| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08074289B1 |
Access to content addressable data over a network
Access to content addressable data on a network is facilitated using digital information storing devices or data repositories (“silos”) that monitor broadcast data requests over the network. A number of silos automatically monitor both data requests and data itself that are broadcast over a network. The silos selectively store data. Each silo responds to data requests broadcast over the network with data the silo has previously intercepted. A content addressable file scheme is used to enable the data repositories to reliably identify data being requested. When a data request is received, each silo evaluates whether it has all or a portion of the data being requested and responds to requests when it has the data. Requests for data are implemented by broadcasting a cryptographic hash data identifier of the data file needed. The data identifier is used by a silo to determine which data to receive and store. A silo includes a network interface, a digital asset collector, an asset request list, asset storage, an asset identifier processor and an asset supplier. The asset identifier processor computes a cryptographic hash asset identifier for a received asset and compares it to an asset identifier on its asset request list to verify it has the correct asset. A hash of a list of assets is also computed and broadcast over the network. When the hash of the list of assets is received by a silo, it places all the assets in its asset request list. |
| US08074278B2 |
Apparatus and methods for intrusion protection in safety instrumented process control systems
Apparatus and methods for intrusion protection in safety instrumented process control systems are disclosed. An example method of protecting a safety instrumented system includes receiving legitimate information from a component of a process control system wherein the legitimate information is intended for delivery to a safety instrumented system, determining if a signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information, and preventing the legitimate information from reaching the safety instrumented system when it is determined that the signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information. |
| US08074276B1 |
Method and system for administration of security services within a virtual execution environment (VEE) infrastructure
A system and method for managing administration of security services provided to users includes a computer system and an operating system running on the computer system. A plurality of Virtual Execution Environments (VEEs) are executed on the computer system. The VEEs can be any of a Virtual Private Server, a Virtual Machine, a Hypervisor-based Virtual Machine, and a Lightweight Hypervisor-based Virtual Machine, a session of Terminal Server and a session of Presentation Server, Lightweight Hypervisor-based Virtual Machines, VMM-based VMs or hypervisor-based VMs. Each VEE provides a set of services to remote users. One or more designated VEE(s) provide security services to each of the VEEs based on the needs of the remote users of the particular VEEs. The security services provided by the designated VEE can be firewall services, spam filtering and anti-virus protection. The security services are controlled and administered by each of the VEEs requesting a particular service via control means of the designated VEE(s). |
| US08074275B2 |
Preventing network denial of service attacks by early discard of out-of-order segments
A method of preventing network denial of service attacks by early discard of out-of-order segments comprises creating a reassembly queue for a connection between a first network node and a second network node, wherein the connection has been established based on a transport-layer network protocol, the reassembly queue having a size based on a buffer size of an input interface with which the connection is associated. As out-of-order data segments arrive on the connection, and before other processing of the segments, whether the reassembly queue is full is determined, and the out-of-order segments are discarded if the reassembly queue is full. The size of the reassembly queue is automatically changed in response to one or more changes in any of network conditions and device resources. |
| US08074273B2 |
Security management system, medical device and method for managing security
A security management system, comprising: an authentication unit for authenticating an operator of an operating terminal in order to determine whether the operator is permitted to log in or release a lock; a current operator information inquiry unit for inquiring for login status information and current operator information; an authority information inquiry unit for inquiring for authority information regarding the operator and that regarding the current operator; a lock unit for detecting an event, where a predetermined lock condition is satisfied, in the login status to allow the operating terminal to change to a lock status, and for allowing the operating terminal to change to an operable status in response to a login instruction or an instruction for a release; and a lock control unit for transmitting the instruction for a release to the lock unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. |
| US08074272B2 |
Browser security notification
Tools are described that notify a user of a security risk in a network browser. The tools can determine that a security setting of a network browser poses a security risk and notify the user of this risk. In some situations the tools also enable a user to reduce the security risk with a single user action. This single user action can alter one or multiple security settings responsible for the security risk. |
| US08074267B1 |
Computer communications monitor
A method for monitoring computer communications is disclosed. A packet sent from a sending node to a destination node is received at a monitoring node. It is determined whether the packet is encrypted. |
| US08074265B2 |
Methods and systems for verifying a location factor associated with a token
A server, method and/or computer-readable medium verifies a location factor associated with a token. The server generates a challenge and encrypts the challenge by a key commonly shared by the server and the token, and transmits the encrypted challenge to the token. The token decrypts the encrypted challenge by the commonly shared key and manipulates the challenge by an elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) procedure so that the server can verify that the signed manipulated challenge was generated at the token based upon the ECC public key. |
| US08074263B1 |
Systems and methods for increased security during logging in to web site
A user at a computing device interacts with a networked site so that the user can log in thereto. The site receives a selection to log in and in response downloads at least one replacing driver for bypassing a corresponding driver operating on the computing device that may possibly copy log-in data including authentication credentials as entered by the user. Each replacing driver is loaded into an operating system of the computing device so as to bypass the corresponding possibly copying driver and be employed in the operating system rather than such corresponding bypassed driver. The site then delivers a log-in screen to a presentation application of the computing device after each replacing driver has been loaded. The presentation application displays the log-in screen and the user enters the log-in data thereinto. Accordingly, each non-trusted and bypassed driver is unable to copy the entered log-in data. |
| US08074262B2 |
Method and apparatus for migrating virtual trusted platform modules
A first processing system determines whether a second processing system provides a trustworthy state for supporting a virtual trusted platform module (TPM), based at least in part on an assertion made by a management authority. The first processing system also determines whether the management authority is trusted. The first processing system may transfer state for the virtual TPM to the second processing system only if (a) the management authority is trusted and (b) the assertion made by the management authority indicates that the second processing system provides a trustworthy environment for supporting the virtual TPM. In one embodiment, the first processing system transfers state for the virtual TPM to the second processing system only if a trust level designation for the second processing system is equal or greater than a trust level for the first processing system. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08074260B2 |
Interactively authorizing access control method
An interactively authorizing access control method applicable to an access control center is disclosed. According to the present invention, an effective time interval can be set for the permit by an authorized person of the object according to his/her usual pass time such that when the access control center identifies the permit is valid, the effectiveness of the permit can be further determined according to the effective time interval set by the authorized person, thereby determining whether the object is allowed to pass. |
| US08074258B2 |
Obtaining digital identities or tokens through independent endpoint resolution
A federated identity provisioning system includes relying parties, identity providers, and clients that obtain tokens from identity providers for access to a relying party's services. When a client contacts a new relying party, the relying party provides information that the client can independently resolve and evaluate for trustworthiness. For example, the relying party provides a generic domain name address. The client can then resolve the domain name address over various, authenticated steps to identity an endpoint for a digital identity provisioning service. The client can further interact with and authenticate the provisioning service (e.g., requiring digital signatures) to establish a trust relationship. Once determining that the client/user trusts the provisioning service, the client/user can then provide information to obtain a digital identity representation. The client can then use the digital identity representation with the corresponding identity provider to obtain one or more tokens that the relying party can validate. |
| US08074255B2 |
Analog video signal transmission over twisted-pair wires
A video transmitting system may be configured to transmit, over extended length twisted-pair cables, video signals encoded in the Y/C video space. The system may comprise a source of RGB computer video signals. A video transmitter may be operable to convert the RGB video signals into a balanced luminance signal and a respective pair of balanced color difference signals. The video transmitting system may be further configured to transmit the balanced luminance signal and the pair of balanced color difference signals over respective extended length twisted-pair cables. The luminance signal may be transmitted over a non time-corrected cable in order to retain bandwidth, while the color difference signals may be transmitted over time-corrected cables, thereby reducing the visual degradation of the signals. |
| US08074250B2 |
High frequency tuner
A tuner for receiving a satellite broadcast signal via an antenna means, said tuner being coupled to a control unit. The tuner is characterized in that it comprises a standard bilateral digital interface for transmitting a base-band signal obtained from the received signal received via the antenna means and for receiving control signals transmitted by the control unit, said signals being transmitted/received via a first bilateral bus. |
| US08074241B2 |
Process for displaying and navigating panoramic video, and method and user interface for streaming panoramic video and images between a server and browser-based client application
A method for providing panoramic videos and images to a user using a server-client architecture while minimizing the wait time necessary before still images are available for viewing or videos begin playing. A series of location-referenced panoramic images are separated into one-dimensional tracks. Intuitive user controls are provided which allow the user to start and stop video playback, step through the panoramas in a track one at a time, and change the viewing orientation within the panorama. A video will start playing as soon as the video files for the preferred projected cube faces have been downloaded. This delay is reduced by storing the videos as keyframe distance files for opposing directions for each cube face and further reduced by encoding videos with different starting points so that they are staggered by a portion of the keyframe distance. |
| US08074236B2 |
Disk drive device and electronic apparatus
A disk drive device includes: a device body having a front surface that forms a disk insertion and ejection opening; a pair of arms supported at proximal end portions thereof pivotally from the front surface of the device body to a downstream side in a disk insertion direction; transport rollers respectively rotatably supported at distal ends of the arms and transporting the disk to an inside or outside of the device body by being brought into contact with a side surface of a disk; an urging member urging the arms so that the transport rollers supported respectively by the arms approach each other; and a transport roller rotation mechanism driving at least one of the transport rollers, supported respectively by the arms, for rotation, wherein the arms synchronously pivot the transport rollers in such a manner that the pivotally supported proximal end portions are coupled to each other. |
| US08074234B2 |
Web service platform for keyword technologies
The present web service platform includes a set of application program interfaces (APIs) and a framework for adding services that correspond to the APIs. The web service platform may also support a stored procedure (sproc) that allows combining results from two or more services before transmitting results to an application. The services relate to keyword technologies. |
| US08074230B2 |
Method and system for dynamic context based contact service
A method, system, and computer readable medium, the method including monitoring an application for the occurrence of a predetermined event associated with the application; collecting, in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, contact information associated with the application; associating the collected contact information with an entry of a contact list; and placing a call by using the contact list entry. |
| US08074227B2 |
Utilizing a first managed process to host at least a second managed process
A system and method for utilizing a first managed process to host at least a second managed process is disclosed. The technology initially provides a first managed process. The first managed process hosting at least a second managed process. An unmanaged process is then provided to facilitate communication between the first managed process and the second managed process, such that a user can automatically communicate with the first managed process while the second managed process is operational and the first managed process is in the background without requiring the user to select the first managed process. |
| US08074224B1 |
Managing state information for a multi-threaded processor
Embodiments of the present invention facilitate dynamically adapting to state information changes in a graphics processing environment. In one embodiment, a master register holds state information corresponding to units of work (threads) to be performed. The state information in the master register is copied to a per-group state register when a group of threads is to be launched. The per-group state register is coupled to processing engines configured to process the threads, so that the processing engines read state information from the per-group state register rather than the master register. In another embodiment, a number of master registers may be used to store state information for different types of threads. |
| US08074222B2 |
Job management device, cluster system, and computer-readable medium storing job management program
In a job management device: a request reception unit stores job-input information in a storage device on receipt of a job-execution request; and an execution instruction unit sends to one or more job-assigned calculation nodes a job-execution instruction together with execution-resource information, and stores job-assignment information in the storage device in association with a job identifier. When the contents of the job database are lost by a restart of the job management device, a reconstruction unit collects the job-input information and the job-assignment information from the storage device, collects the execution-resource information from the one or more job-assigned calculation nodes, and reconstructs the job information in the job database. |
| US08074219B2 |
Order preservation in data parallel operations
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for preserving input element ordering in data parallel operations. This ordering may be based on element ordinal position in the input or a programmer-specified key-selection routine that generates sortable keys for each input element. Complex data parallel operations are re-written to contain individual data parallel operations that introduce partitioning and merging. Each partition is then processed independently in parallel. The system ensures that downstream operations remember ordering information established by certain other operations, using techniques that vary depending upon which categories the consumer operations are in. Data is merged back into one output stream using a final merge process that is aware of the ordering established among data elements. |
| US08074218B2 |
Method and system for constructing virtual resources
System for managing a life cycle of a virtual resource. One or more virtual resources are defined. The one or more defined virtual resources are created. The created virtual resources are instantiated. Then, a topology of a virtual resource is constructed using a plurality of virtual resources that are in at least one of a defined, a created, or an instantiated state. |
| US08074215B2 |
XML-based control and customization of application programs
Operation of a computer system is governed by an executable application and settings set forth in an XML document to which the application refers during execution. When an application is published for installation, it includes the application and a base XML document. Portions of the base XML document are marked as editable during installation. During installation, an installation manager review the base XML document, identifies editable portions therein and reads installation settings data therefor. The installation manager may generate a modified XML document representing the settings of the base XML document and any modified settings obtained for installation. Modified settings data may be obtained from an operator, from a computer system on which installation occurs or from a dataset representing settings data obtained in prior installations. |
| US08074213B1 |
Automatic software updates for computer systems in an enterprise environment
A system and method for automatically updating a software application deployed on a plurality of client computers are disclosed. A server computer may determine a time for the client computers to update the software application and send an update command to each of the client computers at the determined time. In response to the update command, each client computer may download an update for the software application and install the update for the software application. |
| US08074210B1 |
Method and apparatus for producing optimized matrix triangulation routines
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for producing an optimized matrix triangulation algorithm is described. In one example, tile functions are generated for a matrix triangulation problem. Cost data is measured for the tile functions with respect to a target architecture. The cost data is processed to identify optimal composition of tiles for rows in an iteration space of the matrix triangulation problem. The optimal compositions of tiles are processed to identify optimal composition of rows for triangles in the iteration space. A sequence of tile function invocation based on the optimal compositions of tiles and the optimal compositions of rows is generated. |
| US08074209B2 |
Extending native data types
The functionality of a core application is extended using an add-on application (module) by extending native data types on the core application with custom data types and custom actions on the module. The module provides metadata associated with its custom data types and custom actions to the core application, which creates a dynamic type/action table. In some cases, native data types may be extended with custom data types and their associated actions. In other cases, native data types may be extended with custom actions from the module. The custom actions may be enabled for instances of native data types that have been extended. When a custom action is selected, code corresponding with the selected custom action is called from the module and run to perform the selected custom action. |
| US08074206B2 |
Method and computer system for software tuning
Method and computer system for software tuning. A computer system stores variables (210) for storing at least one threshold value for at least one parameter (P1) influencing the performance of a software application (200) with regards to a specific task. A threshold evaluator (220) compares (430) the at least one threshold value to at least one corresponding current value allowing the software application (200) to select (440) an algorithm (A1) from a plurality of algorithms (A1 to AN) for performing the task in accordance with the result of comparison. |
| US08074205B2 |
Binary verification service
A binary is received at a binary verification service from a binary verification client agent. The binary verification service performs binary verification of the binary, wherein binary verification includes determining whether the binary is complicit with a set of usage rules. The binary verification service sends a binary verification result to the binary verification client agent. |
| US08074204B2 |
Test automation for business applications
A test framework suited for use with distributed business applications allows developers to specify a test, or suite of tests, to be easily selected and executed. Execution of a test suite instantiates objects such as a test runner and a test result object that set up, activate, and observe a test cycle. Results may be forwarded to a variety of special-purpose listeners which evaluate variable and state changes and ultimately determine pass/fail metrics. Results from profilers may be used to determine code coverage for each of the tests performed by the suite. APIs allow integration of the test framework with other development processes such as a be source code management system. In one embodiment, new or changed source code may not be checked in until successfully passing a test cycle. |
| US08074200B2 |
Method and system for providing tooling instructions through parameterization as an aid for software application development
An invention is disclosed for a programming method and system of implementing parameterization of data types and/or categories to convert an example “instance” of using a software application into an actual product of program use by customizing the example to make it suitable for user needs. A parameter modeling component along with a parameterization component and an instantiation component are used to create parameterized example instances (“p-instances”) and tooling instructions are then invoked to customize a “p-instance” into a real instance reflecting creation of a document or file or other program artifact (i.e., data product) resulting from actual use of the software application. |
| US08074198B2 |
Apparatus and method for circuit layout using longest path and shortest path search elements
An apparatus, includes a search unit which searches a critical signal path from a plurality of candidate signal paths connecting a first terminal and a second terminal, the critical signal path including the most strict delay limit in the plurality of candidate signal paths, and a display control unit which controls a display device for displaying an information regarding to a circuit element, the circuit element including the critical signal path. |
| US08074197B2 |
Shielding mesh design for an integrated circuit device
Methods and apparatuses to design an Integrated Circuit (IC) with a shielding of wires. In at least one embodiment, a shielding mesh of at least two reference voltages (e.g., power and ground) is used to reduce both the capacitive coupling and the inductive coupling in routed signal wires in IC chips. In some embodiments, a type of shielding mesh (e.g., a shielding mesh with a window surrounded by a power ring, or a window with a parser set of shielding wires) is selected to make more routing area available in locally congested areas. In other embodiments, the shielding mesh is used to create or add bypass capacitance. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08074196B2 |
Integrated circuit design support apparatus, integrated circuit design support method, integrated circuit design support program, and recording medium with said program recorded therein
Provided is an integrated circuit design support apparatus capable of estimating the optimal wiring length and wiring congestion at the stage of implementing a logical design of an integrated circuit, thereby preventing the do-over of the logical design or functional design caused by a wiring delay that is discovered at a packaging design stage, and shortening the time required for designing the integrated circuit. The present invention is able to accurately estimate the wiring length between the modules and the wiring congestion in the modules at the stage of implementing the logical design of the integrated circuit, and reflect the logical design result of the integrated circuit in the packaging design of the integrated circuit. |
| US08074193B2 |
Apparatus and method for mixed single-rail and dual-rail combinational logic with completion detection
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a specification of a combinational logic circuit. The specification of the combinational logic circuit is converted to a Single-Rail un-encoded circuit and a Dual-Rail encoded circuit, which periodically encodes a null value, a first valid state and a second valid state on two wires. A logic operation of the Single-Rail un-encoded circuit transpires during processing of a null value by the Dual-Rail encoded circuit. |
| US08074191B2 |
Method and software tool for designing an integrated circuit
A method of designing an integrated circuit for use in an application having standards having a plurality of primitives, wherein each of the primitives has a corresponding response. The method includes generating a macros description of each of the primitives and the response corresponding to each of the primitives, generating a template relating to the response corresponding to each of the primitives, receiving information specifying a behavior of the integrated circuit in response to the primitives based on the template, and generating a hardware description language representation for the integrated circuit based on the macros description and the information. |
| US08074188B2 |
Method for designing mask including forming a mesh dummy pattern
A method for designing a mask is disclosed. A chip region can be defined and reduced to form a parent dummy pattern. A mesh dummy pattern can be formed, and portions where the parent dummy pattern and the mesh dummy pattern overlap each other can be removed to form offspring dummy patterns. |
| US08074184B2 |
Modifying electronic documents with recognized content or other associated data
Systems and methods enhance editing capabilities associated with a wide variety of different types of electronic documents. Such systems and methods may include a processor that maintains an electronic document having a first portion (e.g., an individual word, character, character string, or the like) provided by a recognizer (e.g., by handwriting or speech recognition software), and they may provide access to potential alternative characters, words, or character strings generated by the recognizer during various user editing functions and operations. Other data associated with the first portion of the document also may be stored and made available to the user during various functions and operations. This invention further relates to computer-readable media including instructions for performing various methods and/or operating various systems for editing electronic documents, including systems and methods like those described above. |
| US08074182B2 |
Work procedure display method and system, production process management method and system, and computer program of the same
A work procedure display method of displaying a work procedure on a work object by a computer displaying a moving image, the method comprising: (a) displaying an entire image of the work object so that start of work is recognizable by a worker; (b) increasing display magnification of the work object so that a working target site of the work object is displayed in an enlarged manner; (c) displaying a moving image showing content of work; (d) displaying an image for the worker to recognize end of work; and (e) accepting instruction to complete the work; wherein steps (a) to (d) are repeatedly executed until instruction to complete the work is accepted, is disclosed. A work procedure display method and system and computer program of the same is also disclosed. |
| US08074180B2 |
Information processing apparatus and program product
When a print instruction is input, an information processing apparatus of the invention converts designated data to print data appropriate for print setting information of a designated printing device, inputs the print data to the printing device, and forms an image based on the designated data through the designated printing device. On the other hand, when an instruction to display a preview screen is input, the designated data is converted to print data appropriate for the print setting information of the designated printing device and a preview screen GP1 based on the print data is displayed. |
| US08074179B2 |
User interface including question verification indicators
A method of displaying non-textual indication of question verification status in a user interface, the user interface including a plurality of questions associated there-with, includes receiving an answer to at least one question of the plurality of questions, associating a non-textual indication of the verification status of the answer, and displaying the non-textual indication of the at least one question. |
| US08074178B2 |
Visual feedback display
Visual feedback may be provided. First, a continuous contact with a first point on a surface may be detected. The surface may comprise, for example, a touch screen or a touch pad. The continuous contact may be caused by a selecting element comprising, for example, a stylus or a digit of a subject. Then a menu may be displayed in response to the detected continuous contact. The menu may comprise a plurality of menu selectable elements. Next it may be detected that the continuous contact has moved from the first point on the surface to a second point on the surface. The second point may correspond to a one of the plurality of menu selectable elements. Then a control may be displayed corresponding the one of the plurality of menu selectable elements. |
| US08074176B2 |
Electronic communications dialog using sequenced digital images stored in an image dictionary
A system and method for an electronic communications dialog between a plurality of users using digital images via a web portal. The user selects a template for entering a plurality of words and associated images that constitute an initial electronic message. The user then enters a plurality of words into the template corresponding to the initial electronic message. A plurality of images are selected having a direct correspondence with the plurality of words entered into the template. Each image is inserted into the template in a sequence corresponding to the initial electronic message. When the initial template is complete, the initial electronic message containing the sequenced images is sent to at least one other user via the web portal. A visual dictionary can be created for each user using a facility which takes images from any electronic source and allows users to apply naming tags to store the images for subsequent retrieval. A visual library can be created for each user to save completed and partially completed templates that can be retrieved for further editing or use. |
| US08074172B2 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for providing word recommendations
One aspect of the invention involves a method that includes: in a first area of the touch screen, displaying a current character string being input by a user with the keyboard; in a second area of the touch screen, displaying the current character string or a portion thereof and a suggested replacement for the current character string; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user activates a delimiter key on the keyboard; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user performs a first gesture on the suggested replacement displayed in the second area; and keeping the current character string in the first area if the user performs a second gesture on the current character string or the portion thereof displayed in the second area. |
| US08074171B2 |
System and method to provide warnings associated with natural language searches to determine intended actions and accidental omissions
A method for providing notification of content potentially omitted from within an active document in a document preparation application comprises defining a natural language model for a set of phrasal forms associating each phrasal form with a content type; parsing a textual content of the active document to generate one or more natural language tokens; accessing the natural language model to identify each of the one or more natural language tokens that matches with a phrasal form; generating a list of expected content items having an expected content item for each of the one or more natural language tokens that matches with a phrasal form; scanning the active document to attempt to locate each expected content item; and displaying a notification of each expected content item not located. Each expected content item is generated based upon the content type associated with the corresponding matching phrasal form in the natural language model. |
| US08074168B2 |
Automated context-compensated rendering of text in a graphical environment
The disclosed embodiments automate context-compensated rendering of text in a graphical environment. In the disclosed embodiments, the system first receives a specification of the graphical environment that includes text to be rendered in the graphical environment. Next, the system determines the parameters of the local environment near the text (e.g., character size and perturbations for perspective and tilt, pixel density, adjacent (local or background) color and brightness, illumination and shadow effects, etc.). The system then dynamically renders text to compensate for those parameters, in order to display the text more clearly. |
| US08074165B2 |
Systems and methods for annotating objects when the annotation device differs from the viewing device
Allowing annotations to occur remotely from the device in which they are viewed enables the optimal viewing device and optimal annotation device for generating annotations. Specifically, the annotation systems allow a user to associate annotations with one or more portions of an object. An object identifier is created to identify one or more objects. This object identifier is then forwarded to the annotation device. On the annotation device, the user can associate annotations with a portion of the object based on either a textual or a graphical technique. Upon completion of the annotations, the system synchronizes the annotations with the object based on the object identifier and the selection portion. |
| US08074164B2 |
Document management device and document management method
The document management device is for managing a document circulated to a reader in accordance with a circulation tree and additional information added to the document by the reader. The circulation tree indicates the circulation order of plural readers. The device includes: document circulation unit for enabling the nth (n is an integer not less than 2) reader to read the n−1th generation document data cumulatively including the 1st additional information to the n−1th additional information added, by the first reader to the n−1th reader respectively, to the 0th generation document data readable by the first reader of the circulation tree; recognition unit for recognizing the nth additional information added by the nth reader as electronic data; and additional information management unit for managing the nth additional information by associating it with the 0th generation document data. |
| US08074162B1 |
Method and system for verifying the appropriateness of shared content
The present invention relates to systems and methods for verifying the appropriateness of shared content. In a first embodiment, a system displays a link to a site addressable by an identifier. The system includes an indexer that determines a content type for the site. A link displayer displays a link to the site, wherein the displayed link has a graphical presentation associated with the content type. In a second embodiment, a method displays a link to a site addressable by an identifier. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a content type for the site; and (b) displaying a link to the site, the link having a graphical presentation associated with the content type. |
| US08074159B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting communication errors on a bus
A semiconductor memory includes multi-mode reporting signals, a state register, and parity detectors. The parity detector determines whether signals received on a communication bus contain a desired parity. The multi-mode reporting signals enable reporting of communication faults without adding additional signals to the semiconductor memory by being configured in a normal operating mode or a parity fault mode for reporting communication faults to an external memory controller. The state register enables storing of received values from the communication bus. With the state register, a memory controller may determine correctly received signal patterns and failing signal patterns. Parity may be defined as even or odd and may be generated based on various signal configurations. The invention may be configured as a computing system comprising a processor, an input device, an output device, the memory controller, and at least one semiconductor memory. |
| US08074156B2 |
Decoding method and decoding apparatus
Disclosed herein is a decoding method of performing maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) decoding of selecting one decoded word from one or more decoded word candidates obtained by subjecting a linear code to iterative decoding by comparison of distances between a reception word and each decoded word candidate. A decoded word candidate in which a known value in a part of a transmission word has been changed to another value is excluded from the one or more decoded word candidates. |
| US08074155B2 |
Tail-biting turbo coding to accommodate any information and/or interleaver block size
Tail-biting turbo coding to accommodate any information and/or interleaver block size. The beginning and ending state of a turbo encoder can be made the same using a very small number of dummy bits. In some instances, any dummy bits that are added to an information block before undergoing interleaving are removed after interleaving and before transmission of a turbo coded signal via a communication channel thereby increasing throughput (e.g., those dummy bits are not actually transmitted via the communication channel). In other instances, dummy bits are added to both the information block that is encoded using a first constituent encoder as well as to an interleaved information block that is encoded using a second constituent encoder. |
| US08074154B2 |
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding cyclic codes by processing multiple symbols per cycle
Provided are an encoder and a syndrome computer for cyclic codes which process M codeword symbols per cycle where M is greater than or equal to one, whereby the encoder and syndrome computer optionally further provide the configurability of a different M value for each cycle and/or the configurability of a different cyclic code for each codeword. Further provided is a hybrid device which provides the configurability of two modes of operation, whereby in one mode, the hybrid device functions as the encoder as provided above and, in the other mode, the hybrid device functions as the syndrome computer as provided above, with the majority of the components of the hybrid device being shared between the encoding function and the syndrome computing function. |
| US08074150B2 |
Multi-layer cyclic redundancy check code in wireless communication system
A wireless communication device includes a receiver configured to receive a transport block with a sequence of bits wherein A is the number of bits, a first cyclic redundancy check (CRC) coder configured to generate a first block of CRC parity bits on a transport block and to associates the first block of CRC parity bits with the transport block, wherein a number of CRC parity bits in the first block is L, a segmenting entity configured to segment the transport block into multiple code blocks after associating when A+L is larger than 6144, a second CRC coder configured to generate a second block of CRC parity bits on each code block and to associate a second block of CRC parity bits with each code block, and a channel encoder configured to encode each of the code blocks including the associated second block of CRC parity bits if A+L>6144. |
| US08074147B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. Herein, additional encoding is performed on mobile service data, which are then transmitted, thereby providing robustness in the processed mobile service data, so that the mobile service data can respond more strongly against fast and frequent channel changes. The data processing method of a digital broadcast transmitting system includes the steps of forming a RS frame by grouping a plurality of mobile service data bytes that is being inputted, and performing error correction encoding in RS frame units, forming a super frame by grouping a plurality of the error correction encoded RS frame, performing row permutation in super frame units, and dividing the super frame back to RS frames, and dividing the RS frame into a plurality of data groups. |
| US08074146B2 |
Multiple cyclic redundancy check (CRC) engines for checking/appending CRCs during data transfers
Multiple cyclic redundancy check (CRC) engines for checking/appending CRCs during data transfers. Two distinctly implemented CRC engines are employed to enable the processing of different sized byte formats at two ends of a communication channel. These two distinctly implemented CRC engines can be employed to enable the processing of different sized byte formats in a host device at one end and an hard disk drive (HDD) at another end. For example, sometimes the size of blocks, frames, and/or sector sizes that are processed and employed within a first communication device at one end of a communication channel can differ from the size of blocks, frames, and/or sector sizes that are processed and employed within a second communication device at another end of the communication channel. Two distinctly implemented CRC engines allow the appropriate processing and translation of any desired different sized blocks, frames, and/or sector sizes of a communication channel. |
| US08074145B2 |
Memory system and related method using software-defined radio with write-protected, non-volatile memory
A software-defined radio includes a radio circuit and an executable radio software system operable with the radio circuit and conforming to the software communications architecture (SCA) specification and defining an operating environment that allows a waveform application to operate with the radio circuit for transmitting and receiving voice and data. A write-protected non-volatile memory is operable with the radio circuit and executable radio software system. The non-volatile memory has a write enable controlled by a non-driver program for deferring a wear leveling correction sequence. |
| US08074141B2 |
Method and device for transmitting data according to a hybrid ARQ method
To achieve a greater flexibility when transmitting data according to a hybrid ARQ method, preferably when used in a mobile radio system, a channel-coded bit stream is divided into at lest one first bit stream (A) and one second bit stream (B, C), whereby these parallel bit streams (A-C) are each subjected to a separate bit rate matching, and the resulting bits of the individual bit streams (A-C) are subsequently combined with one another once again in order to transmit in a data packet or in a repeat data packet that is requested on the receiver side. |
| US08074139B2 |
Communication method and communication device
A request change unit outputs a command as a request under control of a judgment control unit. A response condition determination unit determines a condition that is to be matched by a correct response which is to be returned from the other device-in-communication in reply to the command if the other device-in-communication operates in conformity with a protocol. A check unit checks a response received from the other device-in-communication in reply to the command, against the condition. If the received response does not match the condition but is correctable to match the condition as a result of the check, a response correction unit corrects the received response to match the condition under control of the judgment control unit. |
| US08074138B2 |
Decoding apparatus and method thereof
In a decoding apparatus in a portable Internet terminal, a channel encoded symbol received from a transmitter is decoded by one of a chase-combining scheme and a code-combining scheme selected based on an ID value of the subpacket indicating a start position of the symbol. In this case, the chase-combining scheme is partly used for the encoded symbol of the information bit. With such a mode, decoding can be performed at a low code rate. |
| US08074136B2 |
Error correction apparatus and method for digital device
An improved error correction apparatus and method for a digital device are provided. An error correction apparatus includes at least one client module outputting an error detection signal, if an error is detected; and a controller for analyzing the error and controlling the client module to correct the error, if an error detection signal is received. An error correction apparatus and method of the present invention is provided with shadow registers or CRC registers for quickly detecting errors of status registers of a client module, whereby an error of the client module can be quickly detected and corrected. |
| US08074134B2 |
Pattern generator and memory testing device using the same
An address operation circuit generates a row address which indicates an address in memory under test to be accessed. The row address memory stores the row addresses generated by the address operation circuit in increments of banks. A memory control signal that includes a bank address to be applied to the memory under test, and which is generated according to a pattern program, is used as a save address to be used to write the row address to the row address memory, and as a load address to be used to read out the row address from the row address memory. |
| US08074132B2 |
Protecting data on integrated circuit
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, an integrated circuit may include a mode block, a plurality of data blocks, and a reset node. The mode block may be configured to output a test mode signal, a scan mode signal, and a trigger signal based on a received data input. The plurality of data blocks may each include registers configured to store data, each of the plurality of data blocks being configured to write over at least some of the data stored in their respective registers in response to receiving a write-over instruction. The reset node may be configured to reset the registers based on receiving either a first reset input or a second reset input. The integrated circuit may be configured to enter a test mode, enter a scan mode, and exit the test mode. |
| US08074131B2 |
Generic debug external connection (GDXC) for high integration integrated circuits
A high integration integrated circuit may comprise a plurality of processing cores, a graphics processing unit, and an uncore area coupled to an interface structure such as a ring structure. A generic debug external connection (GDXC) logic may be provisioned proximate to the end point of the ring structure. The GDXC logic may receive internal signals occurring in the uncore area, within the ring structure and on the interfaces provisioned between the plurality of cores and the ring structure. The GDXC logic may comprise a qualifier to selectively control the entry of the packets comprising information of the internal signals into the queue. The GDXC logic may then transfer the packets stored in the queues to a port provisioned on the surface of the integrated circuit packaging to provide an external interface to the analysis tools. |
| US08074124B2 |
Visualization of user interactions in a system of networked devices
As set forth herein, a system identifies soft failures of devices. An interface captures transactional data between one or more users and one or more devices within the system. A data log receives the transactional data from the interface and stores the data as historical data for subsequent retrieval. A warning system evaluates the historical data in the data log to identify one or more devices that have a soft failure condition, wherein an alarm is output for each soft failure identified. A display module combines the historical data from the data log and one or more alarms from the warning system into a single display for review. |
| US08074116B2 |
Exception raised notification
An exception notification system is described herein that provides an early notification that a software exception has occurred before exception handling code has run. The exception notification system receives a registration request from program code to register a handler to receive an early notification when an exception occurs. When an exception occurs, the system raises an event that calls each registered handler. After the handler returns, the system performs normal exception handling, so that the early notification does not change existing exception-handling behavior. The exception notification system allows a program to inspect and log an exception before the program state has been modified by exception handling. The program code can capture detailed information about the cause of the exception to enable further offline analysis. Thus, the exception notification system allows developers to improve their programs by receiving more information about unexpected conditions in the program code. |
| US08074115B2 |
Methods, media and systems for detecting anomalous program executions
Methods, media, and systems for detecting anomalous program executions are provided. In some embodiments, methods for detecting anomalous program executions are provided, comprising: executing at least a part of a program in an emulator; comparing a function call made in the emulator to a model of function calls for the at least a part of the program; and identifying the function call as anomalous based on the comparison. In some embodiments, methods for detecting anomalous program executions are provided, comprising: modifying a program to include indicators of program-level function calls being made during execution of the program; comparing at least one of the indicators of program-level function calls made in the emulator to a model of function calls for the at least a part of the program; and identifying a function call corresponding to the at least one of the indicators as anomalous based on the comparison. |
| US08074113B2 |
System and method for data protection against power failure during sector remapping
Disclosed herein is a technique to protect sector remapped boundary data from corruption due to catastrophic errors such as loss of power in storage disks including SATA (Serial ATA) drives. Specially, one method is provided for protecting the boundary sector data from power failure through a data recovery mechanism, namely, a boundary sector table in which the boundary sectors are pre-stored in case any power failure or loss occurs during the sector remapped write operations. In connection with the boundary sector table stored in a reserved region of the storage disk, a boundary sector information index is provided in a bridge coupled to the disk, which serves as a key to identify and retrieve the needed boundary sector data from the table for corrupted data recovery. |
| US08074109B1 |
Third-party voting to select a master processor within a multi-processor computer
Techniques are described of using votes of third-party components to select a master processor from a plurality of redundant processors. A master processor and a standby processor maintain communications with one another. If communication between the master processor and the standby processor fails, the processors may poll a set of registered voters to determine which of the processors is to be the master processor. In this way, the processors may determine which of the processors is to be master without the use of a shared indicator to specify which of the processors is to be the master processor. |
| US08074107B2 |
Failover and recovery for replicated data instances
Replicated instances in a database environment provide for automatic failover and recovery. A monitoring component can periodically communicate with a primary and a secondary replica for an instance, with each capable of residing in a separate data zone or geographic location to provide a level of reliability and availability. A database running on the primary instance can have information synchronously replicated to the secondary replica at a block level, such that the primary and secondary replicas are in sync. In the event that the monitoring component is not able to communicate with one of the replicas, the monitoring component can attempt to determine whether those replicas can communicate with each other, as well as whether the replicas have the same data generation version. Depending on the state information, the monitoring component can automatically perform a recovery operation, such as to failover to the secondary replica or perform secondary replica recovery. |
| US08074106B2 |
Storage control device and RAID group extension method
The present invention provides a storage system having a controller that can extend an old RAID group to a new RAID group without decreasing a processing speed. A conversion part reads the data from an unconverted area A1, converts it into the data based on a new RAID organization, and write it into a storage area A3 of the new RAID group. An address management part updates an initial address Ps and a last address Pe saved in a flash memory if the initial address Ps saved in the flash memory and the newest last address Pe of a converted area A2 are matched. When a power failure occurs, it is checked to see whether or not the data within the converted area A2 is correct. The conversion part reads the initial address Ps and the last address Pe from the flash memory to resume a conversion process. |
| US08074105B2 |
High data availability SAS-based RAID system
A storage system includes two RAID controllers, each having two SAS initiators coupled to a zoning SAS expander. The expanders are linked by an inter-controller link and create a SAS ZPSDS. The expanders have PHY-to-zone mappings and zone permissions to create two distinct SAS domains such that one initiator of each RAID controller is in one domain and the other initiator is in the other domain. The disk drives are dual-ported, and each port of each drive is in a different domain. Each initiator can access every drive in the system, half directly through the local expander and half indirectly through the other RAID controller's expander via the inter-controller link. Thus, a RAID controller can continue to access a drive via the remote path in the remote domain if the drive becomes inaccessible via the local path in the local domain. |
| US08074104B2 |
Controlling apparatus and controlling method
A controlling apparatus for controlling a disk array unit includes a cache memory for caching data of the disk array unit; a nonvolatile memory for storing the data in the cache memory; and a control unit for detecting a defective location in the nonvolatile memory where the data is stored defectively and updating information indicating the defection location, for generating an error detection code of the updated information, for writing the generated information and the associated error detection code into an area of the nonvolatile memory different from any area where any information indicating any defective location previously detected and stored into the nonvolatile memory, and for controlling writing the data in the cache memory into a location of the nonvolatile memory designated by any selected one of the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. |
| US08074103B2 |
Data corruption diagnostic engine
A computer is programmed to execute a diagnostic procedure either on a pre-set schedule or asynchronously in response to an event, such as an error message, or a user command. When executed, the diagnostic procedure automatically checks for integrity of one or more portions of data in the computer, to identify any failure(s). In some embodiments, the failure(s) may be displayed to a human, after revalidation to exclude any failure that no longer exists. |
| US08074101B1 |
Systems and methods for handling path failures to active-passive storage arrays
A computer-implemented method for handling path failures to active-passive storage arrays may include identifying a host system with multiple I/O paths to an active-passive storage array. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a backup system operating for the host system, the backup system having multiple I/O paths to the active-passive storage array. The computer-implemented method may also include disabling at least one secondary path from the backup system to the active-passive storage array. The computer-implemented method may further include detecting a path failure. The computer-implemented method may additionally include reconfiguring the backup system to access the active-passive storage array through the host system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08074100B2 |
Method and apparatus for restore management
A restore management apparatus comprising a restore performing unit which performs restoration of a data and stores the data in a restore disk which is distinct from a backed up disk, a management unit that manages progress of the restoration performed by the restore performing unit, and an access controlling unit that references the progress of the restoration managed by the management unit, makes the restore performing unit preferentially perform the restoration of data that includes a region where the restoration is not completed in response to a data access request to the region, and accesses the region of the restore disk after the restoration is completed. |
| US08074099B2 |
Failure recovery method, failure recovery program and management server
In a computer system including server apparatuses such as an active server and a standby server connected to a storage apparatus, when the active server fails, a management server changes over connection to the storage apparatus from the active server to standby server to thereby hand over operation to the standby server. The management server refers to a fail-over strategy table in which apparatus information of the server apparatuses is associated with fail-over methods to select fail-over strategy in consideration of apparatus information of the active and standby servers. |
| US08074097B2 |
Meta-instrumentation for security analysis
A system and method for analyzing and/or testing member devices in a multi-device system. The multi-device system includes a device-under-analysis (DUA) and a device-under-observation (DUO). An analyzer that is external to the multi-device system generates and sends test messages to the DUA. The analyzer monitors the health of the multi-device system through the DUO and detects a system-wide impact of the DUA caused by the test messages. The analyzer analyzes the DUA based on the test messages and the system-wide impact. |
| US08074093B1 |
Method and system for optimizing the completion of computing operations
Computer software that manages the amount of power provided to a processing unit for a specific process task, optimizing the processing speed of that specific task without overheating the processing unit. In the optimization method, the software initially counts the number of operations completed during an initial subtask duration for the current process task, then recounts the number of operations completed during a repeat subtask duration when the voltage to the processing unit was increased incrementally based on its die size. The software then determines whether to (a) repeat such steps until the operations count stops increasing (and save the completed-operations count of that subtask duration), or (b) whenever the temperature of the processing unit exceeds a failsafe temperature, save the completed-operations count of the immediately preceding subtask duration. The task may be processed continuously at that optimized performance level and power level. |
| US08074092B2 |
System, architecture, and method for logical server and other network devices in a dynamically configurable multi-server network environment
Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method, and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environments is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment. |
| US08074087B2 |
Configuring processors and loads for power management
Controlling processors and processor hardware components in a computing device based on execution load and a power saving preference. The power saving preference relates to responsiveness of the processors versus power consumption of the processors to manage battery life of the device. The processors and processor hardware components may be powered on and off based on a determined execution load for the processors and based on the power saving preference. For example, arithmetic logic units, caches, vectorization units, and units for graphics or multimedia support may be individually enabled or disabled based on the execution load and the power saving preference. |
| US08074086B1 |
Circuit and method for dynamic in-rush current control in a power management circuit
Disclosed are a circuit and a method for controlling dynamic in-rush current in a power management circuit. The circuit includes a current limiting unit having a first quantity of sleep mode devices. A voltage drop minimization unit is coupled to the current limiting unit and has a second quantity of sleep mode devices. The second quantity of sleep mode devices is greater than the first quantity of sleep mode devices. A sequential enabling unit is coupled to both the current limiting unit and the voltage drop minimization unit. The sequential enabling unit is configured to turn on the voltage drop minimization unit after the current limiting unit in accordance with a predetermined delay. |
| US08074085B2 |
Method for controlling the power supply from a power source to a power consumer
A system and method for controlling power supply of a power source to at least one power consumer to a desired value in the range of from 0 and 100% in which the operating time of the power consumer is divided up into periods and the power output by the power source is switched on within one period only during the duty cycle which is the portion of the period length that corresponds to the desired value. Resolution provided by the present system and method is improved over known techniques for the static division of the period into equally long periods, especially in the control of light modules having low intensities. The present system and method includes the feature in which the period length is divided up into a number of blocks, every block having at least one switch segment in which the switching state can be modified, and at least one static segment in which the switching state cannot be modified. |
| US08074083B1 |
Controlling download and playback of media content
Systems and methods provide for controlling download and playback of media content. A system includes a client, which can play content, and a server. The server includes a permission system that can determine whether a client request to download or play content should be granted. All purchase, download, and playback requests require permission from the permission system. The server also includes a DD module system that transfers a DD module to the client. The DD module includes a content key decryption module, a content decryption module, and a content decompression module. The content key decryption module decrypts an encrypted content key that was received from the server. The decryption uses a unique DD module key that has been hard-coded into the content key decryption module. The content decryption module uses the content key to decrypt encrypted content. The content decompression module decompresses compressed content so that it can be played. |
| US08074081B2 |
Method for replacing contents of a data storage unit
A data storage device includes a plurality of data storage units, a physical random number generator with a noise source based on a physical noise process, for generating a random number, and a replacer for selecting a data storage unit wherein data is to be stored, depending on the random number. Selecting, on the basis of genuine random numbers, data storage units and/or lines to be replaced in the cache. |
| US08074080B2 |
System and method for generating and utilizing organically grown content in a directory assistance environment
A method is provided for updating a contact listing. The method includes receiving a request from a requestor for a contact listing corresponding to a desired listing among a plurality of available listings. The request includes one or more information element relating to the desired listing. The desired listing among the plurality of available listings is retrieved and a modification to the retrieved listing is generated based on the one or more information elements relating to the desired listing provided by the requester. |
| US08074077B1 |
Securing circuit designs within circuit design tools
A method of securing a circuit design can include generating a string including a plurality of elements. The plurality of elements can include elements of design information selected from within the circuit design and at least one security element indicating whether the circuit design is protected. The method further can include permuting the plurality of elements of the string, encrypting the permuted string using a key shared with a circuit design tool, and including the permuted and encrypted string within the circuit design. |
| US08074075B2 |
Authentication system
To provide an authentication technology making it compatible to facilitate inputting of authentication information and to ensure the security. An authentication device connected to a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal via a communication line, receives a message from the transmitting terminal, receives authentication information from the transmitting terminal, registers the message in association with the authentication information, receives a request with a purport of acquiring the message from the receiving terminal, determines, based on the authentication information received from the receiving terminal and the registered authentication information, whether to authenticate or not, and, if authenticated, transmits the message to the receiving terminal. |
| US08074072B2 |
Challenge response-based device authentication system and method
A challenge response scheme authenticates a requesting device by an authenticating device. The authenticating device generates and issues a challenge to the requesting device. The requesting device combines the challenge with a hash of a password provided by a user, and the combination is further hashed in order to generate a requesting encryption key used to encrypt the user supplied password. The encrypted user supplied password is sent to the authenticating device as a response to the issued challenge. The authenticating device generates an authenticating encryption key by generating the hash of a combination of the challenge and a stored hash of an authenticating device password. The authenticating encryption key is used to decrypt the response in order to retrieve the user-supplied password. If the user-supplied password hash matches the stored authenticating device password hash, the requesting device is authenticated and the authenticating device is in possession of the password. |
| US08074070B2 |
Method for fast, secure 802.11 re-association without additional authentication, accounting, and authorization infrastructure
A method wherein an access point authenticates itself with neighboring access points and establishes secure and mutually authenticated communication channels with its neighboring access points. When an access point learns of a neighboring access point, it initiates an authentication with an authentication server through the neighboring access point. Once access points have mutually authenticated each other, whenever a station authenticates itself with a first access point, the first access point communicates the station's authentication context information, for example session key and session identifier, to each neighboring access point. Thus, when the station roams to a neighboring access point, the neighboring access point presents the station with a reauthentication protocol, for example LEAP reauthentication, and if the reauthentication is successful, communication between the station and the neighboring access point takes place immediately and no new EAP authentication needs to occur. |
| US08074057B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling instruction throughput
Systems and methods for controlling instruction throughput are disclosed. One embodiment of a system may comprise a comparator that determines a difference value in an actual instructions per clock cycle throughput and a target instructions per clock cycle throughput setting, and a throttle control that sums a plurality of difference values to determine an average difference value over a plurality of clock cycles and adjusts the actual instructions per clock cycle throughput based on the average difference value. |
| US08074054B1 |
Processing system having multiple engines connected in a daisy chain configuration
A processing system includes a group of processing units (“PUs”) arranged in a daisy chain configuration or a sequence capable of parallel processing. The processing system, in one embodiment, includes PUs, a demultiplexer (“demux”), and a multiplexer (“mux”). The PUs are connected or linked in a sequence or a daisy chain configuration wherein a first PU is located at the beginning of the sequence and a last digital PU is located at the end of the sequence. Each PU is configured to read an input data packet from a packet stream during a designated reading time frame. If the time frame is outside of the designated reading time frame, a PU allows a packet stream to pass through. The demux forwards a packet stream to the first digital processing unit. The mux receives a packet steam from the last digital processing unit. |
| US08074053B2 |
Dynamic instruction and data updating architecture
A memory update engine provides flexible modification of data in memory. A processor may employ the update engine to update filter coefficients, special effects parameters, signal sample processing instructions, or any other instruction or data during processing. The update engine supports dynamic updating without requiring processor shutdown, thereby allowing the processor to seamlessly continue operation during a live performance. |
| US08074049B2 |
Online backup system with global two staged deduplication without using an indexing database
An encryption for a distributed global online backup system with global two-stage deduplication in the absence of an indexing database where data blocks are encrypted using their SHA-1 signatures as encryption keys. |
| US08074043B1 |
Method and apparatus to recover from interrupted data streams in a deduplication system
Detection and proper deduplication of a re-started data stream in a segmentation analysis-based deduplication system are provided by retaining information about a previous data stream and using that information when performing segmentation of the re-started data stream. Information such as a segment size associated with a last data object received in the previous data stream and a record of how much data was present in the last segment associated with the previous data stream is retained. The retained segment size information is used to set a first data object segment size of the re-started data stream, and the size of last segment information is used to determine how much information should be put in the first segment associated with the re-started data stream in order to maintain proper alignment of the remainder of the segments for the first data object in the re-started data stream for deduplication. |
| US08074040B2 |
Flash device and method for improving performance of flash device
The invention provides a flash device. In one embodiment, the flash device comprises a first NAND flash integrated circuit, a second NAND flash integrated circuit, and a control integrated circuit. The control integrated circuit generates a plurality of first access signals with first timings to access the first NAND flash IC, and generates a plurality of second access signals with second timings to access the second NAND flash IC, wherein the first timings are different from the second timings. The first NAND flash integrated circuit then accesses data stored therein according to the first access signals. The second NAND flash integrated circuit then accesses data stored therein according to the second access signals. |
| US08074038B2 |
Converting luns into files or files into luns in real time
A LUN is provided that can store multiple datasets (e.g., data and/or applications, such as virtual machines stored as virtual hard drives). The LUN is partitioned into multiple partitions. One or more datasets may be stored in each partition. As a result, multiple datasets can be accessed through a single LUN, rather than through a number of LUNs proportional to the number of datasets. Furthermore, the datasets stored in the LUN may be pivoted. A second LUN may be generated that is dedicated to storing a dataset of the multiple datasets stored in the first LUN. The dataset is copied to the second LUN, and the second LUN is exposed to a host computer to enable the host computer to interact with the dataset. Still further, the dataset may be pivoted from the second LUN back to a partition of the first LUN. |
| US08074026B2 |
Scatter-gather intelligent memory architecture for unstructured streaming data on multiprocessor systems
A scatter/gather technique optimizes unstructured streaming memory accesses, providing off-chip bandwidth efficiency by accessing only useful data at a fine granularity, and off-loading memory access overhead by supporting address calculation, data shuffling, and format conversion. |
| US08074022B2 |
Programmable heterogeneous memory controllers for main memory with different memory modules
A computer system is disclosed including a printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of traces, at least one processor mounted to the PCB to couple to some of the plurality of traces, a heterogeneous memory channel including a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB, and a memory controller coupled between the at least one processor and the heterogeneous memory channel. The heterogeneous memory channel includes a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB. The plurality of sockets are configured to receive a plurality of different types of memory modules. The memory controller may be a programmable heterogeneous memory controller to flexibly adapt to the memory channel bus to control access to each of the different types of memory modules in the heterogeneous memory channel. |
| US08074021B1 |
Network storage system including non-volatile solid-state memory controlled by external data layout engine
A network storage system includes “raw” flash memory, and storage of data in that flash memory is controlled by an external, log structured, write out-of-place data layout engine of a storage server. By avoiding a separate, onboard data layout engine on the flash devices, the latency associated with operation of such a data layout engine is also avoided. The flash memory can be used as the main persistent storage of a storage server and/or as buffer cache of a storage server, or both. The flash memory can be accessible to multiple storage servers in a storage cluster. To reduce variability in read latency, each flash device provides its status (“busy” or not) to the data layout engine. The data layout engine uses RAID data reconstruction to avoid having to read from a busy flash device. |
| US08074020B2 |
On-line volume coalesce operation to enable on-line storage subsystem volume consolidation
A mechanism to permit consolidation of storage subsystem volumes into larger, more easily managed volumes and an operating system device driver which includes a trap mechanism for intercepting calls from a host into logical unit devices that were previously consolidated into a single physical volume. A map converts such calls to a logical unit device into a corresponding offset in the single physical volume. A driver accesses the single physical volume with corresponding offsets to transfer data associated with a particular logical unit device. So, logical unit devices can be consolidated and reconsolidated to single physical volumes and other physical volumes without requiring changes to the operating system or its application software and without requiring application or host downtime. |
| US08074019B2 |
Preventing data loss in a storage system
Storage servers use a fast, non-volatile or persistent memory to store data until it can be written to slower mass storage devices such as disk drives. If the server crashes before a write can complete, the data remains safely stored in non-volatile memory. If the data cannot be committed to disk when the server reboots (e.g. because the destination mass storage device is unavailable), it is stored in a file. When the disk reappears, the data in the file may be used to restore a file or file system on the disk to a consistent state. |
| US08074017B2 |
On-disk caching for raid systems
A method according to one embodiment may include creating a reserved partition on at least one volume of a RAID system. The method may also include creating a table to map data stored in the reserved partition to at least one intended volume address of at least one volume of the RAID system. The method may also include writing data associated with a RAID data write request into the cache memory, writing the data into the reserved partition, and updating the table to reflect data stored in the reserved partition. |
| US08074014B2 |
Storage systems using write off-loading
Improved storage systems which use write off-loading are described. When a request to store some data in a particular storage location is received, if the particular storage location is unavailable, the data is stored in an alternative location. In an embodiment, the particular storage location may be unavailable because it is powered down or because it is overloaded. The data stored in the alternative location may be subsequently recovered and written to the particular storage location once it becomes available. |
| US08074011B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for storage space recovery after reaching a read count limit
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for storage space recovery after reaching a read count limit. A read module reads data in a storage division of solid-state storage. A read counter module then increments a read counter corresponding to the storage division. A read counter limit module determines if the read count exceeds a maximum read threshold, and if so, a storage division selection module selects the corresponding storage division for recovery. A data recovery module reads valid data packets from the selected storage division, stores the valid data packets in another storage division of the solid-state storage, and updates a logical index with a new physical address of the valid data. |
| US08074006B2 |
Abnormal status detecting method of interrupt pins
An abnormal status detecting method of interrupt pins is provided. In the invention, an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) table is looked up for obtaining an interrupt status bit of each interrupt pin in a computer system. Afterwards, the interrupt status bit is continuously checked whether it is maintained at a specific value during a fixed time. When the interrupt status bit of one of the interrupt pins is maintained at the specific value during the fixed time, the interrupt pin is determined to be abnormal. |
| US08074001B2 |
Information processing apparatus, KVM switch, remote system, and computer readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a selection portion that selects any one of a first setting that enables data on a hot key from a keyboard for a server, a second setting that enables the data on the hot key from the keyboard for a KVM switch, and a third setting that disables the data on the hot key from the keyboard for both of the KVM switch and the server; and a transmission portion that transmits the data on the hot key and a flag indicating the first setting to the server when the first setting is selected, transmits the data on the hot key and a flag indicating the second setting to the KVM switch when the second setting is selected, and fails to transmit the data on the hot key to the KVM switch and the server when the third setting is selected. |
| US08074000B2 |
Hotkey processing method and computer system
A key processing method for use in a computer system having at least one BIOS (basic input output system) and one controller is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. After a predetermined time period, it is first determined whether a specific hotkey has been pressed. If so, the BIOS acquires identification data of the specific hotkey from the controller and performs a corresponding service. |
| US08073999B2 |
Data input-output control apparatus
A system controller is presented that controls an output format of data according to a data congestion status of the data and then outputs the data over an output bus. Specifically, if there is data congestion, the system controller changes the format of the data to a format that matches a bus width of the output bus before outputting the data over the output bus. To give a specific example, the system controller changes the format of the data input over an input bus in an input format of 4 B to an output format of 5 B before outputting the data over the output bus. If there is no data congestion, the system controller outputs the data over the output bus without changing the input format. |
| US08073996B2 |
Programmable modular circuit for testing and controlling a system-on-a-chip integrated circuit, and applications thereof
The present invention provides a programmable modular circuit for testing and controlling a system-on-a-chip integrated circuit, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the programmable modular circuit comprises a plurality of serial-to-parallel interface registers coupled together by a data line, a clock line, and an enable line. Each of the plurality of serial-to-parallel interface registers is coupled to a module of the system-on-a-chip. The data line and the clock line are used to serially clock data into the plurality of serial-to-parallel interface registers. Applying a first logical value to the enable line provides the data serially clocked into the plurality of serial-to-parallel interface registers to modules of the system-on-a-chip. Applying a second logical value to the enable line provides default values to modules of the system-on-a-chip. The data values serially clocked into the plurality of serial-to-parallel interface registers can be used to test and/or to modify selected operating characteristics of the system-on-a-chip. |
| US08073995B2 |
Efficient low-latency buffer
An efficient low latency buffer, and method of operation, is described. The efficient low latency buffer may be used as a bi-directional buffer in an audio playback device to buffer both output and input data. The audio buffer includes two modes of operation. The first mode replaces large segments of data at a first rate, and the second mode replaces smaller segments of data at a second rate, higher than the first rate. The first mode may make efficient use of the buffer for the output, data while the second mode may provide low latency for the buffering of the input data. |
| US08073993B2 |
Management of redundant physical data paths in a computing system
A redundancy manager manages commands to peripheral devices in a computer system. These peripheral devices have multiple pathways connecting it to the computer system. The redundancy manager determines the number of independent pathways connected to the peripheral device, presents only one logical device to the operating system and any device driver and any other command or device processing logic in the command path before the redundancy manager. For each incoming command, the redundancy manager determines which pathways are properly functioning and selects the best pathway for the command based at least partly upon a penalty model where a path may be temporarily penalized by not including the pathway in the path selection process for a predetermined time. The redundancy manager further reroutes the command to an alternate path and resets the device for an alternate path that is not penalized or has otherwise failed. |
| US08073989B2 |
Printer interface detection device
A printer interface detection device includes a printer interface connected to a printer interface of a computer to be detected, a microcontroller, and an indicator. The printer interface includes a number of input/output (I/O) pins and a data signal pin connected to the corresponding pins of the microcontroller. The microcontroller outputs a plurality of printing status signals to the computer according to instructions from the computer. The computer compares whether the number of printing statuses are consistent with printing statuses stored in the computer, to determine whether a printing function of the printer interface of the computer is normal. When the printing function of the printer interface of the computer is normal, the indicator is lit. |
| US08073988B2 |
Reconfigurable computing device and method for inspecting configuration data
A reconfigurable computing device includes a reconfigurable logical device of which a circuit logic can be changed based on configuration data, a storage part to store beforehand input-output attributes of input-output parts of the reconfigurable logical device, and a verification part to verify the configuration data by making a comparison between information on the input-output parts in the configuration data and the input-output attributes stored in the storage part. With this, it is possible to inspect the configuration data of the reconfigurable logical device by a simple method. |
| US08073985B1 |
Backward compatible extended USB plug and receptacle with dual personality
An extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector plug and socket each have a pin substrate with one surface that supports the four metal contact pins for the standard USB interface. An extension of the pin substrate carries another 8 extension metal contact pins that mate when both the connector plug and socket are extended. The extension can be an increased length of the plug's and socket's pin substrate or a reverse side of the substrate. Standard USB connectors do not make contact with the extension metal contacts that are recessed, retracted by a mechanical switch, or on the extension of the socket's pin substrate that a standard USB connector cannot reach. Standard USB sockets do not make contact with the extension metal contacts because the extended connector's extension contacts are recessed, or on the extension of the connector pin substrate that does not fit inside a standard USB socket. |
| US08073980B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic configuration of peripherals
Peripherals and data processing systems are disclosed which can be configured to interact based upon sensor data. In one embodiment, a peripheral, which is configured to be used with a data processing system, includes an interface to couple the peripheral to the data processing system, and at least one sensor, such as a proximity sensor, to sense a user of the peripheral, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one sensor, wherein the processor configures the peripheral in response to data from the at least one sensor. The peripheral may communicate sensor data from its sensors to the data processing system, which may be a wireless PDA, and the data processing system analyzes the sensor data from its sensors and from the peripheral's sensors to decide how to configure the peripheral and/or the data processing system based on the sensor. |
| US08073979B2 |
Enhanced network system through the combination of networking objects
Reducing the cost of framing network packets in a virtual machine environment combines certain network objects to eliminate the cost of fully framing packets between the combined objects. In a virtual environment, for example, this allows a virtual NIC in one partition to send only data to a network provider partition and to rely on the latter to frame and route the data. A source network object, destination network object, or an intermediate network object may enable a separate intermediate network object to frame its data so that the network system may take advantage of offload framing when one or more of the intermediate network object's ports has the capacity to offload framing. |
| US08073976B2 |
Synchronizing clocks in an asynchronous distributed system
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing clocks in an asynchronous distributed system. Embodiments of the invention facilitate creation of a trustable and practical common time (time of day) reference across a set of peer nodes (observers), such as, for example, members within a common asynchronous (distributed) system. A class of pseudo synchronous system can be created via tracking and accumulating worst case relativistic time skews amongst pairs of nodes (observers), without reference to a common master. As such, cooperating nodes can essentially guarantee a lower bound on the time-of-day that one node will observe, given an observation on another node. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can be applied to provide a consistent (essentially safe) view of the worst case (i.e., greatest variance in) current time across such an asynchronous system—without a common external time-of-day clock entity being used. |
| US08073966B2 |
Virtual interface
A virtual interface is disclosed. A method may include allowing upper layer software to transparently access the capabilities of a network device via a virtual interface as if the network device were in a computing device in which the upper layer software is resident. A communication channel may be established with a computing device. A virtual interface to a network device in the computing device is created. Incoming data units directed to the network device are received via the communication channel, and are made available via the virtual interface. Outgoing data units directed to the virtual interface may be forwarded to the network device via the communication channel. The methods may be implemented on computing devices that include network cards, including computers and/or network testing systems. |
| US08073965B2 |
Transmission bandwidth and memory requirements reduction in a portable image capture device
A system and method for reducing storage and transmission bandwidth requirements of a portable image capture device capable of establishing a communications connection on a network are disclosed. The method includes assigning an image identifier to captured images uploaded to a server on a network, wherein each of the images is stored in an image file having a particular size. The size of each of the image files corresponding to the uploaded images on the image capture device may then be reduced, thereby reducing storage requirements. In response to a user request to apply an action to one of the uploaded images, only the image identifier of the image and the requested action are transmitted to the server, thereby eliminating the need to retransmit the image and reducing transmission bandwidth requirements. |
| US08073959B2 |
Automatically detecting whether a computer is connected to a public or private network
Automatically detecting whether a local network that a computer is connected to is a public or private network by utilizing a trusted online service and/or heuristics is disclosed. Data produced as a result of performing one heuristic(s) in combination with data received from a trusted online service can be utilized to determine a level of confidence as to a type of network to which a client computer is connected. If the determined level of confidence exceeds a first level, the local network type for the client computer can automatically be set. If the determined level of confidence is less than the first level, but greater than a second level, a user can be prompted to classify the local network type with the determined local network type set as a default value. Techniques are also described for detecting whether or not two computers are connected to the same local area network. |
| US08073958B2 |
System and method for communicating with an electronic exchange in an electronic trading environment
System and methods for a connection proxy server are described. According to an example method described herein, a connection proxy server stores subscription, product tables as well as other downloads that are provided to a client terminal during initialization stage as well as later during a trading session. Upon detecting that a connection between the client terminal and a gateway is lost, the connection proxy maintains a communication session created for the client terminal at the gateway and receives data intended for the client terminal. If the connection is re-established between the client terminal and the gateway during a predetermined period of time, the connection proxy provides the stored data to the client terminal thus avoiding a surge in processing resources at the gateway due to the necessary downloads. |
| US08073956B2 |
Multimedia communications using preferred devices
Aspects of the present invention are directed at allowing users to establish a multimedia network session in which each user is allowed to employ multiple computing devices to exchange data. In this regard, a method is provided for collecting control information from at least two local computing devices associated with the first user that will participate in the network session. Then, an invitation message with the collected control information is sent to a computing device associated with a second user. In response, control information collected from one or more computing devices associated with the second user are obtained. The obtained control information is distributed to the appropriate local computing devices associated with the first user. As a result of exchanging control information in this way, a multimedia network session that allows users to employ a plurality of computing devices may be established. |
| US08073954B1 |
Method and apparatus for a secure remote access system
A method and apparatus which provides for remote and secure access to a host computer, and which further provides an open application standard for client access to the host computer. |
| US08073953B2 |
Mapless global server load balancing of network traffic using anycast routing
Techniques are described for directing connections between clients and the closest web server. Authoritative DNS resolvers of a network are placed at edges of the network. Using anycast, the authoritative DNS resolvers advertise routes of their destination netblock to the Internet. A request from a client to connect to the network is routed, based upon BGP tables, to the closest particular authoritative DNS resolver. Once the request is received, a response is sent to the client with the IP address of the closest web server. The closest web server is determined through in-network health check measurements, with the authoritative DNS resolvers dynamically selecting IP addresses closest to themselves. Routing protocols that directed the packet to the closest authoritative DNS resolver also dictate the route of subsequent traffic to the network. Thus, the closest web server selected by the authoritative DNS resolver is also the closest web server to the client. |
| US08073942B2 |
System and method for storage discovery in a storage area network using device domains under control of a storage device
A storage area network (SAN) includes a management server, a storage device, and a management station coupled to a fabric. The management server implements device domains on the SAN. The storage device instructs the management server to add new device domains on the SAN. The management station defines the new device domains to include the storage device and an initiator coupled to the fabric, and directs the storage device to instruct the management server to add the new device domains. A method includes coupling a management server to a SAN fabric, implementing device domains in the management server, defining a new device domain that includes a storage device and an initiator coupled to the SAN, and coupling a storage device to the SAN fabric, the storage device being operable to instruct the management server to add the new device domain. |
| US08073937B2 |
Data downloading initiated by portable communicating objects during a campaign
Content data available in a server is downloaded to portable communicating objects via a radio communication network during a data downloading campaign initiated by a portable communicating object upon transmission of a request of content availability to the server when at least one request transmission triggering element fulfills a rule stored in the portable communicating object. Upon reception of the content availability request, one of the devices including the server and the portable communicating object determines whether the content data are available for the portable communicating object so as to transmit the same thereto. |
| US08073936B2 |
Providing support for responding to location protocol queries within a network node
Various systems and methods are disclosed for providing support for responding to location protocol queries within a network node. One such method involves associating a location with a network identity by associating a network port with a network identity and also associating the network port with the location. The association between the network port and the network identity is created in response to a network identity, which can include an IP address, being assigned to a device coupled to the network port by an identity protocol such as DHCP. The packet is sent in response to detecting a request for the device's location. The method can be performed by various devices, including a first hop node coupled to the device, a location server, and an identity server. |
| US08073934B1 |
Automated load balancing architecture
Systems and methods provide automated provisioning of load balancing. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method configures an access point. A request to create the access point may be received and data for the access point may be stored in a data store. The method may invoke a workflow engine. The workflow engine may assign the access point to a load balancer, configure the load balancer, assign a network address to the load balancer, and publish the network address for a plurality of clients. |
| US08073933B2 |
Audio processing
The presently claimed invention relates generally to processing streaming audio signals. One claim recites a method including: using a programmed electronic processor, analyzing a streaming audio signal to obtain identifying information therefrom; providing the identifying information to a remotely located database, the database including a plurality of records that associate identifying information with pointers; receiving from the database a pointer corresponding to the provided identifying information; using the pointer to establish communication with a remote website including information associated with the audio signal; and providing an audible tone to a user in association with at least one of the foregoing. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. |
| US08073932B2 |
Business logic device and processing method
A business logic device and processing method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) receiving a request message for performing a biz template from the open interface processing unit, ii) analyzing the received biz template performing request message and performing the biz template by cooperating with a legacy cooperation processing unit and iii) composing a message for a result of performing the stored biz template and transmitting the composed message to the open interface processing unit. |
| US08073929B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a provider's online status in a distributed network
A system manages communications between a provider and a requestor in a distributed network. A requester is implemented on a computing device and provides a stay online binding. The stay online binding identifies a binding that is desired by the requester. A provider is implemented on a computing device and provides a binding. The provider receives the stay online binding from the requestor and continues providing the binding because the provider became aware of the stay online binding. |
| US08073927B2 |
System and method of associating events with requests
Management software that can associate events, including non page events, such as the generation of dynamic content, with HTTP requests. The management software can receive a set of HTTP request data including a request time stamp for each HTTP request in a set of HTTP requests, receive a set of event data including an event time stamp for each event in a set of events and associate each event from the set of events with a previous HTTP request from the set of HTTP requests based on the event time stamps and request time stamps. Each event can be associated with previous HTTP request closest in time. |
| US08073926B2 |
Virtual machine image server
Virtual machine image files are stored in a virtual machine storage by a virtual machine image file server. Users at virtual machine clients connect to the virtual machine image file server and are presented with a list of the available virtual machine image files in a virtual machine image store. Users of the virtual machine clients are able to select the desired virtual machine image, and begin executing in the selected virtual machine environment as soon as the selected virtual machine image file begins downloading to the client computer. When a virtual machine image file is selected for storage it is divided into several segments. Each segment is compared with segments of previously stored virtual machine image files already in storage. For example, only non-duplicate segments are stored. |
| US08073922B2 |
System and method for remote asynchronous data replication
An asynchronous peer-to-peer data replication method implemented within a replication cluster comprising at least one master node and at least a first client node includes entering an update in a data volume of the master node and storing the update in a master node storage. Next, updating a first active session in a master log and then sending a first message from the master node to the first client node. The first message comprises a first message content and first “piggybacked” data indicating that the first active session in the master log was updated. Next, receiving the first message by the first client node, registering that the first active session in the master log was updated and signaling internally that the first active session in the master log was updated. Next, sending an update request from the first client node to the master node, processing the update request by the master node and sending the update to the first client node. Finally, receiving the update by the first client node and updating the first active session in a first client log. |
| US08073918B2 |
Filtering and managing electronic mail
Filtering and managing electronic mail is accommodated by allowing a user to designate an approved subject line phrase whose presence allows an incoming message to bypass certain message filtering operations. E-mail messages sent to the user are examined to determine whether their subject line includes the approved phrase. When the phrase is present in the message subject line, delivery of the message to the user is accommodated according to the settings prescribed by the user. E-mail management is also accommodated by allowing a user to download a message from a mail server to an e-mail client and subsequently restore the message onto the mail server as though it had not yet been downloaded. |
| US08073914B2 |
Electronic mail communication device
An electronic mail communication device may be provided with a receiving device that receives an electronic mail, a sequence map creation device, and an output device. The sequence map creation device may create a sequence map in which correspondent objects corresponding to the correspondents of a series of electronic mails relating to the electronic mail received by the receiving device are arranged along an x direction, and transmission objects indicating from whom and to whom each of the series of electronic mails was transmitted are arranged along a y direction in order of the date and time of communication. The output device may output the sequence map created by the sequence map creation device. |
| US08073913B2 |
Method for pushing email in heterogeneous networks, mobile terminal and server
A method for pushing email in heterogeneous networks as well as a mobile terminal and a server are disclosed. The method comprise steps of: sending a mail notification including at least mail priority and mail size of the email from a mail-pushing server to a mobile terminal; determining, by the mobile terminal, a download strategy for the email based on at least one predefined threshold, said mail priority and said mail size; and downloading said email from the mail-pushing server based on the determined download strategy. With the above solutions, it is possible to seamlessly integrate the long standby duration in the WAN mode with free-of-charge and high speed in the LAN mode and thus give a full play to these advantages. Moreover, the mobile terminal can select automatically the most suitable mail access strategy based on network condition and mail size for the simultaneous realization of effective power saving and efficient transmission. |
| US08073911B2 |
Enforcing compliance policies in a messaging system
A messaging system enforces compliance policies for the electronic messages. The messaging system treats a set of related messages, such as an email string between two or more people, as a message container (200) having relational references to one or more submessages (210, 212, 214). A messaging server (112) stores the messages and submessages as discrete message components within a message database (416). In addition, the messaging server (112) stores one or more compliance policies. A compliance policy describes the set of rules that apply to message components during their lifecycles and is defined in terms of a population structure, a set of rules, and a set of jobcodes. When an action occurs that involves a piece of content, the messaging system identifies the relevant compliance policy in the governance policy database (424) and applies any rules that are applicable given the population structure and jobcode. |
| US08073907B2 |
User contribution based mapping system and method
A computer implemented user contribution method is provided. The method includes receiving identifying information from a plurality of users and receiving from the plurality of users indications of one or more geographic areas. A quality value of the one or more geographic areas is determined based on the indications of the one or more geographic areas from the plurality of users, and the quality value is transmitted to one or more of the plurality of users. The present invention further provides a user contribution based mapping system. |
| US08073903B2 |
Message alert broadcast broker system and method
A message alert broadcast broker and method for providing a broadcast message to a plurality of user devices located within a broadcast target area including a broadcast service bureau receiving from one of a plurality of coupled broadcast agent access systems providing a broadcast request from an originating broadcast agent associated one broadcast agent access system, the broadcast request including a broadcast agent identification, the geographically defined broadcast target area, a broadcast message, and a broadcast channel code, the broadcast service bureau verifying the broadcast request as a function of the broadcast agent identification including the authority of the originating broadcast agent to send the broadcast message to the broadcast target area using the broadcast channel code, the broadcast service bureau processing the verified broadcast request for transmission to one or more mobile telephone networks providing service to at least a portion of the broadcast target area of the broadcast request. |
| US08073896B2 |
Client messaging in multicast networks
A messaging system may enable a server to assign unique identifiers to a plurality of clients. These identifiers enable a client to determine whether a message is specifically targeted to that client or, as an alternative, whether the client is a member of a group of targeted clients. In one embodiment, each client includes a client identifier that may include code portions that are common to other members of a particular addressable client group. In addition, the client may include agents devoted to particular functions that may be uniquely addressable by the server. |
| US08073893B1 |
Method and/or system for comparing character expressions
Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and/or systems for manipulating character expressions to determine relationships among such character expressions. |
| US08073887B2 |
Representational state transfer (REST) service import editor
In an embodiment of the invention, a method for REST service importation in a distributed application development data processing system can be provided. The method can include the specifying a sample uniform resource locator (URL) in a graphical user interface to a REST service importation editor and invoking the REST service at the sample URL in order to receive a response object from the REST service. The method further can include parsing both the sample URL and the response object to identify different request fields and field types of a request object for the REST service and also response fields and field types of the response object. Finally, the method can include displaying a description of the request fields and field types of the request object and also a description of the response fields and field types of the response object in the graphical user interface to the REST service importation editor. |
| US08073885B2 |
Recording apparatus, file descriptor generation method, and program
A recording apparatus includes a server, a client, a virtual device, a judgment section, and a regeneration section. The server executes an access to a storage medium as a service. The client includes processes that require the service. The virtual device is used to perform communication between the server and the client using a socket. The judgment section judges, when a process of the client opens the virtual device, whether the virtual device is already opened. The regeneration section regenerates, when the virtual device is already opened, a file descriptor for the process that references the socket based on an existing kernel file table. |
| US08073884B2 |
System and method to derive high level file system information by passively monitoring low level operations on a FAT file system
A method (and corresponding system and computer program product) detects modified files and/or directories in a storage device. The method builds a file-sector coordination table for files in the storage device before relinquishing access control of the storage device to a host computer. The method passively monitors write transactions in the storage device from the host computer. The method identifies sectors affected by the monitored write transactions and stores in a sector list. The method regains access control of the storage device from the host computer and builds a list of modified files by intersecting the sector list with the file-sector coordination table. The method may optionally share the list of modified files with related applications. |
| US08073880B2 |
System and method for optimizing storage infrastructure performance
The invention provides a system and method for integrated, optimized data storage infrastructure performance in a distributed computing environment using a storage resource management application. The invention may include a storage resource management application that receives and stores data regarding one or more infrastructure components of a distributed computing environment. A request related to performance of a data storage infrastructure of the distributed computing environment, may then be received. A request type may then be identified from one or more predefined request types. Examples of request types may include new asset addition requests, data storage provisioning requests, performance review requests, reporting requests, backup/recovery requests, and/or other requests. One or more infrastructure components, management agents, and/or service level agreements are then identified and associated with the request. |
| US08073879B2 |
Systems and methods that transform constructs from domain to domain
The present invention provides systems and methods that isomorphically maps constructs between domain spaces (e.g., object, markup, relational and user interface domains). The systems and methods employ a mapping component that utilizes at least one suppress label(s), introduce label(s) and/or mediating schema to facilitate construct mapping. Examples of such mapping include transforming a named construct to an anonymous construct, a named construct to a named construct, an anonymous construct to a named construct, and an anonymous construct to an anonymous construct. In general, introduce labels can be utilized to provide names for anonymous constructs and/or modify existing names; suppress labels typically are utilized to suppress names such as introduced names or names a user desires to be suppressed; and mediating schema can be utilized to provide a default or user customized mapping to an intermediate schema before, during and/or after construct mapping. |
| US08073878B2 |
Method to generate linkage indicative data, computer usable medium therefor, and printing apparatus
A method to generate linkage indicative data for a linkage indicative diagram, representing a linkage at least between two information resources being interrelated with each other, in a printing apparatus, is provided. The method includes collecting at least two pieces of primary linkage information respectively identifying the at least two information resources and subsidiary linkage information included in each of the at least two plurality of information resources, storing the collected subsidiary linkage information in association with corresponding one of the at least two pieces of primary linkage information in a storage, judging whether each of the at least two pieces of primary linkage information stored in the storage is included in the subsidiary linkage information, determining the linkage between the at least two information resources, and creating the linkage indicative data to represent the linkage indicative diagram. |
| US08073875B2 |
Managing deleted directory entries
An instruction to delete the entry is received. A second entry that includes a reference to the entry is identified. A third entry including information to be preserved from the entry is added in a deleted entries subtree. The third entry is modified to include the reference information from the second entry. The third entry is saved such that during a restore of the entry the third entry provides the information to restore the entry and the reference to the entry. The third entry may include a set of attributes that store an identifier of the second entry. The entry is restored from the third entry and made available in the directory. A reference is recreated in the second entry to the restored entry forming a restored second entry. |
| US08073871B2 |
Nearest neighbor recommendation method and system
A program recommendation system employing a program record module and one of various nearest neighbor modules is disclosed. In response to a reception of a program record, the program record module converts each key field of the program record into a feature value. A single neighbor module selectively generates a recommendation of a program corresponding to the program record based upon a stored program record qualifying as a nearest neighbor of the received program record. A multiple neighbor module selectively generates a recommendation of the program corresponding to the program record based upon N number of stored program records qualifying as N number of nearest neighbors of the received program record. A neighbor cluster selectively generates a recommendation of the program corresponding to the program record based upon the cluster of stored program records qualifying as the nearest neighbor of the received program record. |
| US08073869B2 |
Method for efficiently supporting interactive, fuzzy search on structured data
A method to support efficient, interactive, and fuzzy search on text data includes an interactive, fuzzy search on structured data used in applications such as query relaxation, autocomplete, and spell checking, where inconsistencies and errors exist in user queries as well as data. It utilizes techniques to efficiently and interactively answer fuzzy queries on structured data to allow users to efficiently search for information interactively, and they can find records and documents even if these records and documents are slightly different from the user keywords. |
| US08073859B2 |
Sequential pattern data mining and visualization
One or more processors (22) are operated to extract a number of different event identifiers therefrom. These processors (22) are further operable to determine a number a display locations each representative of one of the different identifiers and a corresponding time. The display locations are grouped into sets each corresponding to a different one of several event sequences (330a, 330b, 330c. 330d, 330e). An output is generated corresponding to a visualization (320) of the event sequences (330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, 330e). |
| US08073852B2 |
Systems and media for awarding credits based on provided usage information
Systems and media for awarding credits based on provided usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for collecting and disseminating usage information related to electronic documents and for awarding usage credits to users in exchange for providing usage information are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving an indication of the usage of an electronic document by a user and aggregating the received usage indication for the document with usage indications relating to other users. Embodiments may also include creating document utilization information for the electronic document based on the aggregated usage indications and awarding usage credit to the user based on the user's providing statistics on the usage of the electronic document. Further embodiments may include transmitting an indication of the awarded usage credit to the user and receiving a request to use the usage credits. |
| US08073851B2 |
Content searching device and content searching method
To provide a content searching device which can efficiently present to the user a topical related keyword.A content searching device (100), which searches content from a content database with a use of a related keyword, includes: a related segment calculating unit (106) which calculates, for each content attribute, a related segment which is defined in order for first content and second content to be included in a same time segment, the related segment being calculated based on whether or not a degree of difference, for each content attribute, calculated out of a plurality of first keywords and a plurality of second keywords meets a predetermined reference value, the plurality of the first keywords each describing the first content to be stored in the content database (101), and the plurality of the second keywords each describing the second content having been stored in the content database (101); and a dictionary updating unit (107) which updates a degree of relevance stored in a dictionary database (102), the degree of relevance being updated with a use of the related segment, and the degree of relevance, among the plurality of keywords, being calculated for each content attribute. |
| US08073850B1 |
Selecting key phrases for serving contextually relevant content
A process is described for assessing the suitability of particular keyword phrases for use in serving contextually relevant content for display on particular web pages. In one embodiment, the process involves determining frequencies of occurrence of particular keyword phrases within a peer group of pages associated with a target URL. Popularity levels of the phrases, as assessed using other sources of information, may also be considered. A process is also disclosed in which selected keyword phrases on a web page are transformed into links that can be selected by a user to view bundled content that is related to such keyword phrases. |
| US08073848B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on user preference information extracted from an aggregate preference signature
A method of selecting and presenting content based on inferred user preferences is provided. The method includes providing a set of content items having associated descriptive terms and receiving search inputs from an input device and presenting a corresponding subset of content items. The method includes receiving selection actions of content items and analyzing the descriptive terms associated with the selected content items to learn a composite set of preferred descriptive terms of the plurality of users of the input device. The method includes inferring preferences of individual users from the composite set of preferred descriptive terms by decomposing the composite set of preferred descriptive terms into individual sets of preferred descriptive terms. The decomposition act utilizes prespecified statistical models of preferences. The method includes, in response to receiving subsequent user search input, selecting and ordering a collection of content items based on the inferred preferences of said individual user. |
| US08073839B2 |
System and method of peer to peer searching, sharing, social networking and communication in one or more networks
A system for transmission, reception and accumulation of the knowledge packets to plurality of channel nodes in the network operating distributedly in a peer to peer environment via installable one or more role active Human Operating System (HOS) applications in a digital devise of each of channel node, a network controller registering and providing desired HOS applications and multiple developers developing advance communication and knowledge management applications and each of subscribers exploiting the said network resources by leveraging and augmenting taxonomically and ontologically classified knowledge classes expressed via plurality search macros and UKID structures facilitating said expert human agents for knowledge invocation and support services and service providers providing information services in the preidentified taxonomical classes, wherein each of channel nodes communicating with the unknown via domain specific supernodes each facilitating social networking and relationships development leading to human grid which is searchable via Universal Desktop Search by black box search module. |
| US08073837B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing multimedia content
The invention includes a system, apparatus, and method for storing media content within a service provider network. The system includes multi-service servers associated with access points adapted to allow end-user devices to access the service provider network. Each multi-service server includes a common storage partition adapted for storing media content and a plurality of end-user storage partitions adapted for maintaining associations to media content. The system includes media servers that communicate with the multi-service servers for providing media content to the multi-service servers. In response to a request for media content received from one of a plurality of end-user devices, the requested media content stored in the common storage partition is associated with a selected one of the end-user storage partitions associated with the end-user. The request for media content is received in response to end-user directed advertisements received at any of the plurality of end-user devices. |
| US08073832B2 |
Estimating rank on graph streams
The rank of nodes in a graph may be inferred from a calculated probability that each node in the graph appears in a single random walk of the graph. Short random walks may be generated for each node in the graph. The generated random walks may be combined to form a longer single random walk. Multiple single random walks may be generated in this fashion. The probability of each node appearing in a single random may be calculated from the generated single random walks. The rank of each node may then be inferred from the calculated probabilities. |
| US08073831B2 |
Electronic shop providing method, site search method, and bulletin board providing method for searching a plurality of content registered onto a website
A method searches a plurality of content registered onto a website. The method includes searching for a search text or a search character string sent from a client on the plurality of content, classifying information indicative of a location where a retrieved text or character string is registered per each of content, rearranging information classified per each of the content, extracting a given number of information in high order per each of content with regard to rearranged information classified per each of the content, and transmitting extracted information to the client. |
| US08073830B2 |
Expanded text excerpts
A system provides a list of search results, where one of the search results in the list of search results includes a snippet from a corresponding search result document. The system receives selection of the snippet and provides an expanded snippet based on the selection of the snippet. The expanded snippet includes the snippet and other text from a subset of the search result document. |
| US08073826B2 |
Support for user defined functions in a data stream management system
A data stream management system (DSMS) is designed to support a new user-defined function, by creating and using at least two structures as follows. A first structure (“metadata entry”) is created in response to a command for creation of the new function, and maps a single instance of a class to the function's name. A second structure is created with creation of an operator on receipt of each new continuous query that uses the new function. The second structure (“operator specific data structure”) contains a path to the newly-created instance, which path is obtained by looking up the first structure. Additional second structures are created on receipt of additional continuous queries which use the new function, but all second structures contain the same path. All continuous queries use the same instance. Repeated use of a single instance to compile and execute multiple queries eliminates repeated instantiation of the same function. |
| US08073825B2 |
Data correction apparatus, data correction method and tangible machine-readable medium thereof
A data correction apparatus, a data correction method and a tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The data correction method comprises the following steps: receiving a plurality of packets; determining that all of the packets are erroneous packets according to cyclic redundancy check (CRC) information thereof; retrieving any number of pairs among the packets to proceed an exclusive-OR (XOR) logical calculation to generate a plurality of error patterns; obtaining an overall error pattern according to an OR logical calculation of the error patterns; and calculating a correct packet according to one or more of the packets and the overall error pattern. |
| US08073823B2 |
Database management program
A database management method for updating data of a duplicated ID sequential arrangement table and arranging segments of data with respect to the arrangement table includes managing a management table holding the arrangement table name and a name of a duplicated key column, arranging a new row in an empty space in a first partial set of segments of rows having identical values in the duplicated key column to that of the new row, searching for a sequential empty space having capacity larger than that needed to hold the first partial set of segments of rows, and moving the first partial set of segments of rows to the sequential empty space and arranging the new row in a different set of segments if the sequential empty space is found or arranging the new row in a new segment if the sequential empty space is not found. |
| US08073821B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing and archiving performance information relating to storage system
A data management and archive method and apparatus, such as for implementation in an automated system to monitor and manage status, performance and configuration data for a plurality of networked storage components. Analysis and cross-correlation of data related to the plurality of storage components can be done individually, collectively and/or comparatively. A collection manager component of a workload analyzer is implemented to start and stop data collection in the context of a system comprising at least one storage component (or at least two networked storage components). The collection manager includes a command and control module that coordinates requests of data from at least one collection agent configured on at least one host connected to the storage component(s). The collection manager manages collection of data and effects file transfer of collected data according to a user specified policy, and maintains status of the data collected. The user specified policy allows the user to specify data collection “shifts” (i.e. periodicity). |
| US08073816B1 |
Volume format conversion
Data storage volumes, such as a file system on a storage system, may utilize a particular operating system format. Converting a volume to a different format may be desirable at times. However, this can be time consuming and resource intensive if data needs to be copied. Accordingly, substantially copying-free, in-place conversion of a data-storage volume from a first format to a second format is provided herein. In one embodiment, it is determined whether the volume can be converted, for example, by comparing compatibility of features between the first and second formats. A desired feature list is retrieved and respective features are checked for compatibility. Access to the volume is blocked during the conversion, and the volume is converted if the features are found to be compatible. If the conversion is successful, post conversion operations are performed, including unblocking the volume and notifying clients that the volume is available for access. |
| US08073814B2 |
Hierarchical reference data management system and method
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of managing hierarchical reference data. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hierarchical data management program can maintain a master set of reference data corresponding to the reference data being managed. From the master set of reference data, the hierarchy management program can instantiate centralized hierarchies, validate changes to the centralized hierarchies and enforce business rules with respect to the centralized hierarchies. The hierarchy management program can publish the centralized hierarchies to subscribing systems for use by the subscribing systems in managing data of interest. |
| US08073807B1 |
Inferring demographics for website members
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for estimating an actual age of a member of a website. A set of related members for the member is identified. The related members are members of the same website. Age information associated with one or more related members in the set of related members is examined. When a threshold of related members in the set of related members are of an estimated actual age within a certain age range, the member's actual age is estimated to be within the age range. |
| US08073805B2 |
Sensory testing data analysis by categories
This invention is related to systems and methods of analyzing sensory ability data. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of receiving data from a remote location. The data is comprised of sensory ability data and demographic data associated with a subject. The data may then be stored. Further, the method includes identifying a potential evaluation level associated with the subject. The evaluation level is identified, at least in part, utilizing a sports tree function. The method also includes retrieving peer data associated with the potential evaluation level. Additionally, the method includes determining when the peer data is statistically powerful for use in generating a comparative profile of the sensory ability data associated with the subject. Additional embodiments develop training programs based on one or more training program functions. |
| US08073803B2 |
Method for matching electronic advertisements to surrounding context based on their advertisement content
A system for selecting electronic advertisements from an advertisement pool to match the surrounding content is disclosed. To select advertisements, the system takes an approach to content match that focuses on capturing subtler linguistic associations between the surrounding content and the content of the advertisement. The system of the present invention implements this goal by means of simple and efficient semantic association measures dealing with lexical collocations such as conventional multi-word expressions like “big brother” or “strong tea”. The semantic association measures are used as features for training a machine learning model. In one embodiment, a ranking SVM (Support Vector Machines) trained to identify advertisements relevant to a particular context. The trained machine learning model can then be used to rank advertisements for a particular context by supplying the machine learning model with the semantic association measures for the advertisements and the surrounding context. |
| US08073799B2 |
Method for generating design requirements information technology development projects
A method for generating design requirements for has been developed. First, a framework is created for decomposing and categorizing organizational information into data elements that are stored in a data repository. A relationship is defined between the data elements and corresponding project information that is stored in the data repository. Next, a guided facilitation process is used to elicit objective information from the end-user regarding objectives for new technology. The requirements for the project are determined from the end-user based upon the specification information. This continues until informational needs have been specified and mapped with the corresponding data elements. Finally, a standards requirement document is generated and periodically updated using the mapped data elements from the data repository. |
| US08073797B1 |
Method for solving combinatoral optimization problems
A method for solving a combinatorial optimization problem and applying the solutions to routing as employed in naval convoying and other transit point scheduling. The method involves isolating a plurality of vertices into open-ended zones with lengthwise boundaries. In each zone, a minimum length Hamiltonian path is found for each combination of boundary vertices, leading to an approximation for the minimum-length Hamiltonian Cycle. The method discloses that when the boundaries create zones with boundary vertices confined to the adjacent zones, the sets of candidate HPs are found by advancing one zone at a time, considering only the vertices in the zone in question (with embedded HPs from previous zones) and an adjacent zone in the direction of progression. Determination of the optimal Hamiltonin paths for subsequent zones has the effect of filtering out non-optimal Hamiltonian paths from earlier zones. |
| US08073796B2 |
Obtaining a value via a rule engine implemented by a collection object
A system and computer program product for obtaining a value via a rule engine implemented by a collection object associated with an object-oriented application. A request for the value includes a key, is received from the application, and is directed to a method of the collection object. The collection object is capable of storing the key and associated data, and providing the data in response to receiving the request. An overriding of the method of the collection object replaces the provision of the data by the collection object with a processing of the request by a rule engine external to the application. The rule is identified in a rule definition file external to the application based on an association between the rule and the key. An algorithm associated with the rule and included in the rule definition file is executed to provide the requested value. |
| US08073795B2 |
Location based services platform using multiple sources including a radio frequency identification data source
System and methods are provided that facilitate integrated and seamless utilization of location data generated by multiple disparate positioning technologies adequate for outdoor or indoor positioning. Location data from multiple sources is selectively processed based on rules that account for availability, accuracy, cost, reliability of location data. At least one of the multiple sources is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Rules can be operator specific or can be automatically generated based on historic location data or cost-benefit analysis. Processing of selected data includes formatting data according to a specific standard or protocol, or augmenting the data with metadata. Standardized data is conveyed through a communication link for utilization in various applications such as vendor applications for navigation or web-based services, as well as custom and development applications. |
| US08073793B2 |
Determining a common social context
A computer-implemented method of determining a common social context can include detecting a collaboration between a plurality of participants. The method can include identifying a plurality of common social contexts and determining a probability that the collaboration belongs to each of the plurality of common social contexts. At least one probability and corresponding common social context can be output. |
| US08073790B2 |
Adaptive multivariate model construction
The present embodiment is able to find the optimal or near optimal variables composition of multivariate models by an evolutionary process within acceptable amount of time and resources that are less than using full variables permutation methodology. Subjected to any data, it adaptively identifies and constructs the most effective combination of the relevant variables to achieve one or more objectives. The objective could be for high explanatory power, high predictive power, response measure, or other objectives that the user defines. The present embodiment solves the sequential F-test problem by conducting non-sequential and non-linear search. The algorithm also solves partial F-test dilemma by evaluating all candidate variables membership intact, maintaining fidelity of full variables membership test throughout its permutation. Furthermore, the stochastic nature of the algorithm neutralizes the prejudices of manual decisions in variables identification and membership construction. |
| US08073789B2 |
Method and system for web resource location classification and detection
A method and system for identifying locations associated with a web resource is provided. The location system identifies three different types of geographic locations: a provider location, a content location, and a serving location. A provider location identifies the geographic location of the entity that provides the web resource. A content location identifies the geographic location that is the subject of the web resource. A serving location identifies the geographic scope that the web page reaches. An application can select to use the type of location that is of particular interest. |
| US08073788B2 |
Analysis of powder metal production of a component
A method of calculating the cost saving for producing a metallic component by the use of a powder metal process is provided. The method includes the steps of analyzing the current production method of the component, usually machining, to determine the current unit cost. The customer would agree to purchase an agreed supply of components for an agreed period of time. The production of the component utilizing powder metal process is then analyzed to determine the powder metal unit cost. The savings for production of the component utilizing the powder metal process is then presented to the customer. The customer would, then agree to purchase an agreed supply of components. |
| US08073781B2 |
Method and device for franking postal deliveries
A method and device for franking mailpieces. An operating unit, which is separated from a franking unit, transmits a transaction request to an authorization unit. The authorization unit ascertains an authorization of a user of the operating unit on the basis of an authorization profile. The transmitted transaction request is authenticated by the authorization unit according to the ascertained authorization. The authorization unit converts the authenticated transaction request into a transaction job. The transaction job is transmitted to the franking unit. The authorization unit is authenticated in the area of the franking unit. The transaction job is processed in the franking unit and the result of the execution of the transaction job is sent out by the franking unit. |
| US08073779B2 |
Disaggregated secure execution environment
An electronic device, such as, a computer, may be adapted for self-monitoring for compliance to an operating policy. The operating policy may specify a pay-per-use or subscription business model and measurements associated with compliant usage. A secure execution environment may measure usage in accordance with the business model as well as monitor and enforce compliance to the operating policy. To increase the difficulty of attacking or otherwise disabling the secure execution environment, elements of the secure execution environment may be distributed. The distribution points may include other functional elements of the computer, such as interface circuits, or may even be remotely located over a network. An implementation method for disaggregating the secure execution environment is also disclosed. |
| US08073777B2 |
Integrated business systems for web based telecommunications management
The specification discloses a method of doing business over the public Internet, particularly, a method which enables access to legacy management tools used by a telecommunications enterprise in the management of the enterprise business to the enterprise customer, to enable the customer to more effectively manage the business conducted by the customer through the enterprise, this access being provided over the public Internet. This method of doing business is accomplished with one or more secure web servers which manage one or more secure client sessions over the Internet, each web server supporting secure communications with the client workstation; a web page backplane application capable of launching one or more management tool applications used by the enterprise. Each of the management tool applications provide a customer interface integrated within said web page which enables interactive Web/Internet based communications with the web servers; each web server supports communication of messages entered via the integrated customer interface to one or more remote enterprise management tool application servers which interact with the enterprise management tool applications to provide associated management capabilities to the customer. |
| US08073770B2 |
Person-to-person funds transfer
Systems and methods are illustrated for performing a person-to-person funds transfer. A person-to-person funds transfer process may be divided into a funds transfer initiation process to receive the funds to be transferred and recipient information from a sender and a funds retrieval process to provide the funds to a recipient. The funds transfer initiation process may include a customizable authentication step that provides the sender an opportunity to determine the level of authentication. The funds transfer retrieval process may include determining whether the recipient is authenticated based on the authentication level chosen by the sender. |
| US08073768B2 |
Credit score and scorecard development
Share of Wallet (“SOW”) is a modeling approach that utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a consumers spending capability, tradeline history including balance transfers, and balance information. These outputs can be appended to data profiles of customers and prospects and can be utilized to support decisions involving prospecting, new applicant evaluation, and customer management across the lifecycle. The outputs can be used as attributes to consider in developing a credit bureau scorecard. |
| US08073767B1 |
Method and system for enhancing credit line management, price management and other discretionary levels setting for financial accounts
A method and system is disclosed for enabling the accurate determination of price points (APRs), credit limits, and other discretionary levels for each cardholder that maximize Net Present Value (NPV) for the portfolio, given constraints on quantities such as risk of default. In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention uses a Markov Decision Process (MDP) methodology to generate a simplified transition matrix representative of the potential state transitions for account holders. This model applies account level historical information on purchases, payments, profitability and delinquency risk to make these decisions. In addition, a data structure is disclosed constructed to implement a transition matrix computationally in different sizes. |
| US08073762B2 |
Method and apparatus for an electronic marketplace for services having a collaborative workspace
A method and system for buying and selling services online includes a process for custom services, a commodity process and a collaborative workspace on a website. The process for custom services includes the posting by a buyer of specific criteria for a desired service, the bidding by a seller to preform the service, and the selection of a seller by the buyer. The commodity process includes the posting by a seller of a service offering, the posting by the buyer of requirements for the purchase of the service offering, and the purchase of a service offering by the buyer. The commodity process may also include an optimization process that provides the buyer with an optimized list of service offerings. The collaborative workspace includes communication tools, a file structure, workbenches and project management tools used by the buyer and seller for facilitating the setup, development and release of one or more services. |
| US08073756B1 |
Biometric financial transaction system and method
Tokenless biometric authorization of transaction between a consumer and a merchant uses an identicator and an access device. A consumer registers with the identicator a biometric sample taken from the consumer. The consumer and merchant establish communications via the access device. The merchant proposes a transaction to the consumer via the access device. The access device communicates to the merchant associated with the access device. After the consumer and merchant have agreed on the transaction, the consumer and the identicator use the access device to establish communications. The access device communicates to the identicator the code associated with the access device. The identicator compares biometric sample from the consumer with registered biometric sample. Upon successful identification, the identicator forwards information regarding the consumer to the merchant. These steps accomplish a biometrically authorized electronic financial transaction without the consumer having to present any personalized man-made memory tokens. |
| US08073753B2 |
System and method for providing a packaging recommendation to a shipping customer
A system and method for providing a packaging recommendation to a customer is disclosed. The system presents the customer with a merchandise list of merchandise, receives merchandise information from the customer about the particular characteristics of the merchandise, and generates a packaging recommendation via an interface to the customer. This merchandise information includes the type of merchandise being shipped by the customer to a definition, and may include any other information useful in generating the packaging recommendation. After referencing a packaging requirements matrix, the system presents the customer with a packaging recommendation via an interface. The packaging requirements may be easily modified by a system administrator without interrupting the operation of the system. The customer may also define particular merchandise to obtain a packaging recommendation in the event the merchandise is not included in the merchandise list. |
| US08073751B2 |
Automated review and hold placement
A method for automated processing of deposit items at a computing device is described. A deposit item, such as case, a personal check, or certified check, is received at a computing device. The deposit item may represent a request to deposit funds of at least one monetary item into a user account, such as a checking or savings account. A computer associated with the computing device determines whether to hold the funds of the at least one monetary item from deposit into the user account. If it is determined to hold the funds, an amount of the funds to hold and a time period in which to hold the amount of funds may be determined. |
| US08073747B2 |
Outsourced generation of behavior-based content
A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. |
| US08073745B2 |
Auction variation
A method of marketing items comprising: publicizing an auction to sell at least one item, accepting a preset number of price bids for the items, applying at least one cancellation rule to selectively cancel zero or more bids, selecting one or more bids closest to a preselected low sum to receive the item, wherein the low sum is less than 1% of a list price of the item. |
| US08073742B2 |
User interface for a complex order processing system
A method is disclosed. The method includes detecting a request to change a selected order. The selected order has been submitted for provisioning. The method further includes incorporating a change in the selected order and re-submitting the selected order for provisioning. The method also includes synchronizing the re-submitted order in an external provisioning system. The synchronizing includes overriding the order that had been previously submitted for provisioning. |
| US08073740B1 |
Facilitating a supply of used items
Techniques are described for facilitating a supply of used items on behalf of an entity that desires to acquire such used items, such as a merchant that sells used items to customers. The used items are obtained based on interactions with recipients who receive items that are sold or otherwise provided by one or more merchants (or other suppliers of items), such as by supplying appropriate information and materials to the recipients along with the items. In some situations, when an item is delivered or otherwise supplied to a recipient by a merchant, the merchant also supplies information to the recipient that indicates an offer from a used item acquirer entity to re-acquire the item from the recipient (such as after the recipient has used the item) and shipping materials for use in returning the item to an indicated destination if the recipient accepts the offer. |
| US08073737B1 |
Method, system, and software for geographically focused network advertising
A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network. |
| US08073736B2 |
Systems and methods for redeeming rewards associated with accounts
Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methods for fulfilling reward redemptions. In some cases, the systems and methods receive redemption requests associated with an account. The redemption request can be satisfied from a reward associated with the account, or by accessing a reward associated with another account. Redeeming a reward from another account can involve transferring value from one account to another, or grouping the related accounts and allowing members of the group to perform the settlement function. Various of the systems and method further provide for performing automatic reward redemptions, either by an entity maintaining the account to which the reward is associated, or through use of a fulfillment entity. |
| US08073735B2 |
System and method for automating financial document compliance
An automated system determines appropriate compliance information for documents pertaining to financial products or services. The compliance information can vary on each document depending on the particular financial product and/or financial service, and based on both company and jurisdictional requirements. |
| US08073733B1 |
Media development network
Methods and systems for encouraging and identifying new talent, as well as an incentive structure for financing creative/media projects, are described. A social network web site allows users to post their own content, and filters users to the top who have achieved a given level of popularity. Popular users can then post media proposals to a private section of the web site, through which established stars and talent review the proposals. Users, in exchange for access to the private section, grant to a proprietor of the web site an option to make one or more future productions with that user at a reduced rate should that user reach stardom. Established stars and talent, in exchange for participating in a media proposal at a reduced rate, receive an interest in one or more productions by the user if/when the proprietor of the web site exercises an option to make a future production with the user. |
| US08073732B1 |
Marketing incentive program
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a customer network in which customers are incentivized to “opt-in” to a marketing program. For example, the invention builds a network of customers, collects and stores customers' demographic information, compiles mailing lists based on list purchasers' requested demographic criteria, sells the compiled mailing lists to list purchasers, and compensates those customers included on the mailing lists. |
| US08073729B2 |
Forecasting discovery costs based on interpolation of historic event patterns
A computer-implemented method of forecasting discovery costs captures historical business events, which are aggregated and statistically analyzed by matter type and business event types. Statistical data is used to calculate probabilities of occurrence of future business events and to extrapolate occurrence of those future business events. The method forecasts an extrapolated volume of production at the time of a forecasted export event. The method further forecasts costs for future discovery from the extrapolated volume of production. |
| US08073724B2 |
Systems program product, and methods for organization realignment
A system to realign an organization structure, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes an organization realignment program server, a database accessible to the organization realignment program server, a plurality of process development team member computers, a plurality of process development representative computers, and an organization realignment program product stored in the memory of the organization realignment program server to facilitate reorganization program development through online access to the plurality of data records. The organization realignment program product can provide organization analysis web pages to capture data used to analyze and define functions, activities, tasks, and roles, forming a new organization structure, and can provide resource determination web pages to determine a qualified supply of resources available to the new organization structure to thereby determine a skills gap and a resource gap between resources demanded by the new organization structure and the qualified supply of resources. |
| US08073721B1 |
Service level management
Method and apparatus for service level management, wherein business processes are composed of services. A state of the service is defined by one or more service parameters, and the service parameters depend upon performance of network components that support the service, e.g., component parameters. The state of the service may depend, for example, on a collection of service parameter values for availability, reliability, security, integrity and response time. A service level agreement is a contract between a supplier and a customer that identifies services supported by a network, service parameters for the services, and service levels (e.g., acceptable levels) for each service parameter. |
| US08073717B2 |
Systems for digital management of underwriting insurance contracts
Disclosed are systems for underwriting insurance contracts. In one embodiment a system comprises a rules database of business rules specifying one or more conditions based upon one or more underwriting parameters; a user database comprising entries corresponding to registered users; and a processor configured to: provide to the user a form having a plurality of data fields generated based upon the underwriting parameters specified in the business rules; receive a plurality of inputted underwriting parameters corresponding to the data fields; determine whether the inputted underwriting parameters satisfy the business rules; and if at least one of the inputted underwriting parameters does not satisfy the business rules, provide a status message indicating that at least one business rule is not satisfied. The status message can be provided in an interface that includes a graphical element linking a part of the status message with a portion of the displayed form. |
| US08073716B2 |
Methods for digital management of underwriting insurance contracts
Disclosed are methods of underwriting insurance contracts. In one embodiment a method comprises receiving from a registered user a request for approval of the insurance contract, the request for approval of the insurance contract including underwriting parameters of the insurance contract; reading, from a user database underwriting criteria corresponding to the user; determining whether the underwriting parameters of the insurance contract satisfy the underwriting criteria of the user; and providing an interface including a status message indicating that at least one underwriting criterion is not satisfied, if at least one underwriting criterion is not satisfied. The interface can include a graphical element linking a part of the status message with a displayed parameter of the contract. In another embodiment the method further comprises determining whether the underwriting parameters of the insurance contract satisfy underwriting criteria corresponding to a managing user with a greater scope of authority than the registered user. |
| US08073715B1 |
Systems and methods for providing enhanced service using public records
Systems and methods for providing enhanced service using public records are described. A financial institution may obtain property data from public records regarding a property associated with a customer. The retrieved property data may be compared with existing customer data. The customer may be alerted and financial data associated with the customer may be modified based on the retrieved property data. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08073714B1 |
Interactive systems and methods for insurance-related activities
Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide an application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients, marketing insurance, and storing information. For example, a network application can be implemented that a user can access via a web browser and which is intuitive for quick comprehension and interaction by users. The application can include multiple layers directed to particular stages of the insurance-client relationship. The application can include a workflow wizard to aid the user in managing and maintaining client information and tracking progress. Aggregation services can also be incorporated into the application. Interactive insurance-and-client specific display pages can be incorporated to aid in understanding a client's current insurance information and to generate presentations. “Value” calculators may be implemented to illustrate a comparison of a client's current level of protection to a client's current financial state. |
| US08073711B1 |
Method and system for obtaining health-related records and documents using an online location
The invention described herein is directed to a method and system for obtaining health-related records and documents using an online location and is applicable in the business-to-business and business-to-customer business models. The present method and system also provides secure online ordering, tracking, storing, and exchanging health-related information between health-related entities. This is achieved by providing an electronic health information (EHI) web site on the Internet, allowing insurance personnel to order patients' records and documents from a central online location. In this manner, insurance companies will save time and realize significant cost savings while expediting the retrieval process of records and documents. |
| US08073710B2 |
System for communication of health care data
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. |
| US08073709B2 |
CPT pricing from MedPAR data
Methods and systems for computing what a healthcare organization charged for a procedure, based on analysis of MedPAR data. |
| US08073707B2 |
System for detecting, monitoring, and reporting an individual's physiological or contextual status
The invention is a system for detecting, monitoring, and reporting an individual's physiological or contextual status. The system works deriving a physiological or contextual status parameter of an individual using the system. The derivation utilizes two sensed parameters of the individual. The system is able to present the derived parameter in relation to any other sensed parameters, entered information, life activities data, or other derived data. |
| US08073705B2 |
Systems and methods for the prevention of extended utility theft
Notification systems and methods are provided for identifying utility theft for an entity associated with a premise under a Continuous Service Agreement with at least one utility service provider, where utility service is never turned off such that the entity may legally use utility services while a premise is vacant. |
| US08073696B2 |
Voice synthesis device
A voice synthesis device is provided to include: an emotion input unit obtaining an utterance mode of a voice waveform, a prosody generation unit generating a prosody, a characteristic tone selection unit selecting a characteristic tone based on the utterance mode; and a characteristic tone temporal position estimation unit (i) judging whether or not each of phonemes included in a phonologic sequence of text is to be uttered with the characteristic tone, based on the phonologic sequence, the characteristic tone, and the prosody, and (ii) deciding a phoneme, which is an utterance position where the text is uttered with the characteristic tone. The voice synthesis device also includes an element selection unit and an element connection unit generating the voice waveform based on the phonologic sequence, the prosody, and the utterance position, so that the text is uttered in the utterance mode with the characteristic tone at the determined utterance position. |
| US08073695B1 |
Electronic book with voice emulation features
A method and system for providing text-to-audio conversion of an electronic book displayed on a viewer. A user selects a portion of displayed text and converts it into audio. The text-to-audio conversion may be performed via a header file and pre-recorded audio for each electronic book, via text-to-speech conversion, or other available means. The user may select manual or automatic text-to audio conversion. The automatic text-to-audio conversion may be performed by automatically turning the pages of the electronic book or by the user manually turning the pages. The user may also select to convert the entire electronic book, or portions of it, into audio. The user may also select an option to receive an audio definition of a particular word in the electronic book. The present invention allows a user to control the system by selecting options from a screen or by entering voice commands. |
| US08073689B2 |
Repetitive transient noise removal
A system improves the perceptual quality of a speech signal by dampening undesired repetitive transient noises. The system includes a repetitive transient noise detector adapted to detect repetitive transient noise in a received signal. The received signal may include a harmonic and a noise spectrum. The system further includes a repetitive transient noise attenuator that substantially removes or dampens repetitive transient noises from the received signal. The method of dampening the repetitive transient noises includes modeling characteristics of repetitive transient noises; detecting characteristics in the received signal that correspond to the modeled characteristics of the repetitive transient noises; and substantially removing components of the repetitive transient noises from the received signal that correspond to some or all of the modeled characteristics of the repetitive transient noises. |
| US08073687B2 |
Audio regeneration method
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for regenerating an audio signal including a low frequency component and a high frequency component by decoding a coded data including a first coded data and a second coded data, the method comprising the steps of: generating the low frequency component; generating the high frequency component; determining whether the low frequency component has transient characteristics or not; generating a low frequency correction component by removing a stationary component when the audio signal has the transient characteristics; generating a corrected high frequency component by correcting the high-frequency component on the basis of the duration of the low frequency correction component when the audio signal has the transient characteristics; and regenerating the audio signal by synthesizing the low frequency component with the corrected high-frequency component. |
| US08073685B2 |
Audio signal encoding or decoding
Encoding an audio signal is provided wherein the audio signal includes a first audio channel and a second audio channel, the encoding comprising subband filtering each of the first audio channel and the second audio channel in a complex modulated filterbank to provide a first plurality of subband signals for the first audio channel and a second plurality of subband signals for the second audio channel, downsampling each of the subband signals to provide a first plurality of downsampled subband signals and a second plurality of downsampled subband signals, further subband filtering at least one of the downsampled subband signals in a further filterbank in order to provide a plurality of sub-subband signals, deriving spatial parameters from the sub-subband signals and from those downsampled subband signals that are not further subband filtered, and deriving a single channel audio signal comprising derived subband signals derived from the first plurality of downsampled subband signals and the second plurality of downsampled subband signals.Further, decoding is provided wherein an encoded audio signal comprising an encoded single channel audio signal and a set of spatial parameters is decoded by decoding the encoded single channel audio channel to obtain a plurality of downsampled subband signals, further subband filtering at least one of the downsampled subband signals in a further filterbank in order to provide a plurality of sub-subband signals, and deriving two audio channels from the spatial parameters, the sub-subband signals and those downsampled subband signals that are not further subband filtered. |
| US08073683B2 |
Language-understanding training database action pair augmentation using bidirectional translation
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for augmenting a training database of an automated language-understanding system. In one embodiment, a training example in a first language is received from the training database. The first language-training example is translated to a second language output. The second language output is translated to a first variant of the first language-training example. An action pair including the first variant of the first language-training example and an action command associated with the first language-training example is stored in an augmented training database. |
| US08073677B2 |
Speech translation apparatus, method and computer readable medium for receiving a spoken language and translating to an equivalent target language
Speech translation apparatus includes first generation unit generating first text representing speech recognition result, and first prosody information, second generation unit generating first para-language information, first association unit associating each first portion of first text with corresponding first portion of first para-language information, translation unit translating first text into second texts, second association unit associating each second portion of first para-language information with corresponding second portion of each second text, third generation unit generating second prosody-information items, fourth generation unit generating second para-language-information items, computation unit computing degree-of-similarity between each first para-language information and corresponding one of second para-language-information items to obtain degrees of similarity, selection unit selecting, from second prosody-information items, maximum-degree-of-similarity prosody information corresponding to maximum degree, fifth generation unit generating prosody pattern of one of second texts which corresponds to maximum-degree-of-similarity prosody information, and output unit outputting one of second texts which corresponds to maximum-degree-of-similarity prosody information. |
| US08073675B2 |
ATA emulation host interface in a RAID controller
A RAID storage device controller provides a host interface for interfacing the controller to a host system bus. The host interface is isolated from the attached storage devices, for example IDE disk drives, so that the actual attached drives are not limited in number or interface protocol. Various device ports can be implemented, and various RAID strategies, e.g., level 3 and level 5, can be used. In all the cases, the host interface provides a standard, uniform interface to the host, namely an ATA interface, and preferably a dual channel ATA interface. The host interface emulates the ATA single or dual channel interface and emulates one or two attached IDE devices per channel, regardless of the actual number of devices physically connected to the controller. Thus, for example, five or seven IDE drives can be deployed in RAID level 5 protocol without changing the standard BIOS in a PCI host machine. Thus the RAID controller is transparent relative to a standard dual channel ATA controller board. |
| US08073671B2 |
Dynamic software performance models
Simulating an application. A method that may be practiced in a computing environment configured for simulating an application modeled by an application model deployed in a performance scenario of a computing system by deploying service models of the application model to device models modeling devices. The method includes referencing a performance scenario to obtain a transaction being modeled as originating from a first device model. The transaction invokes of a first service model. The first service model specifies hardware actions for simulation. The first service model is referenced to determine the hardware actions for simulation and the next referenced service. The next referenced service specifies hardware actions to be added to the transaction and may specify invocation of other service models. A chain of hardware actions is generated by following the invocation path of the service models. The hardware actions are applied to device models to simulate the transaction. |
| US08073670B2 |
Method for calculating delay time, program for calculating delay time and device for calculating delay time
A data row of delay time ratio coefficient (hereinafter referred to as DMAG value) is selected from a delay information library (D2) (S4) for every circuit cell in a use condition range of a logic circuit, and the minimum value or/and maximum value of a DMAG value is extracted (S5). The minimum value or/and the maximum delay time is/are calculated for every circuit cell by multiplying the standard delay time to the extracted DMAG value (S6). The above processing is performed for all the circuit cells constituting the logic circuit ((S7): NO), and the data set of the minimum or/and maximum delay time in the use condition range of the logic circuit is/are acquired for every circuit cell (S8). When the delay time characteristic of the circuit cell is nonlinear, the delay time serving as the minimum or/and the maximum for every circuit cell can be freely selected in the range of the circuit use condition unlike the case where the delay time is calculated by uniformly assigning the same use condition to all circuit cells. |
| US08073661B2 |
Shape prediction simulator, method and program
An overlap amount definition section defines an amount of overlap between divided regions when a shape prediction objective region in a polished surface formed by chemical mechanical polishing is divided into a plurality of regions. A shape prediction computation processing section divides the objective region into the plurality of regions each of which includes a region corresponding to the overlap amount defined by the overlap amount definition section, and performs computation for shape prediction on each divided region by distributed processing. A merging processing section combines the results of shape prediction on the divided regions that are calculated by the shape prediction computation processing section. |
| US08073654B2 |
Process for controlling the energy performance of an industrial unit
Process for controlling the energy performance of an industrial unit, in which process: the value of a set (V) of variables relating to the industrial unit and to the environment are measured, as is the value of a quantity representing the energy performance (W), an estimate (We) of the quantity representing the energy performance is calculated, the value of an energy performance indicator (TE, TE+) is determined and the value of this indicator is compared with at least one threshold value (S) determined so as to detect a drift in the energy performance.The invention proposes the learning of a model based on the best energy performance (W) observed for each value of a set (V) of input variables and in the proposing in real time to the operator of a best configuration and of best settings (CR) of the equipment based on those associated with this best energy performance (W) observed in the past for the current value of the set (V) of input variables. |
| US08073651B2 |
Time acquisition apparatus and radio wave clock
A received waveform memory 22 stores one (1) frame of received waveform data acquired by sampling a signal including a time code with a predetermined sampling period, where each sample is represented by a plurality of bits. Correlation value calculating sections 24-26 compare the received waveform data with one (1) frame of first prediction code data corresponding to a code of a position marker or a marker, where each sample is represented by a plurality of bits, one (1) frame of second prediction code data corresponding to a code “0”, and one (1) frame of third prediction code data corresponding to a code “1” respectively. Correlation value comparing section 27 compares the first, second and third correlation values with one another to specify the prediction code data whose correlation is largest to output the code data. |
| US08073647B2 |
Self calibrating cable for high definition digital video interface
A High Definition Multi-Media Interface (HDMI) cable may exhibit frequency dependent signal attenuation, inter symbol interference, and inter-pair skew. A boost device integrated with the cable can compensate for such impairments of the cable. A self calibrating cable with a boost device of the embodiment of the invention is described, in which parameters that control the response of the boost device are set optimally in a self-calibrating process comprising looping the boosted cable on itself through a calibration fixture that contains a calibration control device. The boost device includes pattern generators and a sampling circuit. Each high speed channel of the cable is separately tested and calibrated with the help of one of the other channels serving as a sampling channel. Additional embodiments provide for a selected replica boost device and a distinct pattern generator device in the calibration fixture. |
| US08073645B2 |
Apparatus and method to characterize multijunction photovoltaic solar cells
An apparatus to electrically and optically characterize a multijunction solar cell. The apparatus can have as many light sources as there are subcells in the multijunction solar cell. Each light source has an optical spectrum that falls within the bandgap energy of a corresponding subcell. Each light source has a controllable intensity level. |
| US08073642B2 |
System and method for compensating for potential and current transformers in energy meters
A meter device for measuring electrical energy is provided. The meter device includes circuitry for measuring at least one parameter of electrical energy provided to the meter device. A storage device is provided for storing at least one calibration factor for compensating for errors associated with at least one of at least one external current transformer (CT) and at least one external potential transformer (PT) that operates on the electrical energy provided to the meter device. At least one processor is provided for processing the at least one calibration factor for adjusting the measuring for compensating for the errors when measuring the at least one parameter of electrical energy. |
| US08073641B2 |
Electromagnetic field distribution measuring method, apparatus for the method, computer program and information recording medium
Electromagnetic field distribution is measured by considering time variations of a measured electric and/or magnetic field value. In response to scanning performed with a probe at an arbitrary set of measurement coordinates in a predetermined measurement plane in the vicinity of an object to be measured, a signal is detected at each of plural sets of coordinates in a measurement plane. Electric and magnetic fields are computed during a measurement time period at each set of measurement coordinates in the measurement plane based on measurement coordinates where the probe is positioned and the signal is detected with the probe. Amplitude probability distribution during the time period at each set of measurement coordinates in the vicinity of the object is computed based on a computed intensity, then mapped and displayed. |
| US08073635B2 |
Method of quantitation by mass spectrometry
Quantitation is performed using data from a mass spectrometer. A calibration ion mass spectrum is acquired for each of a plurality of known quantities of a material. From the calibration spectra a plurality of ions that identify the material is determined, and for each ion of the plurality of ions a linear range and linear function are determined. A sample ion mass spectrum is acquired for an unknown quantity of the material. A sample intensity is measured for each ion of the plurality of ions from the sample spectrum. After acquiring the sample spectrum, one or more ions are selected from the plurality of ions such that the sample intensity of each of the one or more ions is within a linear range of the ion. The unknown quantity is calculated from the sample intensities and linear functions of the one or more ions. |
| US08073634B2 |
Method to extract target signals of a known type from raw data containing an unknown number of target signals, interference, and noise
A signal analysis method extracts transient target signals of known type from a raw data source signal that contains an unknown number of target signals. The method can enhance the analysis of data obtained from in-line oil-debris sensors. The method comprises steps of: defining signatures of the known target signal, and of at least one of the intrinsic noise and interfering signals; performing a mathematical transform that decomposes the raw data into distinct data sets; using the signal signatures to identify and nullify the data sets containing noise and interfering signal signatures; using the target signal signatures to identify the data sets containing target signal components, or may further use a thresholding rule to remove intrinsic noise from said data sets, and finally applying the inverse transform to the processed data sets in order to reconstruct an enhanced output signal. |
| US08073630B2 |
Pharacogenetic method for prediction of the efficacy of methotrexate monotherapy in recent-onset arthritis
Pharmacogenetic methods for determining a predicting responsiveness to antifolate therapy for subjects that present with recent-onset undifferentiated arthritis. The methods are based on the determination of a set of clinical parameter values and determining a predicted responsiveness to antifolate therapy by correlating the parameter values with predefined responsiveness values associated with ranges of parameter values. Parameters values that are decisive for responsiveness to antifolate therapy may include polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD1) gene as well as in three genes involved in the adenosine release pathway, the presence or absence of Rheumatoid factors, gender, pre- or postmenopausal status and/or smoking status. |
| US08073627B2 |
System for indentification of pathogens
The present invention relates generally to the field of investigational bioinformatics and more particularly to secondary structure defining databases. The present invention further relates to methods for interrogating a database as a source of molecular masses of known bioagents for comparing against the molecular mass of an unknown or selected bioagent to determine either the identity of the selected bioagent, and/or to determine the origin of the selected bioagent. The identification of the bioagent is important for determining a proper course of treatment and/or irradication of the bioagent in such cases as biological warfare. Furthermore, the determination of the geographic origin of a selected bioagent will facilitate the identification of potential criminal identity. |
| US08073625B2 |
Method for combining seismic data sets
A method is disclosed for combining seismic data sets. This method has application in merging data sets of different vintages, merging data sets collected using different acquisition technologies, and merging data sets acquired using different types of sensors, for example merging hydrophone and geophone measurements in ocean bottom seismic data. In one embodiment, a desired data trace is to be determined from a set of measured data traces, and the following steps are applied: (a) model filters are constructed which express the deterministic relationship between the desired data trace and each available measured trace that depends on the desired data trace; (b) the noise properties associated with each measured data trace are determined; (c) a sufficient statistic for the desired data trace is formed by application of an appropriate filter to each measured trace and summing the filter outputs; (d) the sufficient statistic is further processed by a single-input single-output estimator to construct an estimate of the desired data trace from the sufficient statistic. |
| US08073621B2 |
Navigation apparatus and method for providing turn-by-turn position list
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and a method for providing a user with a list of turn-by-turn positions (TBTs) located ahead on a route. The navigation apparatus of the present invention according to an embodiment comprises a GPS receiving module for receiving navigation satellite signals and calculating a position; a controller for receiving position information from the GPS receiving module, outputting the position information together with map information, and controlling operation of the GPS receiving module; and a storage unit for storing the map information, wherein the controller displays information on two or more TBTs on a proceeding route in the form of a list, the list having a size determined depending on distances to the TBTs included in the TBT information. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that a user can easily recognize information on TBTs ahead and drive a vehicle along a set route only with a TBT list. |
| US08073619B2 |
Position correction apparatus
An apparatus corrects a position coordinate measured by a GPS receiver. Road data representing a position coordinate of a constructed road is included. Locus data representing a plurality of position coordinates of the GPS receiver during a past specified period is generated based on a position coordinate acquired. A road section traveled by the GPS receiver during the past specified period is estimated based on road data stored and a position coordinate acquired. A bias error of a position coordinate measured by the GPS receiver is estimated based on position coordinates at a plurality of points in a road section estimated and position coordinates at a plurality of points represented by the locus data. A position coordinate measured by the GPS receiver is corrected based on a bias error estimated and outputted. |
| US08073613B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for mitigating engine pre-ignition based on a feed-forward likelihood of pre-ignition and feedback from a pre-ignition event. In response to an indication of pre-ignition, a cylinder may be enriched while an engine load is limited. The enrichment may be followed by an enleanment to restore exhaust catalyst feed-gas oxygen levels. The mitigating steps may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions, a pre-ignition count, as well as the nature of the pre-ignition. |
| US08073606B2 |
Vehicle control system
In a vehicle drive control system, a control unit calculates an evaluation index indicating an approach/separation condition of a subject vehicle during a travel and stores this evaluation index together with an inter-vehicle distance with respect to each driver in a memory device. The control unit further calculates a maximum value of the stored evaluation index for each distance, and calculates a relational equation between the distance and the calculated maximum evaluation index. The control unit determines, by correcting the relational equation, a speed control start determination equation, which determines the start timing of the automatic acceleration and/or deceleration control. |
| US08073604B2 |
Method and system for protecting a starting clutch
A method protects a starting clutch. The method generates an estimated equivalent temperature of the starting clutch and performs an operation for protecting the starting clutch if the estimated temperature exceeds critical temperature, in order to prevent the burnout of the starting clutch caused by excessive slip under severe conditions. A system implementing the method is also described. |
| US08073599B2 |
Conveying duct monitor system for controlling harvester speed
Sensing structure including a microwave sensor monitors the velocity, mass flow and moisture of cotton in a harvester air duct. As the flow of cotton in the air duct nears maximum capacity, the cotton velocity will decrease and the sensor provides a signal to the controller so that harvester speed will be reduced. Cotton mass and moisture level signals are used to determine the percentage capacity and anticipate loading of the cotton cleaner or other crop processor. The signals can also be used to control cross auger and impeller speed to even out the flow of cotton within the air duct system in highly variable yield conditions in the field. |
| US08073595B2 |
Lane deviation prevention device
An apparatus to prevent a vehicle from deviating from a lane of travel includes an acquisition device configured to measure a yaw angle between the vehicle and the lane of travel, a lane deviation controller configured to output a yaw moment to maintain the vehicle in the lane of travel, a restriction device configured to restrict the yaw moment output when the measured yaw angle exceeds a first angle limit, and a correction device configured to adjust the first angle limit in response to a measured condition. |
| US08073592B2 |
Steering system
A steering system includes: an electric power steering device which includes a steering unit of front wheels having an electric motor for generating an auxiliary torque in accordance with at least a steering torque and for transmitting the auxiliary torque to the steering unit; toe angle changers for changing toe angles of rear wheels in accordance with at least a front wheel turning angle and a vehicle speed; and a steering controller for controlling the electric power steering device and the toe angle changer. The steering system further includes a toe angle changer anomaly detection unit and/or an electric power steering device anomaly detection unit, and when a toe angle changer abnormal state is detected, an auxiliary torque target value and/or a viscosity in the electric power steering device is controlled, and when an electric power steering device abnormal state is detected, the toe angle changer is controlled. |
| US08073588B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting or modifying programmable parameter in power driven wheelchair
A method and apparatus for setting or modifying a programmable operating parameter associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair in a programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c) selecting a value for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and d) saving the selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device. A method and apparatus for selecting one or more programmable parameter sets from a portable storage medium and saving the selected sets to a local storage device associated with a power driven wheelchair and vice versa is also provided. |
| US08073586B2 |
Wireless network and methodology for automotive service systems
A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device. |
| US08073584B2 |
Method for measuring dynamic parameters of an aircraft progressing over an airport zone
The invention relates to a device for measuring dynamic parameters of an aircraft progressing over an airport zone. The aircraft is in the phase of rolling along a traffic lane. The traffic lane comprises ground markings and notably a center line. The device includes at least one means for acquiring images (101), and means (102) for measuring the deviation of the aircraft with respect to the center line on the basis of the acquired images. |
| US08073583B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling energy feedback for electric vehicle
An apparatus and method for controlling energy feedback for electric vehicles includes acquiring an accelerator-pedal travel value, a brake-pedal travel value and a current vehicle speed value, and determining whether the brake-pedal travel value is equal to 0%. Feedback torque based on the current vehicle speed value and the brake-pedal travel value with various conditions is then calculated. Mechanical energy generated by the feedback torque T is converted into electric energy and transmitted to battery of the electric vehicle for storing. Accordingly, the endurance mileage of electric vehicle may be effectively prolonged and the utilization efficiency of battery is improved. |
| US08073581B2 |
Efficient data acquisition for track databases
An improved method of rail survey deploys feature identification tags along an inner edge of a train track rail. Each tag includes a unique identifier to identify a respective feature along the train track. Each tag includes a reflector to reflect light to a sensor on a track surveyor. The sensor reads track feature tags without the need for stopping at each feature. A track database is provided that is capable of storing tables that associate track features with geo-locations. As each tag is deployed or read during a rail survey, it can be paired with geo-location data and stored in the track database. |
| US08073580B2 |
Standby instrument system
An augmented air data and inertial reference system (AADIRS) serving as a standby instrument on an aircraft is provided. A secondary air data and inertial reference system (ADIRS) includes a secondary air data module coupled to a secondary inertial reference module. The secondary air data and inertial reference system is configured to derive secondary air data and inertial reference data using the secondary air data module and the secondary inertial reference module. The secondary inertial reference system is further configured to provide the second air data and inertial reference data to a flight control system for use as a backup source of data for control of the aircraft. A graphics module is coupled to the secondary air data and inertial reference system and a display. The graphics module is configured to receive the secondary air data and inertial reference data and process the secondary air and inertial reference data. |
| US08073576B2 |
Acceleration sensation evaluating device and vehicle controller
The present invention provides an acceleration sensation evaluating device that evaluates a sensory acceleration of a driver with respect to an expectation value of acceleration, and a vehicle controller that controls a vehicle according to the evaluation results. The evaluation device detects an amount of operation of the vehicle by the driver of when the vehicle is accelerated, detects an amount of vehicle behavior, computes a physical quantity of an expectation value indicating the expectation value of an acceleration performance which the driver expects based on the detected values, computes a sensory physical quantity indicating a sensation of the acceleration which the driver senses, and computes an evaluation value of the acceleration sensation based on difference or ratio between the physical quantity of the expectation value and the sensory physical quantity. |
| US08073573B2 |
Electrical power distribution control methods, electrical energy demand monitoring methods, and power management devices
Electrical power distribution control methods, electrical energy demand monitoring methods, and power management devices are described. In one aspect, an electrical power distribution control method includes providing electrical energy from an electrical power distribution system, applying the electrical energy to a load, providing a plurality of different values for a threshold at a plurality of moments in time and corresponding to an electrical characteristic of the electrical energy, and adjusting an amount of the electrical energy applied to the load responsive to an electrical characteristic of the electrical energy triggering one of the values of the threshold at the respective moment in time. |
| US08073562B2 |
Picking system with pick verification
An inventory system with feedback for picking or placing items is disclosed. In this system, there is a plurality of bins or storage locations, one for each item stored. The bins are typically used in a warehouse to fulfill and ship orders of a list of items. Each bin or pair of bins is equipped with a module for directing a picking specialist to the correct bin for manually picking an order. When the picking specialist reaches into a bin to select an item, a passive heat sensor senses heat from the picker's hand, or a magnet detecting circuit detects a magnet on the picker's hand or wrist. This provides positive feedback that the correct bin was sought to retrieve the item, or an alarm or other signal may indicate the incorrect bin. The system may also be used to replenish inventory or return items to stock. |
| US08073551B2 |
Coil electrode apparatus for thermal therapy
A single-coil RF electrode, along with an associated method of operation, has been developed for use in an RF applicator, RFA apparatus or RFA system for heating tumors, including large tumors with a single heating session. The RF electrode generally has a helical geometry, although many variations exist, and is provided with an excitation current having a frequency that is sufficient for magnetic induction and coupling of various electric and magnetic fields to produce an electric field within the volume surrounded by the coil for directly applying heat to the tissue therein. |
| US08073550B1 |
Method and apparatus for treating subcutaneous histological features
A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated. |
| US08073548B2 |
Wristband or other type of band having an adjustable antenna for use with a sensor reader
The present invention provides, among other things, a sensor system, having (1) a sensor implanted in a body part of the subject, wherein the sensor has a first antenna, and (2) a sensor reader worn on the subject's body part, wherein the sensor reader has a band housing a second antenna, which is inductively coupled with the first antenna, for enabling the sensor reader to communicate with the sensor. |
| US08073546B2 |
Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient
The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. For example, the method can include selecting a stimulation site by generating an intended neural activity by triggering a neural signal in or from the impaired body part and detecting a region of the brain in which a response neural activity occurs in reaction to the neural signal. |
| US08073545B2 |
Treatment and warning of recurring therapy and other events using an implantable device
An implantable neurostimulator system is capable of responsively treating epileptiform activity with electrical stimulation and other therapies and is further configured to detect periods of increased susceptibility to clinical seizures. The event densities of therapy applications (or detections or other events) in time are observed and calculated, and if high enough, measures are taken to warn the patient or provide additional therapy. |
| US08073542B2 |
Method for secure reprogramming of clinically relevant parameters as part of remote programming of an electronic implant
The invention relates to a remotely programmable personal medical device, in particular a programmable implantable medical device, e.g., a cardiac pacemaker, a defibrillator, a cardioverter or the like. In addition, the invention relates to an arrangement for remote programming of such a personal medical device and a method for remote programming of a programmable personal medical device. |
| US08073541B2 |
Remote control of implantable device through medical implant communication service band
A system and method for communicating data and signals through the Medical Implant Communication Service Band using a repeater or base station in the proximity to an implantable device within a patient is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable for early detection and monitoring of congestive heart failure in a patient. Impedance measurements, or other health parameters depending on the type of implantable device or sensor used, are sent using a bi-directional low-power radio operating in the MICS band to a nearby base station which may provide signal processing and analysis. The base station may have an interface to one or more communications networks to connect to a remote location. The system and method of the present invention permits a healthcare professional to monitor an ambulatory patient's condition at a remote location and to program the implanted device. |
| US08073540B2 |
Implantable heart stimulating device with stimulation rate optimization
An implantable heart stimulating device has a stimulation pulse generator that emits stimulation pulses at an adjustable stimulation rate, an activity sensor that emits an activity signal in response to detected activity of the patient, and a physiological parameter sensor that generates a physiological sensor signal in response to a detected physiological parameter. The activity and physiological sensor signals are supplied to a control arrangement that sets the stimulation rate for the stimulation pulse generator by executing a stimulation rate algorithm dependent on those signals. In the stimulation rate algorithm, if the physiological signal indicates an emotional stress on the part of the patient, the stimulation rate is increased to an adjustable emotional stress rate level, and if no increase in the activity signal occurs during a predetermined time period following the stimulation rate increase, the stimulation rate is decreased. |
| US08073532B2 |
Method and apparatus for beat alignment and comparison
Methods of using a template having a template data set and template parameters to provide improved alignment of captured cardiac signal data to a stored template. More particularly, in an illustrative method, a captured cardiac signal is first configured using template parameters for a stored template. Then, once configured, the captured cardiac signal is then compared to the stored template. Other embodiments include implantable cardiac treatment devices including operational circuitry configured to perform the illustrative method. In a further embodiment, more than one stored templates may be used. Each template can have independently constructed parameters, such that a single captured cardiac signal may be configured using first parameters for comparison to a first template, and using second parameters for comparison to a second template. |
| US08073524B2 |
Control of magnetic field homogeneity in movable MRI scanning system
A patient imaging system includes a patient support table and an MRI system including a cylindrical magnet. The magnet defines a cylindrical bore for receiving the patient on the table where the magnet is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a slew ring carried on rails allowing longitudinal movement. The magnet is arranged in a two or three room diagnostic configuration in which a holding bay houses the magnet and the diagnostic patients are organized in the three rooms each cooperating with the magnet bay. A control system is provided for inputting data defining different locations or conditions of the magnet relative to its environment and for each of the different conditions data is stored defining a respective set of shimming parameters so that the control system automatically inputs the shimming parameters and adjusts the shimming as the magnet is moved or a secondary imaging system is brought up to the magnet. |
| US08073523B2 |
Method for obtaining strain from radially-tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The present invention relates to a system for obtaining strain corresponding to an object's deformation by radially-tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The system acquires at least a ring-shaped crown region of Fourier domain (k-space) data for at least two sequential images of a radially-tagged object at different phases of deformation of the radially-tagged object. A first image represents a primary state of the radially-tagged object and a second image represents a secondary state of the radially-tagged object. Additionally, the images include radial tag lines. The first and second images are reconstructed as a reconstructed primary-state image and a reconstructed secondary-state image. The images are reconstructed as weighted by circumferential density of the radial tag lines, such that they are “tag line density-weighted” reconstructed images. Circumferential strain of the radially-tagged object is determined by comparing the two images. |
| US08073521B2 |
Method for bone structure prognosis and simulated bone remodeling
Described herein are methods for analyzing bone structure and/or bone density, methods for estimating fracture risk in a subject as well as methods for monitoring the efficacy of an agent on bone structure and/or bone density. |
| US08073514B2 |
Electronic device having a dual autodiplexing antenna
A dual autodiplexing antenna (300) redirects power flow (303) from an unloaded antenna to a loaded antenna, thereby improving communication performance under loaded conditions. The dual autodiplexing antenna (300) includes a first antenna (101) disposed at a first end (103) of a portable two-way communication device (100). A second antenna (102) is disposed at the distal end (104) of the portable two-way communication device (100). The first antenna (101) and second antenna (102) are coupled to a transceiver (107) by a first transmission line matching circuit (201) and a second transmission line matching circuit (202), respectively. In one embodiment, the first antenna (101) is configured to primarily operate in a first bandwidth, while the second antenna (102) is configured to primarily operate in a second bandwidth. When one of the first antenna (101) or second antenna (102) is loaded, power flow (303) is redirected to the lesser loaded antenna. |
| US08073512B2 |
Mobile phone
A mobile phone includes a main body, a camera, a primary display screen and a secondary display screen. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The primary display screen is positioned in the first surface. The camera is positioned in the main body. The secondary display screen faces away from the primary display screen, and the secondary display screen is slidable relative to the primary display screen. An image captured by the camera can be seen via the secondary display screen when user self-takes photo. |
| US08073498B2 |
Method of optimizing power consumption in a wireless device
A method and apparatus are provided for operating a wireless communication device. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of battery powered modules that are carried by a user and together operate as the wireless communication module (ensemble), detecting a battery reserve power level of a first module of the plurality of modules and transferring a processing function from the first module to a second module of the plurality of modules based upon the detected battery reserve power. |
| US08073495B2 |
Delayed user notification of events in a mobile device
A sender-specified courtesy notification scheme to delay notification by a receiving device of the receipt of a data message is disclosed. A sender may specify a notification parameter defining a delay and send the parameter in association with the data message to a recipient. The recipient's receiving device evaluates the parameter and notifies in response. Local notification data defined by the recipient may also be evaluated. Received data messages subject to delayed notification may be hidden by the receiving device or quietly displayed (e.g. as per other received messages) until the expiry of the delay. Notification parameters and data can be formulated as one or more rules which may take into account the current location of the receiving device. A notification delay may be ignored in certain situations depending on recent use of the receiving device. |
| US08073493B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and operating method thereof
A portable electronic apparatus is disclosed. The portable electronic apparatus comprises a casing, a first displaying module, a second displaying module, a communicating module, a sensing module, and a controlling module. The first displaying module and the second displaying module are set on a first face and a second face of the casing respectively. When the communicating module receives an incoming call signal, the communicating module generates a starting signal. Then, the sensing module receives the starting signal and performs a sensing procedure to generate a sensing result. The controlling module selectively displays an incoming call information related to the incoming call signal on the first displaying module or the second displaying module according to the sensing result. |
| US08073492B2 |
Simultaneously multi-networked handheld multimedia gateways
A user may simultaneously access sources of multimedia information via multiple wireless networks using a handheld multimedia gateway. A user interface may support the selection of information services that are each provided separate, but possibly overlapping, viewing spaces. Circuitry in the multimedia gateway manages the operation of the multiple wireless communication paths, and enables the display of visual information through two or more display devices. The user may customize the display, the size, and the location within a display of regions in which the information is presented. |
| US08073490B2 |
Mobile station direction finding based on observation of forward link
Beam-formed transmission from a transmitting wireless communication station to a receiving wireless communication station is supported by estimating a direction for the beamformed transmission. The receiving station reports to the transmitting station information about wide-beam and narrow-beam pilot signals that the receiving station has received from the transmitting station. The transmitting station estimates the direction of the beamformed transmission based on this information. |
| US08073482B2 |
Mobile phone with optional audio output function
A mobile phone includes an audio signal generating module, a first audio output module, a second audio output module, an output mode setting module, and an audio signal controlling module. The audio signal generating module generates audio signal corresponding to a status of the phone. The output mode setting module sets a mode of outputting audio. The audio signal controlling module monitors the mode set by the output mode setting module, and switches on the corresponding audio output module to output audio corresponding to the audio signal. |
| US08073481B2 |
Interference and power control for wireless communication
Techniques for performing interference and power control in a wireless communication system are described. An asymmetric power control scheme adjusts the transmit power of a user equipment (UE) in an asymmetric manner, e.g., with different up and down step sizes. In one design, a parameter value may be determined based on received SINR of at least one Node B. Up and down steps may be determined based on the parameter value and may have different sizes. At least one overloading indicator from at least one neighbor Node B may be obtained. The transmit power of the UE may be adjusted based on the up and down steps and the at least one overloading indicator. For example, the transmit power may be increased by the up step if an overloading indicator from the strongest neighbor Node B is not received and may be decreased by the down step otherwise. |
| US08073480B2 |
Radio channel control method and receiving apparatus
A base station used in a radio communication system includes a transmitting unit operable to transmit a signal to a receiver and a controller operable to control a modulation or coding of a radio channel according to a decision made by using information which indicates increment or decrement of reception quality of the signal. |
| US08073479B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for service and application configuration in a network device
A method is provided that includes accessing information associated with at least one service or application in a social network. The method also includes detecting at least one event relating to the information associated with the at least one service or application within the social network and modifying the information associated with the at least one service or application in response to the at least one event. |
| US08073471B1 |
Saving power in wireless communication devices
Apparatus and methods for reducing the amount of time a mobile wireless device needs to be in a wake mode in order to determine whether a particular paging message is or is not directed to the mobile wireless device. The method includes: receiving, by a mobile device of a wireless network, a first paging message; processing, by the mobile device, a portion of the first paging message including comparing the processed portion of the first paging message with a processed portion of a second paging message previously received by the mobile device; and determining, by the mobile device, whether to process other portions of the first paging message based at least in part on the comparison. |
| US08073469B2 |
Paging for non-real-time communications wireless networks
Improvements for paging in wireless networks is disclosed. A wireless terminal clock is synchronized to a server clock and a paging window and a dormant window are derived for communicating between the server and the wireless terminal using the synchronized time. During the paging window a control channel for a cellular network is found by the wireless terminal; and the page may be received from the server at the wireless terminal. |
| US08073464B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying transmitters in a wireless communication system using power predictions
Identification of transmitters for signals received by a terminal. To determine the transmitter of a given received signal, a list of candidate transmitters that may have transmitted that signal is determined. A coverage zone to use for the received signal is also determined. This coverage zone is the area where the terminal may receive the signal being identified. The predicted power for each candidate transmitter is then determined, e.g., using a path loss prediction model and the coverage zone. The predicted powers for the candidate transmitters are compared (directly or relatively) against the measured power of the received signal. The candidate transmitter with (direct/relative) predicted power closest to the (direct/relative) measured power is deemed as the one that transmitted the signal. Propagation delays may also be predicted and used for transmitter identification. The identified transmitters may be used to determine a position estimate for the terminal. |
| US08073463B2 |
System and method of UMTS UE location using uplink dedicated physical control channel and downlink synchronization channel
A system and method for estimating a location of a wireless device in a wireless communication system having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of location measurement units (“LMUs”). A set of signal samples from a first wireless device and a second wireless device may be collected by one or more LMUs in a search window. A first time of arrival (“TOA”) is determined, and a second search window is estimated as a function of the first TOA. A second TOA may be determined within the second search window at a second node or one of the LMUs from the set of signal samples. A range estimate of the wireless device may then be determined, and an estimated location of the wireless device may be determined as a function of the first uplink TOA, the second uplink TOA, or the range estimate and second TOA. |
| US08073462B2 |
Communication system for selecting communication method
There is provided a communication system including a base station and a terminal which communicates with the base station through a plurality of communication methods. The base station is configured to predict a position of the terminal; select a communication method optimal for the terminal based on the predicted position; and notify the terminal of the selected communication method. The terminal is configured to measure the position of the terminal by prediction which is similar to the position prediction by the base station; and select the communication method notified from the base station in the case of which a difference between a result of the position prediction and a result of the measurement is smaller than a predetermined threshold. |
| US08073451B2 |
System and method for wireless resource allocation, and base station used therefor
In a mobile communication system, useless allocation of wireless resources is avoided and utilization efficiency of wireless resources is improved. A base station operating section of a base station is provided with respective functions for: measuring an RTWP which is a total receiving power; reading a format of a transport block transmitted by E-DPDCH; and measuring a transfer rate of each mobile station. In addition, a buffer size calculation section of the base station calculates an estimated buffer size at the time of transmission by a mobile station using an allocated power resource. An allocated power resource section calculates a power resource to be allocated to each mobile station, and notifies a power resource to be allocated to a mobile station via the base station operating section. |
| US08073449B2 |
Wireless macro cell overlay
Overlaying a Wireless Macro Cell architecture on a Micro Cell network. WLAN MAC Address Translation (WMAT) is used to translate BSSIDs from the BSSID used to initialize a radio in an access node and identify communications between the radio in the access node and a controller, and the BSSID used over the air for Macro Cell operation. WMAT is used for transmit operations, translating the BSSID of outgoing packets to the Macro Cell BSSID prior to wireless transmission. On the receive side, packets undergo WMAT and transmission to the controller if the STN MAC address of the sender is in an ACK table associated with the radio, or the packet is one of a predetermined type. The ACK table is managed by transmit operations, and by control commands from the controller. |
| US08073448B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling uplink transmission rate in a handover region
The present invention is attained by a network nodes such as radio base stations and radio network controllers and methods m a cellular radio telecommunications network for providing a radio air interface to at least a first mobile terminal in at least a first radio coverage area, hereinafter referred to as cell, comprising a receiver for receiving uplink packet data from the at least one mobile terminal. The radio base station further comprises a rate limiter provided to limit the uplink packet data transmission rate from the at least first mobile terminal during handover between the at least first cell and another cell. |
| US08073444B2 |
Distributed policy services for mobile and nomadic networking
A method of disseminating topology information related to a subscriber in a system having one or more networks, each network having access devices and policy functions, includes identifying a current location of the subscriber by a serving policy function. The method further includes forwarding information relating to the current location from the serving policy function to an anchor policy function associated with the subscriber. The process of identifying the location of the subscriber and forwarding the information to the anchor policy server is repeated each time the subscriber changes its physical location. The system uses the current location information to route policy information from the anchor policy function to the policy function that is serving the subscriber. The system may use a push model, a pull model, or a combination thereof, to disseminate the topology information. |
| US08073443B2 |
SIP client-based local number portability through an aircraft air-to-ground link
The SIP Number Portability System disables the cellular radios in the wireless device and enables a WiFi 802.11 protocol-based radio. In the airborne mode, it activates a call forwarding registration process which has calls to the subscriber's publicly available phone number forwarded to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based Public Switched Telephone Network access number and incoming communication sessions directed to the subscriber's wireless service provider user address routed to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based data gateway on the Internet or the Public Switched Data Network. On outbound calls, the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol Client populates the Calling Number field with the wireless subscriber device phone number so that the caller ID display located at the called party's subscriber device shows the subscriber's publicly available phone number. |
| US08073441B1 |
Location-based network selection method for a mobile device
A method for connecting a mobile device with one of a plurality of wireless networks, involves initiating a registration of the mobile device with one of the plurality of wireless networks. A geographic position of the mobile device is determined with respect to at least one of the plurality of wireless networks. A connection is established to one of the plurality of wireless networks responsive to the determined geographic position of the mobile device. |
| US08073439B2 |
Control system and method for operating a transceiver
Transceiver for controlling an application device by means of an external control device. The transceiver has a control unit, a memory unit coupled to the control unit, a control interface coupled to the control unit, a communication interface coupled to the control unit, wherein the application device is controllable using the external control device via the control interface and via the communication interface using the control unit, and an application control program stored in the memory unit, wherein the application control program is communicated to the external control device via the communication interface. |
| US08073436B2 |
Applications and/or situation responsive utilization of silent periods
A mobile apparatus is disclosed that includes: a plurality of network interfaces; a processor; the mobile being configured to monitor applications running on it, including real time or non real time nature of said applications; the mobile being configured to monitor its operating situation, including moving or non moving status; and the mobile being configured to control processes of the mobile during silent periods based on one or more of its application awareness and its operating situation awareness. |
| US08073435B2 |
System and method for providing quality of service in a communication network
Method and system for providing quality of service in communication network. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a communication network system. The communication network system includes a first entity that is configured to store information on a first database and to provide first network access information. The first database is configured to store at least the first network access information. The system also includes a mobile station that is capable of sending and receiving first data via a wireless connection, the mobile station that is capable of sending one or more requests for a service flow. The system also includes a second entity that is configured to provide wireless access to the mobile station. The second entity is capable of exchanging information with the first entity. The second entity includes a second database, which is configured to store at least second network access information. |
| US08073434B2 |
System and method of object simulation in an intermittently connected mobile application
The generation and comparison of a first time stamp and a second time stamp allows for the active operation of a mobile device that is intermittently connected to a middleware system. A document is created with a first stamp, where this document relates to a particular activity associated with one or more objects. Affected object fields are also created to include a second time stamp. The first time stamp is updated to reflect a data request object and the second time stamp reflects when the affected object is adjusted on the back-end system. Until the second time stamp is later in time than the first time stamp, indicating successful processing of the data request object, the mobile device simulates the successful processing of the data request object to reflect the adjustment in a data object value. |
| US08073426B2 |
Authentication vector generation device, subscriber identity module, wireless communication system, authentication vector generation method, calculation method, and subscriber authentication method
According to the present invention, a subscriber identity module in a wireless local area network is authenticated using an authentication vector with no decrease in the confidentiality of the calculation processing, even when a triplet is employed as the authentication vector. An HLR of a mobile communication network comprises an attachment unit for attaching to a RAND field of an authentication vector, which is used to authenticate an SIM in a wireless local area network, information specifying calculation information that is constituted by at least one of an algorithm and secret information for use in the authentication calculation. The SIM, which is mounted on a wireless LAN terminal, comprises a calculation information storage unit storing in advance a plurality of the calculation information, a specification unit for specifying the calculation information to be used in the calculation from the plurality of calculation information stored in the calculation information storage unit by referring to information specifying the calculation information, and a calculation unit for performing the calculation on the basis of the specified calculation information. |
| US08073422B2 |
Satellite radio warning system and method
A system and method for distributing messages to a plurality of satellite receivers comprising sending a message with geographic target area coding or information via satellite or a ground repeater to at least one satellite receiving device equipped with geographic-aware information. The satellite receiving device thereafter utilizes its geographic aware information to compare with the geographic target area coding in the transmitted message to determine whether the satellite receiving device should present the message to the user of the satellite receiving device. |
| US08073421B2 |
Radio signal receiver device
A radio signal detector includes first and second detector circuits. The first detector circuit has a higher detection sensitivity to detect a radio signal earlier than the second detector circuit. The second detector circuit has a lower detection sensitivity to detect the radio signal accurately. When the second detector circuit detects the radio signal, it starts up a microcomputer. When the first detector circuit detects the radio signal, a time counter starts to count time. After being started up, the microcomputer acquires a time difference between the radio signal detection by the first detector circuit and the start-up. The microcomputer determines time of radio signal transmission by a radio signal transmitter device based on the determined time difference, and outputs control information after an elapse of a predetermined time. |
| US08073419B2 |
Coherent tunable filter apparatus and wireless communication front-end circuit thereof
A front-end circuit with coherent tunable filters is provided. The circuit includes a first filter, an amplifier, and a second filter. The amplifier is coupled to the first filter, and the second filter is coupled to the amplifier. Furthermore, the amplifier is placed between the first and second filters. The first filter has a first tunable intermediate frequency, and is used to filter a received signal. The amplifier is used to amplify the output of the first filter. The second filter has a second tunable intermediate frequency, and is used to filter the output of the amplifier. The first and second intermediate frequencies have a coherent-tuning relation with each other. |
| US08073417B2 |
Method and system for a transformer-based high performance cross-coupled low noise amplifier
Aspects of a method and system for a transformer-based high performance cross-coupled low noise amplifier may include one or more circuits that integrate within a single chip, a balun with a low-noise amplifier. A DC current biasing path for the low-noise amplifier may be provided through the integrated balun. The low-noise amplifier may be configured as a cross-coupled low-noise amplifier, where the balun may be directly coupled to the cross-coupled low-noise amplifier. The balun may comprise two or more inductors, wherein one or more of the inductors may provide an electrical path for allowing a DC bias current to flow to ground. Integrating a balun on a single chip with a low-noise amplifier may allow the use of a single received signal input terminal. The biasing voltage may be selected to optimize performance of the low-noise amplifier. |
| US08073415B2 |
Tunable receiving apparatus and method therefor
A tunable receiving apparatus, includes a variable capacitative member, a tunable antenna having a resonant frequency controlled by the variable capacitative member, a tuner outputting a control signal related to a receiving-sensitivity of the tunable antenna, and a control circuit processing the control signal and controlling the variable capacitative member. The variable capacitative member is controlled automatically by the control circuit to optimize the receiving-sensitivity. |
| US08073409B2 |
System and method for controlling transmitter output levels in a wireless communications device
A system and method are disclosed for controlling transmitter output levels in a wireless communications device. The system comprises: a transmitter configured to accept an adjusted transmit bias control value and to supply a transmitter output level in response to the adjusted transmit bias control value; and a gain control circuit configured to supply the adjusted transmit bias control value in response to a transmitter output measurement and to a reference. The gain control circuit comprises a measuring circuit configured to accept the transmitter output level and to supply a transmitter output measurement, a table of initial transmit bias control values cross-referenced to transmitter output levels, the table configured to accept a transmitter output level selection and to supply an initial transmit bias control value in response to the transmitter output level selection, and, a compensator configured to accept the adjusted transmit bias control value and the initial transmit bias control value and to supply a compensated transmit bias control value based on a difference between the adjusted bias control value and the initial transmit bias control value. |
| US08073406B2 |
Amplitude modulation circuit in polar transmitter and method for calibrating amplitude offset in polar transmitter
An amplitude modulation circuit in a polar transmitter and a method for calibrating amplitude offset in the polar transmitter are provided. The amplitude modulation circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a low pass filter (LPF), a gm stage, and a calibration module. The DAC is coupled to an amplitude modulation signal input. The LPF is coupled to the DAC, and the gm stage is coupled to the LPF. The calibration module has an input coupled to the gm stage, and an output coupled to a node on a path between the DAC and the gm stage. The method includes: generating an amplitude offset calibration signal according to an amplitude modulation signal generated from the gm stage; and transmitting the amplitude offset calibration signal via the output of the calibration module to a node on a path between the DAC and the gm stage so as to calibrate the amplitude offset. |
| US08073402B2 |
Wireless intercommunicative alarm doorbell
A wireless intercommunicative alarm doorbell comprising an outdoor bell and an indoor bell; the outdoor bell comprises an outdoor bell casing, an outdoor bell power supply, an outdoor bell loudspeaker, an outdoor bell microphone, an outdoor bell talk button, an outdoor bell antenna, an outdoor bell wireless transmitting and receiving integrated circuit, a door ring button and a door ring integrated circuit; the indoor bell comprises an indoor bell casing, an indoor bell power supply, an indoor bell loudspeaker, an indoor bell microphone, an indoor bell talk button, an indoor bell antenna, an indoor bell wireless transmitting and receiving integrated circuit and a door ring integrated circuit; the indoor bell further comprises an alarm button. The present invention provides an alarm which is easy for the person indoor to operate and can effectively call for attention on the basis of a wireless intercommunicative doorbell. It provides the solution of a single wireless intercommunicative alarm doorbell with the dual functions. |
| US08073401B2 |
Multi mode radio frequency transceiver front end circuit with inter-stage matching circuit
A front end circuit for coupling an antenna to a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a second RF transceiver is contemplated. The RF transceivers have a signal input, a signal output, a receive enable line and a transmit enable line. In addition to an antenna port, the front end circuit has a first power amplifier and a first low noise amplifier both coupled to first RF transceiver, and a second power amplifier and a second low noise amplifier both coupled to the second RF transceiver. The front end circuit includes a matching network that couples the power amplifiers and the low noise amplifiers, the various outputs and inputs thereof being common. |
| US08073397B2 |
Single chip wireless transceiver operable to perform voice, data and radio frequency (RF) processing
A single chip wireless transceiver operable to perform voice, data and radio frequency (RF) processing is provided. This processing may be divided between various processing modules. This single chip includes a processing module having an ARM microprocessor and a digital signal processor (DSP), an RF section, and an interface module. The processing module converts an outbound voice signal into an outbound voice symbol stream, converts an inbound voice symbol stream into an inbound voice signal, converts outbound data into an outbound data symbol stream, and converts an inbound data symbol stream into inbound data. These functions may be divided between the ARM microprocessor and DSP, where the DSP supports physically layer type applications and the ARM microprocessor supports higher layer applications. Further bifurcation may be based on voice applications, data applications, and/or RF control. The RF section converts an inbound RF voice signal into the inbound voice symbol stream, converts the outbound voice symbol stream into an outbound RF voice signal, converts an inbound RF data signal into the inbound data symbol stream, and converts the outbound data symbol stream into an outbound RF data signal. The interface module provides coupling between the processing module, the RF section, and with off-chip circuits. |
| US08073396B2 |
Radio channel control method and receiving apparatus
A radio channel control method for controlling, in a radio communication system having a transmitter and a receiver, a radio channel from the transmitter toward the receiver. The method includes receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter by the receiver, measuring reception quality of the signal, generating information which indicates increment or decrement of the reception quality, and controlling a modulation or coding for the radio channel based on the information. |
| US08073394B2 |
Prediction of uplink interference potential generated by an ancillary terrestrial network and/or radioterminals
Methods are provided for predicting uplink interference potential to a mobile satellite system (MSS) generated by ancillary terrestrial components (ATCs) of an ancillary terrestrial network (ATN) and/or ATC radioterminals that are configured to terrestrially use/reuse satellite frequencies that are used and/or authorized for use by a MSS. The methods include measuring power transmitted by and/or received at one or more radioterminals communicating with one or more terrestrial networks and/or transmitted by and/or received at the one or more terrestrial networks communicating with the one or more radioterminals using terrestrial frequencies that are at least partially outside a range of the satellite frequencies. Uplink interference potential to the MSS generated by terrestrial use/reuse of satellite frequencies by the ATN and/or the ATC radioterminals is predicted responsive to the measured power. Related ancillary terrestrial networks are also described. |
| US08073390B2 |
Synchronizing satellite positioning system information to features of short-range, ad hoc wireless network protocols
Satellite positioning system information and/or other information is communicated to/from a mobile terminal by synchronizing satellite positioning system information that is communicated to/from the mobile terminal over a short-range, ad hoc wireless network relative to a feature of a protocol that is used for the short-range, ad hoc wireless network communications. The feature may be a header field in the short-range, ad hoc wireless network communications. Related methods, mobile terminals and short-range ad hoc wireless networks are described. |
| US08073386B2 |
Broadband communication platform and methods of network operation
A subscriber platform according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an antenna and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The subscriber platform is operated by a subscriber. A method performed by the subscriber platform includes, in any practical order: (a) receiving non-redundant information on several channels, each channel associated with a direction of the antenna and a frequency for receiving information; (b) aggregating the information into a sequence; and (c) displaying a presentation in accordance with the sequence. |
| US08073385B2 |
Adaptive echo cancellation for an on-frequency RF repeater with digital sub-band filtering
An adaptive echo cancellation system and method employing an algorithm suitable for a digital repeater with sub-band filtering is disclosed. Cross- and auto-correlation measurements used to estimate the residual coupling are computed from normalized cross and power spectrums which avoid the problems associated with narrow bandwidth signal components. The normalized cross- and power spectra are additionally masked in frequency to reduce the influence of interfering spectral components outside of the passband of the sub-band filter. Regularization of the iterative estimation process is applied to maintain stability and compensate for the bandwidth reduction associated with the sub-band filter and the spectral mask. |
| US08073384B2 |
Optimization of redundancy and throughput in an automated meter data collection system using a wireless network
Techniques for optimization of redundancy and throughput in an automated meter data collection system using a wireless network are disclosed herein. The wireless network comprises a central node, a plurality of bi-directional nodes, and a plurality of transmit-only meters. Each of the bi-directional nodes is in bi-directional wireless communication with the central node and has a wireless communication path to the central node that is either a direct path or an indirect path through one or more intermediate bi-directional nodes serving as relay nodes. The transmit-only meters wirelessly transmit meter data that is then relayed by one or more bi-directional nodes to the central node. Each of the bi-directional nodes is assigned one or more authorized transmit-only meters, and each of the bi-directional nodes is configured to relay meter data only from its authorized transmit-only meters, thereby providing an optimum level of redundancy and throughput in the network. |
| US08073383B2 |
Method and apparatus for long-time music play on a mobile communication terminal
A method and apparatus are provided for playing music for long time by a mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal includes an MP3 chip for decoding and playing music data transferred from a music data memory by a baseband chip. |
| US08073380B2 |
Media content delivery and recording over broadcast network
The present invention is a system for facilitating the selection and downloading of a digital multimedia program based on broadcast information. A single keystroke may trigger a series of events that result in an authorized copy of the desired digital media being saved on a user device. The desired program is wirelessly downloaded in an encrypted format, and after an accounting and billing process transpires, a decryption key is delivered in to the user device in a wireless message. The copy of the desired digital media is then decrypted, and is properly licensed, so that the user may enjoy listening to this media with minimal restrictions. |
| US08073373B2 |
Image forming apparatus with device for reducing stagnant toner between fixing roller and cleaning web
An image forming apparatus includes: a pattern determination information calculator for calculating printing pattern determination information on an original; a pressure changer for changing the pressure of a pressing member of a cleaning device; and a controller for varying the pressing force of the pressing member by controlling the pressure changer in accordance with the printing pattern determination information calculated by the pattern determination information calculator. The controller controls the contact pressure driver of the pressing roller so as to weaken the pressing force when that controller determines that printing paper printed with high density patterns or high coverage patterns will be passed through. |
| US08073371B2 |
Image forming apparatus which corrects the curl of a discharge sheet
An image forming apparatus which uses toner to form an image on a sheet may cause the sheet to experience curl after passing through a fixing device which uses heat and pressure to fix the toner image on the sheet. A pair of discharge rollers and/or a sheet separating board may be utilized to correct the curl on the sheet, for both thin and heavy paper weights. The angle of the sheet separating board relative to a line which is perpendicular to a sheet discharging direction is preferably set from 75° to 95°, and a nip depth of a pair of sheet discharging rollers is preferably set from 0 mm to 3 mm. |
| US08073357B2 |
Developer cartridge, developing unit and image forming apparatus having seal member for preventing leakage of developer
A developer cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame that confronts the first frame. The second frame includes an opening, through which developer is passed, and which is openable and closable by the first frame in accordance with a relative movement between the second frame and the first frame, a seal member, which is provided around the opening for preventing leakage of the developer from the opening, and which comprises a seal side confronting portion confronting the first frame when the second frame moves relative to the first frame, and a protection member, which has an elastic modulus higher than an elastic modulus of the seal member, and which is provided between the seal side confronting portion of the seal member and the first frame for protecting the seal member. |
| US08073355B2 |
Memory, toner cartridge, developing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A toner cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus, in which a memory is provided in the cartridge to be accessible by an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a developing device detachably attached to the body the image forming apparatus, and a toner cartridge detachably disposed in the developing cartridge, which includes a memory accessible from a surface of the toner cartridge exposed outside the developing cartridge when the toner cartridge is installed in the developing cartridge. |
| US08073351B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes: a fixing portion including a nip that is formed between a heat roller and a back-up roller pressurized by a pressurizing mechanism and holds and conveys a toner-bearing sheet; a pressure switching mechanism for changing a pressurizing force of the pressurizing mechanism; and a sheet detecting portion for detecting a sheet conveyed to the fixing portion. The sheet detecting portion changes a state of sheet detection by the sheet detecting portion in tandem to operation of the pressure switching mechanism. The image forming device includes a pressurization state determining portion for determining a state of pressurization of the pressurizing mechanism on the basis of an output of the sheet detecting portion for a sheet non-passing time, and a pressurization state display portion for displaying the pressurization state determined by the pressurization state determining portion. |
| US08073347B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image holder, a latent image forming unit, and a developing unit, the developing unit including a developer holder that is disposed to face the image holder and holds developer. Also included is a developer container, replenishing unit that replenishes new developer to the developing unit, a discharge unit that discharges the developer, a calculation unit that calculates an image area coverage of a toner image formed on the image holder, an obtaining unit that obtains a potential difference between the developer holder and the image portion on the image holder, and a controller that increases a discharge amount of the developer, when the image area coverage calculated by the calculation unit is smaller than a predetermined reference image area coverage, and the potential difference obtained by the obtaining unit is larger than a predetermined reference potential difference. |
| US08073344B2 |
Heterodyne receiver using differential temperature control of laser sources
A heterodyne receiver includes first and second laser sources such as laser diodes which generate optical receiver oscillator (RO) signals having respective RO frequencies. Temperature control circuitry controls a temperature difference between the operating temperatures of the sources such that the RO frequencies differ by a difference frequency corresponding to the temperature difference, the difference frequency being offset from a frequency of a modulated millimeter-wave signal by a predetermined intermediate frequency. An electro-optical nonlinear mixer such as a photodiode receives the optical RO signals and the modulated millimeter-wave signal and generates an electrical intermediate-frequency (IF) signal, which is provided to an electrical amplifier/detector to detect the output signal corresponding to the modulation of the modulated millimeter-wave signal. The receiver may be used as part of a heterodyne transceiver which includes a transmitter, and the transmitter may also employ an optical heterodyne structure for generating a millimeter-wave signal for transmission. |
| US08073343B2 |
Input signal detection device
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a signal detector device includes a first monitor unit, a second monitor unit, and a discrimination unit, wherein the discriminator unit discriminates whether an inputted light includes a signal light on the bases of the first monitor unit for monitoring an intensity of the inputted light and the second monitor unit for monitoring an alternating current component intensity of the inputted light. |
| US08073342B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting optical signals
The present invention addresses the problem of transmitting optical signals with high extinction ratios using low-power drive signals. At present, low-power optical transmitters typically operate with modulation extinction ratios of, at best, about 10 dB. Embodiments of the present invention may achieve extinction ratios exceeding 20 dB using low-power drive signals of under 20 mW at data rates on the order of Gbits/sec. In addition, the modulation may be achieved with both low-power and low-fidelity drive waveforms, enabling conventional and often noisy high-speed, low-power electronics to generate high-extinction, high-fidelity optical waveforms. |
| US08073341B2 |
Method and system for controlling driving current of WDM-PON optical transmitter
The present disclosure relates to a WDM-PON (wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network) optical transmitter; and, more particularly, to a system for controlling driving current of the WDM-PON optical transmitter. The present disclosure provides a driving current control method of the optical transmitter for in use in the WDM-PON, including: setting an attenuation value of a variable optical attenuator to X; detecting an optical power Px received by a monitoring photo diode of the optical transmitter; setting an attenuation value of the variable optical attenuator to Y; detecting an optical power Py received by the monitoring photo diode of the optical transmitter; calculating an optical power Pout of an optical signal outputted from a common terminal of a 1×N optical multiplexer/demultiplexer based on the detected optical power Px and Py; and controlling a driving current based on the calculated optical power Pout. |
| US08073340B2 |
Distortion compensation circuit including one or more phase invertible distortion paths
A distortion compensation circuit compensates for distortion generated by one or more non-linear elements such as a laser device and may include a primary signal path for carrying an input signal and one or more secondary signal paths for generating distortion. The distortion compensation circuit may also include one or more controllable phase inverters on at least one of the paths. For example, the secondary signal path may include a distortion generator to produce distortion products from the input signal and a signal controlled phase inverter that inverts the phase of the distortion products. The distortion generator and phase inverter may be combined as an invertible distortion generator. The phase inversion may be controlled in response to a phase inversion control signal generated based on one or more parameters such as temperature. The secondary signal path may also include separate distortion sub-paths to produce frequency independent distortion products and frequency dependent distortion products. |
| US08073335B2 |
Operator input device for a robotic surgical system
An input device for a robotic surgical instrument includes an operator input on a handle that is rotatably supported by a supporting link structure. A primary winding of a rotary transformer is fixed to the supporting link structure and connected to an electric power source. A secondary winding is fixed to the handle. An axial passage extends through the primary and secondary windings. An optical data transmitter is connected to the operator input to transmit data from the operator input through the axial passage. The secondary transformer winding provides power to the optical data transmitter without physical contact. An optical data receiver fixed to the supporting link structure receives data from the optical data transmitter transmitted through the axial passage in the rotary transformer without physical contact. The transmission of power and data without physical contact allows the handle to rotate continuously. |
| US08073334B2 |
Optical modulation method and system in wavelength locked FP-LD by injecting broadband light source using mutually injected FP-LD
The present invention relates to an optical modulation method and optical modulation system of a wavelength locked Fabry Perot-Laser Diode (FP-LD) by injecting a broadband light source (BLS) using mutual injection of FP-LDs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel modulation technology which embodies a wavelength locked FP-LD capable of being used as an economic light source in an optical network based on a wavelength-division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON). According to the present invention, a light modulation system is suggested comprising: BLS being constructed by mutual injection between two FP-LDs and an optical fiber being used for light transmission; first AWG for filtering light from a plurality of oscillation modes of the BLS into n group; n FP-LDs outputting wavelength locked light which is divided through the first AWG; an encoder being provided at a transmitting end of a subscriber to which the output from the first AWG is transmitted; a circulator outputting light which is inputted through the first AWG; second AWG de-multiplexing WDM signals from the first AWG into n group; and a decoder being provided at a receiving end to which the output from the second AWG is transmitted. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to provide a more economic light source for WDM-PON subscribers by embodying a wavelength locked FP-LD by injecting a low-cost BLS. |
| US08073332B2 |
Photonic cross-connect
A photonic cross-connect includes a plurality of ingress WS-switches with drop outputs outputting WDM drop signals including odd channels and a plurality of egress WS-switches for receiving WDM add signals including add channels. Wavelength selective elements in a drop path and in an add path comply with a double frequency spacing and about a double bandwidth of the ingress WS-switches or egress WS-switches. If both odd and even channels are dropped and added, separate add and drop paths are provided for the odd and for the even channels. |
| US08073329B2 |
Passive optical network user terminal and method of power supply control and power supply state reporting for the same
The present disclosure discloses a passive optical network (PON) user terminal comprising a passive optical network interface unit (PONIU) having access to a PON system, a service data distribution unit (SDDU) connected to the PONIU for distributing service data, a plurality of service processing units (SPUs) for receiving and accordingly processing the service data distributed by the SDDU, a power source for providing power to the above units, and a power supply control unit (PSCU) for controlling the activating/deactivating of the energy-saving power supply to the SPUs, the SDDU, and the PONIU. The present disclosure further provides a method for controlling the PON power supply and for reporting the power supply state. The present disclosure allows control of the energy usage of the PON user terminal to save power when a service in the PON user terminal is not used or when the user terminal uses a backup power source to supply power. |
| US08073319B2 |
Photographing method and photographing apparatus based on face detection and photography conditions
Frequency of unnecessary face detection operations performed in a photographing apparatus is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption by the face detection operations. A determining unit determines whether or not a photographing condition of the photographing apparatus satisfies a precondition for efficiently using a result of detection by a detecting unit, which detects an image representing a face from images taken through the imaging lens of the photographing apparatus. A controlling unit exerts control such that, if it is determined that the photographing condition of the photographing apparatus satisfies the precondition, the detecting unit carries out the detection, and if it is determined that the photographing condition of the photographing apparatus does not satisfy the precondition, the detecting unit does not carry out the detection. |
| US08073314B2 |
Recording device for recording broadcasted information
A recording apparatus is provided that includes a broadcast signal receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and a setting means for setting at least a broadcasting time period and a broadcasting station. The recording apparatus has a communication means for transmitting request information to an external device and for receiving reply information from the external device and a program table creation means for creating a program table based on the reply information. The apparatus further has a recording scheduling means for scheduling the recording of a program to be broadcast from the broadcasting station set by the setting means based on the title and broadcasting date and time of the selected previously broadcasted program when a program previously broadcasted during the broadcasting time period set by the setting means is selected from the program table. |
| US08073311B2 |
Moving image reproducing apparatus
A moving image reproducing apparatus that can produce appropriate information concerning the occurrence of a communication error in the DDC includes an error detecting unit that detects a communication error in a display data channel (DDC); an error information generating unit that generates error information if a communication error in the DDC is detected by the error detecting unit; and an error information output unit that delivers the error information to the display device via a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) channel. |
| US08073307B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting information, and reproducing apparatus, receiving apparatus and recording medium for the information, and transmission data thereof
An output control (OPC) information is recorded on the magnetic tape 1 in conjunction with an MPEG stream. The OPC information is composed of two bits and is extracted from a reproduced signal by the output control circuit 9 and controls the digital interface (D. I/F) 7 and the switch circuit 11. In case a first bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 makes the D. I/F 7 enabled and permits the output of a digital signal. In a case of “1”, the output control circuit 9 prohibits to output the digital signal. Further, when the second bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 turns the switch circuit 11 off, preventing the output of an analog component signal. In case its “1”, the output control circuit 9 permits the output of the analog component signal. |
| US08073303B2 |
Light-concentrating panel
A light-concentrating panel is disclosed. The light-concentrating panel comprises a planar light collecting element and a linear light collecting element. The planar light collecting element receives and collects the planar light, and then emits out as linear light. The linear light collecting element receives the linear light. The linear light from the planar collecting element enters the linear light collecting element by passing a planar-linear imaginary plane, which is located between the planar light collecting element and the linear light collecting element. The linear light from the planar collecting element are collected and turned into the spot light by the linear light collecting element. |
| US08073302B2 |
Telecommunication enclosure with an interlocking seal
In one aspect, the invention described herein provides an enclosure for containing telecommunication lines and/or telecommunication line splices therein. In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises a housing wherein the housing is removeably securable to the base. The base includes an edge wall extending from the bottom plate of the base. A sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the edge wall. The housing includes an outer side wall and an inner lip spaced apart from the outer side wall. When the housing is secured to the base, the edge wall of the base is inserted between the outer side wall and the inner lip. |
| US08073299B2 |
Fabrication of nanostructured materials
A method for fabricating composite materials/devices comprising stacking together fibers or rods of at least two different materials and drawing the fibers or rods. Using this process, devices having nanoscale features can be readily fabricated. |
| US08073298B2 |
Process for fabricating a composite underbody panel
A process for fabricating a fiber composite underbody panel for a vehicle begins by laying-up a first fiber composite sheet on a suitable form or tool. Current carrying wiring that is normally carried by the floor is laid in place on the first sheet, with the ends of the wires extending beyond the edges of the sheet. The wires are shielded to prevent the radiation of fields therefrom into the interior of the vehicle. Fiber optic cable is used to carry signals. A second fiber composite sheet is then laid-up on the first sheet. The two sheets with the embedded wires are placed in a heated mold to form the sheets into the desired finished shape and configuration. The ends of the copper wires and the fiber optic cables are then terminated by connectors so that they may be later coupled to the circuitry of the vehicle. |
| US08073292B2 |
Directional hole filling in images
When transforming a 2.5D video format to a plurality of images viewed from different virtual positions, it can occur that for certain output pixels, no input data is available. Therefore, these output pixels do not have any definite values assigned in their pixel locations. These unassigned pixel values cause artifacts called ‘holes’ in the transformed images. A method of hole filling or assigning pixel values in a region (110) comprising pixel locations of unassigned pixel values in an image (100) is provided. A direction (140) of an image feature (160) relative to a first pixel location (120) is estimated in a first neighborhood (130) adjoining the region (110) of unassigned pixel values. A second set of pixel values is selected from pixel locations in the estimated direction (140) from the first pixel location (120). A third set of pixel values are computed from the second set of pixel values. At least a part of the region (110) comprising pixel locations of unassigned pixels is assigned with pixel values by using the third set of pixel values. The method is useful in reducing the visual distortion in the image compared to known methods. |
| US08073289B2 |
Method of using a real time desktop image warping system to mitigate optical distortion
The present invention relates to a method of using an image warping software algorithm to perform a real time alteration of a display scene running under the MICROSOFT WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM to mitigate the inherent distortion of a Stark lens cover. The image warping software algorithm alters the display scene and allows an observer to view the display scene as a single unbroken image when the display scene is distributed across multiple display screens. The purpose of the image warping software algorithm is to significantly reduce the distortion observed at the abutting edges of the joined display screens. |
| US08073288B2 |
Rendering a mask using coarse mask representation
A method, system and computer program product for rendering a mask are disclosed. A method of rendering a mask may comprise: providing an initial mask design for a photolithographic process, the initial mask design including polygons; initially rendering the initial mask design as a coarse mask representation in a pixel based image calculation; identifying an overhang portion; and rendering the overhang portion using a set of subpixels whose artifacts from spatial-localization lie outside a practical resolution of a pseudo lens having a numerical aperture larger than that of a projection lens used in the photolithographic process; and updating the initial rendering based on the overhang portion rendering. |
| US08073286B2 |
Detection and correction of flash artifacts from airborne particulates
Flash image orb artifacts arising from specular reflections from airborne particles are corrected. A specific location is detected within a digital image of a flash image airborne particle artifact (orb). A defined curved plane shape is electronically identified within the image. Luminances are analyzed of pixels within the identified shape to assess whether the shape in fact corresponds to an orb. The digital image is corrected by removing the orb. One or more pixel values are adjusted inside the orb, and one or more edge pixel values of the orb are also adjusted. |
| US08073281B2 |
Generating a dilation image utilizing parallel pixel processing
A dilation image is generated from an original digital image utilizing a processing image (b) and a target image (T), where each pixel in the target image is processed in parallel. The process entails, for each target pixel, i) determining coordinate values for the target pixel, ii) determining a surrounding pixel area for the target pixel, iii) and processing each pixel in the surrounding pixel area to determine whether or not to updated the value of the target pixel. In processing each surrounding pixel, a determination is made whether the pixel has a value of 1. If not, then the next surrounding pixel is processed. If so, then a determination is made which pixel element of the structuring element overlays the target pixel, and whether that pixel has a value of 1. If so, then the value of the target pixel is updated. If not, then the next pixel in the surrounding pixel area is processed. Once the target pixel has been updated one time, the processing of the remaining surrounding pixels is terminates. If processing of all surrounding pixels results in no update to the target pixel, then the target pixel is not updated. After all target pixels have been processed, the resultant image is output as the dilation image. |
| US08073278B2 |
Image processing device
The present invention is an image processing device that certainly restores a non-linearly corrected image. A processing unit 4 restores a non-linearly corrected original image or an original image without being non-linearly corrected from a non-linearly corrected initial image data which has been fluctuated like deterioration and was non-linearly corrected by a predetermined way. The processing unit 4 repeats processing using any of fluctuation-factor information data which becomes a factor of fluctuating an image, the initial image data which is non-linearly corrected and the initial image data without being non-linearly corrected which is not non-linearly corrected and obtained by performing inversely non-linear correction against the non-linearly corrected initial data. The processing unit gradually generates any one of the non-linearly corrected initial data and comparison data which is approximated to the initial image without being non-linearly corrected and gradually approximates the energy of the non-linearly corrected initial data to zero. The processing unit performs basic processing of forming the original image data or the non-linearly corrected original image data. |
| US08073272B2 |
Methods and apparatus for video decoding
Techniques for performing the processing of blocks of video in multiple stages. Each stage is executed for blocks of data in the frame that need to go through that stage, based on the coding type, before moving to the next stage. This order of execution allows blocks of data to be processed in a nonsequential order, unless the blocks need to go through the same processing stages. Multiple processing elements (PEs) operating in SIMD mode executing the same task and operating on different blocks of data may be utilized, avoiding idle times for the PEs. In another aspect, inverse scan and dequantization operations for blocks of data are merged in a single procedure operating on multiple PEs operating in SIMD mode. This procedure makes efficient use of the multiple PEs and speeds up processing by combining two operations, inverse scan (reordering) and dequantization, which load the execution units differently. The reordering loads mainly the load and store units of the PEs, while the dequantization loads mainly other units. By combining the inverse scan and dequantization in an efficient VLIW packing performance, processing gain is achieved. |
| US08073263B2 |
Multi-classifier selection and monitoring for MMR-based image recognition
A MMR system that uses multiple classifiers for predicting, monitoring, and adjusting index tables for image recognition comprises a plurality of mobile devices, a pre-processing server or MMR gateway, and an MMR matching unit, and may include an MMR publisher. The MMR matching unit includes a plurality of recognition unit and index table pairs corresponding to classifiers to be applied to received image queries, as well as an image registration unit for storing and monitoring performance data for the classifiers. The MMR matching unit receives the image query and identifies, using a classifier set, a result including a document, the page, and the location on the page corresponding to the image query. The present invention also includes methods for monitoring online performance of a multiple classifier image recognition system, for classifier selection and comparison, and for offline classifier prediction. |
| US08073257B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, image processing apparatus, program, and recording medium
Text data is extracted from image data read by an image reader. Log data containing the extracted text data is generated. The generated log data is stored in a log management server. |
| US08073248B2 |
Automatic detection of calibration charts in images
Methods and apparatuses for locating an embedded color chart in an image are described. In one exemplary method, an image that includes an embedded color chart is located without the intervention of the user. The embedded color chart is verified and used to create a color profile of the image. Furthermore, the orientation angle of the color chart is determined and the image orientation is fixed based on this angle. |
| US08073247B1 |
Minimal artifact image sequence depth enhancement system and method
Motion picture scenes to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D->3D) are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined into composite frame which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting/reshaping. Colors and/or depths are automatically applied to masks throughout a scene from the composite background and to motion objects. Areas never exposed by motion or foreground objects in a series of images may be partially or fully realistically drawn or rendered and applied to the occluded areas of the background and then automatically applied throughout the images to generate of minimal artifact or artifact-free secondary viewpoints when translating foreground objects horizontally during 2D->3D conversion. |
| US08073240B2 |
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for identifying one or more optical modes of an inspection system as candidates for use in inspection of a layer of a wafer
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for identifying one or more optical modes of an inspection system as candidates for use in inspection of a layer of a wafer are provided. One method includes determining one or more characteristics of images of the layer of the wafer acquired using the inspection system and different optical modes available on the inspection system. The method also includes identifying a first portion of the different optical modes as not candidates for use in the inspection of the layer of the wafer based on the one or more characteristics of the images. In addition, the method includes generating output by eliminating the first portion of the different optical modes from the different optical modes at which the images were acquired such that the output includes a second portion of the different optical modes indicated as the candidates for use in the inspection. |
| US08073230B2 |
Systems and methods for generating images for identifying diseases
Systems and methods for generating images for identifying diseases are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first digital radiography (DR) image of at least a portion of a body of a patient, receiving a second DR image of the at least a portion of a body of a patient, the first DR image being captured at a different energy level than the second DR image, and determining common control point locations for both the first and second DR images. The method further comprises generating an optimized DR image by moving portions of a selected one of the first and second DR images with its associated control points to locations that correspond to similar portions of the other of the first and second DR images, applying deformable transformation to one of the first and second DR images and performing a log subtraction on the first and second DR image to generate a dual-energy digital radiography (DEDR) image. |
| US08073228B2 |
Kits for redundant image acquisition
A kit for capturing a first primary image and a second backup image from a single exposure. The kit may include a first imaging source and a second imaging source. The kit may further include an attachment mechanism for attaching the first imaging source to the second imaging source such that first imaging source and the second imaging source may be simultaneously exposed to capture a first primary image and a second backup image, respectively, of a same anatomy. The kit may further include a sterilization sheath to cover both the first imaging source and the second imaging source when the first imaging source and the second imaging source are attached and being used to capture images. |
| US08073224B2 |
System and method for two-dimensional visualization of temporal phenomena and three dimensional vessel reconstruction
A method for visualizing temporal phenomena and constructing 3D views from a series of medical images includes providing a first time series of digital images of contrast-enhanced blood flow in a patient, each acquired from a same viewing point with a known epipolar geometry, each said image comprising a plurality of intensities associated with an N-dimensional grid of points, calculating one or more time-density curves from said first time series of digital images, each curve indicative of how the intensity at corresponding points in successive images changes over time, and generating one or more overview images from said time density curves using a color coding technique, wherein said each overview image depict how a physical property value changes from said blood flow at selected corresponding points in said first time series of images. |
| US08073220B2 |
Methods and systems for fully automatic segmentation of medical images
Methods and systems dedicated to automatic object segmentation from image data are provided. In a first step a fuzzy seed set is generated that is learned from training data. The fuzzy seed set is registered to image data containing an object that needs to be segmented from a background. In a second step a random walker segmentation is applied to the image data by using the fuzzy seed set as an automatic seeding for segmentation. Liver segmentation, lung segmentation and kidney segmentation examples are provided. |
| US08073219B2 |
Nucleic acid analyzing apparatus
The present invention provides a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus which achieves highly accurate analytical ability even in single molecule DNA analysis. The nucleic acid analyzing apparatus detects locations of fluorescent bright spots in image information about light emission, deletes defective bright spots, and thereby creates intensity trace data about proper bright spots. |
| US08073218B2 |
Method for detecting bio signal features in the presence of noise
A computer-based method for detecting features in a digitally sampled biological (bio) signal includes the steps of applying a wavelet transform to the bio signal to generate a list of wavelet transform coefficients, ranking the coefficients according to value or frequency, and removing at least one low value or low frequency coefficient. The method further includes the steps of performing an inverse wavelet transform using the remaining coefficients to generate a reconstructed signal, and detecting feature locations using the reconstructed signal. |
| US08073216B2 |
System and methods for automatic segmentation of one or more critical structures of the ear
A system and method for automatic segmentation of a structure of interest of an ear are disclosed, where the structure of interest includes the facial nerve and chorda tympani. In one embodiment, the method combines an atlas-based approach with a minimum cost path finding algorithm. A structure model is constructed from a plurality of preoperative image volumes to have a centerline of the structure of interest in an atlas with each point along the centerline being associated with expected values for characteristic features, and used to create a spatially varying cost function that includes geometric information. A three-dimension minimum cost accumulating path is computed using the cost function, which is used to extract the centerline of the structure of interest. The centerlines are then expanded into the full structures using a level-set algorithm with a spatially-varying speed function, so as to segment of the structure of interest. |
| US08073213B2 |
Method for generating a registered image relative to a cardiac cycle and a respiratory cycle of a person
A method for generating a registered image relative to a cardiac cycle and a respiratory cycle of a person is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of 2-D images of an anatomical region of the person. The method further includes generating a 3-D model of the anatomical region of the person. The 3-D model is associated with a predetermined phase of the cardiac cycle and a predetermined phase of the respiratory cycle. The method further includes selecting a first 2-D image from the plurality of 2-D images associated with the predetermined phase of the cardiac cycle and the predetermined phase of the respiratory cycle. The method further includes generating the registered image of the anatomical region utilizing the first 2-D image and the 3-D model. The method further includes storing the registered image in a memory device. |
| US08073212B2 |
Methods and products for analyzing gingival tissues
A system and method employing image analysis may provide an objective measure of the state of gingival tissue health. A region of analysis on an image of gingival tissue may be divided into pixels. Each pixel may have an associated color made up of component R, G and B values. A user may obtain an objective measurement of oral cavity soft tissue health by determining an objective measurement of the component color values of a gingival tissue image region and performing statistical analysis on the color values. |
| US08073211B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating variable resolution medical images
A hand carried medical imaging device includes a probe configured to acquire raw medical image data, an integrated display, a data memory configured to store the acquired raw medical image data, a back end processor, and a user interface operably coupled to the back end processor configured to receive commands from a user and to instruct the back end processor to display the produced medical image on the integrated display at a first resolution, and to either produce and send either the medical image at the second, higher resolution, to send the acquired raw image data, or both, to the external device, in accordance with the commands from the user. |
| US08073207B2 |
Method for displaying face detection frame, method for displaying character information, and image-taking device
An aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying a face detection frame in an image-taking device, which obtains an image signal representing a subject continuously at a predetermined cycle, displays a live video preview on a display device based on the obtained image signal and detects a face of the subject included in the live preview based on the obtained image signal, and superimposes a face detection frame surrounding the detected face of the subject on the live preview for display on the display device, wherein the movement of the image-taking device from the time of obtaining the image used for the face detection is detected, and wherein the display position of the face detection frame is corrected according to the detected movement of the image-taking device on the basis of the display position of the face detection frame relative to the image used for the face detection. |
| US08073203B2 |
Generating effects in a webcam application
A system and a method for generating effects in a webcam application are provided. The method includes identifying a first object and a second object in a video image. The method also includes adding a first user-created object to the video image to create an altered video image and adding a second user-created object to the altered video image to further alter the altered video image. Other steps included are associating the second user-created object with the second object; identifying a movement of the second object; and moving the second user-created object in the altered video image in accordance with the association of the second user-created object with the second object. The first object is a static object, and the first user-created object is manually movable. The movement of the second user-created object in association with the second object is independent of a movement of the first user-created object. |
| US08073200B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus that executes processing for creating an environmental map includes a camera that photographs an image, a self-position detecting unit that detects a position and a posture of the camera on the basis of the image, an image-recognition processing unit that detects an object from the image, a data constructing unit that is inputted with information concerning the position and the posture of the camera and information concerning the object and executes processing for creating or updating the environmental map, and a dictionary-data storing unit having stored therein dictionary data in which object information is registered. The image-recognition processing unit executes processing for detecting an object from the image acquired by the camera with reference to the dictionary data. The data constructing unit applies the three-dimensional shape data registered in the dictionary data to the environmental map and executes object arrangement on the environmental map. |
| US08073198B2 |
System and method for selection of an object of interest during physical browsing by finger framing
A system and method selecting an object from a plurality of objects in a physical environment is disclosed. The method may include framing an object located in a physical environment by positioning an aperture at a selected distance from a user's eye, the position of the aperture being selected such that the aperture substantially encompasses the object as viewed from the user's perspective, detecting the aperture by analyzing image data including the aperture and the physical environment, and selecting the object substantially encompassed by the detected aperture. The method may further include identifying the selected object based on its geolocation, collecting and merging data about the identified object from a plurality of data sources, and displaying the collected and merged data. |
| US08073197B2 |
Method of tracking objects in a video sequence
A video surveillance system (10) comprises a camera (25), a personal computer (PC) (27) and a video monitor (29). Video processing software is provided on the hard disk drive of the PC (27). The software is arranged to perform a number of processing operations on video data received from the camera, the video data representing individual frames of captured video. In particular, the software is arranged to identify one or more foreground blobs in a current frame, to match the or each blob with an object identified in one or more previous frames, and to track the motion of the or each object as more frames are received. In order to maintain the identity of objects during an occlusion event, an appearance model is generated for blobs that are close to one another in terms of image position. Once occlusion takes place, the respective appearance models are used, in combination with a depth factor representing the depth order of the occluded objects, to segment the resulting group blob into regions which are classified as representing one or other of the merged objects. |
| US08073190B2 |
3D textured objects for virtual viewpoint animations
3d textured objects are provided for virtual viewpoint animations. In one aspect, an image of an event is obtained from a camera and an object in the image is automatically detected. For example, the event may be a sports event and the object may be a stationary object which is detected based on a known location, color and shape. A 3d model of the object is combined with a textured 3d model of the event to depict a virtual viewpoint which differs from a viewpoint of the camera. The textured 3d model of the event has texture applied from an image of the event, while the 3d model of the object does not have such texture applied, in one approach. In another aspect, an object in the image such as a participant in a sporting event is represented in the virtual viewpoint by a textured 3d kinematics model. |
| US08073189B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting an image application based on image content
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for selecting an application for processing an electronic image file based upon the content of the image file. Certain embodiments provide an image selector selecting an image from an image storage device, an identification module providing a label to the image based on the content of the image, an application selector choosing at least one application from a plurality of applications to process the image, and a learning unit maintaining a record of image labels and the applications presently and previously processing the images. |
| US08073187B2 |
Speaker and speaker apparatus
A speaker capable of properly adjusting a spring characteristic with which a voice coil is driven and capable of being driven in large amplitude. When a position control coil wound around a bobbin is at a reference position, both ends of the coil cross a magnetic gap formed between external and internal yokes by a predetermined length and Lorentz forces acting on the front and rear ends are balanced. When the voice coil moves in either forward or rearward direction, lengths of the magnetic gap crossed by the front and rear ends of the control coil are different therebetween, and the vector sum of Lorentz forces acting on the position control coil is opposite in direction from the movement of the voice coil, whereby the voice coil is stably held at the reference position. |
| US08073185B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device equipped with a speaker includes: a first cushion member interposed between the side surfaces of the speaker and the side guides of the speaker holding section formed on the cabinet; a second cushion member that is formed of a material softer than the first cushion member and is interposed between the undersurface of the speaker and the pedestal of the speaker holding section; and a third cushion member that is formed of a material softer than the first cushion member and is interposed between the rear surface of the speaker and the backrest of the speaker holding section. |
| US08073180B2 |
Headset for a functional device
Headset includes a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals, a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member, and a functional device attached to the retaining member. Retaining member being bendable and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and is connected to signal interface for positioning functional device. Electrical signal lines provided in retaining member, and running between signal interface and functional device. Fixing element which can be placed on retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure retaining member. Retaining clip, which can be bent into position, extends between signal interface and fixing element; and. Rear section of retaining member, signal interface, retaining clip, fixing element form a loop, the size of loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing fixing element along retaining member, in use, and loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind auricle, is use. |
| US08073176B2 |
Speakerbar
The present invention introduces a speakerbar which mounts above or below a flat screen TV and reproduces the surround sound experience normally associated with speakers placed in five to seven separate locations around the room.This particular invention effectively increases the perceived stereo separation of the left and right front speakers, and creates the perception of two and even four surround speakers typically placed in the rear of the listening area. In addition, it introduces new technology to achieve multichannel bass extension beyond the normal limitations due to the minimal internal volume of a multichannel speakerbar. |
| US08073175B2 |
Behind-the-ear type hearing aid
A behind-the-ear type hearing aid which can improve a fit to a user includes a hearing aid main body and a tube for introducing sound output from the hearing aid main body to an external auditory meatus. The tube is comprised of a connector portion, and a tube portion having one end which connects to the connector portion and an opposite end which to an earplug. The tube portion is constructed so as to be freely transformed, into a desired shape and a metal wire for maintaining the transformed shape is embedded in the tube portion. Also, the shape of the hearing aid main body to be in contact with a user's body can be formed corresponding to the shape of a user's body. |
| US08073166B2 |
Electretization method and apparatus
While a dielectric film is set to have a ground potential, a fixed electrode is set to have a different potential from the ground potential. Thereafter, ions produced by corona discharge are allowed to pass through a plurality of acoustic holes formed in the fixed electrode and reach the dielectric film, thereby electretizing the dielectric film. |
| US08073160B1 |
Adjusting audio properties and controls of an audio mixer
Technologies relating to user interfaces for adjusting properties of audio signals and controls of an audio mixer. In one implementation, a method is provided that includes the actions of receiving one or more audio signals including digital audio data; generating one or more audio objects, each representing one or more audio signals; displaying an interface for representing properties of the audio signals including a region where each location within the region represents one or more audio properties relative to a virtual listener; displaying a corresponding representation of each of the one or more audio objects within the interface where the location of a particular audio object representation within the region corresponds to the one or more audio properties; adjusting the properties of the audio signals according to properties of the corresponding audio objects; and determining control parameters of an audio mixer according to properties of the audio signals. |
| US08073155B2 |
System for reproducing audio information corresponding to a position within a displayed image
A system for reproducing audio information corresponding to a position within a displayed image comprising an image display device (1) which shows an image, an audio output device (2) which outputs an electromagnetic wave modulated by audio information toward any given positions in the image shown on the image display device (1), and an audio reproducing terminal (3) which receives the electromagnetic wave at the position in the image, converts it to an electric signal and reproduces sound from that electric signal, wherein audio information support can be individually realized for each of the users watching the image. |
| US08073154B2 |
Supplying electrical power
A power supply includes a battery source supplying power and a voltage converter circuit. The voltage converter circuit converts the power to the input voltage supplied to other circuitry. The voltage converter circuit varies the input voltage in response to a load current drawn by the other circuitry from the power supply. |
| US08073148B2 |
Sound processing apparatus and method
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for processing signals such as sound signals. The sound processing apparatus includes a sound signal input unit for receiving sound signals, a harmonic noise separator for separating a harmonic region and a noise region from the received sound signals, a noise restraint index determination unit for determining an optimal noise restraint index k according to a system and circumstance, and a noise restrainer for restraining the separated noise region depending on the noise restraint index k so as to output noise attenuated signals. |
| US08073141B2 |
Execution unit for performing the data encryption standard
An execution unit adapted to perform at least a portion of the Data Encryption Standard. The execution unit includes a Left Half input; a Key input; and a Table input. The execution unit also includes a first group of transistors configured to receive the Table input, perform a table look-up, and output data. The execution unit further includes a first exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output. The first exclusive-or operator is configured to receive the Left Half input and the Key input. The execution unit also includes a second exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output. The second exclusive-or operator is configured to receive the data output by the first group of transistors and to receive the output of the first exclusive-or operator. The execution unit also includes a third exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output. The third exclusive-or operator is configured to receive the Left Half input and the data output by the first group of transistors. |
| US08073136B2 |
Methods and systems for compensating for alien crosstalk between connectors
The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk. |
| US08073135B2 |
Binder identification
Methods, techniques and apparatus identify members and characteristics of binders and/or other groups of communication lines such as those in a DSL system. Information obtained includes the identification (for example, by scanning) of significant crosstalking “offenders” and their “victims” that are affected by the crosstalk. One or a small number of modems are instructed to transmit with preselected transmit spectra, after which evidence of crosstalk in the noise spectrum data is examined for potential victim lines. Direct evidence of noise spectrum contribution by a suspected offender line may be obtained by collecting reported noise spectrum data and/or estimated noise spectrum data from potential victim lines. Also, where such direct evidence is not available, or in addition to it, other operational data showing crosstalk interference relating to potential victim lines can be used. The transmitting modem can either be on the CO/RT side or on the CPE side. Modems other than suspected offenders might transmit zero or minimal power in one or more selected frequency bands during scanning to reduce the risk that a modem and/or line not being examined for “offender” status supplies unnecessarily complicating and/or dominant crosstalk during the procedure. For DMT modulated DSL transceivers, well designed transmit spectra can be easily enforced by manipulating line profiles where such well designed line profiles cause minimal or no interruption to existing DSL customers. The invention also can be used to identify (partially or fully) the absolute values of crosstalk channels making up a channel transfer function. |
| US08073131B2 |
Portable device case with corner protector
A case for a portable electronic device such as cell phones, cameras, MP3 players and PDAs wherein said case includes material at the corners to provide protection to the electronic device. To reduce bulk at the corners and allow the material forming the case to conform with the contours of the device, the protection at the corners includes strips of material defining apertures there between. The apertures provide reduction in bulk and allow the case to conform to the corners of the device therein. Alternately, the protection at the corners can be provided by other structures co-molded into the corners of the cases. Such structures include material that is of a reduced thickness than other material used in the case, or structures that are formed to conform to the corners of the case. Such structures can be joined to the material forming the panels of the case by co-molding. |
| US08073130B2 |
Customer automated response system
A method and apparatus are provided for prompting an agent of an automatic contact distributor during a customer service contact with a client. The method includes the steps of detecting a state of the customer service contact with the client via operation of a terminal of the agent; selecting a set of possible responses for use by the agent from a plurality of sets of possible responses that are appropriate to the detected state of the customer service contact and visually prompting the agent with the selected set of possible responses. |
| US08073127B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a location routing number based query and response mechanism to effect subscriber cutover
A method for using an LRN based query and response mechanism to effect subscriber cutover includes receiving an LRN based response message including a communications service subscriber identifier. The method further includes determining a cutover switch LRN associated with the communications service subscriber identifier. The method further includes inserting the cutover switch LRN associated with the communications service subscriber identifier into the LRN based response message and routing the LRN based response message. |
| US08073123B2 |
Method for automated management of a telecommunication service
Method for automatically managing a telecommunication service for telecommunication service user includes detecting a telecommunication device associated with the telecommunication service user on a network, determining an activation state of the telecommunication service based on data regarding the detected telecommunication device, determining an account/device state based on data regarding the detected telecommunication device and executing a management process between the telecommunication device and the telecommunication service to alter either the device state or the user account status based on the data regarding the detected device. The executing step includes automatically invoking an action that minimizes the necessary user interaction to initialize, update or access the service. Such service can be VoIP, instant messaging, and combination of these services or others. |
| US08073118B2 |
Providing effective advertising via synchronized telephone and data streams
Information, such as advertising, is presented to VoIP users (12) via a combination of telephone and data streams during session initiation via an IP phone or a personal computer (18). A proxy server (20) that receives the call request coordinates with a media server (30) to transmit targeted advertising to the caller during the post dial delay interval. After the advertisement concludes, the call continues normally. |
| US08073117B2 |
Rating communications and special communities
A number of communication entities can be associated to provide one or more special communities. A special rating can be applied to certain communication events of users associated with a special community. Users associated with a special community can be offered various services if they have subscribed to one or more plans. A user who has subscribed to a special community can communicate with other users of the same network or a different network who are also part of the special community for a special charge, such as without charge for example. |
| US08073116B2 |
Interactive handling of disputes
Embodiments of a method for handling disputed items include enabling a user to submit information regarding an item being disputed by the user in an interactive forum. The item may involve a service provided by a service provider for the user, where the information submitted by the user is network-accessible by a client machine of the service provider. The method further includes enabling the service provider to submit information regarding the item being disputed by the user in the interactive forum, where the information submitted by the service provider is network-accessible by a client machine of the user. Such a method also includes enabling a status of the item being disputed to be updated in the interactive forum as the user and the service provider are directed to take turns providing information regarding the disputed item information until a dispute is resolved. Other methods, systems, and devices are also provided. |
| US08073109B2 |
Method and system for pet image reconstruction using a surogate image
A method and system for use in positron emission tomography, wherein a first processor element (234) is configured to reconstruct a plurality of positron annihilation events detected during a positron emission tomography scan using a list-based reconstruction technique to generate first volumetric data. A second reconstructor (226) is configured to reconstruct the plurality of events using a second reconstruction technique to generate second volumetric data for determining an error correction (228), the error correction applied to the first volumetric data to generate corrected volumetric data for generating a human-readable image (234). In one embodiment a multiplicative error correction is performed on the plurality of events, the first processor element (234) reconstructing the corrected plurality of events; and the second volumetric data error correction comprises an additive error correction. |
| US08073105B2 |
Ocular radiosurgery
A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, the ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the ocular structures inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the ocular structures within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, the position of the ocular structure is tracked and related to the status of the radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, the structure is an eye and the eye is tracked by the system. In some embodiments, the eye is held in place and in some embodiments, the eye is fixed by the patient. In some embodiments, a fiducial is placed on the eye to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments. |
| US08073104B2 |
Portal and real time imaging for treatment verification
A system for radiotherapy includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system. The first imaging system generates projection images of an area of interest of an object, and the second imaging system generates portal images of the area of interest of the object synchronously with the generation of the projection images. The radiotherapy system further includes a processing system that receives data associated with the projection images and data associated with the portal images and reconstructs 3D and 4D portal images from the projection images and the portal images. |
| US08073099B2 |
Differential interference phase contrast X-ray imaging system
A differential phase-contrast X-ray imaging system is provided. Along the direction of X-ray propagation, the basic components are X-ray tube, filter, object platform, X-ray phase grating, and X-ray detector. The system provides: 1) X-ray beam from parallel-arranged source array with good coherence, high energy, and wider angles of divergence with 30-50 degree. 2) The novel X-ray detector adopted in present invention plays dual roles of conventional analyzer grating and conventional detector. The basic structure of the detector includes a set of parallel-arranged linear array X-ray scintillator screens, optical coupling system, an area array detector or parallel-arranged linear array X-ray photoconductive detector. In this case, relative parameters for scintillator screens or photoconductive detector correspond to phase grating and parallel-arranged line source array, which can provide the coherent X-rays with high energy. |
| US08073097B2 |
Nuclear voltaic cell
The invention describes a product and a method for generating electrical power directly from nuclear power. More particularly, the invention describes the use of a liquid semiconductor as a means for efficiently converting nuclear energy, either nuclear fission and/or radiation energy, directly into electrical energy. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy is achieved by placing nuclear material in close proximity to a liquid semiconductor. Nuclear energy emitted from the nuclear material, in the form of fission fragments or radiation, enters the liquid semiconductor and creates electron-hole pairs. By using an appropriate electrical circuit an electrical load is applied and electrical energy generated as a result of the creation of the electron-hole pairs. |
| US08073095B2 |
Liquid target having internal support for radioisotope production at cyclotron
An F-18 production target system having an internal support produces F-18 by means of a nuclear reaction of protons and H218O, and reduces the deformation of thin sheets to thus increase the durability of the thin sheets. The F-18 production target system includes a frame, which has the shape of a cylinder the central portion of which is bored, holds H218O in the central portion, and includes through-holes bored from the central portion to the outer circumference thereof, thin sheets, which are installed on opposite sides of the frame so as to seal the central portion, and a support, which is installed in the central portion so as to prevent the thin sheets from being deformed. |
| US08073092B2 |
Automatic synchronization of an internal oscillator to an external frequency reference
An internal integrated circuit clock oscillator is automatically synchronized to an external frequency reference by counting the number of periods of the internal clock oscillator (hereinafter “count”) that occur within a period of a lower frequency external frequency reference then comparing the count to the reference count. When the reference count is greater than the count, the frequency of the internal clock oscillator is increased. When the reference count is less than the count, the frequency of the internal clock oscillator is decreased. When the reference count and the count are substantially the same, the frequency of the internal clock oscillator is not changed. |
| US08073090B2 |
Synchronous de-skew with programmable latency for multi-lane high speed serial interface
A method and system for performing clock calibration and de-skew on a multi-lane high speed serial interface is presented. Each of a plurality of serial lane transceivers associated with an individual bit lane receives a first data frame, comprising a training sequence header pattern. Based on each of the first data frames, the plurality of serial lane transceivers de-skew a plurality of data frames and generate a plurality of event signals. Using the plurality of event signals, a core clock, having a first phase, is adjusted to be phase aligned with the slowest bit lane. |
| US08073086B2 |
System and method for linear distortion estimation by way of equalizer coefficients
Provided is a method and system for estimating distortion in a communications channel including an adaptive equalizer. The method includes determining one or more adaptive filter coefficients associated with a signal passed through the equalizer. The method also includes estimating un-equalized channel distortion based upon the determined adaptive filter coefficients. |
| US08073082B2 |
Mirror sub-carrier demodulation circuit, receiving device with the same, and mirror sub-carrier demodulating method
A mirror sub-carrier demodulation circuit includes a waveform generation unit, which generates a composite waveform of received I and Q signals, and a peak detection unit, which detects peak values of the composite waveform generated by the waveform generation unit. The demodulation circuit also includes a peak interval detection unit, which detects an interval of the peak values detected by the peak detection unit and generates timing at which the received data is input. The demodulation further includes a temporary storage unit, which stores I data and Q data at the timing generated by the peak interval detection unit, a calculation unit, which performs a correlation calculation using the I data and the Q data of the temporary storage unit acquired during a 1-bit period on the basis of a setting value M of a mirror sub-carrier, and a data determination unit, which determines data of 0 or 1 from the result calculated by the calculation unit. |
| US08073081B2 |
Chip blanking and processing in SCDMA to mitigate impulse and burst noise and/or distortion
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting temporary high level impairments, such as noise or interference, for example, in a communications channel, and subsequently, mitigating the deleterious effects of the dynamic impairments. In one embodiment, a preliminary decision is made on at least one signal transmitted over the communications channel. The at least one signal is remodulated and the impairment is determined using the at least one remodulate signal. |
| US08073080B2 |
Method and system for RC-CR quadrature generation with wideband coverage and process compensation
Certain aspects of a method and system for RC-CR quadrature generation with wideband coverage and process compensation may include determining an amplitude mismatch between an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component of a signal generated in a radio frequency (RF) transmitter or receiver. A variation in resistance of a quadrature network associated with the I component and Q component may be determined. The determined amplitude mismatch and the determined variation in the resistance of the quadrature network may be compensated by adjusting a resistance of a portion of the quadrature network associated with the I component and a resistance of a portion of the quadrature network associated with the Q component. |
| US08073079B1 |
Angle-modulated signal threshold extension device and method
A threshold noise-canceling method comprising the steps of: receiving an angle-modulated signal; identifying in the angle-modulated signal potential threshold noise events that exceed a first threshold value; calculating average values of the phase of the angle-modulated signal before and after a potential threshold noise event; identifying every potential threshold noise event as a threshold noise event when the difference between the corresponding before and after average values of the phase is greater than a second threshold value; and canceling out each threshold noise event by adding to the phase of the angle-modulated signal a 2π phase shift of polarity opposite to that of the corresponding threshold noise event. |
| US08073078B2 |
Split channel receiver with very low second order intermodulation
A high performance radio frequency receiver includes an isolated transconductance amplifier with large binary and stepped gain control range, controlled impedance, and enhanced blocker immunity, for amplifying and converting a radio frequency signal to multiple electrically isolated currents; a pulse generator for generating in-phase and quadrature pulses; a crossover correction circuit and pulse shaper for controlling a crossover threshold of the pulses and interaction between in-phase and quadrature mixers; and a double balanced mixer for combining the RF signal with the pulses to generate an intermediate frequency or baseband zero intermediate frequency current-mode signal. The intermediate frequency signal and second order harmonics may be filtered with a high frequency low pass filter and a current injected complex direct-coupled filter. IIP2 calibration of the in-phase and quadrature channels may be optimized using the isolated transconductance amplifier. |
| US08073077B2 |
Reception quality calculation method, reception quality calculation apparatus, and communication apparatus
In a communication apparatus which transmits parameters corresponding to a reception environment to a transmitting apparatus which switches the transmission rate based on the reception environment, reception quality calculated in the past is saved as a first reception quality, and past CPICH symbols used in calculating this first reception quality are saved. Channel compensation of the saved past CPICH symbols is performed using a current channel estimation value, and the channel-compensated CPICH symbols are used to calculate a second reception quality; the difference between this second reception quality and the first reception quality is used as a reception quality correction value to correct reception quality. |
| US08073074B2 |
System and method for power control in a wireless transmitter
A power control loop includes a feed forward unit 301 coupled to a data source, the feed forward unit 301 processes a signal for transmission, a feedback unit 302 coupled to the feed forward unit 301, the feedback unit 302 generates a feedback signal representative of an output power level of the signal transmitted by the feed forward unit 301, a closed loop power control unit 303 coupled to the feedback unit 302 and to the feed forward unit 301, the closed loop power control unit 303 generates an additive correction signal based on an error signal computed from the feedback signal and data provided by the data source, and a ramp path power control unit 304 coupled to the data source, the ramp path power control unit 304 generates a multiplicative correction signal based on an additive correction signal and data provided by the data source. |
| US08073065B2 |
Radio transmitting apparatus and multicarrier signal generating method
A base station allowing mobile stations to efficiently remove interference signals. In this base station (100), an encoding part (101) performs an error correction encoding of transport data to generate a bit sequence comprising systematic bits and parity bits; a repetition part (102) repeats, as a repetition subject, only the parity bits out of the plurality of bits included in the bit sequence, which is generated by the encoding part (101), so as to perform a rate matching; a modulating part (103) modulates, after the repetition, the bit sequence to generate symbols; an S/P part (104) parallel converts the symbols serially inputted from the modulating part (103) and then outputs them to an IFFT part (105); and the IFFT part (105) performs an IFFT processing of the symbols inputted from the S/P part (104) and then maps them onto subcarriers in accordance with a predetermined mapping pattern, thereby generating OFDM symbols. |
| US08073062B2 |
Method and apparatus for downlink resource allocation in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A communication is provided that schedules both Distributed Virtual Resource Blocks (DVRB) and Localized Virtual Resource Blocks (LVRB) in a same frequency channel, thereby obtaining the benefits of frequency selective scheduling while minimizing the uplink feedback overhead. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication system assigns one or more downlink Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) of multiple downlink Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) to each user equipment (UE) given an LVRB to produce at least one reserved PRB and multiple non-reserved PRBs and assigns a part of each PRB of the multiple non-reserved PRBs to a UE given a DVRB. In another embodiment of the invention, the communication system assigns PRBs pre-reserved for localized transmission to UEs scheduled for LVRBs and assigns parts of multiple PRBs pre-reserved for distributed transmission to each UE given a DVRB. |
| US08073057B2 |
Motion vector estimating device, and motion vector estimating method
To provide a motion vector estimating device which is capable of calculating the optimum motion vector by a trade-off between the bit rate of a motion vector and a differential amount, and estimating a motion vector in a pipeline structure at high speed, a motion vector estimating method which enables the same. The motion vector estimating device (100) includes: a first motion vector estimating unit (102) which calculates an evaluation value based on the amount of distortion calculated using search blocks and an input block and a correction value calculated using a motion vector with respect to each search block, a first prediction vector, and a weighting coefficient, and estimates a first motion vector of the input block based on the location of the input block and the location of a search block which provides the smallest evaluation value; a weighted coefficient calculating unit (103) which calculates the weighted coefficient; a prediction vector generating unit (104) which generates the first motion vector based on the first motion vector; and a second motion estimating unit (105) which estimates a motion vector determining, as an evaluation value, only the amount of distortion calculated using the search blocks and the input block. |
| US08073054B2 |
Unit for and method of estimating a current motion vector
A motion estimation unit (500) for estimating a current motion vector comprises a match error unit (506) for calculating match errors of respective candidate motion vectors and a selector (508) for selecting the current motion vector from the candidate motion vectors by means of comparing the match errors of the respective candidate motion vectors. Some of the candidate motion vectors are extracted from a set of previously estimated motion vectors. Other candidate motion vectors are calculated based on multiple motion vectors which are selected from the set of previously estimated motion vectors. |
| US08073052B1 |
Layered Wyner-Ziv video coding for transmission over unreliable channels
A system and method for video coding. Energy-concentrating transform operations are performed on video data to obtain transformed data. Nested scalar quantization is performed on the transformed data to generate blocks of coset indices. Bit planes of the blocks of coset indices are encoded using irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) encoders to generate corresponding bit streams. The bit streams are transmitted to a destination device over a channel. A decoder of the destination device receives input data, corresponding to transmitted bit streams, from the channel. The input data is decoded, using side information, to obtain estimates for the blocks of coset indices. Output video data (i.e., an estimate of the original video data) is generated using the estimated blocks of coset indices and the side information. |
| US08073051B2 |
Method and related device for converting transport stream into file
A method of converting format from a transport stream (TS) to a file for storing television program data carried by the transport stream includes steps of receiving a transport stream, performing filtering and depacketizing process for the transport stream to generate a plurality of elementary streams (ES) and presentation time stamps (PTS) corresponding to each data unit of the plurality of elementary streams according to packet identifiers (PID) of television programs being recorded, and converting the plurality of elementary streams to a file according to the presentation time stamps. |
| US08073049B2 |
Method of coding a video signal
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding of a video sequence. In connection with encoding/decoding a video sequence it is desirable to increase the video quality without having to increase the bit-rate for the encoded video too much, thereby still providing a bit-efficient representation of the video. If multiple descriptions of the video sequence is used the invention improves the video quality without any increase of the bit-rate. According to the invention, this is achieved by using two or more coding units for encoding the same video sequence, wherein the encoding units perform their encoding operations displaced in time in relation to each other. Correspondingly, two or more decoding units are used for decoding the same video sequence, wherein the decoding units perform their decoding operations displaced in time in relation to each other. |
| US08073048B2 |
Method and apparatus for minimizing number of reference pictures used for inter-coding
A method for minimizing and optimizing a list of active reference pictures to be used for (forward or backward) inter coding of a current picture, or of a pixel region (e.g., video object) within the current picture. Setting the number of active reference pictures in a list equal to one based upon one or more decisions related to the pixel data and movement between the current picture and one or more reference pictures. Otherwise, minimizing the number of active reference pictures in the list based upon one or more other decisions related to the pixel data and movement between the current picture and one or more reference pictures. Minimizing the number of active reference pictures in a second reference picture list based upon the utilization of reference pictures in the first reference picture list. A video encoder processes data representing a two-dimensional video image which has been produced by a conventional commercially available video camera. The video encoder is adapted to determine, select, and to minimize the number of active reference pictures to be used to inter code a current picture. The bit stream transmitted by the encoder can be decoded by decoders of the related art. |
| US08073046B2 |
Fast training equalization of a signal by using adaptive-iterative algorithm with main path phase correction
A signal receiver inputs a signal, computes a set of equalizer tap values during a signal acquisition phase by applying an algorithm iteratively to a given set of training data contained within the signal, and uses the set of equalizer tap values to perform signal equalization during the signal acquisition phase. The algorithm includes computing and applying phase correction to the pre-equalized signal at each adaptation step to correct for phase error related to the main path only, of the input signal. |
| US08073043B2 |
Method for reliable injection of deterministic jitter for high speed transceiver simulation
A method and a corresponding system for characterizing the performance of a clock and data recovery circuit in a digital transceiver is presented. The method comprises phase modulating a jitter-free data signal by a testing signal having added data jitter and measuring the time the clock and data recovery system takes to achieve bit lock of a phase modulated signal. Data uncorrelated timing jitter corresponding to a user defined probability distribution is included in the jitter testing signal. Utilization of a variable probability distribution in generating data uncorrelated timing jitter, as provided by the present invention, allows for greater flexibility and accuracy in clock and data recovery circuit testing and characterization. |
| US08073038B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and response signal spreading method
A wireless communication apparatus capable of minimizing the degradation of the separation characteristic of response signals to be code-multiplexed. In the apparatus, a control part (209) controls both a ZC sequence to be used for the primary spread in a spreading part (214) and a Walsh sequence to be used for the secondary spread in a spreading part (217) according to the associations between sequences and CCEs established in accordance with the probability of using response signal physical-resources corresponding to CCE numbers. The spreading part (214) performs the primary spread of the response signal by use of the ZC sequence established by the control part (209). The spreading part (217) performs the secondary spread of the response signal, to which CP has been added, by use of the Walsh sequence established by the control part (209). |
| US08073036B2 |
Beam stabilized fiber laser
A laser head generating ultrashort pulses is integrated with an active beam steering device in the head. Direct linkage with an application system by means of an adequate interface protocol enables the active device to be controlled directly by the application system. |
| US08073035B2 |
Surface emitting laser, manufacturing method of surface emitting laser, surface emitting laser array, manufacturing method of surface emitting laser array, and optical apparatus including surface emitting laser array
A surface emitting laser configured by laminating on a substrate a lower reflection mirror, an active layer and an upper reflection mirror includes, in a light emitting section of the upper reflection mirror, a structure for controlling reflectance that is configured by a low reflectance region and a convex high reflectance region formed in the central portion of the low reflectance region, and which oscillates at a wavelength of λ, wherein the upper reflection mirror is configured by a multilayer film reflection mirror based on a laminated structure formed by laminating a plurality of layers, and an absorption layer causing band-to-band absorption is provided in the laminated structure. |
| US08073034B2 |
Mesa vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
The present invention provides an improved mesa vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), in which a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mesa of semiconductor material is disposed on a top surface of an active layer. A contact annulus is disposed on a contact region of a top surface of the first DBR mesa, such that an inner circumference of the contact annulus defines a window region of the top surface of the first DBR mesa. A second DBR mesa of dielectric material is disposed on the window region. Whereas the first DBR mesa has a first reflectance at a lasing wavelength that is insufficient to sustain lasing in the active layer, the first DBR mesa and the second DBR mesa together have a total reflectance at the lasing wavelength that is sufficient to sustain lasing in the active layer under the window region. |
| US08073029B2 |
Semiconductor optical device
To provide a semiconductor optical device which can restrain laser characteristics from being deteriorated by excitation in a substrate mode and can reduce the number of manufacturing steps. A semiconductor optical device comprises a first DBR layer, provided on a semiconductor substrate, having first and second semiconductor layers stacked alternately, a first cladding layer, an active layer, and a second cladding layer. The semiconductor substrate has a bandgap higher than that of the active layer. The first DBR layer is transparent to light having an emission wavelength, while the first and second semiconductor layers have respective refractive indices different from each other. Since the first DBR layer is thus provided between the semiconductor substrate and first cladding layer, the guided light reaching the lower end of the first cladding layer, if any, is reflected by the first DBR layer, whereby light can be restrained from leaking to the semiconductor substrate. This can avoid the substrate-mode excitation, thereby suppressing its resulting laser characteristic deteriorations such as destabilization of oscillation wavelengths. |
| US08073027B2 |
Digital laser pulse shaping module and system
A digital pulse shaping module for controlling a pulsed laser oscillator according to a digital input waveform is provided. The pulse shaping module includes a clock generator generating a plurality of phase-related clock signals and a shape generator which outputs a digital shape signal corresponding to the digital input waveform in Double Data Rate in response to the clock signals. A DAC converts the digital shape into an analog shape signal. The analog shape signal may be used to control the current source of a laser seed source or modulators in the laser oscillator shaping a seed light signal. Optionally, the pulse shaping module may also output a gate control signal having a predetermined timing relationship with respect to the digital shape signal. |
| US08073024B2 |
Wavelength conversion laser device
A wavelength conversion laser device includes a solid-state laser element having a waveguide structure including a laser medium that amplifies laser beams by providing a gain generated due to absorption of pump light to the laser beams and outputs a fundamental wave, and a wavelength conversion element having a waveguide structure including a nonlinear optical material that converts a part of a fundamental wave output from the solid-state laser element to a second harmonic, to resonate the fundamental wave by an optical resonator structure including the solid-state laser element and the wavelength conversion element and outputs a second harmonic from the wavelength conversion element. The solid-state laser element outputs a linearly polarized fundamental wave, and differentiates a polarization state of a fundamental wave having passed through the wavelength conversion element and entering into the solid-state laser element from linear polarization output from the solid-state laser element, so that wavelength conversion efficiency of the wavelength conversion element is not decreased in a peak wavelength of a gain band. |
| US08073023B2 |
Surface emitting laser
A surface emitting laser includes a plurality of semiconductor layers including an active layer over a substrate, and emits laser light in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The semiconductor layers including the active layer define a resonator that emits laser light having a first wavelength. A wavelength-converting layer is disposed between the substrate and the resonator. The wavelength-converting layer converts the light having the first wavelength into light having a second wavelength that can pass through the substrate. |
| US08073021B2 |
Methods for obtaining stabilized output beams from frequency converted light sources and frequency converted light sources utilizing the same
A method for operating a frequency converted light source includes sweeping a wavelength control signal of a semiconductor laser over an initial signal range and measuring an optical power of an output beam emitted from a wavelength conversion device coupled to the semiconductor laser. The wavelength control signal of the semiconductor laser may then be swept over at least one truncated signal range and the optical power of the resulting output beam is measured. The at least one truncated signal range may be centered on a point corresponding to a maximum power of the output beam of the sweep of the wavelength control signal over the preceding signal range. An operational signal range for the wavelength control signal is determined such that a midpoint of the operational signal range corresponds to the maximum optical power of the resulting output beam of the sweep over the preceding signal range. Closed-loop feedback control of the wavelength control signal in the operational signal range may then be initiated. |
| US08073014B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing nodes
During each node's awake period, each node multicasts the relative time or slot of their next awake period (beaconing interval) to all neighboring nodes. This enables each node to intelligently and independently schedule the time slot of its next transmission based on the beaconing intervals of the nodes it has heard from. During each active (awake) interval, a node builds statistics of the future transmission/receive times of its neighbors and uses them to determine its next transmission time. In one proposed implementation, at the end of an active interval, a node picks the time slot with the highest counter for its next transmission. In another proposed implementation, at the end of an active interval, a node picks one of the slots with a weighted probability; the weight of each slot is proportional with the value of the counter associated with the slot. |
| US08073012B2 |
Method and related apparatus for handling packet discard in a wireless communications system
A method for handling packet discard in a transmitter of a wireless communications system includes activating a “use of a special value of a header extension field” mode, discarding a plurality of service data units, wherein the last service data unit of the plurality of service data units ends at an end of a first protocol data unit using the special value in a header extension field, and setting a value of a field to be a sequence number of a second protocol data unit, wherein the field is utilized for indicating a receiver to discard all not yet successfully received service data units that have segments with sequence number being less than the value of the field, and the second protocol data unit is next to the first protocol data unit. |
| US08073011B2 |
Pseudo base station apparatus
Provided is a pseudo base station apparatus which allow a user to certainly acquire log data at a desired timing. A set-up unit 41 sets filter conditions and acquisition conditions. A first log acquisition unit 32A includes a first buffer 32Aa, which stores log data and updates the stored content when the buffer capacity is full, and acquires a first log data that a user wants. A second log acquisition unit 32B includes a detector 32Ba, which detects log data that coincides with the log acquisition conditions among the log data, and a second buffer 32Bb, which stores the log data detected by the detector 32Ba and constantly updates the stored content within the range of the buffer capacity, and acquires a second log data that a user wants. The apparatus acquires the first log data by the first log acquisition unit 32A and, when the log data that coincides with the log acquisition conditions is generated, acquires the second log data by the second log acquisition unit 32B, and transmits the log data to be displayed on a display 43. |
| US08073006B2 |
ATM cell conversion circuit and ATM cell conversion method
Sending priority of plural stages is statically assigned according to a quality class and an output connection, and the sending priority is dynamically changed according to a state of sending request stacking every sending priority and a state of ATM cell conversion processing of a frame, and ATM cell conversion request means for issuing an ATM cell conversion request is provided every output route, and the cell conversion processing of the frame is selected and performed in the order of higher sending priority every time one cell conversion. |
| US08073002B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for multi-mode network interface operation
An offload system, method, and computer program product are provided. Based on an identified data structure, it is determined whether a hardware network interface is operating in a first mode or a second mode. The hardware network interface is coupled between a network and a processor. If it is determined that the hardware network interface is operating in the first mode, the packets are processed utilizing the processor. If it is determined that the hardware network interface is operating in the second mode, the packets are processed utilizing the hardware network interface. |
| US08073000B2 |
Code division multiplex signal receiving apparatus and code division multiplex transmitting and receiving system
In a code division multiplex transmitting and receiving system, the transmitting apparatus inserts a clock signal in the code division multiplex signal. The clock signal has a frequency equal to a null frequency in the frequency spectrum of the code division multiplex signal. The receiving apparatus extracts this frequency component from the received signal and recovers the clock signal, using an ordinary clock recovery device of the type designed to recover a clock signal from a bi-level signal. The recovered clock signal is used as a synchronizing signal in the processing of the received signal. |
| US08072998B2 |
Systems and methods for congestion control using random early drop at head of buffer
A system selectively drops data from a queue. The system includes queues that temporarily store data, a dequeue engine that dequeues data from the queues, and a drop engine that operates independently from the dequeue engine. The drop engine selects one of the queues to examine, determines whether to drop data from a head of the examined queue, and marks the data based on a result of the determination. |
| US08072996B2 |
Multiple-buffer queueing of data packets with high throughput rate
The present invention is a method and apparatus to buffer data. A buffer memory of a first type stores data associated with a connection identifier corresponding to a channel in a network. The data is organized into at least one chunk based on a linked list. The connection identifier identifies a connection in the channel. The data is part of a data stream associated with the connection. A packet memory of a second type provides access to the stored data when a transfer condition occurs. |
| US08072995B2 |
Apparatus for ethernet PHY/MAC communication
An integrated Ethernet PHY/MAC apparatus having a single link partner capability register shared between a PHY and a corresponding MAC, which implements IEEE Standard 302.3, including IEEE Standards 802.3u and 802.3x. Apparatus also includes plural PHYs, each having a corresponding MAC integrably coupled therewith such that an integrated multi-port Ethernet device is realized. A network consists of at least one integrated Ethernet PHY/MAC device having a single link partner capability register. |
| US08072991B2 |
Allocation of route targets based on service offered
A network controller to allocate route targets for communication services provided on one or more corresponding virtual private networks, the route targets identifying service providers associated with the virtual private networks and the communication services provided by the corresponding virtual private networks. |
| US08072990B1 |
High-availability remote-authentication dial-in user service
A method may include receiving, in a first server from a second server, a request for a service of a network by a device; sending, from the first server to the second server, a response to the request for the service to permit access to the service; and sending state information about the response to a third server for storage in a database. |
| US08072989B2 |
Virtual volume transfer apparatus, virtual volume transfer method, and computer product
A method of transferring a virtual volume established on a real volume includes acquiring transfer source virtual volume information from a transfer source, acquiring transfer destination real volume information from a transfer destination, generating transfer destination virtual volume information from the transfer source virtual volume information by using the transfer destination real volume information, and establishing a virtual volume at the transfer destination based on the transfer destination virtual volume information. |
| US08072987B1 |
Full array non-disruptive data migration
Source and destination fiber channel devices are coupled to a fiber channel fabric. Hosts communicate with the fiber channel devices using fiber channel addresses. All data is copied from the source fiber channel device to the destination fiber channel device. Source port names and LUN names are exchanged with destination port names and LUN names so that the source device has the destination port and LUN names and the destination device has the source port and LUN names. The fabric reloads its name server database for use by the host(s) so that the database associates the source port and LUN names with the destination port and LUN names and the destination port and LUN names with the source port and LUN names. The names known to the host have not changed and the destination fiber channel device now appears to the host as the source fiber channel device. |
| US08072986B2 |
Communication mode controlling method, mobile communication system, radio network controller, base station, and mobile communication terminal
A communication mode which should be set to a mobile communication terminal having a function of switching between an autonomous mode and a scheduling mode is determined based on an amount of interference in each of the communication modes in the cell of a base station, and/or communication characteristics of each of the communication modes, and a signal indicating an amount of communication data notified from the mobile communication terminal. The base station then notifies the determined communication mode to the mobile communication terminal. |
| US08072983B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispatching signals in an optical transport network
Methods and apparatuses for dispatching OTN signals are disclosed. The method includes receiving an OTN signal frame; determining in sequence whether each byte in the OTN signal frame is an overhead byte; determining, if the byte is an overhead byte, whether the byte includes frame alignment data; and assigning, if the byte includes frame alignment data, the byte in sequence to a corresponding channel based on a sequence number of an OTN signal frame period, or storing, if the byte does not include frame alignment data, the byte in a buffer; or assigning, if the byte is not an overhead byte, the byte in sequence to a corresponding channel based on a location of the byte in the OTN signal frame. |
| US08072978B2 |
Method for facilitating application server functionality and access node comprising same
An access node comprises an application server, a logical access port coupled to the application server and a redirection filter module coupled to the logical access port. The redirection filter module includes a data redirection filter and an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) redirection filter. The data redirection filter facilitates a data packet received on the access port being directed to the application server when a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address of the data packet corresponds to a MAC address of the application server or when a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address of the data packet corresponds to an IP address of the application server. The ARP redirection filter facilitates an ARP reply message being issued when a target IP address of an ARP request message received on the access port corresponds to the IP address of the application server. |
| US08072977B2 |
System and method for managing network resources and policies in a multicast environment
An approach is provided for managing network resources and policies. A network resource manager receives an allocation request, over a radio network, for one or more network resources for joining one of a plurality of multicast groups, the one mutlicast group being associated with a quality of service (QoS) level. The network resource manager then determines whether the network can accommodate the allocation request and modifies the network to accommodate the allocation request based on the determination by modifying a local multicast service provider (LMSP) mapping list that associates, respectively, one or more LMSPs with the multicast groups. |
| US08072975B2 |
Host discovery across different address spaces
The “dual stack” capability of a network supporting two or more address spaces is used to perform host discovery in the network address space of one network address format using the network address space of another network format (e.g., via a PING sweep in the network address space of the other network format). The host discovery can be performed using addressing in a smaller network address space (e.g., IPv4 network address format) to discover hosts in a larger network address space (e.g., IPv6 network address format), or vice versa. |
| US08072973B1 |
Dynamic, policy based, per-subscriber selection and transfer among virtual private networks
A service gateway maintains forwarding components operative to forward data packets within corresponding VPNs, and also maintains subscriber sessions for subscribers via respective subscriber interfaces. The association between the subscribers and the forwarding components is independent of the subscriber interfaces, such that the subscribers reachable via a given interface are associable with any forwarding component. Upon detecting an appropriate event, such as a service selection action, the service gateway modifies the forwarding components of first and second VPNs to reflect that the subscriber session is active in the second VPN and is not active in the first VPN. The service gateway also effects a change of a network address that identifies the corresponding subscriber from a first network address defined in the first VPN to a second network address defined in the second VPN. Mechanisms for effecting such a change of network address include DHCP, IPCP, RADIUS, and NAT. The service gateway employs control policies to govern the transfer of subscribers among VPNs. |
| US08072970B2 |
Post answer call redirection via voice over IP
A method is provided for forming a multi-media communication path between at least first, second and third communication devices coupled to a multi-media provider system during post answer call redirecting and/or teleconferencing. The method includes receiving and processing a first call request at a circuit-based portion of the multi-media provider system for forming a first communication link between the first and second communication devices. Thereafter, predetermined attributes of the first communication link may be sent to an IP-based portion of the multi-media provider system for configuring the IP-based portion of the multi-media provider system to process a subsequent request to execute post answer call redirecting and/or teleconferencing. Upon detecting the request to execute the post answer call redirecting and/or teleconferencing in the first communication link, the IP-based portion of the multi-media provider systems responds by forming the multi-media communication path between at least first, second and third communication devices. |
| US08072969B2 |
VoIP terminal speech quality control system and method
A handover source AP among APs in a system has a RAM 203 storing a MAC address of a VoIP terminal performing a VoIP communication, holding status information indicative of a holding state, and data on the number of in-call terminals. A CPU 202 monitors all transmitting/receiving frames and packets of a VoIP terminal connected to a LAN so as to judge whether or not the connected VoIP terminal is disconnected. When the terminal is disconnected, it is judged whether or not a MAC address of the disconnected VoIP terminal is stored in the RAM 203 and whether or not holding status information is stored in the RAM 203. When the MAC address is stored in the RAM and the holding status information is detected, a holding notification request command is transmitted to all APs. When the terminal is not disconnected, it is judged whether or not a holding notification response command is present in the packet. When the command is present, the holding status information is deleted and the number of in-call terminals is reduced. |
| US08072968B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting multiple active sessions on a per user basis
A method and apparatus for establishing multiple application sessions, such as video, audio, voice, and data sessions, and displaying them on a video display device such as a television are disclosed. These sessions can be independent of each other or the user can request the network to join these sessions so that a single session is created. For example, a user can request the network to create a video session and a music session and combine them into one session, so the audio portion of the video session is replaced by the user specified music contents and so on. |
| US08072965B2 |
Modem relay originator
A network device and a method for its operation are disclosed. The network device has a first interface to a client device to allow reception of client device signals and a second interface to a packet network to allow transmission and reception of modem relay signals. A processor translates between modem relay signals received or transmitted on the second interface and client device signals received or transmitted on the first interface. In one implementation the modem relay originator and the client device are collapsed into one device and the first interface is implemented as a virtual interface. |
| US08072963B2 |
Method and system for recovering from DRX timing de-synchronization in LTE—ACTIVE
A method for recovering from discontinuous reception (DRX) timing de-synchronization between the UE and the eNB in an LTE_ACTIVE state having the steps of: the eNB detecting DRX timing de-synchronization; transmitting an indicator to a User Equipment (UE) to resume continuous reception; and waiting for an indication from the UE of whether a Continuous Reception Response or Continuous Reception Notification was received. |
| US08072959B2 |
Generating method for short training field in IEEE 802.11n communication systems
The present invention discloses a generating method for short training field in IEEE 802.11n communication systems, mainly comprising the steps of: storing only a first set of time-domain HT-STF sequences in the memory; and deriving a second set of the time-domain HT-STF sequences from the first set of the time-domain HT-STF sequences. The first set of time-domain HT-STF sequences is the time-domain HT-STF sequences either for lower 20 MHz of 40 MHz BW or upper 20 MHz of 40 MHz BW. According to the invention, it is shown that only one set of time-domain HT-STF sequence needs to be stored in the memory. The other three sets of time-domain HT-STF sequence can be generated easily from simple calculation. Therefore, the saving in buffer size to implement all four configurations is significant. |
| US08072956B2 |
Wireless communication system
A processing system is described that includes a wireless communication interface that wirelessly communicates with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment. The wireless communication interface receives a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless client devices. A local server computer located in proximity to the establishment generates instructions for processing the remote order received from the wireless communication interface. The local server computer then passes the processing instructions to an order processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order. |
| US08072949B2 |
Wireless node apparatus, and multihop wireless LAN system
A wireless node apparatus in a multihop wireless LAN with a tree structure having a plurality of wireless node apparatuses, at least some of which become relay apparatuses to provide multihop communication, transfers packets among wireless nodes as done in a tree type LAN, without intervening a root node, to communicate among the wireless nodes. |
| US08072935B2 |
Mobile communication system, handover control method, base station, and mobile station
A mobile communication system according to an exemplary aspect of the invention is a mobile communication system that includes a mobile station, base stations, and a core network that transmits data destined for the mobile station to at least both a handover source base station and a handover destination base station among the base stations at the time of the handover of the mobile station, the handover source base station transmitting the data to the mobile station using a shared channel, wherein the handover destination base station starts transmission of the data to the mobile station using a shared channel in response to the completion of the handover of the mobile station. |
| US08072932B2 |
Method, device, and terminal for physical layer random access in wideband TDD mobile communication system
A method for physical layer random access in wideband TDD mobile communication system is disclosed, and the method comprises: receiving the system broadcast message of the cell, obtaining the configuration information of the frequency band in frequency domain in the UpPTS time slot of the cell; and the terminal sends random access sequences to the BS in the UpPTS time slot according to the configuration information of the frequency band in the UpPTS time slot. The configuration information of the frequency band in frequency domain in the UpPTS time slot comprises the information about the frequency band number that the total bandwidth used is divided in the UpPTS time slot, the information about the bandwidth size of each frequency band, and the information about the position of the frequency point. Phod, device and terminal for physical layer random access in wideband TDD mobile communication system provided in the present invention can use the frequency bands whose time slots are different to perform network access, which can reduce the competition and collision probability when sending random access sequences, and can realize an efficient random access procedure. |
| US08072928B2 |
Optimal time slot assignment for networks
Terminals of a network are mapped cells. Time slots are allocated to the cells such that the time slots assigned to a first cell are reused as the time slots assigned to a second cell subject to a k-cell constraint whereby, according to the k-cell constraint, at least k cells separate the first and second cells. Additionally or alternatively, either a terminal j joining a cell i of the network is assigned a time slot in which it reports its presence in the cell i, or time slots are reclaimed within the cell i so that a reclaimed time slot can be allocated to the terminal j. |
| US08072927B2 |
Method and system for processing bearer under ISR mechanism
A method and a system for processing a bearer under an idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism are provided. The method for processing a bearer under an ISR mechanism includes the following steps. A mobility management network element acquires an access mode of a current network. The mobility management network element notifies a serving gateway (SGW) of the access mode of the current network, so that the SGW processes bearer according to the access mode of the current network. It can be ensured that the access mode of the current network is consistent with the access mode for a policy and charging control (PCC) strategy adopted during a bearing procedure under the ISR mechanism. |
| US08072926B1 |
Systems and methods for device emulation on mobile channel
A user may access a website via a mobile channel using a mobile device. As the user is logged into the website, the user may call or otherwise contact a representative via another communications channel with the mobile device or another user device, such as a phone or a user computing device or another mobile device. An emulator engine may determine the type of mobile device that the user is using to access the website via the mobile channel. An emulator for the mobile device that has been determined may be retrieved from an emulator library and provided to the representative computing device. The representative may view the same user interface on the representative computing device that the user sees on the mobile device. |
| US08072921B2 |
Reduced time packet transmission in a wireless communications system
System and method for reducing acquisition time of packets in a FDD system, such as a spread-spectrum or OFDM system. A remote unit transmits a multi-tone packet. The multi-tone packet has a plurality of tones with each tone having a different power level, and at a different frequency, from other tones in the plurality of tones. The base station receives the multi-tone packet. The base station compares the plurality of tones from the received multi-tone packet to a threshold or other selection criteria. A tone is selected from the plurality of tones meeting desired selection criteria. Based on the selected tone, the base station transmits a BS packet with the BS packet having power information from the power level of the selected tone. |
| US08072919B2 |
Trunking system for CDMA wireless communication
Methods and systems for implementing trunking techniques in CDMA systems for handling group calls and push-to-talk services. |
| US08072916B2 |
Mobile wireless communication system and wireless communication apparatus using transmission power control information
A mobile wireless communication system including a wireless communication apparatus and a counterpart wireless communication apparatus is provided, the system establishing wireless communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the counterpart wireless communication apparatus by multiplexing plural channels including at least a traffic channel for transmitting a packet, a control channel for transmitting control information for receiving the packet, and a channel for transmitting information including transmission power control information. The wireless communication apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits the transmission control information to the counterpart wireless communication apparatus via the channel for transmitting information including transmission power control information at intervals of a prescribed period that is longer than a length of the packet, and transmits the transmission power control information via the control channel when the packet is being transmitted via the traffic channel. |
| US08072912B2 |
Techniques for management of shared resources in wireless multi-communication devices
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a network adapter configured for wireless communication using more than one technology, and wherein the network adapter is configured to share a plurality of shared hardware components by limiting access to the air to one comm only at given time by designating one comm that owns the shared hardware components as a primary comm and all other comms are secondary comms, wherein the primary comm allows the secondary comms to use the shared hardware components when it is in an idle-state but when the primary comm returns from the idle state, it claims ownership of the shared resources and the secondary comms release the shared resources. |
| US08072911B2 |
Methods and devices relating to downlink assignments
The invention relates to a method in a first communication device of receiving control information over a radio channel from a second communication device. The first communication device receives a subframe over the radio channel, and determines whether the subframe is a downlink subframe with downlink assignment intended for the first communication device by reading data in the subframe. That being the case, the first communication device decodes data within the subframe, and determines whether any data packet being sent from the second communication device before the subframe has been missed by analyzing an indicator associated to the subframe in the data. The indicator provides knowledge about previous downlink subframes with downlink assignment intended for the first communication device. |
| US08072909B2 |
Apparatus and method for notification of a party in a telephone conference
Systems, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable private notification of a participant in a telephone conference. In representative embodiments, a system receives a telephone call intended for a first conference participant, generates an informative announcement containing information regarding the call, mixes the informative announcement with the conference audio, and privately plays the mixed audio to the first participant. In other representative embodiments, the system concurrently generates a non-informative announcement, mixes the non-informative announcement with the conference audio, and plays the second mixed audio to the other conference participant or participants. In this way, the first participant is notified of the incoming call while simultaneously listening to the conference audio, and the information regarding the call is not shared with the other conference participant or participants. |
| US08072907B2 |
Method and system to restart IS-IS when LSP wraps
A method, system, apparatus and machine-readable medium for transmitting a packet through a network to convey network topology is provided. The method includes the step of generating at least one link state protocol data unit (LSP) with a first identifier until reaching a maximum sequence number in a sequence assigned to a network device, represented by the first identifier. The method further includes the step of modifying the first identifier to produce a second identifier. The method also includes the step of generating at least one LSP with the second identifier, and with a sequence number that is less than or equal to the maximum sequence number in the sequence. The system for transmitting a packet through a network, to convey network topology, comprises the means for performing the above-mentioned method steps. |
| US08072904B2 |
Communication network apparatus and method
A communication network apparatus and method for routing communication signals from a source device to a receiving device. The apparatus performs only local processing on communication signals to thereby increase the speed of processing the signals. A plurality of the processing nodes are combined into a plurality of sub-networks that comprise the network apparatus. Each processing node of a sub-network need only process address information pertaining to the node's current layer, one layer above it, if any, and one layer below it, if any. Additionally, each processing node has associated communication signal frequencies/wavelengths that identify the processing node as the intended recipient of the communication signal. When a communication signal having a carrier signal with a frequency/wavelength corresponding to the processing node is received, the processing node demodulates the carrier signal and forwards the communication signal data to a processing module used to process address information to determine how to route the communication signal through the network. Communication signals may be assigned “express” frequencies/wavelengths, in which case, all of the processing nodes, except the destination processing node, of the network pass the communication signal without performing processing on the communication signal. |
| US08072903B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing range-based directory number (DN) screening
Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing range-based directory number (DN) screening are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for determining that a telecommunications device DN is within an allowed set of numerical ranges. The method includes creating a range tree for representing an allowed set of numerical DN ranges, wherein each range is defined by a numerical upper and lower bound, and storing the range tree in a memory device; receiving a telecommunications device DN to be analyzed; traversing the range tree from a root node of the tree, based on analyzing each digit of the DN, until a leaf node is reached; and determining, based on an attribute associated with the leaf node reached, whether the DN is within the allowed set of ranges. |
| US08072898B2 |
Method for managing a transmission of data streams on a transport channel of a tunnel, corresponding tunnel end-point and computer-readable storage medium
A method is proposed for managing a transmission of data streams on a transport channel of a tunnel, the transmission of each stream being performed on the transport channel according to a transport protocol scheduled by packets and with acknowledgment, the tunnel being implemented between a first and a second tunnel end-point connected respectively to a first and a second sub-network, each stream being transmitted from a sender device to a receiver device, one device among the sender device and the receiver device being connected to the first sub-network and the other to the second sub-network. The method is performed by the first tunnel end-point and comprises the following steps: detecting a loss of packet on the transport channel of the tunnel; identifying at least one stream having at least one packet blocked on the transport channel of the tunnel by the loss; for at least one identified stream, generating and transmitting at least one acknowledgment to the sender device that has transmitted, on the tunnel, a packet blocked by said loss. |
| US08072894B2 |
Systems and methods for flow monitoring
A network device may include logic configured to receive a packet from a packet forwarding engine, create a flow ID for the packet, determine whether the flow ID matches one of a plurality of flow IDs in a table, determine whether the packet is associated with a flow to be sampled, sample the packet and additional packets associated with the flow that are received from the packet forwarding engine when the flow is to be sampled and transmit the flow ID and the sampled packets via a switch to an interface. |
| US08072882B1 |
Method and apparatus for a graceful flow control mechanism in a TDM-based packet processing architecture
A method and apparatus for improving packet processing employing a network flow control mechanism are disclosed. A network process, in one embodiment, suspends distribution of incoming packet(s) to one or more, packet processing engines (“PEs”) upon detecting a stalling request. After identifying currently executing operations initiated by one or more kicking circuits before the issuance of stalling request, the process allows the currently executing operations to complete despite the activation of the stalling request. |
| US08072881B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling call volume in a packet network
Method and apparatus for controlling call volume in a packet-switched network is described. In one example, a number of concurrent calls per codec of a plurality of codecs is monitored. A concurrent call limit for each of the plurality of codecs is obtained. For each codec of the plurality of codecs, an indication is generated for each call causing the number of concurrent calls for the codec to exceed the concurrent call limit for the codec. In response to the indication, the call may be blocked or an alternative codec may be selected for the call. |
| US08072880B2 |
System for correcting errors in radio communication, responsive to error frequency
Errors of e.g database synchrony between a radio-connected mobile-station and a server can be especially troublesome if continued and repeated, and can quickly deplete resources in the mobile-station. This problem is addressed by keeping an error-event-count in the server; when the count exceeds a threshold, the server signals the mobile to immediately transmit the recent-activity-log in the mobile, i.e the log in the mobile in which are recorded the detailed elements relating to assembling and transmitting the data packet in which the error was detected. Using the information in the recent-activity-log, the server can institute de-bugging strategies, etc, to correct the problem. The threshold is in two stages; above the initial threshold, the mobile-station is signalled to increase the level of detail as recorded in the recent-activity-logs (if the mobile is able to do so), and the actual transmission of the log only takes place above the main threshold. |
| US08072876B2 |
Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
A digital television (DTV) transmitter and a method of processing data in the DTV transmitter/receiver are disclosed. In the DTV transmitter, a pre-processor pre-processes the enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded data. A packet formatter generates one or more groups of enhanced data packets, each enhanced data packet including the pre-processed enhanced data and known data, wherein the data formatter adds burst time information into each group of enhanced data packets. And, a packet multiplexer generates at least one burst of enhanced data by multiplexing the one or more groups of enhanced data packets with at least one main data packet including the main data, each burst of enhanced data including at least one group of enhanced data packets. |
| US08072874B2 |
Method and system for switching to an engineering signal processing system from a production signal processing system
A system and method for transitioning to a back-up or engineering signal processing system includes a remote facility having multiplexers and a primary signal processing system generating a first output signal, an IP network, and a plurality of local collection facilities generating a plurality of channel signals through a plurality of receiving circuit modules having respective encoders encoding the plurality of channel signals into a plurality of encoded signals. The plurality of local collection facilities communicating the plurality of encoded signals to the remote facility having a first signal processing system through the network. A first compression system controller is associated with the remote facility storing first configuration data for monitoring and controlling the plurality of receiving circuit modules and the multiplexers. An engineering compression system controller has an engineering signal processing system. The first compression system controller communicates the first configuration data to the engineering compression system controller. The engineering compression system controller configures the engineering signal processing system with the first configuration data. A router associated with the plurality of receiving circuit modules routing the plurality of encoded signals to the engineering signal processing system. The engineering signal processing system generates a second output signal from the plurality encoded signal. The first signal processing system discontinues generating the first output signal. |
| US08072872B2 |
Optical storage medium comprising inverted super-resolution pits and lands
The optical storage medium comprises a substrate layer, a data layer having a pit/land data structure with data arranged in tracks on the substrate layer, and a nonlinear layer with a super-resolution structure disposed on the data layer, wherein a land having a size below the diffraction limit is inverted to a pit and enclosed by auxiliary lands, and a pit having a size below the diffraction limit is inverted to a land and enclosed by auxiliary pits. The optical storage medium is in particular a read-only optical disc comprising a phase-change material, for example AgInSbTe, for providing the super-resolution effect. |
| US08072871B2 |
Short-pulse light-source device, laser driving method, optical pickup, and optical disc apparatus
The present invention realizes the emission of a high-output short-pulse beam and a reduction in power consumption. A laser control unit (2) of a short-pulse light-source device (1) raises a gate pulse (PG) of a gate signal (SG) supplied to a power supply circuit (5) in such a manner that the gate pulse (PG) rises only for the duration of an extremely short pulse width (T) to include the rise time of a generated pulse (PL) of a pulse signal (SL) supplied to a driving circuit (6). In this way, necessary power can be supplied at the rise timing of the generated pulse (PL), and the power consumption (Pa) can be greatly reduced from the standard power consumption (Pb). |
| US08072870B2 |
Optical pickup and optical disc drive
The present invention provides an optical structure of an optical pickup for adjusting an exit light quantity of a light source, so as not to have adverse effect on reliability of semiconductor laser to be suited to the quantity of light. The exit light quantity of the light source is adjusted in consideration of a difference in reflectivity of optical discs used in recording or reproducing. With this configuration, when composing a compatible optical pickup for recording or reproducing BD and HD DVD by using light diffraction means of diffraction type, the reliability of semiconductor laser used as light source is enhanced with respect to diffraction efficiency. |
| US08072865B2 |
Multi-layered high-density recording medium and optical power adjusting method therefor
A multi-layered high-density recording medium and an optical power adjusting method therefor. A multi-layered high-density recording medium includes multiple recording layers each of which contains optical power related information for all layers. An optical power adjusting method reading first optical power related information for all layers from a multi-layered optical disk placed in a disk player, storing the read information in another storage device, and making a current optical power apparatus to a moved layer without necessarily having to access the multi-layered optical disk by referring to the stored optical power related information when moving to another layer during record or reproduction. |
| US08072864B2 |
Recording/reproducing device and method using pulse sequences and information recording medium
A recording/reproducing device includes a laser and a laser drive carried by a pickup having a drive for movement. A control controls the drives to irradiate the recording medium with laser pulse sequences forming recording marks having recording mark lengths between a predetermined and maximum lengths, a top section, a last section including a cooling period, and an intermediate period. Heat of mark front edges is controlled by recording parameters for top sections that are classified according to recording mark lengths and recording parameters of the first through the maximum recording mark lengths are classified into a same group. Heat of mark rear edges is controlled by cooling start positions for cooling periods classified according to recording mark lengths. Cooling start positions for a second predetermined mark length through the maximum mark length are classified into a same group. The second mark length is longer than the first mark length. |
| US08072863B2 |
Optical recording method, optical recording apparatus and optical storage medium
Data is recorded in a phase-change optical storage medium having data layers. A first recording pulse sequence is generated for recording to a first data layer located most remote from a beam-incident surface. The first sequence has a recording pulse carrying an erasing power and a recording power rising from the erasing power, and a cooling pulse carrying a bottom power lower than the erasing power. A second recording pulse sequence is generated for recording to a second data layer. The second sequence has recording pulse carrying an erasing power and a recording power rising from the erasing power, a cooling puse carrying a bottom power lower than the erasing power, and an erasing top pulse carrying an erasing top power higher than the erasing power. |
| US08072855B2 |
Optical recording/reproducing apparatus and optical recording/reproducing method
Disclosed is an optical recording/reproducing apparatus. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a laser light source capable of emitting pulsed laser light in a mode-locked state in which light beams having different wavelengths are synchronized and the pulsed laser light is oscillated, means for controlling the laser light source to be changed from a state of emitting the laser light in the mode-locked state to a state of emitting continuous-wave laser light, and means for irradiating a recording medium with one of the laser light in the mode-locked state and the continuous-wave laser light. |
| US08072848B2 |
Adaptation device for hard disk drive
An adaptation device includes a lower casing member including a connection interface and forming a bottom slot in a front bottom, at least one retention flange on side walls, and pivot receiving holes in rear portions of the side walls. A retention board forms a connection interface receiving opening in a front end, rotation shafts on a rear end, and pawls on a bottom. The shafts are movably received in shaft slots defined in a rotary board. Pivots are formed below the shaft slots for being received in pivot receiving holes defined in the lower casing member. The rotary board has a hold-down plate. With a hard disk drive placed on the retention board and connected to a connection interface, the cover and the rotary board are closed forward to have the hold-down plate holding down the hard disk drive. The cover is then moved backward for fixation. |
| US08072838B2 |
Control voltage tracking circuits, methods for recording a control voltage for a clock synchronization circuit and methods for setting a voltage controlled delay
Memories, clock synchronization circuits, clock synchronization controller circuits, and methods for setting a voltage controlled delay of a clock synchronization circuit and tracking and recording the control voltage are disclosed. For example, a clock synchronization controller provides an initial control voltage to the voltage controlled delay during initialization of the synchronization circuit until a phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. The stable phase dependent control voltage is substituted for the initial control voltage. Following stabilization of the phase dependent control voltage, a phase detector of the clock synchronization circuit is activated. A recovery control voltage is provided by the clock synchronization controller to the voltage controlled delay during recovery of the clock synchronization from a power-saving mode until the phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. |
| US08072837B1 |
Circuit providing load isolation and memory domain translation for memory module
A circuit is configured to be mounted on a memory module configured to be operationally coupled to a computer system. The memory module has a first number of ranks of double-data-rate (DDR) memory devices configured to be activated concurrently with one another in response to a first number of chip-select signals. The circuit is configurable to receive a set of signals comprising address signals and a second number of chip-select signals, the address signals comprising bank address signals. The circuit is further configurable to monitor command signals received by the memory module, to selectively isolate a load of at least one rank of the first number of ranks from the computer system in response to the command signals, and to provide the first number of chip-select signals to the first number of ranks in response at least in part to the received bank address signals and the received second number of chip-select signals. |
| US08072834B2 |
Line driver circuit and method with standby mode of operation
A line driver circuit can include an integrated circuit substrate of a first conductivity type having at least a first and a second well of a second conductivity type formed therein. The second well can be coupled to a first power supply node. A first transistor can be formed in the first well having a source coupled to a first input signal node, a drain coupled to a conductive line, and a gate coupled to a second input signal node. A second transistor can have a source coupled to a second power supply node, a drain coupled to the conductive line, and a gate coupled to the second input signal node. A third transistor can be formed in the second well and have a source coupled to the first power supply node, a drain coupled to the first well, and a gate coupled to receive a mode signal. |
| US08072833B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first write bit line, a second write bit line, a write word line, a first read bit line, a read word line, and a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, and arranged the plurality of memory cells in a matrix fashion, wherein the memory cells including a first inverter including a first PMOS transistor and a first NMOS transistor, a second inverter including a second PMOS transistor, and a second NMOS transistor, and including an input terminal and an output terminal connected to an output terminal and an input terminal of the first inverter, respectively, a first write transfer transistor connected between a first write bit line and the output terminal of the first inverter, and including a gate connected to a write word line, a second write transfer transistor connected between a second write bit line and the output terminal of the second inverter, and including a gate connected to the write word line, a first read driver transistor including a gate connected to the input terminal of any one of the first inverter and the second inverter, and a first read transfer transistor connected to a first read bit line through the first read driver transistor, and including a gate connected to a read word line, the first read transfer transistor shared by at least two of the memory cells in the memory cell array. |
| US08072832B2 |
Electronic equipment system and semiconductor integrated circuit controller
An electronic equipment system includes a semiconductor integrated circuit having a nonvolatile memory storing information on a characteristic of the semiconductor integrated circuit; and a controller configured to control the semiconductor integrated circuit. The controller has a function of adjusting an access parameter to the semiconductor integrated circuit based on the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. |
| US08072829B2 |
Dynamic semiconductor memory with improved refresh mechanism
Various embodiments for implementing refresh mechanisms in dynamic semiconductor memories that allow simultaneous read/write and refresh operations. In one embodiment, the invention provides a synchronous multi-bank dynamic memory circuit that employs a flag to indicate a refresh mode of operation wherein refresh operation can occur in the same bank at the same time as normal access for read/write operation. In a specific embodiment, to resolve conflicts between addresses, an address comparator compares the address for normal access to the address for refresh operation. In case of a match between the two addresses, the invention cancels the refresh operation at that array and allows the normal access to proceed. |
| US08072828B2 |
Sense amplifier circuit and semiconductor memory device
A single-ended sense amplifier circuit comprises first and second MOS transistors and first and second voltage setting circuits. The first MOS transistor supplies a predetermined voltage to the bit line and switches connection between the bit line and a sense node in response to a control voltage, and the second MOS transistor having a gate connected to the sense node amplifies a signal transmitted from the bit line via the first MOS transistor. The first voltage setting circuit sets the bit line to a first voltage, and the second voltage setting circuit sets the sense node to a second voltage. In the sense amplifier circuit, after setting the bit line and the sense node to respective voltages, the bit line is driven in a charge distributing mode via the first MOS transistor so that a signal voltage at the sense node is amplified by the second MOS transistor. |
| US08072827B2 |
Semiconductor storage device having redundancy area
A semiconductor storage device is provided with: a memory cell array which includes a normal area and a redundancy area which replaces a defective memory cell in the normal area; a normal area refresh circuit which performs a CBR refresh operation of a memory cell which is connected to a word line in the normal area; and a redundancy area refresh circuit which performs a CBR refresh operation of a memory cell which is connected to a word line in the redundancy area in parallel with the CBR refresh operation of the memory cell in the normal area. |
| US08072826B2 |
Memory control circuit and memory control method
A memory control circuit includes a data sample circuit, a first delay control circuit, a second delay control circuit and a data circuit. The data sample circuit is used for generating a first data strobe signal and a second data strobe signal. The first delay control circuit is coupled to the data sample circuit, for receiving the first data strobe signal and delaying the first data strobe signal to generate a first delayed data strobe signal. The second delay control circuit is coupled to the data sample circuit, for receiving the second data strobe signal and delaying the second data strobe signal to generate a second delayed data strobe signal. The data circuit is coupled to the first delay control circuit and the second delay control circuit, for transferring data signals according to the first delayed data strobe signal and the second delayed data strobe signal. |
| US08072820B2 |
System and method for reducing pin-count of memory devices, and memory device testers for same
Methods, memory devices and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device receives command signals through the same input/output terminals that receive address signals and write data signals and transmit read data signals. The input/output terminals are connected to a multiplexer, which is responsive to a received mode control signal to couple the input/output terminals to either a command bus or an input/output bus. A latch in the memory device latches the command signals when the mode control signal causes the input/output terminals to be coupled to the input/output bus. As a result, the command signals continue to be applied to the command bus. When the mode control signal causes the input/output terminals to be coupled to the input/output bus, write data signals are clocked into the memory device and read data signals are clocked out of the memory device responsive to a received clock signal. |
| US08072819B2 |
Memory device with parallel interface
A memory device including a serial-parallel conversion section that converts serial data into parallel data, a parallel-serial conversion section that converts parallel data into serial data, and a parallel-parallel conversion section that changes a bit width of the parallel data. This memory device connects one external terminal to the serial-parallel conversion section and another external terminal to the parallel-serial conversion section when access using a serial interface is performed. On the other hand, the memory device connects a plurality of external terminals to the parallel-parallel conversion section when access using a parallel interface is performed, thereby enabling the memory device to occasionally realize parallel transfer of data while using a conventional package. |
| US08072818B2 |
Dual-threshold-voltage two-port sub-threshold SRAM cell apparatus
The invention relates to a dual-threshold-voltage two-port sub-threshold SRAM cell apparatus. The above-mentioned apparatus comprises a first inverter, a second inverter, an access transistor and a read buffer. The first inverter and the second inverter include a plurality of first operating elements and a plurality of second operating elements for storing data. The access transistor is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter, wherein the first operating elements and the second operating elements are high threshold voltage operating elements and the access transistor is low threshold voltage operating transistor. The read buffer is used for performing a read operation. |
| US08072814B2 |
NAND with back biased operation
Methods of programming, reading and erasing memory cells are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, program, sense, and erase operations in a memory are performed with back biased operation, such as to improve high voltage device isolation and cutoff in string drivers and bit line drivers, and no nodes of the circuitry are biased at zero volts. |
| US08072813B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming nonvolatile memory
A nonvolatile memory has logic which performs a programming operation, that controls a series of programming bias arrangements to program at least a selected memory cell of the memory array with data. The series of programming bias arrangements include multiple sets of changing gate voltage values to the memory cells. |
| US08072808B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A memory cell array including at least one memory cell, an address storage section containing address information, an address judging circuit for judging whether an input address matches the address information in the address storage section and outputting a result of the judgment, and a write or erase voltage generation circuit for generating a write or erase voltage to be applied to the memory cell are provided. The write or erase voltage generation circuit receives the output result from the address judging circuit and changes a write or erase voltage. |
| US08072807B2 |
FLOTOX type EEPROM
A FLOTOX EEPROM of the invention includes: a plurality of floating gates 11 arranged in array, each having a tunnel window 12 and allowing electron injection and extraction via the tunnel window; a plurality of select gates 13 provided in one-on-one correspondence to the plural floating gates 11; a control gate 16 shared by the plural floating gates 11; a source 17 shared by the plural floating gates 11; and a drain 18 shared by the plural floating gates 11. Therefore, the FLOTOX EEPROM does not encounter the decrease of junction breakdown voltage of a drain region, allowing the application of sufficiently high write voltage. Further, cell area can be reduced. |
| US08072805B2 |
Method and system of finding a read voltage for a flash memory
A method and system of finding a read voltage for a flash memory is disclosed. Data are read from array cells of the flash memory with a default read voltage, and a recorded state bit number that is recorded during programming is also read. Determine an optimal read voltage if the readout data do not pass the error correction control (ECC). Data are then re-read from the array cells of the flash memory with the determined optimal read voltage. |
| US08072803B2 |
Memory device and methods for fabricating and operating the same
The memory device is described, which includes a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, a plurality of first doped regions and a plurality of second doped regions. The substrate has a plurality of trenches formed therein. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The first doped regions are configured in the substrate adjacent to both sides of an upper portion of each trench, respectively. The first doped regions between the neighbouring trenches are separated from each other. The second doped regions are configured in the substrate under bottoms of the trenches, respectively. The second doped regions and the first doped regions are separated from each other, such that each memory cell includes six physical bits. |
| US08072802B2 |
Memory employing redundant cell array of multi-bit cells
A memory that employs a redundant cell array for recovery of one or more failed core cell arrays of multi-bit memory cells is described. The memory includes a plurality of core cell arrays, at least one redundant cell array, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to dynamically assign the redundant cell array to a failed core cell array when erasing at least a portion of the plurality of core cell arrays. The memory controller is further configured to provide read/write access to the redundant cell array when the failed core cell array is selected for read/write access. |
| US08072799B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
The invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device provided with an SRAM that satisfies the requirements for both the SNM and the write margin with a low supply voltage. The semiconductor integrated circuit device include: multiple static memory cells provided in correspondence with multiple word lines and multiple complimentary bit lines; multiple memory cell power supply lines that each supply an operational voltage to each of the multiple memory cells connected to the multiple complimentary bit lines each; multiple power supply circuits comprised of resistive units that each supply a power supply voltage to the memory cell power supply lines each; and a pre-charge circuit that supplies a pre-charge voltage corresponding to the power supply voltage to the complimentary bit lines, wherein the memory cell power supply lines are made to have coupling capacitances to thereby transmit a write signal on corresponding complimentary bit lines. |
| US08072798B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The semiconductor memory device includes: an inverter pair of a cross-coupled first and second inverters; a first transfer transistor including a front gate and a back gate connected to a first node to which an output terminal of the first inverter and an input terminal of the second inverter are connected; a second transfer transistor including a front gate and a back gate connected to a second node to which an output terminal of the second inverter and an input terminal of the first inverter are connected; a driver transistor whose gate is connected to the second node; and a read transistor including a front gate, a back gate connected to the second node, and a current path whose one end is connected to one end of a current path of the driver transistor. |
| US08072795B1 |
Biploar resistive-switching memory with a single diode per memory cell
According to various embodiments, a resistive-switching memory element and memory element array that uses a bipolar switching includes a select element comprising only a single diode that is not a Zener diode. The resistive-switching memory elements described herein can switch even when a switching voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the diode is applied in the reverse-bias direction of the diode. The memory elements are able to switch during the very brief period when a transient pulse voltage is visible to the memory element, and therefore can use a single diode per memory cell. |
| US08072788B1 |
Flash memory module
An embedded processor system including a flash process semiconductor die and a digital process semiconductor die. The flash process semiconductor die includes i) first cache memory configured to cache information associated with an embedded processor, and ii) a first cache controller configured to control the first cache memory. The digital process semiconductor die includes i) a translator configured to translate the information between the flash process semiconductor die and the digital process semiconductor die, and ii) the embedded processor. The embedded processor is configured to process the information. |
| US08072786B2 |
Power supply module with power saving mode
A power supply module is configured for converting an AC voltage to a first DC voltage and applying the first DC voltage to a load. The power supply module includes a rectifying and filtering unit, a PFC unit, a voltage transforming unit, an input port, and a switch unit. The rectifying and filtering unit rectifies the AC voltage into a primary DC voltage and filters the primary DC voltage. The PFC unit corrects a power factor of the filtered primary DC voltage. The voltage transforming unit converts the corrected primary DC voltage and generates the first DC voltage for applying the load. The input port receives a first instruction or a second instruction and generates a first signal or a second signal, respectively. The switch unit establishes or disconnects an electrical connection between the voltage transforming unit and the load according to the first signal or the second signal. |
| US08072782B2 |
System for generating a regulated tension supplying an electric organ
The device (10) comprises an energy-storage transformer (14) having magnetically coupled primary and secondary windings (P and L1, L2, L3); a primary circuit (20) connecting the power supply source to a ground (M), and comprising the primary winding (P) and a static main switch (22) connected in series; a secondary winding (S1, S2, S3) designed to be connected to a load, and including the secondary winding (L1, L2, L3); and voltage control means (34) for controlling the static main switch (22) and comprising a first static control switch (36) connecting a control terminal (22A) of the static main switch (22) to ground (M). More particularly, the voltage control means (34) of the static main switch (22) include a second static control switch (38) connecting the control terminal (22A) of the static main switch (22) to ground (M), closure of the first control switch (36) triggering closure of the second control switch (38), and opening of the second control switch (38) being delayed relative to opening of the first control switch (36). |
| US08072775B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a signal layer and a voltage source layer. The signal layer includes a connecting area. The voltage source layer includes an isolation area corresponding to the connecting area. The isolation area is used for preventing interference caused by a pulsing current in the connecting area from affecting the voltage source layer. |
| US08072768B2 |
Multilayer printed circuit board structure comprising an integrated electrical component, and production method therefor
The invention relates to a multilayer printed circuit board structure comprising a stack of plurality of electrically insulating and/or electroconductive layers and at least one passive or active electrical component arranged inside the stack of layers, the component extending laterally only in part of the surface extension of the stack of layers. The invention also relates to a passive or active electrical component mounted on the stack, to an associated wiring, and to a corresponding production method. According to the invention, the insert is embedded between two electrically insulating liquid resin layers or prepreg layers extending over the entire surface and covering the insert on both sides, the insert being surrounded by a resin material that is liquefied by compression or lamination of the structure. The invention structure can be used in printed circuit board technology. |
| US08072767B2 |
Expansion card mounting assembly
An expansion card mounting assembly includes an expansion card, a rear wall, and a rotating member. The expansion card includes a slot cover which has a bent portion. The rear wall defines a slot to receive the slot cover covered thereon in a first direction. A support piece is formed on the rear wall and above the slot to support the bent portion when the slot cover is covered on the slot of the rear wall. The rotating member is mounted on the rear wall, and rotatable on the rear wall about a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction. The rotating member includes a pressing board to press the bent portion against the support piece after the rotating member rotates in the second direction to a locked position. |
| US08072765B2 |
Electro-optical apparatus, flexible printed circuit board, manufacturing method for electro-optical apparatus, and electronic equipment
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate opposed thereto arranged so that the inner surfaces thereof oppose each other with an intermediate sealing member and a liquid crystal interposed in the internal space, and a flexible printed circuit board having an input/output terminals connected thereto. A circuit board on which a plurality of electronic components required for operating the liquid crystal display apparatus are mounted on the flexible printed circuit board. |
| US08072757B2 |
Heat dissipation apparatus
A heat dissipation apparatus includes a heat sink configured to contact a heat source, and a fan mounted on the heat sink configured to generate airflow through the heat dissipation apparatus. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades, and a motor configured for rotating the fan. The motor is located a distance from the fan blades. |
| US08072756B1 |
Air cooling of medium voltage drive components
A parallel redundant fan system includes at least first and second fans located adjacent each other. Each fan includes: (i) a fan housing defining a fan chamber in which an impeller is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; (ii) a first chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a first wall of the fan housing; (iii) a second chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a second wall of the fan housing; and, (iii) first and second backflow prevention dampers respectively associated with the first and second chamber outlets. The first and second dampers respectively include first and second damper plates that selectively pivot from their closed positions toward their opened positions against the closing force of respective first and second counterweights in response to exhaust air flow pressure exerted thereon. |