| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07849515B2 |
Nanotweezer and scanning probe microscope equipped with nanotweezer
A nanotweezer (1) according to the present invention includes: a supporting member (25); an observation probe (10) that projects out from the supporting member (25), and is used when observing a surface of a specimen; a movable arm (20) that is arranged next to the observation probe (10) projecting out from the supporting member (25), and makes closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) to hold or release the specimen held between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20); and a drive mechanism that drives the movable arm (20) so as to make closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20), and the supporting member (25), the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) are each formed by processing a semiconductor wafer (30) through a photolithography process. |
| US07849514B2 |
Transparent encryption and access control for mass-storage devices
A system and method for securing data on a mass storage device. A centralized device permission store contains device identifiers for the mass storage devices to be secured along with keys of a symmetric cipher that have been encrypted with public keys or pass phrases of authorized users of the devices. A list of these users also contained in the store. A helper module provides the private key or pass phrase, for imported keys, needed to decrypt the key of the symmetric cipher, which is used to encrypt and decrypt blocks of data stored on the mass storage device. When a read request is made, a protection module intercepts the request, obtains the block from the mass storage device and decrypts the block. When a write request is made, the protection module intercepts the request, encrypts the block and has it stored on the mass storage device. |
| US07849510B2 |
System and method for transparent disk encryption
A data storage system providing transparent encryption. The data storage system has a hardware encryption/decryption engine and a register coupled to the hardware encryption/decryption engine. The register is for securely storing a key for encrypting and decrypting data. The key may not be read from outside the data storage system. More specifically, the key may not be read by the operating system. The user does not have access to the encryption key, but may have a password that is passed to a controller coupled to the encryption/decryption engine. The controller verifies the password and causes data received from main memory to be encrypted by the hardware encryption/decryption engine using the key. The controller also transfers the encrypted data to the data storage device. |
| US07849506B1 |
Switching device, method, and computer program for efficient intrusion detection
A switching device, method, and computer program utilizes a copy technique to detect unauthorized access to a communications network. An interface of the switching device is connected to receive an original packet and copy the original packet to create a copied packet. A processor within the switching device is operable to analyze information related to the original packet or the copied packet to detect an anomaly related to the original packet or the copied packet. The processor is further operable to cause the copied packet to be forwarded to an intrusion detection system within the communications network upon detecting the anomaly. |
| US07849505B2 |
System and method of selecting a virtual private network access server
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of selecting a virtual private network access server. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a client device to access a network resource via a virtual private network (VPN). The method also includes sending operational data related to each of a plurality of VPN access servers to the client device. The method also includes receiving a selection of one of the plurality of VPN access servers from the client device and communicatively connecting the client device with the selected one of the VPN access servers. |
| US07849502B1 |
Apparatus for monitoring network traffic
A data processing apparatus can perform HTTP traffic monitoring and filtering of HTTP requests from clients and responses from servers. Example apparatus comprises a processor, a first network interface to a protected network, a second network interface to an external network, and a traffic monitor having an address-domain name database, a firewall rules manager, and a DNS snooper. The traffic monitor accesses a blacklist and can perform receiving, from a client computer, a request to access a resource in the external network; blocking the request to the resource when a user agent of the client is in the blacklist as malicious software or when a file extension in a response to the request is in the blacklist; requesting, from a web reputation service, and receiving a reputation score indicating a reputation of the resource; blocking sending the request to the resource when the reputation is below a specified threshold. |
| US07849498B2 |
System and user interface supporting context sharing between concurrently operating applications
A system and associated communication protocol enables network compatible applications to be integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system for use in a first application concurrently operating together with a plurality of network compatible applications includes an entitlement processor. The entitlement processor enables user access to the first application in response to validation of user identification information. The system also includes a communication processor for intermittently communicating an activity indication to a managing application within a timeout window and the activity indication is communicated sufficiently often to prevent an inactivity timeout of the first application. The managing application receives activity indications from multiple concurrently operating applications sufficiently frequently to prevent an inactivity timeout of the individual applications and maintains corresponding activity monitoring indicators. |
| US07849496B2 |
Providing enterprise management of amorphous communities
A method of managing online communities within an online community management system can include declaratively specifying a taxonomy of online community types, declaratively specifying a plurality of roles for members of online communities, and declaratively specifying a security policy that associates permissions with roles and online community types. A plurality of online community profiles can be maintained. Each online community profile can represent an online community, specify an online community type from the taxonomy, and specify a list of members of that online community as well as an associated role for each member. Access can be provided to a selected online community according to the online community type of the selected online community, a role within the selected online community that is associated with a user attempting to access the selected online community, and the security policy. |
| US07849495B1 |
Method and apparatus for passing security configuration information between a client and a security policy server
Techniques for passing security configuration information between a security policy server and a client includes the client forming a request for security configuration information that configures the client for secure communications. The client is separated by an untrusted network from a trusted network that includes the security policy sever. A tag is generated that indicates a generic security configuration attribute. An Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP) configuration mode request message is sent to a security gateway on an edge of the trusted network connected to the untrusted network. The message includes the request in association with the tag. The gateway sends the request associated with the tag to the security policy server on the trusted network and does not interpret the request. The techniques allow client configuration extensions to be added by modifying the policy server or security client, or both, without modifying the gateway. |
| US07849492B2 |
Receiving accumulating apparatus, sending apparatus, broadcasting system, receive accumulating method, sending method, broadcasting method, program and medium
A broadcasting system comprises a transmission apparatus, which multiplexes stream-format data based on a stream transmission protocol and file-format data based on a file transmission protocol with each other and sends them as a single stream, and receiving apparatuses which receive and temporarily accumulate stream-format data and file-format data which are sent as they are multiplexed with each other, and stream-format data and file-format data are temporarily accumulated as they directly are in the form of a single stream, all or some of file-format data are reproduced later at predetermined timing and accumulated once again as a file. |
| US07849491B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless video gaming
Apparatus for video gaming includes a box having a slot with an interface that connects to a game card providing a platform to run a software video game. The game card outputs video game data through the interface at a data rate of approximately 200 Mbps or greater. A unit processes the video game data for output to a display device. A wireless transceiver is included to receive the software video game via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and to transmit game information to a remote player having access to the WLAN during interactive play of the software video game. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07849490B2 |
Method and apparatus providing scalability for channel change requests in a switched digital video system
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing scalability for channel change requests in a Switched Digital Video system is presented. A request for a channel change is received. A determination is made regarding whether a channel requested by the request for a channel change is currently being provided to the settop box. When the channel requested by the request for a channel change is being provided to the settop box then the request for a channel change is buffered for transmission at a later time. When the channel requested by the request for a channel change is not being provided to the settop box then the request for a channel change is immediately sent to an SDV server in communication with the settop box. |
| US07849489B2 |
System and method for supporting extended protocols in a wireless communication system
A cable modem system and method is provided for supporting data transfer protocols that extend beyond standard protocols used in conventional data over cable systems. A cable modem in accordance with the invention determines, during registration, whether a CMTS with which it communicates is capable of supporting an extended protocol, and if it is, transfers data to the CMTS in accordance with the extended protocol. Additionally, a CMTS in accordance with the invention is notified during registration whether or not a cable modem supports an extended protocol and stores this information. When a request for transmission opportunity is subsequently received from the cable modem, the CMTS accesses the stored information to determine if the cable modem supports the extended protocol. If the cable modem supports the extended protocol, the CMTS processes data received from the cable modem during the transmission opportunity in accordance with that protocol. |
| US07849486B2 |
Networked subscriber television distribution
A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change. |
| US07849480B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US07849479B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US07849473B2 |
Optical disk apparatus with shared driving source mechanism
A traverse chassis supported in a swingable manner with respect to the main chassis and a disk transport plate provided along an opening are provided in the main chassis. The transport plate has a base part having a slender rectangular shape in plan view and a transport roller provided in the surface of the base part so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the base part. The transport roller is provided such that its rotationally-moving shaft extends in parallel to an X direction, and an optical disk mounted on these components is loaded into or unloaded from an optical disk apparatus by rotation of the transport roller. |
| US07849472B1 |
System for instrumenting resources utilizing WS-management resource MBean wrappers for JAXB beans
An approach is provided in embodiments of the present invention for utilizing Java™ Management Extensions (JMX) as a back end to “instrument” (i.e. monitor and control) computer system resources, including servers, devices, and applications etc., within standard resource management model(s) that are external to Java™. For example, JMX can be used as a back end to instrument WS-Management resources—in particular, JMX MBeans can be used to implement Common Information Model (CIM) WS-Management resources. |
| US07849470B2 |
System and method for extending a programming language to include multiple dissimilar object systems
The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method for extending a programming language to interact with foreign object systems. Through the use of an opaque interface, a requesting unit may interact with multiple foreign object systems. A single set of procedures written into the opaque interface and accessible by the requesting unit enable the requesting unit to interact with the foreign object systems. The foreign object systems register with the opaque interface. The registration process for the object systems includes the creation and registration of a defined set of functions, the format for which is provided by the opaque interface. The defined set of functions are called by the procedures in the opaque interface and execute in the object system. The results of the function execution are returned to the requesting unit thereby extending the foreign object system capabilities to the requesting unit. |
| US07849466B2 |
Controlling execution mode of program threads by applying a mask to a control register in a multi-threaded processor
A multithreaded processor device is disclosed and includes a processor that is configured to execute a plurality of executable program threads and a mode control register. The mode control register includes a first data field to control a first execution mode of a first of the plurality of executable program threads and a second data field to control a second execution mode of a second of the plurality of executable program threads. In a particular embodiment, the first execution mode is a run mode and the second execution mode is a low power mode. |
| US07849460B1 |
System and methods for generic installation prerequisite verification
A framework for defining and performing installation prerequisite checking using a generic template includes identifying a candidate agent and a corresponding prerequisite check from among a plurality of predetermined prerequisite checks. The prerequisite checks are indicative of installability of the candidate agent on a host computer. An install engine generates a prerequisite script bundle based on a set of configuration parameters corresponding to the candidate agent and the identified prerequisite check. The configuration parameters are defined in a template format adapted to define a plurality of configuration parameter sets, enabling a single generic prerequisite check format to define the configuration parameters. The install engine invokes the script bundle inclusive of the script on the host computer for computing the installation status, (i.e. prerequisite check results) of the candidate agent based on the results. |
| US07849454B2 |
Automatic firmware corruption recovery and update
Firmware for a baseboard management controller (BMC) of a blade server module in an information handling system may have automatic firmware corruption recovery and updating through a TFTP transfer from a central storage location having the most recent BMC firmware image. Upon blade power-on or reset the BMC firmware image is checked for corruption and if corrupted a new BMC firmware image is loaded into the BMC memory. If the BMC firmware image is not corrupted then it is checked to determine if it is the latest version. If it is the latest version the BMC starts normal program execution. If not the latest version then the BMC firmware is updated through the TFTP transfer from the central storage location having the most recent BMC firmware image. |
| US07849450B1 |
Devices, methods and computer program products for reverse execution of a simulation
Devices, methods, and software program products for reverse execution of a simulation and/or tracing a value are provided. A state of a preceding checkpoint may be restored and a simulation may be run forward. Break points or watch points may be noted and the state of the last occurring breakpoint or watch point preceding the current simulation position may be restored. If no breakpoint or watch point occurred, an earlier checkpoint may be loaded and the previous steps may be repeated. |
| US07849448B2 |
Technique for determining web services vulnerabilities and compliance
A technique for testing applications for vulnerabilities that may be as a result of loosely defined criteria and restrictions associated with interfacing to the applications. Interfaces associated with an application to be tested are identified. The interfaces may include the names of services provided by the application as well as parameters that are passed to the services. One or more mutant requests containing one or more mutations are then generated based on the identified interfaces. The application is then attacked by forwarding the mutant requests to the application. Vulnerabilities of the application that were exposed as a result of the attack are then detected. |
| US07849443B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing selective and subtractive merges in a software configuration
Method and apparatus for managing software configurations include a version history member representing changes between versions of artifacts forming different configurations of a subject software program. Indicated in version history member is any selective merge between artifact versions. Also indicated in the version history member is any subtractive merge between artifact versions. A selective merge arc and a subtractive merge arc are respective examples. |
| US07849438B1 |
Enterprise software development process for outsourced developers
An enterprise development process for outsourced software development is provided. The process includes generating, by a business unit of an entity or organization, a concept requiring one or more computer applications, such as a project. An information technology unit of the entity may then create an integrated architecture blueprint including a design of at least a portion of the one or more computer applications. One or more outsourced suppliers of the entity, design at least a portion of the application according to the integrated architecture blueprint. The information technology unit integrates the application into a computing production environment of the entity. |
| US07849437B2 |
Object oriented web application framework
A framework for implementing web-based applications using standard object-oriented programming techniques. The framework may be implemented by computer-executable components executable by a Web browser is provided. The components include a resource creation method for creating resource objects, a page interpreter creating instances of objects based on bindings defined in a web-page, and a lifecycle management component for managing instances of the objects. |
| US07849435B1 |
Utilizing multiple test bitstreams to avoid localized defects in partially defective programmable integrated circuits
Methods and structures utilizing multiple configuration bitstreams to program integrated circuits (ICs) such as programmable logic devices, thereby enabling the utilization of partially defective ICs. A user design is implemented two or more times, preferably utilizing different programmable resources as much as possible in each configuration bitstream. The resulting user configuration bitstreams are stored along with associated test bitstreams in a memory device, e.g., a programmable read-only memory (PROM). Under the control of a configuration control circuit or device, the test bitstreams are loaded into a partially defective IC and tested using an automated testing procedure. When a test bitstream is found that enables the associated user design to function correctly in the programmed IC, i.e., that avoids the defective programmable resources in the IC, the associated user bitstream is loaded into the IC, the configuration procedure terminates, and the programmed IC begins to function according to the user design. |
| US07849433B2 |
Integrated circuit with uniform polysilicon perimeter density, method and design structure
Disclosed are embodiments of forming an integrated circuit with a desired decoupling capacitance and with the uniform and targeted across-chip polysilicon perimeter density. The method includes laying out functional blocks to form the circuit according to the design and also laying out one or more decoupling capacitor blocks to achieve the desired decoupling capacitance. Then, local polysilicon perimeter densities of the blocks are determined and, as necessary, the decoupling capacitor blocks are reconfigured in order to adjust for differences in the local polysilicon perimeter densities. This reconfiguring is performed in a manner that essentially maintains the desired decoupling capacitance. Due to the across-chip polysilicon perimeter density uniformity, functional devices in different regions of the chip will exhibit limited performance parameter variations (e.g., limited threshold voltage variations). Also disclosed herein are embodiments of an integrated circuit structure formed according to the method embodiments and a design structure for the integrated circuit. |
| US07849432B2 |
Shallow trench isolation dummy pattern and layout method using the same
A dummy cell pattern for shallow trench isolation (STI). Active and shallow trench isolation areas are bounded by a circumference. An active area pattern completely overlaps the active area and a first polysilicon pattern in the shallow trench isolation area is outside the active area pattern. Layout methods using the same are also disclosed. |
| US07849429B2 |
Methods for conserving memory in statistical static timing analysis
A method is provided for memory conservation in statistical static timing analysis. A timing graph is created with a timing run in a statistical static timing analysis program. A plurality of nodes in the timing graph that are candidates for a partial store and constraint points are identified. Timing data is persistently stored at constraint points. The persistent timing data is retrieved from the constraint points and used to calculate intermediate timing data at the plurality of nodes during timing analysis. |
| US07849425B1 |
Generating self-checking test cases from a reduced case analysis graph using path inheritance
A method, system and apparatus for constructing a comprehensive test plan for a design under test (DUT) using a hierarchy of goals to generate test cases are provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide for automatically generating a first test case of the test plan from the goal hierarchy by traversing a path from a starting goal to an ending goal, wherein a first goal in the path has a first definition for one or more of a slot and a method. The ending goal of will then assume the first definition of the slot or method, as needed. A further aspect of the invention is generating a second test case by traversing a second path through the hierarchy. If the second path involves traversing a second goal with a second definition of the slot or method, then the ending goal will assume the second definition of the slot or method, as needed. |
| US07849424B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for controlling electrical and optical properties of transparent conductors
Systems, devices, and methods for designing and/or manufacturing transparent conductors. A system is operable to evaluate optical and electrical manufacturing criteria for a transparent conductor. The system includes a database including stored reference transparent conductor data, and a controller subsystem configured to compare input acceptance manufacturing criteria for a transparent conductor to stored reference transparent conductor data. |
| US07849422B2 |
Efficient cell swapping system for leakage power reduction in a multi-threshold voltage process
A method for designing an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of (A) calculating an efficiency value for each of a plurality of equivalent cells in the design; and (B) selecting a number of the plurality of equivalent cells based on the efficiency values. The equivalent cells (i) decrease an overall delay of a path to meet a timing specification, and (ii) minimize an increase in overall leakage current. |
| US07849421B2 |
Virtual mouse driving apparatus and method using two-handed gestures
A virtual mouse driving apparatus and method for processing a variety of gesture commands as equivalent mouse commands based on two-handed gesture information obtained by a video camera are provided. The virtual mouse driving method includes: keeping track of an input gesture input with the video camera; removing a background portion of the input gesture image and extracting a left-hand region and a right-hand region from the input gesture image whose background portion has been removed; recognizing a left-hand gesture and a right-hand gesture from the extracted left-hand region and the extracted right-hand region, respectively, and recognizing gesture commands corresponding to the recognition results; and executing the recognized gesture commands. |
| US07849418B2 |
Segregation of redundant control bits in an ECC permuted, systematic modulation code
Segregation of redundant control bits in an ECC permuted, systematic modulation code. Appropriately encoding of user information via combined modulation and RS (Reed-Solomon) encoding ensures segregation of scrambled user information, modulation redundancy bits, and RS redundancy bits in such a way that each of the components thereof are segregated and stored within any desirable digital information memory storage device. By providing this segregated capability, when accessing a portion of a RS codeword from the memory, an entire RS codeword need not be read from the memory. In fact, only the particular field (or bits) needs to be accessed to perform correction thereon. This segregation provides for a reduction in the hardware complexity of translation between user information and a modulation codeword. Also, this segregation provides for the ability to perform correction of only one of the scrambled user information, the modulation redundancy bits, or the RS redundancy bits. |
| US07849417B2 |
Image display system, image display method and image display program
An image display system includes a server having a first image database that stores a first image having a first file format for movable image display; a second image database that stores a second image having the same display contents as the first image and a second file format for static image display; and an image distributor for distributing, in response to an image display request from a user terminal, the first and second images corresponding to the request. The user terminal has a movable image display unit for movably displaying the first image from the server; a static image display unit for statically displaying the second image; and a switch for switching the movable image display unit and the static image display unit. |
| US07849415B1 |
Communication terminal
A communication apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has an input/output (I/O) controller and a processor hosting a number of applications. The I/O controller responds to messages encoded according to a defined markup language. The applications communicate using the structure of the defined markup language. |
| US07849414B2 |
Edge anti-aliasing
Techniques for anti-aliasing of graphical objects. A graphical object to be displayed on a display image may be modified to include a border region at least partially surrounding the object. The color of the border region may be selected based on the color of the background over which the graphical object is to be displayed. The graphical object is linearly filtered. The linearly filtered graphical object is displayed on a display device. |
| US07849411B1 |
Enabling participation in an online community using visual machine-readable symbols
A facility for coordinating an online discussion is described. The facility receives an indication that a user has captured a machine-readable symbol encoding an identifier that identifies a particular online discussion. In response, the facility incorporates into an online forum that hosts this online discussion an indication that this user captured a symbol encoding an identifier that identifies this online discussion. |
| US07849410B2 |
Pointing-control system for multipoint conferences
A pointing-control system for multipoint conferences includes a plurality of computers, a gateway, a display, a conference-control module and a pointing-control module. The computers are connected through a wired or wireless network with the gateway. The computer with the highest priority number is defined as the host computer having the right to assign any of the computers to be the report computer. The conference-control module can demonstrate a presentation frame of the report computer on the display through the gateway. The pointing-control module is used to capture pointing coordinates of pointing apparatuses of the respective computers, and further to display the pointing coordinates on the presentation frame of the display. |
| US07849409B2 |
System and method for transferring Web-based information
A method for transferring Web-based information over a network to a personal information management system includes selecting a set of Web-based information and creating a transfer request. The transfer request includes the set of Web-based information and an address for a server associated with the personal information management system. The server is in communication with the network and has access to calendar and contact data for a set of users. The transfer request is sent to the server and the set of Web-based information is stored at the server and associated with at least one user from the set of users. |
| US07849406B2 |
Apparatus and method for authoring
The present invention is designed to display a matrix plane on which a time axis and an axis of applicable levels corresponding to a predetermined keyword cross each other, arrange and display identifiers indicating scenes obtained by dividing a moving image file into predetermined segments on the matrix plane and decide, when the positions of the identifiers arranged on the matrix plane are moved to desired positions, the applicable levels corresponding to the positions of the identifiers arranged on the matrix plane as the applicable levels of the scene corresponding to the identifiers. This makes it possible to improve the operability of assignment of keywords and applicable levels to a picture scene and visually check the situation of assignment of the keywords and applicable levels. |
| US07849405B1 |
Contextual user-contributed help information for a software application
A system and method for displaying contextual, user-contributed help information in a software application are disclosed. The software application may display a series of user interface screens that guide a user through a process. For each of at least a subset of the screens, the software application may be operable to display contextual help information for the screen, where the contextual help information includes information that has been contributed by other users of the software application. The software application may also enable the user to contribute new help information related to various ones of the screens, e.g., so that the new help information is subsequently viewable by other users of the software application. |
| US07849404B2 |
System for determining whether screen displayed by program satisfies specification
It is determined whether a plurality of screens to be sequentially displayed by a process of a program satisfies a specification without executing this program. A system of the present invention stores a first schema prescribing a specification of a first screen, a second schema prescribing a specification of a second screen, and an event switching the display by program from the first screen to the second screen. First, a partial program executed in response to an event generated during displaying the screen satisfying the first schema is extracted from a program on the basis of the first schema and the event. Next, an intermediate program for calculating a set of screens being displayed in response to an event generated during displaying screens in a set of screens satisfying the first schema from this set is generated on the basis of the partial program. Next, it is determined that these screens satisfy a specification on condition that the first screen satisfies the first schema and a set of screens obtained by applying the intermediate program to the first schema satisfies the second schema. |
| US07849401B2 |
Method and system for enabling collaborative authoring of hierarchical documents with locking
A method in a computer system is disclosed for enabling authors to work on hierarchical documents. The method comprises retrieving a hierarchical document from a server computing device, modifying the retrieved hierarchical document, sending an indication of the modification to the server computing device, and when the modification cannot be applied on the server computing device, reverting the modified hierarchical document to a current form of the hierarchical document on the server computing device. A system is disclosed for receiving an indication to lock a node, the indication identifying an owner of the lock, receiving an indication of a request to mutate the node, determining whether the request is from a user other than the owner of the lock, and when the user is not the owner of the lock, denying the request. |
| US07849399B2 |
Method and system for tracking authorship of content in data
A method and system for tracking authorship of content in data is described, wherein the method and system may be employed in collaborative text editing systems or in word processing applications to identify and track the contributions of individual authors. The method comprises aligning at least a portion of data from old or reference data with at least a portion of the data from new or target data, repeating the acts of aligning at least a portion of the data, storing any aligned data until no significant alignment of the data is obtained, and storing any unaligned data and authorship information. |
| US07849398B2 |
Decision criteria for automated form population
A method is provided for selecting fields of an electronic form for automatic population with candidate text segments. The candidate text segments can be obtained by capturing an image of a document, applying optical character recognition to the captured image to identify textual content, and tagging candidate text segments in the textual content for fields of the form. The method includes, for each of a plurality of fields of the form, computing a field exclusion function based on at least one parameter selected from a text length parameter, an optical character recognition error rate, a tagging error rate, and a field relevance parameter; and determining whether to select the field for automatic population based on the computed field exclusion function. |
| US07849397B1 |
System and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing
A system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing includes a computing system implemented process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing whereby as data fields are accessed in a specific sequence by a user to enter data associated with a first item, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed is learned/stored. Then the data fields are accessed in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all subsequent items until the trainable data field sequencing feature is deactivated. |
| US07849391B2 |
Early detection of false start-of-packet triggers in a wireless network node
An apparatus, a carrier medium storing instructions to implement a method, and a method in a node of a wireless network able to receive packets that exactly or substantially conform to a wireless network standard according to which each packet includes a header having bits that have respective correct values in the case that the packet exactly conforms to the standard. The method includes receiving a start-of-packet (SOP) trigger that indicates that a packet may have been received, checking one or more bits in the header to determine whether or not they have their respective correct values, and continuing to process the packet in the case that the checking indicates that the checked bits have their respective correct values. In one implementation, the header includes a first field modulated at a known rate that has one or more reserved bit locations, and a second field modulated at a data rate indicated in the first field. In such an implementation, the checking includes processing the first field and checking one or more bits in the first field to determine whether or not they have their respective correct values, and, if the checked bits of the first field have their respective correct values, checking the second field for integrity. |
| US07849388B2 |
Signal decoding method and device, and signal storage system
An LDPC unit decoder included in a signal decoding device is provided with a parity checking unit that is a multiplier for performing multiplication of a check matrix (parity check matrix) and temporary estimated values of an encoded signal, computed by a temporary estimated value computation unit. A check matrix holding unit holds the check matrix. If s and t are natural numbers, s≧t≧2, among s columns extracted from this check matrix, t columns or less have a linearly independent relationship. These s columns are multiplied at locations where error occurrence frequency is relatively high, with regard to the temporary estimated values. According to this mode, the matrix is composed to include t columns that are linearly independent, that is, t columns that are not linearly dependent. |
| US07849384B2 |
System and method of processing video data
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of correcting video data errors. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a stream of data packets at a re-generator of an Internet Protocol (IP) video transport stream. The stream of data packets includes a plurality of IP media packets and a plurality of forward error correction (FEC) packets. The method also includes determining an error profile of an error within the plurality of IP media packets. The method includes identifying one of the plurality of FEC packets, where the identified FEC packet is associated with an error correction code corresponding to the error profile. The method also includes selecting an inverse FEC function from a plurality of inverse FEC functions. The selected inverse FEC function corresponds to the identified FEC packet. |
| US07849380B2 |
Interleaver mode detection in a digital video receiver
A method and apparatus for decoding received digital data representing video, audio, information or a combination thereof. After a forward error correction (FEC) frame sync lock is detected, a counter is incremented corresponding to the number of identical control words decoded from the received data. If the number of identical control words is above a threshold value, the control word is used to operate the decoder in a mode corresponding to the control word. Otherwise, the system repeats the operation of determining whether a FEC frame sync lock is detected. |
| US07849371B2 |
Time lag measuring device, distance measuring apparatus and distance measuring method
In measuring a certain time lag between generations of two pulse signals, a time lag measuring device prevents errors in measurement results even with an error in two reference signals for measuring the time lag. The device measures a time lag between a start signal M1 and a stop signal M2 and includes a reference signal generating section 41 generating two reference signals S1, S2 having a phase difference π/2, and an amplitude detecting section 42 detects amplitudes A11, A12 and A21, A22 of the reference signals S1, S2 at generation timings for the start signal M1 and the stop signal M2, a phase difference detecting section 43 calculating a phase _ of the reference signals S according to each set of the amplitudes (A11, A12) and (A21, A22), and a correcting section 46 correcting the calculated phase using correction data for error correction in the reference signals S1, S2. |
| US07849370B2 |
Jitter producing circuitry and methods
To facilitate measurement of the jitter tolerance of circuitry such as serializer/deserializer (SERDES) circuitry, test circuitry is provided that can add jitter to a data signal. The jitter added is preferably controllable and variable with respect to such parameters as jitter frequency (i.e., how rapid is the jitter) and/or amplitude (i.e., how large or great is the amount of the jitter). |
| US07849367B2 |
Method for performing a corrective action upon a sub-system
A server self health monitor (SHM) system monitors the health of the server it resides on. The health of a server is determined by the health of all of a server's sub-systems and deployed applications. The SHM may make health check inquiries to server sub-systems periodically or based on external trigger events. The sub-systems perform self health checks on themselves and provide sub-system health information to requesting entities such as the SHM. Sub-systems self health updates may be based on internal events such as counters or changes in status or based on external entity requests. Corrective action may be performed upon sub-systems by the SHM depending on their health status or the health status of the server. Corrective action may also be performed by a sub-system upon itself. |
| US07849363B2 |
Troubleshooting support device, troubleshooting support method and storage medium having program stored therein
A troubleshooting support device includes a keyword file storage unit in which keyword files holding keywords constituted with character strings contained in logs related to trouble that occurs in the substrate processing apparatus stored in advance, are stored. A keyword to be used for log search, selected from a keyword file specified based upon input information provided via an input unit, is set and also, a category-specific log file to be used for log analysis is set based upon input information provided via the input unit. Logs in the category-specific log file having been set are extracted and incorporated, and an analysis log file is created by sorting the extracted logs in time sequence. When the logs in the analysis log file are displayed at a display unit, a log containing the keyword having been set is located by searching through the analysis log file and is displayed in a highlighted display. |
| US07849362B2 |
Method and system of coherent design verification of inter-cluster interactions
A method and system comprises creating a test case that is dependent upon known sequences and executing the test case on an originating processor until it reaches a known point. The method further includes executing the test case on a different processor to perform an action and informing the originating processor that the action was taken. The action is verified as being occurred with the originating processor. |
| US07849356B2 |
Parity data management system apparatus and method
An apparatus for parity data management receives a write command and write data from a computing device. The apparatus also builds a parity control structure corresponding to updating a redundant disk array with the write data and stores the parity control structure in a persistent memory buffer of the computing device. The apparatus also updates the redundant disk array with the write data in accordance with a parity control map and restores the RAID controller parity map from the parity control structure as part of a data recovery operation if updating the redundant disk array with the write data is interrupted by a RAID controller failure resulting in a loss of the RAID controller parity map. In certain embodiments, the parity control structure is a RAID controller parity map. |
| US07849355B2 |
Distributed object sharing system and method thereof
A distributed object sharing system and a method thereof are provided. In a file server writing method for storing an object in a RAID (redundant array of inexpensive disks) apparatus having a plurality of storage apparatuses, the file server writing method includes: a first process of, when an object writing command for a specific object is generated during error recovery in an erroneous storage apparatus, checking a recovery state of the object with reference to recovery state information provided from a metadata server; a second process of, when the recovery of the object is completed, performing the object writing command on a normal storage apparatus and a recovery storage apparatus; a third process of, when the recovery of the object is proceeding, receiving the recovery state information from the metadata server again, checking the recovery state of the object again, and determining whether or not to perform the second process; a fourth process of, when the second process is determined not to performed, performing the object writing command on only the normal storage apparatus and receiving the recovery state information from the metadata server again; and a fifth process of checking the recovery state of the object with reference to the received recovery state information and, when the recovery of the object is completed, additionally performing the object writing command on the recovery storage apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent data loss and perform I/O command during error recovery. |
| US07849351B2 |
Power and data redundancy in a single wiring closet
Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a first network device and a second network device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices and coupled together and to a third network device (such as a PD) via a Y device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of network devices, and coupling a port of each of the network devices to the Y device and from there to a third port where a third network device such as a PD may be coupled. Because the Y device is essentially passive, communications paths between the PSE devices and the PD are provided for negotiating master/slave status and other status and related information among the respective network devices. Dynamic impedance matching is provided to handle situations where not all devices are plugged in and as a communications technique among the devices. |
| US07849350B2 |
Responding to a storage processor failure with continued write caching
A technique responds to a storage processor failure. The technique involves performing write-back caching operations using a cache of a first storage processor, and mirroring data from the cache of the first storage processor to a cache of a second storage processor. The technique further involves, after of a failure of the second storage processor in which the second storage processor becomes unavailable, continuing to perform write-back caching operations using the cache of the first storage processor while the second storage processor remains unavailable. A cache controller is capable of being modified so that any write data in the cache of the first storage processor persists if the first storage processor encounters a failure thus preventing loss of the cached write data. |
| US07849340B2 |
Data transmission system and link state managing method thereof using turn-off acknowledgement and electrical idle waiting timeouts
A peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) data transmission system and link state managing method thereof are disclosed. The PCIE data transmission system includes an upstream device, a downstream device and a link. When the link is in a first link state, the downstream device and the upstream device transmit data normally via the link. When the upstream device outputs a turn-off signal to the downstream device, a time period is counted. The downstream device outputs an acknowledging signal to response the turn-off signal. If the upstream device does not receive the acknowledging signal within the time period, the link is transited from the first link state to second link state to remove the power of the link. |
| US07849338B2 |
Communication device and method for saving static power consumption of communication device
A communication device and a method for saving static power consumption of communication device are disclosed. The communication device mainly includes a plurality of service units; and a power control circuit, cutting off power supply of at least one service unit of the plurality of service units according to a control signal. The method mainly includes: receiving a control signal; cutting off power supply of at least one service unit in the communication device according to the control signal. According to the scheme, power supply of at least one service unit of the communication device may be cut off according to application requirements, to save the static power of the device, and reduce the static power consumption of the wideband parts of Integrated Voice Data (IVD) line card. |
| US07849336B1 |
Boost voltage generation
Embodiments for generating a boost voltage in a computing platform are disclosed. |
| US07849335B2 |
System and method for providing a communication enabled UPS power system for information handling systems
A system and method for providing a communication enabled UPS power system for information handling system is disclosed. According to one aspect, an information handling system can be used to communicate with a power source using a first power cable. The information handling system can include a power circuit operable to power a portion of an information handling system using input power provided by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The information handling system can also include a UPS controller coupled to the power circuit. The UPS controller can control the output of the first UPS using a first power cable operable to provide the input power to power the portion of the information handling system. |
| US07849331B2 |
Program update method and server
A system including a secure LSI 1 establishes a communication path to/from a server 3 (UD1), and receives a common key-encrypted program generated by encryption with a common key and transmitted from the server 3 (UD6 and UD7). The received common key-encrypted program is decrypted to generate a raw program, and the raw program is re-encrypted with an inherent key to newly generate an inherent key-encrypted program, which is stored in an external memory. |
| US07849330B2 |
Apparatus and method for secure data disposal
When data is stored for a certain retention period, well prior to the expiration date, the storage controller starts encryption of data on a certain volume while ensuring data access from hosts, and repeats read and write of the data predefined number of times while also ensuring data access from hosts. When the expiration date is reached and if the encryption completes, the storage controller dispose of the encryption keys. Using this technique, one can reuse the volume for other purposes as soon as the expiration is reached. Because one can start this process even much earlier than the expiration date, one can balance the workload of the controller by scheduling the process in order to avoid the peak of the workload for the data disposal process. Also, it is possible to minimize the period to manage encryption keys which makes key management easier. |
| US07849328B2 |
Systems and methods for secure sharing of information
Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system. A method for providing secure restricted access to a digital asset includes: encrypting, by a first computing device, a digital asset; creating, by the first computing device, an executable file, the executable file comprising the encrypted digital asset, permission information associated with the digital asset, and executable code for decrypting and viewing the digital asset; creating, by the first computing device, a digital signature corresponding to the executable file; and transmitting, to a second computing device, the executable file and the digital signature. Corresponding systems and computer readable media with executable instructions are also described. |
| US07849327B2 |
Technique to virtualize processor input/output resources
A technique to improve the performance of virtualized input/output (I/O) resources of a microprocessor within a virtual machine environment. More specifically, embodiments of the invention enable accesses of virtualized I/O resources to be made by guest software without necessarily invoking host software. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention enable more efficient delivery of interrupts to guest software by alleviating the need for host software to be invoked in the delivery process. |
| US07849326B2 |
Method and system for protecting master secrets using smart key devices
A data processing system accepts a removable hardware device, which becomes electrically engaged with a system unit within the data processing system, after which the removable hardware device and the hardware security unit mutually authenticate themselves. The removable hardware device stores a private key of a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the hardware security unit, and the hardware security unit stores a private key of the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the removable hardware device. In response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation between the removable hardware device and the hardware security unit, the system unit is enabled to invoke cryptographic functions on the hardware security unit while the removable hardware device remains electrically engaged with the system unit. |
| US07849321B2 |
Authentication method of random partial digitized path recognition with a challenge built into the path
An interactive method for authentication is based on two shared secrets, including a first shared secret in the form of an ordered path on the frame of reference, and a second shared secret in the form of locations on the frame of reference at which characters identifying a subset of the ordered path are to be displayed. An instance of the frame of reference comprises a set of characters which is arranged in a random or other irregular pattern. Authentication requires that a user enter the characters in the displayed instance of the frame of reference found in the locations in the random subset of the ordered path by indicating characters either in these locations, or any other locations having the same characters. Thus, a secret challenge identifying the random partial subset is embedded within the displayed instance of the graphical representation of the frame of reference. |
| US07849318B2 |
Method for session security
A secret string is established so as to be known only to a client computing system and a server computing system. A non-encrypted version of a message, a message counter value, and first hash value are received by the server computing system from the client computing system. The first hash value, based on a content of the message, the message counter value, and the secret string, is generated at the client computing system using a first hash algorithm. Using the first hash algorithm, the server generates second hash value based on the content of the received message, the received message counter value, and the secret string. The server computing system accepts the received non-encrypted version of the message as authentic upon determining that the received message counter value is greater than a previously received message counter value and that the second hash value matches the first hash value. |
| US07849317B2 |
Method for mail address block image information encoding, protection and recovery in postal payment applications
The present invention uses an element of digital data that is created during digital postage mark (DPM) generation process from the digital image of the destination address block. The digital data is included into recoverable portion of the digital signature and imprinted on a mailpiece. During DPM verification, a representative portion of a destination address block image is retrieved in its original form from the digital signature itself. The retrieved portion of the image then can be compared with the similar digital data obtained from the scanned destination address block obtained during normal mail scanning and processing activities. If the comparison is under a predetermined threshold, then the DPM is declared authentic and the mailpiece can be processed and delivered with confidence. If, on the other hand, the threshold is not met, the DPM is declared a copy or a counterfeit of another DPM and the mailpiece can be subjected to further investigation. |
| US07849315B2 |
Method for managing operability of on-chip debug capability
A method for managing operability of an on-chip debug capability (24) in a product (26) configured to execute software (30) includes storing (74, 76) a debug public key (40) and an operational public key (44) in product memory (54). The software (30) with either a debug signature (82) or an operational signature (88) is saved (84) in the memory (56). When enablement indication is received, the debug signature (82) is validated (102) using the debug public key (40). The debug capability (24) is enabled upon validation of the signature (82) and the software (30) is allowed to execute. When disablement indication is received, the operational signature (88) is verified (112) using the operational public key (44). The on-chip debug capability (24) is disabled upon verification of the signature (88) and the software (30) is allowed to execute. |
| US07849310B2 |
Switching between secure and non-secure processing modes
A data processing system including a processor operable in a plurality of modes and in either a secure domain or a non-secure domain. The system includes at least one secure mode being a mode in the secure domain, at least one non-secure mode being a mode in the non-secure domain, and a monitor mode. When the processor is executing a program in a secure mode the program has access to secure data which is not accessible when the processor is operating in a non-secure mode. Switching between the secure and non-secure modes takes place via the monitor mode and the processor is operable at least partially in the monitor mode to execute a monitor program managing switching between the secure and non-secure modes. |
| US07849309B1 |
Method of securing network access radio systems
A method of providing security for network access radio systems and associated access radio security systems used with the systems. The method includes connecting an access radio having a radio link to a network; communicating between the access radio and a computer over the network using a ping application having ping commands and unique encrypted codes; and enabling operation of the access radio when the access radio is receiving ping commands. Typically, the access radio and the computer are nodes on the network and the network is a local area network (LAN). The ping application sends packets of information from the computer to the access radio and receives a response from the access radio. The ping application must be functioning (i.e., sending and receiving commands between the computer and the access radio) to enable the access radio to communicate via the radio link with a remote network. |
| US07849305B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing data between a server and a plurality of clients
A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the sharing of data in a network between a plurality of client units and a corporate server using a secure bridging unit. Each of the plurality of client units, the corporate server and the secure bridging unit are identified using an identifier. A client unit communicates with the corporate server using the secure bridging unit. A central management unit manages the plurality of client units, the corporate server and the secure bridging unit. |
| US07849304B2 |
System and method for on-line diagnostics
An on-line diagnostic system and method enable equipment information stored in each piece of industrial equipment to be safely disclosed to maintenance personnel to the extent permitted by the user of the industrial equipment. The on-line diagnostics systems comprises industrial equipment and a maintenance apparatus for the maintenance of the industrial equipment, which are connected via the Internet. Equipment information indicating the state of the industrial equipment is encrypted using a specific common key, and the encrypted equipment information is transmitted to the maintenance apparatus in response to a request therefrom. The fact that the common key has been transmitted from the industrial equipment to the maintenance apparatus is outputted. After receiving the encrypted equipment information and the common key that have been transmitted, the encrypted equipment formation is decrypted using the common key, and the decrypted equipment information is outputted. |
| US07849300B2 |
Method for changing booting sources of a computer system and a related backup/restore method thereof
A method for changing a booting source when a first operating system is being executed is disclosed. The method is utilized in a computer system having a first storage device storing the first operating system and a second storage device storing a second operating system. The method includes: receiving a signal from the second storage device; detecting whether the second storage device is a target device; setting the second storage device as a booting device; rebooting; and executing the second operating system from the second storage device. |
| US07849295B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method including dividing data to be processed
A data processing apparatus includes an operation processing unit and a data feature determining circuit. The operation processing unit is configured to sequentially perform preset operation processing on operation data in units of sub blocks to output an operation resultant data. Each of the operation data is divided into blocks, each of which comprises the sub blocks. The data feature determining circuit is configured to control the operation processing unit in units of blocks based on feature data respectively added to the blocks to indicate features of the blocks. |
| US07849294B2 |
Sharing data in internal and memory representations with dynamic data-driven conversion
Illustrative embodiments determine the data type of the operand being accessed as well as analyze the data value subrange of the input operand data type. If the operand's data type does not match the required format of the instruction being processed, a determination is made as to whether a subrange of data values of the data type of the input operand is supported natively. If the subrange of data values of the input operand is not supported natively, then a format conversion is performed on the data and the instruction may then operate on the data. Otherwise, the data may be operated on directly by the instruction without a format conversion operation and thus, the conversion is not performed. |
| US07849293B2 |
Method and structure for low latency load-tagged pointer instruction for computer microarchitechture
A methodology and implementation of a load-tagged pointer instruction for RISC based microarchitecture is presented. A first lower latency, speculative implementation reduces overall throughput latency for a microprocessor system by estimating the results of a particular instruction and confirming the integrity of the estimate a little slower than the normal instruction execution latency. A second higher latency, non-speculative implementation that always produces correct results is invoked by the first when the first guesses incorrectly. The methodologies and structures disclosed herein are intended to be combined with predictive techniques for instruction processing to ultimately improve processing throughput. |
| US07849291B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing improved group instructions
Systems and apparatuses are presented relating a programmable processor comprising an execution unit that is operable to decode and execute instructions received from an instruction path and partition data stored in registers in the register file into multiple data elements, the execution unit capable of executing a plurality of different group floating-point and group integer arithmetic operations that each arithmetically operates on multiple data elements stored registers in a register file to produce a catenated result that is returned to a register in the register file, wherein the catenated result comprises a plurality of individual results, wherein the execution unit is capable of executing group data handling operations that re-arrange data elements in different ways in response to data handling instructions. |
| US07849286B2 |
Method for dynamic load balancing on partitioned systems
Methods, systems and apparatuses to dynamically balance execution loads on a partitioned system among processor cores or among partitions. |
| US07849276B2 |
Host memory interface for a parallel processor
A memory interface for a parallel processor which has an array of processing elements and can receive a memory address and supply the memory address to a memory connected to the processing elements. The processing elements transfer data to and from the memory at the memory address. The memory interface can connect to a host configured to access data in a conventional SDRAM memory device so that the host can access data in the memory. |
| US07849275B2 |
System, method and a computer program product for writing data to different storage devices based on write frequency
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for writing data to different storage devices based on write frequency. In operation, a frequency in which data is written is identified. Additionally, a plurality of storage devices of different types is selected from to write the data, based on the frequency. |
| US07849270B2 |
System and method for performing entity tag and cache control of a dynamically generated object not identified as cacheable in a network
The present invention is directed towards a method and system for modifying by a cache responses from a server that do not identify a dynamically generated object as cacheable to identify the dynamically generated object to a client as cacheable in the response. In some embodiments, such as an embodiment handling HTTP requests and responses for objects, the techniques of the present invention insert an entity tag, or “etag” into the response to provide cache control for objects provided without entity tags and/or cache control information from an originating server. This technique of the present invention provides an increase in cache hit rates by inserting information, such as entity tag and cache control information for an object, in a response to a client to enable the cache to check for a hit in a subsequent request. |
| US07849265B2 |
Avoiding use of an inter-unit network in a storage system having multiple storage control units
A storage system provides virtual ports, and is able to transfer the virtual ports among physical ports located on multiple storage control units making up the storage system. The storage system is able to manage logical volumes and/or virtual volumes and virtual ports as a group when considering whether to move logical/virtual volumes and/or virtual ports to another storage control unit in the storage system. When the storage system is instructed to transfer volumes, virtual ports, or a group of volumes and virtual ports among the storage control units, the storage system determines whether an inter-unit network will be required to be used following the transfer. When the storage system determines that the inter-unit network will be required if the transfer takes place, the storage system determines and presents an alternate storage control unit for the transfer to avoid use of the inter-unit network, thereby avoiding degraded performance. |
| US07849262B1 |
System and method for virtualization of networked storage resources
A system and method for managing one or more Storage Area Networks (SAN), in which the one or more SAN's consist of one or more data storage volumes and one or more hosts. Whereas the one or more data storage volumes are in a switched storage network. |
| US07849257B1 |
Method and apparatus for storing and retrieving data
A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving data. The embodiment may maintain all previously-written data in a portion of a storage device, such as a hard disk, writable optical media, or memory, for an indefinite period. Old data is not overwritten unless the storage capacity of the storage device is exceeded. Accordingly, prior versions of data may be accessed by the embodiment as desired. |
| US07849252B2 |
Providing a prefix for a packet header
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for generating a prefix header with an opcode field and a prefix specific field for a first packet to be transmitted from a transmitter, and transmitting the packet from the transmitter with the prefix header, which is followed by a header. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07849249B2 |
Mother-board having multiple graphics interfaces
A mother-board includes a chipset, a switch, and first and second PCI Express X16 graphics interfaces. The switch has first and second switch circuits. The switch selectively turns on one of the first and second switch circuits according to a control signal. The first PCI Express X16 graphics interface has former eight lanes electrically connected to the chipset, and latter eight lanes selectively electrically connected to the chipset through the first switch circuit. The second PCI Express X16 graphics interface has former eight lanes selectively electrically connected to the chipset through the second switch circuit. When the first switch circuit is turned on, 16 lanes of the first PCI Express X16 graphics interface are electrically connected to the chipset. When the second switch circuit is turned on, the former eight lanes of the second PCI Express X16 graphics interface are electrically connected to the chipset. |
| US07849246B2 |
I2C bus control circuit
An I2C bus control circuit includes a continuous transmission control section in addition to a transmission control section, a sequence control section, a data line control section, and a clock line control section. The continuous transmission control section has a number-of-continuous transmission bytes register and first to (n−1)th continuous transmission data registers, and supplies an interrupt signal to the controller when continuous transmission is completed or an error is detected. The number of times the controller conducts interrupt processing is thus reduced and the processing time is reduced. |
| US07849244B2 |
Apparatus for resolving conflicts happened between two I2C slave devices with the same addressed address in computer system
An apparatus for resolving conflicts happened between two I2C slave devices with the same addressed address is provided. The apparatus is composed by all cheap electronic devices, so as to achieve a purpose of lowering a cost for design. In addition, in the apparatus for resolving conflicts happened between two I2C slave devices with the same addressed address of the invention, all the I2C slave devices are addressed by an I2C master device to perform the data transmission subsequently before a basic input/output system (BIOS) completes a power-on self-test (POST), but all the I2C slave devices are addressed by a system chip (for example, a baseboard management controller (BMC)) to perform the data transmission subsequently after the BIOS completes the POST. Therefore, the purpose of performing the data transmission for all the I2C slave devices on real time is achieved. |
| US07849242B2 |
PCI express-compatible controller and interface that provides PCI express functionality and flash memory operations to host device
A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation. |
| US07849239B2 |
Interface device
An interface (4) between a digital device (6) for transmitting and/or receiving a digital stream and a computer (2) comprises a digital stream transmitter/receiver (transceiver) (20), a computer bus interface (12) and a data converter (14, 16 & 18). The digital transceiver transmits digitally streamed content and/or receives digitally streamed content to/from the digital device. The computer bus interface receives/provides data to/from a computer bus of a computer for use by the computer and/or as provided by the computer. The data converter converts data received by the digital stream receiver into data useable by the computer from the computer bus and/or converts data received by the computer bus interface into digitally streamed data for transmission by the digital stream transmitter. |
| US07849237B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and semiconductor device with the same
An interconnect configuration technology of making an access from an IP mounted on a semiconductor chip to an IP mounted on another semiconductor chip by transmitting and receiving a packet transferred through an interconnect built in a semiconductor chip among the chips using the 3D coupling technology. The device according to the technology has an initiator for transmitting an access request, a target for receiving the access request and transmitting an access response, a router for relaying the access request and the access response, and a 3D coupling circuit (three-dimensional transceiver) for performing communication with the outside, wherein the 3D coupling circuit is disposed adjacent to the router. |
| US07849234B2 |
System for detecting a peripheral device
A system for detecting a peripheral device is used to detect whether the peripheral device is completely inserted into a peripheral interface slot of a mother board before booting. When the peripheral device is inserted into the peripheral interface slot, the system judges whether the peripheral device is completely inserted into the peripheral interface slot according to a potential of fins of the peripheral interface slot. If the system detects that the peripheral device has not been completely inserted into the peripheral interface slot before booting, a booting procedure of the mother board is interrupted and an alarm signal is output. |
| US07849231B2 |
Method of controlling information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and control program therefor
A local interface driver generates a network communication channel through which resources of a peripheral device connected via a local interface can be seen, from application software for accessing resources of a peripheral device connected via a network interface by use of a predetermined network communication system, as network resources accessible using the same predetermined network communication system. Depending on which of the peripheral devices connected to the individual interfaces is used to communicate, either the local interface driver or a network interface driver is selected. A unified user interface can be used for making user's operations or setup operations to peripheral devices without being limited to interfaces via which a host device user gains access to the peripheral devices. |
| US07849229B2 |
SPI addressing beyond 24-bits
A system and/or methodology that facilitates serial peripheral interface (SPI) addressing beyond 24 bits, by portioning a conventional SPI command byte into a plurality of nibbles. A new set of commands are mapped to the first nibble, and selected from the set of unused binary values under the conventional SPI command protocol. A number of address bytes required to access the storage location for the command are mapped on a second nibble, and a user and/or system definable number of dummy bytes to be sent after the command are mapped on a third nibble. |
| US07849228B2 |
Mechanisms for creation/deletion of linear block address table entries for direct I/O
The present invention provides mechanisms that enable application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for handling user space creation and deletion operations for creating and deleting allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device to application instances. For creation, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for creation of the allocation. For deletion, it is determined if there are any I/O transactions active on the allocation before performing the deletion. Allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and deletion may be performed only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being deleted. |
| US07849226B2 |
Television with set top internet terminal with user interface wherein auxiliary content is received that is associated with current television programming
A viewer of television programming is alerted to the availability of content related to the programming (e.g. an associated Internet web page) by an icon momentarily displayed on the screen. Using a remote control, the viewer can select the icon. A control panel then appears, superimposed over the television image, and provides additional detail about the related content. By further operating the remote control, the viewer can select the associated content for viewing, or return to watching the television. Various other features and variations are disclosed. |
| US07849225B2 |
System, device, and method for managing communication services in an optical communication system
A system, device, and method for managing communication services in an optical communication system utilizes a optical service agent (OSA) that operates within the domain of the network user and manages various communication services on behalf of the network user. The OSA interacts with the optical communication network to obtain various communication services and manages those communication services for the network user based upon predetermined parameters defined by the network user. An authenticated auto-discovery mechanism is used to automatically identify and authenticate OSA-enabled users and to distribute information between peer OSA-enabled users. A peer-to-peer signaling mechanism is used to extend OSA functionality to OSA-enabled users that do not interface directly with the optical communication network. |
| US07849224B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a mobile server
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data from remote server device to a computer module in a vehicle. A request for data is transmitted from the computer module over an in-vehicle network to an in-vehicle communications gateway module. The request for data from the computer module is destined for a remote server device. A request for a software component is transmitted from a standard port of the in-vehicle communications gateway module to the remote server device. The software component comprises a non-standard transfer protocol module. The in-vehicle communications gateway module loads the non-standard transfer protocol module, and the remote server device transmits the requested data to the in-vehicle communications gateway module according to the non-standard transfer protocol. The in-vehicle communications gateway module then transmits the requested data (provided from the remote server device) to the computer module over the in-vehicle network. |
| US07849217B2 |
Mobile ethernet
A Mobile Ethernet Protocol that is used to logically extend a “home VLAN”, through an Ethernet/IP “campus network”, to mobile nodes on “foreign subnets”. The network architecture used for Mobile Ethernet is hierarchical and includes a Subnet Context Manager per subnet and a central Campus Context Manager. The protocol is generally based on the standard Mobile IPv4 protocol, but includes significant extensions to standard Mobile IP including using an 802 address as the permanent MN identifier, rather than an IP address, encapsulating and sending Ethernet frames through IP tunnels, and configuring a single Mobile Ethernet HA to provide access to multiple home VLANs wherein Home VLAN bindings for MNs are dynamically established. A MN does not need to be configured with a permanent IP address. |
| US07849215B2 |
Updating state in edge routers
Methods, edge routers and an edge-router-refresh network signalling message used to update state information in edge routers. A data session is established on a path from a source towards a destination connected from the source via a plurality of Autonomous Systems (AS). The edge-router-refresh network signalling message is created by an edge router acting an an ingress edge router. The edge-router-refresh network signalling message comprises an identifier of the data session, an identifier of the edge router, which issued the edge-router-refresh message and an indication that the edge-router-refresh message is meant to be used by the edge routers present on the modified path. Optionally, the edge-router-refresh network signalling message further comprises a list of the plurality of AS traversed by the path before the modification. |
| US07849209B2 |
System and method for link rate negotiation
A system and method are provided for negotiating a link data rate in a communication system using a plurality of data rates. In a system including a first device network-connected to a second device, auto-negotiation (AN) messages are mutually transmitted. The AN messages indicate rate information such as preferred data rate capabilities, if the device has a dual-rate capability, or a single data rate capabilities. If the AN messages are mutually transmitted, a negotiated link data rate is established. However, if one of the devices cannot send AN messages, the other device times-out, and a link data rate is established at the data rate transmitted by the device that is not AN-capable. |
| US07849208B2 |
System and method for TCP offload
A system for processing packets is disclosed and may including a network interface card (NIC). The NIC may include a TCP enabled Ethernet controller (TEEC). The TEEC may include an internal elastic buffer. The TEEC may process received incoming TCP packets once and may temporarily buffer at least a portion of the incoming TCP packets in the internal elastic buffer. The processing may occur without reassembly or retransmission. The internal elastic buffer may include a receive internal elastic buffer and a transmit internal elastic buffer. The receive internal elastic buffer may temporarily buffer at least a portion of the received incoming TCP packets. The transmit internal elastic buffer may temporarily buffer at least a portion of TCP packets to be transmitted. The TEEC may place at least a portion of the received incoming TCP packets data into at least a portion of a host memory. |
| US07849207B2 |
Method and system for managing digital content, including streaming media
Methods and systems for uploading, managing and delivering digital content, including streaming media. The system according to one embodiment allows receives digital content from the client, assigns a stream identifier (ID) to the content and stores the content. The client is given a playlist uniform resource locator (URL) for publishing on its web site, the URL including the stream ID. Activation of the URL by an end user causes the stream to be served to the end user, without the client receiving or providing an indication of the specifics of where the content was stored. An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method that defines one or more remote sites associated with each client. |
| US07849203B2 |
Command and control of arbitrary resources in a peer-to-peer network
Provided is a method and apparatus for virtualizing access to resources in a distributed peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Specifically, a resource locally managed by a peer in the P2P network can be published such that other peers can identify the peer managing the resource. Any peer requesting access to the resource of another peer establishes communication to the peer managing the resource. After establishing communication, a proxy of the peer managing the resource can establish a proxy interface. The proxy interface operating on the peer requesting access, permits the peer requesting access to generate command and control data to control the resource. Thus, the peer requesting access believes that it manages the local resource, while in reality, the peer requesting access only has virtualized access to the resource. |
| US07849200B2 |
Systems and methods for calculating a distribution
Systems and methods are provided for calculating a distribution of a quantity over a number of receiver objects. In one implementation, a data processing system is provided that comprises a number of application programs, each of the application programs being adapted to generate a distribution request, storage means for storing a number of rules, each rule being adapted for distribution of at least a portion of the quantity over the receiver objects and for storing an assignment of a sub-set of the rules to each application program, each rule within one of the sub-sets of rules having an assigned priority of execution and each sub-set of rules having an assigned identifier. |
| US07849199B2 |
Content router
A method, apparatus and system for routing changes to information between a plurality of content nodes and a command memory of a content router. Content nodes may be user devices (such as mobile phones) and user accounts (such as email accounts). Content nodes may hold one or more content types such as email, contacts, tasks, events and library items. A command memory centralizes conflict detection, resolution and error handling within a content routing system. |
| US07849196B2 |
Connection management in peer-to-peer content distribution clouds
A topology management process is implemented which involves removing or “tearing down” connections between nodes in certain situations in order to try to replace those connections with more optimal ones. Idle connections are torn down unless those are in a “notify” state; a notify state being one in which a request for content has been made to a neighbour but that neighbour has no available content as yet. Idle connections in a notify state are torn down only if they remain idle for a longer time than that required before an idle connection is torn down. To avoid problems caused by clusters of node forming and of loners being unable to join the cloud, network churn algorithms are taught. These involve requiring nodes to drop connections when specified conditions are met. Relative content distribution between connections is monitored and this information used to influence selection of those connections to drop. |
| US07849194B2 |
File system and method for administrating storage space and bandwidth in a computer system serving media assets
Method, computer program product and server computer system for use in a client server computer architecture. The server sends media assets over computer network to client computer and maintains file system organized into plurality of asset groups, each asset group comprising plurality of media assets, wherein media assets share storage medium bandwidth and storage space on server computer that is reserved for asset group to which plurality of media assets belong. An asset group placement policy module is provided that evaluates attributes of asset group to determine optimal placement of asset group within the file system of server computer system, avoiding replication of assets and spreading asset group across multiple file systems wherever possible. A media asset placement policy module is provided that evaluates asset bandwidth to determine optimal placement for asset and available resources and use this evaluation to distribute media assets within asset groups. |
| US07849190B2 |
Internet protocol based service architecture
A network system comprising a service control device (SEM); and at least one application execution device (AEE); wherein the service control device (SEM) is adapted to receive a service request, to select an appropriate application execution device according to the service request, and to invoke the selected application execution device, and wherein the application execution device (AEE) is adapted to perform the service requested by the service request. A corresponding network control method is also provided. According to the invention, a flexible service architecture is possible. |
| US07849183B1 |
Method of monitoring network and application performance by analyzing web clients and web servers
A system and method for monitoring network and application performance. In one embodiment the method comprises logging information on network interface card (NIC) events involving a web page transaction, logging information on web server events involving the web page transaction, logging information on client browser events involving the web page transaction, collecting the information on NIC events, the information on web server events, and the information on client browser events on a collector server, and correlating the information on NIC events, the information on web server events, and the information on client browser events. In a further embodiment, correlating the information may comprise correlating the information on NIC events with the information on web server events by grouping the events by a client address and by a server address and then matching pairs of NIC events and web server events by time and data transfer size. Correlating the information may also comprise correlating the information on client browser events with the information on web server events by a color ID. |
| US07849182B2 |
Blade server
A blade server that includes at least two data processing modules for receiving data and processing the received data; an exchange backboard for achieving data exchange between the data processing modules, and also for achieving data exchange between each of the data processing modules and an interconnection module; the interconnection module for achieving connection and high-speed data exchange between the data processing modules; an I/O interface module for achieving a connection between the blade server and an external network; and a management and control module for controlling the switching between the data processing modules and also for monitoring and managing the blade server. The blade server unites multiple networks such as a high-speed network, an Ethernet, a KVM network and a management network, reduces the cost for high-speed exchange, and reduces the delay for network exchange. |
| US07849180B2 |
Load balanced storage provisioning
Available performance capacities of storage servers and storage devices in a storage infrastructure are determined using a plurality of metrics, wherein each of the storage devices is managed by one of the storage servers. Each aggregate is hosted by a storage server and includes multiple storage devices. A relationship between the plurality of metrics is analyzed. An aggregate from which to allocate storage capacity to a volume from a plurality of aggregates is selected based on the available performance capacities and the relationship between the plurality of metrics. The selection is performed without information about properties of the volume. Storage capacity of the selected aggregate is automatically allocated to the volume. After said allocation, the plurality of aggregates is approximately load balanced. |
| US07849178B2 |
Grid computing implementation
A method, apparatus, and program product that facilitates the implementation of grid or distributed network computing by automatically organizing a group of computers into a hierarchical, or tree networked system. The computer servers are selected into subgroups with each subgroup selecting a server to act as its leader. The leader is responsible for reporting performance characteristics of the servers in the subgroup to a master catalog server housed in a centralized management facility. The hierarchical system contemplated by embodiments of the invention reduces the number of messages that must be sent between the servers in the system necessary to monitor and manage the system. This reduction in the number of messages that must be sent between the servers in the system reduces the amount of server resources dedicated to overhead monitoring and managing, freeing these resources to be dedicated to performing the common processing task that grid or distributed network system was established to perform. |
| US07849176B1 |
Methods and apparatus for rendering messages
A message rendering process receives an indication of a selected display context (e.g., one of multiple types of information pages) for viewing information associated with a respective storage area network resource. The message rendering process identifies one or more message data structures stored in a repository. The one or more message data structures are used to potentially display a respective message associated with the selected display context. For example, in response to detecting a presence of message data associated with the message data structure, the message rendering process populates a respective format specified by the message data structure to produce the respective message associated with the selected display context. Consequently, a respective user can view information associated with a respective storage area network resource. The message rendering process automatically initiates display of messages pertinent to the storage area network resource information being viewed by the respective user. |
| US07849163B1 |
System and method for chunked file proxy transfers
A system and method for transferring Very Large Files (VLFs) from a content provider to a requesting node over a network via a proxy are provided. The content provider processes a VLF to provide a chunked VLF. The chunked VLF includes a number of chunks each including a portion of the VLF. A transfer is initiated when a request for the VLF is sent from the requesting node to the proxy. The proxy then determines if any of the chunks of the chunked VLF are stored in proxy cache associated with the proxy. If not, the proxy directs the request to the content provider. In response, the content provider sends the chunks of the chunked VLF to the proxy. Upon receiving each of the chunks, the proxy stores the chunk in the proxy cache and sends the chunk to the requesting node. |
| US07849151B2 |
Contention detection
A multiple computer system is disclosed in which n computers (M1, M2 . . . Mn) each run a different portion of a single application program written to execute only on a single computer. The local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating all computers with every change made to addressed memory locations. Contention can arise when the same memory location is substantially simultaneously updated by two or more machines because of transmission delays and latency of the communications network interconnecting all the computers. In particular a method of detecting contention is disclosed which utilizes a count value indicative of the number of the sequence of occasions on which each memory location has been updated. Contention is indicated if the currently stored count value and the incoming updating count value are the same. |
| US07849150B2 |
Electronic device having communication function
This invention concerns a network comprising a master and slaves. In the network, each slave figures out its performance values as performance parameters and transmits the performance parameters to the master. The master performs a process of selecting a backup master as a candidate for the next master, on the basis of the performance parameters transmitted from the slaves. The master supplies BM information containing synchronization information and the address of the backup master selected, to the slaves. When the master is removed from the network, the slaves determine the next master in accordance with the backup-master information. Thus, the slaves can be immediately connected to the next master. |
| US07849146B2 |
Identifying IP addresses for spammers
Detecting and blocking spam messages using statistical analysis on distributions of message sizes for a given IP address. Mail volumes are examined to model a distribution of volumes to cluster IP addresses. The messages sizes may distributed across ranges of message sizes, which is then used to determine an entropy of message sizes for the given IP address. The entropy of the given IP address may be compared to entropies of known good IP addresses, and if a difference between the entropies is statistically significant, then the given IP address may be determined to be an IP spammer. User feedback may also be employed to further characterize an IP address. For example, a number of messages from the IP address may be sent to intended recipients. User feedback may then be monitored to determine whether to the IP address should be reclassified. |
| US07849141B1 |
Training a computer storage system for automatic filing of data using graphical representations of storage locations
A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium that files data in a destination based on one or more criteria. In various embodiments, the data may be email, email attachments, faxes, telephone messages, downloaded data or programs, audio, video, scanned images, photographs, blocks of text, or other data. In an embodiment, a training mode and an automatic mode are provided. During the training mode, a user is presented with data and a recommended destination, and the user provides feedback that is used to train the criteria. During an automatic mode, the data may be transferred to the destination with or without user confirmation. |
| US07849133B2 |
Systems and methods for providing resource allocation in a networked environment
Methods and systems for allocating resources, such as computer controlled resources, in a networked system are described. An example system includes a network interface, an item database, a load balancer, a web proxy processor configured to selectively block or route an inbound user browser request, a cache cluster system configured to cache data and states for access by other system components, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to store a session identifier on a user terminal associated with a user browser, process an item acquisition request from the user browser while the browser is accessing a first website, transmit to the browser an indication that the acquisition request is accepted if the acquisition request meets a predefined criterion, if the acquisition request is accepted then automatically transmit to the browser an offer to transfer the item to another, use the session identifier for identification, and determine if a transfer instruction has been received from the browser. |
| US07849128B2 |
Method for the real-time distribution of streaming data on a network
A method for sampling of streaming data for distribution on a network (e.g., the Internet) includes receiving the steaming data (which includes periodically updated information items) from a streaming data source. The periodically updated information items of the streaming data are subsequently sampled using a sampling process based on a total update rate of the steaming data (Ua) and a capacity of the network (C), thereby creating a sampled data stream. Alternatively, the periodically updated information items of the streaming data can be sampled using a sampling process that is also based on the importance (Kqmin) of each of the periodically updated information items and the update rate (Uq) of each of the periodically updated information items to create the sampled data stream. The sampled data stream is then distributed on the network (e.g., the Internet or a private area network). |
| US07849124B2 |
Method and system for detecting difference between plural observed results
A method and system for analyzing time series data. In an embodiment, a loop is executed and terminated upon a specified maximum number of iterations of the loop being performed or upon a difference between scores in successive iterations of the loop not being greater than a specified tolerance, wherein the score in each iteration is calculated as function of an absolute value of a difference between respective cumulative probability values of first and second cumulative probability distributions which are generated from respectively first and second time series data sets. In an embodiment, time series data is processed in a sequence of time periods, wherein a combined cumulative probability distribution is generated in each time period by combining a cumulative probability distribution of new time series data with previously combined cumulative probability distribution data according to a ratio of the number of new to previous observed values. |
| US07849119B2 |
Digital signal processing circuit having a pattern detector circuit
An integrated circuit for pattern detection including: an arithmetic logic unit coupled to a comparison circuit, where the arithmetic logic unit is programmed by an opcode; a selected pattern of a plurality of patterns selected by a first multiplexer, where the first multiplexer is coupled to the comparison circuit; and a register coupled to the comparison circuit for storing at least a partial comparison between an output of the arithmetic logic unit and the selected pattern. |
| US07849118B2 |
Data transformation method and data transformation circuit capable of saving numeral operations
A data transformation method capable of saving numeral operations, the data transformation method includes encoding a plurality of digital data to generate a plurality of sets of byte data according to an encoding mode, determining a plurality of repetition patterns of the plurality of sets of byte data, processing shift operations on the plurality of sets of byte data to generate a plurality of sets of shifted byte data according to positions of the plurality of repetition patterns located in the plurality of sets of byte data, processing addition operations on the plurality of sets of shifted byte data. |
| US07849111B2 |
Online incremental database dump
Various embodiments may include taking an initial dump of a database table and tracking changes to the database table, with regard to but outside of transactions, since a most recent full or partial dump has been taken. A partial dump, in such embodiments, may be taken since the most recent full or partial dump and used to create a data structure which may be used to update only those database table rows modified since a last full or partial dump. As a result, the dumps of a database table will include a single full dump and may include one or more partial dumps. These full and partial dumps may then be instantiated to create or update an instance of the database table. In some embodiments, dumps may be taken directly to a mirrored instance of a database table. |
| US07849109B1 |
Use of server processing of temporary results for stateless paging over arbitrary user queries
A query processor's capabilities may be employed to identify a range rows resulting from a user query to be returned. A server cursor may be declared, opened, fetched from and closed in a single batched request in order to avoid keeping state on a database server between requests. A single block fetch may be used within the batch to retrieve a requisite number of rows from a specified ordinal position. Where server cursors are not available, an intermediate table may be used to hold a subset of the rows resulting from the user query, and row numbers may be added to facilitate selecting the range of rows from that intermediate table. Intelligence within a query processor may be leveraged to support identifying the range of rows to be returned without maintaining state between client requests. |
| US07849107B2 |
Data format for efficient encoding and access of multiple data items in RFID tags
Methods and systems for optimizing storage of data items in a memory of a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) are provided. The data structure for optimized storage includes a packed object having a length section including an indication of a number of identifiers in the packed object, an identifier section including a directory of indices representing an identifier for each data item contained within the packed object and a data section encoding a data portion associated with each data item included in the data section. |
| US07849098B1 |
Providing multiple concurrent access to a file system
Multiple computers are connected to a data storage unit that includes a file system, which further includes multiple data entities, including files, directories and the file system itself. The file system also includes, for each data entity, an owner field for indicating which computer, if any, has exclusive or shared access to the data entity, along with a time field for indicating when a lease of the data entity began. When a computer wants to lease a data entity, the computer uses a disk reservation capability to temporarily lock the data storage unit, and, if the data entity is not currently leased, the computer writes its own identification value into the owner field and a current time into the time field for the data entity, to claim the data entity for a renewable lease period. If a prior lease of a data entity has expired, another computer may break the lease and claim ownership for itself. |
| US07849095B2 |
Method for using two-dimensional dynamics in assessing the similarity of sets of data
A method for finding sets of data (SDDs) for presentation in two-dimensions, which are similar to a target SDD, is invented. The method leverages a new category of signatures, called equivalence signatures, to characterize the SDDs. The equivalence signature is computed as the action for the motion of a string which sweeps out a sheet specified by the values of the digital data. These signatures have the salient feature that, at worst, they change in a bounded manner when small changes are made to the SDDs and when used to find SDDs that are similar to a target SDDs, they allow for a significant reduction in the number of SDDs to be compared with the target. This is an improvement over the state of the art wherein the computational expensive process of performing a complete search against the entire corpus must be applied. |
| US07849094B2 |
Image processing device
An image processing device which is provided with a communication unit configured to communicate with an information processing device, and a web server unit configured to generate a webpage which can be browsed by a web browser executed in the information processing device and transmit the generated webpage to the information processing device. The web server unit includes an information acquiring unit configured to acquire language information of the web browser, a designating unit configured to insert designation of a character code set corresponding to the language information acquired by the information acquired by the language information acquiring unit in the webpage, and an incorporating unit configured to incorporate language information acquired from the image processing device into a text of the webpage. |
| US07849093B2 |
Searches over a collection of items through classification and display of media galleries
Architecture is provided for performing multimedia searches and returning media galleries, and then prominently displaying the galleries to a user. The disclosed innovation generates a gallery classifier and then displays found galleries to the user in a new and informative user interface. In one aspect, a system is provided that facilitates searching data for gallery pages. The system includes a gallery classifier that receives web data associated with web pages, and identifies a web page as a gallery page during a search operation. The system also includes a gallery user interface that presents a gallery page and associated content as part of the search process. |
| US07849091B1 |
Meta-data indexing for XPath location steps
Techniques are disclosed that efficiently support the querying of meta-data in XML documents. The techniques include efficiently identifying XML elements along each location step in an XPath query that satisfy range constraints on ordered meta-data. The techniques include generating an inheritance meta-data index in which actual meta-data levels are associated only with elements for which a value is explicitly specified and associating non-leaf nodes of the index structure with inherited meta-data levels and inheritance source nodes. The techniques may be used with navigation-based and join-based XPath evaluation strategies. |
| US07849087B2 |
Incremental training for probabilistic categorizer
A probabilistic document categorizer has an associated vocabulary of words and an associated plurality of probabilistic categorizer parameters derived from a collection of documents. A new document is received. The probabilistic categorizer parameters are updated to reflect addition of the new document to the collection of documents based on vocabulary words contained in the new document, a category of the new document, and a collection size parameter indicative of an effective total number of instances of vocabulary words in the collection of documents. |
| US07849082B2 |
System and method for influencing display of web site content
A system uses geo-location information associated with a user's interaction with a web site portal to deduce a context for the user's interaction and then uses the deduced context to influence the display of web site content that is provided in response to the user's interaction. The context is deduced by considering one or more of an industrial density for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, a current time for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, a weather condition for a locale the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, and a regulation for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction. |
| US07849080B2 |
System for generating query suggestions by integrating valuable query suggestions with experimental query suggestions using a network of users and advertisers
A system is described for generating query suggestions by integrating valuable query suggestions with experimental query suggestions using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a historical dataset, a plurality of query suggestions, a plurality of query suggestion values, a query exploit set, a query explore set, and a data describing a network. The processor may identify the plurality of query suggestions in the historical dataset and generate data describing the network based on the historical dataset. The processor may calculate the query suggestion value for each query suggestion and may rank the query suggestions based on the query suggestion values. The processor may generate an exploit set comprising the top ranked query suggestions and an explore set comprising the remainder. The processor may suggest the query suggestions in the exploit set and the explore set. |
| US07849076B2 |
Learning ranking functions incorporating isotonic regression for information retrieval and ranking
Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems and computer program products for learning ranking functions to determine the ranking of one or more content items that are responsive to a query. The present invention includes generating one or more training sets comprising one or more content item-query pairs and determining one or more contradicting pairs in a given training sets. An optimization function to minimize the number of contradicting pairs in the training set is formulated, and modified by incorporating a grade difference between one or more content items corresponding to the query in the training set and applied to each query in the training set. A ranking function is determined based on the application of regression trees on the queries of the training set minimized by the optimization function and stored for application to content item-query pairs not contained in the one or more training sets. |
| US07849075B2 |
Joint field profiling
Processing data includes accepting information characterizing values of a first field in records of a first data source and information characterizing values of a second field in records of a second data source. Quantities characterizing a relationship between the first field and the second field are computed based on the accepted information. Information relating the first field and the second field is presented. |
| US07849070B2 |
System and method for dynamically ranking items of audio content
The present invention is directed to systems, methods and computer-readable media comprising program code for dynamically ranking links to items of audio content returned to a user in response to the execution of a query by a search engine. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention for dynamically ranking links to items of audio content returned to a user in response to the execution of a query by a search engine comprises receiving a query to identify links to one or more items of audio content; parsing the query into one or more logical units; determining an annotation for each of the one or more logical units; selecting a ranking heuristic according to the annotation for each of the one or more logical units and ranking a result set according to the selected ranking heuristic. |
| US07849056B2 |
System and method for managing databases associated with respective personal information manager service accounts
A method of managing databases at an electronic device, associated with respective ones of a first PIM service account and a second PIM service account. The method includes: receiving representative data of records at a server associated with the second PIM service account and obtaining data representative of records already present at the electronic device; comparing the data representative of the records at the server with the data representative of records already present at the electronic device; and determining with which of two of the databases ones of the records, at the server, for which representative data is received are associated, based on whether each of the records, at the server, for which representative data is received is already present in one of the two of the databases. |
| US07849055B2 |
Method and system for limiting instances of a client-server program within a restricted distributed network
The present invention provides a computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product for limiting instances of a client-server program within a plurality of platforms in a restricted distributed network. The data processing system receives an invocation of the client-server program. The data processing system assigns a write file to the client-server program wherein the write file has a write file name and the write file is on a distributed file system accessible to the plurality of platforms. The data processing system determines whether the write file is available. Responsive to a determination that the write file is available, the data processing system opens the write file for writing wherein the write file is associated with the client-server program. The data processing system, responsive to a determination that the write file is available, forms an addressing file having addressing information of a first instance of the client-server program. |
| US07849053B2 |
Coordination and tracking of workflows
A method and an apparatus for coordinating and/or tracking workflows are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing a workflow having a series of two or more processing operations and, for each of the two or more processing operations, calculating an identifier and adding at least one metadata entry corresponding to said each of the two or more processing operations to a set of metadata entries corresponding to a digital object. |
| US07849051B2 |
Extraction of logical events from network data
In an embodiment of the present invention, a record is read a single time, and it is evaluated against all conditions to identify the ones that it satisfies. By organizing the conditions into appropriate data structures, the process may be further optimized by ensuring that the record is not scanned multiple times. |
| US07849048B2 |
System and method of making unstructured data available to structured data analysis tools
A system and method of making unstructured data available to structured data analysis tools. The system includes middleware software that can be used in combination with structured data tools to perform analysis on both structured and unstructured data. Data can be read from a wide variety of unstructured sources. The data may then be transformed with commercial data transformation products that may, for example, extract individual pieces of data and determine relationships between the extracted data. The transformed data and relationships may then be passed through an extraction/transform/load (ETL) layer and placed in a structured schema. The structured schema may then be made available to commercial or proprietary structured data analysis tools. |
| US07849043B2 |
Matching educational game players in a computerized learning environment
A system for matching users of learning application programs is provided. As one example, a learning service program can assess the performance of a user based on their interaction with at least one learning application program. Where the user requests an interactive session with other users for a particular learning application program, a learning service program can perform matching of the plurality of users according to the users' assessed abilities in the learning activities involved to achieve multi-user interaction that promotes learning by each of the users. |
| US07849041B2 |
Intent prediction and response employing sensing, networking, and communication among distributed devices
The present invention provides, among other things, technologies for recognizing sequences of events or patterns of behavior, of predicting intent, need, objectives, purpose, aim, or the like, and responding to the predicted intent. Such technologies includes intent prediction and response (“IPR”) environments and systems, as well as methods for performing aspects IPR. Such technologies may aid in accomplishing tasks more efficiently or in reducing impediments whether they be physical, environmental, social, or the like. |
| US07849039B2 |
Method for using one-dimensional dynamics in assessing the similarity of sets of data using kinetic energy
A method for finding sets of data (SDDs) for presentation in one-dimension, which are similar to a target SDD, is invented. The method leverages a new category of signatures, called equivalence signatures, to characterize the SDDs and is applicable to all types of data with special interpretation for data, such as text, binaries and audio, that may be presented in one-dimension. The equivalence signature is computed as the functional for the kinetic energy of a point particle whose path is specified by the values of the digital data. These signatures have the salient feature that, at worst, they change in a bounded manner when small changes are made to the SDDs and when used to find SDDs that are similar to a target SDDs, they allow for a significant reduction in the number of SDDs to be compared with the target. This is an improvement over the state of the art wherein the computational expensive process of performing a complete search against the entire corpus must be applied. |
| US07849037B2 |
Method for using the fundamental homotopy group in assessing the similarity of sets of data
A method for finding sequences of similar data (SDDs), which are similar to a target sequence of digital data, is invented. The method leverages a new category of signatures, called equivalence signatures, to characterize the SDDs. These signatures have the salient feature that, at worst, they change in a bounded manner when changes are made to the sequence of digital data and when used to find SDDs that are similar to a target SDD, they allow for a significant reduction in the number of SDDs to be compared with the target. This is an improvement over the state of the art wherein the cryptographic message digests used as signatures respond unpredictably to changes in the sequence of digital data and the comparison of a target SDD to a corpus of SDDs requires the computational expensive process of applying a complete search against the entire corpus. |
| US07849033B2 |
Learning control apparatus, learning control method, and computer program
A learning control apparatus for controlling a learning operation of an apparatus sensing a state of an environment and selecting a behavior based on the sensed content, includes a predictor for learning the behavior and a change in the state of the environment, and predicting a change in the state of the environment in response to a predetermined behavior, a goal state setting unit for setting a goal state in the behavior, a planner for planning a behavior sequence from a current state to the goal state set by the goal state setting unit based on a prediction of the predictor, and a controller for controlling the behavior in the behavior sequence planned by the planning unit and learning an input and output relationship in the behavior. |
| US07849032B1 |
Intelligent sampling for neural network data mining models
A method, system, and computer program product provides automated determination of the size of the sample that is to be used in training a neural network data mining model that is large enough to properly train the neural network data mining model, yet is no larger than is necessary. A method of performing training of a neural network data mining model comprises the steps of: a) providing a training dataset for training an untrained neural network data mining model, the first training dataset comprising a plurality of rows of data, b) selecting a row of data from the training dataset for performing training processing on the neural network data mining model, c) computing an estimate of a gradient or cost function of the neural network data mining model, d) determining whether the gradient or cost function of the neural network data mining model has converged, based on the computed estimate of the gradient or cost function of the neural network data mining model, e) repeating steps b)-d), if the gradient or cost function of the neural network data mining model has not converged, and f) updating weights of the neural network data mining model, if the gradient or cost function of the neural network data mining model has converged. |
| US07849030B2 |
Method and system for classifying documents
The invention provides a method and system for classifying insurance files for identification, sorting and efficient collection of subrogation claims. The invention determines whether an insurance claim has merit to warrant claim recovery efforts utilizing software code for partially describing a set of documents having unstructured and structured file data containing terms and phrases having contextual bases, code for transforming the terms and phrases, code for iterating a classification process to determine rules that best classify the set of documents based upon context, code for incorporating the rules into an induction and knowledge representation, thesauri taxonomies and text summarization to classify subrogation claims; code for calculating a base score and a concept vector to identify the selected claims that demonstrate a given probability of subrogation recovery. |
| US07849027B2 |
Automated clustering of records, biased by supervised classification processing
An unsupervised classification approach is improved by imposing some order into the treatment of the records and their attributes, which otherwise would be treated as random variables. A method is provided to identify particular attributes that are most associated with the “good” records within each of the plurality of groups of records within a data set. Based on a supervised scoring method, the records of the data set are processed to indicate their measure of “goodness”. There are various ways by which the records can be processed to indicate a bias during unsupervised clustering processing. |
| US07849023B2 |
Selecting accommodations on a travel conveyance
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a process that includes receiving digital accommodation criteria for an accommodation assignment requested for a passenger and accessing accommodation properties that specify characteristics of accommodations offered on a travel conveyance. A first portion of the accommodation properties are base properties and a second portion of the accommodation properties are derivation properties derived from the base properties during execution of a software program configured to access the accommodation properties. The process also includes assigning weights to the accommodation properties based on a comparison between the accommodation properties and the received accommodation criteria. The process includes determining total weighting scores for each of one or more of the accommodations based on an aggregation of the assigned weights for the accommodation properties associated with the accommodation and outputting the requested accommodation assignment. |
| US07849022B2 |
Optical functional sheet, and display device
The present invention provides an optical functional sheet and a display device that are capable of keeping a given degree or more of front luminance and are capable of substantially reducing brightness nonuniformity. To this end, the optical functional sheet has a base 3, and prisms 4 arranged in a lattice pattern on at least one surface 3a of the base 3, wherein each of the prisms 4 has two bottoms L1 parallel to a first direction D1, two first inclined surfaces S1 that are inclined so as to face each other, two bottoms L2 parallel to a second direction D2 that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1, and two second inclined surfaces S2 that are inclined so as to face each other, and the area Ss2 of one of the second inclined surfaces S2 to the sum S2s1 of the areas of the two first inclined surfaces S1, or the area Ss1 of one of the first inclined surfaces S1 to the sum S2s2 of the areas of the two second inclined surfaces S2 is more than 0.5 times to 2.5 times or less. |
| US07849021B1 |
Pooling data in shared data warehouse
A computer network is used to improve the profitability of one or more business entities. The network receives business-related data from at least two business entities and stores at least some of the data from each of the business entities in a common database. Then, in accordance with the terms of an agreement among the business entities, the network allows at least one of the business entities to receive information gathered from the common database. |
| US07849020B2 |
Method and apparatus for network transactions
A method is provided to authorize an online transaction between a purchaser and a merchant. The method includes providing, via an identity provider, verification of an identity of the purchaser. The method also includes providing, via a payment provider, verification of an ability of the purchaser to pay for the transaction, where the identity provider and the payment provider are different network entities. A computer system is also provided that can conduct an online transaction between a purchaser and a merchant providing one or more goods and/or services. The computer system includes a first node configured to provide verification of an identity of the purchaser, and a second node configured to provide verification of an ability of the purchaser to pay for the transaction, where the first node and the second node are associated with different network entities. |
| US07849016B2 |
Internet-based data content rental system and method
Systems and methods of distributing and controlling use of data content are provided. Data content is distributed to users by a service provider system, shared between computer system users, or both. In one embodiment, data content is segregated into a plurality of sections, each section is encrypted using a respective one of a plurality of encryption keys, and the resultant plurality of encrypted sections is downloaded to a customer processing platform. In order to control the use of the data content, a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to the plurality of encryption keys are then delivered to the customer processing platform in a manner such that the customer processing platform has possession of at most a subset of the plurality of decryption keys at any time. According to another embodiment, downloaded data content is adapted for use only with a particular software component that establishes a connection with a data content service provider system to obtain permission to use the data content. |
| US07849015B2 |
Electronic postal money order method and system
Provided is an electronic postal money order system and method comprising the purchase and fulfillment of a money order, having the steps of inputting, through a computer, money order identifying data, comprising at least the amount of the money order and addressee data and inputting payment authorization data through a payment authorization terminal. The system also transmits the money order identifying data and payment authorization data to a central server, authenticates the payment authorization data and, upon such authentication, prints a money order corresponding to the inputted money order identifying data and mails the money order to the addressee. |
| US07849014B2 |
System and method for facilitating a financial transaction with a dynamically generated identifier
Instead of a PIN which is associated with an account and provides access to an account, a dynamically generated card identifier (dynamic CID) is used to verify that the consumer currently possesses the transaction card at the time of purchase and/or is the true card owner. At the time of purchase, a token generates a dynamic CID, which changes with each transaction. A consumer enters the dynamic CID into a pre-existing CID field in an electronic order form. The merchant then sends the dynamic CID to a card authorization system within an authorization request. The card authorization system issues a response to a merchant system via a pre-existing authorization message indicating that the transaction card and dynamic CID have been validated, thereby adjusting the fraud risk associated with the transaction. |
| US07849010B2 |
System and method for real time account and account number generation using origination APIS
A system and method generate an account in real time in accordance with an application programming interface (API). The API contains parameter descriptions listing universal resource locator (URL) parameters associated with items. A format for implementing an http request to transmit data to in compliance with the defined format is disclosed. A transparent mode for transmitting a response to an http request transmitting data provides for the transmission of an extensible markup language (XML) formatted file communicating an outcome to the request. |
| US07849008B1 |
Real-time charge calculation system
The above objects can be attained by a system that creates system-created events at an optimal time independent of the billing process, and performs a continuous pricing process so that as events become available to the system they can be priced and summarized in real-time, allowing the billing process to be performed more efficiently. Usage and one-time events become available for pricing as soon as they are delivered to the system. System-created events, such as recurring, minimum charge summary, and maximum charge summary events, are created by the system based on a schedule defined by a subscription to which a customer has subscribed. Charges for events are re-calculated, if necessary, when information in the system, which impacts the charge of an event, changes. On demand pricing is performed when a charge for summary event, such as, a tiered discount plan summary, minimum charge summary, or maximum charge summary, is to be displayed or billed. |
| US07849002B2 |
System and method for evaluating preferred risk definitions
A method of characterizing relative risks associated with a plurality of financial products comprises the steps of identifying one or more risk classes associated with the products, determining for each risk class an expected occurrence rate, dividing the expected occurrence rates by an average rate to determine relative risk ratios, and comparing the relative risk ratios to characterize the relative risks associated with the products. In certain embodiments, one or more of the risk classes are associated with one or more criteria. The criteria may be modified and the method repeated to determine an impact of the modification on the relative risks associated with the products. The relative risk ratio may be used to redefine one or more of the risk classes. Certain embodiments may include the step of determining a separate relative risk ratio for subgroups of risks. Others may include the step of using the relative risk ratio to determine an impact on the risk class of including in that class one or more risks that do not meet one or more of the criteria associated with that class. |
| US07849000B2 |
Method and system for electronic trading via a yield curve
A method and system for providing automatic electronic trading via yield curves. The method and system allow automatic execution of electronic trades with yield curve trading strategies and yield curve trading indicators that that have reached a pre-determined yield curve trading limits. The yield curve trading values that have reached the pre-determined yield curve trading limits are also displayed visually in a graphical three-dimensional (3D) format to provide additional visual indicators on a graphical user interface used for electronic trading via yield curves. |
| US07848996B2 |
Derivative securitized index participation notes
Techniques are described for securitizing, administrating and trading various index shares securitized by derivative, cash-settled instruments on the underlying index. |
| US07848994B1 |
System and method for linking and managing linked orders in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for linking and managing linked orders are described. According to one method, a trader may first link two or more orders into a linked order, and then one or more parameters associated with one of the orders may be dynamically changed based on user inputs or information being received from an exchange. For example, a trader may link any two orders as an order cancel order, and each linked order may be associated with the same or different tradable objects, order quantities, and may be submitted to one or more exchanges. The order quantities may be then dynamically updated based on updates being received from the one or more exchanges and further based on a quantity ratio between the two orders. Further, the linked order may be submitted upon detecting a fill for another order. |
| US07848989B2 |
Method and system for an enhanced step-up provision in a deferred variable annuity with a rising guaranteed step-up
A computer implemented data processing system and method administers a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity contract has a payment base value, a contract value, and a step-up provision. Administration of the product determines whether a step-up of the payment base value is applicable. If applicable, the product determines a step-up, wherein the step-up is guaranteed at a predetermined percentage. The investments of the deferred variable annuity contract are not limited to a specific asset allocation in order to qualify for the step-up provision. |
| US07848986B2 |
Method and system for creating an equity exchange fund for public and private entities
A method and system for creating an equity exchange fund for public and private entities are provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an application to participate in the fund from at least one investor, the investor having a position in at least one commercial entity; evaluating the entity based on at least one predetermined criteria; if the entity is acceptable, performing a valuation of the position in the entity; and determining a number of shares of the fund to be exchanged for the position in the entity. The determining the number of shares step includes determining a future value of the position at a scheduled date of liquidation of the fund; dividing the future value of the position by a total current fund value plus the future value of the position to determine a ratio; and multiplying a number of shares of the fund by the ratio. |
| US07848981B2 |
Computer system and method for determining an earthquake damage index
In a computer system and a computer-implemented method for determining a damage index indicative of damage caused by an earthquake to a portfolio of objects associated with a geographical area, local portfolio replacement value indices are stored assigned to object or grid coordinates of the geographical area. For each coordinate having a local portfolio replacement value index assigned to it, a local damage index is calculated from location, depth, and magnitude data related to the earthquake and from the local portfolio replacement value index, using local vulnerability and attenuation parameters. The damage index is calculated by aggregating the local damage indices for the grid coordinates. For any size of the geographical area and for any resolution of the grid, a damage index reflecting the geographical distribution of the portfolio objects can be determined, without need for a network of seismological measurement stations distributed in the geographical area. |
| US07848980B2 |
Mobile payment system and method using alias
Methods and systems are disclosed for allowing financial transactions to be conducted using mobile phones. A payer initiates a transaction by sending a payment request message from a mobile phone which specifies the payee and amount to be paid. Payees are identified by unique aliases, which are maintained in a database. Methods for assembling the enrollment and alias database are included. |
| US07848976B2 |
Private entity profile network
In private equity and debt funding operations, resource providers define electronic data collection templates to be filled in by prospective resource consumers to form semi-homogeneous profiles. Providers and/or consumers can assign themselves and/or third parties various individualized levels of permissions to access and to perform activities on the profiles. Providers can organize profiles into portfolios to further manage the data. All accesses and activities, such as changes to the data, are tracked and recorded in logs useful for audit purposes. |
| US07848973B2 |
Method, system, and program product for demographic reporting of billable project activity
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for demographic reporting of billable project activity. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing all billable project activity data associated with an information technology (IT) migration project in a database; organizing the billable project activity data into a plurality of billable project activity reports, based on selected demographic criteria; and selecting and displaying a billable project activity report in a user interface (UI). |
| US07848970B2 |
System and method for synchronizing ledger accounts by company group
A system and method for keeping ledger accounts in synchronization between a back-end procurement system and a front-end requisition and catalog system. An extract utility extracts a file of general ledger (G/L) accounts, including account code, description, and company code, from a chart of accounts in the back-end and transfers it to the front-end, where it is updated by an update utility to include company group code from a company group table and then loaded into a data store of valid general ledger accounts. Maintenance of the front end data store of valid accounts includes pushing to all companies in a company group ledger code entered with respect to any one of the companies in that group. |
| US07848969B2 |
Accounting system
An accounting system includes client modules pre-configured for client use, which can be used without client configuration. Each client module has interface forms for entering transaction records. Pre-assigned transaction category codes are stored on a storage medium. Code selectors are entered through use of the transaction entry forms. A client chart of accounts allows selection of an account for association with transaction records. Accounts are predetermined by the clients or in accordance with accounts of trading types prenominated by the clients. Each account includes a unique account identification and description prescribed by the client or generally adopted by traders in the trading type. Each category code is pre-specified as taxed/non-taxed, and as expenditure/income. The system can obtain information on tax liabilities of the transaction records through prompts associated with transaction category codes that have tax liabilities, and extracts the entered information for tax liabilities of the transaction. |
| US07848968B1 |
Processing returned rental items
In an embodiment, a method of processing returned rental inventory items comprises receiving, at a rental item provider and from a set of first customers of the rental item provider, a set of returned rental items that the first customers have returned to the rental item provider after renting the items; predicting a subset of the returned rental items that the rental item provider will need to provide in the future to a set of second customers; creating and storing a record in a computer of the subset of the returned rental items; providing the subset of the returned rental items to the set of second customers without first returning the returned rental items to an inventory of rental items. |
| US07848967B2 |
Methods and systems for collaborative demand planning and replenishment
The present invention provides systems and methods for generating replenishment orders for products sold to a multi-store retailer. Store trait data is mapped with planogram information and the mapped data is used to generate a fixture level safety stock for a particular product in a particular store. The fixture level safety stock triggers fixture level replenishment orders. |
| US07848964B2 |
Method for shopping in a store
A method for shopping in a store is provided using a multi-network for communication in a store and a wireless end device that may be held approximate to a shopper as a shopper moves about a store and whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network. |
| US07848955B2 |
On-line media store that supports pre-ordering of digital media assets
Techniques to facilitate pre-ordering of digital media assets from an on-line media store are disclosed. A user of the on-line media store can view advance listings for digital media assets that have not yet been released. A user can also choose to pre-order a digital media asset that has not yet been released. According to one aspect, a bundle (or group) of digital media assets can be pre-ordered. Such a pre-order is recorded and monitored so that the desired digital media asset can be purchased and delivered to the user once the digital media asset become available. Since the monitoring is computerized and the delivery is electronic, once a digital media asset becomes available, delivery of any pre-order can, if desired, occur nearly immediately. |
| US07848954B2 |
On-line media store that supports pre-ordering of digital media assets
Techniques to facilitate pre-ordering of digital media assets from an on-line media store are disclosed. A user of the on-line media store can view advance listings for digital media assets that have not yet been released. A user can also choose to pre-order a digital media asset that has not yet been released. Such a pre-order is recorded and monitored so that the desired digital media asset can be purchased and delivered to the user once the digital media asset become available. Since the monitoring is computerized and the delivery is electronic, once a digital media asset becomes available, delivery of any pre-order can occur nearly immediately. |
| US07848949B1 |
Lead generation building, optimization, management, and tracking tool
The present invention allows users to quickly develop web pages, or offers, to meet their advertisers' individual needs; mange the offers and inventory; and prioritize the order in which the offers are displayed. Functions included in the invention allow the user to internally monitor performance of marketing campaigns. The invention also has the ability to automatically prioritize which offers are to be displayed to users and in what order they will appear based upon the number of orders outstanding from an advertiser, the revenue generated from each conversion, the conversion rate of each offer, and a manual factor inserted based upon the business priority. The current invention allows the user to effectively and efficiently run a business where the user is required to set up offers for individual advertisers and maintain an effective balance of priority based upon business concerns, revenue, inventory of offer and conversion rates. |
| US07848944B1 |
Tuning a schedule of transportation resources using mathematical programming
Techniques for refining a schedule involve identifying schedule alternatives to an original schedule and generating one or more substitute schedules using one or more of the schedule alternatives. An objective function is used to perform an analysis of the original schedule and the one or more substitute schedules, and a refined schedule is selected based on the analysis. |
| US07848939B1 |
Methods for validating participants in a pension insurance program
A method for ensuring valid participation of a plan participant in a defined contribution pension plan provides data query for identifying the plan participant. A pension debt coverage policy protects an outstanding balance of a defined contribution plan loan secured by participant's plan assets, eliminating adverse tax consequences to the plan beneficiary in the event of the death or disability of the participant and ensuring that the full plan account balance passes intact to beneficiary in such event. |
| US07848938B2 |
Computerized method and system of assigning an absolute liability value for an accident
Methods and systems for providing vehicle accident information to a computer system are provided. In one embodiment, an accident type of a vehicle accident may be provided to the computer system via a graphical user interface. The computer system may include a memory. The memory may have sets of characteristics regarding one or more past or theoretical accidents. In an embodiment, at least one characteristic in the sets of characteristics may be an accident type. The computer system may display one or more of the accident types in the memory as a graphical image on the graphical user interface. A user may select an accident type of the vehicle accident from the graphical user interface. |
| US07848937B2 |
Connecting consumers with service providers
A set of answers is received to a series of questions sent to a consumer of services, the set of answers to the series of questions is analyzed in a computer to identify types of service providers that can provide services to the consumer based on the received answers, and an agenda is produced, the agenda including the identified types of service providers and topics for the consumer of services to discuss with a service provider of each type, with the topics determined at least in part based on the answers. |
| US07848929B2 |
Method and apparatus for packing and decoding audio and other data
A method and apparatus for compressing digital data, particularly audio and other data, in a way that the packing method used can be automatically detected and decoded at the receiving station. The audio signal is divided into compression packets consisting of four word pairs of left and right words. The first word pair in each compression packet is tagged with an identifier to indicate the start of a new compression packet, and is provided with configuration information which, over an entire compression block of 48 compression packets, constructs a 48-bit word specifying the manner in which the compressed audio and other data is packed. The method and apparatus of the invention is able to compress digital audio and other data to accommodate 16-, 20-and 24-bit resolutions and transmit up to eight channels of audio information in a variety of formats, and makes more efficient use of available bandwidth in the 16-, 20-or 24-bit output by allowing other information to be embedded into the least significant bits of the remaining available compression packet space which would otherwise be dropped. |
| US07848928B2 |
Overriding default speech processing behavior using a default focus receiver
A method for implementing speech focus in a speech processing system can include the step of establishing a default focus receiver as a first entity to request speech focus of a speech processing system having multiple applications that share speech resources based upon speech focus. An event occurrence can be detected. An event handler of the default speech receiver can previously define behavior for the event occurrence and where default system behavior can be implemented within the speech processing system for the event occurrence. The default system behavior can be utilized when speech focus is not assigned during the event occurrence. Responsive to the event occurrence, at least one programmatic action can be performed in accordance with machine readable instructions of the event handler. The default system behavior is not implemented responsive to the event occurrence. |
| US07848924B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing voice conversion using temporal dynamic features
An apparatus for providing voice conversion using temporal dynamic features includes a feature extractor and a transformation element. The feature extractor may be configured to extract dynamic feature vectors from source speech. The transformation element may be in communication with the feature extractor and configured to apply a first conversion function to a signal including the extracted dynamic feature vectors to produce converted dynamic feature vectors. The first conversion function may have been trained using at least dynamic feature data associated with training source speech and training target speech. The transformation element may be further configured to produce converted speech based on an output of applying the first conversion function. |
| US07848920B2 |
Method and system of dynamically adjusting a speech output rate to match a speech input rate
A method (10) and system of adjusting a speech output rate to match a speech input rate can include the steps of receiving (12) speech input, computing (14) a speech input rate, and dynamically adjusting (18 or 26) a speech output rate to match the speech input rate. If the type of speech output is TTS, then a rate of TTS can be adjusted (18). If the type of speech output is recorded and alternate text is available, then steps (22 and 24) of counting alternate text available from a recorded output and determining an audio file length is used to compute a default output rate to adjust a recorded output rate. If the type is recorded and alternate text is unavailable, then steps (21 and 24) of obtaining an output word count from a transcription of a recorded speech output and determining an audio file length is used. |
| US07848919B2 |
Method and system of editing a language communication sheet
A method of editing communication sheets comprises providing a picture/text editing interface; providing a dividing function for communication sheet; providing a expression (s) database, a picture database and a voice database; providing a correlation searching function; providing expression (s) insertion function; providing picture insertion function; providing language assigning function; and providing a output file generating function. The method also handles multiple languages and can change the language of expression (s) or voice with a rapid manner. |
| US07848917B2 |
Common word graph based multimodal input
Multiple input modalities are selectively used by a user or process to prune a word graph. Pruning initiates rescoring in order to generate a new word graph with a revised best path. |
| US07848916B2 |
System, method and program product for bidirectional text translation
A system, method, and program product for translating text. The invention provides a bidirectional translation corpus that is used to translate phrases from a first language to a second language and vice versa. The bidirectional translation corpus has multiple entries, each having a phrase in the first language and a corresponding phrase in the second language. A source phrase is compared with each entry in the bidirectional translation corpus to determine if it matches one of the entries. If a match is found, the corresponding phrase is used as a translated phrase. Otherwise, the phrase is translated using a translation system. |
| US07848914B2 |
Monitoring physical parameters in an emulation environment
A method and system is disclosed for monitoring and viewing physical parameters while the emulator is emulating a design. Additionally, the parameters are in real time or substantially real time, such as after a periodic update. In one embodiment, a monitoring portion of the emulator periodically monitors the emulator boards and power supplies for physical information. The physical information is communicated to a workstation for communication to a user. For example, the workstation can display the physical information in a graphical user interface (GUI) that shows which boards are plugged in the system and which slots are empty. In yet another aspect, the user can select a particular board in the system and view communication information, such as data errors, status, link errors, global errors, etc. |
| US07848907B2 |
System and method for modeling stochastic behavior of a system of N similar statistical variables
A system and method for modeling stochastic behavior of a system of N similar statistical variables using N uncorrelated/independent random model parameters. More particularly, a system and method of modeling device across chip variations and device mismatch. The method includes modeling stochastic behavior of a system of N similar statistical variables using N uncorrelated/independent random model parameters. The method includes providing a system of N similar statistical variables, wherein each stochastic variable has a same standard deviation. The method further includes partially correlating each and every pair of stochastic variables among N variables, wherein a degree of partial correlation is a same for all pairs of variables. A statistical model is constructed to represent a system of N stochastic variables in which only N independent stochastic model parameters are used. A one-to-one mapping relation exists between N model parameters and the N variables. The method further includes finding unique values of the N model parameters given a set of values of the N variables. Reversely, the method also includes finding the values of the N variables given a set of values of the N model parameters. |
| US07848905B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for locating and tracking objects
Methods, systems, and computer program products for locating and tracking objects are disclosed. According to one system, a locating device can be configured to determine a location of an object. According to another system, an identifying device can be configured to determine the identification of an object. Further, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the object. A communications system can be configured to communicate a signal to a remote computer device that identifies the location of the object and includes the tracking information associated with the object. |
| US07848903B2 |
Information processing method and information processing apparatus
An information processing method for obtaining placement information of a first position and orientation sensor attached to an object with respect to the object includes an image input step of inputting an image of the object captured by an image capturing device, and a sensor measurement value input step of inputting a first measurement value of the first position and orientation sensor and a second measurement value of a second position and orientation sensor attached to the image capturing device. An index detecting step detects information about image coordinates of an index attached to the object from the image, and a placement information calculating step calculates the placement information by using the first and second measurement values of the first and second position and orientation sensors and the information about the image coordinates of the index. |
| US07848898B2 |
Method for monitoring process drift using plasma characteristics
Methods for monitoring process drift using plasma characteristics are provided. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring process drift using plasma characteristics includes obtaining metrics of current and voltage information of a first waveform coupled to a plasma during a plasma process formed on a substrate, obtaining metrics of current and voltage information of a second waveform coupled to the plasma during the plasma process formed on the substrate, the first and second waveforms having different frequencies, determining at least one characteristic of the plasma using the metrics obtained from each different frequency waveform, and adjusting the plasma process in response to the determined at least one characteristic of the plasma. |
| US07848896B2 |
Non-contact measurement system for accurate measurement of frequency and amplitude of mechanical vibration
A non-contact detection technique of measuring both the frequency and the amplitude of periodic movement using a property of nonlinear phase modulation is provided. In one embodiment, the technique can utilize a 22-40 GHz radar sensor. Embodiments do not require calibration of signal amplitude for accurate measurement of movement amplitude. In addition, self-verification is possible. Furthermore, embodiments can provide measurements of frequency and amplitude using a very simple architecture. The method can be used to detect movements with amplitudes larger than 0.335 of the carrier wavelength for a fixed carrier frequency system and 0.214 of the minimum carrier wavelength for a frequency tunable system. |
| US07848893B2 |
Method for skeletal maturity determination
The invention is a method for estimating a skeletal maturity value of a human from a radiograph of one or more bones in the hand. The borders of the bones are represented by shape points, which are subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). Image intensities are sampled at points located relative to the shape point, and also compressed with PCA. From the features a skeletal maturity value is determined. |
| US07848887B2 |
Making directional measurements using a rotating and non-rotating drilling apparatus
A system and method to determine directional measurements for a drilling tool that at times rotates and at other times does not rotate. The method includes making a first set of measurements when the apparatus is rotating, making a second set of measurements when the apparatus is not rotating, and combining the first and second sets of measurements to obtain the directional measurements. The system includes a transmitter-receiver pair wherein the transmitter has a magnetic dipole moment parallel to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and the receiver has a magnetic dipole moment that is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, an electronics module to excite the transmitter and detect a receiver signal to make a first and second set of measurements when the apparatus is rotating and not rotating, and a processor to combine the first and second sets of measurements to obtain the directional measurements. |
| US07848885B2 |
Collision determining apparatus for a vehicle
A collision determining apparatus for a vehicle includes a first acceleration measuring device which measures an acceleration acting on the vehicle, a movement amount calculating device which calculates an amount of movement of an occupant, a change in movement speed calculating device which calculates a change in movement speed of the occupant, a first collision determining threshold value setting device which sets collision determining threshold values for a correlation between the amount of movement of the occupant and the change in movement speed of the occupant, a first collision determining device which determines whether or not the correlation exceeds the collision determining threshold value, and a first control signal generating device which generates a control signal which instructs that an occupant protection apparatus be operated slowly in multiple stages or be operated rapidly in multiple stages. |
| US07848884B2 |
Collision prediction apparatus
A collision prediction ECU of a collision prediction apparatus estimates a state of presence of a detected front obstacle. At this time, the collision prediction ECU estimates the state of presence on the basis of road shape data supplied from a navigation ECU of a navigation apparatus. Further, the collision prediction ECU checks and corrects the calculated road gradient value. At this time, the collision prediction ECU corrects the gradient value on the basis of road gradient data supplied from the navigation ECU. Further, the collision prediction ECU changes a collision avoidance time on the basis of travel environment data supplied from the navigation ECU. Moreover, the collision prediction ECU obtains an ETC gate pass-through signal from the navigation ECU and determines whether the vehicle is passing through the gate. The collision prediction apparatus performs collation prediction on the basis of the corrected values. |
| US07848883B2 |
Method and device for determining the ground position of a mobile object, in particular an aircraft on an airport
The invention concerns a device (1) comprising means (2) for emitting periodically position data, means (3) for emitting inertial data, means (4) for determining the position of the mobile object upon each position data emission based thereon, and means (5) for determining the position of the mobile object between two successive emissions of position data, the time interval between two successive emissions being divided into time ranges of equal duration separated by intermediate times, the latter means (5) determining for each current intermediate time the position of the mobile object, based on its position at the preceding intermediate time and based on its movement during the time range delimited by the current and preceding intermediate times, movement which is calculated by means of the inertial date. |
| US07848882B2 |
Device and method for executing vehicle-mounted man-machine interface
A vehicle-mounted man-machine interface device comprises display means for displaying a screen, press position detecting means for detecting the press position on the screen, and control means for displaying an operating screen on which operating figures are arranged on the display means and acquiring the operation content specified by the press on the operating screen from the arrangement positions of the operating figures, the operation on each operating figure, and the output of the press position detecting means. The device further comprises traveling detecting means for detecting whether or not the vehicle having the device is traveling or detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle. The control manes sets or alters one or both of the number of operating figures simultaneously displayed on the operating screen and their sizes according to the output from the traveling detecting means. With this, a man-machine interface technique for easily and reliably performing operation can be provided. |
| US07848879B2 |
Survivability system
A system determines a course of action for a vehicle. The system includes an altitude module, a threat detection module, a route module, and a threat avoidance module. The altitude module contains a list of types of threats. The list includes a predetermined threshold time for maximum safe visibility by the vehicle for each type. The threat detection module detects threats. The route module stores a planned route for the vehicle. The threat avoidance module determines types of threats detected by the threat detection module. The threat avoidance module utilizes the predetermined threshold times from the altitude module for each threat detected by the threat detection module to determine whether the planned route may safely enter visibility range of each threat detected by the threat detection module. |
| US07848878B2 |
Geographic information transceiving system and method thereof
Provided is a geographic information transceiving system and method using a digital broadcasting network. The system and method segments new geographic and map data of a region, on which a geographic information service is provided, makes data segment files of different sizes, and multiplexes and transmits the files. A geographic information transmitting system includes: a geographic information collector for receiving real-time geographic information and real-time traffic information; a geographic information processor for extracting/processing local geographic information and local traffic information from the geographic information collecting means and outputting whole area information, geographic information and traffic information for a plurality of resolution levels; a digital broadcasting unit for converting and transmitting the geographic information/traffic information data in conformity to digital broadcast signals; a geographic information multiplexer for multiplexing the geographic information/traffic information data; and a transmitter for transmitting the multiplexed geographic information/traffic information data to a corresponding region. |
| US07848863B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing audio and video content service in vehicle
An apparatus and a method for providing a video content service in a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a speed detection unit detecting a speed of the vehicle using a global positioning system, a status detection unit detecting a status of a parking brake, and a video control unit controlling one or more display apparatuses so that an the video contents are displayed when the speed of the vehicle is determined to be below a predetermined speed based on information on the detected status of the parking brake and the detected speed of the vehicle. According to the present invention, various video contents can be provided to a driver and passengers while safety driving of the vehicle and the driver's concentration on driving are maintained. |
| US07848861B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing diagnostics of a lifting magnet system
An apparatus for providing diagnostics of a work device includes an electric crane including an operator cabin and a derrick that supports a lifting magnet; a diagnostic panel disposed proximate the operator cabin; a device that provides one or more operating parameters associated with an operation of the electric crane; and a logic controller in communication with the device and diagnostic panel. The logic controller receives the one or more operating parameter. The diagnostic panel provides one or more quantifiable diagnostics of the electric crane and/or magnet according to the one or more operating parameters received by the PLC. A method is also disclosed. |
| US07848856B2 |
Communication system and electronic control unit including communication system for vehicle control
The communication system including a master device and a plurality of slave devices communicatably connected to the master device is configured such that a selected one of the slave devices which is applied with a communication permission signal from the master device through a corresponding one of control lines performs communication with the master device. The master device includes a switching circuit that changes internal connection thereof such that the communication permission signal is applied to another one of the slave devices which should perform communication with the master device next. |
| US07848849B2 |
Controller of leg type moving robot
A controller of a leg type moving robot determines an action force to be input to an object dynamic model 2 such that a motion state amount (object model velocity) of the object dynamic model 2 follows a desired motion state amount based on a moving plan of an object, and also determines a manipulated variable of the motion state amount (object model velocity) of the object dynamic model 2 such that the difference between an actual object position and a desired object position approximates zero, and then inputs the determined action force and manipulated variable to the object dynamic model 2 to sequentially determine the desired object position. Further, a desired object reaction force to a robot from the object is determined from the determined reaction force. This arrangement causes the robot to perform an operation of moving an object while securing stability of the robot by determining the desired motion of the object and the desired value of an action force between the object and the robot while minimizing the difference between a motion state of the object on the object dynamic model and an actual motion state. |
| US07848848B2 |
Robotic station for capturing both image and weight of a sample
A robotic system with a common software and hardware platform for integration of a variety of modular components is provided that can be set up for a given application and reconfigured to address changing needs. Modules attach to the robotic platform with standard interfaces in order to maximize the platform's flexibility. Robotic arms also have interchangeability such as variable pitched Z-racks, powder handling or other technologies. The standard interfaces allow third party developers to develop and integrate their own custom modules. One module included with the robotic platform in accord with this invention is a module that both weighs and images a sample. |
| US07848847B2 |
Method for diagnosing malfunction of apparatus delivering goods and services against payment
A method for diagnosing malfunctions of apparatus delivering goods or services against payment of an automatic terminal type, is provided. The method includes calculating the value of at least one data item representative of the operation of the apparatus, comparing the calculated value to a predetermined reference value and deducing the occurrence of a malfunction in the event of a predetermined difference between the values. |
| US07848846B2 |
Medicine supply apparatus
A medicine supply apparatus for filling medicines into containers has a plurality of reception compartments into which each of a plurality of medicines are to be respectively selectively fed by a user based on prescription data stored in a processor, a discharge apparatus for discharging the medicines from each of the reception compartments, and filling apparatus for filling the medicines discharged from the reception compartments into containers. An LED lamp is identifiably related to each of the plurality of reception compartments to indicate the reception compartment into which a particular medicine is to be fed based on the prescription data and a control device controls the discharge apparatus to discharge the medicine from the reception compartment and the filling apparatus. |
| US07848843B2 |
Eyeglass lens processing apparatus and lens fixing cup
In a two-step processing mode in which a cup for attaching a lens to a chuck axis is changed from a large diameter cup to a small diameter cup on the way of processing, a roughing path data computing unit for computing first roughing path data larger than the target lens shape data by a predetermined finishing margin, and second roughing path data having a radius vector larger by at least Δa than at least radius vector data of the large diameter cup; and a processing controller for roughing the peripheral edge of the lens based on the second roughing path data in response to a processing start signal, thereafter stopping the processing and further resuming the processing. The processing controller performs, when a processing resuming signal is inputted, processing control of either roughing and finishing, or finishing without roughing. |
| US07848841B2 |
Customer-created textiles and method of producing same
Customers obtain customized textile materials by selecting style, shape, size, pattern and color for an undyed textile product. Based on a selection made by the customer, the textile product is transformed by a dyeing operation performed on a single item to yield a product, such as a shirt, pants, or jacket, which has a color and pattern of his or her own choosing, in the size and style he or she desires. The process can be performed in a retail setting using a dye machine which allows the process to be viewed by the customer. Preferably, the textile material is constructed from yarns which include cationic cotton alone or in combination with natural cotton or other natural or synthetic fibers, and using anionic dyes, such as a fiber reactive dye, such that the dye is exhausted during the process and effluent from the dye machine is environmentally friendly without excess dye, salts, and alkalis. |
| US07848836B2 |
Scheduling system and work order scheduling protocol for such a system
In a scheduling system for planning and scheduling production in an industrial production system, which scheduled production is to be executed by the production system under control of a manufacturing execution system, the scheduling system is a multi-agent scheduling system. At least a part of the behavior of the agents in the multi-agent system is customizable by visually defined scheduling rules. The scheduling system and manufacturing execution system share a definition and execution environment having an editor that visually defines both the scheduling rules and control rules of the manufacturing execution system, and an execution engine for executing the scheduling rules and control rules and making scheduling decisions based on an execution of the scheduling rules and control rules. |
| US07848834B2 |
Computerized system for network-based management of engineering projects
A computer system used for carrying out engineering tasks as a part of an engineering project. The system includes a plurality of client computers and one or more server computers accessible by the client computers via a communications network. Distributed across these computers is a multi-tiered software system that includes system programs, application programs, and database programs. The system programs include a system objects module, a job manager module, an event manager module, and a workbook module. The system objects module provides security and authentication services. The application programs carry out at least some of the engineering tasks. The job manager module manages use of the application programs. The event manager module receives and distributes notifications between at least some of the modules. The workbook module provides a user of the application programs with engineering information related to one or more of the engineering tasks. |
| US07848830B1 |
Drive-through transaction system and method
A system (10) for carrying out transactions between a customer at a customer station (14, 21, 202, 204) and a service provider at a service provider station (12, 194), includes transferring items through transaction devices such as pneumatic carrier delivery and receiving device (21, 200) and a deal drawer (20, 208). The customer at the customer station provides inputs corresponding to a financial account through input devices on the body which is stored in the memory (82, 158) on the body. After transfer to the service provider station, data in the memory is output to a charge device (56) which is operative to assess a charge to the customer's account responsive to data output from the memory. Vehicle sensors (230, 234) sense a vehicle adjacent the respective transaction device. At least one computer calculates at least one time value corresponding to each vehicle and stores the at least one time value and other data values concerning the respective transaction. |
| US07848828B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing manufacturing equipment, method for manufacturing device thereby
Provided is a method for managing manufacturing apparatuses used in a managed production line including a plurality of manufacturing processes for manufacturing an electronic device, each of the apparatuses being used in one or more of the processes. The method includes acquiring a property of a reference device manufactured in a predetermined reference production line including the manufacturing processes to be performed, performing at least one of the manufacturing processes in the managed production line, performing the other manufacturing processes in the reference production line, and manufacturing a comparison device. The method further includes measuring a property of the comparison device, comparing the measured properties of the reference and the comparison devices, and judging whether a manufacturing apparatus used in the at least one manufacturing process in the managed production line is defective or not, based on a property difference between the reference and the comparison devices. |
| US07848826B2 |
Method for enabling the operation of automation components of a technical system via a mobile control and monitoring device
There is described a method for enabling the operation of automation components of a technical system via a mobile control and monitoring device. In a first step, the control and monitoring device receives a first identification from a first transponder device, with the first transponder device being attached to the technical system, with the first transponder device having been activated by the automation components and with the first identification having been transmitted via a wireless communication connection from the automation components to the mobile control and monitoring device. In a further step the communication connection between the control and monitoring device and the automation components is deactivated. The mobile control and monitoring device sends a carrier signal and following that receives the carrier signal modulated by the first transponder device. A first distance between the control and monitoring device and the first transponder device is then determined from the modulated carrier signal. In addition, a first radio-determined identification from the first transponder device is determined from the modulated carrier signal. Following the reception of the modulated carrier signal, the communication connection is reactivated. If the first distance is shorter than a predetermined first distance and if the radio-determined first identification corresponds to the first identification, the operation of the automation components is enabled. |
| US07848821B1 |
Apparatus and method for electrode insertion in heart tissue
What is described is a method of implanting one or more electrodes of a pacing or defibrillation lead in heart tissue. The method comprises positioning a distal end of a catheter against a surface of the heart tissue, extending a distal end of a first electrode from a lumen of the catheter such that the distal end of the first electrode penetrates the surface, and retracting the first electrode to fix a hook feature of the first electrode in the heart tissue. |
| US07848820B2 |
System and method for radio communication between an implantable medical device and an external base unit
In a system and method for radio communication between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external base unit, respectively including transceivers for communication therebetween, the external base unit, according to a predetermined criterion, sends a sleep message to the IMD transceiver, requesting the IMD transceiver to switch power-consuming circuitry in the IMD to a sleep, power-down mode of operation for a predetermined sleep time period. |
| US07848817B2 |
Coupling module of a modular implantable medical device
In an implantable medical device having individual modules, a coupling module couples the modules to one another. The coupling module supports electrical and/or mechanical coupling of the modules. The coupling module may assume a variety of shapes or configurations. The various embodiments of the coupling module may offer the modules varying degrees of freedom of movement relative to one another. |
| US07848815B2 |
Implantable transducer devices
Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity. |
| US07848812B2 |
Elective service indicator based on pulse count for implantable device
The present invention is an implantable tissue stimulation therapy system, comprising an implantable tissue stimulation device including a power source of a known stored energy amount, a programmer communicably coupled to the device and adapted to propose one or more therapy parameters for the device, each therapy parameter having a known energy consumption associated therewith, wherein a predicted elective service date of the power source based on the one or more proposed therapy parameters and the known energy amount of the power source is automatically determined, and a display communicatively coupled to the activation device, the display being configured to indicate the predicted elective power source service date to an operator, wherein the operator may choose to select the one or more proposed therapy parameters based on the indicated predicted elective service date and the selected one or more therapy parameters are transmitted to the device. |
| US07848811B2 |
Posture sensor
A system and method determines the posture of a body. The system is first calibrated by attaching it to, or implanted it into, a body, placing the body in particular postures, and generating spectral signatures for each of those postures. Thereafter, the system generates spectral signatures for particular instants in time, correlates these instant signatures with the stored signatures, from which the posture of the body at that instant in time is determined. |
| US07848808B2 |
System and method for delivery of cardiac pacing in a medical device in response to ischemia
An implantable medical device system and method in which the implantable device is adapted to operate in a minimum ventricular pacing mode. The device delivers cardiac pacing pulses in a first pacing mode during a normal mode of operation and upon detecting myocardial ischemia alters the first pacing mode in response to the myocardial ischemia detection. |
| US07848806B1 |
Virtual electrode polarization for shock therapy
An exemplary method includes configuring a coil electrode as a cathode, calling for delivery of energy to an electrode configuration that includes the coil cathode wherein the energy exceeds one joule, configuring a coil electrode as an anode and, within 10 seconds of the calling, calling for delivery of energy to an electrode configuration that includes the coil anode wherein the energy exceeds one joule. Such an exemplary method may aim to induce fibrillation and to defibrillate tissue. Various other exemplary methods are disclosed as well as various exemplary devices, systems, etc. |
| US07848802B2 |
Programming interface with a concentric axial view of a stimulation lead with complex electrode array geometry
The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a concentric axial view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead. |
| US07848800B2 |
Device for delivering medicines by transpalpebral electrophoresis
The invention concerns a device for ocular application of an active principle (1) comprising a main electrode (2) including an insulating layer, an adhesive layer designed to bind the insulating layer to a conductive layer, characterized in that the main electrode comprises a zone (21, 22) designed to be urged into contact with an eyelid. |
| US07848799B2 |
Drill device and method for forming microconduits
The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit. |
| US07848790B2 |
System and method of imaging using a variable speed for thorax imaging
A system and method of medical imaging using a variable speed patient positioning table are provided. The patient positioning table is configured to operate at a plurality of table speeds during acquisition of data from a selected region, such as the thorax region baying predefined cardiac and non-cardiac regions. In a non-cardiac region, the table is controlled to move at one speed and when the cardiac region is detected, the table is controlled to move at another speed, preferably faster than in the cardiac region to speed data acquisition and eliminate motion artifacts. |
| US07848786B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device has various functions such as mobile communication, multimedia entertainment, and data processing. The device includes a main body installed with two keyboards and two slide rails, and two sub-bodies respectively equipped with a display. The sub-bodies are pivoted to each other and rotate through a shaft, and slide along slide rails through connecting members on the main body respectively. Therefore, the sub-bodies can be lifted relative to the main body through the shaft and the connecting members, so as to be optionally drawn close to the main body with the two displays facing the same direction, or to stand on the main body with the two displays facing opposite directions. Therefore, two different operating modes are achieved. |
| US07848785B2 |
Keypad assembly for a mobile terminal
A keypad assembly for a mobile terminal includes a shielding element to prevent sound leakage from or into a sound port that is used to guide sound to a terminal microphone. A mobile terminal may include a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to a keypad assembly and mounted within a case or housing, wherein a microphone is integral with the PCB. The shielding element is located between the microphone and the terminal case to form part of the sound port, and may be integrated with the keypad assembly. |
| US07848783B2 |
Mobile communication device and screen switching method for mobile communication device
Web page content, which is the same as web page content displayed on a first display unit with a mobile communication device in an opened state, is displayed on a smaller-sized second display unit with the mobile communication device in a closed state, without reacquiring content by another communication. |
| US07848777B2 |
Printing a puzzle using a mobile device
A system for printing a puzzle on a print medium, the system comprising: a mobile telecommunications device which comprises: a printer module to print the puzzle on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium. |
| US07848775B2 |
Cell phone with selective transmission of a slam or other sound
A cell phone is equipped to selectively send a prerecorded sound such as a telephone handset being slammed down on its cradle to a connected cell phone by an activation key, and thereafter disconnect the call. |
| US07848773B2 |
Mobile communication terminal having qwerty keys and method for outputting dual tone multi-frequency signal thereof
A mobile communication terminal having QWERTY keys and a method for outputting Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals thereof are disclosed. The user inputs information including alphabetic characters that is requested by a directory system, while viewing the alphabetic characters marked on the QWERTY keys. The mobile communication terminal outputs DTMF signals of symbols marked on the input QWERTY keys identical to the DTMF signals of the corresponding symbols of keys arrayed in a conventional 3×4 key array format. The alphabetic keys of the QWERTY keys output DTMF signals identical to those of the keys of the 3×4 array format in an alphabet input mode. Therefore, the user can easily input information requested by the directory system while viewing the symbols marked on the QWERTY keys, without requiring the user to memorize the array of alphabetic characters of the 3×4 key array format. |
| US07848770B2 |
Distributed antenna communications system and methods of implementing thereof
The present invention provides a distributed antenna communications system and methods of implementing a distributed antenna communications system. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a distributed antenna system comprises: a base station configured for communication with a telecommunications network; a multi-port repeater hub connected to the base station to receive a communications signal from the base station and to distribute the communications signal to a plurality of ports of the multi-port repeater hub, the multi-port repeater hub comprising a scanner for scanning a plurality of frequency channels to identify one or more channels of the communications signal received from the base station; and a plurality of antenna units, each coupled to one of the ports of the multi-port repeater hub. |
| US07848767B2 |
Methods and systems for migrating between application layer mobile signaling protocols
Methods and systems for migrating between application layer mobile signaling protocols are disclosed. For subscribers of multiple protocols, the registration status is tracked in one or more of the protocols. When a location query message for a subscriber of multiple protocols is received, it is determined whether the subscriber is registered according to the tracked protocol. If the subscriber is registered according to the tracked protocol and the request originated from an MSC of the tracked protocol, the message is routed to an HLR of the tracked protocol. If the subscriber is not registered according to the tracked protocol, a response is formulated to the first message. The response optionally includes a prefix that directs the originating MSC to route the call to an MSC of the non-tracked protocol. |
| US07848766B2 |
Wireless terminal position detecting method and system therefor
In any indoor location, whenever operating a wireless terminal position detecting system comprising a transferable wireless terminal, a plurality of base stations individually allowing a connection from said wireless terminal, and a plurality of wireless receiving stations individually receiving wireless signal from said terminal and base stations, there is a problem in terms of the provision of a method for minimizing positional detection error on the part of said wireless terminal and a method for practically realizing said method. Hence, to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a wireless terminal position detecting method featuring the function to evaluate the result of measurement against wireless signals from an objective wireless terminal received by individual wireless receiving stations based on a definition of a plurality of position detectable areas designating a geographic range required for detecting actual position of said objective wireless terminal and also based on another definition for specifying plural wireless receiving stations each being located at a predetermined known position allocated for individual areas for detecting actual position of the objective wireless terminal in respective position detectable areas before eventually determining the actual position of the objective wireless terminal. |
| US07848765B2 |
Location-based services
Provided herein are methods and systems relating to location-based services such as social networking, providing demographic information, tracking mobile devices, providing business information, providing an adaptable user interface, remotely effecting a change on a portable electronic device, providing a geofence, outputting location-based information on a mobile device, varying transmissions to and from a mobile device, providing location-based alerts, verifying transactions and tailoring information to the behavior of a user. |
| US07848760B2 |
System and method for presence alarming
A telecommunications system includes a wireless device (150) including a positioning controller (504) and a communications controller (502), said wireless device adapted to cause an audible warning to be generated if said wireless device is determined to be outside a first predetermined range; and an administrative device (30-152) for receiving alerts from said wireless communication device via said communications controller when said positioning controller determines that said wireless device is outside said first predetermined range for longer than a predetermined period or is outside said first predetermined range and a second predetermined range. |
| US07848759B2 |
Frequency assignment for multi-cell IEEE 802.11 wireless networks
A frequency planning method for use in an IEEE 802.11 wireless network is described. The frequency planning method obtains traffic load information associated with access points belonging to a multi-cell wireless network and assigns channels to the access points based on the traffic load information. |
| US07848756B2 |
Radio access technology selection
A method of operating a wireless communication device may include predicting an application expected to be used based on a user interaction with the wireless communications device, determining a preferred radio access technology (RAT) based on the predicted application, determining whether the wireless communications device is currently utilizing the determined preferred RAT as a current RAT, and performing one of ensuring that the wireless communications device continues to utilize the current RAT when the determined preferred RAT corresponds to the current RAT, or searching for the determined preferred RAT when the current RAT does not correspond to the determined preferred RAT and selecting the determined preferred RAT, based on the searching, when the determined preferred RAT is found. |
| US07848753B1 |
Context transfer systems and methods in support of mobility
A broad aspect of the invention provides a method of providing mobility support for a mobile node's traffic. The method involves maintaining context information for the mobile node on each of a first plurality of network nodes carrying the traffic; and proactively transferring and maintaining at least a portion of the context information in a plurality of network nodes which are not carrying the traffic, but which are candidates for carrying the traffic due to mobility of the mobile node. The method typically further involves defining and maintaining a definition of the second plurality of network nodes. In one embodiment of the invention, this involves adding a particular network node to the second plurality when the particular network node becomes a candidate for carrying the traffic, removing a particular network node from the second plurality when the particular network node is no longer a candidate for carrying the traffic. Furthermore, for each node in the second plurality of network nodes, a definition is made of a node in the first plurality of network nodes from which to obtain the context information. |
| US07848748B2 |
Method for characterising emitters by the association of parameters related to the same radio emitter
Method of using one or more transmitters and/or one or more parameters associated with a transmitter by using a reception station comprising a device suitable for measuring over time a set of K parameters dependent on the transmitters associated with vectors {circumflex over (η)}k representative of the transmitters for 1≦k≦K. The method includes a step of extracting the parameter or parameters consisting in grouping together by transmitter the parameters which are associated therewith by means of a technique of independent component analysis. |
| US07848746B2 |
Authentication methods and apparatus utilizing hash chains
A first processing device, which may be, for example, a wireless authentication token or an RFID tag, comprises a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and interface circuitry coupled to the processor. The processor is operative to control the output of authentication information via the interface circuitry, where the authentication information comprises a sequence of values corresponding to images of a hash chain. A given one of the values of the sequence is utilized by a second processing device to generate a modified value suitable for providing joint authentication of the first and second processing devices. |
| US07848743B2 |
Methods and devices for uplink load estimation
An inherent non-observability of the thermal noise power level is circumvented by estimating an upper limit of the thermal noise power level by time evaluations. An instantaneous total received wideband power is measured in a receiver. Preferably, also an instantaneous sum of powers of all links used in the same cell is provided. A quantity (P′), preferably the difference between the instantaneous total received wideband power and the instantaneous sum of powers of all links used in the same cell, is followed (110) during a time period (TLag). A minimum value (PMIN) of that quantity is then used as an estimate of the thermal noise power level upper limit. Preferably, the time period is configured as a sliding window. An improved determination of noise rise can then be calculated and used for controlling traffic within the cell. |
| US07848739B2 |
Method for transfer of user identity between CDMA wireless communication devices
A method is provided for transferring user identities between one CDMA wireless communication device (120) and another in a wireless CDMA communication system (100) having a network system controller (140). The network controller (140) receives an activation command from a wireless communication device (120), the activation command including identification information identifying the activating wireless communication device (404). Next, the network controller determines whether the activating wireless communication device is a transferred identity wireless communication device in response to the identification information (424). The network controller then activates the activating wireless communication device with a transferred identity (436) if the activating wireless communication device is determined to be a transferred identity wireless communication device (424). |
| US07848736B2 |
Package billing for micro-transactions
The invention relates to a method and system for billing a mobile device user for a services and/or products requested by the user, in which a message request is received from the mobile service that is directed to the mobile device user, and wherein the mobile phone user is charged only once for a predefined amount or number of message-related services or products, thereby making the billing experience clearer to the user. |
| US07848734B2 |
Prepaid telecommunication system
A device communicates with a telecom system to establish a call or data session. The communication includes an identifier used by the telecom system to obtain account information and/or preauthorization from a fund guardian. The fund guardian maintains account information about the device and/or subscriber associated with the identifier. A fund guardian authorizes a call access cost or data session access cost. The telecom system facilitates the call or data session between the device and a destination address until the authorized access costs are expired. A reauthorization can occur prior to expiration. An access rate negotiation may also include a bandwidth negotiation. |
| US07848730B2 |
Method of controlling interference from a transmitter in one communication system to a receiver in another communication system
A method of controlling interference from a transmitter (4) in one communication system to a receiver (1) in another communication system, the method comprising transmitting a beacon (3) beacon from a beacon transmitter associated with the receiver representative of a frequency at which the receiver is trying to receive; listening for the beacon at a beacon receiver associated with the transmitter; and deriving a power spectral density limit for a transmission (2) from the transmitter based upon the strength of the beacon received at the beacon receiver. |
| US07848722B2 |
Wireless transmission apparatus and modulation scheme selection method
A wireless transmission apparatus that can accurately select an optimal modulation scheme on a per block basis in a multi-carrier communication system in which block division of subcarriers and adaptive modulation are performed. In this wireless transmission apparatus, a propagation path characteristics acquisition section acquires the average SNR and SNR variance for each block, which are estimated by a wireless reception apparatus, using received signals inputted from a reception RF section and outputs these to an assignment section. The assignment section selects a modulation scheme for each block based on the average SNR and SNR variance of each block inputted from the propagation path characteristics acquisition section and modulation sections modulate multi-carrier signals included in each block, with the modulation scheme for each block selected by the assignment section. |
| US07848708B2 |
Radio communication system, interleave pattern control device, and interleave pattern control method
Disclosed is an interleave pattern control device which can reduce a reception error percentage when an interleave pattern of a repetition symbol is controlled. In an interleave selecting unit (106) as the interleave pattern control device, calculation units (123-1 to 123-N) individually calculate the signal quality of the repetition synthesization result of pilot signals deinterleaved according to the candidates of interleave patterns. A pattern determining unit (124) determines the interleave pattern on the basis of the signal quality calculated. |
| US07848707B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing radio interference from a noise source via active filtering
Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold. |
| US07848706B2 |
Receiver and transmitter for a network having a non-centralized medium access control
A receiver includes a receiving unit for scanning a dedicated signaling channel for the presence of an announcement signal. The announcement signal indicates a transmitter willing to access a transmission medium. The receiving unit is further operative to receive a data signal from a further transmitter on a dedicated traffic channel. Furthermore, the receiver includes an interference estimator for estimating, whether an interference caused by a new transmitter is allowable or not. A processor is provided for applying an interference counter-measure, when the interference is not allowable. A transmitter can, without any limitation, transmit the announcement signal. The transmitter will start transmitting, when it receives a ready-to-receive signal from the addressed receiver and when it does not receive an objection tone from another receiver in the network. |
| US07848703B1 |
Method and apparatus for binding wireless devices
When wireless binding or pairing is required, two wireless devices change from a normal broad wireless operating range to a reduced wireless operating range. The wireless devices then conduct binding or pairing operations in the reduced wireless range. This prevents other wireless devices in the same area from detecting the same reduced range binding signaling and inadvertently binding with the wrong devices. After the reduced range binding operations are completed, the wireless devices automatically switch back to the broader normal wireless operating range and use the exchanged binding information for conducting normal wireless communications. The reduced range pairing scheme creates a simple and intuitive technique for pairing wireless devices without requiring the user to press buttons or select devices from a list. |
| US07848701B2 |
Mobile communication system with moving base station
A mobile communication system employs moving base stations moving in the direction of flow of traffic moving along a roadway. The moving base station communicates with fixed radio ports connected to a gateway office. A plurality of moving base stations are spaced apart on a closed loop and move with the flow of traffic along one roadway on one leg of the loop and with a flow of traffic on another roadway in another leg of the loop. The moving base stations communicate with a plurality of fixed radio ports connected by a signal transmission link to a gateway office which, in turn, is connected to the wire line network. The moving base stations are each provided with a pair of directional antennas with one antenna directed toward the flow of traffic and another antenna directed to the fixed radio ports. |
| US07848700B2 |
Alternate radio data frequency selection
Alternate radio data frequency selection involves receiving radio data system signals and extracting region tables from the radio data system signals, with the region tables each including a quantity of alternate frequencies and a list of alternate frequencies. The quantity and list of alternate frequencies included in the region tables are compared with each other if the quantity of alternate frequencies included in a region table is equal to or greater than the quantity of frequencies included in another region table. One of the alternate frequencies included in the region table is identified if each of the alternate frequencies in the list of alternate frequencies included in each region table, and the identified alternate frequency is output if each of the alternate frequencies in the list of alternate frequencies is included in each region table. A seek operation is performed if any of the alternate frequencies in the list of alternate frequencies is not included in each region table. |
| US07848699B2 |
Accessory device, electronic musical instrument and teaching apparatus
In an electronic musical instrument, an interface part obtains user information from a dedicated accessory device logically connected to the electronic musical instrument. An access part accesses a server using the user information obtained through the interface part. A character information acquisition part obtains character information which represents a character and which corresponds to the user information, from the server or the dedicated accessory device. A lesson information acquisition part obtains, from the server, lesson information which represents a lesson work to be practiced. A control part performs control operation to display the character created based on the character information obtained by the character information acquisition part while the electronic musical instrument is logically connected to the dedicated accessory device through the interface part, and to display the lesson information when the lesson information has been obtained by the lesson information acquisition part. |
| US07848692B2 |
Neutralization unit and image forming apparatus having a neutralization unit for removing electric charge
A neutralization unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a support member made of an insulating material, an electric-charge removing member made of an electric conductive material, and a rib made of an insulating material. The electric-charge removing member, fixed on the support member, removes electric charge from a back face of the recording medium after a toner image is transferred to a front face of a recording medium at a transfer nip. The electric-charge removing member includes a plurality of exposed areas along a longitudinal direction of the electric-charge removing member. The rib, provided on the support member, has a curved peripheral side and protrudes from a surface of the electric-charge removing member. The back face of the recording medium is contactable at the curved peripheral side of the rib when the recording medium is transported from the transfer nip. |
| US07848690B2 |
Image forming apparatus and auto color registration method thereof
A color registration method of an image forming apparatus, including forming a plurality of front detection marks corresponding to a plurality of colors on a transfer belt, forming a first rear detection mark to at least one of the plurality of colors, except at least one of the plurality of colors, using a color registration reference, and performing auto color registration (ACR) to align the colors on the basis of the first rear detection mark. |
| US07848689B2 |
Belt drive controlling device, belt device using the belt drive controlling device, and image forming apparatus using the belt device
A belt drive controlling device for controlling drive of an endless belt supported and driven by plural support rollers including a driving roller configured to drive the endless belt to rotate; and a driven roller which is rotated by the endless belt. The device performs arithmetic processing to extract one of two pieces of rotation variation information on two rollers of the support rollers, and perform controlling drive of the belt on the basis of the rotation variation information. A belt device including a belt, plural support rollers, a driving source, the belt drive controlling device, and a detector configured to detect rotation angular displacement or rotation angular velocity of two of the support rollers. An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a developing device and a transfer device, wherein the image bearing member and/or the transfer device includes the belt device. |
| US07848684B2 |
Process cartridge, developer supply cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A developer supply cartridge supplies a developer into a process cartridge, and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a drum, a developing roller, a receiving-side shutter portion opening and closing a developer receiving opening, a receiving-side movable portion to move the receiving-side shutter portion, and a regulating member for regulating movement of the receiving-side movable portion. The developer supply cartridge includes a supplying-side developer accommodating portion, a developer supply opening supplying the developer from the supplying-side developer accommodating portion into the process cartridge through the developer receiving opening, a supplying-side shutter portion opening and closing the developer supply opening, and a supplying-side movable portion to open the supplying-side shutter portion when the developer supply cartridge enters the main assembly and the process cartridge is set in the main assembly, by engagement with the receiving-side movable portion. |
| US07848681B2 |
Method of rotating revolver unit using a plurality of motors
According to an embodiment of the invention, a revolver unit is rotationally driven by using three stepping motors. The weight of developing cartridges loaded on the revolver unit is identified on the basis of the quantity of remaining toner in toner cartridges. At the time of rotationally driving the revolver unit, output timing of the stepping motor closer to the developing cartridge which has a large quantity of remaining toner and has a heavy weight is made earlier, and output timing of the stepping motor far from this developing cartridge is delayed. |
| US07848680B2 |
Image forming apparatus and toner collection method
There is provided a technique in which in a four-rotation intermediate transfer system image forming apparatus, even in a state where a large amount of transfer residual toner is generated, the occurrence of color mixture of toners can be effectively suppressed. |
| US07848677B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of preventing scattering of toner
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has: a transfer unit including an intermediate transfer medium that circularly moves; plural image forming sections provided in parallel with each other from an upstream side to a downstream side along a circulation direction of the intermediate transfer medium, the plural image forming sections each having a photosensitive drum; plural transfer rollers provided in the transfer unit so as to face the photosensitive drums of the plural image forming sections, respectively; and a charge removal means including plural charge removal members respectively provided adjacent to the transfer rollers, to remove electric charges charged on the intermediate transfer medium, with a clearance maintained between the intermediate transfer medium and the plural charge removal members, the clearance being narrowed gradually from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the circulation direction. |
| US07848673B2 |
Computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus having tab sheet inserting function
A warning is issued to the user when the tab sheet type selected at the first tab sheet type setup section for setting up the insertion of the first tab sheet is identical to the tab sheet type selected at the second tab sheet type setup section for setting up the insertion of the second tab sheet. As described above, a warning will be issued to the user if setup is intended to be made concerning multiple types of tab sheets and the setup is unlikely to be specified by the user. Also, assistance will be provided to the user concerning the setup for tab sheets. |
| US07848669B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a transfer member for forming a transfer portion for transferring the toner image onto a recording material in contact with the image bearing member, a vibration imparting portion for imparting vibration at a variable frequency to the recording material having passed through the transfer portion, and a control portion for controlling the frequency by the vibration imparting portion so that the frequency is decreased with an increasing length of the recording material having passed through the transfer portion during a process of passing the recording material through the transfer portion. |
| US07848668B2 |
Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods of fusing toner on media
Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods of fusing toner on media are disclosed. An embodiment of a fuser for fusing toner on a medium includes at least two modules arranged along a process direction of the medium, each module having an ON state in which the module discharges a hot gas and an OFF state in which the module does not discharge the hot gas; and a controller connected to the modules for controlling the ON/OFF state of each module to control the discharge of the hot gas from each module onto the medium as the medium is transported past the modules in the process direction. |
| US07848665B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, image forming computer program, and computer readable storage medium containing the program
The image forming apparatus include: a resistance detection section (14) for measuring a volume resistivity of a two component developer (11) on a surface of a developer bearing member (12); a resistance memory section (16) for storing therein a preset volume resistivity; a resistance comparison section (15) for comparing the volume resistivity of the two component developer (11) which has been measured by the resistance detection section (14) with the preset volume resistivity stored in the resistance memory section (16); and a control section (17) for carrying out a process for replacing the two component developer or carrier if the volume resistivity of the two component developer (11) is lower than the preset volume resistivity. |
| US07848658B2 |
Modulation scheme for tedons
A system and method for increasing transmission distance and/or transmission data rates using tedons and an encoding scheme to reduce the number of ones in a data signal is described. For example, the method for increasing transmission distance and transmission data rate of a fiber optical communications link using tedons includes the steps of encoding a data signal to be transmitted using an encoding scheme that reduces a number of ones in the data signal, transmitting the encoded data signal over the fiber optical communications link, receiving the encoded data signal and decoding the encoded data signal. |
| US07848655B2 |
Mode-locked optical amplifier as a source for a wdm-WDM hierarchy architecture
The present invention relates to advances in the field of reconfigurable optical networks. In particular, the present invention provides improvements in the technology of light sources for use in optical networks. The optical network according to the present invention includes a single light source that can be used to emit all of the bands and channels needed for transmission. In particular, the single light source in the optical network of the present invention is a mode-locked laser. |
| US07848653B2 |
Method and device for transmitting low rate signals over an optical transport network
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting low rate signals over an optical transport network, including: adapting the low rate signals into low rate optical channel data units of the same rate level with the low rate signals; asynchronously mapping each of the low rate optical channel data units into a low rate optical channel data tributary unit respectively, and generating justification overhead used for rate adaptation for each of the low rate optical channel data units; and forming a higher order optical channel data unit with at least one low rate optical channel data tributary unit and justification overhead corresponding to the low rate optical channel data tributary unit. The present invention enables the optical transport network to support mapping, multiplexing and highly efficient transmission of low rate signals. |
| US07848651B2 |
Selective distribution messaging scheme for an optical network
A selective distribution messaging scheme for an optical network. According to one embodiment of the invention, a wavelength division multiplexing optical network includes a number of nodes each having an optical cross connect and each having stored therein a database representing conversion free connectivity from that node to others of the nodes. In addition, each of the nodes employs a messaging scheme to propagate notification of changes in the optical network to others of the nodes to maintain their databases. The messaging scheme in each of the nodes transmits messages to only selected ones of the other nodes based at least in part on the conversion free connectivity to minimize the number of communications between nodes. |
| US07848650B2 |
Device and method of swapping optical labels and reproducing optical payload and optical switching device using the device
In a conventional network for transmitting an optical burst signal, it is impossible to effectively swap labels, reproduce a payload signal, and switch and transmit the signals. A device for swapping optical labels and reproducing an optical payload, includes: an envelope detection unit outputting an envelope of payloads or labels of an optical burst signal by converting phases of two signals obtained by converting the optical burst signal into an electrical signal; a payload processing unit extracting a payload signal, which is included in the optical burst signal, by synchronizing the optical burst signal with the envelope output from the envelope detection unit and optically reproducing or wavelength-converting the extracted payload signal; and a label processing unit extracting a label signal, which is included in the optical burst signal, by synchronizing the optical burst signal with the envelope output form the envelope detection unit and converting the extracted label signal according to a path along which the optical burst signal is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively swap the labels, reproduce the payload signal, and switch and transmit the signals, in the network for transmitting the optical burst signal. |
| US07848649B2 |
Method and system to frame and format optical control and data bursts in WDM-based photonic burst switched networks
A wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst switched (PBS) network, which includes edge and switching nodes, optically communicate information formatted into PBS control and data burst frames. Each PBS data burst frame is associated with a PBS control burst frame. A PBS burst frame includes a PBS burst header and burst payload having fields to indicate whether: (a) the PBS burst frame is a PBS control burst; (b) the control burst is transmitted on a wavelength different from that of the associated PBS data burst; and (c) the PBS burst frame has a label for use in a generalized multi-protocol label swapping (GMPLS)-based control system. The PBS burst payload frame includes fields to indicate (a) specific PBS payload information; (b) PBS data payload; and (c) an optional PBS payload frame check sequence (FCS) for error detection. |
| US07848648B2 |
Optical network equipment and optical network
A position in which an optical signal characteristic is compensated in an optical network can be chosen. An optical network equipment measures an optical signal characteristic for each wavelength, and notifies an optical network equipment on a communication path of an optical signal characteristic index and control necessity determination threshold. In an upstream portion of the communication path, the optical network equipment (a start point or the like of the communication path) that can compensate the optical signal characteristic for each wavelength determines the necessity to eliminate a deviation between wavelengths and the position to eliminate it, using the optical signal characteristic index and the control necessity determination threshold. The equipment determines a compensator to be controlled, and a compensation amount, based on the result, and commands an optical network equipment including the compensator to control the compensator, using a communication path establishment control protocol such as GMPLS-extended RSVP-TE. |
| US07848643B2 |
Communication recovering system for wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network
A communication recovering system for a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON) includes a central office and remote nodes. When there is a fault in an optical fiber connecting a first blue/red band coupler to a blue/red band coupler R11, optical signals are inputted/outputted thereto/therefrom through a first 1×2 optical switch and a second blue/red band coupler, and when there is a fault in an optical fiber connecting the second blue/red band coupler to a blue/red band coupler R21, optical signals are inputted/outputted thereto/therefrom through the second 1×2 optical switch and the first blue/red band coupler. |
| US07848638B2 |
Lens assembly, lens moving device and assembling method
A lens assembly in a digital still camera has a lens housing. First and second movable lenses/lens groups are contained in the lens housing, and supported in respectively first and second lens holders. A guide rod guides movement of the first and second lenses/lens groups in an optical axis direction with the lens holders. A shutter unit is disposed between the lens holders. A shutter actuator drives the shutter unit. A containing chamber in the lens housing contains the shutter actuator. A first motor is disposed between the guide rod and an inner surface of the lens housing and near to a first surface of the shutter unit, and moves the first lens holder. A second motor is disposed between the guide rod and the containing chamber and near to a second surface of the shutter unit, and moves the second lens holder. |
| US07848634B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying interchangeable lenses
An interchangeable lens connects in a prescribed position to a support surface on a camera of a camera system using a locking apparatus. A method and apparatus for identifying interchangeable lenses uses optical radiation. After the locking operation is performed, a defined optical radiation is directed from two or more, preferably six, light transmitters arranged in the support surface to reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the locking apparatus which are assigned to said light transmitters. The radiation returning from the respective reflecting/absorbing surfaces is picked up by light receivers arranged next to the light transmitters in the support surface. A binary coded signal for identifying the interchangeable lens is formed from the output signals of the light receivers. |
| US07848632B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and method of controlling same
It is so arranged that the portion of the image of a subject that is a face takes on an appropriate brightness. The image of the subject is obtained by imaging the subject. The subject image is subjected to face detection processing and an area construed as being the face-image portion is found. An area corresponding to this area is set in an image obtained by standardizing the subject image. An AE area used in control of exposure is specified from the area that has been set. Brightness is calculated based upon image data representing the image within the specified AE area, and exposure is controlled. Even if an image such as a tree is in the background of the face image, the brightness of the face-image portion is calculated comparatively accurately and a subject image having the appropriate brightness is obtained. |
| US07848628B2 |
Camera system, camera control apparatus, panorama image making method and computer program product
A camera system includes a camera apparatus for shooting an object to output an image signal and a camera control apparatus for controlling the camera apparatus such that the camera apparatus shoots a plurality of images constructing a panorama image in a predetermined order while changing zoom magnifications based on previously-determined setting and making a panorama image by joining a plurality of images with different zoom magnifications shot by the camera apparatus together. |
| US07848626B2 |
Shake detection apparatus and shake detection method
A shake detection technique which does not mistakenly detect a swing-back component at the end of panning as a shake is provided. A shake detection apparatus includes: a sensor which detects velocity or angular velocity; a high-pass filter which removes a low-frequency component from an output signal of the sensor; a shake detection device which detects shake of an apparatus body based on an output signal from the high-pass filter; a determination device which determines whether the output signal of the high-pass filter contains a swing-back component outputted when a shake continued in one direction stops; and a removal device which removes the swing-back component from the output signal of the high-pass filter based on a determination result of the determination device. |
| US07848624B1 |
Evaporator for use in a heat transfer system
An evaporator includes a liquid barrier wall made of a ceramic material, a vapor barrier wall made of a ceramic material, and a wick made of a ceramic material and being positioned between the liquid barrier wall and the vapor barrier wall. |
| US07848619B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing to resume reproduction of video data recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The present invention relates to a data structure for managing to resume reproduction of data including at least video data recorded on a recording medium. A recording medium having the data structure has data recorded thereon that comprises: at least one data playing unit (title or movie object) including at least video data; and navigation information for managing the data playing unit, wherein the navigation information includes control information to indicate whether resumption of the data playing unit is permitted or not. |
| US07848613B2 |
Residual time-shift buffering in a digital media device
Systems and methods for managing time-shift buffering in a digital media recording device are disclosed. One embodiment of a method comprises receiving media content through at least a first tuner of the digital media recording device, the media content comprising at least a first instance of media content received consecutive to a second instance of media content. The method further includes directing the first instance of media content into a first time-shift buffer, the first instance of the media content received through the first tuner of the digital media recording device. After directing the first instance of the media content into the first time-shift buffer, the second instance of media content is directed into one of the first time-shift buffer and a second time-shift buffer while continuing to direct media content received through the first tuner of the digital media recording device into the first time-shift buffer for at least a predetermined duration of time. |
| US07848608B2 |
Fiber routing system with drop-in device
A fiber routing system with drop-in device protects and organizes cables entering into cabinets and racks and then transports the cables within the cabinets or racks to equipment or connection locations. A drop-in device associated with the fiber routing system manages the cables extending vertically into the fiber routing system and conveys the cables to a horizontal component. Cable storage is also provided. |
| US07848606B1 |
Eliminating crystals in non-oxide optical fiber preforms and optical fibers
A method is provided for eliminating crystals in non-oxide optical fiber preforms as well as optical fibers drawn therefrom. The optical-fiber-drawing axis of the preform is aligned with the force of gravity. A magnetic field is applied to the preform as it is heated to at least a melting temperature thereof. The magnetic field is applied in a direction that is parallel to the preform's optical-fiber-drawing axis. The preform is then cooled to a temperature that is less than a glass transition temperature of the preform while the preform is maintained in the magnetic field. When the processed preform is to have an optical fiber drawn therefrom, the preform's optical-fiber-drawing axis is again aligned with the force of gravity and a magnetic field is again applied along the axis as the optical fiber is drawn from the preform. |
| US07848603B2 |
Optical switching based on dipole induced transparency
A normally opaque waveguide interacting with a drop-filter cavity can be switched to a transparent state when the drop filter is also coupled to a dipole. This dipole induced transparency may be obtained even when the vacuum Rabi frequency of the dipole is much less than the cavity decay rate. The condition for transparency is a large Purcell factor. Dipole induced transparency can be used in quantum repeaters for long distance quantum communication. |
| US07848602B2 |
Waveguide structure and arrayed waveguide grating structure
Provided are a waveguide structure and an arrayed waveguide grating structure. The arrayed waveguide grating structure includes an input star coupler, an output star coupler, and a plurality of arrayed waveguides optically connecting the input star coupler and the output star coupler. Each of the arrayed waveguides includes at least one section having a high confinement factor and at least two sections having a relatively low confinement factor. The sections of the arrayed waveguides having a high confinement factor have the same structure. |
| US07848601B2 |
Integrated optical latch
Techniques are disclosed for optical switching and data control, without the interaction of electronic switching speeds. In one example embodiment, a common cavity optical latch is provided that that can hold an optical state for an extended period of time, and the operation of which is controlled optically. Optical phase control allows optical modal switching to be employed between two common optical cavities, using incident optical signals and the way in which the cavities manipulate the phase within them to lock in one or the other configuration, thereby forming an optical latch. The optical latch is implemented in an integrated fashion, such as in a CMOS environment. |
| US07848598B2 |
Image retrieval processing to obtain static image data from video data
Desired data can be easily retrieved from material image data associated with video data. For material image data associated with video data, character strings contained in relevant material images are extracted, and keywords input to keyword input parts of a user interface are matched with the extracted characters to retrieve data of the relevant material images. The retrieved material images are changed in size according to their importance before being displayed on a screen. |
| US07848591B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer product
An image processing apparatus includes a target-area setting unit that sets, in image data, an area around a target pixel as a target area, and an overshoot-undershoot suppressing unit that corrects a pixel value of the target pixel in the image data after processing based on pixel values of pixels in the target area. |
| US07848587B2 |
Image-processing system and image-processing program
An image deteriorated by camera shake, or the like, is restored in a short period of time. A ∇J computation section computes an evaluation value J from a deteriorated image G captured by means of photographing, a restored image F, and a PSF computed from an angular velocity detected by an angular velocity sensor, and further computes ∇J. When the square of norm of ∇J exceeds a threshold value, there is iterated processing for computing a new, restored image F by means of subtracting ε·∇J from the restored image F. A convergence parameter computation section sets the convergence parameter ε as a value which first shows an increase and subsequently a decrease depending on the number of iterations, thereby increasing the speed of convergence and inhibiting divergence. |
| US07848585B1 |
Method for run-length encoding of a bitmap data stream
Subtitling aims at the presentation of text information and graphical data, encoded as pixel bitmaps. The size of subtitle bitmaps may exceed video frame dimensions, so that only portions are displayed at a time. The bitmaps are a separate layer lying above the video, e.g. for synchronized video subtitles, animations and navigation menus, and therefore contain many transparent pixels. An advanced adaptation for bitmap encoding for HDTV, e.g. 1920.times.1280 pixels per frame as defined for the Blu-ray Disc Prerecorded format, providing optimized compression results for such subtitling bitmaps, is achieved by a four-stage run length encoding. Shorter or longer sequences of pixels of a preferred color, e.g. transparent, are encoded using the second or third shortest code words, while single pixels of different color are encoded using the shortest code words, and sequences of pixels of equal color use the third or fourth shortest code words. |
| US07848580B2 |
Image encoding method, image decoding method, moving-image compression method, moving-image expansion method, image encoding program, image decoding device, image encoding device, image encoding/decoding system, and extended image compression/expansion system
The present image encoding method and the like represents a pixel block prior to performing spatial frequency transformation in processing such as JPEG or the like as a matrix, calculates sum data sc (i) of pixel values in a column i in the matrix and sum data sr (j) of pixel values in a row j in the matrix, calculates nc (i) and nr (j) such that the sc (i) and sc (j) are arrayed in descending order respectively, and when a predetermined condition that permutation is considered reasonable is satisfied, performs permutation of the matrix, generates header information Ph (n) including the nc (i) and nr (j) necessary for subjecting the matrix to permutation in the original state, and adds this to the header of a compressed image file such as JPEG or the like. |
| US07848578B2 |
Methods, devices and computer program products for capture and display of visually encoded data and an image
Visually encoded data is captured along with one or more visual elements, the encoded data is decoded and one composite view is displayed that incorporates information related to the decoding data, such as a decode confirmation or decoded data, and the visual elements. The recognition and decoding process may additionally provide for transforming the captured visual elements to accommodate the allocated display area of small sized display, such as the display associated with a handheld image capturing device. The invention is thus suited for capturing encoded data and branding elements, such as company or product logos, and displaying the branding elements in unison with data related to the decoded information. |
| US07848573B2 |
Scaled text replacement of ink
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for processing electronic ink: (a) receive electronic ink input; (b) convert the input to machine-generated objects; and (c) render the objects such that their size substantially corresponds to the input's original size. The input ink may constitute text, and the machine-generated objects may correspond to words, lines, and/or other groupings of text generated by a handwriting recognizer. To enable quick and easy identification of recognizer errors, in at least some systems and methods, a user may select one or more words, which will cause the system to display the original ink corresponding to the selected word(s). Such systems also may display alternative words generated by the recognizer corresponding to the selected original ink and allow the user to select one of the alternatives to make corrections in the recognized text (akin to using a spell-checking or handwriting recognition program). |
| US07848569B2 |
Method and apparatus providing automatic color balancing for digital imaging systems
Pixels from an image are sampled for gray world statistics. To avoid the effect of saturated regions, the pixels are pruned. If a predetermined percentage of the pixels are included in the gray world statistics, color channel gain is calculated and applied to the image. As a result, color balance is achieved in a simple and efficient manner. |
| US07848565B2 |
Peripersonal space and object recognition for humanoid robots
A method for generating a saliency map for a robot device having sensor means, the saliency map indicating to the robot device patterns in the input space of the sensor means which are important for carrying out a task; wherein the saliency map comprises a weighted contribution from a disparity saliency selection carried out on the basis of depth information gathered from the sensor means, such that a weighted priority is allocated to patterns being within a defined peripersonal space in the environment of the sensor means. |
| US07848564B2 |
Three-dimensional motion capture
In one general aspect, a method is described. The method includes generating a positional relationship between one or more support structures having at least one motion capture mark and at least one virtual structure corresponding to geometry of an object to be tracked and positioning the support structures on the object to be tracked. The support structures has sufficient rigidity that, if there are multiple marks, the marks on each support structure maintain substantially fixed distances from each other in response to movement by the object. The method also includes determining an effective quantity of ray traces between one or more camera views and one or more marks on the support structures, and estimating an orientation of the virtual structure by aligning the determined effective quantity of ray traces with a known configuration of marks on the support structures. |
| US07848562B1 |
Method of reducing the time required to perform a passive voltage contrast test
The time required to perform a passive voltage contrast test of an area of interest of a layer of interest is substantially reduced by digitizing a passive voltage contrast image to form contrast data that represents the image, and comparing the contrast data to computer aided design (CAD) data that defines the semiconductor device. |
| US07848558B2 |
Method and system for fractal-based analysis of medical image texture
A computerized method, system and computer program for the computerized fractal-based analysis of a structure as presented in a pattern on a medical image. Image data is generated from the medical image and a region of interest is selected. The image data is digitized and analyzed to reveal fractal-based computer-generated features of a texture of the image data. Then a qualifier is applied to the computer-generated features to obtain fractal characteristics of the image data. A multi-fractal nature is observed for the texture of the region of interest. A marker for assessing a risk of a disease is yielded based on the multi-fractal nature of the texture. |
| US07848557B2 |
Rapid multi-tracer PET imaging systems and methods
Methods are provided for recovering component signals or estimates of component signals from combined signals of multiple tracers in the context of imaging multiple PET tracers, a single tracer injected repeatedly, or a combination of tracers using multiple-timepoint or dynamic scanning, where the tracer administrations are simultaneous or staggered in time such that some or all of the PET timeframes, images, data, and/or datasets contain overlapping signals from more than one of the tracer administrations. |
| US07848556B2 |
Method and apparatus for calculating a virtual image plane for magnetic resonance imaging
A method and apparatus is disclosed for creating a single plane of reference, also referred to herein as a virtual image plane, as a function of image planes of individual segments of a reconstructed MRI image. In particular, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, such a virtual image plane is calculated by constraining the distance of all points in a reconstructed volume from a virtual image plane to be within a specific tolerance. More specifically, in accordance with another embodiment, a virtual image plane is calculated by minimizing the maximum distance of the plane from points in the composed volume, such as those points that are on the image planes of the individual segments. Calculating such a virtual image plane in this manner is advantageous in that it provides a single reference plane that is useful, for example, in making measurements associated with surgical procedures. |
| US07848554B2 |
Sub-voxel motion correction for phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging
A method and system are described for image registration using an information theoretic approach that can be used for correcting motion in blood flow studies as well as other applications. The joint probability distribution between two MRI (or other modality) images is estimated where the interpolation method is referred to as a continuous histogram. |
| US07848553B2 |
Method and apparatus of multi-modality image fusion
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for fusing or combining functional image data and anatomical image data. The invention, which may be carried out through user interaction or automatically, enables composite and clinically valuable images to be generated that display functional and anatomical data acquired with different imaging systems. By identifying fiducial markers on a functional data image and correlating the fiducial markers with anatomical markers or indicia on the anatomical data image, the respective images may be aligned with one another before a composite image is generated. |
| US07848552B2 |
Method for processing a material by means of a laser irradiation and control system
The present invention relates to processing a material. The material lies on a carrier and is cut by irradiation with a laser beam, or an object of the material is catapulted from the carrier to a collection device by means of the laser beam. An image of the material on the carrier is generated. The image is evaluated automatically in order to identify structures in it. A region of the image is automatically selected on the basis of the identified structures. The selected region is then used for automatically cutting the material and/or catapulting the object, or serves as a working region in which the material is cut or from which the object is catapulted. Parallel sections through the material may in particular be employed. |
| US07848551B2 |
Method and system for analysis of bone density
The present invention relates to a method for generating a bone density value. The method comprises the steps of: generating digital image data depending upon an X-ray image corresponding to at least a part of the bone; transmitting a digital image data signal comprising the digital image data; and processing said digital image data signal. The processing step comprises the sub steps of: generating a trabeculae model depending upon said processed digital image data signal; generating at least one geometrical figure depending upon the generated trabeculae model, wherein the generated geometrical figure is provided essentially within a space at least partly defined by centre lines of the generated trabeculae; calculating the bone density value depending upon the at least one generated geometrical figure. |
| US07848550B2 |
Sensor unit, especially for fingerprint sensors
The invention relates to a sensor chip, especially for measuring structures in a finger surface, comprising an electronic chip of a per se known type being provided with a number of sensor electrodes for capacitance measurements, the chip being positioned on a substrate being provided with a number of openings or slots through which electrical conductors are provided, the ends of said conductors constituting a sensor array for capacitance measurements so that the sensor array is positioned on a first side of said substrate and the electronic chip is positioned on the other side of the substrate. |
| US07848546B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
This invention is directed to reduce the correction load on a user when a plurality of images are to be grouped. An information processing method of discriminating an object contained in a first image and grouping the first image to a plurality of grouping destinations for each object includes a discrimination step of discriminating an object from the first image, a grouping destination determination step of determining, on the basis of the discrimination result obtained in the discrimination step, to which one of the plurality of grouping destinations the first image is to be grouped, and a display control step of displaying, on a window, a process of moving the first image to a position of the second image corresponding to the grouping destination determined in the grouping destination determination step. |
| US07848543B2 |
Method and system for prediction and management of material and information transport in an organism
A method and system for mapping anatomical connection and signaling across a multiplicity of channels, channel contents, and channel speed. In particular, the anatomical connection and signaling is mapped in relation to the human brain. Constructs a three-dimensional, dynamically structured, active model, for general or individual patterns. Uses for the present invention include: risk reduction in surgery to significant channels; planning cell insertion at sites where they can be expected to migrate to a less reachable target site; guiding searches for metastatic tumors; indirectly localizing brain structures; constructing models of disease in which multiple sites are involved in the deficit and any proposed repair; and building simulation of normal processes which require the sequential interaction of multiple sites. |
| US07848540B2 |
Methods and apparatus for embedding and recovering an image for use with video content
Methods and apparatus for embedding and recovering an image for use with video content are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an image processing module to embed a real component of a spectral representation of the image data into a first set of video frames from the plurality of video frames and embed an imaginary component of the spectral representation of the image data into a second set of video frames from the plurality of video frames. |
| US07848538B2 |
Speaker voice coil and speaker unit using the same
A thread winding part or a reinforcing wire winding part is formed by winding a heat resistant fiber thread or a reinforcing wire around the voice coil bobbin in contact with both coil ends of the wire winding part or a coil end of the same on a magnetic-circuit side. A bent part bent outward is formed on the lower end of the voice coil bobbin on the magnetic circuit side. This prevents the wire winding part from shifting from its mounting position and from coming off to the lower side. In the resulting voice coil, the wire winding part hardly comes off the voice coil bobbin even if the wire binding of the wire winding part is loosened by Joule heat, speaker vibrations, etc. |
| US07848533B2 |
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker includes a frame and a toroidal magnet that is affixed to the rear of the frame. The toroidal magnet has a central passageway that opens into the frame. A cap is affixed to the rear of the magnet and closes the central passageway. A guide rod is affixed to the cap and projects forwardly from the cap into the central passageway. A tubular former is slidably positioned upon the guide rod. A voice coil is wound about, and is affixed to, the tubular former. A forward cone has a narrow, rear end that is affixed to the tubular former and a wide, front end that is affixed to the front of the frame. A rearward cone has a narrow, forward end with a central opening that loosely receives the rear end of the forward cone. The rearward cone also has a wide, rearward end that is affixed to the frame rearwardly of the front end of the forward cone. A forward spider is affixed to the forward end of the rearward cone and is affixed to the rear of the frame. A rearward spider is affixed to the rear end of the forward cone and is affixed to the rearward end of the rearward cone. |
| US07848530B2 |
Electronic device and its control method
According to this invention, mechanical noise from a noise source of a pre-identified device can be removed, while tracing a change in gain of acoustic wave data, and noise is removed by tracing a change over time of the noise source. To this end, the gain of a signal from a microphone is automatically adjusted by an Auto level control unit (ALC). A threshold according to the gain of the ALC is stored in a register. A comparator compares audio data from the ALC with the threshold, generates weighting coefficients k and 1−k based on the comparison result, and outputs them to weighting coefficient multipliers. The weighting coefficient multipliers and an adder calculate a weighted average value of data in a memory that stores weighting coefficients of old frames and the input acoustic wave data, and update the contents of the memory by the calculation result. With this update processing, the memory stores only a NOISE component. A level adjusting unit adjusts data read out from the memory according to the current gain of the ALC. An adder subtracts the adjusted data from the input acoustic wave data, and outputs data after noise removal. |
| US07848529B2 |
Broadside small array microphone beamforming unit
A broadside small array microphone beamforming unit comprises a first omni-directional microphone to generate a signal X1(t), a second omni-directional microphone to generate a signal X2(t), a first delay unit delaying the signal X1(t) to generate a signal X1(t−T), a second delay unit delaying the signal X2(t) to generate a signal X2(t−T), a first substrator subtracting the signal X1(t−T) from the signal X2(t) to generate a signal R(t)=X2(t)−X1(t−T), a second substrator subtracting the signal X2(t−T) from the signal X1(t) to generate a signal L(t)=X1(t)−X2(t−T), a third delay unit delaying the signal R(t) to generate a signal R′(t)=R(t−D), a gain function unit convoluting the signal L(t) with a gain function G(t) to generate a signal L′(t)=L(t)*G(t−i), and a substrator subtracting the signal L′(t) from the signal R′(t) to generate a signal B′(t)=R′(t)−L′(t). |
| US07848525B2 |
Hybrid broadcast encryption method
A hybrid broadcast encryption method is provided. The hybrid broadcast encryption method includes setting initialization values, generating a node secret using the initialization values; generating a private secret using the node secret; sending the node secret and the private secret; generating a broadcast message based on a revoked group; encrypting a session key using a key encryption key (KEK) which is allocated to every user group and the broadcast message; and broadcasting to every user the encrypted session key and the broadcast message. |
| US07848522B2 |
Method for authenticating a user in a terminal, an authentication system, a terminal, and an authorization device
The invention relates to a method for authenticating the user of a terminal (5), in which terminal a device (15) for verifying the rights to use is applied for running an authentication protocol. The device (15) for verifying the rights to use is connected to the terminal (5). In the device (15) for verifying the rights to use, an extensible authentication protocol interface is applied, via which at least some of the authentication functions are carried out. |
| US07848519B2 |
Video information recording apparatus and method, video information reproducing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
A video information recording apparatus includes a first obtaining unit operable to obtain video information to be recorded; a second obtaining unit operable to obtain thumbnail picture information to be recorded in correspondence with the video information; an encrypting unit operable to encrypt the thumbnail picture information; and a recording unit operable to record the video information and the encrypted thumbnail picture information onto a recording medium. |
| US07848518B2 |
Stable disc controller ID from unstable comparator outputs
A method for generating a root key is described. Stable bits of a plurality of comparator outputs are identified. The root key is selected from a number of the identified stable bits. A statistically unique value is calculated from the root key using a cryptographically secure function. An identifier of the identified stable bits and the statistically unique value are stored in a memory. |
| US07848516B2 |
Diffused symmetric encryption/decryption method with asymmetric keys
This invention discloses a symmetric encryption/decryption method with asymmetric keys processed by diffusion algebra, and more particularly to a multiplication method using one-dimensional matrix displacement and addition to generate a ciphertext by multiplying a public (or private) key with a plaintext or obtain the plaintext by multiplying the private (or public) key with the ciphertext. |
| US07848512B2 |
Personal audio device accessory
A personal audio device accessory includes a collar having a semi-circular back portion and two side members extending from the semi-circular back portion. The side members form an opening to enable the collar to be placed around a user's neck. An adjustable mounting clip is coupled to the semi-circular back portion to removably retain a personal audio device behind the user's neck. |
| US07848509B2 |
Network-based voice activated auto-attendant service with B2B connectors
A network-based voice activated auto-attendant service is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a data processor is provided that can construct an enterprise voice directory by executing instructions to encrypt eXtended Markup Language (XML)-based files using an encryption key issued by a voice activated auto-attendant service provider network to form encrypted XML-based files. The instructions are further to store the encrypted XML-based files in a manner that is accessible to the voice activated auto-attendant service provider network, and to create the enterprise voice directory based on the encrypted XML-based files. The enterprise voice directory is configured to provide run-time access to the voice activated auto-attendant service provider network. |
| US07848505B2 |
Security system and method for blocking an incoming telephone call, and a security system with a telephone do not disturb feature
A method and system for blocking an incoming telephone call based upon at least one predetermined criterion. The system includes a security device having a user device for imputting a first control signal to block the incoming telephone call, and for inputting a second control signal for controlling at least one feature of the security system, at least one sensor for detecting an emergency event within a protected area. The sensor generates an alarm signal. The system further includes a control section for processing the first and second control signals. The control section generates a control signal based upon the first control signal. Based upon this control signal, a line seizure means opens or closes a connection between an incoming telephone line and a telephone device. The security system has continuous access to the incoming telephone line, even though the line can be isolated from the telephone device. |
| US07848500B2 |
Method and apparatus to validate a subscriber line
A method is described to verify the identity of a user. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises obtaining automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunications network; obtaining identification data associated with a subscriber, said identification data being different from the ANI data or the BTN data; searching a first database using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine first reference subscriber data; searching a second database using the identification data to determine second reference subscriber data; comparing the first reference subscriber data to the second reference subscriber data; and verifying an identity of the subscriber based on the comparing. |
| US07848499B2 |
Method for tracking effectiveness of telephone response advertising
A method of advertising a product, comprising assigning a respective telephone number to a plurality of advertising media elements is disclosed. Telephone numbers are assigned and calls are forwarded to be answered by a sales person or persons. The assignment of the telephone numbers to the sales person or persons is communicated to a computer based telephone services provider. The associated telephone number assignments are imprinted, audibly communicated or otherwise included in their respective advertising media elements. Response information such as the number of calls received by the telephone numbers in response to the advertising is recorded. |
| US07848496B2 |
Method for buyer-seller-on-line commerce
A traffic control system selectively interfaces members of plural groups, as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data, scheduling appointments, implementing conferences, consummating sales and the like. The traffick-control system comprises a telephonic interface apparatus for interfacing remote telephonic terminals of the dial-up telephone system identified with the members of plural groups, a video recording unit for recording and playing video transcriptions, a storage memory for storing data on the members, including telephonic terminal numbers and area-of-interest codes and a control computer to selectively interconnect the video recording unit with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to record and receive video communication. |
| US07848492B1 |
System and method for testing the dispatch functionality of a communications network
Dispatch communication testing may be automated by actuating an electrically-controlled switch coupled to an initiating dispatch device to automatically generate dispatch test events. In one embodiment, user-defined test parameters may be used to determine exactly when the switch is to be actuated. The resulting test events may then be recorded and compared to corresponding recognized dispatch events, where the recognized dispatch events are those dispatch activities that were actually carried out by either the initiating dispatch device or a target dispatch device. One or more performance characteristic for the initiating dispatch device and/or the dispatch communication network may then be determined based on a result of the comparison. |
| US07848491B2 |
Lead shielding for a betatron
A lead shielding for a betatron in an X-ray generator is provided that includes at least four shielding parts of which two are semi-cylindrical and provided with recesses in the envelope surfaces thereof. The semi-cylindrical shielding parts are arranged in corresponding recesses of the remaining shielding parts by means of the envelope surfaces thereof, such that the recesses in the envelope surfaces form air channels between the semi-cylindrical shielding parts and the remaining shielding parts. |
| US07848488B2 |
Radiation systems having tiltable gantry
A radiation system includes a gantry having an opening and a first axis associated with the opening, a radiation source coupled to the gantry, a first bearing located adjacent a left side of the gantry, and a second bearing located adjacent a right side of the gantry, wherein the gantry is tiltable about the first and second bearings, the first and second bearings forming a second axis that is at a first angle relative to the first axis. A radiation system includes a gantry having an opening and a first axis associated with the opening, a radiation source coupled to the gantry, and a base to which the gantry is rotatably coupled, wherein the gantry is tiltable relative to the base about a second axis that forms an angle relative to the first axis, wherein an uppermost portion of the gantry is not coupled to a support frame of the gantry. |
| US07848486B2 |
Integrated system and integrating method for radioactive material detection and X-ray radiation imaging
The present invention relates to the fields of radioactive material detection and X-ray radiation imaging inspection, and provides a system and method for performing radioactive material detection and X-ray radiation imaging inspection simultaneously at the same place, thereby solving the problem that the two means have to be conducted separately, as in the prior art. The integrated system of the invention comprises: an X-ray NII system for performing X-ray radiation imaging inspection on the object under examination; a radiation monitor placed adjacent to the X-ray NII system device to detect the radioactive rays emitted by the object under examination; the radiation monitor sets, within the detection energy region thereof, a lower limit of detection to distinguish the energy region of the detected X-rays emitted by the X-ray detection device from the energy region of the radioactive rays emitted by the object under examination, and detects the energy in the energy region higher than said lower limit of detection. The present invention realizes a compact integration of the two devices, and greatly saves space and time resources. |
| US07848482B2 |
X-ray CT device and method of manufacturing the same
An X-ray CT device, including a stationary part; a rotary part; an X-ray tube provided at the rotary part and that radiates X-ray beams on an object of imaging; an X-ray detector being provided at the rotary part and that detects the X-ray beams; an image processor that generates cross-sectional images of the object; a display that shows the cross-sectional images; a rotary step-up transformer that steps up AC voltage and including a primary and secondary part, the primary part being annular and being provided at the stationary part and including a primary winding being provided circumferentially and the secondary part being provided at the rotary part so as to confront the primary part over a gap and including a plurality of secondary cores disposed circumferentially and a secondary winding being wound on each of the secondary cores and being interconnected in series. |
| US07848479B1 |
Image reconstruction for a general circle-plus trajectory
Methods, apparatus and systems for an exact filtered back projection process for circle-plus trajectories, which consist of two components: C and L. The first component C, is analogous to a circle in the traditional circle-plus trajectories, is any closed (not necessarily planar) continuous curve. The second component L is almost any continuous curve. The only condition is that L starts below C and ends above C. The process does not depend on the global properties of L. When the source is located on L, one needs to know only how C projects onto the corresponding detector and the properties of L in the immediate neighborhood of the source position. The present invention is especially convenient for the traditional circle-plus trajectories, which are implemented using a gantry and moving table by obtaining a universal FBP algorithm, which is independent of table movement during the scan as long as the condition on L is satisfied. |
| US07848478B1 |
System for optical communication between stationary and non-stationary parts and method of making same
An optical communication system includes a rotatable base having a plurality of optical sources and optical receivers mounted thereon, and a stationary base having a plurality of optical sources and optical receivers mounted thereon. The system is configured to send and receive optical signals bi-directionally between the rotatable base and the stationary base while the rotatable base is rotating. |
| US07848475B2 |
Low head loss modular suction strainer with contoured surfaces
A strainer for an emergency core cooling system (ECCS) in a nuclear power plant comprises a perforated strainer element that is immersed in a reservoir of cooling water, which is drawn through the strainer element into the emergency core cooling system. The side of the strainer element in contact with the cooling water has a contoured configuration for disrupting the formation of a flat bed of fibrous material that can trap small particulate material intended to pass through the strainer element. Incorporating this strainer element into an ECCS strainer enables the strainer to be made more compact, because the debris bed need not be spread over an unduly large area to prevent excessive head loss from the debris load in the event of a reactor loss of coolant accident. The strainer also incorporates a modular construction that uses individual strainer disc modules. Each disc module includes a perforated first disc part having a central opening and a perforated second disc part also having a central opening. The first and second disc parts fit together to form an interior space with facing perforated major surfaces and an axial opening, and connecting tubes between the discs place the axial openings in fluid communication. The entire assembly is secured together by tie rods that hold the discs together with the connecting tubes compressed between them. |
| US07848471B2 |
Method and system for on-line data-pattern compensated adaptive equalizer control
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method is offered that includes providing a filter and an adaptive control element that is operable to communicate with the filter. The method also includes measuring, over a period, a data correlation matrix and an uncompensated error correlation vector using first and second low pass filters. In addition, the method includes implementing a data-pattern compensation matrix online, whereby the data-pattern compensation matrix is obtained online dynamically from the data correlation matrix. |
| US07848468B2 |
Adaptive pilot symbol allocation method and apparatus
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication device estimates channel response based on a reduced-density common pilot signal comprising a plurality of regularly spaced common pilot symbols when the reduced-density common pilot signal is sufficient for estimating the channel response with a desired accuracy. The wireless communication device estimates the channel response based on the reduced-density common pilot signal and one or more additional pilot symbols adaptively allocated to the wireless communication device when the reduced-density common pilot signal is insufficient for estimating the channel response with the desired accuracy. |
| US07848466B2 |
Viterbi slicer for turbo codes
A method for synchronizing receivers that receive turbo encoded signals to a received signal. Turbo encoding may enable signals to be decoded at a much lower signal to noise ratio than previously practical. A traditional method of synchronizing a receiver to an incoming signal is to use a slicer to determine a received symbol and then to compare the determined symbol to the incoming waveform, in order to adjust the phase of the slicer with respect to the incoming signal. At signal low levels, at which turbo encoded signals may be decoded, this slicing method may be prone to errors that may disrupt the synchronization of the receiver to the incoming signal. By replacing the slicer by a Viterbi decoder with zero traceback (i.e., one which does not consider future values of the signal only past values) a prediction as to what the incoming signal is can be made. Because the Viterbi decoder can consider past signal values it can predict the present symbol being received with higher reliability than by using a slicer, which considers only the present value of the incoming signal. |
| US07848465B2 |
Joint decoding of ISI (inter-symbol interference) channel and modulation codes
Joint decoding of ISI (Inter-Symbol Interference) channel and modulation codes. A single, combined ISI and modulation decoding module is operable to process a signal received from an ISI communication channel and directly to generate a soft estimate of information encoded therein. A single module employs a decoding transfer function that is substantially matched to the communication channel that introduces the ISI and the modulation encoding performed on the information before being launched into the ISI communication channel. Such operations and functionality are adaptable to a variety of modulation coding systems that are tailored to deal with communication systems that introduce ISI. Moreover, such operations and functionality are extendable to communication systems employing an error correction code (ECC) such as Reed-Solomon (RS) coding as well as ECCs of an iterative nature such as LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coding, turbo coding, and/or turbo trellis code modulation (TTCM) coding. |
| US07848459B2 |
Radio receiving apparatus and radio receiving method
A radio receiving apparatus wherein the interference can be minimized and the power and bands can be effectively used in the process of receiving a signal comprising a combination of an impulse signal and an OFDM signal. In this apparatus, a transmission path equalizing part (205) performs a transmission path equalizing process of a signal comprising a combination of an OFDM signal and an impulse signal of UWB-IR system, and a signal separating part (208) uses a constant (C) to clip the amplitude level for a signal (Y1) demodulated as the OFDM signal, and substantially clips only the signal components of the impulse signal. Further, only when a signal (Y2) demodulated as the impulse signal exhibits an amplitude level greater than the constant (C), it is outputted, while most of the signal power of the combined OFDM signal is removed. |
| US07848458B2 |
Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus associated with a system that uses two or more discontinuous frequency bands. The communication apparatus includes a BPF (band pass filter) including a plurality of BPFs associated with signals having respective frequency bands; a controller that controls each unit to transmit/receive the signals having the respective frequency bands; a down-converter that down-converts a filtered signal into a baseband signal while switching frequencies under control of the controller; a receiver that performs predetermined reception processing under control of the controller; and a transmitter that performs predetermined transmission processing under control of the controller, and common hardware is used in communication in all frequency bands with respect to processing of the baseband signal. |
| US07848456B2 |
Wireless data communication method via ultra-wide band encoded data signals, and receiver device for implementing the same
This invention concerns a wireless data communication method, wherein a transmitter device having a first wide band antenna transmits ultra-wide band coded data signals to a receiver device having a second wide band antenna for receiving the direct and/or multiple path coded data signals. The transmitted data is defined by one or several sequences of N pulses where N is an integer number greater than 1. The arrangement of the N pulses of each sequence represents a data coding relative to the transmitter device. The N pulses of a sequence of direct and/or multiple path coded data signals received by the receiver device are processed each in one among N corresponding reception time windows. Each of the N reception time windows is positioned in time based on a known theoretic arrangement of the N pulses of signals transmitted by the transmitter device. An adding operation of the N windows is then performed in the receiver device so that the amplitude level of the constantly added pulses is higher than the amplitude level of the noise sensed by the receiver device. |
| US07848451B2 |
Digital pre-distortion technique using nonlinear filters
A system and method for stabilizing a coefficient set used by a digital predistortion (DPD) engine to apply pre-distortion to a transmit signal and cancel distortion generated by a distorting element or distorting system when transmitting the transmit signal, including obtaining an initial coefficient set; rotating the initial coefficient set to maintain a phase of fundamental components (w10(t), . . . , w1Q(t)) of the initial coefficient set as a constant value; averaging in the time domain the rotated coefficient set to obtain an averaged coefficient set; applying the averaged coefficient set to the DPD engine, the initial coefficient set expressed in a first equation [27]; computing the phase of the fundamental components of the initial coefficient set with a second equation [28]; and computing the rotated coefficient set with a third equation [29]. |
| US07848445B2 |
Multiantenna communication apparatus and multiantenna communication system
A multiantenna communication system comprises a determining part (116) that calculates correlation values each between the channel characteristics of the resource blocks in an STBC (Space Time Block Code) and determines a combination pattern exhibiting the highest correlation; a connection distributing part (103) that maps, into a time domain, a frequency domain and a spatial domain, the STBC encoded transport data in accordance with the combination pattern determined by the determining part; a plurality of transmission antennas (107) for transmitting respective signals associated therewith; a plurality of reception antennas (108) for receiving the signals transmitted from the transmission antennas; and a connection multiplexing part (113) that extracts the signals, which belong to the same STBC, from the signals mapped into the time domain, frequency domain and spatial domain in accordance with the combination pattern determined by the determining part, and then combines the data blocks. |
| US07848443B2 |
Data communication with embedded pilot information for timely channel estimation
Pilot data and data-bearer data are formed to be mutually orthogonal and in each other's null-space. Data to be transmitted is first modulated with the data-bearer matrix and then pilot data is added thereto. The pilot data may be added to each modulated symbol, thereby increasing significantly the density of pilot information available at the receiver for channel state estimation. When pilot data is added across an entire transmitted block of data, data detection performance is improved for even fast fading Rayleigh fading channels. |
| US07848441B2 |
Apparatus and method to generate convolution encoded data
An apparatus and method are disclosed to generate convolution encoded data. The method supplies a convolution encoder. The method receives original data and generates convolution encoded original data. The method receives revised data. The method generates an XOR data stream by Exclusive OR'ing the original data with the revised data, forms a convolution encoded XOR data stream using the convolution encoder, and Exclusive ORs the convolution encoded XOR data stream with the convolution encoded original data to generate convolution-encoded revised data. |
| US07848427B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining motion vector with effective pixel gradient
For each pixel in an operation block, an effective pixel determining unit sets a predetermined pixel difference (threshold value) on a time-base pixel difference. When the time-base pixel difference is less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel contributes to (or are effective in) motion vector detection, and uses the pixel in the gradient method in the case of performing motion vector detection. When the time-base pixel difference is not less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel is regarded as having a possibility to generate irregularity in movement, and the pixel is excluded from the gradient operation in the case of performing motion vector detection. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24 P signal to a 60 P signal. |
| US07848422B2 |
Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding apparatus includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included. |
| US07848420B2 |
Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included. |
| US07848418B2 |
Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included. |
| US07848417B2 |
Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding apparatus includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included. |
| US07848414B2 |
Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction
A video encoding apparatus includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included. |
| US07848409B2 |
Macroblock level bit allocation
The disclosure is directed to video processing. The various video processing techniques include generating blocks of information for a frame of video, allocating bits from a bit budget to each of the blocks, the number of bits being allocated to each of the blocks being a function of the information contained therein, and using the bits allocated to each of the blocks to represent the information contained therein. |
| US07848408B2 |
Method and system for parameter generation for digital noise reduction based on bitstream properties
A method and system for parameter generating for digital noise reduction based on bitstream properties is provided, which may comprise receiving at a host processor, a plurality of picture level parameters generated by a video decoder for a video stream. The host processor may control a digital noise reduction (DNR) module that processes input video from a video bus using the received plurality of picture level parameters. |
| US07848406B2 |
Digital pulse width modulator
A DPWM (1) has a delay lock loop (4) which receives an input clock signal and provides an out-of-phase delayed clock at the output of each of eight delay cells (35). A multiplexer (5) selects one of the delay cell outputs at any one time. This allows the DPWM (1) to have eight times the resolution which would otherwise be achieved with the same input clock. A programmable module (2) has a control block (20) which interfaces with external CPU and DSP hosts and transmits programmed parameters to finite state machine controllers (15), each providing an independent output. |
| US07848405B2 |
Communication system
Forward and backward equalization processes are effectively used in a communication system for equalizing a received signal of a frame including a known symbol part. The known symbol part is provided in a position other than both ends of the frame. An equalization filter unit acquires a signal of an equalization process result by performing an equalization filter process based on a signal serving as an equalization process target and a tap gain coefficient. An update unit updates the tap gain coefficient using a predefined algorithm. A first or second transmission unit transmits a received signal posterior or prior to the known symbol part to a first or second memory in a forward direction or reverse order. A first or second control unit performs a forward or backward equalization filter process with the equalization filter unit by receiving memory content transmitted from the first or second transmission unit in the forward direction or reverse order and employing a total or part of the known symbol part contained in the memory content as the equalization process target. |
| US07848396B1 |
Methods, algorithms, software, circuits, receivers, and systems for increasing bandwidth and/or recording density in data communication and data storage systems
Methods, circuits, and systems for increasing bandwidth and/or transition separation in data communications and data storage in the presence of potential intersymbol interference (ISI). The method includes writing L bits of serial data per data transition period to a channel, reading data units from the channel M times per data transition period (M≦L), and determining a most likely value for a K*2(L-M)-bit binary sequence of the data. The circuit generally receives m-ary symbols, converts them to n-ary data, and includes detector logic that (i) calculates a most likely n-ary data sequence from L-unit blocks thereof, and (ii) disallows subsequent L-unit blocks in which there is a transition and any of the first x units do not equal any of the last y units in an immediately preceding block (where x+y=L). Generally, successive transitions in the serial data are at least L/M bit lengths apart. The algorithm(s) and software generally implement the method, and the receivers and systems generally include the circuit. By using certain coding techniques and increasing the transmitter/write clock frequency, bandwidth and/or minimum transition separation in run length limited (RLL) encoded data can be increased dramatically. |
| US07848390B2 |
Reduced lattice demodulation method and apparatus
RAKE-based receivers utilize lattice reduction for improving symbol estimation accuracy. Channel response estimates and received signal streams are transformed from a constellation lattice basis to an integer lattice basis to increase the orthogonality of symbol estimation decision regions. In one embodiment, received signal streams are processed by generating despread signal samples from received signal streams transmitted using different spreading codes. Channel response associated with the different received signal streams is estimated and transformed from a first lattice basis to a second lattice basis having greater orthogonality between decision regions than the first lattice basis. The despread signal samples are aligned to the second lattice and combining weights generated based on the transformed channel response estimate. Symbol estimation decision statistics are generated based on the combining weights and the aligned despread signal samples. Soft bit values are generated for decoding based on the symbol estimation decision statistics. |
| US07848382B2 |
Laser source that generates a plurality of alternative wavelength output beams
A laser source (10) for emitting a set of sequential, different wavelength output beams (12) includes a gain medium (16), a feedback assembly (26) and a control system (30). The gain medium (16) includes a first facet (16A), and the gain medium (16) generates a beam (12A) that exits the first facet (16A). The feedback assembly (26) includes a feedback device (40) and a device mover (42). The feedback device (40) is positioned in the path of the beam (12A) that exits the first facet (16A) and the feedback device (40) redirects at least a portion of the beam (12A) back to the gain medium (16). The device mover (42) continuously adjusts an angle of incidence (θ) of the beam (12A) on the feedback device (40). The control system (30) selectively directs pulses of power to the gain medium (16) as the device mover (42) is continuously adjusting the angle of incidence (θ) of the beam (12A). Further, the laser source (10) can include a position detector (28) that generates a position signal that relates to the angle of incidence (θ) of the beam (12A) on the feedback device (40). In this embodiment, the control system (30) can selectively direct pulses of power to the gain medium (16) based on the position signal from the position detector (28). Further, the control system (30) can determine a center wavelength of the output beam (12) based on the position signal. |
| US07848381B2 |
Multiple-wavelength tunable laser
A tunable laser includes dispersion optics for separating generated laser pulses into first and second wavelength pulses directed along first and second optical paths. First and second reflective mirrors are disposed in the first and second optical paths, respectively. The laser's output mirror is partially reflective and partially transmissive with respect to the first wavelength and the second wavelength in accordance with provided criteria. A first resonator length is defined between the output mirror and the first mirror, while a second resonator length is defined between the output mirror and the second mirror. The second resonator length is a function of the first resonator length. |
| US07848380B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying out of band reflection for a laser element
A method and apparatus for modifying the out of band reflection of a laser element is described. The laser element includes an active medium excited by optical pumping means to produce stimulation emission of light. The laser element further includes a Bragg grating structure for providing optical feedback for the active medium, with the Bragg grating structure including a phase transition region providing a change in phase. The change in phase of the phase transition region is adjusted to modify out of band reflection of said laser element. |
| US07848367B2 |
Highly integrated, high-speed, low-power serdes and systems
High-speed, high-performance, low-power transponders, serializers and deserializers are disclosed. A serializer may include a serdes framer interface (SFI) circuit, a clock multiplier unit, and a multiplexing circuit. A deserializer may include an input receiver circuit for receiving and adjusting an input data signal, a clock and data recovery circuit (CDR) for recovering clock and data signals, a demultiplexing circuit for splitting one or more data channels into a higher number of data channels, and a serdes framer interface (SFI) circuit for generating a reference channel and generating output data channels to be sent to a framer. The input receiver circuit may include a limiting amplifier. Each of the serializer and deserializer may further include a pseudo random pattern generator and error checker unit. The serializer and deserializer each may be integrated into its respective semiconductor chip or both may be integrated into a single semiconductor chip. |
| US07848366B2 |
Data-transmission device and method for transmitting data with a reduced outage risk
A data-transmission device has a number of N uplink interfaces routable to an output element over a processing line provided with data-processing components. A first processing line and a second processing line are provided each having two separate processing rows for in each case N/2 data lines. Each processing line has a circuit arrangement by means of which the N/2 data lines connected to the processing line can be connected to the respective other processing line to one of the two processing rows available there. The circuit arrangements is controlled in such a way that one of the two processing lines is active and the respective other can be switched to a standby mode so that the data traffic waiting at the N uplink interfaces can be handled via one of the two processing lines. |
| US07848363B2 |
System and method for receiving call signals in a communication system
A system and method for dynamically altering detection criterion value at a receiving device based on the portion of a call signal being received. A receiving device is configured to extract a first call signal portion from the call signal, and compare the first call signal portion to a plurality of call information portions, wherein each call information portion has a detection criterion value. If the first call signal portion matches one of the call information portions, the receiving device adjusts the detection criterion value for at least one of the plurality of call information portions, extracts a second call signal portion from the call signal, and compares the second call signal portion to the plurality of call information portions. |
| US07848361B2 |
Time-triggered communication system and method for the synchronization of a dual-channel network
A time-triggered communication system in a dual-channel network of singlechannel architecture, wherein in each case one communication controller (2, 6) is assigned to one channel, and two corresponding communication controllers (2, 6) communicate with one another via an inter-channel interface (1a, 1b). Said inter-channel communication contains information about limiting points (G1, G2 . . . G12) of a time path. A limiting point (G1, G2 . . . G12) is, for example, the point in time when a cycle starts. The interchange of limiting points enables the temporal offset of the two channels to be determined as well as a correction value. After every two cycles also the rate error of the local clocks can be ascertained and a suitable correction value determined. The reliability of safety-relevant networks is increased by the time-triggered communication system described hereinabove. |
| US07848359B2 |
System and method for executing distributed software
A system for executing distributed software under hard real-time conditions comprises a plurality of nodes and a communication channel. Nodes are allowed to transmit data across the communication channel within time windows relative to repetitive communication time intervals of the communication channel, wherein a number of bytes transmitted within the communication time windows may vary from communication time window to communication time window. The data may be transmitted as a message comprising a representation of an identifying tag and a representation of the data. Also a number of bytes representing respective tags may vary from communication time interval to communication time interval. |
| US07848358B2 |
Octave pulse data method and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are provided for sending data communications over wireless digital voice communications networks which transmit voice communications in voice frames, each of which contains a digitized segment of a voice communication in a voice frame format. The method including the steps of: encoding the data communication into a plurality of data frames, each of the data frames having the same format as the voice frame format; transmitting the data frames over the wireless digital voice communications network; and decoding the data frames to reconstruct the data communication. The apparatus includes: a processor for encoding the data communication into a plurality of data frames, each of the data frames having the same format as the voice frame format; and a transmitter for transmitting the data frames over the wireless digital voice communications network. |
| US07848357B2 |
Media access control for a set of downstream and upstream channels in a share-media network
In a point to multi-point share-media network, method and apparatus of media access control (MAC) for a modem termination system (MTS) to communicate with a plurality of modems over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising the steps of designating a MAC domain comprising the set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from the set of channels for MAC message exchanges between the MTS and the modems; establishing synchronization with the modems; calibrating upstream transmission parameters and registering each of the modems; receiving without error a bandwidth request from the modem in one of the allocated contention transmission time slots; and transmitting a bandwidth grant to the modems to transmit a number of bytes, starting at a specified time and at a periodic time interval thereafter, with a specified burst profile, and in a specified upstream channel. |
| US07848355B2 |
Resource allocation in peer-to-peer streaming
A system and method for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood. |
| US07848354B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus wherein the throughput is improved. In a wireless communication apparatus (100), a frame generating part (120) adds a header to a data portion to form a transport frame. A control part (190) acquires a variation index in a propagation path and decides the length of the data portion of the transport frame in accordance with the propagation path variation index. In this way, when the propagation path variation index is large, that is, the degree of propagation path variation is high, the data portion can be shortened. Contrarily, when the propagation path variation index is small, that is, the degree of propagation path variation is low, the data portion can be elongated. Thus, when the degree of propagation path variation is high and hence the probability of reception of a retransmission request from a receiving end is high, the data portion can be shortened to prevent a degradation of the throughput that would occur due to a transmission of long data. Contrarily, when the probability of reception of a retransmission request is low, a long data can be transmitted to improve the throughput. |
| US07848353B2 |
Method, communication system and communication unit for synchronisation for multi-rate communication
Methods and systems for determining operating bandwidth in a multi-bandwidth communication system are provided. Determining operating bandwidth in a multi-bandwidth communication system includes receiving a signal having a first signal portion at a first, predetermined bandwidth. The signal contains an indication of an operating bandwidth selected from a plurality of bandwidths used for a further signal portion. The indication is recovered from the first signal portion at the predetermined bandwidth. The information is recovered from the further signal portion at the operating bandwidth indicated by the indication. |
| US07848352B2 |
Communication relay device, communication relay method and computer program product for communication relay
There is provided a relay device which enables improved communication quality and cost-reduction, wherein the device carries out both real-time communications and non-real-time communications. A first communicator carries out packet communications with a first real-time communication device and a first non-real-time communication device, which are connected through an external network. A second communicator accommodates a second real-time communication device included in an internal network. A_third_communicator_accommodates_a second_non-real-time communication device included in the internal network. A connection_controller_controls_a_connection_of the_first_and_second real-time communication devices. A timing checker detects a timing before the connection between the first and second real-time communication_devices,_and_a_timing_after_the disconnection_between them by monitoring operations of the connection controller. A resource controller controls resources for real-time communications and those for non-real-time communications based on the timings detected by the timing checker. |
| US07848351B2 |
Method for sharing contents between devices using IEEE 1394 interface in DLNA system
Provided is a method for sharing contents between devices using an IEEE 1394 interface in a DLNA system. The method includes transporting a SetAVTransportURI from a DMP to a DMS, and informing the DMS of a URI of a content; upon receipt of the SetAVTransportURI, performing the steps of transporting a “CONNECT” command to the DMP using a protocol, and preparing contents transport between the DMP and the DMS; upon preparation of the contents transport, performing the steps of transporting a command depending on each environment between the DMP and the DMS, controlling contents transport in the IEEE 1394 interface, and linking the contents transport between the DMP and the DMS; and upon ending of the contents control and transport, performing the steps of transporting a “DISCONNECT” command between the DMP and the DMS using the protocol, performing a cleanup between the DMP and the DMS, and ending the contents transport. |
| US07848350B1 |
Record boundary preservation protocol enhancement
In one embodiment, a method to exchange Q-bit data packets between TCP/IP and X.25 devices includes receiving an incoming packet sequence and translating the incoming packet sequence into at least one outgoing packet. A Q-bit indicator in the first packet of the incoming packet sequence is passed to the outgoing packets to indicate control information in the incoming packet sequence. To ensure backward compatibility, the method further includes enabling RBP Q-bit support and disabling Q-bit support by default. |
| US07848347B2 |
Pattern-based polling of mobile stations for channel quality information
A channel quality information (CQI) polling controller for use in a wireless communication network is capable of causing a base station to poll a mobile station within its coverage area for CQI at an initial predetermined rate. The controller is also capable of recognizing a CQI variation pattern of the mobile station based upon its responses to a plurality of the CQI polls. The controller is further capable of selecting a CQI polling rate based upon the recognized CQI variation pattern. The controller is also capable of causing the base station to poll the mobile station for CQI at the selected CQI polling rate. |
| US07848346B2 |
Random access scheme for user equipment
A method of efficiently processing a random access response message, when a terminal (or user equipment) performs random access, is disclosed. After the terminal transmits a random access preamble to a base station, the terminal may receive a random access response message having a format of medium access control protocol data unit (MAC PDU) including only a backoff indicator subheader in a MAC header of the MAC PDU, from the base station in response to the random access preamble. As described above, the terminal, which has received the random access response message including only a backoff indicator subheader in the MAC header of the MAC PDU, may consider a random access response reception procedure not successful and may perform a subsequent procedure for a random access responses reception failure. |
| US07848343B2 |
Traffic management for a passive optical network terminal
Techniques are described for managing traffic flow to an optical network terminal (ONT) on a passive optical network (PON) to prevent an individual ONT from being overrun. Specifically, the techniques involve reducing a transmission rate of a unique traffic flow and selectively denying access to a common traffic flow. By reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow, sufficient bandwidth may be released to receive the unique traffic flow and the common traffic flow without overflowing the ONT. For example, the ONT or, alternatively, the OLT may send the requested common traffic flow without reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow when sufficient bandwidth is available, send the common traffic flow but reduce the transmission rate of unique traffic flow by an appropriate amount, or deny access to the common traffic flow altogether without reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow. |
| US07848342B2 |
Multicast accounting control system and broadband access server
A listening-or-viewing charge is differentiated with bit rates depending on distributed programs. A broadband access server for holding user channels by PPP and replicating and transferring multicast packets have a counter for counting the number of distributed multicast packets and the number of distributed bytes at each multicast group address. The counter values (byte counts and packet counts) when a user joins a multicast group and when the user leaves the multicast group and a multicast session ID containing a PPP user ID and a multicast group address are sent to a multicast accounting radius server. The multicast accounting server provides an accounting on a basis of the byte counts, the packet counts, or a bit rate. |
| US07848339B2 |
Data communication apparatus, method for its network configuration, and computer readable recording medium storing its program
A transmission apparatus for participating in a virtual network constructed on a physical IP network, said transmission apparatus including: a node link monitoring unit configured to search an in-subnetwork node, which is a virtual network node existing within a first IP subnetwork that the transmission apparatus belongs to; a gatenode link monitoring unit configured to search an in-subnetwork gatenode, which is a virtual network gatenode existing within the IP subnetwork, wherein the in-subnetwork gatenode is linked to an out-subnetwork node that exists within a second IP subnetwork different from the first IP subnetwork; a detecting unit configured to detect a number of in-subnetwork gatenodes that exist within the first IP subnetwork; and a node link processing unit configured to determine whether a node linked to the transmission apparatus is an out-subnetwork gatenode based on the number of in-subnetwork gatenodes existing within the first IP subnetwork. |
| US07848337B1 |
Auto probing endpoints for performance and fault management
In one embodiment, a method for automatically probing endpoint in a network for performance and fault management is provided. The method may comprise receiving instructions to auto probe endpoints, the instructions comprising probe characteristics and endpoint indicators. The method may further comprise querying an information base to identify endpoints and to obtain information on the identified endpoints that conform to the endpoint indicators. Based on the instructions and the information obtained for the identified endpoints, one or more probe packets may be generating to be transmitted to the identified endpoints. The generated probe packets may further be scheduled for transmission to the identified endpoints. New endpoints may continue to get discovered based on a notification mechanism which exists. Likewise, endpoints leaving the discovery domain may be identified. |
| US07848333B2 |
Method of multi-port virtual local area network (VLAN) supported by multi-protocol label switch (MPLS)
The present invention provides a method of supporting a multi-port virtual local area network (VLAN) with a multi-protocol Label switch (MPLS), comprising steps of: establishing a label switching path (LSP) by the label distribution protocol (LDP), and obtaining information binding a forwarding equivalence class (FEC) and a label or information binding an ingress label and an egress label, and an address of a LDP peer entity at an opposite end, which is a next-hop IP address; the MPLS table item managing module creating a forwarding-relation table, and adding a forwarding-relation table item based upon the obtained information; obtaining an egress port corresponding to the forwarding-relation table item based upon the next-hop IP address; and accomplishing the MPLS via the egress port. With the present invention, it is possible to support the multi-port VLAN in a three-layer switch with the function of the MPLS and implement the MPLS in the VLAN. |
| US07848332B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying a network protocol and aligning a network protocol header relative to cache line boundary
Techniques for routing a payload of a first network protocol, which includes header information for a second network protocol, include communicating a packet. In a circuit block, a first type for the first network protocol and a second type for the second network protocol are determined. The circuit block stores a classification that indicates a unique combination of the first type and the second type. A general purpose processor routes the packet based on the classification. Processor clock cycles are saved that would be consumed in determining the types. Furthermore, based on the classification, the processor can store an offset value for aligning the header relative to a cache line. The circuit block can store the packet shifted by the offset value. The processor can then retrieve from memory a single cache line to receive the header, thereby saving excess loading and ejecting of cache. |
| US07848327B2 |
Methods and apparatus for creating addresses
In a first aspect, a first method is provided for creating a media access control (MAC) address for a device. The first method includes the steps of (1) obtaining one or more identifiers; (2) obtaining a first MAC address; and (3) creating at least a second MAC address based on the one or more identifiers and the first MAC address. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US07848324B2 |
Internet group membership protocol network device and signal processing control method thereof in IP digital broadcasting system
An Internet group membership protocol (IGMP) network device and a signal processing control method thereof in an Internet protocol (IP) digital broadcasting system are provided. The method includes: when an IGMP packet is received from an IGMP client, determining, at a packet transmission/reception unit, whether or not the received IGMP packet is transmitted via bypass; when it is determined that the IGMP packet received from the IGMP client is transmitted via bypass, copying, at the packet transmission/reception unit, the received IGMP packet and bypass-transmitting an original IGMP packet to an upper IGMP network device; transmitting, at the packet transmission/reception unit, the copied IGMP packet to a host; and receiving, at the host, the IGMP packet from the packet transmission/reception unit, processing the IGMP packet, and simultaneously updating its multicast table and a multicast table of the packet transmission/reception unit. |
| US07848319B2 |
Programmably sliceable switch-fabric unit and methods of use
A programmably sliceable switch-fabric unit (PSSU) and methods of use are disclosed. An N×N′ switch matrix is programmably made to operate as if it were a plurality of S×S′ virtual switch slices, where S |
| US07848318B2 |
Serializer circuitry for high-speed serial data transmitters on programmable logic device integrated circuits
Serializer circuitry for high-speed serial data transmitter circuitry on a programmable logic device (“PLD”) or the like includes circuitry for converting parallel data having any of several data widths to serial data. The circuitry can also operate at any frequency in a wide range of frequencies, and can make use of reference clock signals having any of several relationships to the parallel data rate and/or the serial data rate. The circuitry is configurable/re-configurable in various respects, at least some of which configuration/re-configuration can be dynamically controlled (i.e., during user-mode operation of the PLD). |
| US07848312B2 |
Method and systems for toll-free internet protocol communication services
This document describes Toll Free IP (TIP), a business model and its enabling methods to provide no-charge-to-user (“toll-free”) connectivity through IP-based access networks (e.g., public wireless hotspot networks based on IEEE 802.11), which may be operated by different network operators. With TIP, the use of networks to communicate with a toll-free IP destination will be paid by the owner of the toll-free IP destination. A toll-free IP destination can be identified in many ways, e.g., by a toll-free IP address, toll-free Internet Domain Name, a toll-free Universal Resource Identifier or Universal Resource Locator. TIP enables a user to use networks without prior service subscriptions with network or service providers and without any special terminal software or hardware for gaining permission to use a network. It allows users to use more access networks, i.e., larger “footprints”, than any individual network operator or aggregator can provide. With TIP, a service provider can provide services over IP-based access networks without the need to have business arrangements with each individual network operator or aggregator. TIP can also be used to enable other value-added services such as Prepaid IP, Collect IP, Selective Charging, and a single prepaid account across access networks of multiple operators or aggregators and even across wireless LANs (e.g., public hotspots and enterprise wireless LANs) and cellular networks. |
| US07848309B2 |
Relay apparatus, relay method, and relay program
A relay apparatus includes: a priority table for storing a higher priority transmission identifier and transmission condition data; a bandwidth management part for determining whether or not a received transmission identifier should be recorded in the priority table as a higher priority transmission identifier; a priority control part for relaying the transmission identified by the higher priority transmission identifier by priority; a monitoring part for monitoring a transmission condition of the wireless terminals and storing a value indicating a degree of degradation of the transmission condition as transmission condition data in the priority table; and a lower priority transmission identifying part for selecting a transmission with a higher degree of degradation of a transmission condition as a lower priority transmission in the case where a total bandwidth in use for transmissions indicated by the higher priority transmission identifiers exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The priority control part relays the transmissions other than the lower priority transmission, by priority compared with the lower priority transmission. |
| US07848307B2 |
Method and apparatus to enforce airtime quota in service interval in a wireless LAN
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing transmission airtime in a wireless network communication system transmitting at least one data flow in a plurality of data packets (210) in service intervals (215). The method comprises the steps of determining an accumulated time of data packet transmissions in the service interval (215) for each of the data flows, determining an estimated time of the next data packet transmission in the service interval (215) for each of the data flows, and allowing the transmission of the next data packet (330) when the combined accumulated time and the estimated time for a flow to which the data packet belongs is less than a predetermined value (320). |
| US07848303B2 |
Satellite multi-choice switch system
A Multi-carrier Switch Converter (“MCSC”) for multiplexing a plurality of input signals received at the MCSC into a single MCSC output signal is disclosed. The MCSC may include a Multi-port Selector Switch, wherein the Multi-port Selector Switch receives the plurality of input signals and produces a Multi-port Selector Switch output, wherein the Multi-port Selector Switch output includes a plurality of switched output signals and a frequency translation block in signal communication with the Multi-port Selector Switch, wherein the frequency translation block receives the Multi-port Selector Switch output and frequency translates each switched output signal of the plurality of switched output signals to plurality of translated signals, wherein each translated signal has a fixed carrier frequency. Additionally, the MCSC may include a combiner in signal communication with frequency translation block, wherein the combiner receives the plurality of frequency translated signals and combines them to produce the single MCSC signal. |
| US07848302B1 |
Prioritizing carriers in low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) frequency-hopping pilot beacons
Methods and systems are provided for prioritizing carriers in low-cost Internet-base-station-(LCIB) frequency-hopping pilot beacons. In one embodiment, an LCIB provides a frequency-hopping pilot beacon that repeatedly cycles through transmitting pilot-beacon information on each of multiple carriers. The LCIB identifies a first list of mobile stations, as well as a first list of carriers. The LCIB uses the first list of mobile stations to identify a second list of carriers from among the first list of carriers, thereby identifying a third list of carriers consisting of any carriers that are in the first list of carriers but not in the second list of carriers. The LCIB then prioritizes the second list of carriers over the third list of carriers for inclusion in the frequency-hopping pilot beacon. |
| US07848298B2 |
De-coupling forward and reverse link assignment for multi-carrier wireless communication systems
A method and system for de-coupling forward and reverse link assignment for multi-carrier wireless communication systems. A method may assign two or more forward link code division multiple access (CDMA) carriers to transmit data from a base station to an access terminal; assign one or more reverse link CDMA carriers to transmit data from the access terminal to the base station; and limit reverse link overhead transmissions corresponding to the two or more forward link CDMA carriers. |
| US07848297B2 |
Method of generating PLCM for broadcast/multicast service and apparatus thereof
A method of generating a public long code mask for a broadcast/multicast service and apparatus thereof are provided, by which, upon performing the broadcast/multicast service, an overhead of a base station or a mobile terminal can be reduced and a delay occurring in the base station or mobile terminal can be reduced. In a method of carrying out a broadcast/multicast service provided via a channel of a mobile communication system, the method includes steps of receiving a flow identifier indicative of the broadcast/multicast service; and generating, based on the received flow identifier, a public long code mask for the channel providing the broadcast/multicast service. |
| US07848293B2 |
System and method for automatic wireless transport selection for increased performance and reduced power consumption
A system and method for automatic wireless transport selection for increased performance and reduced power consumption. Multiple wireless transport services can appear to a TCP/IP stack as a single adapter. Management of the multiple wireless transport services can be performed below the TCP/IP stack to optimize on criteria such as power consumption and bandwidth. |
| US07848292B2 |
Method of dynamically populating a neighbor list in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method of dynamically forming a neighbor list in a wireless communication system. Embodiments of the method may include forming a neighbor list associated with at least one sector based on information provided by at least one mobile unit. |
| US07848291B2 |
Wireless metropolitan area network architecture for managing network resources and mobility
The present invention proposes an infrastructure to enable seamless mobility for wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) and to provide for management of spectrum and network resources. An WMAN reference model is introduced where the radio resource management (RRM) and handover (HO) sub-layer is introduced into the protocol stack. The WMAN management plane is responsible for the RRM and HO management. Several physical and logical network architecture options for WMAN management are proposed. |
| US07848290B2 |
Method and system for forward link cell switching approach without abis traffic flooding
A method in a system including a mobile station, a group of active cells including a first serving cell and a second target cell and a controller of the active cells which switches forward link transmissions of data packets from the controller through the first serving cell to the mobile station to forward link transmission of data packets from the controller through a second cell to the mobile station. The method determines at the mobile station that switching of forward link transmissions should occur from the first serving cell to the second target cell while forward link transmission of data packets through the first serving cell to the mobile station are occurring; transmitting an indication to switch the forward link transmission of data packets to the second target cell from the mobile station to the controller; the controller in response to the indication switches the transmission of data packets from the first serving cell to the second target cell; and the second target cell transmits the data packets to the mobile station. |
| US07848289B2 |
System and method for communicating over a wireless time-division duplex channel
According to the present invention, the bandwidth of a TDD channel is increased where multiple slave devices communicate with a master device over the channel. According to an aspect of the present invention, the master device can increase channel bandwidth by utilizing available transmit slots that occur during receipt of a multi-slot packet from a slave device. For example, the master device receives a first packet at a first frequency from a first slave via the channel. The master determines whether the first packet is a multi-slot packet, and if so, transmits a second packet to a second slave via the channel at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The second packet is transmitted after receipt of the first packet, but prior to the end of the first packet. |
| US07848288B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating channelization codes in a wireless transmit/receive unit
A method and apparatus for estimating channelization codes in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) using blind code detection (BCD). A WTRU receives communication bursts and detects a midamble in the received burst. A candidate code list is generated in accordance with the detected midamble. The candidate code list includes channelization codes intended for both the intended WTRU and other WTRUs. Active channelization codes among the codes in the candidate list are identified, and the identified codes are forwarded to a multi-user detector (MUD). Since the orthogonal variable spreading factor code maintains the orthogonality between codes of different SF, SFs of other WTRUs follow the SF of the intended WTRU. Moreover, since the data for other WTRUs is not used in symbol processing after MUD, the performance of MUD for the intended WTRU is preserved with the SF ambiguity of other WTRUs. |
| US07848284B2 |
Method and apparatus for high rate packet data transmission
In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets. |
| US07848283B2 |
Method and apparatus for high rate packet data transmission
In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets. |
| US07848281B2 |
Method for selection of an available transmission channel by sending a negative decision value and an additional positive decision value and corresponding base station, mobile terminal and mobile radio network
A transmission channel, for the transmission of messages from a mobile terminal to a base station, is selected after a terminal sends a send authorization request signal, for a particular transmission channel, to the base station and the base station sends a reply signal with a first decision value. The terminal is thus signaled whether the terminal is authorized to send a message on the requested transmission channel. On sending a first negative decision value, the base station sends a second positive decision value with the reply signal, when the terminal is authorized to send a message on another transmission channel. On detection of a first negative decision value, the terminal analyzes the reply signal further for whether a second positive decision value is contained therein and which other transmission channels are available and hence sends the message on one of the available transmission channels. |
| US07848278B2 |
Roadside network unit and method of organizing, managing and maintaining local network using local peer groups as network groups
An ad-hoc wireless network with a roadside network unit (RSU) and a local peer group (LPG). The LPG is formed from a plurality of moving vehicles. The LPG includes a group header node (GH) for managing the LPG. The GH is elected from one of the moving vehicles. The LPG further includes group nodes (GN) designated from the remaining moving vehicles in a given area. Each of the moving vehicles, whether the GH or the GN, communicates with other using routing paths created based upon a first control packet broadcast from the GH and a second control packet broadcast from each of the GN. Each moving vehicle communicates with the RSU using a routing paths created based upon a beacon broadcast by the RSU and a reply signal from each of the moving vehicles. The RSU can also be a member of the LPG and act as GN or GH. |
| US07848276B2 |
Apparatus and method for supporting relay service in multihop relay broadband wireless access (BWA) communication system
Apparatus and method for transmitting and detecting subchannel constitution scheme information in a multihop relay Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) communication system. The method includes determining a subchannel constitution scheme for fixing a start zone of BW-RS link according to channel information (e.g., channel condition information, interference, and mobility), transmitting determined subchannel constitution scheme information of the start zone using a FCH preamble, detecting physical channel signals of subchannel constitution schemes from the received FCH preamble, checking preset codes, and detecting the subchannel constitution scheme of the start zone using the detected physical channel signals of the subchannel constitution schemes and the codes. The subchannel constitution scheme of the BS-RS link can be adaptively applied based on the channel information. |
| US07848275B2 |
Mobile terminal, wireless communications system and mobile terminal control method
A mobile terminal configured to constitute an ad hoc network together with a plurality of other terminals, the mobile terminal includes a packet relay unit configured to execute a relay operation of relaying a packet transferred between the other terminals. A packet transmitter is configured to execute a transmission operation of transmitting a packet generated in the mobile terminal to any one of the other terminals. A power supply manager is configured to execute a power supply control operation. A coordination controller is configured to cause the relay operation and the power supply control operation to be coordinated with each other, and to selectively control whether each of the relay operation, the transmission operation and the power supply control operation is executed. |
| US07848273B2 |
System and method for transmitting and receiving a traffic indication message in a broadband wireless access communication system
A system and method for transmitting a traffic indication message in a Broadband Wireless Access communication system. A base station (BS) transmits the traffic indication message to mobile subscriber stations (MSSs). The traffic indication message includes information on a number of MSS groups and information on a number of traffic indication indexes, each of the MSS groups includes a predetermined number of MSSs, and each of the traffic indication indexes is assigned to each of the MSS groups, and includes a bitmap including a predetermined number of bits. The predetermined number of bits is identical to the number of the MSSs included in each of the MSS groups, each of the predetermined number of the bits is assigned to each of the MSSs included in each of the MSS groups, and represents operation instruction information for each of the MSSs. |
| US07848272B2 |
Slotted mode acquisition
A method for conserving resources in a communication system includes entering an awake state from a sleep state at a first time, where the first time occurs a predetermined period prior to a communication event. The predetermined period is greater than or equal to a worst-case determination period for determining a timing offset relative to an access point. An initial timing offset relative to the access point is determined during the predetermined period. The sleep state is entered for a remainder of the predetermined period upon determination of the initial timing offset. The awake state is entered for the communication event. The timing offset relative to the access point is determined based at least in part on the initial timing offset. |
| US07848271B2 |
System and method for conserving power for a wireless device while maintaining a connection to a network
The invention relates to a system and a method for selectively reducing power consumption of a communication device communicating with a network. In the method, it comprises the following steps: de-activating at least one communication subsystem of the device during intervals when the device is placed in a power save mode; and while the device is in the power save mode the method re-activates the subsystem in two instances. For the first instance, the communication subsystem is re-activated in relation to a first connection condition, and is then de-activated after a first event. For the second instance, the subsystem is re-activated in relation to a second connection condition and is then de-activated after a second event. |
| US07848267B2 |
System and method for performing remote calling
A system and method for performing remote calling through a first and a second mediator system connected for communication is are provided. The system includes a first mobile communication terminal connected to the first mediator system, and a second mobile communication terminal connected to the second mediator system, wherein the first communication terminal controls the second communication terminal through the first and second mediator systems so as to exchange communication data with a third mobile communication terminal. |
| US07848266B2 |
Frequency synthesizers for wireless communication systems
Synthesizers are configured with first and second phase-locked loops (PLL's). The first PLL is arranged to include a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) and to respond to an input signal to provide a reference signal with a plurality of selectable reference frequencies. The second PLL is arranged to include a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to thereby provide output signals in response to the reference signal. This synthesizer structure is particularly effective when responding to a noisy input signal as may be the case, for example, in wireless communication systems that provide a network clock to transceivers through lengthy optical links. |
| US07848265B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic conference initiation
In some embodiments, an automatic conference initiator system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory having, (i) an automatic conference initiator program that initiates a conference when conferees are determined available based upon presence information, and (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the automatic conference initiator program. |
| US07848264B1 |
Method and apparatus for rapidly reconfiguring computer networks
A method for operating a computer network includes: a become_root_primary command is issued to a first router to set an ID so that a spanning tree protocol (STP) selects the first router as a primary root router; a become_root_secondary command is issued to a second router to set an ID so that STP selects the second router as a secondary root router; transitioning, in response to failure of the first router, the second router to become the root router. An enable_uplinkfast command is issued to a router, and the router selects a backup designated port for a designated port, and selects a backup root port for a root port. Ports transmit BPDU messages as heartbeat messages, and a failure to detect the BPDU messages results in a backup port assuming the role of a port not detecting the BPDU messages. |
| US07848263B2 |
Simplified auto-configuration and service discovery in ad-hoc networks
An ad-hoc network approach for addressing ad-hoc network address assignment, name resolution, and service discovery in ad-hoc networks. The size of the ad-hoc network may be limited to a selected number of ad-hoc network stations. A first portion of the ad-hoc network address assigned to stations joining the ad-hoc network may be fixed and a second portion of the ad-hoc network address may be selected dynamically, as each new station joins the ad-hoc network. A station may generate an information element that may be included in ad-hoc network messages. An exemplary information element may include a last byte of the ad-hoc network address associated with the transmitting station, a 4-byte timestamp field which indicates a number of milliseconds since the station claimed the network address, a user-friendly name to identify the station, a universally unique identifier (UUID) for each service offered by the transmitting station, and a network-address-in-use bitmap. |
| US07848262B2 |
Neural network-based mobility management for healing mobile ad hoc radio networks
A self healing ad hoc communications network and method of training for and healing the network. The network includes wireless devices or nodes that include a neural network element and the ad hoc network operates as a neural network. Some of the nodes are designated as healing nodes that are identified during network training and are strategically located in the network coverage area. Whenever one group of nodes loses connection with another a healing node may reposition itself to reconnect the two groups. Thus, the network can maintain connectivity without constraining node movement. |
| US07848258B2 |
Dynamically transitioning static network addresses
In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors; logic coupled to the one or more processors for execution and configured to perform receiving, from a second computer, a request for information about a first address of a customer premises equipment (CPE) device and including a second address of the second computer; determining that an address record of the first address identifies a third address, which is different from the second address, for a termination unit associated with the CPE device; in response to the determining: causing the generating and sending of one or more updates of inter-domain routing protocol information for the CPE device; updating the address record by storing the second address in a location that identifies the termination unit that is associated with the CPE device. |
| US07848257B1 |
Synchronizing reservation status between an access terminal and an access node
Methods and systems are provided for synchronizing reservation status between an access terminal and an access node. In one embodiment, an access terminal receives a report from an access node, the report reflecting a first set of reservations, wherein the first set is a set of reservations that the access node is maintaining with respect to communicating with the access terminal. In response to receiving the report, the access terminal compares the first set of reservations with a second set of reservations, wherein the second set is a set of reservations that the access terminal is maintaining with respect to communicating with the access node. Upon comparing the first set with the second set, the access terminal determines that the first set is not equal to the second set, and responsively sends one or more messages to the access node to cause the access node to modify the first set to match the second set. |
| US07848256B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting a network device configuration change distribution schedule
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for adjusting a distribution schedule controlling distribution of network device configuration changes associated with a plurality of network devices. Specifically, the method comprises determining a distribution status of the distribution of network device configuration changes, comparing the distribution status to the distribution schedule, and adjusting the distribution schedule in response to a difference between the distribution schedule and the distribution status. |
| US07848253B2 |
Method for scoring queued frames for selective transmission through a switch
A method includes determining a priority of each of a plurality of frames, wherein the priority is a function of an initial value dependent on content of each said frame and one or more adjustment values independent of content of each said frame, and selecting the frame with the highest determined priority for transmission through the device prior to transmission of any other of the frames. A system includes a receiving port configured to receive frames and assign an initial priority to each frame, a queue configured to insert queue entries associated with received frames on the queue, each queue entry being inserted at a queue position based on the initial priority assigned to the queue entry, the queue further configured to reorder queue entries based on readjusted priorities of the queue entries; and a transmitter switch configured to transmit the frame having the highest priority before transmitting any other frame. |
| US07848252B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting modulation and coding scheme (MCS) index based on frequency selectivity
A method of selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) index in to wireless communication system, the method including measuring a frequency selectivity of a receiving channel, selecting a MCS index having a coding rate below a prescribed coding rate threshold value if the measured frequency selectivity is greater than or equal to a specified frequency selectivity threshold, and selecting the MCS index having the coding rate above or equal to the prescribed coding rate threshold value if the measured frequency selectivity is less than the specified frequency selectivity threshold. |
| US07848251B2 |
Adaptive rate control
Techniques are given for determining the data transmission or sending rates in a router or switch of two or more input queues in one or more input ports sharing an output port, which may optionally include an output queue. The output port receives desired or requested data from each input queue sharing the output port. The output port analyzes this data and sends feedback to each input port so that, if needed, the input port can adjust its transmission or sending rate. |
| US07848240B2 |
Method and apparatus for forwarding data in a data communications network
A method is disclosed of forwarding data in a data communications network comprising a plurality of nodes and links therebetween, each link having an associated usage cost and a load capacity. A forwarding node identifies a lowest cost route, comprising one or more links, to a destination node. If a plurality of lowest cost routes is identified, then the forwarding node allocates data for forwarding along each of the lowest cost routes dependent on a relative load capacity of that route. |
| US07848232B2 |
Time division multiplexed communication bus and related methods
A time division multiplexed communication bus is disclosed that provides a low latency, low pin count solution for communications among information handling systems. The time division multiplexed serial bus is advantageous in providing communications among modular computing systems, passthrough modules and chassis management controllers, as part of a modular computing system chassis. |
| US07848229B2 |
System and method for virtual channel selection in IP telephony systems
A ToL client is provided having, e.g., a key or button for the user to press or click when a voice problem arises. A controller maintains a set of predetermined “channels” having various voice quality settings, for example, related to codec selection, noise filters, jitter buffer size, echo cancellation, and the like. The user can select one of the channels and the connection will transfer over to using the parameters indicated. On subsequent uses, the new “best” channel can be the default or first selected. |
| US07848228B2 |
Communication system, communication card, and communication method
A communication system that enhances the efficiency of network operations in response to a request for a transfer bandwidth increased locally. A physical links are installed at a span where a transfer bandwidth is locally increased in a network, and the physical links can cover the increased transfer bandwidth. A load sharing section regards the physical links as one virtual link called a link aggregation, and performs load sharing and outputs data to the plurality of physical links. A collecting section collects data transmitted through the plurality of physical links and outputs the data according to the destination of the data. Any nodes are connected by a link aggregation to configure an RPR ring network having non-uniform transfer bandwidth. |
| US07848225B2 |
Service protecting switching method, system and device in a connectionless network
A method for service protection switching in a connectionless network is provided. The method includes detecting if there is any failure which may have occurred on the respective path in the working flow domain and protection flow domain, coupled between the protection switching point and each of the at least two remote protection switching points. If any failure occurs on a path in one of the working flow domain and the protection flow domain, the service delivered via the failure-occurred path is switched to a path in the other flow domain for further delivery, where the path in the other flow domain is coupled to the remote protection switching point which is located on the failure-occurred path. A system and a device for service protection switching in a connectionless network are further provided such that the protection switching can be done on a path-by-path basis. Accordingly, the flooding problem caused by the protection switching is avoided effectively. |
| US07848219B1 |
Radar detection for wireless communication devices
A method and apparatus for detecting radar signals in single and multiple (extension) channel wireless network frequencies uses spectral and DC analysis. Spectral images produced through a Fast Fourier transform may be captured and analyzed to determine if any radar signals may be present within the selected wireless network frequencies. A plurality of spectral images may also be analyzed to determine if frequency shifting radar signals are present as well. DC analysis of the power contained at the wireless carrier frequencies may detect radar signals that may be centered near those frequencies. |
| US07848217B2 |
Software based spread spectrum signal processing
A software correlator comprising: a partitioning module adapted to divide a number of the received data samples into a first number of data blocks; a first correlation module adapted to correlate each of the data blocks with a respective local code replica segment to produce a first number of intermediate accumulation results; an aggregation module adapted to combine a number of consecutive results of the intermediate accumulation results into a target number of aggregated accumulation results, the target number expresses a number of discrete carrier values in a carrier vector that represents a Doppler shift of the at least one spread spectrum source signal relative to a downconverting frequency for this signal; and a second correlation module adapted to correlate the aggregated accumulation results with the carrier vector to produce the decoded signal, which is compensated for the Doppler shift relative to the downconverting frequency. |
| US07848214B2 |
Information recording medium, information recording device and method, information reproduction device and method, information recording/reproduction device and method, computer program for controlling recording or reproduction, and data structure including control signal
An information record medium contains a plurality of content informations and a plurality of play list sets each including a plurality of play list informations defining the reproduction sequence of the content informations. In addition, the information recording medium contains title information designating at least one play list set, which corresponds to the content informations to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play list sets to reproduce the plurality of content informations as a title, the title being a logical information unit of the plurality of content informations. |
| US07848212B2 |
Acousto-optic reading/recording head for high-density optical disks
High-density optical data storage comprising multi-layer optical disc and multi-wavelength reading/recording head, wherein the reading/recording head utilizes a single-mode optic fiber connecting the head with remote short-wavelength laser and acousto-optical (AO) cells that allow precisely positioning the focused light spot on the track and filtering the specific wavelength from multi-wavelength light emitted by the laser built in the head. |
| US07848208B2 |
Optical head device, aberration correction method and optical information processing apparatus
An optical head device is provided with a semiconductor laser, an aberration correcting element for transmitting a beam from the semiconductor laser, a light guiding portion for introducing the beam from the semiconductor laser to the aberration correcting element, and an objective lens for focusing the beam having passed through the aberration correcting element on an optical disc. The aberration correcting element corrects a longitudinal chromatic aberration occurring in the objective lens and a longitudinal chromatic aberration occurring in the light guiding portion excluding the objective lens and the aberration correcting element based on a longitudinal chromatic aberration occurring in the aberration correcting element when the semiconductor laser emits a beam having a wavelength different by a specified wavelength difference.Therefore, an optical head device, an aberration correction method and an optical information processing apparatus can be provided which can suppress a longitudinal chromatic aberration occurring in the entire optical system from a light source to an objective lens. |
| US07848207B2 |
Optical pickup
An optical pickup includes: a first projector for projecting a first light beam of a first wavelength so as to record and reproduce information with respect to an optical disk having a first light transmissive layer; a second projector for projecting a second light beam of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength so as to record and reproduce information with respect to an optical disk having a second light transmissive layer; an objective lens common to the first and second light beams; and a diffraction optical element made of a lens with a diffraction grating and a refracting face and disposed in an optical path between the first and second projectors and the objective lens. The diffraction optical element is set to satisfy a predetermined equation. As a result, an optical pickup is realized that uses a single focusing means to focus light beams of different wavelengths, so as to record and reproduce information with respect to different kinds of optical disks (recording media) respectively having light transmissive layers of different thicknesses and respectively using different optimum wavelengths of light for reproducing. |
| US07848206B2 |
Diffractive optical element and optical head
A diffractive optical element whose two diffraction gratings diffract three different wavelength light beams is provided. The diffractive optical element includes a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating that is located opposite the first one, and is configured in such a way that, among three different wavelength incident light beams, the diffraction efficiency in one light beam diffracted on the first diffraction grating is a predetermined value or less, and the diffraction efficiencies in the other two different incident light beams diffracted on the second diffraction grating are predetermined values or less. This arrangement can achieve a diffractive optical element capable of diffracting the three different wavelength light beams in a simple configuration. |
| US07848204B2 |
Holographic storage and regeneration system having servo mechanism
A holographic storage and regeneration system includes a holographic recording medium, a light source, a spatial light modulator, and a conjugate servo light guidance portion. The light source generates a signal light and a reference light. The spatial light modulator modulates the incident signal light and makes it incident onto the medium along the incident direction of the signal light. The guidance portion guides a reference light to incident onto the medium in one direction and reflects it in another direction. A reference light and a signal light interfere with each other to produce a holographic interference fringe. The reflected reference light is guided into a first image sensor to be used to analyze the incident angle of the reference light. When the reference light incidents onto the fringe of the medium through the guidance portion in a reverse direction relative to another direction, a conjugate regenerated light is generated. |
| US07848203B2 |
Automatic disk reproducing apparatus and method of the same
An automatic disk reproducing apparatus includes a chassis body, a duplicating device, a disk feeding device, a disk conveying device and a disk holder. The duplicating device is mounted in the chassis body and has a tray. The disk feeding device is mounted on the chassis body to hold a stack of compact disks in position and allows gravity to pull the compact disk at the bottom of the stack of compact disks into the tray for duplication. The disk conveying device includes two conveying members and two arms connected respectively to the conveying members to elevate the recorded compact disk from the tray after the duplication of the compact disk and convey the recorded compact disk to the disk holder. |
| US07848197B2 |
Information recording medium, recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, recording method, and reproduction method
An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers. |
| US07848194B2 |
Device and method for writing data
A data writing device for preventing a phase-change optical disc from deteriorating due to repeated writing and for preventing the rewritable number of times of the disc from decreasing. The device writes data including synchronization frames to the disc. Each synchronization frame includes a primary or secondary synchronization signal. A comparator compares a first accumulated DSV for specifying the data including the primary synchronization signal for the synchronization frame with a second accumulated DSV for specifying the recording data including the secondary synchronization signal for the synchronization frame and generates a first selection signal based on the comparison. An inverter randomly inverts the first selection signal to generate a second selection signal. A selection circuit receives the primary and secondary synchronization signals and outputs the primary or secondary synchronization signal in response to the second selection signal. |
| US07848192B2 |
Data recorder and data recording method, and computer program
Additional recording is performed on a recording medium without using a VAT technique.An area including the 256th logical sector is reserved at disc initialization time, and additional recording is performed from this reserved area and after. Additional recording is performed by writing packets from a logical sector immediately after a recorded area (including the reserved area), and AVDP is recorded into two places having the last logical sector number N of a packet structure and a logical sector number less than 256 sectors from N, and thus additional recording in compliance with the UDF is possible after that. At the time of finalization, AVDP is recorded in the 256th logical sector, a surplus area in the reserved area is subjected to padding to ensure wide compatibility with playback-only apparatuses. |
| US07848190B2 |
Optical disc apparatus switching focus point between layers
A focus jump technique enables focus control on recording layers of a disc in such a manner that its effect is not absorbed by disturbance or a variation in the movement speed of an objective lens. The technique involves monitoring level of a focus error signal and rejecting noise from the error signal. A speed sensor detects movement speed of an objective lens; and a speed control circuit generates a voltage for controlling the objective lens, based on the detected movement speed. Movement speed of the objective lens is detected during focus jump, a corresponding lens drive signal is generated, and an end position is determined from behavior of the error signal immediately before the end of the jump. A focus control is pulled, from a focus point corresponding to one recording layer, into a focus point corresponding to another recording layer forcibly in a stable manner. |
| US07848186B2 |
Objective lens and method of manufacturing optical pickup apparatus
An objective lens focusing light emitted from a light source onto an information surface of an optical disk, comprising: a first lens surface to be positioned on the light-source side; a second lens surface to be positioned on the optical-disc side; a first edge surface to be positioned on the light-source side, provided in an outer region of the first lens surface; and a second edge surface to be positioned on the optical-disc side, provided in an outer region of the second lens surface, a first optical axis of the first lens surface coinciding with a second optical axis of the second lens surface, the first optical axis and the second optical axis being orthogonal to the second edge surface. |
| US07848179B2 |
Output enable signal generating circuit and method
An output enable signal generating circuit including a first count value generation unit that provides a first count value by executing a counting operation, starting from an initial count value corresponding to a CAS latency information, the counting operation being executed in response to an internal clock signal, a second count value generation unit that provides a second count value that is counted in response to an external clock signal and an output enable signal generation unit for generating an output enable signal that is activated at every timing when the second count value and the first count value become equal to each other, in response to each of a plurality of read commands. |
| US07848171B2 |
Semiconductor memory device compensating leakage current
A cell array has a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix. Each one terminal of a plurality of switching circuits is connected to a bit line. A leakage current compensating circuit has an output node connected in common to the other terminal of the switching circuit. The leakage current compensating circuit comprises a plurality of MOSFETs. Each MOSFET has the same conduction type as a MOSFET whose output node is directly connected to the bit line in the memory cell. Each MOSFET of the leakage current compensating circuit has a gate electrode connected to a first voltage node and a source electrode connected to a second voltage node, and thereby, being biased so that the MOSFET turns off. |
| US07848170B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory has a first memory chip set so as to be operated by specifying the chip address upon reset; and a second memory chip set so as not to be specified by the chip address and not to be operated upon reset, the first memory chip and the second memory chip each comprising a power-on reset circuit which detects a power supply voltage after power-on and outputs a reset signal for resetting an operation when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. |
| US07848166B2 |
Circuit and method for a Vdd level memory sense amplifier
A circuit and method for a sense amplifier for sensing the charge stored by a memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell is coupled to a bit line, a complementary bit line and a differential sense amplifier is coupled to the bit line and the complementary bit line. A control signal couples a reference voltage to the complementary bit line. A positive precharge voltage is applied to the bit line and complementary bit line prior to the sense amplifier being enabled. The memory cell outputs a voltage to the bit line responsive to a word line, and the sense amplifier senses the differential voltage between the bit line and the complementary bit line responsive to a sense enable signal. A voltage regulator for generating the reference voltage, preferably about 80% of a positive supply voltage, is disclosed. A method of sensing data stored by a memory cell is disclosed. |
| US07848156B2 |
Early read after write operation memory device, system and method
A memory device, system and method for allowing an early read operation after one or more write operations is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory device comprises an interface for providing a first write address, a first write data, and a read address. A memory core is coupled to the interface and includes a first memory section having a first data path and a first address path and a second memory section having a second data path and a second address path. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first data and first address path is independent of the second data and second address path. The first write data is provided on the first data path responsive to the first write address being provided on the first address path while a read data is provided on the second data path responsive to the read address being provided on the second address path. |
| US07848155B2 |
Non-volatile memory system including spare array and method of erasing a block in the same
Methods of operating non-volatile memory devices can compensate for threshold voltage disturbances caused by overhead data programming during block erase operations. These methods include erasing a spare array of nonvolatile memory cells and a corresponding main array of nonvolatile memory cells that shares word lines with the spare array. This erasing operation is followed by writing updated overhead data (e.g., an erase count) into the spare array and then performing a soft program operation. This soft program operation is performed on at least a first portion of the main array to thereby narrow a threshold voltage distribution of erased memory cells within the first portion of the main array. The soft program operation is then followed by an operation to verify an erased status of at least the first portion of the main array and an operation to communicate that the main and spare arrays of nonvolatile memory cells have been properly erased to a memory controller. |
| US07848154B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device capable of: preventing variations in current and transistor properties to prevent data readout errors; facilitating design changes with a simplified adjustment of the current ratio of transistors; and achieving increased data reading speed. The memory device comprising: a first current detecting circuit comprising a first transistor of a first conductive type coupled in a diode configuration, wherein current flows according to a reference cell through the first transistor; a second current detecting circuit comprising a second transistor of the first conductive type coupled in a diode configuration, wherein current flows according to a selected memory cell through the second transistor; a bias circuit comprising a third transistor of the first conductive type that is coupled to the first transistor by a current mirror configuration; and a differential amplifying circuit comprising a fourth transistor of the first conductive type which is coupled to the second transistor, wherein the differential amplifying circuit outputs a signal corresponding to a difference between current flowing through the third transistor and current flowing through the fourth transistor; and wherein the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor and the fourth transistor are comprised of one predetermined sized unit transistor element of the first conductive type, or are comprised of parallel couplings of predetermined sized unit transistor elements of the first conductive type. |
| US07848153B2 |
High speed memory architecture
Memory devices and memory modules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposed to the first edge. A plurality of memory banks is disposed at a central portion of the semiconductor substrate, each memory bank including a plurality of memory cells. A plurality of input/output contacts is disposed between the first edge and the memory banks. Delay locked loop circuitry is disposed adjacent the first edge. A plurality of address and command contacts is disposed between the second edge and the memory banks. |
| US07848152B1 |
Method and system for adaptively finding reference voltages for reading data from a MLC flash memory
A method and system for adaptively finding reference voltages for reading data from a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory is disclosed. According to one embodiment, information about an initial threshold voltage distribution is firstly provided. A first threshold voltage in the initial threshold voltage distribution is then associated with a second threshold voltage in a shifted threshold voltage distribution to be determined, such that the information corresponding to the first threshold voltage is approximate to the information corresponding to the second threshold voltage. Accordingly, initial reference voltage or voltages of the initial threshold voltage distribution are shifted with an amount approximate to difference between the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage, thereby resulting in new reference voltage or voltages for reading the data from the MLC flash memory. |
| US07848151B2 |
Circuit to control voltage ramp rate
A programming circuit and method to apply a controlled or predetermined voltage pulse for charge transfer to or from the floating gate of a non-volatile memory cell in an incremental manner to control the overall voltage across the gate oxide. Voltage above a transfer threshold voltage, such as above a tunneling threshold voltage, is applied in a stepwise charge transfer manner to or from the floating gate up to a voltage limit that is below the thin oxide damage threshold. Controlling the overall voltage avoids oxide breakdown and enhances reliability. |
| US07848149B2 |
Reducing the effects of noise in non-volatile memories through multiple reads
Storage elements are read multiple times and the results are accumulated and averaged for each storage element to reduce the effects of noise or other transients in the storage elements and associated circuits that may adversely affect the quality of the read. Several techniques may be employed, including: A full read and transfer of the data from the storage device to the controller device for each iteration, with averaging performed by the controller; a full read of the data for each iteration, with the averaging performed by the storage device, and no transfer to the controller until the final results are obtained; one full read followed by a number of faster re-reads exploiting the already established state information to avoid a full read, followed by an intelligent algorithm to guide the state at which the storage element is sensed. These techniques may be used as the normal mode of operation, or invoked upon exception condition, depending on the system characteristics. A similar form of signal averaging may be employed during the verify phase of programming. An embodiment of this technique would use a peak-detection scheme. In this scenario, several verify checks are performed at the state prior to deciding if the storage element has reached the target state. If some predetermined portion of the verifies fail, the storage element receives additional programming. These techniques allow the system to store more states per storage element in the presence of various sources of noise. |
| US07848148B2 |
One-transistor cell semiconductor on insulator random access memory
Silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon SONOS-type devices (or BE-SONOS) fabricated in Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology for nonvolatile implementations. An ultra-thin tunnel oxide can be implemented providing for very fast program/erase operations, supported by refresh operations as used in classical DRAM technology. The memory arrays are arranged in divided bit line architectures. A gate injection, DRAM cell is described with no tunnel oxide. |
| US07848141B2 |
Multi-level cell copyback program method in a non-volatile memory device
A multi-level cell copyback program method in a non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The method includes reading LSB data of a source page, and storing the read LSB data in a second register of a page buffer, transmitting the data stored in the second register to a first register coupled to a data inputting circuit, and storing the transmitted data in the first register, amending the data stored in the first register through the data inputting circuit, transmitting the amended data to the second register, and storing the transmitted data in the second register, and LSB-programming corresponding data to a target page in accordance with the data stored in the second register. |
| US07848138B2 |
Biasing a phase change memory device
A phase change memory device includes a plurality of cells connected to bitlines and including respective phase change memory elements and cell select devices and an addressing circuit for selectively addressing at least one bitline and one cell connected thereto. A reading column bias circuit supplies a bitline voltage to the addressed bitline and cell. The bitline voltage includes the sum of a safe voltage and a reference select device voltage, wherein the reference voltage is equal to a select device voltage on the select device when a cell current flowing through the phase change memory element and the cell select device is equal to a safe current. The safe voltage and the safe current are such that phase transition of the phase change memory element is prevented in any bias condition including a cell voltage lower than the safe voltage and in any bias condition including the cell current lower than the safe current. |
| US07848136B2 |
Magnetic memory
It is possible to reduce writing current without causing fluctuation of the writing characteristic. A magnetic memory includes: a magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetization pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned, a storage layer whose magnetization direction is changeable, and a non-magnetic layer provided between the magnetization pinned layer and the storage layer; and a first wiring layer which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect element and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of an easy magnetization axis of the storage layer, an end face of the magnetoresistance effect element substantially perpendicular to the direction of the easy magnetization axis of the storage layer and an end face of the first wiring layer substantially perpendicular to the direction of the easy magnetization axis being positioned on the same plane. |
| US07848132B2 |
FRAM including a tunable gain amp as a local sense amp
FRAM includes a tunable gain amp serving as a local sense amp, wherein the tunable gain amp is connected to a local bit line for reading a memory cell including a pass transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor, and gain is adjusted by setting a local amp voltage for reading the memory cell more effectively with optimized gain. And a global sense amp is connected to the local sense amp for receiving a read output. When reading data, a voltage difference in the local bit line is converted to a time difference by the sense amps for differentiating high data and low data. For example, high data is quickly transferred to an output latch circuit through the sense amps with high gain, but low data is rejected by a locking signal based on high data as a reference signal. Additionally, alternative circuits and memory cell structures for implementing the memory are described. |
| US07848128B2 |
Apparatus and method for implementing matrix-based search capability in content addressable memory devices
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes an array of memory cells arranged in rows in a word line direction and columns arranged in a bit line direction, and compare circuitry configured to compare data presented to the array with data stored in each row and column of the array, and simultaneously indicate match results on each row and column of the array, thereby resulting in a two-dimensional, matrix-based data comparison operation. |
| US07848124B2 |
Overload and short protected soft-start converter
A converter and a driving method thereof are provided. The converter can determine the output short state of the converter after the soft start is finished by using a detection signal that corresponds to an input signal while a switched is turned on and that corresponds to an output signal while the switch is turned off, so as to convert the input signal into the output signal according to a switching operation of the switch. The converter can determine the overload state of the converter by using a feedback voltage corresponding to the output signal, and terminate the switching operation when the converter is in an output short state or overload state. |
| US07848123B2 |
Current controlled shunt regulator
A current controlled shunt regulator uses logical OR gates and comparators corresponding to each field effect transistor (FET) shunt to redirect power to a neutral line whenever a controller indicates that power should be redirected, or whenever a phase voltage connected to the FET shunt is negative. The logical OR gate accepts inputs from the comparator and from the controller and outputs a control signal based on these inputs. When power is not being redirected by the FET shunts, AC power from a permanent magnet alternator is allowed to flow unimpeded to a DC rectifier which converts the power to a different format. |
| US07848120B2 |
Voltage-sourced HVDC system with modulation function
A voltage-sourced High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) apparatus, which converts 3-phase AC voltage from a 3-phase AC power source into high voltage DC through a rectifier including switching elements, is provided. In the apparatus, a rectifier controller receives detected 3-phase currents, apparent power, and active power and generates D and Q-axis signals. A D/Q controller receives the signals and generates active power D-axis signal and apparent power Q-axis signal. A PWM unit generates PWM on/off signals for turning on/off the switching elements based on output signals from the D/Q controller. The D/Q controller includes a rotary converter to convert the D and Q-axis signals into AC signals and D and Q-axis order units coupled thereto, and generates the D and Q-axis signals through the order units. The PWM unit converts the D and Q-axis signals into 3-phase AC signals and compares them with 3-phase triangular waves to generate on/off signals for turning on/off the switching elements. |
| US07848117B2 |
Control arrangement for a resonant mode power converter
The switching frequency of an LLC converter is controlled by a control unit to which a feedback circuit provides a first current dependent upon the output voltage of the converter. An oscillator circuit produces a sawtooth waveform at a frequency dependent upon the first current, up to a limit equal to a second current set by a resistor. Two complementary switch control signals are produced for controlling two switches of the converter for conduction in alternate cycles of the sawtooth waveform. A timer produces dead times between the two complementary switch control signals in dependence upon the second current. Another resistor provides a current constituting a minimum value of the first current, and a charging current of a capacitor in series with a resistor modifies the first current for soft starting of the converter. |
| US07848116B2 |
Circuit board carrier for circuit board arrangement in a work machine
A circuit board arrangement includes a first printed circuit board having a first edge connector, and a second printed circuit board having a second edge connector and a plurality of holes positioned in relation to the second edge connector. A pair of circuit board carriers mount the first printed circuit board generally perpendicular to the second printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier is positioned at an opposite lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier includes a flat base for abutting the second circuit board, and a pair of wings on laterally opposite sides of the base. Each wing includes a snap-in feature for snap engagement with a corresponding hole in the second circuit board. At least one slot guide retains a corresponding lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. A retainer at an end generally opposite the base retains a distal edge of the first printed circuit board. |
| US07848115B2 |
Systems for electrically connecting circuit board based electronic devices
In one exemplary embodiment, a system for supplying electrical connectivity to one or more circuit board based devices includes a backplane and at least one module. The backplane includes a mounting surface having a plurality of modular power connectors. The at least one module includes an interface portion, a power connection portion, and a circuit board. The power connection portion is configured to connect with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular power connectors. The circuit board includes a plurality of power-related electrical contacts and a plurality of data-related electrical contacts. At least one of the plurality of power-related electrical contacts is connected with the power connection portion, and at least one of the plurality of data-related electrical contacts is connected with the interface portion. The backplane is configured to connect with a power supply, such that the power supply supplies power to the at least one module through one of the modular power connectors when the at least one module is connected with the corresponding modular power connector. |
| US07848113B2 |
Printed circuit board, circuit component and electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, a printed circuit board is provided with a printed wiring board and a circuit component mounted on the printed wiring board. The printed wiring board includes a first surface on which the circuit component is set, a second surface formed on the reverse side of the first surface, and a through hole formed penetrating the printed wiring board from the first surface to the second surface. The circuit component includes a projected portion to be inserted into the through hole. The projected portion is deformable between a first state in which a distal end of the projected portion projects to the outside of the printed wiring board beyond the second surface and a second state in which the distal end of the projected portion is situated in the through hole. |
| US07848110B2 |
Slide rail structure
A slide rail structure disposed between a computer case and a rack is provided. The slide rail structure includes a first slide rail, a second slide rail, and a third slide rail. The first slide rail is fastened to the rack. The second slide rail has a first end, a second end, and a carrier. The second slide rail is fastened to the rack through the first end and is connected to the first slide rail through the second end. The carrier is in contact with a bottom panel of the computer case so that the computer case can slide on the carrier. The third slide rail is slidingly disposed to the second slide rail and has a locking portion. A locking component is fastened to the computer case and is locked with the locking portion so that the third slide rail can move along with the computer case. |
| US07848109B2 |
Assembly and method for ruggedizing computer racks and/or electronic cage assemblies
A method and incorporated assembly for enhancing structural rigidity of a computer rack used for housing electronic components is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a casing made of a lighter weight material and having protrusions. The protrusions are formed to receive one or more ruggedized inserts that is made of a heavier and/or stiffer material. The casing and the inserts together can be then used as a ruggedized side of a computer rack or cage. |
| US07848102B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a chassis, a tray, and a securing member. The chassis is configured to hold electronic elements having cables, and includes a rear plate having an outer surface. The tray is attachable to the outer surface of the rear plate, and includes a bottom wall substantially perpendicular to the rear plate of the chassis. The securing member secured on the bottom wall of the tray and includes a latch portion resiliently deformable for maintaining the cables between the latch portion and the bottom wall. |
| US07848100B2 |
Reconfigurable mounting bracket
A reconfigurable mounting bracket is disclosed. The bracket includes a first face plate configured to attach to an enclosure, a first flange that extends perpendicularly from a first end of the first face plate, and a second flange that extends perpendicularly from a second end of the first face plate, the second flange extending in an opposing direction from the first flange. The reconfigurable mounting bracket accommodates a plurality of attachment options. |
| US07848094B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a main body, a lid body, a hinge, a notch, and a cable. The main body includes a connecting side where the lid body is pivotally mounted to the main body. The hinge is disposed on the connecting side for mounting the lid body to the main body, and includes a fixing frame mounted to one of the main body and the lid body and a pivot member mounted to the other of the main body and the lid body. The notch is defined on one side of the pivot member. The cable extends along the notch and transmits electrical signals between the main body and the lid body. |
| US07848093B2 |
Digital video and music player belt buckles
Portable devices configured to be worn as a belt buckle are disclosed herein. The portable device includes a housing, a first connector attached to the housing and adapted to slideably receive a belt, and a second connector attached to the housing and adapted to secure the housing to the belt. |
| US07848092B2 |
Electronic apparatus and display panel enclosure
A display unit includes a substrate supporting section having: a first supporting structure for supporting a first circuit substrate; and a second supporting structure for supporting a second circuit substrate is provided. The first circuit substrate has a relatively small area and is selected when a first display panel having a single light source for emitting backlight is selected, and the second circuit substrate has a relatively large area and is selected when a second display panel having two light sources for emitting backlight is selected. The first supporting structure has a supporting claw for supporting the first circuit substrate such that the front side of the first circuit substrate is directed upward and the second supporting structure has a stand on which the second circuit substrate is mounted to be supported thereby such that the front side of the second circuit substrate is directed downward. |
| US07848090B2 |
Information processing device and display device
An information processing device has: a support stand having a base that lies flat and a pole that stands on the base; a processing unit that performs data processing; a display panel that displays an image; and a storage unit that stores information. The device further has an adaptor that supports the processing unit and the storage unit, when the adaptor is attached to the support stand. The adaptor also supports the display panel such that the processing unit and the storage unit are hidden behind the display panel. |
| US07848086B1 |
Power supply fixing device
A power supply fixing device can effectively fix a power supply inside a computer case. One end of the power supply fixing device is movably assembled at a plate in the computer case, and a suppress surface is used to suppress the power supply. In addition, by hooking at the other end, which is formed at the fixing device, to the other plane of the computer case, and by moving an operating member of the fixing device to a packing position, the entire power supply can be fixed. The entire operation process is performed without an aid of a hand tool, and there is no need to use screws or screw holes, such that the power supply can be dismantled and assembled more conveniently. |
| US07848085B2 |
Portable power distribution panel
A power distribution system is provided that includes an upper panel, a lower panel, a plurality of side panels, and a plurality of guide rails each having at least two insert slots formed therein that extend along a longitudinal axis of the guide rail. Each of the insert slots is configured to receive and fixedly hold an edge of the side panels. The upper panel and lower panel are each fixedly mounted to an opposite edge face of the guide rails thereby securing the side panels and guide rail between the upper panel and lower panel. |
| US07848084B2 |
Gas-insulated equipment
A gas-insulated equipment such as a gas-insulated switchgear provided according to the invention can efficiently improve dielectric strength of an entire electrode system considering electric field distribution of the electrodes and conductors and improving insulation coordination so that miniaturization of the entire device can be achieved. The gas-insulated switchgear includes insulating gas sealed within an earth metal container and an insulating spacer insulating and supporting high-voltage receiving portions. Surfaces of shielding electrodes having a larger diameter than that of high-voltage conductors are covered with thick dielectric coatings, and surfaces of the high-voltage conductors are covered with thin dielectric coatings. |
| US07848075B2 |
Electrostatic chuck with heater
An electrostatic chuck with a heater including: a base which is composed of a sintered body containing alumina, an electrode disposed in an upper part of the base, and a resistance heating element embedded in a lower part of the base. The base includes a dielectric layer between the electrode and an upper surface of the base and a supporting member between the electrode and a lower surface of the base. The dielectric layer has a carbon content of not more than 100 ppm, and the supporting member has a carbon content of 0.03 to 0.25 wt %. Moreover, the resistance heating element is formed into a coil and mainly composed of niobium. |
| US07848073B2 |
Power supply controller
One aspect of the present invention is directed to a power supply controller that includes a switching element disposed between a power source and a load, a current detecting element connected to the switching element and capable of outputting a detection signal in the form of a load current to the switching element, a voltage generator circuit capable of supplying an output voltage between the switching element and the load, an anomaly detecting circuit capable of outputting an abnormal signal when the load current exceeds a threshold current such that the threshold current corresponds to the output voltage. The present invention can further include a protection circuit capable of performing a predetermined protection operation based on the abnormal signal, a control circuit capable of receiving an on signal and an off signal, wherein the control circuit turns on the switching element when receiving the on signal and turns off the switching element when receiving the off signal, and a blocking circuit capable of blocking the predetermined protection operation when the off signal is received. |
| US07848072B2 |
Fault detection for battery chargers
A method of fault detection for battery chargers includes sensing a charge current applied to a battery with a resistive element. The method includes measuring a voltage across the resistive element. The method includes generating a trigger signal when the measured voltage across the resistive element exceeds a predetermined value. The method includes generating from the trigger signal an interrupt signal for a microprocessor. The method includes initiating an over-current handling routine in the microprocessor. |
| US07848071B2 |
Power supply controller
A power supply controller can include a switching element electrically connected between a power source and a load, an anomaly detecting circuit capable of outputting an abnormal signal, a power supply circuit which generates a constant voltage, a holding circuit which is activated by being supplied with the constant voltage generated by the power supply circuit, continuously outputs a shutoff signal to cause the switching element to perform a shutoff operation on the basis of the abnormal signal, an output circuit, such that if a first off signal is being inputted from an external source, the first off signal continues for a predetermined period of time after the start of the continuous output of the shutoff signal, outputs a second off signal, and an electrical conduction circuit structured to enable the power supply circuit into conduction in response to an on signal from an external source and enable the power supply circuit out of conduction if the second off signal is outputted. |
| US07848069B2 |
Protective circuit
A protective circuit connected between a terminal of a semiconductor integrated circuit and ground (GND), comprises: a first diode having an anode connected to the terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit; a second diode having an anode connected to GND and a cathode connected to the cathode of the first diode; a transistor having a collector or drain connected to the terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and an emitter or source connected to GND; and at least one third diode connected in series in a forward direction from the cathode of the first diode toward the base or gate of the transistor. |
| US07848067B2 |
Soft start motor control using back-EMF
A method of controlling in-rush current to a DC motor is disclosed. The method may include operating the DC motor in a first mode including applying back-EMF across a relay coil to maintain the relay in an open configuration when the back-EMF is below a predetermined voltage. The method may also include operating the DC motor in a second mode including applying the back-EMF across the relay coil to maintain the relay in a closed configuration when the back-EMF is equal to or above the predetermined voltage. |
| US07848065B2 |
Magnetoresistive sensor having an anisotropic hard bias with high coercivity
A magnetoresistive sensor having magnetically anisotropic bias layers for biasing the free layer of the sensor. Hard bias structures for biasing the magnetization of the free layer are formed at either side of the sensor stack, and each of the hard bias structure includes a hard magnetic layer that has a magnetic anisotropy to enhance the stability of the biasing. The hard bias structure can include a Cr under-layer having a surface that has been treated by a low power angled ion milling to form it with an anisotropic surface texture. A layer of Cr—Mo alloy is formed over the Cr under-layer and the hard magnetic material layer is formed over the Cr—Mo alloy layer. The anisotropic surface texture of the Cr layer induces an aligned crystalline structure in the hard magnetic layer that causes the hard magnetic layer to have a magnetic anisotropy. |
| US07848062B2 |
Method to reduce sensitivity of a perpendicular recording head to external fields
In a read-write head, the shields can serve as magnetic flux conductors for external fields, so that they direct a certain amount of flux into the recording medium. This problem has been overcome by the addition to the shields of a pair of tabs located at the edges closest to the ABS. These tabs serve to prevent flux concentrating at the edges so that horizontal fields at these edges are significantly reduced. Said tabs need to have aspect ratios of at least 2 and may be either triangular or rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the tabs may be omitted and, instead, outer portions of the shield's lower edge may be shaped so as to slope upwards away from the ABS. |
| US07848060B2 |
Integrated servo and read EMR sensor
A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes magnetic media containing magnetic domain tracks; and at least one head for reading from the magnetic media, each head having: a first Extraordinary Magentoresistive (EMR) device for detecting magnetic fields of a first magnetic domain track; a second EMR device for detecting magnetic fields of a second magnetic domain track. The system further includes a slider for supporting the head; and a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head. A system according to another embodiment includes a first Extraordinary Magnetoresistive (EMR) device for detecting magnetic fields of a magnetic domain of interest. A system according to yet another embodiment includes an Extraordinary Magnetoresistive (EMR) device for deriving servoing information. |
| US07848052B2 |
Use of grating structures to control asymmetry in a magnetic sensor
The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling the asymmetrical properties of the response of a magnetic sensor element to a magnetic field produced by the digital data in a magnetic storage device. The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for controlling the bias point of a magnetic field produced by a magnetic sensor element. |
| US07848044B2 |
VCM driver and PWM amplifier
The present invention provides a VCM driver realizing low power consumption and high accuracy and a PWM amplifier compensating a dead time distortion. A phase compensator, a ΔΣ modulator receiving an output signal of the phase compensator and converting the output signal to a control code of predetermined bits, a PWM modulator receiving the control code to produce a PWM signal, and an output circuit receiving the PWM signal to drive a voice coil constitute a forward path. A sense amplifier sensing a current of the voice coil, an ADC receiving an output signal of the sense amplifier, a low-pass filter receiving an output signal of the ADC, and a decimation filter receiving an output signal of the low-pass filter constitute a feedback path. An output signal of the decimation filter is fed back to the input side of the phase compensator to form a major feedback loop having a first-order characteristic loop gain. An output signal of the decimation filter is fed back to the output side of the phase compensator to form a minor feedback loop having a loop gain which is flat until a target band frequency when viewed from the output side of the phase compensator. |
| US07848039B2 |
Magnetic recording disk and disk drive with patterned phase-type servo fields for read/write head positioning
A magnetic recording disk drive uses a disk having pre-patterned servo sectors extending generally radially across the data tracks. The servo sectors include at least two position error signal (PES) bursts or fields. The phases of the PES fields in the servo readback signal are demodulated to generate a PES to control the disk drive actuator for positioning the read/write heads. Each field contains generally radially directed magnetized stripes, with each stripe comprising a plurality of islands forming a zigzag pattern. The stripes have alternating polarity of magnetizations in the along-the-track direction. In one implementation there are four fields: a first pair of fields A and B wherein the zigzag pattern of the radial stripes in field A is the mirror image about a radial line of the zigzag pattern of the radial stripes in field B, and a second like pair of fields C and D, but wherein the radial stripes in fields C and D are shifted radially by one-half the island radial height from the radial stripes in fields A and B. |
| US07848036B1 |
External lens device and method for mounting same
An external lens device is mounted in front of a lens of an image pickup device. The external lens device includes a fixer and an external lens. The fixer includes a fixing slot and an alignment slice. The alignment slice includes a first reference mark and a second reference mark. The first reference mark is enclosed by the second reference mark. The first reference mark is arranged in the middle portion of the second reference mark. After the fixer is placed in front of the image pickup device, an outer portion of the second reference mark of the alignment slice is parallel with the lens fastening part of the lens of the image pickup device, the first reference mark is aligned with a center of the lens of the image pickup device, and the second reference mark is concentric with a lens fastening part of the lens. |
| US07848031B2 |
Hologram and method of manufacturing an optical element using a hologram
A method of manufacturing an optical element (5) comprises testing an optical surface (3) of the optical element, using an interferometer 1a directing measuring light (23a) onto the optical surface wherein the measuring light traverses two successive holograms (44, 48) disposed in the beam path of the measuring light upstream of the optical surface. |
| US07848028B2 |
Variable focal length lens system
A variable focal length lens system includes: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; a third lens group having a positive refracting power; a fourth lens group having a negative refracting power; a fifth lens group having a negative refracting power; and a sixth lens group having a positive refracting power; the first to sixth lens groups being disposed in order from an object side. |
| US07848027B2 |
Objective lens
An objective lens OL includes, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a diffractive optical element GD forming a diffractive optical surface D thereon, and a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power. The first lens group G1 includes at least one cemented lens and the most object side surface thereof forms a concave surface facing the object. The second lens group G2 includes at least one cemented lens. The third lens group G3 includes at least one cemented negative lens. In the objective lens OL, a principal ray crosses an optical axis between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, and in the diffractive optical element GD, the diffractive optical surface D is disposed in the vicinity of the position where the principal ray crosses the optical axis. |
| US07848023B2 |
Lens array, an exposure head and an image forming apparatus
An exposure head, includes: a lens array that includes lenses that are arranged in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a light emitting element substrate that is provided with light emitting elements that emit lights to be imaged by the lenses, wherein a relationship defined by a following formula: 1 |
| US07848021B2 |
Optical film, antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device
An optical film is provided and includes: a transparent support; and a light diffusion layer containing light-transmitting particles and a binder. The light diffusion layer has an average thickness of from 7.5 to 30 μm, and the average thickness of the light diffusion layer is from 1.4 to 3.5 times as large as an average particle diameter of the light-transmitting particles. |
| US07848004B2 |
System and method for a MEMS device
An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for the modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on a continuous web fed process. IMods can be used as test structures for the evaluation of residual stress in deposited materials. |