| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08051695B2 |
Method for cooling hot strip
The method for cooling a hot strip which is obtained after a hot rolling process to the temperature range of 500° or less. Cooling water is brought into contact with the hot strip. The method includes a first cooling step and a subsequent second cooling step. Cooling is stopped at a strip temperature that is higher than a transition boiling initiation temperature in the first cooling step, and the cooling is conducted using the cooling water having a water flow rate that causes nucleate boiling in the subsequent second cooling step. Entering the temperature range of transition boiling can be completely prevented to avoid thermal instability in cooling resulting from the transition boiling, and the temperature variation of the strip after cooling is controlled to be small while the cooling end temperature can be precisely controlled. |
| US08051689B1 |
Cylindrical lock with automatic electronic locking function
A cylindrical lock includes inner and outer chassis, inner and outer spindles, and first and second actuating members. One of the first and second actuating members is selectively and rotatably received in the outer spindle. Each of the first and second actuating members includes a limiting groove having first and second groove sections with different arcs in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis. A driving member is rotatably received in one of the first and second actuating members. The driving member has a leg movable in the outer spindle between first and second positions along the longitudinal axis and received in one of the first and second groove sections. A driving device is received in the inner spindle. The cylindrical lock has two modes corresponding to selective use of the first and second actuating members to provide locking/unlocking states through supply or not supply of electricity to the driving device. |
| US08051686B2 |
Multi-lock security device and detaching device for use therewith
A security device for use in association with a security pin includes a tag body, a spring lock and a magnetic lock. The tag body has a body aperture formed therein adapted to receive the security pin. The spring lock is situated within the tag body and has a spring lock aperture formed therein in registration with the body aperture. The spring lock is adapted to engage the security pin when in an engaged position and release the security pin when in a released position. The magnetic lock is within the tag body and has a magnetic lock aperture. The magnetic lock is adapted to engage the security pin when in an engaged position and to release the security pin when in a release position. The spring lock and the magnetic lock need to both be in the released position to successfully remove the security pin form the security device. A detaching device to move the spring lock and the magnetic lock into the released such that they are both in the release position at the same time is also shown. |
| US08051682B1 |
Apparatus and method for making glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement
There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. |
| US08051680B2 |
Heating glassmaking materials with radiative heat transfer
Heat in a stream of combustion products obtained from a glassmelting furnace heated by oxy-fuel combustion is passed to incoming glassmaking materials in a heat exchanger without requiring reduction of the temperature of the stream yet without causing softening of the glassmaking material. |
| US08051677B1 |
Float bath system for manufacturing float glass and cooling method of the same
Disclosed is a float bath system for manufacturing a float glass, comprising a block assembly having a plurality of blocks connected to each other and configured to store a molten metal therein; a steel casing surrounding the block assembly; an air blower capable of supplying air to the steel casing; and a cooling water spray member capable of spraying a cooling water onto the steel casing. And, a cooling method of said float bath system is disclosed. |
| US08051671B2 |
System and method for cooling computers
In certain embodiments, an air-pressurizing device is positioned to discharge a computer system. A supply conduit pneumatically couples a cooled-air discharge conditioning system with an inlet of the air-pressurizing device. |
| US08051668B2 |
Condenser fan control system
A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the condenser fan based on the condenser set-point. |
| US08051661B2 |
Supercharging control system of an internal combustion engine
The purpose of the present invention is providing a supercharging system which uses both of a mechanism such as VN or the like and an electric motor generating an assist force while making the supercharger operate smoothly when the assist by the electric motor is stopped. The system controls the electric motor in a feedback manner so that enough assist force is generated (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) while controlling the VN in an open manner (FIG. 2D) until status of the supercharger reaches target status (time t1) when an accelerator requirement arises in a low revolution region. The control of the electric motor is changed to an open control, and the control of the VN is changed to a feedback control, respectively, at time t1. The open control of the electric motor is continued so that necessary complement torque occurs until time t2. After time t2, the system maintains the target status only by the feedback control of the VN. |
| US08051660B2 |
Charging device
The present invention relates to a charging device (1), in particular an exhaust-gas turbo charger for a motor vehicle, comprising a shaft (3) which is supported in a housing (2), and which carries a turbine wheel (6) on the turbine side, and a compressor wheel (8) on the compressor side, wherein the shaft (3) is supported by means of at least one bearing device (9) in the housing (2), wherein a lubricant supply channel (10) is provided through which the bearing device (9) is supplied with lubricant, wherein in the lubricant supply channel (10), a filter device (11) with at least one filter element (12) is arranged. For this, it is essential for the invention that the filter element (12) is pretensioned by means of a spring device (13) against a seal seat (14), wherein the spring device (13) and the filter element (12) is formed in a manner that at exceeding of a predefined lubricant threshold pressure, the filter element (12) disengages from the seal seat (14), and releases a bypass (15) which bypasses the filter element (12). |
| US08051651B2 |
Hydraulic flow control system
A hydraulic system for use in a work vehicle with a powered implement is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hydraulic system may include a first hydraulic circuit including a first hydraulic pump with a low pressure and low flow output, switch and valve; a second hydraulic circuit including a second hydraulic pump with a high flow and high pressure output, switch and valve; and a third hydraulic circuit including a third hydraulic pump with a high flow and high pressure output, switch and valve. The first, second, and third circuits each include an output selectively combinable with each other by an operator control which controls the switch and valve configurations. The hydraulic system has several configurations. A first configuration is selectable to provide low pressure and low flow output to the implement, a second configuration is selectable to provide high pressure and high flow output to the implement from one of said second and third hydraulic circuits, a third configuration is selectable to provide high pressure and high flow output to the implement combining the output from the second and third hydraulic circuits, and a fourth configuration is selectable to provide low pressure and high flow output to the implement from said first, second and third hydraulic circuits. |
| US08051647B2 |
Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine in which a main SOx trap catalyst able to trap SOx contained in exhaust gas is arranged in an engine exhaust passage, and the exhaust passage downstream of the main SOx trap catalyst is divided into a main exhaust passage and a bypass passage bypassing the main exhaust passage. An NOx storage catalyst is arranged in the main exhaust passage, and an auxiliary SOx trap catalyst is arranged in the main exhaust passage upstream of the NOx storage catalyst. Normally, the exhaust gas is made to flow in the main exhaust passage. When regenerating the main SOx trap catalyst, the exhaust gas is made to flow through the bypass passage. |
| US08051643B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system utilizing ozone
An exhaust gas purification system provided with a trapping device (6) arranged on an engine exhaust passage and trapping particulate matter in the exhaust gas, an ozone generator (21) for generating ozone, and an ozone adsorbent (22) able to adsorb ozone, wherein at least part of the ozone generated by said ozone generator is adsorbed by said ozone adsorbent and, when particulate matter trapped on said trapping device should be removed, ozone adsorbed on the ozone adsorbent is desorbed from the ozone adsorbent and supplied to the trapping device. Due to this, it is possible to use an ozone generator with a relatively low ozone generating ability to burn off PM trapped on a filter etc. efficiently. |
| US08051642B2 |
Method of controlling NOx purification system and NOx purification system
Method of controlling an NOx purification system provided with an NOx occlusion reduction catalyst and a control unit that conducts NOx regeneration control and sulfur poisoning regeneration control. A degree of deterioration of the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst due to sulfur poisoning is estimated on the basis of an amount of an integrated value of a difference between an oxygen concentration on an outlet side of the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst and an oxygen concentration on an inlet side thereof. In so doing, the amount of sulfur poisoning in the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst is accurately estimated, excessive sulfur poisoning regeneration can be avoided, and fuel consumption can be reduced. |
| US08051641B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine
The present invention has an object to provide an exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of obtaining accurate temperature information relating to a catalyst placed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The degree of influence emthc of a catalyst inlet gas temperature and catalyst rear end temperature ethuf[end] is calculated (Step 102). An estimated value ethco of an outlet gas temperature is calculated by weighted averaging the inlet gas temperature and the catalyst rear end temperature ethuf[end] considering the degree of influence emthc (Step 104). A temperature correction coefficient ekthuf[x] for each region of the catalyst is calculated as a function f(emthc) of the degree of influence emthc (Step 108). A deviation between the outlet gas temperature estimated value ethco and a measured value of the outlet gas temperature is multiplied by the temperature correction coefficient ekthuf[x] to calculate an estimated value correction amount ecthuf[x] (Step 110). The estimated value correction amount ecthuf[x] is added to a catalyst temperature estimated value (Step 114). |
| US08051636B2 |
Pick-up reel tine mounting
A tine connection device for removably connecting a tine to an elongate tine bar in an agricultural harvesting machine wherein the device comprises a mounting base that is contoured to simultaneously engage the tine bar and a mounting portion of the tine and in combination with a contoured clamp fastener, restrain the mounting portion of the tine in a predetermined position relative to the tine bar. The mounting base and clamp fastener further enable a plurality of tines to be easily and uniformly connected to a tine bar while the specific contours of the mounting base and clamp fastener in adjacent contact with the tine serve to reduce stress concentrations thereby promoting extended tine service life. |
| US08051635B2 |
Lawn mower
A lawn mower for mowing lawn. There is: a lawn mower base, having a first transport hole; an external collection container, having a second transport hole and a first transport flap; and an internal collection container having a third transport hole and a first elongated ductile connection member. There is also a second elongated ductile connection member coupled to the internal collection container. The transport flap is removably coupled to the external collection container by zipping. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of slit portions. The external connection container comprises a plurality of connection hooks, and the internal collection container comprises a plurality of connection bands. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of ventilation holes opposite the third transport hole. |
| US08051629B2 |
Heat tunnel for film shrinking
A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. The air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length. |
| US08051625B2 |
Wind-power unit, a supporting pillar therefore and a use thereof
The invention relates to a wind-power unit having a turbine having a vertical turbine shaft (3), an electrical generator (6) connected to the turbine and a vertical hollow supporting pillar (2) supporting the turbine. According to the invention the material of the supporting pillar is in all essentials wood. The invention also relates to a supporting pillar for such a wind-power unit, an electric mains connected to the wind-power unit, a use of the wind-power unit and a method for the manufacture of such a supporting pillar. |
| US08051623B2 |
Curtain wall system and method
A curtain wall system and method comprises supporting channels including vertical receiving and retaining members which engage kerfs formed in the lower edges of curtain wall members. Latching members have locating and retaining members which are received in kerfs form in the upper edges of the curtain wall members. The curtain wall members are rotated inwardly causing the latching members to slide along the under surfaces of the supporting channels and into engagement with locking members. A second embodiment comprises supporting channels and latching members having spaced apart vertically disposed locating members which receive the opposite ends of the curtain wall members. A third embodiment comprises gap filling members which are received between adjacent curtain wall members and comprise hooks located adjacent to the lower ends of the gap filling members for engagement with vertically disposed receiving and retaining members extending upwardly from supporting channels. Latching members located at upper ends of the gap filling members slide along the lower surfaces of the supporting channels and into locking engagement therewith. |
| US08051620B2 |
Joist hanger for ICF wall systems
A hanger for supporting joists or beams in insulated concrete formwork (ICF) systems has two parallel side plates having inner and outer sections, plus an L-shaped support member comprising a horizontal leg extending between the lower edges of the outer sections of the side plates, and an upward-extending vertical leg which demarcates the inner and outer side plate sections. The inner sections of the side plates are passed through slits in one insulation panel of an ICF wall-forming system, until the support member's vertical leg abuts the outer face of the insulation panel, leaving the side plate inner sections extending partially into the formwork cavity. The joist or beam to be supported may be set on the horizontal leg of the support member either before or after the concrete wall is cast. Preferably, an cut-out is made in the insulation panel behind the vertical leg of the support member to allow concrete to flow against the vertical leg and the supported joist or beam is cut for a close fit against the vertical leg, such that external horizontal loads on the wall can pass into the joist or beam by direct compression. |
| US08051617B2 |
Modular enclosure
A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel. |
| US08051611B2 |
Exterior insulation and finish system and method and tool for installing same
An exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is provided for use with associated insulation and substrate layers of a building. The system includes primary and secondary water resistant barriers on first and second surfaces of the associated insulation layer. The secondary water resistant barrier includes a single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel and adhesively securing the second surface of the associated insulation layer to the associated substrate layer. The system is usable with a plurality of associated insulation layers disposed in abutment, the single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel extending from the first insulation panel to the second insulation panel and being adapted to conduct fluid therethrough. Further, a hand tool for working the adhesive and sealing layer is provided. The hand tool includes a handle connected with a flat inflexible rectangular plate, at least one of the longer edges thereof being upwardly curved and including a plurality of spaced apart teeth. |
| US08051607B2 |
Weather strip and manufacturing method thereof
A weather strip is mounted on a circumferential portion of a door opening for a vehicle door. The weather strip includes a trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a hollow seal portion, and a designed lip is formed on the trim portion so as to extend therefrom. An adhesive layer and a flocked portion are formed on a designed surface of the weather strip such as an external surface of the designed lip, the flocked portion being provided with a multiplicity of pile fibers which are bonded to the adhesive layer at one end thereof, which pile fibers are each angled randomly with respect to a normal direction to the external surface of the lip portion. |
| US08051601B2 |
Counterflow insect trap
A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow. |
| US08051597B1 |
Scout sniper observation scope
A method and system for an observation system for use in weapon aiming is disclosed. An observation scope displays azimuth and elevation adjustments. Meteorological information is gathered by one or more weather stations, which use weather sensors. A range finder determines a distance between the observation scope and a target. A ballistics processor determines a ballistic solution based on the distance and the meteorological information. The ballistic solution is provided to the observation scope. |
| US08051596B1 |
Hands-free firearm stabilizer
A hands-free firearm stabilizer device comprising a means for securing a firearm to perpendicularly to the shoulder of a hunter. The fully adjustable device can be adjusted to accommodate any gunstock and hunter, allowing the hunter to wait for game in a relaxed hands-free position or utilize game calls without sacrificing firearm stability. Additionally, hunters can position themselves in a seated position allowing fine aiming adjustments using his/her knee preventing unwanted noise and movement that could be detected by the game and providing a viable option for hunters with disabilities that may limit their ability participate in the sport of hunting. |
| US08051592B2 |
Rotatable graphic assembly
A rotatable graphic assembly includes an outer barrel including an inner surface and a plurality of inner teeth formed thereon with an inner bevel formed at an end of each inner tooth; an inner barrel received within the outer barrel, the inner barrel including an outer surface and a plurality of outer teeth formed on the outer surface with an outer bevel formed at an end of each outer tooth and movably engaged with the inner teeth, the inner barrel defining a first crown gear portion at one end thereof; a spring sleeved in the inner barrel; a base sealing one end of the outer barrel, and the spring biased between the other end of the outer barrel away from the base and the base; and the base defines a second crown gear facing the first crown gear portion; and a button disposed on the end of the second barrel away from the base and showing a graphic. |
| US08051590B2 |
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. |
| US08051583B2 |
Article of footwear with improved stability and balance
The stability and balance offered by an article of footwear is improved by including a rigid layer in an outsole assembly of the article of footwear. The rigid layer may include a material of at least a predefined rigidity. For example, an outsole may be fitted with a carbon fiber plate that maintains the shape and a flatness of the outsole assembly. The rigid layer may be attached to one or more other layers that may be configured for impact force attenuation and comfort. In one or more arrangements, the rigid layer may be sandwiched between two other layers. Alternatively, the rigid layer may be insertable into a layer of the outsole. A channel may cut into a layer of the outsole to distribute weight to an outside portion of the outsole. This distribution of weight to the outside portion of the outsole may improve stability and balance. |
| US08051578B2 |
Reduced noise dryer fan and impeller and producing method thereof
A dryer is provided that includes a drum for drying wet laundry via contact of the laundry with process air, an air inlet duct operable to convey process air to the drum, an outlet duct operable to convey process air that has exited the drum, a heating device located in the inlet air duct, and a fan containing an impeller. The fan applies a motive power to process air to effect flow of process air and the impeller has oblique blades. |
| US08051564B2 |
Methods and apparatus for fabricating a turbine nozzle assembly
A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool. |
| US08051560B2 |
Method of fabricating a solder pad structure
A method for fabricating a solder pad structure. A circuit board having thereon at least one copper pad is provided. A solder resist is formed on the circuit board and covers the copper pad. A solder resist opening, which exposes a portion of the copper pad, is formed in the solder resist by laser. The laser also creates a laser activated layer on sidewalls of the solder resist opening. A chemical copper layer is then grown from the exposed copper pad and concurrently from the laser activated layer. |
| US08051554B2 |
IC socket with attached electronic component
An IC socket in which an electronic component is attached to a predetermined position of the IC socket, the IC socket including a fixed part including a contact pin which is connected to a terminal of the electronic component when a position of the electronic component is aligned to the predetermined position of the IC socket using an electronic component attaching tool, the contact pin including a pair of end portions on an upper surface of the fixed part; a movable part that is movable to the fixed part when the movable part is pushed down to apply a force to the contact pin of the fixed part so as to separate the pair of end portions of the contact pin from each other; and a standard part that is formed on the movable part and engages with the electronic component attaching tool to align a position of the electronic component attaching tool to the standard part when a position of the electronic component is aligned to the predetermined position of the IC socket using the electronic attaching tool, the standard part having a shape which does not substantially depend on an external shape of the electronic component. |
| US08051550B2 |
Method for mounting a tridimensional antenna
A tridimensional antenna includes a radiating body, a feeding foot, a grounding foot, and a supporting foot. The feeding foot and the grounding foot are connected to the radiating body. The supporting foot includes a supporting portion, at least one groove and a bent portion. The bent portion connects the radiating body and the supporting portion. The groove is defined in the supporting portion and adjacent to the bent portion. The tridimensional antenna is mounted on a substrate by surface mounted technology (SMT). The feeding foot and the grounding foot are soldered on the substrate. The supporting foot is bent to break away the supporting portion at the groove after mounting of the tridimensional antenna. |
| US08051546B2 |
Method for determining if a fuel cell stack is overheating using stack end plate temperature sensors
A method for determining whether a fuel cell stack is overheating. The method measures the temperature of end cells in the stack using end cell temperature sensors, and calculates an average end cell temperature based on the end cell temperature measurements. The method also measures the temperature of a cooling fluid being output from the fuel cell stack. The method determines if any of the measured end cell temperatures are outlying by comparing each end cell temperature measurement to the average. The method determines that the cooling fluid outlet temperature sensor has possibly failed if the cooling fluid outlet temperature is greater than the average end cell temperature and the cooling fluid outlet temperature minus the average end cell temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature value. |
| US08051542B2 |
Detachable lanyard buckle
Male and female parts of a buckle have mating shapes which together form ears and depressed eyes of an animal face. The male part has the shape of an anchor with eyes which slide into grooves to lock the parts, and ears which project upward from a slot in the cylindrical female part. Hooks on the female part back secure a cord loop which extends from the female part. A cover snaps on the back of the female part. |
| US08051528B2 |
Method of maintaining a bowling lane
A bowling lane maintenance machine has its operating functions designed and controlled in such a manner that the machine may be battery-operated without loss of performance. Included in the operation are special movements of the machine at the pin deck to flick moisture off blades of the squeegee assembly and limited activation of the vacuum motor to reduce battery drain. |
| US08051526B2 |
Covered wiper for vehicle window
A covered windshield wiper includes a hub, a wiper arm having spaced apart side walls, and a pivot pin connecting the wiper arm to the hub. A pair of abutments coaxial with the pivot pin space the side walls of the wiper arm from the hub. A one-piece molded cover has a u-shaped cross section providing a base wall overlying the entire length of the wiper arm and the wiper blade, and laterally spaced side walls depending from the base wall and concealing from view both the wiper arm and the wiper blade. A hook molded on the cover engages the end of the wiper arm. A pair of snap tabs molded on the cover reach into the space between the side walls of the wiper arm and the hub to snap onto the pair of abutments and thereby removably attach the cover onto the wiper. |
| US08051522B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus
The present invention provides a substrate treatment apparatus for performing a substrate periphery cleaning process. The substrate treatment apparatus includes substrate holding mechanism which holds a substrate, a brush having a cleaning surface inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis thereof extending perpendicularly to a front surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism, brush moving mechanism which moves the brush along the longitudinal axis and along a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, load detecting unit which detects a load applied along the longitudinal axis to the brush, and first judging unit which judges, based on an output of the load detecting unit, whether or not the brush is located at a reference position serving as a reference for guiding the brush to a treatment position at which the brush is located in the cleaning process. |
| US08051521B2 |
Double wrap around brush set car wash apparatus
A vehicle washing apparatus includes a frame extending over a path of a vehicle to be washed and having a front arch, a first arch, a second arch and a rear arch connected by side members. A first pair of wrap around rotary brushes is pivotally connected to the first arch and a second pair of wrap around rotary brushes are pivotally connected to the second arch. The second arch is at a higher height than the first arch and extends over a top of the first pair of wrap around brushes so that the length of the apparatus is shortened. |
| US08051519B1 |
Collapsible small vehicle loader apparatus
The collapsible small vehicle loader apparatus provides for use with an existing receiver hitch, such as those often used on pickups, cars, vans, and other vehicles. Ideally made of aluminum, the apparatus provides for easy, lightweight transport to and engagement with a receiver hitch. While the first ramp downturns may most easily engage a pickup tailgate from above, the apparatus may also be easily fitted to other vehicles that may provide a rest as the tailgate of a pickup does, for the first ramps. After engagement with the transport vehicle, the apparatus may be collapsed and elevated and thereby remain engaged as desired. In loading a small vehicle such as an ATV or golf cart for example, the appropriate pins are disengaged to extend the ramps, and then inserted to hold the ramps in the extended position. |
| US08051518B2 |
Combination tool
A combination tool is described that has a housing that includes a first side and an opposed second side, a third side and an opposed fourth side. The sides connect together to define the housing. The housing includes a first end portion and an opposed second end portion that define a longitudinal axis. The combination tool includes a razor mechanism that is connected to the housing. The razor mechanism receives and moves a cutting blade between a first position in the cavity and a second position wherein the cutting blade extends through the housing. The housing defines a channel that includes a floor, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall have first edges that are connected to the floor and second edges that connect to the first side of the housing. The first sidewall includes a first slot and the second sidewall includes an opposed second slot. The first slot and second slot are positioned in fixed spaced relation from the floor and the second edge. The slots are configured to receive a rasp. The slots are positioned to recess a cutting surface of the rasp in the channel such that at least a portion of the sidewalls extend between the cutting surface and the second edges. A claw is defined in the housing that includes a first tong and a second tong. The claw extracts fasteners from soft materials. |
| US08051516B2 |
Clinical support pad
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems associated with clinical support. In one embodiment, a clinical support pad includes a plurality of support cells formed in a first film layer of material sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in the cells such that each cell is configured to be alternately and repeatedly inflated and deflated with respect to one or more adjacent cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with at least one of a number of channels formed in the first film layer, is configured such that a surface of each cell has a continuous curvature across a length direction and across a width direction of the cell, and are spaced such that a distance between a center of each cell and a center of at least one adjacent cell is not more than a two-point discrimination threshold distance associated with a patient. |
| US08051513B2 |
Ambulance cot system
The present invention relates to ambulance cots, cot systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an ambulance cot comprising a hydraulic system and a tip angle monitoring, recording and alert system, and methods of using the same (e.g., to transport subjects and/or to detect and/or record operational data related to cot usage). |
| US08051512B2 |
Patient treatment apparatus
A patient treatment device includes a patient supporting table supported above a platform and having an auxiliary table segment pivotally coupled to a primary table segment, and a back support segment pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, an anchor assembly adjustably anchors the auxiliary table segment to the primary table segment at selected angular positions, and an anchoring mechanism adjustably anchors the back support segment to the auxiliary table segment at required angular positions. A frame is pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, and a latch mechanism adjustably anchors the frame to the primary table segment at the required angular positions. |
| US08051504B1 |
Portable seat device
A portable seat device for use in a portable restroom comprising a seat having an opening situated atop a frame, the frame having a front left leg, a front right leg, a rear left leg, and a rear right leg; a right side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front right leg to the top end of the rear right leg, and a left side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front left leg to the top end of the rear left leg. The length of the rear legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end, are less than the length of the front legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end. |
| US08051503B2 |
Dispensing device
A device useful for the delivery of a treatment composition, and a fragrancing effect to a sanitary appliance, especially a toilet bowl, the device (10) comprising a dispenser body (200) comprising a body cavity (27) for the treatment composition; at least one inlet (28) and at least one outlet (28); at least one fragrance cavity (31,32); and a hanger (42)for hanging the device upon a portion of a sanitary appliance. |
| US08051502B2 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles are provided which include an integral left and right frames and nose bridge. The integral left and right frames and nose bridge include an outer frame and an inner frame. The outer frame includes front sections of the left and right frames, and a front section of the nose bridge. The inner frame includes rear sections of the left and right frames, and a rear section of the nose bridge. Lenses are received in the left and right frames of the outer frame and the inner frame. Pads are made of soft material and are assembled on the rear sections of the left and right frames. The outer frame and the inner frame are made of different material or of the same material with different rigidity. |
| US08051500B2 |
Safety helmet visor setting mechanism
A safety helmet visor setting mechanism includes a shell having a shaft base inside at each side, with one side provided with a shell base provided with an internal lodging space and with an external wall. A control mechanism, located at the right side of the shell, has a knob for turning and driving an actuating element that again links a handle to rotate a displacement. The knob and the actuating element are provided with a fixed dish in between and provided with corresponding oblique chunks and sliders in between. The fixed dish and the handle are provided with corresponding clasp segments and lumps. A joint mechanism, set up on the shaft base of both sides of the shell, includes a first visor joint and a second visor joint each provided with hollows. The first visor joint and the handle of the control mechanism are linked by a rod. A visor has a clasp slice at each of both sides for insertion into the hollow of the visor joint. |
| US08051499B2 |
Safety helmet visor setting mechanism
A safety helmet visor setting mechanism includes a shell having an indent at each side and a long opening behind the indent at one side. An anchored unit fits in the long opening and has two grooves. A hold plate has two push chunks placed in the two grooves respectively. A link bar, fixed in the anchored unit and jostled with the hold plate, can be moved by the drive of the push chunk. A cover, capping the anchored unit, jostles with the link bar and the hold plate for a lockup. A first visor joint, positioned inside the shell in one side, has a bottom end pinned joined with the top end of the link bar, and has a top end provided with a cave. A second visor joint, positioned inside the shell in the other side has a springy slice forming an accommodation space with the shell. A visor has a clasp slice at each side penetrating the caves and the accommodation spaces of both the first visor joint and the second visor joint for assembly. |
| US08051498B2 |
Retention garment or undergarment
The invention relates to the domain of retention garments and to those used to facilitate the application of the same. The invention especially relates to a garment or an undergarment to be placed under a retention garment, which is characterized in that it is essentially knitted with at least two different stitch structures, a first, knitted according to a float stitch pattern in a textile material having a smooth outer surface, and a second, knitted according to a weft stitch pattern in an adapted elastic textile material having a weft count of between 240 dtex and 600 dtex, in such a way as to generate a slight compression or retention. |
| US08051495B2 |
Garment with bamboo fabric liner
A garment includes a non-bamboo fabric body portion that has at least one high perspiration area. A bamboo fabric member is affixed to the high perspiration area. In a method of making a lower undergarment, a piece of non-bamboo fabric is cut so as to form an unassembled panty having a crotch member. A piece of bamboo fabric is cut so as to correspond in shape to the crotch member. The piece of bamboo fabric is affixed to the crotch member. The unassembled panty is sewn so as to form a completed panty. |
| US08056143B2 |
Selectively wiping a remote device
A system and method for selectively securing data from unauthorized access on a client device storing a plurality of data types with reference to an authorization level indicated in a command. A command is received at a client device comprising an authorization level indicator. Based on at least one predefined rule, which may be implemented in an IT policy stored at the client device, each of the plurality of data types to be secured is determined, and then the data corresponding to those types is secured. The data may be secured by encrypting and/or deleting the data at the client device. The predefined rules associated with each authorization level may be configured by a user or administrator having an authorization level that exceeds the associated authorization level. The system and method thus provide a method for securing only selected data types, depending on the authorization level of the issuer of the command. |
| US08056142B2 |
Apparatus and method of authenticating joint test action group (JTAG)
In an apparatus including a joint test action group (JTAG) authentication device, and a JTAG authentication method using the apparatus, the apparatus includes a joint test action group (JTAG) authentication device, the apparatus comprising a JTAG access circuit that determines whether to access a JTAG-compliant device according to a predetermined protocol that governs the JTAG-compliant device and the apparatus, wherein the JTAG access circuit at least one of inactivates at least one of inner bus lines and inner units and activates the at least one of the inner bus lines and the inner units according to whether the JTAG-compliant device is accessed. |
| US08056140B2 |
Multifunction peripheral and method for controlling the same
A job processing apparatus that can communicate with a security server configured to manage an access right to data, executes a job for inputting data, stores data resulting from execution of the job, determines whether an access right to the stored data is managed by the security server, and automatically sets information for enabling the security server to manage an access right to the data when no access right to the stored data is managed by the security server. |
| US08056137B2 |
Communication terminal device and computer device
A communication terminal device includes a wireless communication unit, an integrity measurement request unit, a cryptographic processing unit, a pointing unit. The integrity measurement request unit generates a command to request another computer device to measure integrity. The cryptographic processing unit performs cryptographic processing concerning communication with the another computer device. The pointing unit acquires positional information when a result of the integrity measurement satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US08056133B1 |
Protecting computers from viruses in peer-to-peer data transfers
In one embodiment, a peer-to-peer (P2P) protect server may include a crawler to obtain files available for P2P data transfer. The P2P protect server may employ a scan engine to scan the files for computer viruses, and store the results of the scanning in a database. A P2P protect application running in a P2P client may request the P2P protect server for information on whether or not a particular file available for P2P data transfer is infected with a computer virus. This allows the user of the P2P client to make an informed decision before downloading the file from another P2P client. |
| US08056129B2 |
Validating active computer terminal sessions
Systems, methods and program codes are provided wherein an analyzer analyzes input from a terminal device; ascertains human-like behavior; and terminates an active session, generates a time-out warning, manipulates an idle session timer or presents a challenge in response to a humanness likelihood determination or to a challenge result. In one aspect a keystroke analyzer and a command sequence analyzer determine whether the terminal device input is likely from a human user or from an automaton. In another aspect a Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers and Humans Apart challenge is presented. Timing characteristics include maximum generation rate, burstiness, and keystroke sequence delays, and command characteristics include a no-action-required characteristic and a query characteristic. A command sequence analyzer may have an affinity for a command line interface. Weighting algorithms or artificial intelligence routines may be applied to humanness likelihood outputs. |
| US08056117B2 |
Network and domain-creating method thereof
A network capable of communicating with foreign networks and having a plurality of devices capable of mutually communicating with one another and a domain setup method thereof. The network includes at least one main remote controller for, out of the devices, setting up authorization to use the respective devices belonging to at least one main domain having at least one of the devices; and at least one subsidiary remote controller for receiving authentication for authorization to use the respective device belonging to a domain having the respective devices authorized to at least one user by the respective main remote controllers. Thus, the present network enables each user to efficiently administer whether to use the home devices as well as enables the home devices authorized to each user to be set up in one domain in order to keep security and privacy from foreign domains. |
| US08056116B2 |
Control method, control program, and control system
This invention is to appropriately cope with abnormal states. A control method according to the present invention includes: identifying an abnormal level according to abnormal level reference data stored in advance in an abnormal level reference data storage, from context relating to abnormalities, which has been collected in advance and stored in a context storage; and converting the identified abnormal level to an authentication strength level according to a predetermined authentication strength level setting rule, and causing an authentication server to carry out an authentication processing according to the authentication strength level. By carrying out such a processing, it becomes possible to cause the authentication server to carry out an authentication having an authentication strength level corresponding to an abnormal state. |
| US08056115B2 |
System, method and program product for identifying network-attack profiles and blocking network intrusions
System, method and program product for generating an attack profile. A set of messages from a same source IP address sent to a plurality of different destination IP addresses of a same company during an interval of time is identified. Each of the messages contains a respective signature characteristic of a malicious message. First and second messages of the set that are correlated to each other as part of a same attack are determined based on frequency of occurrence of the first message, frequency of occurrence of the second message in the set and similarity in a number of occurrences of the first message in the set to a number of occurrences of the second message in the set. The first message has a first signature and the second message has a second, different signature. An attack profile based on a combination of the first and second messages is generated and recorded. A rule can be automatically generated to detect a combination of the first and second messages. |
| US08056114B2 |
Implementing access control policies across dissimilar access control platforms
A method of implementing access control requirements to control access to a plurality of system resources. The requirements are modeled as contents of security policies. The security policy contents are integrated into a policy set. Representations of the integrated policy set are generated, each representation corresponding to a target system that controls access to the resources. The policy set representation(s) are integrated with the corresponding target system(s) to implement the policy set. This method makes it possible to implement high-level security requirements correctly and consistently across systems of a system-of-systems (SoS) and/or distributed system. |
| US08056112B2 |
Location-based media presentation
Media can be presented based on location associated with presentation of media (e.g., physical location of a device that is to present media). Presentation of media can be effectively controlled in order to automatically present a first media content (e.g., a list of songs, an album) in accordance with a first set of media presentation attributes or parameters (e.g., volume associated with presentation of audible media) at a first location, while a second media content is automatically presented in accordance with a second set of media presentation attributes or parameters when the current location is changed to a second location. |
| US08056110B2 |
Service system of thumbnail image and transmitting/receiving method thereof
The present invention provides a service system of a thumbnail image and transmitting/receiving method thereof, by which a thumbnail image service of high quality of service and various application services can be provided to a user and by which a broadcasting station or thumbnail image service provider produces to transmit the thumbnail image to reduce a price of a broadcast receiver. The present invention includes a transmitting unit generating at least one thumbnail image for a specific program to transfer on a transport channel and a receiving unit demodulating the transferred at least one thumbnail image to display or store. |
| US08056109B2 |
System and method for transmitting broadcast contents over DLNA network
The present invention relates to a system and method for retransmitting high definition contents broadcasted on a plurality of channels to IP-supported devices such as a digital media player (DMP), a mobile phone, personal computer (PC), etc. which are connected through a DLNA network. The method for retransmitting the broadcasted high definition contents includes the steps of generating a virtual item by converting channel information for a digital TV broadcast into an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file format, transmitting the virtual item to the DMP, determining whether there is a request for a personal TV service (PTS) from the DMP, tuning to a channel corresponding to the PTS if there is the request for the PTS, storing and packetizing a digital TV broadcast stream received through the PTS channel, and transmitting the packetized digital TV broadcast stream to the DMP. |
| US08056108B2 |
Method and systems for scalable representation of multimedia data for progressive asynchronous transmission
A system for transmitting digital data representing an original over plural transmission links, at least some of which have limited bandwidth, including a digital data source storing digital data representing the original, a digital data receiver receiving the digital data representing the original via one of the plural transmission links having limited bandwidth and a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data representing the original to the receiver over a transmission link having a limited bandwidth in plural blocks which are sequentially transmitted at a rate determined by the limited bandwidth, each block being an incomplete collection of data which includes parts of multiple frames, each frame being viewable in a selectable order by the receiver even when less than all of the plural blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver being used to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data viewed by the receiver. |
| US08056103B2 |
System and method for transcoding signal content
In one embodiment, a method and system for receiving in a set-top-box a signal including a conditionally accessible content and encoded based on a first audio/video encoding standard (AVES); conditionally accessing the content of the signal in set-top-box based on predetermined access criteria; transmitting the content to a device external to the set-top-box; transcoding the content by the device from the first audio/video encoding standard to a second AVES; and providing the transcoded content to the set-top-box. In another embodiment, an apparatus including a set-top-box including a conditional accessing logic to access the content of a signal; and a set-top-box housing including an opening to allow interfacing between set-top-box and a transcoder system, the transcoder system to receive the content from the set-top-box via the opening, to transcode the content from a first AVES to a second AVES, and to provide the transcoded content to set-top-box via the opening. |
| US08056096B2 |
Optical disc drive
An optical disc drive includes a main body, a cover, an extension, and an elastic element. The cover includes a pivoting portion and is pivotably connected to the main body via the pivoting portion. The extension is connected to the pivoting portion. The cover is adapted for pivoting relative to the main body to drive the extension to move along a movement path. The elastic element is disposed on the main body and includes two first limiting portions opposite to each other. The movement path extends through a gap between the two first limiting portions. A distance between the two first limiting portions is smaller than an outer diameter of the extension. |
| US08056095B2 |
Storage/retrieval device for optical disks
A storage/retrieval device for optical disks includes a container having an access slot. A disk shelf is rotatably mounted in the container and includes a plurality of storage compartments each for receiving an optical disk. A driving roller and a driven roller are rotatably mounted in the container for moving an optical disk into or out of the container via the access slot. An ejecting member includes a first end pivotably supported in the container and a second end operably coupled with the driving roller. The ejecting member is pivotable between a first position in one of the storage compartments for moving an optical disk in the storage compartment out of the storage compartment and a second position outside the storage compartment. A motor is provided to drive the driving roller for rotating the driving roller and the driven roller in opposite directions and for pivoting the ejecting member. |
| US08056094B2 |
Optical disc drive
An optical disc drive including an outer casing, a supporting base, a main shaft motor and a position-limiting element is provided. The outer casing has an optical disc entry. The supporting base is disposed in the outer casing. The main shaft motor is disposed on the supporting base. The position-limiting element has a first pivot portion, a position-limiting part and a second pivot portion located between the first pivot portion and the position-limiting part. The first pivot portion is connected to the supporting base, and the position-limiting element is able to be swung about the second pivot serving as a fulcrum. When the supporting base is located at an upper position, the position-limiting part is located at a first position, and when the supporting base is located at a lower position, the position-limiting part is located at a second position, wherein the first position is under the second position. |
| US08056089B2 |
Shortcut IP communications between software entities in a single operating system
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for performing efficient communication between software entities residing in the same operating system using conventional network communications APIs are disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, when a software entity (e.g., a process) attempts to communicate through a networking API, the operating system determines whether the other end of the communication refers to the same hardware node. If so, the operating system replaces the network protocol connection (socket connection) with a direct interprocess communication construct. The operating system provides additional code to simulate the appearance of an actual network (socket) connection at the API level while performing all actual I/O using the interprocess communication construct. |
| US08056087B2 |
Effective use of a hardware barrier synchronization register for protocol synchronization
A barrier synchronization register, accessible to the nodes in a distributed data processing system, has portions thereof allotted to threads which are present in multiple groups. The barrier synchronization register portion allotted to a given thread has stored therein, over time, group identifier numbers. In this way the state space of a barrier synchronization register is shared over more than one group of process threads. |
| US08056086B2 |
Load balancing for image processing using multiple processors
A method and system for load balancing the work of NP processors (NP≧3) configured to generate each image of multiple images in a display area of a display device. The process for each image includes: dividing the display area logically into NP initial segments ordered along an axis of the display area; assigning each processor to a corresponding initial segment; assigning a thickness to each initial segment; simultaneously computing an average work function per pixel for each initial segment; generating a cumulative work function from the average work function per pixel for each initial segment; partitioning a work function domain of the cumulative work function into NP sub-domains; determining NP final segments of the display area by using the cumulative work function to inversely map boundaries of the sub-domains onto the axis; assigning each processor to a final segment, and displaying and/or storing the NP final segments. |
| US08056085B2 |
Method of facilitating workload management in a computing environment
Workloads, as defined by customers, are tracked on an individual basis. This tracking enables a customer to identify the amount of resources consumed by a particular workload. The customer defines the workload to be tracked, and that workload is tracked using a Unit of Work value. The Unit of Work value ensures that there is an accounting for the resources attributable to that workload. |
| US08056082B2 |
Capacity management and predictive planning systems based on trended rate change of monitored factors and methods thereof
A method, computer readable medium and system for capacity management and predictive planning includes monitoring one or more factors related to an overall load on at least one of one or more server systems and trending a rate of change of at least one of the one or more monitored factors. A determination on when to at least one of increase capacity in at least one of the servers systems and add one or more additional server systems is made based on the monitoring and the trending. A notification is output when the determination determines at least one of increasing capacity to at least one of the servers systems and adding one or more additional server systems is needed |
| US08056081B2 |
Controlling memory usage in systems having limited physical memory
Described herein is a method of controlling memory usage in a computer system having limited physical memory, wherein one or more application programs execute in conjunction with an operating system. At a first memory usage threshold, the operating system requests at least one of the application programs to limit its use of memory. At a second memory usage threshold that is more critical than the first memory usage threshold, the operating system requests at least one of the application programs to close itself. At a third memory usage threshold that is more critical than the first and second memory usage thresholds, the operating system terminates at least one of the application programs without allowing its further execution. |
| US08056080B2 |
Multi-core/thread work-group computation scheduler
Execution units process commands from one or more command queues. Once a command is available on the queue, each unit participating in the execution of the command atomically decrements the command's work groups remaining counter by the work group reservation size and processes a corresponding number of work groups within a work group range. Once all work groups within a range are processed, an execution unit increments a work group processed counter. The unit that increments the work group processed counter to the value stored in a work groups to be executed counter signals completion of the command. Each execution unit that access a command also marks a work group seen counter. Once the work groups processed counter equals the work groups to be executed counter and the work group seen counter equals the number of execution units, the command may be removed or overwritten on the command queue. |
| US08056075B2 |
Server request management
The present invention is an applet server which accepts requests for applets from client computers. A request specifies the format in which an applet is to be delivered to the requesting client computer. The applet server has a cache which it uses to store applets for distribution to client computers. If the specified form of the requested applet is available in the cache, the applet server transmits the applet to the requesting client. If the applet is not available in the cache, the server will attempt to build the applet from local resources (program code modules and compilers) and transformer programs (verifiers and optimizers). If the applet server is able to build the requested applet, it will then transmit the applet to the requesting client computer. If the applet server is unable to build the requested applet, it will pass the request to another applet server on the network for fulfillment of the request. |
| US08056070B2 |
System and method for modifying and updating a speech recognition program
An embodiment provides a system and method for updating a speech recognition program. The system provides a speech recognition program, an update website for updating a speech recognition program, and a database for storing data that may be used to update a speech recognition program. A user may utilize an update website, to add, modify, and delete speech recognition program information that may include: speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. Speech recognition program may communicate with update website to request information about possible updates. Update website may send a response consisting of information to speech recognition program. Speech recognition program may utilize received information to decide what speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information it may want to download. A speech recognition program may send one or more requests to update website to download speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. Update website may respond by transmitting, requested speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information, to a speech recognition program. Speech recognition program may overwrite speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information, with newly received speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. |
| US08056068B2 |
Multiplexing per-probepoint instruction slots for out-of-line execution
The present invention provides a probe system and method for multithreaded user-space programs. The system includes an instrumentation module that enables single stepping out of line processing for multithreaded programs, an establish probepoint module that divides up an area of the probed program's memory into a plurality of instruction slots, an ensure slot assigned module that ensures that an instruction slot is assigned to a probepoint, a slot acquisition module that acquires the instruction slot for the probepoint, stealing a slot from another probepoint as needed, and a free slot module that relinquishes the instruction slot owned by the probepoint when the probepoint is being unregistered. |
| US08056064B2 |
Method for recognition of acyclic instruction patterns
A method which determines by an optimizing compiler whether any variable in the given program equals to the given acyclic mathematical function applied to given variables in the program and the method includes expressing the bits of the value of the function as a Boolean function of the bits of the inputs and expressing for every variable and statement the value taken by v when s is executed as a Boolean function and expressing, for every statement the condition under which the statement is executed as a Boolean function, and Finally, a determination is made using a Boolean satisfiability oracle of whether, for the given variable and program statement, the a particular Boolean expression holds and a determination is of whether for a given variable and program statement whenever the predicate and the condition are true. |
| US08056057B2 |
System and method for generating business process test elements
Systems and methods are provided for generating business process test elements for automated testing of business process application configurations. A business process application executes business processes, which are typically automated operations involving users and information systems, and are typically specific to a type of business. A business process test is a set of instructions for invoking a business process. The test invokes one or more test elements, which are building blocks that codify interactions with business processes. Each element includes a description of the input data accepted by an associated transaction or screen of the business process. The element can receive input from a user or simulated user via an input interface of the application, and can invoke the associated business process with the input. The element is generated based upon metadata information retrieved from the business process application. The element provides input to and retrieves output from the application for the associated business process. The element refers to fields of the business process transactions or screens by names associated with the fields. The names may be internal application names, which are independent of a particular language. |
| US08056056B2 |
Methods and apparatus for configuring a process control system with a configuration editor executing on a digital data processing device
Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object. Configuration-time formulas contained objects are evaluated to constants prior to downloading to the control system. |
| US08056053B1 |
System and method for cell-based code editing and publishing
A code cell is selected from a program code. The code cell is a contiguous subsection of code. To select the code cell from the program code, a first indicator is placed in the program code prior to the beginning of the code cell and a second indicator is placed in the program code after the end of the code cell. The code cell is edited to obtain an edited code cell. The edited code cell is analyzed, without saving the program code, to produce a result. The result is provided. |
| US08056052B2 |
Populating service requests
A method, apparatus, architecture and computer program product for populating a service request is disclosed. A service request is modeled to determine the steps involved. The data is missing from a service request for each step of the request is assessed. The data sources for the modeled request are identified. The relevant data is extracted from the identified data sources. The service request is populated with the extracted data. A service request is executed by executing at least one process step acting on the populated service request. |
| US08056051B2 |
Creating application content using an open model driven architecture
A system for generating application content includes specifying an application definition or model in a flexible grammar, defining a set of templates that define generalized content output forms, and specifying a control definition for transforming the application definition into application content bused on the templates. A transformation engine accesses the application definition and performs output generation under the control of the control description. |
| US08056050B2 |
Method and system for guided inconsistency resolution in a model-driven software environment
A method and system for guided resolution of inter-model inconsistencies are provided. A method includes grouping inconsistencies, detected as a result of a model-driven software development process, into model partitions within a list by analyzing relationships between the underlying models and identifying model partitions that are capable of being processed independently from one another during a resolution process. The method also includes assigning priorities to models that contribute to the detected inconsistencies and inconsistency types. The method further includes reordering the list of inconsistencies to minimize the number of context switches during the resolution process and presenting, via a user interface screen, a listing of the inconsistencies and associated resolutions resulting from the reordering to the user at a client system. The user applies a selected resolution for each of the inconsistencies. |
| US08056049B2 |
Method and system for analyzing and presenting conflicts in model transformation and automatically reconciling model transformation
Initial source and target models are divided into segments responsive to at least one segmentation rule. After changes, post-change source and target models are likewise divided. The at least one segmentation rule is defined responsive to at least one transformation rule such that use of the at least one segmentation rule divides initial source and target models into corresponding segments. Change statuses are identified regarding initial segments relative to post-change segments of the respective models responsive to comparing initial segments to post-change segments of the source model and initial segments to post-change segments of the target model. An indication of conflicts between the post-change source model and post-change target model is generated for presentation to a user or to a computer automated conflict settlement process. The generating is responsive to comparing the identified change statuses of the corresponding segments of the initial source model and initial target model. |
| US08056043B2 |
Capacitance modeling
A method of modeling capacitance for a structure comprising a pair of long conductors surrounded by a dielectric material and supported by a substrate. In particular, the structure may be on-chip coplanar transmission lines over a conductive substrate operated at very high frequencies, such that the substrate behaves as a perfect dielectric. It is assumed that the surrounding dielectric material is a first dielectric with a first permittivity (∈1) and the substrate is a second dielectric with a second permittivity (∈2). The method models the capacitance (C1) for values of the first and second permittivity (∈1, ∈2) based on known capacitance (C2) computed for a basis structure with the same first permittivity (∈1) and a different second permittivity (∈2). Extrapolation or interpolation formulae are suggested to model the sought capacitance (C1) through one or more known capacitances (C2). |
| US08056042B2 |
Automatic delay adjusting method for semiconductor integrated circuit by using dummy wiring
An automatic delay adjusting method of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes placing a dummy wiring to a layout data and connecting the dummy wiring to a target wiring between a first cell and a second cell which is a timing violation occurs for the target wiring in the layout data. The dummy wiring connection includes replacing the dummy wiring with a dummy wiring cell having first and second pins corresponding to both ends of the dummy wiring, cutting the target wiring to generate first and second target wirings, connecting the first and second target wirings to the first and second pins, respectively, and replacing the dummy wiring cell with the dummy wiring to provide a wiring that is connected with the dummy wiring to the cut target wiring. |
| US08056041B2 |
Apparatus and method of preventing congestive placement
An apparatus of preventing congestive placement is provided. The apparatus comprises a judging module, a pattern generating module, and a placement module. The judging module judges whether a circuit layout comprises a congestive region according to a judging rule. When a judgment result of the judging module is affirmative, the pattern generating module generates a redistribution pattern with a density distribution of blockages. The density distribution gradually decreases outward. The placement module regards the congestive region as the center redistributes the blockages and electronic cells according to the redistribution pattern. |
| US08056039B2 |
Interconnect structure for integrated circuits having improved electromigration characteristics
An interconnect structure for an integrated circuit (IC) device includes an elongated, electrically conductive line comprising one or more segments formed at a first width, w1, and one or more segments formed at one or more additional widths, w2 . . . wN, with the first width being narrower than each of the one or more additional widths; wherein the relationship of the total length, L1, of the one or more conductive segments formed at the first width to the total lengths, L2 . . . LN, of the one or more conductive segments formed at the one or more additional widths is selected such that, for a given magnitude of current carried by the conductive line, a critical length with respect to an electromigration short-length effect benefit is maintained such that a total length of the conductive line, L=L1+L2+ . . . +LN, meets a minimum desired design length regardless of the critical length. |
| US08056038B2 |
Method for efficiently checkpointing and restarting static timing analysis of an integrated circuit chip
A method for loading checkpoint timing in an environment where the boundary arrival times, slews, required arrival times, or loads differ from the checkpoint run. A timing checkpoint file generated for one or more hierarchical modules, during which each input is assigned a unique phase tag. The association of unique phase tags allows subsequent restart analyses to efficiently adjust the checkpoint timing in relation to the restart timing environment. In the restart run, one or more such checkpoint files is read, during which an initial propagation of arrival, required arrivals and slew times are performed, followed by a local re-update based on adjusted arrival times and the required arrival times. Finally, if multiple hierarchical modules are updated, a global recalculation of timing values is performed based on a slack change threshold in order to determine whether any new timing failures have been introduced. |
| US08056034B1 |
Use of smith chart to compensate for missing data on network performance at lower frequency
A method is provided to use a Smith Chart technique to obtain frequency domain network performance information corresponding to a passive network including one or more passive devices comprising: receiving first data representing a first Smith Chart plot of coefficients representing measured mismatch between a source impedance of a network and a load impedance of the network for higher frequency components; and extrapolating a predicted substantially spiral shaped second Smith Chart plot of coefficients based upon the first data, which includes a coefficient representing predicted mismatch between the source impedance of the network and the load impedance of the network for lower frequency components. |
| US08056032B2 |
Methods for measuring mean-to-target (MTT) based on pattern area measurements and methods of correcting photomasks using the same
Methods of measuring a mean-to-target (MTT) based on pattern area measurements are provided including providing a design pattern. A plurality of design pattern measurements are measured for calculating an area of the design pattern based on a shape of the design pattern. A series of calculation measurements are calculated by continuously substituting a same variation into the design pattern measurements, and calculating a series of calculation areas corresponding respectively to the calculation measurements to generate a database including the calculation measurements and the calculation areas. An actual pattern is formed using the design pattern and an area of the actual pattern is measured. A calculation area corresponding to the area of the actual pattern is selected from the database and calculation measurements corresponding to the calculation area are selected. A difference between the design pattern measurements and the calculation measurements is calculated and the difference is set as an MTT. Related methods of correcting a photomask are also provided herein. |
| US08056031B2 |
Methods for manufacturing an electronic device using an electronically determined test member
Improved contact devices and methods for producing contact devices and using such contact devices to produce electronic devices are disclosed. A contact device having a plurality of nominally coplanar first contact elements makes electrical contact with corresponding nominally coplanar second contact elements of an electronic device such an integrated circuit or liquid crystal or other display when the contact device and the electronic device are positioned so that the plane of the first contact elements is substantially parallel to the plane of the second contact elements and relative displacement of the devices is effected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first contact elements and the plane of the second contact elements. The contact device preferably consists of a stiff substrate having a major portion with fingers projecting therefrom in cantilever fashion, each finger having a proximal end at which it is connected to the major portion of the substrate and an opposite distal end and there being one or two contact elements on the distal end of each finger. |
| US08056029B2 |
Merging sub-resolution assist features of a photolithographic mask
Merging sub-resolution assist features includes receiving a mask pattern that includes the sub-resolution assist features. A first sub-resolution assist feature is selected to merge with a second sub-resolution assist feature. A merge bar width of a merge bar is established. A distance between the first sub-resolution assist feature and the second sub-resolution assist feature is determined. A merging technique is determined in accordance with the distance and the merge bar width. The first sub-resolution assist feature and the second sub-resolution assist feature are merged according to the identified merging technique. |
| US08056027B2 |
Characterizing thermomechanical properties of an organic substrate using three-dimensional finite element analysis
A method for characterizing thermomechanical properties of an organic substrate includes the steps of: receiving an image of the substrate, the image including a geometric description of the circuit layers of the substrate; selecting a given one of the circuit layers for processing; converting the image to a 2-D FEM image of the given circuit layer; repeating the steps of selecting a given one of the circuit layers and converting the image to a 2-D FEM image of the selected layer until all of the layers have been processed; combining all of the 2-D FEM images corresponding to the layers to form a 3-D FEM image representing at least a portion of the substrate; determining a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), modulus and/or Poisson's ratio of the 3-D FEM image; and constructing a 3-D representation of the substrate as a function of the CTE, modulus and/or Poisson's ratio of the 3-D FEM image. |
| US08056024B2 |
Method for modifying photomask layout
A method for modifying a photomask layout includes the following steps. First, a photomask layout having at least an edge is provided. A plurality of evaluation points are positioned on the edge. Then, the photomask layout is interpreted to have an interpreted photomask layout and an interpreted edge pattern. The interpreted edge pattern is formed by interpreting the above-mentioned edge. After that, a shift between the edge and the interpreted edge and corresponding to each of the evaluation points is calculated. Afterwards, a shift gradient between two evaluation points can be derived from the shift. Finally, a number of segments between each two evaluation points can be estimated. |
| US08056023B2 |
Determining manufacturability of lithographic mask by reducing target edge pairs used in determining a manufacturing penalty of the lithographic mask
The manufacturability of a lithographic mask employed in fabricating instances of a semiconductor device is determined. Target edge pairs are selected from mask layout data of the lithographic mask to determine a manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask. The mask layout data includes polygons, where each polygon has edges, and where each target edge pair is defined by two of the edges of one or more of the polygons. The number of the target edge pairs is reduced to decrease computational volume in determining the manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask, including the manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask, is determined based on the target edge pairs as reduced in number. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask is output. The manufacturability of the lithographic mask is dependent on the manufacturing penalty in making the lithographic mask. |
| US08056021B2 |
Method for time-evolving rectilinear contours representing photo masks
Photomask patterns are represented using contours defined by level-set functions. Given target pattern, contours are optimized such that defined photomask, when used in photolithographic process, prints wafer pattern faithful to target pattern. Optimization utilizes “merit function” for encoding aspects of photolithographic process, preferences relating to resulting pattern (e.g. restriction to rectilinear patterns), robustness against process variations, as well as restrictions imposed relating to practical and economic manufacturability of photomasks. |
| US08056018B2 |
Implementing registration and conflict resolution of web application keyboard shortcuts
Conflict resolution of web application keyboard shortcuts implementation includes a web application being loaded in a web browser and application keyboard shortcuts for the web application are registered with the web browser. The web browser identifies application keyboard shortcuts for the web application that conflict with keyboard shortcuts for the web browser. Then the web browser resolves each conflict. |
| US08056015B2 |
Method for displaying message of a mobile terminal and mobile terminal using the same
A method for displaying a message in a mobile terminal. The method includes selecting a message history option on an input unit of the mobile terminal, displaying a list of messages, and displaying a message type of at least one message included in the displayed list of messages. |
| US08056012B2 |
Content aware workflow builder and workflow engine
Devices, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for providing a graphical workflow programming environment for routing documents. First a workflow design platform is provided that comprises a process canvas for receiving at least one graphical workflow programming object. Next, a graphical representation of the graphical workflow programming object is provided where the graphical representation is adapted to be selected by an administrator of the graphical workflow programming environment and inserted into the process canvas, wherein the graphical workflow programming object comprises a graphical decision point that is adapted to route the documents based on contents of the documents. |
| US08056010B2 |
Method and system for removing recipients from a message thread
A system for conveniently removing recipients from a message being added to a message thread that enables a user to filter people from a recipient list of a message being added to a message thread. The system advantageously enables a user to filter out potential recipients based on a) their previous non-participation in the thread, b) their lack of registered interest in a topic of the thread, and/or c) their being listed only as recipients by way of their being contained in a group indicated in the recipient list. |
| US08056008B2 |
Interactive object property region for graphical user interface
An interactive object property region displayable in a graphical user interface for an application program is disclosed. The interactive object property region is preferably automatically generated in response to a mouse pointer being moved over the object, but may also be affirmatively selected. Preferably, the region is initially positioned proximate to the object when generated. The interactive object property region, preferably a window, displays one or more properties of the selected object, and is interactive in the sense that the user can edit the displayed values in the region without the need to access further menu options in the graphical user interface. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the pointer can be moved from the object to the region to automatically change the displayed properties from a static display to an editable mode. Alternatively, the displayed property as soon as they are generated or can be editable upon affirmative selection. |
| US08056003B2 |
Apparatus for designing and a machine for franking a personalized mail template
A franking machine for franking a mail item includes an obtain and read component for obtaining and reading a computer file representing a certified personalized mail template, as created by design apparatus, on the basis of a general template and of personalization data for personalizing the general template; and a conveyor for conveying at least one mail item that complies with the general template to the franking machine; the franking machine being adapted to print the personalization data onto the mail item in compliance with the certified personalized template. |
| US08056002B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
An image forming apparatus for performing image forming processing of a structured document after analyzing the structured document into a tree structure including a plurality of element blocks includes a controller and an image forming device. The controller is adapted to analyze the structured document input from an inputting unit and to convert the analyzed structured document into image forming data by placing each element block of the plurality of element blocks in a predetermined position. The image forming device is adapted to perform forming an image in accordance with the image forming data prepared by the controller. The controller places the plurality of element blocks in a predetermined order in accordance with respective style specifications, the predetermined order being independent of an order of appearance of the plurality of element blocks. Therefore, the entire layout processing is significantly simplified. |
| US08055996B2 |
Lightweight form pattern validation
A pattern validation method can include retrieving a value for a form based input field from a form defined in markup rendered in a content browser. The retrieved value along with a validation pattern for the form based input field can be passed to a validation process disposed within a lightweight validation library coupled to the rendered markup. Subsequently, the retrieved value can be validated in the content browser according to the validation pattern. Notably, each step of retrieving, passing and validating can be repeated for at least one additional value for at least one additional form based input field disposed in the markup rendered in the content browser. In this regard, the retrieving, passing, and validating steps can be performed in a validation shell function disposed in the markup rendered in the content browser. |
| US08055994B1 |
Method, system and computer program product for displaying a version of a paper
A method performed by a computer system. The method includes storing a version of a mass-produced printed paper, and on a display device, displaying the version as a likeness of the paper including an indicator of a hyperlink. |
| US08055992B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing calendar information from a shared database and managing calendar information from multiple users
A method and system for synchronizing and using calendar information from a shared database is disclosed. Calendar information can be stored in a shared database, e.g., on a server system and accessed and synchronized with one or more portable computer systems. The calendar information is stored using particular category types which facilitate separate manipulation, access and removal of the calendar information when placed onto a portable computer system (e.g., palmtop). In one embodiment, calendar information is stored on a shared database and is assigned a unique category type. Multiple portable computer systems can then access the shared calendar information which can be displayed on each computer system along with the system's own calendar information. The unique category type is different from the default type of each system's own calendar information and the user is not able to change category types on the portable computer system. Shared calendar information can be viewed and edited and then easily removed using the unique category type. |
| US08055985B2 |
Decoding method and decoding circuit
An approach to dividing syndrome calculations into two steps and serially processing them requires a long time for the syndrome calculations with respect to an entire decoding process. Therefore, there is disclosed an error correction decoding circuit for a playing signal having a code sequence having a decoding unit generating first decoded signal and second decoded signal based on the code sequence and an error correction unit performing error correction for the second signal in response to the first signal. |
| US08055984B2 |
Forward error correction scheme compatible with the bit error spreading of a scrambler
A method for combining a simple forward error correction code i.e., a Hamming-like code with scrambling and descrambling functions is disclosed. Therefore, irrespective of the information to be transported, received data may be corrected, bit error spreading effects being handled, while providing desirable signal characteristics such as signal DC balance and enough signal transitions. The overhead introduced by the method is a modest increase over the original overhead of the 10 Gb Ethernet 64B/66B code. |
| US08055983B2 |
Data writing method for flash memory and error correction encoding/decoding method thereof
A data writing method for flash memory and an error correction encoding/decoding method thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment of the data writing method, a 6-bit ECC scheme using a Reed-Solomon code derived from a Galois Field GF (29) is used to encode a data for generating a redundant which requires smaller storing space. In an embodiment of the error correction encoding/decoding method, an erase checking value corresponding to the status where all the bytes of data area and parameter storing area are “0xff” is provided to improve the security of stored data. |
| US08055982B2 |
Error correction system and method
A method includes receiving payload data from a data source at error correction code (ECC) logic, where the ECC logic is adapted to process a block of data of a particular size via a plurality of stages. The ECC logic is initialized to a selected stage of the plurality of stages. The selected stage includes an initial value and an initial number of cycles. The initial value and the initial number of cycles are related to a number of symbols of padding data corresponding to a difference in size between the payload data and the block of data. The selected stage is related to a state of the ECC logic as if the number of symbols of padding data had already been processed by the ECC logic. The payload data is processed via the ECC logic beginning with the selected stage to produce parity data related to the payload data. |
| US08055980B2 |
Error processing of user information received by a communication network
A method is provided for decoding and/or detecting data containing user information which is received by a communication network in order to provide a way to suppress error concealment and to provide improved error correction. The present invention is characterized in that a receiver of a communication terminal and a CTM-receiver exchange at least additional information relating to the reliability of the correct reception of the data thus received and that error processing of the data thus received is adjusted in a receiver. |
| US08055974B2 |
Content distribution method, encoding method, reception/reproduction method and apparatus, and program
There are provided a content data transmission method, device, and program that minimize serious disturbances in reproduced content on the reception side, caused by a transmission error of encoded data, without sending feedback information from the reception side to the transmission side. When an encoder creates encoded data to be distributed, the encoder creates plural items of encoded data at the same time or creates FEC data at the same time in advance and, when storing the data in a file, stores the data as if the data were one item of encoded data. When a distribution server distributes the data using the file, the plurality of items of encoded data are automatically distributed at the same time and the FEC data is distributed. A client receives the plurality of items of encoded data or the FEC data to reduce the probability of data shortage due to a packet loss and, as a result, the deterioration in the image quality and the audio quality is reduced. |
| US08055970B1 |
System and method for parallel processing of data integrity algorithms
According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method for computing a data integrity algorithm on a data stream comprises the acts of initializing a plurality of threads, partitioning the data stream into a plurality of data stream segments, calculating a number of data integrity values from the plurality of data stream segments, and verifying the integrity of the data stream using the data integrity values. The plurality of threads are executed at generally the same time. Each of the data integrity values are derived from an associated data stream segment. |
| US08055959B2 |
Disabling faulty flash memory dies
Articles and associated methods and systems relate to disabling defective flash memory dies in a device containing multiple flash memory dies. Packages containing multiple flash memory dies may be labeled to indicate a flash memory data storage capacity based on the flash memory dies that are not disabled. Various disabling methods may be applied at the die level, package level, and/or board level. |
| US08055956B2 |
Built-in self-repairable memory
The present invention provides a built-in self-repairable memory. The invention repairs a faulty IC through hard fuses, as well as through available redundancy in memories on chip. As the faults are not present in all the memories, the invention uses a lesser number of fuses to actually make a repair and thus results in a yield enhancement. The fuse data is stored in a compressed form and then decompressed as a restore happens at the power on. The fuse data interface with the memory to be repaired is serial. The serial links decreases the routing congestion and hence gain in area as well as gain in yield (due to lesser defects and reduced area). |
| US08055950B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved timing for trace synchronization
A data processing apparatus having one or more trace data sources is provided in which the trace data sources operate to generate respective streams of trace data. At least one of said trace data sources comprises a trace data generator responsive to activity in monitored circuitry to generate trace data representing said activity. A synchronization marker generator is coupled to the trace data generator and operates to generate a synchronization marker and insert the synchronization marker into the trace data stream. The synchronization marker identifies a synchronization position in the trace data stream. A controller is coupled to the synchronization marker generator, and operates to initiate the synchronization marker generator to generate and insert a synchronization marker into the trace data stream. The controller controls initiation in dependence on behaviour of the data processing apparatus downstream of the trace data generator with respect to trace data flow. In this way, the downstream behaviour of the data processing apparatus can be made to influence the rate and timing of insertion of synchronization markers into a trace data stream, thereby reducing the likelihood of the volume of trace data resulting in an overflow condition in the downstream circuitry. |
| US08055948B2 |
Resilient software-controlled redundant array of independent disks (RAID)
Method and computer program product for identifying a primary disk storage medium that is higher in a boot order than a secondary disk storage medium in a software RAID, and testing for a hardware failure of the primary disk storage medium during the BIOS power-on self test. The boot order of the disk storage mediums in the software RAID is automatically changed to position the secondary disk storage medium in the RAID higher in the boot order than the primary disk storage medium in response to detecting a hardware failure in the primary disk storage medium. The operating system is then booted from the disk storage medium that is highest in the boot order. A hardware failure may be detected by reading and verifying a predetermined portion of the boot partition of the disk storage medium. Optionally, the predetermined portion of the boot partition may be less than the entire primary disk storage medium, but is preferably sufficient to allow loading of software RAID drivers for the primary and secondary disk storage mediums. |
| US08055946B2 |
Semiconductor IC incorporating a co-debugging function and test system
A semiconductor IC capable of debugging two or more processors at the same time using a single debugger and a semiconductor IC test system. The semiconductor IC includes processors operating at different frequencies, a trigger circuit which causes all of the processors to be in a debugging state when one of the processors is in the debugging state, and a JTAG circuit applying a boundary scan operation to the processors connected to a JTAG pin in series. |
| US08055941B2 |
System for on demand task optimization
An apparatus and program product determine information indicative of a performance differential between operation of a computer with the standby resource activated and operation of the computer with the standby resource inactivated. The information is communicated to a user. The standby resource may be activated in response to the determination. |
| US08055939B2 |
Memory control device and methods thereof
A method includes establishing a first link between a first processor device and a first memory module at a first time. A second link is established between a second processor device and a second memory module at a second time. In response to receiving a first event indicator, a third link is established between the first processor device and the second memory module at a third time, the third time after the first time and the second time. |
| US08055936B2 |
System and method for data recovery in a disabled integrated circuit
Systems and methods for providing memory access circuitry in application specific integrated circuits, and in certain configurations for recovering data from non-volatile memory registers in a partially disabled application specific integrated circuit as provided. In one configuration, a virtual partial dual-port non-volatile memory is provided having a secondary partial read only port. In another configuration, a physical partial dual-port non-volatile memory is provided having a secondary partial read only port. |
| US08055935B2 |
Dynamic adaptation in web service composition and execution
Dynamic adaptation is provided within web service composition and execution. Within a logical composition stage, a set of abstract workflows for a web service is selected from a number of generated abstract workflows. Within a physical composition stage, a set of executable workflows is selected from a number of executable workflows that are generated at least based on the set of abstract workflows selected. Within a runtime stage, an executable workflow to be executed is selected from the set of executable workflows and that particularly satisfies specified requirements. The executable workflow selected is executed within an execution environment. The executable workflow within the runtime stage, the set of executable workflows within the physical composition stage, and the set of abstract workflows within the logical composition stage are periodically dynamically assessed and reselected. |
| US08055934B1 |
Error routing in a multi-root communication fabric
In one aspect of the present description, in response to detection of a failure of a root server of a storage controller, a switch for input/output adapters may be reconfigured to report errors to a successor root server without reinitializing the input/output adapters. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US08055926B2 |
Aggregate power display for multiple data processing systems
The present invention provides a method for providing aggregate power consumption information for hundreds or thousands of data processing systems interconnected in a network. In one embodiment, a method is provided that receives power consumption information for each of the data processing systems along with time intervals associated with this information. The power consumption information is analyzed to provide the power consumption of the total number of data processing systems. This is accomplished by selectively computing total power consumption for selected time values. |
| US08055925B2 |
Structure and method to optimize computational efficiency in low-power environments
A method and structure to optimize computational efficiency in a low-power environment. The method includes determining an optimal point for maximizing computational efficiency in a low-power environment, and selectively controlling operation of at least one processing unit of a plurality of processing units in accordance with the determined optimal point. The structure includes a plurality of processing units, a load manager controlling selective parallel operation of at least one processing unit of the plurality of processing units, and an unregulated power source. |
| US08055922B2 |
Power management via DIMM read operation limiter
A method and system for enabling directed temperature/power management at the DIMM-level and/or DRAM-level utilizing intelligent scheduling of memory access operations received at the memory controller. Hot spots within the memory subsystem, caused by operating the DIMMs/DRAMs above predetermined/preset threshold power/temperature values for operating a DIMM and/or a DRAM, are avoided/controlled by logic within the memory controller. The memory controller logic throttles the number/frequency at which commands (read/write operations) are issued to the specific DIMM/DRAM based on stored parameter values and tracking of outstanding operations issued to the memory subsystem devices. |
| US08055918B2 |
Optimizing preemptible read-copy update for low-power usage by avoiding unnecessary wakeups
A technique for low-power detection of a grace period for deferring the destruction of a shared data element until pre-existing references to the data element have been removed. A grace period processing action is implemented that requires a response from a processor that may be running a preemptible reader of said shared data element before further grace period processing can proceed. A power and reader status of the processor is also determined. Grace period processing may proceed despite the absence of a response from the processor if the power and reader status indicates that an actual response from the processor is unnecessary. |
| US08055916B2 |
System and method for dynamic loop compensation for voltage mode control
A voltage regulator provides power to an information handling system component under management by a controller, such as a Buck circuit managed by a PID controller according to PID coefficient settings. An update module interfaced with the voltage regulator monitors operating conditions of the voltage regulator to update the coefficients used by the controller. For example, changes in the load applied to the voltage regulator and an inductance associated with the voltage regulator are used to periodically compute updated PID coefficients, which are then used by the controller to control the voltage regulator. |
| US08055915B2 |
Method and system for enabling and disabling hardware based on reservations and usage history
A network device checkout system is accessed by another program that powers off unused systems. The checkout system keeps track of the usage of various systems on a network so that only the systems that need to remain on for productivity will consume power, with systems in a check-in state being powered off. Records of system usage are stored in an associated database. Systems that are no longer being utilized are powered off. |
| US08055912B2 |
Method and system for bootstrapping a trusted server having redundant trusted platform modules
Multiple trusted platform modules within a data processing system are used in a redundant manner that provides a reliable mechanism for securely storing secret data at rest that is used to bootstrap a system trusted platform module. A hypervisor requests each trusted platform module to encrypt a copy of the secret data, thereby generating multiple versions of encrypted secret data values, which are then stored within a non-volatile memory within the trusted platform. At some later point in time, the encrypted secret data values are retrieved, decrypted by the trusted platform module that performed the previous encryption, and then compared to each other. If any of the decrypted values do not match a quorum of values from the comparison operation, then a corresponding trusted platform module for a non-matching decrypted value is designated as defective because it has not been able to correctly decrypt a value that it previously encrypted. |
| US08055911B2 |
Method for backing up and restoring an encryption key
The present invention allows creation of a backup key for backing up an encryption key inside a source trusted chip, encrypting the encryption key with the backup key, exporting the encrypted encryption key from the source trusted chip and storing it in a storage device, encrypting the backup key for transmission to a trusted third party. If the encrypted encryption key needs to be restored inside a destination trusted chip, the backup key and the encryption key encrypted with the backup key are imported to the destination trusted chip, where the encrypted encryption key is decrypted with the backup key inside the destination trusted chip to obtain the encryption key of the source trusted chip. |
| US08055910B2 |
Reprogrammable security for controlling piracy and enabling interactive content
Technologies to transfer responsibility and control over security from player makers to content authors by enabling integration of security logic and content. An exemplary optical disk (200) carries an encrypted digital video title combined with data processing operations that implement the title's security policies and decryption processes. Player devices include a processing environment (e.g., a real-time virtual machine), which plays content by interpreting its processing operations. Players also provide procedure calls to enable content code to load data from media, perform network communications, determine playback environment configurations (225), access secure non-volatile storage, submit data to CODECs for output (250), and/or perform cryptographic operations. Content can insert forensic watermarks in decoded output for tracing pirate copies. If pirates compromise a player or title, future content can be mastered with security features that, for example, block the attack, revoke pirated media, or use native code to correct player vulnerabilities. |
| US08055909B2 |
Method of and apparatus for reproducing information, and security module
An information reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a secure module and a main memory. The information in the secure module can not be accessed from outside. The secure module reads, using a direct access method, information relating to software stored in the main memory. The secure module checks a falsification of the software by comparing the information read with the information stored in advance in the secure module. |
| US08055908B2 |
Data transmission method and electronic device using the same
A data transmission method is achieved by transmitting a contents data transmission request from a host device to a module; by dividing a first contents data into a plurality of blocks in the module; by transmitting the plurality of blocks from the module to the host device; and by combining the plurality of blocks to produce a second contents data. A plurality of data buses are used for the transmission of the contents data transmission request and the plurality of blocks. |
| US08055905B2 |
Graphical password authentication based on pixel differences
A password, unknown to a user to be authenticated by the password, is created by comparing an image provided by the user to a master image. Random differences between the images are found and used to create the password. The password is then validated to determine whether the user is authorized and/or to determine whether a communication provided by the user is to be processed. |
| US08055901B2 |
Optical signature to enable image correction
A method and system for performing document image correction using a document reader is disclosed. The method includes generating a document image representative of a document having a deformation; decoding an optical pattern embedded in the document from the document image to determine an optical signature for the document; receiving document classification data associated with the optical signature; and applying an image correction technique to the document image based on the document classification data to generate a corrected document image. A document capable of being read by a document reader is also disclosed. The document includes a substrate and an optical pattern embedded on the substrate. The optical pattern is part of a background pattern printed on the substrate. The optical pattern defines an optical signature unique to the particular class of document and is associated with document classification data for the document. |
| US08055899B2 |
Systems and methods using digital watermarking and identifier extraction to provide promotional opportunities
The present disclosure relates to processing media content (e.g., video or audio signals). One claim recites a method including: receiving first content comprising a video portion or an audio portion, the first content being received over a network from a user; utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor programmed as a content identifier module, deriving identifying data from data representing picture portions of the video portion or from data representing audible portions of the audio portion of the first content; with reference to a computerized database or computerized repository, determining a first promotional opportunity associated with the identifying data, in which the first proportional opportunity comprises an opportunity to purchase second content, the second content being related to—but different than—the first content, and determining a second, different promotional opportunity associated with the identifying data if another instance of the identifying data is thereafter received; and providing information regarding the first promotional opportunity or the second, different promotional opportunity. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. |
| US08055898B2 |
Tag authentication system
An authentication method is disclosed that makes the identification information of an object public and performs authentication in referring, from the identification information, to the information of the object corresponding to the identification information. The method includes generating a third value through a predetermined operation of a temporary first value generated every time the identification information is referred to and a temporary second value generated for a referrer to the identification information; encrypting the third value by first and second different encryption methods; decrypting the third value encrypted by the first encryption method in a tag device attached to the object; and decrypting the third value encrypted by the second encryption method in an apparatus managing the information of the object, and comparing the third value decrypted in the apparatus with the third value decrypted in the tag device, thereby verifying the relationship between the object and the referrer thereto. |
| US08055895B2 |
Data path security processing
Methods and associated systems provide secured data transmission over a data network. A security device provides security processing in the data path of a packet network. The device may include at least one network interface to send packets to and receive packets from a data network and at least one cryptographic engine for performing encryption, decryption and/or authentication operations. The device may be configured as an in-line security processor that processes packets that pass through the device as the packets are routed to/from the data network. |
| US08055893B2 |
Techniques for booting a stateless client
A technique for booting a stateless client includes booting a virtual machine (VM) monitor on the client. The VM monitor is stored in a non-volatile memory area of a memory subsystem (of the client) and a first portion of an operating system (which does not include any state information for the operating system) is stored in the non-volatile memory area of the client. Booting of the operating system for the client is initiated and a remote storage (that stores a second portion of the operating system that includes state information for the operating system) is accessed via a communication link. Booting of the operating system for the client is completed using the second portion of the operating system. |
| US08055892B2 |
Provision of remote system recovery services
In an illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing remote system recovery services is provided. The computer implemented method generates bootable system recovery images to form a set of bootable system recovery images, creates a list of authorized users from a set of subscribers, and receives a request for a bootable system recovery image, including a subscriber identifier, to form a received request. The computer implemented method further authenticates the subscriber identifier in the received request and sends the bootable system recovery image to the subscriber. Responsive to a determination that the user selected additional services, the computer implemented method performs the selected services. |
| US08055888B2 |
Initialisation of a pipelined processor
A data processing apparatus is disclosed that comprises a pipelined processor, said pipelined processor comprising a processing pipeline for processing instructions in a plurality of stages, at least some of said plurality of stages each comprising storage elements for storing an instruction or decoded instruction being processed in said stage, said storage elements in at least one of said stages comprising settable elements, each of said settable elements being adapted to store a predetermined value in response to a wake up event, said settable elements being arranged such that in response to said wake up event said values stored in said settable elements form an instruction or decoded instruction. |
| US08055886B2 |
Processor micro-architecture for compute, save or restore multiple registers and responsive to first instruction for repeated issue of second instruction
An electronic circuit (4000) includes a bias value generator circuit (3900) operable to supply a varying bias value in a programmable range, and an instruction circuit (3625, 4010) responsive to a first instruction to program the range of said bias value generator circuit (3900) and further responsive to a second instruction having an operand to repeatedly issue said second instruction with said operand varied in an operand value range determined as a function of the varying bias value. |
| US08055879B2 |
Tracking network contention
Methods, apparatus, and product for tracking network contention on links among compute nodes of an operational group in a point-to-point data communications network of a parallel computer are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, each compute node is connected to an adjacent compute node in the point-to-point data communications network through a link. Tracking network contention according to embodiments of the present invention includes maintaining, by a network contention module on each compute node in the operational group, a local contention counter for each compute node, each local contention counter representing network contention on links among the compute nodes originating from the compute node; and maintaining a global contention counter, the global contention counter representing network contention currently on all links among the compute nodes in the operational group. |
| US08055878B2 |
Method and structure for skewed block-cyclic distribution of lower-dimensional data arrays in higher-dimensional processor grids
A method and structure of distributing elements of an array of data in a computer memory to a specific processor of a multi-dimensional mesh of parallel processors includes designating a distribution of elements of at least a portion of the array to be executed by specific processors in the multi-dimensional mesh of parallel processors. The pattern of the designating includes a cyclical repetitive pattern of the parallel processor mesh, as modified to have a skew in at least one dimension so that both a row of data in the array and a column of data in the array map to respective contiguous groupings of the processors such that a dimension of the contiguous groupings is greater than one. |
| US08055877B1 |
Translated memory protection apparatus for an advanced microprocessor
A method of responding to an attempt to write a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction for execution by a host processor including the steps of marking a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction, detecting a memory address which has been marked when an attempt is made to write to the memory address, and responding to the detection of a memory address which has been marked by protecting a target instruction at the memory address until it has been assured that translations associated with the memory address will not be utilized before being updated. |
| US08055873B2 |
Data writing method for flash memory, and controller and system using the same
A data writing method for a flash memory is provided. The data writing method includes following steps. First, a block is selected as a substitute block from a spare area of the flash memory, wherein the substitute block is used for substituting a data block in a data area for writing a new data. Next, the new data is directly written into the substitute block starting from a start page, wherein there is valid data in the data block before the address for writing the new data. Thereby, meaningless data moving can be reduced, system performance can be improved, and overlong waiting time for writing the new data can be prevented. |
| US08055869B2 |
Data manipulation method of logical volume manager
A data manipulation method of a logical volume manager is applicable to data management of dependent snapshot volumes (SVs) of a logical volume manager. The data management method includes the following steps generating a plurality of SVs, defining the SV generated at first as a first SV, defining the SV generated at last as a last SV, and defining the rest SVs as middle SVs; selecting a middle SV; combining content stored in the selected middle SV into a neighboring SV; according to the combined SV, combining meta-data of the selected middle SV into meta-data of the middle SV; deleting the selected middle SV. The logical volume manager does not need copy the data again, thereby saving access time in data management. |
| US08055864B2 |
Efficient hierarchical storage management of a file system with snapshots
A method is provided for managing the storage of a file that has been selected for migration from a first storage level within a file system to a second storage level. The method comprises copying each of one or more data blocks of the selected file that are stored in the first storage level at a physical disk address maintained in a corresponding reference of an inode for the selected file from the first storage level to the second storage level; maintaining a logical ditto address in each reference of an inode for each snapshot file in the file system that refers to one of the one or more data blocks of the selected file that were copied to the second storage level; and updating the file system to include a managed region for controlling access to the one or more data blocks through the inode for the selected file. |
| US08055859B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing atomicity with respect to request of write operation for successive sector
An apparatus for providing atomicity with respect to a request of a write operation for successive sectors in a flash memory is provided. The apparatus includes a data write module writing data in a main sector of a page and allocating status bits indicating a status of the data write to a spare sector of the page, a write progress managing module overwriting a commit mark in the spare sector allocated with the status bits according to a progress status of the data write, and a validity determining module determining validity of the sectors on the basis of the overwritten commit mark and providing information of the successive sectors. |
| US08055857B2 |
Write access and subsequent read access to a memory device
A memory device has a first memory area and a second memory area. A method for operating the memory device includes a write access to the first memory area and a read access to the second memory area. |
| US08055856B2 |
Lock mechanism to enable atomic updates to shared memory
A system and method for locking and unlocking access to a shared memory for atomic operations provides immediate feedback indicating whether or not the lock was successful. Read data is returned to the requestor with the lock status. The lock status may be changed concurrently when locking during a read or unlocking during a write. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the lock status as a separate transaction prior to or during a read-modify-write operation. Additionally, a lock or unlock may be explicitly specified for each atomic memory operation. Therefore, lock operations are not performed for operations that do not modify the contents of a memory location. |
| US08055854B2 |
System having memory device accessible to multiple processors
A system having a memory device accessible by a plurality of processors is provided. The system includes a memory device, a first processor, and a second processor. The memory device has a first memory array part and a second memory array part. The first processor predominantly accesses the first memory array part of the memory device and selectively accesses the second memory array part of the memory device. The second processor predominantly accesses the second memory array part of the memory device and selectively accesses the first memory array part of the memory device. |
| US08055853B2 |
Data storage system and data storage program for atomic transactions
Atomic data are stored in blocks on a hard disk. The blocks are grouped into a committed block aggregate P1, which exists only on the hard disk, a next-generation committed block aggregate C1, which is converted into a committed block aggregate at predetermined times, and an atomic block aggregate S3, which is created for every user based on the committed block aggregate C1. User A makes desired data changes to S3. When user A terminates the data processing, the block aggregate storing the data is merged, like from the atomic block aggregate S4 to committed block aggregate C2, and stored on the hard disk as a committed block aggregate P3. |
| US08055850B2 |
Prioritization of directory scans in cache
A method, system, and computer program product for prioritizing directory scans in cache by a processor is provided. While traversing a directory in the cache, one of attempting to acquire a lock for a directory entry and attempting to acquire access to a track in the directory entry is performed. If one of the lock is not obtained for the directory entry and the access to the track in the directory entry is not obtained, the directory entry is added to a reserved data space. Following completion of traversing the directory, a return is made to the reserved data space to process the directory entry and the track in the directory entry. |
| US08055844B2 |
Memory card and memory storage device using the same
A memory card and a memory storage device using the memory card may be provided. The memory card may include a host connector, a memory controller connected to the host connector and enabled or disabled in response to a capacity expansion signal, a non-volatile memory connected to the memory controller, a memory connector configured to connect to the memory controller and the non-volatile memory, and a capacity expansion switch configured to generate the capacity expansion signal. Accordingly, when the memory cards are connected to increase storage capacity, only a memory controller of one memory card may operate, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08055837B2 |
Data writing method for non-volatile memory and controller using the same
A data writing method for a non-volatile memory is provided, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a data area and a spare area. In the data writing method, a plurality of blocks in a substitution area of the non-volatile memory is respectively used for substituting a plurality of blocks in the data area, wherein data to be written into the blocks in the data area is written into the blocks in the substitution area, and the blocks in the substitution area are selected from the spare area of the non-volatile memory. A plurality of temporary blocks of the non-volatile memory is used as a temporary area of the blocks in the substitution area, wherein the temporary area is used for temporarily storing the data to be written into the blocks in the substitution area. |
| US08055836B2 |
Semiconductor memory system and wear-leveling method thereof
Disclosed is a semiconductor memory system and wear-leveling method thereof. The semiconductor memory system is comprised of a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of logic blocks each of which is divided into a plurality of entries, a file system detecting a type of data to be stored and allocating the logic block or the entry for storing the data in accordance with the data type, and a translation layer leveling wearing degrees over the logic blocks or the entries in accordance with the data type. |
| US08055832B2 |
Management of memory blocks that directly store data files
Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data. |
| US08055828B2 |
Electronic power management system
An electronic power management system comprising plural processors operable in different security and context-related modes and having respective supply voltage inputs and clock inputs, said processors having at least one interrupt input and at least one wait for interrupt output. The system further comprises a power control circuit operable to configurably adjust supply voltages and clock rates for said supply voltage inputs and clock inputs. The system further comprises a wait for interrupt expansion circuit responsive to the at least one wait for interrupt output to provide an interrupt signal, at least one of said processors operable to configure said power control circuit in response to the interrupt signal. |
| US08055825B2 |
Digital device interconnect method
A simple clock source synchronous DDR data transfer mechanism may be combined with static bus state signaling to replace a complex bus (e.g. USB) with an easy to implement digital serial interconnect bus. This may eliminate various pull-up/pull-down resistors required in USB, and enable the interconnect bus to operate with little or no leakage current when the bus is in an idle state, or data transmission state. All required functionality may be implemented using only two signal pins. The interconnect bus may also enable silicon solutions for high speed USB that do not require a PLL, since the clock may be provided by the transmission source and may thus not need to be recovered from the serial data stream. The digital serial interconnect bus may provide an easy reuse mechanism for USB silicon by enabling a designer to remove the analog PHY and replace it with a serial digital I/O transfer mechanism, while retaining the IP's USB timers, and other protocol specific features. |
| US08055823B2 |
Bus data transmission apparatus, method for transmitting bus data and bus data communication apparatus
Provided are a method and an apparatus for compression transmission of bus data including a plurality of bytes including upper bits and lower bits. The apparatus includes a comparator and an aligner. The comparator compares upper bits of a previous byte with upper bits of a current byte among the plurality of bytes. If the upper bits of the previous byte are identical to the upper bits of the current byte, the aligner compresses the bus data in a combination of a full-byte and a half-byte, by allowing the previous byte to be constituted with the full-byte having bits corresponding to the number of bits of the previous byte and allowing the current byte to be constituted with the half-byte excluding the upper bits of the current byte. Then, the aligner arrays the compressed bus data in a preset bus bandwidth to transmit to a slave device. |
| US08055821B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for converting a synchronous interface into an asynchronous interface
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for converting a synchronous interface into an asynchronous interface. The apparatus includes a receive module, a generate module, and a return module. The receive module receives a request for a transaction from a synchronous requester, the generate module generates a delaying object and a forwarding interface compatible with the requested return type, and the return module returns the delaying object with the forwarding interface to the requester. Additionally, services for implementing such an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed. Implementation of the apparatus, system, and method provide for increased computing performance, reduced application run time, and decreased usage of computing resources. |
| US08055820B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for designating a buffer status reporting format based on detected pre-selected buffer conditions
An apparatus, system and method for increasing buffer status reporting efficiency and adapting buffer status reporting according to uplink capacity. User equipment is configured a monitor a usage of a plurality of buffers, detect one of a plurality of pre-selected conditions corresponding to at least one of the plurality of buffers, designate one of a plurality of buffer status reporting formats depending on the pre-selected condition detected, communicate a buffer status report to a network device in accordance with the buffer status reporting format designated. The buffer status reporting format is configured to minimize buffer status reporting overhead created by the communicating of the buffer status report. |
| US08055813B2 |
Flexible and efficient configuration of multiple common interfaces
In a system for communicating data from a processor to a plurality of register groupings that includes a plurality of registers and a plurality of register decoding logic entities, each register is associated with one of the plurality of register groupings. The plurality of register decoding logic entities is arranged in a data communication ring and is assigned to a register grouping. Each register decoding logic entity is configured to: receive a data packet that includes a data unit intended for a set of the registers in communication with the register decoding logic entity; write the data unit to each of the set of registers; determine if the register decoding logic entity is set to a relay mode; and if the register decoding logic entity is set to the relay mode, then update the data packet to reflect an address corresponding to a next register decoding logic entity in the data communication ring and then transmit the data packet to the next register decoding logic entity for which the data packet is intended. |
| US08055812B2 |
Data transmission/reception system
An amplifier (unit) linked via a daisy type serial bus sends a transmission start signal SC and then sends the local data DATAn. If data from an amplifier at the downstream side is not received before transmission of the local data DATAn is completed, the delimit of the data from each amplifier is changed by adding an idle time data TIDD. |
| US08055811B2 |
Computer having function for displaying status of operation and floppy module
A floppy module includes a floppy disk controller (FDC), a control circuit, and a display. The FDC has a first control terminal, a second control terminal, and a plurality of third control terminals. Wherein, the first control terminal and the second control terminal may respectively output a first control signal and a second control signal, and the first and second control signals having the same statuses are used for controlling a floppy disk. The display has a fourth control terminal and a plurality of data terminals respectively coupled to a portion of the third control terminals. Additionally, the control circuit may use the first control signal to replace the second control signal for controlling the floppy disk, and transmit the second control signal to the fourth control terminal such that a status information is shown on the display as the floppy disk being idle. |
| US08055808B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and control method for semiconductor memory device
A memory card capable of connecting to a host device includes a flash memory, a host interface unit which transfers data between a host device and the memory card, and a transfer mode control unit which changes a data transfer mode based on a command from the host device. The transfer mode control unit outputs status data containing an error code to the host device if a transfer mode change command is inputted from the host device, instructing the memory card to change to a transfer mode not supported by the host interface unit of the memory card. |
| US08055803B1 |
Generating communities using a mediating server and the semantic web
A system and method are provided for creating communities based on a semantic understanding of content requested by a number of user devices. More specifically, a mediating server operates to interconnect a number of user devices to destination servers. In operation, the mediating server routes requests from the user devices to the appropriate destination servers. The mediating server examines the responses from the destination servers to gain a semantic understanding of the content requested by the user devices. Thereafter, the mediating server establishes communities for the user devices based on the semantic understanding of the content requested by the user devices. For example, the mediating server may invite users of the user devices that have requested semantically similar content to join a chat session around a common topic. |
| US08055802B2 |
Open service gateway initiative-based home gateway apparatus and device registration method thereof
An OSGi-based home gateway apparatus and a device register method includes a device detecting unit which detects at least one legacy device which does not load a controllable middleware from a plurality of home devices connected to the home network; an outside network interface which receives drive information of the detected legacy device through the outside network; a bundle creating unit which creates a legacy bundle by combining the input drive information and a predetermined network protocol which can be used in the home network; and a device registering unit which registers the created legacy bundle to the OSGi framework. |
| US08055801B2 |
Pulse-per-second attachment for STP
A time synchronization apparatus, method and system are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises at least a time of day clock, a first port operable to receive at least first time information using a first time protocol, a second port operable to receive at least second time information using a second time protocol, a third port operable to receive at least a timing signal, and a time stamp register operable to at least capture current value of the time of day clock upon receipt of the timing signal from the third port or the first time information from the first port or combination thereof. |
| US08055800B1 |
Enforcing host routing settings on a network device
A method and system for enforcing host routing settings in a network device comprises network devices having enforcement logic for extracting host routing settings from a DHCP packet issued by a DHCP server to a DHCP client connecting to a network. The network devices generate enforcement rules based on the host routing settings and apply those rules to ports through which the DHCP client connects to the network. The enforcement rules include access control lists having one or more match conditions generated based on the host routing settings. |
| US08055798B2 |
Method and system for transmitting shared contents and content terminal thereof
A method for transmitting shared contents includes: pre-configuring rules for constructing coefficient vectors corresponding to the shared content on each content terminal; by the content source peer, dividing the original content into blocks, constructing coefficient vectors corresponding to the original content according to the rules for constructing coefficient vectors, and combining each original content block with the corresponding coefficient vector linearly to obtain code blocks, with the ID of each code block same as the ID of the corresponding coefficient vector; and by the content receiving peer, downloading the code blocks from the content source peer according to the IDs of code blocks. A system for transmitting shared contents includes: a content source peer and a content receiving peer. The present invention also discloses a content terminal. The present invention may save the transmission bandwidth and improve the content sharing efficiency. |
| US08055794B2 |
Isolation switch for fibre channel fabrics in storage area networks
An isolation switch blade Fiber Channel switch presents F_ports to form a first Fiber Channel fabric and N_ports to a second Fiber Channel fabric to appear as node devices. The isolation switch blade may be used to connect a plurality of blade servers to a Fiber Channel fabric. Fabric events engendered by the insertion or removal of hot-pluggable devices are handled by the isolation switch blade and “event storms” on the Fiber Channel fabric are avoided. The isolation switch blade presents the blade servers to the FC fabric as a virtualized N_port. |
| US08055791B2 |
Protecting connection traffic using filters
A connection between network nodes in a communication network is backed up. A failover label-switched path (LSP) is created starting at a first network node of a connection and ending 5 at the second node of the connection, while bypassing the protected connection. In the event of connection failure, data is transmitted through the failover LSP. A network operator can selectively protect different types of data by using filters that bind one or more types of traffic received over one or more interfaces to different failover LSPs. |
| US08055790B1 |
Assignment of domain name system (DNS) servers
Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the establishment of an Internet protocol (IP) data session with a dual-stack mobile communications device by authenticating the device. An IP data session is requested, and a home agent sends an indication of this request. A DNS server that will be assigned to a device is identified by querying a database and is identified based on the device's capabilities. The device capabilities are determined by a device-capability identifier that is associated with the user of the device or the device itself, such as a network access identifier. The capabilities may include the device type, applications, programs, or services that the user of the device is subscribed to, or capabilities that are inherent to the phone. Once the DNS server is identified, a server identifier is sent to the home agent, which assigns the DNS server to the device. |
| US08055786B2 |
Method and system for data demultiplexing
A method and system for demultiplexing packets of a message is provided. The demultiplexing system receives packets of a message, identifies a sequence of message handlers for processing the message, identifies state information associated with the message for each message handler, and invokes the message handlers passing the message and the associated state information. The system identifies the message handlers based on the initial data type of the message and a target data type. The identified message handlers effect the conversion of the data to the target data type through various intermediate data types. |
| US08055785B2 |
Rate control for stream switching
An apparatus comprising a first node configured to communicate with a second node, wherein the first node is configured to receive a first stream from the second node, receive a bridging stream from the second node, and receive the second stream from the second node, and wherein the bridging stream has a lower bit-rate than the second stream. Included is an apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising transmitting a first stream at a first time, transmitting a bridging stream that has a bit-rate greater than the first stream and less than the second stream at a second time, and transmitting the second stream at a third time. |
| US08055784B2 |
Content navigation module for managing delivery of content to computing devices and method therefor
There is provided a method for use by a content navigation module for managing delivery of content. The method comprising communicating an identifier contained in the content navigation module with a first computing device to enable the first computing device to receive a selected content from a presentation server over a network; receiving a delivery progress of the selected content from the first computing device periodically; storing the delivery progress of the selected content; losing communication with the first computing device after storing the delivery progress; and communicating the identifier contained in the content navigation module and the delivery progress of the selected content with a second computing device to enable the second computing device to resume receiving the selected content from the server over the network according to the delivery progress of the selected content stored in the content navigation module. |
| US08055779B1 |
System and method using data keyframes
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for using data keyframes. In one aspect, a method includes storing a data keyframe transmitted as part of a live streaming broadcast; receiving a request from a client to join the live streaming broadcast in-progress; determining that the stored data keyframe was transmitted before the request from the client was received; transmitting the stored data keyframe to the client; and distributing streaming content associated with the live streaming broadcast to the client. Further, the data keyframe can be generated by a publisher of the live streaming broadcast. Distributing streaming content further can include storing a plurality of data keyframes transmitted as part of the live streaming broadcast and transmitting the plurality of stored data keyframes to the client before distributing streaming content associated with the live streaming broadcast to the client. |
| US08055778B2 |
SIP user agent with simultaneous multiple registrations
A method, device, and computer program product for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communications is disclosed. The method, device, and computer program product allow a SIP user agent of a SIP-enabled device to register with a plurality of SIP registrars. The plurality of SIP registration may occur simultaneously or sequentially, based on preference information for the SIP registrars. |
| US08055768B2 |
Network including snooping
An apparatus includes: a logic circuit with electronic memory to: monitor signal traffic with at least one client and a computer network to determine, without changing the signal traffic, for each client, a network address and a port to which that client is connected; provide to a first dynamic table the network address and port for each said client; access an authentication server that has a second table of user names and corresponding passwords for network login, in which the second table also includes for each user name and password a corresponding virtual local network (VLAN) membership and/or VLAN tag and/or Quality of Service (QoS); and add to the first dynamic table the user name, VLAN membership, VLAN tag and QoS information learnt from the authentication server in the second table. |
| US08055767B1 |
Proxy communication string data
Systems, methods and apparatus for a distributed security that detects proxied resource requests. The system can identify proxy strings, each of the proxy strings being indicative of a proper substring in a string of data constituting a proxy communication, the proxy communications being communications that are generated by processing systems executing a plurality of proxy applications. The proxy strings can be store and access to the stored proxy strings can be provided to facilitate detection of proxy communications for the one or more proxy applications in resource requests. |
| US08055765B2 |
Service take-over method based on apparatus disaster recovery, service transfer apparatus and backup machine
A service take-over method based on apparatus disaster recovery, the method includes: transferring, by a service transfer apparatus, a service control message originally sent to a production machine to a backup machine which configures disaster recovery ability for the production machine, when detecting that the production machine gets a failure; starting, by the backup machine, a process of taking over the service control message transferred from the service transfer apparatus, when receiving the service control message meeting a prescribed condition transferred from the service transfer apparatus. In the present invention, when the apparatus configured with the disaster recovery ability gets a failure, the take-over speed of the service control message may increase so as to reduce the interruption time of the service as much as possible, thereby configuring the disaster recovery ability for the apparatus is realized. |
| US08055764B2 |
Computer system and management computer for identifying seat position
Provided is a computer system capable of identifying a seat position of a user even in a network to which an individually-assigned device and a device used by a plurality of users are connected coexistently. The computer system for identifying a seat position of a user, includes: a device used by the user; a network device to which the device is connected, for coupling the device to a network; and a management computer coupled to the network. In the computer system, the management computer judges which of an individually-assigned device and a shared-use device the device connected to the network device is, obtains a unique identifier of the user and information indicating a connection relationship between the network device and the device connected to the network device from the network device, and identifies the seat position of the user based on the unique identifier of the user and the information indicating the connection relationship. |
| US08055759B2 |
Determination of link qualities between an access point and a plurality of clients
An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access point and a plurality of client devices is disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access point. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access point transmits keep alive packets according to the list. The access point counts responds to the keep alive packets from each of the client devices. The access point estimates a link quality between the access point and each client device based on the counted responses. An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access node of a wireless mesh network and a plurality of client devices is also disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access node. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access node transmits keep alive packets to each of the associated client devices according to the list. The access point counts responds to the keep alive packets from each of the client devices. The access point estimates a link quality between the access point and each client device based on the counted responses. |
| US08055758B2 |
Reporting the state of an apparatus to a remote computer
The state of an apparatus is reported to a remote computer using an embedded device in the apparatus. The embedded device detects the state, generates a message that reports the state using a self-describing computer language, and sends the message to the remote computer. The remote computer receives the message and extracts the state of the embedded device from the message. |
| US08055755B2 |
Method for determining VoIP gateway performance and SLAs based upon path measurements
A system and method make quality measurements in a network to determine if a Service Level Agreement is breached. The system includes a plurality of routers for routing traffic through the network, means for taking measurements on a path between a first router and a second router, and means for charging at least one of the plurality of routers when data related to the measurements falls below a target value. |
| US08055751B2 |
IP network management based on automatically acquired network entity status information
Methods and apparatus are provided for managing an IP network interconnecting a plurality of network hosts (2). Status information, indicative of status of a host, is automatically acquired from each host (2). The status information, such as MAC address, security and/or operational information, acquired from a host (2) is automatically recorded in at least one DNS record, associated with the IP address of that host (2), of a DNS server (4). The host status information in the DNS records can then be accessed for network management operations. The automatic acquisition and recording of the status information may be performed by a DHCP server (3) of the network on allocation of dynamic IP addresses to hosts (2). |
| US08055750B2 |
Autonomous management of a communication network
A method, system, and computer program product for autonomous management of a communication network are provided. The communication network includes a community of registered and unregistered users. The method includes segmenting a body of data according to pre-defined aspects that identify related subject matter and a volume of data stored for each of the segments based on the volume of data. The method also includes classifying each of the registered users according to the segments, and identifying from the classification: a population size of users associated with corresponding segments and a proportion of users to corresponding segments. The method further includes assessing aspects of an unregistered user, based upon a communication, in view of pre-defined growth criteria established for the communication network and, upon determining the aspects fall within limits specified by the pre-defined growth criteria, presenting the unregistered user with an invitation to register with the community. |
| US08055746B2 |
Method and system for improved management of a communication network by extending the simple network management protocol
The invention provides an improved management of network devices in a communication network by extending the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which provides an effective identifying of the Management Client originating a request and sends rich textual status and error responses from the network device. |
| US08055741B2 |
Modem and configuration method thereof
A modem includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module, a point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) module, and a network monitor module. The DHCP module automatically establishes a DHCP connection over a communication network, and generates a first notification signal after the DHCP connection is established. The PPPoE module automatically establishes a PPPoE connection over the communication network and automatically configures parameters of an Internet access service over the communication network and generates a second notification signal after the PPPoE connection is established. The network monitor module determines current network properties of the communication network upon receipt of the first notification signal and/or the second notification signal, and selectively configures parameters of the Internet access service and a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service. |
| US08055731B2 |
Network merge testing
A method and system for performing network merge testing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the network merge testing method comprises: (i) gathering configuration information from at least two networks; (ii) comparing the configuration information; and (iii) displaying a report that indicates whether an attempted merge of the at least two networks would succeed. The report preferably identifies conflicts between the network configurations, and the method may further include automatic or guided resolution of the conflicts. The configuration information may include: zone names and memberships; domain and port names; security settings; inter-op modes; and long distance modes. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed herein. The system and method may advantageously prevent or diagnose causes of network segmentation. |
| US08055729B2 |
System, method and program product for authenticating an e-mail and/or attachment
A system, method and program product for authenticating an e-mail. A user requests to register a visual signature image with a sending mail server, and in response, the sending mail server furnishes a first identifier to the user. Subsequently, the user requests the sending mail server to send an e-mail with the visual signature image and supplies the e-mail and first identifier to the sending mail server. In response, the sending mail server validates the first identifier, and sends the e-mail with a second identifier to a receiving mail server. In response, the receiving mail server validates the second identifier. The second identifier identifies an addressee of the e-mail, and the receiving mail server validates the second identifier by comparing the addressee identified by the acceptance identifier to an addressee within the e-mail. The sending mail server embeds the second identifier in the visual signature image and sends the visual signature image with the embedded second identifier to the receiving mail server. The invention also resides in the image representing an originator of an e-mail and/or an attachment to the e-mail; the image is included in the e-mail, an icon for the attachment or the attachment. The image includes an identity of an originator and an identity of a recipient intended by the originator. The e-mail with the added image is sent to the intended recipient. The image and identities of the originator and recipient authenticate the e-mail and/or the attachment. |
| US08055723B2 |
Virtual array site configuration
A method, system, and computer program product of configuring a virtual array site on a remote storage server is provided. The virtual array site provides on-demand storage capacity to a local storage server of a customer. The method includes creating a virtual array. The virtual array incorporates an attribute selectable by the customer. A virtual extent pool is created. The virtual extent pool is associated with the virtual array. A volume associated with the virtual extent pool is created. The volume comprises at least a portion of the virtual array site. |
| US08055721B2 |
Method and system for detecting and handling message collisions in an instant messaging system
Collisions are detected between multiple instant messages that are sent to a given user at the same time. In response to detecting a collision, the sending users are put into a real-time, on-line negotiation that enables the sending users to determine among themselves whose instant message will be delivered next to the receiving user. This allows the sending users to make a determination of which message is most important based on their relative needs at the time. A collaborative communication session, such as a group chat, is initiated for the negotiating sending users so that they can exchange information regarding the purposes of their messages. Based on the results of this on-line negotiation between message senders, a limited number (e.g. one) of the colliding messages are next delivered to the receiving user. |
| US08055716B2 |
Dynamic creation of mail aliases usable in electronic communications
Mail aliases are dynamically created in response to replies of an electronic mail (e-mail) communication. An e-mail communication is sent to a plurality of recipients, and one or more recipients of the e-mail communication respond to the e-mail. In response to receiving the replies, one or more mail aliases are automatically created. |
| US08055709B2 |
Systems and methods for clickstream analysis to modify an off-line business process involving product pricing
Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of clickstream data of online users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the creation of new offline business methods based on online consumer behavior. In embodiments, the output file enables the third party to track and analyze competitive product pricing. |
| US08055706B2 |
Transparent request routing for a partitioned application service
Systems and methods for providing an efficient partitioned resource server. In one embodiment, the partitioned resource server comprises a plurality of individual servers, and the individual servers appear to be equivalent to a client. Each of the individual servers may include a routing table that includes a reference for each resource that is maintained on the partitioned resource server. Requests from a client are processed as a function of the routing table to route the request to the individual server that maintains or has control over the resource of interest. |
| US08055703B2 |
Method for verification via information processing
Identification servers are small, perhaps embedded, systems that can be used as subsystems of a tracking and verification system. An identification server can obtain identification data when a trigger, called an identification event, occurs. The identification server can store the identification data in a database module with a key. The identification server can send a message containing the identification data or the key to a set of subscribing clients. Subscribing clients, such as a central database or a graphical user interface, are clients that subscribe to receive messages from the identification server. An identification server can trigger off of an identification message sent by another identification server. |
| US08055700B2 |
Network test/measurement agent extensible with different types of network interfaces
A system or method that extends a communication test/measurement agent by providing the communication test/measurement agent with built-in functionality to allow a central communication test/measurement system to generically communicate with and operate the agent, and by providing the communication test/measurement agent with built-in functionality to allow the agent to automatically recognize and dynamically incorporate plugins that are specific to different types of communication interfaces and which allow the network test/measurement system to communicate with the respective different types of communication interfaces. |
| US08055697B2 |
Method and device for dynamically verifying a processor architecture
A method and device may be useful for dynamically verifying a processor architecture at runtime. The checker may more efficiently and cheaply verify at least some of the functionality provided by the execution unit of the processor architecture. The checker may verify operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. |
| US08055695B2 |
Shift register with each stage controlled by a specific voltage of the next stage and the stage after thereof
A shift register has shift register units. The nth shift register unit includes first to third level control units and first and second driving units. The first and second level control units respectively provide a first clock signal and a first voltage to an output terminal. The first driving unit and the first level control unit are coupled to a first node, and a voltage on the first node is a first control signal. The first driving unit turns on and off the first level control unit in response to an input signal and second and third control signals. The second driving unit turns on and off the second level control unit in response to the first control signal. The third level control unit provides the first voltage to the output terminal in response to a front edge of the first control signal of the (n+2)th shift register unit. |
| US08055692B2 |
Computer system for automatic organization, indexing and viewing of information from multiple sources
A computer data processing system including a central processing unit configured with a novel integrated computer control software system for the management of data objects including dynamic and automatic organization, linking, finding, cross-referencing, viewing and retrieval of multiple objects regardless of nature or source. The inventive system provides underlying component architecture having an object-oriented database structure and a metadata database structure which is unique in storing only one instance of each object while linking the object to multiple collections and domains by unique metadata links for the grouping into and retrieval from any of the collections. The system employs configurable, extensible attribute/properties of data objects in metadata format, and a truly user-friendly configurable interface that facilitates faster, more unified, comprehensive, useful and meaningful information management. Additional features include a sticky path object hierarchy viewing system, key phrase linking, viewing by reference, and drag-and-drop relationship link creation. |
| US08055691B2 |
System and method for using demographic organization and segmentation to manage large scale projects
A method and system is provided to demographically represent and implement one or more projects associated with an entity such as a corporation in a database so that the views into the database reflect a defined hierarchy of the demographics of the project or entity. The views may be created to reflect various aspects such as technological components, physical attributes of the entity, processes, or other attributes. The processes reflected by the views may also provide action based data elements for supporting the activities necessary to accomplish the processes over time. The project and associate views may also be organized by language or geographic requirements. In use, the invention may provide for management and control for large scale projects such as a migration from one organizational state to another. |
| US08055688B2 |
Method and system for meta-tagging media content and distribution
A unique application within Video that allows for user generated Meta-tagging to be delivered in real time to individual clips is provided. This meta-tag creates its own tail based upon the user generated words population, which is searchable via a “spider network” that runs invisible behind the web pages of the site. These same “tagged” words are broadcast over various delivery networks including but not limited to live feeds from SMS, MMS, News Feeds within Community Web Sites, Video Sharing Web Sites, Widget applications any other forms of electronic communication that will be dropped in real time to identified users and friends of users. |
| US08055687B2 |
System and method for determining intervals of a space filling curve in a query box
A system and method is disclosed for determining intervals of a space filling curve in a query box. The method includes the operation of providing a range query-box contained within a data set, wherein the data set has a plurality of elements in N dimensions. A space filling curve is applied to the data set. The space filling curve contacts each of the elements in the N dimensions. The space filling curve is also applied to a range-query box contained within the data set. An entry point of the space filling curve into the query box is determined. A first endpoint box is formed to cover an hquad of the space filling curve at the entry point that includes P×P elements, with a first value of P selected as one. The value of P is increased to expand the endpoint box around a next larger hquad of the space filling curve, until a size of the endpoint box is maximized without exiting the range-query box. The interval of the space filling curve in the endpoint box can then be determined. |
| US08055686B2 |
Method and program of collecting performance data for storage network
In a storage network including at least a computer system, at least an external storage and at least a network system for communication of input/output data between the computer system and the external storage, a method of collecting the performance data on the network system and the software operated on the network system, in which the range or degree of data collection is automatically adjusted as required based on the performance data collected. |
| US08055680B2 |
Assigning access control lists to a hierarchical namespace to optimize ACL inheritance
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for assigning Access Control Lists (‘ACLs’) to a hierarchical namespace to optimize ACL inheritance. Embodiments include creating an entitlement matrix for a plurality of resources; creating a tree structure having a plurality of nodes for the hierarchical namespace in dependence upon the entitlement matrix; creating a plurality of ACLs in dependence upon the entitlement matrix; identifying a plurality of attachment points in the hierarchical namespace for the ACLs in dependence upon ACL attachment rules; and attaching the ACLs to the attachment points. Creating an entitlement matrix for a plurality of resources may be carried out by creating a matrix of resources and permissions for users. |
| US08055677B2 |
Geometrization for pattern recognition data analysis, data merging and multiple criteria decision making
An analyzer/classifier/synthesizer/prioritizing tool for data comprises use of an admissible geometrization process with data transformed and partitioned by an input process into one or more input matrices and one or more partition classes and one or more scale groups. The data to be analyzed/classified/synthesized/prioritized is processed by an admissible geometrization technique such as 2-partition modified individual differences multidimensional scaling (2p-IDMDS) to produce at least a measure of geometric fit. Using the measure of geometric fit and possibly other 2p-IDMDS output, a back end process analyzes, synthesizes, classifies, and prioritizes data through patterns, structure, and relations within the data. |
| US08055676B2 |
Method for providing requested fields by get—Data operation in TV-anytime metadata service
Disclosed is a method or an operation for providing a personalized TV-Anytime metadata service. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a table field element using a get_Data operation in the TV-Anytime metadata service. In the table field element provision method, a requested fields type element (RequestedFieldsType) required to designate a field of a metadata table is included in a query result value type in the SOAP query operation. A request message of the SOAP query operation is received. When the request message includes the requested fields type element for designating the query result value, a query result value corresponding to the table field designated from the requested fields type element included in the request message is extracted, and the query result value is transmitted using a response message of the SOAP operation. |
| US08055671B2 |
Search engine using world map with whois database search restriction
In most of the Internet search operations, unwanted search results can be eliminated to reduce the high volume of the Internet traffic, and make the search operation highly efficient, according to the present invention. The present invention proposes a two step approach. The first step is to achieve the high relevance of the search results by search region restricted search operation. The second step, further adds high degree of relevance to the search results by the contact address correlation with a reliable reference address or the legitimate contact address eliminating the spurious and unwanted sites from the search result list. The region restricted search does searching in a selected geographical region. Thus the region restricted search operation minimizes the search time and huge volume of Internet traffic, which is likely to impair the overall Internet performance. |
| US08055670B2 |
System and method for the generation of replacement titles for content items
Systems, methods and computer program products for generating substitute titles for a content item in response to a user submitted title for the content item. A method receives a user generated title and generates a plurality of candidate substitute titles. A first quality score is calculated for the user generated title and a plurality of second quality scores are generated for the plurality of candidate substitute titles. The user generated title for the content item is replaced with at least one of the plurality of candidate substitute titles on the basis of the quality scores. |
| US08055666B2 |
Method and system for optimizing database performance
A method and system is provided that optimizes performance in non-relational databases. According to one aspect, view index size is kept at a level that optimizes performance by categorizing and sorting only a subset of the columns contained within the corresponding view. The remaining columns are marked as having been categorized and sorted, but are not actually categorized and sorted until these columns are queried. |
| US08055664B2 |
Inferring user interests
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes determining, for a portion of users of a social network, label values each comprising an inferred interest level of a user in a subject indicated by a label, associating a first user with one or more second users based on one or more relationships specified by the first user, and outputting a first label value for the first user based on one or more second label values of the one or more second users. |
| US08055657B2 |
Integrated entity and integrated operations of personalized data resource across the world wide web for online and offline interactions
Embodiments of the invention provide for an integrated entity of a personalized data resource across the WWW with integrated operations. Such embodiments can reside on premises (or service side) as an integrated personalized data resource which is constructed from each of a number of web applications over the Internet that fetch and provide a piece of user information. |
| US08055644B2 |
Sharing access to content items using group information and item information
A user can share media content with others by defining one or more groups, where each group includes members who may access a set of user's content item on the online service or on user's local device. Item information is generated for content items to be shared and indicates where the content item can be accessed. The item information is provided to the members of the group that was selected to share the content item. The user can conveniently configure or update the group to share the user's content items. The content items to be shared can be located on an online service or on the user's local device. |
| US08055643B2 |
Predisposition modification
A method and system for predisposition modification are presented in which a set of attributes for selective modification of the attribute profile of an individual are determined to enable the individual to modify their predisposition for acquiring an attribute of interest. The attribute of interest can be input in the form of a query attribute along with a minimum strength of association value which serves as a threshold to ensure that the results will provide at least a minimum degree of statistical certainty that the individual will acquire the attribute of interest upon modifying their attribute profile. |
| US08055642B2 |
System and method for augmenting content in electronic documents with links to contextually relevant information
An electronic document and associated system, methods and apparatus is described. The electronic document is loaded in a user device configured to communicate with an external device that generates instructions for augmenting content contained in the electronic document with links to contextually relevant information. The content can be augmented with one or more user interface elements, and the augmented content can be displayed with one or more attributes which can be selected by a document author. The document author can mark or otherwise designate one or more portions of the electronic document to be excluded from the augmenting process. |
| US08055637B2 |
Method for intelligent browsing in an enterprise data system
A method and system is presented which provides a TDM framework for managing self-describing measurement data. The TDM framework provides applications with a central platform for accessing measurement data across an entire enterprise system. By means of individual plug-ins, which are specific to a given data file format, meta-data for each data store in the enterprise may be indexed in a unified manner. The unified indexing, in turn, provides the ability to browse and query the indexed measurement data without requiring the opening or reading from a source data file. |
| US08055633B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for duplicate detection
A method of duplicate detection for data items in a stream of data items, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a data item from the stream of data items; applying at least two different hashing algorithms to the data item to generate hash keys that identify elements in a first bloom filter data structure having a plurality of elements; checking a state of each of the identified elements to determine if the data item is a potential duplicate, the determination depending on whether the identified elements are indicated as having been also identified for a previous data item received from the stream; and in response to the determination that the data item is a potential duplicate, checking an index of hash keys to determine if at least one of the generated hash keys exists in the index to identify the data item as an actual duplicate. |
| US08055632B2 |
Design of self-adapting meta descriptors based upon real use scenarios and experiences
Provided is a system for generating an on-demand, custom runtime solution to a user or business's computing needs. A library of software components corresponding to different computing tasks of a business situation is created. Each software component is associated with one or more meta descriptors. The software components and related meta descriptors are managed by means of a software component meta management system (SCMMS). Meta descriptors are self adaptive in a manner that reflects real use scenarios. Meta descriptors describe both static and dynamic attributes of components. |
| US08055624B2 |
On-site reclamation of off-site copy storage volumes using multiple, parallel processes
An agent installed on a server reclaims one or more reclaimable off-site copy storage volumes and one or more reclaimable on-site copy storage volumes. To this end, the agent identifies each reclaimable off-site copy storage volume, runs a plurality of threads to collectively copy each data object of the identified reclaimable off-site copy storage volume(s) that is stored within one or more primary storage volumes to one or more one on-site target copy storage volumes, identifies each reclaimable on-site copy storage volume, and runs the plurality of threads to collectively transfer each data object of the identified reclaimable on-site copy storage volume(s) to the on-site copy target copy storage volume(s). |
| US08055622B1 |
Immutable data containers in tiered storage hierarchies
System and method for providing immutable data containers in tiered storage hierarchies. Embodiments may allow fulfillment of regulatory requirements for retaining certain data through management of a user-defined policy. The policy may specify what data in the file system needs to be stored as immutable data to the immutable data container in the file system. File system data may be tracked, and data specified by the policy may be transparently and automatically stored to the immutable data container within the file system. Updates to the data specified by the policy may also be stored to the immutable data container. This may be performed without overwriting or modifying the earlier version(s) of the data stored to the immutable data container, and thus every version of the data specified by the policy may be stored to and, if necessary, reconstructed from the immutable data container. |
| US08055619B2 |
Mechanisms to support object-oriented version control operations
Mechanisms to support object-oriented version control operations are provided. A user manipulates and views a project from an object viewpoint and within an object module. The user performs version control operations using object handles. The object handles are resolved to specific file references and the specific file references are used to process legacy version control commands utilizing a legacy version control system in a manner that is transparent to the user. |
| US08055617B2 |
Enterprise console
A console for an enterprise suite is disclosed. The enterprise suite addresses the increasingly complex problem of keeping critical systems updated, compatible, and free of security holes. It uses Fixlet® technology to identify vulnerable computers on the network and then allows authorized personnel to correct problems across any subset of the network with a few simple mouse-clicks. The enterprise suite helps keep the networked computers updated and properly patched, all from a central console which, along with supporting architectural enhancements, is the subject matter of this document. The invention allows rolling out a security patch in minutes instead of months, thus allowing an administrator to stay ahead of potential hacker attacks. The invention also makes it possible to track the progress of each computer as updates are applied, thus making it simple to gauge the level of compliance across the entire enterprise. |
| US08055616B2 |
Application sharing smoothness
A method, system and apparatus for application sharing smoothness when updating application screen imagery in an application sharing system. A shared application smoothness system can include an application sharing server configured for communicative coupling to multiple application sharing clients. The system further can include an application image update smoothness processor programmed to consolidate changes to adjacent image regions in an image of a shared application for transmission to the communicatively coupled application sharing clients in a single application image update interval. A shared application smoothness method can include the steps of detecting common shared image changes across multiple adjacent display regions of a shared application image and transmitting updates for the multiple adjacent display regions to communicatively coupled application sharing clients in a single image update interval. |
| US08055615B2 |
Method for efficient storage node replacement
Methods and apparatus are described for a horizontally scalable high performance object storage architecture. Metadata are completely decoupled from object storage. Instead of file names, users are given a locator when the object is uploaded and committed. Users can store the locator along with their own metadata or embed it directly in the static content. Clients can choose which storage nodes to store data on based on dynamic measures of node performance. Since there is no coupling among storage servers, performance can scale horizontally by adding more nodes. The decoupling also allows the front end services and storage to scale independently. High service availability is achieved by object-level synchronous replication and having no single point of failure. Failed nodes are rebuilt using copies of data in other nodes without taking the cluster offline. In addition to the replication, the ability to add or remove nodes on-line reduces maintenance-related service downtime. |
| US08055614B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing single instance restoration of data files
A method and apparatus for providing single instance restoration of data files is provided. In one embodiment, a method for using a signature database to provide a single instance data restoration solution includes processing a restore request for a data file, wherein the data file is associated with a signature and examining a signature database using the signature to identify at least one locally available data file having at least one signature that matches the signature associated with the data file. |
| US08055609B2 |
Efficient update methods for large volume data updates in data warehouses
A system and method for ensuring large and frequent updates to a data warehouse. The process leverages a set of temporary staging tables to track the updates. A set of intermediate steps are performed to accomplish bulk deletions of the outdated changed records, and perform modifications to the map tables for models such as snowflake. Finally, bulk load operations load the updates and insert them into the final dimension tables. The process ensures performance comparable to insertion-only schemes with at most only slight performance degradation. Furthermore, a modified process is applied on the newfact data warehouse dimension model. The process can be readily adapted to handle star schema and other hierarchical data warehouse models. |
| US08055595B1 |
System and method for supporting the utilization of machine learning
A system and method is disclosed which integrates a machine learning solution into a large scale, distributed transaction processing system using a supporting architecture comprising a combination of computer hardware and software. Methods of using a system comprising such supporting architecture provide application designers access to the functionality included in a machine learning solution, but might also provide additional functionality not supported by the machine learning solution itself. |
| US08055586B1 |
Providing configurable use by applications of sequences of invocable services
Techniques are described for facilitating use of sequences of invocable services in a configurable manner, including by providing a metering service that tracks the use of invocable services by other invocable services or applications. In at least some situations, the invocable services are fee-based Web services or other fee-based network-accessible services, and are made available by providers of the services for use by others in exchange for fees defined by the service providers. The described techniques facilitate use of a sequence of such invocable services by applications in a manner configured by the creators of the applications and providers of the services, including to allow the application creators to define pricing terms that will be used to determine fees that end users of the applications will be charged for use of the invocable services via the applications. |
| US08055584B2 |
Systems and methods for fraud management in relation to stored value cards
Systems and methods for monitoring and/or preventing fraud in relation to account acquisition. In some cases, this account acquisition is ongoing in relation to stored value accounts. Some of the methods provide for receiving suspicious activity indications from one or more issuer analysis engines that are operable to monitor activities occurring in relation to various stored value products. A global negative file is maintained including an update of various of the suspicious activities. An activity request is received from a user in relation to a stored value account, and the activity is checked against the global negative file. A response is generated based at least in part on the information accessible from the global negative file. |
| US08055583B2 |
Shared online auction provisioning
A solution for conducting an auction, such as an online auction, is provided, which includes provisions for sharing with bidders a portion of a bid. A method for conducting the auction includes identifying an item for auction; receiving a first bid for the item placed at a first time; receiving a second bid for the item placed at a second time, wherein the second bid exceeds the first bid by a bid increment and the second time is different than the first time by a time increment; and assigning a portion of the second bid for distribution to at least one participant of the auction. In various embodiments, the portion may be assigned to all bidders, the winning bidders, only the non-winning bidders, and/or the like. The distribution of the portion may be time and/or bid amount related. |
| US08055579B2 |
Methods and systems for score consistency
Provided are methods and systems for determining score consistency. |
| US08055571B2 |
Computerized method for open-ended investments
The investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method is an investment model for open-ended investments that takes into account the net asset value (NAV) of the mutual fund and an accumulated stock brokerage transaction commission fees. The accumulated commission fees are added to the net asset value per share prior to the purchase of shares of the mutual fund. Alternatively, the accumulated commission fees are subtracted from the net asset value per share prior to the liquidation of the shares. These additional fees flow into the assets of the mutual fund. As accumulated brokerage transaction commissions change each day because of the trading of the positions in the mutual fund, the brokerage transaction commission's percentage change on a daily basis, too. This also solves the problem of maintaining the true asset value for existing shareholders when there are share liquidations by existing shareholders, protecting the true asset value for the remaining existing shareholders. |
| US08055570B2 |
Controlled depletion of a stochastically varying resource pool
A method for controlling resource pool depletion includes, at a first time, determining a first remainder of a depletion interval; on the basis of the first remainder, determining a first depletion rate for urging the pool to reach a selected state at the end of the depletion interval; on the basis of the first depletion rate, partially depleting the pool; and at a second time following the first time, determining a second remainder of the depletion interval; receiving state information indicative of a difference between a state of the pool at the first time and a state of the resource pool at the second time; on the basis of the second remainder and the state information, determining a second depletion rate for urging the pool to reach a selected state at the end of the depletion interval; and on the basis of the second depletion rate, partially depleting the pool. |
| US08055567B2 |
System and method for efficiently using collateral for risk offset
A system and method for analyzing correlation between the assets given by the trader for collateral and that trader's open positions is disclosed. Thus, if the collateral is correlated to the trader's open positions, then some offset can be given. If there is no correlation than the collateral is valued in the conventional way. For example, if a trader provides t-bills as collateral for an account that has open positions (e.g. short futures) in T-bills, than that trader's account can be credited with some offset since the value of T-bills and T-bill futures are highly correlated. |
| US08055565B2 |
Method and system for creating and operating an investable hedge fund index fund
A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a method of creating and managing an index fund based on an index of funds of hedge funds, including steps of (a) identifying potential funds for an index of funds of hedge funds; (b) identifying which of the potential funds meet specific criteria selected so as to minimize biases including selection bias and survivorship bias; (c) creating an index by indexing funds identified as meeting the criteria; (d) acquiring a portfolio of funds in the index; and (e) allocating capital to funds in the portfolio.The invention also includes software to perform the steps of the method described above. In particular, the invention includes software wherein data regarding potential funds is stored in a database according to object role modeling. A preferred database structure is described. |
| US08055564B2 |
System for automatically transferring account information, such as information regarding a financial services account
A system for transferring a customer's account information from one account to a new account is described. The system utilizes a switch kit application and associated system that can determine services at the old account and facilitate the transfer of these services to the new account. |
| US08055561B1 |
Application transaction based infrastructure chargeback model
A system and method for determining the cost per unit transaction for running an application on a server system is disclosed. The total transaction capacity of a system is determined as well as the total storage capacity during a time period M. The total fixed cost and the total variable cost during the time period are also determined. A total cost per unit transaction is determined from the total transaction capacity plus the total storage capacity divided by the total fixed and variable costs. The resource usage of the system by the application is tracked during the time period M. The cost billed to the application user is the resource usage of the application multiplied by the total cost per unit time for the time period M. |
| US08055559B2 |
Multi-company business accounting system and method for same including account receivable
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method for Account Receivable (AR) accounting for a multi-company accounting system is provided. The method comprises creating an invoice with the system. An interface user enters input invoice detail lines into the system. The input invoice detail lines are associated with at least two distinct companies of the multi-company group. The multi-company accounting system automatically adds at least a pair of multi-company generated balancing lines associated with the invoice for balancing money owed to each of the distinct companies to define an outstanding balance for each company. A payment is applied to the invoice to reduce the outstanding balances and system automatically adding at least a pair of multi-company generated “Due To/Due From” lines as “Due To/Due From” entries to balance the money owed between the distinct companies. |
| US08055557B2 |
Transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods
Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a prepaid card account so that a customer has effective access on the prepaid card only to a net value of funds. |
| US08055546B1 |
Habituation oriented product selection system
A processor-implemented method executing on a computer for using customer behavior to implement product design is provided. The method comprises the computer identifying a set of behavioral profiles that captures at least about sixty percent of a customer base, identifying products from a current offering that substantially match behavioral traits associated with each profile, and studying usage patterns of the products by customers, wherein the patterns are those of a plurality of customers using the products. The method also comprises the computer refining the profiles of the customers using the products, identifying underutilized features of the products based on patterns and one of discontinuing and repositioning the underutilized features, and identifying features indicated as desirable based on usage patterns and adding the features to the identified products; wherein the products comprise at least one of hardware, software executing on the hardware, and services associated with the use of the products. |
| US08055542B1 |
Method of delivering goods and services via a variable value media
A method of providing goods and services to individuals or entities via media entails assigning at least one good or service to a medium and assigning a unique identifier to the medium. Recording information in a database relative to the medium and linking the one or more goods or services assigned to the medium with the identifier of the medium. Thereafter, the medium is distributed to an individual or entity and the individual or entity presents the medium to a provider of goods or services assigned to the medium. Upon presentment the provider delivers one or more of the assigned goods to the individual or entity making presentment. At an appropriate point in the process, a communication is directed to the database recording the results of the transaction between the provider and the individual or entity presenting the medium. |
| US08055541B2 |
Object transaction method and system
A transaction method and system. The system comprises a computing apparatus, a plurality of transceivers connected to the computing apparatus, and a plurality of transponder devices. Each transponder device comprising a customer data segment associated with a different customer from a plurality of customers for an entity. The computing apparatus receives from a first transponder device through a first transceiver, a first customer data segment. The first customer data segment is associated with a first customer of the plurality of customers. The first transponder device is possessed by the first customer. The first customer is located within a specified proximity of the first transceiver. The computing apparatus performs a first specified function for the first customer. The first specified function is based on the first customer data segment and a location of the first transceiver. |
| US08055539B1 |
System and method for tracking internet related revenue
The invention broadly comprises a computer-based method for tracking Internet-related revenue, including: recording, in an Internet-based system, a sign obtained from a business entity; correlating a first item purchased through the system with the sign; and compensating the business entity for the purchase of the first item. The registering, correlating, and compensating are performed by at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer. In some aspects, the sign is regarding an offer to sell a second item. In some aspects, the second item is real estate. The invention further broadly comprises a computer-based system for tracking Internet-related revenue, including: registration, posting, tracking, and assignment elements to: register, in an Internet-based system, a sign advertising an item for sale, obtained from a retail establishment; post the item in the system; track revenue from the system in response to the posting; and assign a portion of the revenue to the retail establishment, respectively. |
| US08055538B2 |
Method and system for creating advertisement books
A method and apparatus are provided for preparing ad-books over a communications network. The method includes preparing an advertisement at a user terminal connected to the communications network. The method further includes processing the advertisement at a server connected to the communications network for placing the advertisement in an ad-book. |
| US08055536B1 |
Automated real-time secure user data sourcing
Profiling data for a consumer can be generated from one or more of the consumer's own financial records. The profiling data can be provided by the consumer him or herself through use of one or more computing devices subject to terms, conditions, rules, and/or other parameters set by the consumer. The profiling data may be provided to one or more interested parties in exchange for value, with the exchange negotiated by one or more software agents acting on behalf of the consumer. The profiling data may be provided in a manner such that it is accessible only in a manner specified by the consumer. For instance, profiling data may be subject to digital rights management or other restrictions such that the receiving party or parties may only access the data for a limited time. |
| US08055532B2 |
Most informative thresholding of heterogeneous data
A method of thresholding of a database of customer purchasing history using a computer, includes providing a customer purchase history database including data regarding customer satisfaction, awareness of vendor brands, previous purchasing history, and size of customer budget, providing a predetermined threshold regarding the data, establishing, in the computer, boundaries surrounding the predetermined threshold, splitting the data, in the computer, to maximize the differences in the data across the split; generating, in the computer, a model of the data, in the computer, based upon the split, and allocating marketing resources based upon the model. |
| US08055526B2 |
Method for the automated dispatch of fueling operations
An intelligent solution for monitoring, assigning, and accounting fueling operations. An automated dispatch fueling system comprises a fuel management server populated with airport profile and dispatcher configurations. Utilizing information stored in the database and received from external systems, the automated dispatch fueling system can automatically assign and monitor fueling operations. |
| US08055523B2 |
Setting reminders within processing of a business document
In a business automation software system, a specifier setting a reminder is added to a business object to provide a arbitrary reminder to the user adding the reminder. Prior to forwarding a business object from a sender to a recipient, a specifier is added to the business object indicating a threshold time limit for a reminder to be sent to the sender. If the threshold time limit specified in the business object is determined to have expired, the reminder is automatically sent to the sender. |
| US08055522B2 |
Method, system, and storage medium for facilitating excess inventory utilization in a manufacturing environment
A method and storage medium for utilizing excess inventory of parts that are used in end products and having part identifiers are provided. The method includes identifying an excess inventory of parts including part identifiers and a quantity associated with each part identifier. The method also includes identifying potential end products for manufacture comprising a Bill of Materials (BOM) for each end product and where each BOM calls out at least one part identifier in the excess inventory of parts. The method further includes determining a build plan including one or more of the potential end products, the build plan optimized to specific criteria and utilizing an amount of the excess inventory whereby the specific criteria include maximizing the quantity of the excess inventory utilized without exceeding a specific dollar value of additional parts purchased to produce the build plan. |
| US08055516B2 |
Panel diagnostic method and system
A method and system for computerized medical diagnostics is disclosed. Beginning with interacting with a patient or a healthcare professional via a diagnostic module to obtain patient health items, the system automatically obtains an initial differential diagnosis and multiple strategy differential diagnoses based on the patient health items. In one embodiment, each strategy differential diagnosis is obtained with different analysis criteria of the patient health items. At least a portion of the strategy differential diagnoses are compared and a panel differential diagnosis based on the compared differential diagnoses is determined. The initial diagnosis and the panel differential diagnosis are reconciled so as to recommend an action or provide a diagnosis to the patient or the healthcare professional. |
| US08055507B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing an audio signal using linear prediction
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an audio data frame having at least one channel. The channel is subdivided into a plurality of blocks, and at least two of the blocks are capable of having different lengths. The embodiment further includes obtaining indicator information indicating whether determining of a prediction order for each block is allowed, and determining the prediction order from the audio signal indicating the prediction order for each block if the indicator information indicating that determining of the prediction order for each block is allowed. The channel is decoded using the prediction order. |
| US08055506B2 |
Audio encoding and decoding apparatus and method using psychoacoustic frequency
Provided is an audio encoding and decoding apparatus and method for improving a compression ratio while maintaining sound quality when sinusoidal waves of an audio signal are connected and encoded. The audio encoding method includes connecting sinusoidal waves of an input audio signal, converting a frequency of each of the connected sinusoidal waves to a psychoacoustic frequency, performing a first encoding operation for encoding the psychoacoustic frequency, performing a second encoding operation for encoding an amplitude of each of the connected sinusoidal waves, and outputting an encoded audio signal comprising the encoding result of the first encoding operation and the encoding result of the second encoding operation. |
| US08055500B2 |
Method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data with extension data
A method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data in which audio data is hierarchically encoded, and at least one extension data of the audio data is encoded using at least one encoding method, and decoding is performed in the same manner, thereby ensuring fine grain scalability (FGS) and unlimited extendibility of the audio data. |
| US08055495B2 |
Apparatus and method for translating input speech sentences in accordance with information obtained from a pointing device
An associated-information storage unit stores a name of associated information and a display position in association with each other. An example storage unit stores a semantic class, an example in a source language, and an example in a target language in association with each other. A dictionary storage unit stores the name of associated information and the semantic class in association with each other. An acquiring unit acquires the name of the associated information corresponding to the display position of the selected associated information from the associated-information storage unit, and acquires a semantic class corresponding to the acquired name of the associated information from the dictionary storage unit. A translation unit acquires an example in the target language corresponding to the acquired semantic class and a speech recognition result from the example storage unit, thereby translating the recognition result. |
| US08055491B2 |
System and methods for optimized drug delivery and progression of diseased and normal cells
Systems for recommending an optimal treatment protocol for a specific individual are disclosed. The systems comprise generally a system model, a plurality of treatment protocols, a system model modifier, wherein said system model is modified by the system model modifier based on parameters specific to the individual; and a selector to select an optimal treatment protocol from said plurality of treatment protocols based on the modified system model. Systems embodying the above techniques but for a general patient are also disclosed. Systems for a general patient and an individual for various specific diseases are disclosed. Methods and computer program products embodying the above techniques are also disclosed. |
| US08055489B2 |
Method for using an RC circuit to model trapped charge in an electrostatic chuck
A method for simulating the effect of trapped charge in an electrostatic chuck on the chuck performance comprises creating a trapped-charge electrical model having a trapped-charge capacitor and a gap-trapped resistor, and coupling the model to a plurality of voltage sources. The trapped-charge capacitor and the gap-trapped resistor may be varied in relation to a plurality of electrostatic chuck physical parameters. |
| US08055488B2 |
Support program and design support method
A design support method comprising reading a two-dimensional cross-sectional model created by a computer-aided design system, saving information on a locus of travel of the recording medium, recognizing parts in a vicinity of the locus of the recording medium, and creating a simulation model in which parts other than the parts recognized in the recognizing are excluded from objects subject to contact calculation. |
| US08055479B2 |
Simplified algorithm for abnormal situation prevention in load following applications including plugged line diagnostics in a dynamic process
Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device. |
| US08055476B2 |
System and method to minimize downtimes of medical apparatuses
In a system and method to minimize downtimes of medical apparatuses one or more medical apparatuses each has at least: one detection module to detect error situations of the respective medical apparatus, one local database to provide data and information regarding error situations, associated error correction measures and additional information, one analysis module to analyze a present error situation with regard to measures for error correction and/or continued usability of the medical apparatus on the basis of the data stored in the local database, and one output module to output the results of the analysis. The apparatuses are connected with a central database in which data regarding known error situations of the medical apparatuses, associated error correction measures and additional information are provided. The local databases are updated on the basis of the central database. Given detection of a previously unknown error situation at an apparatus, the error situation is evaluated, error correction measures are established, additional information is compiled such as information regarding usability of the medical apparatus before implementation of the error correction measures, etc., the aforementioned data and information are provided to the central database, and the local databases are updated on the basis of the data of the central database. |
| US08055472B2 |
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. |
| US08055467B2 |
Method of generating a restricted inline resistive fault pattern and a test pattern generator
A method of generating an IRF pattern for testing an IC and a test pattern generator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) identifying a path of the integrated circuit for inline resistive fault pattern generation, (2) determining if the path is a minimal slack path of the IC and (3) generating, when the path is the minimal slack path, a restricted inline resistive fault pattern for the path using only a capture polarity having a minimal inherent margin. |
| US08055466B2 |
Global calibration for stereo vision probe
A method for global calibration of a multi-view vision-based touch probe measurement system is provided which encompasses calibrating camera frame distortion errors as well as probe form errors. The only required features in the calibration images are the markers on the touch probe. The camera frame distortion calibration comprises a process that depends on a portable calibration jig and the touch probe, but that process is unaffected by probe form distortion errors in the touch probe and/or tip. The probe tip position calibration depends on applying the results of the camera, frame distortion calibration. When the same probe tip is used throughout the global calibration, the probe tip position calibration uses images from the set of images used by the camera frame distortion calibration. The global calibration method is particularly advantageous for low cost portable versions of multi-view vision-based touch probe measurement systems. |
| US08055465B2 |
Method, data processing program and computer program product for determining a periodic cycle of time series data
Method, apparatus, and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for determining a periodic cycle of time series data. A frequency spectrum of the data is provided. The frequency spectrum is processed using at least one of the following steps, resulting in a processed frequency spectrum: filtering the frequency spectrum for reducing noise of the data, truncating the frequency spectrum at low frequencies, and weighting high frequency contributions over low frequency contributions of the frequency spectrum. A periodic cycle is extracted based on the processed frequency spectrum. |
| US08055460B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring solenoid health
A method for monitoring the state of health (SOH) of a solenoid powered by a battery includes measuring a voltage and a current supplied to the solenoid by the battery, using a processor to determine each of an equivalent resistance and inductance of the solenoid using the voltage and the current, comparing the equivalent resistance and the equivalent inductance to a corresponding calibrated threshold, and recording deviations from the corresponding calibrated thresholds as a pair of SOH values. A trend of the SOH values is continuously monitored, and an appropriate control action is taken when either SOH value drops below a calibrated lower limit. A solenoid monitoring system includes a solenoid, voltage and current sensors, and a controller having an algorithm for continuously monitoring a state of health (SOH) of the solenoid as set forth above. |
| US08055458B2 |
Technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems
A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by measuring a first response on a first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on the first transmission line, and then measuring a second response on the first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on at least one second transmission line, wherein the at least one second transmission line is substantially adjacent to the first transmission line. The worst case bit sequences for transmission on the first transmission line and the at least one second transmission line are then determined based upon the first response and the second response for determining performance characteristics associated with the first transmission line. |
| US08055456B2 |
Method of monitoring and/or determining the condition of a force-measuring device, and force-measuring device
An interior space of the at least one housing of a force-measuring device is filled with a gas composition that is distinguishable in at least one parameter from the ambient atmosphere. A sensor that is arranged in the interior space, or on the housing, measures this distinguishable parameter. A processing unit of the force-measuring device compares signals obtained from the sensor to monitor and determine the condition of the force-measuring device. |
| US08055454B2 |
Facilitating mote network configuration and layout using mechanical disturbances
A method may include and/or involve at least one mote of a mote network detecting a mechanical disturbance, and the at least one mote applying information about when the mechanical disturbance was detected in order to facilitate determination of a location of the at least one mote with respect to at least one other mote. |
| US08055449B2 |
Determining fault transmissivity in a subterranean reservoir
To determine fault transmissivity in a subterranean reservoir, fault structures in the subterranean reservoir are identified, and elastic impedance data is computed from well log data and seismic data. Normalization parameters that have a predetermined orientation with respect to the identified fault structures are computed, and elastic impedance flux values are normalized with respect to the normalization parameters, where the normalized elastic impedance flux values are indicative of transmissivities of fault structures in the subterranean structure. |
| US08055447B2 |
System and method to measure and track fluid movement in a reservoir using electromagnetic transmission
Systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery include radiating electromagnetic energy in the form of focused electromagnetic pulses into a permeable formation containing the crude oil and/or fluid via an array of antennae transmitting immediately in the far field. The electromagnetic pulses are focused at the depth of the fluid reservoir. Pulses will be reflected by the fluid according to the fluid material (e.g. oil vs. water) and/or the strata (e.g. rock, sand, etc.). An array of receiver antennae may be used to initially establish a reference of the reflected electromagnetic pattern, and then operated in conjunction with the transmit array to monitor the relative horizontal movement of oil and/or water within the subterranean reservoir. |
| US08055446B2 |
Methods of processing magnetotelluric signals
A method for processing magnetotelluric data to identify subterranean deposits is provided for. The data comprise the amplitude of alternating magnetic or electrical fields recorded over time in at least two vector components at one or more locations in an area of interest. Amplitude pulses are identified in the data, wherein the pulses are time segments comprising an amplitude peak meeting defined threshold criteria in at least one vector component. The pulses are filtered at a set of predetermined frequencies to separate amplitude data at each frequency from the remainder of the amplitude data in the pulses. The frequencies correspond to subterranean depths over a range of interest. Differential impedances ΔZ of the pulses at each frequency at each location are then statistically analyzed to determine a value correlated to the resistance of the earth at each frequency. The resistance values are indicative of the presence or absence of deposits at the corresponding subterranean depth at the location. |
| US08055442B2 |
Determining a display position of road name data and displaying the road name data
A method of determining a display position for road name data including selecting a link representing a road segment with an initial road name display position from stored map data. An angle of the selected link is calculated, and calculating an angle of the selected link, a display reference position is identified to display the road name. Updated road name display position information including the determined display reference position is stored relative to the link. |
| US08055430B2 |
Valve performance controller for internal combustion engine
A valve characteristic controller including an oil pump, a valve timing varying mechanism, and a valve timing control unit is disclosed. The valve timing varying mechanism varies the valve characteristic value of intake valves in an engine based on the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil supplied from the oil pump. The valve timing control unit includes a storage and a detector. The storage stores computation maps used to calculate a target value for the valve characteristic value based on a plurality of engine control values. The detector detects the temperature of the hydraulic oil. The computation maps include a first map and a second map. The varying amount of the valve characteristic amount corresponding to a change in the engine control value in a low speed range of the engine speed is set to be smaller in the second map than the first map. The valve timing control unit switches the computation maps from the first map to the second map when the detected temperature of the hydraulic oil is relatively high. |
| US08055424B2 |
Real-time identification of maximum tire-road friction coefficient by induced wheels acceleration/deceleration
A method for estimating the maximum tire/road surface coefficient of friction for a vehicle that includes actively inducing a small amount of acceleration or deceleration to the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle and inducing a corresponding and opposite amount of acceleration or deceleration to the other of the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle so that the acceleration and deceleration cancel each other and the perceived speed of the vehicle does not change. The tire/road surface coefficient of friction and a wheel-slip ratio can be used to determine a road surface condition. |
| US08055419B2 |
Multi-functional display for tachometer
A novel display apparatus and method that enables the operator to shift gears smoothly on motor vehicles is described. The display shows engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at various traveling speeds for any gears all in one dial. The display may also show shifting paths for different driving styles. The static version of the display may be overlaid on top of existing tachometer. The dynamic version of display runs on portable devices with Global Positioning System (GPS) will show optimal RPM and shift indicator continuously. Further, the dynamic display is wireless networked to provide real-time driving instructions. |
| US08055417B2 |
Transmission gear selection and engine torque control method and system
A method and control system for a transmission in communication with an engine includes a pedal input interpreter module determining a power demand signal from a pedal position and a vehicle speed. The system also includes a real time gear selection module determining an engine speed of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal, determining an engine torque of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal, determining a transmission component speed of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal and determining a gear selection for the transmission from the power demand signal, the engine speed, the engine torque, and the transmission component speed. The system may also use the cost signal of each gear and penalty signal of each gear for determining the gear selection. |
| US08055415B2 |
Method for blocking wheels of a hybrid vehicle when stopped and associated transmission device
The invention essentially relates to a method for blocking wheels of a vehicle when stopped in which a transmission device (1) is placed between an output (2) of a heat engine (3) and a wheel (5) axle shaft (4). This device (1) comprises an input shaft (13) connected to the output (2) of the engine (3), an output shaft (31) connected to the wheel axle shaft (4), and at least one electrical machine (6, 7). The device also comprises a mechanical assembly (12) interconnecting the input shaft (13), the output shaft (31) and the shaft (8, 9) of the machine. This assembly (12) is connected to a bridge (15) that, in turn, is connected to the wheel (5) axle shaft (4). The invention provides that, in order to block the wheels when the vehicle is stopped and to limit an observable torque on the elements of the assembly (12), the wheel axle shaft is blocked by the mechanical assembly. |
| US08055414B2 |
Shift control apparatus and method for continuously variable transmission
An ECT-ECU executes a program that includes a step of executing a stepped shift control if cruise control is not being executed during sequential shift control (stepped shift control) and a step of executing stepless shift control in response to cruise control being activated during sequential shift control (stepped shift control). |
| US08055411B2 |
Steering system and method of steering a machine
A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning. |
| US08055409B2 |
Power steering system and control method of the same
With a power steering system and a control method of a power steering system provided, a basic assist control amount is calculated based on a steered state of a driver's steering wheel. A compensation control amount used to compensate for the basic assist control amount is calculated, and corrected, during calculation of the compensation control amount, based on a lane-position maintenance assist control amount which is calculated based on a running state of a vehicle and which is used to maintain a predetermined lane-position. A target assist control amount applied to a steering mechanism is calculated based on the basic assist control amount, the lane-position maintenance assist control amount, and the compensation control amount. |
| US08055404B2 |
Sensor apparatus
A sensor apparatus of the present invention includes a first output terminal for outputting a sense signal, and a failure diagnosis circuit for determining whether a failure diagnosis object section is normal or abnormal, to output a failure detection signal from a second output terminal in the case of determining abnormality. The time required for an output concerning the failure detection signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the second output terminal is shorter than the time required for an output concerning the sense signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the first output terminal, thus leading to improvement in reliability under abnormal condition. |
| US08055402B2 |
Fault-detection methods for motor vehicle gearboxes
A method for detecting a fault state in an automated motor vehicle gearbox having two parallel branches. Each branch has a clutch and is configured to transmit driving torques from a drive unit to at least one driven wheel of the motor vehicle. The method comprises the steps of sensing whether both clutches are at least partially closed; of sensing the rotational speed of the at least one driven wheel and sensing the rotational speed of a non-driven wheel, and of detection of a fault state if both clutches are at least partially closed, and a difference between the rotational speeds of the wheels is greater than a predetermined reference value. |
| US08055400B2 |
Control system and method for filtering dependent diagnostic trouble codes
A control system includes an input that one of receives and transmits diagnostic data including a fault identifier and a fault status of the fault identifier, and a filter module that filters said diagnostic data based on a comparison of the diagnostic data and a data array, wherein the data array includes a dependent identifier and a corresponding root cause identifier. The control system may be included with one or more of a vehicle control module and a service tool. A related method is also provided. |
| US08055397B2 |
System and method for computing rail car switching sequence in a switchyard
As embodied and broadly described herein the invention includes a system for computing a preferred sequence in which cars in a switching queue of a railway switchyard are to be sequentially switched to classification tracks. The system has a processing entity for determining within a given set of cars at least two possible sequences in which the cars in the set can be switched and applying logic rules for identifying among the sequences a preferred sequence. The system also has an output for releasing data describing the preferred sequence. |
| US08055394B2 |
Engine thrust values estimation
A method for estimating engine thrust values of an aircraft is disclosed, the method comprising calculating estimated thrust value of an engine based on an equation of longitudinal motion, aircraft data measured during flight and calibrated drag/lift models, and a method for determining the thrust of an aircraft engine, based on information available from tracking the aircraft air-speed, acceleration, and position, the method comprising calculating the thrust, using the following equation: Thrust=mg{dot over (H)}/V+m{dot over (V)}+Drag. |
| US08055392B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a deviation value calculation unit which calculates a deviation value from the normal boundary of the relationship between a power index associated with the driving power and the measured rotational speed of the fan, a clogging detection unit which detects, based on the deviation value, clogging in an air duct through which the fan takes in air outside the case and sends it to the radiator, and a deviation value correction unit which corrects the deviation value in accordance with aging of performance of the fan to compensate for deterioration of the clogging detection capability of the clogging detection unit caused by the aging. |
| US08055382B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and medium for estimating pose of mobile robot using particle filter
Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and medium for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter. A method for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter according to an embodiment of the invention includes a detecting a change in pose of the mobile robot and calculating a pose of the current particle by applying the detected change in pose to the previous particle, predicting the probability of the pose of the current particle and obtaining a weight of the current particle on the basis of range data obtained by a sensor and map information, resampling the current particle on the basis of the weight, and adjusting the weight in consideration of an error of the sensor |
| US08055379B2 |
Device and method for the inspection of containers
An arrangement for inspecting filled and closed containers (F), having a transporting means (3) which transports the containers (F) for a preset distance of travel at a speed of transport VTrans and at which are arranged a plurality of holding elements for the containers (F), the holding elements each being rotatable to set the containers (F) rotating on their longitudinal axes, and having a control means (13) which causes the rotation of the containers on their longitudinal axes to be controlled to follow a preset profile of movement (P) which depends on the position of the containers on the distance of travel, the rotation being accelerated to a preset maximum speed of rotation VRot—max in a first preset part (A) of the travel of the containers over the distance of travel and being decelerated in a second preset part (C) of the travel of the containers over the distance of travel. The preset profile of movement (P) can be varied as a function of the speed of transport VTrans of the containers (F). |
| US08055373B2 |
Automatic wafer storage system and a method for controlling the system
An automatic wafer storage system and a method of controlling the system are disclosed. The automatic wafer storage system includes an analysis module and a storage unit. The analysis module estimates the locations between an idle equipment, a transport tool, and the storage unit, so as to control the storage unit and the transport tool to move to the best location for the transport tool to receive wafers from the storage unit. After that, the transport tool carries the wafers to the idle equipment for processing. |
| US08055370B1 |
Apparatus and methods for monitoring health of semiconductor process systems
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for monitoring an operation parameter of a process tool, independently of a process system recipe, are provided. In general, an indirect effect that results from implementing an event from a process system recipe on the process system is monitored without using the specific values or setpoints that are entered for such event into the process system to thereby change a state of such process system. In one embodiment, the behavior of a process device as it transitions between different states is monitored for a single cycle of operation or over time to detect trends that indicate a potential failure of the process device. When a trend that indicates a potential failure is detected, an alarm is generated. In one implementation, the time for reaching a particular stage of operation may be repeatedly monitored over a plurality of device cycles. For example, the time to open a valve or door may be monitored. In another example, the time for reaching a stable phase of gas flow after a ramping stage has commenced is monitored. When the time for reaching a particular stage begins to decline by a predetermined amount, an alarm may be generated. |
| US08055368B2 |
Control device and control method of plasma processing system, and storage medium storing control program
In a control device of a plasma processing system, a storage unit is configured to store a reference recipe indicating an order of the plasma processing. An operation unit calculates a state variation value of each of the plasma processing devices by a predetermined timing at a plurality of processing lot intervals. A table generation unit generates an adjusting table for adjusting the reference recipe from the calculated state variation value of each of the plasma processing devices. In addition, a process executing control unit adjusts the reference recipe by using one of the generated adjusting tables for the plasma processing devices by the table generation unit and performs the plasma processing on the target object in the corresponding plasma processing device according to an order of the adjusted reference recipe. |
| US08055366B2 |
Simulation model creating method, mask data creating method and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A simulation model creating method computes, for measurement results of a line width of a resist pattern formed with varied an exposure amount and focus value, a permissible fluctuation range of the pattern line width from a distribution of the exposure amount and a distribution of the focus value; computes difference values between the measurement results and corresponding approximation values on a fitting function which has the exposure amount and focus value as parameters; compares the difference values with the permissible fluctuation range; deletes any measurement values for which the difference value is larger than the permissible fluctuation range, and recomputes the fitting function accordingly; and deletes measurement values outside a permissible fluctuation range of a pattern line width of the mask, and creates a simulation model. |
| US08055365B2 |
Method for configuring gas supply for electronics fabrication facilities
A system for supplying a reagent to multiple tools in an electronics fabrication facility is configured using a demand probability distribution. In specific examples the reagent is a non-atmospheric or a specialty gas and the demand probability distribution is developed using Monte Carlo statistical techniques. In one embodiment, a method for configuring a reagent supply system for an electronic device manufacturing facility is provided. The method includes (a) collecting representative information for process tools within the fabrication facility which use the reagent; (b) creating a simulation of process tool operation to model an overall demand profile for the process tools; (c) creating a statistical probability distribution of the reagent demand by the process tools using data from the model; and (d) correlating data from the probability distribution with supply system characterization data to configure the supply system. |
| US08055363B2 |
Multimedia output apparatus and multimedia system comprising the same
A multimedia output apparatus includes an audio port to receive a first audio signal, a connection port to receive a first video signal or both a second video signal and a second audio signal, a sensor to sense whether the connection port receives only the first video signal or both the second video signal and the second audio signal, a switch to select one of the second audio signal received through the connection port and the first audio signal received through the audio port to be output, and a controller to control the switch to output the first audio signal received through the audio port when the sensor senses that only the first video signal is received through the connection port and to output the second audio signal received through the connection port when the sensor senses that both the second video signal and the second audio signal are received through the connection port. Thus, the multimedia output apparatus and a multimedia system comprising the same is capable of receiving a video signal and an audio signal from both a first multimedia source that transmits a video signal and an audio signal individually through individual interfaces and a second multimedia source that transmits the video signal and the audio signal in a combination through the same interface. The multimedia output apparatus is further capable of transitioning between the two multimedia sources. |
| US08055361B2 |
Memory expansion pack for providing content to portable terminal
A memory expansion pack, which includes a memory for storing content, an FM receiver, an ear jack, and a controller, is connected with a portable terminal through a connector of the pack to provide content to the terminal. Under the control of the controller, content stored in the memory and audio data, which is received through the FM receiver from an external device over a set frequency channel, is transmitted to the terminal. When the ear jack is connected with the external output device, it outputs the content through the external output device. When the ear jack is connected with a device, such as a PC, the ear jack downloads content from the PC. The memory expansion pack allows the user to provide and use a large amount of various content. The pack can also provide high quality services, overcoming the limited memory capacity of portable terminals, and reduce the cost of wireless data communication. |
| US08055359B1 |
Drive-through transaction system and method
A system (10) for carrying out transactions between a customer at a customer station (14, 21, 202, 204) and a service provider at a service provider station (12, 194), includes transferring items through transaction devices such as pneumatic carrier delivery and receiving device (21, 200) and a deal drawer (20, 208). The customer at the customer station provides inputs corresponding to a financial account through input devices on the body which is stored in the memory (82, 158) on the body. After transfer to the service provider station, data in the memory is output to a charge device (56) which is operative to assess a charge to the customer's account responsive to data output from the memory. Vehicle sensors (230, 234) sense a vehicle adjacent the respective transaction device. At least one computer calculates at least one time value corresponding to each vehicle and stores the at least one time value and other data values concerning the respective transaction. |
| US08055358B2 |
Multi-objective predictive process optimization with concurrent process simulation
A system and method for controlling a process includes simulating the process and producing a simulated output of the process, developing a set of target values based on measured inputs from the process and based on the simulated output from the process simulator, and producing multiple control outputs configured to control the process based on the set of target values during each operational cycle of the process control system. The simulated outputs include one or more predicted future values up to the steady state of the process. |
| US08055354B2 |
Interconnections of implantable lead conductors and electrodes and reinforcement therefor
An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The lead body includes one or more longitudinally extending lumens. A conductor is received in, and extends along, a lumen. In varying examples, the implantable lead further comprises a tubular electrode co-axial with, and overlying portions of, the lead body. In one example, a lumen wall is sized and shaped to urge an electrically conductive interposer coupled with the conductor toward an inner surface of the electrode. In another example, a ring member is disposed within a lumen and the conductor is drawn and coupled thereto. In yet another example, an electrically conductive connector couples a first and a second conductor via grooves or threads. In a further example, an axial support member couples a distal end electrode and the lead body. Methods associated with the foregoing are also discussed. |
| US08055350B2 |
System and method for enabling communications with implantable medical devices
A method is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters and a device ID in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate using multiple communications channels. |
| US08055347B2 |
Stimulation for treating brain events and other conditions
Apparatus for treatment is provided, including one or more electrodes, configured to be applied to a site of a subject, and adverse cerebrovascular condition treatment functionality. The functionality comprises a control unit configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply electrical stimulation to the site during a plurality of stimulation periods which includes at least first and last stimulation periods, set an inter-period interval between initiation of the first stimulation period and initiation of the last stimulation period to be at least 24 hours, and configure the stimulation during the first and last stimulation periods to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances. The site is selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. Additional embodiments are also described. |
| US08055346B2 |
Implantable pulse generator with a stacked battery and capacitor
One example includes a configurable power source system for an implantable device having a predetermined power requirement, the system comprising a housing for a battery and a capacitor, the housing including a distance D between a first internal face and a second internal face, the housing adapted to fit within dimensions of the implantable device, a plurality of batteries of different thicknesses, each battery adapted to fit within a perimeter of the housing, a plurality of capacitors of different thicknesses, each capacitor adapted to fit within the housing and adjacent the battery and a pick and place system adapted to assemble a selected battery from the plurality of batteries and a selected capacitor from the plurality of capacitors with the housing to form a configurable power source at least meeting the predetermined power requirement for the implantable device. |
| US08055344B2 |
System and method for detection enhancement programming
A system and method of enabling detection enhancements selected from a plurality of detection enhancements. In a system having a plurality of clinical rhythms, including a first clinical rhythm, where each of the detection enhancements is associated with the clinical rhythms, the first clinical rhythm is selected. The first clinical rhythm is associated with first and second detection enhancements. When the first clinical rhythm is selected, parameters of the first and second detection enhancements are set automatically. A determination is made as to whether changes are to be made to the parameters. If so, one or more of the parameters are modified under user control. |
| US08055343B2 |
Dynamic battery management in an implantable device
One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for dynamic battery management in implantable medical devices. An embodiment of the system includes two or more devices for measuring battery capacity for an implantable medical device battery. The embodiment also includes a controller connected to the measuring devices. The controller is adapted to combine the measurements from the measuring devices using a weighted average to determine battery capacity consumed. According to various embodiments, at least one of the measuring devices includes a coulometer. At least one of the measuring devices includes a capacity-by-voltage device, according to an embodiment. The system further includes a display in communication with the controller in various embodiments. The display is adapted to provide a depiction of battery longevity in units of time remaining in the life of the implantable medical device battery, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08055339B2 |
Reverse pacing-mode switch
A device comprises a cardiac contraction sensing circuit, a timer circuit, an electrical stimulation circuit, and a controller. The timer circuit provides a time duration of an atrial-atrial interval between successive atrial contractions, a ventricular-ventricular interval between successive ventricular contractions, and an atrial-ventricular (A-V) interval between an atrial contraction and a same cardiac cycle ventricular contraction. The controller includes an event detection module and a pacing module. The event detection module is configured for determining whether A-V block events are sustained over multiple cardiac cycles. The pacing module is configured for providing pacing therapy according to a primary pacing mode that includes AAI(R) mode with independent VVI backup mode, and for switching the pacing therapy to a secondary pacing mode if A-V block events are sustained over multiple cardiac cycles. Other devices and methods are described. |
| US08055338B2 |
Implantable medical device with temperature measuring and storing capability
An implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator with the capability of storing body temperature measurements taken periodically and/or when triggered by particular events. |
| US08055334B2 |
Evaluation of gastrointestinal function using portable electroviscerography systems and methods of using the same
Portable electroviscerography systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include a body-associated receiver and an ingestible identifier unit, both of which are configured to detect visceral electrical signals. The system communicates with an extra-corporeal data processor configured to receive data from the body-associated receiver and generate and electroviscerogram from the received data. Also provided are methods of producing electroviscerograms using systems of the present invention. |
| US08055331B2 |
Method and apparatus for sequenced extraction from electrocardiogramic waveforms
A method for extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing is disclosed. The method selects an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction, and associates a dosing time or other time point with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction. The electrocardiogram tracing is scanned for artifacts and the electrocardiogram tracing is annotated if any artifacts are discovered. If there are any artifacts present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template, the extraction template is modified to avoid the artifacts. If the extraction template cannot be modified, the electrocardiogram tracing is annotated as unextractable. If artifacts are not present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template or the extraction template was successfully modified, the designated segment is extracted from the electrocardiogram tracing and written to a storage medium. |
| US08055328B2 |
Interface unit for use with injectors and imaging systems and related devices
An interface unit enables communication with an injector system that is used for pressurizing a fluid medium for injection into a patient during an injection procedure. The interface unit includes a processor and a storage unit. The processor controls operation of the interface unit and enables exchange of digital information between the interface unit and the injector system. The storage unit, under control of the processor, records the digital information gathered from the injector system during communication therewith. The digital information includes at least injection profile, history and dose data pertaining to the injection procedure. The processor enables at least the injection profile, history and dose data of the digital information recorded within the storage unit of the interface unit to be communicable to at least one of an imaging system linked thereto and an external device linked thereto. |
| US08055326B1 |
Coils for horizontal field magnetic resonance imaging
Methods and apparatus for performing magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed. In one embodiment coil antennas for use with a horizontal field magnetic resonance imaging apparatus are placed in proximity to the scanning region to obtain magnetic resonance images. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the coil antennas are arranged so as to provide zero mutual inductance between the coils so as to increase the sensitivity of the measurement. Additional embodiments include quadrature coil antennas including two antennas, each having their vector fields substantially perpendicular to each other and to a static magnetic field. Methods for using the disclosed antennas in acquiring magnet resonance scans is also disclosed. |
| US08055323B2 |
Stereotactic system and method for defining a tumor treatment region
An instrument is used to mark locations in tissue that define the boundary of a three-dimensional treatment zone. The position of the instrument is recorded by a tracking system and a treatment zone image is produced which depicts the treatment zone along with patient reference points also marked by the instrument. The treatment zone image is exported to a radiation treatment system which uses the patient reference points to align the treatment zone image with the patient and uses the treatment zone image to aim the radiation. |
| US08055321B2 |
Tissue oximetry apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for determining tissue oxygenation such as arterial and venous oxygenation and cerebral oxygenation. In one embodiment, the optical properties of tissue are determined using measured light attenuations at a set of wavelengths. By choosing distinct wavelengths and using light attenuation information, the influence of variables such as light scattering, absorption and other optical tissue properties can be minimized. |
| US08055319B2 |
Sensor for measuring living body information and earphone having the same
A sensor for measuring living body information includes a light guide member for guiding a first light; a light extracting member, disposed adjacent to the light guide member, for outputting the first light guided by the light guide member to an exterior of the light guide member through contact with the light guide member; and a light coupling member, disposed adjacent to the light guide member, for coupling a second light to the light guide member through contact with the light guide member. |
| US08055317B2 |
Sliding mechanism and portable electronic device using the same
A sliding mechanism includes a first plate (32) having a sliding slot (322) and a control slot (325) defined therein. The sliding slot and the control slot having a certain angle therebetween and communicating with each other. A second plate (38) is longitudinally slidably connected to the first plate. The second plate including a sliding member (381) formed on a surface thereof facing the first plate. The sliding member engages with the sliding slot and includes an elastic positioning assembly (389). A control assembly (34) is slidably received in the control slot. A main elastic member (36) has one end thereof being fixed to one end of the sliding slot, the other end thereof being fixed with the sliding member. A portable electronic device (100) using the sliding mechanism is also disclosed. |
| US08055312B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a battery and an electricity generating device. The electricity generating device includes at least one solar receiving board, at least one controller, a voltage transducer and an accumulator. The solar receiving board is mounted on the outer surface of the portable electronic device to absorb solar energy and convert solar energy into electric energy. The controller is electrically connected with solar receiving board and the voltage transducer to control the electricity generating device. The voltage transducer electrically connected with the controller to transduce the voltage of the generated electricity into a voltage suitable for operating the portable electronic device. The accumulator stores the electric energy and charges the battery when the electrical quantity of the battery becomes low. |
| US08055308B2 |
Method and system for responding to digital vehicle requests
The invention provides a method and system for responding to digital vehicle requests. After a telematics unit receives a voice query and converts the voice query to a compressed digital signal, the signal is transmitted to a call center node. The signal is then parsed at the call center node to determine an inquiry. The call center node may then formulate at least one response to the inquiry and transmit the at least one formulated response in a digital format over the wireless network to the telematics unit. The at least one formulated response is then translated to an analog format at the telematics unit. |
| US08055306B2 |
Mobile phone alert system and method
A mobile phone alert system sets one or more alert conditions of a mobile phone, and sets a response message corresponding to each of the alert conditions. The system further monitors communication status of the mobile phone when the mobile phone is communicating with a contact mobile phone, determines if an alert condition occurs by determining if the communication status meets the one or more alert conditions, retrieves and sending a corresponding response message to the contact mobile phone number via a first network, in response to a determination that the alert condition occurs to the mobile phone. Additionally, the system may further search a second available network, sends the response message and a request of sending the response message to the contact mobile phone number to a service center via the second network, in response to the response message has not been sent successfully via the first network. |
| US08055300B2 |
System and method for indoor coverage of user equipment terminals
Devices and methods to use base stations to communicate with user equipment (UE) terminals in an indoor setting are disclosed. For example, user equipments such as mobile telephone devices may be used in a building with multiple floors. The building may be supplied with antenna elements organized into antenna groups with each group serving an area of the building—a floor for example. The base station, utilizing the antenna groups, communicates with the UE terminals via one or more radio resources. The base station manages radio resources to communicate with multiple UE terminals. The base station selectively activates and deactivates the antenna groups to reduce multiple access interference and to efficiently utilize the radio resources. |
| US08055299B2 |
Mobile input device of mobile terminal
A mobile input device of a mobile terminal includes: a selection unit for selecting an application program of the mobile terminal; an execution instruction unit for generating an instruction to execute the application program; and a wireless communication unit for transmitting the instruction to execute to the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile input device inputs information to the executed application program. |
| US08055297B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a housing and a main body. The housing has an image pickup window. The main body is accommodated in the housing. The main body includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a rotatable base and a driving element. The rotatable base carries the first lens module and the second lens module thereon. The driving element is configured for driving the rotatable base to rotate to selectively allow the first lens module or the second lens module to be aligned with the image pickup window. |
| US08055294B2 |
Control of uplink transmit power
A method and apparatus of controlling an uplink transmit power are provided. A maximum power reduction (MPR) is determined based on resource allocation. The resource allocation comprises a number of contiguous resource blocks in a channel bandwidth which is divided into a first region, a second region and a third region. The MPR is determined according to the number of the contiguous resource blocks in the first region and the third region, and the MPR is determined according to the starting index in the second region. The MPR in the third region increases as the number of the contiguous resource blocks decreases. |
| US08055293B1 |
Selecting a power-control step size based on relative signal strength among signals in an active set
Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a forward-link power-control step size. An initial active set of coverage areas for a mobile station is maintained within which a first coverage area in the initial active set has a signal strength that is stronger than that of each of the other coverage areas in the initial active set. The first coverage area is determined to have dropped from the initial active set, resulting in a modified active set. In response, a signal-strength factor is calculated based on (a) a last non-zero signal-strength measurement of the first coverage area and (b) a second value. One or more forward-link power-control step sizes is selected based on at least the calculated factor. The one or more selected step sizes is used to increase the forward-link transmission power of at least one coverage area in the modified active set. |
| US08055291B2 |
Power-aware link adaptation in a wideband CDMA system
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing mobile terminal energy consumption during data transmissions by allocating link resources and adapting link parameters in an energy-aware manner, based on throughput requirements and prevailing channel conditions. A combination of transmit parameters that includes a transmit channelization scheme and is designed to minimize the total energy consumed during data transmission is selected based on a throughput requirement and one or more channel conditions associated with the data transmission. The channelization scheme includes a number of subchannels to be used and subchannel configuration parameters for each subchannel, such as spreading codes, spreading factors, and subchannel power levels. The combination of transmit parameters may also include a modulation format, coding scheme, and transmit power setting, as well as parameters relating to multiple-antenna transmit schemes. |
| US08055289B2 |
Signal processing circuit and signal processing method
A signal processing circuit includes a demodulator to demodulate a received signal and output a demodulated signal, a filter to output a signal corresponding to a prescribed frequency component of the demodulated signal, a blending unit to blend the demodulated signal with an output signal of the filter at a prescribed blending ratio, an electric field strength change amount detection unit to detect a change in electric field strength and output an electric field strength change amount, and a blending ratio determination unit to determine the prescribed blending ratio according to the electric field strength change amount. |
| US08055287B1 |
Adaptive retry algorithm for short message service message delivery
A method, system, and computer readable medium are provided to retry delivery of a short message service (SMS) message to a user's wireless device. A message delivery failure notification is received that indicates a reason for failed delivery. An amount of traffic on an SMS message delivery network is determined. A message delivery retry profile is selected based on the amount of traffic. The reason for failed message delivery may also be used in selecting the retry profile. Time intervals between retry instances of the selected retry profile may be set based on the amount of network traffic. Delivery of the message is retried according to the selected retry profile and set time intervals. Selection of a retry profile based on the amount of network traffic may provide more adaptive and optimized utilization of SMS message delivery resources. |
| US08055280B2 |
Method for dual-mode access terminal to respond to 1x paging in HRPD network
A method for a dual-mode terminal in a HRPD network to respond to 1x paging, the method comprising steps of: after a MS/AT turns to the HRPD network and informs a MSC of the related information via PCF, the MSC sends a 1x service arrive notification message to the MS/AT via PCF including a calling party number if some 1x paging information arrives; after receiving the 1x paging, the MS/AT displays the calling party number to a user and waits for the choice of the user; the MS/AT terminates service in the HRPD network and switches into a 1x network to send a “Page Response” message to the 1x BS if the user chooses to accept the 1x call; if the user rejects to accept the 1x call, the MS/AT sends a user response rejection message to an AN, the AN forwards it to the PCF to indicate that the user can not accept this 1x call; after receiving the user response rejection message, the PCF constructs a “Paging Response” message and sends it to the MSC to inform the MSC to terminate this call; and after receiving the rejection message from the PCF, the MSC terminates this call and releases relevant resources. With the present invention, both network resources and the air link resources are saved, and any unpleasant feeling is avoided to users. |
| US08055277B2 |
Customized location tracking service
Provided is a method in which a tracker configures a notification condition on the basis of an authorization policy predetermined by a trackee so that a location information server provides a customized location tracking service according to the notification condition. The method includes: (a) registering an authorization policy of a trackee in order to determine whether a location tracking service requested by a tracker will be accepted; (b) configuring a customized location information notification condition by a tracker; (c) requesting the customized location tracking service by the tracker; and (d) providing the customized location tracking service by a location information server on the basis of the configured authorization policy and the customized location information notification condition. |
| US08055274B2 |
Portable terminal
Disclosed is a portable terminal capable of enhancing compatibility with a hearing aid. The portable terminal comprises a terminal case having a sound hole thereon; a receiver installed inside the sound hole; and a reflection unit disposed between the terminal case and the receiver, for reflecting an electromagnetic wave radiated from an interior or a surface of the terminal case so as to minimize leakage of the electromagnetic wave to outside of the terminal case. |
| US08055272B1 |
Method and system for adjusting processing duration in a position-determining system
The present invention provides a method and system for helping to improve processing duration and successful position determination in a position-determining system. The position-determining system receives a request to determine position of a mobile station, such as a cellular wireless communication device, and the request includes a timer value indicative of the maximum allowed time for responding to the request. The position-determining system then dynamically determines how long to spend attempting a primary location-determination process, based on the indicated timer value and an expected time necessary to employ a fallback, or secondary, location-determination process. If the position-determining system fails to determine the position within the time allocated to the primary process, it resorts to application of the secondary position-determination process. If either the primary or the secondary tier of location determination determines a position, that position is returned to the requesting entity; otherwise, a default or error message is returned. |
| US08055271B2 |
Intelligent location-to-cell mapping using annotated media
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing location information for a current location of a portable device, such as a camera-phone. In general, a current, generic location, e.g., cell ID, of the portable device is mapped to a more specific location description, e.g., the name of a specific city, that is defined by one or more users. In a specific implementation, one or more users of portable devices may be encouraged to contribute specific location descriptions with respect to media objects or the like that are managed on their portable devices. When a particular user ties a specific location to a media object or the like, the media object serves to also tie the particular user's current generic location or cell ID to the media object. Thus, a plurality of media objects and their associated specific and generic location descriptions can be analyzed to determine a most relevant specific location description for a particular generic location or cell ID. The specific location that is tied to a generic location may be used in any number of applications, such as automatically associating such specific location with any media objects that are captured in the corresponding generic location, e.g., cell ID. |
| US08055269B2 |
Time constrained signal MIMO wireless and wired communication method
A method and system for receiving and processing in a wireless device a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device generated signal and a sensor generated signal. Receiving and processing a data signal into a processed ultra narrowband (UNB) and a processed ultra wideband (UWB) signal and providing processed UNB and UWB signal to a selector for selection of UNB or UWB signal and for providing selected UNB or UWB signal to a transmitter for transmission. A transmitter and receiver having a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system. Processing a signal into a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Constrained Signal (TCS) waveform shaped and Long Response (LR) filtered signal. Receiving and processing a Fiber Optic Communication (FOC) network provided signal and processing a UNB processed signal into a processed spread spectrum signal. Processing and modulating a UNB signal into a missing cycle (MCY) processed modulated signal and into a phase reversal keying (PRK) modulated signal. Processing a signal into a clock shaped signal and processing and modulating a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) processed signal into a processed UNB phase reversal keying (PRK) modulated signal and an infrared (IR) signal processor for receiving and processing an IR generated signal used in wireless device. |
| US08055268B2 |
Method of requesting resources, method of allocating resources, and apparatus thereof using bandwidth request ranging in mobile communication system
A method of requesting resources, a method of allocating resources, and an apparatus therefor by using bandwidth request ranging in a mobile communication system are provided. The method of allocating uplink resources to a subscriber station by using bandwidth request ranging in a mobile communication system includes: transmitting an uplink channel descriptor (UCD) including code group information to the subscriber station, wherein the code group information is obtained by dividing a bandwidth request code into a plurality of groups and mapping the groups to predetermined data block sizes; receiving a bandwidth request code selected in the subscriber station; determining a code group including the selected bandwidth request code; and allocating a bandwidth through which a data block size corresponding to the determined code group can be transmitted, to the subscriber station. Accordingly, bandwidth request codes are divided into code groups of which bandwidth request codes represent specific block sizes, and the base station that receives the bandwidth request code allocates uplink resources corresponding to the bandwidth request code, so that it is possible to decrease a transmission delay of the uplink traffic. |
| US08055266B1 |
System and method for reducing interference and noise to improve wireless communications
A method and system for monitoring data rate requests (DRRs) transmitted from an access terminal (AT) to an access network (AN). Each DRR includes a parameter indicating whether it is a null or non-null DRR. Upon the AT transitioning to a null-DRR state, the AT and AN determine an average parameter of a given number of DRRs and compare the average to a threshold. The AT selects a time duration based on the average and starts a timer. When the timer counts to the selected duration, the AT transitions from a mode in which the AT transmits data channel traffic and other traffic to a mode in which the AT prevents transmission of data channel traffic but allows transmission of other traffic. The AN compares the average to another threshold and determines whether it should transmit forward-link traffic channel data to the AT at a null or non-null data rate. |
| US08055260B2 |
Mobile communication system, local subscriber information management device, and communication information management method
The unnecessarily increase of the information amount of subscriber information retained by a local subscriber information management device is prevented even if the number of subscribers increases, so that the limit of the number of subscribers is extended to support the increasing number of subscribers without increasing the capacity of subscriber information retaining means in the local station (local subscriber information management device). Based on information contained in subscriber management information 211, 221 including information representing each mobile terminal 310, 320 acquired by local stations 210, 220 of a mobile communication system 100 and subscriber information corresponding to each mobile terminal 310, 320, the relevant subscriber management information 211, 221 are selected and processed to be prevented from being retained after call control is performed according to the acquired subscriber management information. |
| US08055256B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting scanning rates in a multi-mode communication device
A method and system for selecting scanning rates in a multi-mode communication device is disclosed herein. The method can include the step of—at a multi-mode communication device—measuring at least one parameter associated with an interaction between a first network and the multi-mode communication device. The method can further include the step of—in response to measuring the parameter—selecting a scanning rate of the multi-mode communication device for a second, different network that interacts with the multi-mode communication device. In the method, the first network and the second network can have independent synchronization procedures. |
| US08055250B2 |
Apparatus and method for function setting event in mobile terminal according to user position information
An apparatus and method for a function setting event in a mobile terminal according to user position information are disclosed. According to the apparatus and method, a character agent function is added to a mobile terminal, and when an event occurs in the mobile terminal, the event occurrence and process is expressed by corresponding character User Interfaces (UIs). When user position information confirming event and function setting related event occur, they can be expressed through the character agent function. |
| US08055248B2 |
System and method for providing integrated voice and data services utilizing wired cordless access with unlicensed spectrum and wired access with licensed spectrum
Systems and methods for providing integrated wireless and wired data voice and data services via a dual mode telecommunications device are provided. A communication directed to an address associated with a dual mode device is received. If the dual mode device is in range of a wireless access point connected to a wired data network, then a determination is made whether the address of the dual mode device is associated with an address of at least one other device associated with the wired data network. If the address of the dual mode device is associated with an address of at least one other device associated with the wired data network, then the communication is routed over the wired data network to the dual mode device and the at least one other device. |
| US08055247B1 |
Mobile audible data services
A method, system, and media provide audio services for mobile users. The system includes a mobile computing device, a content management server and a network over which the mobile device and server communicate. The method includes receiving a voice-based and/or gesture-based request for playback of content from the user of a mobile device and searching a local data store on the mobile device for the requested content. If the requested content is contained in the local data store, the method renders the requested content in a format for audible reception at the mobile device for the mobile user. If the requested content is not contained in the local data store, then the method queries a remote data service for the requested content. Upon receiving the requested content from the remote data service, the method audibly plays back the requested content at the mobile device for the mobile user. |
| US08055245B2 |
Mobile device with fake communication mode
A mobile wireless device and technology operable to provide a fake calling function is disclosed. A fake communication mode allows a user to simulate communicating with another party in order to deter unwanted interruption by another person. When a real call occurs during the fake communication mode, the real call is handled so that the ring volume is not too loud for the user, while not breaking the illusion of the fake call. |
| US08055241B2 |
System, apparatus and method for content screening
Embodiments of the present invention provide a content screening system, a content screening apparatus and a method for content screening. The content screening apparatus includes a content screening server for receiving a message containing content to be screened, screening the content and sending a screening result. The content screening system includes the content screening apparatus and a message receiver, or includes the content screening apparatus and a content screening requester. The method for content screening includes: screening the content to be screened which are sent to the message receiver or from the content screening requester, and sending a screening result to the message receiver or content screening requester. Embodiments of the present invention provide centralized screening service for different services and thus satisfy demands of different users for content. |
| US08055240B2 |
Method of notifying a caller of message confirmation in a wireless communication system
There is provided a method of notifying a caller of confirmation of a voice or text message in a wireless communication system. A calling mobile station transmits a voice or text message to a called mobile station. If the called mobile station senses confirmation of the received voice or text message, it notifies a calling mobile station of the message confirmation via a confirmation message. Upon receipt of the confirmation message, the calling mobile station alerts a caller to receipt of the confirmation message. |
| US08055238B1 |
Prepaid handset credit activation
A system is provided for prepaid handset credit activation. The system includes a prepaid handset, a subscriber identity module, and a server. The prepaid handset is associated with a prepaid handset identifier. The subscriber identity module is associated with a subscriber identity module identifier. The server communicates with a communication device to receive the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier and determines whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with prior activation. The server also applies credit to account information associated with the prepaid handset in response to a determination that both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are not associated with the prior activation, and activates the prepaid handset for user communication in response to applying credit to the account information associated with the prepaid handset. |
| US08055235B1 |
System and method for digital interference cancellation
A system and method for receiving a signal, comprising an input adapted to receive a radio frequency signal having a strong interferer; a signal generator, adapted to produce a representation of the interferer as an analog signal generated based on an oversampled digital representation thereof; and a component adapted to cancel the strong interferer from radio frequency signal based on the generated analog signal to produce a modified radio frequency signal substantially absent the interferer. The system typically has a nonlinear component that either saturates or produces distortion from the strong interferer, which is thereby reduced. The system preferably employs high speed circuits which digitize and process radio frequency signals without analog mixers. |
| US08055234B2 |
Methods and apparatus for suppressing strong-signal interference in low-IF receivers
Circuits and methods are disclosed for compensating for received signal distortion caused by non-linearities in the receiver circuitry. An exemplary receiver circuit includes a distortion waveform generator configured to approximate one or more non-linear response characteristics of a downconverter circuit used to downconvert the received radio frequency signal. The estimated distortion waveform thus produced is filtered, using a filter or filters substantially similar to those used for filtering an intermediate frequency signal that includes the desired signal and non-linear distortion products caused by strong interfering signals. The filtered estimated distortion waveform and the intermediate frequency are sampled, to obtain a sampled distortion signal and a sampled signal of interest. The sampled distortion signal is scaled, and subtracted from the sampled signal of interest to obtain reduced-interference signal samples. In some embodiments, the scaling factor is determined by correlating the sampled signal of interest with the sampled distortion signal. |
| US08055230B1 |
Low noise amplifier gain adaption based on a received signal strength indication of bluetooth and wlan signals
A method and system for adapting low noise amplifier gain comprise determining a Bluetooth received signal strength indication of Bluetooth signals transmitted by a Bluetooth peer; determining a WLAN received signal strength indication of WLAN signals transmitted by a WLAN peer; comparing the Bluetooth received signal strength indication to a predetermined Bluetooth signal strength threshold to determine a Bluetooth peer distance of the Bluetooth peer; comparing the WLAN received signal strength indication to a predetermined WLAN signal strength threshold to determine a WLAN peer distance of the WLAN peer; and controlling a gain of a low noise amplifier to be applied to the Bluetooth signals and the WLAN signals based on the Bluetooth peer distance and the WLAN peer distance. In a further embodiment, the gain may be controlled by using a bypass signal to place the low noise amplifier into at least one of (a) a bypass mode in which the Bluetooth signals and the WLAN signals pass through the low noise amplifier without the gain being applied, and (b) a fixed gain mode in which the gain is applied to the Bluetooth signals and the WLAN signals. In another embodiment, the gain may be controlled by using the bypass signal to control an internal WLAN low noise amplifier and an internal Bluetooth low noise amplifier. |
| US08055228B2 |
Received signal strength indicator self-calibrating gain of limiter
A received signal strength indicator according to an aspect of the invention may include a gain calibration section including a calibration limiter, a calibration load unit and a comparison and adjustment unit. The calibration load unit is connected to output terminals of the calibration limiter, and generating an output differential voltage whose gain is a unit gain when a predetermined input differential voltage is input to the calibration limiter, and a comparison and adjustment unit comparing the input differential voltage with the output differential voltage, and adjusting an output of a variable current source included in the calibration limiter so that the input differential voltage becomes identical to the output differential voltage. |
| US08055225B2 |
FM receiver
An arctangent detector according to the present invention generates a demodulated signal based on the result of arctangent calculation of the ratio between an in-phase component and a quadrature component obtained from a frequency modulation (FM) received signal that are perpendicular to each other. A median filter substitutes the median value of the sample values obtained by sampling the demodulated signal generated by the arctangent detector as many times as the point number for the current value of the demodulated signal and outputs a resultant signal. The point number altering unit alters the point number in the median filter based on the signal intensity of the FM received signal. |
| US08055224B2 |
Wireless receiver
A wireless receiver that includes a reception unit which, in the case in which the frequency bandwidth of the chunk is Fc, receives a) data to which phase rotation for controlling the maximum delay time between the plurality of transmission antennas is added so that the maximum delay time is set to either a predetermined first value which is smaller than 1/Fc or a predetermined second value which is larger than 1/Fc depending on whether transmission is performed using frequency diversity or transmission is performed using multi-user diversity and b) pilot channels corresponding to the plurality of transmission antennas which are orthogonal to each other; and a demodulating unit which demodulates the data based on transfer functions calculated using the pilot channels. |
| US08055221B2 |
Method of providing video call service in mobile station in a weak signal environment
Improving the audio QoS of a video call service in a weak signal environment is accomplished. To do this, even if data is damaged in a weak signal environment during a video call using a mobile station in the weak signal environment, an audio call is preferentially processed such that a minimum audio QoS can be secured. If a transmitting mobile station enters into a weak signal environment while transmitting audio data and video data together during a video call, the transmitting mobile station transmits only audio data, and in response to this, a receiving mobile station processes the audio data transmitted during a set time interval and continuously reproduces the audio data. Audio interruption can be reduced, thereby securing a minimum audio QoS. |
| US08055218B2 |
Wireless transmitter circuit and transceiver using the same
This invention provides a wireless transmitter circuit for mobile communication apparatus and this circuit can be configured with fewer components and is suitable for downsizing. A single PLL synthesizer serves as both RF frequency band PLL and IF frequency band PLL among three oscillators for TX, RX and IF frequency bands, which have been required in conventional mobile communication apparatus. The number of necessary oscillators occupying a large area within a chip is reduced and the number of components is decreased. Specifically, circuitry is arranged to generate local oscillation signals for RF and IF frequency bands by frequency dividing the output of a VCO of the RF frequency band PLL. |
| US08055215B2 |
Transmission circuit and communication device
Provided is a transmission circuit capable of operating with high linearity and with low noise. An AM variable fc filter uses an AM cutoff frequency to remove a high frequency component from an amplitude signal. An amplifier supplies a power amplifier with a voltage which is a result of amplifying the amplitude signal outputted from the AM variable fc filter. A PM variable fc filter uses a PM cutoff frequency to remove a high frequency component from a phase signal. A phase modulator phase-modulates the phase signal outputted from the PM variable fc filter to output a high-frequency phase-modulated signal. The power amplifier amplifies the high-frequency phase-modulated signal by using the voltage supplied from the amplifier, and outputs a resultant signal as a transmission signal. The AM variable fc filter and the PM variable fc filter respectively control the AM cutoff frequency and the PM cutoff frequency such that the AM cutoff frequency and the PM cutoff frequency each have an opposite characteristic to that of an output power of the transmission signal. |
| US08055208B2 |
Low energy data communication circuit for hazardous or nonhazardous environments
The present invention relates to a data communication circuit and system for use in hazardous or nonhazardous environments. In the preferred embodiment, the system is a bi-directional, low energy, current loop data communication circuit primarily for high speed data communications via parallel or twisted pair conductors. The system of the present invention can safely transmit data across long distances (e.g., up to 1000 feet (300 meters)) in an explosive atmosphere. |
| US08055205B2 |
Assessing the performance of radio devices
A method of assessing the performance of a radio transmitting means of, or intended for use in, a user terminal of a mobile telecommunications network, the transmitting means having a plurality of correction factors that are adjustable for improving the performance of the transmitting means and whose values together define a point in a correction space, the method comprising allocating values to the factors to specify a point in the space, measuring the performance of the transmitting means to determine as an error distance the distance of said point from an optimum point in said space that gives best performance of the transmitting means in terms of said factors and using said distance in the identification of said optimum point. Corresponding program code and apparatus is also envisaged. |
| US08055204B2 |
Methods for detecting and classifying signals transmitted over a radio frequency spectrum
A method for classifying a signal is disclosed. The method can be used by a station or stations within a network to classify the signal as non-cooperative (NC) or a target signal. The method performs classification over channels within a frequency spectrum. The percentage of power above a first threshold is computed for a channel. Based on the percentage, a signal is classified as a narrowband signal. If the percentage indicates the absence of a narrowband signal, then a lower second threshold is applied to confirm the absence according to the percentage of power above the second threshold. The signal is classified as a narrowband signal or pre-classified as a wideband signal based on the percentage. Pre-classified wideband signals are classified as a wideband NC signal or target signal using spectrum masks. |
| US08055202B2 |
Measuring apparatus and area quality measuring method
A measuring apparatus for measuring service quality in an area in a communication system, in which a plurality of base stations use one frequency band for transmitting downlink signals, includes: a receiver configured to receive constant power signals that are the downlink signals transmitted by the base stations through constant power channels in which transmission powers are constant; a reception power measuring unit configured to measure reception powers of the constant power signals transmitted by the respective base stations; a reception power selector configured to select a reception power which is a base for measurement of the quality in the area, out of the reception powers measured by the reception power measuring unit; and an area quality measuring unit configured to measure the quality in the area on the basis of the reception power selected by the reception power selector, and a total of the reception powers not selected by the reception power selector. |
| US08055196B2 |
Arrangement to transmit magnetic resonance signals
An arrangement for transmitting magnetic resonance signals, with a transmission link that connects a local coil with a receiver, has a first channel of the local coil with a first single antenna to acquire a first magnetic resonance signal, as well as a first mixer connected with the first single antenna. The first mixer forms an intermediate-frequency first signal from the supplied first magnetic resonance signal. A second channel of the local coil has a second single antenna to acquire a second magnetic resonance signal, as well as a second mixer connected with the second single antenna. The second mixer forms an intermediate-frequency second signal from the supplied second magnetic resonance signal. The local coil has a device for signal combination that, by frequency multiplexing, that combines the intermediate-frequency first signal of the first channel and the intermediate-frequency second signal of the second channel so that it arrives at the receiver via the transmission path. The receiver has an A/D converter at which one of the transmitted intermediate-frequency signals of an associated channel arrives in order to be sampled with a sampling frequency for digitization. For frequency conversion, a first local oscillator frequency is connected at the first mixer and a second local oscillator frequency is connected at the second mixer. the first and second local oscillator frequencies are selected such that intermediate-frequencies formed by the frequency conversion are mirror-symmetrical relative to the sampling frequency of the A/D converter. |
| US08055193B2 |
Underwater remote sensing
An underwater remote sensing system comprising a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic signal, a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic signal reflected from an object and determining means for determining the location of the object, wherein at least one of the transmitter and receiver is underwater. The determining means may be operable to determine the location of the object using signals received at three or more receiver positions. To do this, three or more receiver antennas may be provided. Alternatively, a single receiver antenna may be provided and moved between three or more different measurement locations. |
| US08055192B2 |
Method of feeding back channel information and receiver for feeding back channel information
Provided is a receiver for feeding back channel information, which includes a channel vector measuring unit to measure channel vectors corresponding to a plurality of receiving antennas, respectively, that receive a plurality of data streams, a candidate codebook vector selecting unit to select at least two candidate codebook vectors from codebook vectors included in a codebook, by considering a quantization error based on the channel vectors with respect to each of the data streams, and a selection codebook vector determining unit to determine selection codebook vectors corresponding to the plurality of data streams respectively from the at least two candidate codebook vectors, based on a signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) of each of the data streams that is calculated according to each of the candidate codebook vectors. |
| US08055191B2 |
Method and structure in support of the formation of substantially co-linear wireless device pairings and mitigation of interference effects in a digital multi-media communication environment
A method and structure that supports the formation of co-linear device pairs and mitigation of undesired interference in a digital multi-media communication environment. Compass orientation information of co-located devices within range of one another in a wireless communication environment is used to determine whether sufficiently co-linear device pairing opportunities exist and may also be used to identify and/or mitigate undesired interference conditions. Various remedial actions may be performed to enhance co-linear device pairing and mitigation action may be taken to mitigation interference between substantially co-linear and co-located devices in the environment. |
| US08055189B2 |
Wireless communication system, method, and tangible machine-readable medium thereof for transmitting data based on a frame structure of a multi-hop relay standard
A wireless communication system, a method, and a tangible machine-readable medium thereof for transmitting data based on a frame structure of a multi-hop relay standard are provided. The wireless communication system comprises a base station (BS), a relay station (RS), and a mobile station (MS). The frame structure comprises a relay station map (RS-MAP) frame and an MS sub-frame. The RS-MAP frame describes the frame structure. The MS sub-frame is used for transmitting the first data between the BS and the MS and is used for transmitting a second data between the RS and the MS according to the content of the RS-MAP frame. A part of the second data is the same as the first data. |
| US08055187B2 |
Communication terminal and communication method for exchanging contents
Opportunity of enjoying video and music is enlarged. A content reproducing device is used in a contents exchange system including a plurality of contents reproducing devices. The content reproducing device includes a short range communication unit, a memory, a control unit, and a speaker. The short range communication unit communicates request information, response information, content data and flag information to/from content reproducing devices. The control unit controls the short range communication unit so that content data is transmitted. The control unit controls the memory such that the content data and the flag information received by the short range communication unit are stored. |
| US08055184B1 |
System and method for active jamming of confidential information transmitted at a point-of-sale reader
A system for impeding reception of confidential information is disclosed. The system comprises a point-of-sale transceiver configured to receive confidential information transmitted by a mobile device incorporating an electronic wallet and a signal generator in communication with the point-of-sale transceiver and configured to broadcast a jamming signal substantially concurrently with the point-of-sale transceiver receiving the confidential information. |
| US08055183B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which forms an image including an image forming unit to form the image on a paper, a plurality of paper ejection trays to mount the paper on which the image is formed, a display unit to display a setting screen for selecting at least one paper ejection tray for a reserved job among the paper ejection trays, detecting units to detect a present mounting amount of the paper in each paper ejection tray and a control unit to control the display of the setting screen, and the control unit simultaneously displays the detected mounting amount of each paper ejection tray on one setting screen. |
| US08055180B2 |
Copy-forgery-inhibited pattern density parameter determination method, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation method, and image processing
A primary test printing process of a plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images generated by changing one or both of print densities of the latent-image and background-image parts in a first pattern on the basis of a predetermined parameter is performed. The user selects one copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image which has the latent-image and background-image parts with approximate print densities from the plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images generated by the primary test printing process. A secondary test printing process of a plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images generated by changing one or both of print densities of the latent-image and background-image parts in a second pattern on the basis of the parameter used to determine the print densities of the latent-image and background-image parts of the selected copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is performed. The user selects one copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image which has the latent-image and background-image parts with approximate print densities from the plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images generated by the secondary test printing process, and the parameter of the selected copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is determined as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern density parameter. |
| US08055178B2 |
Cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus having a pressing member which contacts an elastic blade
A cleaning device capable of reducing the apparatus and prolonging the service life of the cleaning blade is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade including an elastic blade, a pressing member disposed near the downstream side of the image carrier with respect to the elastic blade, and a driving mechanism for driving the pressing member so as to be in contact with and press the elastic blade. The driving mechanism operates so as to press the elastic blade in the upstream direction to separate the elastic blade from the surface of the image carrier for a while. Then, the driving mechanism operates to move the pressing member to be separated from the elastic blade so that the elastic blade is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. |
| US08055172B2 |
Fusing device with a web end detector and image forming apparatus incorporating same
To provide a fusing unit including a fusing roller for fixing an unfixed toner image to a sheet and a fusing roller cleaning unit including a web sheet delivering roller for supplying a web sheet and a winding roller for taking up the web sheet for cleaning the fusing roller, the fusing roller cleaning unit includes a web detecting terminal for detecting the presence of the web sheet and a tension roller for guiding the web sheet, on the upstream side of a pressure roller with respect to the web sheet's direction of conveyance and first and second guide rollers, the second guide roller being disposed upstream of the web detecting terminal. |
| US08055171B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus with guide plate
A process cartridge according to one aspect of the invention comprises: an image carrier configured to carry a developer image and having a transfer position capable of transferring the developer image to a recording sheet; and an elastically-deformable cantilever-shaped guide plate including a distal end portion being unsupported, and having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. A leading end of the recording sheet is guided on the first surface in a conveying direction, such that the leading end is guided toward the transfer position after the leading end is brought into contact with the image carrier. The distal end portion of the guide plate is bent toward the second surface side to form a bent portion. |
| US08055168B2 |
Magnet knife assembly for a toner developing device
A magnet knife assembly for a toner developing device including a ferromagnetic strip held between like poles (N) of two permanent magnets such that a knife edge portion of the strip projects outwardly beyond the two magnets and is subject to a magnet force that tends to urge the strip in a direction in which the knife edge projects further out of the magnets, wherein the length of the strip is selected such that a portion of the strip opposite to the knife edge is subject to a magnetic force that at least counterbalances said magnetic force on the knife edge portion. |
| US08055167B2 |
Image forming apparatus including pressing unit to maintain gap between rollers
An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, a magnetic roller disposed at a predetermined distance from the photosensitive body, and a donor roller disposed between the photosensitive body and the magnetic roller. The donor roller has a diameter larger than the closest distance between the photosensitive body and the magnetic roller. The image forming apparatus includes gap rings and pressing device to maintain desired gaps between the magnetic roller and the donor roller and between the donor roller and the photosensitive body. |
| US08055164B2 |
Developer storage case having a discharge opening of a flat shape
A developer storage case includes: a storage case that includes a discharge opening formed in the horizontal direction side surface thereof, that is formed in a flat shape having a horizontal direction width larger than the vertical direction height thereof, and that stores a developer therein; a delivery member that has a center of rotation disposed shifted to the discharge opening, that is rotatably supported on one end wall of the storage case, and that delivers the developer stored within the storage case; and a drive transmission member that is supported on the end portion of the delivery member, and that drives and rotates the delivery member. |
| US08055159B2 |
Liquid developing apparatus and image forming apparatus
Provided are a liquid developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein a high-viscosity liquid developer layer is transferred sequentially from a developer supply member to a developer coating member and to the developer carrying member among rollers, and the developer supply width of the developer supply member is made smaller than the width of the developer coating member and greater than the width of the developer carrying member, whereby an occurrence of the area, at the end portions of the developer carrying member, where the volume of developer is uneven is reduced, and the liquid developer is prevented from wrapping around the end faces of the developer coating member, without making the apparatus complicated. |
| US08055157B2 |
Ion generating element, charging device and image forming apparatus
An ion generating element of the present invention includes a discharge electrode and an inductive electrode, both of which are provided so as to face each other with a dielectric body sandwiched therebetween, and a heater electrode which warms the ion generating element by Joule heat produced because of a passage of an electrical current. A distance between the discharge electrode and the heater electrode is larger than that between the discharge electrode and the inductive electrode, and further a shield electrode having a connection for ground is provided between the heater electrode and the inductive electrode on a surface of the dielectric body at a side on which the inductive electrode is provided. Hence, it is possible to prevent a leak to the heater electrode at low cost, while giving consideration towards safety. |
| US08055156B2 |
Image-forming apparatus which can eliminate static electricity
An image-forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a photosensitive layer, an exposure unit for irradiating the electrophotographic photoreceptor with light, a pressing member pressed against the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to remove a deposit from the photosensitive layer, and a static eliminating unit for eliminating the static electricity of the deposit to be removed by the pressing member. |
| US08055155B2 |
Image forming apparatus with developing device support structure
A detachable developer in which a photosensitive unit and a development unit are separately and independently installed in a main body. The detachable developer includes a first axis connection member extending from one end portion of the photosensitive unit toward a rotation axis of a developing roller and having a first guide slot formed therein in which one end portion of the rotation axis of the developing roller is inserted, and a second axis connection member extending from the other end portion of the development unit toward a rotation axis at the other end portion of a photosensitive drum and having a second guide slot formed therein in which the other end portion of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum is inserted. The first axis connection member and the second axis connection member extend parallel to each other. |
| US08055153B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes: an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive support and a photosensitive layer including an outermost surface layer capable of transporting a charge, the layer being farthest from the conductive support and containing a resin having a crosslinking structure; a charging unit that charges the electrophotographic photoreceptor; a first exposure unit that exposes the electrophotographic photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor charged; a developing unit that develop the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image; a transfer unit that transfer the toner image from the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a medium to be transferred; and a second exposure unit that uniformly expose the electrophotographic photoreceptor, the outermost surface layer absorbing exposure light of the second exposure unit and having a maximum absorbance of about 0.05 or less in the entire wavelength range of the exposure light. |
| US08055151B2 |
Open-close apparatus and image forming apparatus
An open-close apparatus includes: a first member movably provided with respect to an apparatus main body; a second member movable with respect to the first member, and movably provided with respect to the apparatus main body; and a limiting section, provided between the first and second members, that limits a moving speed of the first and second members. |
| US08055150B2 |
Image forming apparatus and frame unit thereof including a particle management device
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an exposure unit to form a latent image on the image carrier by light, and a particle entering prevention device to prevent particles from entering an optical path between the exposure unit and the image carrier. The particle entering prevention device includes a particle storage unit disposed in a vicinity of the optical path, to store the particles therein. |
| US08055147B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a calibration section for an image density sensor
Toner images of reference patterns having different resolutions are formed on an image carrier, image densities of the toner images of reference patterns are detected by a density sensor, and an output of the density sensor, when the detected densities equate among the reference patterns having different resolutions formed with the same image forming condition, is memorized as a reference value for calibrating the output the density sensor. |
| US08055145B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a controller for detecting the opening and closing of a shutter from the output from an optical sensor and controlling the opening and closing operation of the shutter based on the detected result. The controller determines that if the optical sensor is turned “ON” within a predetermined period of time from when the shutter begins opening, the operation of the shutter from the closed state to the open state is correctly detected. When no reflected light is detected by the optical sensor even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the controller determines that an anomaly has occurred and closes the shutter and repeat another detecting process. |
| US08055144B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
A printing speed is adaptively set using Fuzzy inference, based on various printing environments including a printing medium width and the average amount of printing, so that the internal temperature of an apparatus can be stably maintained, and the use convenience can be enhanced. |
| US08055143B2 |
Image forming apparatus including temperature sensor embedded developers and method of controlling the image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus which includes a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit including toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body, a temperature sensor installed in the developing unit to measure temperature around the toner, a memory unit having information regarding the toner and installed in the developing unit to receive signals from the temperature sensor, and a controller electrically connected to the memory unit to control developing operations based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. |
| US08055135B2 |
Dispersion compensator, and dispersion compensating method
A dispersion compensator (10) that compensates dispersion occurring in an optical pulse includes a spatial filter (100) from which a pulsed light having a single peak is emitted as an autocorrelation light when a light having a strong correlation with an optical pulse to be dispersion-compensated is introduced into the spatial filter, and from which a scattered light is emitted as a cross-correlation light when a light having a weak correlation with an optical pulse to be dispersion-compensated is introduced into the spatial filter, wherein the dispersion compensator compensates dispersion occurring in the optical pulse having the strong correlation with the optical pulse to be dispersion-compensated, with the autocorrelation light treated as a dispersion-compensated optical pulse. |
| US08055133B2 |
TDM/WDMA passive optical network device
A time division multiplex (TDM)/wavelength division multiple access (WDMA) passive optical network (PON) device includes a base station terminal, a wavelength splitter, and a subscriber terminal optical transceiver. The base station terminal includes a transmitter, an optical circulator transmitting the optical signals output from the transmitter to an optical distribution network, and a receiver demultiplexing wavelength division multiplexed upstream signals from the optical distribution network through the optical circulator. The wavelength splitter splits the downstream signals from the base station terminal to subscriber ports corresponding to wavelengths and multiplexes the optical signals received from each of the subscriber ports to the base station terminal. The subscriber terminal optical transceiver receives the downstream signals from the wavelength splitter and reuses the received downstream signals as optical sources for upstream signals. |
| US08055130B2 |
Optical transceiver amplifier
Systems and devices for use as optical transceivers and amplifiers in optical networks. An optical transceiver/amplifier has two optical signal circulators, each of which receives one incoming signal and transmits one outgoing optical signal. Each circulator combines its incoming and outgoing signals on to a bidirectional optical connection internal to the transceiver amplifier. Between the two circulators are a pump laser, an optical coupler to couple the pump laser's power into the bidirectional connection, and an amplifying medium for amplifying the bidirectional signals internal to the transceiver amplifier. The amplifying medium may be an Erbium doped fiber which would amplify any optical signal passing through it. In one embodiment, the transceiver amplifier is in a self-contained package that is pluggable into existing equipment using pre-existing ports and interfaces. |
| US08055123B2 |
Method and apparatus for customizing content navigation
Methods and apparatus for customizing content navigation. In one embodiment, a user navigates through pre-recorded or cached content in accordance with on one or more user preferences. Such user preferences may include one or more of content cache size, instant replay time, advance time, FF/REV speeds, slow motion speed and overshoot correction. In one embodiment, a DVR setup menu may be used to enter the user preferences via a remote control device. The user preferences may then be saved in non-volatile memory and used for navigation of subsequent content playback. |
| US08055119B2 |
Method for creating, updating, and recording seamless presentation information of moving picture data in a rewritable recording medium
This invention provides a method for creating, updating, and recording information for seamless presentation of moving picture data in a rewritable recording medium. When recording moving picture data on a rewritable recording medium, seamless presentation information, a part of navigation data, is recorded along with the picture data for seamless presentation of the recorded picture data. The method for creating and recording seamless presentation information of the present invention can effectively reduce the amount of created seamless presentation information by omitting some fields of the seamless presentation information when they are unnecessary. If some video objects of recorded picture data are erased, navigation data related to the removed video objects should be erased and seamless presentation information should also needs proper modification. The method for updating and recording seamless presentation information of the present invention enables effective management of seamless presentation information by updating seamless presentation information related to the video object following erased video objects. |
| US08055117B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction duration of still pictures recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The data structure includes a navigation area of the recording medium storing at least one playlist, a first entry point map and a second entry point map. The playlist includes at least one playitem and at least one sub-playitem. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file, and the sub-playitem providing navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file. The first entry point map includes at least one entry point pointing to the still picture, and the second entry point map includes at least one entry point pointing to the audio data. |
| US08055114B2 |
Cable sleeve for the structured storage and handling of optical waveguides guided in optical waveguide cables
A cable sleeve for the structured storage and handling of optical waveguides guided in optical waveguide cables is disclosed. The cable sleeve comprises a covering body, which defines an interior. The cable sleeve also comprises a sealing body comprising two dimensionally stable end pieces and a compressible gel element arranged between the end pieces. The sealing body is adapted to be inserted into an opening of the covering body and is operable for feeding optical waveguide cables into the interior and/or for feeding optical waveguide cables out of the interior. The sealing body bears against a stop with an inner one of the two dimensionally stable end pieces. A locking body can be screwed to an outer one of the two dimensionally stable end pieces of the sealing body while compressing the gel element. At least one compensation element is operable for storing the force applied via the locking body and exerting a compression force onto the gel element. |
| US08055113B2 |
Optical substrate having a supporting substrate and an optical waveguide film adhesively bonded to the supporting substrate
An optical waveguide film includes a clad layer having an adhesive function; and a core layer covered by the clad layer. |
| US08055109B2 |
Single mode propagation in fibers and rods with large leakage channels
Various embodiments include large cores fibers that can propagate few modes or a single mode while introducing loss to higher order modes. Some of these fibers are holey fibers that comprising cladding features such as air-holes. Additional embodiments described herein include holey rods. The rods and fibers may be used in many optical systems including optical amplification systems, lasers, short pulse generators, Q-switched lasers, etc. and may be used for example for micromachining. |
| US08055107B2 |
Optical rotary adapter and optical tomographic imaging system using the same
The optical rotary adapter is used with an optical tomographic imaging system for acquiring an optical tomographic image of an object under measurement. The adapter includes a fixed sleeve, a stationary optical fiber supported by the fixed sleeve and having an inclined end face, a stationary collimating lens spaced a given distance from the inclined end face, a mounting cylinder carried rotatably with respect to the fixed sleeve, a rotary optical fiber mounted to the mounting cylinder and having an inclined end face, a rotary collimating lens mounted to the mounting cylinder and disposed with a given distance from the inclined end face, and a rotation actuating device for rotating said mounting cylinder. The central axes of the stationary and rotary optical fibers are offset from or inclined with respect to a central axis of rotation of the mounting cylinder to reduce attenuation of returning light from the object. |
| US08055106B2 |
Optical communication device including a digital optical switch
An optical communication device provided with digital optical switching includes a substrate; and at least one optical switch including a first optical switch composed of a main core disposed on the substrate and extending along a first direction, the main core including an optical input part and a transmission output part sequentially arranged along the first direction; a heater extending along a second direction to cross the main core; and a reflection output part extending along a third direction from a central point of the main core. The first direction and the second direction define a first angle there between, the second direction and the third direction define a second angle there between, and the first angle is equal to the second angle. An optical signal is outputted through the reflection output part or the transmission output part in response to heat from operation of the heater. |
| US08055104B2 |
Process performance evaluation for Enterprise data systems
A method using integrated software and algorithms for measuring, modeling, benchmarking and validating any Enterprise Content management system, forms processing data capture system or data entry system, including, at the user's option, ingest of special engineered test materials such as a Digital Test Deck®, applying data quality scoring algorithms, use of cost models, validation of downstream business processes, and implementing statistical process control. |
| US08055103B2 |
Object-based image search system and method
The present invention discloses an object-based image search system and method, whereby a user may visually specify query objects for retrieving relevant images without using any image-segmenting software tool. The method of the present invention comprises: specifying target feature points from sample images which are displayed in an image query interface and determining logic relationships of the target feature points; utilizing a feature-point checking program to correlate the target feature points with target objects; utilizing a feature-similarity calculating program to find out the images relevant to the target objects via the image feature parameters stored in a feature database; arranging and presenting the relevant images in sequence. |
| US08055094B2 |
Apparatus and method of motion adaptive image processing
An image processing apparatus includes a first motion detector, a second motion detector and a conversion selector. The first motion detector detects motion to a first level of spatial frequency sensitivity. The second motion detector detects motion to a second level of spatial frequency sensitivity greater than the first level of spatial frequency sensitivity to detect smaller amounts of motion than the first motion detector. The conversion selector selects contributions from at least one of a first conversion process and a second conversion process for a given point in an image dependant upon whether motion is detected by the first motion detector at the given point or not. The conversion selector operates independently of the second motion detector if a degree of motion within the image or a part thereof including the given point detected by the first motion detector does not exceed a threshold amount. |
| US08055090B2 |
Digital image processing using face detection information
A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values. |
| US08055088B2 |
Deterministic wavelet thresholding for general-error metrics
Novel, computationally efficient schemes for deterministic wavelet thresholding with the objective of optimizing maximum-error metrics are provided. An optimal low polynomial-time algorithm for one-dimensional wavelet thresholding based on a new dynamic-programming (DP) formulation is provided that can be employed to minimize the maximum relative or absolute error in the data reconstruction. Directly extending a one-dimensional DP algorithm to multi-dimensional wavelets results in a super-exponential increase in time complexity with the data dimensionality. Thus, novel, polynomial-time approximation schemes (with tunable approximation guarantees for the target maximum-error metric) for deterministic wavelet thresholding in multiple dimensions are also provided. |
| US08055087B2 |
Sample level variation for spatial sub-sampled images
A method for performing a sample level variation on an irregular sample is described herein. An initial sample level value for the sample is determined. An area of influence of the sample including pixels for which the sample is a factor in the prediction thereof is computed. Prediction errors of pixels in the area of influence are computed, along with a prediction error of the sample based on the prediction errors of the pixels. If the prediction error of the sample exceeds a prediction error threshold, a sample level change for the sample is computed based on only the prediction errors of the pixels. If the sample level change is less than a level change threshold, a new sample level value is assigned to the sample based on the sample level change. |
| US08055084B2 |
Image processing device, image compression method, image compression program, and recording medium
In an image processing device which compresses image data which is created by electronizing of a document, to generate compressed image data, a document type judgment unit determines a type of document from the image data. An image compression unit performs a compression encoding of the image data based on a result of the determination of the document type judgment unit. |
| US08055081B2 |
Image classification using capture-location-sequence information
Classification of a group of temporally related images is disclosed, wherein a capture-location sequence is identified from the group of temporally related images. The capture-location-sequence information, which is associated collectively with the capture-location sequence, is compared with each of a plurality of sets of predetermined capture-location-sequence characteristics. Each set is associated with a predetermined classification. An identified classification associated with the group of temporally related images is identified based at least upon results from the comparing step; and the identified classification is stored in a processor-accessible memory system. |
| US08055080B2 |
Album generating apparatus, album generating method and computer readable medium
An album generating apparatus that stores a plurality of images, sorts the plurality of images stored per event based on image capturing environments, selects a main image that is to be a primary image in the album out of the plurality of images stored per event sorted, selects subsidiary images that are to be images subsidiary to the main image selected in the album out of the plurality of images stored per event sorted based on the contents of the main image and determines a layout of the main image selected and the subsidiary images selected based on the contents of the main image selected and the subsidiary images selected. |
| US08055077B2 |
R/T display compression preserving intensity information
A realtime display compression for a waveform image uses a priority basis for combining groups of pixels when producing a compressed waveform image in order to preserve intensity information. As an example successive lines of data for the waveform image are demultiplexed into line buffers in a circulating manner, the number of line buffers being a function of the maximum desired integer compression ratio. The outputs from the line buffers are aligned and the corresponding pixels are combined according to a desired compression ratio, one output line for each integer compression ratio. The appropriate compressed line is selected as the output line according to the desired compression ratio, with the totality of the output lines forming the compressed waveform image. |
| US08055067B2 |
Color segmentation
A method of skin segmentation of a digital image is operable in an acquisition device. An image is acquired. A value indicative of a redness of a pixel of said image is compared with a face skin pixel redness criterion. The pixel is identified as a face skin pixel if said criterion is satisfied. |
| US08055065B2 |
Vectorisation of colour gradients
A method is described of generating a vector description of a color gradient in an image. The image comprises an array of pixels, each pixel having one or more associated color values. The image has at least one gradient area in which at least one of the color values varies between neighboring pixels. In each gradient area, a path is generated (step 210) comprising pixels having substantially the same color. Linear paths (403) and circular paths (501) are described. One or more control points are determined (step 220, 230) defining a line substantially perpendicular to the path. Representative color values are calculated at points along the line and a piecewise-linear color function is generated from the representative color values (step 240). The one or more control points and the piecewise-linear color function form a vector description of the color gradient in the gradient area. |
| US08055064B2 |
Printed product, printed product detection method and detection apparatus, and authentication method and authentication apparatus
This invention implements a printed product capable of embedding a variety of information which are unrecognizable by human eyes in image lines included in a security line drawing without decreasing the artistic effect of printed image lines and authenticating the information on the basis of the Fourier-transformed pattern of the printed image lines. This invention provides an information authenticable printed product having a plurality of line drawings in which an image line includes a unit image line including a plurality of image lines arrayed in parallel along a normal direction, and the normal-direction intervals between the plurality of image lines in the unit image line are set in correspondence with information to be embedded, an authentication method, a method of embedding information in the printed product, and an authentication apparatus. |
| US08055058B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting defects in wafer using line sensor camera
An apparatus and method for detecting defects in a wafer are provided. An optical part is disposed under an inspection stage and radiates infrared light. An image obtaining part detects the infrared light transmitted through the wafer to output an image signal. A conveying part conveys the image obtaining part or the inspection stage in a short side direction of a photographing region of a line sensor included in the image obtaining part, and outputs a pulse signal. A controller counts the pulse signal and outputs a photographing instruction signal controlling the image obtaining part to photograph the wafer whenever the wafer is conveyed in the short side direction of the photographing region of the line sensor toward the image obtaining part by a distance corresponding to the length of short sides of the photographing region. A defect detection part combines each image signal to generate an inspection image. |
| US08055055B2 |
Method for inspecting a foreign matter on mirror-finished substrate
Provided is a foreign matter inspection method for positively detecting a foreign matter in the neighborhood of the edge of a mirror-finished substrate without fail. Edge-emphasis and binarization are performed following the taking of an image of a substrate-under-inspection at a contour of its inspection area, to further detect a plurality of sampling points representative of a contour of the inspection area. An estimated inspection area is determined by determining the size, position and rotation angle of contour lines defined, size-reducibly, from the coordinates of the plurality of sampling points. After applying a mask to the binary image data in an area other than the estimated inspection area, a foreign-matter detection step is performed. |
| US08055054B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermographic nondestructive evaluation of an object
A non-destructive evaluation system and method is provided for detecting flaws in an object. The system includes a lamp for impinging the object with optical pulses and a focal plane array camera configured to capture the images corresponding to evolution of heat due to an impact of the optical pulses in the object. The system also includes an image acquisition system for capturing data corresponding to the images from the focal plane array camera. Both transmission mode imaging and reflection mode imaging techniques are used in an exemplary embodiment. A time of flight analysis system is also provided for analyzing the data from both transmission mode imaging technique and reflection mode imaging technique. The data from transmission mode imaging is used to determine thickness values at different points in the data and for determining location of flaws using the thickness values. The data from reflection mode imaging is used for determining depth of these flaws. |
| US08055051B2 |
Method and system for selecting the number of gaussian modes for the segmentation of cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images
A method for automatically selecting a number of Gaussian modes for segmentation of a cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) image, including: identifying a left ventricle (LV) in a cardiac MR image slice; quantifying the LV blood pool; obtaining a mask for the LV blood pool; generating a ring mask for a myocardium of the LV from the LV blood pool mask; fitting three Gaussian modes to a histogram of the image slice to obtain a corresponding homogeneity image for the myocardium; computing a quality of fitting (QOF) measure for the three Gaussian modes based on the corresponding homogeneity image; repeating the fitting and computing steps for four and five Gaussian modes; and selecting the homogeneity image of the number of Gaussian modes with the largest QOF measure as the homogeneity image for processing. |
| US08055050B2 |
Motion compensation in energy-sensitive computed tomography
An imaging system includes an energy resolving detector (20) which generates data indicative of detected radiation having at least first and second energies. The system also includes an energy pre-processor (24), a motion calculator (26), and a reconstructor (22). In one embodiment, the apparatus uses a k-edge imaging technique to perform a motion compensated reconstruction of projection data indicative of an object under examination. |
| US08055042B2 |
Fully automatic rapid microscope slide scanner
Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The invention also provides a method for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The invention further provides a method for dynamically displaying, with or without operator interaction, portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, all elements of the scanner are part of a single-enclosure that has a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet. In this embodiment, the preferred sample type is a microscope slide and the illumination and imaging optics are consistent with transmission mode optics optimized for diffraction-limited digital imaging. |
| US08055040B2 |
Ultrasonic image processing apparatus and method for processing ultrasonic image
Obtains the position of each of points composing the contour of a specific tissue shown in ultrasonic image data having been acquired at each time phase by pattern matching for each time phase. Obtains motion information of each of parts composing the specific tissue based on the position of each of the points composing the contour. For each time phase, obtain the differential value of the motion information of each of the parts by differentiating the motion information of each of the parts by time, and normalizes the differential value of the motion information. Assigns a color corresponding to the magnitude of the normalized differential value of the motion information to each of the parts displays an ultrasonic image at each time phase and furthermore display each of the parts of the specific tissue shown in the ultrasonic image of each time phase in the assign color. |
| US08055039B2 |
System and method to obtain noise mitigated monochromatic representation for varying energy level
In dual energy CT, through basis material decomposition (BMD), a pair of density images can be reconstructed. The noises in this image pair are negatively correlated due to the BMD process. A technique is presented for obtaining the monochromatic images at desired energy levels with reduced correlation noise. The technique includes obtaining a plurality of optimum attenuation coefficients for an energy level, selecting a desired energy level, obtaining a plurality of desired attenuation coefficients for the desired energy level, computing a scaling factor for a corresponding noise component based on the optimum attenuation coefficients and the desired attenuation coefficients, and generating a monochromatic image based upon the scaling factor. |
| US08055036B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic image display method
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus preferable for creating a sharper image from the signal originating from contrast medium and the signal originating from biological tissues and an ultrasonic image display method are provided.The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe 10 for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined, transmission means 12 for providing drive signals to ultrasonic probe 10, reception means for receiving the received signals outputted from ultrasonic probe 10, signal processing means 16 for processing the received signals outputted from the receiving means 14, image processing means 18 for constructing an ultrasonic image from the signals outputted from signal processing means 16, and display means for displaying the ultrasonic image.Signal processing means 16 has means for detecting the signal intensity and the amount of variation with time of the received signal outputted from reception means 14 for each frequency band.Image processing means 18 has means for distinguishing the signal of the ultrasonic image originating from the contrast medium and the signal originating from the biological tissues.The signal intensity and the amount of variation with time of the received signal obtained by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from the object are detected for each frequency band, the signals originating from the contrast medium and the biological tissues are distinguished on the basis of the signal intensity and the quantity of variation of time for each frequency band, and an ultrasonic image is displayed. |
| US08055026B2 |
Image feature extraction
A method of extracting desired features from a cellular image including the steps of: (a) selecting an initial cell within the image; (b) selecting an additional cell, near the initial cell, appearing to be associated with a desired feature; (c) repeating step (b) for further cells, near at least one of the previously selected cells, appearing to be associated with said feature, until selection termination criteria are satisfied; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for other initial cells. The method is particularly adept at extracting relatively weakly defined features in relatively noisy images, such as extracting faults or geologic horizons from 2D or 3D seismic data. A method of editing/filtering the features utilizing a stereo net is also disclosed. Related computer system and computer program products for implementing the method are also described. |
| US08055025B2 |
Motion estimation method
A motion estimation method uses a search start point and a plurality of search paths extending from the start point. The method finds an image point along the plurality of search paths that has a minimum comparison value with a reference image block. This image point with a minimum comparison value becomes the new search start point, with a plurality of new search paths extending from the new start point. The method then finds the image point along the plurality of new search paths that has a minimum comparison value with the reference image block. The cycle repeats until points on the search paths have comparison values higher than the start point. |
| US08055022B2 |
Passive touch system and method of detecting user input
A method of tracking an object of interest preferably includes (i) acquiring a first image and a second image representing different viewpoints of the object of interest; (ii) processing the first image into a first image data set and the second image into a second image data set; (iii) processing the first image data set and the second image data set to generate a background data set associated with a background; (iv) generating a first difference map by determining differences between the first image data set and the background data set and a second difference map by determining differences between the second image data set and the background data set; (v) detecting a first relative position of the object of interest in the first difference map and a second relative position of the object of interest in the second difference map; and (vi) producing an absolute position of the object of interest from the first and second relative positions of the object of interest. |
| US08055021B2 |
Motion capture device and associated method
The invention concerns a device for capturing the motion of a structure consisting of N articulated segments, characterized in that it comprises: first means (ML) that deliver at least one item of information able to restore an absolute acceleration vector {right arrow over (a)}1 of a point on the segment of rank 1 in a reference frame forming a reference, at successive times tk, k being an integer number greater than or equal to 1, and second measuring means (MD1, MDn) distributed over the various segments and which deliver, for each segment of rank 1 to N, at each time tk, a measurement (M1, Mn) representing an orientation vector ({right arrow over (Θ)}1, {right arrow over (Θ)}n) of the segment in the reference frame. Application to biomechanical analysis, telemanipulation, animation of characters, etc. |
| US08055018B2 |
Object image detection method
The present invention discloses an object image detection method, which uses a coarse-to-fine strategy to detect objects. The method of the present invention comprises steps: acquiring an image and pre-processing the image to achieve dimensional reduction and information fusion; using a trained filter to screen features; and sequentially using a coarse-level MLP verifier and a fine-level MLP verifier to perform a neural network image detection to determine whether the features of the image match the features of the image of a target object. The present invention simultaneously uses three mainstream image detection methods, including the statistic method, neural network method and adaboost method, to perform image detection. Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of the rapidity of the adaboost method and the accuracy of the neural network method at the same time. |
| US08055016B2 |
Apparatus and method for normalizing face image used for detecting drowsy driving
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for normalizing an image of a driver's face in a predetermined size on the center of a monitor by automatically controlling a lens when the image of the driver's face is detected. The apparatus includes a lens for photographing a driver's face, a first motor for moving the lens in a forward or rearward direction in order to adjust a zoom parameter, a second motor for moving the lens in a horizontal or vertical direction in order to adjust a pan parameter or a tilt parameter, and a controller for extracting an initial face area from a photographed image and controlling operations of the first motor and the second motor according to the extracted initial face area. |
| US08055015B2 |
Method of detecting an incident or the like on a portion of a route
A method for detecting an incident on a traffic lane uses a video camera having a target constituting an optoelectronic converter of a real optical image, the target being monitored by a programmable processing member and the incident detection process being designed to be carried out by activating the programmable processing member only when the real landscape image focused on the target is stationary. The inventive method includes detecting the beginning of displacement of the real image of the landscape relative to the target, in deactivating the programmable processing member right at the beginning of the displacement of the real image of the landscape relative to the target, and reactivating the programmable processing member at the end of the displacement of the real image of the landscape relative to the target to carry out the incident detection process. |
| US08055012B2 |
Hiding and detecting messages in media signals
The present invention relates to steganographically hiding messages in media signals such as video and audio signals. In one implementation, a method of decoding an encoded media signal to extract a plural-bit auxiliary signal therefrom is provided. The media signal includes a plurality of intervals, with the plural-bit auxiliary signal being steganographically encoded in at least some of the intervals. Once encoded in the media signal the plural-bit auxiliary signal is generally imperceptible to a human observer of the encoded media signal. The encoding includes subtle changes to at least some portions of the media signal to thereby represent the plural-bit auxiliary signal. The method includes receiving the encoded media signal; and decoding the received encoded media signal to extract the plural-bit auxiliary signal therefrom. The decoding analyzes a plurality of intervals of the media signal with greater or lesser confidence in the extracted multi-bit auxiliary data signal being obtained by processing more or less intervals of the encoded media signal, respectively. |
| US08055004B2 |
Fiber optic earpiece to reduce radiation transmitted to a cell phone user
An earpiece using optical fiber shields the human brain from radio frequency radiation generated by wireless phones and similar radio devices. The disclosed device and method prevents unwanted exposure to potentially harmful radiation and provides an enhanced communication path between a cell phone and ear-piece. |
| US08055003B2 |
Acoustic systems for electronic devices
A portable electronic device may have acoustic ports such as microphone and speaker ports. Acoustic devices such as microphones and speakers may be associated with the acoustic ports. An acoustic port may have an opening between an interior and exterior of the portable electronic device. The opening may be covered by a metal mesh. An acoustic fabric may be interposed between the metal mesh and the opening. The opening may be formed from a hole in a glass member having outer and inner chamfers. A microphone boot may be provided that forms front and rear radial seals with a housing of the device and a microphone unit respectively. The microphone boot may also form multiple face seals with the microphone unit. A speaker for the speaker port may be enclosed in a sealed speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may have a pressure-equalizing vent slit covered with an acoustic mesh. |
| US08054999B2 |
Audio system with varying time delay and method for processing audio signals
The invention regards a method for processing audio signals whereby an audio signal is captured, digitized and processed in the digital domain by a digital signal processing unit or DSP, and where a processed output signal from the digital signal processing unit is converted to the analog domain and served at a transducer for providing a sensation of sound. The DSP unit is provided with mean for performing at least two different digital algorithms which delivers each their processed signal having each their non identical time delay and further the most rewarding sound signal is chosen and served at the output transducer. |
| US08054993B1 |
System for automatic compensation of low frequency audio based on human loudness perceptual models
A system for boosting the bass of an audio signal to closely match or mirrors a plurality of Robinson-Dadson loudness curves by interpolating coefficients from a table of values representing the Robinson-Dadson loudness. The system having a controller that interpolates the coefficients from the loudness curves and then uses the coefficients in a shelf filter that makes adjustments to the audio signal. The result of the adjustments to the audio signal is the introduction of bass boost slowly through a diminuendo or lowering of level through volume adjustment and to removes the bass boost rapidly during a crescendo or increase in level through user volume adjustment. |
| US08054982B2 |
Sound signal generator testing apparatus
A sound signal generator testing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a hermetic seal (2), a sound signal input unit (4), and at least a noise suppression unit (5). The sound signal input unit is for receiving sound signals transmitted from a sound signal generator (1) under testing. Each noise suppression unit includes a sound signal input unit, a low pass filter, an inverter, and an output. The sound signal input unit is for receiving sound signals. The low pass filter is for filtering the sound signals by passing the low frequencies of the sound signals that are below a predetermined value. The inverter is for inverting phases of the sound signals transmitted from the low pass filter and producing inverted sound signals. The output unit is placed behind the sound signal input unit for outputting the inverted sound signals. |
| US08054978B2 |
Key management for content protection
A method for content access control operative to enable authorized devices to access protected content and to prevent unauthorized devices from accessing protected content, the method comprising: providing a plurality of authorized devices; dividing the plurality of authorized devices into a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of authorized devices being comprised in at least one of the plurality of groups, no two devices of the plurality of authorized devices being comprised in exactly the same groups; determining whether at least one device of the plurality of authorized devices is to be prevented from having access to the protected content and, if at least one device is to be prevented, removing all groups comprising the at least one device from the plurality of groups, thus producing a set of remaining groups; and determining an authorized set comprising groups from the set of remaining groups, such that each device of the plurality of authorized devices which was not determined, in the determining whether step, to be prevented from having access is comprised in at least one group of the authorized set. |
| US08054969B2 |
Transmission of a digital message interspersed throughout a compressed information signal
A method is disclosed that enables the transmission of a digital message along with a corresponding media information signal, such as audio or video. A telecommunications device that is processing the information signal from its user, such as a speech signal, encodes the information signal by using a model-based compression coder. One such device is a telecommunications endpoint. Then, based on an evaluation of the perceptual significance of each encoded bit, or on some other meaningful characteristic of the signal, the endpoint's processor: (i) determines which encoded bits can be overwritten; and (ii) intersperses the digital message bits throughout the encoded signal in place of the overwritten bits. The endpoint then transmits those digital message bits as part of the encoded information signal. In this way, no additional bits are appended to the packet to be transmitted, thereby addressing the issue of compatibility with existing protocols and firewalls. |
| US08054968B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing prepaid music card for deciphering recorded broadcast audio signals
An apparatus and method are provided for deciphering recorded digital audio signals and using a smart card to pay for deciphering. Encrypted digital audio signals are recorded onto a recording medium, such as a compact disc or the like. When the user desires to listen to the recording, the encrypted recording is inserted into a player/recorder and a prepaid smart card is inserted into a smart card reader connected to the player/recorder. The smart card reader deducts a predetermined value from the card before allowing the player/recorder to decipher the encrypted recording, and record the deciphered audio onto a recording medium for playback. |
| US08054962B2 |
Call processing based on call patterns and other criteria
The patent application describes techniques for managing calls. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises detecting a call to a target phone; determining a source of the call; determining one or more patterns of talk time for calls between the source and the target phone, wherein the patterns indicate one or more call durations for the calls between the source and the target phone; determining an amount of talk time a battery in the target phone can sustain; determining that at least one of the call durations for the calls between the source and target phone is greater than the amount of talk time the battery in the target phone can sustain; and sending the call to a voice mail associated with the target phone. |
| US08054959B2 |
Telephone exchange apparatus and incoming call transfer control method of the apparatus
According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange apparatus includes a memory and a calculation module and a controller. The memory stores data associating a caller ID specifying a caller and a recipient ID specifying a transfer operation source with frequency of transfer for each of at least one of a telephone terminal and a group to be a transfer destination. The calculation module calculates a percent of transfer from frequency of transfer in a predetermined period and store the percent of transfer for each of the caller ID in the memory. The controller refers the memory based on the caller ID and the recipient ID included in an incoming call, and performs incoming call control to at least one of a telephone terminal and a group corresponding to a transfer destination including a percent of transfer which is larger than a predetermined value based on a reference result. |
| US08054958B2 |
Universal SMDR buffer
The present invention provides a highly flexible system that can receive SMDR messages in many different formats and process these messages to produce useful reports and control information. The system can collect data via a LAN/WAN connection from PBX systems with internal data storage, PBX systems without internal data storage and legacy PBX systems that are connected to a buffer for storage of SMDR records. |
| US08054953B2 |
Method and system for executing correlative services
A method and a system for executing correlative services are provided. In the method and the system, an event type corresponding to an input message is determined through semantic analysis. After collecting the necessary execution information of the event type according to the input message, a user database, or by inquiring the user or another system, the system automatically executes various correlative services of the event type. Therefore, the system can help users to execute correlative services more correctly and more efficiently. |
| US08054948B1 |
Audio experience for a communications device user
A system and associated methods provide an audio experience such that a user spatially perceives one or more audio events. One particular method set forth involves obtaining audio events and presenting the audio events so that an audio experience is provided. According to one embodiment of the method, upon obtaining audio events, the audio events are associated with one or more corresponding audio components. Thereafter, the audio experience is determined based on the audio events and associated audio components. The audio experience is then presented such that the user may spatially perceive the audio events. |
| US08054944B2 |
Electron beam controller of an x-ray radiator with two or more electron beams
An x-ray tube has a number of emitters that generate respective electron beams, and has a common anode at which the electron beams strike on a surface to generate x-rays. A high x-ray dose power with a long lifespan are achieved while being able to quickly vary the x-ray dose power by using a superimposed intensity distribution from the x-ray beams, which is measured by a detector, to optimize the x-ray beams on the surface. |
| US08054943B2 |
Magnetic coupler drive for x-ray tube anode rotation
An x-ray tube includes a housing enclosing a vacuum chamber, a cathode positioned within the vacuum chamber configured to emit electrons, and an anode positioned within the vacuum chamber to receive the electrons emitted from the cathode and generate a beam of x-rays from the electrons. The x-ray tube also includes a magnetic coupler drive configured to rotate the anode, with the magnetic coupler drive having an inner rotor frame positioned within the vacuum chamber and an outer rotor frame positioned outside the vacuum chamber and adjacent the inner rotor frame. The magnetic coupler drive also includes an inner rotor magnet mounted to the inner rotor frame and an outer rotor magnet mounted to the outer rotor frame. The inner and outer rotor magnets interact to generate a magnetic field that transfers torque from the outer rotor to the inner rotor, thereby causing the inner rotor to rotate the anode. |
| US08054940B2 |
Image capturing system for medical use, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
The present invention provides a technique capable of objectively discriminating the constituent of a subject also in an image in which density difference is not easily discriminated on a gray image obtained by image capturing for medical use using X-rays. An image capturing system for medical use includes: a detecting unit for detecting an X-ray dose by absorbing X-rays passed through a subject in image capturing for medical use and outputting absorbed X-ray dose information; an obtaining unit for obtaining image information of the subject from the absorbed X-ray dose information; an image processing unit for calculating average detection energy in each first predetermined region in the image information; and an output unit for outputting the average detection energy. |
| US08054937B2 |
Systems and methods for using an intensity-modulated X-ray source
The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanning system having a plurality of detectors and a controller, where a) the controller is configured to receive and identify a minimum X-ray transmission level detected by at least one detector, b) the controller compares the minimum X-ray transmission level to at least one predetermined threshold transmission level, and c) based on said comparison, the controller generates an adjustment signal. The present invention further comprises an X-ray source, where the X-ray source receives an adjustment signal and is configured to adjust an X-ray pulse duration based on the adjustment signal. |
| US08054936B2 |
Xenon CT apparatus, method of determining arterial blood rate constant, and method for calculating blood flow
In a blood flow measuring apparatus, a data processor in a computer determines three parameters from a (ΔCT value of CT image data corresponding to) time-course change, consisting of a test region rate constant K, an arterial blood rate constant Ka, and a xenon partition coefficient λ. A blood flow f is determined using the determined rate constant K, and the xenon partition coefficient λ. |
| US08054933B2 |
Chemical injection system and chemical delivery process/method of injecting into an operating power reactor
An injection system designed to deliver a chemical solution into a reactor through feedwater system taps during normal operating condition of a power reactor is disclosed. The process of delivery is via positive displacement pumps. Injection of chemical is in a concentrated solution form, which is internally diluted by the system prior to discharging from the skid. The injection system minimizes chemical loss due to deposition on the transit line, enables a higher concentrated solution to be used as the injectant, eliminates the time consuming laborious process of chemical dilution, raises chemical solution to the pressure required for injection, prevents solid precipitations out of solution at the injection pump head through the use of a flush solution, and deposits fresh chemical on new crack surfaces that develop during a power reactor start-up, shutdown and operation. |
| US08054930B2 |
Clock recovery circuit
A circuit is provided for clock recovery. The circuit includes a reference extraction unit for extracting from a datastream time references defining a reference time base, and a digital Phase Locked Loop including a first programmable counter in the guise of a digitally controlled oscillator for overseeing an output time base, a second programmable counter in the guise of a loop divider for overseeing a loop time base, and a dedicated processor capable of executing a program including a first software module in the guise of a phase comparator for comparing values of the loop and reference time bases and generating a loop error, and a second software module in the guise of a loop filter for producing an adaptation value of an increment value of the first programmable counter from the loop error. Also provided are a user terminal and a method for clock recovery. |
| US08054929B2 |
System and method for auto-squelching digital communications
A system and method are provided for auto-squelching digital communications. The method receives digital information from a source node. If the receive channel is corrupted, an alarm condition is detected that is associated with the received digital information. The method transmits an alarm-condition signal to a destination node, and in response to transmitting the alarm-condition signal, maintains a valid link to the destination node. For example, detecting the alarm condition may include: comparing a frequency associated with the recovered clock signal, with a reference frequency; and, detecting a variance between the recovered clock signal frequency and the reference frequency. Alternately, loss of signal, loss of lock, out of band, and run length alarm conditions may be detected. The alarm-condition signal that is transmitted may be a serial data stream of information such as all “0”s data, all “1”s data, or alternating “0”s and “1”s data for example. |
| US08054928B2 |
Programmable preamble system and method
A system includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device includes a programmable region. The programmable region of the first communication device is programmed so that an associated signal includes a number of preamble cycles. The second communication device also can include a programmable region. The programmable region of the second communication device can be programmed so that an associated signal includes a number of preamble cycles. The number of preamble cycles can be based on a variety of factors, such as the topology or implementation of the system. In an embodiment, the number of preamble cycles is associated with a data strobe signal, and data is not read or written in response to the data strobe signal until all of the preamble cycles have been transmitted and received. |
| US08054927B2 |
Synchronous circuit and method for receiving data
The present invention includes: a synchronous-word detecting unit receives a baseband received signal including a synchronous word and data for each frame, and detects whether or not the synchronous word is coincided with an expected value in the baseband received signal by using an N-(N is an integer of 2 or larger) phase sampling clock; a phase information retaining unit retains phase information accumulatively including results detected for a plurality of frames by the synchronous-word detecting unit, and determines a phase to be sampled on the basis of the retained phase information; a phase selecting unit selects and determines a phase of the sampling clock on the basis of determination by the phase information retaining unit; and a FIFO buffer samples the data from the baseband received signal, and outputs the sampled data. |
| US08054926B2 |
Clock and data recovery system and method for clock and data recovery based on a forward error correction
The forward error correction based clock and data recovery system includes a data latch for intermediately storing received data, which is triggered by a sampling clock. The system further includes an error determination unit for determining whether which of the sampled received data is wrong, and for generating out of it a phase/frequency correction signal. Furthermore, the system includes a clock generator for generating the sampling clock depending on the correction signal. |
| US08054923B2 |
Radio receiver
A radio receiver for receiving an existing analog broadcast and a terrestrial digital radio broadcast transmitting digital signals, the receiver having a plurality of antennas 11a, 11b, and composed of a diversity receiver 12 for receiving terrestrial digital radio broadcasts by antenna switching; and a controller 21 for disabling diversity reception when the number of receivable broadcasting stations acquired by station selection operation is a predetermined number or more. |
| US08054921B2 |
Mitigating noise created by spread spectrum clocks
A platform to mitigate noise caused by spread spectrum clock signals. The platform may comprise a noise mitigation block, which may include a first set of analog-to-digital converters, a second analog-to-digital, and a noise canceller. The first set of analog-to-digital converters may generate clock samples by digitizing the plurality of spread spectrum clock signals, which are provided as inputs to the noise mitigation block. The second analog-to-digital converter may generate data samples by digitizing the data signal. The noise canceller coupled to the first set of analog-to-digital converters and the second analog-to-digital converter may identify an interference portion in the data signal using the clock samples and the data samples and remove the interference portion from the data signal. |
| US08054920B2 |
Communications device and related method with improved acquisition estimates of frequency offset and phase error
A repeated preamble bit or symbol pattern such as for a binary phase shift keyed (BPSK) communications signal is received within a modem. An initial frequency offset and phase error estimate is generated by processing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) that detects the repeated preamble pattern for a block of samples within the communications signal. Two halves of the block of samples are correlated with a plurality of different BPSK shifted sequences to obtain a symbol timing alignment based on the shifted sequence providing the maximum correlation value. A frequency offset estimate is iteratively updated an N number of times using the shifted sequence providing the maximum correlation value to refine an acquisition estimate of the frequency offset and phase error of the received communications signal. |
| US08054919B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating training sequence codes in a communication system
A method and apparatus for generating training sequence codes in a communication system. In the method, a pair of sequences A and B having cross-correlation properties as well as autocorrelation properties are generated, and protection sequences A′ and B′ are generated by copying last L symbols of the sequences A and B, respectively. The training sequence codes are generated by locating the protection sequences A′ and B′ in the most significant positions (MSPs) of the sequences A and B. The training sequence codes can be extended and applied to 16-QAM and 32-QAM used in a GERAN system, and the use of such training sequence codes enables data to be efficiently transmitted/received without performance deterioration in a GERAN system. |
| US08054914B2 |
Noise variance estimation
A method and system for estimating noise variance. A method for noise variance estimation comprises receiving a first multi-sample symbol and receiving a second multi-sample symbol. The first multi-sample symbol is subtracted from the second multi-sample symbol to produce a set of noise samples. The set of noise samples is used to produce a noise variance estimate. The noise variance estimate is applied in various tasks (e.g. channel estimation, log-likelihood ratio computation, and/or minimum mean squared error equalization) to process data provided to a user. |
| US08054912B2 |
Large-dynamic-range lookup table for a transmitter predistorter and system and method employing the same
A predistorters for use with a nonlinear element and methods of predistorting for a nonlinear element for use in a 3G, e.g., WCDMA transmitter. In one embodiment, the predistorter includes: (1) a lookup table having non-uniformly spaced entries therein, (2) a compander configured to compand an input signal based on a nonlinearity of the nonlinear element to address the entries and (3) an interpolation offset calculation circuit associated with the lookup table and configured to produce an output based on a value of the input signal and a linear interpolation involving at least two entries from the lookup table. |
| US08054904B2 |
Partial iterative detection and decoding apparatus and method in MIMO system
A partial iterative detection and decoding apparatus in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system includes a detector for detecting signals received through at least one receive antenna to generate a first soft decision value, a decoder for decoding the first soft decision value to generate a second soft decision value, and a reliability determiner for determining a signal to be iteratively detected and decoded by using the second soft decision value. Accordingly, the complexity of the receiver is reduced and the number of iterations limited due to the complexity is increased, thereby improving the performance of the receiver. |
| US08054903B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmission/reception devices capable of improving a receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having an improved reception performance and a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a randomizer for inputting dual TS stream consists of robust and normal packets having stuff bytes inserted in predetermined positions and randomizing the dual TS stream; a stuff byte exchanger for replacing the stuff byte of a randomized data stream from the randomizer to a predetermined known data; and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels. |
| US08054899B2 |
Terminal apparatus, base station and communication method
A terminal apparatus including a block generation unit, a transmission timing calculation unit, and a transmission unit. The block generation unit generates a block that includes a plurality of symbols being temporally consecutive and one or more repetition symbols added to a head end of the symbols. The transmission timing calculation unit calculates a transmission timing at which the block is to be transmitted to an external apparatus according to a symbol rate of the block and a number of extended repetition symbols included in the block. The transmission unit transmits the block to the external apparatus at the transmission timing calculated by the transmission timing calculation unit. |
| US08054897B2 |
UWB receiver scaling clock frequency by data rate and data reception method thereof
A method for demodulating an ultra-wide band (UWB) signal includes detecting a detecting a data rate of the UWB signal, selecting one from plurality of clock signals in response to the detected data rate, decoding the UWB signal in accordance with the selected clock signal, and outputting transmission data determined by a fast clock. The plurality of clock signals includes at least one frequency different from other frequencies. A receiver for an UWB signal includes an OFDM demodulating unit demodulating the UWB signal into an OFDM symbol, and a bit-level processing unit demodulating the OFDM symbol into bit-level data. The bit-level processing unit receives a scaled clock signal having a frequency corresponding to one of a plurality of data rates of the UWB signal. The method and apparatus may reduce static power consumption and improve performance of the receiver. |
| US08054893B2 |
Optimum radio communication method with radio frame variable control and radio communication system using the same
Not only pilot channel symbols but also control channel symbols can be flexibly decreased in a radio communication system, which includes a transmission side apparatus transmitting a data frame where a plurality of continuous or discontinuous frequency areas are assigned to one transfer time block and a frame is formed of a predetermined number of transfer time blocks; and a reception side apparatus receiving a data frame from the transmission side apparatus, The transmission side apparatus transmits to the reception side apparatus a data frame which has a common pilot channel and a control channel in the beginning of the frame, the reception side apparatus measures a received quality of the data frame, decides a frame type based on the measured received quality and notifies the decided frame type to the transmission side apparatus. The transmission side apparatus sends subsequent frame data to the reception side apparatus in use of a frame format corresponding to the notified frame type. |
| US08054886B2 |
Signaling and use of chroma sample positioning information
Rules for the signaling and interpretation of chroma position are described. One rule, called the short rule, defines fifteen discrete chroma centering positions and corresponding four-bit syntax element. Another rule, called the extended rule, defines 81 discrete chroma centering positions and corresponding seven-bit syntax elements. A described method includes receiving digital media data at a digital media encoder, determining chroma position information for the received digital media data, and representing the chroma position information with one or more syntax elements in an encoded bitstream. The one or more syntax elements are operable to communicate the chroma position information to a digital media decoder. The chroma position information facilitates an image rotation or flip. |
| US08054883B2 |
Method for transcoding compressed video signals, related apparatus and computer program product therefor
Transcoder apparatus for transcoding an input video bit-stream having a first encoding profile (e.g., MPEG-2) into an output video bit-stream having a second encoding profile (e.g., H.264), the first encoding profile including motion estimation information, the apparatus including: a front-end for extracting the motion estimation information from the input video bit-stream, and a back-end for constructing the output bit-stream. The front-end and the back-end of the apparatus are interconnected (e.g., via a buffer) to pass the motion estimation information from the front-end to the back-end, thereby avoiding motion estimation in constructing the output bit-stream at the apparatus back-end. |
| US08054880B2 |
Parallel rate control for digital video encoder with multi-processor architecture and picture-based look-ahead window
A method of operating a multi-processor video encoder by determining a target size corresponding to a preferred number of bits to be used when creating an encoded version of a picture in a group of sequential pictures making up a video sequence. The method includes the steps of calculating a first degree of fullness of a coded picture buffer at a first time, operating on the first degree of fullness to return an estimated second degree of fullness of the coded picture buffer at a second time, and operating on the second degree of fullness to return an initial target sized for the picture. The first time corresponds to the most recent time an accurate degree of fullness of the coded picture buffer can be calculated and the second time occurs after the first time. |
| US08054877B2 |
Constellation recovery for quadrature amplitude modulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving an input signal. In an embodiment of the invention a current candidate QAM constellation can be selected. A mean squared error of a signal responsive to the input signal can be computed based on the current candidate QAM constellation. The computed mean squared error can be compared to a threshold error value. The invention advantageously allows for relatively efficient and relatively reliable equalization of signals transmitted with an unknown QAM constellation, and allows for relatively efficient and reliable recovery of the unknown QAM constellation. |
| US08054876B2 |
Active delay line
A delay line for deployment in an equalizer to insert a delay in a signal received by the delay line employs a plurality of cascaded delay stages where the delay per stage provided by an active unit-gain amplifier in each stage that provides sufficient impedance mismatch between the delay stages without substantial deterioration of the frequency response of the client signal undergoing deterioration of the frequency response of the client signal undergoing delay. |
| US08054870B2 |
System for transmitting information data from a transmitter to a receiver over a nested block channel
The present invention concerns a system for transmitting information data from a transmitter to a receiver over nested block channel, the transmitter (TRD) comprising an encoder (ENC) following an error correcting code structure, the receiver (RCV) comprising a decoder (DEC) defined according to the error correcting code structure, the nested block channel (NBCH) comprising a scaled BPSK binary modulator (BM), the amplitude of which may vary from one bit transmission to the other. Such system is characterized in that the coding rate (Rc) of the encoder (ENC) or the parameters (D,L) of the nested block channel (NBCH) are selected dependently one from each other to achieve a target diversity order of the system and to maximize the coding gain. |
| US08054866B2 |
MC-CDMA system, transmitter and receiver
A MC-CDMA transmitter and an MC-CDMA receiver are provided, which use a novel orthogonal spreading code that allows an effect by a delay wave to appear in only a specific user. An MC-CDMA system includes: a transmitter which multiplies a transmitting signal by a sinusoidal signal which has an amplitude of r and is orthogonal as a result that the frequency periods are different among users, in a frequency domain to be spread and split into orthogonal sub-carriers, and multiplexes the sub-carriers; and a receiver for receiving a transmitting signal from the transmitter in a manner that a sinusoidal signal, which has an amplitude of r and is orthogonal as a result that the frequency periods are different among users, is multiplied by the transmitting signal in a frequency domain, and the resultant is inversely spread. |
| US08054861B2 |
Primary, secondary, and tertiary codes synchronizing slots in a frame
A method of processing data comprises the receiving a frame of data having a predetermined number of time slots (502,504,506). Each time slot comprises a respective plurality of data symbols (520). The method further comprises a primary (508), a secondary (510) and a tertiary (512) synchronization code in each said predetermined number of time slots. |
| US08054860B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for synchronizing time in time-division multiplexing system
A method, system and apparatus for synchronizing time in a time-division multiplexing (TDM) system are disclosed. The method may include: receiving time synchronization information carried in an idle timeslot, where the idle timeslot is in a multiframe of an E1 signal or T1 signal; and synchronizing time according to the time synchronization information carried in the timeslot. The present disclosure may synchronize the time of the communication device in the TDM system while saving the cost, eliminating the necessity of installation and improving the stability of the time synchronization. |
| US08054859B2 |
Precesion/speed compromise of a synchronization signal reception device
A reception device is able to receive packets in a communication network comprising at least two stations. The device is capable of receiving packets containing samples of the network which originate from data sampled every period Tsmp, where Tsmp emanates from a time base synchronized on all the stations of the said network; regenerating a counting ramp with the aid of a loop receiving the samples and furthermore delivering local samples every period Tsmp and a clock. The phase-locked loop comprises: a samples comparator comparing the samples and the local samples and delivering an error signal; a corrector receiving the signal and delivering a corrected error signal, the corrector having a static gain equal to 1; a digital oscillator receiving the corrected error signal and delivering the clock, which has a frequency dependent on the signal and is proportional to a gain. According to the invention, the phase-locked loop comprises, furthermore, a gain adjustment device which determines a gain value as a function of the error signal. |
| US08054857B2 |
Task queuing methods and systems for transmitting frame information over an I/O interface
Data-processing systems and methods are disclosed, including an I/O interface for managing the transfer of data between a processor and at least one memory. A processor can be associated with the I/O interface, such that the processor generically assembles a first or prior frame from among a plurality of frames, transmits the first or prior frame from among the plurality of frames over the I/O interface and thereafter processes and assembles a subsequent or second frame from among the plurality of frames while the first frame is transmitting, thereby providing enhanced flexibility and speed for the assembly and transmission of the plurality of frames across the I/O interface. The methods and systems disclosed also permit processor (i.e., software control) flexibility in managing the overall order and priority of frame transmission and protocol management, while enhancing hardware performance with respect to the sending of frames and control sequences without requiring real time interaction from the processor. |
| US08054856B2 |
Method for synchronizing voice traffic with minimum latency in a communications network
A supervisory communications node monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote devices throughout a widely distributed network. A method is provided to convey and maintain information used to synchronize the packetization and burst operations within the network. During session setup, jitter constraints indirectly are used to explicitly communicate a synchronization timing reference. The timing reference is set at the beginning of a phase/period boundary used to service the session. In an embodiment, the announcement of the first grant is used as an explicit indication of the synchronization timing reference value. In another embodiment, the synchronization timing reference value is inferred if a remote device receives contiguous voice grants meeting certain conditions. In an embodiment implementing periodic scheduling, the actual arrival of the first grant is used to infer the synchronization timing reference value. In an embodiment, the present invention enables the synchronization timing reference value and/or the periodicity to be modified if network conditions indicate that packetization and burst operations are out-of-synchronization. |
| US08054849B2 |
System and method of managing video content streams
A system and method for managing video content streams are disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of multicast video streams at a server and buffering each video stream within a memory at the server. The method also includes generating a multicast video output at the server and a unicast video output at the server. |
| US08054848B2 |
Single DMA transfers from device drivers to network adapters
Methods and arrangements of data communications are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to provide data communications. An embodiment may involve receiving from a protocol stack a request for a buffer to hold data. The data may consist of all or part of a payload of a packet. The embodiment may also involve allocating space in a buffer for the data and for a header of a packet. The protocol stack may store the data in a portion of the buffer and hand down the buffer to a network device driver. The embodiment may also involve the network device driver transferring the entire packet from the buffer to a communications adapter in a single direct memory access (DMA) operation. |
| US08054836B2 |
Downlink packet data convergence protocol behavior during handover
The present invention relates to maintaining an order of received data units during a handover procedure in a wireless communication system. The present invention includes receiving a plurality of data units from a source station according to a sequence prior to handover to a target base station, wherein each data unit includes a sequence number, receiving at least one data unit having a sequence number after handover from a target base station, and delivering to a higher layer all data units received from the source base station prior to handover and having sequence numbers smaller than a sequence number of the at least one data unit received from the target base station after handover. |
| US08054834B2 |
Method and equipment for demultiplexing variable size protocol data units
The present invention relates to a method for demultiplexing MAC service data units encapsulated into MAC protocol data units, said MAC service data units comprising IP protocol data unit wherein said method comprises the following steps: receiving MAC protocol data units, demultiplexing the received MAC service data units by: detecting the beginning of a MAC service data unit by detecting a MAC layer service primitive, recursively demultiplexing said at least one IP protocol data unit contained in said MAC service data unit, detecting the end of said MAC service data unit by detecting MAC layer service primitives. |
| US08054829B2 |
Communication system and method
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication arrangement for distinguishing between network entities having the same address by translating between the same addresses and surrogate addresses using an intermediary network entity. |
| US08054823B2 |
Mapping schemes for secondary synchronization signal scrambling
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes a synchronization unit configured to provide a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal having first and second segments. The transmitter also includes a secondary scrambling unit configured to provide a scrambled secondary synchronization signal, wherein scrambling agents for the first and second segments are derived from a primary synchronization sequence of the primary synchronization signal. The secondary scrambling unit is further configured to provide an additional scrambling of one of the first and second segments, wherein a second scrambling agent is derived from the remaining segment of a secondary synchronization sequence of the secondary synchronization signal. The transmitter further includes a transmit unit configured to transmit the primary synchronization signal and the scrambled secondary synchronization signal. |
| US08054821B2 |
Beacon requests and RS bit resolving circular routes
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus and methodology subject matters concerning the handling of Beacon Requests and Registered State bit resolving to avoid circular routes. |
| US08054816B2 |
Method for hopping frequency of orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing symbol
Provided is a method for hopping frequencies of an OFDM (orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing) symbol, including: receiving an OFDM symbol comprising mapping information as to a type of disposing sub-carriers of the OFDM symbol, a frequency hopping pattern, and positions of pilots; and mapping the type, the frequency hopping pattern, and the positions of the pilots based on the mapping information. |
| US08054809B2 |
Retransmission method for multiple antenna system
A packet retransmission method for use in a communication system transmitting a signal via at least two antennas is disclosed. The packet retransmission method includes the steps of: a) receiving a signal corresponding to a specific packet, and independently transmitting a signal via the at least two antennas corresponding to the received signal; b) receiving a NACK signal associated with the packet; and c) independently applying an STTD to a real part and an imaginary part of each signal transmitted at step (a), and transmitting the STTD-resultant signal. Therefore, the method separates a real part and an imaginary part from each other, obtains a STTD gain, and can efficiently transmit a packet. |
| US08054808B2 |
Controlling interference in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for controlling interference in a wireless communication system includes a first step of performing 500 a handoff measurement of a signal parameter for a current site and for nearby sites, and performing 502 a comparison of the signal parameters to select the nearby site having the strongest signal parameter. A next step 504 includes defining a target maximum allowable noise rise for the selected nearby site. A next step 506 includes calculating an upper bound for at least one operating parameter in the current site. A next step 508 includes determining whether a maximum for the at least one operating parameter exceeds 510 the upper bound. A next step 514 includes constraining the at least one operating parameter to no more than the upper bound if the maximum for the at least one operating parameter exceeds the upper bound. |
| US08054803B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing neighbor list automatically in synchronous CDMA network
A method for automatically optimizing a neighbor list for processing handover in a synchronous CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network includes the steps of: collecting neighbor list data, call fault data, handover statistical data, base station location data and PN information data of each base station sector in a nationwide network; extracting all target sectors available for handover by analyzing the collected data; endowing a weighting factor to the extracted target sectors according to importance and then sorting the target sectors according to calculated results so as to determine priorities; and subsequently inputting the target sector information to the neighbor list according to the priorities. |
| US08054802B2 |
Hand-off trigger at access technology borders
A method for hand-off trigger at access technology borders may include triggering a mobile station in communication with a first carrier having a first technology type to acquire synchronization with a second carrier having a second technology type if the mobile station enters a border area, the border area including at least one sector covered by at least two carriers having different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) including the first technology type and the second technology type. |
| US08054801B2 |
Method and system for implementing inter-access network handoff in active state in HRPD network
A method and system for implementing an inter-Access Network (AN) handoff in an active state in a High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) Network. The method mainly includes determining that an inter-AN handoff operation is necessary and initiating a handoff procedure to perform the inter-AN handoff, sending data to be transmitted to an access terminal to the destination AN in advance in the handoff procedure, and then sending the access terminal the data to be transmitted to the access terminal by the source AN or the destination AN according to the result of the handoff procedure. With the method according to the present invention, the continuity of a service may be improved. Even if the inter-AN handoff procedure fails, the source PCF may send data information obtained upon the start of the handoff to the access terminal when the access terminal returns to the source AN since the source PCF may receive data from the PDSN throughout the handoff procedure. As a result, the continuity of a service may be improved. |
| US08054793B2 |
Equipment and method for improving worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) network capacity
The invention relates to a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) network comprising at least one base station and at least one terminal. Said at least one base station, to send a signal to said at least one terminal, is able to split said signal into a plurality of WIMAX signals and send simultaneously said WIMAX signals through a plurality of channels with different frequency frames and wherein said at least one terminal is able to receive and process simultaneously said plurality of WIMAX signals. |
| US08054792B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and paging information reception method
A disclosed transmitting apparatus includes a paging indicator information generating unit generating paging indicator information including a group ID of users who are to receive a paging channel and information indicating a radio resource in which the paging channel is transmitted; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the paging indicator information. |
| US08054790B2 |
Frequency mapping for a wireless communication system
Example embodiments are directed to frequency mapping for a wireless communication system. An example embodiment provides a method frequency reuse method. The frequency reuse method includes assigning frequencies for use and reuse to sectors of a cell of a wireless communication system; and communicating with a mobile station using the assigned frequency. Each of the sectors includes sub-sectors, and each of the sub-sectors have an assigned frequency for communicating with a mobile station within the sub-sector. The frequency assignments for each sector of the cell are different. |
| US08054789B2 |
Aggregated harq report
A system and method include a base station configured to provide centralized data transmission scheduling for at least one relay operatively connected to the base station configured to provide centralized data transmission scheduling for at least one relay operatively connected to the base station in a point-to-point connection and configured to provide centralized data transmission scheduling for at least one mobile station operatively connected to the relay in a point-to-multipoint connection. The method efficiently reports ACKs/NAKs for a centralized scheduler wireless system that uses tunneling for data transmission and, in order to reduce a usage of bandwidth for reporting. The system and method also perform an aggregation via coding of ACK/NAK channels. |
| US08054788B2 |
Method of configuring and searching high speed shared control channel of multi-carrier cell
The present invention relates to a method for configuring and searching HS-SCCHs of a multi-carrier cell in a TD-SCDMA system. The network side configures the configuration information of a HS-SCCH set for a UE and notifies the UE through high layer signaling, wherein each HS-SCCH corresponds to a frequency point of high speed shared resources; the UE divides the HS-SCCH set into several subsets, and HS-SCCHs of the same subset correspond to the same frequency points; the UE selects the minimum value N from the number of carriers supported by itself, the number of the frequency points, and the number of the HS-SCCH subsets; the UE searches each HS-SCCH subset to be searched in turn, and if a consistent HS-SCCH is found, then the UE stops searching the other HS-SCCHs of the subset, the UE moves said subset out of the group of the HS-SCCH subsets to be searched, and adds the found HS-SCCH into a valid HS-SCCH set to be monitored; if the number of the HS-SCCHs of the valid HS-SCCH set equals to N, then stop searching. The present invention can increase the efficiency of searching the HS-SCCHs by the UE with satisfying normal communication requires. |
| US08054783B2 |
System and method for dividing subchannels in a OFDMA network
A system and method for multiplexing subchannels in an OFDMA network is provided. The subchannels can be multiplexed by splitting the subchannels in the frequency domain. Alternatively, the subchannels can be code division multiplexed using N orthogonal spreading codes. The subchannel multiplexing increases system capacity for low-rate services, such as voice-based services. |
| US08054774B2 |
Multi-slot packet data transfer method
A multislot packet data transfer method (300) for a mobile station alters a transmission (370) of a radio block on a last transmission timeslot in a block period (320) immediately preceding an idle frame when the mobile station is in an allowed multislot configuration yet not able to perform normal Base Station Identification Code (BSIC) decoding. The method (300) also skips a last transmission burst in a frame immediately preceding an idle frame (330) in accordance with known extended search window techniques. The method contemplates various criteria (340) for determining when to alter the radio block, which include: whether an unacknowledged radio link control mode is used (350) and whether a robust coding scheme is used (360). The transmission can be altered (370) by completely skipping transmission of the radio block, by replacing the radio block on the last transmission timeslot with at least one dummy burst, by changing a transmission power level of that radio block, and/or by using a different coding scheme for that radio block. |
| US08054763B2 |
Migration of switch in a storage area network
A method, system and computer program product for migrating at least one switch in a storage area network is disclosed. The migration is done by analysing the I/O traffic to identify patterns in the I/O traffic of the switch; forecasting future I/O workload of the switch based on one or more identified patterns in the I/O traffic, determining appropriate timing for migration based on the identified patterns and administrator inputs; processing the storage area network configuration data to identify the storage network physical and logical access paths to the or each selected switch to create a first connectivity map; generating a second connectivity map based on the first connectivity map and administrator inputs; and migrating the or each switch migration based on the second connectivity map and the appropriate timing. The migration may comprise routing the I/O traffic from the switch to be migrated to the alternate switches in the storage area network. The migration may further comprising transforming zones on the switch to be migrated and deploying the transformed zones to the new switch. |
| US08054759B2 |
Method for transitioning between multiple reception levels
There is provided a method for enabling a user equipment (UE) to transition between a non-discontinuous reception (Non-DRX) level and at least one discontinuous reception (DRX) level. The UE in a DRX level wakes up periodically to monitor a scheduling channel. The method includes receiving a DRX indicator in a Non-DRX level with continuously monitoring the scheduling channel and transitioning from the Non-DRX level to a DRX level indicated by the DRX indicator. The UE can transition between multiple DRX levels by an explicit command/signaling. |
| US08054754B1 |
Method and system for service interruption notification
Exemplary methods and systems may provide a soft-inactivity notification during a VoIP call, which according to an exemplary embodiment involves a SIP session and packet-data communications between participants in the VoIP call. The method comprises (a) detecting that packet-data communications in the VoIP call have been interrupted; (b) in response to determining that the packet-data communications have been interrupted, making a determination as to whether or not the SIP session is active; (c) if the SIP session is active, then initiating a soft-inactivity notification procedure; and (d) otherwise, if the SIP session is inactive, refraining from initiating the soft-inactivity notification procedure. The soft-inactivity notification thus notifies a user that while the call has been interrupted, the call may be re-established without requiring the user to reconnect. |