| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08086909B1 |
Automatic core file upload
A support center receives an error message from a remote storage system indicating that an error, such as a kernel panic, has occurred on the remote storage system. The error message is processed to determine the type of error, whether the type of error is known and whether a solution is known for the type of error. If the type of error is unknown, a core file upload request is automatically generated and sent to the remote storage system. |
| US08086904B2 |
Event-based setting of process tracing scope
Detecting an anomaly is disclosed. An indication that a computer system monitoring instrument is desired to provide as output a subset of the output data that it would produce if it were to remain on throughout a relevant period with no limit being placed on its output at any point during the relevant period is received. The instrument is configured to provide as output only the desired subset. |
| US08086902B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing media player software applications
A method, system and program application is provided for automatically testing the operation of a media player with media files (e.g., video files) that are embodied in various formats. In one illustrative example visually encoded metrics are embedded in a media file that is to serve as a test file. These metrics can be detected and decoded when the test file is rendered by the media player. A testing program automatically executes various playback commands to simulate the way a user would operate the media player when viewing a media file. The testing program captures the media player's display buffer after the execution of each command. The display buffer includes the frame or frames that are played by the media player as a result of the commands. The metric or metrics embedded in the captured frames are detected and decoded and compared to a database that includes the metric or metrics that would be expected if the media player is correctly playing the test file. |
| US08086899B2 |
Diagnosis of problem causes using factorization
Technology is described for diagnosing problem causes in complex environments by using factorization of a plurality of features. An embodiment can include the operation of identifying a plurality of entities having entity weighting parameters. The entities may be computing devices. The plurality of features can be associated with a respective entity having feature weighting parameters, and an instance of the plurality of features can be associated with individual entity instances. A fault label can be applied for an ensemble entity. The plurality of features can be linked using the feature weighting parameter and the entity weighting parameter with a bilinear model. A further operation is estimating weighting values for the entity weighting parameters and the feature weighting parameters for use in a statistical model. The meaningful feature parameters can be found for the statistical model that are likely to be responsible for entity faults. |
| US08086896B2 |
Dynamically tracking virtual logical storage units
In virtualized environments, storage may be managed dynamically due to the changing data storage requirements. In such environments, logical storage unit identifiers (LUN IDs) may be modified as a result of deleting an existing mapping between physical storage and a virtualization server and recreating the mapping. This can result in I/O request failure. Techniques for resolving errors resulting from LUN ID modifications can be time-intensive and labor-intensive and can disrupt a communication path between a host device and the physical storage. Functionality can be implemented to dynamically identify the LUN ID modifications, determine valid LUN IDs, and retransmit failed I/O requests. This can help minimize I/O request failures due to LUN ID modifications without disrupting the communication path between the host device and the physical storage. |
| US08086893B1 |
High performance pooled hot spares
A high-performance spare disk pool is created as a logical construct for provisioning and managing striped hot spares. Two or more drives (nonvolatile mass storage devices) are logically grouped together to allow the input/output (I/O) write bandwidth during RAID reconstruction to be increased over that of a single drive. The reconstructed data can be written to the spare disk pool in a striped manner. After the reconstruction is complete, a background process can be executed to copy the reconstructed data on the spare disk pool back to a single physical spare disk drive with minimal performance impact. |
| US08086892B2 |
Microcode configurable frequency clock
A microcode configurable frequency clock that may be used to control the speed of high speed comparison in an operational optical transceiver. The frequency clock includes a memory and a logic circuit. The memory receives microcode generated data relating to the desired speed of comparison. The logic circuit is configured to receive an input clock signal and to produce an output clock signal by frequency dividing the input signal based on the microcode generated data. The output clock is used to control the speed of comparison in the optical transceiver. |
| US08086891B2 |
Power management of components having clock processing circuits
A method and system for managing power consumption of a component that employs a clock processing circuit to produce a processed clock signal used by the component from a clock signal supplied to the clock processing circuit. A frequency of a clock signal supplied to the clock processing circuit is changed based on operating characteristics of a voltage regulator module (VRM) or power supply unit so as to maintain acceptable operating parameters of the power supply unit during a change in frequency of a clock signal. Data pertaining to operating characteristics of the VRM or power supply may be one or both of two forms. In one form, this data is determined a priori from simulations or experiments made on a particular VRM or power supply unit and used to generate and store parameters that are known to optimally (quickly and without degradation of VRM or power supply performance) change the frequency of the clock processing circuit. In another form, the operation conditions of the VRM or power supply unit are monitored in real-time as a frequency transition is occurring. In addition, control signals to a VRM or power supply may be monitored to control how changes are made to the frequency of a clock signal. Further still, the power available from a VRM or power supply is monitored and a clock signal frequency to one or more system components is controlled to balance the load to the power available from the VRM or power supply. |
| US08086882B2 |
Energy measurement techniques for computing systems
An energy measurement system (“EMS”) and techniques for correlating energy consumption to computing system activity. The EMS includes a data acquisition module, a processing module, and optionally a visualization module. The data acquisition module receives and transmits to the processing unit a number of sampled data streams, referred to as “data acquisition traces,” associated with a computing system under test (“SUT”). The processing module concurrently receives one or more system traces from the SUT, which are produced by particular components under examination by the EMS. Synchronization is established between the data acquisition traces and the system trace(s) when the SUT executes certain predetermined actions to produce data in both the data acquisition traces and the system trace(s), which data is used to logically align the traces. Then, as test scenarios are executed by the SUT, changes are monitored in the traces, and energy consumption is quantified. |
| US08086880B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes a first information processor, a plurality of second information processor, and a plurality of temperature detecting units detecting temperature in the vicinity of each of the plurality of second information processors. The first information processor includes an application program execution control unit controlling execution of an application program, a distributed processing control unit controlling distributed processing, a recording unit recording first information relating to temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit, and second information relating to the execution of the process of the second information processor, an anomaly detecting unit detecting an anomaly in the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit, and an anomaly-time control unit controlling the distributed processing of the distributed processing control unit in response to the temperature anomaly detected by the anomaly detecting unit. |
| US08086878B2 |
Methods and apparatus for provisioning phantom power to remote devices
An apparatus provisions power from a power budget to remote devices configured to obtain phantom power. The apparatus includes, among other things, a controller which is configured to identify a power demand for a remote device (e.g., a power demand based on an actual cable loss), and generate a comparison between the power demand for the remote device and the power budget of the apparatus. The controller is further configured to allocate power from the power budget provided by the power supply to the remote device when the comparison indicates that the power budget supports the power demand for the remote device, and reject allocation of power from the power budget to the remote device when the comparison indicates that the power budget does not support the power demand for the remote device. |
| US08086877B2 |
Storage device and control method for the same
A storage device is provided with: a first management section that manages a storage area provided by one or more hard disk drives on a basis of a predetermined unit created using one or more parameters; a second management section that manages, on a basis of a pool configured by at least one or more of the units, a management policy about the capacity of the pools and a threshold value of the storage capacity of the pools; a power supply control section that controls each of the hard disk drives of the unit under the management of the first management section to be in either a first turn-ON state or a second turn-ON state with a low power consumption; and a control section that selects, when the storage capacity of any of the pools exceeds the threshold value, the management policy of the pools, and any of the managed parameters considered optimum to serve as the unit of the storage area, and after making the power supply control section to change the state of the hard disk drive of the selected unit from the second turn-ON state to the first turn-ON state, adds the unit of the storage area to the capacity of the pool. With such a configuration, the storage device can achieve reduction of power consumption, simplification of management, and increase of use efficiency of storage resources. |
| US08086875B2 |
Starting device
A starting device includes a first transform device that restores a first transfer signal, which is converted from an input signal supplied from an input device, to the input signal, and outputs the input signal to a computer, and a power connecting device that starts the computer when the input signal restored by the first transform device includes a starting signal. |
| US08086870B2 |
Methods and apparatus for hardware normalization and denormalization
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently normalizing and denormalizing data for cryptography processing. The normalization and denormalization techniques can be applied in the context of a cryptography accelerator coupled with a processor. Hardware normalization techniques are applied to data prior to cryptography processing. Context circuitry tracks the shift amount used for normalization. After cryptography processing, the processed data is denormalized using the shift amount tracked by the context circuitry. |
| US08086869B2 |
System for software source code comparison
A system for analyzing similarities between a first and second corpus or between a set of concepts and a corpus uses natural language processing and machine intelligence methods to replace terms or phrases in the corpus with concepts, determine the frequency of each concept in the corpus, and convert the corpus into a concept frequency file to enable easy comparison of the two corpuses or easy retrieval of items from the corpus that contain concept. Difference analysis and a combination of content and spectral analysis may be employed. |
| US08086867B2 |
Secure identity and privilege system
A process for generating a unique, secure and printable identity document, for authenticating the use of the document, and for granting privileges based on the document, includes generating an identity certificate for an individual. This certificate incorporates a pointer to biometric and other identifying data for the individual which are stored in a reference database. The identity certificate is encoded to produce, for example, a machine-readable printable 2-dimensional barcode as an identity document. The identity document may then be used by the document holder for generation of an encoded privilege document and this, in turn, is compared with the stored reference data, including the stored biometric when the privilege is to be exercised. |
| US08086865B2 |
Supplying cryptographic algorithm constants to a storage-constrained target
The present invention provides for authenticating a message, A security function is performed upon the message, The message is sent to a target. The output of the security function is sent to the target. At least one publicly known constant is sent to the target. The received message is authenticated as a function of at least a shared key, the received publicly known constants, the security function, the received message, and the output of the security function. If the output of the security function received by the target is the same as the output generated as a function of at least the received message, the received publicly known constants, the security function, and the shared key, neither the message nor the constants have been altered. |
| US08086864B2 |
Low power HMAC encryption apparatus
There are provided a low power SHA-1 hash algorithm apparatus having a low power structure and optimized to a trusted platform module (TPM) applied to a mobile trusted computing environment and a low power keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC) encryption apparatus using the low power SHA-1 hash algorithm apparatus, the HMAC encryption apparatus including: a key padder padding key data for HMAC algorithm; an XOR operator XOR operating the padded key data and a padding constant; a data connector connecting a text to be encrypted, to data obtained by the XOR operating; a data padder padding the connected data; an SHA-1 hash algorithm part performing an SHA-1 hash algorithm on the padded data; a data selector selecting and applying one of a result of the SHA-1 hash algorithm and the text to be encrypted, to the data connector; and a controller controlling operations of the key padder, data connector, and data padder, a sequence of performing a hash algorithm of the SHA-1 hash algorithm part, and storing an operation result to read data required for performing an encryption operation and store data with memory. |
| US08086863B2 |
Method and a system for protecting path and data of a mobile agent within a network system
Secure message transfer of at least one message from a sender to a receiver within a network system may be provided. For example, a message structure information regarding the at least one message may be computed on a sender-side and according to a pre-given scheme. The computed message structure information may be added as message account information into the at least one message to be sent. The message account information may be protected by a signature. The at least one message may be transferred through the network system to the receiver. On a receiver-side, the message account information may be validated after reception of the at least one message and according to the pre-given scheme. |
| US08086858B2 |
Secure method of termination of service notification
A method for notifying a client device of termination of at least one service provided to the client device by a server system within an enterprise network is disclosed. The method includes the step of establishing authentication data and notification data, where the authentication data is related to the notification data, and sending the authentication data to the client device for storage during a provisioning operation. When the server system identifies a termination of service, it sends the notification data to the client device, which may then authenticate the received notification data using the authentication data. |
| US08086857B2 |
Identity-based-encryption messaging system
A system is provided that uses identity-based encryption to support secure communications between senders and recipients over a communications network. Private key generators are used to provide public parameter information. Senders encrypt messages for recipients using public keys based on recipient identities and using the public parameter information as inputs to an identity-based encryption algorithm. Recipients use private keys to decrypt the messages. There may be multiple private key generators in the system and a given recipient may have multiple private keys. Senders can include private key identifying information in the messages they send to recipients. The private key identifying information may be used by the recipients to determine which of their private keys to use in decrypting a message. Recipients may obtain the correct private key to use to decrypt a message from a local database of private keys or from an appropriate private key server. |
| US08086854B2 |
Content protection information using family of quadratic multivariate polynomial maps
A computer based method and apparatus to tie content protection information to recipient devices via a family of deterministic permutations of quadratic multivariate polynomial maps used for computing an HMAC (Hash Message Authentication Code) or a signed digest. This allows digital rights management (DRM) systems to customize the protection information (such as an HMAC or signed digest) for audio and video content, whereby such protection information for a piece of content differs for different recipient devices or for types of recipient devices. |
| US08086853B2 |
Automatic centralized authentication challenge response generation
A centralized challenge response verification server such as a RADIUS server is used to generate challenge responses as well as to verify challenge responses. In this way, the requirement for all machines to maintain a set of shared secrets corresponding to all potential peers is eliminated. In an embodiment of the invention, an authentication plug-in extends the RADIUS server to accept a challenge from an authenticatee and to generate a response to that challenge. The RADIUS server also acts to accept a challenge response and to verify that response. In an embodiment of the invention, a name service server maintains information regarding the network, and may also maintain an identification of network zones and storage profiles within which devices may intercommunicate or other network information. |
| US08086851B2 |
Methods for broadcasting and receiving a scrambled multimedia programme, network head, terminal, receiver and security processor for these methods
A method of broadcasting a scrambled multimedia program, by way of a broadcast network, in which before transmitting a license key; a network head carries out a step of authenticating a terminal, and if the terminal has successfully authenticated, the network heads sends the terminal a license transmission message containing the license key or cryptogram of the license key, by way of a point-to-point link, and if the terminal is not successfully authenticated, the network head acts (at 200) in such a way as to prevent the complete descrambling by this terminal of the scrambled multimedia program broadcast. |
| US08086847B2 |
Computer program product and computer system for peer-to-peer communications
An encrypted request for peer-to-peer communication includes a requesting peer encrypting a requested peer identification using a public key of a security agent. The requesting peer sends the encrypted request to a security agent, which generates a first encrypted instance of the session key using a public key of the requested peer and a second encrypted instance of the session key using a public key of the requesting peer. The first encrypted instance of the session key is sent to the requested peer and the second encrypted instance of the session key is sent to the requesting peer. The requesting peer encrypts data using the second encrypted instance of the session key and sends the encrypted data to the requested peer, which decrypts the encrypted data using the first instance of the encrypted session key. |
| US08086845B2 |
Secure tunnel over HTTPS connection
Many secure tunnels require protocols that require special handling, authorization or security certificates, such as L2TP and PPTP. This often eliminates them for use between a corporate or agency network and outside, public networks. A secure socket tunnel protocol (SSTP) adds drivers in both the kernel and user mode to route standard protocol traffic, such as PPP, over a common HTTPS port. In the event of network interruptions, an exchange of a session cookie allows fast reconnection of the underlying HTTPS connection without affecting higher level applications. |
| US08086843B2 |
Performing cryptographic provider failover
Cryptographic provider failover is performed. Upon receipt of a first security request, an integrated cryptographic provider constructs a table including a list of underlying cryptographic providers for service type algorithm pairs. The integrated cryptographic provider is one of the underlying cryptographic providers in the list. The underlying cryptographic providers are registered as hardware and software cryptographic providers in the list. The integrated cryptographic provider is registered as a routing cryptographic provider in the list. The list is arranged so that the integrated cryptographic provider has the highest priority. The integrated cryptographic provider specifies fai lover support for all registered service type algorithm pairs using one or more of the underlying cryptogaphic providers. In response to a subsequent security request, the integrated cryptographic utilizes the list of the underlying cryptographic providers to identify a second cryptographic provider to which the request will be routed if a first cryptographic provider fails. |
| US08086841B2 |
BIOS switching system and a method thereof
A BIOS switching system applicable to a computer system is provided. The BIOS switching system includes an input module and a memory module, and the memory module further includes a plurality of BIOS's, an option recording block, and a boot-up management block. The input module produces a switching signal according to a user input. The boot-up management block determines whether replacing an execution option block's data in the option recording block is necessary or not based on the switching signal. The data of the execution option block is identification data of one of the BIOS's. The boot-up management block executes the BIOS indicated by the data of the execution option block while the computer system boots up. |
| US08086839B2 |
Authentication for resume boot path
Methods and systems to perform an authentication operation after resuming from a sleep state are presented. In one embodiment, a method includes starting a boot process from a sleep state. The method further includes providing platform services to support an authentication operation as part of the boot process and determining whether to complete the boot process based at least on results of the authentication operation. |
| US08086836B2 |
Method and apparatus for virtualization of appliances
A method and apparatus for the virtualization of appliances provides an embedded operating system (OS) which is included in the system boot ROM of a personal computer. When the system boots, the OS is launched and looks for all available virtual appliances from, for example, the following places: local USB, flash card, e.g. SD, xD, CF, CDROM/DVD, or other storage media; local hard disk storage; and the Internet, e.g. an appliance server. The user selects an appliance to use from the OS, whereupon the appliance is loaded and launched. If the selected appliance is not on a local storage, then it is downloaded, e.g. over the Internet from an appliance server. The downloaded appliance can be cached in local storage media such that, the next time it is needed, it need not be downloaded from the appliance server. The user can also elect to boot an operating system from the hard disk, if an operating system and hard disk are installed, or to power-off the system. |
| US08086835B2 |
Rootkit detection
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to rootkit detection and provide a method, system and computer program product for external rootkit detection and remediation. In one embodiment of the invention, an external rootkit detection tool can be provided. The tool can include external static memory with an input/output (I/O) port interface to an external I/O port on a target computing platform. The tool further can include a boot image disposed in the external static memory, and rootkit detection and remediation logic disposed in the external static memory and referenced by the boot image. In one aspect of the embodiment, the external static memory can include a universal serial bus (USB) key and, correspondingly, the I/O port can include an external USB port. |
| US08086832B2 |
Structure for dynamically adjusting pipelined data paths for improved power management
A design structure embodied in a machine readable, non-transitory storage medium used in a design process includes a system for dynamically varying the pipeline depth of a computing device. The system includes a state machine that determines an optimum length of a pipeline architecture based on a processing function to be performed. A pipeline sequence controller, responsive to the state machine, varies the depth of the pipeline based on the optimum length. A plurality of clock splitter elements, each associated with a corresponding plurality of latch stages in the pipeline architecture, are coupled to the pipeline sequence controller and adapted to operate in a functional mode, one or more clock gating modes, and a pass-through flush mode. For each of the clock splitter elements operating in the pass-through flush mode, data is passed through the associated latch stage without oscillation of clock signals associated therewith. |
| US08086831B2 |
Indexed table circuit having reduced aliasing
In at least one embodiment, an indexed table circuit includes a plurality of banks for storing data to be accessed and a split index array. The indexed table circuit is organized in a plurality of entries each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of different entry indices, where each entry includes a storage location in the plurality of banks and the split index array. The indexed table circuit further includes selection logic that, responsive to read access of an entry among the plurality of entries utilizing an entry index of a bit string, utilizes a split index read from the split index array to select a set of one or more bits of a tag of the bit string, utilizes the selected set of one or more bits to select data read from one of the plurality of banks, and outputs the selected data. |
| US08086825B2 |
Processing pipeline having stage-specific thread selection and method thereof
One or more processor cores of a multiple-core processing device each can utilize a processing pipeline having a plurality of execution units (e.g., integer execution units or floating point units) that together share a pre-execution front-end having instruction fetch, decode and dispatch resources. Further, one or more of the processor cores each can implement dispatch resources configured to dispatch multiple instructions in parallel to multiple corresponding execution units via separate dispatch buses. The dispatch resources further can opportunistically decode and dispatch instruction operations from multiple threads in parallel so as to increase the dispatch bandwidth. Moreover, some or all of the stages of the processing pipelines of one or more of the processor cores can be configured to implement independent thread selection for the corresponding stage. |
| US08086823B2 |
Method for speeding up page table address update on virtual machine
A method is provided which eliminates redundancy from the shadow PT operation performed by the virtual machine monitor (VMM) when the guest operating system running on a virtual machine updates a guest page table (PT) address. The VMM associates a plurality of shadow PTs with guest PTs and allocates their relation in memory. When it detects the update of a guest PT address, the VMM searches for a shadow PT corresponding to the updated guest PT. If the associated shadow PT exists, the VMM omits rewriting the shadow PT and registers the address of the shadow PT with the central processing unit (CPU). If the associated shadow PT does not exist, the VMM allocates a memory, creates a shadow PT, registers an address of the created shadow PT with the CPU, and records a relationship between the updated guest PT and the generated shadow PT. |
| US08086821B2 |
Input-output memory management unit (IOMMU) and method for tracking memory pages during virtual-machine migration
An input-output memory management unit (IOMMU) and method for tracking memory pages during virtual-machine migration are generally described herein. The IOMMU includes an IOMMU manager to service address translation requests associated with memory pages received from a plurality of I/O devices, and a translation request filter to identify translations previously requested from a translation manager. The IOMMU also includes a device context table to identify whether virtual-machine migration is enabled for memory pages associated with virtual addresses identified in received address translation requests. Based on information in the device context table, the IOMMU manager may send a virtual page identifier to the translation manager identifying a virtual page when virtual-machine migration is enabled to indicate that the virtual page has been accessed. The IOMMU manager refrains from sending the virtual page identifier to the translation manager when the virtual page is listed in the translation request filter. |
| US08086816B2 |
Method for controlling performance aspects of a data storage and access routine
A method for improving the performance of a computerized data storage and access system includes the steps (a) providing a virtual representation of an existing data storage controller accessible to a computing system, (b) providing a configuration interface executable by an operator of the computing system, (c) using the configuration interface, reserving an amount available memory for dedicated use as a data cache and or additional storage space for storing data written to one or more disk drives representing data storage disks of the data storage and access system, (d) intercepting read and write requests to the data storage controller from the central processing unit of the computing system via the virtual representation of the controller, and (e) writing data into the reserved memory or serving data from the reserved memory in lieu of accessing a data storage disk represented by the one or more disk drives. |
| US08086811B2 |
Optimizations of a perform frame management function issued by pageable guests
Optimizations are provided for frame management operations, including a clear operation and/or a set storage key operation, requested by pageable guests. The operations are performed, absent host intervention, on frames not resident in host memory. The operations may be specified in an instruction issued by the pageable guests. |
| US08086797B2 |
Method and system for distributing commands to targets
Embodiments of systems and methods for routing commands to a distributed RAID system are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments may route a command to an appropriate data bank in a distributed RAID system, where each data bank has a set of associated storage media and executes a similar distributed RAID application. The distributed RAID applications on each of the data banks coordinate among themselves to distribute and control data flow associated with implementing a level of RAID in conjunction with data stored on the associated storage media of the data banks. |
| US08086793B2 |
Optical disc recorder and buffer management method thereof
A buffer management method is provided. A host issues a read command requesting access for a read data block and a write command requesting recording of a write data block. A write buffer is dedicated to store the write data block. A read buffer is dedicated to store the read data block. The method comprises entering the optical disc recorder into a write loop. During the write loop, the optical disc recorder triggering a write command handling procedure in response to the write command; triggering a read command handling procedure in response to the read command; and triggering a pre-recording procedure to prepare the write data block in the write buffer for recording. Wherein contents between the write buffer and read buffer are exchangeable during the write handling procedure, the read handling procedure or the pre-recording procedure. |
| US08086792B2 |
Demoting tracks from cache
Provided are a method, system, and program for destaging a track from cache to a storage device. The destaged track is retained in the cache. Verification is made of whether the storage device successfully completed writing data. Indication is made of destaged tracks eligible for removal from the cache that were destaged before the storage device is verified in response to verifying that the storage device is successfully completing the writing of data. |
| US08086782B2 |
Tape image on non-tape storage device
A method and system for facilitating the performance of data backups facilitates the storage of information being backed up on a non-tape storage device in a format that facilitates the subsequent transfer of the information to a tape storage device without substantial further processing by a computer. |
| US08086780B2 |
Method for transfer/transmission of field bus data and field bus communication system
Methods for the transfer/transmission of field bus data between at least two members of a field bus communication system, each member including at least one field bus interface and a memory device. At least one common memory device is provided for the at least two members, wherein field bus data is written onto the at least one common memory device by the first member, and the field bus data is read out of the at least one common memory device by the second member. A field bus communication system includes at least one member, where each member includes a field bus interface and a memory device. The field bus communication system further includes at least one common memory device writeable from and readable to the members of the field bus communication system. |
| US08086777B2 |
Multimedia system
A multimedia system includes a portable device, a multimedia expansion apparatus and a second display. The portable device further includes a main body and a first display coupling with the main body, in which the main body has a first multimedia module and a switch module. The multimedia further includes an expansion port for coupling the portable device, a multimedia switch circuit, a plurality of signal output ports and a power control circuit for energizing the expansion port, the multimedia switch circuit and the signal output ports. The second display is coupled with one of the signal output ports. The switch module forwards a multimedia signal of the main body to one of the first multimedia module and the multimedia switch circuit, and the power control circuit is to terminate power output to while the portable device is separated from the expansion port of the multimedia expansion apparatus. |
| US08086775B2 |
Storage system effectively using free ports
A first free port present in a controller or a switch device is physically connected to a second free port present in a switch device (switch device in another storage device unit) other than the controller or switch device comprising the first free port. The possibility of logical connection via a physical path connecting the first free port and second free port is controlled. |
| US08086773B2 |
Disk array subsystem and control method thereof
This disk array subsystem includes a data input/output unit for inputting and outputting data in and from the network, a connecting unit for connecting the data input/output unit and a plurality of storage apparatuses, and a control unit for controlling the input and output of data in and from the network. The control unit includes a logical link setting unit for zoning at least one or more physical links among a plurality of physical links for inputting and outputting data between the data input/output unit and the connecting unit, or between the connecting unit and the connecting unit into at least one or more logical links, and setting a plurality of logical links to one physical link; and a link unit for simultaneously multiplexing the data to a plurality of the logical links set with the logical link setting unit, and linking the data to the physical link. |
| US08086771B2 |
TCET expander
The present invention relates to the field of embedded processing systems and electronic control units (ECUs) and to autonomic embedded computing solutions. The present invention proposes to remove or extract the application-specific support functions and respective I/O subsystems from the main processors or controllers of the system, to include said extracted circuits into a respective number of ASIC chips or the like, and to connect them preferably via a supervising General Controller Unit (12) to a plurality of standard and low-price processors (40), which have the task to supply the ASIC and the multiple functions thereof with enough computing power. |
| US08086770B2 |
Communication apparatus with data discard functions and control method therefor
In a communication apparatus, a write controller writes received data in a temporary memory which serves as short-time storage. A read controller reads data out of the temporary memory. A discard controller controls discard operation of the data read out of the temporary memory. |
| US08086769B2 |
Method for detecting circular buffer overrun
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for detecting circular buffer overflow. When an entry in the circular buffer is read, a valid mark bit in the entry is set to an inactive state and the location of the entry is stored as an entry previously processed. A valid mark bit of a next entry and the valid mark bit in the entry previously processed are read. Responsive to determining that the valid mark bit in the entry previously processed is in the inactive state and the valid mark bit in the next entry is in an active state, the next entry is read, the valid mark bit in the next entry is set to an incactive state, and the location of the next entry is stored as the entry previously processed. Responsive to determining that the valid mark bit in the entry previously processed is in the active state, a determination is made that a circular buffer overflow has occurred. |
| US08086766B2 |
Support for non-locking parallel reception of packets belonging to a single memory reception FIFO
A method and apparatus for distributed parallel messaging in a parallel computing system. A plurality of DMA engine units are configured in a multiprocessor system to operate in parallel, one DMA engine unit for transferring a current packet received at a network reception queue to a memory location in a memory FIFO (rmFIFO) region of a memory. A control unit implements logic to determine whether any prior received packet destined for that rmFIFO is still in a process of being stored in the associated memory by another DMA engine unit of the plurality, and prevent the one DMA engine unit from indicating completion of storing the current received packet in the reception memory FIFO (rmFIFO) until all prior received packets destined for that rmFIFO are completely stored by the other DMA engine units. Thus, there is provided non-locking support so that multiple packets destined for a single rmFIFO are transferred and stored in parallel to predetermined locations in a memory. |
| US08086757B2 |
Intelligent gateway for heterogeneous peer-to-peer home automation networks
A solution for home automation management includes, at a network device configured to support multiple home automation technologies, receiving a message from a first home automation control device (HACD) managed by the network device, towards a second HACD managed by the network device. The network device translates the message to a form recognizable by the second HACD, and then sends the translated message towards the second HACD in accordance with home automation technology supported by the second HACD. According to one aspect, the solution may be extended to a network of multiple network devices configured to support multiple home automation technologies. |
| US08086756B2 |
Methods and apparatus for web content transformation and delivery
In a client, a system receives a set of transformation functions for use in transforming a first content, requests the first content from a gateway, and receives the first content from the gateway, including an invocation of at least one transformation function maintained on the client. The system invokes the at least one transformation function to transform the first content to access a second content on the server.In a gateway communicating with a server, a system transmits a set of transformation functions to at least one client for use in transforming a first content, receives a request from at least one client for the first content residing on the server, rewrites the first content to include the invocation of at least one transformation function maintained on the client, and transmits the first content including the invocation of at the least one transformation function maintained on the client. |
| US08086754B2 |
Methods and systems for pushing content fragments into a distributed storage system
Methods and systems for pushing content fragments into a distributed storage system, comprising registering a plurality of storage-and-computing elements that are accessed using Internet protocol; associating the plurality of storage-and-computing elements with a plurality of storage element types; and distributing content fragments to the storage-and-computing elements utilizing a predefined distribution function that maps content fragments to storage element types. |
| US08086751B1 |
System and method for receiving multi-media messages
A system and method of delivering a multi-media message to a recipient is disclosed. The multi-media message is created by a sender and contains a talking entity for delivering a sender message. A determination is made as to whether the recipient device has rendering software for delivering a video portion of the multi-media message. If the recipient device does not have the rendering software, the multi-media message is streamed from a server such that a generic rendering software device will deliver the multi-media message. |
| US08086750B2 |
Method and system for delivering content over a network
Content stored in association with metadata is automatically redirected over coupled computer networks. A portal is configured to deliver the stored content to a plurality of distributed client machines via one or more designated network edge servers. The portal receives content requests from a particular client machine and utilizes the metadata to provide content portions to a first network edge server for delivery to the particular client machine. Modules such as software modules selectively provide either the first portion of the content or a further portion of the content to a second network edge server while automatically redirecting the particular client machine to the second network edge server in real-time. Redirection is performed in accordance with predetermined criteria which is preferably related to the performance of the network branch that includes the first network edge server. |
| US08086743B2 |
Multi-channel communication with request reordering or reprioritization
In one example, a client and a server may communicate with each other using a control channel and a data channel. The control channel carries requests from the client to the server, and the data channel carries the server's response to these requests. Some requests submitted on the control channel may be assigned identifiers, so as to be addressable. A client may submit, over the control channel, a request to cancel previously-made requests. A cancelation request uses the identifiers associated with the previously-made requests to identify the request(s) to be canceled. The client may open the control and data channels by issuing POST and GET requests, respectively, to the server. Control channel communications may then be sent as part of the POST message, and data channel communications may be sent as responses to the GET request. |
| US08086741B2 |
Method and system for delayed allocation of resources
The present invention allows a server to delay allocating resources to a client's request. When the client requests a feature that requires server resources, the server accepts and acknowledges the client's request, but the client is prohibited from using the requested feature until further notice from the server. For example, during an authorization process, the server allocates only the minimum resources required to maintain the session and to authorize the client. Thereafter, the server allocates the resources necessary to support the client's request only when the resources become available. Until then, the server maintains the communications session without supporting the request. Thus, the server shepherds its resources rather than committing them at the whim of a client. Also, a client need not repeat its request if the server cannot immediately satisfy it; instead, the server accepts the request and then later begins to support it when adequate resources become available. |
| US08086738B2 |
Distributed means of organizing an arbitrarily large number of computers
A technique for organizing a plurality of computers such that message broadcast, content searching, and computer identification of the entire collection or a subset of the entire collection may be performed quickly without the use of a controlling computer. The technique describes the creation, operation, and maintenance of a connection scheme by which each computer in the collection appears to be the top level of a hierarchical array. The maintenance of this hierarchical connection scheme allows one to many communications throughout the collection of computers to scale geometrically rather than linearly. |
| US08086736B2 |
Data transmission/reception system capable of transmitting and receiving data even from within a mobile unit that cannot maintain constant connections with a communication network
A data transmission/reception system is capable of transmitting and receiving data even from within a moving vehicle in which a constant connection to a communication network cannot be maintained. A temporary storage server that is established inside the moving vehicle temporarily saves upload data that are received from a user terminal. The temporary storage server is provided with the capability to determine whether a state exists that allows communication with various servers. When in a state that allows communication with the various servers, the temporary storage server transmits the data that it has temporarily saved to various servers by way of a communication network. The temporary storage server further, when requested to download from a user terminal, receives the download data from various servers by way of a communication network when in a state that allows communication with the various servers. The temporary storage server then temporarily saves the download data that have been received. |
| US08086728B2 |
Method and apparatus of correlating power usage with traffic flow for a network device
A network device including: a power utilization monitor for monitoring and determining the power usage for the network device, the power usage being associated with a predetermined time value when the power usage was monitored; a data traffic monitor for determining the traffic flow of the network device, the traffic flow being associated with a predetermined time value when the traffic flow was measured; and a data correlator for correlating the power usage of the network device to the data traffic of the network device by associating the predetermined time value when the power usage was monitored with the predetermined time value when the data traffic flow measurement was made is described. |
| US08086727B2 |
Method and system for monitoring the status of an online transaction
The invention includes methods and software for presenting a user with a set of interfaces that reveal what events are to occur, or are likely to occur, in a transaction, and provide the ability to program the automatic monitoring of these anticipated events with a customizable set of alerts. A merchant encodes events that are possible for the transaction as part of developing an online transaction system such as an online catalog. The data regarding these events is encoded in an electronic communication, such as an email or onsite transaction history item, such that this data can be detected by a receiving system. The method includes presenting and setting monitoring options for event notices that have not yet been received. The chosen options for event notices that have not yet been received are used to program the monitoring and alerting of the user when such event notices have or have not been received. |
| US08086725B1 |
Identifying associated systems such as advertising networks
Among other disclosure, a method includes receiving first electronic content configured for displaying a first page in a browser, the first electronic content including a document object model for the first page. Content in the document object model is identified as corresponding to at least one advertisement on the first page, the first page further including page content. Information is extracted from the identified content to be used in identifying an advertising network system that the advertisement links to. An identity of the advertising network system is determined using the extracted information. Second electronic content is generated using the first electronic content and the determined identity of the advertising network system. A second page including the page content of the first page and the advertisement is generated and displayed. On the second page the advertisement is labeled with the determined identity of the advertising network system. |
| US08086715B2 |
Apparatus for providing digital contents and method thereof
Provided is a content manager that receives content tables of adjacent apparatuses for providing digital contents to update its own content table; a content search unit that refers to the content tables of the adjacent apparatuses for providing digital contents to determine whether the contents requested by the user are providable contents and when the contents are the providable contents, grasps a storage location of the corresponding contents; and a content transceiver that when the corresponding contents are stored in the adjacent apparatuses for providing digital contents, requests the corresponding contents to the corresponding adjacent apparatuses for providing digital contents and receives the corresponding contents from the adjacent apparatuses for providing digital contents. |
| US08086712B2 |
Name changing method, information processing apparatus and network system
The present invention is a method for changing a device identification name of an information processing apparatus to which the device identification name is added for identification by a user. First, a device identification name of other information processing apparatus connected to a same network is obtained. Next, the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are compared. Further, when the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are the same, it is judged, according to a predetermined rule set beforehand, whether or not to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus. Then, when it is judged to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus, the device identification name of the information processing apparatus is changed. |
| US08086706B2 |
System and method for self configuration of reconfigurable systems
The invention is a system and method for reconfigurable computers. The invention involves a plurality of reconfigurable component clusters (RCCs), each of which can change their respective configuration upon receiving a configuration command. The invention uses a reconfiguration network for distributing the configuration command to the RCCs, wherein the reconfiguration network comprises a plurality of cells, wherein each RCC is connected to a cell. |
| US08086704B2 |
Projector selection system, projector selection method, and program for implementing the system and method
A projector selection system selects one of projectors from a computer which is connected to the projectors through a network. An identifier is displayed on each of the projectors by identifier assigning means and identifier display means. A preview image, which is a scale-down version of an image displayed on the screen by the projector, is acquired by preview image generating means and preview image transmitting means. The preview image is displayed on a dialog display area on the screen of the computer. |
| US08086696B2 |
System and method for promoting intellectual property
A method and system for the online promotion of intellectual property includes providing an Internet host station with at least one database that is connectable via the Internet to consumer stations and industry stations. The database includes a plurality of intellectual property items and a description of each intellectual property item. At least one of the intellectual property items is selected by a consumer station and the description associated with the selected intellectual property item is viewed at the consumer station. Portions of the description may be confidential and therefore not normally viewed at the consumer station. Feedback data is sent from the consumer station to the host station. The feedback data includes consumer opinion information of the selected intellectual property item based at least in part on the description of the selected intellectual property item. The feedback data is then accessed from an industry station to thereby determine the interest in the selected intellectual property item based on the consumer opinion. |
| US08086695B2 |
Over the air services for mobile devices
A client device may be managed in the event of, for example, device loss or mislocation. In such a case, a user can effectively cause a restriction command to be generated, where the restriction command is wirelessly transmitted to the client device. The restriction command can be specified to either lock user data on the client device or erase user data on the client device. |
| US08086694B2 |
Network storage device collector
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data stored by a user in one or more network storage areas residing on a network. For example, embodiments of the method involve utilizing a mapping tool to identify at least one network storage area associated with the user, utilizing a collection tool to access at least one network storage area via a network, copying the data stored on the at least one network storage area, and transmitting the data from the at least one network storage area to a collection server. |
| US08086693B2 |
System and method for replacing an application on a server
A system and method for controlling access to first and second applications in a shared storage. A first server requests from a first local storage a copy of an application identified by a first hierarchical directory. The first server request is redirected from the first local storage to the first application in the shared storage. The first application in the shared storage has a second, extended hierarchical directory comprising the first hierarchical directory plus a lower level qualifier. Subsequently, a second server requests from a second local storage a copy of an application identified by the first hierarchical directory. The second server request is redirected from the second local storage to the second application in the shared storage. The second application in the shared storage has a third, extended hierarchical directory comprising the first hierarchical directory plus a lower level qualifier different than the lower level qualifier of the second, extended hierarchical directory. The second application can be a more recent version of the first application. Also, there can be a proxy server which routed the request for the application identified by the first hierarchical directory to the first server, and further comprising the step of reconfiguring the proxy server to route subsequent requests for the application identified by the first hierarchical directory to the second server instead of the first server. |
| US08086688B1 |
Method and system for mobile data security
A system and method for securely storing, retrieving and sharing data using PCs and mobile devices and for controlling and tracking the movement of data to and from a variety of computing and storage devices. |
| US08086687B2 |
Workflow executing apparatus and control method of the apparatus and program thereof
A workflow executing apparatus that executes processing in accordance with a workflow, the apparatus comprising: a workflow information storage section that stores workflow information describing the workflow; a transmission control section that transmits an e-mail during the process of the workflow to a user that requested that workflow, in accordance with the stored workflow information; and a workflow execution section that adds identification information of e-mails transmitted prior to the e-mail transmitted by the transmission control section to the stated e-mail and sends the e-mail. |
| US08086685B2 |
STB messaging system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a video terminal device having a processor adapted to submit a query to a mobile device to determine whether to redirect one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device to the video terminal device, receive from the mobile device an affirmative response to the query, transmit a request to a wireless carrier system to redirect transmission of the one or more mobile messages to the video terminal device, receive from the wireless carrier system the one or more mobile messages while the mobile device remains communicatively coupled to the video terminal device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08086684B2 |
Detecting and mitigating undeliverable email
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for detecting and mitigating abuse of undeliverable email or “bounced” emails. An administrator may import a list of email addresses for one or more contacts. The opt-in software may determine if each email address in the list of email addresses is opted in to receive an email distribution, and if so, a bounce detection software may determine if each email address is found in a database of known undeliverable or “bounced” email addresses. If so, an abuse-mitigation software may defer importing the list of email addresses and display an alert referring the administrator to an abuse department for review of the account. A message-delivery software may deliver the email distribution, and the bounce detection software may then determine whether undeliverable emails in the email distribution exceed one or more “bounce limit rules,” and if so, the abuse mitigation software may delay delivery of the email distribution and display an alert referring the administrator to the abuse department for review of the account. Otherwise, delivery may continue to completion. |
| US08086681B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus transmitting and receiving electronic mail within a network includes an identification information storage unit, a loop mail judgment unit, and a loop mail process control unit. The identification information storage unit stores identification information. The loop mail judgment unit judges whether or not the electronic mail is loop mail based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit. The loop mail process control unit executes a process arranged beforehand with respect to the electronic mail received based on judgment of the loop mail judgment unit. |
| US08086680B2 |
Community-defined and managed communication network
A community-defined and managed communication network is provided. The community-defined and managed network includes creating a profile for a user of the network that includes a user-selected attribute and identifying a relationship between the attribute in the profile and data external to the profile. The identification includes analyzing user community-generated descriptors of the attribute and searching the external data for common descriptors. The community-defined and managed network further includes initiating an activity responsive to the analysis, which includes one or more of: prompting the user to invite a second user who is not a registered member of the communication network to join the communication network; prompting a third user to evaluate the user with respect to the attribute; and prompting the user to initiate a communication with a fourth user who is a registered member of the communication network. |
| US08086679B2 |
Information processing unit, content providing server, communication relay server, information processing method, content providing method and communication relay method
An information processing unit which acquires content data from a content providing server and is capable of reproducing the acquired content data, including: a content information acquiring portion for acquiring content information including content data and meta data of the content data; a display control portion which carries out display control for reproducing the content data on a display portion; and a bidirectional communication portion which carries out bidirectional communication with other information processing unit connected to the content providing server, in which, when the content data is reproduced, the bidirectional communication portion selects a communication message to be received from communication messages sent from the other information processing unit corresponding to an execution state of the bidirectional communication. |
| US08086675B2 |
Generating a fingerprint of a bit sequence
A method of generating a fingerprint of a bit sequence includes determining a relative occurrence frequency of each bit combination of a set of bit combinations in the bit sequence, wherein the set of bit combinations comprises all possible non-redundant sub-sequences of bits having at least one bit and at most a preset maximal number of bits. The method further includes determining for each bit combination of the set of bit combinations a difference value between the relative occurrence frequency of the bit combination and a random occurrence frequency, the random occurrence frequency relating to the expected random occurrence of the bit combination in the bit sequence. Moreover, the method includes allocating a set of bins, each bin of the set of bins being associated with a predetermined interval of difference values, each bin further relating to a bin value. The difference value of each bit combination is assigned to the bin which is associated with the interval of difference values in which the difference value of the corresponding bit combination lies. A fingerprint of the bit sequence is generated by use of the bin values of the bins to which a difference value has been assigned. |
| US08086674B2 |
Attachment server network for viewing attachments on a portable electronic device
An attachment server network including at least two attachment servers in communication with one another, each of the attachment servers for converting email attachments in response to view requests received from portable electronic devices, each of the attachment servers having a respective cache for storing data corresponding to previously converted attachments, the data being available to any of the attachment servers in the attachment server network. |
| US08086671B2 |
Systems and methods that facilitate in-order serial processing of related messages
The present invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate serial access to related messages stored within a queue. The systems and methods comprise a conversation manager that generates conversation groups and associated conversation group identifiers for related messages, wherein related messages are associated with one or more dialog conversations between services. The conversation manager utilizes a respective conversation group identifier to lock a conversation group and provide exclusive serial access to the related messages therein and any related incoming messages to a reader such that only one reader at a time can access and process the related messages; other readers can still concurrently dequeue and process messages associated with other conversation groups. The present invention employs order queuing techniques that ensure messages are stored in-order, which facilitates in-order serial processing of messages in a conversation group. |
| US08086668B2 |
Hypothesis based solicitation of data indicating at least one objective occurrence
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: soliciting, based at least in part on a hypothesis that links one or more objective occurrences with one or more subjective user states and in response at least in part to an incidence of at least one subjective user state associated with a user, at least a portion of objective occurrence data including data indicating incidence of at least one objective occurrence; and acquiring the objective occurrence data including the data indicating incidence of at least one objective occurrence. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08086666B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming programmable controllers and providing version management from a centralized server
A method and system for generating programming code and/or configuration data for programmable controller and the networks on which they operate is disclosed. In one embodiment, programming code is generated on a centralized server having a web-enabled engineering tool. The engineering tool operates on client devices that are in communication with the server over a network, such as the Internet. Preferably, the engineering tool runs in a browser application (or other network-interfacing-application) on the client device and a user generates the programming code on the server with the aid of the client device. By centralizing the engineering tool, which may contain a configuration editor and a configuration management tool having version management functionality, a new business paradigm for providing engineering tool services to customers having programmable controllers. In addition, new methods and tools for collaborative engineering of programming code are enabled. |
| US08086664B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming programmable controllers and generating configuration data from a centralized server
A method and system for generating programming code and/or configuration data for programmable controller and the networks on which they operate is disclosed. In one embodiment, programming code is generated on a centralized server having a web-enabled engineering tool. The engineering tool operates on client devices that are in communication with the server over a network, such as the Interntet. Preferably, the engineering tool runs in a browser application (or other network-interfacing-application) on the client device and a user generates the programming code on the server with the aid of the client device. By centralizing the engineering tool, which may contain a configuration editor and a configuration management tool having version management functionality, a new business paradigm for providing engineering tool services to customers having programmable controllers. In addition, new methods and tools for collaborative engineering of programming code are enabled. |
| US08086660B2 |
Distributed data model
Method and systems for transferring data from a sending device to a receiving device. The method starts with the preparation of a description of the structure of the data which is provided to the sending device and the receiving device. A reference model of the data structure is created on each of the sending and receiving devices, during run time, using the description of the data. As requested, instances of the reference model are created with the data on the sending device. The data in the instance is serialized by extracting the data and transferred from the sending device to the receiving device. The receiving device creates an instance of the data based on the reference model. |
| US08086657B2 |
Adder structure with midcycle latch for power reduction
A digital adder circuit comprising a plurality of logical stages in the carry logic of said adder circuit, for generating and propagating predetermined groups of operand bits, each stage implementing a predetermined logic function and processing input variables from a preceding stage and outputting result values to a succeeding stage static and dynamic logic in the carry network of a 4-bit adder, and with output from the first stage fed directly as an input (60, 62) to the third stage of the carry network. Preferably, stages having normally relatively high switching activities are implemented in static logic. Preferably, the first stage of its carry network is implemented in a static logic, and the rest of the stages in dynamic logic. |
| US08086651B2 |
Managing media files using metadata injection
Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08086648B2 |
Computer assisted data collection for surveys and the like
An exemplary MMIC (“Multi-Mode Interviewing Capability”) survey program is a computerized tool that supports various traditional modes of collecting interview data, including telephone interviewing, written interviewing, and personal interviewing, and can be used to manage the whole interview process from questionnaire design, sample management, and fieldwork monitoring to final dataset production. The collected data may also include non-textual data from survey participants such as medical measurements of blood pressure and heart rate. Self-interviewing using the Internet is also possible which permits real time availability of results and the participation of respondents from virtually anywhere in the world, using devices such as PDA's, Smart phones and Web TV's. The MMIC survey structure is non-linear and object oriented, which permits a connection between all the building blocks of the survey to be defined on any level. The compiled survey includes sufficient metadata to facilitate decompilation and the production of equivalent source code in any supported programming language, whether or not it was originally programmed in that language. This stored metadata not only allows researchers to later trace back the exact conditions under which this particular answer was given, but also permits results from multiple iterations of the related surveys to be combined in a rigorous manner that will be transparent to subsequent analysis and research. |
| US08086645B2 |
Compilation and processing a parallel single cursor model
Techniques are provided for executing query statements, or portions thereof, in parallel without using slave SQL to communicate to each slave the operations to be performed by the slave. Instead of generating one cursor for the query coordinator (QC) based on the original statement, and separate cursors for each DFO based on the slave SQL, the techniques involve sharing the cursor that is generated from the original statement among the various participants involved in the parallel execution of the operations specified in the original statement. |
| US08086644B2 |
Simplifying complex data stream problems involving feature extraction from noisy data
Methods, systems and computer program products for simplifying complex data stream problems involving feature extraction from noisy data. Exemplary embodiments include a method for processing a data stream, including applying multiple operators to the data stream, wherein an operation by each of the multiple operators includes retrieving the next chunk for each of set of input parameters, performing digital processing operations on a respective next chunk, producing sets of output parameters and adding data to one or more internal data stores, each internal data store acting as a data stream source. |
| US08086641B1 |
Integrated search engine devices that utilize SPM-linked bit maps to reduce handle memory duplication and methods of operating same
An integrated search engine device evaluates span prefix masks for keys residing at leaf parent levels of a search tree to identify a longest prefix match to an applied search key. This longest prefix match resides at a leaf node of the search tree that is outside a search path of the search tree for the applied search key. The search engine device is also configured to read a bitmap associated with the leaf node to identify a pointer to associated data for the longest prefix match. The pointer has a value that is based on a position of a set bit within the bitmap that corresponds to a set bit within the span prefix mask that signifies the longest prefix match. |
| US08086640B2 |
System and method for improving data coverage in modeling systems
A method for modifying data coverage in a modeling system is disclosed. The method may include obtaining data records relating to a plurality of input variables and one or more output parameters and selecting a plurality of input parameters from the plurality of input variables. The method may further include evaluating a coverage of the data records in a modeling space and modifying the coverage of the data records, if a data coverage condition is detected. The method may also include generating a computational model indicative of interrelationships between the plurality of input parameters and the one or more output parameters based on the data records. |
| US08086638B1 |
File handle banking to provide non-disruptive migration of files
When a directory tree is migrated from a source file system to a target file system, the directories of the directory tree are retained in the source file system, and handle translation entries are substituted for the regular data files of the directory tree in the source file system. The handle translation entries provide new file handles for the regular data files when the source file system is accessed with old file handles of the regular data files. For example, each handle translation entry includes the old file handle, a file system identifier, and the new file handle. The old file handle provides verification of the file handle being used for accessing the handle translation entry, and the file system identifier identifies the target file system in which the new file handle is valid. |
| US08086634B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving file access performance of distributed storage system
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for improving the performance of file transfer to a client from a distributed storage system which provides single name space to clients. In one embodiment, a system for providing access to files in a distributed storage system comprises a plurality of storage nodes and at least one computer device connected via a network. Each storage node is configured, upon receiving a file access request for a file from one of the at least one computer device as a receiver storage node, to determine whether or not to inform the computer device making the file access request to redirect the file access request to an owner storage node of the file according to a preset policy. The preset policy defines conditions for whether to redirect the file access request based on at least one of file type or file size of the file. |
| US08086632B2 |
Credential management
A method, system and program product for managing, distributing and authenticating custom credentials such as diplomas, licenses and certifications awarded to target individuals and organizations by academic institutions, governmental authorities and professional and trade organizations. The custom credentials are authentic but prejudicial information not needed by a recipient has been removed by the target party to whom the credential applies without destroying the integrity of the credential. The custom credential is efficiently provided to an interested party along with other application forms and data without the need for the interested party to request credentials from the issuing credential source authority. Accordingly the issuing credential source authority need not respond to random requests for credentials and an interested party need not negotiate the different formats provided by the various issuing credential source authorities. |
| US08086631B2 |
Search result diversification
Methods, apparatus, and systems directed to receiving search queries, retrieving documents, computing the number of categories to present for a given query, computing the number of results to show in each category, computing an ordering of categories, and for all the result pages beyond the first page employing user interface elements that optionally allow the user to quickly zoom in on a specific category and get more results belonging to that category. |
| US08086629B2 |
Content delivery apparatus, content delivery method, and content delivery program
In a content delivery method in a P2P network 20, a content publishing node divides a publish content according to a situation of each downstream node adjacent thereto, and causes each downstream node to hold a divided content, and a content downloading node simultaneously downloads in parallel the divided contents from the plurality of downstream nodes. When a plurality of pieces of tag information on a plurality of divided contents of a same content is received form a downstream node, the plurality of pieces of tag information are merged to be distributed in upstream nodes. |
| US08086626B2 |
Rare pattern extracting device and rare pattern extracting method
A rare pattern that may be difficult to extract is extracted by extracting data where a rare pattern is likely to exist, and then generating the rare pattern using a degree of influence. |
| US08086623B2 |
Context-sensitive term expansion with multiple levels of expansion
Articles of manufacture and systems for searching collections of data using context sensitive expanded term searching are provided. The collection of data may be a relational database, text document, or any other type of searchable collection of data. In either case, a query including a search condition based on a specified search term may be modified to include additional conditions based on a set of expanded (e.g., conceptually-related) search terms. For some embodiments, a user may be given the ability to control the level of expansion and the context in which the terms may be expanded. |
| US08086621B2 |
Search engine service utilizing the addition of noise
A method and modified client that disguises user search terms by adding a plurality of faux search phrases using a phrase-reuse-table comprising resulting faux search phrases and real search phrases the faux search phrases were derived from, a word-reuse-table comprising word substitutions used for words that reveal patterns, and a word-table comprising words that reveal patterns sorted into groups. Faux search phrases are added by looking up the search phrases in the phrase-reuse-table, and looking up the search terms in the word-reuse-table and word-table, suggesting by a predictive search for specific anchor words, recording substitutions for words which reveal patterns in the word-reuse-table, and submitting the search terms and the set of faux search phrases to a search engine. Additionally, additional complexity may be used to generate additional faux search phrases. |
| US08086610B2 |
Autonomic self configuring building-block database index
Methods, systems, and computer programs for executing a query having a first and second query value; in a database having at least two composite indexes, where the first index covers a first and second column and the second index covers the second column and a third column. Methods can include executing a query over the first and third columns, by using the first query values to probe the first index to obtain all related second column values, and using the obtained column values to probe the second index for all third column values which satisfy the second query value. A temporary composite index over the first and third columns for the query values can be created. A temporary composite index can be created for a query which was unexpected. |
| US08086606B1 |
Performing a keyword search based on identifying exclusive lowest common ancestor (ELCA) nodes
A hierarchical arrangement of nodes is provided to represent Extensible Markup Language (XML) data. In response to a keyword search query containing query keywords, sets of nodes in the hierarchical arrangement are identified for respective query keywords. A smallest of the sets of nodes is identified, and starting with the smallest of the sets of nodes, a stack-based algorithm is applied to identify exclusive lowest common ancestor (ELCA) nodes of the hierarchical arrangement. |
| US08086604B2 |
Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system
The present invention provides convenient access to items of information that are related to various descriptors input by a user, by means of a unitary interface which is capable of accessing information in a variety of locations, through a number of different techniques. Using a plurality of heuristic algorithms to operate upon information descriptors input by the user, the present invention locates and displays candidate items of information for selection and/or retrieval. Thus, the advantages of a search engine can be exploited, while listing only relevant object candidate items of information. |
| US08086598B1 |
Query optimizer with schema conversion
Methods, program products and systems for determining, for a database query that does not represent a snowflake schema, a graph comprising vertices each representing a table joined in the query, a directed edge between each pair of vertices of which a first vertex represents a first table and a second vertex represents a second table that is joined in the query with the first table, each of the edges representing one of an outer join and an inner join. Further determining, for the graph, a directed spanning tree that represents an ordering of joins in the query and includes all outer join edges in the graph. |
| US08086597B2 |
Between matching
A query of at least one mark-up language document has a path expression comprising a conjunction, a first filter and a second filter. The first filter has a first probe. The second filter has a second probe. The first and second filters form a between filter having start and stop values specified by the first and second probes. A plan to process the query is generated based on, at least in part, a range defined by the start and stop values. An index of mark-up language documents is defined by another path expression; the index comprises values of mark-up language documents that satisfy the other path expression; the values are key values of the index. The plan is to perform a single scan of the key values from the start value to the stop value to identify at least one key value that satisfies the between filter. |
| US08086596B2 |
Healthcheck of information technology infrastructure based on log data
Checking health of information technology infrastructure based on log data, in one aspect, may collect log data non-intrusively from a production system, said log data at least associated with transactions occurring in the production system and resource utilization of the production system, may normalize said log data into a plurality of log data types, may perform data regression analysis using said plurality of log data types to estimate resources consumed by each of said transactions and throughput of each of said transactions, and may use a queuing model to predict performance of the information technology infrastructure under various workloads. |
| US08086593B2 |
Dynamic filters for relational query processing
Systems and methods that eliminate non-qualifying data for queries against data warehouses and improve execution time, via a dynamic filter component(s). In general, such dynamic filter components are derived from data during processing of the query and without being explicitly defined by the users within a query forwarded to the data warehouse. Moreover, an evaluation component can monitor efficiency of filter components (e.g., number of rows that can be eliminated), and dynamically change and/or update the evaluation order of such filters. |
| US08086591B2 |
Combining domain-tuned search systems
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or techniques that effectuate combining domain-tuned search systems. The system can include mechanisms that obtain queries, written descriptions, or illustrative web-pages regarding a particular area of interest, and generate a definition related to the area of interest. The definition contains a list of paths with associated weights employed to identify an pre-established first domain-tuned search system related to the area of interest. The first domain-tuned search system thereafter can be combined with a second domain-tuned search system related to another area of interest and presented to a user for utilization in re-ranking generic search results to be specific to the first and second domains of interest if combined, or to only the first domain if weights for the second domain are logically subtracted. |
| US08086589B2 |
Searching system, searching unit, searching method, displaying method for search results, terminal unit, inputting unit, and record medium
A communication apparatus transmits information to a search apparatus that stores related information associated with broadcast content. The search apparatus searches for the related information of the broadcast content based on a broadcast time. The communication apparatus includes an operation unit that executes an operation. The communication apparatus also includes a counter that initiates a count operation for counting a count value in response to the operation of the operation unit, and that resets the count value in response to a transmission of the count value to the search apparatus. The counter is kept stopped between a time of the transmission and a time the operation unit is next operated. The communication apparatus additionally includes a communication unit that transmits the transmission of the count value to the search apparatus for a derivation of the broadcast time using the count value and a current time. |
| US08086580B2 |
Handling access requests to a page while copying an updated page of data to storage
Provided are a method, system, and program for handling access requests to a page while copying an updated page of data to storage. An update to a page in a memory is received and indication is made that the page has an exclusive lock. The update is applied to the page and an operation is initiated to copy the updated page to a physical log in a storage in response to applying the update to the page. Reads and writes are allowed to proceed against the page while the operation to copy the updated page to the physical log in the storage is occurring. |
| US08086577B2 |
Unified collection of content analytic data
A user evaluation of distributed content comprising an Evaluation Program (EP) that creates a user session when a user accesses distributed content is stored. The user evaluation is saved with other information such as the time and date of the evaluation, the user's personal information, and the navigation path the user used to access the distributed content page. The EP records the user's navigation of the distributed content in the user session. The EP gives the user the opportunity to rate distributed content. The EP saves the user's evaluation with the user session data and external stimuli data. The EP closes the user session when the user leaves the distributed content. The EP reopens the user session when the user returns to the distributed content. |
| US08086574B2 |
Usage-based optimization of network traffic and data warehouse size
The present invention generally provides systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for maintaining a data warehouse having a plurality of fields updated with data from one or more data sources. Rather than automatically update every field of data available in the warehouse, a limited subset of fields identified through their involvement in queries issued against the warehouse are updated. By limiting the fields that are updated, the network bandwidth required to transmit the updates to the data warehouse may be reduced. Further, by removing fields from the data warehouse that are not in use, the size of the data warehouse may be reduced. |
| US08086570B2 |
Secure document management using distributed hashing
The document management server includes an identification information providing unit that receives a request to obtain identification information required for accessing a document from a client, generates the identification information for the received request, and sends the generated identification information to the client; a relation information management unit that manages relation information of the requested document and the identification information generated for the request; and a history information management unit that manages information on the client who has sent the request, associating with the identification information. |
| US08086567B2 |
Apparatus and method for storing data
The present application provides a storage apparatus for storing data. The storage apparatus comprises storage means for storing data, committing means for committing the availability of a certain storage space to a source device, detecting means for detecting the availability of the certain storage space to produce a detection result, and communication means for informing the source device the detection result, whereby the source device takes corresponding action(s) according to the detection result. In this way, each storage device of a group is bound by its commitment, if it violates its commitment, it risks the loss of its file(s) stored on other members' storage space. |
| US08086558B2 |
Computer-implemented system for human resources management
A system and method for testing and/or evaluating employees or potential employees is disclosed. A computer arranges a plurality of applicants in a stack ranked table. The table may rank or re-rank applicants against each other, from best to worst, after successive screening, selecting, and/or interviewing stages for a particular job. Performance evaluations of hired workers may be fed back to the computer for adjusting the system and method. Competencies shown to be predictive of successful performance of a given type of job are tested for at various stages in an online testing system. |
| US08086557B2 |
Method and system for retrieving statements of information sources and associating a factuality assessment to the statements
A system and method for providing a factuality assessment of a retrieved information source's statement are disclosed. The method includes receiving a user's query which identifies an information source whose statements are to be retrieved, retrieving documents which refer to the information source, mapping statements in the retrieved documents to their authors, identifying as information source statements, the mapped statements that are mapped to an author which is compatible with the information source, and for at least one of the information source's statements, assessing a factuality of the information source's statement according to the information source. |
| US08086556B2 |
Geocoding method using multidimensional vector spaces
A process for evaluating and geocoding of GIS data elements utilizes a plurality of “locate” tests and a weighting scheme to express the match results as a multidimensional vector. Multiple inputs and data sources, as well as ambiguous and partial input data, are used to generate an output with improved precision by applying a weighting function to each input element and generating a set of test vectors (i.e., in the input data element weighted by the known accuracy of the element/source). A sum of a plurality of tests is then generated as the “characteristic vector” of the test set. By using two (or more) different sets of tests, two (or more) characteristic vectors are formed. Various well-known algebraic techniques can then be used to evaluate the results of each set of tests and select the “best match” result. |
| US08086555B2 |
Collaborative filtering systems and methods
A collaborative filtering method for evaluating a group of items to aid in predicting utility of items for a particular user comprises assigning an item value of either known or missing to each item of the group of items, and applying a modification scheme to the item values of the missing items to assign a confidence value to each of the item values of the missing items to thereby generate a group of modified item values. The group of items having modified item values and the group known items are evaluated to generate a prediction of utility of items for a particular user. |
| US08086554B1 |
Pattern matching in a multiprocessor environment
Pattern matching in a plurality of interconnected processing engines includes: accepting a stream of input sequences over an interface and storing the input sequences; storing instructions for matching an input sequence to one or more patterns in memory accessible by a first set of one or more processing engines, and storing instructions for matching an input sequence to one or more patterns in memory accessible by a second set of one or more processing engines; distributing information identifying selected input sequences to the first and second sets of processing engines; and retrieving the identified input sequences to perform pattern matching in the first and second sets of processing engines. |
| US08086552B2 |
Dynamic user prompting for pertinent clinical information
A method for dynamically prompting a caregiver for pertinent information about a patient uses a computer or processor operating as a rule-based system. The method includes receiving a first data input triggering a rule in a first rule queue requiring both a first data input and at least a second data input. The method further includes determining that the second data input is not available or is outdated, placing the rule in a second rule queue for later execution, and, when the second data input is available within a selected period of time, executing the rule, or otherwise, after the selected period of time, sending an electronic message to a caregiver to take action to provide the second data input. |
| US08086544B2 |
Analysis of energy-related factors for selecting computational job locations
The selection of an optimal data center location for running a computational workload is based on multiple energy criteria. The location is chosen based on multivariate and predictive analysis of total direct and indirect energy costs, and other user-defined factors. Among the direct and indirect costs are power costs and cooling costs as well as structural and other details of a given data center. Among the other factors to be considered that can have an impact on present and future costs are weather patterns, data and forecasts, availability of energy providers, and energy attributes. A forecaster factors these direct and indirect costs along with extrinsic information such as historical trends and predictive sources into a forecast which is then input to a decision engine along with user defined criteria and with anticipated compute tasks and requirements to select a final location or locations for handling the workload. |
| US08086543B2 |
Charity auctions on social networks for optimizing contributions to fundraising campaigns
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for performing a fundraising campaign are provided. A charity is determined to receive contributions from a plurality of entities. With regard to the charity, contribution constraints are received from each entity of the plurality of entities. The contribution constraints for an entity may include a contribution budget and at least one conditional contribution conditioned on a contribution amount of at least one other entity contributing to the charity. Contribution amounts are calculated for the plurality of entities based on the contribution constraints. Each entity is informed of a corresponding contribution amount of the calculated contribution amounts, so that the entities can provide their respective contribution amounts to the charity. |
| US08086539B2 |
Value processing network and methods
A method of processing a transaction involving at least two parties includes establishing rules that define transaction processing between combinations of a plurality of origination entities and a plurality of destination entities and storing the rules at a storage arrangement associated with a host computer system. The method also includes receiving at the host computer system transaction information relating to the transaction between the two parties. One of the parties is a particular one of the origination entities and one of the parties is a particular one of the destination entities. The transaction information contains at least an identifier from which at least one of the parties may be identified. The method also includes using the transaction information at the host computer system to identify at least one of the parties and consulting the storage arrangement to determine the rules that define transaction processing for the at least one party. The method also includes processing the transaction based, at least in part, on the rules. |
| US08086537B2 |
Distribution system of contents embedding license machine ID
A server apparatus operates a content sale site for selling a digital content and connects communicably via a communication network to a client apparatus which may purchase a digital content for use in an electronic music apparatus. In the server apparatus, a communicating section communicates with the client apparatus for receiving therefrom order information specifying a digital content to be purchased, and machine ID information designating machine IDs of electronic music apparatuses which are intended to use the specified digital content. A licensing section embeds the received machine ID information in the digital content specified by the client apparatus so as to license the specified digital content to the electronic music apparatuses designated by the client apparatus. A providing section provides the digital content embedded with the machine ID information to the client apparatus such that the provided digital content is made available exclusively by the designated electronic musical apparatuses according to the embedded machine ID information. |
| US08086536B2 |
Location based licensing
The present invention provides a method and system for location-based digital rights management. Digital rights for protected content are restricted to a specific location or region by specifying the approved location of the consuming device within the license. This allows the content owner to specify the geographic locations/regions at which the protected content may be consumed. The device obtains its location from a location entity which is then evaluated against the location constraint within the license. If the device is within the location constraint then the content may be accessed. Acquiring the location of the device before allowing access to certain content helps in preventing a user from accessing a protected document in an area which is considered a prohibited location as defined within the license. |
| US08086534B2 |
Methods and systems for cardholder initiated transactions
A cardholder-initiated financial transaction using a cardholder controlled input device in communication with a payment card network and a database is disclosed. The cardholder uses a payment card issued to the cardholder by an issuer bank. An exemplary method includes the steps of storing merchant data within the database including data identifying the merchants registered to utilize the card network and receiving from the input device transaction data relating to the financial transaction. The transaction data includes an authorization request and merchant identifying data that identifies the merchant involved in the transaction. The method further includes determining that the identified merchant is registered to utilize the card network by comparing the transaction data with the merchant data stored in the database, forwarding the authorization request to the issuer bank, receiving a response to the request from the issuer bank, and automatically forwarding the response to the input device. |
| US08086532B2 |
Internet billing method
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, identifying a consumer account managed by a service provider to which purchases are chargeable, the identification of the account based on transactional information, enabling customer equipment to request a purchase of an electronically-purchasable item of a vendor via network equipment of the service provider, wherein the vendor is a party other than the service provider, charging the consumer account a fee for a purchase initiated by the customer equipment, and remitting a portion of the fee to an account of the vendor. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08086531B2 |
Virtual credit card terminal and method of transaction
The present invention provides a method of making a secure financial transaction over the internet comprising: a virtual credit card terminal (VCT) having a credit card means reader, a digital processing device operatively associated with said credit card means reader and encoding transaction programs that allows opening of an interactive terminal window for processing of the transaction, and wherein said virtual credit card terminal is registered with a VCT gateway. |
| US08086530B2 |
Electronic payment system utilizing intermediary account
Payments in cash are submitted to a merchant at a point of sale. The payment transaction is effected electronically to credit the end user's intermediary account. Subsequent electronic communications between the intermediary account and a vendor site effect payment to the vendor for goods or services on behalf of the end user. This system leverages the existing credit card payment system in reverse so as to provide the convenience of submitting cash payments at a multitude of merchant locations. |
| US08086529B2 |
System and method for assessing and managing financial transactions
A financial terms alert generation system comprises an information retrieval module, a financial terms comparison module, and an alert transmission module. The information retrieval module is configured to retrieve financing information, customer information, and product information from one or more sources accessible on a network. The financial terms comparison module is configured to compare a customer's current financial arrangement to a potential new financial arrangement to determine whether the customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. The alert transmission module is configured to transmit an alert to a dealer in cases in which the financial terms comparison module determines that a customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. Such alerts identify the customer and the favorable financial terms. |
| US08086522B2 |
System and method for changing the view of a trading screen
A trading screen displays market information, such as working orders, buy and sell orders, and other items of interest, in association with values on a value axis. Each item of interest is therefore displayed in relation to the value axis to provide a trader with an intuitive display of the market. In one embodiment, a user can select a location associated with a particular value on the trading screen and upon an selection, for example, by a click of the mouse button, the value axis is repositioned so that the selected value is moved to a predefined location. During which, market information is moved to new locations that are associated with their respective values on the value axis. |
| US08086521B2 |
System and method for computing and displaying effective bid and ask information
A data feed from an electronic exchange carries certain pieces of market information. Software at the trading station receives the data feed and computes an effective bid price and/or an effective ask price based on a particular quantity to trade. Then, the effective bid price and/or effective ask price are indicated to the user. An effective bid price is an average price at which a certain quantity could be sold based on current market conditions. An effective ask price is an average price at which a certain quantity could be bought based on current market conditions. Depending on the available quantities in the market, the effective prices may represent spreads different from the actual spread of the inside market. This information may be used to, among other things, make more accurate trades at prices. Additionally, a derivative of price, such as yield, may be used to compute other types of effective bid and/or ask information. |
| US08086515B2 |
System and method for settling trades
A method of settling trades includes the steps of obtaining an authenticated delivery instrument, wherein the authenticated delivery instrument is authenticated by a first exchange and may be used to settle a trade undertaken on the first exchange. An electronic proxy is issued for the delivery instrument, wherein the electronic proxy may be exchanged for the authenticated delivery instrument and where the electronic proxy is used to settle a trade undertaken on a second exchange. |
| US08086508B2 |
Method and apparatus for delegating authority
A delegated authority system allows an account holder to delegate authority to one or more individuals, such as financial advisors through a third party service. An individual receives authority to access financial accounts and/or access aggregated financial data. The individual may then retrieve account information from the individual accounts or from the aggregated financial data. In on exemplary system, the account information is accessed via the Internet or another data communication network. |
| US08086506B2 |
Network-based supply chain management method
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response; and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast. The method also includes monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment, refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center, and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal. |
| US08086502B2 |
Method and system for mobile publication
In a method and system for mobile publication, a captured image is accessed. A bar code is decoded from the captured image. An item associated with the bar code is identified. An item listing of the item is generated in accordance with the identifying of the item. The item listing is utilized for posting with a listing manager. One or more item listings for the item are identified. At least one item listing of the one or more item listings is provided for presentation in accordance with the searching of the one or more item listings. |
| US08086490B2 |
Systems and methods of using a lighting system to enhance brand recognition
The present solution described herein provides systems and methods to coordinate and control the lighting of areas of a display unit in manner desired based on the type, brand and other characteristics of the product presented for display via the display unit. A lighting control system may control the characteristics of light emanating from one or more light sources to cause a reaction or visual effect from light reactive material of the product or display unit. In some cases, the lighting control system may control the characteristics of light emanating from one or more light sources based on signals from detectors, such as sensing any state or condition of the ambient environment. |
| US08086488B2 |
Method and apparatus for defining, distributing, and redeeming SMS and MMS coupons
A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows advertisers to define and distribute Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) coupons to consumers, and for consumers to redeem the received coupons, where such SMS and MMS coupons are used by businesses to promote their products and services to consumers. |
| US08086487B2 |
Demographic information gathering and incentive award system and method
A method of providing an incentive award to a user for visiting a participating web site includes registering a user with the information gathering system which maintains an award point account associated with the user and where award points are specific to the information gathering system, making award points available for purchase to a web site proprietor which operates the participating web site, awarding a predetermined amount of award points by the web site proprietor to the registered user for a visit conforming to a predefined rule to the participating web site, updating the award point account associated with the registered user, and exchanging award points associated with the registered user for a good or a service. |
| US08086486B2 |
Method for managing information and rendering discounts
A method for managing information and rendering discounts in a billing system utilizes a rule-based engine. Customer records are processed with a rule-based accumulation engine to accumulate the data in a plurality of predetermined target accumulators. A plurality of target accumulators are processed with a rule-based discount engine to render discounts applicable to the customer. |
| US08086485B1 |
Method, algorithm, and computer program for optimizing the performance of messages including advertisements in an interactive measurable medium
Method, procedure, algorithm, system, and computer program for improving and attempting to optimize the performance of messaging campaigns, particularly to marketing campaigns in which advertisements or other messages are distributed over an interactive measurable medium such as the Internet. A goal is to allocate the message alternatives to the customer population to optimize business objectives. The includes reading prior stage message state data pertaining to a prior stage including a cumulative number of trials and a cumulative number of successes for a particular message. Message performance results representing message trials and message successes from the previous stage based on the prior-stage state are then read, and a current message state is computed. A current message allocation is generated based on the current message state. Desirably the cumulative number of trials and the cumulative number of successes are discounted based on the age of the information. This inventive procedure may be applied to various message types including, for example, web site banner advertisements, electronic advertisements generally, email messages and promotions, and the like. In one embodiment, the messages are internet web site banner ads, trials are impressions of the ads presented to the user, and successes are measured by clickthroughs from the banner ad to the web site associated with the banner ad. Computer system, computer program, and computer program product associated with the inventive method and procedures are also provided. |
| US08086484B1 |
Method for managing collaborative quality review of creative works
A method and system of assessing the quality of a work through a quality review engine. The quality review system efficiently builds a ranked list of works. Competing and collaborating creators review each other's works through a variable, relative-measurement technique. Subject matter creators rate the quality of individual pieces of material, while concurrently being reviewed themselves to assess the level of expertise of each reviewer, and thus, the degree of weight that should be given to the commentary of each reviewer. Each review may itself be reviewed to assess a usefulness of the review to determine the weight the review should be given in the ranking process. Assigned reviews, monitored control works, and other fraud detection devices assure accurate rankings at a low cost. |
| US08086483B1 |
Analysis and normalization of questionnaires
In one example, normalized questionnaires may be used to consistently determine an assessment regardless of which of the questionnaires is used. The normalization may include verification that a category score is consistently determined regardless of which of the questionnaires is used. The category score included in the assessment may be determined as a function of answers provided in response to each of the questions that are included in a questionnaire and that are directed to a question category. Normalization may include selection of focus questions from among the questions that are directed to the question category. Normalization may include determination of category scores, where each of the category scores is determined based on a respective answer to each one of the focus questions. |
| US08086467B2 |
Process management support system and simulation method
There is provided a process management support system and the like which supports searching continuously a business process appropriate to a change of the external environments.The system defines an action of a CLIENT 103 as a mode of progress of client operations (COPs), and correlates each COP to each SERVICE 104 of a service provider 101. In a simulation, the COP to be executed is specified based on the defined mode of progress of COPs, and a request for the SERVICE 104 is made occur from the specified COP under a predetermined condition. Then, each time the request occurs, the SERVICE 104 correlated to the specified COP is provided to the CLIENT 103 from which the request occurred. |
| US08086463B2 |
Dynamically generating a vocal help prompt in a multimodal application
Dynamically generating a vocal help prompt in a multimodal application that include detecting a help-triggering event for an input element of a VoiceXML dialog, where the detecting is implemented with a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, the multimodal application is operatively coupled to a VoiceXML interpreter, and the multimodal application has no static help text. Dynamically generating a vocal help prompt in a multimodal application according to embodiments of the present invention typically also includes retrieving, by the VoiceXML interpreter from a source of help text, help text for an element of a speech recognition grammar, forming by the VoiceXML interpreter the help text into a vocal help prompt, and presenting by the multimodal application the vocal help prompt through a computer user interface to a user. |
| US08086461B2 |
System and method for tracking persons of interest via voiceprint
Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media for tracking a person of interest. The method embodiment comprises identifying a person of interest, capturing a voiceprint of the person of interest, comparing a received voiceprint of a caller with the voiceprint of the person of interest, and tracking the caller if the voiceprint of the caller is a substantial match to the voiceprint of the person of interest. |
| US08086460B2 |
Speech-enabled application that uses web 2.0 concepts to interface with speech engines
The present invention discloses a speech-enabled application that includes two or more linked markup documents that together form a speech-enabled application served by a Web 2.0 server. The linked markup documents can conform to an ATOM PUBLISHING PROTOCOL (APP) based protocol. Additionally, the linked markup documents can include an entry collection of documents and a resource collection of documents. The resource collection can include at least one speech resource associated with a speech engine disposed in a speech processing system remotely located from the Web 2.0 server. The speech resource can add a speech processing capability to the speech-enabled application. In one embodiment, end-users of the speech-enabled application can be permitted to introspect, customize, replace, add, re-order, and remove at least a portion of the linked markup documents. |
| US08086458B2 |
Audio signal de-identification
Techniques are disclosed for automatically de-identifying spoken audio signals. In particular, techniques are disclosed for automatically removing personally identifying information from spoken audio signals and replacing such information with non-personally identifying information. De-identification of a spoken audio signal may be performed by automatically generating a report based on the spoken audio signal. The report may include concept content (e.g., text) corresponding to one or more concepts represented by the spoken audio signal. The report may also include timestamps indicating temporal positions of speech in the spoken audio signal that corresponds to the concept content. Concept content that represents personally identifying information is identified. Audio corresponding to the personally identifying concept content is removed from the spoken audio signal. The removed audio may be replaced with non-personally identifying audio. |
| US08086452B2 |
Scalable coding apparatus and scalable coding method
A scalable coding apparatus is provided to suppress deterioration of a quality of a coded signal in a normal frame next to a frame compensated for the occurrence of a data loss. The scalable coding apparatus is provided with a core-layer coding section (11) to carry out core-layer coding for the n-th frame input audio signal, an ordinary coding section (121) to generate expanding-layer ordinary-coding layer L2(n) by carrying out ordinary-coding of an expanding layer for the input audio signal, a deterioration-compensation coding section (123) to generate an expanding-layer-deterioration coding data L2′(n) by carrying out compensation for quality deterioration of coded audio in a current frame due to a past frame loss, a judging section (125) to determine whether either the expanding-layer ordinary-coding data L2(n) or the expanding-layer deterioration-coding data L2′(n) should be output from the expanding-layer coding section (12) as expanding-layer coding data of the current frame. |
| US08086441B1 |
Efficient string search
Some embodiments of an efficient string search have been presented. In one embodiment, a string of bytes representing content written in a non-delimited language is received, wherein the content has been classified into a predetermined category. In a single pass through the string of bytes, a set of N-grams is searched for simultaneously. Statistical information on occurrences of the N-grams, if any, in the string of bytes is collected. In some embodiments, a model is generated based on the statistical information, where the model is usable by a content filter to classify content. |
| US08086440B2 |
System and method of prioritizing automated translation of communications from a first human language to a second human language
A method of prioritizing the automated translation of communications relating to a predetermined topic includes capturing and inputting into a data processing system a translation-candidate communication rendered in a first human language. A first data set representative of the translation-candidate communication is stored in computer memory and parsed into communication sub-portions. Communication sub-portions are algorithmically selected for translation depending on their relatedness to the predetermined topic as determined by first-language extraction rules. Each selected communication sub-portion is translated to a translated-data-set sub-portion representative of that selected communication sub-portion in the second human language. Translated-data-set sub-portions are subjected to a secondary filtration process in accordance with which their relatedness to the predetermined topic is determined by second-language extraction rules. Those translated-data-set sub-portions determined to contain information sufficiently related to the predetermined topic, or a related sub-topic, are converted to converted-data-set sub-portions representative of the translated-data-set sub-portions in a human-intelligible format and outputted through a machine-to-human interface. |
| US08086437B2 |
Modeling and simulating software contention
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to modeling and simulating software contention. In aspects, a model declares properties of a scarce software object and models software components that need the scarce software object to execute. A simulator uses the model to set up data structures that track locking activity related to the software object. The simulator simulates the interaction between software components and hardware including seizing and releasing locks on the software object. The simulator may use a function or other similar mechanism to distribute seize and release operations with respect to a lock across multiple instances of the software object. The simulator may use data generated by a simulation to provide an indication of lock objects and hardware utilization, transaction latencies, and other statistics. |
| US08086435B1 |
Method for predicting simultaneous switching output (SSO) noise
A method for the prediction of simultaneous switching output (SSO) noise that may be generated by one or more signal conduction paths within an electrical system. Electrical disturbance waveforms are first recorded for each signal conduction path that may be affected by the electrical disturbances. Next, principles of superposition are utilized to coherently combine each of the electrical disturbance waveforms in the time domain to generate the predicted SSO noise waveform that is imposed upon the affected signal conduction path. The electrical disturbance waveforms may be produced either by using bench measurements performed on an actual integrated circuit, by simulation, or by a combination of simulation and bench measurements. |
| US08086433B2 |
Simulation apparatus and method for design of sensor network
A simulation apparatus and method in relation to a sensor network are provided. The apparatus includes: a space database storing space information; a database storing standard specifications of sensors or sensor nodes; and a modeling unit extracting information on a 3-dimensional (3D) virtual space in which a sensor or sensor node is positioned, from the space database, obtaining the characteristic of the sensor or the sensor node from the standard specification based on the extracted space information and the standard specification of the sensor or the sensor node, and modeling the sensor or the sensor node. According to the apparatus and method, a virtual wireless sensor network system identical to a real world environment can be established, and as a result, the performance of the system can be accurately measured and an optimized design of the system can be efficiently performed. |
| US08086432B2 |
Molecular motor
A molecular motor in which multiple concentric cylinders (or nested cones) rotate around a common longitudinal axis. Opposing complementary surfaces of the cylinders or cones are coated with complementary motor protein pairs (such as actin and myosin). The actin and myosin interact with one another in the presence of ATP to rotate the cylinders or cones relative to one another, and this rotational energy is harnessed to produce work. The concentration of ATP and the number of nested cylinders or cones can be used to control the rotational speed of the motor. The length of the cylinders can also be used to control the power generated by the motor. In another embodiment, the molecular motor includes at least two annular substrates wherein one annular substrate is coated with a first motor protein and the other annular substrate is coated with a second motor protein. The first and second motor proteins interact with each other to move the second annular relative to the first annular substrate. |
| US08086430B2 |
Method to accurately position finite element dummies in finite element simulations
The present invention uses spring models to position a finite element occupant model within a pre-simulation. Initially, a starting position and a final position for the finite element occupant model are determined. A first end of each of a plurality of spring models are attached at a first end to one or more components of the finite element occupant model in its starting position. The motion of the second end of each spring model is prescribed using positioning parameters and/or properties of each spring model are specified using spring parameters so that each attachment point is pulled to its final position through tension on the spring models. The specified positioning parameters and/or spring parameters describe how each spring model repositions the components of the finite element occupant model from the starting position to the final position. |
| US08086429B2 |
Predicate-based compositional minimization in a verification environment
A system for performing verification includes a means for: importing a design netlist containing component(s), computing output function(s) for the component(s), generating output equivalent state set(s) from the output function(s), identifying next-state function(s) for the component(s), means for producing image equivalent state set(s) for the next-state function(s), means for classifying output-and-image equivalent state set(s) for the image equivalent state set(s) and the output equivalent state set(s), getting a preimage from the next-state function(s) and the output-and-image equivalent state(s) to generate a preimage of the output-and-image equivalent state(s), partitioning over original state(s) of the component(s), and equivalent class input set(s) of the component(s). Moreover, the system includes a means for: selecting input representative(s) of the equivalent input set(s), forming an input map from the input representative(s), synthesizing the input map, and injecting the input map back into the netlist to generate a modified netlist. |
| US08086425B2 |
Autonomous fitness for service assessment
Autonomous fitness for continuing service assessment equipment interacts with the operator through natural speech, voice and sound and provides active failure prevention through automatic and/or continuous fitness for service assessment of a material under evaluation. The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation. |
| US08086422B2 |
Method for analyzing defect data and inspection apparatus and review system
The distribution states of defects are analyzed on the basis of the coordinates of defects detected by an inspection apparatus to classify them into a distribution feature category, or any one of repetitive defect, congestion defect, linear distribution defect, ring/lump distribution defect and random defect. In the manufacturing process for semiconductor substrates, defect distribution states are analyzed on the basis of defect data detected by an inspection apparatus, thereby specifying the cause of defect in apparatus or process. |
| US08086420B2 |
Junction temperature prediction method and apparatus for use in a power conversion module
A method and apparatus for predicting junction device temperature of at least a first switching device in a power conversion module that includes a plurality of switching devices, the method comprising the steps of, during switching activity, identifying at least one operating characteristic of the first switching device and solving an equation that uses the identified operating characteristic to predict the temperature of the first switching device where the equation solved is a function of the location of the first switching device with respect to the other switching devices in the plurality. |
| US08086418B2 |
Imperfect combustion detecting device
An imperfect combustion detecting device includes a destructive current supplying means which supplies, under a condition that it is determined by a useful life determining means that a deterioration status corresponding value matches a use limit value, destructive current to a sensor in order to melt down a part of a circuit that configures the sensor. When it is determined that the sensor is no longer capable of performing a normal CO level detecting function, the sensor is destroyed to the extent rendering the CO level detecting function of the sensor lost to an unrecoverable level. |
| US08086416B2 |
Auto-synchronous power gauge
According to one exemplary embodiment, an auto-synchronous power gauge for measuring total charge consumed from a power source of an electronic device includes an analog to digital converter for sampling a signal corresponding to current drawn from the power source, and one or more accumulators. The analog to digital converter produces digital outputs which are received and summed by the one or more accumulators. The auto-synchronous power gauge further includes a power mode detector for generating a power mode signal using the signal corresponding to current drawn from the power source, where the power mode signal is used by a controller to enable and disable the one or more accumulators and the analog to digital converter. The total charge consumed can be determined by a processor coupled to the auto-synchronous power gauge. In one embodiment, a sync signal from the processor provides input to the controller. |
| US08086415B2 |
Molecularly imprinted polymer
A computer aided rational molecular design method that includes establishing a virtual library of functional monomers each having a portion that is capable of polymerizing and a functional group that is capable of interacting with a template molecule with the aid of a computer, designing a molecular model of a biological template molecule by a computer facilitated molecular mechanical method and screening said virtual library of functional monomers and selecting those monomers which have the highest binding score to the template molecule by their functional group. |
| US08086413B2 |
Disulphide bond connectivity in protein
A method, computer system, and computer program product for determining N disulphide bond connections in a protein having 2N bonded sulphur atoms. Each sulphur atom is available for forming the N disulphide bond connections through use of an undirected graph having the 2N sulphur atoms as nodes and having an edge connecting each pair of nodes. Each sulphur atom is comprised by a cysteine of the protein. The cysteines are sequenced along a chain in the protein as ordered list of position indexes. A weight W of each edge between cysteine position indexes I1 and I2 is calculated as decreasing with increasing separation d between I1 and I2, wherein d is |I1−I2|/100. The N disulphide bond connections are determined by optimizing an objective function formed from the calculated weights W. |
| US08086412B2 |
Corrective methodology for processing results of transcriptome experiments obtained by differential analysis
A corrective method is described for processing results of transcriptome experiments obtained by differential analysis includes the following steps: obtaining the results of the level of expression of genes under a reference condition, and calculating the mean level of expression of each of such genes; obtaining the results of the level of expression of such genes under a treatment condition, and calculating the mean level of expression for each of such genes; calculating the modulation coefficient for the level of expression for each of such genes; calculating a p-value associated with each modulation coefficient; and calculating isobar curves of p-value as a function of the mean level of expression of each of such genes under the reference condition; calculating and associating a median modulation coefficient on the isobar curve of each p-value observed. The processing of results of experiments carried out on DNA chips is also described. |
| US08086410B1 |
Methods of detecting DNA variation in sequence data
A method for detecting DNA variation. First, by aligning trace data of a sample DNA sequence to trace data of a reference DNA sequence to produce an aligned sample DNA sequence. Then, inputting the trace data of the bases of both the reference DNA sequence and the aligned sample DNA sequence for a particular frame number into a non-linear mathematical function of an anti-correlation calculation scheme for all the frame numbers. Minimal values will be produced at the particular frame number for DNA base trace data of the aligned sample DNA sequence which are not a variation as compared to the reference DNA sequence. Values above the minimal values will be produced at the particular frame number for DNA base trace data of the aligned sample DNA sequence which are a variation as compared to the reference DNA sequence. |
| US08086408B1 |
Method for positioning a wire using sensor information
A method for positioning a wire having nodes and streamers is provided herein. The wire can be secured to tow lines secured to a floating vessel for detecting near surface geology formations. The method can use in-water sensors deployed proximate to the wire near the tow lines, and a processor with data storage in communication with the in-water sensors. The method can use a data array, a library of data formats, a library of wires, a library of preset limits, and a network. The method can include receiving sensor information, filtering sensor information, verifying filtered signals, constructing and modifying a mathematical model, obtaining a list of coordinates, constructing a real-time display of the wire, identifying a location of at least one streamer, transmitting alarms, creating a trend analysis over time and event-by-event, and creating a log file using the industry standard data formats. |
| US08086407B2 |
Method and device for environmental monitoring
The present invention is related to an environmental monitoring and analyzing device. The device contains a plurality of sensors, a control unit and a display unit. The different types of sensors obtain values of different environmental parameters. The control unit receives the obtained values of the environmental parameters and compares the obtained values against predetermined standards and criteria which define parameter ranges of the different environmental parameters. A display unit displays a real-time air quality report including a user-friendly interpretation of the obtained values and recommendations in response to the obtained values. By implementing this invention into an embodiment, the environmental monitoring analyzing is carried out instantly by considering the interrelationship of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters. A real-time comprehensive and easily understood by non-technical user air quality report is provided. |
| US08086402B2 |
Map displaying device
A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user's vehicle. |
| US08086399B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus includes notification means for notifying an advance direction at a branching point in a route guiding, storage means for storing a plurality of moving methods and notification methods corresponding to the respective moving methods, input means for selecting one of the plurality of moving methods stored in the storage means, and control means for causing the notification means to perform notification by the notification method corresponding to the moving method selected by the input means. Thus, it is possible to easily set a route guiding such as a distance to the branching point where guiding is started for each of the moving methods and a sound volume. |
| US08086397B2 |
Mobile device with on-screen optical navigation
A mobile computing device, including a main body, a processor and associated memory housed within the main body, a display screen housed within the main body and responsive to signals from the processor, an optical sensor fixed to the main body for capturing successive images and providing image signals representative of the captured images to the processor, and a navigation module associated with the processor for determining, based on the image signals, a relative movement between the main body and a reference surface and moving a pointer on the display screen based on the determined relative movement. |
| US08086396B1 |
Close-spaced leader-follower navigation using control mimic
A method is provided for automatically controlling a first vehicle (follower vehicle) that is to follow a second vehicle (leader vehicle) in a desired manner with respect to movement of the second vehicle. In the follower vehicle, bearing and acceleration control inputs are generated based on data representing bearing and acceleration control inputs made at the leader vehicle and a position of the follower vehicle relative to the leader vehicle so as to mimic in the follower vehicle the bearing and acceleration control inputs made in the leader vehicle. Adjustments may be made to the control inputs applied in the follower vehicle based on deviation between the velocity of the follower vehicle and velocity of the leader velocity, and on deviation between estimated (actual) follow distance and lateral offset and target follow distance and lateral offset between the follower vehicle and the leader vehicle. |
| US08086395B2 |
In-vehicle navigation system
An in-vehicle navigation system includes a navigation device that further includes a receiving unit configured to receive information, a storage unit configured to store the received information, and a guidance unit. The navigation system further includes: a battery voltage detector; a temperature sensor; and a control device. The control device includes: a determination unit and a start-up control unit configured to periodically start the navigation device while the vehicle's engine is off, or cancel start-up of the navigation device based upon the detected battery voltage, a predetermined voltage level, and current and/or predicted temperatures. |
| US08086392B2 |
Post oxygen sensor performance diagnostic with minimum air flow
An engine control system includes an oxygen (O2) sensor diagnostic module that diagnoses an O2 sensor and requests a minimum air per cylinder (APC). A throttle actuator module controls a throttle to adjust a mass air flow based on the minimum APC. |
| US08086386B2 |
High efficiency internal combustion engine
A method for use in generating power in an internal combustion engine from combustion of a fuel admixed with an oxidizing gas and operating cyclically with intentional ignition of a first fuel or with self-ignition of a second fuel which includes changing a volume of a combustion chamber from a fixed minimum volume to a fixed maximum volume wherein the maximum volume is greater than a critical volume. The critical volume includes a volume of the chamber filled with an oxidizing gas at an initial temperature and an initial pressure such that when the temperature is compressed from the critical volume to the minimum volume the gas reaches a maximum temperature and a maximum pressure causing detonation of a first fuel, or the gas exceeds a maximum temperature and a maximum pressure predetermined for self-ignition of a second fuel. A flow of the gas is controlled into the chamber so as to provide an upper limit on the amount of the gas which fills the chamber in each chamber-filling intake part of an engine cycle. The upper limit includes a mass less than an amount of a mass of the oxidizing mass in the critical volume. |
| US08086384B2 |
Stop determination apparatus, inclination determination apparatus, and electric parking brake controller
A vehicle stop determination apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a speed of a vehicle, a G sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle, an inclination acceleration estimate section for calculating an estimated inclination acceleration resulting from an inclination of a road surface based on a vehicle speed reduction rate calculated from an output of the vehicle speed sensor and an output from the G sensor, and a stop determination section which has a first stop determination mode and a second stop determination mode and which selects the first stop determination mode or the second stop determination mode based on the vehicle speed reduction rate provided before the output of the vehicle speed sensor becomes equal to or less than a detection limit. Also, the inclination is re-determined based on the output of the G sensor when the vehicle is stopped. |
| US08086383B2 |
Vehicle control device
A control input for operating an actual vehicle actuator and a control input for operating a vehicle model are determined by an FB distribution law based on a difference between a reference state amount determined by a vehicle model and an actual state amount of an actual vehicle such that the state amount error is approximated to zero, and then an actuator device of the actual vehicle and the model vehicle are operated based on the control inputs. The FB distribution law determines a control input for operating the model such that a state amount error is approximated to zero while restraining a predetermined restriction object amount from deviating from a permissible range. A vehicle control device capable of enhancing robustness against disturbance factors or their changes while performing operation control of actuators that is as suited to behaviors of an actual vehicle as possible is provided. |
| US08086382B2 |
Three-wheel vehicle electronic stability system and control strategy therefor
A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded. |
| US08086381B2 |
Method for the emergency actuation of an automated double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle
A method for emergency actuation of an automated dual-clutch transmission of a vehicle with electrohydraulic control via a transmission control device. The method includes disengaging one clutch of the dual-clutch transmission, in order to realize emergency operation of the transmission and applying pressure on the other clutch after an error signal is transmitted indicating a malfunction of the transmission and/or the transmission control device. In order to keep the complexity of the hardware of the hydraulic system low, both clutches are disengaged, when an error signal occurs, and adjusted to a safe initial state, and an actuating pressure is only re-applied to one of the two clutches after the initial state is reached. In addition to the already existing elements of the hydraulic system, only one device or software is required which detects and selects the clutch that is more advantageous for continued driving operation. |
| US08086379B2 |
Control apparatus for automatic transmission
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a speed ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and a manual shift mode in which the speed ratio is changed based on an upshift command and a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation unit, the control apparatus includes a controller that operates in a jumping shift mode that is included in the manual shift mode and that is composed of a smaller number of shift speeds than a number of shift speeds of the automatic shift mode; wherein the controller performs a downshift from a shift speed of the jumping shift mode at a time when the downshift command is issued by an operation of the manual operation unit based on the shift speed of the jumping shift mode. |
| US08086378B2 |
Method for monitoring the quality of crop material
A method for estimating a portion of undesired particles in crop material includes taking a photograph of the crop material; identifying images of at least one type of undesired particle in the photograph that was taken; measuring the surface area covered by the image of every particle shown in the photograph; and determining the portion of undesired particles as a proportion of the surface area of the images, and may be used, in particular, in a harvesting machine on the crop material picked up in an on-going harvesting operation. |
| US08086374B2 |
Steering system
There is provided a steering system allowing a comfortable steering operation even if a driver quickly turns a steering wheel when a transfer ratio is quickened in a low vehicle speed range. In the steering system that changes the transfer ratio of a steering angle of the steering wheel to a turning angle of a turning wheel by a variable transfer ratio mechanism and generates auxiliary power by an electric power steering unit, a variable transfer ratio mechanism controlling ECU has a switching section for switching a transfer ratio modulating mode of setting a rotational angle of a transfer ratio variable motor used in the variable transfer ratio mechanism so that the transfer ratio is set at a target transfer ratio corresponding to vehicle speed with a steering torque modulating mode of reducing an electric current for driving the motor so as to reduce steering power of the steering wheel. |
| US08086372B2 |
Steering support device
The present invention aims at providing a steering assistance apparatus which can accurately detect a curve exit of a running path and perform steering assistance control with an excellent running path following capability. The steering assistance apparatus of the present invention is a steering assistance apparatus 1 for providing a steering mechanism with a steering torque such that a vehicle runs along a running path according to an image capturing the running path in front of the vehicle, which estimates a curve direction of the running path by processing the image, estimates a steering direction of a driver of the vehicle according to a steering operation of the driver, and determines that the vehicle is running through a curve exit according to a fact that the estimated curve direction and steering direction do not coincide with each other. This makes it possible to determine the curve exit of the running path accurately and perform appropriate steering assistance control. |
| US08086371B2 |
Control device for a wheel suspension system
In a control device for controlling a variable element of a wheel suspension system, the variable suspension element associated with one of the wheels is controlled at least according to an output of a sensor associated with a different one of the wheels. The output of the sensor may include a sprung mass speed of a vehicle part associated with each wheel. The variable suspension element may include a variable damping force damper or a variable spring constant spring. Thereby, an undesired response of a vehicle body can be avoided even when a vehicle is subjected to an uneven distribution of wheel loads such as when the vehicle is traveling over a slanted road surface or making a turn. |
| US08086365B2 |
Prioritization method of information transmitters, particularly for executing the coordinated drive train control of a motor vehicle
The prioritization method according to the present invention permits the selection of information providers independently of the selection and functioning manner of the requesting systems, for flexibilization. In a linear prioritization method according to the present invention, a list sorted by rising priority having information providers is sequentially polled, and the first information provider having a request command is selected, this request command is routed on, and the polling is ended. In an additional prioritization method according to the present invention, from a list that is not sorted, having information providers, the information provider having the maximum (minimum) request command is selected or the average request command of the requesters is ascertained. Preferably, the prioritization method according to the present invention is able to be executed using a computer system having a modular system construction. |
| US08086364B2 |
System and method for operation of electric and hybrid vehicles
A system for operating an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle includes a computer programmed to identify a location of a vehicle, access a map and identify a plurality of links therein, pre-screen the plurality of links to identify if any of the plurality of links is within a given bounds of the current location, and if one or more possible links are identified, then match the current location of the vehicle to one of the identified links, and upload power data for the vehicle corresponding to the matched location into a database. |
| US08086362B2 |
Method and device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft
Method and device for assisting the piloting of an aircraft. The device (1) comprises means (4) for determining, using a roll instruction and measured current values of external characteristics and of flight characteristics of the aircraft, a predicted path which is a flight path having a constant roll angel, taking account of the effect of the wind. |
| US08086361B2 |
Advisory system to aid pilot recovery from spatial disorientation during an excessive roll
Systems and methods for outputting instructions when a vehicle is not responding to a roll-angle alert. An example system includes one or more altitude sensors that determine one of altitude above ground level or barometric altitude, one or more roll-angle sensors that determine the roll-angle of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor receives the altitude and roll-angle information, determines if an excessive roll-angle condition exists based on the received altitude and roll-angle information, and generates a roll-angle alert signal if a roll-angle alert condition exists. The processor generates a roll-direction signal based upon vehicle position relative to the horizon and outputs the determined roll-direction signal via the one or more output devices, if one of the condition still exists after the time delay, the vehicle roll-angle has deteriorated away from the desired threshold, or the roll-angle rate is greater than a roll-angle rate threshold. |
| US08086357B2 |
Offline configuration using USB download in an integrated power distribution system
In accordance with the invention a configurable electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices. The system comprises a panel and a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel, each switching device for connection in a branch circuit to a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A panel controller is mounted in the panel and is operatively connected to each of the switching devices. The panel controller comprises a programmed controller for controlling operation of the switching devices and a panel memory connected to the programmed controller storing configuration data relating to operation of the switching devices. A port is provided for operatively connecting an external memory device to the programmed controller. A user interface is operatively associated with the programmed controller to transfer configuration data between the external memory device and the panel memory. |
| US08086353B2 |
Heating system control based on required heating power
A control system and method for controlling an indoor heating system for an indoor environment of a building in accordance with a desired indoor temperature, comprising a sensor (18) for detecting an outdoor temperature, a sensor (17) for detecting a in return temperature T.sub.return of a heat carrying medium circulated in a heat distribution system with a flow rate, and a controller (13). The controller is adapted to determine a required heating power P.sub.req to be delivered by the heat distribution system to maintain a heating power balance according to P.sub.req=P.sub.loss-P.sub.source, where P.sub.loss is an approximation of heating power losses from the building, and includes a dynamic approximation of heating power transfer through walls of the building, based on at least the desired indoor temperature, the detected outdoor temperature, a heat transfer coefficient of the wall, and a heat capacity of the wall, and P.sub.source is an approximation of heating power sources external to the heating system, and, based on the detected return temperature, control a combination of forward flow temperature and flow rate so as to ensure that the distribution system delivers the required heating power. According to the present invention, a dynamic model of the heating power balance of the building is used to control the heating power delivered by the heating system. This results in improved control compared a control scheme based only on flow temperature control based on outdoor temperature. |
| US08086351B2 |
Methods and systems for area search using a plurality of unmanned vehicles
Disclosed are methods and systems that include a method for controlling movement of a first unmanned vehicle (UV) to search an area, where the method includes generating a first trace associated with prior positions in which the first UV has been located, determining a direction in which the first UV is to move using the first generated trace, and causing the first UV to move in the determined direction. The trace may be a numerical value that decreases as a function of the time that has elapsed since the first trace was generated. The methods and systems may also include receiving data relating to a second trace, and using that second trace to determine the direction. The second trace may be generated by a second UV. The second trace may be associated with a position within a predetermined radius from a position associated with the first UV. |
| US08086348B2 |
Method of transferring a substrate, transfer system and lithographic projection apparatus
A method is provided for transferring a substrate from a first substrate holder, e.g., a pre-alignment unit, to a second substrate holder, e.g., a substrate table in a lithographic apparatus, by means of a transfer unit on the basis of transfer data available thereto. First, the substrate is provided on the first substrate holder. Subsequently, a position error of the substrate is measured, and positioning adjustment data are calculated based on the position error as measured. Then, the second substrate holder is moved relative to a reference position thereof in accordance with the positioning adjustment data. Finally, the substrate is transferred by means of the transfer unit from the first substrate holder to the second substrate holder in accordance with the transfer data, and placed on the second substrate holder as moved. |
| US08086347B2 |
Targeted product distribution system and method
A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process. |
| US08086346B2 |
Processing of undeliverable as addressed mail
In some example, a computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation comprises generating a fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The fingerprint is derived from the feature of the mail piece that is identified during the first pass. The multiple pass mail sort operation comprises performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the second pass comprises determining a final disposition of the mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed, wherein the fingerprint is used to identify the mail piece during the determining of the final disposition. |
| US08086337B1 |
Computerized system and method for generating a delivery bill of materials
A computerized system and method for generating a delivery bill of materials (BOM) for use at a production facility. Input includes parts data identifying the parts used in the production process, delivery/process location data identifying areas on the production line where parts are delivered, and packaging data related to containers in which parts are delivered. Each delivery BOM has a code for an associated product and data that defines a relationship between a trailer loaded with case packs of parts, a delivery process code, and a tugger for delivering the packs to line locations. Each trailer holds multiple packs assigned to different delivery process codes. The delivery process code ties the case packs on the trailer to the tuggers and is associated with one or more assembly processes. Each delivery process code is assigned to an associate that coordinates case pack and tugger staging according to supported production processes. |
| US08086334B2 |
Extraction of a multiple channel time-domain output signal from a multichannel signal
A digital signal processing system and method transforms pairs of channels selected from a multichannel signal into the frequency domain. Vector operations are performed upon the frequency-domain data by which signal components unique to one of the input channels are routed to one of the output channels, signal components unique to the other of the input channels are routed to another of the output channels, and signal components common to both channels are routed to a third and optionally to a fourth output channel. The frequency-domain output channels are then transformed back into the time-domain, forming a plurality of time-domain output channels. The vector operations are performed in a manner that preserves the overall information content of the input data. |
| US08086330B1 |
Accessing accelerometer data
Systems and processes for accessing acceleration data may include an accelerometer coupled to a nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be coupled to a processor. Acceleration data may be obtained from the accelerometer via a bus coupling the nonvolatile memory to the accelerometer. Acceleration data may be sent from the nonvolatile memory to a processor. One or more operations may be performed based on the acceleration data. |
| US08086329B2 |
Method of actuator control
The present invention is related to a method of controlling a device having a calibration process. The calibration process has a partial calibration routine and a calibration routine. A detector within the control system is capable of receiving one or more input signals and determining whether a partial calibration or calibration should occur. The first step in the process involves starting the control method where the detector receives input signals or generates it own data within the detector. The detector also determines whether a partial calibration routine or a calibration routine will take place based upon the value of the input signals received. A partial calibration routine will be performed if the input signals to the detector do not favor a calibration. |
| US08086327B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automated predictive design space estimation
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automated predictive design space estimation. A design space of input factors and output responses is estimated for a physical process. Data is received for one or more input factors for a physical process, one or more output responses for the process, and criteria. For each of the one or more input factors, a calculated range of input values within the corresponding experimented range of input values is calculated. A modified range of input values is calculated for each of the one or more input factors. A design space estimate is predicted based at least on the modified ranges of input values, wherein the modified ranges of input values each comprise a largest region of variability for one or more of the input factors where the criteria are fulfilled. |
| US08086326B2 |
Fail-safe system for controlling wind turbines
A wind turbine control system is provided. The control system includes a first and a second control unit which are coupled to each other over a first network. The first control unit is configured as a critical control unit, comprising a first set of functions comprising critical control functions for the operation of a wind turbine, and the second control unit is configured as a secondary control unit, comprising a second set of functions comprising non-critical control functions and data management functions. |
| US08086325B2 |
Process control system with a charging function
The invention relates to a process control system comprising a calculating unit enabling a charge value (W) to be determined from operations occurring in the process control system. Preferably, said process control system comprises a process control computer with a web server and a computer which is used to access the processes control computer via Internet. The charging value (W) is especially a service fee which is to be paid to an application service provider by a user of the process control system. |
| US08086319B2 |
Cochlear implant fitting
A method for fitting a cochlear prosthesis to a cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability, in order to exploit the residual acoustic hearing capability to the extent possible. A portion of the cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability is determined by measuring the neural response to acoustic and/or electrical stimulations. Electrical stimulations are applied only to the portions of the cochlea lacking acoustic hearing capability, or possessing only partial acoustic hearing capability. Surgical implantation depth may be optimised by the method, and/or a patient map may be suitably defined to implement the method. |
| US08086317B2 |
System and method for electrical stimulation of the intervertebral disc
In one embodiment, a method electrically stimulates an area in a spinal disc. The method comprises: implanting at least one steerable lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc such that the lead is disposed exterior and immediately adjacent to and circumferentially along an annulus of the spinal disc, the at least one lead including a plurality of electrodes distributed along a majority of a circumference of the annulus; connecting the lead to a signal generator; and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the spinal disc, wherein the stimulation of the targeted portion of the spinal disc sufficiently stimulates nerve tissue within the spinal disc to prevent communication of pain signals originating in the spinal disc without damaging tissue of the spinal disc. |
| US08086315B2 |
Cardiac stimulation apparatus and method for the control of hypertension
A method that electrically stimulates a heart muscle to alter the ejection profile of the heart, to control the mechanical function of the heart and reduce the observed blood pressure of the patient. The therapy may be invoked by an implantable blood pressure sensor associated with a pacemaker like device. In some cases, where a measured pretreatment blood pressure exceeds a treatment threshold, a patient's heart may be stimulated with an electrical stimulus timed relative to the patient's cardiac ejection cycle. This is done to cause dyssynchrony between at least two cardiac chambers, which alters the patient's cardiac ejection profile from a pretreatment cardiac ejection profile. This has the effect of reducing the patient's blood pressure from the measured pretreatment blood pressure. |
| US08086313B2 |
Implantable medical device with anti-infection agent
An implantable medical device comprises an anti-infection agent. The implantable medical device may be configured for placement in the head of a patient and for monitoring or treatment of the brain. The implantable medical device may have a housing or it may have a housing and a member for providing a smooth interface between the device and the adjacent tissue. The anti-infection agent may be provided on or impregnated in the housing or the member. In some embodiments, the device includes a single module while in other embodiments a plurality of modules are coupled to provide a smaller profile. In some embodiments the implantable medical device may include both anti-infection and lubricious materials. |
| US08086311B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrating implantable medical device data
Methods and systems for constructing a comprehensive history for an IMD are disclosed. The method includes interrogating an implantable medical device (IMD) with an interrogating external programmer device (EPD), and comparing a unique signature associated with the interrogating EPD to a stored signature, associated with a particular programmer device that most immediately previously programmed the IMD, in memory of the IMD. If the unique signature of the interrogating programmer device is not the same as the stored signature, the method includes recording the stored signature in the interrogating EPD. The method may optionally include replacing the stored signature in the IMD memory with the unique signature of the interrogating EPD if the interrogating EPD programs the IMD. A comprehensive history for the IMD may be constructed by tracing the values in the IMD and the programmer databases. |
| US08086309B2 |
Osmometric heart monitoring device and methods
Embodiments of the invention are related to monitoring devices and methods with osmometric sensors, amongst other things. In an embodiment, an implantable heart failure monitoring system includes an implantable osmometric sensor configured to generate a signal corresponding to osmotic strength of a bodily fluid. The osmometric sensor includes a rigid wall member defining an enclosed volume resisting deformation, the rigid wall member comprising a semi-permeable membrane. The sensor also includes a signaling element comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of dimples configured to resist deformation until a threshold differential exists between the first and second sides. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08086306B2 |
OTC automatic external defibrillator with quick install battery
An automatic external defibrillator is shipped from the manufacturer with the battery installed in the battery compartment of the AED. During shipment a removable tab is located between a battery terminal and an electrical contact inside the battery compartment. Upon receipt of the AED the user pulls the tab to remove it from the battery compartment. This completes the circuit between the AED and its battery and the AED begins a self-test. A packaging panel covers the controls of the AED to prevent actuation of controls during the self-test. The packaging panel includes instructions for setup of the AED including indication of a control to actuate during or at the conclusion of the self-test. |
| US08086305B2 |
Implantable signal amplifying circuit for electroneurographic recording
An implantable microvolt-level signal amplifying circuit may be used for resolving electrical signals generated by nerves in the presence of larger amplitude signals generated by muscles, the heart, or external noise sources. The circuit has a low-noise, high Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) preamplifier, followed by a cascade of stages, which provide filtering and further amplification of the neural signal. The band-pass amplifying circuit can also present high Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR). The output is offset-compensated by a DC restoration stage. Nerve protection circuitry minimizes or blocks DC current flow through the input terminals in the event of semiconductor failure in the preamplifier. The circuit may be incorporated onto a common monolithic circuit with follow-up circuitry for controlling Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices. |
| US08086303B2 |
Cardiac arrhythmias analysis of electrophysiological signals based on symbolic dynamics
The disclosed method analyzes cardiac electrophysiological signals, including ECG and internal cardiac electrograms, based on multi-level symbolic complexity calculation and multi-dimensional mapping. The results may be used to objectively identify cardiac disorders, differentiate cardiac arrhythmias, characterize pathological severities, and predict life-threatening events. Multi-level symbolization and calculation of the electrophysiological signal is used provide better reliability and analysis resolution for identifying and characterizing cardiac disorders. Adaptive analysis of the cardiac signal complexity enables calculation efficiency and reliability with high SNR, and with low calculation volume and power consumption. One dimension (time or frequency domain) and multi-dimension symbolic analysis is used to provide more information of cardiac pathology and high risk rhythm transition to doctors. |
| US08086302B2 |
Cardiac signal sensor control based on perfusion sensing
An optical perfusion sensor may monitor blood oxygen saturation of blood-perfused tissue, which may be referred to as tissue perfusion, until a tissue perfusion value is within a threshold range of a reference value, and, in some examples, for at least a minimum period of time. The tissue perfusion value may indicate an absolute blood oxygen saturation level or a relative change in blood oxygen saturation level. The reference value may be, for example, determined by an optical oxygenation (O2) variation index that indicates a change in blood oxygen saturation of tissue. In some examples, an operation of a cardiac signal sensing module may be controlled based upon detecting a threshold change in tissue perfusion. For example, the cardiac signal sensing module may be activated upon detecting a threshold change in tissue perfusion. |
| US08086298B2 |
EM tracking systems for use with ultrasound and other imaging modalities
An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors. |
| US08086296B2 |
Methods for modifying electrical currents in neuronal circuits
Disclosed herein are methods for modifying electrical currents in brain circuits through the simultaneous use of focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) and an existing brain-imaging system, such as a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) system. The methods are used for research, treatment and diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological, and neuroendocrine disorders whose biological mechanisms include brain circuits. The methods include the simultaneous steps of applying FUP to a live neuronal circuit within a brain and monitoring a brain image produced by a brain imaging system during the application of FUP. |
| US08086291B2 |
Cover to a portable electronic apparatus composed of leather and/or textile
The invention relates to a cover adapted to be removably attachable to a portable electronic apparatus. The cover has an outer face which is exposed when the cover is attached to the apparatus. Said outer face has entirely or partly a distinctive appearance composed of leather and/or textile as a surface of said outer face. |
| US08086284B2 |
Portable electronic device and portable telephone with electroacoustic transducer mounting
A portable electronic device includes a cover, and a casing engaged with the cover to form a space between the cover and the casing. The portable electronic device also includes a first mounting substrate in the space and an electroacoustic transducer between the first mounting substrate and the casing. The electroacoustic transducer converts from one of an audio and an electric signal into the other. |
| US08086283B2 |
Wireless child communication device
A wireless child phone that includes means for making calls to only a preset set of individuals and/or means for receiving calls from only a preset set of individuals. |
| US08086277B2 |
Transmitter of wireless microphone, receiver for wireless microphone, portable information communication device, and wireless microphone communication system
A wireless microphone communication system 1 comprises a transmitter 91b of a wireless microphone and a receiver 11 for the wireless microphone. The transmitter 91b of the wireless microphone includes an infrared interface 91c, a control portion 91d, and a function control portion 91e that controls a function of the wireless microphone. The control portion 91d controls the function control portion 91e according to information transmitted through the infrared interface 91c. The function of the transmitter 91b of the wireless microphone is controlled under this control. The receiver 11 of the wireless microphone has the infrared interface 11c. The receiver 11 of the wireless microphone sends, through the infrared interface 11c, information in the form of the infrared signal to control the function of the transmitter 91c of the wireless microphone. |
| US08086273B2 |
Wireless communication method, wireless communication system, and wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication method MIMO communication using a wireless communication apparatus having N antennas includes performing first inverse-matrix determining processing which determines, using a channel matrix for a first antenna selected from the N antennas, a first inverse matrix of the channel matrix; performing second inverse-matrix determining processing which determines, with respect to a (n+1)th antenna selected from antennas other than the first to nth antennas already selected, a second inverse matrix of a channel matrix for a group of the first to (n+1)th antennas, by performing computation using a value from one of the first inverse matrix and the second inverse matrix, and performing communication using, from a plurality of combinations of the L antennas selected from the N antennas, a combination of L antennas with which an inverse matrix value determined in the first and second inverse-matrix determining processing satisfies an antenna selection criterion. |
| US08086272B2 |
Wireless networks incorporating antenna selection based on received sounding reference signals
A method and system selects antennas in a wireless network including a base station and user equipment (UE) transceivers. The base station specifies times and frequencies to transmit sounding reference signals (SRSs), and antennas to use to transmit the SRSs for the specified times and frequencies. The transceivers transmit the SRS according to the specified times, frequencies, and antennas. The base station selects subsets of the set of available sets of antennas, and indicates the selected subset of antennas to the transceiver. |
| US08086269B2 |
Modular structure to expand and enhance subscriber identity module card functionality
The present invention relates to a new improved modular structure to expand and enhance SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card functionality, in which an expansion and enhancement module is fitted to a predetermined mobile communication device, and the predetermined mobile communication device comprises a subscriber identity module. The subscriber identity module is configured with an electrical connection module, and the electrical connection module is electrically connected with a controller, which can be an NFC (Near Field Communication) module. The controller is electrically connected with a subscriber identity chip and a Dual-interface card (Combi card), and the Dual-interface card is electrically connected with an antenna. Hence, according to the structure described above, the present invention is able to achieve contactless type transactions without the need to replace the SIM card or system operator. |
| US08086264B2 |
Shared processing between wireless interface devices of a communication device
An integrated circuit includes a first wireless interface circuit that transceives first packetized data with a first external device in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol, wherein the first wireless interface circuit includes a first processing module that processes the first packetized data. A second wireless interface circuit, coupled to the first wireless interface device, transceives second packetized data with a second external device in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol, wherein the second wireless interface circuit includes a second processing module that processes the second packetized data, wherein the second wireless interface circuit is operable to assign a first processing task to the first processing module and wherein the first processing task relates to the processing of the second packetized data. |
| US08086261B2 |
System and method for providing digital network access and digital broadcast services using combined channels on a single physical medium to the customer premises
The disclosure is directed to customer premises equipment including a network access port configured to receive broadband digital network data from broadband wireless network access equipment, a broadcast access port configured to receive digital satellite broadcast data, and a unified access port configured to provide the broadband digital network data and the digital broadcast data via a coaxial cable. |
| US08086258B2 |
Base station, receiving device, mobile terminal, and frequency sharing method
A disclosed base station is used in a first wireless communication system using a first frequency band that is the same as or adjacent to a second frequency band used by a second wireless communication system, and includes a propagation loss estimation unit configured to estimate propagation loss of a signal in the first frequency band when the signal arrives at a receiving device of the second wireless communication system; a frequency difference calculation unit configured to calculate a frequency difference between the first frequency band and the second frequency band; a maximum transmission power determining unit configured to determine maximum transmission power based on the estimated propagation loss and the calculated frequency difference; and a transmission control unit configured to transmit a signal with transmission power less than or equal to the maximum transmission power determined by the maximum transmission power determining unit. |
| US08086257B2 |
Dedicated control channel detection for enhanced dedicated channel
In a method of detecting a signal, a control channel associated with a physical channel may be decoded to produce at least one decoding metric. A control channel signal on the control channel may then be detected based on the decoding metric. |
| US08086255B2 |
Data message processing
Processing data messages is disclosed. A mobile data message is received. It is determined whether the mobile data message requires communication policy compliance handling. The mobile data message or a copy thereof is sent to a communication policy compliance destination if it is determined that the mobile data message requires communication policy compliance handling. |
| US08086251B2 |
Chargers cooperating with portable electronic devices
Generally, the present invention provides accessories for one or more portable electronic devices (PEDs) and related methods. An accessory includes a station that can support a PED. The PED is also equipped to generate an action signal, above and beyond the regular signal for notifying the user about a wireless signal that is received from a remote transmitter. When the station senses the action signal, it further generates a human-perceptible indication to help notify the user, who might have walked away. The human-perceptible indication can include, a call sound, a light signal, etc. This way, for example, when the PED is only vibrating, the call sound can be such that the station rings like a regular home telephone, and/or the light signal can be such that the station lights up without distracting coworkers as much. As such, the user can always keep the PED at the “Silent” annunciation mode. |
| US08086249B1 |
Ranging of wireless communication networks with distant wireless links
A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first location information related to a geographic location of a wireless communication device and a second location information related to a geographic location of an access node, processing the first location information and the second location information to determine a distance between the wireless communication device and the access node, processing the distance to determine a first delay metric, wherein the first delay metric indicates a first time delay associated with a wireless link between the access node and the wireless communication device, and processing the first delay metric to determine if the first delay metric exceeds a threshold delay. If the first delay metric exceeds the threshold delay, processing the first delay metric and a protocol timing period to determine a second delay metric, wherein the second delay metric indicates a second time delay less than the protocol timing period, processing at least one of the protocol timing periods to add to the second delay metric to determine a third delay metric, wherein the third delay metric comprises the second delay metric and the at least one of the protocol timing periods. The method also includes timing communications between the access node and the wireless communication device over the wireless link based on the third delay metric. |
| US08086247B2 |
Secure user plane location session initiation improvement
Systems and methods of sending a secure user plane location (SUPL) session initiation message from a location platform to a SUPL-enabled terminal are provided. When a network-based application has an internet protocol (IP) connection with the SUPL-enabled terminal using general packet radio service (GPRS) and needs location information regarding the SUPL-enabled terminal, the network-based application indicates an available GPRS session in mobile location protocol standard location immediate request. The location platform uses an application server hosting the network-based application to request starting a SUPL-enabled terminal-initiated location procedure. Alternatively, the location platform can determine whether a SUPL-enabled terminal has an active IP connection from an authentication, authorization, and accounting server. The IP address of the SUPL-enabled terminal is returned to the location platform, upon which a SUPL session initiation message is sent to an associated GPRS Gateway Support Node. User Datagram Protocol is utilized instead of Wireless Datagram Protocol. |
| US08086244B2 |
Measurement control based on RBS processing capability
A telecommunication system includes one or more radio access network controllers and one or more radio base stations. A radio access network controller supervises the operation of a radio base station. To facilitate the supervision process, the radio access network controller receives a measurement capacity report from the radio base station and determines measurement control parameters specifying reporting requirements of the radio base station. The measurement control parameters are continually adjusted so that the capacity of the radio base station is not exceeded. Also, the capacity of the radio network controller is also considered in determining the measurement control parameters. |
| US08086243B2 |
VoIP service threshold determination by home wireless router
A home wireless router establishes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that supports wireless communications within a WLAN service area. The home wireless router establishes broadband communications via a broadband connection with a VoIP service accumulator. The home wireless router services a plurality of wireless terminals within the WLAN service area, including at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal. The home wireless router receives a query from the VoIP service accumulator requesting information regarding the home wireless router's prior servicing of (or ability to service) VoIP calls. In response, the home wireless router responds to the VoIP service accumulator with information regarding the home wireless router's prior servicing of (or ability to service) VoIP calls. The home wireless router and the VoIP service accumulator subsequently service VoIP calls within the WLAN based upon the information regarding the home wireless router's prior servicing of (or ability to service) VoIP calls. |
| US08086240B2 |
Data communication system using a reserve request and four frequencies to enable transmitting data packets which can include a count value and termination indication information
A data communication system wherein four independent frequencies provide for transmissions between a communication controller and at least one node including a first node. The four independent frequencies include: an aligning signal sent on a first frequency, a request signal in a slot allocated to a first node for transmitting reserved request sent on a second frequency, a authorization signal sent on a third frequency and data packets sent over a fourth frequency. In addition, data packets sent over the data communication system can include information related to a count value and termination indication information for determining whether the message has been completely received. |
| US08086238B1 |
HLR-dual circuit switched and packet switched registration support
A method and system for managing services for a mobile station by a network service provider includes receiving a first registration request associated with the mobile station at a registration node, registering a first switching node as a first serving node for access by the mobile station to a first network, receiving a second registration request associated with the mobile station at the registration node, and registering a second switching node as a second serving node for access by the mobile station to a second network. The first serving node and the second serving node are concurrently maintained. The method further includes receiving a service request for providing a network service to the mobile station, and routing the service request to either the first switching node or the second switching node in accordance with routing rules associated with the mobile station configured by the network service provider. |
| US08086237B2 |
Efficient neighbor list creation for cellular networks
A method of constructing a neighbor list for a plurality of sectors in a cellular communication environment sorts reference neighbor pairs in the network by number of occurrences based on data derived from one or more PSMM transmissions, analyzes pairs in the sorted list and determines for each pair whether a percentage of occurrence exceeds a first threshold and whether a measure of direct transition statistics exceeds a second threshold. If the percentage of occurrence exceeds a first threshold and the measure of direct transition statistics exceeds a second threshold, then if the reference's neighbor list and reciprocal neighbor list have fewer than a predetermined number of neighbors, the process adds neighbors to the reference's NL and reciprocal NL in order of occurrence percentage to create a final neighbor list. |
| US08086235B2 |
System and method for restricting mobility in wireless networks
This invention provides a method, system and apparatus for controlling mobility on a wireless network, which includes retrieving a network mobility preference, the network mobility preference indicating a level of mobility service for the mobile station, the level of mobility service indicating the extent to which the mobile station can handoff among base stations of the wireless network, and establishing a level of mobility service for the mobile station based on the retrieved network mobility preference. The method and apparatus may further include determining the level of mobility service for the mobile station to be fully or partially restricted based on the mobility preference. |
| US08086234B2 |
Broadcast handoff between communication networks
Methods (400, 500) and corresponding systems (100) for handing off between a broadcast network and a cellular network include receiving, in a cooperation platform, incoming data from a content provider. Broadcast data corresponding to the incoming data is then sent to a broadcast network output for broadcasting to one or more subscribers including, a subscriber station. Handoff information from the cellular network is received in the cooperation platform, and, in response to the handoff information, cellular data corresponding to the incoming data is sent to a cellular network output for transmission to the subscriber station. The handoff information can correspond to a user request for handoff sent from the subscriber station via the cellular network, or can be a request for handoff sent from the cellular network based upon a loading level within one or more of the broadcast network and the cellular network. |
| US08086231B2 |
Download and display of system tags in wireless communication systems
Techniques for downloading and displaying system tags by wireless terminals based on roaming status. A tag includes texts and/or graphics. The system tags include home system tags and roaming system tags, which include group tags and specific tags. A home system tag is associated with one or multiple home systems, a group tag is associated with one or multiple roaming indicator values, and a specific tag is associated with one or multiple SID values. A terminal is provided with home system tag, group tags, and specific tags. The terminal displays the home system tag when obtaining service from the home system and a roaming system tag when obtaining service from a roaming system. The particular roaming system tag to be displayed is dependent on the roaming indicator value and the SID value for the roaming system. The system tags may be downloaded to the terminal via over-the-air signaling. |
| US08086228B2 |
Method for identifying a code group representative of a number of base stations
A method and apparatus for identifying a code group representative of a predetermined number of base stations is disclosed. A chip offset within a frame is input into a first correlator. A plurality of samples of chips at which a primary synchronization code (PSC) has been detected are input into the first correlator. Output of the first correlator is multiplied by the complex conjugate of the PSC to obtain a magnitude for the signals being transmitted at the chips inputted into the first correlator. The magnitude is summed over four frames. The summed signals view of a predetermined set of decision variables is evaluated. A case number, a code group, a timeslot location, and a system frame number are determined based on the evaluation and noise estimation. |
| US08086225B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling the operation of wireless communications systems
Methods and apparatus for controlling events, timing and operational characteristics of wireless communications devices. An exemplary wireless communications apparatus comprises a baseband processor, radio frequency (RF) generating circuitry, a programmable event controller, and a memory device. The RF generating circuitry and programmable event controller are integrated in the same integrated circuit. The memory device, which may also be embedded in the same integrated circuit as the event controller and RF generating circuitry, is configured to store a sequence of instructions the event controller executes in response to a baseband command. The memory device is also configured to store control parameter data, which the event controller retrieves and uses to enable, disable, select and deselect various devices on the integrated circuit and to set, adjust or modify the operational characteristics of the RF generating circuitry (e.g., band selection and tuning) and other circuitry (e.g., power control circuitry) of the communications apparatus. |
| US08086222B2 |
Voicemail short message service method and means and a subscriber terminal
The invention relates to a voicemail short messaging method (10, 20, 30) and means and a subscriber terminal (500). In particular it concerns a method and means for instantaneous packet switched voicemail between Internet compatible computers, personal digital assistants, telephones and mobile stations. In particular the inventive subscriber terminal (500) concerns a hardware and a software setup that allows the combined use of audio and/or video devices (550) with both the normal cellular or fixed telephony network (520) and with an Internet connection (510). The inventive subscriber terminal (500) allows the flexible use of both the Internet and telephony network with numerous advantages, one of which is the inventive voicemail short messaging method under study. The inventive voicemail messaging method (10), comprising at least one subscriber terminal is characterised by server independence. |
| US08086218B2 |
Method of creating incentives for using wireless hotspot locations
A system and method of distributing incentives for wireless hotspots is provided. The method includes providing an access point to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location, evaluating use statistics of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portable devices, and providing an inducement to a user of the wireless hotspot based on the evaluated use statistics. The system includes a first provider for providing an access point to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location, an evaluator for evaluating use statistics of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portables devices, and a second provider for providing an inducement to a user of the wireless hotspot based on the evaluated use statistics. |
| US08086212B2 |
RF reception system and integrated circuit with programmable filter and methods for use therewith
An integrated circuit includes an on-chip filter component that forms a programmable filter with the at least one off-chip filter component. An RF receiver generates inbound data in response to a received signal from the programmable filter. |
| US08086210B2 |
Flow based layer 2 handover mechanism for mobile node with multi network interfaces
A method for handing-off a mobile node (MN) from one network interface to another network interface, the network interfaces being connected to a same level 2 (L2) network. The method includes detecting at least two network interface cards (NICs) of the MN that are connected to the same L2 network by at least one of an external device and the MN. A handover decision is made to hand-off a data flow of the MN from a first of the at least two NICs to a second of the at least two NICs. L2 information about the MN in one or more related network entities connected to the same L2 network is updated so as to perform seamless handover without changing an address on level 3 (L3) or higher levels. |
| US08086208B2 |
Passive wireless receiver
A passive wireless receiver to receive an input signal and passively process the input signal to generate an output signal. An embodiment of the receiver includes an input circuit, a dynamic switching circuit, and a switch signal generator. The input circuit is configured to receive an input signal and produce a first output signal. The input circuit includes a passive network configured to condition the input signal. The dynamic switching circuit is configured to perform frequency translation on the first output signal. The switch signal generator is configured to drive the dynamic switching circuit to activate and deactivate the dynamic switching circuit at a sampling frequency that is controlled and stabilized by a frequency control circuit. |
| US08086206B1 |
Quadratic amplitude control circuit for cosite interference cancellation
A quadratic amplitude matching system and associated method with an associated tuning control system is provided for continuously and automatically tuning a quadratic amplitude matching filter (QAMF) to a band center of an interfering signal to provide improved rejection of an interfering signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multi-path, thereby providing improved interference cancellation system performance. The matching control system is provided as an element of an interference cancellation system. |
| US08086202B2 |
Method for removing the coupling and correlation of antennas, and wireless device having the function of removing the coupling and correlation of antennas
A wireless device, which employs the method and function of removing the coupling and correlation of antennas, picks up the noise components released from inside the device together with the current induced to a second antenna. The wireless device then controls the amplitude and phase of the pickup signal so as to optimize the reception quality signal for received signal, and additively combines it with the signal received from the first antenna. The coupled component, which is induced from the first antenna to the second antenna, is cancelled together with the noise component, thus mainly cancelling the largest cause of desensitization. This results in the maximization of the receiving sensitivity. |
| US08086200B2 |
Radio communications system designed for a low-power receiver
The invention relates to methods by which radio signals can be transmitted to, and received by, a radio receiver such that the receiver consumes very little power from a battery or energy source. The invention is applicable not only to medical implants, but any application requiring a radio receiver to operate with very low power consumption. |
| US08086199B2 |
Sharing AGC loop between demodulator and spectrum analysis system
Systems and methods for sharing an AGC loop between a wireless data demodulator and a spectrum analysis module that operates simultaneously with the data demodulator. In one embodiment, a predetermined hold time prevents the AGC loop from changing gain too often, thereby allowing the spectrum analysis module to collect reliable data. In another embodiment, the hold time may be extended to coincide with a spectrum analysis event, such as a boundary of an FFT block. In still another embodiment, an FFT valid signal is provided such that collected FFT blocks can be designated as suspect and then subsequently processed accordingly. |
| US08086198B2 |
Radio broadcasting receiver and method for seeking radio broadcasting
A broadcasting receiver suitable for receiving a broadcasting signal transmitted in an IBOC signal format, comprises: a channel seek directing means for directing to start a channel seeking operation that selects selectable channel in an order of frequency; a channel seek controlling means for starting and controlling the channel seeking operation in accordance with the direction of the channel seek directing means; and a multichannel determining means for determining whether a selected frequency channel is providing multichannel digital broadcasting or not; and wherein the channel seek controlling means selects a next subchannel in an order of identification code before searching for the next frequency channel, if it is determined by the multichannel determining means that the selected frequency channel is providing the multichannel digital broadcasting. |
| US08086196B2 |
Method of executing scanning in broadband wireless access system
The primitives between an upper management layer and the MAC layer within a mobile station and a base station are defined in order to specify and clarify the operations within the protocol stack layers in a broadband wireless access system to allow a mobile station to perform scanning procedures. Media Independent Handover (MIH) procedures can be achieved because the NCMS and MIH layer can communicate through use of these primitives. |
| US08086195B2 |
Communication unit and method of operation therefor
A communication unit for a radio communication system comprises a receiver for receiving data over an air interface. The receiver can operate in a first diversity mode and a second diversity mode. The first diversity mode may specifically correspond to no receive diversity being employed and the second diversity mode may correspond to signals from two or more fully or partially de-correlated antennas being combined. The communication unit comprises a data unit which determines a first data characteristic for a section of data to be received over the air interface. A switching unit is arranged to switch between the first diversity mode and the second diversity mode in response to the first data characteristic. The invention may allow improved performance and e.g. reduced power consumption by allowing an improved adaptation of diversity operation. In particular, an improved trade-off between power consumption and performance may be achieved in many embodiments. |
| US08086189B2 |
Phase-to-frequency conversion for polar transmitters
The present invention relates to a polar transmission method and a polar transmitter for transmitting phase and amplitude components derived from in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) components of an input signal. A first conversion is provided for converting the in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) components into the phase and amplitude components at a first sampling rate. Additionally, a second conversion is provided for converting the phase component into a frequency component, wherein the second conversion comprises a rate conversion for converting the first sampling rate into a lower second sampling rate at which the frequency component is provided. Thereby, the second sampling rate can be used as a lower update rate in a digitally controlled oscillator in order to save power or because of speed limitations, while the surplus phase samples obtain due to the higher first sampling rate enable better approximation of the phase component after the digitally controlled oscillator. This better approximation accounts for a cleaner spectrum around the synthesized channel. |
| US08086183B2 |
Apparatus and method for perceiving and reporting neighborhood object
An apparatus and method for perceiving and reporting a neighborhood object, the apparatus including: a message analysis unit to analyze information of an alive message received from the neighborhood object and to determine if the analyzed information lies within a predetermined range; a neighborhood object information control unit to update status information of the neighborhood object by adjusting a transmission cycle, according to which the neighborhood object transmits the alive message, based on a result of the determination by the message analysis unit; and a reporting unit to report the updated status information of the neighborhood object according to a reporting condition. |
| US08086181B2 |
Method and system for interference reduction
A method and system for interference reduction for telecommunication systems are disclosed. The system comprises a base station control device (BCD) for configuring one or more parameters for operating one or more base stations (BSs), a first BS covering a first cell having one or more mobile terminals therein, a second BS covering a second cell neighboring to the first cell and sharing a predetermined frequency band with the first cell, wherein one or more radio frames constructed for communications between the first BS and any mobile terminal of the first cell and one or more radio frames constructed for communications between the second BS and any mobile terminal of the second cell are distinguishable by defining different channel configuration sets having one or more operation parameters, wherein the parameters includes a training sequence, a spreading code, and a channel observation window position. |
| US08086180B2 |
Method for restraining inter-cell interference in a mobile communication system
A method for restraining inter-cell interference in a mobile communication system is provided. The method uses the fast dynamic selection of the Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) technology and the Macro Diversity (MD) technology of the cell edge to increase the cell edge user data rate and provide excellent system capacity. The method is particularly suitable in a OFDMA mobile communication system downlink. The method comprises the steps of: (a) determining whether the cell edge user is able to operate the MD technology; (b) processing the fast dynamic selection of the FFR technology and the MD technology for the cell edge user, and the selection is made based on a instantaneous link Signal Quality Index (SQI); and (c) allocating the center subband or the edge subband to the cell edge user according to the selection. |
| US08086175B2 |
Field device search system
The field device search system is composed of a plurality of field devices having a wireless transmitting/receiving capability and an information terminal having a receiving capability to receive radio waves from a field device, wherein the information terminal includes a radio wave receiver, a CPU (arithmetic means), a display part, a memory, and member for identifying one of the plurality of field devices. |
| US08086168B2 |
Device and method for monitoring, rating and/or tuning to an audio content channel
Devices, methods and computer-readable code for simultaneously monitoring the content of at least two streaming audio content channels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the monitored content is analyzed, and one or more features of the monitored content channels are computed, including but not limited to music classification features, content genre features, and spoken content features. These computed features may be used, for example, to compute a rating or score for each monitored audio channel, for example, a rating computed relative to user listening preferences, expressed, for example, in preference rules. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed device includes a channel selector for automatically tuning, for example, to a channel assigned a higher rating at a given time. Alternatively or additionally, content rating scores may be displayed to a user who manually selects and tunes to an audio content channel. |
| US08086164B2 |
Image forming system
An image forming system including: an image reading portion, which reads an image on an original; an image forming portion, which forms an image on a sheet; and a storage device, which stores an original before the image reading portion reads an image thereon and a sheet before the image forming portion forms an image thereon, the storage device being detachably mounted to the image forming system. |
| US08086162B2 |
Cleaning blade and image forming apparatus
A cleaning blade is disposed in an abutting relation with an image bearing body and configured to remove residual developer material from the image bearing body. The cleaning blade has a tan δ peak temperature equal to or higher than 8.6° C. and lower than 45° C., and any one of a Young's modulus equal to or higher than 13 Mpa and lower than 140 Mpa, a tensile strength equal to or higher than 37.3 Mpa and lower than 76 Mpa, a hardness equal to or higher than 83° and lower than 97°, and a tearing strength equal to or higher than 59 kgf/cm and lower than 118 kgf/cm. |
| US08086152B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus, image forming system, developing method, and toner bearing member
The present invention provides a developing device that includes a toner bearing member that includes regularly arranged projection sections and depressed sections for bearing toner, and that develops a latent image borne on an image bearing member with the toner borne on the projection sections and the depressed sections, wherein the latent image is developed in a state in which a projection section covering ratio at which toner contacting the projection sections covers the projection sections is smaller than a depressed section covering ratio at which toner contacting the depressed sections covers the depressed sections. |
| US08086150B2 |
Toner particle-bearing roller with projection portion, developing device having such toner particle-bearing roller, and image forming apparatus having such developing device
A developing device includes a toner particle-bearing roller that bears toner particles on its surface and develops a latent image borne by an image-bearing member with those toner particles, the toner particle-bearing roller has a projection portion disposed on its surface, the projection portion having a top surface having a flat portion, and a width of the top surface being equal to or more than a volume average particle diameter of the toner particles. |
| US08086149B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A toner supply apparatus 6 is configured to be able to supply a charged toner T to a latent image forming surface LS of a photoconductor drum 3. The toner supply apparatus 6 houses a toner electric field transport body 62. The toner electric field transport body 62 has first portions and second portions which differ in toner T transport force. The first portions and the second portions differ in structural feature, such as relative dielectric constant or thickness. By means of such a structural difference, the state of transport of the toner T on the toner transport surface TTS is appropriately set. |
| US08086148B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor body, a donor roller which develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor body by using charged toners, and a development nip section formed between the photoconductor body and the donor roller by having a predetermined gap between the photoconductor body and the donor roller. A developing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at an upstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section, and a removing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at a downstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section. |
| US08086147B2 |
Image forming apparatus and intermediate transfer unit
An intermediate transfer unit of an image forming apparatus is provided between a plurality of developer containers for containing developer and a plurality of developing devices. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer unit for secondarily transferring primarily transferred developed images from the plurality of image carriers onto a paper, an intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism for driving the intermediate transfer unit, and a housing for supporting the intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism. One end of the housing includes a plurality of developer inlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer supply ports of the developer containers respectively, a plurality of developer outlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer receiving ports of the developing devices respectively, and a plurality of developer supply paths connecting between the developer inlet ports and the developer outlet ports respectively. |
| US08086143B2 |
Image forming apparatus for use with carrier including a core and cover layer
An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member; and a developing device including a developer bearing member, a developer containing portion, a developer supplying passage supplying the developer to the developer bearing member while feeding the developer in a direction, and a developer agitating passage feeding a mixture of the developer fed through the developer supplying passage without used for developing, and the developer used for developing, in the opposite direction. The developer supplying passage, and developer agitating passage are separated from each other except for at least both the end portions. The developer includes a toner and a carrier having a cover layer thereon, which includes a binder resin and a particulate material. The ratio of the volume average particle diameter of the particulate material to the average thickness of the resinous portion of the cover layer is greater than 1 and less than 10. |
| US08086139B2 |
Developing cartridge and image forming device
A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained. |
| US08086131B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has: a rotary member which conveys a sheet; a blowing device which blows a cooling air to cool the rotary member; and a blow-off member which blows the cooling air from the blowing device toward the rotary member. The cooling air is blown toward the portion of the rotary member serving as a downstream side of the rotary member and a blow-off direction of the cooling air is opposite to a rotating direction of the rotary member. |
| US08086130B2 |
Image forming apparatus having fan for supplying air to recording sheet having passed through fixing unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image formation unit such as a process section for forming an image on a recording sheet. The apparatus may include a fixing unit for fixing the image formed by the image formation unit on the recording sheet, a reversible roller configured to receive the sheet from the fixing unit along a sheet transport path and reverse a transport direction of the sheet, and an air blower, positioned between the fixing unit and the reversible roller along the sheet transport path, configured to blow air in a sheet feeding direction onto the recording sheet on which the image is fixed by the fixing unit. |
| US08086129B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge therefor
An image forming apparatus has a movable member including a first shaft, a second shaft, a main assembly electrical contact, and a second contact portion for being contacted by the first contact portion when a cartridge is mounted to the apparatus. There is also a first guide portion, for guiding the first shaft such that the movable member is rendered movable in the inserting direction by the second contact portion being pushed by the first contact portion when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, and a second guide portion for guiding the second shaft by the second contact portion being pushed by the first contact portion when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, such that the movable member is rotated about the first shaft in a direction of electrically connecting the main assembly electrical contact to the cartridge electrical contact. |
| US08086128B2 |
Image forming apparatus with an intermediate transfer member and a plurality of cleaning members
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transferring device; a first cleaning member; a second cleaning member; a contacting/separating device; a release-agent applying device; and a controlling unit. |
| US08086126B2 |
Image forming apparatus with high-voltage power supply
An image forming apparatus comprises a developer carrier (101) for developing an electrostatic latent image by supplying an image carrier with developer inside a developer container (100); an electrode member (104) opposing the developer carrier (101) via a space accommodating the developer; an inverter (301); a transformer (302) for transforming an AC voltage from the inverter (301); a rectifying circuit (303) for rectifying the output of the transformer and generating a DC voltage for image formation; a DC voltage applying unit (306) for applying the AC voltage, which is output from the transformer, to the electrode member (104); and a developer remaining-amount detection unit (305) for detecting amount of developer remaining inside the developer container (100) based upon electrostatic capacitance between the developer carrier (101) and electrode member (104). |
| US08086125B2 |
Image forming apparatus that includes a first developing device that holds a black developer and a second developing device that holds a gray developer
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing devices. Each developing devices performs an electrophotographic process to form an image. The image forming apparatus comprises a first developing device and a second developing device. The first developing device holds a black developer containing a first black coloring agent. The second developing device holds a gray developer. The gray developer contains a second black coloring agent and a coloring agent of a chromatic color. The chromatic color is a complementary color to the second black coloring agent. |
| US08086123B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image formation control unit for forming print images on an image carrier and for forming a reference toner pattern having a predetermined size between the print images formed on the image carrier; a reference image density detecting unit for detecting a image density of the reference toner pattern; and an image forming condition adjusting unit for adjusting an image forming condition based on the image density detected by the reference image density detecting unit. If a toner amount of one or plurality of the print images is greater than a predetermined value, the image formation control unit prevents any further adjustment operation performed by the image forming condition adjusting unit. |
| US08086122B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image adjusting method
A technique that can stably realize highly accurate image adjustment processing even when unexpected toner density unevenness occurs on an identical sheet because of fluctuation in an image formation characteristic and the like is provided.An image forming apparatus that forms, on a sheet, a test pattern formed by a color obtained by mixing colors of toners of plural colors, reads a test pattern image formed on the sheet with a color sensor, and performs predetermined image adjustment processing on the basis of information read includes a halftone-image forming unit configured to form, on the sheet, at least one of a first halftone image extending over a predetermined range in a main scanning direction and a second halftone image extending over a predetermined range in a sub-scanning direction, an image reading unit configured to read the halftone image formed on the sheet by the halftone-image forming unit, a density-unevenness determining unit configured to determine, on the basis of information read by the image reading unit, toner density unevenness in an image formed by the image forming apparatus, an image-adjustment processing unit configured to perform the predetermined image adjustment processing on the basis of the density unevenness determined, and a color sensor that is arranged on a downstream side of a fixing device in a sheet conveyance direction and reads the test pattern formed on the sheet. |
| US08086121B2 |
Fixing device and image forming device
A fixing device comprise an endless fixing belt; a first heater that heats a first predetermined section of the fixing belt, a second heater that heats a second predetermined section of the fixing belt, a switch that determines whether or not the second predetermined section of the fixing belt is heated by the second heater, a controller controls a switching operation of the switch according to a size of a medium on which an image is fixed by the fixing belt, and a temperature controller that reduces a heating temperature of the first heater when the second predetermined section of the fixing belt is heated by the second heater. |
| US08086118B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In accordance with an embodiment of the embodiment of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic image-bearing member; and a developing device. The developing device includes a developer-carrying member disposed to face the electrostatic image-bearing member, and a developer carried on the developer-carrying member. The developer includes a carrier having a volume-average particle size dc (μm) and a toner having a volume-average particle size dt (μm) of at most 5 μm and contained at a weight ratio C with respect to the carrier of from 5 to 10% and is controlled so as to provide a surface coverage F of the carrier with the toner of from 30 to 80% as calculated according to Formula (I): F=(¼)×(dc/dt)×(pc/pt)×C, wherein pc denotes a true specific gravity (−) of the carrier, pt denotes a toner absolute specific gravity (−), and C denotes a weight ratio (−) of the toner to the carrier. |
| US08086117B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developer replenishing method
A switching controller switches from a developer replenishment prohibition mode to a developer replenishment permission mode when the replenishment detection device detects that the developer containing section does not store a prescribed amount of the developer, and from the developer replenishment permission mode to the developer replenishment prohibition mode when a prescribed operation is executed upon completion of replenishment of the developer from the developer containing bottle to the developer containing section. The developer replenishment prohibition mode prohibits the developer replenishment device from replenishing the developer to the developer containing section, while the developer replenishment permission mode permits the developer replenishment device to replenish the developer to the developer containing section. |
| US08086115B2 |
Consumable management system and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a predicting unit that predicts a prediction lifetime of a consumable that is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus, based on consumption information corresponding to an operation of the image forming apparatus; a connection determining unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is connected to a managing apparatus that manages a replacement time of the consumable that is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus; a consumption information transmitting unit that transmits the consumption information to the managing apparatus located outside the image forming apparatus; a managed lifetime information receiving unit as defined herein; a replacement time determining unit that determines whether or not the replacement time of the consumable has been reached; a learning unit as defined herein; and a prediction lifetime updating unit as defined herein. |
| US08086114B2 |
Filter coefficient changing apparatus and method
The present invention discloses filter coefficient changing apparatus and method for use in a dual-polarized optical coherent receiver. The apparatus comprises a controlling unit, a switching unit and a new coefficient obtaining unit. The switching unit is connected between a first filter coefficient updating unit and a first filtering unit and a second filtering unit; the new coefficient obtaining unit generates new filter coefficients for the first filtering unit and the second filtering unit in accordance with filter coefficients outputted by a second filter coefficient updating unit; and the controlling unit generates a control signal that controls switching of the switching unit. Upon reception of the control signal, the switching unit breaks off output of the filter coefficients from the first filter coefficient updating unit, transmits new filter coefficients from the new coefficient obtaining unit to the first filtering unit and the second filtering unit, and subsequently resumes the output of the filter coefficients from the first filter coefficient updating unit to the first filtering unit and the second filtering unit. |
| US08086109B2 |
Polarization multiplexed optical transmitting and receiving apparatus
In a polarization multiplexed optical transmitting and receiving apparatus, output light from a light source section of a transmission unit is separated in a polarization separating section, and then modulated in first and second modulation sections, and the modulated lights are synthesized in a polarization synthesizing section, and transmitted to an optical transmission line. Then the polarization multiplexed light propagated through the optical transmission line is demodulated in a reception section of a reception unit, and together with this, transmission characteristic information of the reception light is transferred to the transmission unit. The transmission unit that receives the transmission characteristics information controls a delay section that adjusts a delay amount of relative phases of drive signals of the modulation sections, so that the transmission characteristics of the polarization multiplexed light are within an allowable range. As a result, pulse timing between orthogonal polarization components of the polarization multiplexed light can be flexibly changed with a simple configuration. |
| US08086108B2 |
Optical transmission/reception device and optical communication system using the same
An optical transmission/reception device includes at least one light emitting portion and at least one light receiving portion on the same substrate. The light emitting portion includes at least a lower multilayer reflector and an active layer provided on the lower multilayer reflector. A metal layer including a plurality of opening portions is provided in an upper portion of the light emitting portion. Each of the opening portions has a size smaller than a light emission wavelength of the light emitting portion. |
| US08086104B2 |
System, method and computer readable medium for providing dual rate transmission on a gigabit passive optical network
In a dual rate gigabit passive optical network, an optical line termination (OLT) transmits a first rate (GPON) message frame interleaved with a second rate (NGPON) message frame. An unused ATM partition of the GPON message frame is provided with a header and payload portion of the NGPON message frame so that the message frame remains at a predetermined length required by the network. |
| US08086103B2 |
Methods and apparatus for communicating dynamic optical wavebands (DOWBs)
Dynamic optical wavebands are disclosed that allow a plurality of user streams having a common destination node to be positioned in a substantially adjacent non-overlapping manner on a spectrum for treatment as a routable entity. Each waveband has an associated center wavelength and spectral extent. The plurality of user streams can optionally be encrypted using a corresponding cipher. Wavebands that are received by a network node are filtered so that individual wavebands can be isolated, if necessary. For example, individual wavebands can be switched to an appropriate output node for forwarding in the optical network. In addition, the center wavelength and spectral extent of a waveband can be converted, if necessary, to position the waveband substantially spectrally adjacent to another waveband sharing a common path portion. In this manner, the substantially spectrally adjacent wavebands can be treated as an aggregated waveband for the common portion of a path. The disclosed wavebands can be processed only as an optical signal. The center wavelength, spectral extent and routing information associated with each waveband can optionally be processed as out-of-band signals. |
| US08086102B2 |
Passive optical network based on reflective semiconductor optical amplifier
Provided is a passive optical network (PON) based on a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). In the PON, seed-light-injection RSOAs are used in an optical line terminal (OLT) to achieve the color-less management of the wavelengths of OLT optic sources, and wavelength reuse RSOAs are used to achieve the color-less management of the wavelengths of ONTs. Therefore, problems related to ONT wavelength management can be eliminated by the wavelength reuse RSOAs, and problems related to OLT wavelength management can be eliminated by the seed-light-injection RSOAs. |
| US08086095B2 |
Audio and video apparatus and method for controlling the same
An audio and video (AV) apparatus includes a player module for playing audio and video files, generating audio and video signals, and an internal display and an internal speaker. The AV apparatus further includes: a first switch for generating first instructions; an output module for being externally connected to output the audio and video signals; and a control module connected to the first switch. The control module being configured for disabling the internal display and internal speaker at receiving the first instructions at a situation that the output module is externally connected to output the audio and video signals, and disabling the internal display while keeping the internal speaker enabled at receiving the first instruction at a situation that the output module is not externally connected. A method for controlling the audio and video apparatus is provided as well. |
| US08086094B2 |
Information recording apparatus and information recording control apparatus
An information recording control apparatus including: a selection section; a video acquiring section to acquire digital video data in a digital broadcast signal; an audio acquiring section to acquire digital audio data of a specific language selected on the selection section from the digital audio data of a plurality of languages in the digital broadcast signal; a video converting section to convert the acquired digital video data into an analog video signal; an audio converting section to convert the acquired the digital audio data of specific language into an analog audio signal of the specific language; and an output section to output, to a recording device, the converted analog video signal, and the converted analog audio signal of the specific language. |
| US08086091B2 |
Data recording system, data acquiring apparatus, and recording medium storing therein data acquiring apparatus control program
A data recording system includes a data acquiring apparatus that acquires data externally and a data recording apparatus that is communicably connected to the data acquiring apparatus via a network, and records data transmitted from the data acquiring apparatus. The data acquiring apparatus includes a data acquiring unit, a temporary storage unit, a transmitting-receiving unit, a communication-band management unit, and a control unit. The data recording apparatus includes a transmitting-receiving unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. |
| US08086089B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit recording moving image data on a recording medium, a management information generation unit generating management information for first moving image data in response to recording the first moving image data on the recording medium, a consecutive reproduction information generation unit configured to generate first consecutive reproduction information indicating second moving image data to be reproduced consecutively after the first moving image data in response to recording the second moving image data on the recording medium, and a control unit, in response to recording the second moving image data on the recording medium, controlling the recording unit to add the first consecutive reproduction information to the management information for the first moving image data and to record the management information added with the first consecutive reproduction information on the recording medium. |
| US08086085B2 |
Compact blind mateable optical splitter
A splitter assembly may include an adapter housing configured to support an adapter to receive an optical signal from an incoming optical fiber. The splitter assembly may include a splitter module configured to couple to the adapter via a connector to receive the optical signal associated with the incoming fiber, and to make the optical signal available to an output fiber via an optical splitter. |
| US08086076B2 |
Real-time face detection using temporal differences
An apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that when executed cause a method to be carried out. The method includes dividing at least a portion of a picture of a video stream into parts of blocks, and processing the parts in parallel by a plurality of interconnected processors. The processing of a respective part by its respective processor includes determining block-level temporal difference features. Each processor also performs coding functions on its respective part of the picture. The method also includes block-level processing using the block-level temporal difference features to determine which blocks in the picture are likely to be that of a face, the block-level processing being at the granularity of at least a block. In one version, the processing in each processor includes edge detection and color segmentation to determine block-level edge features including block-level color-segmented edge features that are then used in the block level processing. |
| US08086075B2 |
Motion adaptive image processing
An image processing method for image conversion by combining two or more source values based on a mixing parameter to generate an output pixel value. A metric is calculated for a selected pixel at a given image field based on the directly preceding image field and a spatially interpolated version of the given image field at the selected pixel position. The selected pixel is categorized based on the metric as providing an indeterminate, unreliable, or reliable basis for a determination of motion at that pixel. The mixing parameter for the selected pixel is adjusted based on the categorization of the pixel. |
| US08086073B2 |
Non-uniform image resizer
A method for producing a scaled output image by manipulating image data from an input image is disclosed. The scaled output image can have non-uniformly scaled regions and a uniformly scaled region. The method includes an operation that defines pixel locations within the uniformly scaled region of the output image based on uniformly scaling a portion of the input image. There is also an operation that determines a non-uniform scale factor. The non-uniform scale factor is used to define a gap between pixel locations within the non-uniformly scaled regions. Another operation determines error correction values within the non-uniformly scaled regions. The method can also include an operation that defines pixel locations for the non-uniformly scaled region of the output image based on increments of the non-uniform scale factor and error correction values. |
| US08086064B2 |
System and method for generating an image enhanced product
A system for generating an image enhanced output product and method for operating the same are provided. An image enhanceable product is identified having a tangible surface and a printing map is defined that defines a plurality of window areas in which images are to be printed on the tangible surface. A desired visual impact characteristic is determined based upon the appearance of the image enhanceable product and the printing map and a selection of a plurality of digital images are received. An image processing method is selected method based upon the determined visual impact characteristic and at least one of the digital images is automatically processed in accordance with the selected image processing method. At least some of the digital images, including the automatically processed image, are provided on the tangible surface according to the printing map. |
| US08086063B2 |
Image display apparatus and method, and program
An image display apparatus, that displays a digital image on a screen for check use, includes: an image data storage unit that stores image data of the digital image; an edge detection unit that detects an edge included in the digital image through analysis of the image data; and an image display unit that displays, when the edge being a detection result has a width wider than a predetermined first threshold width, the digital image in a state that the width of the edge is visible on the check screen. |
| US08086058B2 |
Extended depth of field using a multi-focal length lens with a controlled range of spherical aberration and a centrally obscured aperture
An extended depth of field is achieved by a computational imaging system that combines a multifocal imaging subsystem for producing a purposefully blurred intermediate image with a digital processing subsystem for producing a recovered image having an extended depth of field. The multifocal imaging system preferably exhibits spherical aberration as the dominant feature of the purposeful blur. A central obscuration of the multifocal imaging subsystem renders point-spread functions of object points more uniform over a range of object distances. An iterative digital deconvolution algorithm for converting the intermediate image into the recovered image contains a metric parameter that speeds convergence, avoids stagnations, and enhances image quality. |
| US08086057B2 |
Dynamic quantizer structures for efficient compression
A method and system are introduced that provide dynamic quantizer structures which are configurable during run time. A quantizer configuration and data are stored in a binary format. The dynamic quantizer data is represented as a bitstream, and the bitstream in turn is used as additional input during initialization (or re-initialization/re-configuration) of a speech coder. A configuration header fully specifies the structure and configuration of the dynamic quantizer for each quantized parameter, and the dynamic quantizer data and configurations are fully and dynamically allocated into the speech coder memory. This enables easy re-configuration of a codec associated with the quantizer structures for different scenarios. The use of dynamic quantizer structures in turn enhances compression efficiency of an input signal. The dynamic quantizer structures can also be applied to other compression applications that allow lossy compression. |
| US08086055B2 |
Variable-length code decoder
An apparatus includes at least one general purpose register and at least one special purpose register and an execution unit that executes at least two instructions in parallel, to decode variable length codes, wherein each of the instructions share use of the at least one general purpose register and the at least one special purpose register. In one example, a processor stores variable length code information among a plurality of general purpose registers and generates decoded variable length code information by decoding the at least one variable length code. The processor also stores the decoded variable length code information among the plurality of general purpose registers. |
| US08086053B2 |
Method and apparatus for transforming and inverse-transforming image
Provided are a method and apparatus for transforming an image, in which an input image is transformed into a frequency domain by selectively using a plurality of frequency transform algorithms according to a frequency characteristic of the input image. The method includes: selecting a frequency transform algorithm to be used for a current block from a plurality of frequency transform algorithms according to a result obtained by transforming frequencies of peripheral blocks adjacent to the current block; and transforming the current block into a frequency domain by using the selected frequency transform algorithm. |
| US08086051B2 |
Method of decoding fetched scene on encoded dotmap and electronic device thereof
By determining a center physical grid dot at intersects of virtual grid lines of a fetched scene on an encoded dotmap, and by defining a blank dot closest to the determined center physical grid dot on the fetched scene, the orientation of encoded blocks on the encoded dotmap may be determined. And therefore, a plurality of data dots on the fetched scene may also be decoded easily. |
| US08086050B2 |
Multi-resolution segmentation and fill
A multi-resolution segmentation and fill technique is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of layers using image data from multiple resolutions, generating a mask describing compositing of the plurality of layers to obtain the image, and filling pixels in each of the plurality of layers where the pixels being filled are those that do not contribute to the image when the plurality of layers are composited. |
| US08086048B2 |
System to compile landmark image search results
This patent discloses a system to compile a landmark image search result. The system may determine a rank of each image within a visual cluster according to at least one of a low-level self-similarity score, a low-level discriminative modeling score, and a point wise linking score. The landmark image search result may be compiled as a function of the rank of each image. |
| US08086047B2 |
Method and system for image evaluation data analysis
A method is provided for operating a computer to analyze image evaluation data from electronic survey respondents to evaluate preferences related to two dimensional and three dimensional images. Data files, which include designated area data, image attributes, and survey respondent opinions for one or more images in an electronic survey, are received. A graphical user interface permits an operator to reformat the designated area data and set analysis parameters. Cluster analysis is performed on the data files to reduce the dimensionality of the designated area data and to classify areas of the survey images that generate positive and negative responses. The analysis produces coordinate data to map cluster classifications and for construction of a heat map. In association with descriptive statistical analysis, cluster score evaluation is performed to identify the clusters of interest. Respondent comments and results from the statistical analysis are linked to clusters of interest. |
| US08086046B2 |
Image analysis device and image analysis method
An image corresponding to image data obtained by imaging by a camera is divided into a plurality of image pieces and each of the image pieces is subjected to a color analysis process, a fractal dimension analysis process, and an artificial object amount recognition process. According to a combination of the results obtained by the three processes, a part of a landscape contained in each of the image pieces is classified and the entire characteristic of the landscape contained in the image is judged according to the classification result. |
| US08086041B2 |
Pattern evaluation method, pattern matching method and computer readable medium
A pattern evaluation method includes: generating first array data from edge data on a pattern to be evaluated, the edge data on the pattern to be evaluated being shape data including edge points of the pattern to be evaluated; generating second array data from edge data on a reference pattern, the edge data on the reference pattern including edge points of the reference pattern which serves as an inspection standard of the pattern to be evaluated; subjecting each component of the second array data to array conversion processing, the array conversion processing being designed to convert a value of the component of the second array data into a function value of a value of a distance from that component to the edge point closest thereto, thereby generating third array data; executing arithmetic processing between the first array data and the third array data to generate fourth array data; and using a component of the fourth array data to calculate a numerical value representative of an relation between the pattern to be evaluated and the reference pattern. |
| US08086037B2 |
Tiling and merging framework for segmenting large images
Described is a technology by which a large image is processed into a seamless, radiometric mean image containing meaningful image objects. A large source image is tiled into non-overlapping tiles, which are each segmented into regions and merged via their regions. Source image pixels are separated into tiles comprising rows and columns. Once tiled, the tiles are segmented into regions, with each region having an identifier and other associated information such as size data, boundary data and neighbor data. The tiles are merged by merging columns or rows of tiles into row blocks or column blocks, respectively. The row blocks or column blocks are vertically or horizontally merged, respectively. Merging may proceed by selecting a pair of regions based on merging cost, merging that pair, updating its associated data and data of neighbor regions based on the merge, and repeating for other pairs until merging stop criteria are met. |
| US08086036B2 |
Approach for resolving occlusions, splits and merges in video images
A solution for resolving an occlusion in a video image which provides an environment in which portions of a video image in which occlusions have occurred may be determined and analyzed to determine the type of occlusion. Furthermore, regions of the video image may be analyzed to determine which object in the occlusion the region belongs to. The determinations and analysis may use such factors as pre-determined attributes of an object, such as color or texture of the object and/or a temporal association of the object, among others. |
| US08086026B2 |
Method and system for the determination of object positions in a volume
A method or a system embodiment determines positional information about a moveable object to which is affixed a pattern of stripes having reference lines. A method determines image lines of stripe images of each stripe within at least two video frames, uses the image lines to prescribe planes having lines of intersection, and determines a transformation mapping reference lines to lines of intersection. Position information about the object may be derived from the transformation. A system embodiment comprises a pattern of stripes in a known fixed relationship to an object, reference lines characterizing the stripes, two or more cameras at known locations, a digital computer adapted to receive video frames from the pixel arrays of the cameras, and a program stored in the computer's memory. The program performs some or all of the method. When there are two or more moveable objects, an embodiment may further determine the position information about a first object to be transformed to a local coordinate system fixed with respect to a second object. |
| US08086024B2 |
Defect detection apparatus, defect detection method and computer program
There is provided a defect detection apparatus capable of highly accurately detecting a defect of a size not larger than a size desired by the user, in which the size setting device sets the defect size, the reduction ratio setting device sets an image reduction ratio based on the set defect size, the image reduction device generates a reduced image obtained by reducing the original multi-valued image, the filter processing device performs filter processing on the reduced image for removing a defect in the reduced image, the image enlarging device generates an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the reduced image, subjected to the filter processing, at an image enlargement ratio corresponding to the reciprocal of the image reduction ratio, and the difference calculating device generates a difference image obtained by performing a calculation of a difference between the original multi-valued image and the enlarged image. |
| US08086020B2 |
System and method for analyzing impurities of an object
A computer-implemented method for analyzing impurities of an object is provided. The method includes selecting a region from an image of the object, pre-treating the region to calculate a threshold, processing the region and deleting the points from an outer layer of the region. The method further includes setting a starting point and search directions, determining a point before a first boundary point as an origin of the region and searching the next boundary points if the first boundary point has been searched. The method also includes searching all the boundary points in the region, forming an impurity if the last boundary point coincides with the first boundary point, seed filling the impurity and calculating an area value, and comparing the area value with an allowable area value to determine whether the impurity satisfies impurity specifications. |
| US08086018B2 |
Methods of processing a check in a check stock verification system
A method is provided of a bank processing a check in a check stock verification system. The method comprises receiving a check image having at least one pre-printed element, extracting the at least one pre-printed element from the check image, comparing the extracted pre-printed element with a reference pre-printed element, providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted pre-printed element with the reference pre-printed element, selecting one of a plurality of confidence threshold values based upon amount of the check, and comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value to determine if payment of the check amount is approved. |
| US08086017B2 |
Detecting improved quality counterfeit media
A method of creating a classifier for media validation is described. Information from all of a set of training images from genuine media items is used to form a segmentation map which is then used to segment each of the training set images. Features are extracted from the segments and used to form a classifier which is preferably a one-class statistical classifier. Classifiers can be quickly and simply formed, for example when the media is a banknote for different currencies and denominations in this way and without the need for examples of counterfeit banknotes. A media validator using such a classifier is described as well as a method of validating a banknote using such a classifier. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of segmentation maps are formed, having different numbers of segments. If higher quality counterfeit media items come into the population of media items, the media validator is able to react immediately by switching to using a segmentation map having a higher number of segments without the need for re-training. |
| US08086015B2 |
Facilitating computer-aided detection, comparison and/or display of medical images by standardizing images from different sources
The present invention is methods for processing medical images so as to remove certain effects of the physical characteristics of the object being imaged and/or of the apparatus used to form the images. The invention further provides for the formation of a standardized image from the processed image and for the use of the standardized image or the processed image in the training of computer-aided detection/diagnosis algorithms. These algorithms may then be used to detect abnormalities in other standardized or processed images derived from any of a variety of image acquisition systems. |
| US08086014B2 |
X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and control method, and image processing method
The present invention implements efficient transmission of captured images while also maintaining high-resolution image quality. The present invention is an image processing method for an X-ray image diagnosis apparatus, the method including the steps of: obtaining the effective bandwidth for transmitting captured images; obtaining imaging conditions; calculating the respective resulting data amounts when a captured image captured under the conditions is compressed using lossless and lossy compression, mixing the captured images compressed losslessly and lossily, and determining the mix ratio so that the transmission amount per unit of time when multiple captured images are transmitted is less than the effective bandwidth; and transmitting the multiple captured images compressed losslessly and lossily at the determined ratio. |
| US08086013B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus characterized by including a device which recognizes, in a bone part unit, a bone area extracted from a medical image and including a bone region constituted of several bone parts, a device which is used to select the bone region to be displayed, a device which is used to determine the bone parts corresponding to the selected bone region, a device which is used to determine a viewpoint and a sight line direction for observing the selected bone region, a device which generates a volume rendering image which displays the bone area with the viewpoint and the sight line direction, based on the bone area of the medical image recognized in the bone part unit, and the determined viewpoint and sight line direction, and a device which is used to conduct control to display the generated volume rendering image. |
| US08086011B2 |
Reconstructing a tomographic image
In an aspect, tomographically reconstructing a 3D image object corresponding to a data set includes for each step in a series of iteration steps, determining an updated object by performing a combined operation, which includes performing an update operation for updating an input object and performing a smoothing operation, and following a last iteration, outputting one of the updated objects as the 3D image object. |
| US08086008B2 |
Device and method for superimposing patterns on images in real-time, particularly for guiding by localisation
The invention relates to a device for superimposing known patterns, characteristic of a region, on (real) images of said region. The device comprises, a memory in which patterns are stored, which are representative of a selected region, of known position and orientation with relation to a common reference and processing means, for determining a pattern representative of the selected portion in the memory, on receipt of the designation of at least one portion of an observed image of the selected region, taken at a selected angle and at least one representative attribute of said region, taking account of the attribute selected, then superimposing the determined pattern on the selected portion of the image taking account of the selected angle. |
| US08086007B2 |
Method and system for human vision model guided medical image quality assessment
A method and system for image quality assessment is disclosed. The image quality assessment method is a no-reference method for objectively assessing the quality of medical images. This method is guided by the human vision model in order to accurately reflect human perception. A region of interest (ROI) of medical image is divided into non-overlapping blocks of equal size. Each of the blocks is categorized as a smooth block, a texture block, or an edge block. A perceptual sharpness measure, which is weighted by local contrast, is calculated for each of the edge blocks. A perceptual noise level measure, which is weighted by background luminance, is calculated for each of the smooth blocks. A sharpness quality index is determined based on the perceptual sharpness measures of all of the edge blocks, and a noise level quality index is determined based on the perceptual noise level measures of all of the smooth blocks. An overall image quality index can be determined by using task specific machine learning of samples of annotated images. The image quality assessment method can be used in applications, such as video/image compression and storage in healthcare and homeland security, and band-width limited wireless communication. |
| US08086006B2 |
Method and system for evaluating image segmentation based on visibility
A method and system for evaluating image segmentation is disclosed. In order to quantitatively evaluate an image segmentation technique, synthetic image data is generated and the synthetic image data is segmented to extract an object using the segmentation technique. This segmentation results in a foreground containing the extracted object and a background. The visibility of the extracted object is quantitatively measured based on the intensity distributions of the segmented foreground and background. The visibility is quantitatively measured by calculating the Jeffries-Matusita distance between the foreground and background intensity distributions. This method can be used to evaluate segmentation of vessels in fluoroscopic image sequences by coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA). |
| US08086004B2 |
Use of a single X-ray image for quality assurance of tracking
A method and system for aligning a volume of interest in a three-dimensional treatment coordinate system with a reference position using stereoscopic imaging data and for monitoring and correcting alignment of the volume of interest in the three-dimensional treatment coordinate system using monoscopic imaging data. |
| US08085998B2 |
Finger sensor including enhanced ESD protection and associated methods
A finger sensor may include a finger sensing integrated circuit (IC) having a finger sensing area and at least one bond pad adjacent thereto, and a flexible circuit coupled to the IC finger sensor. More particularly, the flexible circuit may include a flexible layer, and at least one conductive trace carried thereby and coupled to the at least one bond pad. The sensor may also include at least one Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) electrode carried by the flexible layer. The ESD electrode may be positioned adjacent a beveled edge, for example, of an IC carrier and thereby exposed through a small gap between an adjacent portion of a frame. |
| US08085997B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
Pseudo three dimensional image data sets are generated by an imaging apparatus, such as a digital camera having face detecting functions, by a simple operation. Reference image data sets, which are employed to generate pseudo three dimensional images, are generated from first image data sets, which are recorded. When new faces are detected by a face detecting section, correlative values between through the lens image data sets that include the new faces and the reference image data sets are calculated. When the calculated correlative values are greater than a predetermined value, pseudo three dimensional images are generated from the recorded first image data sets and newly obtained second image data sets that include the new faces. |
| US08085996B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image display apparatus, imaging apparatus, method for image processing therefor, and program
An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. An evaluation information storage section stores a plurality of evaluation information sets for determinations as to whether an image subjected to determination is a target image. An image input section inputs an image. A face detection section detects a face included in the input image. A normalization section normalizes a face image that is an image segment including the detected face so that the face image has a predetermined resolution. A feature extraction section extracts a feature amount of the normalized face image. An attribute information generation section makes a determination on the basis of the extracted feature amount and each evaluation information set as to whether the face image is the target image associated with the evaluation information set, and generating an attribute information block related to the face included in the face image as the result of determination. |
| US08085993B2 |
Modular biometrics collection system architecture
A modular biometrics collection system with an architecture having application to a combined features recognition system. The system may be a self-organizing mesh of collaborative independent components. Each component may have inputs, outputs, and local prioritization management. Each component may operate autonomously. Federated behavior of the components may be achieved by subscribing to content that influences local prioritization. An example of the system may have application to combined face and iris recognition. |
| US08085991B2 |
Face normalization for recognition and enrollment
The present invention is an iterative method for normalization of a probe image against the Eigenspace learned from a database of images. The invention is also an iterative method for normalizing the n images in a database, wherein the normalization is carried out without using a predetermined criterion. |
| US08085989B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining authenticity
In an authenticity determining apparatus, an image-data acquiring unit acquires image data of a paper sheet; a block-value calculating unit divides the image data into a plurality of blocks each composed of a plurality of pixels and calculates a block value of each of blocks; an average-block-value calculating unit calculates an average block value of blocks composing a predetermined area of the image data; a correction-block-value calculating unit calculates a corrected block value of each of the blocks by correcting each of the block values so that the average block value is equal to a predetermined reference value; and an authenticity determining unit that determines authenticity of the paper sheet based on whether each of corrected block values of the blocks composing the predetermined area is within a predetermined allowable numerical range that is preliminarily defined for the predetermined area. |
| US08085987B2 |
Method and tool for surface texture evaluation
Texture of a surface, for example concrete, is evaluated by capturing images of the surface facing the surface in a direction of an orthogonal axis extending perpendicularly from the surface while sequentially projecting light onto the surface from each of four light source positions spaced circumferentially about the orthogonal axis. A specularity condition is determined to exist in one of the four images by comparing intensities of the images directly with one another. If a specularity condition exists, three images of the four images which are least affected by specularity are used to determining a surface gradient of the surface. |
| US08085986B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for processing images more naturally and sharply
There is provided an image processing apparatus including motion vector extracting means for extracting a motion vector on a pixel basis from each of a plurality of input images, direct motion vector generating means for generating a direct motion vector to a pixel on an image for processing from a pixel on each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of motion vectors extracted by the motion vector extracting means, and synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of input images by using a pixel value of the pixel on each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of the direct motion vector generated by the direct motion vector generating means. |
| US08085985B2 |
Method for determining distance between reference member and melt surface, method for controlling location of melt surface using the same, and apparatus for production silicon single crystal
The present invention is a method for determining a relative distance between a reference member placed above a melt surface and the melt surface upon pulling a silicon single crystal out of a raw material melt in a crucible by a CZ method characterized by at least: pulling the silicon single crystal applying a magnetic field; taking a picture of a real image of the reference member and a mirror image of the reference member reflected on the melt surface with a detector; processing the picture taken of the real image and the mirror image of the reference member as different pictures by separating the picture taken; and calculating the relative distance between the real image and the mirror image of the reference member from the processed pictures to determine the relative distance between the reference member and the melt surface. |
| US08085982B1 |
Object tracking in video with visual constraints
Embodiments of the present invention relate to object tracking in video. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method tracks an object in a frame of a video. An adaptive term value is determined based on an adaptive model and at least a portion of the frame. A pose constraint value is determined based on a pose model and at least a portion the frame. An alignment confidence score is determined based on an alignment model and at least a portion the frame. Based on the adaptive term value, the pose constraint value, and the alignment confidence score, an energy value is determined. Based on the energy value, a resultant tracking state is determined. The resultant tracking state defines a likely position of the object in the frame given the object's likely position in a set of previous frames in the video. |
| US08085980B2 |
Mail piece identification using bin independent attributes
An attribute-based system and method for mail piece identification includes generating and storing, during a first mail sorting operation, a first set of attribute information that can include an image fingerprint derived from a portion of an image of the mail piece. Then, in a subsequent mail sorting operation, a second image of the mail piece can be obtained and used, in part, to generate a second set of attribute information that may be compared to records in a mail piece database in order to identify the mail piece. |
| US08085977B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for gesture-activation
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for operating home appliances using gesture recognition. A sequence of video images is received and compared to a stored sequence of gesture images. A gesture image is associated to an operation of an appliance. |
| US08085972B2 |
Protection method for preventing hard copy of document from being released or reproduced
A protection method for preventing a hard copy of a document from being released or reproduced is provided. The protection method comprises: selecting a pattern with a closed contour line and utilizing a level set method to process the pattern to generate at least a watermark; and embedding the watermark into the document. In addition, the protection method can further comprise: detecting the hard copy of the document to determine whether at least a watermark exists in the hard copy of the document; and forbidding releasing or reproducing the document when the watermark is detected in the hard copy of the document. |
| US08085965B2 |
Condenser microphone
A condenser microphone provided with a battery compartment having a coil spring electrode is adapted to: extend a return stroke of the coil spring electrode; prevent high frequency current from penetrating into the microphone from the coil spring electrode to suppress the occurrence of noise; and prevent the coil spring electrode from generating mechanical noise. The condenser microphone includes: a body case into which a condenser microphone unit is incorporated; a battery compartment provided in the body case; a coil spring electrode that is provided at an end of the battery compartment, and pushed and compressed by an electrode of a battery by the battery being inserted therein; and a conductive cushion that is disposed within the coil spring electrode, and can contact with the coil spring electrode while being compressed together with the coil spring electrode at least when the coil spring electrode is compressed. |
| US08085963B2 |
Combined power and audio dock for handheld device
A combined power and audio dock for a handheld electronic device provides an integrated solution to the multiple uses of multifunction devices such as mobile telephones with built-in music players. The dock is configured with a recess into which the handheld device is docked so that all four exterior edges of the device are surrounded by the dock. This enables the dock to engage with any controls, jacks and ports along any edge of the device, and includes loudspeakers that can amplify the audio output of the device. The device is docked in an intentional assembly sequence that enables power and audio connectors to engage corresponding jacks on common, adjacent or opposing edges of the handheld device. Removal is accomplished in a reverse sequence. |
| US08085962B2 |
Audio system for portable device
An audio system includes an enclosure having a transducer. The transducer creates a vibration in the enclosure in response to being driven by an audio signal having a frequency range. A cradle assembly mechanically couples a portable device to the enclosure through an isolator. A portion of the vibration is coupled into the cradle assembly. The isolator reduces an amplitude of the coupled vibration so that an operation of the portable device within a portion of the frequency range is uninterrupted when the portable device is coupled to the cradle assembly. |
| US08085958B1 |
Virtualizer sweet spot expansion
Audio loudspeaker virtualizers and cross-talk cancellers and methods use a combination of interaural intensity difference and interaural time difference to define virtualizing filters. This allows enlargement of a listener's sweet spot based on psychoacoustic effects. |
| US08085956B2 |
Filter circuit for an electret microphone
A miniature electret microphone includes an input buffer circuit. The input buffer circuit includes an integrated circuit including a floating ground substrate and a p-n junction. The p-n junction is coupled as a capacitor to a filter circuit of the input buffer circuit. |
| US08085949B2 |
Method and apparatus for canceling noise from sound input through microphone
Provided is a method and apparatus for canceling noise from a sound signal input through a microphone. The method includes filtering a high-frequency signal having a frequency that is higher than a reference frequency and a low-frequency signal having a frequency that is lower than the reference frequency from input signals obtained through a microphone array, obtaining a high-frequency target signal by canceling a noise signal from the filtered high-frequency signal using a beamforming method, obtaining a low-frequency target signal by canceling a noise signal having a phase difference that is different from a phase difference of a target signal from the filtered low-frequency signal, and obtaining a sound source signal from which noise is cancelled, by synthesizing the obtained high-frequency target signal with the obtained low-frequency target signal. Thus, it is possible to accurately obtain a target sound source signal by minimizing signal distortion occurring in a low-frequency band in a digital sound obtaining apparatus having a small-size microphone array and accurately canceling or attenuating unnecessary noise. |
| US08085947B2 |
Multi-channel echo compensation system
A system reduces echoes in an audio system by de-correlating audio signals. Adaptive filters provide compensation based on the de-correlated signals. A controller controls the de-correlation based upon the adaptation state of the adaptive filters. |
| US08085945B2 |
Communication machine room wideband noise suppression system
In a communication machine room wideband noise suppression system, a sensing unit detects a noise source produced by a fan during the operation thereof and generates a noise input signal and a feedback signal, which are sent to a signal amplifying unit for signal amplification. The amplified signals are then sent to a signal converting unit and converted into digital signals. A multi-channel hybrid controller receives the digital signals and makes corrections and conduct rapid convergence algorithm to derive a reverse digital signal, which is sent to the signal converting unit and converted into a reverse analog signal. The reverse analog signal is sent to the signal amplifying unit for power amplification to generate a control signal for driving a loudspeaker unit to produce interfering acoustic wave, so as to cancel out the noise source and achieve the purpose of eliminating wideband noise. |
| US08085941B2 |
System and method for dynamic sound delivery
A dynamic range manipulation system, for use for example in an audio playback system such as a two-way communication system, mobile telephone, MP3 player, and the like, obtains a measure of ambient noise at the playback location and adjusts the gain of the drive signal provided to the loudspeaker based on this measure and based on the audio signal to be played back. |
| US08085937B1 |
System and method for securing calls between endpoints
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of establishing a secure call includes generating a session key at a centralized location. The session key is encrypted with a first public key and transmitted from the centralized location to a first endpoint. The session key is additionally encrypted with a second public key and transmitted from the centralized location to a second endpoint. The centralized location is at a location other than a location of the first endpoint and the second endpoint. The session key is operable to encrypt the call between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. |
| US08085933B2 |
Cipher for disk encryption
Encryption is provided with additional diffusion components to construct a block cipher with a large and variable block size. The cipher incorporates an encryption system or algorithm such that the cipher is at least as secure as the encryption system or algorithm. Additional components of the cipher provide improved diffusion. This combination ensures that the cipher is at least as strong as the encryption algorithm, and at the same time it provides additional security properties due to its improved diffusion. |
| US08085928B2 |
Isolating an inactive cable pair from a bridged active cable pair
Apparatus and methods provide for the isolation of an inactive cable pair from a bridged active cable pair. According to various embodiments, a bridge lifting block is installed in-line between control equipment and a cable connected to the bridged cable pairs. The bridge lifting block includes a first set of post pairs for connection to the control equipment and a second set of post pairs for connection to the cable block. Mini-bridge lifters are installed in the bridge lifting block between the sets of post pairs. The bridge lifting block may include two cable blocks linked together, with mini-bridge lifters installed in one and corresponding pass-through coils installed in the other. Alternatively, the bridge lifting block may include a single block body having two opposing sets of post pairs with intervening mini-bridge lifters. Additional control equipment may be installed between the bridge lifting block and cable block. |
| US08085925B2 |
Data driven configuration of call management applications
A call manager uses a call management application in conjunction with a live dial database to control routing of calls for managed devices. To generate the live dial database, the call management application accesses configured route patterns and enters these patterns into the live dial database. Upon identifying an expansion indicator in a configured route pattern, the call management application accesses dial plan data that includes multiple route pattern definitions that each define a pattern using one or more sub-strings and, for each sub-string, an associated tag. The call management application then enters patterns defined by the route pattern definitions into the live dial database based on various other criteria established for the configured route pattern having the expansion indicator. |
| US08085922B1 |
Methods and systems for speed dialing
Systems and methods for configuring and using speed dialing are described. A first user interface is displayed to a user, the first user interface providing a name field configured to display and/or receive a contact name and a phone address field configured to display and/or receive a phone address associated with the contact name. A speed dial field configured to receive and/or display a speed dial identifier associated with the phone address is provided. When the user later enters speed dial identifier via a telephone, the phone address is called. |
| US08085911B2 |
Central monitoring station with method to process call based on call source identification information
A system and a method for processing an incoming telephone call to an alarm system central monitoring station using call source identification data such as caller ID. The alarm system central monitoring station can use the caller ID information transmitted by the telephone company to make decisions as to how to process a call prior to the central monitoring station receiver answering the call. The central monitoring station will process the call by checking if the caller ID information matches caller ID information stored in memory and it will check status information associated with the caller ID information to determine if the call should be disconnected, transferred, or connected. In order to accomplish this the central monitoring station comprises receiving circuits for detecting an incoming telephone call on the telephone line and reading caller ID information associated with the call, switching circuits coupled to the receiving circuitry for transferring the call if necessary, memory for storing status information comprising the caller ID information, and processing circuitry for determining if caller ID information has been stored in the memory, and if it has, then accessing the status information and processing the call as a function of the status information. The central monitoring station may process the call by 1) transferring the call to an invalid alarm call station, 2) connecting the call to a central monitoring station receiver, a second central monitoring station receiver, or a second line of a central monitoring station receiver, or 3) disconnecting the call. |
| US08085909B2 |
Multi-mode IVR
Included are embodiments of systems and methods for providing information. At least one embodiment of such a method includes facilitating establishment of a communication between a user on a communications device and an interface server, the interface server being configured to provide data related to an information tree to the user, the information tree being configured with a plurality of options. Some embodiments include facilitating navigation of a user through the information tree and receiving a first version of a marker from the user, the marker being configured to mark at least one position in the information tree. Still some embodiments include associating the received first version of the marker with a position in the information tree. |
| US08085908B2 |
Voice-messaging with attachments
A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message. |
| US08085907B2 |
Dynamic control of voice mail delivery sequence
A user of a conversational biometrics based voice mail system sets a user profile of the user that defines one or more biometric parameters of received voice mail intended for the user. A conversational biometrics device analyzes the voice mail in accordance with the one or more biometric parameters of the user profile set by the user and generates a biometric analysis result of the voice mail. The conversational biometrics device assigns a priority for delivery of the voice mail compared with a plurality of voice mails received by the conversational biometrics based voice mail system in accordance with the biometric analysis result and places the voice mail in a sequence in a delivery queue determined by the assigned priority. The delivery queue of the conversational biometrics based voice mail system delivers the voice mail to the user in the sequence determined by the assigned priority. |
| US08085906B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for providing alternative multimedia ring back tone substitute service by using intelligent network
Disclosed is a method, a system, and an apparatus for providing a sound source, which has been encoded by using an audio codec, as a ringback tone alternative having an improved quality by adaptively applying various audio codecs according to the service type so that, when a mobile communication terminal is provided with a ringback tone alternative by separately applying an audio codec and a voice codec to a ringback tone provision section and a voice communication section, respectively, it is unnecessary to individually and additionally change or modify a number of devices in a mobile communication network, but a specific device in an intelligent network controls other devices based on overall consideration of the ability of the mobile communication terminal, the type of the ringback tone alternative, etc. |
| US08085900B2 |
Method for X-ray wavelength measurement and X-ray wavelength measurement apparatus
A Method for X-ray wavelength measurement and an X-ray wavelength measurement apparatus capable of determining absolute wavelength easily and carrying out wavelength measurement having high precision with a simple structure are provided. The present invention is a Method for X-ray wavelength measurement carried out by using a channel-cut crystal for wavelength measurement (20) in which two opposing cut planes are formed and the lattice constant of which is known, and the method diffracts X-ray in respective arrangements (−, +) and (+, −) of the channel-cut crystal for wavelength measurement (20), to determine the absolute wavelength of the X-ray from the difference between crystal rotation angles in respective arrangements. This makes the alignment simpler, and, when only a channel-cut crystal suitable for measurement can be prepared, X-ray wavelength measurement can be carried out easily and with high precision. |
| US08085896B2 |
Rigid computed tomography rotor and method for the manufacture thereof
A rotor for a gantry of a computed tomography apparatus, as well as a manufacturing method for such a rotor. The rotor according to the invention is produced at least in segments from a composite material with polymer matrix that is reinforced with fibers. The rotor thus has a high strength and rigidity, such that the deformation limits to achieve a sufficiently good image quality with simultaneously low structural volume and low weight are not exceeded, even at high rotation speeds. |
| US08085893B2 |
Low jitter clock recovery circuit
A clock recovery circuit includes a first phase detector for measuring the phase difference between a first clock signal from a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a data signal. A phase shifter responsive to a control signal based on this phase difference adjusts the phase of an incoming clock signal to yield a second clock signal. The phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal is measured and the resulting signal is low-pass filtered to derive a control signal for controlling the VCO. The phase locked loop including the VCO filters out jitter. |
| US08085891B2 |
System and method for management of mobile device communication
A system and method for managing mobile device communication in an enterprise includes a device management agent and a synchronization agent in the mobile device. Information about the status of the mobile device is collected by the device management agent and the synchronization agent communicates the status information to the enterprise with which the mobile device is associated. A synchronization server at the enterprise collects device information and updates records at the enterprise. Information such as device telephone number is propagated to the enterprise directory and potentially to a PBX to ensure connectivity with the mobile device. |
| US08085887B2 |
Method and receiver circuit for reducing RFI interference
In a method for generating a compensation signal for the compensation of at least one RFI interference signal that, in a DMT transmission, is permanently superposed on a received DMT reception signal being divided into a multiplicity of channels at least one reference channel from the multiplicity of channels is provided. The multiplicity of channels comprise a first portion provided as data channels for the data transmission and a second portion which is an observation region unused for the data transmission. Channel-specific coefficients for at least one of the data channels to be compensated are provided. The channel-specific coefficients specify a correlation of the RFI interference signal being superposed on the respective data channel in respect of the reference channel. A compensation signal is generated by weighting and summing the received DMT reception signals with the channel-specific coefficients per DMT frame and for each data channel to be compensated. |
| US08085884B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing satellite positioning system signals to obtain time information
A method and apparatus for processing satellite positioning system signals at a mobile receiver is described. In one example, first bit-transitions within satellite navigation data transmitted by at least one satellite are estimated at the mobile receiver. A bit pattern is generated that includes a known preamble and an extended preamble. The extended preamble includes expected data bits within the satellite navigation data. The first bit-transitions are compared with second bit-transitions of the bit pattern to generate match data. |
| US08085883B2 |
Method and apparatus for delayed recursion decoder
A high-speed maximum likelihood sequence estimation method and device. The method includes identifying candidate paths through a state trellis based on a group of observed data, where each candidate path corresponds to a best path through a trellis beginning at one of a possible prior states (and corresponding prior data bit or bits), and then selecting one of the paths based on candidate sequence selection information, typically prior state decisions (e.g., data symbols in the form of one or more bits). The path selection, in turn, provides decoding of symbols and data bit information for use in selecting one of the candidate paths in a subsequent stage. |
| US08085882B1 |
Multi-sensor signal fusion for modulation classification of weak signals
A multi-sensor signal fusion apparatus is provided for automatic modulation classification of weak unknown signals in non-cooperative communication environment with a more accurate description of the signal. The multi-sensor non-cooperative demodulation device combines a group of sensors, a signal fusion sensor, a means for signal demodulation, and a means for automatic modulation classification. An output of the signal fusion sensor is sent to a means for modulation scheme classification to select the appropriate demodulation technique for demodulating the unknown signal and provide the necessary intelligence about the monitored signals to the user and allow the user to simulate the unknown non-cooperative signal. The present invention also contemplates a multi-sensor signal fusion article of manufacture with a storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for more accurate descriptions of monitored signals and methods for achieving higher accuracy descriptions of monitored signals in a non-cooperative environment with multi-sensor non-cooperative demodulation. |
| US08085881B2 |
High data rate demodulation system
The demodulation process of a wireless data transmission system using multi-level symbols makes use of templates corresponding to each of the possible symbol transitions, so that knowledge of previously decoded symbols can be used to decode the next one. An estimation and correction loop provides for initial estimation of the values of a plurality of consecutive symbols, and error estimates are made for the estimated initial values of the symbols and for one or more alternative values, a final estimate being determined to minimize the total estimated error. |
| US08085871B2 |
Adaptive modulation in a multiple input multiple output wireless communication system with optional beamforming
A transmitting MIMO wireless device transmits a training sequence to a receiving MIMO wireless device. The receiving MIMO wireless device estimates a channel response based upon the training sequence, determines an estimated transmitter beamforming unitary matrix and a transmit path quality matrix, and then transmits some/all of these parameters to the transmitting MIMO wireless device. The transmitting MIMO wireless device receives these components and determines a modulation to be employed for each of a plurality of data streams. The transmitting MIMO wireless device transmits a data frame to the receiving MIMO wireless device that includes a short training sequence, a long training sequence, a signal field with demodulation control signals, and a data payload for each of multiple data streams. According to one embodiment of the signal field, the signal field indicates a number of data streams of the data frame and a modulation employed for each data stream. The signal field may include additional information, such as whether beamforming is employed for the data frame. |
| US08085868B2 |
Phase modulating and combining circuit
A transmitter includes a modulating and combining circuit to which signals are supplied and modulated into in-phase and quadrature-phase signals. The in-phase and quadrature-phase signals are combined in a closed-loop voltage summing circuit. The voltage summing circuit is an amplifier using capacitors as negative feedback elements. The negative feedback improves the linearity of the modulator. An LC tank circuit at the output of the voltage summing circuit bandpass filters the output before being applied to a power amplifier and eventually transmitted by an antenna. A multi-summing amplifier with different frequency tuning can be used for a multi-band transmitter design. |
| US08085866B2 |
Radio transmission apparatus, radio reception apparatus, modulation method, and demodulation method
A rate matching apparatus is capable of improving the bit error rate characteristic at a data receiving end. A rate matching part (106), which serves as a rate matching apparatus, generates, from a first encoded block corresponding to N symbols (where N is an integer equal to or greater than one), a second encoded block corresponding to N+K symbols (where K is an integer equal to or greater than one). In the rate matching part (106), a to-be-divided bit-group extracting part (122) extracts, from the first encoded block, a first bit group corresponding to any of the N symbols. A dividing part (124) divides the extracted first bit group into L divided bit groups corresponding to L symbols (where L is an integer equal to or greater than two but equal to or smaller than K+1), thereby providing the second encoded block. |
| US08085862B2 |
Optimizing transmission for broadcast multicast service
The present invention is method and system for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system. The present invention includes differentiating a data stream into at least a first layer data stream and a second layer data stream. At least the first layer data stream and the second layer data stream are then channel coded. Afterward, at least one of the channel coded first layer data stream and the channel coded second layer data stream is spread. |
| US08085861B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating signal to interference and noise ratio in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for estimating a Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes processing a received signal by Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) demodulation to convert the received signal into frequency-domain data, selecting ranging data from the frequency-domain data, multiplying the selected ranging data by a ranging code to perform code demodulation, calculating at least one norm value and at least one coherent norm value by bundle for the code-demodulated data and estimating an SINR using the calculated at least one norm value and at least one coherent norm value. |
| US08085860B2 |
Systems and methods for sampling frequency offset estimation
A method comprises receiving a transmission including at least two Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, estimating a sampling frequency offset associated with the OFDM symbols at least in part by employing a term representing a density of pilots in the OFDM symbols, and compensating for the sampling frequency offset using the estimated sampling frequency offset. |
| US08085854B2 |
System, method and computer-readable medium for encoding a signal into macroblocks
A quantizer and dequantizer for use in a video coding system that applies non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to video information signals based on a value of a variable quantization parameter. The quantizer and dequantizer apply different non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to a DC luminance signal, a DC chrominance signal and an AC chrominance signal. A code for reporting updates of the value of the quantization parameter is interpreted to require larger changes when the quantization parameter initially is large and smaller changes when the quantization parameter initially is small. |
| US08085848B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for identifying a motion vector by executing the steps of setting a plurality of reference blocks, searching a specific reference block, and detecting the motion vector is provided. The image processing apparatus includes correlation-value computation means, table generation means, and motion-vector computation means. |
| US08085847B2 |
Method for compressing/decompressing motion vectors of unsynchronized picture and apparatus using the same
A method and apparatus are provided for improving the compression efficiency of motion vectors of an unsynchronized picture by efficiently predicting the motion vectors using motion vectors of a lower layer. The method compresses motion vectors of an unsynchronized picture belonging to a current layer in a video encoder based on a multilayer having at least the current layer and a lower layer of the current layer. The method includes selecting a base picture for the unsynchronized picture, generating a predicted motion vector of the current layer from a motion vector of the base picture, subtracting the predicted motion vector from a motion vector of the unsynchronized picture, and encoding the result of subtraction. |
| US08085846B2 |
Method and apparatus for decoding hybrid intra-inter coded blocks
A hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive (or multi-predictive) coding mode allows both intraframe (intra) and interframe (inter) predictions to be combined together for hybrid-encoding a current macroblock or a subblock. Bi-prediction may be used also in I-pictures, combining two intra predictions that use two different intra prediction directions. 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 select, for coding a current macroblock, between an intra encoding mode, an P-frame inter encoding mode, a B-frame bi-predictive inter mode, and a hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode. A video decoder receives and decodes a data stream that may contain a block/macroblock encoded in accordance with the hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode. |
| US08085843B2 |
MP4 demultiplexer and method of operating the same
Provided are an MP4 demultiplexer and a method of operating the same, enabling an MP4 file to be played in a fast-play mode input by a user, wherein the MP4 demultiplexer extracts all intra-frames (I-frames) among video frames in a sample track of an MP4 file, and the MP4 demultiplexer extracts predicted-frames (P-frames) by skipping, according to a fast-play speed input by a user, at least one P-frame in a succession of P-frames present between the I-frames. |
| US08085839B2 |
Adaptive equalization system and method having a lock-up-free quantized feedback DC restoration circuit
An adaptive equalizer may include one or more equalizing gain stages coupled to an input signal. An automatic gain control circuit may be used to control the gain of the one or more equalizing gain stages, the automatic gain control circuit having an AGC reference input. A dual-output DC restoration circuit may be coupled to the output of the one or more equalizing gain stages for generating a first output signal using a first hysteresis slicer that DC restores the input signal and for generating a second output signal using a second hysteresis slicer that is coupled to the AGC reference input of the automatic gain control circuit, wherein the second hysteresis slicer introducing less hysteresis than the first hysteresis slicer. |
| US08085837B2 |
Characterizing non-compensable jitter in an electronic signal
One embodiment of the present invention processes a signal of interest through an optional reference channel, combines the resulting signal with white noise, and then processes the noisy signal through a reference receiver. Two metrics are calculated from the results of that processing: Non-Compensable Data-Dependent Jitter (NC-DDJ) and Enhanced Transmitter and Waveform Dispersion Penalty (Enhanced TWDP). Within the reference receiver, a variable delay module sweeps the eye opening defined by the noise-free samples of the signal of interest and determines the transition points (i.e., edges) of the eye opening. Those transition points are compared to the Unit Interval to yield NC-DDJ. Further, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the noisy samples of the signal of interest is compared to the SNR of an ideal receiver (i.e., matched filter) driven by an ideal transmitter via an ideal channel with additive white Gaussian noise n(t) to yield Enhanced TWDP. |
| US08085831B2 |
Interference control via selective blanking/attenuation of interfering transmissions
Inter-sector interference for a target user in a sector may be controlled by selectively blanking or attenuating transmit powers for interfering users in neighboring sectors whenever their transmissions collide. The sector provides the frequency hopping (FH) sequence or subband usage for the target user to the neighboring sectors. Each neighboring sector uses the target user's FH sequence to form a blanking pattern. Each neighboring sector then either blanks or reduces transmit power for each subband in its blanking pattern. Each user in each neighboring sector receives either (1) punctured symbols for subbands in the blanking pattern, if blanking is performed, or (2) lower energy symbols for these subbands, if attenuation is performed. In any case, the target user and each neighboring user may process their received symbols in the normal manner and do not need to be informed of the blanking/attenuation. |
| US08085829B2 |
Furnace insulation
A furnace insulation including fiber modules in the form of at least two cylinder segments (2, 3; 7, 8) that are placed against one another so as to form a cylinder whose internal volume constitutes the furnace space and that are adapted to allow an electrical resistance element (5) to lie against and be fastened in the inner surface (4) of the cylinder. The furnace insulation is characterized in that the inner part of the cylinder includes one or more radially extending or generally radially extending openings (12; 14). |
| US08085828B2 |
Portable laser source
A portable laser source includes a flash lamp assembly defining a hollow central channel, an elongate laser rod extending within the hollow channel for receiving a flash of light emitted by the surrounding flash lamp assembly, and a hermetically-sealed enclosure housing both the flash lamp assembly and the laser rod and including at least one optical transmission window for transmitting a laser beam emitted by the laser rod. Preferably, the flash lamp assembly is hermetically-sealed from the laser rod within the enclosure to maintain physical and electrical isolation of the laser rod from combustible and electrically conductive components of the flash lamp assembly. The combustible component of the flash lamp assembly can include Zr wool and an accelerant, or like materials for emitting a flash of light. The laser source can include a second window used to test the condition of the laser rod via application of an external test light to activate the laser rod within the sealed enclosure. |
| US08085823B2 |
Laser source device, wavelength conversion element, method of manufacturing wavelength conversion element, projector, and monitoring device
A laser source device includes: a light emission unit which emits laser beam having first wavelength; a first mirror which selectively reflects S-polarized light contained in the first wavelength laser beam emitted from the light emission unit in a direction different from the direction toward the light emission unit and transmits second wavelength laser beam; a second mirror which receives laser beam reflected by the first mirror and reflects laser beam having first wavelength and contained in the received laser beam toward the first mirror; and a wavelength conversion element disposed between the first mirror and the second mirror and converts at least a part of S-polarized light contained in the received first wavelength laser beam into laser beam having second wavelength. |
| US08085818B2 |
Frame synchronization and structure detection method in DVB-S2 system
Provided is a method for detecting frame sync and frame structure in a satellite broadcasting system. The method for detecting frame sync and frame structure includes the steps of: calculating differential correlation values of reception symbols; generating index sequences of reception symbols whose differential correlation values calculated above exceed a threshold value; calculating positions estimated as frame start points which correspond to a total frame number based on the number of symbols per frame for each frame structure; and detecting frame sync and frame structure based on the umber of positions where the above-calculated frame start point estimated positions and the above-generated index sequences are matched. |
| US08085811B2 |
Method and apparatus for transporting ethernet services
Frames of customer traffic may be encapsulated by adding Mac-in-Mac (MiM) encapsulation fields for transportation of the frames over a portion of provider network. The MiM encapsulated traffic may be further encapsulated using VPLS by adding VPLS encapsulation fields for transportation of the frames over another portion of the provider network. The MiM encapsulations use provider network MAC addresses which enables VPLS MAC learning to occur using provider network MAC address space. MiM tunnels are mapped to VPLS service instances which are assigned pseudowire tags for transportation over the VPLS portion of provider network. The MiM header is retained when the MiM encapsulated frames are transported over the VPLS portion of the provider network. As VPLS frames exit the core network, the VPLS encapsulation fields are removed to extract the original MiM encapsulated frames for further transportation over the MiM portion of the provider network. |
| US08085808B2 |
Automatic configuration of network devices for network services
Systems and methods for facilitating automatic configuration of network devices for network services are disclosed. In one of many possible embodiments, a request for information for configuring a network device is received from a requesting device. The request is in a first protocol format. The information is retrieved from a directory subsystem in a second protocol format. The retrieved information is converted from the second protocol format to the first protocol format. The converted information is transmitted in the first protocol format to the requesting device in response to the request. |
| US08085805B2 |
Adaptive channel selection by wireless nodes for improved operating range
Improved message range in a wireless network is achieved by each node performing an energy/noise scan to determine a receiving channel having the lowest noise and/or interference, e.g., best reception conditions, relative to the other channels available in the wireless network. Each node may thereafter scan available channels periodically to adjust its optimal receiving channel if the noise/interference environment changes on its present receiving channel, e.g., noise/interference on another channel is less then the noise on the present receiving channel. When a receiving channel is changed by a node, the wireless node may broadcast this information to notify its neighbor nodes of the change in its receiving channel. |
| US08085802B1 |
Multimedia over coaxial cable access protocol
A BCN network with BCN modems that communicate using predefined messages to establish, optimize and facilitate data communication. |
| US08085798B2 |
Host device interface with a point of deployment (POD) and a method of processing broadcast data
A host device interfacing with a point of deployment (POD) and a method of processing broadcast data are disclosed. Herein, an Internet Protocol (IP) physical interface unit receives an Ethernet frame including broadcast data; and a routing engine transforms the Ethernet frame to an IP packet when a destination address included in the Ethernet frame matches with an address of a pod and routs the transformed IP packet to an extended channel connected to the POD. Accordingly, it is possible to protect contents using a conditional access provided by the existing cable card and process broadcast data received on all types of transmission protocols including an IP protocol over a wired/wireless network using a channel provided for connection between the existing cable card and the host device. |
| US08085796B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for virtual personalized networks
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a virtual personalized network. Communications are established with a personal digital gateway to control access, sharing, security, and/or management of up-to-date personalized data exchanged between or among a plurality of associated communications devices and/or communications networks. The associated communications devices are owned, operated, and/or accessed by a common user. |
| US08085795B2 |
Packet relay apparatus
A unicast-use tunnel is added between the Note-C and GW-B (i.e., a unicast optimization). Then, the Note-C transmits, to a GW-C, a second IP packet encapsulating a first IP packet, to which an inter-GW header is added, by an IP header to which a multicast address is set. The multicast-use second IP packet is transferred to a CE by way of a tunnel. The CE copies the received second IP packet and transfers it to a GW-A and the GW-B by way of the tunnel (i.e., a multicast optimization). |
| US08085790B2 |
Ethernet layer 2 protocol packet switching
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an access node, and the access node includes ports. The access node is operable to perform downlink switching based upon a unique Provider Virtual Local Area Network tag (S-TAG) and a unique IEEE 802.1Q tag header (C-TAG) that is assigned to each port. |
| US08085787B1 |
Virtual loop carrier system with automatic configuration of ATM endpoints
In an ATM network having ATM endpoints connected to a central server over respective virtual circuits, ATM endpoints are configured for Internet Protocol (IP) over ATM communications by transmitting an unsolicited message from the server to the selected ATM endpoint at a first transmission interval over the associated virtual circuit, the unsolicited message including a server IP address and an ATM endpoint IP address; and receiving the unsolicited message at the selected ATM endpoint, including extracting the server IP address and the ATM endpoint IP address from the unsolicited message and transmitting an SNMP TRAP message to the server. |
| US08085786B2 |
H-ARQ throughput optimization by prioritized decoding
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate data throughput optimization in a receiver through prioritized decoding of data transmissions. In particular, mechanisms are provided that assign priorities to obtained packets and/or sub-packets of a data transmission. The priorities can be assigned based at least upon prioritization rules that identify packets and/or sub-packets most likely to successfully decode. The obtained packets and/or sub-packets are decoded based upon the assigned priorities. |
| US08085781B2 |
Bulk data transfer
This disclosure relates to network data communication. Some embodiments include initiating a network connection between an original source and an ultimate destination, transmitting a block of data from the original source to the ultimate destination on the network, requesting retransmission of lost blocks from the ultimate destination to the source and retransmitting the lost blocks from source to the ultimate destination. These embodiments further include measuring round-trip time of a retransmit request, the round-trip time measured from a time of transmission of a retransmit request from the ultimate destination to a time of reception at the ultimate destination after retransmission from the original source and setting the round-trip time as a minimum retransmission request time for the network connection, wherein the round-trip time includes latencies of the network connection and in data processes at the original source and at the ultimate destination. |
| US08085776B2 |
Methods and systems for a distributed provider edge
Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels. |
| US08085774B2 |
System and method for content filtering using static source routes
A packet containing a request for content is initially received at a content filtering router. The packet comprises a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address of a content server that stores the content and a bogus IP address. It is ascertained that the destination IP address is on a list of approved destination IP address. Alternatively, it is ascertained that the destination IP address is on a list of probably unapproved destination IP addresses and the packet is routed in accordance with an alternative IP address to a content filtering server. In this alternative, at the content filtering server the bogus IP address is used to determine a content filtering category and it is ascertained whether the destination IP address with the content filtering category should be filtered based upon a list of IP addresses and associated content filtering categories. |
| US08085769B2 |
Scaling egress network traffic
In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides generating one or more packets of data, the one or more packets of data being associated with a connection; and associating the one or more packets with one of a plurality of transmit queues based, at least in part, on the connection associated with the one or more packets. |
| US08085766B2 |
S-flow in a network device
A network device for providing statistical sampling of packet at a port. The network device includes an ingress module for randomly selecting a packet at one of a plurality of ports for statistical sampling and an egress module for randomly selecting a packet at one of a plurality of ports for statistical sampling. The network device also includes a processing module for receiving a copy of a selected packet from at least one of the ingress module or egress module and for performing statistical flow processing on the packet. |
| US08085762B2 |
GPON management system
The present invention provides the capability to manage NEs with a large number of units of equipment and facilities, by providing functions such profiling, auto-creation, link aggregation and scoping. This makes it easier for to manage GPON data, voice and video services and to support traffic protection. A method for managing an optical network comprises automatically provisioning a unit of the optical network, automatically creating a unit of the optical network, and arranging link aggregation in a unit of the optical network. |
| US08085760B2 |
Method of and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony
A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server. |
| US08085759B2 |
Method for establishing a VoIP communication using a peer-to-peer databank
In one aspect, a method for operating a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes, whereby a databank is stored in shared manner among the nodes is provided. A first node extracts from the databank identification data for identifying and/or addressing the first node by a correspondent for recording, initiated by the first node, of a communication with the correspondent of an external communication system. In another embodiment, when the recording of a communication with a first node is initiated by a correspondent of an external communication system, a notification concerning the recording of the communication initiated by the correspondent by means of the databank can be supplied to a second node and the correspondent is then tracked. A for implementing the method is also provided. |
| US08085757B2 |
Caller-controlled routing to non-SIP/non-TEL URI destinations for an IMS-based ENUM query
A telephone number of the callee is received from a caller device. An Internet protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based telephone number mapping (ENUM) query is constructed based on the telephone number of the callee. An ENUM database is queried based on the ENUM query. If a response to the ENUM query is absent a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Uniform Resource Indicator (URI) or a telephone (TEL) URI, the telephone number is resolved into one or more non-SIP/non-TEL URIs usable to communicate with the callee. The caller is enabled to use the caller device or other devices to select which of the one or more non-SIP/non-TEL URIs to use to communicate with the callee. For each caller-selected non-SIP/non-TEL URI, communication in a protocol associated with the URI is initiated between the caller and the callee using the caller device or other devices. |
| US08085753B2 |
Method and relate apparatus for enhancing transmission efficiency in a transmitter of a wireless communication system
A method for enhancing transmission efficiency in a transmitter of a wireless communication system includes forming a first RLC PDU and a second RLC PDU with a size equal to a size of the first RLC PDU in an RLC layer, submitting the first RLC PDU and the second RLC PDU to a MAC layer via a logic channel, combining the first RLC PDU with the second RLC PDU into a MAC PDU, forming a header including a plurality of fields indicating parameters of the first RLC PDU and a specified field indicating parameters of the second RLC PDU in the MAC PDU, and transmitting the MAC PDU to a peer receiver. |
| US08085751B2 |
Broadcasting receiver and broadcast signal processing method
A digital broadcasting system which is robust against an error when mobile service data is transmitted and a method of processing data are disclosed. The mobile service data is subjected to an additional coding process and the coded mobile service data is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a serious channel variation while applying robustness to the mobile service data. |
| US08085748B2 |
Wireless access point service coverage area management
A Wireless Access Point (WAP) of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure includes a processor, a radio and a directional antenna. The radio supports communications with a plurality of wireless terminals to gather participatory data, and listens to, but does not participate in transmissions of at least some of the plurality of wireless terminals to collect non-participatory WAP data. Based upon the participatory WAP data and non-participatory WAP data, the processor creates WAP operational reports and provides the WAP operational reports to the WLAN. The WLAN creates directions based thereon and directs the WAP to alter the gain pattern of the directional antenna. |
| US08085747B2 |
Radio base station and cell-identifier specifying method
A radio base station includes a first obtaining device to obtain position information for locating a position of a local station; a second obtaining device to obtain a matrix that includes blocks, each block representing an area with which a uniquely identifiable cell identifier is associated, and that covers a cell coverage of the local station and a cell coverage in which use of the same cell identifiers as those of the local station is to be avoided; and a specifying device to specify the cell identifiers associated with the blocks included in the cell coverage of the local station, on a basis of the local station position located by the position information and the matrix. |
| US08085745B2 |
Method for improving energy efficiency in wireless mesh network
A method for effectively using power resource in a wireless mesh network is disclosed to select and change a level of a power saving mode according to terminal and network situations to increase the duration of the network's existence as well as improve the power consumption of each mesh terminal. After active mesh terminals that are to perform a data relay function and super-saving mesh terminals that are not to perform the data relay function are selected in consideration of a network topology at certain periods, the level of a power saving mode of the mesh terminals selected as the super-saving mesh terminals is higher than that of the mesh terminals selected as the active mesh terminals. And then, a routing path in a tree form is formed along the mesh terminals selected as the active mesh terminals to transmit data. |
| US08085736B2 |
CDMA receiving device and SFN detecting method used for the same
A CDMA receiving device is provided which can prevent erroneous determination of an SFN detection. The CDMA receiving device (1) performs detection of a slot boundary in a slot timing detection unit (14), and performs detection of frame timing and code group in a code group identification unit (15), with regard to each slot timing detected in this way. The CDMA receiving device (1) uses a P-CPICH to detect scrambling code in a scrambling code identification unit (16) from the detected frame timing and code group. The CDMA receiving device (1) performs detection of SFN in a broadcast channel decoding unit (17) from the frame timing and the scrambling code. A P-CCPCH is used in the detection of the SFN. The SFN is included in the P-CCPCH and it is possible to detect SFN timing of a base station by decoding a BCH. |
| US08085731B2 |
Mechanism for 3rd generation partnership project multiple inter-network quality of service continuity
A system to promote connectivity for inter-radio access technology (RAT) handover from a first radio access network (RAN) to a second radio access network (RAN) is provided. The system comprises a component configured such that for each access point name (APN) in communication with the first radio access network (RAN), the maximum bit rate (MBR) for each active non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) bearer in the second radio access network (RAN) is determined based on each respective access point name's (APN's) used aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) and the number of active non-guaranteed bit rate(s) (non-GBR) bearers for the respective access point name (APN). |
| US08085727B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate the closure of mobility tunnels
According to one embodiment, a method involves receiving an incoming media access control (MAC) frame that includes a header, a frame body and an error detection field. Thereafter, an information element within the frame body is analyzed to determine whether to alter a mobility tunnel between a plurality of networking devices. |
| US08085721B2 |
Adaptive transmission method and a base station using the method
The invention relates to a method, a base station and a computer program for selecting a spatial transmission method for a next downlink transmission in a base station. The base station can be a WiMAX, a UMTS or a 3 GPP LTE base station. According to the invention the base station makes a selection between beamforming (BF), space-time coding (STC) or MIMO for a next downlink frame. The selection is based on uplink measurements and feedback information from a particular mobile station whereto the next downlink frame is to be transmitted. |
| US08085718B2 |
Partial radio block detection
A technique includes receiving a radio block from a transmission channel. The radio block includes first data and second data. The technique includes evaluating the first data to obtain a first evaluation result, evaluating the second data to obtain a second evaluation result and determining whether the radio block is a partial block based on the first and second evaluation results. |
| US08085716B2 |
Methods and devices for determining if a base station can not handle a terminal
A method for determining, in a wireless cellular telecommunication network, if a base station can handle a half-duplex terminal. The base station transfers signals in a cell of the base station, and the half-duplex terminal, when being handled by the base station, does not transfer or receive signals during a period of time, called idle period of the cell of the base station. If a characteristic of the terminal is not compatible with the idle period of the cell of the base station, it is determined that the base station cannot handle the terminal. |
| US08085713B2 |
Resource allocation method of subscriber of service negotiation system
A resource allocation method of a subscriber station in a service negotiation system is provided. The resource allocation method includes gathering statistics of bursty data, bandwidth grant situation, and measuring wireless signal quality. The subscriber station switches its operation mode according to the statistics and bandwidth data derived by the signal measurement. When the subscriber station in a wireless system switches into a normal operation mode, it allocates bandwidth to management message and numbers of data connections to satisfy the quality of service (QoS) of each connection. When the subscriber station in a wireless system switches into an emergency operation mode, it allocates bandwidth to management message and unsolicited grant service (UGS). |
| US08085712B2 |
Method for implementing media gateway function, radio access control device and radio access system
A method for implementing the media gateway function is disclosed by the embodiment of the present invention, including: receiving a first signaling message; determining to perform a processing of a base station application layer or a processing of a media gateway control application layer according to a Simple Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) link, wherein the SCTP link is indicated by the first signaling message; if determine to perform the processing of the media gateway control application layer, routing traffic data to a destination device. A radio access control device and a radio access system according to the above mentioned method are further disclosed. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the exchange number of an IP packet is reduced, and the bearer is separated from the control. |
| US08085711B2 |
Method and system for managing radio resources for soft handoff in an OFDMA-based communication system
A method and system is disclosed for managing resource within a predetermined soft handoff group in an OFDM based telecommunications system. Logical radio resources are separated into at least one set to support the soft handoff group and at least one set for supporting normal communication traffic. At least one physical radio resource is identified for each logical radio resource in the set for supporting the SHOG according to a predetermined mapping function so as to minimize resource collision. |
| US08085710B2 |
Minimizing packet loss during fast roaming
A packet loss reduction system. In particular implementations, a method includes responsive to indications of roaming intent of a wireless client relative to currently associated wireless access point, determining if a traffic stream associated with the wireless client is to be proactively buffered by one or more potential wireless access points; conditionally transmitting a command to the one or more potential wireless access points to cause the potential wireless access points to set up resources to proactively buffer packets of the traffic stream; duplicating received packets of the traffic stream destined for the wireless client; and transmitting the duplicate packets to the potential wireless access points for storage in a proactive stream buffer. |
| US08085709B2 |
Method and system for managing radio resources in mobile communication networks, related network and computer program product therefor
A method for managing radio resources in a mobile communications network having a plurality of cells, wherein the radio resources are managed by a plurality of radio resources management procedures arranged for having available at least one maximum downlink total load value representative of the maximum total load level of each cell of the network; and for measuring at least one uplink load value and at least one current downlink total load value of each cell of the network. The method includes the steps of defining at least two status parameters including a first status parameter or load status parameter adapted to reach a first set of status ranges, depending on the measured uplink load value and the current downlink total load value; a second status parameter or packet congestion flag adapted to reach a second set of status ranges, depending upon reaching of a congestion status in a packet management procedure; and adopting different sets of managing strategies associated with the radio resources management procedures of the network as a function of the at least two status parameters being in the respective sets of status ranges. Preferred application is in UMTS mobile networks. |
| US08085708B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for establishing a registrationless data communication connection between electronic devices
A method of operating a mobile terminal to establish a data communication connection with an electronic device includes receiving a message from the electronic device via a wireless wide-area network. The message includes Internet Protocol (IP) connection information for establishing the data communication connection with the electronic device. For example, the message may be an SMS message, and the IP connection information may include an IP address and/or port number associated with the electronic device. The data communication connection is established with the electronic device responsive to receiving the message and based on the IP connection information included in the message. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed. |
| US08085704B2 |
Method and arrangements relating to satellite-based positioning
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses as well as a measurement report signal for reporting measurements on ranging signals (RS1-RS4) received by a mobile station from satellites (SV1-SV4) or calculating a position based on such measurements, wherein each of said ranging signal comprises a stream (201) of data bits (202) spread by a spreading code (203). After synchronizing (501) to data bit edges in the stream of data bits on a ranging signal, a position in time modulo the data bit length for said stream of data bits with respect to a selected point in time is measured (502). The measured position in time could be used by the apparatus performing the measurements on the received ranging signals for calculating (504) the position of the mobile station. Alternatively the apparatus could transmit (503) a wireless signal including data representing said measured position in time, allowing the mobile station position to be determined in another apparatus (101). |
| US08085703B2 |
Methods and systems for accelerating wireless communication handover
Methods and apparatus for ranging with one or more neighboring sectors during normal operation of a mobile station (MS) with its serving sector are provided. The ranging results may be frequently updated in an effort to accelerate the handover process to another base station (BS) providing coverage for one of the neighboring sectors. |
| US08085701B2 |
Local area network translating bi-directional packet repeater
A translating bi-directional packet repeater includes a first antenna and a second antenna for receiving a wireless signal, amplifying it, and retransmitting it on a different channel. The channel associated with each of the antennas is separated in frequency sufficiently to ensure good isolation between the wireless signals that are received and then retransmitted. The wireless signal is down converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) that is passed through a band pass filter, and the filtered signal is then up converted and retransmitted on the different channel. A controller responds to a wireless signal on one of the antennas in selecting a path through the bi-directional amplifier and the antennas used to receive and retransmit the signal. The isolation between the received wireless signal and the retransmitted wireless signal is sufficient to avoid interference, and the retransmission takes place almost instantaneously to minimize the delay incurred. |
| US08085695B2 |
Bootstrapping devices using automatic configuration services
The present disclosure relates to attempting to automatically configure an unconfigured device utilizing a previously configured device and, more specifically, to attempting to bootstrap a universal plug-and-play (UPnP) access point utilizing a previously configured access point. |
| US08085687B2 |
Returning domain identifications without reconfiguration
In one embodiment, a technique for returning Domain IDs to a Fibre Channel fabric without a full build fabric (BF) phase is provided. A switch in the fabric may send a principal switch a message requesting the return of one or more Domain IDs assigned to that device. The principal switch may update the list of fabric Domain IDs to remove the Domain IDs identified in the message and send the updated list to devices in the fabric. |
| US08085686B2 |
Aggregation and propagation of sensor data within neighbor discovery messages in a tree-based ad hoc network
In one embodiment, a method comprises attaching, by a mobile router, to an attachment router according to a protocol requiring establishment of a tree topology having a single clusterhead, the attaching by the mobile router based on the mobile router receiving, from the attachment router, an advertisement message specifying an attachment prefix; outputting a second advertisement message specifying availability of a prescribed address prefix used by the mobile router, and further specifying attributes of the mobile router relative to the tree topology; receiving a plurality of sensor data messages from at least one attached sensor host node, each sensor data message specifying at least one sensor data element specifying a detected sensor parameter; aggregating the sensor data elements from the sensor data messages into aggregated sensor data; and generating and outputting a neighbor advertisement message to the attachment router, the neighbor advertisement message specifying the aggregated sensor data. |
| US08085685B2 |
Method and system for testing multiple data packet transceivers together during a predetermined time interval
A method and system for testing multiple data packet transceivers together during a predetermined time interval. A sequence of downlink data packets are generated and distributed as corresponding sequences of downlink data packets for reception by multiple data packet transceivers each one of which is responsive during at least a respective portion of a predetermined time interval to a respective one of the corresponding sequences of downlink data packets by transmitting a respective one of multiple corresponding sequences of uplink data packets. At least a portion of each of the corresponding sequences of uplink data packets are combined to provide a sequence of test data packets of which at least one signal parameter is measured. |
| US08085683B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating link quality
A driver for an IEEE 802.11 wireless network node determines a metric for link quality between the node and a remote node. The nodes communicate using a handshake protocol in which the first node expects to receive an acknowledgement (ACK) of receipt of a data packet from the remote node. The driver provides a measure for: collision induced losses (pc) between the first and remote nodes; a slot being erroneously detected as busy when a successful transmission could have been made (pexp) between the first and remote nodes; and a probability of successful reception of a packet when a collision occurs (pplc) between the first and remote nodes. The measure is based on a number (A) of acknowledgements received from the remote node vis-à-vis a number (T) of packets transmitted to the remote node. The driver can adjust one of carrier sensitivity or node transmission power based on the measure. |
| US08085679B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for controlling bit rates in variable bit rate video coding
A bit rate control method may include calculating a quality measure of a current frame and a mean of quality measures of two or more previous frames in order to calculate a deviation of the quality measure of the current frame from the mean of the quality measures of the two or more previous frames; comparing the deviation to a critical value measure; and controlling a quantization parameter in response to a result of the comparison. A bit rate control apparatus may include a quality measure calculator that calculates the quality measure of the current frame and the mean of the quality measures of the two or more previous frames in order to calculate the deviation; a comparator that compares the deviation to the critical value measure; and a quantization parameter setting unit that controls the quantization parameter in response to the result of the comparison. |
| US08085678B2 |
Media (voice) playback (de-jitter) buffer adjustments based on air interface
Systems and methods for adapting a de-jitter buffer to conform to air link conditions. An air link characteristic may be detected before that characteristic begins to affect packet delivery, such as by slowing or speeding delivery delay at a subscriber station. A receiver-side de-jitter buffer, which adds delay to received packets, may adaptively adjust its size based upon the detected air link characteristic, such that the de-jitter buffer is appropriately sized for anticipated data packets before they are received at the subscriber station. |
| US08085673B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating bi-directional network traffic and collecting statistics on same
A method and apparatus for testing network devices maintains state data in a memory corresponding to a current status for each one of a plurality of connections. Received and transmitted segment identifiers relate each received segment to one of the connections. Each received and transmitted segment is processed and advanced according to a TCP standard and the state data for each segment is updated in the memory. Statistics are collected for each segment as they are processed. |
| US08085671B2 |
Method and system for providing interoperable communications with congestion management
A method for providing interoperable communications with congestion management includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication channel. The method includes detecting, for a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, a congestion event and, in response to detecting the congestion event, forming from the first virtual talk group one or more subgroups, each subgroup comprising at least two endpoints from the first virtual talk group. The method also includes assigning to each subgroup a respective alternate communication protocol for use by the plurality of endpoints of the subgroup. |
| US08085667B2 |
Wireless relay apparatus and wireless relay method
A wireless relay apparatus capable of high-quality transmission of data includes a wireless control unit and a data link communication unit wirelessly receiving and transmitting data. The wireless relay apparatus also includes a congestion status determining unit determining whether a congestion caused by radio wave interference occurs in the wireless relay apparatus, and includes a data flow determining unit identifying a flow of data transmitted and received by the wireless relay apparatus and determining whether the flows intersect in the wireless relay apparatus, when the congestion status determining unit determines that there is a congestion. In addition, the wireless relay apparatus includes a transmission parameter adjustment unit adjusting transmission characteristics of a type according to a result of the determination by the data flow determining unit, from among types of transmission characteristics of radio used in at least one of the wireless control unit and the communication apparatuses. |
| US08085666B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
A transmission apparatus for stably transmitting or receiving data of high priority is provided. In the transmission apparatus of the present invention, processing of the priority packet to be transmitted and processed by priority and processing of the non-priority packet are conducted separately. At transmission side, the above-mentioned priority packet is transmitted by priority by making its average transmission interval shorter than its average generation interval, and said non-priority packet is transmitted during the transmit margin period caused by the above-mentioned processing. At receive side, in the layer of processing the receive frame as a layer lower than the layer of processing the priority packet and non-priority packet, the priority packet and the non-priority packet is sorted based on the communication protocol header of the receive packet stored in the receive frame, and processing of the priority packet and that of the non-priority packet are conducted separately. |
| US08085665B2 |
Automatic reverse channel assignment in a two-way TDM communication system
To minimize overhead in the allocation of channels, forward and reverse link time slots are automatically assigned in pairs. In particular, rather than requiring a separate process for allocating reverse link channels for the sending of acknowledgment messages in response to receipt of a forward link packet, a different scenario takes place. At the receiving end, such as for valid reception of data on a forward link channel at a central base station site, a reverse link time slot is automatically allocated in a time slot which depends upon the time slot allocation on the forward link. This assists with the rapid return of acknowledgment messages in a reverse link direction which is the predominant direction for such messages in a wireless system wherein most data traffic is Web page oriented. |
| US08085664B2 |
Bi-directional and reverse directional resource reservation setup protocol
A wireless user equipment (UE) configured to initiate a packet based session includes a reservation setup protocol (RSVP) message generator configured to transmit a RSVP PATH message. The RSVP PATH message includes a direction indication. The direction indicator indicates that reservations should be made for the UE to transmit only, to receive only or to both transmit and receive. The UE also includes an RSVP message receiver configured to receive an RSVP RESV message indicating that reservations have been made as a result of the RSVP PATH message. |
| US08085661B2 |
Control channel allocation apparatus, mobile communications system, and control channel allocation method
A control channel allocation apparatus includes a memory portion that stores an identifier indicating a layer 1 control channel associated with a downlink data channel, and a physical channel parameter for transmitting an uplink layer 1 control channel, the identifier being related to the physical channel parameter; a physical layer parameter determination portion that determines the physical channel parameter for transmitting the uplink layer 1 control channel in accordance with the identifier; a layer 1 control channel generation portion that generates a layer 1 control channel indicating a decoding result of a data channel, in accordance with the determined physical channel parameter; and a transmission portion that transmits the generated layer 1 control channel. |
| US08085660B2 |
System, method and computer readable medium for communicating with a zigbee device from a peripheral network
In order to minimize traffic on a Zigbee network, a gateway of the Zigbee network represents end devices in communications with peripheral networks. The gateway receives messages, such as status request messages, from the peripheral network intended for an end device on the Zigbee network. The Zigbee network generates a response message by retrieving stored data for the end device instead of communicating the received message to the end device. |
| US08085658B1 |
System and method of cross-chip flow control
A system and method of controlling data flow may take into account an egress port flow control configuration as well as an original ingress port flow control configuration. A queue controller may execute a flow control algorithm or a quality of service algorithm responsive to the flow control modes at either or both of the original ingress port and the egress port. |
| US08085652B2 |
Communication systems
A transmission method for use in a multi-hop wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and two or more intermediate apparatuses. The system has access to a time-frequency format for use in assigning available transmission frequency bandwidth during a discrete transmission interval, said format defining a plurality of transmission windows within such an interval. Each window occupies a different part of that interval and has a frequency bandwidth profile within said available transmission frequency bandwidth over its part of that interval. Each said window is assignable for such a transmission interval to one of said apparatuses for use in transmission. The method for use in this system includes employing said format for one or more such transmission intervals to transmit information along at least three consecutive said links as a set of successive transmission signals, link by link, each said signal being transmitted in an available transmission window of said interval(s) and at least two of said signals being transmitted during the same said transmission interval such that said information is transmitted along said consecutive links in fewer transmission intervals than said number of consecutive links. |
| US08085650B2 |
Optical encoder having optical encoding disc with light converging portions and light diverging portions
An optical encoder includes an optical encoding disc, a light source module, a motor, and an optical detection system. The optical encoding disc includes a plurality of concentric annular tracks. Each track includes a plurality of coding units. Each coding unit includes a light converging portion and a light diverging portion. The light converging portions and the light diverging portions are arranged alternately along a circumferential direction of the optical encoding disc. The motor is configured for driving the optical encoding disc to rotate. The optical detection system includes a plurality of photo-detectors arranged in a line parallel to a radius of the optical encoding disc. Each photo-detector is corresponding to each track of the optical encoding disc respectively. Each photo-detector is configured for receiving the light beam transmitted through the corresponding track, and generating a voltage according to an intensity of the received light beam. |
| US08085640B2 |
Adjusting method for recording condition and optical disc device
A method for evaluating reproduced signal wherein when Euclidean distance is calculated by judging the coincidence between a binary bit array and a predetermined evaluation bit array in the evaluation of the quality of reproduced signal, the assumption is made that a continuous 2T count included in a predetermined evaluation bit array is denoted by i and that each evaluation bit array is composed of a main bit array having a bit length of (5+2i); and judgment on whether binary bit arrays include the predetermined evaluation bit array, is concentrated on the coincidence judgment of the main bit arrays. |
| US08085639B2 |
Information reproducing device
An A/D converter samples a read signal in synchrony with a system clock sclk having a fixed frequency, to perform an A/D conversion. A fluctuation compensator is configured as an internal-feedback-type compensation filter, and suppresses fluctuation of a digital signal output from the A/D converter. A digital PLL uses an interpolator to generate, by interpolation, a sampled value of the read signal at a timing in synchrony with a channel frequency, and uses NCO to generate a synchronizing clock and an interpolated-phase signal that is fed back to the interpolator. A binarization circuit binarizes the read signal based on the interpolated value output from the interpolator. The frequency characteristic of the fluctuation compensator is controlled based on the frequency value output from the loop filter. |
| US08085638B2 |
Test-write method, information recording method, and information recording apparatus
A test-write method for accurately and quickly determining recording conditions, and an apparatus suitable therefor. In a 2T-based strategy, recording pulse conditions are determined by separately test-writing an even-number length mark and an odd-number length mark, and then the relative positions of the even-number length mark and the odd-number length mark at the recording pulse start time are adjusted. |
| US08085637B2 |
Tracking error signal detection apparatus and optical disc apparatus
A DPD tracking error signal detection apparatus includes the following. Four differentiators remove DC components and differentiate four signal with varying differential phases. The signals are then sampled and quantized by four A/D converters, and output to a non-inverting unit and an inverting unit. A phase inverter/compositor then leaves as-is or phase-inverts the output signals, according to a control signal. The non-inverting and the inverting unit each include two Hilbert transformers that phase-shift the output from the A/D converters, two delay units that delay the output of the other A/D converters to match the delay of the Hilbert transformers, two cross-correlators that calculate the cross-correlation between pairs of Hilbert transformers and delay units, and an adding unit that combines the cross-correlator results and outputs the combined result to the phase inverter/compositor. |
| US08085636B2 |
Recording medium, method for recording control information in the recording medium, and method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data in/from the recording medium using the same
A recording medium, a method for recording control information in the recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data in/from the recording medium using the same are disclosed. The recording medium includes a data area, and a management area for recording control information capable of identifying write compatibility and read compatibility with a driver for recording or reading data on or from the recording medium. Herein, the control information may include a class number for identifying the read compatibility, and a version number for identifying the write compatibility, and the write compatibility may be determined using the version number within the class number. |
| US08085633B2 |
Optical disc drive
When a multilayered optical disc is used, the signal-to-noise ratio of a read signal is decreased as effective reflectance is extremely low due to the influence of reflection and absorption by front recording layers. Further, when a high-frequency modulation technology is used to suppress returned light noise of a laser, the erasure of recorded information is likely to occur on certain types of discs, making it difficult to simultaneously achieve the suppression of returned light noise of a laser and the prevention of the erasure of recorded information. To address the above problems, the present invention includes a section that performs a read by executing a multi-tone demodulation. The present invention also includes a section that controls the position and shape of a read light pulse to be radiated on a recording layer. |
| US08085630B2 |
Optical disk apparatus
A servo control of an optical disk apparatus increases a suppression degree of an iterative learning control system, against a frequency disturbance of integer multiple of rotation frequency in a predetermined rotation phase range including a range, in which a servo deviation is detected, of the rotation phase. |
| US08085626B2 |
Optical pickup device and lens for optical pickup
An optical pickup device according to the present invention comprises: a first mirror for reflecting a first light beam outputted from a first light source and letting a second light beam outputted from a second light source pass therethrough; a first object lens for converging the first light beam reflected by the first mirror on an information recording surface of a recording medium; a second mirror for reflecting the second light beam passing through the first mirror; a second object lens for converging the second light beam reflected by the second mirror on the information recording surface of the recording medium; and an achromatic lens for correcting an axial chromatic aberration of the second object lens generated by wavelength variation of the second light beam, wherein the achromatic lens is provided in an optical path between the first mirror and the second mirror. |
| US08085624B1 |
Method for storing audio-centered information with a multi-level Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism with one Master-TOC and Sub-TOCs for various audio formats, a device for use with such mechanism and a unitary storage medium containing such mechanism
Audio information is stored on a unitary storage medium with a Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism for therein specifying an actual configuration of various audio items on the medium. In particular, one or more Sub-TOCs are each assigned to a respective different audio format. A single Master-TOC is provided for specifically pointing to each Sub-TOC. |
| US08085619B2 |
Fish finder
This disclosure provides a fish finder, which includes a transmission module and a reception module, for outputting an ultrasonic wave underwater, receiving an echo, and outputting a reception signal corresponding to an intensity of the received echo, a control module for generating echo data corresponding to a depth based on the reception signal, a display module for displaying the echo data, and a user interface for receiving a user's operation. The control module causes the display module to display the echo data so that the echo data is displayed in two or more display screens. At least one display screen displays an area having a color different from a background color. A part of the echo data at a depth range corresponding to a height of the area is displayed in the other display screen so as to expand the echo data in a depth direction. The user interface specifies a position and a size of the area via the user's operation. |
| US08085614B2 |
Source control circuit and semiconductor memory device using the same
A source control circuit comprises a control signal generating unit for generating a standby signal which is enabled in a standby condition, and a switching unit connected between a power line for supplying power to an internal circuit and an external power and controlling the supply of the external power in response to the standby signal. |
| US08085613B2 |
Power detecting circuit, portable device and method for preventing data loss
In step S508, it is determined whether or not a power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch is change. Generally Speaking, the power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch would be changed according to the state of the power voltage of the power input terminal. When the power voltage of the power input terminal is charged/discharged to the common voltage, the power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch may be changed from the logical high voltage to the logical low voltage or from the original logical low voltage to the logical high voltage. Since the mention above is design of selectiveness, the detailed description is omitted. When the determination is positive, the step S509 is performed. When the determination is negative, the step S511 is performed to re-detect. |
| US08085606B2 |
Input-output line sense amplifier having adjustable output drive capability
An input-output line sense amplifier configured to drive input data signals over an input-output signal line to an output driver circuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier. |
| US08085603B2 |
Method and apparatus for compression of configuration bitstream of field programmable logic
A memory is disclosed that can be utilized with a field programmable gate array. In some embodiments, the memory can include a memory array comprising a plurality of memory banks, each memory bank including at least one memory block, each of the at least one memory block including an array of memory cells; an address decoder coupled to each of the at least one memory block, the address decoder including a comparator coupled to receive an input address and a block address and provide a compare bit that indicates when a portion of the input address matches the block address, and an OR gate coupled to receive the compare bit and a wildcard bit, the OR gate providing an enable to the memory block when either the compare bit or the wildcard bit is asserted; and a logic unit that receives a mode value and the input address and provides the wildcard bit to each of the address decoders. Data can be simultaneously written into the memory array in patterns in accordance with the mode value. For example, in some embodiments the mode value indicates one of four patterns, a normal pattern, a block checkerboard pattern, a bank checkerboard pattern, and an all banks pattern. |
| US08085600B2 |
Program and verify method of nonvolatile memory device
A program and verify method of a nonvolatile memory device, which can minimize the time taken for program and verify operations. The program and verify method includes precharging an output terminal of a block selector to a second level, making the output terminal of the block selector float, and, in the state where the output terminal floats, sequentially applying a program voltage and a verify voltage through a global word line. |
| US08085597B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and data writing method for nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A method having the steps of applying the same gate voltage to each of gate terminals of a plurality of memory cells via word lines to designate the memory cells as a write target, and simultaneously applying a write voltage that corresponds to each write data across drain-source terminals of two or more memory cells that are write targets via bit lines to write simultaneously a plurality of data elements having mutually different data values to the memory cells. |
| US08085596B2 |
Reducing noise in semiconductor devices
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for reducing noise in semiconductor devices. One method embodiment includes applying a reset voltage to a control gate of a semiconductor device for a period of time. The method further includes sensing the state of the semiconductor device after applying the reset voltage. |
| US08085592B2 |
Charge-trap flash memory device with reduced erasure stress and related programming and erasing methods thereof
Operation methods of charge-trap flash memory devices having an unused memory cell for data storage and a normal memory cell used for data storage are discussed. The operation method may include selecting the unused memory cell, and programming the unused memory cell to have a predetermined threshold voltage. The charge-trap flash memory device may thus be provided with improved reliability by interrupting erasure stress to unused memory cells. |
| US08085590B2 |
Multi-bit-per-cell flash memory device with non-bijective mapping
To store a plurality of input bits, the bits are mapped to a corresponding programmed state of one or more memory cells and the cell(s) is/are programmed to that corresponding programmed state. The mapping may be many-to-one or may be an “into” generalized Gray mapping. The cell(s) is/are read to provide a read state value that is transformed into a plurality of output bits, for example by maximum likelihood decoding or by mapping the read state value into a plurality of soft bits and then decoding the soft bits. |
| US08085586B2 |
Wear level estimation in analog memory cells
A method for operating a memory includes applying at least one pulse to a group of analog memory cells, so as to cause the memory cells in the group to assume respective storage values. After applying the pulse, the respective storage values are read from the memory cells in the group. One or more statistical properties of the read storage values are computed. A wear level of the group of the memory cells is estimated responsively to the statistical properties. |
| US08085583B2 |
Vertical string phase change random access memory device
A phase change random access memory device is disclosed including a first electrode, a second electrode, a phase change material layer between the first and second electrode, a plurality of gate layers formed along the phase change material layer, an insulating film between the phase change material layer and the plurality of gate layers, and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers between the plurality of gate layers and between the first and second electrode and the plurality of gate layers, in which multiple bits of information may be stored in a single memory cell corresponding to the positions of the plurality of gate layers. |
| US08085582B2 |
Magnetic recording device and magnetic recording apparatus
A magnetic recording device includes: a laminated body including: a first ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization substantially fixed in a first direction; a second ferromagnetic layer with a variable magnetization direction; a first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer; and a third ferromagnetic layer with a variable magnetization direction. The magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer is determinable in response to the orientation of a current, by allowing electrons spin-polarized by passing a current in a direction generally perpendicular to the film plane of the layers of the laminated body to act on the second ferromagnetic layer, and by allowing a magnetic field generated by precession of the magnetization of the third ferromagnetic layer to act on the second ferromagnetic layer. |
| US08085580B2 |
System for bitcell and column testing in SRAM
A system comprises a storage cell coupled to multiple bitlines and a transistor that couples to the multiple bitlines in parallel with the storage cell. The transistor is activated while the storage cell is read. |
| US08085579B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
In a memory cell, a margin for data preservation is provided while suppressing a current consumption associated with a low-power consumption mode. A MOS transistor has the same structure as NMOS transistors included in each of memory cells. When a low-power consumption mode is designated, a voltage developed at a node is stabilized by subtracting a margin voltage for data preservation across a first resistor from a voltage applied to a first node and by subtracting a threshold voltage of the MOS transistor from the resultant voltage is applied to a second node. |
| US08085576B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array having memory cells disposed at a crossing-point of a plurality of first lines and a plurality of second lines and a control circuit configured to apply a first voltage to selected one or more of the first lines, and to apply a second voltage having a value smaller than the first voltage to selected one of the second lines, such that a certain potential difference is applied to selected one or more of the memory cells. The control circuit adjusts the second voltage based on a position of the selected one or more of the memory cells within the memory cell array and a number of the selected one or more of the memory cells on which an operation is simultaneously executed, during application of the potential difference to the selected one or more of the memory cells. |
| US08085575B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of driving the same
A nonvolatile memory device and a method of driving the same are provided, which adopt an improved write operation. The method of driving a nonvolatile memory device includes providing the nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory banks each having a plurality of local bit lines and a plurality of variable resistance memory cells; selectively connecting read global bit lines for reading data with the local bit lines, and firstly discharging the selectively connected local bit lines by turning on local bit line discharge transistors coupled to the read global bit lines; and selectively connecting write global bit lines for writing data with the local bit lines, and secondly discharging the selectively connected local bit lines by turning on global bit line discharge transistors. |
| US08085572B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a unit cell with a transistor having a floated body and a capacitor for storing charges; a word line for activating the unit cell; and a bit line for transmitting data to the unit cell. |
| US08085570B2 |
Memory
A memory includes conductive layers provided to extend along the word lines, memory cells each including a diode having a cathode connected to the conductive layer and a source line reading data stored in the memory cells, wherein either the conductive layers or the bit lines are in floating states in a standby time. |
| US08085567B2 |
Iterative serial content addressable memory
A technique is presented for implementing a content addressable memory (CAM) function using traditional memory, where the input data is serially loaded into a serial CAM. Various additions, which allow for predicting the result of a serial CAM access coincident with the completion of serially inputting the data are also presented. |
| US08085565B2 |
Vehicle inverter for powering consumer electronic devices
An inverter for inverter DC power, such as but not limited to the type commonly employed in vehicle power systems, in to AC power, such as but not limited to the type commonly employed to power consumer electronic devices. The inverter may be configured to electrically isolate primary and secondary stages without requiring separate primary and secondary stage power supplies. |
| US08085564B2 |
DC bus voltage control for two stage solar converter
Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter. |
| US08085563B2 |
Protection and clamp circuit for power factor correction controller
A controller generates a drive signal for a converter circuit that includes an active component (i.e., transistor) that is selectively controlled to convert a rectified input to direct current (DC) output. The controller employs an outer feedback loop (based on monitored output voltage of the converter circuit), an inner feedback loop (based on monitored AC input current drawn by the converter circuit), and a pulse width modulator (PWM) to generate the drive signals necessary to generate the desired DC output voltage and to provide power factor correction to the converter circuit. In particular, the inner feedback loop includes an amplifier and a fault protection and clamp circuit. The amplifier has a first input connected to receive a feedback signal representing the monitored AC input current, a second input, and an output that provides a current feedback signal to the PWM. The fault protection and clamp circuit is connected to monitor the voltage at the second input of the PWM and to detect fault conditions associated with the converter circuit, wherein in response to an over-voltage condition at the second input or a detected fault condition the fault protection and claim circuit clamps the current feedback signal provided to the second input of the PWM to a reference value and provides the reference value in feedback to either the first or second input of the amplifier. |
| US08085555B2 |
Circuit board module and connection port thereof
A connection port and a circuit board module employing such a connection port are provided. The circuit board module includes a circuit board, a plurality of electronic components, a switch, a control unit connected to the switch, and a connection port. The electronic components, the switch, the control unit and the connection port are disposed on the circuit board. The connection port is adapted for connecting with a connector. The connection port includes a body, a plurality of first connection terminals for connecting with the connector, and a detection terminal. Each of the first connection terminals has one end connected to the control unit via the switch. The detection terminal has one end connected with the switch of the circuit board module. When another end of the detection terminal gets in contact with the connector, the switch electrically conducts the first connection terminals with the control unit. |
| US08085554B2 |
Air inlet diffuser
An air inlet diffuser 10 is disclosed for attachment relative to an air inlet opening 106 of an electronics enclosure 100. The diffuser 10 extends into the electronics enclosure 100 and provides an increased surface area through which EMI attenuating apertures may be formed. The diffuser 10 also reduces the amount of structure that is disposed within the air inlet opening 106 thereby reducing impedance to airflow through the opening 106 into the enclosure 100. The increased surface are of the diffuser 10 allows for increasing the number of EMI attenuating apertures that may be utilized for a given inlet opening 106. In one embodiment, the total open area of the EMI apertures is greater than the open area of the air inlet opening. In such an embodiment, the EMI apertures provide low impedance to airflow through the diffuser 10 and increased airflow in conjunction with EMI attenuation may be realized. |
| US08085551B2 |
Electronic component and manufacturing the same
The present invention is to provide an electronic component where positional accuracy for arranging members constituting a circuit element such as a resistor element and the like is mitigated and corrosion of a terminal electrode caused by sulfur in the atmosphere is reduced. The four chips connected resistor device 1 as an electronic component comprises: an insulating substrate 2 including a front surface 2a, a back surface 2b and a side surface 2c connecting the front surface 2a with the back surface 2b; a pair of terminal electrodes placed on the front and back surfaces 2a and 2b and the side surface 2c; a resistor element 5 including a resistor member 4 connected to the pair of terminal electrodes, and a protective layer (a glass film 6 and an overcoating film 7) for protecting the resistor member 4: the auxiliary electrode 9 placed with covering the interface 8 between the overcoating film 7 and the terminal electrode 3; and a nickel plated layer 10 and a solder plated layer 11 placed on the surfaces of the terminal electrode 3 and the auxiliary electrode 9. The interface 8 is placed at the end portion 2c of the insulating substrate 2. |
| US08085548B2 |
Circuit for suppressing electromagnetic interference, implementation structure and electronic apparatus implementing the same
There is provided a circuit substrate to be mounted in an electronic apparatus, and the circuit substrate has a power supply and a GND. The GND of the circuit substrate is electrically connected to GNDs of other components of the electronic apparatus through connecting parts. The circuit substrate has a part or circuit that implements a low impedance in an intended frequency range between the peripheral conductor of the connecting part opening to be used for the connection and the power supply of the circuit substrate. |
| US08085545B2 |
Structure for blocking an electromagnetic interference, wafer level package and printed circuit board having the same
A structure for blocking electromagnetic interference (EMI) may include at least one electromagnetic wave inducing member and an electromagnetic wave filtering member. The at least one electromagnetic wave inducing member may be provided to an electronic device to induce an electromagnetic wave applied to the electronic device. The electromagnetic wave filtering member may be provided to the electronic device to filter the electromagnetic wave induced by the at least one electromagnetic wave inducing member. Thus, the electromagnetic wave filtering member may remove the electromagnetic wave concentrated on the at least one electromagnetic wave inducing member, so that the electromagnetic wave applied to the electronic device may be effectively removed. As a result, circuits in the electronic device may be protected from the EMI. |
| US08085543B2 |
Adapter and consumer electronic device functional unit
A functional unit of a consumer electronic device and an adapter. performing a first primary function and mountable to an appliance host performing a second primary function. The adapter includes a main body, a first support component capable of supporting the consumer electronic device, a second support component capable of removably coupling the functional unit to the host, and a third support component capable of alternatively supporting the functional unit on a horizontal surface when the adapter main body is removed from the host. The adapter provides an electromagnetic service to the consumer electronic device selected from a power service and a data service supplied by the adapter. |
| US08085540B2 |
Tandem fan assembly with airflow-straightening heat exchanger
A tandem fan system with an airflow-straightening heat exchanger removes heat from an airflow while providing optimal airflow pressure. The tandem fan system includes a first fan assembly and a second fan assembly, wherein each fan assembly has an inlet face and an outlet face, and includes at least one fan configured to propel a flow of air from the inlet face to the outlet face. The tandem fan system also includes a heat exchanger coupled between the first and second fan assemblies, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one fin array and one or more heat pipes. The fin array and heat pipe combination is configured to draw heat from a flow of air that flows through the heat exchanger, and to straighten the flow of air so that the flow is perpendicular to the inlet face of the second fan assembly. |
| US08085539B2 |
Electronic system and heat dissipation device thereof
A heat dissipation device for an electronic component mounted on a circuit board includes a heat pipe and a fastening assembly. The heat pipe includes an evaporation section and a condensation section. The fastening assembly includes a retention plate and a wire clip. The retention plate includes a retaining portion abutting against the heat pipe, and two fastening portions located at opposite sides of the evaporation section of the heat pipe. The wire clip includes two abutting portions, a resisting portion interconnecting the abutting portions, and two locking arms extending outwardly from two outer ends of the abutting portions, respectively. The retaining portion and the resisting portion abut against the evaporation section of the heat pipe, the abutting portions abut against inner surfaces of the fastening portions, the locking arms are fastened to the circuit board, thereby mounting the retention plate with the heat pipe on the electronic component. |
| US08085536B2 |
Computer
A computer includes an enclosure, a platform, a motherboard and at least one disk drive. A receiving space is defined by the enclosure. The platform divides the receiving space into at least two housings. The motherboard and the at least one disk drive are located in different housings. |
| US08085535B2 |
Fan casing integrated heat spreader for active cooling of computing system skins
In one embodiment, a fan casing may have a direct thermal connection with a heat spreader. The fan casing might be used in an active cooling system of a mobile computing device such as a notebook computer to reduce and/or eliminate the occurrence of thermal hot spots on the skin of the device. In one example, the heat spreader extends from the enclosure and is disposed between a heat source and the skin of the device. |
| US08085530B2 |
Mounting mechanism and electronic device incorporating the same
A mounting mechanism for attaching a data storage device to a chassis includes a housing, first and second driving members, a latching member, first, second, and third elastic members. The housing defines first, second and third sliding paths therein. The first and third sliding paths extend along a first direction of the housing for receiving the first driving member and the latching member. The second sliding path extends along a second direction of the housing substantially perpendicular to the first direction for receiving the second driving member. The first driving member forms an inclined guiding surface at an end thereof outside the housing. When the guiding surface is pressed down, the driving member moves inward, driving the second driving to move and disengage from the latching member, and the latching member moves along the first direction by an elastic force of the third elastic member. |
| US08085529B2 |
Button structure and electronic device using the same
A button structure for a portable electronic device includes a button and a latching member, the button includes a plate portion and an extending arm, the button has a resisting block formed. The latching member includes a plate body and a branch, the plate body defines a guiding slot, the branch is bendable elastically corresponding to the plate body and has a wedge formed, the wedge is configured for latching with a housing of an electronic device. After the button structure is assembled, the distal end of the extending arm is secured to the plate body, the resisting block passes through the guiding slot. When the button is pressed, the resisting block moves together with the button to urge the wedge remove from the housing. |
| US08085523B2 |
Method of manufacturing capacitor
One capacitor fabrication process including metal layer forming a metal layer on one surface of a substrate, dielectric layer forming a dielectric layer on the metal layer, metal foil forming a metal foil on the dielectric layer, separating the noble metal layer from the dielectric layer, and electrode layer forming an electrode layer on the second surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the second surface faces away from the first surface of the dielectric layer with the metal foil. Another capacitor fabrication process includes separation layer forming a separation layer on one surface of a substrate, dielectric layer forming a dielectric layer on the separation layer, metal foil forming a metal foil the dielectric layer, separating the substrate from the separation layer, and an electrode layer forming an electrode layer on the second surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the second surface faces away from the first surface of said dielectric layer with the metal foil. A thin-film capacitor has higher capacity, is so slimmed down and has a form well fit for being buried in a base board, and can be used even at high frequencies. |
| US08085522B2 |
Capacitor and method of manufacturing the same and capacitor unit
The present invention has a configuration which allows manufacturing a capacitor including a first electrode layer, conductive first convex sections layered on a surface of the first electrode layer, a first dielectric layer formed on a surface of the first convex sections and a surface of the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed so as to be superimposed on the first convex sections and the first electrode layer via the first dielectric layer. |
| US08085519B2 |
Circuit arrangement for providing a DC operating voltage
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for providing an operating DC voltage from a mains voltage, more particularly to operating circuits comprising a clocked electronic converter. Such operating circuits are preferably used for lamps or other light sources. The present invention protects such circuit arrangements from transient mains overvoltages. As soon as a mains overvoltage occurs a diverter switch Th connects the voltage-sensitive switch S11 of the electronic converter to a storage capacitor C12. |
| US08085513B2 |
Magnetic sensor
An object is to provide a magnetic sensor permitting an increase in potential output. The magnetic sensor has a channel layer, a magnetization free layer provided on a first portion of the channel layer and configured to detect an external magnetic field, and a magnetization fixed layer provided on a second portion different from the first portion of the channel layer, and a cross-sectional area of the magnetization fixed layer in a surface opposed to the channel layer is larger than a cross-sectional area of the magnetization free layer in a surface opposed to the channel layer. |
| US08085506B1 |
Disk drive gimbal having a stable pitch static attitude and related method of manufacture
A gimbal, a disk drive suspension that includes the gimbal, and a related method of manufacture, wherein the gimbal is configured to be coupled between a disk drive slider and a disk drive load beam. The gimbal includes a strut having a buss and a projection that is coupled to the buss. A combination of the projection and the buss define a gap. |
| US08085503B2 |
Suspension having an isolated trailling portion, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the same
A suspension for a head gimbal assembly comprises a flexure having a suspension tongue with a trailing portion. The trailing portion has a plurality of trailing pads formed thereon adapted for bonding to a trailing edge of a slider. The trailing portion is isolated from other portions of the flexure by a first slot surrounding the trailing portion. The isolated trailing portion is not affected due to the temperature change, the thermal crown change of the slider is reduced and, in turn, the variation of flying height of the slider is reduce so as to improve read/write performance of the slider. The invention also discloses a head gimbal assembly and a disk drive unit with the same. |
| US08085501B2 |
Reader including an interposer that prevents coupling with write-protected data cartridges
A removable hard disk drive storage system includes a data storage cartridge having a write protect switch, and a reader configured to couple to and read data from the data storage cartridge. The reader includes a physical block that aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge. The physical block aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge to prevent the reader from coupling to the data storage cartridge when the write protect switch is in a write protect position. |
| US08085499B2 |
Thin film perpendicular magnetic recording head, their fabrication process and magnetic disk drive using it
Thin film perpendicular magnetic head with a narrow main pole capable of a high recording density in excess of 100 gigabits per square inch and generating a high magnetic recording field, while also being modified to suppress remanent magnetic fields occurring immediately after writing operation. A return path is provided for supplying a magnetic flux to the main pole, and an conductive coil for excitation of the main pole and return path. The main pole has a pole width of 200 nanometers or less, and a magnetic multilayer made up of a high saturation flux density layer and low saturation flux density layer. The low saturation flux density layer and the high saturation flux density suppress remanent magnetization and prevent erasing after writing by utilizing a closed magnetic domain structure in the pole. |
| US08085493B2 |
Contactless method for power and communications in a tape library
A tape library is provided with a fixed coupling mechanism so that the tape library includes discrete locations via which power and communication are provided to an accessor. The use of such a coupling mechanism in a vertical tape library allows for the use of gravity to ensure that the accessor can couple with the fixed coupling mechanism even when no power is present in the accessor. |
| US08085492B1 |
Helicoid group switching
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to magnetic recording devices, such as disk drives. A recording medium of a magnetic recording device can include multiple helicoid patterns arranged in multiple helicoid groups. A described technique includes receiving a waveform produced by a head operated with respect to the medium; determining, based on the waveform, first phase difference(s) corresponding to a first helicoid group; affecting an alignment of the head with respect to the medium based on the first helicoid group by compensating for the first phase difference(s) to maintain the alignment; determining, while compensating for the first phase differences, second phase difference(s) corresponding to a second helicoid group; and affecting, responsive to a switch from the first helicoid group to the second helicoid group, the alignment of the head with respect to the medium by compensating for the second phase difference(s) to maintain the alignment. |
| US08085489B2 |
Method for writing servo patterns and disk drive including a controller for writing servo patterns according to the method
A method for writing servo patterns onto a disk of a disk drive. The method includes providing a plurality of different drive currents for an actuator while pushing the actuator into a crash stop defining a swing range of the actuator. The method also includes performing a write operation for at least one of the plurality of different drive currents to write a plurality of servo pattern tracks including a plurality of separate servo pattern sectors. Furthermore, the method includes gradually changing a drive current of the plurality of different drive currents while pushing the actuator into the crash stop so as to gradually move a read element in searching for a servo pattern track to a radial position different from a radial position of the write element. Moreover, the method includes positioning the read element at one of the plurality of servo pattern tracks. |
| US08085488B2 |
Predicting operational problems in a hard-disk drive (HDD)
A method and apparatus for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation is provided. The HDD comprises a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring the difference in the pressure between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. The differential pressure sensor may reside in a breather filter covering an air passage within the enclosure. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the difference in pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of an atmospheric pressure sensor, a particle counter, and a chemical vapor sensor which may be used by the risk assessment component. |
| US08085486B2 |
Method for interfacing non-volatile medium control system components
In a method for causing data to be written to a non-volatile medium, first data to be encoded and written in a sector of the non-volatile medium as a codeword is transmitted to a write or read/write channel device, and a write gate signal corresponding to the sector is asserted. Asserting the write gate signal indicates to the write or read/write channel device when to write the codeword to the sector. While asserting the write gate signal to cause the codeword to be written, second data to be encoded and written to the non-volatile medium is transmitted to the write or read/write channel device. |
| US08085482B2 |
X-Y adjustable optical mount with Z rotation
An optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member by a number of flexures. A first translational actuator is movable within the outer member and coupled to the inner member by a first shaft and is actuable to translate the inner member along a first substantially linear travel path within a translation plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis. A second translational actuator is movable within the outer member and coupled to the inner member by a second shaft and is actuable to translate the inner member along a second substantially linear travel path within the translation plane. A rotational actuator is movable within the outer member and coupled to the inner member by a third shaft and actuable to rotate the inner member about an instant point of rotation that is defined at the intersection of the first and second linear travel paths. |
| US08085481B2 |
Lens drive motor mount
An iris rod clamp, and lens drive motor mount using the clamp, is employed for attaching equipment such as lens motors to various movie/video cameras via the different sized iris rods used by these movie/video cameras. The clamp includes jaws with clamping surfaces that have multiple, parallel concave cylindrical profiles matching the different sizes of iris rods. The lens drive motor mount uses clamps and support arms with flat sides to keep alignment perpendicular to the lens. A D-clamp slides along a support arm to adjust location of the lens drive motor and a rosette rotates relative to the D-clamp to adjust angular position of the lens drive motor. |
| US08085480B2 |
Compact zoom lens
A zoom lens including a first lens group having a negative refractive power, including a negative lens and a positive lens and having at least one aspherical surface, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. During, zooming from a wide angle position to a telephoto position, the first lens group is moved so that the first lens group at the telephoto position is closer to the object side than the first lens group at the wide angle position, the second lens group is moved, the third lens group is moved toward the object side from the image side, and the fourth lens group is moved so that the distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group at the telephoto position is larger than the distance therebetween at the wide angle position, and the zoom lens satisfies the following Equations: vdG1−p>56.0 2.1<|β3T/β3W|<5.5, where vdG1−p is the Abbe's number of the positive lens of the first lens group, β3T is the magnification of the third lens group at the telephoto position and β3W is the magnification of the third lens group at the wide angle position, respectively. |
| US08085471B2 |
Light integrating device for an illumination system and illumination system using the same
A light integrating device for an illumination system and an illumination system. The illumination system includes a first light source module and a second light source module providing a first light and a second light, respectively. The device includes first and second light collecting elements and a beam splitting element. The first light travels into the first light collecting element and is split into a plurality of light groups by the beam splitting element. At least one light group travels into the second light collecting element from the beam splitting element. The second light travels into the second light collecting element, is reflected by the beam splitting element and emits out from the second light collecting element along the principle axis of the light integrating device together with the at least one light group which is split from the first light and travels into the second light collecting element. |
| US08085470B2 |
Line head and an image forming apparatus
A line head, includes: a lens array that includes a first lens, a second lens and a light transmissive substrate on which the first lens and the second lens are arranged in a first direction; and a light emitting element substrate on which light emitting elements are arranged in the first direction, wherein the first lens is formed such that, in a cross section in the first direction including an optical axis of an imaging optical system comprised of the first lens, a curvature of the first lens at an outer peripheral portion has a sign opposite to that of a curvature of the first lens on the optical axis or has a smaller absolute value than the curvature of the first lens on the optical axis. |
| US08085467B1 |
Projection display surface providing speckle reduction
A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts. |
| US08085461B2 |
Systems and methods of actuating MEMS display elements
Apparatus and methods of actuating MEMS display elements are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments can be incorporated into other drive schemes for MEMS display elements. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a MEMS display element to display a frame of video data, said MEMS display element comprising a portion of an array of MEMS display elements, includes an array controller configured to assert a potential difference on said MEMS display element during a first portion of a frame display write process to place the MEMS display element in a first display state, and to assert a potential difference on said MEMS display element during a second portion of the frame display write process to place the MEMS display element in a second display state to display the frame of the video data, where the first display state is different from the second display state. In another embodiment, an array controller asserts a large potential difference across a MEMS display element to affect charge build up and an offset voltage level. In another embodiment, an array controller asserts a series of pulses to rapidly switch the MEMS display element between states to overcome adverse conditions that may affect the operation of the MEMS display element. |
| US08085460B2 |
Electrochromic device
An electrochromic device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. A first conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the first substrate. A first electrochromic electrode comprising a tungsten oxide coating is formed over at least a portion of the first conductive member. A second conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the second substrate. A second electrochromic electrode is formed over at least a portion of the second conductive member. An ionic liquid is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. In one aspect of the invention, the ionic liquid can include nanoparticles of metals or metal oxides. In a further aspect of the invention, the second conductive member and second electrode can be formed by a single material. |
| US08085457B2 |
Light source system, optical scanner, image forming apparatus, and light-amount control method
A light source system includes a splitter that split light beams F0 emitted from a light source into at least light beams FM and light beams FS, and an optical detecting system that guides the light beams FM to a detector. A light component near a light-intensity peak of the light beams F0 in a plane perpendicular to a propagation direction of the light beams F0 is included only in the light beams FS. Accordingly, light beams have a substantially circular or elliptic cross section with the intensity peak near the center. Light at the peak is supplied to the outside, and other light is used to control an amount of light. |
| US08085443B2 |
Original reading device
An original reading device corrects line noise when performing original image reading by a sheet-through method, even if line noise appears due to a piece of debris simultaneously influencing all color sensors. Background plates (33) have different densities and a background plate switching motor (37) switches between the background plates in order. Before the original reaches a reading position, an image of each background plate is read to generate correction data. Image data is generated by reading an image of the original when it has reached the reading position. A noise address is detected using the correction data and/or image data. The correction data is used to calculate an influence value indicating a level of influence of a dirtiness source inferred to exist at an area corresponding to the noise address. In the image data, a line noise portion indicated by the noise address is corrected using the influence value. |