Document Document Title
US07840877B2 Mass storage system and method
There is provided a system and method of mass storage. The method includes dividing storage units into standard size blocks and upon receiving a write request from an application, generating EDC data for user application data associated with the write request. The method also includes compressing the user application data using a lossless compression technique and storing the user application data and the EDC data together in a single block in a primary data area if the lossless compression technique is successful.
US07840874B2 Speculative cache tag evaluation
A cache tag comparison unit in a cache controller evaluates tag data and error correction codes to determine if there is a cache hit or miss. The cache tag comparison unit speculatively compares the tag data with the request tag without regard to error correction. The error correction code verifies whether this initial comparison is correct and provides a confirmed cache hit or miss signal. The tag data is compared with the request tag to determine a provisional cache hit or miss, and in parallel, the error correction code is evaluated. If the error code evaluation indicates errors in the tag data, a provisional cache hit is converted into a cache miss if errors are responsible for a false match. If the error code evaluation identifies the locations of errors, a provisional cache miss is converted into a cache hit if the errors are responsible for the mismatch.
US07840866B2 Digital broadcasting transmission apparatus and robust stream coding method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission apparatus and robust stream coding method thereof. The digital broadcasting transmission apparatus includes a robust processor that codes a robust stream of a dual transport stream where a normal stream and the robust stream are combined. The robust processor includes a demultiplexer (DE-MUX) that separates the normal stream and the robust stream from the dual transport stream; a robust encoder that appends a parity to the separated robust stream; a robust interleaver that interleaves the robust stream having the appended parity; and a MUX that combines the interleaved robust stream and the separated normal stream. Accordingly, a receiver of a simple structure can be provided.
US07840858B2 Detection apparatus and test apparatus
A detection apparatus is provided. The detection apparatus includes; a multi-strobe generating section that generates a plurality of strobe signals with phases different from one another; a plurality of acquiring sections each of which acquires a signal value of a signal under measurement at a timing of each of the plurality of strobe signals; a plurality of changing point detecting sections that detect a fact that there is a changing point of the signal under measurement between two adjacent strobe signals when two signal values which are acquired in accordance with the two adjacent strobe signals are different from one another; a mask setting section that sets the changing point detecting section to be enabled among the plurality of changing point detecting sections; and a changing timing output section that outputs a changing timing of the signal under measurement based on an output of the enabled changing point detecting section.
US07840853B2 CPU suppression system and CPU suppression method using service processor
It is possible to suppress a CPU showing signs of unstable operation before the OS starts. A micro program acquires error CPU information (which cannot be recognized directly by the micro program) from the service processor immediately before the termination of the micro program and making a request for suppression of the CPU showing signs of unstable operation according to the acquired error CPU information. The service processor suppresses the CPU showing signs of unstable operation before the OS starts.
US07840851B2 Annotating GUI test automation playback and debugging
A method and system for annotating an object on the graphical user interface (GUI) (“a GUI object”) during automated testing of an application. In one embodiment, the GUI of an application is tested with a test automation tool. During runtime of the automated test, the test automation tool automatically overlays a visual cue on the GUI. The visual cue points to a GUI object of the application and contains a comment regarding an event relating to the GUI object that is expected to occur in runtime.
US07840849B2 Methods and apparatus for debugging software including divisions of an execution history of a debuggee program
In a computing system environment, methods and architecture relate to debugging software programs. The programs, regardless of size, are culled for substantially all memory and register writes (and flow control). An indexing and compression occurs so that upon a later query, and decompression (and display), a user can find and diagnose defects in the software program. To efficiently reconstruct the contents of any memory location or register, backwards tracing of events is comprehensively known for all time, not just select periods. Efficiencies in the indexing function include bunching, replacing actual memory locations with pattern(s) representative of same and dividing an execution history of the software program into manageable sections. Nuances for memory or register effects are also contemplated. Still other embodiments contemplate stand-alone computer program products (on computer-readable media or as a download, or other) or those working in conjunction with other debugging programs.
US07840836B2 Storage device and data writing method utilizing the same
A storage device capable of meeting the reliability has a storage capacity and the reliability of the storage device is defined. The storage device includes at least one first storage unit, at least one second storage unit, and a control unit. The first storage unit forms the storage capacity of the storage device. The second storage unit is allocated to form a spare capacity according to the storage capacity and the reliability. The second storage unit replaces the bad blocks in the first storage unit. The control unit controls the first storage unit and the second storage unit to transmit and convert the data with an application system. Thereby, by allocating the spare capacity of the second storage unit, the different reliability requirement is met, and the storage capacity of the first storage unit is unaffected.
US07840829B2 Power supply system
A power supply system is structured, which has a server disposed so that it is capable of communicating through redundant communication media with a user terminal at a user site which is capable of receiving power from one power supply system selected by making a switchover among a plurality of power supply systems; the server collects information about abnormalities caused in the plurality of power supply systems through other redundant communication media from abnormality detectors disposed in a plurality of power generating plants, each of which is part of one of the plurality of power supply systems, and on a plurality of electric transmission/distribution lines, each of which is also part of one of the plurality of power supply systems; the server determines whether the power supply system from which the user is currently receiving power is normal or abnormal; if the power supply system is abnormal, the server sends, to the user terminal, information about normal power supply systems from which the user is able to receive power.
US07840827B2 Display power management
An apparatus and method for power management of a display system. A display controller couples to a memory storage device. A frame buffer in the memory storage device is filled with frames of information for display on a display device. The frames of information transfer to a display buffer in the display controller. The display controller transmits the frames of information from the display buffer to the display device. When frame information is not being transferred to the display controller, the display controller and the memory storage device may separately enter a power saving state. In power saving state, the display controller may continue to transmit frame information to the display device; however, power and a clock signal to components of display controller may be limited. When the display buffer is almost empty, the display controller exits power saving state to fill the display buffer.
US07840825B2 Method for autonomous dynamic voltage and frequency scaling of microprocessors
A method for autonomous dynamic voltage (v) and frequency (f) scaling (DVFS) of a microprocessor, wherein autonomous detection of phases of high microprocessor workload and prediction of their duration is performed (PID). The microprocessor frequency (f) will be temporarily increased (LUT) to an appropriate safe value (even beyond its nominal frequency) consistent with technological and ambient constraints in order to improve performance when the computer system comprising the microprocessor benefits most, while during phases of low microprocessor workload its frequency (f) and voltage (v) will be decreased to save energy. This technique exploits hidden performance capabilities and improves the total performance of a computer system without compromising operational stability. No additional hardware such as service processors is needed for contemporary computer systems supporting performance counters and DFVS already. The invention allows significantly increasing the total computer system performance with only minimal impact on power (PMAX, PACTUAL) consumption.
US07840824B2 Multiple computer system equipped with a management module determining number of power supply modules to be operated based upon system information
A management technique provides for management of power supply modules. In multiple computer equipment, in response to a load state, if an operation system issues a command that changes a processor state of a processor to a sleep state, a management module is notified through a management network MI that the processor state has changed. The management module holds a system information, and performs the steps of: updating system information because the processor state has changed; from this system information, calculating the power consumption required for the multiple computer equipment; determining the number of required AC-DC power supply modules to be operated; and changing the number of operating AC-DC power supply modules by use of a control interface PA.
US07840820B2 Storage system and method of controlling of feeding power to storage system
A storage system of the present invention saves power consumption of the storage system and enhances responsiveness by predicting a disk drive that is to be accessed next on the basis of an access request from a host system, and promptly feeding power to the predicted disk drive. A prediction unit predicts the disk drive which is to be accessed next by the host system, by comparing a recent access request from the host system against a past access pattern that is registered in an access pattern record table. A power control unit feeds power from a power unit to the disk drive predicted by the prediction unit.
US07840818B2 System, method, and device for playing back recorded content
A secure software package for original equipment manufacturers to run in electronic devices in order to access and dynamically decrypt encrypted audio video or other content from a memory storage device such as a memory card, optical or hard disk such that the user interface of the device need only send simple commands and the decrypted content is output.
US07840813B2 Method and system with authentication, revocable anonymity and non-repudiation
The present invention relates to a method of access to a service consisting in i) identifying and registering a client (C), ii) authenticating the client to an anonymous certification authority, iii) authenticating the client by producing an anonymous signature and opening and maintaining an anonymous authentication session with a server (Se), and iv) selectively allowing contact between the server (Se) and the anonymous certification authority (ACA) to revoke the anonymity of the client (C) using the signature provided in step iii). The invention also relates to a system for opening and maintaining an authentication session guaranteeing non-repudiation.
US07840810B2 Systems and methods for rejoining a second group of nodes with a first group of nodes using a shared group key
A method for rejoining a second group of nodes with a first group of nodes is described. A first state of a first group key associated with a first group of nodes is received. The first state of the first group key is multicast to a second group of nodes. The first group key is rekeyed to a second group key associated with the second group of nodes. A second state of the second group key is multicast to the second group of nodes. A third state of a third group key associated with the first group of nodes is received. A rekey command is multicast to the second group of nodes if the third state is different from the second state. The second group key is rekeyed to the third group key.
US07840805B2 Method of and apparatus for providing secure communication of digital data between devices
A method of secure communication of digital data between devices, including validating, by a security module, the devices using device identifiers, generating a random key in the security module, and transmitting the random key to the devices.
US07840803B2 Authentication of integrated circuits
A group of devices are fabricated based on a common design, each device having a corresponding plurality of measurable characteristics that is unique in the group to that device, each device having a measurement module for measuring the measurable characteristics. Authentication of one of the group of devices is enabled by selective measurement of one or more of the plurality of measurable characteristics of the device.
US07840801B2 Architecture for supporting attestation of a virtual machine in a single step
The presented method allows a virtual TRUSTED PLATFORM MODULE (TPM) instance to map the Platform Configuration Registers (PCR) register state of a parent virtual TPM instance into its own register space and export the state of those registers to applications inside the virtual machine associated with the virtual TPM instance. Through the mapping of PCR registers, the procedure of attesting to the overall state of a virtual machine can be accelerated, since the state of all measurements relevant to the trustworthiness of a virtual machine are all visible in the combined view of mapped and non-mapped PCR registers. Registers that are mapped into the register space of a virtual TPM instance reflect the state of trustworthiness of those virtual machines that were involved in the creation of the virtual machine that is being challenged.
US07840799B2 Transmission of secure electronic mail formats
A method and system for providing e-mail messages to a receiving e-mail application. The e-mail messages as sent from a sending e-mail application being secure and in opaque signed format. The opaque signed e-mail messages being converted to clear signed e-mail messages by decoding extracting message content and digital signatures. The clear signed e-mails being sent to a receiving e-mail application.
US07840798B2 Method for data transfer in a network
First transmission data of a first device is received within a lower network layer and is processed, generating first intermediate layer data of an intermediate network layer. The first intermediate layer data is processed, generating higher layer data of a higher network layer. The higher layer data is processed, generating second intermediate layer data of the intermediate network layer. The second intermediate layer data is processed, generating second transmission data received by a second device. The processing the first intermediate layer data or the processing the higher layer data includes a security function. The first transmission data, the first intermediate layer data, the higher layer data, the second intermediate layer data, or the second transmission data includes a command or an action that allows to control the second device by the first device or vice versa. The security function includes a blocking or a modification of the command or action.
US07840796B2 Booting to a recovery/maintenance environment
A system, computer program product and method for booting to a partition in a non-volatile storage unit without a local operator. In one embodiment, one or more bits in a BOOT register may be set by an operating system indicating if the BIOS should boot to the partition. The BIOS may then read the BOOT register to determine if the BIOS is to boot to the partition as well as any activities to perform if the BIOS is to boot to the partition. In another embodiment, a network interface card may insert directive information received from a packet in a register within the network interface card. The BIOS may then read the register within the network interface card to determine if the BIOS is to boot to the partition as well as any activities to perform if the BIOS is to boot to the partition.
US07840795B2 Method and apparatus for limiting access to sensitive data
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sharing sensitive data. A trusted operating system is configured to securely execute boot instructions for one or more hardware component. A virtual operating system in communication with the trusted operating system is configured with one or more security policies defining access rights associated with the one or more hardware component.
US07840794B2 OS starting method and apparatus using the same
An OS starting method of an OS stored in a hard disk of an information processing apparatus includes: starting a BIOS stored in a storage when it is determined that a power is turned on; searching for a boot device that can be started; starting a boot OS stored in an external storage medium; displaying a password input screen on a display section; generating an unlock password for the hard disk by concatenating information unique to the external storage medium with an input password and converting the information being concatenated with the input password to a hash value; unlocking a locked state of the hard disk with the unlock password when it is determined that a setting of security of the hard disk is performed; starting a MBR of the hard disk whose locked state is unlocked; starting a boot loader of the OS; and starting the OS.
US07840792B2 Utilizing hand-off blocks in system management mode to allow independent initialization of SMBASE between PEI and DXE phases
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for making PEI phase implementation independent from DXE phase implementation in a computer system implementing the Extensible Firmware Interface standard. For example, one embodiment of the present invention uses a hand-off block to make SMBASE initialization in PEI independent form SMBASE initialization in DXE. In another embodiment of the present invention, PEI phase is entered in order to resume from an S3 standby state.
US07840782B2 Mixed stack-based RISC processor
A processor (e.g., a co-processor) executes a stack-based instruction set and another instruction in a way that accelerates the execution of the stack-based instruction set, although code acceleration is not required under the scope of this disclosure. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, the processor may comprise a multi-entry stack usable in at least a stack-based instruction set, logic coupled to and managing the stack, and a plurality of registers coupled to the logic and addressable through a second instruction set that provides register-based and memory-based operations.
US07840776B1 Translated memory protection apparatus for an advanced microprocessor
A method of responding to an attempt to write a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction for execution by a host processor including the steps of marking a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction, detecting a memory address which has been marked when an attempt is made to write to the memory address, and responding to the detection of a memory address which has been marked by protecting a target instruction at the memory address until it has been assured that translations associated with the memory address will not be utilized before being updated.
US07840775B2 Storage system in which resources are dynamically allocated to logical partition, and logical division method for storage system
The resources in a storage system including host IF units 101, drive IF units 102, disk drives 103, data transfer engines 105, cache memories 107, and control processors 109 are partitioning targets. A processor 301 in each control processor 109 creates plural logical units by logically partitioning the partitioning target resources, and changes, according to the amount of access from the host computer, the proportion allocated to each logical partition.
US07840772B2 Physical memory control using memory classes
A method for allocating memory in a computer system is disclosed. The method includes creating a kernel memory class, the kernel memory class acting as a logical container for at least a first kernel memory resource group. The method further includes processing a kernel client's request for additional memory by ascertaining whether there is sufficient free memory in the first kernel memory resource group to accommodate the kernel client's request. The method additionally includes denying the kernel client's request if there is insufficient free memory in the first kernel memory resource group to accommodate the kernel client's request.
US07840769B1 Method and system for play-only media player
A method and system for play-only media player is disclosed. The player includes a controller, a recording interface, and a non-removable storage. In recording content onto the media player, media signals are received through the recording interface. The media signals are stored in a media file on non-removable storage. When a controller receives a disable recording indication, it permanently disables the recording capabilities of the media player. The media file now is not accessible except for the purpose of playing the media file. To play the media file, a play indication is received by the controller. The controller then retrieves the content from the media file and sends the content to an output interface. In this manner, the media player only plays pre-loaded media content. The digital right for the content is protected against unauthorized copying while maintaining user friendliness of the media player.
US07840768B2 Memory-controller-embedded apparatus and procedure for achieving system-directed checkpointing without operating-system kernel support
System-directed checkpointing is enabled in otherwise standard computers through relatively straightforward augmentations to the computer's memory controller hub. Firmware routines executed by a control and dispatch unit that is normally part of any memory controller hub enable it to implement any of six different checkpointing strategies: post-image checkpointing in which an image of the system state at the time of the last checkpoint is maintained in a local shadow memory; post-image checkpointing in which an image of the system state at the time of the last checkpoint is maintained in a shadow memory located in a second, backup computer; post-image checkpointing using a bit-map memory, having one bit representing each data block in system memory, to reduce the amount of memory-to-memory copying required to establish a checkpoint; post-image checkpointing to a local shadow memory using two bit map memories to enable normal processing to continue while the shadow is being updated, post-image checkpointing to a local shadow memory using a block-state memory that eliminates the need for any memory-to-memory copying; and local pre-image checkpointing that does not require a shadow memory. Since each of these implementations has advantages and disadvantages relative to the others and since similar mechanisms are used in the memory controller hub for all of these options, it can be designed to support all of them with hardwired or settable status bits defining which is to be supported in a given situation.
US07840767B2 System managing a plurality of virtual volumes and a virtual volume management method for the system
This invention provides a control technique of a data processing system, in which functions of a highly-functional high-performance storage system are achieved in an inexpensive storage system so as to effectively use the existing system and reduce the cost of its entire system. This system has a RAID system, an external subsystem, a management server, a management client and the like. The management server includes an information management table for storing mapping information of the RAID system and the external subsystem. When performing copy process, the pair creation in which a logical volume of the RAID system is set as a primary volume of copy source and a logical volume of a mapping object of the RAID system mapped from the logical volume of the external subsystem is set as a secondary volume of copy destination is executed from the management client by using the information management table.
US07840763B2 Methods and systems for achieving high assurance computing using low assurance operating systems and processes
A computing system contains and uses a partitioning microkernel (PMK) or equivalent means for imposing memory partitioning and isolation prior to exposing data to a target operating system or process, and conducts continuing memory management whereby data is validated by security checks before or between sequential processing steps. The PMK may be used in conjunction with an Object Request Broker.
US07840762B2 Multi-path accessible semiconductor memory device having mailbox areas and mailbox access control method thereof
A multipath accessible semiconductor memory device having a mailbox area and a mailbox access control method thereof are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes N number of ports, at least one shared memory area allocated in a memory cell array, and N number of mailbox areas for message communication. The at least one shared memory area is operationally connected to the N number of ports, and is accessible through a plurality of data input/output lines to form a data access path between the at least one shared memory area and one port, having an access right to the at least one memory area, among the N number of ports. The N number of mailbox areas are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the N number of ports and are accessible through the plurality of data input/output lines when an address of a predetermined area of the at least one shared memory area is applied to the semiconductor memory device. An efficient layout of mailboxes and an efficient message access path can be obtained.
US07840759B2 Shared cache eviction
Methods and systems for shared cache eviction in a multi-core processing environment having a cache shared by a plurality of processor cores are provided. Embodiments include receiving from a processor core a request to load a cache line in the shared cache; determining whether the shared cache is full; determining whether a cache line is stored in the shared cache that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache if the shared cache is full; and evicting a cache line that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache if a cache line is stored in the shared cache that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache.
US07840757B2 Method and apparatus for providing high speed memory for a processing unit
Computer systems with direct updating of cache (e.g., primary L1 cache) memories of a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU). Special addresses are reserved for high speed memory. Memory access requests involving these reserved addresses are routed directly to the high speed memory. Memory access requests not involving these reserved addresses are routed to memory external to the processor.
US07840753B1 Hard disk drive as hybrid drive
A hard disk drive (HDD) controller comprises a channel module and a control module. The channel module reads and writes data to a magnetic medium. The control module defines non-overlapping first and second areas of the magnetic medium, receives a write request containing first data for a first address in the first area, and caches the first data at a second address in the second area before storing the first data at the first address.
US07840749B2 Data area managing method in information recording medium and information processor employing data area managing
Area management information is cached in a cache memory by controlling the access size when an information processor accesses the area management information in an information recording medium. When the processing content of the information processor is to retrieve a free area from the area management information, a physical management block size determined from the physical characteristics of the information recording medium is used. When the processing content is to acquire a link destination from the area management information, minimum access unit of the information recording medium is used. Consequently, overhead can be lessened when the area management information is accessed.
US07840747B2 Nonvolatile memory system, and data read/write method for nonvolatile memory system
A nonvolatile memory system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a plurality of data areas; and a memory controller operative to control read and write operations to the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller successively executes read/write operations to plural sectors within a selected data area in the nonvolatile memory in accordance with a command and a sector count and sector address fed from a host device.
US07840746B2 Encoding method for flash memories
A encoding method for a flash memory is provided, which can be used for reducing the memory wear and extend the endurance of the memory. The encoding method includes the steps as follows (A) receiving a set of information bits; (B) counting an amount of the information bits needed to be programmed in the set; (C) reversing the set of information bits if the amount of information bits needed to be programmed is less than half of the amount of whole information bits in the set, so that there are more than half of the information bits needed to be programmed in the reversed set; and (D) programming the information bits needed to be programmed in the reversing set, including the reverse flag bit for read out check.
US07840744B2 Rank select operation between an XIO interface and a double data rate interface
In an aspect, a first method of interfacing a processor and memory is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) generating a first command and associated address of a first type that does not indicate a rank of memory targeted by the first command; (2) determining whether the memory includes a plurality of ranks; (3) if the memory includes a plurality of ranks, employing the processor to update the address associated with the first command to indicate a memory rank targeted by the first command; (4) if the memory does not include a plurality of ranks, employing the processor to update the address associated with the first command to indicate the memory does not include a plurality of ranks; and (5) converting the first command and associated updated address to a second command and associated address that are employed to access the memory. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07840740B2 Personal media device docking station having an accessory device detector
Systems and methods include a circuit for detecting the insertion of a component into a docking station, e.g., an audio plug. When the component is inserted into the docking station, an electronic switch can be opened. When the switch is opened, a detector (e.g., monostable multivibrator) for detecting a change in state of the switch can be activated. Responsive to the detected change in state, the detector can issue a signal to a control device. Responsive to the signal, the controller can look to a resistive identification circuit and, based on its resistance, determine whether the component has just been inserted or removed from the docking station.
US07840733B2 Power optimized dynamic port association
A method, device, system, and computer readable medium are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes dynamically associating a newly active port in a computer system with a first host controller. The first association happens when a total number of currently active ports in the computer system is less than a maximum capacity number of ports for the first host controller. The method also includes dynamically associating the newly active port in the computer system with a second host controller. The second association happens when the total number of currently active ports in the computer system is greater than or equal to the maximum capacity number of ports for the first host controller. In this method, each port, the first host controller, and second host controller all utilize the same protocol.
US07840732B2 Stacked card address assignment
Stacking of electronics modules, boards or cards, hereinafter referred to as cards is described. Each card in a stack is connected logically to a host via a single physical bus slot, and can detect its relative position in the stack on initial power on and make use of that information to grab an appropriate resource pool. In one embodiment, a top most card is used as a reference and the rest of the cards in the stack derive a relative address with respect to the top most card. A few lines are dedicated between neighboring cards through which the cards can share their relative address information with succeeding cards and automate resource allocation based on the address information.
US07840731B2 Accelerated data switching on symmetric multiprocessor systems using port affinity
A router that includes a plurality of processors (SMPs) where there is “affinity” between particular processors and particular interfaces: Each of the router's interfaces are assigned to one of the processors. A packet arriving at a particular interface will be handled by the processor having an affinity to that particular interface. If the packet's egress is on an interface assigned to the same processor, then the output process will also be handled by that processor. If the egress interface has an affinity to a different processor, then the packet is handed over to the other processor for egress. The data structures that must be retrieved from memory to handle a packet are often associated with the interfaces through which the packet passes. Thus, having a particular processor handle all the packets that pass through a particular interface insures that the data structures needed to handle the packets will more likely be stored in the processor's cache and less likely be the object of inter-processor lock contention.
US07840730B2 Cluster shared volumes
Described is a technology by which a storage volume is shared by cluster nodes of a server cluster. In one implementation, each node includes a redirector that provides shared access to the volume from that node. The redirector routes file system metadata requests from applications and the like through a first (e.g., SMB) communications path to the owning node, and routes file system read and write data to the storage device through a second, high-speed communications path such as direct direct block level I/O. An owning node maintains ownership of the storage device through a persistent reservation mechanism that writes a key to a registration table associated with the storage device. Non-owning nodes write a shared key. The owning node validates the shared keys against cluster membership data, and preempts (e.g., removes) any key deemed not valid. Security mechanisms for controlling access are also described.
US07840729B2 Recording medium access device and recording medium access method
A semiconductor memory card (101) has a plurality of areas (105, 106) based on different file systems. An adapter (102) includes: an area switching part (110) which a user can operates, a determination part (109) for determining the operation; and a card controller (108) for issuing a switching command for switching the area to be used for the semiconductor memory card (101) in accordance with the judgment result. When the switching command is issued in response to input from the area switching part (110), the command is interpreted by an area selector (107) of the semiconductor memory card (101) so as to select an area.
US07840728B1 Redirecting input and output for multiple computers
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide for remote management of a set of local computers by transferring screen frames produced by the local computer for viewing at a remote computer. A redirection module captures and transmits video signals from a local computer through over a network, such as the Internet, to a remote computer where the remote computer produces a display that contains the screen frames being transferred. The module is configured for use with and installation within a keyboard, video, and mouse switch configured for receiving the module. The redirection module is further configured for use with and installation on a server-blade to allow remote management of the server-blade.
US07840724B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
Object data representing an image object extracted from image data is stored. A display unit displays the image object or the contour of the image object in accordance with the display mode designated by a user.
US07840723B1 System and method for maintaining and accessing information regarding virtual storage devices
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can make use of standard input/output (I/O) interface commands to make information about virtual storage devices available to clients of those virtual storage devices. Where the storage virtualization is carried out using a switch, router, or other storage network appliance, the information about virtual devices is stored (and in many cases determined and/or processed) local to the device. Applications operating on the storage clients can conveniently access the information using I/O interface commands and need not have access to some or all of the software or functionality that virtualizes the storage.
US07840718B2 Processing of data to suspend operations in an input/output processing log-out system
A computer program product, an apparatus, and a method for processing communications between a control unit and a channel subsystem in an input/output processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes: sending a Process Log-out (PRLO) message from the control unit to the channel subsystem, the message requesting suspension of input/output operations between the control unit and the channel subsystem for a period of time, the period of time being defined by the PRLO message; responsive to the PRLO message, suspending by the channel all input/output operation messages for the period of time, wherein suspending comprises stopping input/output operation messages during the period of time; and responsive to an expiration of the period of time, sending a Process Log-in (PRLI) message from the channel subsystem to the control unit to re-initiate an operating environment between the channel subsystem and the control unit.
US07840714B2 Mapping SDVO functions from PCI express interface
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to map pins on an interface connector to signals for a digital display. A first group of signal traces maps transmitter differential pairs pins in a first group of lanes on the interface connector compatible with a first interface standard to video output points corresponding to video output signals of a first video port compatible with a second interface standard. A second group of signal traces maps presence detect pins in the first group of lanes on the interface connector to control signal points corresponding to control signals of the first video port compatible with the second interface standard. A third group of signal traces maps receiver differential pairs pins in the first group of lanes on the interface connector to video input points corresponding to video input signals of the first video port compatible with the second interface standard.
US07840713B2 Method for operating a field bus network system having a ring topology and a corresponding field bus network system
A method is provided for operating a field bus network system having a ring topology, which has a master unit and a plurality of slave units, which are connected by a field bus in a ring topology. The method includes transmission of a data message by the master unit to a slave unit intended for receiving the data message, which has a first counter device and a second counter device, a count of the first counter device being used to display a number of required relay steps via interposed slave units in the ring topology up to the slave unit intended for receiving the data message and a count of the second counter device being used to display a number of completed relay steps via interposed slave units in the ring topology; the slave units modifying the count of the first counter device using a first predefined algorithm upon receipt of the data message and ascertaining on the basis of the modified count of the first counter device whether it is the slave unit intended to receive the data message; and the slave units modifying the count of the second counter device using a second predefined algorithm upon receipt of the data message.
US07840709B1 Multi-speed serial interface for media access control and physical layer devices
A network device comprises a data translator that receives a first data stream at a first data rate and that includes a data sampler that selects one of X data symbols that are received, wherein the one of the X data symbols includes (M+N) bits, and that outputs a second data stream at a second data rate and a data remover that removes N of the (M+N) bits and that outputs a third data stream including symbols with the M bits at a third data rate. A physical layer device receives the third data stream.
US07840707B2 Reverse proxy portlet with rule-based, instance level configuration
A portal server having a reverse proxy mechanism for proxying one or more Web applications on a backend server in response to a request for Web content from a user. The reverse proxy mechanism includes a portlet, a set of configuration rules, and a rewriting mechanism. The rewriting mechanism is configured to forward a user request for Web content to a Web application on the backend server, receive a response from the Web application, and rewrite the received response in accordance with the configuration rules. The portlet is configured to produce a content fragment for a portal page from the rewritten response. The configuration rules include rules for rewriting any resource addresses, such as URLs, appearing in the received response from the Web application to point to the portal server rather than to the backend server.
US07840704B2 Method and apparatus for performance and cost optimization in an internetwork
Systems and methods are described for supporting routing intelligence for evaluating routing paths based on performance measurements. The routing intelligence may include processes executed in a self-contained device. This device may control one or more edge routers, based on performance data from end users. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence device may be used solely to monitor one or more edge routers, producing reports but not effecting any changes to routing. Routing decisions may be injected to the edge routers via BGP updates. The devices may be stationed at the premises of a multihomed organization, such as an enterprise, ISP, government organization, university, or other organization supporting a sub-network coupled to an internetwork. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence comprises processes executed on a router.
US07840703B2 System and method for dynamically supporting indirect routing within a multi-tiered full-graph interconnect architecture
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for dynamically routing data through the data processing system. Data is received at a first processor that is to be transmitted to a destination processor. The data that is received includes address information. A lookup is performed in routing table data structures based on the address information to identify candidate paths through which the data is routed to the destination processor. A determination is made as to whether any of the candidate paths are not able to be used to route the data to the destination processor based on a setting of at least one identifier. A path is selected from the identified candidate paths for routing of the data based on a setting of the at least one identifier. Then, the data is transmitted from the first processor along the selected path toward the destination processor.
US07840702B1 Network hard disk copy system for managing multiple clients
Disclosed herein is a network hard disk copy system for managing multiple clients. The system includes a main PC and sub PCs. The main PC generates a check parity signal, transmits it to sub PCs, receives response messages from the sub PCs, checks arrival times of the response messages, determines sub PCs which sent the response messages within a reference time to be those of a first group, copies data to the sub PCs of the first group, divides sub PCs which could not send the response messages within the reference time into groups, classifies sub PCs having faster response message arrival times as sub PCs of a higher group, generates and transmits global group information to sub PCs, and transmits group information output signals. The sub PCs extract their own group information from the global group information, and generate and output background images including the group information.
US07840691B1 Personal broadcast server system for providing a customized broadcast
A personal broadcast server system provides a customized broadcast to one or more users over a transmission media. A data storage device stores a plurality of broadcast elements. A data management system stores a user profile and a user state for each of the one or more users and also stores information associated with each of the plurality of broadcast elements. A broadcast element selector, having at least one broadcast element selector functions, selects broadcast elements from the data storage device based on information contained in the data management system. A broadcast server receives the selected broadcast elements from the data storage device and provides the selected broadcast elements to a user over the transmission media. The personal broadcast server system may provide streaming audio, streaming video, or other forms of broadcast signals.
US07840686B2 Method and system for conducting communications over a network
A method and system for conducting communications over a network is provided. An embodiment includes a server that is connectable to a client machine via a virtual private network that includes a VPN concentrator. The client machine and the VPN concentrator are configured to delay renegotiation of the VPN link in the event that an important stream is being carried over the VPN link.
US07840685B2 Handheld computer having dynamic network transport selection according to a media type of a request
A method for dynamic network transport selection is described. An indication from a user of a client device is received, to fetch over a data network media of a predefined type. One of a number of network transport physical layers in the client device is automatically assigned, based on a number of stored, ranked media types and network transport physical layer types, for use in fetching the media over the data network. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07840678B2 Host-level policies for global server load balancing
In a network, a user can configure host-level policies usable for load balancing traffic to servers of a domain. A global server load balancing (GSLB) switch provides load balancing to the servers, and is configured with the GSLB host-level policies. Users can define a host-level policy (alternatively or additionally to a globally applied GSLB policy) and apply the host-level policy to hosts in domains configured on the GSLB switch. Thus, the user can enable different policies for different hosts. This allows the user to have the flexibility to control metrics used for selection of a best address for querying clients, as well as the metric order and additional parameters used in the GSLB process, at the host level.
US07840675B2 Multi node server system
A server system has, in addition to extensibility of scale-out type of a braid server system, extensibility of scale-up type by making SMP coupling among nodes. Each node has a unit for SMP coupling to other nodes. A module management unit responds to system configuration information to switch between a mode in which the node operates singularly as a braid server and a mode in which the node operates as a constituent module of an SMP server. Links among individual nodes are laid through equidistant wiring lines on a back plane and additionally a loop wiring line having a length equal to that of the inter-node link on the back plane is also laid in each node, thereby setting up synchronization among the nodes. Synchronization of reference clocks for SMP coupled nodes can be is also established.
US07840673B1 Method and apparatus for management of hosted applications
A method and apparatus is disclosed for managing administrative data transfers to/from hosted applications. Administrative data transfers (ADT) include: application maintenance and electronic data transfers (EDT). In an embodiment of the invention an application manager is provided for managing a plurality of host servers each hosting a corresponding application accessible to clients across a network for the exchange of client data. The application manager manages ADT for at least one of application maintenance of the corresponding application and electronic data transfers (EDT) between selected ones of the clients on the network and selected ones of the plurality of host servers. In an embodiment of the invention a control file manager is disclosed which is accessible to an administrative member of each group of clients for managing setup, scheduling and execution of control files for each client group. Each control file defines an ADT with a data source, a data target, and a schedule for effecting the ADT. The control file manager includes a migration module responsive to a migration request by the administrative member of a corresponding client group to migrate a control file from a one to an other hosted environment. The environmental mapper maps the corresponding one of the data source and the data target of the corresponding control file from the one to the other of the hosted environments. In alternate embodiments of the invention methods and software for managing a plurality of host servers is disclosed.
US07840668B1 Method and apparatus for managing communication between participants in a virtual environment
A method and apparatus for managing communication between participants in a virtual environment enables the participants to elect to automatically connect with each other via a preferred communication mechanism, manually connect with each other, or choose not to connect with each other. The connection may be point-to-point between two participants or may include multiple participants. Establishment of a connection, or the ability to establish a connection, may be based on the proximity of the participants, or the Avatars representing the participants, in the virtual environment. Once the connection is established, the connection may be managed so that the connection is maintained while the Avatars remain proximate each other and is automatically severed once the Avatars move away from each other. Environmental noise and other audio aspects may be included in the connection to simulate a real-world conversation.
US07840662B1 Dynamically managing a network cluster
In one aspect, a method of dynamically adding a new node includes determining if the new node is included in a list of nodes belonging to a network cluster, notifying the leader node if the new node is not included in the list, adding the new node to the list and notifying the new node that it is a member of the network cluster. In another aspect, a method of dynamically removing a node includes determining if the node is functioning and if not, removing the node from a list of nodes belonging to a network cluster. In a further aspect, a method of dynamically managing a network cluster includes determining if a twin of a node is malfunctioning, removing the twin from a twin state of the node, removing the twin from a leader candidate list and adding a new node to the leader candidate list.
US07840658B2 Employing job code attributes in provisioning
The present invention is directed to technology for enabling an Identity System to interact with provisioning systems. An Identity System sets a job code attribute for an entity that it manages. The job code attribute corresponds to a set of external resources associated with the entity. The resources may be supported by different provisioning systems. In response to the entity's job code attribute, a Provisioning Bridge Server provisions tasks required to make the external resources available to the entity. The tasks may be provisioned across multiple provisioning systems.
US07840653B1 Enhanced throttle management system
Techniques for enhancing a throttle management system are disclosed. A throttle management system can be configured to scale down a number of permits available for connections to a data source. The throttle configuration parameters can be viewed by an administrator and modified during the runtime operation of the computer system effecting the throttle.
US07840651B2 Client-server emulation supporting multicast transmissions of media objects
A system and method for broadcasting multicast transmissions of data content over a unidirectional network between a single server that executes a server process application and a plurality of clients, each of which executes a client process application. On the server side, the server includes a client emulator that executes a client emulator process application to convert unicast form data to multicast form data and on the client side each client operates in response to an emulator that executes a server emulator process application. Transmission of the data content takes place between the client emulator process on the server side and the server emulator process on the client side. Each client also includes and operates a client process application that receives data content from the server emulator process on the client side. On the client side, each client can have its own server emulator process or there can be a common server emulator process used by the client process application of all of the clients or groups of clients using a dedicated server emulator process for each group. The invention achieves multicast broadcast over a unicast network replacing the need for bi-directional networks and eliminates the need for a back channel and the need to send multiple copies of the data, thereby reducing the need for bandwidth and solving the problem of scalability of existing systems to broadcast multicast.
US07840649B2 Method and device for setting up a virtual electronic teaching system with individual interactive communication
A method and device for setting up a virtual electronic teaching system with individual interactive communication is proposed. Various methods and devices for carrying out tele-teaching or e-learning sessions have been previously suggested. These methods and devices are improved in such a manner that work stations that can be freely interlinked and individual interactive communication can be set up at low cost. Towards this end, a telecommunication network is used that comprises a main distribution frame linked with an exchange (VST). An access multiplexer and/or a splitter are connected to the main distribution frame or are integrated into the main distribution frame. analog or digital telecommunication systems (TE) are connected via an interface circuit (SS). When the connection is set up, at the transmitter end, the kind of connection available to the interface circuit (SS) is determined. A stored test information is transmitted to the remote station and a receipt, received from the remote station in the return direction, is evaluated, wherein the bandwidth available on the telecommunication system (TE) is tested. The system is particularly useful in the field of electronic teaching.
US07840648B1 Web-page authoring tool for automatic enrollment in advertising program
A method of composing a web page is described. The method includes transmitting an authoring web page including an embedded authoring tool to a client computer using a network. The authoring tool may be used to compose the web page. Web-page content corresponding to the composed web page is received from the client computer. The composed web page may include one or more regions for displaying one or more advertisements having one or more links to one or more content locations. In another aspect of the disclosure, an advertising program registration module may include a link or other mechanism for sending the authoring web page to a publisher registering to participate in the advertising program.
US07840647B2 System, method, and computer program product for executing scripts on mobile devices
Described herein are systems, methods, computer program products, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for executing scripts that can be loaded on mobile devices (as well as other types of devices), and for users of mobile devices to interact with such scripts on their devices in an interactive manner. According to embodiments, the present invention performs script operations for mobile devices including steps for sending a request for an object and a list of support languages, and receiving the object and any related scripts in the supported languages.
US07840642B2 Selective transmission of an email attachment
Methods, devices, systems, and media are disclosed for replacing an email attachment with a call, and forwarding the email with the call to a user for selective display of the attachment by making a call. One embodiment includes receiving an email on a mail server, wherein the email has the email attachment, and removing the email attachment from the email to produce a stripped email. The embodiment further includes storing the email attachment on a server, adding the call to the stripped email, and forwarding the stripped email with the call for displaying to a recipient.
US07840640B2 Mail exchange between users of network game
A server group includes a mail server and multiple game servers that provide different games. The mail server includes a character information table where a character name used in each game is registered and associated with a user and a game name and a mailbox prepared for each user. When receiving a request for using an extended mail address from a terminal apparatus, the mail server generates an extended mail address including the character name as a mail account and the game name as a domain, referring to the character information table. When receiving the mail using the extended mail address as a destination address, the mail server stores the mail to a mailbox of the user corresponding to the extended mail address.
US07840639B1 Method and article of manufacture for an automatically executed application program associated with an electronic message
The present invention includes a method and article of manufacture for communicating via an application program included as a payload of an electronic message received over a network. First, the application program is initialized after a first electronic message is selected by a first user on an electronic mail browser. After initialization, the application program of the first electronic message is executed. Such execution includes displaying text included with the first electronic message, changing a non-textual aspect of the first electronic message based on the input from the first user, allowing entry of text, and sending the entered text and the application program over the network in a second electronic message to a second user.
US07840637B2 Community web site for creating and maintaining a web hosting community
An example embodiment of a includes a Home Page, a Web Presence Tool Page, and a Product and Community Forum which is created and maintained by a Hosting Provider. The Home Page may be made accessible to Hosting Customers and Partners and is an ideal location for placement of ads since all members of the Web Hosting Community are funneled through this Web page. The Web Presence Tool Page may display information generated by a Partner regarding the Partner's application which may be viewed by the Hosting Customers. The Product and Community Forum may allow the Hosting Customers to share information regarding all the applications with other Hosting Customers.
US07840636B2 Provider presence information
In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.
US07840628B2 Combining circuitry
A combining circuit and method combines a plurality of terms in a multiplier circuit. The combining circuit includes a first circuit, arranged to receive a first set of the plurality of terms and to combine the first set of terms to produce a first combined term set. The combining circuit also includes a second circuit, arranged to receive a second set of the plurality of terms and to combine the second set of terms to produce a second combined term set. The combining circuit further includes a third circuit, arranged to receive the first and second combined term sets and to combine the first and second combined term sets to produce a third combined term set. The combining circuit outputs the first combined term set as a first combination result and the third combined term set as a second combination result.
US07840625B2 Methods for performing fast discrete curvelet transforms of data
Fast digital implementations of the second generation curvelet transform for use in data processing are disclosed. One such digital transformation is based on unequally-spaced fast Fourier transforms (USFFT) while another is based on the wrapping of specially selected Fourier samples. Both digital transformations return a table of digital curvelet coefficients indexed by a scale parameter, an orientation parameter, and a spatial location parameter. Both implementations are fast in the sense that they run in about O(n2 log n) flops for n by n Cartesian arrays or about O(N log N) flops for Cartesian arrays of size N=n3; in addition, they are also invertible, with rapid inversion algorithms of about the same complexity.
US07840619B2 Computer system for automatic organization, indexing and viewing of information from multiple sources
A computer data processing system including a central processing unit configured with a novel integrated computer control software system for the management of data objects including dynamic and automatic organization, linking, finding, cross-referencing, viewing and retrieval of multiple objects regardless of nature or source. The inventive system provides underlying component architecture having an object-oriented database structure and a metadata database structure which is unique in storing only one instance of each object while linking the object to multiple collections and domains by unique metadata links for the grouping into and retrieval from any of the collections. The system employs configurable, extensible attribute/properties of data objects in metadata format, and a truly user-friendly configurable interface that facilitates faster, more unified, comprehensive, useful and meaningful information management. Additional features include a sticky path object hierarchy viewing system, key phrase linking, viewing by reference, and drag-and-drop relationship link creation.
US07840618B2 Wide area networked file system
Traditional networked file systems like NFS do not extend to wide-area due to network latency and dynamics introduced in the WAN environment. To address that problem, a wide-area networked file system is based on a traditional networked file system (NFS/CIFS) and extends to the WAN environment by introducing a file redirector infrastructure residing between the central file server and clients. The file redirector infrastructure is invisible to both the central server and clients so that the change to NFS is minimal. That minimizes the interruption to the existing file service when deploying WireFS on top of NFS. The system includes an architecture for an enterprise-wide read/write wide area network file system, protocols and data structures for metadata and data management in this system, algorithms for history based prefetching for access latency minimization in metadata operations, and a distributed randomized algorithm for the implementation of global LRU cache replacement scheme.
US07840615B2 Systems and methods for interoperation of directory services
Systems and methods according to the present invention may include providing a first directory service program, a second directory service program, and a directory service access program for handling client application information requests. The directory service access program may direct and manage the client application information requests to either the first directory service program if the requested information is associated with the first directory service program or the second directory service program if requested information is associated with the second directory service program. The present invention may also include providing a data service synchronizer that replicates certain information from the first directory service program to the second directory service program; monitors the first directory service program for changes; and updates the second directory service program with changes from the first directory service program such that the first and second directory service programs may interoperate with one another.
US07840614B2 Virtual content repository application program interface
An application program interface (API) embodied on one or more computer readable media, comprising a first group of services related to integrating content repositories into virtual content repositories (VCRs), a second group of services related to manipulating information in VCRs, a third group of services related to searching VCRs, a forth group of services related to configuring VCRs, and wherein the application program interface is compatible with a content repository service provider interface (SPI).
US07840613B2 Method for providing audio rendition and storage medium recording the same thereon
Disclosed is a method for providing audio rendition and storage medium recording the same thereon wherein audio rendition is provided so as to play audio content based on MPV Standard as the content writer desires, without respect to system environment.The method for providing audio rendition functions comprises generating a master file and a rendition file which the master file is converted into so as to play a certain audio content, recording rendition information determined according to a rendition function relative to the generated master file on a resource file on which connection information between the master file and the rendition file is recorded, and executing the master file or the rendition file in the course of playing the audio content through the rendition information. The rendition function is provided by recording rendition information to indicate rendition attributes changing audio content according to data format or specific functions on a resource file of the audio content.
US07840609B2 Using sibling-count in XML indexes to optimize single-path queries
A method and apparatus are provided for using sibling-counts in XML indices to optimize single-path queries. Using a b-tree XML index with a SQL query logarithmically reduces the number of disk accesses by passing over index entries where it is determined that a match will not be found. However, because certain index entries are passed over, it is impossible to ascertain if a path expression occurs more than once in the XML index, as certain queries sometimes require. This hurdle can be overcome by maintaining a sibling count with each node entry in the XML index. Because the sibling count is stored with the index entry, the index will reveal whether the matching node is single or has other siblings. In additional to re-writing the original query for optimization by use of an XML index, it will be re-written to check for a single-path condition in the index.
US07840608B2 Poet personalities
A method of generating a poet personality including reading poems, each of the poems containing text, generating analysis models, each of the analysis models representing one of poems and storing the analysis models in a personality data structure. The personality data structure further includes weights, each of the weights associated with each of the analysis models. The weights include integer values.
US07840607B2 Data mart generation and use in association with an operations intelligence platform
Some embodiments include determination and storage of a plurality of relational database tables based on class model representing tag-based data and non-tag-based data and on a plurality of objects instantiated based on the class model. Also included are reception of a selection of one object of the objects as a dimension of a logical model, reception of a first indication of a first plurality of members of the selected object to be associated with dimension data of the logical model, reception of a second indication of a second plurality of members of the selected object to be associated with fact data of the logical model, to create a dimension table associated with the selected object and including columns corresponding to the first plurality of members, and creation of a fact table including a foreign key column corresponding to the dimension table and including a column corresponding to each of the second plurality of members.
US07840606B2 Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for performing product availability check
A computer-implemented method performs a product availability check. The method comprises receiving a plurality of first data sets. The method further comprises deriving, based on the first data sets, one or more second data sets. Based on the second data sets, result information on the availability of one or more products in dependence of time is then derived.
US07840605B2 System and method for generating runtime metadata for use in the development of mobile device applications
A system and method for generating runtime metadata for use in the development of mobile device applications. A metadata file, such as an XML file that is used to capture the metadata for a database associated with a mobile device application, is used to generate initialization code. This initialization code, when executed, creates runtime metadata for the application database in terms of a first object (e.g. classID object) through which metadata associated with the application database is accessible and at least one second object (e.g. propertyID object) through which metadata associated with a property of a data record of the application database is accessible.
US07840602B2 Computer database access
Disclosed are systems and methods for a management application accessing a database of interest, including the management application creating an object for indicating a unique identifier for a data item using a SET command; an agent storing the unique identifier in the restricted intermediate database; the management application creating an object for indicating a data type for the data item, the creating including use of a SET command; the agent storing the data type in the restricted intermediate database; the management application creating an object for indicating an action to be performed on the data item with respect to the database of interest, the creating including use of a SET command; the agent issuing an action command to perform the action; and the agent receiving a response and sending it to the management application.
US07840595B1 Techniques for determining an implemented data protection policy
Described are techniques for determining an implemented data protection policy. One or more recovery points corresponding to each of one or more storage objects are determined. A data protection method determined in accordance with a facility and replication type associated with said each recovery point is selected for each of said one or more recovery points. A data protection category for each of said one or more recovery points is determined in accordance with said data protection method, a recovery point type, and a recovery point location associated with said each recovery point. A data protection policy indicating an implemented data protection policy for each of said one or more storage objects for at least one data protection category is stored.
US07840594B2 Method and system for communicating between an embedded device and relational databases
Techniques for communicating between an embedded device and remote database(s) for a wide variety of applications, including human machine interface, supervisory control, data acquisition, and B2B applications. An application program interface (API), interfacing an application program seeking access to a predetermined database, operates on an operating system (OS) not operating a database driver program. A parser translates communications with the API into and from commands and formatted data of an OS independent form. A protocol stack formats the commands and formatted data into header formatted communications signals to accord with a predetermined protocol. Another protocol stack receives the header formatted communications signals, removes header data, and generates database communications signals. Another parser receives the database communications signals and generates and communicates a plurality of database formatted SQL commands. A database interface interfaces the predetermined database and communicates the database formatted SQL commands with the predetermined database.
US07840588B2 Real-time attribute processor and syntax schema for directory access protocol services
A directory server handles requests for values of dynamic attributes by providing at least one declaration for an attribute to be handled as a real-time attribute associated with but external to a directory structure; receiving a directory access protocol request for access to an attribute value from the associated directory structure; detecting requested access to an attribute declared as a real-time external attribute; resolving a real-time value by obtaining an attribute value from a real-time source external to the directory structure; converting the obtained attribute value from a real-time attribute to a static attribute, wherein the real-time attribute is incompatible with the directory access protocol, and wherein the static attribute is compatible with the directory access protocol; and returning to a requester the converted real-time attribute directly in the directory access protocol, wherein storing and updating of the converted real-time attribute value in the directory structure is eliminated or avoided.
US07840586B2 Searching and naming items based on metadata
A user interface may be provided that allows a user to select one or more stored items and display metadata attributes for those items. The user may further specify modifiers for one or more of the metadata attributes and perform searches based on selected ones of the metadata attributes and/or selected ones of the modifiers. In addition, a descriptive phrase may be automatically generated for one or more items. The descriptive phrase may be generated based on one or more of the metadata attributes. In doing so, metadata attributes may be converted to more user-friendly forms and collected into a sentence or other phrase. The descriptive phrase may be attached to the one or more items.
US07840584B2 Iterative data analysis enabled through query result abstraction
The present invention is generally directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data represented abstractly through an abstraction model. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of an underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. For each successive query, the data repository abstraction layer is replaced or redefined to provide a restricted logical view of the underlying data repository.
US07840582B2 System and method for retrieving information from the internet by means of an intelligent search agent
A system and associated method for retrieving information from the Internet by an end user through use of an Intelligent Search Agent. Creating an index comprising a least one data structure corresponding to a respective forum. Next, submitting a query to at least one search engine located on a respective Internet server. After submitting the query, posting a question to at least one forum located on a respective Internet server. After posting the question, subscribing to at least one web syndication corresponding to at least one respective forum. After subscribing to at least one web syndication, receiving information from at least one web syndication. Finally, sending the information to said end user.
US07840578B2 Method for determining validity of command and system thereof
There are provided a method and system for determining the validity of a command, which includes: a first step of receiving a command including a predetermined query from a terminal of a user; a second step of generating log information associated with the command, in which the log information includes at least one of the query included in the command, input time point information on a time point of inputting the command, and a network address of the terminal; a third step of recording the log information in a log database; a fourth step of calculating a first determination result with respect to the validity of the command according to a predetermined first determination standard; a fifth step of including identification information determined according to the first determination result in the log information and recording in the log database; a sixth step of periodically searching for log information recorded for a first period with reference to the log database; and a seventh step of determining again the validity of the command by using the searched log information according to a predetermined second determination standard and calculating a second determination result.
US07840570B2 System and method for acquiring and adding data on the playing of elements or multimedia files
The invention relates to a system and method for acquiring and aggregating information relating to the reproduction of multimedia files or elements in a database, said data including information relating to the number of multimedia file or element reproductions. The inventive system comprises a plurality of digital devices which can access and reproduce multimedia files and an acquisition and storage device which communicates with each of the digital devices in order to receive data from each of the identification/characterization programs, such that the identification/characterization program can count the reproductions at least in a direct and/or weighted manner.
US07840564B2 System and method for automatic anthology creation using document aspects
A generic and expandable document aspect system and method for searching, browsing, presenting, and interacting with data assembled from document contents and related external data is provided. New varieties of document aspects are added to existing installations and can be accessed by users without requiring upgrades to server or clients, for example by using plug-in technology.
US07840560B2 Macro delivery system and macro delivery program
In a delivery information setting processing, for each macro, deliverability of the macro and a kind of macro data for constituting the macro are set for each process technology. In a registration processing, the macro data is registered in correlation with a macro name and a process technology name. In a delivery control processing, permission to deliver the macro is given based on the combinational condition of a macro name, a process technology name, a kind of the macro data, a macro revision, and a macro demander. In a first delivery processing, the macro data of the macro permitted for delivery through the delivery control processing is delivered to the macro demander.
US07840559B2 User terminal and content searching and presentation method
A content searching and presentation method in a terminal of an original user having a playlist includes the steps of accessing a playlist of a different user from the terminal and obtaining the playlist of the different user; computing a similarity between the obtained playlist of the different user and the playlist of the original user, which is a playlist owned by the terminal, in accordance with a predetermined computation equation; and presenting, as a searched result, content that is contained in the playlist of the different user and that is not contained in the playlist owned by the terminal when the computed similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US07840557B1 Search engine cache control
A search query containing at least one term is received at a search controller from a query server and preferably normalized and hashed into a representation of the search query. The representation of the search query is transmitted towards a cache containing multiple query result entries. Each query result entry contains a list of documents associated with the previously searched search query. The cache is then searched and query result entries for the search query are sent to the search controller from the cache. Subsequently, it is determined whether the query result entries are current versions for the search query. If the query result entries are not the current versions, then current versions of the query result entries are obtained.
US07840553B2 Recommending materialized views for queries with multiple instances of same table
Systems, methods, computer-readable media and other embodiments are provided that relate to processing database queries. In one embodiment, a query analysis logic can be configured to analyze a query to identify multiple instances of the same table. Instance numbering for the multiple table instances can then be performed using the query structure such that equivalent queries will likely get the same instance number assignments to improve materialized view recommendations for queries.
US07840552B2 Cost-based subquery correlation and decorrelation
Techniques are provided that determine that a query includes at least one subquery that may be correlated or decorrelated. An internal representation of the query that represents the subquery in both correlated and decorrelated form is generated, wherein the internal representation includes at least one virtual table.
US07840547B1 Methods and systems for efficient query rewriting
Methods and systems for efficient query rewriting and the like are described here. One such described method comprises: offline mapping frequently-seen search queries to rewritten queries that may be better for searching; offline caching the mapping in a cache memory; and upon receiving a search query from a user similar to one of the mapped search queries, obtaining a corresponding rewritten query from the mapping in the cache memory based on predetermined conditions, and issuing a search of the rewritten query to the backend data system in order to avoid having to issue a search query to the backend data system twice while the user is online.
US07840543B2 Method for sharing groups of objects
A method of sharing a group of one or more objects between a plurality of users, in which one or more of said plurality of users is able to change parameter data of at least one said object. The method comprises storing at least one version of each said object; when an object is changed, creating a new version of the object, the new version of the object comprising additional data relating to the creation of the new version; storing the new version of the object together with any version of that object before the change; providing all versions of the object to each of said plurality of users; and using the additional data provided for each version of the object to determine how to display the object. The group may be a calendar and each object may be an event in the calendar. In that case, the object parameter data may comprise a start time of the event, an end time of the event, a description of the event, a status of the event, whether the event is to be repeated and the persons attending the event. The additional data may comprise an identification of the user who made the change, a time at which the change was made, a description of the change, a user comment relating to the change and an identification of the previous version of the event from which the present version was created.
US07840542B2 Method and system for controlling access to semantic web statements
The invention provides a method and system for controlling access to semantic web statements. The method comprises the steps of providing a set of semantic web statements in a defined format, and storing the statements in one or more first tables; and constructing a set of access control lists in the defined format, and storing the lists in one or more second tables. Each of the access control lists of the second tables is connected to one or more of the statements of the first tables, and the access control lists are used to enforce access rules to the semantic statements. Preferably, this access is enforced by filtering out web statements that users do not have permission to read, and by returning errors when users attempt to make changes to the semantic statements that the users do not have permission to change.
US07840537B2 System and method for storing redundant information
A method and system for reducing storage requirements and speeding up storage operations by reducing the storage of redundant data includes receiving a request that identifies one or more data objects to which to apply a storage operation. For each data object, the storage system determines if the data object contains data that matches another data object to which the storage operation was previously applied. If the data objects do not match, then the storage system performs the storage operation in a usual manner. However, if the data objects do match, then the storage system may avoid performing the storage operation.
US07840535B2 Replicated data validation
An approach to validating replicated data allows use of a validation procedure that may modify the data replica. The approach features suspension of updating of the data replica for data replication and enabling restoration of the data replica to a state prior to any modification of the data as a result of the validation procedure. After validation, the data replica is restored before resuming updating for data replication.
US07840534B2 Integration of a digital asset management system with a network sales system
The disclosure relates to integration of a digital asset management system with a network sales system. The digital asset management system may comprise digital asset storage, search and retrieval functionality. Each digital asset may comprise one or more versions of the asset, properties of the asset, and conditions on its use. By way of the integration with the network sales system, a digital asset or digital asset version may be assigned a product identity to facilitate sale of the digital asset or digital asset version.
US07840532B2 System and method for storing large messages
A large message can be stored by separating the message into an envelope portion containing information such as headers, protocols, and addresses, and a payload portion containing items such as file attachments. The envelope portion can be stored in local storage, while the payload can be stored to a persistent store. The message can be processed incrementally, such that the entire message is never in system memory. Once the envelope portion is processed, the payload portion can be read in increments without being processed, and those increments written directly to the persistent store. Alternatively, the payload can be streamed to the persistent store. A pointer in the envelope can then be used to locate and retrieve attachments from persistent storage.This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US07840531B2 System and computer program for inserting records into a database
For a data processing system having memory for storing a database, a method, a system and a computer program product for directing the data processing system to process a record to be inserted into the database is disclosed. The database includes a plurality of base tables. The method includes the steps of making a record copy matching the record, for each base table to be selected from the plurality of base tables: providing a base table candidate indication for a selected base table, the base table candidate indication indicating whether the selected base table is a candidate base table that may receive the record, the base table candidate indication being determined on an outcome of executing before triggers and an outcome of testing constraints in association with the record copy, the before triggers and the constraints being associated with the selected base table; and restoring the record copy so that the record copy matches the record before providing a next subsequent base table candidate indication for another base table to be selected.
US07840529B2 Contents list providing apparatus and contents list providing method
According to one embodiment, a contents list providing apparatus includes a list obtaining unit which obtains a contents list of contents stored in a contents server coupled to the contents list providing apparatus via a network. An updated list generating unit generates, based on the contents list obtained by the list obtaining unit, an updated contents list including an updated content. An updated list providing unit provides, to a communication terminal coupled to the network, the updated contents list generated by the updated list generating unit.
US07840526B1 Workflow administration tools and user interfaces
Various embodiments include systems, methods, and user interfaces that provide abilities to administer data in a workflow system. In some embodiments, the workflow system is a portion of a larger system, such as a document management system.
US07840519B2 Organizing and outputting results of a DNA analysis based on firing rules of a rule base
Methods of analyzing data are provided. An expert system receives input from at least a first source. Data is imported and analyzed by an expert system, wherein the expert system makes at least one first decision, which characterizes the data based on a rule base. The at least one first decision is displayable and modifiable by a first input from a first source. In response to the first input from the first source, the rule base may be re-applied to make at least one second decision, wherein the at least one second decision is different from the at least one first decision, or the at least one first decision may be accepted. The at least one first decision or the at least one second decision is then displayable and modifiable in response to a first input from a second source. In response to the first input from the second source, the rule base is either re-applied to make at least one third decision, wherein the third decision is different from the second decision, or either the first or second decisions are accepted.
US07840511B2 Learning or inferring medical concepts from medical transcripts using probabilistic models with words or phrases identification
A medical concept is learned about or inferred from a medical transcript. A probabilistic model is trained from medical transcripts. For example, the problem is treated as a graphical model. Discrimitive or generative learning is used to train the probabilistic model. A mutual information criterion can be employed to identify a discrete set of words or phrases to be used in the probabilistic model. The model is based on the types of medical transcripts, focusing on this source of data to output the most probable state of a patient in the medical field or domain. The learned model may be used to infer a state of a medical concept for a patient.
US07840507B2 Reduction of classification error rates and monitoring system using an artificial class
Systems and methods for enhancing the accuracy of classifying a measurement by providing an artificial class. Seizure prediction systems may employ a classification system including an artificial class and a user interface for signaling uncertainty in classification when a measurement is classified in the artificial class.
US07840506B1 System and method for geodesic data mining
In various embodiments, geodesic mining systems and methods are disclosed. For example, a method for forming and adapting a geodesic adaptive network may include embedding a set of rules into a two-dimensional adaptive network having N-rows and M-columns with rule independent variables embedded in a first column of the two-dimensional adaptive network and rule dependent variables embedded in the last column of the two-dimensional adaptive network, where N and M are positive integers greater than two, and repetitively selecting a pair of rows of the two-dimensional adaptive network having common dependent attributes using a random process, then adapting the two-dimensional adaptive network based on the selected pair of rows.
US07840505B2 Classification tool
A classification system that includes a first input module, a marker module, unclassified Lagrange multiplier calculation module, and a classification module. The unclassified vector describes a physical condition. The marker module assigns a marker to the unclassified vector. The marker should place the unclassified vector into one of two classes. The unclassified Lagrange multiplier calculation module calculates a classifying Lagrange multiplier for the unclassified vector using the marker and a classification rule. The classification rule may be generated using a training system for classifying the physical condition. The classification module is configured to determine that the marker places the unclassified vector in the proper class if the classifying Lagrange multiplier is small.
US07840503B2 Learning A* priority function from unlabeled data
A technique for increasing efficiency of inference of structure variables (e.g., an inference problem) using a priority-driven algorithm rather than conventional dynamic programming. The technique employs a probable approximate underestimate which can be used to compute a probable approximate solution to the inference problem when used as a priority function (“a probable approximate underestimate function”) for a more computationally complex classification function. The probable approximate underestimate function can have a functional form of a simpler, easier to decode model. The model can be learned from unlabeled data by solving a linear/quadratic optimization problem. The priority function can be computed quickly, and can result in solutions that are substantially optimal. Using the priority function, computation efficiency of a classification function (e.g., discriminative classifier) can be increased using a generalization of the A* algorithm.
US07840498B2 System and method for determining the marketability of intellectual property assets
The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining whether to market an intellectual property asset, where the intellectual property asset is based at least in part on an innovation developed for an internal need. In an embodiment, a description of an intellectual property asset is received, and an assessment of the marketability of the intellectual property asset is generated based at least in part on the description of an intellectual property asset and a marketing criterion.
US07840495B2 System and method for the payment and accounting of petty disbursements
A system and method for the payment of petty cash disbursements is disclosed wherein a tree structure of linked purchasing cards is constructed according to a real-life organizational structure of persons able to authorized the expenditures of the petty cash. A central computer facility is used to maintain the structure and to facilitate the modification of the expenditure limits for the purchasing cards and the movement of cash between a master account and the accounts of each of the purchasing cards to cover purchased made thereby.
US07840492B2 Personal funds metering system and method
Methods and systems for dispensing value are described. In one configuration, a unique tangible indicia is enabled with a value and then disabled after the value is redeemed. In another configuration, a user enables a unique coded stamp and associates a postage payment with the stamp. The postal service cancels the stamp by deactivating the stamp from a list of active stamps and optionally audits the payment association.
US07840491B2 Method and apparatus for extending license of content in portable device
A method and apparatus for extending a license of a content in a portable multimedia device includes receiving an instruction to extend the license, analyzing the received instruction for type of an extension of the license, and updating the data for controlling use of the content, which is included in the license, and payment data regarding payment for the extension of the license, based on the analysis, so that the license of the content can be extended in the portable multimedia device without the portable multimedia device having to be connected to an external device.
US07840490B1 Comprehensive software licensing management system
The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for managing licensed commodities. The novel system comprises an installed software database having licensing terms. The system further includes an owner module and an asset management module that communication with the installed software database. The system includes a client device that provides a request for software to the installed software database for processing.
US07840487B2 Digital content encryption and decryption method and workflow system using digital content
Disclosure of information is controlled selectively depending on users such that a plurality of users having different roles bearing no inclusive relation with one another can access the same area. Content is divided into a plurality of areas. For each of the areas obtained by division, secret keys (encryption/decryption keys in symmetric-key cryptography) are generated. The generated keys are encrypted using public keys in public-key cryptography, which are set in advance for the users depending on their respective roles. In the case where the content is to be disclosed to a plurality of users having different roles, the encryption of secret keys is performed separately for each user. These encrypted contents and encrypted secret keys are used to generate encrypted text.
US07840485B1 Cash dispensing and check accepting ATM and method
An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash is then dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host. The transaction host provides transaction identifying data to the ATM. The ATM sends the transaction identifying data and check images to an image and transaction data server for processing.
US07840484B2 Credit score and scorecard development
Share of Wallet (“SOW”) is a modeling approach that utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a consumers spending capability, tradeline history including balance transfers, and balance information. These outputs can be appended to data profiles of customers and prospects and can be utilized to support decisions involving prospecting, new applicant evaluation, and customer management across the lifecycle. The outputs can be used as attributes to consider in developing a credit bureau scorecard.
US07840481B2 Aged transactions in a trading system
A method and system for aging orders, increasing securities market liquidity.
US07840474B1 Method and system for managing requests for proposals for electronic trading of financial instruments
A method and system for electronically trading financial instruments is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, traders generate requests for proposals (“RFPs”) on financial instruments. The RFPs are broadcast to traders whose tradeable structures include the RFP structure. During a response phase, traders may respond to the RFP. These responses are preferably broadcast to all traders who have responded, as well as the requestor. Preferably, only the requestor may trade on the responses during the response phase. Once the response phase expires, the system preferably enters an action phase during which all responders to the RFP and the requestor may trade on the responses. Once the action phase expires, the responses are migrated to the general market.
US07840473B2 On-line reinsurance capacity auction system and method
A system and method of selling reinsurance includes identifying a reinsurance product and a capacity of the reinsurance product to be sold and calculating a fair risk price for the reinsurance product. The reinsurance product is then offered to potential buyers via an electronic auction, wherein a minimum bid in the electronic auction is determined, at least in part, by the fair risk price. Bids are received from the buyers for portions of the capacity of the reinsurance product and are ranked in accordance with a calculated profitability value and/or time of receipt. Buyers are notified of a status of their respective bids, and particularly, whether bids have been tentatively accepted, partially accepted, or excluded, i.e., rejected. Upon notification of bid status, buyers are given the opportunity to modify bid parameters in an attempt to have their bids ranked at higher a level, thereby increasing the chance of the bid being accepted.
US07840470B2 Retirement planning system and method
A computer-implemented retirement planning system comprises data collection logic, modeling logic, and report generation logic. The data collection logic is configured to receive data pertaining to an individual planning for retirement. The retirement modeling logic is configured to process the data to generate parameters of a retirement plan. The retirement plan comprises a retirement income arrangement in which the amount of inflation-adjusted retirement income (from sources other than long term care insurance and health insurance) is larger during early years of the retirement plan and decreases as the maximum life expectancy of the individual is reached. The report generation logic being configured to generate a retirement plan report describing the retirement income arrangement.
US07840469B2 System and method for administering a lifetime income share plan
The present invention provides a system and method for administering an investment option known as a lifetime income share. Lifetime income shares mitigate survival risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of a plurality of lifetime income shares guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a specified age. Furthermore, the guaranteed stream is utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated liquid assets.
US07840466B2 Wireless communication device account payment notification systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment. One method comprises dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device, preferably a cell phone. A communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due is then transmitted or delivered to a wireless communication device user. Optionally, at the same time or a later time, input from the wireless communication device user may be received regarding payment of the balance due. Such notification methods may be carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame. Generally, such methods will further comprise pre-registering or enrolling the wireless communication device user.
US07840465B1 Systems and methods for conducting real-time application of electronic payments
An organization electronically receives a payment from a customer of the organization based on a current time. If the current time is before a predetermined time relating to an identified payment due date, a non-real-time payment system is employed to effectuate the payment from the customer. The non-real-time payment system processes the payment at a later time on or before the identified payment due date such that the payment is applied to the customer on or before the identified payment due date. If the current time is after a predetermined time relating to the identified payment due date, a real-time payment system is employed to effectuate the payment from the customer. The real-time payment system processes the payment at the current time such that the payment is applied to the customer at the current time.
US07840462B2 System and method for managing and evaluating network commodities purchasing
Managing and evaluating commodities pricing, in one embodiment, includes retrieving and summing one or more price data sets exchanged between a buyer and seller agent in a specified time period. Additionally, metric data indicative of market prices for commodities indicated by the retrieved price data sets are summed. The summed totals are then compared to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, one or more price data sets in a specified time period are retrieved, wherein commodities indicated by the price data sets meet a specified criterion. The retrieved price data sets and metric data indicative of market prices for the indicated commodities are summed and compared. In another embodiment, price data in one or more requests for quote are compared with metric data to normalize quoted prices. Accordingly, multi-value cross compilation of sales transactions and metric data for evaluation of commodities pricing is achieved.
US07840459B1 Method and apparatus for identity theft prevention
A system and method issues a credit card or other credit instrument to a user by first obtaining authorization and authentication from the user.
US07840457B2 System and method for automated transaction splitting
A system and method are provided for automated transaction splitting. A central repository gathers details of multi-category transactions between a first payee (e.g., merchant, investment firm) and one or more users. Each category's proportionate share of the total of the transactions is calculated and used to configure an average or model transaction. When a new transaction is received, it is automatically split among the categories based on the model transaction. Multiple types or tiers of model transactions may be applied. For example, a user-specific model transaction may reflect one specific user's history of transactions with the payee. A community model transaction may reflect multiple users' transactions. Similarly, one type of model transaction may reflect transactions with a single payee, while another type may reflect transactions with related payees (e.g., payees having similar businesses).
US07840453B2 Equipment management system
The invention is a system and method of managing equipment. The system incorporates a tagging device to attach identification tags to each piece of equipment. A scanning device is used to read the identification tags and relay this information to an equipment server. An input device is used to input information to the equipment server. The equipment server runs the equipment management program. The system flags a potential asset assigned to an asset creating individual. Equipment is designated an asset after use in an asset creating event.
US07840451B2 Identifying the most relevant computer system state information
Operations to manage statements relating to a computer system state include obtaining, in a computer system and from any of several sources, statements that relate to a current state of the computer system. Each statement comprises several elements. The operations comprise assigning focus values to the elements of each statement, each focus value indicating a relevance of the element to the current state of the computer system. The operations comprise identifying a subset of the statements based on the focus values. The operations comprise making a first output to a user, the first output being selected from several predefined outputs using the subset of the statements. The output may represent the current state to the user or it may present at least one of several predefined goals to the user for selection, the at least one goal being identified as being possible to accomplish based on the current state.
US07840447B2 Pricing and auctioning of bundled items among multiple sellers and buyers
A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.
US07840446B2 Stored value transaction system including an integrated database server
An integrated database and information server are provided that efficiently share information and tasks between various stored value programs. A server is configured to provide reusable objects and data structures that are suitably shared between various stored value products. A database at the server allows data to be shared between various programs so that each consumer associates with only one database record even though that consumer may use multiple shared value products. By integrating modules and avoiding duplicate records, the record communicates with all stored value programs, so the information does not need to be repeatedly entered into the database. Moreover, new stored value products are quickly and easily created through selection and arrangement of various shared objects preferably maintained within the database.
US07840444B2 Lens ordering and delivery system for head mounted display
A method for ordering a corrective clip having corrective lenses. The clip corrects a wearer's view of a head mounted video display. When customers purchase an HMD, they are provided with clip ordering information. This includes information allowing the users to determine if a clip is required for their personal use. By providing at least SV and PD data customers can place their own orders which are transmitted to the lab. The completed corrective clip is delivered directly to the customer. Since the clip mounts on the viewer, a fitting session is not required. In use, the corrective clip reside between the user's eyes and an HMD display, without contacting the user.
US07840443B2 Automated quoting of CNC machined custom molds and/or custom parts
A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be manufactured to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be machined in two opposing orientations in a 3 axis CNC machine. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities or parts per workpiece block, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts, which may include both molded parts and total profiled machined parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount.
US07840437B2 System for data management and on-demand rental and purchase of digital data products
A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.
US07840435B2 Effective security scheduler
The present invention provides a system and process for creating an effective work schedule for a security checkpoint. The process includes the step of analyzing passenger flow to determine the coverage needed to sustain required service levels, generally through simulating the checkpoint to determine required staffing levels. Another step to optimize workforce levels and schedules is to create workforce schedules that are based on optimized person-hours and key variables. The schedule staffs as needed to achieve the required staffing levels and may consider numerous other factors, including acceptable ranges for shift lengths; a maximum number of start times; and a percentage of part-time or seasonal employees. In a particular embodiment, the schedule is formed by using linear programming to solve for a tour assignment matrix (defining a schedule) from a demand matrix representing the needed number of workers and a coefficient matrix representing the availability of workers.
US07840432B2 Commodities cost analysis database
A computer implemented method and computer program product for managing commodity data. In one or more embodiments, a commodity type and parts corresponding to the commodity are identified. A part cost analysis is generated for each part based on part history data. The part history data is obtained from a set of data sources using data mining techniques to filter relevant part data from a plurality of part data. Cost-related failure data is created using the part cost data and the keyed hierarchical breakdown coding sequence. The cost-related failure data is displayed in a commodity database based on the keyed hierarchical breakdown coding sequence. A user can obtain information regarding future cost trends for the commodity and corresponding parts based on a demand for the commodity and a demand for the parts.
US07840431B2 Optimal group of service compositions
A method and system for forming service compositions to provide service components to business processes. Service components independently needed by each business process are identified. At least one of the service components is needed by at least two business processes. At least two different service components are needed by at least one business process. At least two service compositions are specified. Each service composition includes at least one service component. At least one service composition comprises at least two service components. An optimal subset of the service compositions is ascertained, such that the total cost of deploying the service compositions in the optimal subset to provide the service components independently needed by each business process does not exceed the total cost of deploying the service compositions in any other subset of the service compositions to provide the service components independently needed by each business process.
US07840429B2 Transport vehicle capacity maximization logistics system and method of same
Disclosed is a system for substantially optimizing logistics for loading vehicles and transporting goods and a method of accomplishing the same.
US07840428B2 Method, system and apparatus for measuring and analyzing customer business volume
A method, system and computer product for analyzing and monitoring business volume is provided. A database is linked with a database management utility. Business data is loaded on the database. The business data include data related to accounts, hierarchical account/product relationships, and hierarchical account/customer relationships. The database support relational data queries to the business data. A plurality of threshold changes is defined regarding the business data, and is associated with the database A plurality of threshold tests for detecting changes throughout a selected set of the business data is performed in accordance with the threshold change values. The results of the tests are combined to obtain a classification of data that produces business volume data. The business volume data permits the analysis and monitoring of flows of business into, out of and among account, customer and products groups of a business. The business volume data also provide customer behaviour data.
US07840423B2 Insurance premium rate setting support system
An insurance premium rate setting support system is composed of a computer and includes: a probability-increase/strong-influence location coefficient setting section which sets a probability-increase/strong-influence location coefficient by obtaining the coefficient based on a predetermined function; and an earthquake insurance premium rate computation section which computes an insurance premium rate where an increase in the earthquake occurrence probability, based on the estimated strain accumulation, is reflected by multiplying together the set probability-increase/strong-influence location coefficient and an insurance premium rate where the increase in the earthquake occurrence probability, based on the estimated strain accumulation, is not reflected.
US07840419B1 System and method for reducing the placebo effect in controlled clinical trials
A method and system for performing a clinical trial having a reduced placebo effect is disclosed. The method includes randomizing study participants into three or more treatment groups and performing a first phase of testing on the groups. In a typical embodiment, the first phase of testing includes administering an active treatment to a first group, and administering a placebo to a second group and to a third group. Responders and non-responders are determined for each group. A second phase of testing is then performed. The second phase of testing includes administering the placebo to non-responders in the first group, administering the active treatment to non-responders in the second group, and administering the placebo to non-responders in the third group. The data from the first phase of testing and from the second phase of testing is pooled and analyzed to determine response rates to active treatment and placebo.
US07840418B2 Tracking the availability of service providers across multiple platforms
Amongst other things, the availability of service providers is tracked across one or more service provider networks. A status change of the service provider is identified on one or more of the service provider networks and the other service provider networks associated with the service provider is sent data indicating the changed status of the service provider.
US07840416B2 Naturally expressed medical procedure descriptions generated via synchronized diagrams and menus
A computing device-based system and method are described for generating a medical procedure description recorded into the system by a physician. The system and method manipulate a set of database records comprising medical content which is naturally descriptive of clinical procedures and clinically accurate diagrams which are naturally descriptive to document a medical procedure. To support the generation of a set of said medical procedure descriptions, the system and method provide interchangeable, connected, ontologically-based medical procedure database cartridges of medical content terms, rules, and diagrams that naturally describe constrained procedure representations for clinical procedure descriptions.
US07840413B2 Method and system for integrating idea and on-demand services
A method and system is provided having a webpage for posting ideas integrated with on-demand customer relationship management. The website associated with the page may be stored in a tenant area of a multitenant database to facilitate maintaining multiple websites for different tenants. A webpage may be sent to a client that includes a plurality of sections, each including at least one idea related to an improvement of a product. Votes may be received for at least one of the plurality of sections. A determination may be made of a Total Qualitative Management Criterion (TQMC) for each section of the website, by applying an increasing function of time to newer votes to enable relative weightings of older votes to diminish over time without requiring computing a decaying time function to determine weightings for each vote. A product modification may be determined based on the TQMC for each section.
US07840407B2 Business listing search
A method of operating a voice-enabled business directory search system includes receiving category-business pairs, each category-business pair including a business category and a specific business, and establishing a data structure having nodes based on the category-business pairs. Each node of the data structure is associated with one or more business categories and a speech recognition language model for recognizing specific businesses associated with the one or more businesses categories.
US07840406B2 Method for providing an electronic dictionary in wireless terminal and wireless terminal implementing the same
A method and wireless terminal for providing an electronic dictionary function in the wireless terminal having the electronic dictionary are provided, in which a word is searched in the electronic dictionary, which corresponds to characters input through a character recognition mode, when the wireless terminal is in a word search mode; when more than a threshold number of words are found, a voice recognition mode is executed; and a word is searched through the character recognition mode, which corresponds to voice input through the voice recognition mode.
US07840402B2 Audio encoding device, audio decoding device, and method thereof
There is disclosed an audio encoding device capable of realizing effective encoding while using audio encoding of the CELP method in an extended layer when hierarchically encoding an audio signal. In this device, a first encoding section (115) subjects an input signal (S11) to audio encoding processing of the CELP method and outputs the obtained first encoded information (S12) to a parameter decoding section (120). The parameter decoding section (120) acquires a first quantization LSP code (L1), a first adaptive excitation lag code (A1), and the like from the first encoded information (S12), obtains a first parameter group (S13) from these codes, and outputs it to a second encoding section (130). The second encoding section (130) subjects the input signal (S11) to a second encoding processing by using the first parameter group (S13) and obtains second encoded information (S14). A multiplexing section (154) multiplexes the first encoded information (S12) with the second encoded information (S14) and outputs them via a transmission path N to a decoding apparatus (150).
US07840401B2 Removing time delays in signal paths
The disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums for compensating one or more signals and/or one or more parameters for time delays in one or more signal processing paths.
US07840397B2 Simulation method
A simulator is partitioned into a functional component and a behavior prediction component and the components are executed in parallel. The execution path of the functional component is used to drive the behavior prediction component and the behavior prediction component changes the execution path of the functional component.
US07840394B2 Method for generating a 3D earth model
A method is provided for generating an invertible 3D hydrodynamic earth model suitable for defining target characteristics of a subsurface area formed by a plurality of formations and comprising drilling positions of potential and real wells. The method comprises constructing an initial 3D earth model by combining solutions for a set of single 1D models, each of the models corresponding to a real or potential well drilling position and covering the entire respective aggregate of formations along the wellbore, with solutions for a relevant set of 2D earth models which are constructed only for single formations, and optimizing the constructed initial 3D earth model by defining an optimal set of formations and an optimal set of calibratable model parameters. A method and system are also provided for application of the earth model construction method for predicting overpressure evolution before and during drilling. As the earth model constructed in accordance with the above method provides efficient inversion of data, in particular gathered while drilling, the prediction can be updated in real-time while drilling. The invention can ensure optimization of the drilling process and improves its safety.
US07840392B2 Stabilizing solutions to output feedback pole placement problem with parameter drift and automated alerting of system parameter changes
Output feedback pole placement problems with parameter drift are solved with stabilizing solutions. Changes in system parameters trigger alerts in an automated manner. A representative method includes determining a set of solutions for an output feed pole placement problem, based on parameters of a physical system. The solutions are stable and well-conditioned for monitoring changes to the parameters of the physical system. The physical system is adjusted, or controlled, based on the solutions determined. Updated parameters of the physical system are acquired. A set of updated solutions for the output feedback pole placement problem are determined based on the updated parameters. The physical system is then adjusted, or controlled, based on the updated solutions determined. A system manager may also be notified of the updated parameters and/or the updated solutions. Furthermore, changes within the system may be monitored, and/or potentially critical changes within the system may be detected.
US07840386B2 Finite element modeling method utilizing mass distribution
The invention discloses differing embodiments of finite element modeling methods utilizing mass distribution to model an object. In one embodiment, the finite element model of the object may be partitioned into sub-models. A determination may be made as to which elements in the finite element model are structural and as to which elements in the finite element model are non-structural. Mass properties for both the structural and non-structural elements in each sub-model may be determined. The significant non-structural masses within each sub-model may be selected and added to the finite element model. The remaining insignificant, non-structural masses may be incorporated onto the structural masses by scaling densities of the structural masses. The scaled structural masses may then be added to the finite element model. In other embodiments, objects are provided which were modeled utilizing finite element models under the invention.
US07840381B2 Method and apparatus for determining the operational state of a navigation system
A method of determining an operational state of a navigation system of a platform is provided. The method comprises testing at least a portion of hardware in the navigation system. Additionally, a measurement of at least one navigation variable from an inertial sensor is combined with a measurement of another navigation variable. A plurality of residuals for the measurement of at least one navigation variable and the measurement of another navigation variable are determined with a blending filter. An error for the measurement of at least one navigation variable is estimated based on the plurality of residuals. The method also predicts an error for the measurement of at least one navigation variable while the navigation system is in route. A determination is made as to whether the navigation system meets operational standards based on testing at least a portion of hardware, estimating an error for the measurement of at least one navigation variable, and predicting an error for the measurement of at least one navigation variable. Finally, one of a first state and a second state of the navigation system is output, the first state indicating that the navigation system does meet operational standards and the second state indicating that the navigation system does not meet operational standards.
US07840380B2 Methods and systems for plume characterization
A method for mapping, in three dimensions, the contents of a plume within an area is described. The method includes distributing spectrally sensitive sensors on a first surface of a vehicle, distributing spectrally sensitive emitters on a second surface of a vehicle, causing the emitters to output a signal directed through the plume and towards the sensors, receiving at least a portion of the emitter output at the sensors, communicating an output of the sensors, the sensor output caused by the received optical emitter output, to a central processing unit, and analyzing the sensor outputs and time-based vehicle positions to characterize the plume and an area surrounding the plume in three dimensions over a period of time.
US07840376B2 Risk-based design and maintenance systems and methods
A method for determining an optimal inspection schedule for a structure is described. The method includes determining a crack size distribution table for the structure, determining a plurality of risk values, each risk value for a different estimated usage hours of the structure and based on said crack size distribution table, estimating a first inspection interval based on a predetermined risk value threshold, and determining a second inspection interval based on analyzing the rate of increase of risk value and probability of detection of a crack in said first inspection interval.
US07840374B2 Method and device for measuring an object for measurement
The invention relates to a method and device for measuring an object for measurement, comprising at least one reference structure for the definition of an object coordinate system, fixed with relation to the object, by means of a measuring system, which comprises at least one sensor system for recording a contour of the object for measuring in a measurement coordinate system. According to the invention, the object for measurement is placed in a measuring position in the recording region of the sensor system, the position of the object coordinate system is fixed by means of the reference structure, the object coordinate system is linked to the measurement coordinate system, the sensor system is turned about a rotation axis relative to the object for measurement, in order to determine contour data and a processing of the contour data carried out in an analytical unit, taking into account the position of the object coordinate system. The invention further relates to an application for contour determination.
US07840371B2 Non-contact scanning system
A non-contact scanning system for three dimensional non-contact scanning of a work piece is disclosed for use in various applications including reverse engineering, metrology, dimensional verification and inspection The scanning system includes a scanner carried by an arcuately configured gantry assembly and a fixture for carrying a work piece. The gantry assembly includes a fixed arcuately shaped gantry member and a telescopic arm that is movable in an arcuate direction relative to a rotary table that carries the object to be scanned. A scanner is mounted on the end of the telescopic member and is movable in a radial direction. The configuration of the scanning system in accordance with the present invention provides a spherically shaped scanning envelope which facilitates three dimensional modeling of the work piece.
US07840370B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring the rotational speed of shaft
Method and apparatus for monitoring the rotational speed of a shaft, in particular a shaft having a number of spaced features on or rotating with the shaft. Preferred embodiments of the invention are concerned with methods and apparatuses for processing signals in order to calculate, with high accuracy and a fast response time, the rotational speed of a gas turbine shaft. The invention recognizes that it is possible to accurately measure speed between two eddy current sensors (5, 6) by determining the time take for a turbine blade to pass therebetween provided that appropriate compensation is made for the effect of apparent changes in the magnetic distance between the sensors.
US07840369B2 Apparatus and method for correcting bias of gyroscope mounted on mobile robot
An apparatus correcting a bias of a gyroscope that is mounted on a mobile robot and that measures an angular velocity of the mobile robot. The apparatus includes: at least one encoder respectively measuring a traveling velocity of a respective at least one wheel of the mobile robot; a modeling unit calculating an angular velocity of the mobile robot by using the measured traveling velocity; a bias presuming unit determining a confidence range by using difference values between the calculated angular velocity and the measured angular velocity, and calculating a presumed bias by using a value in a confidence range among the difference values; and a bias removing unit removing the presumed bias from the measured angular velocity.
US07840367B2 Multi-modality inspection system
An inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple optical and coordinate measurement machine (CMM) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The optical and CMM alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for an optical or a CMM measurement system to a common coordinate system. Another inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple computed tomography (CT) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The CT alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for a CT system to a common coordinate system.
US07840366B1 Calibration management for volatile organic compound detector
A method for calibrating a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector. In one implementation, an initiation request may be received indicating a gas concentration level amount to be used for calibrating a VOC detector. A gas may be provided to the VOC detector according to the gas concentration level amount. The VOC detector may be provided with the gas concentration level amount. A calibration log may be received from the VOC detector. The calibration log may comprise an identifier of the VOC detector, the gas concentration level amount, and a date indicating when the VOC detector received the gas concentration level amount and the gas according to the gas concentration level amount.
US07840361B2 Method for calculating environmental load, program for calculating environmental load, and method for converting units
A technology is provided in which it is not necessary to modify a system on a production side, and in which man-hours required for registering an environmental load value on a supplier side are not increased, in cases of an item having a mismatch between units, in a process of adding up the environmental load values of a post-production product. The technology includes generating correction information for calculating the environmental load that is registered by the supplier at design time, and calculating the environmental load value at design time by using the correction information. In cases of calculating the environmental load value of a product actually produced from a designed product, the environmental load value is calculated using the correction information generated at design time.
US07840359B2 Measuring and analyzing multi-dimensional sensory information for identification purposes
Methods and systems are provides for measuring multi-dimensional sensing information for identification purposes. The identity of one or more substances is determined through analysis of multidimensional data that can include, among others, intrinsic information as well as extrinsic information. The method for identification of a substance comprises utilizing pattern recognition to form descriptors to identify characteristics of the substance. A system and computer program for performing analysis of the multidimensional data are also described.
US07840353B2 Method and system for managing a network of sensors
A system and method are disclosed for managing a network of sensors (100). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a sensor (102) belonging to the network of sensors operating in a geographic space having a controller (210) that manages a sensing device (204). The controller can be programmed to locate (302) itself in the geographic space, and assign (304) itself according to its location a zone within a portion of the geographic space and a corresponding data range for storing sensed information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US07840349B2 Navigation system and method
A navigation system has a display device for displaying a predefined maximal number of graphic driving lane objects. A control device is operatively configured such that the actual number of driving lanes of a street or road is determined, and only a maximal number of graphic driving lane objects is displayed on the display device when the maximal number is smaller than the actual number of driving lanes.
US07840344B2 Accessing content via a geographic map
Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, allows multimedia content associated with a particular geographic area to be viewed and accessed through an appropriate geographic map. In one approach to this technology, multimedia content is received. This content has an associated geographic tag. A geographic map is displayed, and can be used to gain access to the multimedia content.
US07840342B1 Road physical condition monitoring techniques
Arrangement and method for managing information about the condition of travel lanes on which vehicles travel includes a sensor system arranged in each vehicle for obtaining information about the maintenance state of the travel lane, a communication system arranged in each vehicle and coupled to a respective sensor system for communicating the obtained information to a control station, and a transmission system arranged at or coupled to the control station for transmitting the obtained information to vehicles other than the one which provided the obtained information. A positioning system may be arranged on each vehicle to determine its position and the communication systems transmit the position of each vehicle along with the obtained information.
US07840341B1 Schedule setting and processing system
A system which automatically makes a travel plan by using on-vehicle or portable terminal. The system can prepare a travel plan in which the concrete destination and route are specified when rough positional and temporal conditions are inputted. The objective area and schedule inputted through the terminal are transmitted to an information center. At the information center, a basic frame of the travel meeting the received conditions is prepared. For a day trip, an example of the basic frame is “departure-walk-lunch-amusement park-night view-return”. After the basic frame is prepared, concrete facilities meeting the actions are specified by making access to a data base. The specified facilities are inputted to the basic frame, and thus a concrete plan is completed. The completed plan is supplied to the terminal and displayed on a display to the persons who want to travel. The completed plan is further supplied to a navigation system and the system guides the persons in accordance with the plan.
US07840340B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for generating reference geocodes for point addresses
Systems and methods are provided for generating a reference location data set, such as a reference longitude and latitude point, for each of a plurality of point addresses. A reference location data set can be determined for a point address based on a history of prior geocode samples, such as GPS readings, that have been obtained using a portable computing device during a prior delivery to or pickup from the point address. A location data service collects such geocode samples and processes the samples to generate a reference location data set, such as a reference longitude and latitude and a zone of confidence around the reference longitude and latitude, for each unique point address. To determine whether an item is being delivered to a wrong address, current location data obtained during a delivery can be compared against the reference location data generated by the location data service for the delivery address.
US07840339B2 Traffic information display method and apparatus
A traffic information display method includes creating a highest-level traffic information selection menu among traffic information categorized in multiple levels, and displaying the created traffic information selection menu, creating a low-level menu including associated travel speed data, and displaying the created low-level traffic information selection menu and repeating the creation of the low-level menu until the lowest-level menu is displayed.
US07840337B2 Method for controlling an overrun condition of a hybrid vehicle and hybrid vehicle
A method is for controlling an overrun condition in a hybrid vehicle having a combustion engine and additionally at least one electric motor as well as an overrun fuel cutoff, which interrupts a fuel supply to the combustion engine when the vehicle is in an overrun condition and restores the fuel supply when the combustion engine reaches or falls below a restoring speed. At least in a combustion engine at operating temperature, the fuel supply is restored at a restoring speed of at most 200 min−1, e.g., at most 100 min−1 above an idling speed of the combustion engine. The restoring speed may be in the range of the idling speed or only slightly above the latter. The restoring speed is thus clearly lowered as compared to the usual restoring speeds and extends the overrun fuel cutoff phases and thus reduces fuel consumption.
US07840331B2 Travel support system and travel support method
The invention is a travel support system using notified non-equipped vehicle information, and including an equipped-vehicle detecting unit detecting a presence and a position of an vehicle equipped with a communication module for communicating with another vehicle, a non-equipped-vehicle detecting unit detecting a presence and a position of a non-equipped vehicle without any communication module, and an information-holding vehicle identifying unit identifying an information-holding vehicle that is the equipped vehicle and holding non-equipped-vehicle information including the position of the non-equipped vehicle, based on the position of the equipped vehicle and the position of the non-equipped vehicle. The system also includes a non-equipped-vehicle information providing unit providing the non-equipped-vehicle information for the identified information-holding vehicle, and a communicating unit holding the provided non-equipped-vehicle information and providing the held non-equipped-vehicle information for another equipped vehicle via the communication module of the identified vehicle.
US07840328B2 Industrial truck with a display unit for the operator
Industrial truck with a display unit for an operator and with a sending and receiving unit directed towards the load pick-up region, which can receive sent data from load goods and from load supports, and an analyzing unit, which displays the received data in the display unit, wherein the analyzing unit examines the data received from a load good with respect to transportation conditions and displays existing transportation conditions in the display unit.
US07840325B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a front actuatable restraining device using side satellite safing sensors
An apparatus (10) for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a crash accelerometer (32) for sensing frontal crash acceleration and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A side crash accelerometer (46, 48) senses transverse crash acceleration and provides a second crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A controller (50) actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the first crash acceleration signal and the transverse crash acceleration signal.
US07840323B2 Collision recognition device for a vehicle
A collision recognition device for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a pressure sensor with a first electrode and a second electrode, both having first and second ends, the second end of the first electrode being connected to a first terminal of a first resistor, the second end of the second electrode being connected to a first terminal of a second resistor During use, a first voltage V1 is applied to the first end of the first electrode, a second voltage V2 is applied to a second terminal of the first resistor so that a voltage difference between said first terminal of the first resistor and said second terminal of said first resistor forms a first status voltage indicative of circuit integrity. A first signal voltage V3 at the second end of the second electrode is indicative of whether said first and second electrodes are in contact. During a collision, the two electrodes are pressed together in the collision zone, which creates an electrical contact in this region. The signal voltage V3 thus changes, and a collision can be detected. A fourth voltage V4 is applied to the first end of the second electrode and a fifth voltage V5 is applied to a second terminal of the second resistor so that a voltage difference between the first terminal of the second resistor and said second terminal of the second resistor forms a second status voltage indicative of circuit integrity.
US07840320B2 Method for monitoring plane engines
A method for monitoring engines of a plane, including at least two engines, each engine being controlled and monitored by an engine monitoring calculator, the calculators being connected to each other by a communication network and each calculator monitoring operating parameters of one engine. The method being characterized in that both calculators output on the network the value of at least one of the parameters for comparison with the same parameter outputted by the other calculator, and if a value of one calculator deviates from a value of the other calculator by a difference higher than a predetermined threshold, one of the engines is diagnosed as operating abnormally.
US07840319B2 Core area territory planning for optimizing driver familiarity and route flexibility
Route planning methods for use by a package delivery service provider are disclosed that satisfy a stochastic daily demand while taking advantage of drivers' route familiarity over time. A model for estimating the value of driver familiarity is disclosed along with both an empirical and a mathematical model for estimating the value of route consistency, along with a Core Area Route Design which involves the concepts of combinatorial optimization, meta-heuristic algorithms, tabu search heuristics, network formulation modeling, and multi-stage graph modeling. In one embodiment, a service territory is divided into unassigned cells associated with a grid segment involving prior driver delivery stops, and a driver from a pool of unassigned drivers is assigned to a route based on examining each driver's grid segment visiting frequency limit with respect to a minimum limit so as to optimize driver selection based on of each driver's familiarity with the route.
US07840318B2 Boat and control system for a boat
A control system for a boat including a first hierarchical control module which receives command signals from sensors connected to a throttle control member to emit a command signal corresponding to the required acceleration and sensors connected to a steering control device to emit a command signal corresponding to the required direction of travel. A second hierarchical control module is arranged to execute operating routines for power units including at least a propulsion motor and a servo device for a direction of travel setting device, where the operating routines generate operating signals for the power units in response to input data in the form of externally received target value signals generated by a third hierarchical control module in response to operating conditions of the boat, and a boat having such a control system.
US07840317B2 Method and system for controlling a hijacked aircraft
A method and apparatus for controlling the flight of an aircraft in the event of an in-flight emergency is disclosed. The apparatus includes: (a) a remote flight control, located separate and apart from said aircraft, for remote flight control of said aircraft by a remote human pilot; (b) an onboard manual flight control on the aircraft for manual flight control of the aircraft by an onboard human pilot; (c) an onboard autopilot on the aircraft for automatic flight control of the aircraft; (d) a device for detecting an in-flight emergency on board the aircraft, when the onboard pilot is incapable of properly manually flying said first aircraft due to an attack upon the aircraft or its occupants, including its onboard human pilots, or due to any other incapacity of the onboard human pilots, and producing an in-flight emergency signal in response thereto; and (e) an onboard remote piloting device on the aircraft for receiving the in-flight emergency control signal and control signals from said remote flight control device and allowing the control of the aircraft by the remote human pilot and preventing flight control by any person on board the aircraft.
US07840316B2 Limited authority and full authority mode fly-by-wire flight control surface actuation control system
An aircraft flight control surface actuation control system includes an actuator control unit and a flight control module. The actuator control unit includes at least two independent actuator control channels to generate limited authority flight control surface actuator commands based on pilot inceptor position signals and flight control augmentation data. The flight control module supplies the flight control augmentation data to each of the independent actuator control channels, determines operability of each of the actuator control channels and, based on the determined operability of each independent actuator control channel, selectively prevents one of the independent actuator control channels from supplying the limited authority flight control surface actuator commands. The flight control module may also generate full authority flight control surface actuator commands for supply to flight control surface actuators.
US07840314B2 Computer peripheral device method and apparatus
A vehicle peripheral device system comprising a first peripheral state manager that manages a persistent connection between a computing device and a vehicle and a second peripheral state manager that manages on-demand connections between the computing device and the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is presented to a user of the computing device as a persistent peripheral device when either the persistent connection or the on-demand connection is available, wherein at least some on-demand connections are initiated by the computing device requiring access to the vehicle device.
US07840310B2 Architectural dynamic control: intelligent environmental control and feedback system for architectural settings including offices
A smart, adaptive control system that monitors and influences physical conditions of an architectural setting. The architectural setting in which the system is deployed typically includes a plurality of private spaces and at least one community space. The individual private spaces, and the community spaces, may include an environmental control device that affects one or more physical conditions of the individual private space. Each private space may also include an environmental sensor that measures a particular physical condition of the private space. The private spaces may also include one or more occupant sensors, which measure either behavioral or physiological parameters of an occupant. The environmental control devices, environmental sensors, and occupant sensors are in communication with a computer. The computer is also in communication with a database, which houses a data set that describes how to best modify the physical conditions of the architectural setting.
US07840308B2 Robot device control based on environment and position of a movable robot
The control apparatus for a movable robot comprises: environment information acquisition means (such as video camera 3 and microphone 4); a current position detecting means (15); a map storage (7); a control parameter storage (9) for storing control parameters adjusted to different environments; and control means (11, 12) for determining a current position of the robot on the map data based on a signal from the current position detecting means, retrieving control parameters suitable for the current position from the parameter storage, and controlling the environment information acquisition means or actuators for moving the robot by using the retrieved control parameters.
US07840305B2 Abrasive articles, CMP monitoring system and method
The disclosure relates to abrasive articles useful in chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), the articles including a substrate with opposite major surfaces, an abrasive material overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the major surfaces, and at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a RFID tag reader, or a sensor for providing CMP information to a transmitter positioned near the substrate, the transmitter positioned near the substrate and adapted to wirelessly receive CMP information and wirelessly transmit the CMP information to a remote receiver. The disclosure also relates to a CMP pad conditioner for wirelessly communicating CMP information to a remote receiver, a CMP process monitoring system for wirelessly communicating CMP information to a remote receiver, and a method for conditioning a CMP pad using a CMP process monitoring system for wireless communicating CMP information to a remote receiver.
US07840303B2 Coating weight control system
An apparatus for performing a coating weight control calculation and an apparatus for generating an activation timing of each process in coating weight control are separately managed. A strip welding point pass event, a completion event of scan measurement of a steel strip in a width direction by a coating weight gauge, and a constant period event are related respectively to activation timings of preset control, feedback control and feedforward control respectively of a coating weight. In a coating weight control apparatus and method, the activation timing generation apparatus is equipped with a function of calculating a timing of changing a pressure reference avoiding insufficient coating in accordance with response characteristics of a pressure as an operation terminal, and if a target coating weight is changed from thin coating to thick coating, generating a preset control activation reference in accordance with the calculation result.
US07840293B2 Caching identifications and associated production database guids for expedited acquisition of linking information contained within multiple distinct production database tables
A production information reporting/recording system is disclosed herein including a number of features to ensure efficient, flexible and reliable recording of production data in a manufacturing system. Such features include validating the content of event messages to ensure compliance of event report information with a standard. The system also supports caching IDs associated with particular aspects of an event message (e.g., a production request, a process segment) as well as a unique ID corresponding to the ID assigned by the production event database to reduce the need to access the database when assigning unique database IDs to received events. The production event messaging system also supports both asynchronous and synchronous transactional messaging between the sources of events and the production database service. Furthermore, the system supports including extensions to a base production message schema through the inclusion of metadata that designates a particular production server to parse and apply/store the extension information.
US07840288B2 Player ranking with partial information
Scoring of each player may be based on the outcomes of a game between players who compete against each other in one or more teams of one or more players. The scoring may also consider partial play where one or more players of a game only play for a portion of the full time of the game. Additionally or alternatively, the scoring may consider partial rankings of teams where the relative ranking of one team to another may be unknown. Each player's score may be represented as a distribution over potential scores which may indicate a confidence level in the distribution representing the player's score. The scoring may be used to track a player's progress and/or standing within the gaming environment, used in a leaderboard indication of rank, and/or may be used to match players with each other in a future game.
US07840284B2 Information processing system and associated methodology of surveillance event monitoring
An information processing apparatus performs a monitor processing based on sensor data. A first sensor obtains sensor data of a first format, the first format being video. A second sensor obtains sensor data of a second format, the second format being different from the first format. Surveilled features of an object are extracted from the sensor data obtained and compared to determination parameters in order to determine whether a surveillance event has occurred. When a surveillance event is determined to have occurred, message data reports the surveillance event to a further information processing apparatus. A decision signal is received from the further information processing apparatus, and a switch individually turns ON or OFF each of the first and second sensors according to the decision signal based on an instruction transmitted from the further information processing apparatus.
US07840283B1 Bipolar screw-in lead
An implantable active fixation lead includes an outer sheath, a protector member having a peripheral surface extending between its distal and proximal end surfaces with a helical groove formed in the peripheral surface, and a fixation helix integral with the outer sheath. The fixation helix includes a tip end engageable with body tissue and slidably engaged with the helical groove for relative translation and rotation. A longitudinal force on the lead firmly engages the protector member's distal end surface with the body tissue. With the fixation helix initially retracted proximally of the protector member's distal end surface and disengaged from the body tissue, upon application of torque to the outer sheath, the distal end surface of the protector member is moved proximally with respect to the fixation helix which, simultaneously, is extended distally beyond the distal end surface of the protector member to an extended position into engagement with the body tissue.
US07840279B2 Implantable microstimulator having a separate battery unit and methods of use thereof
An implantable microstimulator arrangement includes at least one implantable microstimulator unit; an implantable battery unit separate from the implantable microstimulator unit(s); and at least one lead coupling the microstimulator unit(s) to the battery unit. The microstimulator unit(s) are operated to treat body tissue.
US07840275B2 In-home remote monitor with smart repeater, memory and emergency event management
A remote patient monitoring system is provided including an implantable medical device (IMD) capable of collecting and storing medical data and multiple, networked external monitoring devices adapted for wireless communication with the IMD. The networked monitoring devices may be configured such that one device is the master and remaining devices are repeater units wherein the master monitoring device coordinates communication between the networked devices and the IMD based on maximizing the received transmission signal strength between the IMD and the monitoring device network. The system may further include a data communications network coupled to at least one of the multiple external monitoring devices to allow data to be transferred to a database or other communication medium. Likewise, data may be received by the monitoring device network from a database or other communication medium to be transferred to the IMD.
US07840274B2 Visual color prosthesis
A visual prosthesis for restoring color vision to patients with lost or impaired visual function. The prosthesis creates the perception of a color image by electrically stimulating visual neurons in patterns consistent with the electrically patterns naturally produced by the retina in response to a color image.
US07840273B2 Device for electrically stimulating biological material
A device for electrically stimulating biological material with an implantable electrode array placed in active contact with the biological material. The array has a two-dimensional arrangement of individual electrodes (Eij) that produce a stimulation field (S1, S2,) for the biological material when a stimulation signal is provided, and an apparatus for providing stimulation signals. Alternating field stimulation signals (Vij) are provided to the individual electrodes (Eij) and the electrode array has at least two tripolar or higher multipolar multipole elementary cells (T1, T2,; Q1, Q2,) from three or more adjacent individual electrodes each, and the stimulation fields (S1, S2,) produced by every multipole elementary cell for the biological material has a rotational component, and at least one of the individual electrodes pertains to at least two multipole elementary cells. Method of use, e.g. with retina implants are also provided.
US07840269B2 Analysis of eating habits
Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and a control unit (90) to analyze such electrical and mechanical activity and optionally apply electrical energy to modify the activity of tissue of the patient.
US07840268B2 System and method of managing medical device historical data
Disclosed are systems and methods which provide management of historical information associated with a medical device, such as an implantable neurostimulation pulse generator, drug pump, cardiac device, hearing enhancement device, or vision enhancement device. Such management of historical information includes storage of historical information within an associated medical device. Historical information stored within a medical device may provide a complete summary of the use, configuration, and operation of the medical device, e.g., information spanning the entire in-service life of the medical device. Historical information for which management is provided may include both static data and dynamic data. The historical information may be used in configuring the medical device, analyzing the operation of the medical device, autonomously altering operation of the medical device, etcetera.
US07840264B1 System and method for breaking reentry circuits by cooling cardiac tissue
Systems and methods to inhibit the conduction of certain spurious electrical impulses in the heart. Inhibition of spurious electrical impulses in the heart is accomplished by cooling one or more targeted portions of the heart. Optionally, inhibition of spurious electrical impulses may be accomplished by cooling of cardiac tissue in combination with pacing of the heart.
US07840263B2 Method and apparatus for device controlled gene expression
A gene regulatory system controls gene therapy by emitting one or more forms of energy that regulate gene expression by triggering promoters. The system includes a sensor to sense a signal indicative of a need for the gene therapy as well as responses to the gene therapy. The regulation of the gene expression is controlled based on the sensed signal and/or a user command. In one embodiment, the system delivers one or more electrical therapies in conjunction with the gene therapy.
US07840260B2 Iontophoretic intra-tympanic drug delivery system
A system, method, and apparatus for iontophoretically delivering medically-active ions beyond the tympanic membrane, into a middle ear portion of a patient, and to an area or structure of the middle or inner ear that is targeted for treatment. The system and apparatus can include a needle configured partially for insertion through a tympanic membrane and having a longitudinal bore, a flexible lumen coupled with the needle, and typically a fluid source coupled with the lumen such that a fluid in the fluid source can be delivered from the fluid source, through the lumen and the needle, and into the middle ear. A positioning tab can be coupled with the needle to assist determining a proper insertion extent of the needle through the membrane. The system and method can also include a power source having oppositely charged electrodes, electrically-conductive materials coupled with an electrode and disposed within the fluid source, lumen, and/or needle, and electrically-conductive materials coupled with an oppositely-charged electrode and further coupled with the patient's skin. Medically-active ions are iontophoretically delivered by the apparatus, when the fluid is delivered to a patients middle ear and an electrical charge is imparted to the ions by the apparatus.
US07840259B2 Method and system for electrocardiogram evaluation
A method for evaluating an electrocardiogram is disclosed herein. The method includes measuring an electrical activity of a patient, processing the measured electrical activity to form a multi-lead signal, and extracting a segment of the multi-lead signal. The method for evaluating an electrocardiogram also includes transforming the segment of the multi-lead signal into a synthesized signal that is most representative of the patient's electrical activity, and evaluating the synthesized signal. A corresponding system for evaluating an electrocardiogram is also disclosed.
US07840254B2 Electromagnetically tracked K-wire device
Devices and methods for registering, dynamically referencing, and navigating an anatomical region of interest of a patient are provided using a tracked Kirschner wire (K-wire), where the K-wire includes a position-indicating element.
US07840252B2 Method and system for determining a three dimensional representation of a tubular organ
A method for determining a three dimensional representation of a tubular organ, the method comprising the procedures of registering a three dimensional medical positioning system (MPS) coordinate system with a two dimensional coordinate system, acquiring a plurality of MPS points within the tubular organ, the MPS points are associated with the MPS coordinated system, each of the MPS point is acquired with a respective organ timing signal reading, acquiring at least one two dimensional image of the tubular organ, the at least one two dimensional image is associated with the two dimensional coordinate system, the at least one two dimensional image is acquired from at least one perspective, each of the at least one two dimensional image is further acquired with a respective organ timing signal reading, associated each of the MPS points with the at least one two dimensional image according to the organ timing signals thereof, determining a temporal three dimensional representation of a portion of the tubular organ for each MPS point, the portion being identifiable in the respective two dimensional image.
US07840251B2 Device and method for registering a position sensor in an anatomical body
An apparatus having an insertable portion for holding a position sensor is disclosed. The position sensor can transmit a signal indicative of its position with respect to a field generator. The insertable portion of the catheter has fiducial markings that are detectable by an imaging modality when the insertable portion is inserted into the anatomical body. The fiducial markings are asymmetrical about at least a first axis of the insertable portion. After the insertable portion has been inserted into the anatomical body, the fiducial markings can be detected to facilitate registration of the position sensor held in the insertable portion to the anatomical body. The apparatus also has a fixing mechanism for releasably fixing the insertable portion to the anatomical body. The non-symmetrical fiducial markings facilitate unambiguous registration of the insertable portion to the anatomical body. When the insertable portion is inserted into the anatomical body to a location of interest, the fixing mechanism substantially rigidly fixes the insertable portion of the catheter to a part of the anatomical body near the location of interest.
US07840249B2 Clinical micro-CT (CMCT) methods, techniques and apparatus
The present invention relates to a method and system (CMCT system) for improving spatial resolution imaging of CT systems. The systems and method can achieve improved spatial resolution while using CT X-ray dosage levels comparable to those currently used in practice. The system and method can be used for micro-tomography and/or micortomosynthesis of a local region and/or volume of interest in a patient head or another body part.
US07840247B2 Methods of predicting musculoskeletal disease
Methods of predicting bone or joint disease in a subject are presented. The method may include determining one or more micro-structural parameters, one or more macroanatomical parameters or biomechanical parameters of a joint in the subject. At least two of the parameters are combined to predict the risk of bone or articular disease. Additionally, methods of determining the effect of a candidate agent on any subject's risk of developing bone or joint disease are presented.
US07840246B1 Implantable self-calibrating optical sensors
A measurement light detector detects light transmitted by a light source of an implantable system that is scattered back into an implantable housing, and produces a measurement signal indicative of the intensity of the light detected by the measurement light detector. A calibration light detector detects a portion of the transmitted light that has not exited the housing, and produces a calibration signal that is indicative of the intensity of the light detected by the calibration light detector, which is indicative of the intensity of the light transmitted by the light source. Changes in the intensity of the transmitted light are compensated for based on the calibration signal produced by the calibration light detector. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US07840243B2 Antenna arrangement in a mobile terminal apparatus
There is provided a mobile terminal apparatus in which downsizing of the mobile terminal apparatus can be achieved and an antenna characteristic can be suitably supplied.In a mobile terminal apparatus 10, upper and lower housing 13 and 15 are coupled with each other by a coupling part 18 so as to be openable and closable, upper and lower circuit boards 21 and 24 are provided in the upper and lower housing 13 and 15, upper and lower protective cover parts 31 and 32 cover the upper and lower housing; and a flexible part 33 couples the upper and lower protective cover parts so as to be openable and closable and covers the coupling part. In the mobile terminal apparatus 10, an antenna power feeding land 51 is provided in one of the upper and lower circuit boards, a power feeding terminal of the antenna part 40 is electrically connected to this one circuit board via the antenna power feeding land, and the antenna part is housed in the flexible part.
US07840242B2 Earphone antenna
An earphone antenna includes: earphone cords; an earphone portion; a coaxial cable; and a pin plug connector portion; wherein the earphone cords cooperate with a shielded line of the coaxial cable using a connection point with the coaxial cable as a feeding point to constitute an antenna for receiving RF signals; wherein conductor lines constituting a core wire of the coaxial cable form signal lines for transmitting audio signals and a ground line; and wherein the coaxial cable is connected with a separation-superimposition circuit portion which is mounted at a side of the pin plug connector portion or at a side of a wireless electronic device and acts to separate the RF signals and the audio signals and to superimpose the audio signals.
US07840239B2 Distributed power management
A power management bus for controlling power over multiple device subsystems includes a master power bus controller which transmits power management information to control one or more power resources through a transmit interface. The transmitted information is received at one or more receive interfaces. A broadcast message can be transmitted to control multiple power resources by subsystem, resource group and resource type. A single address message can be transmitted to control a single power resource. A power down can be initiated at any of the receive interfaces.
US07840233B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication method and wireless communication apparatus
One end of a balanced line is connected to a base station. A transmitting and receiving antenna is connected to the other end of the balanced line. The balanced line not only transmits a signal sent from the base station to the transmitting and receiving antenna and at the same time leaks a part of the transmitted signal as the radio waves, but also transmits the received signal at the transmitting and receiving antenna to the base station. In a room where the balanced line is laid, wireless communication terminals are provided. The wireless communication terminals transmit and receive radio waves to or from either the balanced line or the transmitting and receiving antenna.
US07840232B2 Method of controlling transmit power in wireless communication system
A method of controlling a transmit power includes determining a power control parameter of an assigned timeslot, wherein the value of the power control parameter is a default value if the assigned timeslot is assigned with no power control parameter and the value of the power control parameter is the current value if the assigned timeslot is already used by the mobile station and determining the transmit power on an uplink channel.
US07840220B1 Variable rate forward error correction regulation system and method based on position location information
A communications system utilizes a forward error correction (FEC) regulation system in transmitting data to a mobile client. The FEC strength is regulated as a function of a mobile client location and channel statistics for the location. The communications system includes a server for providing the FEC, a channel statistics database for storing channel data for locations of the mobile client, and a map database. The FEC strength is based on mobile client position and channel performance statistics measured by the mobile client over a period of time and sent to the server or optionally on previously collected and stored channel statistics measurements for the mobile client position or predicted position. The collection of channel statistics is made with an automated system to create a channel statistics measurement database. The FEC strength is varied by modifying packet payload redundancy, packet time spreading, interleave characteristics and error coding rates.
US07840217B2 Methods and apparatus for achieving route optimization and location privacy in an IPV6 network
Methods and apparatus for performing proxy registration on behalf of a node with a Home Agent supporting Mobile IP are disclosed. A first registration request is composed on behalf of the node and transmitted to the Home Agent via a first Local Mobility Anchor, wherein the first Local Mobility Anchor is a regional controller via which registration is performed when the node moves within a region associated with the first Local Mobility Anchor. When the node moves within a region or between regions, the node is re-registered. Specifically, a second registration request is composed and transmitted to the first Local Mobility Anchor when the node moves within the region associated with the first Local Mobility Anchor. When the node moves into a second region associated with a second Local Mobility Anchor and outside the first region associated with the first Local Mobility Anchor, a second registration request is composed and transmitted to the Home Agent via the second Local Mobility Anchor, wherein the second Local Mobility Anchor is a regional controller via which registration is performed when the node moves within a region associated with second first Local Mobility Anchor.
US07840215B2 System accounting in a multiprocessor environment
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) assigning an attribute to each of a plurality of processors, and designating one of the plurality of processors as a proxy processor; (ii) when a user session begins using a first of the plurality of processors, sending a first notification message to a server; and (iii) when a rebooting of the first processor occurs: (a) suppressing a second notification message from the first processor in the proxy processor; and (b) sending a third notification message with the attribute to the server to enable the server to modify a user file in the server using the attribute.
US07840214B2 Method of providing access information to an access terminal
The present invention provides methods involving at least one access terminal and at least one access network. The methods may include providing or receiving information indicative of future accessibility of at least one access network.
US07840211B2 System and method of managing communications policy settings in a wireless network
The present invention provides a system and method of modifying policy settings in a network having a plurality of subscriber devices. An embodiment includes a plurality of base stations, each capable of wirelessly transmitting across a geographic region and a server. A cell-phone, capable of roaming between regions, is operable to establish a wireless link with the base stations and through the base stations, with the server. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The communication policy is updated, by the server, based on requests from the subscriber devices. Once a request is received from a subscriber device, the determination whether to update the communication policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked. Alternatively, the communication policy can be updated according to a trust policy maintained on the server respective to the subscriber device making the request; the trust policy represents the procedure to follow when a request is received from that subscriber device.
US07840201B2 Communication module having tuner units that are separated and isolated from each other, and method of manufacturing the same
A communication module is provided in which its characteristic of separation between its first and second tuner units is improved. The module is equipped with a circuit board having a first main surface, and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a first amplifier arranged on the first main surface, for amplifying a first signal; a first mixer arranged on the first main surface, for converting a signal supplied from the first amplifier to an intermediate-frequency signal; a second amplifier for amplifying a second signal; and a mixer for converting a signal supplied from the second amplifier to an intermediate-frequency signal, both arranged on the second main surface of the circuit board.
US07840199B2 Variable-phase ring-oscillator arrays, architectures, and related methods
Embodiments of the present disclosure allow for a linear phase progression between adjacent elements in array by providing a symmetric ring configuration of tuned amplifiers and a single phase shifter. This ring topology is coupled to a single phase locked loop (“PLL”) that allows for direct modulation and demodulation of arbitrary waveforms without using RF up/down converting mixers. In addition, the PLL distributes the transmit waveforms to all antenna elements in the transmit mode and combines the received waveforms in the receive mode without any complicated power distribution network.
US07840196B2 Filter circuit and radio communication system comprising filter
In a filter circuit, resonators is connected in parallel between input and output terminal, an input signal is input through the input terminal and supplied to the resonators. Signal generators are connected to the resonators to control the resonators. The signal generators are controlled by a control unit so that the resonators are resonated to generate resonance signals at different resonant frequencies and at predetermined resonance phases. Thus, the output signal is set within a desired frequency range.
US07840194B2 Transmitting circuit, receiving circuit, interface switching module and interface switching method for SATA and SAS interfaces
A transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit and an interface switching module for SATA or SAS interface are provided. The invention uses transistors as elements with different impedance and also provides impedance modulating method in coordination with the exterior circuit and the layout design so as to develop an auto-switching mechanism between SATA and SAS interfaces, thereby integrating two transmission interfaces in a single system.
US07840191B2 Baluns for multiple band operation
A small size, low cost balun is formed on a substrate, such as gallium arsenide, as an integrated passive device. Multiple baluns are formed on a same substrate, allowing multi-band operation. For example, symmetrical transformers are provided for two different bands of operation, such as for a quad-band GSM application. Each of the two different baluns is used for two different frequency bands of operation of the quad-band device. A ground ring allows two Hi-Q baluns to be formed on the same integrated circuit side-by-side with minimum spacing and minimum impact on phase and amplitude performance over the frequency bands of operation. By using multiple integrated circuit baluns on a same substrate or chip, the size and cost of baluns for multi-band operation may be reduced.
US07840186B2 Wireless SATA/SAS data transfer system
A wireless data transfer system. The system includes a first hard disk, a first hard disk interface, and a first transmitter. The first hard disk interface is configured to retrieve first read data from the first hard disk and to create a first bit serial signal from the retrieved first read data. The first bit serial signal conforms to a protocol selected from the group consisting of serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) protocol and serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) protocol. The first transmitter is configured to operate at selected carrier frequency greater than 50 GHz, comprising, to operate at effective isotropic radiated power level less than or equal to 40 dBm, to receive the first bit serial signal from the first hard disk interface, to modulate the first bit serial signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to substantially create directly a first signal, and to transmit the first signal.
US07840183B2 Short-range wireless communication device
A short-range wireless communication device is disclosed that is able to ensure QoS of a communication and reduce power consumption by controlling allocation of a period occupied by the communication and by controlling a communication rate within the period occupied by the communication. The short-range wireless communication device receives or transmits beacons in a beacon period, allocates a communication-occupied interval in a super-frame between two adjacent beacon periods, and carries out a communication in the communication-occupied interval in conformity with a predetermined protocol. The short-range wireless communication device includes a control unit that dynamically sets and changes a communication rate in the communication-occupied interval and a number of slots constituting the communication-occupied interval.
US07840174B2 Bookmaking apparatus and image forming system using the same
A bookmaking apparatus executes sheet bundle stacking and image forming operations while melting adhesive at start up. A temperature control device controls a heating device to heat an adhesive in the container to a predetermined melting temperature when the apparatus power is turned on. A sheet conveyance device conveys and stack sheets sequentially from a conveyance path to the stacking tray while the temperature control device melts the adhesive.
US07840173B2 Sheet moisturizing device, sheet remedying apparatus incorporating the sheet moisturizing device, and image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet moisturizing device
A sheet moisturizing device, including: paired moisturizing rollers which form a nipping section to apply water onto a sheet when the sheet is conveyed through the nipping section; two water supplying rollers, each being in pressure contact to each of paired moisturizing rollers respectively; and two water supplying tanks, each arranged to face one of the water supplying rollers, wherein each of the two water supplying tanks is structured of a first tank which supplies water to the water supplying roller, and a second tank which is formed around the first tank and accommodates the water overflowed from the first tank.
US07840172B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes at least one paper feeding section, a plurality of image forming sections, a plurality of paper output sections, a main transport path, and a plurality of paper output paths. The paper feeding section stores a recording medium therein. Any one of the image forming sections selectively forms an image on a recording medium fed from the paper feeding section and being transported on the main transport path. Each of the paper output sections receives a recording medium bearing an image formed in any one of the image forming sections. The main transport path leads from the paper feeding section and runs through the image forming sections. The paper output paths branch from an end of the main transport path into the respective paper output sections.
US07840170B2 Apparatus and method for metering fluid film in an image fusing system
An apparatus (100) and method (300) that meters fluid film in an image fusing system. The apparatus can include a source of fluid film (110) and a source metering roll (120) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The source metering roll can have a source metering roll surface (122) coupled to the source of fluid film, where the source metering roll surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source of fluid film. The apparatus can include a donor belt (140) having a donor belt surface (142) coupled to the source metering roll surface. The donor belt surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source metering roll surface. The apparatus can include a second metering roll (150) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The second metering roll can have a second metering roll surface (152) coupled to the donor belt surface, where the second metering roll surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the donor belt surface. The apparatus can include a fuser assembly (170) having a fuser assembly surface (172) coupled to the donor belt surface. The fuser assembly surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the donor belt surface and the fuser assembly can be configured to fuse an image on media.
US07840165B2 Toner replenishing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and color image forming apparatus
A toner replenishing apparatus that allows easy removal of a toner replenishing container and make contributions to downsizing of an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having the toner replenishing apparatus are provided. A toner replenishing apparatus has a displacement mechanism for displacing a toner replenishing container from a position with the toner replenishing container held by a container holding member. The displacement mechanism includes a hook portion formed in a retaining member and an engagement portion formed in the toner replenishing container. The displacement mechanism effects displacement of the toner replenishing container in conjunction with a release of the toner replenishing container from a retaining action of the retaining member.
US07840164B2 Scanning unit, manufacturing method thereof and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit to form an image on a print medium, the image forming apparatus including a guide shaft, first and second shaft insertion members into which the guide shaft is inserted, a unit main body including first and second insertion holes provided along the guide shaft and whose diameters larger than external diameters of the first and second shaft insertion members, respectively, and an adhesive to adhere the first and second shaft insertion members inserted into the first and second insertion holes, to the unit main body.
US07840159B2 Image-forming device having a positioning structure
An image-forming device includes a first frame, and a first supporting unit. The first frame includes a first plate-shaped part having a surface orthogonal to the first direction and supports a first image-bearing member. The first plate-shaped part is formed with at least two first positioning holes. Each of the at least two first positioning holes is defined by a first inner surface that extends in the first direction. The first supporting unit erects from the first plate-shaped part and includes at least two first fitting parts and a first contact part. The at least two first fitting parts fit into the at least two first positioning holes. The first contact part extends in the first direction from each of the at least two first fitting parts. The first contact part contacts and supports the exposure unit. The exposure unit is oriented in a direction in which the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is directed toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
US07840154B2 Image forming device and cartridge
An image forming device according to an aspect comprises: a photoconductive drum; a developing roller opposed to the photoconductive drum; a developer container; a cartridge; a second portion; and a second terminal. The cartridge comprises: a cartridge frame; a memory unit; a first portion disposed at an upstream portion in a vicinity of an upstream end in an attachment direction of the cartridge frame; and a first terminal disposed at least a part of the first portion and electrically connected to the memory unit. The second terminal is disposed at least a part of the second portion to contact with the first terminal and electrically connected to a controller disposed in the main body. One of the first portion and second portion receives the other of the first portion and second portion.
US07840152B2 Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, cleaning system, and image forming apparatus with cleaning system
A transfer residual toner that has not been electrostatically transferred onto a transfer paper P at a transfer nip and remains on a surface of a photosensitive element is temporarily retained by an elastic blade of a toner retaining unit in a mechanical manner before reaching a latent image forming area. When passing through the latent image forming area, the transfer residual toner is returned onto the surface of the photosensitive member at such a timing that writing is not performed by an exposing unit on the surface of the photosensitive element.
US07840150B2 Image forming apparatus having a plurality of heating devices for heating recording sheet
An image forming apparatus has: a first heating device which heats recording sheet formed with a developer image; a cooling device which cools the recording sheet passing through the first heating device; a second heating device which heats the recording sheet cooled by the cooling device and gives a gloss to the image on the recording sheet; a conveying device which conveys the recording sheet passing through the first heating device to the second heating device through the cooling device; and a controller which controls a cooling ability of the cooling device in accordance with a conveying time required until the recording sheet is conveyed from the first heating device to the second heating device.
US07840149B2 Enhancing image permanence by fusing media multiple times
According to various illustrative embodiments, a system and method for enhancing image permanence are described. In one aspect, the method includes applying an image to a sheet of a medium using a system including at least one photoreceptor, at least one fuser, at least one inverter, and at least one duplex path loop operatively connecting an output of the at least one fuser with an input to the at least one photoreceptor. The method also includes fusing the sheet of the medium at least twice using the at least one fuser before any other image is applied to the sheet of the medium.
US07840146B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device has stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer-tank-contained developer and a developer holder, and has a developer replenishing tank for replenishing a replenishment developer to a developer tank; a toner concentration detecting sensor; a discharging mechanism for discharging an excessive amount of the developer-tank-contained developer outside the developer tank when the amount of the developer-tank-contained developer inside the developer tank exceeds a predetermined amount; and a control unit for replenishing the developer-tank-contained developer when it is detected that the toner concentration inside the developer tank is lower than a first reference value and for forcibly consuming the toner inside the developer tank and replenishing the replenishment developer when it is detected that the toner concentration inside the developer tank is higher than a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value.
US07840145B2 Apparatus and methods for noise-feedback controlled optical systems
Apparatus and methods for noise-feedback controlled optical systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a receiver adapted to receive an optical signal and to convert the optical signal to a corresponding electrical signal, and a control circuit coupled to the receiver. The control circuit includes a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust a gain of the receiver based on the noise level. In an alternate aspect, an optical system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust at least one of an amplification of the transmitter and a gain of the receiver based on the noise level.
US07840143B2 Method and apparatus for demodulating an optical differential phase-shift keying signal
Demodulating an optical Differential Phase-Shift Keying (DPSK) signal is accomplished using a self-homodyne receiver for receiving the optical signal. A converter converts the optical signal received by the self-homodyne receiver into a representative electrical signal. A processor that processes the representative electrical signal using decision feedback multi-symbol detection in order to obtain a decision variable that indicates a differential phase-shift in the optical signal.
US07840142B2 System and method for reducing standby power consumption
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for reducing standby power consumption in an electronic device. There is provided an electronic device (10) comprising receiver circuitry (16), and power supply control circuitry (18) coupled in series with the receiver circuitry (16), wherein a ground connection of the receiver circuitry (16) is coupled to a voltage supply connection of the power supply control circuitry (18).
US07840141B2 Differential M phase-shift modulator
The present invention is a miniaturized differential M phase-shift modulator (M=2n: n is 2 or more) in which a plurality of Mach-Zehnder type light modulators each adapted to output a DPSK-modulated signal light by applying a driving voltage signal are arranged in parallel and that comprises a multiplexing waveguide adapted to output a DMPSK-modulated light by multiplexing outputs of the plurality of the Mach-Zehnder type light modulators, wherein a phase-shift voltage to produce a phase shift difference of substantially 2π/M for a plurality of the signal lights multiplexed by the multiplexing waveguide is applied to the plurality of the Mach-Zehnder type light modulators together with the driving voltage signal.
US07840138B2 Method and system for bi-directional communication over a single optical fiber
Gigabit Ethernet connectivity is realized using off-the-shelf GIGABIT INTERFACE CONVERTER transceivers, wave division multiplexer/demultiplexers, and a single optical fiber. Simultaneous and bi-directional optical communication over a single optical fiber connecting two or more nodes is achieved by using at least one GIGABIT INTERFACE CONVERTER transceiver having at least one optical signal output and an optical signal input that are of different wavelengths from each other.
US07840137B2 Optical line terminal and optical network unit capable of alarm transmission scheme for passive optical network system
A station-side apparatus adapted for use in a passive optical network (PON) system is disclosed, which remotely collects inside information of optical network terminals (ONTs) even before completion of start-up of an optical network unit (ONU), permits an obstruction-detected ONU to send out an emergency notification message to the station-side apparatus, e.g., optical line terminal (OLP), and permits the OLT that received this message to interrupt the transmission of an upload signal toward another ONU after the elapse of a fixed length of time while at the same time receiving information from the obstruction-suffering ONU to thereby facilitate cut-and-divide or “segmentation” of obstruction. A subscriber-side device for use in the PON system is also disclosed.
US07840136B1 Low-latency switch using optical and electrical proximity communication
Embodiments of a switch are described. This switch includes input ports configured to receive signals (which include data) and output ports configured to output the signals. In addition, the switch includes switching elements and a flow-control mechanism, which is configured to provide flow-control information associated with the data to the switching elements via an electrical control path. Note that the electrical control path is configured to use proximity communication to communicate the flow-control information. Furthermore, the switching elements are configured to selectively couple the input ports to the output ports via optical signal paths based on the flow-control information.
US07840134B2 Bit error rate based system and method for optimizing communication system performance
A system (50) includes a communication path (170) and transmits data on a network (103, 106). A transmitter (101) transmits data on the network and a receiver (112) receives data from the network. A component (102, 114) in the communication path has a transfer characteristic (C1, C2, C3) adjusted in response to errors in data transmitted over and received from the network in order to reduce the error rate.
US07840130B2 Mesh communication wireless camera system and method
A system includes a camera and a monitoring system that are capable of wireless communication. The camera is operable to send a message to the monitoring system via a plurality of wireless communication paths. The message includes information relating to an operational status of the camera. The camera may generate and analyze a video signal and the message may include information relating to the analysis of the video signal. The camera may be one of a plurality of cameras capable of generating video signals. The system may further include an intermediate node capable of wireless communication with the cameras and the monitoring system. The intermediate node may multiplex the video signals from the cameras to the monitoring system.
US07840127B2 Imaging device with T-shaped shake compensation actuator arrangement
An imaging device makes camera shake compensation by relatively moving an imaging optical system and an imaging element in directions perpendicular to an optical axis direction. The imaging device includes a first actuator that relatively moves the imaging optical system and the imaging element in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction; a second actuator that relatively moves the imaging optical system and the imaging element in a second direction which is perpendicular to the optical axis direction and which intersects the first direction; and a first moving member to which the second actuator is attached, the first moving member that is moved together with the second actuator in the first direction by an action of the first actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator 6 are disposed to form a T shape.
US07840123B2 Diffusion device
A diffusion device includes a housing and an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom. The device further includes a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing. A vent is disposed in a front portion of the housing. An active material diffusion-interference member is disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.
US07840120B2 Communication system, recording apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
A communication system includes a first recording apparatus and a second recording apparatus. The first recording apparatus determines whether recording of a broadcast program is settable in the first recording apparatus based on first information for reservation of the recording and second information for selecting an apparatus to be used to record the broadcast program, and transmits third information for requesting the state of the apparatus to the second recording apparatus when the recording is not settable. The second recording apparatus receives the third information from the first recording apparatus, and transmits fourth information to the first recording apparatus in response to the third information. The first recording apparatus further receives the fourth information from the second recording apparatus, evaluates a priority level assigned to the second recording apparatus based on the fourth information, and transmits the first information to the second recording apparatus according to the priority level.
US07840116B2 Broadcast receiving terminal
Although a scheduled recording that is set by an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) specifies in advance a time slot for using the resource, reproduction that is set by the EPG does not specify a time slot for using the resource. Therefore, although it is possible to carry out resource allocations for a plurality of scheduled recordings in advance, it is not possible to carry out a resource adjustment in advance when the scheduled recording and the reproduction operation use the same resource. However, when an adjustment process is performed after the starting time of the scheduled recording, the adjustment process itself takes up some time, thus giving rise to the possibility that the scheduled recording may not start at the specified starting time. The resource adjustment for the scheduled recording and the reproduction is initiated ahead of the starting time of the scheduled recording. The amount of time ahead of the scheduled recording, by which the resource adjustment is to be started, can be specified by the EPG.
US07840114B2 Video and audio reproducing apparatus and method of reproducing the same
The designated double speed number n is corrected by a ratio of a reproducing time of a VOBU calculated from the difference between VOBU_E_PTM and VOBU_S_PTM included in management information NV_PCK (navigation back) of the VOBU and a standard reproducing time (0.5 second) (S104), and an address of VOBU_SRI included in the VOBU of the recorded data is referred to by representing the corrected designation double speed number i as an exponent to obtain a VOBU to be subsequently reproduced (S109) The VOBU_SRI is referred to by representing the corrected designated double speed number i as the exponent, and an address of the VOBU to be subsequently reproduced can be obtained. Therefore, accurate reproducing speed can be achieved.
US07840112B2 Gradually degrading multimedia recordings
A system including a recording device in which multiple lesser quality recordings of a program, e.g., recordings at a reduced bit rate, are determined by transcoding a high quality version of the program. Since transcoded recordings are determined with respect to the high quality version, they will have the best quality available for a given bit rate. The system allows a user to manage recordings by associating retention policies and relative ranking attributes with recordings, where a policy manager may use these associated policies and attributes to select which high and lesser quality copies of the program are retained over time, thus gradually degrading retained copies in accord with user preferences.
US07840110B1 Optical waveguide
An optical waveguide fiber having a high threshold for stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). The SBS threshold is increased by an acoustically antiguiding configuration of the fiber. An acoustic configuration comprises one or more acoustic regions having acoustic velocities decreasing from the centerline of the fiber. More preferable configurations have acoustic regions with smaller radial thickness and smaller differences in acoustic velocities among regions.
US07840109B2 Factory spliced cable assembly
A telecommunications cable including a main cable having a central buffer tube enclosed within a cable jacket and a ribbon stack positioned within the buffer tube. The main cable includes a cut region where a slot has been cut through the cable jacket and the buffer tube to provide access to the ribbon stack during manufacture of the telecommunication cable. A tether branches from the main cable at the cut region. The tether includes an optical fiber that is optically coupled to an optical fiber of the ribbon stack.
US07840108B2 Light branching optical waveguide
Provided is a light branching optical waveguide including: at least one incident light waveguide (A) optically connected to one end of a multi-mode optical waveguide; and output light waveguides (B) larger in number than the incident light waveguide (A) optically connected to the other end thereof, the light branching optical waveguide being characterized in that: an intensity distribution of light incident from at least one optical waveguide (a) out of the incident light waveguide (A) on the multi-mode optical waveguide at a connecting surface of the incident light waveguide (A) and the multi-mode optical waveguide is asymmetric with respect to a geometrical central axis of the optical waveguide (a); and an extended line of the geometrical center axis of the optical waveguide (a) does not coincide with a geometrical central axis of the multi-mode optical waveguide. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a low-loss light branching optical waveguide having a reduced branch loss and a reduced variation in branching ratio, and further to obtain a light branching optical waveguide having small wavelength dependence as well as a reduced branch loss and a reduced variation in branching ratio.
US07840106B1 Etched surface gratings fabricated using computed interference between simulated optical signals and reduction lithography
An optical apparatus comprises a set of diffractive elements on a substrate. They are arranged: (i) to receive an input signal propagating from an input port as a diffraction-guided optical beam, (ii) to diffract a portion of the received input signal as an output signal, (iii) to route the output signal to propagate to an output port as a diffraction-guided optical beam, and (iv) to exhibit a positional variation in diffractive amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase over some portion of the set. The arrangement of the diffractive elements corresponds to an interference pattern derived from computed interference at a surface of the substrate between a simulated design input and output optical signals. Each diffractive element comprises at least one trench segment positioned along a path defined by a constant-phase contour of the interference pattern. Each trench segment is substantially rectangular or trapezoidal in transverse cross section.
US07840104B2 Ultra-wide band AWG multiplexer
A multiplexing AWG device capable of producing an ultra-wideband, low ripple, flat-top signal is presented. The AWG device includes an AWG unit and a two-section waveguide coupled to the AWG unit. The two-section waveguide has a first section and a second section. The first section produces a signal having a double-peak field profile and has a first input end and a first output end. The second section reduces the phase variation of the signal having the double-peak field profile exiting the first section. The second section has a second input end that is coupled to the first output end. For example, the first section may be a parabolic tapered waveguide and the second section may be a rectangular waveguide.
US07840103B2 Performance compensated Tx/Rx optical devices
A wavelength division multiplexing system has a wavelength division multiplexer and a wavelength division demultiplexer. The wavelength division demultiplexer is in series with the wavelength division multiplexer to process at least one optical signal to generate at least one processed optical signal. The wavelength division multiplexer and the wavelength division demultiplexer cooperate to introduce substantially zero total chromatic dispersion in the processed optical signal. In one version, the wavelength division multiplexer and the wavelength division demultiplexer introduce opposing functions of chromatic dispersion into the at least one processed optical signal.
US07840099B2 Ultrafast Ge/Si resonator-based modulators for optical data communications in silicon photonics
An optical modulator structure includes at least two waveguide structures for inputting and outputting an optical signal. At least one ring resonator structure provides coupling between the at least two waveguide structures. The at least one ring resonator structure includes Ge or SiGe.
US07840097B2 Aiding apparatus, design aiding method, computer readable recording medium recorded thereon a design aiding program and design aiding system
An apparatus comprises a retrieving unit calculating a degree of similarity of each of the plural pieces of feature information about the respective plural registered components extracted by a first extracting unit to the piece of feature information about the structural component extracted by a second extracting unit, and retrieving a registered component whose calculated degree of similarity is not less than a predetermined degree as a similar component of the structural component. Even if shape information about a component to be newly added to design data of a structure is in a form that is difficult to be used as the design data, it is possible to easily add the shape information about the component in a form that is usable as the design data to the design data.
US07840094B2 Image processing apparatus and method, and recording medium having a program recorded therein
An image processing apparatus and method, and a program-recorded recording medium perform detecting features of image information for classes which is input for learning, calculating the degrees of belongingness of the detected features to the classes, weighting pieces of the input image information based on the degrees of belongingness, and calculating prediction coefficients for the classes based on the weighted pieces of the image information. The apparatus and method, and program-recorded recording medium also perform detecting features of input image information for classes, calculating the degrees of belongingness of the detected features to the classes, weighting pieces of the input image information based on the degrees of belongingness, providing prediction coefficients for the classes, calculating pieces of predictive image information for the classes based on the weighted pieces of the image information and the provided coefficients for the classes, and adding the pieces of predictive image information for the classes.
US07840088B2 Method of reducing image noise
A method of reducing image noise is provided. In the method, during the process of reducing image noise by a bilateral filter, the image noise filtering intensity of a domain filter in the bilateral filter is adjusted according to whether a regional area of the image has a frame boundary, and the image noise filtering intensity of a range filter in the bilateral filter is adjusted through the intensity of a regional area, so as to improve the image noise reduction effect of the bilateral filter.
US07840086B2 Method for inpainting of images
Methods for filling in of missing or damaged regions of images using information from surrounding areas are disclosed. A model for binary inpainting based on the Cahn-Hilliard equation is used, which allows for fast, efficient inpainting of degraded text, as well as super-resolution of high contrast images.
US07840083B2 Method of encoding flag, method of decoding flag, and apparatus thereof
A method of encoding flags, a method of decoding flags and an apparatus thereof, in which flag encoding and decoding can be efficiently performed by using spatial correlation between various flags included a plurality of blocks are provided. The method includes collecting flag values respectively allocated to groups of the plurality of blocks according to spatial correlation of blocks to create a flag bit-string, dividing the flag bit-string into a plurality of divided bit-strings using a group size, setting a pattern bit indicating whether all bits included in the divided bit-strings are 0 or not, and performing entropy coding on the divided bit-strings according to the set pattern bit.
US07840079B2 Seamless multiplexing of embedded bitstreams
A “seamless multiplexer,” as described herein, provides a flexible and efficient system and method for multiplexing embedded coded bitstreams. Further, unlike the conventional JPEG 2000 standard, the seamless multiplexer is capable of decoding multiplexed encoded bitstreams without the need to use a demultiplexing aide as overhead in the encoded signal. In general, the seamless multiplexer provides a novel approach for multiplexing code block bitstreams by using a “decoder pointer,” for multiplexing multiple embedded bitstreams without the use of a demultiplexing aide. Consequently, the seamless multiplexer not only reduces any multiplexing overhead, but also allows much smaller granularity of access in reshaping the compressed input signal. In addition, in one embodiment, the seamless multiplexer also uses dependencies between coefficient blocks to further improve overall compression efficiency.
US07840060B2 System and method for machine learning using a similarity inverse matrix
A system and method of machine learning that uses an inverse matrix of a reference similarity matrix as a transformation matrix. The reference similarity matrix relates a reference set of objects to themselves using a distance metric such as an image edit distance. The transformation matrix is used to improve the performance of query vectors in classifying or identifying digital representations of an unknown object. The query vector is a measure of similarity between the unknown object and the members of the reference set. Multiplying the query vector by the transformation matrix produces an improved query vector having improved similarity scores. The highest improved similarity score indicates the best match member of the reference set If the similarity score is high enough, the unknown object may either be classified as belonging to the same class, or recognized as being the same object, as the best match object.
US07840058B2 Method and system for three-dimensional feature attribution through synergy of rational polynomial coefficients and projective geometry
A method is provided for generating height information for an image point on a rectified image from first and second aerial images having respective first and second sets of rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs), the first and second aerial images and the rectified image including overlapping image locations. The method comprises steps for generating epipolar lines and RPC lines and intersection points of epipolar lines and RPC lines. The method also comprises steps for equating line and sample coordinates to cubic polynomial equations and simultaneously solving the cubic polynomial equations to generate a height of the image point.
US07840052B2 Restoration of the nuclear medicine 2D planar image by iterative constrained deconvolution
A medical imaging system (10) includes at least one radiation detection head (16) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect radiation from a subject. The detected radiation is reconstructed into at least one initial 2D projection image (μ). Resolution in each initial 2D image (μ) is restored by using the extended iterative constrained deconvolution algorithm by incorporating different estimates of the system response function which estimates correspond to different distances between the detection head and the origins of the detected radiation. Measured response functions are used to restore a series of images. The optimal image is determined by automatic searching with the figure of merit, by user's observation, or by using blind deconvolution for a concurrent estimating of the system response function and updating the original image.
US07840051B2 Medical image segmentation
A method of automatically segmenting a patient's colon in a medical image data set is provided. The method comprises two main stages. The first stage is to classify voxels in the data set as not belonging to the colon based on their radiodensities and/or positions within the volume data set. In taking account of the voxels' positions in the data set, account may be taken of their positions relative to other voxels. For example, this may include determining whether voxels are within connected groups of voxels of similar characteristics, i.e. within connected regions or domains. Subsequent to the first stage of classifying voxels as not belonging to the colon, a second stage is performed in which all remaining voxels are classified as belonging to the colon. Thus the method allows for automatic segmentation of the colon without needing any particular voxel, such as a seed voxel for region growing, to first be positively identified as being within the colon.
US07840045B2 Method and system for parallel reconstruction in the K-space domain for application in imaging systems
A method of performing parallel image reconstruction of undersampled image data in k-space. A defined partitioning of a k-space region into a plurality of segments is received. A segment of the plurality of segments is identified wherein data is sampled at less than a Nyquist rate. First imaging data is sampled at the Nyquist rate. A reconstruction coefficient is calculated for at least a portion of the identified segment using the sampled first imaging data. Second imaging data is sampled at less than the Nyquist rate. A value for a missing k-space sample in the identified segment is predicted using the calculated reconstruction coefficient and the sampled second imaging data. An image of the image area is defined using the predicted value and the received second dataset.
US07840040B2 Method and apparatus for controlling ultrasound imaging systems having positionable transducers
A method and system for providing an operational command signal to a workstation of an imaging system. The workstation is provided imaging data from a positionable transducer. The method and system convert at least one of a predetermined plurality of motion patterns imparted by an operator of the system to the transducer into the operational command signal.
US07840035B2 Information processing apparatus, method of computer control, computer readable medium, and computer data signal
An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup unit that images an image of a face; a first extraction unit that extracts a first image pattern as a correct solution pattern based on a sample image of the race; a second extraction unit that extracts a second image pattern as a counterexample pattern based on the sample image; a learning unit that learns a pattern recognition of the target part based on the first image pattern and the second image pattern; an identification unit that identifies a face area from the image of the face, the face area being an area where the face is shown; and a detection unit that detects a position of the target part from the face area based on the pattern recognition of the target part.
US07840032B2 Street-side maps and paths
The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can generate a map. The map can be a hybrid between an orthographic projection map and street-side images, thus including useful aspects from both types of representations. For example, an orthographic projection map is very effective at presenting global relationships among the features of the map, but not effective at presenting local detail. In contrast, street-side images show excellent detail, but do not convey the global information of an orthographic projection map. The hybrid map can thus provide a richer set of information than conventional maps, and can also display objects/features of the hybrid map in multiple perspectives simultaneously on a single representation that is printable.
US07840031B2 Tracking a range of body movement based on 3D captured image streams of a user
A computer-implemented method, system, and program product includes a movement processing system for capturing a first three-dimensional movement of a user and capturing at least another three-dimensional movement of the user, wherein the three-dimensional movement is determined using at the at least one image capture device aimed at the body of the user. A projected movement system predicts a movement baseline based on the first three-dimensional movement of the user and predicts at least one subsequent movement range based on the at least another three-dimensional movement of the user. Based on a comparison of the movement baseline with the at least one subsequent movement, the projected movement systems predicts a projected movement of a user for tracking changes in a range of body movement of a user.
US07840027B2 Data embedding apparatus and printed material
An apparatus embeds data into an area of image data. The apparatus determines whether colors of the area are specific colors, modifies image data of the area based on a determination result, and embeds the data into the area.
US07840025B2 Loudspeaker damper and method of mounting loudspeaker damper
A loudspeaker damper including: an outer damper; and an inner damper; wherein the outer damper and the inner damper configured to damp a vibrating portion relative to a fixed portion of a loudspeaker, wherein the outer damper supports the outer periphery of a voice coil of the vibrating portion, and supports the outer periphery of the voice coil relative to the fixed portion, wherein the inner damper supports the inner periphery of the voice coil, and supports the inner periphery of the voice coil relative to the fixed portion.
US07840024B2 Wide dispersion speaker system and cover mounting structure for instrument directly mounted to flat portion
A wide dispersion speaker system 1 comprises a cone type speaker unit 2, and a restricting element 10A. The restricting element 10A is provided with a center hole 11 at a center section thereof, and a peripheral hole 12 located outward relative to the center hole 11. The restricting element 10A has an annular sound travel inhibiting portion 19 positioned radially outward relative to the center hole 11 and radially inward relative to the peripheral hole 12. An outer end in a radial direction of the sound travel inhibiting portion 19 is positioned at a substantially middle point between an outer end in the radial direction of the center hole 11 and an outer end in the radial direction of the peripheral hole 12 or positioned radially outward relative to the substantially middle point.
US07840017B2 Audio message transfer sheet and manufacturing method thereof, and power supply circuit
Sheet-like audio information recording/reproducing means capable of recording/reproducing audio information is sandwiched between two support sheets from front and back only in part of the area thereof and these two support sheets are further sandwiched between two surface sheets and the support sheets and surface sheets are bonded together.
US07840016B2 Sound control system
A sound control system includes a digital mixing system, a control system, and a private control system. The professional operator who is experienced in handling of the digital mixing system executes detailed settings of respective parameters associated with the mixing process of the digital mixing system by using the control system. The amateur operator who is inexperienced in the handling of the digital mixing system executes settings of a part of parameters out of the parameters that are authorized by the professional operator, etc. by using the private control system.
US07840014B2 Sound apparatus with howling prevention function
An acoustic system that eliminates the howling that occurs when the sound outputted by the speaker feeds back to the input device. The acoustic system comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) that divides the input audio signal into different frequency bands, and reduces the audio levels for the frequency bands where howling is most likely to occur. In one embodiment, the acoustic system comprises a sound source section that generates a test tone that substantially covers the entire human audible range such that the DSP can set the filter levels according to the feedback of the test tone. In another embodiment, the sound source section stores one waveform at a given pitch and generates waveforms of other pitches based on the stored waveform. In yet another embodiment, the pitches of the generated waveforms are dispersed into four frequency bands to create a test tone that resembles a chord or a musical tone.
US07840012B2 Audio conditioning apparatus, method and computer program product
The audio conditioning apparatus (190) for conditioning an audio signal (O) to be output, contains a noise characterizing unit (106, 112) arranged to evaluate a noise level (NM) of environmental noise yielding a noise level with which subsequently a volume amplification unit (140) amplifies a volume of the audio signal (O) by a volume gain (GV), depending on the noise level (NM). The audio conditioning apparatus (190) contains a further noise characterizing unit (108,114), (110, 116) is comprised, arranged to evaluate a further noise level (NL, NH) of the environmental noise in a noise band of low bass or high treble noise frequencies, and based on this further noise level a further amplification unit (150, 152) amplifies by a further gain (GB, GT) the amplitude of frequency components in a to the noise band corresponding audio band of low respectively high audio frequencies of the audio signal (O). The result is a simple apparatus which achieves that the audio in a noisy environment substantially sounds as if there was no or less noise.
US07840011B2 Method and apparatus for distributed management of files
Apparatus and methods for computer file management including components and steps for distributing to servers a plurality of mixed images that are generated for each of N, where N≧3, sets of distributed information generated by distributing secret information using a threshold secret sharing scheme, the plurality of mixed images being generated by mixing at different mixing ratios an image based on the distributed information with (Ka−1) images, where Ka satisfies 1
US07840009B2 Method and apparatus for storing and distributing encryption keys
A first infrastructure system device other than a mobile station generates key material and forwards the key material to a second infrastructure system device other than a mobile station. A determination is made as to whether a mobile station for which the key material is directed is active on the system, and if so the key material is forwarded to a base station where the mobile station is active. The base station forwards the key material to the mobile station.
US07840004B2 Split-key key-agreement protocol
This invention relates to a method for generating a shared secret value between entities in a data communication system, one or more of the entities having a plurality of members for participation in the communication system, each member having a long term private key and a corresponding long term public key. The method comprises the steps of generating a short term private and a corresponding short term public key for each of the members; exchanging short term public keys of the members within an entity. For each member then computing an intra-entity shared key by mathematically combining the short term public keys of each the members computing an intra-entity public key by mathematically combining its short-term private key, the long term private key and the intra-entity shared key. Next, each entity combines intra-entity public keys to derive a group short-term Si public key; each entity transmitting its intra-entity shared key and its group short term public key to the other entities; and each entity computing a common shared key K by combining its group short term public key (Si), with the intra-entity shared key ( Xi), and a group short term public ( Si) key received from the other entities.
US07840002B2 Techniques to strengthen one-time pad encryption
Apparati, methods, and computer-readable media for strengthening a one-time pad encryption system. A method embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of encrypting plaintext (1) with an OTP key (2) in an XOR operation to produce ciphertext (3); and obfuscating the ciphertext (3) with an AutoKey (4) in an XOR operation to produce AutoKeyed ciphertext (5), wherein the AutoKey (4) is a reusable key.
US07840001B2 Data processing apparatus
Data processing apparatus and methods are provided. One data processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of pipelined stages, each of the plurality pipelined stages being operable in each processing cycle to receive a group of data elements from an earlier pipelined stage; permute logic operable to buffer ‘n’ of the groups of data elements over a corresponding ‘n’ processing cycles thereby creating a bubble within pipelined stages, and forwarding logic operable, once the ‘n’ of the groups of data elements have been buffered by the permute logic, to forward permuted groups of data elements comprising the data elements reordered by the permute logic to fill the bubble within the pipelined stages. By forwarding the data elements to fill the bubble an improved throughput can be achieved and since a constant stream of data can be transformed without the need to increase the number of input or output registers required to support the permute logic, the need to duplicate the permute logic or the need to introduce any additional storage elements.
US07840000B1 High performance programmable cryptography system
The present invention is a method and system for high performance programmable cryptography. In an embodiment of the invention, a cryptography system in accordance with the present invention may include a processor with memory, at least two field programmable gate array (FPGA) blocks and control logic which may be algorithm independent. Programming files storing one or more crypto algorithms may be maintained remotely to the cryptography system whereby the cryptography system may remain not cryptographically controlled when un-programmed. FPGA blocks may be field-programmed to allow execution of a desired crypto algorithm. Additionally, with multiple FPGA logic blocks, programming of a first FPGA block may be simultaneously performed with the execution of a crypto algorithm via a second FPGA block to enable enhanced encryption rate performance.
US07839997B2 Circuit for preventing unauthorized access to phones
An exemplary circuit for preventing unauthorized access to a phone includes three transistors, a zener diode, and a rectifier comprising two input terminals for receiving an AC voltage from the telecommunication office, a negative output terminal connected to the phone via a first resistor, and a positive output terminal connected to the phone. The anode and the cathode of the zener diode are respectively connected to the positive output terminal and the base of the first transistor. The collectors of the first and third transistors are connected to the base of the second transistor, which is connected to the positive and negative output terminals respectively via two capacitors. The collectors of the first and second transistors are connected to the positive output terminal respectively via a second resistor and a buzzer. Emitters of the three transistors are connected to the negative output terminal of the rectifier.
US07839996B2 Folding electronic device, connecting component and camera unit
A folding electronic device has a first frame having plural first joints, a second frame having plural second joints, plural sets of hinge joints in which the plural first joints and the plural second joints are connected together in a manner that the first frame and the second frame can rotate on a predetermined rotation axis, a first body containing the first frame, and a second body containing the second frame, wherein at least one set of hinge joint of the plural sets of hinge joints has a connecting component having a hollow portion and wherein the other sets of hinge joints have predetermined solid hinge shafts.
US07839993B2 Echo canceling arrangement
In a line driver/receiver circuit where the line driver is connected with its output terminals to a load for supplying a transmit signal thereto and where the receiver is connected with its input terminals to the load for simultaneously receiving a receive signal therefrom, the transmit signal on the input terminals of the receiver is canceled by connecting the output terminals of the line driver to the load via equal complex sense impedances of an impedance value that is much smaller than the impedance value of the load impedance to match the load impedance, connecting the input terminals of the receiver to the load via equal first resistors and to respective output terminal of the line driver via equal second resistors, and providing transconductance amplifiers to sense the voltage across the sense impedances and supply corresponding currents to respective input terminal of the line driver.
US07839982B2 Systems and methods for routing emergency communications
In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a remote device configured to receive an emergency communication from a subscriber device, a Public-Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) switch, and a remote access device connected to the remote device and the PSTN switch. The remote device is configured to forward the emergency communication to the remote access device when the remote device is in Emergency Standalone (“ESA”) mode. The remote access device is configured to form a connection between the remote device and the PSTN switch such that the emergency communication is sent to the PSTN switch. The PSTN switch is configured route the emergency communication to an emergency service application.
US07839981B2 Anti-scatter grid
An anti-scatter grid for medical x-ray devices is provided. The anti-scatter grid comprising a number of first elements from a first material with second elements made from a second material integrated therein. In this case the first material is more transparent to radiation than the second material. The second elements are arranged in the first elements such that for stacking of the first elements a grid absorbing scattered radiation is formed by means of second elements for radiation arriving perpendicular to the direction of the stacking of the first elements. The advantage of this is that this anti-scatter grid is able to be produced simply and reliably with a large aspect ratio.
US07839975B2 X-ray computerized tomography apparatus, breathing indication apparatus and medical imaging apparatus
An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes a gantry 100 including an X-ray tube 101 which generates X-rays and an X-ray detector 103 which detects X-rays transmitted through a subject to be examined, a reconstruction device 114 which generates tomogram data on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a breath detector 203 which detects a respiration waveform representing a temporal change in respiration index value associated with the subject, a regular respiration waveform generating unit 207 which generates a respiration waveform with a regular respiration cycle which originates from the detected respiration waveform, and a gantry mount display 201 which displays the generated regular respiration waveform.
US07839974B2 ARC-sequencing technique for intensity modulated ARC therapy
The invention is directed to a radiation therapy method, and in particular, to a method of conducting an intensity modulated arc therapy (IMAT). The invention provides a planning technique that translates traditional static fixed-field IMRT plans into deliverable IMAT plans and allows IMAT to be realized as a routine clinical delivery technique.
US07839973B2 Treatment planning using modulability and visibility factors
A method for use in a treatment planning process includes determining a modulability factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the modulability factor. A system for use in a treatment planning process includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured for determining a modulability factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the modulability factor. A method for use in a treatment planning process includes determining a visibility factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the visibility factor. A system for use in a treatment planning process includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured for determining a visibility factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the visibility factor.
US07839971B2 System and method for inspecting containers for target material
A method for automatically inspecting a container for a target material using a computed tomography (CT) scanning system includes performing an initial radiographic scan of the container. Based at least partially on projection data generated during the initial radiographic scan, at least one location within the container is identified that requires CT inspection. A dual energy CT scan of the at least one identified location within the container is performed based on a single energy algorithm or a dual energy algorithm. The dual energy CT scan includes a low energy scan of the at least one identified location and a high energy scan of the at least one identified location. Based on dual energy scan information generated during the dual energy CT scan, a determination is made to confirm or clear an alarm corresponding to the at least one identified location within the container.
US07839968B2 Radiation image capturing apparatus
An image capturing base that contains a radiation detector includes a housing having a slit serving as an air inlet port formed in the front end side of the housing, which is to be located adjacent to the chest wall of a subject, and a slit serving as an air outlet port formed in the rear end side of the housing adjacent to a pivot shaft. A fan forces air to flow into the housing through the slit, along a detection surface of the radiation detector in a direction from the front end side toward the rear end side, and out of the housing through the slit.
US07839967B2 Electron computer tomography method and electron computer tomograph
There is provided an electron computer tomography method for recording a moving object (27), in which an electron beam is deflected onto an anode arc (14) in order to generate X-ray radiation which passes through an object (27) and is picked up by a detector device (28), wherein the X-ray radiation leaves the anode arc (14) in the form of a fan-shaped beam having a source trajectory (40) in the form of a circle segment around the object (27) and the starting point (41) of the source trajectory (40) can be changed. Also provided is an electron computer tomograph for recording a moving object (27), comprising an electron gun (8), a focusing coil (12), a curvature coil (16), an anode arc (14) for generating an X-ray beam by being struck by an electron beam of the electron gun (8), and a detector device (28) for detecting the X-ray radiation transmitted through a volume (26), said X-ray radiation having a source trajectory (40) in the form of a circle segment at the anode arc (14) and a variable starting point (41) of the source trajectory (40).
US07839965B2 High-speed serial data link with single precision clock source
A clock generator is provided for a transmitter in a transceiver adapted to communicate data over a serial data link. The transceiver includes a clock data recovery circuit recovers a receive clock signal and outputs a reference clock signal. The clock generator includes a local clock, a frequency difference detector, and a fractional-N frequency synthesizer. The local clock outputs a local clock signal. The frequency difference detector outputs a fractional frequency difference signal based on a frequency difference between the local clock signal and the reference clock signal. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer outputs a transmit clock signal having a same frequency as the recovered receive clock signal.
US07839964B2 Bit pattern synchronization in acquired waveforms
A waveform processing system performs operations that may include identifying a location of a specified bit pattern within a coherently sampled repeating pattern input signal. In some examples, multiple periods of a repeating pattern signal are acquired using coherent sampling techniques such as, for example, coherent interleaved sampling (CIS). In such examples, the sampled waveform may be converted to a binary pattern that can be searched to locate a match to a predetermined or user-specified bit pattern. In one illustrative example, the identified location may be used to display the sampled waveform. In another example, the identified location may be used to measure pattern-dependent jitter of the sampled waveform.
US07839961B2 Communication timing changing method and device
The invention aims at providing communication timing changing method and device which are capable of changing timing of communication for setting control parameters used to determine operations of analog devices in the analog devices, respectively, over to another one not impeding any of the operation of the analog devices. An interface decoder decodes a control parameter communication signal outputted from a CPU, converts the resulting signal into control parameters, and preserves the resulting control parameters in a register. Interface encoders perform timing management based on a synchronous signal received from a synchronous signal generating circuit, read out the control parameters to be set in analog devices such as an image sensor driving circuit, a sample and hold circuit, and an ADC from a register, and communicate with the analog devices at good timing during a blanking period to set the control parameters in the analog devices, respectively.
US07839960B2 System and method for generating signal waveforms in a CDMA cellular telephone system
A system and method for communicating information signals using spread spectrum communication techniques. PN sequences are constructed that provide orthogonality between the users so that mutual interference will be reduced, allowing higher capacity and better link performance. With orthogonal PN codes, the cross-correlation is zero over a predetermined time interval, resulting in no interference between the orthogonal codes, provided only that the code time frames are time aligned with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, signals are communicated between a cell-site and mobile units using direct sequence spread spectrum communication signals. In the exemplary embodiment, transmit power of mobile unit signals is controlled based on signal power received by the mobile unit and power adjustment commands sent to the mobile unit.
US07839958B2 System and method for the adjustment of compensation applied to a signal
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a signal includes applying at least one of a loss compensation for frequency-dependent distortion and an offset compensation for DC-offset distortion to a signal before or after the distortion occurs to generate an output signal, the output signal comprising even phase and odd phase. The method also includes selecting either the even phase or the odd phase at which to begin sampling. The method further includes, using a clock signal, beginning at the selected phase, sampling the output signal to generate a plurality of data values and an error value, the error value indicating residue of the distortion based on the sampling of the output signal. The method also includes adjusting none, one, or more of the loss compensation and the offset compensation applied to the signal based on the sampled error value. The method further includes, after adjusting the at least one of the loss compensation and the offset compensation applied to the signal based on the sampled error value, selecting either the even phase or the odd phase at which to begin the next sampling.
US07839957B2 Multipath search method and apparatus
A method of updating a multipath search that has located one or more multipath component peaks in a received signal, the method comprising repeating the search using a delay spread window extending either back from the latest peak or forward from the earliest peak.
US07839955B2 System and method for the non-linear adjustment of compensation applied to a signal
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a signal includes applying loss compensation for frequency-dependent distortion to a signal before or after the distortion occurs to generate an output signal. The method also includes, using a clock signal, sampling the output signal to generate a plurality of data values and boundary values, each value comprising either a high value or a low value based on the sampling of the output signal. The method further includes, based only on the high or low values of one or more of the data values and boundary values, adjusting the loss compensation applied to the signal, where if the loss compensation applied to the signal is to be increased, the loss compensation is increased by a first amount, if the loss compensation applied to the signal is to be decreased, the loss compensation is decreased by a second amount, the magnitude of the first amount is not equal to the magnitude of the second amount, the first amount and the second amount are associated with a control target value, and the control target value is adjusted dynamically based on the value of the loss compensation applied to the signal.
US07839954B1 Phase rotation of IQ origin
Sampled IQ values at the origin are revalued by applying a minimum distance, or radius, away from the (0,0) coordinate in the IQ domain, and applying a rotation about the origin for consecutive (0,0) samples, thereby improving communication performance. A direction of rotation is able to be predetermined or dynamically determined according to a correction look-up table or an IQ trajectory.
US07839952B2 Data rate coordination in protected variable-rate links
A method for communication includes sending first data over a first communication link to a destination communication system at a first data rate, which can be varied. Second data, including at least a portion of the first data, is sent over a second communication link from the source communication system to the destination communication system at a second data rate, which can be varied. First and second data rates of the respective first and second communication links are dynamically set. At least the portion of the first data is selectively extracted from one of the first and second data at the destination communication system. In some embodiments, the first data equals the second data, and the data is extracted without data loss.
US07839950B2 Digital television transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing broadcast data
A digital television receiving system includes a first known data detector, a second known data detector, and a selector. The first known data detector detects a location of a first known data sequence in a broadcast signal by calculating a first correlation value between the broadcast signal and a first reference known data sequence. Similarly, the second known data detector detects a location of a second known data sequence in the broadcast signal by calculating a second correlation value between the broadcast signal and a second reference known data sequence. The selector selects the location information detected by one of the first and second known data detectors with a greater correlation value.
US07839945B2 Static and differential precoding codebook for MIMO systems
Systems and methods are disclosed to generate a codebook for channel state information by generating a random codebook; partitioning channel state information into a set of nearest neighbors for each codebook entry based on a distance metric; and updating the codebook by finding a centroid for each partition.
US07839944B2 Method of performing phase shift-based precoding and an apparatus for supporting the same in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting data using a phase shift-based precoding in a multiple antenna system using a plurality of subcarriers is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes determining a diagonal matrix to provide different phase angles to each of the plurality of antennas as a part of a phase shift-based precoding matrix, selecting a unitary matrix from a first codebook as the part of a phase shift-based precoding matrix, and performing precoding to symbols associated with subcarriers based on the diagonal matrix and the unitary matrix.
US07839937B2 Method and circuitry for processing data
Circuitry for processing data includes a plurality of filters arranged in parallel. Input data is stored. The input data is applied to the plurality of filters to provide at least two parallel results. An operation is carried out with respect to the results.
US07839935B2 Method of selecting a reference picture
In one embodiment, the method includes determining reference picture index numbers in a reference picture list. The reference picture index numbers increases for reference pictures having a decreasing display order with respect to a picture including the macroblock. The reference picture index numbers increases for reference pictures having an increasing display order with respect to the picture including the macroblock, and the reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having a decreasing display order are greater than the reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having an increasing display order. The embodiment further includes reordering the reference picture index number allocated to each reference picture in the reference picture list, obtaining a field reference picture index associated with the current field macroblock, determining a frame reference picture index based on the field reference picture index and the reference picture index numbers, and selecting a field reference picture having a parity equal to a parity of the field macroblock if the field reference picture index is an even value.
US07839931B2 Picture level adaptive frame/field coding for digital video content
A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.
US07839927B2 Motion graphics keying in the compressed domain
Motion graphics keying in the compressed domain may be accomplished by receiving a compressed video stream comprising one or more source macroblocks, receiving a keyed graphics stream, determining which of the one or more source macroblocks overlaps with the keyed graphics stream, decoding only the one or more overlapping macroblocks to create one or more decoded macroblocks, combining the keyed graphics stream with the one or more decoded macroblocks to create a composited video stream, encoding the composited video stream to create an encoded composited video stream, and restoring the encoded composited video stream in the compressed video stream in place of the one or more overlapping macroblocks.
US07839920B2 Method and system for adjusting digital subscriber line transmitting power level
A method and system for adjusting Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transmitting power level are disclosed, and the method includes: acquiring a current noise margin according to a predetermined value of DSL transmitting power level; calculating a current power reduction value according to the current noise margin and a predetermined noise margin; determining an adjusted DSL transmitting power level for adjusting DSL transmitting power level according to the current power reduction value and the predetermined value of DSL transmitting power level. In the method of the present invention, the DSL transmitting power level may be farthest reduced; and the power consumed by the driver circuit may be farthest reduced; the resource waste and the heat introduced by consuming powers also may be reduced.
US07839906B1 Laser power control in an optical disc drive
Exemplary embodiments provide a method and system for controlling laser power in an optical disc drive. The exemplary embodiment of a control system includes at least one control component for generating a control signal; a plant for generating a control output responsive to the control signal; and a dual feedback control loop coupled between the control output of the plant and the control component, the dual feedback control loop comprising a combination of a running optimal power control (ROPC) loop, and an automatic power control (APC) loop that run concurrently for generating respective feedback control signals that are input to the control component for generation of a combined control signal adjustment that is used at least in part to generate the control signal.
US07839904B1 Monoblock laser systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide monoblock lasers that may provide improved performance and/or reduce manufacturing costs. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a monoblock laser includes a gain block to generate the light at the first wavelength and a Q switch to receive and polarize the light from the gain block and provide pulsed light that is polarized and at the first wavelength, with the monoblock laser configured in an internal OPO configuration. The monoblock laser may include a film between the gain block and a common substrate and/or include various techniques for aligning various optical elements within the monoblock laser.
US07839903B2 Optimization of laser bar orientation for nonpolar and semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N diode lasers
Optical gain of a nonpolar or semipolar Group-III nitride diode laser is controlled by orienting an axis of light propagation in relation to an optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. The axis of light propagation is substantially perpendicular to the mirror facets of the diode laser, and the optical polarization direction is determined by the crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. To maximize optical gain, the axis of light propagation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation.
US07839899B2 Method and system of updating routing information in a communications network
A method of updating routing information in a network where reboot information of other nodes in the network is used to determine whether a given node has recent route updates. If the reboot information indicates the given node has not recently rebooted, then routing information from that given node is used to update the routing information of the comparing node. The reboot information may be a reboot counter which is incremented by a node in response to the node going through a reboot process. When a node reboots, it may request the reboot counter from neighboring nodes. The received reboot counter is compared to the stored reboot counter for at least one node. The rebooting node may choose to receive routing information from a node which has not had its reboot counter changed from the stored reboot counter. In the event none of the neighboring nodes have an unchanged reboot counter, requests may be made for the reboot counters of other nodes, which may be compared to the corresponding stored reboot counters, until the rebooting node discovers a node which has not recently rebooted according to the reboot counter, and may then download routing information from that node.
US07839891B1 Method for using a knowledge digest to verify configuration information in a network
A first network element forwards a set of packets associated with first configuration information along a path to a second network element. Logic in the first network element generates a first knowledge digest encoding the first configuration information into a fixed length bit array. Logic in the second network element generates a second knowledge digest encoding second configuration information into a fixed length bit array. Logic in the second network element compares the first knowledge digest to the second knowledge digest, and generates an indication if the comparison indicates that the first configuration information is not a subset of the second configuration information.
US07839890B1 Multiplexed data transmissions through a communication link
A communication technique enables the efficient transmission of data through a communication link having a large delay bandwidth product and/or a high bit error rate. The communication technique multiplexes data from one or more data sources through a plurality of communication connections to increase the overall throughput and to reduce the average data transfer delay of the communication link. Each communication connection has a set of communication connection parameters that may be uniquely configured so that each connection carries a particular type of data at a particular effective priority level. Each communication connection may be uniquely configured to have a particular sending buffer size, to deliver messages having a particular length to an underlying layer and to send the messages into the link at a particular rate to orchestrate the manner in which the communication connections send data through the link.
US07839889B2 Methods and systems for communicating signaling system 7 (SS7) user part messages among SS7 signaling points (SPs) and internet protocol (IP) nodes using signal transfer points (STPs)
Methods and systems for transmitting user part messages between signaling system seven (SS7) signaling points over an internet protocol (IP) network include receiving, at a signal transfer point, a first SS7 user part message. The first SS7 user part message can be received from a first SS7 signaling point, such as a service switching point (SSP). The first SS7 signaling point is encapsulated in a first IP packet. The first IP packet is transmitted to a second SS7 signaling point over an IP network.
US07839886B2 Host device, a point of deployment (POD), and a method of identifying an operation mode
A host device, a point of deployment (POD), and a method for recognizing an operation mode are disclosed. The host device interfaces with a point of deployment (POD), and checks an operation mode of the POD. The interface unit includes CD1#, CD2#, VS1#, VS2#, VPP1, VPP2, and ISIO16# ports. The controller detects Card Information Structure (CIS) information from the POD if each of the VS1# and VS2# ports is set to ‘Logic Low’, and determines whether the POD supports an Internet Protocol (IP) Card S-Mode on the basis of the detected CIS information.
US07839884B2 Method and device for resolving collision in a wireless telecommunications network
A contention resolution system and method are disclosed that can be used in a station having a data packet to send in a wireless telecommunications network. After a predetermined maximum number of selection rounds, it is determined whether the station is authorized to send the packet. In each of the rounds, a value of a binary random variable is drawn, which represents authorization or prohibition, to send the packet during the round. The probability of the binary random variable value assuming a predetermined value is adjusted taking into account authorizations and prohibitions to send the packet obtained by the station during preceding selection rounds.
US07839883B2 Methods and apparatus for implementing a flexible multi-user advance reservation system where reservation requests are specified in terms of multiple options and where each option has an associated business value
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for implementing a multi-user advance reservation system where reservations are specified in terms of flexible constraints, inflexible constraints and business values. The specification of reservations in this manner allows an entity managing the reservation system to arbitrate among reservations received from a user population with a view toward maximizing business value across the user population. In methods and apparatus of the present invention, penalties and rewards associated with various reservation outcomes can be specified in reservations to assist in business value maximization. In an example, a reservation having a low business value may be declined when there is a significant possibility that a reservation having a high business would be submitted during the pendency of service delivery to the user issuing the reservation with a low business value.
US07839881B2 Projection headset
A headset apparatus including a virtual keypad and a method for inputting data into a headset are provided. In one embodiment, a headset includes a processor, at least one acoustic transducer, a projector operably coupled to the processor for displaying an image on a surface exterior to the headset, and a position detector operably coupled to the processor for determining an image position and a user finger position.
US07839879B2 Method and system for supporting cross cluster extension mobility in internet-protocol telephony
A method to support cross cluster extension mobility (CCEM) in a communication network, which includes a plurality of clusters, each of the plurality of clusters including a call manager, the method includes receiving a request for cross cluster extension mobility from a user on a first telephony device located in a first cluster; adding a second telephony device in a home cluster for the user, only if the first cluster is different from the home cluster. The method further includes performing extension mobility login for the user on the first telephony device; and configuring a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) service parameter of the call manager in the first cluster.
US07839878B2 Method of reducing power consumption of network connection apparatus and apparatus for same
A network connection apparatus including: a plurality of line connection parts connected to network lines to transmit and receive packets; a transmission destination decision part for deciding a transmission destination on the basis of header information of a packet received by a first one of the plurality of line connection parts; a packet transfer part for transferring packets to a second line connection destination corresponding to the transmission destination decided by the transmission destination decision part; and, a power supply part for supplying power to the line connection parts and a power control part for controlling supply of power to each of the line connection parts from the power supply part.
US07839873B1 Systems and methods for accelerating TCP/IP data stream processing
A network device includes an interface (105), a TCP/IP protocol fast processing path (115), and a TCP/IP protocol slow processing path (110). The interface (105) receives a packet and parses the packets to determine a characteristic of the packet. The TCP/IP protocol fast processing path (115) processes the packet if the characteristic of the packet includes a first characteristic. The TCP/IP protocol slow processing path (110) processes the packet if the characteristic of the packet includes a second characteristic.
US07839871B2 Evaluating a communication interface
The present invention relates to an apparatus configured for communication via a plurality of access interfaces. The apparatus comprises a processor configured to process information regarding access interfaces received from an access system. The processing is for determining the suitability of at least one access interface for communication with an application based on said information regarding access interfaces and information regarding the application.
US07839869B1 Method and apparatus for providing virtual point to point connections in a network
Transparent point-to-point connectivity is provided between an incoming interface on an ingress node and an outgoing interface on an egress node in a network. An address associated with the egress node is circulated to the nodes in the network and a next hop address toward the egress node address is determined at each node. A label value is circulated along with the egress node address to the nodes. Examples of label values can include VLAN Ids or Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels. If data is received having the label value, the node receiving the data identifies the next hop address associated with that label value and transfers the data to the next hop associated with the identified next hop address.
US07839868B2 Communication method and system for the transmission of time-driven and event-driven Ethernet messages
A communication method for transmitting Ethernet messages in a distributed real-time system in which a plurality of network node computers, e.g. four network node computers (111, 112, 113, 114), each comprising at least one communication controller (121, 122, 123, 124), are linked via a communication system comprising one or more communication channels (109), one or more intelligent star couplers (101, 102) being disposed in each communication channel. According to the invention, a distinction is made between conventional Ethernet messages (ET messages) and time-triggered Ethernet messages (TT messages), the TT messages being transported with an a priori known constant delay time (Δ) between transmitter and receiver, and, when there is a time conflict between ET and TT messages, the transport of the ET message that is in conflict being delayed or aborted in order to be able to transport the TT message with the constant delay time (Δ). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding communication system and a star coupler for such a communication system.
US07839863B2 Method and equipment for performing aggregate-portion-specific flow shaping in packet-switched telecommunications
The invention relates to a method and equipment for performing aggregate-portion-specific flow shaping in packet-switched telecommunications, in such a way that the traffic flows (V1-VL) arriving in the system can be arbitrarily bundled into shaping groups and the speed properties (CIR, PIR, CBS) of an aggregate portion formed of packets representing the arbitrary shaping group (k) can be monitored and limited (aggregate-portion-specific shaping group). The invention is based on the fact that the earliest permitted moment, at which a packet in the system can be forwarded, is defined as the greatest value of the VTS values of all the shaping groups to which the traffic flow represented by the packet belongs, and as a result of the forwarding of the packet, the VTS values of the same shaping groups (k) are updated, in which the VTS value of an individual shaping group (k) expresses the earliest permitted moment, at which a packet belonging under the relevant shaping group (k) can be forwarded, without breaking the restrictions of the speed properties of the shaping group (k) being examined.
US07839858B2 Data unit sender and data unit relay device
A data unit sender and a data unit relay device are described herein which are arranged to provide a communication of data units from the data unit sender via the data unit relay device to a data unit receiver. Also, control methods are described herein for the data unit sender and the data unit relay device.
US07839854B2 System and method for a fast, programmable packet processing system
The present invention provides a cost effective method to improve the performance of communication appliances by retargeting the graphics processing unit as a coprocessor to accelerate networking operations. A system and method is disclosed for using a coprocessor on a standard personal computer to accelerate packet processing operations common to network appliances. The appliances include but are not limited to routers, switches, load balancers and Unified Threat Management appliances. More specifically, the method uses common advanced graphics processor engines to accelerate the packet processing tasks.
US07839853B2 Transmitting apparatus and frame transfer method
A transmitting apparatus includes a network interface for connecting between networks; an information embedding unit that embeds, in a frame output from the network interface, first port information for identifying a first port through which the frame is received; and a path deciding unit that decides, when second port information for designating a second port that is an output destination of the frame is embedded in the frame received through the network interface, to output the frame to the second port.
US07839852B2 Apparatus and method for radio transmission of real-time IP packets using header compression technique
The present invention provides an apparatus and method of radio transmission of real-time IP packets using header compression technique. In the present invention, the size of a compressed header of an RTP packet can be adapted to length types required by the system by adding a radio link adaptation unit to the existing PDCP entity. The method comprises header-compressing the RTP packets, to obtain header-compressed RTP packets having a plurality of different header compression lengths; pre-configuring header compression lengths and length types required by the system; and PDU-size adapting the plurality of different header compression lengths of the header-compressed RTP packets, so as to comply with said lengths and length types required by the system.
US07839848B2 Method, device and system for message transmission
The present invention discloses a message transmission method, a message transmission device, and a message transmission system. In an embodiment of the present invention, a message transmission device is provided. When a message is transmitted to the device, the device is responsible for message parsing, routing, and sending. In the case of communication between processes on the same communication node, the device communicates in shared memory mode; in the case of communication between processes in different hosts, the device establishes a TCP channel and communicates with TCP protocol. In addition, the present invention also provides a method and a system for message communication, which utilize the same idea to solve the problem of low efficiency of communication between processes. In conclusion, with the present invention, working efficiency of process and communication quality may be improved.
US07839845B2 Apparatus, system and method capable of aggregate compression in a wireless LAN
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transmitter capable of compressing header information in an aggregate of Media Access Control Service Data Units (MSDUs) by using one or more flags fields to describe which address fields are present in said aggregate.
US07839840B2 Method and system for routing traffic in a communication network
A method and system for routing traffic in a communication network is disclosed that may include assigning each node in a network a first subset of route repository nodes and a second subset of route repository nodes, querying the second subset of route repository nodes in order to obtain route information that is stored in the second subset of route repository nodes, computing route information by applying a route computation algorithm to the first subset of route repository nodes, and routing traffic in the communication network based on the route information obtained from the second subset of route repository nodes and the route information computed using the first subset of route repository nodes.
US07839834B2 Radio link protocols for a wireless communication system
A forward link (FL) RLP and a reverse link (RL) RLP that are different in design are used for data transmission on the forward and reverse links, respectively. The asymmetric RLP designs may be quantified by, e.g., different feedback mechanisms and/or different data transmission mechanisms used for these RLPs. The FL RLP may utilize a negative acknowledgment (NAK)-based feedback mechanism whereas the RL RLP may utilize an acknowledgment (ACK)-based feedback mechanism. The NAK-based FL RLP may transmit each RLP frame once in sequential order and retransmit RLP frames out of sequence when not received correctly. The ACK-based RL RLP may transmit RLP frames in sequential order, one frame at a time until the frame is received correctly or the maximum number of transmissions have been attempted. Timers with adaptive values computed based on actual traffic conditions may be used to facilitate data transmission by the NAK-based FL RLP.
US07839826B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate use of a session initiation protocol instance to support on-hold session status
During (101) a communication session for a plurality of user platforms wherein at least one of the user platforms is on hold and wherein the communication session is presently occurring in a first network and is terminable by a Session Initiation Protocol server as comprises a part of that first network, one establishes (102) in the first network a Session Initiation Protocol instance as corresponds to the communication session wherein the Session Initiation Protocol instance comprises, at least in part, session context information for the user platform that is on hold. Then, following a handoff of bearer support of the communication session from the first network to a second network, one uses (104) the Session Initiation Protocol instance to maintain the hold status of the user platform that is on hold with the Session Initiation Protocol server subsequent to the handoff such that the Session Initiation Protocol server does not terminate the communication session.
US07839823B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting a control channel message in a mobile communication system
Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for transmitting a control channel message, which can reduce resource waste in an OFDM system multiplexing and using a Block Resource Channel (BRCH) and a Distributed Resource Channel (DRCH) in a frequency axis. The apparatus includes a controller for generating a predetermined field and outputting a control channel message including the predetermined field, the predetermined field indicating a precoding index when a common pilot is used for data demodulation in a mobile station and indicating a pilot format of a dedicated pilot when the dedicated pilot is used for data demodulation in the mobile station, the precoding index indicating a weight value for beam-forming of each antenna; and a transmission module for converting the control channel message into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the mobile station. The apparatus and method can reduce the resource waste of a control channel by inserting different pieces of information into a predetermined field included in the control channel message according to the channel type and the multiplexing mode of a resource channel in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, and enables the efficient use of resources by transmitting different types of control information through redundant bits of a control channel message.
US07839821B2 Packet transmission control device and packet transmission control method
A packet transmission control device and a packet transmission control method for reducing degradation of system throughput due to a wireless mobile station in an abnormal state, in controlling transmission of packets to each of a plurality of wireless terminals. A channel is assigned based on an evaluated value from an evaluation function containing an average transmission rate value for the wireless terminal in its denominator, and if the evaluated value falls in an abnormal value, the average transmission rate value is initialized to reduce the frequency of assigning packets to the wireless terminal if one of multiple wireless terminals transitions to an abnormal state. By initializing the average transmission rate value, a phenomenon that an unnecessarily large number of shared channels are assigned to a wireless mobile station in an abnormal state may be avoided to prevent degradation of overall system throughput.
US07839817B2 Apparatus for detecting uplink ranging codes in a wireless communication system
An apparatus for detecting uplink ranging codes includes a first transform unit for transforming data received from a mobile station to generate first outputs; a cross-correlation unit for comparing the first outputs with possible ranging codes to generate second outputs; a screening unit for selectively passing the second outputs representing parts of the received data that match the possible ranging codes; a second transform unit for transforming the second outputs from the screening unit to generate third outputs; and a detection unit for detecting the ranging codes for the received data based on the third outputs.
US07839816B2 Assembly, and associated methodology, for provisioning computer device with operating software
An assembly, and an associated methodology, for provisioning a computer server, or other device, with an operating system or other computer data. The computer server is positioned at a build area that includes wireless local area network apparatus that broadcasts provisioning software. A mobile start cart is positioned at the build area to receive the broadcast data and to provide the data to the computer server to be provisioned. Provisioning of the computer server is made without need of an Ethernet connection, or associated Ethernet infrastructure.
US07839814B2 Method and system for adjusting inter-scan period of a mobile station
A method and system for adjusting the inter-scan period of a mobile station (102) is provided. The method includes storing (404) the location information of a first wireless node, which is in a service area of a wireless access point of a first wireless network that is servicing a second wireless network. Further, the method includes receiving (406) second location information pertaining to a second wireless node that is servicing the second wireless network. The method further includes determining (408) a distance between the first and second wireless nodes. Further, the method includes enabling (412) the scanning for the first wireless network, based on the distance between a cellular cell that includes the MS and a cellular cell that includes an access point of the first wireless network.
US07839809B2 Uninterrupted multicast service in a radiocommunication system
In a method for multicast service continuity in a radio communications system, each radio network controller has a first identifier of each multicast service whose activation was previously requested by at least one radio terminal (1, 11) via said radio network controller and is adapted to notify radio terminals in a corresponding coverage area of the start of at least one session relating to one of said multicast services, reported by a core network, said notification incorporating the first identifier of said service. With respect to a radio terminal (11) entering the coverage area of a drift radio network controller (15) after having been in the coverage area of a serving radio network controller (14), the radio terminal having previously requested activation of a multicast service via the serving radio network controller, the first identifier of said service is sent from the serving radio network controller to the drift radio network controller.
US07839807B2 Communication apparatus, method executed by communication apparatus, and storage medium storing software for executing method
A communication apparatus which is capable of performing bi-directional communication via a router in a local network including one or more routers is provided. An upper segment determination section obtains address range information under an upper router which is connected on an external network side of a router to which the communication apparatus is connected. A terminal communication path holding section connects and holds a communication path to another communication apparatus in the local network. A message relay section relays a communication message from the other communication apparatus. When the terminal communication path holding section receives a first request message requesting to establish a communication path from the other communication apparatus, the terminal communication path holding section stores source address information of the received first request message, and transmit a response message to the stored source address information to establish a communication path to the other communication apparatus.
US07839801B2 Distributing customer location access links across network provider nodes during network planning
A computing-device implemented network planning process distributes access links associated with customer locations to selected nodes of a provider network. The network planning process distributes the access links associated with the customer locations to the selected nodes of provider network such that overall latency goals for the network are met and such that the density of the connected customer locations to the network nodes in the network satisfy density requirements. The network planning process seeks diversity in customer location assignments by creating additional capacity through the re-assignment of customer locations to alternate network nodes in order to free up space on network nodes needed to off-load customer locations from other over-loaded network nodes. The network planning process permits an expanded ring of network nodes to accommodate dense customer traffic load across a wide area while meeting both individual connection and overall system requirements.
US07839794B2 System and method for determining whether DOCSIS-enabled devices in a HFC cable network are co-located
A system and method for determining if DOCSIS-enabled devices connected to an HFC cable network are co-located. Subscriber account data is acquired to determine the DEDs associated with a subscriber account. The MAC address of a DED is used to obtain the MAC domain to which the DED is assigned and a ranging offset value associated with the DED. An alert is issued if multiple DEDs associated with a subscriber account are associated with different MAC domains. The alert signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located. Where DEDs associated with an account are associated with the same MAC domain, the normalized ranging offset values associated with the subscriber's DEDs are compared to determine if the difference in any two ranging offset values exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the difference in any two ranging offset values exceeds a predetermined threshold, an alert is issued. The alert again signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located.
US07839793B2 Method and apparatus for estimating collision probability in a wireless network
A method for estimating packet collisions within a wireless network, comprising: for each transmit packet an Access Point (AP) of the network records statistics transmission information; based on this statistical information the AP computes: Total number of slot times generated during this transmission, n; Total number of deferrals, m; and Total number of unsuccessful transmissions, Q s; and using a sequence (m,n,Q) of statistics for each access category (AC), the AP computes the probability of collision for unsuccessful packets, p.
US07839792B2 Time-correlated, simultaneous measurement and analysis of network signals from multiple communication networks
A system and a method for simultaneous measurement and analysis of network signals on multiple communication networks are described. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the system accepts signals from two communication networks. The two networks may be following different protocols. A time-correlated measurement of corresponding frames of two protocols may be provided. Information pertaining to message frames of different networks may be displayed simultaneously.
US07839791B2 Systems and methods for network routing
Systems and methods are provided for routing data through a network. In one system, a first node is enabled to overhear packet transmissions from a second node. The cost of transmitting packets from the first node to the second node is updated based on each overheard packet transmission. In another system, when the cost of transmitting packets from a source to an overhearing node to a destination is less than the cost of transmitting packets from the source to the destination, an advertisement is sent to the source causing the packet transmissions to be routed from the source to the destination through the overhearing node. In yet another system, using a safe-sequence tag that is attached to any packet transmitted by any node and updated when it is received by another node, along with stored histories of best metric advertisements, predetermined rules are applied to maintain loop freedom.
US07839790B2 Network congestion analysis
Application messages are segregated into message paths, and the delays of the transmitted packets associated with each message path are independently analyzed to distinguish propagation, bandwidth, congestion, and protocol delays. To further distinguish the congestion delays, all of the paths of the application messages are assessed to identify delays induced by the application, including self-congestion delay, corresponding to pre-congestion delays caused by attempting to send data from a source device faster than the bandwidth of the channel allows, and cross-congestion delay, corresponding to post-congestion delays caused by varying delays beyond a bottleneck link in the channel. The remaining congestion delay is identified as network congestion delay, corresponding to delays caused by network devices other than the source device. After identifying each of the components of delay, the effect of each component on the overall delay is determined to identify where improvements can best be made.
US07839789B2 System and method for multi-layer network analysis and design
Techniques for providing a method and system for multi-layer network analysis and design are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method, comprising determining, using a computer model of a network, a minimum probability of failure path between a pair of network nodes at a first network layer for one or more pairs of network nodes, calculating, using a processor and stored network data, a value for the minimum probability of failure for the identified minimum probability of failure path between the pair of network nodes at the first network layer for the one or more pairs of network nodes. The method may include identifying a maximum of the determined minimum probability of failure values for the one or more pairs of network nodes for the first network layer. The method may include probability of failure calculations for one or more secondary network layers.
US07839788B2 Systems and methods for load balancing storage system requests in a multi-path environment based on transfer speed of the multiple paths
Methods and systems for distributing I/O requests from a computer system to a storage system over multiple paths having non-homogeneous transfer speeds. A large I/O request is partitioned into a plurality of smaller I/O operations between a computer system and a storage system. The I/O operations are distributed over a plurality of communication paths coupling the computer system and the storage system. The distribution attempts to balance the load over the multiple paths based on the transfer speed of each path. In one embodiment, operations are distributed only to the highest speed paths presently operable. In another embodiment, an estimated completion time for an operation is determined for each path and a path with the lowest estimated completion time is selected to transfer the next operation.
US07839787B2 Delay-based overflow routing in communication systems
A communication system determines a delay variation between at least a first link and a second link. The communication system routes user communications over the first link if the delay variation is within a maximum threshold. The communication system routes the user communications over the second link if the delay variation exceeds the maximum threshold.
US07839786B2 Method and apparatus for routing data in an inter-nodal communications lattice of a massively parallel computer system by semi-randomly varying routing policies for different packets
A massively parallel computer system contains an inter-nodal communications network of node-to-node links. Nodes vary a choice of routing policy for routing data in the network in a semi-random manner, so that similarly situated packets are not always routed along the same path. Semi-random variation of the routing policy tends to avoid certain local hot spots of network activity, which might otherwise arise using more consistent routing determinations. Preferably, the originating node chooses a routing policy for a packet, and all intermediate nodes in the path route the packet according to that policy. Policies may be rotated on a round-robin basis, selected by generating a random number, or otherwise varied.
US07839781B2 Service curve mapping
A method for configuring service curves for managing the output port of a networking device includes the following steps. A multitude of traffic classes is defined, each traffic class being characterized by a bandwidth and a delay priority. A multitude of traffic service curves is computed, each of the plurality of traffic service curves is associated with a different one of the multitude of traffic classes. At least one of the multitude of traffic classes service curves is characterized by a shifted two-piece linear function shifted such that the service curve limits service to during a nonzero time period prior to the start of the two-piece linear function.
US07839778B2 System and method for adaptive flow control
The system and method for adaptive flow control transmits pause off packets to network nodes after a calculated time based on switch resource usage thereby alleviating congestion is a network switching system.
US07839774B2 Data processing circuit wherein data processing units communicate via a network
A data processing circuit on an integrated circuit and an associated method of processing data in the data processing circuit is provided, the data processing circuit comprising a network operable in successive time-slots; a plurality of data processing units interconnected by the network, and arranged to send streams of messages concurrently through the network, each stream comprising messages that occupy shareable resources in the network in a periodically repeating selection of successive time-slots, a period of repetition (P) being the same for all the streams; node circuits in the network arranged to forward the messages along multi-node paths through the network, each particular stream being assigned a respective stream specific path along which the node circuits forward all messages of the particular stream, the node circuits being arranged to decide whether to forward or discard each message dependent on a measure of seniority of the message in its particular stream.
US07839773B2 Modem timing offset compensation for line card redundancy failover
In one embodiment, a first ranging timing description describing at least a duration of time during which a subject cable modem (CM) may burst and a duration of time during which the subject CM and other CMs in a multiple access network are not permitted to burst is translated into a second ranging timing description describing a duration during which a burst from the subject CM is expected to be received by a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS is conditioned to receive a burst from the subject CM during the duration of time described by the second ranging timing description. A timing offset is determined from at least an actual time a burst from the subject CM is received by the CMTS and the duration of time during which the subject CM and other CMs in the multiple access network are not permitted to burst to produce a determined timing offset. The determined timing offset is reported to compensate for delay in the multiple access network and the subject CM.
US07839771B2 Backhaul failover method and system for a wireless network
A method and corresponding system for providing for recovering from a failure of a wired link used for communication between the first access point and a wired network. The first access point has at least two radios including a first radio and a second radio each for providing a wireless communications link. The method including selectively configuring the radios in an access mode for enabling a communications path with a corresponding client node to enable each client node to have a communication path via the first access point to the wired network, wherein the first and second radios are enabled to be associated with a first and second client node, respectively. The method and system includes providing communications paths for the client nodes to the wired network in response to detection of loss of the wired link to the first access point by selectively reconfiguring the second radio to a backhaul mode.
US07839769B2 Method for the organization of network nodes in a packet-switched network
There is described a method to organize a network, wherein if for a first router set up as the default gateway an inaccessibility of an assigned network element is detected at an interface of the first router a second router is set up as the logical default gateway. In this case a provision is made such that in the course of setting up the second router as the default gateway a check on the interface metric is performed at the first and/or second router and that in consequence of the inaccessibility detected for the interface an adaptation of the interface metric is carried out. The interface metric is propagated for example by way of the routing protocol OSPF and/or EIGRP and/or IS-IS to other routers. When using the method it is possible in a failure scenario with divided Layer-2 networks to avoid an occurrence of “black holes”, in other words gaps in communication. Moreover asymmetric routing, which is caused by a changeover of the logical gateway from the first router to the second router, can be eliminated. The danger of an excessive exchange of unicast messages, which can result in a high failure level of all participating network nodes and network node elements, is thus also excluded.
US07839760B2 Transmitting and receiving systems for increasing service coverage in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing wireless local area network, and method thereof
The present invention relates to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing wireless local area network (LAN) transmitting/receiving system for providing expanded service coverage, and a method thereof. A first OFDM modulation is performed for an even-numbered time, and a second OFDM modulation is performed for an odd-numbered time. A transmitting frame including a plurality of signal fields according to the first and second OFDM modulation is transmitted. The receiving system determines whether a signal field is repeatedly generated in the frame. If the signal field is not repeatedly generated, corresponding demodulation is performed. If repeatedly performed, the signal field is demodulated by using first bit allocation information and second bit allocation information having a ½ value of the first bit allocation information. A data field is demodulated according to the demodulated signal field.
US07839759B2 Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
The transmitting side is equipped with chip steering section 30 that performs a chip steering that shifts the allocation of N×M chip elements upon their respective subcarriers by one chip for every transmission unit in sequence, and the receiving side is equipped with a parallel/serial conversion section and an inverse chip steering section that rearranges the allocation of the chip elements shifted in chip steering section 30 back to original.
US07839743B2 Optical disc apparatus and discriminating method for kind of objective lenses
An optical disc apparatus includes an amplitude obtaining portion receiving S shaped waveform information of focus error signal from a focus error signal processing portion to obtain amplitude of the S shaped waveform and a discriminating portion discriminating kind of objective lens disposed in a light path of an optical pickup device. The discriminating portion changes controlled variable of a spherical aberration compensating element into a plurality of prescribed control values, and obtains the amplitude of S shaped waveform from an amplitude obtaining portion for each of the control values. Then the discriminating portion performs discrimination of kind of the objective lens disposed in the light path based on that a rate of change of the amplitude of S shaped waveform to change of controlled variable of the spherical aberration compensating element is different in response to kind of the objective lens.
US07839742B2 Digital damage signature of an optical disc
It has been discovered that damage to an optical disc can be used as a damage signature for that optical disc. The damage signature can be digitally represented to uniquely identify the optical disc in combination with other identifying information that identifies the optical disc. Services, such as a restore service, can be provided to a user after validation of a digital damage signature of an optical disc.
US07839741B2 Method and apparatus for selecting an optimum write parameter, and optical recording medium for use by said method and apparatus
The invention relates to a method for setting an optimum value of a write parameter for use in an optical recording apparatus for writing information on an optical recording medium by means of a radiation beam. The optimum value of a write parameter is found by curve-fitting a function and obtaining a characteristic write power level (PChar) from the curve-fitting function. It is then assessed if the characteristic write power level (PChar) qualify as an optimum value of a write parameter. If the characteristic write power level (Pchar) does not qualify as an optimum value of a write parameter then an iteration procedure is started, where the subsequent initial values of write power level (Pini, n), are given by Pini, n+1=A Pini, n+(1−A)Pchar, n, where A is a constant, and n is an integer. The invention also relates to an optical recording apparatus and an optical recording medium according to the invention.
US07839740B2 Recordable optical storage systems
A last optimum parameter value control method is disclosed, with a laser parameter value being adjusted in a predetermined sequence at an ADIP/ATIP frame of an optical recording medium. Jitter is measured at each ADIP/ATIP frame in order to obtain an average jitter value for that particular frame, and hence parameter value.
US07839738B2 Method and apparatus for determining writing power for recording data
A method and apparatus for determining an optimal writing power for recording data on a recording medium such as an optical disk, are discussed. The method according to an aspect of the present invention includes (a) performing an optimal power calibration (OPC) operation on a first area of the recording medium, and detecting a first writing power based on the OPC operation performed on the first area; (b) performing an OPC operation on a second area of the recording medium after erasing data on the second area, and detecting a second writing power based on the OPC operation performed on the second area; and (c) determining an optimal writing power for recording data on the recording medium based on the detected first and second writing powers.
US07839736B2 CD-audio system having electronic shock protection
A CD-Audio System includes a CD-module and a host unit. The CD-module reads audio data from a disc, checks the audio data for errors, and provides the checked audio data to the host unit at greater than 1 times CD audio rate. The host unit stores the received audio data in an electronic shock protection memory included in the host unit. When the CD-module determines an error in the audio data, the CD-module notifies the host unit of the position in the audio data of the error and when notified of a position in the audio data of an error, the host unit replaces stored audio data at that position and all subsequently already received data with retransmitted audio data. Then the host outputs only validated audio data via speakers.
US07839733B2 Optical device and optical disc apparatus utilizing the optical device
A signal, which is derived from the relationship between the lens shift amount of an objective lens and the amount of the positional-deviation, of a received light beam with respect to a light-receiving plane, which occurs in the tangential direction on a photodetector, is corrected by an offset caused by asymmetry in the intensity distribution of reflected light; a multiplication value is obtained by multiplying the corrected signal by a predetermined constant; based on a focus error signal obtained by subtracting the calculated value from the calculation expression according to the conventional astigmatism method, the focusing servo control is performed.
US07839730B2 Optical pickup and optical disk drive apparatus
An optical pickup includes an objective lens, a protection member for protecting the objective lens, and a lens holding member configured to hold these members. The optical pickup records and/or reproduces an information signal on and/or from an optical recording medium by condensing laser light through the objective lens. The protection member includes a bearing surface to contact a surface of an edge portion of the objective lens not facing the optical recording medium, an aperture to control a diameter of laser light to be incident on the objective lens, and a protection portion protruding toward the optical recording medium with respect to the objective lens. The bearing surface, the aperture, and the protection portion are integrally formed with one another.
US07839729B2 Optical drive servo with a servo processor receiving photodetector signals
An optical disk drive is provided that includes: a plurality of photodetectors for receiving reflected light from an optical disk, each photodetector providing a photodetector output signal; an analog-to-digital converter for converting versions of the photodetector output signals into digital signals; and a digital signal processor configured to receive the digital signals, the digital signal processor being further configured to determine a focus error signal (FES) and a tracking error signal (TES) from the digital signals, the digital signal processor being further configured to process TES and FES through servo algorithms to produce tracking and focus control signals.
US07839726B2 Timepiece including optical guide which performs the function of a crystal
A timepiece (40) includes optical means for forming a decorative pattern, in the form of a figurative image, in response to user action. The optical means forming a figurative image include an optical guide (1, 51) having two large faces (10, 11) and at least one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (19), each having at least one light reflective surface (20), are arranged in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (20), via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to form in a well defined direction, and the set of light beams forms a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be selected as the normal with respect to the mid-plane of the watch.
US07839725B2 Quadrature detection method, quadrature detection device and radio wave timepiece
A radio wave timepiece A and a quadrature detection device for executing a quadrature detecting method are disclosed including a receiving antenna 14 for receiving a carrier wave of a long wave standard radio wave on which time information is multiplexed, a quadrature detection circuit 18 for performing quadrature detection of the carrier wave in response to a reference clock CK1, commonly used for timekeeping by a time counter 8, to obtain an in-phase component I and a quadrature component Q of the carrier wave for obtaining an amplitude AN,m of the carrier wave, and a time correction means 22, 24, 26 for obtaining time information depending on the amplitude of the carrier wave from the quadrature detection circuit 18. The time counter 8 is responsive to time information delivered from the time correction means to correct current time.
US07839723B2 Electronic device and method of controlling reminder notifications
A method of controlling reminders for an electronic calendar event record includes: generating a reminder notification at a first electronic device, the reminder notification associated with the calendar event record, providing an option at the first electronic device for taking a first action at the first electronic device and taking a second action at a second electronic device, the first action differing from the second action, generating an update command at the first electronic device for taking the second action at the second electronic device in response to receipt of selection of the option at the first electronic device, and sending the update command from the first electronic device for the second electronic device.
US07839719B2 Fluid erosion protection washer for rotating shaft in MWD tool
A shaft protection washer to protect a rotating shaft in a “measurement while drilling” (MWD) tool. Use of the shaft protection washer renders the rotating shaft less susceptible to erosion from the drilling fluid flowing between the rotating component and the stationary component.
US07839717B2 Semiconductor device with reduced standby failures
A semiconductor memory device includes a cell core storing data, a plurality of peripheral circuit components, collectively driving data to/from the cell core and providing a default state at an output signal state during an initialization process upon power-up, and an initialization circuit detecting a standby mode of operation for the semiconductor memory device, and upon detecting the standby mode controlling operation of the plurality of peripheral circuit components to provide the default state as the signal state during standby mode.
US07839715B2 SerDes double rate bitline with interlock to block precharge capture
An embodiment of the invention provides a method of separating an early clock pulse and a late clock pulse into two different latches, wherein the early clock pulse is generated through a bit line. In response to the early clock pulse rising, a first data waveform is sent to a fourth data waveform. In response to a third data waveform rising, an early precharge is turned off. In response to the turning off of the early precharge and in response to a fifth data waveform dropping, an eighth data waveform rises if the first data waveform has a value of 1. In response to a sixth data waveform rising, a first pulse latch is opened.
US07839709B2 Semiconductor memory device having I/O unit
A semiconductor memory device is capable of reducing a test time upon the same condition of the actual operation thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes an output data select unit and a data output unit. The output data select unit selectively outputs valid data, which are loaded on a plurality of global lines, in response to an output control signal activated after a delay time corresponding to an additive latency from entry of a read operation in a test mode. The data output unit aligns data outputted from the output data select unit and outputs the aligned data through data pads.
US07839706B2 Dual mode accessing signal control apparatus and dual mode timing signal generating apparatus
A dual mode accessing signal control apparatus for being used in a dummy cells set of a memory, and a dual mode timing signal generating apparatus comprising a dual mode accessing signal control apparatus are provided. The dual mode accessing signal control apparatus respectively generates a write delay signal and a read signal during the write and the read process. The memory is thereby capable of self-timing its write and the read process, and is able to generate a wordline signal with a shorter width in the write process to ensure an early start to precharging. As a result, the whole duty period of the memory can be shortened.
US07839700B2 Internal voltage generating circuit and semiconductor memory device using the same
An internal voltage generating circuit includes a voltage divider for generating a level signal by voltage-dividing first internal voltage, a pull-down signal generator for generating a pull-down signal, which has a level adjusted according to a temperature, in response to the level signal, a pull-up signal generator for generating a pull-up signal, which has a level adjusted according to the temperature, in response to the level signal, and a driving unit for driving second internal voltage in response to the pull-down signal and the pull-up signal. Driving force of the driving unit for driving the second internal voltage is changed according to the temperature.
US07839699B2 Semiconductor memory device
This disclosure concerns a semiconductor memory device comprising: a memory cell array having memory cells arrayed two-dimensionally; word lines connected to the memory cells of rows of the memory cell array; bit lines connected to the memory cells of columns of the memory cell array; sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, and detecting data stored in the memory cells; a test pad passing a predetermined reference current from a power source, and transmitting a reference voltage based on the reference current; and test circuits connected between the power source and the test pad and intervening between the power source and the bit lines, the test circuits passing test currents according to the reference voltage via the bit lines.
US07839696B2 Method of programming and erasing a p-channel BE-SONOS NAND flash memory
A programming method for a p-channel memory cell, the memory cell includes a source, a drain and a gate. The gate is applies with a first voltage, which results in Fowler-Nordheim (−FN) hole injection, thereby causing the memory cell to be in a programmed state.
US07839693B1 Method of fabricating CMOS-compatible non-volatile memory cell with lateral inter-poly programming layer
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“CMOS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY”) cell is fabricated using standard CMOS fabrication processes. First and second polysilicon gates are patterned over an active area of the cell between source and drain regions. Thermal oxide is grown on the polysilicon gates to provide an isolating layer. Silicon nitride is deposited between the first and second polysilicon gates to form a lateral programming layer.
US07839689B2 Power supplies in flash memory devices and systems
Power supplies in flash memory devices are disclosed. A first section of a flash memory device includes non-volatile memory for storing data. A second section of the flash memory device includes at least first and second pumping circuits. The first pumping circuit receives a first voltage and produces, at an output of the first pumping circuit, a second voltage at a second voltage level that is higher than the first voltage level. The second pumping circuit has an input coupled to the first pumping circuit output for cooperatively employing the first pumping circuit to pump up from a voltage greater than the first voltage to produce a third voltage at a third voltage level that is higher than the second voltage level.
US07839686B2 Semiconductor memory device capable of executing high-speed read
A plurality of memory cells are arranged in a memory cell array. The plurality of memory cells are connected to a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. A plurality of source lines are disposed along the plurality of bit lines. The plurality of source lines are connected respectively to sources of the plurality of memory cells at a time of data read.
US07839685B2 Soft errors handling in EEPROM devices
Soft errors occur during normal use of a solid-state memory such as EEPROM or Flash EEPROM. A soft error results from the programmed threshold voltage of a memory cell being drifted from its originally intended level. The error is initially not readily detected during normal read until the cumulative drift becomes so severe that it develops into a hard error. Data could be lost if enough of these hard errors swamps available error correction codes in the memory. A memory device and techniques therefor are capable of detecting these drifts and substantially maintaining the threshold voltage of each memory cell to its intended level throughout the use of the memory device, thereby resisting the development of soft errors into hard errors.
US07839684B2 Defective block handling method for a multiple data channel flash memory storage device
The block groups of a multiple data channel flash memory storage device are detected for defective blocks. The block group containing any defective blocks is divided into subgroups, each of which contains only defective blocks or only good blocks. The subgroups containing only good blocks are selected to establish a new block group having the same amount of blocks as that of the original block groups.
US07839682B2 Array and pitch of non-volatile memory cells
An array of non-volatile memory cells is arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each memory cell has at least three terminals: a first terminal for the read out of the signal from the memory cell, a second terminal to which high voltage is supplied during certain operation, and a third terminal to which low voltage is supplied in all operations. The cells in the same column have a common bit line connected to the first terminal of memory cells in the same column. The array comprises a first and second sub arrays of memory cells arranged adjacent to one another in the same row. A first decoder is positioned to one side of the first sub array in the same row as the first sub array. A second decoder is positioned to another side of the second sub array in the same row as the second sub array. A first high voltage line is connected to the second decoder and to only the second terminal of the memory cells in the same row in the first sub array. A second high voltage line, different from the first high voltage line, is connected to the second decoder and to only the second terminal of the memory cells in the same row in the second sub array. A low voltage line is connected to the first decoder and to the thirds terminal of the memory cells in the same row of the first and second sub arrays.
US07839680B2 Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) cell and methods for forming and reading the same
In a method of reading data in an EEPROM cell, a bit line voltage for reading is applied to the EEPROM cell including a memory transistor and a selection transistor. A first voltage is applied to a sense line of the memory transistor. A second voltage greater than the first voltage is applied to a word line of the selection transistor. A current passing through the EEPROM cell is compared with a predetermined reference current to read the data stored in the EEPROM cell. An on-cell current of the EEPROM cell may be increased in an erased state and the data in the cell may be readily discriminated.
US07839678B2 NAND type flash memory and write method of the same
A NAND type flash memory includes first to third memory cell transistors having current paths connected in series between one end of a current path of each of first and second selection transistors, and each having a control gate and a charge storage layer, the first and second memory cell transistors being adjacent to the first and second selection transistors, the third memory cell transistor being positioned between the first and second memory cell transistors, the third memory cell transistor holding data having not less than three bits, the first memory cell transistor holding 2-bit data in which middle and upper pages is written by skipping a lower page, and a lower page verify voltage being set when writing the middle page, and a middle page verify voltage is set when writing the upper page, changing a position of a threshold distribution of the first memory cell transistor.
US07839677B2 Nonvolatile memory, verify method therefor, and semiconductor device using the nonvolatile memory
Provided is a nonvolatile memory that realizes a high-speed verify operation. During verify writing/erasing, the writing/erasing and reading are performed at the same time. As to a circuit that performs a verify operation, for instance, there is obtained a construction where the output from a sense amplifier (102) that performs reading is connected to a switch which switches an operation voltage applied to a memory cell in accordance with a verify signal Sv, and the verify operation is finished concurrently with having the verify signal Sv switched. By obtaining such circuit construction and simultaneously performing writing/erasing and reading, it becomes possible to perform high-speed verify writing/erasing.
US07839673B2 Thin-film memory system having thin-film peripheral circuit and memory controller for interfacing with a standalone thin-film memory
An electronic system includes at least one reduced-complexity integrated circuit memory coupled to a memory controller. By reducing the complexity of each integrated circuit memory and concentrating the complexity within the memory controller, overall system costs may be greatly reduced and reliability improved.
US07839672B1 Phase change memory array circuits and methods of manufacture
A memory array includes cells with switches and phase-change elements that are in communication with the switches. Bit lines are in communication with the cells. Word lines are in communication with the cells. Different voltage source terminals each receive a respective source voltage. The different voltage source terminals are coupled to and supply current to at least one of the cells.
US07839668B2 Multiple output AC/DC power adapter
A multiple output AC/DC power adapter is provided. The adapter includes an adapter body with an output connector and more than one output plugs configured for connecting with the output connector. The adapter body includes a DC-DC converting circuit having an input terminal, an output terminal, a first adjustment terminal. The output connector includes a positive terminal, a second adjustment terminal and a negative terminal configured for connecting to the output terminal and the first adjustment terminal of the DC-DC converting circuit and ground correspondingly. The output plugs each includes an adjustment resistor having a resistance value different from the other output plugs. Therefore, when equipped with a plurality of output plugs each of the plurality of plugs having different resistor R0, the adapter can supply different output DC voltages for different electronic device.
US07839665B2 System interconnection inverter including overvoltage and negative voltage protection
A system interconnection inverter includes a step-up converter and an inverter. Moreover, the system interconnection inverter includes a short-circuit current-interrupting diode with a cathode connected to an input terminal of a negative bus, a semiconductor switch connected to an anode of the short-circuit current-interrupting diode, a semiconductor switch drive circuit that drives the semiconductor switch, a semiconductor switch-off circuit that turns off the semiconductor switch drive circuit when negative power is applied such that electric current flows from a cathode toward an anode of the input terminal, and a control circuit that controls the semiconductor switch drive circuit.
US07839662B2 Power supply having a flyback topology and current sense transformer
A power supply having a flyback topology includes a flyback transformer and a current sense circuit that outputs a current signal indicative of a current output by the power supply. The current sense circuit includes a current sense transformer coupled to the flyback transformer.
US07839660B2 Method and apparatus for regulating an output current from a power converter
Techniques are disclosed to regulate an output current through a load coupled to a power converter using a current source coupled to the load. For instance, one power converter according to the teachings of the present invention includes an energy transfer element coupled between an input of the power converter and an output of the power converter. A power converter controller is coupled to the energy transfer element to control a transfer of energy from the input of the power converter to the output of the power converter. A load is to be coupled to the output of the power converter. A current source is to be coupled to the load. The current source regulates the current flowing through the load to a threshold current value. The current source is coupled to sense a current through the load. A switch having a first and second end is also included. The first end is to be coupled to the load and the second end is coupled to the current source. The switch is coupled to be switched on and off at a duty cycle to control an average current through the load. The current through the load is substantially equal to a current through the switch and the current source.
US07839656B2 Shielded circuit assembly and method
A shielded circuit assembly includes first and second circuit support structure, e.g. circuit boards having electrical or electronic components thereon, flexible connection between the circuit support structures, e.g., a flexible printed circuit (FPC), flat flexible cable (FFC), or other connection, the first and second circuit support structures adapted for positioning in generally overlying spaced apart relation with the flexible connection providing electrical connection therebetween while having floor plans that tend to efficiently conserve space between the circuit support structures, and electromagnetic energy shielding adapted to provide shielding of space between the circuit support structures in such generally overlying spaced apart relation. A method of making a shielded circuit assembly includes folding one printed circuit board that is flexibly attached to another printed circuit board to a generally parallel spaced apart relation and providing shielding of space between the circuit boards.
US07839654B2 Method for ultimate noise isolation in high-speed digital systems on packages and printed circuit boards (PCBS)
Improved noise isolation for high-speed digital systems on packages and printed circuit boards is provided by the use of mixed alternating impedance electromagnetic bandgap (AI-EBG) structures and a power island configured to provide ultimate noise isolation. A power island is surrounded by a plurality of mixed AI-EBG structures to provide a power distribution network. In this structure, the gap around the power island provides excellent isolation from DC to the first cavity resonant frequency which is determined by the size of the structure and dielectric material. One AI-EBG structure provides excellent isolation from the first cavity resonant frequency of around 1.5 GHz to 5 GHz. The other AI-EBG structure provides excellent noise isolation from 5 GHz to 10 GHz. Through use of this novel configuration of AI-EBG structures, a combination effect of the hybrid AI-EBG structure provides excellent isolation far in excess of 10 GHz. The AI-EBG structure is a metallic-dielectric EBG structure that comprises two metal layers separated by a thin dielectric material (similar to power/ground planes in packages and PCBs). However, in the AI-EBG structure, only one of the metal layers has a periodic pattern which is preferably a two-dimensional rectangular lattice with each element consisting of a metal patch with four connecting metal branches.
US07839650B2 Circuit board structure having embedded capacitor and fabrication method thereof
The present invention provides a circuit board structure having an embedded capacitor and a method for fabricating the same. The circuit board structure includes a core layer board with at least one surface having non-penetrating first and second grooves, a circuit layer and a first electrode plate formed in the first and second grooves of the core layer board respectively and being flush with the core layer board; a high dielectric material layer formed on the core layer board, the circuit layer and the first electrode plate; a second electrode plate formed on the high dielectric material layer and corresponding to the first electrode plate, thereby forming a capacitor by the first and second electrode plates and the high dielectric material layer. The high dielectric material layer is formed on a plane surface so as to eliminate poor filling and improve reliability.
US07839644B2 Fixing apparatus for heat sink
A fixing apparatus is provided for retaining a heat sink to a circuit board. The fixing apparatus includes a mount fixed to the circuit board, two locking members attached to the mount, and a clip. The mount defines a receiving hole accommodating the heat sink. The clip includes a positioning portion abutting against the heat sink, and two retaining arms extending from opposite ends of the positioning portion. The positioning portion presses the heat sink against the circuit board in response to the retaining arms engaging with the locking members.
US07839642B2 Heat-sink brace for fault-force support
A support system for an electrical device arranges the plurality of heat-sink assemblies in an orientation that allows the forces associated with an electrical fault that are transferred to the support structure to be reduced. The arrangement allows the electrical fault forces to cancel one another out such that the resulting net force applied to the support structure is significantly reduced. The size, strength and/or robustness of the support system can be reduced as the forces transmitted thereto are greatly reduced. The heat-sink assemblies can be arranged to facilitate ease of maintenance by allowing the heat-sink assemblies to be removed from a front access panel of the electrical device.
US07839636B2 Image processing apparatus, fan control method, and energy-saving control device
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit, a main control unit, a fan, a fan control unit, and an energy-saving control unit. The energy-saving control unit includes a fan-rotation maintaining unit that maintains rotation of the fan for a predetermined time after the operating state of the image processing apparatus is shifted to the energy-saving state, and then turns off the power supply to the fan control unit.
US07839634B2 Micro thrust cooling
One embodiment of the present invention uses plasma-driven gas flow to cool down electronic devices. The cooling device may comprise micro heat sink fins assembly, micro plasma actuators assembly, and magnetic circuit assembly. The plasma actuator assembly comprises electrodes and dielectric pieces. Voltages are applied to electrodes to drive the plasma gas flow. A magnetic circuit assembly may be used to provide the magnetic field to couple with plasma actuators to induce the plasma gas flow to cool down the heat sink fins and heat source.
US07839633B2 Foldable computer chassis
A foldable computer chassis includes a first plate having multiple first fixing shafts and second fixing shafts, multiple second plates connected to two opposite edges of the first plate by the first fixing shafts, and multiple third plates movably and rotatably connected to the other two opposite edges of the first plate by the second fixing shafts. Each third plate has a fixing elastic element. When the computer chassis is folded, the second plates are rotated to lie on the first plate, and the third plates are moved and rotated to lie on the second plates. When the computer chassis is assembled, the second plates are rotated to stand on the first plate, and the third plates are moved and rotated to stand on the first plate. The fixing elastic elements on the third plates are provided for fastening the second plates with the third plates.
US07839632B2 Electronic handheld device
An electronic handheld device includes: a case that is formed in a longitudinal boxed shape; a first operation key that is provided on a front face of the case at a position that is located at an approximate center of the front face; and a first concave portion that is formed on a back face of the case at a first position opposite the position of the first operation key, the first concave portion being arched toward a top end of the case.
US07839631B2 Computer enclosure with airflow-guiding device
A computer enclosure includes a chassis and an airflow-guiding device mounted to the chassis. A receiving slot is defined in the chassis. An elastic receiving portion is formed around the receiving slot. One side of the airflow-guiding device is detachably fixed on the chassis. A first resilient securing member is formed on another side of the airflow-guiding device corresponding to the receiving slot. A wedge is formed on the first securing member to slide over the receiving portion and insert into the receiving slot.
US07839630B2 Heat dissipation device and computer using same
A heat dissipation device includes a fin unit, a heat spreader and a heat isolation layer. The heat spreader contacts the fin unit and transfers heat to the fin unit for dissipation. The heat isolation layer is coated on an outer surface of the heat dissipation device. The heat isolation layer is polyurethane foam.
US07839628B1 Computer system expansion device adaptable for internal and external use
Systems and apparatus for providing supplemental functionality to a computer system with an expansion card adaptable for both internal and external coupling to the computer system. An expansion card has a bracket for internally coupling to a host computer and a housing for external coupling to a host computer. The expansion card may receive power from the host computer via an edge connector when internally coupled and through a power adapter via a power port when externally coupled. The expansion card may further receive data from the host computer via the edge connector when internally coupled and through an external bus when externally coupled. When externally coupled, the expansion card is mounted within a housing that may be mounted to an outside surface of a computer rack to preserve space within the rack.
US07839626B2 Display structure
A display structure includes a base, a stand pivotably attached to the base and rotatable along a first axis, an elastic connecting member, and a display unit pivotably engaged with ends of the connecting member and rotatable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The connecting member includes a pair of arm sections slidably engaged with the stand for adjusting a height of the display unit.
US07839625B2 Tool belt with smart cell technology
A tool belt worn by an operator comprises a processor and a plurality of smart sockets. The smart sockets connect various smart cells that perform various functions. The smart cells have a uniform interface to connect to different locations of smart sockets. The smart cells communicate with the processor or each other over a wireless technology or through a data path embedded in the tool belt. Functionality of the tool belt may be extended with an extender that has antennas, lights, speakers, microphones, and additional smart sockets. A data glove extends the functionality of the tool belt further with a glove, smart socket, and smart cell integrated together and used at the operator's hand.
US07839623B2 Modular power distribution system and method
A modular power distribution system comprises a chassis and a backplane including a power input, and a plurality of module connection locations. A plurality of modules are mounted in the chassis, each module mounted to one of the module connection locations. Each module includes: (i) a circuit protection device; and (ii) a power output connection location. Bus bars connect front power inputs to the backplane.
US07839616B2 Load current sensing technique
Methods and apparatus regulate the output of a switching device to a voltage near that of saturation. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished for a small period of time during activation before and/or after device saturation. The switching device drive requirement is then measured to attain the regulated voltage. Measurement of the drive requirement during the small period of time correlates to switching driver current, being reliant on the finite gain of the switching device.
US07839613B2 Electrostatic discharge protection circuit protecting thin gate insulation layers in a semiconductor device
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit protects the internal circuits of a semiconductor. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first electrostatic protection unit connected to a power source supply pad. The first electrostatic protection unit discharges an ESD current into the power source supply pad when an ESD is introduced into the input/output pad, and generates a first driving voltage by utilizing the ESD current flow through a voltage-drop unit. A driver driven by the first driving voltage generates a second driving voltage by an ESD current. A second electrostatic protection unit discharges the introduced ESD current into the power source supply pad by the second driving voltage such that a voltage applied to a gate of the first NMOS transistor is reduced.
US07839611B2 Programmable logic controller having micro-electromechanical system based switching
A programmable logic controller is disclosed. The programmable logic controller includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The programmable logic controller further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch. The programmable logic controller also may include a MEMS switch and a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage across the MEMS switch. The MEMS switches are arranged to transmit or receive logic signals.
US07839607B2 Method to reduce corner shunting during fabrication of CPP read heads
A method is presented for fabricating a CPP read head having a CPP read head sensor and a hard bias layer which includes forming a strip of sensor material in a sensor material region, and depositing strips of fast-milling dielectric material in first and second fast-milling dielectric material regions adjacent to the sensor material region. A protective layer and a layer of masking material are deposited on the strip of sensor material and the strips of fast-milling dielectric material to provide masked areas and exposed areas. A shaping source, such as an ion milling source, is provided which shapes the exposed areas. Hard bias material is then deposited on the regions of sensor material and fast-milling dielectric material to form caps on each of these regions. The caps of hard bias material and the masking material are then removed from each of these regions.
US07839605B2 Electrical signal-processing device integrating a flux sensor with a flux generator in a magnetic circuit
An electrical signal processing device includes at least one thin film flux generator and at least one thin film magnetic sensor. Each flux generator includes at least one conductive induction line that is connected to at least one lead of a pair of input leads, and a yoke that surrounds the conductive induction line. The yoke has at least one pair of pole tips, and a gap is disposed between the end surfaces of each pair of pole tips. A magnetic sensor is disposed in the gap, and a pair of output leads is connected to the sensor. An alternative embodiment may include two or more conductive induction lines that are connected to respective separate pairs of input leads. Alternatively, two or more conductive induction lines may connect to one another to form an induction coil. The flux generator and magnetic sensor are preferably formed on a single substrate to create an integrated device.
US07839599B2 Combining information from parallel servo channels
A weighted combining scheme exploits information from two servo channels operating in parallel. A timing-based servo module comprises two synchronous servo channels coupled respectively to receive two digital servo signals read from a data tape. Both channels have outputs for an unweighted parameter estimate and for a measure of the channel reliability. A weight computation module provides first and second weight signals using the measures of channel reliability from the servo channels. An offset computation module provides first and second offset terms which are summed with the unweighted parameter estimates. Multiplying nodes receive the unweighted parameter estimates and the weight signals and outputs offset weighted parameter estimates. A summing node receives the offset weighted parameter estimates and outputs a combined offset weighted parameter estimate to a servomechanism.
US07839598B2 Balanced linkage actuation of tape head
In one embodiment, first and second levers of a tape head actuator are balanced using first and second masses carried on first and second sides, respectively, of the first and second levers. The first and second levers are linked with a link member of the first mass which further includes a tape read/write head supported by the link member. In the illustrated embodiment, the levers are linked by the pivotally connected link members to form a four member linkage. The tape read/write head may be carried by the link member. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07839597B2 Information access device
A difference value between a gain control value when a head comes into contact with a recording medium and a gain control value when the head floats with respect to the recording medium by a target floating amount is stored in advance. When the information access device is actually operated, supply power to a heater is adjusted to once bring the head into contact with the recording medium, a first gain control value adjusted by a gain control section when the head comes into contact with the recording medium is obtained, a second gain control value to be adjusted by the gain control section when the head floats from the recording medium by the target floating amount is obtained from the first gain control value and the difference value, and the supply power to the heater is adjusted such that the second gain control value is supplied to a gain variable amplifier by the gain control section.
US07839592B2 Magnetic head driving circuit with protection function
A magnetic recording and reproducing device is a hard disk device which writes information onto a magnetic disk (not shown), or reads information therefrom, and includes: a reproducing head; a recording head; and a magnetic head driving circuit. The magnetic head driving circuit is a circuit, by which driving of the reproducing head and the recording head is controlled, and onto which the reproducing head, a recording head driving circuit, a control unit, and a variable impedance element are integrated. This magnetic head driving circuit is switched on a time division base to a read mode during reproducing operation, and to a write mode during recording operation. The control unit reduces the impedance of the variable impedance element during the write mode.
US07839591B1 Disk drive comprising index spiral track identified by change in sync mark
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk. The disk comprises a plurality of spiral tracks, wherein each spiral track comprises a high frequency signal interrupted by a sync mark at a sync mark interval. A first spiral track comprises a first sync mark from an outer diameter of the disk to a reference radial location and a second sync mark from the reference radial location toward an inner diameter of the disk. A second spiral track comprises the second sync mark from the outer diameter of the disk to the reference radial location and the first sync mark from the reference radial location toward the inner diameter of the disk. The first sync mark is different than the second sync mark.
US07839589B2 Write current waveform asymmetry compensation
A write current circuit (300, 400) adapted to drive a thin film write head (202) of a mass media information storage device. The write current circuit (300, 400) further includes programming circuitry (311, 411) driven such that parameters of the write current waveform can be varied, including the write current overshoot amplitude and/or overshoot duration. The present invention achieves technical advantages by providing the ability to program out or adjust for system introduced asymmetries in the write current waveform.
US07839587B2 Color wheel
A color wheel has one or a plurality of color filter segments made from a first material, typically glass, having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially different from a carrier, which is made from a second material, typically aluminum. An intermediate washer or coating is disposed in between the segment(s) and the carrier, and has a coefficient of thermal expansion either equal to the segment(s) or in between that of the segment(s) and the carrier. The segment(s) is/are adhered to the washer or coating via a rigid or strong adhesive capable to withstand the strong centrifugal forces associated with rotating the color wheel and the filter segments at high speed.
US07839578B2 Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus includes an optical system in which two zoom lens units perform zooming in different ranges in accordance with a zoom position, and a mechanism for driving the two zoom lens units by a single driving portion. An urging force for urging moving members toward an interlocking movement member that is moved along the optical axis by a feed screw is cut off by regulating portions.
US07839571B2 Color-separation optical system and imaging apparatus
A curve representing a characteristic of a blue-light reflecting dichroic film DB and a curve representing a characteristic of a red-light reflecting dichroic film DR are configured to have shapes that track an ideal spectral characteristic of green. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a characteristic approximated to the ideal spectral characteristic without using a trimming filter having a dichroic film in an exiting surface of a prism. Since it is not necessary to use the trimming filter having the dichroic film, it is possible to prevent ghost and flare from occurring due to the dichroic film of the trimming filter. Accordingly, it is possible to embody an imaging apparatus having the ideal spectral characteristic with ghost and flare being reduced.
US07839569B2 Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display
A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a protective film on at least one side of the polarizer, the polarizer having a difference of 5.0% or smaller between maximum and minimum of an in-plane phase difference Rpva thereof in any area thereof measuring 39 cm wide and 65 cm long.
US07839564B2 Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
An electro-optic display comprises, in order, a backplane comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; a main adhesive layer; and at least one of a light-transmissive protective layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. The electro-optic layer may be in direct contact with the backplane or separated therefrom by a thin auxiliary layer of adhesive. The main adhesive layer may be colored to provide a color filter array. An inverted front plane laminate useful in forming such a display comprises the same layers except that the backplane is replaced by a release sheet. The display combines good low temperature performance and good resolution at higher temperatures.
US07839562B2 White particles for image display device
Disclosed are white particles for an image display device which includes: (i) a pair of substrates facing each other, provided that at least one of the substrates is transparent; and (ii) the white particles enclosed in a gap between the substrates, with which an image is displayed through migration of the white particles by generating an electric field between the substrates, wherein each of the white particles contains: (a) a core particles containing an inorganic oxide having a refractive index of 2.0 or more in an amount of 80 to 99 weight % based on the total weight of the core particle; and (b) a resin layer having a thickness of 10 to 1000 nm on a surface of the core particle.
US07839560B2 Packaged spatial light modulator and a display system using the same
A spatial light modulator comprises an array of individually addressable pixels enclosed within a space formed by a package lid and a package substrate. An aperture through which incident visible light pass into the package is formed on the package lid. In display systems employing the spatial light modulator, the illumination system is focused on a plane away from the pixels of the spatial light modulator so as to reduce cost.
US07839558B2 Electrowetting display and methods for manufacturing the same
An electrowetting display comprises a first substrate and a second substrate. A plurality of first conductive electrodes is formed over the first substrate. A second conductive layer is formed over the second substrate and spaced apart from the plurality of the first conductive electrodes. A plurality of cells is formed over the first conductive electrodes. Each cell is formed between one of the first conductive electrodes and the second conductive layer. Each two adjacent cells being separated by a partition. At least two cells include a first material and a second material over the first material. The at least two cells have two different colors. A shape of the first material is capable of being changed upon a change of an electrical field between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive layer.
US07839557B2 Method and device for multistate interferometric light modulation
A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.
US07839556B2 Method and device for modulating light
Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal. The elements are made by forming a sandwich of two layers and a sacrificial layer between them, the sacrificial layer having a thickness related to the final cavity dimension, and using water or an oxygen based plasma to remove the sacrificial layer.
US07839548B2 Video hologram and device for reconstructing video holograms
The invention relates to video holograms and devices for reconstructing video holograms, comprising an optical system that consists of a light source, lens and the video hologram that is composed of cells arranged in a matrix or a regular pattern with at least one opening per cell, the phase or amplitude of said opening being controllable. The video holograms and devices for reconstructing the same are characterized in that holographic video representations of expanded spatial objects can be achieved in a wide viewing area in real time using controllable displays, whereby the objects are either computer-generated or created by different means. The space-bandwidth product (SBP) of the hologram is thus reduced to a minimum and the periodicity interval of the Fourier spectrum is used as a viewing window on the inverse transformation plane, through which the object is visible in the preceding space. The mobility of the viewer(s) is achieved by tracking the viewing window. The invention can be advantageously used in the television, multimedia, games and construction fields, in military and medical technology, in addition to other economic and social areas.
US07839542B2 Image forming apparatus
A plurality of subsystems having diverse individual functions can be connected to an image forming apparatus. Each of the subsystems is made up of, for example, plural kinds of units which are different in performance from each other. Each of the units has inherent information related to the performance, and decides the operation specification of the entire image forming apparatus according to the combination of those units.
US07839534B2 Scrapbooking image print apparatus, method, program, and computer readable media
Disclosed herein is an image print apparatus configured to print an image for use in scrapbooking, including, an image data acquisition block configured to acquire image data of an image subject to processing, a template hold block configured to hold a plurality of templates each indicative of a clipping shape of the image for scrapbooking with a border line of the clipping shape, a template select block configured to select at least one of the plurality of templates held in the template hold block, an image display block configured to display the template selected by the select block by arranging the selected template on the image based on the image data acquired by the image data acquisition block, an operator block configured to enter a user-specified change in a relative position between the image and the template displayed on the image display block and in a size of at least one of the image and the template displayed on the image display block, and a print block configured to print the image displayed on the image display block and manipulated on the operator block.
US07839531B2 Printing control method
When multiple print jobs that include banner printing are combined and prescribed manipulation settings are specified, data for banner printing is processed separately of the multiple items of print data and the multiple items of print data are combined into a single item of print data, and newly created data for banner printing and the print data that has been combined is output. As a result, it is possible to avoid problems that arise from the combining of jobs for which banner printing settings and settings for finishing processing or layout processing have been made concurrently, and a user can be provided with the optimum printout by adapting processing in accordance with circumstances.
US07839529B2 Data communication apparatus and method
A document transmission apparatus reduces troublesome labor of an operator when transmitting document data, inputted from a scanner or the like, by various transmission methods such as electronic mail, facsimile, remote printing and file transfer. An address book containing a receiver and a plurality of transmission methods for transmitting document data to the receiver is generated. Upon transmission instruction, an appropriate transmission method is selected by the receiver, then document data is converted into data of an appropriate data format, and the converted data is transmitted. Further, a notice of transmission indicating that the document data has been transmitted is transmitted to the receiver of the document data by a method different from the transmission method of the document data. Thus, the document data can be reliably delivered to the receiver.
US07839523B2 System and method for resolving a hardware identifier to a network address of networked device
A printing system is provided having a plurality of networked printing devices, each printing device of the plurality of printing devices having a communication port for operatively communicating with another printing device of the plurality of printing devices via a network. Each of the printing devices of the plurality of printing devices is assigned a respective network address for use when communicating via the network. A first printing device of the plurality of printing devices includes a first communication device having circuitry for being sensed by a second printing device of the plurality of printing devices independently of the network. The second printing device includes a second communication device having circuitry for sensing the presence of the first communication device of the first printing device independently of the network, and a processor for executing application software for determining the network address of the sensed first printing device via the network.
US07839521B2 Methods and systems for print job management and printing
A print system may include a job management server and a plurality of print stations. The job management server may receive, from a first network, a print stream that is representative of a document or graphic. The print stations may be located remotely from the job management server and may be in communication with the job management service via a second network. The job management server may deliver a copy of the print stream to one of the print stations for printing when a user who is authorized to access the print stream enters identifying information and selection data at the selected print station.
US07839520B2 Program, information processor and preview method
A preview system utilizing an operating system standard spooler for spooling intermediate data converted from print data supplied from an application, including a print processor for implementing a print thread process and a preview thread process and a previewer for executing preview based on a bit map produced based on the above described spooled intermediate data, wherein the preview thread process of the above described print processor is started in accordance with commencement of a print process to start up the above described previewer, and the print thread process of the above described print processor is started up in the case where there is any job which has already finished undergoing preview or any job which has not yet undergone preview settings.
US07839517B1 Image processing system, and image processing apparatus and portable information communication device for use in the image processing system
The image processing system includes a portable information communication device that displays images based on received image information, sets a displayed image, for which specification input is made based on a timing at which the displayed image is displayed, as a specified image, creates processing indicator information that indicates contents of processing to be performed on the specified image set through the specification input, and transmits image information and the processing indicator information of the specified image and an image processing apparatus that is connected to the portable information communication device through a communication line, receives the image information and the processing indicator information of the specified image and performs image processing on the received image information of the specified image based on the received processing indicator information.
US07839508B2 Surface plasmon resonance sensor and sensor chip
A sensor chip has a metal layer formed on a surface of a substrate, where a plurality of microscopic concave part is formed in a measurement region of the surface of the metal layer. When light of linear polarization is irradiated onto the measurement region, local resonance electric field generates at opposing metal layer surfaces in the concave part. The reflected light thereof is received to measure reflectance. The light of linear polarization is irradiated so that the polarizing surface becomes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the concave part.
US07839503B2 Method and system for a solar simulator
System and method for testing solar cells is provided. The system includes a first light source configured to generate a first optical beam; a second light source configured to generate a second optical beam; a reflector for each light source, configured to collimate and direct each of the first optical beam and the second optical beam; a spectral filter assembly associated with each of the first light source and the second light source, the spectral filter assembly configured to (a) receive the first optical beam and the second optical beam (b) split each of the first optical beam and the second optical beam into “N” smaller optical beams, and (c) filter the “N” smaller optical beams; a re-imaging assembly for each spectral filter assembly configured to re-image the smaller “N” optical beam at a dichroic mirror that receives one or more N beams.
US07839501B2 Method, apparatus and system for measuring the transparency of film
A method is disclosed for measuring four factors contributing to transparency of a colored film, namely, Haze, Scatter, Gloss and Bronze values by utilizing a diffuse sphere spectrophotometer.
US07839499B2 Hydrogen sensor
A hydrogen sensor for detecting/quantitating hydrogen and hydrogen isotopes includes a sampling line and a microplasma generator that excites hydrogen from a gas sample and produces light emission from excited hydrogen. A power supply provides power to the microplasma generator, and a spectrometer generates an emission spectrum from the light emission. A programmable computer is adapted for determining whether or not the gas sample includes hydrogen, and for quantitating the amount of hydrogen and/or hydrogen isotopes are present in the gas sample.
US07839498B2 Reference database and method for determining spectra using measurements from an LED color sensor, and method of generating a reference database
To determine spectra, integrated multiple illuminant measurements from a non-fully illuminant populated color sensor may be converted into a fully populated spectral curve using a reference database. The reference database is partitioned into a plurality of clusters, and an appropriate centroid is determined for each cluster by, for example, vector quantization. Training samples that form the reference database may be assigned to the clusters by comparing the Euclidean distance between the centroids and the sample under consideration, and assigning each sample to the cluster having the centroid with the shortest Euclidean distance. When all training samples have been assigned, the resulting structure is stored as the reference database. When reconstructing the spectra for new measurements from the sensor, the Euclidean distances between actual color samples under measurement and each cluster centroid are measured. The spectra are then reconstructed using only the training samples from the cluster corresponding to the shortest Euclidean distance, resulting in improved speed and accuracy.
US07839497B1 Phase compensator for coupling an electromagnetic wave into an optical condenser
An apparatus comprising a phase compensator and an optical condenser in communication with the phase compensator. The phase compensator provides for phase shifting a portion of an electromagnetic wave. The optical condenser is shaped to direct the electromagnetic wave to a focal region of the optical condenser.
US07839493B2 Apparatus and method for detecting particulates in water
Provided is an apparatus and method for measuring a concentration level of particulates in water, by measuring a sound generated upon decomposition of particulates in a water sample which is irradiated by a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a laser beam generator for generating and outputting a laser beam, an output control unit for controlling an output of the laser beam to a constant level by a filter disposed in a laser beam path, a beam splitter for splitting a route of the laser beam output of the output control unit into two routes, a laser beam measurement unit for measuring an output intensity of the laser beam and outputting the measured value as an electrical signal, a condensing lens for condensing the laser beam, a sample cell for storing the water sample and positioned in the laser beam path of the condensed laser beam, a beam stopper for absorbing the condensed laser beam to prevent an external leakage of light, an acoustic sensor coupled with the sample cell for measuring a sound generated from the sample cell, and outputting the measured value as an electrical signal, and a control unit for receiving the signal of the acoustic sensor, calculating the concentration of particulates and outputting a device control signal.
US07839489B2 Assembly of a reticle holder and a reticle
A system for use in a lithographic apparatus includes an assembly of a reticle and a reticle holder. The reticle includes a marker. The system also includes a position detector arranged to detect the reticle marker to position the reticle with respect to the reticle holder, and a storage container constructed and arranged to store the assembly during the positioning of the reticle with respect to the reticle holder. The reticle holder and the detector are arranged to be kinematically aligned with respect to each other.
US07839486B2 Environmental system including vacuum scavenge for an immersion lithography apparatus
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a liquid confinement structure extending along at least a part of a boundary of a space between a projection system and a substrate table, the space having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the substrate. The liquid confinement structure includes a first inlet to supply liquid, through which the patterned beam is projected, to the space, a first outlet to remove liquid after the liquid has passed under the projection system, a second inlet formed in a face of the structure, the face arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate, and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the space to supply gas, and a second outlet formed in the face and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the second inlet to remove gas.
US07839485B2 Movable body drive method, movable body drive system, pattern formation method, pattern forming apparatus, exposure method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
Positional information of a movable body in a Y-axis direction is measured using an interferometer and an encoder whose short-term stability of measurement values excels when compared with the interferometer, and based on the measurement results, a predetermined calibration operation for obtaining correction information for correcting measurement values of the encoder is performed. Accordingly, by using measurement values of the interferometer, correction information for correcting the measurement values of the encoder whose short-term stability of the measurement values excels the interferometer is obtained. Then, based on the measurement values of the encoder and the correction information, the movable body is driven in the Y-axis direction with good precision.
US07839477B2 Substrate bonding apparatus for liquid crystal display panel
A substrate bonding apparatus for a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is disclosed that subdivides its venting holes, thereby achieving an enhancement in uniformity of venting. The substrate bonding apparatus that bonds a first substrate and a second substrate using a venting process, includes a lower chucking plate which chucks the second substrate, and an upper chucking plate which includes a plurality of blocks each including a main venting hole, wherein the upper chucking plate chucks the first substrate in accordance with a chucking operation of the blocks, and subsequently releases the chucked first substrate such that the first substrate falls down toward the second substrate.
US07839472B2 Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal device including: first and second substrates which face each other; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a reflection display region which is provided in one region of a sub-pixel configuring a control unit of a driving display by the first and second substrates with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween and performs a display by reflected light; a transmission display region which is provided in the other region of the sub-pixel and performs a display transmitted light; a layer thickness adjustment film which is provided on the second substrate in correspondence with the reflection display region and defines the thickness of the liquid crystal layer to be different from that in the transmission display region; and an alignment film which is provided between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer so as to cover the layer thickness adjustment film and is subjected to a rubbing process, wherein the layer thickness adjustment film has a step difference surface at a boundary between the reflection display region and the transmission display region, and, when the rubbing process is performed in a direction opposed to the step difference surface and an angle between an extending direction of the step difference surface and a rubbing direction is α, a relationship of 70°≦α≦110° is satisfied.
US07839470B2 Color liquid crystal panel, method for manufacturing the same, and color liquid crystal display device employing the same
Within a reflective display section R, a part of a light that reaches a reflective electrode through a color filter exits to the outside through slits and a part of a light that reaches the reflective electrode through the slits exits to the outside through the color filter. In addition, a light reaching the reflective electrode through the color filter and exiting to the outside through the color filter, and a light having no opportunity to pass through the slits also can be observed. Therefore, a mean film thickness of color filter through which all lights pass during the time in which they travel the associated distance after they are inputted to the inside until they are outputted to the outside becomes nearly equal to that could be observed in the transmissive section T.
US07839463B2 Thin film diode panel and manufacturing method of the same
A thin film diode array panel comprising: an insulating substrate (110); first and second redundant gate lines (141, 142) made of an opaque conductor and formed on the insulating substrate; first and second floating electrodes (143, 144) made of an opaque conductor, formed on the insulating substrate, and disposed between the first and second redundant gate lines (141, 142); an insulating layer (151, 152) formed on the first and second floating electrodes (143, 144); a first gate line (121) formed on the first redundant gate line (141) and including a first input electrode (123) overlapping the first floating electrode (143) where the insulating layer (151) is interposed between the first input electrode and the first floating electrode; a second gate line (122) formed on the second redundant gate line (142) and including a second input electrode (124) overlapping the second floating electrode (144) where the insulating layer (152) is interposed between the second input electrode (124) and the second floating electrode (144); and a pixel electrode (190) including a first contact electrode (191) overlapping the first floating electrode (143) where the insulating layer (151) is interposed between the first contact electrode (191) and the first floating electrode (143), a second contact electrode (192) overlapping the second floating electrode (144) where the insulating layer (152) is interposed between the second contact electrode (192) and the second floating electrode (144), and a main body is provided.
US07839456B2 Video signal processing apparatus and video signal processing method
According to one embodiment, a video signal processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit to obtain the frequency of each luminance level from the input luminance signal worth of one frame, a frequency conversion unit that logarithmically converts the frequency of each luminance level obtained and adds a preset offset value, a preparation unit that prepares a nonlinear correction processing table to cumulatively add the frequency-converted data and provide nonlinear correction processing for the input luminance signal, and a processor that provides nonlinear correction processing to the input luminance signal in accordance with the prepared nonlinear correction processing table.
US07839454B2 Post-processor design supporting non-flickering interlaced display
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for preventing and eliminating undesirable effects in displayed video. The method may include receiving video information and decoding the video information. The method may also include processing the number of illuminable lines associated with a video frame and blanking a remainder of the illuminable lines. Blanking the remainder of the illuminable lines may prevent and eliminate undesirable effects in the displayed video. The illuminable lines may be processed, such that each field may comprise an even number of corresponding, illuminable lines 530. The fields, however, are not required to have the same number of lines. In an embodiment according to the present invention, no active lines in one field may be below a blanked line in a corresponding field. The apparatus may include a video processor including a video post-processing unit adapted to determine a number lines to be illuminated on a particular video display device and a number of lines to be blanked in order to prevent and eliminate undesirable effects in the displayed video.
US07839453B2 Movement compensation
An image data processor for generating driving image data for operating an image display device, including: an image memory; a write-in control section for sequentially writing-in plural frame image data having a predetermined frame rate to the image memory; a read-out control section for reading-out the frame image data 1 times (1 is an integer of 2 or more) at a rate 1 times the frame rate with every frame image data written into the image memory; and a driving image data generating section for generating the driving image data corresponding to each read-out image data sequentially read out of the image memory.
US07839451B2 Apparatuses and methods for a camera head enclosure device for facilitating improved imaging
A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected. Additionally or alternatively, the camera head enclosure apparatus may include an aperture adjustment assembly permitting alignment of the camera aperture with the photo-electric pixel array providing the capability to accommodate different types, sizes, and configurations of photo-electric pixel arrays.
US07839445B2 Image photographing apparatus and method
A photographic apparatus and method are disclosed in which a preview of an acquired image and at least one image quality variable image are displayed in a multiview image. The image quality variable image is an image wherein the acquired image is coded, compressed and decoded according to at least one plurality of quantizing coefficients, and is displayed as part of the multiview image according to the user's selection of image quality. Upon the user's selection of image quality, the corresponding image quality variable is stored in memory thereby enabling a user to select image quality in real time before storing an image.
US07839442B2 Solid-state image sensing device including reset circuitry and image sensing device including the solid-state image sensing device and method for operating the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state image sensing device configured to change a bias voltage given to the photoelectric converting section at the time of resetting so that an operative condition of the photoelectric converting section after the resetting can be maintained a constant condition regardless of an amount of the incident light. To achieve the object, an MOS transistor T5 is provided. The drain of the MOS transistor T5 is connected with a gate and a drain of an MOS transistor T2 and the source of the MOS transistor T5configured to be applied a DC voltage VRS. Here, a signal Φ V is given, an MOS transistor T4is turned on, and image data is output. A signal Φ RS is given and the MOS transistor T5 is turned on. As a result, a gate voltage Vg of the MOS transistor T2 is maintained as a constant voltage value. Then, a reset operation for pixels is stared.
US07839440B2 Enhancing image quality imaging unit and image sensor
There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.
US07839438B2 CMOS image sensor having small size optical black area
A CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of active pixel rows and an optical black pixel row. The optical black pixel row is activated to generate a respective optical black signal upon activation of each of at least two of the active pixel rows. Such sharing of the optical black pixel row reduces the optical black area of the CMOS image sensor.
US07839435B2 Image sensing apparatus and image sensing method
An object of this invention is to allow quickly, reliably confirming an in-focus state with a simple arrangement. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing element which photoelectrically converts an object image, a first image generation unit which generates a first image obtained from the image sensing element, a second image generation unit which generates a second image of a predetermined region from the image obtained by the image sensing element, and an exposure control unit which controls exposure so as to set the second image to appropriate brightness.
US07839434B2 Video communication systems and methods
Video data of a videoconference participant is generated and filtered versions of the video data are simultaneously displayed. One of the filtered versions is selected and transmitted to other videoconference participants.
US07839433B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus which can correct a shaking of the hand whether a moving picture is taken or a still picture is taken. Exposure is carried out within a shorter time than a predetermined exposure time to output a charge. Exposure and delivery of charge is carried out plural times to accumulate charges. An address for accumulation is changed in accordance with information of a shaking occurring within the shorter time and a signal due to the shaking and a signal before the shaking are accumulated at the address. Alternatively, a camera-shake is detected by using a sensor such as a gyroscope adapted to detect an angular velocity or an acceleration of a shaking of the imaging apparatus itself.
US07839429B2 In-camera panorama stitching method and apparatus
A method and apparatus are disclosed for accomplishing in-camera stitching of a high-resolution panoramic photograph from a set of component photographs while providing a satisfactory user experience. A low-resolution panorama is stitched, and a user of the camera performs a review of the low-resolution panorama using a display comprised in the camera. During the review, a high-resolution panoramic photograph is stitched by the camera in a background process.
US07839428B2 Spectral band separation (SBS) modules, and color camera modules with non-overlap spectral band color filter arrays (CFAs)
Spectral Band Separation (SBS) modules including at least one dichroic element for imaging at least two different still or video images along non co-directional lines of sight for imaging purposes including inter alia displaying multiple 2D images, displaying Extended Field Of View (EFOV) images, stereoscopic imaging, 3D image rendering, and the like. The SBS modules can be implemented as discrete optical attachments for mounting on a color camera module or alternatively can be integrally formed therewith.
US07839423B2 Image display system with gaze directed zooming
An image display system includes an image display device; an image creating device which creates display image data of a display image displayed in the image display device; a face image pickup device which picks up a face image of a person to look at the display image; and a face front point detecting device which creates face image data from the face image, and detects a face front point as a point positioned in front of a face of the person on the display image on the basis of the face image data. Here, the display image data are data such that the display image has a plurality of regions. The image creating device specifies a specific region corresponding to the face front point from the plurality of the regions, and creates the display image data by increasing an amount of information provided from an image corresponding to the specific region.
US07839421B2 System and method for processing map data
A system and method is provided for assembling graphics information as a graphics display for presentation on a visual interface, the graphics information including a plurality of image tiles stored in a data store. The system and method comprise a management module for receiving a graphics request message and for coordinating processing of a selected number of the image tiles to generate at least one representative image tile as the graphics display in response to the graphics request message. The system and method also comprise a graphics system coupled to the management module for receiving processing information from the management module to facilitate access to the selected number of the image tiles. The selected number of image tiles are processed as a combination to generate the least one representative image tile, such that the graphics system includes graphics hardware such as a GPU/VPU configured for processing the graphics information.
US07839415B2 Method and system for improved internet color
The present invention provides a technique for providing color corrected images to a user over a network. In particular, the present invention allows multiple image providers to provide color corrected images to a user when the user's computer and its associated devices are not calibrated and/or characterized, or the calibration and/or characterization data is not available over the network to the image providers. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US07839413B2 Dithering method for an LCD
A dithering method for an LCD is disclosed and comprises a plurality of steps. First, a plurality of long-bit gray-level signals are received. Each of the long-bit gray-level signal is transformed to a short-bit gray-level signal and at least one LSB is obtained based on the bit length difference between the long-bit gray-level signal and the short-bit gray-level signal. A sequence of frames is generated by the short-bit gray-level signals, and the frames can be classified into different groups according to the LSB. The offset pattern is applied on the frames, wherein the offset pattern is displayed at the same polarity in the same column of each frame in the same group.
US07839412B2 Image display apparatus and image display method
The system control section 50 displays the entire original image as a display image, or scrolls a display image with a part of the original image being the display image, depending on relationship between the aspect ratios of the original image and the display area.
US07839407B2 Methods and apparatus for accelerated animation using point multiplication
A method for a computer system includes determining an animation variable response subspace within an animation variable response space associated with an animation variable, in response to a set of training data for the animation variable, determining a set of characteristic calculation key points configured to allow navigation within the animation variable response subspace, calculating animation variable response values for the set of characteristic calculation key points in the animation variable response subspace in response to input data for the animation variable, and predicting animation variable response values for a set of points within the animation variable response space in response to animation variable response values for the set of characteristic calculation key points in the animation variable response subspace.
US07839406B2 Methods and systems for enhancing display characteristics with ambient illumination input
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for adjusting image code values for enhanced image display.
US07839404B2 Systems and methods of direct volume rendering
A method and system of increasing the speed of a ray-casting algorithm for producing direct volume rendering images in the melt-through interaction mode. Since the viewing direction is not changed during a melt-through interaction, it is possible to reuse the samples calculated along each ray from one frame to another. The samples along each ray are partitioned into different groups, and the samples within each partition can be composited to generate an RGBA-tuple (Red Green Blue and Alpha, which is an opacity factor) for the partition. The associative property of the composition operation allows computation of the final RGBA value for each ray by compositing the RGBA-values of the partitions, instead of compositing the RGBA-values of each sample along the ray.
US07839402B2 Virtual endoscopy
In a virtual endoscopy method, an unfolding axis (100, 100′) substantially along an elongated lumen (150) is divided into axis segments (110). Ray casting directions (104) are selected extending generally radially from the axis segments. At least some of the ray casting directions are tilted away from a camera position (102). Ray casting is performed along the tilted ray casting directions to define pixel values that are arranged into an unfolded view. The ray casting employs at least one of (i) volume rendering and (ii) computing a statistical characteristic of voxels (238) over a preselected distance (dinterval) along the ray casting direction into the lumen-defining structure.
US07839399B2 System and method for volumetric display of video images extracted from arbitrary background environments
A system and method for volumetric display of video images extracted from arbitrary background environments comprising an arrangement for extracting a video image in real time from an arbitrary background and creating a stream of extracted image data in response thereto and a free space or volumetric display operationally adapted to display the stream.
US07839397B2 Display driver and display panel module
A display driver includes: a first memory circuit for storing a line of pixels constituting an image; a second memory circuit for storing pixels of the immediately previous line; an output terminal pair switch circuit which outputs voltages each corresponding to a value of a pixel stored in the first memory circuit to a plurality of output terminals respectively corresponding to the pixels; and an inter-terminal load determination circuit for determining, for every pair of selected columns of pixels constituting the image, whether or not a short circuit is to be established between two of the plurality of output terminals which respectively correspond to the two selected columns based on values of at least three out of four pixels belonging to the two selected columns which are stored in the first and second memory circuits. If the inter-terminal load determination circuit determines that a short circuit is to be established, the output terminal pair switch circuit temporarily establishes a short circuit between the two output terminals before the voltages corresponding to the values of the pixels are output to the two output terminals.
US07839395B2 Flat display apparatus and picture quality controlling method based on panel defects
A flat panel display device may improve picture quality by compensating a panel defect by use of a circuit and a picture quality controlling method.A flat panel display device includes a display panel. A memory stores a location information and a compensation value for a panel defect location on the display panel. A first converter calculates a brightness and color difference signals from red, green, blue video signals to be displayed in the display panel. The first converter expands the number of data bits of the brightness signal to generate the expanded brightness signal. A compensating part generates a compensated brightness signal by increasing or decreasing the expanded brightness signal of the video signal to be displayed in the panel defect location. A second converter calculates the red, green, blue signals from the color difference signal and the compensated brightness signal, and generates the compensated video signal by reducing the number of bits of the calculated red, green, blue signals. A drive circuit drives the display panel by use of the compensated video signal and the uncompensated video signal.
US07839394B2 Electronic pen device
Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.
US07839391B2 Segmented touch screen console with module docking
A segmented touch screen overlies the display or displays of a console having an operating system and display controller for the display. A touch screen controller is continuously connected to each of the touch screen segments and separate touch position information is obtained for each touch screen segment. The console operating system can be supplied with separate position information for each segment or with a single touch position for combined segments. A number of docking module ports near the display optionally receive docking modules that cover segments of the touch screen and display. A module, including tactile elements such as push button switches, can be docked at any port. When a module is detected, the touch screen segment under the module is disabled and the display under the module is switched to display module specific information.
US07839389B2 Information processing equipment and method for determining the priority of input keys thereof
Information processing equipment which changes the priority for operations executed in response to simultaneous manipulation of multiple keys in accordance with the operational stage in an application wherein the simultaneous manipulation is performed. Thus, an operation more suitable for the operational stage can be performed even if a user simultaneously manipulates multiple keys by mistake.
US07839387B2 Method, sensing device and optical pointing device including a sensing device for comparing light intensity between pixels
A method for operating an optical motion sensing device comprising a light source and a photodetector device, said method comprises the steps of: a) illuminating a surface portion with radiation by means of the light source; b) detecting radiation patterns reflected from the illuminated surface portion by means of the photodetector device; c) extracting motion features from the detected radiation patterns by comparing light intensity between neighbouring pixels of said photodetector device by means of comparators with a determined hysteresis threshold; d) detecting and measuring displacement with respect to the illuminated surface portion based on said extracted motion features; e) determining whether the optical motion sensing device is moving or at rest; f) adjusting said determined hysteresis threshold of the comparators between at least a low and a high hysteresis values, consisting in selecting said low hysteresis value when the optical motion sensing device is moving and selecting said high hysteresis value when the optical motion sensing device is at rest.
US07839385B2 Methods and systems for enhancing television applications using 3D pointing
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user.
US07839381B2 Driving method for an electrophoretic display with accurate greyscale and minimized average power consumption
An image is updated on a bi-stable display (310) such as an electrophoretic display in successive frame periods by accessing data defining a set of voltage waveforms for the successive frame periods. At least a portion of the bi-stable display is driven during the successive frame periods according to the accessed data so that a longer frame period (FT, 1302, 1304, 1402, 1502, 1602, 1702, 1802) is used during at least a first portion of the voltage waveforms, and a shorter frame period (FT′) is used during at least a second portion of the voltage waveforms. For example, the longer frame period may be an elongated frame period, which is the longest period during which each of the voltage waveforms has a respective constant voltage value.