| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07861689B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinders in the case of irregular running caused by combustion problems has the following steps: measurement of a segment time of a first cylinder during a first time interval T1 in the sequence of operations of the internal combustion engine, with a corresponding first signal being transmitted as a first actual value to a control, sensing of pressure fluctuations in the second cylinder during a second time interval T2 in the sequence of operations of the internal combustion engine, with a corresponding second signal being transmitted as a second actual value to a control and changing of operating parameters of the at least one cylinder by means of the control on the basis of the first and second signal, when the first and the second actual value each deviate from setpoint values stored in the control. |
| US07861688B2 |
Control apparatus and method of an internal combustion engine
A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an idle torque calculating portion, a target torque setting portion, and a target throttle opening amount calculating portion. The idle torque calculating portion and the target throttle opening amount calculating portion calculate the idle torque and the target throttle opening amount when the internal combustion engine is in a non-idling state, respectively, using a common physical quantity relating to an operating state of the internal combustion engine. |
| US07861686B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus and fuel injection control method
According to an internal combustion engine fuel injection control apparatus and control method, when an operating region of the engine shifts from a fuel cut region in which no fuel is injected to a low load region in which a small amount of fuel is injected, or visa versa, at least one pilot injection is executed ahead of a main injection in the low load region, and the number of pilot injections is determined according to the engine coolant temperature. This injection control makes it possible to ensure drivability while suppressing the amount of HC produced. |
| US07861681B2 |
Switchable valve train for gas-exchange valves of internal combustion engines
A switchable valve train for gas-exchange valves of internal combustion engines with a rocker arm device (1), in which a rocking motion about a rocker arm axis (3) can be introduced by at least one cam (2a, 2b), one tappet, or the like, wherein this rocking motion can be transmitted to at least one valve (4). The rocker arm device (1) is formed from at least one cam lever part (5) in working connection with the cam (2) and a valve lever part (6) in working connection with the valve (4), which are supported so that they can rock about the rocker arm axis (3). A coupling device is constructed between the cam lever part (5) and the valve lever part (6), in order to selectively engage and disengage the transmission of the rocking motion. |
| US07861674B2 |
Pet porch
A pet porch for placement in a casement or conventional double-hung window, allowing an indoor pet to access the outdoors safely. The porch has adjustable windows that can be set in a variety of positions for ventilation, yet closed when necessary. Closure can be effected by remote command, so that absentee owners can be sure the porch is closed for bad weather. |
| US07861668B2 |
Batch-type remote plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber in which a plurality of substrates are stacked and accommodated; a pair of electrodes extending in the stacking direction of the plurality of substrates, which are disposed at one side of the plurality of substrates in said processing chamber, and to which high frequency electricity is applied; and a gas supply member which supplies processing gas into a space between the pair of electrodes. |
| US07861666B2 |
Width adjustable multi slot gun
Apparatus for applying fluids such as adhesive, in particular hot-melt glue, onto a substrate that is movable relative to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a basic body (12) and an applicator valve (22) for selective interruption or release of the stream of fluid. The basic body (12) is connectable to a fluid source and includes a slit-shaped nozzle opening (54) that communicates with a distribution channel (14), and a piston (16) that is movably situated in the distribution channel (14), by means of which the length of the distribution channel (14) which may be supplied with fluid is variable. The nozzle opening (54) communicates with the distribution channel (14) by means of a plurality of output channels (18) spaced at a distance from each other. |
| US07861660B2 |
Adjustable row cleaner
An adjustable row cleaner includes a row cleaner assembly that functions to clear material from the ground surface. The adjustable row cleaner includes, in one embodiment, a connector that is in mechanical communication with both a row cleaner frame, to which row cleaner wheels may be pivotally mounted, and a first end of a translator member. The translator member may pivot with respect to the row unit frame and/or row unit sub-frame about a translator member pivot. The position of a translator member second end may be manipulated, thereby adjusting the maximum depth to which the row cleaner wheels penetrate the ground surface. The adjustable row cleaner may be powered or manually adjusted, and the position of the row cleaner wheels may be monitored and automatically adjusted via a control system. |
| US07861659B2 |
Lightweight hopper car with through center sill
A lightweight hopper car that includes one or more reinforcing members at specified locations, so that the hopper car has both a carrying capacity and a structural strength comparable to those of existing, heavier hopper cars. Specifically, the present application discloses that the hopper car may be reinforced at one or more locations including (i) at selective intersections between the center sill and slope sheets of cargo wells; (ii) between side slope sheets of adjacent cargo wells; (iii) at the junction between the side sheets and end slope sheets of the hopper car; and (iv) along the end combing seal between opposed carlines, if the hopper car is covered. In addition, the present application discloses a novel means of reinforcing side sheets of a rail car, including hopper cars, against the warping that commonly occurs when welding the side sheets at the car is fabricated. |
| US07861658B2 |
Human powered rail bike
Disclosed herein is a human powered rail bike. The rail bike includes a chassis having a predetermined shape. Rail wheels comprising a pair of front wheels and rear wheels, roll along two rails of the track which are arranged side by side. A plurality of seats is mounted to the chassis. A one-way clutch capable of changing direction limits the rotating direction of an axle to one direction, that is, a forward direction or a backward direction. A plurality of crank pedals is rotatably mounted to the chassis, and is connected to the one-way clutch capable of changing direction via a chain. A direction conversion lever functions to convert the rotating direction of the one-way clutch. Further, a pair of brake units is provided to reduce the speed of the rail bike or stop the rail bike. |
| US07861657B2 |
Non-lethal projectile
A projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile having kinetic energy is launched substantially along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. Upon impact of the projectile with the target an elastic mechanism absorbs elastically a first portion of the kinetic energy. A locking mechanism stores the first portion of the kinetic energy within the elastic mechanism; whereby the remaining kinetic energy of the impact is reduced to a non-lethal level of the target. The projectile preferably includes a deformable head attached to the first body. The deformable head is formed from a viscoelastic material which manifests both the elastic mechanism (with the elastic mechanical properties of the viscoelastic material) and further manifests the locking mechanism with the viscous properties of the viscoelastic material. |
| US07861654B2 |
Cylinder with retaining device and a control assembly for controlling the force exerted on the retaining device
A cylinder of a printing machine is provided with at least one axially extending channel located beneath the circumferential surface of the cylinder. At least one plate end holding device is arranged in the channel and usable to exert a clamping force on an end of at least one printing forme or plate positioned on the assembly's circumferential surface. At least one control assembly is utilized to counteract the clamping force exerted on the plate end by the at least one holding device. A force that is exerted by the control assembly can be set to a value which is different either a maximum force or a minimum force which the control assembly can exert. Preferably, the circumferential surface of the cylinder can be divided, in its axial direction, into several adjacent sections. Several of the plate end holding devices are then arranged in the cylinder channel or groove and are positioned adjacent each other. The forces exerted by the control assembly against each one of the plate end holding devices can differ from each other. |
| US07861652B2 |
Packing sleeve for a printing unit cylinder of an offset printing press
A packing sleeve including an outer lateral surface for a printing unit cylinder of an offset printing press is disclosed, wherein the outer lateral surface has at least one region with an area containing a number of incisions, which increase the elasticity of the packing sleeve in the peripheral direction. The packing sleeve according to the invention can advantageously be used to enlarge the effective outer diameter of a printing unit cylinder in an offset printing press by drawing the packing sleeve over the printing unit cylinder in the offset printing press. |
| US07861651B2 |
Method and device for keeping a number of spray nozzles in a printing press beam clean
In order to keep a spray nozzle (3) in a printing press spray beam (1) clean, air with a certain overpressure is supplied to a cover (5; 13; 24) surrounding the spray nozzle (3), the spray cone from the spray nozzle leaving the cover undisturbed through a slot (7; 16; 26) therein. |
| US07861648B2 |
Device for separating banana pulp from its peel
A large scale processing method for separating banana pulp from its peel is shown. In this method bananas are separated into two parts (generally in a transverse direction), each part having a tip end and a cut end. A compression force is applied to those banana parts such that the force increases from the tip end to the cut end. A device which implements that process, comprising a cutting device, a means for feeding bananas into the cutting device, and two processing conveyor devices (to apply the compression force to the banana parts), is also shown. |
| US07861646B2 |
Device for producing small batches of coffee from liquid coffee concentrate
A device for brewing batches, such as, but not limited to, relatively small one or two cup batches, of coffee from water and liquid coffee concentrate, preferably shelf stable. The size of the device, preferably similar to an automatic drip coffee maker, allows the device to be conveniently utilized in the home, an office, a hotel suite, or hospitality area or the like. The device includes a metered volumetric mix valve assembly that, when activated, admits simultaneously or sequentially a finite volume of water and liquid concentrate to a mixing chamber or conduit where they are mixed and then dispensed to a container such as a carafe, cup, mug or the like. Mixing can take place in one or more of the mixing chamber or conduit and the container in which the water and concentrate are dispensed. In this manner, repeatable beverage solutions are obtained. Advantageously, the device is constructed so that the liquid concentrate flows gravimetrically to the volumetric mix valve assembly, and a costly concentrate pump is not necessary. The device can be sealed so that theft of the coffee concentrate can be prevented. |
| US07861627B2 |
Machine tool bed having fluid channel
A bed for machine tool includes a fluid channel crossing the bed and at least one reinforcement bridging the fluid channel. Thus the machining accuracy of a workpiece becomes higher. |
| US07861626B2 |
Lens surface cutting apparatus and lens surface cutting method for spectacle lens, and spectacle lens
A lens surface cutting method for a spectacle lens includes the steps of calculating the mean curvature of a lens surface (5) to be machined, calculating a helical machining path (4) that matches the mean curvature, and cutting the lens surface (5) to be machined by a cutting means. The helical machining path (4) calculated by the helical machining path calculating step is a path in which helix spacings P (=P1, P2, . . . Pn) on the lens surface (5) to be machined are equidistant and a helix spacing d (=d1, d2, . . . dn) on an X-Y projection plane 100 increases continuously from a lens outer periphery toward a center. The cutting means cuts the lens surface (5) to be machined from the outer periphery toward the center along the helical machining path (4). Thus, a spectacle lens having a lens surface with a surface accuracy that is almost uniform throughout an entire surface can be obtained. |
| US07861621B2 |
Box end/open end wrench
A driving head of a wrench includes three engaging surfaces and three reception concavities alternatively defined in an inner periphery thereof. A recess is defined in a center of each of engaging surfaces and located between first and second engaging portions. The last reception concavity has one of two insides connected to the second engaging portions next to it, the other insides of the last reception concavity is connected with a third engaging portion. The recesses and the reception concavities are sized to accommodate protrusions of a star-shaped nut. The reception concavity is sized to accommodate one of protrusions of a star-shaped nut. The adjacent first and second engaging portions have a common tangent line and three respective common tangent lines are located on three sides of a hexagonal object. The wrench is able to drive the object in two opposite directions without removing the wrench from the object. |
| US07861616B2 |
Vehicle transmission
A vehicle transmission is adapted to transmit a power output from an engine unit to a wheel. The vehicle transmission includes a driving unit and a speed-changing unit. The driving unit includes a main box, a first driving mechanism disposed within the main box and adapted to be driven by the engine unit, and an output shaft driven by the first driving mechanism. The speed-changing unit includes an auxiliary box connected removably to the main box, a second driving mechanism disposed within the auxiliary box and driven by the output shaft, and an axle parallel to the output shaft and driven by the second driving mechanism. The axle is connected fixedly to the wheel, and extends into the auxiliary box. |
| US07861615B2 |
Adjustable steering column assembly
A steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A first bracket defines a telescoping slot having a first tooth rack extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second bracket defines a tilting slot having a second tooth rack extending transverse to the telescoping slot. A first locking member and a second locking member are moveable along a pivot axis transverse the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking members have a first locking surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second locking surface transverse to the longitudinal and pivot axes. The locking surfaces are disposed in the telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in the locked position such that the locking surfaces engage the first and second tooth racks, respectively for preventing movement of the column jacket. |
| US07861613B2 |
Selector mechanism for dual-clutch transmissions
An embodiment provides a method shifting a multispeed transmission. The multispeed transmission includes multiple gear paths having alternating speed ratios and a plurality of shift members. Each shift member is selectively moveable to engage a speed ratio of the transmission. The method includes directing a shift finger to contact a first shift member, moving the first shift member generally in a first generally orthogonal direction to engage a first gear, and moving the shift finger in a second generally orthogonal direction to an intermediate configuration. The shift finger will not contact a selector rail when moved in the first direction when the shift finger is in the intermediate configuration. The method also includes moving the shift finger generally in the second generally orthogonal direction to a second engaged configuration. The shift finger will contact a second shift member when moved in the first direction when the shift finger is in the second engaged configuration. |
| US07861611B2 |
Stop device
A stop device comprises a rotatable shaft, a travelling nut mounted upon the shaft in such a manner that rotation of the shaft causes the nut to translate along the shaft, and a stop member mounted upon the shaft and operable to limit the length of the shaft along which the travelling nut can translate, wherein the stop member is adjustably mounted upon the shaft. |
| US07861606B2 |
Measuring arrangement for determining the constituents of a sample taken from a crop stream
A measuring arrangement is associated with a branch channel of a channel through which crops flow. The measuring arrangement comprises a measuring device for detecting the constituents of a sample of a crop stream in the branch channel, where in the branch channel between an opening and the measuring device, a processing device is arranged for reducing in size or for squeezing the sample. |
| US07861603B2 |
Coriolis mass flowmeter including an inner pipe made of fluororesin and outer pipe having fibers
A Coriolis flowmeter includes an oscillator for oscillating a fluid pipe that forms a flow path for allowing a measurement fluid to flow; first and second detectors that are disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the flow path of the fluid pipe so as to detect a state of oscillation of the fluid pipe; and a calculator for calculating a mass flow rate of the measurement fluid that passes through the flow path of the fluid pipe on the basis of a relative amount of the states of oscillation that are detected by the first and second detectors. The fluid pipe includes an inner pipe made of a fluororesin whose inner circumferential surface is in contact with the flow path, and an outer pipe having fibers that are arranged in order to surround an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and a resin that is cured in a state of close adhesion between the fibers arranged in order, and having an elastic modulus larger than that of the inner pipe. |
| US07861602B2 |
Explosion-proof high temperature compatible, multi-vortex flow meter
A temperature-sensitive sensor (21) and a heating temperature-sensitive sensor (22) are fixed in position in a liquid-tight fashion by welding, with the metal tubular bodies (36 and 37) being inserted into the tubular body insertion holes (19 and 20) of a vortex detector (4). Sealing performance is secured without using any O-ring. The temperature-sensitive sensor (21) and the heating temperature-sensitive sensor (22) respectively have lead wires (42 and 43) held together with the lead wires (27) of a vortex detection sensor (11) within the internal space (35), and the lead wires (27, 42, and 43) thus held together are led out toward the flow rate converter (not shown) via a metal pipe (34). Since the lead wires (27, 42, and 43) are held together within the internal space (35) and led out toward the flow rate converter via the metal pipe (34), there is involved only one joint portion between the sensors and the flow rate converter. With this structure, explosion-proof performance can be attained easily. |
| US07861601B2 |
Measurement of liquid flow in porous media by tracer dilution without continuous mixing
A natural gradient, single well, tracer dilution non-continuous mixing apparatus and method for measuring flow of liquids through porous media are described. The method has been applied to concentrations of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) in monitoring wells to measure the rate of LNAPL flow through the wells and through the adjacent formation. Similar measurements were made for concentrations of water in other formations. A LNAPL-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to LNAPL in the wells, and a water-soluble fluorescing tracer was added to water in the wells. The tracer is initially uniformly-mixed into the LNAPL or water in the well, and the tracer concentration is measured using a fiber optic cable and a spectrometer. The LNAPL or water with dissolved tracer is then allowed to flow from the well without any mixing. At a later time, the LNAPL or water and tracer in the well are mixed to a uniform tracer concentration, and the tracer concentration is remeasured. Using the initial tracer concentration, the subsequently mixed tracer concentration, the elapsed time, and the well diameter, a LNAPL flow rate is calculated. |
| US07861598B2 |
Pressure transducer
A pressure transducer, including a housing having a housing axis and a measuring cell chamber defined in the housing. The measuring cell chamber is exposable to a pressure via an opening. The opening is surrounded by an annular, first sealing surface. A pressure measuring cell having a second sealing surface facing towards the opening, and a support surface facing away from the sealing surface sealing ring; and a clamping apparatus, which engages the housing are provided. The pressure measuring cell and the sealing ring are clamped by means of an axial clamping force in such a manner between the clamping apparatus and the first sealing surface, that the sealing ring is arranged pressure-tightly between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The pressure transducer further includes a misalignment accommodating arrangement, which includes a first transmission body, which faces toward the opening, and a second transmission body, which is facing away from the opening. The axial clamping force is transmitted through the misalignment accommodating arrangement, from the clamping apparatus to the pressure measuring cell, and the first transmission body is tiltable relative to the second transmission body about two mutually perpendicular axes. |
| US07861593B2 |
Rotational vibration measurements in computer systems
Embodiments of a mechanical device to facilitate in-situ measurements of vibration associated with a corresponding component in a computer system are described. This mechanical device includes a housing that has approximately a same mass as the component, approximately a same distribution of mass about a geometric center of the component, and approximately a same form factor as the component. Moreover, the mechanical device includes one or more vibration sensors, which are mechanically coupled to the housing, and which are configured to perform the in-situ vibration measurements. |
| US07861591B2 |
Device for the ultrasonic inspection of the weld seam of longitudinally welded pipes for defects
The present invention pertains to a device for ultrasonic inspection of a weld seam of a longitudinally welded pipe for longitudinal defects with an inspection unit, which is relatively displaceable on a pipe surface on at least one side of the weld seam. The device also has two inspection heads in a tandem and spatially-variable arrangement, such that they can be positioned relative to the pipe surface to correspond to an intended acoustic irradiation angle independent of the diameter of the pipe. According to the invention, one inspection head acts as a transmitter and the other inspection head acts as a receiver. The device also has a pick-up connected to each of the two inspection heads, a coupling means connection connected to each pick-up, and a replaceable connecting element connected each pick-up via the coupling means connection. |
| US07861589B2 |
Ring body and supporting structure of vibratile gyroscope
The invention is to provide a ring body and supporting structure of a vibratile gyroscope. The ring body is a thin sheet ring body having a height. The supporting structure is provided for supporting the ring body. The supporting structure is located on two opposing edges of the ring body. The supporting structures provide axial and radial supporting forces to restrain the ring body, providing better sensitivity and capability to resist environmental vibration and noise. Additionally, a reinforcing structure surrounding the ring body is arranged at an interior surface of the ring body to raise the rigidity of the ring body and maintain an elliptical resonance mode. If the reinforcing structure si arranged as high as the ring body, then it is possible to arrange electrodes at both inner and outer sides of the ring body to raise the effective area of driving and/or sensing electrodes. Raising the effective sensing area is further beneficial to reduce the needed driving voltage and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US07861584B2 |
Probe tips for airborne instruments used to measure cloud microphysical parameters
An instrument for obtaining airborne measurements of cloud microphysical parameters. The instrument comprises supporting arms mounted thereon, optics and a detector for measuring the cloud microphysical parameters The supporting arms define an optical path of the instrument and comprise probe tips affixed thereto. The probe tips comprise an outer portion for deflecting particles away from the optical path of the instrument and an inner portion opposite the outer portion. The outer portion of the tips have a pyramidal section with a centre ridgeline and flat or concave surfaces effective to reduce water shedding and particle shattering during in-flight collection of data. |
| US07861583B2 |
Wind turbine anemometry compensation
A system for estimating a freestream wind characteristic for a wind turbine having a rotor includes estimating a nacelle wind speed for the turbine; determining, from the estimated nacelle wind speed, at least one angular position of the rotor for measuring a nacelle wind characteristic for the turbine; and measuring the nacelle wind characteristic at the determined angular position of the rotor. |
| US07861581B2 |
Fluidic volume dispense verification tool
Disclosed herein is a device for measuring fluid dispense volumes including one or more wells adapted to receive a fluid; a tube having an internal passageway fluidly coupled to the one or more wells, wherein fluid in the wells passes into the internal passageway via capillary action to form a fluid column having a meniscus spaced from the wells; and a scale coupled to the tube, the scale calibrated to provide an indication of the volume of the fluid based upon the location of the meniscus in the fluid passageway. |
| US07861579B2 |
Aircraft engine pre-dressing unit for testing facility
A turbofan test cell pre-dressing unit that enables the installation of the engine in a test cell in minimal time is provided. |
| US07861578B2 |
Methods and systems for estimating operating parameters of an engine
A method for estimating an operating parameter of a turbine engine is provided. The method includes receiving at least one sensor input, calculating the operating parameter using at least the one sensor input, and determining whether an anomaly is present in the calculated operating parameter using a redundancy system. An estimated operating parameter is output. |
| US07861576B2 |
Apparatus for analyzing sample using centrifugal force and inertia
A sample analyzing apparatus using centrifugal force and inertia including a rotating body composed of a disk including upper and lower thin-films; a plurality of chambers composed of a polygonal space parts in the rotating body and including apertures on one side corner and a bottom side thereof; paths connected between the apertures of the chambers to transfer fluids mixed or separated in the chambers; sample inputting holes connected to the chambers formed inside of the rotating body through the paths; and balls moving within the chambers. |
| US07861575B2 |
Micro gas sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A micro gas sensor is disclosed including a substrate; an open cavity formed in the substrate; an electrode pad separation groove formed on the substrate; a first and a second electrode pads formed over the substrate and electrically insulated from each other by the electrode pad separation groove; a micro heater connected to the first electrode pad and configured of a bridge structure suspended over the open cavity; a first sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; a second sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; and a gas sensing film electrically coupled to the micro heater and filling a gap between the first and the second sensing electrodes. |
| US07861573B1 |
Laser shock induced spallation
Laser shock methods and systems are disclosed for evaluating impact resistance of materials, and for simulating and evaluating threshold conditions where damage may occur. |
| US07861572B2 |
Method and device for making at least partly profiled tubes
A method and device are disclosed for producing tubes that are at least partially profiled on their interior and preferably on their exterior from a hollow cylindrical blank (3), using a mechanical cold forming method, wherein the end of the blank (3) that is not to be machined (3′) is fed to a clamping device (10). The blank (3) is then secured in the clamping device (10) and a mandrel (2) is subsequently inserted into the end of region (3) of the blank (3) that is to be machined. A lance (8) is guided in the mandrel so that it can be coaxially displaced in a longitudinal direction and the free end of the lance (8′) can be introduced into the clamping device (10). The tip (8′) of the lance (8) is then brought into a positive fit with the clamping device (10) in the axial direction of the blank (3) and the mandrel (2), together with the clamping device (10) and the blank (3) is guided axially through a fixed machining point (6). Radial exterior machining of the surface of the blank (3) along the section that is to be machined (3′) takes place at the machining point (6), to create the interior and exterior profiling of the blank (3). During the process, the mandrel (2) is preferably rotated about its axis in an intermittent manner. |
| US07861564B2 |
Slot device
A slot device for holding a portable device that communicates with a controller installed in a vehicle. The slot device includes a retainer for retaining the portable device, a shutter for closing the retainer, and a spring received in a spring receptacle for urging the shutter to close the retainer. The spring is supported in an inclined state to contact the inner surface of the spring receptacle and prevent vibrations and noise. |
| US07861560B2 |
Drum type washing machine and balancer for drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine having a balancer to prevent a reduction in the washing capacity of a rotating drum while preventing a collision noise of balls installed in the balancer. The diameter of the balls is maintained in a range of 12 millimeters to 30 millimeters, so as to prevent a collision noise of the balls during rotation of the rotating drum while preventing a reduction in the washing capacity of the rotating drum. |
| US07861559B2 |
Yarn feeding device for knitting machines, particularly for circular knitting machines
A device for feeding yarns for knitting machines comprising a supporting element arranged on the inner side of the machine bed which supports a set of yarn guides arranged side-by-side. Each of the yarn guides has a passage for at least one yarn to be fed to the needles of the machine arranged in the bed and the supporting element, for each of the yarn guides, supports an element for clamping and cutting the yarn dispensed by the corresponding yarn guide. A first actuator for the yarn guides is provided for the passage of the yarn guides from an inactive position to an active position, and a second actuator is provided for actuating the clamping and cutting elements. The first actuator comprises individual actuators actuated to produce passage of each of the yarn guides from the inactive position to the active position or vice versa. |
| US07861558B2 |
Method of making assemblies of multi-fiber with irregular hexagonal array
A method of making a multi-fiber assembly with irregular hexagonal array, which includes the steps of forming a plurality of primitives each made of a plurality of fibers, said fibers having cylindrical outer surfaces of same diameter and being arranged in an irregular hexagonal array, said irregular hexagonal array having six sides wherein three alternate sides of said primitive are each composed of n fibers and the other three alternate sides of said primitive 11 are each composed of n−1 fibers; and bringing together said primitives in such a way that sides with n fibers of said primitives are in contact with sides with n−1 fibers of other primitive thereby arranging said fibers at a central portion among said primitives in alignment with one another and therefore preventing said fibers at said central portion from squeezing one another. |
| US07861557B2 |
Plasma torch for making synthetic silica
The improved plasma torch for making synthetic silica includes use of nitrogen screen gas from outer quartz tubing to provide active environment isolation. In addition, the present induction plasma torch includes a ring disk for more compact but complete environmental protection (360 degree coverage). It also includes offsetting and switching the position of the chemical injection nozzles for allowing improved deposition in both directions, when operated in a horizontal mode. Further, the present induction plasma torch maintains laminar flow for the injected chemicals and the middle quartz tube is provided with a concave section for increasing the average enthalpy of plasma jet, thus improving the efficiency of the plasma torch. In addition, it may utilize more plasma gas inlets. It also includes chemical injection nozzles having a downward angular inclination. |
| US07861555B2 |
Article of jewelry
An article of jewelry including a body having an outer major surface and a decorative pattern formed on the outer surface of the body, the pattern including pairs of intersecting grooves and an optically transparent synthetic decorative element that includes admixed glitter, diamond dust, or both formed in a respective well created by the intersection of each pair of intersecting grooves. |
| US07861554B2 |
Adjustable sized jewelry
An adjustable ring according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a ring portion having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an opening for receiving a finger therethrough; a movable segment coupled to the ring portion and movable between a first position and a second position; and a spring element coupled to the ring portion and the movable segment to allow movement of the movable segment between the first position and the second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable ring further includes an insert portion coupled to an inner surface of the ring portion, the insert portion having an opening; and the movable segment coupled to the insert portion and having a surface movable through the insert portion opening. |
| US07861552B1 |
Insulated food carrier and organizer
An insulated carrier having an interior lip for supporting a planar organizer having a plurality of spaced apart apertures for receiving user provided containers and organizer aperture covers for covering said containers. The carrier having a lid for covering said carrier and having segregated storage compartments for utilitarian use, such as cutlery storage. The storage compartments having a latch door providing access therein. |
| US07861551B2 |
Method and device for producing ice droplets on demand
A method and device for producing ice droplets on-demand in a refrigerator is provided wherein small water droplets are dropped from a valve through a supercooled chamber where the water freezes and forms ice pieces, such as in the form of pellets, while free-falling through the chamber, with the ice being directed to a dispenser assembly. The size and dispensing rate of the droplets can be selected by a user and regulated by a controller. The method and device eliminates the need for bulk ice storage and dispensing components. |
| US07861547B2 |
HVAC system control for improved vehicle fuel economy
A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled. |
| US07861544B2 |
Apparatus and methods for creating sparkling water from the atmosphere
What is disclosed is a system designed to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide optional carbonation of the extracted water for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water, while also providing a means to combine the purified water with CO2 gas to facilitate dispensing carbonated water and/or carbonated drinks. |
| US07861541B2 |
System and method of refrigeration
In a refrigeration system, an asymmetric scroll expander has an orbiting scroll element engaged with a fixed scroll element. The orbiting scroll element and fixed scroll element can define a first expansion pocket and a second expansion pocket at positions relative to one another. |
| US07861539B2 |
Cooling fan with thermostatic air output
A cooling fan with thermostatic air output has a water cistern and a water reservoir respectively disposed on the top portion and the bottom portion of the fan body, wherein an electric fan and two pipes of recycling pipe and water outlet pipe for water circulation are disposed therein; Wherein a Thermoelectric Cooling Modules (TECM) is secured in said water cistern, and a water absorbing curtain is hung downwards between the wind inlet of said fan body and said electric fan such that the top end of said water absorbing curtain being immersed in the water cistern; Then, by means of the sucking function of said electric fan in front of said water absorbing curtain, the air of normal temperature from wind inlet is sucked and blown out of the wind outlet via said water absorbing curtain, where the inlet air mixing with moisture of lower temperature; Thus, the cooling effect in breeze of lower temperature by blowing action is achieved so as to let us enjoy such cooling breeze. |
| US07861536B2 |
Ejector controlled twin air source gas turbine pressurizing air system
A passive pressurizing air system for a gas turbine engine includes a flow path for directing an air flow having a low temperature and low pressure, extending through a cavity to a pressurized area of the engine. The cavity contains pressurized air having a high temperature and high pressure. An air flow mixing apparatus is provided for adding the pressurized air from the cavity into the flow path to provide a mixed air flow having an intermediate temperature and intermediate pressure. |
| US07861532B2 |
System and methods for heat recovery steam generators hot purging
A method for operating an energy system includes calculating an auto-ignition temperature of a fuel in use with the energy system, storing the auto-ignition temperature in a system memory, unloading a gas turbine associated with the energy system to a pre-determined range of operations, controlling a temperature of the exhaust flow discharged from the gas turbine, opening an exhaust bypass damper to a pre-determined position to enable a pre-determined volume of air to enter an exhaust flow path defined within the energy system, and releasing the energy system for normal operation after a pre-determined amount of time has elapsed. |
| US07861531B2 |
Fairing for a combustion chamber end wall
An annular fairing for covering the annular chamber end wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber, and in particular of an airplane turbojet. The fairing presents openings for passing fuel injectors that are supported by the chamber end wall. The fairing is subdivided into a plurality of adjacent sectors, each sector presenting inner and outer fastener edges capable of being fastened on either side of said chamber end wall. Each sector includes a lip on one of its side edges, which lip is connected to the remainder of the sector by a step, said lip being designed to over the side edge of the adjacent sector. |
| US07861524B2 |
Master cylinder of brake
A master cylinder of a brake is disclosed. The master cylinder includes a cylinder body connected with an oil tank and defining therein a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, which are separated from each other by a partition, a first piston to perform reciprocating movements in the first pressure chamber, a second piston to perform reciprocating movements in the second pressure chamber, a first return spring to elastically support the first piston in the first pressure chamber, and a second return spring to elastically support the second piston in the second pressure chamber. The first piston has a plurality of recesses formed at one end thereof to assure smooth supply of oil during braking. The master cylinder has the effects of assuring smooth supply of brake oil during braking, and preventing fluctuation of a piston therein. |
| US07861522B2 |
Electrically driven brake booster
The present invention relates to an electrically driven brake booster in which boost control is performed as follows; when an input piston is displaced forward by an input rod upon an operation of a brake pedal, an electric motor is operated according to the input, and a primary piston is displaced forward by a ball-screw mechanism, and then a primary and secondary pressure chamber in a master cylinder main body are pressurized. A first seal and a second seal are disposed at a seal portion between the primary piston and the input piston. A portion between the first seal and the second seal is in communication with an outside through a discharge passage. Brake fluid which leaks from the first seal is sealed off by the second seal, and is discharged to the outside through the discharge passage, whereby it becomes possible to prevent that the electric motor and the ball-screw mechanism otherwise might be corroded by the leaking brake fluid. |
| US07861520B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing emissions in diesel engines
A method of reducing emissions from a diesel engine including the steps of providing an injector to an exhaust outlet of the diesel engine, the injector having an orifice with a diameter of about 0.006 inch or less, providing a reagent to the injector at an inlet pressure between about 120 psi and about 60 psi, actuating the injector on and off at a frequency between about 10 Hz and about 1 Hz with an on-time of about 1% or more, injecting the reagent via the orifice into the exhaust outlet at an injection rate, and wherein varying of at least two of the inlet pressure, the frequency, and the on-time achieves a turn-down ratio of a maximum injection rate to a minimum injection rate of at least about 31:1. |
| US07861513B2 |
Aeroengine ventilation system
A gas turbine engine comprising a ventilation zone defined between a core engine casing and a core fairing and having a discharge nozzle, the engine further comprises a pre-cooler having a flow of coolant therethrough and which coolant being ducted into the ventilation zone wherein an additional ventilation zone outlet system is provided and comprises a variable area outlet. |
| US07861509B2 |
Methods and systems for gas turbine syngas warm-up with low emissions
Methods and systems of operating an integrated gasification combined cycle system are provided. The method includes coupling a non-fuel fluid conduit to a fuel conduit, warming a flow of non-fuel fluid, and channeling the warmed non-fuel fluid through the fuel conduit such that heat from the warmed non-fuel fluid heats the fuel conduit to a predetermined temperature. |
| US07861505B1 |
Reduced-weight plant-cutting assembly for a header
A cutting assembly for a header of a plant-cutting machine has an elongate blade support bar including a first elongate segment that can engage a second elongate segment by interlocking. Overlying the elongate blade support bar is a plurality of blade sections, including first sub-plurality of blade sections overlying a first lengthwise portion of the first elongate segment, and a second sub-plurality of blade sections overlying a second lengthwise portion of the first elongate segment and a third lengthwise portion of the second elongate segment. An elongate attach bar overlies the first sub-plurality of blade sections, and a spanning bar overlies the second sub-plurality of blade sections. |
| US07861500B2 |
Automatic cart bagger
A method of automatically placing a bag over an object and removing the bag from a bag dispenser is provide. Fold grippers mounted to an arm support frame positioned at a first location on a frame are closed on folds of a first bag. A fold gripper is moved from a first location to a second location on the arm support frame opening the first bag. The arm support frame is moved from the first location to a second location on the frame to cover the object. The fold grippers are opened after moving the arm support frame to the second location. The arm support frame is moved from the second location to the first location on the frame. The fold gripper is moved from the second location to the first location on the arm support frame. Bag grippers mounted to the arm support frame are closed on the first bag. The fold grippers are closed on the folds of a second bag attached to the first bag. The fold gripper is moved from the first location to the second location on the arm support frame separating the bags and opening the second bag. |
| US07861499B2 |
Filling machine for open, sealable sacks
A filling machine for open, sealable sacks includes a fill pipe for filling the attached sacks with contents having a tendency to develop dust, and a cleaning device which includes a blow rail for cleaning the inner faces of the sack mouth rim and side folds of a sack by an air flow which emerges from the blow rail. The blow rail is fastened to two-armed levers which can be pivoted about a stationary axis by means of a drive. As a result, the air jets are directed onto the surfaces to be cleaned from different directions during the cleaning process and the layers of the side folds are also separated from one another and cleaned. The filling machine is suitable, in particular, for filling powdery contents. |
| US07861497B2 |
Box wrapping assembly and method
A box wrapping assembly and method incorporates a framework having a special top hold-down platen that functions with a cooperating fixture that is affixed to a rotatable turntable. Using this assembly and method, the operator can place four sidewall panels in a self-positioning fixture and panel-capturing platen prior to wrapping. Stretch film is connected to the fixture by a hook device and the stretch film is automatically pre-stretched to a rope of stretched film for particular application where the box contents are intended to be contained within the box under pressure. |
| US07861494B2 |
Intravaginal device with fluid transport plates
An apparatus for producing an absorbent article includes a holding tool, a female tool disposed along a machine axis, and a male tool disposed along the machine axis. The holding tool has an aperture aligned along the machine axis and means for holding a flexible sheet across the aperture. The female tool has at least one folding element extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis, and the male tool has means for holding a fluid storage element and at least one pleating blade extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis. At least two of the holding tool, female tool, and male tool are capable of relative motion along the machine axis. Further the at least one pleating blade and of the male tool and the at least one folding element of the female tool are aligned to permit manipulation of the flexible sheet about the fluid storage element. |
| US07861490B2 |
Method of packaging articles
A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package. |
| US07861489B2 |
Preform, hydroforming method, and hydroformed product
A preform having edges overlapped and jointed, two outer members for forming outer surfaces of a hydroformed product, and reinforcement members for forming reinforcement ribs that divide a hollow cross section of the hydroformed product, including a joint formed by, when more than three sheet materials for forming the outer members and the reinforcement members are overlapped together, welding a first sheet material on a surface of the overlapped sheet materials to a second sheet material positioned inside the first sheet material, and a space disposed and aligned with a joint plane between the second sheet material and a third sheet material located inside the second sheet material during the welding process. |
| US07861487B2 |
Tile alignment and leveling device
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. |
| US07861485B1 |
Method for installing a stanchion on a tile roof and system therefor
A method and apparatus for installing a stanchion on a tile roof includes a tile which has an aperture and a stanchion which fits through the aperture. An existing roof tile is removed and the stanchion is connected to the roof sheathing at the place of removal. The tile is then placed over the stanchion so that the stanchion project through the aperture. In an embodiment of the invention, a sleeve surrounds the aperture and a seal provides a weather proof seal between the stanchion and the sleeve. |
| US07861484B2 |
Method for making a sound-insulating load-bearing floor
A method for making a sound-insulating load-bearing floor, includes the following steps: applying a sound-insulating material over a load-bearing floor as to form a continuous coating layer; allowing the continuous coating layer to harden; applying a covering floor over said hardened continuous coating layer; wherein the sound-insulating material includes: 40% by weight to 95% by weight, preferably 60% by weight to 90% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the sound-insulating material, of at least one rubber in a subdivided form; 5% by weight to 60% by weight, preferably 10% by weight to 40% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the sound-insulating material, of at least one binding agent including: a first, component including at least one organic compound having at least one acid functional group or a derivative thereof, the first component having a Brookfield viscosity, measured at 23° C., of 0.1 Pa·s to 100 Pa·s, preferably 0.2 Pa·s to 50 Pa·s, more preferably 0.5 Pa·s to 20 Pa·s; and a second component including at least one metal oxide or hydroxide. |
| US07861483B2 |
Floor panel with the tongue more elastic than the locking element
The invention relates to a panel, with a tongue on a longitudinal and a transverse edge, projecting beyond said longitudinal or transverse edge, with essentially parallel tongue surfaces and a groove on the opposing longitudinal or transverse edge, enclosed by lateral panel sections, corresponding to the tongue of an adjacent panel with essentially parallel groove edges. In order to lock two adjacent panels such as to run into each other, a projecting locking element is provided on at least one tongue surface at least in parts and in each region of (a) panel section(s) corresponding to said locking element(s) for connected panels a recess(es) is provided, whereby the region (B) of the tongue with the locking element and/or at least one of the regions of the tongue and the panel sections which are in contact on introducing the tongue into the groove, before the locking element clips into the recess, have an elastic embodiment such that said elasticity is greater than the elasticity of the locking element. |
| US07861481B2 |
Floor covering
The invention relates to a connecting element (24) for a floor covering (20) consisting of a first part element (26) and a second part element (28), each having connecting openings (34) by which means they can be connected to one another by a connecting means (36). In the assembled state these form a connecting channel (38) in which a connector (40) can be disposed, which connector also has a connecting opening (34) for the connecting means (36), wherein the connector (40) projects laterally from the connecting element (24) in such a manner that it can be inserted into a connecting channel (38) of a neighbouring connecting element (24) and a connecting means (36) can likewise extend there through a second connecting opening (34) so that two connecting means (36) located adjacent to one another can be connected to one another by the connector (40), wherein the connecting means (36) has dimensions such that it does not protrude over a useful area (21) of the floor covering (20) (FIG. 5). |
| US07861480B2 |
Roof subframe system
A subframe for retrofitting an existing roof with a new roof is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subframe comprises a base, a first and second longitudinal flanges, a first wall extending between the base and the first longitudinal flange, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and extending between the base and the second longitudinal flange, and a traversely-oriented punch out passing through the base, the first wall and the second wall. The punch out is configured to receive a rib of the existing roof. Once installed on the existing roof and coupled to the new roof, the subframe and new roof form an enclosed, self-supporting structure with increased structural capacity and stability in comparison to conventional retrofitted roof systems. |
| US07861478B2 |
Roof membrane and roof system using the membrane to simulate a standing seam metal roof
A roof membrane is disclosed, for use in simulating a standing seam metal roof when applied to a roof surface and a roof system is also provided, that employs the roof membrane, disposed between longitudinal, but spaced-apart, generally parallel roof battens. Underlayments of various constructions are also provided, beneath the membrane, as an option. Caps are provided for upstanding legs of the roof battens. |
| US07861474B2 |
Ceiling attachment for full-height panel
A prefabricated wall panel has a top frame structure defining an upward-opening channel extending lengthwise along the upper edge of the panel. An elongate header member is normally disposed within this channel. The header member is vertically slidably supported on supports fixed to the top frame structure so that the header member, in a storage position, is retained in the space. When the panel has been swung upwardly so that the upper edge is aligned below a preinstalled ceiling track, then the header member is manually displaced upwardly until the header telescopes over the ceiling track. A fixed connection is then formed between the header and the ceiling track to provide lateral stability at the upper edge of the wall panel. |
| US07861473B1 |
Low-profile screen framing system
A system for framing a porch using concealed fasteners and concealed or partially-concealed framing elements on support posts. The framing elements have a small cross section, generally shaped like the letter C with a slot on one side and a spline groove in one of the opposing corners. The framing elements are attached to a support post by screwing plural, spaced-apart buttons into the posts and then snapping the button heads into the slot of the framing elements. The framing elements may be applied to the surface of the posts or, because of their small size, may be put into grooves formed in the sides or corners of the posts and concealed on one or more sides by trim boards. |
| US07861470B2 |
Self centering shaft wall system
A J-runner, used in the construction of shaft walls in buildings is provided with a lifting element or ledge or both to permit simple centering of studs or shaft walls or both. By providing a lifting member in a lower J-runner, the studs or shaft walls or both can rest upon the lifting member to assist in vertically centering the studs or shaft walls or both when the shaft is fully constructed. |
| US07861468B1 |
Window well
A window well for use by a person to escape through a window formed in a basement wall including a generally U-shaped body member having upper and lower ends and inner and outer ends. The open upper end of the body member has a spacer and a removable lid mounted thereon. The body member is comprised of a composite material such as fiberglass. |
| US07861466B2 |
Mounting apparatus for lighting and lighting accessories
Embodiments of the invention provide a mounting apparatus that includes at least two ceiling mounts. Each of two scissor mounts may be coupled to the same or different dropped ceiling rail(s) using a corresponding scissor clip feature. The mounting apparatus further includes a mounting pipe that is coupled to each of the scissor mounts. The mounting pipe is thus suspended by the scissor mounts below the dropped ceiling, providing an unlimited number of potential mounting positions for lighting and/or lighting accessories. |
| US07861463B1 |
Sliding door grab bar opener
A sliding door grab bar opener for opening and closing a sliding door. The opener includes outside and inside tube members, each having first and second ends. The inside tube member is positioned within the outside tube member and is adapted to slide from a fully retracted configuration with the first end of the inside tube member being located adjacent the first end of the outside tube member to a fully extended configuration with the first end of the inside tube member being located adjacent the second end of the outside tube member. First and second end stanchion members are attached to the outside and inside tube members adjacent their first and second ends, respectively. A middle stanchion member is attached to the outside tube member adjacent its second end. The stanchion members are adapted to be attached to the frames of the sliding door panels by fastener means. |
| US07861461B2 |
Method for automatically opening door and device for automatically opening and closing door
A door opening and closing device for a slide door, which can be horizontally open and close the slide door by application of a light load and which can be constructed and maintained at low costs. The door opening and closing device has a transmission mechanism for converting through a lever (31) the amount of settlement of a tread plate (21) placed on floor surfaces at positions in front and back of the slide door (12), into a predetermined displacement amount. The tread plate (21) is weight-wise balanced such that the transmission mechanism and settlement of the tread plate due to the weight of an adjustment weight (W) causes the tread plate (21) to float through the lever (31). Up-down movement of the long transmission member (32) presses a drive rotation body (42) to an open door rail (41), and a component force of the pressing force allows the slide door (12) to be opened by application of a light load. |
| US07861460B1 |
Emergency window opening system
An emergency window opening system includes a vehicle, a vehicle door attached to the vehicle and a window mounted in the vehicle door. A primary window motor is mechanically coupled to a lift gear mechanically coupled to the window to allow selective raising or lowering of the window. A housing is mounted within the vehicle door. A secondary motor is mounted within the housing. A drive shaft of the secondary motor is mechanically coupled to the lift gear. The secondary motor lowers the window when turned on. An actuator is mounted on the vehicle door and is electrically coupled by a wire to the secondary motor. The secondary motor is turned on when the actuator is actuated. A power supply line extends between and directly electrically couples a battery to the secondary motor. The power supply line extends into the housing. |
| US07861457B2 |
Reusable line connector
A splice system for linear connection of fishing lines includes a female connector and a male connector. Each connector has first and second opposite ends, a longitudinal axis, and a shaped exterior surface. The first end of the female connector is connected to a first fishing line section; the second end has a first opening; and the connector has a raised interior feature. The second end of the male connector is connected to a second fishing line section; the first end is configured for coaxial insertion into the first opening of the female connector, and the first end has a raised exterior feature. The connectors have a first relative position representing a disengaged state and a second relative position representing an engaged state. The first relative position and the second relative position are rotationally displaced about the axis. |
| US07861456B2 |
Fishing rig
A fishing rig that reduces the likelihood of snags on submerged objects. The fishing rig includes a flexible rod and a retainer secured to the top of the rod. The retainer has a ring for fastening a fishing line to the rig. A float is secured to the rod adjacent the retainer. A sinker is secured to the bottom of the rod. A spreader is secured to the rod between the retainer and the float. The spreader has a pair of outstretched arms, each of which has an outer end with an aperture therein. Two flexible leaders have inside ends that are connected to the ring and have outside ends extending respectively through the apertures. A fishhook is fastened to the outside end of each one of the flexible leaders. |
| US07861452B2 |
Vertical foregrip leg extender
Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs. |
| US07861451B1 |
Folding stack plate for foregrips
Adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of allowing a firearm to be supported by a foldable fore grip/gun handle. The fore grip gun handle can have bipod type legs that can be extendable from the handle. The fore grip handle can be just a vertical extension. The adapter can allow for the fore grip/gun handle to move from a fold back position along the bottom of the firearm so that the firearm can be easily carried, and the adapter to can allow for the handle to move down to a vertical support position beneath the firearm when the firearm is to be used. The adapter can also support a light in both a folded position and in a downwardly extended position, where light can be aimed forward, rearward to the side and/or pointed down from the firearm. The adapter can allow for a dual functioning component that can be either or both a fore grip and/or a light source. |
| US07861444B2 |
Animated artificial flower
A device which simulates natural flowering actions, including growth and efflorescence, is actuated by partial immersion of a stem into a liquid. An aperture through the stem base admits the liquid into the stem. A piston slidably disposed within the stem is driven downwardly by the bias force of a resilient spring while an agent which impedes the piston motion dissolves in the liquid. Growth is simulated by a sleeve outside the stem which descends in relation thereto to push the flower upwardly. A simulated corolla is attached to the stem and gradually rotates and opens during the ascent thereof. A cam controls the pivotal position of lifters which open and close the corolla. The petals of the corolla vibrate before opening and open with variations in starting time. As the corolla opens, a surprise gift, gradually ascending on a presentation platform, is revealed. The device may be reused. |
| US07861443B2 |
Identification tag and releasable attachment clip
An identification tag that is adapted to be attached to a collar ring. The tag has a molded tag body that defines a pair of recesses, and a pliable clip having spaced arms that are adapted to be releasably received into the tag body recesses, the clip further adapted to be coupled to the collar ring, to releasably couple the tag body to the collar ring. |
| US07861441B1 |
Gift card envelope
An envelope for one or more gift cards is disclosed. |
| US07861440B2 |
Ironingboard adustable in height
An ironing board includes a base, a body with a work surface and an easy height-adjustment operation to adjust the distance of the body relative to the base. A column extends between the body and the base and is equipped with a stationary frame secured to the base and a moveable frame secured to the body. In order to decrease the force needed to adjust the height of the body relative to the base, the height adjustment device includes device for exerting a repelling force between the body and the base. |
| US07861434B2 |
Post sleeve positioning apparatus and method
A post sleeve installation device includes a standing structure, a structure coupled to the standing structure and configured to support a post sleeve below the standing structure, and a mechanism configured to enable selective translation of the support structure in three axes and rotation around a vertical axis. Locks are provided to lock the post sleeve at a selected position and orientation relative to the standing structure. A beam extending from one installation device to another measures or controls the relative spacing, orientation, and elevation of associated post sleeves, and related data is collected for off-site manufacture of fence panels. Additionally, a repository is provided, to which the data is transmitted for retention, and from which the data can be retrieved for manufacture of replacement fence panels. |
| US07861433B2 |
Railway car coupler reconditioning contour gauge
A railway car coupler head contour gauge includes a cylindrical portion configured to be rotatably coupled to a coupler head. A gauging blade is coupled to the cylindrical portion. The gauging blade includes a gauging contour that is configured to align with a contour face of a top pulling lug of the coupler head after operational use of the coupler head. |
| US07861432B1 |
Method and apparatus for hole measurement
A method and apparatus for measuring hole parameters by using a probe signal have been disclosed. |
| US07861431B2 |
Injection molding fixing for feelers
The invention relates to a feeler (1) having a shaft (2) and a coupling body (3) fixing the latter for coupling to a coordinate measuring device. It is provided here that the shaft is fixed in the receiving body by means of injection molding. |
| US07861430B2 |
Articulating probe head apparatus and method
Apparatus for a co-ordinate positioning machine is described that comprises an articulating probe head for supporting a measurement probe. The articulating probe head comprises at least one electric motor. Heating means are provided for generating heat in the articulating probe head. The heating means may be the motors or discrete heating elements. Temperature sensing means, such as one or more temperature sensors, is also provided for determining the temperature at the articulating probe head. The apparatus allows the temperature of the articulating probe head to be controlled. |
| US07861425B2 |
Centering mandrel
A method and apparatus for aligning structures. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a tapered member and a plurality of segments. The tapered member has a first end and a second end, a diameter that increases from the first end to the second end, and the diameter has a first center. The each of the plurality of segments has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the plurality of segments define a tapered channel capable of receiving the tapered member, wherein the outer surface has an outer diameter with a second center corresponding to the first center, and wherein movement of the plurality of segments to the second end increases the outer diameter with the second center remaining in around a same location. |
| US07861422B2 |
Skyline imaging system for solar access determination
A skyline imaging system includes an image sensor and an inclination reference coupled to the image sensor. The inclination reference provides a righting moment for the image sensor and establishes a predetermined orientation for the image sensor relative to the Earth's gravity vector. A heading reference determines an azimuth heading for the image sensor. |
| US07861417B2 |
Portable electric cutting apparatus
A portable electric cutting apparatus includes a housing for housing an electric motor rotating a saw blade, a saw cover attached to the housing, the saw cover having a shape to cover an upper half of an outer periphery, the saw cover including a saw blade housing portion at least partially housing the saw blade and a cylindrical portion having a substantially cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion connecting to the housing at an end face of the cylindrical portion a base being joined to at least one of the saw cover and the housing, the base having an opening to allow the saw blade to project downwardly from a bottom face which is slidable on a cut material and a fan being driven by the electric motor, wherein a discharge passage forming member is provided with the saw cover so as to form a discharge passage by cooperating with a wall face of the saw cover. |
| US07861410B2 |
Heat treated devolatilizer nozzle
A method is provided for perforating a steel plate, forming a devolatilizer nozzle from the steel plate, and heat treating the devolatilizer nozzle. The devolatilizer nozzle may have a yield strength of at least about 110 ksi, and a tensile strength of at least about 140 ksi. The perforations in the steel plate are holes in the nozzle and may be no more than about 0.05 inches in diameter. The thickness of the steel plate may be from about 0 to about 0.75 inches. The nozzle may include at least about 500,000 perforations where the center-to-center hole distance may be at least about 0.08 inches. The capacity of the devolatilizer nozzle may be from about 0 to about 75,000 pounds per hour. |
| US07861409B2 |
Method of preparing orifice counterbore surface
A method of preparing a surface of a counterbore surrounding an orifice in an orifice layer includes determining a property of a fluid to be ejected through the orifice, and controlling a surface characteristic of the counterbore surface based on the property of the fluid. |
| US07861404B2 |
Method for removing the endplate of an electric generator
A method and apparatus for compressing the endplate of an electric generator to relieve the restraining force on a plurality of key blocks that restrain the endplate in compression. The method includes simultaneously applying independent compressive loads at each of the key block locations to the endplate to relieve pressures on the key blocks and removing the key blocks so the endplate can be removed. |
| US07861403B2 |
Current transformer cores formed from magnetic iron-based alloy including final crystalline particles and method for producing same
A current transformer core has a ratio of the core outside diameter Da to the core inside diameter Di of <1.5, a saturation magnetostriction λs of =|4| ppm, a circular hysteresis loop with 0.50=Br/Bs=0.85 and an Hcmax=20 mA/cm. The current transformer core is made of a soft magnetic iron alloy in which at least 50% of the alloy structure is occupied by fine-crystalline particles with an average particle size of 100 nm or less, and the iron-based alloy comprises, in essence, one combination. |
| US07861402B2 |
Method for production of a pole face of a metallic closing element of an electromagnet
A method is disclosed for producing a pole face of a metal closing elements of a solenoid, especially for electromechanical switchgear. In at least one embodiment, the method includes machining the surface of a crude stamped part of the closing element to give the pole face. A corresponding armature, yoke, solenoid and switchgear are also disclosed. |
| US07861400B2 |
Fabricating a write head with multiple electronic lapping guides
Write heads and corresponding methods of fabrication are provided using multiple electronic lapping guides to collect information regarding multiple distances of a write head, such as a throat height and a flare point distance of a write pole. A method of fabricating a write head includes fabricating a write pole and a corresponding write pole ELG. The method further includes fabricating a trailing shield and a corresponding trailing shield ELG. The method further includes performing a lapping process on the write head, and monitoring a lapping depth of the lapping process based on the resistance of the write pole ELG and the resistance of the trailing shield ELG. |
| US07861398B1 |
Method for fabricating a miniature tunable filter
A method for fabrication of a filter includes forming an input transformer pole in a first substrate by forming a first conductive via, forming an output transformer pole in the first substrate by forming a second conductive via, forming one or more filter poles in the first substrate between the input transformer pole and the output transformer pole by forming one or more conductive vias in the first substrate between the input transformer pole and the output transformer pole, fabricating one or more tuning elements on a second substrate, wherein the number of tuning elements corresponds to the number of filter poles between the input transformer pole and the output transformer pole, and bonding the second substrate to a top surface of the first substrate so that each tuning element on the second substrate is aligned with and overlays a filter pole on the first substrate. |
| US07861393B2 |
Method of making a dispensing closure
A dispensing closure includes a base having a lid integrally connected to the base by a hinge. The base has a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening in the in the central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The peripheral portion includes a raised wall partially surrounding the central portion, and having a greatest height adjacent to the hinge and decreasing in height around the central portion. The wall has an inner surface that blends with the central portion of the deck to form a concave channel surrounding the central portion of the deck. The channel surface has a base that is angled with respect to the peripheral portion down and away from the raised wall. |
| US07861389B2 |
AT cut quartz crystal resonator element and method for manufacturing the same
An AT cut quartz crystal resonator element includes a quartz crystal element piece having an exciting part formed from an AT cut quartz crystal plate in a rectangular shape having an X-axis direction of a quartz crystal set to a long side, and an exciting electrode formed on each of front and back main surfaces of the exciting part, in which each side surface in the longitudinal direction of the exciting part is composed of two faces, an m-face of a quartz crystal and a crystal face other than the m-face. |
| US07861380B2 |
Replaceable hand grip
The replaceable elastic hand grip for framed mobility devices such as walkers that have a substantially elliptical gripping portion with at least one hole, the replaceable hand grip includes a substantially elliptical hand grip cover which includes an opening to form a C-shape cross section for securely installing the grip over the gripping portion of the frame of the mobility device. The hand grip further includes a mechanical means, such as a normally mounted pin on the inner surface of the grip cover that mates with the hole of the gripping portion of the mobility device so that the hand grip is prevented from slipping. The elastic and non-absorbent hand grip provides a replaceable, sanitary, stable grasping point for the user of the framed mobility device. |
| US07861379B2 |
System for selectively locating a door within a frame
A system for selectively locating a door within a frame may include a frame, a door selectively located within the frame and a hinge. The hinge has a frame attachment portion and a door attachment portion. The portions are pivotally connected to one another via a pin. The frame attachment portion and door attachment portion cooperate to cause an outside surface of the door to be flush with an outside surface of the frame when the door is substantially within the frame. The frame attachment portion has a roller flange extending substantially transverse to the frame attachment portion that selectively engages with a roller on the door attachment portion. |
| US07861375B2 |
Spring and hinge assembly for installing a door on toilet partitions
A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half. |
| US07861374B2 |
Flexible hinge for structural panels
A hinge unit useful in the manufacture of readily assembled and erect shelving and storage units and furniture comprises an elongate locking member having a first portion adapted to be received within a slotted channel in the surface of a first panel, a second portion extending away from the elongate member for attaching the hinge to a second panel and integral axial flexion member between the two portions of the hinge. The cross-sectional shape of the elongate locking member and the channel are selected to prevent rotation of the locking member within the channel. |
| US07861373B2 |
Assemblable jerk handle for inflators
An assemblable jerk handle for a lanyard cord including in one embodiment a base portion having a center channel with interior progressive teeth for receiving the lanyard cord and a cap portion for permanently snap-fitting to the base portion to securely grip and therefore retain the lanyard cord within the base portion. In another embodiment, the assemblable jerk handle comprises a base portion having a center channel positioned therethrough for receiving a bifurcated plug that receives the lanyard cord therein and forcibly closes about the lanyard cord to securely grip and therefore retain the lanyard cord within the base portion. |
| US07861371B2 |
Door damper
Disclosed is a door damper, in which a safety check valve is installed in consideration of the case in which an impact exceeding a design pressure will be applied, thereby absorbing the impact to enable a door to be closed safely and smoothly. In the door damper, a safety check valve is installed in a piston, and thus is opened in cooperation with another check valve installed between a spring holder and the piston when the pressure exceeding a design pressure is applied. Thereby, when the impact exceeding the design pressure occurs, the safety check valve can absorb the impact to prevent damage. A channel can be adjusted by only ridges formed on an outer circumference of the check valve, so that productivity can be improved thanks to easy tolerance management. Further, an oil seal is not contracted or deformed in spite of long-term use. |
| US07861370B2 |
Caster with brake unit and direction unit
A caster includes a casing having a shank and a locking unit is located at a lower end of the shank. Two wheels are connected to two sides of the casing by a shaft and an inner gear is connected to each of the two wheels. A direction unit is located in the casing and includes a first lever and an opening, the first lever connects the direction unit to the locking unit. A brake unit is located in the casing and includes a second lever. The second lever connects the brake unit to the locking unit and the inner gears. The second lever is engaged with the opening of the first lever and shares a common pivot with the first lever so as to respectively brake the caster and control direction of the caster. |
| US07861362B2 |
Compound water-wiper apparatus
A water-wiper apparatus has a handle having a height, width, and length with a substantially oval shape in cross-section orthogonal to the length, a major axis of the oval shape in the direction of the height, the handle formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, a first engagement interface along the length of the handle in a region bisected by the major axis, the engagement interface comprising a channel having a shape and a first width and an opening of a second width less than the first width to the outside of the handle, and a wiper blade of the length of the handle, formed of a flexible material and having a second engagement interface shaped to engage the first engagement interface, engaging the wiper blade with the handle, the wiper blade having a curved side in cross section from the handle to a tip end of a wiper leg away from the handle, the curve of the side having a radius of from one-half inch to one-and-one-half inches. |
| US07861361B2 |
Snow removal device and kit
A snow removal device and kit that include a first sheet, a second sheet, and at least one strap. The top and bottom edges of the first sheet are joined to the top and bottom edges of the second sheet and the second sheet is also joined to the first sheet such that unjoined portions of the first sheet and the second sheet form an arm pocket and a weight pocket. The arm pocket is formed proximate to the joined top edges of the first sheet and the second sheet and is dimensioned to accommodate an arm of a user. The weight pocket is dimensioned to accommodate at least one weight and includes at least three closed edges. The strap is attached proximate to the joined top and bottom edges of one side edge. |
| US07861360B2 |
Hairbrush
A hairbrush for allowing trapped hair to be easily removed therefrom. The hairbrush comprises a handle for grasping the hairbrush and a head joined to the handle. The head comprises an array of bristles that protrude through a layer having an array of corresponding apertures. In an initial position the bristles fully protrude through the apertures. In a final position the layer is shifted to the free ends of the bristles. By shifting said hairbrush from an initial position to a final position tangled hair is gathered along the layer and easily removed from the hairbrush. |
| US07861359B1 |
Vehicle window weather seal strip cleaning tool
A cleaning tool for cleaning the weather sealing strip at the windows of a vehicle has a flat elongate strip that has a brush end and a handle end joined by a medial section, the medial section being offset relative to the brush end by a first obtuse angle and being offset relative to the handle end by a second obtuse angle. The brush end as a twist offset relative to the handle end, the twist being right-handed for right-handed users. The brush end is tapered and has a rounded tip and has a brush material covering this end except at the rounded tip. A handle encompasses the handle end. |
| US07861354B1 |
Multipurpose gardening tool
A multipurpose gardening tool that comprises a broom assembly, a housing assembly for disposable bags, a spike assembly, a rake assembly, and a dustpan assembly. The multipurpose gardening tool can be readily assembled and disassembled into different configurations or can be combined to form one single tool. The multipurpose gardening tool can be utilized in commercial or residential settings for gardening and landscaping, whereby each can detach from each other to utilize each of the above defined in a manner that corresponds with the work to be accomplished. |
| US07861352B2 |
Powered cleaning appliance
A powered sweeper includes a housing, a brushroll chamber disposed in the housing, a brushroll mounted in a brushroll chamber, a dirt chamber disposed in the housing, a drive motor disposed in the housing, and a driven wheel operatively connected to the drive motor. The brushroll rotates in the brushroll chamber and the dirt chamber communicates with the brushroll chamber such that debris is propelled by the brushroll into the dirt chamber. |
| US07861349B2 |
Method and device for cleaning teeth
The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled. |
| US07861344B2 |
Washing machine and method for controlling the same
A washing machine which prevents wrinkling of laundry in washing, rinsing, and dehydrating operations, and a method for controlling the same. The method includes determining whether a wrinkle preventing course is selected, performing a washing operation by supplying washing water to a water level designated according to an amount of the laundry disposed in the washing machine, when it is determined that the wrinkle preventing course is selected, and measuring a time of the washing operation, and additionally supplying the washing water at a designated time before the washing of the laundry is completed. |
| US07861341B2 |
Restraint with shoulder harness adjuster
A restraint for holding a person atop a gurney or on a vehicle seat. A harness includes a pair of straps slidably mounted to a main frame. The straps are connected to an adjuster. A slide plate is mounted to the frame with the straps extending therethrough. A spring loaded device normally positions the plate to position the straps apart from the shoulders of a person positioned beneath the straps until the straps are pulled relative to an adjuster moving the plate and the straps adjacent the shoulders of the person. |
| US07861339B2 |
Bed base
A bed base comprises a rectangular support having side members connected at corners by a corner connector assembly including a locator element in a leg of a plate member that interacts with a locator element in a side member. A cross-rail assembly includes an elongated bar member that fits in notches in upper edge sections of opposed side members and a pair of leg members near opposed ends the elongated bar member pass through the notches upon attaching the cross-rail assembly to the rectangular support. |
| US07861327B2 |
Water conservation apparatus
A water conservation system is provided public and domestic lavatories. The system includes a distinctive flush mechanism of two features. One of these features entails a “treatment button” which, upon depression, will cause to emit a fluid compound into urinated wastewater decolorizing and sanitizing it and bringing it back to its original, colorless, odorless condition. Accordingly, potable water is not used for flushing. The urinated wastewater is “treated” and, so, remains through subsequent “treatments” until such time when solid waste is deposited necessitating a conventional flush utilizing the flush lever and usual water use. The savings in volume of water is realized upon considering the number of times the “treatment button” is executed and potable water is “not withdrawn.” The system is revolutionary in that it dispenses with a “necessary flush” each time the toilet is used. Moreover, this novel system addresses the recurring local, and national, drought emergency situations. |
| US07861325B2 |
Swimming goggles with strap positioning function
A pair of swimming goggles includes a body having a strap coupling section formed on each of two sides thereof. Each strap coupling section includes front and rear faces, with upper and lower grooves formed in the front face. Each groove includes a slot in an outer end thereof and a through-hole in an inner end thereof. The slots and the through-holes extend from the front face through the rear face. A head strap includes two ends each extending in sequence through one of the slots, one of the grooves, one of the through-holes, the other through-hole, the other groove, and the other slot, with the head strap forming upper and lower clamping sections. |
| US07861317B2 |
Nose cover
A nose cover or nose protector, for adventurers, sports fans, and people who love outdoor activities, comprises a nose piece formed from sheets of paper, plastic, fabric, foam, laminated materials, pressure heat cut and seal materials, and/or die-cut materials to fit and cover the nose. Additional materials of adhesive pieces and soft metal sheets are used to fold and contour the nose cover onto the wearer's nose. A corresponding “hook and loop” strap or “hook” patch is used to connect the nose cover to the bridge of eyewear. This nose cover can also consist of heat packs, cold packs, and/or medicated packs to comfort the user. The nose cover can be used with or without eyewear, and with variety of optional accessories. |
| US07865966B2 |
Method and apparatus of automatic scanning probe imaging
A method of operating a scanning probe microscope (SPM) includes scanning a sample as a probe of the SPM interacts with a sample, and collecting sample surface data in response to the scanning step. The method identifies a feature of the sample from the sample surface data and automatically performs a zoom-in scan of the feature based on the identifying step. The method operates to quickly identify and confirm the location of features of interest, such as nano-asperities, so as to facilitate performing a directed high resolution image of the feature. |
| US07865963B2 |
Character information generating apparatus and method, character information displaying apparatus and method, digital movie screening method and system, and subtitle display apparatus
A digital movie screening system in which a movie subtitle can easily be used with protection of the copyright on the subtitle. A character information generating apparatus includes an encryption unit to encrypt a font file including data for displaying characters in a specific font, and a character information file generator to generate a character information file including a main file describing therein text data representing the content of characters to be displayed on a display unit and control data for displaying the characters and a font file encrypted by the encryption unit. The character information file generator also describes, in the main file, information on whether a font file indicated with a pointer, if any, described in the main file is an encrypted file. |
| US07865962B2 |
Multi-level sequence number based lazy invalidation
A multi-level sequence number is associated with a data provider supplying data for an object. The multi-level sequence number includes a portion that is unique to the data provider, and one or more portions that are shared by other data providers for the object. A per-object table is used to cache data supplied by each data provider for the object and the corresponding multi-level sequence number. A global table associates each data provider with the current value of its multi-level sequence number. Whenever data supplied by a data provider changes, the sequence number in the global table is updated. Cached data of the data provider is updated with current data of the data provider only if the cached value of the sequence number is found to be different from the current value of the sequence number. |
| US07865960B2 |
Digital literary work protection system and digital literary work protection method
In a digital content protection system for legally transmitting encrypted digital content from a transmitting device to a receiving device, unique device identifiers for devices are registered to a specific server in advance. The server also stores in advance information relating to an authentication method usable by each device, associating the information relating to an authentication method with the unique device identifiers. The transmitting device determines whether an identifier unique to the second device is stored on the server. When stored, the transmitting device determines that the receiving device is legal and determines from the server the appropriate authentication procedure. When the transmitting device has the determined procedure, the transmitting device uses this procedure to verify the authenticity of the receiving device. When the transmitting device does not have the determined procedure, the transmitting device acquires the authentication procedure from a source external to the transmitting device and then uses the acquired procedure to validate the receiving device. |
| US07865955B2 |
Apparatus and method for extracting signature candidates of attacking packets
An apparatus and method for extracting signature candidates and optimizing a corresponding signature are provided. The apparatus includes a packet separator, a header parser, a traffic information generator, a substring extractor, and a signature candidate extractor. The packet separator separates a packet into a header and a payload. The header information parser parses the header information, and the traffic information generator generates traffic information. The substring extractor measures a frequency of appearing of a substring with a predetermined length in the separated payload for a constant observation period, and extracts a substring having a frequency higher than a predetermined setup value by updating the measured frequency information to a substring frequency table. The signature candidate extractor generates a signature by collecting the extracted substring information and the generated traffic information, updates a signature frequency table, and extracts a signature candidate with reference to information of the signature frequency table. |
| US07865950B2 |
System of assigning permissions to a user by password
A data processing system includes a data storage unit for storing data sets accessible to a user upon receipt of permission. The data processing system restricts access to data sets by requiring a username and then requiring a password to obtain permission for access to a data set stored in a data storage unit. The system is adapted to support use of more than one said password associated with a username; and each of those passwords associated with that username permits a distinct level of access to a particular data set, whereas other passwords can provide different levels of access to any data set assigned thereto. |
| US07865949B2 |
Provisional administrator privileges
A system grants “provisional privileges” to a user request for the purpose of provisionally performing a requested transaction. If the provisionally-performed transaction does not put the system in a degraded state, the transaction is authorized despite the user request having inadequate privileges originally. |
| US07865947B2 |
Computer system lock-down
Systems and methods for allowing authorized code to execute on a computer system are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for locking down a computer system. A customized, local whitelist database is stored with a memory of the computer system. The whitelist database forms a part of an authentication system operable within the computer system and contains therein cryptographic hash values of code modules expressly approved for execution by the computer system. A kernel mode driver of the authentication system intercepts a request to create a process associated with a code module. The authentication system determines whether to authorize the request by causing a cryptographic hash value of the code module to be authenticated against the whitelist database. The authentication system allows the code module to be loaded and executed within the computer system if the cryptographic hash value matches one of the cryptographic hash values. |
| US07865945B2 |
System and method for detecting and eliminating IP spoofing in a data transmission network
A traffic management system sniffs data arriving at any point in a system. The sniffer operates to extract certain data from each address. This data could be, for example, the IP address data and the physical address data. The extracted data is then used to access different data bases to determine if matches occur. Time stamps, sequencing and other parameters of each piece of data entering a system are used to control data access. |
| US07865938B2 |
Enterprise-wide security system for computer devices
A system and method for securing data in mobile devices (104) includes a computing mode (102) and a plurality of mobile devices (104). A node security program (202) executed in the computing node (102) interfaces with a device security program (204) executed at a mobile device (104). The computing node (102) is responsible for managing the security based on a node security profile (208) interpreted by a node security program (202) executed in the computing node (102). A device discovery method and arrangement (106) also detects and locates various information (120) about the mobile devices (104) based on a scan profile (206). |
| US07865935B2 |
Electronic apparatus having security function
When an electronic apparatus is forcibly put into an inoperable state by theft, the inoperable state is canceled using a code from a dealer, without carrying the electronic apparatus into the dealer. After electric power is supplied again, a CD reproduction apparatus is used to playback a CD, and TOC information is used as a code C1. When code C1 is identical to an authorized code A21, the electronic apparatus is made operable. To cancel the inoperable state after the number of inconsistencies becomes 10 or more, a code A22 is notified to the dealer. The dealer carries out a calculation using the code A22, and a result B2 of the calculation is notified to the user. An individual code calculating means carries out the same calculation as the above-mentioned calculation and obtains calculation result B3. When calculation result B2 coincides with calculation result B3, the inoperable state is canceled. |
| US07865927B2 |
Enhancing media system metadata
Systems and methods for providing enhanced metadata to a user. Systems and methods can include extraction of data from metadata and searching for related metadata based upon the the extracted data. |
| US07865926B2 |
System for interactively distributing information services
An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment. |
| US07865922B2 |
Low-power broadcast receiver
Broadcast receivers operate in a power-saving standby mode while retaining the ability to receive broadcast program, software, and firmware updates. The most power hungry circuits are deprived of power in the standby mode using a wake-up switch controlled by an update sensor that actively monitors the broadcast channel in the standby mode. If the receiver receives an update-pending indication while in the standby mode, then the wake-up switch provides power to those components needed to receive the update without indicating a power-on condition to the user. |
| US07865918B2 |
Display apparatus, user terminal, distribution apparatus, control method thereof, computer program and storage medium
There is provided a content distribution system configured by a distribution apparatus for storing content data, a display apparatus for displaying content data distributed from the distribution apparatus in accordance with a predetermined display schedule, and a user terminal for acquiring the content data displayed on the display apparatus from the distribution apparatus. The user terminal receives data of a display schedule from the display apparatus, and requests the distribution apparatus to send data of content identified from the display schedule. |
| US07865914B2 |
Cooperative DLL unload
Loading and unloading a plurality of libraries on a computing device having a loader lock and internal and external counts for each library in the plurality of libraries is disclosed. The libraries assume an initialize state, followed by an initialized state, a pending unload state, and an unload state according to when the internal and external counts are incremented and decremented. When in the pending unload state, the functions of a library that include functions that require acquiring the loader lock exit, the internal count is decremented by one, and the loader lock is released. Prior to entering the pending unload state, a library may be placed into a reloadable state. A library in the reloadable state may be reloaded upon request until a timer times out. When the timer times out, the library in the reloadable state transitions into the pending unload state. |
| US07865910B2 |
Bypassing class drivers through virtual driver enablement
A virtual driver is enabled and a class driver is bypassed to provide at least one functionality different than that of the bypassed class driver. A filter driver is initialized in the stack of a class driver in order to bypass the class driver. The filter driver receives inputs associated with the input device and/or application emulating an input device and passes the input data to a virtual driver. The virtual driver provides data to an operating system for functionality that is at least partially different than that of the bypassed class driver. |
| US07865908B2 |
VM network traffic monitoring and filtering on the host
A system and method is provided that enables older legacy guest operating systems like Windows NT 4.0 and Windows95® to take advantage of newly developed NDIS Intermediate (IM) drivers that support firewalls, quality of service, IP security, intrusion detection, and other functionality for monitoring/filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic in contemporary host operating systems such as Windows XP operating in a virtual machine (VM) environment. The invention thus makes such older legacy operating systems less susceptible to Internet viruses, and worms, network denial of service (DOS) attacks, and the like. For each Virtual Network Interface Card (VNIC) in a guest VM, a corresponding VNIC is created on the host OS, and a point to point connection is established between the guest and host VNICs. The NDIS IM drivers bind themselves on top of the host VNIC and effectively place themselves as a filter on the point to point connection. |
| US07865907B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing automatic software updates
A software updating system enables a user to automatically identify and obtain a device description for use with an application and to update the application with the device description. The system communicates with a device to obtain device description identification information identifying the device description that is required to communicate with the device. Once the device description identification is obtained, the system downloads the device description from a device description database connected to, for example, the Internet. Subsequently, the system updates the application with the device description so that the application may communicate with the device. |
| US07865899B2 |
Virtual computer systems and computer virtualization programs
Disclosed are a virtual computer system and method, wherein computer resources are automatically and optimally allocated to logical partitions according to loads to be accomplished by operating systems in the logical partitions and setting information based on a knowledge of workloads that run on the operating systems. Load measuring modules are installed on the operating systems in order to measure the loads to be accomplished by the operating systems. A manager designates the knowledge concerning the workloads on the operating systems through a user interface. An adaptive control module determines the allocation rations of the computer resources relative to the logical partitions according to the loads and the settings, and issues an allocation varying instruction to a hypervisor so as to thus instruct variation of allocations. |
| US07865896B2 |
Facilitating scheduling of jobs by decoupling job scheduling algorithm from recorded resource usage and allowing independent manipulation of recorded resource usage space
A method, system and program product are provided for facilitating scheduling of computer jobs of a computing environment having a plurality of resources. The method includes decoupling a job scheduling algorithm from responsibility for maintaining data structures for tracking recorded usage of the plurality of resources by computer jobs. The decoupling includes (i) providing resource space data structures separate from the job scheduling algorithm for recording usage of the plurality of resources by computer jobs; and (ii) providing operators for facilitating manipulation of values within the resource space data structures by the job scheduling algorithm and by one or more functions external to and independent of the job scheduling algorithm. |
| US07865889B1 |
Systems and methods for verifying the compatibility of software with a group of managed nodes
In an exemplary embodiment, a deployment program on an administrative system receives user input to deploy target software to the managed nodes in a recipient group. In response, the deployment program identifies a pilot group to test the target software. The pilot group comprises a subset of the recipient group. Each managed node in the pilot group has a unique combination of N attributes. The deployment program deploys the target software to the pilot group prior to deploying the target software to other managed nodes in the recipient group that are not part of the pilot group. |
| US07865888B1 |
Systems and methods for gathering deployment state for automated management of software application deployments
Systems and methods for obtaining information about a deployment of a software application are disclosed. One system comprises a plurality of deployment servers running components of the software application deployment, a plurality of monitors associated with the deployment servers, and an analysis subsystem that generates requests for state metrics from the deployment, based on rules describing known problems with the software application. The analysis subsystem transmits each request for state metrics to a monitor associated with a deployment server that is associated with the request. The monitors are configured to receive the requests for state metrics from the analysis subsystem and collect the state metrics from one of the components of the software application deployment. The monitors, which can reside on the deployment servers or locally with respect to the analysis subsystem, can transmit the collected state metrics back to the analysis subsystem. An application model storing a representation of objects of the deployment can also be provided, wherein the analysis subsystem queries the application model for deployment information necessary to transmit the requests for state metrics to appropriate ones of the monitors. The monitors can be configured to conduct post-processing of collected state metrics, and also to prevent redundant collection. |
| US07865886B2 |
Blocking of nested loops having feedback or feedforward indexes
A method and apparatus for to blocking nested loops having feedback or feedforward indexing. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a computer code segment, the segment including a first inner loop and a second outer loop, the inner loop being within the outer loop and the inn loops having a one-dimensional iteration space that is independent of the outer loop. The first loop is indexed by a variable I over a contiguous one-dimensional iteration space and addresses one or more data arrays with a shift in the index. The method further includes dividing a two-dimensional iteration space of the first loop and the second loop into multiple contiguous windows, where the second loop uses only one window of the plurality of windows during each iteration and the plurality of windows cover the iteration space. The method includes modifying the computer code segment by adding a third outer loop outside the second loop of the segment, the third loop encompassing the first loop and the second loop. |
| US07865885B2 |
Using transactional memory for precise exception handling in aggressive dynamic binary optimizations
Dynamic optimization of application code is performed by selecting a portion of the application code as a possible transaction. A transaction has a property that when it is executed, it is either atomically committed or atomically aborted. Determining whether to convert the selected portion of the application code to a transaction includes determining whether to apply at least one of a group of code optimizations to the portion of the application code. If it is determined to apply at least one of the code optimizations of the group of optimizations to the portion of application code, then the optimization is applied to the portion of the code and the portion of the code is converted to a transaction. |
| US07865884B1 |
Typed-data translation for platform independence
A method, computer program and device for the translation of typed data objects in a heterogeneous computational environment is described. The operating system (or installed shared code libraries) translates typed data objects from a first format (e.g., big-endian) to a second format (e.g., little-endian) if the application sending the object and the application receiving the object utilize different formats. By placing data object format translation capabilities into the operating system, the software development effort required to permit an application (e.g., a user-level application) to execute in a heterogeneous environment is significantly reduced. |
| US07865883B1 |
Parallel and asynchronous debugger and debugging method for multi-threaded programs
A debugger for aiding in the debugging of multi-threaded program, in response to an event such as, for example, a breakpoint in a thread which has caused an operating system to stop execution of all threads, identifies the thread which contained the breakpoint. After identifying the thread which contained the breakpoint, the debugger enables the operating system to resume execution of the other threads, that is, the threads which did not contain the breakpoint. By allowing the other threads, that is, the threads which did not contain the breakpoint, to continue execution, the debugger's impact on program execution is substantially reduced, particularly for programs which contain a large number of threads. |
| US07865882B2 |
Fast correctly rounding floating point conversion and identifying exceptional conversion
A system and method for converting bases of floating point numbers with improved rounding over an entire exponent range includes identifying exceptional conversions for a given source precision to target precision. A representation of the exceptions is stored in a bit vector for use during conversion execution. |
| US07865878B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating enterprise software from a detachable storage device
A method and apparatus for enabling an application to run from a detachable device attached to a host computer, the method comprising eliminating the usage of the registry of the computer, and using relative file paths. These modifications enable organization applications, and particularly database applications to be installed and run from a smart drive. |
| US07865877B2 |
Computer method and apparatus for referencing files in a software configuration management system
A software configuration management method and apparatus provide a respective workspace for each developer. Each workspace (i) defines a subject software configuration as being developed by the respective developer, and (ii) has a respective file area holding shared files and private files corresponding to the subject software configuration. A team repository holds immutable versions of shared files resulting from developers' respective workspaces and checked into the team repository. The team repository also provides state of checked-in files of developer workspaces. Files are referenced with respect to both namespace of file areas of developer workspaces and namespace of the team repository. Employed in each file area are universally unique identifiers of at least each file of the file area which has been checked in to the team repository. |
| US07865876B2 |
Multiple trusted computing environments
A computing platform 20 provides multiple computing environments 24 each containing a guest operating system 25 provided by a virtual machine application 26. Optionally, each computing environment 24 is formed in a compartment 220 of a compartmented host operating system 22. A trusted device 213 verifies that the host operating system 22 and each guest operating system 25 operates in a secure and trusted manner by forming integrity metrics which can be interrogated by a user 10. Each computing environment is isolated and secure, and can be verified as trustworthy independent of any other computing environment. |
| US07865873B1 |
Browser-based system and method for defining and manipulating expressions
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for defining classes of objects which entails defining and manipulating expressions. A two-tiered classification editor operates to enable a user to define and manipulate expression in real time through a browser-based user interface. The first tier comprises a group editor for enabling a user to define groups. The second tier comprises an expression editor for enabling a user to define and manipulate an expression comprising a set of groups and one or more relationships between the groups. Each group may comprise a set of conditions, each of which may be based on a possible attribute of an object. Via the expression editor, a user can drag and drop to create and modify these expressions on-the-fly. When a user is done manipulating an expression on the second tier, the user is returned to the first tier, which may present the expression as modified. |
| US07865872B2 |
Producer graph oriented programming framework with undo, redo, and abort execution support
A method and apparatus for providing native undo, redo, and abort execution abilities of a runtime is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a runtime to execute object-oriented source code with producer dependency declarations for methods, wherein a producer is a runtime instantiatable construct that includes at least an instance and a method associated with that instance, wherein each producer dependency declaration for a given method identifies a set of zero or more producers with outputs that are an input to the given method. According to one embodiment of the invention, the runtime includes a client code tracking module to track the client code commands being run by the runtime. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the runtime also includes a runtime tracking module to track processes of the runtime performed in response to the client code commands being tracked and run by the runtime. |
| US07865870B2 |
Automatic content completion of valid values for method argument variables
The invention is directed to a method which derives from metadata definitions the allowable values for a method argument, where the allowable values are a subset or a restricted set of values from a defined range of values for that type of method argument. The subset of allowable values is then converted into a fragment of source code that can be used to initialize the argument variable with one of the allowable values when the method is invoked. The fragment of source code is inserted into the source code for that method argument using an editor tool. A system for implementing the method may comprise an integrated development environment (IDE) program. |
| US07865865B2 |
Method, program product and apparatus for performing decomposition of a pattern for use in a DPT process
A method of decomposing a target pattern containing features to be printed on a wafer into multiple patterns. The method includes the steps of: (a) defining a region of influence which indicates the minimum necessary space between features to be imaged; (b) selecting a vertex associated with a feature of the target pattern; (c) determining if an edge of another feature is within the region of influence with respect to the vertex; and (d) splitting the another feature into two polygons if the edge of another feature is within the region of influence. |
| US07865860B2 |
Layout design device and layout method
A layout design device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention is a layout design device for designing layout of an integrated circuit, including a routing section for adjacently wiring a signal line having a high activity rate and a signal line having a low activity rate based on an activity rate of the signal line of each circuit element. |
| US07865857B1 |
System and method for improved visualization and debugging of constraint circuit objects
Features are provided for graphically representing constraints on design objects in an Electronic Design Automation tool. A particular constraint on one or more circuit objects is displayed as a highlighted region that extends to each visible circuit object to which the constraint applies. Attributes of the highlighted region, such as density and thickness, may proportionally represent attributes of the constraint, such as a strength or distance specified by the constraint. The highlighted region is superimposed on or around circuit objects. The highlighted region may be a halo, which is a partially transparent region filled with a color. Multiple regions that represent the same type of constraint or relationship are connected by line segments, providing the ability to visualize groups of constrained objects, including groups that span levels of a hierarchical design. Intersecting highlighted regions are blended together using techniques such as alpha blending. |
| US07865854B2 |
Simultaneous parameter-driven and deterministic simulation with or without synchronization
A method for allowing simultaneous parameter-driven and deterministic simulation during verification of a hardware design, comprising: enabling a plurality of random parameter-driven commands from a random command generator to execute in a simulation environment during verification of the hardware design through a command managing device; and enabling a plurality of deterministic commands from a manually-driven testcase port to execute in the simulation environment simultaneously with the plurality of random parameter-driven commands during verification of the hardware design through the command managing device, the plurality of deterministic commands and the plurality of random parameter-driven commands each verify the functionality of the hardware design. |
| US07865849B2 |
System and method for estimating test escapes in integrated circuits
A method for designing an integrated circuit including estimating a test escape rate for tests of interest, a test coverage calculator and a system for estimating a test escape rate for tests of interest associated with a portion of an integrated circuit (IC) die. In one embodiment the method includes the step of: estimating a test escape rate for a set of fault tests to be performed on an IC under design based on an estimated yield and a combined coverage of the set of fault tests; the combined coverage accounting for overlapping coverage among the set of fault tests. |
| US07865845B2 |
Chaining objects in a pointer drag path
An apparatus and method for a graphical user interface allow performing operations simply by dragging a first object to touch a second object. The selection of the first object places a corresponding first object in a chain of objects. When the selected first object touches a second object, a corresponding second object is added to the chain of objects. This process may continue for the selection of many objects by merely touching each object with the selected first object, which causes a corresponding object to be added to the chain of objects. The chain of objects may then be processed as an atomic group of operations that may be rolled back if any of the operations in the group fail. |
| US07865834B1 |
Multi-way video conferencing user interface
A videoconferencing application includes a user interface that provides multiple participant panels, each of which is displayed with perspective with the panels appearing to be angled with respect to the user interface window. The participant panels display live video streams from remote participants. A two-way layout provides two participant panels for two remote participants, each of which is angled inwardly towards a center position. A three-way layout provides three participant panels for three remote participants, with a left, center and right panel, with the left and right panels angled inwardly towards a center position. |
| US07865833B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing server, data processing system, method of controlling data processing apparatus, method of controlling data processing server, computer program, and computer readable storage medium
This invention provides a data processing apparatus, data processing server, and data processing system, which can easily edit data by utilizing features of object-based coding, and can easily generate object-based encoded multimedia data. A multimedia edit & playback terminal (201) issues an edit instruction of multimedia data to a multimedia edit server (202) that edits multimedia data consisting of a plurality of object data. A communication client (214) receives layout information of multimedia data. A playback unit (212) displays the acquired layout information, and an edit designation unit (211) designates desired one of the displayed layout information. The designated layout information is output via the communication client (214). |
| US07865831B2 |
Method of updating content for an automated display device
A self-powered video display device provides an automated point of purchase advertising display that includes a readily programmable and re-programmable operating system. The display device is updated through the connection of a memory card or handheld computer and the transfer of video and other files over the connection. |
| US07865829B1 |
Providing software application help based on heuristics
Help information for a software application is provided based on a user help knowledge base. The user help knowledge base includes a user help profile indicating help information previously selected by the user. Examples of data tracked for the previously selected help information include the application context in which it selected, a presentation mode in which it was presented, at least one associated help topic, and a help content format. The user help knowledge base can further comprise a user profile maintained by the software application. Based on the information in the user help knowledge base, as well as the current context of the application and/or user data entered, the help module selects help information pertinent to the user and the current context of the application. A presentation mode, for example a video mode, an audio mode or a display mode, is selected for the help information as well based on the user help knowledge base. |
| US07865825B2 |
Standard text method, system, and program product for configuring and publishing text to multiple applications
The present provides a standard text method, system, and program product for configuring blocks of text and for defining the circumstances under which the blocks of text are to be displayed to users by multiple applications. The method comprises: providing a block of text to be published; selecting at least one application that will use the block of text; defining at least one business entity to which the block of text pertains; defining criteria under which the block of text will be used by each selected application; and repeating the above steps for each additional block of text to be published. |
| US07865821B2 |
Electronic document update notification device and electronic document update notifying method
This invention provides an electronic document update notification device for notifying a user of update information of an electronic document including: a updated document name generating part 170 for generating a updated document name based on a stylized document name; a document data obtaining part 150 for obtaining document data after update based on the updated document name; a difference extracting part 180 for extracting difference data between document data before update and the document data after update; and an update information creating part 190 for creating an update information notification based on the difference data. This makes it possible to notify a user of the update information of the electronic document even when a document after update is created with the document name with the document name before update changed according to a predetermined rule, at the time of update of the electronic document. |
| US07865817B2 |
Invariant referencing in digital works
A method of presenting a digital work includes displaying a portion of the digital work on a display screen under a set of display conditions, and providing one or more invariant location reference identifiers corresponding to the portion of the digital work on the display screen. The invariant location reference identifiers are separate from the digital work, and each invariant location reference identifier is provided along with the corresponding portion of the digital work, regardless of the display conditions under which the portion of the digital work is displayed. |
| US07865815B2 |
Integration and presentation of current and historic versions of document and annotations thereon
A method and system for displaying annotations is provided. The method includes displaying current data to a user through a GUI, displaying at least one of current and historic annotations to a user through the GUI, providing a user selectable link between the historic annotations and historic data associated with the historic annotation, and displaying the historic data to the user through the GUI when the user selectable link is activated by the user. |
| US07865814B2 |
Path metric difference computation unit for computing path differences through a multiple-step trellis
A path metric difference computation unit is disclosed for computing path differences through a multiple-step trellis. Path differences are computed between paths through a multiple-step trellis, wherein a first path is a winning path for each single-step-trellis period of a multiple-step-trellis cycle, a second path is a winning path for a first single-step-trellis period and is a losing path for a second single-step-trellis period and a third path is a losing path for a first single-step-trellis period and is a winning path for a second single-step-trellis period. The disclosed path metric difference computation unit comprises path metric difference generators for generating a path metric difference Δ0 for a second single-step-trellis period based on a difference between the first path and the second path, and a path metric difference Δ−1 for a first single-step-trellis period based on a difference between the first path and the third path, wherein intermediate path metric values or intermediate path metric difference values are reused to generate the path metric differences Δ0 or Δ−1. |
| US07865811B2 |
Distribution method, preferably applied in a streaming system
The invention relates to a data live streaming system comprising at least one data live streaming broadcaster LSB and at least two live streaming recipients LSR, said at least two live streaming recipients LSR forming at least a part of a peer-to-peer streaming network and said at least two live streaming recipients LSR each comprising means for generation of peer-to peer streaming to other live streaming recipients LSR of said peer-to peer streaming network and wherein said peer-to peer streaming to other streaming recipients LSR comprises loss resilient code representations of data from said at least one live streaming broadcaster LSB. |
| US07865810B2 |
Robust error correction encoding/decoding apparatus and method of digital dual-stream broadcast reception/transmission system
An error correction encoding and/or decoding apparatus and method of a digital dual-stream broadcast transmission and/or reception system. An error correction encoding apparatus includes a TRS encoding part to apply the transversal encoding to normal data packets and robust data packets and to append parity packets to the normal data packet and robust data packet, a randomization unit to randomize the data packets and the parity packets according to a predetermined pattern, an RS encoding unit to append parities to the randomized data packets and parity packets, a packet format unit to split the data packets and the parity packets into normal data and robust data and to process the normal and robust data, and a system control unit to control the packet format unit. Accordingly, a robust error correction encoding apparatus can be provided for the digital dual-stream broadcast transmission system to which Transversal Reed-Solomon (TRS) encoding is applied. |
| US07865808B2 |
Fast error detection system and related methods
A system apparatus and method generates a communications signal having an error detection mechanism. A circuit generates a data packet. An encoder multiplies and accumulates data words with values in a distance table containing non-repeated n-bit multipliers having “m” number of one bits that are set to obtain accumulated sum bits and appends the accumulated sum bits to the data packet as an error detection code to form a communications signal to be transmitted. |
| US07865805B1 |
Multiple bit upset insensitive error detection and correction circuit for field programmable gate array based on static random access memory blocks
A method for detecting and correcting bit errors. The method includes the steps of receiving original data, partitioning the memory storage into a first portion and a second portion, storing the original data in the first portion of the memory buffer, modifying the original data into modified data, storing the modified data in the second portion of the memory buffer, comparing the original data with the modified data, combining the original data and the modified data to create a final data stream, and outputting the final data stream. The method may further include the step of calculating and storing parity data. |
| US07865804B2 |
System and method for enhanced error detection in memory peripherals
A system and method for detecting and correcting errors in a memory in a device includes generating an error value of data stored at first predetermined locations in a first memory. The generated error value is compared to a corresponding error value stored in an error memory, each value in the error memory being calculated from at least two data values stored at predetermined locations in the first memory. The data stored in the first predetermined locations of the first memory is rewritten with data stored in first predetermined locations of a second memory if the generated error value is different than the corresponding error value stored in the error memory, the data stored in the second memory being the same as the data stored in the first memory. |
| US07865803B2 |
Method for processing noise interference in data accessing device with serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface
A method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface. In the method, when a receiver does not receive a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive) but does receive an EOF primitive (end of frame primitive) or WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive), the receiver outputs a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and sets a error flag to report to the application layer of the receiver to eliminate the interference. |
| US07865797B2 |
Memory device with adjustable read reference based on ECC and method thereof
A first value from a set of bit cells of a sector of a non-volatile memory device is sensed based on a first read reference. A second value from the set of bit cells is sensed based on a second read reference different than the first read reference. A third read reference for a first subsequent access to the sector of the non-volatile memory device is determined based on at least one of the first read reference and the second read reference in response to determining a first error code condition associated with the first value and a second error code condition associated with the second value represent different error code conditions. |
| US07865795B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for generating a random sequence of commands for a semiconductor device
Methods and apparatuses for generating a random sequence of commands for a semiconductor device. The method generates random state transitions within a finite state machine model of the semiconductor device. A sequence of commands is determined which are associated to the generated random state transitions based on the finite state machine model of the semiconductor device. |
| US07865794B2 |
Decompressor/PRPG for applying pseudo-random and deterministic test patterns
A novel decompressor/PRPG on a microchip performs both pseudo-random test pattern generation and decompression of deterministic test patterns for a circuit-under-test on the chip. The decompressor/PRPG has two phases of operation. In a pseudo-random phase, the decompressor/PRPG generates pseudo-random test patterns that are applied to scan chains within the circuit-under test. In a deterministic phase, compressed deterministic test patterns from an external tester are applied to the decompressor/PRPG. The patterns are decompressed as they are clocked through the decompressor/PRPG into the scan chains. The decompressor/PRPG thus provides much better fault coverage than a simple PRPG, but without the cost of a complete set of fully-specified deterministic test patterns. |
| US07865792B2 |
Test generation methods for reducing power dissipation and supply currents
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used for generating test patterns as may be used as part of a test pattern generation process (for example, for use with an automatic test pattern generator (ATPG) software tool). In one exemplary embodiment, hold probabilities are determined for state elements (for example, scan cells) of a circuit design. A test cube is generated targeting one or more faults in the circuit design. In one particular implementation, the test cube initially comprises specified values that target the one or more faults and further comprises unspecified values. The test cube is modified by specifying at least a portion of the unspecified values with values determined at least in part from the hold probabilities and stored. |
| US07865789B2 |
System and method for system-on-chip interconnect verification
A system and method for verifying system-on-chip interconnect includes a first linear feedback shift register coupled to an output interface of a first system-on-chip component, a second linear feedback shift register instantiated in a second system-on-chip component, and a comparator coupled to the second linear feedback shift register and the input interface of the second system-on-chip. Another method for verifying includes generating a pseudo-random number sequence with the first linear feedback shift register and the second linear feedback shift register using an identical first initial state, and comparing an output of the first linear feedback shift register with an output of the second linear feedback shift register and reporting a miss-compare. |
| US07865786B2 |
Scanned memory testing of multi-port memory arrays
A system for at-functional-clock-speed continuous scan array built-in self testing (ABIST) of multiport memory is disclosed. During ABIST testing, functional addressing latches from a first port are used as shadow latches for a second port's addressing latches. The arrangement reduces the amount of test-only hardware on a chip and reduces the need to write complex testing software. Higher level functions may be inserted between the shadow latches and the addressing latches to automatically provide functions such as inversions. |
| US07865784B1 |
Write validation
A write validation system that includes a first address signature collector module that generates a first address signature that is indicative of a write address of data when the data is received at a memory control module. A second address signature collector module generates a second address signature that is indicative of the write address of the data when the data is transferred from the memory control module. An address signature validation module receives the first address signature from the first address signature collector module, receives the second address signature from the second address signature collector module, and compares the first address signature to the second address signature. |
| US07865782B2 |
I/O device fault processing method for use in virtual computer system
An input/output (I/O) device fault processing method for executing, without contradiction, fault recovery processing of a physical I/O device which is commonly used or shared by a plurality of virtual computers in such a way that no influence is exerted on a virtual computer which does not presently use the shared I/O device is disclosed. A hypervisor performs fault monitoring of the physical I/O device. Upon occurrence of an operation failure, this failure is detected and notified to a virtual management computer. In responding to receipt of the notice, the virtual management computer performs the fault recovery processing of the physical I/O device. |
| US07865780B2 |
Method for test case generation
A system and method for providing randomly-generated test cases for a set of interfaces of a piece of software are disclosed. A test case generator is initialized with parameter arrays Sp with cardinality mp and a prime number qp. For each independent parameter p of each of the set of interfaces, a test case number t is generated. A test case is then generated based on the values for each independent parameter p and based on t and Sp, mp, and qp. |
| US07865779B2 |
Server side logic unit testing
A method for server side logic unit testing in an application server environment is provided. The method includes reading a plurality of input parameters from an XML input repository, where the input parameters define an initial state of a test environment, and configuring the test environment to the initial state using the input parameters. The method further includes executing a unit test case using a command test manager to interface between the unit test case and the test environment, where the command test manager translates a command from the unit test case into a test command. The method also includes passing the test command to controller command logic, and accessing test data stored in a database through an access bean using a bean simulator. The method additionally includes receiving test results, including catching an exception on an error condition, and outputting the test results to an XML output repository. |
| US07865778B2 |
Method and system for detecting synchronization errors in programs
A method and system for error detection in programs with collective synchronization and/or procedures are provided. In one aspect, the method and system may use interprocedural analysis for matching synchronizations in a program in order to detect synchronization errors, and, if no such errors exist, may determine the synchronization phases of the program. The method and system in one aspect may use a combination of path expressions and interprocedural program slicing to match the synchronization statements that may execute along each program path. If the synchronization matching succeeds, the method and system in one aspect may determine the sets of synchronization statements that synchronize together. A matching failure may indicate the presence of a synchronization error and the method and system in one aspect may construct a counter example to illustrate the error. |
| US07865777B2 |
Thread interception and analysis
Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced. |
| US07865774B2 |
Multiprocessor core dump retrieval
In particular embodiments, a monitoring processor may receive an interrupt from status monitoring logic associated with a monitored processor that has experienced an error. Interrupt logic at the monitoring processor may interrupt the monitored processor to initiate a standby mode of operation in the monitored processor. Core dump logic at the monitoring processor may retrieve a core dump from a memory associated with the monitored processor via a communication channel connecting the monitoring processor to the monitored processor or to the memory. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US07865769B2 |
In situ register state error recovery and restart mechanism
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for error detection and recovery from errors during pipelined execution of data. A cascaded, delayed execution pipeline may be implemented to maintain a precise machine state. In some embodiments, a delay of one or more clock cycles may be inserted prior to a write back stage of each pipeline to facilitate error detection and recovery. Because a precise machine state is maintained error detection and recovery mechanisms may be built directly into register files of the system. If an error is detected execution of the instruction associated with the error and all subsequent instructions may be restarted. |
| US07865763B2 |
Data replication method
Provided is a data replication method capable of reducing the number of communication times when a processing result of an active system is replicated to a standby system. The data replication method, in which a first computer receives a first message containing a first processing request, and a plurality of second computers replicates the first message, includes the steps of: sending, by a third computer, the first message to the first computer and the second computers; sending, by each of the second computers, a message receive notification of the first message to the first computer; sending, by the first computer, after reception of the message receive notification from the second computers, the message receive notification of the first message to the third computer; and sending, by the first computer, a notification indicating that the first processing request becomes executable by the first computer to the second computers. |
| US07865760B2 |
Use of T4 timestamps to calculate clock offset and skew
Disclosed are a method and system for calculating clock offset and skew between two clocks in a computer system. The method comprises the steps of sending data packets from a first processing unit in the computer system to a second processing unit in the computer system, and sending the data packets from the second processing unit to the first processing unit. First, second, third and fourth time stamps are provided to indicate, respectively, when the packets leave the first processing unit, arrive at the second processing unit, leave the second processing unit, and arrive at the first processing unit. The method comprises the further steps of defining a set of backward delay points using the fourth time stamps, and calculating a clock offset between clocks on the first and second processing units and clock skews of said clocks using said set of backward delay points. |
| US07865743B2 |
Apparatus and method for securing data on a portable storage device
A portable storage device including a microprocessor and a secure user data area, the microprocessor operable to perform on-the-fly encryption/decryption of secure data stored on the storage device under a user password, the microprocessor also operable to exclude access to the secure user data area unless the user password is provided. |
| US07865742B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program product for enabling access to flexibly redacted content
A capability key is generated that provides access to sensitive information within a selectively encrypted data unit created from an unencrypted data unit. A user specifies access rights as a monotone boolean relationship between a selection of a list of attributes related to the unencrypted data unit. This relationship is used to compute a key descriptor. Next one or more shares of a master secret is generated responsive to the monotone boolean relationship and a random number. Next a unique capability key is computed from one or more cryptosystem parameters, the one or more shares and the random number. The unique capability key and the key descriptor together enable decryption of sensitive information within a selectively encrypted data unit created from an unencrypted data unit. Finally, the unique capability key and the key descriptor are provided to allow decryption of sensitive information within the selectively encrypted data unit. |
| US07865739B2 |
Methods and devices for transferring security data between memories
Methods and devices for transferring data from a non-volatile memory to a working memory of an electronic data processing device are provided. Security data is copied from the non-volatile memory to the working memory. The security data is to be write-protected. A blocking function is activated for the security data in the working memory. The activation is triggered by the copying being made to the working memory. All communication with the working memory is monitored. All write attempts to the copied security data stored in the working memory are blocked according to the blocking function. At least activating a blocking function, monitoring communication and blocking write attempts are performed independently of a central processing unit of the electronic data processing device, such that the central processing unit cannot manipulate the security data. |
| US07865737B2 |
Digital mixer
The present invention is directed to a digital mixer that selectively provides audio signal processing functions to a user depending on the authority granted to the user's log-in credentials. The preferred embodiment of the digital mixer includes a mounting unit for removably mounting a storage medium, a detector for detecting the mounting or removal of the storage medium, a determining portion for determining whether a user key is stored in the mounted storage medium, and a control portion that, upon the determining portion confirming that the mounted storage medium includes a user key, causes the digital mixer to display a log-on screen for a specific user who is associated with the stored user key. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the digital mixer automatically logs out the user upon detecting that the storage medium is removed from the digital mixer. |
| US07865731B2 |
Securing access to an application service based on a proximity token
A system for providing secured access to an application service includes a security token that couples to the application service. The security token performs a first element of a cryptographic technique, such as, for example, encryption or decryption. A proximity token is provided that is associated with the security token. The proximity token performs a second element of the cryptographic technique to validate a communication between the application service and the security token. The proximity token is operable to validate the communication only when the proximity token is located within a predetermined validation distance from the security token or the application service. The security token may perform the first element of the cryptographic technique to verify that the proximity token has validated the communication between the application service and the security token. The system may be configured to provide secured access to the application service when the proximity token validates the communication and to prevent secured access to the application service when the proximity token does not validate the communication. |
| US07865729B2 |
Bidirectional authentication for HTML form processing
A method of posting HTML form data securely is provided. Some embodiments may use an existing security protocol to send the sensitive information as an encrypted challenge from a client to a server, while other embodiments may require a bidirectionally-authenticated tunnel to be created before sensitive data is transmitted. The browser displaying the HTML form may employ user interface elements, such as graphical images and/or display messages, that actively notify the user when the webpage form is not secure via bidirectional authentication. |
| US07865726B2 |
Method and system for dynamic adjustment of computer security based on network activity of users
A method, system, apparatus, or computer program product is presented for securing computational resources in a data processing system. A first user uses a first computational device, and a user security level is associated with the first user. Likewise, a second user uses a second computational device, and a user security level is associated with the second user. The computational resources on the first computational device are automatically reconfigured based on the second user security level of the second user. A computational security level may be assigned to a computational resource on the first computational device, and the computational security level is dynamically adjusted in response to detected network activity by the second computational device that is being used by the second user. Modified security-related parameters for reconfiguring computational resources on the first computational device are reconfigured based on the adjusted computational security level. |
| US07865723B2 |
Method and apparatus for multicast delivery of program information
Method and apparatus providing program information to client devices for at least one multicast stream of digital content is described. In one embodiment, session description messages for the at least one multicast stream of digital content are generated. Each of the session description messages includes at least one content access parameter. The at least one content access parameter may include digital rights management (DRM) data, channel key identification data associated with the at least one channel of the at least one multicast stream of digital content, and/or data indicative of whether each session description message is associated with a channel, a program, or a program segment. Each of the session description messages is signed using a cryptographic key. The session description messages are then multicasted to the client devices using a predefined multicast address. |
| US07865720B2 |
System and method for supporting multiple certificate status providers on a mobile communication device
A method and system for supporting multiple digital certificate status information providers are disclosed. An initial service request is prepared at a proxy system client module and sent to a proxy system service module operating at a proxy system. The proxy system prepares multiple service requests and sends the service requests to respective multiple digital certificate status information providers. One of the responses to the service requests received from the status information providers is selected, and a response to the initial service request is prepared and returned to the proxy system client module based on the selected response. |
| US07865714B2 |
Internet facsimile and control method thereof and communication instruction terminal
In an Internet fax, to receive an electronic mail document for fax transfer, if a password related to a control command for indicating a facsimile communication function is encrypted and set in the destination field or the main body of the received electronic mail, the encrypted password is decrypted and using the decrypted password, facsimile transfer of the electronic mail document is executed following the control command. |
| US07865712B2 |
Method and apparatus for booting a processing system
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for booting a processing system are described. In an embodiment, whether an encrypted version of a closed operating system is authentic may be determined. The encrypted version of the closed operating system may be decrypted with a key retrieved from a processor register to provide the closed operating system, based at least in part on a determination that the encrypted version of the closed operating system is authentic. Then, whether the closed operating system is authentic may be determined and a virtual machine may be created so that the closed operating system may be launched in the virtual machine, if the closed operating system is authentic. |
| US07865710B2 |
Software recovery without the use of a keyboard, mouse, trackball or computer monitor
A NAS device comprises a user control and storage in which at least one of an operating system and system firmware is stored. Logic is also provided that is coupled to the user control and the storage. The logic causes a recovery to be performed of the operating system or system firmware upon user activation of the user control. The NAS device does not comprise any of a keyboard, mouse, trackball, and computer monitor. |
| US07865701B1 |
Concurrent atomic execution
Executing a set one or more instructions atomically is disclosed. Executing includes saving a set of one or more register states in a software data structure, speculatively executing the set of instructions, and restoring the state of one or more registers when an abort indication is received. |
| US07865700B2 |
System and method for prioritizing store instructions
The present invention provides a system and method for prioritizing store instructions in a cascaded pipeline. The system includes a cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit having a plurality of execution pipelines that execute instructions in a common issue group in a delayed manner relative to each other. The system further includes circuitry configured to: (1) receive an issue group of instructions; (2) determine if at least one store instruction is in the issue group, if so scheduling the least one store instruction in a one of the plurality of execution pipelines based upon a first prioritization scheme; (3) determine if there is an issue conflict for one of the plurality of execution pipelines and resolving the issue conflict by scheduling the at least one store instruction in a different execution pipeline; (4) schedule execution of the issue group of instructions in the cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit. |
| US07865696B2 |
Interface including task page mechanism with index register between host and an intelligent memory interfacing multitask controller
A computing system that includes a number of processing elements, a memory and a multi-task controller is disclosed. The memory has an interface that includes a task page mechanism with an index register. A portion of the multi-task controller also has a task page register for accessing the memory via another interface. The task page mechanism provides access to the memory by the host processor. The index register can be loaded by either the address or data bus of the host processor. In one embodiment, the task page mechanism includes a comparator and a counter to facilitate a polling scan of the status of the various tasks in the memory. |
| US07865695B2 |
Reading and writing a memory element within a programmable processing element in a plurality of modes
An integrated circuit in communication with a host circuit includes an interconnect bus and a plurality of programmable elements. Each of the programmable elements includes a control interface for receiving a control signal, the control signal causing the memory element to selectively operate in one of a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the memory element communicates stored data to the output port upon receiving the control signal; in a second mode the memory element communicates stored data to the output port upon detecting valid data at the input port; in a third mode the memory element stores a first data value consisting of at least a portion of a single data word received at the input port; and in a fourth mode the memory element stores a second data value consisting of at least a portion of each of two separate input values received at the input port. Each programmable element may write data to and read data from a memory element of any of the other programmable elements. |
| US07865693B2 |
Aligning precision converted vector data using mask indicating offset relative to element boundary corresponding to precision type
Mechanisms for aligning enhanced precision vectors based on reduced precision data values are provided. At least one data value, having a first precision type, is received for storing in a vector register. The vector register stores data as a vector having a plurality of vector elements. The first precision type is modified to have a second precision type different in precision than the first precision type to thereby generate at least one modified data value. The at least one modified data value is stored in at least one vector element of the plurality of vector elements. An alignment of the at least one modified data value is determined relative to a boundary of a vector element of the vector register. An alignment operation to re-align the at least one modified data value based on the boundary of the vector element of the vector register is performed. |
| US07865692B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automated generation of abbreviated instruction set and configurable processor architecture
A systematic approach to architecture and design of the instruction fetch mechanisms and instruction set architectures in embedded processors is described. This systematic approach allows a relaxing of certain restrictions normally imposed by a fixed-size instruction set architecture (ISA) on design and development of an embedded system. The approach also guarantees highly efficient usage of the available instruction storage which is only bounded by the actual information contents of an application or its entropy. The result of this efficiency increase is a general reduction of the storage requirements, or a compression, of the instruction segment of the original application. An additional feature of this system is the full decoupling of the ISA from the core architecture. This decoupling allows usage of a variable length encoding for any size of the ISA without impacting the physical instruction memory organization or layout and branching mechanism as well as tuning of the execution core to the application. A hardware embodiment described herein allows application of the above mentioned high-entropy encoding technique in actual embedded processor using today's technology without posing significant strain on timing requirements. |
| US07865689B2 |
Parallel installation of logical partitions
An apparatus and method provide parallel installation of logical partitions on a computer system. The function of a hardware maintenance console is built into a logical partition configuration mechanism that resides in the system firmware. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is used by the logical partition configuration mechanism to define an I/O bridge that allows installing multiple logical partitions in parallel. Because multiple logical partitions may be installed in parallel, the time required to install logical partitions is greatly reduced. |
| US07865687B2 |
Configuration management apparatus and method
To migrate a configuration that an old storage device has to a new storage device. A new storage device obtains a configuration of an old storage device, by using a migration manager, and prepares a logical volume definition of the new storage device based on a logical volume definition in the configuration. Also, based a cache allocation definition in the configuration and cache capacity of the new storage device, a cache allocation definition of the new storage device is prepared. Further, based on a port bandwidth allocation definition in the configuration and bandwidth capacity of a port of the new storage device, a port bandwidth allocation definition of the new storage device is prepared. The prepared logical volume definition, cache allocation definition and port bandwidth allocation definition are set up in a configuration of the new storage device. |
| US07865686B2 |
Virtual computer system, and physical resource reconfiguration method and program thereof
Provided is a virtual computer system capable of finding a configuration whose total sum of memory access delays is smaller than that of a current configuration. In a virtual computer system in which with memory access times within a node and between nodes differing from each other, a hypervisor controls a plurality of virtual processors which execute a process on a plurality of nodes, the hypervisor includes a unit which obtains a total sum of memory access delay time on the virtual machine based on affinity information indicative of a latency or a band of communication between the virtual processors and traffic between the virtual processors, and a unit which reconfigures physical resources based on the total sum of delay time. |
| US07865684B2 |
Managing message queues
A method, and corresponding system and software, is described for writing data to a plurality of queues, each portion of the data being written to a corresponding one of the queues. The method includes, without requiring concurrent locking of more than one queue, determining if a space is available in each queue for writing a corresponding portion of the data, and if available, reserving the spaces in the queues. The method includes writing each portion of the data to a corresponding one of the queues. |
| US07865682B2 |
Remote copy system
Even when a host does not give a write time to write data, consistency can be kept among data stored in secondary storage systems. The present system has plural primary storage systems each having a source volume and plural secondary storage systems each having a target volume. Once data is received from a host, each of the plural storage systems creates write-data management information having sequential numbers and reference information and sends, to one of the primary storage systems, the data, sequential number and reference information. Each of the secondary storage systems records reference information corresponding to the largest sequential number among serial sequential numbers and stores, in a target volume in an order of sequential numbers, data corresponding to reference information having a value smaller than the reference information based on the smallest value reference information among reference information recorded in each of the plural secondary storage systems. |
| US07865677B1 |
Enhancing access to data storage
Access to data storage is enhanced. A logical volume defines a set of block based data storage resources and is presented as a first volume. A virtual LUN portal mechanism serves as an alias for the first volume and is presented as a second volume. A block based data manipulation mechanism is configured to apply to a first I/O request directed to the second volume and not to a second I/O request directed to the first volume. |
| US07865672B2 |
Electronic system with first and second electronic units electrically communicable with each other
An electronic system has a first electronic unit for carrying out a first predetermined operation and a second electronic unit for carrying out a second predetermined operation. The first and second electronic units are electrically communicable with each other. In the system, the first electronic unit stores control data. The second control unit requires the control data for carrying out the second predetermined operation. The second electronic unit sends to the first electronic unit a request to send the control data when the second electronic unit is reset. |
| US07865664B2 |
Storage control device, and control method for storage control device
The storage control device of the present invention is able to perform input and output of data between blocks whose size is different with good efficiency. The size of extended logical blocks, which are units of data input and output within a storage control device, and the size of physical blocks, which are provided within the storage device, are different from one another. A write object range generation unit reads out both of the extended logical blocks which are adjacent to the write data, and creates a write object range by linking them to the write data. An assurance code checking unit checks a corresponding assurance code for each of these extended logical blocks. And a block size adjustment unit deletes superfluous data from the adjacent blocks, and adjusts the size of the write object range, so that it becomes an integral multiple of the size of the physical blocks. |
| US07865662B2 |
Scalable processing network for searching and adding in a content addressable memory
An alternation network for use with a content addressable memory for implementing a divide and conquer algorithm is described. The alternation network comprises: a plurality of alternation modules connected in series together, each module comprising: a plurality of cascaded logic gates arranged to propagate a match parity signal via the gates along at least part of a matching result vector, the matching result vector being generated by execution of a matching instruction on the content addressable memory, and the logic gates being configured to change the parity of the match parity signal in accordance with the matching result vector; and a vector output arranged to output a parity level vector of the propagated match parity signal present at the each gate of the plurality of logic gates; a logic network for dividing the matching result vector into an odd match vector and an even match vector representing respectively odd and even numbered elements of the matching result vector, by use of the parity level vector, and means for writing a selected one of the odd and even match vectors to the content addressable memory. |
| US07865661B2 |
Configurable high-speed memory interface subsystem
A memory interface subsystem including a write logic and a read logic. The write logic may be configured to communicate data from a memory controller to a memory. The read logic may be configured to communicate data from the memory to the memory controller. The read logic may comprise a plurality of physical read datapaths. Each of the physical read datapaths may be configured to receive (i) a respective portion of read data signals from the memory, (ii) a respective read data strobe signal associated with the respective portion of the received read data signals, (iii) a gating signal, (iv) a base delay signal and (v) an offset delay signal. |
| US07865660B2 |
Calibration of read/write memory access via advanced memory buffer
Methods and apparatuses to calibrate read/write memory accesses through data buses of different lengths via advanced memory buffers. One embodiment includes an advanced memory buffer (AMB) having: a plurality of ports to interface respectively with a plurality of data buses; a port to interface with a common clock bus for the plurality of data buses; and an adjustable circuit coupled with the plurality of ports to level delays on the plurality of data buses. In one embodiment, the data buses have different wire lengths between the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) memory chips and the advanced memory buffer (AMB). |
| US07865659B2 |
Removable storage device
In an embodiment, when a removable storage device is removably coupled to a host, the removable storage device indicates that it is non-removable to the host. The removable storage device may include a user-created secure storage area. |
| US07865658B2 |
Method and system for balancing host write operations and cache flushing
A method and system for balancing host write operations and cache flushing is disclosed. The method may include steps of determining an available capacity in a cache storage portion of a self-caching storage device, determining a ratio of cache flushing steps to host write commands if the available capacity is below a desired threshold and interleaving cache flushing steps with host write commands to achieve the ratio. The cache flushing steps may be executed by maintaining a storage device busy status after executing a host write command and utilizing this additional time to copy a portion of the data from the cache storage into the main storage. The system may include a cache storage, a main storage and a controller configured to determine and execute a ratio of cache flushing steps to host write commands by executing cache flushing steps while maintaining a busy status after a host write command. |
| US07865655B2 |
Extended blade server
The present invention relates to the field of communications, in particular, to a server for solving the problem related to the incompatibility between normal blades and multi-processing blades in a conventional server. The server according to an embodiment of the invention includes a backboard, on which backboard wiring and a first slot are disposed. At least two second slots are further disposed on the backboard. Both a first interface configured to be connected to a normal blade and a second interface configured to be connected to a multi-processing blade are disposed on each of the second slots, the first interface being connected to a corresponding Cluster Switch interface disposed on the first slot via the backboard wiring, and the second interface being interconnected directly via the backboard wiring or being connected to a corresponding Symmetrical Multi-Processing Switch interface disposed on the first slot via the backboard wiring. |
| US07865654B2 |
Programmable bridge header structures
A computer system includes compute nodes coupled through a switch to shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch includes a pool of bridge headers and virtual bridges coupling a root port of a compute node to each of one or more shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch is configured to associate each of the virtual bridges with a respective one of the fixed pool of bridge headers, receive a packet including data identifying the root port and a shared or non-shared I/O device, and route the packet in response to comparing data in the packet to data in the bridge headers associated with the virtual bridges. The virtual bridges comprise a hierarchy of virtual bridges in which one virtual bridge connects the root port to the remaining virtual bridges of the hierarchy. The switch may change the associations between virtual bridges and bridge headers. |
| US07865649B2 |
Module for reproducing a transmitter signal
The invention relates to a module for reproducing a transmitter signal (xactE). A control device (1) is coupled to a driving device (4a) for controlling a machine while being coupled to the module (5, 5′) via a data bus (7) for exchanging data. A reproduced transmitter signal (xactEn) is determined from a reference value (xdes) that is predefined by the control device with the aid of the module (5, 5′). The module (5, 5′) is logically coupled to the control device (1) via the data bus (7) in such a way that the module (5, 5′) is projected in the same way as the driving device (4a) from the perspective of the control device (1). The inventive module (5, 5′) for reproducing a transmitter signal (xactE) thus makes it possible to project, start, and adjust the dynamics of the machine in a simple manner. |
| US07865647B2 |
Efficient resource arbitration
Resource requests are allocated by storing resource requests in a queue slots in a queue. A token is associated with one of the queue slots. During an arbitration cycle, the queue slot with the token is given the priority to the resource. If the queue slot with the token does not include a request, a different queue slot having the highest static priority and including a request is given access to the resource. The token is advanced to a different queue slot after one or more arbitration cycles. Requests are assigned to the highest priority queue slot, to random or arbitrarily selected queue slots, or based on the source and/or type of the request. One or more queue slots may be received for specific sources or types of requests. Resources include processor access, bus access, cache or system memory interface access, and internal or external interface access. |
| US07865646B1 |
Sharing of functions between an embedded controller and a host processor
An improved system is described for allowing an embedded controller and a host processor to share access to modules in a computer system. The shared access system of the present invention enables exclusive, one-at-a-time access by a processor to a module and concurrent access by more than one processor to a module. An internal bus with two power sources is used to allow continued access by one of the processors when one of the two power sources is not providing power. Asynchronous clocking is provided to allow increased throughput to modules. An example of a protocol that allows an embedded controller to access more than one module is also described. |
| US07865645B2 |
Bus arbiter, bus device and system for granting successive requests by a master without rearbitration
A bus arbiter includes an arbitration stop determining unit and a transaction arbitrating unit. The arbitration stop determining unit generates an arbitration stop signal based upon transaction grouping request signals which indicate whether successive transactions are requested. The transaction arbitrating unit selectively performs an arbitration operation based upon the arbitration stop signal. |
| US07865644B2 |
Method and apparatus for attaching multiple slave devices to a single bus controller interface while supporting command pipelining
In a method and apparatus associated with a bus controller, a set of mechanisms are selectively added to the bus controller, as well as to slave devices connected to the bus controller. A mechanism is also added to one or more master devices connected to the bus controller, in order to provide the master devices with a transaction ordering capability. The added mechanisms collectively achieve the objective of supporting connection of multiple slave devices to a common controller interface, and at the same time allowing pipelined operation of the slave devices. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for use with a bus and an associated bus controller, wherein the bus controller has respective master and slave interfaces for use in selectively interconnecting master devices and slave devices. The method comprises the steps of connecting one or more of the master devices to one of the master interfaces, and connecting each of a plurality of slave devices to the same one of the slave interfaces. The method further comprises operating a connected master device to send multiple commands to a selected one of the connected slave devices in accordance with a command pipelining procedure. |
| US07865643B2 |
Communication system and protocol
A communication system and protocol that permits a first device to communicate a plurality of messages in a predetermined order to a user of the first device, where the plurality of messages, their content, and their predetermined order need not be known to the first device until the messages are provided to the first device by a second device. The user of the first device is permitted to move backward or forward through the messages in the predetermined order while utilizing a minimal amount of resources of the first device, such as processor power and memory. |
| US07865641B2 |
Synchronization and scheduling of a dual master serial channel
One embodiment provides a system including a communications channel, a first channel master, and a second channel master. The first channel master is configured to obtain latency values and maintain a first schedule of data traffic on the communications channel based on the latency values. The second channel master is configured to obtain the latency values and maintain a second schedule of data traffic on the communications channel based on the latency values. The first channel master manages data on the communications channel via the first schedule and the second channel master manages data on the communications channel via the second schedule. |
| US07865640B1 |
USB web launcher using keyboard scancodes
A USB web launcher for launching a browser on a host computer and directing the browser to a website specified by the web launcher. The USB web launcher comprises a housing, and a controller within the housing which is configured to operate as a USB HID keyboard device. The controller has a URL stored therein in the form of a keyboard scancode string and is programmed to send the keyboard scancode string to the host computer in response to actuation of a switch on the housing. The web launcher includes USB connector means for coupling the controller to a USB port of the host computer, and, in response to the transmitted URL, the host computer launches the browser and accesses the corresponding website. One embodiment of the invention is a USB web launcher having first and second USB connector parts and a lanyard mode of operation in which the controller within the web launcher is programmed to recognize when the first and second USB connector parts are interconnected and to energize an LED in response. |
| US07865639B2 |
Appliance with an electrically adaptive adapter to alternatively couple multiple consumer electronic devices
A modular system comprises an appliance and an adaptive adapter configured to alternately couple two consumer electronic devices to the appliance and to supply a different electrical service between the appliance and the consumer electronic devices depending on the device selected. The adaptive adapter supplies a first category of electrical service to a first consumer electronic device and a second category of electrical service to a second consumer electronic device. The appliance may comprise a refrigeration appliance and the adaptive adapter can couple the consumer electronic devices to the appliance. |
| US07865638B1 |
System and method for fast hardware atomic queue allocation
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a method for performing a queue allocation operation that includes receiving a memory address associated with a queue allocation aperture, where the memory address is read by a client to request memory space in a memory queue for a payload, computing a payload size based on the memory address, determining an insertion pointer for the payload based on a first position of a horizon pointer, where the insertion pointer indicates a location within the memory queue for the client to insert the payload, adjusting the horizon pointer to a second position based on the payload size, and returning the insertion pointer to the client. Such an approach enables multiple clients to advantageously request and obtain space within a shared memory queue in a single atomic operation, thereby allowing clients to share a memory queue more efficiently relative to prior art approaches. |
| US07865632B2 |
Memory allocation and access method and device using the same
A memory allocation method for a direct memory access controller (DMAC) in a limited-memory-size computer system includes the steps of allocating a memory space having continuous memory addresses to form a buffer of the DMAC; dividing the memory space successively into a plurality of first memory blocks and a second memory block, wherein the size of the second memory block is equal to a maximum frame size possibly accessed by the DMAC; and assigning the plurality of first memory blocks and the second memory block to a plurality of descriptors in order, wherein each of the plurality of descriptors is utilized for recording a memory address of a corresponding memory block as a pointers for the corresponding memory block. |
| US07865631B2 |
Dynamic logical data channel assignment using time-grouped allocations
A method, system and program are provided for dynamically allocating DMA channel identifiers to multiple DMA transfer requests that are grouped in time by virtualizing DMA transfer requests into an available DMA channel identifier using a channel bitmap listing of available DMA channels to select and set an allocated DMA channel identifier. Once the input values associated with the DMA transfer requests are mapped to the selected DMA channel identifier, the DMA transfers are performed using the selected DMA channel identifier, which is then deallocated in the channel bitmap upon completion of the DMA transfers. When there is a request to wait for completion of the data transfers, the same input values are used with the mapping to wait on the appropriate logical channel. With this method, all available logical channels can be utilized with reduced instances of false-sharing. |
| US07865630B2 |
Single-chip multi-media card/secure digital (MMC/SD) controller reading power-on boot code from integrated flash memory for user storage
A Multi-Media Card/Secure Digital (MMC/SD) single-chip flash device contains a MMC/SD flash microcontroller and flash mass storage blocks containing flash memory arrays that are block-addressable rather than randomly-addressable. MMC/SD transactions from a host MMC/SD bus are read by a bus transceiver on the MMC/SD flash microcontroller. Various routines that execute on a CPU in the MMC/SD flash microcontroller are activated in response to commands in the MMC/SD transactions. A flash-memory controller in the MMC/SD flash microcontroller transfers data from the bus transceiver to the flash mass storage blocks for storage. Rather than boot from an internal ROM coupled to the CPU, a boot loader is transferred by DMA from the first page of the flash mass storage block to an internal RAM. The flash memory is automatically read from the first page at power-on. The CPU then executes the boot loader from the internal RAM to load the control program. |
| US07865629B1 |
Configurable connector for system-level communication
A host device comprises a controller and a connector. The host connector comprises fixed-function and multi-function pins. A first group of host connector pins comprises one or more of the fixed-function pins and a second group of pins comprises the remainder of the fixed-function pins and the multi-function pins. The host connector can be releasably attached to a connector of an accessory device. The first group of host connector pins can be used to discover the functions of the accessory connector. The host device can select functions to be enabled at the host and accessory connectors from among the functions mutually supported by the two connectors. The host can enable the selected functions at the host connector and can instruct the accessory to enable the selected functions at the accessory connector. The host can reconfigure host connector functions in response to a different accessory being attached to the host. |
| US07865626B2 |
Raid storage subsystem using read connection information command to request WWN information for server table and adapter connection table
Structure, Structure, system, apparatus, method, and computer program for managing and configuring a computer storage system by mapping the topology and connectivity of all servers, storage devices, and storage device controllers within the storage subsystem, based on unique identifiers especially World Wide Number (WWN) identifiers. The method includes querying a server to identify host bus adapters coupled to the server, querying each host bus adapter to identify attached device controllers, issuing a read connection information command to the device controller and returning the connection results including identifying devices coupled to the device controller, and storing the returned connection results in a data structure. |
| US07865622B2 |
Updating parameters in a bridged multistandard home network
The invention relates to the field of home networks, in particular to the connection of two home networks of different types via a gateway. The network appliances in the network of the first type are also intended to be able to control the network appliances in the network of the second type, and vice versa. One problem that occurs when carrying out conversion processes on control messages is that an input parameter which is known in the network of the first type can be changed as required and can also be signaled further within this network, but the associated correspondence in the network of the second type is permanently set, and accordingly cannot be changed. The invention provides a way in which an input parameter such as this can nevertheless be likewise updated in the network of the second type. For this purpose, the network station which relates to the input parameter is first of all logged-off in the network of the second type. The changed input parameter is then converted to the information element in the network of the second type. The network station which relates to the input parameter is then logged on again in the network of the second type. This results in the network stations in the network of the second type being able to newly read the appliance description for the network station which relates to the input parameter. This then also results in the input parameter being updated in the network of the second type. |
| US07865621B1 |
Open settlement protocol bridge for multi-network voice connections
A bridge for multi-network communications is provided. A voice bridge includes an open settlement protocol (OSP) compliant interface for establishing inter-domain voice connections. The voice bridge facilitates connections between OSP compliant and non-OSP compliant networks and interfaces with an OSP server. A call set-up component processes requests from OSP compliant and non-OSP compliant networks. An OSP interface facilitates OSP compliant reporting to the OSP server. Other embodiments comprising additional features, such as address masking, are also provided. |
| US07865609B2 |
Method and apparatus for failure resilient forwarding of data over a computer network
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and an apparatus for failure-resilient forwarding of data over a computer network. In one embodiment, a marker is introduced into the data stream, e.g., at the sending node, and allows, in turn, forwarding nodes and/or receivers to efficiently track data stream reception. The marker functions as a checkpoint for the data transport process, and is identified and indexed at each forwarding node and receiver. Each receiver saves the marker prior to delivering data to an application, thereby designating a point in the data stream at which all preceding data is confirmed to have been delivered to the application. Thus, if a forwarding node fails, the receiver may request stream data from an alternate forwarding node by specifying to the alternate forwarding node to provide data starting from the marker. |
| US07865605B2 |
Customer access solutions architecture
The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically delivering banking services to end clients and, more particularly, using Internet based technologies as a means of exposing those services. The solution to this problem set forth in this invention is the creation of a common electronic delivery infrastructure and application deployment environment, exposing an institution's entire portfolio of corporate banking services to its clients at a number of different locations at any time. |
| US07865601B2 |
Connection setting program method and apparatus
A plurality of devices connected to a network each includes at least either one or more output plugs for transmitting one or more data streams, or one or more input plugs for receiving one or more data streams, and each of the devices is capable of packeting a plurality of data streams and isochronously transferring the packet to another device in the network. Connection setting program, designed to set connection between a transmission source device and a transmission destination device in the network, includes a step of detecting a predetermined condition for performing automatic setting of logical connection, and a setting step of, in response to detection of the predetermined condition, automatically setting logical connection between the one or more input plugs and the one or more output plugs of the devices. Such arrangements facilitate setting of logical connection between the devices interconnected via the network. |
| US07865600B2 |
Transparent resource administration using a read-only domain controller
A domain controller hierarchy in accordance with implementations of the present invention involves one or more local domain controllers, such as one or more read-only local domain controllers in communication with one or more writable hub domain controllers. The local domain controllers include a resource manager, such as a Security Account Manager (“SAM”), that manages resources and/or other accounts information received from the writable hub domain controller. When a local user attempts to change the resource at the local domain controller, however, the resource manager chains the request, along with any appropriate identifiers for the request, to the writable hub domain controller, where the request is processed. If appropriate, the hub domain controller sends a response that the resource has been updated as requested and also sends a copy of the updated resource to be cached at the local domain controller. |
| US07865597B2 |
Method for smart device network application infrastructure (SDNA)
The present invention discloses a novel method to implement a Smart Device Network Application Infrastructure (SDNA) that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of device networks and device network applications. The Smart Device Network Application infrastructure (SDNA) refers to an integrated processing platform that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of distributed applications based on device networks. It involves the concurrent execution of several processes that interact to provide support and resources for said applications. |
| US07865588B2 |
System for providing multi-path input/output in a clustered data storage network
A network storage system is provided. A storage server system can comprise at least two data storage servers. Each server can comprise a network interface operable to transmit/receive communications to/from a network infrastructure; at least one data storage device; a processor operable to receive, from said network interface; an iSCSI network command and generate, to carry out said iSCSI network command, one or more device specific commands for said at least one data storage device. Each server can further comprise a host computer containing a host network interface operable to transmit/receive network communications; and a host processor operable to receive a storage command; determine if said at least two data storage servers are needed; generate one or more iSCSI network commands; and transmit said one or more iSCSI network commands to each of said at least two data storage servers using said host network interface. |
| US07865585B2 |
Systems and methods for providing dynamic ad hoc proxy-cache hierarchies
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices. |
| US07865583B2 |
Aggregating network activity using software provenance data
A method and system are described for receiving, at a first node, provenance data including at least a handle relating to a first software program active on a second node and executing one or more instructions received from the second node, on the first node. |
| US07865581B2 |
Remote management method of a distant device, and corresponding video device
The invention concerns a remote management method enabling a distant remote management server to manage at least a distant device. In order to have a simple and reliable management, it comprises a transmission step of a CWMP command requesting a configuration of the transport and/or dejittering layers. |
| US07865580B2 |
Information processing apparatus and grouping method
In an information processing apparatus for identifying a plurality of communication devices, grouping and managing the identified communication devices, communication devices that are in a state of communication among devices forbidden are grouped and managed. Then, it acts for obtaining data of another communication device when the data is obtained among the communication devices grouped. The data obtaining proxy is performed when a request to obtain data of another communication device is received from a communication device, and data of another communication device is obtained based on the request, and it is sent to a communication device. |
| US07865577B1 |
Enhanced network elements and a method for configuring the enhanced network element via a trusted configuration device
An enhanced network element and method for configuring and deploying computer network elements is disclosed. A customer orders a network element from an equipment provider. Upon receipt of the unconfigured network element, a Trusted Configuration Device (TCD) is shipped from a network provider to the customer. The TCD transmits information to the NE that enables it to download a configuration file from a Provisioning Server (PS) via a secure channel. |
| US07865570B2 |
Memory server
A memory server provides data access as a service to clients and has a memory service architecture and components for removing data management burdens from the client processor and providing increased speed and utility for the client through aggressive prediction of client memory requirements and fast provision of data. |
| US07865566B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing real-time notification for avatars
A real time notification for updating online identities, known as avatars, is disclosed. For example, when a user updates his or her avatar(s), the changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like. |
| US07865558B2 |
STB messaging system
There are provided a method, a system and a machine-readable medium for video terminal device messaging. In one embodiment, a method includes querying a user associated with a mobile device whether to receive one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device at a video terminal device; and selectively receiving the one or more mobile messages at the video terminal device based on a response to the querying. |
| US07865557B2 |
System and method for verifying delivery and integrity of electronic messages
A server transmits a message from a sender to a destination address. During transmission, the server and the destination address have a dialog constituting an attachment, via a particular one of SMTP and ESMTP protocols, concerning the message, the server and the destination address. The message passes through servers between the server and the destination address. This passage is included in the attachment. Verifiers are provided for the message and for the attachments. The verifiers may constitute encrypted hashes of the message and of the attachment. The sender receives the message, the attachments and the verifications from the server before authentication and transmits the message, the attachments and the verifiers to the server to obtain authentication by the server. The server operates on the message and the message verifier to authenticate the message and operates on the attachments and the attachments' verifier to verify the attachments. |
| US07865554B2 |
Internet e-mail bridge
An Internet mail bridge is provided for downloading e-mail messages from Internet mail servers supporting different e-mail access protocols, such as the Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) and Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (Web DAV) protocol, and delivering the downloaded messages, which are in different formats, to a mail server on a local area network. The Internet mail bridge has a mail manager that is independent from particular e-mail protocols or e-mail formats. For each e-mail account, the mail manager instantiates a mail connector object that contains logic for downloading e-mail according to the e-mail access protocol of that account, and invokes the mail connector object to download e-mail messages from that account. The mail manager then instantiates and invokes mail deliverer objects tailored for handling different message formats to deliver the downloaded messages to the local mail server. |
| US07865550B2 |
Message processing control in a publish/subscribe system
Messages in a publish/subscribe system can be processed after they leave the original publisher and before they are delivered to an ultimate subscriber. Each published message has an associated topic string and a PubLevel value initially assigned by the original publisher. Subscribers are assigned different SubLevel values. These subscribers register their subscriptions with a broker. When a published message having the appropriate topic string is received, the broker performs a subscriber selection process using the message topic string, the current message PubLevel value and the assigned SubLevel values of subscribers registered for the topic string. When a subscriber is selected, the broker changes the message PubLevel value and transmits the message only to the selected subscriber. The subscriber may be an intercepting subscriber that processes the published message and then re-publishes it back to the broker. The broker may repeat the subscriber selection process multiple times with the published message being sent to multiple intercepting systems, each of which processes and republishes the message before the processed message is finally sent by the broker to an ultimate subscriber. |
| US07865549B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data frame efficiently in communication network
A method and apparatus for transmitting a data frame in a communication network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a power line communication (PLC) network, or the like. A transmitter forms one expansion frame using more than one frame, transmits more than one generated expansion frame to a receiver, requests a block acknowledgement (ACK) frame for the transmitted expansion frames, and, after receiving the block ACK frame, re-transmits an expansion frame having an error by changing a transmission parameter. |
| US07865547B2 |
System and method for accessing busy IP network resources
An Accessing Busy Resources service is adapted to receive subscription requests from clients for notification of when a busy resource is free, and to monitor network resources to determine if they are free. Upon notification, the Accessing Busy Resources service de-subscribes the client. The network client devices include Access Request units which make requests to access services and receive notification when the services are available. |
| US07865544B2 |
Method and system for providing XML-based asynchronous and interactive feeds for web applications
A system for providing XML-based asynchronous and interactive feeds for Web applications that provides a highly efficient and extensible XML Javascript framework allowing easy insertion of a comment/news feed control into any Web page. The framework allows for reading of any XML format and provides a new and easy way for modifying the look-and-feel of the control via HTML templates with familiar XPath bindings. The rendering performed through the system supports both flat and indented (“threaded”) views for a comment thread. The system improves the parsing speed of incoming XML, and supports a flexible event model for others to develop plug-ins and mashups in the spirit of Web 2.0. |
| US07865543B2 |
Offset compensation for rail-to-rail avereraging circuit
An averaging circuit includes an averaging unit and an offset compensation unit. The averaging unit generates an average signal from first and second input signals. The offset compensating unit is coupled to the averaging unit for conducting away bias currents from the averaging unit for preventing an offset in the average signal when any of the first and second input signals is too low or too high. |
| US07865540B2 |
Apparatus and method of semantic-based publish-subscribe system
A semantic publish/subscribe system enables semantic event routing and allows publishers (resp. subscribers) to use self-defined event schemas to publish (resp. subscribe) events. The constraints on value-based publish/subscribe systems that publishers and subscribers must share the same event schemas are removed. With ontology support, the system conducts event correlation based on their semantics using relational operators. Event sources are searched for subscriptions and selected events are automatically correlated according to subscriptions. The system enables efficient semantic event routing by rewriting the subscription SQL statement, wherein no redundant events are generated. |
| US07865539B2 |
Device, especially an automation apparatus, with a file index structure stored in files
Device and method to represent and/or display a data index structure in an XML file in a very easy manner with the aid of an internet-capable language, especially XML, in automation apparatus, so-called embedded devices, that as a rule do not have their own file index structure and to bringing said data index structure to the embedded device by sending the file so that the target machine can work as a web server thereby enabling remote access. |
| US07865533B2 |
Compositional query comprehensions
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate query comprehension that are constructed in a compositional manner. In accordance therewith, the query comprehensions can be assembled together in virtually in order without common requirements that force query operators of a query expression to follow ordering/syntactic rules. In addition, the architecture can provide for query expressions that arbitrarily composable and which can be terminated at any point. If the query expression terminates without a Select or Return clause at the end, the architecture can facilitate generation of an implicit Select or Return, and output results. |
| US07865528B2 |
Software, devices and methods facilitating execution of server-side applications at mobile devices
Software, devices and methods allowing varied mobile devices to interact with server side software applications are disclosed. Data from an application executing at a computing device may be presented at a remote wireless device by providing the device an application definition file, containing definitions for a user interface format for the application at the wireless device; the format of network messages for exchange of data generated by the application; and a format for storing data related to the application at the wireless device. Using these definitions, the wireless device may receive data from said application in accordance with the definition and present an interface for the application. The application definition file may define a table, a message or data package, and an update to be made to the table based on the message or data package. |
| US07865524B2 |
Method of capturing scene and recorder with means of performing this method
An automatic update is performed by an archiving device that controls the device carrying the sequentially accessible recording medium. The update can be performed according to a full scan algorithm or to an append algorithm. Both algorithms arrange things so that only those scenes are captured to the archiving medium that are more recent than the last scene captured in a previous session. The reference for the age is the Recording Date and Time. The full scan algorithm does not make assumptions about how a recording medium has been recorded, whereas the append algorithm is intended for recording media used by appending new material after old material. The method of capturing scenes is especially useful for a disk recorder. The data captured may be an audio/video-stream of a camcorder or the files of a personal computer. |
| US07865521B2 |
Access control for elements in a database object
A method, for controlling access to elements in a database object are provided. The method provide for receiving a request from a user to access the database object, determining whether an access restriction is imposed on the database object, and controlling access to the elements in the database object by the user based on the access restriction. The access restriction specifies one or more users to which the access restriction is applicable, defines a dynamic condition the one or more users must satisfy in order to access the database object, and identifies one or more of the elements in the database object accessible to the one or more users when the dynamic condition is satisfied. |
| US07865520B2 |
Program and method for file access control in a storage system
In a system having plural storage devices, high-speed file access is obtained by arranging files optimally without the trouble of setting for each file to which storage device the file is allocated. A storage system comprising: nodes coupled to one another via a network; storage devices connected to the nodes; a file attribute detecting module that detects one or more file attributes; a file access rule information storing unit that stores information about one or more file access rules that are associated with the file attribute; and a file access control module that controls access to a file in the storage devices in conformity with the one or more file access rules that are associated with the one or more detected file attributes. |
| US07865519B2 |
Using a controlled vocabulary library to generate business data component names
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating a name for a business data component in an electronic business process use a received textual description of the business data component. One or more proposed names are generated in accordance with a predefined naming format. The proposed names are generated using a matching algorithm to select terms from a library of available terms based on the textual description. Each proposed name includes multiple terms, and each term in the library of available terms defines an object class, a property, a representation class, or a qualifier. |
| US07865512B2 |
Systems and methods for providing victim location information during an emergency situation
A monitoring system receives data from embedded systems that are located within a building. The embedded systems may be contained within components (e.g., sensors, switches, etc.) that are situated within the building. Rules are defined for interpreting the data. The monitoring system interprets the data based on the defined rules to obtain location information and/or event information. The location information includes possible locations of victims within the building. The event information includes events that have been detected by components within the building. The location information and the event information may be provided to one or more emergency response systems. |
| US07865505B2 |
Efficient exact set similarity joins
A machine implemented system and method that efficiently facilitates and effectuates exact similarity joins between collections of sets. The system and method obtains a collection of sets and a threshold value from an interface, and based at least in part on an identifiable similarity, such as an overlap or intersection, between the collection of sets the analysis component generates and outputs a candidate pair that at least equals or exceeds the threshold value. |
| US07865504B2 |
Native file to shared resource locator naming
File and folder names are converted between their native format and a shared resource locator format. To send information on a file or folder, the file or folder name is parsed into various components and those components are converted to components in the shared resource locator. Sufficient information is provided in the shared resource locator to allow receiving software to develop the proper full native file or folder name, irrelevant of the receiving system, be it having different native formats, different drive letters and the like. A user need only click on a file or folder and a shared resource locator string is provided for pasting into emails or documents. Clicking on a shared resource locator results in the operating system automatically opening the file or folder from its shared location without manual conversions and the like. |
| US07865500B2 |
Apparatus and method for sharing services on network
A method and apparatus for sharing services on a network are provided. The method can include a first embedded device transmitting a message requesting a service, to an embedded device connected with the first embedded device over the network, the first embedded device receiving code information for implementing the service from the embedded device receiving the message, the first embedded device executing the code information and implementing the service, and the first embedded device registering service information on the service when implementation of the service is completed. |
| US07865498B2 |
Broadcast network platform system
A multimedia search system that provides search results which may be in the form of multiple data types, including text, icon, audio, video, and/or multimedia. The system also provides the ability to preview data video associated with a potentially linkable Web site listed in the search results screen, without linking directly to the Web site, by previewing a video file from that linkable Web site on the search results screen. The searcher then has the option of linking to that Web site based on information delivered by the previewed video file. The user also has the ability to search using the numerical system in which a numerical index is used to access data which is hierarchically categorized and sub categorized in a station/channel/program structured environment. The user can directly access stations, channels, or programs using predefined numerical index numbers. |
| US07865491B2 |
Model entity operations in query results
The present invention provides systems and articles of manufacture that enhance the capability of a database abstraction model and query application constructed for an underlying physical database. Typically, the query application is used to compose and execute an abstract query. Once an initial query result is presented to a user, a user may select to execute a model entity operation by interacting with a query interface of the query application. A model entity operation allows the user to retrieve additional information from the underlying database, based on information included in the initial query result, without having to create a new query or having to correlate the results of multiple queries. |
| US07865489B2 |
System and computer program product for discovering design documents
Techniques for obtaining a lineage of a schema in one or more documents are provided. The techniques include using a schema to find a document that is most relevant to the schema, obtaining one or more relevant portions of the most relevant document that is related to the schema, constructing a first probe set from the one or more relevant portions of the document, using the first probe set to discover one or more documents for obtaining lineage information, discovering a second probe set from the one or more documents, and recursively using the second probe set to discover a related document. |
| US07865487B2 |
System and method for providing remote access to events from a database access system
In one embodiment, a database access system includes a remote client application, a database having a plurality of data records, and a data event agent. The database has a plurality of data records and is coupled to the data event agent. The data event agent is remotely coupled to the remote client application through a firewall and operable to receive a query from the remote client application. In response to receipt of the query, the data event agent stores the query in memory in order to continually filter additions and modifications to data records against the one or more filter criteria included in the query. In the event that a data record matches the query, the data event agent transmits the data record to the remote client application. |
| US07865486B2 |
Providing storage control in a network of storage controllers
An apparatus for providing storage control in a network of storage controllers is disclosed. The apparatus includes an owner storage controller; an I/O performing component, an ownership assignment component, a lock manager and a messaging component. The ownership assignment component assigns ownership of metadata for data to an owner storage controller. The lock manager controls the locking of metadata during I/O. The messaging component passes messages among storage controllers to request metadata state, to grant locks, to request release of locks, and to signal lock release. The I/O is performed on data whose metadata is owned by an owner storage controller, subject to compliance with metadata lock protocols controlled by the owner storage controller, and any copy of the data held from time to time is maintained in a coherency relation with the data. |
| US07865484B2 |
Computer program integrity verification
A system and method are disclosed that can extend, by many years, the useful life of currently-trusted integrity verification algorithms, such as hash functions, even when applied to binary executable files and data files, the contents of which are not thoroughly examined by humans in their binary state. Embodiments can efficiently identify whether multiple digital files are substantially similar, even if they are not identical, thus potentially reducing storage space requirements. |
| US07865483B2 |
Device management system and method for managing device management object
A device management (DM) system and a method for managing a DM object are disclosed. The DM system includes a server for determining whether to copy a DM object within a terminal to an external storage device and transmitting a command for copying the DM object according to the determining result, and the terminal having a first module for receiving the DM object copying command from the server and a second module for copying the DM object to the external storage device within the terminal in response to the received command. |
| US07865475B1 |
Mechanism for converting one type of mirror to another type of mirror on a storage system without transferring data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for converting an existing mirror relationship between an original dataset at a source storage system and a copy of the original dataset at a destination system to a new mirror without discarding the existing copy of the original dataset and without transferring data to create a new dataset to replace the copy of the original dataset at the destination storage system. Rather, a directory structure (including file attributes) of the source storage system is transferred to the destination storage system and a comparison is made to identify file attributes at the destination system that match the transferred file attributes. If a match is found, a mapping between the matched file attributes is created. Subsequent updates to the destination storage system can be done using a technique other than the one that was used to create a copy of the source dataset. |
| US07865474B2 |
Data processing system
A data processing system includes a data processing unit which processes data acquired and a plurality of data retaining units which store databases used to process the data. Each of the plurality of data retaining units stores a primary database in common and stores the respective shares of a secondary database. The primary database stores a list of IDs for identifying data to be processed by any one of the plurality of data processing units. Each of the data processing units is notified of a range of IDs that the data processing unit handles, among the list of IDs stored in the primary database, and, when acquiring a packet containing an ID that lies within the range of IDs, the data processing unit processes the packet. |
| US07865473B2 |
Generating and indicating incremental backup copies from virtual copies of a data set
Provided are a method, system, and program for generating and indicating incremental backup copies from virtual copies of a data set. A virtual copy operation is initiated to create a virtual copy of a data set, wherein the virtual copy represents the data set at a point-in-time copy, and wherein the virtual copy is completed without transferring the data set to a backup location. An incremental backup operation is initiated with respect to an identified virtual copy, wherein the incremental backup operation copies changes to the data set that occur since a most recent creation of an incremental backup set. |
| US07865468B2 |
Prefetching remote files on local disk space
A technique for enhancing the transfer of files from a source network host to a destination network host includes accessing a file stored on the source host from the destination host, caching a local copy of the file on the destination host, and prefetching all remaining files in a file system group of which the file is a member by caching local copies thereof on the destination host. |
| US07865466B2 |
Method and system to synchronize account names across a plurality of security systems
A system for synchronizing account names from a plurality of source security systems. In response to coupling a conversion system between the plurality of source security systems and a target security system, identity data from a human resource system and account data from the plurality of local source security systems is loaded into the conversion system. A name resolution rule set is retrieved and a unique account name identification is generated for a set of account names associated with an identity using the name resolution rule set. The set of account names associated with the identity is converted to the unique account name identification to produce a synchronized set of account names associated with the identity. Then, the synchronized set of account names associated with the identity is stored in the target security system. |
| US07865465B2 |
Controlling model editing and merging
A model edit control system controls editing of a data model. A model repository manager allows multiple users to copy a stored model stored in a repository for executing changes on multiple model copies in parallel. An action log manager crates a model action log for the stored model and tracks actions executed on the stored model. The action log manager also creates a current action log for each model copy to record actions executed on the model copy. A model merger manager merges the model copies into the stored model in the repository, by playing the actions in the current action log against the stored model in the repository. |
| US07865459B2 |
Integration of a service-oriented transaction system with an information storage, access and analysis system
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to integration of a service-oriented transaction system with an information storage, access and analysis system, such as a Business Intelligence (BI) infrastructure. In general, in some implementations, a data transformation interface and a data transfer interface can be configured to effect data exchange between a computer-based information storage, access and analysis system including a second data model, and a computer-based service-oriented transactional system including a first data model. The data transformation interface and the data transfer interface can be configured to communicate through a decoupled information exchange that separates program implementation details of the data transfer interface from the data transformation interface. Furthermore, in some implementations, an agent framework can be used to decouple data transformation from data transfer, where the agent framework includes a generic agent and application specific agents. |
| US07865457B2 |
Knowledge management system automatically allocating expert resources
A knowledge management system allocating expert resources, method of allocating expert resources and program product therefor. Information requests are provided over networked devices, e.g., over voice and data networks. Data on experts may be stored in an expert database and data on requesters stored in a requestor database. A pairing unit identifies an appropriate expert matched to each request and requestor. The pairing unit includes a request/requestor characterization unit collecting request/requestor attributes, a matching unit matching request/requestor attributes with an expert, and a routing unit routing each incoming request to a selected matching expert. |
| US07865456B2 |
Methods and apparatus for outlier detection for high dimensional data sets
Methods and apparatus are provided for outlier detection in databases by determining sparse low dimensional projections. These sparse projections are used for the purpose of determining which points are outliers. The methodologies of the invention are very relevant in providing a novel definition of exceptions or outliers for the high dimensional domain of data. |
| US07865453B1 |
Apparatus and methods for evaluating hyperdocuments using a trained artificial neural network
An embodiment of a computer implemented method for determining the disposition of a hyperdocument includes retrieving a hyperdocument from an information source, providing information about content of the hyperdocument to a trained artificial neural network (ANN), the ANN being capable of evaluating the information and providing results reflecting the evaluation and determining the disposition of the hyperdocument based upon results of the ANN. |
| US07865443B1 |
Method and system for electronic data sales and distribution over wide area networks
An Improved Method and System for Electronic Data Sales and Distribution over Wide Area Networks is disclosed. The preferred system and method divides the software or other data to be distributed into a separate licensing module and a program module, with each module being distributed separately. The preferred licensing module can be distributed by an e-commerce server over a wide-area network, while the program module is distributed by a separate server computer over the wide-area network (or other method). Furthermore, the software or other electronic data can be updated easily by simply updating the single repository of the program module, while leaving the licensing module(s) at each e-commerce server unchanged. |
| US07865442B1 |
Distributing and billing software according to customer use of program modules
A software brokering method and framework are presented. The software brokering method includes a step of establishing a use-based pricing scheme for a set of software modules that are utilized at a customer's site. By pricing software according to its use rather than a set fee, flexible pricing is facilitated for meeting the broad spectrum of customers needs. The software modules are distributed to customers. The software modules are preferably downloaded from an e-commerce site, but may also be mailed or distributed from conventional retail outlets. Use of the software at a customer's site is monitored by processes integrated into the deployment and execution components of a software module integration platform residing at the customer's site. Customers are charged based upon their actual use of the software modules, as registered by the software module integration platform, in view of the software pricing scheme established for the downloaded software modules.In a preferred embodiment, the software modules are distributed and monitored through an e-commerce site. |
| US07865440B2 |
Method, system, and program for securely providing keys to encode and decode data in a storage cartridge
Provided is a method, system, and program for enabling access to data in a storage medium within one of a plurality of storage cartridges capable of being mounted into a interface device. An association is provided of at least one coding key to a plurality of storage cartridges. A determination is made of one coding key associated with one target storage cartridge, wherein the coding key is capable of being used to access data in the storage medium within the target storage cartridge. The determined coding key is encrypted. The coding key is subsequently decrypted to use to decode and code data stored in the storage medium. |
| US07865438B2 |
Electronic value exchange method, user device, and third-party device
A user device uses, instead of agreement information, only second session information contained in the agreement information, to generate an electronic signature for information containing the session information and information indicating an abort request, and outputs abort request information containing the session information, the information indicating the abort request, and the electronic signature, whereby transmission/reception can be performed without unnecessary information. Similarly, it may be configured to use only the second session information to generate an electronic signature for information containing the session information and information indicating a commitment request, and to output commitment request information containing the electronic signature. Since a third-party device defines a third session state as abort in correspondence to the second session information, it is able to manage states while appropriately discriminating a plurality of concurrent electronic value exchanges. |
| US07865437B2 |
Systems and methods for processing benefits
Systems and methods for processing, for example, childcare benefits include: issuing a benefit card to a childcare customer; receiving a start time for childcare service at a childcare provider, the start time recorded by using the benefit card at a terminal located at the children provider at the start of childcare service; receiving an end time for childcare services at the childcare provider, the end time recorded by using the benefit card at a terminal located at the childcare provider at the end of childcare services; computing the childcare benefit eligibility based on the start time, the end time and benefits available for the childcare customer; and paying the childcare provider a payment based on the computed benefit eligibility. |
| US07865436B2 |
Using visual images transferred from wireless computing device display screens
Within a wireless computing device, a method of conducting commerce can include receiving a user input in the wireless computing device specifying an account to which a proposed transaction is to be billed and identifying contact information for a billing entity according to the user specified account. The billing entity can manage the account. An authorization can be requested from the billing entity via a wireless communications link established using the contact information. The method also can include receiving the authorization from the billing entity via the wireless communications link, generating a visual image which identifies the billing entity and represents the authorization received from the billing entity, and presenting the visual image upon the display screen of the wireless computing device. Accordingly, a visual image reader can read the displayed visual image. |
| US07865435B1 |
Systems and methods for implementing intelligent banking account system
A person stores funds in a lower interest checking account and a higher interest savings account of a banking institution. For each of a plurality of cycles, funds are received at the beginning of the cycle from an amount of income (‘INC’) of the person. An amount at least equal to a total amount of regularly recurring bills of the person that have a generally fixed amount (‘FIX’) is deposited into a bills account of the person, and at least a portion of a remainder of INC is deposited into the checking account. During the cycle, the person pays the regularly recurring bills from the bills account and other bills from the checking account. At the end of the cycle, a final amount left in the checking account above a floor value (‘FLO’) is transferred to the savings account. Thus, excess funds are not allowed to accumulate in the checking account. |
| US07865434B2 |
Method and system for cross-issuer registration of transaction cards
Disclosed herein is a method of providing one or more transaction card services to a holder of a transaction card, the method comprising receiving a registration code from the holder, wherein the registration code is associated with the issuer of the transaction card and with the transaction card, determining the issuer of the transaction card based on at least a portion of the registration code, transmitting the registration code to the issuer of the transaction card, receiving account information from the issuer, wherein the account information is associated with the registration code and with the transaction card, displaying at least a portion of the account information to the holder, receiving a verification value corresponding to the account information from the holder, and if the verification value is valid, permitting the holder to select one or more services in which to enroll. |
| US07865431B2 |
Private electronic value bank system
To make an electronic value usable for both service on a network and service in the real world while ensuring security, convenience and economical efficiency, the electronic value issued for a user is controlled on an electronic wallet of a private electronic value bank, the electronic value controlled on the electronic wallet of a bank is cached in a mobile electronic wallet on a smart card of a user's portable terminal 5, and the electronic wallet is linked such that it is operated via the network when the mobile electronic wallet is operated. When the electronic value on the smart card is used for the service provided in a real environment such as a ticket gate of a train station, on-line transaction does not occur every time it is used, but the electronic wallet of the bank is updated when the portable terminal and the bank communicate later. |
| US07865430B1 |
Cashless transaction payment module
The present invention relates to a cashless transaction payment module system that is scalable and configurable to include interfaces for vending equipment monitoring and control capabilities, interfaces for a card reader device and other identification devices as payment for items vended, an interactive interface and protocol for interconnecting the system to a computing platform, and support for a plurality of communication options that include wired, point-to-point wireless, and wireless networking including LAN/WAN/WCDMA/CDMA/CDPD/2G/2.50/3G solutions. In an exemplary embodiment the system can be embodied in a semiconductor package or module package.In addition, the present invention relates to effectuating a system for accepting, authorizing, facilitating a vending transaction, settling transactions to effect payment for goods and services, gathering DEX and MDB audit data from the vending equipment, communicating digital content between system and server, and data communicating with a plurality of remote locations. |
| US07865421B2 |
Automated trading system
An anonymous trading system is configured to receive a price stream from a bank or other institution. The price stream is converted into a quote stream and input into the trading system via an automated trading interface. The quote stream has its own deal code. The deal code credit limits are set so that the only parties that have credit with the deal code are other deal codes of the same institution. At least one of these deal codes represents a prime broker bank and prime broker customers therefore have access to the institution's price stream to the exclusion of other parties trading on the system. A distributor distributes the quotes from the trading system to the prime broker customers' traders, to prime broker customer automated trading interfaces, and to prime broker customer deal feed systems for logging of deal tickets and communication of those deal tickets to back office systems. |
| US07865416B1 |
Securitized real-property-related asset system
Illustratively, there can be a securitization system that is comprised of a computer or computers using a network, and a process, for the conversion of assets into marketable securities. In one embodiment, the securitization system includes a distribution system to distribute at least some of the marketable securities generated by the securitization system to one or more buyers. The process may utilize a new definition of securitization that expands the universe of securitizable assets, the universe of asset securitization methodologies, and the universe of securities that can be designed and generated thereby. |
| US07865415B2 |
Intelligent simulation analysis method and system
A method for calculating pricing information for a financial instrument consisting of a plurality of underlying financial instruments that includes the steps of: calculating a default time vector for a plurality of default scenarios wherein each default time vector includes a measure of a likelihood of default for each of the plurality of underlying financial instruments; calculating one or more cash flows for a subset of the default scenarios thereby forming a training set; training a neural network with the training set; and using the neural network to estimate one or more cash flows for a remaining number of the plurality of default scenarios. |
| US07865414B2 |
Method, system and computer readable medium for web site account and e-commerce management from a central location
A method, system, and computer readable medium for managing a financial transaction of a user at a merchant, including authenticating the user via a device of the user while the user is at the merchant; transmitting activation information for activating a reusable, pre-existing, unaltered and permanent credit or debit card account number of the user from the user device to a financial institution for processing financial transactions, while the user is authenticated; submitting a payment request including the account number to the financial institution from the merchant, while the account number is activated; and de-activating the account number after the payment request is processed by the financial institution. The financial institution only accepts and processes payment requests received from merchants while the account number is activated, and the financial institution declines payment requests while the account number is de-activated. |
| US07865413B2 |
Method and system for processing transactions by a third party using a central database to facilitate remittance
The present invention discloses a system and method for processing business transactions between trading partners using a central interactive platform. The processing may include comparing purchase order data and invoice data to identify matching information and non-matching information. If the information matches, the invoices are processed for payment. If the information does not match, the discrepancies are identified to the buying company or the selling company for resolution. |
| US07865412B1 |
Method and system for account tracking
A method for account tracking that includes receiving a request to generate a report for a business entity, wherein the request specifies a tag associated with the business entity, identifying a plurality of transaction records based on the tag to obtain a plurality of identified transaction records for the business entity, assigning a business category from a plurality of business categories to at least one of the plurality of identified transaction records not associated with one of the plurality of business categories, and generating the report for the business entity by grouping the plurality of identified transaction records according to the plurality of business categories. |
| US07865404B2 |
Intelligent agents for electronic commerce
A system for electronic commerce (10) having personal agents (12 and 13) that represent consumers and providers in a virtual marketplace (28). Consumer personal agents conceal the identity of the consumer and are capable of creating decision agents (14) that shop for products and assist consumers in comparing and ranking products. Provider personal agents are capable of creating demand agents (16) that quantify demand and target specific consumers without learning the identity of the consumers. Based on data generated by the activities of the decision agents and on preference data maintained by consumer personal agents, provider personal agents can quantify current, historical, and future demand, simulate demand, and target specific consumers for advertising and other messages. Provider personal agents can cooperate with consumer personal agents to collect data about reasons for sales and lost sales and to offer consideration payments to consumers. Consumer personal agents can automatically reject unsolicited messages that do not satisfy the consumer's preferences. |
| US07865402B2 |
Inexpensive method for providing vendors with their unique brand of medicaments for resale
A method that allows manufactures of medicaments to provide vendors with vendor's uniquely branded OTC medicaments for resale, the method comprising the steps of providing a manufacture's website, allowing vendor's to access the website, then having vendors choose a medicament from the website, then allowing vendors to review an FDA approved description of the medicament, then having the vendor choose a certain template for the labeling of the medicament and allowing vendor to fill certain fields so that vendor's contact information and branding can be incorporated within the template, then having the vendor preview the labeling created by the website and providing vendor with an option to order a certain quantity of medicament or to go back to the previous screen of website, then if an order was made in the previous step, providing the vendor with a secured page for paying, then delivering the medicaments to the vendor. |
| US07865399B2 |
Distributed electronic commerce system with centralized point of purchase
An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from merchants. A customer interacts with the merchant to identify items to purchase, and the merchant directs the customer to the broker in order to complete the transaction. The broker receives a description of a virtual shopping cart generated by the merchant and presents the customer with an interface allowing the customer to select shipping and other options for the purchase. The broker calculates a total amount for the transaction based on the shopping cart description and the options selected by the customer. The broker informs the merchant of the purchase and coordinates the shipment of the purchased items from the merchant to the customer. |
| US07865392B2 |
Ben-suming business system
A method of operating a ben-suming timeshare organization, which is (compared to a traditional timeshare environment) by offering business property (condominium) ownership opportunity, getting a priceless access (i) to a huge market of potential consumers of their products, and (ii) to a valuable source of business development financing. |
| US07865391B2 |
Automatic road charging system based only on satellite navigation with guaranteed performance and method for its analysis and design
An automatic charging system for charging a vehicle for using an infrastructure delimited by a boundary during a charging period Tc based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) location with guaranteed performance. The system includes an onboard receiver with integrity guarantee which, in addition to providing position information, provides additional information relating to the error that can be expected in the position consisting of a health flag (denoting a Healthy/Unhealthy status), and a Radial Protection Level (RPL) relating to the amount limiting the horizontal position error according to one direction and with a probability equal to a known value IRx. |
| US07865389B2 |
Analyzing time series data that exhibits seasonal effects
To analyze a time series of data that exhibits seasonal effects, the time series is processed to obtain a representation in the frequency domain. According to the representation, plural cycle lengths are identified as representing different seasonal effects of the data in the time series, where a first of the plural cycle lengths is greater than a second of the plural cycle lengths. |
| US07865387B2 |
Method and system for scheduling a meeting for a set of attendees via a special attendee
A group scheduling solution offers an organized and formalized solution to the time management problem in which the desired meeting includes one person who is difficult to schedule. In the inventive approach, a scheduling system is provided in which a hard-to-schedule attendee takes over responsibility for setting the start time of an event. In the invention, a workflow is provided, in which the organizer sends a request to the hard-to-schedule person. The request preferably contains the desired duration of the meeting. The request may contain a list of attendees, location, and other details. These requests are maintained in a queue for the hard-to-schedule person. Batching requests in a queue is a key feature of the invention. The hard-to-schedule person, or their proxy, can then review these requests and select a suitable time for the meeting, set this time in a meeting request, thereby causing an update to be sent back to the organizer and the other attendees, thus indicating the appointed time for the meeting. The organizer of the meeting can still update the meeting details, etc. However, any changes in the start time or the duration of the meeting must be made by the hard-to-schedule person or their proxy. The hard-to-schedule person can also decline the meeting entirely. |
| US07865385B2 |
Methods and systems for modeling processes in airlines and other industries, and for simulating and valuing the effects of various products and services on those processes
Methods and systems for modeling functional processes in enterprises, and for simulating and valuing the effects of various products and services on those processes, are described herein. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention for marketing at least one of products and services to an operator of an enterprise includes presenting a first process model and a second process model. The first process model can graphically illustrate how at least one functional group in the enterprise responds to a selected operational circumstance. The second process model can graphically illustrate how the at least one functional group responds to the selected operational circumstance after the enterprise has implemented at least one of a selected product and a selected service configured to facilitate operation of the enterprise. |
| US07865383B2 |
System and method for examining, describing, analyzing and/or predicting organization performance in response to events
A system and method for examining, describing, analyzing and/or predicting an organization's emerging levels of performance during routine, special and unexpected events are presented. The tools include a methodology and processes for systematically building, collecting and archiving profiles of the performance capacity within specific organizations or across wider industry or cultural groups. The use of various unique and precise ways to observe, classify, measure and, analyze organizations and the events they are expected to manage allows for discussions of an organization's current ability to perform and the development and testing of projections or forecasts of future performance. Finally, having the option to speculate or to develop what-if scenarios extends the overall usefulness of the device described herein beyond reviews of how an organization is currently, to broader discussions of the organization's general capacity to withstand threats, challenges or attacks emerging from within or outside. In this last analysis, particular emphasis is placed on identifying, monitoring and measuring potential threats, challenges or attacks arising from intentional, constructed efforts of others (i.e., other individuals or organizations) versus those threats, challenges or attacks associated with factors beyond the organization's control, for example, economic or weather-related conditions. |
| US07865381B2 |
Method and system for objectively optimizing manufacturing sourcing
A scientific complexity quantification system calculates a specific percent complexity index rating for each manufactured product that can be graphed and compared to other products and that is based on mathematical quantifications of each product's key attributes. The complexity index takes into consideration differences in design and manufacturing complexity, financial considerations, product solution complexity and customer experience. The attribute scoring of individual products are then sorted into potential sourcing categories, such as “outsource,” “in house fulfillment,” or “further evaluation needed.” |
| US07865378B2 |
System and method for the assessment, pricing, and provisioning of distance-based vehicle insurance
A system and method for assessing, pricing, and provisioning distance-based vehicle insurance are provided. In one example, the method receives identification information of a customer and an associated vehicle, and a current odometer reading. Multiple coverage types are provided to the customer, as is at least one quote when the customer selects one of the coverage types. The quote includes a policy rate identifying a cost per distance unit based on the identification information. The customer is provided with multiple items based on the quote, where each item includes a total number of distance units for purchase at the policy rate. An insurance policy may be purchased in response to the customer selecting one of the items. The insurance policy's coverage is based on an expiration odometer value defined as the sum of the current odometer reading and the total number of distance units included in the selected item. |
| US07865375B2 |
System and method for multidimensional extension of database information using inferred groupings
A system and method for receiving medical or other database information and pregrouping and extending that data include a data enhancement layer configured to generate additional stored dimensions capturing the data and relevant attributes. Data sources such as hospitals, laboratories and others may therefore communicate their clinical data to a central warehousing facility which may assemble and extend the resulting aggregated data for data mining purposes. Varying source format and content may be conditioned and conformed to a consistent physical or logical structure. The source data may be extended and recombined into additional related dimensions, pre-associating meaningful attributes for faster querying and storage. The attributes, data and other pieces of information may likewise in embodiments be subjected to an inference analysis to determine whether previously unidentified or unexploited relationships may exist within the universe of source data, for instance using correlation, inference or other analytic techniques. Newly detected, identified or inferred data groupings, which may for instance reveal hidden trends or patterns residing in the data, may then be added back to the enhanced data groupings. Users running analytics against the resulting medical or other datamarts may therefore access a richer set of related information, more powerful sets of predictive models as well as have their queries and other operations run more efficiently. |
| US07865369B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal processing and encoding and decoding method, and apparatus therefor
An apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof are disclosed. Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining a group reference value corresponding to a plurality of data included in one group through grouping and a difference value corresponding to the group reference value and obtaining the data using the group reference value and the difference value. |
| US07865367B2 |
System for enhancing live speech with information accessed from the world wide web
A system that includes a speaker workstation and a system that includes an auditor device. The speaker workstation is configured to perform a method for generating a Speech Hyperlink-Time table in conjunction with a system of universal time. The speaker workstation creates a Speech Hyperlink table. While a speech is being spoken by a speaker, the speaker workstation recognizes each hyperlinked term of the Speech Hyperlink table being spoken by the speaker, and for each recognized hyperlinked term, generates a row in the Speech Hyperlink-Time table. The auditor device is configured to perform a method for processing a speech in conjunction with a system of universal time. The auditor device determines and records, in a record of a Selections Hyperlink-Time table, a universal time corresponding to a hyperlinked term spoken during a speech. |
| US07865362B2 |
Method and system for considering information about an expected response when performing speech recognition
A speech recognition system receives and analyzes speech input from a user in order to recognize and accept a response from the user. Under certain conditions, information about the response expected from the user may be available. In these situations, the available information about the expected response is used to modify the behavior of the speech recognition system by taking this information into account. The modified behavior of the speech recognition system comprises adjusting the rejection threshold when speech input matches the predetermined expected response. |
| US07865361B2 |
Voice quality analysis technique
One or more methods and systems of analyzing, assessing, and reporting voice quality scores are presented. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are generated by querying one or more computing devices responsible for processing a reference speech sample input into a voice communication system. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are transmitted by a voice analysis platform and subsequently analyzed. In one embodiment, a single voice analysis platform is used to measure voice quality of a voice communication system. In one embodiment, multiple voice analysis platforms are used to measure voice quality at multiple endpoints of one or more voice communication systems. In one embodiment, the method comprises a user determining one or more points along a communication system where transmitted reference speech samples are to be tapped. The tapped reference speech samples are ported to a voice analysis platform where a voice quality score is generated and graphically displayed. |
| US07865356B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing proper or partial proper name recognition
A method of proper name recognition includes classifying each word of a word string with a tag indicating a proper name entity category or a non-named entity category, and correcting the tag of a boundary word of the word string. |
| US07865355B2 |
Fast text character set recognition
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying a language corresponding to a string of data include receiving a data string and dividing the data string into coded character sequences for each of a plurality of languages. A length of one or more coded character sequences varies among different languages for coded character sequences having a particular number of characters. The coded character sequences are analyzed to calculate, for each of the plurality of languages, a probability that the data string corresponds to language. The calculated probabilities are compared among the languages, and a language is identified as corresponding to the data string based on the comparison. |
| US07865352B2 |
Generating grammatical elements in natural language sentences
Grammatical element prediction is used to predict grammatical elements in text fragments (such as phrases or sentences). In one embodiment, a statistical model, using syntax features, is used to predict grammatical elements. |
| US07865348B1 |
Performance of circuit simulation with multiple combinations of input stimuli
This invention provides techniques and tools for reducing circuit simulation time when an electronic circuit with multiple input vectors is simulated. Instead of running the simulation for each input vector one at a time, the circuit-simulation application runs the simulation of the circuit for all input vectors simultaneously. Efficiencies in the simulation are obtained during each iteration of a transient analysis by grouping circuit instances with different input vectors based on a predetermined criteria, and producing a combined solution for circuit instances within each group. |
| US07865347B1 |
Finite impulse response (FIR) filter compiler for estimating cost of implementing a filter
A method, apparatus and a filter compiler system for building a filter is disclosed. The filter compiler system includes a filter resource estimator. The filter resource estimator is configured to estimate an implementation cost of the filter. The filter compiler system determines whether the implementation cost is acceptable and updates a design of the filter upon determining that the implementation cost is unacceptable. |
| US07865346B2 |
Instruction encoding in a hardware simulation accelerator
A hardware simulation accelerator to simulate logic designs, a method to encode instructions for use in the hardware simulation accelerator, and a computer program product having code of the method by which the hardware simulation accelerator can read encoded instructions to simulate the logic design, and computer program product of the encoded instructions to simulate a logic design in a hardware accelerator. Each instruction has one of a plurality of opcodes, the opcodes select which of the hardware resources of the hardware simulation accelerator will implement and use the values set forth in other programmable bits of the encoded instruction. The encoded instruction may be a routing and/or a gate evaluation instruction. |
| US07865345B2 |
Simulation apparatus and method
Transaction-level simulation in which communication over a bus is performed by using a transaction. The transaction includes information indicating whether information is attribute information that is mapped to hardware and includes attribute information that is not mapped to hardware. The transaction is received, time information which is attribute that is not mapped to hardware is read from the transaction, and the result of the simulation based on the read time information is outputted. |
| US07865344B2 |
Method and system for automatically generating a global simulation model of an architecture
A method for creating a global simulation model of an architecture for models of integrated circuits under development, including reading an architecture description file of the global model and storing information related to all of the possible configurations instantiating the components and storing the corresponding information, topologically connecting the interface signals, physically connecting the interface signals, at the level of each instance of the components using a component and connection rule table, and storing the corresponding information, and automatically generating the HDL-type and HLL-type source files of the global simulation model. |
| US07865339B2 |
Formal methods for test case generation
The invention relates to the use of model checkers to generate efficient test sets for hardware and software systems. The method provides for extending existing tests to reach new coverage targets; searching *to* some or all of the uncovered targets in parallel; searching in parallel *from* some or all of the states reached in previous tests; and slicing the model relative to the current set of coverage targets. The invention provides efficient test case generation and test set formation. Deep regions of the state space can be reached within allotted time and memory. The approach has been applied to use of the model checkers of SRI's SAL system and to model-based designs developed in Stateflow. Stateflow models achieving complete state and transition coverage in a single test case are reported. |
| US07865333B2 |
Process and device for monitoring a machine
A process for monitoring a machine, within the framework of a FMEA process for at least one component of the machine for at least one predetermined fault which can be diagnosed by means of a diagnosis diagram and a diagnosis system with sensors for detecting physical parameters of the machine, a diagnosis priority number being determined which is the product of the following index quantities: severity of the effect of occurrence of the fault with respect to the serviceability of the machine; expected machine-specific consequential costs when a fault occurs, and the possibility of correction of the fault. The diagnosis priority number is used in the evaluation of the diagnosis diagram, the diagnosis system, the current machine state, the necessary maintenance measures and/or the failure risk of the machine. |
| US07865331B2 |
Estimating a time offset between stationary clocks
Time synchronization of two clocks is disclosed herein, such as two stationary clocks. A global time signal from a global time reference or common time source can be used to calculate a common view based clock offset between the two clocks. In parallel, a network based clock offset between the two clocks can be calculated based on messages exchanged over a communication network interconnecting the two clocks, without reverting to the global time reference. Two recent values (e.g., the two most recent values) of the common view clock offset and the network based clock offset can be combined or superposed in a seamless way to produce a final time offset estimate. The combination of independently calculated common view and network based clock offsets can be a weighted average of the two values, involving respective weights based on quality estimates of the latter. The time synchronization schemes based on a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a wide area communication network can be combined to synchronize the stationary clocks of phasor measurement units (PMUs) of a wide area monitoring system to a central server clock at a Network Control Center (NCC) of the system. |
| US07865330B2 |
System and method for measuring a curve of an object
A system and method for measuring a curve of an object includes aligning the ideal curve and the real point-cloud of the object, and defining a plurality of tolerance ranges for an area of a real curve of the object having a tolerance in a predetermined range. The method further includes determining a closest ideal point on the ideal curve corresponding to each real point in the real point-cloud, and assigning a serial number to each real point in the real point-cloud according to a sequence of the closest ideal points on the ideal curve. Furthermore, the method includes generating the real curve by connecting every two real points in the real point-cloud according to the serial number, and assigning a color to each line-segment according to the tolerance range in which two closest distances corresponding to two end-points of each line-segment fall. |
| US07865329B2 |
Electronic pedometer
An electronic pedometer has a case, a main circuit board mounted on the case and supporting an electronic circuit element for signal processing, and a sub-circuit board separate and independent from the main circuit board and mounted to a portion of the case. An acceleration sensor is mounted on the sub-circuit board for detecting a walk of a user and outputting a walk signal corresponding to the walk. A flexible conductive member electrically connects the main circuit board and the sub-circuit board to one another. |
| US07865324B2 |
Encoder signal analysis system for high-resolution position measurement
An apparatus and method for identifying the position of a magnetic shaft are provided. N field sensors are adjacently positioned at fixed locations relative to the shaft's periodic field, corresponding to 180/N relative phase shifts. A table provides N>2 predetermined signal models and a pre-identified position associated with each. An interpolator compares a representation of the N measured sensor signals to at least two predetermined models to generate a correction signal that provides another pre-identified position. The correction signal depends on N sensors for every position of the shaft. The correction signal is used to incrementally choose said another pre-identified position from the table as an approximate position of the shaft in an iterative process to find the minimum correction signal and identify the position. |
| US07865322B2 |
Relative noise
Relative noise is a single scalar value that is used to predict the maximum value of the expected noise at any point and is calculated from the measured signal and a mathematical noise model. The mathematical noise model is selected or estimated from an observation that includes statistical and/or numerical modeling based on a population of measurement points. An absolute noise for a plurality of points of the measured signal is estimated. An array of values is calculated by dividing each of a plurality of points of the absolute noise by a corresponding expected noise value calculated from the mathematical noise model. The relative noise is calculated by taking a standard deviation of a plurality of points of the array. The relative noise can be used to calculate scaled background signal noise, filter regions, denoise data, detect false positives from features, calculate S/N, and determine a stop condition for acquiring data. |
| US07865319B1 |
Fixture de-embedding method and system for removing test fixture characteristics when calibrating measurement systems
A method and system for measuring the input (loading) impedance of measurement systems using a test fixture. This is done by first measuring the characteristics of an unloaded test fixture to obtain scattering parameters of the test fixture and using a splitting algorithm to calculate the scattering parameters of each transmission line leg of the test fixture. The test fixture is then measured with a measurement system attached. The test fixture effects defined by the scattering parameters are then removed from the measurement to yield the scattering parameters of the measurement system alone (measurement system effects). |
| US07865318B2 |
Meter electronics and methods for verification diagnostics for a flow meter
Meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The vibrational response is a response to a vibration of the flow meter (5) at a substantially resonant frequency. The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), determine a frequency (ω0) of the vibrational response, determine a response voltage (V) and a drive current (I) of the vibrational response, measure a decay characteristic (ζ) of the flow meter (5), and determine the stiffness parameter (K) from the frequency (ω0), the response voltage (V), the drive current (I), and the decay characteristic (ζ). |
| US07865315B2 |
Methods and apparatus for calibrating striation density models for materials
A method for generating a calibration for a striation density model with respect to a material includes the steps of generating a first relationship between a striation density and a depth of a crack in a specimen comprising the material, generating a second relationship between the striation density and the depth of the crack in the specimen, and calculating an adjustment, based on a comparison between the first relationship and the second relationship. |
| US07865312B2 |
Method of non-targeted complex sample analysis
A method for non-targeted complex sample analysis which involves the following steps. A first step involves providing a database containing identifying data of known molecules. A second step involves introducing a complex sample containing multiple unidentified molecules into a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Mass Spectrometer to obtain data regarding the molecules in the complex sample with the identifying data of known molecules in order to arrive at an identification through comparison of the molecules in the sample. |
| US07865311B2 |
Method for determining true meridian and device for its implementation
The present technical solution provided allows it to determine true meridian of any movable object. This solution is based on determining true meridian by zero value of linear acceleration induced created by changing the projection of the vector of linear velocity, caused by rotating any heavenly body, in particular, the terrestrial globe. The determination is implemented in compact variant only by the devices located on the movable object without any necessity of using induced radiations, quickly and accurately without any necessity of knowing the coordinates of location and the speed of movement irrespective of weather conditions, transverse accelerations, temperature changes and external magnetic fields influence. |
| US07865310B2 |
Information provision apparatus and driving assistance system using the same
An information provision apparatus mounted in a driver's vehicle, including a vehicle approach determiner configured to execute a vehicle approach determination process to determine whether or not an opponent vehicle is likely to approach the driver's vehicle at a future time, based on driving information including information as to whether a blinker of the driver's vehicle is in an on-state or in an off-state at a current time, and driving information including information as to whether a blinker of the opponent vehicle is in an on-state or in an off-state, and a notification device configured to inform a driver driving the driver's vehicle of an opponent vehicle that is likely to approach the driver's vehicle. |
| US07865308B2 |
User-generated activity maps
Apparatus and computer-readable media for associating metadata with a geographic location are provided. The apparatus includes logic for detecting that a mobile device is present at a geographic location relevant to a user of the mobile device, logic for retrieving context information associated with the location, logic for selecting a program code module based upon a contextual relevancy of the location, logic for providing the program code module for execution, where the program code module is capable of performing processing specific to at least one aspect of the location, the processing is based upon the context information, and the program code module is further capable of receiving at least one input data item from the mobile device, where the at least one input data item describes an activity of the user at the location, and logic for associating the at least one input data item with the location. |
| US07865303B2 |
Method of providing a navigational route for a vehicle navigation system
A navigational route providing method for use with various types of vehicle navigation systems. The route providing method generally enables a user to pre-select one or more destinations and trigger events, so that navigational routes leading to the pre-selected destinations can be subsequently generated and presented to the user when the designated trigger events occur. According to some embodiments, multiple destinations and trigger events can be provided so that multiple navigational routes are generated. |
| US07865302B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying house number and building footprint in arrival screen for navigation system
A method for displaying an arrival screen for a navigation system includes the steps of receiving a house number of a destination specified by a user, retrieving map data indicating a road segment which includes the specified house number thereon, estimating positions of the destination based on the house number of the destination and position data of the road segment, and displaying a destination arrival screen when the user comes within a predetermined distance range from the destination. The destination arrival screen displays a street number over a building footprint where the user is passing by, a position of the destination, a current position of the user, and a road on which the user is moving. |
| US07865300B2 |
System and method for providing turn-by-turn directions to a moving waypoint
A system and method are disclosed for providing turn-by-turn directions to a moving waypoint where the present position of the moving waypoint is known and its future movement is constrained by a road network. The most likely future route of the moving waypoint is predicted, a rendezvous point is determined, an intercept route through the road network is computed and turn-by-turn direction to follow this intercept route are generated. |
| US07865299B2 |
Method and system for predicting a future position of a vehicle using numerical integration
A method and system for predicting a future position of a horizon time Th of an automotive vehicle. The method determines the position of the vehicle at time T0 using GPS and the speed, acceleration and angle of the steering wheel at time T0 from appropriate sensors on the vehicle. A nonlinear mathematical model utilizing these factors is then created while the position of the vehicle at time T0+Th is determined through numerical integration of the mathematical model using an adjustable step size Tstep. The step Tstep is modified adaptively in accordance with the accuracy requirements of the vehicle. |
| US07865297B2 |
Methods for obtaining a navigation track between a first and a second location based on location information shared between peer devices and related devices and computer program products
A first device is operated to obtain a navigation track between a first location and a second location by establishing a peer-to-peer communication connection with a second device and receiving a message that contains information associated with the first location and/or the second location from the second device. The information is associated with a navigation module on the first device. The information associated with the at least one of the first location and the second location is processed using the navigation module to obtain the navigation track between the first location and the second location. |
| US07865293B2 |
Fuel injection control device
A fuel injection control device (ECU) for controlling injection supply of fuel to a target engine includes a program for sequentially sensing fuel pressure fluctuating with injection of a predetermined injector of each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine based on an output of a fuel pressure sensor, a program for detecting a diagram as a profile of a transition of a fuel quantity injected from the injector per unit time (i.e., an injection rate) at a present time based on the sequentially sensed fuel pressure transition, and a program for varying an injection command to the injector based on the diagram that is the profile of the injection rate transition and that is detected by the latter program and a predetermined basic diagram such that the diagram as the actual profile of the injection rate transition belongs to the basic diagram. |
| US07865288B2 |
Engine control device for working vehicle
An engine control device is adapted to a working vehicle that is capable of switching between a power mode and an economy mode, and capable of forcibly downshifting through gears of a transmission so as to shift down to a lower speed side. The engine control device includes an engine mode determining section configured to determine whether the engine mode is in the power mode or the economy mode, a gear detection section configured to detect current gear of a plurality of gears, a kick-down detection section configured to detect a kick-down instruction, and a control section configured to switch the engine into the power mode when the kick-down instruction is detected while the engine mode is in the economy mode and the gears are in the lowest gear. |
| US07865287B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling power flow in a hybrid powertrain system
There is described hybrid powertrain operation and control. Preferred power flows from an engine to an electro-mechanical transmission and from an energy storage system to an electric machine are determined based upon an operator torque request. Operation of the engine, the electric machine, and the electro-mechanical transmission are controlled to substantially meet the operator torque request. Actual power flow from the energy storage device is monitored. The power flow from the engine is adjusted based upon a difference between the actual and preferred power flows from the energy storage device. |
| US07865283B2 |
Vehicle steering system
There is provided a vehicle steering system which includes an electric motor for imparting a steering force to a steering mechanism of a vehicle and an automatic parking controller for executing an automatic parking control by controlling the electric motor, wherein the automatic parking controller controls an energizing voltage of the electric motor by imparting a square wave to the electric motor and increasing/decreasing a neutral point voltage of a winding of the electric motor. |
| US07865277B1 |
Obstacle avoidance system and method
A method includes the steps of receiving a present route for a vehicle based on a present vehicle location and a vehicle destination, receiving obstacle information from a sensor of a sensor array, the received obstacle information including information about at least one moving obstacle, and determining if the received present route is valid based upon the received obstacle information. If the received present route is invalid, the method determines a revised route based upon the received present route, the received obstacle information, and/or the vehicle destination. A system incorporating the method may include a sensor array, a communication link, a processing module, and a navigation module. The system and method may be used to control the route of a vehicle such as an unmanned surface vehicle that may be land-based, water-based, or air-based. |
| US07865275B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling an electric vehicle function
A method and controller for controlling electric vehicles wherein an output level to an output device is determined on the basis of timing information of input timing data. In one embodiment the timing data is provided on the basis of the duration of one or more user input device, such as one or more buttons. Different algorithms may be applied depending upon the duration of activation of the input device. An electric vehicle including the controller is also disclosed. |
| US07865272B2 |
Method and apparatus for preventing overloads of power distribution networks
At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a method of monitoring operation of devices in a facility. The method includes controlling a plurality of computing devices in the facility to operate at a controlled power level, where the controlled power level is a predetermined percentage of a maximum power level, measuring air temperature at one or more locations in the facility, and controlling at least one air conditioning unit in the facility based on the air temperature at the one or more locations in the facility. |
| US07865271B2 |
Methods and systems to increase efficiency and reduce fouling in coal-fired power plants
A system for reducing fouling and improving efficiency in a coal-fired power plant that may include: 1) an analyzer grid, the analyzer grid including a plurality of sensors that measure gas characteristics through an approximate cross section of a flow through a boiler of the coal-fired power plant; 2) a plurality of air injectors with enhanced controllability; 3) means for analyzing the measurements of the gas characteristics; and 4) means for controlling the air injectors with enhanced controllability. The analysis of the measurements of the gas characteristics may include analyzing the measurements to determine zones of non-homogeneous flow. |
| US07865270B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for managing wastewater treatment installation
Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website. |
| US07865262B2 |
Method and device for providing cards
A method and a device for providing cards for processing first cause a drawing of a card from at least one card magazine. The cards are arranged in a plurality of card magazines and may be drawn from the same, and information regarding their card type is further associated with the cards. After drawing the card, it is output for subsequent processing together with the information regarding the card type associated with the card to allow control of the subsequent processing based on the forwarded information. Cards of a known card type are arranged in a card magazine and the information regarding the card type is associated with the card magazine, wherein the information associated with the card magazine is forwarded when drawing a card from a card magazine. |
| US07865261B2 |
Method and device for producing dental prosthesis elements
A method for producing a dental prosthesis element wherein construction relating to the dental prosthesis element is recorded together with measurement data relating to the dental prosthesis element and is reproduced on a display, the measurement data having been recorded by a three-dimensional measurement device. A 3D data record of the tooth situation can be reproduced on the display instead of the construction data. A device for the partial manual treatment of the dental prosthesis element includes a three-dimensional measurement device, a display, and a computer unit for the correlation and comparison of two data records and for graphically presenting the data generated by the comparison. |
| US07865259B2 |
System and method for improved dental geometry representation
A digital data set representing a pre-scanned tooth geometry, including generic crown data, is merged with data representing a scanned patient tooth crown image, which lacks sufficient data to completely represent a complete tooth crown. |
| US07865257B2 |
Audio buffers with audio effects
An audio buffer includes one or more audio effect resources that modify audio data received from an audio data source. A first audio effect resource in the audio buffer receives audio data from the audio data source and modifies the audio data to generate a stream of audio data. Subsequent audio effect resource(s) in the audio buffer receives the stream of audio data from the first audio effect and further modifies the audio data to generate a stream of modified audio data. The stream of modified audio data can then routed from the audio buffer to a second audio buffer, or communicated to an audio rendering component that produces an audio rendition corresponding to the modified audio data. |
| US07865256B2 |
Audio playback apparatus
An audio playback apparatus realizes both of normal playback and loop playback with respect to compressive coded data forming an audio waveform of one phrase, which is constituted by a string of samples and which includes a loop section. In the normal playback, a decoder sequentially reproduces the samples. In the loop playback, the decoder sequentially reproduces the samples until a sample preceding a loop start point, then, the decoder repeatedly reproduces the samples belonging to the loop section, then, the decoder sequentially reproduces the samples started from the loop start point. Alternatively, two decoders are alternately controlled to perform decoding in the loop playback. Thus, it is possible to reliably output all the samples including the samples of the loop section without causing breaks. |
| US07865255B2 |
Audio buffering system and method of buffering audio in a multimedia receiver
An audio buffering system in a multimedia receiver includes an audio interface coupled to an incoming audio signal for generating a digital audio signal having transmitted therein a plurality of data words; a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer being coupled to the digital audio signal and comprising a plurality of cells being organized sequentially for holding data words of the digital audio signal, wherein a first cell of the FIFO buffer has an input being coupled to the digital audio signal; and a first shift register having a plurality of bits being organized serially, wherein a first bit of the first shift register receives an output from a last bit of the first shift register, and each bit of the first shift register is coupled to a corresponding bit in an outputted data word of the FIFO buffer. The first shift register is loaded with data words outputted from the FIFO buffer. |
| US07865254B2 |
Modeling of control systems with open-loop representations and factorization of components
A method of manipulating a block diagram model with a plurality of graphical modeling components by defining an open loop anywhere on the block diagram model is provided. Graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be automatically recognized and a plurality of parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be displayed on a display device. A user may simultaneously tune the parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop. Factorization points breaking the block diagram model in two disconnected parts may be identified in the block diagram model. A virtual graphical model may be generated by replacing a pattern of the graphical modeling components between two factorization points with a single graphical modeling component representing the pattern. |
| US07865250B2 |
Methods for electrical stimulation of nerves in adipose tissue regions
Systems provide a stimulation electrode assembly sized and configured for placement in an adipose tissue region to stimulate a nerve in the adipose tissue region comprising an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted within the adipose tissue region, the lead including at least two electrically conductive portions to apply electrical stimulation to nerve tissue in the adipose tissue region, and at least two expandable anchoring structures deployable from the lead to engage adipose tissue and resist dislodgment and/or migration of the at least two electrically conductive portions within the adipose tissue region. |
| US07865249B2 |
Means to securely fixate pacing leads and/or sensors in vessels
According to embodiments of the present invention, a cardiac lead system adapted for fixation to a vessel including an expandable fixation mechanism adapted to engage an inner surface of the vessel and a lead member comprising an anchor structure at distal end, the anchor structure configured to removably engage with fixation mechanism. Such anchor structure may be helical, and may removably engage fixation mechanism upon rotation or an application of torque, and may be extendable and/or retractable. Fixation mechanism may be polymer coated weave and/or mesh to trap anchor structure. Lead member and/or fixation mechanism may include electrodes and/or sensors, and lead member may include L-shape, S-shape, spiral, and/or sinusoidal shape for positioning of electrodes and/or sensors or for facilitated engagement of anchor structure. A guide wire attached to fixation mechanism during deployment may, prior to detachment, serve to guide lead member to a target site at fixation mechanism. |
| US07865246B2 |
Optical communication of neurostimulation-system information
A neurostimulation lead includes fiber optic cable. A human-implantable neurostimulator and neurostimulation lead each include an opto-electric transducer. The opto-electric transducers can be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an optical transducer, that converts: electrical energy to optical energy; optical energy to electrical energy; or both electrical energy to optical energy and optical energy to electrical energy. Neurostimulation-lead electrodes can be activated, and/or lead-status information can be transmitted, over the fiber optic cable, between the neurostimulator and the neurostimulation lead. A neurostimulation-lead power converter may be coupled to a pulse generator of the neurostimulator such that the power converter derives and stores power for the lead from stimulation pulses received from the stimulation-pulse generator. |
| US07865230B1 |
Method and system for detecting sentinel lymph nodes
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting lymph nodes in a human includes introducing a fluorescent contrast agent into a lymph node system of a body, directing near-infrared time-varying excitation light into the tissue of the body, causing the near-infrared time-varying excitation light to contact a lymph node of the lymphatic system, whereby a redshifted and time-varying emission light is generated, detecting the time-varying emission light at a surface of the body, filtering the time-varying emission light to reject excitation light re-emitted from the lymph node, and imaging the lymph node of the lymphatic system. |
| US07865228B2 |
Multi-slice cerebral blood flow imaging with continuous arterial spin labeling MRI
This invention is a method for multi-slice CBF imaging using continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) with an amplitude modulated control which is both highly effective at controlling for off resonance effects, and efficient at doubly inverting inflow spins, thus retaining the signal advantages of CASL versus pulsed ASL techniques. |
| US07865227B2 |
Image reconstruction method for cardiac gated magnetic resonance imaging
A cardiac gated acquisition of MR data during a breath-hold employs a hybrid PR pulse sequence to acquire projection views from which image frames may be reconstructed at a plurality of cardiac phases during each heartbeat. Composite images are reconstructed at each cardiac phase using interleaved projection views acquired during all the heartbeats. The composite images are used to reconstruct the highly undersampled image frames at the same cardiac phase using a highly constrained backprojection method. |
| US07865226B2 |
Specimen positioning system for imaging machines
An animal holder is provided with a specialized coupling that is releasably mountable to a number of different imaging machines such as X-ray, CAT, MRI and PET machines. Composite images created from combining images from such different machines are particularly clear due to the predetermined alignment of the animal holder within the center of the field of view of each machine. |
| US07865223B1 |
In vivo blood spectrometry
A process and apparatus for determining the arterial and venous oxygenation of blood in vivo with improved precision. The optical properties of tissue are measured by determination of differential and total attenuations of light at a set of wavelengths. By choosing distinct wavelengths and using the measured attenuations, the influence of variables such as light scattering, absorption and other optical tissue properties is canceled out or minimized. |
| US07865222B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing coupling between signals in a measurement system
A method and an apparatus for separating a composite signal into a plurality of signals is described. A signal processor receives a composite signal and separates a composite signal in to separate output signals. Feedback from one or more of the output signals is provided to a configuration module that configures the signal processor to improve a quality of the output signals. In one embodiment, the signal processor separates the composite signal by applying a first demodulation signal to the composite signal to generate a first output signal. In one embodiment, the signal processor also applies a second demodulation signal to the composite signal to generate a second output signal. In one embodiment, a phase and/or amplitude of the first demodulation signal and a phase and/or amplitude of the second demodulation signal are selected to reduce crosstalk. In one embodiment, the composite signal is obtained from a detector in a system for measuring one or more blood constituents. |
| US07865221B2 |
Magnetic field coil with superconducting capability and parallel wound wire sections in a layer
A superconducting magnetic field coil (1; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61) comprising at least one coil section (42; 43) which is wound in layers, is characterized in that, in at least one layer (11, 12, 13, 14, 101, 102, 103, 104) of the coil section (42; 43) N (with N≧2), superconducting wire sections (A, B, C, D, E) are wound in parallel, such that the windings of the N wire sections (A, B, C, D, E) are adjacent to each other and the N wire sections (A, B, C, D, E) are connected in series. The inventive magnetic field coil can be produced at highly reduced costs, in particular, when the magnetic field coil has a comparatively large layer length. |
| US07865220B2 |
Portable electronic appliance with a camera and an optical deflection device
A portable electronic device is configured in particular as a mobile telephone having a first housing element with a second side. A linking device links the housing elements in such a way that they are movable in relation to each other, the first side facing the second side in at least one first state. A camera for acquiring images is arranged on the first side in such a way that it faces away from the first housing element. Moreover, an optical deflection device is arranged on the second side in such a way that it reflects back light impinging upon the second side. In the first state, the camera is arranged in relation to the optical deflection device in such a way that it receives light via the optical deflection device, while a second state the camera is moved away from the optical deflection device in such a way that it receives light which has not been deflected by the optical deflection device. |
| US07865217B2 |
Electronic device for reducing audio noise caused from unbalanced ground and mobile communication device thereof
An electronic device includes a first circuit board having a first audio source and a first reference grounding end, a second circuit board having a second audio source and a second reference grounding end, a flexible board cable, a grounding wiring, a selection unit, and a receiver. The flexible board cable couples the first audio source to the second circuit board. The grounding wiring couples the first grounding end to the second circuit board. The selection unit is used for selecting one from the first and second audio sources to output and selecting one from the first and second reference grounding ends to output. An input end of the receiver is controlled by the selection unit to be connected to the first or second audio sources, and a grounding end of the receiver is controlled by the selection unit to be connected to the first or second reference grounding ends. |
| US07865216B1 |
Communication device
The wireless communication device and the method thereof which implements the 1st function, the 2nd function, and the 3rd function; when the 1st function is implemented, the video image generator processes a plurality of two-dimensional images and the plurality of two-dimensional images are displayed on the display; when the 2nd function is implemented, the video image generator processes a plurality of three-dimensional images and the plurality of three-dimensional images are displayed on the display; and when the 3rd function is implemented, the video image generator processes a plurality of two-dimensional images and a plurality of three-dimensional images, both of which are displayed on the display. |
| US07865212B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in transferring user data between two different mobile communication devices using a removable memory card
A mobile device is configured to maintain data synchronization with a host server over a wireless network for user data of a host application program associated with a user account. The user account is associated with user account data which includes an encryption/decryption key, and the user data is communicated over the wireless network in an encrypted format in accordance with the encryption/decryption key. For the data synchronization, the mobile device regularly causes the user data associated with the user account to be stored in memory in a decrypted format for use with the client application program of the mobile device. The mobile device further causes a copy of the user data to be stored in the removable memory card in the encrypted format, for use in securely transferring the user data to an alternate mobile device for use with a client application program of the alternate mobile device. |
| US07865204B1 |
System and method for a multi-technology control channel for wireless devices
A system and method for providing information to a mobile station in a wireless network are provided. According to the method, a mobile station receives a control channel message wrapped in a unified control channel from a base station, and the mobile station determines a transmission type for incoming data, based upon the unified control channel. For a mobile station that operates with multiple transmission types, the mobile station does not have to monitor each of the control channels that the mobile station can receive, because the unified control channel tells the mobile station which transmission type to listen to. Therefore, the battery life of the mobile station can be extended, because the mobile station does not have to monitor numerous control channels. |
| US07865202B2 |
Method and system for I/Q branch equalization in OFDM systems
Aspects of a method and system for I/Q branch equalization in OFDM systems may include determining a transfer function mismatch between an in-phase processing branch, and/or a quadrature processing branch in an OFDM receiver. The determined transfer function mismatch may be compensated for, by applying equalization after a fast Fourier transform (FFT) in an in-phase processing branch and/or a quadrature processing branch. The OFDM system may be compliant with, for example, UMTS LTE (EUTRA), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), DVB-H, and WLAN (IEEE 802.11). A transfer function may be measured for an in-phase branch filter and/or quadrature branch filter to determine the transfer function mismatch. The transfer function mismatch may be compensated for, in frequency domain by the equalizer. The transfer function mismatch may comprise magnitude and/or phase response mismatch, wherein the magnitude and/or phase response mismatch may be a function of frequency. |
| US07865200B1 |
Wireline telephony instrument for wirelessly receiving and displaying data messages
A wireline telephony instrument for wirelessly receiving and displaying data messages allows a wireline telephone to wirelessly receive data messages, although the wireline telephony instrument does not wirelessly receive or transmit calls. The data messages may include text, images, and other types of multimedia data. Wireless receive-only capabilities may be integrated into the wireline telephony instrument by adding an integrated circuit, such as a CDMA chipset or a GSM chipset, to the wireline telephony instrument. Further, by integrating a display into the wireline telephony instrument, the wireline telephony instrument may display the data messages. Logic is also integrated into the wireline telephone for routing the data messages received by the wireline telephone to the display. |
| US07865195B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and position monitoring method
Location positioning setting information is read from a setting storage section when the user depressed a power key. The location positioning setting information comprises setting information, such as the maximum duration time of the location positioning operation and the operation timing when a power-off event has been generated. A control section turns off the power of a display section, a speaker, a microphone, etc., excluding a communication function for transmitting location positioning and positioning results. In this state, a location positioning section acquires the positional information of the mobile communication terminal. Then, a wireless communication section transmits the location positioning information of the positioned mobile communication terminal to a predetermined monitoring server which manages the positional information of the mobile communication terminal. |
| US07865192B2 |
Radio frequency selection device, a radio communication system and radio control channel establishing method
A radio frequency selection device in a radio communication system in which a radio communication channel is established between a mobile station and a base station by allocating a radio communication frequency band different from other radio communication system frequency bands is disclosed. The radio frequency selection device comprises: a frequency band determining unit that determines a radio control channel frequency band for transmitting control information, among frequency bands allocated to the radio communication system, based on the allocated radio communication channel frequency band; and a radio control channel establishing unit that establishes a radio control channel among the determined radio control channel frequency bands. |
| US07865191B2 |
Wireless communication method and wireless communication apparatus
Wireless communication is carried out between devices. A highest frequency band is selected. When the selected frequency band includes an unused channel in which no disturbing wave is present, a maximum transmission rate at which a received field strength value exceeds a threshold value is determined. When the selected frequency band does not include an unused channel or one in which no disturbing wave is present or there is no transmission rate associated with the selected frequency band at which the received field strength value exceeds the threshold value, the next highest frequency band is successively selected and the above is repeated. When the maximum transmission rate is successfully determined, communication is initiated using the unused channel of the selected frequency band at the maximum transmission rate as a communication channel. |
| US07865189B2 |
Initial connection establishment in a wireless communication system
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message. |
| US07865187B2 |
Managing sponsored content based on usage history
Improved search capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications devices such as cell phones, as well as improved techniques for delivering sponsored content in a mobile communication environment. |
| US07865182B2 |
Over the air provisioning of mobile device settings
Techniques and systems for providing services to a mobile device allow settings on the mobile device to be provisioned over the air. In response to a request for mobile service subscription options received from the mobile device, data relating to mobile service subscription options, for selection by a user of the mobile device, may be sent to the mobile device over a wireless communication path. A selection of one or more subscription options may be received from the mobile device over the wireless communication path, and a service corresponding to the selected subscription options may be activated in response to the selection. Settings associated with the selected subscription options may be downloaded over the air to the mobile device, which may store the settings to enable the mobile device to access the subscription. |
| US07865180B2 |
Automated telephone conferencing method and system
A computer implemented method of conducting a teleconference is disclosed. The method includes selecting a group of potential conferees using a graphical user interface tool displayed on a display screen, automatically setting up the teleconference by accessing telephone numbers for each conferee of the group of potential conferees and individually attempting to make contact with the group of potential conferees over a telephone system. The method further includes updating contact status information for the group of potential conferees during the automatic set up of the teleconference. A teleconference is established between the available conferees of the group of potential conferees. |
| US07865179B1 |
Telephone identity association and a method of distributing telephone identity association to telephone systems
Embodiments of the present invention include methods of distributing telephone identity associations among multiple telephone systems in a telephone network. In one embodiment, the present invention includes methods of distributing, receiving, redistributing and withdrawing telephone identity association data, telephone system association data and other data within in a network of telephone identity association processors. In another embodiment, the present invention includes automated, semi-automated and manual methods to initiate distribution of telephone identity association data. |
| US07865174B2 |
Establishing a collaborative domain among communication terminals responsive to authentication
A method of establishing a collaborative domain among a plurality of communication terminals can include having a communication terminal authenticate one or more other communication terminals based on personal information, which can be stored on a removable memory card in the other terminals, and/or based on the geographic location of the other terminals. A first communication terminal can determine the geographic location of a second communication terminal and can authenticate the second communication terminal in response to both the determined geographic location and personal information defined in the second communication terminal. In response to the authentication by the first communication terminal, communication of user and/or program information, which is unrelated to authentication, is allowed between at least the first and second communication terminals. |
| US07865173B2 |
Method and arrangement for authentication procedures in a communication network
The present invention is related to an authentication method and arrangements in a communication system including a Subscriber (50) with a terminal (51), an Operator Node (52) and a Service Provider Node (53), which authentication method is based on an SLA agreement between the Operator (OP) and the Service Provider (SP). The method includes that the Subscriber (50) with terminal (51) performs (5) strong authentication with the Operator Node (52) acting as Registration Authority OP(RA). After the strong authentication is performed by the Operator Node (52) a Mobile Strong Authentication Assertion MSAA is generated (6) and transmitted to the Service Provider Node (53) for validation. By this method the authentication is being delegated from the Service Provider to the Mobile Operator. |
| US07865166B2 |
Software radio transceiver
Security performance is improved by a software radio transceiver which can exchange software which is used for demodulation. A radio communication unit receives a radio signal. A conversion unit converts the radio signal received by the radio communication unit into digital data. The transceiver has a plurality of demodulating units which demodulate sub-data. A dividing unit divides the digital data converted by the conversion unit and distributes the sub-data to the plurality of demodulating units. A connection unit connects results obtained after the sub-data divided and distributed to the plurality of demodulating units by the dividing unit was demodulated by each of the demodulating units. |
| US07865164B2 |
Apparatus and methods for downconverting radio frequency signals
A noise isolation passive mixing apparatus is designed to mitigate noise contribution from intermediate frequency (IF) filters and amplifiers in a radio frequency translation stage. Common-gate configuration devices are inserted between passive mixer output and input of a transimpedance amplifier. In this way, circulation of the input-referred noise of the transimpedance amplifier is decreased, because of the relatively high output impedance of the common-gate devices, and the noise figure of the mixing apparatus can be improved. Since the radio frequency signal still sees low impedance, a radio frequency transconductance (RF gm) stage can be removed from the mixing apparatus, reducing current consumption. A double-balanced mixing apparatus with this general architecture may be implemented in a 0.18 micrometer CMOS technology and used in a low-IF global positioning system operating at 1.575 GHz, in an access terminal of a cellular communication system, and in other systems. |
| US07865161B2 |
File delivery session handling
In receiving a file delivery session in which field descriptor tables (FDTs) identify Transport Objects (TOs) transmitted along with the FDTs, a receiver determines whether the files of the session have been received using a number of timers. A fragment wait timer t1 is started for each new TO declared in an FTD when that FDT is received. Each timer is cancelled when at least a fragment of the corresponding TO is received. Alternatively, a single timer is cancelled when at least a fragment of all the TOs have been received. A new object wait timer t3 is started when all the TOs declared in an FDT are received, and is cancelled when a new FDT is received. One of a number of table wait timers t2 is started whenever a TO which is not declared in any received FDT is received, and is cancelled when an FDT declaring that object is received. The file delivery session is left if any timer expires. If following expiry of a timer it is deemed that the file delivery session has almost been received fully, the session is left after a short period of time, so as to allow the session to be fully received. |
| US07865159B2 |
Repeater rise-over-thermal (RoT) value calibration
An RF switch is used in the signal path to an amplifier, for example between a receiving antenna and an amplifier. The switch is used to alternately connect the amplifier between a normal signal source for the amplifier and a fixed load for calibration. The power difference between the two switch states at the output of the amplifier would then yield a calibrated measurement of a signal value, such as rise over thermal (RoT). The amount of time spent in the calibration position is maintained at a minimized level so as to reduce impact on the normal operation of the amplifier. The invention provides an ability to estimate traffic load in a repeater system based on RoT measurements of repeater reverse-link output power by determining a reverse link gain. |
| US07865155B1 |
Wireless communication system with signal selection and combination
Portion-by-portion selection and/or combination of signals received from multiple base transceiver stations (BTSs) is used to improve the quality of reception in cellular communication systems. For any particular frame, bit, symbol, or chip, the highest-quality copy can be selected and concatenated onto the end of a sequence of data being generated by the system. In addition, the energies and/or voltages of multiple copies of bits or symbols received by multiple BTSs can be added and/or averaged in order to improve signal quality (e.g., increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or signal-to-interference ratio (SIR)). In addition, a single communication system can utilize both selection and combination procedures. The resulting communication system reduces error rate and improves the quality of reception. |
| US07865154B2 |
Tunable microwave devices with auto-adjusting matching circuit
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an input port and a dynamic impedance matching network capable of determining a mismatch at the input port and dynamically changing the RF match by using at least one matching element that includes at least one voltage tunable dielectric capacitor. The matching network may be a “Pi”, a “T”, or “ladder” type network and the apparatus may further comprise at least one directional coupler capable of signal collection by sampling a portion of an incident signal, a reflected signal or both. In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may also include a control and power control & logic unit (PC LU) to convert input analog signals into digital signals and sensing VSWR phase and magnitude and processing the digital signals using an algorithm to give it a voltage value and wherein the voltage values may be compared to values coming from the coupler and once compared and matched, the values may be passed to a Hi Voltage Application Specific Integrated Circuit (HV ASIC) to transfer and distribute compensatory voltages to the matching network elements. |
| US07865152B2 |
RF waveform modulation apparatus and method
The disclosed system, device and method for a signal modulation apparatus generally includes a first signal generator suitably configured to generate a first continuous wave radio frequency (RF) signal, and a second signal generator suitably configured to generate a second continuous wave RF signal. A dual-circular polarized antenna may be adapted to receive the first continuous wave RF signal into a right-hand port and the second continuous wave RF signal into a left-hand port, where the signals are combined into a modulated RF signal in the dual-circular polarized antenna. |
| US07865151B2 |
Swing hinge device for mobile terminal
Disclosed is a swing hinge device for semi-automatically rotating a pair of facing housings of a mobile terminal on a step-by-step basis, for use in a mobile terminal having a first housing and a second housing with a display unit rotatable around a hinge axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the first housing, the swing hinge device includes a rotation member rotatable around the hinge axis; a plate-type swing hinge member rotatably connected to the rotation member to semi-automatically rotate the rotation member on a step-by-step basis; a power supply means mounted in the swing hinge member to supply power for semi-automatically rotating the rotation member; and at least one swing locking means formed along the perimeter of the swing hinge member to lock or release the rotation member for the step-by-step interrupted rotation of the rotation member. |
| US07865142B2 |
Method and system for multisession bluetooth communication using multiple physical (PHY) layers
A wireless device may utilize a plurality of Bluetooth sessions to perform a plurality of applications simultaneously in said wireless device. A Bluetooth interface may be utilized to perform initial connectivity and/or control functionality associate with each of said plurality of Bluetooth sessions. The connectivity and/or control functionality may comprise discovery, pairing, and/or initial connection. Each of the plurality of Bluetooth sessions may comprise utilizing one or more of a plurality of high speed data standards to perform data transmission and/or reception. The plurality of high speed data standard may comprise WLAN, ultra-wideband (UWB), and/or 60 GHz PHY and/or PHY/MAC layers. Two or more of the plurality of Bluetooth sessions may contemporaneously utilize different PHY and/or PHY/MAC layers pertaining to the same high speed data standard. Performing each of the plurality of applications may comprise utilizing one or more of the plurality of Bluetooth sessions. |
| US07865140B2 |
Device pairing via intermediary device
A first device may include and/or involve at least one contact sensor, and logic to facilitate pairing between a second device and a third device as a result of contact between the contact sensor and at least one of the second and third devices. |
| US07865131B2 |
Methods for improving certainty of test-taker performance determinations for assessments with open-ended items
The current invention is designed to improve the certainty of test-taker classifications in testing programs utilizing open-ended items. The current invention discloses methods to improve certainty in estimates of test-taker performance for all test-takers while using a minimum of scoring resources. The invention selectively allocates resources to scoring by ceasing to allocate scoring resources to test-takers whose performance has been determined with sufficient certainty, and by having an additional reader or readers score responses from test-takers whose scores are close to cutoff levels. The invention further increases precision of scores for test-takers near a cutoff by selectively allocating more reliable and accurate readers to score responses most likely to influence a test-taker's performance classification. Other scoring resources are also shown. |
| US07865130B2 |
Material processing apparatus, material processing method, and material processing program product
A material processing method has a process of reading image data of a material. The material has answer fields and information items on points distributed to the answer fields. The method also has extracting the distributed point information items based on the image data, associating the distributed point information items with answer fields to recognize the points distributed to each answer field, storing a result recognized the points distributed to each answer field as answer/distributed point correspondence information, recognizing correct/incorrect answer determining contents from the image data, and performing point totaling on the correct/incorrect answer determining contents based on the answer/distributed point correspondence information. |
| US07865128B2 |
Discharging unit and image forming apparatus having the same
A discharging unit for discharging a printing medium from an image forming apparatus includes an elastic roller and a curl preventing roller to oppose each other in a pressing relationship forming a nip therebetween to reduce curling of a print medium passing through the nip. At least one of the elastic roller and the curl preventing roller is allowed to move towards or away from the other roller so that the nip can be adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of varying types of printing medium. |
| US07865127B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image former for performing an image formation by transferring a toner image onto a sheet; a fixing unit for performing a fixing operation with respect to the sheet having the transferred toner image by heating; a discharge tray for successively stacking the sheet to be discharged after the fixing operation; and a curl correcting mechanism for correcting a curl of the sheet to be discharged onto the discharge tray after the fixing operation. |
| US07865121B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording medium
An image forming apparatus that includes an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, a charging device to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an irradiating device to irradiate the surface of the image bearing member to form the latent electrostatic image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent electrostatic image, an optional cleaning unit to clean the surface of the image bearing member, a transfer device to transfer the developed image to an opaque medium, an optional cleaning device to clean a surface of the transfer device, a fixing device to fix the transferred image on the opaque medium, and an attachment device to attach the fixed image to a transparent medium after the opaque medium is overlaid with the transparent medium, and recording media for use in the image forming apparatus. |
| US07865118B2 |
Developing device for image forming apparatus and process cartridge having the same
A developing device that can reliably supply toner from a toner supply roller to a developing roller and that does not generate scraping irregularities in the toner thin layer on the developing roller, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same. The developing device has: a toner supply chamber; a developing roller provided in the toner supply chamber; a toner supply roller provided in the toner supply chamber for supplying toner to the developing roller; and a layer regulation member for forming the toner on the developing roller into a thin layer, and develops electrostatic latent images on an image carrier by applying bias voltage to the developing roller. An intermediate contact member is interposed between the developing roller and the toner supply roller. The intermediate contact member is a sheet member fixed at one end, and the free end of the sheet member is interposed between the developing roller and the toner supply roller, with the free end side protruding therebetween. |
| US07865112B2 |
Electrophotographic printer
An electrophotographic printer capable of easily attaching and detaching a retaining means to retain the inside of a photoconductive drum to and from the photoconductive drum. A flange located on the extraction side of a photoconductive drum is provided with: a retaining means to support the photoconductive drum from the side of the inner circumferential face of the photoconductive drum. And an advance and retreat mechanism to advance and retreat the retaining means to and from the inner face of the photoconductive drum. The retaining means can be easily dismantled from the photoconductive drum by operating the advance and retreat mechanism, and thereafter extracting the flange from the photoconductive drum. |
| US07865108B2 |
Cleaning device and image forming device for charging residuals of toner evenly
A cleaning device for cleaning residual toner that, in an image forming device of an intermediate transfer type, remains on an outer circumferential surface of an intermediate transfer member after a transfer. The cleaning device includes: a charging brush operable to contact with and charge the residual toner; and a cleaner that is disposed downstream of the charging brush in a toner transport direction of the intermediate transfer member, and is operable to electrostatically adsorb the charged residual toner, wherein electrically conductive bristles have been planted randomly in the charging brush to be distributed evenly in density. |
| US07865105B2 |
Printing control apparatus, printing control method, and program
A duplex printing instruction is accepted. When duplex printing is performed in accordance with the single-side printing and duplex printing is performed for a job of one page is decided in accordance with a condition. |
| US07865102B2 |
Image fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus includes a control circuit which controls the electrifying to a first heater so that a temperature detected by a first temperature detection portion reaches a first target temperature and controls the electrifying to a second heater so that a temperature detected by a second temperature detection portion reaches a second target temperature, when warm-up is initiated, and, when the warm-up initiated, if an initial temperature of a rotary member is below a predetermined temperature, the control circuit sets the first target temperature to a temperature value greater than the first target temperature set when the initial temperature of the rotary member is greater than the predetermined temperature and sets the second target temperature to a temperature value greater than the second target temperature set when the initial temperature of the rotary member is greater than the predetermined temperature. In this way, hot offset and poor fixing can be prevented and a pre-heating operation time can be prevented from extending excessively. |
| US07865100B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A paper separation claw is separated from a surface of a pressure roller by a drive source being turned ON at a time t2 before commencement of rotation of the pressure roller, and the paper separation claw is made to contact the surface of the pressure roller by the drive source being turned OFF after commencement of rotation (a time t4) of the pressure roller. Furthermore, the paper separation claw is separated from the surface of the pressure roller by the drive source being turned ON again before stopping of rotation (a time t5) of the pressure roller after an image forming operation of a single job is finished, and the paper separation claw is made to contact the surface of the pressure roller by the drive source being turned OFF again after stopping of rotation (a time t8) of the pressure roller. |
| US07865096B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of performing density correction
An image forming apparatus includes an image supporting member; an exposure device for forming a static latent image on the image supporting member; a developing device for developing the static latent image formed on the image supporting member; an image control unit for controlling a condition for forming an image; and a density sensor for detecting a developer density. In the image forming apparatus, a first pattern for detecting the developer density is formed to determine whether the developer density is proper. When the developer density thus detected is greater than a threshold value, a second pattern for discarding developer is formed to discard the developer. A third pattern for density correction is formed to perform the density correction. |
| US07865094B2 |
Image forming apparatus
With respect to principal papers distributed in the market and used in an image forming apparatus, a boundary between grammage ranges is set at the center of a section where neighboring grammage values of paper has a large difference, and an image is formed under optimum image forming conditions in accordance with the determined grammage range. |
| US07865093B2 |
Printing device, printing method and printing system
A printing device includes a printing unit which prints an image on a sheet according to a print command, a judgment unit which judges whether a total adhesion amount of a print agent adhering to the sheet for the image printing exceeds a prescribed threshold value based on inputted print data, and a control unit which executes a process for reducing the total adhesion amount of the print agent when the total adhesion amount is judged to exceed the threshold value by the judgment unit. |
| US07865092B2 |
Waste toner collecting device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same
A waste toner collecting device includes: a tubular member provided with a toner inlet and a toner outlet; a roller that is provided upstream of the toner outlet in a toner transport direction inside the tubular member, that has a substantially horizontal rotation axis line, and that is elliptical in vertical section; a scraper that is provided on an inner wall of the tubular member on a downstream side of the toner outlet in a rotation direction of the roller, an edge of the scraper being in contact with the roller; and a waste toner collecting bag that is inflatable and is attached to the toner outlet of the tubular member. |
| US07865089B2 |
Soft failure detection in a network of devices
In a method for monitoring hardware devices of the hardware devices network to detect failures, past logged jobs are analyzed to determine a pattern of past usage of hardware devices by users of the hardware devices network. A failure of a hardware device is inferred based on a deviation in usage of the hardware devices from the pattern of past usage. In some embodiments, a state model is constructed that assigns one of two or more available operational states to each hardware device of the hardware devices network based on a recent load of jobs logged to the hardware device and a stored history of logged jobs indicative of typical loading of the hardware devices. One or more failing hardware devices are identified based on the assigned operational states. |
| US07865085B2 |
Optical transmitting device, optical transmission system, optical transmitting method and optical transmission method
In an optical transmission system by frequency-division multiplexing, the interference due to distortions of a first signal against a second signal can be reduced. In the optical transmission system where a modulated optical signal by the first signal is further modulated with the second signal for transmission, distortions of the first signal corresponding to a frequency band of the second signal is extracted. The extracted signal is phase-inverted and then adjusted in phase and amplitude with respect to the distortions of the first signal to obtain a correction signal. By intensity-modulating the first signal containing the distortions by the correction signal, the distortions of the first signal against the second signal can be cancelled out. Alternatively, by intensity-modulating the first signal containing the distortions by a combined signal of the correction signal and the second signal, the distortions of the first signal against the second signal can be cancelled out. |
| US07865084B2 |
Multi-chip systems with optical bypass
Embodiments of a system that includes an array of single-chip modules (CMs) are described. This array includes a first CM, a second CM coupled to the first CM, and a third CM coupled to the second CM. A given CM, which can be the first CM, the second CM or the third CM, includes a semiconductor die that is configured to communicate data signals with other CMs through electromagnetically coupled proximity communication. These proximity connectors are proximate to a surface of the semiconductor die. Moreover, the first CM and the third CM are configured to optically communicate optical signals with each other via the second CM through an optical signal path. |
| US07865083B1 |
Optical calibration
A number of optical calibration systems and methods are disclosed. One optical communication system embodiment includes a number of light sources for providing a number of light beams, a number of optical paths, where each of the optical paths is positioned to receive one of the light beams, a number of optical modulators, where each modulator receives a radio frequency signal and receives one of the light beams from one of the optical paths, where each modulator modulates the light beam it receives based upon the radio frequency signal it receives to form an optical signal, and a number of optical biasing components, where each optical signal can be adjusted by at least one of the optical biasing components to calibrate the optical signals. |
| US07865079B2 |
MWS drift feedback compensator using VOA and input power dithering
The invention relates to a compensator of attenuation drift in an optical multi-wavelength switch (MWS) which uses input signal amplitude dither and external VOA dither cancellation to determine relative position of MEMS micro mirror hence indirectly determining attenuation level. |
| US07865077B2 |
Optical communition system with N + 1 redundancy
An optical communication system has two or more active interfaces, each controlling the transmission and reception of optical signals between a communication network and one or more subscriber terminals according to control information pertaining to the individual subscriber terminals. The control information used by all the active interfaces is stored in a memory. The optical communication system also has a standby interface that is functionally equivalent to the active interfaces, and an optical switching apparatus that switches data transmission paths among the network, the active and standby interfaces, and the subscriber terminals. If a fault is detected in an active interface, the standby interface extracts the control information of the faulty interface from the memory, and the optical switching apparatus switches the data transmission paths so that the standby interface replaces the faulty interface. |
| US07865076B2 |
Compound eye-camera module
A lens module (7) that includes a plurality of lenses (1a, 1b), a plurality of optical filters (2a, 2b) corresponding to the individual lenses (1a, 1b), an imaging device (4) that includes a plurality of imaging regions (4a, 4b) corresponding to the individual optical filters (2a, 2b), and a light-shielding wall (61a to 61d) that is provided perpendicularly to the imaging device (4) are provided. The adjacent imaging regions (4a, 4b) are partitioned by the light-shielding wall (61a). The light-shielding wall (61a) includes a plurality of inclined surfaces (63) that are inclined with respect to an imaging plane of the imaging regions (4a, 4b), and the plurality of inclined surfaces (63) are disposed sequentially from a side of the lens module (7) to a side of the imaging regions (4a, 4b). Each of the inclined surfaces (63) is inclined toward the side of the imaging regions (4a, 4b) with increasing distance from the light-shielding wall (61a). |
| US07865074B2 |
Heat recovering ventilation apparatus of rotary
Disclosed herein is a rotary-type heat recovery ventilation apparatus, which is constructed to perform heat exchange between inlet air and exhaust air. The apparatus includes a main body having an intake duct and a discharge duct therein, a plurality of electric heating plates passing through a space in the intake duct and the discharge duct of the main body to transfer heat, and rotating about a main shaft, with a plurality of pores being formed on each of the electric heating plates, a pair of blowing fans mounted to a surface of the intake duct and a surface of the discharge duct, thus blowing and exhausting air, and a motor to rotate the main shaft. The ventilation apparatus transfers heat, recovered from air exhausted from a room during ventilation, to inlet air, and filters various impurities from the passing air, thus circulating fresh air without the energy loss. |
| US07865073B2 |
Heating module comprising a heating surface, flow heater, and method for the production thereof
A heating module is provided for integrating into an electrical appliance, for example in a household appliance such as a coffee machine, or in a laboratory apparatus. Said module includes at least one heating surface formed from a body, at least one heating element that comprises at least one PTC element and is fixed in the body, and a flow heater that is integrated into the heating module. The heating module is configured to be easy to mount and have a wide range of applications. In one embodiment, the body is embodied as an extruded shape having at least one tube receiving element and a tube through which a fluid flows arranged on or in the tube receiving element. |
| US07865072B2 |
Intravenous fluid warming system
A fluid warming device includes axially or longitudinally slidable covers that retain a removable heat exchange body in a housing in heat exchange communication with a heater assembly while allowing flow through the heat exchange body to be observed. In another aspect, a fluid warming system increases or decreases power to a heater assembly to adjust the fluid temperature to ensure that the fluid is at an appropriate temperature when it reaches the patient. |
| US07865065B2 |
Apparatus and method of recording information on a recording medium
A semiconductor device having a plurality of data recording areas is provided. The semiconductor device includes an input port that receives basic information; an additive data recording area on which additive data serving as information additive to the basic information is recorded; a processing unit which encodes the basic information based on the basic information and the additive data; and a calculation data recording area on which calculation data encoded by the processing unit is recorded such that the calculation data encoded by the processing unit is at a quality level higher than that of the basic information. The processing unit controls the additive data recording area in response to classifying the received basic information on the basis of a class classification adaptive processes. |
| US07865063B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
For accurate scene-change detection, the amplitudes of sub-band signals subjected to the spectral decomposition are detected, and the detected amplitudes are smoothed and sampled during smoothing. Then, the amount of spectral change is determined based on the smoothed sub-band amplitude and the smoothed sub-band amplitude which is one sampled amplitude before that smoothed sub-band amplitude. It is then determined whether or not the determined amount of spectral change is greater than a predetermined threshold, and processing is performed based on the determination result. |
| US07865062B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, recorded medium, and program
In DVR Volume( ), there is stated the information pertinent to the totality of the information recorded in a disc. The information recorded in the disc can be confirmed on the basis of this description. In TableOfPlayList( ), there is stated the information usable in reproducing the information recorded in the disc. Using this description, the desired information can be retrieved extremely readily. So, the information recorded in the disc or desired information can be confirmed extremely readily. |
| US07865059B2 |
Device and method for recording information including realtime data in accordance with a predefined recording format
A device for recording information records a real-time data stream (51) in blocks having contiguous logical addresses (LA0-LA5) on a record carrier at corresponding physical addresses (PA0-PA8). The device has allocation means for allocating physical addresses to logical addresses, the allocation including at least one logically contiguous range of blocks allocated to at least a part of the real-time data stream. During recording, auxiliary data means (34,33) process auxiliary data related to the real-time data and record the auxiliary data as auxiliary blocks on the record carrier. The auxiliary data means assign physical addresses to the auxiliary blocks (61), which physical addresses are excluded from allocation to logical addresses and are within or near a physical address range (PA0-PA8) corresponding to the at least one logically contiguous range of blocks (LA0-LA5) allocated to the said part of the real-time data stream. |
| US07865057B2 |
Method and apparatus for conveying rights across an analog video interface
Method and apparatus for controlling subsequent permitted use, such as storage, of video on a digital storage device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). An analog video signal is provided with at least one modification to its video characteristics, for instance in the horizontal blanking interval and vertical blanking intervals, which is of the type having the capacity to inhibit making an acceptable analog video recording of the analog video signal. Examples of these modifications are the well known pseudo-sync (automatic gain control), color stripe (color burst modifications), and added back porch pulses. The pattern of presence or absence or nature of the modifications also serves as a code to carry information as to the subsequent permitted use in the digital realm, such as whether the accompanying content of the video signal is allowed to be digitally recorded in digital form in a compatible PVR personal video recorder, and if it is allowed to be recorded, the length of time that the recording is allowed to persist, for instance one day, one week, one month. Hence the modifications to the analog video signal have a dual use in both inhibiting recording in the analog realm and carrying information across the analog video interface so as to control storage (copying) or other use of the video in the digital realm. |
| US07865051B2 |
Polarization-dependent hollow-core optical fibers
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the core and cladding regions of a hollow-core optical fiber are configured so that a signal mode is coupled to a cladding mode in order to exploit polarization-dependent properties. In general, the fiber comprises a hollow-core region surrounded by a cladding region, which includes a localized hollow-waveguide region. The core and waveguide regions are configured so that the coupling between a signal mode in the core region and a cladding mode in the waveguide region are phase-matched for efficient coupling, and the phase-matching condition is made polarization-dependent to provide improved control of the fiber's polarization dependent properties. |
| US07865050B1 |
Equalizing modal delay of high order modes in bend insensitive multimode fiber
Described are multimode optical fibers in which the differential in the mode delay for higher order modes is reduced for bending insensitive MMF. The result is preservation of low differential mode delay and high bandwidth while low bend loss is achieved. The designs are based on choosing a combination of a core profile and a cladding structure with a negative trench positioned at a radius related to the core profile. A feature of the preferred embodiments is a core with a hybrid refractive index profile. The hybrid refractive index profile is essentially a combination of a standard alpha profile and a step profile at the outer edge of the alpha profile. |
| US07865039B2 |
Method of ortho-rectification for high-resolution remote sensing image
A high-resolution remote sensing image is processed through a true ortho-rectification. A totally new idea of H-buffer is provided to store heights of objects on the ground. The ortho-rectification includes a hidden analysis, a hidden detection and a hidden compensation. The process uses polygon patch of a building or a roadway as process unit. In the end, seam lines after hidden compensation are smoothed. The whole process time is reduced in calculations, assures quality of the orthoimage, and meets a requirement of a high-accuracy and high-resolution digital mapping. |
| US07865031B2 |
Method and system for automatic correction of chromatic aberration
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for an automatic chromatic aberration correction. The method comprises the steps of setting a range of test correction factors, applying the test correction factors of the range, incrementally, to a test block of the image, measuring chromatic aberration error at the test block after application of each of the test correction factors, and selecting a test correction factor having a lowest chromatic aberration error. |
| US07865028B2 |
Code processing apparatus and code processing method
A code processing apparatus for generating a file including a JPEG 2000 codestream or a JPEG 2000 family format including the JPEG 2000 codestream is disclosed that includes a packet arranging part for arranging the order of a plurality of packets included in the JPEG 2000 codestream according to an extended progression order selected from a group of extended progression orders including “xTxxx”, “xxTxx”, “xxxTx”, and “xxxxT”. Each “x” in the extended progression orders represents one of a resolution level characteristic, a layer characteristic, a component characteristic, and a precinct characteristic. The leftmost “x” of each extended progression order corresponds to an outermost characteristic of the extended progression order. “T” represents a tile characteristic. |
| US07865026B2 |
Data reuse method for blocking matching motion estimation
A data reuse method with level C+ for block matching motion estimation is disclosed. Compared to conventional Level C scheme, this invention can save large external memory bandwidth of motion estimation. The main idea is to reuse the overlapped searching region in the horizontal direction and partially reuse the overlapped searching region in the vertical direction. Several vertical successive current macroblocks are stitched, and the searching region of these current macroblocks is loaded, simultaneously. With the small overhead of internal memory, the reduction of external memory bandwidth is large. By case studies of H.264/AVC, the level C+ scheme can provide a good trade-off between the conventional Level C and D scheme. |
| US07865024B2 |
Encoding apparatus, video camera
An encoding apparatus includes a first encoder for encoding inputted picture information at a first rate or first resolution, and a second encoder for encoding the inputted picture information at a second rate lower than the first rate or at second resolution lower than the first resolution, in which when the second encoder encodes picture information, the second encoder encodes the picture information by use of encoding information of picture information in the first encoder corresponding to the picture information, and the encoding apparatus outputs the picture information encoded by the first encoder and the second encoder, respectively, thereby the second encoder executing the encoding by using encoding information of the first encoder. |
| US07865023B2 |
Digital still camera
There is provided a digital still camera which is capable of performing fixed-length compression to image data at high speed while suppressing dispersion in size of compressed data by including; a first compression unit which compresses inputted image data using a predetermined first compression parameter, a second compression unit which compresses the inputted image data using a second compression parameter different from the first compression parameter, an evaluating unit which evaluates compression results of the first compression unit and of the second compression unit based on a relationship with a predetermined range including a target size of compressed data, and a selecting unit which selectively performs recording processing to a compression result highly evaluated by the evaluating unit. |
| US07865011B2 |
Outer surface-inspecting method and outer surface-inspecting apparatus
A outer surface-inspecting method for judging whether a defect of a defective portion (27) extracted from an inspection area in an image (21A) of an object through comparison with a template is acceptable or not, comprising: dividing the inspection area into a plurality of sections (22, 23, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels (CONDITION 1-5); preliminarily judging, when at least one extracted defective portion (27) spreads out over some of the sections (28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels (CONDITION 3-5), whether defects of parts (27a, 27b, 27c) of the defective portion (27), each part (27a, 27b, 27c) being located on a different section (28a, 28b, 28c), are acceptable or not on a part to part basis according to the acceptable levels (CONDITION 3-5) of the sections (28a, 28b, 28c) on which the parts (27a, 27b, 27c) of the defective portion (27) are respectively located; and judging whether the defect of the defective portion (27) is acceptable or not based on the result of the preliminary judgment. |
| US07865008B2 |
Biological growth plate scanner with automated intake
The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. The biological growth plate is loaded into the biological scanner via motorized rollers, and an actuator presses the growth plate against a platen once the growth plate is drawn to a scanning position within the scanner. The biological scanner then generates one or more images of the growth plate. Moreover, sensors can be arranged to facilitate sensing and positioning of the growth plate in a plurality of locations for imaging different parts of the plate. Additional embodiments are directed to features such as a hinged door that facilitates access to the scanner, and footings disposed on various sides of the scanner to facilitate flip-over of the scanner for simplified use by right-handed or left-handed users. |
| US07865005B2 |
Iterative reconstruction of multiple-peak isotope images
In an imaging method, estimated data is iteratively projected and backprojected. The iterative projecting and backprojecting includes projecting or backprojecting the estimated data along parallel paths each employing energy-dependent parameters appropriate for a different energy. During each iteration, the estimated data is adjusted based on comparison of the estimated data with measured data. |
| US07865003B2 |
Image evaluation method for two-dimensional projection images and objects corresponding thereto
2-D projection images show the temporal profile of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object, which contains a vascular system and its surroundings. Each projection image comprises pixels with pixel values. The pixel values of pixels corresponding to one another in the projection images are defined by at least essentially locationally identical areas of the examination object. A computer assigns a uniform 2-D evaluation core that is uniform for all corresponding pixels at least in a sub-area of pixels corresponding to one another in the projection images that is uniform for the projection images. The computer defines at least one characteristic value for each pixel within each projection image based on the evaluation core assigned to the pixel and assigns it to the relevant pixel. Based on the temporal profile of the characteristic values, the computer defines parameters of at least one function of time, so that any deviation between the function parameterized with the parameters and the temporal profile of the characteristic values is minimized. Based on the parameters the computer defines a type and/or an extent and assigns them to a pixel of a 2-D evaluation image corresponding to the pixels of the projection images. The type indicates whether the respective pixel of the evaluation image corresponds to a vessel of the vascular system, a perfused part or a non-perfused part of the surroundings of a vessel of the vascular system. The extent is characteristic of perfusion. The computer outputs at least the sub-area of the evaluation image to a user via a display device. |
| US07865001B2 |
System and method for predicting physical properties of an aneurysm from a three-dimensional model thereof
A three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) system, in which a finite element method (FEM) package is incorporated which can read in surface meshes (20b) of a reconstructed 3DRA image of an aneurysm to generate FEM meshes (20a) which are closely approximated to the observed aneurysm (20b) in an iterative process by changing the material properties of the aneurysm used in generating the simulated representations (20a) thereof. Thus, the material properties of the closely approximated simulated representation (20a) can be used in subsequent analysis of the physical properties of the aneurysm under consideration. |
| US07865000B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus for analyzing properties of living body based on image data thereof
A medical image processing apparatus for analyzing properties of living body based on image data of the living body is provided. The medical image processing apparatus executes a predetermined image analysis processing on the image data of the living body, to obtain shape image data obtained by extracting a profile of the living body, and pattern image data obtained by extracting the pattern on the interior of the profile of the living body. A fractal dimension DA of the shape image data is calculated and a fractal dimension DB of the pattern image data is calculated based on the obtained shape image data and the pattern image data, and then, the index value CI is calculated which substantially excludes information of the shape image data and substantially includes information of the pattern of the pattern image data to judge the properties of the living body. |
| US07864992B2 |
Fingerprint sensor element
The present invention relates to a fingerprint sensor element, comprising a sensor electrode formed in an upper conducting layer, a lower electrode formed in a lower conducting layer and at least one insulating layer between the upper conducting layer and the lower conducting layer. It further comprises a charge amplifier having a negative and a positive input terminal and an output terminal. An upper side of the fingerprint sensor electrode is arranged for facing a finger and a lower side is arranged for facing the lower electrode, and the fingerprint sensor electrode and the lower electrode are arranged in such a way that a capacitance is formed between them. The sensor electrode is arranged for being connected to the negative input terminal of the charge amplifier, and the lower electrode is arranged for being connected to the output terminal of the charge amplifier. |
| US07864989B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive context-aided human classification
A method and an apparatus process digital images. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital data representing a plurality of digital images including a plurality of persons; performs face recognition to determine first scores relating to similarity between faces of the plurality of persons; performs clothes recognition to determine second scores relating to similarity between clothes of the plurality of persons; provides a plurality of formulas for estimating a probability of a face from the faces and a clothes from the clothes to belong to a person from the plurality of persons, wherein at least one formula of the plurality of formulas utilizes a first score and a second score, and at least one formula of the plurality of formulas utilizes only one score of a first score and a second score; and selects a formula from the plurality of formulas based on availability of a first score from the first scores for two persons from the plurality of persons, and availability of a second score from the second scores for the two persons, the selected formula estimating a probability relating to similarity of identities of the two persons. |
| US07864987B2 |
Methods and systems for secured access to devices and systems
An access system in one embodiment that first determines that someone has correct credentials by using a non-biometric authentication method such as typing in a password, presenting a Smart card containing a cryptographic secret, or having a valid digital signature. Once the credentials are authenticated, then the user must take at least two biometric tests, which can be chosen randomly. In one approach, the biometric tests need only check a template generated from the user who desires access with the stored templates matching the holder of the credentials authenticated by the non-biometric test. Access desirably will be allowed when both biometric tests are passed. |
| US07864984B2 |
Line position calculating method, correction value obtaining method, and storage medium having program stored thereon
A line position calculating method is a method for calculating a position, in a second direction, of a line along a first direction in an image, based on image data of the image constituted by a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form in the first direction and in the second direction, the method obtains pixel data of each of a plurality of pixels arranged in the first direction, calculates an extent of unevenness of each tone value indicating the pixel data of each of the plurality of pixels arranged in the first direction, sets a threshold value according to the extent of unevenness, sets a range based on the threshold value, detects a defective pixel in which the tone value indicating the pixel data is out of the range, calculates a representative value indicating a tone value of a pixel row, based on the pixel data of the pixels other than the defective pixel of the plurality of pixels constituting the pixel row, and calculates a position, in the second direction, of the line, based on the representative value of each pixel row. |
| US07864982B2 |
Displacement and tilt detection method for a portable autonomous device having an integrated image sensor and a device therefor
A displacement detection method for a portable autonomous device having an integrated image sensor. The method comprises several steps. In the first step a current digital image is received from the image sensor; the current digital image depicting a background scene. Then, the position of a first area within the current digital image is chosen. Afterwards, a later digital image is received from the image sensor depicting an overlapping portion of the background scene. Then, the position of a second area matching to the first area within the later digital image is identified. After a match has been identified, the first and second areas depict approximately the same portion of the background scene. Then, a current motion vector of the portable autonomous device is calculated, according to a displacement between the first area and the second area. |
| US07864975B2 |
Active crossover for use with multi-driver in-ear monitors
A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupled to an audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The active crossover network, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal from the audio source into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within each in-ear monitor of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters. The power source can be included within some portion of the headset or included within the wireless interface. Alternately, an external power source can be used, for example one associated with the audio source. |
| US07864971B2 |
System and method for determining directionality of sound detected by a hearing aid
This invention relates to a system (200) for determining directionality of a sound. The system (200) comprises a first audio device (202) placed on one side of a user's head (100) and having a first microphone unit (110, 112) for converting said sound to a first electric signal, a second audio device (204) placed on the other side of the user's head (100) and having a second microphone unit (114, 116) for converting said sound to a second electric signal, and comprises a transceiver unit (220, 238) for interconnecting the first and second audio device and communicating the second electric signal to the first audio device (202). The first audio device (202) further comprises a first comparator (222) for comparing the first and second electric signals and generating a first directionality signal from the comparison. |
| US07864969B1 |
Adaptive amplifier circuitry for microphone array
Adaptive amplifier circuitry for a microphone array with alternative operating modes. In one mode, background noise is reduced when the speaker is in a near field position and a relatively quiet environment. In another mode, the microphone signals are amplified, with speech being boosted more than background noise, when the speaker moves from a near field position to a far field position. |
| US07864965B2 |
Multichannel spectral mapping audio apparatus and method
A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio. |
| US07864962B2 |
System and method of routing audio signals to multiple speakers
A method and system for utilizing multiple speakers in a portable electronic device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input at a user interface of a portable electronic device, switching a first and second speaker in a stereo configuration to a mono configuration by routing a first digital to analog converter (DAC) output to both the first and second speaker in response to the input and coupling a third speaker to a second DAC to receive a first audio signal that is responsive to the input. The system includes a first digital to analog converter coupled to a first speaker, a second DAC coupled to a second speaker, and a third speaker. The system further includes switching logic coupled to the first and second DACs. The switching logic is responsive to an input signal provided by a user interface of a portable device. In response to an input signal from the user interface, the switching logic couples the first and second speakers to the first DAC and the third speaker to the second DAC. |
| US07864961B2 |
Method of managing a mobile multicast key using a foreign group key
The present invention relates to a method of managing a mobile multicast key using a foreign key. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of managing a mobile multicast key using a foreign key for secure communication between a mobile terminal and a secure relay server in the region where microwaves from plural access points overlap. A method of managing a mobile multicast key using a foreign key according to the present invention has an advantage that multicast secure relay servers perform delegated authentication in advance in a region where microwaves overlap, thus reducing a delay time for authentication in a mobile terminal and it has an advantage that it can minimize an effect from changes in group keys that user's movement make, by using a primary group key and a foreign key. This results in a reduction of an overhead from update of a group key while moving, and accordingly a reduction of a delay time. In addition, it has an advantage that it centralizes functions of key management to a secure relay server, thus overcoming the limitations on processing ability or network bandwidth of a mobile terminal. |
| US07864960B2 |
Techniques for securing content in an untrusted environment
Techniques for securing content in an untrusted environment are provided. Content is encrypted and stored with a content delivery service in an encrypted format. Encrypted versions of a content encryption/decryption key and a first key are also housed and distributed by the content delivery service. The first key is used to decrypt the encrypted version of the content encryption/decryption key. The content delivery service is unaware of the content encryption/decryption key and the first key; and the content held by the content delivery service is encrypted with the content encryption/decryption key. Principals securely share, create, manage, and retrieve the encrypted versions of the content encryption/decryption key and the first key from the content delivery service using secure communications. The encrypted content is obtainable via insecure communications from the content delivery service. |
| US07864951B2 |
Scalar multiplication method with inherent countermeasures
An elliptic curve cryptosystem includes process to multiply a scalar value with an elliptic curve point. The processes provide a countermeasure against address-bit attacks. The processes have no correlation between the bit values of a scalar and the addresses of the operands of point addition and doubling operations and therefore provide countermeasures against power attacks. |
| US07864950B2 |
Block encryption device using auxiliary conversion
It is desired to share one circuit by an encryption unit 200 and a decryption unit 500. A normal data transformation unit (FL) 251 and an inverse data transformation unit (FL−1) 273 are located at point symmetry on a non-linear data transformation unit 220, and a normal data transformation unit (FL) 253 and an inverse data transformation unit (FL−1) 271 are located at point symmetry on the non-linear data transformation unit 220. Therefore, the encryption unit 200 and the decryption unit 500 can be configured using the same circuits. |
| US07864945B2 |
Method for detecting availability of non-traditional agent
A method is provided for distribution and assignment of calls to an agent that has confirmed its current availability status. In one embodiment an agent is selected by the system and prompted for its current availability. If the agent is available, the call is routed to the agent. If the agent is not available the system selects another agent and the process is repeated. Then, a call is assigned to an available agent based on current availability information. |
| US07864944B2 |
Optimal call speed for call center agents
A system and method for handling a call from a caller to a call center includes an automatic call distributor (ACD) to receive the call and to route the call to an agent. A module operates to compute a rate of speech of the caller, and a display graphically displays the rate of speech of the caller to the agent during the call session. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). |
| US07864937B2 |
Common control of an electronic multi-pod conferencing system
This disclosure describes a method of controlling a multi-pod conferencing system for local conference participants to communicate with remote conference participants. This method includes providing a plurality of pods to local conference participants wherein an individual pod connects to one or more of the plurality of pods through a data communication means. The individual pods further include pod processor means. The pod processor means couples to an input device and a display. The method further includes providing a base unit that couples to the plurality of pods through the data communication means. The base unit further couples to a carrier medium, where the base unit further includes base controller means. The base controller means couples to the converting means. Additionally, the method further includes receiving command input at an individual pod from the local conference participant, updating the display at the individual pod in response to the command input, and distributing the command input through said data communication means to other plurality of pods and the base controller, where the plurality of pods and the base controller interpret the command input and change their operational state if necessary in response to the command input. |
| US07864932B2 |
Digital telephone switch
A digital telephone switch allows transparent switching from a convention telephone service to a cable digital telephone service. The switch is connected to the customer premises equipment and to the old and new telephone services. In its initial state, the switch connects the customer premises equipment to the old telephone service, leaving the new telephone service disconnected. Once a ring is detected on the new telephone service, or another appropriate control signal is received, the switch disconnects the customer premises equipment from the old telephone service and connects the customer premises equipment to the new telephone service. One embodiment can switch back and forth between the old and new telephone services to accommodate intercoms and the like. |
| US07864929B2 |
Method and systems for accessing data from a network via telephone, using printed publication
A method and systems to access information related to items printed on publications by voice commands generated by a user through a telephone. To access additional information, the user dials on a telephone the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service identifier and the publication identifier. A publication link table is associated to the publication identifier and provides a list of the item names on the selected publication. The IVR recognizes the name of the item pronounced by the user and determines the address associated to this name. The proxy server accesses the information located at this address and forwards it to the IVR wherein it is converted by a text-to-speech for the user's telephone. |
| US07864928B2 |
Infrared communication receiver
In order to adjust and decrease an acoustic pressure of a speaker driven based on an audio signal, an infrared communication receiver includes: a receiving section for receiving via infrared communication an audio signal representing audio data; and a speaker driving section for driving a speaker based on the audio signal received by the receiving section. The receiving section includes: a receiving block for receiving the audio signal; and a pulse width expanding and compressing section for expanding or compressing a pulse width of the audio signal received by the receiving block. |
| US07864926B2 |
System and method for conducting variable voice path assurance tests
A system and method for conducting variable VPA testing is disclosed. The method includes provisions to detect or measure the utilization of a trunk line and use that information to establish a level of VPA testing for that trunk line. Although a wide variety of relationships between the utilization and the amount of VPA testing conducted can be used, the relationship is preferably a generally inverse relationship, in which the amount of VPA testing conducted on a particular trunk is reduced as traffic or utilization of the trunk increases. Conversely, as traffic or utilization of the trunk deceases, the amount of testing conducted on the trunk increases. |
| US07864924B2 |
Scanning X-ray radiation
X-ray radiation is generated at a target that emits x-ray radiation in response to being struck by accelerated electrons, the electrons being emitted by a cathode that emits electrons in response to being illuminated by electromagnetic radiation from a source, and the x-ray radiation is moved by orienting a surface that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source toward the cathode. |
| US07864922B2 |
Wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometer
An X-ray spectrometer which uses at least one curved analyzing crystal and which provides improved wavelength resolution of characteristic X-rays used for analysis and improved ratio of characteristic X-rays to background intensity by using only effective diffractive regions of the analyzing crystal. X-ray blocking plates upstand from an end of a crystal support member supporting the analyzing crystal in the direction of angular dispersion of the crystal toward the inside of a Rowland circle. Incident X-rays going from the point X-ray source toward the crystal and X-rays diffracted by the crystal toward an X-ray detector are partially blocked by the X-ray blocking plates. The shielded regions vary according to the incident angle θ of the incident X-rays. Optimum or nearly optimum effective regions of the surface of the crystal can be used at all times. |
| US07864921B2 |
Radiation image detecting apparatus
Radiation images, which are obtained while reciprocally moving a scattered radiation removing means, are efficiently corrected. An image processing apparatus performs shading correction and gain correction on a radiation image which is obtained by detecting radiation that passes through a subject and is detected by a radiation detector while reciprocally moving the scattered radiation removing means, using a reference image. An irradiation control means controls irradiation of radiation during obtainment of the reference image such that irradiation is ceased after the scattered radiation removing means is reciprocally moved for k periodic reciprocal motions (k is an integer greater than or equal to 1) from initiation of irradiation. Meanwhile, irradiation of the radiation during obtainment of the radiation image is controlled such that irradiation is ceased after the scattered radiation removing means is reciprocally moved for m periodic reciprocal motions (m is an integer greater than or equal to 1). |
| US07864918B2 |
X-ray machine for breast examination having a gantry incorporated in a patient table
An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient comprises a gantry with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, and a horizontally disposed patient table with a cut-out portion for accommodating a breast of the patient. The gantry is rigidly mechanically suspended from the patient table. The gantry is adapted to rotate about an approximately vertical rotational axis in continuous rotational movement for imaging the breast. The gantry is also adapted to be moved in a vertical direction during said the rotational movement. |
| US07864917B2 |
Imaging apparatus using distributed x-ray souces and method thereof
An imaging apparatus includes a multi-dimensional assembly supporting a plurality of x-ray sources that are individually addressable. The plurality of x-ray sources is further configurable to simultaneously emit x-ray spectra at different mean energies. Furthermore, the multi-dimensional assembly includes a plurality of x-ray detectors that are arranged to detect at least a part of the x-rays that are emitted from at least one of the x-ray sources. |
| US07864916B2 |
X-ray computer tomography apparatus
An X-ray computer tomography apparatus includes a cone beam X-ray tube X-rays, a two-dimensional array type X-ray detector, a rotating mechanism which supports the X-ray tube, together with the X-ray detector, so as to be rotatable around the object, a reconstruction processing unit which reconstructs a full scan image based on projection data, of the projection data, which corresponds to a view count corresponding to one rotation and also reconstructs a short scan image based on projection data corresponding to a view count smaller than the view count corresponding to one rotation, a CT value shift distribution generating unit which generates a spatial distribution of CT value shifts originating from the smaller view count based on the full scan image and the short scan image, and a correcting unit which corrects the short scan image based on the spatial distribution of the CT value shifts. |
| US07864910B2 |
Phase locked loop
A PLL is provided with an optimum operating point in order to have appropriately a frequency margin and a locking time. There is provided a phase looked loop which includes: a frequency divider for dividing an output signal by a dividing integer corresponding to an input code; an encoding unit for encoding the input code to generate an encoded code; and a loop filtering unit configured to adjust elements in response to the encoded code. |
| US07864908B2 |
Apparatus and methods for clock signal recovery and for jitter measurement relative to the recovered clock signal
A recovered clock signal is simulated from an acquired external clock signal by use of an uncomplicated algorithm requiring few calculations. The recovered clock is usually used in an apparatus that receives external clock and external data signals and recovers the recovered clock signal from the external clock signal by use of a phase lock loop to process the external data according to the recovered clock. Apparatus according to the invention digitizes the external clock signal and stores resulting the time domain data in memories (step 48). It detects time domain data of edges of the stored external clock (step 50), and the detected time domain data of the edges are converted into frequency domain data (step 52). The frequency domain data are multiplied by the respective predetermined coefficients in different frequency domains (step 54). The resultant frequency domain data are restored to the time domain data (step 56) to obtain time domain data of the edges of the recovered clock signal. The recovered clock signal is used to measure jitter of the external clock and data signals relative to the recovered clock signal. |
| US07864907B2 |
Data receiver with clock recovery circuit
A data receiver has a sampling unit connected to a data signal input and configured to sample a data signal amplitude and amplify the sampled data signal amplitude to a predetermined value, a sampling clock generator unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to predetermine a sampling clock for the sampling unit, an evaluation unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to determine the time duration required by the sampling unit for amplifying the sampled data signal amplitude to the predetermined value and evaluate the time duration determined, and a control unit connected to the evaluation unit and the sampling clock generator and configured to define the sampling clock on the basis of the evaluation of the time duration determined by the evaluation unit. |
| US07864906B2 |
System and method for clock signal synchronization
A system (101) for clock signal synchronization includes a data analyzer (104) and a synchronized clock signal generator (105) coupled to an RC oscillator (103). The data analyzer (104) generates a digital control signal representing the number of cycles of a reference signal of the RC oscillator (103) during an eight-bit period of an incoming token packet. The synchronized signal clock generator (105) uses the digital control signal to lock a clock signal to packets that have the same bit rate as the token packet. |
| US07864905B2 |
Interference alleviation equalizing apparatus of multi-carrier communication system and method thereof
An apparatus and a method for equalizing a received signal to generate an equalized signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes a channel estimator for generating a channel estimation value according to a preamble symbol in the received signal and for generating a channel response value according to the channel estimation value, an interference power estimation circuit for generating an interference power estimate according to a hard decision value, the channel response value, and the received signal, and an equalization circuit for equalizing the received signal according to the channel response value and the adjusted interference power estimate to generate the equalized signal. The hard decision value corresponds to the equalized signal. |
| US07864903B2 |
Multi-antenna reception apparatus, multi-antenna reception method, multi-antenna transmission apparatus and multi-antenna communication system
Soft decision sections (503, 506) provisionally decide each modulated signal (502, 505) separated using an inverse matrix calculation of a channel fluctuation matrix at separation section (501). Signal point reduction sections (508, 510, 514, 516) reduce candidate signal points of a multiplexed modulated signal using the provisional decision results (504, 507). Soft decision sections (512, 518) make a correct decision using the reduced candidate signal points and obtain received data (RA, RB) of each modulated signal. This allows received data RA, RB with a good error rate characteristic to be obtained with a relatively small number of calculations without reducing data transmission efficiency. |
| US07864902B1 |
Differential transmitter diversity technique for wireless communications
Input signals of each frame are encoded by mapping the signals onto a coordinate system dictated by the symbols of the previous frame, and symbols from a constellation are selected based on the results of such mapping. Received signals are detected by preprocessing the signals detected at each antenna with signals detected by the antenna at the immediately previous frame, and then applied to a maximum likelihood detector circuit, followed by an inverse mapping circuit. |
| US07864901B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for cancelling interferences of received signals
An apparatus and a method for cancelling an interference of each of a plurality of received signals are provided. The apparatus comprises an estimation module, an ordering module, a selection module, an equalizer, and a cancellation module. The estimation module estimates a plurality of estimated channels according to a first predetermined number of pilot-tones. The ordering module decides a decision order for processing. The selection module selects a second predetermined number of the received signals as the second predetermined number of processing signals. The equalizer estimates the estimated values, wherein each of the estimated values corresponds to a processing signal. The decision module decides a decided value for each of the estimated values. The cancellation module cancels the interference for each of the processing signals according to the corresponding decided value and the corresponding channel. Then, the estimation module further estimates the estimated channels according to the pilot-tones and a plurality of estimated values. |
| US07864898B2 |
Systems and methods for signal acquistion in navigational satellite signal receivers
The present invention provides an elevation based adaptive scheme for setting power threshold in the acquisition of navigational satellite signals. In an embodiment, the elevation based adaptive scheme uses a different series of power thresholds to acquire signals from satellites at different elevation angles instead of using one threshold for all satellites, as is done in the prior art. This scheme exploits the fact that the received signal power level depends on the elevation angle of the satellite at the receiver. This scheme also takes into account the antenna gain variation without having to measure the antenna gain variation. |
| US07864896B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating log likelihood ratio in multiple-input multiple-output communication system
An apparatus and method for generating LLRs in an MIMO communication system. In a receiver for a spatial multiplexing communication system, a determiner performs an MML decoding operation in an ascending or descending order of TX antennas to estimate a plurality of candidate TX vectors. A distance calculator calculates a Euclidean distance for each of the candidate TX vectors from the determiner. An LLR calculator calculates LLRs using the Euclidean distances from the distance calculator. Accordingly, it is possible to generate an LLR with high reliability at low complexity in an MIMO communication system. |
| US07864895B1 |
Viterbi detection using a correlation metric
Systems and techniques to interpret signals on a channel. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: obtaining an output signal sequence from a partial response channel, determining an input sequence of the partial response channel by maximizing a correlation metric of an estimated output sequence with the obtained output sequence, the estimated output sequence being estimated based on the partial response channel, and providing an output corresponding to the determined input sequence. An apparatus can include a branch metric generator that generates branch metrics comprising a correlation of obtained output sequences and estimated output sequences for a partial response channel. The apparatus can further include an add-compare-select component that compares paths and determines survivor paths using generated branch metrics, a memory that retains metrics information, and a trace-back component that determines a best path of the survivor paths and outputs sequence information based on the determined best path. |
| US07864887B2 |
Noncoherent symbol clock recovery subsystem
A symbol clock recovery subsystem uses a tap delay line having a set of delays, uses a clock bank of samplers providing time-staggered sampled noncoherently received signals, and uses a set of mean magnitude generators, in channelized form, for providing a set of mean magnitudes to a maximum selector for selecting a maximum one of the time-staggered sampled received signals having the greatest signal to noise ratio so as to provide a signal effectively occurring at symbol epoch time for demodulating a symbol stream in a digital communication system receiver. |
| US07864886B2 |
Phase calculation apparatus using binary search
A phase calculation apparatus using a binary search is provided. The phase calculation apparatus includes a quarter surface preprocessor determining the bigger one between an absolute value of I component data and an absolute value of Q component data as horizontal component data and the smaller one as perpendicular component data, and detecting information on a phase region indicating an mth (m=1 to 8) phase region (the mth phase region is between (m−1) π/4 and m π/4 in which the I/Q component data are located; a phase representative value detector detecting phase representative values x corresponding to the horizontal component data and the perpendicular component data; and a quarter surface postprocessor calculating phase values of the I/Q component data based on the detected information about the phase region and the detected phase representative values x. The phase can be calculated using a limited memory, low complexity of calculation and regardless of the number of bits of I/Q component data. |
| US07864885B2 |
Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceiver with pooled adaptive digital filtering
A multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) transceiver includes a reconfigurable pooled digital filter. A processor sets parameters of the filter to minimize the number of instructions per second and the amount of power required by the filter to perform, while matching the filter to at least one of: a transmitter filter and a receiver filter. The processor uses an algorithm or a lookup table stored in memory to select the combination of filter parameters. The parameters may be selected from at least one of: a number of taps, a filter length, a word length, a coefficient quantization, a sampling rate, bits per sample, a sampling bit, a tap delay and a coefficient length. After selecting a combination of filter parameters, the processor sends a control signal to the adaptive filter. The pooled adaptive filter reconfigures itself in accordance with the selected filter parameters. |
| US07864879B2 |
System having a signal processor for detection of a signal type
A system having a signal processor for detection of a signal type of a signal is disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor designed to determine a first variable which is characteristic of a first spectrum element of the signal spectrum, and to determine a second variable which is characteristic of a second spectrum element of the signal spectrum. A system is provided for determination of a ratio between the first variable and the second variable, and a detector which is designed to detect the signal type on the basis of the ratio. |
| US07864877B2 |
Data transmission in communication system by disabling radiation patterns
A transmitter for a communication system, the transmitter being configured to transmit a signal including symbols to a receiver using at least two transmit radiation patterns so that information content of a symbol of temporal length T is transmitted using at least two transmit radiation patterns, realize that the receiver, using Nr receive radiation patterns, disables N receive radiation patterns, wherein 1<=N |
| US07864873B2 |
Method for spectral side lobe suppression in OFDM-based communication system
The invention relates to N subcarriers of an OFDM communication system or OFDM based multi-carrier communication system M subcarriers used as cancellation subcarriers to achieve side lobe suppression of the OFDM transmission signal, where M |
| US07864871B1 |
Intercircuit communications apparatus and method
A system comprises a circuit that stores a first value and M parallel signal lines that communicate with the circuit, where M is an integer greater than three. A difference controller that receives the first value via the M parallel signal lines, that compares the first value to a first reference value, and that generates control signals based on a difference between the first value and the first reference value. An accumulator circuit that communicates with N signal lines, that stores a second reference value and that performs one of increment and decrement function to adjust the second reference value based on the control signals, where N is less than or equal to three. |