| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08047112B2 |
Hole-piercing punch
The pivoting shaft of a handle member has an axial center position in a support platform that is substantially fixed, and the position with respect to the handle member is to be displaceable. Furthermore, as for a support shaft, the position in the handle member is fixed, and the axial center of the pivoting shaft is positioned near a perpendicular bisector of a segment connecting both ends of a support shaft-guiding hole. |
| US08047111B2 |
Miter saw having angle adjustment mechanism
A miter saw including a base, a turntable, a support section extending from the turntable, and a circular saw unit supported to the support section. An adjustment mechanism is provided between the base and the turntable for performing fine-adjustment to the rotation angle of the turntable relative to the base. The adjustment mechanism is located at a front side of the turntable, and a digital display is provided near the adjustment mechanism for displaying the rotation angle. |
| US08047108B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method
A sheet processing apparatus comprises a first conveyer roller pair arranged at the upstream side of a sheet conveyance route and a second conveyer roller pair arranged at the downstream side of the sheet conveyance route so as to convey a sheet of paper from the upstream side to the downstream side. Additionally, a punching unit is arranged between the first conveyer roller pair and the second conveyer roller pair. The second conveyer roller pair is made to operate as a slipping roller after the time when the leading end of the sheet of paper being conveyed passes the first conveyer roller pair and a stopper is made to appear at a position downstream relative to the second conveyer roller pair so as to make the leading end of the sheet of paper abut the stopper in order correct the skew, if any, of the sheet of paper. |
| US08047106B2 |
Wood working lathe
A wood working lathe includes a granite lathe bed including a guiding rail extending thereon longitudinally and an opening vertically formed through an end thereof, with the opening in communication with the guiding rail. A driving unit is installed to the lathe bed. A granite fixed stock is disposed on the end of the lathe bed relative to the opening of the lathe bed and includes a driven unit inserted therethrough axially and a compartment formed therein and in communication with the driven unit. The driving unit drives the driven unit to turn through the compartment. A granite foot stock is slidably installed on another end of the lathe bed and includes a positioned member for selectively fixing the foot stock to the lathe bed and a feeding device. An axis of the feeding device is coaxial with an axis of the driven unit, with cooperation of the driven unit and the feeding device adapted for clamping works to be turned. |
| US08047105B2 |
Machining tool and machining method
A machining tool of the present invention is used for finishing an end face having an arcuate cross section on a machined portion of a workpiece. A machining tool 30 has a tool body 31 and a cutting portion 32 provided integrally on a tip of the tool body 31. The cutting portion 32 is formed in substantially semispherical shape, and has a substantially spherical flank 33 and a substantially flat rake 35 joined to the flank 33 via an arcuate cutting edge 34. In the state that the cutting edge 34 abuts the arcuate end face of the rotated workpiece, the arcuate end face is finished using the machining tool 30 by varying the position of the cutting edge 34 abutting the arcuate end face in a circumferential direction. |
| US08047098B2 |
Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same
A steering wheel includes a rim that is rotatable around a steering shaft. The rim includes an armature; a first rim portion surrounding the armature; and a second rim portion, covering part of the surface of the first rim portion. A method of manufacturing a steering wheel includes providing an armature; injection molding a first rim portion such that the it surrounds the armature; injection molding a second rim portion; and attaching the first and second rim portions such that the second rim portion covers part of the surface of the first rim portion. |
| US08047091B2 |
Method for controlling an automatic vehicle transmission in order to reduce back-and-forth shifting
A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having clutches controlled by an electronic control unit. A transmission rotational speed in an initial transmission stage is determined. If a first transmission shifting rotational speed is reached, the transmission is shifted from the initial transmission stage to a target transmission stage. A target transmission rotational speed of the target transmission stage is then ascertained. A difference is next ascertained between the target transmission rotational speed and a second shifting transmission rotational speed. An initial counter value, of a counter, is determined, which depends on the transmission rotational speed difference. The counter is next caused to carry out counting, from the initial counter value, as time progresses. If and when the counter value reaches zero, the transmission is shifted from the target transmission stage toward the initial transmission stage. |
| US08047089B2 |
Device for the optical measurement of a printed sheet and method for operating the device
A device for the optical measurement of a printed sheet includes a measurement table with a displaceable measurement head. The measurement head is cleaned in a fully automatic or at least semi-automatic manner through the use of a cleaning device of the measurement table. A method for operating the device is also provided. |
| US08047087B2 |
Level sensor mounting
A method for fixing a fuel level sensor in a fuel tank having an upper and a lower wall, the sensor having a foot and a top. The method fixedly secures the foot of the sensor to the bottom wall of the fuel tank through a molded-in retainer, and elastically fixes the tubular top of the sensor to the top wall of the tank through a molded-in retainer as well. |
| US08047086B2 |
Method and apparatus for stripping a contact-limiting element from a pipette probe
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step. |
| US08047085B2 |
Force monitoring methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus (7) for monitoring the tension (17) and pinch force (19) associated with the contact of angled stub rollers (91) with a glass ribbon (23) are provided. The apparatus (7) includes a support member (39) which supports the shaft (13) of the stub roller (91). The support member (39) undergoes linear displacement (45) in response to tension (17) in the glass ribbon (23) and rotation (59) in response to a pinch force (19). The linear displacement (45) and rotation (59) are detected and converted to force values by a calibration procedure. By monitoring these forces, glass attributes such as residual stress can be improved which is of importance in glass sheets used in such applications as the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. |
| US08047084B2 |
Torque-index sensor
A torque-index sensor having index sensor and torque sensor closely arranged and integrated therein with lightened interference between them is provided. The invented torque-index sensor is comprised of torque sensor that includes first magnetic sensor arranged beside first annular-shaped magnet and index sensor that includes second magnet arranged beside annular-shaped encoder and second magnetic sensor that are arranged being in-line on common axis; and means for varying magnetic flux, which changes direction of magnetic flux that is generated from second magnet toward first magnetic sensor, positioned between first magnetic sensor in torque sensor and second magnet in index sensor. |
| US08047077B2 |
Surface acoustic wave sensor and sensing method using surface acoustic wave
A surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) sensor includes; a first signal generator which generates a first signal having a predetermined frequency bandwidth using a pseudo random sequence, a second signal generator which generates a second signal with a predetermined frequency, a signal blender which blends the first signal with the second signal to generate a blended signal having the predetermined frequency bandwidth with the predetermined frequency as a center frequency, a wave generator which generates a surface acoustic wave using the blended signal, which converts the surface acoustic wave into a third signal after the surface acoustic wave travels a predetermined distance, and which outputs the third signal, and a signal detector which detects a change in the third signal from the wave generator to sense a substance bound to the wave generator. |
| US08047076B2 |
Acceleration sensor and method of fabricating it
Provided is an acceleration sensor that has high detection sensitivity and that can enhance production efficiency. The acceleration sensor has: a ceramic substrate made of Al2O3; a ferroelectric layer formed in a predetermined area on the ceramic substrate by screen printing, the ferroelectric layer being made of BaTiO3; a proof mass disposed so as to face the ferroelectric layer, the proof mass being formed at a predetermined distance d from the ferroelectric layer; and a first electrode and a second electrode that are formed on that side of the proof mass which faces the ferroelectric layer, so as to be fixed thereto. The first electrode and the second electrode are each formed in the shape of comb teeth, and comb tooth portions and thereof are arranged in an alternating manner. |
| US08047072B2 |
Plastic water meter with metal threads
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to flow meters and more particularly to improved plastic water flow meters for commercial or residential use. In various embodiments, a plastic water meter is provided that may include metal threads for connecting the water meter to a water system. In particular, the plastic water meter may include at least one spud that is shaped to receive and engage a plastic spud insert, in which the plastic spud insert may include a metal ring with a threaded outer surface. The plastic spud insert may include an annular lip portion extending outwardly to discourage removal of the metal ring when the spud insert is engaged with the water meter. Furthermore, the plastic spud insert and the inner surface of the metal ring may have complementary circumferential profiles to discourage relative rotation between the metal ring and the spud insert. |
| US08047070B2 |
Fast response projectile roll estimator
An apparatus and method for estimating a roll angle of a projectile may include a measurement unit outputting roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate signals indicative of rotation rates about substantially orthogonal roll, yaw, and pitch axes, the roll axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the projectile. A controller may sample the roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate signals to obtain time sequential roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate samples; calculate time sequential cumulative roll estimates by summing the roll rate samples; calculate time sequential gravity vector estimates from the corresponding yaw rate and pitch rate samples; de-roll each gravity vector estimate based on the corresponding cumulative roll estimate; filter the de-rolled gravity vector estimates to determine a filtered initial roll estimate; and add the filtered initial roll estimate to the current cumulative roll estimate to provide a current roll angle estimate. |
| US08047065B2 |
Diagnostic system for valve actuation camshaft driven component compensation
A diagnostic system and method for operating the same includes a pressure monitoring module generating a diagnostic pressure signal and a camshaft driven engine component correction module generating an engine component oil pressure correction signal and generating a corrected diagnostic pressure signal based on the diagnostic pressure signal and the engine component oil pressure signal. The system further includes a diagnostic module generating a failed variable valve lift mechanism signal based on the corrected diagnostic pressure signal. |
| US08047056B2 |
Moisture vapor probe
One embodiment of the invention comprises a moisture vapor probe comprising a hollow sleeve and a removable electronics module. The probe has a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve having a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve comprises a sensor plate having a moisture vapor sensor and forming a water impermeable barrier with the sidewall. The sleeve has an opening such that a volume is defined by the opening, the sidewall and the sensor plate. The probe further comprises an electronics module removably disposable within the sleeve. The electronics module includes an information transfer unit. The information transfer unit in communication with the moisture vapor sensor and adapted to receive relative humidity information from the moisture vapor sensor. |
| US08047055B2 |
Size segregated aerosol mass concentration measurement with inlet conditioners and multiple detectors
A system for measuring size segregated mass concentration of an aerosol. The system includes an electromagnetic radiation source with beam-shaping optics for generation of a beam of electromagnetic radiation, an inlet sample conditioner with adjustable cut-size that selects particles of a specific size range, and an inlet nozzle for passage of an aerosol flow stream. The aerosol flow stream contains particles intersecting the beam of electromagnetic radiation to define an interrogation volume, and scatters the electromagnetic radiation from the interrogation volume. The system also includes a detector for detection of the scattered electromagnetic radiation an integrated signal conditioner coupled to the detector and generating a photometric output, and a processor coupled with the conditioner for conversion of the photometric output and cut-size to a size segregated mass distribution. |
| US08047051B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor with a high temperature electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector incorporates a ceramic connector body having a pair of opposing ceramic body portions which each house a plurality of conductive terminals. The body portions are in pivoting engagement and fixed in a connector body retainer which also enables their pivoting, hinged movement. The pivoting engagement permits the ceramic body portions and terminals to hinge open to receive a gas sensor with a low insertion force and a hinge closed to provide the desired contact force. |
| US08047046B2 |
Systems and method for monitoring urea level
A sensor diagnostic system comprises first, second, and third dosing agent sensors and a control module. The first, second, and third dosing agent sensors indicate whether a dosing agent is present at first, second, and third volumetric levels of a dosing agent tank, respectively. The second volumetric level is greater than the first volumetric level and the third volumetric level is greater than the second volumetric level. The control module selectively diagnoses a sensor fault in at least one of the first, second, and third dosing agent sensors based on the indications of the first, second, and third dosing agent sensors. |
| US08047044B2 |
Method of manufacturing a contact cooling device
A high performance cold plate cooling device including multiple, relatively thin plates, each having patterns formed thereon that, as arranged within the device, cause turbulence in a fluid passing within the cooling device. Adjacent plates within the cooling device are arranged such that fluid channels within their patterns are arranged crosswise. One or more barriers extending at least a portion of the length of the device separate the crosswise channels into two or more flow sections and increase uniformity of thermal performance over the active plate area. Manufacturing of the device includes stacking the plates in an alternating fashion such that the channels within the pattern of each plate are crosswise with respect to the channels in the pattern of an adjacent plate and adjacent barrier walls abut. A method of manufacturing a cooling device is also provided. |
| US08047037B2 |
Shaping tool
The invention relates to a shaping tool which is used to shape a workpiece, in particular, a sheet steel component, comprising at least two shaping tool halves. Contoured regions are provided in the region of the shaping tool halves in order to give the workpiece a corresponding contour, at least in sections. Each shaping tool half has a shaping surface shell which is oriented towards the workpiece and a support shaping half. The shaping surface shell is arranged on the support shaping half and comprises a shaping surface, which is oriented towards the workpiece, and a rear side which is oriented away from the workpiece. The support shaping half comprises a contoured area which essentially corresponds to the contour of the workpiece which is to be produced and the contoured area is surrounded by a flange area. Grooves are provided in the contoured area in the region of the rear side of the shaping surface shell. The support shaping half comprises receiving surfaces which receive the support shaping half in a positive fit and the receiving surfaces and the grooves form cooling channels. The support shaping half comprises supply channels and discharge channels such that a coolant can be guided through the channels. |
| US08047032B1 |
Combination lock with two dial plates
A combination lock includes an outer case with an inner case received therein and the outer case has a chamber which communicates with a passage in which a latch is received. A spring is mounted to the latch and provides a force to move the latch in a direction away from the chamber. A front unit having two disks is located in the first chamber and a rear unit having two disks is located in the second chamber. The two disks of the front unit drive each other and the two disks of the rear unit drive each other. A first dial plate drives one of the disks of the front unit and a second dial plate drives one of the disks of the rear unit. When the notches are in alignment with each other, the end piece of the latch can pass through the notches and the lock is unlocked. |
| US08047028B2 |
Steering shaft lock actuator
A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized. |
| US08047025B2 |
Tub for washing machine
A tub (1) for a clothes washing-machine, in particular of the domestic type which houses a rotating drum (2) within which the washing load is placed, said washing tub (1) consisting of a peripheral cylindrical housing formed by a tub front section (3) and a tub rear section (4) which are joined at their respective plastic material edges (31, 41), enclosing the drum (2) in their interior, by the fusion welding of the plastic materials of said edges (31, 41), forming a weld bead (5a, 5b) between the tub front section (3) and the tub rear section (4) where the edges (31, 41) are joined by at least two joining lines (51, 52, 53, 54), forming at least one chamber (6, 61) between the edges (31, 41) along at least part of the weld bead (5a, 5b). |
| US08047024B2 |
Control and wash cycle for activation and deactivation of chemistry in the wash bath of an automatic washer
A control for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle determined based upon various soils and stains in the substrate load to be washed with a wash liquor in a wash zone of the washer. The control has a plurality of stain/soil type entrées, which can be at least one of selected and detected, and cleaned with a particular wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least one wash liquor additive. The control has operational control over activators and deactivators for members of the additives group. The control has operational control over the particular wash cycles using the dispensing control to dispense additives to the wash liquor at selected times during the wash cycle and operating the activators and deactivators at selected times during the wash cycle. |
| US08047022B2 |
Apparatus for opening and closing molds in a glassware forming machine
Apparatus for opening and closing mold arms in a glassware forming machine includes a gearbox for mounting on a glassware machine frame, a cylinder housing suspended beneath the gearbox, and a mold open/close cylinder disposed within the cylinder housing. The cylinder has a mold open/close piston with an extending piston rod and a gear rack machined or otherwise formed in the piston rod. A first drive gear in the cylinder housing is coupled to the gear rack and a drive shaft extends from the first drive gear and the cylinder housing into the gearbox. A second drive gear is disposed in the gearbox and coupled to the drive shaft. Laterally spaced operating shafts extend upwardly from within the gearbox. Means including an idler gear couple the second drive gear to the operating shafts such that the operating shafts are rotated simultaneously in opposite directions by the cylinder, the gear rack, the first and second drive gears and the idler gear. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the means include driven gears or connecting links coupling the second drive gear and the idler gear to the operating shafts. Linkages couple the operating shafts to the mold arms of the glassware forming machine. |
| US08047021B2 |
Lithium silicate materials
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength. |
| US08047019B1 |
Attachment to convert a brooch to a pendant
An attachment for a brooch enabling said brooch to be suspended by a necklace as a pendant. The attachment comprises a body, a head, and a tail. The body contains multiple pin holes one of which encases the pin of the brooch. After the width is adjusted, said body lies adjacent to the hinge and the locking device of the pin. The proximity of said body to said devices as well as said body's thickness prevents said devices from contacting the wearer. The head, which houses the necklace hole, is of sufficient thickness that it creates a protective space between any sharp projections on the back of said brooch and the wearer above the pin. The tail, after adjustment, covers sharp projections below the pin. The attachment will protect the wearer from injury, make the brooch comfortable to wear, and display the brooch in a cosmetic manner. |
| US08047016B2 |
Indoor unit of air conditioner
Disclosed is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, in which discharge units respectively provided on upper and lower portions of the indoor unit have an improved discharge structure such that the discharge units are interchangeable, to increase cooling efficiency regardless of installation position of the indoor unit. The indoor unit includes a cabinet; a first discharge unit being detachably provided on the cabinet and configured to discharge air in a forward direction; and a second discharge unit separated from the first discharge unit, being detachably provided on the cabinet and configured to discharge air in the oblique direction, the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit being interchangeable according to a height of a position at which the cabinet is installed. The indoor unit of the air conditioner sets the optimum direction of discharged air, thus increasing the cooling efficiency of an indoor space. |
| US08047013B2 |
Outdoor unit of air conditioner
To improve operation efficiency and safety at the time of trial run after installation and inspection, an outdoor unit includes a casing, a box provided within the casing, a main control board which is disposed along a perpendicular direction within the casing and at least on a forward side and a deep side such that they overlap each other, a fan motor driving board and a noise filter board, wherein the main control board is provided to be rotatable to the forward side with its bottom side as a fulcrum point. |
| US08047011B2 |
Refrigeration system
In concurrent operation of performing a refrigeration cycle in which an outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a condenser, and at least one of a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (31, 41, 51) functions as a condenser, pressure difference ΔP1 between a high pressure refrigerant an a refrigerant in a liquid pipe (15) is detected, and the degree of opening of an outdoor expansion valve (23) is adjusted so that the pressure difference ΔP1 becomes larger than a predetermined target value. |
| US08047010B2 |
Apparatus and method for cooling liquid in intravascular cooling system
A portable apparatus and method for providing a cooled liquid for vascular administration are disclosed. The portable apparatus includes a source of liquid for vascular administration, a cooling reservoir for receiving liquid from the source, and a sorption-based heat exchanger for cooling liquid in the cooling reservoir by a sorption-based process. The heat exchanger may include an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant, a sorptive material for sorping vaporized refrigerant, and a heat exchange member for conducting thermal energy from liquid in the cooling reservoir into the evaporative area. Additional componentry may be provided for fluidly interconnecting and controlling the flow of liquid from the source to the cooling reservoir and from the cooling reservoir to a vascular interface device. Such componentry may be conveniently packaged in a sterilized manner together with at least the cooling reservoir. |
| US08047009B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing additive fluids to refrigerant circuit
A refrigerant additive supply device can include an outer rigid container, an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant, a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag, an actuator operably coupled to the valve, and a propellant sealed within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08047008B2 |
Replaceable orifice for combustion tuning and related method
A combustor assembly having a transition piece and at least one orifice assembly in the transition piece, the orifice assembly comprising: a boss having an outside periphery and an inside periphery, the inside periphery including an annular seat and an upstanding flange formed with an annular, inwardly facing retaining ring groove, the boss fixed within an opening in the transition piece; an orifice plate having a bottom surface that is adapted to be received on the annular seat; and a retaining ring located in the retaining ring groove and at least partially engaged with the orifice plate. |
| US08047003B2 |
Combustor, gas turbine combustor, and air supply method for same
A combustor comprises a liquid fuel nozzle for injecting liquid fuel to a combustion chamber, and an air supply nozzle disposed around the liquid fuel nozzle and injecting air. The air supply nozzle is disposed such that air is injected from the air supply nozzle in a direction toward an axis of the liquid fuel nozzle. A space is formed around an outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle, through which the liquid fuel is injected from the liquid fuel nozzle to the combustion chamber, upstream of a distal end of the outlet in a direction in which the liquid fuel is injected. Carbonaceous deposits on surrounding surfaces of the outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle can be suppressed regardless of the operating conditions of a combustor. |
| US08047000B2 |
Gas turbine combustion chamber
The invention relates to a gas turbine combustion chamber with a combustion chamber wall 1, with at least part of the combustion chamber wall 1 being provided with a liquid-cooling system. |
| US08046997B2 |
External spring supercharger bypass valve
A screw compressor type supercharger includes an improved supercharger bypass valve including a spring biasing the bypass valve towards an open position. The spring may be a compression spring integrated into a bypass valve diaphragm, an extension spring extending parallel to a diaphragm arm, or a torsion spring on a bypass valve butterfly shaft. The spring is selected and installed to hold the bypass valve open at all vacuum levels and at up to one PSI of boost, and then to allow the bypass to close between one PSI and six PSI boost, and to be closed at above six PSI boost. The resulting control of the bypass valve prevents damage to the supercharger. |
| US08046991B2 |
System for selectively routing transmission fluid to a torque converter
A torque converter coupled to a transmission has a torque converter operating mode and a lockup operating mode. A first pump may be configured to supply transmission fluid to a plurality of electro-hydraulic transmission components. A second pump may be configured to supply transmission fluid to a lubrication system of the transmission. A valve may be configured to route transmission fluid supplied by the second pump through the torque converter during the torque converter operating mode. Means may also be provided for selectively routing at least some of the transmission fluid supplied by the first pump through the torque converter. Illustratively, transmission fluid supplied by the first pump may, but need not, be routed to the torque converter only during the torque converter operating mode or only during the torque converter operating mode if the temperature of transmission fluid exiting the torque converter exceeds a threshold temperature. |
| US08046990B2 |
Systems and methods for improving drivetrain efficiency for compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems
The invention relates to power generation and energy storage and recovery. In particular, the invention relates to compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems using staged pneumatic conversion systems for providing narrow pressure ranges to a hydraulic motor. |
| US08046986B2 |
Method and system for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system
A method and system for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The method and system may incorporate a device or devices that continuously monitors an exhaust stream for harmful constituents. The method and system may control components of the EGR system based on the concentration of harmful constituents within the exhaust. |
| US08046981B2 |
Rotary tool for spreading particulate materials and method of using the same
A rotary tool for spreading mulch outwardly from a mound of the same. The tool has an elongated shaft with a rotatable body mounted proximate a first end thereof. The body has a peripheral edge with a plurality of flexible fingers radiating outwardly and downwardly therefrom. The fingers may be individually securable to the body. In a second embodiment, a ring is detachably mounted to the body and the fingers are on the ring. When the tool is activated, the fingers engage the mulch mound and cause pieces of mulch to be flicked outwardly away from the body. The tool may also be used as a shovel-type device when the motor is not activated and the mulch can then be carried on the upper surface of the body. |
| US08046979B2 |
Packing machine, in particular encompassing a deep drawing machine
The present invention relates to a packing machine 1 for the packing of packed items, in particular encompassing a deep drawing machine 3 with a mold and/or a sealing device with a sealing tool. The packing machine is distinguished in that a cleaning device is provided for the mold and/or the sealing tool. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a deep drawing machine and a sealing machine. |
| US08046977B2 |
Packaging machine
A packaging machine and a method for the production of packages by the packing of material in packages, with a machine having at least one processing station, such as a sealing station, a cutting station or similar station and a weighing station (8) for determination of the weight of the filled and sealed packages (7), is provided which has less space requirements than conventional packaging machines and improved manipulation. According to the invention, the above is achieved, whereby the weighing station (8) and/or the at least one processing station has a controller, in which the working speed of the weighing station (8) is synchronized with the working speed of the previous processing station. |
| US08046970B2 |
Unguyed telescoping tower
A telescoping tower comprises a plurality of telescoping tower sections, each tower section having a pressure member that engages with a respective pressure member on a respective tower section when the tower sections are moved from a nesting condition to an extended position, the engagement of the pressure members occurring at the overlap of the tower sections to increase stability of the telescoping tower and reduce unwanted play at the overlap regions. |
| US08046969B2 |
Roofing panel assembly
A roofing panel assembly is made of a base and a cap as well as a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange, a lower flange and a web. The base is attached to the lower flanges of one or more of the plurality of I-joists and the cap is attached to the upper flanges of one or more of the plurality of I-joists. |
| US08046968B2 |
Floor made from individual elements
A multi-layer floor panel unit, which can be assembled with a plurality of similar units to form a floor which is capable of repeatedly being disassembled and reassembled at different times and/or in different locations, includes a pressure-resistant and wear-resistant upper layer; a pressure-resistant lower layer, attached to the upper layer, and having grooves at vertical edges of the lower layer; and connecting strips in the grooves, for connecting adjacent multi-layer floor panel units, the connecting strips having horizontal legs with thickened portions thereon, the thickened portions being for clamping the connecting strips in the grooves. |
| US08046967B2 |
Translucent resin wall system
A translucent wall in accordance with the present invention is configured to provide aesthetic qualities to existing walls using resin-based panels. In one implementation, one or more resin-based panels are mounted to an existing wall using one or more easily assembled frames and one or more standoffs. The panels, frames, and standoffs are configured to mount the resin-based panels away from the wall by a specific distance, thereby allowing light to be transmitted through the resin-based panels. This light transmittance in turn provides a number of decorative advantages in terms of coloring, texturing, and in terms of exhibiting decorative objects embedded in the resin-based panels. The one or more frames used in accordance with the present invention can be easily adapted to any interior or exterior space or finish, such that the disclosed systems can benefit from mass-production techniques. |
| US08046964B2 |
Cover plate anchor
In an anchor for the attachment to construction panels including two cover plates and an intermediate support core layer wherein the anchor comprises an expansion body and a wedge body which inserted into the expansion body and includes an opening for screwing or pounding in a mounting means, the installed anchor is disposed in an opening of the panel which extends through the first cover plate and the intermediate support core plate. The expansion body has locking zones and engagement elements which are spreadable by wedge elements. With the anchor installed, a wedging zone spreads out the engagement elements of the expansion body behind the cover plate and the locking zones are interlocked. |
| US08046960B1 |
Solar window apparatus and method
A window includes first and second panes and a frame coupled to the first and second panes to form an air gap there between. The window further includes an electrical generator disposed in the air gap configured to convert electromagnetic radiation to electricity. The window further includes a venting system configured to vent heat from the air gap away from the first pane or the second pane. The window further includes first and second reflective coatings respectively disposed on first surfaces of the panes. The first surfaces face the air gap, and the reflective coatings are configured to reflect infrared radiation into the air gap. The window further includes first and second antireflective coatings respectively disposed on second surfaces of the panes. The second surfaces face away from the air gap, and the antireflective coatings are configured to transmit visible light and infrared radiation into the air gap. |
| US08046957B2 |
Stack-on panel assembly
A stack-on panel assembly for panel-based partition systems includes a connector bracket with a first portion shaped for connection with the top of an associated base panel, and a second portion upstanding from the first portion and having a first latch member. The stack-on panel assembly also includes a stacker panel having a bottom portion shaped for abutting support on top of the base panel, and a vertically extending slot disposed along one side to receive and retain therein the second portion of the connector bracket. A second latch member is disposed within the stacker panel at a location adjacent to the slot, and automatically engages and positively locks with the first latch member on the connector bracket when the stacker panel is lowered into place on top of the base panel to positively, yet detachably, connect the stacker panel on the base panel in a vertically stacked relationship. |
| US08046956B1 |
Channeled masonry flashing
A masonry flashing for use in a cavity wall is disclosed. The flashing has channels for draining water from the cavity while permitting entry of air into the cavity. The top surface of the flashing is covered by a protective member. The protective member is a scrim or, in the extruded form, an overarching portion of the flashing material. The protective member prevents the clogging of channels from mortar droppings and other construction debris. The flashing is shown with a drip edge is formed by extending the flashing beyond the external surface of the outer wythe and, with the edge being foil lined, manually forming the drip edge. A peel-and-stick embodiment described herein utilizes clear, nondrooling adhesives. Flashing accessories, namely, an end dam, an inside corner and an outside corner are also described. |
| US08046950B2 |
Method of attaching device to weapon
A mount for mounting a device to a firearm that includes a side plate, a support plate and a mounting rail. The side plate has a first end and a second end. The support plate extends from the first end of the side plate at approximately a right angle. Moreover, the support plate is adapted to support a device resting thereon. The mounting rail is coupled to the second end of the side plate. In addition, the mounting rail extends out from the side plate in a direction that is approximately opposite the direction the support plate extends from the side plate. |
| US08046949B1 |
Systems and methods for installing a hand guard on a firearm
Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for installing a hand guard on a firearm. In embodiments, a method of installing a hand guard on a firearm can be provided. The firearm includes a barrel, a barrel nut, and a delta ring. The delta ring is retracted away from the barrel nut. A number of hand guard members are positioned about the barrel. An annular groove associated with each hand guard member is mated with a portion of a flange of the barrel nut. The flange is secured within the annular groove of at least one hand guard member. The delta ring is advanced over a portion of some or all the hand guard members. |
| US08046948B2 |
Retrofit safety means for weapons and method for securing weapons
The present invention relates to a safety means for weapons. The safety means comprises an electronic control unit for the authentication of an authorized user and the control of a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism mechanically engages with at least one mechanical part of the ignition chain so that said ignition chain is interrupted and firing is prevented. The safety mechanism comprises an actuator for releasing said engagement of the safety mechanism in case the electronic control unit identifies an authentication signal. The safety means according to the present invention is provided in a retrofit main component part of a weapon, which replaces a corresponding original main component part of the weapon. The safety means is preferably controllable by a transponder. |
| US08046946B2 |
Shot-counting device for a firearm
A device for counting shots fired by a firearm including a permanent magnet mounted to moving portion of the firearm and electrically coupled to a coil mounted on a relatively stationary portion of the firearm. Movement of the magnet relative to the coil induces an electromotive force within the coil. The induced electromotive force can be used increment a shot-count indictor and thereby record the number of shots fired by the firearm. The electromotive force can also be measured by a verification circuit to determine the strength of a shot and thereby verify whether a round was actually discharged by the firearm. In some embodiments, information regarding the number of shots discharged and the strength of the shots can be transmitted to an external device. |
| US08046945B2 |
Transparent picture frame
A transparent picture frame allows artwork to appear more prominent relative to surrounding wall surfaces. The assembly includes a transparent cover plate having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the artwork, a transparent inner mat portion having a cut-out dimensioned to receive the cover plate and artwork, and a transparent outer mat portion having a cut-out with dimensions less than those of the inner mat portion, resulting in a peripheral overlap. The assembly further includes a transparent back panel, wherein the inner mat portion, outer mat portion and back panel all have the same outer dimensions. One or more fasteners are provided for holding the assembly together in the following order from front-to back: the outer mat portion, the inner mat portion with the cover plate over the artwork, and the back panel. In the preferred embodiment, the inner mat portion, outer mat portion and back panel are made of plastic, whereas the cover plate is made of glass. |
| US08046941B2 |
Magical image cups and containers with 3D displays
An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface. |
| US08046939B2 |
Apparatus protecting vehicle with accessory when scraping edge of accessory strikes fixed object
A mounting apparatus for a bucket of a front end loader vehicle. The mounting system allows the bucket to pivot up and over fixed objects when the leading edge of the bucket strikes an immovable object for the purpose of protecting the loader assembly, vehicle, and operator. |
| US08046938B1 |
Implement attaching apparatus
An apparatus for connecting to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) a mechanized implement operatively connected to an auxiliary power source includes rigid frame connectable to an undercarriage of the ATV. The frame includes a first portion extending past the front axle of the ATV and a second portion extending past the rear axle of the ATV. The first portion of the frame connects to the undercarriage proximate the front axle, while the second portion of the frame connects to the hitch. A base connects to the second portion of the frame to support the auxiliary power source. The mechanized implement attaches to the frame by way of a swingable portion having a first end pivotally attached to the first portion of the frame and a second end mateable with the mechanized implement. The swingable portion is positionable to position the mechanized implement between a working position and a non-working position, wherein only the ATV engages the ground when the mechanized implement is positioned towards the non-working position. |
| US08046937B2 |
Automatic lacing system
An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper. |
| US08046927B1 |
Archery bow sight distance indicator
A distance indicating mechanism can be used in combination with a bow sight to quickly determine distances to targets from an elevated position. The distance indicating mechanism has a generally circular, fluid-filled tubular device with one or more adjustable indicators located thereon. The indicators are positionable to correspond with the fluid level in the tubular device to indicate the orientation of the mechanism when aiming at a known distance. Each indicator generally corresponds to a sight pin of a bow site that indicates a corresponding linear distance for which an arrow will be at a desired vertical position when shot by a bow operator. |
| US08046926B2 |
Clamping arrangement for receiving a saw blade in multiple orientations
A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool including a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing and having a longitudinal drive axis, and a saw blade releasably interconnected with the drive shaft. The saw blade clamping arrangement includes a blade support mechanism with first and second slots crosswise intersecting slots configured to selectively receive the saw blade in first and second orientations. The clamping arrangement also includes a tubular actuator rotatable about the longitudinal drive axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the actuator including a locking cam surface, and a locking member operatively associated with the actuator, and movable between a locked position that selectively locks the blade in one of the first and second orientations and an unlocked position that releases the blade, the locking member including a follower surface driven by the locking cam surface. |
| US08046925B2 |
Pruning hook having an energy-saving function
A pruning hook includes an extension shank, a blade unit including a fixed blade mounted on the extension shank and a movable blade pivotally connected with the fixed blade, a driving cord to drive the movable blade, a slide movably mounted in the extension shank to drive the driving cord, a pull cord mounted in the extension shank to drive the slide, and a pulling member movable relative to the extension shank to drive the pull cord. Thus, the pulling member is pulled by a user's arm to drive the blade unit so that the blade unit is driven by a greater force applied by the user's arm and has a larger shearing force to perform a cutting action in an easier manner so as to cut a larger object easily and conveniently. |
| US08046920B2 |
Razor
A razor is provided with a blade member 3 having a base and a blade body 4 on the base, a blade base member 5 arranged on the bottom side of the razor head 2, and a top member 6 arranged on the top side of the razor head 2. The blade member 3 is fitted between the blade base member 5 and the top member 6. The base is supported on the blade base member 5. A cutting edge 4a of the blade body 4 is exposed at the top member 6. The base is elastically supported by the leaf spring so as to move integrally against a pressing force from the skin surface when the blade body is caused to contact the skin surface. A contact pressure of the blade body 4 on the skin surface is restricted, thereby improving the shaving performance. Further, since a single-component blade member 3 having the blade body 4 on the base is fitted between the blade base member 5 and the top member 6, this simplifies the structure for elastically supporting the blade body 4 and allowing the blade body 4 to move. |
| US08046919B2 |
Method of manufacturing a shutter
A method of manufacturing a plastic molded shutter assembly that can be customized in size. A shutter of a standard length, or series of shutters of standard lengths are manufactured. A plurality of cuts are made in the shutter, removing a predetermined amount of material from the shutter. The end cap is replaced and fixedly secured to the remaining shutter, resulting in a single shutter of a desired length. |
| US08046918B2 |
Method for reinforcing a tubular beam with a sleeve
A method of reinforcing a hollow beam by inserting a sleeve that is held in place by a tang that is placed on a supporting portion of a first or second opening formed in the beam. A fastener is inserted inside the sleeve. A component is attached to the beam by inserting a fastener through the sleeve. An insertion tool may be used to insert the sleeve into the beam. |
| US08046917B2 |
Method of refurbishing a diesel injector valve seat
A method to refurbish a valve seat in a fuel injector module housing where the valve seat is of a larger diameter than an associate valve guide bore user using an indexable insert insertable into the bore and oriented in a manner to engage the valve seat to facilitate refurbishing. |
| US08046916B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, manufacturing metallic bellows
A metallic bellows is manufactured by a first step of bulging a straight raw pipe into a primary formed body having formed on a periphery thereof a corrugated bellows section, and a second step of subjecting at least one of crest portions and trough portions of the bellows section of the primary formed body to roll machining by means of a pair of forming rolls. |
| US08046914B2 |
Method for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit board
A method of manufacturing a multilayer printed circuit board having interlayer insulating layers and conductor layers repeatedly formed on a substrate, via holes formed in the interlayer insulating layers, and establishing electrical connection through the via holes, including containing an electronic component in said substrate, removing a film on a surface of a die pad of said electronic component, forming a mediate layer to be connected to a via hole of a lowermost interlayer insulating layer, on said die pad, forming the interlayer insulating layers on said substrate, and forming the via holes connected to the conductor circuits and the mediate layers, in said interlayer resin insulating layers. |
| US08046906B2 |
Jig for assembling rotor
The jig includes an upper jig part, a lower jig part, a support plate, a guide jig part, and a spring. The upper jig part has a pressure protrusion for press-fitting a rotating shaft, and applies pressing force to the rotating shaft. The lower jig part supports a rotor casing in a direction which is opposite the acting direction of the pressing force. The support plate is mounted to the lower jig part, and supports the rotor casing in a direction which is opposite that of the force for press-fitting the rotating shaft. The guide jig part supports the rotor casing in a direction which is opposite that of reaction force generated in the rotor casing by the support plate. The spring elastically biases the guide jig part towards the rotor casing. |
| US08046903B2 |
Cutting assemblies and methods
Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool. |
| US08046899B2 |
Universal shaft and head connector
A connector for releasably securing a shaft and a head having a hosel with a bore of standard size. The connector includes a shaft adapter, a hosel adapter, and a compression nut. The shaft adapter has a shaft bore sized to receive the shaft, a first threaded coupling member, and a axial shaft. The hosel adapter has a hosel bore and a main body portion. The hosel bore is sized to receive the axial shaft. The compression nut has a second coupling member. The shaft is secured within the shaft bore and the main body portion is secured within the bore of the hosel using an adhesive and the axial shaft is inserted within the hosel bore. Thereafter, the compression nut is rotated to couple the first and second coupling members together thereby securing the shaft and head together without the shaft being received within the bore of the hosel. |
| US08046896B2 |
Method for configuring information handling systems and infrastructure equipment in plural containers
An information technology enclosure has a processing subsystem and infrastructure subsystem in separate shipping containers that cooperate to process information. The processing subsystem has increased information processing density by concentrating information handling systems in a first processing shipping container that is supported with infrastructure equipment in a second infrastructure shipping container. In one embodiment, the shipping containers are arranged in a stacked configuration so that cooled air and exhausted air are exchanged through aligned vents formed in the ceiling and floor of stacked shipping containers. |
| US08046895B2 |
System and method for assembling a vehicle body structure
A system and method for assembling a vehicle body structure. The system includes first and second end effectors for positioning first and second body structure components. The second end effector engages the first end effector to position the second body structure component relative to the first body structure component. |
| US08046893B2 |
Method for assembling a motor vehicle axle of the type provided with suspension arms and a cross-member mounted between said arms, and corresponding axle
A method for assembling a motor vehicle axle including suspension arms and a cross-member mounted between the arms. The method applys an adhesive element on at least one portion of the cross-member, mounts the portion inside a bore of one of the suspension arms to as to leave a clearance between the suspension arm and the adhesive element, and radially deforms one of the assembling elements of the cross-member and the suspension arm to obtain a contact between the adhesive element and the bore of the suspension arm. |
| US08046891B1 |
Method of making a plurality of pocket plugs
A pocket plug is made by making a first angled cut and a second angled cut relative to proximate a first line and a first side of an elongate member having a length. A plurality of pocket plugs are made by repeating the first angled cut and the second angled cut a distance apart from the previous second angled cut along the length of the elongate member. Thus, by alternating between the first angled cut and the second angled cut the distance along the length of the elongate member, the plurality of pocket plugs are made. |
| US08046889B2 |
Universal installation tool for bearings
A universal tool for installing annular parts, components, or devices such as tapered and non-tapered bearings on shafts includes a cap, a tube, and cooperating interchangeable force distributors. A first interchangeable tapered force distributor attaches to the tube and includes a tapered or beveled edge allowing for proper visual alignment with, and isolated force distribution on, the inner race of a tapered bearing. A second interchangeable non-tapered force distributor also attaches to the tube and includes an annular flange with a substantially flat surface that cooperates with the inner and outer races of the ball bearing such that force applied to the cap of the universal tool is evenly distributed around the inner and outer races of the ball bearing. A connector piece can be used to connect two tubes in order to accommodate longer shafts. For a press-through design, a modified cap comprising an external non-tapered force distributor can be substituted when a machine press is used to install the bearing on the shaft. The non-tapered force distributor allows the shaft to extend therethrough and supports the universal tool when it is inverted and secured to the machine press. |
| US08046886B2 |
Fixture for mounting articulated turbine buckets
A fixture and method for assembling axial entry buckets with complex geometry to a rotor wheel is provided. The fixture features an inner and an outer split ring shaft clamp, which is bolted together around the rotor wheel packing diameter and provides a mounting base. The transfer ring mounts around and abutting the rotor wheel. The transfer ring includes a circumferential slot to accept bucket-holders. The bucket holders loaded with turbine buckets, inserted onto the transfer ring and moved circumferentially around the transfer ring to align the turbine buckets to slots on the rotor wheel. Pressure is applied to spiral the buckets from the bucket-holders into final position in slots on the rotor wheel. |
| US08046885B1 |
Apparatus and methods for crimping textile threads
Thread-crimping machines with enhanced throughput are detailed. One or more drive rolls forming parts of the machines may be grooved to group centrally the entering threads without materially adversely impacting driving and crimping operations of the machines. Thread-focusing components also may be employed upstream of the inlet areas. |
| US08046882B2 |
Casket and memorialization accessory
A casket and memorialization accessory combination comprises a casket comprising a casket shell having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls and a casket lid closable on the casket shell, a decorative ornament comprising a digital image display device, and a keepsake box adapted to receive keepsake items therein. The casket shell and ornament are configured such that the ornament is removably attachable to the casket shell. The keepsake box and ornament are configured such that the ornament is attachable to the keepsake box. The ornament can be removed from the casket in which a deceased was displayed for viewing and attached to the keepsake box so that the keepsake box and ornament can be presented to a loved one of the deceased as a memorial to the deceased. |
| US08046880B2 |
Clip
A long hole of a seat plate member is fittingly inserted to a fitting head portion provided on an upper surface of a flat plate portion of a clip in an upright posture, so as to attach the clip to the cutaway groove portion with the seat plate member in contact with a flat plate portion, and the fitting head portion is fitted to a long hole formed in an attachment receiving member. As the fitting head portion is fitted to the long hole, the boss portion moves within the cutaway groove portion to bring the seat plate member into contact with the attachment receiving member and to elastically lock a pair of elastic locking pieces with the periphery of each longer side portion of the long hole. |
| US08046878B1 |
Bag and clothesline clamp
A bag and clothesline clamp is constructed of a pliable, tubular hose that has a slit opening along the length and two opposite ends wherein at least one is notched at an angle of 45° away from the slit opening; a slot opening formed at least partially through the slit opening by removing a narrow strip of hose parallel to an axis of the hose for ease of insertion of the bag or the clothesline. |
| US08046877B2 |
Drying of seed cotton and other crops
A seed cotton dryer comprises an array of electromagnetic wave energy generators in a cotton gin and a cotton picker/stripper. An appropriate amount of energy is used to evaporate a considerable amount of moisture in the seed cotton without producing enough energy to pop the cotton seeds. Seed cotton dried by wave energy is much easier to separate the cotton seeds and lint from leaves, stems and other plant parts. The seed cotton is preferably transported through the dryer in a conduit having flat sides which reflects the wave energy more efficiently than through a round conduit. Provisions are made to prevent arcing in the transport conduit when extraneous metal pieces are inadvertently mixed with the seed cotton. In some embodiments, heated air from a diesel engine is used to dry crops as they are being harvested. |
| US08046875B2 |
Hinge assembly and support mechanism using the same
A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotary member and a steady member sleeved on the pivot shaft. The rotary member and the steady member faces each other and are rotatable relative to each other. The rotary member forms a first peak, and the steady member forms a second peak. A friction portion is formed between the rotary member and the steady member. A thickness of the friction portion exceeds or equals to a thickness of either of the first peak or the second peak, and is less than the combined thickness of the first peak and the second peak. A support mechanism using the hinge assembly is also provided. |
| US08046868B2 |
Vacuum having accessory storage features
A vacuum including a housing, a suction device disposed within the housing, a plurality of accessories operable to engage the suction device, a plurality of wheels mounted to the housing and at least one bumper disposed on the housing. The at least one bumper includes a retaining feature operable to store at least one of the accessories, and the at least one bumper is operable to protect at least one of the wheels to minimize damage thereto. At least one pocket is defined by the bumper. The pocket is adapted to store at least one of the accessories. |
| US08046867B2 |
Mobile surface cleaner having a sparging device
A mobile surface cleaner is provided, which includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a source of a liquid, a liquid dispenser, a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid dispenser, and an electrolyzing sparging device in fluid communication with the flow path. |
| US08046866B2 |
Wiper system
A wiper support shaft supports a wiper, which wipes a windshield glass. The wiper support shaft projects outward through an opening of a cowl louver that is placed on a vehicle front side of the windshield glass. A four-bar linkage drives the wiper support shaft to move the wiper support shaft in the opening of the cowl louver in such a manner that a wiping range of the wiper, which is installed to the wiper support shaft, changes on the windshield glass. A covering member is supported by the wiper support shaft at a location inside the cowl louver to limit direct viewing of the four-bar linkage through the opening of the cowl louver. |
| US08046860B2 |
System and method for removing particles in semiconductor manufacturing
A system for semiconductor wafer manufacturing, comprises a chamber process path for processing the wafer, and a device operable to remove particles from the wafer by electrostatic and electromagnetic methodologies wherein the device is installed in the chamber process path. |
| US08046855B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing redundancy in monitoring the lid switch and basket of a washing machine
A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open. |
| US08046850B2 |
Faucet spout structure
A faucet spout structure comprises a spout housed between upper and lower housings of a water supply seat and assembled onto an outlet mount equipped with handles and a deck. The spout has a first connecting tube with an abutment surface and a stepwise coupling section extending at one end, to which a sealing ring and a coupling cavity of a second connecting tube are sequentially joined and firmly located by a buckling collar. The second connecting tube has the other end equipped with an external-threaded locking section and a stepwise conjoining section to fix to an assembling section of an outlet duct mounted to the outlet mount. The first connecting tube also has a fixing section defined by a water outlet to which a nozzle is secured and fixed to the conjoining end area of the upper and lower housings, achieving flexible assembly and maintenance of the spout thereby. |
| US08046845B1 |
Lightweight combat helmet
A lightweight combat helmet has a rigid helmet shell with first and second flexible and fluid impermeable receptacles nested within the helmet shell. The first receptacle is filled with structures and substances that alter a trajectory of an incoming projectile. When filled, the second receptacle conforms to a wearer's head. |
| US08046844B2 |
Torso
A torso, around which clothes can be wound, includes a curved incision on the backface. Preferably, an elastic member is provided at least on the periphery of the incision. The torso may also include a first opening on the backface, an elastic member formed to cover the first opening, and a curved incision on the elastic member, where the incision is exposed from the first opening. Preferably, the incision is formed along the longitudinal direction of the first opening. Furthermore, the first opening may include at least two projections formed on its periphery, and the elastic member may include at least two holes formed at positions opposing the projections, respectively. A fixing member may be provided for fixing the elastic member, and the fixing member includes a second opening having the same shape and size as those of the first opening and formed at a position opposing the incision. |
| US08051493B2 |
Probe microscopy and probe position monitoring apparatus
A method of determining the position of a probe tip. An evanescent electromagnetic field is generated extending beyond an interface boundary between a first medium, having a first refractive index, and a second medium, having a second refractive index which is greater than the first refractive index, the interface boundary extending in a plane. A probe tip is positioned in the evanescent field in the first medium thereby causing propagating electromagnetic radiation to be produced as a result of the disruption of the evanescent field by the probe tip, and at least a portion of the propagating electromagnetic radiation is collected. The spatial intensity distribution of the collected radiation is detected with respect to an image plane. An at least one dimensional position of the probe tip in a probe tip plane is determined from the detected spatial intensity distribution, the probe tip plane being a plane which contains the probe tip and which is substantially parallel to the plane of the interface boundary. |
| US08051489B1 |
Secure configuration of a wireless sensor network
A method for secure configuration of a sensor system involves identifying a new sensor not activated within the sensor system, the new sensor including a new sensor identifier, establishing a first transmission link between the new sensor and a sensor controller, transmitting the new sensor identifier between the sensor and the sensor controller, generating a key pair for the sensor controller, the key pair including a controller public key and a controller private key, generating a key pair for the new sensor, the key pair including a sensor public key and a sensor private key, transmitting the controller public key to the new sensor and the sensor public key to the sensor controller, and generating a pairwise key within the sensor controller and the new sensor. |
| US08051486B2 |
Indicating SQL injection attack vulnerability with a stored value
A web application receives a user input with a SQL injection attack string that references a function. The application generates a corresponding statement based on the user input string, which the application sends to a database server. Upon receiving the statement, the database server executes the statement that invokes the referenced function. When invoked, the referenced function stores a value. The presence of the stored value indicates that the database server invoked the function. Storing the value indicative of the function invocation identifies a vulnerability of the web application to SQL injection attacks, since the function reference is introduced solely through user input and function invocation is not intended by the application. This provides proof of SQL injection vulnerability of the application. |
| US08051484B2 |
Method and security system for indentifying and blocking web attacks by enforcing read-only parameters
A method for detecting and blocking web attacks, the method comprising identifying read-only parameters by parsing responses received from uniform resource locators. The combinations of binding correlation values (BCVs) of the read-only parameters are compared to their respective previously observed values. |
| US08051483B2 |
Systems and methods for updating content detection devices and systems
A method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. A method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. A method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module. |
| US08051481B2 |
Methods and systems for network traffic security
The present invention is directed to methods of and systems for adaptive networking that monitors a network resource of a network. The method monitors an application performance. The method categorizes a first subset of traffic of the network. The categories for the first subset include trusted, known to be bad, and suspect. The method determines an action for a second subset of traffic based on the category for the first subset of traffic. Some embodiments provide a system for adaptive networking that includes a first device and traffic that has a first subset and a second subset. The system also includes a first resource and a second resource for the transmission of the traffic. The first device receives the traffic and categorizes the traffic into the first and second subsets. The first device assigns the first subset to the first resource. Some embodiments provide a network device that includes an input for receiving incoming traffic, an output for sending outgoing traffic, a categorization module that categorizes incoming traffic, and a resource assignment module that assigns the categorized traffic for a particular resource. A traffic category for the device includes suspect traffic. |
| US08051477B2 |
Security state vector for mobile network platform
State of security in a mobile communications network is communicated. Data regarding nature and severity of security events onboard at least one mobile platform is generated and processed. A message that includes the processed data is generated and transmitted periodically. The processed data makes up a security state vector that includes the number of security events detected since power-up of the mobile platform node, sum of highest severity security events since power-up or counter rollover, sum of the second highest severity security events detected since power-up or counter rollover, sum of the third highest severity security events detected since power-up or counter rollover, highest security event classification, second-highest security event classification, and third-highest security event classification. The processed data may be used in a network operations center to prioritize mobile platforms from which logged data should be retrieved for further investigation and monitoring. |
| US08051475B2 |
Collaboration gateway
Method for exchanging information between heterogeneous secured networks. Method supports synchronous communications across security domains including text chat, instant messaging, audio applications, video applications, and whiteboard collaboration. The invention intercepts incoming information traffic on either side and employs a guard for filtering information traffic between security domains according to a policy engine. |
| US08051469B2 |
Securely roaming digital identities
A cryptographic session key is utilized to maintain security of a digital identity. The session key is valid only for a limited period of time. Additional security is provided via a bimodal credential allowing different levels of access to the digital identify. An identity token contains pertinent information associated with the digital identity. The identity token is encrypted utilizing public-key cryptography. An identifier utilized to verify the validity of the digital identity is encrypted with the cryptographic session key. The encrypted identity token and the encrypted identifier are provided to a service for example. The service decrypts the encrypted identity token utilizing public key cryptography, and decrypts, with the cryptographic session key obtained from the identity token, the encrypted identifier. If the identifier is determined to be valid, the transaction proceeds normally. If the identifier is determined to be invalid, the transaction is halted. |
| US08051463B2 |
Method and system for distribution of configuration information among access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) across a distribution system (DS)
Aspects of a method and system for distribution of configuration information among access points (AP) in a WLAN across a distribution system (DS) are presented. An AP, performing in a role of an AP-configurator may configure another AP, performing in a role of AP-client. The AP-configurator may distribute configurator configuration information to the AP-client. A configured AP-client may adopt a role of AP-configurator to configure a subsequent AP-client. An AP-configurator, or configured AP-client may subsequently configure a client station. The AP-configurator or configured AP-client may distribute configuration information to the client station. The configuration information may be based on previously distributed configurator configuration information. The method may enable client stations to be configured based on common configuration information that may be derived from configurator configuration information that was distributed by an AP-configurator. The client stations configured based on the common configuration information may communicate information in a secure network. |
| US08051462B2 |
Secure communication modes in a virtual universe
The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product for providing secure communications in a virtual universe. A system is disclosed that includes a system for allowing a first avatar to request a secure communication mode and for allowing a second avatar to accept the secure communication mode. Once accepted, a secure session is initiated within the virtual universe between the first avatar and the second avatar and at least one feature of the virtual universe is altered to effectuate the secure communication mode. |
| US08051460B2 |
Systems and methods of controlling network access
A new approach to network security includes manipulating an access point such that an initial communication from an external device is passed to a restricted subset of a computing network including a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is configured to enforce a security policy against the external device before granting access to a less-restricted subset of the computing network. If requirements of the security policy are satisfied, then the gatekeeper reconfigures the access point such that further communication from the external device may be received by elements of the less-restricted subset. Enforcement of the security policy optionally includes performing a security audit of the external device. |
| US08051458B2 |
System and method for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability
A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel. |
| US08051457B2 |
Method for delivering non-anonymous user metadata using an soap operation in TV anytime metadata service
The present invention relates to a method or an operation for providing a personalized TV-Anytime metadata service. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting non-anonymous user metadata to a TV-Anytime service agent using a SOAP operation, comprising the steps of a) defining a SOAP operation which transmits user metadata and is capable of identifying transmission of non-anonymous user metadata, b) the service agent identifying a user, c) a client loading user metadata about the identified user on an element of the SOAP operation defined at step a) and transmitting the element with the user metadata to the service agent, and d) the service agent identifying the element of the SOAP operation transmitted at step c) and extracting the user metadata included in the element of the SOAP operation therefrom. |
| US08051450B2 |
Query-based electronic program guide
An electronic program guide (EPG) organizes and presents programming information to the viewer and allows for creation of queries to facilitate both simple and complex searches of the programming information. The EPG is configured to automatically identify programs that a viewer is likely to prefer. The EPG collects viewing preferences of a viewer and, using these preferences; automatically develops queries for identifying programs that the viewer is likely to watch. The EPG also enables multiple viewers to merge their individual queries into one composite query or to run queries in background to periodically check for programs and notify the viewer when a program is identified. Queries are saved in an EPG database in a hierarchic structure with directories and sub-directories to make it easy for a viewer for organizing and retrieval. Also the EPG creates queries for a channel, network name or program using a 10-key keypad. The EPG is configured to interpret the data as representing all possible choices. |
| US08051449B2 |
Portable information terminal apparatus, information processing method, computer-program storage medium, and computer-program
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal apparatus for additionally displaying information about other programs broadcast in the same time slot as a user-selected program. A TV program recording preset program under control of an I/O control program receives input of a user-selected start time of a given TV program. In turn, the TV program recording preset program extracts from a program list memory not the user-selected time but the start and end times of the TV program relative to the selected time, and retrieves information about all TV programs to be broadcast between the extracted start and end times so as to create a table of TV programs available in the designated time slot. The table is output to a display unit for display under control of the I/O control program. |
| US08051443B2 |
Content replacement by PID mapping
A method and apparatus for content substitution, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention involves receiving data representing content, the data having at least first and second packet identifiers (PIDs) associated with first and second portions of content. The content having the first PID is placed into a data stream. An initiation flag is received indicating initiation of a PID mapping operation. The content having the second PID is then mapped to the first PID and the mapped content is placed into the data stream. A termination flag is received indicating termination of the PID mapping operation at which point the process returns to placing content having the first PID into the data stream. The content substitution process can be used to replace advertisements, provide multiple plots, multiple endings, multiple views as well as other applications. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08051442B2 |
Methods and apparatus for presenting advertisements based on a location of a presentation device
Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting advertisements in association with broadcast video content on a presentation device in a non-residential location. The advertisements are identified based on characteristics of the non-residential location, such as goods or services offered at the non-residential location. The advertisements may be presented simultaneously with the broadcast video content, or may be used as substitute content to replace interstitials within the broadcast video content. |
| US08051441B2 |
Player-readable code on optical media
An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included. |
| US08051432B2 |
Techniques for establishing virtual devices
Techniques for establishing virtual devices are presented. A legacy control system is encapsulated as a virtual device. The virtual device is isolated within a host hardware associate with a host OS and access to and from the virtual device is authenticated and controlled by the host OS. Legacy hardware used by the legacy control system is connected to the host hardware, thereby permitting the legacy control system to continue to access the legacy hardware when the virtual device processes. |
| US08051427B2 |
Method of establishing a logical state of an instance using non-deterministic operation results stored in a result log
There is provided a method of establishing a logical state of an instance of a program. The method includes executing a first session. The program includes multiple sequences. Each sequence includes alternating deterministic operations and requests for non-deterministic operation results. A non-deterministic operation result is derived from a non-deterministic operation. The execution of the first session includes yielding a request for a non-deterministic operation result for one of the sequences. The request is generated by a first deterministic operation. The method includes terminating the first session at a first logical state prior to executing a second deterministic operation. The method includes executing upon the request. The method includes executing a second session using a log to establish a logical state of the instance. The method includes storing the non-deterministic operation result to the log. The method includes executing a continuation of the given sequence using the non-deterministic operation result. |
| US08051426B2 |
Co-routines native to a virtual execution environment
A virtual machine is extended to include native support for co-routines. In this manner, high-level programmers are afforded access to such functionality. More particularly, supplied is a mechanism inside the virtual machine to enable method/function state to be maintained and subsequently restored. Consequently, a method/function can be called multiple times and resume where it last left off. This provides direct support for tier splitting patterns, iterators and comprehensions, among other things. |
| US08051425B2 |
Distributed system with asynchronous execution systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for reducing latency in distributed systems by executing commands as sufficient information and system resources become available. In one embodiment, commands in a transaction include dependency information and an execution engine is configured to execute the commands as the dependencies become satisfied. In some embodiments, the commands also include priority information. If sufficient resources are not available to execute two or more commands with satisfied dependencies, the execution engine determines an order for executing the commands based at least in part on the priority information. In one embodiment, time-intensive commands are assigned a higher priority than commands that are expected to take less time to execute. |
| US08051424B2 |
Method, computer program product and computer device for processing data
A computer system receives a data collection and creates an administration table. A main process locks the data collection against unauthorized access using an association, in a lock table, between it and a lock identifier required for data collection access by processes. The main process divides the data collection into subgroups. The lock identifier and each subgroup are forwarded to one of the processes; the subgroups being parallel processed by recipient processes that access and update the data collection using the lock identifier, and set the lock identifier and update the administration table regarding the processing done by the recipient process, the administration table being common to all of the subgroups. After the recipient processes, the data collection is unlocked by the main process by removing the association between the data collection and the lock identifier in the lock table. |
| US08051416B2 |
Method for a user-specific configuration of a computer from a group of prepared computers
Installation and configuration of user-specific software and a computer system is performed such that individual computers in a group is prepared by transmitting the installation packages for a predetermined set of software products and a configuration program to the individual computers. In response to a computer being started for the first time, the configuration program loads a user-specific configuration file from a database system. According to the information contained in the configuration file, software products are subsequently installed and configured on the computer on a user-specific basis using the installation packages. |
| US08051414B2 |
Method and system for remote software updating of a medical device
A system is provided comprising first, second, and third servers, a medical device, and a database storing a plurality of software updates for various medical devices. The second server stores software update history for medical devices located in a plurality of countries, and the third server is located in a country and stores software update history for medical devices located in that country. A request for a software update for a medical device is sent from the first server to the second server. The second server sends a command to the database, and the database sends the software update to the medical device. After an attempt has been made to install the software update in the medical device, the software update history for the medical device is automatically updated in the second and third servers. |
| US08051412B2 |
Global compiler for controlling heterogeneous multiprocessor
Performance of a heterogeneous multiprocessor is reduced as much as possible within a short time without any awareness of parallelization matched with a configuration of the heterogeneous multiprocessor. In a heterogeneous multiprocessor system, tasks having parallelism are automatically extracted by a compiler, a portion to be efficiently processed by a dedicated processor is extracted from an input program being a processing target, and processing time is estimated. Thus, by arranging the tasks according to PU characteristics, scheduling for efficiently operating a plurality of PU's in parallel is carried out. |
| US08051406B2 |
Rich end-user data views
A system and/or methodology that enables personalization as a platform service for applications via a rich data view. More particularly, the subject invention provides for a rich data view to be rendered to an end-user whereas management of the data can be effected (e.g., personalized) thereafter. In other words, the invention enables a user to establish and access personalized mechanisms via a rich data view. The personalized mechanisms are based upon rule-based logic with respect to application data types. |
| US08051405B2 |
System and method for build script generation in a software development environment
A system and method for build script generation in a software development environment. An extensible script generator framework allows for one or more script generators to be plugged into the framework. When the framework is subsequently invoked to build a software project or application, each of the plugged-in generators can be evaluated to see if one or more generators should be applied to that project or application. The applicable generators are then used during the build process to automatically generate a build script. In some embodiments, a command line interface allows the generator framework to be invoked outside of the IDE. Additionally, in some embodiments, the framework allows for the plugin of one or more customizers that can be used to further customize or tweak the build script. |
| US08051404B2 |
Software development
A method of developing software capable of performing a task, the task comprising at least one task step required to perform the task. The task step has a resultant effect. The method comprises recording a use case comprising one or more scenarios, that comprise one of more further steps; recording the scenario or one of the scenarios as a main success scenarios such that the resultant effect of the main success scenario is the same as the resultant effect of the task step. Use cases which have been stripped of context-specific information may be re-used. Such information may be included in a reference to the re-used use case. |
| US08051403B2 |
Delay fault test quality calculation apparatus, delay fault test quality calculation method, and delay fault test pattern generation apparatus
A delay fault test quality calculation apparatus for calculating delay fault test quality to be achieved by a test pattern to be applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a defect distribution extraction unit, a delay fault-layout element information extraction unit, and a weighting unit. The delay fault test quality calculation apparatus further includes a delay fault test quality calculation unit which calculates the delay fault test quality on the basis of delay design information of the semiconductor integrated circuit, detection information of the test pattern to test the semiconductor integrated circuit, execution conditions of the test, a physical defect distribution extracts the defect distribution extraction unit, and a weights adds the weighting unit. |
| US08051402B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing communication between a software side and a hardware side of a test bench in a transaction-based acceleration verification system
Method and apparatus for implementing communication between a software side and a hardware side of a test bench in a transaction-based acceleration verification system are described. In one example, transactors and communication channels are identified in a hierarchy of the test bench. Software side endpoints of the communication channels are automatically bound to hardware side endpoints of the communication channels during verification based on naming attributes of the transactors and communication channels with respect to the software side and the hardware side of the test bench. |
| US08051396B2 |
Logic synthesis of multi-level domino asynchronous pipelines
Methods and apparatus are described for optimizing a circuit design. A gate level circuit description corresponding to the circuit design is generated. The gate level circuit description includes a plurality of pipelines across a plurality of levels. Using a linear programming technique, a minimal number of buffers is added to selected ones of the pipelines such that a performance constraint is satisfied. |
| US08051395B2 |
Method of labelling swappable pins for integrated circuit pattern matching
The present invention seeks to provide a simple, but novel regime, for re-labelling swappable pins that permits swappability information to be maintained without significantly increasing computational complexity and is conducive to inexact pattern matching for the purposes of developing more complex logical processing blocks from elementary components in design analysis. The method comprises a recursive application of a simple labelling procedure. This method is repeated recursively until all gate instances in the circuit fragment have been assigned a swappability number. |
| US08051393B2 |
Gate modeling for semiconductor fabrication process effects
In one embodiment, a method for determining a contour simplification of an object for a simulation is provided. An object in a layout of a transistor design to be created with the photolithographic process is determined. The object includes a width and a length in the layout. A contour simulation is performed to determine a generated contour object. The contour simulation simulates parametric variation factors that may occur in the photolithographic process. An adjusted width and adjusted length of the object is then determined based on the generated contour object. The adjusted width and the adjusted length are usable to determine a parametric model for simulation of the object. For example, a layout versus schematic (LVS) tool may back-annotate the layout. Then, a SPICE simulation may use the output of the LVS tool to verify the electrical behavior of the transistor using the adjusted width and adjusted length. |
| US08051392B2 |
Performance-aware logic operations for generating masks
A method for forming masks for manufacturing a circuit includes providing a design of the circuit, wherein the circuit comprises a device; performing a first logic operation to determine a first region for forming a first feature of the device; and performing a second logic operation to expand the first feature to a second region greater than the first region. The pattern of the second region may be used to form the masks. |
| US08051386B2 |
CAD-based navigation of views of medical image data stacks or volumes
Systems, processors and methods display image views of stacks or volume image data and allow a user to navigate the data and/or views using CAD findings. The systems, methods or processors can generate vicinity CAD marks that have an appearance that varies depending (a) the proximity to the suspected abnormality and/or (b) the navigation direction required to move to the suspected abnormality. The visual appearance of a respective vicinity CAD mark in a view can correspond to proximity of the related suspected abnormality to a current view, whereby the vicinity CAD marks have higher intensity, color saturation, size, or other more dominant visual characteristic in views close to the suspected abnormality and lower intensity, color saturation, smaller size or other less dominant visual characteristic in views further away from the suspected abnormality. |
| US08051385B1 |
Content selection and aggregated search results presentation on a handheld electronic device
An electronic device includes a content display for presenting content. The electronic device also includes a control display for enabling selection of a portion of the content. The content includes a plurality of items. The control display also enables a plurality of respective batch operations to be performed on the items. |
| US08051383B2 |
Graphical controller for monitoring multiple chemical feed constituents
The graphical controller provides a graphic user interface for monitoring and managing multiple chemical feed constituents, and displays a breakpoint curve specific to water being treated and a given ammonia set point, based on operator input and data from measurement of total chlorine, free chlorine, monochloramine, combined chlorine, ammonia residual, and the like. The graphical interface determines where on the curve the process is, provides immediate visual feedback to the water treatment operator and allows control of chlorine and ammonia feed rates to a fixed or new chloramination and ammonia set point. |
| US08051379B2 |
System, apparatus, method and computer readable storage medium for displaying information related to an image-forming apparatus connected to a network
An image-forming apparatus includes a web browser and is connectable to a network. The image-forming apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a menu request including identification information of the image-forming apparatus, a reception unit configured to receive a response to the menu request from a management server via the network, an execution unit configured to analyze and execute a processing command included in content of the response received by the reception unit, and a display unit configured to generate a display file by embedding a processing result of the processing command executed by the execution unit into the content of the response received by the reception unit and to display the display file via the web browser. |
| US08051370B2 |
Intelligent autocompletion
Various embodiments utilize an auto-complete module to expose a website's content structure. In at least some embodiments, a user can take an action within an application and, responsively, the auto-complete module can retrieve a site index file or site map and use the site index file or site map to display the website's content structure. In at least some embodiments, a website's content structure can be displayed without navigating to the particular website. In at least some embodiments, the auto-complete module can utilize standard protocols such as HTTP protocols to retrieve the site index file or site map. |
| US08051364B2 |
Reed solomon decoder and IBMA method and parallel-to-serial conversion method thereof
A parallel-to-serial conversion method for IBMA in a Reed Solomon decoder is used for obtaining discrepancies in IBMA iterations, thereby acquiring an error location polynomial and an error value polynomial. Syndrome sequences for the calculation of discrepancies in IBMA iterations have a fixed length. The number of syndromes is t+1, where t is the largest number of symbols that can be corrected of the error location polynomial. The feature that syndrome sequences have the same length is based on the fact that the discrepancies are not affected if the coefficients of polynomial orders of the error location polynomial are zero. |
| US08051360B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a downlink shared channel
A method and apparatus for receiving a wireless signal of a control channel wherein the wireless signal includes control information and an N bit field. The N bit field includes an N bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and an N bit user equipment (UE) identity wherein the value of N is a positive integer. The UE identity may be any one of a plurality of UE identities associated with the UE. |
| US08051358B2 |
Error recovery storage along a nand-flash string
Apparatus and methods store error recovery data in different dimensions of a memory array. For example, in one dimension, block error correction codes (ECC) are used, and in another dimension, supplemental error correction codes, such as convolutional codes, are used. By using separate dimensions, the likelihood that a defect affects both error recovery techniques is lessened, thereby increasing the probability that error recovery can be performed successfully. In one example, block error correction codes are used for data stored along rows, and this data is stored in one level of multiple-level cells of the array. Supplemental error correction codes are used for data stored along columns, such as along the cells of a string, and the supplemental error correction codes are stored in a different level than the error correction codes. |
| US08051357B1 |
Methods for generating and implementing quasi-cyclic irregular low-density parity check codes
A system includes a supernode generator module configured to generate supernodes. Each of the supernodes includes a plurality of symbol nodes. A supernode splitting module is configured to split each of the supernodes into derived symbols. The total number of edges of the derived symbols in each of the supernodes is equal to a predetermined number of edges of each of the supernodes. |
| US08051355B2 |
Multilevel low density parity-check coded modulation
A method and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding a communication signal. Processes for encoding and decoding the communication signal use a first low density parity-check code (LDPC) construction and a second low density parity-check code construction that differs from the first low density parity-check code construction. Multilevel coding (MLC) is applied to protect each address bit of a signal point by an individual LDPC code. In one embodiment, the first level is coded with a progressive edge-growth LDPC code, the second level is coded with a Reed-Solomon LDPC code and the third level is left uncoded. |
| US08051353B2 |
HARQ transmission feedback for higher layer protocols in a communication system
A method is described for providing Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission feedback to a higher layer protocol in a communication system. The method includes a step of detecting HARQ retransmissions in a first layer protocol. This can be used to determine a HARQ failure or an HARQ ACK after a delay of some retransmissions. A next step includes providing feedback information about the detecting step from the first layer protocol to a higher layer protocol. A next step includes instituting corrections at the higher layer protocol, in response to the information transferred from the first layer protocol. These corrections can include immediate retransmission of those bursts of a HARQ failure, or correcting timers to match the delay of eventually ACK'ed data. |
| US08051352B2 |
Timing-aware test generation and fault simulation
Disclosed herein are exemplary methods, apparatus, and systems for performing timing-aware automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) that can be used, for example, to improve the quality of a test set generated for detecting delay defects or holding time defects. In certain embodiments, timing information derived from various sources (e.g. from Standard Delay Format (SDF) files) is integrated into an ATPG tool. The timing information can be used to guide the test generator to detect the faults through certain paths (e.g., paths having a selected length, or range of lengths, such as the longest or shortest paths). To avoid propagating the faults through similar paths repeatedly, a weighted random method can be used to improve the path coverage during test generation. Experimental results show that significant test quality improvement can be achieved when applying embodiments of timing-aware ATPG to industrial designs. |
| US08051350B2 |
Serial interface device built-in self test
A built-in self test circuit includes a pattern generator, an elastic buffer, a symbol detector, and a comparison unit. A pattern generator generates a first test pattern to test a port under test and then a result pattern is gotten and stored in the elastic buffer. The symbol detector detects if a starting symbol exists in the test result pattern. If it exists, a second test pattern is generated to be compared with the test result pattern. As a result, a reliability of data transmission of the port under test is determined. |
| US08051348B1 |
Integrated circuit testing using segmented scan chains
An integrated circuit includes logic circuits including the first and second logic circuits, and a scan chain configured to test the logic circuits. The scan chain includes the first scan chain portion for testing the first logic circuit based on an input test pattern and output the first output test pattern, a switching unit for selecting and outputting one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern as a selected test pattern, and the second scan chain portion for testing the second logic circuit based on the selected test pattern from the switching unit and output the second output test pattern. The switching unit selects one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern based on at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the logic circuits. |
| US08051347B2 |
Scan-enabled method and system for testing a system-on-chip
Scan-enabled method and system for testing a system-on-chip (SoC). The method includes electronically determining a slack in a signal at each port of a core of the SoC. The SoC includes multiple cores. Each core includes input ports and output ports. The method also includes selecting flip-flops for each port if the slack does not exceed a slack threshold. Further, the method includes integrating a wrapper cell to each port for which the slack exceeds the slack threshold. Moreover, the method includes coupling integrated wrapper cells and selected flip-flops corresponding to the input ports to form at least one input scan chain for the core, and corresponding to the output ports to form at least one output scan chain for the core. The method also includes testing the SoC using the at least one input scan chain and the at least one output scan chain of each core. |
| US08051345B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing digital information on an integrated circuit during test operating modes
The embodiments protect an IC against Design-For-Test (DFT) or other test mode attack. Transitory secrets are secured whether stored in registers or latches, RAM, and/or permanent secrets stored in ROM and/or PROM. One embodiment for securing information on an IC includes entering a test mode and resetting each register in response to entering the test mode of operation and prior to receiving a test mode command. An integrated circuit embodiment includes a test control logic operative to configure the integrated circuit into a test mode and to control the integrated circuit while in the test mode, a set of registers, and a functional reset controller coupled to the test control logic and to the set of registers, operative to receive a reset command from the test control logic and provide the reset command to the set of registers in response to a command to enter the test mode. |
| US08051340B2 |
System and method for balancing delay of signal communication paths through well voltage adjustment
A method of balancing signal interconnect path delays between an analog domain and a digital domain of an integrated circuit includes applying a test signal to a selected one of a plurality of communication paths between the analog domain and the digital domain. A rising edge delay and a falling edge delay of the test signal is equalized by adjusting a body bias voltage of a delay element configured within the selected communication path. A rising edge delay and a falling edge delay for each of the remaining communication paths is compared with the equalized rising edge delay and falling edge delay of the selected communication path, and a body bias voltage for one or more of a plurality of delay elements configured within each of the remaining communication paths is adjusted until corresponding rising and falling edge delays thereof match the equalized rising edge delay and falling edge delay of the selected communication path. |
| US08051335B1 |
Recovery from transitory storage area network component failures
Lun communications between a storage server and a storage subsystem for a particular lun are assigned both a current path and an alternate path. Lun communications use the current path unless the current path is determined to be faulty. Path errors may result in the storage server determining a path to be faulty. If the current path for a lun communication is determined to be faulty, then the lun communications will be sent through the alternate path so long as the alternate path is determined to be reliable. Over time, a path previously determined to be faulty may recover and be used again for lun communications. |
| US08051333B2 |
Memory failure recovery method, information processing apparatus, and program
Upon occurrence of a memory error which is difficult to correct, CPU interrupts a process under execution in response to interrupt signal output from error detection device, and transfers the control to the OS. The OS references attributes of a page stored in a page frame which has suffered the memory error. When read-only is indicated, physical memory management table is updated to set the page frame, which has suffered the error, into a disabled state. Then, page table is updated such that a virtual page stored in the page frame which has suffered the error is not assigned to any page frame, followed by resumption of the execution of the process. After execution of the process is resumed, a page fault process is invoked to store the virtual page which has encountered the memory error in another normal page frame. |
| US08051322B2 |
Redundant failover system, redundancy managing apparatus and application processing apparatus
In a communication system using an IP tunnel for communication between application processing apparatuses (hereinafter, processing apparatuses), an application can be moved to an arbitrary processing apparatus, update of tunnel tables included in the respective processing apparatuses is quickly performed, and a buffer for waiting for packets during the table update is made small. A redundancy managing apparatus manages a correspondence between a virtual IP address (VIP) of an application in a communication system and an IP address (RIP) of an processing apparatus to execute the application. The processing apparatus notifies the VIP of the communication partner application of the application to the redundancy managing apparatus. The redundancy managing apparatus notifies the VIP of the communication partner application of the moved application and the RIP of the processing apparatus to execute the communication partner application to the processing apparatus of the movement destination (failover destination) of the application. |
| US08051320B2 |
Clock ratio controller for dynamic voltage and frequency scaled digital systems, and applications thereof
The present invention provides a clock ratio controller for dynamic voltage and frequency scaled digital systems, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, a digital system is provided that includes a first digital circuit that operates at a first rate determined by a first clock signal and a second digital circuit that operates at a second rate determined by a second clock signal. The first digital circuit is coupled to the second digital circuit by a bus that is used for communications between the first digital circuit and the second digital circuit. A clock ratio controller is used to adjust the frequency of the first clock signal and/or the second clock signal in response to a power management signal without causing a loss of synchronization between the first digital circuit and the second digital circuit. |
| US08051318B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling power in a battery-powered electronic device
A method for controlling power in a battery-powered electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a battery, a detection unit and a power consumption estimation unit. The battery supplies electric power to each device within the electronic apparatus. The detection unit periodically detects total power consumption of the electronic apparatus and device information representing an operating state of each device within the electronic apparatus. The power consumption estimation unit estimates power consumption of the each device based on the detected total power consumption and the detected device information of each device. |
| US08051317B2 |
Power supply with remotely adjustable output
A power supply system allowing remote adjustments of the power output of the power supply unit without having to physically access the power supply unit itself is disclosed. A power supply system in accordance with the present invention utilizes a central processing unit (CPU) to provide a command that adjusts to the power output via a modified pulse width modulator (MPWM). Moreover, the central processing unit (CPU) may also be used to provide fine tune adjustments to the error signal of the power supply system, wherein the central processing unit (CPU) produces a command for the modified pulse width modulator to control the power output. |
| US08051313B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of power state control
An apparatus, system and method for asynchronously reducing power in a power domain. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) receiving a sleep command for the power domain, (2) receiving, upon receiving the sleep command, an affirmative retention status signal denoting that a retention area in the power domain has stored data, (3) receiving, upon receiving the sleep command, an affirmative isolation status signal that denotes that an isolation of the power domain has occurred and (4) providing a power domain off command to the power domain upon receiving at least the sleep command, the affirmative status retention signal and the affirmative status isolation signal. In another embodiment, multiple enable signals are employed to generate a “glitch-free” control for a power switch. |
| US08051312B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption by an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes an energy controller that generates a power supply voltage level for the integrated circuit based on a desired target frequency value for the integrated circuit. The energy controller configures a programmable hardware process sensor based on the power supply voltage level such that the programmable hardware process sensor is capable of mimicking the electrical characteristics of a predetermined critical path associated with the integrated circuit when operating at the power supply voltage level. By monitoring the frequency of the programmable hardware process sensor over a period of time, the energy controller can compare the monitored frequency to an expected value and determine whether the power supply voltage level can be adjusted or whether it should be maintained. |
| US08051311B2 |
Power supply circuit for central processing unit
A power supply circuit for a CPU includes a first control circuit, a switch circuit, an operational amplifying circuit, and a second control circuit. The first control circuit is connected to a BIOS to receive a CPU identification signal. The switch circuit is connected to the first control circuit, and also connected between a CPU and a PSI pin of a VRM. The operational amplifying circuit is connected to the VRM to receive a current monitor signal output from the VRM. The second control circuit is connected to the operational amplifying circuit, the first control circuit and the PSI pin of the VRM. When the CPU identification signal is at a high level and the current monitor signal output from the VRM is lower than a reference voltage of the operational amplifying circuit, the switch circuit turns off, and the operational amplifying circuit outputs a second control signal to make the PSI pin of the VRM grounded. |
| US08051310B2 |
Method for reducing power consumption of processor
A method for reducing power consumption of a processor is disclosed comprising steps of applying time-frequency transformation to a plurality of load values of the processor to obtain the feature sampling cycle of the processor, and adjusting the voltage/frequency of the processor based on said feature sampling cycle. With the method of the present invention, the processor load value in next time interval can be accurately predicted, and thus the voltage/frequency of the processor in the next time interval can be adjusted on the basis of the load value. |
| US08051307B2 |
Voltage-controlled device, method and computer device capable of dynamically regulating voltage and effectively saving energy
The invention provides a voltage-controlled device, method and computer device capable of dynamically regulating voltage and effectively saving energy. The voltage-controlled device receives a VID from a CPU, determines a core voltage according to a load line defined therein, and supplies the core voltage to the CPU. The voltage-controlled device has a load line register set and a write logic. The load line register set has a plurality of registers, and the values of which represent the defined load line. The write logic changes the values of the registers in the load line register set according to a write signal. |
| US08051302B1 |
Data distributing system and recording medium used for it
Encrypted music data and additional information necessary for accessing a server (30) are copied from a CD-ROM (200) onto a memory card (110). The memory card (110) receives via a digital portable phone network the distribution of a contents decoding key (Kc) necessary for decoding encrypted music data and control information data (AC1) for limiting the number of accesses to the memory card from the server (30). |
| US08051299B2 |
Computer security method and computer system
A method for secure loading, integrity checking of the runtime image and control over the runtime execution of applications which ensures that a software application loads only code it was authorized to load, and that the software application is monitored for unauthorized modifications of the runtime image. The method proposed can be used as a basis for further enforcing of authorization rules during the execution of an application, e.g. for Digital Rights Management. |
| US08051298B1 |
Integrated fingerprinting in configuration audit and management
A system and computer implemented method for identifying active applications in an enterprise computing system is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of fingerprints for an application. A first fingerprint is related to a directory structure associated with the application. A second fingerprint is related to checking memory of at least some of the enterprise computing systems for data related to the application. The method includes searching the enterprise computing system for at least one fingerprint. The method includes when a fingerprint is found, identifying the application associated with the fingerprint as active. |
| US08051296B2 |
System and method for initializing secure communications with lightweight devices
System and methods for initializing secure communications with lightweight devices are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes enabling a device manager to securely communicate with a lightweight device, the method comprising receiving encrypted data from the device manager, wherein the device manager received the encrypted data from the lightweight device. In the embodiment, the method also includes decrypting the encrypted data to produce access information, wherein the access information enables the device manager to securely communicate with the lightweight device. In the embodiment, the method also includes securely transmitting the access information to the device manager. |
| US08051293B2 |
Data processing systems and methods
Various improvements to data processing systems involve enhancements to BIOS functionality, use of identifiers associated with specific instances of hardware, and data hiding techniques—sometimes alone, sometimes in combination. Many of these improvements can be applied to increase the security of computer systems, and networks of which they form part. |
| US08051292B2 |
System for proximity determination
In connection with network elements in a network, enhancing security by measuring proximity between elements, that are communicating with each other, by using facilities of secure devices and secure elements in the network. In some embodiments, secured information stored in a device certificate comprises a device processing delay, and the device processing delay is used in calculating a net response time which is compared to a threshold. |
| US08051290B2 |
Increasing integrity of watermarks using robust features
This invention relates to a method and an arrangement for embedding a watermark pattern in an information signal. A method of embedding a watermark pattern in an information signal comprising the steps of determining a robust signature as a set of robust features in said information signal, creating a watermark pattern as a signature dependent function of a predefined basic watermark pattern and embedding said watermark pattern in said information signal. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and arrangement for detecting a watermark pattern in an information signal. |
| US08051286B2 |
Vehicle antitheft system
A vehicle antitheft system includes an immobilizer unit and a portable unit. Each of the units includes an antenna, a communication part, a data processor, and storages. The immobilizer unit and the portable unit authenticate each other, based on a highly encrypted authentication method, using at least first data for mutual authentication. Thereafter, the first data for mutual authentication or second data for mutual authentication different from the first data for mutual authentication is stored in the storages of the immobilizer unit and the portable unit. |
| US08051284B2 |
Encryption communications system
A system structured from a management device, a content key distribution device and a plurality of terminals suppresses the data volume of a terminal revocation list (TRL). The management device generates and transmits a TRL formed from data that expresses terminal IDs of all terminals to be invalidated, by only a value and a position of a common bit string in the IDs, to the content key distribution device. Each terminal holds a terminal ID that includes a manufacturer ID and a serial number, and requests the distribution of a content key by sending the terminal ID to the content key distribution device. The content key distribution device refers to the TRL, judges whether the terminal ID transmitted from the terminal is that of an invalidated terminal, and if negative, encrypts and transmits the content key to the terminal. |
| US08051278B2 |
Microcomputer and method of setting operation of microcomputer
Provided is a microcomputer having the improved flexibility in changing correspondences between exception causes and exception vectors. The microcomputer includes: a vector candidate output section capable of outputting a plurality of vector candidates; an address selecting section selecting, as an exception vector, one of the vector candidates according to an exception cause; an instruction execution section starting an exception processing routine by accessing a memory area specified by the exception vector; and a correspondence changing section changing the number of exception causes associated with at least one of address candidates included in the vector candidates. |
| US08051277B1 |
Programmable arithmetic logic unit cluster
A Programmable Arithmetic Logic Unit Cluster is claimed. The plurality of Programmable Logic Blocks (50) in the cluster are in a physically linear sequence; but, will process data in parallel when the data pathways permit. A physically linear and operationally parallel design is possible mainly due to an Internal Register Bus (30). A small subset of data from the Internal Register Bus (30) is modified by each Arithmetic Logic Unit (53). The greater chunk of information of the Internal Register Bus (30) passes, without changes made to the data, through a plurality of two-to-one-multiplexers (54) as data inputs, bypassing the Data Selection (52) and Arithmetic Logic Unit's (53) circuitry. Only the data specified as the Accumulator (41) and Carry History (31) are modified by the blocks (50). The Accumulator (41) and the Carry Output Line (44) are distributed back onto the Internal Register Bus (30) for subsequent blocks or for the Output Register File (79) by said two-to-one-multiplexers (54). |
| US08051276B2 |
Operating system thread scheduling for optimal heat dissipation
A method and system for thread scheduling for optimal heat dissipation are provided. Temperature sensors measure temperature throughout various parts of a processor chip. The temperatures detected are reported to an operating system or the like for scheduling threads. In one aspect, the observed temperature values are recorded on registers. An operating system or the like reads the registers and schedules threads based on the temperature values. |
| US08051275B2 |
Result path sharing between a plurality of execution units within a processor
A processor 2 includes an execution cluster 10 having multiple execution units 14, 16, 18, 20. The execution units 14, 16, 18, 20 share result buses 22, 24. Issue circuitry 12 within the execution cluster 10 determines future availability of a result bus 22, 24 for an instruction to be issued (or recently issued) using a known cycle count for that instruction. The availability is tracked for each result bus using a mask register 32 storing a mask value within which each bit position indicates the availability or non-availability of that result bus at a particular processing cycle in the future. The mask value is left shifted each processing cycle. |
| US08051274B2 |
Processor and method of decompressing instruction bundle
The description relates to an instruction fetch technology of a processor that processes a plurality of instructions in parallel. The processor exploits the use of a compression code fetched during a previous clock cycle when fetching compressed instructions from a program memory and creating an instruction bundle consisting of a sequence of instructions to be processed in parallel. A compression buffer is interposed between the program memory and an instruction decompression unit, such that a compression code read in a previous clock cycle is ready at the beginning of a decompression cycle of the subsequent instruction bundle thereby avoiding a delay due to memory read latency. |
| US08051270B2 |
Memory controller, nonvolatile storage device, nonvolatile storage system, and memory control method
A memory controller for reducing a time to create an address management table during initialization of a memory card. The memory controller includes a read-write memory for temporarily storing the address management table and a second memory controller for writing, in a nonvolatile memory, an address management table temporarily stored in the read-write memory. The second memory controller also writes address range specifying information that specifies an address range, when a data writing destination is changed from a first address range to a second address range. The memory controller includes an address management table generator for reading distributed management information used for managing a state of at least one physical block included in the destination address range specified by the address range specifying information during initialization, and to generate the address management table based on the distributed management information. |
| US08051265B2 |
Apparatus for managing memory in real-time embedded system and method of allocating, deallocating and managing memory in real-time embedded system
An apparatus for managing memory in a real-time embedded system and a method of allocating, deallocating and managing memory in a real-time embedded system. The apparatus includes a defragmentation unit performing a defragmentation task according to a predetermined priority to collect together memory fragments, and a memory manager allocating or deallocating a predetermined area of memory upon request of a task, and calculating a memory fragmentation rate of the memory to determine a priority of the defragmentation task. The method of managing memory in a real-time embedded system includes determining whether the conditions under which the memory is used vary, and if the condition vary, calculating a memory fragmentation rate of the memory to determine a priority of the defragmentation task according to the memory fragmentation rate. |
| US08051264B2 |
Portable device and method for controlling shared memory in portable device
A portable terminal and a method of controlling a shared memory, the portable terminal are disclosed. The portable terminal includes a memory unit, being equipped with at least 2 ports and having a storage block partitioned into partitioned blocks in a quantity of n, and a plurality of processors, reading or writing data by accessing a particular partitioned block through each dedicated port. At least one of the partitioned blocks is assigned to a common storage block, accessible by a processor having an access privilege, and the access privilege is transferred between the plurality of processors. The common storage block can be partitioned into k sub partitioned blocks, which the data type and process to be stored are predetermined. With the present invention, in the case of the common storage block for the plurality of processors, by allowing the partitioned storage blocks to be partitioned again into sub partitioned blocks depending on a type of data to be stored, the data processing/transmission speed and efficiency can be optimized. |
| US08051263B2 |
Configurable memory protection
A method can include receiving a signal associated with an attempted access to data that is stored at a specific location in memory; obtaining a selection value that selects which memory protection register of multiple alternative memory protection registers is to provide a memory protection attribute for the specific location in memory; obtaining, from the selected memory protection register, a memory protection attribute; and controlling access to the specific location in memory based on the obtained memory protection attribute. |
| US08051262B2 |
Storage system storing golden image of a server or a physical/virtual machine execution environment
A storage system stores golden image of a server or any physical/virtual machine execution environment and associate the golden image and the storage port. The storage system also creates the copy of the golden image to the logical volume, and allocates the internal path between the storage port and the logical volume. Upon receiving an access request from the host computer via the storage port, the storage system transfers the access request between the storage port and the logical volume which stores the copy of golden image associated with the host computer. |
| US08051260B1 |
Determining environmental availability in a storage subsystem
A method for safeguarding data stored in a memory of a data storage system includes monitoring values of a subset of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system and updating a portion of a table containing values of environmental variables associated with the data-storage system. The table includes values for environmental variables that are not in the subset of environmental variables monitored. The values of the environmental variables are then inspected. On the basis of the inspection, a condition in which there exists a high-risk of data loss is determined. |
| US08051255B2 |
Multiprocessor resource optimization
Embodiments include a device and a method. In an embodiment, a method applies a first resource management strategy to a first resource associated with a first processor and executes an instruction block in a first processor. The method also applies a second resource management strategy to a second resource of a similar type as the first resource and executes the instruction block in a second processor. The method further selects a resource management strategy likely to provide a substantially optimum execution of the instruction group from the first resource management strategy and the second resource management strategy. |
| US08051252B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of subblocks in a reduced-redundancy storage system
Method and apparatus for rapidly determining whether a particular subblock of data is present in a reduced-redundancy storage system. An aspect of the invention achieves this by hashing each subblock in the storage system into a bitfilter that contains a ‘1’ bit for each position to which at least one subblock hashes. This bitfilter provides an extremely fast way to determine whether a subblock is in the storage system. In a further aspect of the invention, index entries for new subblocks may be buffered in a subblock index write buffer so as to convert a large number of random access read and write operations into a single sequential read and a single sequential write operation. The combination of the bitfilter and the write buffer yields a reduced-redundancy storage system that uses significantly less high speed random access memory than is used by systems that store the entire subblock index in memory. |
| US08051250B2 |
Systems and methods for pushing data
A system for pushing data, the system includes a source node that stores a coherent copy of a block of data. The system also includes a push engine configured to determine a next consumer of the block of data. The determination being made in the absence of the push engine detecting a request for the block of data from the next consumer. The push engine causes the source node to push the block of data to a memory associated with the next consumer to reduce latency of the next consumer accessing the block of data. |
| US08051249B2 |
Method for preloading data to improve data-retrieval times
The present invention discloses methods for improving data-retrieval times from a non-volatile storage device. A method for preloading data to improve data-retrieval times from a non-volatile storage device, the method including the steps of: providing a cache memory for preloading the data upon a host-system request to read the data; determining that a plurality of data segments that constitute a non-contiguous data object, stored in the storage device such that at least one data segment is non-contiguous to a preceding data segment in the data object, are in a predictable sequence; and preloading a non-contiguous next data segment in the predictable sequence into the cache memory after loading a current data segment into a host system from the cache memory, wherein the next data segment is preloaded prior to the host-system request to read the next data segment. |
| US08051248B2 |
Transient transactional cache
In one embodiment, a processor comprises an execution core, a level 1 (L1) data cache coupled to the execution core and configured to store data, and a transient/transactional cache (TTC) coupled to the execution core. The execution core is configured to generate memory read and write operations responsive to instruction execution, and to generate transactional read and write operations responsive to executing transactional instructions. The L1 data cache is configured to cache memory data accessed responsive to memory read and write operations to identify potentially transient data and to prevent the identified transient data from being stored in the L1 data cache. The TTC is also configured to cache transaction data accessed responsive to transactional read and write operations to track transactions. Each entry in the TTC is usable for transaction data and for transient data. |
| US08051237B2 |
Multiple purpose integrated circuit
An integrated circuit of the type comprises a plurality of units that may act as initiators and targets. At least some of the units are for a first purpose such as a cable modem function and others are for a second purpose such as television data processing. The units are connected together by a interconnect comprising a number of nodes. One of the nodes is configurable such that requests made from initiator units on one side of the node to target units on the other side of the node are not sent to the target units. The units for the first purpose are arranged on the opposite side of the node from those of the second purpose, so that the circuit is effectively configurable into two separate logical partitions, one partition for television data processing and the other partition for cable modem functions. |
| US08051236B2 |
Portable and magnetically programmable medical device system
A medical device system includes a portable medical device and a docking unit on which the medical device can be removably mounted. The docking unit is configured to communicate with a controller of the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit to instruct the controller to execute a selected program. |
| US08051235B1 |
Conditional back-to-back interrupt vectoring
Upon execution of an interrupt return (IRET) instruction when a second interrupt is pending, rather than popping a stack, obtaining processor state information, and then pushing the state information back onto the stack prior to vectoring off to a second interrupt service routine, direct vectoring is employed such that the stack is not pushed or popped but rather the processor vectors directly from the IRET instruction in the first interrupt service routine to the second interrupt service routine. A novel stored interrupt enable (SIE) bit stores whether maskable interrupts were enabled at the time the first interrupt service routine was entered. Execution of IRET automatically checks the SIE. If the SIE indicates interrupts were enabled, then direct vectoring occurs. If the SIE indicates that interrupts were disabled, then the second interrupt remains pending, and an interrupt return operation is performed by popping the stack and restoring the prior processor state. |
| US08051232B2 |
Data storage device performance optimization methods and apparatuses
Methods and apparatuses for identifying types of data streams and communicating stream information to improve performance of data storage devices are disclosed. Method embodiments generally comprise identifying one or more isochronous requests among a plurality of requests which may be issued to a data storage device, assigning a completion deadline an isochronous request, and communicating the isochronous request and completion deadline information to the data storage device. Apparatus embodiments generally comprise a request identifier to identify an isochronous request, a logic module to assign a completion deadline to the isochronous request, and a communication module to communicate the isochronous request and the completion deadline to a data storage device. Alternative apparatus embodiments may include a monitor module to monitor a system process operating in the system and determine if the system process issues isochronous requests. Various embodiments may process asynchronous requests, including prioritized asynchronous requests, with the isochronous requests. |
| US08051230B2 |
Synchronous data transmission method
The method is for transmitting data between two devices via a clock wire or line and at least one data wire or line. The clock wire is maintained by default on a logic value A, and each device is capable of tying the clock wire to an electric potential representing a logic value B that is the opposite of A. According to the method, both devices tie the clock wire to B when a datum is transmitted, the device to which the datum is sent does not release the clock wire while it has not read the datum, and the device sending the datum maintains the datum on the data wire at least until an instant when the clock wire is released by the device to which the datum is sent. The method is particularly applicable to communication between a microcomputer and a microprocessor. |
| US08051229B2 |
Dual bus ExpressCard peripheral device
A peripheral device is disclosed having two associated memory modules, and which is configured to fit within the ExpressCard slot. One memory module communicates with a host over the PCIe bus interface of the ExpressCard slot, while the other memory module communicates with the host over the USB interface of the ExpressCard slot. |
| US08051227B1 |
Programmable queue structures for multiprocessors
A command is received from a first agent via a first predetermined memory-mapped register, the first agent being one of multiple agents representing software processes, each being executed by one of processor cores of a network processor in a network element. A first queue associated with the command is identified based on the first predetermined memory-mapped register. A pointer is atomically read from a first hardware-based queue state register associated with the first queue. Data is atomically accessed at a memory location of the memory based on the pointer. The pointer stored in the first hardware-based queue state register is atomically updated, including incrementing the pointer of the first hardware-based queue state register, reading a queue size of the queue from a first hardware-based configuration register associated with the first queue, and wrapping around the pointer if the pointer reaches an end of the first queue based on the queue size. |
| US08051226B2 |
Circular buffer support in a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) data processor
A method is provided for generating a control vector. The method comprising: providing a circular buffer having a plurality of storage elements that are arranged sequentially from a designated first storage element to a designated last storage element, and when the designated last storage element of the plurality of storage elements is accessed, the access continuing in a sequential order continuing with the designated first storage element; determining a beginning storage element of the plurality of storage elements to be accessed; and generating a control vector, the control vector comprising a plurality of index values, each of the plurality of index values corresponding to one of the plurality of storage elements of the circular buffer to be accessed in the sequential order from the beginning storage element to an ending storage element. |
| US08051222B2 |
Concatenating secure digital input output (SDIO) interface
An apparatus and a process for transferring packet data includes receiving packets from a first interface such as a network interface and transferring data to a second interface such as an SD Bus interface such as SDIO using a protocol such as one described in SDCard.org. The SD Bus second interface operates as a slave device to a master device, and the packet transfer from first interface to second interface includes concatenating length fields and packet data fields from packets received on the first interface to form a superframe which is provided to the second interface at time of data transfer. The formation of each superframe includes starting a timer such that the superframe is transmitted to the second interface by asserting an interrupt on that interface when either the timer expires, the number of packet from the first interface exceeds a threshold, or the amount of data from the first interface exceeds a threshold. |
| US08051221B2 |
Communication system, information processing device, peripheral device and communication method
A communication system that performs data communications based on an SCSI command defined in the SCSI standard, the communication system includes; a peripheral device that performs at least one of writing and reading to/from a recording medium inserted into a slot; and an information processing device connected to the peripheral device, including: an OS kernel; an adding unit that adds communication data to a free area of Inquiry data generated by issuing Inquiry command to the OS kernel; and a transmitting unit that transmits the Inquiry data to the peripheral device including the communication data added by the adding unit, wherein the peripheral device includes: a receiving unit that receives the Inquiry data transmitted by the transmitting unit; and an extracting unit that extracts the communication data added to the received Inquiry data. |
| US08051213B2 |
Method for server-directed packet forwarding by a network controller based on a packet buffer threshold
A network controller improves load-balancing within a network system without requiring an intelligent switch having TCP splicing capability. The network controller forwards connections in response to directives from the connected server, permitting connection splicing within the network controller, but in response to a determination within the server that a connection to an alternative node is more desirable. The server detects that a packet buffer for an original destination node exceeds a threshold and sends a command to the network controlled to forward connections to an alternate destination node. The alternative node connection can be determined based on data availability, server load or other criteria. The packet forwarding mechanism and can be implemented very compactly within the firmware of the network controller and the server forwarding control can be communicated via the network controller device driver. |
| US08051212B2 |
Network interface adapter with shared data send resources
A network interface adapter includes an outgoing packet generator, adapted to generate an outgoing request packet for delivery to a remote responder responsive to a request submitted by a host processor and a network output port, coupled to transmit the outgoing request packet over a network to the remote responder. A network input port receives an incoming response packet from the remote responder, in response to the outgoing request packet sent thereto, as well as an incoming request packet sent by a remote requester. An incoming packet processor receives and processes both the incoming response packet and the incoming request packet, and causes the outgoing packet generator, responsive to the incoming request packet, to generate, in addition to the outgoing request packet, an outgoing response packet for transmission to the remote requester. |
| US08051207B2 |
Inferring server state in s stateless communication protocol
Server state objects are identified by an intermediate server among packets transmitted between an application server and a client device on a network based upon a stateless communication protocol, by monitoring and analyzing the packets transmitted between the application server and the client device. The packets are parsed into a plurality of name-value pairs. The entropy of the name-value pairs having a same name field is computed, and candidate data objects that are likely to be server state objects are selected based upon the computed entropy. Candidate data objects that were transmitted bi-directionally between the application sever and the client device are identified as server state objects. |
| US08051203B2 |
Providing SCSI acceleration as a service in the SAN
Techniques are disclosed for abstracting write acceleration techniques and tape acceleration techniques away from transport providers (e.g., away from an FC or FCIP interlink between two storage area networks) and allowing acceleration to be provided as a service by nodes within the storage area network (SAN). Doing so allows the acceleration service to be provided anywhere in the SAN. Further, doing so allows users to scale the acceleration service as needed, without having to create awkward topologies of multiple VSANS. Further still, as the acceleration service is offered independently from the transport, compression, encryption, and other services may be offered as part of the transport between the FC/FCIP connection along with the acceleration service. |
| US08051197B2 |
Network congestion management systems and methods
Systems, methods and software useful for overcoming network congestion problems including head-of-line blocking issues and other network congestion problems. In certain aspects, flow control mechanisms implemented in a switch device or other network device manage buffer and system level resources using a scheduler to control the amount of data requested from a local SAN fabric. Switches and other network devices configured according to the present invention monitor each individual SCSI task, and are configured to apply flow control measures to each active session when buffering resources become scarce, such as when buffering data for a slower-speed WAN link or TCP/IP based interconnects of any speed. |
| US08051189B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for session initiation protocol (SIP) fast switchover
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for notifying a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) entity of a fast switchover event. According to one method a first SIP entity having an active host and a standby host is provided. At the active host a SUBSCRIBE message is received from a second SIP entity for subscribing to a fast switchover notification service. The standby host is switched to an active mode. In response to switching the standby host to active mode, a NOTIFY message is sent to the second SIP entity for notifying the second SIP entity that the standby host is operating in active mode. |
| US08051183B1 |
Non-disruptive server replacement for session-based clients
Non-disruptive server replacement for session-based clients. An embodiment of a method includes establishing a first session between a first storage server and a client, the first storage server comprising a data component coupled to a data storage, a network component, and a session data structure in the network component for the first session. Transferring an operation of the first storage server to a second storage server during the first session with the client, wherein the second storage server is a replacement storage server for the first storage server. |
| US08051181B2 |
Method for establishing secure communication link between computers of virtual private network
A technique is disclosed for establishing a secure communication link between a first computer and a second computer over a computer network. Initially, a secure communication mode of communication is enabled at a first computer without a user entering any cryptographic information for establishing the secure communication mode of communication. Then, a secure communication link is established between the first computer and a second computer over a computer network based on the enabled secure communication mode of communication. The secure communication link is a virtual private network communication link over the computer network in which one or more data values that vary according to a pseudo-random sequence are inserted into each data packet. |
| US08051179B2 |
Distributed session failover
A distributed session failover mechanism is disclosed for facilitating the replication and retrieval of session information. A first server, in a trusted network, providing a single sign-on (SSO) solution, stores session information pertaining to a particular client requesting services associated with the server. In order to provide session failover, the first server sends a copy of the session information to a bus mechanism, which is connected to one or more persistent repositories. When a second server attempts to validate the client, the second server may discover that the first server failed. The second server then requests a copy of the session information pertaining to the client from the bus mechanism. The bus mechanism retrieves the copy from a persistent repository and provides the copy to the second server. |
| US08051177B1 |
Media proxy having interface to multiple virtual private networks
A VPN media proxy for communication between VPNs and external networks having different addressing schemes, has interfaces to the two or more VPNs, a configuration store, and an address translator arranged to translate the source and destination address of the information based on the configuration. Sharing of the proxy by many VPNs can keep costs down or enable more VPNs to be provided. A call server also shared by the VPNs is used to set up the session and to establish the configuration. The proxy can have an address within each VPN so that it appears to be a dedicated resource for each VPN. |
| US08051176B2 |
Method and system for predicting connections in a computer network
A method and system are disclosed for predicting connections in a computer network. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, predictive connection information is determined for a second connection through a switch between a client and a plurality of servers. A first server of the plurality of servers determines the predictive connection information using at least connection information associated with a first connection through the switch between the client and the first server. The first connection is associated with the second connection. The predictive connection information is communicated from the first server to the switch. |
| US08051171B2 |
Control server that manages resource servers for selected balance of load
A control server of an apparatus in one example manages a plurality of resource servers that are allocated to handle a load. The control server receives from a first resource server, of the plurality of resource servers, a first status message that comprises a first indicator of a relative availability of the first resource server. The control server receives from a second resource server, of the plurality of resource servers, a second status message that comprises a second indicator of a relative availability of the second resource server. The control server employs a comparison of the first indicator of the relative availability of the first resource server with the second indicator of the relative availability of the second resource server to promote a selected balance of the load between two or more of the plurality of resource servers. |
| US08051168B1 |
Method and system for security and user account integration by reporting systems with remote repositories
The present invention presents security and user account integration with remote authentication servers, (e.g., repositories not owned by the server). Integration may occur with Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), an operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows™ NT™) authentication, custom account repositories and others. For example, the server may synchronize associated user lists with a remote repository. In another example, the server may also make external calls to remote authentication servers to validate a user's username and password. Other information may be validated. |
| US08051165B2 |
Mediation system and method for processing event records
A mediation method and a mediation system divided into independent node components that process event records independently of the other components of the system. In addition, the system is provided with at least one node manager component that monitors the functioning of the node components. Each of the independent node components operates according to its own settings and is thus self-contained and capable of continuing operation even though some of the other components are temporarily inoperative. The system comprises audit counters providing counts relating to the processed event records, and the node manager is configured to check whether the counts of the audit counters match, in order to ensure that no event records are lost in the mediation system. |
| US08051162B2 |
Data assurance in server consolidation
A method for data assurance in server consolidation is provided. The method includes collecting an inventory of a plurality of source servers in a desired environment and performance data of such source servers, evaluating and checking a data structure of the performance data, applying predetermined time stamps, checks, and statistic computations to the performance data, and evaluating a data quality of the performance data. |
| US08051160B2 |
Method and apparatus for a network hub to diagnose network operation and broadcast information to a remote host or monitoring device
A network hub in a communication network that acts as a server to network clients to push, or transmit, information regarding the state of local and remote devices and networks. The information can be one, or more, status information, which information can be one or more predefined fields in a frame, which represents a packet of data. In one embodiment, it is desirable that the frame be a “legitimate” Ethernet-type frame. The status field can be a “push”-Type status field. The push operation can be a unicast, a multicast, or a broadcast, or a hybrid transmission. The hub can be a switch, repeater, a bridge, a router, a gateway, or a hybrid thereof. Also, the hub according to the present invention can be an OSI Layer 2 device, an OSI Layer 3 device, or a hybrid thereof. It is desirable that the hub be devoid of a microprocessor. As described herein, the hub may have plural ports, for example, four, eight, or more ports. |
| US08051159B2 |
Systems and methods for configuring a network of affiliated websites
A plurality of affiliated network of websites may be configured to log user interactions thereon. The respective logs may comprise user identification information to allow a profile aggregation service to correlate user interactions across the plurality of websites and to generate respective user profiles, which may be used to configure the websites. A context aware platform (CAP) website may be configured to provide web services for entities in a business hierarchy. The CAP website may capable of presenting content in one of a plurality of operational modes associated with a geographical granularity of the franchise hierarchy. In addition, the CAP website may be configurable according to a user profile generated using user interactions across a plurality of websites and/or on the CAP website. |
| US08051158B2 |
Program management apparatus and method
A management server 201 transmits information representing a list of additional applications installable on an image forming apparatus 202 to the image forming apparatus 202 (S410). When an application is selected from the list and an instruction to execute the application is issued, a request for installation is issued to the management server 201 if the application has not been installed. The management server 201 installs the requested application on the image forming apparatus if the management server 201 has a license for the requested application and the application can be installed (M470). On the other hand, if the application cannot be installed because of insufficient resources, a resource is freed up by flushing and then the application is installed. |
| US08051152B2 |
Isolated application server
Dynamically isolating application servers, wherein only active application servers are indicated to client applications to prevent access to inactive application servers by the client applications. A central server of a distributed system determines a state of application servers in a system, and generates a list of application servers that includes all application servers of the system including an indication of the state of the application servers. The central server also generates a filtered list of application servers that excludes inactive application servers or application servers in an inactive mode. The filtered list is passed to client applications, which enables the client applications to only access the active application servers, but not access the inactive application servers. |
| US08051148B2 |
Determining differences between configuration diagrams
System and method for determining and/or merging differences between configuration diagrams. First information is received regarding a first configuration diagram comprising a first plurality of nodes and graphically representing a first system, and second information is received regarding a second configuration diagram comprising a first plurality of nodes and graphically representing a second system. At least a portion of the nodes may correspond to hardware devices, programs, and/or configuration data of the respective systems, and may be interconnected. The first and second information is analyzed to determine and/or merge differences between the first configuration diagram and the second configuration diagram, e.g., differences between hardware, software, configuration, and/or connectivity, e.g., by traversing the configuration diagrams or data structures representing the diagrams. An indication of the differences and/or a merged configuration diagram may be displayed on a display device, e.g., where the differences are indicated graphically, e.g., via highlighting. |
| US08051145B2 |
Method of simultaneously providing data to two or more devices on the same network
A method of providing data to two client devices on a first network having a shared cache from a server device on a second network. An instance of substantially simultaneous requests for data being made to a server from two client devices on a same network is identified. In response to a first request for the data being received at a first point in time a first one of the two client devices is served with the requested data from the server such that the data is stored in the shared cache. The second one of the two client devices is directed to make a second request for the data at a second point in time, later than the first point in time, so that the requested data is available in the stored cache. |
| US08051142B2 |
Computer program and method for granting multiple users access to a secure repository
A computer program, system, and method for granting multiple users access to a secure repository. Embodiments of the present invention provide for authenticating either of first or second users desiring access to the secure repository. In embodiments of the present invention, a respective encryption or decryption operation of files or folders transferred in or out of the secure repository is performed using a key created, at least in part, on an enrolled security template provided by said first user. Thus, even if the second user is authenticated and allowed access to the secure repository, said creation of the key is performed using the security template associated with the first user. In even further embodiments of the present invention, a single storage device contains a plurality of secure repositories. |
| US08051136B2 |
Optimizing a presence enabled managed service
Methods, systems, processes and devices are provided for optimizing throughput and quality of service of a presence enabled managed service. The method includes at least a first entity requesting from an aggregator of presence services presence information of a second entity. The method includes looking up a profile of the aggregator stored in a cache of a presence server hosted by the presence enabled managed service. The method includes determining from the profile an aggregator level of service the aggregator has subscribed to from the presence enabled managed service, wherein the aggregator level of service is one of high level service, medium level service, and low level service. The method includes storing presence information of the second entity on a presence document on the cache and returning the presence information to the first entity based upon the aggregator level of service. |
| US08051134B1 |
Systems, methods, and programs for evaluating audio messages
Systems, methods, and programs, for evaluating audio messages store a model that may include language patterns, audio patterns, and/or metafeatures that indicate a likelihood that the audio message is a spam message or a non-spam message and compare the content of the input audio message with the model. Based on the comparison, the systems, methods, and programs identify the input audio message as a spam message or a non-spam message. |
| US08051128B2 |
Using feed usage data in an access controlled team project site environment
Feed usage data can be generated. Entries within an existing server log can be identified. The entries can correspond to user requests for a feed from a selected Website. Feed usage data from the identified entries can be determined. Communication of a message to at least one user according to the stored feed usage data can be initiated. |
| US08051117B2 |
Shift significand of decimal floating point data
A decimal floating point finite number in a decimal floating point format is composed from the number in a different format. A decimal floating point format includes fields to hold information relating to the sign, exponent and significand of the decimal floating point finite number. Other decimal floating point data, including infinities and NaNs (not a number), are also composed. Decimal floating point data are also decomposed from the decimal floating point format to a different format. For composition and decomposition, one or more instructions may be employed, including a shift significand instruction. |
| US08051111B2 |
Method and system for modularizing windows imaging format
A method and system may include capturing a computer system in a file-based manner that promotes single-instancing of files and thus prevents the occurrence of duplicate files, separating the captured computer system into primary file resources and ancillary file resources, and creating a parent image and a child image that refers to the parent image. The method and system may further include writing the primary file resources on the parent image, and writing the ancillary file resources onto the child image. The child image may include a resource-only file and a metadata-only file which provides instructions on how to recreate the file resources stored in the parent image and the child image. |
| US08051110B2 |
Identifying screen flows to support multiple entities and their diverse rules with a single application instance
A method and a system for identifying screen flows. An instance of an application utilized by a first entity locates a first key in a first table to identify a first procedure. The same instance of the application utilized by a second entity locates a second key in the first table to identify a second procedure. Using the first procedure, a method and a parameter set based on rules of the first entity are located in a second table. Using the second procedure, the method and a parameter set based on rules of the second entity are located in the second table. The method is executed with each of the parameter sets to identify a first screen flow for the first entity and a second screen flow for the second entity. The first screen flow includes data elements that are different from data elements included in the second screen flow. |
| US08051107B2 |
Method and device for creating relation-type form database
The present invention provides a method and device for creating a relation-type form database, the method comprising: displaying an existing form as a background image on a screen; drawing frames on predetermined positions of the background image with an operation means to create multiple data areas; and creating parallel relations and/or cross relations among the multiple data areas to form a relation-type database of the existing form. The operations of the present invention are easy and low-cost, which enable widely spreading of the application of databases. |
| US08051106B2 |
Automated application discovery and analysis system and method
An object oriented design for an automated modeling system for mapping and monitoring the business roles and impact of elements within an IT Infrastructure that make up specific applications or business processes, spanning not only network elements, hosts, servers and programs but also users, company structure and processes. The design including: a series of collector modules for collecting relationship, modeling and status information from IT specific sources used to build a model of the application or process in the database and to gather data about activities occurring on the computer network from a business impact perspective; a series of visualizer modules for reporting monitoring activities; a modeling database for storing information collected by the collector modules; a series of correlator modules for automatically determining relationships between data objects stored in the database to build application models of individual applications. |
| US08051094B2 |
Common interface to access catalog information from heterogeneous databases
Various embodiments of a system and computer program product to access metadata from a plurality of data servers from a federated database management system are provided. In one embodiment, a request for metadata, from a client application, is received by the federated database management system. Data servers which are accessible from the federated database management system are identified. For each data server, metadata describing data of a data source of that data server is retrieved in accordance with the application request. The retrieved metadata from each of the data servers is aggregated to produce an aggregated result in a uniform format. The aggregated result is provided. In another embodiment, for each data server, a source metadata request for metadata of that data server is generated in accordance with the application request and a source metadata application programming interface. A view is created based on the source metadata request for metadata for each data server. |
| US08051092B2 |
Finalize sequencing for objects
Systems, methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for saving a plurality of objects to persistent storage as part of a finalize sequence. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method may include, receiving a request to instantiate a plurality of objects; sorting the plurality of objects based on a priority assigned to each of the plurality of objects before the request to instantiate the objects is received; and saving in sequence the sorted plurality of objects to the persistent storage. |
| US08051091B2 |
Parallelizing data manipulation by data set abstraction
A first request to access a first set of items is received, wherein each item is associated with one or more properties. A second request to access a second set of items is also received. A determination is made as to whether items from the first set are in the second set of items, and the sets are divided into one or more subsets based on the determining. Each of the one or more subsets is assigned to a respective thread, and the respective thread of the subset that does not contain items in the second request is processed. This way, individual subsets (i.e. data partitions) can be processed by multiple threads in parallel without having to synchronize them. |
| US08051088B1 |
Document analysis
A particular computer-implemented method includes generating a plurality of intent maps based on a plurality of documents. The plurality of intent maps includes a first intent map based on a first document and a second intent map based on a second document. Each intent map of the plurality of intent maps corresponds to a document of the plurality of documents and includes a set of event structures. Each event structure includes data descriptive of an actor and an action described in the document that corresponds to the intent map. The method also includes performing a comparison of event structures of the first intent map and event structures of the second intent map. The method further includes determining, based on the comparison, whether at least a portion of the first document is duplicative of at least a portion of the second document. |
| US08051087B2 |
Customized geographical location indexing
A system is disclosed for customizing a geographic location index based on user preferences. The system obtains geographic data provided by a user and generates a customized geographic region based on the obtained geographic data. The system generates relationship data corresponding to the new customized geographic region. The system updates the geographic location index based on the new customized geographic region and corresponding relationship data. Thereafter, on-line content may be delivered to an audience associated with the new customized geographic region, thereby allowing the user, such as an advertiser or publisher, to define targeting regions that are optimal to their specific business environment. |
| US08051084B2 |
System and method for measuring the quality of document sets
Systems and methods are described that calculate the interestingness of a set of one or more records in a database, either absolutely (i.e., compared to an overall collection of records) or relative to some other set of records. In one embodiment, the measure is a relative entropy value that has been normalized. Various applications of the measure are described in the context of an information retrieval system. These applications include, for example, guiding query interpretation, guiding view selection and summarization, intelligent ranges, event detection, concept triggers and interpreting user actions, hierarchy discovery, and adaptive data mining. |
| US08051083B2 |
Forum web page clustering based on repetitive regions
Described is a technology by which forum web pages are processed into clusters for classification purposes, including by determining repetitive regions between pages and associating pages that have similar repetitive regions into a common cluster. Patterns corresponding to the regions are determined, and a feature set based at least in part on those patterns (e.g., pattern frequency) is extracted from the page. The feature set of a page is compared against the feature set of another page to determine similarity therewith, e.g., via a feature space distance computation that is evaluated against a threshold distance. |
| US08051082B2 |
System and method for facilitating interactive selection of clusters and presentation of related datasets
A system and method to facilitate interactive selection of groupings of clusters and presentation of related datasets are described. An interactive data interface is presented to a user in a display window, the interactive data interface configured to display multiple alternate groupings of clusters associated with at least one dataset of records targeted by the user. Selection of a grouping of clusters from the plurality of selectable groupings is further facilitated based on one or more predetermined parameters associated with each grouping of clusters and the individual clusters within a respective grouping, such as, for example, a target ratio value and a target count value corresponding to each cluster of records. |
| US08051081B2 |
System and method for generating media bookmarks
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable media for transmedia video bookmarks, the method comprising receiving a first place marker and a second place marker for a segment of video media, extracting metadata from the video media between the first and second place markers, normalizing the extracted metadata, storing the normalized metadata, first place marker, and second place marker as a video bookmark, and retrieving the media represented by the video bookmark upon request from a user. One aspect further aggregates video bookmarks from multiple sources and refines the first place marker and second place marker based on the aggregated video bookmarks. Metadata can be extracted by analyzing text or audio annotations. Another aspect of normalizing the extracted metadata includes generating a video thumbnail representing the video media between the first place marker and the second place marker. Multiple video bookmarks may be searchable by metadata or by the video thumbnail visually. In one aspect a user profile stores video bookmarks on a per media and per user basis. |
| US08051074B2 |
Method of controlling display of comments
Disclosed is a method of selectively displaying comments posted by users. The method comprises setting, by a first user, a threshold value for use in determining whether to display comments posted by users of an Internet service; and sending, by the first user, a request for displaying a page of the Internet service. The requested page contains a comment or a title of a comment posted by a second user who is assigned a reputation index. The method further comprises displaying, on a screen associated with the first user, the requested page, wherein the comment or the title of the second user is selectively redacted based on comparison of the reputation index of the second user with the threshold value of the first user. |
| US08051070B2 |
Device, method, and computer-readable recording medium for notifying content scene appearance
An acquiring unit acquires from each of a plurality of database servers processing capacity information for a query received from a client. A generating unit generates a first code indicating a first processing and a second code indicating a second processing for the query. A first transmitting unit transmits the first code to the database servers. An executing unit executes the second processing by using first result data of XML data acquired by executing the first processing from the database servers. A second transmitting unit transmits second result data of XML data acquired by executing the second processing to the client. |
| US08051068B2 |
Trail-based exploration of a repository of documents
Techniques that support trail-based exploration by a user of a repository of documents are described herein. In one embodiment, trail definition data that specifies a trail is received. The trail includes an ordered series of waypoints including a trailhead, intermediate waypoints, and one or more trailends. In some embodiments, deadends may also be defined in the trial. A particular waypoint in the ordered series of waypoints is established as a current waypoint. Search terms can be received from a user to cause a search to be performed. It is then determined whether the search satisfies matching criteria associated with a waypoint that immediately follows the current waypoint in the ordered series of waypoints. If so, the user advances to the next waypoint. Otherwise, the user remains at the current waypoint. Finally, if a trailend is reached, then an action such as rewarding the user in some way may be performed. |
| US08051066B2 |
Expression-based web logger for usage and navigational behavior tracking
Configurably storing data in a plurality of files based on expressions and conditions associated with the data. Logging software enables tracking of the navigation pattern of users for selected network properties under specified conditions. The logging software is configurable such that most current and future logging specifications may be fulfilled without any code changes to the logging software. |
| US08051064B2 |
Method and system for automatically updating search results on an online auction site
A method and system for updating searches on an online auction site are described. In one embodiment, a database of auction postings is automatically searched based upon at least one search criteria to produce at least one new search result. The at least one new search result is compared with at least one previous search result. In addition, an e-mail notification of the result of the comparison is sent to a user notifying a user of the comparison. |
| US08051061B2 |
Cross-lingual query suggestion
Cross-lingual query suggestion (CLQS) aims to suggest relevant queries in a target language for a given query in a source language. The cross-lingual query suggestion is improved by exploiting the query logs in the target language. CLQS provides a method for learning and determining a similarity measure between two queries in different languages. The similarity measure is based on both translation information and monolingual similarity information, and in one embodiment uses both the query log itself and click-through information associated therewith. Monolingual and cross-lingual information such as word translation relations and word co-occurrence statistics may be used to estimate the cross-lingual query similarity with a discriminative model. |
| US08051060B1 |
Automatic detection of separators for compression
A method that accepts a data file, iteratively tests different information units as record delimiters and field delimiters, and chooses as the data files record delimiter, R, and field delimiter, F, the information units that result in the lowest generalized entropy that is computed on fields created by use of the chosen delimiter pair R,F. |
| US08051059B2 |
Supplier identification and locator system and method
A supplier identification and locator system in that allows a user to identify a supplier of goods or services over the Internet; the system includes at least one directory Web site having a domain name that is at least partially descriptive of a class of goods or services. The directory Web site has a plurality of links that access suppliers' Web sites; a supplier descriptive portion located substantially adjacent to the link; a descriptive title portion substantially corresponding to the class of goods or services described in the domain name; a rollover window that displays information about at least one supplier; and an input receiving area where a user inputs data and ranked search results are displayed. |
| US08051058B2 |
System for estimating cardinality in a database system
A system for estimating cardinalities for a plurality of columns in a database system is disclosed. The system include obtaining statistics collected for the plurality of columns. A first portion of the statistics indicates at least one relationship between at least a portion of the plurality of columns, while a second portion of the statistics includes single column statistics. The system also include utilizing the first portion and the second portion of the statistics to estimate the cardinality for the plurality of columns. |
| US08051057B2 |
Processing of network content and services for mobile or fixed devices
A system for supplying network content to a device. The system includes a first interface for communicating with a network content source for retrieving the network content. The system also includes a second interface for communicating with the device for delivering processed network content to the device. The system includes an agent framework operatively connected to the first interface and the second interface and which operates a plurality of autonomous agents including a content retrieval agent, a content personalization agent, and a content delivery agent. The content retrieval agent is for retrieving the network content from the network content source via the first interface. The content personalization agent is for processing the network content thereby producing the processed network content. The content delivery agent is for delivering the processed network content to the device via the second interface. |
| US08051055B1 |
Tracking table and index partition usage in a database
Apparatus, methods and computer-readable medium for displaying information related to performance of a given database statement which accesses a plurality of multi-partition objects during a time interval. In some embodiments, the method comprises: a) determining, for a given database statement that accesses a plurality of index or table partitions during the time interval, for each accessed partition of a plurality of partitions, a respective aggregate wait time associated with said accessed partition; b) in accordance with the determined wait times for the given database statement, presenting, to a user, a description of performance of the database during the time interval. |
| US08051053B2 |
System and method for data storage firewall on data storage unit
A system and method is introduced for implementing a storage firewall for protecting files when a storage device connects to a digital appliance. A storage device may connect to a number of appliances and is therefore at risk of getting infected with viruses and other malware risking subsequent transfer of these infections to other appliances. The storage device is further at risk of leaking sensitive information or loosing critical information. The storage firewall protects data on a storage device that connects to a digital appliance in various manners using a standard, unencrypted partition and a standard file system. Protected and unprotected files may reside homogeneously on the file system of the storage device. Using the storage firewall, files on digital appliance may be protected from infected files residing on storage device connected to digital appliance. No application is required to be activated on digital appliance when storage device connects to digital appliance. Protection is activated by default and carried out by storage device. |
| US08051052B2 |
Method for creating control structure for versatile content control
The mobile storage device may be provided with a system agent that is able to create at least one hierarchical tree comprising nodes at different levels for controlling access to data stored in the memory by corresponding entities. Each node of the tree specifies permission or permissions of a corresponding entity or entities for accessing memory data. The permission or permissions at the node of each of the trees has a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at nodes at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. Thus, the mobile storage devices may be issued without any trees already created so that the purchaser of the devices has a free hand in creating hierarchical trees adapted to the applications the purchaser has in mind. Alternatively, the mobile storage devices may also be issued with the trees already created so that a purchaser does not have to go through the trouble of creating the trees. In both situations, preferably certain functionalities of the trees can become fixed after the devices are made so that they cannot be further changed or altered. This provides greater control over access to the content in the device by the content owner. Thus, in one embodiment, the system agent can preferably be disabled so that no additional trees can be created. |
| US08051051B2 |
Map data product, map data processing program product, map data processing method, and map data processing device
A first data product that can be read into a computer or a map data processing apparatus, contains therein map data having map-related information of a map. The map data includes: a structure having the map-related information divided into units of a plurality of divisions into which the map is divided; and a structure having management information for the map-related information divided into units of the divisions, and: the map-related information obtained by the computer or the map data processing apparatus can be updated in units of the individual divisions by using the management information. |
| US08051049B2 |
Method and system for providing enhanced matching from customer driven queries
A system for providing enhanced matching for database queries. The system includes a data source; a data repository comprising a single-sourced reference file; a database comprising a multi-sourced reference file, the multi-sourced reference file having a first unique business identification number corresponding to a business entity; and an intelligence engine processing incoming data from the data source. The intelligence engine determines whether the incoming data matches the multi-sourced reference file and adds the data to the multi-sourced reference file when the data matches the multi-sourced reference file. The intelligence engine also determines whether the incoming data matches a single-sourced reference file contained within the data repository when the data does not match the multi-sourced reference file. |
| US08051044B1 |
Method and system for continuous data protection
Continuous data protection is performed as two parallel processes: copying a data block from the storage device into the backup storage device (creating initial backup) and copying the data block to be written to the data storage into the incremental backup. When a write command is directed to a data storage block, it's intercepted and redirected to the backup storage, and data, which is to be written in accord to the write request, is written to the incremental backup on the backup storage. If write command is also directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. In case of an error accessing a block on the storage device, the block is marked as invalid. The system suspends a write command to the storage device during the initial data backup process if the intermediate storage device has reached a selected data capacity; and copies a selected amount of data from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. |
| US08051043B2 |
Group based complete and incremental computer file backup system, process and apparatus
The present invention is capable of determining the rights to a file based on providing a descriptor. The descriptor can be calculated using an algorithm, which may be cryptographic and/or non-cryptographic. The descriptor may further be based on the file contents, metadata of the file, other file data, or any combination thereof to uniquely identify the file in a shared file repository. Since the descriptor is generated based on file data it will be the same regardless of which user generates it. Accordingly, only one copy of the file needs to be maintained in the shared file repository, thereby reducing the amount of network bandwidth required to assure the file is backed up and further reducing the amount of storage required to backup the files. This results in a vastly more efficient method of backup in terms of processing time, network bandwidth, and storage requirements. |
| US08051038B1 |
Method and system for information distribution
A computer-implemented system for maintaining a set of databases includes a first server that stores a master database of records that is updated on an intermittent basis, a second server that stores a computer-searchable, enhanced database of the same records as the master database, means for receiving intermittent updates from the master database and incorporating the updates into the enhanced database, means for electronically inputting information from sources other than the master database into the enhanced database, the information from other sources is more recent than information in the master database means and for revising the enhanced database to contain such more recent information and means for distributing information from the enhanced database to one or more subscriber servers. |
| US08051037B2 |
System and method for pseudorandom permutation for interleaving in wireless communications
A system and method for pseudorandom permutation for interleaving in wireless communication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first ordered sequence of communication symbols having a first order, permuting the first ordered sequence of communication symbols to generate a second ordered sequence of communication symbols having a second order, and outputting the second ordered sequence of communication symbols, wherein the second order is based, at least in part, on a third order having a greater size than the second order, the third order being a pseudorandom permutation defined by the input-output relationship Y = mod ( m * S * ( S + 1 ) 2 , P ) , wherein P is the smallest power of two not less than the number of elements in the first ordered sequence, S is an input order represented by a sequence of consecutive integers from zero to P−1 in increasing order, Y is an output order represented as a sequence of integers, and m is an integer. |
| US08051036B2 |
Method and apparatus for management and updating of distributed user databases
The invention includes a method and apparatus for authenticating a visiting node in a wireless network. A method includes receiving a request to transfer a user database of a visiting node, obtaining the visiting node user database from the visiting node in response to a determination to update a master user database to include the visiting node user database, and merging the visiting node user database with the master user database. The request to transfer the visiting node user database is received, from the visiting node, at a primary authentication node of the network. The visiting node user database includes entries for users associated with the visiting node. The master user database includes entries for users associated with nodes authenticated by the primary authentication node of the network. |
| US08051034B2 |
Parallel processing of assigned table partitions
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for parallel processing of assigned table partitions. In general, a group of data may be received and at least a portion of the data may be caused to be assigned to an application server to process the data based at least in part on the application server and the at least a portion of the data being assigned to a same segment. A segment may represent one or more partitions of data of a database, such as a multidimensional database or a flat database. The data that is processed may be payment items that are processed as part of payment order processing by a payment engine. |
| US08051033B2 |
Predisposition prediction using attribute combinations
A method and system are presented in which predisposition predictions are generated for an individual with respect to an attribute indicated in a query. The predictions are based on the identification of predisposing attribute combinations within the attribute profile of the individual and statistical results that indicate the strength of association of the identified attribute combinations with the query attribute. |
| US08051026B2 |
Rules collector system and method with user interaction
A rules collector system and method. The system and method enables a process of capturing an expertise of an individual in a formalized manner, and which may update rules and knowledge databases with information based on the interaction with the individual. The system includes a rules retrieval coordinator responsive to an input from an individual and adapted to provide relevant information to the individual based on the input and to enable a bidirectional information exchange with the individual. A rules input processor is used for monitoring responses from the individual and generating one of a plurality of different outputs depending on the responses. A rules generator is responsive to the rules input processor and is used to form one or more new rules based on the responses from the individual. A rule integrity check subsystem automatically checks integrity of the new rule based on pre-existing rules. |
| US08051022B2 |
Embedded programmable intelligent search memory (PRISM) that simultaneously performs regular expression based search and signature pattern based search
Memory architecture provides capabilities for high performance content search. The architecture creates an innovative memory that can be programmed with content search rules which are used by the memory to evaluate presented content for matching with the programmed rules. When the content being searched matches any of the rules programmed in the Programmable Intelligent Search Memory (PRISM) action(s) associated with the matched rule(s) are taken. The PRISM content search memory is embedded in a single core or multi-core processors or in multi-processor systems to perform content search. PRISM accelerates content search by offloading the content search tasks from the processors. Content search rules comprise of regular expressions which are converted to finite state automata and then programmed in PRISM for evaluating content with the search rules. |
| US08051019B2 |
Neural network resource sizing apparatus for database applications
A neural network resource sizing apparatus for database applications. Through use of multiple database application metrics input into a neural network learning algorithm, recommended resource capacities are generated. Input parameters such as the number of records, lookups, images, PDFs, fields, BLOBs and width of fields for example may be utilized to train a neural network to yield needed resource metrics such as the processing power, memory, disk and/or network capacities required to run the database application. Training for the neural network may involve running tests over all desired cross interactions of input and output parameters beginning for example with a small repository and ending with the maximum complexity of data and schema test. The training data is input into the neural network for the given database application version and utilized to plan resource utilization. A portal or webservice may be utilized to provide an interface to the apparatus. |
| US08051017B2 |
Practical model for high speed file delivery services supporting guaranteed delivery times and differentiated service levels
A practical economic and technical model for building commercial-grade electronic file delivery services that provide the same scale, predictability, and differentiated service levels as physical courier services traditionally used to move electronic data on physical media. Systems and methods for providing such services using a charge-back scheme based on congestion pricing are described. |
| US08051012B2 |
System and method for discounted printing
A system and method for method for implementing a discounted printing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for implementing discounted printing includes creating a sponsored document including a digital signature using a cryptographic protocol provided in an application by an enterprise, sending the sponsored document including the digital signature to a client computing system including a sponsored printer for printing by the enterprise, dynamically verifying the digital signature by a trusted service provider upon the enterprise sending the sponsored document to the sponsored printer, and printing the sponsored document by the sponsored printer upon a successful verification of the digital signature. The method may also include crediting an end user associated with the sponsored printer by an amount that substantially subsidizes cost associated with the printing of the sponsored document. |
| US08051006B1 |
Payment system for spending accounts and other programs
A payment system for spending accounts is provided. The payment system includes a qualified vendor system, such as a point of sale system at a doctor's office, that generates purchase data and point of sale data, such as a co-pay amount, a credit card number, and a point of sale device identifier. An account management system receives the purchase data and point of sale data and generates authorized purchase data, such as by determining whether payment of co-pay can be automatically authorized based on pre-qualification of the doctor's office as an authorized source. |
| US08051004B2 |
Automated method and article of manufacture for fully insuring large deposits received from a plurality of custodians from their respective depositors
An automated method is provided for processing large deposits that exceed an established deposit insurance limit so that the large deposits are fully insured. The large deposits are received from a plurality of unaffiliated custodians from their respective depositors. A processor receives orders from the plurality of custodians to process large deposits. The processor partitions each of the large deposits for each order into a plurality of deposit portions in a manner so that each deposit portion does not exceed the established deposit insurance limit. The processor then assigns at least some of the deposit portions for each of the large deposits for each order to at least some custodians that are unaffiliated with the custodian that received the large deposit for deposit therein. |
| US08051001B1 |
System and method for providing a linear spread
A system and method for providing a linear spread in an electronic trading environment are described. According to one example embodiment, a trading system can receive market information associated to a trading strategy, known as a spread. The trader may also define a market volatility parameter to utilize in the calculation of a linear spread price axis. The received market information and a divide spread algorithm are also used to determine the linear spread price axis. The trading application determines a linear spread price axis, at which price levels are separated by consistent linear tick increments. The linear spread price axis allows for more efficient and effective trading in the electronic trading environment especially when certain tradeable objects are traded or when certain spread algorithms, like the divide spread algorithm, are utilized. |
| US08050999B2 |
Lender anonymity securities lending using lender trade criteria
Lender anonymity securities lending where trade criteria associated with a security owned by a client are determined. Bids for the security are monitored by a first entity. A trade related to the security is executed by accepting a best bid from the monitored bids based on the trade criteria. An identical trade related to the security is automatically executed with a second entity. A second identical trade as the trade related to the security is automatically executed with inter-dealer brokers without any knowledge of the first entity. The first entity may be a banking division of a financial institution and the second entity may be a broker/dealer division of a financial institution. Complete anonymity is provided to the client from the inter-dealer brokers since the trade executed automatically with the second entity is put into a separate trading book maintaining a firewall between the client and the inter-dealer brokers. |
| US08050996B2 |
Systems relating to the establishment of a contractual obligation
Methods and apparatus which deal with the management of risk relating to specified, yet unknown, future events. ‘Sponsor’ stakeholders specify a particular product relating to an event or phenomenon for which there is a range of possible future outcomes. ‘Ordering’ stakeholders then offer contracts relating to the predetermined phenomenon and corresponding range of outcomes. The offered contracts specify an entitlement or (pay-off) at the future time of maturity for each outcome, and a consideration (or premium) payable, in exchange, to a ‘counter-party’ stakeholder. Independently of the offered contracts, the ‘counter-party’ stakeholders input data as to their view of the likelihood of occurrence of each outcome in the predetermined range into the future, or specifically at the predetermined date of maturity. Each offered contract is priced by the processing units by calculating counter-party premiums from the registered data, and a match attempted by a comparison of the offered premium with the calculated premiums. Matched contracts can be further traded until maturity, and at-maturity processing handles the exchange of entitlement as between the matched parties to the contract. |
| US08050993B2 |
Semi-quantitative risk analysis
A semi-quantitative analysis on the risk management process increases the possibility of performing an accurate risks comparison, making easier the identification of which risks shall be prioritized and shall receive the greatest mitigation efforts. Specifically, the semi-quantitative risk analysis enables an improved risks comparison for evaluating the consequences of each risk considering its impacts on the project's Net Present Value (NPV), reflecting the project's cash flow at different times. The use of such method makes the prioritization process more efficient, helping the managers and other personnel involved on the process to focus their efforts to the most critical risks for the project's success. In this sense, the risk management process becomes more efficient and better able to provide better support to the project decision makers. |
| US08050991B2 |
Electronic balance checking and credit approval system for use in conducting electronic transactions
An electronic balance checking and credit approval system includes consumer transaction accounts, tokens, input devices, authentication hardware and software code capable of execution by the hardware, and output devices. The consumer transaction account is held in trust on behalf of a consumer by a credit extending company. The token is specific to and held by the consumer, and includes a consumer account identifier that is associated with the consumer transaction account. The input device receives the consumer account identifier concurrent with a consumer-initiated request for account balance information. The authentication hardware and software code verifies the consumer-initiated request and the consumer account identifier and authorizes access to the consumer transaction account. The consumer interface apparatus provides the consumer with a real-time account balance datum that is currently associated with the consumer transaction account. The system also includes a system and method for securely and quickly approving credit card transactions by comparing generated checksums with stored historical transaction results. |
| US08050981B2 |
Administrative notes in network-based commerce facility
Some embodiments provide a method and a system for receiving selection of a plurality of entities in the network-based facility from an administrator, receiving selection of an action from the administrator, and applying the selected action to each entity in the plurality of entities. |
| US08050979B2 |
Catalog generation based on divergent listings
A method and a system are described for catalog generation based on divergent listings. For example, a listing module may receive a divergent listing and collect data corresponding to an item in the listing. Each divergent listing of an item for sale is divergent with respect to other listings of the same item for sale. A calculation module may calculate an entropy value based on the collected data, the entropy value indicating a degree of difference between the item in the listing and a product in a catalog. A catalog module may associate the listing to the product in the catalog based on the entropy value. |
| US08050976B2 |
System for on-line merchant price setting
A method for setting a price for a product sold online by a subject merchant is provided. The method comprises accessing price information of at least one other merchant of the same product by applying a shopping robot to two or more shopping sites, including at least one price comparison site, with other offerings of the same product by other merchants; accessing pricing rules for the subject merchant that cover sales originating from the comparison site; applying the pricing rules to adjust the current product price at which the subject merchant offers the product on the two or more shopping sites to be more competitive; and responsive to a price adjustment that would reduce the product price so as to violate a specified profitability goal, increasing the shipping charges with which the merchant offers the product with the price adjustment on the two or more shopping sites. |
| US08050975B2 |
System and method to manage supply chain settlement, risk and liquidity
A system to manage a supply chain may include a purchase order management module operable on a processor to electronically receive purchase order information from a buyer and to store and track information associated with each purchase order. The system may also include an invoice and trade document management module to electronically store, aggregate and manage invoices and trade documents related to each purchase order and information required for presentment and reconciliation of each purchase order. |
| US08050972B2 |
Systems and methods for generating advertiser recommendations from users of workflow software
A method for using a workflow server to provide targeted advertisements recommended by users of workflow software includes: receiving, at a server from a user completing a workflow, information corresponding to a step in the workflow and an advertiser, the advertiser recommended by the user in connection with the step in the workflow; identifying, by the server, an advertisement corresponding to the recommended advertiser; and transmitting, from the server to a second client, a markup language page corresponding to the step in the workflow, the markup language page including the identified advertisement. Corresponding systems are also described. |
| US08050970B2 |
Method and system for providing filtered and/or masked advertisements over the internet
Methods and systems that allow an Internet distribution partner of an advertisement listings provider to receive filtered and masked listings for display on the website of the Internet distribution partner. The Internet distribution partner defines filters to be applied to ranked advertising listings provided by an advertising listing provider. The advertisement listings provider system applies the filter to the listings in its database and identify matches and/or excludes matches depending on the characteristic specified. The advertisement listings provider may then send the Internet distribution partner advertisement listings based on the application of one or more filter selected by the distribution partner. Thus, the advertisement listings provider and the Internet distribution partner are able to generate additional revenue without risking the Internet distribution partner's valuable relationships with its exclusive advertisers and without jeopardizing the Internet advertising distribution partner's relationships with its end users. |
| US08050967B2 |
System and method for tracking user activity in an incentive award system
A method of efficiently detecting a visit to a web site participating in an incentive award program, wherein the visit is detected at an information gathering system and wherein the information gathering system provides the incentive award program, the method including receiving a request message from a user including an award identifier, wherein the award identifier is associated with a predefined user activity and wherein the user sends the request message by activating a hyperlink presented on the participating web site during the visit; identifying a desired destination based on the request message received from the user, wherein the hyperlink advertises the desired destination to the user and wherein the desired destination is distinct from an address of the information gathering system at which the request message is received; and sending a redirect message to the user, wherein the redirect message includes an Internet address of the desired destination. |
| US08050964B2 |
Computer-readable medium product label apparatus and method
A user-computer-readable medium provides all or part of a product labeling system for engaging purchasers. Executables, data, or both are recorded in the medium embodied in a tag or other product labeling structure, in order to deliver to a consumer or purchaser engaging presentations of products, information, or registration templates. As a result, purchasers may receive launchers, browsers, viewers, e-mail systems, facsimile centers, players, or interface brokers for the foregoing, if organically installed already on a workstation of a purchaser. Software may provide catalog presentations, user registration templates, communications, linkers, or engines, and the like. Operation modules and profile builders may provide information over ready links implemented by software on the medium. In certain embodiments, entertainment, games, skill tests, and the like, recorded in the medium as a tag or label may execute to engage a purchaser and provide purchaser profiling information, product purchasing information, and the like to a vendor, while providing additional product information, warranty registrations, applications, entertainment, or the like, to a purchaser. |
| US08050952B2 |
Documenting occurrence of event
A method of documenting occurrence of an event in a computer system includes receiving first event information forwarded upon a first event occurring in execution of a first step in a transaction process. The first event information includes a first step key, a first step type, and first time-of-occurrence information. The method includes identifying, upon receiving the first event information, an anchor step type that previously has been assigned for use in documenting the first event. The anchor step type is associated with an anchor step in the transaction process. The method includes reading, using the anchor step type, an anchor key of the anchor step in an execution log for the transaction process. The execution log is identified using the first step key. The method includes associating the anchor key with the first time-of-occurrence information. A performance measure having start and end events may be evaluated. |
| US08050944B2 |
Intelligent patient visit information management and navigation system
A patient health record system uses knowledge bases to dynamically build visit templates and suggest content based on the user's profile and current patient information. The visit template is available to the health care provider using the system, and is presented within an easy-to-use graphical interface comprising a navigation pane for moving from one section of the template to another, and a visit information window that displays current visit information and allows the user to add and edit that information. |
| US08050942B1 |
Method and system for aligning prescriptions to a user-selected date
A system and method facilitate alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that each of the plurality of prescriptions requires a refill on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the medication regimen. The system and method facilitate the alignment of the refill dates to an arbitrary user-selected date, while maintaining compliance with one or more rules governing the adjudication of the prescriptions. |
| US08050940B2 |
Identification of specialty drugs
Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug. |
| US08050937B1 |
Method and system for providing relevant content based on claim analysis
A method including receiving claim data corresponding to a subscriber from a health plan server, analyzing the claim data to select a medical code, and displaying health content related to the medical code. |
| US08050936B1 |
Schedule planning network
Systems and techniques, including computer-implemented techniques, can be used to receive a base schedule that includes multiple rotations that each include one or more segments. A set of itineraries can be generated based upon the segments in the base schedule, and each itinerary can include an origin, a destination, and one or more segments linking the origin and the destination. The set of itineraries can be automatically analyzed to identify one or more valid itineraries within the set of itineraries, such that each valid itinerary complies with one or more constraints. |
| US08050933B2 |
Audio coding system using temporal shape of a decoded signal to adapt synthesized spectral components
A receiver in an audio coding system receives a signal conveying frequency subband signals representing an audio signal. The subband signals are examined to assess one or more characteristics of the audio signal including temporal shape. Spectral components are synthesized having the one or more assessed characteristics, integrated with the subband signals and passed through a synthesis filterbank to generate an output signal. |
| US08050931B2 |
Sound masking system and masking sound generation method
In a masking sound generation apparatus, a CPU analyzes a speech utterance speed of a received sound signal. Then, the CPU copies the received sound signal into a plurality of sound signals and performs the following processing on each of the sound signals. Namely, the CPU divides each of the sound signals into frames on the basis of a frame length determined on the basis of the speech utterance speed. Reverse process is performed on each of the frames to replace a waveform of the frame with a reverse waveform, and a windowing process is performed to achieve a smooth connection between the frames. Then, the CPU randomly rearranges the order of the frames and mixes the plurality of sound signals to generate a masking sound signal. |
| US08050929B2 |
Method and system of optimal selection strategy for statistical classifications in dialog systems
An optimal selection or decision strategy is described through an example that includes use in dialog systems. The selection strategy or method includes receiving multiple predictions and multiple probabilities. The received predictions predict the content of a received input and each of the probabilities corresponds to one of the predictions. In an example dialog system, the received input includes an utterance. The selection method includes dynamically selecting a set of predictions from the received predictions by generating ranked predictions. The ranked predictions are generated by ordering the plurality of predictions according to descending probability. |
| US08050926B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting prompt voice depending on environment
An apparatus for adjusting a prompt voice depending on an environment comprises a receiver module used for receiving a background sound, an analyzer module generating a control signal according to the background sound and an output module adjusting an output frequency of a prompt voice through the control signal and outputting the adjusted prompt voice. |
| US08050924B2 |
System for generating and selecting names
Methods and apparatus for implementing the generation of names. In one implementation, a system for generating a name includes: a user interface that receives user input including values for corresponding characteristics and name lengths; a rule dictionary that indicates one or more rules, each rule indicating a relationship between a phoneme and a characteristic; a phoneme selector that selects a phoneme using a value for a characteristic received through said user interface and a rule corresponding to that characteristic; a phoneme compiler that combines selected phonemes to form a name, wherein said name includes a number of letters based on said name length; storage storing data, including data representing said user input and said rule dictionary; and a processor for executing instructions providing said user interface, said first phoneme selector, said second phoneme selector, and said phoneme compiler. |
| US08050916B2 |
Signal classifying method and apparatus
A signal classifying method and apparatus are disclosed. The signal classifying method includes: obtaining a spectrum fluctuation parameter of a current signal frame determined as a foreground frame, and buffering the spectrum fluctuation parameter; obtaining a spectrum fluctuation variance of the current signal frame according to spectrum fluctuation parameters of all buffered signal frames, and buffering the spectrum fluctuation variance; and calculating a ratio of signal frames whose spectrum fluctuation variance is above or equal to a first threshold to all the buffered signal frames, and determining the current signal frame as a speech frame if the ratio is above or equal to a second threshold or determining the current signal frame as a music frame if the ratio is below the second threshold. In the embodiments of the present invention, the spectrum fluctuation variance of the signal is used as a parameter for classifying the signals, and a local statistical method is applied to decide the type of the signal. Therefore, the signals are classified with few parameters, simple logical relations and low complexity. |
| US08050915B2 |
Apparatus and method of encoding and decoding audio signals using hierarchical block switching and linear prediction coding
In one embodiment, sample information and frame length information are obtained from the audio signal. The sample information indicates a total number of audio data samples for each channel in the audio signal, and the frame length information indicates a number of samples in a frame of each channel. An optimum prediction order is determined for each block based on a maximum permitted prediction order and a length of the block, where a prediction order is the number of linear prediction coefficients. The optimum prediction order is selected as a minimum one of the global prediction order and the local prediction order. The global prediction order is determined based on the maximum permitted prediction order, and the local prediction order is determined based on the length of the block. |
| US08050914B2 |
System enhancement of speech signals
A system enhances speech by detecting a speaker's utterance through a first microphone positioned a first distance from a source of interference. A second microphone may detect the speaker's utterance at a different position. A monitoring device may estimate the power level of a first microphone signal. A synthesizer may synthesize part of the first microphone signal by processing the second microphone signal. The synthesis may occur when power level is below a predetermined level. |
| US08050911B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting speech activity in distributed voice recognition systems
A system, method, apparatus, signal-bearing medium, and means for transmitting speech activity in a distributed voice recognition (VR) system. The distributed voice recognition system includes a local VR engine in a subscriber unit (102) and a server VR engine on a server (160). The local VR engine comprises a voice activity detection (VAD) module (106) that detects voice activity within a speech signal, and comprises an advanced feature extraction (AFE) module (104) that extracts features from a speech signal. The detected voice activity information is transmitted over a first wireless communication channel to the server (160). The feature extraction information is transmitted over a second wireless communication channel, separate from the first wireless communication channel, to the server (160). The server (160) processes the received information to determine a linguistic estimate of the electrical speech signal, and transmits the linguistic estimate to the subscriber unit (102). |
| US08050906B1 |
Systems and methods for translating text
Systems and methods for translating text are disclosed. The systems and methods parse source text into source text segments and style attributes that are associated with the source text segments. A database may be queried for translation text segments in a desired language that match the source text segment. The match criteria may be exact or fuzzy match. In addition, a context criterion may be used do determine matches. The context criterion may include a company criterion, an intended use criterion, a product criterion, or other user specified criterion. Translation segments that match the source segment are then output using the style of the source segment. |
| US08050905B2 |
Automatic connection to an online service provider from a backup system
A software application is provided for a user to select a backed up data file and specify a task to be performed by an online service provider on the selected file. The application automatically connects to the online service provider and uploads the selected file for the online service provider to perform the task. Tasks that can be performed include printing, sharing, viewing, playing and archiving the selected file. Task preferences, user settings and user information can also be specified by the user and uploaded to the online service provider. Automatic connection to the online service provider can be via default setting, selected file type, or specified task. Alternatively, the user can designate which service provider is to perform the task. Payment for the task can be accomplished via bundled credits or by other payment mechanisms. |
| US08050904B2 |
System and method for circuit symbolic timing analysis of circuit designs
A method, data processing system, and computer program product are provided for performing time-based symbolic simulation. A delay-aware representation of a circuit is created that includes a plurality of circuit nodes. The data-aware representation is simulated. In particular, the simulator simulates transitions from a first set of circuit nodes to a second set of circuit nodes selected from the plurality of circuit nodes, the simulating based on executing a first set of simulation events. A second set of simulation events is then generated in response to executing the first set of simulation events. During the simulation, a time is computed for each of the transitions. An an event scheduling diagram is constructed during simulation. The event scheduling diagram depicts the transitions and the times of the transitions. |
| US08050897B2 |
Solid finite elements suitable for simulating large deformations and/or rotations of a structure
System and method of simulating large deformation and rotation of a structure in a finite element analysis used for improving structural design is disclosed. A solid finite element is configured for simulating large deformations and/or rotations of a structure. The solid finite element comprises only corner nodes with each node having six degrees-of-freedom (DOF), three translational and three rotational. In other words, each node is configured to include translational deformation and rotation deformation, each of the translational and rotational deformation has three components corresponding to one of the six DOFs. The solid finite element has a plurality of external edges. Each external edge has two ends, each end is located at one of the adjacent corner nodes. Additionally, translational deformation at mid-edge point of each external edge is implicitly embedded in the translational and rotational deformations of two adjacent corner nodes. |
| US08050894B2 |
Method for automatic generation of optimal space frame
Space frames consist of combination of one or more basic modules to function as a decorative feature or a building element in architectural design. There are certain aesthetic criteria to meet on the design of a basic space frame module; space frame module, geometric regularity, and dimension regularity for all the angles and lengths between edges. Designers exercise their own creativity to develop space frame modules base on these criteria. The present invention relates to a hybrid algorithm based on evolutionary algorithm for graph encoding scheme (EAGES) and genetic algorithm (GA) to evolve the design automatically in relative small number of generations. The hybrid algorithm is a tool to architects and designers to rapidly produce aesthetically pleasing designs with the resources available to them. |
| US08050893B2 |
Method and system for the design of an enclosure to house internal components
Disclosed are a method, a computer-based system and a computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for creating the specifications for the fabrication of a fully customized enclosure housing internal components. First a suitable three dimensional template representing a basic form of the enclosure is chosen from a plurality of predetermined three dimensional templates and sized. Each face of the enclosure is selected and customized by selecting specific design features from a range of predetermined design options as necessary until a complete set of specifications for the enclosure is obtained. |
| US08050889B2 |
Performance analysis system and method
A system and method is described herein that includes a software-based functionality to assess the relationship between reliability, operational, maintenance and plant betterment activities and to determine the frontier of efficient spending and other measures of performance to achieve a level of reliability that is based on data from units of similar design and performance. |
| US08050888B2 |
Automated hypothesis testing
A method of automatically applying a hypothesis test to a data set. The method reduces errors made in failing to appreciate predicate assumptions of various statistical tests, and elicits a series of indications from the user regarding characteristics of interest embodied by the data set to select an appropriate statistical test. The system also reduces errors in constructing competing null and alternative hypothesis statements by generating a characterization of the data and defining null and alternative hypotheses according to the indications, selected statistical test, and conventions adopted with respect to the tests. The system also establishes a significance level, calculates the test statistic, and generates an output. The output of the system provides a plain interpretation of the quantitative results in the terms indicated by the user to reduce errors in interpretation of the conclusion. |
| US08050886B2 |
Motion plane correction for MEMs-based input devices
An electronic motion-based input device and method for correcting errors in acceleration due to a deviation from a horizontal plane of motion by correcting for gravitational acceleration components due to the deviation in the plane of motion. |
| US08050885B2 |
Method for determining the effects of the wind on a blind
A method for determining the effects of the wind on a blind (1) or the like that is provided with a sensor means (231) for measuring the effects of the wind in a first measurement direction (X1) and in a second measurement direction (Y1), the two directions being different, the method comprising the following steps: collecting, from the sensor means, a first signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the first measurement direction; collecting, from the sensor means, a second signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the second measurement direction; which comprises the step of: processing these signals so as to provide a secondary signal representative of the effects of the wind and independent of the orientation of the sensor means in a plane defined by the two directions, in order to obtain uniform sensor detection sensitivity irrespective of the orientation of the sensor. |
| US08050883B2 |
Material property estimation using inverse interpolation
A method is provided for performing inverse interpolation that estimates the values of at least two identified parameters. Initially, a database of sensor responses is generated over a range of values for each of the identified parameters. The sensor responses associated with incremental changes in each parameter value form a grid cell. Each corner of a grid cell is a grid point which represents the sensor response for a specific value of each of the identified parameters. A target point of sensor values is obtained from a sensor. The database is searched to identify the grid cell which contains the target point. Using the grid cell corners as reference values, the final estimate of the parameter values is interpolated. In some cases there are three or more parameters to be estimated. The database may include sensor responses computed at multiple excitation frequencies. |
| US08050882B2 |
Network-based system for automatically generating a graphical program based on user supplied measurement task requirements
A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task. |
| US08050881B1 |
Post data-collection synchronization for approximation of simultaneous data
A system for synchronizing data after they are collected and stored locally in sensor units in a distributed sensor system, so that wired or wireless communication is not required during a data-collection session. Each sensor unit has a local clock providing local-clock times before and after a data-collection session, and a data processor uses its local clock or a sensor unit's local clock as the reference to compute each sensor unit's time-scaling factor, which is the ratio of the elapsed reference local-clock time and the elapsed local-clock time. The data processor uses the time-scaling factor to convert each sensor unit's local-clock data-sampling times to the reference local-clock data-sampling times, and the data processor subsequently interpolates sensor data to approximate simultaneous sensor-data values at desired reference local-clock times. A physical-activity monitoring system can use this synchronization method to reduce the size, power consumption, and cost of the sensor units. |
| US08050878B2 |
Method and system for estimation of source impedence on electrical distribution lines
A device and method for dynamically determining an impedance of a network is disclosed. The device includes at least a processing system for measuring a network voltage and network current when said network is determined to be in a first state, measuring a network voltage when said network is determined to be in a second state, estimating said impedance value dependent upon said measured voltages and current, adapting said estimated impedance based on at least one prior impedance value and storing at least said adapted impedance. |
| US08050876B2 |
Automatic environmental compensation of capacitance based proximity sensors
Improved capacitive sensor operation is achieved with improved discrimination between environmental drift and apparent drift attributable to human proximity to the sensor. A proximity algorithm detects conditions interpreted as indicating a user is close to, but not touching, a sensor. When such proximity is detected, ambient value calibration is halted, thereby avoiding treating the human's proximity as environmental drift requiring compensation and preventing miscalculation of calibration. The proximity algorithm employs two moving-average filters (implemented in hardware or software) to monitor the CDC output values over time and to make appropriate adjustments to a signal representing the ambient, while distinguishing environmental drift from proximity-induced pseudo-drift. Accurate ambient values allow for improved proximity detection by providing this environmentally compensated average value to an adaptive threshold algorithm which features a fast attack, slow decay peak detection to automatically track and compensate for different response characteristics (typically finger sizes). |
| US08050873B2 |
Crystal of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha prolyl hydroxylase
The crystal structure of ligand-bound EGLN1 catalytic domain of prolyl hydroxylase is disclosed. These coordinates are useful in computer aided drug design for identifying compounds that regulate EGLN1 prolyl hydroxylase and thereby regulate HIF-regulated disorders. |
| US08050871B2 |
Method of predicting influenza outbreaks by correlating an increase in replikin count in shrimp white spot syndrome virus and/or taura syndrome virus
The present invention provides a method of predicting outbreaks in influenza virus comprising monitoring concentrations of small peptides having defined structure in influenza viruses, and in particular viral pathogens of shrimp. |
| US08050864B2 |
Vertical situation display of weather information
A method is present for displaying weather information. A number of weather conditions present within an altitude range along a route of an aircraft is identified from weather data. A type of weather indicator is selected based on a type of weather condition in the number of weather conditions to form a number of weather indicators. A vertical situation display is displayed with the number of weather indicators in a number of locations on a display corresponding to the number of locations for the number of weather conditions. |
| US08050861B2 |
Road map
A road map is provided which allows a determination to be intuitively rendered whether a course contains an increased number of upward slopes or downward slopes as viewed in the direction of the course. The direction of the course is set up across roads indicated on the map, and the upward slopes and the downward slopes located along the course are indicated in different colors. For example, the direction of the course is set up on the map by a starting point and destinations. A gentle upward slope is indicated by a red color of a low thickness, a medium upward slope is indicated by a red color of a medium thickness and a sharp upward slope is indicated by a red color of a high thickness. On the other hand, a gentle downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a low thickness, a medium downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a medium thickness and a sharp downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a high thickness. Accordingly, a determination as to whether the course contains an increased number of upward slopes or downward slopes can be intuitively made. |
| US08050859B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus includes a route searching unit 130 for searching for a route from a current position determined by a current position determining means to a destination inputted by an input unit on the basis of map data acquired by a map data acquiring means, and for, when a road where a car pool lane is also provided is included in a route acquired through the route search, presenting, as a recommended route, the route using the car pool lane if the distance from an entrance of the road to an entrance of the car pool lane is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, or if the distance from an exit of the car pool lane to an exit of the road is equal to or longer than a predetermined value. |
| US08050855B2 |
Method and system for transmitting data to a traffic information server
A method for transmitting data to a traffic information server includes obtaining, at a mobile vehicle, data including at least one of a vehicle speed and a vehicle location at a then-current time, and determining whether the data is redundant. Determining whether the data is redundant may be accomplished by at least one of comparing the data with other data previously transmitted to the traffic information server from an other mobile vehicle or determining whether the data falls within an expected range for a predetermined time interval. The method further includes transmitting the data, via a wireless communication system, to the traffic information server from the mobile vehicle if the data is determined to be non-redundant. Also disclosed herein is a system to perform the method. |
| US08050847B2 |
Method for operating an exhaust gas mass flow sensor
A method for operating an exhaust gas mass flow sensor which is used, in particular, in exhaust gas mass flows of motor vehicles has an operating mode and a cleaning mode. In an operating mode, the exhaust gas mass flow sensor is operated at an operating temperature. In a cleaning mode, the exhaust gas mass flow sensor is changed over for the purpose of cleaning a measurement region and is cleaned at a cleaning temperature which is higher than the operating temperature. |
| US08050844B2 |
Pre-delivery strategy for diesel-engine vehicles
A method to supply fuel to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes adjusting a direct injection of fuel into a cylinder of the engine based on whether the vehicle is in a pre-delivery state. In one example, the method includes reducing an amount of fuel in a post injection to reduce cylinder bore wetting effects and lubricant dilution during the engine cold start. After pre-delivery, a normal post injection schedule may be used to reduce emissions. |
| US08050838B2 |
Kinematic estimator for vehicle lateral velocity using force tables
A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity. The method uses a kinematic estimator constructed as a closed-loop Leunberger observer. The kinematic estimator is based on a kinematic relationship between lateral acceleration measurement and rate of change of lateral velocity. The method provides measurement updates based on virtual lateral velocity measurements from front and rear axle lateral force versus axle side-slip angle tables using the lateral acceleration, yaw-rate, longitudinal speed, and steering angle measurements. The method calculates front and rear axle lateral forces from the lateral acceleration and yaw-rate measurements. The method estimates front and rear axle side-slip angles from the calculated front and rear axle lateral forces using the tables. The method calculates multiple virtual lateral velocities from the front and rear side-slip angles and selects one of the virtual lateral velocities that minimizes an error between a measured force and an estimated force as the lateral velocity. |
| US08050837B2 |
Mobile unit and control method of mobile unit
In an inverted pendulum type mobile unit that performs inverted pendulum stabilization control and traveling control based on a velocity target value as an input variable, a change in tilt angle of a vehicle body occurring during traveling is smoothed. The target value generating portion in the inverted pendulum type mobile unit generates the velocity target value VREF of the mobile unit and the tilt angular rate target value ωREF of the vehicle body so that a second-order time derivative of VREF is continuous and ωREF is continuous with respect to time. The controller in the inverted pendulum type mobile unit calculates a torque command value Tcom for the motor drivers using VREF and ωREF as a control target to allow the mobile unit to travel at VREF while maintaining the state where the gravity center of the vehicle body or the gravity center of total mass of the vehicle body and a subject supported on the vehicle body is located above the rotation center of the wheels. |
| US08050834B2 |
Driving support device, driving support method and driving support program
Information pertaining to a first zone set ahead of a host vehicle and a second zone farther ahead than the first zone is acquired. Based on the information, if a distance between an end point of the first zone and a start point of the second zone is shorter than a distance within which the host vehicle can be slowed at a predetermined deceleration to a second target vehicle speed for traveling the second zone at the start point of the second zone, a second acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating the host vehicle in a second acceleration zone following the second zone. The gear ratio of the host vehicle is set to the second acceleration gear ratio in a first deceleration zone for slowing the host vehicle before reaching the first zone. |
| US08050833B2 |
System and method for controlling engagement of a lockup clutch in a torque converter
A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by the lockup clutch as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement the lockup clutch, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. A profile is selected of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters, and the profile is configured to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time when inserted into the model along with the monitored values of the number of torque converter operating parameters. The model is continually solved over time using the selected profile and the monitored operating parameters to produce transmitted torque values, and the lockup clutch command is modified based on the transmitted torque values. |
| US08050829B2 |
Electronically controlled differential locker
An electronic locking mechanism for a vehicle differential assembly includes a lock element movable in response to an actuation signal between an open position and a locked position. The lock element generally forces side gears of the differential assembly to turn generally at a same rate when the lock element is in the locked position. The electronic locking mechanism further includes a processor configured to determine a status of the differential assembly from a current profile that includes the actuation signal and an induced current. The determined differential assembly status is generally one of an “activated and locked” status, an “activated but unlocked” status, a “deactivated but locked” status, and a “deactivated and unlocked” status. |
| US08050828B2 |
Transmission oil measurement system and method
A system includes a pressure sensor that measures a transmission fluid pressure at a first fluid cavity of a transmission. A transmission control module receives the transmission fluid pressure, determines a transmission fluid temperature in the first fluid cavity based on the transmission fluid pressure, and controls the transmission fluid pressure based on the transmission fluid temperature. |
| US08050827B2 |
Vehicle transmission system
A vehicle has an engine, an accelerator for controlling the rotary speed of the engine, an axle and a multi-speed transmission for transmitting power from the engine to the axle. The multi-speed transmission includes an odd-numbered speed drive train for an odd-numbered speed level, a first clutch for the odd-numbered speed drive train, an even-numbered speed drive train for an even-numbered speed level, and a second clutch for the even-numbered speed drive train. In correspondence to operation of the accelerator and an actual speed of the axle, either the odd-numbered speed drive train or the even-numbered speed drive train is selected so as to transmit power from the engine to the axle. A shift-up or shift-down timing between the odd-numbered speed level and the even-numbered speed level relative to variation of the actual speed of the axle is changed according to detection of a tilt angle of the vehicle or a weight of the vehicle. |
| US08050823B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling lateral stability of vehicle
The present apparatus stabilizes the behavior of the vehicle when a lateral disturbance occurs and includes a lateral disturbance detection unit, a target yaw rate computation unit and a vehicle yaw rate control unit. The lateral disturbance detection unit detects a lateral disturbance. The target yaw rate computation unit calculates a driver's steering angle when the lateral disturbance is detected, and calculates a target yaw rate using the calculated driver's steering angle, and vehicle information, including vehicle behavior information and vehicle specification information. The vehicle yaw rate control unit controls a vehicle yaw rate so as to attenuate a turning moment attributable to the lateral disturbance, thereby causing the controlled vehicle yaw rate to converge on the calculated target yaw rate. |
| US08050822B2 |
Controller of vehicle
A driving/braking force manipulation control input of a k-th wheel, which denotes one or more specific wheels among a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, is determined such that a required condition concerning a relationship among a road surface reaction force that may act from a road surface on the k-th wheel on the basis of the detected values or estimated values of a road surface reaction force and a friction characteristic of the k-th wheel, a feedback control input related to the driving/braking force of the k-th wheel for bringing a difference between a state amount of the vehicle and a reference state amount close to zero, a driving/braking force feedforward control input based on a drive manipulated variable supplied by a driver of the vehicle, and a k-th wheel driving/braking force manipulation control input is satisfied. |
| US08050821B2 |
Apparatus and method for regulating hybrid active damping state estimator
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for regulating state variable estimators used in a hybrid active damping system for a vehicle powertrain. The state estimator provides variable estimates for operating states, such as real-time torque values of axles and dampers, that are not readily measurable with production powertrain and driveline hardware. This facilitates implementation of other control algorithms, such as torque oscillation damping control schemes which use multivariable feedback. The apparatus and method monitors the operating mode of the powertrain, and resets the state estimator for the hybrid active damping ring (HADR) under predetermined operating conditions. For instance, the state estimator includes an array of current state and predicted state variables that are set equal to corresponding reference values or measured values if the powertrain enters into four-wheel drive low (4WDLO). |
| US08050819B2 |
Alignment changing control device and fuel consumption management device
A toe angle changing control ECU for controlling a toe angle of wheels of a vehicle. The toe angle changing control ECU includes: a straight traveling state judging section for judging whether or not the vehicle is in a; a memory for storing the toe angle of the wheels while the vehicle is in the straight traveling state; and a toe angle setting section for setting the wheels to the toe angle stored in the memory (44) when the straight traveling state judging section judges that the vehicle is in the straight traveling state. While in the straight traveling state, the wheels are set to a toe angle at which the wheels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, reducing the rolling resistance of the wheels, and improving fuel consumption. |
| US08050818B2 |
Roll stiffness control apparatus of vehicle
A roll stiffness control apparatus of a vehicle, which includes a controller that estimates a remaining capacity of front wheels to generate a lateral force and a remaining capacity of rear wheels to generate a lateral force, and that sets a roll stiffness distribution ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheels so as to reduce a difference between the remaining capacity of the front wheels to generate a lateral force and the remaining capacity of the rear wheels to generate a lateral force. |
| US08050817B2 |
Centralized management of motor vehicle software applications and services
In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle. |
| US08050815B2 |
Method and system for selectively monitoring vehicle systems and for controlling vehicle system parameters
A method for selectively monitoring one or more vehicle systems is disclosed. The method includes recognizing, at the vehicle, an activation device that is configured to trigger predetermined setting(s) for the one or more vehicle systems. The telematics unit transmits to a secure server a signal indicative of the fact that the activation device is in use. Access to the secure server for monitoring the one or more vehicle systems via an Internet-enabled program is selectively enabled. A system for monitoring one or more vehicle systems is also disclosed. Further, a method for controlling vehicle system parameters is disclosed herein. |
| US08050813B2 |
Powertrain and ignition diagnostic system and method
A control system comprising a powertrain relay diagnostic module that determines a single continuous period that a powertrain relay voltage is less than an ignition relay voltage, that compares the single continuous period to a single predetermined period, and that diagnoses a powertrain relay out of correlation (OOC) error when the single continuous period is greater than or equal to the single predetermined period, and an ignition relay diagnostic module that diagnoses an ignition relay OOC error when the ignition relay voltage is less than the powertrain relay voltage for a first predetermined cumulative period within a first predetermined total period. |
| US08050806B2 |
Ground fault interruption using DSP based SSPC module
A ground fault interruption (GFI) system is incorporated onto a DSP based LRM of an aerospace vehicle. The GFI system operates with digital controls and, unlike the prior art, the system does not employ current transformers. Synchronization pulses are employed to coordinate instantaneous current measurement samplings in each phase of a multi-phase power system. Coordinated sampling may reduce phase angle current differential errors and improve operational precision of the GFI system. |
| US08050804B2 |
Detection and prevention of hot spots in a solar panel
An electronic module compares the output voltage of a solar panel to an expected value and controls the power demand from the solar panel such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be determined by correcting a room temperature value for the temperature dependence of the photodiodes comprising the solar panel and manufacturing tolerance. |
| US08050802B2 |
Method and apparatus of compensating for position shift
A levitated XY stage with a mechanism to disable the bearing element to allow the physical elements of the stage to come into contact with one another and “Coulomb weld” together, thereby eliminating drift. Preferably, the XY position shift of the stage that results from disabling the bearing is measured, and feed-forward communication to, for example, the AFM scanner is used to enable an offset and remove the error. |
| US08050798B2 |
Dynamic program module generation for manipulating vehicle frame
A system and method for generating a set of programming instructions for manipulating a vehicle frame are provided. A frame computing device obtains configuration information for an identified vehicle frame. The frame computing device sub-divides the selected vehicle frame into a set of regions and obtains programming modules for each of the components mounted in the set of regions. The frame computing device processes the program modules to generate a cumulative set of programming instructions for manipulating the vehicle frame. |
| US08050795B2 |
Conveyor drive control system
A drive control system for conveyor utilizes a dynamic chain pull calculation program that is integrated with a PLC, which communicates to a plurality of controllers. The controllers in turn automatically adjust their associated drive motors so as to maximize efficiency at moving material on a conveyor system. Sensing devices provide continuous load parameters to a PLC that in turn, processes the data and adjusts the system's operation based upon desired conditions. |
| US08050794B2 |
Method and device for transporting items
A method and a device for transporting items, in particular mail items. uses multiple transport processes for transporting the items respectively to a processing system. For each item, a measurement is made before the transportation as to whether the item has a predefined characteristic, and if so, in what form. This measurement is executed afresh, after the item is fed to a processing system. For each item, it is determined by means of which transport process the item has been transported. To this end, it is determined which items with what form of the characteristic have been transported by means of which transport process. |
| US08050791B2 |
Method of fabricating color jacquard fabric
This invention discloses a method of fabricating color jacquard fabric, comprising the processes of design and fabrication of pattern card, loom preparation, looming and weaving. The steps of design and fabrication of pattern card are: reading target image for jacquard into a computer; adjusting the image and setting parameters; selecting pixel value according to image dimensions; modifying the image; dividing the modified target image into motif image and auxiliary pattern around the motif image, designing and making the pattern card of motif image and auxiliary pattern of different design characteristics by jacquard design software; and finally combining said two pattern cards into a pattern card that represents the image and pattern of different characteristics in one fabric with corresponding warp and filling yarns. The invention can provide vivid lifelike picture of fabric, integrating rich color representation and artful pattern. |
| US08050786B2 |
Method for building three-dimensional objects with thin wall regions
A method for modifying a computer-aided design model of a three-dimensional object, the method comprising establishing a threshold wall width, providing at least one sliced layer polyline of the computer-aided design model, determining a first distance between first and second portions of the at least one sliced layer polyline, and adjusting locations of the first and second portion to provide a second distance if the first distance is less than the threshold wall width, where the second distance is about equal to the threshold wall width, or greater. |
| US08050782B2 |
Method and system to retrieve and display technical data for an industrial device
A method to retrieve and display technical data for an industrial device supervised by a computer program for control, configuration or condition monitoring in an industrial or commercial plant. The method can use a substantially static and easily visible large sized display member to provide a graphical user interface for retrieving data about, and/or controlling, one or more industrial devices. A computing device or mobile computing device send a copy of its graphical user interface to the large display for ease of information retrieval and access. |
| US08050770B2 |
Power efficient electrical stimulation
Neural stimulation device with improved power consumption and/or effectiveness. The device is configured to recognize proposed stimuli which will be masked by earlier or simultaneous stimuli. Such masked stimuli are either deleted, or replaced by another stimuli. |
| US08050768B2 |
Methods and apparatus for effectuating a change in a neural-function of a patient
The present disclosure is directed generally to methods and apparatus for effectuating a change in a neural function of a patient. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes implanting an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote recovery of the affected neural-function, with the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex. The method can further include estimating a threshold for the specific patient at which an electrical signal delivered via the implanted electrode directly triggers a neural reaction associated with the stimulation site in response to the delivered electrical signal, and electrically stimulating the cortical stimulation site by passing an electrical current through the electrode. |
| US08050767B2 |
Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders
Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment directing a patient to perform a language-based task, directing information to be collected, with the information corresponding to a level of neural activity in the patient's brain while the patient performs the language-based task, and, based at least in part on the information, selecting a stimulation site within the patient's skull for receiving an electrode coupleable to an electrical current. In further embodiments, at least one electrode can be placed at the stimulation site, and the patient's language disorder can be reduced by applying electrical stimulation directly to the stimulation site via the at least one electrode. |
| US08050765B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling neural stimulation during disordered breathing
A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the neural stimulation system detects apnea and, in response, adjusts the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses and/or delivers a respiratory therapy treating the detected apnea. |
| US08050762B2 |
Method and system for detecting capture with cancellation of pacing artifact
Methods and systems for detecting capture using pacing artifact cancellation are described. One or more pacing artifact templates are provided and a cardiac signal is sensed in a cardiac verification window. Each of the pacing artifact templates may characterize the pacing artifact associated with a particular pacing energy level, for example. A particular pacing artifact template is canceled from the cardiac signal. Capture is determined using the pacing artifact canceled cardiac signal. Detection of fusion/pseudofusion beats may be accomplished by comparing a cardiac signal to a captured response template. |
| US08050756B2 |
Circuit-based devices and methods for pulse control of endocardial pacing in cardiac rhythm management
Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions involving use of a catheter for pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by generating pulses for delivery to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator includes circuitry for generating pacing profiles, with signals of opposite polarities, specifically selected for delivery on electrodes at a site near the septal wall of a right ventricle of the heart. |
| US08050752B2 |
Method of treating lumens, cavities, and tissues of the body with an ultrasound delivered liquid
The present invention relates to a method of treating lumens, cavities, and tissues of the body with a liquid delivered with the use of ultrasound. Delivering a liquid with the use of ultrasound may be accomplished by utilizing a device comprising an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound horn, a channel running at least partially through said horn, and a dampening grommet at the distal end of the horn (hereafter called the “delivery device”). The delivery device may further comprise a liquid supply emptying into said channel. Subjecting liquids within the horn of the delivery device to ultrasonic energy accelerates the liquid, thereby creating a higher velocity, low pressure liquid stream. Consequently, the method of the present invention enables the treatment of maladies deep within lumens, cavities, and tissues of the body. The method of the present invention may also be used for douching and/or cleaning lumens, cavities, and tissues of the body. |
| US08050748B2 |
Decision support system to detect the presence of artifacts in patients monitoring signals using morphograms
A method for monitoring a patient (110) includes determining (114) convex hulls for pairs of monitored signals from the patient, and determining whether a perturbation has occurred (115, 116) in one or more of the convex hulls. This exemplary embodiment (110) can also include alerting an operator that a clinically significant change may have occurred (117) in the patient if each of the convex hulls has been perturbed. If only a subset of the convex hulls is perturbed, an artifact has probably occurred (118). |
| US08050747B2 |
Method and apparatus for determination of atherosclerotic plaque type by measurement of tissue optical properties
Methods for diagnosing vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque using optical coherence tomography to measure tissue optical properties, including backreflectance of heterogeneous layers, such as plaque cap, lipid pool composition and macrophage presence. Methods also include measurement of spatially and temporally dependent reflectance, measurement of multiple wavelength reflectance, low coherence interferometry, polarization and quantification of macrophage content. |
| US08050737B2 |
Method and medical apparatus for measuring pulmonary artery blood flow
In a method and apparatus for examination and evaluation of a blood flow in a pulmonary artery of a patient, measurement data are recorded, from which at least a part of the blood flow in the pulmonary artery is able to be re-constructed at least two-dimensionally in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery and by an anterior-posterior direction, including at least at several diastolic points in time in the course of a heart cycle, after a closure of the pulmonary valve. The number of diastolic points for which an asymmetry in relation to the longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery in the anterior-posterior direction exists is determined. A measure is then determined that characterizes how long, after the closure of the pulmonary valve, the aforementioned asymmetry exists. |
| US08050733B2 |
Sensor system, garment and heart rate monitor
The invention relates to a sensor system, a garment and a heart rate monitor. The sensor system comprises at least one flexible film structure comprising: a first insulation layer and at least one electric conductor layer formed on top of the first insulation layer and comprising an electrode area, which is configured to establish an electric contact with the surface of the user's skin and to generate as output an electric signal proportional to a momentary value of the electrocardiogram. |
| US08050732B2 |
Apparatus and method for cardiac ablation
A system and method for cardiac mapping and ablation include a multi-electrode catheter introduced percutaneously into a subject's heart and deployable adjacent to various endocardial sites. The electrodes are connectable to a mapping unit, an ablation power unit a pacing unit, all of which are under computer control. Intracardiac electrogram signals emanated from a tachycardia site of origin are detectable by the electrodes. Their arrival times are processed to generate various visual maps to provide real-time guidance for steering the catheter to the tachycardia site of origin. In another aspect, the system also include a physical imaging system which is capable of providing different imaged physical views of the catheter and the heart. These physical views are incorporated into the various visual maps to provide a more physical representation. Once the electrodes are on top of the tachycardia site of origin, electrical energy is supplied by the ablation power unit to effect ablation. |
| US08050724B2 |
Method for controlling power in wireless telephone set
A method for controlling power in a wireless telephone set. The method includes the steps of detecting whether or not any interrupting signals have been generated and performing a user mode for supplying power only to sections necessary for operations according to an origin of the interrupting signals, when said interrupting signals are generated. |
| US08050719B2 |
Radio communication system, mobile terminal unit thereof, and azimuth determining method
Disclosed are a mobile station unit which can obtain azimuth information with a simple construction and a radio communication system including the mobile terminal unit. According to the present invention, in a terminal station, an arrival direction obtaining section 203 obtains an arrival direction of a received azimuth designation signal from a reference station or another terminal station using an arithmetic operation or the like. A transmitting direction forming section 204 determines the direction opposite to the arrival direction obtained by the arrival direction obtaining section 203 as a transmitting direction. A reference azimuth detecting section 207 detects the transmitting direction determined by the transmitting direction forming section 204 as a reference azimuth. An azimuth designation signal generating section 205 generates an azimuth designation signal so as to radiate radio waves having directivity in the transmitting direction determined by the transmitting direction forming section 204. |
| US08050716B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a terminal body having a display unit; a band connected with both ends of the terminal body; and a manipulation unit disposed on the terminal body and moving in multiple directions based on a central shaft. |
| US08050713B2 |
Keypad display unit
A remote control panel (RCP) is provided for controlling an operation of a radio (104, 106). The RCP (102) includes a keypad (208) configured for receiving user input commands for controlling the radio using the same keypad commands as would be used when operating the same without the RCP. The RCP also includes a display unit (206) for displaying information concerning an operational state of the radio. The RCP further includes a communication interface (212, 312-316, 320-322) configured for relaying information from the RCP to the radio located a distance away. The interface is also configured for relaying information from the radio to the RCP. The RCP includes a computer processing device configured for providing an extended capability for the radio exclusive of a predefined functional capability. The extended capability is selected from the group consisting of additional digital data processing capability, additional display capability, and additional communication capability. |
| US08050711B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for displaying the multimedia information from wireless communication networks
Video signals for a mobile terminal are converted to accommodate reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The video signal is processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate for an alternative display terminal that is separate from the mobile terminal. This converted video signal is then provided for the alternative display terminal to accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the alternative (e.g., external) display terminal. |
| US08050703B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile communication system, and radio base station
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes: notifying, from a MAC-e functional unit 10, to a first mobile station UE through a first E-AGCH, a transmission rate for the EUL in the first mobile station UE, in a 2 ms interval; notifying, from the MAC-e functional unit 10, to a second mobile station UE through a second E-AGCH, a transmission rate for the EUL in the second mobile station UE, in a 10 ms interval; notifying, from the MAC-e functional unit 10 to a MAC-hs functional unit 20, the number of the first E-AGCH and the number of the second E-AGCH, in each sub-frames; and determining, at the MAC-hs functional unit 20, a transmission power for a HS-PDSCH, based on the respective numbers of the first E-AGCH and the second E-AGCH. |
| US08050702B2 |
Mobile station and transmission power control method in mobile station
To provide a mobile station and a transmission power control method in the mobile station, which are capable of improving the power saving characteristic associated with the transmission power control in the mobile station under a condition in which the transmit diversity is applied. The transmission power of feedback information (11: FBI) is controlled on the basis of control information (TPC) transmitted through a sub-information downlink channel (21) from a base station (210) as a main branch, only when it is determined by a communication method determining section 103 that a cosed loop transmit diversity can be applied (step S201: Yes), and when it is determined by a communication base station determining section 104 that sub-information downlink channels (21, 22) and sub-information uplink channels (11, 12) are connected to a plurality of base stations (step S202: Yes). |
| US08050700B2 |
Negotiation of control over a PTT call between an OMA PoC network and a P25 network
Communication networks and methods are disclosed for negotiating control over a PTT call between an OMA PoC network and a P25 network. If an OMA PoC PTT server receives a request for the PTT call from a calling party, then the PTT server transmits a call initiation message for the PTT call to the P25 network offering control over the PTT call to a PTT server in the P25 network. The P25 PTT server processes the call initiation message to identify the offer for control, assumes control over the PTT call, and determines whether the calling or called party has the floor for initial transmission for the PTT call. The P25 PTT server then transmits a response message to the OMA PoC PTT server indicating which one of the calling or called party has the floor. The party granted the floor may then initiate voice communications for the PTT call. |
| US08050696B2 |
System and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from an aircraft
A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station. A media creation center can be networked to a plurality of base stations. |
| US08050692B2 |
Method for improving paging speed of a called user in CDMA trunking system
The present invention discloses a method for improving paging speed of a called user in CDMA trunking system. For a first trunking terminal supporting minus time slot call manner, said method includes: it makes minus time slot paging cycles of the first trunking terminal and a trunking core network keep synchronous; the first trunking terminal selects a minus time slot paging cycle to calculate a paging time slot according to the presence of its own minus time slot paging cycle and the presence of a minus time slot paging cycle contained in an overhead message of a call channel, and monitors the call channel on the calculated paging time slot; the base station system selects a minus time slot paging cycle to calculate a paging time slot of the user according to the presence of its own minus time slot paging cycle and the presence of a minus time slot paging cycle contained in a paging request message, and transmits a paging message on the call channel according to the calculated paging time slot. The method of the present invention effectively shortens the duration of establishment of a trunking call, and simultaneously maintains the compatibility for the existing trunking terminals. |
| US08050690B2 |
Location based presence and privacy management
A method and system for providing location based presence status and enhancing location privacy management in a mobile, instant messaging or social networking environment. A user specifies or saves their favorite locations (e.g. home, work, school, or particular business or point of interest locations), and specifies or selects names and/or categories to be shared for each user-specified location. In addition, the system provides multiple sharing levels for sharing multiple types of location contextual information. When user's current location corresponds to user-specified locations, location based presence status is provided to specified contacts according to the sharing level settings, and provides user the option to share location contextual information without sharing location coordinates of the user. When user is driving, location based presence status is updated accordingly, and when user is at other business or POI locations, corresponding location contextual information is shared based on user's settings for each sharing level. |
| US08050687B2 |
Location systems and methods
A method of calculating the position or state of motion of one or more terminals is proposed in which each has a receiver capable of making measurements of signals received from one or more transmission sources for use in calculating the unknown position or state of motion of the or each terminal. At least one transmission source has a known directional transmission pattern, and the bearing from one of the receivers of the or each of the transmission source having a known directional transmission pattern is estimated. Weights are assigned to the measurements made by the one receiver, the weights being calculated from the bearing or bearings and the known directional transmission pattern of the transmission sources. |
| US08050685B2 |
Apparatus and method for allocating uplink radio resource in wideband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for UpLink (UL) radio resource allocation in a wideband wireless communication system are provided. In a method of operating a Relay Station (RS) for UpLink (UL) radio resource allocation in a wideband wireless communication system, the method includes relaying to a Base Station (BS) a resource request message of at least one or more Mobile Stations (MSs); receiving data from the at least one or more mobile stations; if the received data is non-real time traffic, queuing the data received from the mobile stations according to a traffic type; and requesting the base station to allocate necessary radio resources by checking a queue status. Accordingly, a delay can be reduced when the UL resource is allocated to an relay station for real time traffic. |
| US08050680B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing vertical handover in a wireless communication system
A vertical handover method and apparatus in a wireless communication system are provided, in which a serving network selects a target network for a vertical handover of a terminal from among at least one candidate target network to which the terminal can perform the vertical handover, transmits information about the selected target network to the terminal, and requests the vertical handover of the terminal to the target network, the target network acquires a profile of the terminal from a policy store, upon receipt of the vertical handover request from the serving network, the terminal requests a connection to the target network, and the target network transmits information about a router to which the terminal will connect to the terminal, upon receipt of the connection request from the terminal and updates a proxy binding for the terminal in the policy store. |
| US08050677B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and call handover method
Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal including: a user information storage unit for storing user information having a terminal identifier for identifying an arbitrary communication terminal, and a user identifier for identifying the user of the communication terminal associated with each other; an identifier storage unit for storing, at the time of beginning of a call with the other party of the call, a first identifier for identifying the communication terminal of the other party of the call; a terminal identifier determination unit for determining whether the first terminal identifier and a second terminal identifier are associated with the same user identifier, with reference to the user information, upon receipt of a call-out signal including the second terminal identifier during the call with the communication terminal of the other party; and a call controller for handing over the call to a communication terminal indicated by the second terminal identifier when the terminal identifier determination unit determines that the first and second terminal identifiers are associated with the same user identifier. |
| US08050674B2 |
Radioterminals including satellite/hands-free interlocks and related methods
A radioterminal may include a transceiver, a hands-free interface, and a satellite/hands-free interlock. The transceiver may be configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications. The satellite/hands-free interlock may be configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting space-based communications unless the hands-free interface is activated. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US08050670B2 |
System and method for testing a mobile telephone network
A method for testing a mobile telephony network having a plurality of cells whose sizing depends on at least one selection or reselection parameter comprises a step for the recording, on an onboard computer connected to a mobile telephone, of predefined values of selection and reselection parameters for each cell to be tested, a step for the presetting, for each cell to be tested, of the predefined values of the selection and reselection parameters, and for the capture of data obtained by the mobile telephone for each cell, and a step for the processing of the captured data and the determining of the sizing of each cell. The system for implementing this method is also disclosed. |
| US08050669B2 |
Beacon group merging
A method of merging two or more beacon groups (BGs), each BG comprising one or more wireless devices, the method comprising, determining a leader BG based on merging information broadcast by two or more devices of different BGs, said devices being within radio range of each other; and merging the two or more BGs into the leader BG; wherein the merging information of each device comprises an extension indication, the extension indication being positive if another device of a same BG as said each device is out of radio range of said each device, and negative otherwise. |
| US08050660B2 |
Apparatus and method for handling messaging service message adaptation
A method and apparatus for handling messaging service message adaptation. An original message is received from an originating communication device, the original message based on a wireless communication message protocol, the original message being of a first message type. The message is modified according to preferences of a message recipient communication device to generate a second message of a second message type. The second message is sent to the message recipient communication device. A modification notification is sent to the originating communication device, the modification notification indicating that the original message was modified. |
| US08050654B2 |
Method for locking function and mobile communication terminal
A user of a mobile communication terminal registers a title or test body that a lock request electronic mail should have for locking function of a contactless type communication device is a lock control information area 23R of the mobile communication terminal. After that, if a lock request electronic mail having the registered title is received, and the lock request electronic mail is detected by the lock request detection section 51, then when the contactless type communication device is in a usable state, in the mobile communication terminal the function lock section 52 within the control section locks the function of the contactless type communication device via the wired communication path. |
| US08050649B2 |
Downconversion mixer with IM2 cancellation
A downconversion mixer with IM2 cancellation includes a mixer, an IM2 generator, and a scaling unit. The mixer frequency downconverts an input RF signal with an LO signal and generates an output baseband signal. The IM2 generator includes first and second field effect transistors (FETs) that receive the input RF signal and generate an intermediate signal having IM2 distortion. The scaling unit scales the intermediate signal to generate a scaled signal and further combines the scaled signal with the output baseband signal to cancel IM2 distortion in the output baseband signal. The IM2 generator may further include first and second amplifiers coupled between the source and gate of the first and second FETs, respectively. Different amounts of IM2 distortion and different temperature variation patterns may be generated in the intermediate signal by using different gains for the amplifiers. |
| US08050644B1 |
Highly linear mixer and method for cancelling FET channel resistance modulation
A highly linear mixer and method for cancelling field effect transistor channel resistance modulation are provided. At least a portion of the voltage of an input signal is added to a drive signal to cancel distortion arising from modulation of the voltage of the input signal. |
| US08050640B2 |
Diverse antenna system
An improved antenna diversity system is provided. The antenna diversity system has at least two spaced-apart antennas, with each antenna providing a respective antenna signal. The signal(s) may be processed and scaled according to its respective power level. The phase difference is determined between the signals, and the phase difference reduced by using phase rotation. The signals, which are now substantially in-phase, are summed to generate a combined antenna signal. |
| US08050639B2 |
Multi-antenna communication apparatus
Reception signals received by first to fourth antennas 11 to 14 are sequentially selected one by one repeatedly in accordance with first to fourth switches 31 to 34 being controlled by first to fourth switch control circuits 41 to 44, respectively, so as to be inputted to a signal shaping section 60. The reception signals having been shaped by the signal shaping section 60 are sampled by a sample-and-hold section 71 and AD-converted by an AD converter 72 in accordance with a time at which the reception signals are sequentially selected. The resultant signals are converted into parallel signals by a serial-parallel conversion section 73. Thus, the parallel signals are obtained as the reception signals of the first to the fourth antennas 11 to 14. |
| US08050636B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating RF without harmonic interference
A transmitter capable of operating according to a first standard that does not interfere with a nearby frequency generator operating according to a second standard. The transmitter comprises an oscillator, a frequency divider, a mixer, and a filter. The oscillator is configured to output a first frequency that is outside of a frequency harmonic of the frequency generator. The frequency divider is coupled to the oscillator and divides the first frequency by a selective divide ratio to produce a second frequency. The mixer is configured to receive the first and second frequencies, which combines them to produce a mixed frequency. The filter is then used to filters the mixed frequency to obtain the higher portion of the mixed frequency. The divide ratio of the frequency divider is selected base on the desired output frequency of the transmitter such that a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz ISM band frequency is achieved. |
| US08050633B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system is disclosed. The present invention mainly includes a transceiver, a first filter unit, a second filter unit, and a first amplifying unit, wherein the first filter unit is a harmonic oscillation circuit having an inductive component and a capacitive component serially coupled to each other, and the harmonic oscillation circuit as well as the circuit of the second filter unit efficiently filter out a local oscillation frequency signal and intermediate frequency signal traveling along with a radio frequency signal, thereby preventing neighboring communication systems from electro-magnetic interference due to radiation of the local oscillation frequency signal and intermediate frequency signal into air via an antenna after being amplified by the first amplifying unit. |
| US08050632B2 |
Transceiver based monitoring system & process
A remote monitoring device is integrated as part of a cell phone or personal digital assistant. By sharing computing resources of a communications transceiver, the cost of a monitoring device can be significantly reduced, while still permitting sufficient functionality to effectively observe an area of interest, such as a child's sleeping area. An alert is generated and transmitted to an observer using a separate transceiver when activity at the monitored area (i.e., sound or video activity) meets a specified threshold. |
| US08050627B2 |
Method and system for predictive sensing of periodic intermittent interference
A method (10 or 40) or system (200) of predictive sensing of periodic intermittent interference (PII) can include the measuring (12) of energy on a channel for an indication of PII, determining (14) if a channel is currently in a PII on-cycle, and adjusting (16) a clear channel assessment threshold to a new threshold for improved sensitivity of the PII on-cycle. If a current energy level on the channel is below the new threshold and if a previous on-energy characteristic suggests that the current energy level will remain below the new threshold for a predetermined minimum period of time, then a clear channel indication can be provided (20). A busy channel indication is provided (45) when either the current energy level is above the new threshold or the previous on-energy characteristic suggests the current energy level will not remain below the threshold for predetermined minimum period of time. |
| US08050624B2 |
Distributed process control system and method utilizing wireless communication of packet messages
A distributed control and/or monitoring system and method includes a local application and a remote application separated from the local application. The local application includes a host computer. The remote application includes a plurality of field devices and a communication bus connected to the plurality of field devices. Packet messages are wirelessly communicated between the local application and the remote application such that the host computer and field devices can communicate with each other as if they were directly connected to the same communication bus. |
| US08050617B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance unit that conveys plural single cut-sheet recording media arrayed along a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction; and an image forming unit that forms an image on the plural single cut-sheet recording media conveyed by the conveyance unit. |
| US08050612B2 |
Fixing device having a temperature-uniforming roller
A technique of reducing temperature unevenness in a heating member which heats a heating target member while reducing heat capacity of the heating member in a fixing device for an image forming apparatus is provided. The fixing device has a heating member having diamond fine particles dispersed and contained at least in its surface layer, a pressurizing member which is pressed in contact with the heating member and nips and carries a sheet in collaboration with the heating member, and a heating unit which heats the heating member. |
| US08050611B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Plural main cores and plural sub-cores are arranged spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to a rotating direction of a heat belt. The plural main cores are opposed to a first area where a sheet having first width in the heat belt passes. The plural sub-cores are opposed to second areas that are areas excluding the first area in an area where the sheet having second width larger than the first width in the heat belt passes. The plural sub-cores have thickness in the direction orthogonal to the rotating direction of the heat belt smaller than the thickness of the plural main cores. |
| US08050608B2 |
Fusing device and image apparatus having a biased pressing roller
A fusing device comprising: a frame; a cover hinged to the frame, a heating roller mounted in the cover; a first pressing roller to form a first fusing nip through contact with the heating roller; a second pressing roller to form a second fusing nip, through which a printing medium passes, after passing through the first fusing nip; and a first resilient member connected to the frame and the cover, to bias the first and second pressing rollers toward the heating roller. |
| US08050606B2 |
Material for removing residue toner
A material for removing residue toner has a non-woven felt with excellent oil retentivity, cleaning, and dry heat-stability, which is disposed on an oiled belt, an oiled roller or an oiled pad for a fixing machine or the like in a photographic imaging process. The material is composed of the felt in which carded lap is milled by punching with needle, the carded lap being consisted mainly of one or more heat-resistant organic fibers whose cross section has an acute angle. The felt is attached adhesively on a body of an acting member and comes into contact with the surface of an operating member such as a fixing roller or a developing roller. |
| US08050605B2 |
Image forming apparatus including load applying member
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier having an endless circumferential surface on which a latent image is formed due to an electrostatic potential difference; a developing device that attaches a toner to the image carrier to form a toner image; an endless intermediate transfer belt that is entrained around a plurality of roll members and moves circumferentially, and contacts the image carrier to transfer the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt; a transferring device that further transfers the toner image that has been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, to a recording sheet; and a load applying member that cooperates with one of the roll members placed inside the intermediate transfer belt, to nip the intermediate transfer belt to apply a load to the intermediate transfer belt, the load applying member contacting a non-image region of the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US08050599B2 |
Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus having toner cartridge
A toner cartridge includes a toner receptacle that houses toner, a plurality of stirring members housed in the toner receptacle, a plurality of gears meshing with each other on outside of the toner receptacle, and a phase display section. The stirring members are arranged next to each other in the toner receptacle and rotate to stir the toner. Each of the stirring members has a scraper that scrapes off the toner adhering to an inner surface of the toner receptacle. The gears rotate to rotate the stirring members in an interlocked manner with each other. The phase display section shows a meshing position of the gears so that the gears mesh with each other at a position where a phase difference along a rotating direction of the stirring members occurs between the scrapers of the stirring members that are next to each other. |
| US08050591B2 |
Powder developer holding apparatus, developing apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A powder developer holding apparatus prevents developer leakage. A housing holds powder developer, and includes a discharging opening through which the powder developer is discharged. A shutter is mounted to the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing to an opening position where the discharging opening is opened or to a closing position where the discharging opening is closed. A locking member is slidably mounted to the shutter. When the powder developer holding apparatus is oriented such that the discharging opening faces upward in a gravitational direction, the locking member prevents the shutter from rotating relative to the chamber. |
| US08050589B2 |
Tandem-type process unit removably loaded in image forming device
A tandem type of process unit removably loaded in an image forming device has a plurality of process cartridges, a pair of lower supporting plates, and a pair of upper supporting plates. Each of the plurality of process cartridges has a photosensitive drum rotatably about an axis extending in a first direction. Each of the plurality of process cartridges has two side faces facing each other in the first direction and a cartridge electrode provided on the side face. The plurality of process cartridges is aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the lower supporting plates supports a lower part of the side face of each of the plurality of process cartridges. The pair of upper supporting plates is positioned upward and separately from the pair of lower supporting plates. Each of the upper supporting plates supports an upper part of the side face of each of the plurality of process cartridges. The pair of upper support plates and the pair of lower support plates provide a side opening facing the side face of each of the plurality of process cartridges to expose the electrode of each of the plurality of process cartridges toward outside through the side opening. |
| US08050588B2 |
Image forming apparatus with low voltage power supply
An image forming apparatus capable of shortening a time needed for the assembly work is provided. The image forming apparatus of the invention comprises a low-voltage power supply and a housing, wherein the low-voltage power supply includes a substrate provided with a low-voltage power supply circuit, a pair of connection cords each connected to the substrate and an external power supply, a casing made of metal and provided with an accommodation portion inside which the substrate is fixed and a notch located on an opening edge of the accommodation portion, a lid body made of metal and configured to cover the accommodation portion and to define a cord insertion port by closing the notch, and a ring body made of resin and inserted into the notch in a state where both the connection cords are inserted in the ring body and to be attached to the cord insertion port. |
| US08050586B2 |
Image forming apparatus and display unit of an image forming apparatus
In a case where a display unit displays a setting screen having a first display area to display a draft graphical image in accordance with draft setting and a second display area to display a finished graphical image in accordance with sheet setting, and a user designates a position to be stapled, a staple region mark is superimposed and displayed on a region corresponding to the position to be stapled in the draft graphical image in accordance with the draft setting, and a staple position mark is superimposed and displayed on a position corresponding to the position to be stapled in the finished graphical image in accordance with the sheet setting. |
| US08050582B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In a black monochromatic mode, an intermediary transfer belt is separated from an upstream photosensitive drum in a state in which a downstream photosensitive drum contacts the intermediary transfer belt. At this time, a stretching roller is moved upwardly in interrelation with a contact-separation mechanism to increase an angle of contact of the intermediary transfer belt with the downstream photosensitive drum compared with the case of a full-color mode. On the other hand, in the full-color mode, the stretching roller is moved downwardly to be separated from an inner surface of the intermediary transfer belt. |
| US08050579B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of changing fixing temperature and image forming method therefor
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a paper-type detecting unit that detects a paper type of a sheet to be printed, a fixing unit that sets fixing temperature on the basis of the paper type detected by the paper-type detecting unit and fixes a toner image on the sheet, and a fixing-temperature changing unit that changes the fixing temperature of the fixing unit to high temperature when a printed image fixed by the fixing unit is an image that fades or is matte compared with fixing temperature for an image that is rough or is glossy. |
| US08050576B2 |
Management system, management device, management method and computer readable medium
A management system includes: an image forming apparatus including a toner storage unit storing toner used in a developing unit, and a toner-transporting unit transporting the toner from the toner storage unit to the developing unit; and a management device connected to the apparatus through a communication unit, and managing a toner-remaining amount in the toner storage unit. The management device includes: an acquiring unit acquiring, from the apparatus, information on toner transportation time and characteristic quantities concerning variation in toner consumption in the developing unit and representing environment in the apparatus; a predicting unit calculating a predicted value of the toner-remaining amount with the acquired information on toner transportation time; a memory storing correspondence between the predicted value and a measured value of the toner-remaining amount; and a correcting unit correcting the correspondence according to the characteristic quantities, and correcting the predicted value with the corrected correspondence. |
| US08050573B2 |
Optical burst receiver and method
The present invention allows a configuration with elements inside the LSI, the elimination of manpower by using automatic adjustment, a reduction in the manufacturing cost, and control of the duty ratio in a wide temperature range and a wide dynamic range and includes: a TIA that converts an optical burst signal from a current signal to a voltage signal and that outputs the voltage signal as a differential signal; a peak detection/adder circuit that detects a peaking preamble signal of the differential signal, sets the peaking level to a normal phase and a reversed phase, and adjusts an offset signal; an ATCBUFFER that controls the duty ratio of the output signal by a threshold voltage; a duty detection circuit that detects the duty ratio from a burst signal; a threshold voltage adjustment circuit that adjusts the duty ratio by a new threshold voltage in accordance with the size of the voltage signal corresponding to the duty ratio; and a reset control circuit that can detect a burst signal of the duty detection circuit by a reset signal that confirms the arrival of the burst signal. |
| US08050570B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor
An optoelectronic sensor includes at least one light transmitter for the transmission of light signals into a monitored zone, at least one light receiver for the reception of light signals transmitted from the light transmitter and a control device for the generation and/or influencing of the light signals and for the generation of an object detection signal in the case of the presence of an object in the monitored region in dependence on the output signals of the light receiver. In this connection, the light signals transmitted into the monitored zone by the light transmitter are each generated by an output signal modulated in accordance with the spread spectrum method using a random pseudo-noise code. |
| US08050567B2 |
System and method for transporting asynchronous ODUk signals over a synchronous interface
System and methods are provided, in an Optical Transport Network (OTN), for communicating asynchronous Tributary Slots (TSs) via a synchronous Optical Payload Transport Unit of level k (OTUk) interface. The transmission method accepts a plurality of TSs at a corresponding plurality of asynchronous data rates. The TSs are mapped, using a tangible memory medium, into pseudo-Optical channel Data Tributary Unit (ODTU) frames synchronized to a common clock. Then, the synchronized pseudo-ODTU frames can be interleaved into an OTUk frame, without the need of a phase-locked loop (PLL) or buffering. |
| US08050565B2 |
Multiservice private network and interface modules for transporting, on such a network, data in different formats
A multiservice private network and interface modules (M1-M5). Each of said modules is dedicated to interfacing a specific terminal equipment (T1-T4, GTW; 310-380) in the multiservice private network. The interface modules (M1-M5) are connected to the terminal equipment on a one-to-one basis. Each interface module (M1-M5) is configured to send and/or receive data in a format adapted to the terminal equipment to which it is connected, at a specific wavelength, in order to interconnect, via said private network, at least two mutually compatible terminal equipments among all the terminal equipments. This arrangement is typically applicable in particular to interconnecting, via a common network, heterogeneous different terminal equipments, so that the mutually compatible terminals communicate directly with one another without interfering with communication between other terminals of a different type. |
| US08050561B2 |
Asymmetrical PON with multiple return channels
A passive optical network (PON) system comprising a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) having one downstream receiver and one upstream transmitter, an optical line terminal (OLT) having a downstream transmitter and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein each upstream receiver is associated with a subset of the ONUs, and an optical distribution network (ODN) that connects the OLT to the ONUs is disclosed. An OLT for a PON, comprising a downstream transmitter, and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein a downstream transmitter bandwidth is greater than each upstream receiver bandwidth is also disclosed. A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising determining a downstream bandwidth and an upstream bandwidth for a PON, and increasing a number of upstream channels per downstream channel for the PON when asymmetry between the downstream bandwidth and the upstream bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount is also disclosed. |
| US08050560B2 |
Distributed resource sharing method using weighted sub-domain in GMPLS network
A distributed resources sharing method using weighting factors of sub-domains in an optical network includes connecting working paths to an optical network according to a request of a subscriber, and calculating weighting factors for measurement of concentration of the sub-domains including the working paths by using information on connected working paths. The method also includes setting up the backup paths by using the weighting factors, and allocating resources in response to connection request at the time of setting up the backup path and sharing the allocated resources. With this method, it is possible to prevent a waste of idle resources caused from concentration of allocated resources. In addition, since the information of the idle resources in the network can be sensed at the time of selecting the backup paths by using a weight factor, the shared resources can be distributed, thereby maximizing efficiency of the resources. |
| US08050558B2 |
Optical signal sampling apparatus and method and optical signal monitor apparatus and method using the same
The optical signal sampling apparatus and the optical signal monitor apparatus are configured of an optical combiner for combining an optical signal to be sampled and a sampling light pulse with each other and an electroabsorption modulator. The electroabsorption modulator has two optical terminals for inputting/outputting the light and a power supply terminal for applying the electric field to the optical path connecting the two optical terminals, and has such a characteristic that the absorption rate of the light propagating through the optical path changes in accordance with the magnitude of the electric field, the light emitted from the optical combiner is received by one of the two optical terminals, and the absorption rate is increased when the sampling light pulse is not incident while the absorption rate is decreased when the sampling light pulse is incident. Further, the apparatuses include a DC power supply for applying a predetermined DC voltage to the power supply terminal and an optical separator for selectively emitting the optical signal component to be sampled, of the optical signals emitted from another of the two optical terminals. |
| US08050556B2 |
In-band optical frequency division reflectometry
An apparatus comprising an optical transmitter coupled to an optical fiber, and an optical receiver coupled to the optical fiber, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a test signal data pattern and user data into the optical fiber, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive a reflection of the test signal data pattern. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising promoting the transmission of an optical test signal data pattern into an optical fiber, wherein the test signal data pattern creates a radio frequency (RF) tone, and detecting a reflection of the RF tone in the optical fiber. |
| US08050555B2 |
Optical phase modulator with monitoring structure
The invention relates to an optical waveguide device that includes a waveguide phase modulator (WPM). A waveguide monitoring structure is coupled optically in parallel with the WPM so as to form a Mach-Zehnder interferometer therewith for producing monitor light indicative of a phase shift imparted by the WPM. The waveguide monitoring structure includes a first optical tap for tapping off a fraction of light entering the first WPM for providing first tapped-off light, a second optical tap for tapping off a fraction of light exiting the first WPM for providing second tapped off light, and an ancillary phase modulator for modulating the optical phase of the first or second tapped-off light so as to modulate the intensity of the monitor light in dependence upon the first phase shift. A feedback circuit controls the phase shift imparted by the WPM based on a modulation index of the monitor light. |
| US08050548B2 |
Control apparatus, imaging apparatus, and control method for the imaging apparatus
In a mode in which a lens barrel need not be extended, if it is determined that a vibration is larger than a reference value, the lens barrel is driven so as to be retracted to a predetermined position. |
| US08050545B2 |
Portable scent delivery device
A personal, portable scent delivery device including a portable housing which is either a housing adapted to be worn by a user in close proximity to a nose of a user, or is a portable electronic device which is used by the user in close proximity to the nose of the user; and a means for selectively generating scent housed in said housing, wherein said scent travels by diffusion to the nose of the user. |
| US08050543B2 |
Trigger mechanism for current acquisition used for motor control applications
A trigger mechanism for starting current acquisition for motor control applications is disclosed. The present invention may generate an edge (ADC trigger) that can be used to start current acquisition by the ADC. The present invention may reduce the overhead involved in synchronizing the current acquisition with PWM generation and also minimize the wait period for software conversions to complete by replacing software-based timing with a hardware-based trigger mechanism. |
| US08050542B2 |
Method and apparatus for reproducing multimedia contents, apparatus and method for creating multimedia contents, and medium for storing multimedia contents
An apparatus and method for reproducing multimedia contents regardless of the type and version of a codec, an apparatus and method for generating multimedia contents, and a storage medium storing multimedia contents are provided. The multimedia reproducing apparatus includes: a reading unit which reads multimedia data including multimedia contents coupled with a codec for decoding the multimedia contents, from a storage medium; and a reproducing unit which reproduces multimedia contents by using the codec extracted from the read multimedia data. Regardless of codec upgrade or introduction of a new codec with a new method, various types of multimedia contents can be smoothly reproduced. |
| US08050535B2 |
Computer readable storage medium storing video contents display program and video contents display apparatus
A contents display control means displays video contents in a contents display screen area, a virtual space display control means displays a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional virtual space and an object appearing in the two-dimensional or the three-dimensional virtual space in a virtual space display screen area, and a motion control means controls, when the video contents is displayed in the contents display screen area, a motion of the object, with reference to additional information of the video contents and motion control information specifying the motion of the object when the additional information satisfies a certain condition. Accordingly, a novel video contents display method can be provided with the use of the additional information multiplexed into the video contents. |
| US08050533B2 |
Recording medium on which 3D video is recorded, playback apparatus for playing back 3D video, and system LSI
A left view graphics stream and a right view graphics stream recorded on a recording medium each include one or more display sets, and the display sets are data groups used for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects. The one or more display sets included in the left view graphics stream are in one-to-one correspondence with the one or more display sets included in the right view graphics stream, and an identical playback time for the video stream on the playback time axis is set in each of the corresponding display sets. Each display set includes state information indicating whether the data is all data necessary for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects, or is a difference from the immediately previous display set, and the state information included in corresponding display sets indicate identical content. |
| US08050530B2 |
Method for producing elements comprising fiber optics, device for implementing said method, optical fibers element and optical arrangement comprising such an element
A method for producing an optical fiber element provided with several optical fibers disposed in a matrix, including: a) placing and maintaining the several optical fibers in grooves formed in a mould plate, said grooves being in different planes, b) injecting a hardenable material adhering to the several optical fibers, c) solidifying the hardenable material to maintain the several optical fibers in a position set by the grooves, and d) removing at least the mould plate. |
| US08050529B2 |
Preconnectorized fiber optic local convergence points
There is provided fiber optic local convergence points that provide preconnectorized functionality to eliminate all or most of the splicing associated with local convergence points in fiber optic distribution networks. The local convergence points provide a plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports adapted to receive a preconnectorized end of a distribution cable within the enclosure of the local convergence point, on the enclosure itself, or outside the enclosure. For example, the local convergence point may provide preconnectorized multi-fiber ports outside the enclosure with an accumulator optically connected to the interior of the local convergence with an accumulator cable, wherein the accumulator comprises the plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports. |
| US08050525B2 |
Method and system for grating taps for monitoring a DWDM transmitter array integrated on a PLC platform
An integrated DWDM transmitter apparatus includes a silica-on-silicon substrate which includes a silica layer and a silicon layer. A plurality of input waveguides and a plurality of gratings are provided within the silica layer. Each of the plurality of gratings is coupled to a corresponding one of the input waveguides. An arrayed waveguide grating within the silica layer is coupled to the plurality of input waveguides, and at least an output waveguide within the silica layer are coupled to the arrayed waveguide grating. The transmitter also includes a plurality of lasers disposed in a recessed region of the silica-on-silicon substrate, and each of the lasers is optically coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of input waveguides. The integrated transmitter also includes plurality of photodiodes, each of the plurality of photodiodes overlying a corresponding one of the plurality of grating. |
| US08050521B2 |
System and method for simultaneously viewing, coordinating, manipulating and interpreting three-dimensional and two-dimensional digital images of structures for providing true scale measurements and permitting rapid emergency information distribution
The present invention provides a true-scale, coordinate-matched, linked in real-time, dual three-dimensional/two-dimensional visual display/viewer. The display simultaneously shows a 3D digital image and an associated 2D digital image of a selected drawing. The display of the present invention allows a user to visualize an asset's location, surrounding environment and hazards and true scale structural details for interior or external structural scenes. Using the display and associated tools, the user can obtain real-time information of an environment, true-scale measurement, plan ingress/egress paths, shortest paths between points and the number of doorways in a structure and track objects within the displayed environment. The intelligence gained using the tools and 3D/2D display may be used and further manipulated by a single user or may be distributed to other users. |
| US08050514B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In order to perform appropriate image correction considering the moving image region and static image region of image data forming a moving image, the image data forming the moving image is input in a unit of frame, the image data is divided into a moving image region and static image region, and a feature amount of the moving image region and that of the static image region are calculated. At least one table for image correction is generated based on the feature amount of the moving image region and that of the static image region, and the image data is corrected using the table. |
| US08050513B2 |
Method of generating multiscale contrast enhanced image
A method of generating a multiscale contrast enhanced image preserving the shape of the edge transitions is described. Enhanced detail pixel values are computed by combining enhanced center difference images at least one scale. |
| US08050509B2 |
Method of and apparatus for eliminating image noise
A method and apparatus are provided for eliminating image noise to remove spatial-temporal noise and improve visibility. The method includes extracting a spatial-temporal noise level of neighbor pixels around a current pixel, filtering noise of the current pixel by applying a weight to spatial-temporal pixels around the current pixel based on the extracted spatial-temporal noise level, and applying a weight to the noise-filtered pixel and a boosted-up pixel based on an edge intensity and summing the weight-applied pixels. The spatial-temporal noise level is extracted based on spatial-temporal information of neighbor pixels around a current pixel in a current frame and spatial-temporal information of neighbor pixels around a current pixel in a previous frame. |
| US08050504B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring motion of a subject using a series of partial images from an imaging system
A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation. |
| US08050502B2 |
Two-Dimensional code generation method, two-dimensional code, two-dimensional code recognition method, and image recognition device
A two-dimensional code in which given data is encoded as a two-dimensional image. The two-dimensional code includes as image elements: points each of which is placed at point placement reserved position in a two-dimensional region based on a binary data string uniquely associated with the given data according to a preset binary data string placement condition; and a line connecting each of the points and a connection target point according to a preset connection condition. The two-dimensional code is formed as a two-dimensional image by causing the line connecting the points to have a given width. |
| US08050498B2 |
Live coherent image selection to differentiate foreground and background pixels
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, featuring receiving user input defining a sample of pixels from an image, the image being defined by a raster of pixels. While receiving the user input, the following actions are performed one or more times: pixels are coherently classified in the raster of pixels as being foreground or background based on the sample of pixels; and a rendering of the image is updated on a display to depict classified foreground pixels and background pixels as the sample is being defined. |
| US08050496B2 |
Color gamut mapping/enhancement technique using skin color detection
A method for mapping/enhancing the color of an image to be displayed on a display includes receiving an image having a plurality of pixels where each of the pixels has a plurality of color components. The image is processed using a pair of gamut color mapping operations in combination with skin-tone pixels detection to modify the image in a suitable manner for presentation on the display, wherein the technique includes color temperature compensation. |
| US08050495B2 |
Rich media file format and delivery methods
A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user. |
| US08050494B2 |
System and method for human hand motion detection by skin color prediction
Systems and methods for motion detection of human skin within temporally adjacent electronic images are provided. Motion detection is accomplished by analyzing the color values of selected pixels within the electronic images represented in CbCr color space. Histogram distributions which represent skin colors and non-skin colors in CbCr color space are modeled in order to provide likelihoods that a selected color value appears within the histogram distributions. Posterior skin probability values, indicating the probability that a selected pixel having a given CbCr color value represents human skin, are calculated from these likelihoods. For each of the selected pixels, an intensity difference of the pixel between the electronic images is compared to an adaptive intensity threshold which is a function of the posterior skin probability in order to determine whether the pixel is in motion. |
| US08050491B2 |
CAD modeling system and method
A 3D object modeling system and method system and method captures a 2D representation of the object to be modeled and breaks the 2D image into its geometric elements. The 3D stereoscopic image is then fitted to the geometric elements generated from the 2D image to generate the final model. The 3D stereoscopic image may be compared with the geometric elements to detect distortions in the object, allowing the distortions to be corrected in the final model to ensure that the model accurately depicts the original object. |
| US08050486B2 |
System and method for identifying a feature of a workpiece
A feature of a workpiece can be identified. Two-dimensional data of at least a region of a workpiece and three-dimensional data of a portion of the region of the workpiece are acquired, such as by illuminating at least the region with at least a first light source disposed at a first angle of incidence relative to a plane of the region and illuminating the portion with a second light source, such as at least one laser, disposed at a second angle of incidence greater than the first angle of incidence. An estimated location of an attribute of a feature of the workpiece is determined from the three-dimensional data, and the feature is identified by analyzing the two-dimensional data in an area surrounding the estimated location of the attribute. Attributes of features can include without limitation a point along a line of an edge. |
| US08050478B2 |
Method and apparatus for tissue border detection using ultrasonic diagnostic images
A method and apparatus for tissue border detection using ultrasonic diagnostic images includes searching an initial central point of a target region in an ultrasonic diagnostic image of a detected target and determining an initial region border based on the initial central point and with the initial central point being a pole, searching a position of a target region border along a polar line across the pole and from an initial region border, and calculating an energy function of intensity distribution at different positions, wherein a position corresponding to a minimum value of the energy function of the intensity distribution is the border position of the target region. |
| US08050472B2 |
Method of acquiring phalange edge image and system therefor
A method and system for acquiring a phalange edge image using an X-ray image of a hand are provided. The method includes: selecting a region of interest from an X-ray image of the hand; acquiring a soft tissue background gray level removed image by removing a soft tissue background gray level from the region of interest; and extracting a phalange edge image from the soft tissue background gray level removed image. |
| US08050469B2 |
Automated measurement of objects using deformable models
The present invention relates to the field of digital imaging, in particular to the field of estimating geometrical properties of an anatomical object. According to the present invention, geometrical properties are automatically measured and geometrical properties which have a definition based on sub-parts of the object are derived. To do this, additional geometrical information is integrated into a surface model. Geometrical properties are included into the surface model by identifying and labelling sub-parts of the surface model and fitting geometric primitives to these sub-parts. This advantageously allows to identify these sub-parts on an unseen object surface and to automatically extract relevant geometric properties. |
| US08050467B2 |
Package, packaging method and substrate thereof for sliding type thin fingerprint sensor
A sliding type thin fingerprint sensor package mainly comprises a substrate and a fingerprint sensor chip. The chip defined as a sliding region and a conductive portion comprises a dielectric layer, a circuit layer and a passivation layer. The circuit layer has a plurality of external contact pads and at least one electrostatic conductive pad close to a window of the dielectric layer. The passivation layer formed on the circuit layer has a plurality of first openings to expose the external contact pads and a second opening to expose the electrostatic conductive pad of the circuit layer and the window of the dielectric layer. The electrostatic conductive pad and the window are located at the sliding region and the external contact pads are located at the conductive portion. The fingerprint sensor chip is electronically connected with the substrate. A sensing region of the fingerprint sensor chip is exposed via the second opening of the passivation layer and the window of the dielectric layer. |
| US08050466B2 |
Face recognition with combined PCA-based datasets
A face recognition method for working with two or more collections of facial images is provided. A representation framework is determined for a first collection of facial images including at least principle component analysis (PCA) features. A representation of said first collection is stored using the representation framework. A modified representation framework is determined based on statistical properties of original facial image samples of a second collection of facial images and the stored representation of the first collection. The first and second collections are combined without using original facial image samples. A representation of the combined image collection (super-collection) is stored using the modified representation framework. A representation of a current facial image, determined in terms of the modified representation framework, is compared with one or more representations of facial images of the combined collection. Based on the comparing, it is determined which, if any, of the facial images within the combined collection matches the current facial image. |
| US08050465B2 |
Real-time face tracking in a digital image acquisition device
A database includes an identifier and associated parameters for each of a number of faces to be recognized. A new acquired image from an image stream is received potentially including one or more face regions. Face detection is applied to at least a portion of the acquired image to provide a set of candidate face regions each having a given size and a respective location. Using the database, face recognition is selectively applied to at least one of the candidate face regions to provide an identifier for a face recognized in a candidate face region. A portion of the image is stored including the recognized face in association with at least one image of the image stream. |
| US08050463B2 |
Iris recognition system having image quality metrics
An iris recognition system implementing image quality metrics to assess the quality of an acquired eye image for reliable operation. Images with low image quality may be rejected or flagged based upon the application. The image quality may be determined with a preprocessing module in the recognition system. The processing may be configured based on a quality assessment. |
| US08050461B2 |
Depth-varying light fields for three dimensional sensing
A method for mapping includes projecting onto an object a pattern of multiple spots having respective positions and shapes, such that the positions of the spots in the pattern are uncorrelated, while the shapes share a common characteristic. An image of the spots on the object is captured and processed so as to derive a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object. |
| US08050456B2 |
Vehicle and road sign recognition device
A vehicle and road sign recognition device each includes: image capturing means (2) which captures a color image of a road via imaging means (6); feature value calculation means (4) which calculates a feature value of each pixel corresponding to the color of a road sign on the road from the color components of each pixel in the color image so as to reduce the effect of brightness on the color components; and road sign detection means (5) which detects the road sign on the road from the feature image in which the feature value of each pixel in the color image is arranged so as to match with the position of each pixel in the color image. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect a road sign such as a lane mark from the color image of the road captured via the imaging means such as a camera even if the road illumination state is partially different. |
| US08050452B2 |
Quantization-based data embedding in mapped data
Novel methods and systems for quantization based data embedding and reading in host signals, such as image, audio and video signals. To embed auxiliary data in a host signal, an embedder maps the host signal from a first domain into a mapped signal in a second domain. The embedder performs quantization based embedding of auxiliary data into the host signal using quantizers. The quantizers are adapted such that the relationship between corresponding quantizers in the first and second domains satisfies a predetermined constraint. The mapping improves the robustness of the data embedding method by increasing the chances that the embedded data can be recovered by an auxiliary data reader after modifications. A related embedding method projects the mapped signal unto a vector, and specifically, a pseudorandom vector. It performs quantization based embedding on the projected signal. The use of this projection provides added robustness of the embedded data to noise and other forms of distortion. |
| US08050450B2 |
Watermarking different areas of digital images with different intensities
An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed. |
| US08050449B2 |
Display apparatus, fan unit and fan speed control method thereof
A display apparatus, a fan unit and a fan speed control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes an image processing unit that performs image processing for an image signal; a display unit that displays an image based on the image signal; a fan unit that comprises a fan for discharging heat generated in the display apparatus; and a controller that controls the fan unit to adjust a rotation speed of the fan based on an attribute of the image displayed on the display unit. |
| US08050448B2 |
Mehtod and system for achieving access to an object or a service
A method is disclosed for gaining access to an object and/or to a service of an object or service provider. A biometric reference parameter of at least one user is recorded in a personal mobile station. The user orders an object or service from a remote server by means of his personal mobile station. An actual biometric parameter is recorded by a biometric sensor of the object or service provider and the recorded actual biometric parameter is compared to the reference parameter. On a successful comparison, access to the object or service is permitted. The invention further relates to a system with the components mentioned. |
| US08050447B2 |
Information processing method and device, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
A partial data acquisition unit acquires partial data included in digital data, a partial data specifying information acquisition unit acquires specifying information for the partial data, a combining unit combines the partial data and the specifying information, and a verification data generation unit generates verification data. Thus, it is possible to verify whether or not region data in image data has been altered. In addition, it is possible to verify that the region data is the region data in image data different from the original image data, and/or, it is possible to further verify that the region data is the different region data included in the original image data. |
| US08050446B2 |
Method and system for digital watermarking of multimedia signals
Disclosed is a method and system for digital watermarking of multimedia signals. The input multimedia signal is represented using an inverse difference pyramid decomposition. Spectrum coefficients may be calculated for each level of the pyramid using a new kind of complex Hadamard transform, the matrix of which is distinguished from the known ones by the fact that only one-fourth of its coefficients are complex numbers. The phases of a previously selected part of the low-frequency coefficients are modified with the watermark data, limiting the angles of the phase changes in a gap of several degrees only. After an inverse complex Hadamard Transform, the values of the coefficients from all pyramid levels are summed up and the result is the watermarked signal. The watermark can contain multiple independent levels for each level of the pyramid. |
| US08050443B2 |
Microphone and microphone mounting structure
A microphone contains a capacitor in a capsule with a diaphragm serving as one of electrodes of the capacitor. The microphone is mounted on a mounting board when external terminals installed on an external surface of a circuit board which closes an opening of the capsule are connected face to face with connection terminals on the mounting board. A sound hole is formed in the circuit board and through-hole is formed in the mounting board, being placed in such a position as to avoid overlapping each other when the microphone is mounted. An enclosed space which communicates the through-hole and sound hole is formed when the external terminals are connected with the connection terminals on the mounting board. |
| US08050441B2 |
Portable speakers
A portable speaker having at least one driver mounted in a first enclosure and a second enclosure separate from the first enclosure and having pivotally mounted to it the first enclosure. The second enclosure has all electronics, controls and a battery compartment. The first enclosure is moveable relative to the second enclosure between a first configuration and a second configuration, the at least one driver being protected by the second enclosure when the first enclosure is in the first configuration. |
| US08050440B2 |
Hearing aid that facilitates removal of earwax and trapping of moisture
A hearing aid (2) is provided which includes a receiver tube (14) containing waterproof ear wax mesh trap (16). The receiver tube is removably connected directly to the hearing aid receiver (12) and the tube may be cleaned or replaced by a hearing aid dispenser or audiologist during a patient office visit. The receiver tube includes a waterproof ear wax trap lodged within, that is made of a foamed and stretched PTFE membrane. Further, the length of the receiver tube may be adjusted by the dispenser or audiologist during the office visit by clipping it accordingly. |
| US08050437B2 |
BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
An earpiece auditory device is described which includes a behind-the-ear component shaped to fit behind the ear of a user. The behind-the-ear component can also have at least one microphone and processing circuitry, where the processing circuitry is used to processes audio signal from the microphone. The device also includes a speaker sized to fit in the ear canal of a user, and an ear mold holding the speaker in place. The ear mold can also be position to touch the bony portion of the ear canal and provide sound attenuation in the ear canal. A connector physically and electrically connects the behind-the-ear component to the speaker. The connector is capable of being used to insert and remove the speaker and ear mold from the ear canal of the user. |
| US08050434B1 |
Multi-channel audio enhancement system
A method for processing audio signals can include receiving left and right front audio signals, where the left and right front audio signals including information about front spatial position of sound sources relative to a listener. The method can also include receiving left and right rear audio signals, where the left and right rear audio signals include information about rear spatial position of sound sources relative to a listener. In addition, the method can include applying at least one front perspective filter to each of the left and right front audio signals to yield filtered left and right front output signals, where the left and right front output signals each drive a front speaker. Moreover, the method can include applying at least one rear perspective filter to each of the left and right rear audio signals to yield left and right rear output signals, where the left and right rear output signals each drive a rear speaker to simulate a rear surround sound effect when positioned in front of a listener. |
| US08050432B2 |
Sound system
To conclude, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the sound system comprises two loudspeakers (LA, LB) which mask their spectral signatures at the ear (C1) of the listener by positioning the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) such that their maxima of the polar radiation patterns have directions which at least differ 30 degrees, and which generate coherent sound in the direction of the listener. These two aspects together cause different gradients of the sound of the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) at the same ear (C1) of the listener, while the information which reaches the ear (C1) from the spatially shifted different loudspeakers (LA, LB) is still coherent and not blurred by diffusion. The loudspeakers LA, LB should be spaced apart to obtain sufficient different gradients of their sound at the same ear. |
| US08050426B2 |
Digital mixer apparatus and editing method therefor
Mixer apparatus includes: a plurality of input channels, mixing buses and output channels; a monitor section that outputs, for a monitoring purpose, signals of one or more of the channels selected in response to monitoring selecting operation; and a plurality of effecters. For each of the plurality of effecters, setting is performed to insert the effecter in a designated one of the input or output channels, to allow the inserted effecter to be used in the designated channel. The mixer also permits editing of a selected one of the effecters while causing an editing screen for the selected effecter to be displayed. When any one of the effecters has been selected for editing while the mixer is set in the interlock mode, control is performed to automatically output, for the monitoring purpose, the signal of the channel having the selected effecter inserted therein. |
| US08050423B2 |
Integrated circuit device and audio system
An n-channel integrated circuit device (n is an integer of 1 or greater) for muting an audio signal includes a control circuit configured to generate a control signal and a delayed control signal, a charging and discharging circuit configured to charge and discharge a time constant control terminal according to the control signal and the delayed control signal, an N-th voltage-to-current converting circuit (N is an integer from 1 to n) configured to generate a (2N−1)-th current corresponding to a voltage on the time constant control terminal and a (2N)-th current corresponding to an intermediate voltage, a (2N−1)-th mirror circuit configured to copy the (2N−1)-th current to generate (4N−3)-th and (4N−2)-th intermediate currents, a (2N)-th mirror circuit configured to copy the (2N)-th current to generate (4N−1)-th and (4N)-th intermediate currents, a (2N−1)-th selecting and combining circuit configured to combine a (2N−1)-th mute control current using the (4N−3)-th intermediate current and the (4N−1)-th intermediate current, and a (2N)-th selecting and combining circuit configured to combine a (2N)-th mute control current using the (4N−2)-th intermediate current and the (4N)-th intermediate current. |
| US08050422B2 |
Audio test apparatus capable of decreasing noise influence in process of audio device testing and method thereof
A audio test method for decreasing noise influence, which includes the following steps: obtaining analog signals; converting the analog signals into digital signals; intercepting digital signals of a first predetermined length and executing a first Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), then obtaining an first Fourier spectrum; recording the amplitudes of frequency values of the first Fourier spectrum; intercepting digital signals of a second predetermined length and executing the second FFT, then obtaining an second Fourier spectrum; recording the amplitudes of the frequency values belonging to odd points of the second frequency spectrum, which are the amplitudes of the noise composition; subtracting the amplitudes of the noise composition from the amplitudes of frequency values of the first Fourier spectrum and obtaining a frequency domain signals without noise composition; executing inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT) for the frequency domain signals and obtaining time domain signals, testing each parameter of the time domain signals. |
| US08050418B2 |
Update system for an audio amplifier
A system and method for updating the software of a digital audio amplifier. The digital data used to update the amplifier's software is transmitted as an analog signal over analog audio channels to the amplifier. The amplifier is adapted to recognize when an audio signal should be used to update the amplifier's software, instead of merely driving the speakers with the audio signal. Upon receiving such an audio signal, the amplifier decodes the analog signal into digital instructions. The digital instructions are processed to reconfigure the amplifier's operation. |
| US08050417B2 |
Auxiliary electromagnetic valve for a gas servo valve
Auxiliary electromagnetic valve for its incorporation into a main valve of a gas servo valve, which comprises a body with an auxiliary outlet conduit connected to an outlet conduit of the servo valve, a pivoting arm that comprises a closure member of a valve seat of the auxiliary outlet conduit, a ferromagnetic armature that closes the magnetic circuit opening the valve seat, and a return means, supported by a plate, that returns the pivoting arm in order to keep the seating closed. The body is configured by means of a peripheral surface fitted to a cavity of the main valve, a lower surface supported against the cavity by means of fitting means, an intermediate transverse surface on which the valve seat is fitted, a transverse perimetral rim upon which the plate is fixed, and an auxiliary hole that connects the valve seat to the outlet conduit. |
| US08050415B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting audio signals
A method and an apparatus for detecting audio signals are disclosed. The input audio signal is detected to determine whether it is a background frame. The detected background signal is further detected according to a music characterization value and a decision rule. Therefore, background music can be detected, and the classifying performance of the voice/music classifier is improved. |
| US08050411B2 |
Method of managing one-time pad data and device implementing this method
A device stores one-time pad data for use in carrying out various tasks. In order to preserve the ability to carry out important tasks that require the use of one-time data, use of the one-time pad data held by the device is controlled such that an amount of this one-time pad data is only usable by a predetermined set of important tasks comprising at least a replenishment task for replenishing the device with one-time pad data. |
| US08050405B2 |
Shared key encryption using long keypads
Methods of securely communicating a message from a first terminal to a second terminal include generating a keypad including a random sequence of bits having a length L, encrypting the message at the first terminal using a bit string beginning at an offset O in the keypad, and transmitting the encrypted message and an indicator of the offset O to the second terminal. A communication terminal includes a controller, a communication module configured to establish a location-limited communication channel, and an encryption unit configured to store a keypad including a random sequence of bits having a length L, to encrypt an outgoing message using the keypad, and to decrypt an incoming message using the keypad. |
| US08050397B1 |
Multi-tone signal discriminator
In one embodiment, a method for discriminating between a machine generated multi-tone signal and a simulated voice multi-tone signal is provided. The method may comprise comparing output profiles generated from sampled outputs of a plurality of filters. The plurality of filters may have a single input sample stream applied to them and each filter may be preset at a measured multi-tone frequency associated with an identified prospective multi-tone signal. Based on the comparison of the output profiles, an inequality degree between the output profiles is generated and compared to an inequality threshold, thereby to determine whether the input sample stream comprises a machine generated multi-tone signal. |
| US08050393B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating possible 3-way call events
The likelihood that a called party to a telephone call has forwarded the call to another party, or has conferenced the call to include another party is estimated by requiring that the called party supply a first signal, illustratively a first DTMF signal, later requiring that the called party provide a second signal, illustratively the same DTMF signal provided by the first signal, and comparing characteristics of said first and second signals as received at a telephone network node. |
| US08050389B2 |
Method and system for automatically selecting outgoing voicemail messages
A system for automatically selecting an outgoing message for an incoming call. In response to receiving an incoming call, a calling party is identified. The identified calling party is compared against call log data to determine that the identified calling party has previously heard a first outgoing message. In response to determining that the identified calling party has not previously heard the first outgoing message, the first outgoing message is played as a selected outgoing message for the incoming call. In response to determining that the identified calling party has previously heard the first outgoing message, a second outgoing message is played as the selected outgoing message for the incoming call. Then, the call log data is updated to identify the selected outgoing message played for the incoming call. |
| US08050388B2 |
Messaging advise in presence-aware networks
A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations:(a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system;(b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available;(c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system;(d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted telephone number and address;(e) while a contact between the subscriber and a different third party is in progress, provide the subscriber's communication device with information respecting the at least one eligible message from the third party;(f) transform an audio messaging session between the messaging system and the communication device of a contacting party into a graphical user interface-based audio session; and(g) transform the audio messaging session into a session having a video channel or both audio and video channels. |
| US08050377B2 |
Irradiation target retention systems, fuel assemblies having the same, and methods of using the same
Example embodiments and methods are directed to irradiation target retention devices that may be inserted into conventional nuclear fuel rods and assemblies. Example embodiment devices may hold several irradiation targets for irradiation during operation of a nuclear core containing the assemblies and fuel rods having example embodiment irradiation target retention devices. Irradiation targets may substantially convert to useful radioisotopes upon exposure to neutron flux in the operating nuclear core and be removed and harvested from fuel rods after operation. |
| US08050374B2 |
Semiconductor memory device capable of controlling tAC timing and method for operating the same
A semiconductor memory device is capable of controlling a tAC with a timing margin in an output data process. The semiconductor memory device includes a delay locked loop circuit, a tAC control unit, a reference signal generating unit, and a data output block. The delay locked loop circuit produces delay locked clock signals through a delay locking operation. The tAC control unit adjusts a delay value of the delay locked clock signals in order to control a tAC timing, thereby generating output reference signals. The reference signal generating unit produces a latch reference signal in response to the delay locked clock signals. The data output block latches data in response to the latch reference signal and for outputting the latched data in response to the output reference signals. |
| US08050372B2 |
Clock-data recovery circuit, multi-port receiver including the same and associated methods
A clock-data recovery circuit includes a plurality of input ports and a code generation circuit. The plurality of input ports generates sampling clock signals based on digital control codes and samples input data signals based on the sampling clock signals to generate output data signals and phase detection signals, respectively. The code generation circuit generates the digital control codes based on the phase detection signals received from the input ports during a training mode. |
| US08050368B2 |
Nonlinear adaptive phase domain equalization for multilevel phase coded demodulators
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of nonlinear adaptive phase domain equalization for multilevel phase coded demodulators. The invention improves the immunity of phase-modulated signals (PSK) to intersymbol interference (ISI) such as caused by transmitter or receiver impairments, frequency selective channel response filtering, timing offset or carrier frequency offset. The invention uses phase domain signals (r, θ) rather than the classical Cartesian quadrature components (I, Q) and employs a nonlinear adaptive equalizer on the phase domain signal. This results in significantly improved ISI performance which simplifies the design of a digital receiver. |
| US08050366B2 |
Device and method for compensating timing offset
A method and OFDM receiver for estimating timing offset are provided. The method includes receiving OFDM data to calculate frequency offset between a transmitter carrier frequency and a receiver carrier frequency, determining first timing offset based on the frequency offset, compensating the OFDM data with the first timing offset, estimating a residual common phase based on the compensated OFDM data, determining second timing offset based on the residual common phase, and compensating the OFDM data with the second timing offset, if the frame symbol index exceeds the predetermined data length. |
| US08050362B2 |
Soft-bit de-mapping device and method of generating soft bits for decoding
A soft-bit de-mapping device and method of generating soft bits for decoding quantizes a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) value for a received value using functions bits and channel parameter bits to generate the soft bits. The function bits are generated by quantizing an LLR function for the received value, which includes modifying an original curve of the LLR function to a modified curve such that a segment of the original curve with the lowest slope is protected in the modified curve for a fixed equal quantization step-size. The channel parameter bits are generated by quantizing a channel parameter for the received value to generate channel. |
| US08050361B2 |
Method and apparatus for coding in a telecommunications system
First and second transmission links are established with a remote station. An information signal is encoded to provide an encoded information signal having more bits than the information signal. First and second transmission signals are provided wherein each transmission signal has bits selected from the encoded information signal. Each of the first and second transmission signals is transmitted to the remote station by way of a respective one of the first and second transmission links. The remote station receives and combines the first and second transmission signals transmitted by the remote station to provide a combined encoded signal. The combined encoded signal is decoded by the remote station to provide the information signal. The first and second transmission links can be formed between the remote station and a single base station or between the remote station and two separate base stations. |
| US08050359B2 |
Continuously variable phase frequency shift keying
Method for modulating an RF signal includes the steps of modulating an RF signal using frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation to define a plurality of symbols (2030, 2031). The FSK modulation includes transitioning the modulated signal (204) between at least two different frequencies (f1 and f0) during a guard period (210). The method includes the further step of varying a frequency of the modulated signal 204 during the guard period (210) in accordance with a predetermined rate of change. The predetermined rate of change is selected to minimize a bandwidth of the RF signal. |
| US08050354B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for communicating a data block in a multi carrier modulation communication scheme together with an identification sequence superimposed thereon
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating communication of a data block communicated in an OFDM-based, communication system. Side-information required to be transmitted by many PAPR reduction schemes in OFDM is carried and transmitted by sending orthogonal binary sequences superimposed on the OFDM data sequence carrying the information to be transmitted. In one embodiment, a selected scrambling sequence is multiplied with an input data block to yield a desired Peak-To-Average Power Ratio. An identification sequence one-to-one corresponding to the scrambling sequence is superimposed on the resultant sequence and transmitted together. In the receiving station, the identification sequence is determined through correlation operations. This also determines the scrambling sequence. The effects of both sequences are finally removed from the information-carrying data sequence. |
| US08050351B2 |
Quadrature modulator with feedback control and optical communications system using the same
The method and system are disclosed for automatic feedback control of integrated optical quadrature modulator for generation of optical quaternary phase-shift-keyed signal in coherent optical communications. The method comprises the steps of detecting at least a part of an output optical signal from the QPSK modulator, extracting of a particular portion of the output signal in frequency domain, and processing the signal in frequency domain to optimize the transmission of an optical link. The system and method of optical communications in fiber or free space are disclosed that implement the quadrature data modulator with automatic feedback control. |
| US08050347B2 |
Digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system having an improved receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system and a signal processing method thereof that can improve the receiving performance of the system. A digital broadcast transmitter has a randomizer to randomize an input data stream which has null bytes being inserted at a specified position, a multiplexer to output a data stream formed by inserting specified known data into the position of the null bytes of the randomized data stream, an encoder to encode the data stream outputted from the multiplexer, and a modulator/RF-converter to modulate the encoded data, RF-convert the modulated data and transmit the RF-converted data. The receiving performance of the digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system can be improved even in a multi-path channel by detecting the known data from the received signal and using the known data in synchronization and equalization in a digital broadcast receiver. |
| US08050346B2 |
Optimal encoder and encoding method for dual stream system
Provided are a method of estimating an encoder for dual stream transmission, and an encoder using the same. The method includes the steps of: a) setting up the number of memories required for an encoder, a free distance condition for robust data, and a free distance condition for mixed stream of robust data and normal data; b) obtaining ½ rate encoder combinations that sustain backward compatibility with a typical trellis encoder; c) obtaining encoder combinations H that satisfy the free distance condition for the robust data and the free distance condition for the mixed stream from the ½ rate encoder combinations; d) obtaining relations between memories and input/output signals, which satisfy the encoder combinations H; and e) configuring an encoder according to the obtained relation between the memories and the input/output signals. |
| US08050345B1 |
QAM and GMSK systems
Transmit baseband filter and modulator for filtering and modulating a first bit rate signal into a Gaussian filtered modulated signal and a second transmit filter and modulator for filtering and modulating a second bit rate signal into a Quadrature Amplitude Modulated (QAM) signal. A first amplifier and first transmitter for nonlinearly amplifying and a second amplifier and second transmitter for linearly amplifying modulated signals. A diversity receiver and demodulator system for receiving and demodulating transmitted modulated signals. Processor, transmit baseband filter and modulator provides cross-correlated in-phase and quadrature-phase Gaussian filtered Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulated signal, spread spectrum Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated signal. Transmit processor and filter provides time division multiplexed (TDM) Gaussian filtered baseband signal and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) in-phase and quadrature-phase baseband modulated signal to a cellular network and to separate wireless network. Diversity receiver and demodulator provides demodulated cross-correlated in-phase and quadrature-phase filtered signal, with receive filter mis-matched to transmit filter. |
| US08050341B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring frequency of multi-path signal
A method and an apparatus for acquiring a target frequency of a multi-path signal are disclosed. The multi-path signal includes a first path signal and a second path signal. First, the first path signal is received through a first path and the second path signal is received through a second path. Then, a target region is determined. The target region is a portion of a second cyclic prefix in the second path signal which overlaps with a first cyclic prefix in the first path signal. Afterward, the target frequency is determined based on the target region. |
| US08050337B2 |
Systems, methods, devices, and/or computer program products for providing communications devoid of cyclostationary features
A wireless communications system configured for Low Probability of Intercept (LPI), Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and/or Low Probability of Exploitation (LPE) communications may use waveforms substantially devoid of a cyclostationary signature to improve a LPI/LPD/LPE property. A set of M independent “seed” waveforms that satisfy a time-bandwidth constraint may be used via a Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalization (GSO) procedure to generate M orthonormal functions. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the M seed waveforms may be chosen from a band-limited Gaussian-distributed process and may be used to generate, via an orthogonalization operation a corresponding set of M Gaussian-distributed orthonormal functions substantially devoid of a cyclostationary property. |
| US08050333B2 |
Data transfer device of serializer/deserializer system
In a data transfer device which cancells an offset of a differential amplifier for amplifying a received signal and an offset caused by characteristics of a differential transmission line and selects optimum conditions such as pre-emphasis amount of an output pre-emphasis circuit, a first chip (transmission side LSI=transfer engine 210) and a second chip (reception side LSI=multiplexing engine 330) are connected to each other through differential transmission line 430 and a SerDes (serializer) 401 and a SerDes (deserializer) 402 are used to make signal transmission, so that optimum setting conditions of an offset amount of an offset cancellation circuit included in an input buffer amplifier and a pre-emphasis amount of pre-emphasis circuit included in an output buffer are decided in training using a training PRBS generator 560 and a training PRBS comparator 570. |
| US08050332B2 |
System and method for selectively performing single-ended and differential signaling
In a communication system, data is selectively transmitted using single-ended or differential signaling. The data is transmitted in relation to a plurality of clock signals having different relative phases. When the data is transmitted using single-ended signaling, data on adjacent signal lines undergo logic transitions at different times in relation to the plurality of clock signals. |
| US08050325B2 |
System and method for boundary motion vector correction in motion compensated frame rate
A system and method for more efficiently determining motion vectors of uncovering areas adjacent the edge of frames when the frame image is moving in the direction of the frame boundary. Backwards motion estimation is used to determine a block of video data which is, in one implementation, the block of video data adjacent the frame edge having a reliable motion vector known from the first frame. Once the block is identified, the blocks of video data in the uncovering area between the identified block and the frame boundary can then be assigned the motion vector data of the identified block. |
| US08050322B2 |
Bitrate control method and apparatus for intra-only video sequence coding
A bitrate control method and apparatus for video sequence coding by using only intra pictures are provided. The rate control method includes: separating a video sequence formed only with intra pictures, into picture group units, slice units, and macroblock units; and performing bitrate control so that a predetermined amount of bits can be generated when encoding is performed. According to the method and apparatus, overflow and underflow of a buffer can be prevented. |
| US08050321B2 |
Grouping of image frames in video coding
A method for encoding a video sequence comprising an independent sequence of image frames, wherein at least one reference image frame is predictable from at least one previous image frame that is earlier than the previous reference image frame in decoding order. An indication of at least one image frame is encoded into the video sequence, which indicated image frame is the first image frame, in decoding order, of the independent sequence, said at least one reference image frame being included in the sequence. In the decoding phase, the indication of at least one image frame is decoded from the video sequence, and the decoding of the video sequence is started from said first image frame of the independent sequence, whereby the video sequence is decoded without prediction from any image frame decoded prior to said first image frame. |
| US08050312B2 |
System and method for multi-source communications
A system and method of multi-source communications, including a source provider, a transmitter, a receiver, a summing device, a plurality of delay devices, and a switch. The source provider provides a signal including a first and second signal. The transmitter is in communication with the source provider and the receiver. The receiver is in communication with the transmitter. The summing device combines the first and second signals received by the receiver. The delay device delays at least one of the first and second signals. The switch forms a bypass, such that at least one of the first and second signals bypasses one of the plurality of delay devices. |
| US08050310B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a transmitting unit for receiving plural bits of data to modulate the data to a 1-bit pulse signal whose pulse width corresponds to a value of the data and transferring the pulse signal to a transfer line; and a receiving unit for receiving the pulse signal transferred through the transfer line to demodulate the pulse signal to the plural bits of data. |
| US08050308B2 |
Transmitter optical subassembly with volume phase holographic optics
A means for optically coupling a semiconductor laser to an optical fiber is disclosed. In one embodiment, a volume phase holographic element is disposed on a light-emitting surface of a semiconductor laser. The volume phase holographic element acts as an aberration-corrector for a lens that is disposed between the semiconductor laser and the optical fiber. In this way, an inexpensive lens that is not aberration free can be used. In some embodiments, the volume phase holographic element converts a Gaussian light beam emitted by the semiconductor laser into an annular beam that is more suitable for long distance transmission in multimode fibers. |
| US08050307B2 |
Compact mid-IR laser
A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes a quantum cascade laser to provide mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. Efficient heat transfer is achieved using a thermoelectric cooler TEC combined with a high thermal conductivity heat spreader onto which the quantum cascade laser is thermally coupled. The heat spreader not only serves to dissipate heat and conduct same to the TEC, but also serves as an optical platform to secure the optical elements within the housing in a fixed relationship relative on one another. |
| US08050306B2 |
Acousto-optically Q-switched CO2 laser
A pulsed CO2 laser is Q-switched by an intracavity acousto-optic (AO) Q-switch including an AO material transparent at a fundamental wavelength of the laser. In one example the AO material is germanium. |
| US08050302B2 |
Wavelength conversion laser light source, laser light source device and two-dimensional image display device adopting the same, and method of setting temperature of wavelength conversion element
A wavelength conversion laser light source includes: an element temperature switching section that switches a temperature of the wavelength conversion element according to a harmonic wave output value as set in an output setting device, and the element temperature switching section for switching a temperature of a wavelength conversion element according to a harmonic wave output level as set in the output setting device, wherein the element temperature switch section includes an element temperature holding section that holds the wavelength conversion element at the temperature as switched by the element temperature switching section. |
| US08050300B2 |
Laser beam source device, lighting device, image display apparatus, and monitoring apparatus
A laser beam source device includes: a light source which emits light having fundamental wavelength; a wavelength conversion element which converts the light having fundamental wavelength into light having conversion wavelength; a resonance element which transmits first light converted into the conversion wavelength light and reflects light not converted; an optical path conversion element which releases second light contained in the light reflected by the resonance element and converted into the conversion wavelength light in the same direction as the direction of the first light, and releases the light not converted toward the light source; and a supporting member. The resonance element is disposed in such a position that one end surface of the resonance element on the second light side is shifted to the supporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversion element on the second light side. |
| US08050299B2 |
Data transmitting apparatus and method
A ground station multiplexes audio digital data of a plurality of audio broadcasts, GUI data, and download audio data and transmits the multiplexed signal to a receiving side through a satellite. The receiving side displays a GUI screen corresponding to an audio broadcast. When a music information selection command is input on the display screen, and audio broadcast of a music program corresponding to the music information is selected. When a music information download command is input on the display screen, download audio data corresponding to the music information is output. The download audio data is stored to a storage device so as to download audio data corresponding to a desired music title. |
| US08050297B2 |
System and method for sharing a common communication channel between multiple systems of implantable medical devices
A system and method that facilitates multiple systems of communicating devices, i.e., a master device and one or more implantable slave devices, to coexist on a common, e.g., RF, communication channel having a limited temporal bandwidth while maintaining the required update rate between each master device and its associated slave devices. In embodiments of the present invention, master devices periodically transmit one or more beacon messages that are suitable for identification by other such master devices at a communication range greater than the communication range that may cause interference between systems and thus enabling one or more systems to cause the position of its frame periods to be interleaved with the frame periods of other such systems in anticipation of systems moving in closer proximity and actually interfering with each other. |
| US08050294B2 |
Method and system for transmitting in TDM mode
A method for transmitting data in TDM mode is provided to solve the problem in the prior art that the data processing between a transmitter side and a receiver side could not be real time and the delay time during data transmitting would be longer. The method comprises: packaging TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING (TDM) frame head information and data to be sent into a TDM frame at a transmitter side, and transmitting the TDM frame to a receiver side; receiving the TDM frame at the receiver side. With the solution according to the present invention, it is possible to perform real time data processing between the transmitter side and the receiver side and shorten the delay time during data transmitting. |
| US08050293B2 |
Apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report
An apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report (BSR) such that when BSR triggering is performed, the size(s) of the necessary sub-header(s) are also to be considered together in addition to the BSR size. There is a checking unit that checks whether any padding region is available in a MAC PDU that was constructed, a comparing unit that compares the number of padding bits with the size of a buffer status report (BSR) plus its sub-header, and a processing unit that cooperates with the checking unit and the comparing unit to trigger a buffer status report (BSR) procedure if the number of padding bits is larger than the size of the BSR plus its sub-header, including the BSR and its sub-header in the MAC PDU, and setting an LCID in the sub-header to indicate a BSR is included, the BSR having been triggered due to padding. Using such apparatus allows the sub-header(s) to be inserted (included) into the MAC PDU (or transport block (TB) or other data unit). |
| US08050292B2 |
Method of performing transmission and prioritization for radio link control packets for a medium access control layer of a wireless communications system
A method used in a medium access control, hereinafter called MAC, layer of a wireless communications system for performing transmission and prioritization for packets of a radio link control, hereinafter called RLC, layer including a plurality of RLC entities coupled to a plurality of logic channel includes determining a size of a MAC protocol data unit, hereinafter called PDU according to a grant provided by a lower layer, selecting MAC control elements for use in a MAC PDU header, determining MAC sub-headers for use in the MAC PDU header according to the selected MAC control elements, determining a total transmission payload size according to total sizes of the control elements and the MAC sub-headers, and then allocating a transmission payload size for each RLC entity according to the total transmission payload size, a data volume provided by each of the plurality of RLC entities, and logic channel priority. |
| US08050289B1 |
Media transmission using aggregated bandwidth of disparate communication channels
A method and/or system of transmitting media items using aggregating bandwidths of disparate communication channels between a media source and a media player. By using the combined bandwidth of more than one communication channel, a media item that requires a bandwidth larger than a single communication channel can be transmitted. The media source also converts the media item depending on the available bandwidth of the communication channels. By dynamically changing the formats of the media item, more robust and reliable communication between the media source and the media player can be achieved. |
| US08050287B2 |
Integrated universal network adapter
An integrated network adapter is operable to establish a network interface with a plurality of media types, including at least a power line network and a telephone line network, based on pre-configuration, upon initialization and dynamically during operation. The adapter further is operable to establish network interfaces simultaneously or separately with a plurality of media types and provide that a communications event can occur simultaneously or separately over a plurality of media types. |
| US08050283B2 |
Network router apparatus and method
An improved network router apparatus and associated network architecture is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the router apparatus is adapted to interface between an external network (such as an HFC/DOCSIS digital network) and a local network created using existing HFC cabling within a premises. The router device provides address translation between the single IP address assigned to the router by the external network and the addresses of the individual nodes or access points on the local network through creation of logical ports assigned to various portions of the available bandwidth of the cable system. The router further distinguishes network protocols from the media content streamed over the HFC network, allowing for the foregoing functionality and replacing any existing cable modem. Methods of initiating the router and assigning addresses are also disclosed, as well as business models for leasing the router equipment and access points. |
| US08050282B2 |
Universal plug and play device and method of resolving network address conflict by considering remote access
A Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device and method of resolving a network address conflict by considering remote access. In the method, a UPnP remote access server (RAS) in a home network selects a virtual network address in the home network that is accessible by a remote device on a remote network and that does not conflict with a network address in the remote network, and converts an address of a packet transmitted from the home network to the remote network based on the virtual network address. |
| US08050280B2 |
Efficient switching device and method for fabricating the same using multiple shared memories
An efficient switching device and a method for fabricating the same using multiple shared memories are provided. The switching device includes: an output time determination unit to determine an output time to an output port; an output time administration unit to administer a possible data output time for each output port; a memory bank selection unit to select a memory bank with an empty data output time position; a memory bank utilization information administration unit to administer utilization information per output time; a connection unit to deliver transmission data to an output time position; a shared memory unit to store the data in the output time position, to administer dispersed shared memory banks according to an output time, and to read and output transmission data; and an output port connection unit receiving output data to read and transmit output port information of the data to a corresponding output port. |
| US08050274B2 |
Changing a first subscriber identifier to a second identifier
The invention relates to telecommunications systems, in which a subscriber is identified in a network with a first identifier and with a second identifier in a server providing services to the subscriber through the network. In the invention the first identifier is changed (3-3) in a message to be transferred to the server to a second identifier before transferring the message to the server. Thus the message received from the network can be associated with a particular subscriber in the server. |
| US08050269B2 |
Mobile terminal and message transmitting/receiving method for adaptive converged IP messaging
A mobile terminal and message transmitting/receiving method are disclosed for adaptive converged IP messaging. The mobile terminal supporting converged IP messaging (CPM) converts a CPM message into an adaptive converged message and transmits the adaptive converged message. Upon reception, a received message is converted into a CPM message according to a message identifier. |
| US08050268B2 |
Methods and apparatus for IP management traffic consolidation
Consolidation of management traffic is performed in a network by employing a gateway network management device (NMD) to route management messages between a controller and NMDs located at sites in the network. Management addresses are assigned to components of a network management system, including the management controller and NMDs. The management addresses are distinct from customer addresses associated with equipment located at the sites. These customer addresses can serve as piggyback addresses for routing encapsulated management messages through the network. Management messages from the management controller contain the management address of the destination NMD and are first sent to the gateway NMD. The gateway NMD looks up the piggyback address corresponding to the destination management address and generates an encapsulated management message containing the management message and the piggyback address. Using the piggyback address, the encapsulated message is then routed through the network to the destination NMD. |
| US08050264B2 |
System and method for re-routing a multicast stream
A method and system for re-routing a multicast stream is provided. The method for re-routing a multicast stream includes: providing a prior multicast forwarding path corresponding to a first route; establishing a new multicast forwarding path between a downstream router and a second upstream router corresponding to a second route; re-routing a multicast stream from said prior multicast forwarding path to said new multicast forwarding path, wherein said multicast stream utilizes said prior multicast forwarding path until said new multicast forwarding path is operational; and pruning said prior multicast forwarding path when said new multicast forwarding path is operational. Therefore, the multicast stream transmitting will not be interrupted during the switchover process of the multicast forwarding path caused by that a unicast route to a multicast source or a rendezvous point has changed. |
| US08050263B1 |
Device and process for efficient multicasting
A method and apparatus for allocating pointers in a network switch managing a multicast transmission includes receiving a frame in the switch and assigning pointers in an ingress module to buffer the frame, forwarding pointers along with a header including an egress variable indicative of a number of transmissions in the multicast transmission to an egress module for transmission of the frame, forwarding the egress variable after transmission of the frame to a multicast module, monitoring the transmission of the frame based upon the egress variable, and returning pointers to a free list responsive to the monitoring step and a value of the egress variable. |
| US08050262B2 |
System and method for parsing frames
A system for parsing frames including a first cell extraction circuit (CEC) configured to identify a first cell from a first frame, a first parser engine operatively connected to the first CEC, where the first parser engine is configured to generate a result based on the first cell, and a first forwarding circuit operatively connected to the first parser engine and configured to forward the result, where the first CEC, the first parser engine, and the first forwarding circuit are associated with a first frame parser unit. |
| US08050256B1 |
Configuring routing in mesh networks
A processor includes a plurality of processor tiles, each tile including a processor core, and an interconnection network interconnects the processor cores and enables transfer of data among the processor cores. The interconnection network has a plurality of dimensions in which an ordering of dimensions for routing data is configurable. |
| US08050255B2 |
Routing a VoIP call with contextual information
A method and system for routing a call connection signal and corresponding contextual information to an appropriate destination is provided. A call center and at least one user may exchange signals, and/or contextual information during a call set-up phase. Relevant contextual information and other detailed information may be identified and collected from their corresponding sources. Based on the relevant contextual information and other detailed information, one or more appropriate routed destinations may be determined. In addition, contextual information may be tailored for each of the determined routed destinations. The call connection signal and the tailored contextual information are routed to each routed destination. In this manner, necessary contextual information may be readily available for the routed destination at the time of the call connection and thus the routed destination can provide a faster service. |
| US08050254B2 |
IC reconstructing lost speech packets from secondary stage partial data
A media over packet networking appliance provides a network interface, a voice transducer, and at least one integrated circuit assembly coupling the voice transducer to the network interface. The at least one integrated circuit assembly provides media over packet transmissions and holds bits defining reconstruction of a packet stream having a primary stage and a secondary stage. The secondary stage has one or more of linear predictive coding parameters, long term prediction lags, parity check, and adaptive and fixed codebook gains. The packet stream has an instance of single packet loss, and the reconstruction includes receiving a packet sequence represented by P(n)P(n−1)′, [Lost Packet], P(n+2)P(n+1)′, and P(n+3)P(n+2)′, obtaining as information from the secondary stage one or more of the linear predictive coding parameters, long term prediction lags, parity check, and adaptive and fixed codebook gains, and performing an excitation reconstruction utilizing said packet sequence thus received. |