twice the frequency of a respective one of the at least one FIFO clock signal. |
| US07684276B2 |
Techniques for configuring memory systems using accurate operating parameters
Techniques are disclosed for reading operating parameters from programmable elements on memory devices to configure a memory system. More specifically, programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on a memory device are programmed during fabrication with measured operating parameters corresponding to the memory device. Operating parameters may include, for example, operating current values, or voltage and timing parameters. The memory device may be incorporated into a memory module that is incorporated into a system. Once the memory module is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements may be accessed such that the memory system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating parameters measured for each memory device in the system. |
| US07684271B2 |
High integrated open bit line structure semiconductor memory device with precharge units to reduce interference or noise
A semiconductor memory device, having a 6F2 open bit line structure, connects each bit line of a bit line pair to a respective bit line of a neighboring bit line pair for a precharge operation so that a layout size of the semiconductor memory device decreases. Plural first precharge units each precharge one bit line of a first bit line pair and one bit line of a second bit line pair in response to a bit line equalizing signal. Plural sense amplifiers each sense a data bit supplied to a respective one of the first and second bit line pairs and amplify sensed data. |
| US07684269B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is capable of measuring internal voltages via a shared pad to reduce a chip size. The semiconductor memory device includes a selector and a monitoring pad. The selector is configured to select one of a plurality of internal signals in response to a test signal and output the selected internal signal. The monitoring pad is configured to output an output signal of the selector to an outside of the semiconductor memory device. |
| US07684263B2 |
Method and circuit for implementing enhanced SRAM write and read performance ring oscillator
A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced static random access memory (SRAM) read and write performance ring oscillator, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A plurality of SRAM base blocks is connected together in a chain. Each of the plurality of SRAM base blocks includes a SRAM cell, such as an eight-transistor (8T) static random access memory (SRAM) cell, and a local evaluation block coupled to the SRAM cell. The SRAM cell includes independent left wordline input and right wordline input. The SRAM cell includes a read wordline connected high, and a true and complement write bitline pair connected low. In the local evaluation circuit, one input of a NAND gate receiving the read bitline input is connected high. A control signal is combined with an inverted feedback signal to start and stop the ring oscillator. |
| US07684261B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
In a semiconductor apparatus, a power supply voltage generating circuit (21) and an internal circuit (22) using a power supply voltage generated by the power supply voltage generating circuit are supplied with different internal circuit preset signals (PRESET 1 and PRESET 2) optimized for the power supply voltage generating circuit and the internal circuit, respectively. |
| US07684255B2 |
Method of operating a non-volatile memory device
A method of operating a non-volatile memory device changes a read voltage by determining a degree that threshold voltages of memory cells are changed and overlap each other. The method of operating the non-volatile memory device includes performing a least significant bit (LSB) program of memory cells and determining a first error rate, performing a most significant bit (MSB) program of the memory cells and determining a second error rate, and setting a read voltage corresponding to a value at which the first and second error rates are minimum values. |
| US07684252B2 |
Method and structure for operating memory devices on fringes of control gate
Charge trapping memory devices and methods are included for increasing a second bit operation window by a fringe-induced effect. The fringe-induced effect occurs in areas underneath a word line so that when a hole injection method is applied to a memory device, hole charges are stored in a charge trapping layer that intersects with a word line and the hole charges are stored along fringes of the word line. In one embodiment, a virtual ground array includes a charge trapping layer that is disposed between two dielectrics such that there is not a charge trapping layer over source and drain regions. After a hole injection is applied to the virtual ground array, hole charges are stored along fringes of each word line given the fringes of the word line has a larger electrical field relative to non-fringe areas of the word line. |
| US07684251B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and its writing method
It is made possible to provide a non-volatile semiconductor memory device capable of improving the writing efficiency and its writing method. Predetermined voltages are respectively applied to a drain region and a control gate, and then the voltage applied to the control gate is opened. |
| US07684250B2 |
Flash memory device with reduced coupling effect among cells and method of driving the same
Embodiments of the invention provide a flash memory device that can improve the reliability of a reading operation by minimizing a variation in the threshold voltage distribution that occurs due to coupling between cells, and a method of driving the flash memory device. In an embodiment of the invention, the method of driving the flash memory includes: performing an erasing operation on memory cells; after the performing the erasing operation, performing a post-programming operation to control a threshold voltage of the memory cells; and after performing the post-programming operation, performing a main programming operation on the memory cells, wherein the performing of the post-programming operation comprises increasing the threshold voltage of the memory cells in an erased state, thereby reducing a difference in the threshold voltage between the memory cells in the erased state and the memory cells in the programmed state. |
| US07684249B2 |
Programming methods for multi-level memory devices
A method is provided for programming a memory cell. The memory cell is fabricated on a substrate and comprises a source region, a drain region, a floating gate, and a control gate. The memory cell has a threshold voltage selectively configurable into one of at least three programming states. The method includes generating a drain current between the drain region and the source region by applying a drain-to-source bias voltage between the drain region and the source region. The method further includes injecting hot electrons from the drain current to the floating gate by applying a gate voltage to the control gate. A selected threshold voltage for the memory cell corresponding to a selected one of the programming states is generated by applying a different selected gate voltage. |
| US07684246B2 |
Flash memory device having pump with multiple output voltages
A flash memory device may include a pump, a regulator to control the pump so that an output voltage of the pump is substantially maintained at a target voltage, and a control circuit to control the regulator so that the pump selectively generates a program voltage or an erase voltage. In some embodiments, the output voltage of the pump may be stepped in response to program loop iterations during a program operation, or set to a target voltage during an erase operation. |
| US07684244B2 |
High density non-volatile memory array
A high-density non-volatile memory array. In one aspect of the invention, a memory array circuit includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit-lines, and a plurality of memory cell transistors. The gate of each memory cell transistor is connected to one of the word lines, and the drains and sources of each memory cell transistor are connected only to the bit-lines. |
| US07684243B2 |
Reducing read failure in a memory device
Read failure is reduced by increasing the drain current through a serial string of memory cells during the read operation. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by using a higher read pass voltage for unselected word lines when the selected word line is within a predetermined distance of the drain side of the memory block array. If the selected word line is closer to the source side, a lower read pass voltage is used. In another embodiment, the cells on the word lines closer to the drain side of the memory block array are erased to a lower threshold voltage than the memory cells on the remaining word lines. |
| US07684238B2 |
Methods of programming multi-bit flash memory devices and related devices
Methods of programming a multi-bit non-volatile memory device are provided. The multi-bit non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a storage unit electrically coupled to the memory cell array. A first bit (FB) of multi-bit data is programmed from the storage unit into one of the plurality of memory cells in the memory cell array. A second bit (SB) of multi-bit data is programmed from the storage unit into one of the plurality of memory cells in the memory cell array using data inversion. Related memory devices are also provided. |
| US07684235B2 |
Phase change memory
A PCRAM cell has a high resistivity bottom electrode cap to provide partial heating near the interface between the cell and the bottom electrode, preventing separation of the amorphous GST region from the bottom electrode, and reducing the programming current requirements. |
| US07684230B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with a memory cell power supply circuit
A semiconductor memory device, including a memory cell including a flip-flop, and a memory cell power supply circuit for supplying a cell power supply voltage to the memory cell, wherein the memory cell power supply circuit supplies a cell power supply voltage in a first period and a different cell power supply voltage in a second period. |
| US07684227B2 |
Resistive memory architectures with multiple memory cells per access device
A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices. |
| US07684226B2 |
Method of making high forward current diodes for reverse write 3D cell
A method of making a nonvolatile memory device includes forming a first electrode, forming at least one nonvolatile memory cell including a diode and a metal oxide antifuse dielectric layer over the first electrode, and forming a second electrode over the at least one nonvolatile memory cell. In use, the diode acts as a read/write element of the nonvolatile memory cell by switching from a first resistivity state to a second resistivity state different from the first resistivity state in response to an applied bias. |
| US07684223B2 |
Automatic power supply converting circuit
An automatic power supply converting circuit includes a live input terminal, a neutral input terminal, a relay, a regulator, a voltage divider circuit, an identifying circuit, a switch circuit and a voltage doubling circuit. The live input terminal and the neutral input terminal are configured for receiving a first alternating current (AC) voltage. The regulator is configured for filtering and steadying the first AC voltage and outputting a regulated voltage. The voltage divider circuit is configured for sampling the first AC voltage and outputting a divided voltage. The identifying circuit is configured for comparing a divided voltage with a reference voltage, and outputting a control signal. The switch circuit is configured for controlling the relay to be conductive or not. The voltage doubling circuit is capable of being controlled by the relay and outputting a doubled voltage. |
| US07684222B2 |
Power conversion apparatus with DC bus precharge circuits and methods of operation thereof
A power conversion apparatus, such as a UPS, includes a DC link including first and second DC busses and a reference bus and a DC generator circuit coupled to the DC link and operative to generate first and second DC voltages with respect to the reference bus on respective ones of the first and second DC busses. The apparatus further includes a precharge circuit coupled to the DC link and operative to charge a first capacitance between the first DC bus and the reference bus and to transfer charge from the charged first capacitance to a second capacitance between the second DC bus and the reference bus. The DC generator circuit may be operative to commence generation of the first and second DC voltages on the first and second DC busses after the precharge circuit precharges the first and second DC busses. Related operating methods are also discussed. |
| US07684221B2 |
Method and circuit for galvanically isolated transmission of a signal
A method for galvanically isolated transmission of a signal, especially a switching signal for controlling at least one switching means includes using a transformer. The primary side of a transformer is fed with a pulse-width modulated voltage in which different duty factors are indicative of different signal states. The voltage obtained on the secondary side is converted by an electronic circuit into at least one signal voltage which is dependent on the duty factor and whose magnitude represents a signal state. |
| US07684219B2 |
Multiplexed DC voltage regulation output circuit having control circuit for stabilizing output voltages
An exemplary multiplexed DC voltage regulation output circuit (2) comprises a first output circuit, a second output circuit, a transformer (21), a power control chip (22), a feedback circuit (20), and a control circuit (26). The first output circuit is configured for outputting low voltage. The second output circuit is configured for outputting high voltage. The transformer is configured for outputting voltages to the first output circuit and the second output circuit. The feedback circuit feeds composite signals from the first output circuit and the second output circuit back to the power control chip. The power control chip adjusts the output voltages of the transformer by changing impulse width of voltages transmitted into the transformer in accordance with the composite signals. The control circuit controls the output voltage of the second output circuit back to a normal high voltage when the output voltage is higher than normal. |
| US07684217B2 |
Polyphase inverter, control method thereof, air sending device and polyphase current output system
Capacitors act as bootstrap capacitors of a high side control circuits. The capacitors are charged in a period in which all of high arm switching devices are non-conductive, so-called in a precharge period. When any of U-phase current, V-phase current and W-phase current is smaller than a negative predetermined value (when an absolute value is larger), it is judged which is the largest value. The low arm switching device is turned on only for a phase corresponding to the current of the largest value and the low arm switching devices of other phases are turned off. |
| US07684214B2 |
Self-oscillating switching regulator
A self-oscillating switching regulator includes a control winding N3allowing a voltage to be induced therein by a magnetic flux created in a primary winding N1 of a high frequency transformer T, a capacitor C3 charged by the voltage induced in the control winding N3, a transistor Q2 that is turned off when the voltage across the capacitor C3 reaches a predetermined level, a switching element Q1 driven by the transistor Q2 to switch on or off an input current through the primary winding N1 of the high frequency transformer T, and a control winding adjuster for changing by switching the number of turns of the control winding N3 on the basis of the operating temperature. |
| US07684204B2 |
Circuit board for mounting multilayer chip capacitor and circuit board apparatus including the multilayer chip capacitor
A circuit board including: a substrate having a mounting area for mounting a vertical multilayer chip capacitor having first and second external electrodes of a first polarity and a third external electrode of a second polarity; first to third pads arranged on the mounting area, the first and second pads having the first polarity and disposed separately from each other on the mounting area, the third pad having the second polarity and disposed between the first and second pads to be connected to the third external electrode; at least one first via formed in the substrate and connected to the first pad; at least one second via formed in the substrate and connected to the second pad; and a plurality of third vias formed in the substrate and connected to the third pad. The first via is disposed adjacent to the third pad relative to a central line of the first pad, the second via is disposed adjacent to the third pad relative to a central line of the second pad, one or more of the third vias are disposed adjacent to the first via relative to a central line of the third pad, and the rest of the third vias are disposed adjacent to the second via relative to the central line of the third pad. |
| US07684202B2 |
Structure for mounting multifunctional vibrating actuator on circuit board
To enable the mounting of a multifunctional vibrating actuator on the surface of a circuit board by solder reflow without exposing the components with poor heat resistance the diaphragm, magnet, and voice coil—to the high temperatures of the reflow tank, the structure for mounting a multifunctional vibrating actuator on a circuit board is constituted such that a bracket is fixed to the surface of the circuit board by solder reflow, and then the housing of the multifunctional vibrating actuator is placed in the bracket so that the terminals of the multifunctional vibrating actuator are electrically connected to the electrodes of the circuit board. |
| US07684201B2 |
Multi-stage alignment guidepin
An alignment guidepin comprises a pre-alignment portion, an alignment portion, and a release portion. The pre-alignment portion provides gross alignment for a connection between a connecting module of a server and a connector of a computer server chassis. The alignment portion is connected to the pre-alignment portion having a first diameter to allow a high precision alignment for the connection between the connecting module and the connector. The release portion is connected to the alignment portion having a second diameter different than the first diameter to allow the connecting module and the connector to guide the connection. |
| US07684199B2 |
Free-wheeling clutch for a motor control center subunit having moveable line contacts
A system and method for connecting supply power to motor control components includes use of a motor control center subunit with moveable supply power contacts. After a motor control center subunit is secured into a motor control center compartment, the supply power contacts may be advanced to engage supply power buses. For disconnection, the supply power contacts may be retracted and isolated from the buses before physical removal of the subunit. A free wheeling mechanism prevents supply power contacts from advancing and retracting past a preset travel range. |
| US07684196B2 |
Enhancing the cooling of dual in-line memory modules
An apparatus for enhancing the cooling of a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) includes a planar body having opposing surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing ends. An engagement flange is connected to the bottom edge of the body. A first clip leg is connected to the engagement flange. The first clip leg includes a tab arranged to engage one mounting latch recess of the DIMM. A second clip leg connected to the engagement flange. The second clip leg includes a tab arranged to engage the other mounting latch recess of the DIMM. |
| US07684195B2 |
Cooling system for electronics housing
A cooling system through which liquid flows for carrying away waste heat for electronics housings is particularly suited for the automotive industry. The cooling system is adapted to the dimensions of the housing. The novel device is the first to create an effective cooling system for electronics housings with and for a number of circuit board levels, yet with a space-saving compact design. |
| US07684192B2 |
Apparatus for air cooling of an electronic device
An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode. |
| US07684187B1 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device includes a vapor chamber, a heat dissipating fins assembly, a cover and a fan. The vapor chamber is configured to a bent shape. The heat dissipating fins assembly is adhered to a partial surface of the vapor chamber. The cover is connected to the vapor camber. A flow passage is defined between the vapor chamber and the cover. The heat dissipating fins assembly is positioned in the flow passage. The cover defines an opening communicating to the flow passage. The fan is arranged facing to the opening of the cover and other partial surface of the vapor chamber. Therefore, the heat dissipating efficiency can be greatly improved. |
| US07684184B2 |
Display apparatus
According to one embodiment, a display apparatus is provided with a support base including an upright wall and a support wall projecting horizontally from the upright wall, a holder holding a read/write device, a mounting member including a first portion opposed to the holder from above and a second portion horizontally opposed to the upright wall, a first elastic member interposed between the support wall and the holder, a second elastic member interposed between the first portion of the mounting member and the holder, and a fastening member fixing the second portion of the mounting member to the upright wall in a direction perpendicular to a back surface of a display panel. The first elastic member is pressed toward the support wall by a weight of the read/write device. |
| US07684183B2 |
Impact buffer, impact buffering device, and information processor having impact buffering device
An impact buffer having a high buffering effect includes two or more impact buffering members with different hardness, contacted with at least one surface of a side surface part of an HDD unit positioned orthogonally to the rotation surface of a magnetic disk of the HDD unit, supports the HDD unit, buffers an impact applied to the HDD unit by expansion and contraction, further moderates the rotation of the HDD unit in the direction causing a head arm to move onto the disk at rest, prevents the head detachment, and can overcome the weaknesses of the head arm and an inertial latch structure. |
| US07684180B2 |
Computer system with vibration absorbing cage
An exemplary computer system includes an enclosure, a cage, a plurality of floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, and optical disk drives received, a system power supply, and a plurality of vibration absorbers. The enclosure includes a bottom wall. The cage is attached to the bottom wall of the enclosure and receives the disk drives, the hard disk drives, the optical disk drives and the system power supply therein. The vibration absorbers are disposed between the bottom wall of the enclosure and the cage. |
| US07684179B1 |
Actuation mechanism for vertical insertion, retention and extraction of an electronic component
An electronic device includes a bay for a removable component with a vertical axis of insertion and removal. The component is inserted upwardly in the electronic device with aid of an actuation mechanism. For example, the actuation mechanism may include a lever and a horizontal support member sized to hold the bottom side of the component. Rotation of the lever translates the support member in the vertical direction to smoothly lift the component into a seated position in which connectors in the component and the electronic device are coupled. The actuation mechanism may include a latch to hold the component securely in the seated position. Rotation of the lever in the opposite direction lowers the support member. The actuation mechanism may include one or more tabs on the horizontal support member or elsewhere that pull the component during removal to overcome the unmating force of the connectors. |
| US07684175B2 |
Display apparatus
In a display apparatus (1), a stand leg (120) is made of a casting material which has a light-weight and which is hard to be deformed in a twist direction, and a display portion fixing members (121) each being made of a steel sheet material which is excellent in ductility are fixed to the stand leg (120) by using screws to form a supporting body (12). Therefore, it is possible to obtain the small-scale supporting body (12) in which there is no reduction in strength of a member having strength as compared with an integral molded article made by casting. |
| US07684172B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and forming method for the same
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a valve metal formed with an anodized film; an inner conductive polymer film formed on the anodized film; and an outer conductive polymer film formed on the inner conductive polymer film. The outer conductive polymer film is obtained by: preparing a first polymer solution (PEDOT/PSSA); dissolving a predetermined dissolved substance in a non-aqueous solvent, the predetermined dissolved substance being selected from the group consisting of boric acid, 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid, and polystyrenesulfonic acid, and a salt thereof; mixing the dissolved solvent with pure water to obtain an additive solution; adding the additive solution into the first polymer solution to obtain a second polymer solution; and applying the second polymer solution to the inner conductive polymer film. |
| US07684169B1 |
Protective ionizing surface for eliminating static
The present invention relates to a protective ionizing device, or protective static eliminator, and methods, systems, apparatus and kits using the device. The device has a surface having a series of (e.g., one or more) grooves or gaps, each groove defines a space; and a multiplicity of ionizing points suspended in the space, just below the upper surface of the device. The ionizing points can be suspended on braided microfibers, on an extruded surface in the groove, on an elastic cord, or on a wire core.The device is useful for the efficient elimination of static charge build-up on a surface of insulative material while maintaining and protecting the ionizing points. |