| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07694121B2 |
System and method for protected operating system boot using state validation
A mechanism for protected operating system boot that prevents rogue components from being loaded with the operating system, and thus prevents divulgence of the system key under inappropriate circumstances. After a portion of the machine startup procedure has occurred, the operating system loader is run, the loader is validated, and a correct machine state is either verified to exist and/or created. Once the loader has been verified to be a legitimate loader, and the machine state under which it is running is verified to be correct, the loader's future behavior is known to protect against the loading of rogue components that could cause divulgence of the system key. With the loader's behavior being known to be safe for the system key, the validator may unseal the system key and provides it to the loader. |
| US07694119B1 |
Techniques for device initialization
Described are techniques for initializing a device in a data storage system. An indicator is set in an entry associated with a portion of the device indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. A signature field of the entry is set with a signature value indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. The device is indicated as available for use after setting the indicator and the signature field for each portion of the device. The device has one or more portions and each of the portions has a corresponding entry including an indicator and a signature field. |
| US07694118B2 |
Function addition apparatus and function addition method
A function addition apparatus allows an added function to be started-up immediately after a computer has been powered on or reset. A function expansion program stored in a program storage section is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program and is executed by the CPU. The functional expansion program controls a functional section. Under a first condition, the CPU is prevented from returning to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU. Under a second condition, the CPU is returned to execution of a start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU so that the operating system is started-up. When the operating system is started-up after the CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program, the operating system or the like controls the functional section. |
| US07694112B2 |
Multiplexing output from second execution unit add/saturation processing portion of wider width intermediate result of first primitive execution unit for compound computation
A method for executing multiple computational primitives is provided in accordance with exemplary embodiments. A first computational unit and at least a second computational unit cooperate to execute multiple computational primitives. The first computational unit independently computes other computational primitives. By virtue of arbitration for shared source operand buses or shared result buses, availability of the first and second computational units needed to execute cooperatively the multiple computational primitives is assured by a process of reservation as used for a computational primitive executed on a dedicated computational unit. |
| US07694110B1 |
System and method of implementing microcode operations as subroutines
Various embodiments of methods and systems for implementing a set of microcode operations corresponding to a microcoded instruction as a microcode subroutine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microprocessor includes a dispatch unit configured to dispatch operations and a scheduler coupled to the dispatch unit and configured to schedule dispatched operations for execution. In response to receiving a microcoded instruction, the dispatch unit is configured to dispatch a microcode subroutine call operation that specifies a tag identifying a microcode subroutine. |
| US07694109B2 |
Data processing apparatus of high speed process using memory of low speed and low power consumption
When fetching an instruction from a plurality of memory banks, a first pipeline cycle corresponding to selection of a memory bank and a second pipeline cycle corresponding to instruction readout are generated to carry out a pipeline process. Only the selected memory bank can be precharged to allow reduction of power consumption. Since the first and second pipeline cycles are effected in parallel, the throughput of the instruction memory can be improved. |
| US07694106B2 |
Multiprocessor system
A multiprocessor system includes a judging unit judging whether a read command inputted to a global address crossbar is a read command to a memory on an own system board, an executing unit speculatively executing, when the judging unit judges that the read command is a read command to the memory on the own system board, the read command before global access based on an address notified from the global address crossbar, a setting unit setting for queuing data read from the memory in a data queue provided on a CPU without queuing the data in a data queue provided on the memory, and an instructing unit instructing, based on notification from the global address crossbar, the data queue provided on the CPU to discard the data or transmit the data to the CPU. |
| US07694105B2 |
Data storage systems that implement sector sets
A data storage device has a data storage medium configured to store a first version of data in parent sectors. The data storage device is configured to store a second version of the data in child sectors. The child sectors have the same logical block addresses as the parent sectors. A host operating system can read data from or write data to the child sectors by sending logical block addresses and a sector set number to the data storage device. The logical block addresses and the sector set number identify the child sectors. In response to receiving a request to access the child sectors, the data storage firmware identifies physical addresses that correspond to the logical block addresses and the sector set number. The data storage device uses the physical addresses to identify the location of the child sectors. |
| US07694104B2 |
Virtualization controller and data transfer control method
System for controlling data transfer between a host system and storage devices. A virtualization controller implements the data transfer and includes first ports for connection with the storage devices, a second port for connection with the host system, a processor, and a memory configured to store volume mapping information which correlates first identification information used by the host system to access a first storage area in one of the storage devices, with second identification information for identifying the first storage area, the correlation being used by the processor to access the first storage area. When data stored in the first storage area is transferred to a second storage area, the processor correlates the first identification information with a third identification information for identifying the second storage area and registers the first identification information and the third identification information in the volume mapping information. |
| US07694101B2 |
Implementing virtual disk reservations on a storage media for multiple distributed applications
A method for implementing virtual disk reservations on a storage media for multiple distributed applications. The method includes initializing a plurality of virtual disks, wherein each of the virtual disks is instantiated on a physical storage media. A reservation status is determined for each of the virtual disks and a first distributed application that uses at least one virtual disk is executed. Upon an update of the reservation status for the at least one virtual disk by the first distributed application, a notification indicator is set to notify a second distributed application of the update. The update is subsequently recognized and the notification indicator is cleared in order to continue I/O for the first distributed application and the second distributed application. |
| US07694098B2 |
System and methods for avoiding base address collisions
Processes are monitored as components are loaded into memory. Relocation of a component to an alternate base address instead of its preferred base address, causes an alternate component to be created corresponding to the relocated component. The alternate component is a copy of the relocated component, but the preferred base address of the alternate component is reset to be the alternate base address of the relocated component. Additional alternate components may be created for each relocated component, with each additional alternate component being optimized in a different manner. Alternate components may be implemented as alternate data stream of the corresponding relocated components. In response to subsequent requests to load a selected component into memory, it is determined whether the selected component has at least one corresponding alternate component. If so, one of the corresponding alternate components is loaded into memory instead of the selected component. |
| US07694096B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for implementing protected partitions in storage media
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for implementing protected partitions in storage media. The apparatus includes a control module configured to communicate with a host and receive read/write commands for a storage device, and a protection module operating within the control module and configured to maintain a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states. The system includes the apparatus, a host device, and a storage device coupled with the host, the storage device including an enclosure having storage media and a control module. The method includes communicating with a host device and receiving read and write commands for a storage device having at least one partition, and maintaining a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states on a control module located within the storage device. |
| US07694095B2 |
Managing snapshots using messages
A method and apparatus for managing snapshots of a file system using messages. A snapshot is a restorable version of a file system created at a predetermined point in time. A message is a persistent data structure supported by a file server. A message may include one or more snapshots, attributes for the message, and/or access control information for the message. The attributes and access control information are applied to all snapshots in the message. The attributes in the message enable users to perform automatic event-based management of the snapshots in the message. The access control information in the message provides granular access control to the snapshots in the message. |
| US07694094B2 |
Transaction method for managing the storing of persistent data in a transaction stack
A transaction method manages the storing of persistent data to be stored in at least one memory region of a non-volatile memory device before the execution of update operations that involve portions of the persistent data. Values of the persistent data are stored in a transaction stack that includes a plurality of transaction entries before the beginning of the update operations so that the memory regions involved in such an update are restored in a consistent state if an unexpected event occurs. A push extreme instruction reads from the memory cells a remaining portion of the persistent data that is not involved in the update operation, and stores the remaining portion in a subset of the transaction entries. The push extreme instruction is executed instead of a push instruction when the restoring of the portion of persistent data is not required after the unexpected event. The restoring corresponds to the values that the persistent data had before the beginning of the update operations. |
| US07694086B1 |
Method and system for incremental backup of data volumes
A method and system for incremental backup is disclosed. The method includes attaching a first plex to a log, which includes a log plex. The method also includes writing data to said log plex and said first plex. |
| US07694083B1 |
System and method for providing a virtual memory architecture narrower and deeper than a physical memory architecture
Some embodiments provide a method of presenting virtual memory as narrower and deeper than a physical memory. The method receives a memory address location including a set of real memory address bits and a set of virtual memory position bits. The method retrieves an original memory word from a physical memory using the real memory address bits. The method shifts the original memory word by an amount determined by the virtual memory position bits by using a barrel shifter, creating a shifted memory word. The method reads a part of the shifted memory word. |
| US07694080B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a low power mode for a processor while maintaining snoop throughput
A method and apparatus for providing a low power mode for a processor while maintaining snoop throughput are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cache, a processor, and a frequency controller. The frequency controller is to operate the apparatus in a low power mode in which the operating frequency of the cache is higher than the operating frequency of the processor. |
| US07694078B2 |
Data processing apparatus that provides parallel access to multi-dimensional array of data values
An array of data values, such as an image of pixel values, is stored in a main memory (12). A processing operation is performed using the pixel values. The processing operation defines time points of movement of a multidimensional region (20, 22) of locations in the image. Pixel values from inside and around the region are cached for processing. At least when a cache miss occurs for a pixel value from outside the region, cache replacement of data in cache locations (142) is performed. Locations that store pixel data for locations in the image outside the region (20, 22) are selected for replacement, selectively exempting from replacement cache locations (142) that store pixel data locations in the image inside the region. In embodiments, different types of cache structure are used for caching data values inside and outside the region. In an embodiment the cache locations for pixel data inside the regions support a higher level of output parallelism than the cache locations for pixel data around the region. In a further embodiment the cache for locations inside the region contains sets of banks, each set for a respective line from the image, data from the lines being distributed in a cyclically repeating fashion over the banks. |
| US07694076B2 |
Method and system for dynamic distributed data caching
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The method includes providing a cache community comprising at least one peer. Each peer has an associated first content portion indicating content to be cached by the respective peer. A client may be allowed to join the cache community. A peer list associated with the cache community is updated to include the client. The peer list indicates the peers in the cache community. A respective second content portion is associated with each peer based on the addition of the client. |
| US07694075B1 |
System for enabling and disabling cache and a method thereof
A second cache (e.g., L2 cache) is enabled or disabled based at least in part on an utilization of a first cache (e.g., L1 cache). The utilization of the first cache may be interpreted as an estimation of the likely utilization of the second cache. The utilization may be estimated by monitoring, for example, the eviction rates of the first cache or other caches, by monitoring the proportion of ways of the first cache used by an instruction stream, or by monitoring the duration between certain instructions executed by the processor, such as the duration between suspend operations. |
| US07694073B2 |
Computer system and a method of replication
In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user. |
| US07694070B2 |
Computer system for managing performances of storage apparatus and performance management method of the computer system
In a computer system with a DBMS running thereon, management of the performance of a storage apparatus is executed by using a performance indicator provided by a user job so as to simplify the management of the performance. For this reason, a management server employed in the computer system monitors an operating state of each system element, a response time onto a job and other information. A method for estimating a processing time is given to the management server, which issues a setting modification command based on an estimated processing time. |
| US07694069B2 |
System and method for detecting multiple matches
A system for identifying asserted signals includes a plurality of input ports, a priority encoding module, and a match module. The plurality of input ports receive one of a plurality of input signals. The priority encoding module is coupled to the plurality of input ports and outputs a signal indicating a highest-priority input signal that is asserted. The match module is also coupled to the plurality of input ports and receives a plurality of match detect signals from the priority encoding module. Each match detect signal is associated with a particular input signal and indicates whether another input signal having a higher-priority than the associated input signal is asserted. The match module also generates a multiple match signal based on the input signals and the match detect signals. The multiple match signal indicates whether more than one of the input signals is asserted. |
| US07694067B2 |
Memory card
A memory device is provided which is connected to operate with power and clocks supplied from a host apparatus. The memory device includes external terminals, a flash memory chip to store data, an IC chip to process data; and a controller chip connected with the external terminals, the flash memory chip and the IC chip. The flash memory chip, the IC chip and the controller chip are discrete chips. The controller chip writes data inputted from the host apparatus into the flash memory chip or the IC chip and transfers data read from the flash memory chip or the IC chip to the host apparatus, based upon commands from the host apparatus. |
| US07694065B2 |
Distributed cache architecture
Methods for a treatment of cached objects are described. In one embodiment, an object, associated with an object key, is stored in a first local memory cache associated with a first virtual machine within a first computing system. The object is also stored in a serialized format to a database. The object key is serialized after receiving a notification of successful storage of the object in the database. The serialized key is then sent over a network to a second computing system. |
| US07694064B2 |
Multiple cell computer systems and methods
In an embodiment, a multi-processor computer system includes multiple cells, where a cell may include one or more processors and memory resources. The system may further include a global crossbar network and multiple cell-to-global-crossbar connectors, to connect the multiple cells with the global crossbar network. In an embodiment, the system further includes at least one cell-to-cell connector, to directly connect at least one pair of the multiple cells. In another embodiment, the system further includes one or more local crossbar networks, multiple cell-to-local-crossbar connectors, and local input/output backplanes connected to the one or more local crossbar networks. |
| US07694062B1 |
System and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit
Systems and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit (IC) are described. Capacitive elements disposed within a transmitting IC effectively function as AC coupling capacitors for a PCIe, DisplayPort™ or other interconnect linking the transmitting IC with a receiver disposed remote there from. Integrating the coupling capacitors allows for a smaller and more economical design for the circuits that utilize the interconnect. |
| US07694059B2 |
Interface for bridging out-of-band information from a downstream communication link to an upstream communication link
A device includes a first interface to receive a signal from a first communication link, wherein the receive signal includes out-of-band (OOB) information. A detector coupled to the first interface detects the OOB information. An encoder coupled to the detector encodes the OOB information into one or more symbols (e.g., control characters). A second interface is coupled to the encoder and a second communication link (e.g., a serial transport path). The second interface transmits the symbols on the second communication link. The device also includes mechanisms for preventing false presence detection of terminating devices. |
| US07694058B2 |
Storage router and method for providing virtual local storage
A storage router (56) and storage network (50) provide virtual local storage on remote SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) to Fiber Channel devices. A plurality of Fiber Channel devices, such as workstations (58), are connected to a Fiber Channel transport medium (52), and a plurality of SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) are connected to a SCSI bus transport medium (54) The storage router (56) interfaces between the Fiber Channel transport medium (52) and the SCSI bus transport medium (54). The storage router (56) maps between the workstations (58) and the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) and implements access controls for storage space on the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64). The storage router (56) then allows access from the workstations (58) to the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) using native low level, block protocol in accordance with the mapping and the access controls. |
| US07694056B2 |
Variable-function or multi-function apparatus and methods
A computer system is provided which includes a computer configured to detect for the occurrence of an event. The computer is also configured to determine whether content related to the event should be generated by a device coupled to the computer and to provide a signal to the device if it determines that the device should generate the content related to the event. The device includes a first module which is configured to generate the content related to the event. |
| US07694055B2 |
Directing interrupts to currently idle processors
Interrupts are directed to currently idle processors. Which of a number of processors of a computing system that are currently idle is determined. An interrupt is received and directed to one of the currently idle processors for processing. Determining which processors are currently idle can be accomplished by monitoring each processor to determine whether it has entered an idle state. When a processor has entered an idle state, it is thus determined that the processor is currently idle. Where just one processor is currently idle, an interrupt is directed to this processor. Where more than one processor is currently idle, one of these processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt, such as in a round-robin manner. Where no processor is currently idle, then one of the processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt. |
| US07694054B2 |
Governing access to a computing resource
Technologies are described herein for governing access to a computing resource. A proxy receives a request to access a computing resource. In response to the request, the proxy determines whether the request can be granted without consulting a governor for the computing resource. If the request cannot be granted without consulting the governor, the proxy transmits the request to a broker. The broker, in turn, transmits the request to a governor for the computing resource. The governor determines whether the requested access to the computing resource should be granted. The governor generates a response to the request and transmits the response to the broker. The broker, in turn, transmits the response to the proxy. The broker may also request notifications from the governor. |
| US07694049B2 |
Rate control of flow control updates
Various embodiments adjust the rate at which periodic flow control updates are transmitted when in a lower power or power saving state. One embodiment transmits flow control updates across a bus based upon a first rate in response to a normal power mode and transmits second flow control updates across the bus based upon a second rate in response to a power saving mode. |
| US07694048B2 |
Remote control apparatus for printer appliances
An apparatus for the remote wireless control of a printer appliance includes a remote control handset and a wireless receiver for connection to the appliance. The remote control unit is adapted to transmit data and control codes to the receiver. The receiver is responsive to the data and control codes to control the appliance to print the data. The remote control unit includes a reader for a storage medium for printing the data, or a cable or wireless interface to an image acquisition device such as a digital video or still camera. |
| US07694047B1 |
Method and system for sharing input/output devices
A PCI-Express module that is coupled to plural host systems and to at least an input/output (I/O) device is provided. The PCI-Express module includes an upstream port module and a downstream port module that use a mapping table to facilitate the plural host systems sharing the I/O device by modifying a transaction layer packet (TLP) field. For upstream ID based traffic, a source identifier is replaced based on the mapping table and a destination identifier is replaced with a value that is captured during upstream port module initialization. For upstream address based traffic, the mapping table routes TLPs by using a downstream port number and a function number in a source identification field. For downstream ID based traffic, a destination identifier is replaced by using the mapping table for routing TLPs. For downstream address based traffic, the PCI-Express module uses an address map to route TLPs. |
| US07694046B2 |
Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device
A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port. |
| US07694044B2 |
Stream under-run/over-run recovery
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described to recover from stream under-run and/or over-run conditions. In some embodiments, an audio controller may discard any partial sample block of the stream. |
| US07694041B2 |
Method for managing buffers pool and a system using the method
Method and system for managing a buffers pool. The system may include a first processor coupled to a general memory having allocation ring and de-allocation ring portions; and a second processor to perform internal accounting of pointer(s) buffer(s). The second processor has an internal storage array logically divided into first and second storage spaces. The second processor releases temporarily un-required buffer(s) pointer(s) to the first storage space, or to the second storage space if the first storage space is full. The second processor utilizes allocated buffer(s) pointer(s) accumulated in the first storage space. The second processor is to cause a DMA engine to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the allocation ring to the first storage space, and to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the second storage space to the de-allocation ring. |
| US07694033B2 |
Information processing apparatus managing a peripheral device connected to a computer
According to the present invention, is allowed to store, in a hard disk drive, only a driver and an application which are necessary for a peripheral device connected a personal computer, the area in use of the hard disk drive is reduced. An information processing apparatus comprising first storing unit storing therein a basic program which is executed on a computer connectable to a peripheral devices, peripheral device associated programs which is executed when the peripheral devices is in use, and an identification program for identifying a type of the peripheral device connected to the computer and control unit executing the basic program, the peripheral device associated programs, and the identification program, wherein the control unit includes unit storing the type of the currently connected peripheral device through the execution of the identification program and unit storing, from second storing unit storing therein the plurality of peripheral device associated programs, the peripheral device associated programs which is associated with the currently connected peripheral device in the first storing unit through the execution of the basic program. |
| US07694027B2 |
System and method for peripheral communication with an information handling system
Videoconferencing through an information handling system is supported with a display, camera and microphone that communicate with the information handling system through a single cable, such as a DisplayPort cable. Visual information is communicated from the information handling system to the display through a unidirectional main link and display control information is communicated between the information handling system and the display through a bidirectional auxiliary link. Peripheral information, such as digitized audio signals captured by the microphone and packetized video information capture by the camera, are communicated to the information handling system through the auxiliary link. Peripheral commands generated at the information handling system, such as camera control commands, are communicated from the information handling system to the peripheral through the auxiliary link. |
| US07694026B2 |
Methods and arrangements to handle non-queued commands for data storage devices
Methods and arrangements to handle non-queued commands for data storage devices, such as Parallel and Serial ATA hard drives, are disclosed. Embodiments may comprise a host and/or a data storage device. The host and data storage device may form, e.g., a handheld device such as an MP3 player, a cellular phone, or the like. The storage device may comprise a new method of responding to a non-queued command while the storage device may be processing a queue of commands. In many embodiments, the method involves processing queued commands until the drive receives a non-queued command that requires immediate processing by the drive. In many of these embodiments, the drive will respond in a new manner to process the non-queued command, the end result having no or minimal impact on host system operation. |
| US07694018B2 |
Method and system for communication between two devices by editing machine specific information at a proxy server
A method for communicating between two devices through a proxy server, and a system for implementing the same. The method discloses a proxy server that is capable of receiving traffic at a proxy server from a first device and a second device. The second device services the first device. The method and proxy server allow for communication between the first and second devices by editing machine specific information in the traffic at the application layer so that traffic sent to the first and second devices appears to be from the proxy server. The traffic complies with a protocol operating at the application layer. Thereafter, the traffic that is edited is forwarded to the first and second devices appropriately. |
| US07694015B2 |
Connection control system, connection control equipment and connection management equipment
With respect to a communication operation between networks having no connection permission, a connection control apparatus calculates a communicatable detour communication path from a connection policy database, and in such a case that a communication operation can be carried out between these networks having no connection permission, the connection control apparatus permits the communication operation via a detour communication path after authentication. |
| US07694013B2 |
Duplicating switch for streaming data units to a terminal
Streaming to a terminal by using a duplicating switch to receive a stream of data units, using the duplicating switch to store content from the stream, using the duplicating switch to generate a second stream that incorporates the content that was stored and address information corresponding to more than one terminal whose addressing information was not part of the first stream, and using the duplicating switch to make the second stream of data units available to two or more terminals. |
| US07694009B2 |
System and method for balancing TCP/IP/workload of multi-processor system based on hash buckets
A method and system is provided for balancing work load for a plurality of computer processors in a multiple processor computer system. In such a system, there are a plurality of packets to be processed. First, a plurality of hash buckets are generated and each packet is assigned to a bucket by performing a predetermined hash function. The different hash buckets are then assigned to the processors based on the workload of all the processors. In connection with processing connections with a timer thread, a plurality of connections are processed with a plurality of timer threads. A plurality of hash buckets are provided, and each connection is mapped to one of the hash buckets. Further, each hash bucket is assigned to a processor timer thread based on a workload thereof. |
| US07694007B1 |
Methods and apparatus for managing requests
A management control center communicates with multiple agents in a storage area network. On behalf of the management control center, the agents communicate with a switch resource management entity that maintains configuration information about resources such as a group or groups of switches in the storage area network. Based on a chain of communications from the management control center through the agents to the remote management entity, the management control center can indirectly learn about a configuration of switch resources in the storage area network. The agent utilizes a calculated current load value (e.g., a value indicating a relative burden placed on the remote management entity to service the forwarded set of requests) to selectively forwards requests to the switch resource management entity. This technique ensures that the switch resource management entity is not overwhelmed by a task of servicing too many requests at the same time. |
| US07694006B2 |
System and method for distributing media data
A method and computer program product for receiving a plurality of media data file portions on a client electronic device from a remote distribution server computer. Each media data file portion is associated with a media data stream. A user is allowed to select a specific media data file portion for rendering. The specific media data file portion is chosen from the plurality of media data file portions. Upon the user selecting the specific media data file portion, at least a portion of the specific media data file portion is rendered and a specific media data stream associated with the specific media data file portion is obtained from an on-demand media server computer. |
| US07694004B2 |
Bit-granular writes of control registers
In an example embodiment, a method writes individual bits of data to a register. Bits of data are received in a data field. The number of bits in the data field is equal to the number of bits in the register and the bit locations in the data field correspond respectively to the bit locations in the register. Enable bits are received in a bit enable field. The number of enable bits in the bit enable field is equal to the number of bits in the register. The bit locations in the bit enable field correspond respectively to bit locations in the register. Only the bits at the bit locations of the register for which the enable bit in the corresponding location in the bit enable field is set are overwritten with the bit in the corresponding location in the data field. |
| US07694003B2 |
Systems and methods for migratable services
A migration framework provides for the migration of services in a cluster. A migratable target contains a list of servers in the cluster capable of hosting a migratable service. A migration manager can migrate the service between servers in the migratable target, and can activate an instance of the service on the selected host server. The migration manager ensures that only one active instance of the service exists in the cluster. A service stub can serve a user request on servers in the migration target, such as by order of preference, until the user request is served on the server hosting the active instance. A lease manager can assign a lease period to determine how long a server hosts an active instance. |
| US07694002B2 |
System and method for dynamically upgrading / downgrading a conference session
A conferencing system includes a plurality of ports for network connection to endpoint devices of participants to a conference session. A mixer receives input audio streams from the endpoint devices and then outputs a mixed audio stream back to the endpoint devices. A processor runs a program that automatically downgrades one or more of the participants to the conference session from a full-duplex communication mode to a half-duplex communication mode in response to an event affecting allocation of conferencing resources, the conferencing resources including the ports. |
| US07693997B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing data between communication devices in a networked environment
A source communication device comprises a cluster manager to group destination device connections into a plurality of performance clusters. The cluster manager then causes a synchronization mechanism to be generated for each performance cluster. Each synchronization cluster can then allow data to be optimally shared between the source device and destination devices within a given cluster. |
| US07693989B2 |
Communication device preventing unauthorized access to its services via user intervention and a method thereof
A communication device is connected with a wide area network (WAN) and a local area network (LAN) and includes a recording unit that performs predetermined processing in accordance with a request, that comes in through the WAN or the LAN. A controller of a communication module of the communication device determines whether a request came in through the WAN or the LAN. When the request comes in through the WAN, the controller demands an acceptance/rejection determination as to the performance of the request from a user of the communication device. When the performance of the requested operation is accepted, the controller performs the processing according to the request that came in through the WAN. |
| US07693988B2 |
Subject/observer update control method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for maintaining data consistency between a subject and an observer. In one embodiment, an observer configures an aspect with a desired update type indicator, and then instructs the aspect to attach itself to a subject. The subject sends an update to the aspect when it changes state. The aspect interrogates the update, generates a update type indication, and selectively communicates an update based on a comparison between the desired type indication and the update type indicator. Some embodiments may also selectively modify and accumulate the update. |
| US07693987B2 |
System using BACnet visual test shell for monitoring and analyzing data frames on BACnet MS/TP communication network
A BACnet MS/TP communication network analysis system includes: a monitoring node for performing a first filtering on a frame received from the network, configuring a monitoring frame by adding a monitoring frame header to the received frame, and transmitting a frame corresponding to a message created in the BACnet visual test shell (VTS) to the communication network; and a monitoring module for receiving the monitoring frame, performing a second filtering thereon, outputting a result of the second filtering, transmitting a part of the monitoring frame on which the second filtering is performed to the VTS, receiving a message from the VTS, determining a destination address of the network to which the received message is transferred, configuring an MS/TP frame on the basis of the received message and the destination address, and transmitting the configured MS/TP frame to the monitoring node. |
| US07693978B2 |
Distributing live performances
An audio codec uses one or more access points to broadcast or unicast a performance to a mobile digital media device that is registered and therefore is authorized to receive the performance. Prior to receiving, the mobile digital media device is authenticated by replying to an RFID query from one or more access points. If the mobile digital media device is registered, a secure key is sent to the mobile digital media device. The mobile digital media device uses the secure key to decrypt music being broadcasted or unicasted to receive the distribution of the live performances in the music venue. |
| US07693976B2 |
Granular management of network resources
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for granular management of network resources by accessing network device resources through associated references. In one embodiment, the references are group names, and one or more resources (i.e., a resource collection) within each network device in a telecommunications network may be linked with one or more group names. Group names (or other types of references) may then be used to limit a user's access to particular network device resources. That is, a user may only have access to those resources associated with group names to which the user has access. Over time, network device resources may be associated or disassociated with particular group names. As a result, group names provide users with dynamic access to network device resources. In one embodiment, the groups to which a user has access are defined within a user profile associated with the user. Grouping network device resources, therefore, allows for a granular view of each network device in the network by limiting a user's access to those resources corresponding to group names listed in their user profile. As one example, grouping may allow for customer network management—that is a customer's view is limited to only those network device resources for which they have subscribed. |
| US07693975B2 |
Network device applying kalman filter
Systems, methods, and device are provided for network and network device management. One method embodiment includes receiving information associated with a network device. The method further includes analyzing the network information using a Kalman filter. |
| US07693971B2 |
Distributed policy based system management with local management agents responsible for obtaining and storing policies thereat
A computer network is managed by policies. This allows selections to be made from a range of control options and optionally to be based on locally available system information. Policy-based management is distributed across the system and is handled locally by management agents allowing control of a sub-network. As a result of a distributed policy-based management system is provided which allows additional flexibility of control. |
| US07693969B2 |
Program distributing apparatus and program distributing system
A program distributing apparatus is connected to a program distributing server and a plurality of terminals via a network, and distributes a program to be embedded into the terminals and the apparatus to the terminals. The apparatus includes a fetching unit that fetches the program from the program distributing server on behalf of the terminals, and a distributing unit that distributes fetched program to the terminals. |
| US07693968B2 |
Printing system, information processing apparatus, installation method, and program for implementing the method
A printing system which allow an administrator to change the settings of client apparatuses concerning the apparatus configuration of a printer, on his/her own initiative. Apparatus configuration information on the printer is acquired from the printer by a server apparatus via the network. The acquired apparatus configuration information on the printer is coupled to driver data, and the driver data having the apparatus configuration information on the printer coupled thereto is installed in the client apparatuses in response to an installation instruction from a user without waiting for an installation request to be received from any of the client apparatuses via the network. |
| US07693963B2 |
Technical support process for power monitoring networks
A technical support process is provided for multiple electrical power monitoring systems, each of which has multiple types of devices coupled to a common server through a network. A technical support group is provided at one or more locations remote from the power monitoring systems and associated with the manufacturer of at least certain of the devices in the power monitoring systems. The owners of the power monitoring systems and the common servers are provided with access to the remote technical support group so that the owners can request technical support from that group to solve a reported problems with the power monitoring systems. When an owner of one of the power monitoring systems requests technical support from the remote group, that owner is provided with a portable storage medium. The common server for the power monitoring system for which technical support was requested is then virtualized, the resulting virtualized server is loaded onto the portable storage medium, and that storage medium is delivered to the remote technical support group. The remote group uses the virtualized server to analyze the owner's actual server and arrive at a solution to the reported problem. |
| US07693962B2 |
Method and system for seamlessly accessing remotely stored files
A system and method by which users via programs on one computer may seamlessly access files remotely stored on other computers that run a well known file access protocol. An operating system extension and an application level network access program are provided. The operating system extension receives file system requests for remote files from the operating system that were issued according to a well known application program interface. The operating system extension forwards the remote file system request to the network access program. The network access program reformats the request according to a well known application level network protocol extension and sends it over a network to a remote computer system. |
| US07693957B2 |
Data management system storing file in designated folder
A file storage system that allows the user to easily designate a desired location to store a file is configured as follows. In response to a tree structure request mail from a client, a server creates a tree structure for a folder that can be accessed by the user, and describes it in a mail for reply. The user receives the mail with the description of the tree structure, designates a storage location in the form of a reply thereto, and sends a mail with an attached file to be stored to the server. Upon receiving this mail, the server stores the attached file in the designated storage location. |
| US07693956B2 |
Accessing deep web information using a search engine
Associated query parameters of queries of query answer web pages of a plurality of websites corresponding to a set of search criteria are identified and reconciled. Proxy web page specifications comprising the queries and their associated query parameters are created, and submitted for processing by a search engine to create a plurality of indices to effectively index the dynamic query answer web pages. For associated query parameters to be posted to the websites, the associated query parameters for pre-filling the forms are pre-stored at a proxy server, and the corresponding queries included in the indices, modified to address the proxy servers. During operation, on receipt of the search criteria from a client, the search engine returns a search answer web page including the indices that effectively indexes the dynamic query answer web pages. In alternate embodiment, the effective indices may be automatically selected |
| US07693954B1 |
System and method for direct to archive data storage
A system for data storage includes a switch node, a meta-data server, a plurality of storage servers having at least one respective data storage device, and a scalable interconnect. The scalable interconnect couples the switch node, the meta-data server, and the storage servers. At least one of the switch node, the meta-data server and the storage servers includes a hierarchical storage manager (HSM). When information is received at the switch node, the HSM presents the information substantially simultaneously to the storage servers for storage at the respective data storage devices. |
| US07693953B2 |
Providing Web services for wireless communication devices
A system and method are described for interfacing a wireless device with a plurality of web services including social networking web services. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a system for interfacing a wireless device with a plurality of web services comprising a web service proxy having an API to allow other modules to interface with the web service proxy; a plurality of web services adapters interfaced with the web services proxy through the API, each one of the web services adapters configured to communicate with a particular web service using the specific communication formats required by that web service; wherein the web services adapters and the web services proxy convert between the communication formats employed to communicate with each of the web services and a wireless communication format, the wireless communication format being a different format than the communication formats required by each of the web services, thereby enabling bi-directional communication between the wireless device and the plurality of web services. |
| US07693952B2 |
Availability and scalability in a messaging system in a manner transparent to the application
Methods, systems, and computer program products that provide for a runtime messaging infrastructure, which abstracts send and receive operations for exchanging messages with partner endpoint. The messaging infrastructure improves availability and scalability of a message application by improving on the availability and scalability of the underlying message transports. In particular, availability and scalability are improved by linking the message application at runtime with any number of the message transports, without the message application specifying a transport at development time. The message infrastructure receives instructions from the message application specifying end-to-end delivery assurances. The infrastructure uses transports in order to fulfill the specified delivery assurance, and creates a link between the message application and transports for use in exchanging messages. Session state storage can be maintained in a pluggable store, which could be, for example, a durable database store or an application memory store. |
| US07693951B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing instant messaging systems
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window are displayed in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window. |
| US07693949B2 |
Data exchange between a handheld device and another computer system using an exchange manager via synchronization
A method and electronic system for exchanging data between a handheld device and another computer system are described. A data file is transferred to the handheld device using the install application of a synchronization manager. The transferred file is stored as a digital stream file with its native data encoding. After synchronization, a message is sent to notify the exchange manager about the data file. The exchange manager then uses an application registry to identify the application program that corresponds to the file stream based on the extension of the stream file. The pertinent application program is then invoked and the stream file is dispatched to the application for processing. During processing, the pertinent application then formats the stream file such that the data file becomes a record within the database file that is associated with the pertinent application. |
| US07693947B2 |
Systems and methods for graphically displaying messaging traffic
Systems and methods for graphically displaying messaging traffic flows by collecting messaging data, converting a portion of the messaging data to a geographical position and collecting statistics related to the messaging data for overlaying upon a geographical map. |
| US07693943B2 |
Classification of electronic mail into multiple directories based upon their spam-like properties
In an electronic mail system, an apparatus and method for providing, in addition to the conventional “Inbox” directory in which all incoming e-mails are normally received, a plurality of appropriately labeled directories for containing e-mails suspected of being spam, grading the level of spaminess of the incoming e-mails and then moving or copying the incoming e-mails into one or more of the spam directories based upon the e-mails' respective levels of spaminess. |
| US07693940B2 |
Method and system for conversation detection in email systems
A method and system are provided for conversation detection in email systems. Multiple email messages are provided and grouped as relating to a conversation. The grouping is carried out by applying a similarity function based on a similarity of the email messages' attributes, the similarity function including a similarity between the email messages' participants and at least one of a similarity between the email messages' subjects or a similarity between the email messages' contents. The similarity function may also include the similarity between the email messages' dates. The similarity function may also include weightings for the contributions of the email messages' attributes. A graphical user interface is provided in an email client which includes means for viewing email messages by conversation. |
| US07693939B2 |
Context-based routing in multi-hop networks
Context-based routing in multi-hop networks involves using a context-based routing metric. In a described implementation, respective path values are calculated for respective ones of multiple paths using the context-based routing metric. A path is selected from the multiple paths responsive to the calculated path values. Data is transmitted over at least one link of the selected path. In an example embodiment, the context-based routing metric is ascertained responsive to an estimated service interval (ESI) of a bottleneck link of each path of the multiple paths. In another example embodiment, the context-based routing metric is ascertained responsive to an expected resource consumption (ERC) metric. In an example embodiment of path selection, the path is selected using a context-based path pruning (CPP) technique that involves maintaining multiple local contexts at each intermediate node, with each local context representing at least one partial path. |
| US07693937B2 |
System and method for modifying display components in an internet web page without changing the remainder of the web page
A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons. The evolving interactive dialog box may also include dynamically selectable features, such as font type, font size, font color, box shape, box dimension(s), background colors, foreground colors, etc. |
| US07693935B2 |
Method for providing a user interface for controlling an appliance in a network of distributed stations, as well as a network appliance for carrying out the method
The invention relates to the field of domestic network technology. The control of an appliance in the network via a central appliance for the network and having a display unit is normally simplified with the aid of user interfaces. When an audio-video datastream has to be transmitted between two network appliances, then this takes place via data links that are set up. There is then a close relationship between the connected appliances, and this requires frequent switching between the user interfaces of the two appliances. For example, when the user interface for a CD player is displayed, this user interface must first of all be closed and a user interface for an amplifier in the network must be started, usually by selection from the list of all the appliances in the network, in order then to set the volume for the amplifier. The aim of the invention is to simplify the control of such appliances which are coupled to one another via a data link that has been set up. This is achieved by providing a field in the user interface for an appliance to be controlled, in which field a list of those appliances which maintain a connection that has been set up is displayed, and the user interface of that appliance is displayed with it. This results in a preselection from the list of all of the appliances in the network, allowing the desired user interface to be selected more quickly. |
| US07693931B2 |
System and method for grid computing
A method and system for grid computing. In an embodiment, a plurality of client machines are interconnected to at least one master machine. The master machine assigns a portion of a computing task to each one of the client machines. If any given client machine fails, or is delayed, in the performance its portion of the task, the master machine uses an estimate of that particular portion when presenting output for the task. |
| US07693926B2 |
Modular multiplication acceleration circuit and method for data encryption/decryption
A system to process multiplier X and multiplicand Y may include multiplication of a least-significant bit of X and a least-significant w bits of Y to generate a least-significant w bits of product Z. The system may further include determination of whether a least-significant bit of product Z is 1, addition of a least-significant w bits of modulus M to the least-significant w bits of product Z if the least-significant bit of product Z is 1, multiplication of the least-significant bit of X and bits 2w-1:w of Y to generate bits 2w-1:w of product Z, and addition of bits 2w-1:w of modulus M to bits 2w-1:w of product Z if the least-significant bit of product Z is 1. Multiplying the least-significant bit of X and bits 2w-1:w of Y may occur at least partially contemporaneously with multiplying the least-significant bit of X and the least-significant w bits of Y, determining if the least-significant bit of product Z is 1, and adding the least-significant w bits of modulus M to the least-significant w bits of product Z if the least-significant bit of product Z is 1. |
| US07693925B2 |
Multiplicand shifting in a linear systolic array modular multiplier
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for multiplicand shifting in a linear systolic array modular multiplier are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes two processing elements of a linear systolic array. One processing element includes multiplication logic, multiplicand shift logic, an adder, modulus logic, and modulus shift logic. The multiplication logic is to multiply a word of the multiplicand and a bit of the multiplier to generate a product. The multiplicand shift logic is to shift the word of the multiplicand. The adder is to add the product to a first running sum to generate a second running sum. The modulus logic is to conditionally add a word of a modulus and the second running sum. The modulus shift logic is to shift the word of the modulus. The next processing element includes logic to multiply the shifted word of the multiplicand and the next bit of the multiplier. |
| US07693924B2 |
2N-point and N-point FFT/IFFT dual mode processor
A 2N-point and N-point FFT/IFFT dual mode processor is provided. The processor includes a butterfly operator, the first and second MUXs, and the first and second N-point FFT processors. The butterfly operator receives 2N data and butterfly-operates on the received 2N data when receiving a control signal ‘0’ from the controller. The first and second MUXs respectively receive results from the butterfly operator to output the results in an increment of N when receiving a control signal ‘0’ from the controller, and respectively outputs different N data when receiving a control signal ‘1’ from the controller. The first and second N-point FFT processors N-point FFT operate on the results from the first and second MUXs and respectively output the same under control of the controller. Since the N-point FFT operation can be simultaneously performed two times at a receiver, the performance of the receiver can be enhanced. |
| US07693923B2 |
Digital filter system whose stopband roots lie on unit circle of complex plane and associated method
A method is disclosed for providing a digital filter system for providing a low pass filter function to a digital input. The method includes the steps of determining a finite impulse response of the input, determining a transfer function of the finite impulse response and providing a polynomial, identifying a plurality of stopband roots of the polymonial that lie in a complex plane, identifying real and complex conjugate pairs for the plurality of stopband roots, and providing coefficients for a complex polynomial that realizes the real and complex conjugate pairs such that a plurality of adjusted stopband roots lie on a unit circle of said complex plane. |
| US07693922B2 |
Method for preprocessing a signal and method for signal processing
A method for preprocessing a signal, wherein an iterative process with at least one iteration is performed to generate an output signal based on an input signal. In each iteration a preceding intermediate output signal and the input signal is received. A process is applied to the preceding intermediate output signal to transform the latter according to a given transfer function so as to generate a transformed preceding intermediate output signal. Then, the input signal is subtracted from the transformed intermediate output signal. Thereby, an intermediate error signal is generated and then added to the intermediate output signal so as to generate a succeeding intermediate output signal which is used as an output signal after the iterative process stopped. |
| US07693920B2 |
Recycle-free directory entry system and method
A recycle-free directory entry system and method thereof applicable in a file system are provided. The file system uses one or more directory entries to record a unique file/directory name. The recycle-free directory entry method consists of plural directory entries stored in a storage device with a plurality of sectors, each sector only recording all directory entries corresponding to a unique file/directory. Each directory entry has a directory name field, a directory attribute field and a reserve field. The directory name field records a filename of a related file/directory. The directory attribute field records an attribute of the related file/directory. The reserve field records an identity byte, which indicates that all directory entries corresponding to the related file/directory are exclusively recorded in a single sector. |
| US07693919B2 |
Eager reference-counting garbage collection
An eager reference-counting garbage collection system performs a static analysis on the intermediate representation of a program. The system then uses liveness information to inject eager reference-counting updates into the program. Through the use of the liveness information, reference-counting decrements can be made earlier in execution than in traditional reference-counting schemes, freeing up memory more efficiently. Additionally, a reference-counting subsumption optimization tool identifies redundant reference-counting updates and removes them, lowering the number of garbage collection update calls and improving execution throughput. Reference-counting subsumption can also be used as a throughput enhancer in traditional reference-counting schemes that maintain up-to-date tallies of references from the stack. |
| US07693918B2 |
Rapid prototyping, generating and dynamically modifying a schema representing a database
A system and method for generating a schema for a database is provided. The schema is based, at least in part, upon three main tables: object types, objects, and, associations. Through these three base tables, the system facilitates rapid prototyping of schema associated with database(s). The schema is extensible since associations between objects, objects and object types are not hard-coded and can be dynamically updated by modifying the appropriate entry(ies) in one or more of these three base tables. Thus, through these three tables, an extensible, flexible framework for generating and/or dynamically modifying the schema is provided.The system includes an input component that receives information associated with a requested database prototype. The system further includes a schema generation component that generates a schema based, at least in part, upon the information received by the input component. |
| US07693916B2 |
Correlating process instance data across multiple applications
Instance data is transmitted for Payload/Milestone events and for Enable-Continuation events. Payload/Milestone event data contains information describing an instance and/or providing a time of one or more portions of the processing of an instance. Included in the Enable-Continuation event data is an identifier associated with an instance by a first application and an identifier associated with the same instance by another application. The identifiers are placed in a continuation data table which is used to index the appropriate record of an instance data table. Out-of-order data for an instance is hidden from view until sequentially prior data for the instance is received. |
| US07693915B2 |
Method of displaying a tool tip with filtered contents
A method of browsing media items is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of displaying (802) representations of the media items on a display (914), defining (803) a filter criterion for a display pointing device (903), browsing (804) the displayed representations of the media items by moving the pointer of the pointing device about the display (914), and displaying (804) in a pop-up window, while the pointer of the pointing device (903) is designating a selected one of the displayed representations of the media items, a representation of the designated media that satisfies the filter criterion. |
| US07693914B2 |
Systems and methods for the production, management, syndication and distribution of digital assets through a network
Systems and methods are for production, management, syndication and distribution of digital assets through a network such as the Internet or wireless network. Digital media assets are distributed to consumers through a syndicated network of Outlets under control of a central platform. Distribution is format agnostic. |
| US07693912B2 |
Methods for navigating collections of information in varying levels of detail
By varying the levels of detail associated with items in an ordered collection of information, items may be organized in a way to emphasize details about item of current interest. Displaying varying levels of detail about items in an ordered collection of information involves determining a focus, and based on their relative location to the focus adding additional detail to other items displayed from the collection of information. For instance, a user browsing a web search results list typically only sees a few essential details such as the name, link, and brief abstract about each item in the list. Providing the user with varying levels of detail about each item in the list helps them decide to where they want to navigate. |
| US07693910B2 |
Method of searching documents and a service for searching documents
This invention aims to provide an efficient means of performing a document search wherein relevance between plural document databases is examined. A summary making module and a search module are provided to document databases, and these are connected to a network as a server. A client obtains a relevant set of documents in a specified document database via this summary from a set of documents in the specified document database. The summary obtained is sent to another server, and a search is performed according to the summary in a document database in the server to which the summary is transferred. |
| US07693906B1 |
Methods, systems, and products for tagging files
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tagging files. Metadata is associated to files, and subjective metadata is assigned to the metadata. Any metadata common to multiple files may have different subjective metadata. Tags, for example, may be associated to the files, and a subjective level of importance may be assigned to each tag. Any tag that is commonly assigned to different files may thus have different levels of importance. |
| US07693904B2 |
Method and system for determining relation between search terms in the internet search system
A method of determining a relation between search queries and a system for executing the method are provided. A method of determining a relation between search queries, comprises: maintaining a database including a search session and search queries received from a user terminal during the search session; determining numbers of search sessions where first and second search queries are received during a predetermined time interval; calculating conditional probability based on the determined numbers of search sessions; calculating correlation by using a total number of search sessions and said numbers of search sessions; and determining a relation between said search queries based on said calculated conditional probability and said calculated correlation. |
| US07693900B2 |
Querying of distributed databases using neutral ontology model for query front end
According to an embodiment, a method includes constructing a neutral ontology model of a query front end characterized by ontology schemata which subsume the plurality of different databases on the network in order to provide a common semantic interface for use in generating queries for data from any of the different databases, importing respective database metadata representing logical and physical structures of each database subscribed for receiving queries for data from the database using the query front end, constructing mappings of the database metadata representing the logical and physical structures of each subscribed database to the ontology schemata of the query front end, and storing the constructed mappings for use by the query front end for queries through the common semantic interface of the neutral ontology model for data from any of the different databases. |
| US07693897B2 |
System, program product, and methods to enhance media content management
Embodiments of systems, program products, and methods to enhance and more effectively manage media content are provided. An embodiment of a system, for example, can include a first preselected network framework defining a first network stage and a second preselected network framework responsive to the first network stage and defining a second network stage. The system can also include a code generator responsive to the second network stage to generate program code, a framework stage responsive to the code generator to establish a content management framework and defining a content search engine, a media content services core responsive to the content search engine to enhance digital file management and allow a plurality of media content management services to be performed, and a set of media content service modules each responsive to the media content services core to perform content management services to media. |
| US07693895B2 |
User-friendliness in image list display
A network device comprises a Web service provider unit. In order to provide a client in a network with a service to display a list of multiple images stored in a predetermined storage area, the client having a function as a Web browser, the Web service provider unit sends the client in response to a request from the client a markup language file described in a predetermined markup language. The Web service provider unit includes a layer configuration unit and a Web program generator. The layer configuration unit configures as an element included in the markup language file at least one layer having a visibility attribute that defines whether or not the layer will be displayed on the client and assigns each of the multiple images to one of the layer. The Web program generator generates a Web program that operates on the client and sends the Web program to the client. The Web program is a program that causes the client to implement a first function to set the visibility attribute of the layer and a second function to issue a request to obtain each of the multiple images such that each of the multiple images is respectively placed on the layer to which the image is assigned. |
| US07693886B1 |
Delta query technique
A delta query technique transmits only latest changes to data of objects from a server to one or more clients in response to a client query (request) to access the object data. A global counter is maintained for all of the objects served by the server. Every time the data of an object changes, a value of the global counter increments (updates) and the updated global counter value is then assumed (“inherited”) by that object. In addition, the global counter is updated when a client issues a request to access one or more objects. If the data of the objects has changed since the last time the client accessed the objects, the server responds with the latest object data and the updated global counter value. Notably, each client maintains a local counter having a value that, upon receipt of the latest object data, is modified to reflect the updated global counter value. |
| US07693885B2 |
Computer system, management computer, storage system, and backup management method
A computer system includes a host computer; a storage system for obtaining a snapshot, at a specific point in time, of a data volume, storing data written to the data volume after the specific point in time as a journal, and applying the journal to the snapshot for data recovery; and a management computer. In the computer system, the management computer instructs the storage system to determine whether data at a recovery point after a recovery point of the latest snapshot can be recovered within a specific period of time and to apply, if it has been determined that the data cannot be recovered within the specific period of time, a journal to the latest snapshot to update the latest snapshot to a new snapshot in such a manner that the data can be recovered within the specific period of time. |
| US07693877B1 |
Automated information lifecycle management system for network data storage
An automated information lifecycle management (ILM) system for network storage automatically searches a network storage system to identify data items stored therein. The network storage system includes multiple data storage facilities of different types coupled to a network. The ILM system automatically classifies each of the data items into a category of multiple data categories, and automatically optimizes each of the data items to a particular data storage facility of the multiple data storage facilities, according to the category into which the data item was classified. The ILM system may also automatically discover and detect storage devices added to the network and assign them to the proper storage class, for storing data of the corresponding category. The ILM system further may automatically determine or predict when additional storage capacity is needed for any particular class of storage and may alert a user accordingly and/or free up additional storage capacity. |
| US07693876B2 |
Monitoring usage rate patterns in storage resources
In a method and system for monitoring storage resources, storage containers are monitored to identify their individual normal usage patterns over time. Based on a storage container's normal usage pattern, limits may be established for determining whether its rate of change over a predetermined amount of time (i.e., usage change rate) is normal or abnormal based on a mean and a standard deviation of historical usage rate values. The limits are periodically updated to ensure that the limits remain indicative of the storage container's current usage pattern, as usage patterns may vary over the life of a storage container. |
| US07693871B2 |
Modifying a digital media product
Storing, by an owner of a digital media product, the product in a distributed media library, the library including information describing the modifiable part of the digital media product and a digital grant of rights to modify and distribute the product; producing, from users' digital expressions of preferences, information describing a user community preference for replacing the modifiable part of the digital media product with a replacement part; retrieving the digital media product and the digital grant of rights to modify and distribute the digital media product; receiving at least one replacement part, a digital grant of rights to use the replacement part to modify the digital media product, and a digital grant of rights to distribute the replacement part with the digital media product; and replacing, in accordance with the information describing the user community preference and the digital grants of rights, the modifiable part with the replacement part. |
| US07693869B2 |
Method and apparatus for using item dwell time to manage a set of items
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a serially presented set of items. The process displays a content for a given item for an amount of time based on user input in response to a user selection of the given item. The process identifies a dwell value for the given item based on a dwell time for the given item and a timing profile. The dwell time is the amount of time the content for the given item is displayed. The process removes the item from a plurality of content items in response to a determination that the dwell value for the item is less than a dwell threshold. |
| US07693867B2 |
Model referencing method and apparatus
A method for a computer system includes opening a first file describing a first object in an object environment, determining a reference for a second object, wherein the second object includes a plurality of attributes, receiving a second file describing the second object from a storage system; in response to the reference, and opening the second file describing the second object in the object environment, determining a modified value for an attribute from the plurality of attributes for the second object, and including in the first file the reference for the second object and the modified value for the attribute, wherein the second object is not stored in the first file. |
| US07693853B2 |
Method and apparatus for retrieving data representing a postal address from a plurality of postal addresses
A method for retrieving a desired postal address from a plurality of postal addresses. The invention can feature receiving input data having input terms for finding the desired postal address from a first database of postal addresses where each postal address is formed of a plurality of postal address elements, searching a dictionary for entries in the dictionary corresponding to the input terms, determining that each entry in the dictionary that corresponds to the input terms corresponds to postal address elements of one or more postal addresses in the first database, and outputting data representing the desired postal address. The desired postal address is found in the first database if an address in that database has postal address elements that correspond with each of the entries of the dictionary that corresponds to one or more of the input terms. |
| US07693852B2 |
Method of presentation for data records
Data records contain identification data and user data and are either contained in a highest grouping level or are directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is either contained in the highest grouping level or is directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is in this way either empty or contains at least one directly subordinate element, which is either a data record group or a data record. A selection criterion is specified to a computer by a user, whereupon the computer displays to the user via a display device a list of at least the elements contained in the highest grouping level. The list is sorted according to an ordering criterion independent of the selection criterion. The identification data of each data record fulfilling the selection criterion and contained in the highest grouping level is displayed, and each data record group contained in the highest grouping level and to which at least one data record which fulfils the selection criterion is in turn directly or indirectly subordinate, is displayed. All other elements contained in the highest grouping level are not displayed. With regard to each displayed element, which is not contained in the highest grouping level, the data record group directly superordinate to the displayed element is displayed as well. |
| US07693846B2 |
Data management system and method for data synchronization
A data management system and method that collectively manages material data by synchronizing the material data stored in a material server with an OA server. The method includes sequentially storing material data including generated video/audio signals in at least a material server; determining that the material data stored in the material server has either a synchronous attribute or an asynchronous attribute with respect to at least an OA server which stores material data to be transmitted to a broadcast network. The method also includes synchronizing, between the material and OA servers, processing operations with respect to the same material data existing in both the material and OA servers and respectively having a synchronous attribute. |
| US07693842B2 |
In situ search for active note taking
A system and method that facilitates and effectuates in situ search for active note taking. The system and method includes receiving gestures from a stylus and a tablet associated with the system. Upon recognizing the gesture as belonging to a set of known and recognized gestures, the system creates an embeddable object, initiates a search with terms indicated by the gesture, associates the search results with the created object and inserts the object in close proximity with the terms that instigated the search. |
| US07693841B1 |
Providing parallel generic web site supporting anonymous or semi-anonymous internet activity
Parallel generic and non-generic versions of a Web site allow a user of the site to either remain anonymous (if accessing the generic version) or allow user information to be collected (if accessing the non-generic version). In one exemplary embodiment, a Web site may provide a user an interface for entering and processing a search query. A search query processed by a generic version of the Web site includes a marker that informs a Web server supporting the generic Web site that the user wishes to remain anonymous. A parallel non-generic version of the Web site may also interface with the same Web server as interfaced by the generic Web site, but permit a data collecting scheme at the Web server to collect user-specific or user-identifiable information. Such user information, if collected, can be used by the Web server to enhance the user's experience with the Web site. |
| US07693837B2 |
Technique for simplifying the management and control of fine-grained access
The invention is an improvement to conventional access control systems that use ACLs. The improvement comprises an Access Control Set, which is a data structure of access rules, ACLs, and other ACSs, and an improved object manager program that controls access to data objects according to the contents of an ACS. As in systems that rely exclusively on ACLs, every data object in the improved system includes a reference to an ACS that determines a user's access rights to the data object. |
| US07693834B2 |
Search engine that dynamically generates search listings
A search engine for dynamically generating search results for the user is disclosed. In one embodiment, the user submits a first search query for searching a primary database, such as the content obtained from the World Wide Web, and the search engine obtains primary search listings based upon the search query, which search listings are distinguished from banner advertisements. The system then performs a further search of one or more secondary databases. The secondary search is initiated by the user or automatically by the system, based upon one or more search parameters. The secondary databases may include internal databases maintained by a provider of goods or services, databases that are updated in real time, or databases that include data obtained from a variety of different sources. Examples of secondary databases include inventory databases, product information databases, scheduling databases, market-related databases, location databases or any other database. The search engine compiles the primary search results and secondary search results to produce dynamic search results. The system then presents the dynamic search results to the user, advantageously providing enhanced search listings that include both static and dynamic content relevant to the user's interests and needs. |
| US07693831B2 |
Data processing through use of a context
Data context techniques are described. In an implementation, a method includes determining, by each of a plurality of nodes, whether an item of data contained in a respective node matches one or more items referenced by a context that is broadcast to the plurality of nodes. When the determining results in a match, an indication is emitted by the respective node that identifies a particular one of the items reference by the context. |
| US07693830B2 |
Programmable search engine
A programmable search engine system is programmable by a variety of different entities, such as client devices and vertical content sites to customize search results for users. Context files store instructions for controlling the operations of the programmable search engine. The contest files are processed by various context processors, which use the instructions therein to provide various pre-processing, post-processing, and search engine control operations. |
| US07693827B2 |
Personalization of placed content ordering in search results
A system and method for using a user profile to order placed content in search results returned by a search engine. The user profile is based on search queries submitted by a user, the user's specific interaction with the documents identified by the search engine and personal information provided by the user. Placed content is ranked by a score based at least in part on a similarity of a particular placed content to the user's profile. User profiles can be created and/or stored on the client side or server side of a client-server network environment. |
| US07693826B1 |
System and method for pre-compiling a query and pre-keying a database system
A parallel database system capable of deploying a pre-compiled query and pre-keying data associated with the pre-compiled query includes at least one master node. The at least one master node is operable to store and execute a pre-compiled query that is capable of resolving a data request received by the parallel database system. The system further includes a plurality of slave nodes coupled to the at least one master node. In this particular embodiment, each of the plurality of slave nodes is operable to store one or more key parts. The one or more key parts include data capable of resolving a portion of the pre-compiled query. |
| US07693818B2 |
UserRank: ranking linked nodes leveraging user logs
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates utilizing transition probability in static rankings associated with at least one document. An interface can receive data related to a query, wherein the query can be associated with a search from a user. A rank component can provide query results that are prioritized utilizing a transition probability based on user activity included within a user log. |
| US07693817B2 |
Sensing, storing, indexing, and retrieving data leveraging measures of user activity, attention, and interest
Various components and processes are provided to enable data processing on multiple data types where aspects of the history of user activity, attention, interest, location, or other interaction with data is determined and employed to enhance information storage and access. In one particular aspect, a data manipulation system is provided. The system includes one or more data items that are associated with one or more tags and indicate at least one user's interaction or activity with the data items. A manipulation tool that processes the data items to determine a subset of data items based at least in part on the user's interaction with the data items. Methods are described for using the manipulation tool to weight terms in an index, to compress indexes, to influence the rank of items returned in a search, to generate additional queries for data items either automatically or with user direction, or for improved presentation of data items. |
| US07693809B2 |
Control interface for environment control systems
A method and apparatus for a control interface for environment control systems. An embodiment of a controller for a climate control system includes a memory to store a plurality of constraints for the climate control system and a processor to choose a current climate control activity, the current climate control activity being based at least in part on the constraints. The controller includes a user control interface to provide information to a user, the information identifying the current climate control activity of the climate control system and a constraint that influenced the choice of the current activity. |
| US07693808B2 |
Method for ordinal ranking
A method for generating a list of cases that are ranked by desirability (i.e. an ordinal ranking) based on attributes defined by a decision maker, and providing tools to assist the decision maker in statistically analyzing both the data inputted into a decision problem, the outcomes of the ranking process and the quality and consistency of inputs provided by raters. |
| US07693800B2 |
Method and system for metering mixed weight mail pieces at an increased average rate
A method for printing indicia on mailpieces at an increased average speed. The system includes: a postal scale for determining a postage amount for a mail piece; a printer; and a postage meter responsive to the postal scale to control the printer to print an indicium representative of the postage amount. The postage meter further includes: a programmable controller; a secure mechanism for accounting for postage amounts expended; and an indicia generator. The programmable controller is programmed in accordance with the method of the present invention to: respond to a first signal from the postal scale to generate an indicium representative of the last used amount; and, if the determined postage amount equals the last used amount, respond to a second signal representative of the determined postage amount to print the indicium representative of the last used postage amount; and, if the determined postage amount is not equal to the last used postage amount, respond to the second signal to delete the indicium representative of the last used postage amount; generate an indicium representative of the determined postage amount; and print the indicium representative of the determined postage amount on the mail piece. |
| US07693793B2 |
Management of intra-day interest calculations for bank accounts
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method and system for managing intra-day interest calculation on a bank account. The embodiments provide for control of and support for interest calculations that, instead of being based on daily end-of-day account balances, are based on a plurality of net account balances as determined for a plurality of points in time within a day. |
| US07693792B2 |
Payment system and method, server apparatus, payment processing method, and computer program product
A payment system having a server apparatus (50) capable of transmitting and receiving information via a communication network (1), a first terminal apparatus (10) for a purchase application, a second terminal apparatus (20) for an installment payment organization and a third terminal apparatus (30) for a settlement service organization. The first terminal apparatus includes an inputting device (104) for prompting to input desirable one of a plurality of payment plan informations each indicating a combination of (i) a part of an installment payment for a purchase price of a product, and (ii) a part of a settlement service for a price of a service, as well as for prompting to input personal information and the credit card number. The server apparatus includes a processing device (502) for extracting (i) information relating to items for an installment payment application and (ii) information relating to items for a settlement service application, separately from among the information inputted via the inputting device. |
| US07693791B2 |
Order-resource fulfillment and management system and approach
Historical data is used to manage and authorize payment for merchant offerings for transactions among a plurality of transaction parties. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, invoiced item quantities are processed using historical fulfilled and billed quantities of each item. If invoiced item quantities involved items that have been fulfilled but not billed, payment for the invoiced items is authorized. If some or all of the invoiced items have not been fulfilled or have been previously billed, payment authorization is withheld for at least the portion of unfulfilled or previously billed (and paid) invoiced items. With this approach, historical information relative to order fulfillment and payment status is used to automatically process invoices (e.g., audit the invoices for payment). |
| US07693789B2 |
System and method for detecting fraudulent calls
Systems and methods for evaluating transactions to determine if suspicious activities are possibly present. Various methods include providing a reference designator list with information associated with one or more suspicious activities. Using the reference designator list, a first and a second transaction systems are evaluated. Various systems include two or more transaction systems utilizing information from a fraud detection system. |
| US07693787B2 |
System and method for account reconciliation
An account reconciliation system having a particular usefulness in the reconciliation of centrally billed accounts and more specifically, in the reconciliation of centrally billed accounts in the travel industry is provided. The system and methods of the present invention expand on the traditional match/non-match techniques and provide complete transaction management for every item on a client's account. In another sense, reconciliation is redefined to include each and every transaction on an account regardless of its reconciliation status, i.e., matched, unresolved, pending, etc. Consequently, the present invention reconciles the client's account to the account balance. |
| US07693786B2 |
Communication system and information processing method
A network transaction server apparatus manages virtual world privilege information that is issued for a transaction that a user has conducted in a virtual world by manipulating a personal computer. A settlement server apparatus manages real world privilege information that is issued for a transaction that the user has conducted in a real world. In response to a request from the personal computer, the settlement server apparatus converts virtual world privilege information that is managed by the network transaction server apparatus into real world privilege information using a prescribed conversion factor. |
| US07693785B1 |
Method and device for performing card transactions
A method of performing a card transaction includes accessing a web server using a point of service terminal having a web browser and a card reader, wherein the web server includes commands for obtaining authorization of the transaction; entering a transaction card into the card reader in order to enter an account number associated with the card into the web server; responding to prompts generated by the web server using the terminal; and obtaining authorization for the transaction through the web server. |
| US07693784B2 |
Method and system for reporting cashflows to clients
A system and method of providing a client with cashflow monitoring during a transfer of services (e.g. pre-authorized debits and credits) from a first account to a second account, the method comprising the steps of: (i) determining an effective date for the transfer of each service, said effective dates creating a transfer window; (ii) determining cashflows for said first account and said second account during said transfer window; (iii) adjusting effective dates for transfer of each services to avoid cashflow interruptions in said first and said second accounts; and (iv) providing a cashflow analysis to the client that lists all the effective dates for each service transfer and predicted cashflows for said first and said second account during said transfer window. |
| US07693782B1 |
Method and system for evaluating a loan
A system for evaluating risk associated with a mortgage loan includes an automated underwriting engine configured to calculate a first risk indication and a second risk indication for the mortgage loan. The first risk indication is based on mortgage loan application data received for the mortgage loan, and further based on at least one of interest rate risk and collateral risk associated with the mortgage loan. The second risk indication represents a probability of an adverse event associated with the mortgage loan. The probability of the adverse event is determined based on the mortgage loan application data. The system also includes user interface logic configure to provide a user interface, and further configured to provide the first risk indication to a lender in the form of an underwriting recommendation for the mortgage loan, and to provide the second risk indication to the lender in a form which is useable by the lender to manage the risk associated with the mortgage loan. |
| US07693779B2 |
Method and system for requesting a reservation for a set of equity instruments to be offered
A method and system for the determination of optimal pricing and allocation of securities in an open, competitive environment. The method and system may also be used in developing pre-markets of other items that are difficult to price and allocate in a competitive manner, such as the underwriting/securitization of contracts for property; future revenue/earning streams from an asset and/or group of assets; underwritten insurance portfolios, intellectual property and other goods and services. The system of price optimization and allocation is accomplished by interactive feedback of information using a display and including competitive participation of individual members of the public (and/or their agents) or institutional buyers over a data network e.g., the Internet, uncovering the nature and identification of demand in a self-organizing fashion. Demand emerges through participants' interaction with the system and with each other, via a graphically-supported, interactive reservation process. Multiple types of units (e.g., maturities of a term series bond offering) may be sold in one offering. |
| US07693778B2 |
Risk management contracts and method and apparatus for trading same
Provided herein are various exemplary methods and apparatus for implementation of futures securities custom tailored to specific clienteles; one or more variable pay-out futures contracts as devices for hedging; hedging contracts having variable pay-outs; variable payout hedging contracts having limited exposure; freezing assets of an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract sufficient to cover a maximum exposure of the contract; determining whether an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract has assets sufficient to cover the contract at the time of placing the order; determining whether an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract has assets sufficient to cover the contract immediately before fulfilling the order and charging a penalty to an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract who does not have assets sufficient to cover the contract. |
| US07693775B2 |
Automated system for routing orders for financial instruments based upon undisclosed liquidity
A computerized system and method for placing orders for financial instruments with an exchange or alternative trading system is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, updated order book information is received from each of a plurality of trade execution entities. An order for a first financial instrument of the plurality of financial instruments is received from a first user. The order includes a first price per unit component, and a first unit quantity. The first unit quantity includes a disclosed liquidity quantity and an undisclosed liquidity quantity. The order, including the disclosed liquidity quantity and the undisclosed liquidity quantity, is sent to a first one of the plurality of trade execution entities for execution. A reciprocal order for the first financial instrument that does not require that the trade execution entity be the first one of the trade execution entities is received from a second user. The reciprocal order includes a second price per unit component, and a second unit quantity, and the first and second price per unit components have overlapping values. As a function of (1) the price per unit value and the disclosed liquidity quantity for the first financial instrument in the updated order book information, and (2) the first price per unit component and the first undisclosed liquidity quantity, the reciprocal order is sent to one of the plurality of trade execution entities. |
| US07693773B2 |
Interactive user interface for displaying information related to publicly traded securities
An interactive user interface for displaying information about a plurality of publicly traded securities (e.g., stocks) at one time is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the interface may comprise (i) a two-dimensional chart comprising an x-axis and a y-axis, (ii) a first field for specifying a first metric related to the publicly traded securities for the x-axis, and (iii) a second field for specifying a second metric related to the publicly traded securities for the y-axis. An icon (e.g., a circle or a bubble) may be positioned on the chart at the x and y coordinates for each of the publicly traded companies based on the selected x-axis and y-axis metrics. In addition, the size of the icons may be representative of a third metric related to the publicly traded securities such as, for example, the market capitalization of the companies that issued the securities. Also, an interior feature of the icons (e.g., the color or hatching) may be representative of a fourth metric related to the publicly traded securities, such as the rating for the securities. |
| US07693771B1 |
Method and apparatus for identifying recurring payments
A method and apparatus for identifying recurring payments analyzes historical transactions from a predefined time period to identify potential recurring payments and payees, based on one or more potential recurring payment identification parameters. Once potential recurring payments are identified by analyzing the historical transaction data, the user is presented with potential recurring payments report including a list of the potential recurring payments. In one embodiment, the user is given the opportunity to designate a given potential recurring payment as a confirmed recurring payment. Once a potential recurring payment is confirmed as a recurring payment, the data associated with that recurring payment, such as payee, account number, routing/address, payment amount, and date of payment is saved and the user has the opportunity to set up automatic payment of the recurring payment at a selected interval or to have the recurring payment appear as a payment option at a time selected interval. |
| US07693768B2 |
Click based trading with intuitive grid display of market depth
A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. The “Mercury” display and trading method of the present invention ensure fast and accurate execution of trades by displaying market depth on a vertical or horizontal plane, which fluctuates logically up or down, left or right across the plane as the market prices fluctuates. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently. |
| US07693767B2 |
Method for generating predictive models for a business problem via supervised learning
A method for solving a business problem includes pooling transaction data received from a plurality of subscribers over a network, the transaction data including samples of fraudulent transactions. A data mining algorithm is then applied to the pooled transaction data, resulting in a predictive model that detects a fraudulent transaction. The predictive model is then provided to the subscribers in exchange for a subscription fee. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). |
| US07693764B1 |
Systems and methods for assessing property value fraud
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an indication of whether a mortgage loan is likely to involve property value fraud, such as a property involved in mortgage flipping. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving information representative of the property, the information including foreclosure information on the property and a rate of foreclosures corresponding to a region in which the property is located; and determining an indication based on one or more rules and the received information, the indication representative of a likelihood that the mortgage loan application involves property value fraud. |
| US07693763B2 |
System for providing step out commissions and compensation for research brokers
In a trading environment that comprises buy side traders and securities brokers, a computer process capable of preventing securities brokers from receiving information irrelevant to a commission payment for a securities transaction. The process comprises means for providing an overview of commission payments for a predetermined time period, means for providing details of step-out payments for the predetermined period, means for adjusting step-in amounts and frequencies, means for providing notification that a commission payment has been stepped out and is capable of being credited, means for automatically suggesting and performing step-ins and step-outs, and means for assessing the step-outs and step-ins against a predetermined budget. |
| US07693762B1 |
Method and apparatus for utility pricing analysis
In one implementation, a volatility of expected service usage is calculated along with an expected revenue. User input provides estimates of service usage such as an estimated high usage, an estimated low usage, and a swing range of percentiles for the high and low usage estimates, for each time period in a plurality of future time periods. A user also provides a schedule of prices that are based on usage rates. A model volatility is calculated based on the swing range of percentiles, the estimated high and low usage, and a cumulative density function, such as a cumulative lognormal density function, for each time period in a plurality of time periods. The expected usage and the schedule of prices, along with any discount plans, are also used to calculate an estimated revenue. |
| US07693759B2 |
On demand accrual system and method
A system and method for posting tracking accrued revenue and costs. The system includes an accrual system that causes each inputted accrual event to be posted at the same time (e.g., on the same day) that the accrual event was received; and a reversal system that, on demand (e.g., daily), checks a set of reversal rules and reverses any accrual events that triggered a reversal rule. |
| US07693758B1 |
Activity verification
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs that facilitate verification of activity in an environment of predefined activity orchestration. Activity is captured on image capture devices in the environment of predefined activity orchestration. The activity is verified to be consistent with the predefined activity orchestration. An event is generated based upon whether the activity is consistent with the predefined activity orchestration. |
| US07693757B2 |
System and method for performing inventory using a mobile inventory robot
A mobile inventory robot system generates an inventory map of a store and a product database when a mobile inventory robot is manually navigated through the store to identify items on shelves, a location for each of the items on the shelves, and a barcode for each of the items. The system performs inventory of the items by navigating through the store via the inventory map, capturing a shelf image, decoding a product barcode from the captured shelf image, retrieving a product image for the decoded product barcode from the product database, segmenting the captured shelf image to detect an image of an item on the shelves, determining whether the detected image matches the retrieved image and, if not, setting an out-of-stock flag for an the item. |
| US07693750B2 |
Method and system for aggregating, standardizing and presenting purchase information from shoppers and sellers to facilitate comparison shopping and purchases
A system for comparing terms to describe a transaction. The system receives, for a plurality of sellers of a time sensitive fixed capacity non-physical goods, a plurality of purchase information describing a transaction associated with each of the plurality of sellers, the purchase information comprising list price, taxes, and purchase terms. The system aggregates the plurality of purchase information in a database and standardizes a first purchase information and a second purchase information in response to a query for the first purchase information for a seller of non-physical goods. In addition, the system displays for substantially simultaneous viewing the standardized first purchase information with the second purchase information. |
| US07693749B2 |
System and computer product for managing purchase orders
A method of managing purchasing orders for a plurality of items to be purchased is shown. The method includes receiving a personal variant including search criteria associated with retail items to be used in populating an order list, populating a purchase order list based upon the personal variant, displaying the purchase order list including order list items satisfying criteria in the personal variant, receiving a selection of purchase order list items and providing a list of functions associated with the selected purchase order list items, and performing the selected functions on the order list item. |
| US07693741B2 |
Methods for providing communications services
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device, and the request for communications service is communicated to a service provider of a communications network. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is dynamically ascertained to fulfill the request. The method then bills for the communications service. |
| US07693738B2 |
Computer-aided methods and apparatus for assessing an organizational process or system
Method and apparatus for computer-aided assessment of organizational process or system. Method and apparatus are adapted to display questions on a computer to an assessor, who then inputs numerical and/or textual inputs relative to the assessor's perception of the process or system. Filtering techniques inhibit entry of unsupported numerical and/or textual inputs which may be untrue and/or exaggerated. Questions used in combination with additional questions provide more accurate assessment of the system or process, where the question combinations already exist in a database. Questions asked may be directed to one or more recognized standards, and duplicative questions from different standards may be omitted. Evaluations of collected information are performed and additional corrective action questions are asked to identify degrees of risk and areas of weakness of the process or system. |
| US07693735B2 |
Dynamic schedule mediation
An apparatus and method provides dynamic schedule mediation by scheduling and monitoring appointments between a service provider and customers. The apparatus and method uses a statistical analysis to determine a best appointment time based on at least one of: historical performance patterns, the type of service requested during the appointment, geographic location of the customer or the service provider, time of day, time of year, weather, skills of the service provider, and automobile traffic conditions. The system and method continuously monitors changes to the appointment initiated by the customer or the service provider and notifies the other. The statistical information of a service provider may also be used to evaluate the rules of the service provider and to evaluate individual field service personnel of the service provider. |
| US07693731B1 |
Business process framework for reinsurance
An improved method and system for developing a reinsurance administration system. Developers may build application programs for reinsurance administration with increased re-use of existing functionality and decreased development time. A business process framework may include common functionality for a plurality of business processes and a template for executing steps in the business processes. The common functionality may include behavior for GUI elements such as windows and buttons, error logging, and database commit and rollback transactions. One or more business process subclasses may be derived from abstract business process classes in the business process framework. One or more support processes in the business process framework may be specified for a business process. The support processes may include support processes for data or syntax validation, GUI, persistent data storage, security, and/or precondition checks. One or more hook methods in the business process framework may be overridden by a business process to identify methods to be performed at various points during execution of the business process. The business processes may be combined to build one or more application programs. |
| US07693723B2 |
Method and system for cross-carrier parcel tracking
A system and method is provided that enables a carrier of a mailpiece, such as a national postal service, to track a mailpiece as it passes from the control of a first carrier to the control of another, second carrier. The tracking of the mailpiece continues until the mailpiece is delivered, by the second carrier, to its ultimate recipient. In this manner the first carrier, who had control of the mailpiece when first posted, can monitor the handling of the mailpiece and can calculate delivery times when the mailpiece was in the control of the second carrier. The method and system of the present invention will find particular application to a national postal service seeking to track delivery performance of internationally addressed express mail that is first domestically posted and then ultimately delivered in a foreign country by the postal service of the foreign country. |
| US07693718B2 |
Update technique for speech recognition applications with uninterrupted (24X7) operation
A method of updating an application in a processing system, the aforesaid method comprising the steps of: (a) starting operation of a first version of an application in the aforesaid processing system; (b) starting operation of a second version of the aforesaid application in the aforesaid processing system; and (c) incrementally reallocating processing system resources from the aforesaid first version of the aforesaid application to a second version of the aforesaid application, such that at most one application selected from the aforesaid first version and the aforesaid second version of the aforesaid application operates at full capacity at any time, and such that at least one of the aforesaid first version and the aforesaid second version of the aforesaid application is operating at all times. |
| US07693717B2 |
Session file modification with annotation using speech recognition or text to speech
An apparatus comprising a session file, session file editor, annotation window, concatenation software and training software. The session file includes one or more audio files and text associated with each audio file segment. The session file editor displays text and provides text selection capability and plays back audio. The annotation window operably associated with the session file editor supports user modification of the selected text, the annotation window saves modified text corresponding to the selected text from the session file editor and audio associated with the modified text. The concatenation software concatenates modified text and audio associated therewith for two or more instances of the selected text. The training software trains a speech user profile using a concatenated file formed by the concatenating software. The session file may have original audio associated with the selected text, wherein the apparatus further comprises software for substituting the modified text for the selected text. In some embodiments, the concatenation software concatenates modified text and audio associated therewith for two or more instances of the selected text. In some embodiments, the training software trains a speech user profile using a concatenated file formed by the concatenating software. |
| US07693716B1 |
System and method of developing a TTS voice
Disclosed herein are various aspects of a toolkit used for generating a TTS voice for use in a spoken dialog system. The embodiments in each case may be in the form of the system, a computer-readable medium or a method for generating the TTS voice. An embodiment of the invention relates to a method of tracking progress in developing a text-to-speech (TTS) voice. The method comprises insuring that a corpus of recorded speech contains reading errors and matches an associated written text, creating a tuple for each utterance in the corpus and tracking progress for each utterance utilizing the tuple. Various parameters may be tracked using the tuple but the tuple provides a means for enabling multiple workers to efficiently process a database of utterance in preparation of a TTS voice. |
| US07693715B2 |
Generating large units of graphonemes with mutual information criterion for letter to sound conversion
A method and apparatus are provided for segmenting words into component parts. Under the invention, mutual information scores for pairs of graphoneme units found in a set of words are determined. Each graphoneme unit includes at least one letter. The graphoneme units of one pair of graphoneme units are combined based on the mutual information score. This forms a new graphoneme unit. Under one aspect of the invention, a syllable n-gram model is trained based on words that have been segmented into syllables using mutual information. The syllable n-gram model is used to segment a phonetic representation of a new word into syllables. Similarly, an inventory of morphemes is formed using mutual information and a morpheme n-gram is trained that can be used to segment a new word into a sequence of morphemes. |
| US07693714B2 |
System for generating a wideband signal from a narrowband signal using transmitted speaker-dependent data
An electronic communication system is set forth that includes the transmission of a narrowband speech signal corresponding to a narrowband version of speech utterances of a speaker as well as the transmission of speaker-dependent data. The speaker-dependent data may be used to correlate narrowband versions of the speech utterances of the speaker with corresponding wideband versions of the speech utterances of the speaker. Both the narrowband speech signal and the speaker-dependent data are received by a receiving party. A receiver at the receiving party uses the narrowband speech signal and the speaker-dependent data to generate a wideband speech signal corresponding to a wideband version of the speech utterances of the speaker. |
| US07693712B2 |
Continuous speech processing using heterogeneous and adapted transfer function
A pre-processing system of a signal of interest in an automatic speech recognition system in a vehicle, includes an acoustic sensor to sense the signal of interest, a non acoustic sensor to sense a non acoustic noise signal, a pre-processing unit of the signal of interest, comprising a processing section of coherent frequency bands signals for suppressing the noise from the received signal, a processing section of non coherent frequency bands signals, comprising transfer function estimation device of a signal through the vehicle cabin, and a methods selection section for determining the coherence properties of the received signal, and for selecting the processing section of coherent frequency bands signals or the processing section of non coherent frequency bands signals depending on the result of the properties of the received signal. |
| US07693707B2 |
Voice/musical sound encoding device and voice/musical sound encoding method
A voice and musical tone coding apparatus is provided that can perform high-quality coding by executing vector quantization taking the characteristics of human hearing into consideration. In this voice and musical tone coding apparatus, a quadrature transformation processing section (201) converts a voice and musical tone signal from time components to frequency components. An auditory masking characteristic value calculation section (203) finds an auditory masking characteristic value from a voice and musical tone signal. A vector quantization section (202) performs vector quantization changing a calculation method of a distance between a code vector found from a preset codebook and a frequency component based on an auditory masking characteristic value. |
| US07693705B1 |
Process for improving the quality of documents using semantic analysis
The present invention provides a new method for returning context specific questions during the process of authoring a document or report. The questions alert an author of possible omissions and vague or general statements. The method employs techniques in semantic analysis including corpus linguistics and sentential logic. The method takes as input sentences created by the document author, and looks up semantic propositions connected to these sentences, which are in the document's knowledge domain, and questions linked to these propositions or other related propositions. The questions are sorted based on priority determined by a knowledge engineer. Additional methods are used to suppress redundant or nonspecific questions to increase their usefulness to the document author. The resulting question list aids the author in creating a high quality document. |
| US07693703B2 |
Configuration of reconfigurable interconnect portions
Configuring reconfigurable interconnect resources employing a switch matrix and configuration bit look-up table are disclosed. Reconfigurable interconnect resources include multiplexors to decrease the number of bits needed to load a configuration. Distributed processing resources configure a selected reconfigurable interconnect resource, interconnecting each input of the reconfigurable interconnect resource with a particular output of the reconfigurable interconnect resource using configuration bits scalably extracted from a row of configuration bits of a look-up table. Use of a configuration bit look-up table allows for compression of the bits needed to load the configuration for a reconfigurable interconnect resource. |
| US07693698B2 |
Method for identifying or designing a candidate agent that interacts with LINGO-1 polypeptide using a LINGO-1 three-dimensional structure
This disclosure relates to LINGO-1 polypeptides, LINGO-1 polypeptide/ligand complexes, crystals of LINGO-1 polypeptides, crystals of LINGO-1 polypeptide/ligand complexes, and related methods and software systems. |
| US07693694B2 |
Shape simulation method, program and apparatus
A simulation environment establishment unit constructs a three-dimensional virtual space for a simulation, where a plurality of lattice points is orthogonally arranged as well as ensures in a storage step a storage region storing information for each of the plurality of lattice points. A surface shape processing unit sequentially grows and changes a material surface shape in the three-dimensional virtual space in accordance with manufacturing process conditions, calculates a level value representing a distance from the material surface for each lattice point, and stores the level value into a storage region of a corresponding lattice point to represent the surface shape. A material inside information processing unit calculates material inside information within the material when the surface passes through a lattice point due to the growth and change in the material and stores the material inside information into a storage region of a corresponding lattice point. |
| US07693692B2 |
CAD system and designing/analyzing method
According to one embodiment, a CAD system includes a model building section which builds a total model by combining shape models of frame components and internal components of a designed appliance, a design verification simulation executing section which executes analysis simulation which serves design verification by running a simulation of the total model built by the model building section in accordance with a design specification, and a simulation result manipulating section which forms a model from the total model modified in accordance with a result of the analysis executed by the design verification simulation executing section. |
| US07693690B2 |
Disjunctive image computation for sequential systems
A symbolic disjunctive image computation method for software models which exploits a number of characteristics unique to software models. More particularly, and according to our inventive method, the entire software model is decomposed into a disjunctive set of submodules and a separate set of transition relations are constructed. An image/reachability analysis is performed wherein an original image computation is divided into a set of image computation steps that may be performed on individual submodules, independently from any others. Advantageously, our inventive method exploits variable locality during the decomposition of the original model into the submodules. By formulating this decomposition as a multi-way hypergraph partition problem, we advantageously produce a small set of submodules while simultaneously minimizing the number of live variable in each individual submodule. Our inventive method produces a set of disjunctive transition relations directly from the software model, without producing a conjunctive transition relation—as is necessary in the prior art. In addition, our inventive method exploits the exclusive use of live variables in addition to novel search strategies which provide still further benefit to our method. |
| US07693687B2 |
Controller and method to mediate data collection from smart sensors for fab applications
The present invention relates to control of and data collection from sensors associated with tools. In particular, it relates to using a controller to mediate communications among a tool, sensors associated with the tool and data users, such as a host system or distributed processors. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings. |
| US07693678B2 |
Integrated circuit temperature measurement methods and apparatuses
Methods and apparatuses to measure temperatures of integrated circuits are disclosed. New circuit arrangements for measuring temperature using various types of integrated circuit sensor elements are discussed. Embodiments comprise methods and apparatuses arranged to measure temperature based upon current leakage rates of different integrated circuit sensor elements. The methods and apparatuses generally involve using a pulse module to generate a charge for the integrated circuit elements. In these method and apparatus embodiments, one or more elements form a decay module to sense when the voltage decays to a threshold value. The method and apparatus embodiments may also have a module to calculate or infer a temperature from the rate of the voltage decay. |
| US07693676B1 |
Low power scan test for integrated circuits
Low power design is a critical concern and metric for integrated circuits. During scan based manufacturing test, electric power dissipation becomes even more critical as the chip may not have been designed to tolerate excessive switching during scan test. Excessive electric power dissipation during scan test can result in excessive voltage variations, reduced noise margins and other signal integrity issues which could invalidate the test or may lead to premature chip failure. Power dissipation during test is minimized by selecting particular values for the unused care-bits in values of the test vectors on a probabilistic basis to minimize switching, while preserving test vector quality. |
| US07693673B2 |
Apparatus and method for identifying a defect and/or operating characteristic of a system
An apparatus and methods for identifying a defect and/or an operating characteristic of a system being monitored (and/or one or more of the system's components) are described. In an embodiment, orthogonally related data monitored by two or more detectors may be fused to determine whether a component of a system is defective and/or malfunctioning. Additionally or alternatively, data from a first detector may be determined to be accurate using non-orthogonally related data outputted by a second detector. Both types of determinations may be made with minimal or no false indications, which lowers the cost of operating the system being monitored. Embodiments of the invention may also be configured to forecast and/or prevent accidents and/or damage to the system being monitored by predicting whether a defect and/or a malfunction will occur. |
| US07693661B2 |
Lane departure prevention system with towing vehicle using yaw moment correction
The present lane departure prevention system can prevent a vehicle from departing from a lane of travel, even when the vehicle tows a towed vehicle. When the towed vehicle is detected, the lane departure prevention system changes a target yaw moment from that used in normal departure avoidance control operation. The change is based on a force input to the vehicle from the towed vehicle, which is caused by carrying out departure avoidance control, thereby controlling the vehicle so as not to depart from the lane using a corrected yaw moment. |
| US07693651B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring fuel status of vehicles
A method for monitoring fuel status of a vehicle having a fuel tank includes the steps of determining an amount of fuel in the fuel tank, obtaining a geographic location of the vehicle, calculating a fuel threshold based at least in part on the geographic location, and providing a low fuel indication if the amount of fuel is less than the fuel threshold. |
| US07693650B2 |
System and method for collecting and distributing traffic information
In a center apparatus, a feature space projection processing unit performs a feature space projection process for probe data corresponding to a road section which are stored in a current probe data storage unit to extract the feature data, and a change point detecting unit; an event section partitioning unit and an event assigning unit determine a road section corresponding to the feature data, and assign the event information to the determined road section; and an event information distributing unit distributes the event information assigned to the road section. In a vehicle-installed terminal apparatus, a probe data partitioning unit and an orthogonal component decomposition unit performs processes of partitioning and orthogonal component decomposition of the probe data using a feature score vector obtained from the center apparatus, to thereby reduce the probe data to be uplinked. |
| US07693646B2 |
Internal combustion engine control device and method
An ECU of an internal combustion engine estimates an anticipated air amount in response to a demand for the internal combustion engine and causes an injector to inject an initial amount of fuel determined in accordance with the anticipated air amount so that an air-fuel ratio of a mixture in a combustion chamber is lower than a target value, and thereafter, calculates an amount of intake air aspired into the combustion chamber based on an in-cylinder pressure in the combustion chamber at a given timing during a compression stroke and before ignition, and causes the injector to inject a correction amount of fuel determined based on the calculated amount of the intake air and the initial amount of the fuel so that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture in the combustion chamber corresponds to the target value. |
| US07693641B2 |
Vehicle speed control system
A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer is comprised of a controller which is arranged to receive a vehicle speed command, to obtain an anticipated vehicle speed command from the vehicle speed command taking account of a delay factor of a control system of the vehicle, to calculate a driving force a driving force command from the anticipated vehicle speed command, to obtain an accelerator opening command from a previously stored driving force characteristic map based on the driving force command and a detected vehicle speed, and to control an accelerator opening of the vehicle according to the accelerator opening command so as to adjust the detected vehicle at the vehicle speed command. |
| US07693635B2 |
Method for learning the flow rate of hydraulic fluid in an automatic transmission
The present invention provides a method for approximating the flow rate of hydraulic fluid in an automatic transmission. The method includes estimating a flow rate value for each of a plurality of temperatures. Thereafter, the current transmission temperature is measured. The flow rate corresponding to the current transmission temperature is then learned in the following manner. The process of learning the flow rate initially includes identifying the presence of a predefined shift aberration. If the predefined shift aberration was not identified, the flow rate estimation corresponding to the current transmission temperature is iteratively adjusted. If the predefined shift aberration was identified, the flow rate estimation corresponding to the current transmission temperature is reversed by one iterative step thereby providing the learned flow rate value for the current transmission temperature. |
| US07693634B2 |
Control process for mode change decisions for an infinitely variable transmission
A control process for mode change decisions for an infinitely variable transmission with several modes of operation including at least two parallel coupling paths, each containing a closed coupler for the first mode of operation and open for a second mode of operation, with the two couplers being closed simultaneously during a delay period during the mode changes, wherein the mode change decision is imposed onto the transmission if the speed differential at the terminals of the coupler to be closed to change the mode, exceeds a first pre-established threshold. |
| US07693631B2 |
Human machine interface system for automotive application
An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto. |
| US07693620B2 |
Approach guidance system and method for airborne mobile platform
An approach guidance method for an airborne mobile platform, for example an aircraft, and associated system. The method includes determining a radius of a capture arc tangential to a glide slope, determining an altitude for tangentially intercepting the capture arc, and guiding the mobile platform to an intercept point on the capture arc. The glide slope is associated with a waypoint, and the radius of the capture arc depends on variable mobile platform speed. The altitude for intercepting the capture arc depends on the radius of the capture arc and on variable flight angle. |
| US07693616B2 |
System and method of redundancy management for fault effect mitigation
Methods and systems are provided for redundancy management of a fly-by-wire avionics system. A control module for producing a control signal is provided comprising a common processing partition for receiving a flight input signal and at least one first mode input signal, a first processing partition coupled to the common processing partition and configured to receive the first mode input signals and flight input signal from the common processing partition, and a second processing partition coupled to the common processing partition. The first processing partition produces a first mode output signal in response to one of the first mode input signals and flight input signal. The second processing partition generates a second mode signal in response to the flight input signal when the first processing partition fails. The common processing partition produces the control signal in response to one of the first mode output signal and second mode signal. |
| US07693609B2 |
Hybrid vehicle recharging system and method of operation
A system and method for recharging a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The system includes a controller that schedules the recharging of the vehicles on local electrical distribution networks. The system arranges the schedule to minimize the demand loading on the local distribution network to more efficiently operate power plants providing electrical power to the distribution networks. A system for collecting charges associated with the recharging of plug-in hybrid vehicles is also disclosed providing for prepaid utility accounts. |
| US07693608B2 |
Systems and methods for alarm filtering and management within a real-time data acquisition and monitoring environment
A system for filtering and interpreting real-time sensory data from an electrical system is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The data acquisition component acquires real-time data output from the electrical system. The power analytics sewer is comprised of a virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine, and a decision engine.The virtual system modeling engine generates predicted data output for the electrical system. The analytics engine monitors real-lime data output and predicted data output of the electrical system. The decision engine compares the real-time data output against the predicted data output to filter out and interpret indicia of electrical system health and performance.The client terminal is communicatively connected to the power analytics server and configured to display the filtered and interpreted indicia. |
| US07693607B2 |
Protection and control system for electric power networks with signal and command interfaces at the primary equipment
A system for protection, control, metering, and monitoring of the delivery of electrical power is disclosed. Embodiments of the system provide input/output devices called bricks to receive analog and binary field data from primary equipment located in a power substation switchyard. The bricks are linked via fiber-optic patch cables and patch panels with one or more intelligent electronic devices (“IEDs”). In operation, the bricks convert the received binary and/or analog field data into digital signals, and transmit the digital signals synchronously to their associated IEDs using clock signals provided by each IED to the individual bricks. The bricks may accept a computer software code download from each of its master IED(s). Multiple code implementations, each tailored to the requirements of its master IED(s) can therefore co-exist on a single brick. |
| US07693606B2 |
Diagnostics for mass flow control
A flow control system comprises a flow sensor, a valve controller, a signal processor, a control processor and an interface. The flow sensor generates a sensor signal characterizing a flow rate. The valve controller controls the flow rate as a function of a control output. The signal processor converts the sensor signal into a flow signal characterizing the flow rate as a function of time, and the control processor generates the control output as a function of a setpoint and the flow signals. The interface receives an input representative of the setpoint, transmits a flow output representative of the flow signals, and transmits a diagnostic output directly indicative of an operational condition of the flow control system. |
| US07693601B2 |
Combined mailing streams
A method comprising providing printed products to form a first mail stream on a printing line, providing printed products to form a second mail stream on a printing line, and placing printed product from the second mail stream onto a printed product of the first mail stream to create the combined mail stream in the sequence of a master mailing list. |
| US07693600B2 |
Article transport apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus
An article transporting apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment, includes: a plurality of movable bodies for transporting articles, the movable bodies being movable between a plurality of article transfer locations; and an operation controlling section for controlling the plurality of movable bodies so that the movable bodies effect article transporting operations in accordance with an article transport request information; wherein the operation controlling section selects a movable body from the group of movable bodies for an article transporting operation, based on an operation condition configured to cause each of the movable bodies to have a different past operation history such that a timing for replacing a replaceable part for one movable body is different from replacement timings for other movable bodies. |
| US07693598B2 |
Embroidery data creation apparatus and embroidery data creation program recorded in computer-readable recording medium
To provide an embroidery data creation apparatus, an embroidery data creation program, and a recording medium that records the embroidery data creation program, which create embroidery data for embroidery that is clear and sharp even when the tint or output size of an image is changed. The number of pixels necessary to create embroidery data is determined from thread density, size of the embroidery, and copied color data. Initial angle information is created from angle data and the angle information having necessary pixel configuration is re-computed from the initial angle information. Then, line segment data is created from the re-computed angle information, color data is created from the size adjusted color data and the line segment data, and the embroidery data is created from the line segment data and the color data. |
| US07693595B2 |
Volume element printing system
Provided is a volume element printing system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate, and at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group. The second printhead group is configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure. The system also includes an object insertion device configured to insert an object into a cavity defined by the voxel layers, and a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups. Also included is a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads if failure of a first printhead is detected. |
| US07693592B2 |
Interface unit for automation systems and method of providing and installing such an interface
A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprises the steps of receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between the engineering/control system within the facility and the machines or installations; manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill the definition or specification and adapting the communication interface unit to the definition or specification; providing the communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing the machine or installation; delivering the machine or installation and the communication interface unit to the facility; and integrating the machine or installation equipped with the communication interface unit within the facility. |
| US07693586B2 |
Process model transformation for event-based coordination of composite applications
A process model specified using, for example, UML activity diagrams can be translated into an event-based model that can be executed on top of a coordination middleware. For example, a process model may be encoded as a collection of coordinating objects that interact with each other through a coordination middleware including a shared memory space. This approach is suitable for undertaking post-deployment adaptation of process-oriented composite applications. In particular, new control dependencies can be encoded by dropping new (or enabling existing) coordinating objects into the space and/or disabling existing ones. |
| US07693584B2 |
Camera based video games and related methods for exercise motivation
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for motivating persons to undertake exercise, employing camera based computer monitoring of persons and/or exercise apparatus, and displays of video data, which may be derived from such monitored information. |
| US07693579B2 |
Electronic acupuncture device and system, and method of managing meridian energy balance data of a patient
An electronic acupuncture system may include a hand-held, electronic acupuncture device in communication with a remote computing device. The electronic device may include a grip probe held by the patient for applying a first diagnosis voltage through the patient's body, and a search probe applying pressure against the skin of the patient and receiving measurable diagnosis data from the patient. The received diagnosis data is converted into a digital signal for display on the electronic acupuncture device and/or for processing and display at the remote computing device. Based on the diagnosis data, the patient may be treated with a second treatment voltage. |
| US07693578B2 |
RF telemetry link quality assessment system and method
A system and method for assessing link quality for radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. An embodiment of the method includes measuring a plurality of available wireless communication channel potentially used to communicate between an implantable medical device (IMD) and a programmer to determine signal and noise levels for the channels. The method also includes storing the signal and noise levels. The method further includes processing the stored levels to determine the interference potential on the channels adjacent to the available channels. In this embodiment, the method also includes selecting a preferred communication channel based on a function of noise level for a target center channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US07693577B2 |
Irritable bowel syndrome treatment
At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. |
| US07693572B2 |
Workability evaluating apparatus, workability evaluating method, and workability evaluating program
A workability evaluating apparatus comprises a myoelectric potential detecting unit, a signal processing unit, an arithmetic operation unit, and an output unit. The myoelectric potential detecting unit detects time-series fluctuations in myoelectric potentials of at least one pair of muscles, which show antagonistic activities while operating equipment among muscles of an operator used to operate the equipment, as myoelectric potential signals. The signal processing unit processes the detected myoelectric potentials. The arithmetic operation unit calculates time-series data of a first correlation coefficient in a specified sampling time between signals obtained by processing the myoelectric potential signals from the pair of antagonistic muscles, and performs evaluation of workability in operating the equipment by using the calculated time-series data. The output unit outputs a result of the performed evaluation. |
| US07693570B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with adjustable fixture apparatus
A fixture such as a local receiver coil is secured to the patient support of a magnetic resonance imaging system so that the fixture remains in position relative to the support even when the support is in a vertical orientation. The positioning apparatus is arranged to allow adjustment of the fixture position, but to limit such adjustment so that the fixture cannot interfere with the poles or other elements defining the patient-receiving gap of the magnet during movement of the patient support. |
| US07693568B2 |
Medical device sensing and detection during MRI
A medical device includes a sensor for sensing for an MRI gradient magnetic field and a microprocessor for responding to the detected gradient magnetic field by switching from a first electrical signal processing mode to a second electrical signal processing mode, such that electrical signals induced by the gradient magnetic field and an associated RF burst are not counted as cardiac events. |
| US07693567B2 |
MRI biopsy apparatus incorporating a sleeve and multi-function obturator
A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, and prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, and marker deployment etc. |
| US07693559B2 |
Medical sensor having a deformable region 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. The sensor assembly includes at least one optical component 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. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. Methods of manufacture and use of the sensor assembly are also provided. |
| US07693557B2 |
Method of producing a telephone device
The invention relates to a method of customisation of portable communication devices. A plurality of casing elements capable of individual formation are designated. The character of these elements is selectable by a commissioning party. The characters selected are communicated to a production facility for realisation of the customised casing. |
| US07693555B2 |
Sleep-mode wireless cell reselection apparatus, systems, and methods
Embodiments herein may receive a ranging request message with a sleep-mode indication from a mobile node at a destination base station in a wireless packet-switched network. System paging information may be accessed to determine a base station identifier associated with an originating base station that last served the mobile node. The originating base station may be contacted to retrieve a service context associated with the mobile node and any downlink packets buffered for the mobile node by the originating base station. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07693554B2 |
Method for operating a data storage medium
A method for operating a data storage medium when changing from an operating mode to a directly subsequent power-saving quiescent mode, where the operating mode effects a transmission delay for the last item of information which is to be transmitted, so that immediately after the last item of information which is to be transmitted has been transmitted the quiescent mode is activated and the maximum permissible power consumption is observed. |
| US07693550B2 |
Method for the transmission of a global pilot signal between stations of a radio communication system and station for the above
The invention relates to a method for the transmission of a global pilot signal from a base station of a radio communication system to a user station and a base station suitable for carrying out the above method. The base station comprises a number of antennae each with a characteristic pilot bit sequence. The global pilot signal is generated by overlaying the pilot bit sequences emitted from the several antennae of the base station, whereby the following method steps are carried out: a) division of the several antennae into a first group and a second group each with at least one antenna, b) transmission of the pilot bit sequences of the antennae of just the first group and c) modification of the compositions of the first and second group and return to step b). |
| US07693548B2 |
Multi-access solid state memory devices and a telephone utilizing such
A mobile telephone device, comprising, an enclosure; a plurality of hardware components that provide the functionality of a cellular telephone or a satellite telephone, at least some of said components being inside or on said enclosure; a solid state non-volatile storage system inside of said enclosure; and a directly accessible connection for said storage system, adapted to connect to an external host system. |
| US07693544B2 |
System, method and device of receiving signals of a plurality of communication services
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and apparatus of receiving signals of a plurality of communication services. The apparatus may include, for example, a plurality of multimode receivers to receive signals of a plurality of wireless communication services, wherein the number of the plurality of communication services is equal to or greater than the number of the plurality of multimode receivers; and a controller to control a receive mode of the plurality of receivers. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07693542B2 |
Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode
A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission. |
| US07693532B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live entertainment event
The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data. |
| US07693530B1 |
Ranging resource allocation for wireless devices in networks providing access by Wi-MAX and like protocols
A radio access network dynamically compiles history data regarding mobile wireless devices that tend to fail successful ranging, e.g., establishment of Layer 1 communication with a radio access node or base station. The history data is obtained from messages sent from the mobile device to the network which contain a count indicating the number of times the device has failed a ranging attempt. If the history (or count) data indicates that a wireless device has experienced ranging failures exceeding a threshold number of failures, the base station responsively blocks the device from attempting any additional ranging for a period of time. The period of time can be short-term period of time or a long term period of time. The methods avoid excessive use of air interface resources by excluding wireless devices which are unable to successfully range. That is, “bad” or “problem” wireless devices are excluded from access to the network. |
| US07693526B2 |
Enhanced load based wireless call admission control
In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring utilization of an access medium relative to one or more access classes, receiving a QoS request. The QoS request identifies an access class. The method further includes computing a first allocation of an access medium for the QoS request and approving the QoS request if the computed first allocation is less than an amount of the access medium available to the access class identified in the QoS request. |
| US07693524B2 |
Radio access network apparatus and mobile communication system using the same
The radio access network for allowing to construct a system abundant in scalability in a W-CDMA mobile communication system. A RNC in the radio access network is physically separated into a C plane control equipment for controlling signaling and a U plane control equipment for processing user data, where the user data is transferred between a mobile terminal and a host device via only the U plane control equipment and a control signal is terminated by the U plane control equipment and the C plane control equipment. This allows a system abundant in scalability to be constructed, and even in the case of soft handover across the C plane control equipments, also enables the continuous use of the same U plane control equipment, thereby eliminating the conventional connection path for connecting between RNCs and preventing delay due to passing through the RNCs. |
| US07693520B2 |
System and method for selecting a serving base station according to a drop of a mobile subscriber station in a broadband wireless access communication system
Disclosed are a system and a method for selecting a new serving base station when a drop occurs in a mobile subscriber station in a broadband wireless access communication system including the mobile subscriber station, a serving base station communicating with the mobile subscriber station, and a plurality of neighbor base stations, different from the serving base station. The mobile subscriber station receives information related to the neighbor base stations from the serving base station communicating with the mobile subscriber station. The mobile subscriber station monitors the frequency bands of the neighbor base stations included in the information related to the neighbor base stations if the drop is detected in order to detect target base stations capable of serving as a new serving base station for communicating with the mobile subscriber station when the drop occurs in the mobile subscriber station according to a monitoring result for the frequency bands of the neighbor base stations. The mobile subscriber station selects the new serving base station from the detected target base stations so that the it is possible for the mobile subscriber station to reestablish the communication with regard to the new serving base station within a short period of time. |
| US07693519B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing link interference by a link between a user equipment component and an access network component
A method and apparatus are described for reducing link interference by a link between a user equipment component and an access network component. The user equipment component and access network component are connected by links over dedicated channels in respective directions, the link channel power in the first direction being controlled by the link channel in the second direction. A component sends a reconfiguration message to the other component to reconfigure to a common channel state in which the link channel power in the first direction is independent of the link channel in the second direction. |
| US07693516B2 |
Method and system for enhanced communications between a wireless terminal and access point
A system and method for enhancing communications between a WiFi terminal and other devices coupled to a wireless network. A wireless Access Point is configured to receive data from a data network through a wired link and to transmit and receive data over an 802.11 wireless link to one or more wireless devices. The wireless Access Point also includes a preset communications profile. A set of IP addresses and capability set information associated with devices of the wireless network is provided. Accordingly, a WiFi terminal WiFi terminal can automatically establish a link capable of data exchange with the wireless Access Point by simply powering up the WiFi terminal. In one embodiment, IP address and capability set information is automatically exchanged between the WiFi terminal and other compatible devices of the wireless network. |
| US07693515B2 |
Automatic selection of a background image for a display on a mobile telephone
A method for providing a background image on a display of a mobile telephone, whereby the data of one or more background images are stored in at least one memory accessible for the mobile telephone, comprises an automatic selection of a background image to be displayed, a retrieving of the data of the automatically selected background image from the memory, and a displaying of the retrieved background image on the display of the mobile telephone. |
| US07693511B2 |
Mobile telephone signaling to a network to cause calls directed to another mobile telephone to be redirected
Methods and apparatus support communication between a communication device and a compatible communication device over a telecommunications network. The communication devices have unique identities. The methods and apparatus are configured to detect the presence of the compatible communication device using a low power radio frequency technology; to determine the identity of the detected compatible communication device; and, in response to detection of the presence of the compatible communication device, to redirect incoming calls intended for the detected compatible communication device having the determined identity to the communication device, wherein the controller sends control signals to the compatible communication device, such that the compatible communication device can control the redirection of the incoming calls at the network. |
| US07693510B2 |
Charging control system for group communication sessions
The invention relates to a system for controlling communication between user terminals using a telecommunications network. One embodiment includes an interface between a real-time charging control system for controlling usage of network resources during such usage and a group communications control node which is capable of controlling group communications sessions. Improved real-time charging control mechanisms can be implemented to account for usage of group communications services, for example where charging for an entire group communications session may be applied to a selected single party. Charging for a group communications session may be conducted with the flexibility of being able to charge according to the number of participants without having to transmit separate charging control signals from each participant's leg of the session to the real-time charging control system, thus reducing the signaling load in the network. |
| US07693507B2 |
Wireless network control device and wireless network control system
A wireless LAN control device includes a wireless LAN control unit having a transmitting/receiving unit performing communications with a plurality of wireless LAN access points belonging to different user groups and a wireless LAN connection control unit. The wireless connection control unit executes control of transferring a user authentication request received by the transmitting/receiving unit via one of the plurality of wireless LAN access points and given from a wireless LAN terminal belonging to one of the user groups toward an authentication server that should execute an authentication process in response to the user authentication request, and transmitting an authentication result given from the authentication server in response to the user authentication request to the wireless LAN terminal via one of the plurality of wireless LAN access points. |
| US07693506B1 |
Method and system for performing a location registration in a cellular radiotelephone system
A method and system is disclosed for performing a location registration in a cellular communication network, wherein a subscriber identity of a user equipment is analyzed when a location registration request has been received, and a priority is allocated to the subscriber based on the result of the analysis. Then, the location registration request is admitted or rejected based on the allocated priority and a detected network load. Thereby, the network operator is able to guarantee network services for home subscribers in cases of increased network load. |
| US07693503B2 |
Mixer having filtering module to filter out low-frequency components to minimize noise
A mixer for down-converting an input signal to an output signal is disclosed. The mixer includes an amplifying circuit and a down-converting circuit. The amplifying circuit is utilized for amplifying the input signal to generate an amplified signal. The down-converting circuit includes a filtering module, a loading module, and a down-converting module. The filtering module is coupled to the amplifying circuit, and is utilized for filtering low-frequency components in the amplified signal. The loading module is coupled to the amplifying circuit and a predetermined voltage level, and is utilized for providing a DC bias voltage to the amplifying circuit. The down-converting module is coupled to the filtering module and the predetermined voltage level, and is utilized for generating the output signal according to a local oscillating signal. |
| US07693491B2 |
Method and system for transmitter output power compensation
Aspects of compensating for transmitter output power may comprise sampling an on-chip transmitter circuit temperature at various time instants and determining a feedback temperature compensation value. At least one digital-to-analog converter may be adjusted by utilizing the feedback temperature compensation value, which may correspond to the sampled temperature. The digital-to-analog converter may be an I-component digital-to-analog converter and/or a Q-component digital-to-analog converter. At least a portion of the on-chip transmitter circuit may be characterized to determine power output dependence of the on-chip transmitter circuit on temperature variation of the on-chip transmitter circuit. Based on this characterization, a feedback temperature compensation value that may correspond to the sampled temperature may be used to adjust the digital-to-analog converter. The feedback temperature compensation value may be, for example, from a lookup table or an algorithm. |
| US07693484B2 |
Dynamic networking modes method and apparatus
A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver, a memory coupled to the processor and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor. The program provides automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode. The infrastructure mode is used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network. The ad-hoc mode is used when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device. |
| US07693483B1 |
Method and system for operating a satellite communication system with regional redundant sites and a central site
A method and system for operating a satellite communication system with regional redundant sites and a central site includes a satellite and a regional site uplinking regional uplink signals to the satellite and condition signals to a terrestrial communication link. The satellite generates regional downlink signals from the regional uplink signal. A central site receives the regional downlink signals from the satellite and terrestrially receives the condition signals and generates control signals for the regional site through the terrestrial communication link. |
| US07693482B2 |
Mobile positioning
A dual mode device (110) comprising a communications block (120) and a satellite positioning block (130), each comprising respective Base Band (BB) blocks (123, 132) and crystals or frequency sources (122, 1312). The communications crystal (122) provides a cellular clock signal (FS1) to the satellite positioning block (130), which monitors the difference in the frequencies the crystals produce (FS1, FS2), using Vernier interpolation to gain a resolution greater than one clock cycle. The positioning crystal (1312) is used independent of the cellular crystal to demodulate satellite signals. The positioning BB (132) tracks the demodulated satellite signals compensating any errors caused by the positioning crystal signals (FS2) to the demodulation, using the information resulting from the monitoring. The communications crystal is capable to network based calibration and the positioning BB can compensate for the fluctuation thus caused in the cellular clock signal (FS1). |
| US07693476B2 |
Image forming apparatus with protective agent applying unit and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a charger, a developing device, a cleaning device, a protective-agent bar, and a brush. The charger uniformly charges an image carrier. The developing device develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to obtain a toner image as a visual image. The cleaning device removes toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier from which the toner image has been transferred onto a transfer material. The protective-agent bar contains a protective agent. The brush comes in contact with the protective-agent bar and the image carrier while rotating such that the protective agent adheres thereto and is supplied to the image carrier in an irregular form. |
| US07693475B2 |
Lubricant supplying device, cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A lubricant supplying device that supplies lubricant onto a surface of an image carrier includes a lubricant carrying unit and a transfer unit. The lubricant carrying unit faces the image carrier in a non-contact manner, and carries the lubricant. The transfer unit transfers the lubricant from the carrying unit onto the image carrier. |
| US07693474B2 |
Fixing member with toner releasing layer, and fixing apparatus with the same
A fixing member having a toner releasing layer superior in toner releasability and a fixing apparatus provided with the fixing member are provided. The toner releasing layer is composed of fluororubber having an ether linkage in its molecule and a polysiloxane-type surface-active agent having a polyether structure. |
| US07693472B2 |
Image forming apparatus with pressing roller
An image forming apparatus includes: a paper conveying portion for conveying a paper; an image forming portion for forming a visible toner image on the paper being conveyed, with a toner in accordance with input image information; and a fixing unit for fusing and fixing an unfixed toner image formed on the paper to the paper by using a heat roller and a pressing roller, and is constructed such that the pressing roller is composed of a metal core that forms a core shaft of the pressing roller and an elastic part that covers an outer periphery of the metal core, and a heat capacity at a center portion of the pressing roller with respect to a direction perpendicular to a paper's direction of conveyance is smaller than heat capacities at both ends of the pressing roller. |
| US07693468B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of effectively forming a quality color image
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an optical writing unit, a plurality of developing units, a transfer member, a transfer unit, an image sensor, and a control unit. In at least one embodiment, the image sensor is configured to sense a positional displacement detection pattern including visible images on the transfer member to detect a positional displacement between the visible images on each of the plurality of image carriers. The control unit is configured to execute a positional displacement correction control to calculate an amount of the positional displacement and determine respective target drive speeds of the plurality of drive sources. The control unit is also configured to control so that the positional displacement detection pattern is formed when the plurality of drive sources are driven at substantially identical speeds and the positional displacement detection pattern thus formed is sensed by the image sensor. |
| US07693463B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device has a bearing member that can bear a toner, a storing chamber for storing the toner, a waiting chamber disposed below the storing chamber for receiving the bearing member that can be filled with the toner and a buffer chamber positioned between the storing chamber and the waiting chamber for storing the developer material. A first horizontal connecting path connects upper portions of the storing and buffer chambers, and two second connecting paths connect lower portions of the buffer chamber and the waiting chamber. A feed member feeds toner from the storing chamber through the first connecting path into the buffer chamber. A first conveying member in the buffer chamber conveys the toner from one of the connecting paths to the other of the connecting paths, and a second conveying member in the waiting chamber conveys the toner within the waiting chamber in the opposite direction. |
| US07693461B2 |
System and method for minimizing residual charge effects in a printing device
A development unit for a printing device is described. An equalizing element is provided to minimize residual charges which cause ghosting. The equalizing element can, for example, be a roller or a blade positioned downstream of a cleaning nip between the cleaning roller and the development roller and charged to an electric potential which is substantially the same as an electric potential of the development roller. The equalizing element can alternatively, or in addition to being charged to perform equalization, operate to aid in charge residual charge dissipation on the development roller by blocking developer from reaching the development roller downstream of the cleaning roller. |
| US07693460B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a switching mechanism which selectively shifts developing rollers among an all-color non-contact state in which all photosensitive members are kept apart from the corresponding developing rollers, a black contact state in which only the photosensitive member for black is kept in contact with the corresponding developing roller, and an all-color contact state in which all the photosensitive members are kept in contact with the corresponding developing rollers, and a control section which, when an operation mode of the apparatus is shifted from a color mode to a monochrome mode, causes the switching mechanism to shift the developing rollers from the all-color contact state to the all-color non-contact state to perform a transferring process to once transfer developing agents from recovery members onto the corresponding photosensitive members and further transfer the developing agents from the photosensitive members onto a transfer belt. |
| US07693459B2 |
Charging device for charging a surface of a latent image bearing member and an image forming apparatus including the charging device
A charging device and an image forming apparatus using the charging device. The charging device includes a charging member to uniformly charge a surface of a latent image bearing member in contact therewith, a charge bias application unit to apply a charge bias to the charging member, a conductive member to contact a surface of the charging member, and a different-valued bias application unit to apply a different-valued bias different from the charge bias to the conductive member. The image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearing member to bear a latent image, a latent image forming unit to form the latent image on the latent image bearing member, a development unit to develop the latent image with toner, and the charging device. |
| US07693456B2 |
Conductive member and process cartridge having it and image forming apparatus having the process cartridge
A conductive member including a conductive supporting body (1), an electric resistance adjusting layer (2) formed on the conductive supporting body (1), and space holding members (3, 3) provided on opposite ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2), at least one engaging projection (50, 60,70, 80) being provided on one of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3), and an engaging opening (51, 61, 71, 81) in which the engaging projection is inserted being provided in the other of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3). |
| US07693446B2 |
Cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus
There is provided a cleaning apparatus capable of preventing counter-bending of a stripper blade in a more reliable manner. The cleaning apparatus removes toner from a circulation mechanism having a circulating surface that circulates in a two-dimensional manner around one pivotal shaft or two or more pivotal shafts parallel to each other in a housing, the toner attaching to the circulating surface. The cleaning apparatus includes a stripper blade, a securing section, and a counter-bending prevention member. The counter-bending prevention member is formed separately from the securing section and disposed on a downstream side of the stripper blade in the circulation direction of the circulating surface. The counter-bending prevention member prevents bending of the one end portion of the stripper blade on the downstream side in the circulation direction of the circulating surface. |
| US07693445B2 |
Cleaner units and methods for removing waste toner within an image forming device
The present application is directed to cleaner units and methods for removing waste toner from a transfer member within an image forming device. The device may include a blade that is positioned against the transfer member to remove the waste toner. The blade directs the waste toner into a cleaner house where the waste toner is removed. The cleaner unit is positioned within the image forming device to prevent contact with the media sheets moving along the media path. The cleaner unit may also be positioned to utilize existing elements to facilitate the removal of the waste toner from the transfer member. |
| US07693444B2 |
Image reading and recording apparatus having a cartridge dismounting space between a fixing unit and an exposing unit
An image reading and recording apparatus has a scanner unit for effecting exposure conforming to an image signal on a photosensitive drum, a heat roller pair for fixing a toner image formed on a recording sheet, and a reading unit for reading an original. The heat roller pair is disposed above a process cartridge, and a cartridge dismounting space for permitting dismounting of the process cartridge therethrough is disposed between the heat roller pair and the scanner unit. |
| US07693442B2 |
Developing cartridge for supplying power to a developer roller shaft when coupled to an image forming apparatus
In a developing cartridge, the contact plate of the electrode member is disposed to contact the developing bias terminal within a plane of projection when a driven coupling part is projected in a first direction. A first axis line, which is an axis of the developing roller shaft, and a second axis line, which is an axis of the input gear, are disposed in parallel and equidistant in the front-rear direction. A part of the contact plate is disposed on the second axis line. A first line connecting an axis about which the input gear rotates and the developing roller shaft and a second line connecting the contact plate and the developing roller shaft are disposed parallel to each other. The distance between the first axis line and the second axis line equals the distance between the first axis line and the contact plate. |
| US07693439B2 |
Fixing device, and method and device for heating control used in the same
A fixing device includes a pair of rotating members, a heater, a detector, a calculator, a pulse width modulation circuit, and a controller. In at least one embodiment, the pair of rotating members is configured to fix a toner image on a recording medium. The heater is configured to heat at least one of the pair of rotating members to a process temperature when driven with an alternating current. The detector is configured to detect the process temperature. The calculator is configured to calculate an amount of heat to adjust the process temperature to a reference temperature. The pulse width modulation circuit is configured to generate a drive signal having a pulse width modulation cycle divided into first and second off times and an on time inserted therebetween. The controller is configured to control operation of the heater according to the drive signal. |
| US07693436B2 |
Fixing apparatus
A fixing unit adapted to fix a developing agent onto an image forming medium by way of a heat roller containing a heater and a press roller conducts a warming up operation for the optimum warming up time as determined based on the temperature and the humidity of ambient air detected by a temperature/humidity sensor. |
| US07693432B2 |
Device that enables blanket diagnostics and proof for web presses
Example embodiments of systems and methods for performing blanket diagnostics and proofing are disclosed. |
| US07693417B2 |
Optical option attachment ring
The optical option attachment ring of the present invention includes a rotator having an abutting surface that projects inward from the inner circumferential surface of the ring body and abuts the front end of the lens barrel as well as an arcuate portion that follows the upper end of the abutting surface. The optical option attachment ring further includes a resilient member that applies an urging force to the rotator to rotate in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned rotation direction and a stopper that abuts at least one of the one end and the other end so as to restrict the rotation caused by the urging force of the resilient member. |
| US07693414B1 |
Battery adapter for a hand-held camera
An adapter in an interposed position between a hand-held camera and a battery for operating the camera in facing relation to each other in the clearance therebetween the camera-attached adapter positions an eyepiece of the camera so the camera user makes eye contact against the eyepiece despite the physical obstacle of the battery. |
| US07693413B2 |
Camera system, information processing device, information processing method, and computer program
A camera system has: cameras; and an information-processing device connected through a communication network with the cameras, which acquires a shot image from the cameras. Each camera includes: an image-pickup part taking an image of a subject; and an image-pickup synchronizing part mutually synchronizing an image-pickup timing of the camera with an image-pickup timing of another camera. The information-processing device includes: a synchronous shot image-acquiring part acquiring shot images taken by the cameras at a common timing from the cameras; an image-evaluating part evaluating the condition of the subject in the shot image for each of the shot images taken at a common timing acquired by the synchronous shot image-acquiring part based on predetermined evaluation criteria to assign an evaluation value to each shot image; a prioritizing part assigning a priority to each shot image according to the evaluation value assigned to each shot image by the image-evaluating part; and a display control part making a display device display the shot images according to priorities assigned to the shot images by the prioritizing part. |
| US07693409B2 |
Optical apparatus and image pickup apparatus
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical apparatus which includes an acquisition unit adapted to acquire position information of a lens, and a control unit adapted to control a position of the lens by an amount of rotation of an operating member and the position of the lens. The control unit initializes a corresponding relationship between the amount of rotation of the operating member and the position of the lens when the position control of the lens is started. |
| US07693406B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image capturing apparatus includes: a shake amount detecting unit that detects a shake amount; a composition determining unit that determines whether the composition of a picture is determined during image capturing on the basis of the correlation among a plurality of frames; a shake correcting unit that performs a shake correcting process on a captured image on the basis of the detected camera shake amount; and a correction control unit that controls the shake correcting unit to start the shake correcting process when the shake amount is smaller than a predetermined reference shake amount and it is determined that the composition of a picture is determined. |
| US07693405B2 |
Image pickup device, method of controlling image pickup device, and recording medium
An image pickup device is provided which includes: an auto focus control unit sampling contrast values as a function of a relative distance from an object by detecting a contrast of an image of the object while driving a lens in an optical axis direction, calculating a focused focal position on the basis of the contrast values, and driving the lens to the focused focal position; a shake detecting unit detecting at least an amount of shake in the optical axis direction of the lens; and a selection judging unit judging selection and non-selection of the sampled contrast values depending on the amount of shake in the optical axis direction of the lens at the time of the sampling. Here, the auto focus control unit calculates the focused focal position on the basis of the contrast value judged as being selected by the selection judging unit among the sampled contrast values. |
| US07693404B2 |
Image taking device
A first holder is disposed to move in a direction of a first optical axis of a refractive optical system in which object light incident from a front thereof along the first optical axis is reflected by a prism in a direction along a second optical axis extending vertically to form an image on a CCD solid-state image-pickup element. |
| US07693400B2 |
Imaging apparatus, recording apparatus and recording method
An imaging apparatus for encoding a moving picture signal output by imaging means using intraframe encoding and interframe encoding. An encoded image signal which includes picture groups comprising n frames of an image signal including intraframe-encoded pictures and interframe-encoded pictures is generated. An instruction starts a recording of the encoded image signal. The encoded image signal is transmitted to an external device while the signal is in an encoded state and the encoded image signal is transmitted to an external device while the encoded image signal is not being recorded. Upon detection of the instruction during transmission of the encoded image signal to the external device, recording of the encoded image signal starts, from the leading end of a picture group that contains a frame, corresponding to the instruction. |
| US07693398B2 |
Digital information reproducing apparatus and method
High audibility output is realized when audio output is provided in special playback. In special playback with audio output, skip/repeat control is done so that decoding and outputting of the audio data is periodically repeated/skipped during part of one frame. The output level may be corrected so as to emphasize appropriate frequency components. This realizes good audio output. In addition, the skip/repeat control and output level correcting methods are changed according to characteristics of the audio data to be reproduced. Also, this realizes good audio output. |
| US07693393B2 |
Image recording apparatus and image capture apparatus
An image recording apparatus (e.g., a hard disk and so on) comprises (a) a recording unit adapted to record moving image data from an external device (e.g., a video camera and so on) on a recording medium; (b) a detection unit adapted to detect an occurrence of a dropout which occurs when the moving image data is recorded onto the recording medium; and (c) a transmitting unit adapted to transmit control data for notifying the presence and absence of a dropout to the external device. |
| US07693391B2 |
Video playback device, playback method and video playback program
When an album mode is selected by a predetermined operation, thumbnail image data is acquired corresponding to saved video files which are retrieved from a thumbnail image data storage area (1495) and a list display of the thumbnail images is shown in the main display section (102) based on the thumbnail image data of each video file. When one of the thumbnail images is selected by the user, the operation judges whether or not the playback time for a video file of a selected thumbnail image is longer than a predetermined playback time. If shorter than a predetermined playback time, a normal playback is performed in the display position of the thumbnail image during which the thumbnail image scale-size is reduced. |
| US07693389B2 |
Electro-optic device, method for manufacturing electro-optic device, projector, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optic device includes a pair of substrates, and an electro-optic material held between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a condensing unit provided on the electro-optic material-side surface of the substrate in order to condense light incident on the substrate, and a functional layer provided to overlap at least the condensing unit in a plan view. |
| US07693386B2 |
Parallel path cable routing system
A parallel path cable routing system that incorporates parallel paths into a single system. The parallel path cable routing system includes a first cable trough having a cable pathway and a second cable trough having a cable pathway. The first cable trough is parallel to the second cable trough. The parallel path cable routing system also includes a single component having a cable pathway that is coupled to both the first and second cable troughs. The single component connects the first cable trough pathway to the second cable trough pathway to allow the cables to run from the first cable trough to the second cable trough thereby transitioning the cables in the parallel path cable routing system. |
| US07693382B2 |
Substrate for mounting IC chip, multilayered printed circuit board, and device for optical communication
A device for optical communication includes an organic optical waveguide having a core part and a cladding part. The core part and the cladding part comprise a polymer material, and the cladding part includes particles. |
| US07693380B2 |
Optical transmission line and optical transmission system
An optical transmission line includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber connected to the first optical fiber. The first optical fiber includes a core region formed at a center of the fiber and a cladding region formed around the core region. The cladding region includes air holes formed in a triangular lattice around the core region. The first optical fiber has a negative wavelength dispersion and a dispersion per slope of −200 nm to −50 nm at a wavelength of 1050 nm. The second optical fiber has a positive wavelength dispersion and the dispersion per slope of −800 nm to −50 nm at the wavelength of 1050 nm. |
| US07693379B2 |
Holey fiber
A holey fiber, which has a zero-dispersion wavelength of less than 700 nm and operates as single mode under its zero-dispersion wavelength, is provided. The holey fiber according to the present invention comprises a core region that is formed at a center of the holey fiber; and a cladding region, formed at the circumference of the core region, which has a plurality of holes distributed as triangle lattice around the core region; wherein the holey fiber has a fundamental mode of less than 700 nm, a higher order mode, and the fundamental mode and the higher order mode confinement losses of less than 0.1 dB/m and more than 10 dB/m, respectively, at the zero-dispersion wavelength. |
| US07693377B2 |
Optical fiber module and optical device
An optical fiber module includes an optical fiber that transmits a light and a holding unit that holds the optical fiber in a state in which the optical fiber is stretched in its longitudinal direction to change optical characteristics of the optical fiber. |
| US07693375B2 |
Fiber optic cable having a dry insert
A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within a cavity of the cable jacket. In one embodiment, the cable includes a first dry insert and a second dry insert disposed within the cavity so that the at least one optical waveguide is disposed between the first dry insert and the second dry insert, thereby providing a dry cable core. |
| US07693373B2 |
Bidirectional optical link over a single multimode fiber or waveguide
A transceiver for use in a bidirectional optical communication link over a multimode channel is provided. The transceiver includes a single transverse mode light source in a transmitter. A waveguide or fiber based bidirectional coupler projects the transmitter mode to the high modes of the multimode channel. A detector coupled to predominantly all the modes of the channel via the waveguide or fiber based bidirectional coupler. |
| US07693371B1 |
Optical waveguide having chirp grating for high conversion efficiency
A chirp optical waveguide includes a chirp grating formed in a ferroelectric substrate, and a waveguide part orthogonal to the chirp grating. The chirp grating has a plurality of grating segments and has a normalized grating period Λx/Λ0 that increases exponentially in each grating segment and decreases stepwise from each grating segment to a following one of the grating segments, where Λ0 is an initial grating period at the wave propagation distance of zero, and Λx is a grating period at the wave propagation distance of x. The chirp grating provides high wave conversion efficiency for short pulse widths and effectively compensates for a reduction in conversion efficiency due to chromatic dispersion. |
| US07693367B2 |
Multi-mode optical coupler
A multi-mode optical coupler which includes an integrated section in which two optical fibers are fused and integrated together, at least one of these optical fibers being a multi-mode fiber, the multi-mode optical coupler coupling multi-mode light carried in the one of the multi-mode fibers to the other of the optical fibers, wherein: assuming that an outline of the integrated section in a plane view of the optical coupler is a function of a position along the longitudinal direction of the fibers, the multi-mode optical coupler has a plurality of inflection points along the outline; the multi-mode optical coupler satisfies: in an area between the farthermost inflection points includes: the length of the area between the inflection points is not more than 2 mm and an outer diameter h2 of the optical fibers along the direction in which the optical fibers are arranged in parallel is in the range of 70% to 80% of a sum of the outer diameters of the optical fibers; or the length of the area between the inflection points is not less than 1 mm and not more than 2 mm and the outer diameter h2 is in the ranges of 50% to 70% and 80% to 90% of the sum of the outer diameters of the optical fibers. |
| US07693365B2 |
Dispersion mapping of transmitted channels in a WDM system
Chromatic dispersion is determined based on the arrival times of different frames of data in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) system having an optical communication link. Namely, a first frame is transmitted on a first optical channel, which is supplied to the optical communication link. A second frame is then transmitted on a second optical channel and the transmission time difference between the two frames is obtained. At a receive end, the difference in arrival times of the two frames is measured to obtain a relative time delay between the first and second frames and used to determine a chromatic dispersion. |
| US07693364B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for a tunable optical filter
A tunable optical filter comprises an optical switch having a single first optical port and a plurality of second optical ports; a plurality of band pass filters, each one of the band pass filters optically coupled to a respective second optical port; and an optical multiplexer having a plurality of inputs and a single output, each input optically coupled to a respective band pass filter, wherein the optical switch delivers a plurality of optical channels to a selected one of the band pass filters, the selected band pass filter transmitting a single selected optical channel to an input of the optical multiplexer. Alternatively, the multiplexer may be substituted by a second optical switch. Optionally, the band pass filters may reflect other channels back to the plurality of second optical ports. |
| US07693363B2 |
Plasmostor: a-metal-oxide-si field effect plasmonic modulator
The invention is a system and method for performing all-optical modulation. A semiconductor layer having a defined thickness has an insulator adjacent one surface of the semiconductor. Conductive layers are provided adjacent the semiconductor layer and the insulator. A photodetector is provided to generate an electric field across the conductive layers in response to an input optical gate signal. An input optical signal is modulated by interaction with a plasmon wave generated at the semiconductor/conductive layer interface. By defining the thickness of the semiconductor layer, a desired wavelength of light supports the plasmon waves. Operation of the all-optical modulator requires the provision of an input optical signal of a desired wavelength and the provision of a gate optical signal. An output optical signal is recovered and can be used to store, display or transmit information, for example over a fiber optic communication system, such as a telecommunication system. |
| US07693361B2 |
Hybrid laser diode
Provided is a hybrid laser diode. The hybrid laser diode includes: a silicon layer constituting a slab waveguide; and a compound semiconductor layer disposed on the silicon layer to constitute a channel waveguide. |
| US07693355B2 |
Hybrid electro-optic polymer/sol-gel modulator
A hybrid EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor Γ and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage Vπ, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction. |
| US07693352B2 |
Sectional image scaling circuit with quadratic function scaling factor
Disclosed is an image converter circuit which is capable of being to be applied to a display device having an arbitrary number of pixels, and is capable of reducing image deterioration in panoramic display. The image converter circuit comprises: a read-control section that reads image data from an image memory in accordance with read-designating information; a data interpolating section that interpolates pixels using the image data read out from the image memory, depending upon magnification-designating information, and outputs enlarged and interpolated data; and a magnification setting section that generates the read-designating information and the corresponding magnification-designating information. The magnification setting section vertically divides the image data into a plurality of areas such that a difference in a number of pixels between the areas is within a predetermined range. |
| US07693349B2 |
Systems and methods for interactive image registration
System and method for incorporating user input on the fly during an otherwise automatic registration process. During rigid registration, user input adjusts the current computed pose or transformation that relates the two images being aligned. During warping, user input adjusts the flow field locally, and is gradually smoothed into the surrounding flow field. During multi-scale registration where images are first aligned at a course resolution, and subsequently at progressively finer resolutions, user input is applied at the current scale. User input is detected during the automated process either by interrupts or polling. Between user inputs the registration results are re-rendered. |
| US07693347B2 |
Smear correction in a digital camera
Methods and apparatus to measure small shifts and rotations of video images captured in short succession after a first reference video image is captured, and to add the sequence of captures while shifting or rotating back the shifted or rotated images, in order to improve the SNR in low light conditions. |
| US07693345B2 |
Method and apparatus for error concealment for JPEG 2000 compressed images and data block-based video data
A method for concealing errors in compressed images in the JPEG 2000 format diosclosed. JPEG2000 (ISO/IEC 15444) is the new standard for image compression catering to different needs of various applications. This standard is much more advanced than JPEG and is rich in features. An Error concealment method in JPEG 2000 is provided which mainly deals with estimating the lost regions in a Wavelet Transformed image and works in Wavelet Transform Domain. This results in optimum error concealment and therefore, The method is applied before taking Inverse DWT. |
| US07693343B2 |
Motion-compensated inverse filtering with band-pass filters for motion blur reduction
This invention relates to a method, a computer program, a computer program product, and a device for reducing motion blur of images of a video signal shown on a hold-type display (101), comprising estimating (1102) motion vectors of moving components in said images of said video signal; band-pass filtering (1100, 1101) said video signal with respect to a spatial frequency domain, wherein said band-pass filtering at least partially depends on said estimated motion vectors, and wherein with increasing length of said estimated motion vectors, the passband of said band-pass filtering adaptively shifts from high spatial frequencies to medium spatial frequencies; and combining (1104) said video signal and said band-pass filtered video signal to produce an input video signal for said hold-type display. |
| US07693341B2 |
Workflows for color correcting images
The disclosed implementations relate generally to improved workflows for color correcting digital images. In some implementations, a method of correcting images includes: presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area; presenting a digital image in the display area; overlaying a correction interface on the digital image; and performing a correction operation on at least a portion of the digital image in response to a user interaction with the correction interface, where the correction operation is performed with real-time responsiveness. |
| US07693340B2 |
Picture coding method and picture decoding method
The method includes the following units: a coefficient number detecting unit (109) for detecting the number of coefficients which has a value other than 0 for each block according to the generated coefficient, a coefficient number storing unit (110) for storing the number of coefficients detected, a coefficient number coding unit (111) for selecting a table for variable length coding based on the numbers of coefficients in the coded blocks located on the periphery of a current block to be coded with reference to the selected table for variable length coding so as to perform variable length coding for the number of coefficients. |
| US07693339B2 |
Method and apparatus for faster-than-real-time lossless compression and decompression of images
Image compression wherein a spatial prediction filter combines two adjacent samples and a corner sample in the proportion 3:3:−2, or wherein chunked decode tables are used to decode embedded prefix codes more than one bit at a time. A spectral prediction filter might be used in conjunction with the spatial prediction filter. Chunked decode tables might be used in combination with simple prediction filters. |
| US07693338B2 |
Technique for defining concealment order to minimize error propagation
Concealment of macroblocks in a rectangular array advantageously occurs by concealing successive rows of macroblocks by progressing in the direction of the larger side of the array. By performing concealment in this manner, information from the concealment of a preceding row or column propagates in a way that facilitates the prediction of contours either in the vertical, the horizontal or the diagonal direction horizontal/diagonal direction, thereby improving the quality of concealment. |
| US07693337B2 |
Multi-mode alpha image processing
An alpha image encoding and decoding scheme operable according two different modes is disclosed. In the encoding, an alpha image is decomposed into alpha image blocks (600) comprising image elements (610). The blocks (600) are compressed into block representations (700) according to one of the two compression modes. A block representation (700) comprises a color codeword (720), an intensity codeword (730), an alpha codeword (740) and a sequence (750) of image element associated indices indicative of one of the codewords (730, 740). The compression and decompression mode to use for a block (600) is determined based on the alpha codeword (740). In a high alpha-resolution mode, the index sequence (750) comprises alpha indices selecting one of the quantized alpha values (740A, 740B) of the alpha codeword (740) and intensity indices selecting an intensity modifier from a modifier set represented by the intensity codeword (730). In a high luminance-resolution mode, the index sequence (750) only comprises intensity indices. |
| US07693325B2 |
Transprojection of geometry data
A system and methods for transprojection of geometry data acquired by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CMM acquires geometry data corresponding to 3D coordinate measurements collected by a measuring probe that are transformed into scaled 2D data that is transprojected upon various digital object image views captured by a camera. The transprojection process can utilize stored image and coordinate information or perform live transprojection viewing capabilities in both still image and video modes. |
| US07693322B2 |
Foam assessment
There are described methods and apparatus for assessing foams generated from liquids. Existing methods are slow and labor intensive. The new methods involve generating foams from liquids and optically obtaining information to enable parameters relating to the generated foam to be measured. Although single samples of liquids may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to foams at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the foams. |
| US07693319B2 |
Method for carving volume data based on image
Provided is an image-based volume data carving method for rapidly carving a specific area of dimensional volume data based on images. The method includes the steps of: generating a mask image to be carved from an input image; dividing a viewing transform matrix of the mask image into a shear transform matrix and a warp transform matrix, and calculating a scale factor from the shear transform matrix; modifying the mask image to be parallel to an axis of the volume data; shearing a volume slice in such a manner that the volume data can be parallel to viewing rays passing through a volume, and scaling the size of the volume slice; and carving part of the volume slice through an operation between the mask image and each volume slice. |
| US07693318B1 |
Method and apparatus for reconstruction of 3D image volumes from projection images
The invention provides improvements in reconstructive imaging of the type in which a volume is reconstructed from a series of measured projection images (or other two-dimensional representations) by utilizing the capabilities of graphics processing units (GPUs). In one aspect, the invention configures a GPU to reconstruct a volume by initializing an estimated density distribution of that volume to arbitrary values in a three-dimensional voxel-based matrix and, then, determining the actual density distribution iteratively by, for each of the measured projections, (a) forward-projecting the estimated volume computationally and comparing the forward-projection with the measured projection, (b) generating a correction term for each pixel in the forward-projection based on that comparison, and (c) back-projecting the correction term for each pixel in the forward-projection onto all voxels of the volume that were mapped into that pixel in the forward-projection. |
| US07693315B2 |
Systems and methods for providing automated regional myocardial assessment for cardiac imaging
Systems and methods are provided for automated assessment of regional myocardial function using wall motion analysis methods that analyze various features/parameters of patient information (image data and non-image data) obtained from medical records of a patient. For example, a method for providing automatic diagnostic support for cardiac imaging generally comprises obtaining image data of a heart of a patient, obtaining features from the image data of the heart, which are related to motion of the myocardium of the heart, and automatically assessing regional myocardial function of one or more regions of a myocardial wall using the obtained features. |
| US07693307B2 |
Method and apparatus for iris recognition
The invention relates to an iris recognition method, comprising the steps of acquiring an image of at least one eye of a user in an infrared spectrum, and of processing said image to extract therefrom identification characteristics from the iris as defined by an outer boundary in the eye, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring an image of the eye in a visible spectrum substantially simultaneously with acquiring the image of the eye in the infrared spectrum; and prior to processing the infrared image, determining the outer boundary of the iris from the image in the visible spectrum. The invention also provides iris recognition apparatus. |
| US07693302B2 |
Device for detecting obstacles comprising an imaging system for motor vehicles
An obstacle detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor, integrated in a lighting or signaling device of this vehicle. A field of vision of this at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle. |
| US07693299B2 |
Method, system, storage medium, and data structure for image recognition using multilinear independent component analysis
A method, system, computer-readable medium and data structure are provided for processing image data in connection with image recognition. A response of an image (FIG. 6 element 210) to a basis tensor can be determined after the image is applied thereto. The image response can be flattened (FIG. 6 element 220). A coefficient vector may be extracted from the image response (FIG. 6 element 230). The extracted coefficient vector may be compared to a plurality of different parameters stored in coefficient rows of a matrix (FIG. 6 element 240). |
| US07693296B2 |
Loudspeaker rigging system having contained maneuverable connecting links
A side frame for a loudspeaker rigging system has a frame structure mountable to the side of a loudspeaker, and links associated with the frame structure for linking together the corners of the frame structures of vertically adjacent side frames. The links associated with each side frame structure include a pivot link and splay adjustment link, each of which has a top extended end and a base end. Stow channels, which are preferably located in the bottom corner regions of the frame structure, contain the pivot link and splay adjustment link in the frame structure. A gripping structure associated with at least one, and preferably each link of the pivot and splay adjustment links allows a user to easily maneuver a link from its stowed to its deployed position. The extended end of the splay adjustment link includes at least two, and preferably an array of pin holes which can selectively be matched with one pin hole within a row of pin holes in a bottom corner region of the side frame to permit adjustments of the splay angle over a range of angles. Suitably, two rows of pin holes are provided in the top extended end of the splay adjustment link to permit multiple and incrementally small splay angle adjustments.In the preferred embodiment, the frame structure is comprised of an assembly of parts comprised of a center core structure sandwiched between two side plates. |
| US07693294B2 |
Method and system for reducing audible side effects of dynamic current consumption
A method and system for reducing audible side effects of dynamic current consumption is provided. The system includes an audio subsystem, and a plurality of digital subsystems. The audio subsystem and the digital subsystem are powered by a common power supply. T he digital subsystem processes data packets including audio data packets. The processing events implemented in one or more than one digital subsystem are reorganized to change the profile for executing the events inside the subsystem(s). The dynamic current spectral properties in one or more digital subsystems are changed. |
| US07693290B2 |
Sound reproduction device
A sound reproduction device such as a radio receiver or a cellular phone includes an antenna, a control unit and a speaker. The control unit determines whether a radio wave receiving condition is satisfactory. The receiving condition is represented by field strength of the radio wave or a degradation of a sound signal in the radio wave. If the receiving condition is not satisfactory, the control unit adds an acoustic effect to the sound signal thereby to notify listeners of degradation of receiving condition. The acoustic effect may be a changing of sound image localization, a changing of a frequency characteristic and a changing of a reverberation characteristic. The acoustic effect is stopped for a specified period after the acoustic effect is added, even when the receiving condition is not satisfactory. |
| US07693288B2 |
Remote control system and related method and apparatus
The invention provides for an audio system 10 comprising an audio signal generating means (12) for output of an audio signal (24), and a remote control device (14) for control of the audio signal generating means (12), the audio signal generating means (12) including means for including an identification signal within the audio output (12) and which serve to identify the audio signal generating means (12) from which the audio signal is output, the remote control device being arranged to receive the identification signal so as to identify the source (12) from which a particular audio signal (24) is output. |
| US07693284B2 |
Method and apparatus for encryption of over-the-air communications in a wireless communication system
A communication device encrypts symbols at a physical layer in order to improve encryption of data transmitted over a wireless link. A symbol mapper of the communication device receives a bit stream comprising multiple bits and maps the multiple bits to multiple symbols. An amplitude and phase adjuster of the communication device receives the multiple symbols and encrypts the symbols by applying at least one of a phase shift and an amplitude adjustment to each symbol of the multiple symbols to produce multiple encrypted symbols for transmission over a wireless link. In another embodiment of the present invention, a communication device is provided that is able to decrypt the encrypted symbols by applying at least one of a phase shift and an amplitude adjustment to each encrypted symbol that corresponds to a phase shift or an amplitude adjustment applied to the symbol by a transmitting communication device. |
| US07693278B2 |
Data distribution apparatus and data communications system
An RTP packet generating unit 11 packetizes data into packets, and adds identification information to the header of each of the packets, the identification information identifying each of the packets. An RTP packet encrypting unit 13 divides data included in each of the generated packets into blocks, and encrypts the data included in each of the packets on a block-by-block basis using an encryption key which an encryption key sharing unit 12 shares with a receiving client in such a manner that, when encrypting a first block of the data, the packet encrypting unit encrypts it using the identification information for identifying each of the packets, which is contained, as an initial vector, in the header of each of the packets, and, when encrypting each subsequent block of the data, encrypts it according to an encryption method which uses an immediately-previously-encrypted block. |
| US07693272B2 |
Providing a file relating to a telephone call
When a person receives an incoming telephone call, one or more files that the person is most likely to need are provided. The files are identified by analyzing information about what the person did in previous phone conversations with the same caller. That is, when the person opens files in the computer system during a phone call, this is recorded in a register that can be analyzed to identify the most likely needed files. Calls from more than one specific telephone number may be covered by the technique and several answering persons' actions may be tracked. |
| US07693269B2 |
Caller identification method, and billing system and method using the same in internet telephony
A caller identification system provides a caller identifier of an actual user rather than the conventional telephone number dependent on a caller terminal. Further, a caller base billing method and its system can bill an actual user by carrying out user authentication through a certification authority for a caller identifier that is independent of a caller terminal. The method includes the steps of receiving authentication information of the caller from a caller terminal; verifying the authentication information; and carrying out call setup if the authentication information and the certificate match, wherein the authentication information is generated by using a caller identifier and a private key that are applied by the caller, with no dependency on the caller terminal, and caller information corresponding to the caller identifier is transmitted to a callee terminal during call setup. |
| US07693261B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspection of materials
A method and apparatus for obtaining radiation transmission data including providing a radiation source, e.g., x-ray or gamma-ray source, and a radiation detector system, e.g., x-ray or gamma-ray detection system, spaced therefrom to define a scanning zone therebetween, the detector system capable of detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation. Collecting a dataset of information about radiation incident including transmissivity of an object in the scanning zone at at least one scanning position from radiation transmitted through the object and received at the detector system. Resolving each dataset spectroscopically across a plurality of frequency bands within the spectrum of the source; at least one of the frequency bands corresponding to a characteristically scattered wavelength of a target species to be identified. The absence of or substantial reduction in a transmitted signal intensity at the frequency band is interpreted as the presence of the said target species. |
| US07693256B2 |
Phase-contrast X-ray imaging
A stereoscopic phase-contrast X-ray imaging system (1) comprises a stereoscopic radiation head (20) having at least one X-ray source (30, 31) providing a first (32) and second (33) X-ray beam in stereoscopic configuration onto an object (110). At least one detector (40, 41) detects the beams (32, 33) having passed through the object (110) and generates detection data. This data is processed by a phase-contrast stereoscopic reconstruction processor (60) to generate two 2D phase-contrast images (80, 82) of the object (110) collectively forming a stereoscopic image pair or stereo image providing high resolution 3D representation of the object (110). |
| US07693245B2 |
Frame-based carrier frequency and phase recovery system and method
Header information is used to facilitate coarse frequency and frame recovery. The coarse frequency and frame recovery is thereafter utilized to perform adaptive phase and frequency synchronization on a frame-by-frame basis. A digitized signal representative of a wireless signal may be received. A frame identifier in a physical layer header in the signal may be identified by correlating the digitized signal to one or more known frame identifiers. The identified frame identifier may be used to estimate a phase or frequency error. |
| US07693241B2 |
Rake receiver finger assignment based on signal path concentration
A rake receiver finger assignor is configured to assign a rake receiver finger to a time offset between identified signal path time offsets in accordance with a concentration of identified signal paths from a transmitter to a rake receiver. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, a number of identified signal paths having time offsets within a time window are observed to determine the concentration of signal paths identified by a path searcher. If the number of identified signal paths indicates a concentrated distribution of signal paths such as during a fat path condition, at least one rake finger is assigned between at a time offset between two identified signal paths. |
| US07693240B2 |
Techniques to converge and adapt a communication system receiver
A system, apparatus, method and article to converge a communications system receiver are described. The apparatus may include an interference canceller to receive an interference signal and to produce an adaptive signal. The interference canceller is adapted by a first adaptation module. An equalizer is coupled to the interference canceller. The interference canceller is located before the equalizer. The equalizer receives an input signal formed of a sum of a received input signal and the adaptive signal. A slicer is coupled to the equalizer and to the interference canceller. The slicer receives an equalized version of equalizer coefficients and produces a slicer error. The first adaptation module adapts the interference canceller utilizing a convolution of the interference signal with the equalizer coefficients, and multiplying the results by the slicer error. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07693236B2 |
If-to-baseband conversion for flexible frequency planning capability
An RF receiver apparatus (31) is provided physically separately from a cooperating baseband processor apparatus (32). The RF receiver includes a mixer circuit (33) and an analog IF-to-digital baseband converter (34) formed on an integrated circuit. Sampling frequencies of the analog IF-to-digital baseband converter are controlled by the RF receiver apparatus. |
| US07693235B2 |
Reduced complexity coding system using iterative decoding
A concatenated coding scheme, using an outer coder, interleaver, and the inner coder inherent in an FQPSK signal to form a coded FQPSK signal. The inner coder is modified to enable interative decoding of the outer code. |
| US07693233B2 |
Parallel Tomlinson-Harashima precoders
A method to design parallel TH precoders and a circuit architecture to implement parallel TH precoders have been presented. The parallel design relies on the fact that a TH precoder can be viewed as an IIR filter with an input equal to the sum of the original input to the TH precoder and a compensation signal. The parallel design also relies on the fact that the compensation signal has finite levels. Therefore, precomputation techniques can be applied to calculate intermediate signal values for all possible values of the compensation signal. |
| US07693227B2 |
Channel length estimation and accurate FFT window placement for high-mobility OFDM receivers in single frequency networks
A method of estimating a channel length (304) in a wireless receiver is disclosed. The receiver receives a signal (122) from a remote transmitter. The receiver selects a plurality (K) of different candidate channel lengths and determines a respective criterion value (402) of the signal for each of the plurality of different candidate channel lengths. The receiver selects a channel length (410) from the plurality of different candidate channel lengths in response to the respective criterion value (404). |
| US07693213B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining power required for data transmission in communication systems
Methods and apparatus for estimating a transmission power required for data transmission in a communication system are disclosed. A terminal determines a quality metric of a communication link, over which data are to be transmitted, and modifies the determined quality metric by a quality metric margin. The terminal then estimates the maximum rate of data in accordance with the modified quality metric. Alternatively, the terminal estimates transmission power required for data transmission with a data rate in accordance with the modified quality metric. The quality metric margin may be a pre-determined or dynamically adjusted. The terminal dynamically adjusts the quality metric margin in accordance with a result of comparison of a transmit power corresponding to the estimated maximum rate of data with an actual transmit power used to transmit the data. |
| US07693211B2 |
Fast fourier transform based phase locked loop for navigational receivers
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) based Phase Lock Loops (PLLs) are provided for use in navigational signal receivers. In an embodiment, a navigation receiver correlates a received navigational signal with a locally generated signal into correlation samples, e.g., one-millisecond correlation samples. The navigation receiver includes a FFT based PLL that corrects phase shifts in the correlation samples due to the Doppler frequency by considering both the Doppler frequency and its rate of change, which are obtained from a FFT computation with interpolation. The phase corrected correlation samples are then integrated over a length of a navigation data bit, e.g., 20 milliseconds, to determine the sign of the data bit of the received signal. In another embodiment, a soft decision feedback technique involving integration extending over the present data bit and several prior data bits is used to determine the sign of a present data bit of the received signal. |
| US07693206B2 |
Semiconductor laser device including laser array or stack first collimator, path rotator, and an optical element
This invention relates to semiconductor laser apparatus with a structure for reducing the divergence angle of output light and for narrowing the spectral width. The semiconductor laser apparatus has at least a semiconductor laser array, a collimator lens, a path rotator, and an optical element with a reflecting function. The collimator lens collimates a plurality of laser beams from the semiconductor laser array, in a predetermined direction. The path rotator outputs each beam collimated in the predetermined direction, with a predetermined divergence angle in the predetermined direction in a state in which a transverse section of the beam is rotated by about 90°. The optical element is arranged at a position where at least a part of each beam from the path rotator arrives, and constitutes at least a part of an external resonator. This optical element reflects a part of each beam from the path rotator to return the reflected part of each beam to the active layer in the semiconductor laser array. |
| US07693203B2 |
Single-mode photonic-crystal VCSELs
This specification discloses a VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) device with single-mode output and optionally single polarization output. This device is given by lateral mode confinement by the PBG (Photonic Band-Gap) effect by shallow etching in a partial VCSEL top mirror. The PBG area encircles a MS-region (Mode-Shaping region), which is characterized by large longitudinal mode losses. The MS-region encircles the LA-region (Light Aperture region), which is characterised by low longitudinal mode losses. The MS-region does not contribute to the lateral mode-confinement to the LA-aperture, and the lateral modes confined by the PBG area. The VCSEL is thus optimized for single fundamental mode operation. |
| US07693199B2 |
Laser diode
A laser diode capable of operating at high temperature by preventing carrier overflow is provided. A laser diode includes an AlGaInP-based laminate configuration including at least a lower cladding layer, an active layer and an upper cladding layer in this order, wherein the AlGaInP-based laminate configuration receives a larger compressive stress than 2200 ppm from a stress source. |
| US07693198B2 |
Laser device
A laser device including a gain medium that has a gain, a waveguide for propagating an electromagnetic wave, and a resonant structure comprised of the waveguide. The gain medium extends in the propagation direction, and is sandwiched, at the top and bottom surfaces in the thickness direction thereof, between a first cladding and a second cladding of negative dielectric constant media. The gain medium is provided with a lateral structure adjacent to at least one of the side surfaces thereof in the width direction perpendicular to the propagation direction and the thickness direction. The lateral structure includes a positive dielectric constant medium which is sandwiched, at its top and bottom surfaces in the thickness direction thereof, between the negative dielectric constant media. The waveguide is comprised of the gain medium, the lateral structure, the first cladding and the second cladding. |
| US07693194B2 |
Fundamental-wave light source and wavelength converter
A reflection element 3 disposed in an optical waveguide element 2 returns a part of light to a semiconductor laser diode element 1 so that the semiconductor laser diode element 1 oscillates in a coherent collapse mode, and a semiconductor light amplifier 7 is optically coupled to the optical waveguide element 2, and amplifies an optical output from optical waveguide element 2, so as to provide a high-power fundamental-wave light source. |
| US07693187B2 |
Integrated information communication system using internet protocol
The integrated information communication system is comprised of an access control apparatus for connecting a plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment to each, and a relay device for networking the aforementioned access control apparatus. The system has functions for performing routing by transferring information by a unified address system and by changing address at the access control apparatus, and is configured such that the aforementioned plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment can perform communications in an interactive manner. The integrated information communication system ensures communication speed, communication quality, communication trouble countermeasures in a unified manner, without using dedicated lines or the Internet, wherein security and reliability in communication is ensured without change of a private address system. |
| US07693181B2 |
Systems and methods of sharing information between protocol layers
An exemplary device comprises a first and second protocol layer, and an information exchange service (IES) in communication with the first and the second protocol layers. The IES is configured to share control information between the protocol layers. A protocol layer is capable of adapting behavior based on the control information shared by the IES. An exemplary method is presented for communicating between publishing and subscribing layers in a protocol stack. The method comprises, in the publishing layer, specifying a selected attribute and an associated value to be shared with the subscribing layer. The method further comprises storing the specified attribute and associated value, and receiving a subscribe request from the requesting layer. The request specifies the published attribute. The method further comprises, in response to the request, providing the associated value to a subscribing layer, and in the subscribing layer, adapting behavior based on the shared control information. |
| US07693180B1 |
Mechanisms for translating between two different voice-over-IP protocols
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for translating data within a cable network between a first voice-over-IP (VOIP) protocol used by a user agent and a second VOIP protocol used by a call management server, or other type of call receiver. In one embodiment, data from an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) user agent is translated for an NCS (Network Call Signaling) call management server. In one implementation, translation mechanisms are provided within the customer premises equipment in which the respective user agent is also configured. |
| US07693177B2 |
Navigational aid and carrier sense technique
A navigational aid for use as an AIS apparatus includes a memory for storing information about previous use of individual time slots synchronized with transmission schedules of other stations and a signal detector for judging whether an information signal exists in a time slot specified in accordance with a synchronization timing signal based on the information stored in the memory and a result of monitoring of the behavior of a baseband signal obtained from a received signal on an IQ-plane. The navigational aid transmits information about own station based on a result of judgment by the signal detector. The monitoring of the behavior of the received baseband signal plotted on the IQ-plane can be accomplished by performing pattern recognition operation, for which a carrier sense technique, such as a support vector machine, subspace method or neural network, can be used. |
| US07693175B1 |
Prioritized access in a multi-channel MAC protocol
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a prioritized MAC protocol for a WLAN or wireless mesh using a time filtering technique wherein a time limit (Advanced Interval For Reservation or AIFR) is imposed on the time prior to the expiration of data channel's NAV when a data channel is considered ‘almost idle’. The same AIFR limit applies to all CC-RTS of the same priority, and a higher priority CC-RTS will have a longer AIFR. |
| US07693171B2 |
Methods and apparatus for efficient IP multicasting in a content-based network
Methods and apparatus for assigning physical channels in a content-based network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network having a plurality of cable modems, and the physical channels are assigned to the cable modems based at least in part on any multicast transmissions that may exist on the system. When two cable modems are receiving the same multicast transmission, the invention causes tuning of one or more of the cable modems to the same physical channel in order to limit the total number multicast transmissions on the network. Multicast transmissions typically comprise video or audio information, but other types of information may also be multicast according to the invention. In another embodiment, a multicast transmission list (containing a list of multicast transmissions and the corresponding physical channels) is sent to the set of cable modems. This list is used by the modems (or associated CPE) to manage channel allocation and tuning. |
| US07693170B2 |
Transmission rate control method and mobile station
A transmission rate control method, includes: transmitting, at a radio base station, a relative rate grant channel which includes a command for controlling a transmission rate in uplink to a mobile station; and determining, at the mobile station, that the relative rate grant channel which includes a HOLD command for instructing to maintain the transmission rate is received at the mobile station, when data to be transmitted becomes empty in a transmission buffer and a receive signal in the relative rate grant channel is detected as “0” or “+1”, and maintaining the transmission rate. |
| US07693167B2 |
Mobile nodal based communication system, method and apparatus
An improved micro architectural approach for a network microprocessor has low power consumption, and employs two specialized processing cores, a MAC processing core and a network processor core. Each of these processing cores has facilities designed for a specific set of functions, to handle ISO layer 2 and layer 3 functionality in a packet switched Software Defined Radio mobile network. |
| US07693165B2 |
Data processing method and device
A data processing method and device includes a data selecting unit of a GGSN selecting data received by the GGSN, which includes a GTP tunnel signaling packet and a normal data packet and performs corresponding processing in accordance with a type of the selected packet. A data information processing unit receives data transmitted from the data selecting unit and data transmitted from an external data network. The data selecting unit is added in the GGSN, so that the data with respect to the GTP tunnel is managed by categories, and the tunnel deleting notification packet is transmitted to the data information processing module in time, thus a wrong data forwarding is avoided, and the operation mode is simple. In other words, the data information processing module operates only in the routing mode; therefore, the failure rate of a single node is reduced, and the operation cost is lowered. |
| US07693164B1 |
Configuring a packet tunnel network
Packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems receive a request to enable layer-two Ethernet communication between service virtual local area networks via edge bridges fully connected by packet tunnels. The packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems direct the edge bridges to establish the packet tunnels and modify Ethernet packets received from the service virtual local area networks by adding an instance service identifier and a tunnel identifier to the received Ethernet packets. |
| US07693160B2 |
Information processing device, port detecting device, information processing method, port detecting method, and program
There is provided an information processing device comprising bubble packet transmitter for transmitting a bubble packet via communications processing device, detecting packet transmitter for transmitting a detecting packet via communications processing device, the detecting packet used for detecting a position of a bubble packet transmission port, the detecting packet being transmitted in a manner that a detecting packet transmission port in communications processing device where the detecting packet passes through becomes the same as or different from a bubble packet transmission port, depending on a type of communications processing device, and bubble packet transmission port detector for detecting a position of the bubble packet transmission port according to the detecting packet transmission port. |
| US07693155B2 |
Method and system for transmitting streaming data
A communication processing apparatus that performs processing of transmitting streaming data includes a communication control portion examining the state of data communication and performing processing of changing priority information to be defined for send data based on the result of the examination, and a network interface performing processing of outputting data with the priority information. In this case, the communication control portion performs processing of setting a lower priority than a predetermined priority for the streaming data in the initial period of the transmission of streaming data, examination of the state of data communication in a lower-priority-setting period at an examination point functioning as predefined examination timing, and processing of changing the priority setting based on the result of the examination. |
| US07693154B2 |
Transmitter and method of transmission
A transmitter equipped with a plurality of transmission path ports and a relay section. The relay section has a routing table and a router. In the routing table, information about the relay of the received packet to one of the transmission path ports connected to a relay transmission path is stored, correlated with both a port identifier of each the transmission path port and the source address of the transmitter that transmitted the packet. The router extracts the port identifier of the transmission path port that received the packet and the source address contained in the received packet, and routes the received packet to the transmission path port connected to the relay transmission path by referring to the routing table for the extracted port identifier and the extracted source address. |
| US07693138B2 |
Method and system for transparent TCP offload with best effort direct placement of incoming traffic
Certain aspects of a method and system for transparent transmission control protocol (TCP) offload with best effort direct placement of incoming traffic are disclosed. Aspects of a method may include collecting TCP segments in a network interface card (NIC) processor without transferring state information to a host processor every time a TCP segment is received. When an event occurs that terminates the collection of TCP segments, the NIC processor may generate a new aggregated TCP segment based on the collected TCP segments. If a placement sequence number corresponding to the generated new TCP segment for the particular network flow is received before the TCP segment is received, the generated new TCP segment may be transferred directly from the memory to the user buffer instead of transferring the data to a kernel buffer, which would require further copy by the host stack from kernel buffer to user buffer. |
| US07693133B2 |
System and method for conference calling with VOIP terminal
A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of called party terminals in a bridged a call session with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calling party terminal. The method includes the VOIP terminal sending called party terminal identifiers identifying each called party terminal to a calling party Service Control Point (SCP), and creating a bridged call session at the SCP connecting the called party terminals and the calling party VOIP terminal. The apparatus includes a system for sending called party terminal identifiers identifying each called party terminal to a calling party Service Control Point (SCP), and creating a bridged call session at the SCP connecting the called party terminals and the calling party VOIP terminal. |
| US07693131B2 |
Telecommunications system to provide analog telephony communications over a packet connection
A communication system provides PSTN access to a user device coupled to a packet network over a packet connection. The user device exchanges telephony signaling and telephony communications in an analog format with an analog telephone, exchanges the telephony signaling and the telephony communications in the packet format over the packet connection, and exchanges Internet communications over the packet connection. A service node exchanges the telephony signaling in the packet format with the user device, processes the telephony signaling to select a PSTN connection, transfers a control message indicating the PSTN connection, and exchanges the telephony signaling in a PSTN format with the PSTN. An interworking unit receives the control message, and in response, exchanges the telephony communications in the packet format with the user device and exchanges the telephony communications in the PSTN format with the selected PSTN connection. |
| US07693130B2 |
Apparatus and method of synchronizing distribution of packet services across a distributed network
An apparatus and method are described for synchronizing distribution of packet information. In one embodiment, the invention includes timestamp processing logic to process a transmit time indicator embedded within the packet information, where the transmit time indicator is based on a time reference, and service synchronization queuing logic to hold the packet information until a time offset after the transmit time indicator, where the service synchronization queuing logic is synchronized to the time reference. |
| US07693126B2 |
Radio telecommunications system and method of operating the same with polling
An apparatus or method for transmitting data blocks on a communications channel having a radio link between two stations including a user equipment comprises receiving first data blocks from the user equipment, and transmitting second data blocks to the user equipment. A polling interval is dynamically set for the transmission of polling messages to the user equipment after transmission of the second data blocks, the polling interval being set in accordance with at least one of: a size of one or more data blocks received by the apparatus from the user equipment, a size of one or more blocks transmitted from the apparatus to the user equipment, and a service to which the user equipment is subscribed. The apparatus may be used as a PCU in a cellular mobile telephone system. |
| US07693125B2 |
Supporting hybrid automatic retransmission request in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access radio access system
A method of supporting a hybrid automatic retransmission request (HARQ) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access (OFDMA) radio access system is disclosed. Preferably, the method comprises receiving a downlink data frame comprising a data map information element and a data burst comprising a plurality of layers, wherein each layer is encoded with a corresponding channel encoder, and wherein the data map information element is configured to support multiple antennas to achieve space time transmit diversity by providing control information associated with each one of the plurality of layers, wherein the control information comprises allocation of acknowledgement status channels corresponding to the plurality of layers, and transmitting in an uplink data frame a plurality of acknowledgement status, each acknowledgement status being associated with whether a corresponding layer of the plurality of layers is properly decoded. |
| US07693124B2 |
Slot-to-interlace and interlace-to-slot converters for an OFDM system
In an OFDM system, multiple (M) interlaces are defined for M non-overlapping sets of frequency subbands, and M slots with fixed indices are also defined. Data streams and pilot are mapped to slots, which are in turn mapped to interlaces based on a slot-to-interlace mapping scheme that can achieve frequency diversity and good performance for all slots. At a transmitter, a slot-to-interlace converter maps the slots to the interlaces. The slot-to-interlace converter includes multiple multiplexers and a control unit. The multiplexers map the M slots to the M interlaces based on the slot-to-interlace mapping scheme. The control unit generates at least one control signal for the multiplexers. The multiplexers may be arranged and controlled in various manners depending on the slot-to-interlace mapping scheme. At a receiver, a complementary interlace-to-slot converter maps the interlaces to the slots. |
| US07693120B2 |
Neural network-based mobility management for self-partition detection and identification of mobile ad hoc radio networks
A method of managing an ad hoc communications network of wireless devices or nodes. The network is connected if all nodes can communicate with each other and otherwise partitioned. Partitions are identified by recursively applying a connectivity function to a connectivity matrix representative of the network. The number of times the connectivity function is recursively applied is determined by the network diameter. If the result of the recursive application is a unity matrix, the network is connected; otherwise it is disconnected. Also, if the network diameter exceeds a selected maximum length, the network may be voluntarily partitioned into connected sub-networks by recursively applying the connectivity function a lesser number of times to the connectivity matrix. The lesser number of times is determined by the selected maximum length or maximum allowable number of hops. |
| US07693112B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling packet data to provide multimedia broadcast/multicast services in a CDMA mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for providing multimedia broadcast and multicast services in a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) mobile communication system. The apparatus and method enable a common MBMC (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Control) layer to be allocated between a plurality of cells, enable MBMC layers to be classified on the basis of types of services, and use the classified MBMC layers. That is, individual MBMC layers do not have to store large-capacity data because a unique service or transmission rate in each of cells is based on a slow rate, and the individual MBMC layers corresponding to respective cells process a service requiring complex scheduling. Moreover, the apparatus and method enable the same information to be provided to a plurality of cells and enable a streaming-type service to be processed in a common MBMC layer commonly used in the cells. The apparatus and method can not only reduce an overhead of storage and processing devices but also minimize a time difference between broadcast and multicast timings of different cells, by enabling the common MBMC layer to commonly process MBMS information for the plurality of cells. |
| US07693111B2 |
Wireless communication device and method for reducing carrier frequency offsets over a simultaneous multi-user uplink in a multicarrier communication network
Each of a plurality of multicarrier wireless communication devices generate a carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimate from a downlink polling frame (302) and apply the CFO estimate to signals prior to transmission to a receiving station over a multi-user uplink. |
| US07693107B2 |
WLAN handover for a mobile terminal moving from a first to a second network
A method, a system, and a local network switching device for providing access for a mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal at a moved location to an Internet network via wireless local networks. The mobile communication terminal is moved from a first network to a second network. The WLAN handover, necessary therefore, takes place efficiently and in a robust manner, by providing access for the mobile communication terminal in the first network, by transmitting a device-specific address to a plurality of bordering networks, and by configuring further accesses on the plurality of bordering networks. After moving the mobile communication terminal, access to an Internet network can be continued immediately via the second network, via the local network switching unit of the second network, and via the local network switching unit of the first network. |
| US07693103B2 |
System and method for automatically performing a channel selection procedure in a wireless network
A system and method for automatically performing a channel selection procedure in a wireless network includes a forward transmitter that embeds an identifier into forward data that is transmitted over a forward link. A forward receiver then receives the forward data on the forward link, and removes the identifier from the forward data. A reverse transmitter receives the identifier from the forward receiver, and embeds the identifier into reverse data that is transmitted over a reverse link on a selected reverse channel chosen from among a plurality of available reverse channels. A reverse receiver then searches the reverse channels to identify the selected reverse channel containing reverse data with the identifier embedded. The reverse receiver may then utilize the reverse data received over the identified reverse channel. |
| US07693096B2 |
Method and system for indicating data burst allocation in a wireless communication system
A method is provided for transmitting a MAP message in a wireless communication system. A base station transmits the MAP message including operation mode information indicating a data burst allocation scheme, to a mobile station. The mobile station identifies a data burst according to the operation mode information included in the MAP message received from the base station. |
| US07693093B2 |
QoS-aware handover procedure for IP-based mobile ad-hoc network environments
A handover method for a wireless mobile network including interconnected mobile nodes having time varying connectivity includes determining Quality of Service (QoS) resources of each potential routing path between a mobile node and a correspondent node. The method also includes pre-allocating the QoS resources along at least one potential routing path in advance before initiating a handover of a data flow to be transmitted from the mobile node to the correspondent node via a selected routing path. In addition, the method includes redirecting the data flow to a routing path with best available QoS capabilities as the selected routing path and, in case of sufficient QoS capabilities, reserving the determined QoS resources for the data flow to be transmitted via the selected routing path. |
| US07693088B2 |
Method and apparatus for data rate detection using a data eye monitor
Methods and apparatus are provided for data rate detection using a data eye monitor. The data rate is one of a plurality of data rates comprising a base rate and one or more divide-by-N multiples of the base rate, where N is an integer. The data rate of a received signal is detected by sampling the received signal; comparing the samples for a plurality of full rate data eyes associated with the received signal to determine if there is a mismatch between at least two predefined samples; and detecting the data rate by evaluating the comparison based on predefined criteria. The comparison can be performed by an exclusive or (XOR) logic gate for samples of at least two adjacent data eyes of a given rate. |
| US07693085B2 |
Traffic specifications for polling requests of periodic sources
An apparatus and method for informing a coordinator of the particular characteristics of a periodic traffic source are disclosed. A station that generates a periodic traffic stream encodes the temporal period and temporal offset of the traffic stream within a quality-of-service (QoS) traffic specification, and transmits the traffic specification with a poll request. The coordinator, upon receiving a polling request, processes the associated traffic specification and, via appropriate decoding logic, determines whether the requesting station generates periodic traffic, and if so, the temporal period and temporal offset of the traffic stream. The coordinator subsequently can establish, based on the temporal period and temporal offset, a polling schedule that minimizes the delay between (i) the station generating a frame, and (ii) the station transmitting the frame (and thus the destination receiving the frame). |
| US07693081B1 |
Integrated IP DSLAM test monitor
A system, method, and computer readable medium for integrated IP DSLAM test monitor that comprises monitoring at least one data stream, collecting measurements of the at least one data stream, broadcasting the collected measurements to a remote monitoring station, analyzing the monitored at least one data stream by the remote monitoring station, identifying a fault signature from the analyzed at least one data stream, and sending an alert of the identified fault signature so that actions may be take to isolate and repair the fault. |
| US07693079B2 |
Proactive repair process in the xDSL network (with a VDSL focus)
A method for proactively managing a fault in a video and data network is provided. The method includes collecting network correlation data for the fault. Additionally, a physical connectivity test of the video and data network is automatically performed. Physical connectivity data from the physical connectivity test is collected. Also, a virtual connectivity test of the video and data network is automatically performed. Virtual connectivity data from the virtual connectivity test is collected. The network correlation data, physical connectivity data, and virtual connectivity data is then correlated based on the fault. Once the correlation is performed, a defined resolution procedure for resolving the fault using the correlated network correlation data, physical connectivity data, and virtual connectivity data is provided. |
| US07693078B2 |
Method for supporting SDH/SONET OAMP on Ethernet
An Ethernet MAC OAMP Control sublayer is provided for supporting SDH/SONET OAMP standard functionality in Ethernet Networks. In accordance with one embodiment, an Ethernet MAC OAMP Control sublayer is provided for processing Ethernet MAC OAMP Control frames. The MAC OAMP Control sublayer provides support for a MAC OAMP Client to implement all of the SDH/SONET OAMP standard functionality. The MAC OAMP Control frame provides support for SDH/SONET OAMP on Ethernet networks. The Network Equipment can use the MAC OAMP Control frames to communicate with the downstream and upstream Network Equipment about various OAMP events, requests, performance parameters, communications channels, maintenance, and test functionality. |
| US07693077B2 |
Method for estimating available bandwidth of network
Disclosed is a method for estimating an available bandwidth of a network. A plurality of periodic time-stamp packets are transmitted to a receiving-party communication apparatus, which is connected to the network, through the network at a currently-set test transmission rate, and then a changing tendency of transmission delay time differences between the time-stamp packets is checked on the basis of reception times at which the receiving-party communication apparatus have received the respective time-stamp packets. When the transmission delay time differences are located outside a stable range and show a tendency to increase, the test transmission rate is set to a decreased value and the time-stamp packets are repeatedly transmitted at the decreased rate and when the transmission delay time differences are located outside the stable range and show a tendency to decrease, the test transmission rate is set to be an increased value and the time-stamp packets are repeatedly transmitted at the increased rate. A test transmission rate is determined as the available bandwidth when the transmission delay time differences are within the stable range. |
| US07693076B2 |
Detection algorithm for delivering inline power down four pairs of an ethernet cable to a single powered device
Methods and apparatus for determining that all conductors of an Ethernet connection are connected to the same powered device (PD). In one disclosed embodiment, it is first determined that a signal conductor pair of the Ethernet connection is coupled to a valid PD according to a discovery process, and the unused conductor pair of the Ethernet connection is also coupled to a valid PD. However, it is not yet determined whether they are both coupled to the same PD. This disclosure provides for injecting a polluting signal into one of the conductor pairs, and performing the discovery process on the other conductor pair. If the discovery process fails on the other conductor pair as a result of the polluting signal, then it is determined that both of the conductor pairs are indeed coupled to same PD. |
| US07693074B2 |
Multicast communication path calculation method and multicast communication path calculation apparatus
A multicast communication path calculation method is disclosed which includes the steps of: obtaining minimum delay paths from a source node to each destination node; selecting, as candidate nodes of a rendezvous point node, nodes on one of the obtained minimum delay paths; for each candidate node, calculating minimum delay paths from the candidate node to each destination node, and obtaining a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value among delays of the calculated minimum delay paths; selecting, as the rendezvous point node, a candidate node by which the difference is smallest; and outputting a minimum delay path from the source node to the rendezvous point node and minimum delay paths from the rendezvous point node to each destination node. |
| US07693073B2 |
System and method for routing packet traffic
A system and method are disclosed for routing packet traffic. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Provider Edge (PE) router having a routing element that routes packet traffic between a plurality of autonomous systems according to one or more Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) tables each having a plurality of Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) Autonomous System (AS) numbers. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US07693071B2 |
System and method for routing messages within a messaging system
Systems and methods are described which provide enhanced stability, increased predictability, reduced transmission costs, and which conserve bandwidth in routing messages over computer networks. The systems and methods further include providing improved transmission of messages wherein the messages are transmitted to nodes closest to a target delivery node. If delivery is possible to a target node, the message transmission stops at the point of failure in the network, wherein delivery to the target node is accomplished at a later time or the message is returned to the sender. |
| US07693070B2 |
Congestion reducing reliable transport packet retry engine
A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for transmitting at least one packet across a network destined for reception by at least one network endpoint. A plurality of packets is processed sequentially from a queue to be sent to at least one network endpoint. At least a first packet from the plurality of packets is transmitted to the network endpoint. The at least first packet transmitted to the network endpoint is determined to not have been acknowledged. A first retry packet associated with the at least first packet is transmitted to the at least one network endpoint. Transmission of packets other than the first retry packet is suspended to the network endpoint. The first retry packet is determined to have been acknowledged by the at least one network endpoint. Transmission of remaining packets in the plurality of packets to the at least one network endpoint is resumed. |
| US07693069B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for improved inter-domain routing convergence
A method and apparatus for improved inter-domain routing convergence, include transmitting reason information associated with a route update or withdraw. An apparatus receiving the reason information associated with the update or withdraw uses the reason information to determine which of its candidate routes are also affected by substantially the same event that triggered the initial route update or withdraw and which of its candidate routes are not affected. For example, a candidate route may be considered to be transient if the apparatus receiving the reason information determines from the received reason information that a candidate route is going to be updated or withdrawn in the near future due. A candidate route considered as a transient route is avoided being advertised as a preferred route. |
| US07693061B2 |
Data networking
There is provided a traffic placement method in a communications network, the communications network comprising a plurality of nodes, the nodes being connected to one another by links, the method comprising selecting a (possibly non-strict) subset from a given set of traffic flow demands and calculating a plurality of paths for the selected demands under consideration of a set of constraints using an algorithm hybridization combining backtrack search with local consistency techniques (BT+CS) and guiding search by the use of one or more probe generators, that is, search techniques that solve a routing sub-problem or an arbitrary relaxation of the traffic placement problem. By using a hybrid algorithm that integrates other solvers (search techniques) into BT+CS through the use of probe generators, a more powerful search strategy can be achieved compared to BT+CS or the individual search techniques. |
| US07693060B2 |
Method and apparatus for a reservation reflector function in routers
A method and corresponding apparatus establish a reservation in a segment of an end-to-end path between a data sender and a data receiver, up to a point in the end-to-end path; attempt to establish another reservation in an adjacent segment of the end-to-end path, beyond the point in the end-to-end path; and in an event that the other reservation is established in the adjacent segment of the end-to-end path, bind the other reservation to the reservation established in the segment of an end-to-end path up to the point in the end-to-end path. |
| US07693053B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic redistribution of tokens in a multi-processor system
Methods and apparatus provide for: receiving tokens from a plurality of resources, where the tokens are exchange media for permitting a plurality of requesters to access an associated one of the resources for a period of time; allocating the tokens to respective requester groups into which the plurality of requesters have been assigned; receiving requests for one or more of the tokens from one or more of the requesters and granting, from the allocated tokens, one or more of the tokens to the requesters based on token granting criteria; and re-distributing unused tokens from one or more requester groups to one or more other requester groups based on priorities assigned to the requester groups; and dynamically altering the priorities assigned to the requester groups when a number of unused tokens of one or more of the requester groups has fallen below a threshold. |
| US07693046B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining network connectivity via label switched path(s)
A method or corresponding apparatus in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention monitors an operational status of network links and retrieves or receives the operational status. The operational status is stored (e.g., within 50 msec) on an ongoing basis. The operational status corresponds to an operational LSP from among a primary LSP and secondary LSP(s) used to service traffic via the network links to maintain network connectivity via the LSPs. The secondary LSP(s) may be either a bypass LSP or a backup LSP, where each LSP is Fast Re-route (FRR) enabled. Further, correspondence between the primary LSP, secondary LSP(s), and the network links may be tracked. In order to deliver network traffic via the operational LSP known to service traffic between the source and destination, a link identifier may be used. The link identifier is determined from the source and destination information within the network traffic. |
| US07693042B1 |
Intelligent presentation network management system
A system and method has been provided for the intuitive management of communication networks including a large number of network elements diffused across large geographical areas. The network management system permits the system operator to identify system problems while monitoring the top-level map of the communications network. The organization of network displays permits an operator to “zoom” from the higher levels of network abstraction, depicting a large number of elements across a large geographic area, to local geographical areas where specific problems associated with individual elements can be identified. |
| US07693040B1 |
Processing switch for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
A baseband processor includes a processing switch for performing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing operations on data packets and routing the data packets in the baseband processor. Additionally, the baseband processor includes digital signal processors for performing symbol processing operations on the data packets. The baseband processor is scalable such that digital signal processors may be added to, or removed from, the baseband processor. Further, the baseband processor is programmable such that the symbol processing operations may be distributed among the digital signal processors. |
| US07693036B2 |
Decision feedback channel estimation and pilot tracking for OFDM systems
Current OFDM systems use a limited number of symbols and/or sub-channels to provide approximations for channel estimations and pilot tracking, i.e. phase estimations. For example, two training symbols in the preamble of a data packet are used to provide channel estimation. Four of the fifty-four sub-channels are reserved for providing phase estimation. However, noise and other imperfections can cause errors in both of these estimations, thereby degrading system performance. Advantageously, decision feedback mechanisms can be provided to significantly improve channel estimation and pilot tracking in OFDM systems. The decision feedback mechanisms can use data symbols in the data packet to improve channel estimation as well as data sub-channels to improve pilot tracking. |
| US07693034B2 |
Combined inverse fast fourier transform and guard interval processing for efficient implementation of OFDM based systems
A circuit for converting frequency domain information to time domain information includes an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform circuit having a length of N coefficients. The Inverse Fast Fourier Transform circuit is adapted to receive input data of length N coefficients and generate output data of length N coefficients that are circularly shifted by m coefficients. The circuit also includes Cyclical Prefix Insertion circuit adapted to insert a cyclical prefix of length m. The Cyclical Prefix Insertion circuit includes a first switch, connected to the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform circuit, a buffer, having an input connected to the first switch and an output, the buffer having a length m, and a second switch, coupled to the first switch and to the buffer. The first and second switches selectively couple the output of the buffer and the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform circuit to an output of the second switch. The buffer is reduced to length m. |
| US07693032B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi-carrier communication systems with adaptive transmission and feedback
An arrangement is disclosed where in a multi-carrier communication system, the modulation scheme, coding attributes, training pilots, and signal power may be adjusted to adapt to channel conditions in order to maximize the overall system capacity and spectral efficiency without wasting radio resources or compromising error probability performance. |
| US07693019B2 |
Information recording device, method of controlling recording operation of said device, and program for controlling recording operation of said device
An information recording device having a recording head for recording information on a recording medium includes: an inherent ID generator that generates an inherent ID for the recording medium; an inherent ID recording unit that records the generated inherent ID on the recording medium with the recording head; an encryption key generator that generates an encryption key, based on the inherent ID; an encrypting unit that encrypts contents information, using the generated encryption key; and a contents recording unit that records the encrypted contents information on the recording medium with the recording head. |
| US07693018B2 |
Optical disk recording and reproducing device
A system controller of an optical disk recording and reproducing device writes test data in a test writable area of a loaded optical disk if it is an unused disk and calculates a maximum amplitude value of an RF signal at an inner radius. Then, it calculates the maximum amplitude value of a tracking error signal at the inner radius and further calculates the maximum amplitude value of the tracking error signal at the outer radius. After that, it calculates a primary approximate expression about a tilt from the maximum amplitude value of the tracking error signal at the inner radius and the maximum amplitude value of the tracking error signal at the outer radius. It further offsets the primary approximate expression by a difference between the tilt values that is obtained by subtracting the maximum amplitude value of the tracking error signal at the inner radius from the maximum amplitude value of the RF signal at the inner radius. As a result, a tilt control is performed in accordance with the RF signal of the virtual maximum amplitude value that is obtained by adding the difference between the tilt values to the primary approximate expression. |
| US07693009B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying time on a display panel
A method and apparatus for displaying time on a display panel having a plurality of segment type character display units are provided. Time is displayed in a first position on the display panel by activating a first group of segments in the character display units. The display of time is shifted on the display panel to a second position that is displaced from the first position by activating a second group of segments that is displaced from the first group of segments. |
| US07693008B2 |
Video reproduction apparatus, video reproduction method, and video reproduction process program
According to one embodiment, for each GOP, frames from an I frame present at a leading position of GOP to an I frame contained in a succeeding GOP and B frames referencing the I frame contained in the succeeding GOP are managed as a new GOP. For each new GOP, video frames from a leading I frame to a last I frame are subjected to a decoding process in order of increasing PTS value. For each new GOP with the last I frame of the video frames discarded, the video frames are subjected to video display in order of decreasing PTS value. |
| US07693007B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor with separate sending device and receiving device
An ultrasonic sensor includes a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device has a sending surface for sending an ultrasonic wave into a sending area. The receiving device has a receiving surface for receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by an external object from a receiving area. The sending area has an overlapping area with the receiving area. The overlapping area is offset to one of the sending area and the receiving area. |
| US07693006B2 |
Vector migration of 1st order free-surface related downgoing multiples from VSP data
1st order free-surface multiples recorded in VSP data or reverse VSP data are processed using a 3-C 3-D vector migration method to produce an image of the subsurface. This image produces a larger coverage than that obtained in 3-C 3-D processing of reflection data acquired in the VSP. |
| US07693003B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package facilitates package connection due to different locations of input/output pads in each interlayer die depending on coding information in a multi-chip package. The semiconductor package includes many chips. Each of the chips includes: input/output pads configured to input and output data having a given bandwidth; a decoding pad configured to receive coding information; and a code control unit configured to decode the coding information and to enable an input/output pad positioned at a specific location among the input/output pads according to the decoding result. |
| US07693001B2 |
SRAM split write control for a delay element
A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) having a split write control is described. The SRAM includes bit, write, and write-word lines. Each memory cell within the SRAM includes a delay which is coupled to a dedicated write-word line. When a cell is not being written, its delay receives a delay signal on its associated write-word line, which increases the response time of the cell. When a cell is to be written, however, its delay receives a bypass signal on its associated write-word line, which decreases the response time of the SRAM cell. |
| US07692999B2 |
Nonvolatile memory and semiconductor device including nonvolatile memory
An object is to provide a nonvolatile memory with reduced power consumption. The nonvolatile memory includes a memory element that has a low resistance state and a high resistance state, a writing circuit, a resistance element, a voltage source input terminal that inputs a writing voltage to the writing circuit, a bit line driver circuit that selects whether the memory element is connected to the writing circuit, and a word line driver circuit that selects whether or not writing is done in the memory element. With such as structure, power consumption during writing can be reduced, and a nonvolatile memory with low power consumption can be realized. Further, with such a nonvolatile memory, an active type wireless tag with a long lifetime of a battery or a passive type wireless tag with a wide communication range in which writing to a memory is possible, can be realized. |
| US07692997B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced consumption current is provided. A first step-down circuit stationarily forms internal voltage lower than supply voltage supplied through an external terminal. A second step-down circuit is switched between first mode and second mode according to control signals. In first mode, the internal voltage is formed from the supply voltage supplied through the external terminal and is outputted through a second output terminal. In second mode, operating current for a control system that forms the internal voltage is interrupted and an output high impedance state is established. The first output terminal of the first step-down circuit and the second output terminal of the second step-down circuit are connected in common, and the internal voltage is supplied to internal circuits. |
| US07692995B2 |
Redundancy program circuit and methods thereof
A redundancy program circuit and methods thereof. The redundancy program circuit may include a master fuse circuit with a master fuse outputting an operation enable signal to indicate a master fuse operating status, at least one control fuse circuit including at least one control fuse, the at least one control fuse circuit outputting an operating status signal for the at least one control fuse and a multiplexing unit configured to multiplex decoding address signal bits based on at least one of the operating status signal and the operation enable signal. |
| US07692994B2 |
Dynamic random access memory device and method for self-refreshing memory cells with temperature compensated self-refresh
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device has an array of DRAM cells of rows by columns. Each DRAM cell of the array is coupled with a wordline of a corresponding row and a bitline of a corresponding column. An entry into and an exit from the self-refresh mode are detected by a mode detector and a self-refresh mode signal is provided. An oscillation circuit generates in response to the self-refresh mode signal generates a basic time period. A first frequency divider/time period multiplier changes the basic time period in accordance with a process variation factor relating to the DRAM device. A second frequency divider/time period multiplier further changes the changed time period in accordance with a temperature change factor relating to the DRAM device. In the self-refresh mode, data stored in the DRAM cells is refreshed. In accordance with the two factors, the DRAM devices perform and achieve reliable self-refresh for variable DRAM cell retention time. |
| US07692992B2 |
Semiconductor storage device in which inactive word line potential is set
A potential level of a word line when it is inactive is made different between during a self-refresh operation and during other than the self-refresh operation. The potential level is set to a ground potential GND during the self-refresh operation and set to a negative potential during other than the self-refresh operation. |
| US07692991B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for designing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second column selection signal lines, first bit lines being and second bit lines. The first bit lines are associated with the first column selection signal line. The second bit lines are associated with the second column lines. At least one of the first bit lines is positioned between two of the second bit lines. |
| US07692990B2 |
Memory cell access circuit
A circuit for accessing a memory cell includes a local bitline and a local sense amplifier having a plurality of transistors. The local bitline may be connect the memory cell and the sense amplifier. A first global bitline may be connected to a first one of the plurality of transistors. A second global bitline may be connected to a second one of the plurality of transistors. A secondary sense amplifier may be connected to the first and second global bitlines. A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process, includes such a circuit for accessing a memory cell. |
| US07692987B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
This disclosure concerns a semiconductor storage device including a bit line; a first capacitor supplying a charge to a cell; a first sense node transmitting a potential corresponding to data of the cell; a first pre-charge part charging the bit line, the first capacitor, and the first sense node; a first latch part latching the data; a first sense part including a first sense transistor connected between a power supply and the first latch part, the gate is connected to the first sense node; and a first clamp part connecting a first node between the first latch part and the first sense transistor to the bit line, wherein the first capacitor supplies the charge to the bit line during detecting, and the first sense part supplies a charge from the power supply to the bit line via the first clamp part in response a potential at the first sense node. |
| US07692983B2 |
Memory system mounted directly on board and associated method
The invention provides an improved memory system that addresses signal degradation due to transmission line effects. The improved memory system includes a first buffer, at least one first memory device coupled to the first buffer, and a plurality of signal traces. The first buffer and memory device are mounted on a motherboard. Likewise, the plurality of signal traces is routed on the motherboard. Doing so eliminates stub loads that cause signal reflection that, in turn, result in signal degradation. |
| US07692982B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus with write training function
A semiconductor memory apparatus having a write training function includes a storage unit that stores write data or read data output from a memory cell block and outputs data according to an output control signal, and a control unit that controls the output control signal to be generated at different timings according to whether or not a write training signal is activated. |
| US07692977B2 |
Voltage generator circuit capable of generating different voltages based on operating mode of non-volatile semiconductor memory device
High voltage generator circuits and methods for operating non-volatile semiconductor memory devices are provided for use with non-volatile memory such as FLASH memory devices, to selectively generate different types of control voltages for various operating modes of non-volatile memory devices. |
| US07692975B2 |
System and method for mitigating reverse bias leakage
The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for programming memory, such as resistance variable memory. One embodiment can include an array of resistance variable memory cells, wherein the resistance variable memory cells are coupled to one or more data lines, a row decoder connected to a first side of the array, a column decoder connected to a second side of the array, wherein the second side is adjacent to the first side, a gap located adjacent to the row decoder and the column decoder, and clamp circuitry configured to control a reverse bias voltage associated with one or more unselected memory cells during a programming operation, wherein the clamp circuitry is located in the gap and is selectively coupled to the one or more data lines. |
| US07692971B2 |
Non-volatile multilevel memory cell programming
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for programming multilevel non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes increasing a threshold voltage (Vt) for each of a number of memory cells until the Vt reaches a verify voltage (VFY) corresponding to a program state among a number of program states. The method includes determining whether the Vt of each of the cells has reached a pre-verify voltage (PVFY) associated with the program state, selectively biasing bit lines coupled to those cells whose Vt has reached the PVFY, adjusting the PVFY to a different level, and selectively biasing bit lines coupled to cells whose Vt has reached the adjusted PVFY, wherein the PVFY and the adjusted PVFY are less than the VFY. |
| US07692967B2 |
Method of programming a nonvolatile memory device using hybrid local boosting
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device using hybrid local boosting which includes a plurality of cell strings each having a plurality of electrically erasable and programmable memory cells connected in series and a plurality of wordlines respectively connected to control gates of the plurality of memory cells. The address of a selected cell that is to be programmed is received. A determination is made as to whether a selected wordline connected to the selected cell is located above or under a reference wordline based on the received address. The selected cell is programmed using local boosting when the selected wordline corresponds to the reference wordline or is located above the reference wordline. The selected cell is programmed using self-boosting when the selected wordline is located under the reference wordline. The programming method reduces circuit size of a nonvolatile memory device employing the programming method and efficiently prevents program disturbance due to charge sharing. |
| US07692963B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The disclosure concerns a semiconductor memory device comprising a semiconductor layer; a charge trap film in contact with a first surface of the semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film in contact with a second surface of the semiconductor layer, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; a back gate electrode in contact with the charge trap film; a gate electrode in contact with the gate insulating film; a source and a drain formed in the semiconductor layer; and a body region provided between the drain and the source, the body region being in an electrically floating state, wherein a threshold voltage or a drain current of a memory cell including the source, the drain, and the gate electrode is adjusted by changing number of majority carriers accumulated in the body region and a quantity of charges trapped into the charge trap film. |
| US07692961B2 |
Method, circuit and device for disturb-control of programming nonvolatile memory cells by hot-hole injection (HHI) and by channel hot-electron (CHE) injection
Programming a NVM memory cell such as an NROM cell by using hot hole injection (HHI), followed by channel hot electron (CHE) injection. CHE injection increases the threshold voltage (Vt) of bits of memory cells that were disturbed (unnecessarily programmed) in HHI programming step. Page Write may be performed using a combination of only HHI, followed by CHE without any Erase. |
| US07692959B2 |
Multilayer storage class memory using externally heated phase change material
A multi-layer, phase change material (PCM) memory apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor layers sequentially formed over a base substrate, wherein each layer comprises an array of memory cells formed therein, each memory cell further including a PCM element, a first diode serving as a heater diode in thermal proximity to the PCM element and configured to program the PCM element to one of a low resistance crystalline state and a high resistance amorphous state, and a second diode serving a sense diode for a current path used in reading the state of the PCM element; the base substrate further including decoding, programming and sensing circuitry formed therein, with each of the plurality of semiconductor layers spaced by an insulating layer; and intralayer wiring for communication between the base substrate circuitry and the array of memory cells in each of the semiconductor layers. |
| US07692956B2 |
Magnetic random access memory
An MRAM is provided with a memory main body (2) having at least one cell array, and a magnetic field detecting section (4) which detects a magnetic field in the vicinity of the memory main body (2) and outputs the detection signal to the memory main body (2). In the cell array, a memory main body (2), which has a plurality of magnetic memory cells including a multilayer ferri-structure as a free layer, stops a prescribed operation of the memory main body (2), based on the detection signal. |
| US07692953B2 |
Method and device for demultiplexing a crossbar non-volatile memory
A method and device demultiplex a crossbar non-volatile memory that includes a first array of row nano-wires and a second array of column nano-wires, which cross the row nano-wires at a plurality of cross-points, hosting plural memory cells. A first electrode and a second electrode respectively cross a modulated doping portion of the row nano-wires and a modulated doping portion of the column nano-wires. A first contact and a second contact respectively the row nano-wires and the column nano-wires. The first electrode and the second electrode are biased respectively with a first and a second adjustable voltage value that progressively switch one by one said memory cells from the OFF state to the ON state, and this state can be memorized. |
| US07692948B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The sense amp circuit includes a first node given a first, positive constant voltage larger than a fixed potential before reading, a second node given a second, negative constant voltage smaller than the fixed potential before reading, and a third node to be connected to the first and second nodes on reading. A first transistor is connected between the first node and the bit line and operative to turn on when the potential on the bit line becomes smaller than the fixed potential. A second transistor is connected between the second node and the bit line and operative to turn on when the potential on the bit line becomes larger than the fixed potential. A first capacitor is connected between the first node and the fixed potential. A second capacitor is connected between the second node and the fixed potential. |
| US07692943B2 |
Semiconductor memory device layout comprising high impurity well tap areas for supplying well voltages to N wells and P wells
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells, and an error-correction circuit. Its write operation is performed by a late-write method, and ECC processing is executed in parallel with writing to shorten a cycle time. Moreover, when a memory cell is power-supplied through a well tap, the same address is not assigned while the memory cell is power-supplied through the well tap. |
| US07692938B2 |
Multiphase power converters and multiphase power converting methods
A new class of multiphase converters having at least two switching cells driven by out-of-phase PWM reference signals and corresponding respective PWM control signal signals. In some embodiments, once of the switching cells are driven as a function current-balancing feedback so as to balance the currents between the switching cells. Various embodiments of the multiphase converter include one or more unique transformers for averaging the output of the switching cells. |
| US07692936B2 |
Medium frequency power generator
An MF power generator includes a DC current supply connected to an inverter. The inverter includes at least one switching element connected to a first-polarity current supply potential, and an output network. Each switching element is provided with a decoupling circuit for decoupling the switching element from a voltage of the output network. This enables the low-loss switching of the switching elements. |
| US07692929B2 |
Interface connection device for connecting a mainboard to a memory card having two series of memory modules
A connection arrangement for a mainboard having at least one memory card connected to a processor and two series of FBD memory modules connected to respective FBD channels in the memory card by means of FBD connectors using a daisy-chain arrangement. Each channel of the memory card is connected to a linking module to another card the linking module receives two separate FBD channels and includes a FBD type connector with two series of electrical contact pins respectively connected to two paired channels of the memory card. The FBD connector is mounted on the back of the memory card so as to be associated with a connection interface providing the connection to a mainboard. The mainboard is also equipped with a connector of the FBD type designed for inter-card connection. |
| US07692928B2 |
Interface assembly
A computer system comprising an interface assembly configured to support one or more I/O connections. In one variations the computer system comprises a main board housed within a chassis, a chassis connector coupled to the chassis, and one or more I/O cables coupled to the chassis connector. In another variation, the computer assembly comprises a computer rack with a plurality of connector interfaces, each of which is adapted for engaging a computer through a chassis connector with a plurality of I/O ports. |
| US07692927B2 |
Shielding and heat dissipation device
Discloses herein is a shielding and heat dissipation device comprising a conductive bracket (1) provided on a PCB around a shielded heat-generating electronic component, and electrically connected to a conductive layer of the PCB; a heat sink (2), which is arranged above the heat-generating electronic component (3) and is provided with a conductive surface electrically connected to the conductive bracket (1). With the conductive surface, which may be used to replace a top cover of a prior art shielding case, developed on the bottom or sidefaces of the heat sink, an effective shielding cavity is formed by conductively connecting the conductive surface of the heat sink to the other parts of the shielding case. That is to say, the conductive surface of the heat sink serves as a part of the shielding case, so that the heat sink may play a role in electromagnetic shielding as well as in dissipating heat sufficiently. |
| US07692923B2 |
Power converter
A power converter of the present invention includes at least two power semiconductor modules having a plurality of switching devices, at least two cooling jackets having a coolant path for cooling the plurality of power semiconductor modules and equipped with the power semiconductor modules, a capacitor module interposed between the at least two cooling jackets, and a connector provided in the at least two cooling jackets for connecting the coolant path. |
| US07692920B2 |
Visual serving tray and method
A portable device includes a tray. The tray includes at least one serving face in which at least a substantial part of the serving face is constructed and arranged to hold at least one item to be carried. The tray carries at least one display monitor such that the monitor is substantially viewable together with the serving face of the tray. An interface is operably connected to the display monitor and is intended to be operably connected to a source such that images, pictorial information, graphical information and/or video can be displayed on the display monitor. |
| US07692917B2 |
Transforming device
A transforming device includes: a body; a movable element movable between a storage position and a separate position, wherein the movable element is accommodated in the body when the movable element is disposed at the storage position, and wherein the movable element is separated from the body when the movable element is disposed at the separate position; a pushing element for pushing the movable element from the storage position to the separate position; and a pair of magnets. One magnet is disposed in the body, and the other magnet is disposed in the movable element. The pair of magnets generates auxiliary force for pushing the movable element from the storage position to the separate position. |
| US07692912B2 |
System and method for information handling system display backlight protection and monitoring
A current limiting MOSFET monitors power applied to a direct current boost regulator that powers an LED backlight to automatically shut off power to the boost regulator if the current exceeds a predetermined amount. An embedded controller interfaces with the current limiting MOSFET for normal control of operation of the boost regulator by turning the MOSFET on and off. An overcurrent alert is communicated from the MOSFET to the embedded controller if the current exceeds the predetermined amount so that the embedded controller shuts off power to the boost regulator and indicates the failure to an end user. |
| US07692906B2 |
Device for protecting an integrated circuit against latch-up phenomena
Device for protecting an integrated circuit, comprising a device for detecting a latch-up condition, and a supply voltage control device for controlling a supply voltage of the integrated circuit, to modify a parameter of the supply voltage of the integrated circuit in order to prevent the latch-up from becoming permanently established. |
| US07692905B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit for output buffer
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit for an electronic device includes an output buffer including a transistor having a gate configured to receive a control signal, a source connected to a voltage supply terminal, and a drain connected to a pad; and an ESD trigger circuit configured to produce a first electronic signal in response to an electrostatic voltage between the pad or the voltage supply terminal. The first electronic signal can isolate the control signal from the gate of the transistor and to turn on the transistor to discharge the electrostatic voltage between the pad and the voltage supply terminal. |
| US07692902B2 |
Tunnel magnetoresistance effect device, and a portable personal device
A TMR device comprising an antiferromagnetic layer made of an antiferromagnetic material containing Mn, a magnetization fixed layer made of a ferromagnetic material, a tunnel barrier layer made of a dielectric material, and a magnetization free layer made of a ferromagnetic material. An insulator material layer is inserted in the magnetization fixed layer at a distance from the antiferromagnetic material layer and the tunnel barrier layer. One material can be expressed by NX, where X is a first element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon; and N is a second element, provided that the bonding energy between the first and the second elements is higher than the bonding energy between manganese and the first element. A second material can be expressed by MX, where M is an element selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, vanadium, aluminum, europium, and scandium; and X is an element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. The tunnel magnetoresistance effect device suppresses the diffusion of Mn from the Mn based alloy constituting the antiferromagnetic material layer even after heat treatment is performed. |
| US07692899B2 |
Head suspension having wiring disposed in contact with slightly conductive flexible resin
A head suspension prevents a read element from electrostatic discharge damage without employing a static electricity remover or without increasing the number of manufacturing processes. The head suspension has a load beam to apply load to a head that writes and reads data to and from a hard disk, a flexure made of a conductive thin substrate attached to the load beam and supporting the head, an insulating base layer made of flexible resin and formed on the substrate of the flexure, write wires and read wires connected to the head and formed on the insulating base layer, and an insulating cover layer covering the write and read wires on the insulating base layer. The insulating cover layer is made of slightly conductive flexible resin. |
| US07692898B2 |
Magnetic head that includes negative expansion material
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a magnetic head that includes negative expansion material. According to one embodiment, the magnetic head includes a read element, a substrate, and at least a partial layer of negative expansion material to control, at least in part, a fly height between an air bearing surface associated with the magnetic head and a disk surface. The material is manganese nitride based and non-insulating and the layer of negative expansion material is parallel to the substrate, according to one embodiment. |
| US07692896B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording head having return path layer and gap adjusting layer
A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main pole layer and a return path layer that are exposed from a medium-facing surface of the recording head facing a recording medium and that face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween at the medium-facing surface. A coil layer applies a recording magnetic field to the main pole layer and the return path layer. The return path layer includes a gap adjusting layer and a main layer stacked in that order from a side facing the main pole layer. The gap adjusting layer is positioned so as to face the main pole layer and the recording medium, and is made of a magnetic material having a resistivity lower than resistivities of the main layer and the main pole layer. |
| US07692895B1 |
Exchange biased pole for reducing the likelihood of domain lockup in perpendicular recording
A magnetic head for perpendicular recording includes a main pole having a first end and a second end. Coils are positioned with respect to the main pole. A return pole forms first and second return paths for magnetic flux extending from the second end of the main pole. The main pole includes an anti-ferromagnetic layer to pin a remnant magnetic moment in the horizontal direction. |
| US07692891B2 |
Hermetically sealed head disk assembly and method of sealing with soldering material
A sealed head disk assembly has a cover for enclosing major components of the head disk assembly. The cover has a hermetic seal encompassing an outer perimeter of the cover and a semi-hermetic seal inside a perimeter of the hermetic seal. The hermetic seal and semi-hermetic seal are juxtaposed to at least one complementary surface on the base casting. The base casting, which provides attachment points for the major components of the head disk assembly has at least one complementary surface. |
| US07692889B2 |
System and method for providing a pulse-width modulated signal to an output system
Systems and methods are disclosed that can be used to control an output signal, such as for controlling a heater for a hard disk drive. A system can include a pre-driver configured to provide a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal to an output system in response to a control signal and a feedback signal, the output system being configured to provide an output signal for driving a load, the pre-driver comprising a modulator that provides the PWM signal in response to the control signal and a filtered feedback signal. A low pass filter is configured to receive a feedback signal with a voltage corresponding to a voltage of the output signal, wherein the low pass filter provides the filtered feedback signal that controls a frequency of the PWM signal to the modulator, the low pass filter having a bulk driven operational transconductance amplifier. |
| US07692885B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel capable of forming high-accuracy barrel body and simply adjusting a tilt and a position in an optical axis direction without using dedicated portions is provided. The lens barrel includes a front barrel and a rear barrel. An inner diameter of a portion, containing a focus lens of the front barrel, is 1.15 times or more as large as an inner diameter of a portion containing a zoom lens of the rear barrel. The rear barrel and the front barrel are coupled by a coupling screw. A convex portion has an adjustment face for adjusting a distance between the focus lens and the zoom lens and is formed on a coupling face of the front barrel. A convex portion includes a reference face serving as a reception portion and is formed on the rear barrel. |
| US07692883B2 |
Optical element fixing structure, optical element fixing body, optical element, and optical element holder
The present invention provides an optical element fixing structure, an optical element fixing body, an optical element and an optical element holder which make tightening with a fixing screw unnecessary, prevents thereby a decrease in performance, such as the generation of strain in the optical element such as a crystal, and can improve the mounting accuracy. The optical element fixing structure 10 includes an optical element 6 and an optical element holder 1 to fix and mount the optical element 6. The optical element 6 has one or multiple slits 8 as strain and stress absorbing means in the thickness direction in the end part thereof, and the optical element holder 1 has depressing means 3 to fix the optical element 6 by depressing at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the optical element 6 outside the slit 8. |
| US07692881B2 |
Structure for use in a projection exposure system for manufacturing semiconductors
A structure for mounting an assembly of optical elements disposed within a housing, in particular of a projection lens assembly of a projection exposure system for manufacturing semiconductor elements includes a plurality of supporting elements, each respective one of which forms part of a respective one of a plurality of connections though which the housing of the assembly is connected to said supporting structure through which the weight of the assembly is transferred to the supporting structure in such a way that supporting forces generated by said supporting structure are taken up by pressure forces and shear forces which act on at least one of the supporting elements. |
| US07692878B2 |
Optical device and method
An article includes an optical device. The optical device includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes an optically active material that responds to an external stimulus that affects a refractive index of at least a portion of the first lens. A method for making a method of use of the article is also provided. |
| US07692876B2 |
Optical module
An optical module in which the light outputted from the light source is condensed before outputted, and yet capable of reducing the development of contaminants on the light condensing area. The optical module includes: a light source for outputting light in the short wavelength region; a transparent member having a light input face and a light output face; and a condensing optical system for inputting the light outputted from the light source to the input face of the transparent member, and focusing the light on the output face. The transparent member has an alkali metal content (e.g. Na or K) of less than 2.0% by weight, and/or with a light absorption of less than 0.65%/mm for the light outputted from the light source. |
| US07692872B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
A zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, and a third lens group of positive refracting power located on an image side with respect to the second lens group. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the spacing between the first lens group and the second lens group grows wider at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end, and the spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group becomes narrower at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end. The first lens group comprises a negative lens and a positive lens, and the number of the negative lens in the first lens group is only one. At least one positive lens in the first lens group satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): 1.80 |
| US07692870B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens and an imaging apparatus are disclosed. The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image-plane side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. During a change of a lens zoom position from a maximum wide angle state to a maximum telephoto state, at least the second lens group moves toward an image side, the third lens group moves toward an object side, and the fourth lens group is fixed in an optical-axis direction. An aperture stop is disposed near the object side of the third lens group. The first to fifth lens groups satisfy predetermined conditions. |
| US07692868B2 |
Lithography projection objective, and a method for correcting image defects of the same
Projection objectives, as well as related components, systems and methods, are disclosed. In general, a projection objective is configured to image radiation from an object plane to an image plane. A projection objective can include a plurality of optical elements along the optical axis. The plurality of optical elements can include a group of optical elements and a last optical element which is closest to the image plane, and a positioning device configured to move the last optical element relative to the image plane. Typically, a projection objective is configured to be used in a microlithography projection exposure machine. |
| US07692867B2 |
Enhanced parfocality
Devices and methods that reduce or eliminate chromatic or comatic variations in the location of the excitation or emission in an optical system such as a confocal microscope, by enhancing parfocality are provided. Such devices include an optical collimator comprising a parabolic reflector and a convex aspheric reflector, wherein the aspheric reflector and the parabolic reflector are positioned such that light is incident at an off-axis angle relative to the axis of symmetry of the reflectors to extend the useable field of view. |
| US07692866B2 |
Display systems with and methods for multiple source colour illumination
A color display (100, 200) for displaying an image is described wherein the color display (100, 200) is adapted for displaying a number of basic color light channels (102a, 102b, 102c). The color display (100, 200) comprises a basic color combiner (112, 212) for combining the basic colors and at least one basic color light channel (102a, 102b, 102c) comprising at least two light sources (104) having different spectral characteristics. The color display (100, 200) furthermore comprises an adjuster (106, 206) for adjusting a basic color by adjusting a relative proportion of a luminous output from the at least two light sources (104) in the basic color light channel (102a, 102b, 102c). A corresponding adjuster/controller, a multi-display system and a corresponding method for setting and/or adjusting a display system also is described. |
| US07692865B2 |
Adapter for coupling a laser processing device to an object
An adapter for coupling a laser processing device to an object, said adapter having a central region which can be moved into the beam path of the laser processing device, an illumination beam path through which illumination radiation can be guided for illumination of an object field which can be covered by the central region, and a peripheral region located outside the central region and by which the adapter can be mounted on the object and/or on the laser processing device, wherein the illumination beam path extends in the peripheral region and guides illumination radiation, coupled into the peripheral region, to the object field direct and/or via the central region. |
| US07692861B2 |
Illumination systems
Described are illumination systems whereby light spectra from multiple LEDs of various colors can be combined and polarized with minimal components, while substantially reducing the losses for the combining and polarizing. The described systems and methods use polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) with retarder stack filters to combine color and split polarization for mixed light beams in one step, and to ultimately align the polarizations of the several colored light beams. |
| US07692858B2 |
Method and apparatus for internally zeroing a sight
A sight includes a housing with first and second openings, and includes an optics section that is disposed within the housing, that has image erecting optics and eyepiece optics, and that optically influences radiation received through the first opening from a scene, so as to deliver through the second opening a viewable image that is a function of the radiation. An adjusting section facilitates adjustment of the position of the image erecting optics and the eyepiece optics within the housing. |
| US07692857B2 |
Device for varying and adjusting transmitted illumination for microscopes
The present invention serves to vary and adjust the transmitted light illumination in microscopes, particularly with respect to the numerous, different illumination situations. The device, according to the invention comprises modules for darkfield illumination, brightfield illumination, and/or diffuse illumination and/or for adapting the object field in which an illumination unit can be selectively coupled to different modules and in which actuators are provided for implementing the adjustments within the modules and for producing the desired connections, these actuators being operated by means of operating elements of a control unit. The adjustments within the modules and the implemented connections are detected and are stored in the control unit so as to be reproducible. The proposed solution makes possible a broad application by means of an ergonomic arrangement of the operating elements and adjusting and/or changing the illumination situations in a simple and reproducible manner. |
| US07692855B2 |
Optical article having a temperature-resistant anti-reflection coating with optimized thickness ratio of low index and high index layers
The present invention relates to an optical article having anti-reflection properties and high thermal resistance, comprising a substrate having at least one main face coated with a multi-layer anti-reflection coating comprising a stack of at least one high refractive index layer and at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the ratio: R T = sum of the physical thicknesses of the low refractive index layers of the anti - reflection coating sum of the physical thicknesses of the high refractive index layers of the anti - reflection coating is higher than 2.1. If the anti-reflection stack comprises at least one low refractive index layer having a physical thickness ≧100 nm which is not the outermost layer of the anti-reflection coating, said relatively thick layer and the underlying layers are not taken into account in RT calculation. |
| US07692854B2 |
Repetitively pulsed laser and amplifier with dual resonator for pulse-energy management
A regenerative amplifier includes a gain-medium that is optically pumped by CW radiation. The amplifier has primary resonator for amplifying pulses. The primary resonator has an optical switch for opening and closing the primary resonator. The amplifier has a secondary resonator that includes the gain-medium and a selectively variable attenuator, but not the optical switch. The optical switch and the variable attenuator are cooperatively controlled in response to repeated trigger-signals such that the amplifier delivers corresponding amplified pulses each having about the same energy independent of repetition frequency of the signals below some predetermined value. |
| US07692853B2 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier pulse reshaper
A pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network by adjusting threshold and amplification characteristics of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) having first and second reflective regions optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (λs) and an offset wavelength (λC) proximate the input signal wavelength (λs). In one embodiment, a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) device, comprising dual mode reflectors optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (λs) and an offset wavelength (λC) proximate the input signal wavelength (λs) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (λs). |
| US07692851B2 |
Article comprising a series expandable erbium-doped fiber amplifier (SE-EDFA)
A method for increasing the number of channels amplified by an optical amplifier arrangement is provided. The optical amplifier arrangement includes at least one optical amplifier stage amplifying a first number of channels at a given average gain level. The method begins by selecting a second number of channels to be amplified by the optical amplifier arrangement. At least one additional optical amplifier stage is serially coupled to an input or output of the at least one optical amplifier stage to form a multistage optical amplifier arrangement. The gain shape of the multistage optical amplifier is adjusted to maintain, at the given average gain level or greater, a prescribed degree of gain flatness over an operating bandwidth in which the second number of channels are located. |
| US07692846B2 |
Image display device
Disclosed is an image display device comprising: (i) a pair of substrates facing each other, provided that one of the substrates is transparent; and (ii) charged particles placed in a gap between the substrates, wherein each of the substrates has a layer containing a compound having a silicone structure in the molecule on a surface of the substrates faced with another electrode. |
| US07692842B2 |
Electro-optical device, electronic apparatus, and driving method
An electro-optical device includes a controller, a reference current source, a correction current source, a combining unit, and an electro-optical element. The controller generates a reference current control signal defining a first period during which a reference current is output, and a correction current control signal defining a second period during which a correction current is output, the second period being shorter than the first period. The reference current source generates the reference current based on the reference current control signal. The correction current source generates the correction current based on the correction current control signal. The combining unit combines the reference current and the correction current to generate a driving current. The electro-optical element emits an amount of light corresponding to the driving current. The controller generates the reference current control signal and the correction current control signal so that the second period is shorter than the first period. |
| US07692836B2 |
Scanning type image display device
A scanning-type image display device includes: a light source section; a horizontal scanner; a vertical scanner, and a vertical scanner control section in such manner that, when a discrepancy occurs between a target scan line number and a scannable line number, and when a difference obtained by subtracting of the target scan line number from the scannable line number is a positive value, the vertical scanner control section controls the vertical scanner so as to put vertical scanning on standby within a time range from a point of time at which horizontal scanning is completed in a first frame to a point of time at which a horizontal scanning start signal corresponding to a vertical synchronizing signal of the video signal in a second frame is input, and restarts the vertical scanning in synchronization with an input timing of the horizontal scanning start signal. |
| US07692834B2 |
Image processing system, image forming apparatus, control method for the same, and program for implementing the control method
An image processing system that can remove unnecessary blank parts in print data, thereby achieving sheet saving and efficient print output at the time of printing and copying. Data is inputted to an information processing apparatus of the system, and at least one object is extracted from the data. Out of the extracted object, at least one object to be reduced or enlarged is designated, and then reduced or enlarged. The data including the reduced or enlarged object is searched to find at least one blank part in the data, and the reduced or enlarged object is moved to the found blank part. After the reduced or enlarged object has been moved, a blank part generated on the data is deleted from the data. |
| US07692833B2 |
Data classifying method, multi-dimensional interpolation device, multi-dimensional interpolation method, and computer program
A data divider divides N-dimensional digital image signals into higher-order bit signals and lower-order bit signals. Reference values corresponding to all combinations of the divided higher-order bit signals are divisionally stored in 2N−1 sub-memories without overlaps. The (N+1) reference values necessary for interpolation processing are read by a reference value reader at the same time. |
| US07692832B2 |
Method for correcting scanner non-uniformity
A method for identifying and correcting for spatial variation within scanning bars includes performing diagnostic scans of at least one sheet, in which a sheet(s) is scanned in various orientations and translations, with each of the orientations identified. The diagnostic scans are registered with one of the individual diagnostic scans to produce registered scans. The registered scans are averaged to create a master scan corresponding to the sheet, such that the master scan is indicative of the spatial variation within the sheet. |
| US07692831B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method thereof
No scheme for calculating a color obtained by mixing two spot colors (composite spot color) has been established yet. Hence, an image processing apparatus of this invention includes a spectral database which stores spectral data of spot colors and mixed colors of the spot colors. Upon rendering, a mixed color region of spot colors is detected. A colorimetry table of the spectral DB which corresponds to a combination of the spot colors of the mixed color region is selected with reference to a combination table of the spectral DB. Spectral data corresponding to a mixed color is obtained from the colorimetry table on the basis of the density values of the spot colors of the mixed color region, and the obtained spectral data is supplied to rendering processing. |
| US07692830B2 |
Luminance nonuniformity adjustment method and luminance nonuniformity adjustment module using this method
A luminance nonuniformity adjustment module for eliminating luminance nonuniformities in light emitting elements determines a luminance correction coefficient for each light-emitting element through a test print. The luminance nonuniformity adjustment module comprises a provisional luminance correction coefficient calculation unit, an improper coloring degree calculation unit and a luminance correction coefficient determination unit. The provisional luminance correction coefficient calculation unit calculates a provisional luminance correction coefficient by comparing a measured density value for a grayscale chart and a predetermined target density value. The improper coloring degree calculation unit calculates an improper coloring degree, which is the degree of improper coloring that occurs when other colors are expressed when developing a specific color, from the measured density values for the grayscale chart and an unbalanced chart in which the gray balance has been altered. The luminance correction coefficient determination unit corrects the provisional luminance correction coefficient using the improper coloring degree. |
| US07692827B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus including a light source for illuminating an original, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting a light beam from the original illuminated by the light source, a reading device, an imaging optical system for imaging a light beam reflected by the mirrors, upon the reading device, and a scanning optical system unit which integrally accommodates theses components therein and moves in a sub-scan direction to read imagewise information of the original, wherein, in a sub-scan section, one mirror optically closest to the surface of the original is disposed in an end portion of the scanning optical system unit in the sub-scan direction, as compared with the other mirrors, and wherein the central portion of the reflection surface of one mirror optically closest to the original is disposed in a space between the central portion of the reflection surface of a mirror optically closest to the light entrance surface of the imaging optical system and central portions reflection surfaces of other mirrors. |
| US07692826B2 |
Document fixing apparatus
A document fixing apparatus adopted for use on business machines with glass surfaces includes a coupling member and an anchor member. The coupling member is located on one end of the glass surface. The anchor member has one end engaged with the coupling member and corresponds to the glass surface. When the anchor member is lifted from the glass surface, a scanned document may be placed on the glass surface, and the anchor member may be moved to rest on the scanned document. |
| US07692825B2 |
Sheet supplying apparatus and image recording apparatus including same
A sheet supplying apparatus, comprising a sheet accommodating portion which accommodates stacked recording sheets such that the recording sheets are supported by a support surface thereof; a sheet supplying arm which is supported by a frame such that the sheet supplying arm is pivotable about a first axis line, and which is biased toward the support surface of the sheet accommodating portion; a sheet supplying roller which is supported by an end portion of the sheet supplying arm such that the sheet supplying roller is rotatable about a second axis line parallel to the first axis line, and which is pressed on the uppermost recording sheet, so that when the sheet-supply roller is rotated, the uppermost recording sheet is supplied from the sheet accommodating portion; a receiving portion which is provided in the support surface and which is covered by the recording sheets and is opened when a trailing end of the last recording sheet passes over the receiving portion; and a moving device including a detecting portion which is supported by the recording sheets and which moves, when the trailing end of the last recording sheet passes over the receiving portion, into the receiving portion, and further including a detection-movement converting device which converts the movement of the detecting portion into the receiving portion, into the pivotal movement of the sheet supplying arm about the first axis line in a direction to move the sheet supplying roller away from the support surface of the sheet accommodating portion. |
| US07692823B2 |
Image reading apparatus and control method therefor
An image reading apparatus having an automatic original document feeding apparatus that sequentially feeds plural original documents, which includes an original document reading section that reads an original document fed by the automatic original document feeding apparatus, an image data generation section that, on the basis of a reading output from the original document reading section, generates real image data and preview image data corresponding to the original document, and a display that, on the basis of the preview image data generated by the image data generation section, displays a preview image corresponding to the original document. |
| US07692821B2 |
Image-processing apparatus and method for controlling image-processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus transfers scan image data acquired by a document reader to an editing apparatus and receives print data based on the scan image data from the editing apparatus. The apparatus includes a first generator generating first attribute data from the scan image data and a second generator generating second attribute data based on the print data received from the editing apparatus. The first and second attribute data indicate an image attribute constituting the scan image data and an image attribute constituting print image data generated based on the print data, respectively. The image processing apparatus further includes a third generator generating third attribute data for each of the pixels constituting the print image data based on attribute information of the corresponding pixel in the first and second attribute data. |
| US07692815B2 |
Display device configured such that an edge of print media is visible above an upper edge of the device
A display device for use as a computer monitor, the display device comprising: a flat panel display; a printer, including a printhead for printing onto paper; and a sheet feeder for feeding print media to the printhead, the device being configured such that standard print media to be printed is supported, immediately prior to commencement of printing, such that at least an edge of the print media is visible above an upper edge of a the flat panel display. |
| US07692812B2 |
System, method and apparatus for registration of printed image to media orientation
A printing system (250) includes a printing subsystem (255) in the form of a printer assembly (14). The printing subsystem (255) includes a printer housing (257) in which a print engine (259) resides and (261) for storing data indicating the expected orientation of labels on a sheet of RFID label media (18). The contents of memory (261) can be obtained from an end user application (270) which may supply the position data to the printing subsystem (255) in a print data stream. Pre-programmed position data is read from a radio frequency memory storage device (88) on print media (18) having one or more devices (88) embedded thereon. The expected orientation data is compared to actual orientation data in order to determine if an image to be printed on a label (20) should be registered by rotation and/or flipping of the image and/or media. |
| US07692810B2 |
Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, program, recording medium and data transmission method
When a user transmits data from a PC to the outside, log information can be accumulated in a composite machine connected via network to the PC and an unnecessary data outflow due to the data transmission can be prevented. In the PC, a transmission acceptance portion accepts from a user an operation for transmitting data to the outside of network and a data transfer portion transfers outside transmission data defined as a transmission target by the transmission acceptance portion to the composite machine via the network without transmitting directly to the outside. In the image forming apparatus (composite machine, etc.), a data reception portion receives the outside transmission data transmitted from the PC via the network, which are transmitted to the outside by a data transmission portion, and a log accumulation portion accumulates log information of the outside transmission data. |
| US07692809B2 |
Printer having remote transmission capabilities for technical support and diagnostics
A printer includes a printing module, a system status module, and a transmitter. The transmitter is in communication with the system status module. The transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal in response to a code generated by the system status module. A method for providing a code to an operator of a printer includes communicating a fault or warning code to a transmitter of the printer and transmitting a signal that corresponds to the code via an RF, an IR or an ultrasonic transmission. |
| US07692808B2 |
System, method and computer program product for controlling image information
An image information control method and apparatus, the apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive bit map image data sent from an information process unit, and an accumulating unit configured to accumulate the image data received from the information process unit line by line. A blocked unit is configured to group a plurality of lines of the image data into a predetermined size block of image data. A converting unit is configured to convert the block of image data into a language command corresponding to the image forming apparatus and including the block of image data, and a sending unit is configured to send the language command to the image forming apparatus. |
| US07692804B2 |
Image forming apparatus, cartridge, and storing device mounted to the cartridge
An image forming apparatus operates in a first image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a first predetermined image forming condition and a second image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a second image forming condition which is different from the first predetermined image forming condition. The apparatus is set so that the amount of consumption of developer for forming an image in the second image formation mode is smaller than the amount of consumption used for forming an identical image in the first image formation mode. The apparatus includes a storing device for storing information for setting the second image forming condition corresponding to a plurality of levels of the amount of usage of the image bearing member, and a controller for changing the second image forming condition in the second image formation mode depending on the amount of usage of the image bearing member and information stored in the storing device. |
| US07692802B2 |
Image setting device, module and printing press for relative motion compensation of image setting device and printing form
An imaging device for setting an image on a printing form by at least one imaging energy source, includes a device for determining a component of a relative movement between the imaging energy source and the printing form whereon an image is to be set. An actuator device moves the imaging energy source in such a manner that undesired components of the relative movement between the imaging energy source and the printing form are reduced. An imaging module may be formed of at least two of the imaging devices. A printing press includes the imaging device or the imaging module. A method sets an image on a printing form. |
| US07692795B2 |
Optical component, optical sensor, surface plasmon sensor and fingerprint recognition device
A surface plasmon sensor includes a light guide reflection plate, a surface plasmon resonance layer formed on a first surface of the light guide reflection plate, a light emitting unit having a light source disposed on an end surface of the light guide reflection plate, and a light receiving element. The surface plasmon resonance layer includes a metal layer. The light guide reflection plate includes at least one first reflection surface inclined against the first surface. The light guide reflection plate is configured to transmit light emitted by the light source. The at least one first reflection surface is configured reflect the light to the surface plasmon resonance layer. The metal layer is configured to reflect the light reflected by the at least one first reflection surface. The light receiving element is configured to receive the light reflected by the metal layer. |
| US07692794B2 |
Optical detection apparatus, optical detection method, and microfluidic system including the optical detection apparatus
Provided are an optical detection apparatus, a microfluidic system including the same, and an optical detection method. The optical detection apparatus including: at least one light emission unit which emits light of a predetermined wavelength band; at least one light receiving unit which is disposed such that the light receiving unit receives the light emitted from the light emission unit and generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of the light received, wherein the number of light receiving units is the same as the number of light emission units; a rotation operating unit which rotates a disk-type microfluidic apparatus comprising at least one detection chamber in which a sample is to be loaded such that the detection chamber is disposed in a light pathway between the light emission unit and the light receiving unit; and a processor which measures a property of the sample contained in the detection chamber using the electrical signal generated by the light receiving unit. |
| US07692792B2 |
Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
Simultaneous measurement of two orthogonally polarized beams upon diffraction from a substrate is done to determine properties of the substrate. Linearly polarized light sources with their radiation polarized in orthogonal directions are passed via two non-polarizing beamsplitters, one rotated by 90° with respect to the other. The combined beam is then diffracted off a substrate before being passed back through a non-polarizing beamsplitter and through a phase shifter and a Wollaston prism before being measured by a CCD camera. In this way, the phase and intensities for various phase steps of the two polarized beams may thereby be measured and the polarization state of the beams may be determined. If the phase shifter is turned to zero (i.e. with no phase shifting), the grating of the substrate has its parameters measured with TE and TM polarized light simultaneously with the same detector system. |
| US07692791B2 |
Target substance-detecting apparatus and target substance-detecting method
A target substance-detecting apparatus comprises a target substance-detecting element comprising metal structures, a light irradiation section for irradiating the target substance-detecting element with a light, a light-polarizing section which polarizes the irradiating light and separates an output light emitted from the target substance-detecting element into a first polarized light and a second polarized light, first and second light-receiving sections for outputting first and second signals according to intensity of the first and second polarized lights, respectively; and a control section which determines peaks of absorbances of the first and second polarized lights by measuring the absorbances from the first and second signals respectively, and controls the target substance-detecting element so that the peak values of the first and second absorbances can be maximized and minimized respectively by controlling a incidence angle of formed by a vibration direction of the incident light and a main axis of the target substance-detecting element. |
| US07692786B2 |
Raman probe configured for low-concentration measurements
Raman measurement apparatus optimized for gaseous and other low-concentration samples includes a focusing objective that uses only first-surface mirrors instead of lenses, thereby dramatically reducing background noise. In the preferred embodiment, the focusing and collimation functions performed by the objective section are performed by an off-axis parabolic mirror. A spherical first-surface mirror opposing the parabolic mirror re-images the counter-propagating beam back through the same focus for re-collimation by the parabolic mirror. A probe-head section operative to generate the counter-propagating beam has substrates and surfaces arranged such that the excitation beam does not pass through any substrates after it is filtered by the bandpass coating, thereby further decreasing background signals. Additionally, when the objective section includes the opposing spherical mirror, the excitation beam is collected substantially in its entirety and neutralized out of the collection path by the probe-head section. |
| US07692769B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and semiconductor device manufacturing method
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus including an illumination optical system which forms an effective light source having a first polarization area where a mask pattern is illuminated with polarized light dominated by an electric vector component radial from a center position on an effective light source plane, and a second polarization area where the mask pattern is illuminated with light whose electric vector vibration is not biased in a specific direction; and a projection optical system which projects an image of the mask pattern onto an object to be processed. |
| US07692758B2 |
Spacer distributing apparatus for fabricating liquid crystal display device
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes forming a thin film transistor on a first substrate, forming a color filter on a second substrate, and forming a spacer on one of the first and second substrates, the spacer being formed by a distributing apparatus, and forming a liquid crystal layer between first and second substrates. |
| US07692756B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed in the present invention. The liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates including a plurality of liquid crystal display panel regions, each liquid crystal display panel region having an active region and a dummy region, a sealant outside the liquid crystal display panel regions, a dummy column spacer on the dummy region to control a liquid crystal flow, a buffer region between the sealant and the dummy column spacer to accommodate a liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. |
| US07692753B2 |
Flat panel display device
A flat panel display device includes a display area where pixel cells are defined by each of a plurality of data signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, and a plurality of inspection signal lines for inspecting line defects in the data signal lines and the gate signal lines of the display area include a connecting part in which a divided signal line overlaps underlying inspection signal lines with an insulating film therebetween. |
| US07692750B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other, a layer of liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates, a plurality of color displaying sub-pixels including first, second and third sub-pixels defined on the first and second substrates, first common electrodes in the first, second and third sub-pixels on the first substrate, first pixel electrodes in the first, second and third sub-pixels on the first substrate and alternately arranged with the first common electrodes, color filter layers in the first, second and third sub-pixels on the second substrate, a plurality of viewing angle restricting sub-pixels including fourth, fifth and sixth sub-pixels defined on the first and second substrates, the fourth, fifth and sixth sub-pixels corresponding one-to-one with the first, second and third sub-pixels, second pixel electrodes in the fourth, fifth and sixth sub-pixels on the first substrate, and second common electrodes in the fourth, fifth and sixth sub-pixels on the second substrate. |
| US07692747B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device having a biaxial optically anisotropic member
A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises at least an optically anisotropic member and a liquid crystal cell disposed between a pair of polarizers having absorption axes disposed approximately perpendicularly to each other, wherein nz>nx>ny (nx: a refractive index (n) in the direction of the in-plane slow axis; ny: n in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the above direction; nz: n in the direction of thickness, each at 550 nm); the optically anisotropic member comprises a layer comprising a material having a negative value of intrinsic birefringence; and the in-plane slow axis of the optically anisotropic member is approximately parallel or perpendicular to the absorption axis of a polarizer closer to the member. The antireflection property, scratch resistance and durability are excellent, the angle of field is wide, and uniform display of images with great contrast can be achieved at any angle of observation. |
| US07692744B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having diffusion reflective electrodes and a manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal display device which includes diffusion reflective electrodes suitable for a display of high definition. Into an organic resin film material PET which is formed by mixing NQD as a photosensitive agent in an acrylic resin having a specific gravity of 1.05 and a refractive index of 1.50, spherical particles PTC made of acrylic modified polystyrene which has a specific gravity of 1.00, a refractive index of 1.50 and a particle size of 1.6 μm are mixed at a rate of 3:1 so as to form an organic insulation film material in which a total solid content is adjusted to 30% and viscosity is adjusted 20 mPa·s. The organic insulation film material is applied and is dried to form an organic insulation film. A portion of the organic insulation film which is to be arranged below a diffusion reflective electrode is exposed using an exposure mask having half exposure apertures which are formed of a large number of slits and the organic insulation film is hardened. Aluminum is sputtered to the organic insulation film and is subject to photolithography etching treatment thus forming the diffusion reflective electrodes MT in a reflective region. A reflective region of the diffusion reflective electrode MT has an uneven surface shape which traces uneven surface shapes of the spherical particles PTC mixed into the organic insulation film PF arranged below the diffusion reflective electrodes MT. |
| US07692740B2 |
Liquid crystal display having a reflective electrode formed on an organic resin film
The invention relates to a substrate for a liquid crystal display used in a display section of an information apparatus, a liquid crystal display having the same, and a method of manufacturing the same. There is provided a substrate for a liquid crystal display which achieves good display quality with reduced manufacturing steps, a liquid crystal display having the same, and a method of manufacturing the same. TFTs are formed on a glass substrate. A protective film is formed on the TFTs, and a resist pattern is formed on the protective film, the resist pattern having openings located above source electrodes, gate bus line terminals, and drain bus line terminals. The resist pattern is baked at a baking temperature of 200 (or more after irradiating the surface thereof with ultraviolet light to form a wrinkled resin layer having a wrinkled surface. The protective film and an insulation film are etched using the wrinkled resin layer as an etching mask to form reflective electrodes and protective conductive films on the wrinkled resin layer. |
| US07692739B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and method of repairing same
A liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate on which pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged; a second substrate; and a liquid crystal sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. On a surface of at least one of the first and second substrates in contact with the liquid crystal, a concave portion is formed in at least a portion of the pixel of a color having the highest relative luminosity among the pixels of the plurality of colors. Alternatively, on a surface of at least one of the first and second substrates in contact with the liquid crystal, a protrusion is formed corresponding to the contour of the pixel of a color having the highest relative luminosity among the pixels of the plurality of colors. |
| US07692735B2 |
Display device
There is disclosed a display device having a display panel which is prevented from being scratched if an optical member such as a diffusive plate located behind the display panel swings. The display device has the display panel, an array of light sources disposed behind the display panel, and the optical member disposed between the display panel and the array of light sources. The distance between a first end of the optical member and the display panel is set greater than the distance between a second end of the optical member and the display panel, the second end being opposite to the first end. |
| US07692727B2 |
Channel switch control method in digital multimedia broadcasting receiver
A channel switch control method in a digital multimedia broadcasting receiver is disclosed, wherein discrimination is made as to whether a switch to the erstwhile selected channel has been completed in response to receipt of a channel switch command, and if it is determined that the switch operation to the erstwhile selected channel has not been completed, a switch operation to a newly selected channel in response to the channel switch command is delayed until the switch operation to the erstwhile-selected channel is completed and then the channel switch operation is performed, whereby an unstable operation can be avoided resulting from receipt of a switch command to the new channel before a screen output operation relative to the erstwhile-selected channel is completed. |
| US07692726B1 |
Video decoder with integrated audio IF demodulation
An embodiment may include a method to convert a video signal with an analog to digital converter in a video decoder, convert an audio signal with the analog to digital converter, demodulate the audio signal with an audio demodulator and amplify the audio signal with a programmable gain amplifier before it is converted in the analog to digital converter. In an embodiment the programmable gain amplifier may receive a control signal from the audio demodulator to adjust the audio signal level. Another embodiment may provide a video decoder comprising a programmable gain controller, an analog to digital converter coupled with the programmable gain controller, the converter to digitize audio and video information, and an audio demodulator coupled with the analog to digital converter, the audio demodulator to control the programmable gain controller for an audio signal. |
| US07692725B2 |
Television receiver and control program for the television receiver
A display controller displays an image of a high resolution output from 13-Segment decoder on a main screen area of a display unit and displays an image of the standard resolution output from a single-Segment decoder on a subsidiary screen area of the display unit. When an instruction is entered from a user I/F to switch television broadcasts displayed respectively on the main screen area and on the subsidiary screen area of the display unit, a control unit instructs the display controller to display a still image of the standard resolution output from the single-Segment decoder on the main screen area until an image of a high resolution of the switched television broadcast is output from 13-Segment decoder. |
| US07692724B2 |
Method and apparatus to synchronize audio and video
A method and an apparatus to synchronize an audio signal and a video signal. The method includes: displaying video on a screen that corresponds to an audio signal including a high frequency component having a predetermined pattern inserted therein to indicate when a scene change occurs in a video signal, detecting a scene change in the displayed video and detecting the high frequency component having the predetermined pattern in the audio signal, calculating a time difference between a time when the scene change is detected in the displayed video and a time when the high frequency component having the predetermined pattern is detected in the audio signal, and controlling delay times of the audio signal and the video signal according to the calculated time difference. Accordingly, the audio signal and the video signal can be automatically synchronized without performing a separate measuring operation. |
| US07692720B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device, comprises: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface; a solid-state imaging element in the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the solid-state imaging element comprising a light-receiving region; a light-transmission member having a second surface and a third surface, the second surface being opposite to the third surface, wherein the light-transmission member and the first surface of the semiconductor substrate define a gap between the second surface of the light-transmission member and an outer surface of the light-receiving region; and an external connection terminal connected to the solid-state imaging element, wherein a distance between the outer surface of the light-receiving region and the third surface of the light-transmission member is 0.5 mm or more. |
| US07692718B1 |
Video camera light shield
A video camera light shield for use with a video camera which has an adjustable hood component covering the LCD monitor and lens of a video camera, wherein the hood component is a two-section hood component adjustably slidable front to rear, with a two-piece front plate attached to the two-piece hood component which is adjustably side to side to adjust the light shield to more effectively fit to a variety of different video camera styles and sizes for best performance results. |
| US07692715B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera according to the present invention includes a device to set up a plurality of exposure conditions, a device to obtain a plurality of imaging data imaged in accordance with the plurality of exposure conditions set by the plurality exposure conditions set up device, and a device to compare a sharpness based on the plurality of imaging data obtained by the plurality of imaging data obtaining device, and a shake of the camera or a blur of a subject is determined corresponding to the comparison result of the sharpness comparison device. |
| US07692706B2 |
Charge summing in multiple output charge-coupled devices in an image sensor
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels overlaid with a color filter pattern of at least two colors having the same color on every other pixel in one direction; three or more charge-coupled devices oriented parallel to the every other pixel color filter repeat pattern; a charge sensing amplifier at the output of at least two of the charge couple devices; each charge-coupled device having a first and a second gate; a CCD-to-CCD transfer gate connecting adjacent charge-coupled devices with the first gate being on one side of the CCD-to-CCD transfer gate and the second gate being on the opposite side of the CCD-to-CCD transfer gate; all CCD-to-CCD transfer gates are electrically connected together; all first gates are electrically connected; and all second gates are electrically connected. |
| US07692704B2 |
Imaging apparatus for processing noise signal and photoelectric conversion signal
An imaging apparatus includes a pixel unit having a photoelectric conversion section and an amplifying device for amplifying a signal from the photoelectric conversion section and outputting the signal, a reading unit having a first mode in which a signal obtained by resetting an input section of the amplifying device is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device and a second mode in which a photoelectric conversion signal generated in the photoelectric conversion section is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device; a mixing unit for generating a first mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the first mode, outputting the first mixing signal, generating a second mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the second mode, and outputting the second mixing signal; and a difference processing unit for performing difference processing between the first mixing signal and the second mixing signal. |
| US07692701B2 |
Image sensing apparatus
An image sensing apparatus has an image sensing device. The image sensing device includes a photoelectric conversion element that photoelectrically converts an optical image to acquire image data, and a readout control unit that reads out, in accordance with a supplied readout rule, the image data acquired by the photoelectric conversion element. The image sensing device also includes an image scaling ratio selection unit that selects the scaling ratio of the image to be output, a readout scheme selection unit that selects, in accordance with the selected image scaling ratio, the readout scheme of the image data to be read out from the photoelectric conversion element by the readout control unit, and a readout rule supply unit that supplies, to the readout control unit, a readout rule corresponding to the readout scheme selected by the readout scheme selection unit. |
| US07692697B2 |
Pupil color correction device and program
An iris color correction apparatus has a skin color identification section which identifies the skin color of a photographed person in an inputted image, a skin correction color calculation section which obtains a skin correction color that is an iris color of said person that should be shown in said image based on the skin color identified by said skin color identification section, an original iris color calculation section which obtains an original iris color that is a representative color of a peripheral region of the iris of said photographed person from the color of pixels included in the peripheral region, a correction reference color setting section which acquires said obtained skin correction color and original iris color, and sets one of the skin correction color and the original iris color to be a correction reference color when correction is carried out, and a correction section which corrects the iris color of said photographed person based on said correction reference color. |
| US07692695B2 |
Imaging apparatus and control method therefor
An imaging apparatus includes an image creating section for imaging a predetermined surveillance range and creating image data, and a storage processing section converting the image data to a predetermined storage format and creating storage data. A data storage section having a storage medium with a predetermined storage space stores the storage data created by the storage processing section. The apparatus includes a compression processing section for reading storage data stored in the data storage section, and compressing the storage data and creating compressed data. A determination processing section detects the data storage amount of the storage data stored in the data storage section, supplies a compression control signal to the compression processing section in accordance with the detection result and supplies the storage control signal to the data storage section. |
| US07692692B2 |
Imaging apparatus with dilution of pixel data for improved visibility
An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup device having a two-dimensionally arrayed pixel structure, an A/D converter which converts analog signals from the respective pixels into digital data signals, and a DSP 30 which performs signal processing for the data signals. The DSP 30 includes an image data storage 32 which stores the data signals in units of data signal sequences corresponding to pixel lines, a mask processor 34 which sets an integer n not less than 2 as a dilation coefficient and performs mask processing to dilate image components in the image data to n×n, and a data storing controller 37 which sets n calculation memory regions in which n data signal sequences corresponding to n pixel lines are stored, in the storage 32, according to the dilation coefficient n. Thereby, an imaging apparatus capable of acquiring an image with excellent visibility even under conditions of a low illuminance, etc., is realized. |
| US07692690B2 |
Image sensing apparatus for recording a moving image and a still image and its control method
This invention provides a technique which performs moving image recording and still image recording free from unnatural feeling by positively informing the user of the fact that a still image is sensed during playback of a moving image when a still image is sensed during moving image recording. To this end, when a release switch is pressed to its full stroke position during moving image recording, and a switch SW2 is turned on, a still image is sensed. This still image sensing processing period is divided into a first period and second period. In the first period, a blackout image is generated, and is recorded as a moving image of a first substitute frame period (S432). An image of the sensed still image is recorded as a moving image of a second substitute frame period in the second period. |
| US07692688B2 |
Method for correcting distortion of captured image, device for correcting distortion of captured image, and imaging device
A method for correcting distortion of a captured image is provided. The method includes receiving a detection output from a sensor; optically correcting distortion of a captured image in image data from the element due to the positional change of the imaging element by controlling a control mechanism depending on the detection output in the receiving step, the mechanism being configured to control a position at which incident light from a target object enters the imaging element; receiving image data resulting from the optical correction of a captured image in the correcting step from the element, and detecting a motion vector per one screen of a captured image from the image data; and further correcting distortion of a captured image due to the positional change of the imaging element for the image data from the imaging element based on the motion vector detected in the motion vector detecting step. |
| US07692683B2 |
Video conferencing system transcoder
In various embodiments, multiple participants (at endpoints) may connect through a video conferencing system. A screen may display other participants in the conference call. For example, multiple participants may be displayed in respective portions of the screen. In some embodiments, each of the participants may use video conferencing systems that support different resolutions. In some embodiments, a transcoder may resolution transcode signals to allow the conference call participants to be displayed on each participant's respective screen at up to the highest possible resolution supported by the respective screen. For example, low resolution video conferencing systems may be displayed on a high definition screen of a high resolution system at the low resolution of the low resolution video conferencing system while another image on the same high definition screen from a different, higher resolution video conferencing system, may be displayed at the higher resolution. |
| US07692682B2 |
Video encoding in a video conference
Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing multi-participant video conferences. This architecture has a central distributor that receives video images from two or more participants. From the received images, the central distributor generates composite images that the central distributor transmits back to the participants. Each composite image includes a set of sub images, where each sub image belongs to one participant. In some embodiments, the central distributor saves network bandwidth by removing each particular participant's image from the composite image that the central distributor sends to the particular participant. In some embodiments, images received from each participant are arranged in the composite in a non-interleaved manner. For instance, in some embodiments, the composite image includes at most one sub-image for each participant, and no two sub-images are interleaved. |
| US07692680B2 |
System and method for providing location specific sound in a telepresence system
A system for providing location-specific sound in a telepresence system includes a plurality of remote microphones. Each remote microphone is associated with a respective area and operable to generate a sound signal from the voice of at least one user within the respective area. The system also includes a plurality of remote cameras. Each remote camera is associated with a respective remote microphone of the plurality of remote microphones and aligned to generate an image of its associated respective area. The system further includes a plurality of local displays. Each local display is operable to reproduce the image of a respective area generated by a respective remote camera. The system also includes a plurality of local loudspeakers. Each local loudspeaker is positioned proximate to a respective local display and operable to reproduce the sound signal from the voice of the at least one user within the respective area reproduced by the respective local display. |
| US07692679B2 |
Frequency modulation apparatus and frequency modulation method
A frequency modulation apparatus capable of reducing a peak level of a radiation noise of a characteristic frequency band due to an image clock.This frequency modulation apparatus is used in an image formation apparatus having an image bearing body to be scanned by a laser beam, and comprises an auxiliary clock calculating portion for calculating an auxiliary clock period based on a reference clock period and a modulation coefficient, and an image clock generating portion for generating the image clock in which a frequency is different at least in one portion and other portions of an image area on a main scan line to be scanned by the laser beam on said image bearing body based on the initial period value set in advance and said auxiliary clock period, and said image clock generating means perform a frequency modulation so that the frequency of said image clock changes within a predetermined fluctuation. |
| US07692673B2 |
Display device and demultiplexer
A display device including plural pixels, plural scan lines for applying scan signals to the pixels, plural first data lines for transmitting first data currents to the pixels, a scan driver for outputting the scan signals, a demultiplexer including plural demultiplexing circuits for demultiplexing second data currents into the first data currents, and for transmitting the first data currents to the plural first data lines, and a data driver for transmitting the second data currents. A demultiplexing circuit demultiplexes one of the second data currents into at least two first data currents, and transmits them to at least two first data lines. The number of the at least two first data lines is an integer multiple of the number of sub-pixels in each pixel. A display device and a demultiplexer having a simple structure data driver, where a stationary pattern due to demultiplexing is reduced or eliminated, can be provided. |
| US07692672B2 |
Liquid crystal devices with greyscale
This invention relates to a liquid crystal device with grey scale. The invention uses dither, either spatial or temporal. For spatial dither the invention arranges so that at least one bit of dither is not a multiple of the size of a smaller bit of dither—in other words there is a fractional weighting. The two bits of dither have the same number of addressable transmission levels and the weighting sacrifices some linearity in exchange for reduction of manufacturing tolerances for the smaller bit. For temporal dither the invention relates to fractional weighting of the duration of the sub-frames. |
| US07692668B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically compensating for an image gradient of a mobile communication terminal
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for automatically compensating for an image gradient of a mobile terminal display. The apparatus and method capture a user's image, determine the user's line of sight, calculate an image gradient between the user's line of sight and a reference coordinate system of the mobile terminal, and generate control information used to adjust displayed images to coordinate for the image gradient. |
| US07692660B2 |
Guided performance optimization for graphics pipeline state management
Techniques are provided for efficiently arranging shader constants into constant buffers to more efficiently set shader constants to a GPU. Techniques are provided for tracking runtime usage patterns of shader constants, and then generating usage pattern data regarding usage patterns of shader constants. This usage pattern data can then be fed into an optimization algorithm to efficiently lay out the data for maximal performance given certain heuristics. Factors considered include, for example, frequency of client update of the values, usage by certain shaders, and size and number of the resulting buffers. |
| US07692656B2 |
Automatic synthesis of font tables for character layout
Data tables that are required for the proper processing of font glyphs are automatically synthesized if they do not form part of an original font definition. The synthesized tables are stored in an annex file that is associated with the font, rather than being incorporated into the font definition. As a result, the integrity of the original font data is maintained, and does not adversely affect font protection systems that are based upon font data. |
| US07692650B2 |
Method of and system for 3D display of multi-energy computed tomography images
A method of and a system for displaying volumetric multi-energy CT images are disclosed, wherein a CT image, a Z image, and a label image from an automatic explosive detection are provided, are disclosed. The method comprises generating an index image through a nonlinear transformation of the CT image, the Z image, and the label image, rotating and coloring the index image as desired, and rendering and displaying the rotated and colored image. |
| US07692647B2 |
Real-time rendering of realistic rain
Real-time rendering of realistic rain is described. In one aspect, image samples of real rain and associated information are automatically modeled in real-time to generate synthetic rain particles in view of respective scene radiances of target video content frames. The synthetic rain particles are rendered in real-time using pre-computed radiance transfer with uniform random distribution across respective frames of the target video content. |
| US07692642B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling display refresh
An approach for dynamic refresh rate control. For one aspect, a policy, such as a power, performance, quality or other policy, for example, is accessed. A refresh rate may then be dynamically selected in response to detected display content activity and policy preferences for displays that are regularly refreshed. Alternatively, if the display is one of a bi-stable, a self-refreshing display or another type of display that is refreshed irregularly, whether or not to refresh the display may be determined based on detected content activity. |
| US07692640B2 |
Motion control for image rendering
A display apparatus (100) for displaying an output image on basis of 3D visual information is disclosed. The display apparatus (100) comprises: first receiving means (101) for receiving a first signal (3DV) representing the 3D visual information; second receiving means (116) for receiving a second signal (P) representing positional information of a viewer of the output image, as function of time; filtering means (122) for high-pass filtering the second signal (P), resulting in a third signal (PF); rendering means (118) for rendering the output image on basis of the first signal (3DV) and the third signal (PF); and display means (112) for displaying the output image. |
| US07692639B2 |
Uniquely identifiable inking instruments
A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink. These methods may be implemented via computer-executable instructions and may be used with a horizontally-placed display, tablet-based laptop computers, and passive or active digital inking instruments. |
| US07692638B2 |
Error compensation for multi-touch surfaces
Normalization of the built-in DC offset error in each analog channel is disclosed to reduce image distortion in multi-event (multi-touch or multi-hover) sensor panels. By eliminating the component-dependent offset error from each analog channel, each analog channel will generate approximately the same output value for a given dynamic input signal. Normalization can include “phantom row” compensation, which involves measuring the static output value of each analog channel when no stimulus is applied to any row of a multi-event sensor panel, and subtracting this value out of any subsequent output value generated by the analog channel. Normalization can also include DAC offset compensation, which involves setting the offset compensation voltage of each analog channel to some fraction of its normal value, measuring the output of the analog channel over temperature, determining a temperature coefficient, and adjusting any subsequent output value generated by the analog channel to account for this drift. |
| US07692625B2 |
Camera-based touch system
A camera-based touch system (50) includes a passive touch surface (60) and at least two cameras (63) associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) have overlapping fields of view (FOV) encompassing the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and generate image data. A processor (54) receives and processes image data generated by the at least two cameras to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface when the pointer is captured in images acquired by the at least two cameras. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined. |
| US07692624B2 |
Liquid crystal display, method for displaying color images, and method for controlling light sources of an LCD panel
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of light sources of different colors and a control device. The control device is used to control the light sources to emit light with different duty cycles. Through persistence of vision, light generated by the light sources will form an image of desired colors. White balance can be achieved by controlling the duty cycles. |
| US07692622B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
An LCD apparatus with an LCD panel displaying a picture thereon, including a backlight array in which a plurality of light emitting devices illuminating the LCD panel with a plurality of colors is arranged to have a predetermined pattern. A backlight driver drives each light emitting device to emit light and to adjust light intensity; and a controller controls the backlight driver to adjust a white balance of a picture displayed on the LCD panel. With this configuration, an LCD apparatus is provided, in which a white balance is adjusted without making a loss in a representable brightness level, i.e., brightness, and lowering a contrast ratio. Also included is an LCD apparatus, in which a white balance is adjusted according to formats of an input video signal. |
| US07692621B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and a method for driving the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display device and a method for driving the same. After all the gate lines included in each effective display region divided into several regions, are turned on, a light is supplied to a liquid crystal after all the liquid crystals are completely arranged, but the light is not applied to a portion of the effective display regions until all the liquid crystals are completely arranged. The process is repeatedly performed concerning each effective display region. Thus, the poor quality of display image such as image spreading phenomenon of the moving image can be prevented. Also, the light supply time can greatly increase, thereby accomplishing an image display with a high brightness. |
| US07692619B2 |
Scan driver and organic light emitting display for selectively performing progressive scanning and interlaced scanning
A scan driver and an organic light emitting display (OLED) for selectively performing progressive scanning and interlaced scanning. The scan driver includes a plurality of scan units. A scan unit generates an odd-number scan signal or an even-number scan signal and includes a flip-flop and a scan signal generator. The scan signal generator performs a logical operation on output signals from the flip-flop and a mode selection signal, and outputs a signal. A logical operation can be performed on the output signal of the scan unit and an impulse signal to form a scan signal and an emission control signal. The OLED, which selectively performs the progressive scanning and the interlaced scanning in response to a mode selection signal, includes an emission driver for outputting an emission control signal and a program driver for outputting a scan signal and a boost signal. |
| US07692615B2 |
Display driver, electro-optical device, and method of driving electro-optical device
A display driver which drives a data line connected to a pixel electrode through a switching element, the pixel electrode facing a common electrode with an electro-optical substance interposed, and a voltage being supplied to the common electrode based on a polarity reversal signal. The display driver includes: a polarity reversal signal generation circuit which generates the polarity reversal signal which specifies the timing at which the polarity of a voltage applied to the electro-optical substance is reversed; and a driver section which supplies a drive voltage based on display data to the data line so that the polarity of the voltage applied to the electro-optical substance is reversed in synchronization with the polarity reversal signal. The polarity reversal signal generation circuit generates the polarity reversal signal by delaying a signal generated based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal, the horizontal synchronization signal specifying a horizontal scan period and the vertical synchronization signal specifying a vertical scan period. |
| US07692610B2 |
Display device
To provide a high-performance and highly reliable display device with a high aperture ratio, including light-emitting elements, and a manufacturing method thereof, and a technique for manufacturing such a display device at a low cost with high productivity. A compensating circuit, a light-emitting element, a switch, and a transistor are included, in which one terminal of the switch is electrically connected to the compensating circuit, a gate of the transistor is electrically connected to the compensating circuit, one of a source and a drain of the transistor is electrically connected to a first electrode of the light-emitting element, the other of the source and the drain of the transistor is maintained at a certain potential, and a second electrode of the light-emitting element and the other terminal of the switch are electrically connected to the same wire. |
| US07692608B2 |
Energy recovery circuit and energy recovering method using the same
An energy recovery circuit is provided that includes: a panel capacitor formed equivalently in a scan electrode and a sustain electrode, a scan electrode driver installed at a side of the scan electrode of the panel capacitor to supply a sustaining pulse to the side of the scan electrode, and a sustain electrode driver installed at a side of the sustain electrode of the panel capacitor to supply the sustaining pulse to the side of the sustain electrode. The energy recovery circuit may further include a first diode coupled to the scan electrode side of the panel capacitor, a second diode coupled to the sustain electrode side of the panel capacitor, a first inductor commonly coupled to the sustain electrode side and the scan electrode side of the panel capacitor, a path providing part coupled to the first inductor, and a single source capacitor connected to the path providing part. |
| US07692602B2 |
Control system of antenna array of RFID reader applications
The present invention provides a control apparatus of an antenna array. The control apparatus of an antenna array comprises a control circuit including a serial interface circuit connected to the first switch and the second switch by a first control line and a second control line separately, and an antenna coupled between the first switch and the second switch. The serial interface circuit controls On/Off status of the first switch and the second switch separately through the first control line and the second control line. Furthermore, the control circuit and the others can be connected serially through the included serial interface circuits to increase the number of antennas. |
| US07692595B2 |
Broadband internal antenna combined with monopole antenna and loop antenna
Provided is a broadband internal antenna including a ground plate and an antenna unit. The antenna unit can include a feed point; a first radiator, formed with a bar shape having the feed point as one end part and the other end part from which an uncurved ‘C’ shape is extended; a ground point, connected to the ground plate; a second radiator, having one end part on which the ground point is mounted and the other end part that is connected to an area from which the uncurved ‘C’ shape of the first radiator starts to be formed in an open loop form; a first protrusion part, protruded from the uncurved ‘C’ shape of the first radiator to be formed in a closed loop form; and a second protrusion part, formed inside the open loop shape of the first radiator in an inverse L’ form. |
| US07692593B2 |
Generic pick-up horn for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads at multiple frequency bands and at multiple polarizations
Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads using pick-up horns. Such pick-up horns can include at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. A pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load. Related systems and methods are described. |
| US07692590B2 |
Radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit (IC) packages with integrated aperture-coupled patch antenna(s)
A radio-frequency integrated circuit chip package with at least one integrated aperture-coupled patch antenna includes at least one generally planar patch and at least one generally planar ground plane spaced inwardly from the generally planar patch and substantially parallel thereto. The ground plane is formed with at least one coupling aperture slot therein. The slot is substantially opposed to the patch. Also included are at least one feed line spaced inwardly from the ground plane and substantially parallel thereto, at least one radio frequency chip spaced inwardly from the feed line and coupled to the feed line and the ground plane, and a first substrate layer spaced inwardly from the feed line. The first substrate layer is formed with a chip-receiving cavity. The chip is located in the chip-receiving cavity. |
| US07692586B2 |
Sparse interferometric array for radio frequency azimuth direction finding
A sparsely populated array of antenna elements on a plane is provided such that the angle of arrival (AoA) measurement for a radiofrequency signal received by the array has high resolution and is non-ambiguous within a 360-degree azimuthal field of view. The array comprises a two-dimensional antenna array developed using fuzzy genetic logic based on specified criteria. In response to one specified set of criteria, the array comprises having a first large element formation combined with a second smaller element formation. The first large element formation supports high DF accuracy while the second smaller cluster facilitates ambiguity resolution. |
| US07692582B2 |
Method and arrangements relating to satellite-based positioning
A method, an apparatus and a computer program for providing assistance data for satellite based positioning of mobile stations operating in a first cell of a cellular radio communication system utilizing ranging signals transmitted by satellites. A sequence of assistance data for positioning of a mobile station operating in the first cell is generated (306) by including in said sequence assistance data associated with individual satellites in a set of at least four satellites. At least one of said set of satellites and the order in which assistance data associated with individual satellites occurs in said sequence of assistance data is selected (305) utilizing control data associated with the first cell and reflecting local obstructions in the first cell or its immediate surroundings affecting reception of said ranging signals in the first cell. The invention also includes a method, an apparatus and a computer program for updating (311) said control data utilizing information derived from positionings of mobile stations in the first cell. |
| US07692581B2 |
Positioning device, electronic instrument, and storage medium storing program
A slice set for a specific period of time is acquired from a storage area of a memory which is a ring buffer while changing the read position, and the signal strength total value of each slice set is calculated. The signal strengths of the slices included in the maximum strength slice set and the signal strengths of the slices preceding or subsequent to the maximum strength slice set are calculated, and the final signal read position is determined based on a read offset of the maximum strength slice. A GPS satellite signal is acquired and tracked based on the slice read from the determined signal read position, and a specific positioning process is performed. |
| US07692580B2 |
Device, system and method for controlling and storing sensitive information on a GPS device
A system and method for controlling and storing sensitive information on a global positioning system (GPS) device are provided. The system includes a locational information module for determining location information of the device; an encryption module for encrypting the location information; a processing module for storing the encrypted location information in a storage module; and an input module for inputting a code string for decrypting the location information. Information inputted to and/or generated by the device will be encrypted on the storage module. The storage module can be in any form currently available including optical media, or various types of removable memory cards or cartridges. Furthermore, the storage module may be internal memory and the GPS device may further include a transmission module or connection, e.g., hardwire or wireless, to port the information to a computer. |
| US07692579B2 |
Methods and apparatus for actuated position determination in a wireless communication device
Systems, methods, device, apparatus, and machine-readable medium are described that provide for actuation of position determination in a wireless device based on a user input to an input mechanism associated with a group communication, such as a push-to talk and/or half-duplex communication. By marrying actuation of position determination with a user's request for push-to-talk communication (i.e., a request for a talk spurt in a PTT communication), the user is not required to perform any additional position determining initiating action to start the position determining process. In addition, the actuation of position determination is coupled with the initiation of another function on the wireless device, specifically, a push-to-talk request, which benefits from having accurate and current position data available for all current call members and/or a group administrator or the like. |
| US07692571B2 |
Millimeter wave imager with visible or infrared overlay for brownout assist
An imaging system for a rotary aircraft having a millimeter wave imager with visible or infrared overlay. The system includes an active millimeter wave imaging system comprising a millimeter wave transmitter and a millimeter wave phased array receiver for producing millimeter wave images of a landing region, a second imaging system operating at visible or infrared wavelengths to produce visible or infrared images of the landing region, and a processor programmed with a see and remember algorithm for overlaying the visible or infrared images and the millimeter wave images and to save at least one good high-resolution visible or infrared image in case of a brownout event begins to obscuring the visible or infrared images wherein in case of the brownout event the millimeter wave images are overlaid on the at least one good visible or infrared image and not obscured visible or infrared images. |
| US07692570B2 |
Direct RF complex analog to digital converter
An analog to digital converter device including: an input to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; a plurality of delay elements coupled in series to the input, wherein each element has an output configured to provide the RF signal with a temporal delay corresponding to a different number of the delay elements; a sample rate reduction system having a plurality of inputs each being coupled to a corresponding one of the delay element outputs, and configured to sample the delayed RF signals and provide M-sample outputs, each of the M-sample outputs being sampled at a reduced sampling rate equal to the sampling rate divided by M, M being an integer sample rate reduction value; and an Nth order complex bandpass filter coupled to the sample rate reduction system, the complex bandpass filter being configured to filter each of the M-sample outputs to obtain a plurality of complex baseband signals. |
| US07692568B2 |
Low power sigma delta modulator with successive approximation converter
A low power analog-to-digital channel includes a decimation filter coupled to a sigma-delta modulator. Various embodiments include a decimation filter including an output and a sigma-delta modulator coupled to the output of the decimation filter, where a clock frequency applied to the decimation filter is approximately a integral multiple of a sampling frequency of the sigma delta modulator. In an embodiment, the sigma-delta modulator includes one or more successive approximation converters. In an embodiment, the sigma delta modulator includes one or more area efficient integrators. |
| US07692567B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter and distortion correction circuit
Disclosed is a D/A converter including: a delta-sigma modulator for subjecting a digital signal to delta-sigma modulation; a pulse-width modulator for outputting a pulse-width-modulated signal having a pulse width conforming to a digital value that is output from the delta-sigma modulator; and a distortion detector for detecting a distortion component produced in the pulse-width modulator. The distortion detector includes a delay controller for receiving the digital signal and correcting the phase thereof; a second delta-sigma modulator; a second pulse-width modulator; a subtractor for subtracting the output of the second delta-sigma modulator from the output of the second pulse-width modulator; and a second subtractor for subtracting the output signal of the first subtractor from the output signal of the delay controller. |