Document Document Title
US07743573B1 Roofing composition
A roofing composition is formed as a shingle or from one or more separate sheets. The roofing composition includes a storage layer with an inert non-growing storage medium to absorb and detain precipitation for gradual release. The roofing composition reduces hydraulic discharge rates to avoid overloading downstream drainage systems.
US07743568B1 Tile system and method
A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.
US07743566B2 Structure having multiple interwoven structural members enhanced for resistance of multi-directional force
A structural assembly has a first set of first elongate structural members alternately spaced apart from a second set of second elongate structural members by locking blocks, the first set defining a first plane and the second set defining a second plane forming an intersection at an angle with the first plane, the structural members and locking blocks defining an assembly of adjoined blocks and structural members at the intersection, and a compressive mechanism spanning the assembly of adjoined blocks and structural members at the intersection. Compressing the adjoined blocks and structural members by the spanning compression mechanism locks the blocks and structural members together in a manner to resist applied forces.
US07743565B2 Modular building block system and method of manufacture
A first load bearing component is adapted to provide load bearing strength when the modular building block is used in a building panel. A second load bearing component is coupled to the first load bearing component via a first coupling arrangement and is adapted to provide load bearing strength when the modular building block is used in the building panel. A building services component is positioned between the first load bearing component and the second load bearing component for providing a conduit for at least one building service. The first and second load bearing components and the building services component are adapted to be configurable in a plurality of positions relative to the other.
US07743559B2 Modular support for automobile doors, door assembly for an automobile and method for mounting the modular support on a door frame
The present disclosure relates to a modular support for automobile doors, which includes a support panel and at least one attachment unit to attach the panel to a frame. The attachment unit includes an orifice made in the panel; a screw; a nut in which the screw is threaded; and a guide element that allows the nut to move in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the screw which stops the nut from turning about said longitudinal axis of the screw. The present disclosure also relates to a door assembly and an assembly method.
US07743558B2 Double sliding door
A double sliding door arrangement cooperating with a double-wide door opening formed in an upright wall. A top header beam extends across and defines the upper extremity of the door opening. A pre-tensioning arrangement mounted on and extending lengthwise of the top header beam causes the header beam to be deflected upwardly into a shallow bowed shape. A support track is fixed to and extends lengthwise of the header beam and horizontally for predetermined distances along and rigidly fixed to the wall adjacent right and left sides of the door opening. Right and left slab doors are supported on and vertically suspended downwardly from said track in sidewardly co-planar relationship, and are movable along said track between closed and open positions. The doors in the closed position vertically load and downwardly deflect the header beam, whereby the initial upwardly bowed shape minimizes outward swinging between opposed inner edges of the doors when in the closed position.
US07743557B2 Sliding track coupling structure for sliding doors
A sliding track for sliding doors includes a sliding door track and a glass fixed panel track which have an inverted U-shape cross section with an opening facing downward. The sliding door track has a left and a right inner wall that have a pair of guiding tracks formed thereon to allow a plurality pairs of rollers which are hinged on a hanging track which is fastened to a sliding door on a lower side to roll thereon in a straddle manner. The sliding door track further has a pair of first wedge troughs on the upper left and upper right corners, and a pair of second wedge troughs on a lower side. The first and second wedge troughs are coupled with the glass fixed panel track. The sliding door track and the glass fixed panel track may also be coupled with an ornamental plate on the top. The glass fixed panel track may further be coupled with a sealing plate on the bottom.
US07743553B1 Soil formulation for resisting erosion
This disclosure relates to soil erosion and the establishment of an appropriate seed bed. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a composition applied to exposed soil wherein the composition comprises organic material produced when the methane is burned from green manure and dried. This organic material combines seed and a liquid carrier, such that the substance can be hydraulically applied to the desired area. Fertilizer or other nutrients are often added to the mixture to further enhance the product and to encourage growth.
US07743549B2 Jig fishing lure
A jig-type fishing lure having a jig body with a hook extending from a rear portion of the body and a spinner-type fish attractant located forward of a front end of the jig body. A fishing line is attached to an attachment point located between the spinner-type fish attractant and the barb of the rearwardly extending hook.
US07743546B2 Firearm adapted for use in low light, illuminating rear sight, and method for aligning sights in low light environments
A rugged adjustable, optical alignment system is well suited for use in low light environments or at night. A rear sight includes a U-shaped array of, preferably, first second and third substantially cylindrical, transparent, tritium vials arranged such that the elongated cylindrical side surfaces of the vials are exposed to define an array of elongated illuminated segments. The array is preferably in the shape of a “U” having a first horizontally aligned vial positioned below a sight notch with a second vertical vial positioned above and to the left of the notch. A third vertical vial is positioned to the right of the sighting notch, above the first vial. In use, a front blade or front post also containing a tritium insert is aligned within the rear sight's U-shaped array of illuminated segments, thereby providing an intuitive sight picture.
US07743544B2 Rifle stock with recoil absorption facility
A rifle stock has an elongated body with a forward end and a butt end. The upper and lower edges of the stock are solid and continuous from front to rear. A slot generally parallel to the butt plate is formed adjacent to the butt plate to allow limited flexing in response to recoil. The stock may be formed as a hollow shell with opposed side walls, with slots to find in each sidewall. Several parallel slots may be defined in each sidewall. The slots may be occupied by elastomeric elements.
US07743541B2 Sign holding extrusion arrangement
An elongated sign holding extrusion for supporting a sign from an overhead member, comprising an elongated unitarily extruded frame assembly having an upper edge and a lower edge, with a first side portion and a second side portion extending therebetween. An elongated upper receiving-channel is arranged at the upper edge of the frame assembly. An hollow elongated, upper channel is arranged in a spaced-apart, adjacent and parallel manner to the elongated upper receiving channel in said frame assembly. An elongated middle channel contains a pair of elongated biasing members therein for pinchably supporting a poster therebetween. An elongated central channel is spaced adjacent the lower edge of the frame assembly for capture of slidable sign supporting hangers.
US07743540B2 Identification system with wristband and reusable pouch
The present invention relates to identification systems and more particularly to patient identification systems comprising an identification band and a reusable pouch. The identification system comprises an identification band that is passed through one or more slits in a reusable identification pouch. The pouch includes an information area where information about the patient may be printed, and a pocket where alert labels or other tags may be stored. When the identification band is removed, the pouch may be mounted onto a new band. The information contained on and attached to the pouch may be reused each time a new identification band is needed.
US07743537B2 Earth reduction tool
An earth reduction tool configured to connect to a vacuum source of an earth reduction system for moving material comprising an elongated body defining a first end for connecting to the vacuum source, an opposite second end, and an elongated vacuum passage extending through the elongated body between the first and the second ends. The tool also has an elongated air passage extending from the body second end to at least a point intermediate the elongated body first and second ends, the air passage having an open first end and an open second end proximate the elongated body second end that is in fluid communication with the elongated body vacuum passage second end, wherein when the vacuum source pulls a vacuum through the elongated body vacuum passage, air is drawn up into the vacuum passage from the air passage open second end.
US07743534B2 Snow plow having two-piece mold board
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a two piece mold board, the mold board preferably being an aluminum extrusion.
US07743532B2 Walking boot for diabetic and other patients
An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity. Weight applied to the foot is transferred to the walking shell by contact between the sides of the foot, arch, and heel and the arch, heel and sides of the foot-shaped cavity as well as the bottom of the cavity thereby decreasing the peak or maximum unit pressure on the plantar surface of the foot. A breathable bootie which wraps the foot and lower leg in a protective “cocoon” is preferably secured to the upper surface of the insole thereby preventing foreign materials from entering the foot cavity.
US07743531B2 Article of footwear with expandable heel portion
An article of footwear with heel webbing is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an elastic member along a heel portion. The elastic member is associated with a heel protector. The heel protector is attached to the outsole of the article of footwear at one end and to a portion of the elastic member at another end.
US07743529B2 Protective foot covering article
A protective foot covering article comprises two adjacent layers of water impermeable sheet material. A water impermeable seam is provided between the layers of water impermeable sheet material. A shape of the water impermeable seam provides for an interior space between the layers of water impermeable sheet material. The interior space includes a closed end portion and an open end portion. A portion of the water impermeable seam defining the closed end portion of the interior space is contoured inwardly with respect to the interior space thereby providing a contoured foot arch portion. A plurality of water drainage apertures each extending through at least one of the layers. Means for cinching the open end portion of the interior space is engaged with at least one of the layers of water impermeable sheet material.
US07743528B2 Dehydrating device
A dehydrating device comprises a tappet unit, a transmission unit and a rotation unit, wherein the rotation unit comprises a bearing member and a transmission shaft. A aquiferous member is disposed in the bearing member, and then the operation of the tappet unit is beginning. The tappet unit then mechanically drives the transmission unit and the rotation unit so as to dewater the aquiferous member.
US07743527B2 Position detector
The present invention Provides a position detector includes a scale provided with a recording medium recorded with information for position detection; a slider disposed to face the recording medium of the scale and to relatively travel along an elongate direction of the scale and provided with a detection sensor for detecting the information of the recording medium, a carrier for carrying the slider, and a posture control mechanism disposed between the carrier and the slider to control slider posture relative to the scale. The posture control mechanism is located on a straight line being vertical to a plane provided with the recording medium facing the detection sensor and passing the detection sensor and biases the slider toward the scale in the direction of the straight line for posture control. The slider is provided with a guide restricting section slidably contact with the scale to restrict a biasing force of the posture control mechanism.
US07743526B2 Device for checking countersink dimensions
A device for checking countersink dimensions comprises a measuring head (2) associated with a spindle (3) of a multi-axis process machine (4), and a processing unit operatively associated with the spindle (3) to control spindle movements, the measuring head (2) comprising a contact element (5) that can be inserted into a countersink (101) and a comparator element (7) which, by coming into contact with the countersink and withdrawing, detects the stroke of the contact element (5) inside the countersink (101). A floating member (22) automatically corrects any alignment errors between the contact element (5) and the axis of the countersink (101).
US07743525B2 Planeness testing apparatus
An exemplary apparatus for testing planeness of a workpiece is provided. The apparatus includes a platform for supporting the workpiece thereon, a bracket vertically mounted to the platform, and a testing system mounted to the bracket for testing the workpiece. The testing system includes a testing member, a test dial indicator having a sliding pole, and a fine-tuning member for controlling the movement of the testing member. One end of the testing member is connected to the sliding pole. When testing, the fine-tuning member drives the testing member to move toward the workpiece, until the testing member contacts the workpiece. The sliding pole extends together with the testing member. A value is shown by the test dial indicator that indicates the moving distance of the testing member. A distortion value of the workpiece can be obtained according to the value.
US07743524B2 Coordinate measurement machine with improved joint
In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.
US07743522B2 Composite tool for layout and installation of back splashes
A multi-purpose hand tool having opposing planar surfaces. A first long side has a linear edge for drawing straight lines. Graduations are provided along a beveled surface for use in measurement. Short sides perpendicular to the straight edge facilitate placement in an inside corner. A remaining side has serrations for spreading an adhesive. A cover is secured to the main body by pins in the cover and openings in the main body. The main body and cover house a level. A viewing window incorporates a lens for magnification. Guideways are configured to receive a straightedge, the guideways being aligned at precise, given angles. Projections in each guideway cooperate with a groove provided along only one given surface of the straightedge to assure proper orientation of the straightedge in the guideways. The main body and cover have smooth undulations for receiving and seating the fingers. A recess in the cover seats the tips of the fingers. A convex surface surrounding the viewing window protects the level. Spaced openings along the tool facilitate measurement and marking.
US07743521B2 Professional layout tool
An all-in-one combination layout tool is provided for marking center lines for spacing studs, marking rip lines, marking cut lines for roof rafters and staircase stringers, and other purposes. The tool comprises a rectangular base plate, an elongate locator bar with a rounded pivot corner, and two connectors to connect the locator bar to the base plate in a variety of configurations. The base plate includes multiple “pivot” points for pivotally connecting the locator bar, two strategically-placed arcuate slots for marking or making angle cuts, and two strategically placed parallel slots for configuring the tool to mark or make rip cuts. Angle markings are provided on two adjacent edges of the base plate, and 1/16-inch markings are provided on the opposite adjacent edges. The base plate is planar and has no enlarged flange or lip that would hinder its use in laying out staircase stringers.
US07743517B1 Guide for establishing reveal on door and window frames during molding installation
A guide preferably of small size preferably two and a half inches square is disclosed for establishing reveal on doors and window frames during molding installation without having to do measuring and marking. In one embodiment two square blocks making up the guide are fixedly attached to each other and a different guide is used for different molding reveals. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the two blocks relative to each other is adjustable such that one block moves along the other block only along a diagonal providing a simple single adjustment which provides the same amount of reveal on two orthogonal sides of the guide.
US07743510B2 Powered tool for tube cutting and treating
A tool for power cutting and treating a tube or the like, and having a power source and an open end for receiving the tube for cutting. There are a tube cutter and rollers for rotation around the tube during cutting. A tool housing encloses the cutter and rollers and also two gear trains which can rotate at different speeds. One of the trains creates tool rotation drive and the other of the trains creates tube cutting. The rotation drive can be reversed for setting the cutter and rollers in starting positions, along with setting and presenting the open end to the next tube to be cut. The rotating gears also drive two power-take-offs for treating the tube.
US07743507B2 Rotary type electric shaver
A rotary type electric shaver with an outer cutter frame provided on a shaver main body. An outer cutter installed in this outer cutter frame and having its shaving surface on the upper surface of a ring-shaped thin layer portion. An inner cutter 16 having a cutter body that rotates and makes sliding contact from below with the lower surface of the outer cutter 14, wherein a thin layer portion 28 is formed in a substantially arc shape that is convex upward in a radial and vertical cross section that includes a center axis line which is the rotational center of the inner cutter. The thickness of the thin layer portion near the apex of the upward convex is smallest at the apex and gradually becomes thicker as distance increases away from the apex.
US07743506B2 Heated shaving razors
Razors and systems for wet shaving are provided. The razors include a heating element and a heating material that may be heated by the heating element. Some systems include a holder for the razor, comprising contacts positioned to engage electrical contacts of the razor and deliver power from a power source to the heating element.
US07743504B1 Rectangular and square ducting systems
A duct structure (50), includes lengths of square/rectangular duct (52) manufactured by pre-forming the duct in round cross-section (51) and then transforming the round cross-section into square and rectangular cross-sections utilizing expandable die structures (58). The duct (52) may be connected together end to end by flanged connectors (54) formed from strip stock (71), that is notched at locations that correspond to the corners of the formed flange connector. The cross-sectional profile of the flanged connector is then formed by roll forming and/or bending and/or other techniques. Thereafter, the strip stock is bent at its notched locations to define the corners (80) of the flange connector (54) and then the free ends of the strip stock are fixed together.
US07743496B2 Cable termination methods
A termination for a multi-conductor cable is made by providing a metal structure that includes a plurality of parallel but spaced apart fingers that are joined together by a connecting member adjacent at least one end of each finger. Each of the conductors in the cable is connected to a respective one of the fingers at a location that is spaced from the connecting member. The cable and the fingers are then over-molded with an insulating material where the conductors are connected to the fingers. This over-molding leaves a portion of the length of each finger exposed. The connecting member is then severed and removed.
US07743490B2 Auto-assembling system for small shell devices
The present invention discloses an auto-assembling system for small shell devices. The system includes a first transportation apparatus, a second transportation apparatus, a first driving module, a second driving module, a power assembling module and a control circuit. The first transportation apparatus having a first transportation belt and the second transportation apparatus having a second transportation belt are used to transport the frames or the covers of the devices. The power assembling module mounted on the end of the first transportation apparatus and the second transportation apparatus is used for vertically pressing downwardly the frames and the covers such that the frames and the covers can be assembled.
US07743489B2 Substrate surface with varying electrical or magnetic properties
A substrate including a surface on which is provided a modifying layer which is incomplete and has a distribution such as to provide a plurality of islands of said material and/or islands of substrate surface whereby the surface exhibits a modified electrical and/or magnetic property.
US07743488B2 Manufacturing method for variable resistive element
In the case where a variable resistive element, which is made of a variable resistor provided between a first and second electrodes, and of which the electrical resistance varies by applying a voltage pulse between the two electrodes, is applied to a resistance nonvolatile memory, there is a range of the resistance value of the variable resistive element in a low resistance state where the nonvolatile memory can operate normally. In the conventional manufacturing method the resistance value of the variable resistive element is too low, therefore, it can not be controlled within a desired range of the resistance value. A step of carrying out of a reduction process is provided at any point after the step of forming a variable resistor material as a film, it has thereby become possible to increase the resistance value of the variable resistive element, which is too low in the conventional method.
US07743487B2 Method to planarize perpendicular write poles using a combination of CMP and reactive ion milling
A perpendicular write head includes a beveled main pole having corners defining a track width and having a planarized surface and encapsulated on either side thereof and below by an alumina layer, the alumina layer having a polished surface and extending above the main pole on either side thereof as steps.
US07743485B1 Method of manufacturing a superconducting cable
Provided is a superconducting cable having a structure such that cable cores, each having a superconducting layer, are housed in a thermal insulation pipe and the superconducting layer of each cable core has portions having different critical current values. When an excessive current flows in the superconducting layer in case of a short-circuit failure, the current exceeds the critical current value of the portion having a smaller critical current value first, which results in damage to the portion, suppressing the occurrence of damage to the other normal portion. A superconducting cable line using this superconducting cable and a splitter for accommodating the cable cores therein is also provided.
US07743484B2 Rotor shaft and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a rotor shaft including a rotor and a shaft having a groove formed on a periphery to open radially outwardly, the rotor being fixed to the shaft through a caulking plate disposed on the periphery of the shaft and adjacent the rotor in an axial direction thereof. This method comprises the step of caulking the caulking plate to fix the rotor to the shaft by applying a load to an end portion of the caulking plate from outside in a radial direction, opposite the groove, when the caulking plate is disposed in the predetermined place, causing a part of the caulking plate to be press-fitted into the groove. This caulking and fixing step includes pressing a punch against the caulking plate from outside in a radial direction of the shaft, thereby fixing the rotor to the shaft.
US07743480B2 Method of manufacturing a drum-type washing machine
Disclosed is a drum-type washing machine having a tub provided therein for storing wash water with an improved structure, the tub including a center tub formed in a hollow cylindrical form for rotatably providing a drum therein; and a back tub including a base plate for covering a rear side of the center tub, a first bending part bent backward from an outline of the base plate, and overlapped on an inner surface of the center tub, and a second bending part bent frontward from the first bending part, and overlapped on an outer circumferential surface of the center tub.
US07743477B2 Method of manufacturing a multi-nozzle ink jet head
A manufacturing method for a multi-nozzle ink jet head using piezoelectric elements. The head has a nozzle member in which a plurality of nozzles are formed, a pressure chamber wall member in which a plurality of pressure chambers are formed, and piezoelectric type actuators that have a diaphragm and a plurality of piezo elements and apply pressure to each of the plurality of pressure chambers for ejecting ink from the nozzles. A coating member having high rigidity is provided on inner surfaces of the pressure chamber walls or on parts of the diaphragm in contact with the pressure chamber wall member, thus increasing the rigidity of the pressure chamber walls.
US07743476B2 Engineered fabric articles
Methods are described for forming unitary fabric elements for use in engineered thermal fabric articles, including thermal fabric garments, thermal fabric home textiles, and thermal fabric upholstery covers, and for forming these articles, having predetermined discrete regions of contrasting insulative capacity positioned about the thermal fabric article in correlation to insulative requirements of a user's body. In one implementation, loop yarn in first regions is formed to a first pile height, and loop yarn in other regions is formed to another, different, relatively greater pile height. In another implementation, loop yarn having a first shrinkage performance is formed in first regions to a predetermined loop height, and loop yarn having another, different shrinkage performance is formed in other regions; the loops are cut and finished to a common pile height and the web is exposed to heat to cause loop yarn to shrink to one or more different pile heights.
US07743466B2 Labor-saving pivotal shaft structure
The present invention discloses a labor-saving pivotal shaft structure, comprising a fixed part and a movable part, wherein the movable part and the fixed part produce a frictional torque therebetween to provide the movable part with the functions of rotating, arresting, and positioning relative to the fixed part; and a torsion rod which is a rigid rod, whose one end is mounted onto the fixed part; such that the fixed part is connected to a main frame and the movable part as well as the other end of the torsion rod are respectively connected to a cover frame, and thus when the cover frame is being closed down, the fixed part is in a fixed condition and the torsion rod and the cover frame rotate together, leading to the torsion rod being in a twisted condition of storing energy; whereas when the cover frame is being opened up, the stored energy of the torsion rod is released to provide an auxiliary force.
US07743465B2 Damping hinge apparatus
A damping hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper. The damper has a damping shell, a damping cover, a damping body, an outer gasket and a rotating body. The damping cover is fixed in the damping shell and has a center hole defined, an inner wall of the center hole defines a plurality of loop-shaped groove perpendicular to the center hole and parallel each other. The damping body has a column portion received in the center hole, the column portion protrudes outward to form a plurality of rotating plates perpendicular to the column portion and parallel each other. The rotating plates engage the corresponding loop-shaped grooves. A bottom of the column portion connects a connecting portion located beneath the damping cover. The outer gasket is arranged around the connecting portion and against an inner side of the damping shell. Damping oil is filled between the outer gasket, the damping shell and the damping body.
US07743464B2 Withdrawing mechanism
A withdrawing mechanism includes a catcher 2 disposed on a main body with a swingable member D swingably assembled thereto and configured to capture a striker 1 moving from a front side when the swingable member D is swung toward a reference position; and a load response type damper 6. The catcher 2 is configured to be turnable forward and backward throughout between a standby position and a turned position and to capture the striker 1 in the standby position and turn forward up to the turned position. The damper 6 is configured to apply a damping force to a turning operation of the catcher 2 toward the turned position.
US07743462B2 Double sided suction nozzle for use in vacuum cleaner
A doubled sided suction nozzle having both a brush function and a duster function is disclosed. The doubled sided suction nozzle includes a nozzle body having an air inlet to draw in air, at least one brush unit rotatably disposed on a first surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with a surface to be cleaned thus to brush away dirt from the surface to be cleaned, at least one duster unit rotatably disposed on the second surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with the surface to be cleaned thus to wipe off the dust or dirt from the surface to be cleaned, and a rotating unit disposed in the nozzle body to rotate the brush unit and the duster unit.
US07743459B2 Floor washing-drying machine
A floor washing-drying machine includes a brush (2) adapted to scrub a floor (4) with a cleaning liquid in view of removing soil and dirt therefrom, and a wiping device (3) adapted to scrape the floor (4) in order to remove the dirty cleaning liquid therefrom. The wiping device (3) includes a front flap (5) and a rear flap (6) adapted to elastically and slidably engage the floor (4) so as to define a suction chamber (7) therebetween, with the suction chamber being fluidly connected with a suction device (8). A further elastic flap (10) is mounted to the wiping device behind the rear flap, and the width of the further flap is smaller than the width of the front and rear flaps (5, 6).
US07743455B2 Cleaning implements having magnetic means
The present invention is a device for cleaning surfaces comprising; a housing having a handle on one end and a cleaning head on the other end the cleaning head having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimeter edge and a magnetic means. The magnetic means is removably attached to the cleaning head and provides a magnetic field to its lower surface. There is at least one attachment means provided on the upper surface or the perimeter for securing a cleaning sheet over the lower surface of the cleaning head.
US07743454B2 Washing brush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems
The present invention relates to a washing brush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, comprising a cylindric body on the side outer surface thereof are provided a plurality of bands defining the cleaning elements of the brush. The main feature of the invention is that the band or strip elements extend on the side surface of the cylindric body along direction which are inclined with respect to the axial direction.
US07743453B2 Wiping device for wiping surfaces to be cleaned
The invention relates to a wiping device for wiping surfaces to be cleaned, especially floor surfaces, comprising a plate-type or frame-type wiping element holder (1), preferably in an essentially long, rectangular form, and a wiping element (4) consisting of textile material or the like, which is adapted and fixed to the wiping element holder (1). Said wiping element (4) respectively comprises, on the upper side facing the wiping element holder (1), close to the two opposing sides, and close to the narrow sides in the long, rectangular form, a narrow fixing strip (5), which is applied with its ends to the wiping element (5) [sic]. Said fixing strip extends approximately transversally on the wiping element holder (1) when the wiping element (4) is fixed to the same (1). Position fixing arrangements are provided on the wiping element holder (1), where the fixing strips (5) should extend when the wiping element is fixed (4). The fixing strips (5) especially consist of textile material or the like and are sewn at the ends thereof to the wiping element (4). The position fixing arrangements (7) are especially embodied as edge recesses starting from the ends, in which the fixing strips (5) are placed in the correct position.
US07743450B2 Cleaning bullet
A cleaning bullet for use in a pipe or track includes a compressible body. In one embodiment, a sheet draped over the body is engageable with interior walls of the pipe or track to clean small contaminants. In another embodiment, the body is formed from an absorbent material that absorbs a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, that can clean and/or disinfect the interior walls of the pipe or track. In yet another embodiment, an alignment key extends radially from a body axis for guiding the cleaning bullet in an air conveyor track.
US07743445B2 Auxiliary supporting unit, boarding bridge with the same and method for improving stability of the boarding bridge by using the same
The present invention relates to an auxiliary supporting unit for a boarding bridge, a boarding bridge with the same and method for improving stability of boarding bridge. The auxiliary supporting unit includes a leg support which can be driven to extend and retract; and a foot portion attached to one end of the leg support, wherein the foot portion can be supported on the ground when the leg support being extended and can leave the ground when the leg support being retracted.
US07743440B2 Bed with automatic mattress lifting system
The bed with automatic mattress lifting system is a bed with a frame and an internal drive system for raising a mattress above the frame, allowing the user to easily change the sheets or other bed coverings. The mattress rests on a mattress supporting platform, which, in the lowered position, is received within the frame. In operation, driven motion of an internal rod caused by a drive system located within the frame generates rotation in a lever arm. The lever arm is secured to a shaft that extends across the frame, and rotation of the shaft causes a pair of supports to rotate. Upper ends of the supports are joined to a lower surface of the mattress supporting platform, thus driving upward movement of the mattress supporting platform. The sheets cover both the mattress and the platform, allowing the sheets to be changed without having to manually lift the mattress.
US07743438B2 Anchor structure for sensors of faucets
An anchor structure for sensors of faucets is located in a sensing faucet. The sensor has a detection side and at least one notch on another side opposite to the detection side at an elevation same as an annular groove formed on an inner wall of a faucet body. An elastic clipping ring is provided to latch in the annular groove and the notch of the sensor to form a bucking effect to anchor the sensor at a selected location in the faucet. The elastic clipping ring is hollow and annular to provide a passage for watering piping and electric wiring. The structure is simpler and can be installed and removed rapidly.
US07743434B2 Eccentric hinge for plumbing fixture
A multi-part eccentric hinge assembly for a plumbing fixture has two hinge bodies, which when connected pivotally couple a movable part of the fixture to a fixed part, for example, a lid or cover to a bowl deck. One of the hinge bodies has a radial portion and an offset portion. The radial portion generally extends along a line intersecting a pivot axis from a connection for pivotally connecting the hinge assembly to the plumbing fixture. The offset portion intersects the radial portion at one side of the pivot axis and extends back toward an opposite side of the pivot axis to a free end that connects to the second hinge body by a connector. The single hinge body is integrally formed with the moveable part so that the follows an eccentric path when the hinge body is pivoted about the pivot axis.
US07743432B2 Goggle with interchangeable vent accessories
Disclosed is a pair of protective eyewear that includes a frame having a brow portion with a top surface and a bottom portion with a bottom surface. The frame is configured and arranged to be secured against a wearer's face wherein the brow portion conforms to the wearer's forehead and the bottom portion conforms around the wearer's nose and cheekbones. A lens is interfittingly engaged with the frame. The frame and the lens define an interior portion of the eyewear and an exterior portion of the eyewear. The frame includes a number of vent structures, and each of the vent structures has a vent opening. The vent opening is in fluid connection between the interior portion and the exterior portion of the eyewear. The protective eyewear includes at least one vent accessory configured and arranged to releasably couple to at least one of the vent structures.
US07743428B2 Wetsuit
A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.
US07748049B2 Secure storage device for transfer of digital camera data
A secure storage device for securing digital camera data at the acquisition stage. Original digital camera data is saved in the memory of the secure storage device which has the capability of performing one or more security functions, including encryption, creation of an authentication file, adding data to the image data such as fingerprinting, and adding secure annotations such as separate data included in an image-header. The device prepares original authentication data from original digital camera data, and encrypts and stores both the original authentication data and the original image data. The use of the device includes downloading the original image data to a first computer, and encrypted original authentication data to a second computer.
US07748041B2 Tool, method, and program for supporting system security design/evaluation
A design/evaluation support tool 100 is constructed from a table link use unit 110 identifying linkages between a threat-to-component correspondence table 125, a risk-value table 126, a component contribution rate table 127, and a risk-to-assurance level correspondence table 128, based on their respective duplicate items; and a component assurance level deriving unit 111 deriving an assurance level of each of components that conforms to a risk value of a threat that a security function of each of the components counters by weighting the risk value of the threat by a component rate of contribution based on linkages of the tables.
US07748040B2 Attack correlation using marked information
Techniques are described for providing security to a protected network. Techniques are described for thwarting attempted network attacks using marked information. The attack correlation system provides marked information to computing devices that probe for sensitive information, and monitors subsequent communications for use of the marked information. In one example, the attack correlation system reroutes communications containing the marked information to a dedicated vulnerable device that logs the communications to monitor the attackers' methods. The attack correlation system may also include functionality to exchange information regarding attempted attacks with other attack correlation systems to gain broader knowledge of attacks throughout one or more networks.
US07748037B2 Validating a memory type modification attempt
A system and process are described to enable at least one of a plurality of host agents executing on a system to update memory region types of a system memory, register the at least one host agent in a registry stored in system management memory, receive a system management interrupt (SMI) from one of the plurality of host agents to update a memory region type, determine if the host agent issuing the SMI is listed in the registry stored in system management memory, update the memory region in response to determining the host agent issuing the SMI is listed in the registry, and maintain the memory region type in response to determining the host agent issuing the SMI is not listed in the registry.
US07748031B2 Mass storage device with automated credentials loading
A portable mass storage device for use in two factor authentication systems and methods. A secure portable mass storage device protects content from being freely copied with security mechanisms and firmware. The security functionality also protects confidential user credentials and passwords, as well as algorithms and seeds needed for two factor authentication or asymmetric authentication methods. A client application residing in the mass storage device acts as both a password manager and an authentication manager that seamlessly performs the authentication procedures in the background while signing a user into various institutions of his choosing. A very high level of security is integrated into a mass storage device the user has for purposes other than two factor authentication, and the convenience of highly secure password management also comes in a convenient pocket sized package easy for the user to transport. This facilitates the acceptance of two factor authentication, and increases security for a wide variety of online transactions.
US07748029B2 Authentication query strategizer and results compiler
Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for use in identity authentication. One illustrative application is in the context of authenticating the identity of a subject by verifying items of identifying information stored by, or accessible through, a plurality of data sources. In particular, a multi-item query can be presented to multiple data sources and the results of the query can be combined into an overall composite result that can be used to authenticate the subject's identity.
US07748024B2 Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US07748020B2 Receiving apparatus and method for processing interruptions in streaming broadcasts
In order to maintain continuity before and after interruption of a streaming broadcast, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reception unit which receives data on a stream broadcast; a memory which is capable of storing a predetermined amount of the received data on a stream broadcast; a data processing unit which processes the data on a stream broadcast to generate video data for the stream broadcast; a video output unit which outputs the video data to a display apparatus; and a detection unit which detects interruption point data indicating a position where the stream broadcast should be interrupted out of the received data on a stream broadcast; when an abnormality is detected, the output of the video data is stopped at a position instructed in the interruption point data detected by the detection unit.
US07748019B1 Local network in a vehicle
A vehicle-hosted local network includes a subscriber data source that transmits audio data and compressed video data to respective subscriber data sinks on the network. The subscriber data source includes a demultiplexer that separates compressed audio data and compressed video data contained in one compressed source signal. A pre-processing circuit processes in parallel the separated audio data and the separated video data to provide the audio data and the compressed video data that is transmitted to the respective subscriber data sinks on the network.
US07748017B2 Program guide browser
A program guide browser (PGB) in accordance with embodiments of the invention may obtain program information items from an electronic program listing database and display the program information items on a user-interface display of a terminal, which may be a mobile terminal. The PGB may display program guide information for programs that are available for viewing on the terminal at that time. The PGB may display program information items for multiple programs one after another and may display each program information item for a predetermined duration. The sequence of program information items may repeat in a loop. An end user may specify and store personal-interest rules for the PGB to alert the user when the PGB is displaying information for a certain program, or for a certain genre of program.
US07748016B2 Electronic program guide displayed simultaneously with television programming
A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.
US07748010B1 Global attribute uniqueness (GAU) using an ordered message service (OMS)
A method and computer program product for providing Global Attribute Uniqueness (GAU) using an Ordered Message Service (OMS) is presented. A database operation is received from a client. A determination is made regarding whether the operation changes a value to a current value and when the operation would change a value to a current value then operation is ended. When the operation would not change a value to a current value the operation is decomposed into ADD messages and DELETE messages. The ADD messages are sent to a GAU manager and GAU state is checked and updated. The updates are committed to GAU state and the Directory Server (DS) is updated. Operation is then returned to the client. DELETE messages are sent to the GAU manager and GAU state is updated. The updates are then committed.
US07748004B2 System and method for implementing a client side HTTP stack
A software components and methods are provided for implementation of a client side HTTP stack, which provide high performance and scalability. Multithreading and completion ports are employed in the client side HTTP layer in association with sockets and a thread pool, thereby providing support for business-to-business and other more recent client side applications which create numerous requests. The invention further comprises a dedicated scheduler thread adapted to activate an object scheduled to begin sending requests at a specific time, as well as a dedicated DNS thread used for resolving symbolic domain names into IP addresses. In addition, the client side HTTP stack implementation comprises a dedicated timeout thread with a list of active sockets and timers associated with each socket to allow finer grain control over socket timeout.
US07748001B2 Multi-thread processing system for detecting and handling live-lock conditions by arbitrating livelock priority of logical processors based on a predertermined amount of time
Method, apparatus and system embodiments to assign priority to a thread when the thread is otherwise unable to proceed with instruction retirement. For at least one embodiment, the thread is one of a plurality of active threads in a multiprocessor system that includes memory livelock breaker logic and/or starvation avoidance logic. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07748000B2 Filtering a list of available install items for an install program based on a consumer's install policy
An install program is enabled for a user to configure at least one location of at least one policy system that is to be accessed via a network to gather at least one install policy, where the install policy specifies a policy for filtering out a selection of install items from among multiple items installable by the install program. In addition, the install program retrieves the install policy from each accessed location when filtering a list of the items installable by the install program to only include a particular selection of install items for the client system as directed by accessed install policies.
US07747998B2 Elevated patching
Allowing a non-privileged user to apply a patch to a software product. A patch is received from a non-privileged user. It is determined if the received patch may be elevated by the non-privileged user for applying to a target software product. The received patch is applied to the target software product if it is determined that the received patch may be elevated by the non-privileged user for applying to the target software product.
US07747997B1 Firmware update in electronic devices employing SIM card for saving metadata information
A system and method for saving metadata information related to firmware/software updates in a SIM card is disclosed. An electronic device with an update agent may employ an update package reference storage area in a SIM card to save metadata information related to a downloaded update package. The update agent may access the stored metadata information during power up or reboot in order to access and/or process the downloaded update package. The SIM card, or in various embodiments of the present invention, a smart card, a removable memory card, or a removable memory module, may be employed by the electronic device to save information about downloaded files that are stored in a file system in the electronic device. Such information may subsequently be accessed by the update agent when the file system is not available. This may occur, for example, during power-up or reboot, when the update package needs to be accessed to perform a firmware/software update.
US07747996B1 Method of mixed lock-free and locking synchronization
A method to enabling interoperability of a locking synchronization method with a lock-free synchronization method in a multi-threaded environment is presented. The method examines a class file for mutable fields contained in critical code sections. The mutable fields are transferred to a shadow record and a pointer is substituted in the class field for each transferred mutable field. Code is altered so that the lock-free synchronization method is used if a lock is not held on the object. Atomic compare and swap operations are employed after mutable fields are updated during execution of the lock-free synchronization method.
US07747991B2 Program converting method
Noting that there is a case where a type of a pointer “this” in a member function can be specified, the present invention provides a program converting method in which a virtual function call can be converted into a direct function call, and by which improvement of execution performance as well as reduction of a code size of a program can be achieved. The program converting method is a method for converting a program described in an object-oriented language, including: analyzing, in the program, a type of an instance by which a method is called; extracting, from a definition of the method, a virtual method call which is called by the instance; and converting, based on the type of the instance analyzed by the analyzing, the virtual method call extracted by the extracting, into a direct method call.
US07747986B2 Generating static performance modeling factors in a deployed system
A computing system for determining performance factors for using in performance modeling of a deployed subject system, is presented. The computing system includes a plurality of software components comprising the subject system. Each of the components is susceptible to event tracing while executing on the computing system. The computing system includes a tracing component. The tracing component is configured to trace events of the components of the subject system as they execute. The computing system includes a transaction identification table. The transaction identification table comprises starting and ending actions for transactions performed by the subject system. The computing system also includes a transaction identification component that identifies actions from traced events, identifies related actions corresponding to a transaction according to the starting and ending actions in the transaction identification table, and stores the related actions in the transaction workflow data store.
US07747985B2 Conformance testing of multi-threaded and distributed software systems
Techniques and tools for testing multi-threaded or distributed software systems are described. For example, a multi-threaded system is instrumented and executed to produce logs of events that are performed by each of its agents. The agent logs contain a totally ordered series of events per agent, as well as information about accesses to resources shared between the agents. With this information, a partial ordering of the events performed by all the agents is described for the execution. The agent logs are then multiplexed into one or more serialized event orderings, which can then be compared to a specification of the system in a conformance testing engine.
US07747982B1 Distributing and storing content to a user's location
The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for distributing a program sent by a content distributor to a user location is described. A command from the content distributor is received and processed that requests storage of the program at the user location. The user location receives the program and stores the program. The storing is performed in response to at least the processing of the command. A user action related to the program is detected after storage of the program.
US07747976B2 Semiconductor cell with power layout not contacting sides of its rectangular boundary and semiconductor circuit utilizing semiconductor cells
A semiconductor cell and a semiconductor circuit utilizing semiconductor cells. The semiconductor cell includes a rectangular boundary and a power layout, where the power layout does not contact any pair of opposite sides of the rectangular boundary. Additionally, the semiconductor circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor cells. Each semiconductor cell includes a rectangular boundary and a power layout, where the power layout does not contact any pair of opposite sides of the rectangular boundary. Because conventional power strips are avoided, the present invention can reduce height of each semiconductor cell, and therefore increase integration of the semiconductor circuit (i.e., the integrated circuit).
US07747975B2 Timing violation debugging inside place and route tool
A storage medium for use in a computer to develop a circuit design. The storage medium recording a software tool that may be readable and executable by the computer. The software tool generally includes the steps of (A) receiving a first user input that identifies a specific cell of a plurality of existing cells in the circuit design, the specific cell having a timing characteristic, (B) generating a replacement display corresponding to the specific cell, the replacement display comprising a plurality of alternate cells suitable to replace the specific cell, each of the alternate cells having a different value associated with the timing characteristic of the specific cell, (C) receiving a second user input that identifies a replacement cell of the alternate cells and (D) automatically generating a first engineering change order to replace the specific cell with the replacement cell.
US07747973B2 Clustering circuit paths in electronic circuit design
Techniques are disclosed for clustering circuit paths in an electronic design automation process for use in improving the timing characteristics of the overall circuit design. Circuit paths included in the cluster may be subjected to placing and routing as a group to relocate instances of circuit components included in the clustered circuit paths to thereby improve the overall circuit design timing.
US07747967B2 Differential tree and dialog device settings menu
A method for providing a simplified menu for a device, by providing a GUI for selecting setting items for display and setting values. Those settings that are different from the standard settings are displayed more prominently, resulting in a display that enables an instantaneous confirmation of the settings. Clicking on tabs to display different menu pages is unnecessary. Those settings that are the same as the standard settings are displayed less conspicuously, such as grayed-out or invisible. Methods include displaying the custom settings as the first tab in the menu, indicating that all the settings are standard, customizing factory-default settings of a printer device, assigning profile names, searching for a profile close to the current settings, differential tree that expands only the branches containing salient settings, associating a setting with another setting, and using a scripting language to specify the setting combinations.
US07747966B2 User interface for providing task management and calendar information
An electronic “To-Do” bar is provided in which displayed upcoming tasks, meetings, appointments and the like. The electronic To-Do bar is displayed in a lightweight menu of tasks, meetings and appointments and is displayed persistently in addition to other software functionality or user interfaces displayed on a user's computer display screen according to other software applications or other software functionality in use. A user is presented with an always-visible list of upcoming tasks, meetings and appointments without the need to launch a separate tasks application or calendar application to view upcoming tasks, meetings or appointments.
US07747962B2 Systems and methods for displaying location-based maps on communication devices
Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.
US07747961B2 Display device, user interface, and method for providing menus
A display device may include a display unit, a touch detecting unit that detects a touch on the display unit, a touch-position detecting unit that detects a touch position on the touch detecting unit and outputs coordinate data of the position, a display control unit that causes the display unit to provide dual view display of an image and display a menu image, a menu generating unit that generates first and second top menus, and a control unit that performs control to display the top menus in different positions on a screen of the display unit, to determine, on the basis of the coordinate data from the touch-position detecting unit, which of the top menus has been touched, to enable operations on one of the top menus that has been touched, and to disable operations on the other one of the top menus.
US07747950B2 Method for inputting Chinese characters, English alphabets, and Korean characters by using a numerical keyboard
A method for inputting Chinese characters, English alphabets, and Korean characters by using a numerical keyboard. The numerical keyboard includes a switching key set for switching the numerical keyboard to a respective software for presenting the Chinese characters, English alphabets and Korean characters. The Chinese characters, English alphabets, and Korean characters are distributed in the keys of the numerical keyboard. The Chinese character is inputted by clicking keys representing first stroke of a traditional recognized component of a Chinese character to be inputted and, a first and a last strokes of a non-traditional recognized component. The English alphabet and the Korean characters are inputted by keys representing vowels, consonants and epilogs thereof and if necessary, other keys for identifying the Chinese characters having same input way are inputted, and the # key and *key are used as auxiliary keys.
US07747947B2 Document creation system and related methods
Systems and methods for creating a document having an allocated area in which information is placed are disclosed. Embodiments include providing a set of content-items which contain information to be displayed in the allocated area, and each having a one or more sides; selecting two content-items to be combined; combining the two selected content-items by a side of common length to reduce the number of content-items in the set by one; repeating steps ii. and iii. until one content-item remains that is a composition of the set of content-items; and causing the created document to be printed.
US07747946B2 System and method for adorning shapes with data driven objects
Adornments are applied to shapes in a diagram that graphically displays data about those shapes. Once the adornments are applied to a shape, the information displayed is automatically updated as the underlying shape data changes. The appearance of the diagram is updated automatically when the user updates the data for their shapes. The set of adornments that may be applied to shapes is extensible. A mechanism and interface is defined for creating additional adornments that have customized looks or behaviors.
US07747944B2 Semantically applying style transformation to objects in a graphic
A graphics software program automatically generates a style transformation scheme for graphics. The graphics software program receives a selection of a style transformation and a semantic model describing a graphic. The graphics software program assigns style values for different objects of the graphic according to the style transformation and semantic model. A data structure is provided for a style transformation definition created to assign the style values to the objects of the graphic.
US07747942B2 System and method for obtaining a markup language template through reversing engineering
Process for reverse engineering a program application written in a legacy programming language (e.g., COBOL), where the program application was specifically designed using a markup language template so as to process documents in the markup language. The process involves extracting from the program application, line by line, content fragments of the original markup language template and reassembling them to obtain the original template.
US07747940B2 System and method for data collection and processing
A system and method for data collection and processing. Creation of an electronic form by a form creator is facilitated. The electronic form includes a plurality of fields. A form user enters data into the fields of the electronic form, which is then submitted by the form user. The data is submitted to one or more back-end systems associated with the electronic form. The data is processed using the back-end system.
US07747938B2 Data insertion from a database into a fixed electronic template form
One embodiment in accordance with the invention relates to inserting data into a fixed electronic template form. For example, any publicly provided template form (e.g., IRS Tax Form for a Business) that may be provided in Portable Document Format (PDF) can be filled in with the proper data (e.g., XML data) which may be stored and calculated by a database. Specifically, there is the reception of a fixed electronic form. Data is mapped to a field of the fixed electronic form. Based on this mapping, the data is then merged with the field of the fixed electronic form in order to generate a completed electronic form.
US07747934B2 Method for selecting low density parity check (LDPC) code used for encoding of variable length data
A method for selecting a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code for encoding variable sized data used in data communication systems. The method selects a LPCD code from a plurality of LDPC codes of different codeword lengths and code rates; by calculating a number of shortening Nshortened bits and a number of puncturing Npunctured bits for each of the plurality of LDPC codes, and determines a selected LDPC code from the plurality of shortened and punctured LDPC codes meeting a performance criterion.
US07747933B2 Method and apparatus for detecting communication errors on a bus
A semiconductor memory includes multi-mode reporting signals, a state register, and parity detectors. The parity detector determines whether signals received on a communication bus contain a desired parity. The multi-mode reporting signals enable reporting of communication faults without adding additional signals to the semiconductor memory by being configured in a normal operating mode or a parity fault mode for reporting communication faults to an external memory controller. The state register enables storing of received values from the communication bus. With the state register, a memory controller may determine correctly received signal patterns and failing signal patterns. Parity may be defined as even or odd and may be generated based on various signal configurations. The invention may be configured as a computing system comprising a processor, an input device, an output device, the memory controller, and at least one semiconductor memory.
US07747932B2 Reducing the uncorrectable error rate in a lockstepped dual-modular redundancy system
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reducing the uncorrectable error rate in a lockstepped dual-modular redundancy system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes two processor cores, a micro-checker, a global checker, and fault logic. The micro-checker is to detect whether a value from a structure in one core matches a value from the corresponding structure in the other core. The global checker is to detect lockstep failures between the two cores. The fault logic is to cause the two cores to be resynchronized if there is a lockstep error but the micro-checker has detected a mismatch.
US07747928B2 Digital wireless communication apparatus
A prediction signal calculator with a limit function is provided with a multiplier calculating a partial prediction signal composed of the product of a polar prediction coefficient for generating a regenerative signal and a quantized regenerative signal, a display conversion section for converting the partial prediction signal from floating point representation to an absolute value display, and a limiter executing processing for substituting limit values in the partial prediction signal satisfying overflow conditions during conversion of the partial prediction signal from floating point representation to an absolute value display in the event that the error detector determines that there are code errors in the audio data for a predetermined number of frames of the audio data.
US07747927B2 Method for adapting a memory system to operate with a legacy host originally designed to operate with a different memory system
A non-volatile memory device is provided with a controller and includes method that controls memory operations and to emulate the memory and communication characteristics of a legacy memory device. In this way, the memory device is compatible with a host that was originally designed to operate the legacy memory device. In particular, the controller performs the emulation to the host taking into account differences such as multibit memory, error correction requirement, memory support of overwrites, and erasable block sizes.
US07747925B2 Apparatus and method for error correction code striping
An apparatus and method are disclosed for error correction code (“ECC”) striping. A memory receives sets of data in an original order. The memory stores the sets of data row by row in rows and columns such that user data in each row follows the original order. Each set of data is stored in a different row. An ECC data generator is coupled to the memory. The ECC data generator generates ECC data for each set of data in each row. The ECC data generator appends the generated ECC data to an end of each corresponding row. A modulator device is also coupled to the memory. The modulator device extracts the combined sets of data and ECC data in a striped order comprising a column by column order. A column comprises data from each row.
US07747916B2 JTAG interface
Implementations are presented herein that relate to improved Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) compatible devices.
US07747914B2 Memory diagnosis test circuit and test method using the same
According to an example embodiment, a memory diagnosis test circuit may include a memory core block, a word line selector, a bit line selector, and/or an analog mode control unit. The memory core block may include a plurality of memory cells. The word line selector may be configured to select one of a plurality of word lines of the memory core block using a first shift register. The bit line selector may be configured to select one of a plurality of bit line pairs of the memory core block using a second shift register. The analog mode control unit may be configured to monitor data corresponding to the selected word line and bit line pair.
US07747902B2 Synchronizing cross checked processors during initialization by miscompare
A few inexpensive hardware facilities are incorporated in a tightly synchronized cross checked design. These facilities allow initialization software to quickly bring the two processors to the same state by rapid, repeated resets and execution of the initialization software. The resets are done in a way as to be transparent to the rest of the system and to the end user.
US07747901B2 Auxiliary link control commands
Control commands are transmitted via an emulation interface holding a test clock signal at a constant value and switching a test mode select signal a number of times corresponding to the control command. A receiving system counts switches of the test mode select signal switches while the test clock is constant and interprets the number of switches as a corresponding control command.
US07747899B2 Providing mapping fault processing
Mapping fault processing may be provided. First, user selectable elements may be received defining a process comprising a plurality of activities. Next, code may be produced, based on the received user selectable element, configured to implement the process. Then the code may be executed and an exception may be detected during the code execution. The exception may be scheduled in a queue and one of the following may be performed: handling the exception and compensating for the exception. Handing the exception may comprise undoing one of the plurality of activities that was partially completed and unsuccessful. Compensating for the exception may comprise undoing one of the plurality of activities that was completed.
US07747897B2 Method and apparatus for lockstep processing on a fixed-latency interconnect
Methods of operating two or more devices in lockstep by generating requests at each device, comparing the requests, and forwarding matching requests to a servicing node are described and claimed. A redundant execution system using the methods is also described and claimed.
US07747896B1 Dual ported replicated data cache
A dual ported replicated data cache. The cache is configured for storing input data blocks. The cache includes an augmenter for producing an augmented data block with parity information from the input data block, a first memory array for storing the augmented data block, and a second memory array for storing the augmented data block.
US07747892B2 System for automatically selecting intermediate power supply voltages for intermediate level shifters
The present invention provides for a system comprising a level shifter configured to receive a first clock signal from a first power domain, to receive a counter signal, to select one of a plurality of intermediate voltages in response to the received counter signal, and to generate a second clock signal in response to the received first clock signal and the selected intermediate voltage. A counter is coupled to the level shifter and configured to receive a divided clock signal and a comparison result signal, and to generate the counter signal in response to the received divided clock signal and comparison result signal. A divider is coupled to the counter and configured to receive the first clock signal and to generate the divided clock signal in response to the received first clock signal. A filter is coupled to the level shifter and configured to receive the second clock signal and to generate a first comparison signal in response to the received second clock signal. A fixed potential is configured to generate a second comparison signal. A comparator is coupled to the filter, the fixed potential, and the counter and configured to receive the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal, and to generate the comparison result signal in response to the received first comparison signal and the second comparison signal.
US07747890B2 Method and apparatus of high-speed input sampling
A signal sampler and method for high-speed input sampling of a signal are disclosed. A first sampler samples a data signal at a rising edge of a clock signal and generates a first sampled signal. A second sampler samples the data signal at a falling edge of an inverted clock signal and generates a second sampled signal. The first and second sampled signals may be combined to determine the next signal sampler output. An evaluation may include asserting the output signal if the first and second sampled signals are asserted, negating the output signal if the first and second sampled signals are negated, and toggling the output signal if the first and second sampled signals are in opposite logic states. The signal sampler and method of signal sampling may be incorporated in a semiconductor device, which may be fabricated on a semiconductor wafer and included in an electronic system.
US07747886B1 Management of power states in a portable computing device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for managing power states in a personal computing device, while maintaining a perception by the user of “instant on” functionality. In various embodiments of the invention, the power states are presented to the user as a simple on/off option and the power management protocol is not visible within the user interface of the personal computing device thereby providing the user with the impression that the system is operating with a simple binary on/off protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the personal computing device is operable to transition between a set of power states that include: 1) an “on” power state wherein the display is on and the customer can use all input devices; 2) a “ready” state wherein the display is turned off, but some modules, such as a radio module, remain on; 3) an “off” state wherein the personal computing device turns off after a slight pause, but a “booted kernel” is held in SDRAM; and 4) a “dead” state wherein none of the modules of the personal computing device are powered and the device must be cold booted to restart.
US07747882B2 Determining optimal power down of a system while indexes are being rebuilt
A method, system and computer-readable medium for managing the building of indexes are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: initiating an index rebuilding process in a computer; detecting a “Power down” command for the computer; evaluating a progress level of the index rebuilding process; in response to the index rebuilding process exceeding a predetermined completion level, delaying the “Power down” command until the index rebuilding process is completed; and in response to the index rebuilding process being less than the predetermined completion level, aborting the index rebuilding process and executing the “Power down” command.
US07747878B2 System and method for reduction of information handling system power state transition of audible noise
Audible noise related to power state transitions of an information handling system processing component, such as the central processing unit, is reduced by randomizing the time between power state transitions. Random power state transitions are managed by an operating system module that tracks the transitions and selects random times for subsequent transitions within a predetermined time range. Alternatively, an arbitrating circuit intercepts power state transition commands and arbitrates their communication at random times. Random power state transitions reduces audible noise by spreading the frequency of the noise-causing power transition events over a wider band.
US07747876B2 Method and system for a recursive security protocol for digital copyright control
Systems and methods are described which utilize a recursive security protocol for the protection of digital data. These may include encrypting a bit stream with a first encryption algorithm and associating a first decryption algorithm with the encrypted bit stream. The resulting bit stream may then be encrypted with a second encryption algorithm to yield a second bit stream. This second bit stream is then associated with a second decryption algorithm. This second bit stream can then be decrypted by an intended recipient using associated keys.
US07747874B2 Single command payload transfers block of security functions to a storage device
A storage device has a storage medium and a processor. The processor is disposed within the storage device and is adapted to receive multiple commands as a command block over an interface. The processor is adapted to extract each of the multiple commands from the single block for execution on the storage device.
US07747873B2 Method and apparatus for protecting information and privacy
A mechanism for the purchase of tags for copies of software ensures that identity of the purchaser of a tag table identifier value included in a purchased tag is not revealed. A mechanism of Call-Ups from the user device to a guardian center ensures that each tag table identifier value appears in only one user device and that the data included in a tag table and other data stored in the user device for the purpose of protecting vendor's and owner's rights in software, cannot be modified.
US07747871B2 Information recording apparatus, information reproducing apparatus, and information distribution system
An information recording apparatus comprises an encryption section encrypting contents information and also a license condition referred to to limit use of the contents information and a decoding key for decoding the encrypted contents information to generate license information, and a recording section recording the encrypted contents information and the generated license information on a recording medium. An information reproducing apparatus comprises a decoder unit decoding the license information recorded on the recording medium using a second decoding key for decoding the license information and deciding on the basis of the license condition contained in the decoded license information whether the contents information can be used. If it is decided that the contents information can be used, the encrypted contents information recorded on the recording medium is decoded using the first decoding key contained in the decoded license information.
US07747870B2 Apparatuses and methods for decrypting encrypted data and locating the decrypted data in a memory space used for execution
An encrypted-data decrypting apparatus that provides enhanced security protection for programs and data while they are in the processes of decryption to execution after having been encrypted. When a decrypted partial program needs to be loaded into the shared memory M, the controlling unit 11 loads it into an area indicated by the memory location information. According to the memory location information, a plurality of partial programs are sequentially loaded into an area so that one partial program gets overwritten by another; therefore, none of the partial programs exists in the memory for a long time, and thus there is less possibility of having the partial programs referred to illegitimately. In addition, since every time some data is decrypted, the decryption support program authenticating unit 13 confirms authenticity of the decryption support program P, it is possible to prevent having illegitimate references in which the decryption support program is abused.
US07747866B1 System and method providing improved error detection related to transmission of data over a communication link
The invention detects changes in one or more parameter values sent by a server through user space. In one embodiment, a Web server communicates with a client over the Internet. Before sending the parameter value or values to the client, the server performs a pre-processing step, creating a formatted data string. The server then transmits the formatted data string to the client in a URL or a cookie. When the client returns the formatted data string and other data to the server, the server performs a post-processing step to verify that the parameter value or values have not been tampered with. This round trip technique is a departure from approaches that merely detect tampering of data as it passes between two nodes of a network.
US07747863B2 Image processing apparatus and its method
A method for unified management of secret key using a signature server is known, however, there is a danger that a hash value and/or signature data are altered in the middle of communication channel between a multi-function device and the signature server. Accordingly, the feature amount of the image data is calculated, and the feature amount is transmitted to a signature server. Then electronic signature data generated from the feature amount by the signature server is received, the received electronic signature data is verified using the feature amount, and if the result of verification indicates that the electronic signature data is proper for the image data, image data with electronic signature, where electronic signature data is added to the image data, is generated.
US07747857B2 Use of modular roots to perform authentication including, but not limited to, authentication of validity of digital certificates
Authentication of elements (e.g. digital certificates 140) as possessing a pre-specified property (e.g. being valid) or not possessing the property is performed by (1) assigning a distinct integer pi to each element, and (2) accumulating the elements possessing the property or the elements not possessing the property using a P-th root u1/P (mod n) of an integer u modulo a predefined composite integer n, where P is the product of the integers associated with the accumulated elements. Alternatively, authentication is performed without such accumulators but using witnesses associated with such accumulators. The witnesses are used to derive encryption and/or decryption keys for encrypting the data evidencing possession of the property for multiple periods of time. The encrypted data are distributed in advance. For each period of time, decryption keys are released which are associated with that period and with the elements to be authenticated in that period of time. Authentication can be performed by accumulating elements into data which are a function of each element but whose size does not depend on the number of elements, and transmitting the accumulator data over a network to a computer system which de-accumulates some elements as needed to re-transmit only data associated with elements needed by other computer systems. This technique is suitable to facilitate distribution of accumulator data in networks such as ad hoc networks.
US07747852B2 Chain of trust processing
A technique for automatically obtaining a second certificate for a user using a first certificate includes accessing a server platform using a user's server and the first certificate of the user to create a connection that authenticates both the user's server identity via a server certificate of the user server and the user's identity via the user's first certificate. A secure data channel is then created between the server platform and the user platform. A request for the second certificate is forwarded by the user from the user server to the server platform and the sever platform then generates the second certificate. The first certificate may be a signature certificate and the second certificate may be an encryption certificate.
US07747850B1 Automated, internet-based secure digital certificate distribution and maintenance
A system and method are disclosed for managing bi-directional authentication among two or more users comprising at least one server which distributes security protocol information. The security protocol information may include digital certificates which permit authentication of users. The system and method allow for distribution of security protocol information regarding multiple users to multiple selected users directly from the server. Thus, users do not need to exchange information individually among themselves. The distribution of information may include updates, such as the addition of a new user or the change in the status or protocol information of an existing user. New users with proper privileges may receive protocol information for multiple existing users from a single source.
US07747849B2 Secure communications equipment for processing data packets according to the send mechanism
A security-procuring method for making an item of communications equipment (E) secure, said item of communications equipment comprising an operating system core (K) and a set of software applications (A), said core including at least one IPv6 protocol stack (PS) making it possible to transmit incoming data packets from an input port (PIN) to an application (A) and to transmit outgoing data packets from an application (A) to an output port (POUT), said protocol stacks including a set of interfaces (HPRE, HIN, HOUT, HPOST) organized to enable external modules connected to them to access said data packets transmitted by said at least one protocol stack at determined points associated with said interfaces. Said method is characterized in that an input module (MIN) and an output module (MOUT) are connected respectively to an input interface (HIN) and to an output interface (HOUT) of said core (K), and in that said modules select, analyze, and, if necessary, modify the data packets of the Network Discovery Protocol (NDP), in compliance with the Secure Neighbor Discovery (SEND) mechanism.
US07747847B2 Method and system for iSCSI boot in which an iSCSI client loads boot code from a host bus adapter and/or network interface card
Certain aspects of a method for iSCSI boot may include loading boot BIOS code from a host bus adapter or a network interface controller (NIC) by an iSCSI client device. A connection may be established to an iSCSI target by the iSCSI client device after loading the boot BIOS code. The boot BIOS code may be chained to at least one interrupt handler over iSCSI protocol. An operating system may be remotely booted from the iSCSI target by the iSCSI client device based on chaining the interrupt handler. An Internet protocol (IP) address and/or location of the iSCSI target may be received. At least one iSCSI connection may be initiated to the iSCSI target based on chaining at least one interrupt handler. The iSCSI target may be booted in real mode if at least one master boot record is located in the memory.
US07747846B2 Managed redundant enterprise basic input/output system store update
A basic input/output system may be stored on two different memories coupled to active management technology firmware and a trusted platform module. The trusted platform module ensures that access to the correct memory. One of the memories is selected to store an update of the basic input/output system.
US07747845B2 State machine based filtering of non-dominant branches to use a modified gshare scheme
Disclosed is a method and apparatus providing the ability to create a multi-level prediction algorithm, whereby branch predictions beyond the first level of prediction are maintained at a secondary level because the prior level was unsuccessfully able to highly predict the direction of the stated branch accurately. A secondary level is smaller in size than the upper level through selected filtering thereby enabling high prediction accuracy of branches while minimizing the amount of hardware required to perform stated predictions.
US07747844B2 Acquiring instruction addresses associated with performance monitoring events
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with acquiring instruction addresses associated with performance monitoring events are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes logic for recording instruction and state data associated with events countable by performance monitoring logic associated with a pipelined processor. The exemplary system embodiment may also include logic for traversing the instruction and state data on a cycle count basis. The exemplary system may also include logic for traversing the instruction and state data on a retirement count basis.
US07747843B2 Microprocessor with integrated high speed memory
A computer system with a processor architecture having more than one execution channel is described. The processor architecture contains at least one load/store unit for loading and storing data objects, and at least one data cache memory associated to the processor holding data objects accessed by the processor. The processor's load/store unit includes a load/store memory directly interfacing the load/store unit to the data cache.
US07747840B2 Method for latest producer tracking in an out-of-order processor, and applications thereof
Methods for latest producer tracking in a processor. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (1) writing a physical register identification value in a first register rename map location specified by a first instruction, (2) writing a first in-register status value in a second register rename map location specified by the first instruction, (3) writing a producer tracking status value at a producer tracking map location specified by the physical register identification value, and (4) modifying, upon graduation of the first instruction, the first in-register status value only if the producer tracking map location stores the producer tracking status value written in step (3). Other methods are also presented.
US07747835B1 Method, system, and apparatus for expanding storage capacity in a data storage system
A method, system, and apparatus for expanding the storage capacity of a data storage system are provided. According to one method, the physical storage devices that store the data and metadata for one or more logical disks are organized into a container. A logical disk segment is created within the container for each logical disk. When storage capacity is added through the addition of logical disks, a new logical disk segment is added to the end of the container for the new logical disk. When storage capacity is added through the addition of capacity to an existing logical disk, a new logical disk segment is added to the end of the container for the new logical disk segment within the logical disk. The devices within a container may be migrated between server computers or between CPUs with their associated mass storage controllers.
US07747831B2 High efficiency portable archive and data protection using a virtualization layer
A high efficiency portable archive implements a storage system running on a virtualization layer to archive point-in-time versions of a raw data set and the storage system itself as a virtual system on archive media. The high efficiency portable archive can be implemented in a variety of computer architectures. The virtualization layer presents to the storage system a normalized representation of a set of hardware based on components of the computer architecture, shielding the storage system from the actual hardware components of the computer architecture. The storage system and point-in-time versions of the raw data set can be restored to any hardware subsystem that supports the virtual system.
US07747829B2 Arrangement and method for update of configuration cache data
An arrangement and method for update of configuration cache data in a disk storage subsystem in which a cache memory (110) is updated using two-phase (220, 250) commit technique. This provides the advantage that known changes to the subsystem do not require an invalidate/rebuild style operation on the cache. This is especially important where a change will invalidate the entire cache.
US07747826B2 Data processing system and method for efficient communication utilizing an in coherency state
A cache coherent data processing system includes at least first and second coherency domains each including at least one processing unit. The first coherency domain includes a first cache memory, and the second coherency domain includes a coherent second cache memory. The first cache memory within the first coherency domain of the data processing system holds a memory block in a storage location associated with an address tag and a coherency state field. The coherency state field is set to a state that indicates that the address tag is valid, that the storage location does not contain valid data, and that the memory block is likely cached only within the first coherency domain.
US07747823B2 Strategies for reading information from a mass storage medium using a cache memory
Cache management strategies are described for retrieving information from a storage medium, such as an optical disc, using a cache memory including multiple cache segments. A first group of cache segments can be devoted to handling the streaming transfer of a first type of information, and a second group of cache segments can be devoted to handling the bulk transfer of a second type of information. A host system can provide hinting information that identifies which group of cache segments that a particular read request targets. A circular wrap-around fill strategy can be used to iteratively supply new information to the cache segments upon cache hits by performing pre-fetching. Various eviction algorithms can be used to select a cache segment for flushing and refilling upon a cache miss, such as a least recently used (LRU) algorithm or a least frequently used (LFU) algorithm.
US07747822B1 Maintaining memory coherency with a trace cache
A method and system for maintaining memory coherence in a trace cache is disclosed. The method and system comprises monitoring a plurality of entries in a trace cache. The method and system includes selectively invalidating at least one trace cache entry based upon detection of a modification of the at least one trace cache entry.If modifications are detected, then corresponding trace cache entries are selectively invalidated (rather than invalidating the entire trace cache). Thus trace cache coherency is maintained with respect to memory in a performance and power-efficient manner. The monitoring further accounts for situations where more than one trace cache entry is dependent on a single cache line, such that modifications to the single cache line result in invalidations of a plurality of trace cache entries.
US07747817B2 Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory
Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory is described, including a storage system having a non-volatile third dimension memory array configured to store data, the data including an address indicating a file location on a disk drive, and a controller configured to process an access request associated with the disk drive, the access request being routed to the non-volatile third dimension memory array to perform a data operation, wherein data from the data operation is used to create a map of the disk drive. In some examples, an address in the non-volatile third dimension memory array provides an alias for another address in a disk drive.
US07747816B1 Virtual tape stacker
A server interface is adapted to communicate with a server and a data path is adapted to communicate with a random access data storage device. A controller is configured to transfer data between the server interface and the data path. The controller is operational so as to manage the data on the storage device as a plurality of sequentially-ordered virtual tape volumes, wherein a loaded one of the virtual tape volumes is unloaded and a next one of the virtual tape volumes is loaded in response to an eject command from the server.
US07747812B2 Method for manipulating state machine storage in a small memory space
A method includes configuring a flash memory device including a first memory sector having a primary memory sector correspondence, a second memory sector having an alternate memory sector correspondence, and a third memory sector having a free memory sector correspondence, copying a portion of the primary memory sector to the free memory sector, erasing the primary memory sector, and changing a correspondence of each of the first memory sector, the second memory sector, and the third memory sector.
US07747809B2 Managing PCI express devices during recovery operations
A PCI Express system comprising: a PCI Express adapter; and a PCI Express root complex coupled to the PCI Express adapter, the PCI root complex including: a protocol stack coupled to the PCI express adapter and configured to transmit information to and receive information from the PCI express adapter; an application specific logic module; and a fencing module coupled between the application specific logic module and the protocol stack and configured to, when in operation, block all signals from the application specific logic module from reaching the protocol stack.
US07747808B2 USB host controller with memory for transfer descriptors
An electronic device, operating as a USB host, has an embedded processor and a system memory, connected by a memory bus. A host controller integrated circuit does not need to master the system memory, but instead acts purely as a slave. The embedded processor is then adapted to write the data to the host controller integrated circuit in the form of transfer-based transactions.
US07747803B2 Device, system, and method of handling delayed transactions
Device, system, and method of handling delayed transactions. For example, an apparatus to handle delayed transactions in a computing system includes: a slave unit adapted to pseudo-randomly reject a request received from a master unit.
US07747802B2 Simultaneous control of multiple I/O banks in an I2C slave device
Consistent with one example embodiment, communications systems, using a serial data transfer bus having a serial data line and a clock line used to implement a communications protocol, incorporate programmable loading of a logic value into parallel slave device registers. The communications system includes a slave device having two or more registers, each register having two or more bits, each register configured to load data therein received in accordance with the communications protocol over the data transfer bus in a first configuration, and to load a single logic value into the plurality of bits in a second configuration. A programmable configuration register is configured to be programmed, in accordance with the communications protocol over the data transfer bus, to select two or more of the registers in the second configuration.
US07747800B2 Storage system comprising power saving function
A storage system constituted such that power saving to an administrator-desired storage device can be performed from a management device. That is, the storage system comprises a power-saving indication receiving section for receiving from a management console a power-saving indication specifying at least one storage device of a plurality of RAID groups, a plurality of logical units, and a plurality of physical storage devices; and a power-saving controller for saving on power to one or more physical storage devices corresponding to the storage device specified in this power-saving indication.
US07747798B2 Portable media encoder
A portable media encoder is disclosed. The portable media encoder comprises a video input port configured to receive a video input from a video source, an audio input port configured to receive an audio input from an audio source, and a digital output port for providing a digitized output stream corresponding to the received video input and audio input. The encoder has an encoding processor that converts the video input and the audio input into a streamable digital output format for transmitting through the digital output port, a set of control buttons communicatively coupled to the encoding processor and operable to provide encoding parameters to thereto, and a housing enclosing the encoding processor and providing at least one access panel providing user access to the video input port, the audio input port, the digital output port, and the set of control buttons. The housing having a size and configuration that allows the encoder to be hand carried by a single individual.
US07747797B2 Mass storage device with near field communications
A memory device may comprise a nonvolatile computer readable medium, a near field communication wireless transmitter, a nonvolatile near field communication tag memory, a data input device and a controller. The nonvolatile computer readable medium is adapted to store data in a data block format. The near field communication wireless transmitter is adapted to wireless transmit data to an external near field communication receiver. The nonvolatile near field communication tag memory is adapted to store data in a tag memory format.
US07747794B1 Serial tunneling protocol (STP) flow control in SAS expanders without SATA link state machine
A method and apparatus are disclosed for implementing STP flow control in SAS expander devices. SAS expanders are commonly used within a SAS network topology to allow multiple disk drives to connect to multiple host devices. Connections to a SATA HDD are supported using SATA Tunnelling Protocol (STP), which allows SATA traffic to be carried over a SAS network topology. Flow control in a STP connection is applied through a set of special SATA primitives, both for forward and backward flow control. A method is described herein in which STP flow control is supported without the use of a SATA link layer state machine. This allows STP flow control to be terminated on a hop-by-hop basis without knowing the data channel direction or maintaining a SATA link state machine, and while minimizing gate count.
US07747792B2 Relative typing waiting time before disambiguation aids
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an assistance mechanism tracks a plurality of time intervals between a plurality of input events. Each input event of said plurality of input events is generated by a user physically manipulating an input device at a client. Based on the plurality of time intervals, the assistance mechanism dynamically determines a threshold period. Then the assistance mechanism determines whether a subsequent input event has been generated within said threshold period. In response to determining that an input event has not been generated within said threshold period, the assistance mechanism may cause information to be displayed at the client.
US07747789B2 Method for selecting an operating mode automatically
Embodiments of the present invention discloses a method for selecting an operating mode including the steps: a first station transmits downlink handshake signals to a second station; the second station acquires the information of the downlink handshake signals and transmits the acquired information to the first station; the first station selects an operating mode according to the received information. The downlink handshake signal includes the border tones in each mode and supported by both the first station and the second station. The present invention reduces the time of selecting an operating mode and further ensures that the xDSL network operating mode according with the requirements of practical services can be selected.
US07747786B2 Indicating circuit for indicating network status
An indicating circuit for indicating network status includes a signal generating unit configured for being set in a kernel board, and an indicator circuit configured for being set in a device board. The signal-generating unit includes a logic circuit with two input terminals and an output terminal, a network IC with two output pins connected to the two input terminals of the logic circuit respectively for sending status signals to the logic circuit, and a micro control unit (MCU) for transmitting a network transmitting speed signal from the network IC. The indicator circuit has two input terminals, one is connected to the MCU of the signal-generating unit to receive the network transmitting speed signal and the other is connected to the output terminal of the logic circuit to receive a status signal for indicating the network status.
US07747784B2 Data synchronization protocol
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for syncing data between a client device and a server. Synchronizing data includes initiating a sync session by negotiating a sync mode between a client device and a server for each of one or more dataclasses. A status code is generated based on a result of the negotiating. Based on the generated status code, the client device and the server exchanges one or more data items to be updated for the one or more dataclasses using the negotiated sync mode for each dataclass. The exchanged one or more data items are updated at the client device or the server The updated one or more data items are committed at the client or the server.
US07747782B2 System and method for providing and displaying information content
A system and method is provided for enabling an electronic device to efficiently access information content. A server browser accesses the information content over a network. The accessed information content is retrieved and adapted for presentation for the electronic device. A serializer dynamically formats the adapted information content according to a client browser. The client browser receives and presents the information content on the electronic device. An event translator is included to provide additional compatibility with commercially available client browsers. The information content is formatted to selectively minimize the horizontal scrolling required to view the content. The need for horizontal scrolling is selectively removed where not necessary to preserve the context. Each component or sub-component of the original area, such as a frame, table row, table cell or nested table, is considered separately and may be preserved, resized, or replaced. Where the context requires that the content be wider than the viewable area of the screen, horizontal scrolling is preserved.
US07747781B2 Content access from a communications network using a handheld computer system and method
A handheld computer including a wireless communications link with a wireless server is disclosed. The wireless communications link allows browsing of information provided through the wireless server which is coupled to a communications network. A user of the handheld computer may generate a request for content, for example, by selecting a link to content. The request is communicated to the wireless server which requests the content from the content source. When the content is received by the wireless server, a plug-in mechanism or other type of software program is used to convert the particular content type into a format easily communicated and used by the handheld computer. The handheld computer receives the formatted content, and using a compatible plug-in mechanism or software program, is able to display content using the handheld computer.
US07747780B2 Method, system and apparatus for discovering user agent DNS settings
A method, system and apparatus including receiving a request from a network device, the request including an IP address of said network device, generating and sending to the network device a domain name for locating a device configured to process a DNS query, the domain name corresponding to the IP address, the network device generating and sending a DNS query including the domain name and at least one local DNS setting of the network device to the device configured to the process the DNS query, and the device processing an association between the IP address and the at least one local DNS setting of the network device.
US07747778B1 Naming components in a modular computer system
A method of assigning names to components of a networked computer system is provided. The networked computer system includes at least one modular computer system having at least one service processor module and a plurality of information processing modules removably received in a modular computer system housing. The method comprises: receiving at the service processor module a naming command message including a naming format from a management entity of the networked computer system. The method also comprises assigning at the service processor module a name to the service processor module and to the information processing modules received in the housing in accordance with the naming format; and transmitting a message from the service processor module to a domain name server of the networked computer system, the message including an IP address of each module and the name assigned to each respective module.
US07747775B2 Peer-to-peer data relay
Methods and apparatus for relaying data in a peer-to-peer network. In one implementation, a wireless device includes: an antenna; a wireless communication interface connected to said antenna and supporting wireless communication across a wireless connection provided by said antenna; storage supporting storing data; and a controller connected to said wireless interface and to said storage, supporting an application service, a message service, and a relay service for relay messages; wherein said application service provides execution and management of one or more application programs accessible by said controller using application data stored in said storage, said message service provides building messages and processing received messages, and said relay service provides building a new relay message indicating a selected recipient to which the wireless device does not have a direct wireless connection, sending a built new relay message, and sending a received relay message that indicates a recipient other than the wireless device.
US07747773B2 Protection scheme for protecting against equipment failure in a data communications system
A data communications system has a plurality of nodes connected by a plurality of links. A subset of the links and nodes forms a worker path for carrying worker data through the communications system, and a further subset of links and nodes provides a protection path for carrying other data in the absence of a fault in the worker path and for providing an alternative path for the worker data in the event of a fault in the worker path. The alternative path is predetermined prior to the detection of a fault in the worker path.
US07747772B2 Viewer object proxy
A method for increasing transfer quality between a content requestor and a content source on a content distribution system. The method involves determining transfer quality between the requestor and various content sources. The determination is made from the requestor's perspective. After determining transfer qualities for the various content sources, the requester provides the transfer qualities to a selector on the content distribution system. The selector uses the determined transfer qualities select a content source to supply the requestor.
US07747770B1 Protocol for managing information
A technique for replicating information among host computing devices based on versions associated with variables of a state on each host computing device is provided. To replicate information among host computing devices, a host computing device determines a maximum variable version of a state among variables. After comparing maximum versions of a state with that of a corresponding state of a connected host, variable values of the state are updated on the host computing device from variable values of the corresponding state on the connected host if it is determined that the maximum variable version on the connected host computing device is greater. The updated variable values correspond to versions on the connected host computing device having a greater version than the maximum variable version on the host computing device.
US07747767B2 Remote operation of process control equipment over customer supplied network
A DCS protocol message addressed to a remote DCS station is generated at a local distributed control system (DCS). The DCS protocol message is received at a local tunneling device. The local tunneling device packages the DCS protocol message into a SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is transmitted from the local tunneling device to a remote tunneling device. The remote tunneling device receives the SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is unpackaged into a DCS protocol message at the remote tunneling device, and the DCS protocol message is placed on to a remote DCS such that it flows to the remote station. The DCS protocol message is received at the remote station.
US07747765B2 Method and apparatus for media data transmission
Methods and apparatuses for processing media data transmitted in a data communication medium. A digital processing system is provided with a time related sequence of media data provided to the digital processing system based on a set of data, wherein the set of data indicates a method to transmit the time related sequence of media data according to a transmission protocol. The set of data, itself, is a time related sequence of data associated with the time related sequence of media data. The time related sequence of media data may be presented and/or stored by the digital processing system.
US07747764B2 Web access for non-TCP/IP control devices of an industrial control system
A new industrial control system and method are disclosed allowing for communication between multiple control devices of the system and remote devices via the Internet. The system includes a web access interface that is capable of being coupled to the remote devices via the Internet, and is coupled to the control devices by way of a network. A program executed by the interface receives an Internet signal having socket API data and formatted in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol, and extracts the data from the Internet signal. Another program executed by the interface receives the data and transmits a network signal, which includes the data but is not formatted in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol, to an appropriate one of the control devices, each of which has a respective web server program. The data is processed by the server program at the appropriate control device.
US07747753B2 Network interconnection apparatus, network node apparatus, and packet transfer method for high speed, large capacity inter-network communication
A packet transfer scheme in a network system capable of realizing a high speed, large capacity inter-network communication under an internet environment. A network interconnection apparatus (router) has a memory for storing a correspondence relationship between a virtual connection used in receiving a packet from one logical network and a virtual connection used in transmitting a packet to another logical network, and a transfer at a datalink layer is carried out according to the registered correspondence relationship, to effectively form a bypass pipe capable of transferring a packet by an datalink layer level processing alone over a plurality of networks from the transmission terminal to the destination terminal, so that a high speed packet transfer between networks can be realized.
US07747752B2 Systems and methods for managing electronic communications using various negotiation techniques
Systems and methods for negotiating a future communication are provided to facilitate interaction between persons who wish to interact but who presently may not be in a position or find it desirable to do so. Each party may be provided with an interaction manager that allows the parties to negotiate future time(s) for future communication by ascertaining mutually available free time and selecting from among these times. The parties may also elect to defer a communication until a particular communication channel becomes available.
US07747751B2 IP address allocation method
A DHCP server allocates IP addresses to DHCP clients and the IP address validation process is moved from the client to the DHCP server. The DHCP server is required to periodically select a predefined number of validated IP addresses from its unused IP addresses. When a client applies for an IP address, the DHCP server allocates an IP address from its selected validated IP addresses to the client, and the client then directly uses the IP address allocated by the DHCP server. This method may be used for providing VoIP in mobile phones, wherein the voice session interruption is shortened sufficiently before the mobile terminal acquires a new IP address through the fast IP address re-allocation to a mobile terminal, thereby ensuring mobile VoIP communication quality.
US07747749B1 Systems and methods of efficiently preloading documents to client devices
Documents are preloaded from a server to a client device before the client device submits a request for the preloaded documents. The server predicts which documents to preload based on past user browsing activities at the client device and document layouts. At the client device, specific graphical features may be applied to the links to the preloaded documents such that a user can easily tell which document link is associated with the preloaded documents.
US07747747B1 Method and arrangement for supressing duplicate network resources
A duplicate suppression protocol is introduced in order to suppress duplicate entries from appearing in a list of available network resources. With the duplicate suppression protocol of the present invention, a computer that wishes to query for network resources also asks for duplicate suppression information from the responding network resources. The duplicate suppression information for a particular network resource specifies identifiers associated with that network resource for various protocols. Thus, if a particular network resource responds to more than one network resource request from a single requesting entity, that requesting entity will be able to locate duplicate network resource information. Thus, a single unified list of network resources available for various different protocols may be presented with all duplicate network resources removed.
US07747743B2 Contact center data visualization system and method
A data visualisation system including a data value memory in which is maintained a finite set of data values, each data value associated with at least one time value, a display arranged to display a representation of each data value centered on respective data points, and a contour generator arranged to generate and display a contoured representation around each data point such that each data point is displayed as a local maximum. The present invention encompasses a data visualisation method and a data visualisation computer program.
US07747739B2 Connection locator in a power aggregation system for distributed electric resources
Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a service establishes individual Internet connections to numerous electric resources intermittently connected to the power grid, such as electric vehicles. The Internet connection may be made over the same wire that connects the resource to the power grid. The service optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource and each resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resources to suit the needs of the power grid. The service can bring vast numbers of electric vehicle batteries online as a new, dynamically aggregated power resource for the power grid. Electric vehicle owners can participate in an electricity trading economy regardless of where they plug into the power grid.
US07747737B1 Network device having service card for dynamic flow capture and monitoring of packet flows
A network device comprises a service card (e.g., a dynamic flow capture (DFC) service card) executing a communication protocol to receive, from one or more control sources, flow capture information specifying at least one destination and criteria for matching one or more packet flows. The network device includes a network interface card to receive a packet from a network, a packet replication module to replicate the packet, and a control unit to provide the replicated packet from the interface card to the DFC service card. The network device includes a filter cache that caches flow capture information recently received from the CSs. The network device may provide real-time intercept and relaying of specified network-based communications. Moreover, the techniques described herein allow CSs to tap packet flows with little delay after specifying flow capture information, e.g., within 50 milliseconds, even under high-volume networks.
US07747736B2 Rule and policy promotion within a policy hierarchy
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for nominating rules or policies for promotion through a policy hierarchy. An administrator at any level in a policy hierarchy may create a rule or policy. The administrator may then nominate the rule or policy for inclusion in a next higher level in the policy hierarchy. The rule or policy is evaluated at the next higher level. Responsive to an approval of the next higher level to include the rule or policy in the jurisdiction of the next higher level, the rule of policy is provided to all users under the jurisdiction. The nominating, evaluating, and providing steps may then be repeated for each higher level in the policy hierarchy.
US07747734B2 Apparatus, system, and method for error assessment over a communication link
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for assessing error over a communication link. The apparatus for assessing error is provided with a logic unit containing a plurality of modules configured to execute the necessary steps of creating one or more test packets, determining an amount of test packets to send over a communication link to a receiving node, sending a plurality of test packets over the communication link to a receiving node, interspersing test packets throughout a plurality of data packets such that the receiving node is able to continually process the data packets, and checking test packets received by the receiving node for errors.
US07747733B2 Power meter having multiple ethernet ports
A power meter or other electrical device is provided having two independent and communicatively isolated Ethernet ports. The first Ethernet port is addressable by a first unique identifier and is configured for enabling full access to the power meter via an internal LAN. This enables a LAN operator to remotely access the power meter via the internal LAN for performing metering functions, such as full telemetry, control and programming. The second Ethernet port is addressable by a second unique identifier and is configured for being connected to the Internet. Since the second Ethernet port is communicatively isolated from the first Ethernet port, a user can access the power meter via the Internet, but cannot access the internal LAN by connecting to the power meter via the Internet.
US07747730B1 Managing computer network resources
Software agents are assigned goals in accordance with network policies that define a desired operational characteristic of a computer network. A software agent achieves its assigned goal by executing a predefined task. An assigned goal may be dynamically modified as necessary based on the actual operational characteristics of the network. The software agent may request further policy if it cannot achieve its assigned goal by performing the predefined task.
US07747728B1 Centralized management of quality of service (QoS) information for data flows
Techniques are described for centralized management of quality of service (QoS) characteristics of network data flows. A service management system maintains a database that associates access information, such as a username and password, with QoS information. A router or other network device associates a data flow with access information, and queries the service management system with the access information to obtain the QoS information. The router forwards data of the data flow in accordance with the QoS information obtained from the service management system. As the access information may be a username and password, an existing system, such as a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) system, may easily be adapted for use as the service management system. As a result, QoS information may easily be centrally managed for numerous routers or other network devices.
US07747727B2 Method and apparatus for automatically establishing bi-directional line-switched rings in telecommunication networks
A method of automatically provisioning a network-wide function using a plurality of network elements in a service provider network and using a sub-network level approach is provided. In one specific approach, a software wizard facilitates provisioning a bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR). First user input, specifying a plurality of ring attribute values that define attributes of a bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Second user input, specifying one or more working spans for the bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Each of the network elements is automatically configured to participate in the bi-directional line switched ring based on the parameter values. Embodiments may provide a software wizard for implementing the foregoing process. In certain features, spans for a BLSR are automatically selected based on a selection of a first candidate span; only selected nodes and spans that are capable of participating in a BLSR are displayed; and port orientation for all spans in a BLSR is automatically determined based on user input defining port orientation for a first port of a first span.
US07747725B2 Method for transporting digital media
A networked system is provided for transporting digital media packets, such as audio and video. The network includes network devices interconnected to send and receive packets. Each network device can receive and transmit media signals from media devices. A master clock generates a system time signal that the network devices use, together with a network time protocol to generate a local clock signal synchronized to the system time signal for both rate and offset. The local clock signal governs both the rate and offset of the received or transmitted media signals. The system, which can be implemented using conventional network equipment enables media signals to be transported to meet quality and timing requirements for high quality audio and video reproduction.
US07747723B2 Communication system and communication management method
A management system accepts a connection request from a client computer to a server computer, acquires connection settings information, calculates a network bandwidth required for processing for connection from the client computer to the server computer, stores the connection request into a connection request processing queue, determines whether the processing for the connection from the client computer to the server computer can be performed or not, and notifies the client computer of a server identification number. The client computer issues a connection request to the server computer based on the received server identification number, and starts communication therewith. In spite of concentration of connection requests from a large number of client computers to server computers, the connection requests can be processed while controlling the communication data volume generated in a network at a point where the server computers are aggregated, so as to avoid occurrence of congestion.
US07747721B2 Method and apparatus for managing broadband residential gateway
A broadband residential gateway (BRG) management system (101) has a communications interface (102) coupled to one or more BRGs 120 and one or more content service providers (CSPs) (110), a memory (104), and a processor (106). The processor can be programmed to establish (202) a content profile for each of the BRGs according to one or more attributes of the BRGs and the CSPs, receive (204) a content access request from one or more BRGs, and supply (206) each BRG access to selectable content from one or more of the CSPs according to the content profile.
US07747720B2 Arrangement for selecting a server to provide distributed services from among multiple servers based on a location of a client device
A selection resource executed within the network is configured for selecting from among a plurality of servers, distributed throughout the network at respective network-based server locations and each configured for providing a specified service, a selected server for providing the specified service for a client device at a network-based client location. The selection resource selects the selected server based on the corresponding server location relative to the client location, and causes a request having been generated by the client device to be sent to the selected server. Hence, the selection resource optimizes client-server interactions in a distributed computing network, based on the client location and the server location.
US07747718B2 Control system apparatus, method for setting control system and setting program
The control system setting apparatus is composed of a computer, comprising a processor, storage device, input device, display, and an interface connectable to a control system. The storage device stores therein a setting program 30 and a setting data 40. Component profile data is stored in a CPS 43 of the setting data 40. The component profile data is prepared for each component. The setting program makes the processor execute the following processes: When the input device is operated to select a network and a component to be used, a network constitution editor 33 checks for adaptability between the network and the component based on the component profile data. On condition that the component is adaptable to the network intended to connect the component, a network block diagram is created using a network icon to show the selected network and a component icon to show the selected component, and then displayed on the display.
US07747714B1 Method and communication system for managing a communication network
Communication networks are automatically tested from a superordinate producer-independently managing network management center, such as when subordinate, producer-specific operation and maintenance centers (OMCs) are not occupied. Producer-dependent information is transmitted when an alarm report is sent and producer-specific hardware tests are automatically generated in the network management center (NMC). It is unnecessary for producer-specific object classes to be completely defined in the information model of the OMC-NMC interface. The tests automatically generated in the network management center can be triggered in response to errors, e.g. for a particular hardware board, or preventively, for example for the entire hardware of a network unit.
US07747711B2 Network configuration method and system
An administrator 4 (2) registers configuration files of compliant equipment 31 and noncompliant equipment 32 and a configuration script into a management server, and (3) sends the network equipment to a user 33. When the user 33 constructs the local network 3 by connecting the network equipment and turns it on, (4) a configuration request message is transmitted from the compliant equipment 31 to the management server 2. (5) The management server 2 replies with the configuration file of the compliant equipment 31, the configuration file of the noncompliant equipment 32, and the compliant script to the compliant equipment 31 in response to the configuration request. The compliant equipment 31 (6) registers its own configuration file received from the management server 2 into itself, and then (7) configures the configuration file of the noncompliant equipment 32 into the noncompliant equipment by executing the received configuration script.
US07747709B2 Method and system for automatically cloning IT resource structures
A method and system for automatically cloning IT resource structure in stateful web services environments by employing a new approach for configuration management. The present new approach models the configurational state of each resource as a stateful web service. Configuration data are provided by this service's resource properties. Relationships between configurations of different resources are modeled as “stateful web services relationships” between web service instances. These relationships can be navigated, which allows exploring the configuration of a whole system in a standards-based way. Additionally a new web service interface is provided by the stateful web service encapsulating the resource. This interface provides two new operations: “getConfiguration” allows an exploiter to take a snapshot of a resource's and related resources' configurational state and “setConfiguration” allows for setting the configurational state of a resource to a previously saved state. An invocation of “getConfiguration” results in the creation of a new stateful web service instance that stores the configurational state of each resource. This new web service interface is implemented on a per-resource type basis. Any back-end technology may be used to implement this new web service interface.
US07747707B1 Agent-based event-driven web server architecture
A networking device, method, and web server software architecture are provided. The device may include a web server application program configured to run on an operating system of the device, and an event-based signaling mechanism configured to signal the web server application program when data has arrived on a socket of the operating system, by triggering an operating system-level signaling event. The web server application program is configured to read data off of the socket in response to detecting the event, without polling the socket first to determine that data is ready to be read from the socket.
US07747705B1 Method to make a discussion forum or RSS feed a source for customer contact into a multimedia contact center that is capable of handling emails
The present invention is directed to a contact center configured to convert post notifications from a forum or blog server into work items for distribution to an appropriate agent and forward agent responses to the forum or blog server as a responsive post.
US07747701B2 Methods and systems for adaptive delivery of multimedia contents
Methods and systems for generic adaptive multimedia content delivery are described. In one embodiment, a novel framework features an abstract content model and an abstract adaptive delivery decision engine. The abstract content model recognizes important aspects of contents while hiding their physical details from other parts of the framework. The decision engine then makes content adaptation plans based on the abstracted model of the contents and needs little knowledge of any physical details of the actual contents. Thus, under the same framework, adaptive delivery of generic contents is possible.
US07747700B2 System and method for referencing AV data accumulated in AV server
A system in which AV data stored in an AV server is previewed by a plurality of edit terminals includes a recording apparatus which is connected to those edit terminals and which is capable of higher speed access than a recording element in the AV server, and a first processing element which makes a request to transfer AV data from the AV server to the recording apparatus and a second processing element which previews AV data from the recording apparatus are provided for each of the edit terminals. Accordingly, a material stored in the AV server can be previewed by the plurality of edit terminals simultaneously in parallel without being limited to the number of the input and output ports of the AV server, and the waiting time becomes short when the edit terminal previews the material stored in the AV server.
US07747699B2 Method and system for generating a permanent record of a service provided to a mobile device
System and methods are disclosed that provide users of mobile digital devices the opportunity to obtain a permanent record of the service rendered at the mobile device for all modes of web based services, location based services, services originating at the mobile device and not related to the location of the device, services originating via a voice portal, web based services originating via voice communication. Services include location independent services, such as tickets and coupons, and location based services, such as obtaining directions/or and maps to the nearest store or hotel or to a given location, obtaining traffic information, and receiving location-based coupons at the mobile device.
US07747696B2 Content-related information providing apparatus, content related information providing method, electronic bulletin board system, and computer program
Each bulletin board is set for the purpose of an argument and information exchange concerning a specific television program. In writing a remark in the bulletin board, a user registers information for specifying a program/scene referred to by the remark together with remark contents. The reference information consists of a broadcasting station at the time when a program is broadcasted and time when a reference part is broadcasted. The reference information is shaped into a predetermined format and transmitted to a terminal apparatus of the user. In the terminal apparatus, it becomes possible to start reproduction of a pertinent program/scene from recorded contents on the based on the received reference information. The terminal apparatus can support creation of information such as a comment concerning each scene in program contents and transmission and reception work of this type of information.
US07747695B1 System, method and computer readable medium for providing notifications
A system, method and computer readable medium for providing automated notifications generates a list of recipients. The notification preferences of the recipients is determined and a notification generated and formatted in accordance with the recipients' preferences is communicated to the recipient. The notification preferences include a notification type, such as voice, email, SMS etc. The notification may be a notification of an overdue debt which provides the recipient with an avenue to make payment of the debt.
US07747694B2 Low latency and assured delivery using HTTP
In a method of performing the asynchronous delivery of messages from a server to a client, the server receives the messages for the client from a message source. The server and client communicate over a packet network using an asymmetric protocol that requires request messages to be originated from the client to the server. At least one request message is sent in advance from the client to the server, and these request messages are stored at the server. When the server receives a message for the client from the message source, it forwards the message to the client as a response to a stored request message.
US07747691B2 Wireless communication system congestion reduction system and method
A system and method for reducing congestion in wireless communication systems is provided. An unsolicited message reduction system includes a message detector and an all points bulletin (APB) generator. The message detector applies predefined filtering rules to identify and act upon unsolicited email messages to reduce the total number of transmissions in the wireless communication system. The filtering rules include global and user rules, with the global rules normally having precedence over user rules. The APB generator allows messages to be sent wireless mobile communication devices through direct wireless messages instead of through email messages.
US07747690B2 Method for extracting and managing message addresses
A method is disclosed for extracting and maintaining in a virtual address book one or more electronic mail addresses from one or more of the various address fields (e.g., “Fromm,” “To,” “Cc,” “Bcc”) of one or more e-mail messages either transmitted from or received at a predetermined network node (e.g., a client or server). Electronic mail addresses stored in the virtual address book may be made available to “auto-complete” capabilities utilized during the addressing of electronic mail messages.
US07747685B2 Method for automatic detection of display sharing and alert generation in instant messaging
A method and apparatus is provided for automatically detecting display sharing, setting display sharing status, and generating alerts in instant messaging. If the display is shared, the present invention intercepts an instant message before it is displayed and generates alerts to senders. Senders have options to display the message, delete the message, or allow the message to be queued until display is no longer shared. Alternatively, if the sender's instant messaging application supports the functionality, the mechanism of the present invention may present the user with options to display the message or allow the message to be queued until display is no longer shared without sending an alert message. A privacy list of contacts may be automatically built when integrated with a calendar system for controlling instant messaging access and behavior.
US07747684B2 Information processing technique relating to relation between users and documents
An information processing method of the invention comprises generating first relational data representing a relation between a document and a user by referring to access logs generated in response to accesses to documents; and generating second relational data representing a relation between documents, between users and between the documents and the users by using the first relational data. By the second relational data as stated above, the relation between the users though the documents can be represented. That is, it becomes easy for a user having referred to a specific document to recognize another user referring to the same specific document.
US07747682B2 Multiple storage class distributed nametags for locating items in a distributed computing system
Methods, signals, devices, and systems are provided for locating and retrieving files, objects, and other items in a network. Nametags are distributed through the network with the items. Each nametag may hold logical names identifying the item, names of the volatile copies of the item, and/or names of nonvolatile copies of the item. Thus, nametags may include names form multiple name spaces, and cached items can be identified expressly.
US07747674B2 Large-scale network management using distributed autonomous agents
In a computer network including a plurality of network elements, a network management architecture including a plurality of agents, each of the agents corresponding to a different one of the network elements, and a plurality of device components, each of the device components modeling at least one aspect of one of the network elements, the aspect being either of a physical and a functional characteristic of the network element, where each of the agents includes a plurality of the device components, and where at least of the two device components within at least one of the agents are logically interconnected, each logical interconnection corresponding to either of a physical and a functional interconnection found within or between any of the network elements.
US07747673B1 Method and apparatus for communicating during automated data processing
A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed and then deposited in at least one data destination (16, 17). The data may be image data, text data, numeric data or some other type of data, or a combination of these types of data. The processing of data is controlled by a project definition (14, 71, 101), which includes a plurality of modules selected from a variety of available modules (Tables 1-4). The modules have input and output ports which are interrelated by binding information. One of the modules, when executed, transmits a predetermined message, for example in the form of an electronic mail message.
US07747671B2 Data transmission system for linking multiple exercise facilities
A data transmission system for linking multiple exercise facilities includes at least one exercise facility which has a measurement device mounted thereon for capturing data or detecting, and a transmission circuit which has one end connecting to the exercise facility and other end connecting to a microprocessor. The transmission circuit connects the exercise facility and the microprocessor to form a transmission system.
US07747670B2 Customized item cover
Creating a customized item cover comprises receiving customization data and creating at least one customization segment using the customization data. In addition, creating a customized item cover includes producing the customized item cover including the at least one customization segment. Producing the customized item cover may comprise printing the at least one customization segment on the customized item cover or embossing the at least one customization segment on the customized item cover.
US07747667B2 Data processing apparatus and method for determining an initial estimate of a result value of a reciprocal operation
A data processing apparatus and method generate an initial estimate of a result value that would be produced by performing a reciprocal operation on an input value. The input value and the result value are either fixed point values or floating point values. The data processing apparatus comprises processing logic for executing instructions to perform data processing operations on data, and a lookup table referenced by the processing logic during generation of the initial estimate of the result value. The processing logic is responsive to an estimate instruction to reference the lookup table to generate, dependent on a modified input value that is within a predetermined range of values, a table output value. For a particular modified input value, the same table output value is generated irrespective of whether the input value is a fixed point value or a floating point value. The initial estimate of the result value is then derivable from the table output value. This provides a particularly efficient technique for performing the initial estimate generation within a data processing apparatus where the reciprocal operation may be performed on either fixed point values or floating point values.
US07747664B2 Storage system format for transaction safe file system
A transaction safe file system uses two sets of file allocation tables and bitmap images to perform file modifications on one of the sets while the other set remains a last known good set. After a modification is complete, a pointer is changed to the newly modified set, and the newly modified set becomes the last known good set. The sets are then synchronized. The file allocation table is used to define cluster chains while the bitmap image is used to determine if a cluster is free or not. In some operations, only the bitmap image may need to be manipulated. The file system may be used in a transaction safe mode as well as a non-transaction safe mode.
US07747661B2 System and method for providing a virtual binding for a worm storage system on rewritable media
A virtual binding system ensures that the WORM logic for protecting data immutability cannot be circumvented, effectively guaranteeing WORM property of a WORM storage system composed of rewritable magnetic hard disks. To close the security hole between the rewritable media and the WORM logic, virtual binding securely authenticates the legitimacy of a WORM logic controller before granting data access on a WORM storage media. Furthermore, the system verifies the legitimacy of the WORM logic controller during data access. This approach virtually binds together the WORM logic controller and the WORM storage media even though the WORM logic controller and the WORM storage media may be physically separate.
US07747660B1 Method and system of providing access to a virtual storage device
A method and system of providing access to a virtual storage device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, access is provided to a virtual storage device comprising a file system storage object to store data to be written to the virtual storage device and a storage device. According to another embodiment, the virtual storage device further comprises a file system storage object to represent the virtual storage device.
US07747658B2 Systems and methods for decoding payer identification in health care data records
Processing arrangements and methods are provided for the automated decoding or translation of information in healthcare data records, which are coded in a non-standardized or varying formats. A data record which contains information, a portion which is recognized and another portion of which is new, is decoded or translated using a statistical mapping rule. The mapping rule assigns a most likely translation value to the information based on the recognized portion of the information. The statistical mapping rules are established by analysis of a set of previously decoded data records.
US07747656B2 Data management apparatus
The present invention is concerned with a data management apparatus, in which data recorded by dubbing from a CD-DA (Compact Disc Digital Audio) to a hard disc drive (HDD) (31) as a second recording medium are supervised by a hard disc recording and/or reproducing unit (3), which hard disc recording and/or reproducing unit (3) supervises the identification information of the CD-DA to enable the supplementary information to be obtained via communication means from a network server, and in which the so produced supplementary information is automatically registered in the hard disc recording and/or reproducing unit (3) to permit the supplementary information, such as the name of music airs, to be produced even in the absence of a user's input.
US07747651B2 Metadata modelling for reporting
The invention comprises a method and system for reducing the apparent complexity faced by a user when confronted by this modeling environment. It provides for a metadata model that represents one or more data sources, the metadata model comprising a query layer combining the functions of a data access layer and a business layer. The query layer includes query subjects that describe how to retrieve data from the data sources, and the query subjects contain query items. The query layer also allows the use of data access language statements which permit the use of more complex computed query subjects and query items.
US07747646B2 System having secure access between IC entities
A system is provided having first and second integrated circuits. The first integrated circuit implements a first entity which stores an encryption or decryption function, one or more secret keys for use with the function, and an identity of each of the secret keys which are each indicative of an access permission to the first entity associated with each of the secret keys. The second integrated circuit implements a second entity which stores the function and is programmed and configured to issue a request to the first integrated circuit for one or more of the access permissions and associated key identities for one or more of the secret keys stored in the first entity. The first integrated circuit being programmed and configured to respond to the request by outputting the access permissions and key identities to the second entity for use with the function without outputting the secret keys.
US07747642B2 Matching engine for querying relevant documents
A system generates an output of documents having with a particular relevance range. The system receives an initial document comprising text, a list of documents for matching, each document comprising text, and a minimum substring match length. The system normalizes the text of the documents of the list of documents. The system searches common sub-strings between the text of the initial document and the text of each document of the list of documents. The system calculates a match percentage based on the search common sub-strings and outputs documents having a match percentage corresponding to a predetermined value. Also disclosed is a process for generating an output of documents within a particular relevance range.
US07747640B2 Method for regenerating selected rows for an otherwise static result set
Methods for updating query results are provided. In one embodiment, a stored query is modified to retrieve a selected subset of rows from stored query results without retrieving a remaining portion of the stored results. The modified query is executed, updated results are obtained from the modified query, and the updated results are displayed.
US07747638B1 Techniques for selectively performing searches against data and providing search results
Search queries are received that should be run against data. As time elapses, new queries and new data may be received. Previously run queries may be referred to as base queries and the data that was searched using the queries may be referred to as base data. The base queries and new queries may be parsed to identify queries that are similar. The similar queries are then combined into a unique query so that multiple queries that are similar are not used to search the same data. The unique queries that are generated are used to search the new data received to generate a first set of search results. The new queries received are used to search the base data to generate a second set of search results. The search results for the new queries are then determined based on the first and second set of search results. Also, the search results for the base queries are determined based on the first set results. Accordingly, the base queries used to search the new data received and the new queries are used to search the new data and the base data.
US07747634B2 Rich data tunneling
When rich data is tunneled, its associated link identified by a primary data reference is changed by swapping primary references of original data with changed data. Thus, without duplicating the rich data, it is now associated with the changed data, preserving it in constant time. The primary references can include, but are not limited to, names and/or other item identifications. This technique allows preservation of rich data to occur without burdening processing and/or time constraints based on the size and/or number of rich data elements. The technique also allows disparate applications and/or systems to maintain data integrity even when rich data is not expected for a given application and/or system. Since the rich data follows a primary reference, awareness of the rich data is not required for it to be properly handled, ensuring its integrity.
US07747632B2 Systems and methods for providing subscription-based personalization
A user's prior searching and browsing activities are recorded for subsequent use. A user may examine the user's prior searching and browsing activities in a number of different ways, including indications of the user's prior activities related to advertisements. A set of search results may be modified in accordance with the user's historical activities. The user's activities may be examined to identify a set of preferred locations. The user's set of activities may be shared with one or more other users. The set of preferred locations presented to the user may be enhanced to include the preferred locations of one or more other users. A user's browsing activities may be monitored from one or more different client devices or client application. A user's browsing volume may be graphically displayed.
US07747624B2 Data summarization
A database management system provides the capability to perform cluster analysis and provides improved performance in model building and data mining, good integration with the various databases throughout the enterprise, and flexible specification and adjustment of the models being built, but which provides data mining functionality that is accessible to users having limited data mining expertise and which provides reductions in development times and costs for data mining projects. A database management system for in-database clustering comprises a first data table and a second data table, each data table including a plurality of rows of data, means for building a clustering model using the first data table using a portion of the first data table, wherein the portion of the first data table is selected by partitioning, density summarization, or active sampling of the first data table, and means for applying the clustering model using the second data table to generate apply output data.
US07747617B1 Searching documents using a dimensional database
A software facility for selecting documents is disclosed. The facility maintains a dimensional model of a group of documents. The dimensional model reflects values for a number of differentiated attributes for each of the documents of the group. The facility receives a query specifying values for one or more of these attributes. In response to receiving the query, the facility uses the dimensional model to generate a list of documents in the group having the attribute values specified by the query.
US07747616B2 File search method and system therefor
According to the present invention, there are provided a file search method and a system therefor with which it is possible to display files including a keyword specified by a user in an importance descending order by monitoring a file operation by the user, creating reference relation between files, and arranging search results on the basis of the importance calculated from the reference relation.
US07747614B2 Difference control for generating and displaying a difference result set from the result sets of a plurality of search engines
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating and displaying the difference between a primary result set and a secondary result set. According to the present invention, a method for displaying the difference between a primary result set and a secondary result set for a query comprises generating a primary result set and a secondary result set, the primary result set and secondary result set generated according to one or more respective disparate search algorithms. A difference result set is determined according to a difference between items in the primary result set and second result set, which is displayed to a user.
US07747611B1 Systems and methods for enhancing search query results
The present invention leverages search query result page thumbnails and/or search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and/or profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and/or in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one instance of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a means to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another instance of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
US07747602B2 Comment faces
Rendering a contributor representation, such as an avatar, near content such as a comment, contributed to a web page such as a blog. The contributor representation is associated with a contributor identifier, such as an email address, and stored at a centralized registrar. The centralized registrar provides a content service with an initial script to include in the web page along with the contributor identifier. A requesting client runs the initial script, which requests an additional script from the centralized registrar. The additional script can track user actions and analyzes the DOM of the web page for an attribute associated with the contributor identifier and contributed content. Based on a location of the attribute in the DOM, the additional script also determines a location in the web page to insert the contributor representation. The additional script then requests and inserts the contributor representation to be rendered near the contributed content.
US07747595B2 Methods and systems for electronic publishing content management
The experience of an end user of a work is enhanced by incrementally distributing the work and supplementing the work by adding an additional interactive component. Installments of works are delivered to the end user on a scheduled basis (and may optionally be delivered upon demand by the end user), or as a benefit delivered in exchange for end user interaction fulfilling certain criteria. The end user is requested or required to perform a task associated with the installment before a subsequent installment is delivered. The user's response (or lack thereof) to the task is recorded, and the user is optionally enabled to later review his or her responses. Each task may have correct or incorrect answers, or the task may require an ad hoc response(s). Optionally, an administrator may review the responses of the tasks of various users assigned to a particular administrator.
US07747593B2 Computer aided document retrieval
A method of determining cluster attractors for a plurality of documents comprising at least one term. The method comprises calculating, in respect of each term, a probability distribution indicative of the frequency of occurrence of the, or each, other term that co-occurs with said term in at least one of said documents. Then, the entropy of the respective probability distribution is calculated. Finally, at least one of said probability distributions is selected as a cluster attractor depending on the respective entropy value. The method facilitates very small clusters to be formed enabling more focused retrieval during a document search.
US07747591B2 Web feature service (WFS) locking support based on light-weight locking model in the database
Locking feature instances in a web feature service by processing a web feature service data transformation request; identifying a table associated with the web feature service data transformation request from a feature type identified in the request; determining if the table associated with the web feature service data transformation request is enabled for long transaction locking; and, if the table is long transaction lock enabled, locking at least one feature instance associated with a filter condition of the web feature service data transformation request by associating a session transferable identifier with the at least one feature instance and identifying the client session as owner of the session transferable identifier; and enabling a transfer of the long transaction lock to another client session in response to a lock transfer request from the another client session that references the session transferable identifier in a web feature service transaction request.
US07747587B2 Method and apparatus for supporting log analysis
An apparatus for classifying a plurality of logs recorded in a log file includes: a parsing unit that performs a parsing of the logs in the log file; a rule generating unit that generates a rule for a data classification based on a result of the parsing; a data classifying unit that performs the data classification, based on the rule generated, to classify the logs into a plurality of groups; a display unit that displays a result of the data classification; and a rule editing that edits the rules based on an instruction from a user.
US07747586B2 Apparatus and method to map and copy computer files
A method to copy computer files, where that method includes receiving a computer file, mapping that file to its constituent blocks, generating meta-data describing those constituent blocks, saving that meta-data in a memory device, and copying the file to one or more information storage media, where the mapping step, the generating step, and the saving step, are performed substantially synchronously, and where the copying step is performed at a later time. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to copy computer files on one or more information storage media disposed therein. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for copying computer files.
US07747585B2 Parallel uncompression of a partially compressed database table determines a count of uncompression tasks that satisfies the query
A multiprocessing uncompression mechanism takes advantage of existing multiprocessing capability within a database to perform dynamic uncompression of portions of a partially compressed database table that satisfy a query using processes that may be executed in parallel. Historical information is gathered for each query. Uncompression advice includes user-specified parameters that determine how the multiprocessing uncompression mechanism functions. The multiprocessing uncompression mechanism processes the historical information and uncompression advice to determine an appropriate task count for performing uncompression in parallel processes. The existing multiprocessing capability within the database then processes the tasks that perform the uncompression in parallel.
US07747576B2 Incremental update control for remote copy
Database updates are transmitted from a primary site to a remote site. The technique includes: destaging modified data to a first volume at the primary site for a current database update, performing a first point in time virtual copy of the modified data on the first volume to a second volume at the primary site, synchronizing the second volume with a third volume, at the remote site, by transmitting the modified data of the second volume to the third volume, and performing a second point in time virtual copy of the modified data on the third volume to a fourth volume, at the remote site. Database updates at the primary site are thus decoupled from the transmission of the database updates to the remote site, so the first volume remains accessible to a host at the primary site, and the fourth volume remains accessible to a host at the remote site.
US07747572B2 Method and system for supply chain product and process development collaboration
A method and system for supply chain product and process development collaboration. The supply chain is comprised of at least one project, each project having a part (or family of parts), a supplier of the part, and a customer. The system may include a data storage and retrieval device operably connected to a processor. The system's functions include collaboration tools and security based on the users' project roles. The method uses a methodology that ensures certain requirements are met prior to satisfying the methodology. The system and method of the present invention ensures that current, applicable methodologies are applied to a specific part and allows for collaboration between the customer and supplier during all phases of the project. Because all projects in a supply chain are present, a user can navigate throughout the supply chain. The supply chain's reporting functions permit determination of potential performance risks and the source thereof.
US07747570B2 Conversion of data for two or three dimensional geometric entities
A method for transmission of data for two or three dimensional geometrical entities uses a computer system, for modeling and/or manipulation of geometrical entities. The computer system comprises at least one program for modeling and/or manipulation and at least one display program, the at least one modeling and/or manipulation program transmits the data associated with the geometrical entities for display to the at least one display program, by calling up display functions located within the at least one display program. An exporting program for data associated with geometrical entities is substituted in at least one of the at least one display programs, the exporting program having the same display functions as the at least one display program.
US07747569B2 Systems, methods, and language for selection and retrieval of information from databases
The invention provides a system configured to enable a first entity to query a second entity for a result, the system comprising a language specification component and an interface between the first entity and the second entity. The language specification component defines a communications language by which the first and second entities can communicate with each other. The interface is operable to receive from the second entity an instance of a generic request that is specific to the second entity, the instance of the generic request providing information about at least one query element that is supported in a second-entity specific request; and convert a first query from the first entity to the second entity into a second query, wherein the second query includes the at least one query element that is supported in the second-entity specific request.
US07747568B2 Integrated user interface
A method and system for collecting contextual information in order to provide a requested service is provided. A service provider and a user may exchange a conversation and/or contextual information relating to a service over a communication channel. Based on the received user contextual information, the server may determine an appropriate source for obtaining more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server contacts the appropriate source and obtains information from it. Additionally, the server identifies the user interfaces for collecting more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server may transmit a set of contextual information, such as embedded instructions for invoking the user interfaces on a user's device, over the communication channel. While the user interacts with the user interfaces, new user's contextual information may be obtained by the server.
US07747563B2 System and method of data movement between a data source and a destination
A method of data migration and integration with a data load mechanism. The first primary step is to extract the data from a named source by remote queries. The follow-up logic is used for any miscellaneous or supplemental transformations to inbound data for data renaming, null scrubbing, and data polishing. The filtration step allows for any extraneous data to be filtered out. The compression step consolidates any fragmented balances residual in the remote queries, localize remote data, data map, or follow-up logic. As a part of the compression process, the result set table signature is explicitly cast to that of the destination fact table. The result of this is an exact replica of the destination fact table format, data types and column order. The kickout handling provides referential integrity of the inbound data flow against the named BPM Destination System. Finally, the deployment step limits the dynamic reload or sync determination to certain fields.
US07747562B2 Virtual multidimensional datasets for enterprise software systems
Techniques are described for specifying virtual datasets within an enterprise software system. A computer-implemented system, for example, includes an enterprise planning system and a computing device coupled to the enterprise planning system via a network connection. The computing device includes an object store that stores a dataset, an application programming interface (API) that defines an operation for specifying the virtual dataset from the dataset, and an object model that stores a virtual dataset to the object store in response to receiving the operation defined by the API. The computing device further includes a plurality of applications that utilize the virtual dataset for a further operation defined by the API without resolving the virtual dataset. Because virtual dataset may be utilized without first resolving them, the virtual datasets may require less storage space within a memory, may automatically remain synchronous with the underlying dataset, and may quickly layer to more readily perform complicated operations.
US07747560B2 Methods and systems for providing a distributed database store with correlation service
A digital history service presents a user's collected data in an historical format such as a timeline that includes various interactions with objects and people over the course of time wherein the digital history data was retrieved and correlated from the various data stores. An example of such a retrieval is to select a sequence of items from the data store based on an algorithm that determines the next item based on its relationship to the current item. The relationship could be a complex combination of the date, time of year, historical events in the past, the person(s) or objects involved in a given event, the location of an event, past or upcoming national holidays, calendar items, etc.
US07747559B2 Systems and processes for automated criteria and attribute generation, searching, auditing and reporting of data
The present invention relates to methods and systems for automated criteria and attribute generation, searching, auditing and reporting of data. One aspect of an embodiment of the invention includes a method for translating a request for filtering data in a plurality of credit data sources. The method includes receiving a request based on at least one attribute and on at least one modeling criteria, wherein the at least one attribute and the at least one modeling criteria are each associated with a portion of data in a plurality of credit data sources, automatically generating executable computer code associated with the at least one attribute and at least one modeling criteria, wherein the executable computer code is adapted to filter the portion of data in the plurality of credit data sources based at least in part on the at least one attribute and at least one modeling criteria, and storing at least a portion of the executable computer code for use with another request based in part on the at least one attribute and based in part on the at least one modeling criteria.
US07747558B2 Method and apparatus to bind media with metadata using standard metadata headers
A method for embedding metadata into a media file (100) comprises providing (204) a metadata schema file (204) and a metadata instance file (206). Providing a media file having a binary capable user field. Then compressing (208) the metadata schema by a first compression method; and assembling (210) the compressed metadata schema fragments. Also, compressing (212) the metadata instance file and assembling (210) the compressed metadata instance fragments. Setting a media file header (214) or footer to indicate binary data payload. The method further comprises appending (216) a data start label to the assembled metadata schema and the assembled metadata instance and inserting (218) the assembled metadata schema and the metadata instance into the binary capable user field of the media file.
US07747555B2 System and method for retrieving and intelligently grouping definitions found in a repository of documents
A system and method for retrieving and intelligently grouping definitions with common semantic meaning is disclosed. In response to a user's textual query for the definition of a term or phrase, a set of documents is retrieved from a repository of structured documents. The retrieved documents are labeled with a prediction score based upon predetermined glossary characteristics of the documents. In order to determine whether the retrieved documents are likely to be definitions, features commonly found in definitions are identified. The identified features are classified with numeric values and weighed using a support vector regression algorithm. Definitions that fail to meet a predetermined threshold score are discarded, and those that exceed a predetermined threshold score are labeled and stored in the local database.
US07747553B2 Rule set partitioning based packet classification method for internet
The present invention provides a rule set partitioning based packet classification method for Internet. The method comprising: performing Horizontal Cut for the rule set, determining the field for partitioning a rule layer based on a target algorithm and selecting the partition manner of the Horizontal Cut, performing Horizontal Cut according to the selected partition manner of the Horizontal Cut, thereby obtaining more than one rule layers, each rule layer being a Horizontal subset, combining the rule layers to obtain a plurality of Horizontal subsets according to the total number of the pre-designated Horizontal subsets and a predefined principle, wherein the total number of said combined plurality of Horizontal subsets equals to the total number of said pre-designated Horizontal subsets; performing Vertical Cut in each of the Horizontal subsets; then forming a Hash table that can index the Vertical subsets, so that it can be used in a lookup; and realizing rule storage in each Vertical subset respectively according to the target algorithm.
US07747548B2 Method of and system for evaluating tactile sensations of car seat covers using statistical recursive and artificial neural network models
Disclosed herein is a method of and system for evaluating tactile sensations of car seat covers using an artificial neural network, in which mechanical and thermal/physiological characteristics of the seat covers is measured with a measuring system, the physical quantity of the measured characteristics is acquired, and then the acquired physical quantity is converted into the amount of tactile qualities which a person feels using a statistical recursive model, thereby quantitatively evaluating tactile sensations of sticky, soft, elastic, coolness to the touch, and thermal and humid in case of car seat covers made of leather, and tactile sensations of soft, elastic, voluminous, smooth, coolness to the touch, and thermal and humid in case of car seat covers made of cloth, as well as quantitatively evaluating tactile sensations of sporty and high-class of the leather and cloths using an artificial neural network model.
US07747544B2 Meter tape with location indicator used for unique identification
A method for producing a metered tape and an indicium on a meter tape comprising determining a location on the meter tape where the indicium is to be printed, generating the indicium with information related to the location incorporated therein, and printing the indicium on the meter tape at the location. A method of authenticating an indicium printed on a meter tape comprising retrieving information stored within the indicium, the information identifying a first location where the indicium is supposed to be positioned relative to the meter tape, detecting a spatial indicator identifying a second location where the indicium is actually positioned relative to the meter tape, and comparing the first location to the second location. Mail metering and authenticating systems for implementing the methods are also disclosed.
US07747543B1 Dynamically determining actual delivery information for orders based on actual order fulfillment plans
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for dynamically generating actual fulfillment plans for a current order or a potential order so as to enhance the future fulfillment process for expected future orders is described. In some situations, actual delivery information based on one or more such actual fulfillment plans will then be provided to a customer, such as by displaying actual delivery date and/or time before or during the ordering process based on one or more actual fulfillment plans that can be or will be used to fulfill the order. A variety of types of criteria can be used to evaluate the effects of using a fulfillment plan to fulfill a current order, including criteria that consider the modeled future cost of fulfilling expected future orders, such as an overall cost of fulfilling all orders during a specified time period that is at least partially in the future.
US07747539B2 Contactless-chip-initiated transaction system
Methods and apparatus process a financial transaction initiated by a consumer with a contactless transaction device. An electromagnetic transmission identifying a financial account and an adjunct identifier is received from the device. Transaction data are electromagnetically transmitted to the device. Another electromagnetic transmission providing authentication data and a digital signature originated from the transaction data is received from the device. The device is authenticated with an analysis of the authentication data and digital signature. An authorization request for approval of the financial transaction is transmitted over a payment network to an issuer system, and a response is received. The adjunct identifier is transmitted to an adjunct system distinct from the issuer system for implementation of functions adjunct to the financial transaction. The financial transaction is acted on in accordance with the response to the authorization request.
US07747536B2 Anti-fraud presentation instruments, systems and methods
The invention provides improved security for stored-value instruments. For example, a point-of-sale device may receive a request to process a transaction (such as an activation, redemption, funds recharge, etc.) with a presentation instrument. The point-of-sale device may receive a first identifier associated with the instrument. Merely by way of example, the first identifier may be encoded on a magnetic stripe disposed on the instrument, and receiving the first identifier may comprise swiping the magnetic stripe through a reader in communication with the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device may also receive a second identifier associated with the instrument. In some embodiments, the first and second identifiers may be correlated, e.g., to determine whether they are consistent. Merely by way of example, the second identifier may be derived from the first identifier in a specified manner, and the correlation of the first and second identifiers may comprise determining that the second identifier comprises the properly derived information. If the first and second identifiers are successfully correlated, the transaction may be performed.
US07747533B2 Digital application operating according to aggregation of plurality of licenses
A plurality of digital licenses correspond to a piece of content, including a base license and at least one add-on license. Each add-on license includes a reference to the base license, and each of the base license and each add-on license sets forth rules specifying how the content may be employed. Each add-on license is identified by way of the reference therein to the base license, and the rules in the base license and in each identified add-on license are aggregated into an aggregated set of rules that is evaluated to determine if such aggregated set of rules allows employing the content in a particular manner.
US07747526B1 System and method for transferring mortgage loan servicing rights
A computer-implemented system for facilitating sale of a mortgage loan comprises committing logic and servicing execution logic. The committing logic is configured to receive a loan commitment from a lender. The servicing execution logic is coupled to the committing logic. The servicing execution logic is configured to receive servicing-released pricing from one or more servicers for purchasing a servicing asset of the loan from the lender. The servicing execution logic is further configured to select one of the one or more servicers as a purchaser for a servicing asset of the mortgage loan from the lender based upon parameters specified by the servicers and/or by the lender.
US07747521B2 System and method for monitoring events associated with a person or property
A system and method for retrieving a transaction associated with a property including obtaining property information pertaining to a property from a third party source, storing the property information in a database, receiving a name to monitor or an address of a property to monitor, and transmitting a property information request including the name and/or address to the database. The system and method may also include searching the property information for a match with the name or address, identifying a transaction associated with the matched name or address and transmitting the transaction to a device.
US07747518B2 Computer system for controlling a system of managing fluctuating cash flows
Apparatus (method implemented with a machine, the machine, and the method for making the machine, and products produced thereby) for controlling a system of managing cash flows for a transaction, the apparatus including: data processing means arranged for receiving information into memory, said information including respective descriptions of risks, statistical assumptions for said risks, and financial assumptions for said risks, the data processing means further including: calculating means, responsive to said descriptions and said assumptions, for calculating expected cash flows corresponding to said risks for time periods; accounting means for determining, responsive to actual cash flow information from occurrence of events corresponding to said risks, for a first party to the transaction owing the expected cash flows to a second party to the transaction, and for determining, for the second party owing the actual cash flows to the first party, a net settlement, for each of said time periods, between the parties in the transaction, to manage the actual cash flows and the expected cash flows.
US07747517B2 System for anonymity electronic commerce having crediting function and method
A commercial credit scoring method which enables a perfectly anonymous commercial transaction on a site built on a computer network. A person intended to newly participate as a seller or purchaser in a commercial transaction on the site is certified as a transactor when the person satisfies a given condition. A rank of the certified transactor is determined based on a given company data including at least one of a capital, sales amount, and transaction history about the transactor. A transaction limit in the transaction of the transactor is determined based on the rank, and a restraint is placed on the transaction when the amount of the transaction exceeds the transaction limit of the seller or purchaser. It is possible to perform an electronic commerce entirely in a perfectly anonymous manner including the business discussion, contract, settlement, and delivery.
US07747516B2 Apparatus and methods for differentiating trading orders
In various embodiments, a data signal differentiates between real and test trading orders and a computer system processes the orders based on differing values.
US07747514B2 Index participation notes securitized by options contracts
A computer implemented method includes determining a value for a tradable index share that tracks performance of an index. The tradable index share is backed by a fractional interest in a creation unit that includes a long call index option contract and a short put index options contract. The long call index options contract and the short index put options contract have the same initial strike price and the same expiration date.
US07747513B2 System and method for prioritized data delivery in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for prioritized data delivery in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, by prioritizing the messages associated with a tradeable object, the bandwidth and system resource usage may be optimally reduced, and any loss of priority content in the messages sent between the network device and the client device may be reduced. An example method includes associating different priority levels with messages comprising market data. Messages containing market information related to the inside market may be associated to a higher priority level. Whereas messages containing market information relating to the quantities at prices outside the inside market may be associated with a lower priority level. Based on the priority level associated with a message, a network device may send the message directly to the client device or store the message in a data structure until a pre-defined condition is satisfied.
US07747512B2 Exchange trading of mutual funds or other portfolio basket products
A system for determining a basket of financial instruments for hedging investment risk in actively managed exchange traded funds is described. The system uses a trusted computer system and includes a computer storage medium storing a computer program product. The product determines the basket of hedging instruments by extracting factor information from a portfolio of the actively managed exchange traded fund and determining factors that affect the price of the exchange traded fund. The program can select a portfolio of instruments with similar behavior with respect to the determined factors to produce a hedging portfolio that tracks the price of the exchange traded fund.
US07747511B1 Method and system for issuing treasury equity-linked letters of credit
In a system and method for managing risk of fluctuation on company share prices, a financial institution sells a put to a company on a specified number of shares of stock of the company, the put including a strike price that is a predetermined percentage less than a market price of the shares of stock of the company. The financial institution also purchases a call from the company on the specified number of shares of stock of the company, the call including a strike price that is a predetermined percentage greater than the market price of the shares of stock of the company.
US07747507B2 Computer controlled auction system
An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed.
US07747505B1 Apparatus and process for verifying honest gaming transactions over a communications network
Apparatus and method for verifying honest gaming transactions over a communications network includes structure and process whereby a host processor receives a random number from a satellite processor over the communications network. The host processor generates a game seed based on the random number. The host processor also receives an arbitrary game input from the satellite processor and generates a game result based on the game input, the game seed, and predetermined game rules. The satellite processor provides the random number and the arbitrary game input to the host processor over the communications network, and receives data corresponding to the game seed and the game result from the host processor. The satellite processor verifies the honesty of the transaction by (i) generating a game result based on the game input, the data corresponding to the game seed, and the predetermined game rules, and (ii) compares the generated game result with the received game result. A storage medium is also provided for storing a computer-implemented program to carry out the functions described above.
US07747501B1 Mortgage-backed security hedging systems and methods
A computer assisted method of developing a hedge position for a mortgage-backed security. The method includes calculating a duration of the security based on price histories of the security and changes in yield of a benchmark security and expressing periodic changes in price of the security. The method also includes calculating a relative coupon of the security and calculating a current coupon yield of the mortgage sector. The method further includes calculating an empirical duration of the security, calculating a hedge ratio for the security, and outputting a hedge position for the security based on the hedge ratio.
US07747500B2 Managing and evaluating procurement risk
Methods, systems, and computer programs that enable procurement risk to be efficiently and effectively managed and evaluated are described. In one aspect, inputs specifying one or more forward contracts in a sourcing portfolio for procuring a resource from one or more suppliers are received. Inputs specifying one or more aspects of a target sourcing strategy for procuring the resource also are received. A procurement risk evaluation report comparing the sourcing portfolio and the target sourcing strategy is presented.
US07747498B2 Trading orders with decaying reserves
In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product. The trading order specifies that a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and that a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The trading order specifies at least one of a decay rule, a decay interval, a decay rate, decay quantity, and one or more conditions. The software instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on at least one of the decay rule, the decay interval, the decay rate, and the decay quantity, and one or more conditions.
US07747490B2 Systems and methods for creating a database for accounting purposes
A database is created for accounting purposes, which can be used to prepare financial statements according to various statutory accounting principles. According to one method, document data records are saved from posting documents to a document database. The document data records include a document header and a data part. The data part includes entries for at least two items each of which comprises a posting amount and an account assigned thereto. Calculation of totals from one or more posting amounts of the document data records are saved for the accounts assigned thereto. The totals are saved to totals entries of a totals table.
US07747489B2 Computer-aided process for real purchasing power financial product
A machine and a method of using the machine to carry out specifying, with input to a computer system, a plurality of tiers and a private constant dollar instrument in at least one of a plurality of tiers; computing, from the input with computer system, aggregate cash flows for the specified tiers; determining, from the aggregate cash flows with the computer system, funding for a first of the tiers with a second of the tiers; and generating documentation of the funding with a computer system.
US07747488B2 Method and apparatus for conducting a transaction
Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means for conducting a transaction are provided. In some embodiments, a unit is issued to a holder including a forward contract and a note, in which the note specifies an initial capped remarketing, at least a first subsequent capped remarketing, and an uncapped remarketing, the uncapped remarketing performed only if each of the capped remarketings fail.
US07747487B2 Brownfields investing
A Brownfields investment vehicle, and a system and method for investing in Brownfields projects are provided that are capable of supporting a Brownfields project, while reducing the investors' exposure to the associated environmental liability. The Brownfields fund makes, for example, participating capital investments, each of which may be in the form of a tranched or untranched Brownfields Value Contract (“BVC”) to a “special purpose vehicle” for a specific Brownfields project according to fund investment criteria determined by a fund manager. Each capital investment, or a portion thereof may be secured with a lien on the future cash flows and/or a portion or all of a Brownfields associated with the project. An investor's exposure to environmental liability from the projects is reduced, because the fund is completely passive with respect to the projects, despite the existence of liens on at least some of the capital investments provided by the Brownfields fund.
US07747482B2 Method and computer program for reconciling, building, and replenishing cash drawers with coins
A revenue balancing method and computer program that more quickly, accurately, and easily reconciles or balances revenue contained in cash drawers at the end of cashiers' shifts or breaks while at the same time building or constructing new cash drawers for new shifts. The method permits cash drawers to be constructed and/or replenished with coins from a perpetual inventory of loose coins rather than requiring the use of rolls of coins.
US07747478B2 Method of generating multiple recommendations for multi-objective available-to-sell (ATS) optimization problem
Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a variety of end product build plans based on multiple business scenarios for exhausting excess inventory. Raw financial data and variable scaling-factors are input into a scenario engine component along with a business objective that contains logic. The scaling factor may be embedded within the logic of the business objective, or it may be selected by a user to indicate the user's preferences. The scenario engine then applies the financial data and variable scaling factor inputs to the business objective logic to generate modified financial data. The logic of the business objective may also be manipulated to provide modified logic. The modified financial data, and optionally the modified logic, are then input into an optimizer component for determining multiple portfolios for end products that, if built, would consume excess inventory.
US07747475B1 Intelligent and firm currency conversion
This disclosure pertains to techniques for intelligent selection of a currency preference for a user and conversion of monetary values to the preferred currency for transactions entered into by the user. The conversion is performed using a firm exchange rate that is derived from a market exchange rate, but guaranteed for a period of time during which the transaction is anticipated to be completed.
US07747471B1 System and method for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables
A method and system for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables is disclosed. A user accesses a web site and is provided with a web page enabling the user to choose a product with multiple optional features. Upon selection of the product and desired features, the user is provided with pricing information for the selected products and features and provided with the option to modify the product be selecting different features. Upon selection of the modification, the user is provided with a web page simultaneously displaying the original selection and associated feature prices and the modification and associated feature prices.
US07747469B2 System and method for a made to specification e-commerce quoting and orders processing system on a stand alone or integrated portal
Defining product specifications via XSD/XSL/DTD file with responses to option variable questions. The option selections have user defined interrelationship and cross checking between options. XSL file includes functions to compute selling price, shipping cost, sales tax and other fields. System provides links to assist with input. Responses and Real time Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) layout are retained in XML format in a single table within the database. The final checout order occurs when update cart has been successfully completed without errors. A system defined allowed number of suppliers can be selected to provide quotes. The returned quoted price is displayed to the buyer who selects the supplier and awards the contract. The buyer continues on to the awarded supplier's site for completion of credit processing information to complete the commerce transaction. The portal will retian historical information of the transactions.
US07747467B2 Selection set evaluation device and sale management device
A selection set evaluation device comprises selection item storage means (201) where information concerning selection items are stored, selection item presenting means (202) for presenting selection items to a user, selection item selection means (203) for allowing the user to select one or more of the presented selection items, evaluation criterion storage means (207) where evaluation criterion used for evaluating a selection set consisting of the one or more selection items selected by the user; and selection set evaluating means (209) for evaluating the selection set on the basis of the evaluation criterion. Thus a selection set evaluation device for evaluating a selection set which is a combination of selection items selected by the user on the basis of predetermined evaluation criteria.
US07747465B2 Determining the effectiveness of internet advertising
The method and system of the present invention enables Internet businesses to conduct real-time, online experiments on a sample of transactions to determine marketplace sensitivities. Analysis of the results of the experiments reveal optimal values of key market decision variables such as price, content of banner ads, promotion levels, quantity discount schemes, etc. The experiments may be automatically conducted on an on-going basis, or may be conducted on a periodic basis. The method and system of the present invention preferably allow users to modify the nature of the experiment and the propagation of optimal values. The method and system of the current invention can be used for a pure diagnostic purpose or to automate the setting of key market variables.The dynamic experimentation used by the inventive system reveals the relative stability (or instability) of the networked market within which the business operates. The translation of an optimal value for a key variable (for example, content of a banner ad) to the entire market can be done on a real-time basis.
US07747464B2 Motion picture theater and associated promotion
A method of promoting and playing a motion picture at a theater in which the motion picture is not scheduled to begin at any particular time, the patron may visit the theater when convenient, and the motion picture begins a pre-determined period of time after the first patron arrives. The motion picture may begin earlier if a pre-determine level of patrons arrive. Various system are also described to support this process, including systems that delay the determination of the motion picture that will be played by a particular theater until after a visiting patron selects that motion picture. Applying these concepts to purchased or rented offices, apartments and condominiums is also disclosed.
US07747463B1 Debit purchasing of stored value card for use by and/or delivery to others
A method of issuing a purchase card is provided. The method includes the steps of presenting a purchaser with the opportunity to buy the purchase card, determining whether the purchaser has sufficient funds to pay for the purchase card, creating a purchase card account for a recipient designated by the purchaser, and issuing the purchase card. The purchase card may also be issued in connection with another credit card, for example as a rebate for purchases on the credit card. The purchase card may also be converted to a credit card.
US07747460B2 Just-in-time insurer's flooring evaluation and replacement system
A system, and method for making and using the same, for an on-site evaluation of flooring materials, condition, and value, and further, for providing replacement flooring. The system includes an interconnected system which includes estimation logic, project management logic and installation logic for managing an insurance claim from start to finish in a just in time fashion.
US07747454B2 System and method for real time management of a drug regimen
A system for managing a prescribed drug regimen for a user, the system including at least one electronic device (Pod) for interactive communication with at least one user, a Pod server coupled via a communication link to each Pod, said Pod server including an analysis unit, the analysis unit including a database of drug characteristics, and a processor for comparing sensed characteristics of a drug in one of the Pods with characteristics in the drug characteristics database, so as to identify the drug, and to provide to the Pod an indication of compatibility of the drug with the drug regimen.
US07747453B2 System and method for managing patient encounters
A method and system for electronically maintaining medical records and to facilitate availability and use of information relating to patients, as well as other information used in the operation of a medical facility. The system stores information such as patient charts, medical histories of patients, insurance information, including documentation requirements of insurance companies, timelines for calendaring events, and dictionaries of commonly or repetitively used information. The system permits inputting of information relating to a patient encounter or appointment with a patient and inputting information on business related contacts, including information on patients, pharmacies, physicians and insurance companies. The system further facilitates tracking of patients and their medical status, prescription writing, printing of reports, and preparation of insurance forms, including electronic claim forms.
US07747452B1 Enforcement process for correction of hardware and software defects
A method and apparatus for improvement of computer-related products to solve problems caused by artificially embedded locks, barriers, defects, and the like, that force a consumer to needlessly upgrade hardware or software on a computer. An independent developer may procure access to a product, develop a testing regimen for functionality of the product, and perform evaluations to identify sources of any operational defects found. Accordingly, the developer may then provide a generalized testing regimen to test instances of product provided by a supplier, identify those containing the flaw, and may optionally provide a solution to the flaw, where practicable. The independent developer may obtain intellectual property rights in the testing, solution or both for the product. Thus, by notifying a supplier, an independent developer may become a supplier of testing or solution systems, motivating a supplier by one of several mechanisms. The developer may obtain a legal status with respect to the supplier by becoming a customer or user, in order to provide motivation to a recalcitrant supplier not designed to take responsibility for defects known and continued in marketed products.
US07747447B2 Broadcast router having a serial digital audio data stream decoder
A bi-phase decoder suitable for use in a broadcast router and an associated method for extracting subframes of digital audio data from a stream of digital audio data. Logical circuitry within the bi-phase decoder extracts subframes of the digital audio data by constructing a transition window from an estimated bit time, sampling the stream of digital audio data using a fast clock and applying the sampled stream of digital audio data to the transition window to identify transitions indicative of preambles of the subframes of digital audio data.
US07747445B2 Distinguishing among different types of abstractions consisting of plurality of commands specified by particular sequencing and or timing or no timing and sequencing using voice commands
The present invention discloses a method for a voice-enabled computing environment. The method includes a step of receiving a series of voice commands related to an abstraction, wherein the voice command specifies an abstraction type. The method further includes responding to the voice command to replay the commands, executing at least one programmatic action related to the abstraction, where the programmatic action is executed demonstrating characteristics specific to the abstraction type associated with the voice command. The present method applies, but is not limited to, the execution of collections of commands that may have diverging timing characteristics.
US07747434B2 Integrated speech recognition, closed captioning, and translation system and method
A system and method that integrates automated voice recognition technology and speech-to-text technology with automated translation and closed captioning technology to provide translations of “live” or “real-time” television content is disclosed. It converts speech to text, translates the converted text to other languages, and provides captions through a single device that may be installed at the broadcast facility. The device accepts broadcast quality audio, recognizes the speaker's voice, converts the audio to text, translates the text, processes the text for multiple caption outputs, and then sends multiple text streams out to caption encoders and/or other devices in the proper format. Because it automates the process, it dramatically reduces the cost and time traditionally required to package television programs for broadcast into foreign or multi-language U.S. markets.
US07747430B2 Coding model selection
The invention relates to an encoder (200) comprising an input (201) for inputting frames of an audio signal, a LTP analysis block (209) for performing a LTP analysis of the frames of the audio signal to form LTP parameters on the basis of the properties of the audio signal, and at least a first excitation block (206) for performing a first excitation for frames of the audio signal, and a second excitation block (207) for performing a second excitation for frames of the audio signal. The encoder (200) further comprises a parameter analysis block (202) for analysing said LTP parameters, and an excitation selection block (203) for selecting one excitation block among said first excitation block (206) and said second excitation block (207) for performing the excitation for the frames of the audio signal on the basis of the parameter analysis. The invention also relates to a device, a system, a method, a module and a computer program product.
US07747427B2 Apparatus and method for automatic translation customized for documents in restrictive domain
An apparatus and method for automatic translation of patent documents are provided. Translation knowledge customized for the patent domain is extracted and used. The method includes the steps of: extracting a number of technical terms from a patent document and assigning translated terms for the extracted technical terms; extracting expressions frequently used in patent documents, not in a document in a general domain, and constructing translated expressions; using the translation knowledge constructed in this way, applying a sentence pattern to extraordinarily long sentences in a patent document, dividing the sentence by recognition of parallel structure and syntax clues; and extracting translation units available for parsing and performing structure analysis.
US07747426B2 System simulation using multi-tasking computer code
A system, such as hardware or software system having a number of modules, is simulated using multi-tasking computer code. Simulation computer code launches tasks simulating system execution, where each task corresponds to a module. Each task requests a processing delay to a common scheduler. Upon the common scheduler receiving a processing delay request, the common scheduler instructs a scheduling method processor to update a task-remaining time for at least one task. The scheduling method processor updates the task-remaining time for at least one task based at least on a scheduling approach. The common scheduler sends a wait request to a preexisting simulation system to delay a module that corresponds to the task by a length of time, based on the task-remaining time for the task and the scheduling approach. The preexisting simulation system delays the module that corresponds to the task by the length of time of the wait request.
US07747423B1 Systems and methods of co-simulation utilizing multiple PLDs in a boundary scan chain
Systems and methods of performing co-simulation of a partitioned circuit design using multiple programmable logic devices (PLDs) coupled together to form a boundary scan chain. A host computer is coupled to the scan chain via a programming cable. Resident on the host computer are run-time co-simulation blocks corresponding to blocks from the circuit design, where each block is designated to run on one of the PLDs in the scan chain; a programming cable device driver interfacing with the programming cable; and a proxy component. The proxy component is coupled to all of the run-time co-simulation blocks and the programming cable device driver. Each co-simulation block includes a unique pattern identifier, which is also present in the associated PLD. Using this pattern identifier, data and commands targeted to a specific PLD can be extracted from the scan chain, while ignoring data and commands targeted to other PLDs in the scan chain.
US07747415B1 Sensor powered event logger
A system includes a structure and a circuit. The circuit is mounted to the structure. The circuit includes a sensor, a non-volatile memory, and a voltage sensitive switch. The memory and the voltage sensitive switch are connected for recording an event sensed by said sensor. The recording only uses power derived from the sensor. One embodiment of the circuit includes a processor connected for receiving a signal derived from the sensor. In this embodiment the non-volatile memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing data derived from the signal. In one embodiment a first energy storage device is connected to receive energy from the sensor. The voltage sensitive switch is connected for releasing energy from the first energy storage device when energy stored in the first energy storage device exceeds a threshold. The processor and the non-volatile memory are connected for receiving power from the released energy.
US07747406B2 Method for testing and controlling workflows in a clinical system and/or components thereof
In a method to test a clinical and/or medical-technical system and a method for controlling medical-technical examination workflows in a clinical and/or medical-technical system, medical examination workflows in the appertaining system are simulated. For this purpose, a process workflow plan is selected from a number of process workflow plans dependent on an examination task, each of the process workflow plans including a number of linked process units with which system component of the system are respectively associated. Each process workflow plan also includes an input parameter set, an output parameter set and a transfer function that is dependent on the examination task and/or the associated system component. Respective output parameter values and/or performance data for the individual process units are then determined from a number of input parameter values for the appertaining process units on the basis of the transfer function. Respective output parameter values of a process unit are used as input parameter values for a subsequent process unit within the process workflow plan.
US07747404B2 Method for the analysis, control, automation and information management of life-cycle processes of technical products
A method for the analysis, control, automation, and information management of life-cycle processes of technical products includes an engineering process, an analysis process, a test process, and accesses an information system. The engineering process, the analysis process and the test process, which includes a plurality of test modules, have connections for information exchange exclusively to the control process and information system. For every test of the test modules, the scope and form of the input and output values are determined by data stored in the information system. The data that are input into the engineering process and determined, and the specified values, are processed by the process control, which determines all of the tests to be carried out. The results are passed on to the process control. The analysis process determines if data and specified values input in the engineering process have been reached by a numerical or numerical/statistical calculation.
US07747403B2 Method for measuring the phase jitter of a high-frequency signal and a measuring device for the implementation of this method
In order to measure the phase jitter of a high-frequency signal, a spectrum analyzer is used. The high-frequency signal (HF) to be measured is either multiplied by M and/or the output frequency of the variable frequency oscillator of the spectrum analyzer is divided by N, and both signals are set to the same frequency and mixed in a mixer. The output signal of the mixer is then evaluated in the preferably digital evaluating device of the spectrum analyzer according to the Fast Fourier Transformation principle. To this end, the spectrum analyzer requires only one additional mixer, frequency divider and/or frequency multiplier.
US07747402B2 Method, system and software application for electrochemical analysis
Electrochemical analysis is performed by applying one or more time-sequenced voltage waveforms in a solution and measuring the resulting current in the solution. Raw data representative of the measured current parameters may be integrated based on one or more integration time intervals, and the raw data may be displayed in one or more three dimensional plots. The integrated data and the raw data may also be displayed in one or more two-dimensional plots. The raw data is stored for three dimensional displays and the integrated data is stored for two dimensional displays. Baseline correction is performed on the raw data and the baseline corrected data is displayed in one or more three dimensional plots and in one or more two dimensional plots. The raw data is stored at a rate between 100 Hz and 10 KHz.
US07747401B2 Fast intrinsic mode decomposition of time series data with sawtooth transform
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for decomposing a signal using a sawtooth, or triangle wave, transform. Specific embodiments transform an input signal into a piecewise-linear sawtooth or triangle wave function, and construct upper and lower envelopes for the input signal in sawtooth space. A component function for the input signal (e.g., an Intrinsic Mode Function (IMF)) is then generated based on the sawtooth or triangle wave function and the upper and lower envelopes. In various embodiments, the results generated in sawtooth space are reversely transformed into the original data space of the input signal. In this manner, an input signal may be decomposed into one or more component functions without the time-consuming and relatively unpredictable sifting process of the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method.
US07747399B2 Home energy use indicator
A system for monitoring electricity consumption in a building, comprising a transmitter connected to the primary electricity input of the building for wirelessly transmitting consumption data to at least one display device. The display device is adapted to receive data from the Internet for analysis and comparison to the consumption data generated by the transmitter. The transmitter includes an electricity detection circuit that comprises a diode bridge and a difference amplifier connected to a microprocessor.
US07747396B2 Apparatus and method for measuring loads sustained by a bearing pin
A pin bearing arrangement for use on an aircraft landing gear includes a pin and a load sensor arrangement, which may include strain gauges for measuring shear loads and accelerometers for measuring loads sustained by the pin. The pin includes a self-contained data logging device for logging data concerning loads sustained by the pin. Thus, inside the pin, there may be provided a processing unit, a memory store, and a battery-based power source. During normal operation of the aircraft fatigue loads may be monitored, the processing unit receiving input signals from the means for measuring loads and storing load data in the memory. The stored load data may periodically be extracted from the memory during maintenance of the aircraft.
US07747390B2 Digital cell
It is intended to provide a method and system for carrying out data production with respect to the actual status of cells as a profile. It is also intended to provide a system and method for presenting time-lapse and/or real-time information of cell interior directly, or as it is, from the viewpoint of a complex system. It is further intended to provide a method of presenting a digital cell. Thus, there is provided a method of producing profile data relating to cell information, comprising the step (a) of arranging cells in an immobilized form on a support and the step (b) of monitoring over time biological factors on or inside the cells or an aggregate thereof, thereby producing profile data for the cells. Furthermore, there is provided a method of producing a digital cell, comprising procuring experimental data by the use of the above method.
US07747389B2 Scoring system for the prediction of cancer recurrence
The present invention relates to a scoring system for the prediction of cancer recurrence. More particularly, the present invention concerns with the selection of genes and/or proteins, and generation of formulae with the selected genes and/or proteins for the prediction of cancer recurrence by measuring the expression of genes and/or proteins of human tumor tissues, and comparing their patterns with those of the gene and/or protein expression of human primary tumors from patients who have cancer recurrence and those who do not have cancer recurrence. The present invention also relates to a kit for performing the method of the present invention comprising DNA chip, oligonucleotide chip, protein chip, peptides, antibodies, probes and primers that are necessary for effecting DNA microarrays, oligonucleotide microarrays, protein arrays, northern blotting, in situ hybridization, RNase protection assays, western blotting, ELISA assays, reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (hereinafter referred to as RT-PCR) to examine the expression of at least 2 or more of genes and/or proteins, preferably 4 or more of genes and/or proteins, more preferably 6 or more of genes and/or proteins, and most preferably 12 or more of genes and/or proteins, that are indicative of cancer recurrence.
US07747386B2 Collision detection sensor
A collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle and a collision object by converting the collision into a change in optical transmission characteristics of an optical fiber. The collision detection sensor has the optical fiber, a molding material formed on the periphery of the optical fiber, and a convex portion formed on the surface of the molding material.
US07747385B2 Traveling condition determination device
A traveling condition determination device for use in a vehicle includes an imaging unit for periodically capturing an image of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, a recognition unit for recognizing a marker on a side of the road relative to the vehicle, a detection unit for detecting an angle of the vehicle relative to the marker recognized by the recognition unit, a storage unit for storing the angle of the vehicle detected by the detection unit in an analyzable manner and a determination unit for determining a traveling condition of the vehicle based on the angle stored in the storage unit.
US07747383B2 Offset detection of acceleration sensor and navigation system
To accurately detect a zero gravity offset in an acceleration sensor. As an embodiment of the present invention, in the case where position information can be obtained from a GPS processing section, a velocity detecting unit performs an operation according to Expression (15), using real detected acceleration αGr that was actually obtained from the acceleration sensor, vehicle acceleration αP based on the position information, distance Dm, an amount of height change Dh based on pressure PR, and gravity acceleration g. Therefore, offset acceleration αo can be accurately calculated, and an acceleration detection signal can be converted into detected acceleration αG with high accuracy, based on a zero gravity offset value Vzgo by that the above offset acceleration αo was converted.
US07747381B2 Road information provision system, road information provision apparatus, and road information generation method
An object of the invention is to provide a traffic information provision system which can arbitrarily set a position resolution and a traffic representation resolution and flexibly support a traffic information prediction service. The traffic information provision system of the invention quantizes the state quantity of traffic information changing along a road, converts said quantized state quantity to a value having statistical deviation, performs encoding of said value, and provides the encoded value to traffic information utilization apparatus such as a car navigation system. The traffic information utilization apparatus decodes said encoded state quantity to reproduce the traffic information on said road.
US07747378B2 Method and device for integrative control of gas engine
An integrative control method and device for controlling gas engines is proposed which is improved load responsivity of the engine while maintaining air fuel ratio control. The control method comprises a speed control process for controlling engine rotation speed by calculating a command value of fuel gas flow rate based on deviation of a detected engine rotation speed from a target command value of engine rotation speed and controlling fuel gas flow rate flowing through the fuel gas flow control valve to coincide with the calculated command value of fuel gas flow rate, and an air fuel ratio control process for controlling air fuel ratio of fuel-air mixture supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine through performing feedback control in which such a command value of fuel-air mixture flow rate is calculated that air fuel ratio of the mixture is appropriate with the fuel gas flow flowing at the commanded fuel gas flow rate and a target opening of the throttle valve is determined based on deviation of the actual mixture flow rate calculated based on detected values of operating conditions of the gas engine from the calculated command value of fuel-air mixture flow rate.
US07747376B2 Method for monitoring a control circuit and actuating device
A method for monitoring a control circuit of an actuating device with at least one actuator including an actuated part and an electric member controlling movement of the actuated part, the control circuit including a bridge, the controlling electric member being connected in the bridge. The method includes: powering the bridge, producing at least one measurement signal representing the position of the actuated part, and selectively interrupting conduction in at least one branch of the bridge in accordance with the measurement signal to maintain the measurement signal substantially in an operating zone defined between a low threshold and a high threshold during a phase activating the controlling electric member. Conduction is interrupted in at least one branch to place the controlling electrical member in short-circuit via two branches of the bridge when the measurement signal reaches at least one specific threshold above the low threshold.
US07747375B2 Method for operating a hybrid drive and device for carrying out said method
A procedure to operate a hybrid-electric power train and a device to implement the procedure are proposed. The hybrid-electric power train contains at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electromotor, which together supply a drive torque, respectively a driving power output, for a motor vehicle. At a power output demand on the hybrid-electric power train, which corresponds at least to a lower power output threshold, the internal combustion engine is operated constantly at least approximately at the full load.
US07747374B2 Driving force control unit for a vehicle
The driving force control unit for a vehicle comprises a plurality of control modes for controlling a driving force, each of control modes having each driving force characteristic, a vehicle driving condition detecting unit for detecting a vehicle driving condition, a selector for selecting one control mode from the control modes, a temporary selector for changing the current mode to other mode, and a driving force indication value setting unit for setting a driving force indication value according to the vehicle driving condition and the driving force characteristic corresponding to the selected mode by the selector or the temporary selector.
US07747373B2 Control device of vehicle
An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) executes a program including a step of detecting a driver's preference potential Hdr, a step of calculating a target engine output Ptgt using Hdr when a deceleration request is detected, a step of calculating a target slippage tsl using Hdr, a step of calculating a target engine speed tne, a step of calculating a target ISC (Idle Speed Control) opening tidle from Ptgt and tne, a step of assigning a guard value to tidle when tidle is smaller than the guard value, a step of calculating a current engine output Pnow and a step of calculating a motor output (regeneration quantity) Phv from (Ptgt-Pnow).
US07747372B2 Systems and methods for user control of vehicular transmission shift points
Systems and methods for user control of vehicular transmission shift points. In one embodiment, a user may control a transmission shift point by adjusting a selector having non-discrete selectable positions. Such selector may generate a signal indicative of its position to a transmission controller. The transmission controller may receive the signal from the selector and determine at least one transmission shift point based upon the selector position. The transmission controller may thereby control the transmission to effectuate a gear change when the shift point is achieved. In some embodiments, the selector may comprise a rotary potentiometer, a rotary encoder, an inline potentiometer, an inline encoder or the like.
US07747370B2 Method for creating end of row turns for agricultural vehicles
A GPS-based vehicle guidance system and a method for automatically guiding a vehicle through and end of a row turn. The present invention provides a method and system that automatically guides the vehicle through an end of row turn without manual control. An algorithm using the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and the rate of change of the vehicle creates a set of interpolated data points resulting in an end of row turn.
US07747369B2 System and method for sharing terrain data among multiple machines
Systems and methods for sharing terrain data among one or more machines include a communications system associated with the one or more machines in electronic communication with each other and to a communications system associated with a remote location. The terrain data may be determined from information received from satellite positioning systems. New information comprising alterations to a worksite by one or more machines may be stored as a snippet. Collected snippets may be combined to form a data block which is sent to one or more identified machines. A bitmap, corresponding to each snippet, is sent to the one or more identified machines in order to locate the new information in the data block. Using the new information, the one or more identified machines may update a composite model of the worksite located at each of the one or more identified machines.
US07747366B2 Oil temperature prediction and vehicle protection
A vehicle having an oil temperature prediction algorithm that allows for protection of the vehicle is disclosed. The algorithm may predict an oil sump temperature for a manual transmission and, upon reaching a first transmission heat threshold, enter a transmission protection mode.
US07747362B2 System and method for computing rail car switching solutions by assessing space availability in a classification track on the basis of block pull time
A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
US07747361B2 Method of injecting plurality of spacecraft into different orbits individually
In a method for injecting a plurality of spacecraft into different circum-earth or interplanetary orbits individually in a single launch, a plurality of spacecraft coupled to an assist module are injected into an interplanetary orbit having a periodicity synchronous with the earth's revolution period. Then, in a maneuver allowing the assist module to re-counter with and pass near to the earth (Earth swing-by), the assist module appropriately performs an orbital change maneuver and a separation maneuver for each of the spacecraft in a sequential order. Through these maneuvers, a closest-approach point to the earth is changed for each of the spacecraft so as to drastically change a subsequent orbital element for each of the spacecraft. The assist module takes a sufficient time to determine a target orbit for each of the spacecraft with a high degree of accuracy until a half month to several days before a closest-approach time in the Earth swing-by. Based on the determined orbit, the assist module makes an orbit correction of about several m/sec in a sequential order, and then separates the spacecraft therefrom in a sequential order. In this process, an inertia navigation is performed based on an accelerometer mounted in the assist module and information about attitude.
US07747359B2 Vehicle state determination integrity
A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.
US07747357B2 Method of communicating a command for load shedding of a load control system
A system provides for secure communication between an electrical utility company and an electricity customer, such that the customer is able to shed one or more loads in response to a load shed command from the utility company. A system server of the customer periodically connects to a utility server of the utility company using a standard computer protocol, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The system server sends a request message via the Internet to the utility server. The request message provides data on the total possible load, the present power consumption, and the present load shed state of the electricity customer. The utility server receives the request message and responds to the request message by transmitting to the system server a response message, which includes a load shed command.
US07747355B2 Electrical power generator with adaptive coupling
A method of coupling a mechanical power source through an electrical power generator to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of an electrical output is measured from the electrical power generator produced during a power generation cycle during which there is a coupling of the mechanical power source through the electrical power generator to the electrical load. The coupling of the mechanical power source is adjusted through the electrical power generator to the electrical load during a subsequent power generation cycle based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the electrical output.
US07747351B2 Apparatus and method for controlling robot arm, and robot and program
A control device for a robot arm is designed such that, based on information on a transportation state database in which information on a transportation state of a person operating the arm is recorded, an impedance setting unit sets a mechanical impedance set value of the arm, and an impedance control unit controls a mechanical impedance value of the arm to the mechanical impedance set value thus set.
US07747350B2 Robot, hint output device, robot control system, robot control method, robot control program, and integrated circuit
Conventional pet robots have the ability to distinguish users and take a different behavior pattern per each different user, and conventional pet robots have the ability to phase their behavior patterns based on their own behavior history to stage a growth process. The present invention provides an improvement to the conventional pet robots by, when in contact with a user in possession of a memory card, acquiring various types of information from the memory card, such as identification information of the memory card, information regarding the user, and history information regarding contact between the user and the robot. This provides the user a high degree of satisfaction by performing behavior that reflects the acquired information.
US07747348B2 Method and apparatus for using rotational movement amount of mobile device and computer-readable recording medium for storing computer program
Provided is a method of using a rotational movement amount of a mobile device including obtaining images at two different points on a path along which the mobile device moves, searching for matching points with respect to the obtained images and obtaining an image coordinate value of each of the matching points, sensing linear movement of the mobile device and obtaining a linear movement amount using a result of sensing, and obtaining the rotational movement amount using the image coordinate values and the linear movement amount.
US07747344B2 Liquid handling system with electronic information storage
The present invention relates to a system for handling liquid and a method for the same. The system includes a container capable of holding a liquid. An electronic storage device is coupled with the container for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system can be configured with an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. A microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, may be employed for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna.
US07747343B2 Substrate processing apparatus and substrate housing method
A substrate housing method for a substrate processing apparatus, including: a first step of transporting the substrate taken out from a housing case to the substrate processing apparatus by a transport means; a third step of processing the substrate at the substrate processing apparatus; a fourth step of returning the substrate after the third step to the housing case by the transport means; a second step of calculating a difference in amount in relation to a normal position of the substrate at the transport means from the first step and before the fourth step; and a fifth step of adjusting a returning position of the substrate in the housing case after the third step and until the fourth step.
US07747337B2 Apparatus and method for managing audio data and recording apparatus
An audio playback apparatus that reproduces audio data stored in the form of an electronic file includes a hard disc drive for storing audio data and management data for managing the audio data; an external interface section for outputting the management data read from the hard disc drive, to an external editing apparatus and for receiving the management data edited by the external editing apparatus; and a control section for rewriting the management data stored in the hard disc drive to the management data edited by the external editing apparatus. By using the external editing apparatus to edit additional information for managing the audio data stored in the hard disc drive of large capacity, the labor in editing additional information can be saved.
US07747334B2 Left ventricular lead shapes
A lead for sensing and pacing a left ventricle of the heart includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through the lead body, a conductor extending through the lead body from the proximal end to the distal end and an electrode disposed on the distal portion of the lead body and electrically coupled to the conductor. A distal tip of the lead body is continuously deflectable upon advancement and withdrawal of a stylet through the lumen at the distal portion to access a selected branch of the coronary sinus. The distal tip of the lead body may be offset before or after continuously deflecting the distal tip.
US07747332B2 Electrical stimulation combined with a biologic to increase osteogenesis
An electrical stimulation device is combined with a biologic to increase osteogenesis (i.e., bone healing or bone formation). The electrical stimulation is osteoblastic in that it produces new bone cells and or increases the activity of the existing cells, either osteoblasts or osteocytes. The preferred biologic decreases osteoclastic activity, which is the remodeling of bone usually by destroying the bone. Thus, osteogenesis is maximized by decreasing osteoclastic activity, while at the same time increasing osteoblastic activity. Osteogenesis can also be maximized by combining electrical stimulation with a BMP. Though BMPs are generally considered to increase osteoblastic activity, certain BMPs may have an additive effect to the use of electrical stimulation.
US07747328B2 Method and apparatus for treating a wound
A method of treating a wound comprising the steps of placing a pair of electrodes placed spaced apart in the region of a wound and applying a predetermined sequence of current waveforms across the electrodes. The sequence of current waveforms comprises a first waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 80 to 300 μA, having a frequency in a range from 0.5 to 1.5 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 333 to 1000 ms, a second waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 20 to 60 μA, having a frequency in a range from 2 to 4 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 125 to 250 ms and a third waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 250 to 640 μA, having a frequency in a range of from 80 to 120 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 4 to 6 ms.
US07747323B2 Adaptive baroreflex stimulation therapy for disordered breathing
An approach to providing disordered breathing therapy includes delivering electrical stimulation therapy modifying a patient's baroreflex response. Disordered breathing therapy may be delivered in response to prediction or detection of disordered breathing events. Various conditions affecting the patient may be evaluated and the baroreflex therapy modified. The therapy may be modified to improve therapy efficacy, to reduce an impact to the patient and/or to mitigate therapy interactions.
US07747321B2 Implantable medical device feedthrough assembly having a coated conductor
An electrical feedthrough for an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided that employs a feedthrough conductor having a non-platinum based inner core and one or more layers of a conductive coating to control oxide growth on the surface of the conductor. The coating permits soldering the feedthrough conductor to IMD electronics. The resulting feedthrough provides a substantial cost savings over feedthroughs employing a solid platinum or platinum-iridium conductor.
US07747320B1 Responding a partial lead failure in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator
An implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) delivers an electrical therapy signal to the heart of a patient. When ventricular fibrillation or another condition of the heart requiring high voltage therapy is sensed, the therapy signal is delivered to the heart. When a partial short-circuit or other low impedance condition occurs, an over-current protection circuit will stop delivery of a shocking pulse. The ICD will then reduce the voltage of the shocking pulse and try again to deliver electrical therapy. This process is repeated until a voltage level is found that is able to deliver the electrical therapy without causing an over-voltage condition. Alternate lead configurations may also be tried in an attempt to find a signal path that is not affected by the low impedance or short-circuit condition.
US07747316B2 Blind adaptive filter extraction of fetal electrocardiogram signal estimate
A blind adaptive filter of an apparatus in an example employs a frequency domain ECG-feature vector and a time domain ECG feature vector with a maternal ECG parameter estimate and a set of candidate fetal ECG estimates that satisfy the frequency domain ECG-feature-vector, to extract a fetal ECG signal estimate from raw abdominal ECG signals of a pregnant female. The fetal ECG signal estimate satisfies the frequency domain ECG feature-vector and the time domain ECG feature vector.
US07747310B2 System and method of obtaining images and spectra of intracavity structures using 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance systems
An MR system features an intracavity probe and associated interface device. The probe includes a shaft, a balloon at one end thereof, and a coil loop within the balloon. The loop has two drive capacitors and a tuning capacitor, all of which in series. A junction node between the drive capacitors serves as a ground for electrically balancing the loop. Diametrically opposite the node, the tuning capacitor enables the loop to resonate at the operating frequency of the MR system. The interface allows the MR system to couple the loop to a port of the MR system during a receive cycle thereof and decouple it from the port during a transmit cycle thereof. With its balloon inserted and inflated within a cavity of a patient, the probe allows the MR system to generate images and/or spectra of the region of interest using the MR signals received by the loop.
US07747309B2 Method and apparatus for administration of contrast agents for use in magnetic resonance arteriography
The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing preferential enhancement of an artery of interest relative to adjacent veins and background tissue. The method and apparatus adapts the timing of a maximum or substantially elevated rate of infusion to correlate with the collection of image data corresponding to the center of k-space. The technique and apparatus temporally correlates the timing of a maximum or substantially elevated rate of infusion and the mapping of k-space according to the location of the artery of interest, the size of the artery of interest, the physical condition of the patient, the time delay due to the configuration of the contrast agent delivery system, and/or the type of pulse sequence employed by the imaging apparatus. Adapting the timing of a maximum or substantially elevated rate of infusion to correlate with the collection of image data corresponding to the center of k-space provides a period of a maximum or substantially elevated contrast concentration in the artery of interest relative to adjacent veins during collection of at least a portion of the image data corresponding to the center of k-space.
US07747308B2 Non-invasive systems and methods for the determination of cardiac injury using a characterizing portion of a voxel histogram
Methods, systems and circuits predict cardiotoxicity induced cardiac injury prior to an irreversible state by electronically generating at least one histogram of mean intensities of voxels/pixels in an MRI image of a left ventricle myocardium and electronically determining a likelihood of cardiac injury due to cardiotoxicity based on data from the at least one histogram.
US07747305B2 Computer-aided-design of skeletal implants
The present invention is directed to a computer aided design method for producing an implant for a patient prior to operation comprising the steps of: generating data with a non-invasive 3D (3-dimensional) scan of the patient's defect site that digitally represents the area that will receive the implant; designing and validating an implant on a computer based on digital data generated from a volume image of the patient; and fabricating the implant based solely on the implant design data generated on computer.
US07747304B2 Arrangement and method for the spatially resolved determination of state variables in an examination area
Examining an object wherein magnetic particles are introduced into at least part of a target area of the object under examination, the target area having a first part with a magnetic field strength that keeps magnetic particles in a non-saturated state, and a second part with a second magnetic field strength that keeps the magnetic particles in a saturated state. A superposed oscillating or rotating magnetic field is generated at least partially in the first part-area to cause at least some magnetic particles to oscillate or rotate. The target area is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation and detected radiation includes reflected or scattered electromagnetic radiation, which is modulated by interaction with rotating or oscillating magnetic particles in the target area. The intensity, absorption or polarization of the detected electromagnetic radiation is determined as a function of change in rotation or oscillation of the magnetic particles due to modulation.
US07747301B2 Apparatus and method for non-invasive and minimally-invasive sensing of parameters relating to blood
Medical diagnostic system, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Optical transmitters generate radiation-containing photons having a specific interaction with at least one target chromophore in a target structure, preferably a blood vessel such as the interior jugular vein. The optical transmitters transmit the radiation into at least a first area including a substantial portion of the target structure and into a second area not including a substantial portion of the target structure. Optical receivers detect a portion radiation scattered from at least the first area and the second area. A processor estimates oxygenation, pH or cardiac output based on the scattered radiation detected from the first area, and the scattered radiation from the second area.
US07747298B2 Sliding device for portable terminal
A sliding device for a portable terminal includes a sliding module capable of sliding a sliding housing in multiple steps. The portable terminal has a body housing, a sliding housing that slides on the body housing while facing the body housing, and a sliding device for enabling the sliding housing to slide on the body housing. The sliding device includes a base member provided with a sliding movement member, a sliding member assembled with the base member so as to slide along a length of the base member semi-automatically, a pair of guide members provided to the sliding member and assembled with the sliding movement member so as to guide the sliding movement of the sliding movement member, and a multiple step movement member formed on the guide members and detachably assembled with the sliding movement member for sliding the sliding member in multiple steps.
US07747297B2 Personal digital assistant with slide mechanism
A personal digital assistant 1 composed of a main body 2 formed with an operation section 212; a cover body 3 which is freely attached and slides parallel to the operating section 212 from a position overlapped on the operation section side of the main body 2; and an energization spring 45 formed in the cover body 3 which applies force along a direction which maintains an opened state in an opened position where the cover body 3 has been made to slide from the main body 2. Accordingly, a sliding type personal digital assistant can be stabilized in a closed position and/or an opened position and prevent opening or closing in a midway through position.
US07747295B2 Earphone jack for eliminating power noise in mobile communication terminal, and operating method thereof
An earphone jack for a mobile communication terminal and a driving method thereof, wherein the earphone jack includes a first speaker terminal for providing a positive (+) differential call voice signal when a call voice signal is output, a second speaker terminal for providing a negative (−) differential call voice signal when the call voice signal is output, and a switchable ground terminal for maintaining a ground on state when a media sound source is output, and becoming a ground off state when the call voice signal is output. The method includes the steps of determining whether an audio signal to be currently output is a media sound source signal (that is, a sound source media data signal), or a call voice signal (that is, a wireless call voice signal), and when the media sound source signal is output, maintaining a ground on state and outputting the media sound source signal in stereo, and when the call voice signal is output, maintaining a ground off state and outputting a differential signal.
US07747293B2 Display control for cellular phone
A cellular phone comprises a transceiver that wirelessly transmits and receives wireless cellular signals, a display, an input device, a microphone that generates audio signals and a light sensing module that senses ambient light. A control module communicates with the transceiver, the display, the input device, the microphone and the light sensing module, and comprises a comparing module that generates a first signal when the ambient light signal is less than a threshold, a timing module that determines a duration of the first signal and a selecting module that communicates with the timing module and that selectively deactivates the display and the input device when the duration is greater than a first period.
US07747292B2 Techniques for adaptive interference cancellation
Techniques to perform adaptive interference cancellation are described. A first apparatus may include a timing recovery module to produce a timing recovery command signal, an interference canceller to receive an interference reference signal and produce an interference canceller signal, and an interpolator to couple to the timing recovery module and the interference canceller, the interpolator to receive the timing recovery command signal and the interference canceller signal and produce an interpolated interference canceller signal. A second apparatus may include a time-domain interference canceller to receive an interference reference signal and produce a time-domain interference canceller signal and a frequency-domain interference canceller to receive the interference reference signal and produce a frequency-domain interference canceller signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07747288B2 System and method for notifying users of an event using alerts
An alert engine module receives an alert for an event in a generic communications format and delivers an alert for the event to a target address in a communications format that is preferred by a user based on the alert content. The generic format can be an e-mail message, such as a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) message. The alert engine can be operative to transform the alert based on a header and/or format of a target address.
US07747287B2 Mobile telephone
A mobile telephone using the LCD for the display thereof wherein the address data bus connected to the CPU comprises two separate data buses; the one exclusively provided for the LCD, and the other one for the parts other than the LCD, and in the case of accesses other than access to the LCD, the LCD exclusive address data bus is not actuated.
US07747282B1 Mobile phone with expanded telephone directory
A mobile phone with an expanded telephone directory, wherein any electronic telephone directory of the mobile phone is supplemented by, in each case, one data base located in the nonvolatile memory of the mobile phone, each data base being assigned to precisely one specific telephone directory. The data base assigned to a telephone directory is preferably an expansion telephone directory, and a number of the expansion telephone directories can be assigned to each telephone directory.
US07747278B2 Method for transmitting message of mobile terminal
A method for transmitting a message from a mobile terminal in a mobile communication system. The method includes displaying a list of messages attempted to be transmitted, selecting a message from the list of transmitted messages that was unsuccessfully transmitted, and displaying detailed information about the selected message that was unsuccessfully transmitted.
US07747276B2 Mobile communication terminal and communication control method
When the user of the mobile communication terminal produces the originating operation while in the idle state with the wireless system C, the control section acquires the input of the user of the mobile communication terminal via the key input section (step 302) and acquires, through the present position acquisition section, area identification data of an area L where it is placed in the idle state (step 304). The control section makes a reference to the table of connection scores held in the storage section and acquires a connection score p for the system A corresponding to the area L (step 306). Next, the control section judges the start of origination to the system A by using the connection score p (step 308).
US07747274B2 Method and system for securely communicating information using multiple RF carriers
Amplitude modulation of multiple carriers provides a pulse width modulated train resulting in a novel and effective communication mechanism to overcome difficulties in certain RF applications, particularly in the area of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). A novel conceptual pulse is formed and developed using a set of RF frequencies, such as ultra wideband frequencies, amplitude modulated to form a pulse width modulated binary coded signal. The concept is to wirelessly convey information only to a receiver at a specified distance or range. The RF energy may continue on in space, but receivers of the same design would only receive information from a transmitter if the receivers are located at a specified distance. Equivalent receivers at all other distances would see noise.
US07747270B2 Method for allocating a communication right, communication conference session server and communication conference session server arrangement
A plurality of communication conference sessions coupled to one another such that when a communication right is requested, a check is made to ascertain whether the communication right has already been allotted to subscribers in a different, coupled communication conference session. In such a case, the communication right is denied, and otherwise, the communication right is granted.
US07747266B2 Data-capable network prioritization with reduced delays in data service
In one illustrative method, a periodic location update timer value is broadcasted by a wireless communication network and received and stored in memory of a mobile station. A request for data service is transmitted by the mobile station to a wireless communication network, and the request is reattempted at least one time in response to identifying a rejection of the request. If the request for the data service is accepted in response to the request, the mobile station operates in the wireless communication network using the data service. On the other hand, if the request for the data service is not accepted, the mobile station is set in a data service deregistered state. A timer is initialized with an initial value that is less than the periodic location update timer value and started. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile station repeats the transmission of the request for the data service and any reattempts in response to any rejections of the request. If the periodic location update timer value is less than the initial value, however, the timer is initialized with the periodic location update timer value.
US07747264B2 Method and apparatus for delivering advertisements to mobile users
Techniques for delivering advertisements and similar promotional messages to mobile users using USSD technology are disclosed. USSD provides session-based communication in which transactions occur only during a session. Advertisements may be delivered through USSD in several ways: by inserting a short text into a message in a mobile-initiated USSD session, by temporarily diverting a mobile-initiated USSD session toward an advertisement sub-session, by triggering a network-initiated USSD session the main purpose of which is the delivery of an advertisement, and by causing a mobile user to initiate a USSD session the main purpose of which is the delivery of an advertisement. Also disclosed is a process for inserting advertisements into USSD messages, a process for inserting advertisement sub-sessions into USSD sessions, and a process for delivering advertisements with network-initiated USSD sessions.
US07747263B2 Method of transmitting and receiving broadcasting information by utilizing a cell broadcasting service in a mobile telecommunication system
There is provided a method of transmitting and receiving broadcasting information by utilizing a cell broadcasting service (CBS) in a mobile telecommunication system. To transmit the broadcasting information, the broadcasting information is converted to a predetermined message code to the type and contents of the broadcasting information. A message having a header indicating the type of the broadcasting information and the converted message code is generated in a format predetermined depending on the type of the broadcasting information, and transmitted by utilization of the CBS.
US07747260B2 Mobility voice messaging
A wireless communications device, network and method of wireless communications. The wireless device (e.g., a cell phone) allows users to respond to calls silently by selecting prompts. Each prompt is replaced with a recorded vocal response. The caller hears the recorded response.
US07747256B2 Method and system for detecting data congestion and applying a cell reselection offset
A method and apparatus for reducing data congestion in a cell having signal strength, the method having the steps of: assigning a congestion penalty at a mobile device to a cell; applying the congestion penalty to the signal strength to create a selection value; and performing cell reselection using the selection value.
US07747255B2 System and method for dynamic bandwidth estimation of network links
Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically estimating the bandwidth of a network link in a wireless network. The system includes at least one client device capable of receiving data over the wireless network and a server capable of transceiving data over a link of a wireless channel of the wireless network. The server identifies the at least one client device in the wireless network and identifies applications that are being utilized in the wireless network by the at least one client device, in which each application has an associated link between the server and the client device and an associated data stream transmitted over the link. The server passively estimates the bandwidth being used by an application over the link based upon measuring the throughput of the associated data stream and based upon determining channel utilization of the link.
US07747254B2 Management system and method for wireless communication network and associated user interface
A management system and method for a wireless communication network and an associated interface is provided. The management system provides a structure of data layers and a visualization design to upgrade the efficiency of network management. The management system includes a data generation module and a display module. The data module generates a plurality of data layers, which comprise at least a map layer, a network configuration layer, and an operation index layer. The network configuration layer comprises a configuration of the wireless communication network on the map layer. The operation index layer includes statistic values of an operation index of the wireless communication network under the configuration. The display module performs an overlap display of a plurality of selected layers from the data layers to show operation status of the wireless communication network.
US07747253B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for effectuating a data service designated by a service delivery mode
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating routing of a data service call background and foreground service delivery modes are defined. A delivery mode type determiner determines the service delivery mode associated with the data service. If the service delivery mode is a background delivery mode, the data service is effectuated with the intended receiving station instead of being redirected pursuant to a call forwarding, or other service interaction indicia, feature.
US07747246B2 Environment independent user preference communication
Included are embodiments of a method for communicating user preferences to at least one environment. At least one embodiment includes receiving a request from an environment for preference information related to a user and receiving a user identifier from the environment, the user identifier obtained via a portable user device. Other embodiments include determining at least one user preference related to the user, determining capabilities related to the environment, and communicating at least one user preference to the environment.
US07747243B2 Call security system
A method and apparatus for reducing the vulnerability of the telecommunications system to unauthorized use that is easy to implement and that can reduce the instances of unauthorized access even during periods when telecommunications personnel are not able to give attention to the traffic on the system. The telecommunications system collects statistics of each user's pattern of telecommunications usage. Typically, these statistics will be in the form of, say, the average number of calls per day or the average number of calls per day on given days of the week. It may also include the mean busy hour for the given days of the week. Moreover, daily averages may be taken not only for all calls but also for all calls of a particular type, e.g., of all international calls. These statistics are taken for a reference period, such as the preceding thirty days, and the corresponding quantity for the current day is also computed. If the current statistics are not excessive as compared with the reference statistics, then access to a communications resource—e.g., an outgoing trunk line—is granted to the call without any supplemental access restrictions. But if a predetermined deviation is detected between the current statistics and the reference statistics, then a supplemental restriction is placed upon the call.
US07747233B2 Apparatus and method for selecting an antenna in a digital broadcast receiving terminal
An apparatus and method for supplying information so that power consumption in a digital broadcast receiving terminal can be reduced and a user can use an appropriate antenna depending on a situation. The digital broadcast receiving terminal includes an external antenna detachably assembled with the outside of the terminal a switch unit for selecting any one among the internal antennas and the external antenna, and a signal-receiving condition sensing unit capable of sensing the signal-receiving condition of the internal antennas and the external antenna. If it is impossible to receive the digital broadcast signal by using the internal antennas, the external antenna is used. If the external antenna is mounted, power is supplied only to an RF unit connected to the external antenna and the power supply to the remaining RF unit is cut off, reducing power consumption.
US07747230B2 Transmission modulation apparatus
A transmission modulation apparatus capable of dealing with characteristic variations of a high-frequency power amplifier without always forming an amplitude loop. Transmission modulation apparatus 100 is configured with level detector 140 that receives input of a level detection control signal and detects the output signal of high-frequency power amplifier 130, and offset voltage correcting section 150 that corrects an offset voltage using collinear approximation including a first point where the relationship between the power supply voltage value and the output voltage starts to shift from linear to non-linear based on an output signal of level detector 140 and a second point where output voltage is a minimum. Offset voltage correction is adaptively executed, and linearity between the voltage value of the baseband amplitude signal and the output voltage of high-frequency power amplifier 130 when the voltage value of the baseband amplitude signal is low is compensated.
US07747227B2 Transmission module
A transmission module includes: a power amplifier amplifies power of a radio frequency signal that is to be transmitted via an antenna; a coupler that allows the radio frequency signal from the power amplifier to travel toward the antenna and causes adverse radio frequency power to ground; and a substrate provided with the power amplifier and the coupler.
US07747226B2 Portable electronic devices including multi-mode matching circuits and methods of operating the same
Portable electronic devices are provided including a housing, an antenna associated with the housing and a multi-mode matching circuit operatively associated with the antenna. The multi-mode matching circuit is configured to operate in a first mode when the housing of the portable electronic device is in a first configuration and in a second mode when the housing of the portable electronic device is in a second configuration. Related methods of operating portable electronic devices including multi-mode matching circuits are also discussed.
US07747225B2 Mobile assisted downlink beamforming with antenna weight feedback
A subscriber unit (104) with multiple receive antennas (160, 162) and a single transmit antenna (160) derives beamforming weights to be used at a base station (102) with multiple transmitting antennas (602, 604, 606, and 608). The downlink beamforming weights are derived at the subscriber unit (104) from a prior downlink transmission from the base station (102) to the subscriber device (104) and an uplink sounding signal is used to carry derived downlink beam forming weights to the base station (102). Downlink antenna specific pilots (without weight) are used at the subscriber device (104) to determine the beamforming weights. Decimated sounding signals, where the number of sounding subcarriers is at least the same as the number of antennas at the base station (102), allow multiple users to sound at the same time.
US07747224B2 Method and apparatus for adaptively controlling signals
A signal processing system according to various aspects of the present invention includes an excursion signal generator, a scaling system and a filter system. The excursion signal generator identifies a peak portion of a signal that exceeds a threshold and generates a corresponding excursion signal. The scaling system applies a real scale factor to contiguous sets of excursion samples in order to optimize peak-reduction performance. The filter system filters the excursion signal to remove unwanted frequency components from the excursion signal. The filtered excursion signal may then be subtracted from a delayed version of the original signal to reduce the peak. The signal processing system may also control power consumption by adjusting the threshold. The signal processing system may additionally adjust the scale of the excursion signal and/or individual channel signals, such as to meet constraints on channel noise and output spectrum, or to optimize peak reduction. The magnitude threshold, excursion signal and/or individual channel signals may also be adaptively adjusted based on, for example, a channel signal quality such as a noise level specification.
US07747214B2 Mobile terminal and method for providing user interface using received terrestrial digital broadcasting data
A mobile terminal for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting data and a method thereof are provided. A digital broadcasting receiver receives digital broadcasting data corresponding to a frequency in response to a request for digital broadcasting corresponding to the frequency. A demodulator separates a main service channel (MSC) containing broadcasting data for subchannels and a fast information channel (FIC) providing information about the MSC from the digital broadcasting data. A multimedia portion reads and outputs the FIC, and outputs broadcasting data of a subchannel according to a predetermined control signal. A controller acquires analysis information by analyzing the FIC and configures a user interface menu for the subchannels of the MSC using the analysis information.
US07747208B2 Cover structure for scan device
A cover structure for a scan device comprises a cover mounted on a housing of the scan device and an angle-positioning mechanism disposed between the housing and the cover. The cover includes a first cover portion and a second cover portion. The angle-positioning mechanism includes at least a first locating device and a second locating device. When the first cover portion and second cover portion are lifted, the first locating device will produce an interference action to position the first cover portion at a desired opening angle, and the second locating device also will produce an interference action to position the second cover portion at a desired opening angle.
US07747205B2 Image forming apparatus having fixing device with air separator that separates recording material from a heating member
An image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing toner image on a recording material, the fixing device includes: a heating member which heats a recording material; a pressing member which comes into contact with the heating member with pressure; and an air separator which separates the recording material from the heating member by compressed air blown between a leading edge of the recording material and the heating member, the air separator includes a plurality of nozzles disposed in a width direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording material and an air emitting amount distribution setting section which unifies an emitting amount distribution in the width direction of the compressed air which is emitted from the nozzles.
US07747203B2 Image forming apparatus with a developer feed device having a developer transport body for transporting developer
Each transport electrode has its longitudinal direction intersecting with a sub-scanning direction. Transport electrodes 133a are disposed in parallel with each other and are arrayed along the sub-scanning direction. A transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section is connected to root portions of the transport electrodes. The root portions are one end portions of the transport electrodes with respect to the longitudinal direction. Toner transport guide members are disposed in such a manner as to cover the transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section and opposite end portions of the transport electrodes; i.e., the root portions and distal end portions.
US07747202B2 Method and toner bottle for image forming apparatus capable of effectively supplying toner to image forming apparatus
The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening.
US07747200B2 Image forming apparatus with toner container attachable in plural directions
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a developing device, and a toner container. The toner container is attachable to and detachable from the main body, and a rotating shaft is installed in the interior thereof. A first joint is on one end of the toner container and is coupled to the rotating shaft. A second joint is provided to the main body opposite the first joint. A coupling guide mechanism couples the first and second joints to each other, and a driving source transmits a driving force to the first joint via the second joint. The coupling guide mechanism couples the first joint and the second joint to each other whether the toner container is loaded into the main body in an axial direction or in a radial direction of the rotating shaft.
US07747198B2 Toner cartridge, process cartridge, image cartridge, and image forming apparatus to which those cartridges are attachable
A toner cartridge and a process cartridge, individually, have a shutter which makes sliding movement by opening and closing their toner inlet and toner outlet. When those cartridges are attached to a color printer and fixed together by a fixing lever, the shutters of both cartridges and the fixing lever can move together as one. When they make sliding movement together, both of the shutters are opened and toner supply becomes available. There are thus realized a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, an imaging cartridge, and an image forming apparatus to which those cartridges are attachable, all of which can prevent toner leakage from both a toner housing portion and a process portion and enables even an unaccustomed user to attach each cartridge without making surroundings dirty.
US07747194B2 Toner supply device and image forming apparatus
A toner supply device is equipped with a coupling that has a toner supply opening on the side wall, a partition wall provided in this coupling integrally with a specific space provided on the inner wall and a hole larger than a toner supply opening on the side wall. A toner bottle containing toner is provided in the coupling with its cap portion inserted airtight into the partition wall detachably and an opening provided on its cap portion opposing to the hole on the partition wall for replenishing toner to a developing device from this opening through the hole and a toner supply opening.
US07747193B2 Developing device with detachable toner cartridge and image forming apparatus having the same
A developing device includes a cabinet, a developer carrier, a transport member rotating around a transport member shaft, and a developer cartridge attachable to and detachable from the cabinet. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge side first opening and a cartridge side second opening. The cabinet includes a cabinet side first opening located in a position opposed to the cartridge side first opening and a cabinet side second opening located in a position opposed to the cartridge side second opening. The cartridge side first opening, the cartridge side second opening, the cabinet side first opening and the cabinet side second opening extend in a vertical direction. The transport member transports a developer from the cabinet side first opening to the cabinet side second opening. A lower end of the cabinet side second opening is located upper than a center of the transport member shaft in the vertical direction.
US07747187B2 Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a cleaning roll and an intervening member. The cleaning roll contacts the surface of a charge roll that charges a photoconductor, rotates, and cleans the surface of the charge roll. The intervening member is intervened between the charge roll and the cleaning roll and causes the charge roll and the cleaning roll to separate from each other. The intervening member may be spacers that are intervened at both end portions of the charge roll and the cleaning roll and form a gap between the charge roll and the cleaning roll. The intervening member may also be a lubricant.
US07747185B2 Image forming apparatus which displays a setting screen
There is displayed, in a display section, a photocopy processing setting screen having a setting information display area to display information indicating various setting particulars of photocopy processing, a button display area to display various icons indicating the setting particulars of the photocopy processing, and a graphic to associate each setting particular displayed in the setting information display area with each icon to set the setting particular displayed in the setting information display area among the icons displayed in the button display area.
US07747183B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus capable of appropriately cleaning an image carrier is provided. An image forming apparatus 1 including toner cartridges 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, a developing section which forms toner images, an image carrier 4 which carries the toner images formed by the developing section, a transfer member 5 which transfers toner images from the image carrier 4 to a recording sheet S, and a cleaner 14 which is operable for press and release operation to/from the image carrier 4 and which is pressed to the image carrier 4 to scrape off the toner remaining on the image carrier 4 is provided with a control means 23 which decreases the number of press and release operations of the cleaner 14 when the cumulated value of the number of images formed since the first use of the brand-new toner cartridges 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K is large.
US07747182B2 Image forming apparatus with toner density control
An image forming apparatus in which a predetermined image density can be obtained by correcting a toner density control target value without consuming toner. The toner density of the developer is controlled so that an output value Vt of a magnetic permeability sensor approaches a target output value Vtref. In addition, the target output value Vtref is corrected in accordance with image coverage history information of output images transferred to a transfer paper and image coverage ratio history information of output images determined from the image coverage thereof and the size of the transfer paper. This history information comprises, for example, a cumulative average value of the image coverage or the image coverage ratio per transfer paper. It may also comprise a moving average value of the image coverage or the image coverage ratio per transfer material.
US07747176B2 Optical receiver
A receiver for a differentially phase shift keying formatted optical signal, such as an RZ-DPSK formatted optical signal. Dither control loops are provided for controlling path length in a demodulator and/or for controlling the center wavelength of an optical band pass filter. A feedback loop is provided for controlling the gain of a pre-amplifier, and a method of protecting against optical transients by disabling a pre-amplifier is also provided. A preset delay may be provided to compensate for the differential delay in paths associated with the demodulator arms. When the signal is an RZ-DPSK modulated signal, a clock for retiming data from the optical signal may be derived from a signal on the data path.
US07747172B2 Optical communication system having enhanced spectral efficiency using electronic signal processing
An optical communication system combines strong electrical pre-filtering of data at the transmitter and digital feedback equalization (DFE) at the receiver to enhance spectral efficiency. The system can be applied to optical networking and digital communication systems, including binary modulated systems optical network systems.
US07747167B2 Wavelength service providing apparatus in all-optical network
An optical signal is transmitted via a transponder 13, an all-optical node 1, and a WDM device 4 including an optical filter 38. A control means which includes a route and wavelength selecting functional part 32, transmits a request band information and a wavelength information based on a requested band information, link information of a network, and band limitation information with respect to each filter wavelength of the optical filter 38. A multi-rate functional part 36 sends a bit rate varying request to set a band to be requested to the network side according to the requested band information. A wavelength varying functional part 37 sends a wavelength varying request to set a wavelength of the optical signal according to the wavelength information. The optical filter 38 includes a bit rate (band) dependent wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing functional part 39.
US07747166B2 Pilot tones for optical signal wavelength identification and power measurement
A method of optical communication includes providing a plurality of optical signals each associated with a distinct channel of a composite optical signal. A unique pilot tone signature is superimposed on each channel. The spectral composition of each signature includes a plurality of frequencies. In one embodiment, binary frequency shift keying at a frequency fm is used to shift between instantaneous frequencies f1 and f2 wherein f2+Δf=f1−Δf=fc. Choosing Δ ⁢ ⁢ f f m ≈ 1.1602 produces a spectrum having a plurality of dominant components at least some of which have substantially the same amplitude. A method of detecting the presence of a selected pilot tone signature having a plurality n of dominant spectral components F1 . . . Fn includes generating a power spectrum P0(f). Sk(f) is calculated as a product of a plurality of frequency shifted versions of P0(f), where kε{1 . . . n}. The existence of a dominant spectral component at Fk indicates the presence of the selected pilot tone signature.
US07747163B2 Testing matter photographing apparatus attached three dimensional image photographing device
The present invention relates to an apparatus for photographing an experimental object or animal. The apparatus comprises: a two-dimensional image photographing device which includes a light source, a first optical filter wheel, a first motor, a beam splitter, a second motor, a first window, a second window, an optical zoom module, a second optical filter wheel, a fourth motor, a photographing means and a first enclosure; a three-dimensional image photographing device which includes a laser scanner, a test tube, a third motor, a test tube mounting stand and a second enclosure; and a control section for controlling the operations of the first motor, the second motor, the optical zoom module, the photographing means, the third motor and the fourth motor. The experimental object photographing apparatus includes the three-dimensional experimental object photographing device detachably mounted to the two-dimensional image photographing device so as to obtain two-and three-dimensional images of the experimental object. Since the three-dimensional image photographing device is coupled to the two-dimensional image photographing device only when it is desired to photograph the three-dimensional image, its installation and operation are easy and the two-and three-dimensional image photographing devices do not need to be purchased separately, thereby saving the cost.
US07747162B2 Pop-up module for electronic device
A pop-up module for an electronic device. The pop-up module includes a pop-up member, a base where the pop-up member is rotatably installed, a first elastic member, a projection unit disposed in the pop-up member, a moving member, a second elastic member, a first rotating lever unit, a operating unit including a movement portion and a driving portion, a second rotating lever unit including a contacting portion and a hanging portion, and a third elastic member.
US07747161B2 Camera with external flash unit
A camera includes a frame and a flash unit. The frame is provided with a first retainer and a second retainer at two different places thereof. The flash unit is alternatively attached to the two places via one of the first retainer and the second retainer.
US07747159B2 Focusing device and image-capturing device provided with the same
A focusing device capable of setting (S402) a focusing area according to a detection result of a target subject, wherein even if the target subject is no longer detected, when the target subject is assumed to be present, the velocity of the movement of the focusing lens (104) is made slower. Thus, even if the target subject can no longer be detected, it is possible to suppress the in-focus position from changing significantly.
US07747156B2 Digital single-lens reflex camera
A digital single-lens reflex camera includes a first mirror for reflecting part of a light beam coming from a subject through a photographing optical system and transmitting the remaining light beam. The reflected light beam is used for detecting the focus state of an imaging light beam, and the transmitted light beam is used for performing live view display. For example, the first mirror can be configured as a movable mirror in the digital single-lens reflex camera. This enables continuous live view display using the transmitted light beam on condition that the movable mirror is down while detecting the focus state using the reflected light beam. In addition, phase-contrast AF can be adopted for detecting the focus state.
US07747154B2 Method of capturing and processing sensed images
A method of capturing and processing sensed images includes the step of sensing a viewed image to generate a viewed image signal carrying data representing the viewed image. The viewed image signal is communicated to a central processor. A printed data storage device on which optically detectable data representing an image processing program is printed is read to generate a program signal carrying data representing the program. The program signal is communicated to the central processor. The program is executed at the central processor so that the central processor carries out an image processing operation on the viewed image in accordance with instructions carried by the program to generate output image data.
US07747151B2 Image processing device and method
An image processing device is provided that can precisely measure the photographing position or posture of a photographing device or the coordinates of an object based on sequentially changing photographed images. A series of sequentially photographed images are acquired, from which feature points are extracted. The feature points are tracked and correlated to each other. Stereo images are selected from the series of photographed images correlated, and subjected to an orientation and a 3D measurement. The error range of corresponding points obtained by the 3D measurement is calculated. Based on the calculated error range, it is determined whether or not the corresponding points are appropriate for 3D measurement. Those corresponding points determined as inappropriate are deleted. Another orientation and another 3D measurement are performed using those corresponding points excluding the deleted ones, thus improving the measurement precision.
US07747150B2 Image processing device and method
An image processing device is provided that can precisely measure the photographing position or posture of a photographing device or the coordinates of an object based on sequentially changing photographed images. A series of sequentially photographed images are acquired, from which feature points are extracted. The feature points are tracked and correlated. Stereo images are selected from the series of photographed images correlated. Images selectable as stereo images are grouped into a group of images, from which stereo images are selected, before an orientation and a 3D measurement are performed. The images are grouped according to the distance from the object to the photographing position or the photographing magnification. Images with abrupt changes are removed so as to improve the measurement precision.
US07747144B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium, control
The invention is associated with an information processing apparatus and method, a control program for the information apparatus, and a recording medium recording the control program. As directed by a host apparatus, control data are reproduced by controlling access means, outputting at least file control data to a host apparatus, and at least identification data are held in a predetermined memory; in response to a read directive based on the control data transmitted from the host apparatus, a control unit is sequentially detected in which the desired file associated with the read directive is sequentially recorded on the basis of the identification data held in the predetermined memory; and the access means is controlled on the basis of a result of the detection to sequentially reproduce and output data of files associated with the read directive to the host apparatus.
US07747142B2 Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US07747141B2 Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US07747140B2 Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US07747138B2 Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US07747136B2 Recording medium for storing information for still picture, recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor
A recordable and/or rewriteable recording medium for storing still picture data, and recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. The recording medium stores still picture group information for grouping a plurality of still pictures in order to manage the still picture at a group level, and stores audio group information for grouping additional audio data added to the still picture data after the still picture data are recorded. Therefore, large-capacity still picture data and additional audio data added thereto can be recorded using a minimum amount of management information. Further, during reproduction, data can be displayed and edited in units of the respective still pictures. Also, it is possible to cope with after-recording of the audio data.
US07747133B2 Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of still images from a clip file recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The recording medium includes a navigation area having navigation information recording therein. The navigation information indicates a portion of a clip file, which includes video data, to display as a still image and a duration to display the still image.
US07747130B2 Apparatus and method for extracting representative still images from MPEG video
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for extracting representative still images from Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video. The apparatus includes a video curve generation unit for calculating the distances between the adjacent frames of all intra frames of input video and generating a video curve that is a cumulative curve of the distances; a video curve division unit for dividing the video curve into a certain number of segments; a still image selection unit for selecting video images corresponding to certain points of the divided video curve as representative still images; and a video output unit for outputting the still images selected by the still image generation unit. Accordingly, the present invention can summarize the video and provide representative still images to a user at high speed.
US07747124B2 System and method for providing large scale, automated, fiber-optic, cross-connection
A system and method for automatically inserting optical-fiber (fiber-optics) cable jumpers into a patch panel to connect optical signal source equipment to optical signal destination equipment, and for automatically removing those jumpers from that patch panel to disconnect that equipment. This is accomplished robotically under computer control. Large scale fiber-optical splicings can be made, on the order often thousand (10,000) separate optical splices or more. Previous embodiments required hand insertion of these jumpers. Embodiments of the present invention permit any un-occupied port to be connected to any other un-occupied port, regardless of their input or output port status, where previous embodiments required only unoccupied input ports to be connected to unoccupied output ports.
US07747122B2 Method and apparatus for high speed silicon optical modulation using PN diode
A method and apparatus for high speed silicon optical modulation is described using a PN diode. In one example, an optical waveguide has adjoining first and second doped semiconductor regions. The first and second regions have opposite doping types and the first doped region extends in two perpendicular directions through the waveguide.
US07747121B2 Bending waveguide, method of fabricating the bending waveguide, light delivery module employing the bending waveguide, and heat assisted magnetic recording head employing the bending waveguide
A bending waveguide is provided including a core having an input end and an output end, wherein the output end has a near field enhanced aperture structure, and a metal cladding enclosing the core. The core is bent in a curve and a radius of curvature of the curve is a resonance radius at which an intensity of transmitted light with respect to a wavelength of incident light is a maximum. Thus, the direction of the incident light can be changed by a predetermined angle while maintaining the field enhancement characteristic of the conventional near field enhanced aperture without an additional optical element.
US07747117B2 Optical tube assembly having a dry insert and methods of making the same
An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is a polyurethane foam and the second layer is a water-swellable layer, wherein the dry insert is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide.
US07747116B2 Flexible optoelectric interconnect and method for manufacturing same
A flexible optoelectric interconnect including an optoelectric film, a driving IC, an optical semiconductor device, a heat dissipation plate and a thermally conductive material. The optoelectric film has an electrical interconnect layer made of a single layer and an optical interconnect layer including an optical waveguide core and an optical waveguide clad. The optoelectric film has a through hole extending from a major surface thereof to a rear surface opposite to the major surface. The driving IC is provided on the major surface of the optoelectric film and electrically connected to the electrical interconnect layer, and provided above the through hole in the optoelectric film. The optical semiconductor device is provided on the major surface of the optoelectric film and driven by the driving IC.
US07747115B2 Optical waveguide device and light outputting module
An optical waveguide device includes: a waveguide core that guides light; a mirror surface that deflects light coming from the waveguide core by 90°; a main waveguide core that guides light deflected at the mirror surface; a waveguide core for monitoring that branches the light deflected at the mirror surface off from the main waveguide core, and guides the light in a different direction, the mirror surface being disposed at a branching portion of the waveguide core for monitoring; and a clad portion that surrounds the waveguide core, the main waveguide core and the waveguide core for monitoring.
US07747114B2 Tilted combiners/decombiners and photonic integrated circuits (PICs) employing the same
A monolithic optical transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) comprises a plurality of integrated modulated sources which, when all operated at constant current, display a power output that varies as a function of array position similar to a quadratic-shaped curve and, further, forming an array of signal channels each having a different wavelength output. An optical combiner/decombiner is integrated in the circuit and has at least one free space region with a plurality of ordered bands along its edge where the zero order band is substantially at a longitudinal centerline of the free space region and where, on either side of this band, is a first order band followed by additional higher order bands. The ends of the output waveguides from the modulated sources are coupled approximate to the free space region edge along a region of the zero order band between one of the adjacent first order bands and a longitudinal centerline of the zero order band so that the inputs of the signal channels to the combiner of are titled or offset with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the combiner free space region so the combined outputs from the optical combiner will be aligned along the slope of the quadric-shaped curve of the combiner output passband envelope. The tilted combiner/decombiner may also be deployed in a receiver photonic integrated circuit (RxPIC) or other circuit employing such a device.
US07747109B2 MEMS device having support structures configured to minimize stress-related deformation and methods for fabricating same
Embodiments of MEMS devices include a movable layer supported by overlying support structures, and may also include underlying support structures. In one embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the movable layer are substantially equal. In another embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the underlying support structures are substantially equal. In certain embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are be obtained through the use of layers made from the same materials having the same thicknesses. In further embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are obtained through the use of support structures and/or movable layers which are mirror images of one another.
US07747105B2 Method for the rotation compensation of spherical images
Method for producing a rotation-compensated image sequence allowing simplified reconstruction of the translation of a camera by real time rotation compensation of images recorded sequentially by an electronic camera randomly displaced in a scene and provided with a rotation sensor resulting from an association of color and/or brightness values of the pixels of a camera pixel field indicated by rectangular coordinates.
US07747104B2 Image generating method, object detecting method, object detecting equipment, and image generating program
A small region panorama image group (I1P, I2P, I3P) is generated in advance. The small region panorama image group (I1P, I2P, I3P) includes images including a common shooting range, being composed of a plurality of common partially overlapped regions (A, B, C, D), and having independency from each other in each partially overlapped region (A, B, C, D). With the use of the small region panorama image group (I1P, I2P, I3P), a predicted background image is generated in which light source environment is the same as that of a shot target image.
US07747103B2 Image matching system, program, and image matching method
An image matching system, program, and method are provided to match images with high precision. The system includes a low resolution transform unit for performing Hough transform on each of registered images and an input match image and generating transformed registered images and a transformed match image having a low resolution; a correlation value generation unit for performing correlation between each of the transformed registered images and the transformed match image; a match coverage determination unit for determining the registered images for match processing corresponding to the top predetermined number of transformed registered images having high correlation degrees based on results of the correlation processing; and a matching unit for performing match processing based on the transformed registered images and the transformed match image having a high resolution generated by performing Hough transform on each of the registered images for match processing and the match image.
US07747102B2 Optical correlator
An optical correlator includes an image production device and an image capture device disposed in a common plane. An optical device such as a lens or mirror provides a Fourier transform of image information from the image production device onto the image capture device. An advantage of embodiments of the invention is its small size.
US07747101B2 Lens evaluation device
This lens evaluation device comprises a plurality of point light sources arranged on the plane, an imaging unit for picking up an object and obtaining its image, a movement unit for changing the relative distance between the point light source or the imaging unit and the optical system to be evaluated, a storage medium for recording stack images obtained by the imaging unit picking up the images of the plurality of point light sources via the optical system every time the movement unit changes the relative distance, an image position calculation unit for calculating a plurality of image positions from the plurality of pieces of point light source image in the stack image recorded on the storage medium and an aberration acquisition unit for fitting an aberration model function to the plurality of image positions calculated and obtaining an aberration measurement value.
US07747098B2 Representing and reconstructing high dynamic range images
A high dynamic range image can be recovered from a full-resolution lower-dynamic-range image and a reduced-resolution higher-dynamic-range image. Information regarding higher spatial frequencies may be obtained by extracting high spatial frequencies from the lower-dynamic-range image. In some embodiments an approximate impulse-response function is determined by comparing the higher- and lower-dynamic range images. A scaling image obtained by applying the impulse-response function to a high-frequency band of the lower-dynamic range image is combined with an upsampled higher-dynamic range image to yield a reconstructed image.
US07747096B2 Method, medium, and system encoding/decoding image data
A method, medium, and system encoding and/or decoding image data by dividing image data into block units, and generating a bitstream by entropy encoding the image data in order of the divided blocks. The decoding method may include receiving an input of a bitstream, and restoring image data by entropy decoding the block units of the bitstream. According to the method, medium, and system, when image data is encoded and/or decoded by using a residue color transform, a bitstream can be generated and encoded in block units of the image, and when the bitstream is decoded, an image can be restored from the bitstream. By doing so, the conventional delay of image processing can be prevented.
US07747095B2 Methods and systems for rate control in image compression
Methods and systems for compressing an image are described. A plurality of transformed and quantized values associated with a block of image data is accessed. The block corresponds to a position within the image. A count of the number of bits encoded during run-length encoding of the block is made. Run-length encoding of the block is concluded should the count reach a limit.
US07747094B2 Image encoder, image decoder, image encoding method, and image decoding method
An input image signal 101 is divided into MC block units and, when coding processing is performed in these divided units, a motion compensation section 107 generates a motion-compensated prediction image 106a by detecting movement amounts in predetermined MC block units, a smoothing filter section 124 performs, with respect to the prediction image 106a, smoothing of pixels located at the boundaries of adjoining MC blocks on the basis of predetermined evaluation criteria, and a prediction residual signal 108, which is obtained from the difference between the prediction image 106b obtained by the smoothing, and the input image (input image signal 101), is encoded. Accordingly, it is possible to use relatively straightforward computation to perform processing, with respect to a prediction frame image generated by block-unit motion-compensated interframe prediction (MC), to adaptively smooth a discontinuous waveform generated between MC blocks of the prediction frame image, whereby the efficiency of low bit rate coding that employs interframe MC is improved.
US07747093B2 Method and apparatus for predicting the size of a compressed signal
Method and apparatus for providing an estimate of the size of a compressed signal without actually compressing the signal. A compression estimation mechanism models the behavior of entropy encoders on the transform coefficients generated by the application of a discrete transform method on an input uncompressed signal. The compression estimation mechanism may be used to predict a lower bound and upper bound on the size of the compressed signal from the entropy encoders, or alternatively an estimated size of the compressed signal. Since embodiments use a model of the behavior of entropy encoders to predict the bounds of the compressed signal or the size of the compressed signal without performing the actual entropy encoding, the bounds or size estimate may be predicted in less time than it takes to perform full compression of the signal.
US07747091B2 Systems and methods for section-by-section processing of a digital image file
Systems and methods for section-by-section processing of the digital image file are disclosed. More specifically, the disclosed systems and methods operate in stages to select portions, but not the entirety, of the relevant image data file that is to be processed. With respect to each specified section, practice of one embodiment of these systems and methods involves processing or transforming the selected portion and then storing each processed portion to produce a transformed image data file.
US07747090B2 Scan line to block re-ordering buffer for image compression
A re-order buffer memory in a real-time application such as e.g., an imager. Initially, input data is written into the re-order buffer using a first addressing mode, which causes the data to be stored in a line-by-line manner. Prior to receiving the last line of input data, the stored data is read-out in blocks of data that spans multiples lines in the buffer. This frees up space in the re-order buffer. Subsequently received input data is written into the re-order buffer using a second addressing mode, which stores the newly received data in vertical segments of the re-order buffer whose stored data has already been read-out. Writing/reading of the re-order buffer alternates between the first and second addressing modes. Using this technique, a single buffer may be used to input new data while existing data is being read-out.
US07747087B2 Apparatus, method, and article of manufacture used to encode information into an image and to decode information from a captured image
This patent describes a system for encoding information such as identity into an image or series of images. It also describes a system for identifying, extracting, and decoding that information from the image or images. The encoding process is designed to minimize the damage to the perceived quality of the image. The decoding process is optimized for use with images generated with digital cameras and can easily be implemented in mobile communications devices.
US07747084B2 Methods and apparatus for target discrimination using observation vector weighting
Methods and systems for discriminating targets using information derived from a sensor are presented. In one embodiment, a method features receiving a plurality of observations corresponding to a target; retrieving probabilities of the observations associated with each of a plurality of states, where the states are based a statistical model associated with at least one target type; consolidating the probabilities of observations for each of the plurality of states using a weighted combination; computing the probability of each state associated with the plurality of observations; selecting a state of the target based upon the computed probability of each state; and discriminating the target based upon the selected state.
US07747077B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
An image processing apparatus that are capable of reducing the time required for image formation processing to generate image data from drawing data. A block segmentation section determines an encompassing region encompasses an object to be drawn and determines whether or not each of segments into which one page is segmented in a grid pattern overlaps the encompassing region. Image processing sections process segment by segment an object encompassed by an overlapped encompassing region.
US07747076B2 Mass segmentation using mirror image of region of interest
A method and an apparatus for automatic segmentation of an image representing a mass of a tissue region based on dynamic programming that guarantees an accurate and closed contour of the mass is disclosed. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital image data representing an image including the mass of the tissue region, creates a mirror image of the digital image data, extracts a Region of Interest (ROI) which includes a portion of the mirror image containing the mass, transforms the ROI to polar space for obtaining a polar image of the ROI, assigns local cost to sub portions of the polar image, and finds a contour of the mass based on the assigned local cost.
US07747075B2 Salient motion detection system, method and program product therefor
An apparatus and method of identifying objects with salient motion in a scene and program product therefor. A region of change is identified within a scene. Optical flow is determined for the region of change. Pixels moving in a common direction are identified as seed pixels. Seed pixels are expanded to form pixel clusters. Temporal imaging results are fused to identify those objects with salient motion.
US07747069B2 Data processing apparatus and data processing method
A data processing apparatus processes input data and outputs processed data. The data processing apparatus includes a data processing section and a real-time learning section. The data processing section processes the input data by a predetermined processing method and outputs the processed data. The real-time learning section controls the data processing section such that the processing method is learned in real time. The data processing section processes the input data by the learned processing method so that the output data is improved as time elapses.
US07747068B1 Systems and methods for tracking the eye
Disclosed are systems and methods for tracking the eye. In one embodiment, a method for tracking the eye includes acquiring stereo images of the eye using multiple sensors, isolating internal features of the eye in the stereo images acquired from the multiple sensors, and determining an eye gaze direction relative to the isolated internal features.
US07747067B2 System and method for three dimensional modeling
An apparatus and method for creating a 3D model of a scene. A plurality of light beams are projected onto the scene and their imaged projections are analyzed to capture surface information of the scene at a plurality of dots where the light beams intersect the scene. Surface information is used to register consecutive video frames and to construct a 3D model of the scene.
US07747063B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting a substrate
In an embodiment of a method of inspecting a substrate, the substrate on which minute structures are formed is divided into a plurality of inspection regions. A main inspection region among the inspection regions is selected. A main image of the main inspection region and sub-images of sub-inspection regions adjacent to the main inspection region are obtained. An average image of the main image and the sub-images is obtained. The average image is then compared with the main image to detect defects in the main inspection region. Gray levels may be used. The average image may have improved quality so that the defects in the selected inspection region may be rapidly and accurately detected. This process has an improved reliability. Further, the number of inspecting processes for the substrate may be reduced. And a line for the inspection process may be automated so that a worker-free line may be established.
US07747058B2 Image processing method for windowing and/or dose control for medical diagnostic devices
Image processing method for determining and setting an optimized windowing and/or dose control of a medical diagnostic device based on x-ray radiation. The digitized image consisting of a number of picture elements of an picture data matrix B originally created by an x-ray detector is processed. The object area is determined by forming an input picture data matrix B1, by forming an ROI picture data matrix B2, by analysis of the ROI picture data elements and by selection of the ROI picture data elements belonging to the object area, and in that the signals of the ROI picture data elements of the object area are evaluated.
US07747052B2 System and method for detecting solid components of ground glass nodules in pulmonary computed tomography images
A method for detecting solid components in ground glass nodules (GGNs) in medical images, includes: performing an intensity-based segmentation on a segmented GGN to identify a high intensity region; and performing a shape analysis to determine whether the high intensity region is a solid component or a vessel, wherein the shape analysis comprises: computing a compactness of the high intensity region; and determining whether the high intensity region is a solid component or a vessel by using an area, a maximum distance on a distance transform map and the compactness of the region; or determining whether the high intensity region is a solid component or a vessel by scaling and normalizing the region and computing a compactness for the scaled and normalized region.
US07747051B2 Distance transform based vessel detection for nodule segmentation and analysis
A method and system for differentiating a vessel and a nodule within an image. The method and system first identifies a complex object in the image and then identifies portions of the complex object as a vessel or a nodule using a distance transform based method. A simplex object is identified in the image and the simplex object is identified as a vessel or a nodule using compactness values. Complex objects are analyzed using features in a distance transform map to identify a) nodule parts and b) vessels that are attached to or pass through the nodule parts.
US07747049B2 Method of analysing a representation of a separation pattern
The invention relates principally to the statistical analysis of protein separation patterns. The invention solves the problems associated with producing models which are predictive of classification using unreduced data. The invention provides a method of analysing a representation of a separation pattern, the representation including a neighborhood representing a region of the separation pattern, the neighborhood including a plurality of data points, the method comprising augmenting data by representing the entire region using each data point of the neighborhood; and building a classification model using some or all of the data points.
US07747047B2 Cardiac CT system and method for planning left atrial appendage isolation
A method for planning left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion for a patient includes obtaining acquisition data from a medical imaging system, and generating a 3D model of the left atrium of the patient. One or more left atrial anatomical landmarks are identified on the 3D model, and saved views of the 3D model are registered on an interventional system. One or more of the registered saved views are visualized with the interventional system.
US07747040B2 Machine vision system and method for estimating and tracking facial pose
System and method for estimating and tracking an orientation of a user's face by combining head tracking and face detection techniques. The orientation of the face, or facial pose, can be expressed in terms of pitch, roll and yaw of the user's head. Facial pose information can be used, for example, to ascertain in which direction the user is looking. In general, the facial pose estimation method obtains a position of the head and a position of the face and compares the two to obtain the facial pose. In particular, a camera is used to obtain an image containing a user's head. Any movement of the user's head is tracked and the head position is determined. A face then is detected on the head and the face position is determined. The head and face positions then are compared.
US07747039B2 Apparatus and method for automatically detecting objects
A device automatically detects boundary lines on the road from an image captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle. The device includes a controller that performs image processing on the image to compute the velocity information for each pixel in the image, and, on the basis of the computed velocity information for each pixel in the image, extracts the pixels that contain velocity information, detects the oblique lines formed by the extracted pixels, and detects the boundary lines on the road on the basis of the detected oblique lines.
US07747038B2 Method and apparatus for associating identifiers with content
Watermark detection in an image or the like can be optimized by exploiting the innate biases in the image to emphasize the watermark signal. The watermark signal can be trial-located with different origins in the image to find one that yields improved results. Similarly, the image can be processed (e.g., by changing resolution, rotation, or compression) so as to change the innate biases to better reinforce the watermark signal. Compression of an image can be done in accordance with a desired identifier, with the compressor deciding which image components to retain and which to discard based, in part, on the identifier that is to be associated with the image. The techniques are also applicable to other forms of content, such as audio. A variety of other arrangements are also detailed.
US07747029B2 Screen for playing audible signals by demodulating ultrasonic signals having the audible signals
A sound reproduction screen includes: at least one cell including a vibrator which receives and is vibrated by an ultrasonic signal carrying an audible signal, and a medium which has nonlinear response characteristics with respect to a vibration of the vibrator; and a screen containing the at least one cell which is distributed in a matrix structure, wherein the vibrator of the cell includes an elastic body that is vibrated by the ultrasonic signal and reflects the audible signal separated from the ultrasonic signal according to the nonlinear response characteristics of the medium, and an asymmetrical body that is connected with the elastic body and vibrates in the medium.
US07747027B2 Method of generating test tone signal and test-tone-signal generating circuit
A method of generating a test tone signal includes generating a fundamental tone signal, which is a sinusoidal signal having a predetermined frequency; generating a first group of harmonic tone signals having different frequencies that are integral multiples of the predetermined frequency; generating a second group of the harmonic tone signals having different frequencies that are integral multiples of the predetermined frequency, at least part of the second group of the harmonic tone signals having frequencies different from frequencies of the first group of the harmonic tone signals; adding the fundamental tone signal to the first group of the harmonic tone signals to generate a first test tone signal; adding the fundamental tone signal to the second group of the harmonic tone signals to generate a second test tone signal; and outputting the first and second test tone signals at predetermined intervals.
US07747025B1 Method and apparatus for maintaining privacy of data decryption keys in configuration bitstream decryption
Decryptor is utilized in a dual role to maintain privacy of data decryption keys used in configuration bitstream decryption. In a first role, decryptor receives a data decryption key in an encrypted format (ENCRYPTED KEY DATA), which is then decrypted using a mask programmed decryption key. The decrypted key is then stored into one or more of key storage blocks. In a second role, decryptor is utilized to decrypt the encrypted configuration bitstream (ENCRYPTED CONFIGURATION DATA) using the previously decrypted data decryption key.
US07747021B2 Method and apparatus for fast secure session establishment on half-duplex point-to-point voice cellular network channels
Methods and apparatus are provided for secure communication techniques in a communication system. The system can include a first device which communicates with a second device over a channel. A security association can be established during a first session between the devices via an asymmetric key exchange. The security association comprises a Traffic Encryption Key (TEK) and a first state vector. The TEK comprises a shared, secret symmetric key. The security association is stored in each of the devices for use during a second session between the devices to expedite security association establishment during call set-up of the second session. The security association can be associated with the second device in the first device, and with the first device in the second device. An updated state vector can be generated at the first device. A second session can be established between the first device and the second device by using the TEKs from the first session and the updated state vector. The security association can be used to encrypt voice packets being sent from the first device to the second device. The security association and updated state vector can then be used to decrypt the encrypted voice packets received by the second device from the first device.
US07747019B2 Methods and systems for communicating over a quantum channel
Alice generates a sequence of key bits forming an initial cryptographic key. Alice then uses the sequence of key bits and a sequence of cipher bits to control respective control parameters of a quantum encoding process applied to a sequence of quantum pulses, where the sequence of cipher bits used is known to Bob. Alice then releases the encoded pulses towards Bob over a quantum channel. Bob uses the previously agreed-upon sequence of cipher bits to control a control parameter, such as the quantum basis, of a quantum detection process applied to the pulses received from Alice, thus producing a detection outcome for each received pulse. Bob then derives a final cryptographic key from the detection outcomes. Because the cipher bits used to select the quantum bases used by both Alice and Bob are known by both parties, the method allows the final cryptographic key to be distributed with full basis alignment compared to 50% for BB84, thus allowing efficient quantum key distribution over multiple hops.
US07747017B2 Method and apparatus for end-to-end clear transport protocol
A communication system provides a clear channel link for transport of encrypted payload across a network of the communication system. When a source access network receives, via an air interface, a frame that is formatted pursuant to an air interface protocol and that comprises encrypted payload, the source access network demultiplexes the frame to separate the encrypted payload and assembles an Intersystem Link Protocol (ISLP) frame that comprises the encrypted payload. The source access network adds a link layer header to the ISLP frame that identifies one or more of frame type information and a sequence value associated with the frame and conveys the ISLP frame and added header across the network, for example, to a destination access network. Based on the added header, the source and destination access networks are able to perform clear channel synchronization.
US07747016B2 Data transmitting/receiving method, data transmission apparatus, data reception apparatus, data transmission/reception system, AV contents transmitting method, AV contents receiving method, AV contents transmission apparatus, AV contents reception apparatus, and program recording medium
A data transmitting and receiving method for improving transmission and reception efficiency can be obtained by improving the security through update of a control key and reduction of the frequency of the authentication and key exchange process. An STB 1 transmits encrypted digital data Kw (D) obtained by encrypting digital data D using a work key Kw, and an encrypted work key Kc (Kw) obtained by encrypting the Kw using a control key Kc. The Kc is periodically or non-periodically updated, and an identifier L identifying the Kc is assigned to each Kc. A VTR device 2 decrypts the received Kc (Kw) using the Kc obtained by performing the authentication and key exchange process with the STB 1, decrypts the Kw (D) received using the Kw to obtain the D. It is determined whether or not the Kc has been updated while the reception process is suspended by referring to the transmitted L when the reception process is suspended and then resumed. If it is determined that the Kc has been updated, then the authentication and key exchange process is performed again to obtain the updated Kc.
US07747013B2 Early detection system and method for encrypted signals within packet networks
A system and method for providing early detection of encrypted signals within a secure connection for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). The system and method includes a non-complex, in-band, and early encryption detector within the voice path. A transmitter sends out a known pattern. Based upon the received pattern, the receiver decides whether its encryption capabilities match up with those of the transmitter. If the capabilities do not match, then the receiver waits for the signalling message for the correct mode of operation. No packets are utilized until the receiver and transmitter encryption capabilities are matched.
US07747008B2 Voice absorber for portable telephonic devices
The voice absorber of the present invention includes an absorption member and an attachment member and is adapted for use with portable telephonic devices to enable a user to engage in a more private conversation and limit the disruption to individuals nearby the user during the conversation. The shape of the absorption member may be selectively configurable and may be constructed of multiple layers, including a layer specifically adapted to absorb sound waves. The attachment member enables the voice absorber to be easily affixed and removed from portable telephonic devices and generally positions the absorption member in front of the user's mouth. The voice absorber also functions to isolate the transmitter portion of a portable telephonic device from ambient, background noise and serves as a reminder to a user to speak with a quieter voice.
US07747007B2 Protective cover for portable communication device
A protective cover for a portable communication device includes a battery cover and a protective cover part coupled with the battery cover. The protective cover is detachably coupled with the portable communication device, and the protective cover part is disposed at a front surface of a display unit part of the portable communication device when the protective cover is coupled with the portable communication device. The portable communication device being turned off/on when the portable communication device is attached to/detached from the protective cover.
US07747003B2 Wireless headset apparatus and methods
A wireless headphone device has a first elongate portion having first and second opposite ends with an attachment interface at the first end, the first portion comprising an on-board power supply and a transceiver with functional circuitry, and a second elongate portion coupled pivotally to the first portion at the second end, and having an ear bud and a microphone at an end away from the pivotal coupling. The functional circuitry enables receiving and playing of audio from an MP3 player through the ear bud, and use as speaker and microphone for a wirelessly coupled telephone.
US07746998B2 Integrating enterprise and provider contact center resources to handle workload on-demand
A method for handling contact center requests can include the step of identifying a contact center request and a resource type to handle the request, where a resource of the resource type can be selected from a multitude of contact center resources. The contact center resources can include at least one enterprise resource and at least one provider resource. The request can be handled using the selected resource.
US07746993B2 Ringing phone line selector/VOIP switch
A phone line selector module used in telecommunications related equipment for automatically sensing and switching back and forth between first and second input ports. The selector module includes a two-piece inter-fitting housing which receives a miniature printed circuit board therein. The miniature printed circuit board is used to mount phone line selector circuitry thereon. The phone line selector circuitry includes a first ring sensing circuit, a second ring sensing circuit, and a latching relay.
US07746981B2 Radiation image detector and phase contrast radiation imaging apparatus
A phase contrast radiation imaging apparatus is includes a radiation source, a diffraction grating, and a radiation image detector. The radiation image detector is equipped with a charge generating layer that generates electric charges when irradiated with radiation, and charge collecting electrodes that collect the electric charges. The charge collecting electrodes are linear electrode groups, constituted by linear electrodes which are arranged at a constant period and are electrically connected to each other, provided to have different phases from each other. Thereby, use of a conventional amplitude diffraction grating is obviated.
US07746978B2 Path planning and collision avoidance for movement of instruments in a radiation therapy environment
A patient positioning system for use with a radiation therapy system that monitors the location of fixed and movable components and pre-plans movement of the movable components so as to inhibit movement if a collision would be indicated. The positioning system can also coordinate movement of multiple movable components for reduced overall latency in registering a patient. The positioning system includes external measurement devices which measure the location and orientation of objects, including components of the radiation therapy system, in space and can also monitor for intrusion into the active area of the therapy system by personnel or foreign objects to improve operational safety of the radiation therapy system.
US07746977B2 Digital radiation image radiographing system
A digital radiation image radiographing system includes an X-ray tube to irradiate a radiographic subject with X-rays and a digital detector to detect X-rays having passed through the radiographic subject, and performs a phase contrast radiography. The system satisfies a formula (D≧(2S−E)/(M−1)), in which D (μm) represents the focal size of the X-ray tube, S (μm) represents the minimum control unit of the digital detector, R1 (m) represents a distance from the focus point of the X-ray tube to the radiographic subject, R2 (m) represents a distance from the radiographic subject to the digital detector, M represents an enlargement ratio (M=(R1+R2)/R1), and E represents an edge enhancement width according to X-ray refraction.
US07746974B2 Radiographic and fluoroscopic CT imaging
A system includes emission of first electrons toward a first focal spot using an X-ray tube located at a first position, emission of first radiation from the first focal spot toward an object, acquisition of a first projection of the object based on the emitted first radiation using a computed tomography radiation detector, emission of second electrons toward a second focal spot using the X-ray tube located at the first position, emission of second radiation from the second focal spot toward the object, acquisition of a second projection of the object based on the emitted second radiation using the computed tomography radiation detector, and generation of an image of the object based on the first projection and the second projection.
US07746971B2 Data recovery method, data recovery circuit, data transmitting/receiving apparatus and information processing apparatus
Serially transferred data is over sampled with a multiphase clock signal generated as a result of shifting a predetermined frequency clock signal by a predetermined phase each, to obtain over sampling data; generating clock patterns, having mutually different phase states according to a data phase state of the over sampling data. A first phase pattern generated from the over sampling data is compared with a second phase pattern generated from the clock pattern, and the number of bits to extract from the over sampling data is controlled. A phase error of the over sampling data is detected based on the first phase pattern and the second phase pattern. Bits to extract from the over sampling data is selected to restore the data based on the phase state of the clock pattern and the phase error.
US07746965B2 Automatic gain control for a wideband signal
One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for controlling a gain of a wideband signal. The method comprises adding a virtual channel to the wideband signal, the wideband signal comprising at least one channel. The method also comprises monitoring an output power associated with the wideband signal that includes the at least one channel and the virtual channel. The method further comprises setting a gain factor to achieve a predetermined output power of the wideband signal and amplifying the wideband signal based on the gain factor.
US07746959B2 Method and system for generating reference voltages for signal receivers
A method and system for generating a reference voltage for memory device signal receivers operates in either a calibration mode or a normal operating mode. In the calibration mode, the magnitude of the reference voltage is incrementally varied, and a digital signal pattern is coupled to the receiver at each reference voltage. An output of the receiver is analyzed to determine if the receiver can accurately pass the signal pattern at each reference voltage level. A range of reference voltages that allow the receiver to accurately pass the signal pattern is recorded, and a final reference voltage is calculated at the approximate midpoint of the range. This final reference voltage is applied to the receiver during normal operation.
US07746958B2 Receiver for a wire-free communication system
The present invention is directed to a receiver for a wire-free communication system for reception of a received signal which is modulated using a digital modulation method having a first frequency conversion device for production of a frequency-converted received signal by conversion of the received signal to an intermediate frequency. The receiver further includes a pre-filter for production of a filtered received signal from the frequency-converted received signal such that the received signal is band-limited, and an analogue/digital converter for production of a binary received signal from the filtered received signal by comparison of the filtered received signal with a level threshold. In addition, the receiver includes a phase reconstruction device for production of a phase-reconstructed received signal by reproduction of the phase of the received signal from the time intervals between zero crossings of the binary received signal, and a mapping device for production of a bit sequence by mapping symbols from the phase-reconstructed received signal onto this bit sequence using the digital modulation method.
US07746948B2 Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
Disclosed is a wireless communication apparatus which synthesize signals received from a plurality of antennas to separate the signals into synthesis signals of a plurality of logical channels. The apparatus has a first phase corrector correcting a phase of a reception signal by estimating an amount of phase correction by a frequency offset of each reception signal from the plurality of antennas; a synthesizer synthesizing reception signals after phase correction by the first phase corrector to separate the reception signals into synthesis signals of a plurality of logical channels; and a second phase corrector correcting a phase of a synthesis signal by estimating an amount of phase correction by a residual frequency offset after phase correction by the first phase corrector based on the synthesis signal synthesized by the synthesizer.
US07746943B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system which performs data transmission from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas using spatially multiplexed streams (N and M are integers larger than or equal to 2 and N
US07746941B2 Synchronization apparatus and method for improving timing estimation performance in OFDM-FDMA/CDMA/TDMA system
Provided are a synchronization apparatus and method for improving timing estimation performance in an OFDM-FDMA/CDMA/TDMA system, which can correctly estimate symbol timing through a more correct timing metric using a guard interval of a preamble. The synchronization apparatus includes an auto-correlator for calculating an auto-correlation value of a received signal and a signal delayed by a predetermined time, a power detector for calculating power of the received signal, a timing metric/normalizer for normalizing the auto-correlation value by dividing the auto-correlation value by the calculated power to obtain a timing metric, and a peak detector for finding a peak value of the timing metric to estimate a frame starting position and an initial symbol timing. The auto-correlator calculates an auto-correlation length as long as a length of a guard interval, considering the preamble characteristic that the patterns are repeated in the time domain. The initial symbol timing is set to a position determined by adding the position where the timing metric has a peak value to the length of the guard interval and subtracting the maximum value of the expected channel delay spread from the result value.
US07746940B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting a signal in a communication system
A method and apparatus for processing time windowing to transmit a signal in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) communication system based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). A signal of a first interval included in a previous symbol prior to a current symbol is stored as a signal of a previous symbol interval. The current symbol includes a guard interval and an effective symbol interval subsequent to the guard interval. The current symbol is windowed by overlapping the stored signal of the first interval with a signal of a second interval included in the current symbol subsequent to the previous symbol. A windowed signal is transmitted.
US07746939B2 Methods and apparatus for encoding information in a signal by spectral notch modulation
A spectral notch modulation technique for encoding information in a signal involves transforming the signal into the frequency domain via a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of length N, such that the signal is represented by N frequency bins, selectively nulling M of the N frequency bins, where nulled combinations of M frequency bins respectively correspond to encoded information bits, transforming the selectively nulled signal to the time domain via an inverse FFT, and transmitting the selectively nulled signal. At the receiving end, the signal is demodulated to recover the encoded information by transforming the signal into the frequency domain via a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of length N, identifying the set of M nulled frequency bins among the N frequency bins, and converting the set of M nulled frequency bins to corresponding information bits.
US07746938B2 Pilot multiplexing method and OFDM receiving method in OFDM system
In an OFDM transmitting apparatus, where m (where m is an integer of one or greater) adjacent subcarriers are adopted as a set, an orthogonal code generator generates orthogonal codes of each set in such a manner that the orthogonal codes will be orthogonal in the time direction in regard to m subcarriers of each set and orthogonal in the subcarrier direction in regard to m pilot symbols. An orthogonal code multiplier uses orthogonal codes of each set to multiply subcarrier components of the corresponding set, and an IFFT unit applies IFFT processing to the results of multiplication in each subcarrier.
US07746937B2 Efficient wired interface for differential signals
A plurality of differential signal transmitters can transmit data signals differentially through a plurality of conductive signal lines. Ones of the signal lines can be shared between transmitters, and others of the signal lines need not be shared between transmitters.
US07746936B2 Method and device for optimizing codebook for quantized precoder by using steepest descent algorithm
In a method for optimizing a codebook including a quantized channel between a base station transmitter and a portable terminal: a) select the codebook to be optimized; b) a steepest descent algorithm is applied to respective codewords of the codebook selected in a), wherein the codewords are transformed so that a correlation between the codewords is minimized, and a function indicating the correlation between the codewords is differentiated and is multiplied by a predetermined step size and is used for a parameter for generating a new codeword in the steepest descent algorithm; c) it is determined whether the codebook including the codewords transformed in b) is optimized; and d) the codebook is stored when it is determined in c) that the codebook is optimized.
US07746931B2 Moving picture encoding apparatus and method, moving picture decoding apparatus and method
As an embodiment of a moving picture encoding apparatus, a moving picture type judgment section judges whether an input moving picture is a stereoscopic picture and, when the moving picture is a stereoscopic picture, a stereoscopic picture identifier is set to “1” and a moving picture rotation section rotates the moving picture clockwise by +90 degrees or −90 degrees. On the other hand, when the moving picture is not a stereoscopic picture, the stereoscopic picture identifier is set to “0” and the moving picture is not rotated. Then, a moving picture interlaced encoding section produces an encoded bit stream by performing interlaced encoding of the moving picture and a stereoscopic picture identifier encoding section produces encoded information by encoding the stereoscopic picture identifier. Further, a multiplexing section produces a multiplexed encoded bit stream by multiplexing the above-mentioned encoded bit stream and encoded information.
US07746927B1 Robust single-pass variable bit rate encoding
An encoding manager facilitates robust single-pass variable bit rate video encoding of a video sequence. Before encoding the video sequence, the encoding manager determines the size of a buffer to use for keeping track of over/under used bits generated during encoding. The encoding manager uses the target bit rate for the video sequence and the length of the video sequence to determine the size of the buffer. After allocating bits to a frame of the sequence, the encoding manager determines the quant to use to encode that frame. The determination of a quant to use to encode a frame is informed by the fullness of the buffer. The encoding manager adjusts the quant to use (and thus the aggressiveness of its encoding) in response to the amount of overflow generated thus far by the encoding of the video sequence.
US07746923B2 Multimode multicarrier modem system and method of communication over the same
An alternative approach to coping with the ever increasing demand for faster communications hardware is to design modems that are capable of operating its speeds at a higher data rate than a speed required for a single port of the standard communication rate for that modem. Basically, by utilizing a resource manager, that directs the data in and out of the various portions of the modem in an orderly manner, keeping track of which of the ports is being operated at any given point in time, a standard single port modem can be reconfigured, for example, at an over clocked rate, to manipulate the data input and output of a modem.
US07746921B1 Resonant digital data transmission
Power savings are achieved for digital data transport over short distances by using the characteristics of resonant LC circuits. Economy of circuit elements is achieved by enabling a single pair of resonant circuits to drive large numbers of digital data lines or nodes in parallel. This maximizes power efficiency and minimizes area and cost. Resistance is minimized by insuring that all switches in the current path are fully “ON” whenever significant current is flowing through them. All other parasitic resistances in the circuits, consisting primarily of parasitic interconnect resistances, are minimized. This enables the data transmission circuits to achieve maximum Q or quality factor, which minimizes power dissipation.
US07746919B2 Pilot aided adaptive minimum mean square interference cancellation and detection
A modified adaptive minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver detects a spread spectrum signal, minimizing interference among multiple users. The receiver receives multiple pilot bits and corresponding data bits. A channel is estimated using at least one of the received pilot bits and, simultaneously, the data bits are detected based on the pilot bit and an inverse of a gain of the receiver. The spectrum signal may be spread in accordance with a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) format, in which the pilot bits are modified to include a predetermined bit sequence of alternating ones and negative ones.
US07746918B2 Bit synchronization method and system for a GPS
A bit synchronization method and system for a GPS, which receives a satellite signal sent by a satellite to accordingly produce a synchronous signal. Each data bit of the satellite signal consists of N CA-codes. A data buffer receives and stores the data bits of the satellite signal. A matched filter filters the N CA-codes of each data bit in order to compute correlations of the N CA-codes of each data bit, and accordingly output a correlation set corresponding to the data bit, wherein the correlation set has N correlations. A selector selects one with the greatest value from the N correlations and uses the CA-code corresponding to the one with the greatest value as the synchronization signal.
US07746911B2 Geometric optimizations for reducing spontaneous emissions in photodiodes
An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
US07746904B2 Audio/video processing unit and control method thereof
A home theater includes a main unit section and at least one speaker section. The main unit section includes a communication section which receives an AV stream from an AV stream transmission device and via a communication network, a demux section which separates the AV stream into a video stream and an audio stream, a video processing means which processes the video stream so as to generate a video signal, an audio processing section which processes the audio stream so as to generate an audio signal, and an audio acquisition section which acquires an audio stream which includes at least a part of the audio of the AV stream. The communication section transmits the audio stream acquired by the audio acquisition section to the speaker section, via the communication network.
US07746897B2 Expedited bandwidth request for emergency services for wireless clients
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to reliably providing emergency services to wireless clients. In one embodiment, a wireless client determines if an attempt to transmit an emergency message exists. If so, the wireless client determines if one or more wireless access points support expedited bandwidth capabilities. If so, the wireless client notifies one of the wireless access points that the wireless client has an expedited bandwidth request.
US07746893B2 Network controller and method to support format negotiation between interfaces of a network
A controller of a communications network enables endpoints or multiple networks to intercommunicate using multiple types of bearer format (IP, TDM, ATM, Frame Relay, etc.), and enables a bearer format conversion when necessary to carry bearer channel information across an interface of the network. The network may be packet-based or circuit-based and may include gateways and associated controllers which work in tandem to transfer format conversion parameters between endpoints or networks. The format control parameters are exchanged between various controllers, i.e., call control elements, to determine the appropriate format to forward the bearer channel information across the interface and to instruct the associated gateway of the required format conversion. The determination of the necessary format conversions may occur on a call-by-call basis, or by periodically detecting and storing format conversions associated with the various endpoints and intercommunicating networks. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US07746890B2 Interface device and inter-chip communication interface apparatus to control data transfer between chips
An interface device transforms data to a packet and inverts at least a portion of the packet to reduce a number of bit toggles at corresponding locations in a previous packet. A reverse bit appended to the packet indicates whether the packet is inverted. A transmission packet including the reverse bit and the portion of the packet inverted according to a state of the reverse bit is transmitted, and the data are recovered from a received packet, the portion of which that was inverted is inverted again according to the state of the reverse bit.
US07746882B2 Method and device for assembling forward error correction frames in multimedia streaming
In a RTP stream having a plurality of FEC frames containing source blocks of media packets, random access points are inserted in front of the source blocks so as to allow a media decoder to decode the media packets as soon as FEC decoding is finished. In particular, the media packets contain forward error correction (FEC) source blocks for a multimedia broadcast/multicast-based streaming service content. As the multimedia broadcast/multicast streaming service includes dynamic interactive multimedia scene content where the source RTP packets of different media along with the FEC RTP packets are transmitted as separate RTP streams, the inclusion of the random access point facilitates immediate rendering of the dynamic interactive multimedia scene content after FEC decoding, thus reducing the tune-in latency.
US07746879B2 Mesh deterministic access
A deterministic access system and method is provided that may be used for gaining access to a shared communication medium in a mesh or decentralized network. The deterministic access method enables QoS prioritization for periodic data flows such as those used in streaming media or VOIP communications without the direction of a central controller. The method provides a way for network nodes to schedule communications that take into account the hidden node problem, provide priority access to the communication medium for high QoS data flows, and provide shared access to the medium for lower priority data packets during unscheduled times. The method also enables both backward and forward compatibility with network communication methods as well as interoperability between mesh networks and conventional networks.
US07746874B1 Dynamic network allocation for mobile router
Methods and apparatus for implementing a Home Agent supporting Mobile IP and being capable of allocating one or more networks to a mobile router which registers with the Home Agent comprise receiving a registration request packet from the mobile router, the registration request packet indicating one or more networks being requested by the mobile router from the Home Agent. The one or more networks are allocated to the mobile router corresponding to the one or more networks being requested by the mobile router from the Home Agent. A registration reply packet identifying the one or more networks allocated to the mobile router is then sent to the mobile router.
US07746872B2 Packet routing as a function of direction
A direction of travel of a packet at a switch in an interconnection fabric that has multiple switches with ports is determined. A next turn pointer in the packet is used to identify turn bits in a routing path. The turn bits are then used to select an exit port as a function of the direction of travel of the packet.
US07746870B2 Efficient transport of program clock reference for audio services delivered on an MPEG-2 transport stream
A system and corresponding methods efficiently transport Program Clock Reference (PCR) for audio services delivered on an MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) to an audio subsystem. The system processes an original Transport Stream (TS) to remove video packets other than those carrying the Program Clock Reference (PCR) and delivers the packets carrying the Program Clock Reference (PCR) along with audio to a receiving device. The total bandwidth needed to deliver the audio plus the necessary system clock and presentation timing information is therefore reduced.
US07746868B2 Transporting multi-basic service set (BSS) frames over wired medium preserving BSS-ID
A method for retaining network address of a wireless client device as the device roams between different access points operably connected to a single gateway is described. An embodiment comprises maintaining a table in the gateway memory containing the unique identifier of the wireless client device sent with each data packet. In addition to, the unique identifier, an entry in the table in the gateway memory includes the communication pathway established between the gateway and the wireless client device. When forwarding a data packet from the WAN to the wireless client device, the gateway uses the table in the gateway memory to determine the correct destination path for the data packet instead of relying on the destination address attached to the data packet.
US07746867B2 System and method for fault tolerant TCP offload
Systems and methods that provide fault tolerant transmission control protocol (TCP) offloading are provided. In one example, a method that provides fault tolerant TCP offloading is provided. The method may include one or more of the following steps: receiving TCP segment via a TCP offload engine (TOE); calculating a TCP sequence number; writing a receive sequence record based upon at least the calculated TCP sequence number to a TCP sequence update queue in a host; and updating a first host variable with a value from the written receive sequence record.
US07746857B2 Transmitting apparatus, transmitting method, program, and communications system
There is provided a transmitting apparatus for transmitting data, which includes: compressing means compressing data to be transmitted; packetizing means packetizing the data compressed by the compressing means; a buffer for accumulating the data which are packetized; transmitting means transmitting the data accumulated in the buffer; clearing means clearing the buffer at each time that a predetermined time is lapsed; number-of-data counting means counting the number of the data which are not transmitted within the predetermined time; time measuring means measuring a transmission idle time which lasts from a transmission completion time to a clearing time, in a case where all of the data accumulated in the buffer are transmitted before the predetermined time is lapsed; and compression controlling means controlling a compression rate of the data, depending on the number of the data counted or the transmission idle time measured.
US07746855B1 System and method for selectively broadcasting a multidimensional digital frame structure
A system and method have been provided for programming synchronization features of a multidimensional digital frame structure. Such a frame structure acts as a digital wrapper and includes overhead, payload, and forward error correction (FEC) sections. Words in the overhead section are used to selectively synchronize the broadcast frame structure at a plurality of network nodes. The described invention permits the frame synchronization bytes (FSBs) to be made programmable, so that the system and method are flexible for changes in communication protocols, as well for the selective exclusion of nodes. This flexibility also impacts the number, the location, bandwidth, and the bit error rate (BER) of the located FSBs.
US07746849B2 Providing packet-based multimedia services via a circuit bearer
Provided is a method and system for providing a packet-based multimedia service to a mobile device in a network. The service is defined by a telecommunications standard, such as the 3GPP IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) standard, and the network does not support packet quality of service (QoS) functionality as required by the standard. A communications session embodying the method may be initiated by the mobile device or by the network. The method begins by establishing simultaneous packet signaling and circuit bearer connections with the mobile device. Signaling information for the multimedia service may then be transferred via the packet signaling connection using a session initiation protocol (SIP) or similar protocol. Data for the multimedia service may be transferred via the circuit bearer connection. This enables a feature rich signaling protocol to be used to provide the multimedia service via the network in alignment with the standard, even though the network does not support the required QoS functionality.
US07746845B2 Support for fax and modem in SIP/SIP-T networks and the interworking of these networks with ISUP+/BICC
The invention relates to a method for the transmission of call control parameters for switching over between a voice transfer mode and a data transfer mode between two media gateway controllers (6, 7), which are used by way of an IP network between two telecommunication terminal devices separated from any medium or bearer connection, whereby the call control parameters are transferred with conversion into the SIP or SIP_T protocol or from this into a standard signaling protocol.
US07746838B2 Logically distinct wireless data communication networks sharing gateway for communicating with external networks
An arrangement of logically distinct wireless data communication networks share a gateway for communicating with external networks. Each logically distinct network preferably is a class-based network, the nodes of which include a wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device. Each device filter wireless communications received by it for an identification within the communication of its class designation, or for a class, abstract class, or subclass corresponding to its class designation; and process the communication if found and do not process the communication if not found. The gateway wirelessly communicates with each logically distinct network by including the respective class designation for the network with which the communications are desired. The other class based networks do not process messages that are communicated to the desired class-based network, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption by the wireless devices.
US07746832B2 Method and apparatus for supporting adaptive multi-rate (AMR) data in a CDMA communication system
Techniques to support adaptive multi-rate (AMR) coded data in a cdma2000 communication system. A number of AMR modes are defined for speech information (of various rates), silence descriptor (SID) (of various types), and blank frame. The speech and SID data are provided in frames conforming to frame formats defined by the cdma2000 system. A CRC is used for each AMR frame (e.g., 12-bit CRC for speech and 8-bit CRC for SID). The AMR data and CRC bits are further coded with a convolutional encoder. Blind rate detection is used to detect the frame rate of the transmitted AMR frames. To support blind rate detection, the number of bits provided to the CRC generator is different for each blind rate to be detected. If two or more blind rates have the same number of bits (such as for SID), then format bits are provided to distinguish between these rates.
US07746828B2 Polarization reuse and beam-forming techniques for aeronautical broadband systems
Aeronautical broadband communication is enhanced by providing an apparatus having a first antenna configured to communicate using a signal orientation corresponding to a first polarization, and a second antenna configured to communicate using a signal orientation corresponding to a second polarization, where the second polarization has at least one characteristic difference from the first polarization. Additional antennas may be used, where multiple antennas share one polarization, and multiple other antennas share a different polarization, and signals from like-polarized antennas are combined for beam-formation.
US07746825B2 Method and system for integrating media independent handovers
A method and system for integrating media independent handover (MIH) under IEEE 802.21 and unlicensed mobile access (UMA) are disclosed. A public land mobile network (PLMN) and an unlicensed mobile access network (UMAN) are concurrently deployed. UMA is supported such that a multi-mode wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may access the UMAN to receive PLMN services through the UMAN. MIH entities are included both in the WTRU and the UMAN and the MIH entity of the WTRU monitors handover events and information and generates a handover trigger for handover between the PLMN and the UMAN. The MIH entity in the UMAN interacts with the MIH entity of the WTRU to report a remote event, handover information and command.
US07746823B2 Reduced time packet transmission in a wireless communications system
System and method for reducing acquisition time of packets in a FDD system, such as a spread-spectrum or OFDM system. A remote unit transmits a multi-tone packet. The multi-tone packet has a plurality of tones with each tone having a different power level, and at a different frequency, from other tones in the plurality of tones. The base station receives the multi-tone packet. The base station compares the plurality of tones from the received multi-tone packet to a threshold or other selection criteria. A tone is selected from the plurality of tones meeting desired selection criteria. Based on the selected tone, the base station transmits a BS packet with the BS packet having power information from the power level of the selected tone.
US07746821B2 Apparatus and method for managing bandwidth in broadband wireless access system
A broadband wireless access system including: a base station that allocates an uplink bandwidth to each connected subscriber station according to at least one algorithm; and at least one subscriber station that when there is no voice information to be sent through the uplink bandwidth allocated from the base station according to an unsolicited grant service (UGS) algorithm, detects another packet based on another algorithm, encapsulates the detected packet, and sends the encapsulated packet in a payload field of a UGS packet to the base station through the uplink bandwidth. Thus, the broadband wireless access system maximizes utilization of the bandwidth allocated according to the UGS algorithm.
US07746816B2 Method and system for a power control in a communication system
An apparatus and a method for power control of a channel in a communication system are disclosed.
US07746811B2 Time shared bi-directional serial signaling system
A time shared bi-directional serial signaling system providing a differential signal with apparent duplex signal operation for higher and lower bandwidth data signals in a forward direction and another lower bandwidth data signal in a return direction.
US07746807B2 Band limiting method and wireless communication system
A receiver estimates a channel quality. A transmitter amplifies a signal by a gain proportional to a difference between a required signal-to-noise power ratio and channel quality information, which is an estimation result of the channel quality, and transmits the signal so that the receiver can obtain the signal-to-noise power ratio. In this case, the receiver or the transmitter determines a roll-off rate of an adaptive filter based on the channel quality information. The transmitter uses the adaptive filter of the determined roll-off rate to filter and transmit the signal.
US07746800B2 Flexible rate split method for MIMO transmission
A method for transmitting a packet of N input bits includes encoding all of the N bits as a single entity, such as with an interleaver of length N within a turbo coder, outputting M encoded bits, channel interleaving the M bits, splitting the M encoded bits into a parallel first and second portion, and transmitting them over separate channels to achieve spatial diversity. The size of the first and second portion is determined based on a closed feedback loop that provides some knowledge of the channel, preferably a measure of channel capacity. The feedback loop may also provide channel knowledge to a subpacket selector associated with each transmit antenna, which determines an appropriate rate for that channel and selects subpackets to fill a transmission packet for that channel. The subpacket selectors choose a subpacket of systematic bits and fill the remaining transmission packet size with subpackets of parity bits. Eigenvectors may be employed to transmit each transmission packet over more than one channel with a power disparity between the channels. A transmitter according to the present invention is also described.
US07746799B2 Controlling data link layer elements with network layer elements
A network layer device controls provision of data link layer functionality by a data link layer device to provide a requested multimedia service to a subscriber. For example, the network layer device may control the performance of multicast elaboration by the data link layer device, or the queuing and forwarding of packets by the data link layer device to facilitate transmission of packets according to a Quality of Service class. The network layer device may send control messages to the data link layer device to dynamically configure a control object stored by the data link layer device, such as multicast filter information or a Quality of Service profile. The network layer device may be a service edge router, and the data link layer device may be a customer premises equipment device, e.g., a modem or wireless access point, or a switch, e.g., a digital subscriber line access multiplier.
US07746798B2 Method and system for integrating packet type information with synchronization symbols
A serial communications architecture for communicating between hosts and data store devices. The Storage Link architecture is specially adapted to support communications between multiple hosts and storage devices via a switching network, such as a storage area network. The Storage Link architecture specifies various communications techniques that can be combined to reduce the overall cost and increase the overall performance of communications. The Storage Link architecture may provide packet ordering based on packet type, dynamic segmentation of packets, asymmetric packet ordering, packet nesting, variable-sized packet headers, and use of out-of-band symbols to transmit control information as described below in more detail. The Storage Link architecture may also specify encoding techniques to optimize transitions and to ensure DC-balance.
US07746794B2 Integrated municipal management console
Embodiments of the invention provide a networked system and management console for visualizing, identifying, and handling municipal or other regional events of interest as they arise. The management console is communicably linked via a wide area wireless network and/or other network or communications facilities to a number of data sources (e.g., contamination sensors) and management resources (e.g., alarms, traffic control devices, etc.). The management console provides, in embodiments of the invention, a simple and clear picture of the current health of a monitored area, such as a municipality, being, and provides an interface for responding to incoming data.
US07746792B2 Method, detection device and server device for evaluation of an incoming communication to a communication device
A method, a detection device and a server device for evaluation of a communication arriving via a connecting line at the communication device are provided. Communication information which can be read or determined from the incoming communication is detected by the detection device which is coupled between the connecting line and the communication device, and is associated solely with the communication device. Furthermore, the detection device checks whether the detected communication information matches predeterminable data pattern information, and/or whether a response message to be initiated by the incoming communication from the communication device via the connecting line is absent. If the check result is positive, the detected communication information is stored, and is read out during the course of a central evaluation process carried out by the server device.
US07746790B1 Scalable route resolution
A router comprises a route resolution module to maintain routing information in accordance with a topology of a network, and an indirect next hop manager to maintain indirect next hop data that associates protocol next hops with forwarding next hops. The route resolution module invokes an application programming interface (API) of the indirect next hop manager for associating and disassociating protocol next hops and forwarding next hops. In response to a network event, the route resolution module can modify the indirect next hop data to reduce the time and resources necessary to perform route resolution.
US07746780B2 Adaptive estimation of multimedia data transmission rate in a data communication system
A method for adaptively estimating a transmission rate of multimedia data by monitoring an RTCP network state is provided. The method comprises receiving a real-time transport protocol (RTCP) receiver report packet from a multimedia data reception unit; detecting packet loss rate from the RTCP receiver report packet; and adaptively estimating an available transmission rate according to a range within which the packet loss rate belongs.
US07746778B2 Resource based data rate control
A method implemented in a node to forward data packets via a communication link to another node. The method includes receiving an indication of a resource level associated with one or more ports among the other node's ingress and egress ports. The indication to be received via a side-band communication link coupled to the other node. The method further includes forwarding one or more data packets associated with data to the other node based on the indicated resource level received via the side-band communication link.
US07746771B1 Method and apparatus for controlling logging in a communication network
A method and apparatus for providing an alerting tool to measure the amount of logging in a network component, for example a network element, and to provide an alarm to a network operator or an automated system when the amount of logging reaches a predefined threshold are disclosed. The network component can then be instructed to reduce the logging activities until all processes appear to be normally utilized and queue lengths return to a normal level.
US07746770B2 Control method and device of jitter buffer
The invention provides a method of controlling a jitter buffer, which sets a packet delete area, a packet add area, and a clock control area inside a FIFO forming the jitter buffer. The method controls to delete packets when the stored packet quantity is within the packet delete area, controls to add packets when the stored packet quantity is within the packet add area, and controls to raise or lower the clock frequency for reading the packets when the stored packet quantity is within the clock control area, in which the clock control area is set between the packet add area and the packet delete area.
US07746769B2 Management of redundant and multi-segment pseudo-wire
A system and method of managing redundant and multi-segment pseudo-wire, including calculating two aggregated endpoints with two or more local endpoints, at least one local endpoint being a backup endpoint, mapping the aggregated endpoints and a plurality of nodes interconnected with one another and the local endpoints, determining an overall status of the system and setting an overall status indicator, determining an operational status of individual components in the system and setting associated status indicators.
US07746766B2 Systems and methods for obtaining an optimum transmission format of reference signals to maximize capacity and minimize peak to average power ratio
A method for optimizing a transmission format of a reference signal is disclosed. A first matrix is provided. A second matrix is computed from the first matrix. A derivative of a function of the second matrix is defined. Iterates of the function are obtained. A function of the second matrix is determined. An optimum value of the first matrix is calculated.
US07746760B2 Frequency error estimation and frame synchronization in an OFDM system
Frequency error estimation and frame synchronization are performed at a receiver in an OFDM system based on a metric that is indicative of detected pilot power. The metric may be defined based on cross-correlation between two received symbols obtained in two OFDM symbol periods. For frequency error estimation, a metric value is computed for each of multiple hypothesized frequency errors. The hypothesized frequency error for the metric value with the largest magnitude is provided as the estimated frequency error. For frame synchronization, a correlation value is obtained for each OFDM symbol period by correlating metric values obtained for NC (e.g., most recent) OFDM symbol periods with NC expected values. The expected values are computed in a manner consistent with the manner in which the metric values are computed. Peak detection is performed on the correlation values obtained for different OFDM symbol periods to determine frame synchronization.
US07746759B2 Pilot pattern design for an OFDM system
A transmitting device for transmitting data symbols and pilot symbols in an OFDM transmission system; the device comprising symbol generating means for generating said data symbols and said pilot symbols, means for transmitting said data symbols and pilot symbols respectively by using a plurality of subcarriers of said OFDM transmission system, wherein said symbol generating means is designed to selectively generate a first type pilot symbol and a second type pilot symbol being orthogonal to said first type pilot symbol so that a pilot symbol pattern in the frequency dimension comprises at least said first type pilot symbol to be transmitted by using a predefined subcarrier and second type pilot symbol to be transmitted by using other predefined subcarrier, and wherein said pilot symbol pattern has a different pattern from a succeeding pilot symbol pattern in time dimension.
US07746746B2 Optical media with control data in wobble
An optical medium has auxiliary information and control data encoded in wobble. The control data specifies action that a drive is permitted or required to take with the auxiliary information. For example, the control data may be used to specify whether a drive reading the medium is permitted to output a region of the auxiliary information. Alternatively, the control data may be used to specify whether a writing drive is permitted to copy a portion of the auxiliary information to a writeable area on the medium.
US07746744B2 Optical recording system and method thereof
An optical recording system and a control method thereof. The method includes detecting a target signal level. If the change level of the target signal exceeds a tolerant range, it represents that a shock has occurred. The shock frequency is recorded according to the shock, and the tolerant range is adjusted according to the recorded shock frequency. If the change level of the target signal exceeds the tolerant range, a pick-up head stops writing data into the optical storage medium. If the change level of the target signal is less than or equal to the tolerant range, the pick-up head writes data into the optical storage medium.
US07746742B2 Optical disc recording method and optical disc apparatus
Objectives of the present invention are to prevent a reduction in the accuracy of an OPC which would otherwise occur due to an influence of a change in temperature, and to increase the reliability of a recording data. To this end, in the OPC using a modulation, the OPC is performed with at least one of multiplication coefficients necessary for calculation changed according to temperature.