| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08042336B2 |
Device for the storage of heat energy for subsequent conversion into electrical energy
The invention relates to a device for the conversion of heat energy into another energy form provided with at least one heat input and pressure reservoir module, each comprising a heat-input transmitting device and a pressure reservoir, whereby said device and pressure reservoir are connected to each other for the exchange of fluid and an energy conversion device, connected to the pressure reservoir of the heat input and pressure reservoir module for the exchange of fluid, by means of which the energy built up in the form of fluid pressure in the heat input and pressure reservoir module may be converted into said other energy form. |
| US08042335B2 |
Intake air heating and exhaust cooling
Intake air heating and exhaust cooling is provided by a double wall exhaust system serving as an exhaust-to-air heat exchanger, sourcing hot air to the intake manifold for intake stroke pumping benefit and cooling the exhaust system during high load operation by routing excess boost air through an interstitial space of the double wall. |
| US08042333B2 |
Oil cooling circuit for continuously reciprocating hydraulic cylinders
An oil cooling and filtering circuit connecting a reciprocating fluid power hydraulic cylinder to a reversible hydraulic pump or hydraulic directional valve. The circuit consists preferably of a three-way, three-position valve and a purge relief valve, which functions to divert a percentage of the low pressure oil coming out of the cylinder work port to an oil cooler. Instead of the fluid simply moving back and forth in the line and become overheated due to fluid friction and repeated pressurization, the working fluid in the line to the cylinder work port is circulated out of the fluid line and gradually replaced with cooled oil. The circuit itself does not perform cooling, but it provides a means to send trapped oil to an oil cooler. A secondary advantage is to provide filtration to the oil that is removed for cooling. |
| US08042332B1 |
Transaxle
An axle driving device includes a hydrostatic transmission (HST) having a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor which are in fluid communication with one another through a closed circuit within a center section of the HST, an axle capable of being driven by driving power of various speeds from the HST, a common housing which houses the HST and the axle, wherein the center section is provided with an oil hole for supplying a working fluid to the closed circuit, the oil hole is connected to an oil filter placed in an oil reservoir within the housing, and a magnet provided near the oil filter, wherein a magnet holding portion for holding the magnet is formed integrally with the center section. |
| US08042330B2 |
Torque converter having weld free blades
A torque converter structure having a plurality of high efficiency secure weld free connections between blades and the shells of the pump and turbine that reduces flow between the blades and the shells. At least one blade within the torque converter is securely mechanically attached to the shell of the pump or turbine in the absence of welding by providing a tab on the blade that is bent on a portion that passes through a slit in the shell to secure the blade to the shell and by inserting a major part (greater than 50%) of a portion of an edge of the blade, that runs coextensively with a surface of the shell into a depression in that shell until the edge of the blade diverges from the shell. The invention also includes the unique blade and shell and a method for using them to make a torque converter of the invention. |
| US08042329B2 |
Exhaust dispersing device for a truck
An engine exhaust dispersing device includes a tubular member having a first portion formed as a generally cylindrical wall and adapted to be mounted in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet and a second portion formed as a longitudinally-sectioned cylindrical wall defining a longitudinally extending opening, and, a wedge surface formed on said second portion and protruding into the longitudinally extending opening, the wedge surface having an apex adjacent or in the first portion and a base at an end of the second portion, the base having a width substantially equal to a width of the second portion. |
| US08042327B2 |
Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An engine with an exhaust passage in which a catalyst purifying NOx and an NOx adsorbent adsorbing NOx in an exhaust gas are arranged successively from the upstream side. After engine startup until the catalyst is activated, the NOx in the exhaust gas is adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent. NOx adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent is removed by dissolution by supplying a solvent from an injector. After the catalyst is activated, the solvent containing the NOx removed by dissolution is sprayed from an injector and the NOx contained in the sprayed solvent is purified by the catalyst. |
| US08042326B2 |
Intake air heater for assisting DPF regeneration
An apparatus and a method for enhancing diesel engine performance is provided. At low engine load and cold ambient temperatures, an intake air heater increases the engine load via an engine alternator, which in turn, enables the engine to burn more fuel by the process of combustion. The combusted fuel elevates exhaust gas temperatures, which thereby accommodates cold start, controls white smoke, and aids DPF regeneration. |
| US08042325B2 |
Adapting indicated engine torque during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter
In a motor vehicle powertrain that includes a diesel engine, a particulate filter and a torque converter, a method for correcting an indicated engine output torque includes estimating a magnitude of torque being transmitted from the engine to the torque converter while regenerating the particulate filter, determining a reference magnitude of current engine torque being produced while regenerating the particulate filter, determining a torque error from a difference between the estimated magnitude and the reference magnitude, recording the torque error, determining a current torque error from the recorded torque error using a current engine speed and a current reference engine torque as indices to the recorded engine toque error, producing a corrected engine torque from the sum of the current torque error and the current reference engine torque, and using the corrected engine torque to control operation of the transmission. |
| US08042323B2 |
Method and apparatus for spinning staple fibres on ring-spinning machines
An apparatus and associated method for spinning staple fibers on a ring spindle machine includes a ring spindle disposed downstream of a drawing frame outlet. A thread guiding device is disposed between the drawing frame outlet and the ring spindle and includes a twisting apparatus that is magnetically coupled with the ring spindle so as to rotate at the same speed as the ring spindle. The twisting apparatus has a thread braking device configured along a path of the thread through the twisting apparatus. An attachment configured at a top of the ring spindle has a plurality of circumferential grooves configured to catch the thread coming from the twisting apparatus and being wound onto the ring spindle. |
| US08042320B2 |
Workstation of a packaging machine having a lifting device
A workstation of a packaging machine comprises a lifting device (100) which is configured such that it is able to convert a rotary motion of a motor (8) into a translator motion of the workstation by a lever device (6). The stroke of the lifting device (100) is performable for this purpose by a pivotable lever (61) and a roller (32) which cooperates with an upper roller limit (33). |
| US08042318B2 |
Process for preparing a water-soluble container with two compartments
A process for preparing a water-soluble container comprising at least two compartments which comprises: a. forming a first pocket in a first water-soluble film by thermoforming or vacuum forming the first water-soluble film in a mould; b. filling the first pocket with a first composition; c. closing the first pocket with a second water-soluble film to produce an intermediate container; d. moving the intermediate container by deforming the mould to provide a second pocket; e. filling the second pocket with a second composition; and f. closing the second pocket with a third water-soluble film. |
| US08042307B2 |
Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals
Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example head curtain assembly for a vehicle loading dock includes a retractable curtain stiffened by a resiliently compressible foam panel that is more flexible about a horizontal axis than about a vertical axis. The difference in directional flexibility can be created by sewing the foam panel to a pliable cover using a series of parallel horizontal thread lines. The thread lines create in the foam a series of compressed indentations that run horizontally across the curtain so that the curtain tends to bend more easily along those lines. The relative stiffness in the horizontal direction enables the curtain to exert an appreciable sealing force against two lateral dock seal members, and the vertical flexibility makes the curtain easy to retract to accommodate vehicles of various heights. Touch-and-hold fasteners make many of the individual components of the head curtain readily replaceable. |
| US08042306B2 |
System and method for erecting a tower
A method, a system, and a device for erecting a tower. The method comprises assembling proximate to the ground a base section, top section, and one or more intermediate sections of the tower into an assembled tower lying in a substantially horizontal first plane, the assembled tower comprising a top end including the top section and a bottom end including the base section. The method also includes orienting the attitude of the assembled tower using a lift initiator to lie in a second plane defining an acute angle to the first plane, so that the top end of the tower is higher in elevation than the bottom end. The method also includes lifting the assembled tower from the second plane to a vertical plane with a primary lift assembly and coupling the assembled tower to the foundation. The primary lift assembly may comprise a pulley having a continuous loop of cable connected to a counter-balanced tackle-block system. |
| US08042304B2 |
Gutter insert
A gutter insert formed of a flexible open cell porous foam has five or more sides and forms an inverted “V” or check-mark shape. Four gutter inserts may be cut from one column of foam material, thereby reducing foam waste. The four gutter inserts may be shipped nested together in columnar form, and separated at the jobsite just before installation. |
| US08042301B2 |
Flap drive
A drive train for a pivotable flap of a motor vehicle includes a holding device which can hold the flap in at least one open position, a first element which can be driven by a drive motor, and a second element connected to the pivotable flap to pivot the flap in response to movement of the first element. When the second element is moved along a path of motion relative to the first element counter to a specific spring force, a sensor generates a signal indicating relative motion of the elements, and a control device releases the holding device in response to the signal, whereby the flap can be moved manually by applying a force counter to the spring force. |
| US08042297B2 |
Magazine for a handheld firearm
The present invention relates to a magazine (10) for a handheld firearm, suitable for accommodating a plurality of cartridges (11, 12, 13, 14) which are transported in a guided movement by means of a feed within the magazine in the direction of the barrel of a weapon, in order to be loaded individually in each case into the barrel of the weapon at the upper end of the magazine after each shot, with the cartridges being guided along a curved path in the magazine. When using cartridges with a firing rim (19), in order to ensure that these cartridges are emitted at the upper end of the magazine such that the firing rim of the uppermost cartridge (14) is always in front of that of the second-uppermost cartridge (13), the invention provides that the internal contour of the magazine (10) is designed, at least in an area at a distance from the upper magazine end, such that successive cartridges assume an interlaced arrangement with crossing axes, the internal contour tapers toward the upper end of the magazine such that the cartridges are aligned, and that the firing rim (19) of at least the uppermost cartridge (14) is guided by guide elements in the magazine. |
| US08042287B2 |
Insole comprising a curve support
The invention relates to a plastic insole comprising a curve support for the metatarsus. Provided in the region of the greatest height of the curve support on the underside of the insole are a plurality of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs as well as grooves, said grooves extending from the toe region in the direction of the heel as far as the metatarsal region and so curving round in the metatarsal region to the lateral side of the insole and terminating in said region that extending between the grooves are spring strips issuing from each of the toes, wherein material can be removed from the spring strips and stiffening ribs in order individually to adapt the thickness thereof. |
| US08042279B2 |
Horizontal-arm coordinate measuring machine
A coordinate measuring machine (1) comprising a base (2) provided with guides (3) parallel to a first axis X, a first mobile carriage (4) on the guides (3) along the axis X and provided with an upright (17), a second carriage (6) carried by the upright (17) and mobile along a second vertical axis Z, and a horizontal arm (7) carried by the second carriage (6) and axially mobile along a third horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the axis X; the first carriage (4) comprises a base (16) provided with a first portion (19, 20) coupled to the guides (3) and a second portion (18) rigidly connected to the upright (17), releasable connection means (27) for reciprocally connecting the first portion (19, 20) and the second portion (18) of the base (16), and articulated connection means (28) between the first portion (19, 20) and the second portion (18) of the base to allow the upright (17) to be tipped when the releasable connection means (27) are released. |
| US08042278B2 |
Compasses writing implement
A compass writing implement includes a compass body having two compass legs mutually pivotable between closed and splayed-out states. A writing lead is mounted in one of the compass legs. A protective cap is or can be fitted onto the free end of at least the compass leg holding the writing lead, to shield the free ends of the two compass legs in the closed state from the outside. The protective cap has a passage for the writing lead at a distal end remote from the compass body in the fitted state. The writing lead and the fitted protective cap are mutually displaceable between a release state and a retention state. In the release state, a lead tip of the writing lead protrudes through the passage of the protective cap to the outside and in the retention state, the writing lead is retracted in the interior of the protective cap. |
| US08042277B2 |
Angle sensor circuit
An analog electronic angle sensor circuit with a ground connection (GND) and with a supply voltage connection (+UB) and with an output (OUT), comprising an actual sensor (12) and a suitable wiring of said sensor (12), wherein the voltage at the output (OUT) relative to ground is proportional to the product of the supply voltage (+UB) and the measured angle (φ) and a method for electronic emulation of an optimum potentiometer wherein the input voltage (+UB) is reduced to a fixed fraction (1/k) and an analog angle sensor (12) is operated with this fraction of the input voltage (+UB) as an operating voltage (Uv), wherein the output voltage (OUT1) of said angle sensor is proportional to the operating voltage and to the rotation angle (φ) measured by said angle sensor (12). |
| US08042276B2 |
Folding knife with thumb release opening
A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening. |
| US08042270B2 |
Method of manufacturing hose coupling fitting
A hose coupling fitting is furnished with a coupling head portion having a connecting hole, and a nipple portion having a nipple hole, and is fabricated through sequential cold forging steps carried out on a rod material. Specifically, a first pilot hole is formed along the center axis from a first end of the rod material, and a second pilot hole is formed along the center axis from the other end of the rod material. The second pilot hole is connected to the first pilot hole, and is formed with smaller diameter than the first pilot hole and larger diameter than the nipple hole. The surrounding area of the second pilot hole is then worked to form the nipple portion. |
| US08042269B2 |
Method of manufacturing a component for droplet deposition apparatus
A nozzle plate component manufactured by forming a layer of photoresist on a substrate and selectively exposing and removing material to define an array of distinct bodies. Nickel is then electroformed around the bodies to form a plate, with nozzles subsequently formed by ablation through the photoresist. The process can essentially be repeated to form a guard structure around each nozzle. |
| US08042267B2 |
Method for producing microsystems
The invention relates to a method for producing microsystems comprising microelectronic components that are inserted into cavities created during the layered construction of a base body consisting of a photocurable material, said components being situated adjacent to and/or above one another on several planes and being interconnected either electrically or thermally. The invention is characterised in that once said microelectronic components have been inserted, the layered construction of the base body continues and that a structure is constructed consisting of an electrically or thermally conductive material that projects vertically above the contacts (pads) of the electronic component, said conductive material producing a direct connection to an additional electronic component above the first electronic component or to one or several additional electronic components that is or are located at a lateral distance from said first component by means of a conductor track that runs horizontally from the conductive material projecting vertically above the pad. |
| US08042256B2 |
Dynamoelectric machine and manufacturing method for stator used therein
Respective divided segments of a collet are moved radially outward by moving an arbor axially. The respective divided segments thereby press an inner circumferential surface of a stator core of a stator from radially inside such that the stator is held coaxially by the collet. Next, shaping rollers are lowered so as to press an outer circumferential surface of the stator core. The stator is rotated by rotating the collet in that state. Thus, the inner circumferential surface of the stator core is compressed and plastically deformed so as to conform to the collet and the outer circumferential surface of the stator core is compressed and plastically deformed by the shaping rollers, correcting the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the stator core so as to be coaxial and so as to have a high degree of roundness. |
| US08042251B2 |
Systems and methods for heating and cooling during stent crimping
Methods of heating and cooling during a crimping process are disclosed. One method includes providing a cooling source to cool the stent and/or drug eluting coating of the stent while crimping the stent onto the balloon, and providing a heating source to heat the balloon while crimping the stent onto the balloon. Another method includes introducing a cooling fluid through a passage in one or more of the plurality of crimping elements of the crimping apparatus to cool the crimping elements while crimping the stent onto the balloon, and introducing a heating fluid through the elongate shaft of the balloon catheter to heat the balloon while crimping the stent onto the balloon. |
| US08042243B1 |
Apparatus for single hand attachment of drywall corner beads
A tool that can be held and operated with one hand to attach a corner bead to an outside corner of drywall includes a substantially V-shaped member having a pair of interior surfaces disposed at an angle of less than 100° and a frame or handle attached thereto. The handle maybe sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of a human hand. A lever is pivotally attached to the handle. A pair of opposed pincers having pointed tips are pivotally mounted relative to the V-shaped member so as to allow the tips to move in a converging direction. A mechanical linkage system translates force applied to the lever into a the converging motion of the pincers. The apparatus facilitates transmitting to the corner bead force applied to the frame in a first direction and deforming the corner bead with a second force applied to the frame/lever in a second direction, the second force having a component in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, the second force having a magnitude correlating to the defamation force applied to the corner bead. |
| US08042240B2 |
Machine tool
A machine tool is provided with a machining unit, a base plate, an intermediate plate, a lower plate, and a pair of upper plates. The machining unit is fixed to a frame. The base plate is movable along a rail on the frame. The base plate moves a work piece toward and away from the machining unit. The intermediate plate is movable along the rail between the machining unit and the base plate. The intermediate plate pushes a reference plane of the work piece set on the base plate so that the work piece is positioned in a machining position. The lower plate is tiltably connected to the base plate and the upper plates are tiltably connected to the lower plate. |
| US08042238B2 |
Snap fastener part
Snap fastener part comprising an axis (30), a coupling means (10) for coupling with a complementary coupling means of the other snap fastener part, a fixing means (14) for fixing the coupling means (10) to a carrier material (32), a cap (12) for covering the coupling means (10) on a side facing away from the carrier material (32) and a protrusion (28) on the side of the coupling means (10) facing away from the carrier material (32), said protrusion (28) encircling the axis (30), the fixing means (14) comprising at least one leg (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) which engages behind the coupling means (10) on the side facing away from the carrier material (32) when assembled and which is placed between the surface of the coupling means (10) facing away from the carver material (32) and the cap (12). According to the invention the protrusion (28) is broken by the leg (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) and the surface of the protection facing away from the carrier material (32) is flush with the surface of the leg (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) facing away from the carrier material or surmounts it. |
| US08042237B2 |
Cable routing clip
A cable routing system comprising: a raceway having one or more cable supports; and a routing clip comprising a body portion; one or more cable supports; a clip arm extending from the body portion and configured to bend resiliently in a bending plane; and a pair of projections with opposed faces which are directed at an angle to the bending plane of the clip arm. The routing clip is secured to the cable raceway by its resilient clip arm with the projections positioned on opposite sides of part of the raceway so as to restrain movement of the clip.A method of installing cables in a cable routing system, the cable routing system including a raceway carrying one or more cables in a cable-receiving trough. The method comprises: securing a routing clip to the raceway with a resilient clip arm; and installing a cable in a cable support of the routing clip. |
| US08042236B2 |
Plug pin, a position pin, and a plug pin set of a zipper
A plug pin of a zipper has a plug pin body. The plug pin body has a first long side and a second long side. The first long side and the second long side are located on two opposite sides of the plug pin body. In the plug pin body, there is a first joint trough. On the first long side, there is a first concave trough. By utilizing the first concave trough, the extruded and protruded effect when the plug pin is fastened onto the zipper belt can be cancelled so that the plug can be plugged and lifted smoothly. A position pin and a plug pin set of a zipper are also disclosed. |
| US08042235B2 |
Buckling device for safety belt
A buckling device for safety belts includes a buckle made of metal material and bent to form a projected holder. A wider segment of the holder is used to insert a side of the safety belt to the buckle. On each of two sides of a narrower segment of the holder is mounted a second side plate. Between two second side plates is defined a locking unit by using a shank. On an upper rim of the second side plate is a recess. The locking unit includes an engagement member in which a rotary member, a fixing piece, a compression spring, a mounting member, and a torsion spring are received. A fastening member includes a bottom sheet, with a wider segment thereof being used to insert another side of the safety belt. The fastening member further includes a retaining pore secured on a narrower segment thereof. |
| US08042233B2 |
Cuffbar
A jewelry device, for attachment to a French cuff, convertible cuff or a casual shirt of a type comprising a cuff, a cuff button and a cuff button hole, having a U-shaped frame. A hook shaped arm may connect the U shaped frame around the sleeve cuff. A pair of bars may station the frame, so that it does not become dislodged, offset or pivots from awkward movements. An alternate embodiment uses a removable pin to connect the U shaped frame to the sleeve cuff. |
| US08042231B2 |
Portable terminal with hinge apparatus
A portable terminal having a hinge apparatus is provided. The portable terminal includes a first housing, a second housing pivotally coupled to the first housing so that the second housing can be unfolded from and folded onto the first housing, and a hinge apparatus coupling the first housing and the second housing together. The hinge apparatus provides a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis perpendicular to each other, in which, from the folded state in which the second housing is folded on the first housing, the second housing is operable to rotate about the first hinge axis to be located in an upper side of the first housing and to rotate about the second hinge axis to be located in a first side of the first housing. Also, the hinge apparatus allows the second housing to rotate about the first hinge axis to be unfolded at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the first housing and then rotate about the second hinge axis so that an inner face of the second housing is oriented in a same direction in which a first side of the portable terminal faces. Therefore, the hinge apparatus provides a portable terminal that is convenient to use not only communication functions, but also multimedia services such as watching broadcastings. |
| US08042230B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a first bracket, a resilient member, and an engaging member. The shaft includes a limiting structure including a guiding groove and a limiting slot. The first bracket is rotatable relative to the shaft. The engaging member is rotatably sleeved on the shaft and non-rotatable relative to the first bracket. The engaging member forms a latching pole slidably received in the guiding groove and being engagable with the limiting slot of the shaft. |
| US08042229B2 |
Fastener
A fastener includes a body member including a receiving portion longitudinally formed therein, two clamping portions transversely extending from the receiving portion and two through-holes in the clamping portions, respectively. A joint member, coupled to the two clamping portions of the body member in a pivotal manner, includes a cam portion defined on the distal portion of a second end of the joint member and includes a fixed hole provided through the second end transversely and corresponding to the through-holes. The joint member is moveable between an unfolding position and a folding position. The cam portion restricts a pivot angle of the joint member in the unfolding position. A fixing member is installed onto the clamping portions opposite to the joint member, with the fixing member selectively inserted into the through-holes and the fixed hole for fixing the joint member with respect to a support. |
| US08042227B2 |
Block and tackle window balance with bottom guide roller
Disclosed are apparatus for a block and tackle window balance to be incorporated in single and double hung window assemblies. In one embodiment the block and tackle window balance includes a roller secured within a bottom guide to increase range of travel of a window sash. |
| US08042221B2 |
Board cleaning apparatus and board transporting apparatus
The present invention provides a board cleaning apparatus excellent in foreign-matter removing efficiency. Fixed brushes are each made in contact with a circuit board over an entire width thereof, and attached to a case of a board cleaning apparatus respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side of the case in the board transporting direction with respect to a rotary brush for removing and ejecting foreign matters. This arrangement makes it possible to cover a gap between the circuit board and the case to prevent a board transporting rail to be moved so as to be shifted in accordance with circuit boards having various dimensions from intervening with the case. |
| US08042219B2 |
Wiper arm assembly having locking surfaces
A wiper arm assembly and method of construction thereof includes a mounting head and a wiper arm configured for relative rotation during assembly from a disassembled position to a shipping position, wherein the wiper arm and mounting head are locked against rotation toward the disassembled position once in the shipping position. The mounting head and wiper arm have locking surfaces configured for locked engagement with one another while in the shipping position. The locking surfaces are brought into engagement with one another by a force imparted by a spring while rotating the mounting head relative to the wiper arm from the disassembled position toward the shipping position. When in the shipping position, the locking surfaces confront each other and prevent the mounting head and the wiper arm from rotating back toward the disassembled position from the shipping position. |
| US08042217B2 |
Toothbrush and method of making the same
A toothbrush that provides enhanced cleaning and oral care to a user. The toothbrush has a head with cleaning elements that create a contoured cleaning profile. The cleaning elements have different depths of insertion relative to a reference plane to define a contoured cleaning profile without post-fixing trimming of the cleaning elements. Accordingly, tapered bristles can be used to define a contoured cleaning profile. Alternatively, tapered bristles of different lengths can also be used to form a contoured cleaning profile. |
| US08042216B2 |
Ergonomic brush
In one embodiment, an ergonomic brush includes a handle grip with finger slots situated between thumb slots and a palm rest extending rearwardly from the finger slots. A bristle base may be adapted to the handle grip, where the bristle base includes a bristle field having a length extending in a direction substantially parallel to a user's hand when engaged in the finger slots. |
| US08042215B2 |
Cleaning system for removing abrading material
A cleaning system for removing abrading material adapted to remove and keep separated the abrasive contaminants from a wash rag, mitt, or brush which is capable of being mounted within a standard 5 gallon bucket for the purposes of washing a car, boat, recreational vehicle or the like. The cleaning system is a lattice structure including a scrubber grate which is positioned within the bucket such that a wash rag, mitt, or long handled brush is capable of being vigorously rubbed against the scrubber grate such that any abrasive grit or contaminants within the wash rag, mitt, or long handled brush will become dislodged and settle to the bottom of the cleaning fluid within the bucket. The lattice structure also has a receiver base to support the scrubber grate and is located near the bottom of the bucket. The lattice structure receiver base allows abrasive contaminants and debris to settle to the bottom of the bucket. The lattice structure receiver base cross-bar structure results in dampening the agitation of the cleaning fluid below the receiver base causing the abrasive contaminants to remain near the bottom of the bucket. |
| US08042214B2 |
Oral care implement
An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury. |
| US08042212B2 |
Manufacturing system for assembled shoe with shock-absorbing insert in the heel
The present invention relates to a manufacturing system of an assembled shoe or moccasin. The system incorporates a shock-absorbing insert inserted in a space obtained inside a false-heel. The false heal is formed by a special rigid frame that basically includes a horseshoe collar. |
| US08042211B2 |
Method of detecting an off-balance condition of a clothes load in a washing machine
An off-balance detection method comprises a plurality of off-balance detection schemes that utilize wash basket speed to detect an off-balance load condition at speed ranges that span the entire spin cycle and include speeds corresponding to natural frequencies of a mass comprising a wash tub and a wash basket. The schemes can be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other schemes. The off-balance detection method can further comprise a power limiting method to prevent motor overload when an off-balance condition is present. |
| US08042204B2 |
Equipping baby crib with snack box for overnight storage
Kits, devices, and methods are provided for attaching a snack box to a crib. Attached is such that, while still in the crib, the infant can open the lid and retrieve a snack stored inside, such as a bottle of milk. In some embodiments the snack box can even accommodate cold storage, e.g. by having a thermally insulated enclosure. It can even be a small electric refrigerator. Before the parent goes to sleep for the night, they can prepare a snack, and store it overnight in the snack box. When the infant wakes up in the morning, they can retrieve the snack by themselves, after a few days' training, without crying. This will permit the parent to sleep longer, because they will not have to wake up prematurely for delivering the morning snack, and then wait until it is consumed. |
| US08042202B2 |
Bathroom flushers with novel sensors and controllers
A bathroom flusher includes a body having an inlet in communication with a supply line and an outlet in communication with a flush conduit, a valve assembly in the body positioned to close water flow between the inlet and the outlet upon sealing action of a moving member at a valve seat thereby controlling flow from the inlet to the outlet, and an actuator for actuating operation of the moving member. The bathroom flusher includes one of several novel sensors and is controlled by one of several novel controllers, as described. The controller may execute a novel control algorithm. |
| US08042196B1 |
Camouflage for hunter or soldier or the like
Camouflage apparel for a hunter or solder or the like comprising a cape or sheet composed of camouflage material. The cape may be separate or attached to a pouch or hood of camouflage material. The cape and hood may be separate or attached to a portion of a vest which extends across the back of the neck of the wearer thereof such that the cape is receivable in the hood for stowage and such that the cape may be removed from the hood to drape across the front of the wearer. The vest has a seat which is stowably securable to the rear of the vest by straps which are fastened by buckles which are manipulatable at locations in front of the vest. |
| US08046835B2 |
Distributed computer network security activity model SDI-SCAM
A distributed multi-agent system and method is implemented and employed across at least one intranet for purposes of real time collection, monitoring, aggregation, analysis and modeling of system and network operations, communications, internal and external accesses, code execution functions, network and network resource conditions as well as other assessable criteria within the implemented environment. Analytical models are constructed and dynamically updated from the data sources so as to be able to rapidly identify and characterize conditions within the environment (such as behaviors, events, and functions) that are typically characteristic with that of a normal state and those that are of an abnormal or potentially suspicious state. The model is further able to implement statistical flagging functions, provide analytical interfaces to system administrators and estimate likely conditions that characterize the state of the system and the potential threat. The model may further recommend (or alternatively implement autonomously or semi-autonomously) optimal remedial repair and recovery strategies as well as the most appropriate countermeasures to isolate or neutralize the threat and its effects. |
| US08046834B2 |
Method of polymorphic detection
A computer program signature may be determined based on the function flow grammar for a given source code. The function flow grammar may be determined based on reduced control flow graphs generated based on control flow graphs for each function within the source code. A polymorph of a computer program may be detected by comparing the determined computer program signature with computer program signatures, which may be included in a database. |
| US08046831B2 |
Automating software security restrictions on system resources
Security components of managed computers are configured using inoculation data. Inoculation data can be retrieved from an inoculation data provider. The inoculation data provider analyzes unauthorized software applications to develop inoculation data. The inoculation data configures the security component to deny access to resources to unauthorized software applications. Inoculation data can be embedded into a script, which is distributed via a management protocol to one or more managed computers from a management computer. Resources can include files, storage paths, memory, registry keys, processor priority, services, dynamic link libraries, archives, browser cookies, and/or ActiveX controls, Java applets, or classes thereof. |
| US08046828B2 |
Security management system for monitoring firewall operation
A test method for Internet-Protocol packet networks that verifies the proper functioning of a dynamic pinhole filtering implementation as well as quantifying network vulnerability statistically, as pinholes are opened and closed is described. Specific potential security vulnerabilities that may be addressed through testing include: 1) excessive delay in opening pinholes, resulting in an unintentional denial of service; 2) excessive delay in closing pinholes, creating a closing delay window of vulnerability; 3) measurement of the length of various windows of vulnerability; 4) setting a threshold on a window of vulnerability such that it triggers an alert when a predetermined value is exceeded; 5) determination of incorrectly allocated pinholes, resulting in a denial of service; 6) determining the opening of extraneous pinhole/IP address combinations through a firewall which increase the network vulnerability through unrecognized backdoors; and 7) determining the inability to correlate call state information with dynamically established rules in the firewall. |
| US08046826B2 |
Resource server proxy method and system
A resource request method and system. The method includes receiving by resource server software application, session key life data. The resource server software application receives from a requester, an authentication request, a session ID, and an address associated with the requestor. The resource server software application transmits the session ID and a request for groups associated with the request. The resource server software application receives group IDs. The resource server software application generates a session key associated with the requester. The resource server software application calculates a specified lifetime associated with the session key. The resource server software application stores the session key, the session ID, the address, the group IDs, and the specified lifetime. The resource server software application transmits to the requester, the session key. |
| US08046825B2 |
Selective acceptance of electronic messages in communication systems
A file authentication requesting device that stores a computer program for requesting authentication of files in digital systems, the device comprises a confirmation request system that generates a request for a confirmation receipt from a third party authenticator authenticating the attributes of a file; a transferring system that transfers attributes of at least one file to be authenticated to the third party authenticator from the device that requested the confirmation; and a receiving system that receives the confirmation receipt comprising authenticated file attributes, after authentication by the third party authenticator; wherein, at least one file authentication is received from the third party authenticator. Corresponding processing devices, media, systems and methods are also provided. |
| US08046824B2 |
Generic key-decision mechanism for GAA
A method and apparatus provide generic mechanism for a network application server. A receiver receives a request from a user equipment to provide authentication information to a network application function. A determining unit determines a key of a generic authentication architecture to integrate additional network application servers by extending an existing standard for user security settings. A providing unit provides the authentication information to the network application function. |
| US08046817B2 |
Content reproducing apparatus, method, and medium
A content reproduction method is provided. First, a broadcast program having a program content is received and electronic program guide data including program information on the broadcast program is received. Then, a content corresponding to the program content of the broadcast program is retrieved from a network based on the electronic program guide data. Finally, identification information identifying the content is displayed with the program information. |
| US08046816B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver and upgrading method thereof
A digital broadcast receiver and an upgrading method thereof that can achieve an upgrade stabilization. The digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner to receive broadcast data of a selected channel, a demultiplexer to separate new middleware data and information data corresponding to the new middleware data from the broadcast data, a memory to pre-store previous middleware data and to store the new middleware data and the information data, and a controller to determine whether to store the new middleware data in the memory based on the information data. If storage of the new middleware data is completed, the controller checks whether an upgrade is successful by executing the new middleware data, and if the upgrade fails, the controller executes the previous middleware data pre-stored in the memory. Thus, the receiver upgrades the received middleware program in a stable manner. |
| US08046812B2 |
CATV system, management device, cable modem, set-top box and program
A cable modem of a CATV system includes a proxy requesting unit. The proxy requesting unit requests a set top box to send relevant information about the set top box when the cable modem is requested to send the relevant information from at least one management device connected to the cable modem via a CATV network. |
| US08046811B2 |
Scheduled retrieval, storage and access of media data
A system and method automates a scheduled retrieval, storage, and access of media data. Media data is retrieved from an external source and downloaded to an end user media device storage for subsequent playback at the end user media device. Media data is accessible from the end user media device storage based upon criteria including a selection of the end user, rules regulating the media data, and whether a playback time of the media data is sufficient to retrieve additional media data. The system performs regularly scheduled dynamic controls to determine whether additional media data is required for continuous and uninterrupted access of the media data. |
| US08046809B2 |
Multicast services control system and method
A multicast services control system is provided for Internet protocol television transport. The system includes a service distribution platform, at least one service concentration platform, and at least one set-top box. The service distribution platform has a multicast table. The service distribution platform is configured to receive channels from an Internet protocol video source and the multicast table is configured to include an entry for each of the channels. The at least one service concentration platform communicates with the service distribution platform for forwarding “leaves” and receiving “joins” with the service distribution platform. The at least one set-top box includes a receiving port and is configured to generate “leaves” and forward the “leaves” to one or more of the at least one service concentration platform wherein the “leaves” are snooped by portals and concentrators and wherein the set-top box is further configured to receive “joins” from one or more of the at least one service concentration platform. A method is also provided. |
| US08046800B2 |
Remotely controlling a video recorder
A client system for remotely controlling a video recorder receives program data from a remote server in response to user input selecting a time sequential signal from a program schedule guide provided by the remote server, via the Internet, email, a computer-readable medium, or a broadcast signal. The user input is transmitted to the remote server over the Internet from the client system or a remote location. The client system determines when it is time to record the time sequential signal based at least in part upon the program data, which includes broadcast time, channel, and duration. Upon determining it is time to record, the client system tunes to, receives, and records the transmission of the time sequential signal. |
| US08046796B2 |
Device for sending-out data in which associated data is multiplexed with main data
A table creating unit receives program information and an upper limit bit rate of EPG data, creates a table of EIT [current/next] on the basis of the information and upper limit bit rate, and determines the frequency of transmission of the table in consideration of the upper limit bit rate and the lower limit of the frequency of transmission of the table. A stream transmitting unit receives the table and the frequency of transmission, converts the table to stream information, and transmits a stream at a frequency determined based on the transmission frequency. Therefore, data transmission is carried out satisfying both the limit of the upper limit bit rate and the limit on the transmission frequency. |
| US08046793B2 |
Favorites program selection
The selection of favorites for a video presentation system. |
| US08046788B2 |
Systems, methods, and products for presenting content
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for presenting content. Programming content is received having a program and program control data. The program control data may has a default setting followed by a data record comprising a rating value and a content attribute value. Program presentation preferences of a viewer are received that block or modify the program. When, however, the rating value and the content attribute value are missing from the data record, and when the default setting equals or exceeds the program presentation preferences, then modification of the program is not allowed. An instruction to modify the program is, instead, interpreted as another instruction to block the program from presentation. |
| US08046787B2 |
Method and system for the storage, viewing management, and delivery of targeted advertising
A method for managing television advertisements. The method includes determining if a subscriber has reached a minimum level of advertisement viewing and curtailing the service level of the subscriber if the subscriber does not maintain the minimum level of advertisement viewing. |
| US08046785B2 |
Objective lens actuator and a disc apparatus applying the same therein
An objective lens actuator comprises a lens holder for attaching an objective lens thereon, a piece of focusing coil, being wound along side surface of the lens holder around the objective lens, and three magnets, being disposed opposing to two surfaces each having a normal line perpendicular to both a focusing direction and a tracking direction, among four side surfaces of the lens holder, wherein the three magnets are aligned, continuously, along the tracking direction, differing a polarity thereof from one another, and width of the magnets on both outsides is wider than width of the magnet inside, or alternately, one magnet, being disposed opposing to two surfaces each having a normal line perpendicular to both a focusing direction and a tracking direction, among four side surfaces of the lens holder, wherein the magnet is magnetized into three poles along the tracking direction, and among the three poles, width of the poles on both outsides is wider than width of the pole inside. |
| US08046783B2 |
Disc drive device
A disc drive device includes a disc conveyance mechanism, a slide cam and a trigger slider. The disc conveyance mechanism has a cam driven element protruded on a movement route of the slide cam and a conveyance roller energized in a direction coming into pressure-contact with a disc by an elastic member. The slide cam has a cam contour part moving the conveyance roller in a direction being spaced apart from the disc against an elastic force of the elastic member while pressing the cam driven element. The cam contour part has a flat surface part formed in parallel to a moving direction of the slide cam, in order to move only the trigger slider, while restraining the slide cam by contact pressure of the cam driven element to stop the slide cam temporary, when conveying the disc inside a cabinet toward an aperture side of the cabinet. |
| US08046782B2 |
Tray carry-out method for disc changer device
The tray carry-out method for a disc changer device, comprising, while transporting the tray from a recording/reproducing position to a stand-by position by driving the first motor, starting to drive the second motor for bringing a tray driving gear unit into a tray simultaneously transportable state, and upon completion of the transport of the tray to the stand-by position, with the tray driving gear unit being set to the tray simultaneously transportable state, starting to drive the second motor to carry out the tray from the stand-by position to an exchange position. |
| US08046781B2 |
Optical disc drive
An optical disc drive suitable for reading a data in an optical disc is provided. The optical disc drive includes a housing, a tray suitable for carrying the optical disc, and a panel. The housing has a first opening, and the panel is disposed at the first opening. The tray is disposed in the housing. The tray has a blocking plate. The blocking plate is disposed on a front edge of the tray, and multiple protrusions are disposed on an upper edge of the blocking plate. Furthermore, the panel has a second opening, and the second opening has multiple notches corresponding to the protrusions. The tray is suitable for exiting out of the housing through the second opening, and the protrusions are suitable for passing through the notches. |
| US08046775B2 |
Event-based bandwidth allocation mode switching method and apparatus
A system, apparatus, and method for allocation mode switching on an event-driven basis are described herein. The allocation mode switching method includes detecting an event, selecting a bandwidth allocation mode associated with the detected event, and allocating a plurality of execution cycles of an instruction execution period of a processor core among a plurality of instruction execution threads based at least in part on the selected bandwidth allocation mode. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08046772B2 |
System and method for enterprise application interactions
An application view control can allow users of a software tool to interact with Enterprise applications using simple Java APIs. This can allow a user who is not an expert in the use of a given Enterprise system to utilize its capabilities in a manner a Java programmer can understand. A developer can invoke application view services both synchronously and asynchronously, and can subscribe to application view events. The developer can use simple Java objects in both the service and event cases. The developer need not understand XML, or the particular protocol or client API for the Enterprise application, such as an Enterprise Information System (EIS). |
| US08046768B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting resource consumption and preventing workload starvation
In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus and method for detecting resource consumption and preventing workload starvation, are provided. The apparatus and method perform the acts including: receiving a query; determining if the query will be classified as a resource intense query, based on a number of passes by a cache call over a data blocks set during a time window, where the cache call is associated with the query; and if the query is classified as a resource intense query, then responding to prevent workload starvation. |
| US08046767B2 |
Systems and methods for providing capacity management of resource pools for servicing workloads
A method comprises receiving, by a capacity management tool, a capacity management operation request that specifies a resource pool-level operation desired for managing capacity of a resource pool that services workloads. The capacity management tool determines, in response to the received request, one or more actions to perform in the resource pool for performing the requested capacity management operation in compliance with defined operational parameters of the workloads. The method further comprises performing the determined one or more actions for performing the requested capacity management operation. |
| US08046766B2 |
Process assignment to physical processors using minimum and maximum processor shares
A system and method is provided for assigning a plurality of executable processes to a plurality of physical processors in a multi-processor computer system using a minimum processor share and a maximum processor share defined for each executable process. In an embodiment, the method can include allocating shares of total processor time to each executable process in proportion to the minimum processor shares up to the maximum processor shares to form target share allocations. The target share allocations can be used to map processes to the physical processors. |
| US08046765B2 |
System and method for determining allocation of resource access demands to different classes of service based at least in part on permitted degraded performance
A method comprises receiving into a planning tool a representative workload for a consumer. The method further comprises receiving into the planning tool quality of service desires of the consumer which define permitted degraded performance. In certain embodiments, the permitted degraded performance is time-limited wherein demands of the representative workload may exceed a pre-defined utilization constraint for at least one resource servicing the demands for no more than a pre-defined amount of contiguous time. The planning tool determines an allocation of demand of the consumer for each of a plurality of different classes of service (COSs). In certain embodiments, a first COS provides guaranteed resource access for servicing demand allocated thereto, and a second COS provides non-guaranteed resource access for servicing demand allocated thereto. In certain embodiments, the allocation of demand to the different COSs may be determined for both a normal mode and a failure mode of operation. |
| US08046764B2 |
Redistribution of unused resources assigned to a first virtual computer having usage below a predetermined threshold to a second virtual computer
A computer resource control system for running business applications on virtual computers within a business computer by using computer, virtual computer, network, and storage resources, the system comprises a collection process section for periodically collecting the dynamically changing information about the use of each resource when business applications run on the virtual computers within the business computer; a resource recovery process section for calculating the amounts of resources required for the operations of the business applications periodically in accordance with the dynamically changing information about the use of each resource, which is gathered by the collection process section, allocating the calculated amounts of resources to the resources of each virtual computer, and recovering any extra resources; and a resource allocation process section for allocating the extra resources, which are recovered by the resource recovery process section, to the virtual computers in accordance with the priorities of the business applications. |
| US08046760B2 |
Lock contention pinpointing
One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of finding lock contention in an application with concurrent threads. Status data is retrieved by periodically sampling status of said threads. The periodically-sampled status data is accumulated, and the lock contention is statistically found from the accumulated status data. The status data may include location information that is usable to pinpoint the lock contention. |
| US08046749B1 |
Analysis of a sequence of data in object-oriented environments
A tool for analyzing a sequence of data in an object-oriented environment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sequence of data may include time-indexed sequence of data (“time series data”). The tool may enable a user to generate a time series object for encapsulating the time series data in the object-oriented environment. The user may construct the time series object from data or mathematical expressions using a command line interface. The time series object may include a sequence of objects implementing APIs that supply an interface for analyzing the times series data in the time series object. The user may analyze the time series data encapsulated in the time series object using the APIs of the time series object. |
| US08046743B1 |
Method and system for remote software debugging
Methods and systems for remotely debugging a software program are provided. The methods and systems make use of a debugger application executing on a host computer and configured to communicate with a debugger module executing on a target computer via a distributed computing network, such as the Internet. |
| US08046737B2 |
XML application framework
The present invention relates to an XML application framework (XAF). XAF applications are data driven such that all operations with the computer system are data focused. In addition, the components used in the XAF application are instantiated and connected according to how the data is displayed and what type of data is used. Applications within XAF comprise a user interface (UI) connector, an action module, and a data connector. UI connectors receive UI events and connect the UI event to an action module. The action module generates a standard format action from the UI event and sends it to the data connector. The data connector translates the standard format action into a data-specific action that changes data in a data store. A data connector then sends a standard format data representation corresponding to the changed data back to the UI connector to provide the changed data to the UI. |
| US08046734B2 |
Workflow decision management with heuristics
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for workflow decision management. Embodiments typically include maintaining a device state history; identifying a device usage pattern in dependence upon the device state history; identifying a derived scenario in dependence upon the device usage pattern; and selecting a heuristic in dependence upon the derived scenario. In typical embodiments, the heuristic has a tolerance. Embodiments also include identifying a workflow in dependence upon the selected heuristic and executing the workflow in dependence upon the tolerance. |
| US08046733B2 |
Method and system for process composition
A method and system for model composition. A business process model defined by a plurality of tasks may be accessed. A plurality of available executable elements capable of implementing the plurality of tasks may be identified. Each of the plurality of available executable elements may be capable of providing functionality to implement parts of the business process model. One or more executable elements may be selected among the plurality of available executable elements for each of the plurality of tasks. The selection may be based on functionality of an available executable element. The selected elements may be combined for the plurality of tasks to create an executable process for the business process model. |
| US08046730B1 |
Systems and methods of editing cells of an electronic circuit design
Systems and methods to enable a user to edit subMaster content of selected instances of an electronic layout design, including editing the contents of selected instances of an existing subMaster of an EDA design, generating a new subMaster to incorporate the modified contents of the selected instances, and binding the new subMaster to the selected instances without losing the design hierarchy of the layout design. |
| US08046728B2 |
Integrated circuit design method applied to a plurality of library cells and integrated circuit design system thereof
A first library cell and a second library cell each includes a plurality of metal layers, and a metal track direction of the odd metal layers of the first library cell is perpendicular to that of the odd metal layers of the second library cell. An integrated circuit design method applied to these library cells includes the steps of rotating the second library cell to cause the metal track direction of the odd metal layers of the second library cell to be parallel to that of the odd metal layers of the first library cell, and placing the first library cell and the second library cell in an identical integrated circuit design. |
| US08046726B2 |
Waiver mechanism for physical verification of system designs
A method of waiving verification failures is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a plurality of circuit error files by performing a plurality of physical verifications on a plurality of circuit designs, the circuit error files containing a plurality of circuit errors of the circuit designs, (B) generating a system error file by performing an additional physical verification on a system design, the system error file containing a plurality of system errors of the system design, the system design incorporating the circuit designs and (C) generating a valid error file by removing the circuit errors from the system error file, the valid error file containing a plurality of valid errors comprising a subset of the system errors. |
| US08046725B2 |
Method of incremental statistical static timing analysis based on timing yield
Provided is a method of incremental SSTA (statistical static timing analysis) of a digital circuit, the method including a first step in which, when a gate is replaced in the digital circuit, delay propagation is performed from a node of a replaced gate to a virtual sink node based on SSTA; a second step in which, if a changed value of a gate timing yield at each gate which propagates delay toward the virtual sink node is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, delay propagation with respect to a fanout gate of the corresponding gate is stopped; and a third step in which, when a delay with respect to the node of the replaced gate is propagated to the virtual sink node, a new timing yield is calculated at the virtual sink node. |
| US08046721B2 |
Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image
A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture. |
| US08046720B2 |
Graphical system and method for editing multi-layer data packets
A graphical system and method for creating and editing packets of data is disclosed, which displays on a first pane of a computer window a hierarchical order of all of the protocol layers and protocol fields of a data packets, and displays on a second pane of the same window the entire encoded data packet in standard hexadecimal notation. In the first pane, a user can select a field of data pertaining to any of the protocol layers from the hierarchical order, and change any of the protocol field values, change options within a protocol, or add additional protocol layers to the packet, and the portion of the encoded data pertaining to the changed data will be updated in the second pane. |
| US08046719B2 |
Virtual work place
The present invention is concerned with a method and computer-based system for configuring, monitoring and/or operating a graphical user interface in two or three dimensions. In particular it is concerned with a graphical user interface used for controlling, monitoring and/or operating equipment in a control system of an industrial process or an installation for oil and gas or for an installation for electrical power generating, transmission and/or distribution. |
| US08046718B2 |
System for extending the file system API
A computing system and computer readable medium storing computer instructions are disclosed, which when the computer instructions are executed, enables a computer system to manage data using a file name on a computer system having a graphical user interface and a file system storing files with a file hierarchy. The computer instructions comprise, in part, entering a command from an application to create a file; displaying the file hierarchy; allowing a user to select at least one folder; saving data in a first file having a file name in one selected folder; in each of the other selected folders, creating a shortcut file having the same file name and containing a pointer to the first file; and creating a hidden file in the folder containing the first file, the hidden file containing a list of pointers to the shortcut files. |
| US08046715B2 |
Real estate value map computer system
A computer system creates and displays a map image based upon a value database associating a plurality of values each with a geographic location in a geographic area and a map program associating each location with a map image location. The computer system assigns one of a plurality of symbols to each geographic location based upon its associated value. The symbol is then displayed on the map image at the map image location associated with the geographic location. |
| US08046707B2 |
Medical imaging apparatus which displays predetermined information in differentiable manner from others
A medical imaging apparatus for generating medical information includes an input unit, a processor, and a display. The input unit is operated by a user and is configured to input an instruction. The processor is configured to process a first part of display information relating to the medical information based on the instruction so that the first part is displayed in a differentiable manner from others of the display information. The display is configured to display the processed first part and the others of the display information. |
| US08046703B2 |
Monitoring and integration of an organization's planning processes
A planning monitor and control system is provided for use with an enterprise computing system. The system generates a user interface planning visual display that includes a list view area containing a list of planning projects predefined to be included in a list of planning projects of interest to a user. At least one of the listed planning projects includes an electronically linked electronic planning document that is created and maintained in an application software program module of the enterprise computing system that is separate from the planning monitor and control system. Planning information is generated in the linked planning document as part of the listed planning project to which the planning document is associated. The planning visual display also includes a planning project details view area in which non-final content from the linked planning document is displayed for the associated planning project included in the list view. |
| US08046700B2 |
System for managing encounters in a virtual world environment
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for providing information for avoiding specific users of an immersive virtual environment. Generally, a primary user may specify other users to be avoided in a blacklist. The blacklisted users may be specified to be avoided at all times, or may be specified to be avoided in certain situations. In one embodiment, a user may be added to the blacklist during a specific situation, resulting in the characteristics of the situation being automatically stored in the blacklist. Subsequently, the blacklist may be used to determine the locations of the blacklisted users matching the current situation. The primary user may then avoid the locations having the greatest probability of encountering blacklisted users. |
| US08046699B2 |
Method and software for enabling N-way collaborative work over a network of computers
Method, software, and system for efficiently enabling n-way collaborative work using common software over a network of computers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each participant in a collaborative session starts up a common software application, which includes a collaboration component. This collaboration component is used to establish a common session that includes all interested parties. The collaboration component replicates operations performed on any one instance of said application to all other instances participating in the same session, so the effect is as if all members of the session were sharing a single instance of the application on a single computer. In one aspect, the collaboration component also supports broadcast of audio and video over a computer network, to enable session participants to see and/or hear each other, and further includes other features that support collaborative work. |
| US08046696B2 |
System and method for providing active menus in a communities framework
A community accessed via a portal can be provided that maintains user membership during collaboration on various projects. The members of the community can have access to and share multiple resources. A resource can have a menu associated with it wherein the menu is dynamically displayed on the portal page upon the user right clicking on the resource. Each menu can have several menu items that when selected, execute various actions associated with the resource or perform some other community function. For example, the menu item can call a page flow action, a Javascript function or make a dynamic content update. An active menu tag library can be provided that allows a developer to create customizable new menus and menu items for a given resource by including a tag and specifying tag parameters. |
| US08046695B2 |
Methods and systems for incorporating at least one window from a first desktop environment having a first themed graphical display into a second desktop environment having a second themed graphical display
A system for incorporating at least one window from a first desktop environment having a first themed graphical display into a second desktop environment having a second themed graphical display includes a first virtual channel, a second virtual channel, and a local agent. The first virtual channel conveys graphical data associated with a window in the first desktop environment comprising a client area and a window rectangle. The second virtual channel conveys window attribute data associated with the window and including screen coordinates for the client area. A local agent forms a corresponding window in the second desktop environment, the corresponding window displaying the graphical data received from the first virtual channel in a local client area displayed at screen coordinates in accordance with the received window attribute data, the corresponding window having a local window rectangle displayed according to a second graphical theme. |
| US08046691B2 |
Generalized interactive narratives
A multimedia system specifies a multimedia experience stream by a narrative definition that defines a narrative presentation having sub-narratives. Each sub-narrative may incorporate multiple streams of different types of media with each stream defining a “path” through content of that media type. The multimedia system directs the presentation of the sub-narratives by interfacing with presentation components for each media type through a custom interface component for that media type that implements a common application interface. When a user pauses a presentation, the user can manually navigate around the content of a stream from the current location at the time of the pause to another location. When the user resumes the presentation, the multimedia system automatically transitions from the navigated-to location to the current location at the time of the pause to resume the presentation from where it was paused. |
| US08046690B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus which has a display unit includes: a communication unit which communicates with an external source supplying a image signal including a plurality of still images; an image processor which processes the image signal; and a controller which controls the image processor to perform a slide show function sequentially displaying the supplied still images on the display unit in every predetermined display cycle if the still images are supplied from the external source. |
| US08046689B2 |
Media presentation with supplementary media
Improved techniques for providing supplementary media for media items are disclosed. The media items are typically fixed media items. The supplementary media is one or more of audio, video, image, or text that is provided by a user to supplement (e.g., personalize, customize, annotate, etc.) the fixed media items. In one embodiment, the supplementary media can be provided by user interaction with an on-line media store where media items can be browsed, searched, purchased and/or acquired via a computer network. In another embodiment, the supplementary media can be generated on a playback device. |
| US08046686B2 |
Method, apparatus and program for setting function to operation control of signal processing apparatus
In a method of setting a function to an operation control provided in a signal processing apparatus, a display step is carried out to display a block diagram that depicts functions of the signal processing apparatus used for processing or mixing of a plurality of input signals. Then, a selection step is carried out to select a specific function out of the functions depicted in the block diagram. Thereafter, an assignment step is carried out to assign the selected specific function to an operation control of the signal processing apparatus. Practically, an operation control display step is carried out to display a plurality of operation controls of various types provided in the signal processing apparatus for selection of one operation control, so that the assignment step assigns the selected specific function to the operation control selected from the plurality of the operation controls displayed by the operation control display step. |
| US08046684B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing data, program, and storage medium on which a computer-readable program is stored
In an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, when outputting of data generated by executing an application is requested, an output mode selection is performed to select a first output mode in which to output the data generated by the application without data indicating an revise date/time and a second output mode in which to output the data generated by the application together with the data indicating the revise date/time of the data generated by the application. In accordance with the selection, the printer driver controls outputting of data to a printer in the first output mode in which the data generated by the application is output to the printer without the data indicating the revise date/time or in the second output mode in which the data generated by the application is output to the printer together with the data indicating the revise date/time. This allows the revise date/time to be easily reflected in a printed matter produced by the printer. |
| US08046682B2 |
Method and system for accessing business applications via a standard interface
A method and system for integrating business application elements of an external business application into an internal business application where the integration system maps the output of external business applications to a Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) format. The XML format defines a standard format for the business application elements generated by the external business applications and provided to the internal business applications by the integration system. When developing a new internal business application, developers can work with the XML formatted elements provided by the integration system without having to learn the different formats provided by the various external business applications. The integration system is responsible for converting the data generated by the external business application to the XML format. |
| US08046678B2 |
Employing partial evaluation to provide a page
A web page is generated by applying a partial evaluation technique. In one embodiment, at design time, a page designer enables a dynamic version of a page specification program to be generated, such as by way of a page customization interface. This dynamic version can be executed during the design process, with page customization choices evaluated in a dynamic manner. The parts of the page specification that can be evaluated to static form at design time are identified, and the program is partially evaluated, with the identified parts transformed to static form. The remaining dynamic parts of the page specification program are executed at request time, resulting in a generation of the page to be provided for display over the network. In general, different parts of a page specification program may be selected for evaluation at different times, and there may be more than two phases of evaluation. |
| US08046676B2 |
Automatic view creation in a sheet set manager for a graphics program
A Sheet Set Manager for a computer-implemented graphics program allows drawings to be organized logically as a Sheet Set comprising a collection of Sheets and Subsets of Sheets, wherein each Sheet comprises a drawing, layout or view. The Sheet Set Manager is a graphical user interface for displaying, accessing and managing the Sheet Sets, Subsets and Sheets, as well as editing components of the Sheet Sets, Subsets and Sheets. |
| US08046675B2 |
Method of creating graph structure from time-series of attention data
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer program products for generating search results comprising web documents with associated expert information. One embodiment of a method for generating such search results includes receiving one or more search queries, selecting one of the one or more search queries, determining one or more categories of web documents responsive to the selected search query and crawling a web graph of linked web documents to identify one or more web documents tagged as within the one or more categories responsive to the selected search query. The method further includes generating a result set of the one or more web documents identified as within the one or more categories responsive to the selected search query, ranking the result set and generating a list of ranked search results responsive to the selected search. |
| US08046674B2 |
Internet browsing system
An apparatus for Internet browsing and other Internet-interactive activities, comprises: a camera focusing on a printed hypertext document for generating video signals representing an image of the printed hypertext document in electronic form: A processor linked to the camera processes images of the printed hypertext document captured by the camera and a finger or other pointing implement within the camera field of view pointing to a region of the printed hypertext document and determines from the image the identity of a linked web page or a linked multi-media, i.e. audio and/or video sequence, data file referred to on that hypertext document in the region pointed to, and then fetches from the Internet or a local cache of web pages data comprising the linked web page or linked multimedia data file referenced in the printed hypertext document. A receiver receives and displays or plays the fetched data. |
| US08046670B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting viterbi decoder errors due to quasi-catastrophic sequences
A Viterbi decoder includes an early decision generator that generates an early decision output. An error detector detects errors in the early decision output and generates a signal when the early decision output errors are detected. |
| US08046669B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating performance of a read channel
Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring the performance of a read channel. A number of detection techniques, such as SOVA and maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) detectors, produce a bit decision and a corresponding reliability value associated with the bit decision. The reliability value associated with the bit decision may be expressed, for example, in the form of log likelihood ratios (LLRs). The reliability value can be monitored and used as a performance measure. The present invention provides a channel performance measure that generally correlates directly to the BER but can be collected in less time. |
| US08046662B2 |
Method and system for decoding control data in GSM-based systems using inherent redundancy
A method and system for decoding control data in GSM-based systems using inherent redundancy and physical constraints are presented. At least one estimated GSM-based bit sequence may be selected by performing searches that start from trellis junctions determined by the decoding algorithm. The estimated bit sequences may be selected based on corresponding redundancy verification parameters. At least one physical constraint test may be performed on the selected estimated GSM-based bit sequences to select a decoded output GSM-based bit sequence. A multilayer decoding process may comprise a burst process and a frame process. Results from a first burst process may be utilized to generate a decoded GSM bit sequence in the frame process. The frame process may utilize redundancy information and physical constraints to improve the performance of a decoding algorithm. |
| US08046658B2 |
Method and device for decoding blocks encoded with an LDPC code
A method is for decoding a succession of blocks of data encoded with an LDPC code. The method includes storing the blocks temporarily and successively in an input memory before decoding the blocks successively in an iterative manner, the input memory having a memory size for storage of at least two blocks, and defining a current indication representative of a threshold number of iterations for decoding a current block. The method includes decoding the current block until a decoding criterion is satisfied or so long as a number of iterations performed for decoding the current block has not reached the current indication while at least one of a first subsequent block and a part of a second subsequent block are stored in the input memory, and updating the current indication for decoding the first subsequent block as a function of the number of iterations performed for decoding the current block. |
| US08046655B2 |
Area efficient memory architecture with decoder self test and debug capability
An integrated test device reduces external wiring congestion to a memory. The integrated test device provides for separate decoder testing and debugging to find specific errors in the memory. The device also helps in reducing the complexity of the test of external BIST. Furthermore, the number of clock cycles required for the decoder testing for an N-address memory is reduced from 4N cycles to N clock cycles. Additionally, the access time for the memory is reduced as the test device is used as a pipelining device in normal operation mode. |
| US08046651B2 |
Compare circuit receiving scan register and inverted clock flip-flop data
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for providing expected data, mask data, and control signals to scan test architectures within a device using the falling edge of a test/scan clock. The signals are provided on device leads that are also used to provide signals to scan test architectures using the rising edge of the test/scan clock. According to the disclosure, device test leads serve to input different test signals on the rising and falling edge of the test/scan clock which reduces the number of interconnects between a tester and the device under test. |
| US08046645B2 |
Bad block identifying method for flash memory, storage system, and controller thereof
A bad block identifying method for a flash memory, a storage system, and a controller thereof are provided. The bad block identifying method includes determining whether a programming error occurs in a block of the flash memory after the block is programmed and marking the block as a bad block when the programming error successively occurs in the block. Since the block is determined to be a bad block only when the programming error repeatedly occurs in the block, misjudgment of bad block in the flash memory can be avoided and accordingly the lifespan of the flash memory storage system can be prolonged. |
| US08046644B2 |
DRAM testing method
A method for testing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes copying a test program from the DRAM to a random access memory (RAM). Start and end physical addresses of the DRAM are respectively stored in first and second registers. First test data is written to the start physical address, and second test data is read from the start physical address. The method further includes determining whether the second test data is the same as the first test data. A fixed value is added to the start physical address to obtain a next start physical address if the second test data is the same as the first test data. The method further includes determining whether the next start physical address is less than the end physical address. A test success result is returned if the next start physical address is not less than the end physical address. |
| US08046643B2 |
Transport subsystem for an MBIST chain architecture
An apparatus including a controller configured to present one or more commands and receive one or more responses, a plurality of transport circuits configured to receive one of the commands, present the responses, and generate one or more control signals, and a plurality of memory-controlling circuits, each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of transport circuits and configured to generate one or more memory access signals in response to the one or more control signals, receive one or more memory output signals from a respective memory in response to the one or more memory access signals, and generate the responses in response to the one or more memory output signals. Each respective memory may be independently sized. The controller generally provides a common testing routine for each respective memory that may be adjusted for the size of each respective memory by the memory-controlling circuits. |
| US08046642B2 |
TCAM BIST with redundancy
A method of providing redundancy in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM), the method including detecting a defective entry in building block in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM), configuring a failover logic to redirect a software query toward a spare building block and away from the building block with the defective entry, and avoiding in using the building block with the defective entry. |
| US08046641B2 |
Managing paging I/O errors during hypervisor page fault processing
In response to a hypervisor page fault for memory that is not resident in a shared memory pool, an I/O paging request is sent to an external storage paging space. In response to a paging service partition encountering an I/O paging error, a paging failure indication is sent to the hypervisor. A simulated machine check interrupt instruction is sent from the hypervisor to the shared memory partition and a machine check handler obtains control. The machine check handler performs data analysis utilizing an error log in an attempt to isolate the I/O paging error to a process or a set of processes in the shared memory partition. The process or set of processes associated with the I/O paging error, or the shared memory partition itself, may be terminated. Finally, the shared memory partition may clear or initialize the page associated with the I/O paging error. |
| US08046639B1 |
Cycle accurate fault log modeling for a digital system
A system and method for accurately modeling a fault log is provided for validating one or more elements of fault detection and logging logic for a real-time fault log of a digital system such as, for instance, a computer processor. The method includes injecting one or more known faults into a data path and/or a control path of the computer processor and spawning an individual tracking thread for each of the injected faults. The tracking threads may be synchronized at a predefined synchronization point that is selected as a function of a collective logging delay representing the time required for each of the injected faults to reach a real-time logging point within the computer processor. Once synchronized, the tracking threads may be input into a fault logging specification for fault behavior and/or system impact modeling and fault prioritization for use in generating a fault log model for comparison to the real-time fault log maintained within the computer processor. |
| US08046637B2 |
Telemetry data filtering through sequential analysis
One embodiment provides a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system periodically obtains the telemetry data from the computer system. Next, the system preprocesses the telemetry data using a sequential-analysis technique. If a statistical deviation is found in the telemetry data using the sequential-analysis technique, the system identifies a subset of the telemetry data associated with the statistical deviation and applies a root-cause-analysis technique to the subset of the telemetry data to determine a source of the statistical deviation. Finally, the system uses the source of the statistical deviation to perform a remedial action for the computer system, which involves correcting a fault in the computer system corresponding to the source of the statistical deviation. |
| US08046633B2 |
Improving data availability during failure detection and recovery processing in a shared resource system
A system and method for managing shared resources is disclosed. The system includes a primary coherency processing unit which processes lock requests from a plurality of data processing hosts, the primary coherency processing unit also storing a first current lock state information for the plurality of data processing hosts, the first current lock state information including a plurality of locks held by the plurality of data processing hosts. The system further includes a standby coherency processing unit storing fewer locks than the primary coherency processing unit, the locks stored by the standby coherency processing unit being a subset of locks included in the first current lock state information, the standby coherency unit configured to perform a plurality of activities of the primary coherency processing unit using the subset of locks in response to a failure of the primary coherency processing unit. |
| US08046628B2 |
Failure recovery memory devices and methods
Memory devices and methods are described that include serially chained memory devices. In one or more of the configurations shown, a serial chain of memory devices includes a number of memory devices, and an error recovery device at an end of the chain. In one configuration shown, the serial chain of memory devices includes a chain of devices where each device is a stacked die memory device. Methods are described that show using the error recovery device in write operations and data recovery operations. |
| US08046626B2 |
System and method for maintaining resiliency of subscriptions to an event server
A system and method for maintaining resiliency of subscriptions to an event server includes receiving a subscription request to establish a subscription to receive event state information of an event source, a primary event server providing the event state information. The event state information is received from the primary event server in accordance with the subscription request. The primary event server provides the event state information to an event consumer. It is determined whether the primary event server fails during the subscription. |
| US08046624B2 |
Propagation of viruses through an information technology network
Requests to send data from a first host within a network of hosts are monitored against a record of destination hosts who have been sent data in accordance with a predetermined policy. Destination host identities not the record are stored in a buffer. The buffer size is monitored to establish whether requests from the first host are pursuant to viral activity therein. |
| US08046621B2 |
Method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequencies using a delay block
Aspects of a method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequency using a delay block are provided. In this regard, a first signal may be delayed, via at least a portion of a plurality of delay elements and via a variable capacitance, to generate a second signal that is 90° out of phase relative to the first signal. Additionally, the first signal and second signal may be mixed to generate a third signal, wherein a frequency of the third signal is twice a frequency of said first signal. The portion of the delay elements utilized for delaying the signal may be controlled via one or more switching elements. In this regard, one of the plurality of delay elements may be selected to output the second signal. Moreover, the portion of the delay elements utilized for delaying the signal may be programmably controlled. |
| US08046618B2 |
Semiconductor chip operating with minimal power consumption
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor chip including: a plurality of processing devices that can communicate with each other; wherein each of the processing devices includes an arithmetic unit, an individual memory connected to the arithmetic unit on a one-to-one basis, and a control unit configured to independently control turning on and off of operation of the arithmetic unit and the individual memory. |
| US08046616B2 |
Controlling power change for a semiconductor module to preserve thermal interface therein
The present invention provides a method for controlling power change for a semiconductor module. Specifically, under the present invention power is applied to, or removed from a semiconductor module between a lower power state such as a zero power, nap or sleep state and a full power state over a predetermined time period. This allows the rate of movement and strain rate of the thermal interface material within the semiconductor module to be controlled, thus preserving the reliability of the material. Typically, the power is changed over time between the lower power state and the full power state in a linear fashion or incrementally. |
| US08046610B2 |
Power supply control in a mobile portable device
The present invention provides a mobile portable device comprising a network communication module, a power-on circuit, a switching power supply, a system power supply and external battery and a calculation unit, wherein the system power supply and external battery constantly supply power to the network communication module by using an external AC power supply or the power of the battery, when the mobile portable device is in a power-off/sleep state, and when the power-on circuit detects that the network communication module has received information from a network, it activates the switching power supply to supply power to the mobile portable device and thus put the mobile portable device into an operating state. By supplying power to the network communication module in the power-off/sleep state of the notebook computer, the computer can be in the network communication state at any time and thus will not miss any information transmitted over the network. |
| US08046605B2 |
Computer system management and throughput maximization in the presence of power constraints
Methods are provided for maximizing the throughput of a computer system in the presence of one or more power constraints. Throughput is maximized by repeatedly or continuously or periodically optimizing task scheduling and assignment for each of a plurality of components of a computer system. The components include a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) each operating at a corresponding operating frequency. The components also include a plurality of disk drives. The corresponding operating frequencies of one or more CPUs of the plurality of CPUs are adjusted to maximize computer system throughput under one or more power constraints. Optimizing task scheduling and assignment, as well as adjusting the corresponding operating frequencies of one or more CPUs, are performed by solving a mathematical optimization problem using a first methodology over a first time interval and a second methodology over a second time interval longer than the first time interval. The first methodology comprises a short term heuristic solver for adapting to computer system changes that occur on a short time scale, and the second methodology comprises a long term solver having greater accuracy and greater computational complexity than the first methodology. |
| US08046602B2 |
Controlling connection status of network adapters
A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided for controlling the number of Ethernet adapters connected in an EtherChannel depending upon the current bandwidth requirements of the system. This system reduces power consumption, inter alia, wherever possible while not sacrificing performance or flexibility of an EthernetChannel. An exemplary embodiment EtherChannel's total bandwidth utilization is monitored and controlled. When the bandwidth utilization is a predetermined amount less than or more than a predetermined threshold level, power supplied to one or more of the physical Ethernet adapters that are part of the EtherChannel is adjusted, i.e. reduced or increased, accordingly. In another embodiment, in systems where ethernet devices support different levels of power, the power supplied to one or more adapters can be systematically incrementally reduced or increased in response to reduced or increased bandwidth utilization. |
| US08046601B1 |
Closed loop voltage control using adjustable delay lines
Controlling a power supply which supplies a voltage to target circuit of an integrated circuit. An adjustable delay line powered by the supply voltage is co-located on the IC with the target circuit. The adjustable delay line is subjected to substantially the same operating conditions as the target circuit. A control unit measures a delay time of the adjustable delay line. Based on the measured delay time, the control unit outputs a control signal by which the power supply adjusts the supply voltage. The adjustable delay line comprises multiple distinct delay elements, each with delay properties and responsivity to changes in operating conditions. Each delay element emulates delay properties of physical elements (e.g., gates and wires) in the target circuit. In this manner, power consumption may be reduced, while still maintaining proper operation of the target circuit. |
| US08046599B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device including semiconductor integrated circuit board supplied with no high voltage
In a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a nonvolatile memory device and a semiconductor integrated circuit board which are mounted on a wiring board where the nonvolatile memory is enable to electrically program data therein at a first voltage and the semiconductor integrated circuit board is operable at a second voltage lower than the first voltage, the nonvolatile memory device has a first terminal supplied with the first voltage and a second terminal for outputting the second voltage, the semiconductor integrated circuit board has a third terminal which is electrically connected to the second terminal. The nonvolatile memory device includes a voltage converting circuit, disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal, for converting the first voltage into the second voltage. The nonvolatile memory device is stacked on the semiconductor integrated circuit board. |
| US08046598B2 |
Device and method for controlling supply voltage/frequency using information of process variation
A device capable of controlling a supply voltage and a supply frequency using information of a manufacturing process variation includes a data storage device storing data indicating performance of the device, a decoder decoding the data stored in the data storage device and outputting decoded data, and a frequency control block outputting a frequency controlled clock signal in response to the decoded data output from the decoder. The device further includes a voltage control block outputting a level controlled supply voltage in response to the decoded data. The voltage control block outputs a body bias control voltage controlling a body bias voltage of at least one of a plurality of transistors embodied in the semiconductor device in response to the decoded data. The performance is operational speed of the device or leakage current of the semiconductor device. |
| US08046595B2 |
Method of controlling operating clock frequency of hard disk drive, recording medium, and hard disk drive
A method and apparatus to control an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive. The method includes analyzing a command workload, and changing the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on an analysis result. Alternatively, the method includes measuring a time taken to receive a predetermined number of write/read commands and controlling the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on a result of a comparison of the measured time with at least one reference value. An operating clock frequency control block included in the hard disk drive executes the method. |
| US08046592B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing the privacy of sensitive information in a data-handling system
A data-handling system (20) is arranged to scan through data it holds for instances of sensitive information as identified by reference (35) to a set of sensitive-information identifiers held by the system. Each identifier identifies one or more items of sensitive information (25) and is so formed or protected as to not reveal any such item. Following an instance of sensitive information being found by the scan, it is replaced by a reference to an instance of the corresponding sensitive-information item (25) held in protected storage (21). As a result, in due course the only instances of, sensitive information held by the system (20) will be those in the protected storage (21). |
| US08046590B2 |
System and method for protection of creative works
The inventive method for protection of creative works is accomplished by creating a creative work, securing the creative work using biometric information of an author of the creative work, and restricting an access to the creative work to the author and select users, who are authorized by the author and whose biometric information is registered with a biometric security database. |
| US08046589B2 |
Renewable and private biometrics
The present invention relates to a method of authenticating an individual (321) at an authenticating device (311) and an authenticating system for authenticating an individual. A basic idea of the present invention is to store, at a device or a system with which an individual wishes to authenticate herself, one or more data structures each comprising a value based on an identifier pertaining to the individual and an encrypted copy of the identifier. When the individual wants to authenticate herself, she contacts the authenticating device whereby a request is made to attain the encrypted identifier included in a specific data structure stored at the authenticating device. The individual subsequently provides proof to the authenticating device that she actually knows the identifier. |
| US08046586B1 |
Method and system for determining the compliance of encrypted and non-encrypted display outputs
A method and system are implemented for verifying connection status information associated with a specific display attachment location. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of receiving a first signature representative of a first set of connection states tracked by a graphics subsystem associated with the display attachment location, authenticating whether the integrity of a content path including the display attachment location is maintained based on the first signature, and deciding whether to continue sending the content to the display attachment location so that requirements associated with protecting the content are satisfied. |
| US08046583B2 |
Wireless terminal
A wireless terminal stores shared information, which is shared in authentication processing executed between the wireless terminal and an authentication device when the wireless terminal logs on to a first base station. When the connection destination is to be switched from the first base station to another base station (a second base station), a new shared key is created from the shared information which has been stored, and is sent to the authentication device via the second base station. In the case where the authentication device judges the new shared key as valid through validity judging processing with the use of the shared information, a new shared key is created to be sent from the authentication device to the second base station. An encryption key that is encrypted with this new shared key to be used in wireless communications between the wireless terminal and the second base station is received from the second base station. The encrypted encryption key is decrypted with the new shared key and, using this encryption key, the wireless terminal executes wireless communications with the second base station. |
| US08046582B2 |
Digital signature generation apparatus, digital signature verification apparatus, and key generation apparatus
A digital signature generation apparatus includes memory to store finite field Fq and section D(ux(s, t), uy(s, t), s, t) as secret key, section being one of surfaces of three-dimensional manifold A(x, y, s, t) which is expressed by x-coordinate, y-coordinate, parameter s, and parameter t and is defined on finite field Fq, x-coordinate and y-coordinate of section being expressed by functions of parameter s and parameter t, calculates hash value of message m, generates hash value polynomial by embedding hash value in 1-variable polynomial h(t) defined on finite field Fq, and generates digital signature Ds(Ux(t), Uy(t), t) which is curve on section, the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of curve being expressed by functions of parameter t, by substituting hash value polynomial in parameter s of section. |
| US08046579B2 |
Secure gateway with redundent servers
A secure gateway includes a TLS server for authenticating connecting devices, a connection manager for routing requests from the TLS server to service provider adapters, and a key management system for providing key management functions, wherein when a device provides a manufacturing certificate to one or more servers of the gateway, servers identify the device as authentic by validating that the manufacturing certificate provided is signed by the same root that has signed the servers its own certificate. |
| US08046578B1 |
System and method for providing HTML authentication using an access controller
A system and method for granting access to a computer network. The method may include, for example, receiving at an access controller a request by a user to access the network using a computing device; providing the user with the option to retrieve a login page if authentication is required prior to network access being granted; using the access controller to verify user credentials provided by the user on the login page, the using the access controller to verify user credentials comprising: comparing a source IP address of a transmission control protocol connection request with a locally defined list of authorized user credentials stored in the access controller; and determining whether a White List associated with the access controller comprises a destination IP address; and granting the user access to the network if the user credentials are verified. |
| US08046577B2 |
Secure IP access protocol framework and supporting network architecture
A protocol framework for a Secure IP Access (SIA) method, and supporting components deployed on IP hosts and IP networks. Using this method, an IP host can establish a secure data channel within an IP network over an insecure shared link while requesting IP address and networking configuration parameters from the IP network. A system administrator can implement strong access control against various attacks that an edge IP network may have to face, such as a denial-of-service attack that exhausts assignable IP addresses. This is a lightweight, scalable, and backward-compatible solution that can improve security performance for public and corporate LANs having open access such as wireless access points and Ethernet jacks. |
| US08046571B1 |
System-on-a-chip (SoC) security using one-time programmable memories
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise: a processor; a test interface that is in communication with the processor only when the test interface is enabled; a first one-time-programmable (OTP) memory; and a non-volatile memory to store boot code for the processor, wherein when the processor is booted, the boot code causes the processor to test the first OTP memory; wherein the boot code causes the processor to enable the test interface when the first OTP memory has not been programmed; and wherein the boot code causes the processor to disable the test interface when the first OTP memory has been programmed. |
| US08046570B2 |
Supporting multiple operating systems in media devices
Techniques and tools for supporting multiple operating systems in consumer electronic devices. For example, techniques and tools are described that allow quickly switching between operating systems in video disc players that support different media types while reducing wait time and mitigating possible negative impacts to user experience. |
| US08046566B2 |
Method to reduce power consumption of a register file with multi SMT support
A method for reducing the power consumption of a register file of a microprocessor supporting simultaneous multithreading (SMT) is disclosed. Mapping logic and associated table entries monitor a total number of processing threads currently executing in the processor and signal control logic to disable specific register file entries not required for currently executing or pending instruction threads or register file entries not meeting a minimum access threshold using a least recently used algorithm (LRU). The register file utilization is controlled such that a register file address range selected for deactivation is not assigned for pending or future instruction threads. One or more power saving techniques are then applied to disabled register files to reduce overall power dissipation in the system. |
| US08046562B2 |
Storage apparatus having virtual-to-actual device addressing scheme
A storage apparatus includes a storage unit and a controller, wherein control of inputting/outputting data from/to a device provided in said storage unit is executed in accordance with a request received by said storage apparatus. An actual device of the storage apparatus corresponds to a virtual device which is external to said storage apparatus. The controller operates to perform a process for mapping an actual device address corresponding to a virtual device address, in accordance with a specification of the actual device to be mounted or unmounted to correspond to the virtual device, and storing and retaining mapping information obtained from the mapping in a first table. The controller also performs data input/output process for receiving, an access request for data input/output in which said virtual device address is specified, obtaining the actual device address mapped to said specified virtual device address in said first table, and accessing the actual device by said obtained actual device address. |
| US08046560B1 |
Serial number based storage device allocation
Serial number based storage device allocation is disclosed. A serial number associated with the storage device is mapped to a device file associated with the storage device on a host having a connection to the storage device. The serial number is mapped to a device address by which the storage device is known to a library with which the storage device is associated. A request requiring that an available storage device be allocated to service the request is received. The storage device is allocated, based at least in part on the serial number to device file and serial number to device address mappings, to service the request. |
| US08046556B2 |
Detection of out-of-memory and graceful shutdown
A method, system and computer readable medium for managing low memory in a first computing device are provided. The system is configured to cause part of the memory allocated to a specialized application to be held in reserve so that it can be used to support the specialized application during an occurrence of low memory, thus providing time for data backup or remedial steps to be carried out before the affected application crashes. |
| US08046554B2 |
Storage subsystem and performance tuning method
The storage system includes a storage subsystem including a plurality of storage units and a storage control device coupled to a computer and the storage subsystem, the storage control device providing the host computer with a logical unit assigned to a storage unit of the storage subsystem. The storage control device receives a first access request from the computer to the logical unit and sends a second access request to the storage unit of the storage subsystem according to a relation between the storage unit of the storage subsystem and the logical unit assigned to the storage unit. Performance information relating to the second access request by the storage control device is obtained so that the storage control device determines performance relating to the logical unit assigned to the storage unit of the storage subsystem. |
| US08046552B2 |
Tracking metadata changes during data copy in a storage system
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for tracking metadata changes during copying in a storage system. One embodiment includes a method that uses a bitmap and two fences to track changes to metadata while a copy of the metadata is being transferred from a source disk array to a destination disk array. |
| US08046547B1 |
Storage system snapshots for continuous file protection
Techniques for continuous data protection can include creating snapshots of one or more underlying storage volumes upon specific file system events. Generating snapshots upon every file close event can protect the files in a storage system by keeping a snapshot of every version or modification of each file. Removal of redundant snapshots can mitigate the impact on storage capacity associated with creating these large numbers of volume snapshots upon each file close event. Additionally, file closure lists can be employed to allow generating snapshots only when a previously closed file is reopened. Such an approach can protect the previous version of a file prior to the opening of a new version of the file. Such an approach can also mitigate storage capacity impact without the creation of redundant snapshots. |
| US08046519B2 |
Coupling a specialty system, such as a metering system, to multiple control systems
A metering system configured to couple to multiple specialty systems, such as a control system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are processing units comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a communication port configured to coupled to a backbone communication network of a control system. The memory stores a program that causes the processor to selectively participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a first manufacturer (the control system implements a first proprietary communication protocol between processing units), and to participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a second manufacturer different than the first manufacturer (the control system of the second manufacturer implements a second proprietary communication protocol between the processing units). |
| US08046518B1 |
USB isochronous data transfer for a host based laser printer
A system, method, and processor executable instructions to isochronously communicate in standard USB mode laser printer scan data from a host computer to a laser printer. The host computer transmits a data stream that includes data packets having laser printer scan data, error detection information, and correction packets such as parity packets for use to reconstruct packets having an error. The laser printer receives the data stream, processes the error detection information, data packets and parity packets, and provides a continuous stream of laser printer scan data for printing. |
| US08046517B2 |
Data processing method and device for inputting data to pieces of digital equipment
A first device is provided with a communicator having a first interface function and a second interface function defined in an asymmetric interface standard. A second device is connected to the first device. The first device detects whether the second device has at least one of the first interface function and the second interface function. Data is transmitted from the first device to the second device, through use of the first interface function, in a case where it is detected that the second device has the second interface function. A signal for processing the data is transmitted from the first device to the second device, through use of the second interface function, in a case where it is detected that the second device has the first interface function. |
| US08046508B2 |
Smart card with self-detachment features and related methods
An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes at least one data terminal for providing communications with a host device and a processor for providing an attachment signal on the at least one data terminal for recognition by the host device. Further, the processor also cooperates with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon at least one default descriptor. In addition, based upon a system event, the processor selectively removes the attachment signal from the at least one data terminal and thereafter again provides the attachment signal on the at least one data terminal and cooperates with the host device to perform a new enumeration based upon at least one alternate descriptor. |
| US08046506B2 |
FIFO system and operating method thereof
FIFO systems and operating method thereof are provided to transfer data between a first device and a second device. In the FIFO system, a memory controller serves as an interface to access a memory device for storage of the data, and a CPU processes instructions to control the data transfer. Two data FIFOs serve as data buffers for data transactions to and from the first and second devices, and two status FIFOs serve as an instruction buffers for status transactions between the first, second devices and the CPU. A data controller connects the memory controller and the two data FIFOs for direct data delivery therebetween. |
| US08046504B2 |
Content-aware digital media storage device and methods of using the same
A content-aware digital media storage device includes a host device interface for exchanging digital information with a host device, a memory array for storing digital information received from the host device via the host interface, a peripheral module configured to communicate the digital information stored in the memory array to a receiver located remote from the digital media storage device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the host device interface, the memory array and the peripheral module and configured to interpret directory information associated with the digital information stored in the memory array so as to selectively access said digital information and communicate such accessed digital information to the peripheral module for transmission to the remote receiver. Digital images stored in the memory array may be transmitted to a remote host via a wireless network access point with which the peripheral module of the storage device is associated. |
| US08046503B2 |
DMA controller, system on chip comprising such a DMA controller, method of interchanging data via such a DMA controller
A system on chip comprises a CPU, a local memory a data processing module, and a DMA controller. The DMA controller comprises a first interface to handle data transmissions, to and from the local memory, associated with an indication to the local memory of an address in local memory, and is designed to perform data writes and reads in the local memory via this interface. The DMA controller also comprises a second interface, which in response to a command received from the central processing unit, operations for writing and reading data in the local memory via the first interface. The DMA controller also comprises a third interface with the processing module to transmit to it the data read, via the first interface, in the local memory, this transmission not being associated with an indication to the processing module, by the DMA controller, of an address. |
| US08046497B2 |
Image forming apparatus and computer readable medium
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a communication section connected to a data processing apparatus through a communication line, the apparatus including: a plurality of storage sections each of which has a different free storage capacity and a different access speed; and a control section to obtain data size information of a data-decompressed XPS file from the XPS file which includes the data size information in a head of a file data frame, the XPS file being received from the data processing apparatus through the communication section, to select a storage section to store the file data of the data-decompressed XPS file from the plurality of storage sections on the basis of the data size information, to perform data decompression of the XPS file, and to allow the selected storage section to store the file data of the data-decompressed XPS file. |
| US08046496B1 |
System and method for network data compression
The present invention relates to a method of compressing data in a network, the data comprising a plurality of packets each having a header and a payload, the header comprising a plurality of header fields, the method comprising generating a classification tree based on at least a portion of the plurality of header fields, determining a inter-packet compression plan based on the classification tree, and performing inter-packet compression in real time for each payload of at least a first portion of the plurality of packets, the inter-packet compression being performed according to at least a portion of the inter-packet compression plan. |
| US08046494B2 |
Extensible transcoder annotation for transcoding proxy servers
Within one embodiment of the present invention, the rules for transcoding web content are abstracted from the transcoding functionality of a transcoding proxy server. Specifically, within the transcoding proxy server, the functions that perform the transcoding of web content for a device having limited display capabilities is completely separate and distinct from the transcoding rules, e.g., extensible transcoder annotation (XTA), that provide the order, manner, and/or what web content should be transcoded for the requesting device. Therefore, when the transcoding proxy server receives a web page request from a device, its transcoding software accesses an XTA file to find a rule set that pertains to the web page request. Upon finding a corresponding XTA rule set, the transcoding proxy server follows the instructions of the rule set in order to transcode the requested web page for the device having limited display capabilities. |
| US08046487B2 |
Method for routing of data packets and routing apparatus
In order to be able to use a smaller routing table (4) and, thus, to reduce the costs and power consumption and to improve the performance of an IP router, it is proposed to extract a destination address identifier (ADR) from a data packet to be forwarded by the IP router, compress the extracted destination address identifier (ADR) by using a lossless data compression algorithm, and compare the compressed destination address identifier with entries stored in the routing table (4) so as to find a correspondence between the destination address identifier and one of the entries of the routing table (4). Each entry of the routing table (4) corresponds to a possible or available forwarding address of the IP router, the forwarding addresses having been compressed with the same data compression algorithm as the destination address identifier. After having found a correspondence between the destination address identifier and one of the compressed forwarding addresses stored in the routing table (4), a switch (6) of the IP router switches the respective data packet to one of its output links (OUT) which is associated with the respective forwarding address matching the destination address identifier (ADR). |
| US08046486B2 |
Active client buffer management
Active client buffer management methods, systems, and apparatus for transmitting electronic data from a server to a client having a limited receive buffer are disclosed. The receive buffer is managed by determining a consumption rate at the client and adjusting the transmission rate of the server responsive to the determined consumption rate to manage the fill level of the receive buffer. |
| US08046481B2 |
Peer-to-peer network communications using SATA/SAS technology
A conventional serial communications protocol that is limited to supporting only host-to-slave communications, such as SATA or SAS, is extended to support peer-to-peer communications, e.g., by adding a memory-map layer into the conventional protocol stack between the link layer and the protocol layer. The addition of the memory-map layer enables two (or more) non-host devices (i.e., peer devices) to communicate with one another without using a host computer and without relying on conventional protocol-bridging techniques. |
| US08046479B2 |
Media channel management
A method of managing a unicast-based media session is disclosed. A user terminal having access to channel identifiers of media channels available at a media server compiles a SIP-based channel request comprising a channel identifier of one of the available media channels and a port identifier of at least one media input port of the terminal. This message is sent to a network node for initiating delivery of media data of selected media channel to the announced media input port. The SIP-based data signaling also allows switching between unicast-based media channels and switching between unicast-bast and multicast/broadcast-based media channels during the ongoing media session. |
| US08046476B2 |
Access right control using access control alerts
Systems and methods are provided for providing access controlled event subscription and notification and event access change alerts. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention operate within a SIP infrastructure. As such, SIP SUBSCRIBE messages and SIP NOTIFY messages are used for subscribing to and receiving notifications related to access control. According to some embodiments, event access change alerts are used in conjunction with access controlled event subscription to provide an efficient method for providing access controlled event subscription using current access control information. |
| US08046475B2 |
Portable communication terminal apparatus, communication system and network address setting method thereof
A portable communication terminal apparatus which is connected to a router through a cable includes a storage which stores a plurality of allocated Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, a detector which detects information on the cable connected to the router, and an address setting part which sets one of the plurality of IP addresses as a network IP address based on the detected information on the cable. |
| US08046474B2 |
Method, apparatus, programs and storage medium for transferring data between different types of terminals
A communications terminal selection unit acquires, upon receipt of a call origination request, presence information including terminal information on terminals available to a call terminator from a presence management unit, and selects a specific terminal, if there are a plurality of terminals available to the call terminator based on the presence information, based on terminal selection information in which at least whether communication quality or charge takes priority is defined beforehand by the call terminator, notifying a call transfer unit of the selected terminal as a transfer destination terminal for call transfer. |
| US08046473B2 |
Maintaining session states within virtual machine environments
Sessions states within virtual machine (VM) environments are maintained. Each VM environment hosts a guest operating system (OS) and one or more application programs running. The guest OS and the application computer programs of each VM environment constitute a session. A connection broker maintains a state machine as to states of the sessions and permits transitions among the states in response to messages, commands, and internal decisions. Different types of agents may send the messages, and the commands. The states of the sessions may include a pending state and a number of other states. The pending state is an interim state that indicates a session is being transitioned from one of the other states to another of the other states. These other states may include an offline state, an online-down state, an online-up state, a suspended state, an active state, an idle state, a disconnected state, and a failed state. |
| US08046470B2 |
Method and system for incoming call notification
A mobile station that is fully engaged such that it cannot be connected to an incoming call without being disconnected from an existing call receives an incoming call notification. The incoming call notification may, for example, take the form of a short message system (SMS) message or a packet protocol message, such as a session initiation protocol (SIP) message. The incoming call notification may identify the calling party and may explain how to take the incoming call. If the user accepts the incoming call, the mobile station is disconnected from existing calls and connected to the incoming call. |
| US08046468B2 |
Process demand prediction for distributed power and resource management
Methods and systems for allocating resources in a virtual desktop resource environment are provided. A method includes making a prediction on the future demand for processes running on a distributed environment with several hosts. The prediction is based on the process demand history and includes the removal of historic process demand glitches. Further, the prediction is used to perform a cost and benefit analysis for moving a candidate process from one host to another, and the candidate process is moved to a different host when the cost and benefit analysis recommends such move. In another embodiment, the predictions on future process demand are used for distributed power management by putting hosts in stand-by mode when the overall demand decreases or by adding hosts to the distributed environment when the load increases. |
| US08046466B2 |
System and method for managing resources
A resource management system including a plurality of computer systems and providing services through operations of task applications by combining the plurality of the computer systems, which comprises: a storage which is included in at least one of the computer systems for storing information for identifying the computer systems which execute the task applications, respectively, and resource utilization rate information which includes utilization rates of resources configuring the respective computer systems; and an effected range investigation unit which is included in at least one of the computer systems and obtains utilization rates of additional resources required by a task application from the resource utilization rate information when the effected range investigation unit obtains information that the task application requires the additional resources of the computer systems; and sums utilization rates of resources configuring newly configured computer systems. |
| US08046463B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling double-ended soft permanent virtual circuit/path connections
A method and apparatus control a double-ended soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC) connection coupling from a source end to a destination end via a communications network. The method includes (a) receiving an SPVC connection message from a first network device for the source end, (b) accepting an SPVC connection in accordance with the SPVC connection message if a second network device receiving the SPVC connection has an association with the first network device, and (c) rejecting the SPVC connection if the second network device does not have an association with the first network device. The network device for the destination end includes a database memory adapted to store an access identifier of at least one predetermined source network device from which the network device is allowed to accept an SPVC connection. |
| US08046462B2 |
Method, computer software products, client terminal, network element and network for efficient use of network resources by just-in-time modulation of quality of service based on service usage and user behavior
The invention relates to observing requests, deriving quality of service (QoS) demands and scheduling the network's resources in terms of QoS. A scheduler is modulating the QoS based on service usage and user-behavior just-in-time. It relates to a method for efficient use of network resources by just-in-time modulation of quality of service based on real-time service-usage and user-behavior comprising steps recording events, generating a synthesis of user-behavior for a QoS user profile according to QoS user preferences, predicting required QoS demand based on current user behavior and user QoS profile, according to QoS user preferences, deriving and propagating QoS demands and allocations, and co-ordination of QoS request of a manifold of users, based on requests, QoS user profiles, QoS user preferences and resources. Further it relates to computer software product, client terminals, a scheduler server, a network element, and a network. |
| US08046459B2 |
Method, device and system of obtaining network information using device as service credential
Method, device and system of obtaining the network information using the device as the service credential, which use the device without power supply and display, in which presetting the configuration files containing the information connected to the network, after connecting the device with the online data process device, establishing the information interacting channel between the data process device and the information server to obtain, download the related information. The device as the service credential can be used to store the information, or display, print and output the special network service information by the data process device, and the device can be used as the service object of the special information network and take the voucher function of service. |
| US08046455B2 |
Correlating subjective user states with objective occurrences associated with a user
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring subjective user state data including at least a first subjective user state and a second subjective user state; acquiring objective context data including at least a first context data indicative of a first objective occurrence associated with a user and a second context data indicative of a second objective occurrence associated with the user; and correlating the subjective user state data with the objective context data. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08046454B2 |
Identifying and recommending potential communication states based on patterns of use
Techniques for identifying potential communication uses of various systems are disclosed. Identifying potential communication uses of a computing system can improve the manner in which the computing system is used by allowing more intelligent decisions and better choices to be made regarding its communication use. By way of example, communication applications (or tasks or services) that are likely (or more likely) to be used by a person in a particular situation can be identified as potential communication use of a particular device. Such potential uses can, for example, be made more assessable (or more readily available) and/or effectively recommended (or automatically initiated), thereby allowing a person to more conveniently use the device. By way of example, identifying communication applications or tasks that are likely to be used by a person in a particular situation for various reasons (e.g., preferences and/or habits of a person in a particular situation) as potential communication use of a system (e.g., computing and/or communication device) allows making the communications applications, tasks, or services more assessable and/or effectively recommending them for use in a particular situation. |
| US08046448B2 |
System and method for information sharing
A distributed system architecture with components each having an autonomous “hub” or dependent “hub” and a related differential indexing method for obtaining data are disclosed. |
| US08046447B2 |
Mechanism for specifying port-related data from network devices
A computer system for and method of requesting networked device information is described. The computer system comprises a processor and a data store. The data store comprises one or more data identifier groups hierarchically specifying data available from one or more networked devices and a data retrieval tool comprising a set of instructions executable by the processor to obtain data from a network device. The data retrieval tool is arranged to request the data from the network device based on a data identifier group. |
| US08046444B2 |
Universal network adapter for industrial control networks
A universal network adapter for a control system provides an appliance receiving a user selection of network cards for different proprietary network types and an internal interpreter running custom scripts downloadable to the appliance to map the network protocols of the different networks to a single common network communicating with the programmable controller. A buffer table interposed between the networks provides for a consistent ordering of data transfer in separate input and output sessions. Configuration data may be held by the appliance to configure the networks and the devices using the same scripting translation. |
| US08046441B2 |
Business to business integration software as a service
The present technique includes a software framework which makes it possible for providing Business-to-Business (B2B) integration software as a service (SaaS). The framework follows a hub and spoke model wherein the hub and spoke communicate through web services. While the hub and spokes act as integration gateways with the enterprise systems, the hub also acts as a centralized remote command, control and configuration center for the entire setup. The hub software provides the ability to generate and remotely deploy the spoke environments and also manage them remotely. The generated spoke environment can be downloaded, installed and configured to connect to the local systems and act as a mediator for B2B integration between hub and the local systems. Once installed the environments are remotely managed through the management console provided by the hub software. This invention reduces the cost of B2B integration by amortizing the cost of remotely managing multiple trading partner gateways through a single management console. |
| US08046440B2 |
Managing resources through user-facing web services aggregated in portals
The present invention relates to managing the administration of electronic resources accessible in an electronic network. Grid resources or services are enhanced with a presentation interface that provides an administration user-interface for configuring them. Resource-located logic configures the resource according to user inputs and actions imparted on user controls, which are sent from a respective resource to a portal server. On the portal server, a second user-interface software is implemented, able to aggregate the fragments or controls of different resources, to display such multiple controls to a user, to process user inputs imparted on those controls, and to send user control data entered via the user-interface fragments to a resource configuration interface of a respective one of the resources to perform the configuration of a respective resource via the respective resource configuration-interface. |
| US08046438B2 |
System and method of restoring data and context of client applications stored on the web
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document. |
| US08046436B2 |
System and method of providing context information for client application data stored on the web
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document. |
| US08046433B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing discoverability and usability of data network capability of a mobile device
In a technique for enhancing discoverability and increasing usage of a web browser in a mobile device on a wireless network, a server system coupled to the wireless network receives a signal representing initiation of a voice call from the mobile device. In response, the server system performs a lookup to determine whether a website is associated with the telephone number being called. If a website is associated with the telephone number being called and the mobile device has the capability to access and display the website, the server system sends an Alert to the mobile device, causing the mobile device to notify its user about the website. The user may then input a selection to either access the website instead of completing the call or to proceed with the voice call. |
| US08046432B2 |
Network caching for multiple contemporaneous requests
A live caching system is described herein that reduces the burden on origin servers for serving live content. In response to receiving a first request that results in a cache miss, the system forwards the first request to the next tier while “holding” other requests for the same content. If the system receives a second request while the first request is pending, the system will recognize that a similar request is outstanding and hold the second request by not forwarding the request to the origin server. After the response to the first request arrives from the next tier, the system shares the response with other held requests. Thus, the live caching system allows a content provider to prepare for very large events by adding more cache hardware and building out a cache server network rather than by increasing the capacity of the origin server. |
| US08046431B2 |
IP address assignment method and apparatus for providing IP service in a ZIGBEE network system
A ZIGBEE® network system and a method for assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address in a ZIGBEE® network system are provided. The ZIGBEE® network system includes a client device for joining a ZIGBEE® network and being assigned an IP address used for transmitting and receiving data; a server device for assigning the IP address to the client device; and a ZIGBEE® coordinator for forming the ZIGBEE® network, storing server profile information for each server device that has joined the formed ZIGBEE® network, receiving client profile information for the client device from the client device, and determining a server device that will assign an IP address to the client device, using the received client profile information. |
| US08046427B2 |
Network system, directory server and terminal device
A network system includes a directory server configured to provide service definition information through a network, and a terminal device configured to receive the service definition information. The directory server may include a server communication unit, a service definition information storing unit configured to store main information and auxiliary information as part of service definition information, and a service definition information transmission control unit that retrieves the service definition information from the service definition information storing unit and transmit the same to the terminal device. The terminal device may include a terminal communication unit, an outputting unit, an input receiving unit and an output control unit. When received the service definition information from the directory server, the output control unit controls the outputting unit to output the main information, and when the input receiving unit receives a predetermined input instruction, the auxiliary information is output. |
| US08046425B1 |
Distributed adaptive network memory engine
Memory demands of large-memory applications continue to remain one step ahead of the improvements in DRAM capacities of commodity systems. Performance of such applications degrades rapidly once the system hits the physical memory limit and starts paging to the local disk. A distributed network-based virtual memory scheme is provided which treats remote memory as another level in the memory hierarchy between very fast local memory and very slow local disks. Performance over gigabit Ethernet shows significant performance gains over local disk. Large memory applications may access potentially unlimited network memory resources without requiring any application or operating system code modifications, relinkling or recompilation. A preferred embodiment employs kernel-level driver software. |
| US08046422B2 |
Automatic load spreading in a clustered network storage system
A cache is used in a network storage system that includes a plurality of data storage nodes in a storage cluster, to automatically spread read and write access load, by a plurality of storage clients, for file system data and metadata, across the plurality of data storage nodes. |
| US08046420B2 |
System and method to control wireless communications
A method of controlling wireless communications is provided. A first call is received at a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server from a first mobile communication device. The first DMA server communicates with the first mobile communication device via a first wireless communication protocol. A second call is received at the first DMA server from a second mobile communication device. The first DMA server communicates with the second mobile communication device via a second wireless communication protocol. Voice information associated with the first call is converted to first packet data and voice information associated with the second call to second packet data. The first packet data and the second packet data are routed via a private Internet Protocol (IP) network to at least one second DMA device, where the first call is accessible to a first destination device and the second call is accessible to a second destination device via the at least one second DMA device. |
| US08046418B1 |
Electronic communication reminder technology
Techniques are described for providing reminders for electronic communications. For instance, response patterns of a user are determined by communication type based on monitoring past response behavior of the user and the response pattern data is stored for the user by communication type. After storing the response pattern data for the user by communication type, a particular communication that is for the user and that is initiated by a first sender is received. A type of the particular communication is determined and response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication is accessed. A response reminder time for the particular communication is set based on the accessed response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication. |
| US08046417B2 |
System and method for quality of presence
A rating of the quality of the presence information of a user at a communication device is determined by an aggregation client by determining a direct indicator of presence of a user at the communication device, determining a presence likelihood at the communication device, determining a time delay characteristic related to input on the communication device, and determining a quality of presence rating based on these factors. A graphical or numerical indication of the quality of presence rating is sent to other users' communications devices. |
| US08046411B2 |
Multimedia sharing in social networks for mobile devices
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards sharing multimedia information on a mobile device based at least in part on vitality information and other social networking information. Multimedia information may be received and/or synchronized on the mobile device based on a relationship between vitality information of members of a social network. The relationship may comprise a common membership in a group, a common multimedia usage behavior, a geographical proximity of members of the social network, a degree of separation of members of the social network, a common search behavior, or the like. Multimedia information captured on the mobile device may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with members of the social network. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view in conjunction with other social networking information. |
| US08046410B1 |
System and method for attribute detection in user profile creation and update
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a user participating in a collaboration session; create a profile associated with the user; and detect an attribute associated with the profile based on the collaboration session. |
| US08046408B2 |
Virtual reality systems and methods
Virtual reality system facilitating the setup and conduction of a virtual reality episode by receiving virtual reality data captured by virtual reality environment (VRE) user equipment, and transmitting the virtual reality data via a network to other virtual reality components capable of presenting the virtual reality data. The setup and conduction of the virtual reality episode occurs in real-time, such that a user can participate in an episode that represents events presently occurring in an environment. The VRE user equipment includes wireless devices such that one or more mobile users at a plurality of locations may simultaneously participate in a virtual reality episode. |
| US08046406B2 |
System for data logging
A data logging system that utilizes a schedule of data transfer periods for transferring data from devices to a server. A communication of an actual data transfer size of stored data in a first device of the devices is obtained by the server from the first device. A corresponding future data transfer size of the stored data is estimated by the server, based on a historic data transfer size for data previously transferred from the first device to the server. The schedule is currently based on the historic data transfer size for the first device. The server updates the schedule if the server has determined that a difference exists between the actual data transfer size and the corresponding estimated future data transfer size. A transmission from the first device of the data actually stored in the first device is received by the server in accordance with the schedule. |
| US08046391B2 |
Storage apparatus and its file control method and storage system
Decrease in the write speed is prevented even when overwriting the entire file. When a NAS apparatus receives a file size change request from a computer as an access request source for changing the size of a file, the NAS apparatus creates a new file related to the file in a file system with a processing performance that is higher than a file system containing the file as an entity of that file, associates the new file and the foregoing file, deletes the file on the condition that the new file and the file has been associated, and executes data write processing of writing data into the new file on the condition of subsequently receiving a data write request from the access request source for writing data into the file. |
| US08046390B2 |
Feedback for unavailable content
A particular method includes searching a database associated with a content provider. The database includes content items available from the content provider as well as content items that are not available from the content provider. The database is searched based on a search query received from a set-top box to generate a list of content items. The list of content items includes at least one entry corresponding to a particular content item that is unavailable and includes a feedback control. The method further includes receiving a request that the content provider make the particular content item available and automatically determining to acquire rights to provide access to the particular content item based at least in part on the request. |
| US08046389B2 |
Automatic data determination
In a computing system, a value that a user enters under guidance of a graphical user interface may be received for association with a field of a document. The received value is used to determine a value to be automatically associated with at least another field of the document. Information indicating the value received in the input field and a rule used in determining the value for the at least another input field are stored in one or more fields of the document associated with the at least another input field. |
| US08046384B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and information processing program
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including, a user group identification section, a first content analysis section, a second content analysis section, and a metadata setting section. |
| US08046383B2 |
Mapping deep structured data structures
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mapping deep structured data structures. Statements defining a mapping of source elements formatted in accordance with a first hierarchical structure to a target formatted in accordance with a second hierarchical structure are received. The first and second hierarchical structures may be different. A mapping of the source elements to the target in accordance with the statements may be performed, where the statement may be defined in accordance with a mapping language. The mapping language may define that a single statement may represent an iterative approach to mapping elements from the source to the target. The mapping language may support selection of source elements using a format that allows for navigation through a hierarchy of the source. The mapping language may also support nested statements which may allow for nested iterations in which to perform mappings. |
| US08046379B1 |
System and method for access control and for supply chain management via a shared bill of material
A system for securely uploading and downloading data from a client to a remote data storage location under control of a remote application program. The data is stored in encrypted form so that the data server has no access to the data. The data is associated with a bill of material (BOM) and may be accessed by users without providing access to the data space of the client. Also disclosed is a method and computer program so automatically assign access privileges to one or more users of data in a bill of material stored in a shared database such that the step of refining a role for the user for a data item automatically assigns access privileges for the user for the data and other related data items. Also described is linking BOMs to provide peer-to-peer access and views to different users. Also described is a method and software program that provides of propagation of data through the supply chain via one or more bills of materials. |
| US08046378B1 |
Universal quota entry identification
An apparatus and a method for determining whether a quota has been violated by using a platform-identification value, instead of the platform-specific identification value. The method may include receiving a quota-sensitive data request from a user at a data storage system, which includes a platform-specific identification value. The method further includes performing a lookup operation on a first data store using the platform-specific identification value to determine a platform-independent identification value that corresponds to the user, and translating the platform-specific identification value into a platform-independent identification value. The first data store includes multiple entries that map multiple platform-specific identification values that correspond to the same user on different platforms to the same platform-independent identification value. Once the platform-specific identification value is translated, the quota-sensitive data request is determined whether a quota is violated using the platform-independent identification value. |
| US08046377B2 |
Method for calculating distributed joins in main memory with minimal communicaton overhead
A method of executing a distributed join query for a set of documents includes communication between a first server and a second server. In the first server, a first tuple list is generated from a first list of documents matching a precondition part of the query. A first set of value identifiers of attributes associated with the first list of documents is extracted from the first tuple list. A first set of dictionary keys is generated from the set of value identifiers. Then, the first set of dictionary keys is sent with a join condition attribute to a second server. In the second server, the first set of value identifiers is converted to a second set of value identifiers of attributes associated with the second server based on the set of dictionary keys. Then, a lookup of documents is performed based on the second set of value identifiers. |
| US08046374B1 |
Automatic training of a database intrusion detection system
A database intrusion detection system (DIDS) automatically trains itself to account for changes to the database. The DIDS monitors upstream queries sent to the database and downstream data provided in response to the queries. The DIDS classifies an upstream query as legitimate or anomalous. If the query is anomalous, the DIDS determines whether the anomaly resulted from a change in the database by performing one or more tests. One test determines whether the query references new fields or tables. Another test determines the frequency at which the query is received, and/or whether the query is received from multiple sources. A third test determines whether the query accesses sensitive information. Together, the results of these tests describe whether the query should be classified as anomalous or legitimate. |
| US08046372B1 |
Duplicate entry detection system and method
A computer system and method for determining whether the subject matter described in a received document is substantially similar to the subject matter of other documents in a document corpus, such that the received document can be considered a duplicate document. After receiving a first document, a set of tokens for the first document is generated. A non-fielded relevance search on a token index is executed. The relevance search returns a set of candidate duplicate documents with scores corresponding to each candidate document. For each candidate document with a score above a threshold, filtering is performed on each candidate document to determine whether each candidate document is a true duplicate of the first document. A set of candidate documents with a score above the threshold that were not disqualified as candidate documents is then provided. |
| US08046371B2 |
Scoring local search results based on location prominence
A system may identify a first document associated with a geographic location within a geographical area and identify a second document associated with a geographic location outside the geographical area. The system may also assign a first score to the first document based on a first scoring function and assign a second score to the second document based on a second scoring function. |
| US08046370B2 |
Retrieval of structured documents
This disclosure relates to performing a query for a search term of a database containing a plurality of structured documents. Those structured documents that do not include the search term are ferreted or filtered out during an initial search. Matched structured documents which are those structured documents that do contain the search term are evaluated by ranking the individual elements based on how well each individual element matches the search term, and indicating to the user the ranking of the individual elements wherein the individual elements can be accessed by the user. |
| US08046365B2 |
Document management apparatus and document management method
An apparatus stores one or more document information of which access right is managed by an access right management apparatus, and generates an index of stored document information. The apparatus receives user identification information, and sends the user identification information, and information for identifying document information of which index has not been generated to the access right management apparatus. The apparatus receives access right information associated with the user from the access right management apparatus, and generates index of the identified document information based on the received access right information. |
| US08046363B2 |
System and method for clustering documents
Provided are a system and method of clustering documents. The system includes a document DB, a document feature writing unit storing documents, a document retrieving unit, a clustering unit, and a cluster DB. The document DB stores documents. The document feature writing unit extracts attribute information of documents stored in the document database, and writes indexes with respect to the respective documents on the basis of the attribute information. The document retrieving unit retrieves documents including a query input by a user, using the indexes. The clustering unit includes a representative vector calculator calculating feature vectors and a representative vector of the retrieved documents, and a similarity calculator calculating similarities between the documents using the feature vectors and the representative vector. The cluster database stores documents clustered by the clustering unit. |
| US08046361B2 |
System and method for classifying tags of content using a hyperlinked corpus of classified web pages
An improved system and method for classifying tags of content using a hyperlinked corpus of classified web pages is provided. An anchor text index may be searched to find anchor texts that may match text of the tag, documents referenced by the matching anchor texts may be found, and the documents referenced by the matching anchor texts may be grouped to disambiguate multiple classifications that result from matching the anchor texts with the categories of the reference documents. To resolve ambiguity between multiple classifications, weighted classifications may be used where each document may be assigned a positive weight for a mapping to a category to indicate the confidence of the classification of the document to the category. The classification for the grouping of the documents referenced by the matching anchor texts with greatest frequency may be selected and output as the classification for the tag. |
| US08046360B2 |
Reduction of annotations to extract structured web data
Document, such as web pages of a domain, are annotated to facilitate extracting structured information from the documents. The documents are clustered. Each cluster is such that the documents within that cluster are similar to each other at least with respect to a first threshold, such as according to a shingling metric, where the first threshold is an 8/8 shingling match. There is at least one overlap cluster, each overlap cluster including at least one of the plurality of clusters such that documents of the at least one cluster included in that overlap cluster are similar to each other at least with respect to a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold. A particular overlap cluster is designated, as is a particular cluster of the particular overlap cluster. For the particular designated cluster, an obtained annotation is transferred to other clusters included in the designated particular overlap cluster. |
| US08046358B2 |
Context-based information retrieval
In accordance with aspects of the present technique, a method of retrieving information of interest is presented. The method includes parsing data based upon a predefined context definition. Further, the method includes interpreting the parsed data based on the predefined context definition. In addition, the method includes adding contextual attributes to the interpreted data to generate meta-data. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method is also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique. |
| US08046353B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching a hierarchical database and an unstructured database with a single search query
Techniques for searching a hierarchical database and an unstructured database with a single search query are described herein. In one embodiment, a single search query is received that has syntax identifying an unstructured search string within a structured search query to automatically cause a search of the inverted index and use of the result to automatically search the hierarchical database. The unstructured search string is extracted from the single search query and an inverted index is searched according to the unstructured search string, wherein the inverted index includes virtual documents created from data stored in the hierarchical database, wherein each virtual document includes a unique identifier from the hierarchical database used to designate the data in the hierarchical database from which that virtual document was created, wherein a result of the inverted index search includes the unique identifiers of the virtual documents that meet the search. For each of the unique identifiers in the result, a separate search query is generated from the single search query by replacing the unstructured search string in the structured search query with that unique identifier and the hierarchical database is searched according to the separate search query. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08046351B2 |
Method and system for selecting search engines for accessing information
A method and system for access to information using search engines is provided. A search engine is selected for executing a query based on search engine characteristic information and the query. The characteristic information for each search engine includes information representing searching capabilities of each search engine. Selecting a search engine further involves determining a similarity between the query and the characteristic information for each search engine, and selecting a search engine based on the similarities such that a search engine with the highest similarity may be selected for executing the query and returning search results. |
| US08046350B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting commercial queries
A system processes user queries. The system may generate a list of query patterns of a first type. The system may also receive a user query and determine whether the received query is a query of the first type based at least in part on the list of query patterns. |
| US08046346B2 |
System and method for improving integrity of internet search
A system and method are provided to receive a search query from a user, typically via a web browser, the Internet, and a web server. A search engine obtains a set of potential search results based on the search query. For each Internet domain or web site mentioned in the search results, a set of data sources is accessed to obtain information concerning the legitimacy of the business associated with the Internet domain or web site. The legitimacy information is used to reorder or to change or to augment the appearance or presentation of the search result for the Internet domain or web site. The processed search results are returned to the user. |
| US08046344B2 |
Method for automatically searching for information and video apparatus using the same
An automatic search method and a video apparatus using the method are provided. According to the automatic search method, the video apparatus deletes characters satisfying specific conditions from additional information which is received, and generates keywords. Therefore, a user may acquire search results without needing to directly input keywords, and it is possible to prevent undesired information from being displayed as a search result. |
| US08046343B2 |
Computing system and method for automatic completion of pick field
In one embodiment, the invention is a computing system including a World Wide Web application. The application includes a pick field to receive a partial value. The application automatically transmits the partial value to a server. The server is coupled to a database. The server searches the database to find a complete value corresponding to the partial value. The complete value is transmitted to the application. The complete value replaces the partial value in the pick field. |
| US08046341B2 |
Information processing apparatus for reproducing metadata and method, program, and recording medium
A system and method to protect uniquely extended metadata by others, while maintaining compatibility of metadata. An information processing apparatus determines if items included in entered metadata are defined in advance, and reproduces only items that are included in the metadata and determined as defined in advance, and rewrites or transfers the entered metadata when the metadata is rewritten or transferred. |
| US08046340B2 |
System and method for matching similar master data using associated behavioral data
A system and method for identifying duplicate master data using associated behavioral data. A first record and a second record are accessed in at least one master data repository, where the first record and the second record do not share a unique field value. At least one behavior field common to a first behavior record and a second behavior record is accessed, where the first behavior record is associated with the first record and where the second behavior record is associated with the second record. At least one input parameter is obtained to configure a duplication test. The duplication test is performed between the first record and the second record based on the at least one input parameter, where the duplication test is performed on the at least one behavior field. A duplication test result is produced based on the duplication test. |
| US08046335B2 |
System for automatically shadowing data and file directory structures that are recorded on a computer memory
The Data Shadowing System comprises a memory module that is connected to the monitored computer system via an existing input/output port to store the shadowed data. The memory module includes a memory device for data storage as well as software, including a control software component that is automatically installed on the monitored computer system when the memory module is first connected to the monitored computer system, as well as associated module software for maintaining a record of the data stored on the memory device. The Data Shadowing System automatically stores the data on the memory module in a single format, while representing it in a data management database in two formats: disk sectors and files. The Data Shadowing System thereby efficiently tracks and stores the state of multiple file systems over time, while allowing for correct disk-level and file-level restoration to a point-in-time without storing redundant data. |
| US08046332B1 |
Method and system for generating and restoring a backup image
A method and system for generating and restoring a backup image are disclosed. A server receives a request, which includes a backup path, to generate a backup image. The server generates a backup image offset map that indicates a relative location where a file is stored in the backup image before file data has been written to the backup image. The server stores the backup image offset map in a portion of the backup image on a storage device. The backup image offset map comprises an array having a number of elements equal to a number of inodes on a file system that hosts a backup path, an element of the array representing an inode on the file system, and indicates the relative location where a file that is associated with a number of the inode is stored in the backup image. |
| US08046330B2 |
Image accumulation device and image accumulation method
An image accumulation device is provided so as to include: an input unit that inputs, as input images, images of specific shot locations; an image database in which specific locations in a predetermined region, shot images relating to the specific locations, position information of shot locations of the shot images and shooting time information of the shot images are associated and stored; and an identification unit that identifies, on the basis of the input images and the image database, at least one of specific locations corresponding to the shot locations of the input images and shooting times of the input images. |
| US08046329B2 |
Incremental backup of database for non-archive logged servers
Systems and methods for computer system data backup. A computer system includes an application server operating on a first host and a backup application configured to create new target database images for a sequence of backup datasets. The backup datasets include data from source databases associated with the application server. At least one of the source databases is hosted on a remote source host separate from the first host. The computer system includes a client registered with the application server and installed on a backup host. The client stores a seed document in each of the new target database images and modifies each seed document to specify which portions of a backup dataset in the sequence are to be stored in each new target database image. The backup application updates each new target database image based on the contents of a seed document. |
| US08046328B2 |
Secure pre-caching through local superdistribution and key exchange
A distributed peer-to-peer document archival system provides the version-control, security, access control, linking among stored documents and remote access to documents usually associated with centralized storage systems while still providing the simplicity, personalization and robustness to network outages associated with personal and peer-to-peer storage systems. |
| US08046325B2 |
Method and system for distributing product information
A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network when the values of those characteristics change. |
| US08046323B2 |
Context based bookmark
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for setting a bookmark for a resource accessed by a user, and for using the bookmark. The bookmarking method includes: collecting screen context information for the real text in the current screen of the resource in response to a request to bookmark the current screen of the resource; and storing address information and the screen context information of said resource as a bookmark to be used to return to said specific section of the resource. The method of providing a specific section of a resource based on a preset bookmark can include: downloading the resource content identified by said address information to a memory in response to a user's request to reopen the resource; collecting screen context information for the downloaded resource content; comparing the screen context information of the downloaded resource content with the screen context information indicated by said bookmark, selecting the specific section of the downloaded resource according to the rule of fuzz matching, and displaying the selected specific section of the resource in the display window. |
| US08046316B2 |
Cyclic combinatorial method and system
The cyclic combinatorial method and system includes an optimizing programming method embodied in a computing machine in order to provide the capability to solve cyclic optimization problems. The method can be used to solve optimization problems having cyclic 0-1 matrices, such as network problems and cyclic workforce scheduling. The method identifies cyclically distinct solutions by enumerating cyclically distinct combinations of basic dual variables. The method can determine how many cyclically distinct combinations of m (m≦n) objects can be selected, given n cyclic objects. The method integrates partition and cyclic permutation operations in order to generate cyclically distinct selections (solutions). After cyclically enumerating all dual solutions, rules are described for recognizing the set of dominant solutions. A class of problems, which includes cyclic labor scheduling, can be efficiently solved using the cyclic combinatorial method and system. |
| US08046315B2 |
Relational Bayesian modeling for electronic commerce
The present invention provides a language, method and system to formulate and evaluate relational Bayesian networks in an e-commerce environment. The present invention employs a specific language for constructing synthetic variables used to predict events in the Bayesian networks. The present system and language allow for efficient and accurate representation, inference, and discovery of the synthetic variables used to model web visitor behavior. |
| US08046312B2 |
Enhanced postal data modeling framework
An enhanced postal data modeling framework, in which postal data which describes characteristics of a mail sortation process is accessed, and the postal data is mapped to production management data which describes characteristics of a model production management process in an initial state and which is capable of being processed by a production management application. The production management data is input for processing by the production management application to produce forecasted production management data which predicts characteristics of the model production management process in a subsequent state, the forecasted production management data is modeled to forecasted postal data which predicts characteristics of the mail sortation process, and at least a portion of the forecasted postal data is provided to a user. |
| US08046311B2 |
Postal indicia generating system and method
A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream. |
| US08046309B2 |
Community awareness management systems and methods
A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data. |
| US08046308B2 |
Method of processing postal items with account being taken of extra expense due to wrong delivery
A method of processing postal items in which an image is formed of each item, the image including address information (1), and on the basis of the image of the item and a reference address base (6), OCR is used to perform automatic recognition of the destination address information (8, 9), is characterized in that during automatic recognition of destination address information, use is made (10) of a database (11) in which there are organized ordered lists of delivery points for delivery rounds in such a manner as to take account of an estimated extra cost for destination error associated with processing the item should the item be delivered to an erroneous delivery point. |
| US08046306B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for property appraisals
An appraisal system, method, and apparatus for property appraisals including a collector system, an appraisal database, an accounting system, and a scoring system. The collector system gathers data associated with a property and provides the data to the appraisal database. The collector system also reviews, edits, corrects, validates, and formats the data. The scoring system uses the collector system and appraisal database to access and analyze the data to calculate a score associated with the property. The score is calculated using one or more of a zone and market group associated with the property. The scoring system maps the score to one or more comparable sales of one or more other properties based on one or more of the zone and market group in order to generate an appraisal report for the property. |
| US08046304B2 |
Franking method and mail transport system with central postage accounting
In a franking method and a mail transport system, a franking image is calculated before generation thereof on a mail piece. The franking image includes a franking image key, and for each new franking image, the franking image key therefor is derived from a predecessor franking image key according to a first crypto-algorithm. An integrity check code is also generated based on the new franking image key, a key generation number, an apparatus identifier of the franking device, and a second crypto-algorithm. The franking image includes at least the device identifier, the key generation number and the integrity check code. Upon transport of the mail piece to a sorting center, the franking image is scanned and fees for billing are generated based thereon. |
| US08046297B2 |
User interface, system and method for performing a web-based transaction
Disclosed is a computer with a user interface, the computer including central processing units, memories, and network interfaces, a program code that performs a search and transaction based on user input, the interface displaying in conjunction with code execution, an input environment adapted to search criteria input, the criteria defining a search for desired entities, the program code establishing a search engine that searches on different web sources to generate a search result, the engine searching using a combination of different input entities, a first entity and a second entity includable in the different entities, the engine searching for the configuration, the different entities being purchasable from different web sources, the engine searching on different web sources for the combination, and presenting found configurations, the engine providing at least one order input determined by at least one found configuration, the system taking mutual dependencies between the entities into consideration. |
| US08046296B2 |
System for valuing and transferring interests in property or other goods
The invention that is the subject of this Disclosure is a computerized method for valuing and transferring interests in property (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible) or goods. The method involves having parties that hold ownership interests in property or goods disclose to a processor that is administered by a third-party (but not disclose to each other) a price at which they would be willing to either sell their interests to the other side, or buy out the other side's interests, submitting binding offers to the third party obliging them either to buy or sell at their stated price (in the unlikely event that the stated prices are the same), or, alternatively, at some other price in between the ones set forth in their offers that is more favorable to each of them and that is identified by the third party. The processor then makes a binding determination as to who shall buy, and who shall sell, and makes a binding determination as to the sale price, by following certain protocols and applying a formula, agreed to by the parties in advance, with respect to the numerical values submitted by the respective parties. The invention allows each party to always arrive at an agreed upon outcome, and allows each party always to arrive at an outcome that is either equal to or more favorable to that party than the outcome that that party proposed. |
| US08046295B1 |
Private capital management system and method
A computer-implemented data processing system comprises capital management logic accessible to a plurality of users by way of a communication network. The plurality of users include companies, institutional investors, individual investors, and exchanges. The capital management logic is configured to facilitate pre-financing and post-financing interactions between the companies, the institutional investors, the individual investors, and the exchanges throughout one or more rounds of financing of the companies. |
| US08046291B2 |
Redemption of derivative secured index participation notes
Techniques are described for securitizing, administrating and trading various index shares securitized by derivative, cash-settled instruments on the underlying index. |
| US08046286B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing the structuring, pricing, quotation, and trading of SPOT synthetics (SPOTS), SPREAD instruments (SPRINTS), SPRINTS based on SPOTS, ratio derivatives (RADS), RADS based on SPOTS, and options based on these instruments
An exchange-traded financial instrument having a price that tracks an underlying benchmark, the underlying benchmark being a security or commodity that is itself traded. A contract for the financial instrument between a buyer and seller is not contingent upon the delivery of the underlying benchmark. A net carrying charge (credit or debit), defined as the difference between the investment yield of the underlying benchmark and a cost of financing ownership of the underlying benchmark using the generally accepted industry standard financing rate for that benchmark, is credited or debited, accrued, or built into the price of the derivative for both buyer and seller of the financial instrument, typically nightly. In one embodiment, the underlying benchmark is a U.S. Treasury security, and preferably a specific U.S. Treasury security such as the on the run (OTR) 10 Year Treasury note. Other single contract spread and ratio instruments are also disclosed. |
| US08046281B1 |
System and method for automating initial claim assignment
Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to automatically making an initial claim assignment. The systems include information collection subsystems, skills assessment subsystems and assignment recommendation subsystems that provide a customer service representative with a recommendation for the best-suited available claim handler. The customer service representative may accept or override the recommendation in making the claim handler assignment. The determination of the best-suited available claim handler is made by correlating these skills required for handling a particular claim, the skills of the claim handlers, and an algorithm takes into account the claim handler's current loss assignment count, number of hours spent, and future availability. |
| US08046280B2 |
Method for using environmental classification to assist in financial management and services
Managing risks of crop production can be performed by understanding the relative performance of different agricultural inputs under the same or similar environmental conditions. In addition, managing of crop production risks can be performed by understanding variations in the performance of the same agricultural inputs over a range of environmental conditions. By being able to describe and understand these variations in performance, decisions can be made which are consistent with overall business and/or production objectives and limit risk associated with variations in environmental conditions. In addition to producers there are other stakeholders in the crop production process, such as financial institutions, insurance providers, users of crops produced, and input suppliers. These and other stakeholders can provide financial incentives to producers for managing crop production risks through use of environmental classification and/or genotype-by-environment information. |
| US08046279B2 |
System and method for comparing results of multiple lot auctions using different sequencing rules
A system and method comprises simulating a multiple lot auction using a sequencing rule until bidding on all lots is closed, simulating the multiple lot auction using a different sequencing rule until bidding on all lots is closed, and comparing results of the simulated auctions with both sequencing rules. |
| US08046278B2 |
Process of selecting portfolio managers based on automated artificial intelligence techniques
A method and a system applying data mining techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms, namely neural networks, operating via an Internet data exchange site, allowing portfolio management companies to access an on-line, standardized questionnaire (Request for Proposal) and present their capabilities. The method then analyses a large number of these questionnaires and classifies managers, categorizing them and ranking their capabilities. In addition, sponsors such as pension funds, endowments, and private clients can submit their offer for the management of their assets. The site provides a Request for Proposal that is modular and continuously adapted to new financial market conditions, legal considerations and Sponsors needs. Once completed by each manager, the questionnaire is maintained in a central database allowing each manager to have an up-to-date and on-line version of questionnaire. The site allows the manager to have access to offers for new mandates in an easier and more efficient way than the old approach that involves approaching each potential Sponsor individually in a time and money consuming manner. The site provides Sponsors the opportunity to request proposals for their mandate from a much higher number of management companies, thus increasing dramatically the efficiency and rationality of their final choice of managers. |
| US08046277B2 |
Methods and systems for managing reconciliation and write-off in an accrual accounting environment
A computer-implemented method of managing reconciliation and write-off data in an accrual-based accounting environment may include steps of retrieving a plurality of transactions associated with a predetermined purchase order from a database coupled to a computer network; calculating an aggregate accrual balance of the retrieved plurality of transactions and associating the calculated aggregate accrual balance with a unique first identifier; when the aggregate accrual balance associated with the unique first identifier indicates that the predetermined purchase order is unbalanced, loading a first reconciliation table with first reconciliation information and storing the first reconciliation table in the database; enabling writing-off the aggregate accrual balance, and when the aggregate accrual balance has been written-off, removing the first reconciliation information from the first reconciliation table and storing the first reconciliation table in the database. |
| US08046267B2 |
User interface for a complex order processing system
The method and apparatus of the present invention include generating a list of orders associated with an account. The list of orders comprises orders that are open. Selection of one of the orders is detected. A request to change the selected order is detected. Changes in the open and pending orders to reflect the future state of an asset are applied. A quote based on the future state of an asset is generated. A user is allowed to change the configuration of the future state of the asset, and the change is incorporated in the quote. |
| US08046260B2 |
Method and system for authorising returns
A method for authorizing return of a purchase by a customer to a merchant by an interaction of a customer chip card upon which a customer transaction history is stored and a merchant POS terminal upon which predetermined data is stored, the method comprising the steps of, (a) reading at least part of the customer transaction history from the customer chip card, (b) comparing the part of the customer transaction history read from the customer chip card with the predetermined data, and (c) issuing to the merchant a message from the POS terminal based upon the outcome of the comparison. |
| US08046257B2 |
System and method for distribution, redemption and processing of electronic coupons
In a method of executing a transaction using an electronic coupon, coupon campaign information is provided to an engine. The coupon campaign information defines a discount value, a product family and a number of coupons to be distributed. Each coupon within the coupon campaign has a coupon identification (ID). Coupon publications are provided including a machine-readable portion that encodes coupon data describing the coupon campaign information. The coupon data is retrieved from the machine-readable portion of the coupon publication using a personal electronic device. The coupon data is used to retrieve a coupon ID that is stored in the personal electronic device. The coupon ID is transmitted to a point of sale (POS) system using the personal electronic device. The POS system communicates with the engine to verify a validity of the coupon ID. A discount is applied to a transaction in accordance with the discount value. |
| US08046256B2 |
System and method for using loyalty rewards as currency
The present invention involves spending loyalty points over a computerized network to facilitate a transaction. With this system, a loyalty program participant is able to use an existing transaction card to purchase an item over a computerized network, while at the same time offsetting the cost of that transaction by converting loyalty points to a currency value credit and having the credit applied to the participant's financial transaction account. Currency credit from converted loyalty points may also be applied to stored value cards, online digital wallet accounts and the like. Further, currency credit may also be applied to other accounts to effect a gift or donation. |
| US08046254B2 |
System and method for generating forecasts and analysis of contact center behavior for planning purposes
A method of predicting expected performance of a processing center system is provided. The method includes receiving performance information from a performance monitoring system associated with the processing center system. A computer model of the processing center system is developed based on the performance information. The method further includes generating predictions based on the computer model, and analyzing the predictions to generate performance scenarios for the processing center system. |
| US08046249B2 |
System and method for computer network scheduling and communication
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for computer network scheduling and communication. In an embodiment, a computer network scheduling and communication system includes a settings module for selecting one or more preferences. The system also includes a calendar module adapted to generate one or more schedules based on the one or more preferences. In addition, the system includes a communication module for sending and receiving one or more messages. The system also includes a database for storing the one or more preferences, the one or more schedules and/or the one or more messages. |
| US08046245B1 |
Systems and methods for optimizing property risk ratings
Systems and methods provide optimized property risk ratings and, more particularly, optimized property risk ratings defined by evaluating ratings on a by peril basis. Systems and methods also price insurance products and underwrite insurance products using risk data that has been optimized on a by peril basis. A territory is subdivided into a plurality of regions determined in accordance with at least one predetermined factor. Loss costs representing historic costs for various insured perils are retrieved from a computerized database using a data processor. The loss costs are sorted on a per-peril basis for each of the regions using the data processor. Peril zones are created for each peril that represent related regions in which loss costs for a particular peril are roughly equivalent. |
| US08046241B1 |
Computer pain assessment tool
A computer assisted pain assessment method where the patient is presented with successive computer screens: a first screen with a human body replica on an interactive touch screen for the patient to shade his or her area of pain being experienced and then presented with a second screen with a color spectrum scale for the patient to select a pain intensity from minimum to maximum by moving a pointer to indicate the pain intensity, a check the box for type of pain where the patient checks a box indicating his or her type of pain, and a gray scale for indicating a depth of pain where the patient moves a pointer between superficial or bone level. Upon completion of these two screens, the next computer screen presents the human body replica with the pain area shown by particular marking for the area of pain, the selected type of pain by a unique pattern for the area of pain and the pattern colored for the particular intensity as selected on the second screen. The patient then is asked to confirm the pain. If confirmed, the patient would activate the finish button on the navigation bar. The patient inputs are processed by the computer along with the patient history and vital statistics, and an on-screen report is available to the clinician or physician to review and print out. A main feature of the report is the Objective Pain Value computed from the area shaded relative to the body replica area and the pain intensity chosen on a color spectrum scale. |
| US08046240B2 |
Medical image diagnostic system for creating order information
In issuing an order, a medical image diagnostic system acquires order issuance support information on the basis of a reference report or a reference image, which an order issuer uses as a basis of order creation. The medical image diagnostic system classifies the order issuance support information on the basis of a table and presents the order issuance support information using a predetermined order issuance support screen. For example, the order issuer selects desired conditions from the order issuance support screen presented to perform order issuance based on the reference report or the like. |
| US08046238B2 |
Business transaction management
A method and system of managing business transactions includes receiving at least one business transaction, determining whether the business transaction satisfies at least one configurable business rule, and establishing a subsequent business transaction based on the results. |
| US08046236B2 |
Apparatus and method for producing a data stream and apparatus and method for reading a data stream
An entropy encoder includes an apparatus for producing a data stream which comprises two reference points, of code words of variable lengths, the apparatus comprising a first device for writing at least a part of a code word into the data stream in a first direction of writing, starting from a first reference point, and a second device for writing at least a part of a code word into the data stream in a second direction of writing, which is opposite to the first direction of writing, starting from the other reference point. In particular, when a raster having a plurality of segments is used to write the code words of variable lengths into the data stream, the number of the code words which can be written starting at raster points is doubled, in the best case, such that the data stream of code words of variable lengths is robust toward a propagation of sequence errors. |
| US08046234B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding audio data with scalability
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding audio data with scalability are provided. The method includes slicing audio data so that sliced audio data corresponds to a plurality of layers, obtaining scale band information and coding band information corresponding to each of the plurality of layers, coding additional information containing scale factor information and coding model information based on scale band information and coding band information corresponding to a first layer, obtaining quantized samples by quantizing audio data corresponding to the first layer with reference to the scale factor information, coding the obtained plurality of quantized samples in units of symbols in order from a symbol formed with most significant bits (MSB) down to a symbol formed with least significant bits (LSB) by referring to the coding model information, and repeatedly performing the steps with increasing the ordinal number of the layer one by one every time, until coding for the plurality of layers is finished. According to the method, fine grain scalability (FGS) can be provided with a lower complexity and a better audio quality can be provided even in a lower layer. |
| US08046232B2 |
Combined mirror and presentation medium capable of speech recognition
A combined mirror and presentation medium includes a presentation member (24) for displaying an image, a presentation body (23) inserted into the presentation member to display an image, a light-emitting unit (25) disposed on one side of the presentation member, a transparent member (21) disposed on one side of the presentation member, and a reflection member (22) deposited between the transparent member (21) and the presentation member (24); a body unit (10) for supporting the presentation medium; a speech recognition drive unit (40) installed inside the body unit (10), configured to detect speech frequencies from a user's speech signals, and driving the system; a control unit (50) installed inside the body unit (10) and configured to control the presentation medium (20) and the speech recognition drive unit (40); and a power source unit (60) for supplying power to the presentation medium, a speaker (70), and the control unit (50). |
| US08046229B2 |
Method and apparatus for website navigation by the visually impaired
The present invention is a server-side method and apparatus that enables visually-impaired users to navigate websites and hear high-quality streaming audio of narration and descriptions of each website. The system involves creating an audible website corresponding to an original website by utilizing voice talent to read and describe web content and create audio files for each section within an original website, then assigning a hierarchy and navigation system based on the original website design. To implement the system, a small program is installed on the home page of an original website which plays a tone upon a user's visit indicating that the website is accessible with the present invention. Upon hearing the tone, a user presses a key on the keyboard to exit the original website and enter the audible website. Audible narration is played through the user's computer, reading text and describing non-text information. The narration includes menus for navigating the site which have a hierarchy substantially similar to that of the original website. Users navigate the website menus and move from website to website by making keystroke commands. |
| US08046227B2 |
Development system for a dialog system
A development system, including a scenario generator for generating a plurality of sample interactions representative of interactions between a dialog system and a user of the dialog system on the basis of definition data for the dialog system. The definition data includes state machine code, prompt data, and recognition data. A simulator generates prompts of sample interactions on the basis of the prompt data, and the scenario generator generates responses to the prompts on the basis of the recognition data. A scenario editor allows a user to modify the sample interactions. A grammar learner then updates the prompt data and the recognition data on the basis of the modified sample interactions. An application builder generates the definition data from specification data provided by a developer, an application template, and/or an existing dialog application. |
| US08046222B2 |
Segmenting words using scaled probabilities
Systems, methods, and apparatuses including computer program products for segmenting words using scaled probabilities. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a probability of a n-gram identifying a word, determining a number of atomic units in the corresponding n-gram, identifying a scaling weight depending on the number of atomic units in the n-gram, and applying the scaling weight to the probability of the n-gram identifying a word to determine a scaled probability of the n-gram identifying a word. |
| US08046221B2 |
Multi-state barge-in models for spoken dialog systems
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer readable media for applying a multi-state barge-in acoustic model in a spoken dialogue system comprising the steps of (1) presenting a prompt to a user from the spoken dialog system. (2) receiving an audio speech input from the user during the presentation of the prompt, (3) accumulating the audio speech input from the user, (4) applying a non-speech component having at least two one-state Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to the audio speech input from the user, (5) applying a speech component having at least five three-state HMMs to the audio speech input from the user, in which each of the five three-state HMMs represents a different phonetic category, (6) determining whether the audio speech input is a barge-in-speech input from the user, and (7) if the audio speech input is determined to be the barge-in-speech input from the user, terminating the presentation of the prompt. |
| US08046219B2 |
Robust two microphone noise suppression system
A system, method, and apparatus for separating speech signal from a noisy acoustic environment. The separation process may include directional filtering, blind source separation, and dual input spectral subtraction noise suppressor. The input channels may include two omnidirectional microphones whose output is processed using phase delay filtering to form speech and noise beamforms. Further, the beamforms may be frequency corrected. The omnidirectional microphones generate one channel that is substantially only noise, and another channel that is a combination of noise and speech. A blind source separation algorithm augments the directional separation through statistical techniques. The noise signal and speech signal are then used to set process characteristics at a dual input noise spectral subtraction suppressor (DINS) to efficiently reduce or eliminate the noise component. In this way, the noise is effectively removed from the combination signal to generate a good qualify speech signal. |
| US08046214B2 |
Low complexity decoder for complex transform coding of multi-channel sound
A multi-channel audio decoder provides a reduced complexity processing to reconstruct multi-channel audio from an encoded bitstream in which the multi-channel audio is represented as a coded subset of the channels along with a complex channel correlation matrix parameterization. The decoder translates the complex channel correlation matrix parameterization to a real transform that satisfies the magnitude of the complex channel correlation matrix. The multi-channel audio is derived from the coded subset of channels via channel extension processing using a real value effect signal and real number scaling. |
| US08046210B2 |
Computer-aided modeling
To enable the utilization of a definition or definitions once made as the definitions of a similar object, a set of conditions for similarity comprising one or more conditions is defined (201) and a set of definitions (202), which explicitly or inexplicitly indicates one or more definitions, of which at least one will be applied, and a similar object is searched for (203). If the set of definitions is related to an object which was used as the basis for defining the set of conditions for similarity, the set of definitions is applied to the object found. If the set of definitions is related to an object to be found, the set of definitions of the object found is applied to the object which was used as the basis for defining the set of conditions for similarity. |
| US08046209B2 |
Coherent state among multiple simulation models in an EDA simulation environment
A circuit design is simulated in a simulation environment. When a simulation model in the simulation environment transfers state information to a second simulation model, the simulation environment receives the state information and makes it available to the second simulation model without simulating the transfer through the simulated circuit design. |
| US08046205B2 |
Collecting and transporting simulation data
A system and method for receiving and displaying simulated movement data on a graphical display in real-time is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is received. The type and location of each object to be displayed on a graphical display for a time step is extracted from the simulated movement data. The extracted data is transferred to an application for determining an appropriate three-dimensional representation to associate with each type of object in the first point in time. Each three-dimensional representation is displayed according the location of each object for the first point in time of the simulation. |
| US08046204B2 |
Collecting and modeling object simulation data
A system and method for collecting and modeling simulated movement data on a graphical display is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is accessed from a database. The simulated movement data comprises each location of an object on a graphical display for multiple points in time of the simulation. A three-dimensional representation is associated with the object and the three-dimensional representation is displayed at each location on the graphical display for each point in time of the simulation. |
| US08046202B1 |
Generation of intermediate representations based on user specified elements in a graphical model that enable simulation, propagation and code generation
The present invention provides for converting a user-specified element of a graphical model into at least one intermediate representation that represents the user-specified element. An intermediate representation of the present invention may support simulation, propagation, and/or code generation. An element for a graphical model is provided, and the element and/or the graphical model are converted into an intermediate representation that may represent algorithmic aspects of the element or that is capable of being simulated and/or capable allowing propagation. The present invention allows a user to provide a single code for a user-specified element that may be used to support simulation, propagation and/or code generation of an element or graphical model. |
| US08046201B1 |
Communication system for use with a block diagram environment
A method of creating and using a hardware independent communication interface block for block diagram environments is disclosed. The communication interface block includes user-selectable parameters controlling how a system being modeled by a block diagram communicates with image and data acquisition devices and control instruments or other electronic device interfaced with an external system. Based on the user selected parameters, the communication interface block calls an appropriate constructor to create an instrument object or acquisition device object which is used to enable communication with the control instrument or acquisition device respectively. The instrument object/acquisition device object calls a software driver appropriate for the hardware interface of the control instrument/acquisition device. The use of a common interface block provides scalability and ease of use to the block diagram environment when interacting with control instruments and acquisition devices. |
| US08046198B2 |
Methods for determining susceptibility to developmental disorders due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors
The present invention discloses a novel method for identifying an individual who may be susceptible to develop a developmental disorder. In one particular example, an individual is identified who is genetically susceptible to becoming schizophrenic. In addition, the present invention discloses a novel method for identifying individuals who are genetically susceptible to have offspring with a developmental disorder. Methods of diagnosing, preventing and treating developmental disorders such as schizophrenia are also provided. |
| US08046194B2 |
Method for predictive maintenance and/or method for determining electrical conductivity in a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device
A method for predictive maintenance for a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device and/or to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device, wherein the magneto-inductive flow-measuring device includes a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to a measuring tube axis; at least two measuring electrodes coupled with the medium, having a defined rest potential and being arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicularly to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrodes. A first exciting signal with a first frequency (f1) and at least a second exciting signal with a second frequency (f2), or an exciting signal containing at least two frequencies (f1, f2) are/is applied to the measuring electrode in such a manner that the average value of the exciting signals or exciting signal coincides, at least approximately, with the average value of the electrode potential of the measuring electrode. On the basis of at least one impedance value measured between measuring electrode and reference potential, conductivity of the medium and/or change on the surface of the measuring electrode are/is detected. |
| US08046187B2 |
Test systems for media drives of data storage systems
A test system is described for testing a media drive, such as a tape drive. The test system includes a host emulator, a storage library emulator, and a control system. The host emulator communicates with a first interface of the media drive and mimics a host system to the media drive. The storage library emulator communicates with a second interface of the media drive and mimics a storage library system to the media drive. When in operation, one of the host emulator and the storage library emulator transmits a test message to the media drive responsive to an instruction from the control system. Responsive to the test message, one of the emulators receives a test response from the media drive and transmits the test response to the control system. The control system processes the test message and the test response to evaluate the performance of the media drive. |
| US08046184B2 |
Calibration method and calibration manager
A calibration manager comprises means for receiving information relating to the calibration of at least one component. Means for setting a trigger condition for executing a calibration in dependence on said received information is provided. Means are provided for executing said calibration in dependence on said trigger condition. |
| US08046180B2 |
Model-based determination of power source replacement in wireless and other devices
A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating life of the power source. This could allow, for example, a power source replacement schedule to be generated for the device. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message could also be sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the device and thus provide real-time data. The data may also be stored in memory, collected over time, and analyzed or used in various ways. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of power source performance and any associated operational and replacement costs. |
| US08046179B2 |
Power converter disable verification system and method
A power electronics device with an improved IGBT protection mechanism is provided. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for shortening the duration of a shutdown test pulse, such that the power output to the load is substantially unaffected. |
| US08046178B2 |
Defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams
A defect detection system identifies defects in weld seams. An exemplary system includes a scanner device, mounted on a displacement device of a processing unit and which can be displaced by the unit over at least one weld seam that is to be examined. The scanner unit scans the weld seam using a predefinable frequency, each scanning sweep being correlated with a time signal. The time signal is used to record the point in time when at least one location containing defects is scanned. An analysis module determines the co-ordinates of the defects from the signals that are obtained by the scanning sweeps and stores the co-ordinates of the defects and transmits them to a localisation module. The localisation module determines the spatial arrangement of the defects of the weld seam by evaluating a speed profile of the displacement device during the scanning sweeps, the time signal and the co-ordinates. |
| US08046177B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting damage in armor structures
Detection of damage in armor structures, using networks of piezoelectric transducers. In particular, piezoelectric transducers can be placed at various points on the armor structure, effectively creating a number of paths between pairs of transducers. Each of these paths can be queried by transmitting an ultrasonic stress wave from one transducer to the other, and analyzing changes in the stress wave. The signal from the received stress wave can be time gated to remove crosstalk, and the resulting time gated signal can be analyzed for characteristics of damage. For instance, if the time gated signal is sufficiently attenuated, it can be determined that the armor structure has sustained damage to at least that region traversed by this particular path. |
| US08046175B2 |
Analytical strip reading apparatus and the analyical strip used therein
The invention discloses an analytical strip reading apparatus and the analytical strip used therein. The analytical strip reading apparatus comprises a housing, a monitor, a delivering device, an optical reader, a reaction signal reader and a control module. The analytical strip comprises at least one optically readable pattern which comprises identification information of the analytical strip. |
| US08046158B2 |
Method and system for reducing runway incursion at airports
The present invention relates to a system and method for minimizing or preventing runway incursion at airports by utilizing data packets of information transmitted over the voice communication channel used by pilots at the airport. The data packets of information contain the latitudinal and longitudinal position of the aircraft provided by an on board GPS receiver and a unique identifier for the aircraft, such as the tail number, which is then received by other aircraft on the same ground frequency, and the tower, and displayed on a geo-referenced map display of the airport provided to the pilots and the tower ground controller. The information may be updated by polling the various aircraft In this manner, information received from all active aircraft within an airport can be displayed on an electronic map of the airport which can be viewable by the pilots on the ground as well as the ground controller. |
| US08046154B2 |
Method for controlling continuous variable valve timing apparatus
A method for controlling a continuous variable valve timing apparatus that can control a phase angle of a camshaft quickly and precisely according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: calculating a difference between a target phase angle and a current phase angle of a camshaft; determining whether the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to a predetermined value; calculating a base torque Tb based on the target phase angle if the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to the predetermined value; calculating an effective torque Teff by modifying the base torque Tb corresponding to engine speed and temperature of engine oil; and calculating an effective current Ieff corresponding to the effective torque Teff. |
| US08046151B2 |
Integrated control system for an internal-combustion engine of a motorcycle provided with a gas knob and acquisition system for detecting the angular position of a knob for the gas of a motorcycle
An acquisition system for detecting the angular position of a gas knob of a motorcycle; the acquisition system is provided with: a fixed supporting body; a mobile element, which is mounted mobile in the supporting body; a transmission device, mechanically connected to the gas knob and to the mobile element for transmitting the motion from the gas knob to the mobile element itself; and a main position sensor, which is carried by the supporting body, is coupled to the mobile element for determining the angular position of the mobile element, and is designed to provide two mutually redundant measurements of the angular position of the mobile element. |
| US08046140B2 |
PTO overspeed protection strategy
An exemplary embodiment includes a method of operating a drivetrain. The drivetrain includes a PTO and a transmission having multiple speed ratios. The PTO includes a PTO output member and a PTO input member. The method includes monitoring a speed value representative of a rotational speed of a PTO component, comparing the speed value to a preselected PTO overspeed value, reducing the rotational speed of the PTO component, and overriding a manual command to increase the rotational speed of the PTO component above the preselected PTO overspeed value. |
| US08046124B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for electric vehicle
A control apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a road surface condition detection portion, a slip determination portion, a torque reduction device, and a voltage control device. The electric vehicle includes a motor that generates drive power for the electric vehicle, and a drive device that drives the motor. The road surface condition detection portion detects the condition of a road surface on which the electric vehicle is driven. The slip determination portion determines whether the electric vehicle is slipping. The torque reduction device reduces the torque of the motor when the slip determination portion determines that the electric vehicle is slipping. The voltage control device controls a voltage input to the drive device to reduce the voltage when the road surface condition detection portion determines that the road surface has a friction coefficient lower than a predetermined value. |
| US08046120B2 |
System and method for automatically controlling take-off thrust in an aircraft
A method for automatically selecting a take-off thrust setting for an engine of a jet powered mobile platform that has a flight management computer (FMC) that makes use of a configuration code. The configuration code is provided from a first set of information relating to operational parameters of the mobile platform. A database in communication with the FMC stores information pertaining to different locations from which a take-off operation can be performed. The FMC accesses the configuration code and the database to determine a take-off thrust setting to apply during the take-off operation at a specified one of the locations. The FMC also determines if an operator has overridden an automatic selection of the take-off thrust. |
| US08046119B2 |
Method of indicating the lateral manoeuvre margins on either side of the flight plan path of an aircraft
The parts of the flight plan of an aircraft corresponding to lateral trajectories at low altitude can comprise passages with limited lateral freedom of deployment because of risks of collision with the ground, or because of obstacles on the ground. The method makes it possible to signal them for the attention of the crew, so that said crew should redouble their attention. To do this it uses the display, on an onboard navigation screen, of a vertical profile of margin of maneuver relating to the navigation band widened to the right and to the left by lateral margins of maneuver, superimposed on the vertical navigation profile relating only to the navigation band. |
| US08046117B2 |
Wireless control of an adjustable bed
A controller for an adjustable bed manages at least one wireless communication function, such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.x, and peer-to-peer functions in association with controlling the bed. The controller also can control a second system associated with the adjustable bed. |
| US08046112B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling temperature variations in a computer system
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls temperature variations in a computer system. During operation, a telemetry variable of the computer system is monitored. Next, a future temperature of the computer system is predicted based on the telemetry variable. A signal is then generated in response to the future temperature. Then, the signal is sent to a cooling device in the computer system to control temperature variations of the computer system. |
| US08046111B2 |
System and method for controlling multiple facts
Disclosed are a system and method with a cooperative control algorithm that can appraise voltage stability of a power system in cooperation with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)/emergency management system (EMS) for cooperative control on multiple parallel flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) to enhance voltage stability, and that can calculate individual operation points of the FACTS. |
| US08046108B2 |
System and method for converting ocean wave energy into electricity
A system and method for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, a generator mechanism, and other components that synergistically operate to optimize power output of the buoy. Both the load on the pendulum and the effective length of the pendulum may be varied in response to changing environmental conditions. Also, the buoy may be part of a network that shares environmental data and a series of best tuning responses to that data, across the network. A library of environmental data and associated tuning responses is built at a central location and shared across the network. |
| US08046105B2 |
Vibrating plate system
A vibrating plate system comprises at least two vibrating plates are mechanically coupled to one another via a coupling device and a controlling transmitter for outputting control data to the vibrating plates. Each of the vibrating plates comprises a receiving device for receiving the control data, a drive mechanism for propelling the vibration plate forwardly and rearwardly, and a position determining device for determining the position of the relevant vibrating plate within the group. A rule memory is also provided in which control rules are stored. One control rule defines a correlation between a control measure for controlling the traveling mechanism according to the position of the vibrating plate and an item of control information given by the control data. In each vibrating plate, a single control device selects a suitable control rule according to the position of the vibrating plate and to the control measure. |
| US08046093B2 |
System and method for enhanced streaming audio
A system and method for enhancement and management of streaming audio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system provides a client-side decoder that is compatible with numerous audio formats, so that a user can enjoy relatively high-quality audio from various sources, even from sources that do not provide multi-channel or high-quality audio data. The system and method also include a management system for managing and controlling the use of licensed signal processing software to further enhance an audio stream. In one embodiment, the management system is used to manage a signal processing module that provides psychoacoustic audio processing to create a wider soundstage, an acoustic correction process to increase the perceived height and clarity of the audio image, and bass enhancement processing to create the perception of low bass from the small speakers or headphones typically used with multi-media systems and portable audio players. |
| US08046091B2 |
Control parameters for searching
An optimum control parameter in control of an internal combustion engine and the like is searched. In a plurality of search cycles, a control parameter that maximizes an output of an object to be controlled which shows an output realized by a given control parameter is searched using control parameters. The control parameters are provided at each search cycle by a predetermined algorithm. A periodic function of a predetermined period and a correction value obtained in a previous search cycle are added to the control parameters to obtain an input parameters to the object. An output obtained from the object with the input parameters is multiplied by the periodic function to obtain a correction value for correcting the control parameters such that the search converges. |
| US08046087B2 |
Electronic controller for power converter and motor drive circuit
The electronic controller fetches an external signal and performs an input process such as A-D conversion. Upon receipt of processing results for executing operations according to a predetermined program, an output process is performed for sending a signal to the outside board on operation results, a timer outputs at least two of an input process start signal for starting the input process, an output process start signal for starting the output process, and an operation start signal for starting the operation. |
| US08046084B2 |
Extendable/retractable lead having downsized lead body
A lead assembly includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and the lead body includes two or more conductors disposed therein. The second conductor is disposed within the first conductor, and the first conductor has a coating of insulation disposed on a portion thereof. In another option, a sleeve of insulative material is disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor. |
| US08046083B2 |
Device for influencing brain functions of a human being
Device for influencing brain functions of a human being by targeted stimulation of at least one region of the human body, comprising stimulating means that permit a stimulation of the region that is to be stimulated, characterized in that the stimulation is an electrical stimulation. |
| US08046082B2 |
Method and apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient
Single-use electrical leads for a nerve stimulator include a status flag element such as a fuse, which is deliberately blown after use of the leads has begun to indicate that the leads are not to be reused. The nerve stimulator has a “test mode” that determines a current value for treatment, and a “therapy mode” that administers treatment with the chosen current value. If the fuse in the electrical leads is blown, then the stimulator assumes that the leads have already been used and does not enter therapy mode. If the fuse in the electrical leads is intact, then the stimulator assumes that the leads are as yet unused, and allows the user to enter either test mode or therapy mode. The fuse is deliberately blown after a particular amount of time spent in therapy mode. After the fuse is blown, the user may still complete the therapy mode. |
| US08046076B2 |
Treatment of mood and/or anxiety disorders by electrical brain stimulation and/or drug infusion
A system and method for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to treat mood and/or anxiety disorders uses an implantable system control unit (SCU), specifically an implantable signal/pulse generator (IPG) or microstimulator with one or more electrodes in the case of electrical stimulation, and an implantable pump with one or more catheters in the case of drug infusion. In cases requiring both electrical and drug stimulation, one or more SCUs are used. Alternatively and preferably, when needed, an SCU provides both electrical stimulation and one or more stimulating drugs. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters. |
| US08046075B2 |
Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve chain
The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected. |
| US08046074B2 |
High-resolution connector for a neurostimulation lead
An implantable connector comprises an electrically insulative housing including an outer wall, an interior cavity surrounded by the outer wall, a port through which the lead body portion can be introduced into the interior cavity, and a pair of first apertures disposed through the outer wall on a first side of the housing. The connector further comprises an electrical spring clip contact mounted to the housing. The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity. |
| US08046073B1 |
Lead connector for an implantable electric stimulation system and methods of making and using
A lead-connection system includes a lead and a connector. The lead includes a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductor wires electrically coupling each of the plurality of electrodes to a different one of the plurality of terminals. The connector defines a port for receiving the proximal end of the lead and a plurality of connector contacts. The number of connector contacts is greater than the number of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead. When the connector receives the proximal end of the lead, each of the terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead makes electrical contact with at least one of the connector contacts of the connector and no two terminals make electrical contact with a same one of the connector contacts. |
| US08046070B2 |
Pre-excitation pacing for treatment of hypertension
Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating hypertension with electrical pre-excitation pacing therapy. Electrical pre-excitation of a hypertrophic region advances the timing of the regional contraction and reduces its contribution to the overall contraction. Such pre-excitation pacing therapy may be beneficial to hypertensive patients with an abnormal distribution of ventricular wall stress/strain. |
| US08046067B2 |
Methods and apparatus for detecting ventricular depolarizations during atrial pacing
AV synchronous, dual chamber pacing systems are disclosed having improved sensing of ectopic ventricular depolarizations or PVCs coincidentally occurring at or shortly following delivery of an A-PACE pulse. A first ventricular sense amplifier that is blanked during and following delivery of an A-PACE pulse is coupled to active and indifferent ventricular pace/sense electrodes defining a ventricular sense vector for sensing natural ventricular depolarizations and declaring a V-EVENT. A far field PVC sense amplifier coupled to a far field PVC sense electrode pair defining a PVC sense vector detects such PVCs while the ventricular sense amplifier is blanked. A PVC declared during the ventricular blanking period by the far field PVC sense amplifier is employed to deliver a VSP pulse upon time-out of a VSP delay, if the VSP function is provided and programmed ON, and/or to halt time-out of an AV delay. |
| US08046064B2 |
Method of delivering PESP/ICC as well as adjusting the refractory period of the heart
Medical devices and methods are used to treat cardiac dysfunction conditions which involve delivery of stimulation pulses in cardiac refractory periods in order to modulate an effective refractory period (ERP). Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with or in place of other therapies, including increased cardiac contractility (ICC) therapy, post extrasystolic potentiation (PESP) therapy, and other therapies to achieve increased heart contractility, provide a safer and more effective regimen for the corresponding stimulation therapies, and reduce the risk of inducing an arrhythmia. |
| US08046062B2 |
Post-shock management of implantable cardiac device features
Systems and methods of managing features or functions of an implantable cardiac device involve forming a baseline evoked response template prior to delivery of defibrillation therapy to a patient's heart, and acquiring a post-shock evoked response signal subsequent to defibrillation therapy delivery. The baseline evoked response template is compared to the post-shock evoked response signal. A determination is made whether to enable, disable or adjust a cardiac device feature based on the comparison. The cardiac device feature may be a therapy feature, a monitoring feature, or a diagnostic feature. |
| US08046058B2 |
Heart beat signal recognition
A subject's heart rate is determined. A heart rate monitor receives a Doppler signal reflected from an artery of a target, performs demodulation and heart beat recognition techniques to determine a set of features in each frame of the signal. Pattern classification is performed to determine if the extracted feature sequence is associated with heart beats. The pattern classification may include finding the optimal state sequence by calculating the probability of each allowable state sequence based on the extracted feature sequence and heart beat models or additional noise models. Or, a heart beat candidate is determined using frame energy and dynamic thresholding followed by computing the probabilities between the feature sequence and each stored heart beat model or additional noise models. Or, heart beat candidates are determined using frame energy and dynamic thresholding which compute the similarity between the feature sequences and each of the stored heart beat templates. |
| US08046057B2 |
Tissue structure identification in advance of instrument
A method and apparatus for identifying tissue structures in advance of a mechanical medical instrument during a medical procedure. A mechanical tissue penetrating medical instrument (22) has a distal end for penetrating tissue in a penetrating direction. An optical wavefront analysis system (32-50) provides light to illuminate tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receives light returned by tissue ahead of the medical instrument. An optical fiber (30) is coupled at a proximal end to the wavefront analysis system and attached at a distal end to the medical instrument proximate the distal end of the medical instrument. The distal end of the fiber has an illumination pattern directed substantially in the penetrating direction for illuminating the tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receiving light returned therefrom. The wavefront analysis system provides information about the distance from the distal end of the medical instrument to tissue features ahead of the medical instrument. |
| US08046056B2 |
Body fat measurement apparatus and method of operating the apparatus
A method measuring a body fat by using a body fat measurement device including an optical detector and at least two light sources, the method including: detecting an optical signal which is scattered by a biological tissue by the optical detector, and measuring a first optical signal intensity and a second optical signal intensity; calculating a slope the first optical signal intensity and the second optical signal intensity by using a distance between a first light source unit and a second light source unit, and a difference between the first optical signal intensity and the second optical signal intensity, the first optical signal intensity corresponding to the first light source unit and the second optical signal intensity corresponding to the second light source unit; and measuring a thickness of body fat of the biological tissue from the calculated slope. |
| US08046052B2 |
Navigation system for cardiac therapies
An image guided navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of a patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the instrument in a region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representative of the instrument onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the instrument. The display displays the image with the superimposed instrument. The images and a registration process may be synchronized to a physiological event. The controller may also provide and automatically identify an optimized site to navigate the instrument to. |
| US08046049B2 |
Robotically guided catheter
Apparatus is provided for use with a steerable catheter that includes a thumb control adapted to control a deflection of a distal tip of the catheter. The apparatus includes a robot, including an end-effector, adapted to be coupled to the thumb control, and a controller, adapted to drive the end-effector to deflect the distal tip by manipulating the thumb control. |
| US08046048B2 |
Resonator with adjustable capacitance for medical device
Systems and methods for a resonator with an adjustable capacitance for a medical device. In one embodiment, a resonator system includes a resonator device with an LC resonator circuit that has an adjustable capacitance, an inductor coil in series with the adjustable capacitance, and an adjustable capacitance control that can control the adjustable capacitance to obtain different particular capacitance values. This embodiment also includes a medical device, positioned with the resonator device, so that at least a portion of the inductor coil surrounds a space that is surrounded by at least a portion of the medical device. |
| US08046047B2 |
Extended-coverage imaging coil
Extended-coverage magnetic resonance imaging coils with optimized homogeneity in longitudinal sensitivity are described. One exemplary coil includes four elements, where two of the elements are opposed-solenoid imaging elements and two of the elements are single loop imaging elements. |
| US08046043B2 |
Extraction device, analyzer, extraction method, and analysis method
An extraction device for extracting an analyte from living tissue is disclosed that comprises a power source; a first electrode and second electrode connected to the power source; and a holding unit for holding a collecting medium for collecting analyte extracted from living tissue, wherein the collecting medium is in contact with both the first electrode and second electrode continuously. An analyzer comprising the extraction device, method for extracting an analyte, and method for extracting and analyzing an analyte are also described. |
| US08046041B2 |
Signal processing apparatus
The present disclosure describes a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals using various processing techniques. In certain embodiments, the measured signals are physiological signals. In certain embodiments, the measurements relate to blood constituent measurements including blood oxygen saturation. |
| US08046040B2 |
Pulse oximetry data confidence indicator
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a display is used to show an indication of the signal's quality. This indication of the signal's quality may be provided in a number of ways, including one or more audio and/or visual alarms. |
| US08046037B2 |
Slide module and mobile terminal having the same
A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body slidably moveable with respect to the first body such that the first body is moved between a closed position and an open position, a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body to allow the second body to move with respect to the first body between the closed position and the open position is provided. The slide module includes a first slide member connected to the first body, a second slide member connected to the second body, the second slide member being slidably connected to the first slide member, and a cover unit disposed between the first and second slide members, the cover unit being configured to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position. |
| US08046035B2 |
Slide type mobile terminal including a plurality of push protrusion
A slide type mobile terminal according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a main body having buttons and a slide part having a display, wherein the buttons comprise at least one open button that is open to the exterior and at least one hidden button that is not open to the exterior when the slide part is opened with respect to the main body, the slide part comprises at least one push protrusion corresponding with at least the hidden button, and the main body and the slide part are joined by a connection means which allows sliding of the slide part with respect to the main body. With such a composition, the invention allows for a larger display on the slide part and provides a slide type mobile terminal which can have various functional buttons. |
| US08046032B2 |
Panel construction for housing keypads of mobile computing device
A computing device includes a housing, a front housing segment, a keypad assembly and a rigid panel. The front housing segment includes a void. The keypad assembly includes a substrate and a key structure layer. The key structured layer includes a plurality of key structures. The keypad assembly is configured to extend the key structure layer at least partially through the void so as to enable user access to the individual key structures of the key structure layer. A rigid panel is structured to secure to the front housing segment so as to combine with the key structure layer. The panel includes an arrangement of cross-members that define openings, where each opening is dimensioned to fit around at least one key structure of the key structure layer. |
| US08046029B2 |
Method for selecting antennas in a wireless networks
A method selects antennas in a wireless network including a base station and one or more transceivers. The base station specifies times, subcarriers and subsets of antennas to use to transmit sounding reference signals (SRS) to the base station. Then, the transceiver transmits the SRS according to the specified times and subcarriers using different subsets of the set antennas. The SRS are received in the base station, and the base station selects one of the different subset of the antennas based on the received SRS, and indicates the selected subset of the antennas to the transceiver. |
| US08046027B2 |
Apparatus for using a wireless communication base station in common
A wireless communication base station sharing apparatus for sharing one antenna between a main system and a subsystem is provided. In the wireless communication base station sharing apparatus, a first signal combiner/distributor is connected to a transmission/reception signal line of a main system duplexer through a first port, distributes a signal received through the first port to second and third ports, combines the signals received through the second and third ports according to the phases of the signals, and provides the combined signal through the first port or a fourth port. A second signal combiner/distributor is connected to a transmission/reception signal line of a subsystem duplexer through a fifth port and the antenna through an eighth port, distributes a signal received through the fifth port to sixth and seventh ports, combines the signals received through the sixth and seventh ports according to the phases of the signals, and provides the combined signal through the fifth or eighth port. A first filter is provided in a signal path between the second port of the first signal combiner/distributor and the sixth port of the second signal combiner/distributor. A second filter is provided in a signal path between the third port of the first signal combiner/distributor and the seventh port of the second signal combiner/distributor. |
| US08046026B2 |
Portable communications terminal having camera assembly with two cameras
A first camera equipped for a video telephony and a second camera configured for capturing still or video images are combined into one assembly. The assembly is interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board then assembled into and connected with a portable communications terminal body. The assembly is configured for efficient integration with the terminal and saves assembly time and manufacturing costs. |
| US08046014B2 |
Management of messages included in a message thread displayed by a handheld device
The present invention determines which messages to display in message threads to a user. An electronic communication device receives and stores numerous SMS messages transported through an SMS network, but the SMS messages are sent without explicit linking information such as a previous message or subject line. A threading module applies threading rules to determine which messages to correlate into an SMS message thread through implicit link information. The threading rules thread outgoing messages sent in response to an incoming message from a user, or incoming messages where a previous outgoing message was sent to the user. An SMS application displays threads in a user interface and indicates messages threads with an icon in one view, and displays an expanded message thread in another view. |
| US08046012B2 |
Permission based text messaging
A system and method for narrowcasting text messages to a plurality of cellular phones. The system and method allow a potential user to opt in to receive the text messages the user wants to receive. The potential user can opt in through a computer network based web page. Once the potential user sends a sign up request application to participate via the computer network, the user will receive a first text message containing an authorization code on their cell phone. The user enters the authorization code into the web page and sends the authorization code. Receipt of the authorization code back through the computer network will trigger the phone number of the potential user to be added to a list of authorized text message receivers. A narrowcaster then instructs the central computer to narrowcast text messages to the phone numbers on the list that have indicated they want to receive messages on a certain topic. |
| US08046006B2 |
Method for carrying out paging in a cellular mobile communication system
The invention relates to a method for carrying out paging in a cellular mobile communication system. A terminal is operated in a first radio cell of the mobile communication system which is in an idle state, data is provided in a data transmission device of the mobile communication system for transmission to the terminal. According to the invention, the information is first transmitted to a radio transmission device supplying the first radio cell with radio signals, whereupon a paging is carried out or initiated by the radio transmission device in order to activate the terminal and to be able to transmit the data. |
| US08046000B2 |
Providing location-based information in local wireless zones
The present invention allows mobile terminals to receive location-based information upon entering a local wireless zone established by an access point. The access point includes or is associated with one or more servers, which may provide the location-based information and control access. The local wireless zone is a limited area in which communications between the access point and the mobile terminal are possible. Once the mobile terminal enters into one or more local wireless zones, the presence of the mobile terminal in the local wireless zone is detected. Once detected, the mobile terminal is afforded access to a server on which the location-based information is stored. The server is associated with the local wireless zone. |
| US08045999B2 |
Location information system and method for performing notification based upon location
According to an embodiment, a location based notification method in a H-SLP (Home-SUPL Location Platform) includes receiving, by the H-SLP, a request for positioning of a roaming terminal; transmitting, a session initialization message including a notification mode parameter to the roaming terminal if one or more of location-based notification and verification are required as a result of checking a privacy of the roaming terminal; transferring a positioning start message to a V-SLP (Visited-SUPL Location Platform) if the H-SLP receives the positioning initialization message from the roaming terminal; receiving a calculated location of the roaming terminal from the V-SLP; and transmitting a session notification message including a notification element to the roaming terminal if the H-SLP receives the calculated location of the roaming terminal. |
| US08045998B2 |
Method and system for communicating using position information
A method for communicating using position information includes communicating on a first communication network at a first location using one or more first communication parameters of the first communication network and, upon moving from the first location to a second location, receiving position information identifying the second location. The method includes adjusting the one or more first communication parameters to one or more second communication parameters based on the second location and communicating on a second communication network at the second location using the one or more second communication parameters. |
| US08045994B2 |
Adjusting the targeted number of transmission attempts
The invention is directed towards a method and transmission attempt determining device for adjusting the targeted number of transmission attempts in uplink communications between mobile stations and a cell in a wireless network handled by a cell handling device. According to the invention measurement data (RC) of radio conditions and service requirement data (SR) of the uplinks for mobile stations are obtained (36, 38, 40). Based on this data a determination (42) is made if the targeted number of transmission attempts should be adjusted. If a change should be made (42) an increase or a decrease is then determined (44) and the targeted number of transmission attempts are adjusted in the selected direction (46). |
| US08045985B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing voice service without discontinuance in mobile communication system
Provided is an apparatus and method for providing a voice service without discontinuance in a mobile communication system. The apparatus includes a controller for receiving a system information block of a first network system or a system information block of a second network system from an interface module, and transmitting a network selection change request to the interface module to change a network system mode; and a network selector for, when the system information block of the first network system does not comprise voice switched domain information for location area update, driving a timer according to a selection of a user, changing the network system mode into the second network system, and executing location area update to thereby provide the voice service. |
| US08045981B2 |
System search to detect for a wireless communication network in a crowded frequency band
Techniques for efficiently performing system search to obtain service from a wireless system as quickly as possible are described. A terminal initially looks for service from a first (e.g., W-CDMA) system. The terminal identifies network(s) in the first system from which service was received in the past and performs acquisition on each network to look for service. If service is not found for the first system, then the terminal performs a search for a second (e.g., GSM) system. If service is found on the second system, then the terminal obtains service from the second system and avoids a frequency scan for the first system. Otherwise, the terminal performs a frequency scan for the first system using the search results for the second system. The terminal may obtain a list of RF channels detected for the second system and may omit these RF channels and possibly some other RF channels around these RF channels from the frequency scan. |
| US08045980B2 |
Network selection in GAN environment
In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for network discovery and selection by a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network (WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands. In particular, the UE device is operable to select a WACN that is accessible via a wireless generic access network (GAN) in addition to being able to access the WACN via the cellular network band. |
| US08045979B2 |
Information communication terminal, mobile telephone, contents distributing apparatus, contents distributing system, and program product
Provided is a mobile telephone easily associating ringing tones and an address book. A control unit implementing the mobile telephone includes an input unit accepting input of data, an instruction detecting unit detecting an instruction for executing an action specific to the mobile telephone based on the input data, a flag setting unit setting for each address a flag for discriminating an address to be assigned a ringing tone from an address not to be assigned the ringing tone, a ringing tone retrieving unit retrieving the ringing tones assignable to the address book, a registrant-by-registrant basis ringing tone assigning unit executing an operation for assigning the ringing tone to each address book based on an entered instruction and the result of the retrieval by the ringing tone retrieving unit, and an output unit writing the flag set by the flag setting unit in a storage unit. |
| US08045977B2 |
Method for maintaining datalink network throughput by delaying lower priority messages
A method of maintaining datalink network throughput in a communications channel by delaying lower priority messages is provided. The method comprises receiving periodic channel occupancy data from a radio, and updating channel occupancy status from the channel occupancy data. A determination is then made whether the channel occupancy has reached a first predetermined occupancy threshold. If the first predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, high priority messages are transmitted, and medium and low priority messages are stored. If the first predetermined occupancy threshold has not been reached, a determination is made whether the channel occupancy has reached a second predetermined occupancy threshold that is less than the first predetermined occupancy threshold. If the second predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, high and medium priority messages are transmitted, and low priority messages are stored. If the second predetermined occupancy threshold has not been reached, messages of all priorities are transmitted. |
| US08045975B2 |
Systems and methods for inter-system sharing of satellite communications frequencies within a common footprint
Two satellite communications systems can use the same frequency or frequencies in geographically overlapping footprints, without creating undue interference in a given system that is caused by the same frequency signal(s) that is/are used by the other system. In particular, an aggregate Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of the radioterminals and/or ancillary terrestrial components of a second satellite communications system in the common footprint is sufficiently low, and/or the receive antenna gain of a first satellite communications system is sufficiently low compared to the receive antenna gain of the second satellite communications system, so as to increase an aggregate receiver noise that is seen by the first satellite system receivers by an amount that does not substantially change a Quality of Service (QoS) of the first satellite communications system. |
| US08045971B2 |
Communications network capable of determining SIM card changes in electronic devices
A communication network comprising a carrier network with a service coordinator is capable of acting upon SIM card change information detected by an agent located in the electronic devices used in the communication network. In general, the agent in electronic devices facilitates the determination of SIM Card changes in the electronic device. It also facilitates the selective reporting of such changes to the carrier network. In one embodiment, the communication network is capable of detecting SIM Card changes in the electronic device. In general, the carrier network determines updates to firmware, software, configuration etc. necessitated by the change in SIM card and selectively communicates it to the electronic device. |
| US08045970B2 |
Gateway for remote control and system and method for implementing remote control
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a gateway for remote control and system as well as a method for implementing remote control. The user side calls a telephone number to which the gateway for remote control corresponds, and the gateway for remote control puts through the call and controls a controlled device according to the information from the user side. It is possible to know and control the controlled device of the local network through the gateway for remote control that need not be online all the time. The voice prompt is defined by the own internal device of the local network, so as to enhance the expansibility and compatibility of the gateway. The user can directly control the device of the network through dialing a phone number. Embodiments of the invention are not restricted by the area, and the expense thereof is very low. |
| US08045969B2 |
Methods and apparatus for limiting communication capabilities in mobile communication devices
A mobile device detects whether its temperature is within a first or second range of values, and operates in a full communication state within the first range and a limited communication state within the second range. The mobile device receives a communication request for establishment of a voice call or for communication of a user data message. In the full communication state, the mobile device permits an emergency or non-emergency voice call to be established, and permits a user data message to be communicated. In the limited communication state, the mobile device inhibits a non-emergency voice call from being established, but permits an emergency voice call to be established. |
| US08045955B2 |
Implicit emergency registration set
A method for providing an implicit emergency registration set is disclosed. The method can include initiating an identifier selection procedure. The method can also include identifying whether a user has a dedicated emergency telephone uniform resource identifier (tel URI), and, if so, selecting it. The method can further include identifying, when the user does not have a dedicated emergency tel URI, whether the user's internet protocol (IP) multimedia private identity (IMPI) is known. The method can additionally include identifying, when the user's IMPI is known, whether the user's IMPI has a non-shared tel URI, and, if so, selecting it, but otherwise selecting a tel URI of the user's IMPI. The method can also include identifying, when the user's IMPI is not known, whether a shared tel URI is available, and selecting it if it is, otherwise selecting a tel URI from a non-shared set. |
| US08045951B2 |
Dual-LO mixer and radio
A dual-LO mixer is disclosed. The dual-LO mixer receives an input signal, a first reference signal of a first reference frequency, and a second reference signal of a second reference frequency, and performs a frequency translation to convert the input signal into an output signal, wherein the frequency difference between the input signal and the output signal is a sum or a difference of the first reference frequency and the second reference frequency. |
| US08045946B2 |
Active resistive summer for a transformer hybrid
A system includes a transceiver configured to receive a composite signal. The composite signal is a composite of a transmit signal and a receive signal. A replica transmitter is configured to generate a replica transmit signal based on the transmit signal. A transmit canceller is configured to recover the receive signal at least in part by resistively summing the composite signal and the replica transmit signal. |
| US08045944B2 |
Offset correction for passive mixers
A downconversion mixer includes a configurable gate or bulk bias voltage to allow calibration and correction of device offsets. Calibration may be performed on the configurable bias voltages to minimize IM2 distortion in the mixer. The techniques have minimal impact on voltage headroom, impose no requirement for a signal path to be phase-matched with a calibration path, and are particularly well-suited for passive mixers. |
| US08045942B2 |
System and method for radio signal reconstruction using signal processor
A waveform reconstruction circuit receives an rf signal from an antenna, digitizes it, and then generates an undistorted reconstructed waveform. The reconstructed waveform can then be conventionally mixed and demodulated to extract useful signal information with enhanced receiver fidelity and sensitivity. |
| US08045940B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for reception of radio frequency signals
An integrated circuit, IC, for reception of radio frequency; RF, signals in an antenna network system, the IC comprising: a plurality of amplifying paths to cover a plurality of radio frequency bandwidths or standards, each amplifying path comprising at least one low noise amplifier, at least one variable attenuator unit, and/or at least one gain flattening unit, each of the low noise amplifier, the attenuator unit, and the gain flattening unit being adapted to operate at a respective radio frequency bandwidth or standard; at least one control interface connected with at least one of the low noise amplifier, the attenuator unit, and the gain flattening unit on each amplifying path and adapted for communication with a digital processing unit to control operation of the at least one of the low noise amplifier, the attenuator unit, and the gain flattening unit. |
| US08045939B2 |
Method for controlling a linear amplifier and power amplifier arrangement
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an amplifier unit having at least one drive signal input connection 1, at least one power supply voltage input connection 2 and an output connection 4. The amplifier unit comprises at least one amplifier, and the method comprises the steps of: feeding each amplifier by a drive signal from said at least one drive signal input connection 1, and feeding each amplifier by a power supply voltage from said at least one power supply voltage input connection, whereby said amplifier unit has defined output characteristics at the output connection 4 and a predetermined power supply voltage at a maximum RF output power for a RF signal. The method further comprises the steps of: operating at least one amplifier with RF output voltage characteristics to obtain a reduced shunt loss, compared to a reference shunt loss, at the output connection 4. The reference shunt loss is obtained when operating each amplifier as a class B amplifier having the defined output characteristics at the output connection 4 and the predetermined power supply voltage at a maximum RF output power for the RF signal, and modulating the power supply voltage to each amplifier to reduce excessive voltage drop over the amplifier. |
| US08045935B2 |
High data rate transmitter and receiver
A high-speed transmitter and receiver are provided. In one embodiment, a transmitter comprises a baseband processor structured to receive data and to convert the data into a multiplicity of high and low signal values, with each high and low signal value having a first timing interval. A local oscillator generates a clock signal at a second timing interval and a digital circuit combines the high and low signal values with the clock signal to produce a transmission signal directly at a transmission frequency. A receiver is configured to receive the signal. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08045934B2 |
Support plate and mobile communication terminal having the same
A support plate includes a plate body, which has a shape of a flat plate with predetermined width and length and made of metal, and a radio coverage area member, which is provided at one of opposite ends of the plate body so as to be located adjacent to a radio coverage area of an antenna and made of plastic. Further, a mobile communication terminal has the support plate that supports a mobile communication terminal body on which at least one antenna is installed and transmits and receives radio waves through the antenna. |
| US08045933B2 |
Mobile phone terminal with programmable microelements
Mobile phone terminal, having a transmitter stage, a receiver stage and an antenna switch-over and adapter stage which each have an arrangement of passive structural elements, which arrangement is assigned a multiplicity of electrostatic-mechanical microswitches or microrelays and which can be programmed by actuating a predetermined configuration of the microswitches or microrelays in, in each case, at least one functional parameter, in particular the frequency characteristic, and a programmable control unit. |
| US08045927B2 |
Signal detection in multicarrier communication system
A signal detection scheme is provided. According to the provided signal detection scheme, a received signal is correlated in a frequency domain with a reference signal. Additionally, the reception power of the received signal is calculated and the correlation value is normalized with the reception power. Therefore, a single threshold value may be used regardless of the reception power of the received signal when comparing the correlation between the received signal and the reference signal with the threshold value in order to determine whether the received signal is a desired signal or noise. |
| US08045922B2 |
Apparatus for and method of bluetooth and wireless local area network coexistence using a single antenna in a collocated device
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of providing a mechanism for achieving coexistence between a Bluetooth system and WLAN system collocated in the same communications device such as a mobile terminal. The coexistence mechanism of the present invention functions to monitor WLAN and Bluetooth system activity, determine the access priority of both WLAN and Bluetooth systems, predict Bluetooth high priority packet transmission patterns, allocate bandwidth to both the Bluetooth and WLAN systems in accordance with the traffic patterns predicted, and switch the antenna and control the Bluetooth and WLAN power amplifiers when required. |
| US08045921B2 |
Audio delivery system and method for mobile phone
A wireless audio delivery system and method are disclosed for distributing an audio signal to a plurality of headsets through short range wireless communication channels. An audio delivery method for a short range wireless communication network including a master device and a plurality of slave devices includes selecting, at the master device, one of the slave devices as a primary slave device, assigning a master control to the primary slave device, establishing a communication channel between the master and the slave devices and delivering audio data to the slave devices through the communication channel. |
| US08045919B2 |
Electromagnetic/acoustic underwater communications system
An underwater communications system is provided that transmits electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals to a remote receiver. The transmitter includes a data input. A digital data compressor compresses data to be transmitted. A modulator modulates compressed data onto a carrier signal. An electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna transmits the compressed, modulated signals. The receiver that has an electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna for receiving a compressed, modulated signal. A demodulator is provided for demodulating the signal to reveal compressed data. A de-compressor de-compresses the data. An appropriate human interface is provided to present transmitted data into text/audio/visible form. Similarly, the transmit system comprises appropriate audio/visual/text entry mechanisms. |
| US08045914B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit which fixes toner image on a sheet by heat; a first portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; a second portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; and a fan provided between the first portion and the second portion and for cooling the sheet in the first portion and the sheet in the second portion. |
| US08045913B2 |
Fastening device for optional tray of an image forming apparatus, an optional tray, and an image forming apparatus
An optional tray fastening device of an image forming apparatus, for providing a fastening connection between an optional receiving tray moving in and out with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus and the main body when mounting the optional tray to a lower part of the main body, includes a fastening depression formed at a lower part of the main body; a connection boss that protrudes from an upper part of the optional tray to be inserted in the fastening depression; and a key member that restrains escape of the connection boss from the fastening depression. |
| US08045906B2 |
Belt-type fixing device having a pressure roller with surface undulations
A belt-type fixing device having therein an endless fixing belt, a pressure roller arranged inside the aforesaid fixing belt and a pressure member that presses the fixing belt against the pressure roller, wherein a toner image on a recording material is fixed in a nip portion formed between the fixing belt and the pressure member, and wherein the pressure roller has an elastic layer made of solid rubber, and the elastic layer is covered by a resin layer, and further plural undulations are formed in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller. |
| US08045902B2 |
Developer conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developer conveying apparatus includes a first developer storing portion, a second developer storing portion, and a conveying pipe that connects the first and second developer storing portions. The conveying pipe includes a tubular main body and a conveying member rotatably provided in the main body. A groove is formed on a surface of the conveying member, and the groove has a depth less than or equal to 5 μm. |
| US08045896B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same
A developing device includes a developing vessel for storing a developer, a first conveying passage, a second conveying passage, a first conveying member and a second conveying member to supply toner to a photoreceptor drum. The first conveying member includes a first rotary shaft and a first multi-helically structured blade. The first multi-helically structured blade includes a first inner helical blade and ring-shaped first outer helical blade. The first inner helical blade is formed so that the radius of the helical blade varies cyclically. The second helical pitch of the first outer helical blade is smaller than the first helical pitch of the first inner helical blade. The first outer helical blade inscribes the outer periphery of the first inner helical blade at its minimum radius portions. |
| US08045894B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a remaining developer circulation mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members; at least one retaining member configured to temporarily retain remaining developer remaining on a corresponding photosensitive member; a belt arranged opposite to the plurality of photosensitive members; a cleaning device configured to collect developer on the belt; a remaining developer collecting unit configured to cause the remaining developer retained by the retaining member to be transferred onto the belt via the photosensitive member and thereafter to be collected by the cleaning device; and a plurality of developing devices each including a development chamber in which is provided a developing roller for supplying developer to the corresponding photosensitive member, and a developer storage chamber arranged above the development chamber and configured to store developer. Each development device includes a circulation mechanism configured to circulate developer between the development chamber and the developer storage chamber. |
| US08045892B2 |
Developing unit, process cartridge, and image forming method and apparatus incorporating an agitation compartment
A developing unit used in an image forming apparatus with a latent image carrier includes a developer carrier, a supply compartment, a recovery compartment, a separation member, and a gap. The developer carrier facing the latent image carrier rotates while carrying two-component developer containing toner and carrier and supplies the toner to the latent image. The supply compartment includes a supply transport member to transport the developer in a first direction. The recovery compartment includes a recovery transport member to transport the developer in a second direction. The separation member includes one end portion facing the latent image carrier at a facing area. The separation member separates the supply compartment and the recovery compartment and is disposed above the recovery compartment behind the separation member. The gap is provided at the facing area. The gap has a width of not more than 1.4 millimeters. |
| US08045886B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge for the use therewith
An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; and a supporting member that receives the cartridge, the supporting member being rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. The cartridge includes an inner chassis; an outer chassis comprising a shutter member; a first protrusion provided at one of the inner and outer chassis; and a second protrusion provided at the other chassis, wherein the first and second protrusions engage with the image forming apparatus, such that one is moved and the other is regulated, based on a position of the cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08045880B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding device to feed a sheet in a sheet feeding path is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of feeding rollers to feed a sheet in the sheet feeding path, and a dust remover unit to remove dust adhered onto a surface of the sheet. The dust remover unit includes a dust absorber roller to absorb dust from a surface of the sheet, a dust remover member arranged to be in contact with a surface of the dust absorber roller to remove the dust from the surface of the dust absorber roller, a conveyer member, arranged to be opposed to the dust remover member, to convey the dust removed by the dust remover member, and a cutter member, arranged in an intervening position between the dust remover roller and the conveyer member, to cut the dust removed by the dust remover member into smaller pieces. |
| US08045878B2 |
Device for fusing toner on print medium
A device for fusing a predetermined toner image on a paper and which electrically insulates a heating body of a fusing unit from a power supply unit by heating the heating body using an induced current generated by a transformer. The fusing device includes an insulation unit for generating an induced current in response to an alternating current, a heating body heated by the generated induced current, a toner fusing unit which fuses the toner image on the paper using the heat received from the heating body, and a tube-expansion adhesion portion closely adhering the heating body to the toner fusing unit using a predetermined tube-expansion pressure. |
| US08045874B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image density control method
An image forming apparatus includes a control device that calculates a developing ability of the developing device based on a detection value detected by an optical detection device from the plural toner patches. The control device adjusts an image formation condition based on the calculated developing ability. A factor detection device is provided to detect a contributing factor that causes the developing ability to largely change after the last adjustment of the image formation condition. The control device controls image formation such that when the factor detection device does not detect the contribution factor and a developing ability calculated this time is different from that calculated last time (as to a part of the plural toner patches), the plural toner patches are formed based on a prescribed fixed image formation condition so that an attraction amount of toner attracting to the plural toner patches enter a prescribed range detectable for the optical detection device. The remaining toner patches are formed (based on an image formation condition determined) in accordance with the image formation condition previously adjusted. When the detection device detects the contribution factor, the entire toner patches are formed based on the prescribed fixed condition. |
| US08045872B2 |
Image-forming apparatus containing electrophotographic system and image-forming method
An image-forming apparatus includes: an optical sensor that includes a light source unit which applies light having a light-emission main wavelength λ to a peripheral face of an image-supporting member, and a light-receiving unit which receives a reflected light thereof, so as to optically detect a toner pattern formed on a peripheral face of the image-supporting member, wherein the image-supporting member has at least one thin-film layer formed on the peripheral face thereof, and the thickness of an outermost surface thin-film layer is set so as to allow a reflectance function R(d) that indicates the relationship between a reflectance R of the peripheral face of the image-supporting member to light having a light-emission main wavelength λ from the light source unit and a thickness d (nm) of the outermost surface thin-film layer of the image-supporting member to satisfy: R(d)≧0.75×{Rmax(d)−Rmin(d)}+Rmin(d). |
| US08045870B2 |
Image forming apparatus having brush and cleaning blade to remove toner remaining on image carrier
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a charging unit which charges a surface of the image carrier; a brush which removes toner remaining on the image carrier by rubbing the surface of the image carrier; a cleaning blade provided downstream of the brush in a rotational direction of the image carrier, which removes the toner remaining on the image carrier; a surface potential measuring sensor which measures a surface potential of the image carrier between the brush and the cleaning blade; and a controller which causes the surface potential measuring sensor to conduct a measuring operation and adjusts the surface potential of the image carrier between the brush and the cleaning blade on the basis of a measurement result. |
| US08045865B2 |
Automatic optimization of HFSI warning thresholds based on actual service interval statistics
If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is higher than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by extending the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds. If the specific device incurs unscheduled maintenance visits more often than average, the embodiments herein extend the replacement warning thresholds for components of the device. The amount that the replacement warning thresholds are extended is different for different parts, and is based on part life, part cost, and part service cost. If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is lower than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by shortening the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds. If the specific device incurs unscheduled maintenance visits less often than average, the embodiments herein shorten the replacement warning thresholds for components of the device. |
| US08045857B2 |
Optical switching device, optical access network, optical switching method, program, and recording medium
In an optical access network using an optical switching device, a 2×1 optical splitter in the uplink and downlink directions is eliminated to extend the transmission distance between the OLT and the ONU. An optical switching device includes a downlink optical switch element for switching a downlink optical signal sent by an OLT, an uplink optical switch element for switching an uplink optical signal sent by a plurality of ONU, an O/E for converting a downlink optical signal to a first electrical signal, an E/O for converting the first electrical signal to a downlink optical signal and inputting the downlink optical signal to the downlink optical element, an O/E for converting an uplink optical signal output from the uplink optical switch element to a second electrical signal, and an E/O for converting the second electrical signal to an uplink optical signal and sending the uplink optical signal to the OLT. |
| US08045850B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, image recording apparatus and image recording method
An imaging apparatus selectively recording an image taken by itself or at least one other apparatus is disclosed. A digital video camera selects between an image taken by a camera block (10) thereof, and an image taken by each of at least one other camera and received by a wireless communication module (120), and records the selected image on a magnetic tape of a video cassette (111). The camera transmits an image it takes to at least other camera by the communication module (120). Processed by a control portion (60), the image taken by the camera itself and the image(s) from the other camera(s) are composited to be concurrently presented on a LCD (80). An image selected through a touch panel (90) is recorded on the tape. |
| US08045849B2 |
Water treatment system and process
The present invention generally relates to a water treatment system and a sanitization system and method. A sanitization fluid, typically water at a pharmaceutically acceptable temperature, is intermittently provided to the water treatment system for minimal periods of time. |
| US08045848B2 |
Babycare heating apparatus
A babycare heating apparatus comprising a vessel (2;102) for containing water and a heating element (15;115) for heating water held in the vessel, characterized by: a temperature sensor (22;42,123) for sensing a temperature rise effected by operation of the heating element (15); and control means (25;125) for controlling the energizing of the heating element (15;115) in dependence on the output of the temperature sensor (22;42;123) and being configured to de-energize the heating element (15;115) if the change in the temperature, sensed by the sensor (22;42;123), meets a predetermined criterion. The apparatus can be used as a sterilizer or a bottle warmer, and its uses a measure of the rate of heating during operation to determine whether the apparatus has been correctly charged with water. |
| US08045846B2 |
Composition for heat-storage object formation, heat-storage object, and process for producing heat-storage object
A heat-storage object which can be formed in a desired shape, has a high heat-storage material content and hence excellent heat-storage property, undergoes no leakage with time despite the high heat-storage material content, and even when subjected to processing such as cutting or punching, does not undergoes leakage through the cut surface or hole, and has excellent processability, as well as a composition for heat-storage object formation, and a process for producing the same. The heat-storage object comprises fine particles of an organic latent heat-storage material (a), the particles having been fixed with a binder (c). It is produced by mixing a composition for heat-storage object formation containing an organic latent heat-storage material (a), a nonionic surfactant (b) and a compound (c-1) having reactive functional group, with a compound (c-2) having a second reactive functional group reactive with the reactive functional group, dispersing the organic latent heat-storage material (a) in a colloidal state, reacting the component (c-1) with the component (c-2) to form a binder (c), and fixing the organic latent heat-storage material (a) in the form of fine particles with the binder (c). |
| US08045845B2 |
System for holding a current track during playback of a multi-track media production
A “hold” feature on a user operated remote control allows a currently displayed track or view to be maintained while a video presentation is being played. As a user is watching a presentation that uses multiple camera views shown one-at-a-time as in a standard edited cut (i.e., “director's cut”) of a movie, the user can press a button when the user sees a camera view or scene of particular interest. Thereafter, the track associated with the camera view or scene that was showing when the hold button was pressed will continue to be played in place of the presentation. To return to the edited cut the user depresses the hold button again. The held track will continue to play until the user decides to resume presentation of the edited program or until the held track ends. Upon ending, the program track is resumed. While holding a track the user is free to select other available tracks in addition to jumping back to the program track at any time. |
| US08045843B2 |
Method for recording a digital broadcast program and time-based playback of a recorded broadcast program and apparatus therefor
A method and apparatus for receiving and recording a digital broadcast program and reproducing a recorded digital broadcast program with time-based trick play features. While recording a broadcast program on a storage medium, the apparatus creates an index file regarding random access points of the program. Receiving a request for a jump or trick play operation given in terms of time, the apparatus detects the time interval between each of the random access points based on the created file. Referring to the time interval, the apparatus determines the position to be reached by the jump and begins playback from the position or determines the number of access points to be skipped for the trick play and begins the requested trick play by skipping random access points by the number, thereby providing a user-friendly interface having time-based trick play features. |
| US08045841B2 |
Method of performing time-shift function and television receiver using the same
A method of performing time-shift function and television receiver having a tuner and a personal video recorder for storing broadcast programs of at least one channel enables a broadcast program of a currently tuned channel to be continuously and efficiently stored to enable time-shifting, regardless of an interruption by switching channels or changing input sources or even in the case of an inadvertent power-off condition. The method includes steps of setting a time-shift lock function; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a first channel that is currently viewed; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a second channel and the broadcast program of the first channel, if the currently viewed first channel is switched to the second channel; and supplying power only to the tuner and the personal video recorder, if a power-off condition occurs, wherein the supply of power to the tuner and the personal video recorder causes a continuous storing of the broadcast programs of the first and second channels in the personal video recorder. |
| US08045838B2 |
Video viewing apparatus, video play back control method, and recording/play back program
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an instructor's exercise image data is compared with a user's exercise image data. A personal video of a viewer who is viewing a master video is acquired by an imaging module. An image motion period determination module determines a series of image motion periods of the master video and the personal video. A motion characteristic amount acquisition module acquires motion characteristic amounts from image motion parts. A motion characteristic amount comparison module compares a motion characteristic amount of the maser video with that of the personal video. A storage module stores information corresponding to a frame having a large difference in motion characteristic amount. A disclosure module reproduces the frames of the master video and the personal video based on the stored information at the time of play back and outputs the reproduced frames. |
| US08045837B2 |
Controller for photographing apparatus and photographing system
A picture photographed by a camera portion is sent to a video capturing portion of a computer. The picture is displayed in an operation area of a monitor. A panorama picture of which pictures in part or all moving range of a pan tiler are combined is displayed in a panorama operation area. A pan tilter portion sends positional information of pan and tilt to the computer through a mode controller. With a mouse, the operation area and the panorama operation area are operated so as to select an object. The computer obtains data for driving the pan tilter. Thus, the selected object is displayed at the center of the operation area. |
| US08045832B2 |
Mode size converter for a planar waveguide
A process for forming a mode size converter with an out-of-plane taper formed during deposition with a shadow mask is disclosed. Mode-size converters according to the present invention can have any number of configurations. Measured coupling efficiencies for waveguides with mode size converters according to the present invention show marked improvement. |
| US08045826B2 |
Detecting edges in a digital images
The image processing procedure of the invention receives mosaic image data and calculates a vertical-direction color difference component with regard to each of pixel columns in the mosaic image data in a vertical direction and a horizontal-direction color difference component with regard to each of pixel rows in the mosaic image data in a horizontal direction. The image processing procedure subsequently selects pixels from the mosaic image data, and compares the sign of the vertical color difference component of the target pixel to the signs of the vertical color difference components of the pixels above and below the target pixel, compare the sign of the horizontal color difference component of the target pixel to the signs of the horizontal color difference components of the pixels to the left and to the right of the target pixel, sets the corresponding edge map value of a corresponding edge map to 1 where the signs in one or more of the comparisons are not equal, and sets the corresponding edge map value of the corresponding edge map to 0 where the signs in all of the comparisons are equal. |
| US08045821B2 |
Coding method conversion apparatus
A coding method conversion apparatus converts the first coded data coded by the first coding method into the second coded data. The coding method conversion apparatus includes: an H.264 decoder which decodes the first coded data; a deblocking filter strength calculation unit which calculates a filter strength of deblocking filtering of a second coding method, using at least one piece of decoding information except a coding type of the first coded data, the decoding information being obtained by decoding the first coded data; and a deblocking filter which performs the deblocking filtering to reduce noise in a boundary of blocks according to the filter strength calculated by the deblocking filter strength calculation unit. |
| US08045818B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44. |
| US08045817B2 |
Method for improving image quality, and image signal processing apparatus and AV device using the same
A method for improving image quality, and an image signal processing apparatus and an AV device using the same are provided. In the method for improving image quality, processing image signals relating to improving the image quality can be adaptively performed based on the amount of movement of an input movie-image so that the image quality of the movie-image can be improved without breaking the image. |
| US08045815B2 |
Image encoding apparatus and image encoding method
An image capturing apparatus 100 first executes JPEG encoding on RAW data. On the basis of the compression ratio of JPEG image data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 selects a Huffman table to encode the RAW data. With the higher compression ratio of the JPEG data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 assumes that the RAW data is image data with a larger number of low frequency components. The image capturing apparatus 100 thus selects a Huffman table that assigns a particularly short code to a predictive differential value with a smaller absolute value. In contrast, with the lower compression ratio of the JPEG image data obtained, the image capturing apparatus 100 selects a Huffman table that assigns a code of a relatively equal length to the predictive differential value regardless of its absolute value. |
| US08045813B2 |
Image encoding and decoding method and apparatus using motion compensation filtering
Provided are an image encoding method and apparatus for encoding image data, in which compression efficiency is further improved by filtering motion-compensated image data, thereby reducing errors with respect to original image data, and an image decoding method and apparatus for decoding encoded image data. A filter is generated using previously decoded surrounding pixels of a current frame and surrounding pixels of a reference frame, and prediction data is then filtered using the generated filter. Therefore, it is possible to decrease a size of residual data to be encoded. |
| US08045810B2 |
Method and system for decoding encoded images and reducing the size of said images
A method and system for reducing the number of mathematical operations required in the JPEG decoding process without substantially impacting the quality of the image displayed is disclosed. Embodiments provide an efficient JPEG decoding process for the purposes of displaying an image on a display smaller than the source image, for example, the screen of a handheld device. According to one aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by reducing the amount of processing required for dequantization and inverse DCT (IDCT) by effectively reducing the size of the image in the quantized, DCT domain prior to dequantization and IDCT. This can be done, for example, by discarding unnecessary DCT index rows and columns prior to dequantization and IDCT. In one embodiment, columns from the right, and rows from the bottom are discarded such that only the top left portion of the block of quantized, and DCT coefficients are processed. |
| US08045809B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus includes a quantization threshold value to convert input image data of an N value to output image data of an M value based on random dither processing. A flag to designate addition of a non-periodic component to a quantization threshold value can be set for each quantization threshold value and a threshold value that has a non-periodic component is added to the quantization threshold value based on a relation between a large and a small quantization threshold value in different threshold value levels with respect to any target pixel in the quantization threshold value. |
| US08045806B2 |
Method and device for identifying material boundaries of a test object
A method and a device determine material interfaces in a test object. The novel method generates three-dimensional image data of the test object or uses already existing three-dimensional image data of the test object. Image values of the image data are, or were, obtained by invasive radiation. An evaluation line for evaluating the image data relative to the test object is determined, a location of a material interface of the test object is determined by evaluating the image data of image values along the evaluation line so that the value of the first partial derivative of the image values in the direction of the evaluation line has a local maximum at the location of the material interface. |
| US08045805B2 |
Method for determining whether a feature of interest or an anomaly is present in an image
A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured. |
| US08045802B2 |
End of program pattern detector
Systems and methods are set forth for detecting an end of program pattern. More specifically, systems and methods are set forth for recognizing and acting upon sequential image data that contains an end of program pattern. |
| US08045800B2 |
Active segmentation for groups of images
Systems and methods of segmenting images are disclosed herein. The similarity of images in a set of images is compared. A group of images is selected from the set of images. The images in the group of images are selected based on compared similarities among the images. An informative image is selected from the group of images. User-defined semantic information of the informative image is received. The group of images as a graph is modeled as a graph. Each image in the group of images denotes a node in the graph. Edges of the graph denote a foreground relationship between images or a background relationship between images. One or more images in the group of images are automatically segmented by propagating the semantic information of the informative image to images in the group of images having a corresponding graph node that is related to a graph node corresponding to the informative image. Segmentation results can be refined according to user provided image semantics. |
| US08045797B2 |
Image processing method, recording medium with recorded image processing program and image processing apparatus
An image processing method for carrying out predetermined correction processing with respect to one or more items regarding the quality of color images and the image processing method comprises a judgment step for judging the necessity/nonnecessity of correction with respect to each of the above-mentioned items and a correction processing step for carrying out the predetermined correction processing with respect to the item judged as required to be corrected at the above-mentioned judgment step. |
| US08045796B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method performing color conversion processing using a lookup table
An image processing device that performs color conversion processing using a lookup table (LUT) includes an acquiring unit that acquires an emulation LUT for applying emulation of a gamut to a target device from a device in use, the emulation LUT being generated using a device-in-use LUT for performing correction corresponding to input and output characteristics of the device in use and a target device LUT for performing correction corresponding to input and output characteristics of the target device, and a converting unit that performs gamut conversion in performing the emulation using the emulation LUT acquired by the LUT acquiring unit. |
| US08045781B2 |
X-ray computed tomography apparatus, reconstruction processing apparatus, and image processing apparatus
An X-ray computed tomography apparatus scans a subject to be examined with cone beam X-rays, and generates reference volume data on the basis of projection data. This apparatus extracts a cone beam artifact component contained in the reference volume data on the basis of the typical shape and direction of the cone beam artifact component. This apparatus generates resultant volume data with the reduced cone beam artifact by subtracting the cone beam artifact component from the reference volume data. |
| US08045777B2 |
Clutter suppression in ultrasonic imaging systems
A method for ultrasonic imaging includes transmitting ultrasonic radiation toward a target and receiving the ultrasonic radiation reflected from a region of the target. A main reflected signal and an auxiliary reflected signal are defined. The reflected signals have different respective main and auxiliary beam patterns. A difference between the main reflected signal and the auxiliary reflected signal is taken, so as to generate an output signal containing a reduced level of clutter in comparison with the main reflected signal. |
| US08045773B2 |
Method for segmenting a myocardial wall and device for detecting a coronary artery with pathological changes
The present invention relates to a method for segmenting a myocardial wall with the following steps: recording a first data record and a second data record in the same cardiac phase by means of x-ray radiation with differing radiation intensities, reconstructing the myocardial wall from the first and second data record. To generate a detailed and complete reconstruction of the myocardial wall, it is proposed that the method be supplemented by the following steps: separating an inside and an outside of the myocardial wall from the data record recorded with higher radiation intensity, and separating tissue interspersing the myocardial wall between the inside and the outside, in particular fatty tissue, from the data record recorded with lower radiation intensity. |
| US08045769B2 |
Planar angular visualization of the bronchial tree
A system (20) an image acquisition device, an image workstation, computer-readable medium and method for visualizing an anatomical tree structure is disclosed. The anatomical tree structure is segmented from a three-dimensional image set of at least a portion of a body. A planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then determined. The planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then displayed. Since the displayed anatomical tree structure has no occlusions or intersections of segments, the anatomical tree is much easier to read which facilitates subsequent automated or manual diagnosis of the tree for anomalies. |
| US08045763B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat cup
An apparatus (10) for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat cup (401, 402, 403, 404) of at least one teat cup magazine (42, 421, 422). The apparatus (10) emits waves (20) into a region (A) which is expected to contain a teat cup or teat cups (401, 402, 403, 404). The apparatus (10) also includes a detector (260) for detecting reflections of the waves (20). The apparatus (10) also includes a unit (24) for evaluating the reflections in order to determine if the reflections originate from the teat cup or cups (401, 402, 403, 404). Furthermore, the apparatus (10) also includes a unit (26) for determining the position of the teat cup or cups (401, 402, 403, 404) if it is established that the reflections originate from the teat cup (401, 402, 403, 404). |
| US08045761B2 |
Detection of environmental conditions in a sequence of images
A method for determining the presence and location of static shadows and other ambient conditions (such as glare, snow, rain, etc.) in a series of time-successive images is provided. Each image comprises a series of image elements locatable on a plane, with each element being associated with a color defined by three chromatic elements. Furthermore, each image is partitioned into a set of elements, with each element comprising one or more pixels. According to the process of the present method, the ambient conditions are detected using a mixture of processes which utilize the chromatic elements, luminance qualities and temporal characteristics of the series of images. |
| US08045757B2 |
Image monitoring system and object area tracking method
An image monitoring system may include an object area detection processing section and an object area tracking processing section. The object area detection processing section may be configured to detect object area information from an image obtained by an input image signal on a basis of the input image signal. The object area tracking processing section may be configured to perform object area tracking processing by associating a current object area with a past object area on a basis of the object area information detected by the object area detection processing section. The object area tracking processing section may associate the current object area with the past object area using unique identifying information. The object area tracking processing section may continue to retain identifying information given to a predetermined object area that has disappeared, and may give the retained identifying information to the predetermined object area when the predetermined object area reappears. |
| US08045756B2 |
Routing networks for use with content linking systems
A method of linking a content object with a network resource presents a content object to a reader, discerns an identifier associated with the content object, transfers the identifier to an indexing system, and in response receives an internet address corresponding to the content object. To enhance the response of the indexing system, it includes multiple routers, which it selects based on location relative to the reader. For example, the method sends user location data to a master system, and in response, receives an address of an indexing system close to the user location. |
| US08045753B2 |
Method of and system for authenticating an item
A method of authenticating the identity of an item bearing or associated with a printed security marker, the method comprising: a. printing the security marker with a pattern that encodes at least one of a unique product identifier, a batch identifier, and positional information about a portion of the marker; b. scanning and storing an image of the security marker as printed, said image being taken at sufficiently high resolution to capture artifacts of the printing process; and authentication steps comprising: c. imaging a portion of the marker at sufficiently high resolution to capture the artifacts, and d. querying a data store by providing the image of the portion of the marker or a compressed or parameterized version of the image and data derived from the pattern. |
| US08045752B2 |
Systems and methods for witness card analysis
A system for and method of assessing fluid spray using image processing techniques of a calibration and one or more as-sprayed witness cards. Calibration and as-sprayed witness cards are exposed to a backlight sufficient to make a plurality of stains thereon electronically visible. At the same time an image of the stains is captured by, e.g., a digital camera. Resulting image data is processed to assess characteristics of the stains of the fluid on the as-sprayed witness card(s) and thereby assess characteristics of the spray, e.g., volume of fluid delivered. In one embodiment, the witness card is a chemically coated semiopaque plate. |
| US08045751B2 |
Information outputting device, information outputting method, computer readable recording medium, and image projecting system
Provided is a device that records or outputs information, which acquires a first image to be a display target, judges whether at least a part of the acquired first image is a preset non-target image, and determines whether the acquired first image is an image to be recorded or output. When it is determined that the acquired first image is the image to be recorded or output as a result of the determination, the device records or outputs the acquired first image. |
| US08045750B2 |
Card identifying apparatus
A card identifying apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention has a light-receiving portion that reads a card on a pixel basis of a predetermined area as a unit including color information having brightness, RAM that stores image data comprised of a plurality of pixels read by the light-receiving portion, an image data thinning processing section that makes the number of read pixels lower in another direction than in one direction to vary the number of pixels of the image data when the reading means reads the card, and an judgment processing section that identifies authentication of the card based on the image data varied by the image data thinning processing section. |
| US08045747B2 |
Bi-directional loudspeaker
A thin and cost-effective bi-directional loudspeaker which can reproduce high quality sound toward contrary directions simultaneously, arranged from bottom to the top, consists of a frame (2), a U-yoke (3), a first magnet (4), a washer (5), a copper cap (6), a second magnet (7), a voice coil (8), a diaphragm (9), a spacer (12), a spider (15), a dust cap (18) and a connector (1) disposed on lateral side of the frame (2). Said loudspeaker is characterized in that: said diaphragm (9) is in a cone shape whose an inner edge (10) of said apex is fixed with top of said voice coil (8). A periphery (16) of the spider (15) is fixed with an upper edge (14) of the supporting ring (12) and a bottom edge (13) thereof is fixed with an exterior (11) of the diaphragm (9). Said spider (15), spacer (12) and diaphragm (9) are coupled by adhesive and fixed on top of said frame (2). |
| US08045744B2 |
Door speaker enclosure with integral water barrier and hardware attachment
A door speaker box includes an enclosure member and speaker operatively attached thereto, such that they define an acoustic volume, into which the speaker communicates. The enclosure member and speaker are configured to be installed as a speaker box unit in the vehicle door, such that speaker box unit seals the door against moisture passage into the vehicle interior. A flange integrally formed in the enclosure member extends substantially around a portion thereof and is configured to seal against such moisture passage. A hardware mounting surface may be integrally formed in the enclosure member, and configured to receive and support a door hardware component. The flange may further define and enclose the acoustic volume, and may be configured to seal multiple access holes in the inner panel, such that the door is characterized by an absence of rain paper or other dedicated water barrier. |
| US08045739B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling band split compressors in a hearing aid
In a method and hearing aid (200) for processing sound signals for hearing impaired persons by providing multi-band compression processing an input sound signal is filtered by a band split filter (202) into a number of frequency bands to obtain band split signals. A signal level for each of the band split signals is determined and the frequency bands are arranged into a number of groups. Based on the signal levels in each of the groups, a compressor input level for a number of band split compressors each associated to one of the frequency bands is calculated. A compressor gain for each band split compressor is determined based on the corresponding compressor input signal and the band split signals are amplified with the corresponding compressor gain and summed in a summing unit (208) to produce an output sound signal. |
| US08045738B2 |
System for managing feedback
Feedback detection, adaptive notch filtering, and gain adjustment are combined for managing feedback. Feedback detection includes detection of short term and long term spectral peaks and assessing their magnitude, shape, rate of growth, and power concentration ratio. A plurality of notch filters are available and are allocated according to the spectral magnitude of the feedback detected. Wide band gain adjustment supplements the notch filters. |
| US08045732B1 |
Mapping control signals to values for one or more internal parameters
Mapping a plurality of external control signals to values for one or more internal parameters is disclosed. Each external control signal is mapped to a control signal-specific set of internal parameter values corresponding to the level of the signal. The resulting signal-specific sets of internal parameter values are combined to generate a combined set of internal parameter values. The combined set of internal parameter values includes a single value for each internal parameter for which a value was included in at least one signal-specific set of internal parameter values. For each internal parameter for which a value is included in more than one of the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values, the combined set of internal parameter values includes a combined value based at least in part on the values included in the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values. |
| US08045730B1 |
Methods and systems for reducing acoustic echoes in communication systems
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems that reduce acoustic echoes in audio signals in accordance with changing conditions at first and second locations that are linked together in a communication system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first digital signal encoding sounds produced at the first location is output from the first location, and a second digital signal encoding an acoustic echo and sounds produced at the second location is output from the second location. The method computes a control state that depends on the signals transmitted between the first and the second locations and computes an approximate acoustic echo based on the control state. |
| US08045729B2 |
Audio system with application management system for operating different types of audio sources
A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration managers and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data. |
| US08045726B2 |
Noise-cancelling headphone
A noise-cancelling headphone includes a cancel signal generator that receives ambient noise via an electro-acoustic transducer and generates and outputs a cancel signal eliminating the noise and a speaker unit that outputs an audio signal and a cancel signal, and connects the cancel signal generator to a first terminal of two input terminals of the speaker unit and connects a sound source of an audio signal to a second terminal thereof, whereby obtaining the noise-cancelling headphone with which one can enjoy music with high quality without the change in the sound quality and volume between when a noise-cancelling function is activated and when deactivated. |
| US08045725B2 |
Vehicle interior active noise cancellation
A vehicle has an electric drive mode, a body defining a vehicle interior, a first and second set of audio speakers positioned outside and inside of the interior, respectively, and a controller. The controller generates an acoustic signal, broadcasts the acoustic signal via the first set of speakers during an electric drive mode, and generates and broadcasts a cancelling signal via the second set of speakers. The broadcasts are coordinated to substantially cancel an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal resulting from propagation of the acoustic signal into the interior. A method cancels a synthesized sound within a vehicle interior by collecting vehicle operating values, generating an acoustic signal as the synthesized sound during an electric drive mode, and processing the acoustic signal to generate a modified acoustic signal approximating an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal propagating into the vehicle interior. |
| US08045721B2 |
Dynamic distortion elimination for output audio
A method (200) for improving quality of output audio (126). The method can include detecting an output acoustic signal (128) and generating a receive audio signal (134) based, at least in part, on the detected output acoustic signal. A frequency domain representation (140) of the receive audio signal can be compared to a frequency domain representation (138) of a source audio signal (124) from which the output acoustic signal is generated. At least one distortion signal (142) in the receive audio signal can be identified, and the source audio signal can be selectively equalized to reduce an amplitude of the source audio signal at a frequency that correlates to the distortion signal. |
| US08045709B2 |
Digital broadcasting conditional access terminal and method
A mobile communication terminal for efficient digital broadcasting conditional access and a method of the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal includes a digital broadcasting receiver for receiving a scrambled digital broadcasting transport stream, a Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) card unit for generating a decoding key for descrambling the scrambled digital broadcasting transport stream, a multimedia unit for extracting from the scrambled digital broadcasting transport stream broadcasting viewing restriction information and broadcasting viewing entitlement information and descrambling the scrambled digital broadcasting transport stream using the decoding key generated by the smart card unit, and a controller for transmitting to the smart card unit the broadcasting viewing restriction information and broadcasting viewing entitlement information extracted by the multimedia unit in a digital broadcasting reception mode to control the smart card unit to generate the decoding key and transmitting the decoding key generated by the smart card unit to the multimedia unit. |
| US08045706B2 |
System of efficiently implementing secure hash algorithm (SHA-1) in digital hardware that accomplishes optimal computation speed using minimal hardware resources
A method of completing the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-1) computation in exactly 81 clock cycles with digital hardware. The general implementation techniques include: using a combination of synchronous storage elements to store the required computation values and asynchronous circuits to perform all the logic and mathematic operations of each step of the 81-step SHA-1 computation within a single clock cycle; using a quad-output-channel 16×32-bit circular queue memory to store the 512-bit message segment (block), as a computation buffer of the Wt parameter, and to supply the Wt-3, Wt-8, Wt-14, and Wt-16 data parameters simultaneously; using a combination of a counter circuit and a decoder/encoder circuit to control selecting data parameters and sequencing the 81-step SHA-1 computation; and using an automated controller to control internal units that perform SHA-1 and allowing external systems to access the SHA-1 computation service. The robust architecture allows for a highly efficient digital hardware implementation. |
| US08045705B2 |
Simultaneous scalar multiplication method
In computing point multiples in elliptic curve schemes (e.g. kP and sQ) separately using, for example, Montgomery's method for the purpose of combining kP+sQ several operations are repeated in computing kP and sQ individually, that could be executed at the same time. A simultaneous scalar multiplication method is provided that reduces the overall number of doubling and addition operations thereby providing an efficient method for multiple scalar multiplication. The elements in the pairs for P and Q method are combined into a single pair, and the bits in k and s are evaluated at each step as bit pairs. When the bits in k and s are equal, only one doubling operation and one addition operation are needed to compute the current pair, and when the bits in k and s are not equal, only one doubling operation is needed and two addition operations. |
| US08045702B2 |
Multi-path active hybrid circuit
A hybrid circuit for a full-duplex transceiver includes a two-to-four wire ratio converter (50, Z1, Z2) for forwarding a transmitted signal TX′ on a transmission line (41) in response to an input signal TX. The ratio converter also produces a signal RXA in response to a received signal RX arriving on the transmission line, wherein signal RXA includes an echo of input signal TX. A passive filter (H1) and a first active filter (H2) each filter input signal TX to generate signals TXA and TXB summed with the RXA signal to form a signal RXB at the input of an amplifier (52, Z3, Z4) producing an output signal RXC. A second active filter (H3) filters input signal TX to generate a signal TXC summed with the RXC signal to produce the output signal RX. The impedance of the passive filter is designed so that when the transmission line has a target impedance, such as the impedance of an ideal twisted pair, the TXA output signal of the passive filter adequately offsets the TX signal echo in RXA. A control circuit monitors the residual echo in the output signal and, when the transmission line impedance varies from its target value so that the passive filter alone cannot provide adequate echo cancellation, the control circuit turns on the first and/or second active filters to provide additional echo cancellation. The frequency responses of the active filters are adjustable to accommodate a variety of transmission line impedances. |
| US08045695B2 |
System for determining active copresence of users during interactions
A system is described for determining the active copresence of users during interactions. The system may include a processor, a memory, and an interface. The memory may store a degree of active copresence. The interface may communicate with a user. The processor may identify a primary interaction of the user. The processor may determine whether the user engages in a secondary interaction while the user is engaged in the primary interaction. The processor may determine the degree of active copresence of the user during the primary interaction based on a quality score of the primary interaction and a quality score of the secondary interaction. The degree of active copresence may represent the level of engagement of the user during the primary interaction. The processor may provide the degree of active copresence to the user via the interface. |
| US08045693B2 |
Message reception confirmation method, communications terminal and message reception confirmation system
A message sending device sends a message. A message receiving device generates reception authentication information of the message when receiving the message, and further generates reception confirmation information of the message by using the reception authentication information of the message, to send the reception confirmation information of the message to a reception confirmation information verification device. The reception confirmation information verification device verifies the received reception confirmation information. The message sending device obtains a reception confirmation of the message for the message receiving device based on the verification result. This configuration reduces a processing load in each node as much as possible for confirming whether data to large numbers of nodes under a multihop environment have been received in each node. |
| US08045691B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing routing requests
The invention provides a method and apparatus for communication and provision of routing address information. The prior owner of a called telephone number is referred to herein as a “prior subscriber”. When a number is released by a prior subscriber, it is placed into a database referred to as the “spare pool” which includes available (unsubscribed) telephone numbers. When a caller dials a number that is in the spare pool, the invention intercepts the call and takes any number of possible actions. In one embodiment, the invention automatically forwards the caller to a new number based on a database that stores the new number of the prior subscriber or routes the caller to a message that gives the caller the option (either via a charge or after listening to an advertisement) of being connected to, or being given, the current number of the prior subscriber. |
| US08045690B2 |
Method and system for providing location information associated with a calling party
Systems and methods for providing location information associated with a calling party are disclosed. Generally, a query is received from a network element. A location associated with a calling party is identified in response to receipt of the query, and an indication of the location is transmitted for delivery to a called party. |
| US08045685B2 |
Movable monitoring equipment and remote monitoring and directing system
A remote monitoring and directing system including at least one video camera at the first-aid side to observe the situation of casualty and the operation on the casualty is provided. At least one microphone is disposed at the first-aid side for communicating with the first-aid personnel and directing a clinical operation. At least one medical instrument standard interface is disposed at the first-aid side for transmitting the electrocardiogram or other physiological information. At least one video/audio and data server is disposed at the monitoring side for managing information integration. A plurality of authorized computer systems is set up for conferring with and directing the first-aid station or the ambulance via the Internet, so as to give a direction. A wireless or cable connection is used for the conference between the first-aid side and the monitoring side. |
| US08045677B2 |
Shifting an object for complete trajectories in rotational X-ray imaging
It is described a method for acquiring a series of two-dimensional X-ray attenuation data of an object under examination (310) by means of an X-ray imaging apparatus (100) having a rotatable scanning unit (301). In order to increase the angular range of the scanning unit (301), when a region of interest (HOa) located not in the center of the object (310) is examined the object under examination (310) is shifted such that the region of interest is temporarily positioned outside the center of rotation. By coupling the rotational movement of the scanning unit (301) with the translative movement of the object (310) in a synchronized manner a collision between the scanning unit (301) and the object (310) can be effectively avoided. By employing an automated motorized object table (312) a precise pre-determined movement of the object (310) can be achieved during the data acquisition. By using an appropriate phantom based calibration procedure carried out with the same table movements known three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm can be directly applied in order to generate a three-dimensional representation of the region of interest (110a). |
| US08045676B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus and processing method therefor
A radiation imaging apparatus acquires information on a scattered radiation distribution at each rotation angle preliminarily determined for a rotation unit, based on images respectively obtained from a first radiation detection sensor having no grid, and a second radiation detection sensor having a grid. Then, the radiation imaging apparatus corrects the image obtained from the second radiation detection sensor based on the information on the scattered radiation distribution so as to reduce influence of scattered radiation thereon. Next, the radiation imaging apparatus performs reconstruction processing based on the image corrected by the correction unit. |
| US08045671B2 |
Injection system and associated operating method
A feeding system for an absorber liquid containing a neutron poison, in particular for a quick shut-down of a nuclear reactor, has a storage container for the absorber liquid and is configured for high operational reliability with simple construction. In particular, a chemical decomposition of the absorber liquid or corrosion of the container wall of the storage container is to be excluded. For this purpose, the storage container is connected to a pressure container via an overflow line, wherein the pressure container is filled with a motive fluid. |
| US08045670B2 |
Interpolative all-digital phase locked loop
An embodiment of the present invention provides a phase locked loop that operates on clock signals derived from an RF clock signal generated by the phase locked loop. A frequency reference input provides a reference clock. A controllable oscillator generates the RF clock signal. A phase detection circuit operates on the reference clock to provide digital phase error samples indicative of a phase difference between the reference clock and the RF clock. An interpolator is coupled to the phase detection circuit for performing a sample rate conversion between the reference clock and the clock derived from the RF clock signal. |
| US08045663B2 |
Circuit and method for removing skew in data transmitting/receiving system
A data transmission/reception system can lessen a skew between data and clock signal by substantially reducing a data reception error. The data transmission/reception system using a first clock signal and a second clock signal having a phase difference corresponding to a half of data bit period as compared with the first clock signal includes a skew information extracting unit and a timing control unit. The skew information extracting unit obtains and outputs skew edge information data necessary for a skew removal by sampling data transmitted in a training operating mode as one of the first and second clock signals in a receiving side. The timing control unit receives the skew edge information data through a transmitting side, and compares its phase with a phase of the transmitted data and controls a timing between transmission data and a transmission sampling clock signal applied to a transmission output unit according to the phase comparison result. Time taken in a training operation can be relatively shortened, and circuits of the receiving side can be simplified and power consumption can be relatively reduced. |
| US08045659B2 |
OFDM receiver and its automatic gain control circuit
An OFDM receiver includes: a variable gain amplifier controlling a signal level of an intermediate frequency signal that is obtained from a reception signal by frequency-conversion; and an automatic gain controller controlling a gain of the variable gain amplifier means. The automatic gain controller includes: a clip detector comparing a clip number threshold value with a detected number of transient clips in which a signal level of the intermediate frequency signal exceeds a parameter clip level, so as to detect a period where the detected number exceeds the clip number threshold value; an accumulator accumulating a detection output of the clip detector; and a target value decision circuit to which an accumulation output of the accumulator is supplied. |
| US08045655B2 |
Apparatus and method for signal detection in a cognitive radio-based wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for signal detection in a CR-based wireless communication system are provided. In the signal detection apparatus, a cyclic power calculator calculates the power spectral density of a cyclo-stationary and periodical signal to be detected with respect to a cyclic frequency and calculates optimum statistics using the power spectral density. A signal detector determines whether a signal exists or not according to the optimum statistics. |
| US08045653B2 |
Method and system for controlling a receiver in a digital communication system
Detection method and device for a receiver in a digital communication system designed to process a frame comprising a periodic sub-set of length n, said method comprising the following steps:—determining a first vector u having a length n;—determining a second shifted vector v;—calculating a correlation function between said first and second vectors;—calculating a quadratic error function between said first and second vectors;—calculating a first cost function that is a linear combination of both preceding functions and, according to the sign of the result,—calculating a second cost function of frame beginning estimate; and—starting the communication system receiver. |
| US08045642B2 |
IQ-modulator pre-distortion
An IQ-modulator pre-distorter includes means for pre-distorting each IQ-vector by a 2-dimensional linear transformation that depends on the value of the IQ-vector to be pre-distorted. The transformation is based on polynomials in the I- and Q-components. In a preferred embodiment the transformation is based on a 2×2 dimensional lookup table matrix, the elements (T11, T12, T21, T22) of which are sampled polynomials in the I- and Q-components of the IQ-vector. |
| US08045639B2 |
Method for transmitting data in a MIMO communication system
Provided is a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) data transmission method. A transmitter generates a transmission symbol by adding a parity symbol to a predetermined number of data symbols, generates a preprocessed symbol by multiplying the predetermined number of transmission symbols by a preprocessing matrix in units of blocks, selects a transmission antenna associated with a non-zero transmission symbol among preprocessed transmission symbols constituting the preprocessed symbol, and transmits the preprocessed symbol via the selected transmission antenna. A receiver receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter, estimates a preprocessed symbol and a transmission antenna index from the received signal, and restores the transmission symbols using the estimated preprocessed symbol and transmission antenna index. |
| US08045635B2 |
Inter-symbol interference cancellation method for orthogonal frequency division multiple access system
An inter-symbol interference cancellation method for an orthogonal frequency division multiple access system is provided. The inter-symbol interference cancellation method includes transmitting, at a base station, an OFDMA symbol having a first half part and a second half part divided in time; receiving, at a mobile station, the OFDMA symbol; and restoring the OFDMA symbol by repeating one of the first half part or the second half part. The ISI cancellation method for an OFDMA communication system of the present invention uses an OFDMA symbol having two identical parts sequentially arranged in time, whereby it is possible to recover a transmitted OFDMA symbol if at least one of the two parts is successfully received. |
| US08045634B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in reducing residual phase error in OFDM communication signals
Methods and apparatus for use in reducing residual phase error (RPE) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication signals are described. In at least one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a residual phase error estimator configured to estimate a residual phase error at least partially based on a plurality of phases of a first channel-compensated received signal and a plurality of phases of a sliced version of the first channel-compensated received signal. The residual phase error estimator is configured to correct a channel estimate at least partially based on the residual phase error estimate to thereby generate a corrected channel estimate. The apparatus includes a channel compensator configured to generate a second channel-compensated received signal at least partially based on a received signal and the corrected channel estimate. |
| US08045633B2 |
Estimation of length of channel impulse response
In a receiver for processing OFDM encoded signals, wherein the OFDM encoded digital signals are transmitted by means of a symbol in each of subcarrier frequency channels, with at least some of said subcarriers containing user data symbols, an initial estimate of a channel frequency response is formed from magnitudes of user data symbols received in those subcarriers. Then, a correlation function of a channel impulse response is estimated by performing an inverse Fourier transform on the initial estimate of the channel frequency response, and the length of the channel impulse response is estimated by examining peaks in the estimated correlation function of the channel impulse response. |
| US08045629B1 |
DSL data collection system
Information is sent by a DSL system component using a non-disruptive operational data parameter. One or more bits of the non-disruptive operational data parameter are used to send other information. In some instances the selected parameter will be an unused parameter, such as an unused fast operational mode or interleaved operational mode parameter used to report operational data in a DSL system. In one embodiment of the invention, a remote modem provides a unique equipment identifier that can be paired with the telephone number on which the modem is operating. Verification of and/or searching for the correct pairing of telephone number and unique equipment identifier can be performed as well. |
| US08045627B2 |
Method for reducing the crest factor
The invention relates to a method for reducing the crest factor of a data symbol to be transmitted in a multi-carrier data transmission system, in which the data symbol to be transmitted is a function of a multiplicity of signals provided within a predetermined data frame and each of these signals is allocated to a carrier, each carrier occupying in each case at least one frequency from a transmit data spectrum, at least one carrier being reserved which is not provided for the data transmission and the predetermined data frame exhibiting the data symbol and a prefix which is derived from a part of the data symbol, in which peak values within the prefix are also taken into consideration for reducing the crest factor. |
| US08045623B2 |
Image decoding apparatus
An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set. |
| US08045622B2 |
System and method for generating decoded digital video image data
Methods and systems are disclosed for decoding image data including I-picture, P-picture, and B-picture encoded data. A method includes receiving encoded image data and selectively performing a modified inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) process to generate output pixel array blocks at a lower resolution than the resolution of the received image data. The image data can be 8×8 pixel array blocks, which are used to produce lower resolution pixel array blocks such as, for example, 4×8 or 4×4 pixel array blocks. In certain instances, after the IDCT process is performed, the resulting pixel data is up-sampled before motion compensation is performed. Furthermore, in certain instances, the resulting pixel data is subjected to motion compensation and scaled to display size prior to display. |
| US08045621B2 |
Image coding and decoding method and apparatus considering human visual characteristics
An image coding method and apparatus considering human visual characteristics are provided. The image coding method comprises (a) modeling image quality distribution of an input image in units of scenes such that the quality of an image input in units of scenes is gradually lowered from a region of interest to a background region, (b) determining a quantization parameter of each region constituting one scene according to the result of modeling of image quality distribution, (c) quantizing image data in accordance with the quantization parameter, and (d) coding entropy of the quantized image data. |
| US08045620B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer readable medium
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a vector calculation module, a major vector detection module, and an interpolation frame generation module. The vector calculation module calculates motion vectors of pixel blocks of a frame of moving picture data. The major vector detection module detects as a major vector, motion vectors with the same direction and the same magnitude which have the ratio of the number of the motion vectors with the same direction and the same magnitude to the number of the motion vectors of the frame, the ratio being greater than a predetermined value. The interpolation frame generation module generates an interpolation frame inserted between a processing frame and a preceding frame preceding the processing frame. The motion vector calculation module calculates the motion vectors based on the major vector corresponding to the preceding frame. |
| US08045619B2 |
Motion estimation apparatus and method
A motion estimation apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a block error calculator to calculate a specified block error based on a candidate motion vector previously estimated and spatiotemporarily neighboring on a present block; a motion estimation mode decider to decide a motion estimation mode for the present block to be processed based on the calculated block error; and a motion vector estimator to estimate a last motion vector in the decided motion estimation mode. |
| US08045617B2 |
Image decoding apparatus
An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set. |
| US08045609B2 |
Adaptive equalization employing pattern recognition
In described embodiments, an adaptive equalizer employed by a receiver in a communication channel, such as Fiber Channel, employs pattern recognition. When a repeating pattern, such as an IDLE or ARBFF pattern, is employed by a standard to, for example, maintain a communication link, an equalizer of the receiver might adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of the repeating pattern rather than adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of generally random user data carried on the link. Pattern recognition by the receiver allows for maintaining adaptive equalizer parameters at settings preferred for data detection of the typical random data, improving data detection performance of the receiver when the channel transitions from a preset or synchronization repeating pattern to a user random data pattern. |
| US08045602B2 |
Transceiver apparatus and method having ethernet-over-power and power-over-ethernet capability
A transceiver device for coupling between a power line and a network interface unit includes a power line modem for transmitting and receiving data between the power line and the network interface unit and a power circuit coupled to the power line modem that is adapted to deliver a DC power signal to the network interface unit. The power circuit includes a discovery circuit adapted to determine the type of network interface unit that is attached. A load path control circuit switches the DC power signal between a PHY interface and a connector interface of the power line modem based on the determined type. |
| US08045595B2 |
Self aligned diode fabrication method and self aligned laser diode
A method for fabricating a laser diode comprising providing a laser diode epitaxial structure and depositing a metal layer stack on the epitaxial structure, the stack comprising a contact and sacrificial layer. A ridge is formed in the laser diode epitaxial structure, the stack being the mask forming the ridge. An insulating layer is deposited over the ridge and at least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed. At least a portion of the insulating thin film at the top of the stack is also removed. A pad metal is deposited in electrical contact with the contact and is insulated from the ridge and laser diode epitaxial structures by the insulating layer. |
| US08045588B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing and receiving three-dimensional digital contents
Provided are a method and an apparatus for providing three-dimensional (3D) digital content by using a conventional system for providing two-dimensional (2D) digital content. The method includes generating an elementary stream (ES) regarding first data of 2D digital content, generating an ES regarding second data of 3D digital content, packetizing the ESs of the first data and the second data, and recording) the packetized second data and content information of the second data within header information of multiplexed stream of the packetized first data. |
| US08045586B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting overhead information
A method provided by the present invention for transmitting overhead information, includes dividing and reforming overhead information into at least two overhead parts, inserting the at least two overhead parts into overhead bytes of at least two corresponding data frames, and transmitting the at least two overhead parts via the at least two data frames which are microwave frames. Overhead information transmitting apparatus and overhead information receiving apparatus are also provided by the present invention. With the method and apparatus of the present invention, the channel bandwidth resources occupied by the overhead bytes or each microwave frame are greatly reduced. If the saved channel bandwidth is used for performing the error correction code on the transmitted information, the code gain is improved and the sensitivity requirement on the receiver is reduced so that the cost of a microwave transmitting system is reduced eventually. |
| US08045583B2 |
Communication condition information in a mobile terminal and network of a wireless communication system
A communication system which has a plurality of mobile terminals and a base station, each of the mobile terminals and/or base station comprising a medium access control sub-layer, upper layers of the medium access control sub-layer, and a lower layer of the medium access control sub-layer, wherein the medium access control sub-layer is configured to perform self-basic functions in response to basic function execution requests or functions associated with the upper layers or lower layer in response to requests therefrom. According to the present invention, the communication system can provide a compatible multimedia communication service even if an originating terminal and a terminating terminal employ different communication manners, they are available from different manufacturers or they are operated by different communication service operators. |
| US08045578B2 |
Method for controlling event and reporting status of cable modem and apparatus thereof
Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling an event of a cable modem and reporting a status of the cable modem, the method including: determining whether to periodically allocate a transmission bandwidth of a CM-STATUS message with respect to an event occurrence of the cable modem; setting an event control encoding that includes information regarding whether to periodically allocate the transmission bandwidth; and generating a MAC Domain Descriptor (MDD) message containing the event control encoding to transmit the generated MDD message. |
| US08045576B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage power consumption in wireless local area network devices
Methods and apparatus to manage power consumption in wireless devices are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus comprises performing a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) scan to determine a beacon interval and a first beacon time for a wireless channel, calculating a second beacon time for the wireless channel based on the beacon interval and the first beacon time, and performing a second RSSI scan for the wireless channel during a time interval that includes the calculated second beacon time. In some examples, the wireless channel is a wireless channel that was previously identified as active, is a wireless channel that previously had the highest received power level, and/or is selected from a list of popular or frequently used channels. Additionally or alternatively, when a wireless channel with sufficient signal level is identified, scanning for additional channels is not performed. |
| US08045574B2 |
Contention protocols for wireless medium access in communication networks
Wireless medium access in a communication network having a number of terminals is controlled by defining protocol message units for transmission by a given terminal which units correspond to operational states of at least one of the terminal and the medium. A number of time slots are allocated for transmission of packets from each terminal, and a number of contention opportunities are defined at the beginning of each time slot. Priority and backoff mechanisms are defined and applied at each terminal during the contention opportunities in the slots. Packets are then transmitted by the terminal within the slots while (1) minimizing the occurrence of empty slots at times when packets are available for transmission, and (2) minimizing the number of slots during which two or more packets are detected on the medium simultaneously at the terminal. |
| US08045573B2 |
Bit ordering for packetised serial data transmission on an integrated circuit
An on-chip integrated circuit interconnect 16 uses a serialization technique to divide a transaction to be transmitted into a sequence of transmission packets which are serially transmitted over a narrower connection. The order in which bits of the transaction are allocated to transmission packets is selected such that higher priority bits required by a receiving slave device in order that it can commence processing the transaction are sent first. This reduces the latency of the system. |
| US08045569B1 |
Mechanism to verify packet data network support for internet protocol mobility
An access router includes a wireless network interface, an address assignment module, and an availability module. The wireless network interface establishes a wireless link with a wireless terminal. The address assignment module determines a list of packet data networks for use by the wireless terminal. The availability module determines a mobile internet protocol availability for each packet data network in the list of packet data networks and generates an availability signal based on each mobile internet protocol availability. The address assignment module transmits an address assignment message that includes the availability signal to the wireless terminal. |
| US08045568B2 |
Enterprise mobility
The present invention provides a service node, which extends the services of a carrier's multimedia subsystem (MS), such as an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), to enterprise networks in an efficient and effective manner. As such, MS subscribers gain access to enterprise services in addition to the carrier's services provided via the carrier's circuit switched subsystems (CS) and packet subsystems (PS). The service node acts as a liaison between enterprise application servers and the MS, such that the enterprise application servers appear as MS application servers to the MS. The service node provides user identifier and protocol translation between enterprise and MS user identifiers and protocols, respectively. As such, enterprise application servers can access the MS as well as be accessed by the MS to support user mobility, with continuity of services, between the enterprise and carrier networks. |
| US08045567B2 |
Intermediary network system and method for facilitating message exchange between wireless networks
Network System and Method for facilitating message exchange between mobile subscribers belonging to the same or different public land mobile networks, possibly incorporating different standards. Message exchange between two subscribers of the same or different networks may involve one or more lookups on subscription data, zero or more message transformations, one or more routing decisions including application of costing functions, and, storage and propagation of the message in one or more Core or Intermediary networks. The messages may be of type, among others, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), or EMAIL. |
| US08045562B2 |
Estimating link interference and bandwidth
A carrier sense relationship and an interference relationship between logical links in a shared, broadcast, medium network are determined. Bandwidth for each of the links is estimated based on the carrier sense relationship and the interference relationship. |
| US08045559B2 |
Datagram relaying apparatus with load distributing function
A datagram relaying apparatus includes a plurality of protocol terminating units, and a destination determining processor. The destination determining processor includes a path selecting section which determines a transfer destination route for a stream of packets received from any of the protocol terminating units. The path selecting section determines whether or not transfer of the received stream of packets to the transfer destination route is in an inhibition state, and selects another transfer destination route when the transfer of the packet to the transfer destination route is in the inhibition state. |
| US08045557B1 |
Group communication through broadcast channels
Methods, media, and systems are provided for optimizing the use of broadcast channels for group communication streams on a wireless telecommunications data network. Transmission proxy servers associated with base stations are used to determine whether a broadcast channel or unicast channel is most efficient for transmission of a group communication stream. Transmission proxy servers examine factors such as number of users, movement, duration and bandwidth required to make the channel determination. A contact management server coordinates the authentication across multiple access networks in coordination with the transmission proxy servers. Delivery can be more flexible, higher service levels can be more easily guaranteed, and secure but seamless handoffs are possible utilizing the claimed embodiments. |
| US08045555B2 |
Method and apparatus for tunnel packet optimization
A method and apparatus for tunnel packet optimization is provided. A method for communications node operation where the communications node is at a beginning of a tunnel includes receiving a message from a communications device at an end of the tunnel, processing a packet having a first source address and a first destination address, and encapsulating the packet with an outer header having a second source address and a second destination address, thereby producing a tunnel packet. The message includes a flow label related to the first source address and the first destination address. The method also includes compacting the tunnel packet based on a tunnel optimization (TO) state, and transmitting the tunnel packet towards the second destination address. The second destination address includes an address of the communications device at the end of the tunnel. |
| US08045550B2 |
Packet tunneling
Network devices, systems, and methods are provided for packet processing. One network device includes a network chip having a number of network ports for the device. The network chip includes logic to select original data packets, based on a set of criteria, received from or destined to a particular port on the device and to tunnel the selected data packets to a second network device having a different destination address to that of the selected data packets. |
| US08045544B2 |
Method and system for operating a communication service portal
A method of providing communication service, includes receiving user identification information and first communication service criteria. The user identification information identifies a user, while the first communication service criteria describe a first communication service requested by the user. The method also includes generating a first communication service order based on the first communication service criteria. The first communication service order includes the user identification information and the communication service criteria;The method further includes selecting premise equipment for the user and generating an equipment order, wherein the equipment order includes the user identification information and identifies the selected premise equipment. Additionally, the method includes transmitting the first communication service order to a first service provider and transmitting the equipment order to an equipment provider. |
| US08045543B2 |
Methods and apparatus for supplying alternative contact information in a communication system
A technique for supplying alternative contact information when a communication attempt is unsuccessful is described. The technique comprises receiving an inquiry that includes an indication of an unsuccessful communication attempt and an identifier or address for the target of the failed communication attempt. Next, it is determined whether the identifier or address is associated with a group. If so, a response is generated, the response including one or more other identifiers or addresses associated with the group. Finally, the generated response is transferred in response to the inquiry. |
| US08045536B2 |
Forward error correction scheme for high rate data exchange in a wireless system
A transmitter/receiver system for high data transfer in a wireless communication system includes a physical layer processor that comprises an FEC coder, a demultiplexer and a plurality of modem processors. The FEC coder applies error correction codes to the high data rate signal. Thereafter, the demultiplexer distributes portions of the coded high data rate signal to the modem processors. Each modem processor processes its respective portion of the coded signal for transmission in an independent channel. |
| US08045533B2 |
Arbitrating colocated transceivers associated with different systems
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide arbitration methods, systems and devices which enable a WLAN transceiver (30) and a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver (32) to share the transmission medium. Various arbitration signals (BT, WL, RXIND and PRI) enable the transceivers to indicate a seizure of ownership of the medium as well as to accommodate special arbitration cases, e.g., priority packet transmission/reception. Some arbitration features are hardware programmable to provide design flexibility. |
| US08045532B2 |
Location architecture for large scale networks
In one embodiment, a method includes receive a connection event message including information identifying a wireless node, wherein the identifying information comprises a wireless node identifier and an area code associated with the wireless node; determine, based on the area code, whether the wireless node is connected to its home wireless network region; add the identifying information to a location services table; and if the wireless node is not connected to its home network region, transmit a remote connection event message to a home area code authority server corresponding to the wireless node. |
| US08045529B2 |
Terminal station radio communication device, based station radio communication device, radio communication device, radio communication method, and radio communication program
A terminal station radio communication device belongs to a second radio communication system which shares a frequency channel with a first radio communication system in which a radio terminal station communicates with a radio base station in a predetermined time period using a predetermined frequency channel. The terminal station radio communication device includes: a transmission power determining unit which sets up signal transmission power, the signal transmission power being usable for communications between radio communication devices belonging to the second radio communication system, and being determined such that reception power at the radio base station is below a predetermined threshold; a synchronizer enabling the radio terminal station to obtain timing information to start signal transmission; and a signal transmitter starting transmitting the signal at the timing represented by the timing information and terminating the signal transmission within a predetermined time period. |
| US08045525B1 |
Handover data integrity in a wireless data network
Provided is a method and apparatus for handover data integrity of a mobile station in a wireless data network with a plurality of wireless network service areas. The method and apparatus includes initiation of a handover by a mobile station, identifying at least one target access network (ASN) for handover from a serving ASN that services wireless data communications with the mobile station. When at least one target ASN is identified, receiving a data integrity capability from the at least one target ASN. With the received data integrity capability, determining whether a direct data delivery mode is available as a data integrity mode based upon the received data integrity capability. When the direct data delivery mode is available as a data integrity mode, direct data delivery if performed with the data associated with the service flow from the serving ASN to the at least one target ASN. When the direct data delivery is accomplished, the mobile station handover is completed from the serving ASN to one of the target ASNs. |
| US08045524B2 |
Efficient resource utilization with interlace and/or interlace offset switching
A method for switching group assignment of an access terminal (AT) includes receiving a control message indicating a current group to which the AT is assigned and an assigned group to which the AT is to be switched, and decoding data in a next-received group interlace which corresponds to the assigned group. |
| US08045519B2 |
Scheduling in wireless communication systems
A method in a wireless communication network (100) wherein information is communicated in a frame structure wherein each frame includes multiple sub-frames, including grouping at least two wireless communication terminals in a group, assigning the group to less than all sub-frames constituting a communication frame, and assigning a radio resource assignment control channel of one or more assigned sub-frames to the group. The control channel is used to assign radio resources to one or more terminals of the group. |
| US08045518B2 |
Method of deactivating high-speed downlink operation in CELL—FACH state for a wireless communications system and related apparatus
To avoid degrading the packet transmission performance, a method for improving a determining procedure of stopping a high speed downlink operation corresponding to a CELL_FACH state for a user equipment, also called UE, in the CELL_FACH state in a wireless communications system is provided. The method includes changing a setting of a dedicated variable corresponding to a dedicated HS-DSCH radio network transaction identifier, hereinafter called H-RNTI, from a use state to a close state; and determining that the setting of the dedicated variable and a setting of a common variable corresponding to a common H-RNTI are valid configuration if the setting of the common variable is a close state. |
| US08045517B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using multiple frequency bands
A method for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using multiple frequency bands. The transmission method includes fragmenting a desired transmission Service Data Unit (SDU) in units of Packet Data Units (PDUs); and transmitting the fragmented PDUs over at least two frequency bands among the multiple frequency bands. Each of the multiple frequency bands is supported by a system having backward compatibility with a legacy system. The reception method includes decrypting a wireless resource (MAP) allocated separately for each of the frequency bands to extract fragment information therefrom; and receiving PDUs over the frequency bands separately, and restoring the SDU according to fragment information corresponding to the corresponding frequency band. |
| US08045512B2 |
Scalable frequency band operation in wireless communication systems
To support mobile stations that are not capable of demodulating the entire bandwidth or that can be made to demodulate less than the entire bandwidth, a system, apparatus and method are provided to schedule users on less than all of the bandwidth. Further, certain users can be scheduled on more of the bandwidth than others. |
| US08045511B2 |
Method and apparatus for collaborative sensing based on an allowed error range of a sensor in a wireless sensor node
A method and an apparatus for transmitting sensor data by using AER sensing and collaborative sensing in order to increase the energy efficiency in a wireless sensor network. The method includes calculating an AER for each of said at least one sensor using sensor data measured from said at least one sensor and sensor profile information corresponding to said at least one sensor, and determining sensor data to be transmitted to a higher node from among sensor data provided by the sensor module based on the AER. |
| US08045510B2 |
Method for paginating a document structure of a document for viewing on a mobile communication device
A process for transmitting a document from a server to a mobile device on a per page basis, comprising building a graph structure within the server representing a map of the document, transmitting a page size limit from the mobile device to the server indicative of the size of a single page of the document to be displayed by the mobile device, traversing and paginating the graph structure into successive pages based on the page size limit, caching the pages within the server, and transmitting the successive pages from the server to said the mobile device for display by said the mobile device. |
| US08045508B2 |
Rank feedback method for multiple-input multiple-output transmission
A method for transmitting a plurality of control information through a PUCCH or a PUSCH is disclosed. The method includes transmitting first control information, and transmitting second control information. The transmission of the first control information and the transmission of the second control information are performed in units of one subframe and are performed once per predetermined period, respectively. In a subframe in which the transmission of the second control information is to be simultaneously performed with the transmission of the first control information, the second control information is excluded for transmission or the first and the second information are simultaneously transmitted, according to the configuration of a closed-loop system or an open-loop system. |
| US08045507B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing uplink data by DRX-mode terminal in mobile telecommunication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data by a terminal performing a DRX operation in a mobile telecommunication system. According to the method and apparatus, when a UE transmits the uplink data, the UE variably controls given active and sleep periods in consideration of whether or not retransmission for the uplink data is performed, thereby more flexibly operating in the DRX mode. |
| US08045500B2 |
Communication system and method for transmitting signals to a plurality of different types of receivers
A communication system and method of communicating signals to a plurality of different types of receivers is provided. The communication system includes at least one transmitter that transmits high priority and low priority signals as a single frequency network. At least one satellite receives and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. At least one terrestrial repeater is in communication with the at least one transmitter, and receives from the at least one transmitter and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. A plurality of receivers includes at least a first receiver configured to process the high priority signal to emit an output signal based upon the high priority signal, and a second receiver configured to process the high priority and low priority signals to emit an output signal based upon the high priority and low priority signals. |
| US08045497B2 |
Method of allocating wireless resource for space division multiple access communication and wireless resource allocation system of enabling the method
A system for allocating a wireless resource for a Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) communication is provided. The system for allocating the wireless resource for the SDMA communication includes: a channel state recognition unit to recognize a channel state of wireless channels generated among adjacent nodes including a source node, a relay node, and a destination node; and a wireless resource allocation unit to control at least one of an amount of channel state information fed back from the destination node to the source node, and a relay level of a relay signal, the relay signal being generated by relaying a source signal transmitted from the source node, according to the channel state. |
| US08045496B2 |
Wireless communication systems
A wireless communication method in a system in which subscriber stations are each operable for communication with a base station is provided. The base station is capable of performing simultaneous communications with a plurality of the subscriber stations simultaneously by exchange of packets each conforming with a layered protocol of said system. The packets include a first portion for defining physical layer (PHY) parameters and a second portion for defining media access layer (MAC) parameters. Furthermore, communications between the subscriber stations and the base station are performed wholly or partly through at least one relay station. In this system, the method includes, in the relay station, receiving a plurality of packets from the subscriber stations, detecting the second portion of each of the packets, combining the detected second portions to form a second portion of at least one new packet, and transmitting the new packet to the base station. |
| US08045495B2 |
Apparatus and method for resource allocation for multicast data in broadband wireless access system
Provided is an apparatus and method for resource allocation for multicast data in a broadband wireless access system. In the method, multicast packets are scheduled. Thereafter, a resource allocation message for the scheduled multicast packets divided into a second multicast resource allocation message including information of a user group using a multicast ID and a first multicast resource allocation message including information transmitted in common to users of the user group, and the corresponding message including changed information is transmitted for a change of information. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a waste of resource that is due to the duplicate transmission of some fields of resource allocation information about multicast data. |
| US08045493B2 |
Mechanisms to extend UMA or GAN to inter-work with UMTS core network
A network controller operates in an unlicensed wireless communication system including a first radio access network. The network controller includes a Up interface for communicating with a mobile station and an IP network interface. The network controller includes a network interface for connecting the network controller to a UMTS core network that is accessible to a second radio access network that includes a UTRAN. The network interface includes an Iu-CS interface to communicate with a MSC in the UMTS core network. The network interface supports signaling protocols for circuit-switched services while inter-working with the UMTS core network via the Iu-CS interface using a layered protocol that includes a RANAP layer over a SCCP layer and several Iu-CS control plane lower layers. The network controller includes modules for generating and/or processing messages transmitted over the network interface. The network controller appears to the UMTS core network as a UTRAN RNC. |
| US08045490B1 |
Voice over internet call center integration
An internet telephony system (ITS) comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, communicating with a server, retrieving a user's preferences, and initiating a voice communication with the user, through a communications channel defined by the user preferences. An ITS comprising a client system having an Internet browser, and a server hosting a Web site, wherein a message is transmitted from the server to the client system based on the user's status with respect to Web site, the user seeking to establish a voice communication session. A telephony server, comprising an application program communicating directly with telephony hardware, and an application programming interface, wherein the application program includes a call function to an external program. An ITS, comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, the hyperlink communicating with a server, retrieving a user-related data, and initiating a voice communication with the user, wherein the user is charged for the communication. |
| US08045488B2 |
Using spanning tree protocol (STP) to enhance layer-2 network topology maps
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) data is obtained via network switch (SNMP) queries to enhance identification of switch-to-switch links in Layer-2 mapping. In particular, by analyzing the STP data, ambiguity in determining switch uplink ports may be reduced. Specifically, the STP data can be used in conjunction with other topography data to provide Layer-2 connectivity for nodes on a network topology. Layer-2 address mapping tables are collected from a topology mapping, and STP data is collected, along with address translation tables (ARP) tables. Using this information, switches are identified using Layer-2 address tables. The STP data can be correlated by comparing data in switches, identifying switch ports directly connected to other switch ports, and eliminating direct switch-to-switch port connections from consideration for further Layer-2 node mappings. |
| US08045487B2 |
Method for implementing multicast in rapid spanning tree protocol ring network
The present invention discloses a method for implementing multicast in RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) ring network. In the method, the port mode of a program is configured to a fixed port mode, a root port binding mode or an upper layer querier port following mode; a multicast module on access equipment traverses a program table on receiving a root port switching message, updates the corresponding port of each program whose mode is configured to the root port binding mode as the changed root port; or on receiving an IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) QUERY packet from a port which is different from a recorded global querier port, the multicast module updates the global querier port as the port receiving the IGMP QUERY packet, traverses the program table, and updates the corresponding port of each program whose mode is configured to the upper layer querier port following mode as the port receiving the IGMP QUERY packet. |
| US08045486B2 |
Discovery and visualization of active directory domain controllers in topological network maps
Active directory (AD) Domain Controllers (DC) discovery includes determining the topology of the network, such as the nodes and connections in the network. For example, synthetic data may be transferred within the network and traced to determine the presence and relationships of the various network components. Alternatively, other mapping techniques are based upon mapping a known set of nodes to determine the relationship of the nodes. Next, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) commands are forwarded to the various nodes to identify the AD DC within a range of IP addresses discovered during the mapping of to the topology of the network. |
| US08045484B2 |
Method for problematic user detection
A method for problematic station detection featuring problematic station detection algorithm based on calculating the amount of time a station is wasting. |
| US08045482B2 |
Location tracking based on proximity-based ad hoc network
A system and method is described for constructing a proximity-based ad hoc network among a plurality of sensors and for using such a network to perform location tracking. The system and method uses time-coded data received from each of the sensors to determine a current proximity of each of the sensors to one or more beacons. Then, by leveraging information relating to the effective transmission ranges of the beacons, the system and method determines the relative location of each of the plurality of sensors with respect to other sensors within the plurality of sensors. Where actual (as opposed to relative) location information is available for a particular sensor, it can be used to generate or augment location information associated with other sensors known to be spatially and temporally proximate to the particular sensor. The current location information for each of the sensors is then used in providing location-based services. |
| US08045481B2 |
System and method for supporting virtualized links at an exterior network-to-network interface
The present invention provides systems and methods for abstracting a network topology into virtual links and supporting both generic and instantiated virtualized links for linking a virtualized topology with actual resources within a domain, providing security over network topology information, providing control over the allocation of resources, and reducing the complexity of advertising. |
| US08045480B2 |
Intelligent provisioning of DSP channels for codec changes
A communication system in which a profile of codecs is loaded at the originating end. The originating end sends the profile of codecs to the terminating end and receives in return an indication of which codec to use. The originating end and the terminating end create a reduced profile that includes the codec identified by the terminating side and its peers. The peers are codecs that use the same amount of resources as the selected codec or that use less resources than the selected codec. Even though the reduced profile includes more than one codec, packets are coded and decoded using only the codec identified by a bit map that is available to the DSP channel at both the originating end and the terminating end. At a later time a change can be made to a different codec in the reduced profile by changing the bitmap and without closing and re-opening the channel. |
| US08045478B2 |
Performance measurement in a packet transmission network
A data packet transmission network comprises a stream of packets of data sent by a first terminal passes in transit through at least one network equipment with which there is associated a stream measurement unit; wherein the first terminal and the measurement unit are connected to a collection unit. The measurement method comprising the following steps: the first terminal sends a specific stream of packets, each having a different determined size, the sizes being such that in a set of r packets, r being a positive integer less than or equal to the number of packets of the stream, there are not any two subsets of the set of r packets comprising the same number of packets and having the same cumulative total size; the measurement unit analyzes at least one packet and at most r packets of the stream passing in transit through the network equipment. |
| US08045471B2 |
Method and apparatus to inspect wireless traffic and mitigate packet elimination for wireless saturation avoidance
A method for controlling packet flow in a packet transmission network. The method includes determining a parameter representative of packet congestion on the network, and adjusting a flow of packets onto the network in accordance with such parameter. The adjusting is a function of the time history of the parameter and the time average of such parameter relative to predetermined threshold levels. The adjusting selects one of a plurality of states, transitions between the states being a function of the time history of the parameter and the time average of such parameter relative to predetermined threshold levels. |
| US08045470B2 |
Method and monitoring system for sample-analysis of data comprising a multitute of data packets
The invention is related to a method and a monitoring system for sample-analysis of data comprising a multitude of data packets. Defined parent population numbers (N) of data packets are sampled by an out of N sampling and classified or vice versa. Classification is done by classification rules to create sample-flow-groups of specific flows. Each sample-flow-group consists of a sample-flow-quantity of data packets having a sample-flow-size. According to the invention in each sample-flow-group sample-flow-variances and sample-flow ratios defined by the sample-flow-quantity in proportion to the sample number (n) are determined. Furthermore, an estimated flow size defined by an estimated sum of data sizes of data packages in a flow of the parent population number of data packets and its variance are calculated. For the calculation the parent population number, the sample number and at least one of the sample-flow-ratios, the sample-flow-mean-sizes and the sample-flow-variances are used, comprising the step of determination of at least one of parent population flow-ratios parent population flow-mean-sizes and parent population flow-variances for each flow in the parent population number of data packets. |
| US08045464B1 |
SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior profiling method
With the widespread adoption of SIP-based VoIP, understanding the characteristics of SIP traffic behavior is critical to problem diagnosis and security protection of VoIP services. A general methodology is provided for profiling SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior at several levels: SIP server host, server entity (e.g., registrar and call proxy) and individual user levels. Using SIP traffic traces captured in a production VoIP network, the characteristics of SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior in an operational environment is illustrated and the effectiveness of the general profiling methodology is demonstrated. In particular, the profiling methodology identifies anomalies due to performance problems and/or implementation flaws through a case study. The efficacy of the methodology in detecting potential VoIP attacks is also demonstrated through a test bed experimentation. |
| US08045462B2 |
Partitioning communication system
A system and method for communicating data between two nodes defines a plurality of separate partitions on each node and assigns one or more subjects to at least one of the plurality of the separate partitions. The subjects in each node communicate data with each other over one or more channels. For communicating the data, the present invention separates data communications on a channel from that of other channels. More specifically, each node runs under the control of a separation kernel (SK) that partitions the nodes to define the subjects according to an SK configuration data. A partitioning communication system (PCS) separates the communications channels according to a PCS configuration data. |
| US08045460B2 |
Detection of routing loops based on time-to-live expiries
A method and system for detecting routing loops and time-to-live (TTL) expiry attacks in a telecommunications network are disclosed. The detection of routing loops and TTL expiry attacks can be achieved based on the comparison of TTL expiries occurring on two or more routers in the network. A quantity of TTL expiries associated with a router can be summed. Additionally, a quantity of TTL expiries associated with other routers that are operatively coupled to the router can be summed. A difference between the sums can be calculated and a determination of whether a routing loop exists can be made in response to the difference. |
| US08045457B1 |
Dropping packets to prevent unauthorized data transfer through multimedia tunnels
Intentionally dropping packets to prevent unauthorized transfer of data through multimedia tunnels is disclosed. A stream of media transport protocol packets is received. One or more packets are dropped intentionally from the stream to render unusable at the destination a file or other data transported through the multimedia tunnel without authorization. |