| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07934266B2 |
Contents reproduction device, contents reproduction control method, program
A content reproduction apparatus 20 includes: a storage section 230 for storing a source-ID list L and method identification information 232; a reproduction control method determination section 240 for determining a method to control reproduction of a content on the basis of the method identification information 232; a first reproducibility determination section 242a, which is used for producing a result of determination as to whether or not a content to be reproduced is reproducible by determining whether or not a source ID attached to the content is a source ID included in the source-ID list L in case the reproduction control method determination section 240 determines that the method to control reproduction of a content is a first reproduction control method; a second reproducibility determination section 242b, which is used for producing a result of determination as to whether or not a content to be reproduced is reproducible on the basis of usage rule information described in a license issued to the content in case the reproduction control method determination section 240 determines that the method to control reproduction of a content is a second reproduction control method; and a reproduction execution section 244 for reproducing a content determined as a reproducible content. |
| US07934261B1 |
On-demand cleanup system
An on-demand cleanup application running locally removes malware and its effects from a computer system. A virus scan engine scans the computer system to identify any malicious files. A system information collector tool executes to create a log file containing detailed information about the computer system and the location of all files. Identified malicious files are matched against the log file to determine the extent of the infection by the malicious files. Computer code is generated using a blank cleanup template to automatically delete the malicious files and their effects in the computer system and placed into a final cleanup template. The cleanup template is executed by a cleanup engine in order to remove the malware and its effects from the computer. A CRC tool is used to positively identify files that are to be deleted. |
| US07934259B1 |
Stealth threat detection
A stealth threat detection manager detects stealth threats. The stealth threat detection manager monitors system activities that are vulnerable to being used by stealth threats. Dynamic link libraries are often used by stealth threats, so in some embodiments the stealth threat detection manager monitors for the loading thereof. The stealth threat detection manager detects when a system activity being monitored occurs, and after the occurrence of the activity, determines whether a specific component associated with the activity (e.g., the dynamic link library being loaded) is accessible on the computer. If the component is accessible, the stealth threat detection manager concludes that the component is non-stealthed. On the other hand, if the component is not accessible, the stealth threat detection manager concludes that the component is a stealth threat, and takes appropriate action in response. |
| US07934258B2 |
System and method for remote authentication security management
An information processing system for remote access comprising a network access server and an authentication server is augmented with the ability to provide a simulated authentication process for authentication requests from attackers which do not correspond to authorized user names. Attackers whose requests form a password guessing attack for a user identity selected from a set of reject user names are redirected to a honeypot server. |
| US07934256B2 |
Electronic device, update server device, key update device
The present invention offers an electronic device that reduces the amount of data for communication required when files pertaining to software are to be updated, as compared to the conventional devices, and performs tamper detection. The present invention is an electronic device having an application file pertaining to an operation of application software and updating the application file via a network. The electronic device (i) stores therein the application file including one or more data pieces, (ii) receives, from an external apparatus via the network, update data and location information indicating a location, within the application file, which is for rewrite with the update data, (iii) rewrites only part of the application file by writing over a data piece present at the indicated location with the update data, to update the application file, and (iv) examines whether the updated application file has been tampered with. |
| US07934254B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing network and computer system security
An improved network intrusion detection and response system and method is disclosed for detecting and preventing misuse of network resources. More particularly, the system and method dynamically self-adjusts to changes in network activity using a plurality of alert levels wherein each successively higher alert level triggers a corresponding heightened security response from the networked computer being misused. These heightened alert levels are integrated on both the system (individual node) and the network level. The disclosed intrusion detection and response system is also implemented at low cost using currently-existing hardware and software (i.e., network computers). |
| US07934253B2 |
System and method of securing web applications across an enterprise
A system and method for protection of Web based applications are described. The techniques described provide an enterprise wide approach to preventing attacks of Web based applications. Individual computer networks within the enterprise monitor network traffic to identify anomalous traffic. The anomalous traffic can be identified by comparing the traffic to a profile of acceptable user traffic when interacting with the application. The anomalous traffic, or security events, identified at the individual computer networks are communicated to a central security manager. The central security manager correlates the security events at the individual computer networks to determine if there is an enterprise wide security threat. The central security manager can then communicate instructions to the individual computer networks so as to provide an enterprise wide solution to the threat. |
| US07934252B2 |
Filtering technique for processing security measures in web service messages
A message gateway apparatus is provided for use in a web service system to process a message containing a request for a destination web service application, in which the message includes a plurality of events within a structured document conforming to a web service protocol and each event of the plurality of events has a name and a content thereof. The message gateway apparatus comprises a message parsing module configured to sequentially identify the events of the plurality of events of the message, an input object creation module configured to sequentially extract the events of the plurality of events from the message parsing module, and a message filtering module configured to sequentially access the events of the plurality of events as the events are extracted from the message parsing module by the input object creation module to analyze the name of each event and perform security processing on the content of each event for which the corresponding name indicates that security measures have been applied according to a security protocol. The input object creation module is configured to construct an input object including input parameters for the destination web service application based on the message. The input object creation module constructing the input object by adding a representation of each event of the plurality of events to the input object after each event is accessed by the message filtering module. |
| US07934247B2 |
Encryption policy based on data context recognition
Provided are techniques for determining whether to encrypt data. It is determined whether an element is to be encrypted based on an encryption policy, wherein the element comprises one of metadata and a data set. In response to determining that the element is to be encrypted, the element is encrypted and written to a data storage medium. In response to determining that the element is not to be encrypted, the element is written in the effective clear to the data storage medium. |
| US07934246B2 |
Broadcast receiver
Disclosed is a broadcast receiver that can automatically enable input of a predetermined signal from external device, when there is no broadcast of program that is receivable at the broadcast receiver. The broadcast receiver 100 detects non-broadcasting time zone in which broadcast program is not broadcasted according to broadcast information (EPG data) included in broadcast signal received by antenna 10 or tuner 2. When it is determined that timing in which power was turned on to start the broadcast receiver 100 falls within the detected non-broadcasting time zone, the broadcast receiver 100 is capable to switch so as to enable broadcasting of video content that corresponds to video signal outputted by the external device connected to a group of external device connecting terminals 8 (connecting terminal 8a-8e), such as video replay device or the DVD player, at a display device 20. |
| US07934245B1 |
Audio and/or video signal transmission system, transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus thereof
In order to accurately display information on the format of different signals from respective different signal source apparatuses as an image, the output signals of analog signal sources are supplied through an interface, signal lines and other interfaces to an analog signal processing circuit. Also, output signals of digital signal sources and output signals of information generating circuits are synthesized by multiplexers and supplied to a demultiplexer through interfaces, buses and an interface. The signals from the separated signal sources are processed in a digital signal processing circuit. The signals from the separated generating circuits are supplied to an information processing circuit, so that an image corresponding to the information indicating the format of the apparatus and/or the output signal is formed, and is synthesized with the signals from the signal processing circuits to be supplied to a monitor. |
| US07934238B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US07934236B1 |
Advanced navigation method for music players and video players
A content navigation method that may be used with a storage device that holds multiple content objects includes a controller, at least one search switch and at least one control switch. Each of the content objects has a corresponding name which includes at least one character from an alphabet. The controller determines a set of names of the stored content that corresponds to the activation of the search switch, displays at least one name the set of names and, responsive to the control switch, selects the content object corresponding to the displayed name. The search switches may include multiple search switches, each associated with a predetermined set of letters from the alphabet. Alternatively, each switch may have an corresponding display and may be associated with a dynamically determined set of letters based on their frequency of occurrence in the names. |
| US07934234B2 |
Transmission and reception of television programmes and other data
In a digital television system, a receiver/decoder (or “set-top-box”) can download one or more of several applications which can be run by the receiver/decoder to provide interactivity with the user. The applications include: an Internet browser application which uses a PSTN connection to make Internet requests and the television signal path to receive Internet responses; a shopping application operable in an “impulse” mode and a “catalogue” mode; a banking application; a quiz application which runs in synchronization with a quiz television programme; a magazine browser application; and a weather or traffic application. |
| US07934228B2 |
Method and system for marking video signals for identification
An apparatus for generating an output signal includes a receiving system 160 generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an insertion module 166 inserting a source identifier into the plurality of signals, an encoder 182 encoding the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. A local area network 130 routes the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210 to form a combined signal. A processing system 200 compares the source identifier to an expected source. When the source identifier corresponds to the expected source, the processing system 200 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. When the source identifier does not correspond to the expected source, the processing system 200 changes the combined signal. A modulator 214 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. A system 202 forms the output signal from the modulated signal. |
| US07934225B2 |
Slot-in disk drive device and method
A slot-in disk drive device and a method thereof. The device includes a drive unit for providing power to move a slider. A loading unit moving with the slider drives a loading stick to push a disc into the device. The slider has a sliding slot. An ejecting unit with a bar-linkage mechanism has one end driven by the sliding slot, and the other end for rotating an ejecting bar to guide or push the disc out. A receiving unit has a receiving bar for guiding the disc, and has a positioning bar disposed between the loading unit and the ejecting unit. A sensing unit includes a plurality of sensing switches respectively disposed near the moving paths of the receiving bar, the ejecting unit and the positioning bar. The drive unit is enabled to load the disk is determined according to the order of actuating the switches. |
| US07934223B2 |
Context-sensitive middleware service injection
A system, method and computer program product for context-sensitive middleware service injection. A technique is described to apply desired middleware functionality to granular units of functionality in response to extra-functional requirements and context information. Context may include without limitation types of process activities, phases of execution of process activities, identities of interaction partners, system architectures and the status of a given interaction. A further technique is described to dynamically analyze processes to select middleware functionality for compatibility with declared extra-functional requirements and detected context information. |
| US07934222B2 |
Adapting command line interface messaging in a virtual operating system environment
A system, method and computer-readable medium for adapting command line output message streams in a virtualized command line interface (CLI) environment. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a virtualized CLI command is entered and executed. The virtualized CLI command encapsulates a guest operating system command having an associated standard output message. In response to executing the virtualized CLI command, the standard output message is piped to an output message file. Within the standard output message file, a structured array is used to search the standard output message for matches between strings within the standard output message and one or more specified message strings identified in the structured array. In response to finding a match between the specified message strings and the strings within the standard output message, the specified message string within the standard output message is replaced with a replacement message string. |
| US07934218B2 |
Interprocess communication management using a socket layer
A solution for managing interprocess communication is provided. A connection request that identifies another process is received from a first process on a socket. The invention determines if the identified process has a second socket that can be used without transmitting data outside a computing device. If so, then the two sockets are linked, and an in-memory communication session can be managed to implement the interprocess communication. In this manner, two processes executing on the same computing device, each of which supports network communications using sockets, can have in-memory interprocess communication without any knowledge of where the other process is executing or any customization. |
| US07934217B2 |
Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access to an imaging device
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for providing remote file structure data access to an imaging device user interface. Some aspects relate to methods and systems wherein a request for file structure data is sent from an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD) that is capable of retrieving and converting file structure data. Some aspects relate to reading the file structure data of a remote resource and converting that file structure data to a format that is compatible with an IDev user interface (UI). The converted file structure data may then be received by the IDev and displayed at the IDev UI. |
| US07934216B2 |
Method and system for load balancing of computing resources
A load balancing method incorporates temporarily inactive machines as part of the resources capable of executing tasks during heavy process requests periods to alleviate some of the processing load on other computing resources. This method determines which computing resources are available and prioritizes these resources for access by the load balancing process. A snap shot of the resource configuration and made secured along with all data on this system such that no contamination occurs between resident data on that machine and any data placed on that machine as put of the load balancing activities. After a predetermined period of time or a predetermined event, the availability of the temporary resources for load balancing activities ends. At this point, the original configuration and data is restored to the computing resource such that no trace of use of the resource in load balancing activities is detected to the user. |
| US07934212B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for detecting old versions of an applet in a client browser's JVM
An apparatus, system and method for checking the version of a cached applet on a client device against version information stored on a host server is provided. By checking the version of the applet, it can be determined whether or not the applet is still usable with the host server. If an applet is not usable with the host server, the applet is either automatically updated to a current version or the user is provided with information as to how to update the applet to the current version. If an applet is usable with the host server but is not a current version of the applet, the user may be informed of this fact and given the opportunity to either update the applet or continue to execute the older version of the applet. If the user chooses to update the applet, the update is performed in substantially the same manner as that described above. If the user chose to continue with the older version of the applet, the mainline code of the older version of the applet is executed. |
| US07934210B1 |
System and method for updating one or more programs and their environment
A system and method automatically updates one or more programs and some or all of an environment in which the one or more programs run, to latest versions of the programs and the environment, or portion thereof. |
| US07934209B2 |
Method for firmware variable storage with eager compression, fail-safe extraction and restart time compression scan
Firmware-based conversion methods for storing converted firmware variables in a firmware storage device, such as flash memory. Under one method, “eager” compression of firmware is performed. In response to a storage request, a determination is made to whether a compressor is available. If it is, the firmware variable is stored in a compressed form in the storage device; if not, the firmware variable is stored in an uncompressed form. In response to a read request for a stored firmware variable, a determination is made to whether the variable is stored in a compressed or uncompressed form. If it is compressed, a decompressor is employed to return the variable to its uncompressed form prior to providing it to the requestor; already uncompressed variables are provided directly to the requester. An application program interface is provided to enable operating system runtime access to the firmware variables. Similar conversions may be employed separately or in parallel, including encryption. |
| US07934205B2 |
Restructuring computer programs
A method of restructuring a source computer program to a target computer program. A defined source computer program has source code. A set of tasks is defined for the source computer program to be performed by the source computer program. For each task, a corresponding set of input data sets is defined. For each input data set, a corresponding set of programs is determined such that each program in the set of programs includes declarations and executable statements, from the source code of the source computer program, required to execute the task in each input data set. Each set of programs is processed to generate a component that executes the respective task, resulting in generation of a set of components. A target computer program is generated from the set of components. |
| US07934203B2 |
Preparing instruction groups for a processor having multiple issue ports
During program code conversion, such as in a dynamic binary translator, automatic code generation provides target code 21 executable by a target processor 13. Multiple instruction ports 610 disperse a group of instructions to functional units 620 of the processor 13. Disclosed is a mechanism of preparing an instruction group 606 using a plurality of pools 700 having a hierarchical structure 711-715. Each pool represents a different overlapping subset of the issue ports 610. Placing an instruction 600 into a particular pool 700 also reduces vacancies in any one or more subsidiary pools in the hierarchy. In a preferred embodiment, a counter value 702 is associated with each pool 700 to track vacancies. A valid instruction group 606 is formed by picking the placed instructions 600 from the pools 700. The instruction groups are generated accurately and automatically. Decoding errors and stalls are minimized or completely avoided. |
| US07934201B2 |
System, method, and computer readable medium for universal software testing
An automated software testing and validation system allows testing of a software application under test (SAUT) regardless of the dynamic nature of the SAUT. An abstracted set of hierarchal or linear objects model certain regions of the SAUT. Automated test scripts utilize theses regions to intuitively navigate and identify potions of the SAUT to automate. The scripts can also access specific SAUT elements contain within each defined region. These elements can then be used to invoke actions or verify outputs there from. The system uses a set of rich identification rules embodied in the system which allow the user to configure the identification of any element within the abstracted region. The rules are customizable to allow the user to configure the desired level of loose coupling between the automated scripts and the target element to adapt the scripts to the nature of the SAUT. |
| US07934198B2 |
Prefix matching structure and method for fast packet switching
A prefix matching apparatus for directing information to a destination port includes a memory configured to store a piece of data including an address and a plurality of levels each including a plurality of memory locations, the levels each representing a unique address space. A controller is coupled to the memory and to the plurality of levels, and is configured to read the data address and to direct the data to the next level associated with a unique address space associated with the data address. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to match the data address prefix to a plurality of addresses associated with the unique address spaces. Advantages of the invention include fast switch decisions and low switch latency. |
| US07934195B2 |
Method for controlling the propagation of metadata items
A method enables and controls automatic propagation of metadata items to a recording media or to devices for reading from or writing to recording media. The metadata items are provided with a propagation property, which defines to which recording media or to which devices the metadata items shall propagate, and on which recording media or in which devices the metadata items shall be stored. At least when a recording medium is inserted into or removed from a device, or when the device is powered up or down, the metadata items are automatically propagated and stored in accordance with the propagation property. |
| US07934192B2 |
Computer method and apparatus for connection tree routing in visual modeling of software
Computer method and apparatus for connection tree routing in visual modeling of software is disclosed. Tree routing style is represented as a property of a subject connection. A router object manages location of bendpoints of the subject connection in a connection tree. The subject connection maintains an end node as its target instead of a trunk element of the connection tree. The router object is formed of a hierarchy of routers including branch routers, tree routers and forest routers. Different routers maintain different aspects of the tree data forming display of the connection tree. |
| US07934190B1 |
Multiple amplifier matching over lumped networks of arbitrary topology
A method includes generating at least one matrix representing a two-port, generating gain, noise, and stability functions of a system comprising the two-port, a generator connected to one port of the two-port, the generator having a generator reflectance, and a load connected to the other port of the two-port, the load having a load reflectance, and optimizing the gain, noise, and stability functions. The two-port comprises a non-reactive multi-port modeled by an orthogonal matrix, and at least one amplifier connected to the non-reactive multi-port. The orthogonal matrix is parameterized using an exponential map of skew-symmetric matrices having components restricted to an interval from −π to π. The gain, noise, and stability functions are generated using the generated matrix, the generator reflectance, and the load reflectance, The gain, noise, and stability functions are parameterized by the skew-symmetric matrices. |
| US07934188B2 |
Legalization of VLSI circuit placement with blockages using hierarchical row slicing
A hierarchical method of legalizing the placement of logic cells in the presence of blockages selectively classifies the blockages into at least two different sets based on size (large and small). Movable logic cells are relocated first among coarse regions between large blockages to remove overlaps among the cells and the large blockages without regard to small blockages (while satisfying capacity constraints of the coarse regions), and thereafter the movable logic cells are relocated among fine regions between small blockages to remove all cell overlaps (while satisfying capacity constraints of the fine regions). The coarse and fine regions may be horizontal slices of the placement region having a height corresponding to a single circuit row height of the design. Cells are relocated with minimal perturbation from the previous placement, preserving wirelength and timing optimizations. The legalization technique may utilize more than two levels of granularity with multiple relocation stages. |
| US07934186B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimizing delay element in asynchronous digital circuits
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to construct a delay element to replicate the timing of critical gates and paths within a segment of an asynchronous circuit. The rise and fall delay mismatch of the delay element is minimized without obeying timing constraints. The position of each output of the delay element is determined to include a globally shared node within the segment and a non-shared local node in the segment. |
| US07934182B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting delay analysis, and computer product
A delay distribution of a partial path that passes through a node to which a plurality of signals is input and for which an estimation in a statistical MAX is predicted to be large, that is present on a critical path having large influence on a circuit delay, and that has high possibility of improving the circuit delay, among nodes in a circuit graph is calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation instead of the block based simulation, thereby increasing speed and accuracy of delay analysis. |
| US07934181B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving SRAM cell stability by using boosted word lines
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving the stability of static random access memory (SRAM) cells by using boosted word lines. Specifically, a boosted word line voltage (Vdd′) is applied to the word line of a selected SRAM cell, while such a boosted word line voltage (Vdd′) is sufficiently higher than the power supply voltage (Vdd) of the SRAM cell so as to improve the cell stability to a desired level. Specifically, a specific boosted word line voltage is predetermined for each SRAM cell based on the specific cell configuration, by using a circuit simulation program, such as the BERKELEY-SPICE simulation program. A boost voltage generator is then used to apply the predetermined boosted word line voltage to the selected SRAM cell. |
| US07934176B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a process model that models the impact of a CAR/PEB on the resist profile
An embodiment provides systems and techniques for determining a process model. During operation, the system may receive a first optical model which models a first optical system of a photolithography process. Next, the system may use the first optical model to determine a second optical model that models a second latent image that is formed by the first optical system at a second distance. The system may also use the first optical model to determine a third optical model that models a third latent image that is formed by the first optical system at a third distance. Next, the system may receive process data which is obtained by subjecting a test layout to the photolithography process. The system may then determine a process model using the first optical model, the second optical model, the third optical model, the test layout, and the process data. |
| US07934172B2 |
SLM lithography: printing to below K1=.30 without previous OPC processing
Previously disclosed methods and devices are extended in this application by two-dimensional analysis of optical proximity interactions and by fashioning a computationally efficient kernel for rapid calculation of adjustments to be made. The computations can be made in realtime, whereby the use of OPC assist features can be reduced, with substantial savings in file size and computational requirements. Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the descriptions, figures, claims and documents incorporated by reference. |
| US07934170B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags
A method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags. An advertiser provides additional content associated with broadcast advertising content to a service provider that downloads the additional content to a digital video recorder (DVR). The service provider inserts command tags into the content that are intercepted by the DVR and interpreted as commands that instruct the DVR to perform specific actions when the DVR receives the stream from a broadcaster. The DVR intercepts and translates any tags inserted into the content stream while the DVR is playing the content stream. Tags can cause the DVR to display a branded video tag to the user which is a displayed icon that requests an interaction by the user and has an advertiser's logo(s) displayed in its vicinity. |
| US07934161B1 |
Electronic search interface technology
Techniques are described for displaying a representation of a list of electronic search results while a user is reviewing content linked to by electronic search results included in the list. While the user is reviewing the search results, the user may jump between content linked to by different search results using the representation of the list of electronic search results displayed. The displayed representation of the list of search results may be updated based on the user's browsing activities in reviewing the search results, user input manipulating the list of search results, and supplemental information added to the list of search results by the user. |
| US07934157B2 |
Utilization of tree view for printing data
An information processing apparatus for generating, on the basis of specific data containing a plurality of record data, print data to be processed by a printing apparatus, includes a tree view display unit adapted to display, when record data in a specific field contained in the specific data changes, a tree view that contains the record data before change and the record data after change as nodes of the same layer, and an acquisition unit adapted to acquire data corresponding to a node selected from the tree view. |
| US07934151B1 |
Specification of tables including objects with arbitrary formatting
Specification of tables containing objects is disclosed. In some embodiments, a table object contains one or more row objects as well as one or more objects with arbitrary (i.e. non-row) formatting. Common row and/or column formatting may be inferred and applied to objects associated with rows but not to objects associated with arbitrary formatting. |
| US07934147B2 |
Turbo LDPC decoding
An iterative low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoding system comprises a first shift register for storing bit estimates, a plurality of parity-check processing node banks configured for processing the bit estimates for generating messages, combiners configured for combining the messages with the bit estimates for generating updated bit estimates, and fixed permuters for permuting the updated bit estimates to facilitate storage and access of the bit estimates. A second shift register is provided for storing the messages, and a subtraction module subtracts messages generated a predetermined number of cycles earlier from the updated bit estimates. |
| US07934146B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product providing for data block encoding and decoding
Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for encoding and/or decoding a data block. The method for encoding a data block includes the steps of: providing an information block of size k, I=(i0, i1, . . . i(k−l); and encoding the information block into a low-density parity-check (LDPC) codeword c of size n, c=(i0, i1, . . . i(k−l), p0, p1, . . . , p(n−k−l)), by adding n−k parity bits obtained so that H·cT=0, where H is an (n−k)×n parity-check matrix. |
| US07934136B2 |
Test apparatus, pattern generator, test method and pattern generating method
Provided is a test apparatus for testing a specimen by using a test pattern and an expected value pattern. The test apparatus includes: a control unit for outputting a test pattern to the specimen; a pattern converting unit for converting the expected value pattern based on an output pattern output from the specimen upon an input of the test pattern; and a determination unit for determining the specimen as a non-defective product or a defective product by using the converted expected value pattern. |
| US07934135B2 |
Providing pseudo-randomized static values during LBIST transition tests
An LBIST captures pseudo-random values from a pseudo-random pattern generator. Next, the LBIST stabilizes an untimed logic path by inputting the captured pseudo-random value into the untimed logic path. In turn, the LBIST tests one or more timed signal transitions that are dependent upon the stabilized untimed logic path. |
| US07934134B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing logic built-in self-testing of an integrated circuit
A method for performing a logical built-in self-test of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes performing a flush and scan test to determine whether the scan chains function correctly. If one of the scan chains does not function correctly, the logical built-in self-test is terminated. If each of the scan chains functions correctly, a structural test of the design-for-test logic supporting LBIST is performed to determine whether the LBIST design-for-test logic functions correctly. If the LBIST design-for-test logic does not function correctly, the logical built-in self-test is terminated. If the LBIST design-for-test logic functions correctly, a level sensitive scan design test of the functional combinational logic is performed using the logic supporting LBIST design-for-test to determine if the integrated circuit functions correctly. |
| US07934132B2 |
Communication system and method for controlling the same
For an error rate QBER, threshold values are preset, including a threshold value Qbit for frame synchronization processing, a threshold value Qphase for phase correction processing, and a threshold value QEve for eavesdropping detection. Upon the distribution of a quantum key from a sender to a receiver, when the measurement value of QBER is deteriorated more than Qbit, frame synchronization processing is performed. When the measurement value of QBER is deteriorated more than Qphase, phase correction processing and frame synchronization processing are performed. When QBER does not become better than QEve even after these recovery-processing steps are repeated N times, it is determined that there is a possibility of eavesdropping, and the processing is stopped. |
| US07934128B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for fault tolerant applications
Methods, systems and computer program products for architecting fault tolerant applications. Embodiments of the invention include a method for executing an application in a computer system, the method including monitoring a behavior of the computer system, the computer system having a subsystem in an operating system of the computer system, in response to encountering a problem in the computer system, performing switching the application from a normal mode of operation to a critical mode of operation, executing the application in the critical mode of operation, determining if the computer system has returned to the normal mode of operation, in response to the computer system returning to the normal mode of operation switching the application to execute in the normal mode and executing the application in the normal mode of operation. |
| US07934119B2 |
Failure recovery method
The reliability is improved at a low cost even in a virtualized server environment. The number of spare servers is reduced for improving the reliability and for saving a licensing fee for software on the spare servers. A server system comprises a plurality of physical servers on which a plurality of virtual servers run, a single standby server, a module for detecting an active virtual server, and a module for switching the correspondence of boot disks of virtualization modules for controlling virtual servers to the physical servers. When a physical server fails, the boot disk of the associated virtualization module is connected to a spare server to automatically activate on the spare server those virtual servers which have been active upon occurrence of the failure. |
| US07934114B2 |
Method of controlling information processing device, information processing device, program, and program converting method
The method of controlling an information processing device according to the present invention is a method of controlling an information processing device which includes a processor having a cache memory, and a clock supplying unit that supplies a clock signal to the processor. The method includes: predicting a hit rate of the cache memory; and controlling the clock supplying unit so as to change a frequency of the clock signal in accordance with the predicted hit rate. |
| US07934111B2 |
Apparatus and method for allowing quick activation of electronic equipment, and recording medium having a program stored thereon for performing such method
An information processing apparatus transitions from an active state, in which processing according to an application program is executed, to a paused state due to a predetermined trigger, and transitions from the paused state to the active state due to another trigger different from the predetermined trigger, and includes: a usage rate calculating section calculating a usage rate of a main memory, when transition is made from the active state to the paused state; a paused state selecting section selecting a paused state to which transition is to be made from among a plurality of kinds of the paused state, on the basis of a usage rate of the main memory calculated by the usage rate calculating section; and a paused state transition section transitioning itself to a paused state selected by the paused state selecting section. |
| US07934105B1 |
Data transfer device
A data transfer device for storing data to a removable data storage item, wherein data are received as records and encrypted by the data transfer device prior to storage. The data transfer device encrypts a first portion of the records using a first encryption key and a second portion of the records using a second encryption key. The encrypted records are then stored to the removable data storage item as a plurality of data blocks, each data block comprising one or more encrypted records, wherein records in a respective data block are encrypted using only a respective one of the encryption keys. |
| US07934104B2 |
Systems and methods for verifying a licensed installation at time of update
Systems, methods and media for verifying the existence of a licensed software installation at the time of an update to the software are disclosed. In one embodiment, a package of files for the update is encrypted with a copy of a key file that is contained in the original installation. The encrypted package of files is stored at a remote location that is accessible by way of a website. When a user seeks to download an update, the user must provide a copy of the key file used to encrypt the data. The user-provided key file is then used to decrypt the encrypted package. |
| US07934102B2 |
Method and system for efficient exception handling of the production process of personal identification verification (PIV) smartcards
A method and system provide efficient exception handling of the production process of PIV smartcards. Specifically, an automatic personal identity verification (AutoPIV) system and process manage potential failures in identification for agencies, such as a breakdown in correct identification. The AutoPIV system and process may deny access to individuals falsely claiming to be someone with legitimate access rights. The AutoPIV system and process may also accurately identify those with legitimate access rights. |
| US07934099B2 |
Device and method for generating digital signatures
For the secure creation of digital signatures and/or for the secure authentication of users with a chip card, an apparatus is plugged into a computer and the PIN is input. The computer operating system activates the autorun function of a read drive in the apparatus and loads an http responder program into the computer. A standard http protocol is used to send a signature request containing all the signature data to the http responder, which writes these data to the interface memory area of a read/write drive in the apparatus, and said interface memory area is read by the internal software in the apparatus, which interprets the data and uses configuration data to check the admissibility of the instruction. If appropriate, the signature request is then forwarded via a chip card read/write apparatus to the chip card, and the signature created by the card is written to the interface memory area, from where it is read by the http responder and is made available to the application as an http response. |
| US07934097B1 |
Method, apparatus, and system for managing, reviewing, comparing and detecting data on a wide area network
The disclosed embodiments are directed to a data management system, apparatus and process for uniquely identifying and protecting data. In preferred embodiments, the data management system comprises a data management server, a key generator, a source print generator and a source print detector. In some preferred embodiments, the data management system further comprises a data embedding system. Keys are created by the data management system for application to source files to create a fingerprint for the source file. The fingerprint is compared to unknown files to identify uses of the source file. |
| US07934093B2 |
Assigning security levels to a shared component
Security levels are assigned to a shared component. A workflow manager receives a workflow request that corresponds to a plurality of workflow steps. For each workflow step, the workflow manager determines whether the workflow step uses a shared component or an unshared component for execution. If the workflow step uses a shared component, the workflow manager invokes the step, and stores the step and its corresponding security level in a security tracking table. When the workflow manager encounters a shared component, the workflow manager uses the security tracking table entries in order to determine a security level to assign the shared component. The workflow manager assigns the determined security level to the shared component, and invokes the shared component to execute the corresponding process step. |
| US07934090B2 |
System for securing inbound and outbound data packet flow in a computer network
A method provides for control of access to network resources. A virtual identity machine resides in the network and is pre-authorized to access certain network resources. End users desiring access to those network resources attempt to logically connect to the virtual identity machines. If the logical connection attempt is successful, then the end user assumes the virtual identity of the virtual identity machine and has access to all of the same information that was available to the virtual identity machine. |
| US07934089B2 |
System and method for processing data and communicating encrypted data
Systems and methods for processing data and communicating encrypted data are provided. A method of processing data and communicating encrypted data may include receiving input traffic data at a first interface of a channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU). The method may also include encrypting management data associated with the input traffic data at the CSU/DSU to produce encrypted management data. The method may further include sending the encrypted management data via a second interface of the CSU/DSU to a remote terminal of a local area network via a data router coupled to the CSU/DSU. |
| US07934088B2 |
Method of secure communication between endpoints
The method of secure communication between the endpoints is used for the secret communication between endpoints locating in different gatekeeper management area, and the method includes: in the process of the caller endpoint calling the callee endpoint, the home gatekeeper of the callee endpoint generates the share secret key between the caller endpoint and the callee endpoint; the secure communication process is performed between the caller endpoint and the callee endpoint according to the share secret key. According to the secure communication method between the endpoints, the invention makes that secret communication mechanism between the endpoints locating the different gatekeeper management area has better expansibility and higher efficiency. |
| US07934084B2 |
Method and system for module initialization with an arbitrary number of phases
A method for initializing a module that includes identifying a first module for initialization, and performing a plurality of processing phases on the first module and all modules in a dependency graph of the first module. Performing the plurality of processing phases includes, for each module, executing a processing phase of the plurality of processing phases on the module, determining whether the processing phase has been executed on all modules in a dependency graph of the module, and when the processing phase has been executed for all modules in the dependency graph of the module, executing a subsequent processing phase of the plurality of processing phases on the module. |
| US07934083B2 |
Configurable access kernel
A highly configurable kernel supports a wide variety of content protection systems. The kernel may reside in a host that interacts with a secure processor maintaining content protection clients. After establishing communication with the secure processor, the host receives messages from content protection clients requesting rules for message handling operations to support client operations. This flexible configuration allows for dynamic reconfiguration of host and secure processor operation. |
| US07934081B2 |
Apparatus and method for using branch prediction heuristics for determination of trace formation readiness
A single unified level one instruction(s) cache in which some lines may contain traces and other lines in the same congruence class may contain blocks of instruction(s) consistent with conventional cache lines. Formation of trace lines in the cache is delayed on initial operation of the system to assure quality of the trace lines stored. |
| US07934080B2 |
Aggressive store merging in a processor that supports checkpointing
Embodiments of the present invention provide a processor that merges stores in an N-entry first-in-first-out (FIFO) store queue. In these embodiments, the processor starts by executing instructions before a checkpoint is generated. When executing instructions before the checkpoint is generated, the processor is configured to perform limited or no merging of stores into existing entries in the store queue. Then, upon detecting a predetermined condition, the processor is configured to generate a checkpoint. After generating the checkpoint, the processor is configured to continue to execute instructions. When executing instructions after the checkpoint is generated, the processor is configured to freely merge subsequent stores into post-checkpoint entries in the store queue. |
| US07934077B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing system selectively operating as one of a big endian or little endian system
The present invention is to provide a semiconductor device that can correctly switch endians on the outside even if the endian of a parallel interface is not recognized on the outside. The semiconductor device includes a switching circuit and a first register. The switching circuit switches between whether a parallel interface with the outside is to be used as a big endian or a little endian. A first register holds control data of the switching circuit. The switching circuit regards the parallel interface as the little endian when first predetermined control information, that is unchanged in the values of specific bit positions even if its high-order and low-order bit positions are transposed, is supplied to the first register, and regards the parallel interface as the big endian when second predetermined control information, that is unchanged in the values of specific bit positions even if its high-order and low-order bit positions are transposed, is supplied to the first register. Whatever the endian setting status, the control information can be correctly inputted without being influenced by the endian setting status. |
| US07934074B2 |
Flash module with plane-interleaved sequential writes to restricted-write flash chips
A flash memory controller on a PCIE bus controls flash-memory modules on a flash bus. The flash-memory modules are plane-interleaved using interleaved bits extracted from the lowest bits of the logical block index. These plane-interleave bits are split into a LSB and a MSB, with middle physical block bits between the LSB and MSB. A physical sequential address counter generates a physical block number by incrementing the plane-interleave bits before the middle physical block bits, and then relocating the MSB to above the middle physical block bits. This causes blocks to be accessed in a low-high sequence of 0, 1, 4096, 4097, 2, 3, 4098, 4099, etc. in the four planes of flash memory. A RAM physical page valid table tracks valid pages in the four planes, while a RAM mapping table stores the plane, block, and page addresses for logical sectors generated by the physical sequential address counter. |
| US07934069B2 |
Enabling and disabling cache in storage systems
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for enabling and disabling cache in storage systems. One embodiment includes a method that changes a time period for delaying host requests received at a cache of a storage device and converts the storage device from a cache enabled state to a cache disabled state while the storage device is online. |
| US07934067B2 |
Data update history storage apparatus and data update history storage method
Provided is a storage apparatus that stores data update histories using an existing file system without modifying the source code of the existing file system. The storage apparatus includes an I/O command catcher that changes, when an I/O command is issued from a program stored in a memory and arbitrary update data is stored in a data area address corresponding to a buffer address storing the arbitrary update data, authorized access set for the arbitrary update data in a page management unit to readable; and a page exception catcher that issues, when the authorized access of the arbitrary update data is changed to readable, a page exception report, acquires a data area address corresponding to the buffer address storing the arbitrary update data in the address management unit, and stores the update data and its update history in an update queue. |
| US07934051B2 |
Program and erase disabling control of WPCAM by double controls
The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method for controlling the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including memory regions that include nonvolatile memory cells; program prohibition information units, the program prohibition information units storing program prohibition information to be used for determining whether to prohibit or allow programming in a plurality of memory regions corresponding to the program prohibition information units; a first prohibition information control circuit that prohibits a change of the program prohibition information from a program prohibiting state to a program allowing state with respect a memory region, the memory region is one of the plurality of corresponding memory regions, based on first prohibition information to be used for determining whether to prohibit a change of the program prohibition information from a program prohibiting state to a program allowing state with respect to the corresponding memory region; and a second prohibition information control circuit that prohibits a change of the program prohibition information from a program allowing state to a program prohibiting state with respect to the corresponding memory region, based on second prohibition information to be used for determining whether to prohibit a change of the program prohibition information from a program allowing state to a program prohibiting state with respect to the corresponding memory region. |
| US07934046B2 |
Access table lookup for bus bridge
Cross-bar segment routing and access table address remapping functions are combined within a cross-bar of a system-on-a-chip. In this manner, address remapping may occur prior to segment routing. One or more access table caching registers may be included for each master port. The caching registers may allow for a rapid lookup of one or more access table entries associated with each master, as well as allow for the simultaneous lookup by multiple masters without adding ports to the access table. A segment identifier may be stored in the caching registers to indicate how to route a matching request to the appropriate slave segment. |
| US07934045B2 |
Redundant and fault tolerant control of an I/O enclosure by multiple hosts
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reliably controlling an I/O enclosure. A bus module receives two or more Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (“PCIe”) sideband signals via one or more PCIe cables. The one or more PCIe cables are connected between one or more hosts and an I/O enclosure. A decode module determines an asserted value of each of the two or more PCIe sideband signals and combines the PCIe sideband signal asserted values to form a bus value. Each PCIe sideband signal represents a bit in the bus value, and the bus value specifies a command for controlling the I/O enclosure. An execution module executes the specified command to perform control actions on the I/O enclosure. |
| US07934039B2 |
Variable oscillator for generating different frequencies in a controller area network
A device suitable for use as a module in a Controller Area Network (CAN) system with a bus or connection includes relatively simple and inexpensive components, including an oscillator that generates a number of different frequencies in response to directions from a microcomputer. A CAN Controller receiving the frequencies is connected to the bus via a transceiver. The device has utility for verification and validation work in association with a CAN system. |
| US07934035B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for aggregating computing resources
A system for executing applications designed to run on a single SMP computer on an easily scalable network of computers, while providing each application with computing resources, including processing power, memory and others that exceed the resources available on any single computer. A server agent program, a grid switch apparatus and a grid controller apparatus are included. Methods for creating processes and resources, and for accessing resources transparently across multiple servers are also provided. |
| US07934034B2 |
Simultaneous control of multiple I/O banks in an I2C slave device
Consistent with one example embodiment, communications systems, using a serial data transfer bus having a serial data line and a clock line used to implement a communications protocol, incorporate programmable loading of a logic value into parallel slave device registers. The communications system includes a slave device having two or more registers, each register having two or more bits, each register configured to load data therein received in accordance with the communications protocol over the data transfer bus in a first configuration, and to load a single logic value into the plurality of bits in a second configuration. A programmable configuration register is configured to be programmed, in accordance with the communications protocol over the data transfer bus, to select two or more of the registers for loading of the single logic value into the two or more of bits of the selected registers in the second configuration. |
| US07934031B2 |
Reshuffled communications processes in pipelined asynchronous circuits
An asynchronous logic family of circuits which communicate on delay-insensitive flow-controlled channels with 4-phase handshakes and 1 of N encoding, compute output data directly from input data using domino logic, and use the state-holding ability of the domino logic to implement pipelining without additional latches. |
| US07934027B2 |
Critical resource management
In one embodiment, a method of managing critical resource usage in a storage network comprises receiving, in a storage controller, an input/output operation from a host, wherein the input/output operation identifies a storage unit, placing the input/output operation in a waiting queue, determining a maximum queue depth for at least one critical resource in the storage network required to execute the input/output command against the storage unit, and blocking one or more subsequent input/output commands from the host for the storage unit when the wait queue for the critical resource exceeds the maximum queue depth. |
| US07934024B2 |
Method for reading and writing non-standard register of serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) device
A method for reading non-standard register of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) devices discloses an unused input parameter of standard command setting up as an executive parameter. While receiving the standard command, a SATA host controller converts the executive parameter and the standard command into input frame information structure (FIS) that is sent to the SATA devices for the SATA devices to detect the executive parameter for reading corresponding value of non-standard register and saving the value into an output register of the SATA devices. The value of the non-standard register is converted into output frame information structure for being sent to the SATA host controller and the value of the non-standard register is saved to the output register of the SATA host controller. Then by reading the value of the output register of the SATA host controller, the value of the non-standard register is learned. |
| US07934023B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing fast fibre channel write operations over relatively high latency networks
A method and apparatus to improve the performance of a SCSI write over a high latency network. The apparatus includes a first Switch close to the initiator in a first SAN and a second Switch close to the target in a second SAN. In various embodiments, the two Switches are border switches connecting their respective SANs to a relatively high latency network between the two SANs. In addition, the initiator can be either directly connected or indirectly connected to the first Switch in the first SAN. The target can also be either directly or indirectly connected to the second Switch in the second SAN. During operation, the method includes the first Switch sending Transfer Ready (Xfr_rdy) frame(s) based on buffer availability to the initiating Host in response to a SCSI Write command from the Host directed to the target. The first and second Switches then coordinate with one another by sending Transfer Ready commands to each other independent of the target's knowledge. The second switch buffers the data received from the Host until the target indicates it is ready to receive the data. Since the Switches send frames to the initiating Host independent of the target, the Switches manipulate the OX_ID and RX_ID fields in the Fiber Channel header of the various commands associated with the SCSI Write. The OX_ID and RX_ID fields are manipulated so as to trap the commands and so that the Switches can keep track of the various commands associated with the SCSI write. |
| US07934021B2 |
System and method for network interfacing
Systems and methods for network interfacing may include a communication data center with a first tier, a second tier and a third tier. The first tier may include a first server with a first single integrated convergent network controller chip. The second server may include a second server with a second single integrated convergent network controller chip. The third tier may include a third server with a third single integrated convergent network controller chip. The second server may be coupled to the first server via a single fabric with a single connector. The third server may be coupled to the second server via the single fabric with the single connector. The respective first, second and third server, each processes a plurality of different traffic types concurrently via the respective first, second and third single integrated convergent network chip over the single fabric that is coupled to the single connector. |
| US07934016B2 |
System and method for recognizing and assigning application-specific flows
In one embodiment, an intermediate network device includes a communication facility configured to receive a reservation request message that includes a flow spec object. The flow spec object specifies one or more flow parameters that describe a given traffic flow that desires to pass through the intermediate network device. A flow is configured to compare the one or more flow parameters specified in the flow spec object to one or more constants stored in a memory, to determine a type of traffic of the given traffic flow. The flow analyzer determines the type of traffic independent of any differentiated services codepoint (DSCP) values in packets of the given traffic flow. A traffic scheduler is configured to assign the given traffic flow to a particular per hop behavior (PHB) based on the determined type of traffic for the given traffic flow. |
| US07934015B2 |
System and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network
A system and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network is provided. Push service providers prepare data for transmission to the mobile device using a first IP address. The addressed data is then transmitted to a push proxy. The push proxy obtains a network identifier that is permanently associated with the wireless mobile device using the first IP address. The network identifier is then used by the push proxy to obtain a second IP address that is temporarily associated with the wireless mobile device. Using this second IP address, the data from the push proxy is then addressed and transmitted to the wireless mobile device via a tunnel created through the wireless network using the second IP address. |
| US07934004B2 |
System and method for multi-service access
A control and bearer separating system for the multi-service access includes: at least one access node for receiving the message of the user, separating the control flow and the service flow of the message, transmitting the control flow to the controller, and transmitting the service flow to the corresponding edge node, based on the control of the controller; the controller for processing the control flow to control the access node to transmit the service flow to the corresponding edge node, and control the corresponding edge node to process the service flow; and at least one edge node for transmitting the received service flow to the corresponding service provider node, based on the control of the controller. Furthermore, there is a method for connecting the user to the networking using the above control and bearer separating system, and a control and bearer separating method. |
| US07934001B2 |
Network-initiated session recovery
Techniques for network-initiated session recovery are described. A relationship is maintained between two identifiers both associated with a session between a first device and an access terminal in a wireless network. The first identifier is associated with the first device, and the second identifier is associated with a second device in communication with the first device. After a breach of the session, communications associated with the session are preserved based on the relationship between the first and second identifiers. |
| US07933997B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, program and communication method
There is provided a communication apparatus including: a transmission unit which transmits data to an opposite communication apparatus; a physical band measurement unit which measures a physical band against the opposite communication apparatus; and a rate control unit which controls a transmission rate of the transmission unit within a range of the physical band when a previous transmission rate of the transmission unit is below a value of subtracting a predetermined value from the physical band and within a range of exceeding the physical band when the previous transmission rate is beyond the value of subtracting the predetermined value from the physical band. |
| US07933995B2 |
Computer program and apparatus for controlling computing resources, and distributed processing system
A computing program and apparatus for controlling computing resources, and a distributed processing system, which realize determining a computing node to be allocated to a computing task, with taking a time required for changing the state of running software into consideration. A node information acquisition unit continuously acquires and stores environment information indicating running software from computing nodes in a node information memory. A request acceptor accepts a computing request including environment condition information specifying software necessary for execution of a computing task. A node selector compares the environment information of each computing node with the environment condition information to preferentially select a computing node that requires the least software to start, as a commuting node to be allocated. A node controller controls the selected computing node to start the necessary software and then execute the computing task. |
| US07933994B1 |
Extracting embedded NAIS (network access identifiers)
Ways for extracting from a string multiple embedded network-access identifiers (NAIs) included within the string are described. One embodiment includes receiving the string that includes embedded-NAI information, and parsing the string to identify the multiple embedded NAIs. The string can include a username and information that indicates multiple realms (or domains) associated with the username. |
| US07933992B2 |
Device management system, device management method, information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
A device management system includes a network device and an information processing apparatus. The network device generates request information including the information used to identify the user, and requests to issue access control information including access restriction information indicating whether or not each of the functions of the network device can be used. The information processing apparatus generates access control information which associates the access restriction information with the user information. The network device further controls the use of the respective functions with respect to the operation input in accordance with the access restriction information included in the generated access control information. |
| US07933987B2 |
Application of virtual servers to high availability and disaster recovery solutions
Server virtualization technology is applied to virtualize and encapsulate all unique information of a server as an image that is stored on a storage area network at one site and replicated on a storage area network at another site to provide high availability of system resources and data recovery capabilities. In one embodiment, a virtualized server system (100) includes a primary site (110), a secondary site (130), and a computer executable control application (150). The primary site (110) includes a storage area network (112), at least one primary virtual server platform (114), and at least one primary virtual server stored as at least one image (116) on the storage area network (112). The control application (150) directs replication of the primary virtual server image (116) onto a storage area network (132) at the secondary site (130) to create a corresponding replicated virtual server image (138). The control application (150) also monitors operation of the primary virtual server platform (114) and associates the replicated virtual server image (138) with a secondary virtual server (134) at the secondary site (130) in the event that a problem is detected with the primary site virtual server (114). |
| US07933986B2 |
Transferring command-lines as a message
Embodiments described herein are based on the principle that shells execute commands as units of characters. Accordingly, embodiments herein provide for a sending side with enough intelligence to isolate each command, examine it, perform some levels of validation, and deliver a structured representation of the command to the remote processor before doing any network operations. More specifically, embodiments herein provided for a mechanism of identifying a command and encapsulating the command into a single message (e.g., a SOAP, HTTPS, or other type message), which is then sent to a remote shell for processing as an entire unit. Accordingly, embodiments herein treat the command as a single unit, rather than as a character-oriented transmission. |
| US07933982B2 |
Apparatus and method for presence service on inter-domain
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for presence service on inter-domain. The apparatus comprises an enhanced inter-domain presence (EIP) module and an enhanced inter-domain presence authorization document (EIPAD) module. When at least a watcher requests a presence subscription to a foreign domain, the EIP module dynamically aggregates the foreign domain presentities for all local watchers having the subscription request, and produces a foreign domain document (FDD). The EIP module also acts as a presence client having the subscription for foreign-domain, and dispatches presence status information. The enhanced inter-domain presence authorization document module resolves the FDD contents, identifies the subscribed foreign-domain presentities, then accesses a corresponding presence authorization document and notifies it to the presence server on the watcher domain. |
| US07933979B2 |
Identification information creating method, information processing apparatus, computer program product, recording device monitoring method, terminal apparatus management method, and communication network system
A terminal apparatus generates a hash value from a sequence number based on a predetermined hash algorithm, and creates identification information from an IP address and/or a MAC address and the generated hash value based on a predetermined creation algorithm. Moreover, at the time of processing for shutdown or reboot, the terminal apparatus stores the current recording device information into a hard disk, and when booted next time, determines whether or not the current recording device information and the recording device information stored in the hard disk match with each other. Further, when booted, the terminal apparatus requests a response from another terminal apparatus in the network segment, and when there is not a response from another terminal apparatus, creates management information of terminal apparatuses including itself having been booted in the network segment. With this, spoofing as an authorized terminal apparatus can be prevented, a change of a recording medium can be monitored, and the traffic of the communication network needed for the management of the terminal apparatuses can be reduced. |
| US07933973B2 |
Obje network device service apparatus and method in UPnP network system
An Obje network device service apparatus in a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) network system, the apparatus including: an information providing unit which discovers an Obje device, and provides information about the discovered Obje device; and an Obje service generation unit which generates a UPnP device, a counter Obje component, and an Obje client, based on the information about the Obje device, the UPnP device controlling the Obje client to use the Obje device in a UPnP control point and corresponding to the Obje device, the counter Obje component having a data type of the Obje device, and the Obje client generating a session for data transmission between the Obje device and the counter Obje component. |
| US07933972B1 |
Method and system for organizing categories of content in a distributed network
A method for organizing categories of digital content in a peer-to-peer computer network includes automatically collecting tag metadata when a user creates a tag for digital content stored in a peer computer system. Once the tag is created and the tag metadata is collected, both the tag and the tag metadata are stored in a server that is accessible to each of the peer computer systems. Here, the tag is automatically classified by its tag metadata such that the digital content can be accessed based on its tag metadata. |
| US07933967B2 |
Simultaneous sharing of storage drives on blade center
A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a microprocessor on each blade server for providing interfaces at the plurality of blade servers for simultaneous connection with a local or remote drive. The microprocessor can also configure the blade server to simultaneously connect with a plurality of local and/or remote drives. The microprocessor routes data packets between a management system and its respective blade server, while a management module in the management system manages the simultaneous access of the drive(s) by the plurality of blade servers or the plurality of drives by a blade server. This increases the efficiency of the system. |
| US07933957B2 |
Tracking email and instant messaging (IM) thread history
Systems and methods for integrating instant messaging (IM) services and email services are described. In one embodiment, email messages and IM chat session transcripts are threaded to each other so that an email thread history may be traced back to an IM chat session transcript and, conversely, an IM thread history may be traced back to an email message. |
| US07933954B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for network conferencing
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for conducting a peer to peer conference amongst remote participants. Prior to the conference, a library of digital objects is communicated to an upstream participant communications device and is further communicated from the upstream participant communications device to a downstream participant communications device. During the conference, a synchronization command is communicated from a host communications device to the upstream participant communications device, and then, communicated from the upstream participant communications device to the downstream participant communications device. The synchronization command instructs the upstream participant communications device as well as the connected downstream participant communications device to present an object from the library of digital objects. A synchronization acknowledgment is then communicated from the downstream participant communications device to the upstream communications device, and the upstream participant communications device communicates the synchronization acknowledgement to the host communications device. The synchronization acknowledgment confirms a successful presentation of the object on the upstream participant communications device and on the downstream participant communications device. |
| US07933951B2 |
Systems and methods for discerning and controlling communication traffic
Communication traffic redirection systems and methods are disclosed that allow for redirection of communication traffic over the Internet based, at least in part, on the type of higher-level communication protocol intended to be used. The systems and methods permit redirection of only certain types of communication traffic of interest for example HTTP traffic, while permitting other types of communication, for example SMTP traffic, to pass without redirection. The systems and method can employ a training and dynamic feedback procedure to ensure only traffic of interest is redirected. The systems and methods provide efficient redirection of specific types of traffic to redirect landing pages, and allow for efficient methods of generating revenue through advertising. |
| US07933950B1 |
Secure control of features of a digital device
A method providing secure control of features of a digital device. In one embodiment, the method comprises sending, from a digital device that participates in a service, to a service provider that provides the service, a request to participate in the service; receiving a digital message that identifies a service state for the digital device, wherein the digital message is encoded uniquely for the digital device, wherein the digital message is unusable at a different digital device; based on the digital message, determining a plurality of control values that collectively define the service state within the digital device; and providing the control values to one or more applications hosted by the digital device that deliver a service experience associated with the service, or a feature, to an end user of the digital device. |
| US07933949B2 |
Data processing apparatus which prevents data overflow and underflow
A data processing apparatus constitutes a low-cost audio/video data transmission and reception system. A reception buffer monitoring circuit 21 monitors the size of receiver data being accumulated in a reception buffer 6. When the size of accumulated data is found to become higher than a high threshold, the circuit 21 causes a reception clock generation circuit 8 to generate a reception clock with a higher frequency. When the accumulated data size becomes lower than a low threshold, the reception clock is generated with a lower frequency. Based on the reception clock fed from the reception clock generation circuit 8, an audio/video decoder 7 decodes the audio/video data coming from the reception buffer 6. The data processing apparatus applies advantageously to a television transmission and reception system for transmitting and receiving TV broadcast signals. |
| US07933947B2 |
Connection manager that supports failover protection
A method is described that involves identifying which session a received request pertains to. The method also involves referring to information maintained for the session. The information comprises first information that identifies a queue that provides notifications of requests to a worker node that is assigned to handle the session. The method also involves entering a request for a session into a shared memory. The method also involves entering a notification of the request into the queue. The method also involves, after failure of the worker node, retracting the notification from the queue, and, identifying a new worker node to handle the session with a load balancing algorithm. |
| US07933944B2 |
Combined fast multipole-QR compression technique for solving electrically small to large structures for broadband applications
An approach that efficiently solves for a desired parameter of a system or device that can include both electrically large fast multipole method (FMM) elements, and electrically small QR elements. The system or device is setup as an oct-tree structure that can include regions of both the FMM type and the QR type. An iterative solver is then used to determine a first matrix vector product for any electrically large elements, and a second matrix vector product for any electrically small elements that are included in the structure. These matrix vector products for the electrically large elements and the electrically small elements are combined, and a net delta for a combination of the matrix vector products is determined. The iteration continues until a net delta is obtained that is within predefined limits. The matrix vector products that were last obtained are used to solve for the desired parameter. |
| US07933943B2 |
Multiplierless FIR digital filter and method of designing the same
Provided are a multiplierless FIR digital filter and a method of designing the same, in which a filtering operation is performed by a small addition/subtraction circuit using extracted information after analyzing the property of a given coefficient and extracting information required for design by only adding/subtracting operations. In the method of designing the multiplierless FIR digital filter, tables are created to extract and store information needed for adding and subtracting operations. An addition table is created to store values obtained by adding the input data synchronized with a clock frequency. Further, a value corresponding to multiplication is obtained by performing extraction and error correction on the added values from the tables, and an adder chain of an output terminal sums up the values and outputs the filtering results, thereby effectively implementing a logic circuit of the multipliedess FIR digital filter. |
| US07933941B2 |
Arithmetic program conversion apparatus, arithmetic program conversion program and arithmetic program conversion method
An arithmetic program conversion apparatus, an arithmetic program conversion program and an arithmetic program conversion method that can convert the floating-point arithmetic of an arithmetic program into a fixed-point arithmetic without degrading the accuracy. The apparatus comprises a profile section that uses as object variables the floating-point type variables of an arithmetic program for performing floating-point arithmetic operations, alters the arithmetic program so as to output the changes in the values of the object variables as history at the time of executing the arithmetic program in order to provide a first program, executes the first program and detects the range of value of the object variables according to the history obtained as a result of the execution and a conversion section that alters the arithmetic program according to the ranges of value of the object variables as detected by the profile section so as to convert the object variables into fixed-point type variables in order to provide a second program, executes the second program and determines if the accuracy of the outcome of the execution of the second program meets the predefined and required accuracy level or not. |
| US07933939B2 |
Apparatus and method for partitioning data blocks
A method and apparatus for increasing the speed at which a block of data can be partitioning into variable-length subblocks is provided. The method combines a relatively high-speed partitioning algorithm (that can only partition a block into relatively small mean-length subblocks) with a relatively low-speed algorithm (that can partition a block into subblocks of any mean length) to yield a relatively high-speed partitioning algorithm that can partition blocks into subblocks of any mean-length. |
| US07933938B2 |
File storage system, file storing method and file searching method therein
A file storage system, a file storing method, and a file searching method. In the file storing method, a single file to be stored is classified into at least one or more objects, and the classified objects are classified into pages with a serial number. One storage device to record the file is selected among a plurality of storage devices connected through a network. One object is allocated to the selected storage device. Pages configuring the file of the object allocated to the selected storage device are stored. When all pages of the file are not stored, the remaining pages are stored by allocating new object to a new storage device. Metadata for managing information about the storage of the file is set. Accordingly, the file can be stored over several disks. In addition, the overall system performance can be increased by setting the file information in the object metadata simply using the least resources. |
| US07933936B2 |
Method and system for automatic management of storage space
A system and method are provided to manage storage space. The method comprises detecting a free storage space threshold condition for a storage volume and automatically applying a space management technique to achieve a free storage space threshold condition. Space management techniques comprise deleting selected backup data (e.g., persistent consistency point images) and automatically increasing the size of the storage volume. |
| US07933932B2 |
Statistics based database population
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that generate a simulation database based upon a source database. The simulation database can be populated using a schema and statistics obtained from the source database. After population, the simulation database can be statistically similar to the source database, facilitating testing, analysis, support and database design. More particularly, data distribution histograms can be used to generate data to populate the simulation database. At the same time, the referential integrity can be maintained. |
| US07933931B2 |
Notification system and method
A dispatching system adjusts resources to meet real-time changes in demand. When a customer requests service, a work assignment is generated and sent to an employee. When a customer cancels the requested service, a cancellation code is sent to the employee. The cancellation code informs the employee that the work assignment has been canceled. |
| US07933930B1 |
Systems and methods for creating documents from templates
A merge application creates a particular set of documents for a particular matter. The merge application receives a selection of a particular master template corresponding to the particular set of documents, where the selected master template specifies a plurality of slave templates, and also receives a selection of a data structure from a database with data relating to the particular matter. The selected master template and the selected data structure are employed to produce the set of documents for the particular matter in an electronic form, where a corresponding document of the set is produced for each specified slave template in the selected master template. Each corresponding document is produced according to common content in the slave template and data in the selected data structure in the database referred to by placeholders in the slave template. |
| US07933929B1 |
Network link for providing dynamic data layer in a geographic information system
A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of an interactive geographic information system (GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3D. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided. |
| US07933926B2 |
User feedback system
A user feedback system for improving a performance of a software application is described. The feedback system includes a telemetry collection system and a user feedback collection system. A context aggregator collects data from both the telemetry collection system and the user feedback collection system, and constructs a data model that characterizes the data. Using this data model, the feedback system is able to provide or enable software support in a timely, convenient, and useful way. Specifically, data in the data model is standardized across a number of software applications and/or users, so that multiple data models, along with other data sources, may be meaningfully compared to identify a problem, and possibly a solution, associated with an operation of the software application. Additionally, users of the feedback system may be connected with a virtual community of other users who the system has determined may be helpful in assisting one another. |
| US07933925B2 |
System and method for role based analysis and access control
A system and method for program access control includes, for a typestate, providing typestate properties and assigning a role to the typestate in a program in accordance with the typestate properties. Access to operations is limited for the typestate in the program based on the role assigned to the typestate and an access permission level. |
| US07933922B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for automating retrieval of data from a DB2 database
Data is automatically retrieved from a DataBase 2 (DB2) database using a DB2 scripter module that is configured to automatically log on to the DB2 database, to automatically perform a query of the DB2 database, and to automatically extract from the DB2 database a dataset that results from the query. A dataset processor module is configured to convert the dataset into a text file, and to deliver the text file to a delivery site, for retrieval by the user. The DB2 scripter module can extract the dataset by printing the dataset to a DB2 virtual printer and/or by exporting the dataset to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site. |
| US07933921B2 |
Referent-controlled location resolution of resources in a federated distributed system
When receiving a client data access request directed to a first data container serviced by a first federation member, data of the first requested data container may be used to resolve a context identifier and identify a volume location database (VLDB) associated with a second federation member servicing a second data container. A look up request may then be sent to the VLDB to identify one or more locations of the second data container. The client's original data access request illustratively may then be responded to with the identified one or more locations of the second data container. |
| US07933919B2 |
One-pass sampling of hierarchically organized sensors
One-pass sampling is employed within a hierarchically organized structure to efficiently and expeditiously respond to sensor inquires. Identification of relevant sensors and sampling of those sensors is combined and performed in a single pass. Oversampling can also be employed to ensure a target sample size is met where some sensors fail or are otherwise unavailable. Further yet, sensor data can be cached and utilized to hasten processing as well as compensate for occasional sensor unavailability. |
| US07933916B2 |
Querying nonSQL data stores with a SQL-style language
A nonSQL index containing data associated with a social networking network is queried with a nonSQL query generated from a SQL query. A query translation component parses the SQL query for query parameters specifying requested data and identifies a type of the nonSQL index based on the nonSQL index. The query translation component generates a nonSQL query based on the query parameters and the type of nonSQL index and queries the nonSQL index with the generated nonSQL query to search for the requested data. The query translation component receives a nonSQL result set from the nonSQL index based on the nonSQL query and then transforms the nonSQL result set into a SQL result set based on the type of nonSQL index and the received SQL query. |
| US07933913B2 |
Secondary index and indexed view maintenance for updates to complex types
Pursuant to receipt of a data modification command or statement, such as an Update command, it is determined which fields in a data structure, such as a UDT, computed column, indexed view, or index, for example, will be changed as a result of the command. Only those fields that are affected by the command will be changed. Thus, changes are propagated to only to those dependent data structures whose content is being modified. Tree representations are used to facilitate the determination as to whether a subfield in a hierarchy is changed. |
| US07933908B1 |
Computer-implemented processing of heterogeneous data
A computer-implemented method for a computing environment employing a matrix-based mathematical programming language includes: generating a heterogeneous dataset in the computing environment, where the heterogeneous dataset embodies a plurality of variables for a plurality of subjects, where each element of a respective variable has a same data type, where the variables comprise at least two data types; accessing contents of the heterogeneous dataset with a single command in the computing environment, where the single command is a brace command, a dot command, or a parentheses command; and providing in the computing environment a portion of the heterogeneous dataset based on the single command. |
| US07933907B2 |
Methods and systems for providing personalized frequently asked questions
A method of selecting a set of questions to display comprises receiving a request from a user to access a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. Account data for the user is retrieved. A set of questions is selected to display to the user based on the account data. This permits a set of questions to be automatically selected based on user account data. |
| US07933906B2 |
Method and system for assessing relevant properties of work contexts for use by information services
An information retrieval system for automatically retrieving information related to the context of an active task being manipulated by a user. The system observes the operation of the active task and user interactions, and utilizes predetermined criteria to generate context representation of the active task that are relevant to the context of the active task. The information retrieval system then processes the context representation to generate queries or search terms for conducting an information search. The information retrieval system determines the relevance of a word to the context by utilizing an adaptive weighting system. The information retrieval system assigns varying weights to different attributes of a word and calculates an accumulated weight of the word by accumulating all weights assigned to the word. The attributes may include word size, style, location of the word, etc. The system then ranks the importance of words based on their respective accumulated weight, and chooses words that rank within a predetermined number from the top to form search terms to conduct an information search using various data sources. |
| US07933903B2 |
System and method to determine the validity of and interaction on a network
A computer implemented system classifies a user interaction on a network. An interface collects a user interaction data relating to a user interaction on a network. The user interaction data comprises an aggregate measure data or a unique feature data. The processor, which is connected to the interface, processes the user interaction data to generate a value score for the user interaction and determines a classification of the user interaction based on the value score. |
| US07933900B2 |
Search over structured data
A user can refine a search over structured data by specifying that a label or an attribute value be used to further filter the results of a query. |
| US07933899B2 |
Dynamic bid pricing for sponsored search
A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page. In this instance, the method then includes determining which items are to be shown and their placement on the Web page according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the related items. |
| US07933897B2 |
Entity display priority in a distributed geographic information system
A system for ranking geospatial entities is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises an interface for receiving ranking data about a plurality of geospatial entities and an entity ranking module. The module uses a ranking mechanism to generate place ranks for the geospatial entities based on the ranking data. Ranked entity data generated by the entity ranking module is stored in a database. The entity ranking module may be configured to evaluate a plurality of diverse attributes to determine a total score for a geospatial entity. The entity ranking module may be configured to organize ranked entity data into placemark layers. |
| US07933896B2 |
Systems and methods of searching a document for relevant chunks in response to a search request
A computer identifies a document in response to a search request from a user, wherein the document includes content data and metadata and the search request includes one or more search keywords. The computer generates a hierarchical semantic model of the content data of the document by applying heuristics to the metadata of the document. The computer identifies a chunk within the document by scanning the hierarchical semantic model, wherein the identified chunk includes a subset of the content data that satisfies the search keywords and the corresponding metadata. The computer returns the identified chunk to the requesting user. |
| US07933894B2 |
Parameter-sensitive plans for structural scenarios
Systems and methods that generate specialized plans for compiling SQL queries. A plan generator component scans the query representation for parameter sensitive predicates and evaluates each predicate individually based on the parameter values. Accordingly, queries can be identified not only based on their structures, but also based on their parameter conditions. The specialized plans are more efficient for particular values, wherein queries that employ such values are optimally executed. |
| US07933887B2 |
File search apparatus, printer and file search method
When a process of searching for assets stored in a memory card is selected, a controller of a printer sets searching icons associated with previously set searching-keywords as current searching icons (S110), and each time a memory card is installed in a reader/writer, acquires all keywords associated with assets, which are search objects, from the installed memory card (S170), collates the set searching-keywords with the acquired keywords (S200), and displays searching-keywords among the set searching-keywords, that do not match any of the acquired keywords in a manner that differs from a normal display (S210). A user can thus recognize that a searching-keyword that has been set is not contained in the memory card 18 before the user executes an actual search. |
| US07933884B2 |
Apparatus and methods for tracking, querying, and visualizing behavior targeting processes
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing information that is related to user on-line behavior, which was also used at least partly to generate user scores by one or more behavior targeting processes. A query client may select to receive information from a plurality of different data feeds that are retained within a plurality of different databases by a plurality of different behavior targeting processes. The selectable data feeds generally correspond to different types or aggregations of user on-line behavior. In certain embodiments, information from the selected data feeds for a particular user is compiled and presented in a single, interactive user interface that allows the client to easily view various aspects of such information. |
| US07933883B2 |
Associative search engine
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlating the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user. |
| US07933882B2 |
Dynamic cluster database architecture
A method for implementing a set of database management components in a distributed database management system, the distributed database management system being implemented on a computer cluster. The method includes managing resources associated with an associated computer, the associated computer being one of a plurality of computers in the computer cluster. The method also includes managing locks on data stored on a plurality of associated data nodes coupled to the associated computer, wherein the associated data nodes are data nodes of a plurality of data nodes in the computer cluster. The method also includes specifying logical connections for the plurality of associated data nodes. |
| US07933879B2 |
Computerized hazardous material response tool
A computer-based method and apparatus for identifying hazardous materials based on observable physical properties and signs and systems of exposure to the hazardous materials. The observable physical properties are obtained by preprocessing plain language data to obtain normalized descriptors and modifiers pertaining to a plurality of properties and signs and symptoms. The normalized descriptors and signs and symptoms are presented to a user in lists for comparison with a sample in the field. Once a material is identified, information can be obtained from the apparatus which is necessary for response to an incident involving the hazardous material. The preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly useful to responders to a hazardous waste incident. |
| US07933875B2 |
File system with distributed components
A distributed file system is disclosed which may include one or more input/output (I/O) nodes and one or more compute nodes. The I/O nodes and the compute nodes may be communicably coupled through an interconnect. Each compute node may include applications to perform specific functions and perform I/O functions through libraries and file system call handlers. The file system call handlers may be capable of providing application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate communication between the plurality of I/O nodes and the applications. The file system call handlers may use a message port system to communicate with other compute nodes. |
| US07933872B2 |
Database backup, refresh and cloning system and method
An automated physical database backup, refresh and cloning system and method automatically generates scripts or commands for implementing one or more tasks related to physical database backup and/or database and application refresh or cloning operations between a source environment and a target environment. The scripts or commands make use of parameters describing the source and target environments, at least some of which are gathered prior to initiating backup and cloning. The tasks are performed during one or more backup, refresh and cloning phases. In some embodiments, scripts are automatically regenerated and executed after a failure associated with the source or target environment. |
| US07933871B2 |
Discovering and updating templates
Embodiments are provided to maintain templates associated with a client. New and updated templates can be provided to the client and accessed by a user. In an embodiment, a system can be configured to automatically update locally stored templates with updated templates associated with a library. The updated templates can replace or be used to update the locally stored templates and be used by an application user. In one embodiment, a client can be configured to automatically initiate an update process to retrieve and/or receive new and updated templates from an associated document library. The update process can also be used to provide additional information associated with a template, such as metadata describing aspects of an associated template. |
| US07933866B2 |
Systems, methods and software programs for data synchronization
In contrast to prior data synchronization processes, provided by aspects of the invention are systems, methods and software programs implementing a data synchronization process that employs a high-level interface of a respective data repository to extract valid information from the data repository in response to low-level changes in the data repository. In specific embodiments of the invention, the synchronization process is implemented within an adaptor interposed between a management system and a database system that serves as a middle-ware operable to link a respective data store interface, within a management system, to a respective managed platform, within the database system, so that the native API's of each can be employed in the operation of the data synchronization process. |
| US07933864B1 |
Surfacing forums associated with a search string
Creation, association, and/or placement of search forums for searches strings enable users to discuss aspects of both searches and elements associated with the searches, and further enable the users to view discussions from other users. The search forum may be generated from variations of the search string. In addition or alternatively, search strings may be associated with existing item forums, category forums, and tag forums. Search forums may be placed with, for example, search results or with items, categories, and/or tags, among other possibilities, to provide user access to the search forums. |
| US07933863B2 |
Database system and method for managing a database
A database management system and a method of managing a database storing a plurality of entities related to each other by a plurality of relations. The database management system includes a user interface for interfacing with the database in a current situation. The system also includes a context modeler for modeling a context representation and a server for storing a situation in which the user has been involved as at least one frame. The at least one frame describes at least one object and action involved in the situation in which the user has been involved and their relationship to each other. A context using the at least one frame is modeled by the context modeler so that when the context representation is applied to the database, operation of the database is adapted according to the situation. |
| US07933862B2 |
One click conditional formatting method and system for software programs
A method of conditionally formatting a display of data is disclosed that involves providing a preliminary display automatically showing the intended consequences of the condition applied to the data prior to making the condition actually apply to the data. This is especially useful in analysis of spreadsheet data by conditionally formatting certain data. The method involves identifying one or more parameters of the data to be conditionally formatted on the display, selecting a predetermined condition; and automatically applying temporarily the predetermined condition to the parameter(s), displaying a temporary preview on the display of the predetermined condition applied to data that meet the predetermined condition. The method also provides the capability to preliminarily change the conditions and parameters applied to the data and automatically provide appropriate previews of the effect of such application of changed conditions on the displayed data. |
| US07933858B2 |
General framework for graphical simulations
A system is described that treats a solver as an ordered sequence of steps involving the different objects that have to be simulated and relationships between them. Tasks and the order of the tasks are obtained from each object and relationship. The tasks are merged into a sorted list. The solver traverses the list and passing each task to a corresponding object and relationship where the objects are interleaved during processing. The object or relationship then executes the task. |
| US07933857B2 |
Translator support system, server, method and recording medium
A server having a database sequentially registers a plurality of Japanese messages to be translated into the database. In parallel to the registration, the server provides a first translation terminal with Japanese messages already registered, acquires English messages translated by the first translation terminal, and sequentially registers the acquired English messages in the database in association with corresponding Japanese messages. In parallel to the processes, the server provides individual second translation terminals with English messages already registered, acquires multilingual messages translated by the second translation terminals, and sequentially registers the acquired multilingual messages in the database in association with corresponding English messages. |
| US07933851B2 |
Processing of high-dimensional categorical predictors in classification settings
Systems and methods provide for preprocessing non-metric response categories in order to efficiently cluster or partition predictors have similar responses. The non-metric response categories are transformed into distance vectors by calculating a frequency count for the response, transforming the frequency count to a proportional value, and calculating a distance vector using the vector of proportional values. |
| US07933847B2 |
Limited-memory quasi-newton optimization algorithm for L1-regularized objectives
An algorithm that employs modified methods developed for optimizing differential functions but which can also handle the special non-differentiabilities that occur with the L1-regularization. The algorithm is a modification of the L-BFGS (limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno) quasi-Newton algorithm, but which can now handle the discontinuity of the gradient using a procedure that chooses a search direction at each iteration and modifies the line search procedure. The algorithm includes an iterative optimization procedure where each iteration approximately minimizes the objective over a constrained region of the space on which the objective is differentiable (in the case of L1-regularization, a given orthant), models the second-order behavior of the objective by considering the loss component alone, using a “line-search” at each iteration that projects search points back onto the chosen orthant, and determines when to stop the line search. |
| US07933846B2 |
Mail processing system including dimensional rating with true length support
A mail processing system that includes dimensional rating capability that provides true length support for carrier rates to prevent improper classification of mail pieces. The mail processing system determines a first dimension, parallel to the path of travel, and a second dimension, transverse to the path of travel, of a mail piece. The first dimension and second dimension are compared to each other to determine which is greater. The greater of the two dimensions is assigned to be the length of the mail piece, regardless of the orientation of the mail piece. The format of the mail piece is then determined based on a comparison of the assigned length and assigned width dimensions to maximum dimensions specified by a format table. Based on the determined format of the mail piece, a delivery fee is then calculated, and an indicium can be generated for the mail piece. |
| US07933845B1 |
Image-customization of computer-based value-bearing items
The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for customizing computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, customizing a computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item such as exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable indication of an amount of postage 5. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable identifier (such as a serial number) 6 that will uniquely identify the particular customized computer-based postage label. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a machine-readable set of information 7. |
| US07933840B2 |
Electronic signature security system
One embodiment of the invention enhances the security of electronic signatures during transmission. A peripheral device, which may be located remotely and separate from a host processing system, captures the signature. The peripheral device then binds the signature to the particular transaction record and transmits it to the host processing system. The host processing system validates or confirms the received signature before accepting the transaction. Binding the signature and record data together at the point-of-use reduces the likelihood that someone may be able to hack into the transmission medium, encrypted or not, and obtain the raw signature data. By binding or associating the signature and transaction record data together at the point-of-use, each transaction has a unique key, further foiling attempts at hacking. In various implementations, rather than associating the whole signature with the transaction record data, signature sample points or segments are encrypted with transaction record data. |
| US07933837B2 |
Content information providing system, content information providing server, content reproduction apparatus, content information providing method, content reproduction method and computer program
A content information providing system is disclosed which can protect the copyrights of contents while permitting users who do not purchase the contents to utilize the contents. A content information providing server includes a user information storage section for storing a user key unique to each user, a content key storage section for storing content keys unique to individual contents, a recommendation section for selecting a content to be recommended to the user, a content key encryption section for encrypting the selected content key with a user key of the user of a target of the recommendation, and a content information sender section for transmitting the encrypted content key to a content reproduction apparatus used by the user. The content reproduction apparatus includes a content information receiver section for receiving the content key, and a content key decryption section for decrypting the encrypted content key. |
| US07933836B2 |
Proxy-based, transaction authorization system
A system is disclosed that features a transport vehicle in which a responsive object is present, such as a truck in which a cellphone is present, in which the object is equipped to provide location or other state information when queried. The transport vehicle is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive object. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive object to estimate the responsive object's location or state. The vehicle is also outfitted with i) sensors that detect the responsive object and ii) sensors that detect state information of the vehicle. The object sensors are able to query the object in the same way as the querying device would query that object in the prior art. Using information from the sensors, the proxy then responds to the query on behalf of the responsive object, and an authentication device processes the query. |
| US07933834B2 |
Interactive bill payment center
A software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of multiple categories of aggregated data compiled from a plurality of data sources and accessible through a single interfacing node operated on a data-packet-network is provided. A bill-payment module is provided within the software suite and comprises, an interactive main interface accessible from the module for listing the bills due and payment accounts, an interactive history link embedded in the main interface for providing access to a secondary interface for viewing bill history, an interactive set-up link embedded in the main interface for providing access to a secondary interface for configuring recurring payments, an interactive transfer-funds link embedded in the main interface for providing access to a secondary interface for enabling automated transfer of funds between registered accounts, an interactive calendar link embedded in the main interface for providing access to a secondary interface for viewing calendar data, a plurality of interactive drop-down menus, each menu associated with a listed bill, the menus providing upon invocation a plurality of selectable, interactive options for treating the listed bill and an interactive refresh-all link embedded in the main interface for enabling selective or complete data refreshing of data displayed in the interface. A user operating the main interface from a remote node having access to the data-packet-network may view all aggregated bills and initiate treatment of such bills according to selected interactive options. The treatment is ordered by the operating user and performed by proxy by a service entity hosting the interface. |
| US07933831B2 |
Methods and systems for virtual trading of securities
A virtual trading method and system such that customers select investments, but the funds transferred in the amount of such investments are instead invested by an investment company. Customers receive the value of their selected investments and potentially incentives provided by the investment company, such as rebates. |
| US07933830B1 |
System and method for prioritized automated trading in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for prioritized automated trading. One example method may include receiving a plurality of parameters, where each parameter has an order-related action associated with a trading strategy, and then detecting one or more events that trigger a plurality of order related actions. The method then includes determining priority levels in relation to a plurality of triggered order-related actions using at least one priority rule, and processing the plurality of triggered order-related action in an order associated with the determined priority levels. |
| US07933823B1 |
Order processing apparatus and method
An apparatus for processing trading orders, comprising: a central server connectable to a plurality of terminals on which user orders are to be entered. The central server further comprises: communication means for transmitting user orders between said terminals and said central server via a network; first storage means for storing received user orders as an array whose elements define a particular first resource ordered by a particular user; the first storage means is also to be used for storing the resources that may be offered by users for exchange against the first resource ordered; second storage means for storing an array of coefficients each representing the proportion of a particular order that is to be satisfied; processing means for retrieving the orders from the first storage means, calculating an optimized set of values of the coefficients with respect to at least one predetermined, adjustable constraint and at least one predetermined, adjustable criterion, storing the optimized coefficient values in said second storage means; and output means for communicating the processed orders and their respective coefficients. |
| US07933814B2 |
Method and system to determine if a composite service level agreement (SLA) can be met
A method and system for determining whether a composite service level agreement (SLA) may be met. An exemplary method comprises calculating a baseline metric value for a plurality component service level agreements (SLA) and comparing the baseline metric value to historical metric values for each of the plurality of component services. |
| US07933811B2 |
Method for use with a wireless communication device for facilitating tasks using images and selections
An image of at least one object (14) is captured. An object class selection is received from a menu (70) of a plurality of object classes. At least one task menu, specific to the object class selection is provided. A task selection is received from the at least one task menu. A task associated with the at least one object (14) is facilitated based on the image and the task selection. |
| US07933810B2 |
Collectively giving gifts in a social network environment
A method for collectively purchasing a gift in a social network environment is described. A request is received to establish a gift account, a recipient user of the social network environment is designated to receive the gift, and the gift is selected. Money is received from a plurality of contributing users for deposit into the gift account, and the selected gift is purchased using the money deposited in the gift account. The purchased gift is then provided to the recipient user. |
| US07933809B2 |
Method, medium, and system for automatically embedding information concerning items appearing in video using RFID tags
The present solution can include a method for embedding information contained within a RFID tag into a video. A RFID tag can be loaded with item information specific to a product item. The RFID tag can then be attached to a physical item corresponding to the product item. While the physical item is being recorded, the RFID tag can be simultaneously scanned to obtain the item information automatically. The item information can then be embedded within the video at the time when the physical item is present. A user can view and interact with the generated video in a manner that permits the user to selectively view and/or otherwise utilize the embedded item information. For example, a user can opt to purchase an item appearing in the interactive video. |
| US07933808B2 |
Rental network security system and method
A system and method of facilitating a rental transaction of a tangible item is provided. Initially, a lessee pickup code is communicated from a borrowing party to an owning party upon exchanging the tangible item between the owning party and the borrowing party. The owning party subsequently transmits the lessee pickup code to a central controller. A rental period for the exchanged tangible item begins upon verifying, by the central controller, that the lessee pickup code sent by the owning party is the lessee pickup code originally provided to the borrowing party. When the tangible item is returned to the owning party, the owning party communicates a return code to the borrowing party. The return code is transmitted by the borrowing party to the central controller. The central controller verifies that the return code is the return code originally provided to the owning party. |
| US07933805B2 |
Safe stock amount calculation method, safe stock amount calculation device, order making moment calculation method, order making moment calculation device, and order making amount calculation method
A safety stock amount calculation method includes calculating a probability Pb that a delivery time for a certain commodity required by a customer is shorter than its lead time L, calculating an average LL of a difference between the lead time L and the customer's required delivery time when the lead time L exceeds the customer's required delivery time, correcting an inventory adjustment period N by using the average value LL, and calculating a safety stock amount SS by the equations SS=Pb×k×(√N×F)×σ, wherein σ is a standard deviation of demand for the commodity, N is a corrected inventory adjustment period, Pb is a probability, F is a shipment frequency, and k is a safety coefficient. |
| US07933802B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for storing internet advertisements at a user computer
A method for storing Internet advertisements at a user computer includes receiving plural Internet advertisements at the user computer. Some of the advertisements are tagged using a hypertext markup language (html) tag. An Internet browser within the computer determines which received advertisements are tagged and saves them within the computer. The saved advertisements are then displayed for a user to review later, e.g., in response to a button being toggled. |
| US07933797B2 |
Purchase selection behavior analysis system and method
A market research method is provided, the method including analyzing shopper path data representing a plurality of shopper paths through a store. The analysis typically include, at predetermined time intervals, for each of a plurality of shoppers traveling through the store, and for each of one or more displays positioned in the store: determining a simulated line of sight for each shopper; calculating a distance from each shopper to the display; calculating a time of exposure of the shopper to the display; calculating a peripheral angle of the display from the shoppers simulated line of sight; and calculating a rotation angle of the display relative to the shopper's simulated line of sight. Further, the method may also include, for each of the one or more displays, calculating a visibility measure based on the time of exposure, distance, peripheral angle and rotational angle measured at each of the time intervals, for each of the plurality of shoppers. The method may further include calculating a rating points measure for each display, based on the visibility measure for each display. |
| US07933796B1 |
Method of and system for evaluating credit risk associated with a financial asset
A method of estimating credit risk associated with a financial asset includes receiving data regarding the asset and corresponding to a first date; determining a parameter using received data and the amount of time between the first date and a second date, the parameter being based on a predetermined estimate of the predictive value of received data with regard to a possible adverse event associated with the asset on the second date; and determining a probability of the adverse event as a function of the parameter. A system for estimating credit risk associated with a financial asset includes memory configured to store received data regarding the asset and a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute programmed instructions, wherein the programmed instructions are configured to determine the parameter and the probability of the adverse event as a function of the parameter. |
| US07933790B2 |
Pay request system
This web enabled system is capable of facilitating the management of unlimited projects within which an unlimited number of parties may participate to complete an unlimited number of stages, substages and tasks. The system facilitates the efficient disbursal of monies while reducing the inefficiencies that result when money is not timely disbursed. It uses a quasi-escrow system to secure waivers and distribute money simultaneously. Projected timelines for completion, tracking of materials used and materials stored, and partial payments and releases are all managed by the system based on inputs by participating parties. Allowed inputs are governed by each party's function and the password security level provided therefore, in balance with checks against required approvals or releases by other affected parties and intrasystem consistency checks. |
| US07933786B2 |
Collaborative intelligent task processor for insurance claims
An insurance claim processing system may include an insurance claim database, an event processor component, a task engine component and a collaborative intelligent task processor. The insurance claim database may be configured to store and provide access to data in a data record that is related to an insurance claim. The event processor component may be executable with a computer to iteratively monitor the data in the data record and identify events. The task engine component may be executable with a computer in response to one of the identified events to generate tasks indicative of information that needs to be acquired based on the contents of the data record. The collaborative intelligent task processor may be executable with a computer to analyze a task generated by the task engine component and select an action plan that is responsive to the task. The action plan may include a first procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to acquire information related to the insurance claim, and a second procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to process the information to yield a result responsive to the task. |
| US07933784B2 |
Method and apparatus for automating multi-national insurance information requests
An apparatus, method, and computer program product for maintaining data regarding the compliance of vendors with insurance requirements of a number of nations. |
| US07933774B1 |
System and method for automatic generation of a natural language understanding model
A system and method is provided for rapidly generating a new spoken dialog application. In one embodiment, a user experience person labels the transcribed data (e.g., 3000 utterances) using a set of interactive tools. The labeled data is then stored in a processed data database. During the labeling process, the user experience person not only groups utterances in various call type categories, but also flags (e.g., 100-200) specific utterances as positive and negative examples for use in an annotation guide. The labeled data in the processed data database can also be used to generate an initial natural language understanding (NLU) model. |
| US07933772B1 |
System and method for triphone-based unit selection for visual speech synthesis
A system and method for generating a video sequence having mouth movements synchronized with speech sounds are disclosed. The system utilizes a database of n-phones as the smallest selectable unit, wherein n is larger than 1 and preferably 3. The system calculates a target cost for each candidate n-phone for a target frame using a phonetic distance, coarticulation parameter, and speech rate. For each n-phone in a target sequence, the system searches for candidate n-phones that are visually similar according to the target cost. The system samples each candidate n-phone to get a same number of frames as in the target sequence and builds a video frame lattice of candidate video frames. The system assigns a joint cost to each pair of adjacent frames and searches the video frame lattice to construct the video sequence by finding the optimal path through the lattice according to the minimum of the sum of the target cost and the joint cost over the sequence. |
| US07933770B2 |
Method and device for coding audio data based on vector quantisation
A wideband audio coding concept is presented that provides good audio quality at bit rates below 3 bits per sample with an algorithmic delay of less than 10 ms. The concept is based on the principle of Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) in an analysis-by-synthesis framework. A spherical codebook is used for quantisation at bit rates which are higher in comparison to low bit rate speech coding for improved performance for audio signals. For superior audio quality, noise shaping is employed to mask the coding noise. In order to reduce the computational complexity of the encoder, the analysis-by synthesis framework has been adapted for the spherical codebook to enable a very efficient excitation vector search procedure. Furthermore, auxiliary information gathered in advance is employed to reduce a computational encoding and decoding complexity at run time significantly. This auxiliary information can be considered as the SCELP codebook. Due to the consideration of the characteristics of the apple-peeling-code construction principle, this codebook can be stored very efficiently in a read-only-memory. |
| US07933769B2 |
Methods and devices for low-frequency emphasis during audio compression based on ACELP/TCX
In a method and device for low-frequency emphasis, where the spectrum of a sound signal is transformed in a frequency domain and comprises transform coefficients grouped in a number of blocks, a maximum energy for one block having a position index is calculated. Also, a factor having a position index smaller than the position index of the block with maximum energy is calculated for each block. For each block, an energy of the block is calculated, the factor is computed from the calculated maximum energy and the computed energy of the block, and a gain is determined from the factor and applied to the transform coefficients of the block. |
| US07933761B2 |
Creation of clock and data simulation vectors with periodic jitter
Methods for generating simulation vectors incorporating periodic jitter, or phase-shifted periodic jitter are disclosed. Periodic jitter, such as sinusoidal jitter, is preferably represented by a mathematical equation which defines the amount of jitter experienced at each cycle of a clock or data signal. The calculated periodic jitter for each cycle is used to form a new multi-cycle vector incorporating the jitter. If a particular signal to be simulated additionally needs to travel a particular distance such that it would experience a time delay, that time delay may also be incorporated into the jitter equation as a phase shift. So incorporating the time delay into the jitter equation allows for the easy simulation of circuits receiving the vectors without the need to actually design or “lay out” the circuits that imposing the time delay. This technique is particularly useful in efficient modeling, or optimization of, the clock distribution network and sample circuits used to receive data in a SDRAM integrated circuit. |
| US07933760B2 |
Bitcell simulation device and methods
A method of simulating operation of a bitcell includes determining sensitivities of a bitcell model to different component characteristics and device parameters, such as device temperature, operating voltage, and process characteristics. The determined sensitivities are normalized, so that each normalized value represents the relative sensitivity of the bitcell, under the simulated device parameters, to the component characteristic associated with the value. The normalized sensitivity values can be scaled based on a tolerance factor, and the adjusted sensitivities used to model the behavior of each component of the bitcell in subsequent simulations. |
| US07933751B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program providing broadband preconditioning based on reduced coupling for numerical solvers
This invention relates to computing numerical solutions of linear systems of equations, specifically to implementing preconditioning of the coefficient matrix of such a system. The preconditioning applies to any coefficient matrix, dense or sparse, based on the solutions of a physical problem of unknown functions, commonly referred to as basis or interpolation functions, where the basis function spans more then one mesh element. Examples of such linear systems can result from, as examples, an electromagnetic analysis of printed circuit boards or field scattering in radar applications, fluid mechanics and acoustics. A method and system to compute a preconditioner for a coefficient matrix A that is compatible with the linear system of equations that provides basis function support over at least two mesh elements. Coupling of the preconditioner between partitions of a portioned mesh representation is only through basis functions at the partition boundaries. |
| US07933748B1 |
System and method for facilitating specification allocation of hierarchical systems
A system, method, and software program for facilitating the assignment of cell specifications to a plurality of cells of a system design. The methods include generating a plurality of candidate cell specifications that meet the specification for the system design. In one embodiment, the method entails using information related to intra-range preference for cell specifications to generate a set of alternative system pareto-optimal solutions which define a boundary of a region of candidate cell specifications. In another embodiment, the method entails generating a substantially uniform set of candidate cell specifications using a prediction-based performance model, such as support vector regression model or cluster-weighted model, an optimizing algorithm such as conjugate-gradient or Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method, and a sample density model. The method may also include graphically displaying substantially uniformly distributed cell performance data and corresponding system performance data, and allowing a user to focus on regions-of-interest via a selectable range graphic feature. |
| US07933743B2 |
Determining overall network health and stability
A network health analyzer that analyzes health of a computer network may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A network profile having an issue profile and one or more benchmarks appropriate for the network is determined. A set of numeric measures that is common to all issues in the issue profile is established. The network health analyzer collects data points pertaining to the operation of the network. Based on the data points, numeric values corresponding to the numeric measures may be calculated. In turn, health indexes for all issues in the issue profile may be determined. Based on these health indexes for the issues, an overall health rating may be determined. |
| US07933742B2 |
Abnormality diagnosing method for sound or vibration and abnormality diagnosing apparatus for sound or vibration
A noise detection signal detected at an evaluation point is filtered by a low pass filter, so that an evaluation waveform signal is extracted. A real signal mother wavelet of complex type is derived from the extracted evaluation waveform signal. Using this mother wavelet, an abnormal waveform signal stored in advance is processed by wavelet transformation. Then, a correlation value is calculated between the abnormal waveform signal and the mother wavelet. The correlation value is compared with a predetermined criterion, so that the presence or absence of abnormality in a sound source or vibration source corresponding to each abnormal waveform signal is determined. |
| US07933740B2 |
Systems and methods for structural clustering of time sequences
Arrangements and methods for performing structural clustering between different time series. Time series data relating to a plurality of time series is accepted, structural features relating to the time series data are ascertained, and at least one distance between different time series via employing the structural features is determined. The different time series may be partitioned into clusters based on the at least one distance, and/or the k closest matches to a given time series query based on the at least one distance may be returned. |
| US07933739B2 |
Automated analysis of datacenter layout using temperature sensor positions
Systems, methods, and software for analyzing the layout of computer equipment racks in a datacenter. One embodiment involves obtaining the position relative to the computer room of each of a plurality of temperature sensors distributed among a plurality of computer components mounted between opposing intake and exhaust ends of each computer equipment rack. The layout of the computer equipment racks is automatically determined from the positions of the temperature sensors, and a representation of the layout of the computer equipment racks is electronically stored or displayed. The actual layout is compared to target layout parameters to score the layout. |
| US07933737B2 |
Estimating the ambient temperature of air outside of a computer system
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that estimates an ambient temperature of air outside of a computer system. During operation, a temperature inside the computer system is measured for different flow rates of air into the computer system. Next, the temperature measurements are used to determine a relationship between the temperature inside the computer system and a parameter related to the flow rate of air into the computer system. Then, the ambient temperature of air outside the computer system is estimated based on the relationship. |
| US07933730B2 |
Method and system for restoration of a navigation data loss in image-guided navigation
A method for restoring navigation failure information in a fluoroscopy-based imaging system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of receiver navigation information using a calibration target rigidly attached to a supporting member of the imaging system. The calibration target may include a plurality of receivers providing navigation information and the supporting member may be a C-arm. The method identifies a navigation failure and corresponding to the navigation failure a calibrated receiver navigation information is generated. The calibrated receiver navigation information is generated using a calibration information and a C-arm imaging position obtained during navigation failure. A receiver navigation information corresponding to the navigation failure is estimated using the calibrated receiver navigation information, and a transmitter navigation information. Also disclosed is a restoration unit for restoring navigation failure information in a fluoroscopy-based imaging system and a fluoroscopic imaging system using the restoration unit. |
| US07933727B2 |
Method and device for interference suppression in electromagnetic multi-channel measurement
The present invention recognises and eliminates from a biomagnetic measurement signal interferences whose source is disposed in the direct vicinity of an object being measured. The invention utilises the SSS method that can be used to separate from one another the signals associated with the internal and external sources of a set of measurement sensors by calculating two series developments. The sources to be examined in the invention and disposed in the so-called intermediate space produce a component to both of the developments, and can, therefore, be detected by means of an analysis to be performed in a time domain. This division into components can be made using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the Independent Component Analysis (ICA) or the Singular Value Decomposition. Finally, the clarified interferences in the intermediate space can be eliminated from the measured signal using, for example, the linear algebraic orthogonal projection. |
| US07933720B2 |
Biomolecule bonding detection apparatus using RF wireless energy transmission and method thereof
An apparatus for detecting a biomolecule bonding using a radio frequency (RF) wireless energy transmission and a method thereof are disclosed. The method includes transmitting RF energy to a sensor module having one or more probe biomolecules immobilized thereon, and determining a first energy charging time of the sensor module, the first energy charging time representing the amount of time for the sensor to be completely charged by the transmitted RF energy, prior to mixing of the one or more probe biomolecules with one or more target sample biomolecules. A second energy charging time of the sensor module is determined, the second energy charging time representing the amount of time for the sensor to be completely charged by the transmitted RF energy, following mixing of the one or more probe biomolecules with one or more target biomolecule sample. A determination of whether biomolecule bonding has occurred is based on a variation of the first and second energy charging times. |
| US07933718B2 |
Method and tool for determination of fracture geometry in subterranean formations based on in-situ neutron activation analysis
A method for determining fracture geometry of a subterranean formation from radiation emitted from a fracture in the formation, including measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the fracture; subtracting background radiation from the measured gamma-radiation to obtain a peak-energy measurement; comparing the peak-energy measurement with a gamma-ray transport/spectrometer response model; and determining formation fracture geometry of the fracture in accordance with values associated with the response model. |
| US07933714B2 |
Device for assisting ground navigation of an aircraft on an airport
A device includes a current position unit for determining a current position of a aircraft, a mapping database, a navigation system, a current heading unit for determining the current heading of the aircraft, and a display system for displaying on a viewing screen, at least a partial map of the airport and, thereon, an aircraft symbol which is positioned at the current position and which is oriented in accordance with the current heading. |
| US07933713B2 |
Control of peak engine output in an engine with a knock suppression fluid
A method for supplying two types of fuel to an engine of a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, an amount of a first fuel supplied to the engine is adjusted in response to a condition of a fuel separator. The method can improve vehicle drivability at least during some conditions. |
| US07933711B1 |
Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine spin-down in an engine that is shutdown during engine idle-stop conditions and restarted during restart conditions. In one example, the method comprises, during an automatic engine idle-stop, turning off spark, operating a first cylinder with a rich ratio of air to injected fuel richer than a rich flammability limit, operating a second cylinder with a lean ratio of air to injected fuel leaner than a lean flammability limit, and mixing un-combusted exhaust from the first and second cylinders with exhaust, the exhaust mixture being substantially stoichiometric. |
| US07933705B2 |
Method and system for controlling operation of a transmission lockup clutch
A method of controlling a reduction of an amount of fuel supplied to an engine provided to a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission separated from the engine by a torque converter is provided. The method includes the step of sensing commencement of a deceleration state during which an amount of the fuel supplied to the engine is to be reduced to an amount that is less than an amount of fuel being delivered to the engine immediately prior to the deceleration state. Whether synchronization of an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft is appropriate under the deceleration stat is also to be determined. Frictional engagement is to be established between mating surfaces in cooperation with the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft, and a first compressive lockup force is to be established between the mating surfaces during a first time period to urge synchronization of the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft, wherein the first time period ends before said synchronization is accomplished. A second compressive lockup force is also to be established between the mating surfaces during a second time period after the first time period and before synchronization is achieved, wherein the second compressive lockup force is less than the first lockup force but sufficient to urge synchronization of the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft. |
| US07933704B2 |
Method and device for controlling an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle
An automatic transmission of a power train for a motor vehicle capable of producing a set operating speed and a set power train control to attain an engine speed, according to a torque applied to wheels that is adapted to wishes of the driver. The device includes: an input unit that furnishes input data; a control unit having at least two modules according to two distinct driving modes, an automatic mode and a manual mode with pulse control; a processing module for processing signals furnished by a motor vehicle speed control; a selection module that receives signals from the processing module and from the motor vehicle speed control and capable of furnishing a selection signal (mode). |
| US07933703B2 |
Control system of open/close part for a vehicle
A control system of an open/close part for a vehicle includes an open/close part which can open or close, installed at an opening of a vehicle, a driving device supplying power for operating the open/close part, a load detection unit detecting a load of operation applied to the driving device, and a controller controlling the driving device through detecting a position of the open/close part, wherein, while the open/close part is being operated, the controller performs detection on a foreign object being trapped by determining whether the operation load applied to the driving device detected by the load detection unit is larger than a pre-determined threshold, and wherein, if the controller determines that a pre-determined condition based on a pre-determined manipulation is satisfied, the controller performs detection on a foreign object being trapped using a second threshold which is smaller than the pre-determined threshold. |
| US07933701B2 |
Closed-loop motion-control system using error to modify gain
A method of operating a motion-control system is provided. The motion-control system may include an actuator and a moveable component driven by the actuator. The method may include providing input that indicates a target value of a parameter of the motion of at least one of the actuator and the moveable component with an operator-input device that is mechanically decoupled from the moveable component. The method may also include controlling the operation of the actuator at least in part with a control signal, including generating the control signal at least in part by determining a control gain based at least in part on a control error between the target value of the parameter and an actual value of the parameter. Generating the control signal may also include multiplying the control gain by the control error or a value derived from the control error. |
| US07933700B2 |
Methods and systems for end of travel harshness reduction
A control system for controlling a steering system is provided. The control system includes a first module that selectively determines a gain curve based on a position of a hand wheel of the steering system. A second module determines a motor assist command based on the gain curve. |
| US07933696B2 |
Distributed arithmetic logic unit security check
A vehicle diagnostic system is provided. The system includes: a first control module that includes a first processor and that controls a first vehicle subsystem; and second control module that controls a second vehicle subsystem and that validates the functionality of the first processor of the first control module wherein if the second control module determines that the first processor of the first control module is faulty, the second control module shuts down the first control module. |
| US07933693B2 |
System and method for harvesting business intelligence from maritime communications
A system for harvesting business intelligence from maritime communications uses AIS signals as the source of information regarding the position and heading of vessels. The system builds and maintains a data base of location information of vessels within one or more defined geographic areas over time. The system further includes definitions of points of interest and can use the information from the AIS signals to identify and store events associated with the points of information. |
| US07933691B2 |
System for and method of monitoring free play of aircraft control surfaces
A system for monitoring the free play in aircraft control surfaces includes one or more accelerometers secured in or on the aircraft control surfaces and a computer system connected to the one or more accelerometers and to one or more control surface actuators to selectively activated to selectively activate a control surface and send a reading from the control surface to the computer system. The computer system includes means to plot the readings from the one or more accelerometers on the control surfaces to plot a curve of the free play in the selected control surface. The method of the invention utilizes the one or more accelerometers placed in or on the aircraft control surfaces and connects them to the aircraft's flight control computer or a similar computer to receive signals originated by vibrating the control surfaces and plotting curves of the free play measured in the control surfaces. |
| US07933686B2 |
Method of dividing coverage area for robot and device thereof
A method of dividing a coverage area of a robot and a device for the same. That is, a method of producing a space map for a robot to work and dividing the space map into at least one segment and a device for the same. The method includes producing an occupancy grid map composed of grid points that are probabilistically distributed by sensing a distance from an obstacle, producing a configuration space map by increasing the thickness of an obstacle and a wall in the occupancy grid map on the basis of the radius and size of the robot, and dividing an area by sweeping the area with a band-typed slice in the configuration space map. |
| US07933685B1 |
System and method for calibrating a wafer handling robot and a wafer cassette
A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a semiconductor wafer handling robot and a semiconductor wafer cassette. A robot blade boot is attached to a robot blade of the semiconductor handling robot. The robot blade boot decreases a value of tolerance for the robot blade to move between two semiconductor wafers in the semiconductor wafer cassette. In one embodiment the vertical tolerance is decreased to approximately twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020″) on a top and a bottom of the robot blade boot. The use of the robot blade boot makes the calibration steps more critical and precise. The robot blade boot is removed from the robot blade after the calibration process has been completed. |
| US07933684B2 |
Autonomous mobile robot
An autonomous mobile robot is provided which is autonomously movable, including an upper body, legs connected under the upper body, a first detector which detects an object in a front region of the upper body in a moving direction of the robot, and a second detector which detects an object in a region other than a sensing region sensed by the first detector including at least a rear region, a rear right region, and a rear left region of the upper body. |
| US07933683B2 |
Partition plate usable for V-measure in medicine holding machine
Embodiments of the invention provide a partition plate capable of efficiently cleaning a medicine remaining in a V-measure. The partition plate comprises: a slide member (8) which is installed so as to be capable of reciprocating along side plates and has a guide reception part (11); and a partition member (9) which has a guide part (18) removably guided by the guide reception part (11) of the slide member (8) and reciprocates together with the slide member (8) while maintaining such a state so as to be parallel with an end plate (5). |
| US07933682B2 |
Integrated, non-sequential, remote medication management and compliance system
An integrated medication management and compliance system for enabling a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of therapeutic products to a patient, in a non-sequential fashion. The system includes delivery apparatus remotely located from the care provider, wherein the apparatus stores a plurality of sealed unit dose packages that are delivered to a patient at a scheduled dosing time. The delivery apparatus is coupled to a control facility and to a computer terminal of the care provider by way of a secure communications network. The system enables the patient's medication regimen to be remotely tailored in real-time to accommodate fluid medical conditions. |
| US07933680B2 |
Tangential manufacturing system
Manufacturing system (100) comprises only a few essential components, including: the workpiece(s) (110); the fixtures, or workpiece holding means, (120); the centrifuge (130), including a base (140) and axle (150); the release system (160), preferably a laser source; the containment structure (170); the accretion system, including an accretion substrate (180); and the control system. In operation, the release system directs a focused beam (190) of energy or solid particles to the surface of the workpiece to weaken the bonds of the surface material, and in cooperation with the centrifugal force, induced by the radial motion of the centrifuge, to break the surface material bonds and eject material into a particle path (200) which is directed to the accretion substrate. Thus, in its most essential inventive aspect, the operational and structural scheme of the system entails that the fixtures attach the workpiece to the centrifuge; the release system adds the energy to release material from the workpiece; the containment structure provides a controlled environment and prevents materials and gases from entering into the process area as contaminants or leaving the containment structure as hazards; the accretion controls the accretion process and the accretion substrate; and the control system integrates the actions of the various components of the machine. |
| US07933676B2 |
Automation system with integrated safe and standard control functionality
An industrial control system includes a machine, a machine controller, and a safety controller. The machine controller is operable to identify a need for a human interaction, place the machine into a ready state for the human interaction, and generate a ready message responsive to placing the machine into the ready state. The safety controller is operable to receive the ready message, place the machine into a safe state responsive to receiving the ready message, and provide a human interaction indication responsive to placing the machine into the safe state. |
| US07933673B2 |
Demand breakout for a supply chain
A system for demand breakout for a supply chain includes a memory operable to store a plurality of orders for at least one product. Each product may be produced using at least one precursor. The memory is also operable to store a production schedule identifying one or more resources in the supply chain, a quantity of each product and precursor scheduled to be produced by the resources, and a time period associated with production of each product and precursor. The system also includes one or more processors collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of the product that correspond to each product order. The one or more processors are also collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of one or more precursors that correspond to each product order. |
| US07933672B2 |
Shape detailing device, shape detailing method, computer program product, mechanical CAD machine, and method of manufacturing three-dimensional structure
A shape detailing device includes a storage unit that stores therein an identifier of each structure in an electrical computer-aided design (CAD) system and an identifier of the structure in a mechanical CAD system associated with each other, and a converting unit that converts shape information of the structure created by the electrical CAD system into shape information for the mechanical CAD system based on the relation between the identifiers. |
| US07933671B2 |
Data outputting device, data outputting method, data outputting program, and recording medium
An electronic data outputting section switches output electronic data from one electronic data to another electronic data. Upon the switching, a sameness judging section judges whether or not audio data associated with the electronic data that is currently being outputted and audio data associated with the new electronic data that is to be outputted are identical to each other. When the sameness judging section judges that they are identical to each other, the audio data outputting section keeps on outputting the audio data that is currently being outputted. This prevents such unnatural audio playback that a sound supposed to be continuously played back is temporarily stopped and then is played back again upon the switching of the content playback. |
| US07933667B2 |
Industrial robot system with a portable operator control device
An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and including an operator control. The transmissions may be made wirelessly with redundant software processes for transmission and/or reception. Safety is increased by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area. |
| US07933665B2 |
Method and system for teaching reference position of semiconductor wafer in automated wafer handling manufacturing equipment
In order to automate the positioning at respective ports at the start-up of an equipment in a semiconductor manufacturing equipment equipped with a positioning device and a carrying robot and enhance productivity, 2 points W1 and W2 at which the circumference of a disc-like object 47 such as a wafer and the locus 43 of a detection means cross are detected, and the center position A of a disc-like object is calculated using the specific point O on the perpendicular bisector 42 of the section of a line combining 2 points with these and the radius r of the disc-like object. Thereby, the carrying robot could carry out the positioning work and not only the correction of a carrying route but also the reference position teaching at the start-up of equipment could be automated using the result. |
| US07933662B2 |
Medical electrical lead including an inductance augmenter
A medical electrical lead includes an inductance augmenter assembly. The assembly includes an inductor coil formed of an insulated wire, which is wound about a non-conductive core and is electrically coupled in series between a conductor coil of the lead and an electrode of the lead. |
| US07933655B2 |
Neurostimulation therapy manipulation
A user, such as a clinician or the patient, uses a control device to manipulate at least one neurostimulation parameter. A mapping system uses a calibrated map to map the directional output of the control device to values of at least one stimulation parameter to allow the user to intuitively control the value of the parameter. In some embodiments, where a stimulation device is used to deliver spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy for example, the user manipulates a parameter to effect the location and/or strength of paresthesia experienced by the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the parameter values are combinations of electrodes, and the mapping system selects electrode combinations based on the output of the control device such that a direction of movement of paresthesia experienced by the patient corresponds to a direction of manipulation of a directional controller of the control device. The mapping system may calibrate the map based on patient paresthesia information received from a user. |
| US07933652B2 |
Bi-directional connector assembly for an implantable medical device
An implantable signal generator including electronic circuitry, a computer readable medium, and a connector block with a lumen which receives at least one lead. The at least one lead has at least one electrode connector while the lumen of the connector block has a plurality of contacts operably coupled to the electronic circuitry. The computer readable medium contains instructions for carrying out a process to determine at least one piece of information regarding the at least one lead within the lumen based on an electrode connector being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts, and an electrode connector not being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts. |
| US07933651B2 |
Cardiac template generation based on patient response information
Cardiac treatment methods and devices provide for templates representative of past tachyarrhythmia events, each template associated with a therapy. Methods involve providing a cardiac waveform representative of a patient's cardiac activity and identifying a portion that indicates an arrhythmic event. A cardiac template corresponding to the portion is generated, and a therapy is associated with the template useful for treating a subsequent arrhythmia. The waveform portion may be identified by a physician using a patient-external device to display the cardiac waveform. The template may be generated by a physician selecting the cardiac waveform, and determining if the therapy associated with the template was satisfactory and/or effective in treating the arrhythmia. Identification may involve matching the event to templates generated using cardiac waveforms other than the patient's cardiac waveforms. The template may be generated in a patient-internal or patient-external medical device such as a programmer, and/or an advanced patient management system. |
| US07933650B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting and timing anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing using cardiac signal morphology
A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable medical device that delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including ATP. When a tachyarrhythmia episode is detected, the implantable medical device analyzes the morphology of a cardiac signal to determine whether and/or when to deliver an ATP therapy. In various embodiments, the implantable medical device produces morphological parameters indicative of the likeliness of success of the ATP therapy and selects an anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy mode based on the morphological parameters. In various embodiments, the implantable medical device also controls the timing of the ATP therapy delivery using morphological features of the cardiac signal to maximize the probability that the ATP therapy is delivered into an ATP window during which a tachyarrhythmia episode can be effectively terminated by pacing. |
| US07933646B2 |
Clustering of recorded patient neurological activity to determine length of a neurological event
Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination. Therapy parameters may be updated for each mth successive group of applications of the treatment therapy or for each nth detection cluster. |
| US07933645B2 |
Use of EEG to measure cerebral changes during computer-based motion sickness-inducing tasks
The invention relates to a method of determining early onset of motion sickness by brain imaging. The method discloses an objective means of determining the onset of motion sickness by evaluating a specific region of the brain. The method can also be utilized in evaluating the predisposition toward motion sickness in workers in occupations prone to motion sickness. |
| US07933639B2 |
System and methods for processing analyte sensor data
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor. |
| US07933636B2 |
Cell phone wireless speaker-microphone sleep modes
A hand held radio host includes circuitry for selectively providing power to radiating transceiver elements and non-radiating application elements according to a plurality of power modes of operation to achieve desired effects and in a way that saves power and extends battery life. In one embodiment of the invention, the hand held host operates in one of three modes. In a full power mode, any selected application element, as well as all transceiver elements, are powered on at the same time. Thus, for example, a cell phone module, a wireless personal access network module, a wireless local area network module, and one of a pager/short message service message module may all be powered on at the same time to receive corresponding messages, calls, data sessions, etc. |
| US07933635B2 |
Adjustment of parameters based upon battery status
In a wireless local area network, a battery status of a mobile device is determined, battery status data based upon the battery status is generated, and a listen interval between a mobile device and an access point is adjusted based upon the battery status. Listen interval data is generated based upon the listen interval, an association request frame is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile device to the access point during the listen interval. The association request frame includes the battery status data and/or the listen interval data. |
| US07933630B2 |
Radio communication terminal
A radio section 1 and a control section 2 allow communications using two radio channels simultaneously, such as TV phone communication and message communication. An LCD 33 displays information concerning each communication simultaneously or selectively when simultaneous communications are being made using two radio channels. Even if communications are made using two radio channels simultaneously, excellent operability is provided and a radio communication terminal can be realized which is low in cost and power dissipation. |
| US07933629B2 |
Low-complexity joint transmit/receive antenna selection method for MIMO systems
Provided is a low-complexity transmit/receive antenna selection method for Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems. The method includes the steps of generating a gain matrix of receive channel, calculating norm values of channel gains for each row (receive antennas) and column (transmit antennas) of the generated gain matrix of the receive channel, selecting an antenna with the maximum norm value among the calculated norm values of channel gains, and repeatedly performing the process of alternately selecting transmit and receive antennas having the maximum channel gain value among the channel gain values of the selected antenna until a required number of antennas is all selected. |
| US07933625B2 |
Information providing apparatus, information receiver, information providing program, information receiving program and wireless communication apparatus
The present invention has a cash register 1 and a Bluetooth portable terminal 2 which conduct short-range wireless communication to each other. The cash register 1 decreases transmission power during periods when a search request processing and a connection request processing for the Bluetooth portable terminal 2 are conducted, thereby being connected with only a prescribed Bluetooth portable terminal 2. At the time of providing services, electric power for transmission is increased. Therefore, it is possible to surely connect with the prescribed Bluetooth portable terminal 2. After connected with the prescribed Bluetooth portable terminal, even if the Bluetooth portable terminal 2 moves at comparatively broad range, it is possible to provide the Bluetooth portable terminal 2 with services. |
| US07933622B2 |
Apparatus and method for selectively initiating a data call for a group communication in wireless communication networks
Apparatus and method for selectively enabling an early push-to-talk (PTT) call set up request in a wireless communications network. When a user activates a directory application on a wireless device, the wireless device checks for network information received from a base station. If the network information indicates that the network is of a predetermined type and can advantageously set up the PTT call, the wireless device enables the early PTT call set up request by sending a data channel set up request to the base station. If the network information does not indicate the network is of the predetermined type, the wireless device does not send any data channel request to the base station until the user has actually initiates a PTT call. |
| US07933618B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for selectably delaying synchronization of database copies in a radio communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method, for selectably delaying performance of synchronization operations in which database copies are placed in match with one another. A user of a mobile node at which a database copy is maintained selectably actuates an actuator to select delay of performance of the synchronization operations. Once selection is made to delay the performance of the synchronization operations, selection is further made by a delay selector of the delay period prior to which synchronization operations are carried out. |
| US07933616B2 |
Method of estimating the distance between two radio equipments
The method comprises a phase, applied by the first equipment (A), for estimating a first time of flight between the two equipments (A, Z) corresponding to the signal transmission time to go from one equipment to the other along a propagation path, called the “strongest path”, taken by a main part of the energy of the signals, a phase for estimating a difference in time of flight comprising the sending of a channel sounding frame by the first equipment to the second and, from the received radio signals corresponding to said channel sounding frame, estimating a difference in time of flight between the strongest propagation path and a first propagation path, performed by the second equipment, and a phase for calculating the distance between the two equipments (A, Z) comprising the determination of a second time of flight by subtracting the estimated difference in time of flight from the estimated first time of flight (E30) and calculating the distance between the two equipments from the duly determined second time of flight. |
| US07933615B2 |
Mobile originated interactive menus via short messaging services method
A method interactive menus and sub-menus to a mobile device via SMS messaging in order to provide WAP like services at a fraction of the cost of CSD. Mobile Originated Interactive Menus are implemented as a feature of a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), thus leaving traffic channels available for voice calls. Interactive SMS menus allow service providers to offer targeted subscribers personalized messaging menus with multiple options for quick and easy access to Web-based content. Users may define the content and frequency they want, whether it is a scheduled delivery or on-demand for checking, e.g., stock quotes, local weather, and/or other Web-based news and information. Replacement of messages in TDMA and GSM mobile devices allow for heavy usage without filling up the user's phone buffer, i.e., prior messages may be overwritten, to assure that only the latest information is all that is being displayed and read. |
| US07933613B2 |
Methods and apparatus for terminating use of quick paging channel based on high capacity power source usage
In one illustrative example, a method of monitoring for pages in a wireless communication network by a mobile communication device adapted to operate with a battery power source includes the steps of repeatedly monitoring a quick paging channel of the wireless network for quick pages and, if a quick page is received on the quick paging channel, subsequently monitoring a paging channel of the wireless network for an upcoming page; identifying whether an external power source is connected to the mobile device; and if the external power source is identified as being connected to the mobile device: causing an indication to terminate use of quick paging to be sent to the wireless network and, after sending the indication, repeatedly monitoring the paging channel of the wireless network for pages. |
| US07933612B2 |
Determining physical location based upon received signals
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for determining locations of mobile devices. In particular, a set of regions is defined based upon the relative strength of signals received from one or more base stations within the region. Each region has associated location information (e.g., latitude and longitude). The location of a mobile device can be determined by analyzing the strength of received signals, identifying base stations and generating an ordered list of base stations based upon signal strength. The ordered list can be compared to the set of regions to determine the region in which the mobile device is located. The location information for the retrieved region can be used to estimate the location of the mobile device. |
| US07933611B2 |
Disabling operation of features on a handheld mobile communication device based upon location
Methods and devices for implementing subsystem or functional aspect restrictions on a wireless handheld communication device. Data defining geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area is stored on the device. The present position of the device is ascertained and a determination is made whether the device is located within the restricted operating area. A restriction on the subsystem or functional aspect is imposed when it is determined the device is within the restricted operating area. The subsystem or functional aspect restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy. |
| US07933606B2 |
Multi-level control for measurement reports
The present invention relates to a method, terminal device, network element, system and computer program product for handling measurement reports in a communication network. At least two different levels of measurements reports (15) are provided, wherein each of the at least two levels corresponds to a different amount of resource blocks on which the measurement reports are based. The level of a received measurement report (15) is detected and a compensation offset is selected based on the detection result and applied to the measurement report. Thereby, measurement errors and biases of the measurement reports can be dynamically corrected in multi-level reporting schemes. |
| US07933604B1 |
Method and system for achieving reverse link gain through an asymmetric soft handoff
A wireless network is used for a communication session between a mobile station and an endpoint. The wireless network receives endpoint bits representing communications from the endpoint for the mobile station and uses a first sector to transmit a forward link signal that encodes the endpoint hits. The mobile station generates mobile station hits representing communications from the mobile station for the endpoint and transmits a reverse link signal encoding the mobile station bits. A controller detects an imbalance between an error level in the forward link signal received by the mobile station and an error level in the reverse link signal received by the first sector. In response, the wireless network uses a second sector to receive the reverse link signal without using the second sector to transmit the endpoint bits. The reverse link signals received by the first and second sectors may be combined for diversity gain. |
| US07933602B1 |
Method and system for controlling the rate of vertical handoff operations
A method and system for controlling the rate at which access terminals hand off from an IS-2000 (e.g., 1xRTT) communication system to an IS-856 (e.g., EVDO) communication system. A base station determines metric indicative of the rate at which hybrid access terminals hand off to the IS-2000 from the IS-856 system, and then based at least in part on the metric, dynamically adjusts a dormancy period that at least one hybrid access terminal must wait before entering a dormant mode in which is looks for service under IS-856. As the rate-metric indicates a higher or lower rate, the system may responsively adjust the dormancy period down or up. The rate at which hybrid access terminals operating under IS-2000 may seek service under IS-856 may thus be tuned to the rate at which they hand of form IS-856 to IS-2000. |
| US07933600B2 |
Smooth hard handover method, mobile station and base station adapted for the method
The present invention relates to a cellular radio communications system and especially a method, a mobile station and a base station for a smooth hard handover. The smooth hard handover includes preparing radio links in selected base stations for potential communication with a mobile station. This is similar to selecting base stations for the active set in the prior art soft handover. A difference is though that just one radio link is actively used for transmission. The handover from the active to a prepared radio link is quick and safe, as compared to conventional hard handover, because of the preparation, while requiring a less complex system architecture then the conventional soft handover. The smooth hard handover can replace the soft handover. |
| US07933596B2 |
Providing and charging for data services in roaming network environments
A method provides detecting a roaming operator by a mobile communications device, where the mobile communications device is associated with a home operator; receiving a data service, by the mobile communications device, provided by the roaming operator independent of the home operator; sending information, from the mobile communications device, to the roaming operator for the roaming operator to authenticate the mobile communications device with the home operator; and receiving a voice service, by the mobile communications device, provided by the roaming operator based on the authentication by the roaming operator of the mobile communications device with the home operator. |
| US07933595B2 |
Dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL)
Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent. |
| US07933581B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in processing disconnected emergency calls and other communications involving mobile communication devices and the remote monitoring thereof
Methods and apparatus for use in processing disconnected emergency calls and other communications involving mobile communication devices, as well as the remote monitoring of such mobile communication devices, are disclosed. In one illustrative example, an emergency call with a public safety answering point entity is established by a mobile communication device via a wireless communication network. If the emergency call is disconnected, the mobile device monitors to receive an incoming call message for a continued emergency call from the public safety answering point entity. In response to receiving such incoming call message, the mobile device refrains from producing an audible alert and automatically answers the continued emergency call from the public safety answering point entity without detecting any manual answer signal via its user interface. In one specific approach, the mobile device answers the call automatically if the incoming call message is received within a time period following the disconnection and a data indication of the incoming call message indicates that the message is for the continued emergency call or automatic answering. Otherwise, if the incoming call message is received outside of the time period following the disconnection, or if the data indication fails to indicate that the incoming call message is for the continued emergency call or the automatic answering, the mobile device refrains from automatically answering the call associated with the incoming call message. |
| US07933577B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing portable terminal in CDMA system and mobile RFID system
Provided are a method and apparatus for sharing a portable terminal in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and a mobile Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system. The portable terminal includes: a CDMA mobile station system for performing CDMA communication; a mobile RFID system for performing a passive RFID reader function; a switching unit for switching an antenna to any one between the CDMA mobile station system and the mobile RFID system; and a control unit for controlling the switching unit to connect the antenna to the CDMA mobile station system when the portable terminal transmits/receives a signal to/from the base station, or connect the antenna to the mobile RFID system when the portable terminal transmits/receives a signal to/from an RFID tag. |
| US07933573B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and signal processing method, program, and recording medium
An IC chip allows first communication for performing communication with all of the other IC chips, and second communication for performing communication while restricting communication parties. That is to say, the IC chip performs sending/receiving signals with a new communication arrangement with both the first communication which is a broadcasting arrangement and the second communication which is a communicatory arrangement. This enables the function upgrading electronic equipment to be performed easily, and enables flexible signal processing with a new communication arrangement. |
| US07933568B2 |
Method and system for mitigating receiver saturation during simultaneous FM transmission and reception
Aspects of a method and system for mitigating receiver saturation during simultaneous FM transmission and reception may include detecting a power of an RF signal received at an antenna. A power of one or more baseband signal components corresponding to the RF signal may be determined. A power of signals transmitted via the antenna may be controlled, based on a cost function derived from at least the detected RF signal power received and/or the determined power of the one or more baseband signal components. One or more of the baseband signal components may be an in-phase signal, a quadrature signal or both an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal associated with a same carrier frequency. In one embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency signal may be an intermediate frequency (IF) radio signal. |
| US07933565B2 |
Transformer coupling of antennas
Embodiments describe improved coupling of power amplifiers to antennas for the transmission of signals, such as OFDM signals. A large number of separate windings are utilized on a primary side, wherein each winding is for a different OFDM tone. Each OFDM tone may be amplified individually and combined as a results of transformer coupling. For example, the secondary side can have a single winding that combines the different OFDM tones. |
| US07933561B2 |
Wireless communications circuitry with simultaneous receive capabilities for handheld electronic devices
Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry has simultaneous reception functions that allow the handheld devices to simultaneously receive multiple communications signals in a single communications band. The handheld electronic devices may include cellular telephones with music player functionality or other portable devices. The handheld electronic devices may have local wireless communications capabilities for supporting local wireless links such as WiFi and Bluetooth links. Using the simultaneous reception functions of the wireless communications circuitry, users of the handheld electronic devices can simultaneously receive signals such as WiFi and Bluetooth signals. |
| US07933558B2 |
Radio wave arrival state estimation system, radio wave arrival state estimation method, and program
A radio wave propagation characteristic estimation system in a radio communication system includes: non-diffracted wave estimation device configured to estimate propagation characteristics of a radio wave reaching from a predetermined transmission point in a limited evaluation area to a plurality of reception points in the evaluation area and to estimate a component other than diffracted wave among the radio wave component reaching from the transmission point to the reception points; diffracted wave estimation device configured to estimate only a diffracted wave component among the radio components reaching from the transmission point to the respective reception points; and total radio wave component calculation device configured to calculate total radio wave propagation characteristics in the respective reception points considering the estimated result in the non-diffracted wave estimation device and the estimation result of the diffracted wave estimation device. |
| US07933548B2 |
Cellular phone, and codec circuit and receiving call sound volume automatic adjustment method for use in cellular phone
Provided is a cellular phone enabling improvement of the level of a sense of hearing of a pseudo noise which is generated when there exists no voice signal. In the cellular phone, frame type information included in a baseband signal “in” is identified by the frame type identification unit 71 and when the frame type information represents pseudo noise information, a pseudo noise signal generated by the AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) decoder 72 with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver unit 43 with its level reduced by a predetermined amount by the signal level change amount calculation unit 74 and the signal level change unit 73, while when the frame type information represents a voice signal, the voice signal decoded by the AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) decoder 72 with an internal pseudo noise generator is output to the call receiver 43 with its level unchanged. |
| US07933547B2 |
Apparatus and method for interfering with wireless communications devices positioned in a volume occupied by a human driver
An apparatus operable to disable operation of driver side wireless communications devices, for use within a vehicle, includes a drive circuit coupled to at least one active antenna element to produce interference within at least one wireless communications band of frequencies in response to movement of a vehicle above a defined threshold. The active antenna element being mounted proximate a driver side seatback and/or visor. The interference may take the form of a bare carrier wave, or may take the form of noise, and is transmitted at sufficient power to interfere with communication between the driver side wireless communications device and a destination device. |
| US07933542B2 |
Fuser cleaning method and system based upon anticipatory action in image-forming device
A fuser roller surface is cleaned immediately before and or after the fusing operation. The separate cleaning sequence assures that the fuser roller surface is substantially free from residual toner that has accumulated from previous fusing operation. A number of image-transfer sheets is counted, and the cleaning sequence is also optionally activated after a number of detected image-transfer sheets has reached a predetermined number. |
| US07933541B2 |
Image-forming method and image-forming apparatus
An image-forming method includes forming a toner image on the surface of an image carrier, transferring the toner image from the surface of the image carrier onto an image-receiving layer of a belt-shaped intermediate transfer film that is provided on a surface of a base material, superimposing the intermediate transfer film on a surface of a recording medium such that the toner image contacts the surface of the recording medium, fixing the toner image by application of heat and pressure, forming a laminate by pressure-bonding the superimposed intermediate transfer film onto the recording medium by application of heat and pressure, and peeling the base material off the image-receiving layer at the interface therebetween, so that the entire image-forming surface of the recording medium is covered with the image-receiving layer and the image is formed between the recording medium and the image-receiving layer. |
| US07933539B2 |
Toner hopper, developing unit and image forming apparatus
A toner hopper contains toner supplied from a toner container and supplies the toner to a developing device. The toner hopper includes: a container tank for containing the toner; a carrying screw which is disposed in the container tank and is rotated so as to carry the toner in the container tank; and an elastic member having a first section which is fixed to the container tank and a second section which comes into contact with the carrying screw, the first section being farther from the carrying screw than the second section in a direction perpendicular to an axis line of the carrying screw. According to the arrangement, it is possible to stabilize an amount of toner supplied from the toner hopper to the developing device. |
| US07933535B2 |
Photoconductor unit and image-forming apparatus including drum-cleaning unit
A drum unit includes a photoconductor drum, a charger, a cleaning brush, and a drum unit case. The charger and the cleaning brush are disposed in such a manner as to face the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum. The charger and the cleaning brush are fixed to a charger support portion of the drum unit case. The charger support portion has a filler protrusion. The filler protrusion is provided so as to fill the space between the charger and the cleaning brush. |
| US07933534B2 |
Developing device frame unit, developing device, process cartridge, and manufacturing method of the developing device frame unit
A developing device frame unit supporting a regulating member regulating the layer thickness of developer on a developer carrier. The unit includes a frame having a seal forming portion, first and second, first and second end seals contactable to the carrier surface to prevent carrier-axial-direction leaking of the developer, and a blade sealer sealing between the regulating member and the frame to prevent developer leaking when the regulating member is mounted. The blade sealer is an elastomer resin material which is injection-molded with a metal mold and in the seal forming portion where the end seals are provided. The blade sealer connects the end seals with each other, and a protrusion provided by a squeezed-out portion of the resin material is provided by injecting, into a space defined by the metal mold, the seal forming portion, and the end seal seals, a resin material volume larger than a volume of the space. |
| US07933533B2 |
Charging device having charging roller with specific characteristic and image forming apparatus
A charging device for charging an image supporting member includes a charging roller for charging the image supporting member; and a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the charging roller. The charging roller has a surface, and the surface has irregularity oriented in a direction opposite to a direction that the cleaning member slides against the charging roller. Further, the surface has a maximum peak height Rp within a range of 2 μm≦Rp≦10 μm, and an average profile length RSm within a range of 40 μm≦RSm≦200 μm. |
| US07933530B2 |
Fuser assembly fan control
A printer is provided including a reference edge, a fuser assembly, a cooling apparatus and a controller. The reference edge is adapted to be contacted by a substrate as the substrate moves along a substrate path through the printer. The fuser assembly includes a heat transfer member including a belt and a backup member. The cooling apparatus is adapted to move cooling air capable of cooling the fuser assembly. The controller is configured to activate the cooling apparatus after determining that a first end portion of the backup member opposite a second end portion of the backup member near the reference edge is at a temperature above a predefined first threshold temperature. |
| US07933529B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, fixing apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium by applying pressure and heat to toner provided on the surface of the recording medium. The fixing apparatus includes a fixing member, a pressing member for pressing against the fixing member, a temperature detecting part for detecting the temperature of the fixing member, and a heating member including a main heating member and an auxiliary heating member for heating the fixing member, the main heating member being heated by obtaining power from a main power supply, the auxiliary heating member being heated by obtaining power from an auxiliary power supply. |
| US07933528B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for correcting density nonuniformity
An image forming apparatus comprises a first image forming unit that transfers a base toner image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer member and forms an image and second image forming units that are plurally disposed downstream of the first image forming unit in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer member, transfer different color toner images formed on second image carriers to the intermediate transfer member and form images. The base toner image is formed beforehand in a single color region transferred onto the intermediate transfer member from the second image carriers of the second image forming units. |
| US07933526B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method with forms for printing according to consumable material
An image forming apparatus acquires a type of consumable material possessed by the image forming apparatus using a library provided in an application platform, displays forms capable of printing using the type of consumable material acquired, and forms an image using one or more forms designated from among the displayed forms. |
| US07933525B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a cleaning device
An image forming apparatus includes an object to be cleaned, a cleaning device, a generation device, a control device, a voltage detection device and a load resistance detection device. The cleaning device cleans the object to be cleaned. The generation device generates a cleaning voltage in the cleaning device. The control device controls the generation device thereby to control the cleaning voltage. The voltage detection device detects the cleaning voltage generated in the cleaning device. The load resistance detection device detects a load resistance between the object to be cleaned and the cleaning device, based on at least one control parameter to be used by the control device to control the generation device and the cleaning voltage detected by the voltage detection device. |
| US07933523B2 |
Clock extracting apparatus
A clock extracting apparatus is provided. In the clock apparatus, two frequency components are made to have an equal magnitude by adjusting a temperature and current applied to an FP LD, and a clock signal is extracted by beating the two frequency components having the equal magnitude. The clock extracting apparatus includes: a circulator for changing a direction of an inputted optical signal; an adjuster for adjusting a characteristic and wavelength of a spectrum; and a clock extractor for selecting two frequency components having different magnitudes on the spectrum of the inputted optical signal, receiving an adjusted signals in which magnitudes of the two frequency components are made equal by the adjuster, making the two frequency components have an equal magnitude, and extracting a clock signal by beating the two frequency components having the equal magnitude. |
| US07933520B2 |
High-speed wavelength selectable optical source and method thereof
A high-speed wavelength selectable optical source and a method thereof are disclosed. The wavelength selectable optical source includes at least one optical source having a multimode oscillation spectrum, a demultiplexer and an optical switch for extracting light having a certain selected wavelength. A certain wavelength can be selected among the multimode wavelengths using the demultiplexer and the optical switch, and thus the wavelength can discontinuously be tuned at high speed. Also, by making the light having the selected wavelength incident to the multimode optical source, the power of the output light can uniformly be maintained and maximized through injection locking. |
| US07933519B2 |
Optical cross-connect using wavelength selective switches
An optimally-sized optical cross-connect that switches optical signal paths with a minimum number of wavelength selective switches and their interconnections. To switch optical signals of N routes (N=1, 2, . . . ), an optical cross-connect includes a 2×N (2-input, N-output) wavelength selective switch for each of N input routes and a N×2 (N-input, 2-output) wavelength selective switch for each of N output routes. One input port of each 2×N wavelength selective switch receives an optical signal from a corresponding input route, while the other input port of the same receives an optical add signal from a corresponding add route. One output port of each N×2 wavelength selective switch outputs an optical signal to a corresponding output route, while the other output port outputs an optical drop signal to a corresponding drop route. |
| US07933513B2 |
System for duplicating radiographic film images
A film copy system includes a camera supported by a cradle which is removably attached to a cradle mount. A light shaft carried by the cradle is provided for releasably engaging a film holder and spacing the film holder a predetermined distance from the camera. |
| US07933509B2 |
Device and method for reducing optical blurring
A camera-movement compensation device includes a first liquid-crystal cell with a pair of parallel transparent plates and a first voltage source coupled to the first liquid-crystal cell and able to apply and alter a first voltage gradient across the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell. The device also includes a second liquid-crystal cell having a pair of parallel transparent plates and disposed so that each of the plates of the second liquid-crystal cell is parallel to the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell and in light communication with at least one wave of light passing through the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell, a second voltage source coupled to the second liquid-crystal cell and able to apply and alter a second voltage gradient across the surfaces of the second liquid-crystal cell, and a movement detector coupled to the voltage sources to alter the slope of the voltage gradients in proportion to a movement. |
| US07933508B2 |
User-friendlier interfaces for a camera
A camera system, including voice recognition, one or multiple microphones, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon and manipulating settings based on that location, possibly in conjunction with other features. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control some aspect of the camera operation. Another aspect of the system provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system. |
| US07933507B2 |
Single lens splitter camera
A camera system may be used to capture iris images of targeted people who may be unaware of being targeted and hence their movement may not be constrained in any way. Iris images may be used for identification and/or tracking of people. In one illustrative embodiment, a camera system may include a focus camera and an iris camera, where the focus camera is sensitive to ambient light or some spectrum thereof, and the iris camera is sensitive to infrared or some other wavelength light. The focus camera and the iris camera may share an optical lens, and the focus camera may be used to auto-focus the lens on a focus target. A beam splitter or other optical element may be used to direct light of some wavelengths to the focus camera for auto-focusing the lens, and other wavelengths to the iris camera for image capture of the iris images. |
| US07933504B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933501B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933496B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933495B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933493B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933492B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933490B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933489B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07933483B2 |
Electro-optical memory cell
An electro-optical memory cell having a non-volatile programmable refractive index and a method of making. The memory cell includes: a waveguiding structure having a transition metal oxide with oxygen vacancies; a plurality of electrodes for applying an electrical field; and an optical detector for detecting a state of the memory cell. The method includes: fabricating a waveguiding structure having a transition metal oxide with oxygen vacancies; positioning a plurality of electrodes for application of an electric field; arranging the transition metal oxide and the electrodes such that when an electric field is applied, the oxygen vacancies migrate in a direction that has a component which is radial relative to a center of the beam path; applying the electric field thereby programming the refractive index to set a state of the memory cell; and detecting the state of the memory cell using an optical detector. |
| US07933477B2 |
Optical transmission hinge apparatus
An optical transmission hinge apparatus includes a first hinge portion for pivotally interconnecting a first casing and a second casing about a first axis, a first optical device provided in the first casing, a second optical device provided in the second casing and an optical guide path member for interconnecting the first optical device and the second optical device to enable optical transmission therebetween. The optical guide path member includes a bent portion, a first portion formed on one side of the bent portion and a second portion formed on the other side of the bent portion. The first portion is provided in the first casing to be coaxial with the first hinge portion, with a terminal end of the first portion being in opposition to the first optical device. The second portion is provided in the second casing, with a terminal end of the second portion being in opposition to the second optical device. |
| US07933475B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing back-lighting in a display device
Methods and apparatus for providing lighting in a display are provided. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is provided that includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of interferometric modulators. The interferometric modulators include an optical stack coupled to the transparent substrate, a reflective layer over the optical stack, and one or more posts to support the reflective layer and to provide a path for light from a backlight for lighting the display. |
| US07933473B2 |
Multiple resolution image storage
In accordance with one or more aspects, multiple folders are generated each corresponding to one of multiple levels of an image pyramid, and each of the multiple levels including one or more tiles. In each of the multiple folders, one or more files are stored, each file including image data for a tile of the level corresponding to the folder. In accordance with other aspects, a first version of an image is generated, the first version of the image having a lower resolution than the image. The image is compressed using a first compression process, and the first version of the image is compressed using a second compression process, the second compression process being a higher quality process than the first compression process. Both the compressed image and the compressed first version of the image are stored as an image pyramid for the image. |
| US07933468B2 |
Method and system of motion artefact compensation in a subject
A method of compensating for motion artefact of a portion of a subject, wherein signal intensity data representing movement of the portion of the subject is recorded and plotted on a display means. The method includes selecting a region of interest (ROI) covering an edge of the moving portion, calculating and plotting data points representing the average signal intensity of the selected ROI at specific time instances, producing a smoothed curve representing the mean of the plotted data points. The method further includes measuring the difference between the plotted data points and the smoothed curve at particular time instances to produce a difference curve, detecting a set of critical points on the difference curve, and interpolating the detected set of critical points to form a curve of equal time intervals for subsequent processing. |
| US07933466B2 |
Grey value correction method for binary image data
A method of gray value correction for binary image data, preferably screened image data, with a local gray value by a desired correction magnitude includes filtering the image data quantized with n bits with an asymmetrical low-pass filter whose filter window is smaller than a screen cell. By a threshold value operation, corrected binary image data is obtained from the filtered image data. Optimum threshold values are selected from a threshold value table as a function of the local gray value and of the desired correction magnitude. |
| US07933464B2 |
Scene-based non-uniformity correction and enhancement method using super-resolution
A scene-based non-uniformity correction method super-resolution for eliminating fixed pattern noise in a video having a plurality of input images is disclosed, comprising the steps of warping each of the plurality of images with respect to a reference image to obtain a warped set of images; performing one of averaging and deblurring on the warped set of images to obtain an initial estimate of a reference true scene frame; warping the initial estimate of the reference true scene frame with respect to each of the plurality of images to obtain a set of estimated true signal images; performing a least square fit algorithm to estimate a gain image and an offset image given the set of estimated true signal images; applying the estimated gain image and estimated offset image to the plurality of images to obtain a clean set of images; and applying a super-resolution algorithm to the clean set of images to obtain a higher resolution version of the reference true scene frame. |
| US07933463B2 |
Method for removing the effect of light scattering in a digitized image of a light-scattering film
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for removing the effect of light scattering in a digitized image of a light-scattering film comprising providing a light-scattering correction film that has a uniform optical density; providing a light scattering target film that has a pattern of optical densities; scanning the correction film with a film scanner to create a digital correction film image; scanning the target film with a film scanner to create a digital target film image; measuring the two-dimensional pattern of responses present in the digital correction film image; determining a correction function from the two-dimensional pattern of responses to correct for the effect of light scattering in the digital correction film image; and applying the correction function to the target film image to provide a corrected target film image. |
| US07933462B2 |
Representing and reconstructing high dynamic range images
A high dynamic range image can be recovered from a full-resolution lower-dynamic-range image and a reduced-resolution higher-dynamic-range image. Information regarding higher spatial frequencies may be obtained by extracting high spatial frequencies from the lower-dynamic-range image. In some embodiments an approximate impulse-response function is determined by comparing the higher- and lower-dynamic range images. A scaling image obtained by applying the impulse-response function to a high-frequency band of the lower-dynamic range image is combined with an upsampled higher-dynamic range image to yield a reconstructed image. |
| US07933460B2 |
Resolution conversion upon hierarchical coding and decoding
In a decoding method of decoding encoded image data which has been hierarchically encoded in advance, a size of an image to be outputted is determined, and then the encoded image data is decoded up to a layer of hierarchy which is at least one layer more than a minimum number of layer/layers of hierarchy necessary to acquire an image of the determined size. |
| US07933458B2 |
Image decoder, image decoding method and computer program product for the same
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image decoder for decoding encoded image data in an image block unit, including: a storage device configured to store a DC component of a past image block coefficient as a prediction value; a predict circuit configured to predict a DC component of a current image block coefficient using the prediction value; an inversely quantizing circuit configured to inversely quantize an image block coefficient outputted from the predict circuit; and a saturation processing circuit to execute a saturation processing of an image block coefficient outputted from the inversely quantizing circuit. A DC component of the image block coefficient outputted from the inversely quantizing circuit and a DC component of the image block coefficient after execution of the saturation processing are respectively inputted to the storage device. |
| US07933453B2 |
System and method for capturing and processing business data
A method and a system for interpreting information in a document are provided, with the system receiving an image of a document from a remote source and converting it into multiple sets of blocks of characters. Tags indicating likely meaning of blocks are assigned to them. At least some of the blocks have an associated score representing the probability that the characters in the block correctly represent the characters in the original image. The system selects one set from multiple sets based on the scores associated to certain blocks determined by accessing remote information over the Internet. |
| US07933446B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically detecting image and character data
The present invention discloses a halftone processing of image and text auto detection, which is used to keep both the bit depth of images and the clarity of text when faxing or copying documents. The process of the present invention is stated as follows: choose the background color from the master copy, separate the content of the master copy into images and text with the chosen background color as the criterion, process the images with halftone processing, process the text with line art processing, and then output the processed images and processed text as a whole. |
| US07933444B2 |
Method of locating rank and suit symbols on cards
A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time. |
| US07933443B2 |
Image variety on edible substrates
An article of commerce comprising an edible substrate having an image disposed thereon, and a method for making edible substrates having a variety of different images. |
| US07933442B2 |
Appearance manifolds for modeling time-variant appearance of materials
A method for modeling a time-variant appearance of a material is described. A sample analysis of a material sample is performed, wherein the sample analysis orders surface points of the material sample with respect to weathering from data captured at a single instant in time. An appearance synthesis using the sample analysis is performed, wherein the appearance synthesis generates a time-variant sequence of frames for weathering an object. |
| US07933436B2 |
Apparatus for automatically detecting salient features in medical image data
An apparatus is disclosed for automatically detecting salient features in medical image data. The apparatus includes a memory device for storing the image data, at least one determination module for determining one or more anatomical regions which are acquired by the image data, a number of different examination modules that respectively include an application for automatically detecting specific salient features in a specific anatomical region, an input unit via which a primary application can be started, a control unit that on the basis of the anatomical regions determined by the determination module automatically selects and executes in the background further applications, as well as an output unit on which the result of the primary application is displayed together with an item of information relating to additional salient features that have been detected automatically with the aid of the applications executed in the background. The apparatus improves the diagnostic evaluation of medical image data. |
| US07933435B2 |
System, method, and kit for processing a magnified image of biological material to identify components of a biological object
A system, method and kit for processing an original image of biological material to identify certain components of a biological object by locating the biological object in the image, enhancing the image by sharpening components of interest in the object, and applying a contour-finding function to the enhanced image to create a contour mask. The contour mask may be processed to yield a segmented image divided by structural units of the biological material. |
| US07933430B2 |
Method and apparatus for spectral mixture resolution
The spectral method for determining the concentrations of a substance in a mixture of any number of substances is defined by a chemical image having a plurality of pixels (520). The method includes steps of providing a spectrum for each of the n number of substances in the mixture (530), and obtaining the spectrum for one of the plurality of pixels, and calculating a plurality of estimated concentrations of each substance in the mixture as a function of the spectrum for each substance and the spectrum for the pixel, and calculating a deviation value for each of the plurality of estimated concentrations as a function of the spectrum of each of the number of substances in the mixture, and selecting the estimated concentration with the lowest deviation factor as a most likely concentration of each substance in the mixture (550). |
| US07933429B2 |
Vibrating element for an electroacoustic transducer
A vibrating element (1) for an electroacoustic transducer, particularly for a loudspeaker, is provided, comprising a diaphragm (2) with at least two electrically conductive areas (3a, 3b) separated from each other, and with a recess (4). In the recess (4) a coil (5) is arranged with two connecting leads (6a, 6b), which are electrically contacted with one conductive area each (3a, 3b). The contact points (8a . . . 8d) are then located in the area of the recess (4). Furthermore, a method for the manufacturing of a vibrating element (1) is provided. The recess (4), the inserting of the coil (5) into the recess (4) as well as optionally the contacting of connecting leads (6a, 6b) with the conductive areas (3a, 3b) can then take place in one process step. |
| US07933428B2 |
Microphone apparatus
A microphone apparatus includes a mounting substrate, and at least two MEMS microphone elements mounted on the mounting substrate. The mounting substrate is provided with respective sound holes located directly under the MEMS microphone elements. |
| US07933426B2 |
Removable speaker arrangement
An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes removable speaker arrangements. A speaker structure is pivotally mounted with a first base such that the speaker structure pivots around an axis of rotation, and the first base configured to slidingly receive the speaker structure. A first plurality of electronic contacts are in electronic communication with the first base. A second plurality of electronic contacts are in electronic communication with the speaker structure and are configured to maintain electronic communication with the first plurality of electronic connectors throughout the axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the first base further includes a wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, speaker arrangements further includes a second base configured to slidingly receive the speaker structure. In some embodiments, the second base includes a power supply and a wireless receiver for maintaining electronic communication with the first base. |
| US07933424B2 |
Hearing aid comprising adaptive feedback suppression system
A hearing aid comprises an input transducer (2), a subtraction node for subtracting a feedback cancellation signal from the electrical input signal thereby generating a processor input signal, a signal processor (3), an output transducer (4), a pair of equalization filters (7a, 7b) for selecting from the processor input and output signals a plurality of frequency band signals, a frequency equalization unit for frequency equalization for the selected frequency band signals, and an adaptive feedback estimation filter (5, 6) for adaptively deriving the feedback cancellation signal from the equalized frequency band signals. The equalization of selected frequency bands of the input signals of the adaptive feedback cancellation filter provides for an improved and in particular a faster adaption of the feedback cancellation. The invention further provides a method of reducing acoustic feedback of a hearing aid, and a hearing aid circuit. |
| US07933423B2 |
Method for controlling the directionality of the sound receiving characteristic of a hearing aid and a signal processing apparatus
A signal processing apparatus (100) for a hearing aid with a controllable directional characteristic is provided which comprises a directional controller (10) receiving first and second microphone signals (20, 30) and output an output signal (40), a signal analyzer (70) which detects whether at least one of said first and second microphone signals being undesired signals, and wherein said directional controller minimizes the output signal by adjusting the directional characteristic only if the signal analyzer has detected undesired signals. |
| US07933420B2 |
Methods and systems for determining the effectiveness of active noise cancellation
A method for controlling a noise cancellation system having an adaptive control portion is provided. The noise cancellation system is operable to generate a cancellation noise configured to at least partially cancel an unwanted noise in a defined environment. The adaptive control portion is operable to adjust the operation of the noise cancellation system based on a level of unwanted noise that remains when the cancellation noise and the unwanted noise are combined. The method includes receiving an error signal representing a portion of a noise not cancelled by a cancellation noise, where the cancellation noise is generated from the noise cancellation system. The method also includes determining whether the level of the error signal exceeds a first threshold value for a first predetermined period of time. The method also includes calculating a crest factor using the error signal. The method also includes determining whether the crest factor exceeds a second threshold value. The method also includes deactivating the adaptive control system and continuing to operate the noise cancellation system if the error value exceeds the first threshold value for the predetermined period of time and the crest factor exceeds the second threshold value. |
| US07933415B2 |
Signal synthesizing
A method of synthesizing a first (L) and a second (R) output signal from an input signal (x). The method comprises: filtering (201) the input signal to generate a filtered signal; obtaining a correlation parameter indicative of a desired correlation between the first and second output signals; obtaining a level parameter (c) indicative of a desired level difference between the first and second input signals; and transforming the input signal and the filtered signal by a matrixing operation (203) into the first and second output signals, where the matrixing operation depends on the correlation parameter and the level parameter. |
| US07933409B2 |
Content playback device
To provide a content playback device capable of protecting content according to DRM, when decrypting encrypted content recorded on a recording medium and playing the decrypted content. If key generation information is “00”, a key control unit 104 concatenates a decrypted media key and content information in this order, and applies a one-way function to the concatenation result to generate a content key. If the key generation information is “10”, the key control unit 104 sets a rights key as the content key. If the key generation information is “01”, the key control unit 104 concatenates the decrypted media key and the rights key in this order, and applies a one-way function to the concatenation result to generate the content key. |
| US07933405B2 |
Data access and permute unit
According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a data processing unit, a method of operating the same, computer program product and an instruction. In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a data processing unit for a computer processor, the data processing unit comprising a deep register access mechanism capable of performing a permutation operation on at least one data operand accessed from a register file of the computer processor, the permutation operation being performed in series with (i) register access for the data operand and (ii) execution of a data processing operation on the operand. |
| US07933404B2 |
Primitives for fast secure hash functions and stream ciphers
Techniques are disclosed to enable efficient implementation of secure hash functions and/or stream ciphers. More specifically, a family of graphs is described that has relatively large girth, large claw, and/or rapid mixing properties. The graphs are suitable for construction of cryptographic primitives such as collision resistant hash functions and stream ciphers, which allow efficient software implementation. |
| US07933403B2 |
ARIA encryption/decryption apparatus and method, and method of generating initialization key for the same
Disclosed is an Academy, Research Institute, and Agency (ARIA) encryption/decryption apparatus for encrypting and decrypting input data by repeating a plurality of rounds. The ARIA encryption/decryption apparatus includes a first register storing input data or an intermediate calculation value according to a first control signal; a second register storing a input round key for every round; an exclusive OR operation unit performing an exclusive OR operation on values stored in the first and second registers; a substitution unit substituting a result of the exclusive OR operation on a basis of an ARIA substitution algorithm; a diffusion unit diffusing a result of the substitution in the substitution unit on a basis of an ARIA diffusion algorithm if a current round is not a final round; and a control unit outputting the first control signal so that an output of the diffusion unit is used as the intermediate calculation value if the current round is the final round or an output of the substitution unit is used as the intermediate calculation value if the current round is the final round, and outputting an output of the exclusive OR operation unit as a result of the ARIA encryption/decryption. |
| US07933399B2 |
System and method for utilizing virtual agents in an interactive voice response application
The present disclosure provides a system and method configured to establish a connection with a party at an interactive voice response (IVR) system and provide a plurality of virtual agents associated with virtual departments based on a current stage within the process. A caller or party can be prompted with a first virtual agent when addressing content related to a first virtual department and prompted by a second virtual agent when addressing content related to a second virtual department. |
| US07933395B1 |
Virtual tour of user-defined paths in a geographic information system
Interactive geographic information systems (GIS) and techniques provide users with a greater degree of flexibility, utility, and information. A markup language facilitates communication between servers and clients of the interactive GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (timebased and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3d. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided. |
| US07933393B1 |
Method and apparatus for selective post-call audio logo/message
A system relays a call from a calling party to a called party and, upon termination of the call by the calling party, a post-call announcement is played to the called party. Attributes of either the calling party, the called party, or both are passed to a database. The database performs a look-up query based on the call attribute information. An announcement indication is transmitted from the database to an announcement frame indicating which post-call announcement, if any, is to be played to the called party. The announcement frame plays the particular post-call announcement, if any, to the called party when the calling party has disconnected from the call. |
| US07933379B2 |
Measurement of lead by X-ray fluorescence
A method, instrument, and computer program software product for characterizing a sample with respect to the presence of a specified element, either as a constituent of a surface layer or of the bulk of the sample. Intensities of fluorescent emission at two characteristic emission lines are compared to establish whether the specified element is disposed above the bulk of the sample. In the case where the specified element is disposed above the bulk of the sample, an areal density of the specified element is determined, whereas in the case where the specified element is disposed within the bulk of the sample, a volumetric concentration of the specified element within the sample is determined. |
| US07933374B2 |
System and method of storing and/or transferring high level radioactive waste
A system and method for storing high level waste. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: an outer shell having an open top end and a hermetically closed bottom end; an inner shell forming a cavity, the inner shell positioned inside the outer shell so as to form a space between the inner shell and the outer shell; at least one passageway connecting the space and a bottom portion of the cavity; at least one passageway connecting an ambient atmosphere and a top portion of the space; a lid positioned atop the inner shell, the lid having at least one passageway connecting the cavity and the ambient atmosphere; and a seal between the lid and the inner shell so at form a hermetic lid-to-inner shell interface. |
| US07933373B2 |
Phase correction circuit of encoder signal
A position detector has a peak detector for detecting peak values of an A1 signal and a B1 signal serving as output signals of an analog to digital (AD) converter, an offset/amplitude correction section for generating an A2 signal and a B2 signal by correcting offsets and amplitude errors using the peak values detected by the peak detector, and a position data conversion section for converting the sinusoidal signals of an A phase and a B phase into position data. |
| US07933366B2 |
Channel estimation method and system using linear correlation based interference cancellation (LCIC) combined with decision-feedback-equalization (DFE)
A channel estimation method and system using linear correlation based interference cancellation combined with decision-feedback-equalization (LCIC-DFE) are provided. The channel estimation method includes generating a first correlation sequence by calculating a linear correlation between a baseband sampled complex signal and a locally stored pseudo-noise signal and obtaining a second correlation sequence by iteratively removing inter-path interference from the first correlation sequence and generating a first channel impulse response (CIR) sequence based on the second correlation sequence. And, obtaining a third correlation sequence by removing random-data interference from the second correlation sequence based on the first CIR sequence and a feedback signal and generating a second CIR sequence based on the third correlation sequence. |
| US07933364B2 |
QAM symbol slicing method and apparatus
A method for slicing a symbol in a QAM digital demodulator, includes acquiring a digital integer value by sampling a symbol signal in an in-phase coordinate or a quadrature-phase coordinate; and extracting a symbol bit sequence in the in-phase coordinate or the quadrature-phase coordinate from a whole bit sequence of the digital integer value by using an LSB thereof. Further, a symbol slicer for detecting a QAM symbol, includes digital sampling units, each of which acquires a digital integer value by sampling a symbol signal in an in-phase coordinate or a quadrature-phase coordinate; and a symbol bit sequence extracting unit that extracts a symbol bit sequence in the in-phase coordinate or the quadrature-phase coordinate from a whole bit sequence of the digital integer value by using an LSB thereof. |
| US07933363B2 |
Polarization diversity
A communication device for receiving a signal in the form of a series of bursts, each burst being in one of a plurality of different available transmission modes, the communication device comprising: a receiver unit coupled to a single antenna operable to receive bursts in first and second polarizations, the receiver unit preferentially receiving signals in a selected polarization; a selection unit for selecting for each received burst in which polarization the receiver unit is to preferentially receive signals; and a signal analysis unit for analyzing each received burst to determine whether it meets a predetermined reception quality criterion; wherein the signal analysis unit is arranged to control the selection unit to: if a burst is to be received with a certain transmission mode and the last burst received with that transmission mode was received above the reception quality criterion, preferentially receive the burst in the same polarization in which the last burst was received; and if a burst is to be received with a certain transmission mode and the last burst received with that transmission mode was received below the reception quality criterion, preferentially receive the burst in a different polarization from that in which the last burst was received. |
| US07933361B2 |
Hybrid DC-offset reduction method and system for direct conversion receiver
A hybrid structure circuit for the cancellation of both Type-I and Type-II DC offsets. It comprises a static compensator in conjunction with a servo-loop feedback amplifier to suppress the undesired DC components present along the path of the base band after the direct conversion mixer. Two mixers are used to down convert a received RF signal directly to a base band signal with two components: in-phase and quadrature-phase. Both in-phase and quadrature-phase branches employ the same circuitry for DC offset cancellation. Miller effect is also utilized in the structure in order to implement the circuit on-chip. |
| US07933360B2 |
Method for evaluating signal transmission quality
A method to assess signal transmission quality and the adjust method thereof are proposed. First, different time points of a control signal at a receiving end are acquired and the number of signal transitions in a predetermined time interval is counted. Next, the number of signal transitions is recorded and compared to a reference value to obtain a comparison result. The quality of the control signal is then determined based on the comparison result. The parameter setting of the receiving end is adjusted according to the quality of the control signal received by the receiving end to get a better performance setting. |
| US07933354B2 |
Encoding and decoding architecture and method for pipelining encoded data or pipelining with a look-ahead strategy
An encoding and/or decoding communication system comprises a framer interface, an encoder, a multiplexer, an output driver, and a clock multiplier unit (CMU). The encoder includes an input latch circuitry stage; an output latch circuitry stage; an intermediate latch circuitry stage interposed between the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage, the intermediate latch circuitry stage coupled to the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage; a plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages interposed between the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage, a last one of the plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages placed adjacent to the output latch circuitry stage and coupled to the output latch circuitry stage; and a feedback between the output latch circuitry stage and the last one of the plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages. |
| US07933353B2 |
Communication system and technique using QR decomposition with a triangular systolic array
An apparatus, system, and method to perform QR decomposition of an input complex matrix are described. The apparatus may include a triangular systolic array to load the input complex matrix and an identity matrix, to perform a unitary complex matrix transformation requiring three rotation angles, and to produce a complex unitary matrix and an upper triangular matrix. The upper triangular matrix may include real diagonal elements. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07933349B2 |
OFDM receiver and OFDM signal receiving method
An OFDM receiver may include OFDM-signal receiving means for receiving an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal, channel-characteristic estimating means for estimating a channel characteristic, time-direction-channel estimating means used for the estimation of a channel characteristic, judging means for judging a result of the estimation of a time direction channel, switching control means for switching presence or absence of the estimation of a time direction channel in accordance with a result of the judgment on the result of the estimation of a time direction channel, and transmission-distortion compensating means for applying processing for compensating for transmission distortion to the OFDM frequency domain signal received by the OFDM-signal receiving means and subjected to the Fast Fourier Transform. |
| US07933342B2 |
Multipath equalization for MIMO multiuser systems
Interference rejection (85) can be applied to a wireless communication signal with reduced computational complexity by producing from a sample vector (y) a plurality of vectors (w) that are smaller than the sample vector. The interference rejection operation can then be applied to each of the smaller vectors individually to decide communication symbols represented by the sample vector. |
| US07933336B2 |
Image down-sampling transcoding method and device
Methods and devices are provided for down-sampling an image from H.264 to MPEG-4 at a high speed. The method for converting a first macro block having a first format into a second macro block having a second format includes: (a) determining a block mode of the second macro block and converting the first macro block into the second macro block with the determined block mode, when the number of intra macro blocks included in the first macro block satisfies a first condition; (b) determining a block mode of the second macro block and converting the first macro block into the second macro block with the determined block mode, when the number for inter macro blocks included in the first macro block satisfies a second condition; and (c) re-adjusting a motion vector of the second macro block, after the conversion of the first macro block into the second macro block is finished. |
| US07933334B2 |
Image encoder and method thereof, computer program of image encoder, and mobile terminal
The present invention provides an image coding method comprising: selecting prediction modes from among prescribed plurality of prediction modes based on processed blocks, the number of selected prediction modes being less than the number of said prescribed plurality of prediction modes; predicting a pixel of a block in an input frame image based on selected prediction modes; calculating a difference between said predicted pixel value and a pixel value of a block in an input frame; determining a coding mode based on the result of said calculation process, said determined coding mode being used for said image coding method.And the present invention also provides an encoding circuit, encoding program, a mobile terminal, an encoding and decoding circuit relevant to the image encoding method above. |
| US07933333B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting motion in MPEG video streams
A method of detecting motion in a video image comprising the steps of connecting an MPEG compliant encoder to a video source that provides video images, compressing the video data in the video images and generating a compressed video image bit stream having a motion compensation component, receiving the generated compressed video image bit stream, comparing the motion compensation component to a threshold value, and indicating that motion has occurred if the motion compensation component is greater than the threshold value. |
| US07933332B2 |
Method and device for determination of motion vectors that are coordinated with regions of an image
In a method and device for determining motion vectors that are each coordinated with individual regions of an image, the image is divided into a number of first main blocks, making use of a first block raster, and a first estimation process is performed to provide each first block with a motion vector. The image is also divided into a number of second main blocks, making use of a second block raster, whose position is displaced relative to or offset from the first block raster, for example in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a second estimation process is performed to provide each second main block with a motion vector. A number of subblocks are formed, each subblock being formed by an overlap region between one of the main blocks of the first raster and certain ones of the second main blocks of the second raster. A motion vector for each subblock is generated, this motion vector depending on the motion vectors of the main blocks and being coordinated with the particular subblock. |
| US07933331B2 |
High quality, low memory bandwidth motion estimation processor
An apparatus generally having a first circuit and a second circuit is disclosed. The first circuit may be configured to (i) copy a plurality of first reference samples of a first reference image from an external memory, the first reference samples being proximate a first position within the first reference image and (ii) generate a first motion vector corresponding to a first current block of a current image by searching among the first reference samples. The second circuit may be configured to (i) copy a plurality of second reference samples of the first reference image from the external memory, the second reference samples being (a) proximate a second position within the first reference image and (b) non-adjacent the first reference samples and (ii) generate a second motion vector corresponding to the first current block by searching among the second reference samples. |
| US07933330B2 |
Picture coding apparatus, picture decoding apparatus and the methods
A weighting factor mode determination unit determines whether to code an interlaced picture in a field mode or a frame mode, based on a value of a flag “AFF” indicating whether or not to switch between the field mode and the frame mode on a block-by-block basis and notifies switches and a multiplexing unit of the determined mode. The switches select either the field mode or the frame mode according to the notified mode. A field weighting factor coding unit or a frame weighting factor coding unit performs respectively the coding of respective weighting factors when the respective modes are selected. |
| US07933329B2 |
System and method for monitoring video packets for quantifying video quality
A system and method for monitoring a sequence of video packets for quantifying video quality includes a video picture monitor that accesses data in a header of a video packet included in the sequence of video packets. The header is separate from video content stored in the video packet. The video picture monitor also determines from the accessed data, a relationship between a portion of a picture included in the video packet and at least a portion of a picture included in another video packet. Both video packets are included in the sequence of video packets. This relationship indicates whether to use the video content stored in the first video packet to quantify video quality. |
| US07933325B2 |
Antenna driving apparatus
A transmitter portion 14 includes a control circuit 32, a driver circuit 33, and a wave detector circuit 35. The control circuit 32 generates control signals Vp, Vn based on a pulsed transmission signal So. The driver circuit 33, which is supplied with a battery voltage Vb, generates an output signal Sa to be sent to an antenna 13 based on the control signals Vp, Vn. The wave detector circuit 35 outputs a detection signal Sk having a voltage proportional to the level of the output signal Sa (transmission power level). The control circuit 32 changes the pulse widths of the control signals Vp, Vn based on the voltage level of the detection signal Sk. As a result, electric power consumption is reduced and enlargement of an apparatus is suppressed while maintaining the transmission power level constant. |
| US07933324B2 |
Power regulator
Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing. |
| US07933320B2 |
Communication system using length shift keying modulation method
A communication system using a length shift keying (LSK) modulation method provides a transmitter having a carrier signal generator for generating carrier signals, and a modulator for modulating lengths of the carrier signals from the carrier signal generator according to combinations of data bits, and a receiver having an integrator for calculating an energy value by integrating the carrier signal that corresponds to a data bit combination, and a data judgment unit for judging the data bit combination by comparing the energy value with a predetermined threshold value. Power is maintained without changing the bandwidth of a communication signal when the communication signal is modulated. |
| US07933311B2 |
Data transmission using repeated sets of spreading sequences
Disclosed is a data transmission process using repetitive sets of spreading sequences, and corresponding transmitted and receiver. According to the invention, spectrum spreading is done on symbol packets using set of pseudo-random sequences used repetitively. This thus reduces interference between symbols. The present invention is applicable to digital communications by spectrum spreading. |
| US07933308B2 |
Signal transmission and reception device
A signal transmission and reception device is disclosed that can be made compact and has wide-band band-pass characteristics. The signal transmission and reception device includes a first filtering unit that is composed of a distributed constant circuit and is capable of eliminating a first frequency component or a second frequency component. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and a second filtering unit that attenuates components of frequencies lower than the first frequency or components of frequencies higher than the second frequency. |
| US07933302B2 |
Laser arrangement having a laser diode apparatus and method for stabilizing operating temperature distribution of a laser diode apparatus
A laser arrangement has at least one laser diode apparatus with a side surface which laterally limits the laser diode apparatus. The laser arrangement has a plurality of active regions arranged laterally side by side and configured to generate radiation. The laser diode apparatus is arranged on a mount. The distance between the side surface and an edge which laterally limits the mount on the part of the side surface is shorter than the distance between the side surface and the active region closest to the side surface. Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the side surface and the edge is shorter than one of the distances between two adjacent active regions of the laser diode apparatus. |
| US07933301B2 |
Resonator cavity configuration and method
A resonator cavity (10A) and method are provided. The resonator cavity (10A) includes at least one gain medium (16) and end reflectors (12, 14) which define together longitudinal modes of light in the cavity, and further includes an intra-cavity beam coupler assembly (20). The beam coupler assembly (20) is configured to split light impinging thereon into a predetermined number of spatially separated light channels, and to cause phase locking and at least partial coherent combining of the light channels, having common longitudinal and transverse modes, in a double pass through the beam coupler assembly (20). The resonator cavity (10A) is configured and operable to produce at least one output combined light channel of a predetermined intensity profile. |
| US07933300B2 |
Resonant fabry-perot semiconductor saturable absorbers and two photon absorption power limiters
An intracavity resonant Fabry-Perot saturable absorber (R-FPSA) induces modelocking in a laser such as a fiber laser. An optical limiter such as a two photon absorber (TPA) can be used in conjunction with the R-FPSA, so that Q-switching is inhibited, resulting in laser output that is cw modelocked. By using both an R-FPSA and a TPA, the Q-switched modelocked behavior of a fiber laser is observed to evolve into cw modelocking. |
| US07933296B2 |
Services for data sharing and synchronization
Systems and methods for sharing and synchronizing data using the addition of synchronization data to a feed that contains data items, and at least a node or endpoint that provides synchronization-related services to other endpoints, are disclosed. Such systems and methods, and client and service endpoints, may use the added synchronization data in multiple ways to share data, incorporate changes consistently, and resolve conflicts. |
| US07933295B2 |
Cable modem with voice processing capability
A network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, a voice synchronizer, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation. |
| US07933292B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting control information in mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting control information in a mobile communication system transmits uplink or downlink control information required for an E-DCH transmission between MAC layers of a transmitting side and a receiving side. The MAC layer of the transmitting side divides the MAC PDU into a MAC control PDU and a MAC data PDU and transmits data through the MAC data PDU and uplink or downlink control information through the MAC control PDU to the receiving side. The MAC control PDU includes an identifier for indicating a type of a MAC PDU and a sub-identifier for discriminating a type of the corresponding MAC control PDU. |
| US07933289B2 |
Cooperative writes over the address channel of a bus
A processing system and method for communicating in a processing system over a bus is disclosed. The processing system includes a receiving device, a bus having first, second and third channels, and a sending device configured to address the receiving device on the first channel, and read a payload from the receiving device on the second channel, the sending device being further configured to write a first portion of a payload to the receiving device on the first channel and a second portion of the payload to the receiving device on the third channel. |
| US07933288B2 |
Multi-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) architecture for high speed digital service
An architecture for providing high-speed access over frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) channels allows transmission of ethernet frames and/or other data across a cable transmission network or other form of FDM transport. The architecture involves downstream and upstream FDM multiplexing techniques to allow contemporaneous, parallel communications across a plurality of frequency channels. Furthermore, the architecture allows a central concentrator to support a plurality of remote devices that each have guaranteed bandwidth through connection-oriented allocations of bi-directional data flows. The upstream and downstream bandwidth allocation can support symmetrical bandwidth as well as asymmetrical bandwidth in either direction. The architecture generally can be used to support connection-oriented physical layer connectivity between a remote device and the central concentrator. Furthermore, the architecture may be integrated into other higher level devices such as, but not limited to, bridges, switches, routers, and/or gateways. The architecture generally may peacefully coexist with other services commonly-found in cable distribution networks. |
| US07933287B2 |
Wireless communication mobile station device, wireless communication base station device and CQI report method
Provided is a wireless communication mobile station device by which a throughput can be improved in multicarrier communication. In the device, a group control section (107) controls a subcarrier group, of which CQI is to be reported, among a plurality of subcarrier groups to periodically change, by following pattern information. For instance, the group control section (107) changes the subcarrier group whose CQI is to be reported, by frame or TTI (Transmission Time Interval). Furthermore, the group control section (107) specifies the subcarrier group whose CQI is to be reported, to an SINR detecting section (108) and a CQI generating section (109). |
| US07933285B2 |
Distributed digital subscriber line access multiplexers to increase bandwidth in access networks
Example distributed DSLAMs to increase bandwidth in access networks are disclosed. An example DSLAM comprises a first distribution cable segment to couple an SAI to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second distribution cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data from the first pedestal to the second pedestal, the second cable segment comprising a pair of DSL-based signals bonded together, a drop cable to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first cable segment and the drop cable. |
| US07933284B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving SIP server performance
A method and apparatus for improving SIP server performance is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an enqueuer for determining whether a request packet entering into the server is a new request or a retransmitted request and its retransmission times and for enqueuing the request packet into different queues based on results of the determining step and a dequeuer for dequeuing the packet in the queues for processing based on a scheduling policy. The apparatus may further include a policy controller for communicating with the server, enqueuer, dequeuer, queues and user, to dynamically and automatically set, or set based on the user's instructions, the scheduling policy, number of different queues, each queue's capacity, scheduling, etc. based on the network and/or server load and/or based on different server applications. |
| US07933283B1 |
Shared memory management
Shared memory management apparatus and techniques are disclosed. A shared memory provides queues for storing communication traffic that is to be scheduled for transmission. Based on amounts of communication traffic stored in the queues, a determination is made as to whether or not communication traffic is to be removed from the shared memory, and if so, communication traffic is removed. Traffic may be selected for removal based on one or more of: a scheduling algorithm for scheduling communication traffic out of the queues for transmission, thresholds associated with the queues, and latency of the communication traffic stored in the queues. Removal of communication traffic from the shared memory is coordinated with scheduling of communication traffic in some embodiments. |
| US07933282B1 |
Packet classification device for storing groups of rules
A packet classification device includes a CAM device, an SRAM device, and a control circuit that controls and coordinates the operations of the CAM and SRAM devices. For some embodiments, a first CAM block stores unique entries for each packet header field, a RAM block coupled to the first CAM block stores field labels for the unique packet header fields, a second CAM block stores group labels consisting of unique combinations of concatenated field labels, and a second RAM block coupled to the second CAM block stores a group identification (ID) for each group label, wherein each group ID identifies a corresponding one of the groups of rules. |
| US07933281B2 |
Method of bus configuration to enable device bridging over dissimilar buses
Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses. |
| US07933276B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation processor
A dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) processor comprises a DBA co-processor having DBA co-processor components and operative to perform and accelerate DBA functions, and a processing core logically coupled to the DBA co-processor through a processing bus and operative to configure and dynamically control all the DBA co-processor components and to run sections of algorithms that cannot be accelerated on the DBA co-processor. The DBA processor significantly accelerated the bandwidth allocation in a communications network such as an optical communications network or a fast wireless network. The DBA co-processor and the processing core may be integrated on a chip. |
| US07933272B2 |
Methods and systems for resolving a first node identifier in a first identifier domain space to a second node identifier in a second identifier domain space
Methods and systems are described for resolving a first node identifier in a first identifier domain space to a second node identifier in a second identifier domain space. In one aspect, a first node identifier from a first identifier domain space is identified. The first node identifier is included in data for transmission to a recipient. A network directory service node address is determined for a network directory service node configured to resolve the first node identifier to a second node identifier in a second identifier domain space. A message including the data and addressed to the recipient is generated. The message is transmitted to the recipient in association with transmitting, to the recipient, the network directory service node address. |
| US07933271B2 |
MAC forwarding method for multi-hop routing in communication system between vehicles
Provided is a Media Access Control (MAC) forwarding method for multi-hop routing in a communication system between vehicles. The method includes the steps of: a) receiving a frame from all nodes and checking whether there are duplicate frames; b) partly updating forwarding cache table (FCT) information, or updating SNT information and checking whether a destination address is a corresponding node; c) updating the FCT information, transmitting an Ack signal and transferring the frame to the upper layer, or searching whether the destination address is registered as “d_addr”; d) updating the FCT information and transmitting a delay ACK frame or checking whether the transmitted frame is a flooding frame; and e) updating the FCT information, checking whether the other node does not transmit the “d_ack” and inserting a flooding frame, otherwise, updating the FCT information and abandoning the frame. |
| US07933270B2 |
Method and system for prioritizing IP traffic in a wireless network based on a type-of-service identifier
A method for prioritizing IP traffic in a wireless network based on a type-of-service (TOS) identifier is provided. The method includes receiving an IP datagram. The IP datagram comprises an original TOS identifier. An IP message is formed by adding an IP header to the IP datagram. The original TOS identifier is copied from the IP datagram into a duplicate TOS identifier in the IP header. |
| US07933268B1 |
IP multicast forwarding in MAC bridges
The invention provides novel methods of forwarding multicast data packets to selected egress ports in a MAC bridging environment. A multicast data packet is received via an ingress port. A source IP address and a destination multicast IP address are retrieved from the multicast packet. In a forwarding database, different groups of egress ports correspond to different combinations of a source address, a destination multicast address, and a virtual local area network identifier (VLAN-ID). The forwarding database is accessed, based on the retrieved source address, the retrieved destination multicast address, and a VLAN-ID, to thereby determine a corresponding group of egress ports. The multicast packet is then forwarded to the corresponding group of egress ports. |
| US07933265B2 |
Time switch
Provided is a time switch capable of allowing a user to readily set up or change a schedule. For this purpose, a chassis 30 of the time switch 10 has same size (i.e., two-row-module size) as that obtained by arranging two three-module sized implanted type wiring devices in two lines along a minor width direction, and installation frame pieces 38 are protruded from both of upper and lower side walls. In addition, each installation frame piece 38 has a long hole 38a for inserting a box screw fastened to the implanted type box (not shown) implanted on the installation surface or a fastener hole combined with a fastener. Furthermore, decoration covers 33 and 34 are installed in the front side of the chassis 30, and manipulating buttons 45a to 45f of the setup manipulation unit for setting up a time schedule having a set of an address corresponding to the control target load, and a control time and a control item for the load are provided in the decoration cover 33 functioning as a manipulation face of the setup unit 10a. |
| US07933263B1 |
Analysis of VoIP data using incomplete call information
A method for determining the existence of calls in a VoIP system is disclosed. The present method enables calls that escape detection under known methods to be captured and analyzed, thereby improving the operation of a monitoring component that incorporates the principles disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an undetermined user datagram protocol (“UDP”) data packet is captured. Analysis of the UDP packet is conducted to determine whether the packet conforms to real-time transfer protocol (“RTP”) or real-time transfer control protocol (“RTCP”) protocols that are associated with VoIP calls. If the packet corresponds to RTP or RTCP protocols, further analysis is conducted to determine whether the packet corresponds to an already-identified call. If not, a new call record is created to track the packet and all other packets relating to the call. Analysis of various metrics and other properties of the packet can then be conducted as needed. |
| US07933261B2 |
Communication method, communication system, communication device, and program using multiple communication modes
In a communication method for performing data communication between communication devices via a network according to a predetermined mode, an attempt to establish the data communication according to a first communication mode is made. When the attempt has failed, another attempt to establish the data communication according to a second communication mode is made. |
| US07933260B2 |
System and method for routing and communicating in a heterogeneous network environment
An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method is for connecting an endpoint that is separated from another endpoint by a symmetric network address translation device. |
| US07933259B2 |
Internet telephony system with automated call answering
A system and method for automatically answering a call from a calling party to a called party that originates via the Internet, includes and involves a data storage system and processor that is coupled to the data storage system. The processor is operative to initiate an automated call answering service in response to an Internet telephony call from the calling party which is intended to be received by the called party, to receive a message from the calling party via the Internet in accordance with the automated call answering service, and to store the message in the data storage system for processing by the processor in accordance with the automated call answering service. |
| US07933258B2 |
Bypassing transcoding operations in a communication network
A method and a device for initiating the bypassing of a pair of transcoding operations that are performed in series by a first transcoder arranged together with a first communication terminal on a local side of a communication network and by a second transcoder arranged together with a second communication terminal on a distant side of the communication network are described. The method includes receiving from the distant side information about an encoding format currently in use on the distant side and about encoding capabilities of the distant side and transmitting to the distant side information about an encoding format currently in use on the local side and about encoding capabilities of the local side to enable on one or on both sides a change of the encoding format currently in use prior to initiating the bypassing of the transcoding operations. |
| US07933253B2 |
Return routability optimisation
A method of managing switching of a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel termination point from a first address to a second address. The VPN operates between a fixed network node and a mobile node which defines the termination point. The address of the mobile mode is switched from the first address to the second address and a notification from the mobile node to the fixed node is sent to indicate that the address of the mobile has changed from the first address to the second address. Verification of the trustworthiness of the second address is also then made. A searching manager for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US07933248B2 |
Method and apparatus for handover decision by using context information in a mobile communications network
A method for deciding a handover of a mobile terminal based on context information in a network environment includes receiving context information from the terminal and networks; evaluating selection priorities of network interfaces for each transmission path for each application program based on the context information; and obtaining a handover decision value for selecting a best network interface from among the networks by applying a cost function to the evaluated selection priority. Further, an apparatus for deciding a handover of a mobile terminal based on context information in a network environment, includes a monitor that collects context information from the terminal and networks; an analyzer that evaluates selection priorities of the networks for each transmission path for each application program based on the context information; and a planner that obtains a handover decision value for each transmission path of each application program based on the selection priorities. |
| US07933244B2 |
Multi-carrier communications with group-based subcarrier allocation
A method and apparatus for subcarrier selection for systems is described. In one embodiment, the system employs orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). In one embodiment, a method for subcarrier selection comprises a subscriber measuring channel and interference information for subcarriers based on pilot symbols received from a base station, the subscriber selecting a set of candidate subcarriers, providing feedback information on the set of candidate subcarriers to the base station, and receiving an indication of subcarriers of the set of subcarriers selected by the base station for use by the subscriber. |
| US07933241B2 |
Communication method for using bandwidth efficiently in internet protocol version 6
A communication method for using bandwidth efficiently in Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) is provided to minimize use of header information that is added when the terminal is moved. According to the present invention, while maintaining compatibility between general terminals that conform to the mobile IPv6, bandwidth can be more efficiently used for terminals supporting functions defined in the present invention. |
| US07933237B2 |
Ensuring quality of service of communications in networks
A method and apparatus for controlling ingress to a communications network to control quality of service is described. A request to admit a new communications flow is received. A polynomial and its coefficients representing a state of the network is determined and applied to the network state plus the new communications flow to determine whether admission of the new communications flow would cause the network to operate in a stable or unstable state. In response to determining that the network would operate in the unstable state, a communications flow for the ingress device is downgraded in its quality of service. By another approach, it is determined whether the new communications flow exceeds an allocated quota of bandwidth. Admission or rejection of the communications flow can be determined. |
| US07933236B2 |
Methods and systems for a wireless routing architecture and protocol
The present invention provides a method for generating routing paths in a multi-hop network. The multi-hop network includes a base station, at least one relay station, and at least one non-relay mobile station. The routing paths are paths between the base station and the at least one non-relay mobile station via the at least one relay station. The base station broadcasts a path discovery message (PDM) including a path list with a starting point of the path list being the base station. Each of the relay stations receives the PDM and updates the PDM by adding their own respective node identifier to the path list and broadcasting the updated PDM. The PDMs eventually reach the non-relay mobile station. The non-relay mobile stations reply to the base station by sending the base station the updated path list between the base station and the non-relay mobile station. In some embodiments the base station or the at least one non-relay mobile station acting as a source node sends a dynamic service (DSx) message including an end-to-end path list to an end of path destination. The relay stations use the path list to forward the message between the source node and the end of path destination. In some implementations the multi-hop network operates in a manner that is consistent with any one of: IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.16d, and IEEE 802.16e. |
| US07933234B2 |
Guide apparatus, guide system, and guide method
A guide apparatus 50 according to the present invention is provided with a service information DB 30d storing service information containing a service providing place and attribute information of a target user; a recognizing device 30b for acquiring an ID from image data transmitted from a cell phone 14; a retrieving device 30c for retrieving service information from the service information DB 30d on the basis of the acquired ID and for retrieving such service information that attribute information of the user of cell phone 14 coincides with attribute information of a target user, out of service information provided at service providing places near the service providing place; and a route retrieving device 20c for retrieving a route between the information about the service providing place retrieved and the cell phone 14; and transmits the route information and service information as guide information to the cell phone 14. |
| US07933233B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing service availability information in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for providing service availability information includes receiving a signal transmitted from a base station. A power level and interference level of the received signal is measured and an estimate of a power level of each potentially available service based on the power level of the received signal and predetermined power offsets associated with each of a plurality of potentially available services is derived. An estimate of a signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) for each potentially available service from the estimate of a power level of each service and the measured interference level and a service availability indicator for each potentially available service by dividing the estimated SIR with a target SIR are calculated. Service availability indicators for each potentially available service are outputted. |
| US07933226B2 |
System and method for providing communication channels that each comprise at least one property dynamically changeable during social interactions
One embodiment of the invention is a computer controlled method for use with a communication system. The method includes a step of receiving a plurality of communications, where each one of the plurality of communications is from one of a plurality of communication sources; includes a step of mixing (that is responsive to a plurality of floor controls) the plurality of communications for a plurality of outputs associated with plurality of communication sources; and includes a step of analyzing, for a plurality of users associated with the plurality of communication sources, one or more conversational characteristics of two or more of the plurality of users. The method also includes a step of automatically adjusting the plurality of floor controls responsive to the step of analyzing. Other embodiments include systems and devices that use the method as well as program products that cause a computer to execute the method. |
| US07933224B2 |
Approximating node-weighted Steiner network of terminals
According to one method for approximating a network of terminals, a graph comprising nodes and edges connecting at least some of the nodes is received. The nodes include terminals and non-terminal nodes. The non-terminal nodes are each associated with a weight. The terminals are each initialized to a value. The values of the terminals are incremented by a given amount until the values of the terminals reach a sufficient amount to acquire at least one of the non-terminal nodes that connects at least two of the terminals based on the weight of the at least one of the non-terminal nodes. Upon the values of the terminals reaching the sufficient amount, the at least one of the non-terminal nodes and the edges connecting the at least one of the non-terminal nodes to the at least two of the terminals are acquired to form a connected component in the network of terminals. |
| US07933221B1 |
Regulating dataflow between a mobile device and a wireless telecommunications network
A method and medium are provided for regulating a flow of data traffic that is communicated between a mobile device and a wireless telecommunications network. The method includes performing a data-packet-inspection process on at least a portion of the flow and applying a network policy to a specific wireless telecommunications area based on the results of the inspection. The network policy may be based on the wireless coverage area, the application, or the subscriber from which a data-packet originates. The network policy should also determine the way in which to regulate the flow of data if a policy applies to that particular flow. To enforce the policy, the value of a reverse activity bit may be set in connection with the wireless coverage area so as to regulate the flow of data as dictated by the network policy. |
| US07933219B2 |
Method and apparatus for requesting a channel measurement report in wireless communication systems
A method and apparatus for requesting a ChannelMeasurementReport in a wireless communication system are described. A ChannelMeasurementReportRequest message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field set to “0x07”, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of the sector requesting the measurement report, a 2 bit CarrierID field wherein the CarrierID field is set to the carrier on which the measurements are requested, a 40 bit StartPHYFrame wherein the StartPHYFrame is set to the frame number of the PHYFrame where access terminals are required to being measurements, a 3 bit NumChannels field wherein the NumChannels field is set to the number of channel to be measured, an 8 bit MeasurementsPerMessage field wherein the MeasurementsPerMessage determines the number of measurements to be included in one report message, an 8 bit NumMeasurementsRequested field wherein the NumMeasurementsRequested determines the total number of measurements to be made by access terminal and a 4 bit Reserved field is generated and transmitted over a communication link. |
| US07933217B2 |
Wireless network system and method for transmitting and receiving data in the wireless network
Provided is a wireless network system and a method for transmitting and receiving data in the wireless network, which have a particular time period for a beam search in a superframe thereof in order to enable stations, which carry out directional communications with a high frequency bandwidth, to efficiently perform a beam search. A wireless network coordinator in the wireless network system includes a media access control unit generating a beacon frame which constitutes a superframe including at least one channel time block; a bandwidth management unit setting a specific channel time block among the channel time blocks to a time period during which a packet for a beam search is transmitted and received among stations in a network; and a transmission unit transmitting the beacon frame having information on the setting through a predetermined communication channel. |
| US07933209B2 |
Method for isolating layer 1 problems for digital signal circuits embedded in SONET
A method is disclosed that integrates performance monitoring data and alarms reported by Layer 3 network elements with alarms and performance monitoring data reported by Layer 1 SONET/SDH network elements to isolate Layer 1 problems on DSX circuits embedded in SONET due to hard failures or errors. |
| US07933202B2 |
Bounded minimal latency for network resources without synchronization
Systems and methods for bounded minimal latency for network resources without synchronization are provided. In one embodiment, a method for managing data traffic between nodes in an asynchronous network comprises: receiving a data request message at a first port of network switch; storing information about the data request message in a memory at the network switch; forwarding the data request message to a producer node; receiving a data message at a second port of the network switch; determining whether the data message is responsive to the data request message; when the data message is responsive, forwarding the data message from the network switch; and when the data message is not responsive, blocking the data message from being forwarded from the network. |
| US07933200B2 |
Communications system
A controller controls the flow of messages in a communication system to a node. The controller monitors the rate of message rejection by the node and the rate of messages to the node passed by the controller. The rate at which messages to the node are passed is controlled on the basis of the monitored rejection rate and the monitored admit rate so that the rejection rate tends towards a target value. The maximum rate at which the messages are passed to a control value is limited. |
| US07933198B1 |
Virtual router failover dampening
A virtual router spans a number of physical routing devices. One of the physical routing devices is designated as master, and the other physical routing devices are designated as backups to the master. A failover protocol that includes both a non-dampened state and a dampened state can be implemented. According to the failover protocol, an attempt to designate one of the backups as master in place of the current master is permitted while the virtual router is in the non-dampened state, while such an attempt is suppressed while the virtual router is in the dampened state. |
| US07933194B2 |
Read-once record medium
The present invention relates to a read-once record medium that comprises a data substrate, a sensitive layer; a reflective layer, an adhesive layer and a transparent substrate; thereby, the structure of the sensitive layer or the data substrate will be changed when laser beams with specific power emitted from an optical storage device pass through the data substrate and focus on the sensitive layer, and the laser beams will be reflected by the sensitive layer and can not be recognized by the optical storage device. |
| US07933193B2 |
Optical disc
An optical disc includes a read-only area having a first wobble, which is a data wobble formed in the read-only area for only reading, a readable/writable area having a second wobble, which is different from the data wobble, and a connection area between the read-only area and the readable/writable area having a third wobble having the same frequency as one of the first and second wobbles. |
| US07933192B2 |
Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, and computer program
At least a first recording layer (L0 layer) and a second recording layer (L1 layer) are provided. The first recording layer is disc-shaped, and has a first recording track path formed for recording recording information. The second recording layer is disc-shaped, arranged on the first recording layer and has a second recording track path formed in an opposite direction to the first recording track path for recording recording information. On edge parts on the outer circumference sides of the first recording layer and the second recording layer, first buffer areas (104-0 and 104-1) are further provided for preventing a recording or reproducing position from deviating from the first recording layer or the second recording layer and for interlayer jump. At least a part of the first buffer area is previously formed as a pre-recording area by an embossed pit (in the case of DVD-RW) or by a pit formed by recording laser irradiation (in the case of DVD-R). |
| US07933191B2 |
Optical disc drive having two optomechanical mechanisms
An optical disc device includes a first optomechanical mechanism, a second optomechanical mechanism, and a positioning mechanism. The first optomechanical mechanism is located under an optical disc insertable into the optical disc drive to optically access a bottom surface of the optical disc. The second optomechanical mechanism is located over the optical disc insertable into the optical disc drive to optically access a top surface of the optical disc. The positioning mechanism is to precisely locate the second optomechanical mechanism over the optical disc for optically accessing the top surface of the optical disc and to prevent the second optomechanical mechanism from interfering with movement of the optical disc during insertion and removal of the optical disc into and from the optical disc drive. |
| US07933183B2 |
Apparatus and method for writing optical information
An optical disk writing apparatus enhances writing accuracy by writing first data (e.g., test data) that encodes a first writing strategy within first patterns on an optical disk, in response to a first writing signal. A reproducing signal is generated in response to reading the first data from the optical disk. Variations between leading and trailing edges of the first writing signal and leading and trailing edges of the reproducing signal are detected. A correction value is determined using a jitter evaluation function to evaluate the detected variations. From these operations, a second writing strategy is determined using the correction value to modify the first writing strategy. Thereafter, second data (e.g., actual data) is written, which encodes the second writing strategy within second patterns on the optical disk. |
| US07933181B1 |
Method and system for radial and tangential tilt calibration of optical storage systems
A system and method for adjusting the radial tilt, tangential tilt, or a combination of radial and tangential tilt of an optical detection unit in an optical disc reading system can include applying different weighting factors to different signal components depending on which detection area detects the component, measuring a value of a signal characteristic, such as signal-to-noise ratio, of two signals with different sets of weighting factors, and determining an adjustment factor to the radial tilt as a function of the of the measured signal characteristic values. |
| US07933179B2 |
Optical information reproducing method, optical information reproducing device, and optical information recording medium
In a super-resolution optical disk for the purpose of achieving an increase in the density of recording data by reproducing a recording mark smaller than optical resolution, the optimum reproduction power needs to be determined since the quality of a super-resolution reproduced signal strongly depends on the reproduction laser power. However, since the track error signal required for tracking servo also depends on the reproduction power, there is a need for a method for determining the reproduction power taking into account both the stabilization of tracking servo and a quality improvement of the reproduction signal. The reproduction power is changed under conditions with focusing servo applied but without application of tracking servo. Thereby, a cross track signal is detected to identify a reproduction power region that leads to quality improvement of both a reproduction signal and a track error signal. |
| US07933178B2 |
Apparatus for recording/reproducing data from a data are including a spare area for defect management allocated in reverse order from rearmost units of data area
A recording medium having a spare area for defect management, and a method and apparatus for allocating and assigning the spare area. A plurality of zones are formed as one group without prescribing the relationship between a zone and a group. Spare areas include a spare area for slipping replacement and a spare area for linear replacement. The spare area for slipping replacement is first allocated, and the spare area for linear replacement is allocated according to the size of an area remaining after the spare area for slipping replacement is used and the purpose for which a disc is used. When the spare area for linear replacement becomes deficient during use of the disc, a supplementary spare area for linear replacement is allocated in sequence from the rearmost of a logical file area, such that the spare area can be more flexibly and effectively allocated. |
| US07933172B2 |
Method for playing contents using master and slave optical disc
Various disc enhancement systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods comprise retrieving information from a master optical disc; retrieving a data structure from a slave optical disc; using the information from the master optical disc to modify the data structure; and playing content from the slave optical disc in accordance with the modified data structure. |
| US07933169B2 |
Optical head for near-field recording and reproducing device
A near-field optical probe and optical near-field generator are provided. A problem of a probe having a scatterer in which optical near-field noises are generated at the parts other than for a point at which an intense optical near-field is generated, is solved. In one example of the probe, a surface of the parts except for a vertex of the scatterer at which the intense optical near-field is generated is etched so that an etching depth becomes not less than a penetration depth of the optical near-field. The probe facilitates control of noises when a sample is observed or recording marks are reproduced. |
| US07933165B2 |
Connector for seismic cable
A method and apparatus for a seismic cable is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of cable segments comprising at least a first cable segment and a second cable segment coupled by a connector. The connector comprises a cylindrical body having a first diameter, a portion of the body having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and centrally positioned between opposing ends of the body, a first coupling section having a terminating end of the first cable segment anchored therein, and a second coupling section having a terminating end of the second cable segment anchored therein, at least a portion of the first and second coupling sections being rotatably coupled to respective ends of the body, wherein the connector isolates the first cable segment from the second cable segment. A method of deployment and retrieval of the seismic cable is also described. |
| US07933163B2 |
Method and system for controlling the position of marine seismic streamers
A method and control device for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer spread and the ability for controlling individual marine seismic streamers both in shape and position relative to other marine seismic streamers and thereby counter effects from crosscurrent or other dynamic forces in a towed spread behind a seismic survey vessel. The system includes sensor means for determining information to control the streamer and a control device 10, including a housing 11 mechanically and at least partly electrically connected in series between two adjacent sections of the streamer 13, at least three control members 20 projecting from the housing 11, and control means adjusting the respective angular positions of the control members 20 so as to control the lateral and vertical position of the streamer 13. The rotational position of the streamer 13 and control device 10 is measured, and the measured rotational position is used to control the angular position of the control members 20, and thus the lateral and vertical displacement of the streamer 13. |
| US07933161B2 |
Memory device configured to refresh memory cells in a power-down state
A memory capable of preventing a memory cell from disappearance of data resulting from accumulated disturbances is obtained. This memory comprises a nonvolatile memory cell and a refresh portion for rewriting data in the memory cell. The refresh portion reads data from and rewrites data in the memory cell in a power-down state. |
| US07933158B2 |
Nonvolatile memory
For a nonvolatile memory permitting electrical writing and erasing of information to be stored, such as a flash memory, the load on the system developer is to be reduced, and it is to be made possible to avoid, even if such important data for the system as management and address translation information are damaged, an abnormal state in which the system becomes unable to operate. The nonvolatile memory is provided with a replacing function to replace a group of memory cells including defective memory cells which are incapable of normal writing or erasion with a group of memory cells including no defective memory cell, a numbers of rewrites averaging function to grasp the number of data rewrites in each group of memory cells and to so perform replacement of memory cell groups that there may arise no substantial difference in the number of rewrites among a plurality of memory cell groups, and an error correcting function to detect and correct any error in data stored in the memory array, wherein first address translation information deriving from the replacing function and second address translation information deriving from the numbers of rewrites averaging function are stored in respectively prescribed areas in the memory array, and the first address translation information and second address translation information concerning the same memory cell group are stored in a plurality of sets in a time series. |
| US07933156B2 |
Adjusting a digital delay function of a data memory unit
An apparatus for adjustment of a digital delay function of a data memory unit comprising said data memory unit (102), an elastic store register, ESR, (104) and read clock and write clock adapted to control read and write operations, a write counter associated with the write clock and a read counter associated with the read clock. Said memory (102) works in series with said ESR (104). The memory (102) delivers two data elements from two logically neighbouring cells. Said ESR (104) writes the two data elements from the memory (102) at every cycle of the write clock, wherein if the write counter is increased by one at a cycle of the write clock the output position in the memory (102) is not changed, and if the write counter is increased by two at one cycle of the write clock the output position in the memory (102) is moved backward by one data element and if the write counter is not changed at one cycle of the write clock the output position in the memory (102) is moved forward by one data element. |
| US07933144B2 |
Component with a logic circuit arrangement with configurable functionality
A component with a logic circuit arrangement with configurable functionality, includes several data lines (7), whereby at least a part of the data lines (7) is provided with at least one element (1) which may be switched between two states with different discrete resistances. The data line (7) is opened or closed by the element (1), depending on the switched state. |
| US07933142B2 |
Semiconductor memory cell and array using punch-through to program and read same
An integrated circuit device (for example, logic or discrete memory device) comprising a memory cell including a punch-through mode transistor, wherein the transistor includes a source region, a drain region, a gate, a gate insulator, and a body region having a storage node which is located, at least in part, immediately beneath the gate insulator. The memory cell includes at least two data states which are representative of an amount of charge in the storage node in the body region. First circuitry is coupled to the punch-through mode transistor of the memory cell to: (1) generate first and second sets of write control signals, and (2a) apply the first set of write control signals to the transistor to write a first data state in the memory cell and (2b) apply the second set of write control signals to the transistor to write a second data state in the memory cell. In response to the first set of write control signals, the punch-through mode transistor provides at least the first charge in the body region via impact ionization. The transistor may be disposed on a bulk-type substrate or SOI-type substrate. |
| US07933140B2 |
Techniques for reducing a voltage swing
Techniques for reducing a voltage swing are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for reducing a voltage swing comprising: a plurality of dynamic random access memory cells arranged in arrays of rows and columns, each dynamic random access memory cell including one or more memory transistors. The one or more memory transistors of the apparatus for reducing a voltage swing may comprise: a first region coupled to a source line, a second region coupled to a bit line, a first body region disposed between the first region and the second region, wherein the first body region may be electrically floating, and a first gate coupled to a word line spaced apart from, and capacitively coupled to, the first body region. The apparatus for reducing a voltage swing may also comprise a first voltage supply coupled to the source line configured to supply a first voltage and a second voltage to the source line, wherein a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage may be less than 3.5V. |
| US07933136B2 |
Non-volatile memory cell with multiple resistive sense elements sharing a common switching device
A non-volatile memory cell array and associated method of use. In accordance with various embodiments, the array includes a plurality of programmable resistive sense elements (RSEs) coupled to a shared switching device. The switching device has a common source region and multiple drain regions, each drain region connected to an associated RSE from said plurality of RSEs. |
| US07933135B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus including a coupling control section
A semiconductor memory apparatus is disclosed having a dual open bit line structure In the dual open bit line structure, bit lines or bit line bars are each arranged side by side in adjoining cell mats. The semiconductor memory apparatus includes a coupling control section connected between at least one pair of adjoining bit lines or at least one pair of adjoining bit line bars and is driven by a bit line equalize signal. The coupling control section prevents a coupling phenomenon from occurring between pairs of bit lines and bit line bars. |
| US07933133B2 |
Low cost, high-density rectifier matrix memory
A high-density memory device is fabricated three-dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers. |
| US07933130B2 |
Embedded seat slot structure
An embedded seat slot structure is disposed at a device having an opening. The embedded seat slot structure includes a cover, an interlocking portion, and a base. The cover covers the opening. The interlocking portion is pivotally connected with the device via a first pivot. An end of the interlocking portion close to the first pivot is connected with the cover. The base is pivotally connected with the device via a second pivot. An end of the base far away from the second pivot is close to the interlocking portion. The base has a connector facing the opening. When the cover is opened, the interlocking portion is driven to rotate, an end far away from the first pivot pushes the base, and then the base is rotated to make the connector exposed at the opening. |
| US07933128B2 |
Electronic device, electronic module, and methods for manufacturing the same
An electronic device includes: an outline configuration including a first surface, a second surface facing opposite from the first surface, and a mounting surface coupled to the first and second surfaces; a first substrate including a first electrode; a second substrate including a second electrode; a resin disposed between the first and second substrates; and an electric element sealed with the resin and having an outline configuration of a polyhedron, the electric element being disposed such that a broadest surface of the polyhedron faces one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first surface is one surface of the first substrate, the one surface being opposite from another surface of the first substrate on a side adjacent to the resin. The second surface is one surface of the second substrate, the one surface being opposite from another surface of the second substrate on a side adjacent to the resin. The mounting surface includes: an exposed surface of the resin between the first and second substrates, and side surfaces of the first and second substrates adjacent to the exposed surface. The first electrode is disposed at an end of the first surface adjacent to the mounting surface and electrically coupled to the electric element. The second electrode is disposed at an end of the second surface adjacent to the mounting surface and electrically coupled to the electric element. |
| US07933125B2 |
Board unit and electronic apparatus
A board unit comprises a board, a heat generating component mounted on a front surface of the board, a first heat transfer plate whose inner surface faces the front surface of the board and is received by the heat generating component, a heat insulating material that is superimposed on an outer surface of the first heat transfer plate and that insulates heat dissipation, a second heat transfer plate that continues to the first heat transfer plate and that defines a heat conducting surface and a heat receiver that is received by the heat conducting surface of the second heat transfer plate and that defines a flow path of a coolant. |
| US07933124B2 |
Electronic device with expansion card fasterning device
An electronic device includes a circuit board, an extension card, a cooling device, and a connecting member. The extension card is coupled to the circuit board. The cooling device includes an outer casing and an inner casing received in the outer casing. The connecting member includes a fixing end and an engaging end opposite to the fixing end. The fixing end is fixedly mounted on the outer casing. The engaging end is configured for fastening the extension card on the circuit board. The outer casing moves between a first position where the engaging end fastens the extension card and a second position where the engaging end is separated from the extension card to unfasten the extension card. |
| US07933120B2 |
Cooling structure for rackmount-type control device and rack-type storage control device
According to the storage control device of the present invention, individual cooling passages are formed for each region in the enclosure and the respective cooling passages are formed bent so as to bypass the connection substrate. As a result, the interior of the enclosure is cooled efficiently. The interior of the enclosure is divided in the front-rear direction by the connection substrate. Logic substrates and battery devices are provided on the front side of the connection substrate and logic substrates and power supply devices are provided on the rear side of the connection substrate. The battery devices and power supply devices located on the left and right sides of the enclosure are each cooled by means of individual cooling passages. The logic substrates are cooled by means of different cooling passages. |
| US07933119B2 |
Heat transfer systems and methods
A heat transfer system is provided. The system includes a heat sink disposed proximate a first circuit. An air mover is adapted to provide airflow, and at least a portion of the airflow can flow through the heat sink along a flow path having a path length. A first portion of the airflow flows along the entire path length through the heat sink. A remaining portion of the airflow exits the heat sink prior to flowing the entire path length. |
| US07933118B2 |
Expansion unit for an electronic device
An expansion unit detachably assembled to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a device connector on one side thereof. The expansion unit for the electronic device includes a base, a pivoting mechanism, and an expansion unit connector. The pivoting mechanism is located on one side of the base, and includes a shaft and a bearing fitting therewith. The expansion unit connector is disposed in the shaft and rotated along with the shaft in the bearing, and is detachably and electrically connected to the device connector. When the expansion unit connector is connected to the device connector, the position of the electronic device relative to the base may be adjusted by the pivoting mechanism. |
| US07933114B2 |
Composite carbon electrodes useful in electric double layer capacitors and capacitive deionization and methods of making the same
Composite carbon electrodes for use in, for example, Capacitive Deionization (CDI) of a fluid stream or, for example, an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) are described. Methods of making the composite carbon electrodes are also described. The composite carbon electrode comprises an electrically conductive porous matrix comprising carbon; and an electric double layer capacitor, comprising an activated carbonized material, dispersed throughout the pore volume of the electrically conductive porous matrix. |
| US07933111B2 |
Metallized plastic film and film capacitor
A metallized plastic film is formed by winding two sheets of film vapor-deposited with an electrode metal as one group and a film capacitor, comprising; three individual splittings of electrode metal by predetermined width and length and then adjoining of splitting parts. Accordingly, self-heating of the film capacitor can be restrained and a capacitance reduction rate caused by the operation of the fuse parts can be reduced. |
| US07933106B2 |
Surge protection device for coaxial cable with diagnostic capabilities
A surge protection circuit utilizing direct current (DC) voltage on the information carrying coaxial cable of a receiving device with a surge protection device to suppress transient signal fluctuations over the coaxial cable and a diagnostic surge protection status indicator with on/off configurations to indicate the status of operation of the surge protection device. The visual indicator may be a light emitting diode or some other indicator device that when energized indicates normal operation of the surge protection circuit. |
| US07933103B2 |
Overcurrent detection device
Disclosed is an overcurrent detection device for detecting an overcurrent in a load circuit which is arranged to control the driving and the stopping of a load 1 by a semiconductor switch (FET1) provided between a battery VB and the load 1. An added voltage (V1−V3) is generated which is obtained by adding a voltage (V1−V2) generated across the both ends of the semiconductor switch (FET1) to a voltage (V3−V2) which is generated at the time of current change due to the inductance Lp of a copper foil wiring pattern 3 for coupling the semiconductor switch (FET1) and the load 1. A comparator CMP1 for comparing the added voltage with an overcurrent determination voltage (V1−V4) set in advance is provided. When the comparator CMP1 detects that the added voltage exceeds the overcurrent determination voltage, it is determined that an overcurrent is generated. |
| US07933100B2 |
Tunneling magnetic sensor including free magnetic layer and magnesium protective layer disposed thereon
A tunneling magnetic sensor includes a pinned magnetic layer of which the magnetization is pinned in one direction, an insulating barrier layer, and a free magnetic layer of which the magnetization is varied by an external magnetic field, these layers being arranged in that order from the bottom. A first protective layer made of magnesium (Mg) is disposed on the free magnetic layer. The tunneling magnetic sensor has a larger change in reluctance as compared to conventional magnetic sensors including no first protective layers or including first protective layers made of Al, Ti, Cu, or an Ir—Mn alloy. The free magnetic layer has lower magnetostriction as compared to free magnetic layers included in the conventional magnetic sensors. |
| US07933099B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head having electric lapping guide and method of making the same
A magnetic head having precisely controlled MR height has a slider substrate and a magnetic head part provided on the slider substrate. The magnetic head part includes, seeing from a medium-opposing surface side, a magnetism detecting element; an upper magnetic shield layer arranged on the magnetism detecting element; an electrode layer separated in a track width direction from the upper magnetic shield layer; and a conductor layer, arranged closer to the slider substrate than are the upper magnetic shield layer and electrode layer, extending in the track width direction so as to be in contact with the upper magnetic shield layer and electrode layer and forming a part of the medium-opposing surface. |
| US07933093B2 |
Spindle motor, and recording and reproducing apparatus equipped with the same
The spindle motor comprises a shaft, a rotor, and a medium-carrying surface. The rotor is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the shaft, and rotates about the shaft. The medium-carrying surface is disposed on the rotor, and carries a circular-disk-form recording medium. The recording medium is pressed and fastened to the medium-carrying surface by a clamping member. The clamping member is a member that presses the recording medium against a medium-carrying surface. The average value of the widths of the profile peaks in the mean line for the primary profile of the medium-carrying surface in the radial direction is smaller than the average value of the widths of the profile valleys. |
| US07933084B2 |
Corrective adjustment of recording characteristics in digital renditions of analog recordings
A signal reconstruction technique is used to correct for wow and flutter in analog audio recordings. Elements of the recording are used to generate a signal for correcting the output. Involves locating modulated entities such as bias signal (e.g. frequency-modulated, amplitude-modulated, or phase-modulated entities) in the recording, extracting them, and utilizing them as a carrier to synchronize to a master clock, using the irregularity of the anomaly to indicate the speed and pitch information to be corrected. A carrier frequency is determined and applied to a digitized form of the recording. This may be performed even in the absence of a prescribed reference code or tone, such as a pilot tone laid down purposefully at the moment of recording. In the case of signals presumed to have an error in the carrier, a corresponding signal is buffered, and in the case of a presumed error, a last known signal is used for the duration of the error. |
| US07933080B1 |
Multi-axis optical mount
A mounting mechanism is provided for aligning and securing an optical instrument to a platform. The mechanism includes a housing, a trunnion and a base-plate. The housing receives the optical instrument along a longitudinal axis. The housing includes an attach support for the optical instrument, and an interface having vertically-facing cylindrical-fastener orifices. The trunnion supports the housing at the interface. The trunnion has pluralities of vertical slots and horizontal slots. Each vertical slot overlaps a corresponding vertical orifice. The vertical slots provide elevation displacement to vertically translate and pitch the housing. The horizontal slots provide lateral displacement to horizontally translate and yaw the housing. The base-plate supports the trunnion and is mountable onto the platform. The base-plate has a plurality of horizontally-facing cylindrical-fastener orifices. Each horizontal slot on the trunnion overlaps a corresponding horizontal orifice on the base-plate. Each orifice of the vertically- and horizontally-facing orifices receives a cylindrical-fastener that passes through a counterpart slot of the vertical and horizontal slots. Each cylindrical fastener for each orifice corresponds to a helical screw. |
| US07933079B2 |
Optical assembly for medical imaging devices
Optical assemblies for use in medical or other devices so as to image an object under examination onto an image sensor include a plurality of lens elements that can be retained in lens barrel. The lens elements and the lens barrel can be sealed with a compressible gasket. In one example, at least one lens element is made of an injection-moldable plastic and at least one lens element is made of a relatively dispersive optical glass. A lens barrel diameter or lens diameter can be selected to permit access to the object under examination with surgical or other tools. Aperture plates can be situated so as to reduce flare in the object image. |
| US07933078B2 |
Super wide angle optical system
There is provided a super wide angle optical system including, arranged about an optical axis: a first lens having a negative refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex object-side surface; a second lens having a negative refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex object-side surface; a third lens having a positive refractive power and having both convex surfaces; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power; a fifth lens having a negative refractive power; and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power and having both convex surfaces. |
| US07933076B2 |
Optical element driving device and imaging apparatus
A lens driving device includes a lens, a moving member that supports the lens, a stationary member that movably supports the moving member, a pitch drive mechanism that drives the moving member in the pitch correction direction, and a yaw drive mechanism that drives in the yaw correction direction. The pitch drive mechanism has first and second magnets provided to the stationary member, and first and second coils provided to the moving member. The yaw drive mechanism has a third magnet provided to the stationary member, and a third coil provided to the moving member. The first and second coils are arranged on opposite sides of the lens when viewed in a third direction that is perpendicular to the pitch and yaw correction directions, and the third coil is arranged on the same side as the first coil with respect to the lens when viewed in the third direction. |
| US07933075B2 |
Variable-power optical system and imaging apparatus
The variable-power optical system is provided and includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a stop, and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, in order from an object side. The first lens group includes a first sub lens group having three negative meniscus lenses and a second sub lens group having a biconcave lens and a positive lens, in order from the object side. The second lens group includes a first positive lens arranged closest to the object side and having at least one aspheric surface and a second positive lens arranged immediately after the image side of the first positive lens. When the absolute value of the focal length of the first lens group is |f1| and the focal length of the entire system at a wide angle end is fw, the Conditional expression: 1.9<|f1|/fw<3.6 is satisfied. |
| US07933073B2 |
Zoom lens
In the zoom lens, the second lens group includes at least one surface that is an aspheric surface, and during changing magnification, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group are respectively capable of moving independently, with the position of the aperture moving along a convex trajectory on the optical axis from the image side to the object side during changing magnification. Through operation in this manner, the zoom lens of the invention is inexpensive and compact, and efficiently corrects various types of aberration. Thus, at a high magnification ratio of 5× or greater, the zoom lens of the invention affords a wide field exceeding approximately 78 degrees at the wide angle end, and affords a high performance compact zoom lens whose distortion is held to 3% or less. |
| US07933071B2 |
Dual lens optical system and digital camera module including the same
A dual lens optical system including a first optical system and a second optical system includes at least one reflection member to selectively redirect object lights in first and second directions toward a photographing device. The first optical system includes, in order from an object to the photographing device along the optical axis, a first lens group comprising a first reflection member, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. The second optical system shares at least one optical element with the first optical system. |
| US07933066B2 |
Surgical microscope having an illuminating arrangement
A surgical microscope (100) is especially suited for use in neurosurgery. The surgical microscope has an illuminating arrangement (101) for making available illuminating light in an operating region (117) to be examined with the surgical microscope (100). The illuminating arrangement (101) contains a high-power light source (102) which includes an intensity adjusting device (112). The intensity adjusting device (112) makes possible to adjust the intensity of the illuminating light (116), which is guided to the object region (117), between a maximum value and a minimum value. The surgical microscope (100) has a control unit (170) for the illuminating arrangement (101) which includes an operator-controlled module (172) via which the illuminating arrangement (101) can be activated and controlled. For adjusting the intensity of the illuminating light (116) guided to the operating region (117), the control unit coacts with the adjustable filter unit (112). A signal generator (175) is provided which outputs a warning signal when an intensity of the illuminating light is adjusted via the operator-controlled module (172) which exceeds the safety limit value stored in a memory (171). |
| US07933065B2 |
Stereoscopic microscope
The invention relates to a microscope or stereomicroscope for representing an object that can be placed on an object plane (1) of the stereomicroscope, the latter providing at least one pair of optical paths (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and comprising at least one deflection element with a reflecting surface (3; 3′) and a representation system (26; 26*; 26**; 26′) containing several optical elements. The optical elements comprise a plurality of lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14, 16′-21′, 16″-21″, 16′″-21′″ 16″″-21″″). In addition, the optical elements are configured in such a way, that pupil planes (27a, 27b) of the optical representation paths (2a, 2b) intersect the reflecting surface (3; 3′) of the deflection element or are located at a distance (S, S′; S*, S*′) from said reflecting surface (3; 3′). The distance (S, S′; S*, S*′) is less than 1.5 times, in particular less than 1.0 and in particular less than half the diameter (D) of one of the reflecting surfaces (3; 31) along the optical representation paths (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) on the closest lens (4) of the plurality of lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14, 16′-21 16″-21″, 16′″-21′″, 16″″-21″″). The invention also relates to a stereomicroscope with a particularly compact construction, in which at least one pair of optical representation paths (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is reflected on a first, second, third and fourth reflecting surface (3, 9, 10, 12). The invention also relates to a microscope, in which a pupil representation takes place in the vicinity of a reflecting surface. |
| US07933063B2 |
Monitoring method and apparatus of noise light due to Raman amplification and optical communication system using the same
A monitoring apparatus, based on an optical power monitored in photodetectors arranged at input and output ends of a transmission line, in a condition where pump light is supplied to the transmission line at a time of initial startup of an optical communication system, obtains a relationship for the noise light generated due to Raman amplification, between forward direction noise light power and backward direction noise light power, and while in service, converts the backward direction noise light power monitored by the photodetectors at the input ends of the transmission line into the forward direction noise light power in an arithmetic processing section, in accordance with the relationship obtained at the time of the initial startup. As a result the power of noise light generated due to Raman amplification, can be monitored in real time at high speed. |
| US07933061B2 |
Display substrate, electrophoretic display device with the same and method for manufacturing the same
A display substrate, an electrophoretic display (EPD) device including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The display substrate includes a display region and a non-display region. The display region includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed at crossings of the gate lines and the data lines. The non-display region is located at a peripheral region of the display region and includes a solar battery. The solar battery includes at least one semiconductor layer arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode that oppose each other. |
| US07933060B2 |
Three states of micro mirror device
The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising a mirror modulating a light emitted from a light source, wherein the mirror is further controlled to operate with at least three stationary states whereby an image is projected with a gray scale expression through a combination of modulation of the light operated in the three stationary states. |
| US07933059B2 |
Mirror device accommodated by liquid-cooled package
The present invention discloses a mirror device that comprises 1) a mirror element for modulating incident light emitted from a light source and for controlling the reflecting direction of incident light, and 2) a coolant flow channel for containing and flowing a liquid coolant through the flow channel to carry away heat generated in the mirror device. |
| US07933056B2 |
Methods and systems of rapid focusing and zooming for volumetric 3D displays and cameras
This invention relates in general to methods and systems of rapid focusing and zooming for the applications in the projection of volumetric 3D images and in the imaging of 3D objects. Rapid variable focusing or zooming is achieved by rapid and repeated change of the object distance or the spacing between lens groups of the projection lens or a combination of both. One preferred approach inserts thin wedge prisms into the optical path and changes their positions relative to the optical path. This changes the thickness traveled through by the optical path and results in effective optical path length change. Another approach folds an optical path by mirrors and moves the mirrors to change the optical path length. For focusing purpose, small and precise displacement is achieved by moving a wedge-shaped optical device obliquely with respect to the optical path. The wedge-shaped optical device can be a thin wedge prism or a mirror on a wedge-shaped base. Optical layout analysis shows that the changes of the object distance, of the spacing between two lens groups and of the image distance are almost in proportion and can be correlated by linear relations. Therefore, the same type of motion function can be used to change these three optical path lengths to achieve focusing and constant magnification. |
| US07933054B2 |
Image processing system and image processing apparatus
An image processing system is disclosed that is configured to input color image data, generate color image data identification information identifying the color image data, store the color image data identification information in association with the color image data, generate monochrome image data based on the color image data, combine the color image data identification information with the monochrome image data according to a predetermined format and print the combined monochrome image data on a first recording medium. Also, the image processing system is configured to read the combined monochrome image data from the first recording medium, extract the color image data identification information from the combined monochrome image data, read the color image data stored in association with the extracted color image data identification information, and output the read color image data in a predetermined visible format. |
| US07933050B2 |
Method of generating an image of a single document
A method of generating an image of a single document includes the steps of: transporting a plurality of documents across a scan position one by one; starting reading the documents at the scan position before a first document of the documents reaches the scan position and reading the documents continuously until a last document of the documents is completely transported across the scan position to generate a multi-document analog image; converting the multi-document analog image into a multi-document digital image; and processing the multi-document digital image to generate a plurality of single-document digital images corresponding to the documents. |
| US07933047B2 |
Facsimile apparatus, its control method, program and storage medium
When facsimile data is transmitted by performing facsimile communication, a public line is seized. Then, when the public line is seized, it is a determined which of a dial tone signal or a voice signal for phone call a signal received from the public line is, it is controlled to perform the facsimile communication in a case where the received signal is determined as the dial tone signal, and it is controlled not to perform the facsimile communication in a case where the received signal is determined as the voice signal. |
| US07933040B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling color registration sensors
A method and apparatus for controlling registration sensors are provided, in which a transfer unit transfers an electrostatic latent image onto a printing medium, at least one registration sensor senses image alignment errors by irradiating light to the transfer unit to sense reflected light, a sensor data storage unit stores characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, and a sensor control unit controls the registration sensors based on the characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, wherein the registration sensors are placed into the transfer unit. Accordingly, time for performing an algorithm of color registration can be reduced, and registration can be achieved correctly in a short time, irrespective of a set frame of the image forming apparatus. |
| US07933034B2 |
Image data processing circuit and image forming apparatus having the same
To provide an image data processing circuit with high productivity and a color image forming apparatus using the same by enabling sharing of the image data processing circuit between a four-rotation machine and a quadruple tandem machine, and reduction of registers for four colors arranged for the four-rotation machine to a single register for one color. There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a first image processing unit out of first and second image processing units provided in an image data processing circuit executes a first image processing for an image read by a scanner unit, stores an image signal in a page memory, the second image processing unit reads the image signal from the page memory according to a synchronous signal generated in an engine unit to execute a second image processing, and the engine unit forms the image on the basis of the results therefrom. |
| US07933032B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a printing unit that performs a printing operation; a printing possibility determination unit that determines whether printing is possible, at the time of starting the printing operation; a printing stop unit that stops the printing operation, when the printing possibility determination unit determines that printing is impossible; a notification unit that notifies an error, when the printing operation is stopped; a notification time counting unit that counts a period in which an error is notified; a notification release unit that releases error notification, when the period in which an error is notified by the notification unit is counted for a predetermined time; and a stopped state reset unit that returns a stopped state of the printing unit whose printing operation is stopped, to a standby state before the printing unit performs the printing operation, when notification of an error is released. |
| US07933031B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for inhibiting printing of secure documents
Generation/non-generation of print data for a printer driver is controlled in correspondence with an external print policy for a document to be printed. The print policy includes a print policy file, and defines print-inhibited items in a predetermined description. The predetermined description includes a description directly stored in the print policy file, and a description that requires an external reference. |
| US07933029B2 |
Printing system and printing apparatus
A printer receives changes to printing conditions by a user when executing reprinting. The printer selects whether to execute reprinting based on application data held in a host computer, or execute reprinting based on printing data held in the printer. If the printer selects executing of reprinting based on application data, the reprint request is sent to the host computer. If the printer selects executing of reprinting based on printing data held in the printer, reprinting is performed based on printing data held in the printer. |
| US07933026B2 |
High resolution monitoring of CD variations
An optical metrology method is disclosed for evaluating the uniformity of characteristics within a semiconductor region having repeating features such a memory die. The method includes obtaining measurements with a probe laser beam having a spot size on the order of micron. These measurements are compared to calibration information obtained from calibration measurements. The calibration information is derived by measuring calibration samples with the probe laser beam and at least one other technology having added information content. In the preferred embodiment, the other technology includes at least one of spectroscopic reflectometry or spectroscopic ellipsometry. |
| US07933025B2 |
Sinusoidal phase shifting interferometry
Disclosed is a method that includes combining a first light beam and at least a second light beam to form a combined light beam, introducing a sinusoidal phase shift with a frequency f between a phase of the first light beam and a phase of the second light beam, recording at least one interference signal based on a modulation of the combined light beam in response to the sinusoidal phase shift, where the interference signal includes at least three different frequency components, and outputting the information. For each interference signal, information related to the difference in optical path lengths of the first and second light beam is determined by comparing the intensity of the at least three different frequency components of the interference signal. |
| US07933023B2 |
Displacement detection apparatus, displacement measurement apparatus and fixed point detection apparatus
A displacement detection apparatus includes a light source for emitting light and an extinction ratio conversion element which raises an extinction ratio of the light to 20 dB or more. A condenser lens condenses the light having the increased extinction ratio and a polarization maintaining type optical fiber transmits the condensed light which is subsequently transferred to a diffraction grating that is attached to an object to be measured. The displacement detection apparatus adjusts a polarization axis of the light having increased extinction ratio. |
| US07933022B2 |
Integrated optical disk resonator
A method and system are disclosed for detecting the presence of a perturbation of a microresonator including the step of exciting at least first and second resonant guided optical modes of a microresonator with a light source that is in optical communication with the microresonator. The method further includes inducing a first frequency shift in the first resonant guided optical mode and a second frequency shift in the second resonant guided optical mode, wherein the second frequency shift can be zero. Another step of the method is comparing the first frequency shift and the second frequency shift. |
| US07933019B2 |
Surface plasmon resonance sensor using rotating mirror
Disclosed is a surface plasmon resonance sensor having a rotating mirror, including (a) an incident light source unit for oscillating a laser as incident light; (b) a polarizer for polarizing the incident light; (c) a rotating mirror having cylindrical or planar shapes for reflecting the polarized incident light to radiate disk-shaped light; (d) a light shielding film for allowing part of the disk-shaped light to pass therethrough and located adjacent to the central axis of the rotating mirror; (e) a cylinder lens for focusing the light passed through the light shielding film thereon; (f) a metal thin film for receiving the light focused on the cylinder lens to generate surface plasmon resonance; (g) a dielectric medium provided under the metal thin film; and (h) a detector for detecting the light reflected from the metal thin film. This surface plasmon resonance sensor can solve conventional interference problems of a laser being used as a light source to obtain an image for measurement of angle and two-dimensional reflected light intensity, including the deterioration of the quality of the image and the variation in the intensity of light source depending on the position of incidence. |
| US07933015B2 |
Mark for alignment and overlay, mask having the same, and method of using the same
A mark for alignment and overlay, a mask having the same, and a method of using the same are provided. The mark includes a first mark pattern and a second mark pattern. The first mark pattern includes a first pattern and a second pattern, and the second mark pattern includes a third pattern and a fourth pattern. The first pattern includes a plurality of rectangular regions arranged in a first direction, and for each rectangular region, a sideline in a second direction is longer than a sideline in the first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The second pattern is disposed on both sides of the first pattern in the second direction and includes a plurality of rectangular regions arranged in the second direction, and for each rectangular region, the sideline in the first direction is longer than a sideline in the second direction. The third pattern includes two rectangular regions disposed on both sides of the first pattern in the first direction, and the fourth pattern includes two rectangular regions disposed on both sides of the second pattern in the second direction. |
| US07933012B2 |
Microfluidic chip apparatuses, systems and methods having fluidic and fiber optic interconnections
According to one embodiment, apparatuses and methods are provided for connecting a light-guiding conduit to a microfluidic channel. First and second substrates with first surfaces can be provided, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second substrates form a microfluidic channel and a connection channel when the first surfaces are positioned together, and wherein the connection channel extends from an edge of the first surface of the first or second substrate to the microfluidic channel. The apparatus and method can also include bonding the first surfaces of the first and second substrates to form the microfluidic channel and the connection channel. A light-guiding conduit can be inserted into the connection channel such that the light-guiding conduit connects to the microfluidic channel and filling an area between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel for forming a liquid-tight seal between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel. |
| US07933011B2 |
Fiber optic detection system
A sealed and decontaminated fiber optic detection apparatus includes an optics portion with individual chambers. Each chamber housing optical and electro-optical components. A manifold accommodates fibers, with each of the fibers being in optical communication with the optical and electro-optical components of a corresponding chamber. The apparatus also includes a sample holder that holds a sample to be tested and a mounting device provided between the sample holder and the manifold. The mounting device and the manifold form a sealed fiber optic interface between the sample holder and the optics portion. |
| US07933010B2 |
Depth of field extension for optical tomography
An optical tomography system for viewing an object of interest includes a microcapillary tube viewing area for positioning the object of interest in an optical path including a detector. A motor is located to attach to and rotate a microcapillary tube. A device is arranged for transmitting broadband light having wavelengths between 550 nm and 620 nm into the microcapillary tube viewing area. A hyperchromatic lens is located to receive light transmitted through the microcapillary tube viewing area. A tube lens is located to focus light rays transmitted through the hyperchromatic lens, such that light rays from multiple object planes in the microcapillary tube viewing area simultaneously focus on the at least one detector. |
| US07933006B2 |
Tilt inspection apparatus and method of inspecting tilt
A tilt inspection apparatus which detects tilt of an object to be observed with respect to a placement surface on which the object is placed, including: a light source which irradiates light or projects an image onto the object to be observed; a light shield plate which has a first slit extended in a first direction and a second slit extended in a second direction normal to the first direction, and is disposed between the light source and the object to be observed; and a carriage mechanism which supports the light shield plate so as to be rotatable in the in-plane direction of the light shield plate, and fixes the light shield plate while aligning the first slit normal to the placement surface is provided. |
| US07933000B2 |
Device manufacturing method, method for holding a patterning device and lithographic apparatus including an applicator for applying molecules onto a clamp area of a patterning device
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. An applicator, such as a humidifier is provided to provide molecules, such as water molecules, to a clamp area of the patterning device. |
| US07932998B2 |
Exposure apparatus having the same ID bias
An exposure apparatus includes an exposure light source generating light to be emitted to photomask, a projection lens for projecting the light having passed through the photomask to wafer, and a transmittance adjustment filter in projection lens the transmittance adjustment filter varies the transmittance of the light projected into the projection lens as a function of position in the projection lens. |
| US07932997B2 |
Reconfigurable mask method and device using MEMS for manufacturing integrated circuits
A method for illuminating an object for selectively patterning a photosensitive material overlying the object using an array of mirror devices. The method includes applying electromagnetic radiation using a flood beam onto an array of mirror devices. Each of the mirror devices is associated with a pixel for a pattern to be exposed onto the photosensitive material. The method also includes selectively actuating one or more mirrors on the array to deflect corresponding portions of the beam onto corresponding portions of the photosensitive material to expose the portions of the photosensitive material on the object. The method maintains one or more other mirrors in a selected position(s) to maintain corresponding other portions of the photosensitive material free from exposure. Preferably, the combination of exposed and unexposed portions forms the pattern exposed onto the photosensitive material. |
| US07932995B2 |
Environmental system including vacuum scavenge for an immersion lithography apparatus
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a liquid confinement structure extending along at least a part of a boundary of a space between a projection system and a substrate table, the space having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the substrate. The liquid confinement structure includes a first inlet to supply liquid, through which the patterned beam is projected, to the space, a first outlet to remove liquid after the liquid has passed under the projection system, a second inlet formed in a face of the structure, the face arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate, and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the space to supply gas, and a second outlet formed in the face and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the second inlet to remove gas. |
| US07932990B2 |
Exposure apparatus
An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system that projects a pattern of a reticle onto a wafer, a vacuum chamber in which the projection optical system is disposed, a partition provided in the vacuum chamber and dividing a first space (which is a space where at least a portion of the projection optical system exists) and a second space (which is a space other than the first space) from each other, a gas supplying unit that supplies gas to the first space, and a sealant that reduces flow of the gas supplied through a pipe into the second space. |
| US07932989B2 |
Liquid jet and recovery system for immersion lithography
A liquid jet and recovery system for an immersion lithography apparatus has arrays of nozzles arranged to have their openings located proximal to an exposure region through which an image pattern is projected onto a workpiece such as a wafer. These nozzles are each adapted to serve selectively either as a source nozzle for supplying a fluid into the exposure region or as a recovery nozzle for recovering the fluid from the exposure region. A fluid controlling device functions to cause nozzles on selected one or more sides of the exposure region to serve as source nozzles and to cause nozzles on selected one or more of the remaining sides to serve as recovery nozzles such that a desired flow pattern can be established for the convenience of immersion lithography. |
| US07932984B2 |
End-sealant composition, liquid crystal display panel, and method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel
An end-sealant composition for a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel includes an acrylic polymer resin, a polymeric photoinitiator polymerized into an acrylic chain, and an acryl-philic coupling agent. The end-sealant composition exhibits reduced diffusion into the liquid crystals during an end-sealant forming process. Image defects such as stains around fill ports and incidental images are thereby prevented, so that high quality displays can be prepared. Use of the end-sealant composition can provide high performance for high dielectric constant liquid crystals that are widely used in the fabrication of liquid crystal display panels. |
| US07932980B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having patterned electrodes for repetitive divided horizontal electric field and fringing electric field
Apparatus, methods, systems and devices for high aperture ratio, high transmittance, and wide viewing angle liquid crystal display having first and second substrates each with an alignment layer and polarizer on the interior and exterior surface thereof and a liquid crystal material therebetween forming plural pixels each having a common electrode group and a pixel electrode group each having at least one common and pixel electrode. A fringe field drives the molecules in the regions above and below the electrodes and a horizontal field drives the molecules between the electrode groups to achieve high transmittance. In an embodiment an insulating layer separates the substrate and alignment layer and the pixel electrodes are on the substrate and the common electrodes are on the insulating layer. In another embodiment a compensation film is layered between one of the substrates and corresponding polarizer. |
| US07932979B2 |
Method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device wherein the storage electrode is simultaneously formed with the active pattern
A fabrication method of an LCD includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a storage line in the first region and an active pattern in the second region of the substrate; forming a first insulation film on the substrate; forming a gate electrode and a pixel electrode on the substrate; forming a second insulation film on the substrate; and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode, the source electrode connected to a source region via a contact hole and the drain electrode connected to a drain region through the contact hole. The fabrication method may obtain a sufficient storage capacitance with a simplified process. The number of masks used for fabrication of a thin film transistor (TFT) may be reduced. |
| US07932974B2 |
Liquid crystal panel substrate, liquid crystal panel, and electronic equipment and projection type display device both using the same
The present invention is a liquid crystal panel substrate that comprises: pixel units each having a pixel electrode, to be used as a reflective electrode and arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate, and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to the pixel electrode; wherein between the pixel electrode and a conductive layer forming a terminal electrode of the switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode. A light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding the portion in which the contact hole is formed, and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer. Harmful effects due to light leaking through a space between the pixel electrodes can thereby be prevented. |
| US07932958B2 |
Integrated analog video receiver
An analog video receiver implemented in an integrated circuit device. The analog video receiver includes an amplifier to amplify an analog video signal having a desired carrier frequency, and a mixing circuit to mix the amplified analog video signal with a complex sinusoid having a frequency substantially equal to the carrier frequency. |
| US07932955B2 |
Method and system for content adaptive analog video noise detection
A method and system for content adaptive analog video noise detection are provided. A motion metric (MM) value, an edge detection value, and a content detection value may be determined for pixels in a video image. The MM values of pixels with edge detection values smaller than an edge threshold value and with content detection values smaller than a content threshold value may be collected and accumulated for a portion of the noise level intervals when the MM values fall in this interval. The MM values collected and accumulated may be utilized to determine an average noise level for each of the intervals. A noise level indicator (NLI) for the current video image may be determined based on the noise level of the current image or on the noise levels of the current and at least one previous video images. |
| US07932950B2 |
Automatic focusing apparatus and image pickup apparatus
An automatic focusing apparatus performs focusing using a first automatic focusing method in which lens drive control is performed based on a focus signal so that a focus lens is moved to an in-focus point, and a second automatic focusing method in which lens drive control is performed based on information corresponding to an object distance so that the focus lens is moved to an in-focus point. The direction in which the focus lens is moved to the in-focus point according to the second automatic focusing method is compared with the direction in which the focus lens is moved to the in-focus point according to the first automatic focusing method. Based on the result, it is determined whether to perform the lens drive control according to the second automatic focusing method. |
| US07932948B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device having a layer on microlens and method for fabricating the same
A solid-state image sensing device comprises: a light receiving unit for receiving light; a microlens formed above the light receiving unit; a fluorine-containing resin material layer formed on the microlens; and a transparent substrate provided over the fluorine-containing resin material layer. A resin layer adheres the fluorine-containing resin material layer and the transparent substrate. |
| US07932945B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes a sharing pixel block having k (where k is a natural number other than 1) pixel transistors corresponding to n (where n is a natural number other than 1) pixels and a row-selection circuit configured to select the pixel transistors every row in the sharing pixel block using logic of an address signal and a timing signal. In this solid-state imaging device, in a case of a 1/n row decimation operation in which a signal is read every n rows, the row-selection circuit simultaneously performs shutter operations for n rows corresponding to the k pixel transistors included in the sharing pixel block using an input of a simultaneous-shutter-operation signal. |
| US07932944B2 |
Pixel mixture method
The pixel mixture method of the present invention for mixing several pixels on a solid-state image sensing device, which is applied to an imaging device having the solid-state image sensing device with a color filter array (CFA) and multiple pixels, comprising: a pixel mixture operating step for performing a pixel mixture operation based on a pixel mixture operation equation for the several pixels that are adjacent spatially; a color conversion matrix generating step for generating a color conversion matrix based on the kind of colors of a color space after mixture and the pixel mixture operation equation; and a desired color space converting step for converting the color space after mixture into a desired color space based on the generated color conversion matrix. |
| US07932943B2 |
Solid state imaging device
In a solid-state imaging device, a primary-color Bayer color filter is provided on an imaging pixel area defined by pixels having different structures. Color-component filters for the same color in the color filter are disposed correspondingly to pixels having the same structure. More specifically, pixels are arranged in consideration of the arrangement of color-component filters of the color filter, or the color-component filters are arranged in consideration of the arrangement of the pixels. |
| US07932942B2 |
Solid-state imaging device including three stacked photoelectric conversion layers, three accumulators, and a single readout circuit
A solid-state imaging device is provided and has: three photoelectric conversion layers stacked above a semiconductor substrate 1, each detecting a different color; three signal charge accumulators in a semiconductor substrate for accumulating signal charges generated in each of the three photoelectric conversion layers: and a signal readout circuit in the semiconductor substrate for reading out signals corresponding to the signal charges accumulated in the signal charge accumulators. The three signal charge accumulators are arranged in a direction in the surface of the semiconductor substrate as a pixel and a plurality of the pixels are arranged in a square lattice pattern both in the direction and a direction perpendicular thereto. The three signal charge accumulators arranged in each pixel in an odd row are arranged such that an array of the signal charge accumulators in the first sub-row of each pixel has all of the three signal charge accumulators. |
| US07932938B2 |
Method, apparatus and system providing adjustment of pixel defect map
A method, apparatus and system that allows for the identification of defective pixels, for example, defective pixel clusters, in an imager device. The method, apparatus and system determine, during use of the imager device, that a pixel defect, e.g., cluster defect, exists and accurately maps the location of the defective pixel. By analyzing more than one frame of an image, the method increases the accuracy of the defect mapping, which is used to improve the quality of the resulting image data. |
| US07932931B2 |
White balance correction including indicative white color determination based on regions in a divided image
An entered image is divided into a plurality of blocks and it is determined, on a per-block basis, whether the image data within an applicable block is indicative of the color white, based upon a condition, from among a plurality of conditions, that conforms to the position of each block in the image. A white balance correction is performed based upon data of a block determined to be indicative of the color white. |
| US07932928B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for image processing with scene-dependent image processing condition
When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. |
| US07932926B2 |
Shooting lens having vibration reducing function and camera system for same
The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image. An accurate reference signal can be obtained by the correction, thereby improving the performance of the vibration reduction. |
| US07932923B2 |
Video surveillance system employing video primitives
A video surveillance system is set up, calibrated, tasked, and operated. The system extracts video primitives and extracts event occurrences from the video primitives using event discriminators. The system can undertake a response, such as an alarm, based on extracted event occurrences. |
| US07932922B2 |
Method and arrangement in tail threading of a web forming machine
In a web-forming machine, a threading tail is formed from the web. The threading tail is transferred to the production section (10, 12-14) of the web-forming machine including a draw section (21). Monitoring takes place of both the formation of the threading tail and its transfer to the draw point (21). The holding point (24) and its environment that terminates the tail threading of the production section (10, 12-14) in question are additionally monitored, in order to detect the threading tail at the holding point (24) and thus to determine the success of the tail threading. |
| US07932921B1 |
Transaction system
A system for carrying out transactions (10) includes customer stations (18) and a service provider station (14). The system is operated in a building (12) or other facility in which a service provider operates the service provider station in a secure room (36). Audio and video communications are established between customers at the customer stations and the service provider at the service provider station. Items are exchanged between customers and the service provider through carriers (26) transmitted through a pneumatic tube system (22). A video material presentation device (50) provides promotional or other video material which is presented on displays at the customer stations. Video material is presented to customers when the customer terminal is not in communication with the service provider terminal. The customer stations are readily installed and configured in the transaction facility to maximize the floor space available for other purposes. |
| US07932918B2 |
Exposure apparatus, image forming apparatus, exposure apparatus manufacturing method and image forming method
The exposure apparatus is provided with: an optical member; and a holding member that holds the optical member. Both end portions of the optical member are held by the holding member with a first adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for first duration and a second adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for second duration which is longer than the first duration. |
| US07932917B2 |
Method of controlling picture quality in flat panel display for compensating brightness of a display stain of indeterminate shape
A method of controlling a picture quality of a flat panel display for automatically analyzing a shape, a size, and brightness of a display stain of indeterminate shape having an irregular pattern, and compensating brightness of the display stain of indeterminate shape on the basis of the analyzed result is disclosed. The method of controlling a picture quality of the flat panel display comprises measuring brightness of a display stain, which is generated on a flat display panel, at a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, respectively; imaginarily dividing the display stain in a predetermined distance along a direction that a brightness change is large among the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in accordance with the measured result; detecting edge points where divided border lines of the divided display stains and an edge of the display stain are joined; determining compensation values, which are applied to a plurality of compensation applying surfaces that are defined by the edge points and the divided border lines within the display stain; and adjusting digital video data to be displayed at the compensation applying surfaces using the compensation values. |
| US07932916B2 |
Organic light emitting diode device capable of decreasing data procesing capacity and timing controller suitable for the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) device and a method of driving the OLED device are provided. The OLED device according to an embodiment includes a timing controller and a data drive unit. The timing controller performs a gamma correction of inputted image data for the OLED device, and then changes a bit number of the gamma-corrected image data to thereby output converted image data. The data drive unit outputs a data drive signal on the basis of the converted image data. |
| US07932915B2 |
Display device, liquid crystal monitor, liquid crystal television receiver, and display method
A control section divides a single frame so that a ratio of a period corresponding to a latter sub-frame and a period corresponding to a former sub-frame ranges from 1:3 to 1:7. A divisional point of the frame is a point which allows each of the latter sub-frame and the former sub-frame to minimize a difference between an actual brightness and an expected brightness. The frame may thus be divided at the point where the difference is largest in the normal hold display, so that it is possible to minimize the difference at this point. On this account, it is possible to reduce the difference in a single frame substantially by half as compared with an arrangement for carrying out the normal hold display, and thereby suppress the excess brightness caused by the difference. |
| US07932914B1 |
Storing high dynamic range data in a low dynamic range format
Systems and methods for storing high dynamic range image data in a low dynamic range format may be used to store the high dynamic range image data in less memory. The memory bandwidth needed to access the high dynamic range data is reduced and processing performance may be improved when performance is limited by memory bandwidth. The high dynamic range image data is scaled and compressed into a low dynamic range format for storage in a render target. If the compressed high dynamic range image data contains multiple data samples per pixel, the data may be processed to produce filtered compressed high dynamic range image data with only one sample per pixel. The high dynamic range image may be reconstructed from the low dynamic range format data and further processed as high dynamic range format data for a range of applications. |
| US07932906B2 |
Constructing substantially equal-width pixel bar charts to enable visual data analysis
A graphical production system produces pixel bar charts, in various embodiments. In an embodiment, a pixel bar chart is constructed that may include multiple bars with substantially equal widths and potentially variable heights to enable visual data analysis. A bar may include a number of pixel units corresponding to a volume of data records represented within the bar. Selected visual indicators are displayed within the pixel units of the bar, where a selected visual indicator represents a value of an attribute of a data record represented by the pixel unit. In an embodiment, the pixel units may be ordered within a bar in a particular sequence (e.g., ascending, descending or some other order). Further, in an embodiment, the bar width is determined to minimize the amount of padding. In an embodiment, a visual indicator scale is displayed to indicate values associated with each visual indicator. |
| US07932898B2 |
Touch sensitive screen
A capacitive sensor for determining the presence of an object, such as a user's finger or a stylus, is provided. The sensor comprises a substrate, for example made of transparent plastics material, such as PET, on which electrodes are deposited. A resistive drive electrode for example formed of transparent ITO, is arranged on one side of the substrate and a resistive sense electrode, which again may be of transparent ITO, is arranged on the other side of the substrate. Thus an overall transparent sensor may be provided. A shorting connection is also provided which is configured to connect between two locations on one of the electrodes. The electrodes are connected to respective drive and sense channels. By providing the shorting connection between two locations on one or other (or both) of the electrodes, a lower resistance connection is provided between other locations on the electrode and the corresponding drive or sense channel. |
| US07932894B2 |
Multiple mode display apparatus
A multiple mode display apparatus and methods of use. An apparatus includes a display surface with a first and a second display area. A housing pivotally attached with the display proximate a first edge of the housing is displaceable from a coplanar position with the surface of the display device to a position wherein an angle of at least 90 degrees between the surface of the display and the housing is formed along said first edge. In the first position, the first display area is visible and activated to receive user input or to display output. The second display area is covered by the housing and placed in a mode of reduced power consumption. In the second position, the second display area is visible and activated to display output. |
| US07932892B2 |
Human interface input acceleration system
A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link. |
| US07932889B2 |
LCD with adaptive luminance intensifying function and driving method thereof
Disclosed is an LCD having an adaptive luminance intensifying function and driving method thereof. A timing controller checks features of externally provided image data, and when they are found to be moving pictures, it determines a luminance level required from the image data and outputs a luminance level control signal, and when they are found to be still images, outputs a predetermined luminance signal. A backlight driver outputs a high-potential backlight driving voltage to the backlight unit when a luminance control signal of high-luminance level driving is provided by the timing controller, and outputs a constant level luminance signal when a constant luminance signal is input. As a result, by selecting a plurality of portions of the displayed screen and tracking and monitoring the changes of the image data, features of the images are defined and application conditions of the luminance intensifying function are determined to control the luminance level of the backlight and outputs of gamma voltage levels. Accordingly, the contrast of a display screen is improved and the power consumption is reduced. |
| US07932884B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of data lines to which a data voltage is supplied, a plurality of gate lines to which a gate pulse is supplied, and a plurality of liquid crystal cells, a data drive circuit to invert a polarity of the data voltage in response to a polarity control signal and to output the data voltage to the data lines in response to a source output enable signal, a gate drive circuit to supply the gate pulse to the gate lines, and a POL/SOE logic circuit to invert the polarity control signal for every frame period except at Nth-multiple frame period (where N is a positive integer), wherein the POL/SOE logic circuit controls the polarity control signal at every Nth-multiple frame period such that the polarity of the data voltage is the same as the previous frame period and controls a pulse width of the source output enable signal at every Nth-multiple frame period to be longer than for the other frame periods. |
| US07932878B2 |
Active matrix-type display apparatus and information processing apparatus using the same
An active matrix-type display apparatus comprises: pixel circuits arranged in a row and a column directions; a column current control circuit that generates a current signal; an information line that transmits the current signal from the column current control circuit to the pixel circuits arranged in the column direction; and a light emitting element that is supplied with current corresponding to the current signal, from one of the pixel circuits, wherein the column current control circuit has an information storage circuit and compares an information stored in the information storage circuit with an information newly input into the column current control circuit, converts the newly input information to a converted information according to the comparison result and generates the current signal on the basis of the converted information. |
| US07932877B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
The invention provides a display device and an electronic apparatus which can reduce power consumption in the case of being driven by using a digital time grayscale method. According to the invention, a row in which all the pixels display black is focused on in a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, and sampling of data which is to be inputted to the pixels arranged in the row is not performed. Then, in a period during which the data sampling is not performed, the operation of a shift register in a source driver and sampling operation of a video signal in a first latch circuit are stopped. The invention which has the aforementioned characteristics can temporally stop operation of the source driver to reduce power consumption. In particular, the invention can stop operation of the source driver which consumes much power in the display device, leading to dramatic reduction in power consumption. |
| US07932873B2 |
Image transfer apparatus
An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide a path of light and a spatial light modulator located in the path of light and configured to modulate the light source. Relay optics are configured to receive the modulated light from the spatial light modulator and to project a computer generated image to a nominal image plane. The light source is configured to illuminate the spatial light modulator with collimated light. |
| US07932872B2 |
Picture displaying method, system and unit
A picture displaying method is for displaying a picture by means of a plurality of picture displaying units. A picture signal representing the picture is supplied to each of the picture displaying units. A first picture displaying unit displays a first part of the picture according to the picture signal and produces a start pulse signal after displaying of the first part of the picture. A second picture displaying unit displays a second part of the picture according to the picture signal in response to the start pulse signal. |
| US07932870B2 |
Interlaced multiband antenna arrays
Antenna arrays which can work simultaneously in various frequency bands thanks to the physical disposition of the elements which constitute them, and also the multiband behavior of some elements situated strategically in the array. The configuration of the array is described based on the juxtaposition or interleaving of various conventional mono-band arrays working in the different bands of interest. In those positions in which elements of different multiband arrays come together, a multiband antenna is employed which covers the different working frequency bands. The advantages with respect to the classic configuration of using one array for each frequency band are: saving in cost of the global radiating system and its installation (one array replaces several), and its size and visual and environmental impact are reduced in the case of base stations and repeater stations for communication systems. |
| US07932868B2 |
Reflector array antenna with reconfigurable shape coverage with or without loader
A reflector network antenna (A) comprising i) a source (S) delivering wave signals; ii) at least two reflector networks (RR1-RR9) which are different and independent and which both comprise at least two phase shifter cells which selectively phase shift the waves delivered by the source (S) and bring about a selected frequency phase dispersion thereof, said selective phase shifting and selective dispersion varying from one reflector network to another; and iii) a charging device (DC) which is coupled to the reflector networks (RR1-RR9) and which is used to place one of them in a selected position in relation to the source (S) such that the waves that it delivers are phase shifted and phase dispersed at a frequency imposed by said phase shifter cells in order to be reflected in a selected direction. |
| US07932866B2 |
Antenna
An antenna comprises a first transmission element, a second transmission element, a conductive element, a ground element, a ground line and a signal line. The conductive element is connected to the ground element. The first transmission element is connected to the conductive element. The first transmission element comprises a first spiral structure and a first axis. The second transmission element is connected to the conductive element. The ground line is electrically connected to the ground element. The signal line is electrically connected to the conductive element at a feed point. |
| US07932865B2 |
Coplanar coupled-fed multiband antenna for the mobile device
The present invention is related to a coplanar coupled-fed multiband antenna for the mobile communication device. The antenna mainly comprises a dielectric substrate, a ground plane located on one surface of the dielectric substrate, and a radiating portion, a shorting metal portion, and a feeding portion, which are all on the same surface of the dielectric substrate near one edge of the ground plane. One end of the shorting metal portion is connected to the radiating portion, and the other end is connected to the ground plane. The feeding portion comprises a first feeding metal portion and a second feeding metal portion. The first feeding metal portion has a feeding point for the antenna. One end of the second feeding metal portion is connected to the radiating portion, and there is a gap between the second feeding metal portion and the first feeding metal portion. |
| US07932864B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with antenna contact having reduced RF inductance
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and at least one circuit board. Radio frequency (RF) circuitry is carried by the circuit board and includes a transceiver. A processor is carried by the at least one circuit board and operative with the RF circuitry. An antenna is mounted within the housing. An antenna contact is secured on the at least one circuit board and operatively connects the RF circuitry and engages the antenna at an antenna contact point. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is positioned at the antenna contact point and reduces RF inductance effects. |
| US07932860B2 |
Determining a position of a tag
A tag transmits signals having at least two different frequency components. The signals are receivable by at least some of a plurality of spaced receivers. Each receiver, in response to receiving a signal, measures respective phases of the first and second frequency components and a frequency offset between the tag and the receiver. The frequency offset is dependent upon a difference in frequencies of respective clocks in the tag and the receiver. A position processor obtains a difference in phases of the first and second frequency components for a signal, a frequency offset between the receiver and tag and determines the position of the tag in dependence upon the difference between respective phases of the first and second frequency components and in dependence upon the frequency offset. |
| US07932850B1 |
Buoyant target with radar reflectivity
A buoyant target comprises an inflatable structure with a drogue chute attached to the periphery of the bottom of the inflatable structure. The drogue chute is an open flexible structure with a bottom end weighted with ballast to deploy it, and with ports through its side to permit water to flow into and out of it. A radar reflector device is attached inside the inflatable structure. The radar reflector device comprises a plurality of mutually orthogonal radar reflective surfaces having central reflection vectors pointed at predetermined directions. |
| US07932847B1 |
Hybrid coarse-fine time-to-digital converter
A hybrid coarse-fine time-to-digital converter is disclosed. The hybrid coarse-fine time-to-digital converter is configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal and to generate a digital output that corresponds to the time difference of between a rising edge of the first input signal and a rising edge of the second input signal. The hybrid coarse-fine time-to-digital converter comprises a coarse time-to-digital converter, a fine time-to-digital converter, and a correlated output generator. |
| US07932845B2 |
Pilot-tone calibration for time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters
A self-calibrating analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC includes multiple component ADCs to generate respective digital representations of an input signal in response to respective timing signals that are offset in phase from one another, each component ADC having a gain setting that controls a magnitude of the digital representations. The ADC further includes correction circuitry to generate a plurality of fast-Fourier transforms (FFTs) that correspond to the digital representations of the input signal and to adjust the gain settings of the component ADCs and/or phase angles of the timing signals based on gain and phase errors indicated by the FFTs. |
| US07932842B2 |
Method of encoding data
A data encoder-decoder which generates an encoded data element which can be stored in and retrieved from a reduced space memory element. |
| US07932840B2 |
Systems and methods for changing characters associated with keys
A mobile communication device may include logic configured to provide a first keypad layout via a programmable keypad using a first illumination source, receive a keypad selection and provide a second keypad layout via the programmable keypad using a second illumination source in response to the selection. |
| US07932836B2 |
RFID equipped vehicle immobilizer systems including speed control zones and methods relating thereto
A vehicle speed control system includes an RFID equipped vehicle having a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, a transmitting and receiving station positioned adjacent a speed control zone, capability for sending a speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station to the vehicle, cooperative components associated with the vehicle for receiving the speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station, and various elements associated with the vehicle for adjusting speed of the vehicle in response to the speed control command received from the station. The transmitting and receiving station includes electronic circuitry and related components for determining the speed of the RFID equipped vehicle as the vehicle enters the speed control zone. |
| US07932829B2 |
Method and apparatus for self-expiration of a passive data tag device
The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in a passive mode where the tag responds to queries (412). While operating passively, an expiration event occurs (512, 514) which causes the tag to disable a battery (110), preventing subsequent operation in the passive mode, resulting in the tag disabling access to the tag data. |
| US07932822B2 |
Apparatus and method for tracking position on handheld device
An apparatus for locating a mobile device includes a receiving unit receiving a trigger profile including predetermined zone information and a triggering rule about the generation of an alarm signal at the moment of entering and exiting of the predetermined zone, a location identifying unit locating a present location, a zone in/out detection unit generating the alarm signal according to the triggering rule based on the trigger profile and the present location located by the location identifying unit when entering the predetermined zone or exiting the predetermined zone, and a transmission unit transmitting the present location information identified by the location identifying unit when the alarm signal is generated. |
| US07932814B2 |
Method and system to determine physical parameters as between a RFID tag and a reader
A method and system to determine physical parameters as between a RFID tag and a reader. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising generating an antenna feed signal, and transmitting a first electromagnetic wave to a radio frequency device (by coupling the antenna feed signal to a reading antenna), receiving a backscattered electromagnetic wave from the radio frequency device to create a received signal, calculating a combined signal based on the antenna feed signal and received signal, and determining relative velocity between the radio frequency device and the reading antenna based on the combined signal. |
| US07932811B2 |
Remote controller and remote control system
A remote controller that can infer the intention of a user and that can control a plurality of devices based on the inferred intention is provided. A remote controller includes memory, a control circuit, and a transmission portion. The memory stores in advance, in association with a situation sensed by a sensor, information of a first control signal. The control circuit generates, in association with the situation sensed by the sensor and the information stored in the memory, the first control signal. The transmission portion transmits the first control signal generated by the control circuit. |
| US07932807B2 |
Varistor
A first varistor section includes a first face of an element body, and a third face facing the first face. The first varistor section has a first varistor element body, a first varistor electrode electrically connected to a first external electrode, and a second varistor electrode electrically connected to a second external electrode. A heat radiation section has a first heat radiation portion kept in contact with the third face of the first varistor section and electrically connected to the first and third external electrodes, a second heat radiation portion kept in contact with the third face of the first varistor section and electrically connected to the second and fourth external electrodes, and an insulating layer located between the first heat radiation portion and the second heat radiation portion and electrically insulating the first heat radiation portion and the second heat radiation portion from each other. The first heat radiation portion and the second heat radiation portion contain a metal. |
| US07932806B2 |
Varistor and light emitting device
In a varistor, a heat radiating portion contains the same components as ZnO that is the main component of a varistor element body, as metal oxides, thereby, the structural components of the varistor element body and the heat radiating portion are caused to be common. During firing, Ag contained in the heat radiating portion diffuses into the grain boundaries of ZnO, near the interface between surfaces of the heat radiating portion and the varistor element body. Consequently, in the varistor, cracks hardly occur between the varistor portion and the heat radiating portion during firing (or during binder removal), thereby, ensuring sufficient bonding strength between the varistor portion and the heat radiating portion. Therefore, heat conducted to the varistor portion is radiated efficiently conducting through electrically conducted paths formed in the heat radiating portion from the surface facing the varistor element body to other three surfaces of the heat radiating portion. |
| US07932804B2 |
Switching device, particularly fuse switch disconnector
The invention relates to a switching device, in particular fused interrupters, including a housing and a cover arranged thereon, wherein in the housing at least one pair of contacts is provided for receiving respectively one contact blade of a safety device or the like, wherein each contact is electrically connected to an input or output contact element, and one contact of each contact pair has a base section as an input contact which projects from the housing on the underside thereof, including an adapter arranged on the bottom side of the switching device which has two contact gaps per base section for alternative contacting and which is provided for attaching to conductor rails. |
| US07932803B2 |
Wire-wound type coil and winding method therefor
A common-mode choke coil includes a magnetic core, external electrodes, first and second wires, and a magnetic top. The magnetic core includes a winding core section and first and second flange sections. The external electrodes are provided on the first and second flange sections. The first wire is directly wound around the winding core section. The second wire is wound around the outside of the first wire. The first turn of the second wire is wound while being in contact with the first turn of the first wire and the first flange section. |
| US07932802B2 |
Meander inductor and substrate structure with the same
A meander inductor is disclosed, the inductor is disposed on a substrate or embedded therein. The meander inductor includes a conductive layer composed of a plurality of sinusoidal coils with different amplitudes and in series connection to each other, wherein the sinusoidal coils with different amplitudes are laid out according to a periphery outline. The profile of the meander inductor is designed according to an outer frame range available for accommodating the meander inductor and is formed by coils with different amplitudes. Therefore, under a same area condition, the present invention enables the Q factor and the resonant frequency fr of the novel inductor to be advanced, and further expands the applicable range of the inductor. |
| US07932800B2 |
Method and apparatus for three-dimensional integration of embedded power module
A modified planar Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) high conductance inductor, embedding a large cross section conductor, supports a stacked arrangement of heat spreader, inductor and active device layers. Interlayer electrical connections connect the layers. Optionally, a DC-DC converter includes the modified planar LTCC high conductance inductor, embedding a large cross section conductor, supporting a stacked arrangement of heat spreader, capacitor and active device layers, the active devices layer including the switching transistors. The active devices layer may include semiconductor dies embedded in a substrate. |
| US07932797B2 |
Electromagnetic drive system
An electromagnetic drive includes a drive plate disposed in a magnetic field. The drive plate includes a non-conductive medium with a first plurality of linear conductive elements arranged parallel to a first axis. The first plurality of linear conductive elements connects first and second electrical terminals supported by the non-conductive medium. The drive plate may be driven in the magnetic field along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis when an electrical current of sufficient magnitude is passed through the first plurality of linear conductive elements. |
| US07932791B2 |
Signal modulation device and signal amplifier cooperative therewith
A signal modulation device and a signal amplifier cooperative therewith. The signal modulation device includes a local oscillation signal source, a baseband signal source, a first NMOS transistor, and a second NMOS transistor, wherein the first and second NMOS transistors are coupled with the baseband signal source and form a circuit architecture of a Gilbert-cell based differential pair to be directly switched by a differential baseband signal, and a high-frequency signal from the local oscillation signal source is controlled by the baseband signal so as to generate an amplitude-modulation high-frequency signal at an output end. The single-stage signal power amplifier amplifies the amplitude-modulation signal from the preceding circuit so as to increase the magnitude of signals transmitted and simplify the preceding digital/analog signal conversion circuit in a conventional amplitude-modulation circuit. |
| US07932786B2 |
Surface mount type crystal oscillator
A surface mount crystal oscillator comprises a crystal blank, an IC chip having an oscillation circuit integrated thereon, and a hermetic package for accommodating the crystal blank and IC chip therein. The hermetic package comprises a substantially rectangular ceramic substrate formed with a metal film which makes a round on one main surface thereof, and a concave metal cover having an open end face bonded to the metal film. The IC chip is secured to the one main surface of the ceramic substrate through ultrasonic thermo-compression bonding using bumps, the crystal blank is disposed above the IC chip, and the ceramic substrate has the one main surface formed as a flat surface. |
| US07932779B2 |
D-class amplifier
A D-class amplifier that can suppress noise generated when a D-class amplification operation is started/stopped. When a D-class amplification operation is started/stopped, the pulse widths and pulse interval of output signals Pout1, Pout2 are gradually changed, so it is possible to prevent a large variation in the signal fed as a differential signal of output signals Pout1, Pout2 to the load, and it is possible to reduce noise. That is, by gradually changing the pulse interval while keeping the pulse widths of output signals Pout1, Pout2 constant, it is possible to suppress variation in the relatively high frequency component corresponding to the component of the pulse signal. Also, by gradually changing the widths of output signals Pout1, Pout2 while keeping the pulse interval constant, it is possible to suppress variation in the relatively low frequency component corresponding to the average value of the pulse signal. |
| US07932778B1 |
Power efficient amplifier
An amplifier generates a tri-level output signal in response to an input signal that is pulse-width modulated. The amplifier is filterless and DC free. A control block supplies a multitude of pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals in response to the received digital input signal. A pair of the PWM signals are applied to the signal generator which in response supplies a third signal to the integrator. The integrator integrates the third signal in accordance with a feedback signal. |
| US07932775B2 |
Digital demodulation device and related method
A digital demodulation device for demodulating an amplitude modulation (AM) signal whose carrier has a first frequency includes: a processing circuit for performing first path digital processing and second path digital processing according to a second frequency and digital values of the AM signal, where the first path digital processing represents performing down conversion by mixing the AM signal with a first sinusoidal signal whose frequency is equal to the second frequency, the second path digital processing represents performing down conversion by mixing the AM signal with a second sinusoidal signal whose frequency is equal to the second frequency, the second frequency is equal to the first frequency plus a predetermined frequency shift, and the second sinusoidal signal is orthogonal to the first sinusoidal signal; and an output stage for outputting an output signal according to processing results of the first path digital processing and the second path digital processing. |
| US07932774B2 |
Structure for intrinsic RC power distribution for noise filtering of analog supplies
A design structure for intrinsic RC power distribution for noise filtering of analog supplies. The design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit. The design structure includes a voltage regulator; a variable resistor coupled to the voltage regulator; and a performance monitor and control circuit providing a feedback loop to the variable resistor. |