| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07987801B2 |
Device and method for monitoring a thread wound on a bobbin
The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring a thread wound on a bobbin during operation in a sewing machine that reduces the expenditure on apparatus and production technology with increased monitoring reliability wherein at least three different marking states are provided in the area of the bobbin (3) and are coupled to an optical device (8) in such a manner that movement of the bobbin (3) produces a change in marking which can be detected in the optical device (8) which can be evaluated in a logic unit connected to the optical device (8), that the marking (10) in the area of the bobbin (3) comprises more than two states, wherein at least one state is defined by at least one true color (g, r, b) or a mixture of the primary colors. |
| US07987798B2 |
Pallet members
The pallet includes a plurality of supporting members, a plurality of upper plate members placed parallel with one another on and across the supporting members, and a pair of prop members placed at both ends of a bottom surface of each of the support members. Each of the prop members are constructed such that the outer wall thereof has the same height as both sidewalls accommodated in grooves of the supporting members and the inner wall thereof has a groove into which the body of the supporting member is to be inserted, thereby, preventing possible accidents of injuries and damages by keeping dangerous sharp cut edges of the respective members from being exposed. |
| US07987796B2 |
Loading pallet
A loading pallet includes first bars (2) and second bars (3) arranged essentially parallel with each other, The first bars (2) are arranged essentially in a single plane (8) and the second bars (3) include upper parts (9) arranged essentially in the plane (8) and downwardly directed parts (10) directed downwards relative to the plane (8). Third bars (4) are arranged transverse to the first bars (2) and second bars (3), lie under the plane (8), and are connected to the first bars (2) and the upper parts (9) of the second bars (3). The loading pallet (1) can be stacked onto a corresponding loading pallet (1), whereby the third bars (4) can make contact with such bars (2) from the loading pallet (1) located below. The height (h5) of the third bars (4) is such that the height of the spaces between stacked loading pallets (1) is such that lifting structure (17) can be introduced into the spaces for lifting loading pallets (1). |
| US07987795B2 |
Mink-fox transportation system for individual transfer/transport in connection with the production of mink/fox pelts
A mink/fox transportation system (2) for individual transport in connection with the production of mink/fox furs, for example, the transport of upright-standing expansion pelt boards (4), with or without tanned, or tanned and dried pelts, to one or more relevant receiving stations (170, 172), has at least one, preferably a plurality, of self-driven traction units/carriages (10) driven along a predetermined transport path in the form of a track (6) which is formed of track elements (8,8′,8″,8′″) that have been assembled together configured to the arrangement of the particular production facility. The traction units/carriages (10) have a housing (12) with an upwardly-facing side (20) in which an opening (14) is formed for receiving a blunt part (18) extending from the foot end (16) of the pelt board, or surrounds a smaller part of the whole of the foot end of a pelt board. |
| US07987792B2 |
Gas generator
A gas generator has an igniter and a compressed gas container which contains a first filling gas and has an outflow opening that is closed by a first bursting diaphragm. Upon activation of the gas generator the igniter produces a shock wave which runs at least in part through the compressed gas container before destroying the first bursting diaphragm. The compressed gas container is filled with a mixture of the first filling gas and at least one second substance having a molar mass higher than that of helium, the proportion of the second substance being between 1 and 13 mole percent of the total filling quantity or reaching, at maximum, the total mass of the first filling gas, and the first filling gas being helium, hydrogen, or a mixture of the two gases. |
| US07987788B2 |
Dispenser arrangement for discharging countermeasure means
A dispenser for a platform, configured to be mounted to the platform and connected to power- and control-systems of the platform. The dispenser includes a magazine for a plurality of pyrotechnic countermeasure cartridges. The magazine is configured for removable fixation to the dispenser by one single fixing bolt in a central location thereof for securing the magazine to the dispenser in an operative mode. A first lock associated with the dispenser and a second lock associated with the magazine are configured to arrest the fixing bolt in interlocking engagement with the first lock and preventing the fixing bolt from coming loose due to environmental influence. |
| US07987784B2 |
Printing system employing deformable polymer printing plates
A printing plate has a substrate, an array of cells on the substrate, wherein each cell corresponds to an element of a print image, a deformable polymer material localized into the cells such that each cell is at least partially formed from the deformable polymer material, a reservoir corresponding to each cell to collect the deformable polymer material as needed when the deformable polymer material is one of either melted or softened, and a heater to cause the deformable polymer material to either melt or soften. A method of forming a printing plate provides an array of cells, first heats the array of cells such that the deformable polymer material does one of either melts or softens, actuates the cells in the array to assume a deformed state, cools the array of cells to solidify the cells in the deformed state, second heats the cells such that the deformable polymer material in selected ones of the cells does one of either soften or melt and return to a less deformed state to form a printing pattern, and cools the surface to solidify the deformable polymer material in the printing pattern. A method of forming a printing plate provides an array of cells, heats the array of cells such that the deformable polymer material softens, actuates selected ones of the cells to deform surfaces of the selected ones to form a printing pattern, and cools the array of cells to solidify the printing pattern into a printing plate. |
| US07987776B1 |
Engineered woody biomass baling system
A woody biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive woody biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and each of the sidewalls can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the selected wall of between (0.11×Pp psi×Aw) pounds and (0.5×Pp psi×Aw×SF) pounds, wherein Pp is the maximum pressure that the compression system can apply to the material, Aw is the area of the selected wall expressed in square inches, and SF is a safety factor calculated by dividing the design failure load of the compression platen by Pp. |
| US07987773B2 |
Churn for processing food products
A churn for processing food products, comprising a rotating drum with an opening for loading and unloading the products, further comprising a hatch provided with elements for detachable coupling to the opening of the drum and comprising ports adapted to allow the outflow of water deposited on the bottom of the drum, elements being provided which are adapted to arrange themselves selectively in a position for opening and closing the ports. |
| US07987766B1 |
Hydraulic cylinder apparatus
The hydraulic cylinder apparatus has a crescent shaped length housing a piston of like shape. The crescent shape provides for fit into constrained spaces where a fully cylindrical cylinder cannot fit. Multiple crescent shaped case ring lands with case rings seal the length of the piston proximal to the top of the case. The plurality of piston ring lands and piston rings seal the sliding piston to the walls of the case's internal hydraulic fluid well. The numerous ports of the apparatus, both upper and lower, provide for more convenient application than would otherwise be provided. Hose routing can thereby be best suited to a particular application. An added advantage of the apparatus is the negation of piston and mount rotation, a feature not typically possible with cylindrical hydraulic cylinders. |
| US07987764B2 |
Flow control apparatus for heavy construction equipment
A flow control apparatus for heavy construction equipment is provided, which can prevent overspeed and abrupt operations of an actuator due to an excessive flow rate during an initial operation of the actuator when a composite work is performed by simultaneously operating an option device and another actuator, and can prevent the cut-off of hydraulic fluid supply to the option device due to an operation inability of a flow control valve when leakage of the hydraulic fluid occurs due to the increase of the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. |
| US07987761B2 |
Time limited restraint
A time limited restraint device. After a predetermined time, a cutter of the time limited restraint device cuts a restraint. |
| US07987759B2 |
Plasma jet igniter used for an electro-theremal-chemical (ETC) gun, machine gun or other barreled weapon or equivalent type
A method is provided for an electric activation of a plasma jet igniter for firing Electro-Thermal-Chemical (ETC) guns, machine guns and other equivalent ETC barreled weapons, without complete consumption of any of the components necessary for its activation upon activating the igniter. Each activation of the igniter by means of one or several voltage pulses, which from an electric pulse generator (10) are conducted between an anode (4) and a cathode (5), is preceded by heating of the anode (4) to such high temperature that at least parts of the dielectric material (2) arranged in proximity to the anode (4) have begun to vaporize. The method may be implemented using an adapted plasma let igniter which has an anode that can be heated to a high temperature so that the igniter can be used for firing whole series of rounds or a full magazine of successively fired rounds in rapid order. |
| US07987756B2 |
Electro-manual dispenser
Disclosed is a sanitary or no-touch dispenser which dispenses sheets of a web material, such as a paper towel. The disclosed dispenser provides the web material to a user by using both manual and electronic means to dispense the sheet. This is accomplished by having a motor engagably connected to an actuator roller. The motor is activated by a motor activation means, such as a switch. The motion of the actuator roller, which is started by the user grabbing and pulling a tail of the web material extending from the dispenser, causes the motor activation means to activate the motor which in turn drives the actuator roller to continue it its rotation motion to dispense the sheet from the dispenser. |
| US07987754B2 |
Window covering sizing method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering. |
| US07987748B2 |
Identification structure of a tool with two colors
An identification structure of a tool with two colors includes a tool body having an engaging surface, and an identification ring. The identification ring is made of elastic polymer, composed of an inner layer and an outer layer having diverse colors. The identification ring is mounted around the engaging surface of the tool body, having the outer layer fitted in an intermediate portion of the inner layer to make an upper and a lower edge of the inner layer extending outside the outer layer. So, the two edges of the inner layer have the same color and the intermediate portion of the identification ring has two different colors, keeping them apt to be recognized. |
| US07987747B2 |
Bias assembly for ratchet tools
A ratcheting tool such as a reversible dual-pawl ratchet wrench is disclosed that minimizes wasted motion during ratchet slip or counter-rotation. The ratchet wrench includes a bias assembly that biases the pawls apart to bias a first, selected pawl for a selected drive direction towards engagement with a ratchet gear, and that the biases the selected pawl into a concentric alignment with the ratchet gear. In this manner, non-ratcheting initial rotation of the pawl due to counter-rotation prior to the pawl camming out of engagement with the ratchet gear is eliminated, thus eliminating wasted motion and maximizing the available angular sweep for the wrench. |
| US07987746B2 |
One-way ratchet tool
A tool includes a shank. A driving device is mounted on the first end of the shank and has a first ratcheting mechanism including a compartment and a plurality of first teeth in the compartment and a second ratcheting mechanism rotatably received in the compartment and including a plurality of second teeth engaged with the plurality of first teeth. The first ratcheting mechanism is rotatable relative to the second ratcheting mechanism in a single direction. The second ratcheting mechanism also includes a channel extending therein. A driving head is moveably received in the channel between two releasably fixed positions. In one position, the driving head is adapted to turn an element in a first direction. In another position, the driving head is adapted to turn the element in the second position opposite to the first position. |
| US07987738B2 |
Rotary selector
A rotary selector forms a control element for inputting a setting value to an electronic control system, in particular for a control device of an electronic domestic appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, or the like. The rotary selector has a rotatably mounted control portion and an adapter non-rotatably connected to the control portion. The adapter has a latching section with side faces arranged uniformly about its periphery. Coaxially with the latching section of the adapter is a stationary spring element formed with elastic legs arranged uniformly about a periphery of the latching section and which extend tangentially relative to the side faces of the latching section. The number of the side faces of the latching section is an integral multiple of the number of the elastic legs of the spring element. |
| US07987737B2 |
Sensor holder for a piston cylinder unit
A sensor holder for a piston-cylinder unit with a cylinder and a piston rod which is movable relative to the latter comprises a holding element which carries out a synchronous movement with respect to the piston rod and has a first position measuring device. A second position measuring device is held by a holder so as to be axially stationary with respect to the cylinder, and there is a rotationally oriented installation position between the first position measuring device and second position measuring device. The cylinder-side holder and the holding element are rotatable relative to one another, and a magnetic force acting between the holder and the holding element brings about a rotational orientation of the two position measuring devices relative to one another. |
| US07987736B2 |
Device, use and method for drawing off a liquid
A device for drawing off a liquid from a container comprising a drawing-off needle having a free lower end and an upper end, a suction deliverer connected to the upper end of the needle, and a blower carried by the needle allowing drops of the liquid present on the inside wall(s) of the container in the bottom section of the container to be concentrated. |
| US07987731B2 |
Ultrasonic flowmeter including an oscillation start unit for acceleration stability of the oscillator
The present invention provides an ultrasonic flowmeter comprising an oscillator and an oscillation start unit for accelerating oscillation of the oscillator. The oscillation start unit accelerates the oscillation of the oscillator so that pulses from the oscillator will become stable in a shorter time period. The accuracy of flow rate measurement is improved. Electric power can be saved where the flow rate is measured repeatedly at intervals. |
| US07987730B2 |
Method and apparatus to monitor the compressive strength of insulation boards
An edge-strength measuring device for measuring the compressive strength of a foam matrix along the edges thereof, the device comprising at least one measuring implement having one or more contacting elements for engaging with the edges of the foam matrix, and at least one measuring device in communication with said contacting elements for measuring the resistance imparted by the foam matrix when said contacting element is engaged with the edge. |
| US07987725B2 |
Method of matching sensors in a multi-probe turbine blade vibration monitor
A method of matching sensors in a multi-probe blade vibration monitor for a turbine. The method includes providing at least two probes mounted in a casing of the turbine adjacent to a rotating blade structure of the turbine. Targets are provided on radially outer portions of the blade structure. Each of the probes includes a sensor generating signals corresponding to target passing events, and a set of synchronous harmonics of the rotational speed of the rotor are produced for each sensor. The position of the sensors is adjusted such that the sets of harmonics of the sensors are substantially matched, indicating that the positions of the sensors are matched. |
| US07987724B2 |
Method and apparatus for ultrasonic cross-sectional inspection
The apparatus and method prevent inspection omission when ultrasonic flaw detection using a transducer array is applied to inspection of a test object being conveyed at a high speed. The method for inspecting a cross section of a test object using a transducer array comprised of many ultrasonic transducers arranged in one dimension includes the steps of transmitting ultrasonic waves from some or all of the ultrasonic transducers in the transducer array, receiving reflected waves generated by the transmitted ultrasonic waves using some or all of the ultrasonic transducers in the transducer array, converting the received signals into digital waveform signals, transforming the timing between the digitalized signal data received by each transducer element in at least one transducer group, which includes plural transducer elements selected from the transducer array, on the basis of the distances between the transducer element and spatially continuous focuses of receiving beam set to be formed in the test object; and summing all the timing-transformed signals received by transducer elements in the transducer group. |
| US07987717B2 |
Method for noncontact testing of the degree of hardening of ink and coating films
For more efficient and energy-saving drying of ink and/or coating films in printing machines, the drying or hardening process must be better monitored. Therefore a method is proposed for determining the degree of hardening of one or more printed ink and/or coating films on a substrate that was coated in an intaglio, flexographic or offset printing process. The degree of hardening or drying due to the hardening or drying process is determined indirectly via the change of mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate. An ultrasound measurement is used for this purpose. |
| US07987716B2 |
Coupled pivoted acceleration sensors
A pivoted acceleration sensor has a substrate that is substantially parallel to first and second surfaces. A reference frame is provided. A first unbalanced seismic mass is suspended within the reference frame and is coupled with the reference frame through first and second strain gauges. The first and second strain gauges are located along a pivot axis of the first unbalanced seismic mass. The first and second strain gauges are first and second piezoresistors on the first surface of the substrate, A second unbalanced seismic mass is flexibly coupled with the first unbalanced seismic mass. The second unbalanced seismic mass is suspended within the reference frame and is coupled with the reference frame through third and fourth strain gauges. The third and fourth strain gauges are located along a pivot axis of the second unbalanced seismic mass. The third and fourth strain gauges are third and fourth piezoresistors on the first surface of the substrate. Metallization on the first surface of the substrate is configured to connect the first, second, third and fourth piezoresistors in a bridge configuration without crossovers. |
| US07987715B2 |
Angular speed sensor
An angular velocity sensor includes a vibrator vibrating, first and second differential circuits for outputting first and second difference signals, respectively, and a synchronous detector circuit for synchronously detecting the first and second difference signals. First and second sensors outputs first and second detection signals in response to a distortion produced due to an inertial force. The second detection signal has a phase reverse to a phase of the first detection signal. The first difference signal corresponds to a difference provided by subtracting the first detection signal from the second detection signal. The second difference signal corresponds to a difference provided by subtracting the second detection signal from the first detection signal. This angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity of the vibrator accurately. |
| US07987712B2 |
High temperature seal assembly for optical sensor
A seal assembly for an optical sensor employed in a high temperature environment is disclosed which includes an elongated metal guide tube having a distal end portion defining an open distal end and an inner rear wall, a sapphire window disposed within the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, the sapphire window having a rear end surface abutting the inner rear wall of the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, and a platinum mounting sleeve for securing the sapphire window to the metal guide tube, the platinum mounting sleeve having one portion joined to the metal guide tube and another portion joined to the sapphire window. |
| US07987706B2 |
Tire air-pressure sensor
The present invention provides a tire air-pressure sensor (30) in which water is hard to intrude into a communication passage (36) communicating with a sensor portion (18a) of an air-pressure sensor element (18) and in which water having intruded into the communication passage (36) is discharged out of a case (32). Two air holes (34), (34) are formed in a crest portion of the case (32) of the tire air-pressure sensor (30) arranged and fixed in a wheel (10) in a manner to be positionally shifted in a rotating direction of the wheel (10), and an opening of an air vent hole (16) is formed in a cap (38) which is put on the air-pressure sensor element (18) arranged in the case (32), at an intermediate position between the two air holes (34), (34) in the rotating direction. The two air holes (34), (34) and the opening of the air vent hole (16) are brought into communication by the communication passage (36) on a substantial plane normal to the radial direction of the wheel (10), between the crest portion of the case (32) and the cap (38). Walls (40) are interposed between the air holes (34), (34) and the opening of the air vent hole (16) so as to bring the communication passage (36) into a meandering state. |
| US07987703B2 |
Tweezer-equipped scanning probe microscope and transfer method
A tweezer-equipped scanning probe microscope comprises a first arm with a probing portion, a second arm that moves along an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the first arm, an electrostatic actuator that drives the second arm along the opening direction or the closing direction based upon an opening/closing drive voltage applied thereto, an amplifier that induces self-oscillation in the electrostatic actuator by using an electrically equivalent circuit accompanying the electrostatic actuator as a feedback circuit and causes the second arm to vibrate through the self-oscillation, and a vibration state detection unit that detects a change of vibration state of the second arm as the second arm contacts an object. |
| US07987697B2 |
Curing bladder leak detection system for a tire press
A method of detecting a leak in a curing bladder during a tire curing process provides a curing bladder (40) and tire (42) in a tire mold structure (18). An inert tracer gas (48) is added to a pressurized gas such as nitrogen, with the nitrogen inflating the curing bladder so that the curing bladder engages a portion of the tire. The method detects whether the inert gas is present between the curing bladder and the tire while the curing bladder and tire remain in the tire mold structure. A curing bladder leak detection system (10) for a tire curing press (12) is also provided. |
| US07987695B2 |
Particulate monitor
A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor may include a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. A collection device may be positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device. At least one impactor may be movably coupled to the housing to be movable between a first position adjacent the air passageway and a second position displaced from the air passageway. |
| US07987689B2 |
Wheelhouse hemming apparatus and method
A robotic wheelhouse hemming apparatus includes a base. A multi-axis robot is mounted on the base. The robot includes an arm. A roller hemming head is mounted on an end of the arm for roller hemming. A slide mechanism is mounted for multi-directional movement on the base. A support is mounted on the slide mechanism. An anvil is supported on the support. A registration member is integral with the support and is engagable by the roller hemming head. The robot arm is operable to manipulate the roller hemming head into engagement with the registration member, and subsequent movement of the robot arm moves the support on the slide mechanism, thereby adjusting the position of the anvil relative to a workpiece to be hemmed. |
| US07987686B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus of porous glass base material
There is provided a manufacturing apparatus of a porous glass base material which can prevent soot from being formed on an upper surface (ceiling) of the process chamber, and reduce the amount of soot that comes off the upper surface and falls. A manufacturing apparatus of a porous glass base material 4 deposits glass particles produced by subjecting a material gas to flame hydrolysis, onto a starting member 1 placed vertically. Here, a plurality of gas inlets 5 are provided in one or more lateral walls of a process chamber including a burner 2 for the deposition therein, in upper portions of the lateral walls and along a ceiling of the process chamber. |
| US07987685B2 |
Refrigerant cycle device with ejector
A refrigerant cycle device includes a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a first radiator for radiating one high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant branched at the branch portion, an ejector including a nozzle portion for decompressing refrigerant on a downstream side of the first radiator, a second radiator for radiating the other high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant branched at the branch portion, a throttle device for decompressing refrigerant on a downstream side of the second radiator, and a suction side evaporator for evaporating refrigerant downstream of the throttle device and for allowing the refrigerant to flow to an upstream side of a refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, the first and second radiators are disposed downstream of the branch portion such that a heat radiation amount of refrigerant in the first radiator is smaller than that in the second radiator. |
| US07987683B2 |
Expendable turbine driven compression cycle cooling system
A cooling system with a compression cooling cycle for a working fluid that passes an expendable fluid through a warm side heat exchanger for the cooling system to cause the expendable fluid to vaporise and thus absorb heat from the working fluid by way of latent heat or enthalpy of vaporisation and then running the vaporised expendable through a turbine that drives a compressor for the cooling system. |
| US07987682B2 |
Evaporative cooler, heat recovery device, and ventilation device
An evaporative heat exchanger is provided with a working channel that has primary and secondary surfaces and a plurality of product channels. The product channels have primary and secondary surfaces. A liquid supply provides an evaporative liquid to the secondary surfaces. A product fluid may circulate through the product channels in heat exchanging contact with the primary surfaces thereof. The primary surface of the working channel is in flow communication with the secondary surfaces of both the working channel and the product channels such that a working fluid may flow first over a primary surface of the working channel and subsequently over the secondary surfaces where it absorbs liquid by evaporation. |
| US07987681B2 |
Refrigerant fluid flow control device and method
A subcool flow control valve useful in a refrigerant system includes an enclosure having a fluid flow pathway for a controlled fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A thermally conductive flexible wall forms a sealed cavity within the enclosure for carrying a controlling fluid. A metering orifice operable between the pathway and the outlet port controls an amount of metered fluid passing through the outlet port in response to movement of the flexible wall toward and away from the metering orifice in response to temperature changes of the controlled fluid transmitting temperature and thus pressure changes to the controlling fluid in the sealed cavity. Inverse thermal feedback means is formed as part of the valve for stabilizing valve operation thus providing means for transmitting a thermal signal from the metered controlled fluid back to the controlling fluid. |
| US07987680B2 |
Air conditioner
Between two heat exchangers of a first heat exchanger unit 41 and a second heat exchanger unit 42 included in an indoor heat exchanger 40, an opening 80 is arranged for introducing indoor air sucked from an air inlet 321 into an indoor blower 50 without being heat-exchanged. At the opening 80, a damper 91 is arranged for adjusting the opening rate of the opening 80, which is driven by a predetermined driving member 92. During a cooling cycle running of a freezing cycle, the opening rate of the opening 80 and/or the devices included in the freezing cycle such as a compressor, blower and expansion valve are controlled alone or in combination so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is lower than a dew point temperature of the indoor air. |
| US07987676B2 |
Two-phase expansion system and method for energy recovery
A closed loop expansion system for energy recovery includes a heat exchanger for using heat from a heat source to heat a working fluid of the closed loop expansion system to a temperature below the vaporization point of the working fluid; a radial inflow expander for receiving the working fluid from the heat exchanger and for expanding and partially vaporizing the working fluid; a screw expander for receiving the working fluid from the radial inflow turbine and for further expanding and vaporizing the working fluid; and a condenser for receiving the working fluid from the screw expander and for liquefying the working fluid. |
| US07987674B2 |
Phase change material thermal power generator
An energy producing device, for example a submersible vehicle for descending or ascending to different depths within water or ocean, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a temperature-responsive material to which a hydraulic fluid is associated. A pressurized storage compartment stores the fluid as soon as the temperature-responsive material changes density. The storage compartment is connected with a hydraulic motor, and a valve allows fluid passage from the storage compartment to the hydraulic motor. An energy storage component, e.g. a battery, is connected with the hydraulic motor and is charged by the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor. Upon passage in the hydraulic motor, the fluid is stored in a further storage compartment and is then sent back to the area of the temperature-responsive material. |
| US07987672B2 |
Turbocharger protection systems and methods
A turbocharger protection system for an engine system that includes a particulate filter and a turbocharger comprises a delta pressure estimator that estimates a pressure difference in a particulate filter. A pressure factor estimator module estimates a pressure factor based on the difference and barometric pressure. A fuel limit estimator module protects the turbocharger by selectively limiting fuel injection to the engine based on the pressure factor. |
| US07987671B2 |
Master cylinder comprising a helical resupply groove
Brake master cylinder (10) for a motor vehicle, of the type which comprises a substantially axial body (12) inside a bore (14) of which is slideably mounted at least one axial piston, of the type in which the bore (14) comprises two seals, front and rear, interposed between the piston and the bore (14), characterized in that it comprises at least one wide groove (66, 68) which is formed in the bore (14) in front of a groove (70, 72) for retaining the front seal, which extends at least in part around the piston, and which communicates with said retaining groove (70, 72) and the hole in the piston, in order to allow resupplies to occur with a high flow rate. |
| US07987668B2 |
Electro hydrostatic actuator with swash plate pump
A fluid pressure actuator includes an output cylinder, a fluid pressure pump, an electric motor, a first output cylinder passage, a second output cylinder passage, a return passage and a swash plate control cylinder. The output cylinder includes a first output cylinder chamber, a second output cylinder chamber and an output piston arranged between the first output cylinder chamber and the second output cylinder chamber. The fluid pressure pump includes a first supply and discharge port, a second supply and discharge port and a swash plate for changing displacement of the fluid pressure pump. The electric motor drives the fluid pressure pump. The first output cylinder passage connects the first output cylinder chamber and the first supply and discharge port. The second output cylinder passage connects the second output cylinder chamber and the second supply and discharge port. |
| US07987664B2 |
Secondary air supply system and vehicle
A secondary air supply system includes a CPU, a ROM, an air supply pipe, and an air amount adjusting valve. One end of the air supply pipe is connected to an air cleaner box and the other end is connected to an exhaust port. Secondary air in the air cleaner box is supplied to the exhaust port through the air supply pipe. An amount of the secondary air to be supplied from the air supply pipe to the exhaust port is adjusted by the air amount adjusting valve. A target air-fuel ratio depending on a state of the engine is stored in the ROM. The CPU controls the air amount adjusting valve based on the state of the engine so that an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust port is the target air-fuel ratio. |
| US07987663B2 |
Methods for reducing emissions from diesel engines
A method is provided for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions. The method comprises combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. The diesel exhaust gases are admixed with a second biodiesel blend fuel, and the second biodiesel blend fuel is hydrolyzed to form reducing agents. The diesel exhaust gases containing NOx are passed through an NOx-reducing catalyst to reduce the NOx through a selective catalytic reduction reaction with the reducing agents. The invention further provides a method for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions, comprising combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. A second biodiesel blend fuel is converted in a fuel processor thereby forming reducing agents, and the diesel exhaust gases are admixed with the reducing agents. The diesel exhaust gases containing NOx are passed through an NOx-reducing catalyst to reduce the NOx through a selective catalytic reduction reaction with the reducing agents. |
| US07987662B2 |
Composition and method for controlling excessive exhaust gas temperatures
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system is disclosed. The method includes an approach for reducing thermal damage to aftertreatment devices in an exhaust system by reducing excessive exhaust gas temperatures created during particulate filter regeneration. |
| US07987661B2 |
Method for determining malfunction of nitrogen oxide sensor and selective catalytic reduction system operating the same
A method for determining malfunction of a nitrogen oxide sensor compares a nitrogen oxide amount detected by the sensor with a predetermined value of nitrogen oxide. If the difference between the predetermined value and the amount detected by the sensor is within a predetermined range, the method determines whether an engine is in a steady state. If the engine is in a steady state, the method changes one or more engine control parameters, thereby varying an actual nitrogen oxide amount. After changing the parameters, the method determines whether the amount detected by the sensor changes. The method determines that the sensor is malfunctioning if the amount detected by the sensor does not change. A selective catalytic reduction system includes a first nitrogen oxide sensor, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and a second nitrogen oxide sensor, all disposed in an exhaust pipe. A control portion performs the above-described method. |
| US07987657B2 |
Riding lawn mower
A riding lawn mower having covers for covering the side part of a cutter deck and the side part of a transmission section. The covers have a plurality of small holes formed in a portion facing the side part of the cutter deck. The accumulation of grass clippings on the upper surface of the cutter deck and the transmission section is reduced, and the state of accumulation of grass clippings is confirmed via the small holes. |
| US07987654B1 |
Methods and systems for shipping, packaging and/or displaying kayaks and other sporting goods
Methods and systems for packaging sporting goods are provided. Embodiments advantageously preserve sporting goods, such as kayaks, against damage during transportation, ease handling of the sporting goods while being transported, and enable easy conversion from a shipping mode to a display mode. Further, embodiments conserve floor space during storage, shipping, and display while preventing sporting goods from collapsing or falling over. |
| US07987652B2 |
Capping head
A capping head comprising a support adapted to be associated with means arranged within a capper comprising at least two identical working units, which are associated with the support and are motorized in the same direction, each working unit comprising a shaft provided with motor drive means, which is connected, with the interposition of a torque-limited coupling, to a transverse arm adapted to support a rotating roller, both rollers are designed to come into contact with a cap to be screwed onto a container. |
| US07987646B2 |
Polymeric or composite wall and surface veneering products, systems and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to wall and surface veneering products and systems that provide a replica image of a natural surface, such as stone, brick or wood, and is easily installable due to its lightweight characteristics and securement design. The present invention further includes systems for attachment of the veneering product to walls or other surfaces and also includes systems for assembling such products to provide pleasing arrangements and complete wall coverage. The present invention also includes methods of manufacture, which ensures the natural appearance of stone or wood by imaging a natural surface, such as stone or wood, and preparing a mold from that image to mass produce a replica of that particular surface. |
| US07987642B2 |
Window glazing unit for a building window assembly
Window assembly comprises a wedge packing assembly and/or a deformable packing assembly for fitting between a glazing unit and a frame of a window assembly to support the glazing unit within the Frame. The deformable packing assembly comprises a base, and a plurality of elongate deformable fingers which project from the base and upon which the glazing unit is supported. The fingers are arranged in an array on the base and are adapted to, in use, bend. The wedge packing assembly comprises a first wedge element having a base surface and an inclined surface at an angle to the base surface. The first wedge element is adapted to be fitted between the glazing unit and frame along an edge of the glazing unit with the inclined surface inclined at an angle to the normal of the plane of the glazing unit and window assembly. The wedge packing assembly may then further comprise a second wedge element. |
| US07987639B2 |
Fork configuration dampers and method of using same
A new configuration damper, for interconnecting two elements of a structure that undergo relative movements and deformations, that increase the level of damping when the overall structure is subjected to a loading condition is disclosed. The new configuration damper aides in controlling displacements, velocities and accelerations under dynamic loading in structural systems. |
| US07987638B1 |
Post-tensioning retrofit assemblies for reinforcing structural members
A retrofit assembly for reinforcing a structural member including a plurality of retrofit segments including a first retrofit segment and a last retrofit segment, wherein the first retrofit segment connects to the last segment, and wherein each of the retrofit segments comprises a connecting rod, a brace, and a threaded nut, wherein the connecting rods each include a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are each fixedly secured to one of the braces, and the second ends are each operatively threaded to engage with one of the nuts, and wherein the braces each include a hole operatively sized to receive the second end of one of the connecting rods. |
| US07987637B2 |
Adjustable shim
An adjustable shim includes a first member having a fastener opening for attachment by a screw to a frame, and a protrusion defining a coaxial threaded opening spaced from the fastener opening. A second member has a protrusion telescopically mounted on the first member and has a hollow bolt threadably located in the threaded opening coaxial with the fastener opening. The head of the hollow bolt is accessible through the second member protrusion, so that a screw can pass through the bolt to the fastener opening, and the head of the bolt is restrained from axial movement relative to the second member, so that rotation of the bolt causes the first and second members to move telescopically. |
| US07987634B2 |
Low-profile miter apparatus and system
A gutter cover inside miter to be used with both open valley and closed valley roof miters, where the gutter cover inside miter is formed by coupling two primary member having a stem, legs, a tapered trough, a diverter and a plurality of draining and guide vents oriented to accommodate a variety of water flows. The gutter cover inside miter is also used with an underlying gutter cover as a system to improve the functionality of the gutter cover. |
| US07987629B2 |
Rodent bait station
An embodiment of a bait station comprises a rotatable lid and air-tight bait compartments. An additional compartment also contains bait and is accessible to rodents as they enter the station. The rotatable lid is configured to hold the bait within the compartments and can be rotated in order to replace the previously accessible bait with fresh bait from a different compartment. A key can be attached to an extension pole in order to unlock and rotate the rotatable lid without requiring a person to kneel down or bend over. A base having two entrances provides an inviting environment for rodents. |
| US07987627B2 |
Mounting assembly and methods of using same
A method for securing an accessory to a firearm. The method includes providing a body with an undercarriage portion which is shaped to matingly receive at least a portion of the undercarriage of the firearm, a trigger guard portion shaped to engage at least a portion of the trigger guard firearm, and a firearm connector portion which is constructed of a resilient deformable material which forms a snap-fit with a portion of the firearm in order to secure the body to the firearm. The body also has an accessory connector portion shaped to secure an accessory to the body. |
| US07987626B2 |
Configurable gun cleaning kit case
A firearm cleaning kit includes a case having first and second compartments joined along a fold line, and a fastener for joining together the first and second compartments. A tool compartment having at least one tool-holding cavity is secured to an interior region of the case, and a firearm cleaning tool is secured within the cavity. The kit further includes a length of material formed into a closed loop and attached to the case at a single point along the length of the loop. The kit further includes a divider piece having a single slot formed therethrough. Storage compartments are formed by the insertion of the loop of material through the slot in the divider piece. The divider piece is slideable along the length of the loop to make the storage compartments adjustable. |
| US07987625B1 |
Vertical foregrip leg extender
Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs. |
| US07987624B1 |
Flashless electric firearm and ammunition therefor
A substantially noiseless firearm and ammunition therefor, in which the projectile of the ammunition is attached to the front end of a sabot which fills the cross-sectional area of the barrel and is fired with the projectile. The barrel is provided with lands designed to catch the sabot at the front end of the barrel in such manner that the barrel is sealed off in a gas-proof fashion by the sabot. |
| US07987622B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing an advertising sign
An apparatus for installing an advertising sign is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a support structure; a lifting system fixed to the support structure; a top rail supported on the lifting system such that the top rail can be raised and lowered between a lowered mounting position and a raised display position; and a bottom rail fixed to the support structure. The lifting system comprises a cord operable to raise the top rail to the upper display position. The top rail comprises a longitudinally extending channel adapted to engage a top periphery of an advertising sign, and the bottom rail comprises a longitudinally extending channel adapted to engage a bottom periphery of an advertising sign. A method for installing an advertising sign is also disclosed. A system and a method of retaining a flexible sheet are also disclosed. |
| US07987618B2 |
Shock absorbing device for shoe sole
A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole includes: an outer sole 2; a midsole M; and a deformation element 3 placed between the outer sole 2 and the midsole M. The deformation element 3 is positioned at a periphery of a rear foot part 1B and includes a bending deformation member 30 that opens toward the periphery from a center of the rear foot part 1B. The bending deformation member 30 includes a lower plate portion 31, an upper plate portion 32 that forms an opening angle with respect to the lower plate portion 31, and a curved portion 33 that connects the lower plate portion 31 and the upper plate portion 32. The lower plate portion 31 and the upper plate portion 32 are gradually getting away from each other as a distance from the curved portion increases. A rubber-like or pod-like compression deformation member 35 is fit between the lower and upper plate portions 31, 32. When an impact force of landing is loaded to the bending deformation member 30, the lower plate portion 31 and/or the upper plate portion 32 displaces or deflects in such a manner as to rotate about the curved portion 33 with the compression deformation member 35 being compressed. |
| US07987609B2 |
Perpendicularity measuring device
A measuring device includes a transfer sleeve, an assist assembly, and a caliper gauge. The transfer sleeve includes two end surfaces and a side surface; the sleeve defines a transfer hole along the longitudinal direction thereof and perpendicular to the end surfaces, and the transfer hole passes through two end surfaces; the transfer sleeve defines a screw hole along the transversal direction thereof in the side surface and communicates with the transfer hole. The assist assembly is screwed in the screw hole, and includes a screw rod, a spring element, and a ball; the screw rod defines a receiving hole therein; the spring element and the ball are inserted into the receiving hole in sequence. The caliper gauge includes a base plate and two side plate extending upright from opposite edges of the base plate correspondingly. |
| US07987608B2 |
Grinding angle bubble level jig
Method of and apparatus for indexing a workpiece to a tool at a predetermined angle of orientation, using a bubble level to establish a horizontal reference plane. The bubble level may be pivotally fixed to a housing of a jig which may incorporate a magnet for adhering the housing to a magnetically responsive workpiece. The bubble level may be secured at a particular pivotal orientation such that when the workpiece is held against the cutting or abrading surface of a tool, the workpiece may be manually maintained at the predetermined angle of orientation such that a ground surface disposed at a predetermined angle on the workpiece may be formed while holding the workpiece manually. The jig may incorporate an adjustable leg to assist in tightening the bubble level at the particular pivotal orientation. |
| US07987607B2 |
Inclination sensor
The inclination sensor (A1) according to the present invention includes a pair of light receiving elements (4A, 4B), a light emitting element (5) for directing light to the light receiving elements (4A, 4B) and a case (2) including a space (20) for accommodating a rolling member (6). The space (20) is configured to cause the rolling member (6) to be located at a pair of light shielding positions at which the rolling member overlaps the light receiving elements (4A, 4B) or a neutral position at which the rolling member does not overlap either of the light receiving elements (4A, 4B). The light receiving elements (4A, 4B) and the light emitting element (5) are mounted on a substrate (1) attached to the case (2) at a surface facing the space (20). A plurality of surface-mounting terminals (7a, 7b, 7c) are provided on a surface of the substrate (1) which is opposite from the surface on which the light receiving elements (4A, 4B) and the light emitting element (5) are mounted. |
| US07987605B2 |
Reflector target tripod for survey system with light emitter and pivoting bracket for enhanced ground marking accuracy
A combination target reflector, light emitter and bracket assembly is disclosed for use in marking points during the taking of a land survey. The combination is pivotally connected to a central rod of a target tripod or a tripod that supports a target reflector. The disclosed combination includes first and second arms and a light emitter that is held in axial alignment with the target reflector. The first arm is pivotally and perpendicularly connected to the central rod of the tripod. The second arm is perpendicularly connected to the target reflector and the light emitter. The tripod can be moved close to a point to be marked, the tripod can be adjusted to plumb the target reflector and then the second arms, light emitter and target reflector can be moved out of axial alignment with the rod to mark the point without moving the tripod. As a result, the conventional trial and error procedure currently employed can be avoided. |
| US07987603B2 |
Sniper pole shear
A cutting tool of the scissor type includes a pruning head with fixed counter-blade and movable blade operated by a first cord sliding on sheaves. The pruning head is connected to a telescopic extension pole with two side shells that enclose a trolley carrying two trolley sheaves and a fixed sleeve that form a tackle housed within the shells. The telescopic pole is comprised of two pipes, one of which slides inside the other, which are provided with grooves, a sliding cap, a pipe-clamp and a handle, which define a path of a second cord that allows the telescopic lengthening of the pole while maintaining the tension of the cord and maintaining the position of the handle. |
| US07987597B2 |
Systems and methods for the automated fabrication of trusses
An automated fabrication system is provided that utilizes electromagnetism to manipulate and/or sense the location of raw materials on a platform. Tools located around said platform may be utilized to fabricate a predetermined structure out of the raw materials. Tags that can be electromagnetically manipulated and sensed may be placed on passive raw materials. Structures fabricated from such a system may be, for example, a roof truss. Additionally, the fabrication system may be mobilized by way of a truck such that structures may be built on-site. |
| US07987596B2 |
Method for installing a collapsible mobile platform interior structure
A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method includes carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame is then expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels are removable attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure. |
| US07987594B1 |
Method of manufacturing an interconnected foil contact array
A method of manufacturing an array of thin metallic foil strips of predetermined thickness, the strips assembled to form circuits that can be electrically connected to a printed circuit board, cables or attached to wires. The strips are assembled to a base using contacts. A first side of the strips are assembled to a first side of the base. The foil strips are draped over a mandrel and a second side of the strips are assembled to a second side of the base. The excess material is removed from the strip to form a plurality of strips that form independent circuits when assembled to the circuit board. |
| US07987593B1 |
Method for generating selective capacitance values
A method for generating a multiplicity of capacitance values is described herein. The method can include lining a housing with an insulating layer to form a lined housing. Wires can be connected to terminals of capacitors to form a collective connection. The collective connection can be connected to a fuse to form a wired bundle, which can be disposed within the housing. A resin can be poured into the housing to form an expansion chamber. A common terminal and auxiliary terminals can be disposed within a cap, which can have an insulating spider. An interrupter can also be secured to the cap. The method can include connecting each positive wire to one of the auxiliary terminals and connecting the fuse to the common terminal. A lip of the cap can be deformed around the housing for securing the cap to the housing, forming a bundled capacitor. |
| US07987592B2 |
Spiral heater wire termination
An electrical connector for use with providing an electrical termination to an end of a cable having a conductor helically disposed between a core and a layer overlying the core. The connector includes a first portion having an opening sized greater than a diameter defined by the helically disposed conductor but less than a diameter of the layer. A second portion has an opening sized greater than a diameter defined by the helically disposed conductor. A third portion is configured to receive a conductor of a second cable. As a result of the end of the cable being sufficiently inserted through the opening of the first portion, the helically disposed conductor is exposed about a length of the cable extending through another side of the first portion and received in the opening of the second portion. |
| US07987584B2 |
Article extraction / insertion tool and assembly
A tool assembly for removing an article from, or inserting an article onto, a printed circuit board which includes a tool housing having a handle portion and an article receiving portion, a plate slidable within the housing, the plate having a handle portion at a first end adjacent to the handle portion of the housing and two receiving portions at a second end, and two lever arms within the housing, each lever arm having a first end pinned to the housing and a second end of each lever arm inserted into the receiving portion of the plate such that each of the lever arms pivots about the pinned first end upon movement of the plate. The tool further comprises a pair of flexible rods located in respective recessed channels on either side of the article receiving portion, with one end of the flexible rods affixed to a first end of each of the lever arms, each of the flexible rods having a free end for interacting with an article retention device. The tool assembly may also include a tool guide for aligning the tool with a desired portion of a printed circuit board. |
| US07987580B2 |
Method of fabricating conductor crossover structure for power inductor
A method of fabricating conducting crossover structures for power inductors comprises providing a first lead frame array including first lead frames, providing a second lead frame array including said second lead frames, stamping one side of a second lead frame array to define first and second terminals of said second lead frames, at least one of coating, spraying, applying and/or attaching an insulating material to said first lead frame array to form a first laminate, stamping said first laminate in a direction from said insulating material towards said first lead frame array to define first and second terminals of said first lead frames; and arranging said insulating material of said first laminate adjacent to and in contact with said one side of said second lead frame array to form a second laminate. |
| US07987579B2 |
Method for mounting permanent magnets that form magnetic poles on the rotor of an electric machine
A method for mounting permanent magnets that form magnetic poles on a permanent magnet support surface of the rotor of an electric machine includes the steps of forming a mold by the placement of a mold part against the support surface in such a way that the mold cavity of the mold is bounded on one side by the support surface inserting a permanent magnet into the mold so that the inserted permanent magnet is held in the mold in a desired position with respect to the support surface, and filling the mold with a thermosetting adhesive in such that the adhesive bonds the permanent magnet with the support surface and completely fills any spaces formed between the permanent magnet and the wall of the mold cavity. |
| US07987578B2 |
Method of molding and assembling a container with hinged lids
An attached lid container has lids that are hinged to the top edges of the side walls of the container. When the lids are closed, the free edges of the lids engage one another to form a joint that interlocks the lids together. The lids are attached to the container at the hinge joints after the molding of the container and lids, while the molded parts are still in the mold press. Specifically, the lids are molded next to the container and then moved laterally to be aligned with the hinge line of the container after the mold cavity is withdrawn. Then, the ejectors push the lids out toward the container. The force of the outward movement causes the hinge parts of the lids and container to snap together. Subsequently a robot arm removes the container from the mold press with the hinged lids assembled on the container. |
| US07987574B2 |
Process for manufacturing a component with an insert made of a composite consisting of a metal matrix and ceramic fibers
A process for manufacturing a component with an insert made of a composite is disclosed. The composite includes a metal matrix, within which ceramic fibers extend. The insert is made of a composite which is obtained from a plurality of coated filaments, each filament includes a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath. The process includes winding a bundle or bonded sheet of coated filaments around a body of revolution perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said body. The insert is then subjected to a hot isostatic pressing step in a container. The process is applied to the manufacture of aeronautical turbomachine components. |
| US07987573B2 |
Cover and method for containing oil and grease distributed from universal joint
A method of covering and protecting a universal joint of a drive train including providing a flexible, removable universal joint cover including a removable, reusable outer flexible shell and a removable, flexible liner; applying the flexible, removable universal joint cover over the universal joint for rotation with the universal joint; collecting oil and grease distributed from the universal joint with the removable, flexible liner of the flexible, removable universal joint cover rotating with the universal joint; and protecting the universal joint from external elements with the removable, flexible liner of the flexible, universal joint cover. The flexible, removable universal joint cover catches the grease/oil that normally flies off of the universal joint and protects the universal joint from the external environment. |
| US07987561B2 |
Ear hose clamp having an indication arrangement
A hose clamp for clamping a pipe comprises a metal belt having a first edge and a second edge adapted for being overlapped defining a receiving cavity therein for clamping a pipe with a predetermined diameter, a positioning arrangement comprising a positioning head extended from said first edge of said metal belt, and a positioning head holder provided on said second edge at a corresponding place for receiving said positioning head, so as to guide said first edge and said second edge together in position; and a fastening arrangement comprising at least a welding arrangement comprising a first welding element provided on said first edge and a second welding element provided on said second edge at a corresponding place for being welded with said first welding point, so as to fasten said first edge and said second edge together. |
| US07987559B2 |
Hinge assembly with restricting unit
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a mounting bracket, a rotatable bracket, a swivel mechanism, and two pivot mechanisms. The rotatable bracket defines a sliding groove. The swivel mechanism connects the mounting bracket to the rotatable bracket. The rotating subassembly has a rotating shaft, a first restricting member, and a second restricting member. The first restricting member is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft, and the second restricting member is non-rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. The first restricting member has a restricting portion and a first resisting portion. The restricting portion is movably received in the sliding groove. The second restricting member includes a restricting protrusion. The restricting protrusion is capable of driving the first resisting portion together with the first restricting member to rotate in the sliding groove until the restricting portion reaches an end of the sliding groove. |
| US07987555B2 |
Hinged slide rail with buffering function
A hinged slide rail with buffering function, which includes a rail to which a hinge is mounted. The hinge has a movable blade and a fixed blade between which a buffering device is coupled. The buffering device is housed in a retention frame. The retention frame has an end forming a limiting structure. The buffering device has an active rod coupled to the limiting structure. The movable blade includes a pull bar that is connected to the limiting structure. The hinged slide rail is installed between a door panel and a body of a cabinet to remarkably enhance the convenience of operation and eliminates the potential problems of generating noise and clamping and hurting users. |
| US07987552B2 |
Floor care appliance with a plurality of cleaning modes
A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance is comprised of a base portion having a suction nozzle and a brush block having a plurality of vertical axis rotary agitators for cleaning bare floors. The rotary agitators are driven by an independent motor for agitating the floor surface. With the addition of an accessory hose and tools, the cleaning utility can be expanded to areas wherein the suction nozzle cannot normally reach such as behind the toilet, shower walls, and the grout between tile. While used in the capacity for cleaning bare floors, the floor care appliance can be moved between three modes by a rotating a member located on the upper housing. The first mode is dry mode, the second mode is wet scrub mode and the third mode is wet pickup mode. The accessory tools are stored in an accessory caddy that is placed freestanding over the suction nozzle and in front of the housing. |
| US07987551B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner may include a dust collection container that stores dust, a compression member that is provided in the dust collection container and which is capable of rotating in first and second directions, and a driver that rotates the compression member. The compression member rotates in a first space corresponding to a first angle range and at least a portion of the dust is stored in a second space corresponding to a second angle range. |
| US07987546B2 |
Cleaning machine
The invention relates to a cleaning machine with at least one cleaning tool which is adapted to be driven in rotation by way of a drive shaft that is rotatably mounted on a carrier, the drive shaft carrying a torque-transmission member which engages, by way of protrusions, in drive recesses of the cleaning tool. In order for it to be possible for the cleaning machine to be manufactured more cost-effectively, it is proposed according to the invention that the drive shaft is made from metal, and that the torque-transmission member is formed, as a plastics-material molding, onto the drive shaft. |
| US07987545B2 |
Method and device for cleaning teeth
The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled. |
| US07987544B2 |
Brushhead attachment system for a power toothbrush
The attachment system includes a brushhead assembly having a spring/carrier combination which comprises a spring assembly and a separate carrier assembly, adapted to mate as a combination with a receiving portion, in the form of a cup member, at the top of the handle of the toothbrush. The spring/carrier combination includes a slot which mates snugly with a vertical rib on the inside surface of the cup member, and further includes a portion which opposes the slot on the spring/carrier combination which mates snugly with a cut-out portion in the cup member, to prevent rotational movement of the brushhead relative to the handle. The spring/carrier assembly further includes two opposing spring finger elements, wherein the lower ends of the spring fingers fit into corresponding openings in opposing sides of the cup member when the spring/carrier assembly is operatively positioned in the cup member, tending to prevent translational movement of the brushhead relative to the handle. |
| US07987539B2 |
Fungicidal detergent compositions
Disclosed is the use of the compound of formula wherein R1 is hydrogen; or C1-C5alkyl for the fungicidal treatment of hard surfaces and textile fiber materials. The compounds of formula (1) impart antifungal properties to washed textile material. Bacteria that get on the textile material while it is being worn are destroyed. |
| US07987537B1 |
Pillow structure
A pillow structure substantially has a bottom board 1 mounted at a bottom inside a pillow body 10 and at least one resilient pad 2 controlled by an adjuster 4 mounted on the bottom board 1. By having the resilient pad 2 to support a buffering layer 3 for neck leaning, curved degrees of the pillow body 10 are adjusted corresponding to different users. |
| US07987536B1 |
Animal-themed sleep system
A sleep system includes a sack and a sleeping bag. The sack includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, a closed end and an open end. The exterior surface of the closed end includes decorative features of an animal head. The sleeping bag is configured to be stored in the sack when not in use. The sleeping bag includes a fastener that detachably connects at least two edges of the sleeping bag and has a fastener pull. The fastener pull includes an animal tail corresponding with the animal head located on the exterior surface of the closed end of the sack. |
| US07987533B2 |
Shower water toy construction system
A shower water construction system for a child/user, which also functions as a showering system and utilizes a pre-existing bath/shower unit as a supporting structure. The construction system comprises a main control valve to divert water from a pre-existing shower water pipe stem, a pressure regulator to limit water pressure to downstream components, child/user control and diverter valves to allow for turning the system off and on and allocating water flow between components, semi-rigid and flexible pipe, “Y” connectors and suction cups and brackets. Other components, such as a hand-held sprayer, spraying bathtub mat and spraying shower curtain may also be integrated/connected into the system. |
| US07992212B2 |
Mobile terminal and gateway for remotely controlling data transfer from secure network
A data transfer system including mobile terminals and gateways for transferring data from a secure network to an external network under remote control using the mobile terminals. A first gateway produces and sends a first key to a second gateway through first and second mobile terminals. The second gateway produces and sends a second key to the first gateway through the first and second mobile terminals. Then the first mobile terminal issues a data download command, which is forwarded from the second mobile terminal to the second gateway. In response to this data download command, the second gateway sends a file request including the first and second keys to the first gateway over a broadband channel. |
| US07992208B2 |
Detection of nonconforming network traffic flow aggregates for mitigating distributed denial of service attacks
An estimate of a portion of network traffic that is nonconforming to a communication transmission control protocol is used to signal that a distributed denial of service attack may be occurring. Traffic flows are aggregated and packets are intentionally dropped from the flow aggregate in accordance with an assigned perturbation signature. The flow aggregates are observed to determine if the rate of arrival of packets that have a one-to-one transmission correspondence with the dropped packets are similarly responsive to the perturbation signature. By assigning orthogonal perturbation signatures to different routers, multiple routers may perform the test on the aggregate and the results of the test will be correctly ascertained at each router. Nonconforming aggregates may be redefined to finer granularity to determine the node on the network that is under attack, which may then take mitigating action. |
| US07992204B2 |
Enhanced responses to online fraud
Solutions (including inter alia, systems, methods and software) for dealing with online fraud. Certain of these solutions provide enhanced responses to an identified instance of online fraud. Such enhanced responses can incorporate one or more of a variety of strategies for defeating an attempt by a server to filter and/or otherwise avoid responses to its fraudulent activity. Merely by way of example, responses may be disguised (e.g., by transmitting the responses from a variety of computers, by transmitting responses that appear to originate from a computer different than the actual source of the responses, etc.). In some cases, a response strategy may be implemented that forces the server (and/or an operator thereof) to choose between accepting the responses and blocking potential responses from the targets of the fraudulent scheme. |
| US07992203B2 |
Methods and systems for secure shared smartcard access
An embodiment generally relates to a method of accessing a secure computer. The method includes capturing an authentication state of a security token in response to a verification of user authentication information. The method also includes providing the authentication state to at least one application requiring authentication with the security token and accessing the at least one application. |
| US07992199B1 |
Method for permitting two parties to establish connectivity with both parties behind firewalls
A communications scheme enables a central communications station to assist two communications systems located behind firewalls that prevent communication initiated from an external data network to establish direct communication with each other. In one embodiment, the systems separately establish communications with the central communications station and obtain from it the connection information (e.g., IP address, port, etc.) of the other. The systems then directly communicate with each other using the obtained connection information while pretending to be the central communications station. In another embodiment in which the firewalls include NAT devices that implement network address translation, the systems exchange connection information for establishing a new connection through the central communications station and then complete a three-way handshake with the assistance of the central communications station, thereby allowing the central communications station to remove itself from the communication. |
| US07992198B2 |
Unified authentication for web method platforms
An authentication mechanism is provided for a web method platform that allows homogeneous access for different types of clients according to a bootstrapping procedure utilized to establish the session. Different clients can be assigned different levels of trust based in part on the bootstrapping procedure and/or information provided during the procedure. The bootstrapping procedure can produce a token that is used by the clients in subsequent requests to provide previous authentication or state information to the platform. The token can comprise a shared secret used to ensure integrity of communications in some cases, and the token can be opaque to the client. Tokens can expire and require a client to re-bootstrap to provide higher levels of authentication protection, and tokens can be shared among a plurality of application servers to facilitate effective handling of requests in a farmed environment. |
| US07992197B2 |
Mobile authentication framework
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for associating a mobile device with a web service or a user account. A unique code is displayed on the mobile device. The unique code is associated with a user account or web service to be utilized with the mobile device. Instructions for a user to enter the unique code in an authentication process via an authentication portal of a management device are also displayed. After it is determined that a user has performed the authentication process, any user identification, which has been associated with the unique code, is then obtained from the management device. The obtained user identification is then stored for use by the mobile device. After user identification has been obtained and stored, the stored user identification is used for the mobile device to participate in an authentication process for authorizing the mobile device to utilize a web service or user account associated with the user identification. The authentication process is participated in by the mobile device without requiring input from the user during such authentication process. |
| US07992195B2 |
Efficient browser-based identity management providing personal control and anonymity
The invention allows a reliable and efficient identity management that can, with full interoperability, accommodate to various requirements of participants. For that a method and system are presented for providing an identity-related information about a user to a requesting entity. The method comprises a location-request step initiated by the requesting entity for requesting from a client application a location information that corresponds to a location entity possessing the identity-related information, a redirecting step for connecting the client application to the location entity in order to instruct the location entity to transfer the identity-related information to the requesting entity, and an acquiring step for obtaining the identity-related information. The acquiring step comprises a contact step wherein the location entity contacts the requesting entity, a request step wherein the requesting entity requests the identity-related information, and a response step wherein the requesting entity receives the identity-related information from the location entity. |
| US07992193B2 |
Method and apparatus to secure AAA protocol messages
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for securing authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) protocol messages. An encryption key, a device identifier value, and verification data are received and stored at a network device. The verification data comprises in part a copy the encryption key and the device identifier value, and has been encrypted using a private key of a server. A shared secret is generated by applying a computational function to the encryption key and the device identifier value. Based on the shared secret, a first message integrity check value for a message is generated. The message, the first integrity check value, and the verification data are sent to the server. The server decrypts the verification data using the private key, extracts the encryption key and the device identifier value, and generates the same shared secret by applying the same computational function to the extracted encryption key and device identifier value. Based on this generated shared secret, a second message integrity check value is generated and compared to the received first message integrity check value. |
| US07992190B2 |
Authorization scheme to simplify security configurations
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that provide a centralized model to assign, monitor, and manage security on home electronic devices. A three-dimensional security matrix uses a role-based model that allows users to map security into groupings. Users can be assigned security levels based on application role (what activity is involved), user role (what each family member or guest is allowed to do), and device role (what this device is allowed to do while preserving system integrity). An authorization service determines whether a particular activity requested by the user should be granted or denied based upon whether the user has authorization to access the particular activity and whether the particular device can support the particular activity without comprising the security of the network. |
| US07992189B2 |
System and method for hierarchical role-based entitlements
A system and method for authorization to adaptively control access to a resource, comprising the steps of providing for the mapping of a principal to at least one role, wherein the at least one role is hierarchically related to the resource; providing for the evaluation of a policy based on the at least one role; and providing for the determination of whether to grant the principal access to the resource based on the evaluation of the policy. |
| US07992187B2 |
System and method of dual-screen interactive digital television
Disclosed is a system and method of dual-screen interactive digital television (IDTV), which is implemented by applying modality-independent remote console technology. The system has two ends, referred to as host IDTV and handheld device. The host IDTV includes a host IDTV content, an IDTV middleware, a host graphic user interface (host GUI), and a server-side remote console control protocol. The handheld device includes a handheld IDTV content, an interface generator, a handheld GUI, and a client-side remote console control protocol. In the invention, the DTV content may only have a dual-screen execution mode. The DTV content may also switch between single-screen and dual-screen modes. |
| US07992185B2 |
Receiver and receiving method and program
In a TS information sharing system, digital broadcast receivers and a digital-broadcast-compliant TV receive TS information separately and may transfer the received TS information to each other in a peer-to-peer manner or may transfer and store the received TS information into a server. Thus, the digital broadcast receivers and the digital-broadcast-compliant TV can retrieve, from the server, TS information that the digital broadcast receivers and/or the digital-broadcast-compliant TV have not yet received. The invention can be applied to a receiver for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasts. |
| US07992182B2 |
Information provisioning apparatus and information provisioning method
Information provisioning includes acquiring a data stream of content that is composed of a plurality of segments, and actual data of metadata that includes information related to the content and information related to the plurality of segments. The metadata is divided into metadata processing units (MPU) corresponding to segments subjected to processing in the plurality of segments. A capsulized stream is generated that includes packetized elementary stream (PES) packets acquired by packetizing the segments subjected to processing of the data stream and metadata PES packets acquired by packetizing at least one MPU, the metadata PES packets including control information of the metadata. The control information includes an overwrite_flag which indicates whether previous metadata is to be overwritten. |
| US07992181B2 |
Information presentation system, information presentation terminal and server
An information presentation system includes an imaging unit, a peripheral information acquisition unit which acquires peripheral information, a storage unit which stores registered information, an analytic basic information construction unit which constructs analytic basic information from the registered information stored in the storage unit, on the basis of the peripheral information acquired in the peripheral information acquisition unit, a pertinent information acquisition unit which acquires information pertinent to the image from the image obtained from the imaging unit and the analytic basic information obtained from the analytic basic information construction unit, and a presentation unit which presents the pertinent information acquired in the pertinent information acquisition unit. The analytic basic information construction unit changes the analytic basic information on the basis of at least one of a time, date, season, weather, temperature, humidity, place, surrounding brightness, average color/color distribution of the acquired image, surrounding sound and model. |
| US07992178B1 |
Downloading file reception process
Process for receiving files sent by a central server to an audiovisual data reproduction system, managed by an operating system and linked to the server, by means of a data transfer link, characterised in that the process comprises: a step consisting of initialising a link between the central server and an audiovisual data reproduction system, a step consisting of storing files sent by the central server on storage means of the audiovisual data reproduction system, each file comprising specified information representative of the type of data contained in the file, a step consisting of searching, for each file received, a specific reception function, this search step being carried out by means of the specified information representative of the type of data contained in the file, a step consisting of processing each file by the corresponding reception function, the processing comprising copying of the file received to a specified storage area. |
| US07992176B2 |
Apparatus and method for effectively implementing a wireless television system
An apparatus and method for effectively implementing a wireless television system may include a communications processor and a transmitter device that combine at least one of a local-area network interface, a wide-area network interface, and one or more television data interfaces for effectively performing a wireless network transmission process. A transmitted stream from the wireless television system may be received via wireless network processing for viewing local-area network data, wide-area network data (such as Internet data), or television data by flexibly utilizing various electronic devices such as a notepad personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a handheld TV remote control device. |
| US07992171B2 |
System and method for controlled viral distribution of digital content in a social network
A controlled content distribution system (CCDS) employs a peer-level application into which a content producer can import digital content (e.g., video, audio, graphic, image, text, code files, etc.) The content producer identifies distribution parameters including an initial distribution list and a level limit representing the maximum number of levels, or degrees of separation for allowed distribution in a FOAF social network. Distribution parameters also include an alteration definition for one or more allowable levels in the network. Alteration definitions may identify a file degradation characteristic, file augmentation, or deletion parameter for altering the digital content from its original form. Alteration definitions often vary at each level. A distribution package is created by the CCDS and includes the digital content, a configuration data file, a key ID and a license key seed. The distribution package is processed at a FOAF license server before being sent to additional content recipients. |
| US07992167B2 |
Content replacement by PID mapping
A method and apparatus for content substitution, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention involves receiving data representing content, the data having at least first and second packet identifiers (PIDs) associated with first and second portions of content. The content having the first PID is placed into a data stream. An initiation flag is received indicating initiation of a PID mapping operation. The content having the second PID is then mapped to the first PID and the mapped content is placed into the data stream. A termination flag is received indicating termination of the PID mapping operation at which point the process returns to placing content having the first PID into the data stream. The content substitution process can be used to replace advertisements, provide multiple plots, multiple endings, multiple views as well as other applications. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US07992161B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing incentives for viewers to watch commercial advertisements
A user is prompted during television commercial breaks to depress one or more pushbuttons on a television remote control at certain times to confirm that the user is watching the advertisements. A set top box connected to the television receives and decodes the signal from the remote control. When the user responds properly to a prompt, the set top box increments a tally maintained in the set top box memory to accumulate points by which the user can earn rewards. |
| US07992159B2 |
Optical pickup device and optical disc device with such optical pickup device mounted thereon
An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical pickup device and a control section for controlling an operation of the optical pickup device. The optical pickup device includes a plurality of first wiring lines for transmitting signals from the control section, a second wiring line to be used for an adjustment of the optical pickup device, and a connector section which is electrically connected to the first wiring lines. The optical disk apparatus further includes a flexible printed wiring board (FPC) which is connected to the connector section for electrically connecting the first wiring lines to the control section. The FPC includes a plurality of third wiring line for electrically connecting the first wiring lines to the control section, such that a pitch of the plurality of third wiring lines in a central portion of the FPC is broader than a pitch of the plurality of third wiring lines in a region of the FPC adjoining the connector section. Moreover, the connector section is electrically connected to the second wiring line, and the FPC being connected to the connector section electrically connects the first wiring lines to the control section, but does not electrically connect the second wiring line to the control section. |
| US07992157B2 |
Disk transportation mechanism and a disk apparatus comprising the same
A disk transport apparatus is disclosed which can transport a disk appropriately. First and second arms are mounted for pivotal motion in first and second directions in which they are spaced from each other around second ends thereof to transport the disk. A link pivots the first or second arm in response to pivotal motion of the second or first arm. The first arm and the link have teeth and meshing portions which mesh with each other. The first arm has a blocking portion which blocks, when the second arm is pivoted in the second direction with the disk contacting only with the second arm, meshing engagement between the meshing portions to block pivotal motion of the arms in the first and second directions. |
| US07992156B1 |
Determining the address of a system call table to perform antivirus tasks in a computer
In one embodiment, an address of a system call table is determined by invoking a first system call from a user-level program running in user space. When the first system call executes, the first system call retrieves the address of the system call table from kernel stack, which that has been populated by the kernel with various data including the address of the system call table. Using the retrieved address to locate the system call table, the system call table is modified to allow interception of calls made to one or more system calls included in the system call table. This allows a scan module to scan data for computer viruses before a system call is allowed to execute and operate on the data, for example. |
| US07992154B1 |
Remote method invocation using a server proxy object
A communication device comprises a processor, a server proxy object accessible to the processor, and an object-oriented application that runs on the processor. The application requests a service from the server proxy object. The server proxy object generates a packet that contains an identity of the requested service. The service identity is converted into a corresponding method by a remote computer such that the server proxy object need not change if the corresponding method changes on the remote computer. |
| US07992150B2 |
Method and apparatus for awakening client threads in a multiprocessor data processing system
A computer implemented method, a data processing system, and computer usable program code for improving thread posting efficiency in a multiprocessor data processing system are provided. Aspects of the present invention first receive a set of threads from an application. The aspects of the present invention then group the set of threads with a plurality of processors based on a last execution of the set of threads on the plurality of processors to form a plurality of groups. The threads in each group in the plurality of groups are all last executed on a same processor. The aspects of the present invention then wake up the threads in the plurality of groups in any order. |
| US07992141B2 |
Method and apparatus for building executable computer programs using compiled program libraries
A program which is linked or bound by reference (referenced program) into one or more other programs supports multiple valid export signatures, each corresponding to a respective version of the referenced program. When a program is built, it records the current signature of each referenced program it is bound to. When subsequently determining whether to rebuild the program, the previously recorded signature of any referenced program is compared with all currently supported signatures of the referenced program, and only if none of the supported signatures matches does the program need to be re-built to ensure compatibility with the referenced program. Preferably, the referenced program is a program library containing supporting procedures, intended to be used by multiple applications programs which are bound to it. |
| US07992138B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing different java methods
A method and apparatus for executing different Java methods are provided. The method of executing different Java methods, includes when a first method calls a second method, storing information for returning to the first method in a first stack frame, adding a second stack frame for the second method to a stack, and storing information for executing the second method in the second stack frame, wherein the first stack frame and the second stack frame are included in the same stack in a same format. |
| US07992132B2 |
Server side application integration framework
A flexible, platform-independent integration infrastructure is provided. The integration infrastructure may include an integration bridge and at least one plug-in, where the at least one plug-in may include translation rules, mapping rules, and other information associated with a component coupled to the plug-in. The translation rules, mapping rules, and other information may be used by the integration bridge during a mapping process to control communication between components. Based on the rules and information, a mapping translator of the integration bridge converts data received from component into a form readable by another component. |
| US07992129B2 |
System and method for programmatically generating a graphical program based on a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and data acquisition (DAQ) operations
A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment application may then be operable to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate graphical program code implementing the sequence. For example, the environment may generate a standalone graphical program operable to perform the sequence of operations. |
| US07992126B2 |
Apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring the balance within a balanced scorecard
A computer-readable storage medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to: process a balanced scorecard to generate a hierarchical tree; classify the parent to child relationships in the hierarchical tree; identify the quantitative associations among the parent to child relationships; and assess the balance within the balanced scorecard. |
| US07992123B2 |
Method of engineering change to semiconductor circuit executable in computer system
A method of engineering change to a semiconductor circuit includes: performing a first synthesis with optimization of a first HDL code to generate a first circuit; performing a first physical design of the first circuit to generate a post layout circuit; modifying the first HDL code to generate a second HDL code, and performing a second synthesis with optimization of the first and second HDL codes while forcibly preserving elements to generate a second circuit and a third circuit, respectively; performing an ECO cone-pair extraction operation of the second and third circuit to generate at least one ECO cone-pair; and obtaining an ECO logic and an element to be replaced according to the ECO cone-pair and the post layout circuit, and then replacing the element to be replaced in the post layout circuit with the ECO logic gate circuit, thereby modifying the post layout circuit into a post layout ECO circuit. |
| US07992117B2 |
System and method for designing a common centroid layout for an integrated circuit
An exemplary common centroid layout design system receives various inputs about an integrated circuit (IC) design. Based on such inputs, the system calculates a common centroid unit, which represents an array of segments of each device in the IC design. The number of segments for each device within the common centroid unit is selected based on the respective sizes of the devices. The common centroid unit is then tiled to automatically define the complete layout for the IC object. The system selects an algorithm for tiling the common centroid unit based on the size of such unit such that, upon completion of the tiling process, all of the devices have a common centroid. In other words, the system selects an algorithm for tiling such that a common centroid layout design is generated. Using the common centroid layout design, the IC object can be manufactured so that it is immune to linear process gradients and more resistant to non-linear gradients relative to ICs that do not have a common centroid layout design. |
| US07992116B2 |
Method for verifying timing of a circuit
A single verification tool provides both static timing analysis and timing simulation capabilities targeted at both full-custom and ASIC designs in a unified environment. In various embodiments the verification tool includes the following features: (a) Integrating both static timing analysis and dynamic simulation tools into a single tool, (b) Efficient path search for multi-phase, multi-frequency and multi-cycle circuit in the presence of level sensitive latch, (c) Automatically identifying circuit structure, e.g. complex gate, for timing characterization, (d) Circuit structures at transistor level solved by incorporating function check, (e) Carrying out functional check to filter out false path and identifying gate with simultaneously changing inputs, (f) Finding maximum operating frequency in the presence of level sensitive latches after filtering out false paths, (g) Crosstalk solver by utilizing the admittance matrix and voltage transfer of RLC part in frequency domain coupled with the non-linear driver in time domain implemented in spice-like simulator, (h) Making use of the correlation between inputs of aggressors and victim to determine switching time at victim's output iteratively. |
| US07992115B2 |
Overlay measurement on double patterning substrate
A method of measuring overlay between a first structure and a second structure on a substrate is provided. The structures include equidistant elements, such as parallel lines, wherein the equidistant elements of the first and second structure alternate. A design width CD1 of the elements of the first structure is different from a design width CD2 of the elements of the second structure. The difference in design width can be used to identify measurement points having incorrectly measured overlay errors. |
| US07992109B2 |
Method for time-evolving rectilinear contours representing photo masks
Photomask patterns are represented using contours defined by level-set functions. Given target pattern, contours are optimized such that defined photomask, when used in photolithographic process, prints wafer pattern faithful to target pattern. Optimization utilizes “merit function” for encoding aspects of photolithographic process, preferences relating to resulting pattern (e.g. restriction to rectilinear patterns), robustness against process variations, as well as restrictions imposed relating to practical and economic manufacturability of photomasks. |
| US07992099B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing graphic user interface composed of plural columns
An apparatus and method for providing a graphic user interface composed of a plurality of columns. The apparatus includes a command receiving unit, a determining unit, a display unit, and a transmitting/receiving unit. The command receiving unit receives a movement command or a selection command for a selector for selecting an item of at least one of the columns on the graphic user interface. The determining unit determines whether to activate items of the other columns associated with the selected item of a column. The display unit outputs the activated items of the other columns using the graphic user interface. The transmitting/receiving unit transmits a command message according to item selection with respect to the output activated columns. |
| US07992091B2 |
Message-oriented divergence and convergence of message documents
A computing device comprises a memory to store a first version of an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) message, a receiver to receive a second version of the XML message, a processor and a display interface. The display interface provides a user interface having a first control, a second control and a third control. The first control is to cause the processor to merge the second version with the first version to produce a third version of the XML message. The second control is to cause the processor to replace in the memory the first version with the second version of the XML message. The third control is to cause the processor to reject the second version of the XML message. |
| US07992090B2 |
Reciprocal link tracking
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment verify that if a selected first link in a first page points to a reciprocal site, then a reciprocal link in a reciprocal page points back to the first page. The verification is performed by finding the reciprocal page and searching it for the reciprocal link. If the reciprocal link does not exist, then in various embodiments, the first link is removed or is removed after a time period has elapsed or a number of times has been exceeded, or a user is warned of the lack of the reciprocal link. In this way, reciprocal links are tracked to verify that the first page is receiving the agreed-upon links. |
| US07992089B2 |
Visualization of meeting invitee status as a method of collaboration
A system, method, and computer program product provide visualization of anonymous information about overall meeting invitation status. An attribute is generated for display at an invitee device and the attribute in a displayed image represents a person's decision: accept, decline, or tentative. Each decision is displayed by different color, attribute shape and/or display orientation. For example, an individual acceptance will be displayed as a small red square in the display image. An individual decline will be displayed as a small green square in the display image. An individual tentative decision will be displayed as a small yellow square in the display image. |
| US07992086B2 |
System and method for adjusting a media-playing set
A system and method enabling comparative and interactive preview of the effects of different operational settings to facilitate adjustment of a media-playing set includes providing a memory to store a test sample for each control item and a demonstrational tool to generate a plurality of preview items for simultaneous presentation on the display while the settings of the control item are being adjusted, such preview items being based on the test sample such that each preview item reflects the effect on the sample caused by selection of a respective setting for the control item. A system and method enabling expanded interactive preview of the effects of operational settings similar to the above except the test sample is provided for grouped pairs of the control items and each preview item reflects the effect caused by selection of different combinations of settings for the control items in this grouped pair. |
| US07992085B2 |
Lightweight reference user interface
A lightweight information user interface is provided for displaying information about a focused-on (e.g., mouse-over) text item, data item or other object in an electronic document that minimizes interruption of workflow with the electronic document. Upon focus on a word or other object in an electronic document a quick look-up function may be invoked for retrieving information from a local or remote information source about the focused-on item. Retrieved information, for example, translations, dictionary definitions and research information, is displayed in close proximity to the focused-on item in a lightweight information user interface. Information may be displayed according to a variety of media types including text, audio, video, pictures, bitmap images, etc. |
| US07992084B2 |
Document management apparatus, document management method, document management program, and storage medium
A document management apparatus that communicates with a server and manages confidentiality of electronic data generated by a confidentiality preservation program enables security management on data that is obtained with print screen function. |
| US07992082B2 |
System and technique for editing and classifying documents
Embodiments of a computer system which determines information associated with documents are described. During operation, this computer system receives documents (such as images). Then, the computer system determines a first set of editing instructions and classification information associated with the documents using image-processing software. Next, the computer system receives a second set of editing instructions and classification information associated with the documents. Note that the second set of editing instructions and classification information are generated by a group of individuals and include modifications and additions to the first set of editing instructions and classification information. |
| US07992080B2 |
Re-usable clauses
The present invention relates to the generation of customised documents using document templates and in particular to the generation of different types of customised documents including clauses or other portions of document content which are common to two or more types of customised document. |
| US07992079B2 |
Information architecture for the interactive environment
A system and method for providing management such as creation, manipulation, storage, control, and retrieval of digital content for a company on a global basis. Digital content is created and stored in, for example, the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) format using the relationship between component mapping information and content information comprising webpage components. The XML data is developed by defining page components, mapping the components on a page and indexing the page for future retrieval of the page. The data is then stored in a single database, as segments related to the page, for call-up by a user. |
| US07992076B2 |
Method and device of rewriting a primary sector of a sector erasable semiconductor memory means
In a method of rewriting a primary sector of a sector erasable semiconductor memory device, a bootloader code is copied from the primary sector to a second sector, all content of the first sector is subsequently erased, and the bootloader code is recopied from the second to the primary sector. Subsequently, an application code is written to a remaining unused part of the primary sector. |
| US07992074B2 |
Decoding device
Even when erroneous encoded data is inputted to a decoding device, the decoding device is recovered during one video frame period including a video frame time of the inputted data to enable decoding processing on a next video frame. The decoding device includes: a receiving section (1) for receiving encoded data (11) to output the encoded data corresponding to a video frame, outputting encoded data of a next frame in response to a decoding completion signal (14) to be received, and for transmitting an error signal (15) when the decoding completion signal is not received during a predetermined time; an image decoder (2) for decoding the encoded data (12) from the receiving section (1), transmitting the decoding completion signal (14) to the receiving section (1) when decoding is completed, and for stopping decoding processing in response to a reset signal (16) to be received; and an error recovery section (3) for outputting the reset signal (16) to the image decoder (2) when the error signal (15) is received. |
| US07992073B2 |
Decoding device, decoding method, and receiving apparatus
A decoding apparatus includes a first decoder and a second decoder performing iterative decoding on each of a plurality of code blocks, each as a decoding unit, contained in a transport block, and a stop/end determination section determining whether or not to stop iterative decoding based on an output result from the second decoder. The stop/end determination section determines whether or not to stop the iterative decoding on each code block based on a determination result on whether error correction of iterative decoding in each code block is converted or not, and further determines whether or not to stop the iterative decoding of the transfer block based on the determination result in each code block. If it is determined that error correction of iterative decoding is not converted in one code block, the decoding process of the transport block containing the relevant code block is stopped. |
| US07992071B2 |
Method for implementing error-correction codes in non-volatile memory
A method in a data storage device for storing a plurality of data bits into a non-volatile memory includes transforming a plurality of data bits to be stored in a non-volatile memory device to generate a plurality of transformed data bits. The method further includes generating a parity bit corresponding to the plurality of transformed data bits, transforming the parity bit, and storing the plurality of data bits and the transformed parity bit in the non-volatile memory device. Each of the plurality of data bits and the parity bit form an all-one codeword. |
| US07992069B2 |
Error correction coding apparatus and error correction decoding apparatus
An error correction coding apparatus divides transmission information sequences in n subframes (n is an arbitrary natural number) into n1 subframes (n1 is a natural number |
| US07992068B2 |
Digital television transmission with error correction
In a transmitter, a standard stream of encoded multi-media data and uniform error correction data is transmitted through a first channel. The uniform error correction data provides substantially the same error correction for all portions of the encoded multimedia data. Simultaneously, additional unequal error correction data is generated for critical portions of the standard stream and not for other portions of the standard stream, and the additional error correct data is transmitted through a second channel. In a receiver, the additional error correct data is used to error correct just the critical portions of the standard stream, and then the uniform error correction data is used to error correct all the portions of the encoded multimedia data of the standard stream. |
| US07992067B1 |
Method of improving successful recognition of genuine acoustic authentication devices
Methods and apparatus for coding a digital data string to represent a sequence of acoustic frequencies to be transmitted as an acoustic signal by a genuine acoustic authentication device; related to providing for improving the rate of successfully detecting a valid data string contained in the acoustic signal transmitted by the device. Each of a plurality of groups of bits of the data string are coded to represent a respective frequency value set of one or more acoustic frequencies to be transmitted acoustically to represent the respective group of bits. The number of acoustic frequencies in a frequency value set is less than the number of bits in the respective group of bits that the frequency value set represents. For each of the plurality of groups of bits of the data string, the respective frequency value set is selected according to a predetermined frequency assignation pattern that provides for probabilistic transition coding used for error correction of the acoustic signal. |
| US07992063B2 |
Control circuit for releasing residual charges
A control circuit includes a plurality of shift register stages. Each shift register stage is capable of outputting an individual output signal. The output signal is utilized to be a driving signal of next shift register stages. Each shift register stage comprises a transistor for receiving a clear signal CLR. The residual charges of the shift register stage can be released when the clear signal CLR is in a high voltage level. The clear signal CLR is enabled during a non-blanking time of a liquid crystal display (LCD). Each current register stage can use an output signal of another shift register stage which is apart from the current shift register stage by a predetermined interval as the clear signal CLR. The clear signal CLR is used to release the residual charges of the shift register stage before the shift register stage outputs its own output signal. |
| US07992062B2 |
Logic device and method supporting scan test
A logic device includes a data input, a scan test input, a clock demultiplexer, and a master latch. The clock demultiplexer is responsive to a clock input to selectively provide a first clock output and a second clock output. The master latch is coupled to the data input and to the scan test input and includes an output. The master latch is responsive to the first clock output of the clock demultiplexer and the second clock output of the clock demultiplexer to selectively couple the data input or the scan test input to the output. |
| US07992060B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and system of NAND defect management
Various embodiments comprise apparatus, methods, and systems including method comprising searching for a group address among a plurality of group addresses in a mapping table, and if a match is found, performing a memory operation on a first plurality of memory blocks indicated by the mapping table, and if a match is not found, performing a memory operation on a second plurality of memory blocks, the second plurality of memory blocks having the group address. |
| US07992059B2 |
System and method for testing a large memory area during processor design verification and validation
A system and method for replicating a memory block throughout a main memory and modifying real addresses within an address translation buffer to reference the replicated memory blocks during test case set re-executions in order to fully test the main memory is presented. A test case generator generates a test case set (multiple test cases) along with an initial address translation buffer that includes real addresses that reference an initial memory block. A test case executor modifies the real addresses after each test case set re-execution in order for a processor to test each replicated memory block included in the main memory. |
| US07992058B2 |
Method and apparatus for loopback self testing
A system and method for loopback self testing. A system includes a host device and an endpoint device. The host device transmits unencoded test symbols. The endpoint device loops back the unencoded test symbols to the host device. The host device drives at least some bits of each unencoded test symbol onto host device data signals and drives at least some bits of each unencoded test symbol onto host device control signals. |
| US07992057B2 |
Write-once type optical disc, and method and apparatus for managing defective areas on write-once type optical disc
A recording medium and a method and apparatus for managing a defective area on the recording medium are provided. The method includes detecting an existence of a defective area within the data area of the recording medium; replacing the defective area with a replacement area in the spare area if the defective area is detected; writing in the spare area defect management information which cumulatively includes defect list information associated with the defective area detected in the step (a) and any defect list information previously written in the recording medium; and writing onto the recording medium positional information of the defect management information. |
| US07992056B2 |
Error monitoring and notification for a replaceable unit
There is provided an information processing apparatus that includes a CPU board 1 having a processing unit, a control device (CPU 11, CPU board controller 12, and the like) that is mounted on the CPU board 1 and includes hardware replacement management area 16 that stores replacement information indicating that the CPU board 1 has been replaced, the replacement information initialized at the time when the information processing apparatus is started or when the CPU board 1 is replaced, a memory 13 that stores error information based on occurrence of an error in the control device, the error information initialized at the time when the information processing apparatus is started, an initialization control section 18 that initializes the information processing apparatus, and a unit control section 45 that includes an error monitoring section 42 that monitors the error information stored in the memory 13 and controls the CPU board 1. |
| US07992051B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product in a processor for dynamically during runtime allocating memory for in-memory hardware tracing
An apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a processor for dynamically, during runtime, allocating memory for in-memory hardware tracing. The processor is included within a data processing system. The processor includes multiple processing units that are coupled together utilizing a system bus. The processing units include a memory controller that controls a system memory. A particular size of the system memory is determined that is needed for storing trace data. A hardware trace facility requests, dynamically after the data processing system has completed booting, the particular size of the system memory to be allocated to the hardware trace facility for storing trace data that is captured by the hardware trace facility. The firmware selects particular locations within the system memory. All of the particular locations together are the particular size. The firmware allocates the particular locations for use exclusively by the hardware trace facility. |
| US07992049B2 |
Monitoring of memory and external events
A system comprises a circuit configured to execute instructions and output event data corresponding to the execution of the instructions. The system also comprises a monitoring device coupled to the circuit. The monitoring device receives information about said event data. The event data comprises event data selected from a group consisting of memory events and external events. |
| US07992043B2 |
Software debugger for packets in a network on a chip
A breakpoint packet is dispatched to a Network On A Chip (NOC). The breakpoint packet instructs one or more specified nodes on the NOC to place the specified nodes, or a core or hardware thread within a specified node, to execute in “single step” mode, in order to enable a debugging of a work packet that is dispatched to the specific node. |
| US07992038B1 |
Failure protection in an environment including virtualization of networked storage resources
An architecture for protecting against failure in a switched storage network using virtualization. |
| US07992037B2 |
Scalable secondary storage systems and methods
Exemplary systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may provide a plurality of data services by employing splittable, mergable and transferable redundant chains of data containers. The chains and containers may be automatically split and/or merged in response to changes in storage node network configurations and may be stored in erasure coded fragments distributed across different storage nodes. Data services provided in a distributed secondary storage system utilizing redundant chains of containers may include global deduplication, dynamic scalability, support for multiple redundancy classes, data location, fast reading and writing of data and rebuilding of data due to node or disk failures. |
| US07992032B2 |
Cluster system and failover method for cluster system
Even when a large number of guest OSs exist, a failover method meeting high availability needed by the guest OSs is provided for the each guest OS. In the event of a physical or logical change of a system, or change of operation states, a smooth failover method can be realized by preventing the consumption of resource amounts due to excessive failover methods, and the occurrence of systemdown due to an inadequate failover method. In a server virtualization environment, in a cluster configuration having a failover method due to hot standby and cold standby, by selecting a failover method meeting high availability requirements specifying performance during failover of applications on the guest OSs, a suitable cluster configuration is realized. Failure monitoring is realized by quantitative heartbeat. |
| US07992031B2 |
Automated disaster recovery planning
A system and associated method for automated disaster recovery (DR) planning. A DR planning process receives disaster recovery requirements and a target environment configuration from a user to design DR plans for the target environment configuration that meets disaster recovery requirements. The DR planning process accesses a knowledgebase containing information on replication technologies, best practice recipes, and past deployment instances. The DR planning process creates the DR plans by analyzing the disaster recovery requirements into element risks, associating replication technologies to protect each element risks, combining associated replication technologies based on the best practice recipes, and selecting highly evaluated combination based on the past deployment instances. The DR planning process presents the DR plans as classified by replication strategy-architecture combination for each DR plans and marks how strongly each DR plans are recommended. |
| US07992030B2 |
Fall time accelerator circuit
Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to digital signal transmissions and provide a novel and non-obvious fall time accelerator circuit for use in a USB interface. In one embodiment of the invention, the USB interface can include a USB port driver coupled to a host controller driver over a USB bus. The USB interface also can include a fall time accelerator circuit coupled to the USB bus between the USB port driver and the host controller driver. The fall time accelerator circuit can include a pulse signal generator coupled to an inbound signal path from the USB bus and arranged to generate a tunable pulse upon detecting a falling edge of a digital signal on the inbound signal path. The circuit further can include an active timer additionally coupled to the inbound signal path to hold the tunable pulse for a set period of time. Finally, the circuit can include a falling drive signal strengthener coupled to an outbound signal path from the pulse signal generator arranged to release the tunable pulse on the outbound signal path onto the USB bus. |
| US07992024B2 |
Firewall/isolation cells for ultra low power products
In an integrated circuit (IC) may have several functional blocks adapted to be inactivated independently from each other. At least one firewall cell may be embedded independently of other firewall cells in the vicinity of one functional block. The firewall cell may be electrically isolated from the functional block and may be powered by a constantly supplied voltage source in the IC. Firewall cells may be embedded in free locations on the IC in the functional block domain according to a design that may be free of constraints such as firewall cells array of firewall cells mini-island. |
| US07992022B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting computer-working-hours-based shutdown options
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting computer-working-hours-based shutdown options. A method for setting computer-working-hours-based shutdown options in accordance with an embodiment includes: when receiving a shutdown command from a user, determining, based on a setting of computer working hours by the user, whether a current time of the system is within the working hours of the computer; and performing at least one of setting a shutdown option according to the determination result and presenting a shutdown option according to the determination result. |
| US07992020B1 |
Power management with packaged multi-die integrated circuit
Power management with a packaged multi-die integrated circuit (IC) is described. A first integrated circuit die is capable of a first operational mode. A second integrated circuit die is coupled to the first integrated circuit die. The first integrated circuit die has a rate of power consumption that is lower than the second integrated circuit die when the first integrated circuit die is in the first operational mode and the second integrated circuit die is in a second operational mode. The first integrated circuit die is configured for power management of the second integrated circuit die for placing the second integrated circuit die in a standby mode from the second operational mode and for returning the second integrated circuit die to the second operational mode from the standby mode. |
| US07992017B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for reducing step loads of processors
Methods and apparatuses for reducing step loads of processors are disclosed. Method embodiments comprise examining a number of instructions to be processed by a processor to determine the types of instructions that it has, calculating power consumption by in an execution period based on the types of instructions, and limiting the execution to a subset of instructions of the number to control the quantity of power for the execution period. Some embodiments may also create artificial activity to provide a minimum power floor for the processor. Apparatus embodiments comprise instruction type determination logic to determine types of instructions in an incoming instruction stream, a power calculator to calculate power consumption associated with processing a number of instructions in an execution period, and instruction throttling logic to control the power consumption by limiting the number of instructions to be processed in the execution period. |
| US07992011B2 |
Power management method for information platform
A power management method for an information platform, includes holding system configuration information indicating a correspondence between a logical system and a processing module constituting the logical system; holding power management information indicating a correspondence between information with which a type of the logical system can be specified, an operating condition of the logical system, and first power consumption for operating the logical system; selecting the processing module which constitutes the logical system specified by a configuration request by referring to the system configuration information when receiving the configuration request of the logical system; calculating the first power consumption for operating the logical system based on the type and the operating condition included in the configuration request, and the power management information; and determining second power consumption to be supplied to the processing module based on the calculated first power consumption and information on the processing modules. |
| US07992009B2 |
Device and method capable of verifying program operation of non-volatile memory and method card including the same
A method of verifying programming of an integrated circuit card includes transferring program data to a page buffer of a non-volatile memory, copying the program data to a buffer memory, calculating a first checksum value with respect to program data in the buffer memory, updating the program data in the buffer memory by copying the program data of the page buffer to the buffer memory, calculating a second checksum value with respect to updated program data in the buffer memory, comparing the first checksum value and the second checksum value, and determining, based on the comparison result, whether the program data of the page buffer is tampered. |
| US07992005B2 |
Providing pattern based user password access
The Pattern Based Password Tool provides a user with a unique, single-use password that is hard to steal, but easy for the user to remember. The Pattern Based Password Tool assigns a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix. The Pattern Based Password Tool populates the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters. After reading a password entry, the Pattern Based Password Tool verifies that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password. |
| US07992001B2 |
Preventing execution of software without a dynamically generated key
A method, system and computer program product for partitioning the binary image of a software program, and partially removing code bits to create an encrypted software key, to increase software security. The software program's binary image is partitioned along a random segment length or a byte/nibble segment length, and the code bits removed, and stored, along with their positional data in a software key. The software key is encrypted and is separately distributed from the inoperable binary image to the end user. The encrypted key is stored on a secure remote server. When the end user properly authenticates with the developer's remote servers, the encrypted security key is downloaded from the secure remote server and is locally decrypted. The removed code bits are reinserted into the fractioned binary image utilizing the positional location information. The binary image is then operable to complete execution of the software program. |
| US07992000B2 |
Session initial protocol identification method
A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) authentication method, sends a request message without authentication information to a server end from a client to request for access; sends back a response message, which contains authentication exchange information and DH authentication response information of the server end when the server end receives the request message; authenticates the received response message by the client and sending a request message, which contains authentication information of the client, to the server end after the authentication is passed; authenticates a user according to the received request message by the server end, and sends back a response message which contains the authentication information of the server end; authenticates the legality of the server end by the user according to the received response message, which contains the authentication information of the server end. |
| US07991999B2 |
Block-based media content authentication
A technique for security and authentication on block-based media includes involves the use of protected keys, providing authentication and encryption primitives. A system according to the technique may include a secure device having a security kernel with protected keys. A disk drive security mechanism may support authentication of data, secrecy, and ticket validation using the security kernel and, for example, a ticket services module (e.g., a shared service that may or may not be used by other storage devices like flash). |
| US07991998B2 |
Secure proximity verification of a node on a network
A system and method determines the proximity of the target node to the source node from the time required to communicate messages within the node-verification protocol. The node-verification protocol includes a query-response sequence, wherein the source node communicates a query to the target node, and the target node communicates a corresponding response to the source node. The target node is configured to communicate two responses to the query: a first response that is transmitted immediately upon receipt of the query, and a second response based on the contents of the query. The communication time is determined based on the time duration between the transmission of the query and receipt of the first response at the source node and the second response is compared for correspondence to the query, to verify the authenticity of the target node. |
| US07991993B2 |
Telecommunication system, for example an IP telecommunication system, and equipment units for use in the system
The invention relates to a telecommunication system including a plurality of terminals divided into groups such that within each group each terminal can send multidestination messages to the other members of the group. Each terminal of a group is associated with encryption and decryption means so that each terminal can send multidestination messages that can be decrypted only by the other terminals of the group. The system includes a central server for distributing to each encryption and decryption means keys for secure transmission of communications within each group. |
| US07991986B2 |
Microprocessor starting to execute a computer program at a predetermined interval
A microprocessor which is adapted to start a second task at a predetermined time when a first task is running if a current time becomes to be equal to the predetermined time is disclosed. The microprocessor executing an instruction read out from a program address updated every time when each execution of instruction is completed, includes update ceasing means for ceasing the program address from being updated when an stopping time comes in order to abort a first task defined by a first computer program and overwriting means for overwriting the program address with an initial address of a second computer program when a predetermined time comes in order to start to execute a second task defined by the second computer program at the predetermined time. |
| US07991983B2 |
Register set used in multithreaded parallel processor architecture
A parallel hardware-based multithreaded processor. The processor includes a general purpose processor that coordinates system functions and a plurality of microengines that support multiple hardware threads or contexts. The processor maintains execution threads. The execution threads access a register set organized into a plurality of relatively addressable windows of registers that are relatively addressable per thread. |
| US07991979B2 |
Issuing load-dependent instructions in an issue queue in a processing unit of a data processing system
A system and method for issuing load-dependent instructions in an issue queue in a processing unit. A load miss queue is provided. The load miss queue comprises a physical address field, an issue queue position field, a valid identifier field, a source identifier field, and a data type field. A load instruction that misses a first level cache is dispatched, and both the physical address field and the data type field are set. A load-dependent instruction is identified. In response to identifying the load-dependent instruction, each of the issue queue position field, valid identifier field, and source identifier field are set. If the issue queue position field refers to a flushed instruction, the valid identifier field is cleared. The load instruction is recycled, and a value of the valid identifier field is determined. The load-dependent instruction is then selected for issue on a next processing cycle independent of an age of the load-dependent instruction. |
| US07991973B2 |
Data storage systems, methods and networks having a snapshot efficient block map
A data storage system includes a storage device divided into a plurality of blocks for storing data for a plurality of volumes, and a processor to execute instructions for maintaining a block map corresponding to the data stored on the storage device. The storage system may be part of a storage system network. The block map stores reference data indicating which of the volumes reference which blocks on the storage device, and which blocks on the storage device are unallocated. The reference data may include, for groups of one or more blocks, a first value identifying the oldest volume in which the group of blocks was allocated and a second value identifying the newest volume in which the group of blocks was allocated. The volumes may include one or more snapshots. |
| US07991972B2 |
Determining whether to use a full volume or repository for a logical copy backup space
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for determining whether to use a full volume or repository for a logical copy backup space. A determination is made of a source volume to backup using a logical copy operation. The logical copy operation is completed upon indicating the source volume data to backup. During a logical copy duration, point-in-time data in the source volume as of a point-in-time when the logical copy was established is copied to a backup space in response to receiving an update to the point-in-time data. A history of writes to the source volume is processed to determine whether to allocate a full target volume as the backup space providing a corresponding data unit for each data unit in the source volume or allocate a repository as the backup space, wherein the repository uses less storage space than the full target volume. The logical copy operation using the determined full target volume or repository as the backup space is initiated. |
| US07991967B2 |
Using type stability to facilitate contention management
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing type stability techniques to enhance contention management. A reference counting mechanism is provided that enables transactions to safely examine states of other transactions. Contention management is facilitated using the reference counting mechanism. When a conflict is detected between two transactions, owning transaction information is obtained. A reference count of the owning transaction is incremented. The system ensures that the correct transaction was incremented. If the owning transaction is still a conflicting transaction, then a contention management decision is made to determine proper resolution. When the decision is made, the reference count on the owning transaction is decremented by the conflicting transaction. When each transaction completes, the reference counts it holds to itself is decremented. Data structures cannot be deallocated until their reference count is zero. Dedicated type-stable allocation pools can be reduced using an unstable attribute. |
| US07991964B2 |
Pre-coherence channel
A cache architecture to increase communication throughput and reduce stalls due to coherence protocol dependencies. More particularly, embodiments of the invention include multiple cache agents that each communication with the same protocol agent. In one embodiment, a pre-coherence channel couples the cache agents to the protocol agent to enable the protocol agent to receive events corresponding to cache operations from the cache agents to maintain ordering with respect to the cache operation events. |
| US07991963B2 |
In-memory, in-page directory cache coherency scheme
In an embodiment, the method provides receiving a memory access request for a demanded cache line from a processor of a plurality of processors; accessing coherency information associated with the demanded cache line from a memory unit by bringing in from a memory page in which the demanded cache line is stored, the memory page also including a directory line having coherency information corresponding to the demanded cache line; reading data associated with the demanded cache line in accordance with the coherency information; and returning the data to the processor. |
| US07991958B2 |
Method and system for providing digital rights management files using caching
A method for providing DRM files using caching includes identifying DRM files to be displayed in a file list in response to a request, decoding a number of first DRM files from among the identified DRM files and caching the first DRM files in a first memory space, and reading the first DRM files in the first memory space in response to the request. Then, a system displays the first DRM files as a file list in a display area. The second DRM files from among the identified DRM files other than the first DRM files are not initially decoded, and file data related to the second DRM files are cached in a second memory space. DRM files from among the second DRM files are subsequently decoded in response to a subsequent command. |
| US07991956B2 |
Providing application-level information for use in cache management
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for associating a first identifier with data stored by a first agent in a cache line of a cache to indicate the identity of the first agent, and storing the first identifier with the data in the cache line and updating at least one of a plurality of counters associated with the first agent in a metadata storage in the cache, where the counter includes information regarding inter-agent interaction with respect to the cache line. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07991953B2 |
Method of verifying pseudo-code loaded in an embedded system, in particular a smart card
The invention relates to a verification of applications in interpreted language of the byte-code type (pseudo-code) loaded on portable electronic devices, in particular a chipcard and a method for verification of an application (31) interpreted by a virtual machine (42), said application being loaded on a portable electronic device (1), comprising at least one processor (2) and one RAM (5). The method comprises carrying out the following after loading said application in the device and before validation thereof, checks in the code of said application by means of a process carried out by the processor (2), characterized in comprising, on starting a sub-program, a step of backing up the actual verification context (200 to 203) in the RAM (5), a step for creation and activation of a new verification context (206 to 209) for the sub-program and a step for restoration of the verification context (200 to 203) previously backed-up. |
| US07991952B2 |
Method of extension of storage capacity and storage system using the method
Provided are a storage system and a method of controlling a storage system in which respective real storage areas of a plurality of disk drives contained in the storage system contain management units, and a control device of the storage system assigns a real storage area of a plurality of first disk drives to the virtual storage area, distributedly stores the data in the plurality of management units of the assigned real storage area, distributedly stores, upon receiving a request for adding a second disk drive, the data stored in the plurality of management units of the plurality of first disk drives in the plurality of management units of the plurality of first disk drives and the second disk drive, and assigns the real storage area of the plurality of first disk drives and the second disk drive to an unused virtual storage area. |
| US07991947B2 |
Multi-priority encoder
A multi-priority encoder includes a plurality of interconnected, single-priority encoders arranged in descending priority order. The multi-priority encoder includes circuitry for blocking a match output by a lower level single-priority encoder if a higher level single-priority encoder outputs a match output. Match data is received from a content addressable memory, and the priority encoder includes address encoding circuitry for outputting the address locations of each highest priority match line flagged by the highest priority indicator. Each single-priority encoder includes a highest priority indicator which has a plurality of indicator segments, each indicator segment being associated with a match line input. |
| US07991945B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor memory device, including: a cell array block including a plurality of memory cells arranged therein; and a controller, wherein the controller controls the semiconductor memory device so that: an operation of reading out data from a second region in the cell array block is initiated before completion of an operation of outputting data read out from a first region in the cell array block; and the data read out from the second region is output successively after the completion of the operation of outputting data read out from the first region. |
| US07991944B2 |
System and method for searching mapping table of flash memory
A system and method for searching a mapping table of a flash memory is provided. The system includes at least one random access memory for storing the mapping table retrieved from the flash memory and at least one search engine for searching for data from the mapping table stored in the at least one random access memory using dedicated hardware. Thus, the search efficiency for the mapping table and system performance may be increased. |
| US07991942B2 |
Memory block compaction method, circuit, and system in storage devices based on flash memories
A solution for managing a storage device based on a flash memory is proposed. A corresponding method starts with the step for mapping a logical memory space of the storage device (including a plurality of logical blocks) on a physical memory space of the flash memory (including a plurality of physical blocks, which are adapted to be erased individually). The physical blocks include a set of first physical blocks (corresponding to the logical blocks) and a set of second—or spare—physical blocks (for replacing each bad physical block that is unusable). The method continues by detecting each bad physical block. Each bad physical block is then discarded, so to prevent using the bad physical block for mapping the logical memory space. |
| US07991941B2 |
Memory access assist
A method and apparatus are provided for facilitating access from a control system to the memory of a processor across two buses, one of which acts as a bottleneck to communication between the control system and the processor. A bridge between the two buses acts as an intermediary. The control system issues simple diagnosis and data loading verification commands across a slow bus to the bridge. The bridge then performs the data intensive tasks by communicating with the processor through a faster bus. The bridge writes and reads data to the processor, and generates checksums of the written and read data. The bridge then returns status information to the control system indicative of the comparison of the checksums. In the case of memory diagnosis, the control system need only issue a simple command to the bridge through the slower, which then diagnoses the memory through the fast bus by writing and reading data, and returns a status to the control system through the slow bus. In the case of verification of loading of data, the bridge generates a checksum of the written data and then generates of a checksum of the data it reads back from the processor through the fast bus, and returns a status to the control system through the slow bus. |
| US07991940B2 |
Communication processor board
A signal processing board including a resource board substrate, an external interface on the board substrate, adapted to receive signals for processing, at least one slot adapted to receive a plug-in module with at least one processor thereon and an interface unit adapted to at least participate in converting signals exchanged between the external interface and a processor on a module received by the slot, between a format of signals received by the external interface and a signal format of the processor. The interface unit is suitable to at least participate in the conversion for a plurality of types of processors that differ in the format in which they transmit or receive signals. |
| US07991939B1 |
Dummy accesses to ensure CPU exits lower-power state
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide transactions to wake an external device from a low-power state before a data transfer. This prevents an interruption that would be caused if the external device exited the low-power state during the data transfer. One example monitors a need for data by a first device. At a predetermined time before data is needed, the first device sends a transaction to a second device. The transaction is intended to wake the second device from a low-power state. If the first device has information to indicate that the second device is not in a low-power state, this transaction can be skipped. The first device then requests data. Later transactions to the second device do not result in the second device exiting the low-power state and therefore do not interrupt or cause delays in the data transfer. |
| US07991936B1 |
Communication subscriber or communication method for communication with a field bus and a network
A communications subscriber (P) which is suitable as an interface between a network (N) and a field bus (BU) and has software objects (A′, B′) for representing appliances (A, B) which can be connected via the field bus, which software objects can be addressed, like the appliances (A, B) themselves, via the network (N), so that appliances having only field bus access can also be transparently incorporated into “high performance” networks. |
| US07991931B2 |
Data transport architecture
The present invention is a novel device, system, and method for data transport and bus architecture. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bus architecture may comprise of a continuous serial bus that may be incorporated into a process control sample system to provide an intrinsically safe and efficient system. An alternative exemplary embodiment, in an intrinsically safe control sampling system, a data transport device may be used to couple sampling controls and analyzers. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may contain an access controller providing a protocol bridge for an intrinsically safe control sampling system to couple sampling controls and analyzers. |
| US07991930B2 |
Data storage drive and method employing data compression
A tape drive unit has a data compression engine coupled to an incoming data stream. A buffer memory stores data of the incoming data stream. A control module enables or disables the data compression engine in response to a function of the data occupancy level of the buffer memory. |
| US07991927B2 |
Reduction of latency in store and forward architectures utilizing multiple internal bus protocols
Disclosed is a store and forward device that reduces latency. The store and forward device allows front end devices having various transfer protocols to be connected in a single path through a RAM, while reducing latency. Front end devices that transfer data on a piecemeal basis are required to transfer all of the data to a RAM prior to downloading data to a back end. Front end devices that transfer data in a single download begin the transfer of data out of a RAM as soon as a threshold value is reached. Hence, the latency associated with downloading all of the data into a RAM 118 and then transferring all of the data out of the RAM is eliminated. |
| US07991922B2 |
System on a chip for networking
A system on a chip for network devices. In one implementation, the system on a chip may include (integrated onto a single integrated circuit), a processor and one or more I/O devices for networking applications. For example, the I/O devices may include one or more network interface circuits for coupling to a network interface. In one embodiment, coherency may be enforced within the boundaries of the system on a chip but not enforced outside of the boundaries. |
| US07991921B2 |
System and method for reducing power consumption of memory in an I/O controller
A memory system for an I/O controller which includes a memory with multiple memory blocks, a supply voltage control circuit providing power to each memory block, and control logic. Each memory block retains stored information with reduced power consumption when receiving a reduced voltage level. The control logic allocates buffers in the memory and controls the supply voltage control circuit to provide the full voltage level to at least one memory block of at least one allocated buffer and to provide the reduced voltage level to remaining memory blocks. Each memory block includes one or more buffers. In various embodiments the control logic fully powers each memory block of a buffer or less than all of the memory blocks. A linked buffer structure may be used to reduce the memory blocks of an allocated buffer receiving full power, such as only one memory block in the buffer. |
| US07991918B2 |
Transmitting commands and information between a TCP/IP stack and an offload unit
A method and apparatus for transmitting commands between a TCP stack and an offload unit and for communicating receive and transmit data buffer locations is described. A command ring buffer stored in system memory is used to transmit commands from the TCP stack to the offload unit and to transmit command status from the offload unit to the TCP stack. A notification ring buffer is used to transmit connection information from the offload unit to the TCP stack. Other ring buffers are used to transmit locations of transmit buffers or receive buffers stored in system memory from the TCP stack to the offload unit. |
| US07991912B2 |
Load balancing of server clusters
A load balancing scheme is described for a server cluster. An application identifier is received by the cluster from a client desiring to connect to the application. Each one of the servers in the cluster independently hashes the application identifier into a unique number. This unique number is used to determine a preferred one of the servers for the connection. The servers then each calculate a priority code using the unique number, a load level for each server, and/or a node identifier assigned to the servers in the cluster. If the preferred cluster server is available, it transmits its priority code to the client before the other servers transmit their priority codes. Otherwise, each of the available cluster servers transmits their priority codes to the client. The client selects the cluster server with the most favorable priority for making the connection. |
| US07991910B2 |
Updating routing information based on client location
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for updating request routing information associated with client location information are provided. A content delivery network service provider receives a DNS query from a client computing device. The DNS query corresponds to a resource identifier for requested content from the client computing device. The content delivery network service provider obtains a query IP address corresponding to the client computing device. Based on routing information associated with the query IP address, the content delivery network service provider routes the DNS query. The process further includes monitoring performance data associated with the transmission of the requested resource and updating routing information associated with the query IP address based on the performance data for use in processing subsequent requests form the client computing device. |
| US07991909B1 |
Method and apparatus for communication between a processor and processing elements in an integrated circuit
Method and apparatus for communication between a processor and processing elements in an integrated circuit (e.g., a programmable logic device is described. In an example, a first lookup table is configured to store first information representing which of the processing elements is capable of performing which of a plurality of instructions. A second lookup table is configured to store second information representing which of the plurality of instructions is being serviced by which of the processing elements. Control logic is coupled to the processor, the first lookup table, and the second lookup table. The control logic is configured to communicate data from the processor to the processing elements based on the first information, and communicate data from the processing elements to the processor based on the second information. |
| US07991900B2 |
Image display device, storage device, image display system and network setup method
An image display system 20 includes a projector PR1, a computer PC1 and a USB memory U1 which can be connected in an ad-hoc mode by using a wireless LAN. When a user connects the USB memory U1 to a USB interface 75 of the projector PR1, the projector PR1 writes network setup information in a setup information storage area 144 of the USB memory U1. Then, when the user removes the USB memory U1 from the USB interface 75 and connects it to a USB interface 125 of the computer PC1, the computer PC1 performs network setup by referring to the network setup information and establishes connection to start projection by an automatic start program. |
| US07991898B2 |
User equipment, method and system for simultaneous session control
A user equipment (UE), method and system for controlling a simultaneous session are discussed. According to an embodiment, the system includes a UE to transmit a SIP message including simultaneous sessions support (SSS) setting information associated with the UE to a home network including a server; and the server to store the SSS setting information therein, and to set a session operation mode of the server for a simultaneous session of the UE based on, in part, the SSS setting information. |
| US07991894B2 |
Method and terminal device for transmitting and receiving attachment data
The invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting and receiving attachment data of extra attachments in session initiation messages of a session initiation protocol that is defined to initiate, maintain and terminate sessions with one or more terminals in a network. As the available space is limited for such attachments in a session initiation message the invention proposes to fragment the attachment data in attachment fragments and attach the attachment fragments to successive session initiation messages. Thereby the size of attachment data is increased considerably. |
| US07991892B2 |
Comparative efficiency decisions in print operations
Methods, devices, services and program products are provided for selecting a printer from a plurality of printers as a function of a printer resource consumption attribute where there is a network environment comprising a plurality of printers, each of the plurality of printers having a resource consumption attribute value. A user invokes a print operation through the network environment and a processing means compares weighted resource consumption attribute values for each of the plurality of printers. Processing means automatically select at least one destination printer from the plurality of printers having a lower resource usage requirement for performing a print operation relative to at least one unselected printer of the plurality of printers. Processing means also automatically choose a destination printer as a function of an availability of each of the destination printers. |
| US07991890B2 |
Game console communication with a device
Communication between a game console having a communication port and a portable device is facilitated by determining that a portable device has been directly connected to the communication port, determining the protocol associated with the portable device, and communicating with the portable device using a driver associated with the determined protocol. An ancillary application may handle the communication between the game console and the portable device while a game or entertainment application executes concurrently on the game console. The game application may execute in a reserved predetermined amount of hardware resources of the game console while the ancillary application may execute concurrently using the remaining hardware resources. |
| US07991889B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing networks having resources having reduced, nonzero functionality
A deferred maintenance mode for network elements is described, wherein upon failure of one or more resources in a network element, redundant resources are used to preserve functionality. Upon subsequent failure of the redundant resources, function can revert to the first set of resources if those resources have a higher level of functionality. This deferred mode is valuable in situations where it may not be possible to repair failed elements in a timely manner, or if there is a limit upon the amount of backup power available. |
| US07991888B1 |
Systems and methods for ordered initialization of cable modems
A system allocates upstream resources to multiple cable modems subsequent to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) re-boot. The system groups the multiple cable modems into multiple groups. The system orders, subsequent to the CMTS re-boot, allocation of upstream resources to each of the multiple cable modems based on the group to which each of the cable modems belongs. The system allocates upstream resources to each of the cable modems based on the ordering. |
| US07991887B2 |
Network system for distributing protected content
A system for distributing content in a network comprises memory that stores content. A provider network device communicates with the memory and wirelessly communicates with a requester network device that requests a copy of the content. The provider network device determines a local/remote status of the requester network device, transmits a key request to the requester network device when the requester network device has a local status, receives a key from the requester network device, encrypts the content with the key and transmits the encrypted content to the requester network device. |
| US07991885B2 |
Remote operation system, server, remotely operated device, remote operation service providing method
A remote operation robot system for having a robot perform a task by remote operation includes an operating device connected to a communication network, an operating terminal connected to the network, and a server. The operated device performs the task in accordance with a remote operation via the communication network. The operating terminal operates the operated device via the communication network. The server holds operated side information about a request, from a device user of the operated device, to have the task performed. The server holds operating side information about a request, from a terminal operator of the operating terminal, to perform the task. The server determines a combination of the operated device and the operating terminal that operates the operated device based on the operated side information and the operating side information, and notifies the operated device and the operating terminal of the combination. |
| US07991883B1 |
Server communication in a multi-tier server architecture
A computer-implemented method including receiving, at a server, a first request for content; determining whether the content is available locally at the server; when the content is available locally at the server, retrieving the content locally at the server; and transmitting the content to at least one downstream server; and when the content is not available locally at the server, transmitting, to the at least one downstream server, a notification that the content is not available locally and that a second request for the content is being transmitted; and transmitting the second request for the content to at least one upstream server. |
| US07991882B1 |
Communications network with flow control
Systems and methods for implementing flow control in communication networks to maximize data transmission of, and prevent loss of data by, the communication networks. Data flow status is designed to reach each network device where the decision to prioritize and buffer data is made. Where there are devices that do not provide flow control, flow control is provided on their behalf. For example, where a satellite modem does not provide flow control, a flow control device is provided in front of the modem. The flow control device knows the data transfer characteristics of the modem, for example by receiving data transfer status information from the modem or by modem characteristic information loaded into the flow control device, and creates flow control on its behalf. |
| US07991864B2 |
Network element discovery using a network routing protocol
A data processing apparatus comprises instructions to perform sending and receiving one or more messages conforming to a network routing protocol, such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF); obtaining one or more information elements that specify one or more capabilities of the apparatus; creating a particular routing protocol message comprising an opaque advertisement that includes the one or more information elements; and sending the particular message on one of the network interfaces. For example, a router or switch that implements a network routing protocol can use OSPF Opaque Link State Advertisements to advertise and discover services and capabilities of other routers or switches. |
| US07991856B2 |
Network system
A network system automatically distributes management information to allow immediate monitoring. In the network system, the DHCP server of a network-information management server assigns information to a network-information management table when receiving an assignment request of IP information and network management information from a client. The DHCP client of the client obtains the IP information and the network management information from the DHCP server. The SNMP agent of the client reports to a monitoring server that the network management information has been set. The SNMP manager of the monitoring server determines that the network management information has been set, the monitoring control section of the monitoring server records information of the client in a monitoring control table, and starts monitoring the client. |
| US07991854B2 |
Dynamic session maintenance for mobile computing devices
A framework and method are disclosed for supporting changed addresses by mobile network nodes. Such support is provided through enhancements to the mobile network nodes and utilizes DNS servers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and virtual private network (VPN) servers—or their functional equivalents—to dynamically assign a current network address to a mobile node, provide the current network address to an authoritative name server, and thereafter have correspondent nodes update their addresses for the mobile node based upon an address provided by the authoritative name server. A mobile node registers all of its name-to-address mappings with its authoritative DNS server using a time to live of zero. Furthermore, when a mobile node moves outside its home security domain, the mobile node initiates a virtual private network connection to a virtual private server for a security domain. |
| US07991850B2 |
Resilient system partition for personal internet communicator
The present invention provides a method and apparatus to restore the operating system of a personal internet communicator (PIC) to a “known good” operational state in the event of a catastrophic failure. In an embodiment of the invention, the hard drive of the personal internet communicator is organized in three partitions: 1) a partition for the operating system and related files; 2) a user data partition; and 3) a “restore” partition. The restore partition is hidden by modifying the type of partition that can be detected by the user or any operating system. Upon a catastrophic failure, the system can be returned to an operational state by performing a sector-by-sector restoration to copy an image of the operating system and related system files back to the operating system partition. In various embodiments of the invention, the PIC system state is continuously monitored by a “registry sniffing” routine that maintains a file containing data corresponding to the system state of the PIC. Subsequent to copying the operating system to the OS partition, as discussed above, the system state parameter file is used to modify the operating system to place the PIC in the configuration that existed prior to the catastrophic failure. |
| US07991843B2 |
System, method and computer program product for managing user identities
A system for managing a plurality of identities of a user includes a network entity capable of operating a user naming system (UNS). The UNS is capable of receiving, from an application, a request for an identity of a user. The UNS is also capable of automatically selecting a predefined identity based upon the application and at least one user preference independent of user input to the application. The UNS can then provide the selected identity to the application. More particularly, the UNS can receive a request for the identity of a user from a trusted application. Then, the UNS can select an identity further based upon a status of the user. The UNS can alternatively receive a request for the identity of a user from a non-trusted application. Then, the UNS can select or generate a pseudonym, which the UNS can provide to the application. |
| US07991837B1 |
Systems and methods for networked, in-context, high resolution image viewing
Systems and methods are provided for viewing portions of an image in high resolution and in context with a full image, which is displayed at a base resolution that is lower resolution than the resolution of the high-resolution image. A user can select an area of interest from the base-resolution image for viewing at a higher resolution on the client device. The server, or in some implementations the client device, can generate a high-resolution image representing the area of interest and the client device can display a portion of the high-resolution image in a virtual lens overlaid on the base-resolution image. |
| US07991831B2 |
System and method for speculative remote display
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for network computing. In an embodiment, the system may include a storage unit for archiving historical user events and historical server events. The system may also include a processing unit for receiving a current user event and generating one or more predicted server events. The processing unit may execute a screen update based on the one or more predicted server events. The system may also include a comparison unit having computer software for comparing one or more predicted server events with one or more server-supplied server events. The one or more server-supplied server events may be generated based on the current user event. In an embodiment, the system also includes an undo unit having computer software for executing an undo algorithm. The undo unit alters the non-matching events to match the server-supplied server events. |
| US07991830B2 |
Multiple sessions between a server and multiple browser instances of a browser
A method and apparatus for a server capable of supporting multiple sessions with a browser. First session information of a browser is detected. Second session information of the browser is detected. A first session is initiated with a first browser instance of the browser using the first session information. A second session is initiated with a second browser instance of the browser using the second session information. |
| US07991829B2 |
Electronic device, network connecting system, network connecting method, and program product therefor
An electronic device including a memory area that stores a program to be executed by the computer and data, the electronic device connecting a computer and a server device in a communicable state. The program includes a first processing portion that retrieves connection information from the computer and writes the connection information in the memory area when the electronic device is connected to the computer, the connection information being necessary for obtaining a connection with the server device, and a second processing portion that causes the computer to carry out a procedure for obtaining a connection with the server device, using connection information necessary for a connection written in the memory area and transmitted from the server device to the computer. |
| US07991826B1 |
Digital relay having an improved man-machine interface
A digital relay, for regulating the operation of a power distribution apparatus, comprising a computerized interface, which includes at least a computerized module providing HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) services. |
| US07991821B2 |
System and method for planning a wireless computer network using network performance contour overlays
The present invention makes use of a database of existing site surveys of a variety of locations and sites producing a plurality of test-bed templates and also a variety of simulation models of actual layouts and sites producing a plurality of simulation templates. The simulation templates and test-bed templates are used to find a best match to a new layout for planning a new wire-less computer network. Data comprising of performance parameters from the templates are used to generate network performance contour overlays that may be superimposed on the new layout. |
| US07991820B1 |
One step binary summarizer
The ONE STEP BINARY SUMMARIZER is a digital logic circuit. It is used for summarizing two binary numbers. It contains one Function Generator Module and one or more SUMMARIZER Units. For subtraction it is subtracting Register “A” from Register “B” and Register “B” from Register “A”. The two subtraction and one addition operations are executed simultaneously. The Function Generator Module determines the actual correct operation, (addition or subtraction) and selects the correct results for the resultant operand. The circuit utilizes the subtraction-by-carry method; therefore the subtraction operation does not require any presorting, complementary operations, iterative additions, temporary storage, and multiple instruction sets, etc. The logic-flow is similar, the operational speed is identical for the addition and subtraction operations; and therefore, it is a true Time Symmetrical circuit. It is independent from the initial operation selection, the signs and magnitudes of the input operands. |
| US07991819B2 |
Binary coded decimal addition
The binary coded decimal (BCD) adder circuit adds two BCD encoded operands, with an input carry bit, and produces a BCD encoded sum. The adder has three stages. The first stage receives two BCD encoded operands as inputs, groups the inputs into contiguous blocks of 4-bits each, computes an intermediate sum vector and carry vector without considering the input carry bit, and also computes propagation and generate functions for each 4-bit group. The second stage is a carry look ahead circuit which computes all carries from the input carry, and the propagate and generate functions of the 4-bit groups from the first stage. The third stage adjusts the intermediate sum vector with pre-correction factors which depend upon the input carry and the carries generated from the second stage and the carry vectors from the first stage. |
| US07991818B2 |
Division unit, image analysis unit and display apparatus using the same
A division unit, an image analysis unit and a display apparatus using the same capable of simplifying the computation of overall average gray scale are provided. The division unit includes an adder for receiving a first to an Nth bus signals to produce an addition result, wherein the first to the Nth bus signals shift the input signal by a different number of bits and adding logic zeros to the shifted bits as compensation, where N is a positive whole number, and a multiplexer for receiving a most significant bit (MSB) of the addition result, wherein, when the MSB has a first value, the multiplexer treats P bits of the addition result as a division result, and when the MSB has a second value, the multiplexer outputs P logic 1 to serve as the division result, where P is a positive whole number. |
| US07991816B2 |
Inverting data on result bus to prepare for instruction in the next cycle for high frequency execution units
A method of operating an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) by inverting a result of an operation to be executed during a current cycle in response to control signals from instruction decode logic which indicate that a later operation will require a complement of the result, wherein the result is inverted during the current cycle. The later operation may be a subtraction operation that immediately follows the first operation. The later instruction is decoded prior to the current cycle to control the inversion in the ALU. The ALU includes an adder, a rotator, and a data manipulation unit which invert the result during the current cycle in response to an invert control signal. The second operation subtracts the result during a subsequent cycle in which a carry control signal to the adder is enabled, and the rotator and the data manipulation unit are disabled. The ALU may be used in an execution unit of a microprocessor, such as a fixed-point unit. |
| US07991807B2 |
Method and system for garbage collection
A method and system for garbage collection are provided. A memory allocation request is received for an object. An object identifier is generated for the object. A first memory location is allocated to the object. A translation table is generated storing a map of the object identifier and the first memory location. A data structure is generated for the object. A mark flag is set based on the number of references of the object. Data stored in the first memory location is moved to a second memory location based upon the value of the mark flag. The data is deleted from the first memory location based upon a value of the mark flag. |
| US07991805B2 |
System for viewing and indexing mark up language messages, forms and documents
A system for viewing and indexing mark up language messages, forms, and documents that have been stored in a document repository. The viewer and indexer can search the document repository based on any of a variety of search parameters, including any field of each message, form or document in the document repository. The viewer and indexer can automatically configure itself based on an input schema to create a user interface having search term options that can be selected to cause a search to be performed in the document repository (and/or mirrored and local repositories) containing messages, documents and forms created based on the same input schema. |
| US07991800B2 |
Object oriented system and method for optimizing the execution of marketing segmentations
The present invention involves a computer system and method which implements a marketing management system. The computer comprises a processor, at least one database containing marketing information, and a database segmentation manager the segmentation manager is coupled to the processor and database. The database segmentation manager includes a node organizer for maintaining concatenated nodes defining a subset of data from the database. The node organizer includes a dataset node for creating a subset of said database according to query criteria and creating a temp table storing a portion of the fields and rows obtained by the query criteria. The segmentation manager further includes universe display software enabling an external user to view the database and nodes. The computer further has a graphic workflow manager capable of providing a visual representation with a plurality of items from the database and having a place and an order of a plurality of work tasks relating to the database. |
| US07991797B2 |
ID persistence through normalization
A system and method for maintaining persistent object identifiers across versions of a collection of data. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first collection of objects is compared to a second collection of objects. If an object in the first collection matches an object in the second collection, a reference is added to the object in the first collection referring to the object in the second collection, allowing the identifier to persist in both collections of objects. Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the data (or “facts”) associated with the object from the first collection are moved to the object from the second collection. In this way, data associated with matching objects is combined between two collections of objects while maintaining persistent object identifiers. |
| US07991793B2 |
System and method for utilizing generational file names for diagnostic data files
A system and associated method for utilizing file names for diagnostic data files generated by a runtime environment. The method employs a file counter base that defines a predefined maximum number of files permitted in a file system, a generation number that indicates an instance of the runtime environment, and a file counter that comprises a file name. The file counter circulates by a cycle equal to the file counter base such that the file system uses only a limited disk space. The method determines the generation number per instance of the runtime environment by examining file counters of existing files in the file system. The generation number initializes the file counter for creating file names in the instance of the runtime environment. The method guarantees a longest life span of a diagnostic data file in a file system that has a limited number of files. |
| US07991786B2 |
Using intra-document indices to improve XQuery processing over XML streams
A system and method for parsing documents in query processing comprises producing at least one index of a document written in a mark-up language, corresponding the index to the document, scanning the document, and selectively skipping portions of the document based on instructions from the index. Furthermore, the mark-up language comprises any of HTML and XML; the skipped portions of the document comprise portions irrelevant to the query; the index comprises a plurality of elements representing textual categories of the query; and the instructions match the elements to the query. If the elements do not match the query, then the parser uses the index to skip the portions of the document corresponding to the unmatched elements. Moreover, each of the elements corresponds to a position in the document, wherein the position comprises an end position, which determines where to resume scanning the document upon skipping the portions of the document. |
| US07991785B1 |
Interface to a human interface infrastructure database in an extensible firmware interface environment
An improved HII database driver is provided in an EFI environment. The HII database driver is capable of storing extended information regarding an HII component in an HII database at the time the package containing the HII component is parsed for inclusion in the HII database. Extended information for a string may include length of the string in Unicode characters or the length of the string in narrow screen glyphs. The HII database driver also exposes methods through which the extended information may be retrieved from the HII database. The extended information may be utilized to allocate an appropriately sized buffer for storing the string. |
| US07991782B2 |
Iterative data analysis enabled through query result abstraction
The present invention is generally directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data represented abstractly through an abstraction model. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of an underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. For each successive query, the data repository abstraction layer is replaced or redefined to provide a restricted logical view of the underlying data repository. |
| US07991778B2 |
Triggering actions with captured input in a mixed media environment
A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques provide mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system includes an action processor and methods, and an MMR document with having an associated action. The MMR document specifies different actions for different MMR documents, and creates any number of MMR documents for a particular location on any media, thereby allowing the MMR architecture to serve as a universal trigger or initiator for additional processing. The action processor receives the output of the MMR recognition process which yields an MMR document including at least one action. The action processor executes that action which includes various commands to the MMR system or other systems coupled to the MMR system. The MMR system architecture can perform action such as retrieving the electronic form of the document to the capture device, retrieving the specification for the action, inserting data to a MMR document, transferring data between documents, purchasing items, authoring actions or reviewing historical information about actions. |
| US07991777B2 |
Method for improving search efficiency in enterprise search system
A search system with a search engine applies a user search query to an index of the documents stored in a document repository for returning a result set of matching documents to a user. In order to more efficiently access, search and retrieve documents stored in document repositories, one of a document repository and an index thereof or both are partitioned in one or more dimensions, and a partition is configured in a specific dimension according to two or more document attribute values selected from one and the same attribute category. This shall enable a search application to access significantly less data in order to determine a search result and shall specifically improve the efficiency of enterprise search systems in a high degree. |
| US07991775B2 |
Global checkpoint SCN
Described herein are techniques for generating a global checkpoint system change number and computing a snapshot query using the global checkpoint system change number without a need to acquire global locks. In many cases, the need to acquire global locks is eliminated, thereby saving the overhead attendant to processing global locks. |
| US07991771B2 |
Adaptive evaluation of text search queries with blackbox scoring functions
Disclosed is an evaluation technique for text search with black-box scoring functions, where it is unnecessary for the evaluation engine to maintain details of the scoring function. Included is a description of a system for dealing with blackbox searching, proofs of correctness, as well experimental evidence showing that the performance of the technique is comparable in efficiency to those techniques used in custom-built engines. |
| US07991766B2 |
Support for user defined aggregations in a data stream management system
A computer is programmed to accept a command to create a new aggregation defined by a user during execution of continuous queries on streams of data. The computer is further programmed to thereafter accept and process new continuous queries using the new aggregation, in a manner similar to built-in aggregations. The user typically writes a set of instructions to perform the new aggregation, and identifies in the command, a location of the set of instructions. In response to such a command, the computer creates metadata identifying the new aggregation. The metadata is used to instantiate one aggregation for each group of data in a current window, grouped by an attribute identified in a new query. |
| US07991765B2 |
Cost-based query rewrite using materialized views
A system and method of rewriting a database query where the query contains an aggregate includes the following. If one or more aggregate materialized views are considered, rewriting the query using an aggregate materialized view. If one or more non-aggregate multi-table materialized views are considered, the query is rewritten using a multi-table materialized view. A join cost is determined for each such non-aggregate multi-table materialized view. If one or more non-aggregate single table materialized views are considered, the query is rewritten using the single table materialized view. A join cost is determined for each such non-aggregate single table materialized view. Finally, a current total cost is determined for use of various materialized views as a function of join cost, aggregation cost and spool cost to select a rewritten query. |
| US07991764B2 |
Method and system for communication, publishing, searching, sharing and dynamically providing a journal feed
A system for transmission, reception and accumulation of the knowledge packets to plurality of channel nodes in the network operating distributedly in a peer to peer environment via installable one or more role active Human Operating System (HOS) applications in a digital devise of each of channel node, a network controller registering and providing desired HOS applications and multiple developers developing advance communication and knowledge management applications and each of subscribers exploiting the said network resources by leveraging and augmenting taxonomically and ontologically classified knowledge classes expressed via plurality search macros and UKID structures facilitating said expert human agents for knowledge invocation and support services and service providers providing information services in the preidentified taxonomical classes, wherein each of channel nodes communicating with the unknown via domain specific supernodes each facilitating social networking and relationships development leading to human grid which is searchable via Universal Desktop Search by black box search module. |
| US07991762B1 |
Managing URLs
Crawling pages is disclosed. Pages are crawled up to a target number of pages. Additional pages, that have an importance that is equal to or greater than an importance threshold, are crawled beyond the target number of pages. In some embodiments, pages having an importance less than an importance threshold are deleted. |
| US07991759B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method and communication program
When a retrieval keyword that requires contents is transmitted to a server, the server retrieves contents from a database based on the retrieval keyword, and generates page information including retrieved list information of contents, and appending information that displays whether or not the page information is provided with a consecutive reproduction function of making a terminal device consecutively reproduce part of contents included in the list information respectively to the page information, and transmits the page information. The terminal device displays a list of contents on a display unit based on the page information, and displays an icon in case the list is provided with the consecutive reproduction function to demonstrate that the consecutive reproduction is possible. |
| US07991755B2 |
Dynamically ranking nodes and labels in a hyperlinked database
The World Wide Web (WWW) can be modelled as a labelled directed graph G(V,E,L), in which V is the set of nodes, E is the set of edges, and L is a label function that maps edges to labels. This model, when applied to the WWW, indicates that V is a set of hypertext documents or objects, E is a set of hyperlinks connecting the documents in V, and the edge-label function represents the anchor-text corresponding to the hyperlinks. One can find a probabilistic ranking of the nodes for any given label, a ranking of the labels for any given node, and rankings of labels and pages using flow based models. Further, the flows can be computing using sparse matrix operations. |
| US07991754B2 |
System for integrated utilization of data to identify, characterize, and support successful farm and land use operations
Computer configurations, search processors (2), software, and methods of viewing and analyzing information regarding agriculture or land use automatically located relationally-linked agronomic entities with both real (18) and virtual (8) displays. Relational linking exist through broad assessment of commonality information with fuzzy logic heuristics. Dynamic link presentation (6) can exist with congregated and hierarchical information displays (29) such as at the farm level, at a location level, at a physically aggregated parcel level with hierarchical display of farms or agronomic entity ownership, management, organization, and crop usages that afford users an unprecedented series of views into the businesses of land use, food production, and resource conservation. A meta-syntactic agronomic information generator (31) can facilitate imputed information through the integration of multiple databases (32). Predictive and application-specific configurations can allow at-a-glance understanding of agronomic organizations and agronomic decision-making to see where to most optimally devote resources for higher success or efficiency. |
| US07991752B2 |
Managing and coordinating savepoint functionality in a distributed database system
Provided are techniques for savepoint processing. One of a savepoint statement, a rollback to savepoint statement, and a release savepoint statement is received. It is determined whether to propagate the received one of the savepoint statement, the rollback to savepoint statement, and the release savepoint statement to a data source based on an asymmetrical model in which a nested level of savepoints on a federated server side is capable of being greater than a nested level of savepoints on a data source side and wherein a two-tiered data structure is used to preserve savepoint information in the asymmetrical model. In response to determining that propagation is to occur, the one of the savepoint statement, the rollback to savepoint statement, and the release savepoint statement is propagated to the data source. |
| US07991751B2 |
Method and a system for information identification
A method for detecting an information item within an information sequence obtained from a digital medium, the information item comprising any one of a specified set of prestored information items, comprises: transforming each of the set of prestored information items into a respective representation, in accordance with a predetermined transformation format; transforming the information sequence obtained from the digital medium, in accordance with the transformation format; and determining the presence of one or more of the prestored information items within the transformed information sequence, utilizing the respective representation. |
| US07991750B1 |
Application recovery from network-induced data corruption
A source application reads a body of data in data block sized units and calculates a checksum value for each data block before sending the data block, the calculated checksum value and the identifier. Upon receipt, a destination application independently calculates a checksum value for each received data block and compares the two checksums. Non-matching checksums indicate a network-induced error in the data block. Identifiers for the erroneous data blocks are transmitted to the source application after all of the data blocks have been initially transmitted. The source application thereafter resends only those data blocks identified. The destination application repeats the process of comparing checksums and transmitting identifiers to the source application until all of the data blocks of the body of data have been correctly received, and then uses the data blocks to recreate the body of data. |
| US07991748B2 |
Virtual data store creation and use
A method, apparatus, and system for accessing units of storage that depends at least in part on an address of the unit of storage and the time that data was written to the unit of storage. A virtual data store can be created that reflects the state of an original data store at a specified time, where the specified time is selected, for example, from a substantially continuous time interval. |
| US07991747B1 |
System and method for managing data loss due to policy violations in temporary files
A method and apparatus for managing data loss due to policy violations in temporary files is described. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring, by a client agent, information content on a client for violations of a policy. The method further includes determining, by the client agent, that a violation of the policy has occurred for content of a temporary file of an application. In one embodiment, the policy violation of the temporary file is correlated, by the client agent, with an original file of the application. |
| US07991746B2 |
Storage system and method
A storage system comprising apparatus for consolidating portions of free space from a plurality of remote storage units; and apparatus for presenting the consolidated portions as a single file system. |
| US07991744B2 |
Method and system for dynamically collecting data for checkpoint tuning and reduce recovery time
A system and method for checkpoint tuning in a computer environment comprising a processor coupled to a statistical database and at least one database or table manager and data log files. The data log files store data relating to the operations of the database or table manager. The processor executes a module that captures data comprising the number of operations, the time taken by the checkpoint process, folded journal entries, long running transactions, and the ratio of WRITE:READ operations. The processor then stores the captured data and processes the collected data, generating statistics therefrom. The statistical data is stored in the statistical database. The system selects checkpoint intervals based on the data statistics; and implements the checkpoint intervals. |
| US07991737B2 |
Synchronization of records of a table using bookmarks
A method and system for controlling an application server in order to provide application services to clients while maintaining synchronization between records of tables of a database server. An application server retrieves records of tables and stores them locally on the application server. When a client requests some fields of a record of a table, the application server generates a bookmark that uniquely identifies the record. The bookmark may contain a table identifier and a record identifier or a query identification and an identifier of a record within the query result. The bookmark is opaque to the client and only the application server need know how to interpret its contents. When the application server provides the requested fields of the record to the client, it also provides the record bookmark to the client. When the client wants to identify the record, it uses the bookmark provided by the application server. |
| US07991731B2 |
Data access service queries
A technique is described for selectively obtaining information stored in a business warehouse. Such a technique may include selecting a data access service from a library during run-time and presenting data within the business warehouse using the selected data access service. The library may contain at least one data access service for each of a plurality of on-line analytical processing data access queries. Related apparatus, systems, computer program products, and computer systems are also described. |
| US07991723B1 |
Data pattern analysis using optimized deterministic finite automaton
Techniques for data pattern analysis using deterministic finite automaton are described herein. In one embodiment, a number of transitions from a current node to one or more subsequent nodes representing one or more sequences of data patterns is determined, where each of the current node and subsequent nodes is associated with a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) state. A data structure is dynamically allocated for each of the subsequent nodes for storing information associated with each of the subsequent nodes, where data structures for the subsequent nodes are allocated in an array maintained by a data structure corresponding to the current node if the number of transitions is greater than a predetermined threshold. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07991721B2 |
Differential availability determination and notification
A method for determining differential availability, the method including identifying a current context of a first entity, and determining a current availability value of the first entity with respect to a second entity in accordance with an availability function, where the availability function is adaptive in accordance with an adaptation process to at least one past actual availability value of the fist entity with respect to the second entity in a previous context at least partially related to the current context, and where the availability function is operative to determine the current availability value as a function of the current context. |
| US07991717B1 |
Optimal cessation of training and assessment of accuracy in a given class of neural networks
A system, method, and process for configuring iterative, self-correcting algorithms, such as neural networks, so that the weights or characteristics to which the algorithm converge to do not require the use of test or validation sets, and the maximum error in failing to achieve optimal cessation of training can be calculated. In addition, a method for internally validating the correctness, i.e. determining the degree of accuracy of the predictions derived from the system, method, and process of the present invention is disclosed. |
| US07991715B2 |
System and method for image classification
Systems and methods for image classification are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of selecting a predetermined number of training images that are representative of images associable with a particular topic category. One embodiment can include, extracting training image features from the training images, generating a set of descriptors characteristic of images associable with the particular topic category, and generating the particular set of predetermined models that correspond to the particular topic category based on the set of descriptors. |
| US07991714B2 |
Cognitive memory and auto-associative neural network based search engine for computer and network located images and photographs
Designs for cognitive memory systems storing input data, images, or patterns, and retrieving it without knowledge of where stored when cognitive memory is prompted by query pattern that is related to sought stored pattern. Retrieval system of cognitive memory uses autoassociative neural networks and techniques for pre-processing query pattern to establish relationship between query pattern and sought stored pattern, to locate sought pattern, and to retrieve it and ancillary data. Cognitive memory, when connected to computer or information appliance introduces computational architecture that applies to systems and methods for navigation, location and recognition of objects in images, character recognition, facial recognition, medical analysis and diagnosis, video image analysis, and to photographic search engines that when prompted with a query photograph containing faces and objects will retrieve related photographs stored in computer or other information appliance, and will identify URL's of related photographs and documents stored on the World Wide Web. |
| US07991712B1 |
Consensus as an evaluation function for evolvable hardware
An evolution approach involves the automatic generation of an evaluation function. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a consensus result from a population of designs is used to evaluate designs in the population for fitness. New designs are evolved using the consensus result as an evaluation function, with newly-evolved designs replacing ones of the population of designs determined to be unfit. With this approach, automatic design evolution is carried out independently from a fixed evaluation function, which is sometimes susceptible to error. |
| US07991709B2 |
Method and apparatus for structuring documents utilizing recognition of an ordered sequence of identifiers
A method is provided for operating a computing device to create a document structure model of a computer parsable text document utilizing recognition of at least one ordered sequence of identifiers in the document. The method includes converting a computer parsable text document of any format to an alternative structured language format to form a converted document. The text of the converted document is fragmented into an ordered sequence of text fragments within a text format. The text fragments are enumerated to obtain a sequence of terms. At least one optimal sub-sequence of terms is identified from among the sequence of terms, with an optimal sub-sequence being one or more longest increasing sub-sequence(s). The computer parsable text document is annotated with tags, with the tags including information derived from identification of the optimal sub-sequence(s). The annotated document is displayed on the graphical user interface. |
| US07991708B2 |
Personalized delivery payment coding
A method and system for creating a personalized delivery payment coding includes selecting from a set of designs for delivery payment coding, calculating an appropriate fee, paying an appropriate fee, and printing a selected design on delivery payment coding product paper. |
| US07991706B2 |
Virtual mailing system
A virtual mailing system includes a virtual post office disposed in a virtual environment. A user in the virtual environment can request for the delivery of an electronic asset. A postage metering device, associated with the virtual post office, is operative to review the aspects of the delivery of the electronic asset and affix a postage amount. The postage metering device is also operative to process monetary funds relating to payment of postage for the virtual delivery of the electronic asset. The processing of monetary funds includes coordinating between virtual funds and real world funds so that virtual customers pay for delivery costs using virtual funds backed by real world currency. Through the virtual post office, electronic assets may then be virtually delivered to intended recipients within the virtual environment. |
| US07991702B2 |
Web-based system and method for collection and management of real estate open house data
A system and method for management of real estate open house data includes a database and a website configured to provide access to information from the database. The website is configured to communicate with a user identification device, in the form of a user's cell phone or other mobile device, upon a user's entry into the open house, to transfer user identification data to the database. |
| US07991701B2 |
Online payer authentication service
A payment authentication service authenticates the identity of a payer during online transactions. The authentication service of the present invention allows a card issuer to verify a cardholder's identity using a variety of authentication methods, such as the use of passwords. Also, the only system participant requiring a certificate is the issuing financial institution. One embodiment of the invention for authenticating the identity of a cardholder during an online transaction involves querying an access control server to determine if a cardholder is enrolled in the payment authentication service, requests a password from the cardholder, verifies the password, and notifies a merchant whether the cardholder's authenticity has been verified. In another aspect of the invention, a chip card and the authentication service independently generate cryptograms that must match in order for the service to verify that the correct chip card is being used by the cardholder. |
| US07991699B2 |
Tamper detection line circuitry for use in authenticating an integrated circuit
Provided is tamper detection line circuitry for an authentication integrated circuit for use in authenticating an integrated circuit. The tamper detection line circuitry includes a source of pseudo-random bits, and an XOR gate with two inputs and an output in signal communication with flash memory erase and reset circuits. A complete erasure of the memory is triggered by a 0 from the XOR gate. The circuitry also includes first and second paths arranging the source and XOR gate in signal communication with each other, as well as a number of triggers connected to the respective paths, each trigger configured to detect a physical attack on the authentication integrated circuit, said triggers configured to pull a respective path to 0 if a physical attack is detected. |
| US07991694B2 |
Mobile electronic commerce system
The objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile electronic commerce system that is superior in safety and usability. The mobile electronic commerce system comprises an electronic wallet 100, supply sides 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105, and a service providing means 110 that is connected by communication means. The service providing means installs a program for an electronic ticket, an electronic payment card, or an electronic telephone card. The electronic wallet employs the installed card to obtain a product or a service or entrance permission. The settlement process is performed by the electronic wallet and the supply side via the communication means, and data obtained during the settlement process are managed by being transmitted to the service providing means at a specific time. A negotiable card can be easily obtained, and when the negotiable card is used the settlement process can be quickly and precisely performed. |
| US07991690B2 |
Total structural risk model
The present invention generally relates to financial data processing, and in particular it relates to credit scoring, consumer profiling, consumer behavior analysis and modeling. More specifically, it relates to risk modeling using the inputs of credit bureau data, size of wallet data, and, optionally, internal data. |
| US07991689B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting bust out fraud using credit data
Systems and methods are for, for example, predicting bust out fraud using credit bureau data. In one embodiment, credit bureau scoring models are created using credit bureau data to detect bust out fraud. The credit bureau scoring models may be then applied to consumer data to determine whether a consumer is involved in bust out fraud. |
| US07991687B2 |
System and method for price-based annotations in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for generating and displaying annotations in relation to one or more prices corresponding to trader-related or market related events are described. In one embodiment, a trader may enter an annotation to be displayed in relation to one or more price levels. Alternatively, a trader may configure a dynamic annotation to be dynamically displayed in relation to some price level(s) upon detecting a predetermined event related to one or more tradeable objects. Also, a trader may configure one or more alarms to be displayed or played in combination with the annotations. |
| US07991685B2 |
Methods and systems for purchase of commodities
The invention is directed to methods and systems for commodities procurement with concomitant hedging. The invention enables automatic commodity purchase at a desired basis level when a seller's price matches a buyer's basis bid and concomitantly automatically placing an electronic commodities order to hedge the buyer's purchase. |
| US07991683B2 |
Credit data processing system for controlling electronic trading based on credit arrangements
A credit data processing system for controlling trades in an electronic trading system according to credit arrangements, comprising a computer-readable storage medium, an interface to an electronic trading system and a credit data processor. The computer-readable storage medium stores information representing the credit relationship network, including a plurality of credit entities in the network and a plurality of credit relationships existing between at least some of those credit entities. The system uses preferred counterparty rankings provided by the participating credit entities to determine and select the optimal credit paths to use for booking multiple-legged trades between credit entities even though the credit entities may not have a direct credit relationship. The system then checks each leg of the selected optimal credit path to verify that, taking into account the current net open positions on that leg, executing the trade required on that leg to carry out the proposed deal will not cause a credit limit associated with that leg to be exceeded. If the credit limit of any leg in the selected optimal credit path is exceeded, then the system will repeatedly try to find viable credit path based on the preferences specified by the credit entities involved in the trade, until a viable credit path is found or it is determined that no credit path that can accommodate the proposed deal without exceeding a credit limit currently exists. |
| US07991680B2 |
Method and process for providing relevant data, comparing proposal alternatives, and reconciling proposals, invoices, and purchase orders with actual costs in a workflow process
The present invention provides a process and system for matching buyers and sellers of either goods or services, or goods and services for a project. The invention enables a buyer to specify a project in terms of physical, functional, temporal, financial, and transactional parameters that can be automatically converted, by the present invention, into at least one request for either goods or services, or goods and services to perform work related to the project. The requests are suitably provided to at least one seller. Upon receiving a request, the seller may submit a response to the request, as desired. The invention provides a forum for the negotiation of any agreements and the formation of contracts to provide the requested, or alternative goods or services, or goods and services, as well as reconciliation of purchase orders, actual field costs, and invoices. |
| US07991677B2 |
Using commercial share of wallet to rate investments
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. A mutual fund rating company can use this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to predict the performance of funds that invest in a particular industry or sector. In addition, since mutual funds often provide guidelines for selecting stocks, rating companies can use this modeling approach to predict the performance of companies in a fund's portfolio. |
| US07991676B1 |
Single premium immediate annuity with adjustable payment
A fluctuating annuity payment is determined and generated, and that annuity payment is subsequently fixable. The fluctuating annuity payment may be based on an interest rate, such as the market yield of a 1-year U.S. Treasury adjusted to constant maturity, for example. The fluctuating annuity payment may be determined on a certain date, or periodically, for example. The annuity payment, while fluctuating, may have a predetermined floor or minimum threshold amount that is does not pay less than. At some point, a request may be received to fix the payment, and the fluctuating annuity payment is converted to a fixed annuity payment. The fixed annuity payment may be based on a long term interest rate, for example. After receiving a request to fix the annuity payment, a payment schedule may be determined based on the value of the remaining payments that are to be made. |
| US07991674B2 |
Investment allocation system for managing investment return and risk and method thereof
The present invention discloses an investment allocation system for managing investment return and risk and method thereof. The investment allocation system comprises a storage unit, a return rate computation unit, a standard deviation computation unit, an operation unit, and an allocation process unit. The storage unit stores a threshold, first data sets, and second data sets. The return rate computation unit transforms the data sets into return rate sequences. The standard deviation computation unit transforms the return rate sequences into standard deviation sequences. The threshold is assigned to the first standard deviation sequence in order to obtain a corresponding kth-quantile thereof. Further, an operation unit locates an object according in the kth-quantile into the second standard deviation sequence. The operation unit further processes the second standard deviation sequence to obtain a robustness index. Also, an allocation process unit allocates assets by processing the robustness indexes. |
| US07991673B2 |
Portfolio synchronizing between different interfaces
A system for updating parameters of financial transactions associated with financial services initiated and completed on behalf of or directly by a user through access to a data-packet-network into more than one electronic interface accessible to the user is provided. The system comprises, a main electronic interface supported by back-end software, the main interface for registering all user accounts into at least one portfolio group, the accounts accessible in detail through the main interface, at least one cobranded electronic interface supported by back-end software, the cobranded interface mirroring the accounts registered in the main electronic interface and a plurality of institution-specific electronic interfaces for providing direct account registration, reporting, and maintenance specific to accounts provided by the associated institutions. Through direct linking between the main, cobranded, and institution-specific interfaces, any parameters associated with any action initiated to a specific account through any of the interfaces is immediately propagated to the other interfaces. |
| US07991671B2 |
Scanning based spreads using a hedge ratio non-linear optimization model
The disclosed embodiments utilize hedge ratios to determine the optimal hedge ratio and associated scanning spread. This tells traders what ratios of the quantities of products they should have in their portfolio in order to maintain the status of the portfolios as delta neutral, i.e. be delta hedged, and receive optimal margin credits therefore. |
| US07991669B2 |
Method and system for enterprise portfolio management based on component business model
An Enterprise Management Portfolio Hub allows a user to perform enterprise portfolio management activities from a single point of control. EPMH relates information, analysis, display and control based on the organizing concept of the business components that comprise the CBM map of the enterprise by collecting portfolio information from existing portfolio management tools and generating a portfolio model. It allows the user to interact with or access information from various Portfolio Management applications and services through the portfolio model. EPMH supports evaluative techniques that can be used to identify areas for business transformation and to generate transition plans. |
| US07991668B2 |
System and method for regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for defining slop parameters to an individual spread order or a customized group of orders. The system and method may be used to, for example, define inside slop, outside slop, and/or adjustable range parameters to one or more orders. The inside slop, outside slop, and/or adjustable range parameters may be input by a trader, and, among other things, allow a trader to prioritize orders, set parameters so that some orders are re-priced more aggressively than other spread orders. Alternatively, slop parameters associated with a spread order may also apply more restrictive slop parameters to orders within the same adjustable range. Slop parameters associated with a spread order can also be configured and modified by a trader based on the trader's preferences. Other features and advantages are described herein. |
| US07991666B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating the spend capacity of consumers
Time series consumer spending data, point-in-time balance information, internal customer financial data and consumer panel information provides input to a model for consumer spend behavior on plastic instruments or other financial accounts, from which approximations of spending ability may be reliably identified and utilized to promote additional consumer spending. |
| US07991665B2 |
Managing incentives for electric vehicle charging transactions
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for automatically managing incentives associated with an electric vehicle charging transaction is provided. Incentives are received from a set of sources to form received incentives, by an incentive service. Applicable incentives are selected from the received incentives based on an identification of an electric vehicle, a charging station, and a set of principals associated with the electric vehicle charging transaction, by the incentive service. A set of selected incentives is identified from the received incentives for utilization in the electric vehicle charging transaction. The set of selected incentives is sent to an energy transaction planner, wherein the energy transaction planner incorporates the set of selected incentives into an energy transaction plan that is used to control the electric vehicle charging transaction. |
| US07991662B2 |
Order and accounting method and system for services provided via an interactive communication network
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing e-commerce and accounting services to organizations and service providers for offerings ordered by the organization via an on-line interactive communication network. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system whereby a third party intermediary can absorb certain payment, collection and billing functions on behalf of an organization and service providers which provide services to the organization. The term service provider as used herein refers to any entity or individual that provides a service, including the service of providing goods. |
| US07991657B2 |
Efficient retrieval of return assemblies for optimized parts fulfillment
A method and apparatus for a pull back optimizer in conjunction with an inventory management system allows for efficient retrieval of return assemblies for optimized parts fulfillment. The inventory management system includes a return assembly inventory and a list of parts needed for order fulfillment. The return assembly inventory lists the part numbers and quantities of parts in each return assembly. The pull back optimizer allows a user of the inventory management system to efficiently determine the optimal return systems to pull back to production for parts fulfillment to minimize the impact on those using the return assemblies. |
| US07991655B1 |
Method for object loading and object delivery using an object location identification trigger
A method for loading and delivering objects using at least one mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage to provide at least one command to an operator is provided herein. The mobile processor can be in further communication with at least one input device. A host processor can provide the libraries and a list of objects to be loaded and delivered to the mobile processor. The host processor can be in communication with a host data storage that comprises computer instructions. An output device and an OLI trigger can also be used in conjunction with the mobile processor. |
| US07991653B2 |
Method for assembling and shipping an item in a secure environment
A method for assembling and shipping an item using a security cleared space connected to a port authority, comprising the steps of: leasing the security cleared space to a user; obtaining at least one component for assembly of the at least one item; assembling the at least one component in the security cleared space; screening at least one person for entry to the security cleared space; readying the assembled item for shipment to a destination by entering data related to the assembled item into a processor with computer instructions that direct the processor to move the assembled item to a designated storage area or to an aircraft for shipment. A method for receiving an assembled item and disassembling the item into components for storage or shipment is also contemplated. |
| US07991652B2 |
System and method for tracking a product
Herein is described systems and methods for tracking a product. To track a product, product identification information that identifies the product and product ownership information is received. The product ownership information is updated when the product is transferred to another. The product identification information and product ownership information is stored in a database. |
| US07991638B1 |
Process for trade area generation
Methods and computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions for evaluating and displaying trade information for a user. Customer addresses are received, and then a buffer area is created around each of the customer address. The buffer area for each address is combined to generate at least one aggregated area. The aggregated area is then disaggregated to define a polygon which is useful for generating a density map, indicating an ideal retail location for a new store, and determining which retail store to relocate or close. |
| US07991630B2 |
Displaying likelihood values for use in settlement
Likelihood values are determined for one or more closed claims that match an open claim. The likelihood values are displayed as a function of an amount (e.g., general damages amount). The graph may be an x-y graph in which the x-axis is amount and the y-axis is likelihood value. The graph may include a likelihood curve. A band to corresponding a most likely range of amounts is indicated on the graph. |
| US07991626B2 |
Apparatus and method for self-reporting medical information
A patient list is provided to a medical provider. The medical provider may be prompted to review particular patients on the list or they may review these patients on their own. In any case, a patient is selected from the list and the provider determines if a medical metric associated with the patient is accurate or complete. The provider may then selectively enter self-report data concerning the accuracy or completeness of the medical metric. A provider assessment (e.g., score) is recalculated based at least in part on the self-reported data as well as the data that has already been collected. The re-calculated score may be provided to the medical plan. |
| US07991624B2 |
Method and system for the requesting receipt and exchange of information
A method of obtaining information in a specific area from at least two persons having a defined level of knowledge in that specific area. A host, upon receiving a question for information, operates a web site platform for the exchange of information using the web site to send the question to each of the at least two persons for a response together with a suggested fee for a response to the question. Where the fee is not precisely fixed and at least one response to the question is received via the web site, a value is determined by subscribers to the website. |
| US07991622B2 |
Audio compression and decompression using integer-reversible modulated lapped transforms
A “STAC Codec” provides lossless audio compression and decompression by processing an audio signal using integer-reversible modulated lapped transforms (MLT) to produce transform coefficients. Transform coefficients are then encoded using a backward-adaptive run-length Golomb-Rice (RLGR) encoder to produce losslessly compressed audio signals. In additional embodiments, further compression gains are achieved via an inter-block spectral estimation and data sorting strategy. Further, compression in the transform domain allows the bitstream to be partially decoded, using the corresponding RLGR decoder, to reconstruct the frequency-domain coefficients. These frequency-domain coefficients are then directly used to speed up various transform-domain based applications such as transcoding media to lossy or other formats, search, identification, visualization, watermarking, etc. In other embodiments, near-lossless compression is achieved by right-shifting transform coefficients by some number of bits such that quantization errors are not perceived as distortion in the decoded audio signal. |
| US07991621B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing a signal
An apparatus for processing an encoded signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which an audio signal can be compressed and reconstructed in higher efficiency.An audio signal processing method includes the steps of identifying whether a type of an audio signal is a music using first type information, if the type of the audio signal is not the music signal, identifying whether the type of the audio signal is a speech signal or a mixed signal using second type information, and if the type of the audio signal is determined as either the speech signal or the mixed signal, reconstructing the audio signal according to a coding scheme applied per frame using coding identification information. If the type of the audio signal is the music signal, the first type information is received only. If the type of the audio signal is the speech signal or the mixed signal, both of the first type information and the second type information are received.Accordingly, various kinds of audio signals can be encoded/decoded in higher efficiency. |
| US07991619B2 |
System and method using blind change detection for audio segmentation
A system, method and computer program product for performing blind change detection audio segmentation that combines hypothesized boundaries from several segmentation algorithms to achieve the final segmentation of the audio stream. Automatic segmentation of the audio streams according to the system and method of the invention may be used for many applications like speech recognition, speaker recognition, audio data mining, online audio indexing, and information retrieval systems, where the actual boundaries of the audio segments are required. |
| US07991615B2 |
Grapheme-to-phoneme conversion using acoustic data
Described is the use of acoustic data to improve grapheme-to-phoneme conversion for speech recognition, such as to more accurately recognize spoken names in a voice-dialing system. A joint model of acoustics and graphonemes (acoustic data, phonemes sequences, grapheme sequences and an alignment between phoneme sequences and grapheme sequences) is described, as is retraining by maximum likelihood training and discriminative training in adapting graphoneme model parameters using acoustic data. Also described is the unsupervised collection of grapheme labels for received acoustic data, thereby automatically obtaining a substantial number of actual samples that may be used in retraining. Speech input that does not meet a confidence threshold may be filtered out so as to not be used by the retrained model. |
| US07991614B2 |
Correction of matching results for speech recognition
A speech recognition system includes the following: a feature calculating unit; a sound level calculating unit that calculates an input sound level in each frame; a decoding unit that matches the feature of each frame with an acoustic model and a linguistic model, and outputs a recognized word sequence; a start-point detector that determines a start frame of a speech section based on a reference value; an end-point detector that determines an end frame of the speech section based on a reference value; and a reference value updating unit that updates the reference value in accordance with variations in the input sound level. The start-point detector updates the start frame every time the reference value is updated. The decoding unit starts matching before being notified of the end frame and corrects the matching results every time it is notified of the start frame. The speech recognition system can suppress a delay in response time while performing speech recognition based on a proper speech section. |
| US07991605B1 |
Method and apparatus for translating a verification process having recursion for implementation in a logic emulator
Method and apparatus for translating a verification process having recursion for implementation in a logic emulator are described. Examples of the invention relate to a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for translating a verification process for implementation in a hardware emulator of a logic verification system. A recursive task called by the verification process is identified. A copy of the recursive task is incorporated into the verification process. Interface registers are instantiated for the recursive task. Control flow transfer points are defined in the verification process. Calls of the recursive task are converted in the verification process to constructs for accessing the interface registers and transferring control flow among the control flow transfer points. The verification process is reorganized to describe a finite state machine (FSM) configured for implementation in the hardware emulator. |
| US07991604B2 |
Method and apparatus for indirectly simulating a semiconductor integrated circuit
A method and an apparatus for indirectly simulating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) are described. A circle chain is formed using input pins and output pins to provide an intellectual property (IP) core model that substitutes for a real IP core circuit. A test bench for the IP core model is generated, the semiconductor IC that includes the IP core model is integrated using the generated test bench, and the semiconductor IC is simulated. |
| US07991602B2 |
Agent simulation development environment
The subject invention relates to integrating agents, control logic, and simulations in order to simulate and validate a control strategy for a physical system. The systems and methods integrate agents and control logic with simulations, and utilize the integrated agents, control logic, and simulations to generate a proxy. The proxy can be employed to couple one or more controllers executing the agents and control logic with the simulations. Visualization is utilized to visualize the simulation, including the agents and the control logic. In addition, the systems and methods utilize a synchronization algorithm to synchronize the execution times of the controllers and the simulations. The foregoing mitigates validation through building and testing physical system and/or test beds. Upon validating control strategies, associated agents and logic can be loaded in one or more industrial controllers controlling the physical system, and the simulation can be utilized to represent the physical system. |
| US07991598B1 |
Method and system for modeling a mechanical system
A system and methods are disclosed herein for modeling a mechanical system having body elements movable in at least two dimensions in a graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein allow constraints on body elements movable in at least two dimensions in the mechanical system to be generalized and represented by a single block in the graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein simplify the modeling of a mechanical system by allowing a user to construct a definition of generalized constraints through a connectivity table. Thus, it is possible to model a mechanical system in a graphical modeling environment with less than all the body elements represented by blocks in a graphical model. |
| US07991597B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations
A software application implementable on a computer system is used to create a model of a hydraulic system to perform calculations. The user visually constructs a two-dimensional (2-D) connectivity model in the computer system. The 2-D connectivity model has a plurality of node points defined at various elements (sources, outlets, equipment, and junctions) of the hydraulic system and has segments interconnecting the node points. The user visually constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) segment model for each segment so that each segment model has the 3-D layout of the piping and the fittings for the segment. A 3-D system model of the entire hydraulic system is visually created in the computer system by combining the 3-D segment models. The software application performs calculations using the 3-D system model, and the 3-D system model can be visually or automatically verified to determine whether the model substantially corresponds to the 3-D layout of the hydraulic system, and has been laid out without errors. |
| US07991595B2 |
Adaptive refinement tools for tetrahedral unstructured grids
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes software which is robust, efficient, and has a very fast run time for user directed grid enrichment and flow solution adaptive grid refinement. All user selectable options (e.g., the choice of functions, the choice of thresholds, etc.), other than a pre-marked cell list, can be entered on the command line. The ease of application is an asset for flow physics research and preliminary design CFD analysis where fast grid modification is often needed to deal with unanticipated development of flow details. |
| US07991594B2 |
Method and apparatus for the rigid registration of 3D ear impression shapes with skeletons
A method of designing hearing aid molds is disclosed whereby skeletons, or simplified models, of two ear impressions are used to register the graphical representations of the molds to facilitate the joint design of hearing aid shells. The center points of at least a portion of contour lines on the surface of each ear impression are identified. Then, for each ear impression, by connecting these center points to each adjacent center point, a skeleton that represents a simplified model of an ear impression is generated. Vectors describing the distance and direction from the points of each skeleton to an anatomical feature of each ear impression are identified to obtain a correspondence between the points of each skeleton. Three-dimensional translations and rotations of a feature vector of at least one of the skeletons are determined to achieve alignment of the skeleton of one ear impression with the skeleton of another impression. |
| US07991589B2 |
Polarization analysis and polarization filtering of three-component signals using the S-transform
The present invention relates to a method and system for processing time-varying three-component signals to determine polarization dependent features therefrom. Relation data indicative of a predetermined expression relating ellipse elements describing an ellipse in three dimensional space to the components of the three-component signal are provided. Received signal data indicative of a three-component signal are processed for transforming each component of the three-component signal into time-frequency domain providing second signal data. Data indicative of polarization dependent features are then determined using the relation data and the second signal data. The method and system for processing time-varying three-component signals according to the invention are highly beneficial in numerous applications for evaluating three-component signal data such as seismology. |
| US07991588B1 |
Power consumption measurement
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes transitioning an electrical load from a primary power supply to an alternative power supply, measuring power drawn from the alternative power supply, transitioning the electrical load from the alternative power supply to the primary power supply, and estimating the power drawn from the primary power supply by the electrical load using the measured power drawn from the alternative power supply. |
| US07991583B2 |
Diagnosis in automotive applications
A system and method for constructing a diagnosis function for mapping a symptom of a fault in an electromechanical system onto the fault by simulating the electromechanical system in at least a fault mode and a node fault mode, and learning a classifier function from the collected simulation results for mapping the system of the fault onto the fault. |
| US07991580B2 |
Benchmarking diagnostic algorithms
A method for benchmarking diagnostic algorithms for a particular application is provided. The diagnostic algorithms are rank ordered based on a specified criterion so as to weed out weak algorithms, selecting more robust algorithms, defined in some sense, for deployment. This is realized by evaluating various parameters subsequently mentioned. A normalized product entropy ratio parameter is obtained. A performance parameter vector is fixed to define a plurality of sensitivity parameters including a plurality of threshold parameters and a plurality of data parameters. The plurality of threshold parameters and the plurality of data parameters are perturbed to obtain a threshold sensitivity parameter and a data sensitivity parameter. |
| US07991579B2 |
Statistical methods for multivariate ordinal data which are used for data base driven decision support
A method of analysis including an intrinsically valid class of statistical methods for dealing with multivariate ordinal data. A decision support system that can (1) provide automated decision support in a transparent fashion (2) optionally be controlled by a decision maker, (3) provide for an evidence acquisition concept, including automatically increasing the content of an underlying database, and (4) provide a computationally efficient interactive distributed environment. The method is exemplified in the context of assisted diagnostic support. |
| US07991578B2 |
Method and apparatus for finding cluster in data stream as infinite data set having data objects to be continuously generated
A method of finding a cluster in a data stream includes updating statistical distribution information of a grid-cell corresponding to a currently generated data element, statistical distribution information on previously generated data elements being managed using grid-cells, which are partitioned within the range of a data space and have statistical distribution information of data elements within the range; comparing the occurrence frequency of the data element in the grid-cell according to the update result with a predefined partitioning threshold, partitioning the grid-cell into a plurality of grid-cells according to the comparison result, and estimating statistical distribution information of the partitioned grid-cells; recursively performing the updating or comparing step until the grid-cell becomes a unit grid-cell; and comparing the occurrence frequency of a data element in the unit grid-cell with a predefined minimum support and defining a set of unit grid-cells as a cluster according to the comparison result. |
| US07991577B2 |
Control asset comparative performance analysis system and methodology
A system and method is provided for determining the variability induced on a process output. The method includes the analysis of input variable values to determine the total variability. A series of processes may be analyzed and ranked so that a process owner may gain an understanding of how a target process performs relative to the processes of other process owners. The method includes the generation of graphical process comparisons and advice regarding asset performance. The method also includes the estimation of cost impacts due to changes in induced variability. |
| US07991576B2 |
Indoor navigation system and method
This document discusses, among other things, a portable device that generates position and orientation data to facilitate movement within a building. The device can be, for example, handheld or affixed to a cane. Data for navigation is derived from reflections from interior surfaces and dead reckoning sensors. |
| US07991575B2 |
Method and system for measuring angles based on 360 degree images
A system for measuring angles includes a housing and an imaging device disposed in the housing. The system also includes a first optical element disposed in the housing and configured to receive light propagating from a first target along a first optical path and direct the light toward the imaging device and receive light propagating from a second target along a second optical path and direct the light toward the imaging device. The system further includes a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device and configured to receive data from the imaging device, compute a 360° angular map based on the received data, and determine an angular separation between the first target and the second target. |
| US07991571B2 |
Providing nonlinear temperature compensation for sensing means by use of padé approximant function emulators
Pade Approximant function emulators are used to model the nonlinear offset and/or nonlinear sensitivity behaviors of a sensor relative to temperature sub-ranges and to produce temperature compensating corrections for both offset and sensitivity as desired. In order to avoid use of brute force division for generating the Pade Approximant function signals, in one set of embodiments, feedback is used to provide a corresponding effect. In order to minimize the number of coefficients that are to be resolved and stored, in one set of embodiments, first or higher order Pade Approximants with normalized denominators are used so that each function can be defined with just three coefficients. Embodiments that are more analog in nature or more digital in nature are disclosed. Methods for resolving the Pade Approximant coefficients and calibrating each sensor unit on a mass production basis are also disclosed. |
| US07991569B2 |
Mobility normalizer, normalizing method, normalizing program, self-organized map, substance detecting method, detecting program, detection rule creating method, and data structure
The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a method, a program, and a self-organizing map which are capable of normalizing mobility without using a marker, as well as a substance detection method, a program, a detection rule creating method, and a data structure which use normalized mobility. The mobility normalizing method comprises the steps of determining a plurality of warping functions converting data to be corrected, which is unit time sequence data obtained by measuring mobility, to the respective plurality of reference waveform data sets, and a DTW distance associated with each warping function; evaluating a minimum value of the plurality of DTW distances, and determining the warping function associated with the determined minimum DTW distance; determining a slope and an intercept of a straight line approximating the determined warping function; and correcting the data to be corrected using a linear function specified by the slope and the intercept. |
| US07991565B2 |
System and method for non-wirelessly determining free-fall of a moving sportsman
A system for determining airtime of a moving sportsman includes at least one accelerometer for detecting vibration or acceleration of the sportsman. A processor in communication with the at least one accelerometer processing signals from the accelerometer to determine free-fall. A pressure sensor may be used to determine change in altitude and the processor may process signals from the pressure sensor with the accelerometer signals to determine airtime and drop distance during free-fall. A method for determining airtime of a moving sportsman includes processing data from one or more accelerometers attached to the sportsman, to determine when the sportsman is in free-fall, and determining a time period corresponding to the free-fall. |
| US07991559B2 |
Computerized electroporation
Techniques for computerized electroporation. An electroporation apparatus may be controlled according to one of a plurality of previously-saved, user-defined processing protocols. A processing log associated with a processing protocol may be generated, and the processing log may include patient or sample specific information. The processing log or a summary of the processing log may be exported to a user. Interactive instructions may be provided to a user. Those instructions may correspond to one or more steps of a processing protocol. |
| US07991556B2 |
Methodology and application of multimodal decomposition of a composite distribution
A method for analyzing formation data includes decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. A system for analyzing formation data that includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. |
| US07991554B2 |
Method for predicting rate of penetration using bit-specific coefficients of sliding friction and mechanical efficiency as a function of confined compressive strength
A method for predicting the rate of penetration (ROP) of a drill bit drilling a well bore through intervals of rock of a subterranean formation is provided based on determined relationships between a bit-specific coefficient of sliding friction μ and mechanical efficiency EFFM and confined compressive strength CCS over a range of confined compressive strengths CCS. Confined compressive strength CCS is estimated for intervals of rock through which the drill bit is to be used to drill a well bore. The rate of penetration ROP is then calculated utilizing the estimates of confined compressive strength CCS and those determined relationships. |
| US07991552B2 |
System and method for determining a side-impact collision status of a nearby vehicle
A system and method are provided to determine the side-impact collision status of a nearby vehicle or vehicles. If a nearby vehicle has been in a collision, responsive systems may be triggered automatically. Responses may include warning the driver of the host vehicle and/or warning drivers of other vehicles or centralized networks by, among other methods, V2V or V2I communications. Responses may also include automatically triggering countermeasures in the host vehicle. |
| US07991551B2 |
System and method for determining a collision status of a nearby vehicle
A system and method are provided to determine the collision status of a nearby vehicle or vehicles. If a nearby vehicle has been in a collision, responsive systems may be triggered automatically. Responses may include warning the driver of the host vehicle and/or warning drivers of other vehicles or centralized networks by, among other methods, V2V or V2I communications. Responses may also include automatically triggering countermeasures in the host vehicle. |
| US07991550B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-vehicle calibration and orientation of object-tracking systems
A method for simultaneously tracking a plurality of objects and registering a plurality of object-locating sensors mounted on a vehicle relative to the vehicle is based upon collected sensor data, historical sensor registration data, historical object trajectories, and a weighted algorithm based upon geometric proximity to the vehicle and sensor data variance. |
| US07991548B2 |
System and method for presenting a computed route
A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, whether the route segment is an unfamiliar segment, and identifying, based on the user's travel history, a road that is familiar to the user and that is within a scaled range of the unfamiliar segment. The computed route and the familiar road are then provided for presentation in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, and the familiar road is represented relative to the unfamiliar segment. |
| US07991547B2 |
In-vehicle information apparatus and in-vehicle navigation apparatus for high altitude applications
From among high upland area determination data stored in a hard disk drive, only a portion corresponding to a required segmental region is read into an external memory along with traveling of a vehicle. Determining of a high upland area is then executed based on the portion of the high upland determination in the external storage device. When a high-upland division is present in a vicinity of a present position, a portion of the high upland area determination data is read into the external memory. The read portion of the high upland area determination data corresponds to a high upland area, which covers all the high-upland divisions adjacently existing starting from the high-upland division in the vicinity of the present position. When a high-upland division is not present in the vicinity of the present position, a portion of the high upland area determination data corresponding to a segmental region having a predetermined minimum range centering on the present position is read into the external memory. |
| US07991542B2 |
Monitoring signalized traffic flow
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring signalized traffic flow. A processor in a sensor system or traffic controller interface estimates the time-of-arrival and other traffic flow estimates of one or more vehicles to an intersection stop bar, while the vehicles are within a continuous range of one or more transducers view of the sensor system. A level of efficiency and safety within the signalized traffic flow is estimated by the sensor system based upon one or more of the estimated time-of-arrival and other flow variables estimates and then communicated to the control unit of the traffic signal system. Other flow estimates for each vehicle include but are not limited to: position relative to the stop bar, lane position, velocity, acceleration, time headway and classification. |
| US07991540B2 |
Vehicle speed dependant calibration trim or user-selectable calbratable trim for improved fuel economy
A control system and method for improving vehicle fuel economy is provided. A base timing module generates a base timing signal. A trim module generates a timing trim signal based on a calibratable compensation factor. A vehicle speed trim module adjusts a calibration parameter (such as engine timing for example) based on the base timing signal and the timing trim signal. According to some implementations, the trim module includes a base trim module and a vehicle speed compensation module and a calibratable compensation factor module. The vehicle speed compensation module generates a vehicle speed compensation factor. The base trim module generates a base trim signal based on the vehicle speed compensation factor or the calibratable compensation factor. The base trim signal can be based on a speed of the engine. The base trim signal can further be based on a quantity of fuel delivered to the engine. |
| US07991538B2 |
Method for operating a fuel system
In a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity injected into a combustion chamber is a function of an activation period, during which a fuel injection device is activated. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the fuel rail and provides a signal. The pressure in the fuel rail may be regulated to a setpoint pressure using a setting unit and employing the signal provided by the pressure sensor. The following method is provided for testing the fuel system: (a) establishing a test fuel quantity to be injected; (b) operating the internal combustion engine using a first setpoint pressure and a first activation period corresponding thereto and to the test fuel quantity to be injected; (c) detecting a speed- or torque-dependent variable characterizing the operating state; (d) operating the internal combustion engine using a second setpoint pressure and a second activation period corresponding thereto and to the test fuel quantity to be injected; (e) detecting a speed- or torque-dependent variable characterizing the operating state; (f) implementing an action if the variables detected in (c) and (e) differ by more than a limit value. |
| US07991535B2 |
Portable, palm-sized data acquisition system for use in internal combustion engines and industry
A portable, palm-sized, Data Acquisition System including an apparatus to measure engine thermo-events, a wiring harness having signals for collecting, recording, and transmitting engine performance data and identifying the engine being monitored, and an acquisition server (DAS) for collecting and transmitting data from the thermo-measuring apparatus and wiring harness, is taught. There also is a Web-server, an Ethernet network interface, software, an SPI bus interface requiring only three signals for communication, and a software system that records, stores, processes, transmits, displays, and analyzes data pertaining to any combustion engine performance and other industrial engine applications. The use of fiber optic cable for electronic communication provides for the DAS to be installed a distance from the engine. The DAS is share-able between several engines, is user friendly, is low cost to manufacture, affordable, and has a flexible signaling feature that works with systems that use, and do not use, telemetry. |
| US07991533B2 |
Adaptive reductant dosing and emission control strategies
The present disclosure relates to a method or apparatus for controlling reductant dosing level introduced to a selective catalytic reduction device. The method or apparatus may determine available reductant and determine a distance to a source of reductant. This may be followed by adjusting a reductant dosing level based upon the available reductant and the distance to the reductant source. The apparatus may be installed in a vehicle and may also regulate in-cylinder emission control variables to reduce NOx emissions. |
| US07991532B2 |
Wheel control device and control device
The present invention provides a novel method for generating braking force in a wheel. In a vehicle having wheels, a wheel control device for controlling the wheels is provided with an actuator for performing an operation to vary a slip angle of the wheels, and a controller for controlling the actuator to increase the braking force of the wheels by increasing the slip angle absolute value of the wheels such that a lateral force is generated in the wheels relative to a ground contact surface of the wheels. |
| US07991531B2 |
Antiskid control unit and data collection system for vehicle braking system
A wheel speed transducer including a magnetic device associated with a wheel and a sensor device associated with the axle of the wheel provides data indicative of the velocity of the wheel. A processor located at the axle receives the wheel speed data and processes it to perform antiskid control functions. The velocity data is stored in a data concentrator also associated with the axle. A tire pressure sensor, a brake temperature sensor and a brake torque sensor, each associated with the wheel, send data to the processor at the axle, for storage in the data concentrator. A transmitting antenna associated with the axle and in communication with the data concentrator transmits stored data to a receiving antenna associated with the wheel. A data port at the wheel and in communication with the receiving antenna provides an interface to an external device for receiving the data. |
| US07991528B2 |
Rear-view car mirror for accommodating a GPS device
An interior rear-view mirror for cars is so designed that a portable GPS device may be readily mounted on. Depending on implementation, a portable GPS device may be slid in or clipped onto a rear-view mirror. |
| US07991526B2 |
Method and device for controlling at least one object detection sensor
A method and a device for controlling at least one object detection sensor for a motor vehicle, the at least one sensor being switchable between a plurality of operating modes; a plurality of functions for evaluating the objects detected, using the object detection sensor, being able to access randomly the at least one sensor and a switchover between the operating modes being selected as a function of the instantaneously accessing assistance functions, and a coordinator is provided between the function evaluation devices and the at least one sensor; each function accessing the at least one sensor transmits to the coordinator a biasing probability distribution function, respectively, and the at least one sensor transmits to the coordinator a detection probability density function for each operating mode that is able to be activated, and the coordinator selects the most suitable operating mode for each function accessing the at least one sensor. |
| US07991522B2 |
Imaging system for vehicle
An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is disposed at an exterior rearview mirror assembly at a side of the vehicle with a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image exterior of the vehicle. The control may process the captured images and may determine that the imaging array sensor is misaligned when the imaging array sensor is disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly at the side of the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging array sensor, may at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging array sensor. |
| US07991518B2 |
System and method for controlling satellite based on integrated satellite operation data
Provided is a satellite control system based on integrated satellite operation data and a method thereof. The satellite control system includes: a satellite operation data schema editing means for creating a document type definition file and defining a schema; a mission planning means for creating a mission timeline and recording the mission timeline; a command planning means for converting a task into telecommands and recording the telecommand; a command preparing means for creating a telecommand procedure and recording the telecommand procedure; a command transmitting means for creating a telecommand code, transmitting the telecommand code to a satellite and recording the telecommand code; a command verifying means for receiving telemetry data and recording a telecommand verification result; and a performance result reporting means for creating a mission performance result and recording the mission performance result. |
| US07991517B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and managing the unauthorized use of an unmanned aircraft
A method for policing and managing the operation of a flying, unmanned aircraft in the event of usurpation of control of, malfunction of, or ill-intentioned use of, this aircraft includes the steps of (a) detecting inappropriate operation of the aircraft; (b) transmitting a takeover command to the aircraft to interrupt control of the operation of this aircraft by a first pilot and relinquish control of the aircraft to a second pilot; and (c) transmitting control commands to the aircraft to control its operation by the second pilot, until the need for alternate pilot control of the aircraft has ended or until the aircraft has landed safely. |
| US07991513B2 |
Electric energy bill reduction in dynamic pricing environments
A system that can save energy and reduce electric utility costs is disclosed. The system may include one or more current measurement devices communicating with a processor as well as one or more switching devices for controlling power consumption in response to utility rate pricing systems. |
| US07991512B2 |
Hybrid robust predictive optimization method of power system dispatch
A method of power system dispatch control solves power system dispatch problems by integrating a larger variety of generation, load and storage assets, including without limitation, combined heat and power (CHP) units, renewable generation with forecasting, controllable loads, electric, thermal and water energy storage. The method employs a predictive algorithm to dynamically schedule different assets in order to achieve global optimization and maintain the system normal operation. |
| US07991511B2 |
Method and system for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system
A method for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system is provided. The energy generating system includes a plurality of energy generating devices, each of which is coupled to a corresponding local converter that includes a local controller. The method includes determining whether there is at least a threshold amount of mismatch between operating characteristics of the energy generating devices. The energy generating system is placed in a centralized maximum power point tracking (CMPPT) mode when there is not at least the threshold amount of mismatch and is placed in a distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) mode when there is at least the threshold amount of mismatch. |
| US07991509B2 |
Augmented surgical interface
The present invention is a system comprising surgical units and operator interface units configured to provide multiple capabilities within a surgical environment, or within a surgical training environment. The system may provide such capabilities in a modular fashion, such that various functions may be accomplished through the addition or deletion of modules to the system to allow core components to be used to accomplish more than one function. |
| US07991501B2 |
Method for determining machining plane of planar material, machining method and device for determining machining plane and flat surface machining device
A surface machining method for obtaining a planar material of a uniform thickness is provided. This method includes mounting a planar material on a surface plate, setting the coordinate axis in the plane direction of the planar material to X, Y, and setting the coordinate axis in the height direction to Z, virtualizing an XY plane including an origin of the Z direction measured as a distance Z(m,n) from the coordinates (Xm, Yn) of a virtual plane ABCD to the plate thickness center plane S composed of midpoints of segments connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the planar material, measuring the distance in the Z direction of the plate thickness center plane from the origin in an arbitrary XY plane position, and tilting and cutting the planar material so that the difference between maximum and minimum value of the obtained height data will be minimum. |
| US07991495B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing an audio signal
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising the steps of extracting an ancillary signal for generating the audio signal and an extension signal included in the ancillary signal from a received bit stream, reading length information of the extension signal from an extension area of the ancillary signal, and generating the audio signal using the ancillary signal. Accordingly, in case of processing the audio signal by the present invention, it is able to reduce a corresponding load of operation to enable efficient processing and enhance a sound quality. |
| US07991491B2 |
Control device and method for generating control signals for technical devices
A control device for controlling a controlled system, such as steering, braking or accelerating when driving a car, as well other operations for other vehicles or systems, includes an automatic control system that generates automatically generated control signals, a haptic control command input device generates manual control command inputs, and an arbitration unit which resolves disputes between the automatically generated signals and the manual control command inputs. The haptic control generates control signals that depend on both the automatically generated control signals and the manual control command inputs, and adjustments are made continuously therebetween using rule based feed back control signals. Arbitration is performed in the dead spaced of the controlled system or the haptic control command input device. |
| US07991489B2 |
Estimate process capability database populator
A method for creating a generated data set(s) for use in process capability calculations that mimics the statistics of a raw data set is presented. The method includes the steps of inputting desirable statistics and generating numbers from theoretical statistical distributions. This generated data can be combined with other generated data and used to calculate global process capabilities. In addition, the global process capabilities can be used to accept or reject supplier(s) from a list of suppliers. An apparatus for implementing the method outlined above comprising raw data statistics, number generating algorithm(s) and storage medium(s) is also presented. |
| US07991487B2 |
Method, computer, and recording medium storing a program for computing engine design variables
For a plurality of combinations of a plurality of operating states included in an operating range of an engine and for a plurality of combinations of a plurality of objective variables, a system, which calculates design variables, includes a calculating device for obtaining global optimal solutions of the design variables that minimize or maximize a sum of the plurality of objective variables, which respectively correspond to the plurality of combinations of the plurality of operating states; a receiving device for receiving designation of an upper limit or a lower limit of the plurality of objective variables; and a searching device for searching for global optimal solutions that result in the smoothest change in the design variables when changing the operating states in a range of the received upper limit to the received lower limit of the objective variables, with one of the global optimal solutions as an initial value set. |
| US07991481B2 |
Multiple electrode lead and a system for deep electrical neurostimulation including such a lead
A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation comprising a rod of biocompatible material and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of the rod and in alignment therewith. The blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of the two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration. The electrodes are connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising an electrical pulse generator connected to at least one lead of the above-described type is also disclosed. |
| US07991473B2 |
System and method for graphically configuring leads
Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector. |
| US07991468B2 |
Pacing and sensing vectors
A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing. |
| US07991466B2 |
Method and apparatus to stimulate cell initiated nitric oxide (NO) activation, interstitial protein clearance, and angiogenesis
Methods and apparatus to restore central and peripheral disorders/dysfunction caused by edema, ischemia, and nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and to improve or facilitate muscle performance (e.g. endurance and recovery) by utilizing a device which stimulates cell initiated NO activation, promotes interstitial protein clearance, and induces angiogenesis. By use of these methods and apparatus, it is possible to treat a number of disorders/diseases caused by a deficiency of nitric oxide, a lack of proper circulation and vascularity, a build up of proteins and increased tissue water content due to injury; and to improve or facilitate muscle performance (e.g., muscle endurance and muscle recovery. |
| US07991465B2 |
Means for functional restoration of a damaged nervous system
The present invention relates generally to a method and device of partial or complete functional restoration of the damaged nervous system by bridging a cavity in the central or peripheral nervous tissue and, more particularly to a system and method for repairing the nerve signal transduction by bridging of the cavity with microelectrode elements more particular microelectrodes for stimulation and microelectrodes for recording. |
| US07991464B2 |
Transdermal therapeutic system
The present invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system for the controllable release of an active ingredient, particularly a substance promoting wound healing, to a chronic wound or for chemotherapy, with at least one waveguide, wherein the active ingredient is deposited on the waveguide via a bond that is cleavable by electromagnetic pulses in the waveguide. |
| US07991459B2 |
Method for defining signal templates in implantable cardiac devices
Template formation methods for use in implantable cardiac rhythm management devices. In an illustrative method, a signal is captured in an implanted cardiac rhythm management device, and parameters for analysis of the captured signal are then defined. Then, in the example, additional signals can be captured and used to either verify or discard the captured signal defined parameters. The template formation methods provide for creating a robust template to compare with sensed cardiac complexes. Devices and systems configured to perform template formation and verification methods are also shown. |
| US07991457B2 |
Discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events
A method and system for discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events. Morphological features points are extracted from normal sinus rhythm (NSR) complexes and used to generate a NSR template. A numerical convolution is performed using the NSR template and the feature points for each sensed NSR to give a NSR filter output. Using a plurality of NSR complexes, a median NSR filter output template is determined, where the median NSR filter output template has a median value for each value in the NSR filter output. The median NSR filter output template is then used during a tachycardia event to distinguish tachycardia events as either ventricular tachycardia events or supraventricular tachycardia events. |
| US07991456B2 |
Systems and methods for managing heart rate dependent conditions
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a cardiac condition of a patient. The system includes a sensor for receiving a patient's heart rate and a processor that is programmable to set a patient's safe heart rate zone. The processor is also configured to determine whether the patient's heart rate has exceeded the safe heart rate zone. In response to determining that the patient's heart rate has exceeded the safe heart rate zone, the processor may reprogram a new safe heart rate zone. |
| US07991455B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic optical imaging
A medical system includes a catheter having an elongated tubular member and an inner core slideably received within the elongated member. The inner core includes an imager on a distal end and is coupled with a control system and an imaging system. The inner core is configured to scan the interior of a lumen by radially rotating around a center axis and axially translating along the center axis while within the elongated member. The medical system is configured to dynamically image a body lumen at a high speed in order to allow for optical imaging in a safe manner without long durations of blood sequestration and displacement. The medical system is configured to obtain three dimensional images of the body lumen with as little as one dimensional scanning of the lumen. Images of the lumen can be stored and viewed at a desired rate after scanning. |
| US07991450B2 |
Methods and systems for volume fusion in diagnostic imaging
Methods and systems for automatically fusing images are provided. The method includes acquiring scan data from a first imaging modality and fusing scan data from a second modality with the scan data from the first modality as scan data from the second modality is acquired and the method further includes displaying reconstructed images of the fused data. |
| US07991447B2 |
Biological photometric equipment
To control information obtained from inside of a living body with higher precision as compared to that in the conventional technology by controlling a ratio of intensities of light, directed to a trial body, in a plurality of wavelength ranges different in peak wavelength from each other, a measurement error included in information obtained from the living body can be controlled by changing a ratio of intensity of the light in the first wavelength range against that of the light in the second wavelength range. When intensity of irradiated light is limited from the viewpoint of safety to the trial subject, keeping a ratio of the light irradiated to the trial body in the first wavelength range against that of the light in the second wavelength range under a prespecified value and also changing the ratio of irradiated light intensities under the prespecified value. |
| US07991446B2 |
Systems and methods for acquiring calibration data usable in a pulse oximeter
The present disclosure includes a pulse oximeter attachment having an accessible memory. In one embodiment, the pulse oximeter attachment stores calibration data, such as, for example, calibration data associated with a type of a sensor, a calibration curve, or the like. The calibration data is used to calculate physiological parameters of pulsing blood. |
| US07991444B2 |
Slide mechanism for slide-type portable terminal devices
A slide mechanism (20) includes a rear cover (22), a front cover (24) slidably connected to the rear cover, and at least two magnetic members positioned on the rear cover and the front cover respectively. The front cover can be opened/closed relative to the rear cover semi-automatically via a magnetic force created by the at least two magnetic members. One of the front cover and the rear cover forms at least one protruding portion, and the other one of the front cover and the rear cover defines at least one recessed portion for engaging with the protruding portion. When the front cover is slid to an opened or closed position, the at least one protruding portion engages in the at least one recessed portion correspondingly. |
| US07991437B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling output power in power amplifiers
Some embodiments discussed relate to a method and apparatus, comprising a power amplifier module, a transceiver module coupled to provide a signal to an input of the power amplifier module. The transceiver module comprising an integrated temperature sensor to sense an instantaneous operating temperature of the transceiver and providing a first sensor output signal dependent upon the operating temperature, and an integrated voltage sensor to sense a transceiver supply voltage and generate a second sensor output signal dependent upon the instantaneous transceiver supply voltage, and a processor configured to receive the first and the second sensor output signals, provide a control signal to the power amplifier module to reduce the output power of the power amplifier responsive to the first and the second sensor output signals. |
| US07991436B2 |
Method and apparatus for power saving in wireless systems
A method is provided for carrying out a power saving procedure in a wireless subscriber terminal which is operative to receive at least two different services, each of which is characterized by one or more characteristics related to traffic demands associated with that service. The method comprises the following steps: classifying each of the at least two different services based on their traffic demand related characteristics into corresponding power saving classes, where there are at least two different power saving classes associated with the at least two different services; for each of the power saving classes, determining required listening windows and required sleep windows; exchanging messages between the base station and the subscriber's device for synchronizing parameters for carrying out the power saving procedure. |
| US07991435B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting screen in mobile terminal
A mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying an image for screen setting; a screen setting information storage unit storing screen setting information; a key input unit receiving a type of screen for the screen setting and selection information of user for an image edit command; a controller displaying a preview domain identical with the selected screen in type and size based on the selection information of the user for the type of the screen, and controlling an image edit in the preview domain based on the selection information of the user for the image edit command; and an image processor changing indication information of the display unit by control of the controller. |
| US07991434B2 |
Combi-sim card framework of electronic purse combining wireless transceiver of mobile device
A Combi-SIM card framework of electronic purse combining wireless transceiver of mobile device is a framework that combines the mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM or USIM) chip and the electronic purse smart card chip having no wireless induction analog circuit to form a complex subscriber identity module (hereinafter known as Combi-SIM) and further cooperates with a mobile device having multifunction wireless transceiver. Based on the fact that the multifunction wireless transceiver is equipped with the signal path selection functions, the mobile device not only works as a wireless card but also works as a card reader to read exterior wireless card or access the content of electronic purse smart card in the Combi-SIM. Herewith, it provides functions of electronic purse and telecommunication value added service integration. Consumer proceeds electronic purse transaction at anytime and anywhere through the convenience of carry-on mobile device. |
| US07991433B2 |
Electronic device accessory
An electronic device accessory includes a housing containing electronic circuitry. A plug extends from the housing and the plug is configured to connect to a receptacle of the electronic device. A member is attached to the housing and is moveable with respect to the housing so as to physically interfere with connection of the plug with the receptacle of the electronic device. |
| US07991432B2 |
Method of printing a voucher based on geographical location
A method of using a mobile device to print onto a print medium, the mobile device comprising: a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving data via a telecommunications network; and a printer; the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a geographical location of the mobile device; (b) determining a product or service available at, in or within a predetermined distance of, the geographical location; (c) formatting a voucher containing information associated with the product or service; and (d) printing the voucher using the printer. |
| US07991429B2 |
Communication system equipped with shared antenna and circuit board thereof
A communication system equipped with a shared antenna includes an antenna, a first communication module, a second communication module, and a switch module. The first communication module processes a first communication signal and transmits the first communication signal to the switch module. The second communication module processes a second communication signal and transmits the second communication signal to the switch module. Additionally, the first communication module controls the switch module to transmit the first communication signal or the second communication signal to the antenna, and the antenna emits the first communication signal or the second communication signal. |
| US07991428B2 |
Dual-mode dual-standby portable communication apparatus and method for enabling communication by sensing thereof
A method for enabling communication by sensing of a dual-mode dual-standby (DMDS) portable communication apparatus. The DMDS portable communication apparatus includes a processing module, a first light-sensing module, a second light-sensing module, a first communication module and a second communication module. The first light-sensing module, the second light-sensing module, the first communication module and the second communication module are electrically connected with the processing module. The method includes the steps of: sensing by the first light-sensing module so as to transmit a first sensing signal to the processing module; sensing by the second light-sensing module so as to transmit a second sensing signal to the processing module; and correspondingly enabling the first communication module or the second communication module to enter a communication mode by the processing module according to the first sensing signal and/or the second sensing signal. |
| US07991426B2 |
Method and system for joint broadcast receiving and cellular communication via a mobile terminal or device with UMTS as an integration channel
In a video processing system, a method and system for joint broadcast receiving and cellular communication via a mobile terminal or device with UMTS as an integration channel are provided. Broadcast information may be received at a mobile terminal via a VHF/UHF broadcast communication path. Cellular information, comprising voice and data, may be received at the mobile terminal from a bidirectional cellular communication path. Broadcast information may be received at the mobile terminal via the bidirectional cellular communication path. The information may be received from a service provider. Uplink cellular related information may be transmitted via an uplink path of the bidirectional cellular communication path. The mobile terminal may comprise a common interface that facilitates communication between at least one cellular processor that processes the cellular information and a broadcast processor that processes the broadcast information. |
| US07991425B2 |
Mobile terminal device and roaming method thereof
A mobile terminal device detects current communication environment status of the device and calculates a value of a radio quality index (RQI), and adjusts the roaming threshold according to the value of the RQI. The device further calculates a value of a user movement index (UMI) and adjusts the frequency of the device for scanning object access points. After determining the object access point that has satisfied a roaming threshold, the device ends the communication between the device and the current access point, and establishes a communication between the device and the object access point. |
| US07991424B2 |
Dynamic generation of group lists for a communication device using tags
Systems and methods are described for dynamically generating one or more group lists as a sub-group of the contact list by assigning tags to contacts in a contact list. A user may define one or more tags for contacts in the contact list to generate a tag list in addition to the contact list. The tags indicate additional attributes of the contact that cannot be included in the contact list. To dynamically generate the group list, the user enters list criteria, and the tag list is searched to identify which of the contacts in the contact list has tags that match the list criteria. The contacts having tags that match the list criteria are combined into a group list which the user may then access to initiate communication with those contacts, or store for later use. |
| US07991421B2 |
Method of dynamic overhead channel power allocation
The present invention provides a method for implementation in a base station that supports at least one downlink traffic channel and at least one overhead channel. The method includes determining power allocation(s) for overhead channel(s) based upon a measurement of downlink traffic channel power and a maximum transmission power of the base station. The method also includes transmitting signals over the overhead channel(s) using the power allocation concurrently with transmission of signals over the downlink traffic channel. |
| US07991420B2 |
Dynamic RS coverage in multi-hop cellular networks
For use in a wireless network, a controller for relay stations. The relay station increases cell coverage and user data rates while employing power consumption saving techniques. The relay station compares a threshold power setting with a current power setting. If the threshold power setting is greater than the current power setting, the relay station increments the threshold power setting and decreases the cell coverage. If the threshold power setting is less than or equal to the current power setting, the relay station decreases the threshold power setting until the threshold power setting is equal to a total power setting of the relay station. The relay station also employs load balancing techniques by comparing a threshold power setting with a current load setting. If the threshold power setting is greater than the current load setting, the relay station increases the cell coverage based on the available bandwidth. |
| US07991419B2 |
Press-talk server, transcoder, and communication system
When half-duplex many-to-many communication is performed among a plurality of mobile stations having different codecs in a single group, transcoding is performed with a small number of codec circuits. A transcoder manages an SSRC of a received RTP packet, detaches voice information from a jitter buffer, which is identical to a latest SSRC, and inputs the detached voice information to a codec circuit. As the latest SSRC is switched, a voice sending station subject to transcode is switched, and mobile stations using the same codec share the codec circuit. Therefore, in a half-duplex many-to-many communication (group communication) system, called a professional mobile radio system, push-talk, or press-talk, it is not necessary to switch the transcoder until a radio station which takes a talk burst is changed during a single call (call session). |
| US07991417B2 |
Methods and apparatus for push to talk type service
A method for use in a push to talk type service in which a floor is required before a client terminal may distribute a media item to at least one other terminal participating with the client terminal in a push to talk type session. According to the invention, the floor is managed depending upon information relating to the size of the media item, and may be managed depending upon other criteria as well. Managing the floor may include one or more of granting the floor, maintaining the floor, monitoring the floor, and releasing the floor. The floor may be denied, for example, if the media item is larger than a predetermined size, which size may be indicated as being within a range of sizes. The push to talk type service may be a general conferencing service. |
| US07991416B2 |
Prepackaging call messages for each target interation in setting up a push-to-talk call
Systems and methods are provided for setting up a push-to-talk group call in a wireless communications system 100. The call setup information in a call message 400 is established as potential targets 108-114 are identified on a wireless device 106 to reduce call setup time and overall system latency. |
| US07991413B2 |
Method and device for controlling radio access
A method for controlling a number of simultaneous radio connections in a communication device is presented. The control of a number of simultaneous radio connections is carried out in the communication device. Parameters of the radio connections are controlled such that interference between the radio connections is minimized. |
| US07991411B2 |
Method to qualify multimedia message content to enable use of a single internet address domain to send messages to both short message service centers and multimedia message service centers
A multimedia messaging service (MMS) intelligent content evaluator gateway is provided to allow use of a single address mailbox and Internet domain for receipt of either an MMS or an SMS message. The MMS intelligent content evaluator gateway evaluates the content of a received message, and then forwards the same to the appropriate system for delivery. The MMS intelligent content evaluator gateway makes use of database tables containing subscriber information and message routing tables necessary to derive the MMS and SMS destination addresses for each subscriber or range of subscriber addresses. Tables may also be implemented indicating the capabilities of each subscriber's handset, such as whether or not the handset can support MMS messages. |
| US07991408B2 |
Use of local position fix when remote position fix is unavailable
A mobile computing device has a transceiver circuit, a location determination circuit, and a processing circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to receive a remote position fix from a remote computer via a wireless network. The location determination circuit is configured to receive satellite data and to calculate a local position fix. The processing circuit is configured to operate an application, to receive a request for a position fix from the application, to determine whether the remote position fix is available, and to provide the local position fix to the application based on whether the remote position fix is available. |
| US07991407B2 |
Method for identifying appropriate public safety answering points
A method for identifying an appropriate public safety answering point for a mobile unit includes establishing communication between a telematics service provider and the mobile unit. Mobile unit data is received at the telematics service provider. The data includes at least the speed of the mobile unit. The telematics service provider, upon recognition and analysis of the data, predicts a position of the mobile unit during a planned conversation with a public safety answering point. An appropriate public safety answering point is identified based on the predicted position of the mobile unit. Communication with the identified public safety answering point is established from the telematics service provider. |
| US07991406B2 |
Changing settings of a mobile terminal
A device enabling a change of settings of applications is implemented in a mobile terminal. In order to facilitate a change of such settings, the device comprises a storage portion for storing a plurality of configurations. Each stored configuration is associated to at least one location and each stored configuration defines settings for applications implemented in the mobile terminal. The device further comprises a controlling portion for receiving information on a current position of the mobile terminal, for retrieving automatically a configuration associated to a location identified by the position information from the storage portion, and for changing settings of applications implemented in the mobile terminal according to the retrieved configuration. The device can be either a mobile terminal, or a module for a mobile terminal. The invention relates equally to a corresponding system and to a corresponding method. |
| US07991405B2 |
Method and system for determining the altitude of a mobile wireless device
A method and system for determining the three-dimensional location of a mobile wireless device. In one implementation, the device is a cellular telephone making a 911 call from one floor of a multi-story building. An embodiment of the method of the invention includes establishing a database that associates transmission metrics with altitudes of x-y coordinate locations having more than one altitude at which the mobile wireless device could be located, receiving a communication from the mobile wireless device, determining an x-y coordinate location of the mobile wireless device, measuring a transmission metric of the mobile wireless device, and consulting the database to determine the altitude from the x-y coordinate location and the measured transmission metric. The transmission metric could be, for example, the transmission time or angle of arrival of a wireless signal received from the mobile wireless device. |
| US07991399B2 |
Telephone with automatic switching between cellular and VoIP networks
A mobile communication device includes, in part, a cellular communication module, a first antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the mobile communication module and a cellular network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication module, a second antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the Wi-Fi communication module and a VoIP network, a signal monitoring circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch an existing communication from the cellular communication module to the Wi-Fi communication module or vice versa. |
| US07991394B2 |
Local number solution for roaming mobile telephony users
A system for managing of mobile phones at a roaming network, each mobile handset having a first handset number from its home network. The roaming network assigns a second number to a detected roamer, which number is local to the roaming network. The second number is not known directly to the handset, which continues to identify itself using the first number. The handling unit acts as a local home location register for handling local management of the roaming handset using both the second number and the first number, thus allowing the handset to identify itself using the first number but be called using the second number at local call rates. |
| US07991393B1 |
Wireline terminal accessing mobile telephone services
A telecommunication system establishes location information concurrently with the set-up of a landline as a network address for delivering wireless-based subscription services. A location register in the wireless system defines a current network location where a respective subscriber is connected and a current geographic location where said respective subscriber is located. An access device is provided for coupling with a landline within the public switched telephone network, wherein the landline has a landline ID, and wherein a user terminal connected to the landline is associated with a fixed geographic location. A control channel transmits an electronic identification number of a subscriber and a location coordinate corresponding to the fixed geographic location from the access device to the location register during registration of the landline as the current network address of the user terminal. The subscriber receives location-based wireless services via the landline. |
| US07991391B2 |
Pre-recorded voice responses for portable telecommunication devices
A portable communication device may be used so that, in place of speaking into the portable communication device during a telephone call, users may initiate playback of pre-recorded messages to the party with whom the user is communicating. In one implementation, a device may receive, during a telephone call between a first party and a second party, a command from the first party to transmit a pre-recorded message to the second party. The pre-recorded message may be an audible message that was pre-recorded by the first party. The device may transmit the pre-recorded message to the second party in response to the command. |
| US07991390B2 |
Program updating method of wireless communication terminal and wireless communication terminal using the same
A wireless communication terminal and program updating method are provided. The method downloads a binary file from a host computer to update a program. The method includes determining, if the wireless communication terminal is booted, whether the wireless communication terminal is in a binary file download mode or if the wireless communication terminal has been rebooted by generation of an undesired event; and if so, setting a start position for downloading the binary file according to the number of occurrences of the undesired event. Thereafter, even when downloading is interrupted by an undesired event, downloading is performed from a position at which it was interrupted, not from the start position of the file, so that the time required for downloading the file can be reduced. |
| US07991386B2 |
System and method for authorizing the activation of a communication device
A system and method for authorizing the activation of a communication device is provided. A request to activate a communication device is received by a communication service provider. The communication service provider or a central processor determines whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction. Alternately, the communication service provider can outsource the determining step to a central processor. The communication service provider or central processor determines whether to activate the communication device based on the determining action. |
| US07991385B1 |
System and method for network charging using policy peering
A method for optimizing service-based billing in a network environment is provided that includes interfacing, by a home policy server residing in a home network of an end user, with a visited policy server in a visited network and with an application server, the application server contacting the home policy server when the end user elects to invoke an application in the home network, the application server contacting the home policy server and passing a set of application descriptors to the policy server, the application descriptors being tokens that describe one or more characteristics of the application for charging. |
| US07991380B2 |
Global bidirectional locator beacon and emergency communications system
An emergency monitoring and reporting system includes a user unit and a monitoring system. The user unit includes an input device, a user satellite communication system, and a user processor communicatively coupled to the input device and the user satellite communication system. The monitoring system includes a monitoring satellite communication system, an output device, and a monitoring processor communicatively coupled to the monitoring satellite communication system and the output device. The user satellite communication system and the monitoring satellite communication system are adapted for mutual communication via a satellite network such that the output device can present information corresponding to information entered at the input device to an observer. |
| US07991374B2 |
Methods and apparatus for supporting communications using horizontal polarization and dipole antennas
Methods and apparatus for supporting the communication of an information stream using an individual polarization type are described. For example, a first data stream is communicated from a base station sector transmitter using horizontal polarization signals and a second data stream is communicated using vertical polarization signals. A mobile wireless communications device, employing a plurality of dipole antennas associated with different direction polarizations, e.g., a first direction horizontal polarization dipole antenna, a second direction horizontal polarization dipole antenna and a vertical polarization dipole antenna, multiple receiver modules, and a combiner module, facilitates the recovery of horizontal polarization signals without the need for azimuth antenna orienting or repositioning, and also facilitates the recovery of vertical polarization signals. The first data stream associated with horizontal polarization may be, and sometimes is, transmitted concurrently with the second data stream associated with vertical polarization using the same time/frequency air link resources, e.g., segment. |
| US07991372B2 |
Receiver and electronic apparatus using the same
A radio receiver for diversity has a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit for diversity-receiving a signal of a radio frequency. The first receiving unit has a first mixer for converting the received signal of the radio frequency into an IF signal of a first intermediate frequency by an upper local method, and a first filter coupled to the output side of the first mixer. The second receiving unit has a second mixer for converting the received signal of the radio frequency into an IF signal of a second intermediate frequency by a lower local method, and a second filter coupled to the output side of the second mixer. The radio receiver can improve receiving sensitivity. |
| US07991370B2 |
Amplifier circuit and receiving device
Disclosed herein is an amplifier circuit formed by multiple transistor stages and having an input terminal for a signal and an inverted output terminal configured to output an inverted signal after amplification, wherein a feedback resistance and a feedback capacitor for input impedance matching are connected in series with each other between the inverted output terminal and the input terminal. |
| US07991365B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for estimation of propagation path variability of a transmit diversity channel
A method and apparatus for dynamic adaptation of transmit diversity parameters according to detected dynamics that may be, for example, related to changes in actual propagation and network conditions, and may be referred to as mobility parameters. Mobility parameters may apply to variability in a propagation path due to any conditions. Determination of a mobility parameter may be conducted using one or more of multiple parameters available to the mobile terminal. |
| US07991362B2 |
Methods and apparatus for supporting timing and/or frequency corrections in a wireless communications system
A wireless terminal determines the position of a moving base station and determines timing and/or frequency corrections. A wireless terminal determines its relative position with respect to the base station and determines a timing adjustment correction. The wireless terminal applies the determined timing correction to control uplink signaling timing and achieve synchronization at the base station's receiver. The wireless terminal determines its relative velocity with respect to the moving base station and determines a Doppler shift adjustment which it adds to the uplink carrier frequency or to its baseband signal. Base station position is determined from the current time and stored information correlating the base station position with time, e.g., for a geo-synchronous satellite. Base station position information, e.g., a GPS derived base station position fix, is determined from downlink airlink broadcast information, e.g., for an aircraft base station. Wireless terminals may be mobile and include a GPS receiver for wireless terminal position determination. |
| US07991360B2 |
Receiver apparatus, receiving method, and wireless communication system
A receiving apparatus, a receiving method, and a radio communications system are disclosed. The receiving apparatus is for receiving CDMA signals transmitted by M antennas and received by N antennas, where M and N are positive integers. The receiving apparatus includes a multipath receiving signal demodulating unit for primary demodulation of the CDMA signals received by the receiving antennas to obtain estimated transmission signals, and for obtaining signals in a multipath environment of each path of the receiving antennas based on the estimated results. Further, the receiving apparatus includes a multipath interference canceling unit for deducting signals of the paths other than a target path from the signals received by the receiving antennas to obtain multipath interference cancelled signals. Further, the receiving apparatus includes a demodulator for secondary demodulation of the multipath interference cancelled signals. |
| US07991359B2 |
Receiver, transceiver circuit, signal transmission method, and signal transmission system
A receiver has an offset application circuit for applying a known offset to an input signal, and a decision circuit for comparing the offset-applied input signal with a reference voltage. The level of the input signal is determined based on the known offset and on the result output from the decision circuit. With this configuration, a large common mode voltage can be eliminated in a circuit used for signal transmission. |
| US07991352B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic repeat request in a multi-hop broadband wireless communication system
A retransmission method and apparatus in a multi-hop broadband wireless communication system are provided, in which if there is a failed data block among data blocks received from a source node, a Relay Station (RS) transmits a feedback message requesting retransmission of the failed data block to the source node, transmits a successfully received data block to a destination node, receives a retransmitted data block for the failed data block from the source node, transmits the received retransmitted data block to the destination node, receives from the destination node a feedback message about data blocks transmitted to the destination node, and transmits the feedback message to the source node. |
| US07991345B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit that executes print jobs in which images are printed on sheets; a sheet discharge tray that receives the printed sheets and partition sheets that partition the printed sheets; a transport unit that discharges the printed sheets and the partition sheets to the sheet discharge tray; a clock that measures the time; and a partition unit that controls the transport unit to discharge the partition sheet during the first interval between print jobs after a predetermined period of time based on the measurement results of the clock. |
| US07991343B2 |
Photoconductor drum cleaning apparatus in an electrophotographic printer
A photoconductor drum cleaning apparatus in an electrophotographic printer is disclosed which is simple in makeup, which allows a wiping roll to be rotated to follow rotation of the photoconductor drum is rotated and to be serviced for a prolonged life and is capable of performing an improved cleaning operation. To this end, the photoconductor drum 1 comprises: disposed in order from upstream in the direction of the photoconductor drum, a blade scraper 11 contacting with the surface of the rotating photoconductor drum and a wiping roll 12 rotating reversely in rubbing contact with the surface of the rotating photoconductor drum; disposed upstream of an area of rubbing contact of the rotating wiping roll with the photoconductor drum, a squeezing roll 13 rotating normally in pressure contact with the surface of the rotating wiping roll; and disposed downstream of an area of rubbing contact of the rotating wiping roll with the photoconductor drum and upstream of the rotating squeeze roll, a brush roll 14 rotating normally or reversely in pressure contact with the surface of the rotating wiping roll, the brush roll having a portion of its outer periphery immersed in a cleaning carrier solution. |
| US07991340B2 |
Fuser member
The present teachings provide a fuser member, including a substrate and a release layer disposed on the substrate. The release layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes surrounded by a fluoroelastomeric shell layer and dispersed in a fluoroplastic. |
| US07991339B2 |
Fuser device
A fuser device used with an imaging system for setting toner on a recording media is disclosed. The fuser device includes a heating element; a rolling piece for exerting pressure on the toner adhered on the recording media; a film for clamping the recording media with the rolling piece, the film being in the heat of the heating element to set the toner on the recording media; and a control structure. The control structure has a base piece on which a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion are disposed. The heating element, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion form a loop and the film surrounds the loop. |
| US07991337B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus of electromagnetic induction heating-type capable of providing a proper relative heat-generation distance with a magnetic flux generation member even when the magnetic flux generation member is bent by its own weight or thermally deformed includes at least an exciting coil, a holder for holding the exciting coil, and a rotatable fixation roller for generating heat by magnetic flux from the exciting coil to heat a material to be heated. The holder has an outer diameter φd1 at a central portion and an outer diameter φd2 at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the holder perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the material to be heated. The outer diameters φd1 and φd2 satisfies: φd1<φd2. |
| US07991336B2 |
Image forming apparatus with irradiated light control based on reflected light amounts
An image forming apparatus includes a pattern forming unit which forms a light amount adjustment pattern on an image carrier belt, a light amount control unit which controls the amount of light irradiating the image carrier belt and pattern, a detection sensor which detects reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern with respect to the irradiating light amount and stores the detection results in a storage unit, a calculation unit which calculates the correspondence between the irradiating light amount and the reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern on the basis of the detection results and stores the calculation results in the storage unit, and a light amount decision unit which decides, on the basis of the calculation results, a light amount at which the difference between the reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern exhibits a value set in advance. |
| US07991334B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus
A toner container includes a longitudinal container body and a held portion. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The container body includes a gear configured to engage with a drive gear provided in the main body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet, is configured to be held by the toner-container holder in non-rotating manner, and is biased downwardly by a force applied from the drive gear to the gear when the drive gear rotates. |
| US07991330B2 |
Developing unit including developer conveyance system having supply path, recovery path, and agitation path, process cartridge including developing unit, and image forming apparatus including process cartridge
A developing unit includes a developer bearing member, a developer transporter, a developer conveyance system for directing the developer, including a supply path, a recovery path, and an agitation path, a developer supply opening through which the developer is supplied to the developer conveyance system, a developer supply device for supplying the developer from the developer supply opening to the developer conveyance system, a developer discharge device for discharging the developer outside the developing unit, a developer level rise detector for detecting increase in a level of the developer between the downstream end of the recovery path facing the developer bearing member in the direction of developer transport and a portion of the agitation path where the agitation path receives the collected developer from the recovery path, and a controller for controlling the developer discharge device based on the detection result provided by the developer level rise detector. |
| US07991328B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a plurality of image forming units
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units for forming a developer image on an image supporting member; a transfer unit for transferring and overlapping the developer image on a medium to form a developer laminated portion; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer laminated portion. One of the image forming units uses transparent developer having a softening point higher than that of color developer used in the other of the image forming units, and having an average particle size larger than that of the color developer. |
| US07991319B2 |
Image forming apparatus with seal member that abuts surface of toner carrier roller having convex and concave sections
In an image forming apparatus, a toner carrier roller rotatably mounted to a housing that stores toner rotates to convey toner to an opposed position facing a latent image carrier outside the housing. A plurality of convex sections are regularly arranged on a surface of the roller in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the axial direction and parallel to a circumferential surface of the roller and a concave section surrounds the convex sections. A seal member abuts the surface of the roller moving from the outside toward the inside of the housing at a position downstream of the opposed position in a rotation direction of the roller to prevent toner leakage from inside the housing. The roller moves relative to the seal member in the axial direction. |
| US07991316B2 |
Fixing device
There is provided a fixing device 6 including a heating body 22 which has a heating heat generation section 24 subjected to induction heating upon application of alternating magnetic fields generated by a exciting coil 27, a pressure roller 23 which has a pressing heat generation section 25 being higher in magnetic permeability than the heating heat generation section 24 and being subjected to induction heating by a part of magnetic flux in the alternating magnetic fields leaking from the heating heat generation section 24, and a drive circuit for applying drive voltage to the exciting coil, wherein a rate of the alternating magnetic fields leaking from the heating heat generation section 24 is changed by frequencies of the drive voltage. |
| US07991312B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling a potential of an image bearing member
An image forming apparatus includes a charging device, an image bearing member, an electrostatic image forming device, a development device including a developer bearing member, a transfer device, and a controller. The controller controls a potential of the image bearing member such that, during image formation to form an image on a recording material having a predetermined size, an absolute potential value (V1) of a region on a surface of the image bearing member outside a region corresponding to a passage region for a recording material in a width direction orthogonal to a movement direction of the surface of the image bearing member, an absolute potential value (V2) of a non-image portion in the region corresponding to the passage region for the recording material, and an absolute potential value (Vdc) of the developer bearing member satisfy the following condition: Vdc |
| US07991309B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which is free from occurrence of image noise due to the bleed phenomenon even without providing any contact-and-separation mechanism for the transfer member includes a control device which counts stop time elapsing from a stop to a restart of the image carrier, calculates an avoidance sheet count corresponding to the stop time at a restart of the image carrier, and makes a toner image carried on only part of the image carrier that has been out of the nip against the transfer member during the stop of the image carrier until the avoidance sheet count is reached after the restart of the image carrier. |
| US07991307B2 |
Media elevator's current position identification method and a media handling device arranged with the same
A media handling device includes sensing means disposed in a media elevator that is movable in a generally-vertical travel path proximate to a generally-fixed surface. The sensing means detects a recorded information that is disposed in the surface. The resulting detected information is used to identify the media elevator's current position. Also, another media handling device includes a recorded information disposed in a movable media elevator. Sensing means are fixed proximate to a generally-vertical media elevator travel path. The recorded information is sensed and the resulting detected information is used to identify the media elevator's current position. |
| US07991301B2 |
Detecting abnormality in an optical receiver
An optical apparatus comprising: a branching unit branching an input light modulated by DQSPK format and thereby outputting a first branched light and a second branched light; a first branch and a second branch inputting the first branched light and the second branched light, respectively, the first branch and the second branch having an interferometer, a photo detector, and discriminator and demodulating I-signal and Q-signal, respectively; and an abnormality detection unit detecting an abnormality of the input light based on a synchronized detection of a first demodulated signal output from the photo detector in the first branch and a first recovered signal output from the discriminator in the first branch, and a synchronized detection of a second demodulated signal output from the photo detector in the second branch and a second recovered signal output from the discriminator in the second branch. |
| US07991298B2 |
DSB-SC modulation system capable of erasing carrier and secondary component
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical modulation system capable of suppressing a carrier component (f0) and a high order component (such as a second order component (f0±2fm)). The optical modulation system includes Mach-Zehnder waveguide (8), a first intensity modulator (9) provided on a first arm (4), a second intensity modulator (10) provided on a second arm (5), a first main Mach-Zehnder electrode (MZCA electrode) (13a), and a second main Mach-Zehnder electrode (MZCB electrode) (13b). Non-desired components propagating the respective arms are made to have reverse phase before optical signals are combined, whereby the optical modulation system is capable of suppressing the non-desired components when the optical signals are combined. |
| US07991296B1 |
Method and apparatus for data frame synchronization and delineation
A circuit and method to synchronize with a data transmission having a plurality of data transmission frames each with a start boundary identified by a predetermined synchronization pattern, includes comparing sets of data within the data transmission to a predetermined synchronization pattern. A frame tracking signal is assigned to each one of the plurality of comparison results that indicates a match between a data pattern within one of the plurality of sets of data and the predetermined synchronization pattern, including matches that occur multiple times within a known duration of the data transmission frame duration. Based on each frame tracking signal assigned to a comparison result, the start boundary of the data transmission frames is searched. The start boundary may be search by monitoring successive occurrences of the predetermined synchronization pattern in the data transmission at intervals of the known data transmission frame duration for each data matching data pattern. If the predetermined synchronization pattern occurs successively in the data transmission, the associated data pattern is confirmed as the synchronization pattern in the data transmission, and synchronization with the data transmission is achieved. |
| US07991295B2 |
Method and system for compensating for optical dispersion in an optical signal
A method is provided for dispersion compensation of an optical signal communicated in an optical network comprising a plurality of spans of low chromatic dispersion fiber. The method includes receiving an optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, where the information communicated in a first set of one or more of the channels is modulated using a first modulation technique and where the information communicated in a second set of one or more of the channels is modulated using a second modulation technique. The method also includes uniformly undercompensating for optical dispersion in the optical signal across all of the channels of the optical signal such that the accumulated dispersion in the optical signal increases with each span over which the optical signal is communicated. In particular embodiments, all of the channels of the optical signal are uniformly undercompensated in the range of approximately 60% to approximately 85% dispersion compensation for each span. |
| US07991291B2 |
WDM PON based on DML
Low-cost FP lasers can be implemented in the upstream links of a WDM PON system by configuring them for single-mode operation. In a typical embodiment, an FP laser at a subscriber unit is injection seeded with CW seed light from a DFB laser or an ASE source at a central office to enable single-mode operation of the FP laser. The FP laser is directly modulated and the resulting optical data signal is transmitted upstream to the central office. At the central office, an optical spectrum reshaper/bandpass optical filter is positioned in front of an optical receiver to enhance the extinction ratio of the optical data signal and generate a vestigial sideband. A wavelength locker can also be implemented at the central office to stabilize the wavelength of the master DFB laser and the injection-seeded FP laser. |
| US07991290B2 |
Optical prism and optical transceiver module for optical communications
To provide an optical transceiver module comprising an optical prism for optical communications which has mounting portions, a light emitting portion, light receiving portions, a substrate and a sub-mount that are used as the basis of the optical transceiver module, whose configuration is compact with reduced components which are accurately mounted.A sub-mount is provided on the substrate. The composite optical prism is formed with an optical lens provided with mounting supports and a wavelength division film in an integrated fashion. By using marks on the sub-mount for alignment, the composite optical prism can be mounted accurately on the sub-mount. In addition, the light receiving portions and the light emitting portion can be mounted accurately by using marks for alignment provided on the substrate and the sub-mount. |
| US07991286B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus
An optical transmission apparatus includes redundant line cards each having a plurality of ports, a hardware unit and a CPU. The hardware unit obtains failure information on redundant lines for each port. The CPU determines switching control of the redundant lines based on the failure information. Then, the hardware unit switches the redundant lines based on the switching control determined by the CPU, so as to transmit an SDH/SONET optical signal in a ring network. The CPU of one of the line cards is set as a master CPU on the corresponding line card to control switching of the redundant lines. Further, the CPU of the other line card is set as a slave CPU. |
| US07991284B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a present date and time information obtaining device to obtain present date-time information at a time performing a present photographing operation, a last date-time information recording device to record last date-time information at a time performing a last photographing operation, an image number counting device to compare the present and last date-time information when performing the present photographing operation and to newly count a number of photographed subject images when the present date-time information is not within the predetermined period from the last date-time information and to continuously count the number of photographed subject images when the present date and time information is within the predetermined period from the last date-time information, and a displaying unit having an exit screen displayed when the imaging apparatus is turned off and to display the number of the photographed subject images on the exit screen. |
| US07991283B2 |
Geotagging photographs using annotations
Labels of elements in images may be compared to known elements to determine a region from which an image was created. Using this information, the approximate image position can be found, additional elements may be recognized, labels may be checked for accuracy and additional labels may be added. |
| US07991282B1 |
Method and circuit for charging of super capacitor as energy source for flash diodes
A circuit and method for charging a super capacitor to an optimal voltage that provides a desired flash diode current value while minimizing power dissipation in circuit elements other than the flash diode. One embodiment uses periodic sampling of the current through the flash diode and termination of the charging upon the super capacitor having been charged to a voltage value that produces the desired flash diode current. Another embodiment includes a current regulator in the flash diode firing circuit that keeps the current at a substantially constant level during the time that the flash diode is being fired. |
| US07991279B2 |
Image stabilization system
An exemplary image stabilization system includes a fixed body having a first receiving cavity therein, a movable unit received in the first receiving cavity, a pivot member located between the fixed body and the movable unit, a motion sensor, a driving module, and a U-shaped magnetic shield. The pivot member is engagingly received in and between the fixed body and the movable unit. The motion sensor is disposed on the fixed body for detecting a movement of the image stabilization system. The driving module is configured for driving the movable unit to rotate around the pivot member to compensate a movement of the image stabilization system based on the motion detection result of the motion sensor. The U-shaped magnetic shield includes a first plate, a second plate, and a connecting plate between the first and second plates. The first vertical is securely mounted on the movable unit. The second plate is located on an opposite side of the first plate to the fixed barrel. The driving module is arranged between the first plate and the second plate. |
| US07991270B2 |
Recording medium, reproducing device, recording method, and reproducing method
On a BD-ROM, PlayList information is recorded. The PlayList information includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information specifies one of a plurality of AVClips as a MainClip, and defines a primary playback section on the MainClip. The SubPath information specifies, among the rest of the AVClips, one AVClip as a SubClip, and defines, on the SubClip, a secondary playback section to be synchronized with the primary playback section. The PlayList information includes an STN_table, which indicates SubClip and, from among a plurality of elementary streams multiplexed into the SubClip, elementary streams allowed to be played back. A total data size of AVClip per unit time is, for example, less than or equal to 48 Mbits when the AVClip includes a plurality of elementary streams allowed in the STN_table to be played back and does not include elementary streams which are not allowed in the STN_table to be played back. |
| US07991269B1 |
Locality-based video playback to enable locally relevant product placement advertising
A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer. |
| US07991266B2 |
Representative image providing system and representative image providing method
To provide the possible largest number of representative images of the image data recorded on the recording medium on the surface of a recording medium which is limited in size.When recording image data recorded on two DVD-Rs on a new DVD-R, a lenticular image synthesis is carried out on the representative images D1 and D2 provided on the surface of the original DVD-Rs and a representative image D3 of the new DVD-R to generate one synthetic representative image D10 and the synthetic representative image D10 is printed on the surface of the new DVD-R. |
| US07991265B2 |
Content recording apparatus capable of recording long content output
A content recording apparatus (10) includes an MPEG-4 codec (34). Compressed motion image data output from the MPEG-4 codec (34) in photographing a motion image is a motion image content which expresses a continuous change with time and has an I frame allocated intermittently. A CPU (40) records the compressed motion image data onto a recording medium (38). The CPU (40) also creates motion image index data pointing each frame of the compressed motion image data output from the MPEG-4 codec (34) in parallel with the compression operation by the MPEG-4 codec (34). The created motion image index data is recorded onto the recording medium (38) by the CPU (40) every time that the I frame is specified. |
| US07991264B2 |
Recording medium on which 3D video is recorded, playback apparatus for playing back 3D video, and system LSI
A left view graphics stream and a right view graphics stream recorded on a recording medium each include one or more display sets, and the display sets are data groups used for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects. The one or more display sets included in the left view graphics stream are in one-to-one correspondence with the one or more display sets included in the right view graphics stream, and an identical playback time for the video stream on the playback time axis is set in each of the corresponding display sets. Each display set includes state information indicating whether the data is all data necessary for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects, or is a difference from the immediately previous display set, and the state information included in corresponding display sets indicate identical content. |
| US07991261B2 |
Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof
The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems. |
| US07991259B2 |
Fiber optic patch kit and method for using same
The present method and kit provide for effective and efficient patching of fiber optic cables. The kit comprises mechanical fiber optic splicers, a fiber optic patch, a splice housing, and a protective housing. The mechanical fiber optic splicers can be used to splice the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic patch. The mechanical fiber optic splicers, the fiber optic patch, and a portion of the fiber optic cable can be enclosed within the splice housing. The splice housing can then be enclosed within a protective housing. |
| US07991255B2 |
Means of coupling light into optical fibers and methods of manufacturing a coupler
The invention relates to a pump coupler (2) and a manufacturing method. The pump coupler (2) comprises a least one signal fiber (50) for outputting optical energy, multiple pump fibers (31) for inputting optical energy into the signal fiber (50), and a coupling structure (40) for coupling the optical energy of the pump fibers (31) into the signal fiber (50). A signal feed-through fiber (32) goes through the coupling structure (40). In accordance with the invention the coupling structure (40) is a tapering capillary tube (40) having a first wide end (65) and a second narrow end (70), the pump fibers (31) are connected to the wide end of the capillary tube (40), and at least the narrow end (70) of the capillary tube (70) is collapsed around the signal fiber (32). |
| US07991251B2 |
Optical module mounted with WDM filter
A filter element includes a first glass substrate having a pair of parallel surfaces and a band pass filter arranged on one of the parallel surfaces, a pair of single-crystal substrates (Si wafers) each including a primary surface formed with a depression having an inclined surface with respect to the primary surface occupying at least one half of the opening of the depression, and a second glass substrate having an optical element. The primary surfaces of the single-crystal substrate pair are bonded to a pair of the surfaces of the glass substrate. The depressions are faced through the glass substrate and surround the band pass filter. By this configuration, the filter element can be mass produced with a high accuracy and a low cost by the wafer-level process. |
| US07991241B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program
An image processing apparatus corrects a shot image which is captured by an image capturing apparatus including an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally and on which a shadow of a foreign substance adhering to an optical element placed in front of the image sensor is captured. This apparatus includes an interpolation unit which performs interpolation processing of interpolating a signal of a pixel corresponding to the shadow of the foreign substance with a signal of a neighboring pixel, a designation unit which inputs an instruction to cause the interpolation unit to perform the interpolation processing, and a control unit which causes the interpolation unit to perform the interpolation processing, and when the interpolation unit has not performed the interpolation processing, causes the interpolation unit to re-execute the interpolation processing upon changing a parameter for the interpolation processing or an algorithm for the interpolation processing. |
| US07991237B2 |
Image encoding device, image decoding device, image encoding method and image decoding method
An encoding device includes a color component separating unit for separating an input bit stream for the respective color components, a block dividing unit for dividing an input color component signal into blocks to generate a signal of an encoding unit area, a predicted image generating unit for generating a predicted image for the signal, a determining unit for determining a prediction mode used for encoding according to a prediction efficiency of the predicted image, a prediction error encoding unit for encoding a difference between the predicted image corresponding to the prediction mode determined by the determining unit and the input color component signal, and an encoding unit for variable length-coding the prediction mode, an output from the prediction error encoding unit, and a color component identification flag indicating the color component to which the input bit stream belongs as a result of the color component separation. |
| US07991233B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic connector analysis
A method (1100) of creating an editable document is disclosed. The method analyses a bitmap image to detect at least one bit map representation of a graphical object and a bitmap representation of a line object. The method matches the graphical object with one of a plurality of predetermined template shapes (e.g., 420), the template shape having one or more predetermined non-contiguous connection points. The method selects one of the predetermined connection points for the line object if at least one end of the line object is within a predetermined distance of the selected connection point and associates the line object with the selected connection point. The method creates an editable document comprising the template shape with the line object connected thereto, wherein the line object remains associated with the selected connection point upon the template shape being modified within the document such that the line object remains dynamically connected to the template shape. |
| US07991232B2 |
Image similarity calculation system, image search system, image similarity calculation method, and image similarity calculation program
There is provided an image similarity calculation system which yields a large value for image similarity between an edited image and an original image. A local region weight calculation means 14 calculates a weight value for each local region in the image as a local region weight value, based on probability of editing each local region in the image. The local region weight calculation means 14 outputs the calculated local region weight value to an image similarity calculation means 122. A small region similarity calculation means 121 compares a feature quantity for each small region resulting from dividing an inquiry image with a feature quantity for each small region resulting from dividing a reference image. The small region similarity calculation means 121 calculates a similarity of feature quantities for the respective small regions. The image similarity calculation means 122 calculates an image similarity between the inquiry image and the reference image by applying a small-region-based weight value to the calculated similarity. This weight value is found from a local region weight value supplied from the local region weight calculation means 14. |
| US07991229B2 |
Reducing compression artifacts in multi-layer images
Disclosed are embodiments of systems, devices, and methods to reduce compression artifacts in multi-layer images. Pixel dilation operations, such as morphological dilations, are performed to identify unlabeled pixels at boundaries between layers, and the colors of those pixels are adjusted to mitigate formation of artifacts during layer compression. |
| US07991228B2 |
Stereo image segmentation
Real-time segmentation of foreground from background layers in binocular video sequences may be provided by a segmentation process which may be based on one or more factors including likelihoods for stereo-matching, color, and optionally contrast, which may be fused to infer foreground and/or background layers accurately and efficiently. In one example, the stereo image may be segmented into foreground, background, and/or occluded regions using stereo disparities. The stereo-match likelihood may be fused with a contrast sensitive color model that is initialized or learned from training data. Segmentation may then be solved by an optimization algorithm such as dynamic programming or graph cut. In a second example, the stereo-match likelihood may be marginalized over foreground and background hypotheses, and fused with a contrast-sensitive color model that is initialized or learned from training data. Segmentation may then be solved by an optimization algorithm such as a binary graph cut. |
| US07991227B2 |
Color adjustment apparatus and computer-readable medium
A color adjustment apparatus includes a subspace setting unit, a non-adjustment region setting unit and a color adjustment unit. The subspace setting unit sets a subspace in a color space. The subspace includes an adjustment subject color, which is an adjustment source, and a target color representing an adjustment destination. The non-adjustment region setting unit sets a non-adjustment region in the color space. A color adjustment is not performed in the non-adjustment region. The color adjustment unit performs the color adjustment for colors in the subspace set by the subspace setting unit, based on a reference vector directing from the adjustment subject color to the target color. |
| US07991224B2 |
Segmenting digital image and producing compact representation
A method (100), an apparatus, and a computer program product for automatically producing a compact representation of a colour document are disclosed. In the method, a digital image of a colour-document page is segmented (110) into connected components in one-pass, block raster order. The digital image of the page is partitioned into foreground and background images using layout analysis (120) based on compact, connected-component statistics of the whole page. At least one portion of the background image where at least one portion of the foreground image obscures the background image is inpainting (520) in one-pass block raster order. The foreground and background images are combined (130) to form a compact document. A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for segmenting a digital image comprising a plurality of pixels are also disclosed. |
| US07991222B2 |
Method and apparatus for high resolution 3D imaging as a function of camera position, camera trajectory and range
A system and method for imaging a three-dimensional scene having one or more objects. The system includes a light source, a detector array, a timing circuit, an inertial guidance system and a processor connected to the timing circuit and the inertial guidance system. The light source generates an optical pulse and projects the optical pulse on an object so that it is reflected as a reflected pulse. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors, wherein the detectors are oriented to receive the reflected pulse. The timing circuit determines when the reflected pulse reached detectors on the detector array. The inertial guidance system measures angular velocity and acceleration. The processor forms a composite image of the three-dimensional scene as a function of camera position and range to objects in the three-dimensional scene. |
| US07991219B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting positions of electrode pads
A method for detecting positions of a plurality of electrode pads of semiconductor chips formed on a semiconductor wafer includes: setting an imaging target region greater than a semiconductor chip on the semiconductor wafer; performing split imaging so as to entirely cover the imaging target region; and detecting positions of electrode pads of the semiconductor chip by processing images obtained by the split imaging. The split imaging is performed by using an imaging device which enlarges and images a region smaller than the imaging target region by one imaging. |
| US07991217B2 |
Defect classifier using classification recipe based on connection between rule-based and example-based classifiers
In apparatuses for automatically acquiring and also for automatically classifying images of defects present on a sample such as a semiconductor wafer, a classifying system is provided which are capable of readily accepting even such a case that a large number of classification classes are produced based upon a request issued by a user, and also even such a case that a basis of the classification class is changed in a high frequency. When the user defines the classification classes, a device for designating attributes owned by the respective classification classes is provided. The classifying system automatically changes a connecting mode between an internally-provided rule-based classifier and an example-based classifier, so that such a classifying system which is fitted to the classification basis of the user is automatically constructed. |
| US07991213B2 |
System for detecting infectious agents using computer-controlled automated image analysis
A method for recognizing an object in an image is disclosed wherein a fractal map of the image is generated by estimating the fractal dimension of each pixel in the image. The fractal map may be segmented by thresholding and locations of candidate objects are determined. The pixel value of the image pixel corresponding to the same location where the candidate object is found in the fractal map may be compared to a threshold value. If the pixel value is greater than the threshold value, the candidate object is recognized as a valid object. |
| US07991211B2 |
Method and system for guided two dimensional colon screening
A method and apparatus for guiding image reading for colon screening, includes calculating a centerline for a colon; scrolling through a succession of two dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images of a colon in respective image planes, such that a current image plane includes a respective current focus point formed by an intersection of the centerline with the current image plane. The method further includes performing a three-dimensional (3D) region growing process for growing a region of a suitable given thickness around a current seed point in a current image plane, the current seed point being at the respective current focus point in the current image plane, such that the region growing “floods” folds within a prescribed distance from the current seed point such that part of the region intersects the current image plane. Portions of the region intersecting the current image plane that meets at least one of conditions (A) and (B) are removed from consideration where: condition (A) includes the region intersecting the given current image plane containing a further connected component not containing the current seed point, and containing a further intersection of the image plane with the centerline other than the current seed point, and condition (B) includes the further connected component exhibiting a larger area than that exhibited by a connected component containing the current seed point; and marking remaining portions of the region intersecting the current image plane, not removed from consideration, as seen areas. |
| US07991210B2 |
Automatic aortic detection and segmentation in three-dimensional image data
A method including searching image data corresponding to a series of axial image slices with a processor, searching axial image slices from a starting image slice and calculating a confidence score that an image slice includes a cross-section image of an aorta, identifying an image slice containing at least one seed disk, including an ascending aorta seed disk, from candidate image slices identified according to the confidence score, and growing a 3D segmentation of the ascending aorta by stacking ascending aorta image disks included in consecutive image slices beginning from the ascending aorta seed disk. |
| US07991209B2 |
Method and device for scanning a sample with contrast evaluation
The invention relates to a method and to a device for optically scanning a sample (1). The device comprises an adjusting unit (2, 3) and a scanning device (4, 5) which comprises an optical unit (4) and a scanning unit (5). The inventive device also comprises a control arrangement (6) which controls the optical unit (4), the scanning unit (5) and the adjusting unit (2, 3). The sample (1) is displaced in relation to the scanning device (4, 5), or vice-versa, by means of the adjusting unit (2, 3) which is impinged upon by the control arrangement (6). As a result, individual images (7), which are obtained by means of the scanning device (4, 5) are assembled to make at least one global image in the control arrangement (6). According to the invention, the respectively detected individual image (7) is evaluated either partially or totally in relation to the contrast thereof, and the obtained contrast values (K) influence the functionality of the entire arrangement. |
| US07991206B1 |
Surrogate heuristic identification
Surrogate heuristic identification is described, including selecting a portion of video content, wherein the portion is standardized, identifying a characteristic associated with the video content, using the characteristic to generate a data representation, the data representation being used to provide heuristic data, and processing the heuristic data to generate a fingerprint configured to compare against one or more stored fingerprints associated with other video content. |
| US07991204B2 |
Threshold determining device, method and program, and personal authentication system
Provided is a threshold determining device for determining a threshold, at which the false matching rate of each data to become less than a required value becomes a required assurance value or more. The threshold determining device comprises an individual threshold evaluation unit, an individual threshold distribution evaluation unit, and an overall threshold determination unit. The threshold determining device determines a similarity of each data to others for each data, determines the threshold of the similarity satisfying a predetermined false matching rate, for each data, determines an individual threshold distribution of the data for each threshold on each of the data, and determines the threshold common to the entire data, as overall data on the basis of the individual threshold distribution. |
| US07991200B2 |
Photographing apparatus, method and program
Processing for judging whether a face is included in a frame is performed, in a predetermined interval, on each of frames included in a moving image of a subject, displayed on a monitor, until the judgment becomes positive. If it is judged that a face is included in a frame, the facial position is detected in the frame, and stored. Then, judgment is made as to whether a face is included in the next frame after predetermined time. If the judgment is positive, the facial position is detected. The previously stored facial position is replaced by the newly detected facial position, and the newly detected facial position is stored. These processes are repeated until photographing operation is performed by operating a release unit. |
| US07991194B2 |
Apparatus and method for recognizing position using camera
Provided are a location awareness apparatus using a camera and a method thereof. The apparatus includes: an image capturing unit for photographing a position identification tag using a camera; a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance to a position identification tag; an incident angle measuring unit for measuring a photographing angle at a visual point; an image analyzing unit for reading the photographed image from the image capturing unit, and requesting location information corresponding to the read information to a position recognition server; and a location awareness unit for estimating a current location using the distance to the position identification tag, the photographing angle of the position identification tag, and the location information corresponding to the read information by the image analyzing unit. |
| US07991193B2 |
Automated learning for people counting systems
A system, method and program product for providing automated learning for a people counting system. A system is disclosed that includes a grid system for dividing a field of view (FOV) of a captured image data into a set of blocks; an object detection and tracking system for tracking a blob passing through the FOV; and a learning system that maintains person size parameters for each block and updates person size parameters for a selected block when a blob appears in the selected block. |
| US07991177B2 |
Control pad structure with integral speaker
A control pad structure (10) with a built-in speaker (40) includes a circuit board (20) disposing a plurality of touch switches (22) thereon; a control pad (30) is provided with a plurality of bulge points (36); and an accommodating space (35) is formed between the circuit board and the control pad for enclosing the speaker therein. The speaker is also provided with a bulge point. When the control pad is operated, the bulge points engage with corresponding touch switches to activate the switches. A plurality of openings (24) is defined in the circuit board between the touch switches. |
| US07991175B2 |
Method and a system to adjust the acoustical performance of a loudspeaker
The invention relates to a method and a system for optimizing the performance of a loudspeaker system as perceived by user.The physical part of the speaker system is adjustable which enables the speaker units to be placed in positions that imply maximal acoustical performance. This is obtained by combined means to: 1) bring the speaker in a specified position and 2) apply accordingly position dependant individual acoustical filters inserted in the signal path to each individual speaker. |
| US07991172B2 |
Half-voltage headphone driver circuit
The present invention discloses a half-voltage headphone driver circuit, comprising: at least one operational amplifier providing an output to a headphone speaker, and a charge pump receiving a supply voltage (VDD), generating a positive half-voltage and a negative half-voltage (VDD/2 and −VDD/2) based on the supply voltage, and supplying the positive half-voltage and negative half-voltage as high and low operation levels to the at least one operational amplifier. |
| US07991170B2 |
Loudspeaker crossover filter
A method is provided for computing frequency responses of crossover filters for multi-way loudspeakers. The method prescribes driver coordinates for drivers in the multi-way loudspeaker, prescribes an attenuation function for the sound pressure level at a desired angle, computes the crossover frequencies using a point source model and computes the frequency responses in intervals defined by the crossover frequencies. |
| US07991167B2 |
Forming beams with nulls directed at noise sources
A communication system (e.g., a speakerphone) includes an array of microphones, a speaker, memory and a processor. The processor may perform a virtual broadside scan on the microphone array and analyze the resulting amplitude envelope to identify acoustic source angles. Each of the source angles may be further investigated with a directed beam (e.g., a hybrid superdirective/delay-and-sum beam) to obtain a corresponding beam signal. Each source may be classified as either intelligence or noise based on an analysis of the corresponding beam signal. The processor may design a virtual beam pointed at an intelligence source and having nulls directed at one or more of the noise sources. Thus, the virtual beam may be highly sensitive to the intelligence source and insensitive to the noise sources. |
| US07991160B2 |
Method and system for securing wireless communications
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a Node B, respectively, perform joint randomness not shared by others (JRNSO) measurement to generate JRNSO bits based on a channel estimate between the WTRU and the Node B. The WTRU and the Node B then perform a reconciliation procedure to generate a common JRNSO bits. The Node B sends the common JRNSO bits to a serving network. The WTRU and the SN secure a session key (such as an integrity key, a cipher key and an anonymity key), using the common JRNSO bits. The JRNSO measurements are performed on an on-going basis, and the session key is updated using a new set of common JRNSO bits. The JRNSO bits may be expanded by using a pseudorandom number generator (PNG) or a windowing technique. A handover may be intentionally induced to increase the JRNSO bits generation rate. |
| US07991158B2 |
Secure messaging
Secure authentication and messaging for mobile online transactions are performed by a secure messaging platform. The secure messaging platform may include a token coupled to a mobile device, or a mobile device alone. The token enables secure access, and client and server protocols enable secure transactions using text/SMS messaging. |
| US07991156B1 |
Digital rights management negotiation for streaming media over a network
A digital rights management (DRM) method is negotiated prior to initiating delivery of a DRM encoded content item over a digital network between a client and a target server. The client identifies a link to the target server for accessing the DRM encoded content item. The client initiates a network session with the target server. The client sends an offer message to the target server containing a list of at least one supported DRM method. The target server sends an answer message to the client containing a corresponding list 1) indicating whether each DRM method listed in the to offer message is supported by the target server, and 2) providing a network address of a DRM license server for each supported DRM method. The client selects a supported DRM method. The client obtains a DRM license using the network address listed for the selected DRM method. The target server delivers the DRM encoded content item to the client using the selected DRM method. |
| US07991155B2 |
Backup management device, backup management method, computer program, recording medium, integrated circuit, and backup system
To provide a backup management device that deletes a content so as to be restorable in the future while protecting a copyright of the content, in a case where there exists a backup of the content. In an HD recorder, a first information storage unit stores a content, a second information storage unit stores a backup of the content, a secure storage unit stores a hash value of the content. If receiving an instruction to delete the content so as to be restorable, a control unit deletes the content from the first information storage unit. When the content is played back, an encryption processing unit applies a calculation to the content to generate detection information, and the control unit compares the hash value with the detection information to judge whether the content has been tampered. |
| US07991154B2 |
Exponentiation method using multibase number representation
A method of scalar multiplication for use in elliptic curve-based cryptosystems (ECC) is provided. Scalars are represented using a generic multibase form combined with the non-adjacency property, which greatly reduces the nonzero density in the representation. The method allows for flexibly selecting an unrestricted number of bases and their weight in the representation according to the particular characteristics of a setting, in such a way that computing costs are minimized. A simple, memory-friendly conversion process from binary to multibase representation and an inexpensive methodology to protect the multibase scalar multiplication against simple-side channel attacks are also provided. |
| US07991152B2 |
Speeding up Galois Counter Mode (GCM) computations
Methods and apparatus to speed up Galois Counter Mode (GCM) computations are described. In one embodiment, a carry-less multiplication instruction may be used to perform operations corresponding to verification of an encrypted message in accordance with GCM. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07991145B2 |
Drive and positioning method and system for automated switch matrix
A method and system for automating a switch matrix board for cross-connecting any line in a set of input lines to any line in a set of output lines, to be used e.g. in automating cross-connects for line pairs in a central office main distribution frame (MDF) of a telecommunication network. The switch matrix (100) comprises a plurality of contact sledges (130) driven by a plurality of sledge positioning screws (120) that slidably engage a plurality of main contact pads (110) to cross-connect the lines. In an embodiment of the invention, two electric motors cooperate to position a lateral drive gear (158) to engage and rotate a selected sledge positioning screw (120), which moves the contact sledge. In another embodiment, a single electric motor operates together with a magnetic clutch assembly (180) to position the lateral drive gear to rotate the sledge positioning screw (120). A controller unit is connected to a position detection system and to the motors to accurately position the contact sledge (130) on the switch matrix board. |
| US07991144B2 |
Voice communication terminal
When an outgoing call is to be requested on a terminal, the terminal transmits a first outgoing call request containing the priority of outgoing call operation. When the terminal transmits the first outgoing call request, and then receives a second outgoing call request addressed to the terminal before it receives an incoming call response with respect to the first outgoing call request from a destination terminal, the terminal compares the priority contained in the second outgoing call request with the priority contained in the first outgoing call request. The terminal executes an incoming call response procedure corresponding to the second outgoing call request when the priority in the second outgoing call request is higher as the result of comparison between the priorities of outgoing call operation, and executes a outgoing call control following the first outgoing call request when the priority in the first outgoing call request is higher. |
| US07991143B2 |
Rapid response to user input at a telecommunications terminal
An apparatus and methods are disclosed for use by organizations that have PBXs at a plurality of sites. The invention pertains to cell phone calls from an affiliated terminal to her “home” private branch exchange. For example, an employee who works at the Chicago branch office might call the Chicago office's PBX to invoke a feature such as setting up call forwarding, retrieving voice mail, etc. Such calls might be automatically and transparently directed to another PBX when it is advantageous to do so. In the illustrative embodiment, the need or desirability to redirect such calls to another PBX is ascertained while the caller is still in the process of entering all of the required calling information. The effect of assessing whether to redirect the call in parallel with the caller entering the information is to reduce the delays otherwise experienced by the caller when placing calls outside of the enterprise area served by the home private branch exchange. |
| US07991141B2 |
Method and apparatus for personal call routing request and handling
A system includes a server including one or more databases for storing one or more handling rules specifying handling of incoming telephone calls; an intermediary routing control unit configured to access the one or more databases responsive to an incoming telephone call and provide the one or more handling rules to a switch control unit for handling routing of the incoming telephone call, said switch control unit being on a signaling path of the incoming telephone call; wherein the server and intermediary routing control unit are external said signaling path. |
| US07991140B2 |
Enhanced directory assistance system
An enhanced directory assistance system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from at least one caller desiring to receive directions. A direction module is configured to receive a desired destination information provided by the caller and the location of the caller. The direction module is further configured to provide directions to the caller based on the destination and the caller location information, where the system maintains a preferred destination listing configured to store a preferred destination information relating to a destination request frequently requested by the caller, such that when the system recognizes the caller, the desired destination is populated directly from the preferred destination information. |
| US07991138B2 |
Social error prevention
Inappropriate messages can be eliminated by an automatic etiquette agent which, based on prescribed etiquette rules, initially prevents a communication from being established unless it receives a further authorization from the user. The etiquette rules represent prescribed social characteristics and situations and they may be set by, or customized by the user, an organization to which the user belongs, or a communication service provider. The automatic etiquette agent may question the user on the advisability of establishing a communication, e.g., by presenting a dialog box or voice prompt to the user and receiving a simple affirmation if communication is to be established. Alternatively, the user may be prompted by the automatic etiquette agent to enter a password that clearly indicates the user's assent. In the event that the automatic etiquette agent does not receive the appropriate affirmation of the user's intent, the communication is not established. |
| US07991132B2 |
Billing method and system, and billing server
This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and provides a billing method and system, and a billing server. The method includes: generating, by a PBX, billing ticket information and reporting the billing ticket information to a billing server when an incoming call from an external user to an internal user of the PBX, an outgoing call from an internal user of the PBX, or a call between internal users of the PBX occurs; receiving and storing, by the billing server, the billing ticket information reported from the PBX; initiating, by the billing server, a service connection to a billing center through the PBX, or triggering, by the billing server, a fixed wireless station to initiate a service connection to a billing center directly when the PBX system is in an idle state; and sending, by the billing server, the stored billing ticket information to the billing center after the connection is established successfully. The present invention can implement billing for internal calls within the service scope of a wireless PBX without too many modifications to the existing network equipment, and has little adverse effect on the call. |
| US07991122B2 |
DSL system training
Existing and future standardized VDSL2 and other systems can be integrated into and used with a vectored DSLAM or other vectored or non-vectored DSL system, without a new user disrupting service to other users in the same or a nearby binder, in some cases by using transmit power, CARMASK and/or PSDMASK DSL capabilities to reduce both downstream and upstream training-signal levels so that training of a new DSL line is non-disruptive, despite a lack of knowledge of the pre-existing binder. For vectored systems, the crosstalk from that tone can be observed, learned and then added to the vectoring system so that any subsequent excitation on that tone would be eliminated by vector processing. A second tone then can be added in the same way, etc. In non-vectored DSLs that might be operating in a binder or line set, once these non-vectored lines are observed to be present, a vectored line set controller, such as a DSL optimizer, then can anticipate the potential interference from such non-vectored lines. |
| US07991117B2 |
Apparatus and method to facilitate dynamically adjusting radiation intensity for imaging purposes
An x-ray-based radiation imaging apparatus (200) for use in imaging an object (201) can comprise a source of x-rays (202) having an output radiation intensity control input and a radiation intensity controller (207) operably coupled thereto. This radiation intensity controller can have a control output (209, 210) that is operably coupled to the output radiation intensity control input and an object information input (209). So configured, the radiation intensity controller can dynamically adjust radiation intensity as output by the source of x-rays as a function of information regarding the object itself. |
| US07991116B2 |
Monochromatic x-ray micro beam for trace element mapping
An x-ray system or method for exciting a sample under x-ray analysis, using a curved monochromating optic for directing a monochromatic x-ray beam from an x-ray source towards a first focal area. A second optic is positioned within, and receives, the monochromatic x-ray beam, and directs a focused x-ray beam towards a second focal area on the sample. A detector is positioned near the sample to collect radiation from the sample as a result of the focused x-ray beam. The curved monochromating optic produces a beam spot size at the first focal area larger than a beam spot size produced by the second optic at the second focal area, therefore, a beam spot size on the sample is thereby reduced using the second optic. Doubly-curved monochromating optics, and polycapillary optics, are disclosed as possible implementations of the optics. |
| US07991115B2 |
Medical image diagnostic device
In a medical image diagnostic device, wherein X-Ray CT devices and PET devices are longitudinally disposed, and which has a tubular imaging part for positioning a subject who is placed on the top surface of a bed and collecting image data, an illumination part is provided for producing a suitable level of brightness to the display part, which is for providing information to the subject without having to adopt every imaging position within the tubular imaging part, and to the imaging part. |
| US07991113B2 |
Relocatable x-ray imaging system and method for inspecting commercial vehicles and cargo containers
The present specification discloses a readily relocatable X-ray imaging system for inspecting the contents of vehicles and containers, and a method for using the same. The system is relatively small in size, and is used for inspecting commercial vehicles, cargo containers, and other large objects. The X-ray imaging system has a substantially arch-shaped collapsible frame with an X-ray source and detectors disposed thereon. The frame is preferably collapsible via a plurality of hinges and may be deployed into an X-ray imaging position, and collapsed into a transport position. |
| US07991106B2 |
Multi-mode tomosynthesis/mammography gain calibration and image correction using gain map information from selected projection angles
A multi-mode tomosynthesis/mammography system and method in which a mammography gain map is used to gain correct mammographic images of a patient's breast but enhanced gain maps for respective projection angled are used to correct tomosynthesis images acquired with the same system. |
| US07991105B2 |
Visualization of 3D images in combination with 2D projection images
Original 2D rotational projections are combined preferably in an overlaying manner with corresponding viewings of a 3D reconstruction. By showing the 2D rotational projections in combination with the 3D reconstruction, 3D vessel information can be compared with the original 2D rotational image information over different rotational angles. In a clinical setup the combined visualization will allow for an easy check if findings in the 3D RA volume such as stenosis or aneurysms are not overestimated or underestimated due to e.g. an incomplete filling with contrast agent and/or a spectral beam hardening during the rotational scan. |
| US07991101B2 |
Multiple channel synchronized clock generation scheme
Multiple channel synchronized clock generation scheme. A novel approach is presented herein in which synchronized clock signals are generated that can be used in parallel processing of deserialized signals. When a serial input signal is received, it can be deserialized into a plurality of parallel signals, and each of these parallel signals can be processed at a frequency that is lower than the frequency of the serial signal. Overall, the frequency at which all of the parallel signals are processed can be the same or substantially close to the frequency of the serial signal, so that throughput within a communication system is not compromised or undesirably reduced. This novel approach is operable to perform independent adjustment of the operational parameters within an apparatus that is operable to perform multiple channel synchronized clock generation (e.g., phase rotation and/or division of signals within each of the individual channels can be adjusted independently). |
| US07991100B2 |
Method for the synchronization of a radio receiver, and adapted receiver for the implementation of said method
A method for the synchronization of a radio receiver, comprising an estimation of the moment when a pulse (11, 17) is received (11, 17), performed from the moment when a previous pulse was received. The estimated moment is compared with the real moment when the pulse (21, 27) is received in order to validate an association of pulses with values of a code recorded in the receiver (31, 37). A moment for the beginning of transmission of a symbol is thus deduced, enabling the receiver to be synchronized in relation to the transmitted radio pulse sequence. |
| US07991096B1 |
Data sampling method and apparatus using through-transition counts to reject worst sampling position
A data sampling circuit that employs an oversampling clock to oversample a data signal, a phase tracking circuit for use in such a sampling circuit, and a receiver and system including such a sampling circuit. Preferably, phase tracking is implemented by systematically identifying and rejecting at least one worst sampling position, and sampling the data signal at a non-rejected sampling position. Preferably, phase tracking is accomplished by counting through-transitions of edges of the sampled data signal through each oversampling position, and rejecting an oversampling position having a highest count of through-transitions. In some embodiments, different phase tracking methods (at least one of which includes the step of generating through-transition counts) are used for different types of input data. Other aspects of the invention are methods for determining an oversampling position for oversampling a data signal, and methods for oversampling a data signal including by generating through-transition counts. |
| US07991095B2 |
Sampling method, reconstruction method, and device for sampling and/or reconstructing signals
A reconstruction method for reconstructing a first signal from a set of sampled values generated by sampling a second signal at a sub-Nyquist rate and at uniform intervals, the method includes retrieving from the set of sampled values a set of shifts and weights with which the first signal can be reconstructed. |
| US07991092B2 |
Method for receiving a multicarrier signal using at least two estimates of a propagation channel and corresponding reception device
A method is provided for receiving a multicarrier signal including a time-based succession of symbols, each including a plurality of multicarriers bearing data, at least one of said symbols including at least one reference pilot. The method includes the following steps: a first estimation of a propagation channel, in accordance with a first estimating technique taking into account the or said reference pilots; at least one second estimation of said propagation channel, in accordance with a second estimating technique different from said first technique; comparing said first and second estimations, delivering an error signal; detecting at least one interfering signal in said propagation channel, by analyzing said error signal. |
| US07991091B2 |
Radio communication system, receiver, receiving method, transmitter, transmitting method, and device for and method of calculating delay times for multi-carrier transmission
Multi-carrier transmission is performed without inserting a repetitive signal into guard interval periods. A transmitter provides guard interval periods by using a null signal to save transmission power and prevent the deterioration of the SN ratio. Delayed waves at the head of each received symbol cause high-frequency waves to occur and carriers to interfere with one another. Accordingly, a receiver adds a component following each received symbol to a delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol. As a result, the delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol and the added component become continuous in wave form and subcarriers do not interfere with each other. |
| US07991086B2 |
System and method for improved carrier recovery
A system and method for carrier recovery includes a plurality of carrier recovery modules, each processing the same input symbols, and each having a gain input and an error output. A loop gain control receives errors from the carrier recovery modules and provides gains to the carrier recovery modules. Based upon the errors during a current period, the loop gain control determines which module produced lowest errors, and selects the gain associated with that module as a best gain which is applied to a module which outputs symbols for decoding during a next period. |
| US07991083B2 |
Method and system for detecting preambles in a multi-cell system
A method and system is provided for detecting preambles in a multi-cell communication system. The method detects preambles reliably even in the presence of interference caused by multiple cells reusing the same frequency in the multi-cell communication system. After receiving a signal in the receiving period, the time domain signal is sampled and transformed into the frequency domain vector. The correlation vector is calculated with the frequency domain vector and pseudonoise code of the wireless station. The presence of a preamble is verified if the value in the correlation vector exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US07991082B2 |
Maximum a posteriori probability decoder
A method is provided for performing a MAP probability decoding of a sequence R(n) including N bits of encoded data. The method includes the steps of: (a) generating a sequence rn of sot-values by processing the sequence R(n); (b) performing a forward recursion by computing alpha values αS,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; (c) performing a backward recursion by computing beta values βS,SG utilizing the soft-decision values; and (d) performing an extrinsic computation by computing probability values p′k. The alpha values αS,SG are relative log-likelihoods of an encoding process arriving at various states. The beta values βS,SG are relative log-likelihoods of the encoding process arriving at various states. The probability values p′k represent a set of probabilities indicating that each data bit of an input sequence dK had a value equal to zero or one. The sequence R(n) represents an encoded form of the input sequence dK. |
| US07991073B2 |
Distortion compensation apparatus and method
A distortion compensation apparatus includes a distortion compensation unit that performs distortion compensation processing on a transmission signal by a series operation, a coefficient update unit that updates a group of series operation coefficients used for the series operation based on a feedback signal of transmission signal output that is output after power amplification processing is performed on output of the distortion compensation unit and the transmission signal, an initial coefficient memory that stores the groups of series operation coefficients that become initial values for coefficient update processing by the coefficient update unit, and a power fluctuation detection unit that detects a power fluctuation of the transmission signal and, when the power fluctuation is detected, reads the groups of series operation coefficients from the initial coefficient memory and provides the groups of series operation coefficients to the coefficient update unit. |
| US07991071B2 |
AM to PM correction system for polar modulator
A transmitter includes a polar modulator that creates phase and amplitude signals which in turn drive a power amplifier. To compensate for AM to PM conversion of the amplitude signal into the amplified signal, a compensation signal is generated from the amplitude signal and combined with the phase signal such that when amplified, the compensation signal cancels the AM to PM conversion. The compensation signal may have an offset term, a linear term, a quadratic term, and a cubic term. A second embodiment comprises a technique by which AM to AM conversion may concurrently be addressed using a second compensation signal. |
| US07991064B2 |
Radio parameter group generating apparatus, transmitter and receiver
An apparatus for generating sets of radio parameters includes a first deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters for specifying a symbol including an effective symbol part with the same period as the effective symbol part specified by another set of radio parameters and a guard interval part with a different period from the guard interval part specified by the other set of radio parameters. The apparatus further includes a second deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters so that an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by another set of radio parameters is equal to an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by the other set of radio parameters. |
| US07991053B2 |
Method and apparatus to enable acquisition of media in streaming applications
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding multimedia frames are presented. The method comprises encoding a set of acquisition frames including a viewable frame, each frame comprising one or more intra-coded portions and one or more inter-coded portions, wherein the act of encoding the intra-coded portions comprises positioning the intra-coded portions such that when the intra-coded portions of the set of acquisition frames are combined, a complete intra-coded composite frame is formed. The act of encoding the inter-coded portions comprises predicting the inter-coded portions such that the viewable frame is comprised of intra-coded portions and inter-coded portions that are directly or indirectly predicted from the intra-coded portions of the set of acquisition frames. |
| US07991051B2 |
Interframe wavelet coding apparatus and method capable of adjusting computational complexity
Provided is an inter-frame wavelet coding apparatus that can reduce the computation complexity of a decoder by adjusting a decomposition level and a filter length based on the information amount of a frame during wavelet transform and a method therefor. The inter-frame wavelet coding apparatus includes: a Motion Compensated Temporal Filtering (MCTF) unit for computing a motion vectors of a group of pictures (GOP) and filtering the GOP with respect to the temporal axis, to thereby obtain filtered frame; a wavelet transforming unit for performing spatial wavelet transform on the filtered frame and outputting a wavelet coefficient; a quantization unit for quantizing the wavelet coefficient; an entropy coding unit for entropy-coding the motion vector computed in the MCTF unit and the quantized wavelet coefficient, to thereby generate an entropy-coded bit stream; and a wavelet filter managing unit for selecting a decomposition level and a filter length for the wavelet transforming unit based on motion estimation information of the GOP video computed in the MCTF unit, wherein the decomposition level and the filter length are included in the entropy-coded bit stream. |
| US07991044B1 |
System and method for automatic diagnosis of impairments in a digital quadrature amplitude modulated signal
A device and methods for automatically diagnosing impairments in a digital quadrature amplitude modulated signal is disclosed. The impairments include phase noise, compression, coherent interference, and non-coherent interference. The device comprises a phase noise detector, a compression detector, and an interference detector. The phase noise detector detects phase noise by analyzing data points of an amplitude quadrature modulated constellation for orthogonal deviations from ideal points. The compression detector detects compression by analyzing the magnitudes of vectors from the constellation's origin to data points of the constellation. The interference detector detects coherent and non-coherent interference by detecting error signals in the data points and then analyzing the distribution of the error signals. |
| US07991043B2 |
Hybrid polyphase and joint time-frequency detection
A demodulator in a receiver includes a correlator (240) for de-spreading a spread-spectrum signal, and a decision module (250) for detecting a preamble and for synchronizing to data frames of the spread spectrum signal. The demodulator includes symbol timers (231 and 233) that allow the demodulator to correlate to two preamble symbols simultaneously, where the two preamble symbols occur one-half a symbol period apart. The correlator includes a correlator structure having taps that correct for any frequency offset of a carrier signal. The correlator correlates to each of the two preamble symbols a plurality of times through oversampling, where each correlation compensates for a different amount of frequency offset. By analyzing occurrence of peaks in magnitude of the correlations, the decision module detects the preamble and selects weights for the taps to de-spread data frames received after the preamble. |
| US07991041B2 |
Iterative detection and cancellation for wireless communication
Techniques for recovering a desired transmission in the presence of interfering transmissions are described. For iterative detection and cancellation, multiple groups of code channels are formed for a plurality of code channels for at least one sector. Processing is performed for the multiple groups of code channels in multiple iterations. For each iteration, data detection and signal cancellation are performed for the multiple groups of code channels in multiple stages, e.g., in a sequential order starting with the strongest group to the weakest group. Each stage of each iteration may perform data detection, signal reconstruction, and signal cancellation. Each stage of each iteration may also perform equalization, data detection, signal reconstruction, and signal cancellation. |
| US07991039B2 |
Electric arc furnace monitoring system and method
A system and method for monitoring the operating parameters of an electric arc furnace having a primary electrical circuit comprising a primary current transformer. The method includes monitoring the furnace's primary current transformer; collecting data therefrom; transmitting the collected data to a server having an operatively connected monitor; and displaying the collected data on the monitor in substantially real-time. The server also collects information about the performance of the furnace from a programmable logic computer and information entered manually by an operator at a furnace monitoring viewer system, which may also be displayed in substantially real-time on the monitor. |
| US07991032B2 |
Laser drive
Disclosed herein is a laser driver including a light emission controlling section configured to stop generation of a control voltage by a control voltage generating section, causing a given voltage corresponding to a magnitude of a reference current to be outputted to an input node of a first emitter follower to operate the first emitter follower for a first time period from start of a light emission time period, release stop of the generation of the control voltage by the control voltage generating section, causing the control voltage to be outputted to the input node of the first emitter follower to operate the first emitter follower until end of the light emission time period of the laser, and operate a second emitter follower to discharge electric charges accumulated in the laser for a second time period after the end of the light emission time period of the laser. |
| US07991031B2 |
Injection seeded laser ratio loop control
In a method of controlling an injection-seeded laser, a response of the laser is sampled at a plurality of different laser current values. A threshold current and a slope efficiency of the sampled response are then estimated, and a bias current and a modulation current calculated based on the estimated threshold current and a slope efficiency. |
| US07991028B1 |
Tunable solid state laser system
A high-powered diffraction limited diode pumped solid-state source optically end pumps a compact, widely tunable solid state material. Imaging of the collimated pump beam into the tunable medium produces ideal volumetric overlap producing high conversion efficiencies. Fully integrated pump source provides pump energy at or near the peak absorption wavelength. Birefringent elements placed intracavity are used for linewidth narrowing and tuning of the laser wavelength. Tunable active medium is placed in linear cavity arrangement utilizing a confocal or hemispherical arrangement. Mode waist is minimized in crystal such that there is optimal overlap with pump source while simultaneously maximizing extraction efficiency. |
| US07991026B2 |
Intracavity frequency-converted optically-pumped semiconductor laser with red-light output
In a branched resonator OPS-laser arrangement, a combination of intra-cavity optical parametric generation and intra-cavity sum-frequency mixing provides output radiation in a range between about 550 nanometers about 700 nanometers from an OPS fundamental wavelength in a range between about 900 nm and about 1100 nm. |
| US07991024B2 |
External cavity wavelength tunable laser device and optical output module
In an external cavity wavelength tunable laser device including an external cavity (20) which includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (2) and performs laser oscillation operation by feeding back external light, a wavelength tunable mirror (7) having at least a single-peak reflection spectrum characteristic within a laser wavelength tuning range is placed on one end of the external cavity (20), and a Fabry-Perot mode interval determined by the effective length of the external cavity (20) is not less than 1/10 times and not more than 10 times the reflection band full width half maximum of the wavelength tunable mirror (7). |
| US07991005B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method, program, and communication system
A communication apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a data frame including a plurality of pieces of unit data and transmitted from a communication partner; a determining unit that determines whether there is data loss, for each piece of unit data included in the data frame received by the receiving unit; a transmission right acquiring unit that acquires a transmission right; and a generating unit that generates grant data for granting the transmission right acquired by the transmission right acquiring unit to the communication partner, when the determining unit determines that at least any one of the pieces of unit data has been lost. |